Chapter 63

“…What?”ef8d61064f210803

Buying the title 6b54982e37 of Holy Child fb9e6c8323 with money?895d378f95a02c43

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I was utterly stunned at 0db0807605 the idea, something I had ad829e858d never even considered.5321b7c4c92daa45

But the Duke, 9a03af2db9 as if there e64a5d9a8a were nothing unusual 5ee7357cd4 about it, spoke 67699e5bb9 casually.90c4ff9cfcee7e60

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“So feel free to do whatever you want. Heal if you wish, or sell whatever you like.”a1582803237696da

“…”d706a0a69e92a45f

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“Either way, you’ll be the Holy Child today.”7d1bf4c617ec0baf

I was left f29c638212 speechless, staring at 5d130a5b15 the Duke in ab41592140 astonishment.67d9b8498d890279

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While I appreciated his 9d6159c37d support, there was a 49e7432a9c significant flaw in his a2878bff05 plan.5801c9f86151b92b

‘The temple only allows 100 talents per family to be exchanged, Duke…’895fb2ea03261783

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Despite the fact that the event was essentially just a way to fatten the temple’s coffers, it was still officially labeled as “volunteer work,” so there was a limit to the amount of talents that could be exchanged.0d827486fbbe04d8

But that aside.16e3a6bfeda469cf

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“…Are you coming today?”72468db3e70706ad

I was more 601ba80075 shocked by the dfe0f41aaf implication that he 35886ae407 would personally attend eb81052286 the event.6a8b5fb8caf8a988

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“Of course, I have to go.”f0e9e4b328e7d161

The Duke replied nonchalantly, as 2d3d27c8df if it were the most 20d769bfe8 obvious thing.ac35561fe5f37974

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“I cleared my schedule for today.”7109b9721fb905b2

‘Even Edwin?!’48b0d0908d0ec68d

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My mind went blank 683b89fa9a at the unexpected turn 964ce3cf13 of events.a1f4c40aaa309cb8

In both my past life and the original story, the Duke’s family rarely participated in public events.35464dc5792a206f

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It made sense, considering Joshua was usually very ill around this time, and after he passed away…e628ece676b72384

The Duke buried 15380118e7 himself in work, b742531ee6 and Edwin rarely 3ef98ba69d returned home until b26c162533 he reached adulthood.a8dcfb7efcd1ee66

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Therefore, the housekeeper 49f82e38d7 or aide Logan c91180df78 usually attended the a32804c595 temple volunteer events 7f38f78219 in their place.0bc1d3c93ff66226

‘Even that stopped after I threw a fit, telling them not to come…’3f6ce56a2612d7ff

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I didn’t want to show the Duke’s family how I was humiliated by Diana every year.5896e4ff0b69ab02

Yet, when no d81c2e50c5 one came, I 709066ba25 felt like an f641e3066f abandoned child.5116963281ee5c59

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‘It’s laughable. I was always without parents, anyway…’cff996c580468f6b

Still, it was hard 2a2d7e5796 to let go of 51bc5a37f4 the subtle hope that e264f41253 someone might come.964f88c9990e7fb7

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When I finally got used to enduring the ridicule alone, my relationship with the Duke’s household had hit rock bottom.ac1bee6011a71584

Thus, it was natural for 99e9c94584 me to assume that the 2c4cb50e94 Duke and Edwin would not 9cf80b50b8 participate in this event.f20d2d1a2454c9a8

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But now…b661f1cce3469353

‘Joshua is healthy now, so there’s no need for that anymore.’3ef35f88cbccde45

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I healed the dying 9122d676cf Joshua, and he recovered.c50220e086093f0f

This made a significant difference 30d5601e9f from my previous life.d624efddc91b7179

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As I stared blankly a547cd49c9 at Joshua, struck by 3a42fbfe93 this realization, he suddenly b2c5b2fe2f threw down his fork e72a26f68d in frustration.e4a241290b9bae1a

“I can’t go! Old man Gordon says no! Tch!”c770125b8bb9c39e

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“Joshua Kallios.”d89b515e37a591ab

The Duke immediately 7dfa571974 reprimanded him with b8c9a6144f a stern look.7fc18e6ba5412aa3

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Joshua pouted and started 15036ec470 to cry.f7155dabfef88add

“I want to see Sister Belze too… Hmph!”2c96501287647273

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“She’s not your sister. You’re the same age.”533288c657be85be

“But I like calling her sister! You don’t understand, brother! I hate you!”b053b8f022309ac3

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Joshua created yet a438f90978 another awkward moment.704eed211efdcc73

The Duke’s eyebrows twitched.6bd5061ac28ea3b1

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Before he could ab0ab2f939 say anything, I d0571cbdad quickly spoke up.e0450616350d23d1

“You can go next year, Josh! It won’t be that fun anyway.”d3b25322f1e8e4c7

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“…Why?”a65cce676afb2486

“Remember last year when you ran away? It was because it was boring!”1bd8377d73233059

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“That’s right! You ran away last year and met me!”bc5be6614d57d80c

Joshua grinned, recalling our first dae3c370ee meeting.09730d688d655eb9

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“Yes! It was so boring, I felt sleepy and annoyed! I envy you being able to stay home!”33dd6d9f2cd9591a

“Hehe. Really? So I’m the lucky one?”b389c1d839c8bfdc

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“Yes. Absolutely!”c8352a32dbea04bd

“Alright! Then I’m the lucky one, so you have to call me brother now!”8ff071a028745319

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“Um… O-Okay, brother…”c7252241142a4043

Joshua’s mood quickly lifted, and he resumed eating happily.cfbd5564e28bf0bb

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I sighed in relief.9b62e07297298747

Thanks to seeing him every 12bc23e508 day for treatments, I had 3a1d76becd become quite good at handling bbb17162e8 him.e68accc04527bb45

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But Edwin, completely oblivious to e9e7849596 my efforts, watched us as 1f95a8f64e if we were some strange 36fafeea73 creatures.281b68cb028b62e5

“This seems serious… Shouldn’t we hire a tutor for him soon?”9c09e6819a82b16c

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“Let them be. They seem to be having fun.”0f02b92a55e63016

For some reason, the Duke 075cfd3734 smiled warmly.e94ca22b760534eb

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‘It’s not playing, I’m soothing him!’a17da2d628e64de8

I felt indignant. I had gone 6d8a8ca6a7 through the trouble 716aa6c5bc of calming Joshua 5a299548f1 down, and now 33b75dcc6a I was being 0833618cba put on the fda58658cb spot!795dcbd1716fb678

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As I fumed silently, the Duke suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, “Belze, I understand you’re leaving early.”38a27f942bf535cb

“Ah… Yes, that’s right!”73bd565be728a34c

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While the nobles arrived in the afternoon, the orphans needed to set up their booths early. Despite being supported by the Duke’s household, as a candidate for the Holy Child, I had to follow the temple’s rules.3201e9694871ac0f

“Do you really need to go so early? You could have someone else set up for you,” the Duke remarked, clearly displeased.08def42bcffa5fe5

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“By the way, who’s going with you? Tara? I haven’t heard anything about the butler going.”4fe3838418bbf934

“Ahaha… I just wanted to go early to get a good spot!”e797af97ae63941c

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I awkwardly laughed ba709b9dee and quickly changed 7a35979cd9 the subject. Thankfully, the Duke seemed convinced.1ea0d7c8fc4d4b7d

“Alright, that’s a good attitude. If you need anything, feel free to tell the butler.”c43d19cca5f6896e

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“Yes!”701df84ec1ba24f0

“Now, everyone, give Belze a word of encouragement.”cf72f4a33dea5513

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The Duke prompted his sons, 80fbe4aedf who had just finished their 3279462b5f meal. I was horrified.ce58ee63e7462cbb

‘…Oh no! They really called me here just to cheer me on?!’55cac9b2c1df5d3a

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I felt an overwhelming 580ee9c9cd sense of embarrassment.34ac8017f08503b2

“Good luck, Belze! I’ll be cheering for you! Even if it’s boring, stay calm and act mature!”8fba39fde04dbd59

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Joshua was the 95e2f2d5e1 first to cheer, 06256203b4 his voice full 333c349240 of enthusiasm.8062b7e0034a51ec

“Um… Thank you.”0b8cfb12bc60578d

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I nodded in response.e14ee89e00dba3b1

‘Well, Joshua could do it.’0379e9715306ed44

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But I never d258963979 expected Edwin to a975dd66a8 say something so 7e7daaffd2 cheesy.59084667433d5ac9

“…Just do your best.”6e7a6069a3f32d6f

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Edwin, who had 64a9516c01 been watching me, 6505676011 suddenly spoke.500528f79974ff9c

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”b9a774c8bbbe50d2

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I held my 59a636366f breath for a 26ec9a2f4f moment.672b98f901c6462a

Objectively, his words weren’t exactly encouraging. However, for someone like me, who had been agonizing over how to outshine Diana and win the title of Holy Child, his words were a great comfort.d5255935f819ad98

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I looked at him with 1b2b27c177 teary eyes and nodded cautiously.1684cae805e2b57e

“…Okay.”0f1fbacb5a2d2efb

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And finally, the Duke said, “Belze, and to those who threaten the Kallios family, there is only death.”dff091470b23bdb4

He muttered ominously, as if ba9d8169d5 battling invisible enemies, then downed 4b8909326b his pre-meal drink in one 711798f110 gulp.f090e70d668e7baf

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‘Um, it’s just about making money…’d912741a36fce8e4

I lowered my head, my face flushed with embarrassment. Though dessert hadn’t even been served yet, I felt as happy as if I’d just had a big spoonful of sweet chocolate mousse.1a46ab7e57b1b7a6

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* * *026e3de48648e54c

“Miss, do your best!”cbdb021bb7825333

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“Our Miss is amazing! Woohoo!”743dbd1573bb7336

“Don’t worry at all; you’ve already won half the battle just by being cute!”4fea87946da93f0b

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All the way 59fd9f49c0 to the carriage, eb27e41e4c everyone I met 4be9e19df9 offered words of 820c51d5e2 encouragement.33d2d8e1e26a90ec

It seemed like the Duke had given the order…112ecb76b9ef75fd

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‘Enough already! I’m so embarrassed I could die…!’52b6db8e74fdf8af

Receiving such overwhelming support, 9e04f28b6e despite not relying on 0a272e1714 my healing abilities, was d07871ca96 utterly mortifying.e97fdf9e9d1625c0

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I quickly climbed into 1f3177d832 the carriage, feeling like c847b01513 I wanted to hide f025e6a4d8 in a hole.bd024559ae4aa14a

Even though I insisted I 889364e011 could go alone, Tara insisted da5107906d on accompanying me all the 8723b22920 way to the temple.f8b45463126d391c

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“Miss! Are you sure you can go alone? Should I come with you and enter together?”18713f56dbb2f56e

She looked at me like a child being sent off to the water’s edge.d7c910162a02d8e7

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She vaguely knew about the 9042c6653a abuse I had suffered from 24dd120cb3 the priests and the dog-like 70c32e2264 creatures.bc5711efee22161b

Thus, she was very worried 88c69d32ad about me going to the 34363865d7 temple alone.2f9ed4385ada4361

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But unfortunately, today, c6cc94e25b the entry of d8e93f074c outsiders was strictly 2830b4737e controlled, making it 34a5a6afc2 impossible.f0cdbafeae000d72

And I wasn’t alone.effe05cda7dcd750

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“It’s okay! Grandfather Gordon said he’d come after a while.”3663420ef042609b

“But why did you choose that old man as your assistant, Miss?”00afcafd46e4091e

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That’s right.e0112b80df09e299

The reason I b9587c911c had hurriedly changed 89e94c50b2 the subject when 755b8c2372 the Duke asked 158cb80256 if I was 4458dbc9ad taking Tara or ba0bba25a0 the butler.2228a21bbf771d79

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Orphans participating in the 1f9b8b4362 event could choose one d7a72c5244 adult helper, and I bc7dc2bb49 had chosen old man 831c9b890f Gordon!7553316b71efd199

Tara looked upset, feeling somewhat 2a78647c82 left out, but quickly corrected d843a5cd1c her tone.fdc6829bd011d9e4

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“I don’t know if the teacher will be able to take care of you properly. He fights with young Master Joshua every day, even at his age…”c7c844c977869c71

“He isn’t coming to take care of me, Tara.”34304bfe2f0ccae2

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I responded clearly so she 68ff922f22 could understand.2c94db3432691973

“He’s coming to help Belze. He’s my business partner!”a865b689fd0154e6

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“…Our Miss is so capable.”91d3f2d7dfe7abe0

Tara still looked disappointed 3e860bbd3b but regarded me with 69483ea04b pride.355cb3ed63667583

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She then bent down 1b0c95f9f1 and gave me a 29cfeab0a7 tight hug.1c280c1f0a39ffd0

“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”8d4ff0f045ee01b4

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Warmth spread through my chest.a727bd6a849da967

Knowing there was someone 73f16ab740 waiting for me, even 9bb1ec5f02 if I had to 4774ab7319 run away, felt strange.712c6443d75e1c17

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“…Thank you, Tara.”124a2751f796bb3a

I’ll definitely do that.fea3e1f287e18f64

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I hugged Tara tightly a6056ed9a0 once more and then b9d8c3be05 turned around with determination.7b9c8048dcc2133e

The large, white 177e3fe972 building standing tall aef3f86422 atop the stairs 7905398250 was immediately visible.2ab8971609b107ef

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The temple.f26573c3e9bb3a75

The place that always 07e61b84d3 made me tremble with ec7affdb61 misery and fear.ea8c7839282b5e7b

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‘…It’s okay. The Duke told me to do whatever I want.’4bd108e9434336c3

I bit my lip, 1b027ebbff trying to calm my e0cc7e999e tense body.b44ca279db2f69e6

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Although I was still expected d967a7670c to be compared to Diana 22015df833 and humiliated today, I no 5efab8b682 longer felt afraid or resentful 182545b3d1 of it.d3d6096a75373cf2

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”975b081f0a2eab57

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“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”5aeaaa144c6c2029

The voices of those who e4a6156571 supported me echoed in my e5cf8bbd04 mind.02d693bc52f48c2b

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‘If worse comes to worst, I’ll just run back!’d38743fd1c799094

I clenched my fists 22a01873ec tightly in front of c0610c33d1 me.1ff48b9c25dfa9e6

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“Alright, let’s go!”7302cdad25013781

And I took ff1f8ed961 a strong step d99be82c22 forward.d7d2ebcdb058c9e6

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