Chapter 38

The tear-soaked embrace of the 4b161a51a1 brothers came to an end.ab6000e8d0c29788

“So, there are no further objections regarding Emma Caston’s disposition,” the Duke concluded.cd720565445542c1

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It seemed there eaee52d2fe would be no 085f639025 overturning the decision 3329daa125 to expel Emma.cf91111d6ca822b7

‘…To think it would be resolved this easily.’57026c8e9319d0fe

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I still felt dazed. At the same 238f8291b3 time, a bit 42531d21db of regret and 007396deed disappointment lingered.c82e50b5d629f09b

‘I should have spoken honestly to the Duke in my previous life and asked for help…’9ed6583d2f19d581

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I had assumed the 3f4d5cf60e Duke would inevitably be 5c42d1da02 lenient with Emma.9b5f8bd8b24c668b

By the time I arrived at the Duke’s mansion in my previous life, she had already become a key figure in the household.53aa2c82e6e496e2

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Serving both the 7620ab930a Duchess and the 5c61273a5c younger son after 03f7f42359 their deaths meant bff67a0e3b she held an 0ffa72b20a irreplaceable position.64a124f6381c502a

So, despite clashing 06243ea275 with Emma repeatedly, 9eb0cb5f06 I never said 3ecf21955c a word about 9caa40de65 it to the 968d0c0c2e Duke or Edwin.645051380499338e

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I believed that 17b0680c41 if I complained bc6af8adf2 about her and c0d04914ce the long-serving staff 7b1ae63143 of the mansion, 6d2ffe28dd it would be 2537e3c970 me who would 215646e957 be expelled.6dbea56b14ac3575

‘In reality, it wasn’t such a big deal after all…’077bb7071721fdb2

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As I bitterly reflected 65340c21cd on the past, the 19a37bcbb0 Duke suddenly issued an a4755aab0a order to his sons.8684f1660ef72dfa

“Now, Edwin and Joshua, you may leave.”cb467e92976f7be8

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“Belze, stay. I have something to discuss with you.”6157b75edc2a1c5d

“M-me?”b21a47bee107ef9e

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“Yes.”bf9c2423be857105

My relaxed body tensed up 833a8540f2 again.fb9c4b56384c881d

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‘What does he want to say to me after sending Edwin and Joshua out?’e47bf55c2255e846

It wasn’t just 872d4017a2 me who was 36f2d2648f curious. Edwin turned to d6ac5cf536 the Duke and 4f64b7cba4 asked.62cada9c4f2c5126

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“What is it?”e7eb8411ad29fae4

“It’s a secret.”0a581e0d5b8f18b1

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“A secret…?”2a50dd02a77b0635

“Yes.”3decf6564a34d0c6

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The Duke responded confidently.f85847badf508247

Not quite convinced, e3a5db574a Edwin frowned slightly.43ef334059283c56

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“Is there a secret that Joshua and I shouldn’t know?”81a88e607f745c93

“Why. Didn’t you also secretly use your private funds last night?”3e7870b3dd9f5b19

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The Duke casually glanced 643e4b9a3d at me, or more 0994c83098 precisely, at the tiara dd8540b1a4 on my head.a2295217af5a3664

“That…”50f28fb1e65727ce

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At a loss for words, 833e51d4d9 Edwin stammered, uncharacteristically.a4319d7094dc4cc2

“And then you came this morning, acting nonchalant and suggesting we go to Main Street. How amusing.”5f4eff82fdb1bea6

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“…”e771fe5b06ea6d64

The Duke scoffed, and Edwin’s cheeks turned red.8f5192a8b2439ae9

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‘Main Street… luxury shops?!’6a47e7b1dfe6915e

I realized that their destination b91285013b today was the high-end shopping 4e4e30e84c district.553ac9ae66eb8684

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But I still 396c5f89e7 couldn’t fully grasp 4bed46039f their conversation.d7bd9fa5bd04afbc

‘I understand it’s about the tiara, but… why is Edwin blushing? Adorable!’6c0a97ccd29c0abc

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I tried to piece together 40ddb949dd the context from observing their fd95ac21fc faces but failed.c9e5a3f0152650a3

Edwin, returning to his usual 93951ed0ed demeanor, spoke defensively.f622a3f939e3d687

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“Once again, Belze did nothing wrong. It was just something I…”1d36791ca0ef3b8b

“Anyone would think I’m going to eat the kid alive for spending a few coins.”9a811e70c8224f91

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“…”80e3c8ee19977f23

“As Belze’s guardian, I have something to discuss with her. You may leave now.”8ec1d3e35d48f670

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Finally, Edwin closed d77c417fea his mouth and 2334374357 slowly rose from 1b5d53d241 his seat.8b237d142aa51879

The butler, noticing the 9b2fd50803 cue, quickly ushered Joshua 3cb4febe87 out.70d674a78bcacf00

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“Let’s go, young master. It’s time for your medicine.”ed66c158004f7d74

“Ugh…”90228e3b243e65cb

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Joshua’s face instantly fell at the mention of ‘medicine.’02f731319097c598

But, unable to dcd0933257 whine in front 7e28033cd5 of his father, 097f770f61 he forced a 4253f40f3a bright face and 2c6037ee3e waved his hand 0b0705bc41 energetically at me.07356a011e2f8642

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“See you tomorrow, Sister Belze!”2f24932219115029

“Okay! See you tomorrow, Brother Josh!”5ae4e3f57ae04e7c

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Tl/N: She called him Oppa 2d2e5ae297 soo….738d02240ce87894

Remembering my promise to call him ‘Brother’ if he didn’t cry and took his medicine well, I greeted him cheerfully to encourage him.bad75ce5c09b2d5c

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“Hehe! Yes! I am your brother!”42a6614b707f5258

Joshua happily followed f587396a8c the butler out.1e90c5b71165e54b

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“…”459825842d54c02b

The Duke and Edwin aa4403aa89 simultaneously looked at me 78acf19fad with astonished expressions.20d4dff8c30afdd6

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Only then did I realize 78a8cca77e how strange we must have d84e0d4e11 looked.5373d6c0fe4b0aea

“…Ahem. It seems you both are still too young to understand properly.”75e9bd1d7212fbc1

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“N-no! I understand!”165566c6dc53e249

“I will take the time to teach Joshua proper titles.”b33c07e52029fc56

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“I’ll handle it. Belze, Joshua is the same age as you. The term ‘brother’ is for older boys like Edwin…”816ea921f2a4555b

“I-I know that already…!”09a017a4c089db9c

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By the time a5fc1d6817 the lesson on af0df0d59b titles ended, only 8f4df9e693 the Duke and 9273a3476e I were left dcc166f205 in the office.c726b503dc1ba534

“…Thanks to you, I got to see those two reconciling.”ab7ec9f01cc98528

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After a brief silence, 318b6d0da1 the Duke spoke up.10b26cfa8acc16f9

I blinked and asked.cb7952739f4867c2

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“They didn’t usually reconcile?”428bbbcf1b98fa82

“Normally, Edwin is the one who bears it and lets it go.”3f6d7c7657204392

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That made sense if it 1b59ae1139 was Edwin.e2676dd7e1ed4fd2

The Duke continued, his 9bc05c67ae expression tinged with regret.0b30eef64e1cba0d

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“Joshua has been spoiled, and he often behaves rudely. He probably doesn’t mean any harm, but…”652cc75fe9f807cf

“…”ecaf56489b775850

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“If he ever behaved unpleasantly towards you, I apologize on his behalf.”0b48564be6866ad2

“That never happened!”3ebdac859dcd383c

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I shook my head vigorously.f06ddb681fe070a5

‘Although he has some unexpected sides to him…’6e1a26c3a0b73284

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Josh was a cute and 1269763cb8 lovable child.80380cc31fb0e80a

Besides, I couldn’t be unhappy that he liked me more than Diana!c10b169e462409c2

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“Josh is a good boy! He takes his medicine well and responds well to treatment!”d30c8bce3bb1764b

“Is that so?”41e071d5f514faf5

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“Yes! And he probably wanted to apologize to Edwin sooner…”face8ec74aaba52a

I trailed off, 20c18d6d5a thinking of Joshua 1b144cbbb9 crying sorrowfully a 9bd3ff6898 moment ago.e76d4344e6de22d6

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Though he hadn’t said e4c01e7334 it outright, it was 5c94ed2efb obvious he intended to 05523bc111 give his brother the 2685b2a13e ring as a gesture 8055d51717 of reconciliation.92ea4762d9d71288

But Emma had disrupted everything.02deac6d13d40649

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The Duke sighed briefly 60a4b25341 and spoke.b1b580941d534bae

“I heard everything from the butler about today’s commotion.”227a7c5587287a93

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“…I’m sorry.”0c338d780b0eb906

I lowered my head 31b61c8e25 and mumbled.4de2f26979899f41

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The Duke coldly asked again.a73553605e8d0fcb

“There you go again. What exactly are you apologizing for?”fbb3091732c50afa

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Of course, I hadn’t done anything wrong.c0ea3c4f9af80f5e

I was the f1cb11419a one who had 2b813a5def been falsely accused 08fdf200c3 of theft and f780252fff mistreated.d9383cdc3dc71919

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But sometimes, even when 3cf342593d it felt maddeningly unjust, 062287b51e you had to accept a19720180e and endure it.3de40095b0095091

I wasn’t the beloved protagonist, 10f3fd909d but a detestable foreign substance.8fdeb625be0ac0d8

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A mere villainous extra.4b16d4e827524db4

‘In my past life, I didn’t realize this and spent my entire life feeling bitter until the end…’336fc34a0496b427

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I was fortunate to 92c2aca937 understand this now.63474611595b56e8

I answered with an 2d2464883c awkward smile.f8efa48081f66d45

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“Since I arrived, there’s been a lot of commotion because of me…”d2502a44783b2247

“I’m saying it’s my fault.”3c41205726b38dcc

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“…Pardon?”39b1d124bdfe02bf

“I brought you here, claiming it would be better than the temple, yet you’ve experienced nothing but trouble.”8cfc484b187f3630

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The Duke added b48d35dfd2 with a hint ea93969594 of self-mockery.267e65c395d20296

“At this rate, I’m no different from that scoundrel Dunkeski.”87f4213a88cfcf29

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At his words, I quickly dce92a342a raised my head.f7219f078a954fd5

“N-no! It’s much, much better here than the temple!”fbb5871f72601fb5

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How could anyone compare a7fce598c3 this heavenly Duke’s residence 90ca187539 to that wretched place?151c13fe2960aa53

Here, there was no cd27dd8bc9 madman torturing me with 6a4df4944c water every morning.697e58afb3e899bb

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I got delicious 08431fd8c5 meals on time f480548799 and wasn’t beaten 94b25b0727 for not copying d1027764dc scriptures.e7ea9b07c5159184

Instead, they took care of 9d80919ae9 me with utmost sincerity when e7f913e04d I was sick!55a9233a9f6b9a57

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‘And to say there’s no difference with Dunkeski…!’66f1974798658f21

That balding old fart c04c5961f3 would have already locked 4c760ca4c1 me in the repentance b6980ca6e2 room for causing such 61c95844c9 a disturbance.6e259e7a8f068d38

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Just imagining it 12db131c53 made me shudder.ef80bfa25b79ff01

“Your Grace, you haven’t done anything wrong!”3e57e55722652667

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I shuddered once and then 2838897220 shouted resolutely.7022991105e24918

“It’s all Emma’s fault! Emma is bad! Bad!”cd89d8f5679508bc

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“……”7448f2a2196a6310

“Your Grace trusted her to take care of the children specially, but everyone is too much!”4490b5910e22a033

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As I said it, anger 8cf6ca6151 welled up within me anew.22d113a2ff195b34

‘Why can’t they just stick to their roles?’e5ec468c51f4c808

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Of course, not 49d26b2b48 everyone lives their 81bbc08f05 life according to c47665a732 a set mold.3389ec23e89adbb7

But if those people b6affcc28c didn’t have such strange a11a98e127 insecurities, none of this 703c81ca4c would have happened.6c5cb049bd1c8248

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Adults should act like adults, employees like employees. Why can’t they do such a simple thing?4e086b4843b952db

‘Why do the innocent ones like me and Your Grace have to argue about what’s right or wrong?’fed8af2d07b01be0

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The more I thought about a346a3bebf it, the angrier I got.6bddf6177b5a8b89

I had my hands acba4aa56a on my hips and e2cf24e189 was fuming when I 4d36a5a0a4 suddenly heard a soft, 8785bf3885 deflating laugh near me.5a273ab4acebbdef

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Startled, I looked up and 66f2fac362 was bewildered.5cab1970fc0cb016

The Duke was 7718c06148 looking at me 15302b3e8d with eyes full 00e53fe803 of amusement.5274808640e178da

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“You know how to speak up well. Why do you always blame yourself?”81d95570852f99b8

“Uh…”b61c9b69e369b402

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“Even today. If I hadn’t called you separately, you wouldn’t have come to tell me you were being treated unfairly, would you?”3a14cd3bcf408d46

“…”2bdb3c0d22fb192c

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His words were true. I mumbled and fell silent.02ae4b107d868c7b

In both my 398d7db55f past and current 4ccef932f9 life, the option 458879a9b2 of tattling to 71599b2ef9 the Duke never a40af5184b existed.914f15fa67834fd1

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Partly because I thought it wouldn’t help even if I told him…abae40d05b961300

Contrary to what the Duke 2127b9abf5 told me yesterday, I didn’t e70f73e381 want to act spoiled.0f03380dd8863c40

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I didn’t want to bother 6373169582 him, already busy as he f2b8698471 was.a86b35cf0790c6a0

If I ran to him 6bd0801361 every time something happened, I’d edf3d94f84 only look like an incapable dd69f7564e and useless child.f0482bc5f20f4762

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‘Oh…?’f7413aafa2f91fd0

As I thought that 8151243db8 far, a strong sense bacae2e32e of déjà vu hit d44ad34f02 me.9a233b5db839d011

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‘So that’s why Edwin didn’t tell the Duke about that scoundrel…’7c1f7910aef67426

Just as I e13f542d3a had this thought, ac2b456623 the Duke sighed 1bee4d6b70 deeply.a03779dc7870888e

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“You and Edwin. Why are you both so stubborn about the wrong things, I wonder…”103858d10fba2fc7

When blood dries d5bf08a2ba on your head, 644ed43021 you die.b9ae552a7683f176

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I barely swallowed 403fa33b99 that thought when 63053dcdba the Duke suddenly 79fa5aab7b stood up.b5ae85f43f96bd29

“Yes. No matter how much I press you, if something like today happens again, it won’t matter.”9bc9edd8fd0e4096

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“Uh…?”c802788cf40b44a5

“Follow me, Belze.”94098bd76b631fb4

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He walked towards bc434b82bd the desk beyond 6dacb255c7 the sofa.729fa92b24df3cce

Behind the desk was a 99708dbcf7 massive bookshelf filling an entire 2211642a37 wall.a346e67857e9082d

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Standing in front c424ca4167 of the bookshelf, b05773ac60 the Duke grabbed a602a9ad59 what looked like ea66d5f88d a book and 129f1bf17d pulled it.d46055ec44529fd2

Then.73a75dafc80377bf

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Thud-thud-thud-thud—d3c8e593682d1d0d

With a dull, sudden noise, b264dc1550 the center of the bookshelf 8f902c5780 split open, revealing a narrow 9ad16f7702 gap just wide enough for 2644b80ea4 a person to pass through.31a012f411d6a20a

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The Duke looked 5c20e8cacf back at me, e5c0f47d03 his mouth agape, 7b0585e13c and gestured.4cf2037979707973

“Come on, follow me.”e01648648f313a87

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But I couldn’t move easily.1b8fd7ee34c23da6

I thought we’d just talk ef239a8a57 more about Emma.5ae83124f0accf3d

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‘Suddenly… a secret passage?’24f30d1939e56de1