Chapter 27: Banishment from Rebirth

          I never gave the white fox’s tail to the King. I never even mentioned Desiderium’s name, knowing that I had to keep a secret with Nestor.  Somehow, the King knew of the kidnapping. Even Nestor was stunned by this revelation. In fact, he had bolted into my chamber fairly early in the morning, which caused Marie to reprimand him.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Innocent Couple Reconciles and the Queen of Spontaneity Cooks for the Leader

Naomi wondered how many times she had seen this image of a man leaving. Countless. Her father had abandoned the family when she was only five. She had seen his parting with a suitcase. She had seen her mother chasing after her father, screaming, “Am I not good enough? You’re leaving me for that whore, aren’t you?”

Naomi remembered asking, “Where are you going, Daddy?”

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Chapter 26: Desiderium from Rebirth

          “Ah, awake, sweet pea?” Again there was that frightening sound from that woman. “I would not move if I were you. You see this device here?”

          I looked left and right to discover that I was bounded with ropes on a cross. My arms and legs were spread apart to prevent me from escaping. My muscles were already too tense, making it impossible to even adjust myself to a better position.

          “If you move more, then the ropes will tighten even more. You would not want to take your own life, now would you?” she confirmed.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: A Delightful Congregation and the Leader’s Ideal Date Version 1.1

Junsu again had arrived fifteen minutes before the class ended to pick up Naomi. There was already someone at the classroom’s door, a student with pigtails. When Junsu was about to open the door, she stopped him by shouting, “Don’t! Nishio sensei is busy. S-she told me not to disturb her until after school.”

“I . . . suppose I’ll just wait here then.” He stood opposite to her, leaning his shoulder on the wall.

“Y-yeah,” she muttered while holding tightly onto a yellow folder.

Junsu felt impatient today as if he were about to implode. Seconds seemed like minutes and minutes resembled hours. So, he wasted his time by examining the student ahead of him. She appeared to be extremely shy, reminding him of Changmin in elementary school.

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Chapter 25: Plot from Rebirth

          Who said to fear embarrassment or shame? There was nothing to fear when one was wronged. Surely, the Queen had wrongfully treated me. The evidence from my injured cheek, was too apparent. Not to mention, my sling still attracted various glances from the audience.

          I didn’t dare smile on the exterior though. Instead, I kept my head low and purposely covered my cheek with my hand. More attention, I needed, so I dragged every step I made to the Wisteria Gardens for the banquet, unhesitant of what I was to do. What I hadn’t expected, however, was for him to encounter me first.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Leader Suggests to the Queen of Spontaneity his Perfect Date and the Free Spirit Plays Detective

How long had Rhett been waiting for the perfect date? He had conjured a list of locations for a date along with a set of activities. After carefully going through each place and even timing the events, he finally concocted a schedule that he had memorized precisely. The night before, he had even rehearsed aloud what they would do. This would happen, and then that, and then this, and then a bit of that . . .

Who would have thought that the first task had already been wrong? This was all thanks to Kannei. “Are you kidding me?” Kannei barked at him in the car. She had a look of fear mixed with anxiety, the complete opposite of what he had anticipated. Now, what had Rhett said to cause such a reaction?

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Chapter 24: Intentions from Rebirth

          “Peace,” I announced with assurance upon entering the King’s court. “That is what you have been searching for, Father.” The King who was reposed in his mighty throne had now awakened from his slumber. I had waited in line for a while for others to propose their answers and one by one, they exited, leaving the King in a rather distressed position.

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