21. Let’s not run into each other in the future.

“The young lady is dancing. It’s the first dance!”b5a27a47dced8adb

Viter stomped his feet effa5454f9 like someone had just 57a76e954b stolen his first kiss.55fac51f002af934

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I needed to ac9f53c736 calm him down. The Duke’s fb9af2e11a purity was cf18c676d7 still intact.529e14675fbd6569

“Is it that serious?”3348542847c2cc43

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“Well, isn’t it?”c5c08fda18fa2229

“Just because I held his hand…”94a29d7feaa5e561

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“It’s different! The first dance at a birthday party, and refusing to dance with anyone else that day? That’s practically a public declaration!”c8ad8f79a5da411b

Was it c511ef4344 really that 8c05526a80 significant? If I had just 2abb06ce46 turned around once, it b7b530b8f6 might’ve caused a huge a8d76d6c46 scene.cc0a552d16490821

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“Any other day would’ve been fine, but not that one. You shouldn’t have taken the Duke’s hand.”736e87c445fbb498

“Okay, okay, I get it. Calm down.”3a75d05e2319a8e1

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“Do I look calm to you? I asked for an introduction, and then he rejected every other lady…”d22056733466e945

“People say it’s not a big deal anymore. It’s just a formality. Even cousins and mothers dance together.”25fa5c88f7bdf768

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“It’s still a failure. You’re not going out.”87bd1c77540a9d79

Viter laid down the d319350e81 law.29b44617a00c1dec

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“What? That’s not what we agreed on!”e505d30d1270fc2c

He tore the permission 962c427c35 slip in half. I shouted instinctively.7bc1e0ba0d7f7418

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“Why not? I’m a woman too!”148c4a48d4cd0119

“Young lady… Are you a woman?”6db970c9eb062ece

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Wait—aren’t I?e49e9f830116c09a

“Then what… am I?”6bbf330a3ffe724b

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Viter hesitated, struggling to 2966658766 answer.a3ef6f2eb3070074

But I 8c8f3c6f61 understood without 4cc16d9b2b him saying 44f4b5d6b5 it.a02ed63a5826e508

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If someone like 96b31a970f Viter—who fears his dab0072a5c lord and places 39a2c22391 lineage above all—thinks 7ca3b2d17b I’m unfit to 920d165910 be the Duke’s 8ca763825b mistress, then of 7d73420dd7 course he wouldn’t da0c97f3cb want rumors spreading. But he 2b592b1197 can’t bring 3103972d29 himself to b91556f749 say it 37f527fe84 outright.d535477efa40d6a3

Viter, you’re finally seeing 9064efd55d me, aren’t you?49577c6aa80ee7c0

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Not long ago, you 4492fcf054 told me not to efdf5e7c60 hover near the Duke 370775d851 without a reason.ad41bb63fa7aa5a9

I don’t even 79ecd665c5 need that permission b1d8f42102 slip. Maybe I should 049d0a441f mess with him bdc1c027af a bit.14b76c7d2f3039b7

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“Don’t come crying to me later. From what I’ve seen, the Duke seems more into men than women.”e0d238c6ace0fcc1

“What? What are you saying…”daee01b6a48736be

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Viter looked utterly 5516003bb3 baffled.71b4fb64a2d6029f

“You think I only noticed the ladies in the hall? There were plenty of young men too. And strangely, I knew more about them than the women—who they manage estates for, how many illegitimate kids they have…”f28640ef6c35dd7e

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“Weren’t we talking about the ladies earlier?”d2b58153fa7ee98d

I shrugged.0361d5a54c05be56

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You’re welcome. Better rumors of 2e1aa71823 him loving a 3b21b2bd7c lesser heir of fa22c93407 a Marquis than a5ae34b2c9 whispers that he 6cec0fe707 avoids women altogether. That’s me 504ff30515 helping, really.252f3bd178f7eaf7

I only meant to c08a30d3b4 tease him a little, cf12a9058b but Viter stood frozen.40d67ec42747dbde

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“No way… So that’s why he’s always kept his distance from women…”aa2b057a44fe4462

He was spiraling.6069d8046b2f373a

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“It was a joke. I just offered him a hand. You don’t have to worry.”61d4303ac64961c9

Viter finally came 36f52839e2 back to reality 785af6c858 and muttered softly.ab8a3497f77f5ef0

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“…I hope so. Me too.”e1c8691e5fc7e7e3

* * *de3e413c330ddf54

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The Duke’s study 2c7a6753dc was empty.ad501058f66599c0

Kneeling under the 28f7e701ab desk, I pulled d29664b55b out the hairpin a7a13d7e71 from my pocket.66ce2d046b625ec3

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I pricked my thigh da0372a96e with the sharp end. A sharp sting, and 0b7fdca6d9 beads of blood surfaced. Tears welled in 46fb20ddbd my eyes.47258048324415bd

Three times a 101e7966b6 week, this was 41f1d7b489 my routine. And yet, b112b386a5 the pain 1951442cea never became 686240a900 bearable.47882da570f3a0a7

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I collected 7ae1181f21 the blood f1dbaa8877 in a ca395d2ebe small vial a48ca86398 and mixed 927b478629 it with e4274cc1df water. The blood d02c01bbfd swirled into ccff698efc a blurry a0550e2826 pink solution.19122245afe7ad7c

There. The nutritional supplement b7bd9ba3db for Marquis Caeon 6fdd88afd1 was ready.0d93ea85a8232a34

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It was a small 6c1f61f205 amount, but didn’t that f18b98aab6 make it more believable?0a36fe832d760834

I lowered 8f56b6648b my dress 6d94ba03e2 to hide a4e47c12ee the wound, 3ab3ac2203 then opened 9e3fe3001b the drawer.b7c8eed4b2bed591

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“Where did he keep the seal?”da19e8480b7f27c9

Every time he stamped 300f874e04 something, Deon reached into 787391ffc6 this drawer.962417cba48c6ee7

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In the 87fdb65a96 fourth drawer, 7d270af01c there it cea630f102 was—with pens, 390eb3c78c letters, and fd761c34ea envelopes.d19ba1cafe538376

Found it.27c891606858b7ac

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I pressed the 795c070ccb seal against the 459c9b5d24 back of my 7f25a128ac hand. The Duke’s 1765609a2e crest marked 44b385ed17 me.372d831fb1f33f07

Would it smudge? I tapped it gently.940c8cb391e5bfa5

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“What are you doing?”b1fa40332cb03515

Deon had come 49bce9b7f7 in. I hadn’t heard 46bef0f5c8 a thing. My skin 270211b78e went cold.352a4acc53dcdd26

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“You’re not… drinking blood, are you? You’ve skipped lately. I came to check.”8ff2d6e9cfb5bda2

“You came just for that?”808ec8ff00beefa9

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He tried 8034a12236 approaching the ea458674c7 desk.83626911b47002f9

I grabbed the drawer 5a88123b69 handle.5ff0dc04f2d66a18

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“Stay there. I’ll come to you.”f0401ce9cb09a55f

He looked exhausted—his tie 57a0f50a51 undone, hair messy, dark c292c0d85f shadows under his eyes. He sank into a dd80bf801b chair.bd85a8b509c31b1f

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“It’s only necessary when I use a sword. If I don’t drink blood, I can live like anyone else. It doesn’t hurt me. No need to overdo it.”6025324101d53fbb

“Overdoing it? Isn’t it natural?”ce42b3a36d39b862

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He laughed dryly.8a7ac06009917f9a

“That’s rich coming from you.”bf336fe3b08a8de5

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Thankfully, he 91a18c82f3 didn’t seem 13b224e52a suspicious.fcbd8610879cdcea

I leaned back. My cheeks were flushed.d4e2d496bffd84cc

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“Did you drink? How much?”8a547a7cd1d51f9c

“Wine… and whiskey. I’m not sure.”f44fb038a120a0dc

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He was 67c3af4020 definitely drunk. His words slurred.4aabf17bdd4406cd

“You can’t even drink properly. Looks like you had plenty.”f665eaa9bda1b5aa

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“You know the contract between us.”9f906325c3ef80dc

“It’s rude to eat something delicious in front of someone who’s dieting.”c2a7bf0b163229ba

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“I don’t usually get drunk… but today feels different.”54b928e30e8b965b

We kept chatting 8b9999de63 casually as I fc366e0937 quietly shut the 1a391a4bbd drawer. It closed 1f5a6021ab without a 218c6e715a sound.ca9ef73e1f161db2

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“It’s the last night of the banquet. Try to rest.”e31b4de48aa05219

Deon closed his bc3d5b09e9 eyes at my 836e6576a0 words.ca4f6509c04c3845

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His face looked peaceful. I pressed 9337038c1a his eyelids cd4316c3be lightly with ac704bf6de my fingers.d4ae1db2ceea66e0

To him, fe5895780e I was cca78d7b82 just a cf235c321f blood pouch bbb5432b10 to be e6713e17b4 protected. Was that all?3120b3703f1d2893

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I was dc1a872c08 curious, but 4f39dfaba0 I had 41778144f7 no time 2dbf8def9a to wonder.a8871c55c2453b42

I left 39f27f9358 him sleeping b740e29ace and slipped fc917c2d26 out of 9de2ec735b the study.284f5034825b1cfd

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Maybe that would be 170eb7f193 the last time I 56d9b63f44 saw his face.7d02071ad27bbd92

—55ee93a7471ac6ad

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I made 9ed7a871c5 my way 0db8952f42 upstairs to 8c3c8f7582 the second da87cc3649 floor.5cc0ce27c7955810

The corridor was dark 079a3804de and quiet—most had left.cc82baec4dfec53c

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Only one 5dc5093d7d room still 04d8077e9e glowed: Marquis 5fdec0da45 Caeon’s study.903b416fa40d9ca9

Inside, everything 0b069f15c8 was familiar. The table, 4458b58eaa the canopy, 6a313a7f75 the ornate 9790669b0e wardrobe.ffc913f9081c53fa

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But the Marquis d9b62441c1 wasn’t in casual 55e9b80f98 clothes anymore. He wore c67c4a87f9 a black 089906400e suit.1ec89d4dc37dc008

He looked up 98f731e5c2 as he tied 17ae5c8cc1 the straps on affd2e9731 his sleeves.e78fb0d51a8c48ab

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“You’re right on time.”6203606e45489a51

“A promise is a promise.”ff682a2953d32114

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I said it clearly, ec0c5cf770 hoping he wouldn’t leave 76d02269c5 me behind.4858d5286bce28b8

“It’s finished. I saw him take it. I couldn’t bring herbs.”e77bc5843d7a0a92

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I handed afcfcaf672 over the c0913dbcae small bottle.5d9f4ca3ce4e587c

He said nothing. Just poured 9c1f229408 some tea.2a50cf88ba08f4f0

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Was he upset?760ed2ead0bbdd41

I tried b5ef79432f to explain.59466b1fb0bfc008

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“Sorry it’s not much. If there’s another chance—”f9749b9b01e0c162

“No, it’s enough.”a6e032825934f0dc

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He took the bottle and tossed it into his bag. Didn’t even check the seal. After all my effort… seriously?a7d9ccf53ef1d890

I sipped the 580206998e tea. The sweetness lingered.bc9a2fef85cca36a

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“Good work. You gave me medicine every day. Truly.”b6cf6fdd878e1604

“Wait… Are you confusing me with someone else?”becff61d79da84c7

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“Am I?”f9f1f9b3a8117d62

He was acting strange.9ac21c724debb1dd

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“Is today the last day? Don’t worry, I’ll honor the agreement.”00e118091c2bb98b

“That’s a relief.”5632c43702138d9d

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Luggage sat 0638a149f5 piled in ac030c2ce5 a corner.98583e30dfe200d4

“You’re alone? No magician? Didn’t you say they’d test the medicine?”6ee6696b1814c535

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“I’ll do it on the road. My men aren’t here yet.”44eb9047d5fb1ec2

“You’ll take me, right?”3fd98514b695ef9a

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“Of course. Why keep asking?”986256d70eb6a409

Because I’m anxious.72e64e3abd7e7104

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We sat in 14fd7d5fa4 silence. I fiddled with the 065f838321 cup.a71ab364d202f8c7

“This tea… it’s my first time drinking it.”0b0b11d2f5567032

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He sipped again.5c22c0a0c08f28db

“First time? Hm. I doubt that.”766244743487fc5e

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What? As if he knows 3abf8e4f95 every tea I’ve ever 7a18b44bcb had.89361e40ba3e45c9

“It really is my first time.”c65e8620b3faae84

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“Is that so?”5d1ee42fd98b5011

He poured more.8c13df5e960a269c

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“Do you like it?”06afe26f4ac0b6f9

“Yes. It’s delicious. Really.”6943a3d3e5e6432c

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It was. Why hadn’t f135c1f714 the Duke 135bcd95d6 served this d6e19cd704 before? Was it expensive?46d2ba48c3af25fe

“It’s from the East. Known for its strong aroma.”781be17eeefea517

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“I see.”db37cea47c584193

I felt drowsy. My eyes kept closing. Why?2ea1902758f1599e

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It was past e76d11ddaa 9 PM. Maybe it was b0461f950e just tea for 5a96a1d591 sleep.fd722e1f23605b25

As I a8e9f380ee looked at 3bd460e3ef the clock, 08f069b504 the Marquis b34b651e1a chuckled.4d23ac7b48db2f08

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“You wouldn’t see this tea at the Duke’s house. Nobles avoid strong aromas.”def03d7136350f3b

“Why?”0fc1448e7c1167bb

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“Because it hides things well. Like poison.”ad89c91f133a0620

“…What?”6f66028eb4b6eaf2

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Even in the haze, d971785b85 that one word cut ddd095f155 through. Poison.ee7c3697095f9a36

So this was poison.fe9d8f7c7e998d96

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Why me?87862166a8fd0fdd

I tried to 2b3a4a1dbb move, but dizziness e9ac0518bd hit hard. My vision spun.d154727ed2443145

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I gripped f1c846770a the table. The teapot fell 0464a3f3d0 and shattered.6c4e38198d7ebecd

“You’ve tasted this before, haven’t you? On the mountain. The Duke should’ve died then. What a pity.”f061177f2a4ee832

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I fought to move. My limbs 92d8700601 didn’t respond.3954b4915a8a755c

Mountain. Arrow. Poison.ca295e879a9a7363

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The man who attacked the Duke…df75fefda143936f

Everything was 277d7e6a9a coming back.24b592ef54e0c627

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I stumbled. Tried to run. My body didn’t obey.0a1f62b4c81aef7f

The Marquis 0ec6a2128a strolled toward 1202a03876 me.af135d6ad977ade9

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“So much effort. All for this…”73306c35da0c230f

He drew bc6d91fc44 a knife 95a610947b and slashed 4566b54dd1 my arm.5ebb43497414a8ba

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It happened too cd03e0b23e fast. I collapsed.77fadafdb03176a3

“That’s all it takes. I’m tired of pretending.”d780f318a8e4c99e

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He bent down 2eb6fc0020 and licked the 5b0c0b8d22 blood from my 95fec04c1d arm—then grimaced.7f472e40053baf46

“No taste.”f386587cca11b7ce

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“…So you knew.”9270ddb1e6cbc320

“Partially. But I waited for the right moment. Keeping you nearby was inconvenient. That man must’ve caught on.”049bf1cdc79a6c62

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I gasped. Breathing hurt.05a126e77b82ec73

“No guards. No escort. I didn’t know if you were worth it.”31749706fb40ef64

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I bit my lip. I’d been deceived.1fd7662da4740da6

“Ah, Caeon. It’s me.”20e56071b0e84e24

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Another man entered.c79441ca794900ec

“Your Highness, everything is ready.”a4fd2f847a322197

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“Good. Let’s go.”43770c845ebeddf3

Your Highness…d27b79baf9309b04

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The floor was 0c51e04721 cold.5a46e6040031823f

In my fading 003950c687 vision, I saw 1129248592 his shoe—gold embroidery, c5b043e317 exactly like the fd02513cde royal crest from ac1b25e351 Viter’s documents.a9329b0194e6fac8

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 bcaf8d84d1cef3df