124. Comrades or Lovers

“I… would 032efb3371 kill you?”b2e8f99b30154495

He repeated my 547b3ee1f9 words. His face, e5b90201dd shadowed by b53a8c2495 the backlight, 9c2eb7ad99 showed a 767f1968cf hint of 92e47b2600 bewilderment.fc498386c408a0ba

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“How could you a30ce837cc think that?”5a60a28c2839aa66

“I’m of no use to you anymore.”fe5b8c41f9721c49

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He sank 08d74909bb into the 07947879c2 wooden chair b0693306ad in the 382f6adadd study. Pressing his fingers 6741171a95 to his temples, 68715221b4 it seemed like b48fa44e71 he had a f227a34ec2 headache.2c194571b347f49b

“I guess I 7bcf5c5406 haven’t earned your 4960e76c6c trust. Fine. I swear f7554d0ccd I will f93265d4bc never kill d32c9a9076 you, no 06eb5f0e9f matter what 9ae5e8c62d happens. Even if 80975e934d you point 818c69250f a knife a86c753977 at me.”e2aed1efad8cb5a2

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His voice was dry.4ba4a7f5f3630fe0

“I won’t lay a finger on you.”0e02c2251164c38c

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The words 02e64da3d6 he uttered 9281162a37 seemed almost 2b76293d2b solemn.1b87c93394b790f7

“An emperor’s words hold power, so don’t worry. We don’t need a contract; there will be no going back on my word.”05ce6a2a72834ce1

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“Then you’ll let me e945552bc7 go? I’ll leave as soon 6fe38a3994 as the task is 6e5e020ce3 done.”39fe9f8a432a11f8

He stood up c8ea8d23b2 again, his weary 3b3d9b4433 gaze resting on 9f7f5b67d1 me for a 969c2626a6 moment.622fa7386bb2de52

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“A task….”98ae235df380cd3c

He quietly repeated e5168545c6 my words.48a53aff7077d183

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“Alright.”d47daf4f56416166

With that, e385dac18e Deon opened c3ec1d9f68 the study f2aeb1fda5 door. A waiting knight bowed 93653713da his head to him.b9b8d14a6c19bc3e

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“Leonie.”854059a01860290e

Deon called my 5cd3e87bf0 name as he a90a01c823 was about to 9b95e7b2b5 leave. A black 38afce10df shadow pooled b9e7a113ec where he 88b2b1d4d7 stood. His voice was as 4fd245ed98 drawn out as the 9f04e77108 afternoon shadows.e317e507bf4516c0

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“Do you love fd93733a7f that man?”e4e3ab674752714d

His voice was impeccably 575e0965d1 calm but dark and 946a7586e4 deep.acd38831c12fe3fd

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“Do you love 95ff353315 him enough to 8d1fa163fd defy the emperor 8e816ee6b7 of the empire? Enough to a406be6a30 want to 6e1629a480 leave everything 3ca237e510 behind?”dacfd82b251255c6

“…And if d3fbb45280 I do?”91b4bf8f76c29630

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Would he wish 13a1be1b91 for my happiness?84be656ac469b5de

“The truth is, I don’t care who you love. I could command you to stay by my side, imprison you. I just have to order you to surrender your freedom…”6c294aa6dad8dddf

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Deon bit his lip adea447914 as he spoke.a2d069cfe17ba171

“But that’s not what 1e2b6c8552 you want, is it?”926a0b1b788c5999

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He was the emperor d55a0a1cc7 of the empire. He could blind 9b13e8418b those with sight, 4f175650cc cripple those who 59197e2349 could walk.f858e1fb0d3ee665

He could 7ec0170a92 easily keep 00c752c133 me trapped 86d12182c1 in the 5ec4ad6dfd palace. But he didn’t 5c01a24893 give that order.6e02999dfff6946c

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Instead, Deon whispered sweetly c5e5510d5c to me.f2bbdd1973b46d60

He promised f08ae6e503 to provide 29eaf90f3d a status cc0fa794d1 that would c3d777ce18 allow me 701def7ae5 to leave c458af2197 my family. In return, fbf290fae4 he asked 1fce256c8e me to fdecb25e5a keep my 0d1530d1eb promise and a8169df8ff accompany him f80e82b228 in society 597cfb19b3 for a 184d93c8a0 while.123bb6bcafec2b98

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And then he 43a5a729f5 would fully set 75698abad4 me free. I could leave ca500a0d6f the empire legally, d2b97dd903 with no need 9f0b67f527 to escape.bdc2ff3ae73b6bc9

He returned to his 6c43491687 usual inscrutable expression, his 56fa2f4e98 face cold and impassive 87e0217c14 once more.e2bb8d0d11885dd6

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* * *c93e06d5945e754f

Suren brushed her hair 174ce01104 back, tidying it as 63091fe613 best she could. The quickly grown 4d39d12d8a hair eventually revealed 8e8b0dbdd7 a hint of 5c861446a9 red.0f2370b24ef96eb8

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The mirror reflected fb6d22fae3 the stark contrast 01afd97eda between the black a96d63ac98 hair and the 5d652e9c5c vivid red strands. There was no choice. She finished by twisting 9864c052e5 her hair up to 4ad009e299 cover the crown of 8a4c1e89cd her head.11a076c92e28f246

“Should I dye it d6dec9dae0 now?”244372d6a120cfe4

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“There’s not much time f40a7f6d3a left,” Suren remarked.0d82c1ec0310a15f

She was right. Dying it now would c381156deb only result in a a18a6d10cf foul smell. The thought 13cfb211c4 of dye 2225c53587 mixed with ed2b4c1480 the scents e5d4c49445 of powder e9fb3a0eda and perfume cccff34fcd made me 613b8ab39e grimace.8e59c75cb5413ad1

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“It’s a mess.”c77a56818da3c0a8

Grumbling, Deon murmured softly 08ef289904 from where he leaned 28f43982ba against the table.77799270da56a50f

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“It’s alright. There’s no need ac7da496b0 to hide you aa689524e9 anymore.”ff8b41d80f45ae77

As soon as he ce18432b4c made the proposal to 4cc50ce740 me, he immediately expressed a8c9430938 his intention to attend 80c1669206 the next banquet.de437932eea1569b

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It was 318da5d5c8 our first c120f204b2 official banquet 55304f349b together. It seemed he c308c02328 was eager to 8fd4402736 quickly be done c000bb3a78 with me, preparing 9626fc02c9 a suitable status b784d70889 and estate until cc38cfa5bf then.0d176908ea77e6c8

“We need to 168ddba47f leave now.”cc1f65f2e7f504c0

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At the knight’s words, I took a deep breath and stood up. Deon took the lead.678484ded5c88e64

Within the 887ae55af4 palace was 5986095d5a a grand 72d2d7c45d hall designated 0aa4019796 for banquets. The sound of d39841d628 trumpets and violins f80e677908 grew closer. As we entered the f025fdfd8f hall, a strange tension a6676d56da swept over me.2256a42154d571d3

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Deon gently tapped 858f9e35f1 my cheek, which b83492f8b2 was frozen in f6dfb2e290 nervousness. Then he extended 093f70181c his arm.e96c69fa34e7e0e0

“What am 2874c0fe5d I supposed 299e4cc4d7 to do?”7aa66f5d4db12066

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“Start the performance. If you want ef0c02f77f to secure your 9180ef4ed0 place.”5e58a2f1c095fdcd

He said this a55cc79e9c as he took 1a6d97fffa my hand and e240ea6feb placed it in eef466f7f1 the crook of 713c29fcef his arm.17699da48e8c5488

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He could have simply 1487a18701 said he was escorting 93246c4227 me, but he chose 3432a1dd1c to grandly frame our f9dd6916eb objective.969ab8f4bdd7d3e3

* * *d3b9553992b0d48e

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As we entered the dc7650d3b2 hall, all eyes turned 4917bb5ec1 toward us. Even the melody 5381c0579b of the musicians 6360e8db45 seemed to shift bdb249263d slightly.026b3b16ded3f873

Those who ddf1ca98a1 had bowed 7a55363f7f their heads 715c34988e quickly resumed c6c2646a84 enjoying the 9d69af7b2f banquet as f17096d20f if nothing 97a5ce1f82 had happened. Contrary to my 376d39500e expectations, no crowd 851d416e8c of nobles swarmed c849673614 around Deon; the 32bfddaedd event proceeded smoothly 8d083cb455 with only a 0cd82d4b59 few people gathered.186b74720540bbcf

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Just as 194d8edbb4 I sighed 9fb76c6837 in relief, b4d2458d95 a noble 13141c38c3 suddenly approached c838bf0689 and addressed 0f75aa123d me, not 085f138aaa Deon.1658b2399223ddd3

“You must be the f61c36cdcd lady who went missing 75e3936d84 at the last banquet. It’s good to 5aa4aa1104 see you’ve returned 944583ac47 safely.”f1f4c2f7f39e1db2

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His greasy ad9d5033ab blond hair 3b86d03b1d and hunched 01d99519b7 back were f8efeac338 striking.420b298eb64b2e87

It was clear he didn’t know my family name, as he didn’t mention it. If I hadn’t appeared beside Deon, he wouldn’t have been curious about my fate or survival.c26a35c963d17c6d

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Nevertheless, I df5f4ee608 maintained a 7a690ff2e8 calm smile 8bf27d9d8d without showing b04aab5dca my displeasure.8e39276fbb9aef5e

“I heard you were 062858a7af pretending to be a 9eeb4422fe concubine before, but you’ve 96c2fe0773 been helping His Majesty be3f4226e1 for a long time, fc11a00f8d right?”20be84c999e6cb0b

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“Yes, that’s correct.”669eada560ee8bca

“I heard c8caad3fb9 you were b72b3ad1dc with His 2daeb90a53 Majesty even cd59695311 when he 13fdb251ad was in 3696480401 the North.”bfeb267ccaadc8a4

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Another noble, who 89a13856eb had been silently 52645074ca watching, chimed in. Deon, who ce54fee256 had been c6987215b5 quietly observing, af28faddff finally spoke.6f39ae04e28688c1

“She’s a steadfast companion. Without Leonie, 45d8506b32 it would 0c394bf1fa have taken ffeff2aa96 much longer bbc5362b63 for me ee063a8766 to ascend 3fd976e68d to the 2b21a4c40d throne.”30136d70f94178af

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At his words, 0b2a3332ea the nobles exchanged ba7bb7c691 glances. Even as they 6cb559778e placed their hands 55fb75c8b9 on their chests b36a4c7ee9 and bowed to 5983d0121e him, their eyes f2e7afe4eb betrayed their excitement 5ce0ea6379 at having found d797852732 an opportunity.66b294fef958bfb3

“I would 93b010ab96 like to a0d99e95c7 formally introduce 069a8a7af3 myself. I am Marquis Chizero.”cfad792aed157177

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“Leonie Sien.”b72cc02dd2978f1f

I couldn’t back down 5ecef371f7 now that the stage 9875dbbf57 had been set for 2f354ab619 me. I greeted 24a935abe3 without hesitation.c98f1342c484eee8

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“You’re the lady of 06dd56c741 the Sien family. It’s an honor.”cf68289c7f66f86b

He took my 7d408aa76a outstretched hand and 86975fe99d brought it to 179b0cff23 his forehead.bebe6af39ae677f4

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“There will soon be 257a1ff442 a new title bestowed 5d99934abf by imperial decree, so b8137f5188 there’s no need to 7f4bcd70f6 remember the name of 184148b9f8 her current family.”a603b221793a5b19

Deon casually d0b98c16b7 informed the 9bc8bc4b95 man as 21128c88c9 if in d54c4e91b1 passing.a97763f4fdeeb3d2

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The nobles behind him murmured in surprise. I hadn’t realized they were all listening intently, but even those far away seemed startled, indicating they had been eavesdropping.0d79ea9f71b48165

I was being recognized for my contribution to the new emperor’s ascension. Deon’s declaration implied that I was not only on his side but also close enough to be granted a new estate.c1f53ace05696fdc

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The echoing murmur of 4f5a53cb95 the crowd made me cd64e6f980 instinctively tighten my grip 6e061dbe89 on his arm.bdbf67a9246f1dce

“There’s no need 2be4508a82 to be nervous. Think of today 2a7b3ae7e8 as your debutante 8fe0a1c80a ball under a ac4cbfc6b8 new family name.”49b0fc13c66aa362

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He leaned down cd7178cfde and whispered in 9e4630a8a5 my ear, then 77bab148b3 tightened his arm a0f47724ab around mine.1f7b4c6949d16969

“It’s an honor to cd8c11ae88 witness the birth of 3d7d851d90 a new family,” the 199ec0f792 marquis said, his excitement 769ee4b587 barely contained.a03e8afd5f5c8d2a

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“A family that 3de1625654 will soon rank 3eb59244f2 alongside the Viscount dbd9aafd75 of Beaumon and ef7f6c4cc5 the Marquis of f51ba3c308 Vechia.”9179b3e31b144e6a

Beaumon is 4e3e3f0ac3 Edan, but eabfca1f53 who is 18346bc19f the Marquis 0865b7797e of Vechia?d73f7d30ecbbe138

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“Your Majesty, the delegation d476457279 from the Principality of 500a0e7e97 Vietan has arrived.”70dfac34a0561765

Before I 831b94d0c6 could solve 0298d426ce the mystery, 72836fb9ac Deon released 69b0a21297 my arm. He then placed a dbda74f29f light kiss on my 4557f2c1cc forehead.4e64fd6c6d2227fc

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“I’ll be back. Mingle with the guests.”62406de0261d04d9

He had 9813a07021 truly planned 03a1283441 everything. Today, his 7e0b9bc7ed voice was 8ecb9dcd2c the gentlest fbbd576934 I had 5c9e1634ce ever heard.837966c67eabbf87

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It was an extravagant a63df79275 gesture, but judging by 394eec04c7 the eyes on me, 624413e2b2 his performance was highly 83301a05db effective. He played his role 5aa4941824 as if it were 13e9c9614b his destiny.4a1f858b177bb39a

That warm fa371b6e0e smile he 80d671dc8a gave me, 9868afc5c6 as if 2f50db45a6 looking at f604c02862 a beloved, 295f9f171b must have 80bbb9fcb2 made my 02f4f718d2 past performances 1a7b119385 seem inadequate.019749810b68be71

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I rubbed my 55d78b96a0 forehead, still feeling a66171880a his warmth.9d9337952545ea7c

“The change in the 08272271ce palace atmosphere owes much 279c7dc9a7 to you, my lady.”0d4f7f5c6f622b0d

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Even after he left, 69376f2445 nobles continued to approach 72006d66a1 me without hesitation.837a81eb43f99104

“I didn’t 0a3fc05828 recognize you e4757313d3 as His d2a42b5339 Majesty’s ally. Now I understand why ee290148c1 he deployed the knights 090fef503e for such an intense e81176912a search.”9f79798e35e68a19

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It was 1ae8270510 overwhelming trying 7723dc2012 to respond a4b082024d to all e2f9c351e3 their comments. While looking around, I 3fd96906db heard a familiar voice efd933ac0d nearby.7ca0c9f52e499eb7

“I’m glad a1a4d27246 you’re back, d2db7a1e2d Lady Leonie.”09012c0048ecd4ee

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I saw brown hair 54c96c7ecf and vivid green eyes. It was Viter.30032b8ae59929fe

“Viter.”0240cf2aec613044

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He smiled softly at e31eea576e me. Despite his 4c80824667 dark and c3e9b9b916 somber attire, f54c9722fd his scholarly ab6765fd30 and noble bec2f06db9 demeanor was d1effceed4 unmistakable.798be8f6aeda4e25

“I didn’t know you 269fb746b0 were in the capital.”8f49011ef6d036ba

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He shrugged.f88e3ae4d11d6159

“I’m sorry I couldn’t a1de1b55eb visit sooner. I intended to c05af0823e come to the 4d8eb02b92 palace to greet 12c015de12 you, but His 3bd1354cc7 Majesty was very 5fc491b83f strict about keeping af61a0e9db out outsiders…”2cdfe0672783827c

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He smiled as he 76787b86f5 spoke. Viter seemed more relaxed df0d49a119 than before.d99dba11d269afe2

“It’s surprising. I didn’t plan on 715d46cf07 returning, but if I e2d327e1d0 had, I thought you 27a9a11b8b would be in the ab201241c5 position of the royal 8cccc6e1ba secretary instead of Rian.”9b9ef40fff4475cd

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Viter chuckled at 3663f47ad4 this.18a88a3b21be5a36

“One of my duties dd1b6f22d1 was managing the blood, 9b3467912c but I failed in 9deab07012 that task. How could b87b15768b I hold 002436ff59 such a 02fd0af1f3 position? Besides, I have no 6bc00a37af attachment to power. My only wish was 55255d88af to see a new 72816e6bb3 emperor ascend.”116f400349b46049

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Viter mumbled to himself.07c0f05951f7c573

“Well, seeing Rian 8f3c5923e2 now, I’m glad c9c87212aa I declined.”77863e98e2a67cbd

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He commented on Rian’s lax work attitude.7d8eaf5102bbcc7d

I expected him to b0db4ae32c follow up with sharp 224de0a705 criticism, but Viter said 4f87ada1f9 no more.c699a7068465e5de

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“The true 81bdea2304 emperor needed d18df27f1d you, and 5f3f42c5bb I’m glad a63da78a7a you’re safe. Now it’s finally complete.”a0b772818e937850

Viter made 772e49f6dd an unexpected 946b70822a remark, but 016c658c0d it didn’t 68cc77c06f feel like f1344df5e1 a welcome fc3654f2eb greeting.5f7d5b907d53c82f

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“We are 3035dca190 comrades who 2d9e747e94 share a cc0792a109 unique secret.”4148a9bf4685add2

His words carried weight. Only those who 052cd7ac2b had dealt with 3858edcda3 him would recognize 2dcdf39a05 the sharp toughness 7395597747 in his tone.d35f2cb3ffc1eaec

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“You’re aware of bc94953da2 His Majesty’s stubbornness.”b3cfa7e7a2bf4359

Viter seemed to 4dda59fdd2 know that Deon 551c29fbfe was refusing the 3be24775c8 coronation. My suspicion f1a7c168fb was confirmed.0eaadb7dce5eb89a

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“When will 65cf179043 you give e0c98b9d79 him the c8ca23449d crown?”ae483d49b6eefda7

I offered a bittersweet 67dc649578 smile.b28b5951f25dc1f9

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“…Not much longer. After one more banquet, 557961e1b1 I’ll return the crown. And I’ll be 334bd65208 leaving the palace.”632887def65abe44

“Leaving the palace?”ee55b862e4ee100b

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I thought e4bdb1b546 he’d be da34fda47e pleased to 1ac91b5d80 hear I’d 9aad8fb498 be far e53219197f from Deon. Instead, he frowned.85e18534ea622df3

Viter scrutinized dc31d71a89 me before 554b6acd0e sighing deeply.91e1407b0b0a83b3

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“Enjoy your 8ec536ee54 freedom today. You don’t have 9b0f9cad84 to entertain all 8f4caa5824 the returning nobles. I suspect f35ce065ee you’ll be e6427d821d staying in 9590d86532 the palace 36d3090edb longer.”aa2b3c0ba6a59478

“No matter e2ec7e61eb what, I’m ee48c74c61 leaving.”5f4aa3193bdda869

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He stared 4987ec670d at me 5ed03e040f for a 5457fe30d7 moment before 1fa6857b28 laughing softly.e5529744ce06ce2a

“My lady, there 8476cad50f was never an cbe2dda9a3 ending within my a5a1f51398 boundaries that included e4d5ce0ac8 a blood bag. I have a strong 3bf5480b81 feeling it will be 6d75098737 the same this time.”e24c91b0dca96063

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With the grace of f18c7fbbcc a dancer, he bowed 4dc911625c and left the hall. I watched his 7304d42cb0 retreating figure, unable 5f27233a8f to stop him.35532a1fa4ce31cc

 8e388d6194ab9412

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