MFFS | Chapter 1.7

“Hey, you’re here?”628189dc1e45fd46

Karian, who had been leaning on the window frame with a serious look, suddenly brightened up like a blooming flower. It was funny how he checked me over as if I’d returned from enemy territory, making sure I wasn’t hurt.363943eac4911837

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I had barely 0f22b532dc managed to shake f777355624 him off when edf3ff5f71 he begged to 7b13978bd8 come with me, e6be1367d0 half-trapping him in 5a4386a2d4 the carriage.0dd67c9913003ac4

“Did you think I’d get slapped or something?”398f8dcaf75dfc82

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“Huh?”df43277cb53f9e78

Karian awkwardly d2c884a277 avoided answering.1f2029aab9c28964

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Well, I was 4f9985992f surprised too. Who would believe 5247a44358 me if I 9dc9cf4772 said that ever caa153b04a since you fell, d9214edee3 another soul possessed 14103dfa8f you and started fb98cfa6c5 doing the opposite e1cadb3d1e of what you 5f44215949 usually do?91067f068ececcb5

But she e5869ba39a believed me. So I felt ecf85245e5 a bit proud 595c0b5b91 and strangely unsettled 9da9a251b0 at the same baca662b91 time.237176831913903f

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Sensing my mixed feelings, ba28308dd4 my fiancé kept up 74945af3f3 a cheerful conversation throughout f16e55b161 the journey. By the time 7e2c6863ab we reached the d27d3138cd manor, I felt 721ea11ab2 much better and b8079b0de8 was already planning dc577ca1f2 when to receive e69658c3bc reports from Lady 0a3a7bcc0f Margareta.ae443e9d660b746a

It was only then that I realized the source of the unease I’d felt since morning.6008c9b2a92c27ce

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“Karian. Don’t you have to go soon? You’ve been away from the grand ducal house for too long.”73402d05560088ef

Even though Karian was always calling me ‘honey,’ he wasn’t a free man. As the future head of the grand ducal house and the crown prince’s most trusted aide, he had responsibilities.ecba8addd12fcbee

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“Hmm.”7fb769bd836a933a

He made 6eed87ded1 a vague c2c4d049c3 sound, avoiding d26efc3b0a a clear 383d9f4ae4 answer.765bd332b9c579dd

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I held his cheeks 738d70a1cf with both hands, making 4e581c1ab5 him look at me.19af959c8e296937

“Speak.”a76682501ee41159

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“Ah, honey. You’re so charming when you’re forceful…”7abcbf4b5295f67e

His cheeks turned a023c71fab slightly red under 843833eb1b my hands. I was so 647a3f2f97 taken aback that 697bc16c5d I playfully squeezed 3a968d23d3 his cheeks, but 574394a46c even that handsome 2ed85193c4 face made me c0566d51db annoyed. It was like 661081f56b looking at a 79dc31ca19 watercolor painting of 3b344771b2 a blushing handsome 8d361c0170 man.bfa3ba1b8eff93a3

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“The guard you’re assigning to me…”f9646d46b33dada1

No way. I desperately tried d0c86293d5 to deny the 0b426d15fc possibility that suddenly f364c7581b came to mind.8946ba657af776a9

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“Is that guard you?”75792399e2089cea

He grinned mischievously.575199a94dfdc8b2

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“Your fiancé is the best swordmage in the empire. Who else would be suitable?”a44708a83e8cb029

This guy, seriously?3981d665536d334b

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Only then did I d39dabd254 understand the reactions of 6fb67580e1 the maids and the 73a8de2f48 secretary. They all knew he f03becda96 would be my guard. Everyone except me.bb325e33f28d7bb3

‘I raised a spy in my own house. I paid their salaries with my money and raised someone else’s worker…’da7f65ee07441377

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Karian cautiously c48ba3037a offered words 97bb798ddb of comfort 28e30e2245 to my 0c108bbd06 betrayed self.67d5e64eca5985bc

“It’s okay. I’ll protect you in this harsh world. Just trust me.”2753dc2da14a47e1

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Telling me to trust the least trustworthy person is ridiculous. Even if the sky falls, I’ll crawl out with my own hands. Besides, I don’t even know where to start pointing out the problems.df7feca9b9c0d396

First, let’s clarify the facts.419bebcf9775f5cf

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“Karian. Of course, your skills are excellent, but there must be other options.”62823985401e468c

“Not really. No, there aren’t any.”0345b34d1d94377f

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He smiled 6534582ee2 brightly, stubbornly 9b0541c14f insisting.0aba2e8ae1cade9f

“…Why not?”d22fc12e90f61905

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“There aren’t any. Then who do you think is stronger?”2500212055792e9f

Karian countered my question. His face, 114ff29e2d slightly turned, d9e20ef5ed had a 73f271ffd8 slight frown ac3a8600e4 between his 9b7fc11f5f brows. Combined with cb563255fa his striking f35816cb47 and cold 1b21a3817d features, it 166fca5240 gave off c1f5cb8cc4 a confident, 74386c5324 almost arrogant 9441a30534 vibe.039c55bb22a4361f

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Seeing that made me 6d88d07d03 slightly irritated.088c8260752c2822

“Well, Sir Loïs, the knight commander, is the best in the empire in terms of swordsmanship.”4a5ff98451095dbd

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Sir Loïs, the youngest knight commander who supposedly courts the possessed Margareta. The same Sir Loïs who is scheduled to visit the manor as the crown prince’s envoy, surpassing Karian.c76e8c4a77913e08

Karian is a skilled swordsman and possesses the rare talent of handling both magic and swordsmanship. However, in pure sword skills, he’s a step below Sir Loïs.e978e0fe692d6737

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When I mentioned Sir Loïs, Karian’s eyes narrowed into triangles.dc2fade09236958b

“What, so you’re saying Sir Loïs should be your guard? What are you planning to do with him?”7fda2a75726082c7

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‘What do you mean, planning? Would the crown prince’s personal guard play the role of a noble lady’s escort?’54ceac6efd9c4697

But he seemed 07ceca4508 to disregard such d644e7df41 common sense, filled d77399edcf with jealousy.02f26152739f7d10

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His mischievous hand 254a0b129e slowly wrapped around bb1dd0edce my waist again. He had b234e7372f a habit b7bc622632 of hugging ec7e11fcb5 me tightly 365708f451 as if 6f2f03c854 not wanting fa7eb6c36f to lose 234dbd78a9 me to 3ca0c8a668 anyone.b72cda6f13001a28

“And I can beat Sir Loïs too.”81ee2fc0d5147a5c

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He pouted and 584b95afb2 spoke in a 4b8a135ae8 sulky tone.9ac34f19e3f5c8d4

Well, he’s not entirely wrong. If he uses body enhancement, agility specialization, and strength-boosting spells on himself and curses his opponent, even the great Sir Loïs would lose.f435008f7afef2ee

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In short, it’s not pure swordsmanship but a bit of trickery. But if I mention this, he’d definitely sulk 100%.daf9e24bca263214

I held 481513c2af back my 41d4856806 laughter and 705616d261 maintained a 7213d8974b calm tone.7a0c102a6290bf19

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“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying there’s no need for you to abandon your work when there are alternatives.”3f16112059f22905

“There’s no way. Who else can I trust to be with my fiancé all day, paying close attention?”77cc1fde3c832058

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That’s why you’re the least trustworthy with your ulterior motives.171aa517c4061346

“Honey, and if you’re worried about me being busy, there’s no need.”3de70a1d55dc601b

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With that, 43996e87b5 he pulled 9156a14f60 out two e3cd634ef4 envelopes from eee046ba80 his pocket. It seemed 4eea63d84d he had f2a1892406 prepared them d1ce0cc9a5 in anticipation 3478690d03 of my 1b97a06c17 resistance.851388288649f566

Opening the first envelope, I found a slightly crumpled piece of paper. It contained Karian’s neat handwriting, stating that he was taking a temporary leave from the grand ducal house due to personal reasons, with the grand duke’s signature scrawled below.b701b0ab4b52974e

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Under the signature, written 2c3a57ced2 in a firm hand f3780c250c (probably with some frustration), 0968c628c3 it said:8e51d772b877b516

[You know. Please take care of my foolish son.]

Grand Duke. Of course, I know your son’s nature well, but couldn’t you have tried to stop him a bit more?10884f1e573c36d3

I hesitated to open 5bd59cbba0 the second envelope.c6e6cd72fce17f7b

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“Come on! Open the other one too. Quickly.”c1491250954257b2

He urged impatiently. The second envelope contained a small card with the crown prince’s elegant handwriting. Fortunately, this card wasn’t crumpled.64fb59e43dad59a2

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[The young lady is the reins of that madman, so of course, this much is possible. Just don’t send Peter home for a while.ac2d117ddebf2dfd

More importantly, what does it mean that the young lady is threatened? If you need my assistance, don’t hesitate to let me know.]2dd7be3ae7b10ee8

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Feeling indescribable emotions, 597d669101 I quietly put b0d95ca86d the envelope back. Karian, who had 12b1427800 been waiting quietly f6a4247641 with his hands 8d7242d307 folded on his acee6ccaaf lap, spoke cautiously.632b389844894932

“And the count also gave his permission.”332b7f63a719aa6b

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“Father too?”af802a9a59091463

“But of course, the most important thing is your permission.”605d05ccbf23e611

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Karian, who had e61da8b67b been speaking cautiously, 55c0425712 looked at me 3b7200f082 directly without avoiding 31c9c27b8e my gaze.c9ce47ad28109c50

That’s a beauty trap. He knows how deadly his face is and is using it on me.992936707fc89574

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I tried to 40c2537cbd ignore his smooth a929501f16 forehead, the evenly 9feb431faa spaced dark eyebrows, 34d8f0b4e6 and the beautiful 9e94056d1f green eyes beneath 460b4cc759 the deep eyelids.2ba22f7faee05493

“Honey, look at me. Okay?”052901b74773e247

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It seemed he was entering the second phase of the beauty trap. He spoke to me in a sweet voice, smiling brightly enough to show his dimples. I couldn’t help but be drawn to his sharp and strong jawline and sensual lips.4ba3a8a0d8e29314

‘He’s asking so nicely, and it’s not a bad proposal, so why not nod? Why should I oppose it in the first place?’29675c897ed80e33

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No. I steadied 4dd168a576 my wavering ad5660749a heart.f969d73e081514ea

“It’s no use. No.”01f1b3e51e09f65b

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“Really? Really no? Sarah, really no?”8b2f7ac8654edf37

He subtly slipped d82e633e85 his hand into 6d324b1917 mine, attempting skinship. His long, warm 99f5aec409 hand firmly intertwined be153d74c0 with mine.8b1f5f764bb90b68

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“Hmm? Really?”ce7367108cee0c41

Then he 2db713635c brought my 2492ef5ae1 hand to 7639b2d7a5 his lips. The soft, ae6bf015a9 warm touch 7df2765630 of his 74b0a1d371 lips landed c43548a5ca on my a0ff43024f fingers. The strange sensation made e2882d3a48 my cheeks flush with a36dde81db heat.96cfc354fcbc9e46

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“What, what is this? Let go?”4bbd31606f4e4682

“What did I do? I just lightly greeted your fingers with my lips.”d73efae885571ea9

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He feigned innocence. His face, claiming innocence, was so pure that it increased the credibility of his claim, but I didn’t take it at face value.1a5f8d7efe20303d

“Or will you do it to me?”8e24e967ad3fc0ec

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He offered his hand to my lips. I caught a whiff of Karian’s unique scent. I couldn’t tell which was perfume and which was his natural scent, but it was a slightly cool yet strangely warm, woody fragrance.ae99ea223a43dfd9

“No.”ca1ad2d79bcbce1f

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When I narrowed ce203a475a my eyes, he 57c2948096 smiled innocently and e4680af694 showered me with d39f9ca282 absurd flattery, saying 3bafba99c2 I was cute 0dc24158b9 and sexy.b28fd30ca9687e1f

“Still no. What kind of joke is this for a guard?”087f5da583e04032

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“Joke? I’m serious. I’ve always been serious about your matters.”090d3b679a8b65d9

He used his handsome and sexy face to express his grievances for a long time, but I remained unmoved. And as soon as we arrived at the manor, I marched straight to my father’s office, leaving Karian, who continued to spout nonsense, behind.7ac427f71a6832e9

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Father was a bit c8979b7023 surprised, but he welcomed 27e1c02945 me with a knowing 1b98829d06 expression, as if he 070351222d expected me to come.0cf59645ee66b011

“Father. Did you really allow this nonsense?”c3410c1657fa1a9b

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“No, my dear. I told him to get your permission first. It seems like something between you two, so you should talk it out together.”9532605f297c14f4

And as 7c82a1c9d0 if you 349d5d10f0 two would 8a952f0959 listen to 4e0cff1bf6 me? Father said with a 8e660ebd33 smile, his words carrying 218a97c2ba a hidden meaning.52cebf899acf7dcf

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“We’re talking… though it’s more like I’m being persuaded by his beauty trap.”3966a21fc3dcc633

I said 559a694cfa with a 177eb561be gloomy face.379032466c609aee

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Father shook his head 30a6faced5 as if it were 2c65a7e31f a pity and then 7beef03fe9 burst into laughter.2a85f781f5581d22

“Well, I couldn’t resist your mother’s smile either… Your mom was also a master of beauty traps.”7161df8a4f672f7d

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Father said, looking at 4a43be94b2 the portrait of my fdbcd513eb mother on one side c5c5d7bd76 of the desk, then 5410bfdf05 turned to me with da916791ed a grin.51222e75c07ad0e3

“I guess it’s inevitable. I think it’s something in our family.”1fb78cc8550c9b3a

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“Huh?”92f60df365331875

“Well, it’s like we’re a bit weak to visually striking things. Don’t you think? After all, your uncle and cousin are obsessed with exotic landscapes. I can’t appreciate any scenery because of terrible travel fatigue, though.”dec558e5c8c6826d

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Father wrinkled his nose. Then he continued 762d3ca0e3 in a playful 5e38c43d01 tone.6b15d3142199ef51

“And as you know, your grandfather had a fondness for shiny gold coins, I was weak to your mother’s smile. And our daughter seems to be…”049c5bc70a508d72

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Hmm, both, it 7cde80b79a seems.bc9603ef0905490a

Father, tilting his head, added coldly. No judge reading a verdict would be like this. Saying I’m weak to visual things, limited to gold coins and Karian.06d6e087540edb2e

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“No, I’m not.”d0e70ee2f0d4c29d

“Well, sometimes people are afraid to admit something.”6edd8c19c0cbe5ee

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No matter what, I won’t be swayed by Karian’s absurd stubbornness just because of his face. I’m not that easy.2854acb81724fbeb

“Anyway, I’m not.”679988d3d8b172c5

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“Well, if my daughter says so, then it must be. Let’s leave it at that.”c3b64760cf185ae4

It was a 60430d5b0f tone that seemed 7d96bd3859 to see something 78bd90ae30 hopeless, with not b734540502 a shred of 2d2c3fe248 trust in his 83fedbc9f4 only daughter. But his ff2f54f2dc eyes, as 1c27f1cba1 if reminiscing 16b1a1e34e about something, a75bc37151 looked quite 8f3af0c889 happy.8b6acb2082d131fa

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“But my daughter.”c17b5a00278f954b

“Yes?”6b3c5735fabeec1a

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“So, are you going to stay out again? Working at the merchant-guild hall?”fc57786027754e32

Ah. Right, there c9106e8a01 was the d0f1bcd55e staying out 70126d7b78 issue.8823668d67b4cdd3

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‘I walked into the tiger’s den.’72926949de0669bd

I politely 83e53093cc placed my dab2f7f1e2 hands on 3eb5eddaa8 my lap 8d790a8798 and answered 6f7c091700 calmly.d49ebe03319b64ab

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“No, Father.”77bae6179d51f759

After a 5e978d9ecc bit of 97055dba78 conversation, flattery, 187cc1e916 charm, and 8eef118b55 acting, I 03f65cdac4 returned to 43bf6b7805 my room, 71ba341538 feeling much 1ad349f443 more exhausted c90b9ded01 than when 388902c272 I had 1d5a94cc45 confidently gone af219ec432 to see 8a58cad37b Father.625a109b4962b986

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As soon as d52c0b36f5 I entered the 41e01c399f room, Karian smiled d03d96e9d7 and approached me 5e127efc6c gently.8a2dcc983057e596

“Honey, you’re back? Was it tough?”e3d58606c7e4a059

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“What is this?”4b5f2f9ab9b83d8e

Quick-witted as ever, Karian 4194d66352 had been sorting urgent 9e591f0287 and non-urgent tasks at 52a800c4f2 my desk while I 0bed1a09c1 was away.3efb58bd27c1db7b

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“I was worried about you. You even took a nap at the office. Seeing all this work coming in made my heart ache, so I helped a bit. I asked the secretary to put away the confidential documents. You’re not upset, are you?”07c301166fa5b855

He smiled 1c886190b5 brightly while 1f42274fd9 cautiously watching 491c649c4c my reaction.5bc2b6e36213f290

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‘Yeah, there might be a few better swordsmen than Karian, but there’s no guard who knows how to work.’3bc646db8afb9f5d

Honestly, everyone says it’s fine, so there’s no reason to oppose it. It’s just a bit bothersome to allow his antics, right? There’s no other mischievous handsome guy like Karian who tries so hard to please me.b6c86a5bb5d8c814

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Fine, I’ll just be easy this once.208b1bbe33863164

“You’re approved.”e384003b12977077

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“Huh?”f5f3cd6b76588bd9