FaRtaL Chpt 34

==From a Ristar to a Lady - Chapter 34 -==
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===The most powerful expression of resentment===
Codina Estate, Inman
Milligan PDZ, Woodbine Operational Area
2nd August, 3061
2000 hours (1600 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
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===Consuming Statement===
“Ahchoo!” Venice sneezed daintily, the sound muffled by the handkerchief she hurriedly raised to her face. “I get like this when there are too many flowers around.” she sighed to Anastasia.
She even sounds congested, Anastasia thought as she looked over her friend in concern. Meanwhile, the Codina estate’s servants bustled around, getting everything in place for the celebratory banquet.
“But I can’t bring myself to get rid of all the flowers. It’s really quite the dilemma.” Venice patted her nose, trying to maintain the decorum of a lady.
Anastasia smiled gently at her friend, understanding the predicament somewhat. Allergies… I know the feeling. It used to be a frequent concern for me whenever I had to go outfield to places with lots of pollen, and I had to take those fexofenadine tablets to get it under control. Sigh, one of the few problems the scientists could not remove from the Showers bloodline. One of the good things about this new body is that pollen no longer affects me.
From what she found out, Inman had a very limited pharmaceutical industry, only producing the most common drugs for consumption. The more specialized drugs were produced on Delacambre, but even then fexofenadine was too low on the priority list for production.
“More importantly,” she said to Venice, “if you’re not careful, you’ll wipe your makeup off with all that sneezing.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, because whenever you sneeze, you keep having to cover your face with a handkerchief.” Venice was staring at her intently, so Anastasia did not know what to make of her expression.
“No,” Venice finally beamed, “I understand exactly what you mean. I’m simply impressed you said something very ladylike just now.”
“Oh, really?” Anastasia laughed weakly, chagrined and wondering if she should be flattered or insulted by that remark. “By the way,” she gestured to the lavishly decorated ballroom and the busy servants in an attempt to change the subject, “you said this was all for your eldest brother’s birthday celebration? I didn’t realize there were so many things that went into organizing a birthday party.”
Venice brandished a noteputer showing a long and detailed checklist scrolling across the screen, “Indeed, I invited you over here so you could see the preparations firsthand.”
“So what you’re saying is… that I need to be able to prepare something like this too?”
“Of course,” Venice chuckled, “and let’s not forget, your own birthday is coming up soon. You need to start on the preparations yourself, since you don’t have a sibling to do it for you.”
Anastasia sighed. Ughhh… Even thinking about it gives me a headache. And I thought the logistics for organizing a deep raid into the Draconis Combine was bad. This is worse!
“Ana, what’s the matter?” asked Venice.
“It’s just… I feel like all I’ve been doing is playing at being a lady.” Anastasia shuffled her feet, feeling uncertain. It was times like this that drove home the point that she was simply playing a role she had been thrust into, and it still felt so unnatural to her.
“What? I don’t think that’s true at all,” countered Venice. “Think about it. You’ve been trying your best to live as a lady all this time. You went out every day to look at dresses and jewellery in order to develop your own personal style. You frequently attend tea parties and socialize with others. And not too long ago, you started expanding your cultural knowledge by reading literature and attending performances.” She grinned and added, “Even if you complain as to how you can’t stand them.”
“Oh, that.” Anastasia glimpsed a reflection of herself in a nearby glass panel, “I suppose you’re right, but…” She fingered one of the jewels on the necklace around her neck. When will I finally be able to reach Pence? She sighed.
Venice asked, “That sigh… is that because of the goals we talked about before? You said you wanted to really live as a lady of the aristocracy, but you didn’t explain why. I figured you would tell me eventually.”
“Huh? Well, I’m sorry I can’t tell you yet…” Anastasia felt very apologetic, but it was also for Venice’s own safety. Besides, if she revealed her need to seek vengeance on Pence, then it would open up the can of worms of why she had to do so.
Venice simply nodded. “I understand there must be some things you find it hard to reveal. If you ever need to, you know you can rely on me, and maybe even the other ladies too.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a while. Anastasia then asked, “Hey Venice, what does a woman need to do to have power over a man?”
“Hmmm…” pondered Venice. “Generally, she should marry a man with a higher social status than her target. A woman’s power is generally determined by the family to which she belongs. There are exceptions though, like the women who will inherit their titles. Like Richelle Aubert, or even yourself. But Richelle will be a Viscountess, while you’re only a Barony.”
Anastasia already figured as much, but it was frustrating to have it confirmed by Venice. “So no matter how talented a woman is, there’s nothing she can do to accomplish anything on her own?” Are we back to the Medieval Ages?
“Actually… how many people do you think are able to accomplish anything solely by their own power?” Venice smiled weakly. “And ultimately, that power is just power delegated to us by the consent and will of the people, based on the Six Liberties.”
Anastasia blinked. The Six Liberties were something unique to the Federated Suns, and even today, the basis for the Federated Commonwealth: the rights to personal liberty, to own property, to own weapons, to expect fair treatment, to privacy, and to participate in planetary government.
“But of course, with enough force, it’s possible to wield power over others by the most primitive method of all… violence. I’ve heard it said that the battlemech is the modern expression of that ancient latin phrase - ultima ratio regum - the last argument of kings.” She sighed. “But that avenue is closed to us.”
Anastasia thought there were some holes in Venice’s logic, since she was a qualified mechwarrior herself, even if nobody else other than Hawise knew it.
“Oh!” Venice’s eyes lit up in intrigued interest, “Could it be that you’re trying to seek revenge on Renard Haynes?”
“What?” Anastasia flinched. “No! I don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore!”
“Do you truly have no feelings left for Baron Haynes?” Venice grinned.
“I told you,” grimaced Anastasia in disgust, “I feel absolutely nothing for him at all.”
“Then I’m curious… exactly who is it that you wish to wield power over?” Venice gasped. “Don’t tell me… Viscount Rason?”
“What are you talking about?” Anastasia startled again. “It’s not like that!” This is not some engagement revenge drama or anything like that! Absolutely not!
“Then,” Venice said slowly, “isn’t Viscount Rason exactly the kind of person you need?”
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is…” Venice explained carefully, “Ana, just how many other nobles in the Trivet do you think are comparable to Viscount Rason?”
“Oh.” Anastasia nodded in understanding. She is right, but… to accept my fate as a mere lady, to accept that the only thing I can do is to study and be a good wife for Finn… I knew all this already, but still… how disheartening. It was sheer anathema to her own upbringing as a clan mechwarrior, but her choices felt so limited.
“So if I marry Finn, will he do what I ask of him?”
Venice smiled, “Of course he would! It’s what his wife wants.”
His… wife? For some reason, that title really struck Anastasia for the first time. She knew Finn was not a bad person, as honorable as Spheroids go. He would listen to her and try to honor her wishes. If she asked him to kill Pence, he would probably try to do so, even if she could not explain her reasons for why she wanted Pence dead
But true honor demanded that she obtain her vengeance by her own hands, not through a proxy.
If I told him that I was Avryl… would he believe me? What kind of expression would I see on his face? How would he react? And if he found out I had deceived him all this time, will we face off again on the battlefield, like we used to? For some reason, that last thought was so distressing she did not want to think about it anymore.
“Come to think of it,” Venice’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “you said Viscount Rason would also be attending today’s event, didn’t you?”
“Yes…?” Anastasia had sent a message to check with him the day before, and he had confirmed his attendance then.
“Oh dear,” Venice winced, looking worried. “This is bad.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Sir Spencer Larouche is also expected to attend.”
Anastasia frowned despite herself. Pence is coming here?
“Things between the two of you must be a bit awkward after what happened at that tea party. I’ll set up a private lounge you can escape to after you’ve said your greetings. I’ll get Viscount Rason to do the same when he arrives.”
“I’m sorry,” Anastasia sighed, “You expressly invited me so that I could observe how to properly host an event like this, but now…”
Venice smiled, “There’s nothing to be sorry about. Rather, I want you to take notice of how your social standing has changed since what happened on the Day of Honor.” Her smile widened. “That’s more than enough for me.”
“Huh?” Anastasia blinked in confusion.
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===Unusual Request for Help===
“Lady Kalinska, how lovely to see you.”
“Oh my! Those jewels you’re wearing suit you so well.”
“You’re an absolute vision today.”
“I’m so glad about having the opportunity to talk more with you. I’ve regretted the fact that we hadn’t really been able to before.”
“Indeed, I must confess, we did find it a bit difficult at first to approach you, Lady Kalinska.”
Why are all these ladies suddenly acting so friendly? Unexpectedly the center of attention, Anastasia tried to respond as graciously as she could remember to each lady who greeted her, engaging in inane small talk, returning their compliments by praising their clothes, their hairstyles, their perfumes, her mind scrambling to recall all the little details that Venice had told her before about each lady. This is exhausting! Is this what Venice meant? I do not hate it exactly, but… this is really tough!
Engaging so many ladies in small talk, one after the other, Anastasia could literally feel her old self wilting away, in a situation Avryl was never suited for. It is difficult to keep giving the correct responses with so many eyes on me!
“Lady Kalinska,” Selina interjected gently, “while it’s good to socialize, let’s say hello to Sir Codina first? At this rate, you won’t even get to see the man of the hour before the party’s over.”
“Oh, you’re right. Please excuse me, ladies.” Grateful for the reprieve, Anastasia allowed Selina to pull her away from the thing of ladies. She whispered, “Thank you for saving me, Lady Seydoux.”
Selina whispered back, “Greetings may be basic etiquette, but it’s also important to know how to extract yourself from a conversation gracefully. Didn’t you know that?”
“Hehe,” Anastasia giggled weakly, “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” She was glad Selina Seydoux was now firmly in her corner. Many good things had come out of Richelle’s botched sabotage attempt.
“It looks like the Viscount is almost finished giving his greetings. Come on, Lady Kalinska!” urged Selina.
Anastasia looked up to see Viscount Drake greeting Sir Virgil Codina, Venice’s eldest brother. The Viscount said, “I have no doubt that House Codina will blossom into a magnificent flower garden of the Federated Commonwealth. May God’s glory and honour always be with you and your family.”
His greetings given, the Viscount started to turn away for the next person in line. “If you’ll excuse me…” And then he simply walked past her as though she was invisible.
Hmm… even though I am his niece, he did not bother taking the time to greet me, since my father is not with me. It was as though she did not exist in his eyes at all.
An unpleasant sensation swept through her, similar to how the original Anastasia had felt about Richelle. A warning of sorts?
She walked towards Virgil Codina, but in her mind she was trying to communicate with Anastasia. You know, Anastasia, since you would not answer me, all I can do is make my best guesses based on your feelings. But as long as I am in your body, if I have to keep going through things like this…
She curtseyed gracefully to Sir Virgil. I will no longer be simply swept away by your feelings.
Then Anastasia smiled brightly, “Happy birthday, Sir Virgil Codina.”
“Thank you.” Sir Virgil was pleasant enough in his looks, blond like the rest of his siblings, and looked significantly more mature than his younger brother Vince. From what Venice told her, Virgil was a senior official in the local department of home affairs, and influential within the government. Anastasia could sense the slightest tinge of danger rolling off him. This man could be dangerous, but he has no reason to be hostile. Let us not give him one.
He continued smoothly, “This is the first time I’ve ever had the pleasure of receiving birthday greetings from you, Lady Kalinska.”
Anastasia replied just as smoothly, “Oh my, I will be sure to deliver them every year from now on.”
“Really?” He grinned. “I’m already looking forward to it. It seems you are all everybody’s talking about these days.”
“Is that so?” She tried to look innocent and demure.
“Of course. I’ve also heard about what happened at the Day of Honor. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to see your daring rescue.”
Anastasia laughed weakly in response. So a woman in danger is just entertainment to you? I have no idea what anybody at this party is thinking. Do they have screws loose or something?
All this was far more tiring than mech combat. She really felt mentally drained. She curtseyed to him again, “Then, I shall take my leave and go find your sister.”
He smiled, “Certainly. I suppose I should attend to my other guests. Thank you for your birthday wishes.”
Anastasia felt a bit better, since she had successfully navigated the party and given her greetings to the birthday celebrant. She thought she should head to the private lounge reserved for her before she ran into Pence.
Exchanging soft greetings and small talk with ladies she encountered on the way, she spotted Venice, who was standing near a corner. There was a figure next to Venice, mostly hidden behind the wall. Wait… I recognize that unsettling silhouette! Raymond Haynes again? What is he doing here? I feel like I see him more often than Finn these days…
But if Raymond Haynes was here, then presumably… She turned around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Finn’s red hair. The two men often appeared together. Despite Finn’s protests and constant griping about Raymond, she was sure they were friends despite it all.
So why is Finn not here yet? He usually tends to show up on time, or he would even be early if he felt it necessary. He is always around when I needed him… Wait a minute, why am I… still standing around, waiting for him? When did I get so used to having him around? The realisation was disconcerting.
She heard approaching footsteps behind her, and she spun around with a smile, “Finn, what took you so long…”
Her voice trailed off when she saw a glaring Pence Lamongue.
“My lady,” he sneered, “So pleasant to see you again.”
She stepped back from him. “How can I help you, Sir Larouche?”
He glowered at her for a moment, before he schooled his features into a neutral expression. “There’s something I would like to speak to you about. The last time we met, we had quite the disagreement. I thought you might feel uncomfortable seeing me again, so I wanted to put your mind to ease.”
She raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Are you sure? Even though I insulted you in such a manner?”
“Yes, I am certain. I have nothing to gain with this misunderstanding, and your…” he paused for a while, as though searching for the correct word, “...newfound popularity may yet affect me. So I simply wish to make this issue go away.”
Anastasia understood. Venice and Madame Iris had drummed into her the cardinal of high society - never make any enemies, not to display one’s true emotions, but hide them deep down, and always arm oneself with a smile.
“How kind and forgiving of you, my lord,” she replied with a smile. But we both know this is a load of surat shit. But appearances have to be maintained, so I will play along for now.
“Kind? Not at all.” He returned her smile. “It is simply because you weren’t entirely wrong. So, shall we put that unpleasantness behind us?”
“Yes, of course.” She tried not to tense up too much. Pence, easy for you to say all this. She needed to leave. “I think I’d be going then. My friend is waiting for me.”
Pence stepped towards her. “But I’d like it very much if we could talk a bit longer.” He took another step. “You see, I’d like us to become a lot closer.” He leaned forward into her personal space.
Anastasia stepped back, trying not to glare at him.
“Are you sure you’re not still avoiding me?” He taunted her.
She felt trapped. Why is he so pushy? How do I extract myself from this situation? Stravag, this must be his way of taking revenge on me!
“Long time no see, Lady Kalinska!” Raymond suddenly called out as he walked up to them. “Oh, Sir Larouche is here too!”
“Greetings, my lord,” said Pence to Raymond.
Raymond winked surreptitiously at Anastasia. She tried not to snort. What’s with that wink? Did he come here on purpose? Although his arrival did help her extricate herself from Pence’s looming presence.
Raymond remarked, “In the past, you don’t usually come to events like this. But now you seem to be attending quite a few these days.”
“I could say the same for you, my lord.” Pence smiled, though the smile did not reach his eyes. “There are many rumors abound…it is rather fortunate for you that Baron Haynes has been confined to the manor, is it not?”
“I simply wish to see in real life the scenes depicted in the books I’ve read.” Raymond shrugged. “And today, I’m here because I received an invitation from Lady Codina, of course.” Venice seemed to appear out of nowhere to stand next to him.
Raymond’s spectacles seemed to gleam with sinister intent. “Come to think of it, we were all gathered together in this estate not too long ago.” He smirked. “If only Viscount Rason was here as well…”
“I apologise for interrupting this pleasant conversation,” said Venice, “but Ana, didn’t you say you were feeling quite tired? Why don’t you go rest in the lounge?”
Raymond nodded. “That sounds good. Since Viscount Rason isn’t here, let me escort you there in his stead.”
“Huh?” Anastasia smiled blankly for a moment, before she understood their intent. “Oh, sure!”
In the private lounge, Anastasia could finally relax a smidgen, since it was so quiet that she could not even hear the music from the party. Thanks to Venice, I was able to escape from Pence… but what is Raymond still doing here?
She had thought he would have returned to the party immediately after escorting her, but he stood by the door, as though waiting for something.
Anastasia decided to take the initiative. “Is there something you would like to say to me, my lord? Because it certainly seems that way.”
He smiled. “Lady Kalinska… I never made a move without having solid evidence.” He stepped away from the door towards her. “I want you to know that. But even in the absence of hard evidence, there are times at which one becomes quite certain of something.” He sat down on a nearby chair. “Like right now.”
She looked at him warily. His demeanor had changed, just like before. Instead of the vapid bookworm he usually portrayed to the world, this was definitely closer to his true self, the scheming planner who hid his own martial skills.
“It can sometimes pay off to go with your instincts.” He stared at her.
“Your instincts?”
“Honestly, I still don’t have a solid lead on this. But it’s hard to get over the feeling that you don’t belong here.”
She stiffened a bit. Does he suspect the truth? It was already a shock to have Hawise guessing her real identity, but Hawise had supernatural aid, plus she had actually met Avryl before. For Raymond to guess… it should have been impossible.
“I’ve watched you ever since you started dating my brother. However, the Lady Kalinska I knew then was completely different from who you are today.” His stare narrowed in focus. “That’s when I first became suspicious.”
He continued, “Also, you suddenly began showing hostility to Spencer Larouche, even though, according to my investigations, there hadn’t been any prior contact between the two of you. Plus…” He smiled, “You recently hired a former clan warrior to be your household Weapons Master. Furthermore, there was that book about the clans in the bookstore.”
“So what is it you’re trying to say, my lord?”
“The clans. All this is somehow related to the clans and Spencer Larouche.”
She tried to stay relaxed. There was no way Raymond could have found out. Besides, if he had, he would be more specific. The hoverbike event, or the fact that she discovered he was a mechwarrior. There was simply nothing to really tie her to the clans, and even her animosity to Pence could be explained by his almost kidnapping of her on Altoona.
“You better not lie to me.” Raymond stared at her intently. “You admire the clan way of life and seek to incorporate them into your own holdings, isn’t it?”
What? She tried to keep her surprise off her face. “Uhm…” Well, he was somewhat on the right track, but his conclusion was wrong. Stop nodding like that, all self-satisfied, because you’re wrong! Oh well, if you really want to think that, I am not going to say otherwise!
“By the way, my investigation showed that your father has been diverting large amounts of money to Kilbourne. Any idea why?”
She shook her head.
“That made me wonder what he was planning. And to be honest, I’m not sure how he even got his hands on that kind of money.”
She stared at Raymond, feeling wholly out of her depth. All these were why she hated politics and preferred to focus on battle. But like it or not, she was mired in it now.
“And…” he smiled craftily, “you admired Avryl Showers greatly, didn’t you? That’s why you were so interested in the clans. And also because she was your fiance’s rival, and could-have-been love interest. A pair of star-crossed lovers, how romantic.”
Whaaaat?!? Screamed Anastasia internally. Finn was actually interested in Avryl? Seriously? Or was it just Raymond’s way of fishing for additional information?
“So that’s why you learned things like piloting a mech and identifying mechwarriors, because you wanted to be like her.” He concluded with a smirk.
She replied, her face expressionless, “My lord, I really have no idea what you’re talking about. It would make more sense for you to ask my father about what those funds are being used for, not me.”
Raymond chuckled. “Just as I expected.”
“Pardon me?”
“If I’m asking you to come clean, I guess it’s only fair that I do the same.”
Anastasia tensed in anticipation. Could this be it?
“To put it very simply, I want to claim the Countship for myself.” He clenched his right fist in front of her, finally revealing outright his ambitions. “The Trivet will not prosper under Renard. You should know that.”
He continued, “I heard that after you nearly died, you lost your memories for a while before regaining them. You must have had a lot of regrets about how you had lived your life, and about your relationship with my brother, which was why you’ve gone through such a drastic change in personality.”
He looked so smug and self-satisfied that Anastasia felt like shoving her fist through his face and correcting all his misconceptions. Stop looking so pleased with yourself. It is almost comical how wrong you are about all of this. I will also need to crack down on any potential leaks in information once I get home. Hawise should be able to help me there.
Apparently, her newly appointed Weapons Master had decided that the security around the Kalinski estate was lacking, and was putting the security force through a brutal training regimen to toughen them up. Anastasia saw them in the morning doing a ‘Fun Run’ right after breakfast, and some of the guards were looking quite green around the gills.
“Why are you telling me all of this, my lord?”
“I trust, Lady Kalinska, that you won’t repeat this to anybody. And because,” his smirk disappeared and his tone became deadly serious, “in order to claim the Countship, I’ll need your help.”
Anastasia was perplexed. “My help? What can I…”
He cut in, “If you can do that for me, I will grant you whatever you ask as long as it is within my power to do so.”
A Trial of Grievance in a Circle of Equals against Pence, in equally matched mechs! That thought appeared in her mind, but another part advised caution.
She was pensive as she asked, “How can I help?
He answered, “My mother’s House is relatively powerless compared to the Drakes or Auberts who support Renard. I only have the support of minor nobles and some of the businesses in the Trivet.”
“I see.” She understood the strategic situation. “So you’re at a disadvantage.”
He smirked, “Don’t underestimate the power of words though. Katrina Steiner-Davion proved that, didn’t she?” He then conceded, “However, there is some truth in what you’ve said. I’m indeed at a disadvantage. Which is why I need the support of the next most powerful noble family in the Trivet.”
Criteria flitted through Anastasia’s mind as Raymond listed them. “A family with an outstanding reputation, wealthy, strong military power.”
She knew exactly which family he was referring to.
“I need the support of House Rason.” He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “I’d like you to persuade Finn. That’s how you can help me. Because Finn values you dearer than anybody else.”
She tried not to dwell on the implications of his words. “But why House Rason?”
“The late Viscount Rason supported me. Because he unofficially backed my claim, I was able and willing to take part in this political battle.” He sighed. “I’m sure you know this already, but Finn and I are friends. We grew up together as mechwarrior apprentices, learning the art of war from his father.”
Anastasia felt even more confused. “Then why not just ask him yourself for his support?”
“I know him very well. That’s why I also know how much he detests all this political manoeuvring. This is the one thing I would not be able to persuade him on.”
She countered, “Do you truly think I am capable of achieving something that even you cannot, my lord?”
“You’ll have to,” he nodded, “after all, you’re his fiancee. Make it so that his heart completely belongs to you…” he extended a hand, “...then bring him into this fight.” He closed his hand into a fist.
“And what if I decided I don’t want to help you?”
Raymond chuckled, “It’s not difficult to conduct a detailed audit of House Kalinski’s finances. All those irregularities would need to be justified to my father, Renard, and Viscounts Drake and Aubert. How do you think those greedy nobles will react?”
He waved a hand dismissively. “I’m well aware that such threats do not work on individuals such as yourself. You’re the type of person who has to make these kinds of decisions on your own. From this moment on, I won’t do a thing. Feel free to speak to your father about this if you wish. Of course, if Baron Kalinski were to take any action against me, I would retaliate.”
He is essentially saying I can’t tell my father about this… such a cunning freebirth. She glared at his smug visage.
Raymond was serious again. “You know well as I do, that Renard is in no way fit to inherit the Countship. I simply ask that you observe how I proceed. Judge for yourself, and make your decision. You can give me your answer then.”
I hold the key that will determine the winner of this fight. The realisation was chilling to Anastasia. And it had nothing to do with her skill in a mech, or her abilities in war. It was simply because of her position as Finn’s fiancee. In my current position, all I can do is sit here quietly and talk. That was completely at odds with her own upbringing as a clan mechwarrior.
She tried to protest, “But the struggle for the Countship has yet to begin. What exactly are you asking me to see?”
“No,” he refuted her firmly. “The struggle has already begun. Because of you, in fact.”
She looked at him in surprise.
“After my brother was confined and temporarily relieved of his duties, Viscounts Drake and Aubert began to be a lot more conscious of my father and his decisions. Can you believe that all of this happened as a result of your actions?”
“It’s not because of anything that I did, but because he tried to attack me.” She grimaced. “Anyway, I will give this matter some thought.”
“I recommend you not take too long to come to a decision. Time is finite, after all.”
“But I don’t have to give you an answer today, so I won’t.” She sighed. “I need some time to quietly organize my thoughts. Excuse me, my lord, but I think I’d like to be alone now.”
He smiled amicably. “I look forward to a favorable answer from you.”
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