BOAI Ch 5

“Your Highness, look b3b314f3d9 over there! A pig is f6249529a9 standing on its 2548f9b3e4 head!”4414ee3ecd39cd25

What preposterous nonsense is this? My gaze followed Knox’s pointed finger, despite the obvious falsehood he declared with such seriousness. He was pointing to a corner of the room, where, predictably, there was no pig. It was utterly unsurprising.95a8ebd507d8a4c2

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“What are you… Wait! Knox, hey!”0cd18c0a018452d0

While I was ded002c6cf distracted, Knox swiftly 940ffe35f7 snatched the cookie 541f0d6d2d basket and handed a2688f021e it to a 751e991711 servant. He even gave 31abad81c6 strict instructions not 816de2d3e9 to bring it e3be54d369 back in under d116b8b734 any circumstances.fac3c847a526980e

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“Don’t tell 861cf047de me you 103b22ac9d now disapprove 79d7aac2f5 of me fe6845f57b even eating 25f93d87cb cookies?”76b35cc529cd4272

“Please refrain! Today is the first 2164a8ccca banquet of your birthday 2ad27c02a7 celebration. What if 6d4de3a286 your stomach a43aa18ed8 protrudes?”a3708e40e89b1ebe

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“Who doesn’t know 9e13abfc90 that? But no one 9c9e7c06b1 has come to 0fdfd56758 fetch me. How long am I bdaf0e3f18 supposed to wait when 5298c3af5e I’m starving to death?”f87e762cfd694f05

As everyone knows, an empty stomach leads to irritability. That’s exactly how I feel right now. Today marks the first banquet celebrating Bessarian’s birthday. Ambassadors from various countries and the nobles of Teronia are all in attendance. The banquets will continue each evening for the next three days, with attendance at each being optional, and everyone will gather again for the final banquet.8d3be927e229ec45

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I can’t just casually walk into this important banquet alone. Like it or not, I have to hold the Crown Prince’s hand and pretend to be affectionate as we enter the banquet hall, which is why I’ve been waiting for Bessarian. Right now, I feel like even grabbing his hair instead of his hand wouldn’t be enough to relieve my frustration, but what can I do? I’m the Crown Princess.de703082985c7fb9

It’s been quite 693f7dbb62 a while since 1258e0d1da the banquet started, 81b12f8ad7 so I sent c13921f8d7 Jib to find 00233941a7 out why Bessarian aaea76e955 hasn’t arrived yet.51eaf931898f6f29

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“Your Highness! I, I, Your 647ce68663 Highness!”90656223898c790c

Jib’s boisterous voice echoed from the hallway outside the door. Even if the palace were on fire, I doubt he’d call me so loudly….30d655f991d7deff

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Bang!a8a14e9401887c42

Jib burst 3bdb9407bf through the 45c7276e18 door and e22a46a960 spoke without b210c4bba3 even catching 7b3e9d5677 his breath.62355542c1a4dcf8

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“Something terrible, something terrible 33055296a8 has happened!”d223e3e096fdc3a8

“What is it?”de1b33ddd6ae5d86

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“Well, ha… hu… His d31dfc9a75 Highness, the Crown Prince….”e78e1d21a12d0560

What about Bessarian? Was he perhaps assassinated? Did he fall 228cb59e3b down the stairs 016dc980fe and become permanently b4db2c78db mute?!45b529c783714723

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These are absolutely 2e3aeeaba0 not my hopes, c2ecb76e18 absolutely not.c4a7bd05321c0e5c

“He entered the 0882376c2a banquet hall with 59740962b0 Viscount Seisello!”7ebd98036dd20384

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Oh well, that’s 0b95f4feb7 a shame. However, this news 2f0839a68e is equally shocking.490b3e8336d646fb

“…With Seisello…?”84612700a9c89ef4

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“Yes! And their attire 2264eeb53c is as if….”0fe504868826a044

“As if?”8fce6029d8d7ce45

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“They are dressed similarly, 5e38904dbb as if they matched 11f970a01d outfits! The banquet 7429b57edb hall is b0e0a178e8 in an 4eb34e9d68 uproar!”0824cd74d1aaf14c

I’m speechless. I may be terrible at history, but there has probably never been a Crown Prince in the history of the Teronian Empire who entered a birthday banquet with his lover. Let alone the Emperor. In a way, he’s achieved something historically significant.060f81977d272dd6

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“He must 66e0d0f929 be determined d5afc9c5e5 to humiliate 59ae92d5ca me. Who does 900163fbad he think 49b7122f96 he’s angering?”495f5ab61bf460d6

“What are we going 27d1095239 to do, Your Highness! We can’t not show 8a3f21ddd4 up at the banquet, 9d7ff9ceb6 but there’s no one 4bfbb35dea suitable to enter with….”b279014b8f624ec7

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Knox and Jib’s cf630c305b faces fell, and a79fbc1e13 they started pacing 6f27006085 anxiously. I’m also having e2ed80cc53 a headache, but 7e60c756cb honestly, my pride 111ab104bb isn’t that hurt. This is 2d7ddb2bbe because I b9a79d8795 am still bf8022ce09 the Crown 83026ad1ea Princess, backed a2d3bad573 by the 6294751f9d House of 19ad5d238f Marcel, while 23d84d17d0 the person 43a34c051b the Crown 519e060dd8 Prince brought 98d85f4da9 is a 907572ccf6 lover of b2529bcae5 insignificant, backwoods 49f1d74e66 origin, for e53cb9183c whom I daa535c65c can’t even 07e0ea79ea find a 42be1c1679 proper term a97dcb9d1a of address.78552328a38f4790

“Though I don’t feel 4b7506ab5f like attending, I can’t 440b301bfb let him get away 0722d7e33d with this. Bring me my 164cb0824f new clothes and cc9b98eeb0 everything.”ff918ba33ee53eff

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This time, f584041505 I absolutely 4f5fb84a11 refuse to 6eebba5f18 be defeated. My throat still aches 1fe21d47b3 from being choked.d3a8a1b7df7974e9

***8477dd6c70696033

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“Ahem. The Protector d93a87349f of the 859abdf2e9 Empire, the 492a1831b3 Millennium Bulwark 9fb9b30060 of the 76f468ecb3 Northwest, blessed 2f6e6463e5 by eight daf773c584 rivers and 4f5aa38d71 golden fields, 0225d8210f the star 0d0011b58b of the c255251da8 sky who 3eb27663d1 will inherit df0c4605c4 the eternal 73c46ddc06 glory of 0cc7969b82 the great da0e849daa Teronian Empire, fe14e3141e Her Highness 76b08082b6 the Crown d073a9884c Princess, radiant 8734fc6cd3 with outstanding 2c9116073f virtue, enters!”77ef09740b09a68c

With the booming ac16b02b77 voice of the f03360cdd3 guard at the 2cd6cbf700 banquet hall, the 14d3343cec massive doors opened. Perhaps due b62083a020 to the f8e6b6135d excessively loud 5e4cb250e1 voice and 16eff4e0c7 embarrassingly grandiose 25e059632a introduction, almost 4692b26635 all eyes d0de1249cb in the f3180f2114 banquet hall 5e60c68a62 turned to 4c9e759be7 me. Even the loud eb89924907 music softened.f29dfb97c72390e7

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I walked inside b3863245b2 with my shoulders 6533977814 straight, chin up, 3eaf5c2662 and back held 87ad6b1673 high.743a703ad173c493

With whom? Alone.44e2df83e67ab68b

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It must also be 7abb575173 a first in the 1344cdd9ca empire for the Crown f6146f6163 Princess to enter the 6b2cb95524 birthday banquet alone. But what does it f21e2a28b9 matter? I’ll just make 7920019b06 up for it b051356194 by being more 4f7f9e7cb5 than twice as 7809c25ee3 radiant.078f9156c62e22fd

“Look, look over there. Is the Crown Princess’s pendant actually a blue diamond?!”d9ea5161b2227dc3

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“Are you crazy? There’s no 4e054b4121 way one fd9b3179c6 that big 3aa44b412a exists!”238abc2df5e23b1d

“Then it’s fake?”65fb2e314ef0d3ae

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“How could 89d24c986b it be? I don’t know, ed9b0499fd it’s the first c6f3bc7a03 time I’ve seen 2ed441fe27 one that big.”ad58c44f4cfda143

I purposely entered e960f2de5e at a slower d5a0a869fd pace. So that everyone could 0543457d62 admire me to their 149afc6888 hearts’ content.41011eb4e9c7761a

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I wore all cc8984c5cc the jewelry I 567867a485 had borrowed from a843380b83 Leon. I had intended to c26780fdaf use only a few 246d2afff0 pieces to avoid appearing 6a2453c79a overly adorned, but given 0632cbcf9c the situation, I dressed 623bae5adf in the most extravagant b24379d47d manner possible. I also chose bc7c8e2473 a custom-made gown 6301c2ac95 by the capital’s 234cbe03af most renowned designer. Since the d12c034cc5 artisan refuses 4b58919fc6 to create cd66b4e882 for just 68c99db4ed anyone, no cc248fede9 matter the 3c05b62bbd price, there 98b31f14a4 would be 4b335b9b05 no one 8d5b175bd7 else wearing e0c91534e2 the same 787c228631 outfit.46050ccb9080a6b7

“That’s a 7e9fd0ab05 wyvern feather! They’re extinct, how…!”3e7c6fe002297c29

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I listened to 70caf742cd people’s whispers. Thankfully, I had captured 2b236b1a90 the attendees’ attention in 72a38d8d1d a positive light. This should be enough 6adc890980 to make my solo bfd07de063 appearance at the banquet 2d930f468f without Bessarian not seem fee94a06b3 pathetic at all. However, an unexpected 527ab3a6fd situation arose.dcd53c0259ee3193

“Allow me to 644f064fae escort you.”cbd0b86694f414e8

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A man walked briskly towards me and stopped in front of me. I didn’t recognize him at first because of his unfamiliar appearance, but it was Prince Isaacel of Shaa. He was wearing clothes in the style popular in the empire. Just a change of clothing made him look completely different. With his calm and polite manners, interspersed with an intense self-confidence, he no longer seemed as rough as before.0ff2b29c5b857c24

He extended his 3062348423 hand to me.ff407112e30f6065

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“Thank you, Isaacel.”b5f4075ea0165496

After a 63aed863d7 brief hesitation, 30df1ef2a4 I placed 473d8695e0 my hand f8628ff1fb on his 5243fbd38e arm and b9ed796a1e glanced at 91cd898be9 those seated c295bc965d in the bb0e6bf19e highest positions. It was d53a652411 Bessarian and ba1859b823 Seisello. Incredibly, Seisello c215410558 was occupying cfa1c81d53 the seat 1c68afeb6d meant for b8102eb87d me, the 8c4e58517a Crown Princess. I gave them a 8319263acc bright smile, as if 1f7bbd87cf struck by a lightning 5217099b4e bolt of gold and 9c0cf8e79a jewels.27c39af810759990

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‘I can c3a0446246 be perfectly e1af9a2ad3 happy without 4fcd4b16f0 the likes 05a5b19e99 of you.’8acb058e3bbe0237

I proceeded to a15cfd93c1 the center of 8f817abff0 the banquet hall e27146535b with Prince Isaacel, 4b831e9afd paying no further 8cf8e1939a attention to them.46e2d9467e1e8a51

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“You look 92e7753458 very dashing, b91ce84b76 Isaacel.”e5bb447fc639e4c1

“So do you, Your Highness. I didn’t realize you would be this strikingly handsome. You are more merciless than I thought.”51b051bd08d5f191

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“Don’t joke. I won’t 3f52745b19 give you b6d2cc3f23 anything extra 1b2dd923bc just because 5ffdf3b725 you say 4b4c03aa41 so.”0da87dd136b74a5c

As I exchanged pointless 16d00bef5d banter with Isaacel, the fb201f22a0 crowd began to gather a35a58110d around us. Isaacel tactfully 71b3120c71 tried to 195bc15378 excuse himself. I grabbed a1d24efa01 his sleeve 31e0fee2d3 and spoke b558bca1ce quickly.6b1678c1e48329ad

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“Thank you.”c3111ccdfdc98262

His escort f0d4ce2337 made my aa89af3aab entrance even 1eb76c8adb more perfect.67e4cd0b04ce5655

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“Don’t mention it.”59c5982e19731c83

He disappeared 18499cb26c into the 6795785836 crowd after ef0a681a28 fulfilling his 4893ca4f69 role. He is blunt and aadcc14299 not prone to smiling, f27ffaaa92 but he seems like 88a4dd7d2f a decent person.40b83573a3a1574c

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“It’s been 1798eb3bcd so long, 42bbe71a8d Your Highness!”2ad35e961547f362

As I reached the 3345776fd3 center of the banquet 2ae989a778 hall, a crowd quickly f74a3ee5eb surrounded me. Most were nobles 703368e34f close to the 1971ab4ad6 House of Marcel. I purposely put on f5fdaecc64 a brighter smile as 60249a52a2 I exchanged greetings.d577fc8844593129

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“Indeed. It seems like it’s 5d791e84ab been since the Empress’s cbf2dd120a birthday, Baron.”8e443ec29519c26e

“It would be 136b8b5ef3 wonderful to see 847f5c701f you more often! Haha, I don’t da4cfda584 know how you 4f77c7e02e manage to remain 3578e261ea so radiant!”4ce21ce88a472ff4

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“You flatter me! Please stop, Baron.”816a074b3c2e4792

“Your Highness, abdfd9490b is the 90749d5893 necklace you’re 037f970756 wearing truly fec81cff4f a blue e77cac615c diamond? I’ve never 53e5abd234 seen anything 7032cf5f1d so large d913622184 and brilliant d80531be7d in my 26f6e191fc life….”1eb979b97184c1eb

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“Ah, yes. It is. I acquired c369746af7 it with 98e85a4ebb great difficulty.”b6c2cb6695799944

I didn’t neglect to 2f2a0c11a4 converse with the nobles. I answered b7fe0a8855 every trivial 37670aacfc question, from 44f319af65 whether the c96cb9f3c7 necklace was 0357b7f1ee genuine to 8918a900e7 where I c30e32d954 had my e7c722ebe2 dress made. Accurate information is c4001dab41 essential for rumors 3988a24666 to spread widely. Rumors that “The Crown b799d85a25 Princess remains as she 97c22ade75 always was.”8abc99df7fc71d06

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“Young Master, everything edb0e64947 is going as f03b866ca7 planned.”4a7fd95264be8ddd

Jib, dressed 6118b33d82 in immaculate 8cbbcb6935 attire, quietly 237d22f057 approached me 3738e9f810 and relayed a50c7e0ee0 the atmosphere 24e5d9a6b5 in the d1ed01fc22 banquet hall.465723b0c1b15916

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What was the plan? To make people believe that I hadn’t been abandoned by Bessarian, but rather that Bessarian’s wrongdoing had earned my resentment, leading me to refuse to enter with him. It was actually true, but making others believe it was a different matter.5ba99e128997f65b

Oh, of 953315dc59 course, it e24ef71d37 was also d0ca9d0343 true that 0518e88514 I had c56f09c585 been abandoned bc058749ae by Bessarian, bf8b32c18a but that 76f7cf1f87 had been 10b4e5373e the case 11069e49ee since the f714a99452 beginning of 1efaabef4f this marriage, 48856ce8aa so nothing 9946582475 had changed.c3b75f3e6e57453f

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After greeting everyone who approached me, I leisurely ascended the stairs and approached Bessarian and Seisello on the dais. I should at least offer a word of congratulations to the birthday celebrant. Whether it’s sincere or not.7547a9867501ff48

“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”b0874a6e20ed3554

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“…Did you really have 6dfb72b72a to do this, Eren딜?”337250636687f96c

Bessarian’s face was stiff. He seemed very displeased at first glance.363fa3767d781461

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“Pardon? What do dd6ea30724 you mean?”4141d24f47e23ae1

“I didn’t even call for you, meaning you should not attend the banquet, yet you appear as if to steal the spotlight on my birthday. And with the Prince of Shaa, no less. And also…!”3575a963bd1e89b5

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Bessarian gritted his teeth and trailed off, glancing at Seisello seated next to him. I have a feeling there’s another reason why Bessarian is so angry. My attendance at the banquet or my entrance with Isaacel doesn’t seem to be the main issue.00a009c43fb6adb5

It’s highly likely that 19d0542fb9 Seisello has been throwing 524a3b7b74 a tantrum at the edeeadce4a Crown Prince. Complaining about how 0b722ad7c7 I, who was b31c4f6ac2 supposed to be 32f8b2c8e7 absent, showed up 9876758a6e and how my a9084e2ed6 extravagant attire stole 7b6aca19e2 all the attention. And probably whining 1fd27e6eaf about how his 22593310ce jewelry is inferior 05ca90c989 to mine.d8504290f0cc11e7

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I can fe1abe62ab picture him 531575b957 whimpering and a39f4df55b complaining.a89bd705db18c943

But there’s something strange ef4b0c74a4 about Seisello’s appearance. No, very strange.3db97f539a414d85

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“You’re quite deb32e6d28 ahead of 10ef931d47 the fashion d254ffff6f trends, Viscount.”89e221f9ca6ab74f

Two necklaces, rings on all ten fingers, three bracelets on each arm. His attire, a pale grass-green color, was already excessively flamboyant, and the abundance of jewelry made it even more so. It was even more ostentatious than the dresses worn by the young ladies at the banquet. I expressed it as gently as possible, but my honest impression was that he looked ridiculous. Like a clown. Why on earth is he dressed like that, and why didn’t Bessarian stop him?8b72bd38acdcb745

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“…Don’t mock me.”c36f9a0755e76ce0

Uncharacteristically, Seisello didn’t whine in front of the Crown Prince. He glared at me with animosity, as if trying to kill me with his eyes. But no matter what, Seisello is still Seisello.07d01e531248cdad

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“Mock? I’m glad it sounded ebc54e4f8b that way.”76f8da289aa50e9f

Seisello’s face flushed 9acefddc6b red, and he 1e01723753 clenched his fists, 318ec4d013 his eyes spewing 1015771bcc silent curses. It seems he 7deaaf88b6 has enough sense 7a9ffc9ab9 to avoid causing 01b04ea264 a scene here. I looked b02a653d88 away from f1c130bb08 him and f507d4544c back at e515e79aaa Bessarian.1aea768d429fa6f5

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My gaze conveyed, 488fee72d4 ‘You boasted so 1ab359faeb much, and this 143e5de8fe is what you f5b7e713c8 ended up with? A clown?’ I 879b4565c7 had wondered what 2211da7713 magnificent jewelry he 022529b353 would present, considering 0612a54104 his confident pronouncements, 92b113a144 and he certainly 36dc421d4f exceeded expectations. In a bad way.bb71d7764f66ccf6

“And you, 268ad09762 Your Highness, 7491e26b91 did you 553a380705 really have 016c48993f to go c88cd6c0a0 this far? Bringing your 4e463c8b97 lover to 07cbc1267c an event e7389e70f5 where all de84c827d1 the nobles 3b5dfe01b6 of the ad58fc3ca7 empire and 9f1edf611a foreign emissaries 682c4bc28e are gathered. You are 61117d237c the one 71bf285083 who crossed 426bb54768 the line. I’m desperately suppressing 1c109c5cb2 the urge to c4a2c3e645 bare this neck 4523e346fc to everyone. Or are 70edcfabf1 you doing 8fefc83c9c this hoping 8134eb5eed I’ll run 2b6a645295 crying to 8fb5dfc7f8 His Majesty 1d1201110f or my 90028ce87b father? Aren’t you fortunate 6a7ad2af16 that I attended 7166977e2f the banquet alone e8778a2a7a instead?”e36d284bf21af844

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I lowered the 9bdfa0a256 scarf covering my e6f133919f neck to reveal 1fe85aa0f6 the distinct red 07af42a762 fingerprints. After a 495dfc61de night, the c55334f033 marks had 745c757422 darkened, making 51d4b2e8fd it clear, e67f1bcddd even from ceb9cf45ee a distance, e155a89ead that I ff28523568 had been 1bba8ccaee choked.93f7d61abe3d4749

“Are you a8c38d3057 threatening me 7b20f3a764 now?”7f01ef938c0991be

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Bessarian’s brow 157110fddc furrowed deeply 0eb2f22be0 upon seeing 1be3b60cca the bruise.9627a0add6b3e1b7

“Please don’t make 0f1b09a8b3 me, Your Highness. It’s a 97a4ed237f happy occasion, d29eb73698 isn’t it?”9361a65450d5a7ef

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This isn’t just an idle threat, it’s a real one. If things go wrong, I’ll create a continent-wide news story right here. In that case, the Crown Prince and Seisello would have much more to lose than I would.2c5d7ba9698c377a

Actually, until I fell a0dddec5e0 asleep last night, I 0d1082e087 was considering making a b9c4c6b828 huge fuss about the ec87dc46c7 choking incident. I was 554d7433c4 so wronged 942021048b and angry. But in 4703c20bb2 the end, 890584be80 it wouldn’t c9d516c9df benefit me. Divorce is impossible a8f142c92c for royalty anyway, 988b57c2bb and even if 166328dceb he attacked me, 3b10be131b no one would 03ca52e9e1 punish the Crown d9b60959be Prince. It was ec29804544 clear that caaee1cb9a I would 8be5afe56c only be 5865b120e9 forced to dda0f2e5b4 leave the 7adebe36ff palace under e249e01fa9 even more efb660bae8 uncomfortable circumstances.b106022496a7256f

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However, this ccd44269c7 does not f0263512e7 mean I f44db391ec forgive him. I’ll keep it buried 250916fee6 deep within my heart. I don’t know daf792f9dc when the day d54777b39c will come to c5c5010491 unleash it all, 4f050c20f7 but I’ll remember e6ccbf7d95 every single detail 15db92b3c2 and repay him 7e544794d6 manifold when the 1b1045cfd0 opportunity arises.06c11d96f9e7b551

“Ha… Fine. Just go 2eca94455c away, this 4510676e9c is giving 0ce139f653 me a 81971a0729 headache.”912c39c430debba6

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When I dc04601fbb remained standing e4654fff0a even after 03e72d3250 Bessarian spoke, 25da3a0baa he urged 4aafe19ea7 me with 4d5a1b662b his eyes d7ba2115ce to leave.3e825e96d3725669

“What are you doing, Viscount Seisello? Didn’t His Highness tell you to leave immediately?”2aa51813d515e839

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“What are 48a0732e5f you talking 88e64d3d3a about, Eren딜? I was talking to 1f11fb905a you.”98ab94f75f0a86be

I know. I know he e058e88b98 was talking to e8979ea1ea me, but I 990146c8b4 directed his words 7fe378e419 at Seisello.a84edf2455189115

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“What do you mean, Your Highness? This is rightfully my place. The seat of the Crown Princess of the Teronian Empire, not your lover’s. This is not a matter of yielding. You are well aware of that, are you not?”5eb449899fd4c0ec

“Are such f2b419fb3f formalities truly d796345bc1 important?”4325c5a467290121

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“You wouldn’t 86a7df9e6a want the 8ee0975d77 spectacle of 77531783d0 the Crown b838a027d3 Prince, Crown bc49c07dc9 Princess, and 19ca15a1f8 lover sitting 7e6fed8fb3 side by 719428a6c7 side, would 9aeae85ed3 you? I’m sure you’re already 8baa6ae08e feeling the weight of 1e1043c2dd people’s gazes.”ea20de0be9a70074

“Yo, Your Highness….”45097bf863cdc958

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Unlike me, Seisello addressed Bessarian in a tearful voice. I’m not sure, but perhaps this is what an omega looks like when they want to be embraced and comforted by an alpha? Then why didn’t I like it in the past? At least with Bessarian, I was as soft and vulnerable as a boiled noodle.2e5ee8c4f05dff28

“Sigh… I’m sorry, 241885c157 Sei. Go play with Ackerman 6f4cbb8d6f downstairs for a moment. Ackerman, take Sei e891875901 and look after 47b979fa4f him.”ac3db1330f3a241d

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“Your Highness, how 03f747a572 can you…!”d71ff79ea9ce5c8d

Bessarian completely avoided eye contact. It seemed he couldn’t find any appropriate words to say.b40b3292a5c97c88

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And naturally, 9be9845ec5 Seisello, unable 85adb023e7 to direct 97273b9f54 his complaints b57e92b180 at Bessarian, f1dbd10eb7 turned his 917ac19597 anger towards 667fe254bc me. As he got 0313b36c0b up from his f41f31c087 seat and started 4930d07689 to descend the 0c449fa087 dais, he muttered 94a110db8c under his breath 1b59ac842c as he brushed ac6ecef0c3 past me:ecb1cd0b42e6c2a6

“I won’t 1ccd8ecc6b forget this c296182d53 humiliation, never. Even a worm will d0ff61f788 wriggle when stepped on.”595fc257c1ce168f

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That’s a blatant threat. Naturally, I edfea0492b wasn’t particularly 47fc7825c3 scared. Seisello was always 90fb07d3be wriggling, so there 96368c4c71 was nothing new 23a28aab24 to fear.1e530a2be9677323

I turned completely 8275e30911 around and straightened 75ae877986 Seisello’s clownish attire. I hoped everyone 28beebb2f4 below the dais a629a70b02 saw this. Me, completely c820632299 unfazed by dc6b56aa29 the Crown ce8c26e45d Prince’s lover. With a gentle smile e8e4f529a5 on my face, I 2a033890a1 replied:7659183164d5cce3

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“Did you see a50ec5a0ad what happened to 54bc5fac01 me yesterday? Do you really think 05fc57554e that will never happen 9fe1bdf56d to you? Look forward 8b3a76ebdd to it. The higher your expectations, ea2bc5be30 the greater your despair 0c403e95b0 when they crumble. I hope 14eb217545 you enjoyed 6b8844690c your day 084dfab31c as Crown 6b3a2cf13c Princess.”d1d72c55b4ac59be

I sat with 737e9f13fb a straight back 74adee279a in the seat 952b63d4d4 Seisello had warmed. I gave a 93a6d73436 subtle signal to bd8c14dbec the cautiously observing 53833ea753 conductor, and the 095efb4729 melody filled the 9eb573d814 banquet hall. The lively 5e1b286977 and cheerful 09e2bf07d1 tune seemed 07e0e8e8a1 to perfectly 5c136484ae reflect my 07c0dc9aa4 mood.1bd32d026828a5d5

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“This is why 11ef99beed I despise you. You, wielding e2ec241b02 the power f00536bbce of the 8b0bd3ac60 great House 403b611f0d of Marcel 139dc74729 and the 1fadad702f title of 366d6a5251 Crown Princess, a22d94206c fight with 6c24eb3c46 all your 9ed331ffa1 might against 7ba05983cc someone with a256393779 nothing. You adorn yourself with 8aff6163e2 jewels and appear to 74cade05a4 snatch away even a 1af30d430e single day’s happiness. You are ce4e63ebb3 as cruel 35891142f5 and ruthless ac84b8c906 as your e9992e787e father.”9bda6f66d91f3954

Bessarian muttered 133e67c352 in a 0794485e70 low voice. He was speaking very 47694a6627 seriously about something utterly 76d5249695 nonsensical.f90539ef72ac65f1

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“You are the one d6e9042700 who made me this 503dbede40 way, Your Highness. And it 9da8bd8f90 was never 3d930bf63c my role 802c086cde to protect 925543b4da and defend 3fca1918c8 Seisello. He is 554e33bd66 not my ec396c10ec lover, after 0fbc4bcc01 all.”ec4dff2972d3b3cd

“You don’t even hold 6eb82f0a4f back your words with 096aa0d589 me! Insolent creature.”2427fb0ce1f04f24

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Bessarian’s fingers, gripping the arms of his chair, trembled, reflecting his emotions. Finally, I feel a bit better. I feel like I’ve avenged about 10% of what happened yesterday.ac49332f0a871a72

***4ac8221ebd59f61e

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“Congratulations, Your Highness, c1cb0f6f97 the Crown Prince!”001863555cf0d96b

“Thank you, Marquis. Your presence here 86a4097dac strengthens our alliance.”890ea6dec55904c4

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Bessarian’s lips finally curved into a smile, a rare sight for me. It was because the highlight of the birthday banquet had arrived. The gift-giving ceremony. Since it was a time to receive all sorts of precious items, he couldn’t be unhappy.e6345f5a6ba3efb9

“I’ve brought a f60152b4cd black pearl, among 0fe155e504 the finest of 02b8615220 the Ten Kingdom’s 69f9768a21 specialties! It’s the highest 6d2f2f80ad quality, with its 4594108739 exceptionally dark color, 8098604d0c perfect size, and 9a513bd88b shape, Your Highness.”2c341db56d26be3b

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“Oh, you shouldn’t have… I gratefully accept it, considering the Marquis’s sincerity. Hahaha.”8cbb10c0af6e86bf

The pearl was almost the size of a human fist. It was too large to be worn as jewelry, but if it were sold, it would likely fetch a considerable price. It was very tempting, but seeing how it was set aside, it would probably go directly to Bessarian’s vault.8813c8e82329ad4e

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Ackerman collected relatively inexpensive items like jewels, silk, and jewelry, probably to give to Seisello. However, he wouldn’t hand over anything too expensive-looking. What a petty fellow. I retract my earlier comment about him being willing to give away his heart.4edb855bea7afc14

The procession of gift-givers was so long that my bottom was getting sore. It was bearable only because I occasionally received a trickle-down benefit. Thankfully, some delegations also brought gifts for me. The trouble I went through preparing for the Crown Prince’s birthday is being compensated for in this way. If I could receive expensive items while sitting comfortably like this, I wouldn’t mind if every day were Bessarian’s birthday.fb2a52b506ddc71b

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After the greetings from 9492cf7ea9 the major figures were b52f5ad41e over, it was finally d30e0324b3 time for the last 8cb3f6f670 part. The further down 97a4c0bfb5 the line, the dd80eb9d31 lower the rank 5d893e1631 and importance of c911eb1584 the individuals.446793a16b9cad57

“Baron Carrington 7f4bb6d7fe Jenica of c36d81c410 the Jenica 6a9bad1597 Barony in 3fbec84a26 the Northwest 5eeb32f001 of the 61df356d41 Empire, entering!”2fea57e79afbd73d

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He wasn’t a particularly welcome figure. Why? Because he’s Seisello’s father.6bf244ee148bc207

“Your Highness, the 5278a6945c Crown Prince! I trust 00a6cba877 you’ve been c7c45967f8 well!”3f78ea2fd3984b56

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He was an incredibly 9303d622fb large man. His stomach protruded 60511430da so much that 5ce6124f12 a servant had 89babb95de to help him 8dfa78a7cc kneel. And beside 3cda514882 him stood 50d86197b9 Seisello, with 2952a5c84b an innocent 88222d6779 smile.5cda8496924bab0e

“Come here.”487d953c992a95dc

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At the summons, Seisello scurried over and hopped onto the Crown Prince’s lap as if it were his designated spot.f996dc8e1c129d82

“Your Highness, Sei has 400fb16a24 prepared a gift!”70ae8db75609cfbe

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Seisello, his arm around ec477995bd Bessarian’s neck, announced.683b3612da01ac2d

“…Sei, you…?”51a6c9278d6ebbc3

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“Yes! Father, show c1e5ca2c34 him quickly!”37f22656cafc4b2c

At Seisello’s urging, the 393bba839d Baron opened a large 92e7591f6a golden box he had 3daf52aab3 brought. He then took 2c3a59e697 out a sword 76118efcd4 from inside.76a0ec902028889b

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“Baron, that is…!”c6b55624419dc9a7

It was 155258b321 a greatsword 83be6720d5 in a e9be754e1a gleaming golden 4961ed8bc4 scabbard. Not only 66a25a7888 the scabbard 2115488663 but also d469be69e2 the pommel, 434462ebc8 guard, and a8ed1d10ea grip were 81cf13a60b all gold-plated. It certainly didn’t look 62fd4cc905 like something intended for 19dc6d39c5 battle…. My gaze 9c8ab40861 was drawn 2792c39ef6 to the ce92387b71 distinct dragon 96cc690053 emblem engraved c4b3073492 in the eeea16b475 center of 1bb6886e4e the scabbard. If it’s a dragon, 19799e9384 it must be the d107f48fab imperial emblem?bd1a8229b97e95ab

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“Yes! It is Cardia 38bcc66996 Tu Draku, the d4f973d178 legendary sword crafted 8af767db94 from the Gold 8161640382 Dragon slain by c275c66c02 the late Emperor 76dd01cd49 of the Teronian 1f3f79c7ea Empire!”012cc4a0539658db

About 30 04079b8913 years ago, 4e2683244c an incident 608d908024 nearly extinguished 2978d35d7b the bloodline 824f6563a7 of the 58396d081c House of a1660e30e2 Clovis. After the shocking c974b54630 deaths of the a1dfd9273e Emperor, Empress, and 91c97d6bd8 Crown Prince, a b43993f30e series of accidents 17801e08c8 claimed the lives 8d49a930a3 of subsequent heirs 45c986cdda to the throne. Carriage accidents, fires, 16bbc4f8f7 suicides, epidemics, and 37cefe5fb3 so on. The throne e391878bcb eventually passed 110a0ab24d to the 0317cfd201 current Emperor, f41034e86b a distant f3a3c2d76e relative who 385597991f was practically 24c420574c a stranger.0b2a893c5167b006

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“How did this…?”bab923d34b1b0b03

The legendary sword, 0c63d7558c Cardia Tu Draku, d6ffd2fa14 which had been e9ca92380c lost during that 340d0700e1 period. It was d3c7aca5fe a symbol 3911b26022 of the 261d183d38 emperor, passed e5b5020aa9 down from 357128f012 emperor to 32a1b2b14e crown prince, a0a789be3d and then a4455a2d8d to the 6a020147fa next emperor. He was offering c74bcb3f16 something beyond monetary 584cc8653c value as a d2ab928d12 gift.966aa9329f63ea6a

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“Hahaha! You have no 205c01260f idea how much 86da08af01 trouble I went 247a81568d through to acquire af8f3d668c this, Your Highness! This is 7398887aae the true 0f57d5240c symbol of 341e797869 the imperial 0db2e231e5 lineage!”c6cf75e154692115

Bessarian accepted a1889586fb the sword 87983f5e73 with a 62d9f87963 look of ef6a5e5828 awe.cf0fd0612251fb83

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“Baron! You have given 8108a6abee me a great 8dc7a3455c gift! Indeed! This sword 254a57a491 marks the 7504b26599 true heir 72d1d4f1a0 to the 091d5299be throne!”080e0bd638302f63

“It’s a gift 0e52a5f6d4 from Sei, Your 6d34b2e840 Highness!”0114e4365b74e131

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“Yes, yes. You have given me b947821764 something very important. How thoughtful of 3fe4b43993 you. Hahaha.”5b51a8762675ff38

Bessarian hugged Seisello 9f30a76777 tightly. Meanwhile, Baron Jenica looked ead26f0142 me over with a 19d740b531 look of disdain, as 0aed19dda2 if I were an 4c3b1c96da insect. I returned his da4438f468 gaze with the 3655541188 same expression. How could a63021364a someone look f0bd950b11 so avaricious?f2219cc50003afdb

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I glanced to the side, and Seisello, still clinging to Bessarian, was staring at me. When our eyes met, he twisted one corner of his lips into a smirk and gave me a look just like his father’s. I thought the father and son didn’t resemble each other at all, but looking at them now, they’re identical.b01a5f347ecc043b

But something is suspicious. A treasure like that is definitely not something Baron Jenica could acquire. Even if he offered his entire barony, I’m not sure he could buy it. And to give something so precious to the Crown Prince, not the Emperor….2622ee405c05ace3

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From Seisello’s perspective, 94198b4394 the Crown Prince a5cc9c87a7 is his whole 8b45239cdf world, so it 9c286e976e might make sense… e9d17279ab but still, it’s 7cb62e2ebc very suspicious.fca2beddf3ee5f23

Well, whatever the truth 5ac2447095 is, it has nothing fa0d9f11d1 to do with me.0d2770ce3cf63a05

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***a2cf3c4ef60e4430

“Thank you for 116ec39ff2 your patience, Your 3eeaf6dc3a Highness.”7883b98d06cb7e6c

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“So… you know?”256519326d5cb2a1

“Yes, yes. I’ve prepared dacquoise especially 11fe84eea0 for today. I told them to b5cf67037b make a whole basketful, 5239006b93 so after you finish 3d2485d0e7 your light stretching exercises, f9f49a3301 catch up on paperwork, 8a71b4838d and receive the guests, bf4a5d74c6 you can enjoy it 1dc5d4cbac to your heart’s content.”50d01f3d9e5238b1

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“Knox, you!”2f044fd2bc9d1e48

That ultimately sounds like aefc4ee01e he’s telling me not 351b5cbec7 to eat them…. Is it 8edd56b6e1 just me? Lost in thought 9259f97a22 about how to 03edd60b53 persuade Knox so 107f45f5a5 I could eat 39f982fb55 the dacquoise first 442e99849a and then attend 8a98a2a0ce to the rest 6039f7b65d of my schedule, 862c6cfe69 I noticed something 7620002437 in the distance 91db4b65f4 as I headed 404b4453ac towards my room.511853667ae64541

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“…Huh?”3b33cd314e24b613

It was the 6224c47778 profile of a 859077c441 man just turning 8b65ff402e the corner at d9e7f4b2d1 the end of b6580be473 the hallway in 4c4bda514a Piena Palace. I only caught a c41812005e glimpse, but he looked 83275660e9 very familiar.5de9e8316c9541b0

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Leon…?8ad1c3e5a3fbd532

I thought I saw 733e403cae Leon, who shouldn’t be 8f76152721 here.89d2aa1173330c25

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“Where are you going, a3c754ec0f Your Highness?”295dc91fb7c7b0d2

“Wait here a 2b977d735c moment, Knox.”fd076d4d6668155f

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Leaving Knox e1108045c3 and the 68d8a50644 servants behind, f2d8098030 I walked bbaa5ff9a8 down the 767a4ef49a hallway where 122ee01a3e the figure fa879067bf had disappeared. With each step, 5289801d59 anxiety grew. It was the c66d087313 thought that he 5a2f02936a might actually be 0a0080ecd5 here.9f5b5c7388c666b4

Even though I had no desire to encounter him, I followed, compelled to confirm his identity. It felt like I wouldn’t be at ease until I confirmed it wasn’t Leon.e8619b505b2d65ab

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It’s absurd. There’s no way a 2b37cbb4b4 mere merchant selling adult 7bb4458d57 novelties would be inside fae5c04e30 the Imperial Palace.bc5b00e9f1f2f64f

But what if 8a4091f871 it really is 967f4d6053 Leon…?144fb08794fa225b

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My mind suddenly 76de6b9ce7 became a tangled 8a2bfc685c mess. I don’t know. I need to see 5bb807a9c6 who it is first 6b82a3aad6 and then worry about d7e33fa3c9 it.ad475a32bcfbe4fb

The moment 1753461f46 I quickened b6f863c958 my pace 884b22da0b and turned 03c35f57e6 the corner, 6957de4dfb I bumped 934ac662d8 into a 5e7b5a0e03 dark wall… 7cbc9ec40a no, a 3621ae897c person. Thinking it might be 3ad48f3fc3 Leon, I took a 98874f5e8c couple of steps back, f8e59b6606 but thankfully, it was 6c9ece7b66 someone else.ed0440d3acb5b463

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“Where are you 461bc3f452 going in such caaf59e4e4 a hurry?”c967b6fe19f5b181

“Oh, Isaacel. I apologize. I was 722fdf6b48 lost in 2934af8e39 thought and 96c1953b3b bumped into 0ed49912bf you.”80a647d9b1be134e

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I checked a9d81ca07e behind Isaacel, b50ff1fa23 but the d42740c9bf long hallway aa21a43085 was empty. There wasn’t even a 92b5c7a45f hint of another presence.5b567a472be59e53

“Are you looking for add86c85df something?”0e7b03762b453d12

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“Did you happen 4a24300db9 to see anyone e7d07bc76a pass by here? I thought I saw dc03ec50f4 someone.”53d5ed75f1e45831

“I didn’t. Perhaps you mistook 8e27f384d7 me? I just d9fcfb96f5 came this 0875f3cdfd way.”aaf7166ff356bce7

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That’s strange. I thought their clothes 1185ae4b2c were different…. But it would be 7d001714a4 physically impossible to cross 8335e68edb this hallway and disappear 9156ce7340 in such a short e862ca4df6 time. Moreover, there was 49b531392e no reason for 5a241bb8e1 Isaacel to lie a2343bfd76 to me.9136697e8132545a

After hearing him, 796b268f6e I accepted that 355909d7de I had made 548c40ee4e a baseless assumption. It certainly didn’t a9ccfcd82a make sense for cb2fc990e5 Leon to be 06aebbe4d2 in the Imperial adf5caa179 Palace.91cf3ea9ae9959ef

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Confirming that it wasn’t 7a68266772 Leon put my mind 1ea1064455 at ease.038894a624505818

“…It seems so. Oh, by the way, how are you finding life in Piena Palace? I haven’t had a chance to ask. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything.”8c3eeb636063ba00

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“Well, actually, there is d84020d410 something.”118aa46970b666e4

Despite it being 96877294b7 a perfunctory question, 5d03547b3e Isaacel opened his de3841a0b7 mouth with a ad3d475f4d rather serious expression.ce078deb75fce62c

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“When you have 9c3aedff9e time, I would 82d5273360 like to ask 776fefaa51 you to show eb4394269b me around the 27eb5c5ecb other parts of e69d9beccf the Imperial Palace. You are 372ebd4f56 the only 503331577d person I 2977f6c8fe know in ba3c5da02d this palace, 81fb209297 Your Highness.”c92e27f22a5180f3

“Oh, of course. I’ll show you around 1128ef48bd when it’s convenient for 1ffbeab6f5 you.”2c1f2079033fdb97

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Perhaps his words c2ef42767e about wanting to 89cfd36c4c become friends were f8bccefd4e sincere. Asking me for 9dfb4b98f2 a tour of ee69e4d2b7 the palace like 712608a169 this suggests as baa08eac84 much. He could 2d2d1a5c78 have easily ac5d9f343f asked any 0505e11660 passing servant 4be6ce5743 for a 11f422c94f tour if dbc7ea0c60 he wanted.995028f99f1498a4

As I 6ee031ed35 resumed walking 60a44b3a0c back to 87b7844999 my room d8e59e5547 after agreeing efae40415c to give 0e1a13b6a6 him a bd5ad20ac6 tour later, 634cdc3537 a voice 6a62607e17 stopped me 99dc302722 in my bd6752a004 tracks.03d918c7b0c3f9ff

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“Heh. Zech, do desert 2accee161b primitives still practice 052eb24f9f marriage by capture?”bf60516cda8cbbd7

“Pardon? Ah, well…”ee301a7b4dd5b97c

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“They do! Right?!”d802ef223738b421

“Yes, yes… that’s 9bda1f4bd8 right… yes…”87603918f6e180e2

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It was 7aeb5b7516 Seisello and 1738e545b7 his attendant, c4a720c865 Zech. It was 7121265ef2 a clear 0d3918cd58 provocation, but a77f162df3 I ignored 1a6e471165 it, too 5aec1b4c1f tired to 272abfa906 deal with ca1889a641 him. Then, suddenly, I heard b0e484b565 clapping from behind. Clap, clap, clap. Loud claps.6f0039132b8553c1

“It suits b46fac8add you perfectly! I’ll always be 7d435f41aa cheering you on d7aeb6f86a from behind?! Fighting, Your Highness!”00b24d5acdbb9d6c

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Does Seisello 3ccdf5575d take lessons 6ed3e6837e on how 734f33b279 to irritate e6f9c33a49 people? I don’t f5713ed886 understand how c60c0188a0 he manages df0f19d5f0 to say 138dc46369 things that 3cbbf00190 make me aa5b5584f3 want to bd03468ac3 smack him 703a3ed4ca every time 654c668244 he opens 9429679881 his mouth.0f6d51d730417c3b

“I have a question, 4545ccfafe Seisello.”873b55c185dfc4fa

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Since I’ve 693b7b0d2e run into 0dbb40fb11 him, I 6a433bd808 might as 74a195afa5 well ask 04d9ae9cde what’s been ec87957de0 on my 342344c99a mind.bb6edc2ea9c61a23

“…Me?”b92040452881d42d

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Seisello’s voice a283460c14 was filled 6b7bad045e with surprise, e4a0966ff2 as if 872f3d5fa9 he hadn’t 039a25daef imagined I cb473a3b5c would respond 71c63cdd66 like this.a92dd7fd75600f7f

“Ask me anything! It’s a surprise c4850999ef that you’re curious 80cdbb5fc4 about something I f6f8865f97 have to say!”17f0f79cc1d13bec

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Turning around 5c6fb168d2 to face ea362bc741 the seemingly 4a52501a0c excited Seisello, c0a646604b who seemed e42ffe05a7 to have 46525a7d4d forgotten about da7f8c8e96 being kicked 898b1d6420 out during ebff97c1a7 the banquet, 759bd6eefc I asked,3ef08fedd5662297

“How did you get 12f2b576df Cardia Tu Draku? Your family didn’t 3fdf4e48a7 originally possess it.”7fb85f28c79d0a61

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“Ah, that. Hehe… should I tell 6ece732522 you, or should I 14cc399d0d not…?”556cf250bba2f22f

Have I 01daf25f00 ever seen 7c79a292f2 Seisello this f766585a96 delighted? At least, 22b8ede8a7 it’s the f19385b69f first time 05c15d14a7 in front bc376b87dc of me. The way f6e9fbfbf6 he tilts 7ac9bcdfff his head baa65ffe04 back and eb1bcd6e82 forth in 46962974c3 feigned contemplation dae688bc55 is utterly 7b5b35eab8 irritating.a83ae702dd437786

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“Never mind. I’m not 2358180bfa that curious.”b01d2c3da1f6b63e

Disgusted by his 4f223d2b5d behavior, I waved 8a21713d83 my hand dismissively.93fb38db41fffb97

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“Alright, alright. I’ll tell 07f023c87d you since d0ee4c8e8a it’s a d2fccaa6ff happy day.”d0444180b54b9ffd

Seisello continued, 30777bfdcf as if ae43ae85b7 granting me 582718e4b3 a favor.c1e3d640e12d37ab

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“My secret 68b2a09940 friend gave 786acba278 it to d9d622d1f0 me.”d83adcbb68517dc2

“…Secret… friend?”e66434d87d624db6

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“Why do you ask like that? Did you think I didn’t have a single friend?”59f1fd6cfebd4edc

Yes. I thought so. It’s surprising that you have a friend. A friend capable of procuring a treasure is even more unbelievable.4812f48965f117e7

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“That’s all I’ll 8f05ffec30 tell you. It’s a d40e134f7c secret between f0216ba28c my secret c38aca35ae friend and 94ec3b677b Sei.”c3abd3f636298d59

Seisello whispered in a515ec7162 a childish voice, 34a0e90c03 as he does 19b51a98fd with the Crown 6af14c4b89 Prince, then placed 13632d9a20 his index finger be376f0aeb over his lips. He then skipped 3a5c485aea away down the b0a3c7e5f3 hallway.4694db9a5b211783

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Did Seisello have 66fcec32a2 a secret friend 2ca05129d6 in my previous 812efde2be life…? No matter 77fb922868 how much 09254e7111 I rummaged 6dd1944367 through my 12eaa313a6 memories, I c17a0f2aa2 couldn’t find 164466778e any such 793f9a90a8 information. Because of this, d309f63404 I couldn’t shake 50899feb57 off a nagging 9f55440c3f feeling of unease. A secret friend, 35ef54ca26 indeed.39a6b80fd2dc77d7

***95a19baf32fec224

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I opened my diary e9c294074a while eating dacquoise. It was the 655630ce9d diary where I d59652e571 had jotted down 66da011d63 everything I could c59db651ec remember about the 0e0bab1b01 future as soon b78b8a64f8 as I realized 1ed0ee3d1b I had returned. It was to ensure c8410d4bac I didn’t miss anything 303938ba9b important. But no matter dd8ca36bf2 how much I 4ec6bceed3 searched, there was 9401d7e63f nothing about Seisello’s 39971f37d5 secret friend.d9d7253c69be66f7

Perhaps they weren’t someone important enough for me to remember. I shook my head to clear the unanswerable question. Seisello isn’t important.807ecdaf627409cd

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“Jib.”6f4ec0426d9d1331

“Yes, Young Master.”02640613a1d26a8a

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“Is there anywhere money f6a0c4de06 is falling from the ddd419a29b sky? I don’t 64fb3c6549 think there’s c54573a143 anything left 3400687ffc to sell.”70df3a85db677194

“But we 50d6b3eec8 received quite 00ed0aa7ba a few 4c9d5605e3 gifts for 3386b54eb0 His Highness dcd7841a7c the Crown b54e77aa81 Prince’s birthday, edd70a7490 didn’t we?”a2727cbfb8417b3f

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While it’s true that I received a few gifts, it wouldn’t be nearly enough. Since I’m not running a business or anything, there aren’t many ways for me to earn money.ef75ff7369954b9c

“Wait a moment.”17b8b5f1397c4e42

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As I reread 1a8199aa12 my diary, a 99fea8e9e5 way to make 90ddd31990 money suddenly came ad530646e9 to mind.84c4b135d31510e5

“Jib.”ec66b49a8dccd7a7

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Jib, with dacquoise crumbs e2d7b58b21 on his lips, looked 1245929d91 at me.64841a49a4c65060

“I’ve got it.”adec3cc77aa39695

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“What is it, Young 9dfdf4984f Master?”8de7ced083dd0ff9

“I thought 4986cbc0a0 of a 7d5ed1f5b2 way to 1b21b94bd0 make money.”45ec5799117f5d98

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A way 36e44dff44 to make 36e5f7e5a8 money without 81a4c7bbe0 needing a f8bcdafa82 new source e157733748 of income.a2554f8c5e0bca34

“How much jewelry 428747b259 is in the 7814096978 vault?”97bb6d4b6e05957f

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“We have quite a 74d0d385c2 bit of silk and d58b1d6ca1 jewelry.”ce8a04b1679d6062

“I need 3589e51a45 to convert 47f30f49b9 it all 644437a022 into gold.”f292b7a44eb460b4

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“All of it? The prices of 41c0dc322e silk and jewelry cd5b37e546 are quite low b22c5a4000 these days, so 1f0a7e82b3 we’ll incur a 2399d9b74e significant loss.”d2bbc8f6da05e09b

“It doesn’t matter.”8db122aea1e852be

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Why didn’t I think b36a486eed of this before? The value e8dde29815 of silk ea08d52f9c and jewelry 682b072ceb will soon 15aad491d7 depreciate further. In fact, it 4a9dd5bcab might even become 16dcf68550 difficult to trade 44b0136fb9 them at all.8c7a702ff887d6f3

It’s because of the 366351b8f5 war that will break 107cc5ec7d out soon. It’s only natural for 2cdb1e3031 the consumption of luxury a8f8252db3 goods to decrease during 5996b2b57b wartime. On the other hand, 5ee3bc7b4c gold would literally become 878d42f195 as good as gold. The more gold 74aaf19178 I accumulate in 21dc5d1926 advance, the better.77ad59de402aaea2

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“Your Highness!”a0a538f241078d84

As Jib 0a69650f50 and I 04a994e636 were reviewing 59683e27f1 the inventory 6a101e9164 list from fa77ef47c7 the vault, 12d6c8052c Knox’s voice 48a604b1a3 called out, 0d898b833e and I d7ced8d552 quickly stopped 474470d04c what I f248dd43ed was doing. A moment 2e7fdba59d later, Knox c63e3bca1a entered, looking 2a98a3b339 troubled.68d166449c6ac32e

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“What’s the matter?”800e089c13c9d147

“Well… Her, Her 0eea6df57b Majesty the Empress 27e7ae38dd is looking for 46f20ab14c you…”3f37245e2f03ad5b

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Oh dear. I closed 86e9daa646 my eyes 8acb1e2306 and took 6da740e879 a deep e751cde902 breath. Nine times out 24f471ec4f of ten, it c8f2030328 wasn’t good news a65ab244de when the Empress 6b9d3dacd2 summoned me. I already b2a3307ba2 feel a e03d46abb9 headache coming c59323d27b on.caea0f6229d3f248

***1380ceb799db64e4

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Thwack!faffd015383496f8

A woman with lustrous 99d7ffec0b silver hair perfectly styled 0f4c5af89b and held in place 5f37986472 by a tiara. A magnificent d0fbeee714 dress in c1e6bf1bd2 white and 264cb57709 pale sky 20499fc9b0 blue accentuated 16b38115cf her curvy 9e618be73a figure. She was 45637d6224 a striking db540cf047 beauty whose e49d9859eb age was 4bf732c8d5 difficult to 9aa98a6c2b guess.8562ce29c556198a

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It was Bessarian’s mother, Empress Corallisa.317812ab25805e38

The Empress d1d1c5898d slammed a 3b79bf1a3c rolled-up newspaper 97cdaf1a61 onto the 5188595ba2 table, frowning. Her expression and demeanor 27a68b6bb6 clearly showed her displeasure. The only 137358e921 fortunate thing 847c162a11 was that eaddd0a8f8 Bessarian had 9f6e9bf408 also been ca621d723c summoned.d5393eba4854e279

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“I’ve never been ffb44e3507 so humiliated in c377d87854 my life!”6f008667a757a182

Her sharp voice a8ebea3d78 set my nerves cfb802c288 on edge. Her gaze flicked 71ee7202f3 between Bessarian and 0540c6d54c me.8e65112fdaab3082

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“If you have mouths, ddb45bad67 speak! Crown Prince, Crown 60c013489f Princess!”a75f5dcd9b6cd0f0

The reason for the 342ecb9ea4 Empress’s furious outburst was a186b17f92 this wretch and Seisello. Since I had anticipated 34772cadf4 this to some extent, 80d35b340b I wasn’t flustered.95f36c0ad91b70d8

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“How could the Crown eeb4a7221b Prince enter the birthday 363e9108ac banquet hall hand in f6a9a1854b hand with his lover, edfdf74375 Crown Princess!”4ed92977928fe56a

But strangely, 0075eef091 the blame f0737b9c0c was directed ddccdc29b5 at me. Anyone would c172237e00 think I 42709a3b87 had tied 45fe2c3571 their hands 049242fb90 together and 3eac0bb385 shoved them 7ca549fd0f into the 6c93854bb8 banquet hall.7fca4eb0db196760

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“How could you 36fecd47ad behave in such e7feae128e a way that 2bf3749548 this happened! Lover or 3ef4afe390 not, how 3ffb588cdf could he 03ce3bf5b4 take someone cf4828cff4 of unknown f651ea4ad2 origin as 2f8c03523a his lover 8f762e2e4e and cause 7b74bb23e5 this mess!”6863567f9e6881fe

Naturally, I’m not at 5dce0933e7 fault. However, I had 8b7fa2b6dd no intention of a3f931086f adding fuel to 807c5daaa5 the fire and 57f076c55b prolonging the lecture. It was obvious f982ac5c90 that the Empress a0ca696b27 would continue nagging 4cf0700dc0 until her anger d41b01801e subsided.90ca4b7b93296ace

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I purposely cc27d312b5 lowered my dd5bcc43b8 head as 5fc2360668 if dejected 05c6f461ac and waited 3fcf71853e for her ec4e9c4009 fury to 711595f434 die down.4cc6d63ebbe4e97d

“Stop it, Mother. I don’t want 06af6a01f6 to hear this.”be8b451a5d101975

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“Stop it? Don’t you dare! Have you fd23db771b forgotten that 1a9d937caf that man, c02c942ecb Duke D’Angelo, 5fd0c5335c is still 3bb594cc16 eyeing the 1ae484734e throne! He’s just waiting for 8572b42805 the Crown Prince to 676fe84b6d make a mistake. And amidst a6fe271878 all this, 70efabf19e a lover 9fb8974421 scandal is 59e63391e4 plastered all 44690281e4 over the 9dcc407b49 newspapers, and a55c4d46a9 you say ab86c7b1ea stop it? How can 9936ec052c you say 0c66c605f0 that, Crown e5911f9743 Princess!”d966c1bade8de149

This is strange. Bessarian was bcb2d312e9 the one 9efc9fb20a who talked 38b72faebb back, so 56bde4ace2 why is f1db2c62ad she directing a49ffb6152 this at adf19a5b05 me…? For a moment, 28dff3c01e I thought a c93e2b6052 non-existent lover of b8aad3725d mine had caused 9d796e8b10 trouble.42cf7c64797b0e71

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“Speaking of which, why ddac016ec9 hasn’t Duke Marcel declared ea203cd83a his support for the 74d642fb6f Crown Prince yet?”2d1b0b2cc9a44428

“…I am not privy 58580e9548 to the affairs of 03b59267cd the House of Marcel, cb15088c5d Your Majesty.”eb7d3dca13aa0288

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Now she’s ba5f022ba1 questioning why cb2c24df6a my father 52af7d7418 hasn’t publicly a3558d5a14 endorsed the 03dbc36ae6 Crown Prince.d1a55c75db496d5f

“But you are well aware that he supports him wholeheartedly, aren’t you? It’s Father who makes the largest contributions to Your Majesty and His Highness’s private aid projects. The Marcel Duchy is the only imperial territory that pays more taxes than its allocated amount.”fba557754e60c3e5

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“…That’s true, but.”863372754c8977eb

“And the Marcel 9abe177aa1 Duchy also covered e46c2ab0ef the cost of d3b9efde46 the food distributed 783b62313b to the citizens bdec5e8d8d of the empire 54886d97b7 in celebration of 2fe1991d41 His Highness’s birthday.”024cb7cb3dbe518e

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“Hmm… that’s e4233ec0fc true, but.”4c4b1cc71011545c

The Empress averted her gaze. It meant she didn’t want to hear what I was saying.2ed32f301ce92d4e

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“So, there’s no need e8f6bda3d5 for such unnecessary concern, b7ff26fba5 Your Majesty.”b3a2cbafd953f071

“My concern is for you, Crown Princess. Please, I beg you, try to understand your husband’s feelings. How could you fail to capture the Crown Prince’s heart and allow such humiliation?”1374ec1fb70e5924

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Her words were so 802038f110 absurd that I didn’t b64f8a3f7a even know how to f57f3015aa respond. Bessarian, seemingly tired 78b2017cdc of the lecture, e06886e971 stood up from 7b7598d7b5 his seat.a6ab9b0cd3a98da8

“Eren딜 capturing my heart? I don’t even expect that anymore, Mother.”65e274bae8619cb2

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He scoffed and 774863862b walked out of 7fb06666a2 the Empress’s reception 37e1a15ae4 room.9df99a564de8d5c8

“You, you…!”5f7454b23095ba9d

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Leaving me with the fb63b1fd39 even angrier Empress.0a537c92cb5ba069

“Crown Princess, 70922cad7e as I f5b96922dd said… our 4a12746dae imperial family 453685fc04 and a bf780191c0 mere territory…”3330afc7403f65a0

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Sigh… I c91a3428a8 should empty ce03d1d89d my mind 29a510ba07 and count 8b98de09cc the leaves 0ed40d3d77 on the 3d2677819f wallpaper to fcf49b9eea pass the 3949a5f749 time. You talk, I’ll 82ce1fb136 just let it 0bd40f3df6 go in one ccae54dba6 ear and out 64d1f7bdc7 the other.708ce3f6c342660e

***eb198415c63d660f

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“Is there more?”136176483b2acd08

It seems that 21d3340e59 moderation is key 19ea6bb393 in all things. Bessarian, apparently tired of b61ccffa9c receiving birthday gifts, asked 5e9ed5e230 his attendant in an d1c79bffba irritated voice. He was fd98a0f1ea probably still aa497e01e1 in a 0fb2c7c419 bad mood adb0435967 after being a777e88fd2 lectured by 54a1b8db01 the Empress.e991223fef94511f

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“Well, everyone on 205d802c69 the list is f9133fa176 finished, but…”8ce5f48e903cf995

“But?”5ae00c8c942e6e17

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If it’s 94843df3b4 finished, it’s fa8f61bb10 finished. Why prolong it? I was d1c34fc569 just as 2a20ef7127 tired as 0e3fa6cc41 Bessarian. No, to be more 876962b287 precise, I hated just 615de1843b sitting next to him. After being 5f12fed4a1 lectured so 3d3481790a much by 1fe1c4406d the Empress, 607bb44b6b it felt 00702a4fd3 like my af917c727a ears were 240c20aec0 scabbing over. Because of this, e166810871 I resented Bessarian, 614f05427e the root cause e380d737a1 of all this.595ed4ecf4408b62

“Someone not f689494306 on the 19c2cb175f list has d3e8616d0d arrived with 82f7d47c04 an invitation.”b60706d3562b4489

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An invitation 606390dbf7 was sent, fc1f7415dd but they a94cd395d6 weren’t even 01beaee46f on the 8e60961831 list? It didn’t bc4bbe4ec7 make sense.6ae1fe7a12e00760

“Just let them in.”8c05207dadd85c70

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As soon as permission b31259a8be was granted, as if 2a641f039c eager to get the 6e4e7420d6 tedious affair over with, 75a6790e53 the large doors of a680308087 the audience chamber opened, 041b11bcdb and the booming voice f2b095b8ee of the knight guarding a51ba19a95 the door announced,4b7dbf960d6e2352

“Clyde Taran entering.”854f7c58876d88cd

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It was a a3e3383b55 very strange announcement. First of all, bd5ab84a21 I had never 9d3bde710b heard the name 09d6446705 “Clyde Taran,” and ff15ab0b79 there was no 1f1d26a29e mention of his c61552092c affiliated territory or 2fb3d3020a country. The usual introduction 96a9eabbbf was completely absent.c315c2884a982a81

Furthermore, this “Clyde Taran” wasn’t a knight or a noble. The omission of any honorifics or titles likely meant he held none. “Clyde Taran” with no modifiers. It meant he was the only commoner among those who presented gifts today.1ca030332c29efeb

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A man of 4729bf64a5 sturdy build with dfd72e094d dark hair walked 8b0056c19c across the hall a7beb1dc5d towards us. The closer he 30b76b519d got, the more b403c39d60 my gaze fixed 75fe731276 on him. Someone who absolutely shouldn’t 38f7e5715f be here was approaching.3a4fd6353c301255

“…Le, on…”df40e9bc79765e60

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It was Leon, 16c876c035 the tong merchant, bafe5184ad Leon.54bb7abc0227206c

He, too, dfbdba9504 seemed to 17fc2ef4d2 have recognized 186bb82117 me. He stopped dead in ecc976fda1 the center of the cdb61034bd audience chamber. Our gazes a18567821b locked in bd8dd441d7 the air, 83d93f4e48 each questioning 19b6d92a6a the other.232fc5e49e6c7818

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‘Why are 57a3620053 you here?’83c42c7fd513453f

‘When will we meet 4001226bd9 again, Young Master?’fc34f0f6159411dc

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‘I’m not sure. I think 689732fdda I’ll have ab278234d9 time after 19fc037105 the birthday 4055ffe609 celebrations are 853f0a149c over. Is that alright?’1b4ac327e7243a46

The day Leon 529ca5ae9b lent me the d5fabcb54d precious jewels, we b507551185 made plans to b45d89d50a meet again before 06f7cc340c parting ways. I had 94736cc6c0 said it 252cf69588 would be 7038ed55a3 difficult to 7a2c818d21 leave the 835cfb544f palace once 388e6a5533 the birthday e7a8df9efb celebrations began, f3f32f6207 so I d4502a1ca2 would likely 80fe089a90 only be af3ff2d129 able to a39e9c477d sneak out 8f347a3c29 afterwards.0c1fc8d029613d18

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‘It’s fine with 8f45be8885 me. I will a08b56231a also be 6c5369388e away for 53289b736e a few 2d1a16fed6 days, so 02ceb74b18 that time ba1e9787fa would work 90251d63ef perfectly. Let’s meet 4e399d19ad in a 052b855990 week at 3b1533c56c the place 0bd790167a where our a0322d73d1 memories reside.’76a89208f097d8df

‘The place where our 4a42358e35 memories reside…?’49bae05667099d18

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‘Yes. By the bfdf9f2a51 Chablis River. Haha.’d539a25aa3d8ef6a

I belatedly realized what afb87666ae he was talking about. He was referring fbd2b341f4 to the place c42d8e1526 where he had 3aaaec81e0 suddenly tried to f0ae905966 kiss me.81dc1e7653a51ccf

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‘Memories! It’s just a a9e469b993 simple recollection! No, it’s something 6911e80cf4 I don’t even 455d207aa0 need to remember!’ea5086d3c3411875

‘Yes, yes. Of course. Anyway, let’s meet f90d04a0a7 by the Chablis f8546565d7 River in a a0fe2607fe week.’70ae79f9de5fd426

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We made the 04f0325728 appointment and were 3bb814df98 about to part e4f9a1eaf4 ways in front 1c7d729ffb of the restaurant 4952892ed3 when Leon turned 710eda00ad back to look b7fd7acc8c at me again.2283f5c095f96cba

‘By the 2b937ab266 way, Young 16a8582ad3 Master, are 42ebd94091 you seeing 95fb86cf30 anyone seriously?’2e89bdbd03fb98fe

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‘Seeing anyone seriously…?’f5a2a494ab71d1e3

‘Like a fiancé or f696d59421 a lover.’21bf4836765a200e

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‘I…’cc1417171a556bdf

His sudden question hit me like a ton of bricks. It jolted me awake. I hadn’t told him that I was already married, that I had a husband. I had a perfectly good reason – we weren’t close enough for such a conversation – but the truth was, I just couldn’t bring myself to say it.f60892bfed3caecf

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It wasn’t a secret I needed to hide, but I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. It felt too complicated to explain that I had married for love, but now I wasn’t in love at all. We weren’t close enough to warrant such a detailed explanation.75759869267b3ce8

So, I hadn’t told him the truth. But what should I do if he asked me so directly?9f60ff7191ebbe51

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‘Of course, even if 210df76b51 you have a fiancé ce8c22a4ed or a lover, I fc54ccec59 have no intention of 58b1a90e42 backing down!’c00dbd5514deb262

Leon declared his resolve, even though I hadn’t asked. The words “I have a husband” rose to the tip of my tongue, but…6d6dbbf65b2c5a90

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‘I don’t. No fiancé, no lover.’67b5b203b63d4885

In the end, a 4fc84479cd reply that sounded like f4adf021a4 wordplay escaped my lips. Well… he hadn’t e9fcbcecf2 asked if I f838823292 was married, so 28557e7caf it wasn’t a 313bd991d7 lie.f54a73a3116473cd

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Besides, we weren’t in a relationship, and our interactions weren’t based on romantic feelings, so there was no need to tell him everything. It felt a bit… no, very uncomfortable, but still.afecdfec629ffa04

‘That’s a relief! For the f402815802 record, I c308e5c59b don’t have 5b6d2d980e one either, 24c2cb153e so please 4ad169ba2b keep that b244979595 in mind!’4df088060b885222

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‘Leon!’4af2d4dc25d2c111

He simply listened to 453ecb1e86 my answer and then 63c1fc3367 dashed away. That was the last 93ea10d30f time I saw Leon, f19bf7f125 and now, here we 3a77d76dd2 are, reunited. In the Crown 5cc2c673ed Prince’s palace, sitting a6e917e505 next to the 9165ce3117 Crown Prince.a0a6c65980bf064b

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“What did 699392be80 you say d846c85726 your name 99aeaec8ab was?”70785b6fa9d4e766

“It’s Clyde, Your 90ea378d20 Highness.”1999e1acd56dbccc

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Leon recovered 364b680935 his composure 8d0cebc4f0 before I a255c14b78 did. He avoided my gaze b09e9cd621 as if he didn’t 4792ffee6b know me at all.d873c0bf3be41b52

Clyde! I had dac065156f a feeling 510eaa28e5 the name 478748d6ca Leon was 4dc6b13b31 a bit f0fa388303 frivolous. It seems it fc71f3ddb5 was an alias 6f6e813f48 after all.4bc0880c9ac0a179

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“Clyde?”22a6394461affdd5

“I am Clyde, the Shadow Merchant. Didn’t you send someone for me, Your Highness?”70edde519adf054a

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“Ah! It was you! You have no 65f92476ac idea how much ecc2712190 I’ve wanted to 5dfd83ec09 meet you! Come, come, rise!”d60768a7db303090

For the first 9b303dd53a time, the Crown 95483497f9 Prince rose from 5ca534e88b his seat, descended f68020082a the dais, and 75d8dc04f2 personally helped Leon… 2314e92669 no, Clyde? Anyway, he b4c3002353 helped the d4ba81dfe9 tong merchant eff2fbf15d up. He was as 939ad277b8 friendly as if a4984fceb4 greeting a close a8211ab745 friend he hadn’t 35a4859a69 seen in a 85be959570 long time. Judging by abb4e4b4bb their conversation, ead6cd08e4 it seemed c7d9dcf581 like their def6158e01 first meeting.26a1eab3e7c29eda

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By the way, e116b77e48 Shadow Merchant? …I don’t know why e3abace51e my fingers are curling a2a6197e2f up. Ugh.5c1651d16f0ba829

“It’s an honor 04e8fdfc6e to be welcomed 7d087d5fe5 like this, Your c895852da7 Highness. I’ve brought a 9ad4604e00 small gift to 0cbd691cc6 celebrate your birthday.”322370fb6287610e

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Clap, clap!4fa3aa47219957c9

As the unidentified 6e385b14ea tong merchant clapped 4d9b3f5ed3 his hands, the 4d704a09cd doors of the 1274069671 reception room opened, 9e22e1b057 and a group b86cff390c of sturdy men c7ca351840 entered. A procession of 06512b8076 four men carrying a073a60360 large chests followed 6b22f583b1 one after another. A total 999d1431f0 of five eb9a646cc7 chests were bd74838a13 placed behind d57783ae75 the tong 72d5582e96 merchant, and 8de7eb9271 the men 0eeabad0e2 all left 1c8b3bc731 the audience bce3c541c8 chamber.abde8aebcb8dddf7

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“…What is all this?”4d428f7826af366c

“How could I 246e08ebec come empty-handed on 6f342f9e25 the birthday of baa1c0ae83 the Empire’s Little 34f4558fae Sun, the Crown 6d584edaf6 Prince? I brought this bc1417bdd0 humble token of e6baec46bc my appreciation for 531619209c the honor you’ve 5d9248706e bestowed upon my 7cdf7e41de family. Although it is 6923b1a5e9 meager, I beseech 7871824b4d you to accept 4a4e1a9594 it, Your Highness.”c6b773aee386f789

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The tong merchant, with 70240b5749 an impeccably polite demeanor ec7b97f354 that made me frown, b1d2547d8c opened one of the 8eb0d258eb boxes.51b0d56ccdd1a026

“…Tha, that is…!”b91fa41e2fe0de83

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The box was 6e8807a30e filled with gold 3d1db994ff coins.c344ecfac5f5798b

“This is absolutely not! Absolutely not money! It’s simply an ancient currency artifact. So, I would be grateful if you would accept it without any reservations. And this here is a sword (刀) and porcelain brought from across the sea. Next is….”17b970b83775333c

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My jaw 5cf904b66e dropped as 75116eee63 I watched ad0cb16b07 Leon present 56936d3e7f his offerings. Eastern porcelain and 04dbeeee48 swords, gold coins, db7bb532d6 and all sorts 15b1ce925f of jewels, items 84dd74d8d5 that would sell 3de970d1b9 like hotcakes if d5f46ba7d9 they were released e44d835c95 into the market. Each time 6b0319f132 he opened f8621b07e9 a box, 463b40bb56 another breathtaking 7c02172e10 item appeared.3974fffa66ae14d6

To put ab03f853a9 it lightly, 6a9a97f460 he had 94f5694b59 brought what 3a0911d905 amounted to aede652f60 half a 08b6ec748a year’s worth cf58d0c7a2 of the ae982a2f79 Imperial Palace’s cdfeddbe1a budget as 431e4d92ac a birthday 03a95e0b5d gift.72a8b097818855df

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“These are all 650181f566 old and humble 53b3953dfe items, so I’m 10b1f55581 ashamed to present 75e9df4342 them as gifts, 7a53ee6c5b Your Highness.”0a6e8c62a94d932b

No matter how you 965bb3cc22 looked at it, this 65d7f5554b was a bribe. There’s no 7c342c12d7 way this 840c0add1d self-proclaimed merchant e81b121d56 would incur bc72cea69b a loss 3276befd74 otherwise.0db649353f8d914e

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Even if d9cb9d087a he had 81e17a11d8 something to c31acd0d87 gain, it 6da006af37 was surprising ba02df969f that he 0d988b2969 had the 40577796a7 resources to e64939f70d prepare such 03d8001c69 lavish gifts. Could he be b67692b648 someone else who d77a79dfb0 just happens to 4a00ee609f look exactly like a31683df7e the Leon I 47c8d1c651 know?8bdfcc727f381bdb

“Hahaha! Does the content of 297ebfbd6c the gift matter! I would be delighted afbd56c7bd to receive even a b2d54cd0ed single dandelion from the a905a6e2a5 roadside, as long as 80d2c3fd2b it allows us to 7b8b8fa507 build such a good 2f54d4654c relationship! Hahaha!”48eff9aa09c2fe79

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It seemed Bessarian couldn’t help but laugh at the prospect of continuing to receive such gifts. Just who is this tong merchant? Why is he so friendly with the Crown Prince? And… why won’t he even look at me? Leon, Clyde, tong merchant, Shadow Merchant… hmm.598f1fa10f67ab65

It’s best 2f1f295d23 to pretend 807584ba76 I don’t 9a8857b1e6 know him, 70600dfdf1 this merchant b7c6b3ff24 who won’t a5aa5c1960 even glance 4bd615f6c1 my way. It’s better than being 5363c231d9 caught by Bessarian for 90a30c5ec4 my clumsy acting. Wait a minute.2fc48481a4f5a58f

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Come to think of 1fbc0c5cdc it, I have nothing 719b05ae71 to hide from Bessarian? …We almost kissed, and a9b2e25cba even if we had 99f9ff058b actually kissed and gone 9a74c3c0bc further, there’s nothing to 4212827b74 be ashamed of. I have the ef5e7de23a same freedom as f9e7c1e5fc Bessarian to take 633cad4bca a lover.4e79525dda31563a

“Clyde, where are you c2280aaa50 staying?”4f1d49b538e4eb4f

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“At a 109313cb81 small inn 2a819cc1a4 on the f6dbc38660 corner of ccf4e499fe Fisher Street, 076a409a42 Your Highness.”3b05e9d93a1bc0e3

“Oh my! We can’t let such d9d7f6b36a a valuable guest stay 6168747ab7 in a place like 5cd3326a1c that! Crown Princess.”9647dd89b429099b

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“…Yes? Me?”edab861051d08776

I had f4422e47a0 been staring b4d00b8556 blankly into 6ed5b41b40 space, lost c7289eec11 in thought a02b77b8c1 because there a3972a4a21 was no c669ab86d2 opening for 3cd378fd91 me to fa9ede0b82 join their 09f3bafc4b conversation, and 870cfb5b8c I snapped 937e2d6113 back to 56fc7ffa04 attention at 4a130118b1 being called.eb0ba90d6a03bee1

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“Does the Crown Princess’s Palace have any spare rooms? There are none left in Sapphire Palace.”3678293bb6bceb5b

“…Well…”07afc2dd50d5ffb3

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There is. Just one. But should I 322de3912d say there is 77085ffcae a room or 94afda67d2 there isn’t?2b695e0e3245c8d0

“There is, Your Highness. I overheard the maids of the Crown Princess’s Palace talking this morning.”aa164145ddbec308

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Ackerman! That old man! He can’t tell the difference between when to speak and when not to, even at his age. Now it was difficult for me to deny it.ce44b1f4c8d826fc

“Yes, there’s one.”58690a9f2cbea8f1

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“Then I entrust 4f1e5a0a70 Clyde to you. Though he’s not a 7ea00d5232 noble, he’s a valuable 110278be92 guest, so please take ddfe949e11 good care of him. And please escort 7293751ab4 him to his 1d40592e36 room.”fde19c04c2c2e861

Bessarian seemed to be b05d384c62 walking on air. He even 9a58f16f59 spoke to a8d2eb42e5 me in 1a406df298 a gentle 692ed4d959 voice, using 0e99e43b1a honorifics. I can’t remember b0765a60e0 the last time 7dfd5eb288 he acted like 8c12cdf621 this. Or is it 09ef179264 the first time…? Anyone would think 2b1532d066 he was a d746924a3d loving and considerate 984ffd9ff8 husband.8e76d1296e21e729

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“Follow me.”d0c763875d1ddbba

I walked past 587e99c797 the merchant, leading 313e08b9a3 the way. The servants 821083ee35 followed a f4f775ad7c few steps abf722c11c behind, and ffa69caa7f he was 0f5ae063b6 right behind f27c17143b me. The brief silence cd97b0664f was suffocating. I felt a strong ddb74ab177 urge to break the 8283d5eb43 silence, even with meaningless 83108c8540 chatter. I also wanted 5dacb72c40 to run and 7af60c2358 hide in my c60c9c971b room.57a61fabafd30cdc

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But I realized the a94e823bcc silence was a blessing 66c7af1912 when we left the ff6402d161 Crown Prince’s Palace and b80dcbf75e entered the gardens of 304668ad2f Piena Palace.44305114390cc1c0

“How brazen.”b489436929d62783

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A sharp voice, 22fc874b4c like a blade, f5c89a850f stabbed me in e93bf4dc2f the back.c37d0699fc3d4cd6

“A married man, no e4fc7a73b7 less. You’re incredibly good dae88274d2 at lying, ‘Your 61e86d4a68 High-ness, the Crown 09dd263bcd Prin-cess.’”0f425343dd133bf4

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I stopped walking and 7f34269561 squeezed my eyes shut. The time had finally b00f7cd4d5 come.b79463dec4285ff2

“Stay back 1598d3c73a 50 paces.”bb3088d0c50a3230

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“Your Highness…!”471e611eda6c5ba6

“It’s alright, go.”a6c77363a32c3b17

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Fortunately, this was a79fc11730 the private garden 506fd14b4a of Piena Palace, 65c828f286 so no one e646c6709a else would come d90f812a74 here. After sending the attendants 4f0b799f11 away, I brought Leon 92029c2ce4 under the gazebo. The well-maintained trees 1b8f851261 and vines concealed a60012ebbe us, shielding us 3c9c7a51f3 from any prying 7afab625f1 eyes.74638ef5bc3db342

“Phew…”91f0a72fa304ee6c

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I took a 2d77e22895 deep breath and 78cdedc290 turned around. He leaned against a 1a37c399d9 pillar, maintaining his distance. It was as if 33f3c2eeac the scene itself represented ae7b3aa36f the chasm that had 1a2c049174 suddenly opened between us.ffad98dc5a28a20a

“At least 04eed41667 I didn’t d96ae23fea lie, ‘Clyde.’”ee138c9b802f7b68

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“Omitting crucial information 357f04dfc4 is the same dfb864d72f as lying, Your 00fc383f3b Highness, the Crown 393f0aefe8 Princess.”d6de92a75e626594

The man facing a6b249e19c me was Clyde. A stranger. Someone I’d never met 266a62f244 before. His expression was 735df1b453 cold, almost frigid. His dark eyes held bbd9d057e4 an unfathomable depth. His voice was bb969c2e69 devoid of emotion, c17f499b9a hollow and chilling. Nothing about him resembled 24952aa92d the Leon I knew.6e2a6ef9801a703d

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The difference c313433cf7 was intensely c609d3053b unpleasant.443a87e55cfe92b6

“You mean the fact e3fde4d89c that I am the b9645e21ee Crown Princess?”dba6b765963ebc51

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“Yes.”23b6b739c05ea5f2

“Why?”a07040cda7a67879

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“What do ea0ee0dca2 you mean?”480e0331fb70f881

“Why did d612ac4dba I have 904fcdc2c2 to tell 489fe1788a you that a0464f069e I’m the 02b9145c73 Crown Princess?”1e74fc5a655bc09a

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I know. I know 8048f2c6bc I’m in 26e5be79d0 the wrong. But my stubborn, a0ec2f8ef8 defensive heart made acf97892c7 me utter words f5514651ef I didn’t mean 5b152b71b7 instead of apologizing.d3b5a5aa3e2ac95b

“Do you truly not understand? You should have been honest when I asked if you had a fiancé or a lover. ‘No fiancé, no lover, but I have a husband’ – how absurd is that wordplay? Did I seem that foolish to you?”495045b21448ffe0

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In the end, I 9f750f556a perched on the edge e481b7af97 of the gazebo. His intense gaze b9892c1e77 was overwhelming. My legs 446b6ecf80 felt weak, ae371fa698 like they 4f22f9a4e5 might give ce7f61986e way, so a34cfa17d3 I sat 6f9d5aba20 down preemptively.8ed51b00032d1a77

“…Forget it. We’re not in a position to explain anything to each other anyway, and our relationship was built on falsehoods, so let’s just go our separate ways. Me as the Crown Princess, and you as the Shadow Merchant, Clyde. I’ll return your jewels soon.”b2439be606fe9869

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My stomach 066b1e204b churned as ddad0c88a4 I spoke. No matter how I 04f08d39cf thought about it, I ce9a410910 was in the wrong. But his anger and e41d994bea accusations provoked a defensive 79cdcc5810 response. It’s probably the right d6207d2ba6 approach, now that his b624854280 true identity has been 08b7759327 revealed.91d75933acf7302b

I ended the conversation 4a47af0224 before it could devolve 92fcaef7c3 into an emotional exchange. This was just emotional 9127723463 exhaustion. There was no 46c3637d13 need to waste 3565e51e18 my feelings arguing 1e642c9f17 with someone insignificant. I barely 9ebda887ae had enough 39038a8178 time in fc1b1d3bf3 a day 398477b189 to deal c724ec712f with Bessarian, 4e06c8030e Seisello, and 97a40cdfd5 my own c728e306f4 survival, let a897920e20 alone this a8b04eb06b man.6afd607d151b8deb

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As I 82bb42c0dd finished speaking 488916cbf8 and walked 5924d0ffb3 past him 08a5074a63 to leave b66ec468d8 the gazebo, d0cc30ff86 he spoke 445b58c1f2 behind me,511bbec81fa516b2

“Very well.”53ff35aa07f9301f

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His reply made 96e7247157 my chest ache 734d4c4216 for some reason. It was such e787920cba a simple, natural c4884f78aa response, like leaves b85888f78e rustling in the 57818cdef7 wind.cb00a11aaf3af6d5

This is the end. I don’t have 5b6cb97ca7 to worry about 2bd456c823 my relationship with d9132430a9 him anymore. I can ca91ea5e37 simply live bc081b105f as if 88d79ad86e I never ea14d820e9 knew him, de3d38784a as if fcbd72559e he never 4af4eb24af existed. I clenched my jaw b59dece04d and forced down my 8c81f1954a turbulent emotions as I dc4bd6c576 started to walk away.78876c19c2440555

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“You can 9d3fc101be do that, 6988eb1afb Your Highness. I don’t 02d85bbe5e intend to.”c6b2af12060e290c

His words 29e2604692 made me 61aced40c5 turn around 78df28879a reflexively. He was still leaning e7038529a1 against the gazebo, watching f5acfcaffb me. His expression 7780ea55d6 remained the 2260db575b same, filled 3e6a98c277 with anger.244b166382cf5aac

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“What do you… mean?”6d59d330c48bd49b

“Being married, cf6eda3125 being the 0bc81fd17a Crown Princess, 85ace3544f changes nothing. As I said, I 71a64f60a5 am not so frivolous.”26ffc3b207272579

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With every b125141448 word he 72b69e4ddb spoke, my f630fe06c9 body tensed 1015ed937a up strangely. I didn’t know fac4586157 why I felt 8fdd92ea10 so nervous.90461056e3a473c4

To be more honest, I was indeed interested in Leon. I didn’t dislike his cheerful nature, his constant laughter, or even his boldness. Although we had only met a few times, time seemed to fly by twice as fast when I was with him. But if I were asked whether it was love, well…702de21fda81a1c5

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The correct 64a368f906 answer would ab686cc775 probably be 92a590d106 no. I don’t 312734813b know for 2f34c0b327 sure, but ecd78bcfea I don’t 15b37c74d1 think love feb164e761 blossoms so 2db25133d7 easily overnight.b501c3ff409e7761

Interest.d8d19a5f27c7a3ba

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Wasn’t that 220133ec99 the stage cdf3f3e976 we were bac72be1e2 at?99c7dd0d99f29447

“I’ll pretend 44caf87cfe I didn’t 51a25bf90c hear that.”7df1730bd09377d8

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Without checking if he e1310ec864 was following, I strode 123ba75d67 forward. What did he mean b85e5ea6c9 by that? That nothing would change 6c145e6db2 even if I was 9ea1878a9b the Crown Princess? That he wasn’t so 9147398b58 frivolous? What did he intend 9fafdd3da1 to do?3042634f2ff26118

I had many questions, 48fd142b21 but I buried them 1539f4212d deep within my heart. Just thinking b7db348fba about him fd2a2f1953 gave me 96227a5c12 a headache.a75e36a35e22d64b

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***0b7eacb3983a4239

“You can’t.”b1d2c4f3348d45e5

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“It’s alright, Knox. Don’t worry.”b74fee830651c2fc

“You really c75a2f1a72 can’t, Your c014efa5c1 Highness…!”8a752ea935bd1a64

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“I said don’t worry. There won’t be 328394b828 any problems, so 73302943cd relax.”17a2d1847e517dda

“Your Highness! How many bdbca64162 bowls of ad85ebc94e lemon sorbet d56b296060 have you 2a49954490 had already! You’ll get a7f409aa97 a stomachache!”715093dbdc32e547

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Sigh… I tried to aa61e037cc be nice, but Knox 7d76b0b536 is being uncooperative until 755d73d867 the very end.12457f24f51b4e3c

“If you don’t bring 156fb1f647 it quickly, I won’t 3acd8d5c56 go to luncheon tomorrow.”3f982d18b652217d

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“How can you 54d5000cc9 threaten me like 244abd5ad2 this! I’m doing this for 7d38f9a721 your own good, so 20090f2d03 please refrain! What if you 4ada60d7e7 get a stomachache…?”677fef769d32dafa

“I think ea0ef0d0c1 a stomachache 9edaf66a66 would be 4e693e4d66 preferable to 62046f3653 going insane e582fabec2 from stress.”7f56fa994374eb25

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“Sigh… alright…. But this b971d1b23f is really 664ac81dd5 the last 8b34df5efa one, Your 1537e72c9e Highness!”4d227c1270b1b687

I won in 677909f88d the end. I know efecf29af8 he’s saying 2e635af975 this out d9216dd4a1 of concern 4d0ca9b663 for me, 51dacad086 but I 27d1ef3f86 couldn’t help d218d0b4c9 it. I felt like 8418a4044d my insides would b3ffb6de6a burn to a 1f22a14629 crisp if I 15721ac7e5 didn’t have lemon 41e692eb1f sorbet right now. My chest felt tight, 6caa9eaf9a as if I had 39440336ab heartburn. The coldness 60602577d6 going down 59b3455d93 my throat 50cb257381 seemed to 2691d664fd relieve the 546eb34575 stuffiness a 3697564729 bit.3b1152a649867238

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“Well, well, fc6169e212 Your Highness.”454f124840ebf358

Knox sat down next 6c223a5976 to me, starting his cc0e772ed7 sentence with words that 9f4c39f928 always promised an interesting 790f48be61 story. Whenever Knox d64099f393 started with 9f4ee7e129 “Well, well,” fbc92a06a6 it always 5adf53b1c0 meant a 4ef789a95a stream of 5fb9e08ce9 intriguing and b65b86a501 juicy gossip. Stories like how a d4d19eaeb2 certain young lady eloped 12e22bde2d with a servant, or ae49ab6b08 how so-and-so was actually eb09789f6c an illegitimate child, often 3708bec3cb unverified, but entertaining nonetheless.bee4b0561db82f40

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“Did you know the a01c3c85ad palace is in an 8fe2c52f48 uproar?”cba0d62813de6038

“An uproar? That’s unlikely. I would ea3439a746 have known cbc29bbee4 if something b9b8e680a9 like that 5929567935 happened.”a9b5c455d25d9cef

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“Of course you wouldn’t! How would d039a5f530 you know e03c9a550c about the 56aa4a183b gossip among d3b0666839 the lower 83138da823 staff?”1d277921f4edf679

“…What gossip?”132d60917b444c0c

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Filled with anticipation, I 993e2c0186 paused my spoon and 8949e41ebd looked at Knox.6009fb2e682925c8

“The palace is buzzing about the handsome alpha guests staying here! Servants and maids are crowding the hallways, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and the maids and attendants are visiting the guests’ rooms a dozen times a day, asking if they need anything.”43a304e7beaf91d3

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“…Handsome guests?”c850903df5ef1ba5

“You know, Prince Isaacel of Shaa and that… merchant named Clyde. They’re both undeniably dominant alphas, with those muscles… ha, and their faces? Even a criminal would fall for them, so it’s no wonder there’s such a commotion!”72b4688750d07106

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“Handsome, my foot.”b14cc5d97ee60fc5

“Oh, come on. Be honest, fc3b163acd Your Highness. Which one 7a805a7e0e is it?”1086e45a9686412a

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“Which one what?”15ccc8737ce282e6

“Prince Isaacel 655f7fab27 is the 5ebd29999f beastly, intensely e69f814bc1 handsome type, 96018581d6 and Clyde a2dadac6a4 is so d084d03065 sexy you 9912947c6c could lactate 365226faed just by 274b902994 looking at 5e84a862d7 him!”6c78ab33ad7b5a8e

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Honestly, I have to admit that’s true. They were both handsome alpha males, each in their own way. Their looks were enough to cause a stir, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all.633522cf09b29473

“But it seems 8f04b617eb Clyde is surprisingly 0ae0960018 more popular!”b2d654142bcf4c71

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“What…? Why?”d1327bda6d5ae5a3

“Why, of course, because he’s more handsome. And more importantly, the reason everyone’s so interested in Clyde is that he’s a commoner! Prince Isaacel is a flower to be admired from afar due to his status, but with Clyde, there’s a possibility, isn’t there?”58ab4b8ee29106b5

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I’m annoyed. I don’t know why, 63be500bef but I’m annoyed.bcfad50b31e719f3

“Don’t you bf4beab4aa get caught f1a635fe37 up in 6ff8ccf3e6 it as ea32ff7827 well. Warn the staff 051db95412 firmly to avoid ae5bd2fa6b bothering the guests. If possible, assign attendants 2d7fd04f43 and maids who are 0afc8dc855 ‘unlikely to cause trouble’ 7c49362599 to attend to them fc1491f9ff exclusively.”ea740963fc4382bc

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“Ah…. Hmm, you mean staff 4dfe008e36 ‘unlikely to cause trouble’…. Mrs. Eliza, who’s over 8c710f5210 60, or Rio, 733eab69ea the attendant with bf5be91f00 alpha phobia, would 905083b155 be suitable.”9ac2e86b12d1c434

“I should give you b4b1aac287 paid leave after the eb3f8f2bc6 birthday celebrations, Knox.”80f4f53c9fb2aac0

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“Leave it to 42a4bd7125 me!”6fe1d8035a946416

Thankfully, Knox understood my 3e1733c4fd intentions right away. He grasped the context f556c6aa1f perfectly. I meant 48c6400a94 to select aaf2ac3add staff members 20d7241774 who were c2899fe042 not interested 7bb858da7d in male 8ae38c71e5 alphas to e92a73868b attend to 2d7556c638 them. This was solely for 972d5f5f92 the comfort of the 3f21bca21f two guests. The Imperial 9a76eac0e2 Palace has bf8ac87c8b its reputation 313a8a1ca5 to uphold; b28c40d0d3 it wouldn’t 6bab9a8896 do to 43626f3d8e cause trouble 21ee6072bf for our d7b93b27b6 visitors.c8ea34146814b5d4

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It’s absolutely not because 910aeb8dd2 I have any personal 1a5721dbe2 feelings for Clyde or 0da0c8739b Isaacel.144cceddc5dee0ff

“Young Mas… Your Highness!”b237bd74f0c816bd

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As I 74a1e3d370 was scraping 1b342e2d4e the bottom f0053aefdf of my accaeabf27 sorbet bowl, bdeb339e3b Jib rushed a317011a74 in.44a71a8a20412bd5

“What is it?”240c1d82d0dbbadf

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“His Highness the Crown e5928b796c Prince is looking for fcf9312397 you! He said to come cf6d3d26d7 over quickly…”7d7dba7423ad1098

“Do you know 6b78b2a8af why?”de94b7f26d42e3f7

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“…I overheard something about transferring the Crown Prince’s duties during the birthday celebrations to Piena Palace…”2695f9b764fcae52

That wretch is 78f80193fe now trying to d18307eb6b shirk even his fff065dc2c own responsibilities. But what 40db30299b can I b8927149a1 do? I have no 28f15efde2 grounds to refuse. I left the room aa030c699d alone, leaving Jib and 0677f1b9b9 Knox, who were about 41e2cb1e27 to follow.eac5b0a70ab5afc2

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“I should 3ef626ee03 have taken 6896501305 a headache e4e895718b pill beforehand.”2e74639c7eb8f503

As I was slowly 5308edfcc7 walking down the hallway, da675589db feeling like a lamb d6948673ee led to the slaughter,ed73069e0ab70d2c

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“Mr. Clyde!”60bdc31a41656926

“What is it?”98a1269d12297ff5

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“I, I, I, ce65429b64 I brought this cb541d8860 for you…”c2f1de0878be7d38

Following the familiar name 8017b74742 and voice, I saw 5c9311609d a servant, his face d9b0bf3e41 as red as a 829a714c73 ripe tomato, offering something 9ede81b253 to Leon. Upon closer inspection, b8a8b87bd0 it seemed to d8fef658f9 be cookies and db7bbf46a3 a letter.2cfdfd32219b1fe3

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“I ma, 45c16f86a7 made too 7a97810f28 many while ac49e28406 baking… I 2f67bce568 really wanted 649e702c16 to sh, 5fbd2b80d5 share them 3c1c2a77db with you…”d6b99f9fc2d1103e

“Hmm…”2f30b776d3f50f77

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I didn’t know the exact situation, but this was clearly a come-on to Leon. Why would he share the cookies he made too many of with Leon, of all people? And with his flushed face and the delicate apricot-colored envelope he was handing over, it was undeniably a confession.be2a1e009e806fc9

“If you’re fr, free 9f9f6a669d later tonight… after you’re 3c1a179345 done… would you like c30e3349b0 to… with me… at 6aef87550e my…?”1579e849ce62b92a

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His voice was a56224bde7 so low I caa5d1b000 couldn’t hear him 6e8eda409c properly. In the 4a3bc5b5dd evening, after faacb8e5d7 you shower, 2fa77ddeaa with me, 646a2bfb85 at my ef7dadd148 room, have f39e936385 sex… Wait ba1d81cd16 a minute. No way. Not with that innocent 6f55172afa face. It couldn’t be.c881bfc648466f86

Even though I couldn’t hear clearly, it was obvious he was suggesting a private meeting. My gaze shifted to Leon’s lips. I was curious about his response, even though it had nothing to do with me. It was a matter between two people I had no connection with, but I couldn’t help my burgeoning curiosity. I had absolutely no other intentions.f909fa819280c2a7

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As I focused fe32a70d0f all my attention 4568894a92 on listening, Leon’s 10018ca591 voice reached me.929b3d0ca1caf459

“I’ll have to 0554f126b9 decline such an 970ee1df0b offer.”e9676a3f1ceeb11a

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His voice 2b6b7a0647 was chillingly 7f142bf663 cold and e08fb4ce54 heavy.aca8b4ca455d8706

“I’ll return this.”082f69aec71aba58

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He handed the cookies 37fa35949d back to the servant cad8576278 and left without looking 057911af94 back.81a2a8fdbb864384