Chapter 45

‘…Did the female lead come? Why?!’023bcd079e7a008f

I was taken aback by the butler’s words.342b9a0d502bf4ff

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Of course, in the original novel, Diana often visited the Duke’s house around this time.10d479b3bf6a489c

It was because of Joshua’s healing.47a06a6539b3a42c

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‘But now I’m the one healing Joshua… What other reason could she have to come?’141467204dc3e1b6

Although the situation had slightly b1ac700671 changed from my initial determination 052295fbbb to follow the original plot, 7f3ce70cbf I didn’t worry much about 59b397d4e0 it.f4fcbcf7cc0c8328

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Because Joshua is 0de590ccbf mentioned very briefly 5070b7c0c4 and passes by 042985e39f as a kind 7d2d151ac6 of prologue in 2589eb05ae the novel.940b955cb46cd885

「Diana, who was still inexperienced in healing power, was greatly disheartened by her inability to properly heal the Duke’s second son’s incurable disease.08f1140087fff6c5

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But soon after, 500f3fb940 an event celebrating e864bec63f the birth of c14deeafef the goddess takes 31df0a9667 place at the bf83e63b28 temple.99cb69eb12d8cbca

There, she displays abilities that surpass anyone else’s.」e42cf6fda4113132

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I racked my 63d2bc4c5a memory to recall 2a51f1866d the very beginning 6dcab8eafd of the novel.53b4090f1c8fb387

‘Whether Joshua dies or not, Diana failing to heal him is the same as in the original work, right?’4cfc8ef171c5de7f

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Therefore, I didn’t 4e12bdbc67 particularly care about 5401666765 this part.355b0a1afdb955b0

‘Failure’ would just be a small trial to highlight the female lead’s heroic episodes that would follow one after another.cded926ffb1fa52a

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And it would simply be 9b453b1891 an event that would lead ca5ce5ffc4 to her meeting the male ab40bceb81 lead candidate, Edwin.aed0cc89e12e134d

‘…Damn it, stupid author! If that’s the case, you should have made sure to heal Joshua properly!’705841133d30a3bb

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Maybe because I had grown 83ab53aa1d quite fond of him.b3b5cde8bd5278bf

Realizing that Joshua’s life e6baa8044a was used for such c761b0ea1b a trivial purpose made 4106100f08 me feel very down.4ef166ccb45a5a64

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“…Miss?”45fa9ca7a2c11dbf

“…”30d866356432abf0

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“Miss Belze!”0562d1f16014f467

At that moment.9506158bbba182a1

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“Ah, yes?!”e364ba0d91c724c7

Suddenly, I snapped out of babf3a4226 my thoughts at the sound 55ea6d7d31 of someone calling me.a125fd05395eddc7

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When I lifted d3733a293a my head, I 254ea8614b saw two pairs e3a75e6b4b of eyes looking fa15f700de down at me e77795407b with concern.23f1e85337909f82

“If you find it difficult to meet her… should I just say you’re unwell?”4da379c7355c0cac

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Tara bent down to 0656845f47 meet my eyes.9ea63722898b38fb

The warmth in 6f20de13c2 her eyes gradually fe287d0228 calmed my unsettled f4bf7e3150 heart.7b0e30d5efeb1d30

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“Oh, no. It’s okay! But, why did she come?”9a199458a483cef1

“She said she came to apologize and check on Young Master Joshua.”2ab94a4f70aa578f

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“Apologize?”4f82e920ff7edfc0

“Yes. It seems it af27e8381c might be because 4526d9748f the last healing 2f9bdd6677 didn’t go well…”9e2e4ed429ec789d

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The butler trailed off.92aa0e4020f9382b

‘Wasn’t it said that the wounds weren’t healed at all in the end?’cc304bbb1f2252c7

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I vaguely recalled the first time I saw Joshua’s condition and tilted my head.9ed2c97b2d39ded3

“But, does she want to see Belze first?”1ec50390643de257

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“She said she really wants to meet you, claiming you were old friends.”3a029b358df1fec4

“Old friends, my foot!”b576f7a25a57963f

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Did I answer 0aed14caae too sharply without df2229a882 realizing it?86862cc1ffd95c6d

Tara and the butler stared bd4661fbe9 at me with wide eyes.beb4267c79c7a709

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I mumbled awkwardly 1d8b7f2459 with a forced 516a29cd72 smile.13c8301be223aa51

“It’s only been a year since we met…”243d0cfdf3ac6b22

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“Shall I tell her to see Young Master Joshua first?”a14a9226aabf55d7

The butler spoke 1ce7f51670 as if trying 82488336cb to be considerate 5b6e9a835f of me.24fa39de6c116e7f

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He was implying he could 5d677359cf buy me some time if 8c09f64351 I needed to think more.abea4940e958fe31

I hesitated for a moment.56bf8f9f6ac35d31

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Honestly, I wanted bf9f024a9c to avoid meeting 59cb4062bd the female lead 8b068f17c1 as much as 9a8f453b37 possible before the 0c64554094 main story of a8ac822415 the original work 3a095e8863 started.65d1cc64564de14d

Even if I tried to avoid her, being a fellow saint candidate, we would inevitably be entangled together eventually…8afb50ea36288709

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Besides, what good could 916571918a come from the villain 187d1ff739 meeting the female lead?127b7909fac70067

But.924843ed297d4247

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‘By now, Josh should be sleeping after taking his medicine…’7abd57d3a02572f1

I didn’t want to wake 6d270a32c4 him, especially since he was 7fa89f66de already exhausted from the healing.c6a3542d31653a5f

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Making a determined decision, I adfcda397d spoke resolutely.bd4647ea090dd366

“No. Guide her to my room!”28b34e2b0fe6d7b2

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“Understood.”f6e3924d3b4fe673

“One moment, butler!”276cbb53abb7c1d7

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Suddenly, Tara grabbed the butler 3a5a3210cb who was about to leave 2605ae7fdb the room.f5a1c30ed5d94b8b

“While giving her a tour of the mansion, bring her here as late as possible!”517b9a8970744aee

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“Why…?”281ea644a2c4a261

The butler, looking 0412ea3fd6 puzzled, suddenly nodded 739bf7b798 with a determined d130ba7386 expression.1eb94bf7b94f72ba

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“Got it. I’ll delay as much 96b0f6d50a as I can!”0ade25d29b338cc2

With that, the butler left.0d9e11c4ea72d0d2

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Tara hurriedly grabbed me 518368de45 and tucked me under 26c92adae7 her arm.8b82573aa473b748

“Hurry, come here, miss!”0f6b71a01a3c8cce

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“Why?”62367c95aeb5396f

“Why? Since she’s here, we have 3c518ae3fb to completely crush her spirit!”5111713a6bc94436

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“Spirit…?”79ef2b6f72cebf8b

She dragged me 2d44def9b8 to the dressing 2924e426a1 room, which was ff3381d82b already a mess 116d74fcb0 with newly delivered 7920b3245f items, and started 23c9024811 turning it upside 6511985902 down.4ecd5de13371efa8

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“This one? Or would this be better?”b2cdae1c262aec00

She held up 65f73b495c new dresses to a53a753119 me one after d095c46bb5 another.5137b1fcc93abf6e

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Then she suddenly f684ffe822 asked a passing 6ea26a81c5 maid.72a6d9a82bd52489

“Hey, Kona! Which one do e2e0ea14e6 you think is 3e87930658 better?”275d4ad387d6203b

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“Hmm, rather than those… Miss should go for a chic and elegant look today. How about this dress?”1414c5da0dabf091

“That sounds great! Miss, hooray!”8959aaaaf33b8a85

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“Hooray…”636950407152b96f

Though I didn’t understand what was going on, I obediently raised my arms.6cc104f2ed8e34d1

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Tara swiftly stripped off the 419cda4cc3 clothes I was wearing and 6b7aadbd92 tossed them aside.83656a5726e40c23

“Nice catch!”8fc6d6b7aafff917

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I tilted my head, watching the dark blue dress land perfectly in Kona’s hands and go into the laundry basket.42170cb05c8aa791

“But Tara, that dress is pretty too. Why take it off?”4692202d635f8aac

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“That’s an indoor dress. You need to 7ab0433571 wear a more 3ddb66ba16 beautiful and luxurious 5df14bb491 party dress.”509611d71f9e82ad

“Party…?”c76249a189eb79b9

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Tara replied as she c8487e4b49 dressed me in a 91db6409a1 new outfit.f4c90608e91aeedb

The green velvet ed3774b50e dress, sprinkled with 35ec8817ad glittering gold dust, ca70a899fa was indeed dazzling 6165c500d6 enough to be 15869b4cc9 worn to a 17d1a14db8 ballroom.4eeac0bcbc5bb7ad

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‘Why suddenly a party…?’8a0558ce8231d0bd

Sensing my confusion, Tara added,4bb46240b17c9ee7

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“A princess of a country must always be well-prepared to greet guests, Miss.”9dafd39f00c26ec2

“Princess…? But I’m not a princess…”dea95d0cc6a776d4

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The reappearance of a title 6258eb0454 I hadn’t heard in a 4012240365 while gave me sudden chills.9264e36e7a3d1293

Sure enough,3bb614b5fd945b83

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“Girls, how about this hairpin for our princess?”0605770b2eda4657

“Tara, how about these shoes?”9064f7eb61cdba12

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“Here, the necklace box! These just arrived from 447675c2ad the Servignon merchant guild!”589ed91d4b5d9973

At Tara’s prompt, the maids f7f77ef4da who were helping to organize 4793694088 the items began rushing over.940dfe2c21a39e18

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“Trust us, Princess Belze!”385486f3142dbeb1

Seeing their eyes filled 41a41a44ef with determination, I slowly 8ad664eb50 opened my mouth.4e270e8ecf2750b9

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‘…Please, everyone, stop—!’2ec33ec157525fd6

* * *4c2ec7019d206694

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A moment later.d0adeb8875f82aa6

In the mirror, 0cd062deb7 I truly looked d92ad93598 like a princess c2356833f6 of a country.6a9a5c9dce47514d

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Green velvet dress and matching 35ee00f3db velvet shoes.780aa612bc9cacb4

Emerald hairpins securing my half-up 006a5d469e hairstyle, and platinum pins adorning f539f66ece both sides of my hair 187b9d7162 like a floral vine.77e1d9155b3c913d

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Pearl necklaces and bracelets adorned e39fb0dae1 my neck and wrists.a7a718ecf0c4aade

“…Why are there two bracelets?”585ed16ab7eebef2

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“Princesses from wealthy countries always wear them like this.”b219ccd9ec718a38

I meant to express discomfort…c3759dc73c1cc931

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Tara’s merciless reply left me speechless.a6b3c3be1e99db04

“Oh my… You look so beautiful and lovely, Miss!”994903968d05808b

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“They say clothes make the person, and this…! This dress was made just for you!”a599cb84f9231e2e

“I understand now why Tara praises you so effortlessly. If I were your personal maid, dressing you up every day would be such a joy…”2f902bf8e088dbc8

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The maids who 76defa9cd1 helped me dress b0c22a4be2 each exclaimed in 6ef7c70fa5 admiration.c8676dd8a8da9fd2

It was quite d0efe90543 embarrassing, especially since 44d9b2cdd5 these were people 02ba686735 who had been a0b7b53a61 distant until now.48df404091e10b4b

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Though some flattery might be due to witnessing Emma’s dismissal, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear.459c82559ec8b6de

‘It’s pretty, but… isn’t it a bit much for me?’96ef1b8c215eb86c

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I hesitated and 0aff914e41 then spoke up.7d63146864ae0736

“Do I really have to… go this far?”9f2798b63d59f701

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“Of course, Miss!”b6f233f4377b4607

The maids shouted in unison!237b92f41ea120d1

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“She’s from the same temple, right? Wouldn’t it be great to show her that our Miss is living much better?”434d0e5e6352906b

“Hmm… Is that so…?”52a4e09d149bd370

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I began to understand why 14e3041414 Tara and the maids put 613c2045d8 in so much effort.5e73c06f59c440b9

‘It feels like going all out for a reunion…’23b2d1732ecb769e

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But how much would a 8083a1a933 five-year-old know about such things?d470254dc92f5388

If it was f6a851ae7a before my return, 671622d8a3 maybe.5955fe2adf6ec309

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Diana would also be 5cc7c50c00 busy adapting to her 57fd835708 changed circumstances.9cc607c3507e3642

I responded timidly.f84365f80bd47aa1

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“But Diana wouldn’t really know about such things…”9d2927250442fbba

“Oh, come on, how could she not? She’s from the Marquis of Barellotte family, after all…”ace82bcd76950634

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Kona answered this time.140e2e440925ab69

The other maids nodded in 8d9bbd0e1a agreement.e3365ae85cd4974f

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“Of course, it doesn’t compare to our Duke of Kallios family!”5fe4465187fd852d

“Absolutely, no doubt about it!”e74a3d220283c02e

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Tara exclaimed with a resolute ff33d71792 expression.c6eecdcabe03e40f

“This is a matter of pride for us too, Miss!”e1ff9f43b9683036

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“Hmm…”785870a7b7c71128

With nothing more to say, ee7105504c I looked at my reflection badbc4267a in the mirror again, feeling 6494c72795 strange.28bf8da0c10f9822

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‘It looks better than I thought…’2104836b5a8917a0

Though it sounds 5b13afb4b9 funny to say 0bedd52fc3 it myself.0ac3640faa5d2493

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Despite the overly luxurious attire, 40a7ff3d38 my face didn’t seem overshadowed aed150e92a at all.3eaa3529995ef265

The red eyes 07cd8b4f31 I always wanted 9caff42d1f to hide shone 414d8e7421 clearly like the 6d882b9566 most precious jewel b32c6f5536 among the sparkling 562ebd56b3 accessories.e3475c140709b343

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Looking at myself now, no 379eb1c56f one would guess I was 90087bddf9 a commoner orphan.64c131b865453228

I looked as 85ebaf3beb precious as any 92152a695b noble lady.e4e7189ebd5d6b90

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In my previous 093346a5d1 life, I had c7cf85ee46 never looked back 6746f520d0 at my appearance, 036a4f877a living every day 83214645e9 like a war.bfdf08b4e782b209

I was always busy 384a21e146 imitating Diana.aa3a9687f6b2465e

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If Diana wore aab2c46ea9 a red dress, 9c1f747ce2 I’d find a 2f291c2886 similar one for 5c64644cda the next party.bfe09c8de311e429

If Diana wore amethyst e9e0038b85 accessories, my accessory box c40848f05b would be filled with 5e5dd5dd55 amethysts the next day.4fcf242e65ed08de

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Fortunately, the female lead was modest, so it wasn’t difficult to follow her.70ba0120bba1b4e9

At the time, I 19c8727364 thought that if I 03b67f8ea2 did everything Diana did, 585ea500bb I’d be loved like ccc425bbb9 her.672e2c06fa6c08a9

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‘And after debuting in society, Diana’s style even became a trend…’d7825de4d4a95d62

Isn’t that how all novel female leads are?de716a68ba14a30a

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I wasn’t the d4dd614ec1 only young lady 7f4cb2beb1 who admired Diana 300c3cd9d2 back then.daf7f4b9a0808179

But I was the 17bf943d91 only one who was cfbef0e785 constantly ridiculed.b4775d009267b06f

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“Did you see that commoner girl? Today, she’s wearing a purple dress just like the one Lady Diana wore at the last poetry recital.”7a92d15acc581b15

“It’s hilarious. Does she think she’ll become just like Diana?”c103553e12711076

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“Even though she’s a fellow saint candidate, she always picks the most vulgar and stupid things to do.”2909768a9aae8876

“…Don’t you like it, Miss?”05badad7ec356048

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Suddenly, a gentle hand 0489d94e86 adjusting my hair brought 4fad3b1b20 me slowly out of b7dce435bf my reminiscence.9da36fedbbfe54df

“Why does our lovely princess look so glum?”3962e78622ebe359

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Tara coaxed me with eyes e09fb2bd99 full of affection.bdc0ea05ef23f1cd

Only then did I 015f6e675b wipe the gloomy expression 6d0c851e66 from my face.a08c58bcf648828a

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And I smiled brightly.f39396ec115c84f3

“No! I like it! Thank you so much, everyone! You’re the best!”3a04af3296a77a4c

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“Kyaa, how adorable!”8536002e16d255cd

When I gave 892d8d8f75 a thumbs-up, the 2a0f45157b maids let out f4ef55eca9 another round of 68fff2f66c cheers.5d4da10052ce3061

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“Eek! What should I do? I just want to pinch her cheek once!”9b8ebab49ddf993b

Kona waved her fingers 97eee80f37 frantically like someone with 1666b49946 tremors.1cbdde1fb3d77726

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Tara, wearing a smug expression, af82170d01 spoke up.c2547760768f56e7

“Our princess’s cheeks can only be touched by me, you know?”222d90420cab8c31

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She then turned to bdb6f7fb6b me with a sly 69564f7d9e smile.e98835895935b59f

“Princess, in honor of our hard work, could you please let us touch your cheek just once as a reward?”83821eaec7cf49cd

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“…Just once.”47bf6b67f9dcc43b

I replied resignedly.bec66cfa3d485206

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Immediately, Tara reached out her 778438fc63 hand towards me.7cbd81b3054e2a78

Squish, squish.a02d2f813af1bbb6

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Squeeze, squeeze.1afff41098ff9115

The maids watched with 2c8c744ed8 sparkling eyes as Tara 2ed54f2e01 kneaded my cheek like 8edb87506b a piece of mochi.e32b0b3692fee1bd

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“Tara, how does it feel?”eaea6162939356cb

“Ah… it’s so soft. Warm, and as tender as freshly baked bread.”d1163f974b506043

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“I’m so jealous…”4a09c0f35b3c2163

“Damn it! I should’ve applied to be the miss’s maid!”908f7747c5512eac

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More than once had passed.4db2ac3e0cb6421f

I shouted with 63a9abe227 my eyes wide d3ef820012 open.4a6c6230333ba530

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“Hey! I said just once! My cheeks will wear out!”14d294df16efddeb

“Sorry, Princess. Please don’t be angry.”214620c76869d380

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Tara withdrew her hand, 0e081a89a2 still looking wistful.9e856222ea416c46

Although I had shouted 44ce29b138 in anger, the maids 5237173f7c wore peculiar expressions.a3ed9eeb4e1495e4

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“Oh my! She looks like a kitten with its fur standing on end. I feel like breaking everything, what should I do?”d553abbb6a33b62d

“Even when she’s angry, she’s so adorable…”672c94373d188365

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“Princess, I know it’s our first meeting, but I love you.”79090efa75b3a091

As I was half-listening 575919ed1a to their incomprehensible comments, ec006ced5c there was a knock.951da19f8edbca9c

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“Looks like she’s here!”6426853c1d732788

The maids hurriedly started 37317c8bd2 tidying up the dress 3e40fbb248 room, which looked like ca39666365 it had been hit 000a2b955f by a bomb.269f6081c69f9b42

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“Tara, take the miss out first!”ea8b9903e865fc7b

“We’re counting on you, everyone!”db8de756277f5732

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Nodding, they exchanged e2b7316fde knowing glances and 72388fcf3d firmly locked the f64730819d dress room door.3188eb4783b3061e

Finally, Tara and I aacb6ef12a stood in front of 686b6ae0bb the door, ready to 423de851bb greet Diana.ce70ee2c00776918

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Feeling slightly nervous, I responded.eaceb1a3e9c8b0ea

“Come in.”ef4729853b62dbbe

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Creak.caa221cb26035e87

The door opened.f0f0da95a2297712

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“…Diana.”bd534d8e51dd1ece

At last, I was reunited d26f9c244a with the female lead who 75e7c29132 had been my persistent rival ddbba64202 in my past life.d5264a97303b5baf

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