Maira only had one wish in this lowly life.
The suffocating dresses, the tightly-laced corsets, the thick cosmetics, the blinding jewelry, the vile gossips, the unsightly gazes, and worst of all… This abominable body.
These aren't it.
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Maira took a calming breath in. With familiarity, excessive thoughts were pushed back and everything became dull. The banquet hall started and everything within became a chore. Trained lips pulled up into sweet smiles as Maira mindlessly passed time… Every second made Maira's emotions dimmer.
"Miss Maira!" Pitiful flattery attempts.
"Greetings, Maira Alicia of the Lenard family." Stifling formalities.
"This is Maira…" Superiority complex.
"Lady Maira," "My lady, Maira." Power-hungry and lust-blinded pursuers.
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Their words are always similar while their intentions, predictable. Sweet words, sharp gazes, and fake smiles. Each and every time those words… the word 'Maira' was uttered, it hurt.
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It was only after the banquet that Maira finally felt calmer. Settled emotions became clear and determined as Maira entered the prepared room, finally shedding everything away. The dress was ripped away, the corset unlaced, the ring slipped off, and his name returned to him.
Maira could finally become Ritze.
Ritze patiently bound his chest with bandages, tied his hair away, and put on the prepared adventurer clothing and gears. He strapped daggers to his boots and holstered the most difficult-to-acquire guns behind his slender waist. A leather satchel is slipped on, filled with his valuables, essentials, and coins.
Ritze had trained and acquired various items secretly for this very moment. He was ready to never return to this stifling life. It was finally time… For Maira Lenard to disappear.
In her place, Ritze the Adventurer appeared.
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Ansoli Mesa Forya. I detested our engagement, but you're the only one that understood our… circumstances. I'm glad that we're friends instead.
Thank you for helping me grant Maira's wish and setting me, Ritze, free.
Send letters through the Association and I'll be sure to reply. You and your lover are always welcome here.
Ritze
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Ansoli smiled as he read the letter, leaning back on his lover's strong chest.