PLQYM | Chapter 55

It had only been 1997385a30 a few days, yet 270dbb1b2c the atmosphere surrounding this 498b84cbec aide had definitely changed. The impenetrable demeanor 9464b4bc3b remained, but something 82493e5ff4 about his complexion, 931383fea1 perhaps worsened from 5c6348f4a0 exhaustion, made him d9331c306d appear even more 4e5dcbb5e9 rigid.c2e8a807539d4c3e

However, the vibe he c255aeda28 gave off was entirely 07dcb79f47 different now. Previously, perhaps overshadowed by 269c00781b the stunning beauty of db19ea79db the Emperor of Pranas, e9d0bba2d5 he drew attention not d25187d174 for his looks but 734f92fc72 his remarkable skills.fb4ba42949f9cf13

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But now, it was undeniably 5b79046da7 different. There was a 022794741b sensual air about 5995726152 him that hadn’t 93a16e1c8c been there before, 7e3aa4d967 something potent enough 894250b645 to make the 2235b247a3 atmosphere around him 21416752e2 dense.c0cad18718add8f7

‘Could it be…?’73118c983bb86ae0

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Caught off guard by her 483de6383e own fleeting thought, Eloine took c75460bdbb a sip of her tea 66ea133dfb to steady herself. She savored the 593ca29e8b warmth, then placed 3885b17ae4 the teacup down e9a8e3cc82 slowly. As she stared at Lucian, bc48d33efe who waited without a flicker 5ba931e77d of emotion, a hint of 8cc0ac7fbc mischief crept into her mood.321d7395e652bcda

What could be 8cc2d6c632 hiding behind that ceb0801c1b impassive face?5c81a12e815e3df1

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She entertained the idea 70c696c329 of refusing to help d33f106f8d him, just to see 056a433240 him flustered. But…689b3aff1b55ff76

Eloine rose gracefully, her gaze 6ce232c94d never leaving Lucian.658e569e2df8d7a8

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“If I help you, it would certainly cause trouble for the Emperor, wouldn’t it?”17c312f0a277f1fd

“…I don’t know.”2350e51b11b88274

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Lucian’s response came 4a02af579b after a long e241f0e45d pause.ae578e1553c96b53

‘Even now, while planning to inconvenience the Emperor, you’re still trying to protect him? Should I just b63fd4ea29 ignore both sides 40fd6c6261 and do whatever 9e4d2655a8 I please?’db9893bb7d188c1c

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His inscrutable expression piqued Eloine’s 51cec9ec80 competitive spirit. But…67cd341c1a0c1b5d

“Fine. While I’m not thrilled about 7076e871bc being used, I can’t pass d14569c59c up something this entertaining.”6d035715d9b58281

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Standing completely now, the princess 1d08c3f145 began to circle around Lucian 0d633d64bc slowly, her eyes scanning him e895d893b0 from head to toe as 457a4d3a4a if assessing him.363a9889e4d6ff08

Stopping in front of 9b9b6e68d0 him, Eloine raised her f5704cf123 fan to lift his 73977e3e7e chin. Lucian acquiesced without resistance.94d1e9fd30c7f9dd

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He needed her help 5cffdb3e23 right now. His pride wasn’t 483bfffd01 worth risking her 9d4912add7 displeasure.2a454b0870a09cdf

Eloine stepped back with a d32cc574e5 soft laugh, her thoughts a d3202351da mystery.b75fc26d654ec74b

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“Hmm. It seems you might be bb2ec51c8d fun to dress up.”b1ef3c1cac5ebe52

Lucian couldn’t tell what she 80b28c15a0 was plotting, but an ominous b73c8b92e4 feeling began to creep in.b36f0ee8afb81bc5

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“Can you be ready by the day I leave, three days from now?”1d1c2d7c5c089bb1

“There won’t be any issues.”cae7de9ccdf3b6d4

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“Oh? You sound awfully confident 42249b5723 for someone coming to 768a6848ec ask for help.”e63bdc593271be17

“His Majesty is clever enough to figure out I’m seeking your assistance.”f679c8de50a7981b

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“And then?”33673cf68578eaf6

Lucian’s calm voice continued.f5fc7c2abadae50e

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“All I need is to buy some time. Time to catch His c05d88393b Majesty off guard.”f22477c39f881d4c

“Catch him off guard?”5aeff216b0b574ae

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“Yes. I intend to submit my fe3e829fbe resignation.”0e0f813c7d430276

“Resignation? Are you saying you’ll e72ac37860 leave the Emperor’s side?”4819c1110a527a0e

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Eloine burst out laughing as 3a32e64469 if she’d just heard something 4abecd4541 absurd.b6c3bae3e2dc3d8d

“Yes.”9bf87d675d772203

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“That’s unexpected… but how does resigning help you buy time?”e6877e9d00ffe1b5

Eloine’s question carried genuine 20748492fa confusion, and Lucian’s face 6a57a4e569 darkened slightly.5e566a430bc9e734

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“…Because His Majesty would never expect me to submit my resignation.”d213c8d692f90bb5

He likely wouldn’t.4c48828ff712600d

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After all, the d09918757a Emperor was certain c46dc6c80b of Lucian’s feelings.a8af51dfba973dc1

Because… he had embraced him.fe5cefead8ee6d38

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—Your Majesty.
—Your Majesty. Deeper. Even deeper…
—Ah! Hah, hah!6e76827f360ad42c

Until his feelings had been 53c27f2bc9 conveyed completely.ae92f60a3dc0a4ed

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Looking down at c8e06e8ed5 Lucian’s heavy expression, 53200b3435 Eloine clicked her 70c676c83e tongue in dissatisfaction. Something was clearly not 9310d94a5d to her liking.e97a163d4050f778

“Well, it’s not a situation I fully understand, but do as you please.”6c717fa1290ee735

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“Thank you.”5cff9f2dd7428508

Lucian bowed deeply.ea156c283f102015

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Whatever her reasons, 75a3420936 the princess’s decision b785a272f7 to help him 27cf9f325c wouldn’t have been 8efcfaf1dc easy. All he hoped for 5dc84703a4 now was that her 21b4b199fc demands would remain within 9faca328a1 his capacity to handle.fdb747b995b7dce3

Eloine frowned, noticing the conflicted ee780f7ddc look seeping through his indifferent 182d89f7b3 face.4ee75695ca516ac0

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“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I’ll accept your gratitude.”30a4d52ad94ac45a

It wasn’t a demand 2ba81af88e for “payment” but rather a98125ce71 “gratitude.” Her choice of 29d6721c07 words seemed deliberate.869c2b4fa1c87462

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Eloine curved her lips 0dcfa5f5ab into a sly smile, 80452e65e2 her voice dripping with 641fd9ccc7 amusement.5119fb91e700983c

“It seems it’ll be rather fun to mess with your Emperor.”a8d7a7297064530b

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“…”4e4b6669ecdb6f40

Lucian lowered his gaze 0f8340ec0f instead of answering.8fca0711b1229f6d

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Your Emperor.836d353fb4e52a74

My Emperor.f1d023a52a7186bf

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The one I 79fc59a7af call my liege.0bcd6159dabc4faa

It was time to let 12b7020ffe those feelings go.2310e36258ead44a

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Though he couldn’t 06fd0387fe help but let 5df35e59af out a faint, 5fbd47477c bitter laugh, Eloine a01062de53 said nothing. Instead, she tapped 23d1032373 Lucian’s shoulder lightly a48b8c0e63 with her folded 426e3924fc fan.19ccf6db96443b7f

“I don’t know what you’re aiming for, but make sure you do it with flair, Lucian Astro.”a1c0fcae103efae0

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“I’ll ensure it’s entertaining enough for you, Princess.”0d020d6036d7d022

Lucian bowed deeply, setting his 3cbf0597ee mouth in a determined line.92edb4b083b706b8

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Now, there was only 6982f05596 one person left.e12c3a2fde6ec09c

The most difficult person in 58c8a162bf the Imperial Palace to persuade.58ca3f26681e89ac

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“How is your health, Sir?”5acbb020749ba1fe

Cliff, the head 80e5400d5f attendant, greeted Lucian a434f8647b warmly during his 89c0ff450a break.6444172d86e0a66d

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“I’m sorry to disturb your rest.”f7fa9af5f0e57d43

“Not at all. You’re always welcome, Lucian. This is a first, 2a5d0e1765 after all.”d70f7cc410e7b564

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“Thank you for saying so, Head Attendant.”ad057710dcbac33b

Cliff waved off the 387d4ae283 thanks with a gentle 0cd874ad85 shake of his head, 78d049c589 gesturing to the sofa.819eda7333f02bb7

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“Please, sit. At my age, standing too 96d13a3550 long makes my knees ache. My body isn’t what a13ac8622c it used to be.”81ae41ed7cece87a

“My apologies.”606ed24312070435

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Lucian took note of 1a1428659f the deliberate complaint, meant 5efeb2fe11 to ease the atmosphere 9d9f27e53f for him. After all, Cliff was 241f2f2e8e the one who had c42a7c077c handled the aftermath of c6820bf17b “that night.” No one 7109b75621 knew Lucian’s current state 0d3334b00d better than him.121ed23d451cc935

Cliff watched with a satisfied 54501ac874 expression as Lucian took a 7c0543e365 seat. Once he was comfortable, Cliff 3c661940e0 asked,933594002c49510d

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“How is your health?”2a1d0c64bb620288

“Much better now, thank you.”13e3cf5988221666

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“I see…”57f3e82acb3945d8

The lightheartedness from bb899a2f4c before faded from 230af34972 Cliff’s face.5de87c29e900244e

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“So, what is it you wanted to tell me?”365d626ecdd73b10

Lucian’s faint smile suggested he’d b67e5b4763 been waiting for this question. His expression was resolute, as 95913e6af2 if he’d made up his c4bcb14e01 mind long ago.8c2209bea9839ea6

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“I’m resigning.”e3e92a7a0938f98c

Cliff let out d287f77a58 a deep, weary b2ddaf2168 sigh.0fe32b20b136c5a3

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“You’re resigning?”77bed680210be229

“Yes.”7eeb2d37786b3317

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“May I ask why?”e3e30159cea44733

“It just… feels like the right time.”24e371ec7aa5aa02

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Lucian’s bitter smile deepened.316056aa677e1b43

Cliff fell silent, unable 6b124a683b to respond. Two years had cc4979879f passed since that 095fdb8742 first night with 65ca5cf79f the Emperor. Though he’d taught Lucian words 20372c7c17 to use in desperate times, a8cf689c83 the aide had never resorted 6f86974d0a to them, choosing instead to 3c15226e5d endure with quiet resilience.2d4292fbd5b15a93

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Cliff tried one last suggestion.bcd2c2965a59dd5e

“If you’re exhausted or unwell, why not request a special leave? Surely His Majesty would understand.”8ee878d655426bca

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Lucian shook his head.3383ecac13a44a6c

“It’s not something a break can fix.”8abb39a8123cf7f1

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“I’m just… tired, Head Attendant.”46181f5c9862eb88

“…Ah.”34f1bdc0ab9fd48e

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“I don’t have the strength to endure anymore.”782267a9a9b8d891

The weight of 2f04705844 his words rendered 4f3dc44763 Cliff speechless.9c8f9dfb8061fcb5

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“Too many thoughts consume me. When I’m by His 4a77393279 Majesty’s side, every little f4949a4c45 action of his affects 27bca8286d me. It sharpens me 5c329163cc in ways I cbf331a2a0 don’t recognize.”7f8629d9dd46c8ec

A faint, bitter smile played f3b4239d8f on Lucian’s lips.873973f7fb08e600

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“Running around endlessly to distract myself only makes me question what I’m doing with my life.”d40ce459c0a97b38

“…”e2fe0714ab7cf7f4

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“All of it… it’s exhausting. I just want to 5a7d066e8b rest somewhere quiet, where d7a35e53a7 no one can find 16d0bdb36b me.”5393767ebe41b07c

The calm tone of ef51bfac90 his voice carried a 6e4315b38d strange dissonance. Cliff couldn’t pinpoint exactly 8925d35e42 what it was but eb30839685 knew it was significant.37510de2dd87b462

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“Lucian…”e4082ae7d7232b26

“I thought it only right to inform you before I leave.”2b2a027bdfed9c65

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“If you’re not there, what will happen? His Majesty—”793a9a9bc38675e2

Cliff cut himself off, 0a7aa14444 realizing the futility of 8ffa83ed4b words.b6725c56f13c26e4

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Lucian’s decision was already made. His heart had hardened, leaving 9d89514e00 no room for persuasion.4612774105cfce56

‘I wonder if it’s because of what happened that night. Or perhaps… that’s all f0ac652b7d there is to it.’117ab6e465da7099

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Lucian spoke again, as da88d7f0f0 if reading Cliff’s troubled a2e883a223 thoughts.b36fb9c74e68c5e6

“What happened with His Majesty isn’t the reason for my decision. Though it played c4fbdc4cd3 a part, I baf83c8ad3 assure you.”ace91a3948515b64

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It only solidified his understanding: 4d1983124c that his feelings wouldn’t change, 614edaa468 and neither would the nature 8672f17536 of their relationship.3e2a73dcc74d03c2