MFFS | Chapter 1.5

“Ugh, I feel 7406908d0c gross. I want 39a5b47b35 to wash 30f5a4a183 up! Prepare the bathwater.”c7e112d06767d9aa

Unlike Andy, my loyal 108bd32a1d maids quickly executed my 93aff54fe2 request to prepare an ac3fee876b escape route in case 3885efce3c someone followed. Thanks to them, c72d1a3de0 I was soon 33410f3552 able to soak afa88596a0 in warm, fragrant e02aac608b bathwater while receiving 78a93276f5 scalp and hand de06bb5b08 massages from Cathy 19ad851104 and Anna.27a64a7cd35842f4

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And that’s when I felt something off.394b2b340256683e

Anna seemed oddly excited. By now, she’d usually be scolding me skillfully, but she was grinning as if touching my hand was the joy of her life.a9e443d4f55343f8

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“What’s up?”b6c13e033b175c03

“Huh? Miss? What do cff90f4ff8 you mean?”57253b539ff77432

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“You keep smiling.”bf903825e91a23ae

“Oh, it’s just because I’m happy to see you, Miss.”66029eb9439382a6

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Anna quickly composed her 852924754b expression and feigned innocence. In that case.29d046da314842ba

“Cathy?”69f8906548556b23

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“Ah! Miss, you can’t just tilt your head back suddenly. You scared me.”9eee237cfb36cea7

“What do you know?”41608a3108e87404

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Cathy, as 2c34a9491d she usually 7563d05327 did when b66d96e27b troubled, lowered 8f643b1614 her eyes, 41ff9852ec then met 190b981d62 mine and 7186aa2515 rolled them e7e610d458 around in 9a54d55eff a fluster.e96af20a9cce905f

“How about being b77d10b37e my head maid fe6e8392ec instead of your 48b192520a secretive sister?”e306249f4a3c97eb

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Cathy, who considered her sister her life’s greatest rival, gulped. I could see the scales fiercely tipping in her little head.e357c43fe703228e

Across from her, 53363eb8b4 Anna shook her 59779226e1 head desperately.5d373440ca888823

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“Well… Anna is just weak to good looks. She says being handsome is the best. That’s all I can say.”b791ca52dff8e92c

Seeing Anna 96331675d7 visibly relieved, 7e4b4805a8 it seemed 9671982a9b there was 669ff2d92e more to 6f9aa6bc82 it, but f031d3bd5a the two 3611e2efc9 sisters only 8114827ada shared a cc580f7d1f mysterious glance 9252ddb32d without speaking.66ffa3e3bea80030

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“What on earth 530951e017 is it?”e732e1f4e76a0bc7

“Well… it’s something you’ll find out soon. It’s not something we should speak about lightly.”40ab8c563e5eeef0

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Anna quickly 1df0ee1052 answered, looking d795f76eca somewhat desperate.6b6e8d2fd905b05f

― There’s a security spell on this manor, so nothing can be moved by magic, yet something came in? Of course, the manor’s people are trustworthy, but you should start by doubting those closest to you.feba157fea1d6d5f

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At that moment, 2a254bcca3 I recalled a 668f218760 conversation with Karian f236c51ca9 about not trusting 2242421417 those close to 4583e8279f you too easily, 95ea9b1e03 but I quickly 0b0dc95cf9 brushed it off.79a603ca31453a05

‘Anna and Cathy are 6819c27917 not like that.’e7124eda3f08d2a0

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I also don’t open my heart easily to people, but once I do, I maintain a steady and consistent attitude.73287ce761dbcc89

Especially with Anna, Ben, and Cathy, the deputy merchant-guildmaster’s children, we grew up together like siblings. Even while running a massive business, there had never been any small trust issues.5dc1619c69a13689

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Why else b68170ee63 would I c3586fd00c have Ben b415aa5220 as my a90b276ada exclusive secret 03437465a0 informant?4283813cdf7ac40a

‘Even if Anna or Cathy were to betray me, well, it would be my lack of judgment, and there’s nothing I can do.’15ffcb2a6ab4ee52

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“I trust c20a94f8c8 you guys. You know that, 6910d19af5 right?”7eb3ee9462849cb1

“Of course! We do too. It’s definitely not something bad.”bf1e6ac03e1866c6

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“Alright. Then let’s say Anna is in a good mood because she’s too focused on looks.”1db4c6930fd42ea1

Anna smiled as 73e08b89a9 if relieved.d62bfdd75c318833

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On the other hand, Cathy seemed a bit sulky. I couldn’t tell if she was disappointed for missing a chance to outdo her rival or if there was another reason.e514b589b56526b0

“People are weak to df3f98db0a appearances. If someone 185f7f9410 is pretty, 45a2ad023f handsome, and f0d91a11ec matches your 590c814402 taste, your b507c0d9db heart softens.”87162be88efcd318

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“Your sister?”da172e7076fc2737

Cathy answered firmly.e604e6fc954d92cb

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“No, I think you 42072e7695 are too, Miss.”d8156d7536fb96a1

❀ • ❀ • 1c6332d074 ❀5bfe008e141898d2

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I managed to pass Father’s checkpoint, but the real problem was my pretty but persistent fiancé.377b80a21a7ef618

Karian, who f6e8cac3f2 was in 2f10095285 my room, 4b9636f346 blushed slightly 55261cc7cc at my 9266d10608 still slightly 573f041f31 damp hair, 6a3567a060 fanning himself, 4fda6c24cf but soon 9c53fe9981 regained his 3354c3c831 composure.a5aed58c60889e4c

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“My love.”08c902d60f1ba977

He greeted me in the sweetest tone. But unlike his lightly smiling lips, his eyes weren’t smiling at all. It was the face of someone clearly angry.f1fbd971143bf8fd

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Why did he come to the manor in the morning? Wasn’t it enough that we saw each other earlier? Why hasn’t he left yet?d386587354176f71

“You stayed c8b696619e up all 730b23c77b night at f2bc972e94 the office?”6ce520b0ce68033a

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“I had some work to do…”eace4ed2d60de48f

“Darling, did you forget what I said about the danger? We made three, no, two promises. And I said I’d prepare an escort, didn’t I?”3098868e480a3ca6

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“Oh.”a1306cc1c1fbbc3d

That’s right. I did forget. I was wrong. I stayed out without a word, and despite his worries about the danger, I completely forgot. I felt so ashamed that I couldn’t lift my head.49e4ceecb9410719

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“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”221f1f9c76d36ff9

When I readily a74ee0a63e admitted my mistake, 45b14a3000 he sighed.288e0bdfaa553e80

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“Indeed, why didn’t you come?”5d1a4437089f6435

Andy, who had 76564046f3 come in with 8baa03e48f Anna carrying tea dd6e514ec6 and light snacks, cb5f55c630 said hesitantly.7d763648901188fd

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“Ka, Karian-nim must have fce024069c waited so long, oh, 8c87033f67 the tea!”c1312148c5da387a

Did Anna just throw adc276196b juice at Andy?e5cc9f72dd6484fa

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“Oh my, cc1ff90342 it was 9c59f3c509 an accident. Hohoho. My hand slipped. Let me 5433f1d06f wipe it cd1c8e16bd for you, 10cc1cc321 scrub scrub.”b4f30711a405cb5b

If only you could fb4d432af3 scrub away your lack 179221a3cf of tact, Anna joked.c6f8a8e5997883cc

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“What are you 73acfc86fc talking about? Why would Karian a0e94228fa wait for me?”ca70fd1b73f66cca

“Oh my, it’s just that a fiancé worries when their beloved is late. As you know, Andy is a bit tactless and not very eloquent.”c06164e8b7647962

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“Something’s fishy…?”ecd7cb57dfcceed6

“Darling.”d802699c1515ac57

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Karian smiled sweetly.7d744a3709434094

“There’s nothing fishier than what we were just talking about. You’re being blackmailed by some stranger right now.”5f49898ef60e93ba

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Clatter.da42972c215f54c8

This time, Anna really eb63a68a5c did drop her hand.642f7313bf1aeeb0

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“No, young miss. Blackmail?”871219f0c28cad83

“Master? Which scoundrel!”cabb6bcb8cb2c6b2

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“No, no, it’s nothing that serious.”3e646372bef9798e

If they react this 6a209d8fa4 much to just a 177d1993a7 letter, maybe I really e1bbb30a4a was imagining things when 37eff7566d I felt something was cb6c86d997 off earlier. I thought that d3595b360c as I calmed b980154e53 the pale-faced servants.3b4b912ae0641115

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Of course, this was 90ca2a41b6 a huge misunderstanding.e35a5de9cf42e465

❀ • ❀ d7117593fc • ❀ee2c785d27c3b838

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“As your fiancé, I think I have the duty and right to ensure your safety until your official escort is appointed.”71a2313e2748106b

Karian quickly insisted on 2b1a913219 accompanying me to meet fc371b4442 Margareta.c36ec6dce9a4e19e

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“Until appointed?”887f5d922c0044cf

When I squinted at him, he flinched a little. There’s definitely something going on.ab43872b9e87b608

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“When are you getting one? You’re not planning to never get one, right?”8395390a55652d1b

“Of course not, what do you take me for? I’ve already got one, don’t worry.”bab05b9b576e6b5f

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Even as he 1e9b394345 said that, he d60cd86b95 slyly avoided my 080b44dade gaze. It seemed like he 598b07361a had more tricks up d66273bb1b his sleeve.7a1d4bfad5d6ceac

I thought e827f043bf about interrogating a99d587876 Andy, the 685f5ae4b7 easiest target da591a20fb and the 95e04633cc traitor who b506be4a90 dared deceive 3a53395cb7 me, but e8e25d9b74 that attempt a3395b4bbd failed.a47fe3d7a085fbff

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“I-I don’t know anything!”5adcaae4cf5d46c9

Andy, who 9785dd13e3 was vehemently 5e6dd4a492 claiming his 2dfac7b020 innocence without 14c5d0b2bd being asked, a5a0a3392b was dragged a6984dcf52 away by 53e81fbb6a Anna, who 977527dc34 said he a413f9252a should change 1dfed2f7d1 out of 1d2087d89b his wet 0d0d1f1b14 clothes.78706a20c948539b

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Feeling sorry for Andy being dragged away was short-lived, as I pondered what Karian’s true intentions were.9668191d6229fbd2

Considering Karian’s past of sulking for days when it seemed Sir Loïs would be chosen as the messenger to deliver the Crown Prince’s request instead of him, it was unlikely he’d easily allow a male escort to stay by my side.23c37d27f86e13fe

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However, given his status, 7887712633 it was impossible for 8a5eef10f5 him to guard me f826116ab1 all day, as he f3bece44ec was busy with many fc3ec1faed affairs.bba2d7b8abe45daa

“Well, the grand ducal house’s knights aren’t all male, after all.”4483f8792e7a9df7

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If it came to it, he might send a female knight to escort me, or occasionally claim the knight was “sick” or “suddenly unavailable” so he could guard me himself.0991e406dc949bde

“Alright… fine.”5b3059ba63069675

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I had no choice f085ac7e61 but to say that. Karian, having 34068e0c5a obtained my 2fc5bfc404 consent, smiled f3465ae801 as brightly 9d8f18e45c as a 09d87f71ee flower.9d8bd157c6e40551

Thus, I, my 209bdebab5 personal maid Anna, e6d582a3d5 and Karian, in 680cafc2a8 his escort capacity, 032efa9e7d set off on 481a2fb888 our journey to 46bb467851 meet our little 6e46d73759 lamb.890156626d673f42

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Normally, Andy, my assistant secretary, would accompany us for business matters, but he didn’t seem to be joining today. He was usually intimidated by Karian and, considering his guilt towards me, seemed to be keeping a low profile.6072122c9972826c

“Then, I’ll take the coachman’s seat today!”ad67157397d69cc0

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Anna moved to the coachman’s seat, leaving just Karian and me, with a meaningful smile.76bbd4f069d50807

“There’s no need for that! We’re not going to the capital, so you don’t have to sit there and face the wind.”21e6529ab1e65b43

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“I just feel like getting some fresh air today.”0ffd5f49fa33b7c9

Anna smiled brightly. Her intention 678e9a58b4 was clear. Karian nodded with 28f3490434 satisfaction.dde00d0a3e97a68d

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“Darling, you should respect Anna’s wishes.”177cbbba23c957c3

“What about my wishes? Even if we’re engaged, isn’t it inappropriate to leave me alone?”99c7fe72bf9080b6

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“Oh my, young miss, what are you imagining!”212aa29a50ffd5b0

“Sara! Am I that untrustworthy?”8350d81401867d6e

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Anna exaggeratedly widened her bf0ad9a3d8 eyes, and Karian pretended 8b2a6d2a39 to be dejected.86805ab3f2424312

“No, it’s just that.”a899dbd751b8a5ef

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“If you really don’t want me to, I’ll take the coachman’s seat… even though I feel like I’ve caught a chill waiting for you to return earlier, but I guess I have no choice…”92ba2ae280168545

Karian covered his mouth 6ca3362aad with his long, beautiful b31f4c81ba fingers and lowered his 581fdca472 eyes halfway, looking like 39f7842bf0 the most pitiful person e3209b5265 in the world.f4df068e69739065

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It was cc12796641 a ridiculous f45c65c515 act, but e8ed25aac6 with his 3e1683d3c2 ridiculously handsome 0e183e42ad face doing cda0d4b6f3 it, I db90eba3ec felt like 448daac5b2 the biggest e8b953b1aa villain in fd64956725 the world.1c7e88590ee084e8

Anna, weak to 0b87bb80e9 good looks, seemed df7e8365f2 half-entranced by the 8362a5898d act, then spoke d4db5e1211 in a determined 296daa1e1e voice.10ec38638ff872b7

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“No! Our young miss isn’t that cold-hearted. Right, young miss?”0217c8c82ad59f72

“Sometimes I wonder if my personal maid sisters serve Karian as their master instead of me.”eb8e5249218fbb01

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“Oh my, how could you say such an unfair thing.”59739d66be286c37

Anna closed the 49c25e4931 carriage door and 26d4b5d814 disappeared. At the same 0476e4b88a time, Karian regained edb81588ed his vitality.d24f374d027f679f

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❀ • f906dd37d6 ❀ • 16347fd157 ❀7b5585f72d248065

Baroness Margareta Johnson’s manor is located slightly on the outskirts of the capital. It takes about an hour by my carriage.7d8d05986dd26ad1

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To emphasize, that’s by ‘my carriage’ standards. And there’s a bit of a story behind that.0b518af02186c1cb

Running a merchant 103f510a24 guild, I often 2ad9ffc367 met business partners 3ec329160c outside the capital. The roads in 4b3f29b15d the capital or 7c6c64088c port were well-maintained, 3dadc63c19 but the roads f68cd0a2f1 to the mines 5acb32ab44 were not in fded7b02ce good condition. Moreover, I c853ea8b5c had inspected 72e96cd1d6 the gold cf5410e3bc mine several 5f5ffae0b0 times before 6ba42376b1 commercializing it.d084fa24a4892f9e

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Even though I aada976f6e thought I was 7fff41b728 used to carriage 547ebff4ac travel, having followed cc787401de my grandfather, the 383b6f2396 merchant-guildmaster, around, it 918fa7a935 was tough back 62e3f1b9b4 then. I had to 862906d46a endure, weighing the a43c66ae25 large bruises on e98e0f83f6 my backside against 6aa37580bf the value of 1285e57a91 gold nuggets.078deb77ab22d486

The one who couldn’t stand it was Karian. He wasn’t the type to just wait quietly and hand me medicine.d3789dc579f96b12

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― Darling, this is 43e5bd4d28 my heart.18858e5c872dc637

One day, a carriage with a ribbon arrived for me. The luxurious leather seats and the interior made of top-grade materials were impressive, but our fiancé didn’t know moderation.bab8c881867d1990

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I don’t know how he persuaded the high-nosed magic tower workshop, but the carriage was covered in all sorts of enchantments. The wheels absorbed shocks to prevent strain on the passenger’s body, and it came with all sorts of options.387b31debac4dcf9

Incidentally, my father was interested in the special reinforced glass that couldn’t be opened from the outside but easily shattered from the inside, and my favorite feature was the acceleration function.b0212d52d5775627

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― I’m glad you like it.8e3c322f5a6e2cd1

Karian twisted his body with joy, and it turned out he had designed the formula himself. I don’t know what he did, but as a result, the travel time was reduced by 30 to 50 percent without tiring the horses pulling the carriage.e2dd1a6b2ab51879

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It seemed he added countless expensive effects like emergency tracking prevention and bulletproof functions. It was a weapon that could be taken to a battlefield, disguised as a carriage. I wouldn’t be surprised if several magic tower mages’ souls were sacrificed to fit the formula into the limited space.413a41899be32d79

From a merchant guildmaster’s perspective, it was undoubtedly a priceless treasure.90b4516a5e137971

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― Karian. I’m really grateful for your gift, but I’m not sure it’s worth it.ce7defbe78b702c1

― What bd4d31b22f do you 08ca2dc2d8 mean?ea62459bb4573bc9

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Karian frowned as if he had heard something he couldn’t believe.a6b0c8293c841dea

― Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t have such a luxurious item. Is it really worth going this far?5ef2f6b6f91c1290

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For reference, I’m not the type to belittle myself or have low self-esteem. It was just about relative value. It was like laying gold tiles on a bathroom floor to prevent rust.905707c2c5de68d0

I didn’t travel for business often enough to justify spending money on something like this.79f1fc6e991da519

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― Sara.6c197ee1070652f8

Karian called me with a rare serious face. It wasn’t his usual sweet, sugary demeanor, calling me darling.e5af5eaf1be75264

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― You’re such an important person. To me, you’re more precious than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor. You’re more precious than my life, and you’re a cherished person. Just holding your hand in the same space makes me feel like I’m going to die of happiness. But you say you have no such value.3d3b443c64c2c1b7