Chapter 39

The passage beyond the 74917f93b6 gap led downwards, revealing 0fa7ac8bfa a staircase.1c830ba1fef50b4a

‘I can’t see the end…’127e65de020461be

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Moreover, the steps were incredibly 3708be6d92 high.10952c03cac80b26

‘Can I even make it down with this body?’a5f2db08cf8b5d18

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I sighed deeply, looking 7883e0fdb7 at my short, stubby fa66a50b01 legs.7fc4d563fafa1e05

“Let’s go.”1a317f3307dae3ad

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Suddenly, the Duke squeezed a701ac67a6 through the narrow gap.becfac2a14c05e3a

Watching his back as 751283df90 he confidently descended the 7e281be74e stairs, I steeled myself.491f0ac163e966e4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Alright. Let’s do this!’a092a3f9fbc92a22

Cautiously, I placed my 305726259a hands on the wall 56675faacd and slowly lowered one 50288e8043 foot.fbb52206cfe49b0a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But then, after b74ec3a728 descending a few 1566c0d9b9 more steps, the c2496ce0af Duke abruptly turned 1b86c54543 around.f4c521fbf42532d5

“Ah.”0fcc5441374fd4f6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing me awkwardly f914cbcfce clinging to the cec3674143 wall, he let 74a56e3d41 out a short 256d984b61 sigh and extended c825b2d90c his hand.d8ce72c39ed7481a

His large hand, 5e3494ffad rough and calloused 5445e70bbb in places, made da396afaf3 me widen my 6232440f6e eyes.301a88880168b174

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘…Is he asking me to take his hand?’ed1c5ff51dee2524

It seemed he 1a9c7465b2 intended to escort 853cbea2cb me.d3bd54bbfcbe0471

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘As expected, our kind and handsome Duke.’4603d4137ee3b260

I extended my tiny hand, 71e9e95a9c which was less than a e5eb2325c8 quarter the size of his.168cec6637b919b4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But just before I de025c9aee could grasp it, the b8fe787f6b Duke suddenly pulled his ffa2ae5cdb hand back.8c89d2e18b180693

“No, Belze.”cd8569c769e8d8b8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh…?”bc7efe11c3bbc87c

“In situations like this, you should ask to be carried.”c5826e714219ee66

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He spoke in 3cc816193a a gentle, instructive 61cd6477e5 tone.c6198a2ae4793e80

“How do you expect to get down all these steps with those tiny legs?”bf4318cf184abdb6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Feeling foolish, I 3489b5a430 blinked at him, ac8a181b05 my face flushing 3988876a1e with embarrassment at d562358cdd his last words.686ace73c50ceed7

‘He’s right, but…!’4cc3bc5b76bbb7dc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Honestly, I wasn’t confident I ef088da9c5 could make it down all 312a3ea86c those steps either.91e5bf1cf2e45fa4

‘But to ask to be carried… by the Duke himself?!’e4508515cb9820c7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The Duke, noticing my hesitation, 62a8cf3f2b urged me again.ee8ca6fba4ac1965

“Come on. Do you plan to stand there all night?”6f6a51d2aa121462

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“N-no! It’s just…”3bc48c180bcfa523

I had no choice.35077e800faa99f8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I finally closed my 6fda051581 eyes tightly and forced fcc82c91ff myself to speak.b09529da7342ed2e

“C-could you lend me your arms…?”bf8123b81e23aa02

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Of course, my lady.”4f496ec91375f029

With an overly 511ff70feb formal response, the d77e136939 Duke extended his d4f0a3c736 hand and lifted e662071686 me up.b752f21056ec04cc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Wah.”5a49ebc6f522c143

Just like yesterday, he 3e9a86621e easily supported me with f630cf3f31 one arm and began d099e11773 descending the stairs swiftly. He showed no 5d7d44ebf0 signs of difficulty.1af291e911265f37

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

However, the undeniable baby treatment 0ffda5a43e was overwhelmingly embarrassing.719ccd85b587c76f

‘…So embarrassing.’1c84f17e8f125371

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With our proximity much closer e0838a3ebe now, I couldn’t bring myself 792e9e3e36 to look him in the 707a472c83 eye, so I bowed my c208fd3013 head deeply. That’s when I noticed 4633cb9023 something strange.763ccb87a1bbc871

It was the Duke’s lips, curved into a pronounced smile.0bb5813ad92e0a52

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘…He’s smiling again.’3650548a23361a39

I was a eb20632221 bit stunned to 3e194e5cc7 see his smile 67732ce4d5 once more. Earlier, I thought I 80626528bf had imagined it out 64b1551fb7 of surprise.84172a0a5dd59832

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But this time, 27446018f2 it was real.ca79c020da55b73c

‘So, he can smile like this.’4b9a62ff7674f67f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It felt odd.6a70be472a6454cc

To me, the ea2f5a4723 Duke had always ec3e63e19c been stern and 35be6cfc5c intimidating—a distant grand b8be7804b6 noble with blue 1b2a1ef173 blood running through 1824e6cfb5 his veins.21db826ecea3d1a7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just then, the Duke’s murmuring pulled me from my thoughts.b108e578b3495de8

“We’ve arrived.”58a9ff044c8f1801

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I looked around, but the 4e10ed9182 pitch-black darkness swallowed everything. I couldn’t see an 0e62619f3d inch ahead of me.0e18976bd39f183d

A sudden fear gripped me. Bad memories began to surface.b7c61baa600cf6a4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Unconsciously, I clung tightly d1a17e7392 to the Duke’s neck.baee21a6b0f061b8

“Y-your Grace.”f79f6fa182fca654

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hmm?”d02238e76172efc6

“This… it’s not… a prison, is it?”3678328e96236129

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Logically, he wouldn’t 6e26d89a90 bring a prisoner 90eb7b99a8 here in such 05fc39eef9 a gentle manner.f37e1a732edb8306

Nevertheless, my body trembled uncontrollably. It wasn’t something 0dc606287a I could control.e68b9e629fd5c02d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Dark, enclosed spaces c357ace5bc naturally brought back 82895f24c9 memories of the a989053179 repentance room or e2e4256610 the imperial prison.1832ddd3b39558a7

“Hmph. A prison inside 70bec8b2e0 the office… quite 6707b7491c creative.”a9d00ffe78eaef77

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The Duke replied calmly.013f54fc71745243

Then, with a e38a7269b0 click, something shifted.6a99b3c9cb83adb5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Suddenly, the space filled 7dd7e7d1be with light.45ef252dd58c25e6

Click, click, click!af8bb6cd2e5e07ee

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It seemed like some 823d06a764 mechanism activated, as a 28c848a679 series of soft blue 554da2fea6 lights illuminated the area.4b3adc6f32e1d5e6

I gaped at the sight 9f9063cd24 that was revealed.aa31f390992b2def

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This… this place is…”e8042db5574d1892

Fortunately, it wasn’t a prison.59b5f66a1cb0b0a7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Instead, it was a room f9f9b1f222 the size of the office, d58d736c6a filled with neatly arranged glass c0f9664b9b cases.5ad7c33edfc1c1dc

And all the strange 84a2d6636b items contained within.c180208786181333

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In a word, c56a6e85a3 the small exhibition-like 7d230a2aea appearance was enough 857dee57a4 to bewilder me.41070b6dd3b5fed7

“Y-your Grace… where are we?”55828f2b0b28a9e2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This is a secret room that only the head of the Kallios family can enter.”c6ae349146ab6d38

“Secret room…?”3b655303c23ad3d5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The Duke’s casual answer 7c08d4d3df made my mind reel.1c27e30da55ee25b

‘Why would he bring me… to such a place…?’457eba6754348107

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I had never seen 1a34cc94e7 such a place in 982b4917dc my past life, nor f1dd72b665 in the original story.4292d29f50c34454

From bizarre stuffed animals to unfamiliar weapons, maps, and parchments inscribed with spells…6e9f0e82da586fac

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The space, filled with 1d0eb2d6a0 obviously extraordinary items, looked 252cea9886 like a small museum.74f6cfb8e366b315

As I was looking around 7ba8c86700 in a daze, the Duke a64ee30de5 suddenly asked,362c1703eeb086c3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You know that Kallios participated in the religious war that took place several hundred years ago, right?”a40a7d9f50329460

“Yes!”beb6bd4e45ae137c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I nodded confidently.9d30f421939945ba

It wasn’t just dfaa076345 a simple participation.0d38f82e391d3546

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Kallios was the 6282b3d7d4 leading force that e8b00cdef4 suppressed heretics, unified 5fc9b2685d the continent, and 7df3126b99 established Elea as 181b3eaa6e a single religious 326a8182b1 state.9f97fcd2e0286960

“These are the spoils obtained during that time. While there are holy relics, 664abd9b53 there are quite a few 3ed9558331 items belonging to the heretics a80b759378 as well.”e18e7a4d1c87b507

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Even after descending 8e80099751 the stairs, the 97b3ccb7d8 Duke did not 1fa17bb582 put me down.be76b7f77f182985

Because he continued walking, I 7f286ca5d5 missed my chance to speak.e6b59d6bc95cf465

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Held in the Duke’s tall bc742b117f embrace, I was able to 30bba3369b observe the displayed items more a54c1500fd closely.25113b8dac5a14b3

‘Wow. These are really 86533e0213 things you’d only ca55c3bab9 see in sacred 5684a3bdbf texts.’35dab2d1231a2d18

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Among the strange items, I eb9a0798ae saw objects that radiated a 058ff3942a strong holy power, confirming the ea05fcc02f truth of his words.9931a2fca016310f

“That’s… Arukkia’s Arrow?!”00edf47dc1c767ee

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It seems you’ve studied the scriptures quite diligently. It is said that the b9ef71622b first Saintess used that to 46276519b1 defeat the demons summoned by 7845e1fa77 the witches.”3b9692bfaa22ccc3

Whenever I recognized a 9bd6201dbf holy relic, the Duke 8de229aadb kindly added an explanation.5db0e6a1f9e19d56

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Is it really okay for him to show me these things?’68e9aeb8deaf57f2

As the Duke 5efa1c38ed moved further inside, 80fa1cf667 my heart pounded 70938b7849 harder.ab0dcbcd8eab01d7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I was a bit scared.69598d8c5836fe8e

‘No way. He wouldn’t kill me be21b7e7b1 because I found out 023cdbcad0 about the secret space, ce1ef0aef8 right?!’53da724f165d0633

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As I anxiously gazed at the holy relics and the heretical items…42335b68cb5e7312

The Duke, who 07dbfb33d8 had walked deep dfe94057fe inside, finally stopped c1efd3540e in front of c8360075b7 a glass case.0bdd6a7e75047c54

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inside it was none other than…4f8382213d1b32e3

“A teddy bear…?”927a4b0a56069fdc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was a dirty, worn-out, 9daf4f7c79 cute, and insignificant-looking teddy bear.96b4940277c58a95

‘Did heretics use such things too…?’827f0228a518a77b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As I tilted c145639dfd my head in 68084659a7 confusion.df8b21680f2709b6

Click.d20a485f40b98b1a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Suddenly, the Duke opened the 35d0625876 glass case.7dceb39e793db3ff

He took out the teddy 27a9cc8c99 bear with one hand and 28940a505d handed it to me.0ea8589d7c696b1b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Say hello, Belze. From now on, this will 64a271a3c7 be your guardian.”f647831b6b43a883

“G-Guardian?!”048b6f1c1b1aab7d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes.”8ce132295987ddf4

I stared at the bear 073aacd333 with a baffled expression.ae359248319bce9f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The teddy bear, 4efa4b533a which was about 0dde73716c the size of 9e167a9110 my torso, looked 8438a7c09b extremely ordinary.40c6874c87a58623

I carefully reached d581f6f0b7 out and touched 8049570024 it here and e81b6444e8 there, but there e8da5e5f52 didn’t seem to ac58269e10 be any special 7bfc98376d devices.756b4e4fe024b8aa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘It’s fluffy and cute, but…’e23601ac91abbeeb

How could such a shabby 35c4639876 bundle of cotton serve as 36ac486ede a guardian?6335cb4bc72509e1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I tilted my head while b816563583 squishing its particularly soft belly.195419f3872a0134

Fortunately, the Duke explained.a49a9e3956ab832d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“This was made by a minority group who believe that spirits dwell within dolls.”3a31f31030ced73a

“Spirits?”6c983cff72bea51c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes. Place your hand on the f25c7d594f doll’s chest.”bb9d0ea3c53171fe

I did as he instructed ec36453d32 and placed my hand on 5fa5679bf3 the bear’s chest.f90c307b7319f2d2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Despite feeling scared and doubtful, 00874ac056 I was curious about how 878313f42a a bundle of cotton could 8accd31922 act as a guardian.d051396d5f3a0c3d

The soft fur 038c92ed5f tickled between my d3c8829776 fingers.b8dcd9b28beeaf00

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Can you infuse this doll with holy power like you do when healing Josh?”5cab2d83b76ebe6d

The Duke suddenly asked.8bed91a21ba25125

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes!”53d2b6107dadbed2

Since it was an easy 5149e162d6 task, I quickly gathered holy 38054832ff power in one hand.66a9f79a6f2b03c8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

With a flash―!5ccba5dadadcad62

As a small ball a72596c0f6 of light formed in fa7f355f2d my palm, I pressed 2a433c7768 that hand against the 672920d5a8 bear’s chest again.1558c8bf38d02327

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Srrrk.fdd55dde6847129f

Amazingly, the doll absorbed the b7bdca9d8e holy power as if it 3bb60c2ac7 were a living organism.86aeb3f58d8f23d9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Thump!0c97e758d08a153d

At that moment, a8f502878d the teddy bear’s d20a024560 body pulsed as b51a9646db if it were a8777150f8 breathing.904a656e43667fb7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The Duke, with a serious 10089fba91 face, confirmed my suspicion.45a1f3e99befec99

“Try to maintain the current level of holy power.”1abc7a2dc4d2c728

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Since it wasn’t difficult, 4dc2da9120 I nodded vigorously.423e713d630aeb23

“Yes! Belze can do it!”a8bd88f2d825f800

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then repeat after me.”63a898e7fc89f5c3

“Maintain the current level of holy powe…!”3464fc1235fc7e6c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I meant repeat after what I’m about to say.”3309aa248ecb0f08

The Duke looked ee026cf44a at me incredulously.8194fe05e92d08b1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Oops! I got too ahead of 233e4d2d9a myself!’a3c718a76bf70ff7

I had been so c78784b154 tense that I didn’t 19961cbd77 even give the Duke 1148e30de6 a chance to speak.cc496d8bcbf86fea

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seeing my face 46035bc368 flush red, the 14afc62534 Duke chuckled.1c6150c2a9a3d8e0

“Now, repeat after me. From today onwards, I ed638b2efa am your master, Belze.”61461a13021ceec6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…From today onwards, I am your master, Belze!”20b3cff8c9b576ac

“I command you to protect me from all evil enemies.”0bfb533c973843a6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I command you to protect me from all evil enemies!”97156eb670b01f10

Whoosh―!c7da062112fd996f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At that moment.2c3762d99e64518e

A strong light d9817e75aa burst forth from 28869103b8 where the bear 3f841f8b6c and my palm 2acdb9d7b2 touched.ac001e09f0f989fe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“The contract is complete.”d0fd0269f713e123

The Duke smiled with satisfaction.58a2837da090c232

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Now, give this doll a name.”3c2a9d26e87acb27

“A name…”5d7f9806df62a9df

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I pondered for 41e3b56d91 a moment after d9e0afc25c hearing his words.1fd99a8dbcf5c578

However, no matter 955da5a661 how much I b2107e5658 thought, I couldn’t d219aefe07 come up with 4494580b48 a suitable name.4d791333937eb9e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I was clearly not 36df1bd02d good at naming things.4eb0f27116180307

“Ummm… naaaame…!”f0e3f8433604d711

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Anything will do. Just something easy and ba8d7b832e comfortable for you to 69cebf781f call.”52cc6be6ea0a4d44

Seeing me frown in d244aebf09 thought, the Duke added.4e0eb9c197f12d33

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“At this rate, you’ll be pouring holy power into it all night.”51cff54c777d1b57

“I’ve got it!”d47f603f169d339e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I hurriedly responded.0415f60abc771081

“Your name is…”1a4640e445170cb3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…”33a21ef32521668f

“Teddy… Teddy bear!”1c67b52cc70ef647

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Whoosh―!71875351324fe4a6

As soon as I 56b2f47b5f shouted the cheesy name, 8f2d159e81 the light from the 6b4b8e4f9e bear stopped.1139430cf5dcfcd6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was a 364ec12c57 brief moment of ff16885c75 silence.57a3303930f2c324

In that instant, I 67b74d29fd had the illusion that e324091c91 the black eyes of 46bb085667 the bear glowed.12ed8eb5d9df04f1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Whoosh―!7db4a63f51da73ad

Suddenly, the teddy bear, which 8e70032750 had been in the Duke’s e16f253045 hand, sprang into the air.deebd73c7babc48c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Tap, tap! Tap-tap!6ce104f9cdaa9d53

Unbelievably, the bear 842e6c37b5 stepped on the 5f0f5669e1 walls and pillars, fc49a22442 sweeping across the f17ba15f45 ceiling like an c8dd341a6a assassin.72993bcd225c6871

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Then, after somersaulting through b131271f82 the air, it landed e0326d4413 on the floor with 5393f01b95 a thud!6a4da08b8eecbf64

“Hello, friends! My name is Teddy… Teddy bear! Belze’s assassin!”c7e3ed90be9c2d69

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It greeted us cheerfully.fc944ee279d9013d

Tl/N: So guys the thing is she named the teddy **”Gomgomdori”**bbb873fea12dfc12

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

**”Gomgomdori”** is also a playful name with a less silly but still endearing tone Here’s a breakdown of the name:489dd27e60a76e18

– **”Gom” (곰)**: Means “bear” in Korean.7a8c717aa323b7eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

– **”Dori” (도리)**: This is a common suffix used in Korean names for animals or mascots, adding a cute and friendly touch.7db3c5dbfcfe880f

So, “Gomgomdori” essentially translates to “Bear Bear Dori” or “Bear Dori,” where “Dori” gives it a cute and familiar ring. The repetition of “Gom” (bear) emphasizes the bear-like nature of the toy, making it sound affectionate and charming, fitting for a beloved stuffed animal.1985cf9ead70a15f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

TL/N: I skipped Dori cuz c70f1ca774 it would look weird. I named him Teddy- e1d5cd8a7d teddy bear. I hope you guys 149eef179a will understand it.09911a6488aef354