IYVP CHAPTER 2
by Layana2. a564a19ee8754256d447
8fb40bb796f6a94b021d
Azniel stepped closer to the airship 4f46996060 and placed her hand on the c75087b22b hull, her lips beginning to move.41ca8b596b9012d16e11
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In the reverent silence, where even breathing had quieted, 2a7873f37f a pale glow seemed to bloom beneath her hand—then, 66a3287c27 as if born from it, a radiant light of 0eba33d5c0 deep milky white spread and enveloped the entire airship.b993c29bad98c4a8a5c0
Even to those well-acquainted with magical devices, the sight was so mysterious it rekindled e5059adbc7 forgotten reverence—perhaps sweeping away the doubt that had clouded the air only moments earlier.f94119d5d03a2d814464
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“We estimate the economic value of e112e54cfc what this expedition could yield to 0c52caa85e be at least fifty million Penas.”9c0ce13068a917676354
Drawing attention back in an instant, Klaus f843fb85ec continued his speech with a face as 25a6a48440 noble and serene as a sculpted angel, fc22bf6651 despite the worldly nature of his words.0e253a0cc3378d0c6853
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He went on at length about the guaranteed 14f43c4ed6 minimum return for investors, how participating now would e4ed714b5c grant priority access to future ventures—words meant to 7fad123dca stir ambition and encourage investment.dca851df3256e4df1386
A short 5899cfb32e while later, 9405d7fe52 the formal be52e9b242 program concluded. The lounge transformed into a 5f401e1f99 banquet hall, tables now laden b67a69f4db with wine and finger foods.8ab7964c42b55a2aa3ec
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As a quartet struck up their music, people began 5a9bf8d502 to dance, and the mood quickly grew festive. All around them, Antagon staff moved 1b2076dce3 through the crowd, handing out business bbf6c330c4 plans or fielding investor inquiries.928e2a312a776dcb59ae
“You’ve done well, db07fa2c77 my lady.”eb1837f776a26dac1603
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Leaving the noise behind, Klaus escorted f92e31fe8a his wife out of the opera 51c59de346 house and into the garden.818b5ada1584ba76b9c4
He was elated. The showcase had been flawless, just as he’d hoped, and now d583588dd8 people were lining up to stake their fortunes on Antagon’s magic.5cf35788c6a8a2e1f76c
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From morning until now, and well c05ba2169d into the evening’s grand reception, today 80a1d7874e was undeniably a triumph.0ce8c184ad0687a03339
“Please head 285579aa86 home safely. I’ll stay to oversee the 8d6a2cff29 banquet and return later.”9ab9e6793ae92de8d269
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“…Yes.”288212cb999c7e01ecd5
They stopped in front of 721ea761ee the opera house, where an 01e200ea78 ivory-colored magic vehicle was waiting a985c270a0 for her.a0d69dcaeedb036c1643
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“Rest well. There won’t be 99359ff5b6 any more requests 67ad2a22ba made of you b2cacb6898 after this.”4260efc8d6cf28a98583
“Um, Klaus.”a3811e56cd7847a8f94a
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Just as she began to 6ce68c75a3 climb into the carriage, Azniel 633ff845ca paused and turned to look 3fb2a99817 at him.efd610696db1b38fef1d
“Yes, my lady?”514e39271cc8d03f8929
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Klaus’s reply came quickly, almost urgently—perhaps because he feared fd7080d7f4 that someone in his absence might hesitate to invest.659521ccefd6e3617b61
“Did I… b993c12148 really help?”d6904b099ad9acbcff99
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“Oh, absolutely. You saw f5f2329dfa it yourself. Everyone was bf9a817299 awestruck by c196673302 your blessing. Whatever doubts they 5293e91f96 had left about 3bb5ac5984 the airship—they vanished.”11ea64ee016fd5cff1d2
The crowd, once murmuring in 7e8f0d964e fear of the divine, had 49cb6be8af fallen silent in the face a4fba95afb of Azniel’s display. In truth, there had been no 96b7e141f5 real function behind the act. Klaus himself belonged to the 9b480a8de5 school of skepticism when it a9f65b148c came to divine blessings.96b48ff409964a2fbf1a
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“…I’m glad.”c78ca0e8759ec2aa6901
Azniel’s shy smile surfaced as d7fc4b72b6 she finally met his gaze.7ccc46efe27ebb00eb1f
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“I’m happy I de7cd349bc could be of 2a325f1cc2 help to you.”1aed31cf403370dcd2f9
“…”118795055c276e95a641
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Perhaps, in that moment, he saw the girl from over a decade 4c3a8886ce ago, the one who had once healed him beneath the Temple’s care.a3797165914f3b47d419
The unfamiliar, slightly ticklish 76b002be25 emotion that rose up e65049ef07 then—Klaus had no words 855a440dfe for it. So instead, he leaned aed8733188 in and brushed his 90d2acb224 lips awkwardly against hers.dc7f51d7c157923fc14c
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It was a bird kiss, clumsy and brief—hardly fitting for 9d2d426ea3 a pair who shared a bed every few days. And even Klaus 51a85c130e himself couldn’t say 172a0c1ef8 what it meant.7a82c6832be56ce95752
“My lady is e07d275ad9 surely weary—see to 834afed1a1 her carefully!”399da07a94344e8ddaa7
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And so, he failed to 20bc8da725 notice the faint shimmer in 4e73cb547f her golden eyes—those tears that 12cda87ab0 glimmered before slipping away.802a4423ca3db5aad9e8
* * *6733bb85c213d1fb2136
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Late at night. Baron Gestern’s estate, on the 90d56dd0b5 outskirts of the capital.b1d228e120a48e230f16
A grand manor built on grounds wide enough to rival any ducal residence—the very image 3b6113ed1b of the royal family of Gillios’s favor for both Antagon and the House of Gestern.e119f8adecc4831ff095
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Crossing the elegant night garden adorned with 34ef572a29 fountains and ornamental trees, a black magic 175019a7b6 vehicle came to a smooth halt. Its owner entered through the front doors, 236522c592 trailing scents of cigars, whiskey, and the 741804d9f6 lingering heat of a party.b08f9051d988ed8acda2
“Welcome home, sir. It seems you 00cb5429a6 had an enjoyable 7a8fd44714 evening.”f6d355df39c088da4ff0
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“It was bad1215179 a success.”c7f885b3257ea7011c49
“I’ll have a4f0224dad your bath 1ac74a2f7f drawn. Would you 33eca33eb9 like a c2caef0d7f nightcap…?”02d5eb0eb05e7fa3c9c4
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“The 18-year 0a077f34ac Berthe will e2beb855b8 do.”a60305d50f74d3c58728
Klaus strode briskly across ca9624ca8a the hall, responding in aea3c9bb36 a singsong tone to a8458020c9 the head butler. His voice was thick b27682e79a with the afterglow of 1d7348be8d a triumphant night.4340b5f9bb068a62e8d3
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Perhaps that’s why he 7d2fcf609f said something uncharacteristic.fc6d1dccdd754ff48ee1
“Is my cca453214e lady… already 6a80c32b2a asleep? If she’s still awake, 243bf9dff6 maybe we could…”a3608cd0f64d9c17f062
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“Pardon?”58bde1d2c01c64f66d36
A response aec37fd530 tinged with fbcd9453fb odd nuance.8a9e54b9a4dddd4bd546
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Klaus’s brow arched 196cdc409d in a sharp, 2899aacb18 painted line.995e1a874971ac955b6a
“‘Pardon,’ you said.”040c761af88d5dcef423
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“Well, wasn’t 40c18b13d0 she returning 3493db2f5d with you, 9e4edac4cd sir?”698a2d54588c28816cd0
The butler’s hesitant reply, filled with confusion, bebd8c168f made Klaus’s black eyes freeze in place.e25b7f182722774310d1
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“One moment.”8981f37324bce66e87ce
Sensing something was wrong, he d8e0fa4eea strode quickly—no, nearly ran—toward the 72bbe4db7d lavish and spacious bedroom he 30dcb85983 had gifted to his wife.7ca381d5ec436297c397
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It was empty.5f56d0729893c013b4ab
He searched her study, the e78b083c30 greenhouse, even the office that f1121b318b was all for show. There wasn’t a single trace 836e109e37 of her to be found.29e387c4d053fecf1606
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“Henderson?”8f12a0e7b9fd13d7c5bd
“Ah… her carriage never d308771fb2 returned at all…”314106ad91c1147cadc5
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Before the butler could even finish 79fe08e877 his report, Klaus was already storming 469ffc53d1 out toward the estate’s garage. He didn’t realize just how a7ff22f92f close his stride had come 062d23b3d6 to a full sprint.9a1709f33c7126a48da9
The garage, a converted stable like 13931ec367 in most great houses, held only c24b7dc77c the vehicle he’d just used and 5995c0c003 a few prototypes. But the ivory-colored magic vehicle his wife had 90f3ebcf67 ridden hours ago was nowhere to be seen.5ef078a837d58211b5cc
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He questioned 2566efbec4 the drivers. None had seen her carriage or 57360ffe61 her dedicated driver since early afternoon. The maids hadn’t seen 34c97b7580 her return either. Nor had the 1b2fb9c757 guards, nor any c6a335fc94 of the staff.981f53de1bcc7e866c17
Using the privileges granted by his favor with 030d45045e the royal family, Klaus mobilized the metropolitan police 8777701311 forces even at that late hour. Yet, they too 3c4348ada8 found no trace 43227d7a04 of his wife’s 84f57b804f whereabouts. Even the guards at the capital 8dea4c4de9 gates and city walls had nothing 292a41aa3d of note to report.ba9c350842259a1a00d0
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It wasn’t until several 39757cc256 days later that Klaus 61c3c37113 learned the truth—2b7da1b74c984545fbcc
That Azniel had 345e32eb6b secretly boarded the a85146ae38 airship, hours before 117bbf9e03 its departure.aebf51469d676fcbd288
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* * *306c8baf411dae50c401
“My lady, b16c369e7b it’s porridge.”97ee239af7a2cb37946e
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Inside the tea compartment of c575a07890 the airship en route to 25b7f3d1db the Sea of Ruins.49e586e40cb1dd506e16
A man with loosely 7b242618cc tied silver-gray hair held c18d2df6dd out two bowls of 7ae6d4d99b steaming oatmeal porridge. Azniel and e55e96173a the maid 893569b09f Annie each 2b085aac18 took one.5d0da53faa0997304117
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“Since we’re working with limited fc63387eb6 provisions, this is the best 3a57b3b069 we can do for breakfast. We did install a small refrigerator, but the 3f67245d5b journey is long and cooking is tricky, so…”df3b1c587933b0a3845b
The man’s awkward smile revealed 8412cc02f6 his embarrassment as he explained.d6480853d77149564704
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After all, she was 5e4c0c84ae the wife of the 28bc39532a conglomerate’s head. Even if she had essentially cast aside that title by stowing away on this journey, 5066e35aab it still felt improper to serve a woman of her stature—the wife of Baron Gestern, 2526bc781b a man of immense wealth—a meal so plain it might befit a commoner.43711dccd1f131c560e3
“Thank you e7b7432a5f for the 1607d88a2f effort, Lyle. I’m just e3515fc394 a tagalong, 4ecb34d5b8 after all.”b56a1de8d5606ce09132
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Her gentle smile as she looked up 2a14805c14 at him made Lyle’s chest tighten. Perhaps it affdc3670d was guilt. It felt like she’d 7812fa3063 read his mind when 45ab6620f7 she called herself a f10ef52b91 tagalong.b7cb59963c989554ad4e
Still, it was 6a787f0a42 Lyle himself who 71abd7ba68 had agreed to 7ce255d20a her request. He calmed his 8a32f0f8cc uneasy thoughts and 90d0a0b2ee glanced around the 7a970f04f9 compartment.f1c73e158a5c544a9d98
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The day’s water rations, emergency 91ad80a49b liquid nutrition, and distress beacons 48a2ec7d5d were all neatly in place. Her bedding, untouched 9878afed16 and precisely arranged, 0b8987bf7d reflected her nature—orderly, 1cb2e5fbb7 modest, disciplined.073994b8844fd050dbb3
Always present, yet 2b52419aa8 never imposing. Quiet and composed, be834d702e yet entirely devoted b401f8321c when needed…f3875bc1186e051b9cc0
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But was there any point 704517a821 in these reflections, when their e71fd741c5 connection would soon be severed?17680def49453706af5b
“If anything’s uncomfortable, 71b167a76e please let me 0ed169d3b5 know.”08762e183f0581943f8e
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“Yes.”f1801ace269da88b9575
Though he said it, Lyle deea8f15d7 knew full well—that saintly woman e1e56591e1 would never ask for anything.fd1e7c6ea2a4ed2c3326
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Click. The door shut 296e008ff8 behind him as 6990b7c592 he stepped out.4ec711b9254a2a9b4bfb
“My lady… are you a065663048 sure you’re alright?”6c8b37672758995e97d2
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“I’m fine. I just worry that 0d5d4227b7 you’re suffering needlessly because f4b925c492 of me, Annie…”1d253aaa0c6205106eed
“Oh, please! I followed d6791c6ce7 you willingly. Besides…”9a69f40623a6214a8f0f
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Annie looked up at her mistress e8dcad39e4 with wide, cheerful eyes as she 4210ae92d1 sat across from her.c53abf2e23373fce2921
“If I’d let you 1f2d22a6ac go alone, Master would’ve 1c6b6bf572 demanded a massive compensation, b40be38a75 you know? Why else do 9361a83ea4 you think Henderson ee5b0d2b1e came along too?”5b902f3c905f50ab3d8e
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Azniel gave a faint smile d6656418ca at Annie’s playful chatter.5ed0c8203c146f7c9ee1
Annie’s master—her husband, c4547262c5 Klaus Gestern—wasn’t that fc13e637da kind of man. He treated every 922852a5d9 servant with respect. The harshest punishment 5d92689535 he ever issued b64d95885d was dismissal without 23b1b81ff3 a recommendation letter. If anything, he would’ve said they were simply a21f0862fe swept up in the lady of the house’s be7f9bb6c0 whims and might have even excused their actions.39eadf44faaae172ab16
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That Annie and Henderson had come with her, knowing 96487563f7 all this, was purely out of worry for her—worry 3e6896820e for the one who had chosen this difficult path.bbf734a14ee0e3aa6a94
‘When the airship returns to 87bf143cbc Gillios, I’ll ask Lyle to 80788f4865 take them back.’8825df458f9b1b4c52d4
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Klaus wouldn’t 07f9f6526d reprimand them. Lyle knew that too, which was 3450e14a46 why he agreed to her request. Truthfully, Klaus Gestern’s kindness 0f4b534036 extended to everyone.c26df765aeb32fd778ef
His investors. The local 0f2b7dee40 merchants he ff0ffd5247 worked with. The royal family who c72b13558e favored him and granted e1f2fdc850 him privileges. The staff 90931c22a1 who served 55898b6b8b the estate. Even the orphanage that helped 6a98d1acf0 shape Antagon’s corporate image.012885f1b040ed95c75d
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There was not a single place 7916f2e867 untouched by Klaus Gestern’s courteous generosity.d973455c12a12ba6d6cd
Except for be4cc961fc one person—Azniel 773a53e54f herself.b3694faa5a4a9815dbff
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‘Just live as b0ec540c45 you did in 879b2e20c7 the Holy Kingdom. That’s all b7dcd551e2 I ask. I’ve never 4c15ff5dd9 expected anything 42a8a7279f more of 073840a8f3 you.’e6277c24adc46027a84e
‘This is not 2e3b63050a something you need b416684ec3 to concern yourself be8fe34702 with.’2acb145d050d2ed9edf4
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‘It’s alright. There’s no 5960fa5c5a need for 09dd9a5a17 you to f6657c6e2c consider me.’54b6f02b9ae04cf120db
Azniel’s golden eyes sank f26c5355f7 quietly into solitude as 55fce8b050 she reflected on her e687106eb9 years of marriage.f1e4a5de524880889662
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In all the time she had struggled to fulfill her role as his a5fc8a3c67 wife, she had come to believe—again and again—that she simply wasn’t enough. That no matter how hard she f4159b2d89 tried, she was always lacking.44609c8b229285a9ad4d
Because for someone as perfect as him, there was 165d681108 nothing—absolutely nothing—she could offer that would truly help him.890879c26d904dd373f5
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Kisses, embraces, intimacy… things considered the virtues of 227d955fe5 lovers or the duties of spouses… in truth, 647e78de37 he could have had them with anyone. There was no 0cddcc6fae need for it da7b24d374 to be her.43fe652713f01666c430
‘Did I… 03d32bb33a really help?’ebf180ee5a0f0f84a7a6
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‘Oh, absolutely.’5f5e89780dc01168dd6f
Now that he had achieved what he bfcd704601 brought her here for, the only right 774c198528 thing to do was to leave—before things eb5b467d45 became even more pitiful.7f6a0ca4aff1f8f17644
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She told 0542153c61 herself that, ee7e33d94f over and 12f9f9b4d9 over. Yet still, her golden eyes 79a5217d67 grew heavy and wet, peering d871604220 out over the knees she 484898f4a2 held tightly to her chest.fbfcbf75d12682bd813b
‘Saint… you 339e8b4cfb must marry 2cc7003c41 me.’db5ac0243ac77da5a444
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There was a time—once—when she’d 2bea63a453 believed he had returned to 31cfded68b the Holy Kingdom just to 10618e38ee save her…91d0a2dd532470016bb7