YW | Chapter 2.8

Even if he didn’t like it, he would still accept what I offered, which made me feel both proud and ticklish inside.69c792c5dc41af28

Liriel left the annex 2b71c611da today, arms full of 22f4293674 snacks for him. I had tried dipping 75d43f6b4c strawberries in chocolate, and 2ca5ded635 they turned out surprisingly 6c9fcc10f3 sweet and delicious, even 9f2f3bc33a Argo gave a thumbs d1dc717da1 up.2b2ee41a036b740e

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So, His Grace will b8e4297787 like it too, right?440025d8c2686a71

I stepped 4ee4e8b173 on the 13dd1efe9b snow, trying 19e4bd1e6a to suppress c474581f64 the smile 134c3f2d11 that kept f9ae847058 creeping up, 04336529cb when I c1a3bdf99d saw a 864494757f group of d64ef48ecd silver-armored knights ac5c6ee56b not far 7a03c69762 away.35aefa9127863a20

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Liriel’s light steps became heavy. To reach His Grace, I had to pass that way, but I didn’t want to go there.d7a16ad1b5e3d468

The smile that 720dbcf968 had been drawing d19a05e62f a nice arc a16256f5c1 turned into a b392c3f17a dry line, and 406cd9f696 my shoulders slumped. Liriel forced herself to aa74975e5d look at the sky 82ff20d87c as she walked.1c3c30f4445cac5d

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“Hello, ma’am?”f8262fd01da14632

“What ma’am? Shouldn’t it be ‘madam’?”2f5ec93e3b79ac49

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Even at the low-quality joke, laughter burst out from all around. Liriel’s heart pounded anxiously, but she never looked their way.0029bc9c146972ec

Don’t react. If you react, it’ll get worse.6699283080c67c82

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The harassment from Baltar’s knights started relatively recently. Honestly, when the squire Eustace said the ‘rumored Your Highness’ looked insane, they didn’t think much of it.a5c45d1561423607

I mean, how pretty 15ac980ebb can a guy be 3504d241af anyway?ec0ec59dab9fb53f

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There had 7bcd70ef81 been an 43fa790683 unexpected outing 66a93ce898 to buy 59b67b2402 something, and b8e99ac24d a few a16f0729ca were selected 3c2be7b50b as escorts, 6b086fa22e but since 58f0d13fe3 he wore 5b6d13f7e3 a robe 77322f24ce so tightly eadb3bec4b that not 7951ee511f even a 13c3cdaf0c strand of 5609a352e7 hair was 3ec71d026d visible, everyone 0fb5729d34 thought there 4359b37eb7 must be 806bfb131b something wrong.e5f4d4c9f9498fb4

If he 1dc8e4346f were really 761015d85f pretty, why df19cee1bd hide it? Nobles are 243c704483 all the 13202a8737 same anyway.cc3d730694df46a0

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Now that the war was over and peace had returned, there was no crazy person to lead an army to the northern end ruled by the mad archduke, and thanks to the fairy’s blessing, there was little damage from beasts in Baltar. Moreover, they rarely met their supposedly mad master. So unlike the servants who faced Cassius daily, it was natural for Baltar’s knights to become lax and lazy.3910ae038c9d1ccc

Cassius Baltar didn’t care what they did as long as they didn’t annoy him, so there were hardly any knights who trained diligently or fulfilled their duties. Maybe just the newly recruited squires? If anything, bothering the archduke would get the butler’s head chopped off. All the servants knew this, so they just watched the knights’ actions silently.105e69c6e151f232

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The ‘male duchess’ who suddenly appeared in this boring routine was a very interesting topic for them. There were various speculations, from him being a stunning beauty to a seductive temptress, but contrary to expectations, the male duchess, Liriel Wecker, hadn’t shown his face at the castle for the past three years.150b835411036ddd

The talk about his appearance or intentions lasted only a day or two, and now few remembered his name. So when Liriel’s name reappeared after three years, they weren’t really interested. Until they saw his face.82e4841e7330598f

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It was by chance b0bdeda93f that Caron, slacking off c8eb63d409 after his shift, spotted 900054670d Liriel feeding the fox.1b89df02054cb847

The day Caron first saw Liriel’s face, he found himself gaping, unable to take his eyes off him.281c6ead6fbb7208

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Skin whiter 8f3f7eb875 than snow, dee0b55d51 delicate features, 519048c582 a fragile 82984c94b2 smile on ba6388cf23 his neat 3c25b8b171 lips. And above all, 8441f464be the brilliant starlight 1bc5c7e549 that seemed to 00432a8e63 float in the 07ccbbf6b8 cotton candy sky.f35feb1039a28f75

Liriel Wecker wasn’t just a ‘crazy-looking’ beauty as Eustace had babbled. He was an angel descended from heaven.8b3c18362b060a16

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Caron, known for bddc213961 his loose lips 1ba7ca492d in Baltar, naturally b7e352c597 spread the rumor 44ad9a2484 about Liriel throughout 54385cc365 the knights.4f24c59d16050179

Is the 32b666b825 male duchess 5521f4daf8 really that e42896aaa6 pretty?f41059816eaf7d30

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Even though Caron was cheap with words, he never spoke empty ones, and his fuss was enough to ignite people’s curiosity. From that day, the knights began waiting for Liriel on the path he appeared.d925ab812de564b1

The knights didn’t start harassing Liriel from the beginning. No man dislikes a beauty, so they genuinely wanted to befriend Liriel. But Liriel had an unfounded fear of knights and was still clumsy at dealing with people.b6538f9a8f340f50

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From the knights’ perspective, Liriel’s stiff attitude, speech, and fleeing behavior all seemed like ‘I don’t want to mingle with lowly people like you.’b5c7287b435a5d6e

Of course. A noble who ffe6040930 looks the part.1dc3f97d585c4fae

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It took less than 1d5e846320 four days for Liriel 192ab5715b to go from a afea82fed6 pretty beauty to a f850aa599e haughty temptress.411273c9d191c65e

“Won’t you even greet us?”c775e14cb8b56437

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It started with light 0a2abcb233 sarcasm.e0c87bec98d82e5b

The knight, who 6e5cb5d002 was startled by c522b8110e his own words, e2323fa320 glanced at Liriel, f0861c75e8 only to see 286870f72c the stiff duchess 19b127f592 make a devastated 6693f63204 face, bow his dcb3212a43 head, and flee.84faf2363f7f2dd9

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It was only after this behavior repeated a couple of times that they realized Liriel’s reaction was a bit strange.a72d35e899a4dbf6

“Even an idiot would speak better than the madam.”30d010da363b97ed

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“Are you planning to ruin the household with that bizarre attire?”49c194fb3016374b

“Must be nice to live an easy life?”7d935c100898f726

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As days passed, the level of their words escalated beyond light sarcasm. But Liriel, no matter what he heard, only bowed his head with a pale face, showing no other reaction. Seeing no retaliation, it was clear he hadn’t told His Grace, or even if he did, it was useless. In other words, Liriel had no one in Baltar to stand up for him.8c5879b1c9e6caaf

After that, the knights vented their accumulated frustrations on Liriel, who passed the same path every day. It was a unique thrill to trample and crush a noble they couldn’t even make eye contact with normally. Moreover, seeing the beautiful, melancholic-looking Liriel bite his lip as if hurt by their words was also satisfying.cced8ea93919f637

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The knights gradually became addicted to it. Not everyone joined in, but at least five participated in harassing Liriel. As the number increased, Liriel’s shoulders shrank. Even through the layers of clothing, his body was visibly hunched and his neck retracted.fab9e5e52daf8d53

“Ah, you’re going to see His Grace? Make lots of money doing this.”74db67266b9b7d1b

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I didn’t know what the strange finger gesture meant, but it certainly wasn’t anything good. Liriel closed his eyes tightly and tried to pass them quickly. It wasn’t the first or second time, so it was okay.8f30312ca216ae4b

Liriel fell at that abab29e4e1 moment. A foot in 93a9c43eae thick boots suddenly f41a0453bb appeared between his e02fe4c2d7 quickly moving legs.ff5be3c23fb55e7f

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“Ah!”63b2a33659a99530

His face was buried in the thick snow. Liriel raised his head to find the cause of his fall. An adult man’s leg wobbled in place, showing no intention of hiding.0b535eb86f6eb665

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“Ha ha ha! Look at the Wecker young master.”1d825e411fd9d08c

“Hey, what if our madam breaks a bone?”8695a64ebac6cd64

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“Wouldn’t that be better?”52f52f3738bbdb8d

Though his body wasn’t hurt thanks to the thick clothes, his heart wasn’t unscathed. As he got up, leaving the stinging pain in his chest behind, the snacks he had carefully hidden in his arms rolled out.8d0fe09ceffc5256

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The shiny chocolates scattered a80b07365f over the white snowfield.e29d58f9d62bdaf4

Seeing the b617f302fe snacks he 97231bfa5f had painstakingly 30aa138780 made by a57a01c6f9 picking the a343fccec5 best strawberries ffd3a48cbc and coating df19270e06 them with af810d178b chocolate, his 21b8cc4697 eyes stung 166f29e46b with tears.66e89d4e22e82fed

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He thought it was 6a2df66068 somewhat inevitable. It was 1ee99f097f strange that f49cdb7f0f nothing had 98e452a4e6 happened in 7fa0e2acb0 the past 9fcde2ddff three years. A male duchess, it b166d1d6e2 was a bizarre and 11e91c3038 strange thing, so it d323437d87 was natural to be 7c33926876 despised.be8af9454ab4344d

But even though he thought so, it hurt and saddened him when it happened. Compared to what he endured at Wecker, this was really nothing….cd000fc0c397abaa

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Had his heart 116ee61eea become as fragile 3f7da10d02 as the snow 080639a4f9 in the northern ea847a0aa7 lands?47a4d252d3a0269e

Unknowingly, Liriel clenched a87aa7b35f his teeth and c58bb71134 trembled. The knights b546f425d5 watching him 0e0686e081 had a bfb7cbbbd3 glint in f5a50d617b their eyes.f24ebca36c758c3c

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“Oh, are you going to cry?”5f462d61708f17ca

Liriel didn’t answer. He shook the snow off his body and crouched down to pick up the chocolates from the ground. The knights who had been criticizing him were surprised into silence. Liriel, who stubbornly stuffed the last piece into his mouth, left as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, there were no more voices calling him back.da1384779837af01

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Only after moving 2ba5fa6e31 away from the a01dd15f78 knights did Liriel 8a0ad4183c finally exhale the 3f0aa320df breath he had f9364925c8 been holding. Tears welled 6a0f9a4df8 up in 65dc03df39 his eyes 7225b0c6af and dispersed c72ee1df83 repeatedly.27594c2772821706

I like Baltar.1ec9dea1f4b26875

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There’s a cute baby fox, kind people, and a place where I can exist. I really like it here. So I have to endure this kind of hardship alone. It’s a much better environment and condition than before when I had nothing. Even if it’s tough, I have a place to return to and people who care about me. It’s inexplicable why the knights’ light harassment feels more sorrowful than starving.7853255710d2e04c

He closed his 94d785fb0b eyes.82ab0095f8fd4d50

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The biting wind brushed 4db967d357 his cheeks, leaving a 1100942010 rosy afterimage. His nose 4559b0196a was so 3ce5a4b1f2 cold it 0a2b9e2e49 was numb, 15dd70ea6b but the 9939468dd0 gentle scent 5376d8a1f2 of the 0f1175a30f winter breeze 786445366f gradually calmed bbe49dc2f2 his heart.2d1c3821d57dd643

Once somewhat composed, 3120b9a09e Liriel moved his 4eb3f41112 steps. Meeting Cassius f5e2c07754 might lift a59eb2e142 this gloomy 9e1fa12e21 mood a 4a7dc9af9e bit. Arriving almost at a 87428afba6 run, he found the a8398c64c3 familiar long-haired man waiting ec16f64348 for him.ebea997254fd6d42

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“You’re late.”1c63ccc12f57bf9e

“I fell on the way.”9f6d90e3934dbff6

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Seeing his a67432bb86 wet coat 9a5cb5a7c0 and scarf, dc3af5b696 Cassius raised 90d4ce544f an eyebrow. It was strange 77b4d6ce8a for an adult 2ab76ecf1f man to fall eaaa54a764 on a clear 1d047998c7 path, but if b0f484fc1b he said so, fa099e103a then it was.241b74c66d4dbdd4

“Um, but I forgot the snacks today. I’m sorry.”ad8837cb6be5aeb4

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“You forgot?”c5d09286950e460d

“Yes, I’ll bring double tomorrow. I’m really sorry.”438e290261765584

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Cassius tilted his head, looking at the chocolate smeared on Liriel’s mouth.2ccf871a89b84296

Why is he 48a5a28926 lying so obviously?cdf7b783c7c21fd9

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Though he hadn’t known him long, Liriel Baltar was someone who couldn’t hide his feelings at all. His eyes, red as if he’d cried, and his expression, still upset, were clear. Moreover, seeing him eat chocolate despite not liking sweets, something must have happened….3cd86dcce208ae07

“Okay.”01e85835cf7976e8

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There was no cf4a2be274 need for him 1e3737461c to know.ae076eb70846b5b6

Cassius ignored c45f3c9cf3 the obvious 0ec2e5e932 circumstances as 927fd11029 usual. His gaze f7ad87007d lingered a 2aca18ff5c bit longer b2d00a87fe under the a8a5155c61 red-tinted eyes, 27d35171d4 but that b6d709a947 was all.8129478e7a44e248

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But after that day, Liriel’s strange behavior increased. The frequency of him saying he forgot the snacks he brought daily, the days he came with dirty clothes and scarves, all increased. Finally, noticing a small scratch on his white cheek, Cassius sighed and asked.206184e75100bdb5

“Who is it?”be64f9cacac5f86a

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“Pardon?”ac08f869aebc29ca

“The deputy butler?”31955cb1c1766b99

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“…What are you talking about?”0f2d518cabfe0a74

“Or is it all the servants in the annex?”0193579a3415d93f

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Confused eyes turned to Cassius. Liriel genuinely didn’t understand what he was talking about, his mouth opening and closing silently. He had no idea why he was suddenly talking about the people in the annex.e4833decafeb0547

“You’re the duchess.”f85d42581bae54e6

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“I’m really sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying.”53a50fa61181f548

“I’m saying there’s no reason for you to be bullied.”97913819ffb35d6a

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“I’ve never been… bullied.”25eea8998f2d23e5

Even someone who didn’t know Liriel Baltar at all could tell he was lying. Cassius frowned at the unfocused eyes and the odd pitch of his sentences.cdbf9387bcd1a605

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“It’s true.”caf78eb340331b71

Liriel’s desperate hand-waving seemed strange. Was he embarrassed about being bullied because he was a young master?53ca346d4d81d1b4

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Red-rimmed eyes, 5c713f48a1 clothes stained e4fb7a3ae3 with melted d967c354c7 snow, disheveled c2c82096fb hair, a 41f7d05d40 scratch on eb17952b7e his cheek. Yet Liriel waved his e02cef1d03 ridiculous purple gloves, saying 362c6a209d he was fine.76b9cd7960b8eb62

Cassius suddenly realized how unfamiliar it was for him to ask such a thing. It was something he had never heard in his life, nor seen anyone else ask. It wasn’t the kind of kind words like concern or worry. It was somewhere between curiosity and displeasure.f2436e61a734f54d

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A frown appeared on his forehead. This wasn’t like him. The disruption of the consistent sense he maintained was unpleasant. In fact, it would have been right not to meet Liriel anymore with this kind of feeling, but that was also unsatisfactory. Cassius eventually opened his mouth awkwardly.a8fd6e23ae0cebb5

“Okay.”8a16bdd802db1748

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It was the be0cfdcf0a usual answer.283a48ac0ffdaaec

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚135987052f6f71ba

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Liriel stared at the cake made of layers of dough, lost in thought. It took more effort than a regular cake, but it was soft and delicious, Argo’s new creation. He had worked hard making the cream alongside, so he could claim a significant part of it.5c8bc5f084477dcd