Chapter 22

Such a crazy thing could 66cc43dfe7 only be done by Emma.3264f50a146d46d7

“Gasp.”3129e8e3474b6a6b

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I stood frozen, more a833336a89 astonished than Edwin, the a8e3ee9142 person in question.ea725994eb647ac6

Edwin was the sole heir 53b8c0141f of the Duke.6aeff8bc458ce4b6

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It was unthinkable 62191cb7b7 for a mere 501703d789 servant to implore 8246ec1dc5 the Duke so ee99cd6f4b rudely, even leaving bfafbc8e6b aside the issue a703d01316 of noble etiquette.c6a5ec0e64915a76

No, putting all that aside.4d445d0d12302c83

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‘How dare she…!’f5066ebfd8f319a9

A spark flashed before ddaf27711d my eyes.565db8a8d4a465ed

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As anger surged even more 1804b9fcf9 than when I was pushed 35103a61ba and fell.2aa55452ba457bcb

At the moment, I wanted 0d35d196b9 to rush out and scratch 6234e162c7 and pinch the woman.8268c34f25959a52

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“What are you doing?”9be9c4d2170830b4

Edwin, who was staring 16383327fb at his rejected hand, 6ee76eeaf3 tilted his head and fbe13c257d asked.ae9ff14839d907c8

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Emma grumbled with 74c34fb851 a torn voice.668695f2b06b0104

“What exactly are you doing, Young master?”3f0acac45edddbd8

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“What did I do?”4f5d992b930e7658

“Do you already forget who’s responsible for Young master Joshua’s injury?!”a7f9a6ef131f1fa6

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“Stop it, Emma!”79727f737b80dd80

Joshua, looking helpless, e2dc4c705b tried to restrain 3ea49a7d92 Emma.e295f167bb773045

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However, neither of them b225af2149 paid any attention.1753f331222c4968

“Are you blaming me for Joshua stumbling and falling alone in the woods?”fc1d8bb7f6af1ac0

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“Yes! He’s your brother! If you really had to take your sick brother out, you should have paid more attention!”1d8698296ff06de6

“…Ha.”262120e4daf96da0

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“Since then, you haven’t even apologized, and you shamelessly come here as if nothing happened…!”85482eeefc0216dc

“Ah―!”190679738b3c24f4

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At that moment,826b9043a446c3c9

Amidst the fierce exchange of words between the two, the sound of a child’s crying echoed.0f5fb800b62379bf

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“D-Don’t fight with my b-brother! I h-hate Emma! Waaaah!”60a5916890fca0c1

“Enough, young master! Please don’t cry, our little master. It’s all this maid’s fault.”3e676eebce0cc020

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“Go away! I don’t want to see the maid’s face! Waaaah, I hate you!”a52cd184bc2369f5

In response to Joshua’s outburst, Emma seemed at a loss.d659c7496074a945

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“I’ll, I’ll leave! I’ll go out, young master! So please, don’t cry. Cheer up, okay?”e9c9d709eccf4fbf

Unlike when dealing with cf8ab8fefd Edwin, Emma hurriedly stepped 92a9871d88 away.0a75100d0db44ad8

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But even so, she a852694ad1 did not leave Edwin cd9f7fa786 alone.9a6ae177a9b00619

“Please leave as well, Young Master.”aa8960eb8ca66abc

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“Why should I?”2f4b469af00f5e93

“Isn’t it almost time for your swordsmanship lesson?”9cf650563e16cd82

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“There’s still 10 minutes left.”d193fc4297214a5d

“You should prepare for the lesson in advance. If you keep doing this, I’ll have to report it to Sir Sven!”8a65b729ce7f4958

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In a threatening tone, Edwin 7182debcf3 furrowed his brows.4b8bdd6b4c7ad75f

“Ha.”ab2fdd31db252f9e

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Then, with a short sigh, 35895c5995 he turned away.c2115be0a658fec7

“Br-brother…”b1b3c1c4c17e9d85

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Though Joshua called him pitifully, 8d427d9aa4 Edwin did not look back.5a3f0e01b94ca44c

Thud—21e09491f52627c2

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Finally, the two left, ca778554e5 and the door closed.33bfad63506237fe

And all that 8cf1c84877 remained was me.b38955973fe3f735

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“This is annoying.”b7cbef4d7199c4b6

The only one with 238d08973e a dry expression asking 036731ab47 when I cried was 2e02bd3ff6 Joshua.3d674c195cec596e

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I was dumbfounded for a moment at Joshua’s changed expression.5538fc97a641722c

‘Was it a fake cry?’398eca0710b13148

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As expected, it was unusual.542cc92b5a3a9ca7

‘I shouldn’t find it funny.’307fb486cb1e2ac1

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While making such a ecc74ee9cb resolution, Joshua sighed deeply.5327412c0abf4d5a

“Why is Emma constantly pleading with my brother in such a miserable manner? Joshua doesn’t seem to mind at all…”2c1d7aae2ac31c11

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“Does Emma behave that way to Young Master even when there isn’t a special occasion?”2ec4b34ccfc0c9b4

“No. It wasn’t like that before, but it started after Joshua hurt his knee…”bd4671d3bfefa348

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Joshua added with a 2d4075f109 melancholy expression.54d02de1dd8356d2

“Brother went along with me because I begged him uncontrollably.”4e5876f75b54a67e

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‘I had no idea.’e12e12aee154f449

When I was adopted into the Duke’s estate, Emma had already taken control of all the servants. Moreover, Edwin was so busy juggling his succession lessons and academy studies that there was no chance to encounter Emma.42c209aa3e3268c7

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The original work, narrated from Diana’s perspective, was no exception.86d4b6d19f1b6d3f

‘If I were Edwin, I would have immediately expelled the nanny taking care of my sick brother.’bbca3fb7e9d26ef3

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Edwin, kind and ff66290e6f gentle, seemed reluctant cac3cbc046 to drive away d743195e44 the nanny for b7e2889303 his ailing brother.2a87be0035ce28b5

‘Indeed, rescuing someone like me led to such an outcome.’17b75d3004a3c9b2

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As I recalled Edwin’s last moments in my past life, my mood sank deeply.efdf3e4a0da78151

I clenched my 227ffa23a8 fists and made 6357d09488 a vow.7d2085e6972066f4

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‘No one will lay a hand on Edwin recklessly.’0d4b30693288bb09

I needed to quickly devise e38e81d11a a plan for what to 0b4118124c do next.3a8a8b1f7279ee05

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I turned to hurry 14f7d71274 back to my room.1a4398442933e1aa

“Hmm?”66daf02714e9be4e

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However, for some reason, my body wouldn’t move forward.f4b7624dddeb083f

Glancing back, I saw bffe93699b the hem of my 0df88b5f3c dress tightly held.307f312d3b6d14cc

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Joshua opened his eyes and mumbled, “Where are you going?”7d839ce3b0213203

“Hmm? To my room.”c80acf09559ad819

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“It’s all over. Are you saying 443eed49cd you’ve finished chatting ce5106a628 now?”3765ef5844f2879e

‘Since when did he learn to talk like that?’aa15416a571249a4

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I was taken aback for a moment, then answered, “Well, yes. Anyway…”8b22dc621c9faac8

“Hmph! I haven’t finished.”c2f17e524bc17f24

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Joshua cheekily added, “Chase me around.”8ee03a6e27300feb

“Playing tag?”9b3a2f587129158c

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“Is that not the same as that and that?!”6591e10e12c0104d

Joshua got irritated with my 8918ace734 response.da84c5a1e5bbf965

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Despite that, his grip on the hem of my dress didn’t loosen.5a08cf9a0c6b5e84

Seeing him like this, I couldn’t help but let out a stifled laugh.709a787cda2e6bf2

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“Umm…”94bfd678d9f9bff6

“I hesitated for a moment. While I wanted to come up with a plan to revenge Emma Casten immediately, it seemed okay to investigate Joshua, who didn’t even appear in the original.0831f716e3cc9afa

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After contemplating, I 26d39114f4 set one condition.09317c48b19042ee

“If you don’t call me ‘sister’ again, you’ll get a scolding!”9057e544256077e3

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“Okay! Bellche nuna!”d4af4b8e07f15d89

Joshua agreed and started calling me ‘nuna’ again.59499033280067f7

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I looked at Josh with 69a7ee2b2e a bit of guilt.bda62de4f232fbf8

‘When he grows up, this will be his embarrassing past.’4fe73cad055bd8b8

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* * *e2d4c16700e999a6

“Look! This is the Elgion Mountain Diamond!”5812c63b47a29537

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“Wow, it’s beautiful.”561edd23e37650bf

“This is the emerald I got from our deep mine!”e753da65c44c43ad

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“Wow, amazing.”74436c0480c5e75a

“And this is…”4351636d77778a81

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“Wow. It’s the best, Master.”55dccff99e3aa89c

“Hey!”19975fd4ffcb7f98

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Suddenly, Joshua, who was 59ff3e8882 showing a ring with b44cae6da6 a topaz, shouted.a69708e28ccfd3ae

“Are you a girl or what?!”89b6aab4eb114eb0

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“Ugh! That’s right!”f0d5f86e259e8f26

“What’s wrong with the string?”c57cb98f20845ad0

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Jingling!947a32976b349239

Accessories hanging on Joshua’s body made a clear sound and sparkled as they moved.6e214c44609ecc7f

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I couldn’t help but wonder.da8c9807a992a0cc

‘Who exactly is the girl here….’da79bb5f67b17a57

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Starting from a tiara, necklace, bracelet, to a ring…28a124f3064b7f43

Joshua, adorned with various 2ff886eab7 jewels, looked like a 36ff20b609 short-haired princess of a 37d72d94ee wealthy country.6a37810ae9eb5e1d

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And here I was, playing the role of a maid clapping hands for an hour, admiring the princess’s beauty.e76b98cce1d51c21

‘How did it come to this….’d6fe6dd4c0e6480d

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“Let’s play prince!”83222b94cc188c36

When Joshua shouted like 841547408f that, I thought it 0908c2824e was just playing house.dfaa214be7acd692

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But then, he 8156012bbc unexpectedly crawled under 12532b9cd2 the bed and 06a334cbaa pulled out a daf6d0dd68 quite large box.21e51a661d165703

Taking out various splendid accessories from the box and proudly putting them on his body was the so-called ‘prince play.’87a2f4ab3903394a

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‘Indeed, out of the ordinary.’5bb52c7ef1523c85

The glamorous box with 60cba533ea a mirror on the 1723dda9dd lid turned out to 7d70093844 be a genuine jewelry 04f06d6eac box.223e6af4cf98d2b5

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‘Who on earth gave this to a 5-year-old boy?’ca71b08e76b05b8f

Perhaps my reaction was a 275493a5cc bit disappointing.d63debea1ea90580

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“Do you hate jewelry?”654a98f4016dea7a

Joshua asked awkwardly. I shrugged my 511f1d8fb3 shoulders in response.981c24554bc345f3

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“Well… to be honest, I don’t know much about jewelry.”7d3854fdd3816522

“Diamonds, don’t you know?”03b78a6ffb8ee398

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“Yeah, I don’t know.”0b1a23ed66646c39

“Not knowing diamonds….”09a1621d0344b77f

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In response to my ce2d2649ca answer, Joshua grumbled with ce4ce0caa3 a shocked expression.bd94dca441718aa7

“Ignore it.”a2dea44f760b8a3c

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‘This guy.’6b394d2a02c73b7d

I was annoyed but held 97f1b69f88 back.be9911044315216f

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After all, I’m just a commoner orphan, so not knowing something doesn’t go against the setting.959bd16274af8a77

Of course, I knew what fd826b188d a diamond was!719af1739ee77267

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Emeralds, topazes…219cb28a4da497eb

But when it 88916eb827 came to jewelry, 909682f14d I only had 88c7b642f3 unpleasant memories.a07cf890f3073d08

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‘Ta-da! Look at this, Belze! The Duke went to an 732c96f8f6 auction and bought it because d79bee0a7f he thought of me!’6fd316aff3edeed2

‘Did the lady steal it? How can she be d1f588450b so vulgar in everything bb89dffaa1 she does, even as 6271d5fc22 a commoner!’8edfaf2e047d1880

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Voices from the b6b34400e1 past that I 77668b215c overheard one day 550a83c5c2 echoed in my 5edf3a6750 ears.26074e513bb9410a

“Huh…?”43037bd89a6fa57b

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At that moment, 77e3dea8db something caught my f6bbe689ac eye inside the 282b00c321 jewelry box.244ed72802901080

Among many rings, one sparkled b33a9e186d particularly.a914c0342a240be3

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A large ring with 0a0174c5ae a sapphire embedded in b4c0c93df0 it.38e97f8ed0796043

“This is…”011871003a157ec1

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“Sapphire! Is this Arha?”06db915f245f5864

Joshua, who easily recognized what 736b58bd99 I was looking at, pulled 8f4e9b354b it out.311ec36381a4ca30

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There was no way he wouldn’t know.7fe8d8756c6d354d

“It was found in Miss Belze’s room, my lord!”f5889321474b9ff7

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“The heirloom of the late Duchess that Master Joshua used to have…!”ea0b50c86a74a9f9

Because it was a ring 2267ad26f9 known to have been stolen 036a11b4cd by me in a past 3538d85c39 life.023ced848be291e5

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Joshua, having put it 048998bfc0 on my most plump 6aae7105a6 thumb, showed it to 0b04b33063 me.7e4053858539a023

Even though it was worn 851a0ff3c2 on the sturdiest thumb, the 5b949f6f35 ring still spun loosely.97b7ba51448a3a19

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“Isn’t it pretty?”af28304341c19009

“……Yeah.”63376310b0238d79

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I obediently nodded, and then eb718b74af Joshua asked abruptly.1e9d20901ee9e2da

“Do you want it? Should I give it to you?”ebcd8b81a43f6f13

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“No.”0699eca9267ef392

“Why not?”b2bca3f87c4f245b

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Perhaps not expecting 9114119a70 a refusal, Joshua 8f3453808f widened his eyes 72529b5225 in surprise.da443df737dffd84

“When the maid sisters see my treasure box, they always ask for just one….”460ea9f0ab71cd57

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“So you give it to them?”ace0071af12fba7f

“Yeah!”e2c3b69ea6460082

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“How are those maid sisters doing?”1631eb1a412006a9

“They all have to hurry back home because their fathers are waiting!”44cc002ee0246da2

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At Joshua’s cheerful proclamation, a cold sweat broke out on my spine.eda3fb1317010099

If I hadn’t regressed, I might have received a scolding and returned to the temple as well.559af7d62a67468f

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Knowing what I knew now, Joshua’s treasure box felt a bit ominous.ecbf0ad95ae57acf

“That… is it from the Duchess?”8539934dc831d8b8

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“Yeah! It’s Josh’s mom’s! How did you know?”43ca8a01de90453f

“I saw the painting on the second floor.”01bea4ac4050bedc

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“Oh! Mom’s painting?”97f6027da21c5254

The portrait of the d71bd4e00a Duchess hanging in the 6c3b44ec82 second-floor lobby also depicted 04fa293a17 a sapphire ring.13962679c4b6e6bc

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I only learned about it 58aee7517a after being accused of being 634ecf1dcd a ring thief.fc1cc3b7b536f1cc

To commemorate their 5f3b294015 first wedding anniversary, 93afb68373 the Marquis had a371d83a72 gone to a a169b5e04f distant country to a3b7742cea fetch a very 3f8cc6524a expensive ring.b186fb109726bbaa

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The marchioness had eb55af3c9e cherished the ring bbe80be2ef so much that 5e33743f94 she wore it df5ca8e129 instead of her a51441534d wedding ring while 3a280e32e6 she was alive.e480270eefb1ca6e

“Be careful with that.”7e711878b07300cd

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I cautiously advised Joshua, a37ff50d57 who was genuinely innocent.3b053ee9a21a658c

“Don’t give something like this casually to others.”d6f9aab2ab507765

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“Why?”deef9d58a4e32582

“Because you’re going to have to take it out later when you’re upset with your mom.”0f5c24934aa89b86

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“Oh, uh….”84a2e0408a21ac56

Joshua’s eyes widened at my words.cb9614d9bde31416

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It seemed like 7effe69c15 there was no ef4f854b1e one else who 6ad791ae22 had given him 0f589ec776 such advice.e78ede90b3da0c8d

“Oh, I see….”e0c5fd096d90d79b

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Joshua, who seemed to b1e7d4a470 be deeply pondering, soon 339d0a5b85 mumbled with a disappointed a0cae785ab expression.76d6e07eea1a4f7d

“Since everything is Josh’s, do as you please. If you really want to give it to someone, you can… when you have someone you want to give it to.”34465126c23e8536

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“That’s right.”1f5e1d662efdfcd8

Because that way, he could a6a606c408 claim ownership of the ring.fbd38b0f3339484c

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I responded with 4922be9e50 a cold sneer.39321ed95f43a6c8

After Joshua’s death, Emma Casten openly claimed that the Duke had given her this ring.af2bc7ffa12e3880

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The servants, naturally, murmured their 0f58e4b946 dissatisfaction to Emma.fd1c8611b0b1a178

Having gained control bcb2471ee9 inside the mansion, 9ed846d547 she constantly harassed 3af56d7b88 me.bc7db82ed8139519

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When I, fed up 995f515591 with the situation, threatened 7e6708f2c6 to expose the truth 6c8475b6f1 to the Duke, she 799eaec5e3 had a maid bring a2e0bc169d me into my room 7d05f9a077 and framed me as addea6ce34 a thief.c32388a3e275920f

‘Damn it.’24af71aa30d39392

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Even thinking about it 92ddffe27a now made my teeth 2b1a072024 chatter.a966cb604c2ef98c

“But hey, Sister.”a13f4e6332b27712

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As I shivered, Joshua suddenly 3c21726413 called me.9372726d2a09483c

“Does brother not want to see Mom?”ec2da6e84fe9e833

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“…Edwin? Why is Edwin suddenly brought up?”938bac58e049df4b

“Uh, well… actually, all of this belongs to Mom.”18c6cc385ee4a973

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Joshua shyly confessed.ca58ca87d80d835d

‘This all belongs to the Duchess.’7aa06cdd23ba4be3

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Now I understood why c4ee79004d a seemingly normal boy 119b56ce60 had so many accessories.6f732f483287a128

‘…Sorry, Josh.’276d8410c1c7ff06

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Feeling guilty for judging baf64f8b31 him strangely for a ebeb8f72b5 moment, I apologized silently.6289430302c1c76a

“But brother, while Josh is pestering Dad for these, he never asks for anything else and always gives in! Our brother is really nice!”021f48f6b6a9c852

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That was obvious.c0b7991f7a48f54b

A healthy boy wouldn’t play with adult women’s accessories.7d8f38421ef31453

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‘Sorry, Josh.’336a5f4be94d53e8

I apologized once again.1d96e0fec333bb83

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“Brother probably wants to see Mom too, right?”57d2fa35f6deb938

“…Yeah, probably.”9667f6969cf448dd

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“Then, will brother take this?”f9a219beabf41043

Joshua, with the sapphire ring d89a2ef97a on his thumb, flashed a 87b17fde41 smile and said.57165b48236812a2

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At that moment, 3bd764a92f a good idea 8141f63987 flashed through my 8fac741d0d mind.2b2e372cc7fa8f98