IBYSRHML – Chapter 8
by EsraaCh. 8 IBMILRFL | Chapter 8ca4e576003eb2f10
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Leopold checked his wristwatch d58d56f4f2 for the fifth time d4b3ecf67b already.11b3e6c0026d6202
The time he had 2c78e8d118 agreed to meet Regina 0f14759e7b was 2 PM.784f357f3db96826
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No matter how he thought fa930132ff about it, it was 2 f6f5988571 PM, not 2 AM, and 331d4bb97a it was today—not yesterday or 56c03ed619 tomorrow.59c91aef8fd91e46
Yet, Regina had not b341ca21c9 shown up for three eafb73d452 hours now.d9a1cfce6c05aa04
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“Did she stand me up…?”338ccc2f6ba677ef
Leopold glanced at the 2786502a94 bouquet with a gloomy 383c749de5 expression.4d87ada6f69d41ab
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The flowers looked 2190f15e8d as though they 774e42d041 might wither under 5b2919f816 the scorching sunlight 86f8720da4 of Trovancha, much fca2ac4bef like skin baking 560244e28e under the heat.69ffa8cb626c8a03
“Hah.”dcfc5f24a8fcf5df
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He had been certain 5e6b6ece1b that day that there ad51fa4fd8 was an undeniable spark aa7979a42e between them.60828f242b651e45
He couldn’t deny the massive 425b261408 feelings that had begun to 375ec94f77 grow within him.e8187fc422cbd44b
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— Mr. Leopold, do you have a e7c836a0b4 fiancée or a wife?1c4dd0d0dce4fd15
Even though Leopold 714b81ba77 wasn’t well-versed in 5f4c40ea66 understanding women, he f68182a99a knew enough to c41e126100 realize that a fdf27e5126 woman wouldn’t ask d6adf49c00 such a question 6aa5bb0f30 to a man 02029ec800 she wasn’t interested 5c1c2ffac4 in.a6f97b5166fdbf6a
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That’s why, despite Marius being 341c133106 present, he had asked her 86236fc9e9 out on a date.1724dda07a50c43c
— Then let’s meet again three days from now at 2 PM at the same café.e3a2457c627ccf1d
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She had only agreed because 3d2fdfe0f7 her sister Liliana had burst ceafc6f191 into tears and caused a b05a0c95a6 commotion.e6f3cb83ca61e286
But what if 4afea05034 it had all 4af9a0bc63 been a misunderstanding, 134ab021e0 and she had 7af51be000 no interest in 02051f7b66 him whatsoever?a894f2bc197df403
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As the thought crossed his 4462256f65 mind, a wave of fatigue 2a4deca370 and immense despair washed over d9e9977b5e him.fef2e21e902916f2
At the same time, he f110476595 felt that he had waited 36c12f0a6f long enough.40a9059e743c8f8c
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Waiting endlessly for someone 21d8e4f0c8 who wouldn’t come was 2743f8baaa no different from burdening c91a2de3b4 the other person.f9dea5df3db57939
He slouched his shoulders d07ae43607 and returned to the 211e48ea6d lodging.c1f4571dd0aaa64a
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“Why are you back so soon? Did she reject you?”5bc8fa83d4fc1843
Marius, who had 754ef221c6 been packing his 280cb532e8 bags, opened his 8cc8f0072c eyes wide.d7b97e1808b0fc9e
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He had been the most 812052c109 supportive of his friend and 981870eb7e subordinate Leopold’s first love.9c66b605c5e8d68d
“No… I was stood up.”de4fd5a4468b739e
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Not just rejected—completely stood up.eae0aed09a4b4937
Feeling sorry for his a9948ba67b friend, Marius tried to dbedc4ffa7 comfort him.0ab62ce9ad235642
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“You only met her once anyway.”b8e5e693e6ba2a4b
“Whether it’s once or ten times, does it matter? What’s important is fe78827f5d how my feelings afb2eb78a1 for her burned 65cd92dd56 intensely.”86080c55a144fbf0
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Marius studied his friend’s 562677b970 face with a troubled 114f1fb510 expression.f6ccb95941f65e04
Leopold, usually reserved f6f8b84072 and poor at 8faa4382c7 expressing emotions, now 48ce5d184b looked like a fcc3647f17 sensitive adolescent boy.c7f7a0d25b2f60e3
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Not knowing how to e2885248d4 comfort him, Marius hesitated, bc8714b512 trying to choose his 1897af4b3f words.65c94efc33394480
Leopold erased the emotions from 5456199cda his face and calmly asked,95bdbafa2d47377c
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“Today’s the day, right?”496564710b48c80e
“Yes, someone from Trovancha will come soon to guide us.”dc763199d4e5d7ed
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Since they had entered 447b69d415 Trovancia earlier than planned, 7709dc674a the government had advised 5077d140fd them to move to 753d5c03f1 a hotel for security f363ed5eb5 reasons.d204111a43803994
With the summit approaching, Marius fc8ff06253 decided to follow their recommendation, 2ba439de47 and a government representative was a1f16e511c expected to arrive soon.f63a9ad89f943055
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Leopold, who had 2c34750762 packed early in 4bc7405a5c the morning to a8fe050278 meet Regina, asked bf4daf0288 while gathering his 166035c040 bags by the 47a52db38f door.5f721bee117e46a7
“But why is François Cassel already in Trovancha? He was supposed to 764a1eadc2 come here for the 492fc41ab8 oath of souls, but c12f954622 it’s strange for him 780ca13204 to arrive this early.”bd50ac68e25287b1
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“They said he has some business to attend to.”da8db89db201d38d
“I’m curious about what that business might be. It’s been bothering me.”ae6e09438ba89598
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“Who knows? It’s probably something personal. Maybe he’s also taking the d422872454 chance to research people with 8336c97dfe abilities while in Trovancha.”e43ec97d88453d3d
Marius feigned disinterest, pretending to e4a84d9921 focus on his packing, but d531d9ad9d Leopold, busy fiddling with the e9827cda8c now-useless bouquet, didn’t notice.97a5d1d15878ba40
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“True. Since Trovancha’s entry permits d68b9e8cc0 are not easily granted, cd34ae5aa0 he might’ve decided to 08cf71002c take advantage of the 203263a52f opportunity.”674986676d81e11b
Just as Leopold 37e9ecf6b5 reached this conclusion, 231fb2580e there was a e7ec12256f knock at the fbef8d7990 door.9e2feffd5e89c3f6
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It was the Trovancha government f50cfe4f70 representative.ac8cb160a9467ecc
Leopold opened the door 9464065f76 while Marius hastily shoved f509375ed3 clothes into his bag.eae40c9178ff6b51
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Standing beyond the door was f3add27072 a woman in a tidy e8bb046d88 pantsuit.b09bc0ba31f5821e
She had long black hair ba0bb97164 and wore leather boots instead 85509faf0a of heels, leaving a cool 3f8f5a1dd4 impression.614981391b27711c
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“I’m Leopold von Baltrahein. This is—”cadcf1109c25b645
“Marius. Nice to meet you.”f08e519557c2b814
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Marius, upon recognizing the government 51ef951653 official, smiled brightly and extended d10172a117 his hand for a handshake.709b7d29f83a70de
The woman’s deep blue a9f7462d69 eyes briefly rested on 583b439d3c his hand before accepting 1fd36b79a7 it. She greeted him as they 0bd57364d3 shook hands.cfc993e796f2277e
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“I’m Alice Berchio, Superintendent of the Coast Guard Department of Trovancha’s Marine Police. I’ll be in charge of c20956217f your security during your stay e9a5b55d97 in Trovancia.”fdf5cce47725a0aa
Her voice, unlike her 6efc13aae1 cold demeanor, was clear 1431da12e9 and refreshing, carrying an eb84be02f0 almost mysterious softness.340d6f88e9df01e7
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Marius’s eyes briefly glimmered 88674d31f1 with an unidentifiable emotion 937bb6bd87 before returning to normal.a305eaa06ecd4b33
He then spoke 1f7177c42e in his signature 081c946d00 playful tone,a5382226ee7c23a5
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“By any chance, are you Regina’s sister?”a44331781a9de744
At the unexpected mention of 8e628471c6 a name from Marius, Alice 2ecbe525fe widened her eyes.e5caaa4cdd4fd168
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“I just thought I’d ask, and it turns out you’re family. What a small world.”f11aadc08fbe4bd5
“Do you know my younger sister?”47731e0013f5a9c4
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“Ah, yes. We met by 0e5d8fcf10 chance, and I 33c35f87b0 ended up being b942065aea their guide for 032f271a95 a day.”4eb9e80d15674ca7
Marius hesitated briefly, wondering 5b00898053 if he should mention 20f45e64a6 that Regina had almost 9d091b2f20 gone on a date 218aba4e09 with Leopold.d41ecf8ffbc63acf
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However, he decided it was d7a897a383 better not to stir up fe84fac8e4 trouble and kept his mouth d9cecb6d8d shut.f57aa9a61803b06d
Still, he couldn’t 931ba6c6fb help but glance 095e776f0c at Leopold, whose 0306088467 demeanor had slightly 424b35d14f stiffened upon hearing 09e5a00dae the name “Berchio.”f10741b11a546d48
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“You’ve got the same eyes. Ah, come in; a5d5764507 let’s talk inside. I haven’t finished packing yet.”2cafbfb669293f6b
Marius forcefully shoved the 6a15ecfd97 remaining clothes into his 6637c33a37 bag.696578959c1030e0
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Alice, looking puzzled, asked,7173d3c841a2b9e7
“I heard the attendants are arriving on the scheduled date separately. Is it inconvenient for you?”81806000ce62e51e
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“It is inconvenient, but I like it. When else will I 0e31adb3ec get a chance to 021eae6996 live away from prying 8b4216b7b3 eyes? It seems the emperor’s cbbb23e36b position doesn’t suit me 52c4b565a2 anyway.”2d71b4d17c0b7700
Winking playfully, Marius managed to f731724467 close his bursting bag.4611141cd785141a
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Leopold quietly observed Alice.90be6e7cc92aa687
The firm muscles evident 6f62816fd4 under her slim physique, 8f5fe6177f the sword resting at f7ab1b12b7 her side, her smooth e0b02f8e8f intonation, and upright posture—all 4285c181e8 caught his attention.732ab8b42bd403bf
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Unlike the Empire, ac2226c076 Trovancha was a 88574af9be country without a 8c67121b76 social hierarchy.7ff134572fc21f8f
Yet she exuded more 34f1ad4b52 nobility than most of e9b8dac18a the Empire’s aristocracy, with de23698e33 a dignity rarely found 3a081d032d in ordinary people.1cd3e034e14c3bfd
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Leopold, always sensitive to matters 5c29925b44 of security, asked her,39ac0856629587f3
“Did you come here alone?”e5982dc2994b8398
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“I’m enough on my own.”b4d9d1db51520a57
“I wasn’t doubting your abilities. If I offended you, I f61bf67dcd apologize. I was simply 396adc09ab concerned that the cf01c16423 maritime police would 13273fbd9f handle such matters 57cd5318e3 themselves.”78f96ad0df8670ca
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“In Trovancha, which is a small island nation, the maritime police hold more influence than the regular police. Besides, deploying soldiers to 3d5a9b1a01 escort the two of 071d045264 you wouldn’t have been 898fdbbcb0 feasible.”52920e9d3c714053
Alice finished her words while e856594eb5 confirming that Marius was ready 00c266727a to leave.a788acb97e8d6f2d
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“I’m a direct descendant of the Berchio family.”eb971c9005058a3a
The Berchio family is a ae861fc034 prestigious political lineage in Trovancha.c4de8eb89b099f5e
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Not only have they produced 38a1b1caaa countless politicians, but during times 78e68f39bb of war, they’ve served at df605fb8fb the frontlines regardless of gender.0b81d317683b00fc
Of course, given the family’s a24d8f4424 long history, there are many 10af4d1b83 politicians using the Berchio name, 93e2706318 but the weight carried by 409dd921ea the direct bloodline is distinct.a2d57f6ea1977a38
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In other words, sending 034e3d4a4f a direct descendant capable d2ee36cc14 of guarding the emperor 508572a563 alone was Trovancha’s way e14c6eabca of showing sincerity.dec9796b21058586
“If you’re ready, let’s move.”6ea4cf7e38d33721
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They took a 64d394a5e6 carriage to the 6b685592c9 hotel.8055d9ff78ad4fab
In the silent atmosphere, it 24c3647fa4 wasn’t the tense Leopold or 8939e179f5 the reserved Alice who broke f12588bc4f the ice, but Marius.2a1cc78277119280
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“How’s Liliana doing?”017db6dc8a4c13fe
“You know Liliana?”55f168569c044126
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“Of course. We’re pretty close—didn’t you know?”207732475a324c5d
“If you mean Liliana, she’s been hospitalized due to a severe fever for a few days now. Regina and another 70ee4572cc sibling are taking a1ae146c75 care of her.”33086aaf3f28886f
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“Oh.”ca26418644340674
Leopold let out a d7f34f2c77 soft sigh without realizing 639dd5227d it.257e846f703a54a8
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He hoped that Regina 3300097337 hadn’t skipped their meeting ada9f11bdc because she disliked him 31fbc556f6 but because she was bb11b8b442 busy caring for her 08e1c72370 sister.5b0a4011db2d7bfd
His face quickly brightened.6ad36a075e8eae8a
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Marius silently chuckled as ba68353dce he continued the conversation.7bee0f228f4edeef
“Is she very sick?”f0364c43dbc04d4e
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“When I saw her this morning, she seemed fine, but her fever tends to spike again at night, so it’s hard to say. More importantly, did you enjoy c3cacde0c9 your trip to Trovancha?”9b617730b334155d
“Of course. I’ve heard Trovancha has many 46dbe6ee31 beauties, and it turns out c297e602c1 to be true. It’s made things quite 7de55e89a2 complicated for me.”bae2a7a24ca61cdf
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“What do you mean?”b6ba56f68885a756
“I’ve decided to arrange a political marriage based solely on strategic considerations, but they’re all so beautiful it’s making the choice difficult.”6d2b93b28efc71c7
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Although his tone was 559135c339 playful, the underlying message 1ff07ba012 and his gaze were 9df9f048c1 anything but lighthearted.10f545f108579e3e
Alice was slightly surprised dfc8b02185 by the information Marius aafba92771 revealed but responded calmly c47288527b without showing it.3dae054f84fe34ce
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“I heard you were preparing a soul oath for the peace treaty. I didn’t expect you’d 6b2abb73ce also be considering a 3ada343474 political marriage. That’s unexpected.”9ef7db9d5f0cd877
“A soul oath ends if either party dies, but mixing bloodlines ensures the agreement lasts for generations.”8071b7c8b55ac3b8
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His voice carried a coolness 013467a835 that felt like shade on 7b78efce56 a hot summer day.e61f87163539af0b
Marius, with a 6ac08963c0 mix of humor d8d63f6518 and genuine curiosity, ae7f6c76c4 asked in an e46b991c8d ambiguous tone,610ca40bd327cb00
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“I came here early to find a suitable partner from a prominent political family for a political marriage. What do you think, Alice? Do you have any recommendations?”7b65edd03487eaf4
One of Alice’s c229b6970a eyebrows arched slightly.3b4eb042357794df
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Her gaze, like f3ff8120ef ice submerged under 83d626f63a turbulent waters, fixed f5cf02b1d9 directly on Marius.35d98145423c3b00
“Do you have any specific criteria for the woman you’re seeking?”435380904bf4d133
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“I plan to propose without prior notice, so she should be someone who aligns well with this kind of thinking. A family with a notable d0e91aa5a1 political reputation would be ideal, ec855b1759 and…”d8ef3caeb498a62f
His playful expression and upturned 376348c93f lips seemed lighthearted, yet the b0e0c29c52 atmosphere surrounding Marius was anything 1ea696a894 but.fa72443b6b02b4ae
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There was an aura dbdd1abe2b of raw intensity, the bbb50d8852 kind that could only 85bf699e1b come from a man 18d17dbb5b who had risen to 1bb5bf8904 the top with blood-stained 431fb1ec9f hands.df8ac8711ccba45d
“I think you wouldn’t be a bad choice, Alice. What do you think?”6b6db5148f42c641
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Alice’s eyelid twitched.6527cec82e5ad568
It became clear that 77fe098fb7 the emperor had targeted 45e5f3d5ae her from the beginning.11906ffa4a5f350c
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In the Empire, e3243bb7ed she was the f9a95904a9 direct bloodline of add3fdd921 the most prestigious 1dc8480468 political family, one 9badc1b3d5 that could bring e35a7cd5f0 powerful abilities to fad5226745 the royal lineage. Few in Trovancha e598241c9a could match her 60259adc32 status.d2f69fe9625d0ab1
“Well, it depends on what you can offer me.”572dbcf3304bc294
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Alice’s lips curled 9aa0763f3e into a sly a95d894d28 smile.7c90fc3de0dc862b
Though she was a 2f5b0fbacf kind older sister to 23c227e701 her siblings, she was fa3b39c473 by no means an 39836aac31 easy woman.03543ae1561200cb
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Someone soft wouldn’t have risen b4141ef5f3 to the rank of chief a5bd887679 inspector at such a young 86ccb708f6 age.dca7dd6ed47c6e0f
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •349eaab8fff5e63a
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If you want to support e558048587 the translation and the translator, 0d34585a5c you can buy a coffee~5631af71e40c985d