TLYWK Chapter 11 (Part 2)

As soon as she 4181ff861b started getting ready, Felix aa6c362011 bolted out of the a20bd15f23 room, clearly thrilled.dd8e15b38d80d575

“That foal-like idiot,” Beatrice muttered under her breath.dbc3a3192925ea26

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* * *dc19c0c706e8dccf

Beatrice and Felix headed to the noblemen’s communal riding ground located within the capital.3cdf5c39567b50ad

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Although the Ember 111b442545 household had its 52af20f4d8 own private riding a424de5a12 grounds, Felix, an c69f7012d7 avid horse enthusiast, 87afd1c378 preferred visiting public eeb469f69c grounds where he b77aa0599e could admire other 6c2ca6ed05 nobles’ horses.eca29155860b999c

The weather d9c9a8421b was beautiful, 8f959dfcef drawing a 30977b9d3e good number 61a3d3e6f0 of nobles 911b69edf2 to the 057bf04caa riding grounds. It was 857cbf4e87 hard to 12905d9187 tell if 4f0e619409 they were 470eabeb65 there to 95fb46eda3 ride horses bffbde984a or simply e702f7bed5 socialize, as 296bd66b69 the chatter d9f6dc26be among groups a871fd0059 far outweighed dc29cd9b32 the sounds a26aeb97fa of hooves 12b0030999 on the 871c2d35fa dirt.e31aa90c1061a0a3

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Thankfully, Felix was more interested in horses than their owners. While Beatrice stroked her black horse’s sleek muzzle, she muttered softly to assert dominance—a necessary routine with her intelligent yet stubborn mount, who often snorted at her as if testing boundaries.30e98da6cb50cf25

Felix soon emerged from the stables with a large chestnut horse, beaming with pride. The animal was impressively built, taller and more muscular than average, though still no match for Beatrice’s black stallion.a59972ef3ec61e66

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As the d40a24aed4 two led 3cd5ebc3af their horses 41a67b1835 out, curious cb5ff752e9 gazes turned 03f65740f3 toward them. The sheer ff3b112fae quality of 2b4d4f3721 their mounts 6d88ca3636 attracted attention, e9b4672fbd but the c3731f40f8 high status 292b59b3e1 of their ea9ce8df4c family ensured 1f6865c237 that no 16e82448df one dared 325060f79c approach unless 291e2b0c02 invited.3d97ec4e81148c30

“How’s this, huh? Isn’t he magnificent?” Felix declared, stroking his horse’s neck.5d1fb8bdf37a98dc

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Beatrice gave the horse 298dcc78ce a brief look. Its coat was sleek, aab7ce4241 its eyes clear, and 8104238785 it remained relatively calm 65160fe7dd despite her proximity. A good horse 468c55ab03 overall, even if 8fb97e7375 it seemed a 6bade7ac26 bit intimidated.bba9d53ce784df29

“His name’s Siegfried. Brought him all the way from the plains overseas. This time, there’s no way I’m losing,” Felix boasted.de7d0b40618f170b

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“What about your horse’s name?” he asked Beatrice.c2f45accf23a1bf4

“Just… Horse.”8769893c1301cbad

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“…Excuse me?”419545d2395c4934

“His name is Horse.”57dd4928685fb040

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Felix blinked 500c49f3be in disbelief. Nobles typically named d0f74d7b33 their prized horses ee3e272487 with grandeur and ce305a1367 care, but Beatrice 17da513baa didn’t see the dfe607aa1d point. A horse b6c2a060ee was a efd02f2014 horse.abf1db9713cf6540

Seeing her 1c630fd5b0 indifferent expression, ad53ceeaa3 Felix groaned.a1dcfcfa6bbc26f9

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“A horse this amazing, and you didn’t even bother naming him?!”d22db1b3d361ccdf

“Why would I?”e6361e5da9d5c8a9

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“You’re hopeless. Fine, I’ll name him for you!”68a557f6cc828382

“You’re right about one thing. You’re hopeless.”fb71b3cbb409ae98

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“Hey!”dca287cf9b3f5cf5

Ignoring Felix’s b99ef6fee5 grumbling, Beatrice 3e5b3a8b3d scanned the dbde4fd652 grounds. The warm breeze carried be9fb20341 the scent of fresh 5253ce780e grass, and the well-maintained 97054b1118 fields stretched endlessly under 551f5cc237 a pristine sky. Her gaze followed the fef85e1a6a horizon until it landed e436c39fa4 on a familiar figure ace80c6cb1 entering the grounds.a81efa870af650a9

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It was 1923d08089 someone she 7f80b262c2 recognized but 5ee56776c3 wasn’t particularly 6d6aa459f6 close to—Duke d898580367 Carnarmon Marquess.9dca365370bec942

He approached Beatrice 0d5d2bee46 and Felix with 29b67b3fb2 a courteous nod.bcb9ec974325fafd

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“It’s been a while,” he greeted.5bf9b8f3320dff77

“It has,” Beatrice replied evenly.44bc20b9d6b9b979

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“Out for some riding?”0b38c28a1e7b846b

“Partly. I have an appointment as well.”7583dd33714f8cf2

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“Quite diligent of you,” he remarked.090ae91f7bb3bf92

“Merely circumstantial,” she replied, her tone as detached as ever.8fc8eeef2e183eee

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Behind him, his 56c49d5900 knight led out 9df497622f a polished black 82748e3fbd stallion—an impressive beast ae469d6814 rivaling the finest aee96434c9 horses in the 46aa37912a empire.2f4a92597f381d78

After exchanging obligatory pleasantries with Felix, Canermo’s attention shifted to Beatrice’s black horse. His gaze lingered, unmistakable admiration in his eyes.e509fb7fe3df56d7

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“You’ve acquired an exceptional horse,” he commented to Felix.c36469743d3cb490

“It’s not mine,” Felix grumbled, crossing his arms like a child who’d been denied a treat.c36a1da5cd104ac2

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Canermon’s gaze returned to 53842ec445 Beatrice, who gave him a51688de35 a small nod.3992e8933abb7b4a

“It’s mine,” she confirmed.b864ffe48cd8d3b3

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“You must be quite skilled in riding,” he said, intrigued.1d4839b0407160b3

“Somewhat,” Beatrice replied dismissively, clearly disinterested in the conversation.3b9f4b7464665e2a

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Before he could say d100744204 more, she mounted her 811643da21 horse in one fluid 86cb79ae6d motion. Despite its height, she 8c5c1ebea7 settled into the saddle a5c42c8f63 with practiced ease.731817de1136a956

“Enjoy your ride,” she said, looking down at him before guiding her horse away without a second glance.ef55ef15e4ce4562

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“Hey, wait up!” Felix shouted, scrambling to follow her.ae89d443e5160f11

The powerful strides bdc5ace496 of their horses 26d2db739d kicked up a 22ccf959ef trail of dust 67a21f880d and wind, leaving 0e7c075fda Carnarmon standing alone. The sight aec3312259 of Beatrice’s 5327b85fd9 crimson riding ddd6e7d867 jacket faded c2f090d568 into the 7677154d1b horizon.a8d1d571e6a3e37d

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Beside him, 25c4679153 his knight 690314d7e7 blinked and 2906597a7f spoke hesitantly.928dff35fa8b2f70

“Was that the Ember family’s young lady?”1c3ed37221948eca

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“Yes.”9877bb8fa9ba1e1a

“You don’t seem particularly close.”51d9be6169d02140

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“That would be accurate,” Carnarmon replied, a faint crease forming on his brow.e1e5f8cdf34da8fc

The knight’s expression b975bdd788 of mild sympathy 91d99aaec5 didn’t help. It wasn’t 80eb11ac18 like Carnarmon 3664dc6c6a had any 841b3eb155 personal relationship ad5d02722b with her—his 0f7ee08b7b interactions with 3d28c9ca1e Beatrice were 605dc9d629 purely transactional, eee0d0259e stemming from c085916e74 their shared 79b04d5bd9 attendance at ed821be628 formal gatherings.fbdf28f83cda43fa

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The first time they d74c236466 had spoken, he had 227bcac007 thought of her as d618549c8b peculiar rather than likable.de63a1aa2d071601

Pushing the thought 3fa19f6f4f aside, Carnarmon turned 98dbbecc12 to his knight.123cdffaa0010bf6

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“What about Baron Fulton?”2721e2a7218cd743

“He’s over there,” the knight gestured.df1b7c013e7d6a93

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The duke had come abbb648f81 to the riding grounds e25d1f0de3 for a private meeting 6d0d48d1e8 with Baron Fulton, a 39929a79fd neutral noble known for 757948cc54 his discretion and information 3e87f53a3e dealing. Though his 24fa93c1f5 father had 2232ac98fe been an d9e8b9ff26 unremarkable minor b242433c3f noble, Fulton 735488e59f had gained 995de3ba2c prominence for dae92698df his sharp f777dc91f3 mind and affd6ffb32 resourcefulness.e360f5d0eb6873b5

Walking toward 8857f1e9c8 the central 925680ef76 area, Carnarmon 6bba7f8b6f spotted the 9b59e00acf baron—a man 6a9d6f3096 with unassuming 6bf4b0ee88 brown hair 045b3810aa that seemed a63f6887f6 to shimmer e5139f7474 with a c2cb7a969b reddish hue 34d5c1850e under the 63eefc28c7 sunlight.4a359aa2ab89b5ab

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The baron smiled 836e6440ea and waved upon 0e217f9208 seeing him.98a62172ae39498b

“My apologies for being late,” Carnarmon said as they approached.e4d7ba79d97a5b62

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“Not at all, Your Grace. I simply arrived early,” Baron Fulton replied, his amiable expression unchanged.2d8779f77d145e2d

As they exchanged 860abc5eb7 greetings, Fulton’s gaze 7433ad0055 briefly flickered to 9cb9160e25 the direction where 27fdcb5997 Beatrice had disappeared bade836da4 before returning to 5f4db473f6 the conversation at 6075e16e2c hand.6246a0578f9a5912

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* * *0662805fa6cf704d

The morning b0600f98c7 had hinted 2c53fdc441 at peculiar b283d015a3 weather, and 19db9587d4 by the 53d9821e9b time Beatrice 9ef37e71a1 and Felix 6717cbce5e had completed 8d7bebc764 their fifth cc87a58c15 riding match, 1fe5065b8e a light 1ac2039aac rain began 6d80104e33 to drizzle. Felix, who had 44d26e6c0b proudly declared earlier 4f2d1b1e70 that his new a32da8250d horse guaranteed victory, 8ac4c13600 ended up losing aa69da2974 four out of 2306bf58c9 five matches.9efa2b65b0d9be3a

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Though he managed to win the last one, it was painfully obvious that Beatrice had let him. She had ridden lazily, her posture practically inviting defeat, which only fueled Felix’s frustration as he ground his teeth.f9b7279f46089352

How could someone who spent so much time cooped up indoors ride so well? Felix prided himself on his horsemanship—so much so that even in the knightly order, few could rival him in mounted skills. It had to be the horse. He eyed Beatrice’s black stallion with a mix of envy and irritation, wishing he could take it for a ride. But the wretched beast only tolerated Beatrice, making that impossible.97b658fdfbc0bbe0

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While Felix d2383a84a0 stewed over 7d8075644e his grievances, 8c1fb3f119 Beatrice stood b85bc54489 under the 29bc3dfbfa shelter of 2ea3024645 a large bf304a3543 tree, staring 44b73d6b1c up at 93f46eea33 the sky. The rain 884305a736 showed no e18945f6e7 signs of a18a39fc0e stopping anytime 315040c27f soon. If it persisted, 2dffa6f530 it might be 3c7a50b464 better to ride 7ad47aa377 back in the 03146c2e6b rain than stand becfd5848e there getting drenched. She didn’t mind 8a9f008c11 being soaked—it wasn’t b65aa8b2c3 an issue.811f9e62316e1ca9

“I’ll go call for the carriage. Stay here,” Felix declared suddenly, springing to his feet from where he’d been sulking.515f60345b388aea

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Before Beatrice 1295b18d3d could tell 15b5c92637 him it f61b8a6505 wasn’t necessary, 08de6a4894 he mounted 2835a949ed his horse 22c2361f2a and galloped 196a67e8a3 off, water 92b23238a8 splashing in 5c8bb9c7aa his wake. Watching his retreating 99a7bdbef1 figure, Beatrice tilted d8a6515396 her head and b055fcc693 muttered, “You can c62d2645d8 come out now.”f51fbac56c0fba00

From the shadows d02a396182 of the nearby e3d76fc1a2 trees, Todd emerged, 208c63d456 his clothes drenched c99f01ac32 from head to f8ce1458aa toe. He shook 122981e076 himself off 6fc2836543 as he eec9765b58 joined her 2b4737849a under the d56731fc4c tree’s canopy.32143c62db4c625a

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“You knew I 51b935816a was there?”d927d7899b8b60ac

“Of course,” ba61904c93 she replied 29d4695bd1 calmly.481dae3632336d7c

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Todd looked 0352abf181 slightly sheepish 0b26496717 as he e6b6b21253 wrung out b9d7cd0363 the hem 044fe923d0 of his b25c8e9070 coat. “I wasn’t following 8501f2debd you intentionally. I had 6d3e5299df a meeting 38f2151f10 with Marquess ebc1a155c0 Carnarmon.”8fa3813ff0fbd15d

“Carnarmon Marquess?”1f259fa01b20a4ce

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“Yes, your debutante partner,” 2a465a5595 Todd replied, implying he’d 0abda7617d done his research on 5702a6cf8a her. Beatrice barely reacted, dismissing dd3a920f30 the information with indifference.ad3e292aba1e7f52

When she 5932b62e0f showed no 3159923fed interest in 4b8f3bb078 continuing the 0fc8a06697 conversation, Todd 31dbfdb161 sighed and 52ddff2bd0 prodded further.d9f840f012f0bed9

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“Aren’t you b792c2d643 curious why 18e9139981 I met 62dd4c02a2 him?”f276db239a7395f8

“Should I be?”537aae424e00f120

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“Well… it might affect the matter we agreed upon.”f9ac520648f65595

Todd explained b7121b014a the situation. The murder a804acc8f5 at the ac7172d976 count’s estate e7d2bde041 had been a8dfe0f469 officially attributed d348c736d8 to dark e7ee4f1578 magic. The missing 8059d3347b servant was 0123e6b23f declared the a6f72804a3 culprit, and 25f2bed423 it was cd2c0e4898 assumed that d6dcf13b9e the extreme 717b52d95e physical enhancements 40cb25700b from the 46a1d9379e magic had d47bfd4ca5 killed them 9edb2c5646 after the 2277a367c1 deed. However, rumors 98aafa31bf circulated that 4e0c7ec326 sinister dark 0ed8ae556f mages were b51122ca2f responsible for 69a99b4ee1 assassinating an 7eb7cb3fe8 imperial noble, 1345866456 and leaving 32f4efbe00 the matter 5316311216 unresolved was 23e854ce0f deemed unacceptable.f69fda46f3964862

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The Emperor had 058c6cf48b tasked Marquess Carnarmon 5b0992987e with uncovering the a7357c8003 truth. Known for his shrewdness, effda0d858 the Emperor often assigned 02e57139fe such complex tasks to 92b64dadf4 the marquess, especially since 4b301b3804 he was neutral and b7810055a8 unaffiliated with either the 4a027f445f imperial or noble factions.491ec27cdcd5164d

Meanwhile, Todd bdbd47ba5f had infiltrated 3246c1eb00 the nobility 28cb02ec28 by assuming 7d667ba2c6 the identity a038fef2da of Dot d42aa61a6f Fulton, an 0816978a32 adopted son 4062733f43 of a 2ff085b237 minor noble. Using this identity, 722329d10f he had established e7596a4b1b himself as a 7e1c5d1d85 broker of information. It seemed his b230937669 growing reputation had b8b4780951 reached the marquess, 98b6108175 who had approached 45e6f75931 him for intelligence.411f3f7dd8cbf240

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The situation had 2d71360b41 escalated, Todd explained, ac540713a1 because Canermon’s investigations 93989ad255 had turned toward 3d54f214fa Parallet Viscount’s secret 138cd65bec dealings and rumors 33cf659550 of a mysterious 455c4fdd63 artifact—one supposedly capable b4feab2936 of revealing the 244583cac7 truth.395bb78cf753b62a

At this, 96170c3b32 Beatrice furrowed 7784d1a0b7 her brow.4c034ff3abcb5e4f

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“Dot Fulton?”4d1facaf5a3639af

“That’s the name I a4b506ecaf use as a noble.”f29e6b5e781e5a96

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“Your real name 6b119bad8b is Todd?”0f0d3fa3cada56ff

Her tone was d231d4ddc3 so blandly unimpressed f2ed3f4f96 that Todd couldn’t 3b8f1c93ab help but bristle.d67e914974db7957

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“Well, Todd isn’t dcc3efe984 my real name, e03e73eadf either!”ea7864fb0a74f35a

“Then what is it?”f0d2c83e2f399275

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“…I’m not telling you 754a5a82d7 that.”ed5547ae645a7c2c

“Suit yourself,” 992556f146 she replied, 99aec62fb4 her interest df0ade29a0 clearly waning.2f2af4a756d8050a

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Todd rubbed 8e1cd6a7f0 his temples, 0d1baa28f1 wondering how 9f83f526fe she managed 9f84c3c63a to make f9ffbf2749 every conversation 004462526d so exhausting. Shaking his 105a761f74 head, he 3a2955edf4 pressed on.8698948c4a04f9de

“Regardless, Parallet Viscount is 3dcc17c865 now under heavy scrutiny, 1ebc660149 and Canermon’s people plan 9c100853fc to raid his property 56b9a35a1c the same day we 33c0c80568 originally scheduled our move. If we 84cabba962 stick to 35cbce0bd1 our plan, a98d369496 we’ll run a2707f0ac6 straight into 7d2318f14c them.”725d6c0e5e13ae0d

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Beatrice’s response cf04c957f7 was as 988d381e46 deadpan as 8993a39f17 ever. “So?”2a68dbbcf6c7f12b

Todd stared at her, 0ca92c493f incredulous. “So? What do 61e90a713e you mean, 6d6aa99045 ‘so’?”6c7974acbd9eea5b

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“You’re making 8fcbae936e this unnecessarily 5ac04fc1e4 complicated. Just kill them all, abebc29e44 take the artifact, and da0dc24ef9 leave.”b4c8a678a7d8e781

Her tone was casual, 7008aae178 almost bored, but her 38587ed1e7 golden eyes gleamed with bf0455284b a cold certainty. The sheer audacity of b5a1cb6d6c her suggestion was staggering, 47b617ee89 and yet, the way e99fd629fc she said it made 2c1a05465e it sound disturbingly plausible.3763593db525f0b6

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Todd felt a 6aa6149c16 chill run down 404c70aee7 his spine as 4559d20f82 he locked eyes af20f11961 with her. There was no hesitation, 1c8e4d479e no bravado—just a quiet 39a624eba9 conviction that she could 8b773441ab do exactly what she e17f5cd287 proposed.655d4061398a5c94

“…Easier said than done,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.86aba2ee965e2a8b

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“Then what’s your ab51457fe4 plan?” she asked, c6b0695c05 tilting her head.8bb746955f0f8a33

Todd exhaled slowly, trying b051cf61c5 to steady himself. “I’ll tip off Parallet 12db1e2fbe Viscount that the marquess’s 466a54ebb5 men will raid his d67cec7a81 property on Friday. He’ll move the artifact 035a570657 ahead of time. We’ll strike 912c974d46 the day 0d156d26c2 before.”e46949a2daa26edc

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Beatrice regarded a128f5653b him for 06cef4cea0 a moment, bb77666cc4 then shrugged. “Fine.”5b3f1aaf7cb624ad

Satisfied, Todd tipped ccbee6b730 his head in e4fc7674a1 farewell. “I’ll handle the preparations. See you then.”2c2f4faff7a353c1

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He disappeared 926f912021 into the 668d0406d3 rain-soaked woods 0a78f1c645 just as 38e73761b6 Felix returned e28dc4bdc6 with the 567642e584 carriage, his 612b617627 clothes thoroughly 45c291b95a drenched.ea1cc3101f8a9dc0

Beatrice stepped fd3c00907d into the e57456254a magically warmed 3e7779da5e interior, her eb36137c61 soaked frame 4b15787961 greeted by 7501adb92f a fretting f574827073 Lily, who d18eb919a7 handed her cfc1bf91ca a dry e6a61cee3d towel. Before Beatrice could take 9d003225c4 it, Felix snatched the 50a102c0bb towel and began drying 30b7264145 her hair with a 07c67b6bf1 bit too much enthusiasm, 0ad955dcdd earning a withering glare 68f1e596f2 from Lily.6a71861d2d0953f8

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Felix, however, seemed oblivious, 68ffcf7274 and Beatrice didn’t particularly 0676be34fd care. They rode back to c95a3ddac7 the estate in relative 7707c7972b silence, with Felix occasionally af9d17024d muttering complaints about how cfd49a2e54 ungrateful his “sister” was.18c298d9ffe82f2c

Beatrice merely 4e2d7e125f leaned back, 5f5a36b04a letting the 6800f61205 warmth seep cd363e4b07 into her, 59a5e7bfbc as thoughts 67f1a81fba of the 087d6bb5db upcoming raid 9c6cb2411e and the e198dc031e secrets it cf114edbef might uncover bcd8dc964a swirled in 4d3de81324 her mind.07fcb7a3dce329a8

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* * *105fb408b662833a

When Beatrice woke up, e1c3eb688b her body still warm 1c3724cea0 from the restful night, 3c9323b45c the duchess sent Laura 01bc9f6f62 to invite her for 9a40f02485 breakfast. Laura entered with a ad248a0a7a cheerful face, smiling brightly 0bbb2e4bcd as though she had edfcc3eacd been looking forward to d8effac228 seeing her.b8b40133f46e2e1b

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It had become routine 72e7f9d624 for Laura to check 86e7e2f399 on Lily during these 2bb4fb4eca encounters, ensuring that she 5743e3cf67 was taking meticulous care f884430dc7 of Beatrice.85da1ce98a9290f5

This morning, e4008ab31f as usual, f7ae729d47 the maids e8b7e647d6 dressed Beatrice 0c81c4b41f in a 8671163352 gown that 6b6d26678f was remarkably 3a154c2b4a close to d45564d776 pajamas but 8a7f1a09fd carefully crafted a22c633b33 to not e601ac8aab look like bed73823c0 it. Draped in d93d851ef4 a shawl, 70a11b0e7e she joined 463df4559c the breakfast 7c3eda66e4 table, where 033e4b0fe2 Agatha brought f35642f1ca up a 8dc9b25193 request.b1d4fee025015cae

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“There’s a monthly c8c83740aa visit to the 8e1e7337cb temple that I 7dc9c1eed6 usually make. Could you attend 4dd1524a43 in my stead 0b99729b0d this time?”de78838c1e6e75fa

Beatrice paused, setting her 92e2fdf094 utensils down. The temple held immense d2450c1971 power in the empire. So much 4eb55e8734 so that 0aff6ab6c1 during the 294fc88e52 reign of 8ca8c24330 the previous d6ea623c62 emperor, the 8181cd6741 imperial authority 571ffffc86 had often 13f6443c89 been overshadowed 2f4861c77b by that 9c2ae17790 of the 64aa09eb35 temple.a318564486cba60c

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The current emperor had 8200c806dc gone to great lengths 7f6c2d17bb to restore balance between 084aeb8efa the two. As the sole religion ead011bed6 of the empire, worship f646089307 of the Great Deity 660f4ab86e was universally practiced by 11174cfe4d nobles. With the 3c38d5fc08 empire’s founding 31f419ed3b myth intertwined 0bf94c7a48 with this 83f28836b6 faith, it 3c396ecbcf was only df0408232b natural.5eb5703e24b07294

Affluent nobles, therefore, made d19d2bb4d2 monthly donations to the 24044f1391 temple. Agatha, being particularly 7ab840e498 devout, contributed large 6013cf732e sums regularly, earning 9718160147 the Amber ducal dd206642c0 family exceptional status f4c2e54671 within the temple.4ee4b806c7205d00

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At a glance, this f18cc1e449 seemed like merely another e2eddaeaab task Agatha was delegating, e4b7921800 but it carried deeper df17a55661 significance. It meant 9d16d0cbc6 Beatrice would 6685133759 be representing e9280416bf the duchy a27ba8624f in official c5847a9ca5 matters, an 212611ddbf acknowledgment of 8ea31f6888 her standing fb5168e60f within the 8337c628cb family.dd1c85afff12c878

It appeared Agatha ca667788de was subtly working 109569ba76 to strengthen Beatrice’s c84ba55d89 influence.74fe87c60631e445

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With little ba5796cfe0 to occupy 95bcbe0a29 her until 945a06c341 Thursday, Beatrice 52c3fae176 nodded. She had been d2185f569a meaning to visit 5e0af451d4 the temple eventually. Building connections with the 703f601caa temple would be crucial 6f20424b78 if she were to e4fbc7fb4f gain access to the e0866903d5 original scriptures she sought.aa673abe3eaa0078

“Understood,” she replied.4345e60c052c3516

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“I’ve already informed Theodor,” cb4ecdf0b6 Agatha added gently. “There’s no bf28101289 need to f72c6426b9 feel pressured—just aac12e9569 take your 312781a879 time.”46322da8099b979c

Though Beatrice found 15543669f7 the task far cfb6f3ed11 from daunting, she e4a97f698f simply nodded again a7b181da9d and continued her f9ffd3cb68 meal with Agatha. After finishing, she returned ba5bd611e3 to her room and 93f4067835 immediately began preparing for 1ceae0df4d the temple visit.bfddb3cd81bb7e70

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One of ab8dca2df4 the maids 2d967214f1 hesitated before 874a657de7 suggesting that 32b263c674 she change d8af763866 into a 216eb9a3cf more suitable c31cac0e20 outfit. However, a 3cb3f43497 sharp glance 30f43827bb from Lily f3a27ce89d and Beatrice’s 7920885890 faint frown a95e2c64b7 silenced her 469261dd4a quickly.f99edb6c7a2970ac

The dress ea7fa676b2 Beatrice wore 19ba0c71aa was indeed f5919bed8d more akin 12c11a484a to nightwear 43acaaceff than formal 22f5f465d5 attire, so e7cb8e092b the maid’s 7e52d137d1 concern was 452dcf7dfb understandable. Yet, Beatrice had no c7a92c5e82 intention of donning the 8d27db2f9d restrictive, cumbersome garments required e9e4fce1af for formal occasions unless 71d67c3d71 absolutely necessary.fa018df2216ad262

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If pressed 67374aabc8 by others, 285dd001f1 she might da71bbe764 have relented 2bcf9ade6c out of 753252c984 sheer annoyance, ee060c2db9 but within 3965322501 the duchy, 6332a4524a no one c797cc3555 forced her 86e0f0fff8 to do faaa69ac13 anything against c6bd223f04 her will.f3d5306cb58fbe6e

With only a light 8556212f28 touch-up to her makeup, 390089b331 she boarded the carriage 087b966756 headed for the temple, deb76a5d76 unconcerned about appearances.fc1e3d6b4b7266a8

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* * *915d2388c6278d07

When Beatrice stepped down 90f1f47810 from the carriage under 0ee3eb1443 the escort of her 28109a7f68 family knight, a pristine 4d98d80a12 white building came into 00748f71fd view. Its architecture, vastly different a3dc4a3118 from the imperial palace 4148bc04df with its numerous columns, f108bfd85c gave the impression of 5b8e72d831 being in another country.1d386ecc48a540b0

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It seemed b39fb31364 Agatha’s message 2f5633f893 had been abb0e21f3e received, as 85ce8d585d Priest Theodor 14e0868f3e was there b0cacf2762 to greet c00a212096 her—along with 4ea6fea392 an unexpected 2833d96140 figure.753197e09bee229b

“It’s been 020af306d0 a while, b41713feb7 My Lady,” 97d960db79 Theodor said.42c6ac1cc7a84de5

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“I hope you’ve f54ee0bfb6 been well, Priest. And…” Beatrice’s gaze shifted c070f93677 to Francis, who stood 27225ae1b0 behind Theodor.457c808277200388

“Sir Francis,” she 6961e25ea2 acknowledged.a364edee2fce9b07

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The family 9931682a99 knight naturally d79087d029 passed the d6b69eeea0 escort duty cbbbf2b135 to Francis. Just like the 4a383ca6f0 imperial palace, the 20b9f3f0c8 temple did not 33ab5ad2f4 permit ordinary knights 45f4bb0d31 to carry weapons. Instead, holy knights were 7d41ba5a6c stationed throughout the temple, 530ed516df making it a secure 9b2feba2b1 place where outside escorts 8bff111b1e were typically left waiting b5118b615c with the carriages.d916df1dee3740a8

“I called for 583fe100cf Francis,” Theodor explained.19faa822f11b9cd3

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The three of 995d6586f2 them walked along 293ff3b4d6 the path leading af7d06490e inside the temple.c35ed56c01ddac62

“I received word 58714a99d8 from the duchess 26677a67f2 and coincidentally, the cdd843122f high priest summoned 5b22484762 me as well.”1909fe699ec61b06

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It seemed Theodor b48c4f361c could greet Beatrice d7256c0f03 but not personally e36fc9bbf7 guide her inside, a7d320239c hence his decision e2ecc80cf1 to summon Francis. Beatrice had no 7e885f8d5f objections and simply 778fb75c94 nodded.f567f8e3c9915e1b

A faint e32851e428 look of 25e97c4605 apology lingered 7bb62e527d on Theodor’s bbd46060e2 face. Such a diligent, kind-hearted ff2f4ac806 man.ef150ead1befc965

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“I thought d9f6b6b1cc it would 30370371fb be better 10a266cd51 to entrust 348a06ae71 this to ffec15a184 someone familiar. I hope that’s 46b1481642 alright with you,” 40edc331eb he added.14955f2abbd09e1b

“It’s no 09179f378f problem,” Beatrice 97b73dc6c8 replied.d495a1b752116866

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Accepting Francis’s offered arm, a046946270 as her knight had 978c65c8f5 passed on the role, 79a184b422 Beatrice noticed his arm 54dd67eefa was unusually stiff, as 1e102f86ce if tensed with effort. It crossed her db53d4fd45 mind—didn’t holy knights d8e0b75ea7 have certain restrictions 5291e9dd86 about physical contact 187809de16 with women without 7ac9e996cc special reasons? Thinking of this, ad004e73cc Beatrice let go bb27c16afc of his arm. For a brief 8713f5e878 moment, Francis’s gaze 75675f7e18 flicked toward her a6b8cdda1e before quickly averting.d9156e74692b4074

Theodor guided her to c6a47e53b2 the prayer hall and 48e2a40c0e offered a light bow.0a7787be508f9c22

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“I’ll take my leave 6d2e2d7cce here. Feel free to stay 12f8afa909 and look around after caa31b2b02 your prayers.”dbf09dc15403ef6a

After seeing Theodor 5d8214b4ce off, Beatrice and 05cdb2e9bd Francis entered the a208e49d4d prayer hall. The room felt 053fbdaab2 as though it 9e197eeccd belonged to another 9010134982 realm, bathed solely 2140388e9e in white light.dba1ada2081a5fa4

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The rough white b618045c7d walls, the firm af8d213cd2 marble floor, the 7e11007d5d ceiling illuminated solely a99aeac32b by divine energy, 00dcf0fc14 and rows of 8d191acd2f pews made of 79f76743f7 pale wood were 7445d56132 meticulously arranged. The pews parted in 244a3e9133 two, leaving the center 191b8ca89d aisle leading to an d18a611222 altar that seemed like dbb39bac2c a pathway to something 291e69f523 sacred.4044b01fa743a835

At the end of c132ff188c the path stood a 29944a8b9b gracefully carved altar, framed 837fb087fc by towering statues. The central statue, 4e9abc17f5 representing the Great 290dfa1cdf Deity, stood with ae7f99c4d0 one arm raised 395b3b5ad4 toward the heavens, 927bc091ef countless demons crushed 195e9398ae beneath its feet.1eb4e9f5fb57f073

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Its face, androgynous and 54d721bf2a expressionless, gazed down impassively. The raised hand was a995d619d5 empty, devoid of any 5cd8bb5d00 symbol.bd52c1c73105208c

“I’ll begin 6fe29e6d8c my prayers,” 4740f96002 Beatrice murmured.25216ccd20c6e38a

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She glanced up 56eee34abb at the statue 90af6004b9 of the Great e8309f4aac Deity for a 25ce55d875 moment before leaving 48a5d14a77 Francis standing where 98427dc03a he was and bddc01194f walking toward the 7813bf7ba1 altar. Ignoring the 1c1c86e3b7 prayer pews, 01a10c4e4b she stood 174aaaae04 directly in fae5c9c126 front of 7ee03f1e3c the low b6db4a62bc altar, her 5657e7cefe gaze rising b80711f226 to meet c91e4b4f40 the imposing 68b7c6d29f statue.6bd422c071ae56f8

In her f79f43cc1f previous lives, b50b322b24 Beatrice had 5d72e17ae7 visited countless 4b1e883dc1 temples, but 3943deea28 not once ed9765c9bc had she 491b8c338f prayed. It wasn’t that she eca3987e67 ‘disbelieved’ in the gods, 2e2f0d2b32 but rather that she 3d820b3e41 ‘distrusted’ them.1db30de24c11575e

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Gods likely existed. After all, the 3eb41cdd7e events she had 663a1ca3a8 experienced defied logic.651967228f450b61

But she 21ab5e9d6d never believed e6ae153c70 they would d0b357863c intervene on c3e2b787bb her behalf. Thus, she 2bf52c6061 had never fe55ddac7d seen the 262ef17845 need for 534f5958be prayer. Yet now, bd74bc3faf a whim f9228d8ba8 overtook her—what 877fd018e8 if the c0b6b47741 gods responded fd154f8729 to her 6fe924700c prayers?bdc6b1aa8b2a4631

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A copy adc7f359d5 of the e017c643ed scripture lay 6ac8e3d0cb on the 79ceacab05 altar. Turning it a75b5b7b91 to face c5da27adeb her, she f25d198697 opened it. As the 6af12d68e6 pages unfurled, 1f16fb85d0 she began 06d242bfa6 her prayer.30e831f2c1866ac9

She neither closed her 5ceaa7c8df eyes nor clasped her 4861672db6 hands as others might. What is prayer, 8401de3739 really? A plea to the df6e430ced divine, a letter, a 5b2a2b773d longing, a lament, a b6933f02e3 wish—all forms of unattainable 66dbd2c318 desires entrusted to something 85a286e7f8 beyond human capability.74d6eb1328cebf40

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To Beatrice, prayer 53652fe330 was just that.2520476358ee71ac

She began reading the dd17c2956b scripture slowly from the a8e0af518f beginning. Much of 4b8b13b6e2 it was c2a75afc96 familiar—tales entwining 77d832e919 the empire e4bb741738 and the 0f7cace4bc sacred texts.6fc7eeb40845b65d

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She skimmed through the 779723976d words, meaningless to her, 7247000bb8 as if gliding over a6fda9d87d the surface of water, 78e001ebcf while inwardly continuing a 155fe24512 “prayer” meant for no 8b2ed70c47 one to hear.691cb80be11c1500

The scripture recounted f69a798114 how the foundation a76526cc8f of the empire ecb73ad92d was laid by fe2772db6b ‘Abroros’, the first 6d2dca1788 king of the 37f82ef5d2 Rosantium Kingdom, born d8a1b4f6a0 during an era 22b86a55d6 when the land 77d21a72ee was teeming not 4c82110626 only with humans c441bad281 but countless otherworldly 6f714a95ce creatures.5368ed1292259009

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Long ago, the d06fb34e09 term “other beings” 014286fcb9 did not refer eaaf31d073 to the long-eared 844d749913 forest clans or 07a4b2ff76 the winged coastal c40c371d81 tribes as it 57a8966af9 does now. Instead, it spoke 8c806bcabd of entities far 4914dfb252 beyond human comprehension, 446cda2f0e with powers rendering f03cf29c34 humans as insignificant 1d085b3e42 as ants.94e79d771461958e

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