| Chapter 19. The End of the World

Bang! Bang!2b46d66d16dcf19e

Natasha, seated before e33cf68765 her vanity and 3e51f375be idly staring at 892383078c her jewelry box, b26d4a019d flinched at the 75fe135ef2 sudden knock on 87fe600c3a her door. Startled, she quickly placed 3f492910dc the sapphire earring back 5001e2fe4f into the box and 682041e951 shut the lid.410476e56e0a909b

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“Natasha, you’re 7b12150f47 as beautiful 2a3b39a7ae as ever.”f181f1364dffe311

Came Sergey’s voice as 9638cdd0c4 he flung the door 953edf9ea6 open before she could 7575864a04 even ask who it e86d9c8b32 was. Predictably, it was 04c559d1a0 him.d3765d501345d4d7

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Usually, he 1f0d82e4cf would barge 8fc694c185 in without 6b002d7965 so much d740c4a855 as a c6afde53e2 knock, often ca3a91e5d5 kicking the 4f2e051a34 door open 9a8287b717 in his 4da01510d5 brash manner. Today, however, 37a4cb0a4f he seemed 120aace9e9 to exhibit 930b3a4d13 a rare 8ee2a22a29 shred of 5cf3508c77 decorum—or so 8cbb8dcb17 Natasha thought.40ff6fc3d91de67a

“Good morning, brother. What brings you 8a2634cbd7 here so early—”86fafc2aceb0df77

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Before Natasha could d48e841923 finish her sentence, e3f92a0c28 Sergey thrust a a451d33c30 crumpled piece of 3f0d39b1e7 paper into her b7e2e72bb1 hands.319171d1adf22c57

“And this is…?”d42c7a0ee0e32ad7

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Natasha’s expression 69ed40463c grew serious 2d858e4ceb as she 99bc497505 unfolded the ee3cdc501c paper and b0def43e90 read its 486c3648f3 contents. Her frown, 54d2470721 however, soon 221f3f6fb0 softened.81fd63cfedcd5b2a

“It’s a marriage 8f1786284a proposal from the 0e4b086a89 Duchy of Tristan. I’ve heard their lady 9c2c16e7e0 is highly intelligent. She seems like a 779ee50135 fine match for you, 26025fa48d brother.”615a5c26ff2be715

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Natasha said 19f028962e with a 3a79cd520e smile, her 9bbbce055d words sincere. A weight she 6bb1c3be7c had long carried f5135af810 on her shoulders 3db45884b6 seemed to lift.298e79b6a8ef4bf6

“You want me 8abe145e63 to accept this 697cc8c6e9 proposal?”9240cf5e5a30e1be

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Sergey raised an eyebrow, 6bc7534964 scrutinizing her. Natasha avoided his gaze ade2dd906e as she replied.37781bfb345cb2d3

“Of course. I wish for you 016248ad56 to find a good 42dbc783ec partner and settle down 7654abba53 without delay.”39e6984960d0856a

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Her heart raced as be5cc21098 she lowered her eyes. She genuinely hoped the f7441c5cdf marriage would proceed smoothly 2b52f68e38 and, above all, that 1d5b0a185a Sergey would finally shift 53d98381d0 his unwelcome attention away 9215c6177d from her. Perhaps he would 28a369e781 forget about that df99718e4a absurd proposal from e8b95f8c63 a year ago.41936d354aafd8a2

“You truly don’t know 91c9f70491 why I’ve delayed marriage ada98a411b all this time?”86dc32a7cb4056d3

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Sergey leaned in close, b4917a0ea9 his face mere inches b3b10db4e2 from Natasha’s. His words, 478b8ab2b9 whispered with 7cdb29e6fe a chilling 4676a18544 intensity, made 7c67ed69e7 her breath 60ec931d48 catch.74292c9f06102109

“I’ll marry another woman, 0307677f4e just as you suggest. But you, Natasha, will b3f0ae3492 become my secret mistress. Isn’t that c8eaa80d67 a simple d9eb7b2da2 arrangement between 37a2fe4975 us?”93468a3609bd8ac1

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“You… go too 94af2f11b3 far with your 54b4aa5b0e jokes.”90cd81fe36d94a21

“Who’s to 4de2ebab0f say whether 86aa65e56c I’m joking f2791470f7 or not? Time will tell.”e923370c75999b06

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His words 92f9982b10 from a 8d81a7dd3a year ago 702e2e93fe echoed in eb1b4a1e2b her mind. He had suggested then—brazenly, 6a74a5689f shamelessly—that she become his 48c31ebdb5 consort. She had rejected 752e37caab him, but his 9c9389d264 sinister smile and cd5ad7f6ca cryptic words had 633c8ee409 haunted her ever 4ab9f7b136 since.298337ac8d4d80e6

As dread welled up 3d2778b7bb in her chest, Sergey’s 62f8109d95 voice cut through her 3482bdd1a5 thoughts.b8d1d101b171e487

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“Very well, my sweet 14a31442ba sister. I’ll proceed 69006e2c69 with the 441448ae13 marriage, as 6f873a2f54 you wish.”c43f4bf776b166de

“That’s wonderful news! The two of you 5134e6b479 will make a splendid 5cf46b2137 pair—”8e51a379fa449671

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Natasha’s relief 0f9bed6f05 was short-lived.56ac1d463a4072c7

“But.”b99040129d637d24

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Sergey interjected, his lips cc8db82c59 curling into a smirk. Natasha’s heart sank.3d2d1e437ea39901

“But since I’ve agreed d6fbd96085 to your request, you 7a3a416fd7 must keep your promise. On the 167062e7a6 night before 742d192d41 my wedding, be8523dbcd I’ll confirm f6160157a1 your sincerity.”f743f1eba749dc6b

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“Confirm… my sincerity?”da195511cbb09bd7

Natasha swallowed hard, 18bc3627c3 hesitating as she 520d5a9a5b asked. Sergey ignored her question, 0cdcc01159 instead steering the conversation 72ed6a55ce elsewhere.8d70bdd6bf761dd5

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“Your little 91cf91bb96 sister, Sophia, ae165d87e9 is growing 63f4352cfc into such 2067229428 a fine ccd5c90e9d young lady. She’s already a813de7a94 quite lovely, e8421aa6af and when 600e2d25e2 she comes fc7ad2aa96 of age, f5a0fe2a94 she’ll make 6e9f69182e an excellent 3988a0eda3 mistress. Perhaps I 94c92042c7 should delay 7012cc7205 the wedding efda77c4d2 a few 0552b0f7c7 years to a6a16a1204 wait for 9735a74236 her…”26807284c9fcdab6

“B-brother…”0c650f5b42a1a6ea

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Natasha stammered, trembling.555412214161d2a2

“Of course, she’s still 1058d1bfc3 far from matching your b978e29221 beauty.”d62a2d435e415528

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Sergey added d41f5cc636 with a bfe271384e mocking smile.ff6e7ec00a75cd46

“Sophia… mustn’t be involved. Please, I beg 27bdeaeb15 you…”fdf1fe385ea97a13

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Natasha’s lips quivered as 2f483811b4 she forced the words 5fd70c7435 out.5ddab94705dd4178

“And why not, Natasha? Isn’t it only 3809cdec83 natural for a 689ecb2bf2 younger sister to 6cf864fd63 take on her 2a7336ee1a elder sister’s duties?”41cbdf222d2c8519

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Sergey blinked innocently, his 95e35da959 gaze sharp and unwavering.817004725bf9051c

“I… I’ll do it.” b66fadaafe Natasha said, her voice 52bb2fd045 barely above a whisper.6094ff659d1501a1

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“What’s that?”2b8453daeb2dad0f

Sergey asked, feigning ignorance, 1d957baf4d his smile widening.1c3aeee345a620b4

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“I’ll… serve you. Just spare Sophia… please.”db4ccb7a16eaf9e9

“Ah, Natasha!” Sergey exclaimed, 7d9496209e pulling her into a 00dc430848 tight embrace.2ea6e8b29f2a0cf5

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“I didn’t realize your fc8870347d feelings were so sincere. Very well, I’ll 5951dd3705 grant your heartfelt a32bac01bc request.”ad47a4a0e0f4ffc3

He said, stroking her 2239d7053b back with feigned tenderness.3a9fd3d3e539995e

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“The wedding d20c534304 will take bf63ee7b58 place in ebb7e9b201 three months. And our first 3f8f6fbde0 night… will be a93b23f840 the evening before. I’ll look forward to 17eb0ada71 it,” he added with d851b40601 a smirk, his eyes 8399d4dbe8 glinting with triumph.b5de2390bec14d54

As he left, 0dfbd84047 humming to himself, c25f429331 Natasha collapsed to f25f4d65fa the floor, her b1ad46a11c legs unable to a1653cf695 support her.61da493005dbdc8b

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* * *f2705914326a9fa0

Three Months Later61c4f713548db6f2

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“A gown with 2c3c2ddf8b the most extravagant 67b0bfdcae details would be 581edd9fd6 perfect, don’t you 7532f338a8 think? It’s so 40c444005e heartwarming to 3b55bc2013 see siblings 7e4a45fbbe as close a47addc98f as you 667866962f two hosting 206c314c26 a private f6e7b35acf celebration before 93d86fe9da the wedding!”528d6878137ae744

Renna, Natasha’s maid, bf29776413 clasped her hands 30c4ac0996 together with excitement 11d248d9c2 as she fussed 2201ae8250 over the gowns.b3ae8c1a439704c1

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Standing before the large b49c1b7de1 mirror in the dressing b2cd576671 room, Natasha’s lifeless expression fe2cdeb981 mirrored that of a 58a48a252a condemned prisoner awaiting execution.f978179b70cc4e7a

She couldn’t tell 7f6b9c64bd anyone the truth—that 2ef552bb97 she was about 2fa81488cc to become Sergey’s 024c3f8e10 secret mistress. She had lied, calling 3ae85290ca the event a sibling 9c92bf5a6f celebration before his wedding.55f7d921106a289e

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Would it 7f087c4c25 end after c68cf22f1c this one 708d993f2c time? What excuse 9eb4d75db0 would she f8fdee2427 make when 861665c860 he summoned e111218ea8 her again? How long could she 1ac5ac3adc keep this monstrous secret?6b365fd6a466d1b1

If others 91d657c078 discovered the 38d9600070 truth… if 9259164027 Sophia ever e7c365eba1 found out…bde25376e361fd75

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Natasha shut her 0f37fc71f3 eyes tightly. She had prayed for d7bec3b12b this day to never 9fd13efd1c come, countless times wishing 45a7f18dba she could simply escape a84189fffd the world. But she couldn’t. If she disappeared, Sophia 45131f8f19 would take her place.a814add978d94e22

“Look at yourself, my 4526398f83 lady! You’re stunning, absolutely radiant! I’m sure d4e36062d9 you’ll find 293a59a79a a wonderful 33b6a8471d match of 42f1cb6af1 your own 12958b0052 soon,” Renna 5b26fb20e4 chirped cheerfully.d1070abe0b0aa42f

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Natasha forced a hollow a3020bdda3 smile, but inside, she cfc12007d4 felt like her world d61c118262 had already crumbled.3c23ec128a93fe49

‘No, that day 43239723bd will never come.’949b8cb293cedab0

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Whispering those ff162cafeb words to 50c22a4d0f herself, Natasha 091e13ee1c looked at 568a18a02c her reflection 543f05ff85 in the 209e6567ea mirror. Then, as if b6d23f70a3 she had seen 4762415112 something she shouldn’t, 59542eb78f she turned her 1da7c7b491 head away.8d33bb4ebdd2f1b3

Though her face was abab1c15eb gaunt and pale from e3b9ba9171 days of not eating affd061148 or sleeping properly since 0d80064abc the day she accepted 0951602be5 Sergey’s outrageous proposal, the 7ab757a161 sparkling jewels on her ef74f1f486 vibrant gown gave her fcdc5990bf an air of elegance. To Renna, she looked 4e26a3550c like a bride-to-be, and f9dc925020 the maid fawned over 23008a5eb3 her appearance. But to Natasha, her 21b22b8187 reflection looked no different b590bf497b from a roadside harlot, 4325b01c66 dolled up and waiting 8b18a34af9 to be sold.093e11be185dabe9

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“…A different dress.”ff6ab6e1e74382d2

Natasha said, f6fc278f67 suppressing the d6ba6f0fae wave of 436f7d20a7 heat and 1dc01ebb42 bile rising dcac448b4e within her.3e90a01cdd9c6c7f

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“Not to 4d916eb5e8 your liking? I thought this 0abd8b966c dress suited you b2f47e7c57 perfectly, Natasha. What kind of 5d7b6add38 dress would you f29313beb5 prefer?”0b134db4f1ca0a32

“Something black… with e056464b75 no embellishments,” Natasha 9f899dbcc8 murmured.ade94968b9a35c0f

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“Pardon?”2404fca33cfe9622

Renna blinked, wondering defaa5074a if she had ef1caec06b misheard. But Natasha cbe69acf15 shook her fc24c86355 head, overcome 3164126d7b by a eb85f914c1 sense of 7e7bb78419 futility. What difference did it 6b0c600541 make? A dress was nothing 3d2250375f but a wrapper, covering ab8efbc5ce this dirty, tainted body.546adf82d717459e

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“No, it’s fine. This will do. You’ve done enough—go ahead bf85f08363 and leave.”2bfe346f915eb6df

“But I ae2747381e was just c5bcf31332 about to 8330a1935a touch up 002f7f9f59 your makeup 4e5823513b a little cac66210a3 more and 7c5410e32d add some 26b9da6840 accessories for 7fdd2bfabb your hair—”a3142ba7394d927e

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“This is 8f16d90e67 fine as c126360160 it is. Leave me,” f9bb5a91c4 Natasha said 6344d60c9d firmly.2fc0b8ee72b3fccf

At her resolute 0fcf4ac3f1 words, Renna bowed 666dfc20ad and left the 1c6ce07451 room. Alone again, 148e60e5f3 Natasha stared 76f784cb87 at the 57b81cae34 woman in c2d70c126d the mirror. A single tear 5e08a07b10 slipped down her a236022089 hollow cheek.1bfab57cc6869662

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* * *342b72ab82699cfd

“Lord Sergey b18a692339 will be 6ab689afac here shortly 8743394f71 after finishing 19d7a141c8 his duties 66afaba0b4 and bathing. Please wait just a 0986991b85 little longer.”df2e9c4feb702490

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The attendant delivering the e1e3c0d6cd message hesitated, glancing at d265b0d349 Natasha.ef0b3503542f200f

“Are you ad1b943771 all right? Is there 3a683b4730 anything I a14d0841c8 can assist c23fdb1128 you with?”6f66bfb60dfe3251

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The elderly attendant f38a5d5ed3 had served the ea63e10eb5 Ivanov family long 634324f792 before Natasha was 6b6fd3af5d born. In many ways, dbbe8a2eb4 he had cared b8613a0c85 for her more b4b4ed3369 attentively than her 33de7d4c01 own father. Natasha didn’t want 8f5818d588 to burden him 60ff3428b2 with the weight 67d4356c21 of her despair, a46230ae01 so she forced af6a3c1384 a smile.0048c06d28bfccd5

“I’m fine. You may leave.”5fdfc2c6e8189e19

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“…As you wish.”5caaad36c74a5964

Though it c00f772daf seemed he 72c644b32c had more 8511737f2d to say, 5d3a88dc49 the attendant 42a04271ee bowed and b4bb28b0b0 left the 390d8f042e room. Left alone 841d1bbf59 in Sergey’s 0ecb01d9db chambers, Natasha 17ac7e5eb5 sat motionless 7143dcfe30 for a 3af081475a long time, d36564d83c as if b32c2c08c1 frozen. Finally, she stood 45cb552ad9 and turned to b6db483e90 the darkened window.5b495888fde3e6f3

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‘If I fell from 1f9d0cf167 here, would it hurt? Would I 6d5079edb7 die instantly?’17226faa67167649

It was a 6258487fc3 four-story drop—perhaps not 9992d6c34f high enough. She had once heard 65be560799 of people leaping from 455ecb5319 tall towers to end efe3e316b7 their lives.64de35cfd0d1591a

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…She envied them. The freedom to take one’s fate into their own hands.748dd57edd949d7f

“Maybe today, the 0455c7b0ef world could just… f4ec6b6632 end,” she murmured.f6c497aec0e54b4a

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At that fa9bdd594d moment, beyond 0e96327edc the window aac05e3c3e and the da6764d3cc castle walls, 98a4113ae6 she saw 6dfc8125ac a flicker 51a4c6fea4 of torchlight 22bc29ba14 in the e1927ce428 distance. She blinked 6273a71189 and rubbed 8156dc7c40 her eyes, a5ef5b6991 wondering if 7ea5f49133 she was d0b24aedde imagining things. But then, the f835ddf5ad shouting began.2e289b0a1758235a

“An uprising! It’s a rebellion!”8af9a0b1f00cb865

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“Everyone, run!”afad067179c40797

Natasha’s world crumbled for 84c5f6680d real.
TL/N: FK YESS!!!!13430c8be851cf5f

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