Chapter 84

‘I was honestly skeptical…’acc0dbc732503d00

But Ismail truly did manipulate b82da72cbd Marquis Barelotte.2285388519203b3c

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At Diana’s booth, the Marquis himself took out 100 talents and handed them to the headmistress, completely unaware of his actions afterward. It was a truly incredible ability!31304868fd742eb2

‘Now I understand how Ismail could rise to become the Pope… he had this hidden power all along.’aeaf71280a4e2527

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The realization struck me, followed quickly by a sense of indignation as I imagined him using that power to support Diana in my past life. Of course, even without his power, everyone believed Diana would become the Saintess…2779eea31281eef3

‘But why didn’t Ismail’s power work on me?’37deba42cfda3684

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The question puzzled 9b1469273b me, and I c31fe196aa tilted my head 59411e7f59 slightly as I c7c1b99cbd pondered it.74709e9dc28494e8

Meanwhile, the argument between Marquis f62a81dc09 Barelotte and the headmistress grew 2eefb11db0 even more heated.f960a25bc3aea232

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“How can such wicked women infest the temple like this? Do you think I donate 005e892a46 every year for the likes d98d4a1829 of you?!”0e7342a473c79ce5

“Ha! Are you possessed by b45fd08298 the devil, Marquis?! Everyone, you saw it earlier, 79106cbd79 right? He came to our booth!”e4f9b3b0bd2c138c

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“What? That… that filthy commoner dares to speak to me like this—!”4330278661b9ec08

“What do you think you’re doing?! His Highness the Crown Prince a8a9dbdaad is present!”80fddeff75539640

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It was then 15d2afb511 that the Pope cb5e7efc86 intervened, finally realizing c0b75abbd5 that the brawl 40dda14cf8 between the two ce8f2675ff would not end 7c00f18279 if left unchecked.17b8d09d5eca43a4

Both the headmistress and the 6e4da20a8a Marquis fell silent, looking chastised a17099700b by the Pope’s stern rebuke.2ef59f046c96104a

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“…Priest Loren, I am deeply disappointed in you! How could such disgraceful behavior occur during an event held in honor of Saintess Arukkia?”021ff1f4b8e1a30b

The Pope, exhausted from the 12329ca90d ordeal, let out a deep 3ce797e4d6 sigh.2cf7b143bc69cbe5

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“The orphanage priests, including Priest Loren, will be dealt with according to the laws of the temple.”8b2ff38e547042a5

“Y-Your Holiness! I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for it to happen this way… Your Holiness!”7c384bc69781070c

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Ignoring the pleas, 0ca6230df5 the Pope signaled 1ff1d66ea3 to the Holy 40ba022dc6 Knights, who began e5f4d34215 to drag away ea7933fa9e the headmistress and d16a01c28f the priests.60f6edea04865ca4

“The Marquis will be handled by the Imperial Court.”13cefca67e57c53d

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The Crown Prince, who 7cb3697144 had remained silent until 604b02b14f now, spoke up.ee7bc6826d929731

Marquis Barelotte, who had been 6d3d03c4d4 relieved to see the headmistress d5916c4ea2 taken away, snapped his head 6c9ad7ba70 up at the Crown Prince’s f1c6dee109 words.a9b0fea56ad5807d

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“Y-Your Highness! This is unjust! Why would I, aa496a5e57 of all people, e8848ec208 embezzle talents from 2b7ef136c0 a child I’m 5a172bc152 supporting?!”f36a214db4af6785

“The truth will be determined by the Imperial Investigation Bureau. In the meantime, you must 8d51c9a1f7 bear responsibility for failing to 210535ed04 uphold the standards expected of 827c0a7f60 a noble. Does anyone here object to 7443866019 this?”3f9e1d1a5d9d4627

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“…”f5fe27cba5d82b89

No one in 75913f9520 the assembly dared 57260caff5 to speak against 58fd265d09 the Crown Prince’s 34b0212a42 decision. After all, among the attendees 64eccf643d were the Twelve Noble Families, 4d99f58b9d including Kallios, who participated in 284cbe3870 the State Council.c9ce5247c70770ef

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With their silent approval, 77067d74bb the investigation into Marquis 4bfd8048e2 Barelotte’s conduct was effectively c472a99e94 settled.3bbb2ba8221b8c2a

“Grr…!”c9daef504e4c6b3f

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Marquis Barelotte trembled 0c60e22391 with humiliation as 806100990c he realized the 846f279289 gravity of his cb6dab1f3d situation.dfac9596907b7ba1

The Pope, with 5a9ec612b8 a cool expression, 718f71ba31 ordered the Holy 70ca6b0927 Knights.34e8285d5382eae0

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“Escort him respectfully to the Investigation Bureau.”dd77f9210b61cdd3

Though the Marquis wasn’t eed47a118f physically restrained like the 85bd745ebe headmistress, being exposed as 7b46572cfd a criminal in front d913365ddd of the entire nobility ed335c3610 was already a tremendous f71fe83e5d blow to his honor.dc81953bdcbbf914

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“Your Holiness, please, just give me one more chance! I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again!”33a10e31d87eaf4d

“Let me go! I’ll walk on my own!”213f48699029debb

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Only after the disgraced figures 64869d4ddb were led out of the 56713507a6 hall did silence finally settle 94b8c8a4ee over the assembly.35c45039ca457af1

In that calm, the Pope 60cc285d1b and the Crown Prince, who 938041170b had been speaking quietly together, 932981a9c9 stepped forward side by side.df5fc05ff1a779ba

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“As the Pope, I deeply reflect on today’s incident and offer my sincerest apologies. I assure you 170384b4a5 all that we 9f41c2f898 will ensure such a17195bdb9 an incident never 033c157a59 occurs again through 1ec756fb82 stricter oversight.”b9c381d5db3bd0e5

The Pope spoke da18b5314c with a weary 5cf9faf464 expression.a218f40e65ed5f67

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“I am deeply sorry to all the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence today. Unfortunately, I must 8430749cd2 take my leave 319cb36056 due to my addb671b03 ill health. Please enjoy the 764732e4c2 rest of your 69111c3359 time here, and 7550af7eb3 return home safely.”b3b1f337b3367843

“I will take care of the rest of the proceedings,” the Crown Prince added.670d1fb6beed1804

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The Crown Prince took 7a052df1c6 over seamlessly from the 70d0f99fae Pope.522a9eb2a4b080d5

It seemed they had discussed 0b2ce59a28 passing on the responsibilities. After finishing his address, the d68ade46eb Pope descended the platform without 10934730af further delay.acadb7f24485ed96

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“Following the Pope’s decision, all fines will be returned to their respective booths,” the Crown Prince declared, managing the situation with a poise that belied his young age.3b89d50560b82715

The priests quickly distributed the df4d5347ba fines back to their rightful 171e05b5eb owners according to the ledgers.61bb6881abe5f481

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“You can step down now as well. You’ve worked hard,” ecb70fbb72 High Priest Magnus f61163eb82 said, offering me 8f4f79aa02 my 50 talents e69eac9d2c with an apologetic 1d78b2eef8 expression.75a378283f227d8b

‘Finally, I got back my 50 talents!’347415cce12cb85a

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I quickly added the amount 6fa66a2421 back into my talent pouch, 2e08274004 feeling triumphant as I hopped 8af7bef2f9 down from the platform. I could have 1ca7ef272e burst into a 310e54566b dance from sheer 4907c3045d joy.adeda399b1fc4568

But I held aac47e231e back, remembering that a34858f24b the event wasn’t 7c73216276 over yet.d59147d613c31f13

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I glanced over at 392145ffe2 Grandpa Gordon, and he, 650f9bfaad too, was grinning from 910477bdcd ear to ear.c31075abb003ff5c

“Your Highness, what should we do about these 100 talents?” Magnus asked once the fines had been returned.2cfd6903addd44a3

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“Well, that’s…”54c8d47d48062e3d

The Crown Prince looked conflicted.259510faae2b408f

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Though the Marquis had c72526b94f taken Diana’s earnings and 6fe4068987 used them as he 12d37ce40e pleased, bribing people with 1005695bf2 talents was a serious 3306175949 violation. And in this edb8b3927e case, there was 80693be743 a clear victim.d8f20b8cd89fc8fd

While the Crown 97b551c070 Prince and the 39e3305038 priests deliberated over 0f9cf8ea8c how to handle 2f27696d57 the situation, an e81e070a44 unexpected voice rang 6b928bce91 out.205288f8cdffc1d8

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“I-I really didn’t know!”1d58346fb9d0b629

A girl suddenly f5deb52b2e jumped out from a7bfb358ab the tent where 130d561a15 the children were 105abda4ac gathered.3e14b7fc8673e3d7

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“I didn’t know the Marquis did that! I-I was so busy 690d3fbead with my healing duties bb20a070ce that I had no 778c95e2f5 idea! Sob!”8be57fb7279dc508

Diana’s face was streaked b3704eebc7 with tears.c6e57d5c5ee96330

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‘So this is what you look like when you’re truly desperate.’662116a6159a161c

Her reaction this 655b8c6da1 time was quite a47ae690ac different from the 4e499d711a incident with the c095bf4f6e pecan pie, and 0df066a300 I couldn’t help 9759e3f58a but feel a 3a559e6564 mix of emotions.b1d18d840d6bbabf

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Her face twisted b8fd79a0b6 in despair, her d651285e2b violet eyes brimming b6d594434d with sorrow. Her slender shoulders shook with 119dffab21 sobs, and she looked utterly 317e1a2271 pitiful.9985f9716d52bd02

“Sniff, sob… It was so hard… so hard to earn those talents…”878060451436fa71

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Tears fell from her eyes a99264fb6b like heavy raindrops, and sympathy 11ed522cdb from the surrounding nobles began cca2f4bf1f to pour in.bee23c15371aec2b

“Tsk, poor thing. It’s unfortunate she ended up with the wrong sponsor…”e5d4a010bc071c48

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“Indeed, the child can hardly be blamed for this.”361ef08e99363e61

“Why don’t we just return the talents to their original owner?”67f80fbbb533ac1c

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Realistically, the chance that a 1271fb8959 child as young as five 5a9f8b2f3f would be involved in a b63505cb38 scheme like this was low.6face2ed3a5de9c8

And even without 0c95fe8f09 that reasoning, Diana aae28f0e6b genuinely looked aggrieved.ea58d189d1edb439

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I, more than anyone, could 0ceaeb3077 tell the difference between her ceaeffc74f genuine and false grievances.2332dd9ac3033bfb

‘Well, I don’t mind if they give it back to her.’a4b5f1345f0b1f2a

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I had recovered my 986b962425 50 talents, and since ddc606400b I had orchestrated the 99716be5ad scheme using the Marquis decba0c1c2 to misappropriate the 100 4b654ea45e talents, I felt it 13a87c6882 was only fair.ba4ad5f8e9a0561b

“I object.”bbdb3dd888076269

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A familiar voice cut through 1fd41fa1af the air, stopping me in a97294af64 my tracks.9c9e012f25e3f253

Startled, I turned quickly 33d0e5c4b5 in the direction of 5393d601e3 the voice.9267aa668d9f2966

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“If ignorance is a valid excuse, then who will compensate Belze for being robbed of 50 talents and falsely accused of theft?”035b9d39d8f10778

The person who raised this objection was none other than…8608267dbef47565

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‘E-Edwin…?!’4dae18d409e6c02a

“Are you going to compensate her?”d94a7781d4776eca

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“N-No, Young Duke.”4152c0c1658e5deb

The noble who had 9344f79fa3 suggested returning the talents ca5ecaa6f7 to Diana flinched and 26f5d1e177 fell silent under his d8b3ec1d92 sharp gaze.4e41be0dcd5a9fb6

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“From the beginning, Marquis Barelotte engaged in aggressive solicitation, held overly familiar conversations with the headmistress, and even interfered with other booths. He clearly overstepped boundaries.”19f898ab0e7aa3bd

“…”11866bdc25689982

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“All of this was a violation of the rules, and if he had been stopped earlier, perhaps none of this would have happened,” he concluded, his gaze fixed directly on Diana.413b2e67800748c3

“You’re always so astute, Young Duke,” the Duke added, his expression icy as he supported Edwin’s argument.a9e6e59801598f57

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“I couldn’t have said it better.”23bba43871f6b710

‘The Duke… Edwin…’a3f24b88d6d45f05

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They weren’t just protecting me—they 92a4d4c505 were also acknowledging the injustice 1643f59243 I had suffered, something I 0027edb985 had given up on expecting 8104bc6562 long ago. My heart swelled with emotion 075ff8f441 at their support.b28f7c68bec8b4a4

With the Kallios family 227659db63 openly defending me, the 06c6c622e1 nobles who had shown e5ef69c083 sympathy toward Diana now 5a741e1dbf fell silent.3aa6f47880126bce

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Diana, seeing this, 4637748738 stifled a sob 888c046981 with a fearful 01e9f799e9 expression.047091cc2e29df7b

“I-I really didn’t know…! I was so busy with my healing that I had no idea what the Marquis was doing! I wasn’t the one who did anything… sob!”19db3d58daa2d64a

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Her face, drenched in 1313704396 tears, looked utterly pitiable.bce18cf7c8046c57

‘So this is what you look like when you’re truly desperate.’f58da0297e1ba576

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It felt strange to see 03c4550ced this genuine expression of distress 4ea64c9ce3 on her face, so different 111ed553db from the manipulative act during d1234b9436 the pecan pie incident.d1368b8be257fe51

Her violet eyes filled with 49b33562f4 sorrow, her slender shoulders trembling, d221f2c853 she seemed the picture of e9c22795f8 misery.21db38140e0a2772

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“Sob, it was so hard… so hard to earn those talents…”f0e5c8b19e2e95f5

The sight of her a5010d6cf3 shedding large, pitiful tears a4a2147904 prompted a renewed wave 2cf1008aaa of sympathy from some bc8a475f09 of the nobles.7c15f4c076cee19e

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“Tsk, tsk, what a pity. All because she had the wrong patron…”9c5a74a94e8bb91a

“Indeed, how could the child be at fault here?”2a906e0280d7e95e

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“Why don’t we just return the talents to their rightful owner?”7a92491c56d63366

It was true that c18e987605 a five-year-old’s involvement in 8f7bfbfe9c a manipulation scheme seemed 7afaa02fea unlikely, even to the cd0aaecabd skeptical nobles.6762a03cdc9e69ab

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But I, who had bad06383cf witnessed Diana’s false displays e0233c7732 before, knew better than 3538e58c10 anyone that this time, c8e4dbd47b her distress was genuine.3992e19f700f4df5

‘It doesn’t matter if they give it back to her.’1bb34e626474adc9

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I had already retrieved my bb74c5d197 50 talents. Besides, since I had been 3846c0e254 the one to manipulate the a8238ecba2 Marquis into misappropriating the 100 e0bbd5f55b talents, I wasn’t overly concerned.fd02923b8046f3f2

“I disagree.”851ccc7d7d980051

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A familiar voice pierced the e7d6ee797a air, and I turned in 26cdd5d906 surprise.262dd824688e4448

“If we’re just going to let ignorance slide, then who will compensate Belze for being accused and mistreated?” It was Edwin, his expression unwavering.a005b47c7a4d799c

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“Are you volunteering for that role?”0ec28529c0ca3efe

“N-No, Young Duke,” stammered the noble who had suggested the return, his voice trailing off under Edwin’s piercing gaze.6ce9fb72df9d6748

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“Marquis Barelotte not only crossed the line with his aggressive promotion but also had close dealings with the headmistress. He even interfered with e1de2d55c9 the operations of other 56cd581473 booths, knowing full well e89c253532 it was against the 6ab0916fd0 rules,” Edwin continued, his 9ee9378325 gaze turning toward Diana. “If he had been stopped sooner, perhaps none of this would have happened.”198d4af283d9de53

“Your reasoning is sound, Young Duke,” the Duke interjected, supporting Edwin’s statement with an equally cold demeanor. “The same goes for me.”522dbde83f5dc8f6

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With the Kallios family 058ca4485d openly taking my side, d12ff9c5d1 the nobles who had b8c8634e63 previously sided with Diana 56062f2dbf fell silent, their expressions 519c7bfd9a uncertain.4ad124b15999cba1

Seeing this, Diana’s face 17e231d5c1 twisted with fear as 9d4c9460de she stammered.aa2ce2f1cefad2bb

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“I-I didn’t know… I really didn’t know what the Marquis was doing! I was just focusing on healing… sob!”645cb38897d75e18

The Crown Prince, 06e1a188f8 after a moment 9bbf238ad0 of contemplation, finally d2d2905124 offered a compromise.02c3897548aea0be

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“As the Young Duke pointed out, Diana is partially responsible for failing to manage her booth properly, but there is also a need to compensate the victim,” he said, glancing in my direction.77f79c091f21c5cf

“So we’ll return half of the 100 talents.”cb42edc96c81e9b6

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“That’s an excellent idea!”5424592a74be4e19

The high priests nodded 7179803f9b in agreement, and most 50d5c8938c of the nobles seemed f1685d044a to approve as well.78600fff012c4ae6

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“What do you think?”755ba89844e3b8d8

The Crown Prince b94e9b9657 turned to me ae88aaef3c and Diana, waiting 7f72249cc1 for our responses.941950ed774ceb5f

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“I’m fine with it!” I replied quickly.7ca65f1e6c08cd07

‘If they want to pay me back with 50 talents, that works perfectly for me.’ef31fc036dd1c99c

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“Hmph…”7ca54881d6b3c7ab

In contrast, Diana hesitated, unable 9d831dc203 to respond immediately. Despite her tearful and b7acf87a83 pitiful expression, her neck 7d0cad0cff flushed red with anger—a 774647b3b2 telltale sign I recognized b77ec9821c all too well.0b5a631fa5ed7b33

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In my past 1395ebedc5 life, whenever things 1e5bc8e8df didn’t go her 3ab477e2f3 way, especially because 7c06ca7c3c of me, Diana’s c02e8bf357 neck would flush f88bf2ccd2 with frustration, though 030eb075e8 her face remained 0326c0e259 composed enough that b897c0aa86 most people didn’t 916d77faeb notice.64f206677d1805aa

“What about you, Diana?” the Crown Prince pressed when she remained silent.4dd3dad6dc272bf6

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Diana trembled, but still couldn’t 44462f6efd bring herself to answer. Yet the longer she 98210bf864 hesitated, the more the 76606c3c55 situation turned against her.e747b32d3293c5ed

“If the Marquis’s estate has enough funds to dress up a commoner child like that, they aren’t truly struggling, are they?”33d267727e4664c3

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“Honestly, isn’t she being a bit greedy, considering she’s already earned over 800 talents?”a993a99c8373f9d5

With the Marquis no longer 1b17a97fd7 present to advocate for her, 03d009cd41 Diana found herself alone, facing b49ff0a70c the disdainful stares of the d001d041a8 nobles who were never fond c13634ce17 of commoners challenging their status.fbc22e3cee98f9c0

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Her extravagant dress, 727dcc1093 which might have b24b670c4b been meant to addc733fba emphasize her nobility, 4c1bea6221 now only served 362080838f to make her 186fc3c0b4 seem out of a9b070eea2 place and unsympathetic.7ca7926181d1cef6

“She seems like quite the extravagant child.”055323b49443ce08

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“Come to think of it, she’s the only one wearing such a fancy dress.”a0b5e3ccfa5cdd22

“We even dressed our children modestly for the orphanage event. How… inappropriate.”04b2482d812e1afc

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As whispers and critical glances e1306ff746 continued to grow, Diana’s violet 345cc647ab eyes filled with panic, reflecting 233b0ac415 the harsh reality of the ff043e19c6 nobles’ coldness.0d444629cb8e7d98

‘You probably thought everyone would take your side, didn’t you, Diana?’e17b0e46c2c5adaa

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The world had always been 7828298b3d kind to the heroine, after 30fae9ecf8 all.fa9fb0a4124d82bd

But even a protagonist’s luck 309cd25f50 has its limits.615e8c39dc0c6684

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When the fundamental 3041a86673 story shifts too 2f33484ef3 much, there are 335cb795a8 bound to be c47c9a5e1b consequences.3f5f3c07a6556ea4

Like how she tried 1d94261080 to bring down the 81c713df42 Duke’s house and eliminate 4656f115d9 a strong candidate for 037ce98ac0 the male lead, eventually e39ba03792 becoming a rogue element 981f08004d in the narrative.d3fe8ef7f36002c8

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Diana bit her lip so 542d41ca79 hard it drew blood before d03875481d finally responding, her voice weak c01e9d170e and resigned.e3510a30f6e46d99

“…Yes. I understand.”a950daefd1bbf798

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