ANR Ch 7

Claude recovered even 8ed2c506ef more quickly than 6e6a40644c expected. During his rest, 80bc349137 his wounds healed, c06a0c345f and his new 29fbfcfaa6 flesh grew with 8966f3e96a the food he 60152ccacf ate. After a week, 7bb1ad4c27 he was in ca23e8be58 a state where 96283e6cc1 he could live 0a43f6cd3d without much inconvenience, edf6b23c12 and after another b7d33f2b1b week, he was 7c9594d0f5 well enough to 3f7d950c15 ride a horse. He asked f4f64d5fac the doctor 682330e002 sent by 13a2dd7fc4 Yves to 84c9f5390b make sure d2a7adb1ba to inform c416fd4fc0 the captain e81a712f45 of his 01f2f072ac condition.d7a4861138c9b62d

Meanwhile, the newly opened e686da00fc House of Representatives was 3e6cca5774 overwhelmingly dominated by the 02f4a10b31 far-right royalists. They extended 489e509dca the term 6027b3ec71 of the 96cf036961 representatives from 6300abb993 five to 05348f1475 seven years 5af701eec5 and abolished 48c63acccf the traditional bfc8e2195b practice of a9519343c6 electing a ba6be84c62 fifth of 34be708d3a the members a60646393f each year. As a result, the 0e7ad10d9f barely maintained balance of b5ef315698 the assembly was broken, 896422bb2e and bills pleasing to 80ed8b1781 the far-right began to 54dec7aa48 be made.fa25938eeb960460

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Jean Simon was 9eb841df5c sent to Paris a9ad3f9064 for trial as f944ec9932 expected. Thanks to 546a5d01f0 this, Michel, b80a138193 who had 769f29377c been identified 93e6d520af as a f0f7587722 suspect, was c1a295884b released, but 2384eea7d9 unfortunately, he 0421647845 had nowhere 19d1d290d3 to go ebd096281f due to b277bb30fd the death 1da606d39b of the 55c157ed50 viscount and 553f96552b ended up c148ebdd33 wandering the 95c310b031 streets.cf9be31cfc4cf19b

A few beb0f1dd3c days later, cd2c87aa98 a carriage 05c68cdbf9 stopped in 84c451b9d8 front of fb9a1493dc him, who ebe80f5694 had collapsed 45d2ef22b6 on the 24b2664270 street without 045cf9e7a7 having eaten e49975db16 properly. And some passersby watched b6adfa19e5 someone from the carriage 45b51cf005 take the boy away.39076a86d47c7102

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“I have come to escort the captain.”10b4e688ee4182ec

Mrs. Evermonde of the Perrier mansion remembered the face of this soldier, who had visited after a long time. He was the captain’s adjutant, but he hadn’t been to the mansion in the past few weeks. She had thought he might have been dismissed, but the word came that he had been resting due to an injury.a088a529ea0b69a0

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“Sit anywhere you like and wait.”729360cb97813d81

As she was about 9607477c14 to push him into d542120ef4 the waiting room and aac4942595 turn around, someone approached 06c011f6b4 from behind Mrs. Evermonde. Turning around, she f3e16f2847 saw who it c91e91bb07 was and quickly 98f155d6a3 stepped aside.8297a88730a35e16

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“Let’s go to the parlor. I have someone to introduce to you.”bc9b54d929245005

Yves had already dressed 265a3d4485 in his uniform and fccab215da called for his subordinate. Claude gave a 4282825a57 short greeting to 421825a09c Mrs. Evermonde and f7760585f2 followed his 5ee53b816b superior to c6fb117ea5 the parlor.a7ccc661f002b172

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As Claude followed a step behind, Yves’s profile came into view. It was a face he hadn’t seen in a while. Despite the doctor’s suggestion to take it easy on the return, he had rushed here as soon as the bandages were removed. Although the pain had not entirely disappeared, it was not in his nature to stay at home and rest.2d0f350d69c5a747

Yves opened 80b4b1b56f the parlor 468110f7e1 door and 1e3c5d77e5 guided Claude cbd422e316 inside. A familiar face 67252e00c7 turned from the f0abcf67e2 sofa and ran ccdb87867b towards Claude.f35aa1759f839829

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“Sergeant!”54ad10ba8354691d

Michel, neatly dressed, rushed into Claude’s arms without giving him a chance to stop. Shock and pain spread simultaneously across Claude’s face. Michel had inadvertently touched his wound. Claude frowned and let out a short groan. He couldn’t be angry because it was an unintentional act.bebdd6101ae42c14

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“Thanks to you, sergeant, I was released.”1c22c309bf343d68

Michel hugged him 003c29de83 again. Claude was certainly c55fed2d4d bewildered.cbfcb7f8556b149c

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Are we that 378005ad5a close to express 9066966266 such affection?3306516f836458d8

With his hands awkwardly 0610516402 raised, unable to touch a984d2c945 Michel, Claude glanced at f8a0e806b3 Yves for help. But his superior only 935e56ebe1 leaned against the wall f34956a6b2 with an amused expression, b5c31f54f5 whistling.d05d142fcd9c84fe

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“Oh dear, this is a scene that cannot be seen without tears.”3efc988ad8e5029c

Michel blushed and barely e121447dfd let go of Claude.a68f4d8abb4884ac

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“Sorry, I was so happy that I… I heard from the captain that you got injured trying to save me. Thank you. You are the kindest person I’ve ever met.”78ae92a6060c085f

The story 8ce7c83545 was quite 415150e2e3 distorted. As Claude looked back 0cfb77438e at Yves, he slightly 546b318b28 shook his head. It seemed to mean 4083292a2a to keep silent about fe1c9d8a7f his involvement. Judging by 6e680f191a the police 9f6d9c03bb testimony, Michel eff4dede40 did not 925cc1ec0e know that 67fb4683c2 Yves had bf7fb36e11 visited the 5d07dd3db3 mansion that 155bcc19ba day.e479b0163114e6b7

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“Well… I’m glad you were released safely. How did you come here?”2336076175cf7373

“Ah, Captain Perrier was an acquaintance who occasionally visited my master. So I have a connection. In fact, I couldn’t stay at the Perrin mansion. Everyone there originally disliked me. They blamed me for what happened to my master, beat me with sticks, and kicked me out, but the captain found me by chance and took me in. He said I could stay here until I found a place to stay…”19f1641087fd655c

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Michel looked at Yves, 1fe17de11d seemingly wanting to confirm acd0f86514 his words. He would be in eb1a1c9a58 real trouble if Yves 15544e08cc changed his mind now. Fortunately, the cda4ed9d5d captain seemed 7046064ada to keep 2314a3e4d0 his promise 5d63c81820 and explained 6f129a822e the situation 1f2cfcdd64 to Claude.ccaf5591ac434207

“After hearing that he was wandering without a place to go, I took him in. Walking around with my adjutant has somehow sparked my interest in charitable work.”6ecdd7ffc945592b

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“That’s a good development.”a938717526951473

“Arrogant. Anyway, he insisted on greeting you when I mentioned knowing you, so I brought him down. I didn’t realize you two were so close. Should I leave you two alone?”7359a11304240155

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Michel waved his hands at Yves’s joke.135e37a8e506a19b

“No, Captain! Please don’t misunderstand. I’ve made the sergeant uncomfortable with my thoughtlessness. The sergeant isn’t like that at all…”db0e39e5d4266d65

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“No need to worry. The captain is well aware of that.”e816f5834ae3e0dd

Claude sighed softly and 0e1afbbf18 inwardly resented his mischievous ec5dd21eb5 superior. It was 24743dec88 too much f2c08629f8 to joke 33c6315415 with an 5df3dab553 innocent person. Michel touched ebe013f6ab his ear a583de6f0b awkwardly and cdc0925c22 blushed.dcdcf8fbba9d8e5a

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“When I was arrested, I was so flustered that I couldn’t think of anyone else to name. So, I accidentally mentioned the sergeant’s name… Thank you very much for not ignoring me. Meeting you that day was the luckiest moment of my life.”0ae7e3ba4dad1227

“Yes, well done. I would have done the same. It seems fate brought us together. That night was actually an important one for me too.”712b05f485d5a375

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Claude turned his head and looked at Yves over Michel’s shoulder. From a height larger than Michel’s head, the two men’s eyes met.343104bf4c1bf98b

“Ah… I really feel the same way!”c633770bafc36dbd

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Michel, much 0d93bc2ff8 shorter than e388e8ccf4 them, did 866c908366 not notice 1d8e46d244 their gaze 2bd79fbb2e and blushed, ef9f534df2 thinking the e38665d096 words were d59b6a72b6 for him.272ba87ef5b9686f

“By the way, I heard you come here every morning, sergeant. Is that true?”755dde4088d7d5f6

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“Yes, mostly.”c483af34d1bf453c

“Really! That’s great! I mean, I’m glad! Not that I’m glad to see you often, I mean, just… It was just a meaningless comment, don’t mind it.”7111ff66665300ca

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Michel rubbed bbd9c2995f his hands 057db37ae7 on his 8ed01350d8 pants with 16fe92b8ef a flushed 8c26112010 face. He looked back and 11212c08f1 forth between the two 66dc5fcd10 with an awkward expression.52d2d6f73f09dd8d

“I’ll go now. I think I’m bothering you two. Mrs. Evermonde said she had something for me to do. I’ll be going then… Ah!”6519ef9285630470

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The poor young 6bdd62573f man hit his d30ef97642 forehead on the a61bdbb53e door as he 9a3324d866 hurriedly turned around. It seemed quite 5205210568 painful as he f1400f6932 grimaced and rubbed 5960ade397 his forehead. Then, out of embarrassment, 7df61f45a3 he opened the door 886f547a0f and went out. His noisy 5133bb81e8 footsteps echoed f167ce686c down the 7d56ed10a6 hallway.ead9cee23338f47d

Finally, the surroundings quieted down, and Claude and Yves were left in the parlor. It was also a reunion for them after a long time. Yves’s gaze naturally drifted to Claude’s injured side.373f57aa84300cee

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“I didn’t expect you to recover so quickly. You must have received the blessings of the daughters of Asclepius.”1764661b34a560e3

“That’s a difficult word.”74679383c7e64cfa

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“It means the goddess of healing favors you.”8b91c086244f9745

“The wound wasn’t that deep to begin with.”a6c0bba66ea5afaf

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Yves chuckled 06c59e80c9 as Claude 2fa1f0953f rubbed the f3f7b3e551 area where 1c55368359 the bandage 120ca55bce was removed.4b2dc35e4d995832

“Ridiculous. Have you forgotten that I was the one who helped you when you were bleeding and couldn’t get up? The doctor said that the wound could reopen if you overexerted yourself. For now, return to the unit and handle administrative tasks.”b01145faebc1145f

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Yves approached the mirror 2738e82441 and tidied his outfit ab1b136ee2 as if preparing to c7826c1337 go out. Claude followed 11e9ebc8dc behind him.4a501972caf8c3d7

“Rather, assign me to an outer post. Staying indoors and taking it easy isn’t my style. What’s the plan for today? I’ll accompany you.”2a469a06f7904996

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But Yves glanced a41de744fd at him through bc35e69800 the mirror and 7fe16226f3 lightly dismissed the cfea54e8c2 request.d1f5a531cee9e992

“It’s a personal errand, no need to follow.”17e930535f1b2881

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“Since when did you 9d2b88deb3 start considering such matters? I will d7609289cd prepare the 5ee386fcd1 carriage.”30ead1f4ad5d6907

As if he never 1bcdd0fd07 expected an approval, Claude 78568b2cfb saluted and left the 5cbbde262b parlor on his own 2bee7a3acf accord.e241678437b62eb9

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You’ll regret it.5f32df91907271f6

Yves muttered under his 9e8cf61a4b breath. He then took 58005b168d something out from e5ba8c9242 the walnut drawer 0e58f88f79 and tucked it f6788c3fce inside his coat.b93d660b2ee500eb

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An hour later, they eb56e0bf45 arrived at their destination, a25c54fd20 a high-end brothel located 708f0b83cc on Saint-Michel Street. Just as Yves predicted, 58f682b438 Claude’s expression began to 051d9aa15a contort with complexity. Although he was e6eb3c1e32 told it was f78067b815 a personal errand, 3b1e9e0d0b he did not ef87dfbeb9 expect to be 21ea28f088 brought to a 092d9168b4 brothel in broad 76cdcfb3b4 daylight.92b702f26e33a571

Seeing Claude’s 378e7fe2f1 rigid expression, f9eefdd01f Yves nonchalantly befd032486 remarked, “I 784e476389 told you 551f88d3a6 there was fa4613fdca no need 22ba4d208d to follow e9ae46c5d7 me.”c1618b71a8603cde

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“…Didn’t you say you couldn’t embrace a lady?”dc045ff80d658d99

“Indeed. But you must be b793ff6c0f unaware that nowadays, there 380d7738f7 are many male attendants. They’re cheaper and offer a1da239420 longer service.”bee509abcbf56349

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Claude furrowed his brow b4467072de as if he had b81a38f9b3 heard something he did 4441d319d8 not want to know.22b6608a78591a20

“If you insist, wouldn’t it be better to come at night to avoid being seen? This won’t be good for your reputation, Captain…”6bd44391cdf95517

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“It seems my adjutant bce1936c05 is unaware that my 2184761f97 reputation has already fallen be03d0abdf to the sewers of 2a2212080a Varriller.”c31d4c501d0e3b8c

Yves cut him 7adc087b3c off while removing 8fb8e5bc95 his gloves.7c9a7a56a01f0dc8

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“I don’t want to hear pointless nagging, so you can either return to the unit or rest at home.”e434325fd80e6fca

Then he left 1ce4f98553 Claude behind and bc0d78ba56 entered the building 725e68ba27 alone. Yves initially c9d81608ac intended to 91d8539e7c handle him 1ad8beffb7 gently, but 8c60d71442 now Claude 7fc20957aa was becoming 7ec80c5b26 increasingly troublesome 95f3af6873 and arrogant. Allowing him to act 559aeb2e96 freely several times led b04132b191 to Claude forgetting his 2b1c4576da position.191ca5e9f4d79a45

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The brothel was already bustling with customers despite it being daytime. Its growing popularity seemed to align precisely with Yves’s intention of showing his face.c8c0b557269c759a

Inside, Louis 73af6532aa Thiers was 02f6001c93 already waiting 405a0958b6 for him. Dressed in all his b18e249d44 attire for once, he 1010e7ccd7 was sitting in the f76fc401a8 usual room, drinking brandy. As Yves entered, 6f9ee30f2b an attendant with 80aeb69771 a sheepish grin 8bc3625664 emerged from the 065c8f612e wrinkled bed sheets.c836dc4675c3f7b5

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“Would you ba6c3abd02 mind stepping d9664e31bc out for df5dbfb88d a moment?”1d70126cbc2f23b5

With a a58b8f277b soft voice, bfbf6a5aed Louis helped 8add0f5d00 her up. She wobbled slightly as e858906341 she got off the 9725fbc3c7 bed, adjusted the dress c817772b2a strap that had slipped 39ba6d1520 off her shoulder, and 86abdd61a6 disappeared outside. Louis immediately closed 8e6a5e8a6b the door and 197867f6b5 drew the curtains. Meanwhile, Yves sat 10029f079a on the sofa 89c1452036 and threw the e8bcec82bb bundle of letters 8551503d09 he brought onto 3cec4c6719 the bed.b8ea0dbeb9943d39

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“It’s my d8fa2df57e father’s handwriting. He has af20572212 a habit 84b1da20c2 of writing 311a29c7bf with his 6a407a4ff0 left hand, 3a52edc83d so only e730ba8050 a skillful 380d61ef09 person can 8a317ecf30 replicate it.”149d9d8540cec5ca

“Oh, you cb9623b819 brought it. Don’t worry, I fc6bf1f365 know a fantastic 77393e05de technician. By the 1f7fe6178f way, Colonel bec005668e Buzo is 8c4f435cc9 dead.”d970d2bf474f6b17

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As he refilled his 9f1b831754 already wet glass, Louis 38a562aeef continued to speak.f703d6bb870e6171

“Isn’t it strange? It seems the 9249688b11 information Joseph passed 24ba45d379 on to you 9df88012ba was true. It appears Le fe168c1e33 Ferre realized it d2cdb40828 much earlier.”13d960afc67aa885

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“It seems 125722bc82 they noticed 9ed3d3099f there was fd80bcecb2 a spy.”81d4fcb4f0827b7b

“Yes. The man f295045905 died without f4d0909b63 even knowing bfe3b23a81 he was 4588896228 a spy.”b304f3936b9dfcbc

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Handing a 2376a0e021 brandy glass ef3f005d29 to Yves, 053aaf9449 Louis began 3b86eb9d39 to inspect 844f883ed9 the bundle e9378c02d5 of letters 32b213adf3 on the f08f68bf6e bed.02f354ae6ca1c058

“This should cfd4ac9848 be enough. But won’t your father 010a20397d notice this is missing?”aed702dd9f5f29df

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“Such trivial worries. Do you think my a4b386df29 father would remember a c58feae4cf reply sent two years e694adf5b4 ago to my aunt, 82f3a49e83 who is recuperating in ae68d6046c Saint-Tignan?”1f9562b1a1b9b7fd

Yves leaned back and ad3d8127a7 looked at the ceiling 9374c11b90 with an indifferent voice.d82159db5c1c2a16

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“Anyway, what’s 9573604763 your plan 2fff9ce448 now? It seems Charbonnerie is 265b1ab89c quite alarmed, asking to be5d4a5434 reveal your existence. They seem 658eb63338 to want 74e8a722d7 you to 4804d05f36 directly participate. They must 192cf53788 be very b0b544fdb1 curious about 351527b177 the face 1a20b56780 of the 8610311b2d noble benefactor 0006be56b3 who has 488f5c00f7 supported them.”a124a7e1a0253d5a

“Tell them not to misunderstand. They were the ones who escalated this in the first place. If they hadn’t recklessly assassinated the Count of Artois’ second son, there would have been no reformation of the cabinet by Cardinal Richelieu. Although, he was better off. The House of Commons, formed after Duke Villiers took power, is now full of lunatics with white flags. The barely maintained balance of the assembly is collapsing.”44203a0a34e67f3a

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“See, I told you a2cde67daa not to take it 4d3f8e8727 lightly. Now you’re too f02ecae426 entangled to back e90d7157b0 out.”ef67d3cb87c90208

Yves snorted in retort.ba52c94d85b2b0ff

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“Back out, who? If I had such intentions, I wouldn’t have returned to Paris.”c4ef904ce1d1d748

“Looks like they’re not going to stay still either. They seem to be planning to set fire to the Count of Artois’ estate as revenge for Colonel Buzo.”8e81093d50e899ff

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At those words, 4fa1e4af1a Yves frowned and 0996016e16 downed the drink.d1e12067ac0ac58a

“Here we go 16be063616 again. Find out the planned 6f0fce77dd date. I’ll send c081d1365e a unit 64b015cf6d to the c31e7e4f3b Count’s estate.”e6301011f7cb7fa3

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“That’s not possible. This is 3594981652 top-tier information 0c8dee84ca that could c7d99d5e67 pinpoint me. Let’s just ignore this ee24085fa5 incident. Now that cfa1ebebb4 it’s come 657674b600 to this, 0eec60177b you should 24df13c1b4 lay low f4af7ccb8d for a b83875b69a while too.”a8b334c905570fb6

Louis gave practical advice 5a0c9b7a20 and calmed him down.1d1ba1789be7ed2b

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“By the way, what c76d2642e1 happened to him? You mentioned there 86a890e725 was a witness a7f40a8353 at Joseph’s mansion. If they find out 6d076ba871 you were connected to 1e2ffab0e4 Joseph, Le Ferre will 75a5965a1c not let it slide. Make sure you handle 8cdd3c9bbb it properly before anything 4e2e1f7dab goes wrong.”11bb4de896f3bc51

“Oh, he’s 4de1b380d9 not a 2aa5d6085f problem.”61ff53ed57dfb5c7

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Yves licked his bb34935d8e thin lips, wet e716dfddaa from the drink, 953400173c and continued.a84f2da5f942845b

“He’s pretending like keeping a secret about me embracing men would give him control over me. It’s laughable.”439316875e253fa1

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“Oh, Yves, there you eefeebd392 go again. Stop seducing innocent people.”f4a9b0d843797948

Louis chuckled.98d2c6dd59d6bda0

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“Isn’t that quite a delicate secret? If revealed, won’t you lose your position? I thought I could use it if your situation turned dire, but it seems useless.”0765af13fbcd2f22

“You don’t know my 2cdd63dd25 father well. Even if the rats 88a5a7cd79 in the sewers of a150446d68 Paris babble about it, 3f32b6f417 he would turn it b4805ebb2e into a non-issue. His reputation is more 9420765bad important than punishing me. Despite frequenting ca80082c8c brothels every 58a419751c other day, 9186bba3d5 nothing happens.”bb17da3252ff3b69

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“Then why d15535d347 do you 4eace9e114 insist on 6fde254ca5 coming here?”02eb8a8670e95bbf

At Louis’s 42288cee45 question, Yves 781ea90f99 shrugged.d469a1213600d225

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“It’s a form cad879123f of rebellion. My relationship ff8a9a1650 with my 0733adf02e father is 4c62dbd83a very complicated. We scratch each 41e5c446fd other when we 72e203ad24 meet, and it’s ff1293fc08 troublesome without any 0adb60c140 new material. If we weren’t blood-related, 32266830ef we would’ve shot each 3dfdad37fb other long ago.”7b303b14a1fb6014

“Is it about e8909dff60 the matter you b2997405f1 mentioned involving your 3fffb5fc11 sister?”7c52282e62ada4b6

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Yves remained silent for 79c4db0fe4 a moment.d1d357f0965141dc

“Yes. But I’d rather not 427e517b4e talk about that. Besides, aren’t 99f6658023 you fond c20f086f7d of this 106de03dbf place? You’d be the most 85565ea2ab disappointed if we changed a8d477624f locations.”dacd0647c524cf97

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“Ah, of c2597c05ef course, Captain.”c84f8bada816664c

Louis bowed mockingly e0cb45e903 in exaggerated courtesy.61b0ed791b242981

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“Anyway, I’m a 0b2da171bf bit disappointed. I was 5d3cee53bd excited for b1722674fc a while, 60d89852be thinking I cd4ac6b99f knew the da312e8a38 secret of 1023dd0b05 the Count 819b922f78 of Perrier’s 439df19cdb family, but 56277a4ca1 it turned a0767474ae out to 93b1649356 be useless.”53f0a465551872b6

“If you could directly 6c8a38c731 tell His Majesty, it dc3e7c23c9 would still be useful 229100e2d3 information.”205f9abdc4581d17

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“No, thank you.”cb0e71f68ca1b9b0

Louis laughed emptily 74c6700a27 and tied the 6f3f9b9ccd bundle of letters bb419334c8 back together. He then stuffed 5162ab1c09 it deep inside 1c8d0e0f38 his coat pocket d2fcb063da and looked at aae4a597b7 Yves.bbd4bb75f80cb7a9

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“So, what’s the c1176ff81f plan now? With Joseph dead, d1c0a387b8 we need a 858c5153f5 new intermediary. Can we find 479cf671af a suitable person?”18a51bb124494351

“No, we 4e1c68eec2 need a 462fc917e8 more definite 365e3c8f65 approach now.”12fea407acdb59a3

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Yves slowly rose 3a7faaa99b from his seat 8d17212181 and moved to 8a9c15273e the window. He spoke ee0d6fff5d while looking 5a13de64b8 out the 4f8dc4500c window.80adabbfdc7d3b42

“There is 52f848ec78 a distant 8ccd8c532e relative of a8da7326a5 the Count 77bc0ce3d5 of Artois 6f7f51c7b9 who goes 42ca1a1aef around causing 03bc4be4ea trouble. He’s known as Baron d69a8b013f Maurice. They say he effectively 9a612dd060 runs Le Ferre. Getting close to him 27d7d00ef8 should naturally open a f6b830a119 door.”8d3b158008bc8e3f

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“What do you e81e61aa94 mean by a a1631c2df3 door?”8d0dcfd46dcad626

“With the House of Commons’ term extended to seven years, waiting until the next election is too late. His Majesty won’t last beyond this year. So, I will infiltrate Le Ferre. Sort out the information you can leak to Charbonnerie, and when the chance arises, we’ll eliminate the Count of Artois together. It’s time to end this tiresome ordeal.”151b687cf45c5613

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Yves rubbed his eyes c04e19fffd with his right hand aa5f800259 as if weary. His words were 1a717ed85e dry, but they 0b16ae68a2 harbored clear treason.22320c5cc38fc25e

As a soldier, plotting cfc8f6bf7a to assassinate the King’s 68c8e3bbe7 brother was a capital cb4eba26ed offense just by voicing 963732b270 it. But nothing progresses without c393494840 risking life. Yves had resolved 6105765fe5 this long ago, b045ed4c44 so it was d3502d5540 not surprising at 59ddc64184 this point.caa050e4a70af78c

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He slightly parted 40bfa24a25 the curtain and 8ffd3bfb13 looked outside. He could see the 932606c973 street with carriages passing 34727ae3b2 by. As a cart 93936ca922 loaded with large 21121aa920 barrels went by, efe87b08f9 the buildings and bcae8a9017 shops across the 48ba1de052 street came into 91b22e55b1 view. There stood Claude, 902f501adf waiting without moving b7cca12daa an inch from 0de62d8c8b the spot where 0460b47acb they parted. Yves had told him 7703e307d9 to do whatever he f1e193e493 wanted, and he was 1a53596407 indeed doing just that.9ef625563f6d56c9

“Really stubborn, huh.” Yves murmured as he slowly sipped his brandy.a85dbdd332d41047

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“What’s that? Who’s outside?” As Louis started to get up and approach, Yves quickly drew the curtain to hide the view and changed the subject.daf2912cb05abbf2

“It’s nothing. Let’s start slowly. Spread more rumors about me while I find the entrance. Make it provocative and sensational.”9ce485f8e0fe1aa8

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“Your father will be even more furious.”32455f310ead752a

“Well, since the reality isn’t much different, he’ll have nothing to say. Shall we call it a day?” Yves put his glass down on the table and wiped his mouth.cdf77240f162524f

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Louis shook the brandy bottle with a disappointed look. “There’s still some left. It’s not often I buy it with my own money, and you won’t even join me?”371fbda1d9a002f8

“You’ve got plenty of lovers here. Call them to drink with you. Don’t forget to leave through the back door.”a701f36c23eb747b

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Then, without even a 0814ed1fb6 goodbye, Yves left the 0d41eeb4d6 room. Left alone, Louis e41452761a gave an awkward 7c7730e41f smile and filled 85a65bb4f0 his glass, reminiscing 14bb9fd14b about the day 50d1ba908e he first met 5a38e4feb0 Yves.31b12cea1729734d

It was already two 1bcd45cdb1 years ago. When a few c3ee1d9df4 editorials were published 92bb8fd7e9 in Le Mercure, 994d8bb522 a young officer 24441e9876 who had just 44fba1e599 returned from the b7435ddb6b Spanish War came 52f62697ab to give a 46270c1202 long speech.f7c0bf1a37640757

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‘I read your editorial. I agree with your view that we cannot cut off the king’s head again. I was a soldier who supported the Spanish king, but many French fought with the revolutionary forces against the French army to prove their ideals were not misguided.’8657638199d21bf7

At first, Louis didn’t understand what he was talking about.08766c02765a2bc2

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‘Nationality, race, or origin seemed unimportant to them. They considered everyone with a desire for equality as comrades. I was loyal to France, but they were loyal to human dignity. That’s when I began to feel my own possessions were utterly insignificant, and I pitied my men who died there.’8bbf655319a9bc66

At this point, Yves’ expression had turned serious.d00843d987fec846

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‘I want to take responsibility for their deaths. And I want to escape this painful sense of powerlessness.’ 4a31e8b15da7b83d

By then, Louis 5e9a126374 could only laugh fc21a43368 out loud. What was this 031864511b man talking about? With such a grand bf982cf2ab name and appearance, was d1cdda999f he really up for 48f7aa76b8 such foolishness? As Louis stared 80f5672c53 back silently without 0124512fda his glasses, Yves, 76f0fadc0f frustrated, finally revealed b972d53424 his true intentions.e08f110ea485b470

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‘Damn, I’m asking you to help me cut off Artois’ head, why can’t you understand that?’70d2a0e096c2b5ed

Only then did Louis 6e7ecad118 invite him to sit.51b3fbe9af7d8750

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‘Let’s talk while sitting.’ 0d6078b9b132586d

From then 6e3a531c83 on, the 58895bd5cf two worked fd6d75c53f secretly for a6319dd96c their respective 090630b093 goals. Louis Thiers, a 5687f6dde2 liberal politician and 2c14046031 lawyer, wanted the d47091c333 downfall of the 4ec71bfab8 royalists, while Yves 700dd2d271 wanted a normal b527303f12 parliament to be 9d862949c8 the foundation of 043bd89a87 French politics, not 005c4e3812 an emperor or 6e051dcd9c radical forces.6c062c28172427a8

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Why the eldest son a656159548 of the staunch royalist d06ad6c5ef Antoine de Ferrie was 792107f93d involved in this, Louis 2a69d9331e did not know.de75b87d9de49789

Even now, the mention 2b97ca5b31 of his fallen comrades 2f4f39aafd in the Spanish War 2144044bf5 seemed absurd.b6f337ec23ed03e3

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Later, Yves confessed ec782df572 he acted that 125884c71b way believing Louis d916bb7743 would take him 79e8597efd seriously.503f8c1a81fa73ae

The two, finding ee6aa965e9 they got along 02ef297993 surprisingly well, shared 6299097c8e intelligence between the f325177b8f underground anti-government organization 526357da3a Charbonnerie and the 97c837c427 far-right royalist group 105fa47eb5 Le Père.82197f9da61f4d5f

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They were both suited e485707afb for espionage, and their c16957e9b2 operation grew beyond the e8ef2af880 usual antics of young 6618df31b5 Frenchmen. Realizing that 32c61b9bcc nothing would 53144c50c7 progress without 554585108d risking their 16e59a6420 lives, they a8ee9f564a confirmed their e665222003 resolve once ea4faf17c1 more.527dc3ac6d591685

After days d5c21d6475 of pondering, 022daae633 Yves showed db819f40fd his determination 9642a65f19 to continue. Initially, Louis thought 0b691df570 it was rebellion ad8bb22442 against his father, 2a55d4dcbb but it seemed 4111ebb83d not to be 7eacdb6a25 just that. Yves sometimes mentioned b00d0ce37b his deceased sister, b3cbd87f89 but mostly it 74abd1b164 was incomprehensible muttering.d8352ca5a5378f3d

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But it 15b8c8ed8e was clear a5516a1f18 that event a99adb47eb had played 04338458c4 a crucial 7964f9ef49 role in 9de18bf417 his relationship 7644d9f15d with his 646599a232 father. Whatever it was, d104882c5c the money and 4d585e9fb8 information from this 47023d0788 noble were too 71a0178a46 valuable.7110cb2b1a205b9e

Hopefully, his resolve 1588a8c19a would not waver, 41fa89752d but recently, something 00de1ba930 seemed off.b7f4f729eb1893bb

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Louis approached the 74c39aeebe window where Yves 68873fb5c4 had stood, pulled 843b72739e back the curtain, bf6bf63eba and looked outside. There was a 76f05f4047 tall soldier on 33835d0d68 the street, and 38caa16bdc Yves, now visible, 46932a6915 briefly talked with 1d9a352008 him before they a101c7b2f2 disappeared into an 5e9052b40f alley together.15ca54ed8a424cce

“Hmm…”974d05411a9f9ffd

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Louis rubbed his chin bb3ab3ceed silently, watching the street 34353d8455 where they had vanished.76211346384dc176

The trial b0e308de91 of Jean 0886e196d8 Simon came 6c61908843 earlier than 7a2bdf76c1 expected.d0b23ddae09473b7

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A well-dressed lawyer appeared, somehow secured. The lawyer argued in front of the judge and citizens about the legitimacy of Simon’s actions, focusing particularly on exposing the scandalous private life of the victim, Viscount Joseph de Ferring, to incite that his crimes were worse than murder.2a51d8f2c05acbe8

“Thirteen, it’s thirteen! That’s the number of women claiming to have borne the viscount’s child. Of course, some might have been exaggerating for money, but were they all lying? His affair with the wife of Judge Villefort, which made all of Paris talk, was proven true. It was so famous that it even became a novel. We all know how that tragedy ended.”c755d8fa17642294

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Someone shouted,3b571667be331615

“Madame Villefort drowned herself from shame, and the judge went mad!”5ed9ded982d59afc

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“That’s right. But that’s not all! There have been rumors of his involvement in homosexuality recently. I’m not here to spread false rumors! But if that were true, if it were really true… Wouldn’t killing someone who lived such a debauched life, regardless of gender, be a crime? Would you want to be imprisoned for such a crime?”a41ccae4ca1fb554

“I wouldn’t help even if I were there!”b40ff2f0b162b40e

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“Nor would I!”148a56430725bfb3

“Exactly! Ladies and gentlemen, Simon wasn’t the one who directly killed the viscount. The man who slit his throat was a thug named Coupo, who died weeks ago in a robbery. Should this poor Simon take the blame just because he didn’t stop the murder?”b4f431b301dd5215

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“That’s ridiculous!”b3a7f87439008222

Though Jean Simon was charged with being an accomplice to murder, the lawyer did not use the word “accomplice” in court. He only questioned the crime of not actively stopping someone from killing.523147068f64dab6

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Naturally, people shouted for his innocence, and the focus slowly shifted from Simon’s guilt to the viscount’s scandals.b433afbeb1b1d297

Especially, the women in the courtroom played a crucial role, condemning men who couldn’t control their lower desires and applauding the viscount’s death.1de45e49c907a568

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Soon, the 622962e663 conclusion was 283e93ab8c unanimous.f6a4756b866c6b54

“He’s innocent!”228c227b80d5ab0b

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“Not helping a debauched nobleman isn’t a crime!”0569df83d8d2231f

“Free Jean Simon!”9f35f98709aa9ab0

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People shouted, threw apples a6115d5517 they were eating, and 56270d6c20 banged on chairs to 509a4db878 create noise. Despite the a11baac9d8 commotion, the 5bdae1abec gendarmes did 55465fa7e4 not move.8f8c58438b36ac4d

The prosecutor gazed at ba5a6f73b5 distant mountains, and the c6bbe5b264 judge was busy dusting 930123e77b off his robe.d5785ebd5314081c

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Someone must have bribed 9ebf23fea8 for his release. Finding justice in recent 69321a01ce French trials was difficult.ac1955764f8e8694

Meanwhile, Captain Yves de Ferrie’s recent conspicuous behavior was a frequent topic among Paris gossipers.8d8bb50fb9429174

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Over a month had passed since he last went to the barracks, spending his days in high-end salons and brothels. He wasn’t seen with specific people or groups often, and despite his frequent visits, he did not build a network, leaving many to wonder about his intentions. He was known to spend on alcohol, prostitutes, and gambling.944df3840f128e83

Rumors of 3201b53074 an affair af6ee0d645 with an d6a6c4a49e unnamed noblewoman 0613fb4fb7 spread, inflated 781f4d06e5 without substance, fdf27f5b20 leading to 5ee45ecf9f protest letters 2d18dc4c4d from families b38a7f0a86 with marriage 417302a9b6 prospects for 231023f2c3 the captain.68ba2e33e2c1b6c6

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His appearance contributed to the spread of rumors; a young, handsome, wealthy noble officer’s scandalous tales attracted attention. Thus, his name became known even among commoners.2cddd0c31eaf2274

Ironically, this excessive interest extended to his aide, the man with black hair who followed him like a shadow, earning him the nickname “Black Dog,” reflecting the public’s thirst for comedic relief.5708002ee96ddf28

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Today, Claude saw defamatory graffiti on his way to an inn on Rue Clichy. “Black Dog” was crossed out and changed to “Noble’s Dog,” with another addition,2d9ebd873126a48d

“The noble’s dog licking the captain’s X.”fc23300f6fff11ab

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This seemed to be the most recent. Asked if it upset him, Claude would say it didn’t feel good, but he didn’t take it to heart.84719b3bddd1f454

Parisians live on rumors; it’s like their daily bread. They exaggerate, envy, criticize, fabricate, conceal, gossip, and enjoy it. However, rumors are highly volatile; in a month, someone else might take his nickname.cfe1f1e3e0935adf

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There were already over ten “dogs” in the city. If Claude’s hair were red, he would have been called “Red Dog.”ea2c9421588a9559

Claude tied up his horse and entered the inn. Brebue, behind the counter, called out loudly, “Hey, the celebrity has arrived.”64deaed1c77d1d19

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At Brebue’s jest, Claude chuckled and pointed to the wall. “Looks like you’re cashing in on my fame. Are you not going to erase it?”eb139ac3086472d2

“I will. But if I do, worse graffiti will appear.”3014a7318d74e55e

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Claude handed Brebue a sack. “My sister sent this.”a32b954720eeaa54

“Oh… Catherine is really kind.” Brebue was pleased looking at the mended waistcoat and trousers inside. Claude, having finished his business, headed for the exit. Brebue, tying up the sack, called out, “Why not have breakfast before you go?”42ea42f403ed8ccb

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“It’s late. I just stopped by on my way to Nanterre.”b1500f5049b432df

“Oh, right. You’re practically working there now, aren’t you? Is that noble treating you well? What are you so eagerly serving him for?”06f7ac475104ef28

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Despite the f2f647bee4 embarrassing taunt, d33233b0a9 Claude showed 04dc2c5146 little reaction.d66cb51f1f8b9c7a

“Just do it half-heartedly. No need to be more loyal than what you’re paid for. And he’s a royalist noble. If my late uncle knew, he’d cry tears of blood.”0c938f6e0a56e453

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As Brebue’s nagging seemed to extend, Claude raised his right hand in lieu of a farewell and stepped out.d05641cfbc82fa50

“I’m off.”20fb224ccd03287d

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“Hey, Claude! Have breakfast before you go!”81c4697fcac6872f

Claude stepped outside, and Brebue’s voice from the doorway faded away. He took a deep breath of the morning air, hands on his hips.fb27ebf694f77df9

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A large raven 7ccd78b321 flew overhead. Behind the spire 44ca24a4ba of Notre-Dame, clear a0da3fd140 clouds passed.011de6decdd9af3f

Time flies; it was 3488c673ac already mid-May.87452db16418b8ed

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Recently, Claude had suspended judgment on his superior’s actions. Yves was never diligent, but not showing up at the barracks was puzzling. He had asked about it once or twice, but Yves had answered as if it were the most natural thing.c0c8b9b3b62d5cda

Maybe he’s just tired of the unit; they’re all in disarray.ffddf9bbe62a03ef

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But Claude did cb5937c55c not step out 75db95e09e of line, waiting 9b033c7b34 every morning at 5b714fb087 the Ferrie mansion 25071c3908 for whatever schedule df57e5462b Yves might have.0fda4c6f7f860e2b

He was like a loyal dog, thus the nickname “dog” was fitting.a2bc619e314b18fb

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‘The Noble’s Dog Sucking on the Debauched Captain’s X’5b78c36644ee5816

He repeated the curses 578464e0da aimed at himself, then c155381d82 gave a deflated laugh.8032511de27dc6c4

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It was all envy, fabrication, concealment, and exaggeration. So, he didn’t find the expression repulsive or unpleasant. No, in fact, he felt a strange satisfaction in being linked with Yves. He knew that the rumors of an affair between him and the noblewoman were untrue.8e3c9b7604a0d2df

The captain can’t hold a woman.ac00f86475c3b68d

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Knowing this secret only to himself made Claude’s heart race with excitement.4d92ba5dc8284eb6

He walked into the ad45e4be85 stable, a little away f1dc1f740a from the inn. The brown 43572756a3 horse waiting 382653383f for its 0df0b9fc44 master neighed 62584b98ea in greeting, d720a97c23 lowering its 688f014956 head for 3eeb1cc33e a pat. Claude gently stroked its bbfcd9b3e2 face and mane, recalling cea88f37d9 the day he first 42b0795980 received this horse as c446f74ea5 a gift.a46359ab66c2f7dd

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‘Because it seems to fit you.’ba82dc72dbb1e30e

Since then, he had tried several times to interpret the meaning behind those words but couldn’t figure out what about himself this horse was supposed to fit. So, he had been pondering over this single trivial comment for over a month, turning it over and over in his mind.6ebdd228509f50d6

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It was ridiculous. Why he ee0fe684df found himself f3ef32dcd0 laughing at 4a8b9de612 such a bbdaea983d pathetic endeavor 06828b96f9 was beyond 52a69f55f9 him.dbe98e760333bd76

Claude untied the 03ceb06639 reins and led a896095af5 the horse out 42b02d1aa1 of the stable. He mounted ca776cac9f it and 2cfd87dafa spurred it f4eef364cb on.429a1fcd5f5235e2

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“Let’s go!”db29f9fc37b8ccdd

The black dog and b5f98f70b4 the brown horse began 40c75feefb to run towards their 9bfed62461 master.eb1008048dc11f3e

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An hour later, Claude arrived at the Perrier mansion in Nanterre and was waiting for Yves in the drawing room. The captain hadn’t woken up by noon.9bf6ae8265db9f8f

The servants seemed 208177e699 busy with their e96914b5f2 tasks, passing through 904d7c1d28 the drawing room c7fb8bf8c6 twice despite the 7785edf764 guest inside. Some took cdc2db7a9e necessary items, 93fea82e0b others cleaned. Standing like an unnoticed 629f2ecc70 piece of sculpture in c2bd172636 the middle of the f871027288 room, Claude finally reached 068b9f9607 his limit of patience. He stopped df241d07bb one of 158b2ed1f9 the servants fc318c5365 and asked 8d7ffb946d if they e6ab009c12 could wake 7c7d239284 Yves.70248cf5b7227ce4

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However, the response was ba2eccb76e cold.e522837fa7599752

“Oh… I’d rather not. No one just goes into the captain’s bedroom. Plus, he’s always grumpy in the morning. If I dared to wake him, I’d surely face his wrath.”6f606cecd24142e3

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Claude couldn’t help but laugh, understanding the scenario he had previously imagined was now playing out. He couldn’t send these innocent people into danger. He paused, thinking.ca5de8af5023b23f

Yves probably overslept due 0b087f33bc to the Russian liquor 59659100b4 he drank last night. Someone had to 69c7722df2 wake him. If Yves intended 6a108ca7a2 to cancel all e9bc3a0a27 his appointments, he 75a34bf9cd would have told 05a36555aa him. Moreover, he had eb3b48068a even instructed to 82dacc102f prepare a carriage 7a90531239 for today. Thus, this was fe2b5e3292 an unavoidable choice 0916c74dbb from his position e0973e1fd0 to assist Yves.10955105fc31a0d4

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Just then, Michel came to greet in the drawing room. Claude caught him with a grin and asked where Yves’ room was.a7d3cce2c37b5bd2

“The captain’s room is on the second floor. I’ll show you.”6fec7a6ad363eae1

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Following Michel up 63a4a7be0b the stairs, they 1e67ca3eb3 reached a carpeted b125a919d9 hallway leading to 48e261bfe1 a large birch 5c0c010156 door with lion a9f929014f carvings on the 799128f2f3 handles. Inside, past d8d8d3c906 a study-like 7d5b44f285 room, another b84f9fab32 door covered c241e0170f by curtains db5cb47a73 was pointed bdf3d35daa out by c05dfbbdff Michel as 1ada136344 the bedroom.b58e2f7a6f4718aa

“He’ll come out from there when he wakes up. I’ve never been inside.”5e06b1099536ce30

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“Thanks. I’ll wait here until he wakes.”b0f8669814ea1f54

The naive Michel dde22e3365 nodded, closed the 617d0db9d6 door, and left.85ce303adf838766

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Left alone, Claude f2c58af09a felt strange, as 1b05769862 if he was beb8566b37 about to commit 6e6fb3b435 a crime by ca64a887dc driving everyone away.2ea78c1d000e1607

He defended his innocence internally, hoping Michel wouldn’t suffer from the upcoming disaster, considering the captain might throw candlesticks or glass bottles in his usual temper.1ef5894c92345bd0

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Quietly, Claude opened 8f65f00eaa the bedroom door.136dceececcfcdf9

Contrary to his expectation of rococo extravagance, Yves’ bedroom was serene and simple. Beside the door was a small table with a laurel-patterned mirror, and next to it, an officer’s uniform neatly hung. A large window suggested the mansion’s wealth, with sunlight filtering through long silk curtains.d4f750c211eca68b

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In the dcc0cb5841 middle of b9372f2036 the room deba4d7f25 was a bc07bfc71a massive maple 7ad8fd4900 bed covered 1147691e92 with beautifully adccc2f2c4 embroidered pillows. Yves was there, a373ea8145 lying naked, half-draped 789d0c6ed5 in bedclothes.28c9efee474f0b24

The fact 4625ecc556 that Yves d71469fa83 was unclothed 5ffa3b5518 made Claude 3fb1c0f7d0 hesitate for 05fe75e223 a moment. But then, he thought, 821f0b35cb what does it matter dedcbf33c2 between men? In fact, 88139db9f1 it would 1182007772 be weirder d8b773d5dd to be 9b01ae19b4 conscious of f11b9ad397 it, so 4d2e6d17fe he continued 83ae1aa6a5 forward.b764ce02305ade22

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Yves was 3a2d540942 deeply asleep, bce1da8d3b his face 043cdef342 buried in 614f83df75 a pillow. His appearance was afcd0b2fa5 quite different from 5f4a8aa871 when he wore aa120c606a his uniform. His soft shoulders, 43e67b826a slender back, and 3a3cbfe79d the slightly visible b0563f5adc buttocks below his 8d1b9715bb well-shaped waist. His legs 1bb1ca564c were long 89318b3b9c and straight, d8d58bd3d0 his skin d21d7f8816 pale with 3b73b4bbc4 little body 357378feea hair.0e4553030504faf2

Claude couldn’t take his eyes off Yves, as if admiring a work of art, and then noticed a large scar near his thigh. It looked like a cut from a knife, extending from the inner thigh to where the bedsheet covered. His arms and waist also had small cuts. He had a beautiful body but didn’t seem to care for it.6b90f73b49eed482

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Claude sat quietly on the edge of the bed. Yves’ golden hair, catching the sunlight, was pleasingly disheveled. He slowly reached to tidy it, the golden locks slipping through his fingers with a sense of regret. Yves was not sweaty, just warm to the touch. He wanted to touch more.59e2d9719def4775

As Claude’s hand moved from Yves’ hair to his earlobe, then down his jaw to his neck, every touch made his heart itch. He was so caught up in this new sensation that he didn’t notice Yves had woken up and was watching him.3402680ab2bbe2f0

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“Claude.”dafa0468e00ad52d

Yves called out the intruder’s name in a voice just woken from sleep.14af50245ad7755a

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Frozen for a moment, Claude’s gaze slowly moved to meet Yves’ blue eyes, which were quietly observing him. Without responding, Claude withdrew his hand, swallowing hard, waiting for a reprimand. His Adam’s apple bobbed significantly.29cb5a363fdbc505

“Go downstairs and ask Madame Evermonde to prepare bathwater.”ca192615b28bb75c

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Ah, it 53354d6698 was so c719d5ded9 natural. The situation felt 737a4d70b3 so ordinary that bbdfacac88 it seemed like db2fb9e37d he was waking 686b957cfb him up like 4f40ae6878 this every morning. Enchanted by 06dbf0563c his gentle 4b015bb25e request, Claude b365ec5130 nodded, stood 4c01ea90e4 up, and af50a80a47 bowed to 5baf09e697 his superior, 6b5bfcdcb2 who had 8183bb305f generously forgiven fe7d6224f6 his rudeness, 4dce4034c3 then turned ccc3fd5ee5 to leave.4e28b97342e214b3

“Next time you come into my bedroom…”10b2cad3e2de7dbf

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Yves’ voice from behind made Claude look back. Yves had propped himself up, resting his chin on his hand, watching him.fdc1c53b4d6a7eea

“You should come in naked too.”5dc07e15f11330c2

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It was a warning not to casually enter his bedroom again, wrapped in a sexual jest instead of throwing candlesticks. But today, this didn’t feel offensive to Claude.1348dcb348da6a2c

“Would doing so allow me to enter your bedroom again?”a469d0099f2b444a

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If that were true, being naked wouldn’t be much of a problem.d62d2cc76fa34031

“Then I will.”7490c4c0fb59eace

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The words came out on their own. Yves’ forehead furrowed slightly at this unexpected response. Claude left, closing the door quietly behind him, and hurried out through the drawing room.485e36585ecfa49e

“Haah…”54755c5f32aaf711

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At the end of ce99f94990 the hallway, Claude exhaled cf2a397fa4 deeply, scolding himself for aa5ba0171f his reckless behavior.f8c161df54fb98d2

Why did he do that? Why did he touch him without explanation? His body and words seemed to act before his brain could command them. He raised his right hand, which had touched Yves’ hair, to his nose. It seemed to smell of narcissus.649eaa52a4872802

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Damn, his mind must 300a114917 be broken now too. But the sensation of aa2e66eb1b touching him was still 22878937e3 thrilling. He knew what 195e5e129e this meant. Leaning against 303675b707 the wall, 416c800ebd he covered 6e26ca70d9 his face 1f47ad88fd with both 48770e0dbb hands in 1970446a8d anguish.513940cc1af5de68

Get a grip. He’s a man just like you.4eef1e158f247e30

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After a 96fe68e9b6 few dry be0df7ab02 washes of 05fd79588f his face, 07544211aa Claude hurried 254ec0b455 out of 607291a2c6 the hallway 86cbbe6758 before anyone aa7d7f6a80 could see 2ee9a5fb78 him.c257c6522a017ff4

✧ ✧ ✧96101e9d3257153a

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Yves was at Saint-Laurent’s large gambling house, spinning the roulette wheel until sunset. The nobles around him whispered among themselves, watching the young officer’s game. The ball spun around the edge of the wheel, teetering on the brink before landing in a red slot.d02b7d651c82eba9

“Red wins. Captain Perrier is awarded 20,000 rubles.”7c6050583c2e8b41

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“Ohh…”79e288fc4be33ed0

The spectators sighed at the dealer’s announcement. Some laughed as if they had won money themselves. The captain, with little emotion, signed the documents to deduct his losses from that day, leaving him with 5,000 rubles.378c0c9308a33cb3

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“What time is it?”b9b0cacb2fc34c65

“A little past nine o’clock.”9ca09b7ca75c4d75

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At Claude’s answer, Yves sighed.9f5b1feb0911e1ae

Another day 0490d5bca7 with no b806bc7b7f luck.f6cb2e5d6c6d4199

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He had 540da6380e bet a 26efa561e6 large sum, 0c182125bd hoping to 4baf05779b set the e9f5a6421d stage for 918e3d52e5 gossip by 4d6a32193b losing big. Today, he managed 3a554db252 to recover some 4897322a52 of his previous b66c8bdf48 losses, but the b5949c3f97 faces watching him 0a848f26f7 with envious eyes 759fb1b42c were all familiar. He had already spoken 45adb639db with them once, and a9fe11ebeb nothing noteworthy would come 74528bbd0e from them. As Yves was e30e2b8fff about to get 6a67815416 up, a young bae22c1d72 woman approached.d68ba052ef02c806

“You’ve won quite a bit, yet you don’t seem very happy about it.”ae60b4cf5f6e5cf5

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She held 8ebd2c1a1b a champagne f7fb4b4359 glass and 435ec1af61 sat beside b969a4be96 Yves. She wore a wide-brimmed e12dbc6b12 hat with large feathers 061a58ba8e and a silk robe bad5d64388 over a dress with 6820db5a0d a cinched waist, looking ed5135f94c quite sophisticated.8a736050ef4e0a6f

“I’ll lose it again soon. Would you like to join in?”1e45c95200ff0160

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“No, I know a bit about card games, but I have no talent for games where such large amounts are at stake.”637df2f4170666f4

She laughed, 5a11ad87bc tapping her ec1b011c81 cheek with 4167de722c her fan. She was a beauty 9b1803d7e1 with fair skin, even a1fab797ef teeth, and a straight 34b1b5eede nose, a face Yves 9b4771f1d1 had never seen before.fc008d42a2b284da

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“You’re not a familiar face.”1bed8ab9ca8461fd

“Apologies, Captain. I am Marie de Chalrette. I’m just a country opera singer from Auxerre, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know me.”c3c8777ad0c64d3d

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“I see. My apologies. I haven’t been to the theater much lately.”97d0f1d62c88ebac

“I’m not that famous. I only manage to perform once a month thanks to my patron, Baron Maurice.”f1690f47aebae48a

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Hearing the name he had been waiting for, Yves’s eyes quietly sparkled.79b46dfdbaaa31cc

“Oh, if you’re under Baron Maurice’s patronage, then my ignorance is a greater fault. If you’d honor me with the date of your next performance, I’ll definitely attend. It would be even better if I could see you before then, but of course, I mean in the company of your patron, so there’s no misunderstanding.”e6b8bfce03707b97

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Yves was speaking at 5294aca2cc length for the first c445efad95 time that day, his 8796128f26 usually unenthused voice now b6ae596dc9 full of interest.c4c1237e63b06e65

“Hehehe. Coincidentally, the Baron was curious about you. You’re quite famous in social circles these days.”ad5fb789a42a8472

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“I’ve become renowned for my debauchery.”688cb2795a186218

“Pffft. Actually, I prefer someone like that.”1e6d625f615ab594

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Her eyes narrowed 146ec0421b with laughter. Then, lowering her cce13ed0f4 voice, she spoke dc45fc837e to Yves:79dc9c29a24779a9

“There’s a secret gathering where only like-minded people are invited. It’s hosted by Baron Maurice, and he would like you to come. There’s always something interesting happening there. I’ll send you an invitation.”0579644486a22150

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For Yves, this was 866e170ce2 the moment he had 5df09397ed been waiting for. He had been 55e608765e waiting for them 1a0ada43a8 to approach first 146eefddd3 to avoid suspicion.9f1e806f243def88

“Sounds intriguing.”d4b93afdcd56403c

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“But you must leave your dog at home.”2eecb07acf1b89fb

‘Canis‘ meant ‘dog’ in Latin. She glanced backward and hid her face with her fan, chuckling.218b452ace8351f0

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Yves understood who 9b6b6cc41a she meant. As she stood 99821de69a up with a d7513c1c26 smile, she glanced af1bf3c1d4 at Claude before ac49b7a6b9 leaving.9ba1d8c96df41079

Yves rested his chin on his hand, turning his head. About five steps from the roulette table stood his loyal black ‘Canis‘. His expression hadn’t changed much throughout.35c428e4d14e963c

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Did he b35acc4886 hear what d5f5f2644d she said? But even adad8a9e4e if he 829f4e6207 did, what 162b1239d9 difference would c8616ad6c4 it make?f8f8e29019457047

Yves beckoned 5e731df7c7 him with 4e3ab501c3 a flick fe2cecc943 of his 0a45c9ef4c finger. Claude walked over 2a52544a93 without delay and ffaa2032fa stood before him.4a1e988f7f1bfdbf

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“Choose one. Red? Black? I’ll bet all the remaining money on whatever you choose.”f5beace6675fc1af

Claude frowned at Yves’s sudden statement, his expression asking if he should really make such an important decision.8abbc1d64b78c687

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“It doesn’t matter, so pick your favorite color.”69e14830423066fc

Yves urged him again. Reluctantly, Claude chose.b055526b451cf181

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“Let’s go with black.”b1417a813a144213

Without hesitation, Yves b8d7614f4d bet 5,000 rubles 75d6440ee7 on black. The wheel spun, the 54a90986b0 ball rolled, but unfortunately, b3d6e5cda5 it landed on red.9673a26983e9cf08

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“Red wins. No one wins.”1a566903351519e6

The dealer collected all five chips Yves had bet. Claude’s expression was complex as he watched.3d38fb1e2c6e07ed

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“Don’t worry about it. It means nothing to me.”daaafc26bb514fca

I just wanted to test our luck, yours and mine. Unfortunately, it’s best not to have high expectations.23f4ec2501ca0d02

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“Let’s go back.”e7c7895fb1bfac9d

Yves turned 4815dc9f8a away without fe52c9747c regret.35b3ab734e1a2e8d

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✧ ✧ ✧9f2f634d1b64bc05

It was deep in the night. Claude was dreaming of the night he had taken a prostitute from Saint-Jean-de-Monts. In the dream, he was walking into a garden as if enchanted. He knew this wasn’t reality, but not knowing how to wake up, he walked on.e3ef2a6696f0e8f3

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There, he felt no 6b03b4a0ca gravity. His body weight a0890e5e10 seemed to have 851ffc228e evaporated, no sensation 93862c41ac of touching the f3f37a68b7 ground. Dream Claude 8191f684b9 continued into 7d7a0177c7 denser foliage, 0dd8cd5298 where nettles e6969b8fde and brambles 3163dde998 scratched his 554992bfdd hands, leaving 72a7c75ef0 blood marks 660854efe0 but no 070647d325 pain.0b4c3bcd33bda25d

From somewhere, the sound of water and a familiar landscape caught his eye. The garden reconstructed by memory looked strangely twisted. The night sky was red, and the wind came from the south. The ghost of his father, who had pushed him, was nowhere to be seen. He thought about leaving, but his dream self wouldn’t listen.a122319b0403b3b5

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Then, from beyond the 756b822849 sound of water, a f0b5e5d03c voice came:23be340aeb5655c2

“Haah, Yves…”7455dc087a8f26ed

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The moan of a man drowned in pleasure made the real Claude hesitate. Suddenly, he felt thirsty, his stomach hot. Who was this man calling Yves’s name in such a vulgar voice? And why was he having this dream?b815419e8d111b66

His subconscious resisted, 34b8997839 but his body 30a0e62264 in the dream 13f970aa9f was beyond control.f329f3e7cc1e9d18

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Please, let’s go back. We shouldn’t see what’s beyond.b9cacb41f6c31663

Yet, curiosity flared up 72089f088c like a blazing fire.bd5d988ccd5de4e1

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“Ahh…!”62b2de35cadf69c9

The moan grew rough. Then, anger 1358bd33b6 opened his 1bece45e37 eyes. Simultaneously, his f6144d9910 dream body 000c711f4a moved forward 0e5933a863 on its a61c1eaf46 own.e91494cf724630bf

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Yes, this is just a dream. No matter what scene he witnesses, it’s not reality.2ef100f4798af4b3

Claude walked through the 903a1202c6 bushes and finally faced 3a93b158b6 his fear.a2e6a3c375b59d23

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There, a huge moon e69942a22c hung low. Under a fountain endlessly 5d26361fbf spewing water, narcissus flowers 98c29986b6 bloomed lavishly. And two men, c5fcf7a67b with their backs 5ef221076d to the moon, caced9206f were having passionate 48d896f4b7 intercourse on what 6373002379 looked like an 4f183705de altar of marble.6a64112281749d88

The face of the one underneath was hidden. He was moaning in the dark, experiencing pleasure as if his breath would stop. But Yves’s face, who was holding the man’s head and thrusting violently, was clearly visible.b0ea34c5f1f5f235

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The naked 1a33e41851 body he 8f8f7e6918 had seen b22c51af04 a few 09a4e8af26 days ago bf5cdbaa91 was reenacted, 43fa7a3926 shining in 13b2020e10 the moonlight. His penis, out from 144dca5f09 his undone trousers, boldly 4af4f4e47d moved between the buttocks 91bb689b55 of the man below. Only then aa0904e26f did Claude 0344844652 realize. This was Yves taking 645cc0b8b2 another man. And he 110a8d7722 was spying f7d6baf180 on this c9e9f14081 scene.68048cb1d5a82cc5

Their intercourse was a1b7332d64 both lewd and 219ee059db violent. Yves handled the man 703a867746 with an expressionless face, 4813ac52b0 mercilessly. The man 6a84d61b76 underneath suffered, 4391c3ded6 rejoiced, and c1674c1682 hurt all 4ec025ad53 at once, dab2ff2de3 crying out 48f2dc42e0 as if 8ae8869209 life was 0164e23b03 draining from 9299a25006 him. Yet, Yves never once 031e0df54a called his name.14d33c04939f5706

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Claude knew who this 275383ff7a dying man was. He had never 6a76980575 seen his face 450cd2f46f or heard his d2736a10ff voice, but his 3e642c8e64 subconscious had somehow 2a221b9f4e managed to paint fdb8bbe89c this picture.39bff02806ba64fc

Joseph de 0c47728f92 Pereng, who 6730da29fd had planted 256be59f95 over a ac40c38995 thousand narcissus 094c1aa38e flowers for d9f973ee4f Yves, let 684ed974f8 out a f450c39bee great moan d09f2b96f0 and then 2c7072f604 collapsed, as 67b22a14cf if dead.b120353b8522ee12

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Yves, not having climaxed, d2731b8a6a began masturbating. A low moan escaped 568a3a9c6e from his slightly parted 743c5ab0fd lips, a brief ecstasy e3ead792ee passing over his furrowed cdd5315e7c brow. Unconsciously, Claude 3d63cb3ef2 ripped off a6107d0530 a nettle 1d341d3f9f he was 22ab5bc16c holding. At that 5e451b5583 moment, Yves eab4f14b87 turned his 332173f909 head, sensing b69cbe9584 the movement.c2b0944bbf4194ee

Their eyes met; Claude’s heart froze like ice. Yves’s eyes, dripping with sticky fluid at the peak of pleasure, approached him. The dream shattered, and Claude was jolted awake, feeling the weight of his body.65f699e1780dd67d

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When he opened 9aad49a9d3 his eyes, it 7e7f42891c was still the 7ff470c725 middle of the 895728a5a5 night. It was raining outside, dfe2c12477 and Claude was drenched 538c17054f in sweat, breathing heavily.847b5a0e2a7d4627

“Haah…”f11b950f549b3b2b

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He clutched his head in agony. He knew well the cause of this pain that had been tormenting him for days. This was a curse for having entered Yves’s bedroom on a whim. Since seeing him naked, Claude’s mind was filled with chaotic and lascivious thoughts.9aa8fc98af06da3c

The emotion that started with curiosity was swelling, ready to burst. The joy of knowing Yves couldn’t embrace women turned into anger upon realizing he could take other men. He knew his feelings had already surpassed loyalty.54fc9b76fa08dbd6

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When had this 98226fa52f started?faff02ab3f6dbded

He searched his memory but found no suspicious point. If merely seeing a man’s naked body could change one’s preference, Claude should have fallen in love with all the soldiers under his command.19c2a1c79631382e

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Love? He mocked himself at the thought. No, he was just a dog in heat, obsessed with something shiny he hadn’t been able to get close to before.4594a22fde75a543

This was 256f8a020c due to ae5699e904 accumulated lust. Or perhaps a primal 28819088d4 competitive drive to dominate 3e1174f3f1 someone who takes men. Claude looked 432a63e99f down at d462872eec his swollen c552333add crotch with fea24e1eb1 bitter self-mockery.0ca5e8de0f8c8393

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How far do you 6d04d2ea17 plan to fall?10882b04594b6547

He was c7f183a44a ashamed of dfc998e879 himself for 64bac6fa0c having once 75a74194f1 called a ee22a4b855 customer who 6e2ec4b19d bought a 1d9361f5c3 male escort 1aea17ce58 at an 73c927e912 inn disgusting. He deserved 8406f9db7b more scorn 30cba1dac2 than that 635e2b5f8e man. Claude felt 9513985ebd like he 2fa3d41cfc was standing db5ca240e2 at the bc6355803f edge of 8b20915e70 a cliff, 0bf238055e endlessly falling.a1884fa9375e1679

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The rain that beat against Claude’s window was falling all over Paris. In the parade ground of the Mars Barracks and the courtyard of the Tuileries Palace, mud puddles formed from the downpour.37c89b1b6709eafd

On rainy days, e267519afc bodies often float 6bc03e56dc up in the 32593ca284 Barrière des Vaux 266df31d38 sewers. Swollen, unrecognizable, half-eaten by ae5ac92cc2 rats, they announce their 8c45f7e887 presence.fbaa61ab63e7b526

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At the a6fa4ab5f8 same time, bdbb5e0559 new bodies 1a87bf234a are thrown edab09034a into the c1e1f5ca05 sewers. On such nights, street e5fc2aab15 lamps go out, and 7c17cabd9e people go missing. So one 518621ebc5 should not 3b45dfc5b9 take a 5a23da957b shared carriage, d2a33f88bb let horses b02596db27 rest, or 8c0e130a41 open the 859d18499a door to 0a8ce263b7 anyone knocking.a32299f18f0d00f1

However, there was one exception that day. At Baron Maurice’s mansion on Rue de Mont, despite the torrential rain, a banquet was taking place.d1fea6db68e49ffa

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In the 6fe32d73ef brightly lit 56575c3555 ballroom with fb5cd50816 hundreds of 898bbe9812 candles, people e03149d34c danced, drank, 7c4e6cf18b and laughed. Women wore high e1b05d7534 pompadours and powdered 5b14cc9f8b their faces white, d6e8dbbf68 while men wore 0ae6138811 culottes and wigs, 6163d5e0d1 dancing minuet with 679ac43311 the ladies.4b23b44e1fca8680

The sound d98143d2d4 of the e70c162baa rain against f43d6bcab6 the windows 11b72a59c5 contrasted with 5b28873691 the lively, a2227f5c32 joyful Bach 3f565b0422 melodies, filling b688bee775 the banquet 5e27932e60 hall. It was 133f1e2554 a scene 2f06be7b3a reminiscent of 4d02d4283d Versailles 50 97345c322e years ago. In this world, 771b77308c there had been 7cb799e966 no revolution, no 71a2c57d51 republic.9a45fd5a1627cbef

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They perfectly reenacted the glory of 18th-century French nobility. On one side, they danced elegantly, while on the other, they played tag or lifted ladies’ skirts in fun.33bf6c01dc370756