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𝐒𝐭. 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩!
The next day’s St. Arrogas newspaper featured a prominent article on the front page announcing that the St. Arrogas Defense Squad had cracked down on a major kidnapping ring.
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The article stated that the twelve women who had been abducted were all individuals who had gone missing within St. Arrogas city.
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However, the paper did not mention a single word about Sicily, Luke and Alma, who had actually rescued the women.
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“Well, I expected as much.”
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Luke let out a bitter smile as he read the newspaper being distributed throughout the city.
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“Luke!!”
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At that moment, Alma and Sicily arrived.
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Both of them had gloomy expressions on their faces.
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“Good morning, you both look like you’ve seen the newspaper too, huh?”
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“Not just that!”
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Alma shook her head with a somber face.
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“We’ve been ordered to take a month off from work.”
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That morning, as usual, they had gone to work, but were suddenly called by Rebecca and told to take a month off.
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“Sorry, this order comes from much higher up than the guard squad.”
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Rebecca said this, bowing her head apologetically.
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“Apparently, there’s been a complaint from somewhere about interference in the investigation. I think you can guess who’s behind it, but all I could do was put you on temporary leave. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”
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It was an unexpected turn of events for the two, but they couldn’t protest in front of Rebecca, who was apologizing profusely, and ended up having to take an unexpected vacation.
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“It’s definitely got to do with the St. Arrogas Defense Squad. They weren’t content just stealing our credit.”
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Sicily said that and irritably took a bite of the pancake.
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The three of them were sitting at a table in the Ginsei-tei’s restaurant, explaining the situation to Luke.
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“Well, at least we’re getting some pay while on leave, but still, what’s going on? Did we do something wrong?”
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“Now, now, we don’t even know where the complaint came from yet.”
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Alma, with a wry smile, comforts Sicily.
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“But. . . it’s hard to accept, isn’t it? When it’s this blatant, it feels like everything we did was for nothing. . .”
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“Maybe it’s a warning to us.”
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Luke muttered.
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“Either they’re telling us not to talk about yesterday’s incident, or warning us not to act on our own.”
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“Either way, it feels like no matter how much we risk our lives, we’re just pawns being played by greater powers. It’s kind of disheartening to think about.”
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A heavy mood hung over the table.
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“So, what do you two plan to do now? You’ve got a month off, is there anything you want to do?”
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Luke broke the somber atmosphere.
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“Hmm, I might go back to my parents’ house. I haven’t been back in a while, and my boyfriend is currently away on a business trip.”
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“I’m also planning to go back home. Otou-sama has been asking me to come back and visit for a while.”
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“I see, both of you are going home then. I guess it’ll be lonely for a while.”
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Alma was taken aback by Luke’s words, which he uttered abruptly.
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Luke, being pursued by his guardian uncle, is even in danger of losing his life.
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He has nowhere to return to even if he wants to go back.
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“I guess. . . then I should also go to master’s place for a while. . .”
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“Luke!”
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Before she knew it, Alma had shouted out.
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“Would, would you like to come to my house?”
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“To your house? To the Bastille house? Me?”
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Luke blinked at Alma’s words.
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“Oh my, my, my?”
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Sicily eyes narrowed with interest.
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“Y, Yes, to my house!”
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While thinking she had blurted it out, Alma desperately strung together her words.
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“Because. . . not Luke but. . . I mean, I. . . well, yes! It’s summer now, right? The Bastille house is deep in the mountains, perfect for escaping the heat! St. Arrogas is hot, and since it’s a good opportunity, I thought Luke could come to cool off too! We have a place to stay and meals. . . and hot springs! Rampart territory is famous for its healing waters! And then. . . and then. . .”
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She no longer fully understood what she was saying.
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“That’s right.”
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Luke smiled at Alma.
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“Since Alma invited me, I guess I should accept the invitation.”
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“Really?!”
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Alma’s eyes sparkled at Luke’s reply.
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“Yes, and I’d like to see where Alma was born too.”
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“I’m happy. . .! It’s mostly mountains, but it’s a lush green place where you can surely relax!”
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“So, it’s like that. Then maybe I should also take advantage of this opportunity. I’ve been thinking of resting my bones after recent heavy duties.”
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“Sicily, weren’t you supposed to go back to your parents’ house?”
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“Oh, come on, it’s just a joke.”
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Sicily said with a laugh and whispered to Alma.
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“So you’re finally introducing him to Otou-sama?”
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“Oh, it’s not like that!”
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Amidst their conversation, Luke smiled and gazed out the window.
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The tranquil morning air enveloped the streets.
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“To think I could travel again like this, something I never even dreamed of when I was in the mountains.”
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A week later, Luke and Alma were swaying in a long-distance dragon carriage as they arrived in the Bastille territory.
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“I’m sorry, I really wanted to ride in the Bastille family’s private dragon carriage, but I wanted to surprise Otou-sama.”
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“It’s fine. I prefer this kind of unpretentious journey anyway.”
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Luke smiled, but Alma still grumbled regretfully.
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“Ugh. . . It was supposed to be a trip just for the two of us. . . But if Otou-sama found out I was going with Luke, he would definitely refuse. . .”
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“Did you say something?”
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“No, it’s nothing!”
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The final stop of the dragon carriage was in the Bastille territory’s capital, named Saint Alma.
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Alma’s father had changed the city’s name in commemoration of his only daughter’s birth.
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“Ugh. . . It’s always embarrassing coming here. . .”
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Alma blushed as she got off the dragon carriage.
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“Really? I think it’s a nice name. Besides, this city feels nostalgic to me, like I’ve been here before. . .”
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“Oh, stop it, Luke, don’t tease me!”
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The two then boarded a contracted dragon carriage and headed for the Bastille family mansion.
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The mansion was located in the outskirts of Saint Alma, against the backdrop of a mountain.
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“A, Alma-ojousama? Please, wait a moment. I’ll call the master right away!”
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The maid who came to greet them went to call Alma’s father with a surprised look.
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Soon, the sound of metal clanking approached.
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“Alma! My beloved daughter! If you were coming home, you should have told me, I would have come to meet you. . .”
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Alma’s father, Rampart Margrave Wilfred Bastille, burst into the reception room with his arms raised, and upon seeing Luke sitting next to Alma, fainted on the spot.