TFOM Chapter 100
by SolavitaChapter 100
After Logan left, a heavy 98f5bafd6b silence settled over the study.133a34fda142b8de
“…I’m sorry, Belze,” the Duke finally said, breaking the quiet.6f3961abc8a6695d
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“It seems Logan’s gotten rather insensitive, buried in his work as he is. Don’t take it too personally; it’s not that he dislikes you.”a36184fbe76aac96
“I’m okay!”
I quickly smiled in response 536802a776 to his thoughtful words.7ce4606755f1bc83
The truth is, 2e6acc4f3f it’s impossible to be liked by 18db02661b everyone.
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‘Though Logan is a bit…’
Suppressing the unease 039e1d5c52 in my chest, e60f3de3d0 I cautiously asked,
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“But, Your Grace, what’s the story with Emma and… Svel—um, Sven?”1757fb5fa0271891
“Ah.”52dac94d6f9a5070
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The Duke’s face turned slightly 1ea658224f troubled as he began to 7c00992213 explain.06fd66a8df404efc
“The truth is, Logan was the one who recommended them.”de36fe2d938a5ca3
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“Lo-Logan’s recommendation?”86804c580c2281db
“Yes.”
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He nodded once, hesitating 870f19ee9f before continuing.c277be3db4a6595b
“To be honest… after the children’s mother passed away, there was a time when I couldn’t manage the household properly.”1a356e958441bdb7
‘Ah…’82b30347f6eca652
“While I was drowning myself in drink, Logan hurriedly selected staff to care for the children closely. Unfortunately, it happened to be those two.”3bccf5ec70fb46ba
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I was stunned.c109cc7ead06cb0c
The two former employees b3605663bb who’d recently caused trouble 09382d2ec3 and were dismissed had been personally chosen for Joshua and Edwin.c10afd91e52a46dd
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The Duke, his expression d52a7e1b45 darkening, murmured,5f4337879e354eb9
“They’d been with the family for quite some time, so I accepted them without much thought…”7078c616fda68055
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“…….”8e395ff09494bdf6
“In the end, it’s all my fault. If I had investigated them more thoroughly, none of this would have happened.”34c47de2be3f0d25
His voice carried the weight of ddee1eac85 regret as he 01eb0a9e39 spoke.ed9cc4aa35b0f061
“I’ve only shown you the worst sides of this family because of my failings, Belze. I’m sorry.”ba9fae85f8e7adff
“It’s not Your Grace’s fault!”1c18d4523d647251
I shook my head fervently at his apology.66f373943fc4e97c
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“They’re the bad ones! You trusted them, but they dared to do such terrible things to the children!”
‘Why is it that regret and apologies always seem to fall on the victims?’51a43bfba8be2b09
Emma, who shamelessly schemed to become the next 1901196216 Duchess by manipulating Joshua.51120c57dbad1a07
Sven, who took out his 35dc9bc6cf resentment and inferiority on Edwin.40a09ad3af394f47
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Neither of those offenders acac993de9 had ever offered an 9c3a7ee48f apology.1c136446f4ac27c9
The Duke gave a faint, 95301fda0c bitter smile at my words.7a725ca97723032b
“Still, I’m glad you came to this family. In the end, it was thanks to you that those matters were brought to light.”3cac401997bd316b
He sighed, pinching the bridge of 12c7d29cb3 his nose.
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“…Perhaps it’s because he grew up too fast. Unlike Joshua, Edwin rarely speaks up about anything, even when trouble arises.”00d64258b3878732
The Duke’s voice carried c5d2c733ef a note of sorrow, 3a9c53e188 as though this weighed heavily on him.15598f28f111f2b1
But I understood Edwin’s b2cfa1e76b reasons well.3f93e259494a7a36
One night, he had faf463e9b3 visited me in secret bbac114918 and confided,cd18edb9b9a5962e
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‘I thought it’d be better to handle it myself. Besides, I didn’t e1cd1bf777 want to burden Father, who’s already 19c4c82bfc busy enough.’fcb1703681ba6f17
‘Especially when he’s been losing sleep over Joshua lately.’71377402db5a1a01
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Recalling those words, I dd63dfc457 clenched my fists slightly.338032bdfafe9a8b
‘Edwin’s sense of responsibility is both admirable and heartbreaking.’d617ac7a54752958
I decided not 0cbb6fc79c to mention that Edwin’s actions stemmed 4b39bb719e from his consideration d0a930988f for the Duke.e2403d966f99fd0e
Those were Edwin’s private thoughts, not 2b269e0795 mine to share.29fc45ea75217516
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“…You know, Your Grace,” I began, determined to make another promise to myself: no matter what, I would protect the Duke’s household.de3d4e56e0c5cbe3
“I won’t hold back.”d9cbff8d51625ed5
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“Hm?”60064f75231fd2d4
“If anything happens to Edwin or Josh, I’ll run straight to you and tell you everything! And I’ll make sure they get their revenge!”6a3202c92cbffa44
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“…Revenge?”b8a6b4bd5fbfeba0
The Duke finally caught up a33b3e319c to my words and let a47187f579 out a small laugh.f6c73e5c628de4ed
“There’s no need for revenge. Just come and tell me. Don’t put yourself in danger like last time.”faf3a8795c86c5ec
“But Grandpa Gordon said my teeth are strong enough to bite a few more times!”13485029dd0ab547
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“Still, no.”ea4c66bc68437bcb
His tone was 1165e5763a firm, leaving no room for argument.b65d3f0d4f047b36
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I smacked my lips in disappointment, but then he called e35176a1ec my name in a gentle a5cbf9a866 voice.a94301579dcacc59
“Belze.”6ff525a1b9b5bd5d
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“Yes?”5b15ca73844e38ba
“You’re already doing more than enough for someone of your position and age.”
“Ah…”
“Honestly, while preparing that checkbook for you, I couldn’t help but wonder if you might be a prodigy. Starting a business at five years old, after all.”8c9108c9b1f5a7e7
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His gaze was 8ec5792cc7 steady as he cf721640e6 spoke, his tone a82d417ce2 sincere.27c491856e4e7f68
I had anticipated the day when such suspicions might arise, f7f5e39c02 so I calmly reached for e7034d6463 the excuse I had prepared.30a9e20026d7d70f
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“Actually, it’s a secret, but… Grandpa Gordon suggested it all!”47741e59f9f8ca35
“Even so,” the Duke replied, not dismissing my excuse lightly.f0e04cf4c1256918
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“Most children your age would be playing with dolls or toys, not negotiating with noblewomen.”088ff77bb1d03f83
“…….”92144c0a0c8589d2
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“You handled Madam Cloud skillfully. She even asked about you recently.”5b0768572fc323e5
I blinked in surprise.095dcb96e8453ac5
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‘She asked about me? Not the hair mist?’6b2728984098935e
She couldn’t have used e4dd274603 it all so quickly. If she inquired about my well-being, it must f4adc722be be true.d0a76072139f686b
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This was great news, 7a42a48140 as I planned to b1d2894bce send her an invitation 19b459511b to my shop opening to reinforce her interest c6a8109ee0 in Fairy Herb.10d1e60ede9d3043
But at the same 9768de215a time, I felt a baaa90b4bb pang of worry.dc01d302097c5766
‘What if the Duke doesn’t like me running a business?’2ea548a2b17b0701
After all, I 431761e27d was officially being sponsored as a 4da5708fa7 Saintess candidate. Acting out of line 9ceccc3a9e might cause trouble for e69c52e6b5 him as my patron.9e4c871c038b6386
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“I’m sorry…” I murmured, lowering my head.01c9dcf32f6a366e
“I’m not reprimanding you,” he said immediately, frowning at my dejection.6c57a81afe55513b
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“If the child I sponsor shows exceptional talent in many areas, it’s a good thing. But…”2f0820b68dc10c5b
“…”09bb57f481257d03
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“Sometimes, when I look at you, I feel like you’re being chased by something.”
“C-chased?”0fb4584fa28af10c
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“Yes.”dac5ef420f603dfb
The Duke’s golden eyes were 01fe29687e filled with concern as they met mine.6d2636e9205199fd
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“Am I putting too much pressure on you to do well?”2596a8a49955daf6
“N-no!”6f4984f80a92dd38
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I shook my head vehemently.4667e6a4456fbdd6
“It’s not like that! I’m doing it because I want to!”e334067eb7a8c330
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“If that’s the case, I’m relieved…”
He trailed off, but bb8f86b146 his gaze remained unsettled.58706045ff5a06c9
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Though I didn’t know why 370e1762ed he thought that, his sharp 7b856cf224 insight made my heart skip 5903fbb323 a beat.3c8ef494e83e44a2
The truth was, I e73c4db826 did feel like I’d been chased ever since 8807161a08 I came back to d8f1b9b914 this life.281ead00a4666fec
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But it wasn’t the e23ee64473 pressure to do well—it 872a345110 was the constant worry f11428329b about how to protect cd613bd053 the Duke’s household.962404419203cc13
Earning money through original items b58bee6bd8 from the story, becoming the Crown Prince’s ally—it was all 4f005a8f89 part of that goal.22d204eda370a0d0
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In that sense, 075f93e48f my biggest concern wasn’t myself but 21deacd7c2 him.15b8f6b668b0a126
“Your Grace… do you dislike me doing things other than healing?” I asked cautiously.d9959074ecfa91ad
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“Of course not.”057370aba9865d90
His immediate denial caught me c07fdb3a14 off guard.46d681d7ed5b38ce
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“Do whatever you want. If you want to buy a building or sell something, go ahead. You don’t need my permission.”d8aa29a34dc1a7c9
“…….”f9523fb7dd34aa74
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“What kind of guardian would I be if I couldn’t support you in that way?”647a270553e7fa5e
His voice was warm a05fb02308 as he met my a8cd865f2b eyes.e8997939cd0c773e
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“What I mean, Belze, is that you don’t have to try so hard. You’re still just a child.”
“Your Grace…”5a933ed85891fc55
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“I find you remarkable, but at the same time, I hope you won’t grow up too quickly, like Edwin.”42546c6d18db974f
“…”075c09e7243ab0ce
“Maybe that’s just me being selfish.”0b266489da635b88
His last words were almost c776c7ceb6 a whisper, as if he 2ba5baf620 were speaking to himself.
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But I understood the sentiment.
‘…The Duke must feel a great deal of guilt about everything that’s happened since I came here.’4fc6d0f025158d95
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His wish for me not to grow up too fast 4ad3d062ea wasn’t just for me.9dc6e7c06a98f5a7
It stemmed from sorrow cc1e0b917b over his sons—how they f0e6032e97 must have silently endured 9bdccacef8 the careless behavior of c009d20009 the adults around them.44c33d0dac974f9f
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And now, he wished c6291033e7 the same burden wouldn’t fall on me.fe6a3102bcab1df6
‘…But, Your Grace, I’ve already grown up. There’s no more “growing up” left for me.’
Regrettably, I couldn’t grant his 24d6dd8360 wish.79e3029d8aa2f1ac
The enemies seeking to harm the 1efd055edb Duke’s family were 05a5939735 everywhere.38e95cfe19692f52
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To protect the people I cared about, I could only daa7f8c2db grow sharper and stronger.b5b106a5cfbf5f2e
* * *
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Click.1169d27cad6e0f53
Clutching the checkbook tightly 4ed475287b to my chest, I 2ba69f711e closed the study door 3653af6751 behind me and stepped 63ebad1f18 into the empty hallway.
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I was crossing 94344b76eb the silent corridor 7a04239fd0 when, as I b543142bec turned a corner—42cb7d0c941f0ce2
“Lady Belze.”5f4af129532fe984
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“Eek!”aa0906b3d605c0cd
Startled by the sudden voice, I let out a c2a6755603 loud yelp.499eb988b8c5df97
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“I couldn’t help but wonder…”1bbff8dd700091b5
The man, who seemed to d07489dbee have been waiting for me, da98e0dfe5 straightened from where he had 6ecfebe02e been leaning against the wall, fb4d0544fa blocking my path.bdba74e8b084d5e7
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“Would you care to share just a little hint about how you plan to use that checkbook?”bb8665255f41d15c
The man looking down 14ee482f00 at me with a 5f9a96fdef seemingly friendly smile was 76fe61e579 none other than Logan.5846d3798ed54207
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