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Easily noting her behavior, Li Dian paused for a second before answering, “Master Yue Jin? Yeah, we’ve been the best of buds for a long while now.”     Of course, he knew his comrade would not agree, being humble that he was.

        “You will? Oh, thank you so much!” she smiled gladly, releasing their intertwining fingers from hers. “Y-you see… this is about Master Yue Jin…” Cao Jie tried to keep her voice low, face lit with slight red tints. “I believe both of you have been friends, um, no–best of friends for quite of a long time, no?”

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Chuckling at the childish manner, Li Dian remarked, “Wow, must some intense question.” Raising his right hand in turn, he loosely linked his own end finger with hers. “Your secret is safe with me, my lady.”

         “Well, i-it’s not something much of an importance, but…” ah, what to say–she was a bit embarrassed. “…it’s something related to a certain person you are close with.” As he might had known. She kept quiet for a while, trying not to avert her gaze from his eyes–yet if he looked closely, there was a faint reddish tint up visible on her cheeks. 

         “But before I get to really ask for it… can you keep this a secret, General?” she handed her right hand, pinky finger raised. “Promise to me!”

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“I--- Well, if you’re certain...” Cautiously, Mancheng took his seat. His words were true though; something about casually sitting next to the daughter of his lord seemed discomforting. Then again, she did insist. Maybe if he kept his posture straight, he could still seem somewhat decent and alert.     “What is you wanted to ask, my lady?”

       “Eh?” she tilted her head to the side–confused, whether he was genuinely praising her… or he was just messing around with her. “Were you trying to hit on me?” asked the princess herself, confused. Yet then, a small giggle escaped her lips.

       “Oh, forget about it. Please, do sit,” she concluded, as she was reminded of a certain topic that she wanted to speak with the certain general next to her. “There is something that I’ve been wanting to ask you, general…”

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“Sure, I’m free. But...” Hand resting on his hip, Li Dian leaned the opposite way, using his free hand to rub the back of his neck as a hesitant chuckle escaped him. “Having a seat next to a beautiful woman would be very out of place for me, you know?”

         “Oh, it’s alright. Good afternoon, general,” she slightly bowed her head. “Are you currently free of your duty?” questioned the princess, moving a bit from her position and patted the empty space next to her. “If you are, please, take a seat. I’m currently in a need of a company…”

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In retaliation, Mancheng jumped back as well, retreating his hand as he nervously chuckled.     “Y--- Yeah, it’s me. Li Dian at your service. Sorry for startling you, my lady.”

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        “Hng…” and here she was, spending her afternoon in the city instead of studying in her chamber. People passed by in front of her, bowing and greeting the princess, but her mind was clearly somewhere else. Her gaze was blankly staring at the clear blue sky–until a hand that was patting her shoulder gave her a reaction of a surprise. “…Aaaah? Wh–wha–ah, i-it’s you… don’t surprise me like that.”

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"Ah yeah, I'll definitely be trying to live up to those expectations, if I'm ever to help contribute in Lord Cao Cao reaching his ambitions."

"Well, certainly, I do think you are one of the best. But you still need to catch up with my uncles to be the truly best… fufu."

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"----Yeah, I am one of the best, ain't I?"

"You really don’t have to worry, I never had any intention to behead nor kill anyone or anything. If I do, then father would lose one of his best generals," explained Jie, with slight tone of worry, if the general was still taking her words rather seriously.

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"Really? Phew, that's a load off my shoulders...         --Waitaminute----"

"No, I really don’t mean it that way—"

"…That answer wasn’t even serious, Master Li Dian. Please, I really have nothing against you to let you do such thing…"

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"It's fine, my lady. For the sake of your family, I shall sacrifice my own head. My precious, beautiful head..."

"M-Master Li Dian…! Aaaah—I—I’m so sorry! Please forget what I just said earlier! I never meant to say anything terrible about you!"

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 savageorchids:

"Charmed ‘n all that. As for my name, you don’t need to use all that ‘my lady’ stuff - just Ruolan’s fine. Diao Ruolan."

She slid a brimming glass over to Li Dian, wine slopping out over the rim to spill on the table. 

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diao Ruolan." Gloved hand lightly cupping the glass, he gave a lazy raise in a toast before taking a sip.

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"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm not familiar with your name, however, my lady."

"And it’s one that’s bound to just get better, I’m sure. You’re Li Dian, aren’t you? I’ve seen you around, but…I don’t think I ever got the chance to say hello until now.”

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"Wow, a free drink and a compliment? I had a feeling this was going to be a good day."

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"Well, someone’s a little late to the party - fashionably late, from the look of you. You want a drink? I can prob’ly spare one for a pretty face like yours.”

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