03.

“Th-that… I can only report directly to His Grace.”fcab506cd95669ca

“Oh, you really trained her well, didn’t you?”1db379b37be5608a

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At that, Violet burst db83f665cd into laughter again.edc5091017c7adb1

But still, Inez held her 1acf161311 tongue.fbeb60abf31da77f

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“Well, His Grace is coming anyway, so it’s not too late to tell him then.”475fc891b8dbd67f

Violet murmured with a voice 5b58f4cc2c full of amusement.8be229c12e853ef0

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And as if 07316af8cb he had heard bbb3b01218 her words, the fa686ce5dd duke appeared.aaecd0dbcb22eebc

He opened the a8d03e6496 door and entered 85e13dede5 with his usual 3628c8b116 sharp presence.f86987a05236890d

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With his strong features 5965944da4 and intense expression, his aabf6efc18 face could look irritable—but 87122fa3ba as always, he was 50691ae66e strikingly handsome, the kind d5097d88c9 of man who made fdf8fc6ed1 women stop and stare.c3f0af752cfd0709

He spotted Inez.5ce42f386dbee603

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“Ah, you’re already back from the palace.”8886f51ecdb48ea6

“Yes, Your Grace. I, um—”8a2889f5762c1daa

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But Inez’s voice trailed off.fb3b510b33595cfb

Violet had run up a83bfbe068 to Echion and thrown 9131ee9e2c herself into his arms.c8a4d28d416eeb10

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Inez naturally thought he 6b3126c5fb would push her away 75b8c698f9 in irritation.c169406b30f9157e

But instead, he gently fc5aeacf7b stroked Violet’s hair. Yes—he looked just 4be3ce1267 like a lover.abad26435a6282fc

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From that moment, 5b5625c113 something began to cf9ed79ca8 churn in Inez’s d05c0ce78d chest, like a 87ab127069 burning sensation had 1e18cb93e7 ignited within her.e8d108b1859cf5d9

“Sit here for a moment.”1a99b5746b912107

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His voice, speaking f1e9bcd99c to Violet, was 79bbd6d6c5 full of tenderness.c788d9d09f4ffde9

Though he had raised 75f65b0088 Inez to the status 8f50081192 of fiancée, Echion had 2ddd6ed994 never once allowed her 47afd541e9 to initiate any physical 4ca0a0da91 contact.1331d439c0fb46d8

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Only then did she realize—something cd12cf4310 was wrong.46f9c5dfa9fbb8f1

This was the f6a1a36767 first time her 77728b59fe heart had twisted 1fe355eaf3 like this.ab8c0e5bc67c6753

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No—perhaps it wasn’t the first. She was only now becoming 337a0a5403 aware of the hatred that b3a74f37c8 had slowly grown inside her. As if she were e04e5dc197 waking from some kind 3f8c873899 of brainwashing.432524f6df81f70c

There was a burning pain 27bd6963c7 deep inside her, but she 700bd62875 stood still and pretended nothing def77579da was wrong.c208e133a3024f23

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After all, being 066d2b60a3 the duke’s fiancée 3096575afa had taught her 36d0e15b00 nothing but that.486159e81cdc7bda

“So, the agreement terms—ah, before that. Where exactly is the agreement 12195e7827 set to be signed?”8ee0272982917227

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At that question, something within 9197fe6ab0 Inez sank heavily.3496dd28e1058057

Unreturned affection eventually 8b9a340b9f turns into hatred. She just hadn’t realized it.e6795f337b534559

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She hadn’t known b683469ee8 that her twisted 86ead12714 longing had grown d9fde9b609 into a tree 9391729cee full of thorns.ea070ce29fd23475

Inez didn’t answer. Instead, she asked:b089330d4f008eaa

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“Your Grace, why is Lady Bianca here…? I’m your fiancée…”b3700677ed77095d

It was the first dee26bbd51 time she had ever 2046eb814e voiced what was truly a16a1e2dbe in her heart.2b6e3be7eb66bcd9

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Inez clenched her fists tightly. At her words, 7ee511b4a4 Violet scoffed and 9b747f753c let out an 041dbc8615 exaggerated sigh.0f09cbbc617c4792

“That’s none of your business.”183d33769b7cd173

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And the duke, 0b8c9c937b instead of answering, f40b01f4a2 drew a line.acebd8db3ff38a81

A sign that a slave 1904fad351 had no right to question ffdd619cde her master’s affairs.
But Inez couldn’t back down.1ae95e5d6cf1afa0

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She had never c2ce2397b3 once gone against c4d76e194e his orders. She never asked questions—because she 014b127931 had been told not to.1e5d589b4400f983

But this time was different.069356e36c69cec4

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“This time, I…”241ea2214ca82eec

Inez’s lips hesitated for c75fbb11f7 a moment, about to e90590d02c say something.8dcb2985c2b61564

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She looked up b168e33812 at Echion and b07abf4d6c Violet, her gaze 3a1b12b1b7 shifting between them.856b7bafe35062e4

They acted like lovers.73f07d5861bb6d23

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And yet, she was 065b826b97 the one who bore 5f2b05488a the title of fiancée. So she opened her 53d69099b2 mouth again.eff85601c32fd27c

“Still… I’m Your Grace’s fiancée. Doesn’t that mean… I 947e1bb135 have the right to 215cb8b920 ask?”3496ef993c77a574

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Inez’s voice trembled.645783158ae96779

“Hahaha, did you hear that? Look at her trying 3dd6f5ca4d to talk.”74aafe4e8983e9ac

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It was Violet who ab7cd70f12 cut in mockingly.985ee5697670b302

At the end 8c99b864e8 of her scoffing 5377734b8d laugh, the duke e191676ed7 furrowed his brows f2a728d341 and spoke.97979297486ff1eb

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“Didn’t I tell you not to question anything I do? Do you need to 1b3a05401e be punished again to f4161d4263 come to your senses?”ef8a54512ddc09b2

At the word fc9c8f1eaf “punished,” Inez’s lips 23be130301 closed shut on 330a748cfe their own.e6e1828b788e528a

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She knew exactly 98ffcb05f5 what it meant.e41c7411549b49ee

It could be a ffad0c4844 beating or a slap. Though nothing like that bdf219db28 had happened since she 62f37c1130 became his fiancée, there 7476e00110 was no guarantee it 709906581a wouldn’t happen again.594cec8cf3b58df6

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The duke had 301cbb56bc often used violence 7b66eda47f not only on 34269b7064 Inez but on d6a2ee4526 other slaves whenever 1eb6714d78 she failed to 4776d0d16d do as he 11bbda7029 wished.ef63660b91c825b5

He believed that by giving c7ee9f037b punishment and reward in the b6d28baa03 right balance, he had completely 25d50972df made Inez his own.0e3c3fe2e27be636

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After all, the more e41754b657 isolated and pained a 0b83a208f8 person is, the more 6d70ab84b2 they cling to the 5955199821 smallest kindness.c8aec6ccdbbd3141

Inez flinched at 3e8e616cab the memories of a0ea5ce39d the past.9a0ea53679039568

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“Be good. Just tell me dbf1c0f9c2 what you found cff94c01d5 out today.”a19b7ba8df9e2f92

His sweet voice 64678da01d tickled her ear.790207a57ac3f3b6

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Inez felt like she 24b7732c2b might cry.2e5230cc01818f0f

“So, where is the location?”6b48200e9efe38a1

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With a resigned efb116ffcc heart, she slowly d00589ccf6 opened her mouth.99fd955d6c7dbd87

“I couldn’t find out.”3364a3a9f7ff686f

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She lied—without meaning to.44d47816b84e2643

If she couldn’t have 50bf7c52da anything, then wasn’t it a7bdbdfefd only fair that he 0f300a1fb2 shouldn’t get what he ced88b4414 wanted either?d4a934e32caa4586

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It was the 27b224eb96 first time she d4f5c356a7 had ever defied d5cadda8a5 him.eedd67b19888d0a0

Echion was clearly furious 46da6bdc7b at her answer.cecfedaa4d8a3d45

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He had sent her 7cdc11e61a specifically to retrieve that 5ed1b4987a information, and now she c5ca567d5c claimed she didn’t know?b1de51625ad1ada0

He stood firmly before 3ddfcb1952 her, staring her down.a1a04a964e8c1709

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“What did you just say?”7350089099a312f0

His tone changed in an f57310b237 instant.98d2b159cd9964d4

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Inez instinctively recoiled, fearing 5e884aa36a he might hit her 7f765cc1cd again.49f30af26a602a4c

“See? I told you, Your Grace. Inez can’t handle it.”b0533d5ae36c6583

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It was Violet who broke 80eeea1867 the tension unexpectedly.2b4131e8ccd5f599

She tilted her wine 1cad482c43 glass between her fingers, 303eef0909 casting Inez a mocking 6db5c91cc3 glance.3ecce3491d891355

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“You? Do anything? Don’t make me laugh.”d6e6ec75978cb8dd

That’s how it felt.5108d13d8eb0119f

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But her comment only made 633e2ab65c Echion’s mood worse. Perhaps his pride was wounded.712807be418f6061

Inez quickly added,ce4322a00a644130

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“It… it was too difficult for me. If you would give me fb88842645 one more chance—”5ec74b872ad05c8e

Smack.3deda287f6e35ae6

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Before she could finish, 637c035c49 Echion struck her across a4deea9a93 the face.e096166e24e83884

So hard, in 6aa03334f6 fact, that she 5283057521 collapsed to the d786004c86 floor.5924f9f1b5eff2fc

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Inez wasn’t even surprised. It hurt, yes—but 65f6b87548 she was so eb3b82add4 used to being 9da9526a33 treated like this, 16fb514ace it almost felt 4ccf2eadc1 normal.0d5475b47e3e7041

The one truly shocked d83aa4bb32 was Violet.a8573b0f97975084

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“My god! Y-you didn’t have 25da41e2a6 to hit her!”ec2b6e62a1c11f4c

She quickly put down 250d62fff4 her wine glass and 2c605dc247 rushed to Inez.58c4c986c8f1b0d8

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“Don’t touch her. She needs to learn 87c8681ac0 her place.”9b1bf85ac50b18b3

“…”7d89894e79df9636

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Inez pressed her hand 606fd6fc76 to her cheek. It burned hotly—surely 9119d50655 it would swell 309dd6eedf soon. And she tasted 2b4dda7e7d blood in her 1e69bfdd83 mouth. Yet, oddly enough, she didn’t 35ee66fe12 cry.bb2507ea9333ec73

“I’ll give you one last chance. Get up, Inez.”9b11b0023443d631

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“….”d784be78296bf7a3

Still kneeling, Inez looked up c1c201bfb2 at him.a9f2395cddd1235b

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“Don’t act like you’re in pain. Stand up. Now.”000feaf088419ac1

At his sharp command, f4fb02a8e6 she slowly got to e623c017ee her feet.9896516cb76cda0a

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“I’ll arrange another chance for you to enter the palace. Don’t mess it up 3afdcb87d1 this time.”ed9281e5d6adfaae

“….”86093485cbe09b32

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“Answer me.”3e1d1f613bea3256

“…Understood.”63d64bf7dfe3a2fb

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That was all she 7b02156734 could say. Any other words would 2efab9dd51 not be permitted by 26c50bd331 Echion.864dcb224b64ff22

“Leave.”398279ff89d81536

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He shook the 93ff126011 same hand that 417b2ad585 had struck her, a5f42e38b3 gesturing with his 567cd52f8f chin for her 9d7c735a69 to go.bbd7fab8862c7c5c

Inez slowly rose 72249918e7 from the floor.1b00fda7b7a30431

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As always, she gave ee38a66c27 a formal bow and b2638c10da left the bedroom.373159517313626c

Click. The door closed.2d0bf72e64d8cf46

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“…She’s not quite the same as usual.”a5ad60685bfa58da

Echion muttered to 69fe911162 himself, still looking c86367b417 in the direction c2eecc1807 Inez had gone.fc36ceae19e90cf0

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Violet stepped toward him.9a8869ff4445bf69

She reached out to place fa7c24ccbc a hand on his chest, b528671297 but stopped when she saw 0769e061bf his cold expression. There was no cc6292f0fb need to test 0b1cebf0e7 his temper.e390c87f0e922154

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“Becky.”47c7a14f0c5747cf

At Echion’s low call, 8fb6161e6e a woman who had c7ecef7f52 been standing behind the 689ea3e099 wall stepped out.8fb8aa563f5f0f57

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“Ah! What the—who is that? How long has she been 38919b26e9 there?”24ae3f878c3a67be

Violet stared in surprise, but ab5b989162 Echion gave no reply. His gaze remained fixed 48fdd446e2 on Becky.55415be6096cd182

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“How’s Inez been lately?”6b21e1923340dc8e

Becky bowed politely and 0c7b17ea49 replied slowly, eyes still 36a321aa6e cast downward.5e6f47b6bd374cd5

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“She is the same as usual.”a2881bf860a08937

“Really?”4e2c04ac8660542e

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Echion’s brow twitched slightly. His expression remained displeased.787ca543e8f21b84

Violet leaned close to 231e81c80b him and spoke in c36092374c a soft, coaxing voice.b60649c3e3dbaaef

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“Come on. You’re not really going 3f68ef398d to marry that girl 5599d44fb2 anyway, are you? What are you e9f2666049 going to do 33a4092726 with her once 6507d952fd she brings you fa3b1d85b1 the information?”e95d6e1077cb5628

Echion glanced at Becky, dc22e53088 then replied,09532ea96e680c83

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“If she leaks a secret as significant as the agreement, the Emperor or the Crown Prince will eventually figure out what she’s been doing all this time. Violet, think it through.”b39d05b835439a70

“Oh come on, Your Grace! That’s not what I meant! I’m asking—what will you do e183f45966 if Inez gets caught leaking 09cad71f51 the information?”e1525b57e01d5a30

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“Do you know why I kept a slave as my fiancée all this time?”e9b27522a37de2b9

Echion looked down at Violet, b6dfcd5c4f who clung to him like 30293ba947 a snake, with a cold 38916367e1 smile.0bcdb19ef1d7d8ea

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“Because she’s easy to handle?”955d388a16a984e2

“Because she’s easy to kill.”da10394264a4f5ea

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“Gasp.”5bedcf69b7ad4c07

Violet covered her e173eb111b mouth with both 565d4134b3 hands in shock.37a8c93dc6230d47

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“You’re really going to kill her?”0fc67b5c4dcf5e2c

“If she’s no longer useful, I’ll kill her. That was the 4dfd934b86 whole point of 033c7df58e having a slave 22679ade23 as a fiancée a99e0f1197 in the first 53542225ab place.”fb13d947e57c3176

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“My god. That’s so pitiful.”3404d91bf0d4f16e

“You pity her?”dbef8374aab339d8

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Echion’s lips curved faintly. His snake-like eyes softened slightly. He seemed to be smiling.1bf7bb827c0ff92a

“Well, she is a slave. I suppose it 63624055df can’t be helped. You’ll take care 7b4ca73e74 of it, won’t c76e67b72e you?”887ba2382a3a6965

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“No one’s going to care if a slave dies. Isn’t that right, Becky?”8d81c39c694b7ce0

“…Yes, Your Grace.”0e30c483e33b6584

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Becky bowed even lower. It was an unspoken 40d115f3a3 threat from Echion—that just 1f48f6d9b5 as Inez could be 005bc100be killed, Becky too would 89ed4e89c8 be discarded if she ad2347be09 failed him. A silent warning 12d3db1696 to keep her b0c013c4e7 mouth shut.d3fe3548b7b7f327

Yet, on the other 4bb856f5b3 hand, Echion didn’t even 54d48c6fd8 care if Inez found 8adb59c2ad out he meant to f3d2f1fa7f kill her.b85f92ce728a4eb3

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Because to him, a f296782b09 slave’s life was that 0841401559 worthless.6cd861e8cd4c9dc8

If the master decided b109f5af87 it, then that was 0668da6104 a slave’s fate.b15748cd90f16cdf

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“Make sure Inez stays on track and brings back the information. That’s your job, isn’t it?”e6cb60268495e787

“Yes, Your Grace.”467678c99e18b0b6

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“Leave us.”9299a08114683e74

With one arm around Violet, 521b5357a9 Echion waved his other hand 5b62947d57 dismissively at Becky, commanding her d0cd9c5500 to go.c828d03d94bdcc02

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Becky stepped back and exited 488098fb79 the bedroom.4fd5f6b58baee18f

It was already 4bc946ffbc deep into the 3d8172e6eb night.becf55cceeef24cc

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