Chapter 40

Sure, here’s the translation in comedic anime style:

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Lips quivering, Harnier turned around and said to the man.

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“Ch-Ch-Choose me instead! I’ll eat one more! It doesn’t matter, right?”

“What about ‘no returns,’ Miss?”

“That’s such a lie! You didn’t even ask for my opinion!”

—

The man then pretended to cry dramatically.

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“Well, there’s no other way. I had such a good offer for the Young Master…”

“…”

“Did you use all three chances given to you by the Young Master? Is this what Miss threw away?”

“…”

“Oh wow, this guy is really good at business!

I bet on both of them not winning.”

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“Alright! I’ll eat it then!”

“Very wise choice!”

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The man’s fake tears disappeared as if they were never there, and he neatly folded his eyes into a very satisfied smile.

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Meanwhile, Harnier was moaning in pain while holding half-eaten fish cake for a long time.

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She then cleaned the skewer thoroughly.

Maybe her face is turning red because the spiciness is coming late?

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This woman can’t resist spicy food either.

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“Give me the bead.”

“Yes, here it is.”

The man grinned as he handed over the bead. Oddly enough, even though he might win a prize, he was grinning like a fool.

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I asked Harnier again,

“Is it number 4? The one you’ve been looking at.”

“…”

“Harnier My Lady? Ah, you ate something spicy, right? Should I buy something for you?”

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Harnier, who hadn’t spoken, glared at me with a slightly flushed face, trying to step on my foot.

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But she stopped and stomped on the floor instead, making her intentions unclear.

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“This won’t work!”

“Don’t say anything!”

“But wasn’t that what you wanted?”

“Didn’t I tell you not to say anything!”

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After that, Harnier stomped on the ground several times.

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Probably because of the spiciness.

Maybe she’ll be fine if I leave her alone for a bit.

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A moment later, when Harnier moved aside,

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“There it is.”

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I easily got what she wanted.

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“…”

“Shouldn’t you take it? It looks like what you wanted.”

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*Zap!*

It looked like lasers were about to shoot out of Harnier’s eyes.

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“Ah… Fine. I’ll take it.”

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She seems to accept it reluctantly.

Why is she acting like this?

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***

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When Harnier opened the prize box from the shop, she sighed immediately.

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“Something wrong?”

“No.”

“Then why are you sighing?”

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She sighed deeply again.

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“You’re really… too dull in situations like these.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

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If you’re going to say something, explain it fully. Why end it so abruptly?

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I sort of understood why people get angry when someone cuts off their words mid-sentence.

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In the meantime, Harnier opened the box and took out the item.

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“Here.”

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She held out one to me.

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“Hmm? What is it?”

“What do you mean? One is for you.”

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The prize from the shop was a pair of rings with matching engravings on identical gems representing the Royal Ring of the Kingdom of Wederos.

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“Aren’t you supposed to wear them both?”

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I wasn’t particularly interested in the rings.

They didn’t look good together, and they wouldn’t sell for much money either.

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“No, no. You should wear both. I don’t mind.”

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Harnier narrowed her eyes.

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“Forget it? You’re my fiancé. The noble ladies came to visit earlier for that reason.”

“What?”

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No way.

Suddenly, the answer popped up in my head.

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“Even if we’re engaged, isn’t this a bit much?”

“It’s not too much! We’ll be suspected otherwise!”

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Apparently, jewelry gifts among nobles are quite common.

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Necklaces, pendants, amulets, bracelets, cravats… All sorts of gifts are exchanged.

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“If we don’t exchange gifts, won’t it make others suspect we have no interaction?”

“Well… If I just say I gave you a gift…”

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Harnier rubbed her forehead with one hand.

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With gritted teeth, she said,

“We’re in a secret relationship, having clandestine meetings.”

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Oh, the pronunciation is off.

Especially when saying “secret relationship,” it sounds like “secret relationship” is being mumbled.

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If I don’t take it, another spike will be added to my back.

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“Okay, I understand.”

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I took the ring with a nervous sweat.

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I thought for a moment, then grabbed Harnier’s hand.

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“Can I see your hand for a moment?”

“What are you doing?”

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I remembered something from etiquette books.

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If you’re in a relationship, you’re supposed to put the ring on your partner’s finger, right?

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So, I put the ring on Harnier’s left ring finger.

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“Does this fit the etiquette?”

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I asked her with satisfaction.

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Harnier stared blankly at the ring on her finger, then snatched her hand away.

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“Was the etiquette wrong?”

“No, no… That’s not it…”

“Really?”

“Um… We don’t need to go this far! Just show the ring! Who’s watching us anyway…”

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“Oh.”

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Right.

There’s no point in showing off etiquette in front of nobles unless they’re doing it openly.

—

Moreover, considering most of the festival-goers are commoners, there’s no need to be so formal.

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“I wanted this ring for the same reason. To show the nobles we’re in a relationship…”

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“Really?”

“…”

“Why do you look at me like that?”

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She squinted suspiciously again.

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“Earlier too… If you did it on purpose…”

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“Why would I do something on purpose? I’m just following the etiquette.”

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Harnier sighed deeply, looking like she expected this.

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“Phew. Please, don’t do anything conspicuous.”

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She wants me to forget what she said before.

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She thinks she misunderstood, so she wants to pretend she didn’t hear it.

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I agreed to do so.

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Also, she strongly advised me not to follow that etiquette.

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“It’s not wrong, but… you shouldn’t mess with etiquette. Don’t do it next time.”

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“Really? I learned it from a book and thought I’d try it out.”

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“Heh. Such a sharp person suddenly… Oh, right. That makes sense. Phew…”

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She understands after asking herself.

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What kind of situation is this?

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Harnier sighed deeply again, changing her expression.

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“What kind of book was it? I should know the title.”

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“Um…”

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Carsein’s books were mostly in tatters, handled by maids. Using the family library or bookstore is too risky.

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So, I read some books in the room… but the cover was torn, so I couldn’t tell what it was.

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“Just don’t read it. Or throw it away.”

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“Why throw away a perfectly good book?”

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“I’ll recommend a proper etiquette book! Throw it away. Got it?”

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I want to say something, but spikes are flying everywhere.

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I don’t know why, but I feel like I did something wrong.

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Bang!

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A sudden sound made us turn our heads.

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It was the sky.

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As the evening sky deepened, colorful fireworks exploded in snowflake shapes, painting the sky with vibrant colors.

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“Woah.”

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Harnier gasped in admiration, like a child seeing the festival for the first time.

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“It’s beautiful. How do they make things like this?”

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Actually, she’s seeing the festival for the first time.

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Watching the multicolored fireworks reflected in her purple eyes…

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It’s clear she hasn’t enjoyed this festival before.

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I’ve felt the same.

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“Didn’t Prince Carsein say he attended a snow festival before?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see fireworks like this back then?”

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She fixed her gaze on the night sky and asked me.

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If not for Memorial’s help, I wouldn’t be able to answer.

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“Back then, it wasn’t shaped like snowflakes.”

“Really?”

“It was much worse. They couldn’t even form shapes. It was just colorful blobs.”

“Hmm. The magic formula must have been incomplete.”

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Harnier smiled, guessing the reason.

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“Shall we go closer to see it?”

“Uh?”

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“It’s hard to see from here. We should go to the center of the festival for a better view.”

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Harnier shook her head.

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“There’s no need. This view is enough.”

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No way.

Definitely a lie.

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On the contrary, she wants to experience everything and try everything.

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“Let’s go, Carsein? Why is my hand…”

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“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To see that.”

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I grabbed her hand and said.

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“I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s amazing and beautiful. I want to hear more explanations.”

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“We don’t need to go there now. We can see similar things anytime.”

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“No, now is the perfect time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime snow festival. We can’t miss this chance.”

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Her violet eyes, filled with longing, reveal her desire to stay longer.

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She wants to walk further, spend more time, and enjoy the festival more.

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So, I wanted to give her this chance.

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“As lovers, we don’t need to rush. Let’s stay a bit longer.”

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“But Carsein, you’ll waste your time…”

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“Yes, it’s a waste. We should enjoy every moment. Let’s go quickly!”

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By accepting her gratitude honestly, I led her by the hand, following my true desires.

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Bang!

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A large purple snowflake exploded in the sky.

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Though it wasn’t clear…

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“Got it! Got it! Let’s go slowly!”

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Harnier’s lips curved upward as she walked lightly, holding her dress.

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See? Definitely a lie.

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***

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Dozens of patterns are etched in the sky.

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As the night deepened, the street became darker, and the citizens created brighter lights.

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Lanterns, lighting, and fireworks.

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All kinds of lights transformed the festival into a fleeting moment.

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Harnier’s face wore a faint smile.

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“I almost missed it if you hadn’t come.”

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Carsein said this while looking at the festival scene after it ended.

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Harnier felt the same, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it due to what she mentioned earlier.

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He continued,

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“Harnier, did you have fun?”

“Yes, I had fun.”

“Good. I thought you were just being nice.”

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That’s impossible.

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Of course, she noticed the effort.

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Harnier shook her head immediately.

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“It was quite different and enjoyable. The festival.”

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“Is that so?”

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The reason for coming here was simply to prevent an unexpected incident.

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But, this unique experience.

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This unfamiliar leisure time.

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It was enjoyable. Truly.

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“Indeed. This deal wasn’t a loss. Even though you wasted my time and got no return.”

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Harnier smiled thinly at his words.

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“You don’t really think that, do you?”

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“Caught?”

“Yes. A while ago.”

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This side’s excuse seemed plausible.

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“The festival is over, shall we go back?”

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The day was coming to an end.

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Two noble men and women walked towards a carriage in the distance.

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Their steps were neither too big nor too small.

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This meant they had a day without any regrets.

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“Thank you today.”

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Before getting into the carriage, Harnier thanked Carsein.

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“Hmm. I guess I should practice etiquette in the carriage.”

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“What practice? You already mastered it.”

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“Perhaps. I don’t want to give any openings to those noble ladies.”

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“Fine, fine. But… Carsein, sorry for asking suddenly, but can I ask one thing?”

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“What?”

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I’ve been hesitant to ask, but I’ve been curious.

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Now that the festival is over and the timing is right.

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“What were you doing outside the festival before meeting me?”

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He clearly went outside before meeting me.

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It means he didn’t come to enjoy the festival.

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Yet, he pulled my hand to see the snow festival.

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These two actions contradict each other.

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Carsein chuckled.

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“Our deal is still valid, right? You can still propose anything.”

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