The heavy gate of the castle. A carriage stopped in front of it.

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"This is Count Kuzma. Please open the gate.

The guard at the gate checked the crest on the carriage to make sure it belonged to the count, and then checked it against the passport presented by the gentleman,

"Open the gate!"

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In a clear voice, he announced to the officer at the top of the ramparts, "Open the gate! Then, with a heavy thud, the door opened,

"Please come through!"

The carriage passed through, escorted by the guards.

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The carriage passed through the door.

"Feels good!"

Bina was taking a bath at the residence of the Count of Galana. As expected of a count's mansion, the luxurious marble bathtub was overflowing with hot water.

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"I knew it, aristocrats must have a good life.

They are fundamentally different from the common people who bathe in water or at most wipe themselves with hot water.

"I have to work hard.

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Bina muttered to herself and left the bathtub.

When she returned to the changing room, she found that she had not taken off her clothes, but instead had put on new underwear and a bathrobe.

"I'm going to remember how extravagant I am," she said.

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She put on her underwear. The silk felt comfortable against my skin.

After putting on the bathrobe, she went out of the changing room. There was a small, fat, middle-aged man.

"Oh," he said.

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"Wow, he's quite good, isn't he?"

The man who put his hand on his chin and muttered that was dressed in luxurious clothes and looked like he had a certain status. Then Bina said,

"Oh, uh, who are you?"

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"Yes?　I am Count Galana.

Count?

Bina bows hurriedly and the Count waves his hand,

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He waved his hand and said, "Ah, that's all right. But follow me."

"What?"

I said follow me!

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What?

The Count forcefully grabbed Bina's hand. Bina shakes him off.

"If you disobey me, what will happen to your brother or sister?

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"......!"

A clear threat. Bina's face freezes.

"Come on, come on."

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Beena's hand is grasped again and she is dragged away. Her face is pale.

They walk down a corridor, up a flight of stairs, and arrive at a room.

"Come in."

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The lady-in-waiting at the door gives Bina a pitying look for a moment, then follows the Count's order, opens the door, and the two enter.

"......"

In the middle of the room is a large bed. As expected, Bina has an idea of what is going to happen here. But with a glimmer of hope, she asks, "Well, what's going to happen here?

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"Well, what are you doing here?"

Count Galana smiled a wicked smile on his greasy face,

"Gufu, what, you ask? It's like this,......!"

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"Kyaah!"

Her bathrobe is suddenly pulled off, and Bina loses her balance. She falls into a bed.

"The night is long, let's have some fun."

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"No, no. ......"

Beena tries to put up a token resistance to the Count, who comes at her with his jacket off,

"Don't you love your brother or sister?"

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But when he asks her that again, Beena stops resisting.

"Don't be so afraid, I'll take care of you.

With these words, the Count leaned over Beena.

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"No, no!"

But her voice only amused him.

"I love it when she makes a sound like that," he said.

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And just as his hand was about to slip on Bina's underwear, there was a knock at the door.

There was a knock at the door. At first the Count ignored it, but when the knock sounded again, he said,

"Shut up! I'm busy!"

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I yelled at him,

"I'm sorry, sir. But Count Kuzma is here to see you."

"What?

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Even though they hold the same rank of count, Count Kuzma's family is an old family, while Count Galana's family is an upstart. They have a different voice in the kingdom. He couldn't just ignore her. Count Galana clicked his tongue and walked away from Bina.

His footsteps echoed as he left the room. Bina breathes a sigh of relief when the door is closed behind her.

Welcome, Kuznetso!

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"Welcome, Count Kuzma."

Count Galana comes out to greet her in the entrance lobby.

"No, I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night, but..."

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Then don't come here! Count Galana yells in his mind, but on the surface he seems to be smiling,

"No, if it's urgent, it can't be helped. So, what can I do for you?"

He started the conversation in the lobby where he greeted me, clearly wanting me to leave as soon as possible.

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Yes, let's get on with it. ...... Magecraftsman, please hand over Beena."

What?

Her assistant told me that Count Galana invited her. I have also confirmed with the guards at the gate that she has not left the city walls.

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"......"

Count Galana hastily calculates the pros and cons in his brain. He was dealing with an old family that was participating in the national government, even if they were young priests. This is a count family that has risen from a viscount with money. It would be better to follow their lead here.

"Oh, oh, it's Beena. I was just letting her use the bath, but I'm sure she's finished by now. I'll have her call you now. Hey!"

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Claude hurries away.

"..............."

The silence hurts. Galana's back was sweating profusely.

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Bina arrives shortly afterwards, accompanied by Claude. Her clothes were back on. She was also carrying a bag of money.

Are you Beena?

"Yes, I am."

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Beena was suddenly brought in front of another nobleman, and she looked uneasy, but Count Kuzma recognized her,

"My name is Count Kuzma. I've been sent by Jin-dono to pick you up."

"What?　Jin?

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The color of blood returned to Bina's face at the mention of the name Jin.

"That's right. Let's go."

Count Kuzma beckoned Bina to follow him. Beena walks toward him slowly. Count Kuzma gently takes Bina's hand,

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"Well then, Count Galana, thank you for your hospitality.

With these words, he left the place.