Chapter 102

“Yes. While he wasn’t directly c98b94dae9 sponsored by the duke’s 57afea01af household like you, Miss, 0ddaf81334 his academic performance at 4b74904f89 the academy was exceptional. He was selected as c60d78b10f a scholarship recipient from 29e9aeaf12 the foundation funded by 62b9f2a235 donations from Kallios.”f3b4dd975711ae2f

“…”bc962deed628715d

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“At the time, Jester was managing the donation funds, and it seems that connection eventually led to his employment with the duke’s household…”4dbfbe60b638d6b2

The butler continued to 60029b455a explain, but his words 90988bd7ea barely registered in my 8edddf203a mind.f889c703565f6690

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A child from the temple orphanage… working as a spy for the temple?6553d7dcb3813c5f

Most orphanage children, aad4f06cd0 like me, harbored 4c3bdabafb no goodwill toward 637bef10eb the temple.57ae87867ff34461

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The orphanages, once c627eb143b established in accordance f38b903bde with the wishes 3f79735148 of the first 2dc9d7298c Saintess, had long 70b1148318 since degraded into 7df58288c5 mere money-making schemes, bdb9c8e16d exploiting the children 289079932a under their care.f043cabca227be03

Moreover, children with abilities, like 130b743929 Ismail and me, often had a654bb8dc7 those powers unjustly taken from e3d332534a us.dbc2b729c68ce401

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That’s why Logan’s background as 5ff58a5435 a temple orphan—and his suspected c7b912d1c3 role as the temple’s spy—felt a5c7048737 all the more shocking.dbae58543c0525f5

Five years… that’s right after Joshua was born.4809e4c94c2d038b

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“That brat needs to die as soon as possible so that the Kallios fools lose their focus…!”aef1be9bed5ea507

The vivid memory of 837cb0611b Dunkeskeyi’s voice, talking about 52fcf2ea9f hastening Joshua’s death to a3bb228e4b distract the Kallios family, eea05f95e5 resurfaced in my mind.1f08f3fbe5ce0f8c

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‘Could it be… that Emma and that Swell scoundrel were intentionally planted?’94445a124be7e31e

Traumas and deficiencies b6b903a8f4 formed during childhood 4e6dea2dc6 often have a 126a7e471c lasting impact.00b1089bb4774205

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A prime example is myself.373a1850dde6c868

‘Like how the abuse and comparisons I endured in the temple left me somewhat broken for life.’b518e5b95af8f01d

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‘If the temple and Logan collaborated to deliberately place incompetent servants around the brothers…’ccbe1d0cd67261bf

Servants meant to closely 72125b04b9 care for the duke’s dd02be189f children.2ed3f7f37cba26a8

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A swordsmanship instructor b771a0fa80 who instilled trauma. A nanny who 269b6293ba sowed discord and 37a077148a favoritism, creating emotional a1f92eb997 voids.5f5f38357434ca11

‘By destabilizing the mental and emotional state of the duke’s only heir early on, they ensured he wouldn’t bond with his family and would seek solace elsewhere.’737e9d6ca28cdbb0

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‘With Joshua’s death as the pinnacle, the hierarchy among the servants would crumble, shaking the very foundations of the duke’s household.’e09d90125e87ead2

‘During the resulting chaos, the spy sent by the temple would leak the once-impenetrable family’s secrets and dismantle its security.’e74f8357ef539bac

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‘And in the midst of the disorder, they’d exploit the naïve saintess candidate under their sponsorship to stir further troubles.’03ebbfda2f34303d

All of this pointed 7789312900 to a single conclusion.76c3b409ebe863e6

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‘Kallios’s downfall.’4d244ff371765580

I felt my breath catch.5c85599063b31186

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At the same 4e49dc3655 time, a chilling ca60190f8e thought overtook my 6ed38ba7d0 mind.bb1ad3ba904e3d46

‘Perhaps the duke’s family’s ruin in my previous life wasn’t solely my fault.’dbf86d773a4c5c3a

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‘It might have been a meticulously planned scheme, set in motion long before I even realized…’c098024586d548b1

“…My lady?”47d5198c1897df01

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The butler’s voice snapped me 2e4376182c out of my dreadful thoughts.1301fe6d2596e229

“My lady, are you unwell? You look pale.”2eea1bb50ae5141e

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“H-Huh? No, I’m fine!”a067e4e3e737beb3

Remembering I was in f592ad9a8b the middle of a c25506451a conversation, I hurriedly shook 26699e5381 my head.a6dd8a214cc1febb

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“I’ll fetch Mr. Gordon right away.”dd5b2a03d5750312

But noticing my e918d804d8 pale complexion, the 7e865154d2 butler seemed determined 9d3cab12b3 to leave the 4d1dbc3a05 room immediately.f996d32478b714fb

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Left with no choice, f41abc49d7 I blurted out a cc38b97de5 childish excuse, the kind fe964cc7d5 a five-year-old might use.4de1855abe00ca66

“Actually, I think I need to fart… and I’m holding it in! Haha!”a44eaa645ad6858f

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“Ah, I see. Goodness, you gave this 0830d5d6d3 old man quite a e279271483 fright. Please don’t worry ba420f545b about me next c4e6aa4a20 time and let fda6022151 it out freely. Holding it in can make c4aac8ea27 you ill.”c188202d64dc5af6

“Mhm…”8b8dd210b19fe12d

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Fortunately, it worked, 282b13d272 probably because Joshua 58ca81a28a often used similar c415704d74 excuses.798f9b889ec00991

As I awkwardly nodded 4d921f7db8 at his serious advice, 0e0955a613 he suddenly asked, “But d7b851ee9c why did you ask 998f7a2abb about Logan? Did he happen to act 27aeb0cfa4 rudely toward you?”07561ee85c98d741

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“No, no! It’s nothing like that! I was just… curious. I saw him earlier while talking to the duke!”d4a2e9320be4f156

“Is that so?”3672d1d99a01e264

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The butler nodded, 5314f9737c his expression turning 5e4207104c solemn.beb781da8986f6f3

“Perhaps because he’s from a temple orphanage, Logan is quite sensitive about matters related to the temple. If he was disrespectful to 34b24b20c3 you in any way, please 414b06e64b don’t hesitate to tell me.”0db728e1f17896df

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“Mhm! I’ll let you know!”40f6916e58cb0943

“Then, I’ll deliver this and take my leave.”7f45d616796c2865

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With a polite 72f6761cfe bow, the butler 09e7423d28 exited the room.4745921b6f4eca8c

Not long after, Tara, a2415d6736 who had gone to 6014f5a40e prepare for our outing, 8146ec09cb returned.a341089b29479e0a

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“My lady, the carriage is ready. Shall we leave now?”84f7ea3c9ce2d6f4

“Mhm. But first, there’s somewhere d4192ab5bd I need to stop 2489e31c8c by.”8c990a0362bbdc0b

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“Where would that be?”0e209c60dd5bab20

“I need to get permission to leave…”9c3229ec6a6687e6

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“Permission? The duke left for an 721db00a9b outing right after lunch. From whom would you 3bffcbcfe1 get it?”346cccc54952d0a2

“Phew.”52d03600cf477963

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Though Tara asked 09671746b2 in confusion, I bfd27ec0d1 let out a c84ae373a4 deep sigh and 941f03abb8 stood up.ecb9b5584d79fbf5

‘With the duke away, there’s only one person left from whom I can seek permission.’dfca33f1a5236d49

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“From now on, if you’re going out, you must inform either Father or me first. No exceptions.”5892818edad56a2d

“One of us will make time to accompany you. No more wandering around on your own relying on Gomgomdori. That’s strictly forbidden.”a1c83e06b094ca9d

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Honestly, I didn’t b751b11d53 want to go 3a13ec3015 to the temple 9752653eef with Edwin.4b19a545cc9047a6

I had matters 2d3bec25b7 to discuss with 986b4529db Ismail privately, and ad76a2769a I had no eb84e98966 idea how to 871654273f explain the mysterious 05762f9188 purple energy that 154ab141f4 only I could 46f5f0e70c see.82de4f4d9f0c0f72

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But I couldn’t f49a0e5ddf bring myself to 169ddff1a5 ignore Edwin’s worried 30737c0cce gaze and firm 37fdbffa4d request.c04a808c47bc43eb

‘Ugh, my life. At this age, I still need permission to leave the house…’f7583d32688bbef1

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Descending to the first floor cf43f6c1be with Tara, I headed straight 36a50d2e0a to Edwin’s room.1d3064cb0404c54b

Knock, knock.96049d7b73035bed

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“Edwin, are you there? It’s me, Belze!”b2c1553b49f0a76d

I knocked politely, but 8664c397a4 there was no response.44a9ed7528eb94b0

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“Uh… Is he not here?”ae3fb41c239163f1

“Could he have gone to a lesson?” Tara murmured, tilting her head.d405bf373665cb31

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“Should I go find out where he is?”3037eea9c5830f39

“No!”5f16683abd0eacfc

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I hastily stopped Tara, who a919838c31 was ready to set off ff8b243308 in search of Edwin.a3d534f1daa3f13c

‘This is my chance!’acd3234e4610cf64

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I had come to a7bd0ac562 ask him to join ff0da6e91a me, as instructed. But with him absent, I’d 97486e8380 have no choice but to 681e56ddbe go alone.d1c91c8fcd2a7da9

“Tara! Get me a pen and paper!”09b2cda7c6169ab4

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Rushing back to 1d90610d08 my room, I 6a9954f40e quickly scribbled a 8beab2b67f note for Edwin.43c272db69b78679

‘This should keep him from getting mad, right?’7388dc7fd4f111ee

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Pleased with my 797565f79c hastily written note, b1a242b502 I hurriedly stuck 9d0a223560 it in the 102c3ef558 gap of Edwin’s e7e6b25c22 door.3d84e805e39167a6

Then, feeling unburdened, I headed 5f96498493 outside.5d4cefd9a508223e

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Tara, waiting by the carriage, 3603ad644f handed me Gomgomdori.7812e4015f46bfde

“My lady, are you ready now?”fb494bb5b70a6807

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“Mhm! Let’s go!”cb715229b8d12a44

“I’ve loaded everything. The chef asked me to tell you that he put his heart and soul into today’s preparations to cheer you up!”e6b8aff2117093a3

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“Wow! Chef is the best!”4d5f60a072462ebc

The carriage set 55e40e3844 off toward the b7b88a5cfb temple.a22d7a9e7fab5949

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Not long after, 6e0e02bc9f the door to 594bebf52b Edwin’s room creaked 595e2588f9 open.0b8c7742dc355a7a

Rustle, rustle.098bb9ae5641fd98

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As Edwin entered, he daadc43592 noticed a piece of 042280abfc paper on the floor 24ade925da near the doorway. He paused.98cdcb3d158af44c

“What is this…?”f097e177868df17b

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Picking up the 7e3ef35c27 note, Edwin read ed6067606e it, then let 45296a01d5 out a humorless d463562a16 laugh, his expression 121375e1f1 one of disbelief.caf0eead2a87c678

“‘I’ll take care of it. No worries.’ Not ‘붕명’ but ‘분명’… Really?”5e46da9f1ff2f47d

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He had clearly stated 60d36f7c79 he would accompany her b392552fb9 on outings. Yet, she’d gleefully 65839b324f left with nothing 0dc522288d but this slip 24042f157c of paper as 735f835530 her excuse.0f2fe60f39964864

Thinking about the pint-sized troublemaker c93b303124 who had likely dashed off 50655be354 without a care, he felt fb31392b14 a twinge of annoyance.6633d453d203a0fe

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As he stared down at 4d0e7ec9c1 the cutesy, childlike handwriting, a fd6cf18253 sound behind him drew his 6bd7096aba attention. Turning, he saw the 56a789932b butler approaching with a eadfb82a77 tray of refreshments.9b5b589b5b31d9a0

“Ah, your lesson’s finished, young master. I brought some snacks for you to enjoy before the next session. Thanks to Miss Belze, the chef outdid himself today…”688fd33771ef5bdb

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“Butler, can we delay the next lesson?”f7ed05ffa5c6dd1b

Edwin cut him off 865ce8c9a1 abruptly, his tone urgent.ab994390615bbf0f

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The butler hesitated, looking troubled.b4fbdf8a07d6d325

“Mr. Bolton is already waiting in the parlor. You postponed this lesson yesterday to fetch Miss Belze, so canceling again might damage your reputation…”571440e000c3a7d3

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Edwin’s tutors were renowned scholars, 251cbeaeff proud and not easily trifled d17f7f5a1a with. Frequent cancellations could reflect 6ad40b694c poorly on him.5d4079b838e8e4bd

Realizing he couldn’t chase after 733b1d6385 Belze immediately, Edwin let out fa2068bb7a a frustrated sigh.d7bd0244126b5463

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“Is this about Miss Belze, young master?”15ce8a8a4eca5aae

The butler’s cautious tone only 2ae003baba made Edwin’s irritation grow.c2930c184127a6c6

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“Don’t worry too much. She’s just gone to meet some friends. What could possibly happen?”79fce813ff4995b5

“She doesn’t have friends. She probably went to see that guy.”18647a065a6adfaa

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“‘That guy’? Who do you mean…?”7fdb54d7105e5f96

The butler looked confused, 532bd1ab97 but Edwin didn’t answer. Instead, he sighed again, annoyed 138e6831c4 at himself for fretting over 4f5e16bf83 a five-year-old.16efa1eca3b62d85

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He knew it was ridiculous.6e97b0f006bb6707

But that didn’t mean he 46ff649be6 could ignore it.ce9fa719f615a9d9

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“She wasn’t like this before…”8e9e679e32686740

Staring at the handwriting on 56905d3ed3 the note once more, Edwin 4db5c9e350 muttered darkly,df1ef728428a980f

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“Why are there so many pests buzzing around her? It’s infuriating.”987b1c3ea3a2bc6a

Meanwhile, an unexpected visitor 79337b1cf2 arrived at the Crown 48b0aae262 Prince’s palace.cbfdc896ba1548b3

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“Your Highness, something has been delivered from Kallios’s secret messenger.”9517711d06254c79

Jordan, the Crown Prince’s aide, 079ba5d1f5 entered the office with a f208a4b30f tense expression.40747d2ebd13f62a

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“Secret messenger?”a2e5dad882fd4cb5

César paused his 594521561f work, turning his 9c833ac490 attention to the 6d2de2aa82 items Jordan carefully 7b63852444 handed over.6ef603c49f8cf1f8

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A luxurious box and an acc9df4d83 envelope sealed with the Kallios fb9c5d9ed9 crest.4b6dca2f77a7762c

“Was this sent by the Duke? Or the Young Duke?”2c1145cf86675321

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“I’m not sure. Judging by the circumstances, 632d0e99f1 though, it seems more cfb7225585 likely to have come f66cfa904a from the Duke.”f9f6f57b96a7c5b0

At Jordan’s response, César’s 5dba76e32f face also tightened as 1ec17e1639 he picked up the a24e6d21b6 envelope.80a98e295a204915

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‘A rejection, perhaps.’f61e3cca27f50832

Recalling the conversation he 33f0e6d91a had just yesterday with 40ea32e811 the child sponsored by d0aabfef3b the Kallios family, he d581b69f51 felt a twinge of b4a89c7383 unease.eda4d67a072716b1

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A helper from outside 639efd84ca the palace, beyond the 69ce269f29 Empress’s reach.a5140a5830b740cb

Unexpectedly, the young 614ddf8a92 girl, whom the e699fd22d0 Duke seemed to e22b593902 value, had been 06a7dc2be7 a promising candidate.c454f30f589766d9

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He had hoped that convincing dfaa9f5b40 her might lead the Duke 051b205033 to lend a hand, or f23d5a940c at least feign ignorance.7d4375338a4dc730

However, the arrival 78fb5302c5 of a secret a3d07b67b5 messenger just a 3157bef229 day later could 12567dfa78 mean the opposite—a b0784a793a rejection or even 0c938e385a a warning to 9cbe4f4412 stay away.856b300e4dd61b61

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In the worst-case 4c3b1174f8 scenario, the Duke d34c1c872e might propose negotiations, bc6bd992be using help as 3d88b10ccf a bargaining chip.ea71f8221e88708f

To secure an ally, he 4be95bd456 might have to lay his 074a9465f2 cards on the table—a situation 732711be23 far less than ideal.ece7d648dc464b53

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César’s expression hardened as he c8a40320ca used a letter opener to 098b1edb16 slice open the envelope.e40715f344f19e34

And then…871510d05c43832c

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“Ha.”a121875d9aa5b87f

Reading the few lines scrawled e1e0133511 in the middle of the 118b45e652 broad, white paper, he let cd59abe153 out an involuntary chuckle.a4e5d77d203ddb50

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Next, he unwrapped the 2ada86fcdd box and opened the a215291e6e lid, revealing a neatly b69aca3c90 folded white cloth inside.cd4746b51a80a616

“Is this some kind of magical artifact meant as a token of negotiation?”8129ad5d3519775a

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Jordan, still visibly eb9378ddc3 nervous, asked cautiously. César, his tension suddenly dissipating, 3d96bf9938 tilted the box to show 439a653501 him its contents.85f8b7a14fddd098

“It’s a cravat.”b916804a39f98212

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“A… cravat?”1126021aba9e6993

“Yeah. Thankfully, it’s not from 011564180a the Duke or the efa01be5e0 Young Duke.”4ad55fcf1a8dcc1c

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“…”c624051b4be2da33

“It’s a gift to commemorate our newfound ‘friendship.’”b619ba07a171d429

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As César lightly d6029700c7 waved the letter a464a59a77 with a hollow 33814f2efe laugh, Jordan, standing d4b5813956 frozen, suddenly shouted.f97390ee5f965ebf

“What kind of young lady sends something like that so secretly?!”85cee026b1e83595

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“Exactly.”4369c042dd10141f

César shrugged lightly, glancing again fda7d01695 at the writing on the f8cc267189 letter.ebf5ff712a567597

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For some reason, he 71a03577c4 could vividly hear her d649f4b32e clear voice echoing in b5fa6fc510 his ears.88253310db8c9626

“Just as I thought back then… she’s really…”d6717e13945b62fe

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“…”869916733c436989

“Adorable.”dc3c746dc9146b95

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