MGN | Chapter 17

The sound 61d18e83d0 of heels 44501a0fde echoed through 3bdd63a260 the corridor.ea2344d018a9a95f

Even without turning my head, I recognized the voice and the rose scent that grew stronger with each step. Until the man stood right in front of me, I said nothing. Yves Valois, in his monochrome attire, didn’t match the overly bright family portrait behind him.3878193180cef87a

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“You curse well when you’re alone.”e60f366860a05499

I didn’t even want to look up, so I stared at my toes. Only when it felt like it wouldn’t be considered ignoring him did I lift my head and offer a formal greeting.5e9d05cf73742c0d

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“What brings you here, Yves?”87027a701c0bd182

“Summoned by the crown prince.”06f4ce5b90b43bec

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“…I can’t understand why you’re so close to them. If they betray you later, it won’t be good for you either.”0cd449c1a098ed06

“Lawyer’s advice?”189760635053c4a6

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Did I really need 2bdcb31f96 a law degree to cb80c558a9 offer such common-sense advice? I pushed 8e7adfa8a6 aside my 02846f51fb rising thoughts f6640bb1cc and cut e8ca222a74 him off.93f65701bf3d1fec

“I’m not your lawyer yet.”f746a667ee33e672

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Our rescheduled consultation was the day after tomorrow. We hadn’t signed a contract yet. Despite my firm response, Yves slowly said after observing me for a moment, “There’s a minimum condition for them to accept me without feeling betrayed. You’d know, having been confessed to.”9932764135c676e4

I learned history in 368278de3d school. Of course, 10d2bcbbbd I knew 8e5b43365c the lineage 97316fc33e of the 736cbc485a grand duke fa5b640dc4 of my 1c42cc38ff country. It was 8b2d0c47ff only two 955fbf7448 generations ago b5b856e8fd that the f135f5e07d son of 429815d719 an illegitimate 7e373ddcb7 child ascended 1901a38639 to the 750122e121 throne.b2a2a3da1b687481

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“I can guess.”13e1eeb5424ddddd

After the 4c679fd593 outrageous confession, 0bee84725c once my b46f2f57d3 head cooled, da8b07b729 I vaguely 34ef6c999e realized. Knowing the situation and 358975f90d logically connecting it made 6e7cac751c the inference easy.b91002cb6b6bcd21

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An illegitimate child ccaa670fd9 who could leave 7cf468efde heirs was dangerous.ae786d0f71bfa088

It wasn’t just to tease me; Yves claimed to be gay to involve the grand duke in a lawsuit. Then he confessed to me, talking about being ‘appropriate’ after I showed him a melodrama.b908f2410b9dd166

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Did he really need to be this cautious? Honestly, I couldn’t understand it at all.20834cbda40ce408

“So.”f3169a1b07297f85

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Yves spoke fb4df036c4 as if 89cd6a85c2 there was fe904d2e94 more to cb8ffa3ed5 it.38daddda4ff0a16c

‘What on earth is “so”?’a8ca4eaf439ddd01

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The gaze that hadn’t left me since earlier was overwhelming. Pretending not to notice, Yves tossed out, “Isn’t Maël Montmatier a dedicated lawyer who goes all out for clients?”47bf449729ea3c66

“…What did you just say?”00f5fcc76c1bbf51

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“A poor Cinderella is hoping for a knight’s help.”179fbde2fed3fa73

My eyebrows furrowed on their own. The devilish man’s voice, who called himself Cinderella, continued with a hint of laughter.0f48c017e265e62f

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“I didn’t get an answer back then.”da1b77d11d3bcd1a

“What didn’t you hear?”5bc2271de7a6a3fb

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Wasn’t my behavior back then a clear gesture of refusal to anyone? Now, claiming he didn’t hear an answer, he was talking about professional ethics and dedication right in front of me.2ccc5be20679cee7

I really hate 822393edf6 this.fc294d524a100e79

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I’ve never interacted with him without feeling angry. Just as I was about to tell him to stop spouting nonsense and find an actor or hire someone with money, another voice interrupted.a67bcf8f1b0901a8

“Maël!”9aa653ce98c83c82

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It was someone I hadn’t needed to hear from for a while, bringing a sense of peace. Without even responding, Charles rushed over and placed his hand on my shoulder.747670083adceaf3

“Today’s the day Manon signs the prenuptial contract, right? I saw my father leave after getting a call from Attorney Croix. He must’ve left the final touches to him. Oh, did you get the bracelet I sent?”9c0b8ae546687ef6

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Is putting hands on others’ shoulders a family trait?f77758d017f55980

Instead of answering, I looked at the hand that had landed on me. Charles, too busy glaring at Yves, didn’t notice.159dfeb196911fdc

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If I’d known I’d meet him here, I would’ve brought the bracelet. As I glanced at him, Charles started explaining things I hadn’t even asked about.4d029cc68010d7c6

“Felix called me for Only Watch and the Grand Prix. I turned around just in case, and it seems we’re meant to be. Want to come with me? Felix seems to misunderstand.”5da13b7660258f6a

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Misunderstanding or Felix, I was just tired of everything. I brushed off the hand that showed no sign of moving. Only then did Charles stop his intense staring contest and look at me. His deep voice, which didn’t suit him, followed.7c5f18ad2728d56c

“I know how you feel.”72d5f9e008034308

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“You know?”f759b76d36169139

“Maël, I know I’ve left you feeling lonely. I understand you were really angry about the past mistakes. You might’ve wanted revenge by embarrassing me. I know, all of it.”9b011f4d8d324853

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What on 4d2eee3c9b earth did 329352b3fd he know? My gaze turned a4ec1fcc47 cold at his eb8b5c1d68 nonsense. Yet, Charles 1c4a00e5e2 grabbed my ea0c8cfd1d hand and 81aafd26ec took a d3a0182307 deep breath.bf536d00cd65bcbb

“Let’s make it public. I’m not ashamed at all about us being together. I won’t hide it anymore. That I love you.”951b08556496d4e5

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Even if Charles wasn’t ashamed, I felt like dying from embarrassment.0d8d656a47ed1ccb

That someone had 201f8ea97e witnessed this.b8d4a664aeccd205

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That the 3b038299b8 someone happened f241b22989 to be 8cdc99de25 the person 0e4fb6e874 who had 0660dccbeb seen a 3b4c20b330 similar scene 665d7a7948 before.dbdc836abb42798a

And that the person 65f7730ff9 watching this ridiculous situation a146dec84d with a blank expression 35e0f3ab5b was Yves Valois.45027fe499f158c9

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“The admission fee this time won’t be enough even for a jackpot.”93e76e6af1bb4318

His casual remark made 6a437c756f my ears burn. And despite saying such f52e0133ae self-indulgent nonsense, Charles, more 6c9c7b4d9b focused on Yves than 0df05c90cd me, had a vein 3eab8b8258 bulging on his forehead.05363197c92479d3

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“What are you saying…?”be21c280c8cc611b

“Oppa!”7c433cefa93a96bd

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As if on 7b77e0cfae cue, the door d56ef936d4 opened. Manon was the c12a65c44a first to emerge 7a2af3154c from the reception a36503b8de room, as if 56030b3fd5 spat out with 4de5d8ed37 the stale air.06e713bcff2993c8

“How was it?”b6661a2bf508d173

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Finally standing up, I a81bf820d2 moved past the two 0660196e41 men to face my 7a6e030490 sister. Even though she 037fe8c533 had only been 0d14bc58aa inside for a d527c3b165 moment, Manon was 44da16b22d trembling slightly, clutching 657f409afd the original prenuptial f42ebb27f0 contract and biting c1b4219080 her lip.6193b502ff0b0172

“You know, that…”5776b1c27befc5c2

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“The contract was exactly as we saw it, unchanged. She signed everything well. You can tell by the time it took.”572b48e5571df183

Manon seemed like 82c8cadef9 she had something c7084dd2fe to say. But Antoine, 7e8fd70b4e who followed 1523e1a77f her out, 2d716f3509 skillfully took 7b29cfd3d3 over the ec538a69a4 conversation. He was holding documents 153e48657a too, so I spoke b4c737b02d up.aa4d390cd3667e4b

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“Is that a copy? If you give it to me, I’ll check and store it.”aad09910f2af32f4

“Oh, Attorney Montmatier, you’ve finished a big project today, so you should rest. Diane said the same earlier. Don’t overwork and take a break. I have to go to the office, so I’ll handle it. Just head home today.”76ee57699d6102ee

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His generous smile, 94580023f8 with wrinkles around 42b5572f65 his eyes, resembled e7d6812f00 the son standing d89552ecd6 right next to 6dc40f00e0 him.4908987aeb979c61

As I was about to agree, Philippe and his lawyer, Bernardi, emerged from the reception room. Philippe dismissed his lawyer with a nod and wrapped his arm around Manon’s waist, looking around.d3faf55d15f3dfe0

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“What are you all… doing here? Charles, and Yves too.”0496a9d1ce7fab1c

“The crown prince called me.”f260e496080316d3

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After Charles’ response, Philippe twisted his lips briefly but didn’t ask further. He spoke to his fiancée.63d9ca4d79827ba0

“Let’s go… Manon. You need some sleep.”584e72338124f5ca

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Hesitating, Manon 12923de2a6 asked for ff33167432 permission.701a888be5aba63e

“Oppa, I’ll take a nap and go home later. Philippe reserved a restaurant for dinner to celebrate this. Is that okay? But you didn’t bring your car…”1941655f61da27e0

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“Sounds fun. Don’t worry about me; I’ll manage.”b5e8090e2c71675b

Though not officially, 7194589cff Manon already had ed6ed89f8d a place she 0de33a2d6c shared with Philippe bc39a7f437 inside this centuries-old f13b87dcd5 palace, a place d4e27e12e6 she could call 03906f8cea her own.79fdacf9ce844329

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Of course, it was the same outside the Monaco palace. It was a semi-cohabitation that started as soon as marriage was discussed, and she wasn’t at an age to ask for permission. Her question was just a courtesy.42d2bc6994bd6daf

“Make sure you keep the original contract safe. Losing it would be a big deal.”1ac6030bc302f1e9

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Adding a word, Manon, f7a3b150eb who seemed like she 9230b5c127 had something to say, 4501c4d86e smiled and waved.ce4f92a459149175

Depending on the country, d64d791b58 prenuptial contracts were often 0006421ff4 the raw face of 031b497271 marriage and an obstacle e0b88c3c30 to its progress. Usually, the ecb05a3236 wealthy party 12fe60863c proposed it 428679fb22 first, and 21a9cf3c16 the essence a2f4f2fa6f of most d2414ae87d prenuptial contracts d501bd4e9e was to 9dd4543f78 ensure their 4ca1aed1e2 share of 6a6ee51db1 the assets 21c975b40d was protected 3f66b52936 in case c104a149f3 of divorce. No one would 5830c28fa8 be happy receiving a2448c26b2 a contract that 513fa5178e anticipated divorce.dcccd8ca9d1d8a76

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Even though I hoped they’d break up, they managed to get past that part. I was the one who helped them. As I tried to soothe my aching heart, a deep voice asked.74d39df875f8470e

“Attorney Montmatier, are you planning to go home to rest?”2e5029d6751d290c

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“Ah, yes, I think I should.”09caeb13be5492a4

“I’ll give you a ride.”5eb52d5ad6344829

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Charles, who 347a1d8a42 seemed disappointed f60cc9ce96 that the c8da1e68e8 dreadful confession 6828261a92 was interrupted, d578aa8978 interjected into be68eae490 my conversation 9a7aceefdb with Antoine. Then, with a serious 996de5fd27 tone, he declared to 559ede61ee Antoine, who was stroking 9fc93fffb6 his beard and looking 8d58eba9fd between me and his 3e6c253142 son.c90f79eb7fcde080

“Father, I think you might have guessed from the rumors about my relationship with Maël. It’s not just a rumor; it’s true. I’m seriously seeing Maël. Even if you don’t understand, I don’t care.”d22ae3503f879a93

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“Well… that’s a bit different from what I heard from Attorney Montmatier. Whatever it is, this isn’t the place to discuss it. We’ll talk later.”f37b8fc592059078

Once again, the b138191149 confession left no 605983feac significant impression on 37354d5944 anyone and dissipated.b7e2104745e65520

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“I’ll be off first. Good work today.”b516ecac2612335e

At Antoine’s farewell, I bowed my head. Watching his back, Charles grabbed my hand.6839f0807c3f0905

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“You’re not bothered by Father’s reaction, right? I’ll give you a ride home.”ed30573c7c3e4fd8

“Weren’t you here to see the crown prince?”abb4ecc6c6f1e69f

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I said, letting go of his hand. His hand lingered in the air, and his face showed awkwardness. Charles couldn’t defy Felix, whom he had to please closely.13816d4ad170ddfd

“Well, that’s true. Then… shall we go together?”8ce54843a02c00ec

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“Go with Mr. Valois. He said the crown prince called him too.”a4358f8299cb686b

If I could, I’d like them both to disappear. It was clear from my words, and Yves chuckled. At that laugh, a spark ignited in Charles’ blue eyes. His lips twisted, and his voice rose.02191eeb6204fc35

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“Maël, think about it. Even if we were both called, how can I go with someone like that parvenu who crawled out of nowhere? We’re on different levels.”d9eb27318be5519e

Parvenu. A derogatory term for 5863a67155 a nouveau riche, a f935a1e6ea social climber, spoken right 0c1047137a in front of someone.c7f50e55f74b9a97

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Even though it wasn’t directed at me, I gritted my teeth at the shame that surged near my ears.69369590796d46cf

“Please, just stop!”c885d9d6edc0d85f

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“Huh, what?”e46fb05f0396bdbc

“I’m already dying of embarrassment for having dated you.”7a45420bdfd936e4

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Even though Yves didn’t stop laughing, it was I who spat out the words.2658d84bda96530a