Chapter 45

‘…Did the female lead come? Why?!’ddfbea51ecd1bf8a

I was taken aback by the butler’s words.26d9e087ad52e18b

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Of course, in the original novel, Diana often visited the Duke’s house around this time.37483a35c6d58b59

It was because of Joshua’s healing.f99ff671ad916461

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‘But now I’m the one healing Joshua… What other reason could she have to come?’e9f3fd78b569ebe2

Although the situation had slightly bfe08cd975 changed from my initial determination 1c44e58cfa to follow the original plot, 718eb0d352 I didn’t worry much about 6ee57823b2 it.2347fa53a714d419

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Because Joshua is mentioned very d320ab1ce2 briefly and passes by as a8ec103a4c a kind of prologue in e71eb9310b the novel.5d1931184cac4bb1

「Diana, who was still inexperienced in healing power, was greatly disheartened by her inability to properly heal the Duke’s second son’s incurable disease.5c3bc91d7e332563

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But soon after, an event 9447dc7ed2 celebrating the birth of the e81350a285 goddess takes place at the 9ae85edd4f temple.30690998d27e0ca0

There, she displays abilities that surpass anyone else’s.」a3fe32cef71366eb

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I racked my d1a0b0ff10 memory to recall 1bc09be41b the very beginning ef9dbf5ebf of the novel.73b9687f75aff0d3

‘Whether Joshua dies or not, Diana failing to heal him is the same as in the original work, right?’b68f4d843190514d

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Therefore, I didn’t 36f0296702 particularly care about 89a285f0a0 this part.3018ca0f38512f95

‘Failure’ would just be a small trial to highlight the female lead’s heroic episodes that would follow one after another.550c123ad0bdac2f

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And it would fc02c8147d simply be an 7268cb6332 event that would b9613d4706 lead to her 82f1670391 meeting the male 1c05728ae0 lead candidate, Edwin.046e0011eb1605bd

‘…Damn it, stupid author! If that’s the case, you should have made sure to heal Joshua properly!’f103c29ae1690758

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Maybe because I 01ccfeacf1 had grown quite 82f2c27d0a fond of him.7487382f8d915637

Realizing that Joshua’s life ff402fac53 was used for such ca23ad0102 a trivial purpose made f397bbdae5 me feel very down.6e86052f3e7d63aa

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“…Miss?”05e2c6d3730f95a6

“…”b2b1444eb26bb58c

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“Miss Belze!”addaf531dcd32bf7

At that moment.6281cda57720e5fd

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“Ah, yes?!”2fb496ff2cb479c6

Suddenly, I snapped out bc2c3e5357 of my thoughts at e75f1f578e the sound of someone 363fcea2e2 calling me.cff8553535dc668a

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When I lifted 68a1da5eb2 my head, I fda28a20ff saw two pairs 818b43613a of eyes looking 97d0378b2e down at me 2fb16bde46 with concern.5efc5efa5561fd0f

“If you find it difficult to meet her… should I just say you’re unwell?”7dd9c986e91adf86

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Tara bent down 2df0368fad to meet my 0a02b1e307 eyes.18e02852a4f0ef36

The warmth in 36299e3c2b her eyes gradually 4250686e2a calmed my unsettled 8dedee2940 heart.be780c3463a15c36

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“Oh, no. It’s okay! But, why did she come?”225354b15440dc79

“She said she came to apologize and check on Young Master Joshua.”4df5089f6b3ef654

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“Apologize?”8e947de596b4b5fb

“Yes. It seems it might c07c891667 be because the last d0c19d2d80 healing didn’t go well…”2705af38199b8487

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The butler trailed off.894fd16ff86a993a

‘Wasn’t it said that the wounds weren’t healed at all in the end?’e3b52d2b990da799

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I vaguely recalled the first time I saw Joshua’s condition and tilted my head.922637e02ff539a8

“But, does she want to see Belze first?”233c5823b5388045

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“She said she really wants to meet you, claiming you were old friends.”23e8d6c068eabf2e

“Old friends, my foot!”d98b4aa6d9fd9cdf

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Did I answer too 2ad4d39810 sharply without realizing it?f59da505f777e528

Tara and the f73e4a7395 butler stared at a75c4e9ab9 me with wide a4308f8e95 eyes.43f66d42f80144e9

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I mumbled awkwardly with a 6e3e7c91c3 forced smile.f76e68175f5ec221

“It’s only been a year since we met…”de358d099a45b3de

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“Shall I tell her to see Young Master Joshua first?”b2ff15c1c27ea9cd

The butler spoke 8731f1a512 as if trying eafe1424f6 to be considerate 91f3f63445 of me.660791357b4bda25

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He was implying he could f79eae8a09 buy me some time if c8370be78a I needed to think more.3a89a7b6730549f5

I hesitated for a moment.c416007ccc65a19a

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Honestly, I wanted to f3b9e4b09e avoid meeting the female 89bd067338 lead as much as b822efe0d6 possible before the main c9ede85b5a story of the original e49844e0ab work started.977d13197b42d089

Even if I tried to avoid her, being a fellow saint candidate, we would inevitably be entangled together eventually…3c64e0c74b300eaa

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Besides, what good could a689a733ec come from the villain ff9d2bc1c4 meeting the female lead?bac4708d7a3be024

But.712269b07ec77b74

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‘By now, Josh should be sleeping after taking his medicine…’ee37edfe70a339b6

I didn’t want 9bf0c0c586 to wake him, 4b3fc8e40e especially since he c9e5e2ed56 was already exhausted 24f6200c19 from the healing.447be5d375505f48

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Making a determined decision, I 83f3b61d7c spoke resolutely.cf3babd52a7baf51

“No. Guide her to my room!”a961b147a14b1528

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“Understood.”53460355851e6cba

“One moment, butler!”7a47379574900eaa

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Suddenly, Tara grabbed the butler 6bd6194e7b who was about to leave 53f089f7e7 the room.df5193963dffac1a

“While giving her a tour of the mansion, bring her here as late as possible!”c544e659ab958ba3

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“Why…?”221da24ecd452d3f

The butler, looking puzzled, suddenly cdcc7502ee nodded with a determined expression.c98951437724777f

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“Got it. I’ll delay as much as 99ef2b81cb I can!”3b159d15ad7459a4

With that, the butler left.a19ac0a880df446c

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Tara hurriedly grabbed me and 2c596c8e64 tucked me under her arm.3353c416ba4616e7

“Hurry, come here, miss!”34e713ac9b6d9d8f

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“Why?”67ffc4fab1f4dead

“Why? Since she’s here, we 1a5083b03e have to completely crush 84d3219b63 her spirit!”5eb02ec06c33629a

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“Spirit…?”38c15a1c8a907ede

She dragged me 1bbbdf57f5 to the dressing beede78e48 room, which was e9a5ece41c already a mess 545049ee6c with newly delivered 5cb3d886fc items, and started 4edd6b9a70 turning it upside 6556be4f96 down.9b32015e62f6d63b

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“This one? Or would this be better?”5ccfcd5cd374ec7d

She held up new dresses c8306f3468 to me one after another.869835ea221441f6

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Then she suddenly asked 572b837e15 a passing maid.f91f37791c346b9e

“Hey, Kona! Which one do you think 970447591b is better?”08e2fed3b30c2b4a

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“Hmm, rather than those… Miss should go for a chic and elegant look today. How about this dress?”5ac0318e6d4c93c8

“That sounds great! Miss, hooray!”039e069b3bd016cc

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“Hooray…”8472c76058b8af7f

Though I didn’t understand what was going on, I obediently raised my arms.e6762b6283a2609f

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Tara swiftly stripped off the 72b71409bb clothes I was wearing and fbf02c121e tossed them aside.038de8a2a9376dc1

“Nice catch!”3c52e938a5d677d5

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I tilted my head, watching the dark blue dress land perfectly in Kona’s hands and go into the laundry basket.f78d6cb141639230

“But Tara, that dress is pretty too. Why take it off?”37ccb998518d1b6e

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“That’s an indoor dress. You need to wear a dbd3499960 more beautiful and luxurious party 821a153163 dress.”9677d7749fd39ecb

“Party…?”93b573a47e49224d

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Tara replied as 643eeb965c she dressed me 5003f8649e in a new 7a28d8a44c outfit.a6439180ed9a8bf2

The green velvet dress, sprinkled cda3acd353 with glittering gold dust, was 95991f6520 indeed dazzling enough to be bd9fd44723 worn to a ballroom.bf3c57090ee72e84

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‘Why suddenly a party…?’46183716b429881a

Sensing my confusion, Tara added,d1d3e77b39216a32

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“A princess of a country must always be well-prepared to greet guests, Miss.”46352ed625939f1d

“Princess…? But I’m not a princess…”69765cf2d4decc92

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The reappearance of bdfff752c9 a title I d1e09329f3 hadn’t heard in 9fb0f01bcf a while gave 9864f640c5 me sudden chills.ee3791d85c6a62bc

Sure enough,092ba0bf08c9c24d

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“Girls, how about this hairpin for our princess?”c8732eda510d3a75

“Tara, how about these shoes?”400aace0cde9c90d

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“Here, the necklace box! These just arrived from cb5153dfe6 the Servignon merchant guild!”7f7ebe405d314653

At Tara’s prompt, the 5cd0c12c8d maids who were helping f51661f366 to organize the items e374081ed2 began rushing over.4691a1ea392943f0

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“Trust us, Princess Belze!”42cc4966df2b6573

Seeing their eyes 3891d3b3ef filled with determination, 847f92d894 I slowly opened db372e567e my mouth.ee8c80934351e4c7

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‘…Please, everyone, stop—!’e95788c260404133

* * *2ac0918a32f4317b

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A moment later.99ef053132215006

In the mirror, I truly a6f11bb718 looked like a princess of 26e370b72e a country.23ae69eb431b88a1

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Green velvet dress and 11309dde29 matching velvet shoes.c0347ac1306a5a8b

Emerald hairpins securing 0a72dcf77a my half-up hairstyle, 92912b35b4 and platinum pins 6fd4ce6d76 adorning both sides 751f68b29a of my hair b307a2552c like a floral c0b88b2471 vine.64ba39017b2f5472

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Pearl necklaces and bracelets adorned 7e3efa527d my neck and wrists.59312fb50c5caad0

“…Why are there two bracelets?”06b94e7fe1e3b2d7

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“Princesses from wealthy countries always wear them like this.”28bf45edb33506d1

I meant to express discomfort…2bacf3de1623ecac

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Tara’s merciless reply left me speechless.2e768d51058b11f6

“Oh my… You look so beautiful and lovely, Miss!”d3e4ccb27ba28eea

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“They say clothes make the person, and this…! This dress was made just for you!”b6bdcabfde514546

“I understand now why Tara praises you so effortlessly. If I were your personal maid, dressing you up every day would be such a joy…”15bf3c7fc7ad9846

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The maids who helped me e4dda1fe28 dress each exclaimed in admiration.4a4ccdfc1ca0abb4

It was quite embarrassing, 32ea395737 especially since these were a0fcc4e7de people who had been 15aefff8e0 distant until now.14d2d81bcaed3be0

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Though some flattery might be due to witnessing Emma’s dismissal, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear.2b438b4ef4dbf309

‘It’s pretty, but… isn’t it a bit much for me?’44746ca2129ea8d7

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I hesitated and then spoke 112ecaed7b up.1ff672f0457b3963

“Do I really have to… go this far?”ae6425b53f452e81

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“Of course, Miss!”1713abc084dcc85c

The maids shouted in unison!95ec0777b02f0b2b

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“She’s from the same temple, right? Wouldn’t it be great to show her that our Miss is living much better?”c5a9823158b3447f

“Hmm… Is that so…?”a97a9dfc797686cc

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I began to understand why e1c68b11d4 Tara and the maids put 43c8640122 in so much effort.1d4ac00448deb215

‘It feels like going all out for a reunion…’d0a87c3c4bb478fe

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But how much would a fe0f417b37 five-year-old know about such things?a7d4dbba1f664e36

If it was 77159ce658 before my return, 5731bcf424 maybe.76f3456894a058ff

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Diana would also be 4ad16a5c9e busy adapting to her 70f80f064d changed circumstances.3456297b75e3198b

I responded timidly.f907891ae398d8dd

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“But Diana wouldn’t really know about such things…”38353bd09a6a0c78

“Oh, come on, how could she not? She’s from the Marquis of Barellotte family, after all…”9900e83786ae5c3e

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Kona answered this time.e07cc92781aaaa33

The other maids 241a447e1f nodded in agreement.ae4bae2c56411bf8

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“Of course, it doesn’t compare to our Duke of Kallios family!”043d0ab868b22b25

“Absolutely, no doubt about it!”ddbdd81970a28c6a

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Tara exclaimed with a resolute 727a0b8a5c expression.30babc974098dc5b

“This is a matter of pride for us too, Miss!”fcfa8cebc7aeffb6

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“Hmm…”1b0406151c34ad61

With nothing more to say, da67d54c30 I looked at my reflection d5792304d1 in the mirror again, feeling 161753f91d strange.4f518fe8be49477d

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‘It looks better than I thought…’27b3a46cde519833

Though it sounds funny to 20eab3d46b say it myself.8bcc792d7da0e657

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Despite the overly luxurious attire, 6b3d53c914 my face didn’t seem overshadowed ec7e51f60c at all.cd583262530380f0

The red eyes 948624589c I always wanted 31e3f1457f to hide shone 45eaf80080 clearly like the 6e70e7d8ad most precious jewel c9304579b4 among the sparkling 53b611f486 accessories.f511d2d4b1c2bf1a

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Looking at myself 598b6cd5ae now, no one e5de402bfe would guess I 5513402828 was a commoner 5f71bf2277 orphan.bca7acd9655c6bfb

I looked as a75d863377 precious as any 5f8840dbb8 noble lady.0b0fc516d8f5a6df

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In my previous life, 09cfe3bfff I had never looked cb8e115509 back at my appearance, 91b3430151 living every day like d990ed3fa9 a war.3d250fe94f1e0763

I was always busy imitating 11f5cb7e3d Diana.a766c923594a0918

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If Diana wore a 87d7de99b7 red dress, I’d find dd57665a55 a similar one for 3509d1748b the next party.2c967167f2f7d1e2

If Diana wore f06d5dcf81 amethyst accessories, my e387e10b1c accessory box would a20fcbc03b be filled with 5354e2a336 amethysts the next 11ca249dcf day.22cd8c42e4843163

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Fortunately, the female lead was modest, so it wasn’t difficult to follow her.4e77213944004726

At the time, I 537a1eef25 thought that if I 597e644b1b did everything Diana did, 93dddf2026 I’d be loved like 1718072ec7 her.6f7ebab58f3ea773

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‘And after debuting in society, Diana’s style even became a trend…’a8745a4064d9759a

Isn’t that how all novel female leads are?5b7073fff17053cb

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I wasn’t the 66a47e35ac only young lady 78ed3da7a0 who admired Diana 698d8a2735 back then.03059151809fb63e

But I was the only cd63bf4ca3 one who was constantly ridiculed.1c85b51b6f297d00

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“Did you see that commoner girl? Today, she’s wearing a purple dress just like the one Lady Diana wore at the last poetry recital.”ae88c00267f0b005

“It’s hilarious. Does she think she’ll become just like Diana?”e719a52683867a5e

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“Even though she’s a fellow saint candidate, she always picks the most vulgar and stupid things to do.”b6d931d59c8ed716

“…Don’t you like it, Miss?”6c4d9f03ef7c4d48

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Suddenly, a gentle hand adjusting 15b5d8ef84 my hair brought me slowly 348a0b30c6 out of my reminiscence.9bc927fdf88a637a

“Why does our lovely princess look so glum?”866caf6fb7b5f3dc

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Tara coaxed me with eyes de43169b06 full of affection.3ac6eb5cb5962d08

Only then did I 45a86d424b wipe the gloomy expression b18808f7d0 from my face.57ce213c4577c2fd

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And I smiled brightly.c951ae8c66804eb2

“No! I like it! Thank you so much, everyone! You’re the best!”c176d01e6952bc3e

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“Kyaa, how adorable!”34676e640a7d9054

When I gave a 3009e9b8d9 thumbs-up, the maids let 4142487cf8 out another round of 4baaa8f606 cheers.b4c657aa3667b1a0

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“Eek! What should I do? I just want to pinch her cheek once!”64693f01feeb9d2c

Kona waved her d435e92302 fingers frantically like 4d97890472 someone with tremors.f316b74497b72209

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Tara, wearing a 980b126cdf smug expression, spoke 5c0389430d up.f379de3cadf3fb78

“Our princess’s cheeks can only be touched by me, you know?”9f36f41a0041e42c

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She then turned 7f3b63d467 to me with 04816f7ea4 a sly smile.882fd117d4845b4d

“Princess, in honor of our hard work, could you please let us touch your cheek just once as a reward?”477d82413da05b96

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“…Just once.”e0c0a5ebd5d665c6

I replied resignedly.5c1b5a4815b30973

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Immediately, Tara reached out her 52210e7d4d hand towards me.3b854de6d2292aca

Squish, squish.95f5aef9b6ba4527

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Squeeze, squeeze.01677f8984f007c8

The maids watched 5f2b503dec with sparkling eyes 8e66393f2f as Tara kneaded 8c934bcf5d my cheek like f66c1fed65 a piece of 8adadab9a2 mochi.efde15d31221890e

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“Tara, how does it feel?”af404d74b27d80f4

“Ah… it’s so soft. Warm, and as tender as freshly baked bread.”f1c25bc85d7d8b66

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“I’m so jealous…”6f8515493cc19cfb

“Damn it! I should’ve applied to be the miss’s maid!”01cb28f989f110d2

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More than once had passed.089c156af174be33

I shouted with my eyes a6203bf4b6 wide open.0fbef1bb500f9999

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“Hey! I said just once! My cheeks will wear out!”0beb7616189ebaa6

“Sorry, Princess. Please don’t be angry.”2fb3da131871a5f3

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Tara withdrew her 4392940504 hand, still looking c90e8214b4 wistful.a9ed5b01f2d55c76

Although I had 6aa0a28315 shouted in anger, 3b030ebf08 the maids wore 52821fa93d peculiar expressions.723b5df86f064aa1

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“Oh my! She looks like a kitten with its fur standing on end. I feel like breaking everything, what should I do?”7198b65c637835f4

“Even when she’s angry, she’s so adorable…”b4eafcbf120fa2ab

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“Princess, I know it’s our first meeting, but I love you.”072e0f2f26f132a9

As I was ef52725d29 half-listening to their 43a1569bb6 incomprehensible comments, there d13ac62371 was a knock.fdf40f1ea2c74d4d

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“Looks like she’s here!”6d1c0eecc45d0839

The maids hurriedly 4f7b7a5618 started tidying up 9c66eb0c78 the dress room, 2e00f4e978 which looked like 5f3dd233d7 it had been da3b4ff9fb hit by a 5bfee95372 bomb.e8ae433edd39534c

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“Tara, take the miss out first!”e23797c23d14a871

“We’re counting on you, everyone!”727d554a12252d69

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Nodding, they exchanged knowing glances 6aa455bb8d and firmly locked the dress 83fe939394 room door.785804af4a3ac789

Finally, Tara and I stood d1e481de78 in front of the door, d1305f3c5d ready to greet Diana.b7340fb856cfc127

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Feeling slightly nervous, I responded.5aa3afbb9186fb63

“Come in.”a22a66c0566e356f

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Creak.43ca860b55236aa1

The door opened.13aa0521a59266ef

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“…Diana.”d9f82f97b9057567

At last, I c5492d5aa6 was reunited with 8de2bf25d2 the female lead 06a19d003b who had been a5274ac758 my persistent rival a38dba2dcf in my past 8fc2778cb7 life.6723996d9feb418e

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