Chapter 52

Compared to the way 373aa69060 he had harshly scolded 7763011d8f the marquis as if 4fd9bf2ba8 he would beat him a5168b7036 up at any moment, b276db564e this was a generous a4e5673ad4 treatment.2c73dda4f0b18347

To end it with 6964b3d122 just an apology.74a8b9a59d8d4d57

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In fact, the Duke 2c16930525 could have, if he 449e440bc1 wanted to, found any 8558957e95 excuse to frame Marquis 7c95854db0 for trying to harm e6aeaa9d83 Joshua.4f209df89dcb7801

But I knew he wouldn’t go that far.4fa1f0e3dcba6892

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‘It must be because of Diana…’74a86553366adddc

Thinking it was a child’s mistake, he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.158445e9e9a0ee0b

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I still looked at Diana, 39b8e7fdbb who was sitting on my 93ee2c8b39 bed.6bb42679b45e7fe9

She was trembling 476de51f00 with a frightened 942214f6a3 expression, looking like 50874d9b8c a completely harmless 3407ebf3e7 child to anyone 6c289d403e who saw her.c034c6520bead24c

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Seeing that brought 2efc642104 a slight bitterness e60323bf09 to me.8f6903ca45309166

As expected, there 90490f615e was no way 67f1e49d83 to reveal that 0a928b07b2 she had been e6c456e701 involved in this 68a9978dcb incident and had 5cd76c43a7 personally eaten the 3490e53c27 pecan pie.64b19d2d7bbb4707

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‘Even if I told them, it would be hard to believe…’bdad06ec2ac1b3bc

In the future, ffb38418eb I would have 5a87ff5ad2 to bear such 353e4e88d5 things alone every 467743ffcf time they happened.8717b21b24e372cb

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The problem was that 1e0d271de3 there would be countless d26e4b846f such incidents.3566f6d3941fb7f3

Because Diana was the heroine, 63f8031291 and I was the villainous 2208bf4806 character.3ce106db2e751f8d

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Just as I was about c20c6ca99e to suppress a sigh from 217e83c288 feeling overwhelmed already.2b2105a4c91e935f

The marquis, who had been rolling his eyes for a long time at the Duke’s demand for an apology, stammered.261b225d4143236f

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“I never said it was poison…”f54229c89595029f

“Ha. So, that’s how you’re going to play it.”e35e0331147abe72

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“It’s not playing it, it’s the truth, Duke. Did anyone here hear me say it was poison and insult the Duke’s family?”317d957eff93cb8d

It was truly a 5d79c6f87e sly and absurd response.00db66d56bd002f5

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Not only the cb9c4cd49c Duke, but everyone 8bda34f8c8 present had a 7850dec967 grim expression.9bea2fddb21cb6ef

At that moment.5013f81a302a334f

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“That maid thinks differently.”5db6f2db339640c9

Edwin, who had been quietly watching the situation, pointed at Diana’s maid.0c27d99598247c26

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“As soon as Diana collapsed, she asked Tara if it was poisoned.”9a831abda8848f3f

“Y-yes! You were yelling at our lady to hand over the antidote!”d72abf309ce19536

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Tara, who had 34fcf29e3e been standing quietly 1722d6f9ff behind, gathered her b8788f41e5 courage and spoke ca14c2f091 up.4ea702f42402d68a

“W-what! I didn’t go that far…!”a21cc86a3604f1d1

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The maid, who had been fb9e1d924d suddenly pointed out, immediately turned 562a4c86e3 pale.c0fdddeea58aa8cf

She had not anticipated this 10064d244b outcome when she had spoken 97e90eee58 recklessly to me and Tara.ac365dd0b87a8ba1

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“…W-what could I do! Miss Diana’s condition looked strange to anyone…!”910fa20287829f77

“You foolish girl! Shut that mouth!”49b0dfb77cfb5508

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The marquis hurriedly tried to cover the maid’s mouth, but it was already too late.e896fe4cc57daa66

“I think we have enough witnesses now.”bd494ffc1039dabf

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The Duke surveyed the surroundings ab3c6f1564 as he summarized the situation.7fa02d3a92c52589

“Then, I will send the official complaint soon. You may leave now.”34fbd1c4cb6d8d7d

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“D-Duke!”719d5c51d91b907a

The marquis urgently c17004ce87 called out to 463ca99ad2 the Duke.9f1515279b78f7aa

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He had tried to wriggle out of it by claiming he never mentioned ‘poison,’ but he had been caught red-handed.ac27e1c261f949c4

Desperately, he shouted as proof.471bf2c9a5f44e4a

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“I-I have nothing to do with it! I wasn’t the one who brought the cursed pecan pie, nor did I make the insult about poison!”7eb3bb9dec6fc2af

“But what can you do? The child your family sponsors brought it, and the maid your family employs insulted our family, so as the head of your house, you must take responsibility.”2ef2222489438dcd

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The Duke explained kindly, as 56bb233deb if teaching a stubborn child.42ba30b75fef22d1

“So you should have managed your subordinates better.”41c2c538e82bc767

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“Ugh…”c222edad1d9a89d7

“Considering our past relationship, I won’t ask for a large settlement fee.”9c4a313e6e8fa4cd

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Tap, tap.53e49b6b2b251c50

The Duke patted 2d9c7ec504 the Marquis on 8cd386a805 the shoulder a 85ce6e06f5 couple of times c135a7a3d2 as if to 3584f4c9fe encourage him.b9e10be30b64c255

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The Marquis’s face was filled with humiliation.86ed8053c3a0ba54

In disputes between nobles, the settlement amount wasn’t particularly important.a9f22a1b13e1451c

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What mattered was whether one’s reputation was damaged or not.4b38e71fa877f637

In this world, even a 7d8b7ff119 small issue would follow you 2633259850 around like a label, so c6537f9ef7 one always had to be 72797b2713 cautious about their behavior.f5f3485581c27c9d

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Especially for a family like the Barelotte, which wasn’t of pure bloodline.5b28f7ea9b3da916

The Barelotte family’s ancestor was a famous arms dealer who had bought his title during the chaos of the religious wars a few hundred years ago.6dff08be43fee516

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In that sense, the maid’s careless mention of poison at the Duke’s house, which was almost like a noble family of pure lineage, was a great overstep.433e673d5b6f7802

Perhaps understanding this well, the Marquis suddenly shot forward like a bullet towards Diana’s maid.c930d0f4a34900ad

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And then.f69524c6dc0c280c

Smack—!c814678ecdbeaf26

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“Ack!”39ff55c4f83343e9

“How dare you run your mouth so recklessly here!”5d571f94db53f621

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The marquis’s hand, as large as a pot lid, struck the maid’s cheek hard.41c09b38524cf626

I gaped at the unexpected 9860fdf00d action.936c3defd8766483

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However, the Duke and 5e2178281f Edwin merely observed the 397a312001 situation with indifferent expressions.b879b5ec6e4fb41e

It seemed they 0d316c754b had already anticipated aeaa2ef2d7 the Marquis would 55ff3c55dd act this way.0c2c0e0e86fafc3a

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“Couldn’t even take care of a single girl and caused this mess? Do you think I pay you a high salary for this?!”6d186ae9bfa3af08

“I-I’m sorry! I-I misspoke! I’m sorry, sob!”5018bad0fd97db6e

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The maid, holding her 66eeaa8aef cheek and looking shocked, 1a93ad046d kept bowing her head.3ca0a26273c4cb3d

“What good is apologizing to me! Apologize to the Duke right now!”240de9d95bf7161a

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“I-I’m sorry, Your Grace! I’m sorry, Lady Belze… I-I spoke recklessly because I’m an ignorant girl!”0b67b90d4d6c438a

The woman twisted deb4b171cf her body and 29ff69d2d1 deeply bowed in ffba550da8 the direction where b0423d6415 the Duke was fbd2d34c5f standing.e0d1c9b07a6f8bda

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Drip, drip.02aaefddae72a956

Large tears rolled 1e1323f221 down her red eb350a6c78 and swollen face.167e4487b33da082

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It was a typical move 520df69f2f to escape immediate anger by 4f1db314a9 harshly reprimanding a subordinate.c3ed5d2a959e28ab

Though the maid had participated in the scheme against me, seeing her bowing her head didn’t make me feel particularly satisfied.c29b587aba92b890

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‘It was probably all the Marquis’s doing anyway…’705a77bec4d4a1b6

As expected, the Marquis 2889a492b9 immediately cut her off.a3286c58d3bfd66a

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“The Duke is right. It is all my fault for not properly educating my subordinates, so I ask for your leniency with a generous heart…”b9f1fd3fdd59ff68

“…..”2291ce1553252a83

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The Duke said nothing.98eee17b12e3e3e0

But having created such 0f6e337949 a commotion by slapping 686f7c3e46 the maid, it would 2c4fb52ee1 be ridiculous to continue 671ec7d875 being angry and not ba6a3bb652 forgive her here.bd059167e4030dac

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I looked at Diana, 8896ff28f3 who was at the ee3cbb094e center of the incident, 43da691f04 with calm eyes.a0aa6a73349d75f6

‘Children can be conveniently used at times like this.’f339baa518592a99

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Just by looking frightened 9adebe00cc and tearful, she could 455f4ca121 easily evade suspicion.2b4b2bebf16e9842

Although she was likely used by the Marquis as well…ff3472af4d356203

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Why?e8a1bdc3c86015cb

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve eaten so much.”1b6fadbf670728a6

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“M-my body feels strange… I-I can’t breathe… Gah!”3972e2343b835778

The sight of her stuffing 80bfba3b9d a large piece of pecan 7ae12c7fc4 pie into her mouth.d7a5911c6aa7d169

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Even while choking, bef923a67c she had subtly 84fefe6d76 smiled.c0b014cc0a0ae1af

The memory of her fb7e77c943 face kept sending chills e8d769c98a down my spine.7eb7c0ddff743381

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“D-Duke…”ab2a668d35d10c05

The Duke’s silence dragged on.28e571717cbf15be

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The impatient Marquis was about 5cdd10fd24 to speak again with a fd8dedee64 nervous expression.7a050051b6540e61

Suddenly, Diana’s face, which I had been staring at, turned bright red.e1e71e909e3f69d6

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“Waaaah…!”f17e1e82afa9c31a

In the quiet room, the sound of a child’s crying echoed loudly.4ad1d597a84640bb

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“I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”4bdc83f9c136d1ab

Diana cried, big 495dcf0db6 gem-like tears falling 78cf40930e from her eyes.6ed17db4d9c12b77

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“Sniff, I just bought it because Belze said she wanted to eat it…”3d31dd399630bcaa

Her next words 4cba6866de momentarily froze my 097d2d9872 thoughts.5e081a85ab21d437

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“What…?”4caa9c5872027b33

“I really didn’t know there were apricots in the pecan pie. I promise I won’t buy it again! So please, forgive me this once, Duke…”2293f920b1561165

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After dropping a 458162c7e2 bombshell, the person 6e5bc794a8 in question burst 8497a894aa into sorrowful tears.30ccc2e53c6a2fcb

“Ha…”37ddea273a6febf2

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I let out 0a1ff65d2e a small laugh, 9466711b7d forgetting that the 46a6e3b369 Duke was present.aede1003fabd164f

When something is too outrageous, 01092f1c09 your mind goes blank – d4db1caa99 this must be what that 364ee40eac feels like.ab721baf83bbee1e

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I took a d2a1939ae8 step towards Diana, 2607f8ade2 who was sitting 45c1614f4a dejectedly on my 8cf48b4911 bed, and asked.4b13ab94ae896faa

“When did I…?”6e003b3a5e0e6adf

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“Sniff…”0922bc3be5c8ae10

“When did I say that, Diana?”215796281dfda276

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“When we were at the temple, and the Marquis gave only me the pecan pie…”bd7f51b388b8393f

Diana responded, wiping her tears 70393abe2d with her small hands.e0280a331b978bae

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Whether it was f942c1e089 because her nose 677aaa0ca1 was blocked or f1a32e76a9 intentional, she was a36a8e6c84 now speaking in 85c56b9043 a babyish tone.e6d82083237f0a4e

“You said you wanted to try it. So I… Sniff! That’s why I bought it…”169764c15126e464

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“…..”6de8be14e807e3af

“When it was just the two of us, you thanked me and said you were annoyed that the Duke’s house never gave you such things, and asked me to bring it again… Sniff.”0bcfe2caabe35ad3

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“What! Is that true?!”20648f94cc622496

Upon hearing Diana’s words, the Marquis immediately glared at me viciously.cd54c3da86ebf5cf

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I looked at Diana, who 4f5354446c was sobbing uncontrollably, in utter 20b484cca4 shock.d84c04151d884861

It was obviously a lie.c050671ecbcbf384

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I knew better d0a65c6f2a than anyone that 92cb5e236a she was lying 69e6f7dabc without batting an ede984b49d eye.bfeb52031017c61b

‘But…’5e247671bfe82deb

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There was no way to f70423b6e0 prove that it was a 6d3b41bf14 lie.3464ebc8e5ca285f

She had cleverly mentioned f44620ad09 the time when Tara d87113034f was not around, so 807ec5f6ba there was no one 8474f37628 to support my side.2e8d23006c79dfb5

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If I recklessly b81ae4073c accused her of ca4857f11b lying here, I 2c5c4a945e might end up 3be26a763c looking like the a7f26f68a5 weird one.cc09c7d676f16696

Because I was the most 976c96a447 notorious troublemaker in the temple.4d0a6a5f4fd83d72

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Whereas Diana, who b02e45c231 was known as 9a592929e6 a model student, fbce204311 was currently crying d8ed8eb996 with a face 2814c528ac full of genuine aea3314ea9 grief.232b9d3ffb2221bf

‘…What should I do? Just take the blame and move on? Or, should I cry too?’7802b2c406f78c3f

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While I bit my 133289b614 lip and searched for 32cca38dc1 a way to break 89a80735c7 through the situation, the ff2ae0b0df Marquis, now looking cheerful, 657aabfc4d shouted.6d24c9ec5820bebd

“If that was the case, you should have said so earlier, Diana!”03a1e3378d468022

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“But I didn’t want to get Belze in trouble…”ff11051e84b98584

“What trouble! Duke, did you hear that? The reason she brought the pecan pie was all because of that girl! So our Diana is not at fault at all…!”5d17ea31357f5f32

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At that moment.f562f1fa7e08ef43

Clatter! Bang!a5ef11575ad690bf

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With the sound 58c3520e9c of a sliding f915b001cb door opening, someone b72dceddc0 burst out of 9599532ca6 the dressing room 7f742b2a74 and shouted.346758c4391119e1

“It’s all lies!”dfaf5734339a5766

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