Chapter 100

After Logan left, 1f06eec8a7 a heavy silence 8c88ea0b46 settled over the d324b816ca study.9207ce1838b8e8ba

“…I’m sorry, Belze,” the Duke finally said, breaking the quiet.56d40df0ef3f5d53

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“It seems Logan’s gotten rather insensitive, buried in his work as he is. Don’t take it too personally; it’s not that he dislikes you.”b315381beece649d

“I’m okay!”ea20002622b43bb7

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I quickly smiled e0313ec802 in response to 5cab4cc1fe his thoughtful words.415f3efdc427a051

The truth is, it’s impossible 0ab90e71c0 to be liked by everyone.00a5a21e8ec71372

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‘Though Logan is a bit…’c8b1cc7ffe550087

Suppressing the unease 7095afb1c3 in my chest, 0793b6844f I cautiously asked,3041ce4f05dfb80b

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“But, Your Grace, what’s the story with Emma and… Svel—um, Sven?”2bb903e99802144d

“Ah.”b84ed31462809ee6

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The Duke’s face 33b5f0ae0f turned slightly troubled 434be16e45 as he began 2a42ca8bea to explain.e03279afb97695bd

“The truth is, Logan was the one who recommended them.”106cee7f4d45ec3e

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“Lo-Logan’s recommendation?”fe5315479567fc3c

“Yes.”b92d4e5dc80eb783

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He nodded once, hesitating 6f83179d24 before continuing.213ebcf8758bee5a

“To be honest… after the children’s mother passed away, there was a time when I couldn’t manage the household properly.”b0a1d8aebae97255

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‘Ah…’a093fa051de59ae4

“While I was drowning myself in drink, Logan hurriedly selected staff to care for the children closely. Unfortunately, it happened to be those two.”ffb5e5523f35874d

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I was stunned.ad51b2c0ceeb69c7

The two former employees 29b7478867 who’d recently caused trouble bcba4219b3 and were dismissed had 1615691d42 been personally chosen for e6f498f9e7 Joshua and Edwin.8eaebea0892564ca

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The Duke, his 96c76ac837 expression darkening, murmured,31c5eac23880e447

“They’d been with the family for quite some time, so I accepted them without much thought…”8b0461cdae8a69c0

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“…….”4f5932e9ed278254

“In the end, it’s all my fault. If I had investigated them more thoroughly, none of this would have happened.”de5f0d67d9fdc2c4

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His voice carried the 796d38e21f weight of regret as afb2b3942d he spoke.1ea0bddfaf3a7152

“I’ve only shown you the worst sides of this family because of my failings, Belze. I’m sorry.”803069e469bef7ba

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“It’s not Your Grace’s fault!”14b1abe0506533b8

I shook my head fervently aa79f1e66a at his apology.2f0fbc3ba2d6619b

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“They’re the bad ones! You trusted them, but they dared to do such terrible things to the children!”75e153aa4b34976e

‘Why is it that regret and apologies always seem to fall on the victims?’3582442e51710373

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Emma, who shamelessly c626bc5d99 schemed to become 0397442107 the next Duchess 96c13a34f1 by manipulating Joshua.764ee1096a366655

Sven, who took out his 0b24b116b7 resentment and inferiority on Edwin.64b7604e2df6964d

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Neither of those offenders had 7c2089adf1 ever offered an apology.edad5e668697ea02

The Duke gave a faint, 39b9c1c29a bitter smile at my words.b36fdcedb73315f0

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“Still, I’m glad you came to this family. In the end, it was thanks to you that those matters were brought to light.”fee1b4aaa572d16b

He sighed, pinching the 745e9ae09c bridge of his nose.c6e796c40dade5c0

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“…Perhaps it’s because he grew up too fast. Unlike Joshua, Edwin rarely speaks up about anything, even when trouble arises.”011dcad2d03dbd55

The Duke’s voice carried 1f344b87d8 a note of sorrow, 1d69f568be as though this weighed 15280a6ab0 heavily on him.ecc8d6d6637c62a8

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But I understood Edwin’s reasons 3a1f9242ab well.6f47a7db637ea6ae

One night, he d3191454eb had visited me ac089b598d in secret and 1f1ac19aa7 confided,8c727dd9e3bfeb1d

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‘I thought it’d be better to handle it myself. Besides, I didn’t want fd7031968b to burden Father, who’s 6aa6662f33 already busy enough.’1fc527701c12f301

‘Especially when he’s been losing sleep over Joshua lately.’122338d9efd6fb1b

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Recalling those words, d4124ca78e I clenched my b67e71e05e fists slightly.bba04323f63fca10

‘Edwin’s sense of responsibility is both admirable and heartbreaking.’30d640b674fa72ee

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I decided not to mention 54372b9c60 that Edwin’s actions stemmed from 85e2b20208 his consideration for the Duke.67add2b6e5cb7f37

Those were Edwin’s private 00b771e297 thoughts, not mine to ce2a190d6b share.a49b05eac8210223

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“…You know, Your Grace,” I began, determined to make another promise to myself: no matter what, I would protect the Duke’s household.a5fdaa31bf93d019

“I won’t hold back.”414022791e5fb273

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“Hm?”a82821c7445e6bae

“If anything happens to Edwin or Josh, I’ll run straight to you and tell you everything! And I’ll make sure they get their revenge!”d14869ab66e3117d

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“…Revenge?”c75f439365bdf83e

The Duke finally caught eaa55e089f up to my words cbc3b885db and let out a 21c895055c small laugh.aaf4318e9a2b3e11

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“There’s no need for revenge. Just come and tell me. Don’t put yourself in danger like last time.”7840e364121cc4e0

“But Grandpa Gordon said my teeth are strong enough to bite a few more times!”44bcc41bc385443d

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“Still, no.”dbc4ef714818423b

His tone was 9112f92282 firm, leaving no d5e7dd3adc room for argument.3561c39b77cb30f8

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I smacked my bea20e7a33 lips in disappointment, 1852317701 but then he dfef221393 called my name 29dea332bd in a gentle 8f027edb25 voice.4ce97c4d51fdba1b

“Belze.”4ef67c77f67face7

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“Yes?”def9f122965542f5

“You’re already doing more than enough for someone of your position and age.”875dc29900548564

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“Ah…”659e7f3bff4d25ce

“Honestly, while preparing that checkbook for you, I couldn’t help but wonder if you might be a prodigy. Starting a business at five years old, after all.”99d30915bd04cd07

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His gaze was steady a0dcc15f08 as he spoke, his 7b985f9cdb tone sincere.89e7f3e3e837626f

I had anticipated c50953b537 the day when 26d2563b5e such suspicions might 8304f4de87 arise, so I 000f16639d calmly reached for b01f4c6314 the excuse I a33045d31d had prepared.cb67ad78122491de

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“Actually, it’s a secret, but… Grandpa Gordon suggested it all!”73ecec68790d197a

“Even so,” the Duke replied, not dismissing my excuse lightly.728bc6fb6211b7f7

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“Most children your age would be playing with dolls or toys, not negotiating with noblewomen.”e9aa977d10350d3e

“…….”5c2b111ea1bd1360

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“You handled Madam Cloud skillfully. She even asked about you recently.”f2728bf70c2b2b8e

I blinked in surprise.481486f0419e52a9

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‘She asked about me? Not the hair mist?’0aeca896453a666c

She couldn’t have used 02d57e229f it all so quickly. If she inquired ff5db0c615 about my well-being, 60f8eec4ab it must be 863d973ba5 true.a1ae8d5470e908fc

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This was great 8b0e5b9310 news, as I fe0c9c7a6a planned to send 6fcb37ba7c her an invitation a480301a44 to my shop 95408df599 opening to reinforce 41d986a8cd her interest in cf51be6499 Fairy Herb.fab79cb62b82fb0d

But at the fb0a0c520d same time, I e9f260030c felt a pang 2fd141de55 of worry.2efd18c68d1f7618

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‘What if the Duke doesn’t like me running a business?’92767b20c199ecfa

After all, I b3955c89bf was officially being bd98c033b2 sponsored as a e8407b0977 Saintess candidate. Acting out of line might a8be819364 cause trouble for him as 3399df59ea my patron.62ac3ca1e115f4a8

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“I’m sorry…” I murmured, lowering my head.3f9f8cc4b85bef03

“I’m not reprimanding you,” he said immediately, frowning at my dejection.ee5ae6a40bba74ee

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“If the child I sponsor shows exceptional talent in many areas, it’s a good thing. But…”8439a32122037eb6

“…”918fbf91afc982bc

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“Sometimes, when I look at you, I feel like you’re being chased by something.”db30b1b3491801aa

“C-chased?”1f3d7d285927c610

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“Yes.”c4f4ab5e85a3b0a9

The Duke’s golden eyes bc3ebdccd4 were filled with concern 4c9c81a22e as they met mine.e82540ec23d77ea0

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“Am I putting too much pressure on you to do well?”1eda8dd873c9221e

“N-no!”a5d23eee64cafe70

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I shook my head vehemently.e36c41f34a6850d5

“It’s not like that! I’m doing it because I want to!”e59c8308e252c2ae

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“If that’s the case, I’m relieved…”50a7de5fb2293d6f

He trailed off, but a68182c086 his gaze remained unsettled.6adcbc15b75af909

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Though I didn’t 1e79d92528 know why he c6edd563f8 thought that, his 670a6f69a2 sharp insight made a2d19ecbb1 my heart skip 0358dd9e94 a beat.5b111ec6dc98d3db

The truth was, I did e0caf689bb feel like I’d been chased 162a5e3389 ever since I came back 9b64091283 to this life.296e968989b079ec

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But it wasn’t the 80b90784b2 pressure to do well—it 47402d89c3 was the constant worry bdf092969a about how to protect d5399dd737 the Duke’s household.20ca883a975523dd

Earning money through original items 8a85cef7fd from the story, becoming the 2a58c07216 Crown Prince’s ally—it was all 2f801ad581 part of that goal.d2943ee71d79d1e5

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In that sense, my biggest 3b5f16c586 concern wasn’t myself but him.df1493e5569cbb75

“Your Grace… do you dislike me doing things other than healing?” I asked cautiously.e434e5ab774fab13

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“Of course not.”814a5997142c64c1

His immediate denial ce59298418 caught me off 6029125413 guard.4028aaf18b11c787

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“Do whatever you want. If you want to buy a building or sell something, go ahead. You don’t need my permission.”3fb326742ed81d98

“…….”e57b41fa5f71660f

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“What kind of guardian would I be if I couldn’t support you in that way?”c88952d66282bbc6

His voice was warm fa631a210f as he met my 57db575e88 eyes.22496eca7850bf0c

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“What I mean, Belze, is that you don’t have to try so hard. You’re still just a child.”138caa090774be1e

“Your Grace…”2e9c4cc6723428c8

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“I find you remarkable, but at the same time, I hope you won’t grow up too quickly, like Edwin.”ffc7449bd8a6b6bc

“…”b8d66521395565d5

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“Maybe that’s just me being selfish.”983c3df6c6e44b8f

His last words e566b61e9c were almost a c4c5d3f9e7 whisper, as if aa312f6040 he were speaking 62d17eab62 to himself.23a8d89d5ed3597b

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But I understood the sentiment.0519948c48f56d59

‘…The Duke must feel a great deal of guilt about everything that’s happened since I came here.’0790815ecc2cee70

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His wish for me 7b51d0c511 not to grow up c6f856df61 too fast wasn’t just 9ed922cb88 for me.4a6d393f9db7acfd

It stemmed from sorrow over 813d379079 his sons—how they must have ba7a65e272 silently endured the careless behavior 4af3872231 of the adults around them.120717318ee13810

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And now, he 4d52e9be93 wished the same e17a68c6c7 burden wouldn’t fall 824f5ffee2 on me.b7c6725582e83aaa

‘…But, Your Grace, I’ve already grown up. There’s no more “growing up” left for me.’7dab058a82e26fd0

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Regrettably, I couldn’t grant his 54d5badde0 wish.3b601d62b0db703a

The enemies seeking 6f78d1f0ae to harm the 566fab7edf Duke’s family were 7c166be615 everywhere.adc66a692b1ecc84

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To protect the 49bb354e1d people I cared 6809d87a3c about, I could af339fef05 only grow sharper 31a090228f and stronger.27c9f240e833f64b

* * *3dacef3332de0be9

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Click.1fe5375c82d68eed

Clutching the checkbook tightly to 66802dce9f my chest, I closed the e1619d116a study door behind me and a22b81b87d stepped into the empty hallway.1d875f373ad0b4d6

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I was crossing fcff80c05d the silent corridor 29c47d951d when, as I f72d604279 turned a corner—c08cdcbd990794aa

“Lady Belze.”7f5c2a69685951be

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“Eek!”fcd3cc27ebff2ec2

Startled by the sudden 36be6fe42a voice, I let out ee5a75b097 a loud yelp.ac619dd6b063400c

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“I couldn’t help but wonder…”9efd5d833c99e2e3

The man, who f1b71d35df seemed to have 2841f3bd95 been waiting for 5a4e3ba1b3 me, straightened from 43c1d0a5a8 where he had ebc9b45e5e been leaning against 0d7c739048 the wall, blocking 995748cac4 my path.241dda831adecf6b

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“Would you care to share just a little hint about how you plan to use that checkbook?”d02c67dd9eb2e7f0

The man looking down 94dec5d4d8 at me with a f8e187546f seemingly friendly smile was bb041a5c04 none other than Logan.d8aff663dfab2b77

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