Chapter 52

Compared to the way he 907b547527 had harshly scolded the marquis 54b978d700 as if he would beat 4fc76fe526 him up at any moment, df66b6e8c8 this was a generous treatment.c092cfb105716306

To end it with just 2856a194d4 an apology.28b32d9e4a4a1b95

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In fact, the Duke f2a2a98063 could have, if he 0b8e7ba2e4 wanted to, found any 7f57aee1db excuse to frame Marquis eba6e5c2ba for trying to harm fde0535a1f Joshua.2fb54ec85e7a6a05

But I knew he wouldn’t go that far.d02beb0aa64d9682

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‘It must be because of Diana…’b8c6e82cb91cef35

Thinking it was a child’s mistake, he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.c5f9f27a085bb34c

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I still looked at 249241f60f Diana, who was sitting b513acbca4 on my bed.4db9386ffb0ba89b

She was trembling 7c4b2b24dd with a frightened 91a0537248 expression, looking like e1a68f0189 a completely harmless 08666493b2 child to anyone 6a894a905a who saw her.9f2528ab90f41bf7

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Seeing that brought cbf2735d58 a slight bitterness 22aca4d7fd to me.747c46182f1fe843

As expected, there 92a415cbd2 was no way a5cf380124 to reveal that 6ccb0bc8e2 she had been e8f0abc9d2 involved in this 276bb98e99 incident and had e5f8e0620e personally eaten the ed28b2231e pecan pie.fbdd7b92748b8d27

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‘Even if I told them, it would be hard to believe…’586b81eb30618d98

In the future, I 689d155ab9 would have to bear 334880f528 such things alone every bd2e5063fb time they happened.ad9628abe2227901

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The problem was that 6d6ed10fd2 there would be countless 172f6bce4f such incidents.eef23e97b2fb2eeb

Because Diana was the heroine, c5f11f71b5 and I was the villainous eabf4085dc character.eaf848cc8b2cc253

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Just as I was about 6086d3cb80 to suppress a sigh from 9d6151f980 feeling overwhelmed already.6187ef29f7cf1abd

The marquis, who had been rolling his eyes for a long time at the Duke’s demand for an apology, stammered.f18084aea914bd2a

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“I never said it was poison…”a006c95c8e1e331b

“Ha. So, that’s how you’re going to play it.”81758c01d3435a42

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“It’s not playing it, it’s the truth, Duke. Did anyone here hear me say it was poison and insult the Duke’s family?”3afdc8a7ce8e889d

It was truly c7fd506b96 a sly and f3a78d563b absurd response.8e0c6b8dfe4a6fc1

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Not only the Duke, a87015bcdd but everyone present had 3827b56ce0 a grim expression.e5c0ea1340e110b5

At that moment.0f4c69f19bee5d9a

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“That maid thinks differently.”235bb9c2baeaae45

Edwin, who had been quietly watching the situation, pointed at Diana’s maid.45c2e2c09cac07fd

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“As soon as Diana collapsed, she asked Tara if it was poisoned.”8c06e2c0e61744f8

“Y-yes! You were yelling at our lady to hand over the antidote!”ec1ffacb8337b29c

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Tara, who had been a20968d82f standing quietly behind, gathered 61ce55fd08 her courage and spoke c5c7f49a46 up.c850b2b6a2f28038

“W-what! I didn’t go that far…!”716f2ec17a47832c

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The maid, who had been c04dde7d53 suddenly pointed out, immediately turned c88726b593 pale.4afa18f28f55f613

She had not anticipated 390058b04e this outcome when she 7cba9f98cc had spoken recklessly to 7d6f946462 me and Tara.86ba757a70a56650

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“…W-what could I do! Miss Diana’s condition looked strange to anyone…!”18ed4d54d7e7f983

“You foolish girl! Shut that mouth!”a1e25cc73d4e081a

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The marquis hurriedly tried to cover the maid’s mouth, but it was already too late.7c209d41e9f388cd

“I think we have enough witnesses now.”e1c3286714104ecd

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The Duke surveyed the surroundings ff489d7152 as he summarized the situation.7ceb200ddbfdbc84

“Then, I will send the official complaint soon. You may leave now.”31d64d367bbe5b3c

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“D-Duke!”65836c8e442d6f64

The marquis urgently aeca57e32f called out to 1ce7760d5e the Duke.206dcce352ebd5af

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He had tried to wriggle out of it by claiming he never mentioned ‘poison,’ but he had been caught red-handed.71f7f5cc74c08fdd

Desperately, he shouted as proof.cb3e595c6cc36dea

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“I-I have nothing to do with it! I wasn’t the one who brought the cursed pecan pie, nor did I make the insult about poison!”581157a495d079f8

“But what can you do? The child your family sponsors brought it, and the maid your family employs insulted our family, so as the head of your house, you must take responsibility.”353095331b01811f

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The Duke explained kindly, as 3ff785d93b if teaching a stubborn child.81cfd3c3387afb59

“So you should have managed your subordinates better.”58dd52e4505f4ade

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“Ugh…”7185d52c9ec52edc

“Considering our past relationship, I won’t ask for a large settlement fee.”0071f8b21b98eaf6

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Tap, tap.c2b290122c710cc7

The Duke patted the de837470fc Marquis on the shoulder 2b02ef1ca7 a couple of times 91f19a4043 as if to encourage e1bc2089d8 him.d50ba378301019ba

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The Marquis’s face was filled with humiliation.549e01580ecb4b76

In disputes between nobles, the settlement amount wasn’t particularly important.1aa51320a53e7766

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What mattered was whether one’s reputation was damaged or not.e93a595c23ed1bab

In this world, even f972056fd0 a small issue would 6931b12fd3 follow you around like a836115363 a label, so one b24861e65e always had to be d83eb57ade cautious about their behavior.66b8219dfd53793e

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Especially for a family like the Barelotte, which wasn’t of pure bloodline.daa97ea88512bff3

The Barelotte family’s ancestor was a famous arms dealer who had bought his title during the chaos of the religious wars a few hundred years ago.f6e3250f3e94626b

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In that sense, the maid’s careless mention of poison at the Duke’s house, which was almost like a noble family of pure lineage, was a great overstep.261dc29ac841387b

Perhaps understanding this well, the Marquis suddenly shot forward like a bullet towards Diana’s maid.a330e5d1492951bb

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And then.8056b4eab1bb881c

Smack—!fd2f0a13dde8d6a8

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“Ack!”d2bad86abefbd0e0

“How dare you run your mouth so recklessly here!”e367550db5decf3f

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The marquis’s hand, as large as a pot lid, struck the maid’s cheek hard.238ea10e91e0e357

I gaped at 5a39e5de06 the unexpected action.f50f1a62c4d0d1af

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However, the Duke and Edwin 32772d98f2 merely observed the situation with 2b68fbd8b3 indifferent expressions.0542a585262f0947

It seemed they had da3a516012 already anticipated the Marquis 3aab7228ef would act this way.83da7e989fe16fa0

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“Couldn’t even take care of a single girl and caused this mess? Do you think I pay you a high salary for this?!”002e97646c4d6bf4

“I-I’m sorry! I-I misspoke! I’m sorry, sob!”b4a2fb51e32cda6f

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The maid, holding f832426a41 her cheek and 24341149c4 looking shocked, kept 0f4a805875 bowing her head.76a3aa99686a6533

“What good is apologizing to me! Apologize to the Duke right now!”9be609d63e03173b

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“I-I’m sorry, Your Grace! I’m sorry, Lady Belze… I-I spoke recklessly because I’m an ignorant girl!”4ba0afe088878660

The woman twisted 3313608394 her body and 225d92dd1a deeply bowed in 44185013b9 the direction where 85fcfd0133 the Duke was 6c1d800d13 standing.511b2e674a8b5970

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Drip, drip.7918a9c9eeb686a7

Large tears rolled down db2158fa9b her red and swollen 2dedeff202 face.4b519d176c75aae9

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It was a typical b5f31bae28 move to escape immediate 62a5a1397b anger by harshly reprimanding 8fdfd869e7 a subordinate.138152ba4d9ff7f4

Though the maid had participated in the scheme against me, seeing her bowing her head didn’t make me feel particularly satisfied.1f819312a65f2dbf

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‘It was probably all the Marquis’s doing anyway…’05b5ba08b4e27870

As expected, the Marquis 992a1b2688 immediately cut her off.163a01c03ba2cb2a

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“The Duke is right. It is all my fault for not properly educating my subordinates, so I ask for your leniency with a generous heart…”73753fd738db698a

“…..”146fa23d56674fa8

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The Duke said nothing.a008e4ab930e7fba

But having created such 0ce7376ead a commotion by slapping 8b527c989f the maid, it would ceb9657567 be ridiculous to continue dcc14dc010 being angry and not f73113d796 forgive her here.c084c5d4bf5d9066

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I looked at fe67b58236 Diana, who was 5195b20776 at the center 00bde5c697 of the incident, f2c9354ecf with calm eyes.6ebd169099d7a534

‘Children can be conveniently used at times like this.’d0d148f0f5c4efde

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Just by looking d6bff3cf03 frightened and tearful, bd8569bb64 she could easily 1a0bb1cb81 evade suspicion.112bae2af104e92c

Although she was likely used by the Marquis as well…300860f0bef13351

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Why?565e0269af0fd723

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve eaten so much.”db236b7465caf2a1

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“M-my body feels strange… I-I can’t breathe… Gah!”51cea0d8885794eb

The sight of her stuffing 05008e2e13 a large piece of pecan 0ff212cb98 pie into her mouth.4cadf286f93e7fd8

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Even while choking, she b60315f4a5 had subtly smiled.3535cd24f9193f6b

The memory of her face d27ccebd7b kept sending chills down my c595846e64 spine.d339b85b33133644

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“D-Duke…”87cf0a3565751c0a

The Duke’s silence dragged on.98097e672c1a12fc

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The impatient Marquis dd1207c6be was about to 91c202e5a8 speak again with 37ee2d6fe0 a nervous expression.d66d627de6ca35a5

Suddenly, Diana’s face, which I had been staring at, turned bright red.d2692a5ad66fbf41

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“Waaaah…!”a524b6579d1e58f2

In the quiet room, the sound of a child’s crying echoed loudly.7257caf0e6e5b9d5

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“I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”cf4dfd8b18fed356

Diana cried, big ac88501f57 gem-like tears falling 148fb68f19 from her eyes.0cff462b7ac69116

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“Sniff, I just bought it because Belze said she wanted to eat it…”2676ad7ec4913405

Her next words momentarily froze 7d0b9d938e my thoughts.7677ab154b10c3bc

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“What…?”b04fcd53b6f7b9a7

“I really didn’t know there were apricots in the pecan pie. I promise I won’t buy it again! So please, forgive me this once, Duke…”6b62547bf7a8e061

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After dropping a bombshell, 14b1bf87bb the person in question adba2f9704 burst into sorrowful tears.2757ae3a52a9549e

“Ha…”7b2cf8cecc753b33

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I let out a small b98eaa02fc laugh, forgetting that the Duke 0b47bc54e6 was present.f44d5b95a649ecf8

When something is too outrageous, cf8a95d05a your mind goes blank – e89ef1e5a9 this must be what that a2671e8df5 feels like.892e1c916fd83e68

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I took a step fb460ca0f1 towards Diana, who was 26daa7166d sitting dejectedly on my ffb73c471c bed, and asked.af8b189f64466d57

“When did I…?”ab0c549629c33984

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“Sniff…”c8887e0f4bdd3f4e

“When did I say that, Diana?”01eaa68066abff29

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“When we were at the temple, and the Marquis gave only me the pecan pie…”5ff1a463342b02f8

Diana responded, wiping her tears 18f1480121 with her small hands.bffdda5919b000c8

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Whether it was because her 14dd2905eb nose was blocked or intentional, 26a0cfcfcc she was now speaking in 83540b9630 a babyish tone.c08c4f607ce93b92

“You said you wanted to try it. So I… Sniff! That’s why I bought it…”a20f0a3d37631095

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“…..”12430869f4a50362

“When it was just the two of us, you thanked me and said you were annoyed that the Duke’s house never gave you such things, and asked me to bring it again… Sniff.”4d7bd22cc42d5fd3

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“What! Is that true?!”6b77d9a597cad8e6

Upon hearing Diana’s words, the Marquis immediately glared at me viciously.872c08cd1b03b5ba

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I looked at Diana, 8567308695 who was sobbing uncontrollably, 36ec7d8352 in utter shock.b3247560db500efe

It was obviously a lie.4ee50f8caba6e2bd

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I knew better than e56d6fd7ea anyone that she was 1f90ed08d4 lying without batting an b657d90614 eye.4973725b115ce2fe

‘But…’31fc6e58fe027ab8

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There was no way f043dd0535 to prove that it 56bcedc297 was a lie.7fc792a0863fa95e

She had cleverly fb57780edd mentioned the time a3a276011c when Tara was a12e9ef843 not around, so 004bed6633 there was no 4c1ba7927a one to support a205a96304 my side.54e6a61fb8b4c495

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If I recklessly accused her 7bafdc0440 of lying here, I might 2cefc41aa7 end up looking like the a07cb1d9d9 weird one.41411a138387a557

Because I was 7c1bfb21a8 the most notorious 2fb9ff9418 troublemaker in the 35b5e9fdf8 temple.2ea43fa27f6e4324

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Whereas Diana, who was known 4124206dba as a model student, was cb94e2a2cc currently crying with a face 52c9a83278 full of genuine grief.38e015ee7dc7e1f7

‘…What should I do? Just take the blame and move on? Or, should I cry too?’b5fb7fcc7e4de107

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While I bit ba78173b8e my lip and 66bdafc6b2 searched for a c438a902dd way to break bf0f53ce6a through the situation, 915b2efe37 the Marquis, now 03e33a161c looking cheerful, shouted.db7f5f31df900f26

“If that was the case, you should have said so earlier, Diana!”6fdf6dad8e9e5056

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“But I didn’t want to get Belze in trouble…”416da01c75852c4a

“What trouble! Duke, did you hear that? The reason she brought the pecan pie was all because of that girl! So our Diana is not at fault at all…!”a4397c75d4198433

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At that moment.8e72a0173a669dff

Clatter! Bang!a5b155176c7a6d2f

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With the sound of e0a861bc31 a sliding door opening, 0238ff244b someone burst out of 55a1b3a801 the dressing room and dce4761cb7 shouted.cbce1d05e3d3c480

“It’s all lies!”7694be8c1a5a6384

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