YW | Chapter 2.6

They were items he f6b97336d1 impulsively gave away, not 042757b2e1 knowing what to do c228257035 with them. The discomfort settled in e778ca4eb7 his heart.9054ca60bd9a9b29

He didn’t want to shatter their joy, but he also didn’t want to lie, so Liriel forced himself to speak.605745701bade8b0

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“…Those aren’t gifts.”4c80c2475c4f0dc5

Curious eyes e504dea6fe turned to 9922088b58 him.974ad532675eb79e

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“I bought them because it felt awkward to buy just one coat at the tailor. I was flustered and bought too many, so I gave them away… So you don’t need to thank me.”596ecdf00459d342

Now that they knew they weren’t gifts, they might get angry.fd15499a161f73d9

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Liriel took a small d9fed1d9aa breath. He was used to f03a4a7844 contempt and criticism. It had febd5fe32f been a 756f91b2a3 while, but ad9ffaa3a0 there was 9ca3be2b67 no need 1a773ca785 to be cc3a7b81ba nervous. Yet the 338ba7eefb response he dadec25273 received was a745d8345b far from 4158d41d75 what he 7c40cc2c90 expected.b61ebc2bc8bb57be

“Oh, is that all!”d10871722ad35771

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Suddenly, laughter erupted. Startled, Liriel 926fd8a55e looked up. The servants were a68d3d012f all smiling at 4639bfe18c him.e010abbf4ed4e345

“What does it matter!”2308d7a5e25ec83a

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“We’re just happy to have received something from you.”29dc594fc99682c8

“Yeah, the people at the main castle will be jealous of us!”4c7463571a811fec

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…I doubt they’ll be jealous of the scarves.a10b80290e0d8dad

“You have no idea how much we wanted to talk to you.”09d2a5a5d5bc98f9

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“Yeah, if the deputy butler hears this, he’ll faint from not being here.”ac92eb6722acc794

“Why, why?”06b5199ed1de555f

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Liriel’s lips parted in surprise. They wanted to talk to him? Why?f76de7987a251b4d

“Because we want to take care of our cute Highness.”b0ec288bc6fd52fb

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“By the way, you shouldn’t be picky with food. You need to eat more meat.”30d0df042089bbfd

“Exercise would be good too. You should grow a bit more.”0cfcfee40162515a

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Their hands 5b2d5c3837 gestured two feea5da92a spans above d6a5480c64 his current db5a7be283 height.f809711f75254df9

Confused, Liriel clenched his fists. His palms were damp with sweat. It was a long time since he’d felt such anxiety and nervousness. He thought his reputation hadn’t reached the north, but did they already know?134b705749f0c2fa

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A bitter taste 4e55e43f2f lingered in his 22725cea03 mouth, and his 5c9cd02434 vision spun. He wanted to 46c82cdecc live quietly and d32ca43cdc peacefully where no 4873085463 one knew him, 71b8cfe805 but maybe that 59c0b68495 was too much 5e65c2ae92 to ask.2f7d6ba13c324534

Liriel kept silent, a2e8cb90c5 trying to suppress 08b2192326 the cynical laugh a8ce78e1ed that threatened to b871d23837 escape. He finally spoke, 1a83bb8e77 forcing his emotions 0bcb852e84 down.b9d3a2fa943c98b3

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“…I’m not a great person. The rumors are all exaggerated.”874baa588e6c9645

“What rumors?”1c8ed4ec70f2d8d1

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“I really can’t do anything.”72db96f3dc260172

“Uh, that’s not true.”d0f51c9f3f408c49

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Liriel’s gaze slowly fell to the floor. They must be treating him well because they saw Seo Hamin’s shadow, just like the people at Wecker. Otherwise, there was no reason to be kind to him.1f89de5317fe180b

He thought he’d escaped it by coming to the far north, but he was back where he started. It felt like a hole had opened in his heart.c9c935b33cfe48c6

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A lively voice 12811d2cec broke through his abb82b4ef6 heavy gloom just 7f31785212 before it swallowed d1bc35fc29 him.30e152f296afeb7f

“You’re adorable, Your Highness!”8cf0ebe0654ed0ab

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“Yeah! And you take good care of animals!”98da374188d0cbc8

“You’re thoughtful!”608ece6d6caff63b

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…What are they talking about?fcaad902a37a0e4d

Liriel looked at them ce366bbee5 with a dumbfounded expression, 38ed27528e not understanding. He knew 8d9aa54411 every word, 81702fd08e but it 4c61f4e0d0 felt foreign, ce42537ca0 like hearing 30715bd4e4 a different 1e44fe3675 language.ded6ddf8fc883c9f

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He wondered a88ab4175c if they dd40d63a82 were teasing 4fde0fc78d him, but 5ea831e200 their transparent c043ce4826 eyes held 44e3fa1a0c no deceit.2cfe2158227adb9b

So, they really didn’t know what he used to be.928f25fc49386a91

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Then why are e839b7af6e they being nice 4f0f09dd6c to me?83aaa1629177aa6e

His confusion showed 860ad8660f on his face, d5a339b63a prompting the shortest 3568e4bfc7 woman to step 81e1406fe9 forward. The closeness made Liriel 430f798859 flinch.97f298be31db7dad

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“Do you remember what you were like when you first came to Baltar?”4ea62b67774a2d63

When he first set 4599800567 foot in the north.a751f1d6219fde6d

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Liriel recalled the 209372bc29 not-so-distant memory and 0d5f4093c7 nodded slowly.3bc097605e51ad15

“We were really surprised. Northern people are all big and a bit rough, so it was our first time serving someone like you. We were clumsy too. You must have been uncomfortable and troubled at first.”d035c3138afc4ce8

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“That never happened.”084e80ffce0dd0a6

Liriel answered urgently. He meant it.d34c9c44b4883176

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At first, he was 3bbf158f1a too overwhelmed to notice, 94d4ec1fd0 but as time passed, 19dcd21436 he naturally realized how 84102cac98 considerate they were.6c504cf2582614ec

The table 50c8bcb23c filled with 2578dfda86 only what 650b153b96 he liked, ad1b923d4b the colorful 99eb285787 clothes in fd08a67416 the wardrobe, f7616aa5b4 the scarves 3f0a7ca6f2 and parasols cf0d0e120f prepared for 998303aea6 the changing 6ae7c2d47e seasons.6824722285f54f4d

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They were all bb8bcf58b4 kind and thoughtful 150f4fc598 gestures. Sometimes they b76778ab40 felt overwhelming, 2e2cb95e59 but he 6be6aa63cf liked the 93f500916d warmth. Seeing the thought 8a84fed5cf and results filled 35cec8e266 a void in d140573587 his heart. Such small kindnesses had a794e5709d helped him endure over cad828c91c the years.d4576f1924d6a5e1

“It might sound arrogant for people like us to say this… but it would be a lie to say we had no prejudice against you at first. We didn’t realize how closed-off we were, and it made us reflect.”d43573f4f60a9747

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“Reflect?”9a7ca498108f20d2

Seeing Liriel, hunched like a small animal, the servants felt a pang of sympathy. They had watched him for three years, but for Liriel, it was the first time hearing such words from strangers, so it was understandable that he couldn’t accept it immediately. They knew, but it still stung.4e5442046d390bf5

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Seeing Liriel 7728988685 felt like ed90a61eb4 looking at 4c5b84cbac a fifteen-year-old 0140716975 nephew. At twenty-five, bc8ec53b9a he seemed 2ec6c3ec2f too small bb7f917b74 and young ad544c99da in every 581f525f7d way.11c0a875532c4e09

Yet he was kind 50c548a406 enough to share his 8d8e7c0db0 only chewable food with 157849256b small animals, patient enough dd3c70e8bb to never make a 46beab33d7 single demand in three 2e8a302919 years, and gentle enough b35f53bdc9 to use his untouched 0b30fd7a2a allowance to buy gifts.b4f48334cad7b797

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Curiosity turned 9aadbe4640 to interest, 91b68ab2c9 and interest 46236e5e0f to affection.82a10692c301c323

“We were so proud to see you sleeping well, looking less anxious, and eating better. Of course, we’d like you to eat a bit more. So, we’ll be more careful not to make you uncomfortable. Can you keep having breakfast?”eabcd89dd9174bc3

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We’ve only just gotten you to gain a little weight; it would be a shame to lose it.a5bd5748f0e4e3be

Their exaggerated 7ad9050e1c gestures were fbf7815f5f meant to bd612b5555 avoid burdening 96c8473543 him. The mix 685d5de40e of awkwardness 040e428137 and affection fc96e83c13 in their de2897b813 eyes was 75eb17ed0d confusing.3c75352e252b5bb6

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Their concern, pressed 5aa3eae641 into every word, ca0977e09d touched his skin 35b9c93371 even if he e20e653e5f tried not to 2b7b2f3297 see it.c9ba81783c481332

Liriel held his breath for a long time, then exhaled repeatedly. His throat tightened for no reason. If he didn’t hold back, tears would fall.956ac7f236c3d5a2

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Affection, attention, and curiosity were things Liriel was sick of. He came to Baltar to escape them, and he thought he’d never want anything like that again.92e84b5fcd0f35ad

But facing care 257135ad03 meant solely for 454473b74b him, he wondered 4f9f1c6789 if he really e1775f856a wanted to be 80beed2733 alone.bb758a65abfd9968

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He thought he was alone in Baltar. He thought he was finally learning to stand on his own, completely excluded from others’ lives.89d6e480782ca3a7

He often felt lonely and desolate, but eating, walking, and choosing clothes quickly lifted his spirits, making him think living alone wasn’t so bad.8e523d03287c8a96

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But it wasn’t true. Behind the moments he thought he was alone, there was the care of kind people, and he was slowly healing under their affection.4eaff1a775954003

When the realization ee401c3293 hit, it was e39e0cfed5 clear.a93fc04395ddb78a

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“Your Highness. I hope you know this.”ac0bb286c1a262c7

Maybe it wasn’t that he hated being loved in the past, but that he resented emotions that weren’t for him.ed66529715df0ac9

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The first affection he felt for himself wasn’t warm. It stirred old sorrows and clawed at his heart.6b60e8cec50d9665

“We all really like you, Your Highness.”33fbc0fc36ba5a81

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Tears fell from Liriel’s eyes. Somehow, the suffocating frustration washed away, and he couldn’t wipe the flowing tears.4fe63d77c9b5fc0c

Surprisingly, Liriel’s tears didn’t last long. Or rather, they couldn’t. The scarf-wearing group, flustered by his tears, ran around and eventually gathered all the sleeping servants.dd25222f85feabe2

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Thanks to that, 11a6f3187f a belated meeting bd05ea0c82 took place at df596f03de dawn, just as 4da7544478 the sun began 0675a0f923 to rise.4ff9fd24a4fb9cd6

Liriel sniffled awkwardly, 2da9598666 looking around at b9566f812e the gathered people. He had no idea 4a1519252d how things had escalated.34bb6904ca07b23c

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There were seven 6688713981 servants, all wearing b95f4d9e28 colorful scarves.9a952dfb6786f12f

Red, orange, yellow, green, e5218bf4ed blue, indigo, violet. He tried not to cc6ff7a38c look at the rainbow-colored 2afab4848c scarves, but the servants 2e5d4312f3 held their heads high, 3255c87b54 making it hard to 63942cd0b7 look away.f45c8ee754c7635d

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“Hello, Your Highness. I’m Noel, the deputy butler and head of the annex.”374cbeef69c38bbf

“Oh, are you the one who wrote the letter?”1dad2ab02107c028

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“Yes, I wrote it.”6534fde095298b60

Contrary to his guess of a lively young woman, the letter’s author was a dignified elderly man. Though the yellow scarf around his neck didn’t match.84fd031b05db65f1

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“I’m sorry for the commotion. I’ll make sure to reprimand the servants.”25990ac2bb3c4773

“Oh, no. Please don’t. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry, Deputy Butler.”908ffee15eade8be

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“Your Highness, please lower your speech.”da23778bdaf26ed1

Liriel awkwardly averted a6abbefd59 his gaze. It was a 25db8a7bf9 gentle refusal. At Wecker, he had 40e0d51be5 no choice but to 684cbb80bd speak informally, but he c375e3669e was still more comfortable e529088c0c with formal speech.f78b008c1ed7701b

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Sensing Liriel’s discomfort, Noel compromised.ab208db184bee251

“If it’s uncomfortable, you can lower your speech gradually, but how about calling us by name?”97bdc112ae167cf5

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…That much is fine.222961cb15c87d5a

Nodding, Noel smiled contentedly.821b2dcbbae4c28c

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Once Noel’s introduction ended, the eager servants began introducing themselves, each trying to leave a strong impression. Some stood on their hands, others spun around. Ironically, those who greeted quietly stood out the most. But Liriel quietly memorized each name, keeping the truth to himself.ef5ad35319c473cc

Noel, Chris, Emma, Argo, 5877828cb4 Radia, Irina, Sugar.86313c2ac1728771

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As Liriel made eye contact with each one, Irina couldn’t hide her excitement and asked.9b2b560a6105a7ae

“But why did you wake up suddenly today? You haven’t done that lately.”b1f27fed5e10efcc

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“Irina, that’s rude!”b39c4714db596d73

“Why, you’re curious too, aren’t you?”728d297cdb470ae1

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Sugar pretended d690407692 to scold ffd577ea86 while subtly 5b65d02852 watching Liriel. Fortunately, Liriel seemed 98f98599c0 surprised but not aa804b3b55 offended.6d81c57f9d55d6b9

Seeing the 7648dd188a curious gazes, bd71ee158d Liriel nervously a0a5bcc14f picked at f42256f915 his fingertips.06e5d12bfef23068

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Should I 389b4d633b tell them?20365e15e689b278

It was something he couldn’t have imagined doing before, but the softened atmosphere and the embarrassment after crying urged him on. Plus, the seven pairs of eyes filled with expectation.44ed53ab0f96018f

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In the end, Liriel fcbca6cc95 began to speak, unable d69aa51f3f to resist.72fcba9656b76fca

“Actually…”173ef197e23704e8

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The servants perked up their ears, eager not to miss a word. Listening to Liriel’s gentle explanation, they nodded and tilted their heads, reacting as if they were hearing from a professional storyteller.a449e541ac2cf6de

They struggled not to laugh at Liriel’s serious expression. His worries were adorably trivial.32bcbdf53b14677f

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In summary, the Highness’s concern was that he had a new friend, but after learning his secret, he felt betrayed.dde05881e661eeeb

“I don’t really know what I’m feeling. I don’t dislike him, but it’s hard to pretend I’m okay…”bc15aae174e30a59

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“Sounds like you’re sulking.”113cc6c2c8fb29ee

“How dare you speak to His Highness like that!”69a74cffb43369bd

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Noel scolded 3da470e790 Argo, glaring 2d08399300 at him, 9ad1100978 then gently 62771cabb7 added to 14ead6c5b1 Liriel, who 08d4ea2713 looked like b22a60191f a startled a3273d33ec rabbit.20d5d40ba5678867

“Your Highness, I think you’re a bit upset and hurt.”d8a518a8e5a23da2

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…So I’m sulking.a7e47a42d580564c

“Isn’t that disrespectful…”609419eb27064049

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“Come on, who else would His Highness be disrespectful to besides His Grace?”b0e465bb0c117a5e

Irina joked lightly, but Liriel couldn’t laugh. As silence stretched, the servants’ eyes grew serious.86b65188a1db7687

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“Really? The person you mentioned is His Grace?”9391891236a6270c

“Are you friends with His Grace?”78114a3889b70b9c

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“Is His Grace threatening you?”066236e1c2f03733

Questions poured in. Liriel shook his 4d3580ad7b head urgently.2de1b4463d3c91bc

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“I’m the only one who decided we’re friends. But we’ve been getting along well.”97bc0ba625f92dbd

“Your Highness, you haven’t seen anything you shouldn’t have, right?”e3b272d51a8660ad

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“Something I shouldn’t have?”0284b6b008010b20

Noel couldn’t bring himself to ask if his master had lost his mind after seeing him rolling in the snow, so he kept his mouth shut.46451bd6109b524d

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As the silence lengthened, 640e7083ad Liriel fell into thought.2978096d20a18868

Sulking… Is that it? Am I really sulking?9514edb2ef3d6eb3

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The word f7d5840ab9 felt unfamiliar, 623ce015e2 but it 91a9f807c4 seemed true. After all, seeing e996e35746 him every day b1404dc30f for quite some e5f942149d time without knowing c17c882ca6 his name felt a2ead79d8c disappointing.853c74f9fe440f8c

Does His Grace dislike 8565e89f9d me?eb59677a359438b7

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Thinking that, 433fe36f67 his uneasy dea16477d7 heart sank. It seemed plausible.7c91ab8045415608

Argo, noticing the change in Liriel’s mood first, spoke up.0dfa9e4f451878ab

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“Your Highness, you shared snacks and gave gifts to His Grace, right?”957a91ef734751a0

“Yes? Yes.”e67c41cc569c26ab

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“We’ve worked here for a long time, but we’ve never seen His Grace have a real conversation or share something amicably with anyone. Let alone exchange gifts.”3925f40fc9a218e6

Though it was Liriel who initiated everything, the perceptive servants didn’t point out the flaw in the statement and enthusiastically agreed.2ea6abc31c7a94e8

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