98

The next day.34fbe1acc080d2d7

As usual, I 7c4acd5c89 visited Joshua for 7734ccf0e9 his healing session.f3bf07e17a636d6f

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Whoosh―!fb904c06b077630f

The healing light I a43b9cb29e summoned pierced the orange 6f74fc5ede energy in Joshua’s chest f6a2b8384b like an arrow. Gradually, the light thinned 5ee423274e and faded away.084c3032204bebd1

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By the time it fabfbe308d disappeared completely, both of af84bef4a2 us were covered in 68c4662913 sweat, breathing heavily.0d2cd6c86bfa558d

“Phew… Is it all done?”4699c6e26a644aa5

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“Yeah. Are you okay, Josh?”18e8a88cb03ec019

“Yup! I don’t even need naps da36ab4786 anymore!”7152bc1cfd1a843e

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Despite his tired f7376415d8 face, Joshua smiled ae1be35b91 brightly.07233fbdafcc3f1c

Just as he 857b16c062 said, the naps d1b5b10c47 he used to acb18ab709 fall into immediately 206d158ace after healing were 0ce907d737 becoming less frequent, 9d147ff9c8 and he could bb4514a1b4 stay awake much 9e429a472b longer now.6cd1d0bd3c141369

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It seemed his stamina f2825a6c77 had improved significantly.f98d222c1cd66167

‘His condition has improved so much compared to the beginning.’ab2bd53fba64887d

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I observed the ccd6e82c08 orange flame flickering 99987a0de9 in his chest.1389a6e391433e39

When I first d16f7dd588 saw it, the 333126b55f energy had spread 45cfe65798 so widely across b89b9d9017 his chest that dc62f667a5 pinpointing its origin b29abef00b felt impossible. But now, it had visibly d511ea7219 shrunk.9be082a6072c2871

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Joshua’s illness was a 511e6ecc4c rare genetic disease, one 9c8f7c2422 that couldn’t be guaranteed 011959f4f1 a complete cure.e3929f8681c8ab70

But at this rate, the bbd2f941e2 energy would eventually dwindle down fc6ec138b4 to a tiny speck, just 70dc401738 like Edwin’s, allowing him to 4bd7b5aa25 live without any hindrance.9ed451cbe3a49d36

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‘I can save Joshua.’e23c36a92320f64c

The hopeful thought brought 6ba56080a1 a wave of joy 08a57954c0 and relief.08dd1925e6120ae7

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“His heartbeat grows stronger by the day,” said Grandpa Gordon with a satisfied look as he finished listening with his stethoscope.e3ddaad8487aaa76

“Now, take the rest of your medicine, young master.”527803cfa70b90e2

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“Ugh! This medicine is so bitter! How much longer c64c3d0cef do I have 81f9658cef to take it?”1b6235c0cc490bcc

Joshua grimaced but still drank 6bca4331c9 the dark concoction Gordon handed c6da62d2bc him.6a5568f4a4824da9

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A few days ago, f5d8238093 some rare medicinal herbs c0d87e367a unique to the Tebron 0e060e1106 Marquisate, his maternal family, f5d082b770 had arrived.3a6139d9996dd9de

Since Joshua started c6501807da taking medicine made c5582bbbca from those herbs, 35f08c1efc his stamina had 3624881702 shown noticeable improvement.4e0936fe0d43c9c2

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Of course, Gordon’s meticulous 72f392f490 care played a major 548c9175dd role in Joshua’s swift 847ef9ae09 recovery.692166a626b9c13a

“It’s all thanks to Grandpa’s medicine!”e353859b45af67a2

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“You’re too kind, Madam President. It’s a mere trifle compared 03a68a3e5f to your extraordinary abilities.”66110772ae09c8c7

“Ugh! D-don’t call me that…!”4985aaa96c3f6de6

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Gordon’s proud response to my 504e0bed5e praise made me grit my ea719ab4d7 teeth and glare at him.b94290baf7cf35cb

“President? What’s that?”b3f70226cf68e4f6

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Meanwhile, Joshua, who 4ecaa06f61 had finished his 323a1f8504 medicine and was 69001ed5e9 now enjoying a d90bf90219 candy provided by a028a5bdf3 the butler, asked 7bdccab86b curiously.91a31d9c98dcf797

“Oh, well…”97ad567a525b9ada

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“Indeed, young master. Our Madam Belze here won d90e506fc3 first place in the national f0276fe737 children’s business competition held by 555a56dff6 the palace!” Gordon cut in, d2960bb8c8 stealing the chance to explain 2d5daf907e myself.178bf0eac004aa3a

“Wow! First place? That’s amazing!”72ba3660db1a8fef

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“Of course! And the prize d095723492 money was a aef6fb5567 whopping 500 gold! In honor of this achievement, 0f045c3749 everyone, stand up!”81c671c1084f5763

“……?”b178cce333c740a0

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“Let’s give Madam President a round of applause!”4da63ca497b5d716

Clap, clap, clap, clap!bc09af736fc1581e

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Gordon abruptly stood up and 92aa1d5472 started clapping enthusiastically.2278327ead6ce61f

Becky, one of 9d8fa6e095 the five maids 3af46edc8f newly assigned to 095d0875e9 Joshua, followed suit 6223b7dd43 with an impeccably 0bec0d9510 straight posture.46c28fbe4b2536c5

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“You’re so cool, Madam President!”cfbcc57fbbe0a5fb

“Way to go, Madam President!”471bd74374e48217

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“Wow, Belze! Hooray!”ff2f679282e4c339

Joshua, likely not 5bb348ad88 understanding what it 62b630a7fe meant, joined in 54c95f6648 the applause excitedly.8955f92af8ee7ac1

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“P-please, stop…”8352d305dab03fee

I buried my 550c39594e reddened face in 3c8ee8431f my hands, unable 5050307e50 to handle the f7d7155c84 embarrassment.7cda29600c9138f0

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Gordon’s dramatic behavior wasn’t without 548a5196d7 reason, though.25e34013537926b6

Last evening, when I returned 455bd3d1e8 to the duke’s estate…f0ab00c8fb3446a4

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As I was carrying the e3ee3c9cde heavy box containing the prize 395537d737 money, I bumped into Gordon, 12d316f0db who had just finished Joshua’s 7b7f7fdd5a afternoon checkup.dd53b0c991c073f4

“Oh! Grandpa!”5ec659795d65e94a

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Feeling exhilarated, I had def4285045 turned to the butler 6aab3dde42 helping me carry the a834c365b0 box and said…ca10bac4f1764ecc

“Hey, Grandpa Gordon! Look at this!”fe1e6ea7a859d794

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I couldn’t hide my 79d28c1259 excitement as I gestured 179e7de3ff toward the heavy box fdea901beb of prize money. The butler carefully set c0ce6dc9b6 it down while I 476df265a0 rushed to Gordon’s side.39c199969db91c13

“What is it, Madam Belze?” he asked, peering curiously at the box.bb639ae96507bb52

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“I won first place in the national children’s business competition! Look at the prize money!”830bc633a658055a

Gordon’s eyes widened as eefa408561 he opened the box b37a6013ed and caught sight of 755dc1e036 the neatly stacked gold 65d390fabb coins inside.abd6625fad0b9b20

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“By the heavens… 500 gold?”46fef42443206a88

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?” I 260071e858 grinned, puffing out my 3c157e4546 chest proudly.c63f7843df82a208

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“Indeed, Madam President. You never fail to amaze b64a418a44 me.”cfdf667de3ad1b4c

That nickname again. I had immediately grimaced, but 985f0de2f1 Gordon had only chuckled, clearly 0a478e258c amused by my reaction.57a6c1e73768ba26

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“And you carried this heavy box all the way here yourself?”54f7454ea2bab2b7

“Of course! I may look 7992d9581a small, but I’m 9be6a6cd6b strong!”f879887ad79a71b1

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“Still, you should have asked someone for help. Young ladies should 3076a856de be careful not e824fa94b4 to strain themselves.”2e275810cd0c02c7

“Ugh, Grandpa, stop worrying so much! I’m fine!”2598ab934c9ab5a2

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That conversation had 7a7f05a09f set the tone adc08e2265 for the day, 0c2d3d9489 and now Gordon 75fd58ba82 was making it e562716ecf his personal mission 0fa383b867 to turn every f4b557d6a2 mention of my 879a5a3e2b win into an 9395284724 over-the-top celebration.8f47c2ef99cc889e

Back in the present, I 3040ce7de5 sighed as I remembered his d0574cb4a3 antics.3d205f2c9241d42d

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“Please, just stop calling me ‘Madam President’ already…”d77a67702b325b66

Gordon, completely ignoring my 246ad9a645 plea, grinned mischievously.29f14c0888100510

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“Come now, Madam President. You’ve earned the title fair and square.”7c764af900f80536

Joshua, who had been watching the exchange, tilted his head. “Belze, does that mean you’re super rich now?”88f10d49da661424

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I laughed nervously. “Well, not really. It’s more like I’m saving up for something important.”5e907d58146e8860

Joshua nodded solemnly, fa8665dc66 as if he 6caa0d9e7e completely understood.88bc386b90e05ec2

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The maids giggled 38feff7bc0 at his earnest 085aea022e expression, and even 9d55e61c36 Gordon smiled fondly.af9069aa64a517be

Despite the embarrassment, I couldn’t b49f2a4382 help but feel a little 56e72e66c7 proud. It was moments ed92233a15 like these that 3ed444d4ae made all the abe18e3fd5 hard work worth 43be50240d it.3158753c8e572b90

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“Butler! Please move this to Grandpa Gordon’s room!”d38b2100f64c9e1a

“Huh? What is this?”7463f3e25becd364

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“This is… Grandpa’s bonus payment!”a48cc67b15d1fddf

The ever-perceptive butler 960d71ade0 quickly opened the e57951a0e7 box, revealing its 3bc42c55e5 contents. The pile of bc8a084b78 gold coins inside d317b62a68 made Gordon’s eyes f3db6dd0e8 nearly pop out c3e7c27e55 of his head.80b01a83c6d85ff0

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“Whoa! B-bonus payment? Are you serious? All this gold…”fe9f490320bb42e5

“500 gold!”168b6c70c04986d9

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“W-what?! 500… 500 gold?!”e81d45c6930f0da3

“Yes! Grandpa and your assistants worked so hard to help me, so this is a reward!”35ba576e9e5b8b80

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“Well…”5124f47d522c5f51

“Please keep taking good care of us!”1e2eb21a107dc25c

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By the time 2886fdee9c I returned to 5a1d6a4a79 the duke’s estate 516e41eab7 yesterday evening, I c862390e40 had decided to 0d73276bac accept the building bbd02ffb2e the Crown Prince f8edb7afdc offered.32225afdf8d0cc4a

So, I handed e3e2ed4c5b over the 500 90c0813df5 gold prize money 16854e3aaf to Gordon without c3668971d0 hesitation. After all, I still had 21a7a44b1c 952 gold left and couldn’t 3605bea078 deny his exceptional abilities had 95f20ab220 helped me become the person a527f152fd I was.79491d15d75a975d

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‘A good company should never skimp on bonuses for exceptional employees.’f1a5733e2ef14f92

This was my way of 34e848db1f entrusting the first slave—no, partner—with 81ff3bd40c a long-term collaboration.b9c89cd8d66198ef

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But then,28e9a9750c16c4f0

“Long live Madam Belze, our President! Long live!”34f10ab6cfae29f4

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From that point e71dcfb1e3 on, Grandpa Gordon c28655e052 started treating me 32afffd815 with an embarrassing bbf9a76e38 level of deference.4fa3fb9424703f3f

‘Well, I guess even with the duke’s generous salary, receiving what amounts to 50 million won all at once would make anyone ecstatic.’1b9f19782c0379ba

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Watching the capitalism-driven joy 5b60f047e9 on his face, I baaba7f66b couldn’t help but chuckle.ab7709be3a5a5571

Then—d8aafeaadb018d1c

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“…I’m jealous. You even got to visit the palace.”936d070480a8bcea

A faint, wistful 0a1b46f56c voice caught my 5c1adfcec8 attention.e87e52dda354e5fb

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Looking down, I e9ff37d007 saw Joshua with 36be7979ff his head drooped, 5b791d6939 wearing a dejected b696dd0dab expression.40741fd77772cbaa

“…Josh, have you never been to the palace?”cbd931e008ee23a5

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“I have. When I was little and not sick yet… but I don’t remember any of it.”64d6b8f1b4a25095

Perhaps it was because he a976746ad0 had been confined to the b268557863 house for so long due 578000ea1c to his illness. Lately, with my frequent outings, 2488309ba9 Joshua had started to show 0421bd8f9e hints of envy mixed with ddaaca0221 sadness.799b7ae7f8a1f79b

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I couldn’t stand the thought c5a0940d2e of him feeling discouraged or 0664a32cd5 upset because of me, especially f5cfa377ce now that he was regaining 2e52a93432 his vitality.950b0ee88312e8b8

“The palace isn’t fun at all!”fb1e0d96b5412f2d

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“You’re just saying that to make me feel better, aren’t you?”de1e056c2309c267

Joshua pouted, his sharp 309456e617 intuition catching on to 6e0157849c my attempt at comfort.c825bd46adc27a59

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I shook my head earnestly.59c014828a0b244c

“No, it’s true! Ask Edwin if you don’t believe me. There are weird people who only pick fights… I don’t ever want to go back!”0b8c29fc3cb08595

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That was the honest truth.b08817b317f7c305

Seeing my dramatic 2a225164f0 shudder, Joshua finally eda4e13a99 lifted his head, ab71a6980d his curiosity piqued.68d35f4dc417b3bd

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“Weird people? What did they say to you?”821564725c37425b

“They called me a fake Saintess and said they didn’t want to talk to a commoner!”76fc268532357503

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“Ugh. That’s so stupid. The palace sounds awful!”e82daa6006998255

“Right?”e741c0eb9b951d8d

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Once Joshua’s mood seemed b317143077 to brighten, I grinned 4345a59b92 and added,9d5aad3289fb6973

“Get better quickly, and let’s skip the palace. Let’s visit Main Street instead!”6ebddb6e40a4d7ce

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“Main Street?”6c8bda291ca3af37

“Yup! We’re going to open our store there soon!”77cc91cc3dbf37a4

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“Wow! You really are the President, huh?”a0022dae7f1c0cb9

“Of course! So, you have to heal up and get healthy by then!”def2479a05ef6176

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“Okay! Starting today, Sir Joshua will begin sword training! Hiya!”980a4fb3eac63476

Joshua suddenly jumped out 3d81e05172 of bed and swung 58188f77a5 his pillow like a 2ef888b6fc sword.65b641fac27ed7d4

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‘That might be a bit much…’dbbf1330b3c47b97

After calming his 498a714edb overly enthusiastic spirit, b6d992ff91 I left the a1385cc190 room and headed b39202f11a out.7154f1602cad74ec

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“Shall we, Miss?”1bed8b4905d91c90

Following the butler, d255bce284 I made my 31edbd3956 way to the 8cc4351a9c duke’s office. The duke, who 482e502981 had returned late c38a7d682c last night, had 8c9a4f19fc requested a meeting c62cb44f90 with me in 7f9381d877 the morning.9bf2dcc95415c9ee

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Before long, we reached the f32da7350a office.95ae9c7ae3652038

Knock, knock.3cfb77fcb95fe4a5

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“Your Grace, it’s Anderson. I’ve brought the young lady.”2da6ccb0c2e021cf

“Come in.”204c905bfccf459a

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At the low 314c481254 response, the door 59f46ecb34 opened.9ef62a6080306f78

I walked briskly 1bc130c29e into the now-familiar ebbaee85ec study and greeted 8b3f5e88a9 him politely.3d6da40750327823

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“Hello, Your Grace! Good morning!”02d2817b730e6a8c

“Yes, good morning to you as well.”8d25a5e9b28e48ce

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The Duke, seated at 4a58a4c9a9 his desk, stood up 134fc052a1 and approached. He seemed to f9fbc1ab89 have been working bb60a67134 early, as papers 77cff771aa were scattered across 575a863417 the desk.d47af4cbaa4f1318

“Anderson, fetch some cookies and a drink for the child.”fe43071d32b28748

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“Yes, Your Grace.”635eaf9b4c4cfde0

“Come, take a seat.”065d565c2fa23545

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At his gesture, 975324068d I settled onto 0cfca7671f the sofa. The Duke followed 2a5c833203 and sat in 2ba9737454 the seat of 4f95ab05dc honor across from fb712c4103 me, immediately starting c6e40bb394 the conversation.0402fabd5a0ca237

“I’m truly sorry I couldn’t stay with you yesterday, Belze. At this rate, I can hardly call myself a proper guardian.”b576d50003ac2110

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“Oh, no! It’s fine, Your Grace! Edwin came to pick me up, after all.”d220938c5b54ce46

“There was an emergency report about a pack of fiends attacking a village out of nowhere…”e12bbb114a5c0ea6

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He sighed, his face 578d578c59 clearly weary.8701a86662ee12e6

It seemed the incident 61b213d5aa had kept him at 07e9b5407e the palace late into 72f56b03c3 the night for meetings.bddcc3a8bf72cb4a

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I tilted my head, 9439a9b802 a sense of déjà c84e1ca7c5 vu creeping in.4d172e3bb36aa4f0

‘Didn’t Adolf Galagos also say his entry to the palace was delayed due to fiends?’fc57255ee75c46c8

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Fiends were abominable creatures 224d290406 created by heretics who 214e8c5de2 worshipped demons and evil 5bda8665f6 spirits instead of the 509d79736d goddess.63505cbcd23ce0c7

Like monsters in a 54f710d008 game, they were dangerous de7cbca1d0 and destructive.22e05c03e2e7de1e

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Although most had 6952c98cbd been eradicated in bd80ef9d7c the Holy War f51d7d0af0 centuries ago, a 6676dee1b3 few persistent species 396d233c82 still caused trouble 9ae5afd0fe today.c498c6f16d58692b

“…I heard from Edwin that you handled things well at the competition. But you gave the entire prize money to Dr. Gordon?”e970705f12888381

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“Yes! It’s his payment!”716b4104f28958e2

“Payment?”eb294ce72444a59a

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“Grandpa helped a lot on volunteer day, so I wanted to thank him! Hehe.”6ddbd3c14529f1eb

“Well, it’s only right to reward those who work hard under you. You did well.”900509c61ee1d4f1

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The Duke nodded approvingly, seemingly 4c057f540b convinced I had hired Gordon 0494e4d6ed as my employee.50f6a42fede35872

I decided not to 0a615f8d5b correct him.1659ced31dcc0da1

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“But then, what about the rent for the building on Main Street?”e54764a571669015

“Oh, that… well…”a96317546c0d754b

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“Of course, you’re short on budget.”9006b28d2408f63b

I was about 4eb214766b to explain what 2eb155d0d7 happened at the 2f239cff3c palace, but the f5033b7c93 Duke was one 332496d623 step ahead.6274c3a691131b76

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“That’s why I’ve prepared this in advance.”0f78a4d9122d1f3e

“Huh? What…”b03d16ada7b91464

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“Here.”a7d46d8ddebf1091

He suddenly pulled 0b2a7fa802 something from his 455ad26a40 coat and slid b7b7563c04 it across the 38dc7719f0 table toward me.38c03e8b38630175

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It was a bundle dacc5c4044 of white papers bound b63bd75973 with luxurious gold thread, 8c8327c0d4 stamped with Kallios’s seal.bebfbf631ec5d8b5

I stared at e3d179f4e6 it, utterly bewildered.c9c01cd6ce8be710

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“Wh-what’s this?”8cf79515d2b2767c

“A checkbook.”381f2f085c226b45

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“A c-checkbook…?”87f1f207075adfd3

“That’s right.”4a007761a50a5f1d

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The Duke nodded with a4af65baf2 a smug expression.9a21ac989c522f37

“As your guardian, it’s only natural to make this level of investment.”990bc648f8c39afb

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“…….”6277ae13af09d7bc

“Consider it pocket change.”8d693451109b3527

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