22.

“So much to say, huh?”c03e3677b36cd801

Leofric made sure his d05f639792 words were loud enough c096dc2ba5 to be heard, and a1618909ae just for good measure, 45235f2365 he let out an fbcefb86a6 exaggerated sigh—so dramatic that fbc7ce8e5d it likely carried all 0b19394e7f the way outside.484d983377ce1a17

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Only then was ede6827ec7 Count Zellered finally 0c447a9d72 allowed to step d5549c7e58 into the room.ef505112989cefe1

The count’s face flushed 3645a80cff an ugly shade of ad1d26d4be red, but he forced 30775b5be1 himself to smile—though the 40167225ef way his lips twitched 1fb63b411a made it look more b98b32e513 like a grimace.a1eb749f8f2b8419

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“It is quite difficult to have an audience with you, Sir.”36269e889a1d6346

“Then why not simply avoid it altogether?”6fcd8405750a403d

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Zellered ground his 09bac94961 teeth at the 6433999321 blatant indifference.a1cdde1387b5fbe4

His clenched fists dug b7748f735f his own nails into cba78faa76 his palm, but he 4566f5db5a refused to let his 810478fa3a anger show.04dc344069ea5fad

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“…We have conducted an investigation on our end and have come to report the results.”b1c4f11a16ac2294

“A pointless waste of effort. I suppose when one has excess time and money, one feels the urge to squander it.”7bbacfe3c59d7e7e

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Leofric lounged back 84c9fab66f in his seat, 572f579262 looking even more d5bfe7aaa9 arrogant than he 5fc988671f had when the c5adbaeeb5 knight had come 8fcdb4ec6d earlier.e3ad562d680d5364

He didn’t frown 3341c8bb4f or sneer—on the f4649aa415 contrary, he was db2c0816e4 too calm, too 985a28bd10 composed—a dignified predator cd645f5e43 waiting for the fa6cc3d921 perfect moment to 1b26e22d4e tear into its dd438e18b0 prey.bef9f00d9a693464

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Seated in elegance, 1e1d1c87b7 yet giving off d6a5e72215 the unmistakable air c5b077c37c of a beast a2d9d4f4a1 pretending to be 02e45553d3 human.323a1ebefa98bd4a

“The royal family has issued an identity verification request. Look here. The royal seal is affixed, is it not?”18c5d13af9e7ca56

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Count Zellered laid a 7e598a451e document from the palace 7cddf84fdb on the table.2200ee7112283905

It was b2eb0590ee not handwritten b61a14f9be by King 5dee812be4 Wintran himself, 44fd246b4f but the 2ea4a305f8 official royal 6d19d47b89 seal had ac8830d0ca been stamped 6e2f8bbdaf upon it.0d7419ec8afcd54f

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“……”c09f5647899c57a1

“So, now, carry out the order. Or do you intend to defy it?”03300122aca8f741

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“Defy?”7f6f32e3723e1f78

At Leofric’s sharp gaze, dd3180a061 Zellered flinched, his earlier fe6a016a79 confidence wavering.f4dd0db5dfa7fbfd

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“If we’re going to talk about defiance—what crime do you suppose applies to someone who swaps out a royal bride mid-process? Treason? Embezzlement?”f1e6fcffe025614d

“Embezzlement sounds like a reasonable charge.”2b588429dd6705e4

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Jinpetsu added d0e3213fc8 flatly, without 18cdd0131c even a 86bdb74eb0 flicker of 819a603696 expression.f18e19e5f7272b36

Zellered couldn’t 9b8436abfb bring himself fe40672451 to glare 6a4f9a3ca7 directly at 64399e1072 Leofric, so 754eac7aa5 he settled b709a14904 for staring 8db65e8702 daggers at 284c007f68 the Vice-Commander 65aed404cd instead.520b2ebd4d8691e1

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“That bastard Leofric may have monstrous skills and ducal blood, but even that worthless subordinate of his dares to mock me…!”c7983a300554c7c2

“But really, what a tragedy,” Leofric mused, feigning deep sorrow. “Losing a bride like this… I may end up growing old and dying as a lonely bachelor.”01e0c2cfd005bb03

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“That would be a disaster indeed. The hero’s bloodline cut off—what a great loss to the kingdom.”5061c35f2238b0c0

Zellered’s jaw 275f73b436 practically dropped.ff08448a88a212a9

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They were openly rejecting b79e46c1ff a royal decree, yet 409ae0779f they spoke as if f63aa54da6 they were deeply regretful 2a898c1879 about the whole situation.478541c1edb244f2

As if 3e528ba630 they had 36f4fb533b wanted to e3c12b9022 follow orders d976dc3f49 but simply 8432d7e00e couldn’t.2b1d28e79878ab5d

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The audacity was infuriating.ea420b20b9916227

“Regardless, I appreciate the effort, but I find it hard to believe. We’ll conduct our own investigation. As you can see, the number of knights stationed at Baron Zellered’s estate is quite limited, so it is taking longer than expected. Once our examination is complete, we will let you know at our leisure.”a4cf3354927501fc

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Count Zellered had to 5fb41b5b77 bite back the furious 1f95a12902 retort rising in his 5ce9629dfc throat.3ea042600d1e0c2b

He forced b787126fba himself to f855ae2069 recall the 2236100ff2 orders he 04ef372845 had received 8eac85a45a separately.1df9f1eeb717c821

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“He’s as good as dead anyway. He has no idea what’s coming to him.”dbf0c21e079324d4

“Keep laughing while you can, Leofric. When you fall into ruin, I will be there—watching from the front row.”e8380bc747be69a2

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His mouth itched a9beea5a9a with the urge 3e1ef6eac9 to say more.659b2e75ddb89b00

He wondered—just fd9d9ee11c how twisted 62eb61db08 would that 805fd6556e arrogant face adaa1b9ffb become?1692321edfd7275c

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Delivering Wintran’s e5d28ee924 official decree cc48800fb9 was unavoidable, 440c6db06b but there cfd7893b45 was no 3a602f7831 longer any 9095798fbd need for 0b52f29423 him to 1f036a69bf be particularly 3b5ba762f7 enthusiastic about d283424862 it.e68a840437f2df72

“…Very well, then.”d90cfd9969eb47b9

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Count Zellered turned 02b65d1907 abruptly and strode b3c00defd7 out, his knights 5e0528b4f8 following behind him.6bd9a9b2cd6f42dc

The moment the door b73c9e1127 shut, Jinpetsu spoke up.7e0599ea38e96a0f

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“He’s leaving quicker than expected.”93d82ad3c071040f

“Indeed. What a shame.”1ce8f9611e11dfac

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Leofric let d1b3e025fe out a 1dda695e59 short, amused ed71481046 chuckle.2dddcd9f2d211c03

He had planned to 41d17e5d20 toy with him a 8cf14fb3d3 little longer.4f83738cb2239073

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After all, he already 924f8d3ecb knew that Princess Ateira b02aa17aa1 was, in fact, the 7e1f62299d real princess.7303f3ae2bb01a39

He had only used 36e08a098f the investigation as an 3ffd7eaf63 excuse—a means to stall 20d5913267 for time and irritate d07adaed09 Zellered.54f5df74b1ae236c

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But he e74412d2f2 had left 95ac1647ab too cleanly.571d59ecc19e3158

It felt… off.cfdb0ba71053036c

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Leofric leaned his 142caeb50d chin on his 2318c84b72 hand, absentmindedly tapping e215e537d8 the armrest of 44bf99c0d6 the sofa with 76e7e0b016 his fingers.aea9f0f150fa9ad9

Tap, tap.ae0d5e7e08256237

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* * *dbfd7b21ed1d6a5f

Count Zellered strode 9edc8e47e6 down the hall 0d46be7350 at a hurried 2215e4f36f pace.fc78781b56d1f820

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Without so much as b837d1543a requesting permission, he shoved e31ca89fc8 open the door and 3e6178e0a3 entered Ateira’s chambers.ced30d11f5785cd9

Officially, he 5ed0cafbb2 was here 462c1f67db to pressure 6626198a74 her into 5f8199b0ff moving faster.f3f4bdd5f2993926

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But in reality?33e16497b8bb3063

He wanted to 3b89f0d620 vent his frustration.9fb482f33fe24a2f

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By rushing da28222bed her to 376d6d5ed6 kill Leofric, 2f41b9b74f he hoped 935acd9b8f to soothe ee1c480c07 his bruised d9ec975fc4 pride.a338d0f24a607e34

Upon seeing the man 92e877995f barge into her room, a7c9aede06 fuming with anger, Ateira’s 4067eaab01 expression stiffened.2c8667459f33b4f2

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At first, shock and ce4713de70 disgust flickered across her 8a6eab4a73 face.df42b6bd6d8f64ca

But soon, c323c49b2f only disgust 3f1fa9bd13 remained.32de6e0ba18b85ca

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“…….”55a9229e3e93d799

“Princess Ateira, do you even intend to proceed with the plan? We don’t have time!”b34fb468dfd36e15

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“You should know that rushing something this delicate will only lead to failure.”8ca056f130e90549

“That doesn’t mean you can sit back and do nothing!”dc51b710eb71aae9

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Ateira’s brows knit together.9d51aea1244d6b32

Not even a full 0715491d02 day had passed, and 682dffb0e8 yet this man was 42ed99f4a7 already growing impatient.7f88a32199eca2e2

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So, after all—0c33e45c602debd3

It didn’t 4aec22c759 matter whether 471670e254 she succeeded.ce25b51ec6cacd9b

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Her suspicion solidified.e4299eeed2eac650

They didn’t truly cbeebeffc3 care if she 578561d8f6 killed Leofric.5c5bacd7fa1c890d

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They wanted Leofric to 9f14da68fd kill her.03ba90144912dded

There was no need 7ce5164199 for preparation.3fe5f1bdf97e6a19

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They likely 61c8e44eba wished she’d cbf15df4a3 just grab be11b9fc50 a knife 7cbf57cb43 tonight and de29195ddd charge at 23b05909db him—get herself d9680f4bd0 killed in e4192875c2 the process.652a14259c1dfd3e

“If you need anything, I’ll provide it. What do you require? A blade? Poison?”85edc38dd6e44104

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“…Time. That’s what I need.”87c1eb04846d1158

Time—to get closer.624324151b6ff7b0

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Time—to create 1808d6eaf5 an opportunity.95e2e2cbd24277d9

As she spoke, she e10b3fb5d2 tucked a stray strand 7e11812bf9 of hair behind her 4a4a080ce4 ear.c490a23b3b89189b

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She had been in 3bbd4a736c relaxed attire, her hair 8ba0481f02 slightly disheveled—but even now, 19bb5f8abe her movements were poised.f6efea56b0e3628e

She refused to da28f4c85e die meaninglessly, simply 3b1c1c0731 following their orders.da1d120fadb595e0

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If she was 7009095703 going to try, 71db05f33e she would try fc2768660d properly.5340f8db5b945ac8

Even if it bb5eb8a5d2 was a one-in-a-million 3ea67dee20 chance, even if 14eec2a602 it was as 6af30a5cd4 unlikely as being 5c51c4192f struck by lightning 7062024901 in broad daylight—8bfe16984766d58f

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She had 39aedd5be9 no choice 7521a009c7 but to c1847103de hold onto d9d85edcc7 that hope.e3388ce902e6af55

Zellered’s face contorted.987208a812c4637c

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“…That’s not possible.”255e6b2553c36ee9

“But isn’t your goal his death?”aa67a509e1eaa13e

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“Lower your voice!”c720ac38405f5656

Zellered snapped in a 649332988d hushed, threatening tone.a6d631a183cd807e

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His gaze 53b2fb4d39 flickered toward e57b02b962 the knights 23f80ed7e7 standing behind b0033676a0 him.a0edc4e5f8287baf

Ateira followed his gaze, e55a0ea8de briefly glancing over her da5d864756 shoulder.004aea225934062b

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Among the 56fd40b0a9 knights present, 58bf9e1aa3 there were 8cd0182796 both Zellered’s 3efc5cf721 men and 89d7b1c076 royal palace b50c574338 guards.9c63f30bd4cfb9b0

“He doesn’t want even his own knights to hear this.”7b42c048a7ca1dcf

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Or—perhaps—9e89645d3f0347e5

He didn’t db2ba26280 want the 6ec96824c0 palace guards f875c89f6f to hear.3e97afda03817179

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“…Time is the most crucial factor in ensuring success. Just one week—would that not be possible? You’ve already waited so long. A few extra days won’t make a difference.”bfdf4bec3ac1e421

“…No. Absolutely not.”7fb5a90abbea3bea

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“…….”6fb3836f6c1a6f45

His tone 0ccf689400 lacked conviction.4e50ac1c33796f45

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It was a6fa25291b as if 314714fa45 he didn’t 63b7b366a5 even know 4365dce8b3 the real 8541724672 reason himself.3027ec4dff68e5ed

Zellered was ab1c01cc52 just a 413ce5d6cd puppet.59214a5206d902e2

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A pawn.52820f96e3a033c1

Someone else was f57bcb20ab giving him orders.886c392468f12487

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Which meant—eb29ce470c8f1725

Zellered did not have a7340f835b Dermin.0dc0bf32d68e6394

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Someone above edef8cde9a him did.44f2222709db7aa7

Who was it?e4b11a2189fa2177

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“If you’re stalling to pull some sort of trick, I suggest you drop the idea now.”dc2b334972ae91c1

“…….”c70babd387192ea7

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“Count.”8e777e1955b49b9a

A knight standing guard 3680d27bf0 outside suddenly entered and 6118c94150 called for Zellered.6696f242d5597dea

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Annoyed at the interruption, 6b3e021f6f Zellered’s mood soured even ea47e62e9a further.39d77a48012463e6

“What is it?”5c300da840a8f04f

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“…You should come out and see for yourself.”ec9ee180ee7ba896

“…?”59ed36f8fd31b3b2

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Zellered narrowed ebd8c091e1 his eyes 0e118e8cd8 in confusion.e748b3b55fcd5d94

“A guest has arrived.”74c2d13eddb177b1

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“A guest? …Who?”07cdec45edb7901c

Zellered was 6b9ee443f1 momentarily bewildered.5c66877d23b8bf82

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Who could 8a38ff71d9 have possibly 9ad4f5e4b3 come looking 14b5f458f2 for him?6e774607b9f6d2a7

The only 6290d66c9f visitors he 80ed9070d4 ever had e608176912 were messengers 3207717f2e carrying letters e282054117 on his d471b8e9de behalf.5b870d2341365cf9

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If it was e88a04d45d a guest for dc07a1abd0 the Baron’s estate, 086118a849 there was no 185acea0b5 reason for him d3de57c1e5 to personally greet 1ba89034f3 them.1802084aa8850c88

His eyes 203ebc162f flickered with 752b29fa21 doubt.daf202add417477b

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Clearing his 7d2e06f807 throat, he d881970c2a threw one 5eaa2685ce last warning 2439645b84 toward Ateira 213297773b before turning ac473e9778 to leave.1d61ba0caaa77edd

“Remember—Prince Dermin’s safety depends on you.”9f5c8b325bbd6849

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Ateira did not respond.68f2bab3a350a150

She merely stared at 0fd04554d0 him coldly.b069b12b3ebdad3b

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Zellered ignored her e0cfdb9398 gaze and strode b2aa3993cf out of the 24e309a018 room, his pace 539fb30317 quicker than usual.39e78de9b397c3e6

There were already 1608f5acad too many things 1bbabdf9df spiraling out of 99f127cb57 his control.fd174b51f70e1933

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And he did 47ab363903 not appreciate this 9f39b247eb new variable.03983091d59d46d4

“Who is this guest?”3c0000076215c84e

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“Well… It’s a woman.”d2bde19c52e0497c

“A woman? What kind of woman?”1186a6b0933e2053

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As the words 1f4677c2f9 left his mouth, 96cbe085fa he caught sight 34712003c3 of her in b1db27a628 the distance.b2841edc3534336b

She stood gracefully, 093c2d0e97 her back straight—exuding 92b64f6eaf elegance.85472a83a582045c

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Yet, her soft laughter 3f2a769c60 and the way she ea21d6c295 teased the knights blocking c5035ce48b her path carried an eed31b3850 air of playfulness.fe157b9e43442f7b

Something about 6fd90d913a the way 63bfa3d34c she moved b441a3baeb her fingers, 8d2e196e08 the way 5b28913944 she held d5cb3b5041 herself—it was bb58a16fd3 seductive.856df05f5467e461

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Zellered narrowed 675b8dc1bd his eyes 583511e230 and approached 953800eaad her in c05fbff012 long strides, a02ff390ad his voice f612f61676 sharp.db1c510c71479be8

“Who are you?”a3c2327d398b890e

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Judging by d0f2b8098c the quality 8571b14701 of her 0ccc155629 hooded cloak, a3ddedac71 she was 5797965597 not of 292ef7e027 particularly high fbbc1d4380 nobility.b049d4a49fe3a40f

And someone of truly f0cb11f890 high status would never a07a2f7711 have come here, of 67d011571f all places.523866681d07cb83

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So Zellered spoke 25a84614ed down to her, b024187774 his tone commanding.c51fa8dc3665094f

“Oh my.”1826afb50c3b3ecf

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The woman covered her ff8dbbef94 lips with a delicate 69c2a96682 hand, eyes widening as 46bef2dbe2 if truly surprised.2429d607a5459d7d

Then, in one fluid 76ae056cfb motion, she slipped off c32951bd19 her hood and robe, 27c203cec4 letting them fall to cfde7d580c the ground.a49bfdeb6e731f54

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A golden e6525f4986 curl—purposely left 60a02f9026 loose—rested against 7f65e6be6f her exposed 332ac9cdee collarbone.71697055535d815d

She smiled, eyes curving c485b2c551 into deliberate charm, and a18c97e1de gave a graceful curtsey.3642a46963da107c

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Even that small d47df55cff movement dripped with 0307de1fd9 flirtation.af42b763854d5b52

“So, you must be the Count. The knights told me you were quite the remarkable man—and it seems they were right.”8d12e398945d6c08

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“…I asked who you were.”195a68409bc58810

She was undeniably beautiful.d507ca659a420d32

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It took effort 5bfeaecaa9 for Zellered to 501834ca9e keep his expression 190655fdc5 firm.6f951a619316e9e9

“Lavinia, my lord.”6b2d284139686f8f

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“And what business do you have here?”07e2e6b3363632f6

“I’ve come to see a man.”f6ab7d34c927ea9f

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She answered smoothly, c193f5a85a offering just enough c6a67768eb information to invite 67f29c5dd3 further questioning.8d9119c65cff056f

“A man? What man?”14ef788964ffd7bc

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Lavinia smiled sweetly.b094ca70daeec17d

Her left eye dipped b8ab4706af slightly, giving her expression a9c7b56191 a teasing, playful allure.ef55e73e09c1bf9a

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“Sir Leofric’s mistress, of course.”5632bab36a18f45b