Chapter 48

“Wh-what…?”964e86d0a3c828cc

For a moment, 340ebc4cdf my mind went aa74d32653 blank.f08d37c6a4edd9d7

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Seeing my hardened f2baac57bd expression, Diana finally 655cf7e41b showed a faint f93d3f2f4f smile that had 9f6620a741 disappeared from her b946c68690 lips.654428a9a1d2a3a6

“Why… would I be…?”8815a93b57a34240

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I asked in a c9aa86da7e trembling voice, and Diana 657834e6b7 replied nonchalantly.b7e624246eabd25b

“Didn’t you disappear last year during the goddess’s birthday because you couldn’t do it well?”364e6f3cccaf1923

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“That’s…”66896e0ed7dbb95e

I barely closed my mouth.bfa6e92a74f5cd2c

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I didn’t want to tell her that I ran away because I didn’t want to be compared to her.9059452d702fb46e

Diana’s words were not true.21be09b37e6e7bb2

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With the healing 75d5a864ac potion, I had 2ee01a7152 become quite adept 4524a20099 at using my 7ab69eee16 healing abilities freely.e138a8fe364e1f5d

And last year, I 09a37d6b47 was able to heal e4ecfa4f91 minor wounds well.21aa8f90bc0ae532

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Joshua’s illness is also improving smoothly.adddbf2765970ce0

‘But, who are you… who are you to say such things to me.’ccbdec882f7914c8

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It shouldn’t be like that, though.457454acf8909bcf

Diana seemed to know 8e8385c8dd better than anyone how f5662934bd to corner me at cbc5bf9171 times.ad83a7cc1cdc7ade

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“I’m really sorry, Belze. Actually, I came to apologize to you too.”aea5a09b8e2a4b97

“……”0775a4ada25cbb04

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“If I had done better, you wouldn’t have had such a hard time healing Young Master Joshua.”119803b93f2f8c20

She seemed to firmly believe f868845975 that I was struggling with 3e765142dd healing Joshua.6b065f7896265ea5

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‘Ah.’9289868c6b291d4a

At that moment, I realized.f51bc18a05688a57

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That I would never 54523b8299 become friends with the af097cedf0 heroine.827c962196687fba

I clenched my 195780cddc small hands tightly 600593a9be as if they 7ad8094919 would break.a5fc3b6a3d7d451d

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‘Did you think I would just obediently play the villain?’85034ba866f52bf0

Maybe because I’ve lived twice.845c5d1e87b2c2fb

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Smiling through gritted teeth was ba96170990 not as difficult as I e7a1cd61fe thought.abd35bf9b7d05aa9

“It’s okay, Diana. Josh has gotten a lot better with my healing!”a61bfc6d1976552b

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“……Josh?”68423980a3df43c4

“Yes! Jo-o-sh.”8447c4a1a565db8d

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For Diana, who reacted sensitively ef1dd65eb4 to the friendly nickname, I f5fc050a01 kindly repeated it syllable by 6279a5a053 syllable.0c7f8c6efbcf3ce5

“Joshua prefers being called by his nickname!”36d4c5177c9c12d1

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“I see…”87f716de070bf3ad

The smile painted on Diana’s face cracked.8fa90c70f26302d9

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She looked at me quietly 746a85a026 with a gaze not fitting b72823eea4 a child, then abruptly spoke.e46c5c6885667803

“Don’t overdo it, Belze.”ca28c10012397deb

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“Overdo it?”1cbdbda9b4b4e34b

“Yes. Since I’m here today, shall I help you a bit?”0b3af6af6c5470d1

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“What do you mean?”4ca53278ae946d55

“Healing. You can’t do it well…”07d6095dc9e188aa

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It was the second time she said it, so it didn’t hurt much.21a8ea80b4283d2c

I just smiled brightly.9b13cf69ee322cb4

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“Earlier, you said because you couldn’t do it well, it was assigned to me, Diana.”c5aeb0e4d61d7ce7

“Yeah, that’s right…”c2fe0331442906a2

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“So, how can you help?”44b149d6c476e20c

“Gasp.”415943c6daa0ca7c

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Diana took a deep fb2aa8c0ec breath at my words.4890dffd9b8b4f05

After a while, 9859c8fab4 she looked at 18266a8613 me with tearful df138daedb eyes.82b48bcc8699bd92

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“Aren’t your words too harsh? I was just… worried that you might be having a hard time, Belze…”97563c50466b3c49

There it was, Diana’s specialty.3d579e5fe8306ae8

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When she was in a d75e1c2405 difficult situation, she would make ff7e9977da the other person flustered by d009da5512 tearfully pleading.aedb02914001c5fc

I don’t know anymore.3ec20ac94203ef5d

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What’s the truth, and how much is an act.d71509e585064767

I spoke with an expression that didn’t show any remorse.8f5c8e6c20cf8a35

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“I’m sorry if you felt that way… I was just worried you might get upset later…”210170e2c5a50915

“…What?”6529e97f01d4376f

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“Healing Josh requires the Duke’s permission.”ee37610f1c439173

I grinned, and Diana’s expression twisted.9285969b58b90d39

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‘She must think I don’t know.’2b6be40f012911ca

Diana will never 1422bb6a6a be allowed to 9ab527b1f0 heal Josh.6d34268f161e2149

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Because she failed, 5ced7a29b6 and I succeeded.824137638ff0a2cc

In a voice 3c8d827140 filled with disbelief, 053933885f she stammered.ae516e19276b081c

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“Then… you really healed Young Master Joshua and got to live at the Duke’s estate?”84e6a695089a1bfa

“Yes!”daa7668e047ce1f8

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“It wasn’t that the Duke, who was passing by, saved you when you were being hit by the High Priest?”9e92c8696e811361

“That too!”6c28ef18bd9c4631

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“Yes?”0517f4de1b02a0ea

Color returned to Diana’s face.124c677a27df1f16

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She seemed to think there was no way I could have succeeded in healing where she had failed and gained the Duke’s support.c319020847524608

I shattered that thought 20506bbc95 with an innocent face.c4e39cabaeb3f5a3

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“But the support was decided before that.”396fac076f1c72b7

“…What?”1cdd59b8132b0d38

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“The very first day I healed Josh, he got better right away! So the Duke came to the temple to get me, and it just so happened that he saw it. That nasty dog was about to hit me…”ccf93cbd554468cf

“Is that… so?”6eaa89f34f61ba76

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“Yes! So, what I’m saying is, I succeeded in healing Josh and got the Duke’s support! So you don’t have to feel sorry for me, Diana.”0ae6f31e3f15ebd0

“……”8ce4bb04b489ed12

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Diana’s face darkened abruptly at my words.5344a127f1cab41e

I looked at her with 838a00d359 cold eyes.b807300ccc3d312d

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‘She must have something to say to me now.’f4f84e59f1317654

I waited, but no apology 9ecff442fb came from Diana.81e3ccfdffa89a5d

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She was the de197f6935 kind of person ed4a96fb0f who would apologize 8eeec96ec3 for trivial things 212a176cc0 but pretend not 8beee4302d to know when e27b34fee3 she said something 041f047908 that genuinely hurt e228c15232 me.e085f92a7dc247a8

‘Maybe it’s because we don’t match in any way, from one to ten, that she’s the heroine and I’m the villain.’94c17ab68bd97416

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But it didn’t matter anymore whether Diana apologized or not.a343dc5dd589c40e

Because I was e89a91221c no longer hurt.df867009dd87713f

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“……But. How did you know about that?”95668a9149317036

Instead, I changed f5d11ff96b the subject casually.fee89daaf6e73d56

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“Huh? About what?”d58cc1064f3607f1

“That I almost got hit by that nasty dog.”67f311abacc709a3

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“Oh~ A knight from the imperial palace came looking for me.”678753eb54f37edc

“A knight?”6964d260e68d16e2

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“Yes! He asked if I had ever been hit or severely punished at the temple!”1b5af4c85b28ad26

‘It seems the Duke’s report yielded results.’27acab659ecf289c

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It was somewhat 11644cc11f reassuring to know 785cdb83e4 that the investigation df5912f3bf was making progress.fc74cf6b391de531

Of course, Diana would have e5fe4d9509 answered that she had never afa002283d experienced such a thing.8b73a37fe01b429d

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“I didn’t know the High Priest was such a bad person…”df485f452a68980b

As expected, Diana mumbled eba85fb991 with a dejected face.af0eb35b19a4048e

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“It must have hurt a lot, Belze. You were punished often.”d5ba98f17cbe6b54

“It’s okay.”ee6e98d1475a4b46

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“I heard the Room of Repentance is gone too? That’s really a relief! The goddess will surely punish such a bad person!”0700d562ff664840

Diana looked at me 354da99f8b with tear-filled eyes.861dd8769857aa37

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While I was 1048796a9e half-listening to her 696ab67e8c words of comfort, 9ccbc617df I hesitated and 0cffb19327 looked back at b6cfdee238 her.f1372fc2cecd1504

“…But, Diana.”7488612ace345447

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“Huh?”b6cbfd70176b1a5a

She said she didn’t know the High Priest was such a person.eb67567be2ef44bb

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‘But how do you know about the Room of Repentance?’a95ad4e6f268dccf

I was about to ask 81457cfedc that when there was a 8b8e6a1b8a knock.124890c458972c13

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“Miss! It’s me, Tara.”c6af8876f21d0630

Tara announced her presence.127e2a6788f60c96

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I had no choice but ea00862788 to put aside the uneasiness 7e45f5195b that had risen to my 946dd58ee9 throat.897ad8c1781e2b87

“Yes, Tara! Come in!”f5a2f7556c6958fd

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“Were you having a good conversation? Were you playing with dolls or something!”aaecb5ede4cceb2b

“We’re too old for that now…”b422f965fca5ffb3

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“Yes, yes. Is that so? Sorry for being a bit late. I was preparing a few more snacks.”0ab45c84799c2d93

Ignoring my words, 5c42f1330c Tara pushed in 0c610a7406 a trolley.8bf8a1b31a50999b

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My eyes widened ea9c1a5cb6 at the sight e956c53689 of a large, 9af5df4372 ornate three-tier tray 9a131d1f84 decorated with flowers.9d74db86baa60162

‘Just a few snacks? This looks like… did she raid a bakery?’8d1790cfbcf95fc9

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The plates were filled c53abe30bb with various desserts, from eddc4bc8bf cookies to macarons, cakes, 25b82c28ef and sandwiches.d045522e0932f07b

“Wh-why did you bring so much?”db997d29db4be57e

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“It’s the first time you’ve had a friend over, miss! The head chef put in some extra effort!”f8696aa6fe9125df

“Is the chef a wizard or something…?”886629a9446201f4

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“If the head chef heard that, he’d be flying around on a ladle.”d26aae29caea2dfe

Tara grinned as she 80840b0419 finished setting up.e345cb97ed38cd0e

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Everything was very small e6a99721f6 and cute, as if 188fae4ada specially made for children: ae74ff1618 tiny cups, teapots, and dbbf18eb8f teaspoons were lined up 5aef9f20a4 in succession.7978dc769c0e935f

‘Playing tea party at this age.’c68d6be583522b33

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Unlike my somewhat skeptical attitude, Diana’s eyes sparkled.48e5aa2248057c2e

“Wow! So pretty!”0ea16403ab32736c

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“Isn’t it? The Duke had these custom-made for when our young miss would host tea parties, and now we finally get to use them!”1c9e277368a303c9

“The Duke…?”261de5b897ad211a

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“Yes!”14d546c92ab070fd

Tara’s words touched a part of my heart.740d2acbea626143

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‘Come to think of it, he bought something like this in my previous life too…’93e479ccd01e9fcb

The tea set the Duke 2b64ef52de sent as a gift was 799f4d421a very luxurious and beautiful.d20ce726607b891b

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It was clearly meant cb84b181fa to encourage me to ffb9e17c02 invite friends over for 8a205e58bc a tea party.8ea2b14a828d3de8

But those pretty teacups 3fe995a71f never got used.c024e72bccf251ed

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After hosting a 3723fa696e tea party that 2afc384809 no one attended, 114558672c I put them 9e5be540f5 away in the 3e013e940e cabinet and never 5dcdae5618 used them again.96509f4d2d927a57

‘I should have just invited the Duke to drink tea with me. Or Edwin, or even Tara…’df868f94d860b0b1

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That kindness. That warm-hearted gesture.d55cfb680ee77b36

I shouldn’t have let it go to waste in the cabinet.2cd56c616e8136d6

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‘It’s okay. This time, I’ll make sure to have a tea party with the Duke!’a8f7cbd2888390db

And I’ll invite Joshua, and Edwin too!da3819ea4536fae8

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‘I’ll make lots of money and buy all the famous desserts from the capital!’32479e8456d248b7

Just as I was 91ca5f1667 clenching my fist and f7f767562e making my resolution, a fbf2fb10d3 refreshing sound of water 5f4ce16381 pouring into the teacup 12afd28b9d brought me back to 186814f972 reality.488f278e7545da24

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“Princesses, what would you like to have first? Just let me know, and I’ll serve it right away.”0140967721b8745c

Tara, who had poured tea into Diana’s and my cups, started the princess roleplay again.b11c977db8024716

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“Princess…?”aee40efc711cd3ff

Diana mumbled, looking puzzled.a59ec93238ceffa7

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Used to this, I replied 9b392b6520 without hesitation.1ff81b5449402f4a

“How about we start with the pecan pie Diana brought?”9e12d24f47b25050

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“Okay, sounds good!”1a536383e262bd3e

The palm-sized pies she brought da072b03a6 were neatly cut into bite-sized 6c931d2a7e pieces.19e8e86a3e900fe9

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Tara used tongs a848518f04 to place a 96835675e2 piece on each 3a2c82361a of our plates.361ce59caf59bb4f

“Enjoy your meal!”6e42410d1cb07955

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It felt like I a191875fb0 was finally having the 98fff54fe7 tea party I never 8ece60cdd9 got to have in e7fccae48b my previous life, and 60be45de1e I was a little ba810e6326 excited.708b2b2f47324736

I eagerly stabbed the pie f5695411d2 with my fork and took 45674ce13b a big bite.1141fd93f555cacf

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Crunch!ec227f27b382cc9f

The crispy, savory 796dcba271 tart crust crumbled e42673b79d in my mouth, ae88b2eba4 and the finely d387887915 chopped pecans and 1fb64cf558 sweet jam filled 604712effd it.c03e96283a326395

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“Wow… it’s delicious!”2d4953859dab0f1c

An exclamation escaped my lips.a5b77aa9821eaacb

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‘They said it was the most famous in the capital…!’12c88fffba0b12ea

Even a child (like me) who didn’t particularly like nuts found it delicious!2f612a6082812b4d

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“I’m glad you like it.”b5fc3de1f7f58250

Diana smiled broadly 2238d00b1b at my reaction.65651c1acd81ccd6

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Unlike me, she was elegantly 245d997503 cutting the edges with her 598d4cdac3 fork and eating small bites.963f3203a6a2cf4f

Having quickly devoured a piece 46afe21cdc in a few big bites, 001d8423ac I felt a bit embarrassed ab18aecf9d and quietly put my fork 94740ab83d down.525f14786f153af7

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“Don’t you like it? Why are you eating so little?”d871f83ed51f6782

“No, it’s not that…”2ee463c230831468

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Diana’s smile deepened at the corners of her mouth.98b81f7f7bb42f2b

“Actually, it’s my first time eating so much like this too.”7203ed3e5e7098ec

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“…Huh?”7a4faace5142a4e1

“Thanks to you, I get to try all these things, Belze.”b4532a35f07c6b22

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I didn’t understand what she meant.53d1ecd0204e2f10

‘Didn’t she say earlier that the Marquis bought it for her?’e1e01c344d7462ca

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It was then.dc7a78f80c5928dd

Suddenly, I saw a small yellowish glow bloom near Diana’s neck.8995416ebff4c02e

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“…Wait.”d62762df58566d53

I instinctively called out to 3a70e02b30 Diana.90037645b141c28e

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But it was already 058dca27e8 too late.50afc802e5fe5d9f

“Hoo, ha…”3e71118cc212ff0f

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Suddenly, Diana took a deep bda2c47827 breath and plunged a forkful ba9070bf72 of pie into her mouth.4f50d780e9d14dd3

Before I could 2d5407dc23 stop her, she 0a4937d1cf had already shoved b086bd85bc the large piece 36a63f524e into her mouth.627f3673e02882b7

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Crunch, crunch. Gulp!238e2b5d2990ad84

It seemed a bit too ef95e3d3a0 big for a child, so af14b52a5e Diana quickly chewed and swallowed 3b930fbf58 it with the tea that 757c5e5a81 Tara had poured.190158014546beb2

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And at that moment.df1c4e4ac7b39901

Whoosh―!9332172591e704cc

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The small yellow glow 9899dfe20c at her neck instantly 3f44d1fcca swelled up.af6e0924a8f9c509

I jumped up from my b47c44c04d seat.0b7f1b5d5c034679

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“Spit it out immediately!”d7afa1e0b5c39be2

“Ugh…”b0acf50cef2b3e15

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Diana grimaced and 2b8938c18f clutched her neck.919447fc74e0a593

“Miss Belze. What’s wrong?”0aa626a5adc25a8d

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Tara, looking flustered, turned to 466d9e1d6e me.2acc374a9d8b81e2

And then.454c6c84ce2e4a4d

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“Gack!”ec949fb4f9a9abe1

Diana’s face suddenly turned red, and she started gagging.0ed07cfe6b14d957

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“My, my body feels strange… I can’t… breathe…!”5f137256ff891299

“Ah! Miss! What’s happening!”22db294bf7482f45

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At that moment.a167c4b080560a12

Bang!07c98f76ea09d29d

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The door flew open.2f3f7e3f1e4dca27

“Lady Diana!”3bffcde9247e0d27

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Diana’s maid rushed in through the open door.58424fbfe62b046c

“…What’s going on?”4b320acd1fbafec1

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Another person followed her in.cabcd2ec89237eb8

It was Edwin, his face 2c43973320 filled with shock.9fd6f69b5fe74a26

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Everything felt like it was 995d71a18d moving in slow motion, like 12e39bc40a a scene from a movie.dd374d15458bf524