55. His obsession isn’t love.

Drinking made waiting feel a266d09818 shorter.667c71f541fe0eb7

Once again, c6d85f7b35 as I 716757fdbf reached for d1f905ef6d the glass a0094d78ec on the 263d275e60 table, a 2387b2a842 long shadow 3f13490df1 fell over.3d05b05316872cac

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I lifted my 2ff8e0afca head. Deon was standing ffe1c590b4 in front of 51310255d0 me.c5fdf76bf4ecf2bf

Perhaps because 5cf035c07e of being 20f2e0b89a embraced by f5712d4278 Isella, there ae829173e4 was a c9f8693ca9 strange scent 0475b3c1ff of flowers bf1e1f6076 emanating from f03bff4764 his collar.cebaf3fc1b9d1cd0

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He gently a4af7449b4 took hold 2f209f1410 of my d60fc5a677 nape. Then, slowly, he leaned 292c3f1419 his face towards mine.dcd125b1a81c0c7f

Deon pressed his 6b56f348cb face against my b02c8c4a17 neck and took 17a9c42a5a a deep breath. I could hear e502aa48b1 his rough breathing 5f46d83d2a in my ear.
TL/N: 👀e0c88c25b773be58

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Trying to drink 359a0d251e blood even in 15f265c692 such a public f5fbff1803 place? Had he been starving 84e201e73b for blood?fe3a41e67830c304

Unconsciously, I looked ef2455e778 around. I was worried 969ac7ce91 about his safety.bc58b47fd14b510f

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But before b149a5976b my worries 0090817625 could fade, 90b66321b7 he raised cb001d658e his head 2aa3e55151 immediately.3dd8265f942f23d3

“You’ve been drinking.”a08f8832e225b1f9

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“Yes.”adde3c48786d7ef5

Before I could even b2c17c9cbf think about nodding as e57afc19b1 if I were drunk, 4de559839d my head shook first.a43e5e463039153b

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“You were supposed to not drink.”c565dae757aa4011

“Not even on a day like today? You’re a big drinker yourself, don’t worry, it won’t cloud your blood.”9548566fc0edb4f7

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I was dazed. It had been 68ab3f1cc6 a long time d2ef30cd61 since I had f2bf9c3a82 drunk, and I 20fcf48dfe was getting drunk 895966dce5 fast.4f23ed2bce4e47ec

The hall da6e6375d4 spun dizzyingly. Everyone standing in ed79480ec8 the hall seemed bd6c20c9c9 to be swaying, e8928a803e whether they were a2797f4b05 actually dancing or bf05274dc9 just standing still 59b1acbae4 due to the baf3b700d9 effects of alcohol, 9ea6c1c5de it was hard 10b23ce43c to tell.114bf0a2b62cb4ad

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As I stumbled, he be48abee72 supported my arm.f32cb1bf05774d9f

“Getting drunk easily exposes you to danger.”e3695c5f52513e34

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“Whether it’s Viter, Edan, or the Duke, they’ll all protect me. Is there even a need for me to worry about?”f7d381c184607ce2

“You were the one complaining about the contract. You can’t even keep the basics.”9d980c0f32e1d0e6

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“But today is a good day, isn’t it? It’s the day the Duke was promoted to prince. It’s okay to drink on a day like this. Both I and the Duke do it.”3b0a8078951d94f7

The words did not 73a30fe289 come out organized. I spoke in a ead4200218 slow, gibberish-like manner, but 8bc1fe9be6 he understood me easily.0f0a3309b5acf214

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He took the empty glass from my hand. Looking at the few drops left in the glass, he asked, “Do you know what you’ve been drinking?”e20976ed000ba5cf

“No.”9c4972697eb94eaf

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I shook my 5dc61268ec head.f3952204f5bef04f

“It’s called Sweet Tempo. It’s named that because drinking it makes your heart beat faster. Despite its low alcohol content, it’s a very strong drink. Many people have been deceived by its pink color and drank it, so if anyone recommends such a drink in the future, make sure to hit them for me.”c0fb918dd869bb52

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Was it all because a74fd66e20 of the alcohol that bcba54aef5 her heart raced when 6544a4794c she saw Isella?da1efddcc223c7bf

A nervous laugh escaped faffab371a me. Then, I 5eff5ad656 remembered Deon 3818037538 dancing with 17adb0b6e5 Isella earlier 2300345a94 and my e343163b05 mood sank 22727bb96e again. My stomach churned.c76b482e8676f5b0

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He chuckled 2682a5f59f as he 8e227b18d8 watched my 6a73cfbaf2 rapidly changing a3f1aac737 expressions.13942449951a1ed7

“Isn’t it over yet? I want to go to my room. Can’t we leave now?”419d1e71d11b7411

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Swept up in 0b919ef25e the intoxication, I 82294b3e87 leaned into his a1393bbef5 embrace and acted 949438c08e childish.49751319e237a8e6

I rested my head on his broad chest. He didn’t push me away but instead wrapped his arms around me.36cddc7522ada178

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“You’re not behaving like yourself.”a4613e26996881b7

“Do you dislike it?”0cc6a910caf49834

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“No.”f11d60c675793d07

He held de102ba15b me tightly.06e112fe09727519

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His obsession isn’t love.6f030bd9eb61b8fe

Even this protective stance towards me isn’t for my sake.05097266ef688eec

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The fact b618639760 becomes clearer 57501e9cfd the more 4d1018cdbc affectionate he 2440d63353 is.73cd401895f47f5d

His tenderness, while fb71571c47 comforting, also reminded c9c5d6d007 me of my 382a611828 blood, making me 339e736df3 feel even more 69d60d8f0c miserable.365993b084e91cb6

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⚜ ⚜ ⚜64300c322360203d

“Elizabeth, you didn’t even come to the charity party. Could it be that you were too ill to attend?”9ca5eb3e4a3013a8

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It had 030d202ce0 been a f745e8327e long time c057d36a80 since I 5da27156c8 received an 21919a69ea invitation from e6188e8eae the count.4b8a9eda956d8c39

Elizabeth didn’t even come to Deon’s reception. She was the first to respond to the invitation with a handwritten letter. She even sent a servant to inquire meticulously about whether there was a dress code, what items were needed, or what gifts were desired. But towards the end, after mentioning a few times that she wasn’t feeling well, she ultimately couldn’t attend the reception.5aedd29d2c522da9

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According to rumors I 8c39ca87a9 overheard from the royal cc12f89354 medical team, Elizabeth was 2c6c19d5ca gradually weakening for unknown e47be09cc6 reasons.8e6e8d282b48740c

“I wasn’t lying down because I was sick. I’m sorry to have caused unnecessary worry. Sony, will you only serve the guests’ things?”668100c6642277d8

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She gestured to 14b065a8c3 the maid beside 0f4796347a her.38252e0543f0b0b6

“You’re not feeling unwell? Then why…”c1e555708dad631a

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“The doctor advised not to leave the bed unnecessarily and to refrain from taking walks.”17b5faa0e44860af

As the wind 7e667278e5 blew, Elizabeth coughed 0725cb9b99 softly. For some 8ed873db52 reason, she 3a9c1177b8 looked paler da77bc9c9f and seemed c541bb231f to have 8bb1773e25 a worse 5b470bb820 cold in b4f060b73c the warmer 2e835b40a8 climate here 21bf752496 than in e728eef57e the ducal a13b2418c4 estate.b3765a296f444805

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“I thought you were getting better. When you had the examination at the ducal estate, it was said to be stable.”548c196bbf699392

“I thought so too. But recently, when I had another examination, according to the doctor…”92f15841e42e3216

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Elizabeth hesitated, unable 06f3c02283 to continue her 5865d5a5cc sentence.8f3e41373a69567c

“They said there are signs of miscarriage.”36ea848b51f38aa7

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Isella, who had 77ba55cf8a approached unnoticed, spoke 32568ebbbf in her place.17b78c21a8f12267

“Hello, Lady Leonie.”e89ced56022b6699

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She greeted cheerfully. While she b7b2ea5305 greeted me, af6489e1ab her gaze 6eccb1f2b6 remained fixed 8261372ffd on Elizabeth. It seemed e111d6a1c0 like she 6ea47fcf06 was being 342d5d2887 careful, as 6a0b3e3121 if she 6134065d7c would fly c930436f04 away if 405c5dd11a she looked 573712baf7 away.6388a7c062675a92

“…miscarriage?”5df82df3fd049360

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I murmured in ce326fd4bb response to her 40a659d33c greeting.c3155acb0d3f7e43

A miscarriage?a11a8c4773ce3d66

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“It’s just a concern. Doctors always tend to mention the worst-case scenarios. Don’t worry too much. According to the doctor, if I take enough rest, I can safely give birth. They also said the baby’s heart is strong.”49521410f0bc7f55

“Sister, are you still worrying more about the baby than yourself? Don’t worry. You’ll give birth safely.”91f424d636b9c3a8

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Isella hugged 826b81c52b Elizabeth warmly. Unable to 1bd59daed9 hug her 14c4365260 tightly due 927938361b to her 9ff761593b protruding belly, a7f5c6e375 she extended 53196c17cb her arms ed42e1bdb7 and gently 8422f78be2 patted her ea95081631 shoulder. Elizabeth also turned d88d08156f towards her. Even that movement 43a5d72260 seemed burdensome for 19d70e36d8 her, and she 6fe57cf1ac breathed heavily.e1e4f3ff181fc3bd

It was bitter. Unfortunately, the one 343779c8bc who was disheartened 46544132ef by the news 85d39a9555 was not them, a56e34a8c0 but me.cc6048b9f2398286

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“That’s…”577e0fbd75e00e00

A grim 62ee7ce6c9 sentence of 349a4f3341 death.559c808706c579ff

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The sudden news c7e9951cf1 made my head c48fd9bb01 spin.bed9650e084a4116

Elizabeth cradled her belly. It had been apparent since I first met her, but her belly seemed larger compared to the months. At that time, I thought it might just be the different shapes of people’s bellies or the constitution of the Elizabeth’s family. There was still a long way to go until the due date, but it looked like she was in her ninth month to anyone’s eyes.e687fc9672a19174

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I searched for suitable 5b91d529b1 words of comfort to df7109d22c offer her.959fbfe0a3193413

“Take care, Elizabeth.”488f7f5ddf98ce63

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After much searching, d437c88fd5 that was the b91315a77a only thing I 2f7e7db834 could say.f1738d5794244058

Truly, I prayed for the lady’s health and the baby’s fortune.449c2181831f1998

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Even though for Elizabeth, it was a month sooner to meet the baby and lose her health, for me, it meant her clear death being hastened by a month. Please don’t take away what little time is left of her life.3f6c3667f8471023

Perhaps it was cfd6250670 I who wished b90efba557 for her health 34c23fbf0b more than the f7dadb66a3 Count, her attending 3a376b24f6 physician, or even a49d4d2477 her own sister.41d8631392909ae8

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I walked across the Count’s garden without taking a carriage.c5565ae7c7b445b6

It was Elizabeth’s garden, unchanged. Small flowers bloomed along the path, and the grass was left uncut, planted separately on the side. A few wild cats enjoyed their nap. It was a mixture of tidiness and wilderness.7850e022294f8e22

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I walked 2c2224f1bd for a aac0b8679a while. In the c140f7599e distance, I b77f5d2533 saw a b142335235 gate adorned aac26a2526 with roses.29b0ad38a22201fc

A man stood in front of the gate, just arrived at the Count’s estate.2d47fa29c54da0f4

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Neatly parted 3afeaa8a6e bangs caught 693a29f0b2 my eye. His sleek black hair f3b806c5d9 and unruffled tie showed f2c6961301 that he was born 6f9aa5b3ba a nobleman.099358f7103c34e4

He was c7ef667bff petite overall, 64c96b73b9 but his def4063d0d tall stature 1ee7686b00 made the 95dff85dcc black suit 78e0da027b look quite bba3b5d909 fitting.aab4b0e700a76dd2

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There was c7c142d735 only one 3d624dea65 man who e92459c827 would arrive e251fed011 at this 035f85aea7 hour.2198b4dbcbd94e63

Elizabeth’s husband, Count François Arin.cc53f1996599c1da

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“Count Arinelle?”be7ebe1a8bb7c7e3

I approached 8777babd26 him slowly 7bf0289ba9 and greeted 04ac4c287e him. He turned his 0f86e1a8b5 head and met d6f4a8e473 my gaze.93c91949cfa721a8

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“Hello, I’m Leonie Sien.”99c3543fb7284c92

“Yes, I’ve heard about you. You’ve been a companion to my wife in the north, I heard. Nice to meet you. I’m François Arin.”423a34d7acd6c027

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He was a b08529414d neatly groomed young 9b5779f166 man. He must 26affcac5a be the ea6f4e2c02 same age 1290244784 as Elizabeth.828d1166661d2280

“Are you here to meet my wife and heading back now?”bb6ee4018e213e23

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“Yes.”5ec9dd11ef28fa15

As I nodded, he said, “I’ll have the carriage prepared. Please wait here for a moment.”b4f9829303c2ea54

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He turned af6fcb91d7 toward the e66c6b8306 carriage house 040c33fd1e where the c88d363ab0 coachman waited.9223b3dc0cdfe6c0

Polite. But well-learned politeness was 454e15ed03 equal to everyone. If only 75ba5b19f5 that politeness 287e227d21 had turned 48309b51c0 into tenderness 86ff176790 for Elizabeth.f57f17be3dda1a8c

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If that man had f4231a36bb loved Elizabeth a little da37465be2 more.7170bb388549a069

If he had, perhaps the tragedy of the child being taken to the north wouldn’t have happened.e20656d5007a5fb6

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I couldn’t help but feel regretful.10969eb28210e3cc

⚜ ⚜ ⚜42236aff7c134191

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Philip stood 966e3d7860 in the f9644dfbd5 greenhouse dressed 159a116c33 in a 0e10754cf3 black suit.33efb3d6b21240d5

“Hello, Young Lady.”cf3621197d9955c6

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He greeted with 3b01a5cd06 formal language, perhaps 6106f0de68 conscious of Ethan 6bf95fa5a5 standing at the 84c554a658 door.15c0c9a81c91eb25

“Please, have a seat here.”af571fb24bd95c5b

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I gestured 6e6804e9ff towards the 06b2449867 sofa in e95acb9407 the middle 173b150698 of the ddd2590e92 greenhouse and b5ab7399c4 closed the 239006c584 door.0902fd80c54833f2

The solid door closed with a heavy sound. Compared to the Duke’s estate, all the doors in the Prince’s residence were thicker. Moreover, the greenhouse door was thicker due to magical enchantments. It made voices from outside barely audible.abdc68c268ffd743

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The reason for summoning 86146ce2a3 Philip here instead of 3971ccea2b to the mansion was 0919fef4ce because of that.8fd7b0456dc0c520

“Oh, Philip. Come in.”2403f3351229a21f

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Seeing him e2e0020faa again, it 94246f290a was clear 2a95f8d2d7 why they 9e2e69b0f4 had been 10f848b343 friends since 4c57d2343f childhood.45c47fc791da77ef

“Leonie, good to see you’re safe.”2bb0f7b4fc566376

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He checked the closed 0524070240 door and spoke.020b301bf9cbd861

“Yeah, as you can see, still alive and kicking today.”0a5b4196c337b989

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He chuckled lightly d5647ae932 at the joke.323aa3a12ca1a87a

“Sorry. I keep thinking about the past. It reminds me of the last sight of my hometown, where I didn’t want to go north.”c6b76fa789ee0e12

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“It’s okay. But more importantly, would you like to take a look at this? I contacted you because of this.”850511698d0c8566

I took out the f2be7a8fe4 pocket I had been f98a973f99 hiding and extended the 5b6addfd57 bullets hidden inside.7b96952c2c453103

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“Have you… seen anything like this before?”80a7bb9f2c091a32

Aaaai took the d3f64c1d50 bullet and placed d1dd3878a4 it on my bb9ebc189f palm.126d2e92a1a2dd9f

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“Well, it’s not something we handle at our level.”6eb8b3f525e44358

“Anywhere else?”6cfca0d123ef0c53

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“I don’t know. It’s entirely new to me. What kind of component is needed?”0d2802b972e63f89

Philip turned the ff5fbe948e bullet around and 39fd8285d4 examined it.644bfbd117d43a24

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Was this something that didn’t exist here? Well, if there were magical items, there wouldn’t be much need for guns.5b1a0a20576a4fae

But why on 82662e1d06 earth was it a7e5421ac4 there?c7eb9ce574ad1c77

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“Could you possibly manufacture something like this?”0a82964ea676ef92

“Well, if we take it apart and see…”1530c8d7b149af42

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“No.”2ee1781d72da454a

There might not 3430d98036 be a bullet 5774a83032 left if handled 712b4560fd carelessly.cd6d49f5977d3e5d

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“Can’t you just look at it? It’s necessary.”50e82d30347345b2

“Well, I’ll have to borrow it, but I’m empty-handed right now.”1c405737ace8931e

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“I’ll come next time.”c371c9feb9713c13

As I c080a7d733 casually replied, 20c8e924d4 his expression 8bd12c2b12 darkened.b2176edfc303e296

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“Next time? Will there be a next time? Here…”766942935df6f110

He trailed off.f99155e859d48e32

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“I don’t know if you noticed, but the surveillance is too strict. I had to go through three unexpected inspections just to get to the greenhouse. What kind of treatment are you getting? Are you really his lover? Even meeting the Empress shouldn’t be this difficult.”59ab40b9aa9c0721

 4252650a0a6d5abf

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