Chapter 54

“Uh…”b295bcf8472ae82c

When I absentmindedly raised 4b24583933 my head, feeling the 6c6f400ec9 sudden warmth.0bcb3ba125b6b9fd

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The Duke reattached f1b62ec67d the flower branch-shaped 2a666bf906 hair ornament that 547d1b6afc had been dangling cee212b56a from the side 1563d85684 of my head f287ad767a with the hand 94df32a072 that had touched ecf2c8fcfe the top of 134b24a6ee my head.ab8772e76a6fe48d

As he said, I was so startled earlier that I hadn’t noticed my hair was disheveled.5979135217b834a3

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His warm golden 4b4347ad79 eyes scanned me 6b9831ddbb up and down.9c98f4339e064b15

“It suits you well.”a2a10721b96f4049

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“….”55a4a7592b2c15ef

“I chose it. Just like that dress.”3b15ee1c958dfbbf

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His tone was indifferent, but 509eed2c3b I understood immediately.0146aa18ffb034e6

Just as the Marquis had 42f8bc41d5 made a fuss to protect 1cd977ac03 Diana,016fe26973a95588

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He was subtly revealing 48735413fa to everyone that he 8c9acd7158 cherished me dearly.bfece246b5f2f010

A sense of cf42241f96 belated relief washed 8fc41493f9 over me.efc4adb7605aa664

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I wanted to thank him for believing in me, but…431ed9eacb59bded

“Hing, Duke…”6be354ea9dd8d60b

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When I opened my c61e59ce22 mouth, a whiny sound efbb39699e came out.cd93f6d23bbb5329

Hastily closing my d3885d5e3f mouth and pouting, f2f775537e the maid sisters 506867df63 suddenly exclaimed.4e244c3d4df55b36

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“Oh my! No wonder it suits you so perfectly!”99863bbe1e2795a8

“Our Duke has such an excellent eye.”da8e1b9662f52ac1

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“And his keen observation, those cute little shoes fit perfectly, didn’t they?”52805a2eb749c21c

“I picked the shoes.”a49fca56e76213b9

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At that moment, Edwin e3d4073990 said with a sulky e942019eb8 face.675a5bd9237c4a61

“Oh! Th-that’s right. I apologize…”f872f2f7d8cdb71c

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The maid who spoke last 7857cb8b65 stepped back timidly, looking sheepish.68d928d8da07092f

Edwin, frowning, looked at me.390dac9a17605950

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“You.”abcd2411db3e8f21

“Y-yes?”c3b7aeaa9fd1c9c7

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“You said you wanted hairbands. So I bought all kinds, but why…”853757f42ca00043

Trailing off, he 01f75def2d suddenly glared at 15ea6da91a the ornaments on d7a6bea9d4 either side of 0a22c52876 my head.4ceb637bf82a96e2

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‘No way… Did Edwin buy all those hairbands by himself?’ce6ca8d04da9de7e

As I was taken 70bb34780d aback by the creepy dff2df1a04 thought,29e43cee32cbf735

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The Duke, with a a09249e54b strangely satisfied smile, said,ae1e11297d9b3be3

“It seems she liked that one more. It looks lovely, so why not.”7dd4600268d8a43f

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“Tch.”ee9e521065c64606

Edwin clicked his 061de13f95 tongue in dissatisfaction.6aa9f875d7990816

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Before he could sulk, I 8cb330528f hurriedly shouted,b7554090826ed9b1

“I picked the shoes! These are my favorite!”94ba5856c5d46a10

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“…”d89c359b452a11c2

There was no reply from 372880c428 Edwin.d67bbc87c5bd1bbc

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But his furrowed brow gradually bed8808ae9 eased.2b1026f2c40b6fad

Meanwhile, the Duke raised 5cd77d88f2 an eyebrow.ea2e034926ed3d6c

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I looked at 279d966c23 the two who c5cac7218b were so similar, 72aff3638c as if cut 1be6c378ff from the same e17224ca8b mold, and clasped acd5d7f832 my hands politely 0e1bf0ac8f over my stomach.2e4e0f7d5bd24347

“Even though it’s late… thank you for the gifts. They’re all so beautiful and I love them!”88ec0b62c71ef76c

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I had originally intended to say that such gifts were too much for me, so they shouldn’t give them next time.56bdfae794464ea1

But seeing how perceptive they both were, I felt that I shouldn’t say such things.5c1e47ef2aefd1a6

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With eyes welling with genuine cd2438ded9 emotion, I exclaimed sincerely,63456b8ff5c431ed

“You know, I love the Duke, Edwin, and Joshua the most in the world!”b86d7f52ecb34852

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“Ahem.”a95ea6c67f6cd373

“Hmm.”1a0a5e6da83fd7f9

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Both of them looked b15c527078 away at the same 6cbe98e805 time, feigning disinterest.b6c333ce57c19866

But the Duke’s lips twitched, and Edwin’s ears turned red.3350f62be9d3ab9e

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“…Who’s first?”a113a42e0952b5ff

After a brief silence, Edwin 1de27816a1 asked.18a06b437d4f5090

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“…What?”81be768d64b5c953

“Out of the three, who’s number one?”70739be204bce0e5

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“T-that…”88df4e68c1e5e1bb

I was flustered.53e30c1edc368d65

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‘It was just a show of gratitude… and now I have to rank them?’884cef559e4691b8

Though he pretended 6fe5f6b144 otherwise, I could 3e3707bb80 feel the Duke c8ba403687 watching me as 1b7ddcd736 well.5823d96466a2b42f

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I laughed awkwardly.e869385449f8696e

“I haven’t decided yet…”8316b6f873c5a081

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“Miss, what about me?”e5bc1076aba3d331

Fortunately, Tara saved 4fb0d71faa me from the eecb021a6c awkward situation.a5083eaab0b8d034

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“Yes! Tara is my fourth favorite!”3467e342e1aa4901

“Darn. Miss, you’re my number one…!”5e3ab67d997e613e

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“I’m sorry…”10bc0cd25c7a5efc

“But still, being the fourth in your world is something I’ll be satisfied with, Miss.”e4ec5199e973b89b

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Tara pretended to glare but couldn’t hide her pleased smile.176fbc00a4b3e4c0

I didn’t forget the maids standing behind us either.943cadf65ec9feba

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“And you all are fifth!”f97eb61b5bdc0a35

It wasn’t just a compliment; it was sincere.d64e9074efc2c08e

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If it hadn’t been for them today, I would have been completely defeated by Diana.8ed238845a6dadb7

Naturally, the maids’ reactions were enthusiastic.eee0401c3f05d812

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“Oh my, there’s a little angel here.”1a002a10625bb525

“Where’s the pillar! Bring it over!”10ced8aa4414b882

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“Tara, didn’t you say you wanted to resign earlier?”fb5763e015e4d1a9

Suddenly, the butler asked 63436bfe81 with an awkward expression.ccef9ce36d734ee8

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“Well… not just yet, Miss?”28fadd94b5bfab2d

“Hmm… I’ll think about it!”db749cd71b5bb3e3

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“Goodness, what a lively bunch!”7329025d9bed7ca4

In this cheerful atmosphere, only b9fd71a343 old Gordon seemed displeased.399fe4c6fcf11d52

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‘I didn’t even include Grandpa in the list!’8144ff6e36eea7aa

I wanted to b54a21eabb show my displeasure ef303f0b8e too, but being 71fba63aa9 the good person 54d46177d1 I am, I 8928874e61 held back.ee2bbfc0996601a2

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He’s a future business 18b4f748ea partner, so I shouldn’t 394bb78c6a make him feel bad 5882fe83c3 already.56b3f8e04a595eb4

“I’ll make an exception for you, Grandpa, and put you at eleventh.”f3ee2e3032536cb2

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“I don’t need it, you rascal!”9f452434f08f3342

“Then… tenth?”e79a1dd1e3f61139

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“Ahem, ahem!”5652fe4a178bd156

At that moment.010b0fdb772f0225

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Someone’s forced clearing of the 686fef23bb throat abruptly interrupted our conversation.7650780ac8ed77ef

“What’s this? Haven’t you left yet?”f3c08be5a3160313

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The Duke frowned as he 27025d3dfc turned his head toward the e5ee6306a9 source.119ff2527108db09

Following his gaze, I saw 32196b7d21 a plump man with a a9c50bc7f4 red, angry face.bffb591aa64e0a29

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‘Oh right, the Marquis and Diana!’464b35e79330d3ba

I had completely forgotten their dc5dbc1a7b presence while expressing my gratitude dda977de3e for the gifts.f3abade80eee30c4

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The Marquis spoke, 913f69756c barely containing his 11e5cb8d68 anger.047109122af97ae9

“We were still… in the middle of a conversation with Diana.”54fd75afed9633b6

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“Ah.”357d1621a2e25357

The Duke, who seemed to c3d63dc719 have forgotten as well, let 01cb5e289d out a short sigh.291b9d799f47f603

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“That’s finished.”8866f5e9fd0a4df7

“Pardon…?”7c612b4459480cff

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“I believe you understood my words. Take your ward and go.”e437496ee2d2eac7

The Duke gave ea28b0cefb a dismissive wave, 31bfb58827 clearly wanting them a22a718217 gone.5942c60a8abac9c3

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“T-that’s…”c5e00bf6da00e3e8

The Marquis stammered, looking dumbfounded.46f490fc399dfa5d

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It seemed ridiculous 36df1cbb09 to him that c249d47069 a noble of 81e7325ffa his standing was 2dcf67ea96 being dismissed without 16f737d262 even a proper 5d36188de0 farewell.5b781ad5c7351299

However, he couldn’t protest.11842dce3a79c478

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His ward’s fault was 67c3ec75da too clear, and the c4047fd3c6 Duke was being lenient 29813af1b9 in not pursuing the e997a4c033 matter further.8c10e15f2664f87c

Realizing the situation, the Marquis 9948c53e44 ground his teeth and glared a678556923 at Diana.ec73b0cbc7dc0855

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“What are you waiting for? Get up!”1bcb03e612a6a2ef

“…”5a853f833296f2cd

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“You! Hurry and take her!”08656cc30e4a0d76

“Yes, yes! Miss, let’s go back now…”cccb3c6d9b95c594

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As the maid from the 48ffaef9b5 Marquis’s house hurriedly tried to 3a2845ea6d help, Diana pushed her hand 0fd4a1af6b away and got up on b80eb3c972 her own.0f4016462777c7db

Then she walked towards me.d489c2a44d2114a4

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“…Belze.”be9ca8efe4014c3f

Apparently, she still bb6cd4afcf had something to b3ea5a1631 say, as she 1c012ffbc9 stopped right in 036565157d front of me.46593113b4b50b52

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Luckily, she seemed to c9d2e4d509 have stopped crying.e2b89e189d0c3b4e

However, with her ead352145f eyes still full 52ac897c9d of tears, Diana 0fd66a3dab lowered them and f5f2a77599 spoke sorrowfully.faf8c2cae6584c16

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“…I’m sorry. Because of me, the 13ec194143 tea party was ruined…”608f6a57a744b534

“…”41d75a6bab906d6f

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“But I didn’t lie. You might have forgotten, but 803bdf3ccc honestly…”c4c31a79b0c9c1ec

“Stop.”6a7e2aad449470a2

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My heart, which had briefly ce48765a8f hoped at the sudden apology, b7191d0cc0 grew cold.76168b850b91bf67

I met her wavering violet ee1d75fddb eyes and spoke clearly.1fbcab2feeff3ce1

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“I don’t remember anything like that.”fb1c964e2d464cbf

“S-sorry…”6bca6de62d2eef3a

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Diana muttered another apology with d0a849fb47 a crestfallen face.b3fb27ff4519c45b

Her demeanor didn’t bring any ee12537390 satisfaction. Instead, it made 5bab6a9822 my chest feel 7d165d793f tight.3dd16ddfef893709

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‘You know, Diana, I don’t want your apology.’69cb68e775b4c089

I didn’t know 2117453d52 what she was 164b9b248f thinking, but I 3a58dad9e1 knew she wasn’t 50a9bf8972 genuinely remorseful.367c6714a7b640d0

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If she had felt 8bf0df11d7 any guilt, she should ee9fe69e88 have apologized for lying 0393e316db first.baa835b3205b7c34

And for eating the pecan fd0b671f6f pie knowing she was allergic, 89354473dc just to put me in 4cc55a510a a difficult position.7e1879835a527e11

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Despite her teary expression, 92ea359ad4 Diana’s eyes were filled c610dd51db with confusion, not true 64c043d6d1 remorse.937900507da894aa

‘…But in the end, I’ll have to forgive her.’870604801d8319e5

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Even so, I d5391f521e knew I had 68d9d7904d to forgive Diana 99fa24380b here.207ee5d9c6a55204

Because even if this 501aa0c859 situation passed, Diana would 6c4cc16648 still be the protagonist.7a2691fb2aeab125

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And I didn’t 1419baaf64 want to die e8484befa0 like in my edbaae236f previous life.0a6db8df230cfe6b

I wanted to live as 01da9d2067 a good child, as the 38cca8314d people who cared about me c4b7d25792 hoped.77662213c002f105

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I looked at Tara, 38236aeffd the maids, the butler, 2a83ac9531 Edwin, and finally, the 4a50efdf8c Duke.1e5db4effc5c03ad

Then, forcing myself to speak 4b0ba8455e despite my reluctance, I opened ae0cd59a37 my mouth.b5ca60d5a59daa9a

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“…You know, Diana.”f158584d07177029

“…Yes?”31ac848912f01baa

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“I’ll accept your apology.”57c7c4f2b2b19cf1

“R-really?”6ca26dd0b1b1152d

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I smiled bitterly as I 9bbbb7720e looked at her bewildered face.7b6795f4ed31b9f4

“Yes. But from now on…”98c4035a151b9e21

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“…”956c800d1e9178a0

“Don’t lie like that again.”025031aaa4f3719d

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It might be an a4304a9807 effort to gain favor 32b87c888e for you, but for 5aafeedb68 me,84f810032f3af72b

Every moment like this is 8bb585379e connected to my survival.daf14a5b03ddfdaf

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“…Okay?”220d8a20eb1f9de6

Diana stared at me 95f19f5e24 for a moment.9b864ced033a3b1b

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Then she smiled sweetly while d091c33060 looking at me.a45a15a2029da75d

“Yes, I understand! Thank you so much, Belze!”c77abbca2b02fb22

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Only then did the 5127f861a9 tension in my body a493be33c4 release.e5f9b6d8de26fad6

‘…It’s over.’f0b63fb1f55a828d

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I hadn’t planned to do 23842c3a36 this so early, even before 25c902aabf the main storyline began.0bc47f19c83cfe32

But at least for fb02f8d61c now, I wouldn’t have e57cb2aa7c to see Diana for 25692de349 a while.3fbcc5112432a67c

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With a deep sense 3c235e0359 of relief, I turned f94291605f my back on the cc5ee2c0f3 protagonist.80479ed77c32f343

At that moment.aad7b9bf9e79b001

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“Belze!”cb07bfa3361d6f99

Diana grabbed my arm urgently.5e837a539281a659

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Startled, I turned to see eec733c58c her mumbling hesitantly.3720f57255506232

“We won’t see each other often anymore… Can I ask you one last favor?”8cead31b446bb403

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“…Favor?”42e3dfaedef62759

“Yes. I want to 5dc766fd17 heal your wounds 473800db0a too!”6e46ffbd4f4c9e56

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I was taken aback by 91a821e2ca her unexpected words.d3030fbcbcfb2de1

“I don’t have any injuries…”4646a7d77846afc1

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“Here, here. You have a wound.”63dd20b03927e9b7

Diana pointed to 4ccafa58d5 the bandages on 5c27c5fd4e my cheek and 812360d42d exposed arm with b59cbccb00 her other hand.02fc6ecb27473e70

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“T-this is… nothing.”a42579220c02d628

“But a wound is still a wound. You helped me earlier, so 79f148324a I want to help you 07fd268ead too, okay?”11c5453057aef756

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“I’m fine, really…”efa4ebff5a4713d3

“Please, Belze-”ee2f788e2bc7f1f9

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Diana shook my arm, pleading 85411c1bfc cutely.b6588b09881ccd0f

I desperately wanted to refuse.f29740465373ab72

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Her motives were obvious.c109bcd67e317213

Having been banned from visiting the Duke’s estate, she wanted to demonstrate that her healing abilities were intact one last time.f10a979491f55aff

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“Well, if a friend wants to heal you, just accept it. Besides, it’s free. Outside, there are many people lining up to see Diana.”5f1d37e208388bca

The Marquis added.1eca9ff68ce9c520

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Annoyingly, his words 63cdbbda0f made it hard 1103de4c4b to refuse.3324323fa3775b98

‘If I say no, they’ll accuse me of feeling inferior to Diana.’bec0cde8664e87e1

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Having experienced this life 5f96e23a39 once, I could predict 7939f50e43 the father and daughter’s f3337081b0 patterns.f3d862cfbdfe2d43

At that moment.360a83ded79cddca

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“Then… I’ll start!”906f9113f1aa68ff

While I hesitated without saying b6fca510e9 anything, Diana took my silence 94028149da as permission and acted on 30c03866ed her own.398d994c9fe5f876

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“W-wait…!”1b33ac0e8b6eaf39

I tried to e9077bafe6 stop her, but 47cb403b3e it was too 87b5c9e32d late.ab731b272b958019

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Fwoosh—!3e759e9aff4c71be

A dazzling light 170318b1d7 burst from Diana’s ab693a81c0 hand as she 84ce23852c grasped my arm.351c9558b3924468

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It quickly climbed 94816b0a7d up my arm b4a646bafc and soon enveloped d1dfa59bb2 my entire body.e08c0b71658fe4bc

As expected, she fd3cf9df0f intended to heal d2ff0f17c2 every wound to b5ac64bb05 show her vitality.45b08cddedba0ea6

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Maybe because I rarely f4bb5a8136 received healing, I endured 53db598ab8 the uncomfortable sensation of 3822b57533 something crawling under my 74d36544a8 skin with difficulty.ed664b09ed057ad7

“Diana, aren’t you done yet…”d88371d0a865891b

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At that moment.143a7613a7da5fd4

I widened my eyes 8ab6a6a0c4 at the sight that eabfee6c4e caught my attention.97c584c1a02030df

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Amid the bright light 5b75946573 filling my vision, I b3ca1e8d4a saw the source of da5ef10fb1 the holy power.0c43ab5aa7a5a33f

Diana’s palm.6e60e220cd41cad6

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The color of 5528902756 the light there 3b84f97999 was distinctly different 0b886629a3 from the healing 5ab268432d light I knew.d7ab89e7b7769466

‘…Purple?’13db0e87c273961b

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