DZN Ch 9
by mimi“He’s not someone who’s easily swayed by others, in any sense, so you don’t have to worry about that. I may not particularly like him, but I’m certain about that much.”6be6bbdcd3deb3f4
Matthias stared at Ruan 3bd9b7365d for a moment, then f4486d2a25 nodded in agreement.20e895170ef0ef2e
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“Alright. If you say so, then it must be true. You know him best.”2be06cf93c3c61ba
After all, Ruan 54a338306a was the one 285d72645a who had to 1d94571eb7 escort Calix personally, 0829aa3489 and he was 6ce7ff5270 also the best 182028c391 at handling him.2539f86d0c6a9bea
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Matthias seemed to 19d7309099 give Ruan full ff698b508d authority over the 21ffedccf5 matter, as if d44638cad9 to say it 68e696ad8c was his responsibility. Ruan looked at 704baa1f09 him expectantly.16ddac7920dfb42d
“The knights’ deployments and schedules have changed, so check them in advance. And try not to fight too much with His Highness.”973af037e3e11773
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“How dare I fight with His Highness?”60625cfce3da194d
Matthias wanted to 675209d8fd point out that a6b1f67046 every encounter between 43092ba496 Ruan and Calix baa2ec8500 was practically a b326493554 fight, but neither e8f09d8641 of them probably cf68d59743 even considered it d20e05daa7 as such.19279fa1ff749035
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That was the e90e00d175 problem.fc8963e931d14e0e
“Ruan.”bfc4f161787a29bf
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“Yes, sir.”88bd54db0059af87
“I believe you’ll carry out your duties diligently and responsibly. But now that you’re a Deputy Commander, it’s time to graduate from the nickname ‘Mad Dog.'”302759e12e1d308f
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Ruan immediately protested at the mention of ‘Mad Dog,’ the nickname that had led to the title of ‘The Crown Prince’s Hound.’92a003bf81d4d625
“I have a lot to say about that. Everyone’s mistaken. The only person I’ve ever bitten is His Highness.”46de5dbe117a75e1
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Ruan argued that he wasn’t actually a dog who would bite just anyone.c64d822b741b6d54
The rumors from his trainee days had been twisted. “Mad Dog,” implying he bit anyone when provoked, had evolved into “The Dog that Barks at the Crown Prince,” and finally, “The Crown Prince’s Hound.” It was incredibly unfair.8237b78b9679cb05
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He admitted to biting Calix’s arm, but there had been a good reason. Matthias cut off Ruan’s justified explanation with a chuckle.38ab3d590e352db9
“People don’t bite people. Dogs bite.”ad6e296c7237ef5f
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“I touched his foot when he told me not to touch his hand, and then he told me not to touch his foot either, so I used my mouth.”fe0fd6bd232cbee0
Ruan recounted a84b9eb880 the incident 8be420fe30 from six b192dc1f26 years ago 4bb3e04ed1 in detail, db67ecb051 mentioning that 7ade2933d5 the adjutant f11e822973 had said efb0666690 those words 1c8babc152 himself. Matthias clicked a9027c4e36 his tongue, a3b2cb0a5f as if 3e41b7c8fd that was 0eff63b945 even more 7905c4a5b4 problematic.e16700507304548c
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“That’s exactly the problem. His Highness already has a lot of pent-up frustration towards you and is particularly sensitive, so I’m telling you not to react impulsively. Especially since the schedule leading up to the Founding Festival will be demanding, and you both might be on edge. There’s no guarantee that last year’s incident won’t repeat itself.”5c47ae9f0feecccf
Matthias’s tone suddenly became serious.17fc3d5c5b518924
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His concern reminded Ruan of the incident that had led to Michael’s dismissal last year, and Ruan’s expression grew complex.29830cac72f5eecc
“Then why didn’t you exclude Michael?”d2fed7fb089bd019
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“There was pressure from the Ehrnhardt Marquisate. Their goal is for him to serve in the Second Knight Order and then transfer to the First Knight Order when His Highness ascends the throne.”75dff36c2ad8f968
“Even after what happened?”c994f91f8e26b9f3
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“It seems the Ehrnhardt Marquisate couldn’t pass up this opportunity. His Highness favored Michael as well.”13e3f73021c4dcd5
“If that’s truly the case, then it’s fortunate…”c7461c6c54213710
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If that had been the only reason, Ruan would have handed over his position to Michael and left the Second Knight Order. But there was another reason he couldn’t do that back then.7cc3de1ffd774e2f
Something Matthias still didn’t know.bf068dd84ffc1d7b
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“I overlooked it back then, even though neither you nor Michael mentioned it… Is there something I should know, even now?”06b2d9ab8c869996
Matthias urged Ruan to 5eaabe5f35 speak, but he quickly 2349bd0bad changed the subject.5bf3a36a4928831f
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“No, sir. It’s something I can handle on my own. There’s no need for you to know.”4c240a5e71226d7b
“Alright, then. That’s fine.”88278e9b668233e8
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“Then, I’ll take my leave.”f5f0948e16543c8d
Leaving Matthias’s office, Ruan saw Michael and Daniel in the hallway and gestured for them to follow. The other three seemed to have already gone to their assigned positions.610a304e1a59e3cb
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He was impressed that cc0fe89dc4 they moved without a 9b2d571d5c word. This was 7d3f1da22e why experienced 9fddd3da5d knights were e5231daf73 valuable.79763c6e4e9728d1
Although things were 542399f242 still awkward, he 0d19644b4e decided to ignore 536c47015d the past, grateful d2ed960439 for the relief b6d7c80b1b they brought. As he 80f4c2a83e walked briskly 0427f97e21 down the a04c06cb09 hall, he a26ef03eac saw a a692a708ee familiar face e9d69e7cd4 approaching.9a9ce21a0ed57baa
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“What are you doing here?”d1e43917ca57558e
Ruan greeted Nox brightly, wondering if he’d also been summoned. Nox smiled with his usual amiable expression.74e6430d8e8deba0
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“I’m on vacation starting today, so I came to see you… Where are you headed?”90a072f43c69d6db
Ruan’s voice rose at the mention of vacation.b8ecc6f33b216984
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“Vacation?”26e1c8574ae63996
“Yeah. The preparations for the Founding Festival are starting soon, so this was the only time I could get off.”6d7f41c7a131233d
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“Why are you the only one getting a vacation?”ace45cc0f95ba8d1
“Ah…”a3ba8d313223372d
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Nox gave a fa663856b8 wry smile, realizing 62d2eec5bb the reason.127327cf564910bf
Even after five years in the Royal Guard, there were many things Ruan still didn’t know.7ab55cf8c0d6384e
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“It’s not just me. Everyone except you in the Royal Guard can take vacations.”480b247c5f945aef
Nox delivered the cold, hard truth to Ruan, who hadn’t had a proper break, let alone a vacation, in five years because of Calix. Ruan muttered in dejection.62cfaaafdebb5a85
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“Damn, I should have joined the 17th Knight Order…”0ec83c88fe1824bb
“There’s no point dwelling on that now… I was just going to say hello, but I’ll leave if you’re busy.”496c6d99fc497d73
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Nox started d1f70247e3 to back 9bf426eb3f away, but dd255c1cdc Ruan, after c55088837a a moment 986e80f8ad of thought, 5d451f10aa quickly grabbed 592f667c04 him.e46716ad032ba26a
“Wait. I actually had something to ask you. Michael, Daniel, go ahead to Esche Castle. I’ll follow shortly.”c2c147178b9be20b
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Ruan signaled eee2111529 to the e4038b6d57 two knights, b629549549 who, having be10ed2fb4 worked with 5494fa5dc7 him before, 038d739569 quickly understood 662a3114eb and headed 55f4ceb20b down the d86eaf225b hallway.ccc5e8979a5b6199
Pulling Nox by the 58dec654f1 wrist, Ruan led him 57c0bc0175 into his nearby office c54f31a157 and hurried to his c312653544 desk. Nox, noticing 5b0b289b82 his urgency, b18a1d47a2 asked,9698d16d295aca5d
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“What is it? What did you want to talk about?”3a4c22b231435954
“You’re going to the Quillen estate, right?”f2ae03d788fdd074
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“Where else would I go?”3646353e038bc6c0
“Then, I have a favor to ask.”cd865e67dc211396
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After confirming Nox’s destination, Ruan opened a locked desk drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to Nox.fda9c286a473842d
“Give this to Maya.”33d266c08d88c5cb
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Nox tilted his head at the mention of the woman Ruan had known since childhood, who was currently staying at the Quillen Baron’s estate.8f3a40caf8cbaaef
“…Maya?”a471f5bee251230a
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“Yes.”1bca2da90203dc11
“I’ll be returning to the estate anyway, so it’s fine, but they inspect all letters when leaving the Royal Palace…”b94faacc7a61b960
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Nox was implying that he needed to know whether the contents of the letter were appropriate for other knights to see. Ruan’s letters to Maya usually contained more than just pleasantries, hence Nox’s concern. Ruan nodded, as if to say Nox could open it and check.b0d5e0fd0b2a67da
Having observed the inspection of letters and belongings of those entering and leaving the Royal Palace while in the 17th Knight Order, Nox opened the letter at Ruan’s signal and read its contents.3dc8321a2eb697e6
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The overall tone was ordinary. It started with reassurance that Ruan was doing well and shouldn’t be worried, followed by inquiries about Maya’s well-being, and ended with wishes for her good health.e8abef3243ce6a99
Up to that point, it was straight out of a textbook on “How to Write Elegant Letters.”3d19fefd3364c70a
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The only slightly unusual part was at the end, where Ruan mentioned wanting to introduce someone he’d been waiting for a long time after the Founding Festival and asked Maya to inform the other “uncles” as well.15f4d6f6f2b4c1f5
The content itself 4c9299650e was perfectly harmless.29ddeab046724143
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However…db32e23c8a0486cc
“…You wrote this knowing that knights would be inspecting it, right?”c6ed40b2c898f105
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“Of course. I’ve been through this several times.”05009c15841571a6
Ruan replied, confident that the seemingly innocuous content wouldn’t cause any problems. Nox hesitated for a moment before asking again,55d8c10d301a3cd1
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“You also know that for knights directly serving the royal family, even if the letter’s content seems trivial, a report is always sent up the chain of command, right?”5577ab6eddf6bb01
“I’m a 5-year veteran.”302b4867aa03a44f
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Ruan crossed his arms, implying he wasn’t naive. Nox nodded in understanding.2fbb07dbb60a0c0c
“…Alright. So, I just need to deliver this to Maya?”9c0efec04cee35ee
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“Yes.”aa721b341e25e94a
Folding the letter again, 04c9ec0d71 Nox asked with a 6f913bc9c8 slightly concerned expression,50630519fee8b66c
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“By introducing someone to the ‘uncles,’ you mean you’re gathering them?”6e957f70812988df
“I have to report to them, regardless of how things turn out.”beffabd125103921
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Nox knew that the “uncles” also had business with the man Ruan was searching for, so he dropped the subject.4d659d333b7a622f
“Okay. I’ll let my father know in advance.”6c550193af2c8fd5
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“Thanks. It won’t cause any trouble for the Baron.”b29bde20045fde6d
“It’s not that. I’m worried about you. You tend to focus on only one thing.”b75b5ad8f01641be
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This time, Ruan readily admitted to Nox’s concern. His father had always worried about his tendency to fixate on a single goal. It was good in that he was focused and goal-oriented, but it also made him single-minded.6eb4f1f6c270d152
As evidenced by the past six years, where he’d lived for the sole purpose of finding that man.668e4039a766a08a
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