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𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
“What?!”
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A high-pitched scream, like a wail of Greed, echoed through the party hall.
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Attendees turned around, wondering what was happening.
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“Luke? Impossible! You’re supposed to be dead. . .”
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Greed staggered back with a pale face.
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“Thanks to you, I’m still alive. Although I might look a bit different.”
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“Nonsense! You can’t be! You fell into the valley and died!”
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Greed screamed, frothing at the mouth.
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Yes, Luke was supposed to have died that day.
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The assassin hired to dispose of Luke had appeared with Luke’s left hand as evidence.
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━I dropped Luke into the ravine to make it look like an accident, here’s the proof━
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Although not finding Luke’s body was a concern, everything thereafter had gone according to Greed’s plans.
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After the funeral, Greed had forcefully inserted a forged declaration of Luke’s title transfer, inheriting the Lordship of the Narejji domain and finally achieving his dream of becoming a Count.
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His future seemed smooth sailing, eventually moving from a local lord to national politics.
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Greed visualized his dream crumbling before his eyes.
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“N, Nonsense. . .”
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Greed groaned as if squeezing out the words.
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“Who are you! You can’t be Luke! You must be plotting to usurp my title!”
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People measure others by their own standards; Greed believed everyone else harbored schemes just like him.
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“I have no such intentions.”
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Luke gave a wry smile.
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“Honestly, I don’t care anymore about my uncle taking my title or who was behind the attack that day. Frankly, I’m not interested in titles or lordships, so please, continue without me.”
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“Lies!”
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Greed barked.
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His eyes were bloodshot, beyond rational thought.
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“Then why appear before me now? You must be up to something! Where is the security team? Arrest this fake at once!”
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“Calm down, Lord Greed.”
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Turning at the sound, Greed saw Sir Wilfred standing there.
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“Sir Wilfred?”
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“Is there a problem with my servant?”
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“Your. . . servant? Lu. . . this man? Ah!”
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It finally dawned on Greed that Luke was a servant of Alma, turning his face ashen.
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There was no comparison between Greed, a minor Narejji Count, and Sir Wilfred, the Rampart Margrave.
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Greed had just insulted the property of the Rampart Margrave in public.
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“Indeed. And, by the way, I am also his guardian.”
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“His. . . guardian?!”
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Greed’s face broke out in cold sweat.
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“I am aware of the history between you and Luke. Yet, out of consideration for you, Luke chose not to return to his territory. I am impressed by his nobility and decided to become his guardian. So, he is now akin to my family. If there’s an issue, I’d prefer it be brought through me first.”
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“That. . . that is. . . those. . .”
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Sir Wilfred sharply eyed Greed as he became flustered.
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“Come to think of it, you just called him a fake earlier, does that mean you are implying I am the kind of man who can be deceived?”
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“No, I. . . that. . . I never meant. . . that. . . Yes! I just remembered an urgent matter, so I must excuse myself now!”
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With that, Greed ran off, pushing through the crowd.
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“Really, what a commotion this turned out to be.”
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“Thank you.”
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Sir Wilfred smiled at Luke as he bowed his head.
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“No need to thank me. What you did for me is nothing compared to this. I thought you would punch him when you met again, but you seemed quite calm.”
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“I thought I would do that myself.”
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Luke chuckled bitterly.
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“When I saw his face, my anger just vanished. It seems he is already a person of the past for me.”
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“Hmm, you’ve grown up. But repaying a debt of gratitude is a man’s pride. I can cover for you if you just want to give him a bloody nose; no need to hold back.”
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“Please allow me to refrain. I can’t do something so unrefined in front of Alma and Sir Wilfred.”
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“Well said!”
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Sir Wilfred patted Luke on the back.
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“Then, let’s switch our mood and enjoy the party!”
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“Prince Gale, it’s time for you to make your appearance.”
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“I know.”
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Gale answered irritably.
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“Damn, I can’t get my hair to behave.”
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He repeatedly tried to fix his hair, only to mess it up each time.
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He was never keen on this party in the first place.
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Although the kidnappers had been arrested, the investigation had been progressing slowly ever since.
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During the interrogation, they just kept insisting they were selling to whoever came to buy, with no clue about who was behind them.
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Normally, he wouldn’t have time for parties, but the ministers had gone ahead and arranged everything.
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“Damn it, this is all because the guards acted hastily and messed things up.”
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Gale cursed alone, picturing Luke’s face in his mind.
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(Was he right? Would things have been different if I had been more cautious with the investigation. . .)
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“Don’t be ridiculous!”
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Gale punched the mirror as if to shake off the cloud of doubt covering his head.
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“The investigation is stalled because they messed up the scene! It’s all their fault!”
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He spat out irritably and turned on his heel.
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“Hey, what are you doing! Lead me to the venue quickly! I want to end this pointless farce!”
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Gale, followed by his flustered attendant, strode towards the party venue.