TFOM Chapter 100
by SolavitaChapter 100
After Logan left, a heavy 984df15107 silence settled over the study.
“…I’m sorry, Belze,” the Duke finally said, breaking the quiet.
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“It seems Logan’s gotten rather insensitive, buried in his work as he is. Don’t take it too personally; it’s not that he dislikes you.”4211f32d36ec5930
“I’m okay!”f1adeb6a5776c857
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I quickly smiled in response 25bd3b8d3e to his thoughtful words.c84657cfb655d894
The truth is, 5b2eec186c it’s impossible to 00c0a1a7fc be liked by 41a971199e everyone.dbd39df4c6aeb10c
‘Though Logan is a bit…’2ce5c6273e01d588
Suppressing the unease in my 584418335b chest, I cautiously asked,39b3df01fa40b6bf
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“But, Your Grace, what’s the story with Emma and… Svel—um, Sven?”66ad843ba1b12c79
“Ah.”70310554a86be165
The Duke’s face turned slightly troubled as he began to 2e92a9acce explain.7f387b9fd0a45d19
“The truth is, Logan was the one who recommended them.”
“Lo-Logan’s recommendation?”4d9a66c9fa0ce9ab
“Yes.”96cee7572c376d77
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He nodded once, hesitating before 9619f9c090 continuing.
“To be honest… after the children’s mother passed away, there was a time when I couldn’t manage the household properly.”6fb2aabc1916892f
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‘Ah…’661f9e6d9ee36b82
“While I was drowning myself in drink, Logan hurriedly selected staff to care for the children closely. Unfortunately, it happened to be those two.”
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I was stunned.86b087e281c72682
The two former employees who’d 664e369618 recently caused trouble and were 67126eb944 dismissed had been personally chosen 4be27d51eb for Joshua and Edwin.7bde70244460fe99
The Duke, his expression e6674917fd darkening, murmured,4541ae44b9f9ee32
“They’d been with the family for quite some time, so I accepted them without much thought…”c4257d1ed735aa67
“…….”4166578a05e6792c
“In the end, it’s all my fault. If I had investigated them more thoroughly, none of this would have happened.”c2aab2363f86c276
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His voice carried the d562053162 weight of regret as 81d7150479 he spoke.2c1c476ac1b89ea9
“I’ve only shown you the worst sides of this family because of my failings, Belze. I’m sorry.”
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“It’s not Your Grace’s fault!”
I shook my 5e512d7187 head fervently at his apology.060d6e15192db9a9
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“They’re the bad ones! You trusted them, but they dared to do such terrible things to the children!”
‘Why is it that regret and apologies always seem to fall on the victims?’426922e23ced1685
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Emma, who shamelessly schemed f6ab3e3bb9 to become the next b1b979d1a2 Duchess by manipulating Joshua.8937e7feedf28c8e
Sven, who took out his 3fb4e98709 resentment and inferiority on Edwin.fcafec974e172db8
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Neither of those offenders had c864721819 ever offered an apology.e0bb8bda26be37c4
The Duke gave a faint, 82f29122a2 bitter smile at my words.7c5039561de031c7
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“Still, I’m glad you came to this family. In the end, it was thanks to you that those matters were brought to light.”a4b12d9b0b0db84f
He sighed, pinching 653b7a95b2 the bridge of 7256d3ff79 his nose.98aa82e9c22e8c17
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“…Perhaps it’s because he grew up too fast. Unlike Joshua, Edwin rarely speaks up about anything, even when trouble arises.”703bca4f00133f92
The Duke’s voice 0dfe614539 carried a note of sorrow, as 22f598f59e though this weighed heavily on him.d3144131d0f0fb00
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But I understood 1500441471 Edwin’s reasons well.305a38c30f714470
One night, he had visited e0ef464c6b me in secret and confided,df8dfbdd1ac86a86
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‘I thought it’d be better to handle it myself. Besides, I didn’t want to burden Father, who’s 4ec399f2ab already busy enough.’8bba1c39ae1a0c5b
‘Especially when he’s been losing sleep over Joshua lately.’3e59e80ea952657d
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Recalling those words, 07cc90de30 I clenched my 6d12668434 fists slightly.54dcde5a3c01b8ce
‘Edwin’s sense of responsibility is both admirable and heartbreaking.’53e638a0a707d25b
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I decided not to mention that Edwin’s actions 36dc79a5ae stemmed from his consideration 53b20174af for the Duke.229825ec9e5ffef8
Those were Edwin’s private thoughts, 8588421fe2 not mine to share.ff4f173b2398eaf1
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“…You know, Your Grace,” I began, determined to make another promise to myself: no matter what, I would protect the Duke’s household.
“I won’t hold back.”e245fa774a680888
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“Hm?”e1b8ea95319fb148
“If anything happens to Edwin or Josh, I’ll run straight to you and tell you everything! And I’ll make sure they get their revenge!”
“…Revenge?”90bc819ea51b90fb
The Duke finally caught b6c683a8c7 up to my words and let out a cc985fbb6a small laugh.16af1a497e6473c6
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“There’s no need for revenge. Just come and tell me. Don’t put yourself in danger like last time.”26b5f41ef7515011
“But Grandpa Gordon said my teeth are strong enough to bite a few more times!”77181dc8aa84c615
“Still, no.”3c81f48de7d6a627
His tone was firm, 652a0fc8f8 leaving no room for bcc4d8d6c1 argument.8dc8f0ed4aef1502
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I smacked my lips 0b36d145e3 in disappointment, but then 6abdd388c4 he called my name 8587fd3ae2 in a gentle voice.a4c9e08813cc0059
“Belze.”
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“Yes?”
“You’re already doing more than enough for someone of your position and age.”c6ff45d0b3d2de4f
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“Ah…”98197301f9b0b0a2
“Honestly, while preparing that checkbook for you, I couldn’t help but wonder if you might be a prodigy. Starting a business at five years old, after all.”750a947eac16678a
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His gaze was steady as 31aedd0f71 he spoke, his tone sincere.3f0febd89c5958f3
I had anticipated the day when such suspicions might arise, 72c212ddfc so I calmly reached for 074cc55af9 the excuse I had prepared.
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“Actually, it’s a secret, but… Grandpa Gordon suggested it all!”278adb32b9dd11b3
“Even so,” the Duke replied, not dismissing my excuse lightly.
“Most children your age would be playing with dolls or toys, not negotiating with noblewomen.”e95a7729151a085c
“…….”4568b78f58789f60
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“You handled Madam Cloud skillfully. She even asked about you recently.”cdb2198d26b4e491
I blinked in surprise.dc43b22b2b936b68
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‘She asked about me? Not the hair mist?’
She couldn’t have used ef46d86ced it all so quickly. If she inquired about 19e28ff219 my well-being, it must 3a8ba77488 be true.f62003cf7bec7be3
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This was great 8c6215c526 news, as I aeec879edd planned to send her an invitation 783118e70c to my shop ccb0f2cc54 opening to reinforce 9552bd0993 her interest in 5b3859f9a1 Fairy Herb.f513d035c405ebff
But at the same 48af505df0 time, I felt a b0c12a3747 pang of worry.58331b42d293e0d8
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‘What if the Duke doesn’t like me running a business?’037f4b2d866519b2
After all, I was officially 77778b37b2 being sponsored as a Saintess ca58957265 candidate. Acting out of line might 527b6ac3ab cause trouble for him as e37712c5b3 my patron.
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“I’m sorry…” I murmured, lowering my head.3c6479c81ff0bd20
“I’m not reprimanding you,” he said immediately, frowning at my dejection.788c8d674433a199
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“If the child I sponsor shows exceptional talent in many areas, it’s a good thing. But…”946c30e0c30afcd1
“…”e0f9c677203f03b7
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“Sometimes, when I look at you, I feel like you’re being chased by something.”44ee148a0bd1c6fc
“C-chased?”2402a24a01c126c5
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“Yes.”abb2453c02db9f7c
The Duke’s golden eyes were 01aabffb4f filled with concern as they met mine.481edd9f3148ded4
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“Am I putting too much pressure on you to do well?”3595885631107c1c
“N-no!”
I shook my head vehemently.0293425aaa7bf2ae
“It’s not like that! I’m doing it because I want to!”80852abc06b1274e
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“If that’s the case, I’m relieved…”d0ac16b3507c0c56
He trailed off, but his fad13d2f0f gaze remained unsettled.62927fb0f2397fbc
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Though I didn’t know why 08987c2014 he thought that, his sharp adf3f72db1 insight made my heart skip e70c79a7c8 a beat.82340c71aedf7071
The truth was, I did feel like I’d been chased 9f9d89fad4 ever since I came back f2b2e1f67e to this life.ce5c1ffcce60484f
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But it wasn’t the 9b3b2b4c52 pressure to do well—it 413c21815d was the constant worry about how to protect the Duke’s household.a17c76b745c875e1
Earning money through original de193d5ea6 items from the story, e52e9cf14f becoming the Crown Prince’s ally—it was all part of that goal.66d6b288368aa1e0
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In that sense, my biggest 400e0b2a15 concern wasn’t myself but him.3f4af95e62079c25
“Your Grace… do you dislike me doing things other than healing?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course not.”9418a78984826c9d
His immediate denial caught me off guard.336b10dc3b0a632a
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“Do whatever you want. If you want to buy a building or sell something, go ahead. You don’t need my permission.”791f5c84a46eeb1c
“…….”67bda2d5ea1d3908
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“What kind of guardian would I be if I couldn’t support you in that way?”
His voice was warm 5967d625e8 as he met my 8000c93e31 eyes.582d1dc624ad8601
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“What I mean, Belze, is that you don’t have to try so hard. You’re still just a child.”afe5ca99b08e0f4a
“Your Grace…”3b426cd80dae7618
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“I find you remarkable, but at the same time, I hope you won’t grow up too quickly, like Edwin.”025c5c3f335bd0b6
“…”bb143445e7fb6495
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“Maybe that’s just me being selfish.”00828e9824538df6
His last words were aea873361b almost a whisper, as if he were speaking 9870a7f67b to himself.e3f414b5cf36ea17
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But I understood the sentiment.472fe72ab553bd68
‘…The Duke must feel a great deal of guilt about everything that’s happened since I came here.’6d7a30e0998bfbb2
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His wish for fd48e6bade me not to 5aa5baf723 grow up too d2c8e8d84e fast wasn’t just f6edbf7eda for me.fe9272b36b25ce66
It stemmed from sorrow 031c035a4a over his sons—how they 0d566239f9 must have silently endured 30f1731109 the careless behavior of 546d2b2f29 the adults around them.
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And now, he 5950f34c5a wished the same f10ae88f9d burden wouldn’t fall a4a2be5a85 on me.5b8d7f76a599ee71
‘…But, Your Grace, I’ve already grown up. There’s no more “growing up” left for me.’72b2c0db9a8199b7
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Regrettably, I couldn’t 3bd7433520 grant his wish.a5c78ace5f916424
The enemies seeking to harm the Duke’s family were everywhere.
To protect the people I 25ae37acca cared about, I could only 2b2f2bd036 grow sharper and stronger.fa1210aa3320c6ab
* * *c78cb92a46208b48
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Click.ee3a209d34ff8b4b
Clutching the checkbook tightly to 8f81d5ac9c my chest, I closed the 820a6fe0f2 study door behind me and 357fd5d3a0 stepped into the empty hallway.ad90434e458d9166
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I was crossing f50d96bc08 the silent corridor when, as I 6ddb1d1ec6 turned a corner—f9fe5e25c6afb7c9
“Lady Belze.”
“Eek!”7cd5c373b1b311f4
Startled by the sudden voice, d0781d8931 I let out a loud fa5e37f527 yelp.879f944104cf9fb7
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“I couldn’t help but wonder…”
The man, who seemed to have been waiting d25a151775 for me, straightened from where he had been d34b882efd leaning against the wall, blocking my path.d6fb588751b66a05
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“Would you care to share just a little hint about how you plan to use that checkbook?”5c53b4180dfd0ef1
The man looking down at 9c596c0ee7 me with a seemingly friendly 37eab2c32a smile was none other than 8fdf06a655 Logan.8a920c44c05f6811
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