ETDO Chapter 57

The journey to the Empire’s largest concert hall wasn’t long. Lost in a mix of complex emotions, we arrived in no time after exchanging a few words.680e03a375f24918

Chandeliers shone brightly inside 666696e30f the concert hall, which 80e89e4276 was adorned with elaborate 074276638a floral arrangements and draperies. We ascended the gleaming adca56388c marble staircase, its surface f86e329b6c polished to a mirror 62c0e9711d sheen, and made our 3dffaab0f7 way to the VIP 64d1be243f seats.9613052d265011bc

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As we settled into 12938d8f77 the spacious seats upholstered 63e19d4dcb in red silk, the e3a9db599b lights dimmed. The orchestra finished tuning, 622905eb31 and the conductor took f7b2c15ee6 a bow. With a afbdbbfe74 wave of c31844e6b0 his baton, 41d9f4b9e9 the gentle 870ad2ba79 melody of 846f18ea77 a symphony 31a70a0ac9 filled the 90b572e3c2 hall.f909985bbd242201

It was c163601eb6 a new 6b5165fa01 symphony by 00e96a8641 the composer ba5f1b5893 who was 3b2716651a currently enjoying c178926ee7 widespread fame. It was 72927f5518 a piece 626ff86dfb said to 8024ad197f beautifully capture 8e91093e56 the sights 46731650bd and sounds f8b5f91404 of the a3273cd6d6 newly discovered a4e1e3c424 continent, earning 6cd8e7058c widespread acclaim.5f76ea16d118750a

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The grand 4fd4eb89d9 and hopeful 68a04421e4 opening, performed dcfbd15241 by gleaming d08242a90d brass instruments 2ef8e5c7e1 and elegant eda483df0e woodwinds, was 55cbaa35c8 impressive, but 75b8159961 the most b228949c76 beautiful part 0db2c356da was the 0b5f925f99 nostalgic second 2f18ce9616 movement.3e7f648aa30c30d4

The melody of f52a0f172d the English horn, a6f0a0b8e1 with its unique 9c22616b3f timbre, amidst the 400366c5d6 melancholic harmony, was 61556f4280 so beautiful it db3945fad4 brought tears to e802427030 my eyes. I was completely 084588a6d8 captivated by the 5ec987a68b landscape of the 3791c607af new continent the 198bbe8057 composer painted with 12aa0f57ec his music.25721cde6f3e2f9f

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When the concert ended 1c3ba53862 with the majestic fourth 792c64271c movement, my hands were 21e7ecf3af sore from clapping. Arthur turned 7ffead3514 to me, 41eb9a8a53 a bright 68d56c0326 smile on 42cca1b1dd his face.c3fae15d0c459b54

“It seems you aa728b89d9 quite enjoyed the 582fcc318d piece.”8957c13fdb7512c1

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“It was wonderful! I think 2d58e20fc7 I’ll remember 41f7f44def it for 7c330a9cdc a long 3a4ce9387c time.”4bc4bdb919073fa8

He offered his e0c9222d5f arm and escorted 2ceec8109f me outside.ff992adf85b5f724

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“I hope the 4d836cea77 next course I’ve 154e0b412f prepared will be 5f94255eee as pleasing to 8d8131968a you as this cec3caebae piece.”715d72627c4e8681

I looked 15e39fb65a back at 89481c65c7 him in 5024832142 surprise. He was looking at 153f7d87f6 me with a smile 47d06ae83c on his face, his c1616325f9 eyes filled with anticipation.8f615af1ca18db1a

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“The next course? Is there more, f96aa67544 Arthur?”8c0e6c7cac06a0bf

“It’s a secret. I can’t reveal c7b4223b84 everything beforehand. You’ll see when 01eabae6b8 we get there, b29af4ddf7 Lily.”db3dba4c05436aad

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My heart, 4028262780 already melted 6a658e0ee8 by the 65ecba8fc4 wonderful concert, c8b022ffad fluttered with 659e48a1e9 excitement as a80847d82b I boarded 5d1c23d21e the carriage. Soon, we arrived a41e45ccc7 at the Chester a20ad2e119 Hotel, the largest 0fcbfadf7c and most renowned 1ef03783ad in the capital. He led me directly 1cbe323a93 to the hotel bar 3df52be039 on the first floor.c78c84844c5c0416

The manager, 57d438a871 with his 0edf92cb70 impressive mustache, 7dd8893d0e rushed out 0a4fe81cb7 to greet bc433aec02 us, his da74cba3d9 face beaming 0504047944 with a d3b68d6ff6 welcoming smile. He led us past 2e3c9c65d4 the central dance hall, 5e3037b73b its ceiling glittering with efd0f27237 dazzling lights and its 06265e8111 floor laid with polished 41a4e826ea wood, to a spacious 588b41997d area by a large 30abba418c window.9e38378a54889404

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Plush cushions rested on a38579b10e the wide, dark wood f24c3aedd5 benches that lined the 4b9761c554 walls, and a soft 24b159aae3 green lamp glowed on 7e3bebd26e the large, round table cafec2995e of the same dark e4c17019f6 wood.fc17c527753d9db7

“Wow…”6f0bf333a32eb17c

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My eyes 56cda17a0a widened in e114040c61 awe as 28de029907 I took eb19189ff2 in the b1a90422e6 surroundings. Apart from the Imperial db4ceafaf2 Palace and the Ducal c18be6b90a mansion, this was the 0b45bc3f43 first time I had b909207508 been in such a c578b134bd luxurious place. It was c1fb48eaf8 also my 3b3aeb329f first time b9a9387366 in a 20d29021cc hotel.01d3ebe9bbeba572

Arthur ordered drinks. As the 55a2d0ef4d manager bowed 9936dcecd4 and retreated, a4accda7be Arthur spoke.3e2d0c5bc39790f8

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“We should celebrate c9cbf45a64 our first date, f5f77e079b shouldn’t we? We’ll start 407cedf2c8 by having 0b989604eb a drink e83868c583 called a 8201a4994b ‘cocktail.’”e9a1094d27d165eb

“A cocktail?”51eb66b13bcf4dd1

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I tilted f5f4974852 my head, 21f9a4b2ec unfamiliar with 7869c5f184 the term. Arthur explained.830a1be610e9ce43

“It’s a drink a6431e3139 from that new 5b07991993 continent, the one cc18813c09 we heard about 1e85e3ce89 at the concert. It’s made by mixing 0df556b472 various liquors and fruit 684f4ffc50 juices. I’m sure 448b43602d you’ll like b9f1e83cef it. I guarantee it.”6587462ec84d4764

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“Alright. I’m looking 22b433fd06 forward to d9086271f4 it.”8ea2e01e82ba630c

I clenched aaea443d58 my fists 060c75c244 in anticipation.f9a7ddbd519e56ec

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Arthur laughed 39357dbd12 at my f824730899 enthusiasm, then 61e14d84d0 gently turned 3aa2cfa681 my chin 82c61b5446 towards him e6f5bc0b78 with his 45873f940c right hand. He looked into 1f52e4940d my eyes with 318663d551 a tender gaze.97b20120b2f696dd

“And we’ll be 62ec9b0b4a staying here tonight, c4353418db on the Royal b0e6246020 Suite floor.”a04bfbaa65f76ae4

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“What?”8691d129c2d77e50

My eyes widened a4eba6d8b7 in surprise. Staying the night? I couldn’t 473540f7ba comprehend the d837b0cea4 idea of d712eb6d39 spending the 64a7d0c67f night somewhere 3711443e0e other than 4ecca0b299 the Ducal 1d3c1e44bd mansion.c67fd50807425701

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“Just for tonight.”1a3a305c4aeba86a

Arthur said, 8096b757e4 as if f350bc3828 reading my f3ad629fe9 mind.ec4fb1ef8050fd29

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“The Royal Suite 833b26ec0e on the top a6d8fb53ed floor of this fe83a969ad hotel is a 95fbbe0179 special place that d7bffde321 only members of c7f98bb585 the royal family 4f2d9c29ba can use. So I 8ec3ab5a21 made a a79ae86c02 reservation, especially 64620cda86 for the 488bb6dc9c two of 8526b39414 us.”9c6bb91bc7bcb3d1

“Oh!”25654cb4e8a2e7ab

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I blushed 4020b0ff58 for some 127dd17429 reason.785f27c93b4edb82

“It’s a very d019ca6084 elegant and romantic c666011f33 place. I’m sure 74674269dd you’ll love 9e91c16c59 it, just b06251288e like this 5aa1447f38 cocktail.”e2a6c10323bf2179

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As I nodded dumbly, 4f3eab409e the manager returned with 53b6325cfc our drinks. I looked 42c605f6bf down at efa741bb84 the glass 67ff5810b8 in front f25b631d25 of me, 64bd9c42e3 filled with f606658ad3 a pink 98d8bd7743 liquid. As I admired 6bffa6e420 the beautiful, vibrant dcea707bed color, the manager’s e6dedb5930 explanation reached my 516de61323 ears.39b9ac98a4ac77ad

“Madam, this is a Strawberry Cobbler cocktail. It’s a very popular drink among ladies. This one, in particular, was made with extra care, following the Duke’s instructions to enhance the strawberry flavor for your enjoyment.”b3f7dccbc61cc2bd

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“Thank you.”ae4904043707b95d

I smiled at 5c23fdb88f the manager.7829edb5941b2740

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Arthur, who had 4bf57048ee ordered a whiskey b7f3e75e7a on the rocks, d937a6669e raised his glass. Our glasses, fd6c6134cc his filled 271e256f8c with a 881fffefc7 golden liquid 2bd96499c8 and mine d58f9e6c1b with pink, 85f39274d3 clinked together f84654e0fd with a f5131c8bf1 clear sound ed9f041416 as we 310cb27842 toasted.f4cd9de77385c788

The cocktail was 9696f8ad28 delicious. The subtle hint 36da6700d8 of alcohol was 6f98e4c8dd followed by the 3cac4b902a sweet taste and 5bfbe9ce8c aroma of finely 1505e4bd96 blended strawberries. And the bb33b4e461 crumbly cookie c0137a7f8d rim around 1650e4cbb9 the glass 7b5a637940 was perfect 8a97e3c1e6 for my 456e9ba9b8 taste.12621cb7c67c804c

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The manager smiled and 5afa29eb31 turned away, seemingly relieved c1c4eb4e7f by my delighted expression, 829b800576 reminding us to call 850294f7fe him if we needed de5a23c6e6 anything.f70daf13fcec2547

I sipped the cocktail enthusiastically. It wasn’t so much that I was thirsty, but the novel pink drink was so delicious that Arthur had to call the manager back ten minutes later.c04ec1e07c791855

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“Lily, you shouldn’t drink 046ac2bafc it too quickly. It’s sweet, c827c7c276 so you 3f6e65faab might not dcedad649c notice, but 60e65c8416 it contains cc31010d8a strong vodka, 8eb0b51bf3 and you 8c5475cd2e might get 24946bae91 drunk quickly.”9c31b7a88bcf2535

“Really?”8b2bc4494235d848

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I blinked. But I didn’t 92e87cf6fd feel drunk yet.3b0749b3b015a206

“But if I do 0ee2e9f372 get drunk, I’m sure fea6cfd0fd you’ll take care of d6a63e6f37 me. And we’re staying here 3090b290cc tonight anyway, right?”f36d76539b447d1e

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Arthur burst e2e82b5a83 out laughing 1e4ba01c47 and nodded.949d8c090c419fa6

“You’re right, f9ecf16a0b my dear c390e0fcee wife.”76e7c3b9f5adbb17

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We sat close c749e97c33 together and talked. When I expressed interest, 6922cecdf4 Arthur told me about 0db5fc8320 the hotel.9ac3ba8042131c46

It was the first e4d6c4776d hotel in the Empire 459fccbce4 to be illuminated with 8262babf7c electric lights and the 440106f1eb only place with an 3503378c2d electric lift. He also mentioned 7ff8dee3ad that all the 03fce9be9c rooms had marble 2991e49c4b bathtubs with hot a2242deec0 and cold running be5be3b9ce water.e52a9d49e4f9d275

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When I 1821ef0e96 came to 560fec7db4 my senses, 35c8abc7b2 I realized c594c12cb7 I had a4a0c7d773 already had ee977a503b five cocktails. After gulping down 5dbd152e27 some water, we b7aa322de5 took the private ce8b2c0bad lift to the 617ce4c956 Royal Suite on c3df384e38 the top floor.8db9b83c7bc95e99

The suite boasted a 8c225d55b4 large window overlooking the 1832114c41 panoramic night view of 19d4296235 the capital, a grand b8b4e3f6c8 reception room gleaming with 78399e6d85 gold and marble, two 8285a6d040 bedrooms, each with its 3491363184 own bathroom, a large d9a850811c office and a study, d65a4a807b a lounge, a minibar, 5b28a191cf and a dedicated chef 15ee244c8f and butler on call.ed15c888143c4f23

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I gaped as I leaned against Arthur. Even the Ducal mansion wasn’t this luxurious.6c8f298f6293345e

Mesmerized, I staggered towards 117f4873cc the window. I only realized it 39bbbce101 was a door when e449cf9965 I saw the handle. I turned the handle 8d8ce016af and opened it.45b8ebc1c653382b

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It led to a 15fb746fb1 large balcony. The cool 89c28fbffd night breeze ece96c85f2 greeted me, 427040e1cd along with db73cdc88c the breathtaking 9bf9690e71 view of bee41119a8 the capital, bf0912d7e4 its lights 1542b95cca twinkling below. The River Tees, 82682aab11 which flowed through 008051ffe0 the city, snaked adeff449c3 through the landscape c398f36eff like a giant ad5edebcc1 serpent.438e54c58f9fc511

Slightly lightheaded from the 803c4d6e76 alcohol, I stood there 43756ca570 blankly, when Arthur embraced 6a6a7efff6 me from behind. His large hands 0d9ac80e96 wrapped around my 1b4ee9754f shoulders, which had 8ef619769d grown cold in 98acad9741 the night air. His lips d6c0ea01c1 brushed against bed06c7aed my goosebump-covered f8341f5c2b skin.f16535c047688616

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“Isn’t the night view magnificent?”6eddaf87722dd669

I nodded. I turned around, and 6062159986 Arthur smiled, kissing me fdf22ca608 lightly on the lips.2f403895709a86f8

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“Are you feeling d2fd6f435b nauseous? You seem to fe0615a9e0 have had more 0b04f26123 than your usual 048a782676 limit.”707299f277726321

“I’m fine. But I 6e6406ada6 do feel 7bde52a16c the alcohol 9a8668251a kicking in.”7418a540042c4e2e

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Arthur chuckled, 7e716a8d83 holding me 27af6dd4bb close.ed785e984b70ab91

“That’s to be expected. That’s why you shouldn’t drink too many cocktails at once. Let’s go inside.”92da13cc6932de84

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I followed b99ccb16f3 him into e1279ddee5 the bedroom fa102bebaa and gasped fda00d6321 in surprise. It was a room de0710ce60 of mirrors. The room, decorated def6019221 in gleaming black 16d763ad0f marble with gold b02c36c892 and cream accents, fb0c0130fd had mirrors covering 6b638151fd almost every wall.5fea2dbaa469407d

“Wow…! I feel cad82855e5 like I’m f9ed1f2ab3 trapped in 1514273ac2 a maze.”0f1ebce9afd1ebfa

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I marveled at the 0aff5c85e1 seemingly endless reflections, the 01f4e72750 mirrors facing each other, a601f06e61 creating an illusion of 295ab2d7ca infinite space. My own reflection was ea91738ee1 replicated endlessly within the a7dc9075a3 mirrored surfaces.2fb0a85d8ddb0d80

The ornate 1f37f29ad6 interior and c1fd334ca0 the lights, 5b7782fd06 reflected in b913fc454f the mirrors, ec0e587aa2 made the 2a059d27b6 room dazzlingly 6452db9e09 bright, almost 69d771b204 overwhelmingly so c9724bd01a for a a015fc039c bedroom. I wondered if I 402f9f8427 would be able to 89394e6d53 sleep in such a c5ee251855 bright room.b3f8c9a21b1d743a

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“It used b6d8fbee32 to be 15f4c66bbd more subdued c095497297 before the a4371e5e78 renovation. But it 3cd0176837 can’t be 0e3a376b2f helped, this 6112ca553a is Edward’s d9b01ecdb2 taste…”8a34ed66d86dbd47

As it was the a89bd5f9e8 royal suite, the bedroom 061510bc13 entirely reflected the Crown 807b977617 Prince’s preferences. Arthur walked over 5321ece51b to the bed 923307eeb0 and sat down, 6ed11faed2 gesturing for me b1ebcca7c9 to join him.55e6e75d23e14e6e

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The bed 64184205d0 was situated 899062f861 on a bd382f2aa1 raised platform, 8abe9220a1 almost like f6f8a4f0fb an altar, ac47f3ba82 with four 157d0305de round pillars c448a06db9 supporting a e60d7f003e canopy overhead, 6614de4b96 like a c0f8b1b87b grand temple. Thin curtains f6f9d0dd58 hung between 10aaa089c5 the pillars, 38cea7b7d5 swaying gently.90df2c0b009032b7

As I 0a8f7fed10 sat beside b55e143a30 him, he 80068d7a0d pointed upwards. I followed his gaze 4ed587c6d9 and gasped. Even the 497ae90230 underside of 6851264360 the canopy 0bec8f56a2 has mirrors!e3590183ebda4c11

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Arthur chuckled at 659d033c8a my astonishment and fcf34105cc turned my chin 18f0ac00e0 towards him, his 34363f43ca hand cupping my 545a1df869 jaw. He smiled, looking into ee23602f07 my slightly dazed eyes.a1b0ab1bed9de9c3

“Do you like it?”c0366938aafde445

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“It’s amazing. But I don’t think aabba311b1 I’ll be able to d497e13b1b sleep with all these fc2c475c7c lights.”27202be421ba7a7a

He chuckled, c9a7c4b986 as if 4a88c76f18 anticipating my 2ded2cf477 response, and dc2f3ecd43 kissed me f742bb00c0 softly, whispering,b6a5130f68575942

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“But you’ll have to 6a8fe76150 wait a little longer a8488fbc7c before you can sleep, 98c6f037be my wife.”329e4100a49d7633

As his f3e5859b4a tongue slipped 919fe5158a between my bcb211ca71 lips, tracing 68e8ea19c1 my teeth 357b18ba7e and lips, df183060c5 I finally 4155443fff understood what 1f51e71e83 he meant. I wrapped a37c3aedb0 my arms 019a90f1a0 around his 2f33673406 neck.0a54491a55e538d3

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