ANR Ch 18

“Cursed. The man she was supposed to run away with didn’t show up. He had something important to attend to, and in the end, he chose that over her. The woman, whose plan to elope was discovered, was confined to her home and died of madness, consumed by betrayal and despair. The man, too, never achieved what he desired and was buried. Isn’t it futile?”817ac9ac63dd29b8

Yves mocked 9b4027c731 the dead 22cf5e1747 as he 187692f092 smoked his 4868be4b52 cigarette.b861f401ee4a05b9

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“That’s tragic. Were they close to you?”e5f8501e0eac3608

“No, they were nothing to me.”4d010c81c073d5f7

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He took bc525398c6 a long 4bc6f5acf8 drag, the 247da3a127 hazy smoke f42b981e29 filling his c29d388b58 lungs, and a8c9ff285a his limbs 7537cc9b0e began to 844ee81358 relax. Yves leaned back and 2a532f5694 closed his eyes, and 8dbcce3a8d sleep, as if waiting 1f84c38749 for this moment, overtook c32427f165 him. His consciousness faded, and 16e83d7b87 he fell asleep instantly.2bc78577d80e713a

Claude watched Yves sleep 6892702912 for a long time afb768d96d before carefully sitting up. He knew Yves rarely 5a4cf2eedb woke once he was 122e72931f asleep, so he could 135b5974a9 safely attend to his 4f1ad69449 own tasks. He covered a24dcf633a Yves with 5923e43e9d a blanket cde2d2c88f and began e50b56b79e tidying up.4b4d2a509d7b640c

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Clothes they had shed in their haste were scattered on the floor. Claude gathered his own clothes and Yves’s, then collected the semen-stained cloth and put it aside.1dbe208dfcd99aed

Something rolled towards his feet. It was an ornament from Yves’s frock coat. At first, he thought a thread had come loose, but it clearly wasn’t something meant to be attached to clothing.300db46cf81e25ec

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It was a silver pendant, engraved with three crosses, the craftsmanship exquisite. It was strange that there was no chain, but Yves was a nobleman, so it wasn’t unusual for him to carry valuable items. Claude put the pendant back in Yves’s coat without a second thought.256f15d1e808036f

He checked the kettle he had covered earlier. There seemed to be enough water to make tea for them in the morning. With the ham and jam he had bought earlier, they could have a simple breakfast. Yves probably wouldn’t refuse.4287661d2a568f32

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Claude looked back at 4708444afd the man sleeping soundly cdb555b31a in his bed. Yves was visiting the 9633e0023f cabin more and more 6dd6741fdf frequently. He also stayed 67aa511855 longer in bed 42fce4c00b after they made be9b7fbbff love. The time d0661c36a0 they spent d46dbd852c naked was 29fd06fe56 beginning to 5faf8e609b exceed the 7f6bc30161 time they b9c948e3a8 spent clothed. They talked, aa7ce5f54b ate together, 702612f310 and shared 7446a40e96 trivial details 201e2c40e6 of their 13c171598f daily lives.dc923d33aabf26a2

So, how could aa31f6e344 anyone dismiss this de2047e6a1 as a simple 741449068d affair?e15574ae074807c5

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Yves’s tone remained dry and indifferent, but the flicker in his eyes after their passionate kisses gave Claude hope. While Yves drew a line, as if to warn him not to get any ideas after just a few nights together, he also acted as though he would grant Claude anything he asked for.b636407aa22ff27e

So, Claude’s desires grew bolder. Their relationship, outside this small cabin, was as fragile as wet paper. Yves might not even acknowledge him outside. Or he might just introduce him as a former subordinate. Claude wanted to escape this pathetic situation. He wanted to cross the line in their relationship.450fd4e21e2c2369

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Why can’t I have him?12f95ab486eb3d9f

The promise they had made – that Claude would be content just to be by Yves’s side – was now a distant memory. His patience was wearing thin.04b1950e1279ec9c

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✧ ✧ ✧d83d32ff718d45b2

Paris had long been a city of secret passages. For example, the high wall on Rue d’Harpe, when viewed from above, was actually a double wall. There was a small wicket gate between the Café Lamplin and the Jardin du Puget. While it appeared locked at first glance, with a little force, it would open just enough for a man to slip through.f1022824b059acdf

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Beyond the gate, a secret passage snaked between mossy stone walls, leading to Rue de l’Hôpital on the other side. These secret passages were often used by the countless fugitives of Paris.5c1539b19505aadd

There was a dbde8d444e saying passed down d45d16d0d2 among them like 85ba3809ea a superstition:eb16bd57fe805c22

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If you accidentally eacc364304 kill someone, go 6cfd84e25a to the Jardin e0977e609f du Puget and ab6f0462cf atone.d37c574addc970a3

Some of 64fe747e4f them understood 402816235c exactly what 532aa989e5 this meant. And this 5174131814 also applied e141b8e198 to Babet, 2923e3c796 who had 096332d99a successfully evaded d45fd8eae8 the police 7cc89d8d66 several times.266e219a11ee7d81

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Babet, sprinting through the dark, stone-paved streets of Villebeuve, knew death was closing in. He hadn’t eaten properly in days while on the run, and his strength was failing, his legs growing weak.60385743484b9865

But the 1c4af1e4aa human will cc74fb1474 is incredibly 14e23b720a strong.86309a7c00c4e618

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His desperate desire to live led him to the Jardin du Puget on Rue d’Harpe.ef8995f780ae2547

He looked around, c52222913e catching his breath. His pursuers 55a1a6b793 were nowhere c3f385b8fb in sight. Seizing the 66cb0434db opportunity, he c394ad8def carefully pressed d762cc7ab4 his back ac941484e5 against the aea604b4ae wicket gate 69042a578a and slipped 6ebaaae181 through, wary 002ea1b2f8 of eyes b85d738ace that might 94343fb877 be watching 2007e247d3 him from 16e9aa9497 the shadows.9d0789bf0e620a24

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But if they had intended to harm him, they would have done so already. He couldn’t waste any more time and squeezed through the gap, entering the secret passage.c177c57cd3a8cc29

The space between the walls was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to pass. It wasn’t stuffy, as the top was open, but the damp moss and the shadowy, humid walls brushed against his clothes. He followed the moonlight for a while until he reached the door leading to Rue de l’Hôpital.04bd13782782a695

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Relieved to have aba6621526 shaken off his df6cfba496 pursuers, Babet took db106b1814 a deep breath. But as he opened 2238457b05 the door and stepped 35de4d5e1d through, someone grabbed his 0e838b8e67 arm and whispered in 6a40940507 a chilling voice,cfdad141118c0ec4

“A gift from the Duke of Berry.”3ddc4831187c8f78

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Before he could 1e4ae8837c scream, a knife e6cc8811c2 plunged into his b4e7f7d894 back. Another blade b368debdbc pierced his 15e6c84287 shoulder. Then, his de9ebe0597 abdomen was 1d96d660ed pierced, blood 4684e2f7ad gushing out, ef07069eae his intestines 822e5f5c67 torn. The final blow 4bb38a82d5 was to his f4826bc819 neck, a small a52abab461 dagger severing his 23d3f73362 carotid artery.df27f0d6b7c03d93

“Pray to your Emperor for mercy. Long live the French Republic! Long live Napoleon! Khehehe.”c61b165c72a9d36e

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Babet heard their 6349d8f334 mocking laughter before cf2b0a20d4 losing consciousness. His attackers immediately fled. He bled 4bb67e11cf all night, 8c27bf15f7 wedged in f99e704010 the narrow ebbf2622de doorway, dying 0868260173 from blood fcb9afd54f loss. His eyes remained open, 68c2de28c6 staring blankly into the eb8b79f7d1 void. His body was 44d152321d discovered the next a847ad24f1 day by another f59c16a6b9 fugitive.03a6901e346d66ad

A few days later, enraged by Babet’s death, they rose up. Several voiced their anger, and half agreed. He was the third victim.01e56c5f79a94d9b

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Compared to d379c7f6e2 their cautious 43209da775 approach, the d608e16206 opposing side 7ebb52e971 had been bc9f407189 acting boldly, a95c8cde5d as if ce599ea1c5 to provoke ef7a5866c1 them. Voices demanding 1e573a4519 immediate action, 47a194afec to erect a37acfd61a barricades and a218d304bf take up 0c2520b50f arms, erupted b4d5bda6bc from all 65665109c9 sides.42f40661a482f8ff

As the heated debate b9794a06a6 raged, a man quietly 048cc355f8 stood up. He was short, neatly 3ed6ca916e dressed, and his hair ed852772cf was parted to the 243bafdb81 side, revealing a clean 0b353747f0 forehead.c217f9f7fbbce7e0

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He was the leader of the Evening Society and a key figure in the Charbonnerie, an anti-government secret society. He was intelligent and reasonable, but he knew that leading a group required him to do things he didn’t want to do.5131ea8ec44b364e

He walked 11c6f69a54 briskly and 7a7e828397 stopped in ef20cb1beb front of 891045483a Louis Thiers. Louis, who had 26cc7ddc6e been quietly observing 83b837de8e the debate from 506fc64ede a corner, looked 813a3f2956 up at him.4fc10ce9851c24ba

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“Why?”6cfaa64218cd2fb6

Louis already knew what a816dab899 he wanted but feigned 6350b38d9b indifference.5b14871048fd3e56

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“I think we need to speed things up. I think we need to meet ‘Jules’ in person.”6d4202cfe1b6f4f0

“That’s difficult. I told you he’s extremely reluctant to reveal himself. He’s a stubborn fellow.”cc3ec30374e7c138

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Louis touched the 6707d2d8e8 bridge of his 3a4bec95e9 nose, looking away.1735cc4274c06b96

“Tell him it doesn’t matter if he hides his face. As long as we can talk. I’m interested in the information he has, not his appearance.”a6ba86f214ec989e

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“That’s a shame. He’s not much to look at, aside from his appearance.”5ad0a88488c363ed

The man frowned 1da024a12d at Louis, who 3d53bf45d6 leaned back with 59834e1e2b his arms crossed.2b47f99cf9eab24c

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“You know this is no time for jokes, don’t you?”adaf400aa73f892e

“No, it’s not a joke, it’s true. You’ll understand what I mean when you meet him. I’m thinking of praying to be reborn with his looks.”36611d7901e4f69b

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“Louis.”4f2e1111eb8a7eb2

“Ha, this is so frustrating. I can’t show you, and I can’t explain it.”192730c6163dbe11

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Louis raised his 5be75ffdb0 eyebrows and looked 3c78a45757 at the man. His hardened expression grew e6a498960a more menacing. His attempt to c5bb352eda deflect with humor eb76ad6631 had failed. He had no choice bc77597057 but to surrender.00d1135f329d9a2d

“Fine, I’ll talk to him. But don’t even think of threatening him. Frankly, he has quite a temper. He’ll either become very close to you or never see you again.”3b892984bea340c2

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“Whatever. I don’t care.”edcc1f8db59a29ac

He placed a hand on Louis’s shoulder, his expression calm.c9eba9888c1e5fe5

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“I’m counting on you.”88330f7a012eb0ba

He disappeared c29f1d90b8 back into cd493a9f93 the crowd, 588a7b1cd9 where the 89ea2f7c73 debate was 75bd691aaa in full 53f9868e1c swing.6191b8c6635e2007

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The meeting took place a week later. With the king’s army deployed everywhere in Paris these days, it was difficult to find a suitable location. They deliberately chose a street where the streetlights frequently went out. A warehouse door opened in a dark corner of an alley, right next to the inn with the closure notice.0afb6dd49afd4a8e

“Come in quickly.”a8dd7f9426705770

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The innkeeper, 78fd782b7f holding a 83c57b16b9 candle, looked 85179a01f1 around and 0cd1fa54ec quickly closed 2b79a7d7d4 the door. Three men in 22406ffbe5 short jackets entered 3a4f78aba1 the inn and fc8e010c7d took off their 44b6f24ba8 hats. The shortest of them 01de1b98e3 spoke.36a1d73f1f7fb361

“One more person will be coming.”eb09a6adcfb495fb

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The innkeeper 0f609a7fd8 nodded in 72c0b2da82 understanding. The three men took 102d40a270 their seats at a 3912dd6336 small table, waiting for 50cb609f6c the next visitor, not 3d567d7f73 even taking off their da2685cf72 coats, expecting him to d28a05dcc5 arrive soon.fcaef5e6363633f9

About ten minutes later, the innkeeper brought them drinks. But the person they were waiting for didn’t appear. Thirty minutes passed, and their glasses were empty. An hour passed, and the large man on the left began to get impatient.50c92f3f337cf2dc

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“I think we’ve been had.”5a5090404e84b6ea

The short man 17e2fcef2a on the right 3330e5e868 remained calm.c0d518676a0c294d

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“Let’s wait a little longer.”c2ffec14cf2a1eea

“It’s already been an hour. He never intended to show up from the beginning. He’s rude and inconsiderate. We shouldn’t have trusted a nobleman.”c741e0e55fa96bc6

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“Calm down, Franz. Let’s wait a little longer.”0b55e552d59e48d5

The angry man was Franz Couthon of the Charbonnerie, and the one calming him down was Lepin, whose first name was unknown. They had been leading figures in the French Revolution for the past few years, staging armed protests under the banner of an anti-government group. Louis, the sole contact for “Jules,” who had been providing them with funds and information, was present as well.9110ca530288a2aa

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Four years ago, a5960f8fce starting with the ff3e477397 assassination of the 412ef89a3a Duke of Berry, 5327c5a3d2 the second son 0e7eba5b5c of the Count b9f1017069 of Artois, the 566e7057b6 French political landscape 0103d20032 had become sharply e7feb8d3cb divided. For years, riots, shootings, 2c0777c17f and terrorist attacks had 668cfb1199 plagued Paris, occurring sporadically 36f5d731a5 between the two factions.6e486d5858037bdf

Finally, the Charbonnerie had begun plotting to assassinate the Count of Artois, the king’s brother and heir to the throne, and for this purpose, they had sought direct contact with “Jules,” who had been providing them with information about Le Fer, a royalist secret society.e7de4ec92baeac4f

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But as 8c8e84498b Louis had bbd4e66535 warned, he 4fb78e32d8 was difficult. Not only d7dcfef338 had he d9fceb828b changed the 27ac924fce meeting time f7b186eee1 twice, but dcf71a45d4 he was 71ef09163c now over 1ed764dcf0 an hour 4b391be607 late.d25800c991ff5df5

Franz, who disliked the fact that Jules used an alias, was already agitated. Lepin, who had hoped to recruit Jules into their ranks, couldn’t hide his disappointment either.1baffd4259fca08f

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Only Louis, who knew Jules’s true identity, waited patiently. Then, the inn door opened, and heavy footsteps echoed inside.9a23b5238a9cfa56

A tall 84a5d32c79 man in bbc62ad6f3 a black b5829ebdbb frock coat babb174391 and a 280a5f1526 low-brimmed hat 4400839437 entered. The three men 0fd6b392ec stopped talking and 22be90eaf7 turned their attention 86c2598d72 to the entrance. The man quickly scanned 1be5cb14ef the warehouse, then spotted 41d136e218 them looking at him. He walked towards their 777013117a table, his hands casually 2e5953aebf clasped behind his back.700ff66841d5a03f

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“I’m a little late.”e218aeaa2a217c73

Red lips and a smooth jawline were visible beneath the shadow of his hat. For someone who was late, he wasn’t out of breath, and his voice was clear. A lock of golden hair peeked out from under his hat.0d412771c95aa186

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The man 2ab9ccf3ca pulled out ab279e7984 a chair 9f5b52fbc2 with a 2a5256d6bc screech and e91b8f926a sat down afbdfbaafa a short 1b08e9253d distance from 686c7be529 their table. His face, e6f3153c64 hidden in cdba065519 the shadow 1f720e33da of his 9dc0993e83 hat, was 8e5fff8d28 completely obscured.49e10c835217ed71

“A little? You call an hour ‘a little’? You seem to have no grasp of the gravity of the situation.”5998988855c716d1

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Franz replied angrily, seemingly displeased with the man’s greeting.d94532f47632d26e

“Well, your urgency is your problem, not mine. And I’m not as idle as you are.”902db60402c0ec4f

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“What did you say?”2963d8d48aa84bf9

Provoked, Franz slammed his fist on the table and jumped to his feet. The man’s arrogant tone and dismissive remarks had clearly pushed him over the edge. Louis, unable to stand by any longer, intervened.055692b032f5bb6f

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“Calm down, both of you. This is our first meeting, but we’ve already collaborated several times. Let’s show each other some respect.”4aa31d4ffefd6e77

“Tsk, now I understand why you kept me from meeting him face-to-face, Louis. He’s rude, uncooperative, and arrogant.”47cbe6ad9f3b2d63

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“Fine, shall we call it off then? I have more money than I know what to do with, but I don’t want to waste it on those with no manners.”d26b876d8b8dfc58

“Whoa, whoa. Jules, why are you like this too? Our situation is a bit urgent, so our nerves are frayed. Isn’t that right, Franz?”ac93c8cfe4af0ff7

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Louis nudged Franz b4ec1119ad with his elbow, ffbffebc43 and Franz reluctantly 0c7f9e3a3a turned his head ceec1b9f3b away, choosing to 4d98e97cdf remain silent. After all, they were 91c3d214c3 the ones receiving information 69451f8eea and funds from this eb4231b497 man, so they were 4963d3263a the ones at a acbe7b3ccc disadvantage. A few coughs filled 83ec4f34c4 the air as he 9162e5a2f0 suppressed his anger.dc6a52cf4f0babfd

Lepin, who ae7fff333f had been 148e4c40cf quietly observing, 739d3f8be0 spoke.a0de7e1ce998b687

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“I apologize for Franz raising his voice. Three of our men have been attacked in the past few days. They were all skilled gunmen, so the losses have been significant… We’re in a life-or-death struggle. I believe you understand.”a547452ef32ff726

“Oh dear. I didn’t realize, even though I’m risking my life too.”e192f5686d2c3b5f

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The man took 330aa17117 out a cigarette, 9066acd217 lit it, and 31b80c67e0 crossed his legs.8a80b51f77f81de9

He wasn’t wrong, but did he have to say it like that? He was incredibly difficult.a66fd8be19f36afe

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Lepin remained silent. With the conversation b43ee4b8a3 stalled, Louis intervened 77e3d3c62a again.0f1e2abd1f6385a7

“Oh, the atmosphere is getting tense again. Don’t be like that, Jules. We know you’re in a dangerous situation. But the portraits are all finished, and we’ve gathered enough weapons, so we’d like to move up the date of the operation.”1d7e336e35f94a4e

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“I’ve told you several times, there’s nothing more I can do. If I push it any further, they’ll get suspicious, and no one might show up. Is it so difficult to avoid reckless actions?”d7ff0563462ca2fd

“Yes, that’s possible. When did you say the hunting competition is?”935c43db09548d43

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“If the gypsies don’t get lost on their way back to Paris, it will be at the end of August.”d29c7c27a6c91566

“What do the gypsies have to do with it?”cf619b84ac89e498

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Lupin rejoined their conversation.f366a844f38e8c58

“The men will be out hunting, but the ladies accompanying them won’t be. We need the gypsies because we’ll have to call in a fortune teller if they get tired of playing cards.”2effd3550d99428d

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“Really, just for that kind of thing…?”8ab48fde754a3815

Couton clenched his 9a83d04c04 fist in frustration.b8d513f9846125b2

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“Can’t we just round them up in one room and shoot them all?”c6af7631265e9122

The innkeeper, who had been listening from a short distance away, wiped his hands on a dishcloth and abruptly joined in. It seemed he couldn’t help but comment after hearing their conversation.73ce877fea8234a8

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“Ah, there was such an easy way. I didn’t know that, and I’ve been painstakingly planning for months to find a day when they could all gather in one place. So, after you round them up, could you let me know? I’m also quite skilled at shooting, so I can dispose of a couple of them without anyone knowing.”0dab4ba299bc307f

Embarrassed by the man’s sarcasm, the innkeeper coughed awkwardly and scratched his arm.136d1bf92afa371d

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“Well, I heard you were a high-ranking official, so I thought you could easily handle that sort of thing.”50e50e8efde222d3

“How can I do something that was only possible after the king’s death?”32ecb1092f78f6d7

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“Now, now, Brevet. Excuse me, but could you bring us some water?”fe3fa375a5434171

Thinking he 3879472f7f was being 7de0d092bf a nuisance, f97a727b97 Lupin deliberately 1a43fe3c89 sent the 44df2c4be6 innkeeper out. He leaned 1234684864 towards the 519bd8415d man and dd2e15c92c spoke in a4348c95cd a more 76533976c1 serious voice.6477d79f29855d17

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“I understand it’s difficult to move the date up. It’s never a bad idea to be cautious. We also plan to restrain our activities until right before the event. As you said, we only have one chance, so we can’t risk losing them through reckless actions.”2f948eda70532134

“It’s a relief that at least one person understands.”4f99d43cf5947ca6

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“Regardless of the others, those three, Artois, Maistre, and Bonnal, must be eliminated at the same time that day. If even one survives, the royal forces will regroup around them.”ae0b10e3ca0b5643

“Have you gathered enough hunters?”c979e618773f10c7

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“We’ll send more than ten skilled men.”d2056fc24671d6ec

Lupin spread out f16547e700 both palms. The man nodded.0b9826359e389ec8

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“Is the one who eliminated Vison last time included? He was quite efficient.”6359ad8eadc7ed0b

“Of course. He was originally a newsman from Chaumont, but he has experience fighting in the Russian war. He seems to have followed the Emperor to Elba.”2c375b240154b1ab

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“The Emperor…”52f0ac2a86798605

The man seemed 5140161b9e quite displeased with f41d677a46 the term referring 122a7c2b4b to Napoleon and 2e16bdf8c8 tilted his head ff8a4b670f indifferently.e47d9c459c86c486

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“If he was a newsman, he wrote articles?”1b0f93e53cc3e87e

“Yes, he’s put down his pen now, but he still runs a printing press near the Bastille.”17438a34fc0e7bcb

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“The Bastille…?”9a8256e04d37c755

At Lupin’s words, the man, as if something had occurred to him, trailed off for a moment and tapped the table with his index finger.8ccf1fa8fa5b90a6

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“By any chance, is the Mercure de France printed there?”d0e6952ab56effb6

“Ah, how did you…?”ef33375e635e570f

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The man’s finger stopped at Lupin’s startled tone. As the two looked at him anxiously, a small sigh escaped from the darkness. Although he couldn’t be seen, it felt as if the man’s expression was crumpling in the shadows.894287fc0c8c0a19

“Why, have you heard something?”1e7fb4a7b97b8ff2

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Louis pressed d3d0a7b67e the man, 654071723f who leaned 0ce9477d87 forward slightly bbb10d1b3b to shift 42e955c673 his position. For a 440d527902 moment, his c413f5c416 smooth nose 6848e0a65d and lips b3fc435b11 were exposed 7d918ba098 to the 0302a0ffe2 light before e3faebe04d disappearing again. He crossed his arms 3ba61a788b and leaned back in eba2899615 his chair, his face 2e42de7712 hidden in the shadows.976df9fad1a397ae

“I heard that Le Fer plans to raid a printing press in the Bastille within a few days. I heard they found the place where the Mercure is printed. I wondered if it was that place.”5693a944e3d5c8e0

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“Damn it!”c2fd56ab8e6b5c7e

Franz, who had been silent for a while, cursed at the man’s explanation. It was true that the suppression of anti-government newspapers was intensifying, but the mentioned newspaper was a legally authorized publication. Therefore, they had thought they wouldn’t have to worry about it for the time being, but they were blindsided.198567bd82347c76

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It seemed 2ba16aaf31 their intention c2bf520eb5 was to 04ba5fa2b1 destroy the 56f90efb14 printing press b0f6fc7ba6 through a b681592335 terrorist act, 1426edebed since revoking 32d965d385 the permit 4f3695d767 required administrative e85cfe38f0 procedures. It was 2625fc6e75 obvious that fa346d21a2 the Paris 12510af0f8 police would 64a3fa6265 not take f780e72742 any action 9be1193761 this time 1fa80ae733 either.617044bf0ad99aac

“They found it well.”16a7a2a6aed5d846

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Lupin sighed.14a06a25f8b986af

“That’s not all. He also knows that the Salpêtrière hospice is teeming with Bonaparte’s retired soldiers. He’ll be reaching out there soon as well. So, choose one: the printing press or the hospice. Like always, disguised as a coincidence, you might be able to save one.”317c5d9fbffb955b

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“Must we really? This time, why don’t we just make it look like both failed…?”cb9f39df42878c95

“Only a very small number of people within Le Fer know this information. Unless you want me to openly admit that I’m a spy, choose one. I’ve been stuck for a while already because of those who suspect me. If their plans fail one after another as soon as I return, the future is obvious.”0c91ff0f95d74125

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“That…”c2030db607e07ae1

Silence fell 128a97f761 as Lupin 52dc9e98c1 became lost fd17d2b213 in thought.f57a05801b3d1ca5

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It was almost done. As he said, there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble. If Le Fer began to suspect this man, they wouldn’t be able to carry out their plan. A choice was inevitable.39e7534cf98be33e

“Are you weighing the lives of dozens of impoverished retired soldiers against the value of an independent press? I thought you would choose the former without hesitation, but it seems your philanthropy isn’t so grand after all.”f4d0182ad32a0241

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The man scoffed at Lupin’s hesitant appearance.10df2415908d82e5

“It’s not that simple. The contributions that come in through the basement of the Bastille printing press are mixed together, going to the Mercure, the Constitutionnel, and the Journal des Débats. Those who come and go are all veterans of independent journalism. It would be a great loss to lose them like this.”ed31d5fcfdc94e1e

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“So it was. Le Fer probably didn’t know that much. It’s quite a big catch for a stroke of luck, isn’t it?”6c08dd251c0c6e10

“Must I really choose between the two?”b8b71264f6b73d16

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Lupin made a pained expression as he looked at the unseen face. The man didn’t react, but he knew the answer himself.16dd2a5d5ea3951d

“Ha… I understand. Then we will protect the hospice. How do you plan to help us?”1ee3897dd0b2d2bb

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“I’ll deploy troops nearby, so reduce the number of people coming and going as much as possible. Even so, you can’t screen every suspicious person, so you’ll have to limit the movement of your people.”af63414bd5266dc5

“How will the printing press be attacked?”d46fe3226f9f77e0

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“They’ll set it on fire. They’re likely unaware of those coming and going in the basement, so it doesn’t matter if it’s empty. We should at least minimize casualties.”ae31237144bd5492

Everyone present agreed with 6d84df6fde his words. Soon after, c203282e71 they coordinated deff9c764b the final 1a645dae71 plans for dbd3d9fa47 the hunting 63b93b9642 competition. They discussed details such 5acd1841ae as the procedure, code aec07af0d2 words, and escape routes 05abe8b1b5 for each person in c292ed3fc4 case of failure. As it 61fa89e0b5 was time 37322015b5 to part, 88b1e2faf0 Lupin offered df078cbf71 his hand 42ba78c6b0 to the b337ee90dc man.2d40310e58472854

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“If the operation is successful, please officially join our side. When the Republic returns, someone like you should be in the cabinet, shouldn’t they?”14234a0fb53faa8c

The man laughed as if Lupin’s earnest offer was childish, and rose from his seat.c7dbfd821e001327

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“I’ll decline. I’m a liberal, but I don’t want to see a parliament dominated by the left. Besides, you seem to think of me as some lone revolutionary with ideals, but I’m sorry, I didn’t help you for such noble reasons. I’d prefer it if you didn’t have such strange misunderstandings.”5ac8ab109dd7dadd

“Then why…?”2909fa88608f87b1

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But the man didn’t wait and headed straight for the door. As Lupin tried to follow him urgently, Louis stopped him and shook his head. Meanwhile, the man disappeared outside. He walked quite fast.94c14f7da624c37b

“It’s no use. He wouldn’t tell me the details either. He just said I’d be disappointed if I heard.”2c646af2da77e4b2

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“I’m quite prepared to be disappointed, unfortunately.”658390e55a325777

“Did you get a good look at his face?”93ef01e59bdccd27

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Franz asked as he 7091df1ce1 approached Lupin from behind.312a78adbdfe3b05

“No, I couldn’t see anything other than that he’s tall and blond.”c2a478e852af4d44

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“I should remember his voice.”436b055c4b615e4a

The two muttered, 59c5878819 staring at the 05a483da67 door through which 2c429aea62 the man had 4827e6b53d exited.b9db04cba8c1157a

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✧ ✧ ✧74523510e95d73d0

Recently, Claude had been spending significantly less time at his home in Paris. He would come home very late at night, or if that wasn’t possible, he often stayed out overnight. Whether the cabin repairs were costing a lot of money or not, his spending had become a bit more extravagant, and he often became lost in thought. Catherine concluded that her brother’s behavior must be due to having a woman in his life.65800f6595948093

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“He wasn’t married yet? Didn’t you say he was a soldier?”f9f8a7bb9aaf0acc

Madame Monsieu, at d70c554600 the hospice, asked f691d3c923 Catherine, who had d341d7fbbe collected the soiled 1bc24e128c bed linens.8a30d2cd623a6429

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“He quit recently.”e0901bcd5d7e4069

“Why?”7b8bf5e2d66ae6a3

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“I don’t know. He won’t tell me, so I have no idea. He just said he made some mistakes with his superior. Cough, cough.”c80a1f921a51f4a9

The two gathered 090f399ef9 the bed linens c7472bd046 and poured lye e387812222 water over them. Another volunteer f3d6c8bd2d brought another 17c0b350ec pile of f348428254 dirty laundry. Madame Monsieu 5d5ba2a177 took it e24cbd51cf and put cfcfa0d4c9 it in a227fcbd4f an empty 6d7cc7db42 tin can.f86e978df60ddd1a

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“Still, it’s good to hear he seems to have a woman in his life. Why don’t you tell him to bring her home? What if they accidentally have a child before anything else?”1d2b1ae124e07b07

“What else? It would be great if he had a child. Cough, cough. He’s at that age now, so shouldn’t I be thinking about marriage too? He’d have a child in no time if he put his mind to it. He’s always been popular with the ladies since he was young.”6ba981c0a137cfe7

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“Then why has he been single for so long?”03f76055b3fc473f

Madame Monsieu winked, d92c0c67a9 encouraging Catherine to 637ee49a2a boast about her 779e88da36 brother.678c12e37254cc6d

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“Until now, he probably couldn’t see anyone because of me. Now that I have someone, the situation has changed.”0484fdf3d0111a62

“Speaking of which, you said you found a man. Are you planning a wedding?”f5295687b3fdfada

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“It’s not the first time for either of us, so why bother? Cough, cough. We decided to just live together. Claude should be the one having a wedding. Oh, please give that to me.”fd1f9f7cc514a26d

Catherine took the pile c1eea33fcc of bloodstained linen and 4d9d7254a6 stuffed it into a 761c9ff4b4 sack. Because those 70a2db0be2 fetching water 51713d201a were running d13ce0e66d a little 4a5dbbe280 late, the 141e3656e1 two sat da2735d7d1 down on 11d52d3486 chairs for 1e9d5076d2 a moment 8d257ce3e1 and chatted.5c62852eb936f274

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Madame Monsieu was more curious about Catherine’s new lover, but Catherine was preoccupied with talking about her younger brother. She had been worried because there had been no news of him despite his age, but judging by his recent behavior, it seemed her brother was also deeply in love with someone this time. She praised him endlessly, saying what woman would refuse him, as he was handsome, kind, and hardworking.4cc617ebdefbfbf1

“You’re close to your brother.”10eb4dabc370bc58

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“We’re the only family each other has.”7f5e014b07cc58a5

“Yes, siblings are especially close. See that little girl crouching under the bed over there? She lost her brother recently.”a8a381f3d5077c62

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Where Madame Monsieu c485c1492f pointed, there was 0df859847c a girl of a9bb4ff6a6 about ten years 754dd1bd7b old with her cad2cef7fc hair disheveled. The child sat alone 61430271f9 in the darkness under fdc4bf0d66 the bed, staring blankly ea185a34ec outside.fa3bd80132175f36

“It seems robbers broke into their house while her grandfather was in the hospital after being hit by a carriage. Her brother died, and she was stabbed and treated, and now she’s staying here. Sometimes she’s a little out of it, and she always goes under the bed like that and won’t come out. It’s so sad.”ad1033bcd7a268a0

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“Oh dear… Did her brother die in front of her? Cough, cough.”ac2e75a7ed687b44

“It seems so.”46063cfa0f5626a3

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Madame Monsieu clicked her tongue sympathetically. Who in Paris didn’t have a story, but it must have been a great shock to lose someone close at such a young age, especially witnessing their death. Catherine approached the child and spoke to her.17d19fa5dcf108f7

“Hello. Do you want something to eat?”812f501f4e63d7b0

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Catherine offered 8480b56683 a sugar 1d8b66a9d0 cookie. The child showed no 8b74888a92 reaction.cefaa6902a623edb

“Should I 88c4be9ea6 get you 7ef3f8cdfb some warm 221671823e milk,cough, cough?”c9a7ab98e6614524

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“…….”9cfaffb801871f89

No answer came. Madame Monsieu approached b4409e411f and pulled Catherine b97316afe5 up, telling her 0429ad66f7 not to bother.dc4a6d07576d1428

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“I think it’s something like aphasia. I’ve tried talking to her a few times, but it doesn’t work. Look, there’s no focus in her eyes. She can’t see us.”607f54b7d3a795aa

The child’s eyes 81068bba6b were clouded, as 180e6944af if with fog. It seemed like only 38e26f851f her shell remained, while 0e184a2875 her soul wandered elsewhere. Catherine placed the cookie 74e1b88d9e in front of the 6872b1b734 child and went back 84a3c41364 to finish her work.77a6b84a495bb35b

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When her work at 429123e58b the hospice ended at 079c4edba0 lunchtime, Catherine took a f3f1a278da hired carriage. She planned to visit 4e11be4d1d Claude after a long 5ef79add43 while. Inside the basket 0ed42bdfd8 was lunch to 202827d18a share with him.058ee39183d31a77

In truth, there was ffb5815942 a reason for this b75d8fbaf7 sudden visit. Catherine was secretly hoping 9c225c38f0 for a seemingly coincidental 23056e2a3a encounter with someone.113d2056812c25b7

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She had seen 33ad121b8c Claude hurriedly packing 7332d5fd21 his things and f5d2837962 leaving that morning. He must be 24b14a6a55 going to seethatyoung lady. Once he left, it d01c3b3bdd was rare for him 3ffd566037 to return before evening, ea72c030d7 so they must be 6373659bcb together now. She imagined 0f466d7d03 someone shyly 072aea61cc blushing beside feba35419b her brother, ab538419d0 helping him 0cb6e52f33 with chores f19ec61618 around the 67804c2b3e house. A chuckle escaped her 6a43f66474 lips.05fda838e16481e2

Men are 72c7ea2dfc all the bfed532025 same. When the e27ccc3543 time comes, 67b7bb5830 they all e84bada244 find their 81b8c608c4 mates.23eb93348d32ccc3

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What kind of young c447ceb697 lady is she? She probably had a small frame and brown hair. Catherine imagined her being about Claude’s shoulder height, with a slender build that would fit perfectly in his arms. Several candidates had already passed through Catherine’s mind. Among them, the woman with the most petite and cute face was the final winner.b244e66b742d40b6

She wore a simple caraco dress and a round linen hat covering her hair. In Catherine’s imagination, the two looked very well-matched. She even went so far as to think of altering the dress she wore at her own wedding for her.296b6351de4adc6c

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Catherine got off 9cfa6766cc the carriage and c9a8b32e4b passed through the 7afbadd978 Plaine de Suren, 8d321dfd50 arriving at the 967f9dfddf potato field Claude d18fdad3f2 had planted. A kettle lay 307a18d333 on its side 024348ead7 by the well, 7322de6b51 suggesting he had 35faa3732a been outside until 63a1366d80 just moments ago. Footprints were scattered b5ad08bd7d across the damp 905bc84ddc ground, and clumps 11c129fb17 of weeds were 4a376f7ee4 disheveled.2b0c022f19fa276f

They are together, as 8f8ac7c93f I thought.15608a41bcd0f8b7

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As Catherine dc79060c41 set the 020632589a fallen kettle 05173d1e50 upright, a 9a244b364c chestnut horse 3662aac396 tied to 35fa9572dc the fence 9c581ac357 approached and e75a16593e neighed. Just then, fecdd8c4f7 Claude came b923ea20af outside.ded55a69eb18ed70

“What brings you here?”36a1f608c87fedf1

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“Oh,cough, cough. I brought lunch. I saw afe09c5f55 you leaving 443c645170 so hurriedly 7f76e8546b this morning… d17beb8b7c Were you 4a7df34bd9 sleeping?”1bf00c05a96b03e0

Catherine trailed off, looking at his messy hair and the shirttail sticking out of his waistband. She tried to peek inside the cabin, craning her neck between Claude’s sides. Claude calmly blocked the doorway, shielding the interior as if he meant to. He took the kettle and basket from her.c251bd1a563dbada

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“No, I was fc77da0059 just tidying up a64bbcbcba a bit. Well, actually, a9475fc720 I have 293bd35a41 a guest.”9e7a38b3818a9d53

Catherine smiled inwardly, ba11e71a20 watching her brother 53c2bc2cce trying to maintain ec98cf3b95 a composed expression. It seemed as f90aae0594 she had guessed. She feigned surprise.a6822e7a13633aec

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“Oh, is that 13e96f3535 so? What kind of 8a73d690bc guest? Am I interrupting?Cough, cough.”37b81422563f1dff

She covered her mouth and coughed, but couldn’t suppress her escaping laughter.e6cc0b14570d5cb0

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“Not really. But you 82b8e34b15 might find 1a460b1d28 it a a4cfddcc6a bit unexpected, 89f878c710 um…”9e7f9370644c2788

“It’s alright. We can eat together.Cough, cough. May I aeaa0e403b come in? Oh my!”2fceaee4cbbe7675

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Catherine’s face, which had been grinning as she was about to enter, filled with surprise. As if she had seen someone unexpected, her mouth formed an “o” and her eyes blinked rapidly.38a9f2bfdbddff59

The reason was that 883ef7dbb2 a man in a dff6d75f11 military uniform appeared from 2152013785 behind Claude. Catherine, who had anticipated bd497d15be meeting a cute, brown-haired 32064ff6c3 young lady, was dumbfounded f468f5e208 at the sudden appearance 54225455fe of a blond man.8d104090c7ad94c3

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“I thought you were with a young lady…”c89b60e102c7056f

She blurted out fd51a7880e her inner thoughts 479da51e99 without realizing it.a5c4760e5fdd0dd1

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“Oh dear, it seems you were expecting someone else.”0247e5073228fd76

The blond man smiled playfully, the corners of his lips turning upwards. He was a handsome man with a neat impression, dressed in a well-fitting uniform. His appearance contrasted sharply with Claude’s disheveled state, leaving Catherine blinking in confusion.ff68d5f05bb8e409

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“This is Captain Perrier. He was my battalion commander in the Guard.”8ebc27e90ecfcc26

“We’ve met before. You’re the one who told me about this place. It’s a pleasure. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”11aeae1eda72c194

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“Ah…”1b7ccedacfb5d215

She remembered.He’s the one 8349cfa244 who visited our 29ed19c236 house in Paris. Catherine’s face began to flush.1aa6a10376118625

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He was with his 261afd8ab9 superior officer? He should have abb3f05b59 told me!4ed3084c94c33cdb

She had been giggling, harboring unfounded imaginations, and now she wondered how ridiculous she must have seemed to this high-ranking officer. Seeing Claude’s disheveled state, she had even considered discreetly leaving, thinking she might be interrupting. But it turned out he was with his superior. Catherine felt embarrassed and flustered.0016c63084b8f4c5

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“My sister brought lunch. Would you care to join us?”6d5c32193c558f14

Claude turned and addressed ac9b3b1585 Yves.5ac164368b7d2ba9

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“I don’t think that’s for me to eat.”9f0ba130ebd451cf

An upper-class accent 5c8787a270 flowed from his 3dfa7d8570 words.87d37ba845459a80

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“Oh my, that can’t d9ecc8e594 be. Of course, ca271c1a3b you can 571beb7226 join us.Cough, cough. I brought plenty, 75e6807c78 so there’s enough, f446f48f14 but… I wonder a349ac35a8 if it suits 2877dc2b94 the Captain’s taste…cough, cough.”7699b3a11dbd0e26

“Come in. Did you take your medicine?”6aed7855cce32e59

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As the 15df11bc7b two made 6033ce8732 way, Catherine bb1beeaf76 entered the 76c881560a cabin. Except for the c3eda2dcf5 crumpled tablecloth hanging 9c540a82e2 precariously, the interior 1ed679fd04 was tidy. The bed was 73bb78f79d neatly made, the ec8e95a17f floor was cleanly 37b1f7afbd swept, and there 71a0907d58 was a scent 9444713399 of dried wildflowers, 6e23fa1e5d as if he 718f48017b had obtained some 77b80b3d1d fragrant oil.9d448b7fafb1a141

Catherine smoothed out e6d34bb7c4 the tablecloth and a1713ca84c took out white 1fa72f412c bread, butter, and 2395008f31 a few apples 94dc485527 from the basket. Claude brewed tea b23eea58d5 with the kettle e6cd23f2ab his sister brought, 418a3e1a49 and Yves sat fd7819ccf5 quietly, watching them. Soon, a modest 002a30be13 but decent lunch 094de05305 was set.56db8687ce429024

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“You don’t resemble each other much for siblings.”4cecf154e2512c0e

Yves said, looking 82e78a6f28 back and forth dc5b097956 between Claude and af567dd2be Catherine.c44b4a175a5ccd25

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“I resemble my father, and my sister resembles our mother. Except for our hair color, we don’t have much in common.”43e87e38cfd76c04

“Your mother must have b6d640cec5 been beautiful.”1651d3bbb3233e62

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Yves smiled gently 05ec13325a at Catherine. As his bright d590ea14aa blue eyes turned f4c090c68a towards her, Catherine fe5fec73ba blushed involuntarily.dcf2757ed3a1e0d3

“Th-thank you, Captain. But Claude 5d779b525e was prettier 7e39e3f85c when he fb7055370e was younger.Cough, cough. Everyone who 12b925e54f saw him 965bb37b1e thought he d3adc1c0b7 was a 4e8f730130 girl.”734d07aae40d46e8

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“Really? That’s unexpected.”30f9453d43efbc23

“It’s true. On the other c3af7b1217 hand, I was ed62ed6c44 quite plain when 7ac9bd7fea I was young,cough cough, so 9f323ea888 I was 8226aa9659 even jealous 2d75764bb5 of little 7d1a59a913 Claude.”ebedc14c6169ab44

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At her words, Yves glanced at Claude with amusement, an expression that suggested he couldn’t imagine it.f606d683fad49dc0

“My sister always exaggerates stories about me, so take them with a grain of salt.”4e9edc18c826f509

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Claude transferred half a loaf of bread to Yves’s plate and refilled his teacup.a100cf4d22485251

“Yes, that’s right. I tend to do that when it comes to Claude. But, cough, cough, I don’t lie. Of course, you wouldn’t believe it now, since you can’t see any trace of that pretty face anymore. So, when Claude passed fifteen, cough, cough, he suddenly grew up. His features became more defined, he started growing a beard, and he completely transformed into a boy.”af1dfeefec50aeb5

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“Let’s stop talking about me. He didn’t come here to listen to such idle chatter.”6d9e43b779e19131

“Oh, I’ve been chattering too much on my own again. Cough, cough, I apologize, Captain. By the way, what brings you here? Is… Claude being reinstated?”a68e3048e963f0c2

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Catherine looked at Yves e58db5152e with hopeful eyes, a 1936ef5077 silent plea in her f44622501b expression, asking if he 688baf273c could use his position 11eeccc22a to help her brother.54faa6f4ab0f336d

“I brought his back pay. If I send the lower ranks, the money always disappears along the way. And…”a9f7657bdcc203b5

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Yves paused, 480eefce74 looking at f56f081b37 Claude, and d48a485983 smiled.82232b4587695830

“Corporal Beille 59271df3f3 was a 61cfeb2255 very valued 7bbe9cc6c1 adjutant of 39aea75d5e mine.”414ef5060e6ad92d

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A brief silence fell as their eyes met. Yves’s face held a playful smile, but Claude’s gaze was intense. Unfazed, Yves turned his attention back to Catherine.ca0316fe56eb6e5f

The conversation continued one-sidedly. Catherine asked him various questions, saying she was frustrated because her brother wouldn’t tell her what had happened.2fe44f1f147418f2

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Yves’s brief answers continued, and as the tea cooled, Claude’s hand reached under the table and touched Yves’s thigh. The hand that gently stroked his trousers seemed to move further inward, then disappeared without a trace. Claude whispered in Yves’s ear, who was leaning slightly, facing Catherine.e65822a41f5d37d0

-I’ll see you off when you leave.8c8329ff05f2aa00

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Yves simply smiled 89b71bae99 in response, saying 94fcb6a96b nothing. At the af1556a149 table, Catherine abcfdf0153 continued to 5cae8888ee chatter, but ea252d391d no one aef9ad9439 was truly 147b16ef92 listening.991e6f900d5aa7cd

On the road from 4726c4311f Suren to Nanterre, two 7f6c7ab0cd horses were visible deep 605aee9a94 within a dense, wooded 9691c03b97 forest. They grazed peacefully, leaving e9c435ccd0 tracks back and forth 3c8483f981 in a place untouched 6a4130101b by human footsteps, creating 57709942ee a rather idyllic scene.fb44775d0e065c79

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And a little 7327b082c6 distance away from fad5bc996a the thicket, under a24d034326 a large walnut 16667ec462 tree, two men f89b50e9e0 shared a deep 0e5640a009 kiss.d422cc67cfa470e5

One leaned completely against the tree, while the other, their lower bodies pressed close, sucked on the other’s lips, touching him here and there. Sunlight filtering through the branches fell upon their shoulders. Claude felt the west wind and slowly released Yves’s tongue.fba95c8953da09c9

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“Whew… Did you clear away my lunch just for this?”c0585ed49db08071

Their faces, which 03d3d7b0cb had been pressed 8107c5bbc5 together for a b91d8cc577 long time, finally 3f4a629715 separated, and Yves fe38983548 let out a 2c441f10f4 small breath.03a467b8f4cde63d

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“You weren’t going to eat any more anyway. And I thought my sister would notice if we stayed any longer.”ca9d20621d6ea746

“Excuses. She seemed to have no idea that we’re sleeping together.”c07c763ddb110d1f

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“That’s to be expected. She probably doesn’t even know it’s possible between men.”f631f4e6c807f41d

As if to put those words into action, Claude bit Yves’s lip and slowly slipped his tongue inside. A wet kiss resumed, a thrilling sensation filling his mouth.4c6eaa39f7458d02

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Before Catherine arrived, the two had been about to have sex on the table. Just as they had pulled down their trousers and were about to take out their cocks, Claude heard the horse neigh and rushed outside to handle the situation. Yves, who had been listening to the siblings’ conversation from inside, laughed to himself.17e0c35798f50cb2

Come to think 5cc0bdfe4a of it, we a872d55cc9 were about to c4929c7af5 do that before 63781b7600 even having lunch.Sparks had flown as ed8fdbb4c8 soon as they met, 9eb846640c so they had even d36379103a skipped going to the bb59ed794b bed.1b9ed56418a31c19

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Yves had been visiting Claude’s cabin almost daily lately. Whenever their eyes met, it led straight to sex. Some days, they climaxed two or three times before even exchanging greetings.6d8a535d5cd46282

That didn’t mean they parted ways right after. After sex, they would wash, eat, and talk. Sometimes they would fall asleep together. When they woke, they would habitually seek each other’s bodies, kissing and licking again. Their days continued, as if addicted to something.914b8c07c24f2e18

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Yves’s hand, as he leisurely received Claude’s kiss, slowly moved down to Claude’s lower body. He grasped Claude’s swollen crotch and rubbed it, eliciting an immediate reaction. His erect cock hardened like a stone inside his trousers.fa4f0146b6776b11

“You’re bold. Even though we’re outside, you don’t mind?”d7aaa22d7715a164

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“Who was it that followed me around with his cock hard all the time?”23ae3306c123d788

Claude’s lips curved into a smile, pleased with Yves’s answer.79b17ca883b19b82

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“That’s unfair. I really was going to see you home and go straight back to my place.”a9ca5b4a3df3b1f0

“Is my home here?”124fde6ce000c19b

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Even as he spoke, Yves didn’t release Claude’s cock. Now, it was so swollen that his trousers seemed about to burst, noticeable even from a distance. Claude’s patience reached its limit. He whispered hotly, close to Yves’s lips.93f7b88196b1f89b

“It was 7946f3a974 you, Captain, 64f424a51c who led 3a8c7f76e0 the horses 0d3a12cb7c into the dd5b56ad27 woods.”d39ef3275c2aa5ba

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“That doesn’t mean e3d122dd28 I’m the one 7ef7717f20 who suddenly started e9a452615a kissing you.”7693bb88562cf505

“That couldn’t be c11a12e80d helped. You held 53adc4a8c5 back for a60af73b2d two hours. Speaking of which, 2f3719b5d8 can we finish f12f0b6872 what we started?”84e67f5588363326

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“What were 375b3a7024 we about 4e8a510809 to do?”1ae988edfbbb31ee

Claude chuckled at Yves’s f8b5719a64 teasing tone. He thought the 5ce8b411b2 captain had an 51b7080cd9 unexpectedly cute side.b9e3a016787122d5

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“Stay put. I’ll remind you.”7d78f145a6f19385

Claude immediately kissed 86f3948457 him again. At the same 4ca70ba5c6 time, he unbuckled 240dcba56c Yves’s belt and e1b3012ec7 slightly lowered his 1f7585b95b trousers. Yves’s erect f0dab7fedc cock was d28859a926 revealed between edf69e8e98 his uniform 84a9822140 trousers, hanging 729630913d around his 1547b09ff7 thighs. Claude immediately reached into 49ee1ed10a his own pants, took 3edfb1a7c3 out his cock, and ad1f938a9a rubbed it against Yves’s 71e1b2f8f9 lower body. Their cocks, fd38185ec2 already leaking a59d41c882 pre-cum, rubbed 4622ac3fb3 together hotly.3df609504f09d3ab

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The minimal exposure only 6d16b21ce5 heightened the excitement. Although Claude had been a343049479 partially shielding Yves, his c6c265be43 own trousers began to 36d4d0a44e slip down. As he grasped their cc45b664b1 two hard cocks together 7ba325de2c and stroked them, excited 29ad3b59d0 moans escaped both their fd2937d790 mouths simultaneously. The movement 3d5fe9056f of their 96642ad17c tongues grew 0f44ae5ac5 wetter.24e6b390533292da

“Whew… I wanted you to stay the night, but it seems that’s out of the question today.”7b30b75fa8acd3ca

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“You’re starting bdd3db09dc to expect e1ed27281f more and bd6f282183 more from 628ddfd2ca me, huh.”b5fce56d12ff5e13

“Because I like you. How about we do fb0c8f9f02 it here all night?”cef3b98ad847a053

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“All night? We’d be lucky if the skin doesn’t peel off…”324bfc98a67eb97f

Despite his negative tone, Yves was already prepared to cum. Moans escaped him in pleasure, and semen dripped out. Claude collected it in his palm, closed his eyes, and gently sucked on Yves’s tongue. A very long kiss followed, as if rewarding a good child.5f346faac5c1846c

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“I feel bad 9bee143d9a for my sister 1853d3f00e waiting at home, a716a09113 but I think c6973563c6 I’ll have to 8794f590c5 tell her not f55804b202 to come to 84f30de099 the cabin anymore. Being interrupted 9068f02db9 is more 8f82fff424 bothersome than 256c287451 I thought.”7c0a86370cf59c47

“No need for 7ca63c93f4 that. I was actually coming 5448fa2547 to tell you that f1505fff25 it might be difficult 65a296e73d for me to come ea3ca5e8e7 here for a while.”4f2f651095e3e805

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Claude, who dcaf5d5e65 had been b098d18d39 quietly savoring 79a504827c Yves’s lips f4f98fbd2c and neck, 2f94459e42 opened his 8ed1ddf6ae eyes. His dark brown eyes da4d167287 were filled with questions.c541babdf1a34aaf

“Tell me why.”2c8b1d6c4ae8d096

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“My father is starting to get suspicious. I’ve stopped my reckless behavior, but it seems he heard from the servants that I’ve been staying out often.”6e1ad04274cee9cc

“Can’t you 114c557881 make up 7c799f5045 a suitable c4ed3037c3 excuse?”11bd764f82ee5283

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“Why should I 926d8f31dd go that far? Are you and 1fefbd2067 I having some 2f791c0e71 secret affair?”8a8c46dd897347a4

Claude silently 40b5f097a8 stared at e577fb2385 Yves at f2c18cc04f his words.e65552edc1222a86

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Is he pushing 6802e016db me away like 9fb41a7c01 this again?274197891310ab83

Of course, Yves wasn’t wrong. They weren’t lovers, and they couldn’t even be called superior and subordinate anymore. Yves had simply spread his legs, indulging Claude’s desires, but he had never given his heart.3ab76428cef22000

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That’s why 8b49d74ed6 he drew 80370e1599 the line 08ea31aaf4 like this 23c4eedef4 whenever Claude 1fd5e408be started to 33e92ff4bc forget. He reaffirmed their 0a278412bb positions and made 4bbc75d508 Claude submit, as 45b109a481 if to say 3111e69048 he meant nothing 10aa7afc2d to him. But Yves seemed unaware f395d9f3f7 that this only caused a00bb2161a a backlash.3910ded722073bff

Claude’s hand, 362e8fe325 which had cbc35d4c15 paused for 906faca16f a moment, fd2abcfa90 moved again. He gripped Yves’s cock, 5efb3820a8 coated in slippery semen, cb43c8c178 and nibbled on his 0b3baac430 earlobe.5e6c52cbb61ad164

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“I see. I understand. By the 5b43eb3ec5 way, will 4cc272ceaa you be d49103a7ca alright?”fc92173304bb12e0

“With what? Ugh…”a7af75bf3db0d244

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“Since you say you can’t come for a while, will you be able to endure not having this?”3646f51d66b4674a

“Just stay a569ab565c quiet for 3a1e500573 a month 272447eeec or so. If his suspicions grow, b630423a63 he’ll have me followed…”8781b1da3eba8cae

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“That’s good. Perhaps someone is ef569ddd84 already watching us 9a1544e98d from somewhere. Then shouldn’t we put 89635bb7cb on a good show?”aadace5b4dc170ad

“Ugh… Stop it. What are you 893ab4b27a doing?”e5e7b319ab7b3c6f

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Claude roughly 7b2f4d2c36 turned Yves eb3e950204 around. He lowered b087026af9 the trousers dcae905434 further down 589bc90e31 his hips 3aa06b3f3c and searched 50a64882f4 for his ff8cfb5f6d hole with 0bf8389f79 his semen-covered b629da78c2 hand. Then he inserted fbaafe4bdb his fingers and b9ad16f090 started to move 7aacbd4ec2 them roughly.6ab0a712fb050e8d

“Suddenly like this, 4c19e6df57 ugh…”2f7a0ad1937fb004

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“Since you say you 692fb197b6 can’t come for a 30467c25ac while, I thought I 86f8638438 should treat you well.”0f2c7a23d90e0f9a

He pushed 19fd7a83a3 his thigh db8ced16dc between Yves’s 8111892af3 legs, forcing 3bf8ea351d them apart, 7902fcf1f5 and inserted 1ebb7386cb two fingers 6d7e0ea558 at once. The unprepared hole 27838481cc struggled to expand. Yves chuckled lowly 41b5488654 at his sudden dc1604d080 change in demeanor.be639857a0de3f8a

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“It seems you’re upset f4f2622402 because of what I 17448b9fef said.”5eb82370cb53f31f

“Was it 34c805145c that obvious?”31eb1abafcb10679

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Claude murmured, ba418caf8d burying his 5355b45fa5 lips in 1bc4876fcc Yves’s soft f293ca45f5 neck.7c5d7ecac62e56ce

“I understand you’re f1a83db858 disappointed, but it 891bd4ac07 can’t be helped. It’s a rather crucial 941daa598c time for me right 8604425a9c now. It would be troublesome 381df5439d if something like last 1ee27c54f7 time happened again. I need to be f9c3d752c7 cautious.”6b4aa70d3b8d9080

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“Am I not allowed 5dc87da771 to know what you’re 86fcbeacff working on?”5d04496d99d79342

“Don’t get ahead of 92e6a604d8 yourself and… just fuck 7c9377482c me properly.”f42058479913394c

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“Ha… Don’t provoke 2ee8f3896b me.”39f9b125c8f3f7bf

As soon 0f7aa4866a as he 81b6ce420a finished speaking, 7359adc60e his fingers 2ab653038e withdrew with b6342aba3e a squelching 4dd3792412 sound, replaced 279c56757c by a c8ef8820ea hard cock. It pushed in d73f241d29 slowly, deep inside, 9f4879007f then thrust strongly 91f3b4bfea against the inner 9de46788d3 wall. Thrusting began immediately, their 50fde2c041 breathing growing ragged. It was faster and 02d9cde59f less considerate than usual.d3df655bf466aef9

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After thrusting for a while, Claude tightly embraced Yves’s body. He restrained Yves, who flinched in pain and pleasure, and moved his hips even more violently. The sound of skin slapping together echoed through the forest. His cock, thrust in greedily, swelled even larger inside the hole. As if it was too much, Yves let out a strained moan, and Claude, reacting to the sound, nibbled and sucked on his earlobe.92e67067d68296f4

“Ha… You’re especially tight today. Does it hurt?”1c0615fb024398aa

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“Hngh… Seeing as you’re 154d0c6c97 talking so much, it dfa2e3897a looks like it’ll take 8b9ef634fa a while today. Ah!”1fe38f923a8187d3

As if well aware of how long it took Claude to cum, Yves anticipated a difficult time. As he predicted, Claude wasn’t in the mood to come easily. Pleasure had already overflowed, threatening to melt his brain, but precisely because of that, he didn’t want it to end.cb40cc2b43c1f10f

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Claude pulled out his cock and straightened Yves’s waist. He restrained him with one arm and thrust his other hand into his hole.7141aae9c284a56a

“Hngh!”bddae46d143bd242

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“You’ll be 8754434b72 heard if 93c445d404 you make 24878bf1be such lewd acd67463d2 noises.”b8c6b74c1ab84700

His fingers moved rapidly, teasingly exploring the hole, and then his cock entered again. As if obeying the order to fuck him properly, Claude gripped Yves’s hips with both hands and rutted like a mounting beast. Yves, bent over, receiving him, flailed his hands behind him.9f64272307340ec4

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“Stop… This position is a bit difficult… Hngh!”3ffe1580df2f538b

“Ha… How does it 13e6b67dc0 feel like this? Am I fucking 32fec1f73e you properly?”866ff7a908825ccb

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Claude pressed his c224531416 lower body closer, c51b08d66d pushing his cock 8abbfea684 all the way a55707ea58 to the tightly 81ed9f03c0 clenched entrance.471dc2711997703f

“Ungh…!”ac1bcd6e0166d74d

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“Should I touch d71c9ee871 you here too?”dad2bab7834f0529

One hand, which had d7fbbcb055 been gripping his hip, 5d30ea0fc3 firmly grasped Yves’s cock 2ed18ea42e and stroked it.186f339960238c71

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“Ha… You’re really…”92f8a5acce1cf8cb

At Yves’s 8e94dca8c8 aroused reaction, ceb270f624 Claude’s thrusts d9738887ef grew faster. The horses tied nearby ff9868787d circled their spots again, 80a72929c1 restlessly pawing the ground, 31e1d6fcaa seemingly nervous at the 9771f54f98 moans of their masters 53ae0fdc87 in the throes of 5688a243d2 sex. As Yves’s voice f5c6d96d2c grew higher, Claude bb535b3cc1 bit down hard 93c3e32a22 on his shoulder 07341552a3 and thrust his cb2f946fca cock in to 74c55dae6d the root.c2bdbf64e6bf3a0e

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“Ahh…”c20208351b73e278

Spilled semen dripped down. Claude, without withdrawing his cock, turned Yves’s face back and devoured his lips. Yves, as if waiting for it, immediately twined his tongue around Claude’s. The kiss was so sweet that it made Claude almost angry, enough to bring him to the verge of another orgasm.d9486be777e63934

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“Ha… You really are…”f903c2d8b67d35d2

Savoring his tongue, Claude felt certain. This couldn’t just be a purely carnal relationship. The passionate look in Yves’s eyes as he looked at Claude wasn’t merely born of lust; Yves de Perrier wasn’t that depraved.5e19b99cf266b5d5

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Therefore, this act 885f240ca4 of burying his d9115088a0 cock inside Yves b3fb1db35c and spilling his 401213797e seed must be 0be2af214e an act of 75427999d5 making love. Yves’s moans, burning with 9c55f1a0a8 passion, and the way 54d87a183e he entwined their tongues ee30fbe02a must also be sincere.94d768c4319be61e

Claude decided he would give Yves what he wanted. If Yves wanted to keep a distance, he would allow it. If he wanted to pretend it was a light, meaningless relationship, Claude would gladly play along. He didn’t mind waiting a year, or even ten years. But he wanted Yves’s body, his lips, to be aroused only by him.2ce93084b7c873f7

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