Chapter 38

The tear-soaked embrace of the 4cac27af8d brothers came to an end.24b2845884040c5d

“So, there are no further objections regarding Emma Caston’s disposition,” the Duke concluded.13c46ad12b319080

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It seemed there would 0de144f0de be no overturning the 16ff2a480c decision to expel Emma.8a5a7b4e00d0f592

‘…To think it would be resolved this easily.’db02cec3f2dfbf94

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I still felt dazed. At the same time, a d98c2f08db bit of regret and disappointment 95c4d02210 lingered.7b6aa939174d932c

‘I should have spoken honestly to the Duke in my previous life and asked for help…’be40f0103b98a9fe

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I had assumed 4429ddd84e the Duke would 100f2e771a inevitably be lenient b8a98bf39e with Emma.1ac29ee24fc8df59

By the time I arrived at the Duke’s mansion in my previous life, she had already become a key figure in the household.11cd4ad1fd33ab25

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Serving both the 1f924f6c37 Duchess and the 1747aa4736 younger son after 8f34a22c11 their deaths meant 01786e6ee2 she held an 67f1c9b9e4 irreplaceable position.56e7ad116d893aec

So, despite clashing with Emma eb95100b58 repeatedly, I never said a 85a9758611 word about it to the 152c4dcb92 Duke or Edwin.5186c5a3b7bc55e1

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I believed that if 5b1896c3df I complained about her aed2129917 and the long-serving staff 70ee8d60e8 of the mansion, it 25a65daedf would be me who 07d0254af7 would be expelled.9f79ef1ca9b52830

‘In reality, it wasn’t such a big deal after all…’67e54e23307f4569

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As I bitterly reflected on a8c223d787 the past, the Duke suddenly 0c38300099 issued an order to his 03361c11dd sons.fc82ac379d1cf871

“Now, Edwin and Joshua, you may leave.”6976619718702670

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“Belze, stay. I have something to discuss with you.”55ab7a580e5bd5aa

“M-me?”358b9147a3ec76a2

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“Yes.”853b12f71ea26def

My relaxed body tensed 49f86ea3ba up again.82923cf463de122b

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‘What does he want to say to me after sending Edwin and Joshua out?’d34b3ee46513fae0

It wasn’t just me f7635dc710 who was curious. Edwin turned to the 3f3aeaa02d Duke and asked.a8b3ac3faec3fb83

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“What is it?”39e84b5b2eb6acf3

“It’s a secret.”0895591759f2a5b3

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“A secret…?”7f99eaed8efecb56

“Yes.”74a035f2decbbe74

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The Duke responded confidently.590962aafd5d5a92

Not quite convinced, Edwin frowned d569f679d5 slightly.cd553b31e0acfca1

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“Is there a secret that Joshua and I shouldn’t know?”98dc6347f65eddee

“Why. Didn’t you also secretly use your private funds last night?”71e1ee8b254c897f

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The Duke casually glanced 3a6c66675d at me, or more e9aa2570d9 precisely, at the tiara 980dbfce75 on my head.41dba6c1b0613040

“That…”29352ed95b581f99

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At a loss for df6f8c23fd words, Edwin stammered, uncharacteristically.bda3439bd0b89fe5

“And then you came this morning, acting nonchalant and suggesting we go to Main Street. How amusing.”5aa5aff0dd674f82

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“…”22e3de8b3bdac75b

The Duke scoffed, and Edwin’s cheeks turned red.17db7b84329f63c6

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‘Main Street… luxury shops?!’3421155d2252768e

I realized that 9429be0106 their destination today afc287c1fe was the high-end 40ff8a87c5 shopping district.21c0590fe46416f0

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But I still couldn’t 616ec89024 fully grasp their conversation.a80fe9075d7b5baf

‘I understand it’s about the tiara, but… why is Edwin blushing? Adorable!’8753aa7aa59bdbe0

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I tried to daecc3f0c4 piece together the f9445368ac context from observing f51a156fa7 their faces but d332d7c428 failed.512c77bde2fb7b52

Edwin, returning to his c3b6c319a0 usual demeanor, spoke defensively.bc866daf0b67f970

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“Once again, Belze did nothing wrong. It was just something I…”c4f8a3080f813f39

“Anyone would think I’m going to eat the kid alive for spending a few coins.”a9c9c62ccffbf5ca

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“…”ba4adcb5f805a8e1

“As Belze’s guardian, I have something to discuss with her. You may leave now.”2806dd69d9725e41

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Finally, Edwin closed b458428309 his mouth and 94ea5ac6d4 slowly rose from 83f7fe34cd his seat.b74e895616c33b06

The butler, noticing the 5e272ef576 cue, quickly ushered Joshua 374e576264 out.aab1520cc763586a

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“Let’s go, young master. It’s time for your medicine.”1e8bf16a6642c74c

“Ugh…”5e4affdac4fe7dd6

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Joshua’s face instantly fell at the mention of ‘medicine.’0b3acdbb539aa9e5

But, unable to whine 38bfa46a92 in front of his 7e07c95380 father, he forced a 2428f7de7b bright face and waved af878f0245 his hand energetically at 73ba2138fc me.3638f4f40331c1fa

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“See you tomorrow, Sister Belze!”64f33b1404123ddd

“Okay! See you tomorrow, Brother Josh!”84d655291a53919e

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Tl/N: She called him 7608755fbd Oppa soo….6e5298e17d6d440a

Remembering my promise to call him ‘Brother’ if he didn’t cry and took his medicine well, I greeted him cheerfully to encourage him.60bfa54ad367db52

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“Hehe! Yes! I am your brother!”908d5b66b13d2fc4

Joshua happily followed the 115cbf3b14 butler out.b8235f993bb303cf

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“…”9c7a61b7ad133fc9

The Duke and 0edb8a5a38 Edwin simultaneously looked dce401e5a3 at me with a4079296c2 astonished expressions.cb07e8d2a24fa8fb

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Only then did I 18f0e069ac realize how strange we 31764f5ca1 must have looked.c6f16d355490c9e7

“…Ahem. It seems you both are still too young to understand properly.”593df5b9b6c3211f

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“N-no! I understand!”b95166aaf094916a

“I will take the time to teach Joshua proper titles.”d7c577fedf770427

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“I’ll handle it. Belze, Joshua is the same age as you. The term ‘brother’ is for older boys like Edwin…”8724d1272c6e75e2

“I-I know that already…!”2288b5bb394fc329

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By the time the eea6b513f9 lesson on titles ended, d31d14edaf only the Duke and 7f75a07da6 I were left in a564a8110f the office.c0df3ee43b94a5ca

“…Thanks to you, I got to see those two reconciling.”66f50755bf33ee1b

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After a brief silence, the 9ed15b069f Duke spoke up.ba4ed7084de6b753

I blinked and asked.63f460c5d59499cf

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“They didn’t usually reconcile?”c00b48ed95796a9d

“Normally, Edwin is the one who bears it and lets it go.”4030f1e9fbf4b046

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That made sense if it 936a5dabc6 was Edwin.bd887ce4012b29c9

The Duke continued, af7b05152c his expression tinged 94459d6d21 with regret.ef05b4450c8021f1

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“Joshua has been spoiled, and he often behaves rudely. He probably doesn’t mean any harm, but…”365de108285f5c7a

“…”edb6338e1891cc0b

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“If he ever behaved unpleasantly towards you, I apologize on his behalf.”1b42146d16d4642e

“That never happened!”e90d72ce365ae503

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I shook my head vigorously.e374b1c66a705a4e

‘Although he has some unexpected sides to him…’eeabc75385072e26

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Josh was a cute and 71f60f8a25 lovable child.ba5a738a70a5dc41

Besides, I couldn’t be unhappy that he liked me more than Diana!0cf2e3213696e52e

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“Josh is a good boy! He takes his medicine well and responds well to treatment!”615dac87430b490e

“Is that so?”b2bedbac8dbb7330

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“Yes! And he probably wanted to apologize to Edwin sooner…”ccf2cd6c69031f35

I trailed off, thinking f78da8be29 of Joshua crying sorrowfully c168cf9cf7 a moment ago.7812996e372035a9

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Though he hadn’t said it 6d37575148 outright, it was obvious he a2f3eb7828 intended to give his brother 8a6b96e46b the ring as a gesture 9de8d0f31e of reconciliation.885310c6b2690c02

But Emma had disrupted everything.c4fd2c6f3a248258

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The Duke sighed briefly and 7ba036bf4e spoke.4566967b59fc13f4

“I heard everything from the butler about today’s commotion.”4037e9bf45a35b28

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“…I’m sorry.”d526b56cc11f2b94

I lowered my head d148c09b45 and mumbled.4aef1ac05fda3e76

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The Duke coldly asked again.492c598e0a3627d3

“There you go again. What exactly are you apologizing for?”0acc65afac06be5a

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Of course, I hadn’t done anything wrong.228cfb98e9da96ba

I was the a713c9f57c one who had b47f383128 been falsely accused e76eb529a2 of theft and 8bc2af94cd mistreated.78a0a1f16155e965

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But sometimes, even when 58c9eb9c91 it felt maddeningly unjust, ae25ecca82 you had to accept 555b8384cc and endure it.c0f88f4d8460a766

I wasn’t the beloved a10e9d3a43 protagonist, but a detestable dd10f5036c foreign substance.e9beb7e18b4fcd26

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A mere villainous extra.e0b782dc82d55f02

‘In my past life, I didn’t realize this and spent my entire life feeling bitter until the end…’742cce27cce3d01d

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I was fortunate to 782e8a5d49 understand this now.ee5ba0b249724e03

I answered with 193fe9789b an awkward smile.219fd8284da03a1f

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“Since I arrived, there’s been a lot of commotion because of me…”be427bf9a6519f73

“I’m saying it’s my fault.”9b471760487ec412

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“…Pardon?”d054aafbce038173

“I brought you here, claiming it would be better than the temple, yet you’ve experienced nothing but trouble.”3d4cabcee015e374

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The Duke added with aef1661946 a hint of self-mockery.fd2c19ef2ccf0ce4

“At this rate, I’m no different from that scoundrel Dunkeski.”965175562b5c010a

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At his words, 594fb37024 I quickly raised ddc67415b9 my head.e7df0fe45451482b

“N-no! It’s much, much better here than the temple!”41e1dcbeeac7b8eb

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How could anyone compare d65ee0e78d this heavenly Duke’s residence 0ef51411fb to that wretched place?99b13d3a8d797fd1

Here, there was 235e370eec no madman torturing a94691a0da me with water 44c746cfa1 every morning.79ffaf1b58a65a4f

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I got delicious meals e7c7423e5b on time and wasn’t 6b3a382a6e beaten for not copying e3a2532cce scriptures.b25171a9fe240929

Instead, they took care e29551f66c of me with utmost a305d7c8f7 sincerity when I was 936d0f9ebb sick!cdabdb7970c6becd

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‘And to say there’s no difference with Dunkeski…!’09f0ac536205dd45

That balding old 30b90f4f66 fart would have 6216aeac85 already locked me f8891349b7 in the repentance fe66728c84 room for causing e53c131f5f such a disturbance.512a4ab80c095df0

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Just imagining it made me dda68ece72 shudder.63475bc6b7f72be1

“Your Grace, you haven’t done anything wrong!”b621c75b55d62acc

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I shuddered once and then 0f0be807a6 shouted resolutely.cb1ea83043dc3867

“It’s all Emma’s fault! Emma is bad! Bad!”064802ca29e3ec38

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“……”09afbc86b7b49cf8

“Your Grace trusted her to take care of the children specially, but everyone is too much!”c59e6da6399ea170

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As I said it, ad39c79b02 anger welled up within 78a9f74163 me anew.a644df3ba4278d83

‘Why can’t they just stick to their roles?’28acdbdb2a6c2b29

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Of course, not everyone lives c6e7668a15 their life according to a 5c4ff5a2e6 set mold.8e2c6304b63f5e28

But if those 5f83e44c49 people didn’t have 8c73c1115f such strange insecurities, f910185f3c none of this 350f0ef716 would have happened.d6ab228ae7982433

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Adults should act like adults, employees like employees. Why can’t they do such a simple thing?7420429a7bc56215

‘Why do the innocent ones like me and Your Grace have to argue about what’s right or wrong?’4f389e1855d8644e

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The more I thought b06d6f7a4b about it, the angrier 5a65cae3cb I got.c7e983f2abe3713e

I had my hands 10c7787423 on my hips and b2b307f862 was fuming when I afa0cb77a5 suddenly heard a soft, c83cce548f deflating laugh near me.df694bd9f528070a

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Startled, I looked up cab9014f32 and was bewildered.cb5eb54b8b84cb7d

The Duke was 2ee0049867 looking at me bcaeeb4b96 with eyes full f669dde797 of amusement.ab4dcb2bd2a96bc0

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“You know how to speak up well. Why do you always blame yourself?”53b68e11222aec2c

“Uh…”2dd8760df39a87d7

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“Even today. If I hadn’t called you separately, you wouldn’t have come to tell me you were being treated unfairly, would you?”ca2abe4b7d89e643

“…”61f2ff24a24ef6c7

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His words were true. I mumbled and fell silent.2e74a9850a9a40fa

In both my past 95f4032807 and current life, the 65c0c750bd option of tattling to fbbff8bc9f the Duke never existed.c9b1f0659bb01174

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Partly because I thought it wouldn’t help even if I told him…e2b0b7c35916d61f

Contrary to what the Duke ddd85be12e told me yesterday, I didn’t ff26627082 want to act spoiled.9892a339f91c0694

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I didn’t want to bother f76a06018d him, already busy as he 1b7ed71adb was.fa291adbd778be46

If I ran to him 550327e2d1 every time something happened, I’d 2a7e002eb1 only look like an incapable c122128e3c and useless child.849db27281e397d6

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‘Oh…?’aa2d54c2a9939944

As I thought that b3c5da52d3 far, a strong sense 9e110671e8 of déjà vu hit 5ef08d21d5 me.9fb4b85bc01d512d

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‘So that’s why Edwin didn’t tell the Duke about that scoundrel…’de752bceaa2d36e8

Just as I had this 2819948479 thought, the Duke sighed deeply.73554697789917be

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“You and Edwin. Why are you both so stubborn about the wrong things, I wonder…”a181177002f7c288

When blood dries ccfe193857 on your head, 554318d9f2 you die.248875924b47d270

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I barely swallowed cb2e8e5ca5 that thought when ad90fd2884 the Duke suddenly a7cd412e99 stood up.76ed37ec5f387c84

“Yes. No matter how much I press you, if something like today happens again, it won’t matter.”23c6f96a1087589e

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“Uh…?”d414dbc67bad5fc6

“Follow me, Belze.”01ada0fdb3e100c8

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He walked towards bcd060b4a9 the desk beyond 0d3616826b the sofa.62858efb849cf53b

Behind the desk was a da31f3baa9 massive bookshelf filling an entire 675eb56cef wall.53d1be0cbdc8f333

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Standing in front of bbc08ca330 the bookshelf, the Duke d14032712f grabbed what looked like d2710ec796 a book and pulled 29d719a048 it.21730873da727f53

Then.ad942b34e6249716

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Thud-thud-thud-thud—a471231ef512db7a

With a dull, sudden eff686a0b5 noise, the center of 96003e9b7e the bookshelf split open, fe7095869b revealing a narrow gap 162b69bb9b just wide enough for def429d4fa a person to pass 63951acc52 through.075a3aa6f6a8d61d

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The Duke looked back 6be7ac7be8 at me, his mouth e6deb8c301 agape, and gestured.191903c7539a27a8

“Come on, follow me.”ce263d46adfd49a3

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But I couldn’t move easily.6a933fe3eb57f671

I thought we’d just 2afdbab3e0 talk more about Emma.297f21e639174223

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‘Suddenly… a secret passage?’daa4748adedd2c4c