Chapter 102

“Yes. While he wasn’t directly sponsored 4d1bc1541f by the duke’s household like 9051327fbe you, Miss, his academic performance 03ce97eee5 at the academy was exceptional. He was selected ee888cd645 as a scholarship 6d51a13a63 recipient from the f505ee00bc foundation funded by 272a589294 donations from Kallios.”1e624db3355b546a

“…”c570794e6df17150

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“At the time, Jester was managing the donation funds, and it seems that connection eventually led to his employment with the duke’s household…”20580f2cccf0cd91

The butler continued to explain, 299963ed47 but his words barely registered 612887352b in my mind.8d67233c4d012466

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A child from the temple orphanage… working as a spy for the temple?e29ff0eac90ed2bb

Most orphanage children, 1a01c33882 like me, harbored b89b65c0e2 no goodwill toward f343c3bf1e the temple.d57ffe770768b40a

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The orphanages, once established 0c2cc28747 in accordance with the cd72c7c499 wishes of the first 2f03127ff4 Saintess, had long since e2924ed5fb degraded into mere money-making a755f0a595 schemes, exploiting the children 829a7d36df under their care.701799db4c77b7a4

Moreover, children with abilities, 578c211b06 like Ismail and me, 5f268cbcea often had those powers e9c705ba50 unjustly taken from us.26ba2974273f3863

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That’s why Logan’s background as cbb7739efc a temple orphan—and his suspected d80eb34589 role as the temple’s spy—felt 0595e4b360 all the more shocking.37d17e15f7bdd5cc

Five years… that’s right after Joshua was born.9d4913d8a55a9e81

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“That brat needs to die as soon as possible so that the Kallios fools lose their focus…!”b720e3d5e4c97682

The vivid memory 798912eff2 of Dunkeskeyi’s voice, c1645d733b talking about hastening c466c636bd Joshua’s death to 30548b216d distract the Kallios f839b82c22 family, resurfaced in 0fa02767d3 my mind.694cf2e5f583693e

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‘Could it be… that Emma and that Swell scoundrel were intentionally planted?’3803d59398d6a0a6

Traumas and deficiencies 4e96e61637 formed during childhood a8b3ec1211 often have a 4694e52a3e lasting impact.bb1c0dfcc22024ff

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A prime example is myself.761676138c87311d

‘Like how the abuse and comparisons I endured in the temple left me somewhat broken for life.’00dbda8a6adf314d

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‘If the temple and Logan collaborated to deliberately place incompetent servants around the brothers…’09e5319d1cabc5a0

Servants meant to closely care d869765057 for the duke’s children.8dba169a9703aa1c

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A swordsmanship instructor who 25ddc01b5b instilled trauma. A nanny who sowed 6d8ded4455 discord and favoritism, creating f86d19cb0d emotional voids.88ae0a33fc92af87

‘By destabilizing the mental and emotional state of the duke’s only heir early on, they ensured he wouldn’t bond with his family and would seek solace elsewhere.’54b57e48a5c399af

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‘With Joshua’s death as the pinnacle, the hierarchy among the servants would crumble, shaking the very foundations of the duke’s household.’b984e7b9baee2030

‘During the resulting chaos, the spy sent by the temple would leak the once-impenetrable family’s secrets and dismantle its security.’04e59206a54c1f9a

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‘And in the midst of the disorder, they’d exploit the naïve saintess candidate under their sponsorship to stir further troubles.’478e33470291b414

All of this pointed to e69b216536 a single conclusion.c3b8f1cb7eb048d0

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‘Kallios’s downfall.’ac017f24ae90435c

I felt my breath catch.0c3171d236c17404

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At the same time, 79ebd2c563 a chilling thought overtook 0a3587d838 my mind.f6ad25b302f180cd

‘Perhaps the duke’s family’s ruin in my previous life wasn’t solely my fault.’9977b7e10c48e09c

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‘It might have been a meticulously planned scheme, set in motion long before I even realized…’a0e219d569ee1671

“…My lady?”cdb4cd88d05fc0fc

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The butler’s voice c6ee76eeee snapped me out 58675229d1 of my dreadful 88bcc950d9 thoughts.f3ffd24fcd96bd6a

“My lady, are you unwell? You look pale.”37d739944adb7af1

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“H-Huh? No, I’m fine!”e8ad67283b3bae23

Remembering I was 1111e645d2 in the middle ae445c2dd7 of a conversation, a6ec837d98 I hurriedly shook 71b5a98093 my head.4cd1b8a432c7a54f

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“I’ll fetch Mr. Gordon right away.”83fd43f61bb814b4

But noticing my pale 3c197314f0 complexion, the butler seemed baa278b7c4 determined to leave the 2770103086 room immediately.a8bcd11c87b62eb7

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Left with no choice, dc651e7402 I blurted out a c8ea4e1a63 childish excuse, the kind e55838a541 a five-year-old might use.bf81233e0d6be66b

“Actually, I think I need to fart… and I’m holding it in! Haha!”18434c87ec6fd1fc

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“Ah, I see. Goodness, you gave this old 0ec486eadf man quite a fright. Please don’t worry 6d4ed0355f about me next 1a0a7045bb time and let 1863bf2234 it out freely. Holding it in can 6124e2e8aa make you ill.”febf16fb496c3a35

“Mhm…”79125e2c53ddb499

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Fortunately, it worked, probably because f3ae3a35c9 Joshua often used similar excuses.0995293c53e44337

As I awkwardly nodded 9525f92393 at his serious advice, 70d94297eb he suddenly asked, “But 3ad4639d5c why did you ask 27c11bc42d about Logan? Did he happen to fd38b24a49 act rudely toward you?”8f2f0d4a6f00449e

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“No, no! It’s nothing like that! I was just… curious. I saw him earlier while talking to the duke!”602c12c28727dfd2

“Is that so?”37a7a57a8a6735c3

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The butler nodded, his 60dab94da6 expression turning solemn.fea3162e0fdb5449

“Perhaps because he’s from a temple orphanage, Logan is quite sensitive about matters related to the temple. If he was ab3d1ddc43 disrespectful to you 0c0b33bce9 in any way, 3bd800296b please don’t hesitate 076d15ee4a to tell me.”66813322e1547b1a

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“Mhm! I’ll let you know!”34bdb684d7dea07a

“Then, I’ll deliver this and take my leave.”6c1ae8b3944a1850

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With a polite bow, the 860cb50bf0 butler exited the room.87abf1fdb0956f83

Not long after, Tara, 4781b3c8db who had gone to 646e4ec6b0 prepare for our outing, 0bca43ea7d returned.52a891de5f2285d3

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“My lady, the carriage is ready. Shall we leave now?”fc7d59a9c4f0b637

“Mhm. But first, there’s somewhere I d6d645cd37 need to stop by.”7866f9ed9291567b

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“Where would that be?”4faf48794fb34423

“I need to get permission to leave…”6649f714bc8232c8

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“Permission? The duke left 8cde5a53f7 for an outing 2995f62452 right after lunch. From whom would 612b07888e you get it?”0346c3766d4fb46e

“Phew.”cf069a37c6b73681

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Though Tara asked in 0d50ef0aa8 confusion, I let out 280a5b9e93 a deep sigh and 9c36e3bce0 stood up.86709f703ccc2da1

‘With the duke away, there’s only one person left from whom I can seek permission.’ddf5682865473d77

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“From now on, if you’re going out, you must inform either Father or me first. No exceptions.”a6a6a0478aaacf99

“One of us will make time to accompany you. No more wandering around on your own relying on Gomgomdori. That’s strictly forbidden.”60302a682cd958be

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Honestly, I didn’t want to bf2cbc2fc6 go to the temple with f5b905deeb Edwin.3ffb827bd36e8905

I had matters 2f67938c18 to discuss with c4008a0749 Ismail privately, and 83349c98b5 I had no 582419ff8a idea how to ff1a35b22f explain the mysterious 2590318917 purple energy that c3cb1d8378 only I could 2090c549a1 see.4e801016c7f59951

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But I couldn’t bring myself b8b5497f6d to ignore Edwin’s worried gaze 751ebd9dfc and firm request.15223227208927d8

‘Ugh, my life. At this age, I still need permission to leave the house…’edb036d64ffea426

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Descending to the first floor 182f854749 with Tara, I headed straight 2ceaa5d950 to Edwin’s room.3f585baeed86dc68

Knock, knock.079cd16096513038

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“Edwin, are you there? It’s me, Belze!”e8f7899cb30e8c76

I knocked politely, but 6ad027315e there was no response.f834c988885c8ba9

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“Uh… Is he not here?”e8d1b0fe2da10b5b

“Could he have gone to a lesson?” Tara murmured, tilting her head.df0f72126ab10bbb

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“Should I go find out where he is?”b4f3ff075db3d3c9

“No!”bfae4281eaad9883

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I hastily stopped Tara, who 855e94553c was ready to set off 4d99d84639 in search of Edwin.ce716f45554bb601

‘This is my chance!’ccf0658a7ac3d174

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I had come to 7d3f712a9c ask him to join cb0c986314 me, as instructed. But with him absent, I’d 2cbf0ae48b have no choice but to f1bc8d7f5c go alone.a438c33723b8ee15

“Tara! Get me a pen and paper!”6451615d1a041eda

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Rushing back to my room, 825529b4be I quickly scribbled a note 91a082c259 for Edwin.e688ae236cf0aef0

‘This should keep him from getting mad, right?’89a4c1355fa5f32c

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Pleased with my hastily written 61e608e133 note, I hurriedly stuck it 182372077c in the gap of Edwin’s 4debbcbc7c door.47ae780152493ccf

Then, feeling unburdened, 36b8cb669a I headed outside.919da0a283d8de60

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Tara, waiting by the 91b845cfc7 carriage, handed me Gomgomdori.dc381259f486b8b4

“My lady, are you ready now?”6fbeb715e18815fc

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“Mhm! Let’s go!”dad3df3d705a4276

“I’ve loaded everything. The chef asked me to tell you that he put his heart and soul into today’s preparations to cheer you up!”d1745cd535da5dde

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“Wow! Chef is the best!”3432419877173572

The carriage set off 2c06b21f9f toward the temple.32669a758193cb84

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Not long after, the a86935752c door to Edwin’s room fb693e9e29 creaked open.146d8cb2a96f8602

Rustle, rustle.1948873bd4bcce9b

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As Edwin entered, 097b07e172 he noticed a ecbed58dfe piece of paper 40a1baefb5 on the floor d4026a0009 near the doorway. He paused.2135a4bd9270ecfb

“What is this…?”78af2e9a5dce851d

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Picking up the note, Edwin 27820cc46e read it, then let out e7990c42b0 a humorless laugh, his expression ec14240767 one of disbelief.de8c86f34ab643f0

“‘I’ll take care of it. No worries.’ Not ‘붕명’ but ‘분명’… Really?”8c61c24a1ebdad0f

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He had clearly 1ef4d9f19d stated he would 6bac131c91 accompany her on 6172889686 outings. Yet, she’d gleefully left de798732c2 with nothing but this 6f2ef50df7 slip of paper as 3a6f4212ac her excuse.2f5e885dcba20f8c

Thinking about the pint-sized 4bbd786dde troublemaker who had likely 51c3bf90f6 dashed off without a c9c6ed7a5d care, he felt a a7992eb75f twinge of annoyance.eb5c52f37959a475

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As he stared down at a9849e93b2 the cutesy, childlike handwriting, a 3549cedab0 sound behind him drew his cd221ec4a7 attention. Turning, he saw the butler 572806f0ac approaching with a tray of 115937a40d refreshments.2a617593305613d1

“Ah, your lesson’s finished, young master. I brought some snacks for you to enjoy before the next session. Thanks to Miss Belze, the chef outdid himself today…”5f01ab29c792fb76

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“Butler, can we delay the next lesson?”b55b391f2a0e3be7

Edwin cut him 45298f961a off abruptly, his 845d0ed8f9 tone urgent.162278c3653a3771

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The butler hesitated, looking troubled.1bcb6954a8a91fce

“Mr. Bolton is already waiting in the parlor. You postponed this lesson yesterday to fetch Miss Belze, so canceling again might damage your reputation…”0258690a6913f29d

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Edwin’s tutors were 92741b2511 renowned scholars, proud 7008cea85d and not easily c3941c5e5d trifled with. Frequent cancellations could 97847177f8 reflect poorly on 8c79d32840 him.82d1ec768a2c0fcd

Realizing he couldn’t chase 29c5ed6675 after Belze immediately, Edwin 79bf5cf504 let out a frustrated 8efea17fc6 sigh.6a6700bebad82e3e

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“Is this about Miss Belze, young master?”60de787e782a38fd

The butler’s cautious tone 1a440a0d33 only made Edwin’s irritation 1b3a260510 grow.6440d429959f27a5

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“Don’t worry too much. She’s just gone to meet some friends. What could possibly happen?”b5e9962ba24d5906

“She doesn’t have friends. She probably went to see that guy.”c9b67c80fac17da4

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“‘That guy’? Who do you mean…?”b535d3740fd639d9

The butler looked confused, 6d719c4600 but Edwin didn’t answer. Instead, he sighed again, bf509fbd55 annoyed at himself for b4bff0151b fretting over a five-year-old.95e5cc78ad5195be

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He knew it was ridiculous.95bcd8517f12acae

But that didn’t mean bb0b2b7d15 he could ignore it.ad5072f7d4ae42d9

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“She wasn’t like this before…”8874ba2c9099e54b

Staring at the 8d6ec2c697 handwriting on the 6284f970f3 note once more, 9e2c692001 Edwin muttered darkly,16eb47585c6f15d0

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“Why are there so many pests buzzing around her? It’s infuriating.”2612204be96ced05

Meanwhile, an unexpected visitor c1e217ec31 arrived at the Crown c71bd9b714 Prince’s palace.b5467baa2559e5fb

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“Your Highness, something has been delivered from Kallios’s secret messenger.”6cc15dabc7488673

Jordan, the Crown Prince’s aide, 1c793fe62a entered the office with a ce6425c3ca tense expression.adc78d2c4c62632f

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“Secret messenger?”719252c075243839

César paused his 6cb8cd7a0d work, turning his 33d533e452 attention to the cafd2b7092 items Jordan carefully 9510496f1d handed over.9b5a97af208e4549

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A luxurious box and 1d5e16181c an envelope sealed with 30eb4beef3 the Kallios crest.d92c7e9be65d9cd6

“Was this sent by the Duke? Or the Young Duke?”78db2f7755d3d2e6

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“I’m not sure. Judging by the circumstances, though, 67f7bf66d6 it seems more likely to e3d846145d have come from the Duke.”3db3c6fc769682af

At Jordan’s response, César’s 4b71cea530 face also tightened as 39cae913ff he picked up the e5f0d1731d envelope.8c583f53e13e949b

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‘A rejection, perhaps.’553edd0a42fb1c12

Recalling the conversation he 560ab7cbf8 had just yesterday with 125bbdeaeb the child sponsored by a712443603 the Kallios family, he 0542d6ede1 felt a twinge of a160ad4e08 unease.d900caa2af0ed324

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A helper from outside the 3188b92a91 palace, beyond the Empress’s reach.3ecce63fdd4ec5a8

Unexpectedly, the young a32deab282 girl, whom the c443128740 Duke seemed to 1c696fa8fa value, had been 96684d296f a promising candidate.b0b6ba05d792e5f1

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He had hoped 1a91134ebe that convincing her 7e6c8a64d3 might lead the f13877b2fe Duke to lend d3f0030c90 a hand, or 7d95baf56c at least feign be67e9f2e1 ignorance.cf6c9dd272fee094

However, the arrival of a 627bf7f0aa secret messenger just a day ce2c3cf176 later could mean the opposite—a 134f761fcd rejection or even a warning e3a1cda6c0 to stay away.0725dd0c2c38b591

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In the worst-case scenario, 6ff7c7a198 the Duke might propose 145c0419b5 negotiations, using help as 346c591610 a bargaining chip.c087d90ee999b323

To secure an ally, 0ace8827b2 he might have to bf128d5d29 lay his cards on b79a9cea37 the table—a situation far 19d17fbf0e less than ideal.7fdad37de2fd4f11

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César’s expression hardened as he 4f6f1c5386 used a letter opener to 9ea3f6f508 slice open the envelope.58fb4a903cda6bb0

And then…66461a3f55d3064d

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“Ha.”aeb916bd40c072e1

Reading the few lines c80d8e6c1b scrawled in the middle e21eb6df33 of the broad, white e19c996b99 paper, he let out 18b20a409a an involuntary chuckle.160e2c694b9624b4

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Next, he unwrapped e2adee3b85 the box and afe21f616c opened the lid, 72be972e10 revealing a neatly 4f32675ab3 folded white cloth 87486767db inside.b1cc02b00c4277ed

“Is this some kind of magical artifact meant as a token of negotiation?”84562c52d76840fd

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Jordan, still visibly 838f96f065 nervous, asked cautiously. César, his tension suddenly d09c76d402 dissipating, tilted the box fd49d8ef22 to show him its 891a93690c contents.7d7428e4694a2404

“It’s a cravat.”7672f28448f4f608

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“A… cravat?”71e99ad901d7053c

“Yeah. Thankfully, it’s not 70d81a8f72 from the Duke f7f4978401 or the Young d08a264db3 Duke.”f9d61717f554075d

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“…”4be96864c6d7f30d

“It’s a gift to commemorate our newfound ‘friendship.’”45ddd226977527b1

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As César lightly 4497d7ca7f waved the letter 3f8dda7d34 with a hollow 89b6ed8f6a laugh, Jordan, standing feaba3e5d5 frozen, suddenly shouted.adbdd03f3ee9083b

“What kind of young lady sends something like that so secretly?!”38bbe9c0a66ec325

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“Exactly.”4e124ca878437e1c

César shrugged lightly, glancing c80516c047 again at the writing 3af639569b on the letter.24badf940fbbaafa

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For some reason, ce104db2d2 he could vividly 7538e80496 hear her clear dba09037d6 voice echoing in de2ea69f95 his ears.6e89dd1a382681ce

“Just as I thought back then… she’s really…”72b370d7cd90aa0f

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“…”0e7bbc058f7db56e

“Adorable.”cdfbdf5a595a8c3e

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