Chapter 99

‘P-pocket change…?’1ed9792d2738ff14

I couldn’t help but gape 736e97e1a8 at the Duke’s words.a459934b29010b64

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Of course, I 871ef5c4ea didn’t actually believe dcb24a01e7 he meant it a1cdbe8cfe literally.ff92d506db63b6d6

I knew he said 12996c4aaf it to ease my cb0a6dbb69 concerns, but still… this d0c3fed4db was a bit much.7d7dc01d8f025a61

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“I was already planning to allocate a budget under your name.”f09f4899629f28d5

As I stared 7892a2b404 at the checkbook bb90eda1d0 with wavering eyes, e343d3050f the Duke continued.87fd5f6c692c577e

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“So don’t worry about it and use whatever amount you need.”232f5c0f1cac6bd1

“But… the investment I requested was only 500 gold…”e257eb53d3a05245

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“Tsk. What can you even do with such a paltry amount? To accomplish big things, capital is the most crucial factor.”5ce58ba1670bdeac

Clicking his tongue, 5a29a406c0 the Duke added 9729b36154 with a smug f9bc2a20ef tone.aa179ef69634e4d5

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“And unlike someone who hands over 500 gold as if it’s a grand gesture, I’m a guardian with both wealth and capability.”363f7f67ecc83d55

He tilted his chin up ef572a9936 confidently, his refined features radiating d092f04974 an almost blinding aura of fa11996853 sophistication.683b0dc2dbe9faf4

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“…Waaah! I’m done being this child’s guardian~!”681d5a4ed1d6ac02

Somewhere in the distance, I 856d0a957d could almost hear Grandpa Gordon 3694509368 sobbing dramatically.4ae665fd0b6c6f20

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‘I’m sorry, Grandpa. I can’t argue with 85b6cc7f42 him on this one…’dbefa321b9536991

As I silently apologized 2ee390f740 to Gordon, the Duke af74b7eaf6 noticed my hesitation in 1d35c229b2 taking the checkbook. His smile faded slightly as fc02304575 he asked,27753807feb3de5a

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“Could it be… you’re upset because I didn’t offer you a building?”5e6700a42835001c

“Huh? N-no!”2ab92d07d8f0851f

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“Unfortunately, it’s true that the Duke’s properties on Main Street currently have no vacancies, Belze.”aa18854c0516ec70

Even though I quickly shook e30502d3cb my head, it seemed he 5a8da9fc5d had already drawn his own 9aeb8b90c8 conclusions.ab080692522d9a55

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Pushing the checkbook closer 0a08753f3e to me, the Duke a4c1857eb9 suggested,89f1866b7d12b587

“Then why not purchase an appropriate building with this?”8739ae564f43ccfd

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“P-purchase?!”cbd7cd5c08e40c42

The scale of this conversation 6e9348a316 kept escalating, and I barely ac3633c7ab managed to suppress a shrill 9627cc664b cry.76e1b73c3e33a113

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“Yes. Ah, purchase means to buy,” he added, as if explaining it to a child who didn’t know the term.e3a2c373e9a9662c

‘This won’t do. If I keep 499d6781c5 going like this, 6d7442a987 people will think 196040e120 I’m a greedy e80885b78d leech draining Kallios c52c12df60 dry!’5c8cfdb362228281

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Gathering my thoughts, I 3edc68af9f quickly said,82e1538b96938a0b

“Actually, Your Grace!”4a2adce285f1a58a

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“Hm?”34ba77d1e17e3e0a

“The Crown Prince said he’d let me use a building for free!”2ee8d47f54e2c42f

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“…What?”5c0c11bd0d6c4f1b

The Duke’s eyebrows twitched 48af13a31e at my words.2e0f2c289289b897

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“The Crown Prince… is offering you a building rent-free?”cf05d0fb1d99d373

“Yes! He said something about needing me to keep track of some… secret funds? But I don’t really understand what that means…”e413c0ae2462ee8a

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I deliberately tilted my 5265b3d702 head and made an 5d92508e69 innocent face.46aff4f96a1fcdb5

After all, it was a a5086776f4 bit much for a five-year-old 04e21c55ee to grasp such concepts.a00b18b33156d672

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I had never planned 7fc1081ecd to hide my dealings 9e1c9c4abc with the Crown Prince 5a62b0f6b3 from the Duke.65cc1e60e39b7388

And truthfully, the 9a2f57ed15 Crown Prince probably 34c7dd5e50 expected me to ad6d48c00b tell him.541093dad137d82d

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“Hm. Seems he’s thought this through.”e2752a538e493010

The Duke, who 43709ea225 had been lost 3d6d4305c2 in thought for 65335ad9b1 a moment, eventually ed216fcf51 nodded.ebedcdb962112d54

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“It seems the Crown Prince anticipated that Kallios would naturally step in to assist you.”5ebb6f14f4fa9e09

As expected, he immediately saw c3e7536f35 through the Crown Prince’s intentions.23f63a19c3c50038

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César wasn’t truly asking 88a609e6da me for help; he 4032c8d602 was indirectly seeking the 1d297553d7 Duke’s support.a91ce7227df9294f

By aiding me in forming 177be4591f his secret funds while pretending 5dec97f1de to remain uninvolved, he hoped b157a6fb74 to keep up appearances.d795783c2053c79b

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I wasn’t well-versed in politics, 89cbf267bf but it was clear there 23ca5a0b0f was some reason the Crown da8521b6e0 Prince couldn’t directly ask the bdfb402721 Duke for help.c6aca9f84b4195ee

‘Supporting someone doesn’t necessarily mean being on the same side.’ac115ff9c51363a6

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There are plenty b0ef26bbea of stories of 07afc7f00c parents pulling the d1cf7de730 strings of even 90bf8c0075 their own children 2a9b9772b3 to consolidate power.63b29e01c5801355

And in this case, the 42aa06aa5f Duke and the Crown Prince 8fb61dbd65 weren’t even blood relatives.93b5b204b4fd9fe1

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Trusting someone too much just fb069c3f1a because they’re an ally could 7f3521a99e easily lead to a reversal 2aff9e45fb of power dynamics.3cec78c45b8c7725

From what I saw yesterday, d02bcb6a17 the Crown Prince handled his de74e2cf6d dealings with the Duke rather b5a7fd3fe2 tactfully.c6d966f068e168f7

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“…Should we refuse?”32280fbde5464f23

I hesitantly asked the d8c681cc14 Duke, who was still df06d1a600 stroking his chin in 019eda664d contemplation.11305069b7b5b113

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“No.”8c68ebabd625c2ad

He shook his head firmly.36e214f7e4c2f8a3

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“There’s no need to reject something offered for free. Just accept it.”f612b86cd770cb94

“Yes, understood!”00d86f5a8340eb8f

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“Once the store is fully operational, you’ll be busy managing it. I’ll introduce you to a reliable financial advisor.”ab96958f08f3bcca

“A financial advisor…?”ca3e35a497707d2a

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“Yes. When it comes to money, it’s best to leave it to professionals. Gordon, for all his skills, is useless in that department.”c95d5fcfaac696b2

The Duke smiled mischievously, fefdd76f43 his offer to help edea874f2f wrapped in a playful bf776ee13a jab at Grandpa Gordon.4fa2d8f3000866b4

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He could have d57eb3fca8 simply said it d2543fc95a was too much 9cff304ec4 for someone my 00525a6344 age, but his d3686f15fd words felt more 26ff44bca8 like genuine recognition 8c3d5e75d0 of my business 25be8b6ef9 plans.541ab492bce45e8c

I couldn’t help but beam.db56c8f50e07e710

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“Thank you, Your Grace! You’re the best!”c4ce3588eb03d393

With this, I had 9613efdddf effectively prevented Adolf Galagos b384582af1 from becoming the Crown 3f4bc9e320 Prince’s confidant.02c2b53f9dbd2aa4

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I had a hunch things ac12ca870f would turn out this way, 024a8c3a13 but still, I felt a dcc466a258 sense of relief.49125de7f9111f21

“Not bad for someone I thought was all bark and no bite,” the Duke suddenly muttered, almost to himself.1fad353628f03390

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“What is?”fd91c7add60f10e6

“You managed to grasp our household’s power dynamics in the brief window during the volunteer event. Tsk.”b2ed4ec76879adb6

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He clicked his tongue 690787706b softly, looking almost impressed.52836a9e36860126

I tilted my head, puzzled.f7cb82ec9c3a83f9

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Power dynamics? I wasn’t entirely sure what 59346d9c6e he meant, but from his 9dffdac8f0 tone, it seemed the Crown 184d92043a Prince had quickly understood my da243db629 position within the Duke’s household.f771872a0d488d45

‘Honestly, isn’t it stranger if he didn’t figure it out, Your Grace?’4a752192a6dfb881

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I thought with a faint, bbdd481aef awkward smile.a38a38b716e664be

Remembering the way e84763bd75 the Duke and 442ff17d9d Edwin had alternately d4483d838f defended me, including 462c2d6dac the infamous table-breaking 4821d0b1f7 incident, I felt 7deae753d7 a surge of 3fe06e0056 gratitude.a14c0949b09f64c6

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At the time, I b9898be04b was too flustered to 46c9ceb242 fully process it, but e76a8dca2a looking back, I was 98d54322f5 incredibly thankful for their a709351361 support.fe8cad32941441d1

And recalling the pale, 80113074dd stammering Marquis Barelotte still 5905c56f80 brought me immense satisfaction.738d3c014fa8bbc6

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While chuckling quietly to myself, 540f009a02 I slid the checkbook back fab35cb155 toward the Duke.1401aa830200981b

“Since the building is already sorted, I don’t need this!”fa95d4a27d9e99c4

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I had already received so 45fb4b291e much help from him; taking 2b274b9aff his money too felt excessive.dc4736d9a311ff04

Instead, my dream was 9d332b0c02 to earn lots and 5a4ee5133f lots of money and 1fa1c623b7 contribute to the Duke’s deb76f5be7 household myself!28d1c380a8d7b1fa

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“Take it anyway,” the Duke said firmly, pushing the checkbook back toward me.3f425d7209b17687

“Even if you don’t need it immediately, unexpected expenses are bound to arise when running a business. If you end up begging for help in those moments, others will look down on you.”c141f84e9db61022

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“Ah…”014085069d5a56d2

“Even if I’m six feet under, I refuse to see Kallios belittled.”686d5b05ffe23709

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With him speaking so 02cb657741 resolutely, I couldn’t bring 2a294b22dc myself to decline any e67ef442f8 further. Reluctantly, I accepted the a79a1e2403 checkbook and mumbled softly,fb902793677f66f8

“Then… I’ll take good care of it.”ea3201aa85b0fe83

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“Don’t just keep it safe—use it freely when needed.”d3665088b859983f

Knock, knock.ae74359ff362135a

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At that moment, a knock 7702d42d83 echoed through the quiet study.32087bbfea487a60

“Your Grace, it’s Logan.”325de4a871b39694

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“Come in.”be00883a5bfffa25

The Duke gave a casual 4e600a8005 nod of approval, and since b145b5cb3b we’d already wrapped up most 31ee3f0fae of the important conversation, I f58d6968f9 didn’t think much of it.71201d943f59e3b6

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The door opened, and 4b6a34a624 the Duke’s aide entered, 798d043381 holding a stack of 55eb25fa92 documents.2922469474f8a8fc

“Good morning, Your Grace. Ah, I see you’re in the middle of a discussion.”b13f022f2428e376

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Logan stopped upon noticing me 164eacb09a seated on the sofa, then e8de3021d6 offered a polite smile.6e63e6b7c8778922

“I hope I’m not interrupting.”14abdd496af46d9a

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“It’s fine. What is it?”de4362cf73819b03

“Yes, well, it’s about the financial report you requested yesterday…”417159436a08ca7e

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Logan handed the documents to a1891b7192 the Duke, but as he 9b2393695e spoke, his gaze shifted to 5a242fe8ba the checkbook in my hand, b061dbfb06 and he abruptly froze.4b33472fddbe0f0f

“Wait, is that… a checkbook?!”25a3b7b69ef465e5

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His eyes widened af478ca76c in shock as 8e1a6b2273 he looked between cdf3a92873 me and the cae3850230 Duke, then blurted 5e20ac9d7c out,d94da068a7122620

“Your Grace, you had me prepare a checkbook yesterday… was it to give to her?!”4ba5f772995012ff

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“Hm.”4b5bfbe722b3614d

The Duke nodded as fe8fcf2804 if it were the 9d00b350a0 most obvious thing in 10aeed6b26 the world.08cc794118b40aa3

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Logan’s expression contorted.9864911956b000fb

“But… didn’t you also allocate an additional allowance for the Second Young Master’s treatment? Just recently, that alone cost several thousand gold…”8e177e193170b41b

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Several thousand gold?!2bbbc162674897aa

I inhaled sharply. I’d known the 84329e1e36 gifts had been ae0daa1c99 extravagant, but I 26641516b5 hadn’t realized they’d eb7d8718b5 cost that much.4fb7dec9afe1aaa4

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The Duke, however, remained 69a83b9160 unfazed, shrugging nonchalantly as d94d0eb644 he replied,83474f27e9f48cb2

“Half of that came from Edwin’s personal funds.”0fc1277a04601dbb

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“Even excluding the Young Master’s contribution, it was still several thousand gold…!” Logan argued, clearly exasperated.97010f273f470d6a

“You’re being excessive, aren’t you? You’ve never spent this much for Miss Diana, even when she came for healing…”c96c24570cea2f90

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“Logan.”d7540ae29e38504f

The Duke’s tone turned icy, edcec21b6f and his expression hardened.46f8e8377aed06ff

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“I don’t see why I should spend as much on someone who already receives support from another household.”f469d823db36c922

“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way… I was just confused by the discrepancy in treatment… My apologies.”d00c6ae91debe361

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Logan immediately bowed his 3394c81fe0 head, backpedaling in submission.db95bdfa8d89a9fa

His confusion was understandable.be0d98d6aa23ed23

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From his perspective, 9cd7efdbf2 I was still 2f90e0bb55 a sponsored orphan c8645a95e0 on paper, one 483a7db8ff whose healing abilities ded25344b2 were rumored to 59fbb04826 be inferior to 6c3cc3fe77 Diana’s.b60932bdf11be7dd

Giving someone like me 224917e679 a checkbook must have 6d67c40d39 seemed absurd.5850d4a1f9998b38

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‘Especially since Joshua hasn’t been fully cured yet.’771d0236935a808f

Even though I could empathize fba53aa785 with his reasoning, it didn’t 2debb57e60 stop a twinge of sadness 04fda9aa4f from creeping in.65205230c157d3b6

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Quietly, I placed 8d3afabe9a the checkbook back f2c8e1a57f on the table.461323fa8f72b38f

The Duke’s cold 5b9abd11dd voice broke the 36d89a3a7b silence.6939263e8607f478

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“Didn’t I explicitly state that I would formally sponsor Belze?”842bcabeec459739

“Y-yes, Your Grace. You did.”6e92f7d42df4373d

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“Then why do you still refer to her as that girl? That’s disrespectful.”5df429f206f39986

The Duke’s expression 41cff22c61 was laced with 3e9c5dfc89 clear displeasure, making 76075b5c2c Logan break out a15e2df208 in a cold c8a53d2442 sweat as he c64f92b11a quickly bowed again.6dd2c7b02d05cbfc

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“My apologies, Your Grace. I will correct myself.”5c2c39c543c02bf4

“I knew you occasionally spouted nonsense, but I didn’t think you were incapable of basic understanding.”121d84b76e6353a7

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“…….”b17f3f4fc938ac07

“From Emma Caston to Juliark Sven… your record has been nothing but disappointing. Perhaps the problem lies not with you but with my judgment of people.”144f7a5ea43e6bca

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“Y-Your Grace! That wasn’t my intention…”57adcb76f5e84f80

“Enough.”14d22e0833357bab

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The Duke curtly dismissed 8a78d91832 Logan before he could 709f1b33e0 explain further.cd57fe804eb07aaa

“Leave.”56acb1430ad263eb

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“…Understood. My apologies.”9c670e5dfa91f5c5

Logan, visibly reluctant, swallowed 1384c2d5e7 his protests and bowed cfb292cd82 once more.4d2fb3e614f1258c

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As he straightened, cee259b811 our eyes unexpectedly f82e787576 met.04fc2a941c22e621

“……!”0c1d3ab537adf135

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I froze, feeling a f656329d32 chill run down my 2b5c0e0eb0 spine.2e8bda370a6d3d98

Logan’s face was the same 7af0f18096 as usual—appropriately humble and sheepish 766d9d6ffb after the Duke’s scolding.52ecb6a93b6cbedc

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But the way his a849c63936 eyes glinted as he 1f76a7a573 looked at me…c98d5a55c4bf9620

There was something unsettling, almost b20f84e9e8 predatory, in that gaze.579ff2e4aee26b99

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