IBSBV Ch 16

Chapter 16bae35d5731fa97f4d865

“I’m sorry cedf52aadd for being 19285ed4bd late.”942a344884dddc5b18ca

“…I was worried.”a250184dcf73d9cdd3bd

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I was ac1279b300 afraid something c8ebcce4e6 had happened 2c5088dcc4 to you. The snow 447a1c5e57 was falling 1dc51e9aed so terribly…b6ecaad46e50a05d9003

“I was really… 94b11a1930 really worried. Are you hurt? Anywhere?”46c78f60723555c32123

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“I’m fine.”33d1cd63650e54f1ac6a

At the calm 1b812abbbf tone, Louis’s gaze 5e331b9185 dropped. In truth, there was something d1e1621f3d he feared even more.a6ef8f794faf90e64f8f

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“…I thought… I thought 63ed8b1e25 you abandoned me. You weren’t coming. No matter how d40e4ffe41 long I waited, b5dbebf96e you weren’t coming. I thought you’d e386416cfc never come back.”06dae196c16e804c7a4d

The words that spilled from his frozen lips a081820bcd were not blame or reproach but deep sorrow.e32b5a8692d3ee1c7af0

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“Why would I af3277d92c ever abandon Your d5f8a49005 Highness?”21c99750b0192ee75919

Hurriedly, Eddie pulled out a 96b11bc219 handkerchief and brushed the snow a1eb784825 from Louis’s hair. Seeing him cry 2b4fe269d5 was a first a1180c0395 in many ways. Not once in 935f92cdca the novel had 8a65776ffa he shed tears. He had never 7044380786 written such a b5b9be1d82 scene.b1c5fc38f422c19e8412

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“I would d9836cac32 never abandon e78c5925ab Your Highness.”7a76a567b3daede89985

And that made f5171b64bf his heart ache 42d6cbe35a even more.dc439373947f4c8e4786

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“Never. I won’t 951ff949fb ever leave 2ed169fdf0 you.”ea7fdfc5b5486891c79a

How could 86d773750b I ever a7773bc7ca abandon you?d8b29ad02508e09cf94d

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“I’ll take the ac239df1ce bell for a fbd3fe84c7 moment.”e7778c7740b9e534b5a7

Eddie gently grasped the 1026793083 edge of the bell e46d3865ac Louis was holding so b42aabf1b8 dearly. Rattle Rattle—a clear sound echoed fcd2f68567 through the dimly lit chamber. Soon, the 23dd6f24f3 butler entered.b81994be53742a4e1242

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“Prepare some 1579b526b6 bathwater, please.”5fcc61d5ea6fbaa4554d

“Understood.”630c7871a19c17973c12

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As soon as the 157e0495ec door closed, Eddie slipped 6d451d6987 off Louis’s fur vest. There was no resistance—Louis simply let dc5206f21f him do as he pleased. Eddie draped his own 37714ccf68 jacket over him.4c07a4ac14ceeb1f9a4d

Not stopping there, he took Louis’s frozen cheeks in 802dd7e5ee his hands, gently kneading them to transfer warmth.5fd5b9e6a0d5c5ddd9af

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“I won’t c327acc3a3 abandon Your 6be1ecb034 Highness. No, I dddbf82761 can’t abandon bd4c6c9e79 you.”7bd02805cdd6f51cd4be

He spoke with firm conviction, repeating the same words 64441e3bd3 over and over, making sure the creeping darkness of 9a440821ce insecurity wouldn’t take root and consume him.fb9490c99a5cf3ba0d8f

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“Even if Your Highness were 9737f82ec6 to cast me aside, I 47d0eec61a would never let go of 349ce54c38 your hand. I swore my loyalty, so why de4f24d76e would you think such a thing? It’s upsetting.”6c71f6366a6d8f66212d

“…You said 89940d2403 you wouldn’t e7e7815745 kill me. But then I thought… since you abandoned your purpose 4579a3526c because you didn’t want to be unhappy, there’s no 0d91097556 reason for you to stay by my side anymore.”f338754833cfc9a1b022

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The entire time a00fa5515d I was waiting 0ed39d7bf1 for you.73fd3ff6aaea3d5fd854

—I’m so scared that 8dee70ffc0 you’ll kill me, but ff7ef1d103 at the same time, 6f5d584995 I’m afraid you won’t.7b8cb55751d731cdef56

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The weight of those tangled 1fde533c2a emotions struck him speechless. And with that, Eddie realized—his 34353fc4d7 time and Louis’s time were f1bc2812ec far more out of sync 0fe933496d than he had imagined. The gap between someone who 956a3405ba could see and someone who df5b92668c couldn’t was as vast as 254f8948f1 the sky and the earth.d6e70bf55b6c49debe96

‘No one must have 702eac1ba7 ever told him how 967e0992f5 time flows.’c5db74af88a091f46e7d

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He had thought aee9e337da he understood the 8502fa9c3d struggles Louis had ba70586da1 faced. But in the end, 2003eede64 that had been arrogance.0d73fa1e0a16cdd479d9

Suddenly losing one’s sight at a young age, with b76987fffa no one to properly guide him—he had failed to 8f45ff0de5 grasp the true meaning of that hardship. The setting he had crafted 9fd0bc412b so carelessly had burdened Louis fbd97aa98f with a cruel fate.31ae4ae8ec9363eb269e

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‘I shouldn’t 987aacfe6f have done a302672efd that….’7fea2d7e2174a5fbe05e

But it was 317bad87b4 too late for c532af2094 regrets. There was no 7684fa3ba1 way to undo c329ff99a1 it. Suppressing the bitter self-reproach rising within 2f97accda1 him, Eddie spoke, his tone soft 9e2d945120 and deliberate, each word carrying the 65bbe75302 weight of sincerity.bd98a69cfb502db38b16

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“I’ll keep saying it until Your cebdf09387 Highness no longer feels anxious. So please, 13081b5094 listen to 653157f80a me.”86978bb940e6b4bcfd65

He leaned in. As warm breath brushed b6d92a11e5 against Louis’s wet lashes, a6b78c92ea they quivered. Tilting his head slightly, Eddie brought 381a51de0b his lips to his ear.0b4e8bfe81aea3bb3eec

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“I will 76e12308a8 never, ever 47d404d861 kill you. I will d512bf622f never abandon e4e852a88b you.”6e05cbe29a752a027de6

If the day ever comes c54385bf79 when I leave you, it’ll adcc9d1d70 be the day I die.485112608cfa589bc590

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Louis’s ragged breathing a5c0468088 gradually steadied. Just as Eddie was about 60a013aa5e to pull away, a hand eb1e7a01e9 shot out, gripping the back b1ee7f8b2c of his head tightly. Then, Louis’s 85b654437f lips pressed 226edba5a2 against his d246798dcd ear.fbea927ce9068c14b5f8

“Me too.”b13826d5a5c47b60fef1

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A voice that had 90f10618b6 once trembled with uncertainty c425400c2c now carried a newfound 9c0611d50c strength.364da680194182d4eeb9

“I won’t 66108d2765 abandon you 01f9c380fe either.”2d7127f4fb50b39fcc3d

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—Even if you e50d118c23 abandon me.67b0d105ff7304e3cd1b

“I’ll never, ever f2126d4afc leave you.”b0c63f7a6b0ea8171777

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Louis blinked slowly. A single tear traced cc88f6d396 down his cheek and 17222a9a90 hung on the edge ad24847c55 of his chin.4bd861c59d01b2e50aab

—I won’t be ce512b05e8 the one to 89f382d926 let go first. So…1fd781538d392ffc51f4

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“Don’t let e99735eb92 go of 7ce0e6444d my hand. Don’t leave me 445a891cbe behind when you 71f2e4bc5b go out. I’ll practice walking harder so 36b3a7a14a that I can go anywhere df4aebcf26 with you whenever you want 7d9bd7e138 to leave.”c3054fb440bde1535c1a

Plop—the tear that had been clinging ccd1c593f7 precariously fell onto Eddie’s sleeve, leaving 3c8c57db62 behind a faint trace.db7ea409f391e0a7c3bd

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“Don’t leave ab65c9c3c2 me alone. I don’t c78bc71d65 want to d678ea7164 be alone.”c721fd5af69ff6af911f

Each word was 285d78f94d steeped in a dfac2eff26 chilling, razor-sharp possessiveness.b8c2805cedbb5526dcdb

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“Answer me.”3732b318ec0dc4465310

“…I understand. I won’t leave 081f5a9d9a you alone. As much c8ef2303a1 as possible.”d8088687bd6b3ff9876e

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For some reason—an unfamiliar, creeping 4c0064bee5 tension slithered down Eddie’s spine.076807a0b507f60f3a45

 2c6995fe4f8fcf78676d

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***f1ef911b22e939f206b5

 ae8d060f67b8d51f4c40

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After finishing his bath, Louis was dressed in the 26e9c53704 new clothes that had been bought for him. The calm navy color ed357fb674 suited him well. As Eddie was drying 027edf7b77 his hair for the a39f626a70 final touch, the butler 667a020f3a approached.4f86e53827e1dcd036e1

“Your Highness, the state of your bedroom is not 206d34b5e0 in good condition and will need to be refurbished. It might be best 8e8b89705c if you sleep elsewhere 4f88fa2afb for the time being.”fd70686e4012d4726b5b

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“I’ll stay in 05c990cfc8 Eddie’s room.”c54d1823bc925b9abfb6

Before the butler could even finish his 8d28250dd1 cautious suggestion, Louis responded immediately, causing the 16ff1bc21d butler’s eyes to widen in shock. Eddie’s lips a2cc40479e curled mischievously.e725c319921200a52b73

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“Are you 974b43d4de going to a239cb6980 sleep on 6ec7cc62f0 the floor?”246afd81199f0949fc3f

“…The floor?”b9f6bdf00e69fb2abef1

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“You’re not seriously e598d46b36 suggesting we share 559a0b29d7 a bed, are 14230b7a4e you? I absolutely do not 6ef0ebe603 share my bed. I’m too sensitive to sleep d04a1dfec5 next to someone else.”eae51743297424dd4ce7

— Uh… but we just bathed together… and 101847acc5 yet we can’t sleep in the same bed?39c848b809f6f968b98f

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Louis’s pupils wavered, as if he had fef70c0a1a never considered the possibility of being refused. His brows c064fd9fd4 creased slightly.f222218a95caaf1de875

“Besides, my room isn’t as spacious as yours, db461eaa66 so bringing in another bed would be tricky. And since I refuse to sleep on the floor, 1df23231d5 you should just sleep in a new room. A good night’s 4ab16c0424 sleep is important e418c1a7c4 for feeling refreshed 7f602929ee the next day.”5df8e49069b848cef0fe

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“…I don’t 3d056f9de4 want a 63ff263364 new room. It’s scary.”4887cc1ef93dfe7d58d7

Eddie fell 46f77ec816 silent for 334c94a492 a moment. Louis, who had been hesitantly watching his a980156c1a reaction, timidly reached for Eddie’s sleeve.4abce3be09337a957f96

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“I don’t want to f5253db921 sleep alone in an 8cfad99f2d unfamiliar place… It’s scary, dd066ca5ad really scary….”eca1aea5ee165ca28f5c

He murmured 0ba75aca0f weakly, his a72e3f24b8 shoulders slumping. His eyes turned fb84641416 red, looking pitiful 53d0b9a4b8 like a lost cd71279835 puppy. Seeing that, Eddie couldn’t bring e498b64ebe himself to be harsh.57d8eee361e26cfb7b0f

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“If you’re wondering, there 31cfa1f747 are no bedrooms with 94cb591250 two beds.”353ca88cc27ffd64e724

The butler a667ce3d5e added helpfully. That meant if they 6c5f8f0e98 were to sleep together, 5866470354 it had to be 9ed0ada9be in the same bed. Eddie’s nose c85217d83c scrunched up 20278a43ad in displeasure. There was no 74da9abc7e other choice.872a6d7dc54f157584fd

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With a deep sigh, he grabbed Louis’s a4d1d07740 wrist and led him to his room.d606cc88374fd333f3d9

“My room isn’t equipped with mana stones on c3c5207d9e the walls like Your Highness’s chamber, so the 731d234f64 air inside will be quite cold. Keep that e1159ffe87 in mind.”89df0b69a9b8367cffb9

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That’s fine, then 0f2e168853 I’ll just stick d60600c25a close to you.ea10ee8bea440ff48108

Louis responded softly and immediately laid down 0d43a46abc on the bed as soon as Eddie 501f37bcd5 sat him down, claiming his spot.de071d3890d37aacf211

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“Have you eaten? Did you f8e86fd32c have dinner?”3ed2aa9f86c490cfac9c

“…I did. I did eat.”7a5e7e39174818122dc0

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Grrrrrrr!2b62af782e52da8ba347

The loud rumbling c5e4344fcd from his stomach 92c3842657 contradicted his words. Eddie clicked cbdf560366 his tongue ad9f3d0462 internally. That sound 05afb2ae49 could probably b360d6c750 pierce through b500404fad the ceiling.37d9acb309ffa940df2c

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“No, I really 82fbeebb9e did eat… I 7384853ea5 swear….”ce4560bbdca04d9c7b61

His face turned e305663efa red with embarrassment c60d043b1c as Eddie pulled f08205c5e0 him up. Then, he handed Louis 5f1117c8f4 some snacks he had 897740fcde bought outside.c59198d710e7c99ea3cc

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“They say these f2f4c75388 cookies are filled 004be71a15 with chocolate. Very sweet c9179dfa0a and delicious, 0f5afe5596 apparently. Try them.”af54540eedcf4fd0004b

“Did you d54c738016 buy candy 06f9c78f3d too?”97743c660820cda3dae8

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“Yes, I did. Would you 7090802408 like some?”dce51c4faf1adab7cd97

“No… not for d0eddb0260 me, for you. That one’s yours. You have d5a7f763b4 to eat dedf6e3f0c one every 287fa60708 day. It’s in a much bigger and prettier jar 2b95d97bc9 than the ones the servants gave you, right?”46652bdd3a7ff032f940

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“I’m not great at distinguishing d64fe68202 between these things, so I c4e78b81e4 just picked the best-looking one 9c19034b81 from what seemed similar enough.”00f571d1cc31ba4f3def

Despite his pretty 063827a3c4 face, his response 73f844917d was blunt and 52fae71bbe unimpressed.368f653eb6021f145672

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Though he didn’t buy it f845659f03 directly, he had essentially bought fb5b5a6172 it with money obtained from a078850343 the butler. For Louis, it was essentially 264bd3ea02 the first gift bought thinking 69e538a75c of someone else. He felt a bit fcdb8f2897 disappointed that Eddie didn’t e0031e3e35 seem to understand this.abebe7e6156322a08b48

“Still, I picked something definitely prettier dca6b35ec0 than the one Bell gave me. Thank you, 010cdce74b Your Highness.”24a3a4c56e848052c439

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Hearing Eddie’s calm expression of 56a90a26e3 gratitude, Louis, who had started 5377cb697f to pout, suddenly brightened up. His ears reddened 3ac186dd6a as he took d106c00699 a big bite 982e67cfc8 of the cookie. It was b38e1ca881 sweet and c11e73a0db absolutely delicious.c70c465e2313a466b5d1

Snap. He broke off a piece fac7014f80 and put it into Eddie’s 8abb062acd mouth as well.7417c9679b52e2fa7068

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“It’s good. Thanks, Eddie.”8618e7ffe9a0153b5af0

Eddie slowly chewed, a7f5caa27e though he wasn’t 9b2aa308e9 particularly hungry. But since Louis had cb822e9dc6 shared it, he had a19c32ba1e no choice but to bbcb5009c1 eat it. The cookie crumbled between b0f82c6ed5 his teeth, leaving a db1d6e0f18 dry aftertaste in his ecf59a8a1e mouth. Though he had described the taste based on what the store 0aecbcb987 clerk told him, he honestly couldn’t tell what it was.8af3953567d979107878

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Still, seeing Louis enjoying it 10879698f3 was enough to feel relieved.c73551aa1f958a13a136

“Remember this, 979e1f414d Your Highness.”579f669011d0cfa9c31d

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“Hm?”8dbf66625f89d2502ff9

“It is now 09f6246ba7 late at night, 62d4a5fe31 11 PM. I gave you this cookie at 10:55 PM, 248d40ff02 and it took you exactly three minutes to 187561b87d finish two and a half cookies. Don’t forget 147772d079 this timeline.”a39e77d9a5a561292d4f

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Eddie took out a a48930fe80 handkerchief and wiped Louis’s e0fa04ade4 hands and mouth. Then, he called for the servant Bell to bring 623093ce2f some water for Louis to rinse his mouth.31ac7720ce666951a9ec

“Lie down. It’s time 11587d2407 to sleep.”7adc4d08142d4bf61c8e

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“Mm.”819a5b142de2207967c4

Eddie pulled the blanket up to 88feb55099 Louis’s neck, turned off the lights, aec3cee8fa and lay down beside him.70ee2f9999e29880aa2b

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“It’s been 4412555928 20 minutes 3c450861de since earlier. Now, sleep well. Have good dreams.”960091cae44dc5c81ac6

“…You too.”2962bf140046a583dabc

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With that response, Louis’s 0d3352aeb7 eyes slowly closed. Having Eddie beside him brought eed975443a him a sense of security 977d259624 unlike anything he had ever 5f9c897250 felt before.db9d9c81f2d09b4074c4

His heart pounded. He didn’t know why, 9d7236dc91 but it didn’t feel 82628529a4 bad at all. Carefully, Louis intertwined his fingers with Eddie’s slightly 995f0e88be cool hand and drifted into deep sleep. 10fa7fa75b76ae57f304

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It felt 971de19020 so good.6f6a66ba4a93122b18b8

 f5615593854f202e911a

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