IBMILRFL – Chapter 22

Ch. 22 IBMILRFL | Chapter 22456719e3f9e8ecb0

“When I become an adult, I will come to propose to you. Please wait for me until f497aee285 then.”e0ac6e71e060bcaa

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In the distant 1cf0c1bdb7 past, Tristan had dc8d61245d told me this e8ae27e2f5 countless times.5770c908c1862fb7

However, I could never accept 631e9337c5 his heart. Because I ended up marrying 945cdbc495 another man.d6130c9c45d710be

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Of course, that wasn’t my 6fe0d17726 choice.9f71feb9ed72ea07

In the kingdom of 829ac5fb6b Onz, I was nothing 6ae970f15c more than a princess a84cd4ee9e in name only.fa4de4d438b6dc1e

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Among more than df70f69a80 a dozen half-siblings, df2e8e227e I was the 577d27fcc8 princess with the e30c12d4cf least prestigious background.f7e7f5db2121af22

I didn’t even have ee5ee5a692 the power to refuse 0964e9210c when I was abruptly b8965c379e informed of my marriage.527126ffadf5caa8

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So, I had no choice 21b4e2738a but to accept marriage with 39bc225e94 Count Winder. I couldn’t defy 0c9baf2aeb the king’s orders.efb4f5ec77b22728

‘I protested… but it was useless.’105b071f51a66c1d

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The day I learned e1e7384419 about my marriage, the 6eee7c7341 first thing I did e8a7d8d86d was send a letter e798a344e9 to Tristan.a9d0dd5bc77c6975

I told him I b27421e7ba was marrying another man. I apologized and asked him 137370e2de to forget about me. I sent my message 297d5300e7 to him in the a6033e39f6 Empire.4e8dc5c29ea461ac

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After sending the letter, 7ba3aa266c I was consumed with dc28afd7e1 guilt.1e7ce53f0b1b2187

“…”57e5b44766c2301b

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Tristan and I 138c30362a never had any b07eb2ed4e special relationship.24a159b234ded50e

Though he often expressed 6c3bd5883f his feelings for me, 36c509c546 we were never lovers.97ef64d23136ee82

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Still, after sending the 9b47e147bd letter, my heart felt 31ebd08cdf uneasy. Even more so when a 25bedc96a1 month passed without a reply.a53d04d278c47230

‘He must resent me, or maybe he just grew to dislike me.’bb708dd735012d40

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Although I had resolved to 3e2bd8a4de accept whatever response he gave, 163504b9a2 I was terrified when no b76020ef3d response came at all.26e68e488e5ac198

That fear has 4f48afd290 persisted for seven 9abbc187f7 years now.f938eb13a99084b8

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I dreaded the 069b97fd8d thought of running a819317fa4 into Tristan, worried b7de671338 he would look 8303f3e23c at me with 6a166b361b resentment.cb0399a30d543934

If he expressed 2d45631633 any bitterness about 67e9d65e83 how I trampled 62937388ac on his heart, 31b735170e I didn’t think 84e3a73a7a I could bear 275efbbf8d it. That’s why I 27146c8155 avoided meeting him deaaeff328 for so long.04162ccc31ebcde6

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Didn’t I even fail 4c24e727e1 to face him properly b96754c495 when he came to d0241f0c54 the Count’s estate recently?f1c6d9e7d44c1047

‘Though it seemed like Tristan had already forgotten about the past…’0416ff5b3189daa1

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Still, since I was the 185f90cd8d only one conscious of it, 64bd177d39 this sudden encounter made me 749cdaa1f8 uncomfortable.59c89ecc802435d4

With my heart b7b67ff5c1 pounding nervously, I 67b4013c43 took a deep 308874787b breath, trying to 7b5f767757 calm myself.783fd893943a3200

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I was afraid to face 96fa065db6 him… but this wasn’t a f0e68f9d4e personal meeting, it was a 545272c163 public one.152be1199ce88947

‘My task is just to present the business proposal and sign the contract. So, stop thinking about the 5ddb331215 past.’c07240480eac0729

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Yes, judging from aa55f371e8 our last meeting, d2ca82ed01 it was clear 13a90d4dc5 that Tristan had 3530fc435c already forgotten about 57aef392ac me. I was the 26ec684c7e only one being cc12ef35a6 overly conscious of 343d16e9e5 him.3b08ef348f5c0adf

As I calmed ec13234992 down a little, 5f9955dd8b the surroundings came 9dad853084 into view.45d04f2e09891454

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In the leaving room, it a8bc609dcb wasn’t just Tristan and me; fd596ae89c Lilliana was sitting with us a8cf901577 too.c223a3ca4f48d880

I was so ea63c5ac3e grateful she was c76b9c764b there. Her presence made me feel 6e5797080f a bit more at ease.6172524df9d006ac

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But then, unexpectedly,a55bf9534329db45

“Oh! I just remembered I 3ae00e4359 have something to do! You two continue your conversation! I’ll take my leave now!”d38a3e93da1bbd98

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Lilliana suddenly stood up and 653604ff67 hurriedly left the leaving room cf32de0954 as if she was escaping. There wasn’t even 991ebc845d time to stop 8ff926279d her.66fd1fb57d4e847b

When I came to my 8ebd6c864d senses, it was just Tristan 1429ba50fe and me left in the 0d0ae2ffe0 room.24ad7030e42d6bb0

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I hadn’t been calm e866905dea for long before my 419d29684b expression stiffened again.11dbcd192e11494d

At that moment, Tristan spoke,548200213d3ff6e0

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“Lilliana told me you’re interested in importing goods from the East.”62ce14b654ccbd2d

His strictly business-like tone 1b58e518f0 brought me some relief 69667fd810 as I responded.137c505ff6c4faf5

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“Yes, there are some items I wish to import from the East. I need them 92d39f3a0b within six months, 9c53b01188 and I’d like ecb10f9106 to request help feb399bbb8 from the Locke 5958070862 family if possible.”25bc2f228ff0efba

I handed over 91b1aea805 the report I 83e95d50a1 had prepared on 246b439a47 the required goods.c155f178ecda89b6

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Tristan calmly scanned 47532603de the papers with 75f19a5318 a serious expression.18df82718fd3ecd5

“I’d like to help you as a gesture of gratitude for the past… but unfortunately, I don’t think my family can assist with this.”5887c36817aa6b82

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In a tone firmer than 66259eb294 I’d ever heard from him bb39595e7e before, Tristan continued the conversation.56504f31e9407145

“You’re aware that the Kingdoms of Chelais and Meliden are at war, right? Under normal circumstances, 28eb1a818d we might have e2472043f1 been able to 320f05d0fd obtain the goods, 2e31a75bb8 but… right now, 040b2a3106 with the war 84f6e18ebf ongoing, it’s too f37b1f0f80 risky for us. Perhaps after the war, 22dda1ada5 it might be possible.”50e0a991a1b2a973

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Tristan gave a smile f4cfa6a200 that was hard to 93f79436d4 read.e9f024bebca5e0e1

In the past, his gaze e0343f7f8e held affection when he looked 9dbb9a42fc at me, but now there cb4b46f42d was no trace of emotion 79279db817 in his eyes.c476d5815594f4a5

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‘He really has forgotten about the past.’3d3a271af2579d05

For some reason, it c630b0d47c hurt, but… I was f9642fbf37 also relieved he didn’t a69f117d31 resent me.434713c8cae35b01

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‘Yes, this is better. I should stop overthinking and 55e4fd8e08 focus on the conversation.’468e298e2ca523e6

If I stayed silent any 7e3808a4e0 longer, I would leave here 51e769c3da with nothing.5f0841a0ae32cda3

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“I understand the war has disrupted trade routes with the East. However… what if 499c4ea56a I knew when 1c2a4c0907 the war would cd99e81756 end?”9eee2326d78f320b

I played my trump f2110318ba card, smiling slightly. As expected, Tristan’s eyes 0f6fa13208 showed interest, signaling me 3a74797aa7 to continue.c621c4c775a65a51

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“Nothing is more important to a trader than information about when a war will end.”3e14b3fc721ccecc

I deliberately put 95cf5842e1 on a confident 9ab5f36f74 expression.f2d062245d595eb2

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“In three months, the war will be over. The Kingdom of c887890a9b Onz has secretly 5891e9eb89 sided with Meliden. I believe the b2c232fdff Duke is aware 6c5fa08689 that Chelais can’t 1b8e26a97b withstand the military 6b2905a3b1 strength of Onz.”740eb3e1e7fa03fc

The war between f28fa719f6 Meliden and Meldin 57db555fb9 had already been 40254989ba going on for 876a8d8d2e over six months.88a4ba201a38fa64

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Because both kingdoms had d0b96bea42 similar power and scale, e1cdb5a091 people expected that it 314a5fc978 would take at least f99be4be90 two more years for f60473a1e8 the war to end. However, as someone b25c266d7d who had read 63e003a45f the original story, e1de3eb907 I knew the a06f9e9560 truth. The end was near.97eeff1edcf50a06

I carefully pieced together 401cab4b06 the information from the 3ca7b8bb49 original story and what acec16d6c8 I knew to make 0161a59e9c my argument convincing to e8bf32b172 Tristan.812049a7133b49f8

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“If what you say is true, then the end of the war is indeed approaching. However, you understand, don’t you? It’s hard for me c7d066c359 to fully believe everything 68b1c29f43 you’ve said.”57bdc67a5ebf1768

I nodded. I had made various d610563bcc points, but I hadn’t 7076cb4823 presented any direct evidence.5c7e583699154ee1

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But I wasn’t b1e6b451c5 someone who would 6d82f9d647 back down now.fbfb41aaacd722c5

“I understand. There’s a significant e860349120 risk in trusting 8b0c7e3362 my words. However, if you’re a ad5ef00579 businessman seeking profit, I a883c67be7 think this is a 2b8ec768f2 worthwhile investment.”0ff39607ac8ac402

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Hmm.8a06db9f101aaec4

Tristan hummed softly.2f4da30c4c8c923a

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“I’d like to hear more about that.”d18ef3e82933f72c

Luckily, he had taken the 14d732916a bait.666636037ed12340

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“You’re aware that recently, the clothing shops in the capital have been in an uproar due to the shortage of silk supplies, aren’t you?”c0dd12f8f22be87c

“Yes, it’s been quite noisy because of that issue.”66e340cdab5b747f

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“But what if you could monopolize that silk?”963db09b44232a11

I took a breath and 9aa3c7710a calmly continued my explanation.48b46d5c9574fde1

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“It takes a lot of time to launch a ship. So, if you believe me e9b261f8b2 and start preparing now, by 2e70185833 the time the war ends, e6d63c4639 you could immediately send out f0294908b5 a ship and have the 2689ba5a3a Locke family monopolize the silk 1bbd8478fb trade from the East.”4c059fe60775187e

Trade, when distant or large 1e1a5ae919 in scale, required ample preparation 66e481ddb4 time.8ed07d071daddeca

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Even if other families heard 9f243480a8 the news of the war’s 25011288ce end and started preparing their 0d7ed75a3c ships, it would still take 5de131120a them at least two months.9a416d6f39ce23c8

If the Locke family started 18b10cb000 preparations now and launched their 8740c8a47e ship as soon as the 0a07dc670d news of peace arrived, they c8ffea03d7 could monopolize the silk before fa54513ff0 other merchants even reached their 4736edcd51 destination.3e17b49b58421d55

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“My request is simple. While securing the d53a9f4842 silk, if you cee9dc3ec0 could also bring f624863768 back a few 0d377e261b other items, that 73f2f902ca would be enough. Considering the information I’m 12569a6662 providing, it’s a rather 243521f41a cheap price. Naturally, I’ll pay for everything.”52b0650f9d09f556

I had said everything I 4e10684658 needed to say. Now, all that was left 6660d88ca0 was for Tristan to accept.519f01c99f88302e

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I handed him the contract 1a175fccb9 and waited nervously for his 7e30e06423 response.f0f26a02a03a31a0

Tristan silently examined e06fb002c3 the contract, and 81f6a61b97 after what felt 3c6d071546 like an eternity, d2ef32039e he finally spoke.1feb1aa2bf57667a

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“Alright. Let’s make a deal.”6a35308df1c1637a

I couldn’t help but 9d3ce56f6a let a small smile 6880380695 slip in response to a25851d1f0 his acceptance.bdafd114bf9fa2cf

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‘I’ve finally overcome the biggest hurdle.’0a6e798a1672aaeb

I sighed in relief.93d96fb271e90f75

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Now, all that was afea322ec1 left was for both 000ecf2b01 of us to sign 75677fc58d the contract.d0beb8d3dfcb49fa

‘I won’t need to see Tristan again after this.’499c5265b5e966f2

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Though I tried to 3eeb4ae20c hide it, the conversation fa5f2af295 had drained me. Throughout our discussion, I had 7ce24c3142 to suppress old memories and 144900db0d the urge to ask him 2d11131261 the questions I had been ce1834c6fe holding back, focusing only on 67e781529f business, which was mentally exhausting.2f3eff1bcc6764e5

‘I need to avoid meeting him in person again in the future.’ac8ab35521ea9703

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It seemed like Tristan df625901f1 had completely forgotten our 22c552c601 past, but… it felt d253008fe2 like I was the 6f1f9ea17e one still holding on.173f4acce69ac340

Until I could 9a0c5d1d72 fully let go 5226dbf9f4 of my feelings 117b4a1fbf like he had, a2c661e6ba I thought it 824d1a4a28 would be best 707200948b to handle everything bf1ed9625a through a proxy.13506d779a532f01

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As I made 9cc5dcffb9 that decision, Tristan 2cfbb1e8aa suddenly said something 568d13cb97 unexpected.86212ab3aecbc100

“By the way, I have one more condition I’d like to add.”f87cf738d0cc5f2b

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“…Yes?”2be6ada03f8fa908

“Since this is a high-risk deal, mutual trust is crucial. From now on, I’d like 4342376557 all matters related to this daca76450a deal to be handled through b5686187f6 direct meetings, not via proxies af83013a6c or written correspondence.”549c8245d2c027ae

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I was internally 672c6fa6af shocked, but I 286f9c8c76 tried to respond e276bd29d5 logically without showing 17229dd7fa it.f1fa2a8923680630

“I think that would be inefficient.”cc9d79349407420c

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But my argument didn’t work.ff5dfe9910f07272

“Inefficient or not, it doesn’t matter. As I said, I 7f3c7c14db value mutual trust. If you don’t agree to a965bcc265 this condition, then let’s forget de1461fb45 the whole deal.”7ed667e049cc138f

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Faced with Tristan’s firm d811f4f92a stance, I bit my 65823ae677 lip.3457b539e3b8ea65

‘What should I do? There’s no one 3dfc166fb8 else I can fd70b40c82 turn to besides a8a05f8588 the Locke family.’e7532f2195cfe1d9

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Although the idea of 38c6a967d0 continuing to meet him 0889819dd9 was uncomfortable, I had feb1342641 no choice but to a80d71a604 agree for the sake 9d04bc8cad of my business.c918d1b93a9b9e2a

I sighed once and signed a153dc9c7f the contract with the additional ee9de04651 clause.af9e0834b615601b

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But at that moment, something 7804a3c970 strange happened.37222e9f19fe6d97

Tristan, who had been treating 17ed5f6314 me coldly in a strictly 569f224c04 business manner, suddenly changed his a5270df796 expression.7a86ba9178cf08fe

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‘…Am I imagining things?’d7cacfad029a7523

For some reason, c83aee49b0 his gaze resembled 63aab5cc6f the way it 8dd118991e had been back 1091008d84 in the old 81badad444 days, filled with 686a70cbd4 affection.0d9179038658f315

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Just as I began 20eade57ad to wonder if it 572dbe9795 was just my imagination, 911b9e63b2 Tristan spoke with a c75237ef83 pressuring smile.3ff7addf93e7ebcf

“Now that you’ve signed, you won’t be able to run away anymore.”7caf03e7e791c7bd

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“What? What do you mean by b26a211f40 that…?”96d72b0e077df0bd

“It’s been 10 years since we last met, yet you’ve continuously shown signs of discomfort around me, which has been disappointing, Vanessa. Was I the only one 16af3a60a8 who kept longing for you da4b54fbaf and wanting to see you?”e6518ca1c30bfb87

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“…Ah.”b2f92b2cf4cfd62c

“I pretended to have forgotten you, thinking it would upset you, but instead, you seemed relieved, which broke my heart.”c3c70dd54374c1a9

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His unexpected words 170b6f04f9 left me speechless.ec229b36a96aec01

Tristan approached me as I 3753d9f7c2 stood frozen in place.2797746ee863b557

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“Oh, and by the way, I didn’t mention this last time because I thought you might run away.”9ea164622645c427

“…”9e8d51d67b656c43

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He whispered into my ear.9eef86c94fdfbf85

“You’re as beautiful as ever, just like the woman I once loved.”a641918105fb3952

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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •6116c2ac3db3a8ed

If you want 4223b3f9d2 to support the b359d0cbd7 translation and the e8604428a9 translator, you can bf64afd381 buy a coffee~53970aaf26720224

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