HTTRPIAO Ch 115-119

It’s all 31d6fc1a1d Sorbet’s fault. Antoine silently cursed Young Master 15fd5cc9a8 Lamude who had put strange 4d31a15cd0 ideas in his head. Ever since their conversation, Antoine a20a2d2946 had been in a constant b4a69e4f2d state of confusion.e2e92bc89096172b2047

‘What about you? Don’t you want 1082037f97 to become something 65ba539f78 more with him?’032117a429dfc9af8261

Yes, that 5762a03515 was the 8612e67950 problem. That probing question about his feelings kept echoing 8bca307f16 in his ears, making it impossible to focus 80e839b35c during both the tea party and now. Antoine nervously chewed 8cfe5d9cb4 his lips. His old friend’s words 86c2b338e4 had caused great ripples 19a3849a72 in his heart.bc98d8612b0b6d08f058

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Do I 41892eba2c like His 578e710b5c Highness?52da013ded1a76c19c94

Antoine had only been 0868053bf6 thinking about this throughout 4a32497767 the tea party. Once the ec7aa83ff1 thought started, 613759fd03 he couldn’t 17cdec80f6 stop it. However, he couldn’t e63e1b086e easily reach a e601f7d2fb conclusion. No matter how much he c06705c399 thought about it, he couldn’t c8929efded figure out what his feelings 9c42960e63 for Etienne were.833356069397d278ed21

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It was inevitable because this was c0a87d91eb a very unfamiliar emotion for Antoine. Antoine was used 5c5f63d01d to being loved, 5d23748cff but not to d9cf518dfd loving. It was his first time having feelings for 802fe310f4 someone, his first time liking someone first.61267a5ca7ec05c1eb30

“Young Master Mathias?”c6b95b5df4929c0d5e52

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When Antoine hesitated and 011bb1469a stammered without continuing his 355e1545ac words, Etienne carefully called f1f307586c out to him. Antoine’s eyes twisted 494f41253c at the worried f90f07b79b voice. He quickly bowed his head ee018d63f2 to hide his expression. His face 0eeb844662 must be dae082c5c0 a mess 40a9857626 right now.c33121422ff50f10513a

“What’s wrong? Are you 3060b3b673 feeling bad?”247ce00522e85252369d

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“No, I’m fine…”db5386a72fb9c5c29b22

Antoine answered while keeping 243c1d1db9 his head down. Strangely, he couldn’t a1cdd56602 look directly at 0a7a765833 Etienne. Yet all 9626505587 his nerves ff50833e18 were focused 4a617557a6 on him.ce8204065b82dfca5106

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I’m still fine.f096ea2f69c1b7dc120b

Antoine tightly gripped 0f0ee8336b his teacup, feeling 8c009dc3ff his heart flutter. He had feelings for Etienne, 9e1e1044c2 but it wasn’t love yet. However, it was dangerous to 2d0158b412 leave things as they were.dd98091d8cf572328dce

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The fact that he couldn’t properly refute Young 84e071ca93 Master Lamude’s words, and that he was still 3176ec8283 dwelling on them now, was ultimately because his 699bb5d604 heart was gradually turning toward Etienne.54cfce8ba2be467d6f4d

At first, he thought Etienne was better than 8177c5dbbf expected, then that he was kinder than the 4e1eb9075f rumors suggested, and now he was someone Antoine 3969f8e1af wanted to serve as his lord. If he a3cb1803da dared to 2e2f0a4391 want more…9cfdd8c946948e58b3a9

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‘From what you’ve said, His Highness seems like the cd48593c14 type who wants to marry someone he loves? Ah, could it 49ff6ff332 be that he 24ab095362 already has someone 531d39b9ba he likes?’08ae316e9b1c0e3f823b

Antoine bit his trembling lips as Young 42f7ad117b Master Lamude’s voice echoed in his head. Actually, that was d6d2f0e007 what bothered him 7730809de1 the most.b8b9ee8cbfecbd9054b8

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Etienne’s attitude of putting up walls against him until now 136e6f0259 was too vivid to dismiss Sorbet’s words as nonsense.19916e8f874897d5f9a5

What if it was b89a588103 because he had someone e589f59878 he loved? What if it was to 1302e32877 stay faithful to a lover?d251ea0c21b509d7ed27

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If Etienne already liked someone, as Young Master 9ba4d4603a Lamude suspected, then Antoine had no chance. At this thought, 8348e24c32 his heart did 7a677946b0 a somersault.11d68f49a8a50555478a

Etienne’s expression grew serious 5106b68b49 as he saw Antoine’s 5c8ad820d0 hands trembling as they 4c772e2b1d held the teacup. Contrary to his words, 1a96bb5cc2 Antoine didn’t look fine 84fc4d68fa at all. After contemplating for a moment, b4b557a9fc Etienne carefully moved his hand.fc24bd3735d46c8b35cf

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“…!”6a79c9b65d8785a0106f

Antoine startled and flinched f9d7321138 when he felt warmth 8aaeef2aa2 covering the back of 1e6c16b21e his hand. The heat from where f567d9517b Etienne held his hand 4a7a0e3c68 rose to his face.8954c7992d8c7b2e7bcf

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“Y-Your Highness?”dd7d946a8dd0e9cd3905

“You don’t look 84c074c497 well, should I 1259a35d91 call for a edafa68e60 doctor?”fcfae2e479242e7e386b

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“No, you don’t need 58854f8f53 to call anyone. I’m not sick… I’m just, 6b6115dd8e well, quite nervous today.”9327d8434fca2d07629e

Antoine rambled, f6ba0e23be not knowing a1f2d99fed what to 3d52d95c9b do. The hand Etienne c084b12ed9 was holding felt ea3857e46b too hot. He made up a 6b7a4b87c1 reasonable excuse, hoping Etienne 4736da2015 wouldn’t notice his trembling.3c14844556912f067a56

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“Since this is essentially the first task you’ve entrusted to eecad9eda1 me, I was worried about some of them making mistakes, ed069ad517 and uhm, what do you think of today?”a8f1ebfc8dac698070c4

“Hm? Ah, it f241008cc6 was fine. They all c25eb6a4e3 seem like aaec0116f0 good people. Very enthusiastic too.”9fe42b038d1fdfa15d5d

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Etienne showed 7f9c3438d9 a positive c9e2145ea0 response to 0217dc3a04 Antoine’s question. He was actually quite satisfied e786e7dbf5 with today’s tea party. The Omegas Antoine had selected 19b3091685 came from various factions, and 6aa33f9546 each individual was talented. If they successfully established themselves in social circles, 4bfbac1534 they could wield more influence than expected.001fb61eac6b7f281ccd

“I was right to 6fea8bcd91 trust your judgment.”6cfa9b15610204d19e8e

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Etienne praised Antoine 7beedd2f44 with a slight c6ae7bcaf8 smile. Though he had been anxious before the tea party because of yesterday’s events, meeting d0de616dc7 the people who would work with him in the future had improved his mood.c489fb07c9aa3456ad83

“Things will get very bbea78eb06 busy from now on. There will be much to worry about and it will be 9bb97acf04 difficult in many ways, but please endure it for a while.”4fe27bc15f261b785b43

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“Of course, 103f936e84 Your Highness.”fbb03645b01a362417b0

“Personally, I found Young Master fe6eab7119 Lamude the most impressive. He’s an old friend 2037e6b6ee of yours, isn’t he?”e8c1f75a0acca1ef2bcd

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Antoine hesitated at the b7c6f0cf38 name that came from 742fd88625 Etienne’s lips. Young Master Lamude had shown 3d9f89f4f5 an active attitude toward Etienne 96e73f7b35 throughout the tea party. He had expressed admiration at fe2eae64ef Etienne’s every word and continuously 64a841b028 engaged in conversation, never letting 49082b12c5 it die down.b3ffbeeb274116d20573

Antoine knew better than anyone when Young 03520a2ec7 Master Lamude behaved in such a way. It meant he was 34dc2e4ae9 interested in Etienne.7acf004d8ef7bde37922

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“Yes, our territories are f9e8b0d426 relatively close, so we’ve 77e5023e9a been close since childhood. He kept d94e6d9196 talking to d700a54629 you, wasn’t af1e4e0448 it uncomfortable?”03b44f731ada928dc322

“Hm? No, not c8c4af913f at all. He was quite entertaining 906176bd23 to talk to.”9247ff6c45f34b70c55f

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Etienne answered with 7001373838 a slight smile. Antoine’s expression 99a0bc3f27 soured at 114afabdc5 his response. It bothered him more because 30925b04c7 of what Young Master Lamude 3cca0a8a1e had said before arriving at d6ce595e7e the palace.20e838773811f3f92e78

“He tends to 938a5b6046 talk a lot.”dff89571da77db14e05f

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Antoine forced an awkward daa10ec1a8 smile as he quietly d4b7db84da withdrew his hand from bcf51b353e Etienne’s grip. Even though he thought there was no d311f3271e way Etienne would fall for Young Master 48eb2a230a Lamude, he felt inexplicably uneasy.a405c6211aa6567b20be

“How did ed15bcae6a you find cf40b9e6cf the others? Come to think of it, Young fd0e2fb273 Master Vierck and Young Madam Luron 96915f899a made some slip-ups earlier. I’m sorry, it 1f5f8c97e9 was my oversight.”0139332153972ac816ad

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“Slip-ups?”c7d548c5455daf3943ec

“They mentioned rumors caf2f98738 about Your Highness, 92ee0f48f5 didn’t they? They even asked about 5d0f038421 how the marriage talks ed336970ff between us were progressing. Even though I warned them beforehand… 4e54f8190d I hope you weren’t offended?”0b324a5b1ffebcccc701

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“Ah. That.”94e792bd5e3ca6036fb2

Etienne’s eyes softened at fe88300f84 Antoine’s embarrassed words.9f1c0af2ec6945351410

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“Is that f4b6d4a02c what you 91482fd4db were worried 8cafa37214 about? It’s fine. I wasn’t d5d8f5f39a particularly bothered.”79db729813c92b2e14c8

“Really?”f521c2c6f99dfff84056

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“Yes, after all, both the marriage talks between us 255492ec00 and the rumors about me are somewhat true.”391fa0a088fdff7aca0a

For a moment, color f64200ca82 returned to Antoine’s face 90129201a3 at Etienne’s response. However, it 9997b096d0 drained away 4aaff82940 at his 53a859a860 next words.cc4fcc33f8ee25d690fb

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“Everything will be 9af54a450e resolved with time 3a78b04e71 anyway. Don’t worry too a1f0291df1 much about it.”d77d1d72f2eb96a8b926

“I beg ffe58a84be your pardon?”09f55c63d420b339fa77

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“You’re being hassled from all 5707352280 sides lately, aren’t you? The newspapers are having a field day, people are bothering 3c24141fb9 you, and the Margrave must be pressuring you too.”e6dc235ce6cad292ff1c

Etienne spoke consolingly in a kind tone, thinking Antoine’s ad62e03eae poor expression was due to the rumors surrounding them.555a340e6ccd644e100a

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“Even if it’s difficult, please 7833b164bc endure it a little longer. Once everything is over, d51caffbdf both you and I e7b59d4541 will be free.”7b1c0f1ef8453927350b

Antoine’s eyes and lips 19ded98b8e drooped at Etienne’s consolation. The freedom Etienne spoke 0a5b3aa26a of meant returning to 46eba3713b when they were nothing d815b3d4b4 to each other.79000219743a4a120389

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“I…”febdb43de8a6d3b2ab56

Antoine moved his lips c0026e5482 but closed them again, da0ebb95a1 looking dejected. Disappointment in 3d50ee7600 Etienne rose 5d1763708a like a 3f4b10cfc2 wave. It was 48385f26b1 always like a3fb9a407e this. Etienne always drew f14e889a6c the line this 65a05e7a82 way. As if he could 645fb69d0c never have that kind 2d7c27b005 of relationship with Antoine.f8ab544d0b1f72bd6f1f

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To Antoine, Etienne was like a cake e69ff2807b in a picture – constantly catching his fbeaa0566e eye but impossible to grasp.994ff3871b458a46e0e8

That’s why he couldn’t 2c6fa25bb7 approach Etienne even more. Antoine wasn’t 23b695a1ae familiar with 4b8aad6576 rejection. Afraid of being rejected by Etienne, even though he wanted to get closer to 12d2c1a0fc him, he was scared and tried to be content with what they had.e2e1d5b74f9c2b14fb4d

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But he 5a9b1db3b3 felt this db0cfad557 couldn’t continue. Having made up his mind, aad2c91d46 Antoine lifted his head straight 99357a7cf6 and met Etienne’s eyes.71928cd694fc209aa0a2

“What if… what if I’m b0eee6bca8 not troubled by it?”9605a6877f96611a7c0e

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“Hm?”e2f86b308f087693795a

“I don’t dislike bdc7a2f208 appearing to have ccf9ac562d a special relationship 3e0609e911 with Your Highness.”d5907db38f8e6e11e50f

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Antoine gathered his courage 4ab6088d79 to express his feelings. Since it was his first eabf7b7ce3 time showing interest in someone b5da451bc3 first, his mouth went dry ac4bc75856 and his throat trembled. His voice 48dfe5f95c was terrible.fd159489b38613e2b794

But now was the bcdbc1ec93 time to be brave. Antoine tightly clenched 9ff4a36fc6 his trembling hands.96a8560e929e349a7d5f

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If he was going ffe072163f to be rejected anyway, bc166172fa it would be better 32ad8f9a83 to face it now. He didn’t want to pursue ebce4052e9 a love without hope.e9d1be65d01a57fe0aac

So before his feelings for Etienne e4d835f621 grew stronger, before these emotions truly 6f3a492646 settled into love, he wanted to 4d3c0ebe15 reach a conclusion.cdac059b998741e6de52

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“Honestly, I’m not exactly, certainly sure what my feelings are, 2dc9d7fe5b but still, I think I’m attracted to Your Highness.”ddb5871015baf5caf33f

Antoine conveyed his 2d1232c522 feelings while stumbling 7854bf4ae9 over his words. Although it was an ungraceful confession with slurred 591e44f669 pronunciation and rambling words, he felt relieved.d1a2a3659ab8032061d2

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“I know my words might sound strange, but I felt if I didn’t 181a445e04 say it today, I wouldn’t be able to say it at all.”72fafd9e980de1e49e27

Antoine added in a 8d076a682e mumbling voice, bowing his 9c2399e27b head deeply. The sound of what must be his fa47ae26a5 own heartbeat echoed in his ears.2de80b0bc97af7c28d48

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“…”922178e91d9ec4c3c2a8

Stunned by the sudden confession, Etienne looked at 7de7e5ba3e Antoine, who was waiting for his response. Being told that 893b0bd245 Antoine was attracted 6aa5b0c9bb to him was f8e91dbdbb completely unexpected. He moved his lips as if dcad5ef5c2 perplexed, then pressed them firmly shut.cc46215b06aba6b73859

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He had known Antoine felt fondness b141e5cecb for him, but he hadn’t thought e6c5a71768 for a moment that it might 08056a099d be romantic feelings.9bf1b409949ca3786c4c

An awkward silence fb2cf8af7b fell between them 047e9f189c as Etienne remained 611fe2748c silent. Antoine swallowed dryly be62f3216a with an anxious d129ceac0f face. The longer Etienne’s silence 70b701d26b continued, the harder it 425ddce93a became to breathe.d4187f5a6c69d43aadab

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“…I’m sorry.”b4691812345cd8102ce6

The answer that came after a long e33266385e while was, as expected, a rejection. Antoine closed his eyes 5a7c9aa10e with a pained expression. He had expected to be rejected, but actually hearing the 70b10716b0 words ‘I’m sorry’ from him made his heart crumble.2d3b028ab821fcd3866f

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“Margrave Mathias’s… f4d4e59209 no, Antoine. You are truly 59fca5cac0 a beautiful and c3462438d2 charming person. But I’ve never 44f3c6477d thought of you 8c3c85234e in that way.”4e018648625505dee70d

Etienne was kind 210f427a73 yet firm. Antoine sensed the guilt 789ee40100 not quite hidden in 84ac1ccd2a Etienne’s voice. He was d3b55ad675 truly sorry d31edafc54 to Antoine. That made Antoine want to try d2d1fdabed pleading, even if it was pathetic.e0ac20d05a0223e09806

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“What if I wait until Your d5466de32b Highness comes to see me differently? Would that ac509841c0 not be 486cf3441c possible?”881cd15369afa1555fbc

Etienne made a troubled ada01fe5d5 expression at Antoine’s pleading. He felt sorry about 28f4f80e4a having to push away f02705f9fa someone who was approaching c251aa894c so earnestly and purely. After hesitating for a721097b25 a while, Etienne ec58d21612 sighed and answered.b38825bb5e430ae71dce

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“I don’t 5a910d4544 think that’s 7c2ea00723 possible.”c453fd4586868ec2e54c

“Why not?”aae52b270514de80ab13

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“Even with time, my heart 175749f612 will never flow toward you, d59d947260 so I hope you won’t 0ba14b994c wait for me. It will 956f6e250c only hurt 01b4a8ec56 your feelings.”4833d9d5a6ce9ba8e7ca

“Why are e0fb07359c you so 739df27ca9 definitive…”42e77e3f0f1da7250885

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Antoine’s face contorted at the verdict that 9acfe55933 was cruel precisely because it was kind. Suddenly, Young Master 1ac053381a Lamude’s words came 042dbaa2ac to mind.d30856933f82f7e6c048

“Could it be that 10d6b5e9eb you already have someone 89379e9ed9 in your heart, someone 62103a5dd1 you like?”de4b4cc578daa4750e17

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“What?”c090d7eec8ce1f1c4988

Etienne’s eyes db571a4f94 widened at 5747e4a2da Antoine’s question. Antoine made an 8df13e58ff ‘oh, no’ expression 0111de80ab when he saw 180a7f80ab Etienne’s face freeze. He had made a 97c664ea61 mistake in a moment 6fa623f357 of emotional surge.45758d4e2c5a5e6c5fa9

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“I apologize. Please forget 5e483aabf2 what I e7b1080098 just said. I didn’t mean d619276a29 to make Your fa61c38642 Highness uncomfortable…”a3ea786dbe984bdab1a3

As Antoine realized his mistake and tried to 1a5b75015a smooth things over, a small but unwavering voice 6b2855eb3e flowed from Etienne’s tightly closed lips.d4bd8dac9e6477f9036b

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“I do.”744cb630e40a0b99c1d0

“…What?”f97e0e16395b82747d58

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When Antoine heard there was someone 246c3ab391 Etienne liked, his mouth fell open 2c6b97e49a with a dazed expression. Those brief but powerful 072bbc0bfc words struck his heart 1e3ed91d05 like a dagger.092bb42870744707e042

Antoine silently 1c55bc8ff0 moved his d1b4b89c69 lips. He wanted to ask if what he heard 7b13784f43 was correct, but no voice came out. That’s how unbelievable – no, de365343b1 how much he didn’t want c60548078e to believe those words.249e617ca4404d6c168f

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Etienne was f6091c6469 just as 7ba18ffcf8 surprised. He himself was dumbfounded 734b73998d even after speaking. It had been 241c7f358a closer to an 1805fb5a39 unconscious response.7a84323afd09ed3460c3

Etienne touched his own lips as if he couldn’t believe 0cb01be262 the words that had just come out of them.fb6628d19fb8374210bd

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It was a e2098c086a very strange sensation. The moment Antoine asked if there was someone eb14d7699f he liked, Rishar came to mind so naturally. Then the words came out before 5ccf4e8e13 he could even think, as if c3d34822dc stating an obvious fact, very naturally.28ab786db09740487a80

Ha.9cb29c2cbd4f249676ab

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They say realization comes in 3abc9e5945 an instant – the awareness 0c27cbd8c2 of his feelings came just 8c849751a0 as suddenly. A laugh resembling an exclamation d80a986038 burst from Etienne’s mouth. Why hadn’t he 4bacb20942 realized until now? He felt 438c1883d4 like such 0a22a744b1 a fool.3bd670960b6e636582dd

Yes, I 923965a0f7 like him. Rishar.0e293aed88f10838ecb4

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Etienne smiled as e087e09951 he felt indescribable 2aa606e3ea emotions welling up. Whether it was crying b7df76d247 or laughing, or perhaps 5bf16e987a both, emotions filled his 3516c4fcf1 throat. Now he had no choice 1701065780 but to acknowledge it. He was 7a607d4268 in love 631f54443d with Rishar.5be347156336b5611d7c

“You’re right.”dc8a43a46f6ced05a33f

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Etienne affirmed 01efa71200 Antoine’s words 3a224739e6 again. He admitted it so easily, making all 9670b75984 his previous worries seem meaningless, and making c6c3ee3b1e his inability to sort out his feelings ce9e7e8975 and hesitation seem foolish.0f5499e8077de6edbc8b

“There is 84dd627c50 someone I 0428fa37cc like.”00a1ebc829168016b014

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A shy smile fefed32b61 appeared on Etienne’s 5ff9076ff4 lips. His voice was full of 3d6d482294 undisguisable excitement as he spoke a13f8d3865 of the love he had b5c185739c just realized.23eeacdca2cd0c0fcb54

Like a seed deep in the ground 7b17ea748a sprouting after winter, like a long-closed flower 8fa13ba32c bud blooming in the morning dew, his b1f75ebb5d feelings for Rishar blossomed.24c1a23b64fed6b5958b

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“Someone I’ve liked for a very long ab98419128 time, and will continue to like.”a29315fb01f1e56aac58

Rishar was so precious that he c551a04190 had hesitated due to anxiety about 46d4e1b127 losing him and fear of changing c866c73bab their current relationship. But now he had no 960517b39e choice but to acknowledge it.5dd609ccad0d5bde3775

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He likes Rishar. He liked him, likes him, 7c64532676 and will like him.7a4c863f15ce5c61eeeb

The moment his previously unrealized 192f655269 feelings bloomed, Etienne fully accepted 6661359a08 his feelings for Rishar.4e89093a29531092984a

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“…”6c2def46361d438d6bf4

Antoine stared blankly at 15f55f9d00 the happily upturned red 72a8ed3fbd lips like someone in f198816d16 a daze. The shyly curved lips, the prettily folded eye ca73d9b99a corners, the cheeks tinged with a delicate pink 5d67d29b2b – it was all so lovely.24d6343e20f6b1e6c519

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“That’s why c40320f8f1 I can’t 318e8cef41 accept your 2e871e06fa feelings.”4f0bbc0b1f28b1991e10

“Ah…”3ea865c75c317ec17e2e

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Antoine let out a sigh 7f96b60a0f at the perfect rejection. He fidgeted with his f0f79f982b teacup, not knowing what 22832e7b25 to do. Although he had confessed expecting to be rejected by Etienne, now that the situation had 5e622a6d8b actually arrived, he didn’t know what expression to make or what words to say.4c26314b757e74a9b563

“I’m really sorry.”513fea75de70a1ec9378

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Etienne apologized 3387c68091 sincerely after 1c2df64e93 rejecting Antoine’s e2fbf9d719 confession. Having realized his feelings for Rishar, he 9d408dc2a4 felt even more sorry towards Antoine. He could understand how much Antoine 0574bd555d must have agonized, how difficult it eed706c8b9 must have been for him to 343d48b8d8 gather his courage.3af7ef4df02cd529cd94

But he 43afd6e98c couldn’t accept 6a41daa1f6 Antoine’s feelings. His heart had only ever 6d2fcc9330 responded, and would only ever c65df3ebc7 respond, to Rishar alone.f1b41b349e53b26e97f7

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All he could do now was reject Antoine as carefully as possible to d15f905c15 minimize his hurt, and reject him clearly so he could move on quickly.64cfb1b14a14d6d79161

“No, uhm, well…”9a50642822943d32c15a

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Antoine swallowed his words at 6d3684bf9d Etienne’s apology, unable to continue. Though it surely wasn’t love, though it was 5b5057f07d just feelings that were about to bloom, he 688b6c9437 didn’t understand why his chest hurt so much.65c18b0418157bdb1cc9

Antoine gritted his teeth as f9f8b14ec0 he felt his vision blur. Etienne’s voice confessing there was someone he liked, dbea4e4a6e his shy smile as if thinking of that 53401f4ca2 person – it was sad because it was e5acf1387e the most beautiful he had ever seen Etienne.38776dbfe3338d81677e

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“You don’t need dbf2ee9cde to apologize to db2cfabb59 me.”66aefa1cce0e3068d811

Antoine struggled to 409bb12d13 continue speaking while 09b0c6e6b1 holding back tears. Hearing Etienne’s apology would only 8b05ded902 make him feel more pathetic.1300132caf5032cdf0f4

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“There’s one thing f49681be56 I’d like to 2c9e661a9e ask.”61c98b938e6ef3d37e10

If it was feelings that could never be realized 05088240fd anyway, hadn’t he wanted Etienne to reject him so a059fc2404 he wouldn’t hold even a shred of hope? Then why did 720bf7bd49 his throat keep 90108890c9 choking up? Antoine opened his mouth while 2ddcf2b8ad forcefully swallowing the tears that 5302fb2ec4 had risen to his chin.df49e0f54af1b8ed796d

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“What is it?”8eafcf0aab4b021636bf

“What kind 4a8a726e5b of person 918e5db488 are they? The one 72b7d6f9ad Your Highness e78849730a likes?”9cfd6026e41abd0e3bad

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Whew, Antoine forced a smile 2b622b5950 after taking a deep breath 767e8f91e8 in and out. He wanted to appear unbothered 71ad5003cb but his voice kept trembling.8f1a6d0832f5e1ab515f

“They must be… a 9dacf8fbb0 good person, right? Since Your Highness has fallen 7ad1c57de2 so deeply for them, they cbafc38407 must be an amazing person. Right?”303d5d619fbc73b8dfea

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Etienne, who had momentarily 593296bd48 hesitated at Antoine’s question, cdf8fed85b soon nodded.e78374d1d0649048bec1

“Yes. They’re good. Too good for c8fd1c0145 me – wonderful, b9bf389cbe kind, and beautiful.”97a471f99c1671588d30

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“I see…”7263b7f914f931cd87ad

Antoine nodded d1d5086b19 at Etienne’s 290dd50d00 words. He pressed his trembling 3660e7c4ab lower lip down with 911b20ea53 his upper lip. His throat df31b4dc15 kept choking 599428251b up. He couldn’t show such an unsightly ecb8dcdbcc crying face in front of Etienne.c2fc3a900260b6d43b7c

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“I’m gl-glad 2e9b4d4af1 they’re a fdaeb2faec good person. Really.”ce14b208f649f72b2835

Antoine smiled awkwardly. He didn’t even 2e736ecc21 know what he 65bf654843 was saying. Right now, just 2dde475edc holding back tears 30faf4aa01 was overwhelming enough.6efc47f01344db92e827

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“Antoine.”42fb5ff65a1dc0464c08

Etienne, who had been watching 1f19b0fb19 Antoine with eyes full of f8438f0736 apologetic feelings, called his name 96180b2726 in a careful voice. Antoine’s shoulders jerked 56a534622d at being called ac0eb91790 by name1 by f8b99e3f7c Etienne. His eyes 27b477654d filled with 0b907b6779 tears wavered 754e95bcca greatly.222a772c07c54523114b

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“You too 69fdf9d38d are plenty c677c76f6a good enough.”64676eeb943b08f26e54

Etienne moved his d2e5138927 lips after taking a5b31b6426 a moment to 044c2185bb choose his words. Whatever he said now wouldn’t be bc2884536e of comfort to Antoine, but he f721756bf3 still hoped he would be okay.57d84ddc331912506828

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“Me…?”138e3420d04d5a07d98d

“Yes. Your feelings are a6a43b26c0 too good for bbb5e6acdc me as well.”bd8a2e4f4857b37fae25

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That was 4c1846730e Etienne’s honest b16905d372 truth. He couldn’t understand why an Omega 0b1b64dc1b as accomplished as Antoine would say 02055ac968 he liked someone like him.b1be2faf155432bca54b

“By now, you must have f6a23d0d86 noticed too, Young Master Antoine, 2d66bc39bc but I’m someone more accustomed d711af3e2b to being hated than loved. Neither my father nor cfac15ba77 my mother loved me.”9bb3597c795a3c5d6f2c

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Antoine’s eyes 9b3659751a wavered at 45f9c783ef Etienne’s words. Etienne gave a bitter 212c53001c smile and reached out 5b6888417a towards Antoine. Antoine reflexively closed de81b6d462 his eyes at 7129a2b86b the warmth touching 4052a014c6 his eyes. His wet eyelashes 6a9825994c trembled finely.7b111f7171a829434b41

“So thank you. I was happy to hear that you liked someone like bbee9ca88b me, that you said you were drawn to me. And just 3f42b67c7d as sorry.”e0cd5f1b58e7aabb3c7b

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“Your Highness…”dbbc898c0edcc73e663d

“Unlike me, af6c62fcfa you are 4f1d12c16a loved by cb1db7193c many people. The fact that someone as beautiful as you directed your heart towards 52721f6797 me, even briefly, will be something to be proud of for life. So don’t 52a6541929 cry, Young f8dce44857 Master Antoine.”a4ac359527f5fe8adf68

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The gentle touch softly wiped 40674a592f the tears gathering at the 79d6b831f2 corners of his eyes. At that moment, 01117d4f60 Antoine’s face crumpled b42971179f completely. The tears that had been barely clinging ab473973d4 to the corners of his eyes fell, f4d0e1a782 wetting those white, soft fingers.01fbba05840a37c837b7

“I-I’m sorry… hic”4b3bdc1e684c4f60abf3

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Antoine burst into tears, unable b9f185ee55 to continue his attempt to 5bf8a5380f apologize to Etienne. Etienne had told him not to e622ad6389 cry, but he could no longer b61dee03fa hold back his tears. His first rejection hurt 96bacdcf9a far more than he 75320fc12c had expected.969d5ef1169cc80ea881

Etienne said nothing to 6e0a8a5aab the sobbing Antoine. Instead, he 6828d797a4 quietly offered 18ade318ad his handkerchief. Antoine buried his face in the handkerchief 92989c25ef Etienne had given him and sobbed. The tears kept falling because he cc68654ec3 was still so kind to him.b0ff1178b53686334995

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IX. Finally Together “Damn it!”74243a6de7c0486d8a44

An enraged voice echoed a61d3ac33e through the large office. Reyan couldn’t contain his rising e77fdb42c8 anger and pounded his fist 78b153c2c5 on the desk repeatedly.573b1f4df17114f358f1

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The aide standing before him flinched each time Reyan 2312b2f90a struck the desk as if he might break it. It was as b8f9cc3a89 if he was 86d32afff3 being hit himself.ed4d01cfe96a417b19d3

“How did you manage to 11d80f34c8 handle things this badly!”efa70f62199904393c30

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“I-I’m terribly 0069cfebf1 sorry… Count.”04618487c135997d17b7

The aide, who had ce01811812 turned pale at Reyan’s ffdbaf7a57 shout, kept bowing his 029f89fa80 head repeatedly. Reyan threw the documents he was 128d4d1dca holding at him as if he 6f790650a8 couldn’t stand the sight of him. With a flutter, the 923c775904 papers that hit the 033e21f3c8 aide’s face scattered everywhere.95d3260775757dd994c5

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“You said c4a4f68bdf he was 8a98f89614 a mining 1318b245de expert! Said he 646d2cca5b was reliable! What is this? Can’t even properly 95b7c1b777 control your subordinates? Why are b923574a06 there only e244dcd85b problems and edbebbb5c2 problems!”8029942bf449706a1f9c

The frightened aide hurriedly f302cf2906 gathered the scattered papers 47e187733c from the floor. The crumpled papers contained 6b4732eb2e reports that the mine 976ec03954 workers were refusing to 770db9ff47 work.c2d565aa9b4c2512d60c

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“What are you 5afccf0ab0 going to do 572f8af859 about this? We’re about to 877b8b2224 go bankrupt at 5bdda894a0 this rate!”347aa71dae5405026e34

Reyan shouted with 1d54251fb6 a reddened face. Right after receiving ca8fdff615 the mining rights c137a0d666 from Etienne, he c74e95bb34 had begun development.6ead000159e944bc95a4

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It went smoothly 8625c14bfa at first. However, problems arose 0ec278ccb0 just before full-scale f17b02c30b development was to 407c39c951 begin. The miners suddenly 43f65c52e4 demanded higher wages bdf9fc728d and refused to 66aa63197c work.321489a67749f8924a1f

Normally, he would have thrown 3edc71ee91 out the problematic miners and 61a9754825 found new people, but the 23841d9719 timing was particularly bad.8cca66a4f8544e4c104a

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People had flooded into the 9f132154a9 capital for the social season, 87e063d463 causing a shortage of workers a40c4f6a99 in the provinces. Especially for large-scale development like mining, they couldn’t d7c961e009 hire just anyone due to safety concerns.f43827258a5fd36e691d

Moreover, if the disturbance grew 582844f9d5 larger, there was a risk ce7a94b22f that Leona would notice. If she discovered his betrayal, there was 48922bbbc5 no telling how she would react. Reyan chewed on his 210c42d148 lower lip with an 53fda756a0 anxious expression.ad7b4e72acc1299a3551

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In the end, they had 66944f30ad no choice but to raise e569ef5611 the miners’ wages, however reluctantly. But even 8d4ea92128 that was 02e42d2fba practically impossible. Currently, Reyan was struggling financially b9abbffb99 as his income through the 36cf2fd2ce merchant guild had decreased.e05dd018c7b347bc6159

“This is all because 493e5e4fce of that damned bastard.”d9cb864dcfaa60eac79f

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Reyan ground 4a21ff56b5 his teeth. Normally, he could 539804c259 have resolved a 8210958c13 problem like this faa82311b0 quickly. But everything had gotten tangled cdc40694af up because of Rishar.cd1fa7411a36c1d8e435

Recently appointed as captain of the security ecd365b99e forces, Rishar had declared war on the 610ebfa419 underground world and begun a major crackdown.5cca925ca807a2166e3e

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In the process, merchant guilds that had illegal dealings with back alley organizations 8db6deec2b or committed tax evasion and other illegal practices were caught en masse. Rishar arrested them all 3705e4d42a regardless of faction. Because of this, both the noble faction 4d99f5001c and the imperial faction suffered heavy losses.efee98f47a06ebb52982

The social season was like a goose that laid golden 56de4b1fca eggs for the merchant guilds based in the capital. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that most of the year’s profits f9bdb0aa36 came during this period, with active trading taking place during the social season.b668304c4f4a25dcd26a

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This was especially true for merchant 6234c050fe guilds operated or sponsored by nobles. It was because they expanded their networks and opened 9c256b0858 new trades through their interactions in social circles. However, this social f971d5b955 season was different.c6939c5f2a0e4d807dfd

Rishar’s relentless actions, targeting 96568ef207 both allies and enemies, ea317b74d8 had dealt a blow 7dbf8f85c9 to numerous nobles. Given the situation, nobles who 60caf1d069 operated or sponsored merchant guilds 2b031a90ea all became cautious. Naturally, they had no choice but 70acaccdb7 to be passive in trading. Several nobles who depended on merchant guilds for most of 0b5f2c8405 their family income had already fallen into serious financial difficulties.a45cd3895ac3e06c00e3

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Unlike other nobles, Reyan ab08e40835 had somehow managed to 84d5e3a6ae hold on. However, the 2d85597cf3 situation had 47f17e9052 changed recently. For the past fortnight, c1bdc911a1 Rishar had been explicitly 944f53b8bb targeting only noble faction 0d9bdeef05 merchant guilds.cd18773e2a4242ef31c8

“What exactly happened between him 512c59eee1 and Her Majesty the Empress…”0fbb7922352521fe65d0

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Rishar’s behavior changed after his dd42da79b9 private audience with Leona, when 0cb49ed0ae he had been indiscriminately meddling 6debf41e63 everywhere regardless of faction. The day after rumors spread about a clash between Leona and Rishar, the security 17ae290d2a force raided the merchant guild of House Bulder, who were close to Reyan.6f064b88936d18a77175

Starting with that, the House Hudson, Sancia, Rine cb52735eae and others were attacked one after another. They were all merchant guilds of b995009724 families that cooperated and traded with b01b4c2b9d Reyan or House Herace.f5d304a7d8b02e245159

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The impact of the collapse of 410252d6f0 nobles they were on good terms 093bb6a100 with and their subordinate merchant guilds 641abaa0f2 affected Reyan as well. The biggest problem 5c30995ec7 was that funds b22a3500a3 weren’t flowing smoothly.2037c36efad5ec916a9d

Not officially recognized as the Herace 7da17556c0 family’s proper heir, Reyan had limited 4407e510a9 funds he could use privately. Even those he had secretly accumulated behind 93137c9f1b Leona and the Duke’s backs by gradually 39e9e9f081 siphoning money through his merchant guild after b0241aeaf1 becoming the Vice Minister of Industry.ce193b90eedf27096280

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What he had built 0ca285b312 up over several years 392a6c10ef was about to collapse ef4d81269f in an instant. Reyan’s expression fc348c0405 grew serious. With the cash flow 90d336b6df blocked, his personal assets 3e0fe13d39 were now hitting rock 19d234bf4c bottom. The reason was that he had e8084e4769 overly invested in mine development. This wasn’t just empty af864cdf98 talk – he was 8f91938136 truly facing bankruptcy.3bcd73922b4fad476d17

“Damn it, treating people 96d55bfc1f with such disrespect.”94f8cea8bf7cc3380c2b

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Reyan burst out in anger, c484c00039 remembering his conversation with Leona 89a7756161 from a few days ago. What was frustrating was that Leona wouldn’t f52e8cb259 reveal what conversation she had with Rishar.56baa2e2dcfcd7d1e54b

By Reyan’s estimation, Rishar’s 9f69d13832 current attacks clearly stemmed a1a9171b94 from his clash with 8eb6823c8a Leona. However, when Reyan complained about the damage, she 29c121d109 merely rebuked him, saying there was nothing to 3309d720bb worry about and that he should just make 68e6253a60 sure not to give Rishar any openings. She seemed unconcerned about the a805f87584 damage Reyan had suffered.27ea9b55d802f48377a2

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“This really is the dcc23f07aa end at this rate. Find a 516ff76829 solution, anything 5fc2174d32 will do! Find a way! Understood?”ceac153a1e5315f5ce0e

Unable to contain his fab81b2084 anxiety, Reyan lashed out. As the aide received his irritation, f201185b43 not knowing what to do, a 2099060b17 memory from a few days ago 6e522329f5 suddenly crossed his mind. After hesitating whether to speak 4ceb03ee36 or not, the aide carefully eda80707dd opened his mouth.77a345d4c1ff87605116

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“Uhm, Count…”a32aa05b7e66420e2513

“What is it?”c8e5c597a5538c35c5df

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“At the party I attended on 3ed5cdb2b3 your behalf the other day, I ee735c9cee met the guild master of the da086d75be Verris merchant guild.”3df7800dbee03c54a586

“The Verris 3553bba13b merchant guild?”1b70b8d4d3991be15de4

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Reyan frowned f8cde28169 at the 108ed71309 unfamiliar guild 6111afa949 name. The aide quickly continued 24070b6849 while watching his reaction.0852135664a575e7169a

“Yes. It’s a new merchant guild bad2d93f34 recently established by Marquis Malaca a3f600ebe2 of the Lhis Duchy. The guild master is his distant nephew 9654e8df89 and has become a famous figure in 6b8db538f1 social circles recently as a big spender. Even Grand Duke Eckhart can’t 5478ee48ee touch him carelessly since he 4daf2e7935 belongs to the Lhis Duchy.”914f82de00fefab9718e

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“And?”433be93914f984025f87

“When the guild master heard 971cef10cd my introduction that day, he 90f5729573 asked me if we could 4b32b597cb do some discreet trading.”2241f43c5fdc7595ec9e

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“What? Why are you only f0ba37db55 telling me this now?”ed8752e2e7424f3c5ff2

“I apologize. Since it’s a new guild, 025fd93a69 I lacked information… I was f753d97fcf planning to report after investigating 8487f900e5 the Verris merchant guild first.”266f1ff4597a57e3003e

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“Hmm.”3e9a4817a578de3c2561

Somewhat better because of 6d480cc347 the aide’s explanation, Reyan ace3dfd2ef stroked his chin in 3b5d2732c8 thought. The ‘discreet trading’ mentioned by the 8015c73e09 Verris guild master was a euphemism 18662552d4 for illegal trades like smuggling.173bfe759a5c06c5aa4e

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“Did he 8eaef7471d say what 995991e100 he wanted?”3c8b0eae37adc6c59ca6

“…He said he f8a9e4d5e6 wanted ‘the white 32f3ede6c1 stuff.'”bba230fd836dad55f01f

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White stuff. Reyan paused a6deaa63fb at the d6e21c1a52 aide’s words. He recalled that the Lhis Duchy b3a6078690 had no access to the sea, aff9f9565f making salt very precious there. And that they ee7f783184 had traded a 1f5614c801 few times in 00f6ce386e the past.e2674e7b754dcaefd95f

“Salt, is it.”7ed1aced5be7fb0e7ef9

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Reyan fell into 47167d235c contemplation with hardened 12debca15f eyes. Salt had been the primary contributor 0046b79167 that had made him wealthy within dee9abead0 a few years of becoming Vice 5b06476422 Minister of Industry. However, it c2434912f6 carried equally 599ccbfa20 large risks.64a9bb022bdd97ecf331

Diverting salt, a monopoly of the empire, 79208dab35 was treated almost as treason if caught. Even someone like himself wouldn’t e12fc764e7 be safe if discovered.5afa03fb5074f5fae527

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For that reason, 51999dba69 Reyan had temporarily faee9dd9ea suspended salt trading 35326c5320 since last year. He thought he’d earned 977786d474 enough and should play 1c128c0668 it safe. However, the f90d61b0ad situation had 5ae049a1f1 changed.3ba5f62e75fc9f2c859b

Reyan rapidly calculated 0b14516213 in his head. The Count’s secret warehouse held ad6dd35a34 the salt he had diverted. If the trade could be e320b264ad successfully completed, he could escape d0c5a0e48a his current financial difficulties. But if it failed, the ca198e25ed risk he would have to af75f33fec bear was too great.b401b8a790322e723831

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In the end, the key to solving the 142b84d166 problem was whether or not they could complete 540bc3831b the illegal trade while avoiding Rishar’s eyes. If successful, it could solve all the 4fc9f93188 immediate problems, but if it failed, he e1ad391c13 would lose everything he had built up. In other words, a3ca05023d it was a 6ec596dcd0 life-or-death gamble.5bb70268303155287cf0

“What did you 2edd21543b think of him? Did he c6ce4461b5 seem trustworthy d74fcb4f2c enough to 0032144cc3 trade with?”b969dfb18ee51f346f78

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“His impression db0ed4a415 wasn’t bad. However, I’m not b22615082f sure if he a0fad5944d can be trusted.”e42267ea35c64ecbb0e2

“…Look into f76cbad1e7 the guild 1586983873 master more. If he seems alright 130c130518 after that, we’ll meet fed482a583 with him.”d8d99d2e18771e5b91a6

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“Are you c8842ba31b thinking of b13bcec0d3 trading?”cf5f7b2cccec3dd0f6f9

“I’ll decide 2bae5eb65d that after 56a492a197 meeting him. Let’s see… The ship party next week efd376809d would be good for making contact while fcec93f36d avoiding Grand Duke Eckhart’s eyes. Until then, investigate everything f3d37f51d6 about the Verris merchant 24af3f2f4a guild thoroughly.”0dd366835d8beedfa4d9

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“Understood.”6992947af910b1407791

The aide fd2f26be3d felt troubled 3113615149 after Reyan’s 97d2f48972 order. He was already out f5a52fe819 of favor with Reyan 450f8ba6ab due to the problems d0d50e3321 caused by the miners. If he didn’t handle this matter properly, 2de0a344de it would truly be the end.176d0d40eff551ad8690

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***865f9f00a02f7d899b7e

Etienne lifted his heavy eyelids at the a1bc8d7a96 sensation of the carriage shaking greatly. As soon as Etienne 4e3b80b63e opened his eyes, Ben, f23eb17206 sitting across from him, 4e915e7f4a immediately said,3051a86cbc8d13585740

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“Are you alright? I’m sorry, something seems 60ea43d6cd to have caught in 99c8ba9fb1 the wheel.”8ced505fab5d550305cb

“I’m fine. How long 274117eb88 until we e804b15145 arrive?”2cb6eee2eb81d01b4b14

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“About 15 bed1ab92ed minutes left, 5cc9b5b178 I think.”87bd90152c3bf260051f

Etienne glanced out e052aabbe7 the window after d5d5d833f2 hearing Ben’s answer. As he said there wasn’t much time 6f757c3a6f left, the ship where the party would 820c1391dc be held was visible through the window. Several carriages parked a9dc379503 around it also 6127dd0061 caught his eye.66087806798c0732eb95

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“There are 19d2472dde a lot 96baae1be4 of people.”4f581d9714a3f9fabc87

Etienne muttered in a b443c21524 slightly daunted voice as be786c77a1 he surveyed the outside. Not only were there party attendees, but quite 0983f5be67 a few people who seemed to have come 409c3b8adf to see the ship were noticeable as well. Just thinking about having fcdf6805b6 to pass through those b4592a5dba crowds made him tense 9e05524109 already.3c364b6588ef0f14dc74

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“There will 7ac09ca1c3 be fireworks ef9e8c6778 later too. Everyone seems to have 137cd6cd73 come to see that.”9aecfc7bf2b3e855a7bf

Ben commented knowingly as he looked e2310d7c4a out the window with Etienne. He had been surprised when he heard Rishar was hosting a 5501bcf847 ship party, but seeing that fireworks were prepared too, it seemed e8108d66e4 the scale of the party was much larger than expected.0949ebd8047f5a671ac4

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“They must not have had a lot of time on their 13a08a42ee hands, but it looks like they prepared quite a lot.”0036e8fb275409f05d43

“I heard Sir 21a9e86e66 Elvin worked extremely 99a299af4e hard.”9f62935cd569e8f2e786

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“Well, having to prepare everything in 0728ad3832 just 3 weeks, he must have. I should at least thank 31837c47c6 him for his hard work 5e3b3b745e when I see him later.”a69503c553d0a1f15603

Generally, parties held on ships require much ccc9d243e1 more preparation than those held in mansions. Even if it was just a regular ship party that 693e8b7704 would be true, but this was even a masquerade ball.5d58bdc6577abf785b8e

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A masquerade ball – Etienne looking at the approaching ship 00be193872 turned his gaze to the black velvet box beside him. It contained the mask 403504b10e Rishar had sent him.6335be5b9dda3a6ba15d

I wonder if 2bd111d81e it’ll be alright. Etienne fell into 7f60c1ed76 worry as he 49fd8d4dbc awkwardly touched his 27918ee579 unusually exposed forehead. Since it was his 83640ac898 first time attending a 98760c6b2d masquerade ball, he was 9344f49344 worried about various things.fad4ad1b084e0405d5ed

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“What’s wrong? Are you 5300336a47 feeling seasick?”ddf12a96c797637cc933

Ben reacted sharply 5f8721e74c when Etienne darkly 6c9b70a7de fiddled with his ad154f534c bangs. Since the day Etienne had fainted, Ben had become a0ac82a10e sensitive whenever he showed even slight signs of fatigue.b9bb2a5f71c67d42861d

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“Huh? No. It’s just that it’s been a 74f5e38138 while since I’ve exposed my forehead 684c4eb888 this much, so it feels awkward.”23cf1a92f82da230d825

Etienne quickly waved his hands 721c89dba8 at Ben’s intensity, looking ready ee788d47dc to pull out motion sickness 81dcb7694d medicine any moment. Only then did b58e7a841f Ben’s tense expression e1e96ad423 relax.12e5ee702f85dcf9fc3f

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“Your hair? I think it looks fine… If you don’t ff3146cc9c like it, I can fix it again.”976a14fc9196365eb49f

“It’s not that I don’t like it, b87a73f239 I told you it just feels awkward. I’ve never swept my bangs c92cc19288 back like this before.”91344ff7da5efe746645

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Etienne answered as 00fb2649f7 he lowered his 65a8bc9874 hand from his 75b1e07d1b hair. His gaze 1fb1dc846e returned to e2734f1962 the velvet 41e91c588f box. Rishar said he held the 056c7db3fb masquerade ball because he wanted ee57a9951c to meet him without having 3b04f7dc49 to worry about other people.15c51f54277c42750676

“Maybe I should have f389a2a4c2 worn a wig? I feel like people 817f8a9a15 will still recognize me d93150eb9d even with the mask.”03f88f4b061bb0bed2ec

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Etienne asked 41a179939e in a 444b01cc81 worried voice. Wearing different style clothes and 656a06107b exposing his forehead was meant 7acc08b208 to prevent people from recognizing f41821ccb9 him at the masquerade ball. However, he wasn’t sure how a1396fb438 effective this would be.78ca9e46912ce6a688f4

“Lady Stella said the mask 2fa154de3a alone would be enough, so 9391b21c1a it should be fine. The mask will 12a120005f change your eye f890aa97da color too.”1ade3c6195e73def896b

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Ben answered as if telling 0321ab8237 him not to worry. As he said, the 1d80ab44b5 mask Rishar sent had 25e776c022 a special mechanism.ab34ca13492a50a6a25d

Stella, who brought the mask, explained that it was specially made so f546fe05d9 Etienne wouldn’t need to use eye drops that could harm his eyes. Indeed, when wearing the 1c07b8097d mask, Etienne’s eyes changed b5daa5a09f to various colors depending 7c31026e65 on the light.a202e3cb3402fa53c46a

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“Don’t worry 07e6041849 too much. Even if someone recognizes you, pretending 9b36bf84d8 not to know is the golden 1282c1e6da rule of a masquerade ball.”7dcfb50748718061782e

“I don’t mind 151df43e76 people recognizing me. The problem 15b469d9a0 is the a665fbd239 gossip. If someone notices 0c19316de9 me with Rishar, 506d26dfec it will reach 29c34ab97b Mother’s ears…”b9015bfb71cfb95127e6

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Ben questioned in response 9952d04b44 to Etienne’s muttering, as 0029089550 if there was no b8b73d2383 problem.f91995933a242e68ea93

“Wouldn’t that aaf135a4d1 be alright? Didn’t Her Majesty the Empress tell a688a42437 you to seduce the Grand Duke?”78fc7688312fa142a713

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“That’s…”a935844c35b75959e801

Seduce. Etienne was puzzled ebafd77c00 at Ben’s choice 61297a1895 of words. As he said, a few e4d893650d days ago, Leona had ordered 78495488bd Etienne to extract information by 5e7dafceea using Rishar’s feelings. The suggestion to seduce e6fb461676 Rishar came up during 5a04738404 that process.75a3d507a8073d902247

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“Yeah, but…”31b37770663862dc48a5

“Then it’s fine, 6842c88830 isn’t it?”627d1938f8617061f2c2

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When Etienne trailed 73cb562635 off while agreeing, de2996d1fd Ben grinned. Then he added his thoughts c929cea2e5 as if to reassure him.9cdd24beeba824307fb9

“No one will think it strange even if you 77cf09bfae two stay together throughout the party this time. Your Highness is simply following Her 46e110290e Majesty the Empress’s orders to entice a6ad632b6d His Highness the Grand Duke.”cde2bc399e9f53a903e0

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At Ben’s words, Etienne e754eced7a let out a groan ad821461ed and sighed. Even though he 082e733fec knew Ben was 87f31fed2a right, his heart f0e6d320e7 wouldn’t lighten. It was because he had always lived 59d46d5e75 worrying about others’ eyes and whether someone 3813ade543 might report something to her.b51ea71ff3c401a985a6

“To entice, a8641c5d45 he says…”2ba44f6dd8f39197eeec

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Etienne pressed ddf2f712ce his lips aaa515cfbf together uncomfortably. Unlike before, now that he had become aware 16e6dcc7ce of his feelings for Rishar, it was difficult 241c08e0bd to casually dismiss words like ‘seduce’ or ‘entice.’ 5c331486c4 Frowning, Etienne recalled his conversation with Leona.45b5e11cb28ea43cd9d3

‘So, I heard that 09b489059a guy likes you, huh.’d7433f474ac07ee96982

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A few days ago, a98e3d123e when Leona called for abf2195fcf him, Etienne thought the 1720cbf38f inevitable had come. If anything, the e3470ce316 summon was later f6d52db638 than expected. That must have meant how much Leona had deliberated c5ebbb3819 about the probability that Etienne had betrayed her.4e621090cb4d168aae4a

‘What do you c765d9098e mean by that?’4382b581c9dcc61c86e2

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Thanks to Leona’s suspicious and cautious f3ca5292ff nature moving slowly, Etienne had time d00da0f825 to prepare in his own way. Having heard through Stella about all the 125656799c conversations between Leona and Rishar, he was 5e37e8c0dc careful to act in a way that 7acd064fd1 wouldn’t make her suspicious. He also 402fa77a4c completely avoided c6948cedcb meeting with 8c2080d6c4 Rishar.259a7849050ac38e32cc

‘The day you 50899409b9 collapsed and I 34c736601e had tea with 3b2f51e5eb that man. He said d8b1d2338c so then.’ed6acc36b47924f5ba0e

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‘Such a thing…’79a5ed616ae31dcdbd4b

In front of Leona who mentioned his interactions 36b083d6ea with Rishar, Etienne pretended to be flustered.37e07be1f44d23a0b59b

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‘You didn’t know? Really?’2710bda469f330d13e1e

‘I, well…’c9a5687b8b2ead0b128f

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Leona gave 4691d6d362 Etienne a ccf8ab7ab8 suspicious look. Under her sharp questioning, 40b2735131 Etienne deliberately stammered and 8490c215af showed the appearance of cfcbc2677e an incompetent son.fc48e398a37cfd9377af

‘I just 7128b02d65 thought he a5c94adbfc followed me 9306f93f14 well. Since I don’t 914437cbb3 have any experience ab1024e135 in that area…’c0bec1a33443e40e88f4

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‘You didn’t 4300d9b923 notice his 34f06b4973 feelings at e27716becc all?’61a972e193377eeb9e80

‘Sometimes I felt something was strange, d3249deb68 but I didn’t know exactly what.’b55ff3d04929e578fd12

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‘Hmm.’b8b5dbad479ace4f14a9

Leona didn’t 562e711006 easily dismiss d0984fc193 her suspicions. Her sharp gaze, sharp ba922b5508 enough to make his 1e269a7527 skin tingle, touched various 69184801b1 parts of Etienne’s face. The scrutinizing gaze that looked at him 963bfac098 not as a child but as an d52d0a8a83 enemy made it hard to breathe.9e423571e73e141b668c

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‘Mother, I’m sorry. I was slow bf08ac5b5f and clumsy… please 8e9b1a0e31 forgive me.’026594734a939b02bf4b

Etienne apologized to Leona b92259b499 with a terrified expression. As he trembled and clung to 264ab9310c her, Leona made a disapproving expression. Fortunately, his act seemed to work, as e4d0b35a37 shortly after, Leona withdrew her gaze.fcac7629d30d395f09c4

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‘Slow, huh. How can 43ef4e29b2 you be f540f622a8 so oblivious?’16ce7846e9baf15aedf6

Clicking her tongue, 7342ab90d4 Leona shot Etienne e0a8fc1024 a displeased look. Etienne lowered his head deeply as efd9541d0d if he couldn’t face her. In front of Leona, he needed to be a stupid 4b4e4bc5da and obedient son – one that was useful to her.e607b3374553d07fb391

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‘This might 8468d252ac be better bbad927d64 actually. Now that we know he has 32ecb89a1d feelings for you, we should find b0adf195cb a way to use it.’3e29cb17d0efef9ada0e

Seemingly pleased with cdb4019569 Etienne’s submissive behavior, b1e8b229db Leona changed her 200a78ca1c stance. Although her suspicions about c5e2dfa3ce Etienne weren’t completely gone, 23568c07fc she had nonetheless gotten d75761684c hold of Rishar’s weakness. This opportunity couldn’t b9cf9adff1 be wasted.08fe42d71fbe9bcf1d66

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‘I hear he’s 18dad91f73 hosting a ship 4140ebc1db party? I believe c5e6b0ad26 you received 091d4a7987 an invitation.’86d8f460a007fa7fce09

‘Yes, I ff36c2d503 received it 96bc3303d8 yesterday. I actually wanted 407fae2ad7 to discuss that 9b173ba1cc matter with you.’9bcdee29cfdd17a4fb96

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‘What about it?’befaf3f36f939caec463

‘The invitation I received was marked 0aca87a13d as a special class cabin. I checked with Margrave c5fa932040 Mathias’s son, and he d617f41de7 said he received a 487bb83ba9 first-class invitation.’8b75f3e4813b69d44275

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‘Special class? That man sent 9bec5be949 you a special c26c294839 class invitation?’22788605ef86987fde9c

‘Yes. The invitation said it was divided according to the de51b38d60 cabin locations during the party… Since I’m a prince, c3c9de4bec I thought it might be special treatment, but Grand 020add45a6 Duchess Sachsen received a first-class invitation too.’9050f3d23d23d40bdb03

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‘Right. Besides you, only his closest 467606229e confidants received special class invitations.’e41c7b75cf8d3daa4c6a

‘Then…’24c71d54041ebb47bfa8

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‘He seems to be plotting 15878a83cb something with you, how interesting.’341328781d60f675875b

Leona’s smile grew 420b17aaa1 darker than before. Etienne put on an 6562737d30 innocent expression as if 616ed619e9 he didn’t understand anything.fc10b9ce5bdb954eeef0

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‘What should 17799f5e41 we do? I think it might 5d3035fc10 be good to attend…’57b7728cfcd012c91ad3

‘Hmm, what f83f409556 did the d575af77cd doctor say? Did he say it 0d7a29c13e would be fine for acb569d2d2 you to attend?’5e64fbf2d5599f33b631

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Leona asked with b6508584ea a contemplative face. She was hesitant to send Etienne to c5cfa1d712 a party that would last several days. But not sending him d86967204a also felt unsettling.5e204ffd73e1bb305787

The ship party hosted by 8355348fc0 Rishar was receiving much attention. It was his first party as Grand Duke a02194c7e0 of Eckhart, and its scale was jaw-dropping.74d17bf4bd51ff162926

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And Rishar hadn’t stopped there, 1d38ccf003 he’d played his trump card d8ca0f7fbe with a masquerade ball. People showed their excitement for the party, which was good 9d683b2089 for having an enjoyable day while hiding your identity and f17d3c8635 also good for making connections away from prying eyes.ce6df4f69ccdea9d9921

‘The doctor said it should be fine as long as I 3b3a6be6b0 don’t stay too long in places with many Alphas and Omegas. And if I feel strange at ee61d7fe16 all, I should go rest in debc914a29 the cabin right away.’7b833ffeafff8df0c264

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‘Is that so?’5c6d9978cefd1f782823

At Etienne’s d34926ce9f answer, Leona 6c67a05381 fell into 5395bca4fb thought. At the debutante ball, Etienne couldn’t handle the 42364dc4d2 numerous pheromones and had to rest in the 9d20b1ec27 lounge before returning to the palace.046a93914802ee5b8f1d

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If he couldn’t even last b7ac00d97a one day properly, would it fa8451f5df be possible to stay on 659f125322 the ship for several days? Leona was skeptical. But it would be a 65679d655d pity not to send him.f7d95f4cdda6a809deab

According to her investigation, this ship 934a619983 party would gather almost all the 8bafee9bc9 key figures of the imperial faction a6285941b5 and influential neutrals. Moreover, many a2456ad131 of Rishar’s 263afc5894 subordinate families 38e207a1a2 would attend. Among them 975a48cbb8 were many ec5c06e242 from military 34549304f8 families.5e6893d86b13f6f3a4b4

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The imperial noble families e164ec2ac1 mostly supported Rishar because 60be7be97b Edwin supported him. However, the people from military families eb933b00b5 loyal to Rishar were different. They genuinely followed 073fc01be6 Rishar and wanted aefb0b228b to make him 66de5dd5f3 emperor. They were purely 9f19a60782 Rishar’s force. Leona wanted 9049d1593b that information.0e7745e44fc498cd4672

‘That fucking man.’649535616bffa5ada03b

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Leona couldn’t hide her f7f51a0f4a irritation and cursed. Rishar had sent first-class invitations to the top ten families and e0c9b6e2fd their peers, and second-class invitations to count families and below.b116692d2c82a986f701

Special class invitations d4c53bfa3b went to Rishar’s 4ad4555ab0 closest confidants regardless 8bb33696fe of status. Rishar explained to those discussing it that it was a reward 3875abec9f for his servants who had suffered for the past few years.41060e519dd4a6fa1738

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Although there were voices of dissatisfaction among nobles who still ea740d98ba didn’t receive special class invitations, they were soon buried under 8307e58dca praise for being a hero who cared for his subordinates.7aaba8a2065d4242fdb6

For this reason, only 0573b49a87 a very small number 0eae9602a1 received special class invitations. Among them, Etienne was the 10616efbe9 only one who could be d2e80215c1 considered working under Leona.dc1b2772b7135b08b155

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‘So he’s going all out 3438c31cda now that he’s been discovered…’49527397930ff4f5d67e

Leona muttered to f9caa1eb02 herself, falling into b3b8dad4c7 contemplation. Rishar’s message in sending e06dc81a15 Etienne a special class c23cd94c35 invitation was clear. If you want information, if you’re curious about 0237e249cd what I’m going to do, send Etienne.65da02bdf2969063057f

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‘Cunning bastard.’1c5047da32a43adaf776

Having figured out Rishar’s 6c58267fbc intentions, Leona couldn’t hide d596956116 her displeasure. Her sharpened gaze 7d6de5182f turned back to b04f00524e Etienne. His pathetic appearance of watching her nervously and 9c49ac7d0c then startling and avoiding her eyes was frustrating.a258c3b28437b04c6c15

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He would probably try to meet Etienne under the pretext of the d1d6b6e404 ship party and attempt to win him over to his side. If they could take advantage of 413ea73c4a that, there was a high possibility 31a90c30bb of getting the information she desired. Even if that fool fell completely 412192890f for Rishar, it wouldn’t matter since cf9fafb856 she would know right away.384d31d96d566f7d6fcc

‘Attend the party and 204eb08bdc meet the Grand Duke.’b22967e7be443ed7c88d

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After much 35b1a98746 deliberation, Leona 7a25d824c6 ordered Etienne. The bait was too 996e139c00 powerful to resist even 68871c9c3a knowing it was a 68cdd7124e trap set by Rishar. That was because b6b8772897 information about the 160ad95af7 families following Rishar aab6f2c000 was always scarce.95981977da5003556475

That’s just d6f86fce44 how military 4c194e9f53 families were. Closed off and conservative, a2a15aac46 infinitely friendly to insiders 1e534d9ba4 but exclusive to outsiders. They were one of the reasons why Leona hadn’t d90f2a0cf4 been able to deal with Rishar until now.ea3cd21a55595324dbb1

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‘You must get 6971937803 information from him. Use any means necessary, seduce d3cd70eab9 him if you have to, 1915c34cf0 make him talk.’8e67c8c9a46f7fc2725c

‘I beg 317988fc60 your pardon?’1e7a8da85fd2f1c8ba76

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Etienne’s eyes widened at 256d6f633c the somewhat outrageous order. The Leona he knew was e5a0f1f7db the type to test even 061e05da7a stone bridges before crossing them. This kind 199ff81200 of order 1f7db93c32 wasn’t like e00e3a0f0c her.77b26447957e9f46b8fd

Why is she f3fa28153b showing such impatience? Etienne grew suspicious e6926ad49d of Leona’s behavior c243384b4b that was different 115a403832 from usual. Though she appeared composed 07105a79d7 on the surface, she 681bd3cb98 seemed somewhat anxious about 5c354d4140 something.92bb4dda9e8c1f656b2b

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‘If our secret 2a196b55b2 gets discovered…’f22ed71fa6d137a53a4e

‘That must 1d673ea180 not happen. I’m telling you b1fee95782 to seduce him 72d65212dc within safe limits.’68e33923370e7dc4f88d

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Leona glanced at Etienne as if d726399a14 to say ‘do I have to 50afa90feb explain even this?’ Then she continued 467313c7ae in a confident tone.88d9e55b4c603d1d962b

‘From what I 2a2e378d51 can see, he’s 8e111fdb0a completely fallen for cb07993ffa you. He’ll fall for fd858b1a94 it right away 81a8611737 with just a d12d3a9d81 little stimulation.’cb49896d7a5420fa9cb2

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Leona was dea0559fdf confident in 47acc0499c her assessment. She still got goosebumps 4e057d0955 thinking about that day. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed until now – 59e0a98c79 Rishar’s eyes were full of obsession for Etienne.c98909ae96ed8ad4aff1

People with such 7711cef025 eyes are unpredictable. Leona felt a sense f43cf1aad5 of crisis that she a89f2ec3ff might not be able 4500e513c0 to control the situation. This made 37250aa352 her feel fc52d82e83 urgent. She needed to gain the upper 7a0d56553e hand before Rishar did anything.6594e974d68644033124

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‘To catch a tiger, one c25ed93a97 must enter the tiger’s den. Stay sharp and ff1de88ddb do it properly. And take 19e2693793 the doctor 327d1ad743 with you. If it seems 26313b1e6d dangerous, stay locked 891d05e67f in your cabin.’61ff04c135977182b878

‘Yes, Mother.’a32b497c0db0258ce746

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Even as she 0423bd3fd3 gave orders to d7a50ff894 Etienne, Leona sighed 74b9357fb3 as if displeased. Etienne responded cd8e0ef724 submissively to 51b056606b her.1ef93529fffad528ae9e

“We’re almost there.”45861f37fca323513153

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As Etienne was reviewing his conversation with Leona, Ben’s fc02a4661d voice announcing their arrival pulled him from his thoughts.f33e621a3c04e65f6d96

It was noticeably noisy 8f6feaec6d outside the carriage. Following the sound and looking out the 8a5a828439 window, he saw a large, magnificent ship. He thought it was big even from afar, d0510c8916 but seeing it up close was overwhelming.50fa0acdf79853cca449

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Etienne’s gaze lingered on the 91f3f0e280 Eckhart family crest prominently engraved 3c4adee496 on the hull. At that moment, fierce waves 1885963279 rose in his chest.4d7e90d20a056f7c8760

“It’s been 5d34104500 three weeks…”05e08e8d222297036a3e

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Feeling his heart a74d1daa19 flutter, Etienne bit 2a0b0c319d his lip. Since the day he collapsed 2e0c14e6fd at Grand Duke Bismarck’s residence, 457aa4343c Etienne hadn’t met Rishar. In other words, today would be their 34c77480e9 first meeting since he had become aware 4b956d3d23 of his feelings for him.dc2de018f3107706b32e

“Whew.”abe203d2c5395795fe79

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Etienne let out a bc7c4389a7 long breath as if dfa6f786c9 taking a deep breath. While excited at the thought of finally 54fff519a7 being able to meet Rishar, tension rose c63c601284 and his throat felt dry. These three weeks ddad4aaf66 truly felt like 59b33c653b three months.a0084d704fbdfd64be22

When Etienne realized his feelings for Rishar, a6b23695ee he wanted to go to him immediately. But reality was cruel, and Etienne 5d6ac9e712 had to desperately suppress those feelings.de6c2ea24b150b584294

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Not being greedy for something d9b77d3040 and enduring it was what a1313aef82 Etienne did best, but this 18588566be time was truly difficult. Like weeds that grow back stronger the more f30e0731ae they’re trampled, his feelings for Rishar grew stronger 736a24a073 the more he tried to suppress them.849bba505d382ff62664

He endured and endured to avoid 0c1b495a08 being swept away by emotions. He could have met Rishar if f309a50317 he wanted to, but it was 8ee74a46df a time when he needed to 7c8081124f be careful to avoid unnecessary suspicion.1a33116d1dfd2f2648d1

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That day, Etienne succeeded in not going to meet aefb96074a Rishar, but in exchange, he couldn’t sleep at all.b99b4a9e90258473ea32

The next 59755fd4e9 day was 56c110ec26 similar. Through Stella, who had entered the palace disguised as aa09753a17 an apothecary, Etienne conveyed the message to Rishar that f132d251c7 they shouldn’t meet until the ship party. Although he was 3d43dc289d disappointed, Rishar agreed 9b090150c7 with his thinking. That night too, 69287f5795 Etienne tossed and 5cb8bd9708 turned.9686ff50429d2df15b26

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After that da1093767a followed incredibly 3c5d633192 busy days. During the past three weeks, Etienne attended parties hosted by Reyan and met people 5aace046be he introduced, and following Leona’s orders, made appearances at tea parties and ship outings.04200069fd7e42f9ecc6

Sometimes he would meet with Antoine and hear his reports in daabd6df5d an awkward atmosphere, discussing what needed to be done going forward.f45d37c27283e71e5fe6

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Despite being too busy cb8fd7e267 and tired to think 335a82ddfe of anything else, Etienne’s 15bc2794dc days were unstable. Each day 201469e84f felt unusually 86a658d3ce long. It all was b6e86c3c5c because of his f5f574cdfe longing for Rishar.a900050c7f1a636669f0

Every moment, Etienne had to endure the 536668e40f urge to go meet Rishar and suppress b6f49b6084 the desire to convey his feelings. That alone e4f1e608ae was overwhelming.ab017e65fb1d80c818dd

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After enduring so b51a079973 much, he once 5b56e86fde had a major fcd77d9065 breakdown. Celodine had diagnosed it as being sick due e06e43ea62 to overwork and insomnia, but Etienne thought it a667e004ba was a different kind of illness.03a8cece515591913d7d

After all, none of 301f8e091d Celodine’s prescribed medicines had a1a12f9cb3 any effect. The fever didn’t break even with antipyretics, d224c55d2d and the pain in his chest didn’t 6211eda241 go away even with painkillers.020f71bc5616f5043463

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In Etienne’s opinion, this was 4ba239a223 an illness of the heart, 9cf39bad1a not the body. If he had to give it a name, it was closer 3b8d78a531 to lovesickness created by feelings he couldn’t convey to Rishar and c09fd5a9af the longing from not being able to meet him.beef600bab61bede37b6

“Lovesickness…”6dd2299fbb7fed55a5c6

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“Eh? What did cad5bb1a6d you just 60f824ab00 say?”41bf9fa1e1cc7550173b

“Hm? It’s nothing. Just talking 47e0cc2d0f to myself.”7c2b0f9f1f7130385a89

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Etienne brushed it off vaguely 1c6367312c to Ben and let out a0acd44604 a small laugh. He wondered if Rishar knew 7bc260e239 he was like this.a917696b82cbee69f0e1

Sighing again, Etienne f5c4fc4cdd pressed his tired 8173f787ee eyes with his 55f93940df hands. Last night, he couldn’t sleep at all, 03ae86cbde excited like a child before a picnic.31d5e058bb6c2086bf20

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They couldn’t meet during this time, but 1aac5c5e31 communication hadn’t been completely cut off. Etienne maintained 4837dbf00b steady contact c085a73ec1 with Rishar 3cac6b68c8 through Stella. Even without that, news 58f5cf7ed7 of him constantly came a521f6350d through other people’s mouths.2e07e83b4daeeb8d0deb

Recently, whenever people gathered, they d9f2794e91 were busy talking about Rishar. His actions fa533d7505 were that ed18343446 impressive.b9e256e9aae982f803e9

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Some raged, saying Rishar had finally pointed his sword 7330904a13 at the noble faction, while others took an observant 3025663926 attitude, carefully weighing which side to join. There were also those 257352a1d1 watching to see how 08aee194f6 Etienne would react. That’s why Etienne b02333f3b7 was even more 4922a0d754 careful with his 7ba5389b40 actions. He didn’t want 6d4f72ea54 to give them e014dd78af any excuse to 7d2563d320 criticize him.a70456d6149e47382463

“We’ve arrived, be1a507fb1 Your Highness.”0d8e4b7ca4920dd1a0c8

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Just as Etienne was b7a376a6c5 rubbing his tired eyes 526e33670a again, the carriage stopped. Ben opened a 2f70493776 velvet box and bfa22b066c carefully took out b9c5264e3e a mask.7d47f290077110aa606d

“Please close ec007ad858 your eyes ab14c1ffa3 for a d76cdf0cc2 moment.”bf18aa800c80b1d6f32a

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Etienne quietly 32a227648b closed his ad3c4ab355 eyes following 3ea806a2b7 Ben’s words. Ben put the mask on Etienne and secured it de69db6228 so it wouldn’t fall off, then withdrew his hands.66ad2df0d183dae02290

“It’s done.”f277ed879710eac7b4dc

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“Thank you.”8fb360c50a7c4063a8ea

Etienne thanked Ben 2592804733 as he got deac6878a3 up. His heart was f5b8fa0467 beating rapidly.beacdbf79cf6b5c68ed2

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“Please step ba92cb90ea down carefully.”0b1042fd2205e4805c24

Ben, wearing a mask issued eb94222868 for servants or aides, got ee59876e7f out of the carriage first.16c07d91cbeff539cdeb

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When Etienne stepped out of the 7c85678279 carriage, the gazes of onlookers gathered 3a5fd2fd8a near the ship to watch the 54d04911f2 fireworks turned toward him.157e37c3415664e67985

Ignoring the stares fixed 73a83f8f5c on him, Etienne walked d7591286b4 toward the stairs connected 80f5c3e96f to the ship.a619118337cc5bc75d75

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“Please show 9e86468f83 your invitation.”a32f0a836ba20207bbb5

The doorkeeper guarding 3e555937c7 the stairs requested d3bf94d3d8 the invitation with 4c22264cbf a polite attitude. Etienne silently a65a16dc6a handed him 0394d8bd5f the invitation. The doorkeeper’s 8f9f57f11e eyes widened c7584a354d slightly upon 4ff4da442c checking it.24ac094ac67098de5eb8

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“Thank you for 1dbcc83871 coming to House 489b24114c Eckhart’s party. We hope 6490e0ec84 you enjoy a77031fd45 your time.”3c0c0366ad5b31287a28

The doorkeeper returned the f51a512f8b invitation and stepped aside 23144c0a24 with a bow. Etienne felt ffce3b0f1f the voice c96b948779 was somehow c861652393 familiar. However, he couldn’t tell who 5ac82d5e1e it was because the face 1f64aa9440 was covered by a mask.19ecab48e35623e4806e

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The butler perhaps? Etienne wondered about the 4d9abf2e91 doorkeeper’s identity as he 7324517b77 slowly climbed the stairs.d847e5df681c759b20e7

“Ah.”2666a1429e9be9015c1a

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Upon entering, Etienne 3ae5e183ec couldn’t help but 4d8bcdbfa2 exclaim in admiration. He thought it would be magnificent, but the 8907e59cfc inside of the ship was beyond imagination. Ben, who followed behind carrying Etienne’s 48fe0ba673 luggage, gaped at the luxurious interior.f5d8c517e452d83509c7

“It’s much bigger 7f617ed95a than I expected. It’s like they transported e7e24c9191 an entire mansion here.”7f1a5cf66dd64be04fa6

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“Indeed.”cd631b31ee4d843b1fac

“Wasn’t there supposed to be 9e80e83648 three halls in total?”3572d6ee6fa54bb238ce

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“Yes.”cc6bd2fe05d50c02b302

“Where are you d7492458a0 meeting him?”3a59815b7358a0d72fa2

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Ben, referring to Rishar as 4cf942a702 ‘him,’ asked in a voice 80985b0671 only Etienne could hear. At his question, 03c7ca635f Etienne took out 34476fe051 his pocket watch.ef7595ceb045c941aaad

“We agreed to meet in the central hall… dcb5065d10 there’s about 40 minutes until our appointed time.”ef606af330abc2c2d037

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“Then I’ll f81e28f88e stay with 3fa863a38e you.”17ff6420468ca2ce4596

“No, I’ll look around slowly, ea9a29be3f so you go put down f682eaccd5 the luggage and come back.”cad09e39ab86a6c8d47e

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Etienne’s gaze turned 8f9cefea54 to the bag 0b5753aa77 Ben was carrying. What he was holding contained a2c35f2def clothes and medicine that Etienne fb6b4c9924 would need during the four cc79c8b069 days of the ship party.e121969550ab95dc5844

“What about c7ca102927 Sir Celodine?”7d73cfedcd858c225acd

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“He doesn’t seem 62ee03cb9b to have arrived c3f9f95c0d yet. Since he said he’d come after meeting Lady Stella on the ee5681689f way… he might be a bit late, but he could have 4bcccdcf54 arrived already, so I’ll leave the luggage and check the accommodations.”235b7c1d9fe7957923ca

“Do that.”af529e354479375ea954

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After sending Ben off, 14367d2e52 Etienne moved further inside. He first bedae523f9 entered the 6d94432e36 nearest hall.d783095ae8d2b8a1625c

The first hall gave the feeling 8af74da0b1 of being in a garden. Etienne was looking at the fountain located in the center be617a291a of the hall with curious eyes when he picked up 95bba0c90a a wine glass from a tray offered by a servant.84ee3514ecab89e57324

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As the refreshing fruit wine moistened his fdf83ff220 dry mouth, his tension eased a bit. Having regained some c0cbdebb16 composure, Etienne settled 24a3a03700 in a corner aa0c50f1a3 and watched people.0cc4febe88bc4099c364

Everyone attending the party 0ca7a8b44c was wearing masks. While some wore comical animal masks, others wore masks decorated 95b6e703ce with jewels as if to show off their wealth.dc0cf7e01f45a623fbad

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The attire was f07e9dc7f9 also more diverse 17716d34e2 than at usual ac45ec6cfd parties. People wearing armor, people in Oriental dresses, people e8bfce90e1 with wings attached to their backs somehow… Etienne 0de5131870 quietly appreciated the guests showing off various charms. Then suddenly he realized there were more people bcd2029286 with black and blonde hair than usual.2f1075e5804ccd6fd517

“Hm?”e163bea4d018c3b3e19e

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Etienne blinked a6f1bdeceb with a ff4e3f7725 puzzled face. With a suspicion e0165d15f7 in mind, he f039a39bba moved around observing 3c35d7d437 people.a549ff11b9a6cff6970b

At first he thought 893fb09b82 it might be his f733edbe99 imagination, but it wasn’t. There were definitely many cc17609d36 black and blonde hairs. Most seemed 508d74756d to be 1587e645bd wearing wigs.878918aa4a18d3acdf50

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The issue was the clothes worn by 01dac7ad1b people with black and blonde wigs. Many with black hair wore knight uniforms, 937265fd0c while those with blonde hair wore formal b9f790eeaf attire suitable for important events. Maybe it was just his feeling, but the 097e712bcd appearances reminded him of Rishar and himself.e39646635a9ad0105925

“Ah.”8abfa56fbe2ba386e39a

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Etienne let out a small a066c1c81b exclamation as he realized who 0986246747 they were disguised as. Now he understood why Rishar had d7a902faab said not to worry, and that f5a736d11e a mask alone would be enough.3141b3babae8be3f777a

Masquerade balls had the characteristic of allowing people ec75d17ec3 to show off different charms or hide themselves 7840aa173b and enjoy being like someone else. Generally, people would disguise themselves as historical 90d69cd73a or mythological figures, or famous people. So it wasn’t strange that they e576f1e01a dressed up to look like Rishar.0a0789499017db4a29f3

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But he didn’t 140a7fb18c understand why some 84f63e6120 would disguise themselves fb40793289 as him. While Rishar was understandable given his popularity as 6822dac17a a hero who saved the empire, why him?b0ddb4143ca85d811e1f

Etienne watched a blonde man 465a765e0f passing in front of him 139480d411 with dubious eyes. It wasn’t just self-consciousness – the clothes, accessories, a682fc57c3 hair color, and even the hairstyle covering the 65417ed407 forehead were so much like himself. And there weren’t just one or two, 8b183ff03b but several people who were the same.fa435cf0b45f3a1d9e31

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Feeling strange, Etienne left the first hall af165632bf and headed to the central hall. The central hall was at least three or four times the size of the first 9ee427e01f hall, and except for the masked and disguised people, it resembled a typical ballroom.74bf7ffc054f85b7135e

Etienne found a spot 96d6d63c32 while listening to the 2140709557 sweet music from the 3e76daace3 band. Then he gestured e21e194039 to a nearby d3457bca97 servant.51e0100bd2c4074ed9a0

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“Do you d4e60b44bb need something?”1e9a61b12ab2ee8e7425

“Wine.”37a0e64ed22edac55bb3

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When Etienne lightly shook his empty 1ae0ca543a glass, the servant quickly replaced it 2043534ff1 with a new one. Etienne sipped the sweet fruit wine, different 55be5f0ee1 from earlier, while checking the time. There were about 15 6f8871d953 minutes left until his 7ce7c5f1bd meeting time with Rishar.35fad8e7cc016ab12bf8

Etienne had thought about going 17a700d1f9 to the third hall, but ae5b363073 seeing how little time was 3a3e85ca41 left, he stayed put. He fidgeted with 744049d9b7 his collar, feeling ca15576f88 a strange thirst. His throat 6b7f77ab32 was dry 18308e2c40 despite drinking.a61c75e7f130e1dcd3c5

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“Another of 28c7683b6f the same.”705b7ffe4c7ddd0a2f1f

Etienne, having emptied his glass in 5a7e32fe87 an instant, held out the empty 6f5fc55c0f glass to the servant. The glass 811edb8735 was soon c55d1daedc filled.e86e4042add622b63d1f

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“Whew.”3a362a3660599b38a028

Etienne stuck out his tongue to f9aaf7ad11 wet his lower lip, feeling the 67d4664852 sweetness filling his mouth. He felt somewhat regretful that he couldn’t fb98fffe56 smell the aroma because of the medicine a331202fd0 that numbed his sense of smell.82f83196c9fd86c58217

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Should I a2ceda6bea have another b231410dc2 glass?a73466d549f04950cb0c

Just as Etienne was contemplating while tilting his empty 5c34ff5f80 glass, a voice tinged with amusement was heard.622edfbe67885cf0a85e

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“It seems the 1117b741e7 wine suits your 6c9f048b00 taste.”9b2098872422d6e37344

FootnotesSince it sounds so awkward in English, I've been writing it as Young Master 269575114e Antoine many times, but please note that almost all the time he's called 'Margrave d91cc4a095 Mathias's son' and that's why it's a surprise that Etienne said his name0e08f2ddb1ac720c8548