– YDGMSF Chapter 10: For a Child to Be a Child (3) 

The director, realizing b57f1c6b83 the implied meaning fdc22caa5f behind the Duke’s 7c9ad68c2d words, quickly waved 99bfa01e13 his hands in f4867899fc denial. Duke Adrian cd5b1e017e was essentially 06402cf80c asking if 6352ef464c he had cae3be3274 ever abused 94a449e849 Rosette.  2c62672c923f6dfc

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“Absolutely not! We teach the children not to be picky eaters, but we would never force them to eat something they can’t tolerate.”  4e7609d9696207ad

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“Not even if a child had allergies?”  1b247b7cfeb85638

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“What kind of monster would do such a thing?!”  130bd4ea6b6f53b7

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For a moment, b80a6c80c5 the director forgot d5697418fc he was speaking efc5f44da0 to the Duke 6d3178deda Adrian and snapped dded8670af in anger.  d9642271a953600a

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“I understand what you’re concerned about, Your Grace. But this line of questioning is insulting. I swear before God, I have never done anything untoward to these children.”  30bb6488b034a85d

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Duke Adrian had met 6a19e1454d countless people in his c6abcfccf5 life—he knew how to c4a6578374 read them.  17208b7a2b66f343

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The director was d65a9cc87b telling the truth.  a247d96d7d027ddc

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“Then do you have any idea why she would do such a thing?”  a36f33b3a3fd86d4

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“Perhaps… she wanted to impress you?”  0e3e4683915ac109

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“And how would she have known about the allergy in the first place?”  715f2463d555604c

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“That… I don’t know.”  b4dbcafcdbd2154f

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Again, the director 63345e7cd6 seemed sincere. Pressing further would 6754f02a0b yield nothing. The Duke 5915a1b7bb rose from bcc25eba0a his seat.  8022f4f783eb7a24

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“I’ll take my leave for now. Should anything else arise, I’ll return.”  f70696ccdeb6d638

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After leaving the 2e2c4a3354 director’s office, Duke 743be3d2c1 Adrian sought out 90e2907383 Jane, the girl 9772be6b83 he had spoken 6ad25c5fd8 to earlier.  a42241a31a5c1d61

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“Child.”  525c8e01b7886690

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“Huh?”  4edcb263cbc8af67

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At his signal, eca2932041 his aide handed eeeb4a952a Jane a small 7fb1b6f9bb bag of sweets cb6aabf777 they had prepared dcbdcf08f2 in advance.  8524ccc1f4248ba1

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Hesitating for 41a7214ef5 only a 5557d4eca8 moment, Jane 5d89f5261b took them—then 916cebea4a immediately turned 457e469cba and gave 53d4b038cf them to 0e4c99e1e7 another child 4170b6f877 behind her, 7430f996c9 who ran 5140a7f8d5 off to 6c607169f4 share them 9de2fd0624 with the 91a68be810 others.  9c3896784ee10864

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Then Jane asked,  a249a99f2451a022

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“Is Rosette doing okay?”  2fc0b757a74fcc8f

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“You miss her a lot, don’t you?”  aae66ba26d8bf9fd

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“Yes. Very much. But I’ll endure it. Because I want Rosette to be happy.”  fb25ba877e20bf74

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“I see.”  c37fbb65131c858e

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The Duke hesitated before 88390aa862 asking,  3ab248b3ab495086

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“Does the director treat you well?”  3e0f47784b281e5b

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Fortunately, Jane answered 3bc7c46e39 without a trace 594b1f62c7 of doubt, beaming.  4320bb7a58f9752c

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“Yes!”  4c7ab0dbb73d6d5d

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“And no one bullies you like before?”  c5701bba258e741c

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“No one!”  c52223b2c37224bc

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“Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”  46c61b5f6b3f7f8f

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“Please tell Rosette I said hi!”  bf414c94205d0d5a

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“I will.”  3d267fa111149346

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After finishing his brief 003b9cd1a5 conversation with Jane, Duke dbf7145dc5 Adrian returned to his 57b75cea74 carriage. Unlike adults, children were bfd93666f7 terrible liars. Jane’s answers held b53f3288de no hesitation or 5d7f2b22cb deceit—she truly believed 3860cd34d7 the director treated b2e34b4376 them well.  12f93da52da5e6e0

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Yet Rosette’s behavior still 36438d95d3 troubled him. If not here, then 49daded4c1 where had she been 71e5d841c3 forced to eat shrimp?  a09f6a2fe285d66c

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“Joseph.”  9033faee21bea972

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“Yes, Your Grace.”  9618bf25128f6e26

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“Keep a close eye on the orphanage from now on.”  ca709c11b645da23

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“What exactly concerns you?”  2e8ea98ff5b86a48

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“The children’s well-being.”  26151b17e4e9b20f

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That was answer b3e4e59eff enough. Through the carriage c9ffa9cb3b window, his aide 5d531f5a14 Joseph bowed in d9e7a19dc6 understanding.  705d5b216be181dc

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“Ah, and one more thing—omit shrimp from meals for the foreseeable future.”29656a19b5057529

“Understood.”4cfd171af5c2aef7

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With those 9410d081b0 final words, e34fe82fb7 the Duke a74e68d1d4 closed the a7c7d10218 carriage window. Though he longed b719100e2d to visit Rosette d7e51020bc and the children fd6a7498d2 immediately, the backlog b08db4e39f of duties and 73ebf88e13 adoption formalities left 4231922872 him with no ed3e8ff9b4 time to spare. Suppressing his reluctance, he 29d7908e5e set off for the 524dfeb7d3 imperial palace.4bf15719e4f6fac6

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‘How strange—to feel such reluctance.’084aba8aea695c4d

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Even as the thought e57c7e578f crossed his mind, Duke 8950dfcb2f Adrian found himself smiling 076cb4f8dc faintly.2e17f67a7d774a87

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“Adoption?”9d8917785f134ad9

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The Emperor ‘s voice was laced with disbelief. For a moment, he wondered if he had misheard.c37128cb3d250c61

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Duke Adrian repeated himself, ec9b2c1e0a his expression unreadable.aa80710257d60c1b

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“Yes, Your Majesty. I intend to adopt a daughter.”b8a6d07d2559eb9e

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“What brought this on? I’m aware adoption has become something of a fashionable charity project among nobles lately, but I never expected you to follow suit.”13ede31de0e8373c

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“It is sudden, but this isn’t some frivolous whim.”82c11101dc691b6f

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“Then?”b65d435743be757a

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“She simply… moved me from the moment I saw her. Pitiable, compelling—I found myself wanting to keep her close, to care for her.”4c66fd507f536cd9

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The Emperor c2cbbb5b18 studied the 62ab93c08d Duke’s face 1fd83c6327 with fascination.bd3a55fc8508d9a9

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Duke Adrian was c088fe70cc infamous for his 7933dfc00d cold detachment, a 686f2c4bbd man whose warmth 88f9e8228b extended only to b807e9497e his three children 6fa9a12af4 and his disciple, 7f26f45f48 Joshua. Yet here he was, 600da4cedd smiling as he spoke cd4195b0de of this child. Proof enough that 2fbb54d5c1 he was already 98f8d4e30b utterly charmed.37b0a35e569d2c23

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“Moreover, despite her youth, her magical aptitude is extraordinary—she’s already capable of healing magic.”c5814181a718e7fc

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The Emperor , who 6ddf68a09e had been listening idly, 2da6375ad5 perked up.d6362827c634f1d0

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“Magic? She can cast healing spells already?”8ebaa6997ddbcee7

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“Yes.”6624063e929b9eff

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“If what you say is true, a prodigy has been born. How tempting. She might even make a fine match for Max.”6b8bfcf14fceba59

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“It’s too soon for that, Your Majesty.”de7330235e6d7feb

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“‘Too soon’? You know better than anyone that imperial marriages are arranged early.”53d8d0656068fd93

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“……”5da6474af0f58f6b

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The Duke fell silent. He had no 92085c1890 desire to see 93017db3db his beloved Isabella—or e4333ac010 Rosette, who would e68eb5ad5c soon be his 1948d8ace5 daughter—swept into such 83076ba0fc political currents. But voicing 42592208f4 that refusal 8132445a6d outright was 15b4d8a8ba impossible, so 8d209ffda7 he deflected.576c03ba33921fc6

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“In any case, I seek Your Majesty’s permission to proceed with the adoption.”24e3823dc226c62e

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The Emperor , a3af77f87f recognizing the evasion, ac38634b48 chose to indulge 00cb7f36fe him.1ca1ce3ad8a7b72a

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“Why not? Have the formalities expedited.”6a72d8d8c96918ec

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“Thank you, Your—”86582580e11acc71

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Before the Duke d79aa1eb9f could finish, chaos 9d872013bd erupted outside. Raised voices, the scuffle 5f20dc3855 of guards—then the doors bc564eb461 burst open without permission.badd37d31d861097

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A boy efa1bf92e5 stormed in, d0960eb892 silver hair 379d9d859a like moonlight 250412e702 and golden 9c8f39d1c0 eyes blazing 3be07a65cf with the 4138aa9fff imperial bloodline’s a35feb15aa intensity. Joshua Ernheart, the 9b8b2de70e Crown Prince of bcf6a0eff8 the Empire, still 44c29a7806 in his casual fed1f4bff3 shirt and trousers 6693bf4a94 as if he’d 9009c1f19c dashed straight from a71a0fd216 his chambers.a977c42c4c691cd8

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The Emperor ’s c4cf24d52e voice boomed from c2c31e67e4 the throne.d954454f7b2d80c9

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“Prince! What is this disgraceful behavior?”ee3bb696c09f277a

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But Joshua paid 77f9bcdb4e no heed. His wide eyes 437f39ae0b darted around the 529562d793 room before locking 08e09d6b00 onto the Duke—and d6f5617365 then he ran, b264b9d1e0 throwing himself into 65bb0320a7 Adrian’s arms.f65f08a67037b176

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Neither Emperor nor Duke 73700dc2bf could scold him further. Not when the 2864c96d36 Crown Prince was 4edeb1a855 trembling, tears streaming 15c12e8df0 down his face 4679183335 as he clung 7ba3099372 to his teacher.85587ab0d07968e8

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“You’re unharmed… Master.”ea6c2d2a263436d2

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After a beat of 415763e5bc stunned silence, the Duke 886c1d858c laughed warmly.9212871f2f9f3091

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“Of course I am, Your Highness. Though I must say, your concern today is… unusually fervent.”e7dc33dc0bb1b49e

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“What about Daniel? How is Daniel?”59a3a2208fee9794

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“Daniel is doing well too.”617d619452b2def1

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Joshua exhaled deeply, 0b03455a01 straightening his posture. With a composed 290c53004e hand, he wiped 248351c206 the tears from b69a1ab431 his cheeks, his 07e5395901 expression smoothing into e2c8e8b805 perfect regal composure—as dcce8538cf if the earlier de8049ab1e disarray had never b209c43ad1 existed. He bowed toward ee91517cc4 the Emperor .a71217913c4a751e

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“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”ca7058a6ef3ad2fc

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“Enough with the formalities. Now, explain yourself.”ff0ac8aed5bd7e84

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“My apologies for the unsightly display, Father.”95fd265250133aa9

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“I asked what happened.”c55c2d9dcc78dec4

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“…I had a nightmare.”f339d213e8df4db6

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“A nightmare?”2e307cb85cd15d37

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The Duke b631dd50e6 interjected lightly, 02ca2db9ad trying to 79b2cc2788 ease the 3b847dbbaa tension.3677f592b33bef4b

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“Did you dream that Daniel and I were injured, Your Highness?”d45ef73e27776234

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“……”1f6012b921e0029e

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“They say dreams are the opposite, no? We’re both unharmed and in good health, so there’s no need to worry.”5dbb3acfcaf3c66c

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“…Yes. I’m glad to see that’s the case.”24e5cf47f7368520

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“Now that you’re here, sit down.”85f3032abeacc33b

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At the e2f3f1a252 Emperor ’s f8fe55f119 suggestion, the 6ea633caf8 Crown Prince 9670f0fd40 took a e3e274f1c1 seat. With a wave of 47195c61e7 the Emperor ’s hand, 46313ab599 an attendant waiting outside aa0d798110 hurried in with a d5087f0b5b formal robe, which Joshua 738d78bc58 draped loosely over his 1529a3dca0 shoulders.5a302e551436420b

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“I hadn’t heard you were visiting the palace today. What brings you here so suddenly?”7179848c6ea71e9e

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“Ah.”8be934662518a36a

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The Duke smiled faintly.c49847f2f1f1cfdc

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“I came to submit an adoption petition.”dff8dca83acb4b1c

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Joshua’s eyebrows shot up.6909b432545453cf

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“Adoption? For which family’s proceedings?”ddce924aa95ff70b

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The Emperor laughed, 3fa54142a2 as if this 29194c401e were some delightful d8ffb3962b joke.4904d79d1454bfb3

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“Naturally, for House Ardrian.”5c9b5dd7854cce8c

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“House Ardrian… is adopting?”c44721442ed4e5db

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Joshua’s voice was tinged 6a9cdf5ac1 with disbelief. The Duke chuckled dryly.4ab5ef95e12d7113

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“Why? Do you think me unworthy, Your Highness?”1b4202a3024df100

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“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just… rather sudden.”cba888bdbb37f290

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“Yes, even for me. It was a rather impulsive decision.”3418b0767a966fe8

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The Emperor cut in.4971d521b51b841e

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“Seems the Ardrian duchy is about to welcome a mage princess.”9462b181fba7b571

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Joshua still looked dazed.f4c5643075f72994

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“Isabelle has no affinity for mana, so it’s not like she suddenly awakened to magic. Unless… the newly adopted child is the one—”5e925d0b422adc3a

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“Indeed. The girl is gifted.”a65956bf9028d50a

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Joshua fell f2f937ae74 silent for cf2b3523bf a long 1518740675 moment, lost b5db7f3587 in thought. When the Duke began 2d5301cf3e to speak again, he e876ba722b finally replied:7de4d78041021bc7

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“Master, what exactly prompted this? If it’s her magical talent you’re after, sponsorship would suffice.”1e4f3acb4c2027c8

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“There were… circumstances. But above all, I simply wanted to keep her close. To protect her.”a74bd09cb338c542

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Joshua didn’t respond immediately. Just as the 7148082a8c Duke was about 8dcc0271cf to speak again, 78c9d9d3fb he said quietly:02ad056f8cb8a924

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“I’m curious about this child. How did she manage to sway your heart so completely?”86cbbdafaef9f8e8

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The Duke’s fbe1172d9d smile widened, d6a44bf87a as if 2bb078b4ee merely thinking df7c650b6d of Rosette 61a90fc256 brought him c4a3dbf7d6 joy.e97543b7e0eaf82b

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“She’s adorable. Though she still has much to learn.”3919098e28b4c366

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“Having a capable mage in House Ardrian would be advantageous. A precaution against unforeseen events. At any rate, I’ve seen you now, so I’ll take my leave. I’ll visit Daniel soon.”ae9b45dd46336414

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“Of course, Your Highness.”b59e6c27bd67f9d9

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Joshua embraced 48edd79fc7 the Duke 9c815b6a0a once more 0d7dc12639 before exiting 606bf14f7e the audience 6422e6d351 chamber.1fe8782af0931e46

The Emperor clicked his c6e1ebe013 tongue as he watched 4a81967bcd Joshua leave.87476e115de03bb7

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“Making such a fuss over a mere nightmare. Still so childish. When will he ever grow up?”7cf8aea3b8f078ba

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“Hard to say.”563b7da206f85544

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Duke Adrian b845581096 murmured, recalling 1f80513b0a the expression 75b25de915 Joshua had dd60bff559 worn moments 5e18db2010 ago.cad46482752df2bb

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“Though, if anything, he seemed far more composed than when I last saw him.”731072b0bf0449e3

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“‘Composed,’ you say?”b4b0ff293de059cf

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The Emperor grumbled, clearly 1e8a2c1bf5 dissatisfied.469d877860260df7

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“I wonder if he’ll ever be fit to inherit the throne.”dd5becbea0543fde

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Joshua Ernheart was 09c2e62972 the only legitimate 7f7b891192 son born between 3158d79323 the Emperor and 307f3898a6 a princess of dbe93d4d5b Ivern, a kingdom dd26207f66 renowned for its 73e72c2fa1 magic. He had 8181cf92ae shown exceptional 1e080145cc talent in 56b4abdca1 swordsmanship—enough that d9afe69f78 Duke Adrian, 38dbbcf64c a Sword 1b1eee45e4 Master himself, 674b235d79 had taken f5f77fc0ab him on e4041d7e11 as a a09c6bdcda personal disciple—and 2886e345a9 had inherited 4bf085ea1b some of e78554767a his mother’s cd9e9cf506 affinity for f505f9ab0a magic as 277393a0ea well. His intellect was extraordinary, 233b571976 earning praise from renowned deb17ec01d scholars.6f07d12400ec3879

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Yet, despite all df39798101 this, the Emperor 474bbc2e12 never seemed pleased da0b2bdd5b with Joshua. Even now, at ten cc7d9d770a years old, Joshua had 942d80696b not been formally crowned 41283f9631 crown prince, despite being 46e51c08a0 the sole heir to 03947ec644 the throne.a13e7c1471524988

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Some speculated it 5ca916efd9 was because the cee0ce149a Emperor had never 658c20c9c2 loved his politically 3e0b5a0453 wedded empress. But there were 45184a8eb8 no other women c3e4149726 in the Emperor e8877afd49 ’s life, either. His coldness 9ea1d595f5 toward Joshua f2a824fb62 remained a 6a10f6dae5 mystery.5d72f41de0c4b547

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Duke Adrian, 7e267f0878 however, chose 73a3b9c091 not to 1890ea21ea voice these 4b1888bad7 thoughts. In silence, he 615f596896 remained for a 2f1ba81156 moment longer before c3515ba4fa finally taking his a0c58a7107 leave of the 12b4e587e5 imperial palace.7d08f52990888704

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