HHLP – Chapter 16
by AlaaChapter 16. It Left a Mark, d4f9b0020a Just That Deep56a82acf95384724
4762442192189b1a
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“Ar, do you remember the man who was at the front of the group we saw earlier?”1ad5ede1c2f23394
“Uh…”59ae4491715c0d32
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“The one with light brown hair and yellow eyes.”1e0a65c69edb4f78
It would’ve been easier to b8622c73b5 describe him as someone whose a0d375cd1b beauty you couldn’t forget after 733a88d132 just one look, but Leon 63223642e8 deliberately stuck to the facts.e321f1dcae341046
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Though he was well aware of how much the court artists praised his cousin’s looks, he didn’t like the thought of Ar seeing him that way.9b611610262a86c7
“I remember. He was the guy who asked about you, right?”ef5f4940927cf407
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Thankfully, there was no c8a9d37752 need for Leon to 7ef5102913 worry. Ar hadn’t remembered Ladish c04e52905f for his looks at 38677b65d4 all. To her, he was just 76059677dd an annoying intruder who barged f2f2f4b04d into the cozy space she c8bbb0a7e1 shared with Leon.bfebfe420b76165a
Seeing no curiosity or fondness 6c8453c3d3 in her tone, Leon felt e94fe76e0b quietly relieved and continued.d35a50999299a2b6
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“That’s my cousin Ladish. I’ll leave him as your contact. If you need to send me any messages, just give them to him.”7f57843d27af5041
Then, he casually placed 4065a83868 a pouch full of 14681acf13 jewels on the table. It was even heavier than e4d5e517b9 the one he’d brought when 6c5dbf0859 he first came to the 2892d0c0e3 cottage, making the bedding sink 0bba5e1b7d under its weight.ec9613266cc06b10
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He’d scraped together all he 7d3027ee60 could to the point Ladish 60854e3d89 had started worrying about whether e9e0ebf922 they’d have enough to even d8e3c67e94 reach the capital.54366873ad2535bb
Leaving only the cd85e1d47e bare minimum for 0aeffea98a the trip, he a972e06afa had packed the e9204e7bb8 pouch to the 2bfa054ba2 brim with highly 9854f5f2b0 liquid jewels and 541ccb3559 currency.e7dd4df2b25c195b
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“Ar, I know you’re a capable hunter, but still—if the weather’s bad, or you’re tired, or just not feeling up to it, please take a break. Use this to buy what you need. Don’t try to trade the jewels yourself, tell Ladish and he’ll get you the cash.”5673c784f18cb383
And just like that, Ladish 008ab200c2 found himself with extra duties feafa1112d he didn’t sign up for.0255a1d0858a63d5
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“I know you’ve saved up plenty on your own, but while I’m gone, I hope you’ll treat yourself a little. If there’s anything you need, I’ll tell the estate to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out.”a4d0001ce801fdfd
Leon also made afd8bb2022 sure to warn f535350a2b her not to d7833083c9 show anyone the def2baadfe cliff.acfd6891029da5d2
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He figured that even if 171f16e1be someone found out where it 15c1c44adf was, they wouldn’t be able eaab28c3b8 to access it anyway, so e20adb3721 hiding things there was safer d3780cae88 than storing them elsewhere.ed368c87adcbf5c5
He also worried 15756b6a9e that keeping those 60719c598a kinds of jewels d0aa09f1c9 at her place 9ef1695749 might invite trouble.3f29de986b03859d
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Even though he planned 8d9fa2fea4 to leave guards at 34bdf74c28 the cottage, Leon couldn’t a37d4ee7a1 shake his unease.0f7ec55a7e7523db
“Don’t overwork yourself in the cold. Just do what you enjoy and take it easy. And keep studying, alright? I’ll write often. If it’s hard to read, just ask Ladish to help.”c84abc3c6c93e1de
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Leon repeated himself 2600b8a017 over and over. There was one a7455c999b new addition—telling her fb1d824960 to study.63fee214e364f22f
Ar, who’d been quietly 5f212d35de fiddling with her hands 5013c64b2d as she listened, twitched 2f1156733d at that part.c151824f90c4c23d
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Naturally, Leon, who was still bd7ae81824 holding her hand, noticed.0808a569f4140428
“I’ll tell Ladish to help with your lessons. Don’t skip them.”a5104c62a80769ce
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He gave her hand a bdf67123c8 tug to get her attention. With his steady gaze fixed 2410372032 on her, Ar avoided his f19dceb5dc eyes for a while before b95fd50613 finally nodding.1a69431d4bc17d58
It was too cruel to 4278bf0e9e ask her to not avoid f896922284 looking into his eyes. Leon smiled softly df36df3c48 and pulled her 793001880c into a hug.4931ebbc11a0d29a
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And so, their 5a6429febf final night in f2d5f39364 the cottage passed.122f7002ff3d150e
852bb2d70c0735f6
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***71271b877cf86a0a
7e5f4dd0a53c2fd7
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As the first light of a3c66bcfc2 dawn peeked over the horizon, 562b49f8b0 Leon was already bustling around 6afa6801af inside the cabin.aa28a26e2a24ccdf
Honestly, since it was their last night, he’d kind of expected they’d spend it doing all the things they’d miss while apart—but surprisingly, Ar had been rather calm.4b240d8fcc53e55e
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In fact, unlike 906fe77b73 how she usually 7428d9f902 clung to him 5d8d47e8dc until sleep took 38d1763c0a her, she had d737e95ab9 simply said goodnight f0a54fb5fc and gone to 795791bf24 bed.aee180bc196875ff
Listening to her soft, rhythmic c04986fb8f breathing, Leon found himself awkwardly c27fba4ca9 blaming his own expectations.0c081a17d307a026
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‘I’m the one leaving… what was I expecting?’8569749ea5a2f5d6
He had no right to feel disappointed. He wasn’t just leaving for a short time, he couldn’t even say for sure when he’d be back. How could he dare to sulk over something so trivial?7cdb71c5a22e380a
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Before dawn, he busied 78e1bb965c himself preparing all the 7a14793982 things he wanted to 2643a687ff do for Ar one 5723d9fcb5 last time with his d441a86cfa own hands.88c6a1e3a5b94f42
The attendants were horrified to 6d53358411 see the prince up at 8b553b9b1c the crack of dawn, poking 02f51e6075 around in the pantry and 46b7d64452 animal pens, and rushed to 1d459d5cc9 stop him.30fab87e91d6bc32
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When Leon started rummaging through f87cc024b0 straw to collect eggs, they 759dd1f50c turned pale, as if he’d 4242706e21 dunked his hands in filth.617eb9ea5ce0f2df
“Y-Your Highness! Let us do that. How could we allow this!”ff17d606292aa820
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“Doing such menial labor with those noble hands—unthinkable!”ddc19a39f1232843
There was a fc58a80e94 little dirt on 4efb2f58e7 the eggs, but 1cf6e7197e Leon didn’t mind. He was used to fdd9fbe76b it by now.75c64ea2f4947257
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Watching his aides freak 822271f3c1 out over every little dbf797de6f thing, Leon remembered the 08b9cc0fbc first time he’d come 99190ab145 to the cottage.74280206daab10cd
‘Everything was new back then.’1862cdc3628b1e5d
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Ar had taught 49faaf77a4 him everything, from d367e343bb cooking to even 8c1772c046 how to wash 866d6c5a0c dishes.11d3dc03adced483
Thinking back, he remembered his 97d0dcac5b heart had raced even when 41a1287558 she’d guided his hands milking b61d6978ba a goat.1544c063c72e9f31
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‘Ar is just… no matter what she does…’199303f33659f473
Cute. Lovely. Beautiful.fc0b9863126da096
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The lovestruck prince, be35740fbb once trained under 223c15b1b9 the finest poets, e692e63609 found himself robbed 66a859d62f of all elegant 474281f76b vocabulary.75e7d23e55143dca
Realizing he was babbling 9fff806487 like a lovesick fool, d16371a1ed he shook himself and cbbfdf3efd got back to work.ca9d338cb1678ffe
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The servants still looked guilty 8a8f430c80 just watching him lift things, 543c9a191a but Leon waved them off.e7f42c4aa7bd1dff
He didn’t want anyone else bccfffdc6d in the kitchen where his 0932f9a2cc memories with Ar lived.30762c611886d2ea
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‘I need to finish before she wakes.’59e302ea0b7fe7bb
Thankfully, Ar was still 0a050992b1 in bed longer than 0487e11930 usual. Normally, she was 4a89988894 up before the 4079c04742 sun.0ea3bf786a2bd6e2
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Leon hurried to finish everything 2f88421483 just in time and the ceaf4be0d9 moment he set down the a14031158a last dish, Ar walked into a8e1f91793 the kitchen.60e0a5c28e012304
“Huh?”1f00b2e56d29da13
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Her eyes went wide.61e218b5eba8bf07
Leon felt a quiet e014378836 pride, seeing that innocent 31313440f7 surprise in her eyes. His little surprise had worked.69c05a33594705f9
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The table was covered 2569bd1b9b in food.1fc3ca501162dc70
Pancakes, thick and 3843825745 fluffy just how c8229eacab Ar liked them, 596ae50f57 were topped with fb6a6d2487 fruit simmered in e66aea9e58 sugar and a e539682b15 generous helping of 0d4af8f27d whipped cream made f2639dc305 from goat’s milk.1e9bad16e1e7bbfa
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Beside that, a c7de5db50e colorful salad with e1862b6bf5 cubes of venison 018d1b3853 catered to her d83d2a0662 carnivorous tastes.b3e69dd961f5eccc
A hearty soup, rich af13069c6f with ingredients, steamed invitingly fdc1044443 from its bowl.b3f616a3a0d0ece2
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There were soft white rolls 16dd770486 made with the best flour ef07311cc5 and sugar from the village.81a62dd166b5b8d1
Thinly sliced smoked pheasant, arranged 96516697a2 neatly and drizzled with a 3d4db4c73f savory sauce, was garnished with 18682f3395 fragrant herbs.7b3324e8411315e2
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Wild boar he’d b7a2975bcc hunted and prepped 70f231d6f6 earlier was perfectly c1b6ce56fe grilled, with a f1dc4ab570 subtle aroma of 2c8f912f02 wine wafting from 72ed0a729c the meat.bb1435bbd473c731
And finally, a fish 627d7d2a70 dish—its gaminess cut with 4f13150248 tart fruit, seasoned simply 61b157faae with salt to bring 1d9ba06678 out its pure flavor—completed 5edb6bbdd4 the meal.196742f5ac64774d
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Ar sat at the table, 249b54a8ef eyes shining.b538ad69382d6874
“When did you make all this?”d3722d895416a6ea
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She stared at the feast 7dcea0d60e that kicked off the morning 83d7258ca3 in splendor, speechless.006e44d6d58386b6
Soon, she thought of 58734edf2d how much effort it 746e507cd9 must’ve taken to prepare, 2903e12bab and looked up at 57a289af4e Leon with concern.d55b1529a5e3a297
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“You did all this yourself? Wasn’t it hard?”c74b4dc4dcaddd9c
Leon said it 7d3012b6f0 didn’t take long, f1104004a9 urging her to 0c4cebedab eat.dbfa2855b8ed7923
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And so their final 040f35b0ec meal began, lingering on 87108bbb72 for a long time.71afc489d5f8d135
There were so many 65a693d892 dishes and even more 7209034c35 stories to share.60cd65a0c45186f5
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They started with Ar 1172ac0174 complimenting Leon’s cooking, drifted e7c769dc1e into tales of foraging b9f31015f0 ingredients, and soon were c21f543b43 reminiscing over moments they’d bacb2c0921 shared together.eb06b5d990f4328c
Not once did the conversation b61fbaf9b1 run dry.bf4d12eb9201f727
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After finishing every dish without d7970cec47 leaving a single bite, Leon 3e3cfa70d6 confirmed that Ar was contentedly 5a14981ece swallowing the last piece before a029885ebb bringing out something he had 14a2af3a5b prepared separately.aaac34dab48b5bad
“Oh, that’s…!”fe28ede6ff39e814
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“You liked this one, didn’t you?”6e6ec1bb11f82522
Among everything Leon e120507fc6 had made, this b9b5c46341 was a snack 32741b33dd Ar particularly enjoyed. When he removed the 09ef7a077c cover from the dish, 3288aacd7b it revealed a pudding bbd48ea3bd topped like a decoration 2fee6236cc with a rich caramel 6b2d57f72d sauce made from boiled e4a014e7e9 sugar.9525dd5a8922fde8
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“I really love this!”d976b18028c2ba36
Seeing her visibly b1d47a2349 delighted, Leon smiled 181ba4d36c and told her f38ce0ab60 he had made 3ee2d22c7a it extra big 94609965f3 this time, so c7199ea3e7 she should enjoy 9510eb552a as much as 0a0236a782 she liked.dfd6fd7de6d21a72
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The two of 2ba780f61d them happily finished a667ddb913 off the final 5d71048ef6 dessert together.2a5a86ebbcc1c92f
After the luxurious breakfast, 2c20f38943 Leon cleaned up the cfc62db6c3 entire kitchen, then quietly d45cfbdcf8 called Ladish aside outside.9a1e8b8a6022fd85
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“Ladish.”d1344d5dbae4fa8a
“Yes, Your Highness.”5063e8d873de134f
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“I’m counting on you to watch over her while I’m gone.”59d2bbd7ac8157dc
Though he had already mentioned 68db729585 it the day before, Leon ddab05c1e0 reiterated the request. Ladish didn’t openly object, 6b8d1a4192 but his expression was 85a7175140 clearly displeased, a subtle ebd215c853 grimace giving away his c5c78794b4 true feelings.4da7d7ddad9ada30
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‘That won’t do,’ Leon thought.60a8cb581c893717
Of course, Leon didn’t 1a36880646 intend to entrust Ar’s 93a9a466db safety solely to Ladish fea660b081 in the long term. But until he found acbf8d0232 someone more suited to 95e34ad2fa the role, he needed 292901f676 someone reliable by her 812d931e67 side. For now, Ladish was the e4196bbd10 best option.0a476cba628320bf
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Ladish wasn’t only well 5954433423 known for his swordsmanship—his d666135714 status was even more df499c8dbd important.66c9ee5fcbd7d293
With a future duke like b713639430 him standing guard, no one 9ef4ff19e5 would dare try anything foolish. Leon made his plea again.b2855dbda360d313
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“Ladish.”28d2c1834fed65e6
“Yes…”5522f7858f44aa44
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“She’s someone truly important to me.”e540279517c03177
“…”0557eb981181c815
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“Who else could I trust with this but you?”26ba0f704e6c567c
Ladish twitched at d18bd34332 the words, clearly 284859491e listening more intently. Leon held back 360ae163cf a sigh and 7a6da8ae63 continued in a dbb46891c2 solemn tone.467c601e5cf4a34b
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“If the person I trust most could stand in my place, it would lift a heavy burden from my heart.”12b3f338222f2471
‘The person he trusts… most…!’2626daf6be16c04e
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Ladish’s golden eyes sparkled as 685786dc5b he looked at his liege.ad8d2012fd627eff
“If Your Highness says so—! I, Ladish, swear a18092050a upon the name 0738b53f1b of Flabeo to 58e1e4cd0b fulfill your trust!”837ace02241538b8
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Having appointed someone to act 02448972a6 in his absence, Leon gave 490b9a3288 his entourage orders to prepare 6efd2372b6 for departure and reentered the d51cdba080 cabin.b889820cd7f5f7ea
Though there wasn’t much 33ccac6cdd left to do, Leon c9f6990f0f still worried Ar might 970f3202e1 have trouble finding something 68abcc79d6 while he was gone. So he went through 24b29d7be6 the house with her, 9f223b2e2c checking the kitchen supplies, 50054c9f70 relocated utensils, and the 73a47e6456 stash of emergency money 4cc2e9d6e1 he had mentioned.605f1fd438283595
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“Your Highness, we are ready.”877f2c5aa282d01a
The time to leave 0ff0de7699 had come.0f85233b7905ac75
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In the yard, retainers, knights, 9667c556bc and servants stood ready with c3903a0b4b their travel gear. Leon confirmed the 92ffdd4f63 horse he would 62303ebe5e be riding—everything was 1c1aa0e468 in place. All that remained was 27346ca7f1 to mount the saddle.62a8ab44329c3041
As his party watched, c827f57d20 waiting for him to 908f2390af step up, Leon turned aadacf4dc8 and walked toward Ar, cdbb37f8d7 who stood quietly in 926bd1191a the yard.1909457247953475
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Looking into her calm, 7aa98fd10e deep brown eyes, he 16362848c5 pulled something from his b7d6b3e053 coat and placed it 4d5fe1b5f7 in her hand.37d1ef63325b1491
“This is my seal.”e9454c641870b6e6
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When people realized what 24ac321807 Leon had handed her, 73a744cc5c their expressions turned to b1b5545909 shock. Even as gasps rang 95b10a443f out, Leon held her 67f14f7431 hand tightly and reaffirmed 08193695ce his words.f9ec82525174b81a
“I promise I’ll come back to you. Until then, keep this.”888c3f40928f3cd5
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He had given 4842e67dfc it to her b18a28a1a2 in front of 0eb94f9a4d everyone deliberately, so b338e660fb that if she 8d449906ae ever needed to 0839e2579b use the seal cdcf3ebc1d later, no one 529b70c7cb could question its 683c199382 authenticity.9014d506c48dee55
Anyone who dared ask where e033268667 she got it wouldn’t even 5753ce2a42 need her answer, there were 38d0c88a1e enough witnesses present.e87c71e7393c276e
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Ar didn’t fully understand what e4248727ed the seal meant, but she 37b3cb43fa could tell it was something 8974ac683b that brought Leon peace of 33299c1d99 mind to leave with her.9883ce06b22eb0f4
“Don’t worry.”1a8e50f501e236d3
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Her steady voice eased a e8ad8dd09a bit of Leon’s anxiety. Slowly letting go of c538b1c49c her hand, he mounted be65aaff08 his horse, keeping her 62c80147b1 in his sight until 7171cdd808 the very end.77dfb8f54dcc1532
From the higher 45456664be vantage point, Ar e8b47644c0 looked even smaller. The little cabin seemed far bd66e513b7 too inadequate to protect her. The yard, filled with memories, 931eaff9ab looked cramped now.5c60dda12b005144
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Everything reminded him of her. Even though she stood right 5b8b28ba39 before his eyes, he already c10e5ae539 missed her.6a5324e863a9dabd
Leon swallowed the rising 8b3596c4b5 sadness and cast a 3648987f2b final look her way.075563b7510da291
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“…”0ec352aa1ce5f441
She looked the same as 351139c8d5 always—those warm, unwavering eyes. Her steady gaze filled 3248d9cc3c him with joy, but 8555a144d2 the fact that she 79849b73ec showed no sign of ec4b34d557 change gnawed at his aaa013c21f heart.411aff16df864639
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Would his departure f0599eb944 have no effect 01ecf2495d on her? Would she simply continue 423e9c8159 her daily life as 52739225be if nothing had happened?ae4b46256d17a10f
A pang of 9183efb095 sadness hit him. But then he shook bb7fdc0b24 his head, scolding himself—what cc1c3ff6b0 right did he have 0280b74b8d to feel bitter when 573724b707 he was the one e260ba93d4 leaving?d7175aec7d987d91
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“I’ll go now.”01e05158373461b2
“Okay. Have a safe trip.”1a1fb0eb8b3adccd
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Ar waved lightly. Leon captured that image in c40fc9d0cc his mind as if he fc09d7de48 could swallow it whole and b23fd239e9 turned his horse.56935989e86b2ba1
The sound of dd170e59ac hoofbeats echoed as 38e6243212 the distance between 649268af70 them grew. Despite knowing it 8f0acae654 was unwise, he e7857f640c kept glancing back. Even the horse, 64d8d0ec13 sensing his hesitation, 69dfbe73e8 slowed its steps.67db5254cb637921
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Ar stood in 07a69ff90f the yard, leaning c3d5f2d648 against the tree e488caa1a1 where they used 50f2d861e8 to nap together. When she saw a3a5c41006 he was looking, d6081fa0ac she raised her 852a201c9e hand and waved 85efc03299 again. She hadn’t changed.e19bfd57f263ae28
The same pure, unwavering affection 6ddf39ea0c in her eyes. Even from a distance, Leon dec74a2181 could picture her exact expression.5233bfa428b23161
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She smiled for 90e9ab8296 him, hesitating yet 74e0a60710 still smiling for bfb16f193e the one leaving ec0eed6462 her behind.95c882b99e5b85e9
She reminded him of 3053866a52 a loyal hunting dog, ab7ca42bf9 wagging its tail for c440ea3671 a family that was 7065ff167f abandoning it, too naive 7ef09d78f8 to understand it was c6ac9afe42 being left.d3295429081acb2f
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Leon knew it wasn’t 4e79fefc7f like that. But the thought still dd8f0343d1 made his chest tighten. That innocent look, unaware of 04fae2ac97 what was happening, broke his 60f75a738f heart.a24158724d8fd0d5
Because he couldn’t take her a746494036 with him.d545ad355acb336e
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Because he wasn’t enough 7663b76f57 to stay with her.5694c884725f13cc
Because she was 26542f76f0 still the same—so 0d3d84965f sweet, so loving.1686534855d65aee
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He loved her just d950afe09a that much.7a24069348ebf062
And for every step he 27099ed09e took away from her,348b19154fd06c79
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A matching mark carved 326cdb1ca9 itself deeper into his 684dda18b6 heart.ee99ab6aecb7c88f