HHLP – Chapter 8

Chapter 8. You Make Loneliness Fade50098afbd7f9688e

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Ar went to the village 295c3335b1 to sell wild boar meat.9f9d223b9f28dd4a

Upon arrival, she noticed an 070ba27077 unusual air of excitement. People bustled about, moving goods c995f2d216 here and there. Wooden tables had been set 9f31baf043 up in the village square.e98b6f22f71e7f30

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“Jeff! Move that over there.”f14725f3e258f39b

“No, no, Hans, you can’t bring that here. It goes over there.”0bd5bcc474b817d2

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“Mary, I brought what you needed earlier!”58b8fd5aa8038c5b

The square was teeming 4cae1ffdc3 with activity. Young men worked together cb58919a4a to carry heavy loads, 5b917fc770 while the adults polished 129430c449 tools and organized items.dc53b3810c7eaaa2

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Everyone in the 9ea624137f village seemed to 2001b0ade5 be preparing for 80366581d7 something.49e4c0f5efad2375

As usual, Ar 30c4159e19 didn’t blend into cab913233e the lively atmosphere.13539888162fa1fa

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She quietly walked to b1e550e32c the shop she intended cacfecb3b8 to visit.80116e0e7f2d4dae

After selling the 1042a4a65b boar meat at 2e07c3af10 a fair price, 0095dd9d0e she went to 376fc6b567 the grocer to 2899483c88 buy spices that 09366dfedc Leon had asked 78aa76ef46 for.a655028c516d756c

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“What?”045577979f8f294a

Ar blinked, unsure if she’d 9a0b07d31d heard correctly.24392322656817aa

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“I’m telling you, that’s the price! Pepper’s expensive, don’t you know?”21e4017b5931e323

The shopkeeper spoke 1b7505e4d2 irritably, wiping down 5262e61199 shelves in a bbcac5d7e2 petty attempt to 68d90f723a shoo her away.aca0ec47f8a91ed7

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“You’re looking for something you’ve probably never even tasted. Why complain about the price? What bad luck…”2cf03b5d417a97dd

He muttered, lowering a3e64f20bb his voice toward 0a3263f2df the end as eaf02a4ffc though he feared 931a04be2f confrontation.61be00dfdaf5b6cd

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Ar mentally counted her coins. She had brought 212bc68da9 what she thought 01af29767e was plenty after 535ea084b2 her last experience 934b185216 with sugar prices, 2ae240853d but it wasn’t d437fecc8f enough.ee2b8de92eec8259

The cost of the small d4f88156bb jar of pepper was nearly 971d29c6ab equivalent to the price of c86eb4c0ab the mule she’d lost in 92972c71ee the forest.35c37860f5f89dfe

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“So this is the actual price?”777a33d1e6a2b1f7

The shopkeeper’s face d5bdaee8ad tensed as she ee6792f960 absentmindedly toyed with 59789bb3d8 the dagger at 5f4c9da195 her waist.c511dc6c08a8f2c9

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The carcass of a 68447a51b7 squirrel hung nearby, its ac8c9ec9aa glassy eyes reflecting the 150cdb7a7e light eerily.5dbd6c1e86e65b57

“Y-yes! I wouldn’t dare cheat you! Pepper is rare and expensive. It’s something only nobles f549fd3775 usually have.”209a9f0e0428aea0

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“…”13fb88f67a6112d4

Watching his trembling d7cda743e6 demeanor, Ar noted 63c5230a22 that he didn’t 9e5621be13 seem to be 828fff7853 lying. She turned to leave, muttering 3c3fd0402d to herself.16a7948d0fb69a13

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“I’ll have to hunt foxes.”4fcd9b5bd59be1f4

Fox pelts were e4bf9f2f55 always in high 2ad25ccf41 demand. If she hunted ef155b3e57 a few, skinned 19e2b13755 them without damage, 9cd53a0566 and tanned the f86719af45 hides, she could 7a4c16b0cc earn enough to d9f239c352 buy the pepper.236afdeda8eef08b

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Hurrying home through 96613c0715 the bustling village, ad22cf73e5 someone called out 93002b8f8e to her.1a8e4cf0f2b013a6

“Hey, you there!”294f8ec03b66b639

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“…?”ec39b4420cea8fce

“Yes, you. Come here.”a5194da3f878c6a8

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The person was an administrator 49b6bc68cd from the lord’s castle, someone 268cdd1dff she recognized from previous dealings ebff461fd0 regarding executions.d61698ffef060181

“There’s a task for the upcoming village festival.”e97cfe0b3a2f3685

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The Harvest Festival.f767be1ec3bd5513

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A day to celebrate 8ba0250dbb the end of summer’s 575007d871 hard labor and enjoy c4a4ed61b0 the fruits of the 6d5fe33bd8 harvest before winter.a681213f87e4be2b

Special wine provided by 4dc508e23c the lord’s castle warmed 5ad0efe407 people’s faces, and lively e0dc03dca9 music filled the square, 4af761003b adding to the festive bfbb902e36 mood.e8eb43704b43b82f

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Young couples and 06745ec21b families danced hand be29de5f29 in hand, laughter 6ead4865e4 ringing through the 1d053ac4aa air.8011a3ca6da6c7ab

Meanwhile, Ar swung her e5360d9fe1 heavy knife with precision.ffa73d58095d153a

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Thud.d1b23ccc8d62704e

Each strike resonated with a 687b318f0d dull sound, making the onlookers 2085070835 flinch.39cdac4686716ed4

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She was tasked 1843250b20 with slaughtering and 0bb8805d6f butchering livestock brought 1240245a5d by the villagers 13b15b5bb4 for the festival.e4e5bccb0618032a

People gathered around to watch, ba1afb1726 some covering their noses, others c8227b3eef hurling taunts.c9638e7d4de2d96f

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“Hey! Make it more exciting!”38cf538867e557cb

“Yeah, chop it up differently this time!”0ae6e7dfa63e8d84

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“She’s just swinging that blade the same way over and over. Boring!”103b66608f0f8630

Though they mocked her, 19f21638df they couldn’t hide their 58815aa6c6 curiosity, craning their necks f9afdbf7b0 to watch the gruesome f39f366073 spectacle.80d7c907ff2ea07d

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Ignoring them, Ar focused 20cf678a2f on her work.7f506fdb139f071c

When the job 20302b3c29 was done, she 8439d39fc5 received her payment e9e1382f04 in meat, cheese, 63dc52887b butter, and grain.885985397628a3e9

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Thanks to the festive 36895a008d spirit, she even received 0ea92b5ff6 some leftover food.4fb09c8b8a2af1fb

Carrying her goods, she made 09b9badfa9 her way to the forest 17b642177a at the edge of the 0b69778fb7 village.8d841354029ef159

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Passing through the f7013bfd55 lively crowd, Ar 0ea99b8c87 observed friends and 8c12cb49e2 lovers calling out e982f04f69 to each other, 8bc105506f their laughter mingling 45fa99da79 with the cheerful 327c294f4a melodies.d98562963df9a3af

Everyone was connected, yet 98fb3e0627 she remained on the 9d37a279a3 outside, a solitary observer.98a31337b9404dac

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As she walked, 8ffb61c6b3 she imagined herself bc94fae2bb and Leon joining fe54c05c05 the dance.dbea4cbd8f00664c

In her mind’s eye, they 2799c66d96 held hands, twirling and laughing 06e3402a9e among the crowd. Her chest fluttered at f61ac50967 the thought, but reality bebdd3f3bb quickly sobered her.09c39061a8422d23

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It was an impossible dream.189c69016035141f

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“Welcome back.”106648afe553bd01

Leon greeted her e31f081f15 as she entered c0c9c497cd their home, lifting 450045e0c0 his gaze from c470a76c96 the book he 5498afa3cd was reading.1763dbb6c3aa853b

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Suddenly overcome with emotion, Ar 7a28305285 dropped everything and threw herself 8d55ae581e into his arms.f517eb83d3ef5cdb

“Ar, what’s wrong—?”04dd9fb8dad96119

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“Why don’t you call my name?”0af6dd7552f5b1c5

Leon blinked in surprise. His usually bright, cheerful 9cc73110e1 eyes filled with concern 1a6319132e as he looked up 926a236587 at her.9399dbfd0b6e323d

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“Something happened, didn’t it? Tell me.”541d2f524cdc5463

“…Your voice. Say my name.”055e25fe82fc4903

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Staring into his deep 15f45858ec blue eyes, Ar stubbornly 1846404e75 repeated her plea.a2b03dd2533c09c1

“My name.”6e7b920468d5fa77

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“First, why don’t you tell me what happened to you…”04ec4f0e46d82e75

“You don’t know it?”9bdecdafd92c2b1c

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“…”6539a23d017b9131

Leon sighed softly, 4cb2fa475b looking at her 5b6f9ff1fd earnest gaze, then cea8ec3773 met her eyes 39ab607d5c seriously.2aec60b959eb78ea

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“Ar.”dcc3a0e5617f586e

At the sound f91ba6ba31 of her name, 3b17bb5f09 Ar exhaled deeply, 4357cabc43 her shoulders dropping 7599b20f27 as if a e18c1f8614 weight had been d9c9ce66e5 lifted.5e4336098a9f0823

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She leaned into him completely, 4834286b1d allowing herself to relax.b0f19fd5b0fba785

Feeling the weight 769f3f63ad she entrusted to 70576603c5 him, Leon gently 78ef5145db patted her back 8def427697 and whispered again.e184bd38adb80511

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“Ar.”2ee3de2ddb128156

He repeated her name 700c0ef509 several times as she f99385ca78 had wanted, watching her ef963d2d0e expression gradually soften.880bebabba152217

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Once she seemed 39005f3f0d calmer, he asked ed19640a53 her what had abfa38a0ee happened in the 5518ede57d village.cba1344ad0389ab8

Ar’s eyes darted away, hesitant. She had let her feelings overwhelm her, seeking comfort from Leon, but explaining her emotions as they were felt embarrassing.ef86bf0b58438846

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She wanted to show e79c9c40c0 only her best side d7adc57817 to him.d989639ec719d564

Then, she remembered 9b918d5a6c the jar of 304580f03e pepper in her 79aa529df7 possession.2964ee17c27d2732

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“Look at this.”7cafd0b922bba7e0

Ar opened the e3889406ed lid of the dae109d6df jar, revealing the 0409bd6946 pepper inside.07fe55575babee7f

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“I bought this for you. It’s expensive.”8af984409f78b3bc

Proudly, she explained that 5221a8303f she had traded several 37a37d582b fox pelts for it.c4a5e7eb4b0975d1

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Although this time 3e72cc6de4 she only hunted bee9af4b9f foxes, she boasted 4b37960c6c about her ability 01424726ed to catch deer 02b64d162e or even bears ee76b5faa5 if needed, showcasing 7973d18473 her skills.b5d509c60a875772

Leon couldn’t help but smile befe292776 at her. While it was amusing 1e49243fbc that she bragged over 304ee833fc something so small, he 92a2c504c6 also appreciated how precious 473f38a468 pepper must be to 13ebdabd5c commoners like her.35a6b5fcf8cde8b3

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Her pride in being able 14ae4e12a8 to procure something so rare 1b35166676 was endearing.05ad684cc40d074e

Praising her efforts, b8e790981f he took the d4e1ae326d pepper jar to 42fe011f72 the kitchen, mulling 7c2ec37925 over how best 9384124e4a to use it.62411113b506f52e

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Leon thought back to dishes fb08d67544 he had eaten before.5679dcd0617a56eb

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Pepper-roasted meats were a luxury, 1ffdd1709e but such a dish would e1a398c3a4 use up the entire jar 2eaecdbff7 in one go.c12284cb25ba4b30

Instead, he opted for 801ba489aa a simpler approach, seasoning e1de6f5a34 wild boar meat with 4bc9130888 pepper and salt before 084de3bd1a setting it aside to f04767ec56 marinate.d98045371add43d8

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As he waited for the meat to rest, Leon decided to prepare a treat to lift Ar’s spirits.2e738c47c1b4a294

He boiled sugar 14e210261c into caramel, then 5731e35456 heated milk with 87432183e0 sugar, carefully controlling f2457e4d2a the heat. After mixing in 620744ce55 beaten eggs, he b676033488 poured the mixture f84b4bbf3e into bowls lined 4775384358 with caramel.7c2c1e32fc6ef649

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He boiled water, a6115838d9 stabilized the bowls d7389bfd1c with cloth to f8b2431a9f prevent them from c06f1fd7d9 tipping, and watched 7e252c4912 closely to ensure 31f3e180e0 they didn’t overcook.c06555537b902bba

Ar, drawn by the 34a9d55265 sweet aroma wafting through d10ab63f50 the air, peeked into 6cad076ec2 the kitchen, her curiosity 9ff0a6b05f piqued.43c6ade5aa6ea95c

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Feeling her eager gaze, 83135d2b87 Leon smiled and overturned f3a118522f a bowl onto a 7e1f01e6a1 plate, revealing a wobbly 43a7643ce2 caramel pudding.ae662843c5c1d6a4

Ar’s eyes widened in wonder as the pudding jiggled slightly on the plate.e8783f5da0b1b6b8

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“Eat it with the brown sauce.”b69ea98c98229170

Leon said, placing 44160cdd44 a spoon in d1066ba06b her hand.045306e7356043dc

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Without hesitation, Ar took a 096994a3f7 large bite, her expression lighting b3a34a0123 up as the pudding’s creamy 190d1c21c0 texture and sweetness delighted her.ae4d333ceabfdd2c

“…!”93302edb29db41bd

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What followed was predictable.cadd74320670bf75

Having discovered the joy of f3486e35f2 sugary desserts, Ar was utterly 3d36d029c9 captivated.2ede2f8233461991

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She scraped the plate 46c8fd036c clean, savoring every last 1c304f789c drop of caramel sauce.7738cdc0233809a8

Leon watched her with a 350cad0942 fond smile, amused by her 86f83e1995 childlike enthusiasm.0e5fdfb7f907d192

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Feeling full and content 2fb3694f14 after her treat, Ar 29a94a4f6a announced she was ready 37f1425f24 to rest.5ab2076fab86583b

She pulled Leon 52ed19ab74 to a chair, 806e7445b0 climbed onto his a6e6529547 lap, and stretched e23e489582 out like a 209a058019 satisfied cat finding 873f913b00 the perfect spot 9c1f4af768 to nap.e14cf7f72d3fb901

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Leon gently patted her back, 7ab818dc1a her warmth seeping into him fbfb413b0f as he quietly asked about 31af7dcc62 her day.8ad6bbf76b974c35

Drowsy and relaxed, e39c87dc83 Ar murmured answers, d2a95e32d7 recounting the villagers’ 346812881e preparations for the d9e8214c1d festival, the tables 82baaed269 piled high with 2a9263e763 bread and meat, 058fcc4af9 and the lively f04112327c music that inspired 30133a49c6 people to dance 8781410b6e together.6ff99e88e85d9f80

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Leon’s chest tightened as she 0f427c481b described it all.3b812253f0c388e0

“You…”c52f61b1c00417ce

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“Why do you keep calling me that? It’s weird.”3de23b86a845bb45

Ar interrupted, turning to him 8a01d2d1ad and pressing her hand to 47ff284382 his lips.a1c046d902b27c16

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Leon leaned away from 96ff792435 her fingers and tried efd494dfe0 again.b463e858dce333e6

“Then, how should I address you?”eb3288cf48245eac

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“Use my name. Speak casually.”63668ed9368f2955

“Casually… if not ‘you,’ then what—”f7a8e8a0f511d6a7

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Smooch.323139c952f5911a

Ar didn’t need words. Cutting him off with a 99e3dadb13 kiss, she showed him exactly 457d028f28 how he should address her.1bd5303150d2c621

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“Ar.”4e1114e90b7b8724

Leon flushed at the f1810d7fcd sudden gesture and hesitated c018e063a3 before speaking again.6e1b2b9fa3024bcc

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“This is so sudden—”8523f15e0fc2f5b4

Smooch.c24af7d520b04c44

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“Ar.”aa165cef00e9c241

Her actions spoke cf0f6b9218 louder than her 46177e969b words.62764e35df740551

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As her requests continued, Leon 15ecaf9403 gave in, a resigned look e11ac91867 crossing his face.64e839a827ec5e95

“Ar. I said it properly this time—”7c03a82b4a23b08d

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Smooch.8745be850d0a5011

“You’re just making excuses now.”2180d14ba8b8d387

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“I just felt like it.”7808d3e22ef1d274

She said when he protested.eb0b92c63ef10e16

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Her affectionate attacks 825ae67158 left Leon with ecf151cacf no choice but be56162ad6 to wrap his c171c42602 arms around her, 5efcd5bda0 holding her firmly 04a7950ed6 against his chest.cd3639b33926469f

He wasn’t immune 9a05c84224 to the unwavering, 154859d17b pure love she e92e3ce696 showed him.22d20c6d5c2a7768

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‘What am I supposed to do with her?’84815d8ad0162c90

He sighed softly, letting himself a0c9b510a3 be swept up in her 1ab747822f warmth.6859f9047cba20c4

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Unable to resist, he 9a85e76bb0 pressed a light kiss 87a49ac224 to the top of d63ed2af03 her head—so subtle she 7a6431008e didn’t even notice.13b352d763e44f3a

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