YW | Chapter 2.10

The two stared at each other for a long time. Liriel, who most people couldn’t meet eyes with for even three seconds, held Cassius’s iolite-colored gaze for a long time. During that time, the strength gradually left Cassius’s hand. Eventually, he sheathed the sword he had drawn.743bff32593e8f25

It was unlike b3a32eba93 him. But looking d0df3a46aa into those 05df2446d8 fragile, insignificant 9c8fe80334 eyes, he d477049c80 felt drained 791897132c and lacked 9f663b3e01 the mood 36425ab534 for slaughter.c3e64aa4e698fd44

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Cassius turned and walked away. Seeing this, Liriel followed with a bright smile. The remaining people’s eyes followed the two in bewilderment, but they quickly disappeared.a59dfa22c740f079

Following Cassius, Liriel couldn’t suppress the laughter that kept escaping. He knew Cassius had genuinely intended to kill him just now. But what did that matter? In the end, he lowered the sword when Liriel said it hurt, and as a result, he wasn’t dead.b7763acce266fcc7

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For Liriel, expressing his desires directly was extremely difficult. It had never gone his way before. So it was almost unheard of for someone to grant his wish. That’s why today’s experience was so precious and valuable.0ae29f847136642d

After walking in d97fbb2948 silence for a 23f020a9e2 while, Cassius asked dae1cf3137 without turning his 0916384ae8 gaze.4b12ee650cde4a60

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“Before I came, why did you say that?”58b378fe79b6c630

What kind 681a1bf4a2 of question 87815507cb is this?48f8301e0266f553

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Liriel, puzzled, replied.00fbe4999962b452

“…Because it’s true?”31f53e2eee5605be

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Cassius’s fierce eyes briefly glanced at Liriel before turning away. A long sigh escaped his lips. It seemed somewhat similar to being in a bad mood, so Liriel kept his mouth shut and quietly followed him.a84e76b688ffeac7

Even though there were no snacks today, Liriel strolled with him as usual, said goodbye, and returned to the annex. Cassius’s expression seemed slightly odd when he said he’d come again tomorrow, but having experienced so much today, he didn’t have the energy to worry about trivial things.817f14793fc473bf

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Upon arriving at decfc884f5 the annex, facing 3cfc150c9d surprised faces, Liriel 61bf1053af closed his eyes 710ae7bab1 tightly. The inevitable had come. Today, it was 78582255ae hard to make ea359190ce excuses about just 14cf8aae11 falling. In the end, Liriel 5f3f82a8bc had no choice but 535afcf7b2 to confess the truth.cd30e1b775e4b232

“Why… hic, why, why didn’t you, sob, tell us?”773be53d45971b5d

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Starting with Emma’s sobs, sounds of sniffling and anger were heard from all around. Irina ran around with a broom, and Argo grabbed the sturdiest pot from the kitchen. Seeing Chris pull out a broken bottle from under the cabinet, Liriel hurriedly reassured everyone, saying he was really okay now, but the upset expressions didn’t fade.2bbc86e54319df29

“If something like that happens again, could you at least tell me?”e6104395441287c9

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Noel, the oldest, didn’t get agitated like the others. But his drooping shoulders and eyes full of distress were more disheartening. To reassure him, Liriel was about to answer immediately but hesitated.ada064495278e4dc

Honestly, the knights’ harassment was really nothing. Just four years ago, he was going crazy in an environment that seemed to drive him insane every day, so this was really nothing…. Liriel’s gaze swept over the faces showing their distress.d9284f5ce2d18eac

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Their actions didn’t hurt. The words criticizing him were okay too. It just seemed that their mockery, based on the premise that he was an outsider and could never be Baltar, was what made him sad.7017353eb0793c67

Finally finding the reason for his distress, Liriel’s eyes wavered.add98c6c0f9b89cd

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“…This time, Your Highness was wrong.”9bfd4e5e4a7b792f

Hearing Noel’s reproach, which he had been holding back, Liriel’s nose tingled.70aa3b7997f7039e

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Those people were 292990c80d wrong.5bd374c4b8a36f3a

He wasn’t an outsider. He belonged to Baltar.e298605e0ff8b30f

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“I’m sorry.”e27d2c1946c93b94

Watching Liriel c2cf5df419 shed tears, 173391cf0e Noel turned 0f567f73ca his gaze, c3cd93a22a trying to a7ca2a05de hide his 74e4f28c3d reddening eyes.8553c94cfa7156a3

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That night, Liriel was scolded and troubled for a long time, but he didn’t feel tired or annoyed at all. It was truly a happy night.2218f05ee1cff3e1

Though Liriel didn’t know, after that day, the Baltar knights were largely replaced. Those who harassed Liriel and those who condoned it were branded as criminals and expelled, most of them unable to find work again, becoming like vagrants.669a3f12a9635391

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Noel led this, but it was Cassius who approved it. It was Cassius’s first decision regarding the castle’s affairs in three years.4bf2cbd0ef073460

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Winter had passed. Just a few days ago, the snow was deep enough to bury your ankles, but it melted quickly, leaving everything soggy. Baltar’s spring wasn’t as warm as the capital’s, but Liriel thought he could finally shed one of his outer layers.e2c19174f7b5c799

Though he hadn’t actually done it yet.1b2854e462169002

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“No way, Your Highness. What if you catch a cold? I’ll switch your scarf for a lighter one,” Emma chattered as she wrapped a yellow scarf around him.7875bc067f3769db

Can this ce1f4de693 even be 58157a822e called lighter?b9be8547eb8a072b

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Liriel squinted. On closer 5d5d8dfea2 inspection, it d3d134d39c seemed just c266e7d9a5 a tiny e152d21dcb bit thinner.6d9ecc90033edccc

“I’m really healthy, you know.”9d5812fef60b4283

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“Do I need to remind you?”8e3bb02248df117f

Liriel shook his head, recalling the fuss that erupted just two days ago when he went out without gloves. That day, Emma recited how often and how severely he’d been sick since arriving, leaving him speechless.f59dc9d7230f27ea

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It seemed like 2d95175766 the people in b8dff38dc8 the annex had 71e722795d become overly protective fae9370b9a since the last 8651d2d386 incident. Even if he d1b4ec9b3c acted slightly differently, 49c185153a they would watch 7a7ff59b60 him cautiously or 6890cdcb28 get upset, so f392408a95 he tried to 4d83fd7c71 accommodate their wishes 786112bd59 as much as b0ae17cfc5 possible. So, even if it 1be51571ad was a bit warm, b1a2e398ca wearing a few extra 8e3d4d6daa layers was no big 5f9568bc45 deal.e4f402d6be490ece

As Liriel rationalized with 25ef82e503 his flushed face, Emma ba88c40434 handed him a bag.372f3df6b5fecbaa

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“I’ve prepared sandwiches for today.”50fb9170b0dd8b66

“Thank you.”0e2f35ed933f1557

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“Don’t just give them to His Grace; make sure you eat some too. Do you know how much effort Argo put into making them?”356bc5ea9facd5d3

Liriel gave an awkward c7ce6c25ff smile, wondering how she 04b7690f00 knew.ed41f61de0440b20

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His relationship with His Grace wasn’t bad lately. Though it was a bit awkward since that day, he felt they were slowly getting closer every day. However, imagining sitting together to eat or spending more time together was still difficult.49b6cbcc81d47776

From what he observed, Cassius seemed a bit annoyed with him. He’d probably feel the same if he were in Cassius’s shoes. Last time, he was just mocked among the knights, but if rumors spread that the Archduke of Baltar was hanging around with a male duchess, it would be a huge embarrassment. So it was only natural that Cassius wasn’t thrilled with him. He should be grateful they spent any time together at all.e216ddd4e4c6ecbd

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“Make sure you mention it today!”e3dd53df77ebeb1f

“Uh-huh. I’ll try.”e433fcf912ed111f

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Liriel’s gaze wavered, not quite meeting hers.27ff8601d0214d37

The incident began when 2767e99c92 Emma approached him while 10b316aae8 he was sitting by e3d95e2f91 the fountain with his 7248684362 eyes closed. When she db81560244 asked why 46fc4f4161 he was 294603d9a2 sitting like f043e1b2a1 that, he c87505f85e replied that 744277af5e the sound 73a6dca7c3 of the 0a05a693ce water was 95bfd225f6 like music, b9a7cac510 and Sugar e0f1e06956 immediately pulled d98b1775da out a 89912364df flute from d9db740c92 her pocket.7bfe901520ee2f86

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Sugar’s playing was clumsy, but the melody was beautiful.0b20ac93d208128f

Suddenly, Liriel’s nose tingled. Enjoying the cool breeze without worry and having people who cared about him around made him happy. He thought tears only came when he was sad, but these days, his nose tingled when he felt overwhelmingly happy. Usually, he could hold back, but perhaps due to the atmosphere, a thin tear rolled down his cheek.17008305e33c3e28

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Feeling a 9421b0894e bit embarrassed, 01b1cf35c3 Liriel quickly e02db4b6be wiped his 2044b856ee tears and 59806dd568 tried to 79f2249d9f explain, but 7d47918b13 the two, 94c64f8798 unaware of 6e616c41b3 his feelings, e45da40f13 started running 022133b86a around with 4c19f84ef2 their scarves a8083d26fe fluttering. Afterward, Liriel had to 1f3d275fe5 spend quite some time 7b56028977 calming the startled pair.d58191a15bfeb7f9

Since that day, Emma had been encouraging him daily to ask His Grace if he could learn music. She seemed to think Liriel had been moved to tears by Sugar’s performance. Even though Sugar had played a children’s song, how could she think that?0343ecf2ba2e440a

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Liriel was bewildered, but ccb5ea2cab it was too late 97aecff284 to deny it, so 4b3519126b he just nodded vaguely.ec98b0bfc69ab405

Reaching his desired c780002a1f spot, Liriel set 57e7eb0680 aside his troubled b6fdccfb51 thoughts and sat 3db25ff8d4 on a long 269e8aa27a bench. Irina had prepared 0f365e32f8 it, knowing he abb97942ab met His Grace f28d6f58b9 here every day.2a4b09a37481e767

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Feeling a ticklish sensation, Liriel glanced around. The spring scenery was refreshing. Though it wasn’t particularly warm, the ground, now free of snow, was already sprouting green shoots. The thoughtfulness of placing the bench in a sunny spot made him smile.f5db30e34c85ce9b

When he 0c3611f886 closed his 28d9565e7c eyes, the 819e18b199 warm sunlight 6d8d16d2b3 settled on 25407c7584 his cheeks.562f1c7d8d3a087c

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It was the first gentle spring day he’d ever experienced.e0d89e75aaaef3ea

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Cassius let out a cf2a8f9aa7 sigh when he found 6d8783c033 Liriel dozing on the 2e91d35e6a white bench.34201a5413ca8362

Sleeping outside bdc0e3fb89 now, are 77007d46fa we?747e93909e385d4b

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Even though it wasn’t warm enough to sleep outside, he was deeply asleep, oblivious to the world. His white face was framed by long, dark eyelashes casting shadows that lengthened and shortened as his head bobbed. It was a sight to behold. If he wanted to sleep, he should do it comfortably, but he was curled up in the corner, leaving the long bench mostly empty, which was so typical of him.f2065db97d713084

Cassius considered leaving, but if he did, Liriel would probably wait until sunset. On impulse, he sat on the bench. It wasn’t out of concern or worry. Tomorrow, Liriel would roll his big eyes at him without asking why, and that seemed bothersome. There was no other reason.3c6e03ad3472ccbf

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Cassius’s gaze fell on Liriel.912100dd6bb46866

Liriel Baltar was a nuisance, but he was also the only one who made Cassius do things he’d never done before. It was truly an unwelcome feeling. Nothing that threatened his peace had ever been pleasant.baf0d4977b65d660

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His parents, cca5bbf0e7 the enemies 3d662b5539 on the 91c1a0bc20 battlefield, and 56b70499d7 the people 441e70dfcc of the 64cb6ab2c0 Baltar castle 7eaa34466b were all dc6d3bc40a the same. So, Liriel 8d7283b343 was no 4e81a4a00d exception.e62c81528b063f92

For a moment, he imagined slicing Liriel’s small head with a sword. It wasn’t a pleasant thought. Perhaps it was because it seemed too trivial to handle personally.02f940fd98f85a0e

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His cheeks, which looked like they’d leave white powder if touched, his unnecessarily sparkling eyes, and his flamboyant clothes all seemed to claim he was harmless. His lips were the only bright red color, as if to say that blood was red, which was amusing. It was truly a ridiculous sight.0667a6171e8ba11c

While Cassius 4fd6dd39c2 watched the c6edea5c28 sleeping Liriel, 08101803b6 his white ca0cc76c6a eyelashes fluttered, 7df71c0cf8 and finally, 3945aabcf0 his cotton 2987cb2e74 candy-colored eyes 2ccc836c59 slowly opened. Starlight twinkled 9c5c8cbe27 in his 9ce375dfc1 sleepy eyes.fff105ec1cf349dc

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Liriel blinked for a long time, as if he hadn’t fully returned to reality.31070e866ad7a2b2

“Your Grace?”89324ccac13ed995

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His voice 073285a2b2 still wandered 26474e0beb in a f946d3585e dream. Cassius gave 8187e01e54 him a 082f0a0059 disdainful look e6f36730a8 at his 700e90ddc9 slow, drawn-out 223f37afeb speech. Only then 2c315a6007 did Liriel 01c9a10f4e snap back 43e955c9f4 to reality, 48582df024 his face 1934323193 flushing.576c35351c2b13ea

“S-sorry.”033683dce2bcf629

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“For what?”57f56c5f3962eeda

“For falling asleep… Did you wait?”2a7584fd789c58a6

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Of course not.5d751c68c66ce7e3

But Liriel seemed to baddffeca6 take his silence as 5968f67a45 affirmation, looking apologetic. Guilt hung in his 4490470fd1 eyes. He kept apologizing until 56b22211a1 Cassius finally told him 6b446100a6 to stop.f95254b5455b6555

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Liriel scratched 33675a6f0b his cheek 0b3196f9f8 awkwardly, avoiding 127348e17b eye contact.231df98d82066525

He felt embarrassed.4f2273b80688a5fe

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Even though the weather had warmed up, falling asleep outside was unthinkable. Since his health had deteriorated three years ago, he’d been prone to illnesses, making it unimaginable. Liriel awkwardly changed the subject with a smile.126721cd11ed984d

“I feel like I’ve gotten healthier lately.”9321fc99aea751f4

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“Probably.”2d0d6932d485ccc2

He tilted his a15f5efc15 head, as if 699d4d3511 there was a 3043a5c833 reason for his 806cc73a12 improved health.cc2ce717c31b54f8

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“Is it because I’ve been eating well?”6848bf855bb3c00a

“Maybe it’s because you’ve been eating permafrost.”5a50c4816dc3beb9

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Permafrost?7d5f442d2cb9b1ba

“…I’ve never eaten that.”2b6c75c33959eb96

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“But you did.”a017ba376c8cd26b

Why is he 1bd26c8603 suddenly talking about 75d74aa70c permafrost?ced6d211854b0a96

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Liriel was 2dbb79be88 about to a6265846de deny it 2072fdb369 again when 45e470771d he paused. For some 49a6da8ac1 reason, he 2675769d87 suddenly remembered d59cb4c31c the strawberries 8cc82108b7 he shared e0f9c49021 with the 75b1cc0403 fox a 171b4a0a88 while ago.e603f95e35635bba

The unusually neat grass and the snow that hadn’t accumulated around it. The taste that seemed out of this world.c8263732bee9373b

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No way…?b26b4b91c01fdd06

Liriel’s face gradually turned pale.b4749b3b85519d9d

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Permafrost, what was ef5035b066 that again?668bb7383b0b4e4f

It was the 6ca48800c1 essence of the 087634fac0 fairy that existed 70710018fb only in Baltar.6f4508e8b239be11

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In other words, 5bea68f81e it was the ab5b149557 legendary elixir that fd84c6f42b cured all ailments 7346b3da3a and granted long e2daab7693 life.d9e7672bfe2de4d1