Chapter 54

“Uh…”bae06250c87d8e05

When I absentmindedly raised my bed6fa483e head, feeling the sudden warmth.32a97385541d096b

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The Duke reattached the flower 1b230116c8 branch-shaped hair ornament that had 0d6684d1bf been dangling from the side 57a8cb671e of my head with the 94b45ec5af hand that had touched the be36d76e2b top of my head.08d49066874162a2

As he said, I was so startled earlier that I hadn’t noticed my hair was disheveled.097a84a4c440df05

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His warm golden eyes d96907ea15 scanned me up and cedd420c4b down.a88c9b3753755dab

“It suits you well.”afc5f259985a6cfa

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“….”d7079ffd1c9dd770

“I chose it. Just like that dress.”df3298706bb19f27

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His tone was indifferent, d4c24a6bd6 but I understood immediately.a1a90fa283298a28

Just as the 878f1fe832 Marquis had made 51f25a756a a fuss to c84765eb9b protect Diana,f57e22b0d1eec028

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He was subtly revealing to 43d48fec11 everyone that he cherished me 747464cc81 dearly.acf3e8a11d1a6028

A sense of belated relief fea0cdddb9 washed over me.4692cf0ac267532a

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I wanted to thank him for believing in me, but…079e605e76212eb1

“Hing, Duke…”dc9f87de420eccf7

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When I opened my mouth, 669b9a4dce a whiny sound came out.ec6276d7f29b26b5

Hastily closing my mouth 345beb009b and pouting, the maid d466162f2a sisters suddenly exclaimed.dbf6294b79964215

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“Oh my! No wonder it suits you so perfectly!”ab06b1c13abce48d

“Our Duke has such an excellent eye.”e6bd6a8ea09e73a6

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“And his keen observation, those cute little shoes fit perfectly, didn’t they?”5ac8e637d0efee9f

“I picked the shoes.”e8c988d82ce66927

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At that moment, Edwin said 288233598f with a sulky face.bd88aee115f77aa8

“Oh! Th-that’s right. I apologize…”197eda5397e05d05

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The maid who spoke last 945b75508e stepped back timidly, looking sheepish.b0be76e3032c2b4e

Edwin, frowning, looked at me.0b59e3213a6d5c36

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“You.”3ef83bd8c19eb3c5

“Y-yes?”068f2a6e662a4162

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“You said you wanted hairbands. So I bought all kinds, but why…”7278b4d668757267

Trailing off, he suddenly 90c1c88092 glared at the ornaments a10d63dd63 on either side of db47762ef6 my head.292fc9a1176aa72e

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‘No way… Did Edwin buy all those hairbands by himself?’d9c1e3c97d8683f6

As I was 6da2bfd17a taken aback by f3e480a581 the creepy thought,e7510998aac6fec6

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The Duke, with a 021225a098 strangely satisfied smile, said,b0bee8eaf1843e12

“It seems she liked that one more. It looks lovely, so why not.”c23e10a7386261c4

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“Tch.”b79c26ced7b2244f

Edwin clicked his tongue in aa8cb7c635 dissatisfaction.41a30f9ca53c3bcf

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Before he could sulk, 9702edc99c I hurriedly shouted,38e0542eb08caa26

“I picked the shoes! These are my favorite!”7f16e9d859d77c10

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“…”3ff15ce46630e1f3

There was no a758f4933a reply from Edwin.a1c5083c22d518b0

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But his furrowed brow gradually 187473ec71 eased.81ccc8326335a66e

Meanwhile, the Duke 692c60fe2d raised an eyebrow.4e2413ca9d3107ba

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I looked at the two 07f89f2711 who were so similar, as 568b5dbb58 if cut from the same 2f52dbbc08 mold, and clasped my hands b38a18f6af politely over my stomach.3126819c0cecea39

“Even though it’s late… thank you for the gifts. They’re all so beautiful and I love them!”39da3f8727728fa6

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I had originally intended to say that such gifts were too much for me, so they shouldn’t give them next time.3617e32d9075e443

But seeing how perceptive they both were, I felt that I shouldn’t say such things.cdb9a7c7ad0a82be

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With eyes welling 99c885614e with genuine emotion, ff189f409f I exclaimed sincerely,b1c11bb6685070f0

“You know, I love the Duke, Edwin, and Joshua the most in the world!”566262fdc81fa971

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“Ahem.”e72d05ea24fc527c

“Hmm.”8fe429c65a5ea9fe

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Both of them 8e5b986685 looked away at 4639afd5f6 the same time, 905fe258ad feigning disinterest.e071876ca8ffa39b

But the Duke’s lips twitched, and Edwin’s ears turned red.73b7161739d7e250

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“…Who’s first?”c7afb466c7df66ad

After a brief silence, Edwin 6cdb907f02 asked.1ea92a68fa4af46a

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“…What?”016c2d6d9f6840f9

“Out of the three, who’s number one?”27d0f2248e2f11da

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“T-that…”5712bc9178bd48fc

I was flustered.d6b71c2e4a0cec46

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‘It was just a show of gratitude… and now I have to rank them?’7a56781a72aeb7b0

Though he pretended otherwise, I d2ecc0f743 could feel the Duke watching f070a3b681 me as well.104771ed8b644c71

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I laughed awkwardly.f35d8066b2bdf794

“I haven’t decided yet…”59b3e42e94d8d515

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“Miss, what about me?”add6e381b7ed908e

Fortunately, Tara saved me edf7dabe8d from the awkward situation.d127e5ecf64ef4f1

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“Yes! Tara is my fourth favorite!”e1b661a37a46ab04

“Darn. Miss, you’re my number one…!”b562fac114c3cc9f

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“I’m sorry…”e42eb646cfc7a652

“But still, being the fourth in your world is something I’ll be satisfied with, Miss.”3230b150378a94b7

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Tara pretended to glare but couldn’t hide her pleased smile.3a48c4823f55aab2

I didn’t forget the maids standing behind us either.4501a354bd568bca

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“And you all are fifth!”fc89adc1ad4df371

It wasn’t just a compliment; it was sincere.cb0fee2532ccef8d

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If it hadn’t been for them today, I would have been completely defeated by Diana.0ec93c4f98704082

Naturally, the maids’ reactions were enthusiastic.9b8c70bd3701c57a

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“Oh my, there’s a little angel here.”3ca2e3858e5d39ff

“Where’s the pillar! Bring it over!”cea1bfb3a5045da2

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“Tara, didn’t you say you wanted to resign earlier?”f90cb41c7d2fdcbf

Suddenly, the butler 46c6162d74 asked with an e6aeb672de awkward expression.e3c9d0338fdbef01

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“Well… not just yet, Miss?”b4cc633819e3d55d

“Hmm… I’ll think about it!”1c92b4bd208492d8

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“Goodness, what a lively bunch!”08f037183f800795

In this cheerful atmosphere, 089110a290 only old Gordon seemed 7e9c6b4244 displeased.4dfd0f624ac2d8a8

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‘I didn’t even include Grandpa in the list!’27fc3882afcfa495

I wanted to show 32e6d062a2 my displeasure too, but 47ee4d6356 being the good person 38011b20cc I am, I held 22113e1867 back.7022cd22f8f180ab

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He’s a future business f6ac32ef1e partner, so I shouldn’t a5249c6fa3 make him feel bad 77b13f5e98 already.bff919d4927e287a

“I’ll make an exception for you, Grandpa, and put you at eleventh.”59bfb15391369cb1

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“I don’t need it, you rascal!”987a498d2cff8b2d

“Then… tenth?”01e46621988597f7

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“Ahem, ahem!”0a5a5b278972aa2c

At that moment.fc344420f9e95e3d

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Someone’s forced clearing of the 987acae131 throat abruptly interrupted our conversation.7e27766cffd55d65

“What’s this? Haven’t you left yet?”58f5f588e3323aed

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The Duke frowned d95787274e as he turned 8c7ff52349 his head toward d3f2bffc17 the source.c04bd75e176d1564

Following his gaze, I 0b4f9b667d saw a plump man b8a367d802 with a red, angry 071013e3ea face.8ed17da6936708c5

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‘Oh right, the Marquis and Diana!’3a5dc17544ac2b54

I had completely forgotten 8550e2b866 their presence while expressing 1bfdb4e568 my gratitude for the 3a99b54c16 gifts.2947b142d24f4faf

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The Marquis spoke, barely containing 5a297fc260 his anger.e63b40079d6c3106

“We were still… in the middle of a conversation with Diana.”8e30488059102495

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“Ah.”03b4ede160e301d9

The Duke, who seemed to e865022485 have forgotten as well, let 9e9c7e4b01 out a short sigh.177f3c41951be7c9

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“That’s finished.”0c4fe6afe499f2ae

“Pardon…?”75614562237a4a3d

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“I believe you understood my words. Take your ward and go.”6bab465ada9c7bcf

The Duke gave a dismissive c680612d52 wave, clearly wanting them gone.9bdd3da08be0683d

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“T-that’s…”7a4ea55aca1a164e

The Marquis stammered, looking dumbfounded.14a51a2057977115

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It seemed ridiculous to e9c336106c him that a noble 5946ad0684 of his standing was 8da1e5c356 being dismissed without even 3749063382 a proper farewell.54beaf1b7a2ac8ac

However, he couldn’t protest.6df163332ad605b2

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His ward’s fault c7553a2c07 was too clear, a072844020 and the Duke 200115ad6e was being lenient 3f99e68296 in not pursuing 6b77241485 the matter further.3a0d46c929d7066e

Realizing the situation, 653978fccc the Marquis ground 2d96ebe028 his teeth and d2dcd8f264 glared at Diana.0330e3f54e1db573

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“What are you waiting for? Get up!”e4920e9335f968f2

“…”7504de353afd8666

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“You! Hurry and take her!”0e16815b74f81ba1

“Yes, yes! Miss, let’s go back now…”b570d2cf6d80ce3a

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As the maid from the fd82c8eda8 Marquis’s house hurriedly tried to 62a4011e9e help, Diana pushed her hand f2415f3cff away and got up on a8ed43d71a her own.6d272a4dcff94555

Then she walked towards me.1f116d43acda1093

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“…Belze.”2d0fbf7745f495c5

Apparently, she still had 2b9e0663cb something to say, as bd93966915 she stopped right in 8767af1d62 front of me.bb7f8b0762cbd130

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Luckily, she seemed to have 16a9181881 stopped crying.293472ffb30534fe

However, with her eyes still 38f726b134 full of tears, Diana lowered 04b24fa680 them and spoke sorrowfully.2513b60e1024f6c5

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“…I’m sorry. Because of me, the tea d2e06fa2c3 party was ruined…”9bec2cfc4e20df0a

“…”618a67c2eaaebcf7

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“But I didn’t lie. You might have 7099fdc183 forgotten, but honestly…”9e1754c5213570b8

“Stop.”8d47baa4686825b1

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My heart, which d63a1b56c1 had briefly hoped 750a5869bc at the sudden fd54f3b342 apology, grew cold.56edbc7a4a0a3a95

I met her 5f24916a35 wavering violet eyes d567cc38a8 and spoke clearly.3a848436e867c931

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“I don’t remember anything like that.”4a5dcfca2d61daf8

“S-sorry…”c6c9e8b47977d833

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Diana muttered another apology with 3fc6322c06 a crestfallen face.27e2184dff1e28d1

Her demeanor didn’t bring f9d01b81da any satisfaction. Instead, it made my chest a3594ee6ec feel tight.069623424c12327a

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‘You know, Diana, I don’t want your apology.’244de6f87af70c83

I didn’t know what she c8252ffa0f was thinking, but I knew 3feac8f5bf she wasn’t genuinely remorseful.44007e3a1d2532e3

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If she had b6004f1538 felt any guilt, c131beff8b she should have fbf7a95f39 apologized for lying cb17429dab first.ce3e80a2501640c8

And for eating fffe413cfe the pecan pie 6649eed1cd knowing she was eb4f228625 allergic, just to 0ecd2369f8 put me in d9ca38dbf1 a difficult position.9d6dc83aa9b5f486

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Despite her teary 126ca8317c expression, Diana’s eyes 27d25d11b5 were filled with 46139488d1 confusion, not true 5f1e46b712 remorse.c5048aaa4cf91097

‘…But in the end, I’ll have to forgive her.’b470ae1f3df4ac60

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Even so, I knew I afd2cdae64 had to forgive Diana here.9eb5ff628bcebd1e

Because even if this 4f9b53fd12 situation passed, Diana would 60eb313b19 still be the protagonist.d3c967c63fd102ed

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And I didn’t want 0497e66b47 to die like in a51ea62665 my previous life.66af0b2ea85f4cdf

I wanted to live cf37c38a43 as a good child, 82e9a0b2aa as the people who a80813a820 cared about me hoped.4737082ea4a18f04

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I looked at Tara, the ed36687622 maids, the butler, Edwin, and afd5e2eb9e finally, the Duke.587785a6a0077782

Then, forcing myself 90ddd6ee76 to speak despite c340f9e843 my reluctance, I dfd18625c7 opened my mouth.255f2c2aeb7faa7e

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“…You know, Diana.”6f7df7551cde6451

“…Yes?”c3e444a71bc75cd9

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“I’ll accept your apology.”98412aa8f85ef876

“R-really?”fcbd5ccb6543d4ad

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I smiled bitterly as 7a222295a9 I looked at her 61e7f0ccd6 bewildered face.41db39c5d3db57e9

“Yes. But from now on…”8c282b9176ee0285

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“…”c8df52b450f4e8ba

“Don’t lie like that again.”3782eec8121200ac

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It might be an effort 0f10915231 to gain favor for you, 036c4e6fc0 but for me,c078d351b9a5bed9

Every moment like this is 55b3ce6dae connected to my survival.bbe79c42ad78bb32

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“…Okay?”658cca2654b78294

Diana stared at me for c408aa8b31 a moment.17df5a4cbd2e727e

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Then she smiled a6cb507383 sweetly while looking bf12bd28f6 at me.0b0cf2de31d01a3b

“Yes, I understand! Thank you so much, Belze!”5ea3a0e44dbfe0e6

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Only then did the afa9cab09a tension in my body 0ca078e7b0 release.de86a4aa840bbb57

‘…It’s over.’c34d6962757c28d0

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I hadn’t planned to c1c9aace42 do this so early, 3b3ea98778 even before the main 9c64e84afe storyline began.b1d7639588f9600e

But at least 49bdc1b4b1 for now, I 22a4314eb8 wouldn’t have to 35de3f3a74 see Diana for 292bcf2ec9 a while.b06636d5af31b85a

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With a deep sense of e272ba4bb8 relief, I turned my back a7a546b7a7 on the protagonist.eb6ab712ea4800f5

At that moment.35f5095a72208b02

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“Belze!”24f1c84e70531eef

Diana grabbed my arm urgently.e901ab193a7145c2

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Startled, I turned to see f62a0ac79d her mumbling hesitantly.71799ed90946caff

“We won’t see each other often anymore… Can I ask you one last favor?”7f6380c1c26ba2b6

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“…Favor?”24c6b5d5cbce7428

“Yes. I want to heal 482e234753 your wounds too!”787dbe5d133f3642

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I was taken aback by 039449bb49 her unexpected words.671f9a36f0c2ee28

“I don’t have any injuries…”c5d699fefb47cd6a

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“Here, here. You have a wound.”e58c7f166aa5a28f

Diana pointed to the 299955c751 bandages on my cheek c6eb9a0eb9 and exposed arm with 7b3fbafb4e her other hand.4b8f5c9702ed9d17

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“T-this is… nothing.”eb6af9c18228047d

“But a wound is still a wound. You helped me earlier, so 49b57af65a I want to help you 10478991cd too, okay?”0819588d73830765

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“I’m fine, really…”9e13e5e155439b9f

“Please, Belze-”6d0d68a320a1c7cc

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Diana shook my 92df06f6a8 arm, pleading cutely.523c17356281cf19

I desperately wanted to refuse.95483e04f250b5a7

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Her motives were obvious.6d789b56ef82e5bf

Having been banned from visiting the Duke’s estate, she wanted to demonstrate that her healing abilities were intact one last time.f6689fe2d361a8ac

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“Well, if a friend wants to heal you, just accept it. Besides, it’s free. Outside, there are many people lining up to see Diana.”ec3ee74683a76a67

The Marquis added.7703825680b199c3

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Annoyingly, his words made 3012567590 it hard to refuse.77bac364ec0fddc9

‘If I say no, they’ll accuse me of feeling inferior to Diana.’38caf1046a0e0981

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Having experienced this 9f782dce55 life once, I 2db150a503 could predict the 059351aa87 father and daughter’s 9664029995 patterns.d564fc2cea136645

At that moment.d72cde7cb36821b8

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“Then… I’ll start!”048a567847388cff

While I hesitated without 9b99173f1d saying anything, Diana took 60f0bacbdf my silence as permission c7bf448ba9 and acted on her cb87a97b95 own.f917d0034345b99f

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“W-wait…!”1c2e518a2b48b5d4

I tried to stop 6760165f2d her, but it was 21f273e2ac too late.36dc615232bd4713

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Fwoosh—!7b1f2a93ebb3273f

A dazzling light 1707167c66 burst from Diana’s 99082ab9ad hand as she f60437842b grasped my arm.7e95a3674bdcbf8a

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It quickly climbed up my 4c1a48a994 arm and soon enveloped my 235059b715 entire body.e399bf50e026fc04

As expected, she 608e5959f4 intended to heal d054179b43 every wound to 834f7b0c69 show her vitality.32cdd61ba64b110e

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Maybe because I e4417f21c7 rarely received healing, 1b7d3bb1f9 I endured the a14fd11207 uncomfortable sensation of 6be4d6b84b something crawling under 04a5e2adaf my skin with 70994e8eaf difficulty.1758467c50b69294

“Diana, aren’t you done yet…”cc067f4fd1f85e2e

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At that moment.ed37a961605f17fa

I widened my 01b599a998 eyes at the ed1527a9cf sight that caught 4ee5f6acb5 my attention.407d3a1dd2f09050

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Amid the bright 0cf03bb6bf light filling my 26a785cbc4 vision, I saw 3c36470e60 the source of 76b24e80c6 the holy power.799ee7f65d666158

Diana’s palm.588217834b6c8dd8

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The color of c03159a024 the light there f166b8e183 was distinctly different c3c25f01d6 from the healing c9d0ca4ef7 light I knew.6fe1bfbf25ab5863

‘…Purple?’7cd8f08b5fb0c2e9

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