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"How did you know I was a woman?"

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"...... I wonder why you thought you wouldn't be found out. A man's frame is very different from a woman's. It doesn't matter how tightly you wrap your chest with cloth.

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 Kate said this quickly, as if in disgust. Everyone around me agreed with him and shook their heads.

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"The whole squad didn't find out about it."

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 Mark responds to my small mutterings.

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"They're the kind of guys who think muscle is better than brains. Even if they find out you're a woman, you'll be able to shut them up with your strength.

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"I'd like to see their faces when they find out they lost to a woman."

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 Victor has a grin on his face and a happy, kid-like expression on his face.

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"This guy's pretty good. I mean, I've never seen a kid like him before.

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"You've been calling me 'kid, kid, kid' all day. I'm 16 years old today.

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 Everyone froze at my words.

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 Oh, did I say something so funny? I'm only human. It's natural for me to age.

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"Is today your birthday?"

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 Victor opens his mouth with a roll of his eyes.

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"Yes. ...... What's wrong?"

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"You're old enough to drink, ain't you?"

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"Well, it's illegal."

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 We've been told for years that you have to be 20 to drink and smoke. I mean, isn't it normal to say "Happy Birthday" to someone when you hear that it's their birthday, even if it's not from the heart?

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 ...... You can't expect normalcy from Victor.

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"It's legal in Laval. I don't know about where you're from."

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"Where is this country I used to be in?"

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 I answered immediately, but inwardly I was extremely nervous.

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 Since when did they know I was not from this country?

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 Was it because I showed my ...... eyes? But I spoke the ancient language of the Laval. I played the countryman to the hilt, didn't I?

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"You're not from this country, are you, little girl? This is interesting."

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 Kate takes an instant interest in me. The way he looks at me is like he's discovered a new kind of flower.

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"Actually, I'm not from here either."

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 I know.

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These three will be your educators from today on.

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 What about ......?

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 Victor's suggestion makes my mouth gape open.

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 The grandfathers have never heard of it before, but they don't show their surprise.

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"Why are you asking the brains of this country to educate me?"

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 Victor gives no answer. I continue talking.

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"The prince is right, I may not belong here. Maybe I will rebel. And yet you try to make me grow up. ....... What on earth do you want?"

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"...... you think too deeply. I just gave my man a chance to learn. Take it as a birthday present."

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"Sure, learning is the most exciting gift, but ......"

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"I've never heard a woman say that before."

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"You would never do something like this to a mere subordinate without profit. There's always a deeper motive.

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"What do you think is behind this?"

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 Why are you making me tell you that? Viktor's question is what gets me.

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"You overestimate my abilities. I'm not that great. I know you think that the prince is a great scholar and a great fighter, but I am not the kind of person who can be of any use to you.

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 After a pause, he replies.

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"Is that because you are not from this country? Or is there someone else you want to serve?"

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 Either answer reveals that I am not from this country. ......I'm sure they already know.

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 How can there be a man who works for a prince and is not loyal to him?

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 When I remained silent, he let out a small sigh.

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"Well. I don't expect that much from you. Go to ...... already."

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 I hope he's tired of me. I don't need a subordinate who doesn't listen to me.

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Now, if you'll excuse me.

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 With that I turned my back on the prince and turned to leave.

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 As I was leaving the room, I heard the prince's voice behind me.

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"Well, it depends on your ability whether these three can teach you anything or not."

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 ...... means that they can't teach me anything unless they expect me to. If I am not good enough, they will cut me.

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 So the choice is theirs, not mine.

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 I love stories like this, they burn me up.

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