Chapter 150

Edwin’s crooked grin left me a little dazed.9fa38ea04e38c1ea

At the same time, it finally hit me—our posture right now was… pretty suspicious.f068cbcf2099ec01

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Me, clinging around Edwin’s waist. Him, hugging me tightly by 1c008fffa8 the back.1f4f65a7fec51462

It was only lucky that ca28b5bb8e classes hadn’t ended yet; otherwise, f62b8295fb anyone passing by would definitely 03f63d9571 get the wrong idea.bb61306c503a9232

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“W-what do you mean, a random guy…”47efbaab6edfebaa

I hurriedly unwrapped my 9ce587b9f9 arms from around his 664e52369a waist.da54f11ffb54fe2a

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“How is Joshua a random guy…”85123aaadeb64f87

Trying to cover my 8b92c2787d awkwardness, I started stepping 4ab1136c55 back away from him.22a1b128c226eb54

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‘Huh?’975ab5fdef730876

But for some reason, c641478c63 the arm wrapped around ab6773bf86 my back wouldn’t budge.6f4259ea50987461

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As I panicked and looked a048469a45 up at him—fe92ddeada658f91

Tap tap tap!c03b01600f6671e2

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“Tch. And you said family shouldn’t cling like that!”b2306a93ba471bdd

Someone suddenly yanked me b1ccb9726d back by the shoulders.0b7e993e248abae0

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“Ah, wah!”c7fa4cc76a475756

Thanks to that, I fdb9676a27 finally managed to break f694d91235 free from Edwin’s arms.8814c6b63b0ec081

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“Big bro, you move too! I was talking to Belze nuna first, you know?!”bf8eb8295526adce

It was Josh—he was c063d21b67 clutching my shoulders protectively, 42e6481daa yelling with all his e1926d078d might.c1cf2c9351b27b08

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Edwin, now left empty-handed, 50a815af21 twitched his eyebrows dangerously.df840d0cb7a9f2fa

Then he clenched his fist.fa234faa419f34e6

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“You little brat. Is that how you act after seeing your brother for the first time in forever?”512e66abdf80eeea

“Ah!”3c0273b4b1998ad1

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His fist hadn’t even 30b1e63101 swung yet, but maybe ad7cfaa4c7 because of past experiences, bbd174b34e Josh immediately let go 3c0f989ca9 of me and covered 2942ee52d2 his head with both 105c10b63f arms.53282eec9fe03a4a

“E-Edwin!”047bf77f988d61ff

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Startled, I quickly jumped 3aaa6783eb between them.b794d227d89ce995

After Joshua had grown healthier, 3f04ebe811 the dynamic between the two 29b075b070 had shifted into something more 039674dbd7 like normal brothers.4815f77023fec280

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They bickered often, f589ad26b0 and it had 42b375241b gotten a bit 8efccd6adf rough too.e2dc961b340b01fc

‘Well, they’ve always been a bit mismatched in temperament…’666d002597de676f

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Normally, I would’ve just let 0b56fe7307 them fight it out, but 5f073adff7 today Josh had already been 33216dbcc9 through enough.ccaaa058f86ee102

So I planted my hands 75e636da5a firmly on my hips and 256291dd40 glared at Edwin.68a654e67afa0e9e

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“Why are you picking a fight the moment we’re all reunited? You’ve gotten weird.”0f9e58dbf384e2b9

“Huh?”3da75f9c5d12dfc2

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“Hug it out, both of you! Properly greet each other instead of bickering over stupid things!”3bf75d081b6c4816

I jabbed my finger a4c45f5410 at both of them, 28c6e9924f demanding they hug, and b67b8cf8c0 Edwin let out a 7a20a8d501 disbelieving scoff.bf45a615feaa6385

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Joshua, with a pout on 3c4cf2e613 his face, was equally unwilling ea601b90f7 to move.fa0c70d817ee2ac6

I frowned deeply.15199f4aeb34206a

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“Now! Or I’m telling His Grace!”cec9eb021a1e9492

Widening my eyes in f8e5e5bbe3 full warning mode, I d2ed631be8 threatened them.82cb29ac329d31ab

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Only then did the brothers d801da7fe7 grumble and start shuffling toward f74b03e71c each other.8ce8fad9428937d8

“Ugh.”77303902c212744a

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“Tch.”8a1c4d517ddc5c31

Edwin opened his arms with 1c2747aa7c a dead-fish look, nodding his 894647e724 chin like it was the 52fe7f1eb7 worst thing in the world. Joshua, looking like he 5698d0e7bc was about to die b81a226063 from embarrassment, stomped over 8e25d59b7e and threw himself into 890557de5f Edwin’s arms.8983c629d83f9068

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Watching them, I clapped my 2f1129f031 hands happily.ecf11bb9ac7b6e14

“Welcome back, Eddie!”efc93e7df55f1f2e

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* * *58935dffc5e6d66f

Unfortunately, the next 6a2366690e class bell rang 5c6d288c25 soon after.6de8355914b2bc77

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With only a d529f5a2b5 brief moment together, d2e9686d61 we had no bf806b7fba choice but to e332b3e640 return to our badcf0b206 places.3defd7534c4fda59

Josh and I went back 07b25795c2 to our classes, and Edwin, 9ca68c28d3 it turned out, had stopped e7253313ff by the Academy to file 27e23eeab8 his return report as the eb3ff980af commander of the subjugation unit.bcde8d31e5dc31fd

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We gathered again that bb4eec63ec evening, after the Duke fe12365e89 returned from the palace, 5971fefa29 to share a family 5944a52b79 dinner.5b093c457d72338c

“Let’s begin.”8856ee0f9151b6b4

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At the Duke’s signal, the fae0826b88 meal started.94a43021c04328da

Meals at the ducal da776ee8b7 house were always a def6f085c8 delight, but tonight, the 76ca6387a7 table looked especially luxurious, e1db472d9b as if the head 8c93059535 chef had put in 37be79be04 extra effort.86a5b9e615e8c094

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‘The Duke must’ve known Edwin would be coming back.’f27cbe97cf56213c

Rather than feeling hurt, I 76b0d84347 felt relieved.48eab9dd00795b22

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Honestly, when he 2fec177a3a invited us for e8818fefc4 dinner early that ba69adb7c3 morning, I had 75b2209065 been nervous, wondering 6ae33802e4 if he found 68cb1d585b out about what e7afe48322 happened at the b8554dc3a9 Academy and was eddab33fb4 going to interrogate 05b67e3810 us.beae2374d52e4604

But thankfully, it 4ac0b57dda was to celebrate a996ef6a37 Edwin’s safe return, c99f672e5e not anything else.cc2253f1674e83b4

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‘Thank goodness.’8cf87e34114c3b39

Feeling lighter, I scanned 816552bd9d the dishes, debating what 7cd7e7c9ec to eat first.d205fa653cff1881

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“Josh. Belze.”45f541a98c552746

Like a lie, the Duke 1f892d7d8f called us.efad5396222bd285

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Josh and I, who were 1123fcb22a sitting across from each other, 481d9f020d flinched at the same time ebc2d493c1 and lifted our heads.cab5b8a2deed30d4

“Y-yes?”708d953a7e3d6cae

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“D-did you call us, Father?”279cfb7ea55aeef1

Taking a sip of 8a2ab0f477 wine, the Duke nodded d8fbfd59ca heavily.84e02012b242854b

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“I heard something happened at the Academy recently.”4de4b19ac5567cd0

At the Duke’s 2ea337bd6c meaningful words, Joshua 5861dcbfd6 tightly shut his 6446c555af eyes.ce4c7ab3e7d21ca3

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It wasn’t surprising 934c481efc — he’d been 2436074660 on edge for b4b708a31e days, worried that 6408694abe if the Duke 974f2eac13 found out, he 01e94558bf might be banned 5b7a6c81a7 from attending the c6ba389197 Academy altogether.f236cd961c77ac89

The Duke’s sharp gaze, as 533a5c58fd if he already knew everything, 92469c4f69 made my knees go weak.1c70b5eecba66a50

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Instead of frozen af92041158 Josh, I quickly e325212898 opened my mouth.38ba5736722ac4e0

“W-well! There was a bit of an incident, but… nothing serious! We took care of it, so there’s nothing for you to worry about!”9b8a3fb1f4095ba6

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I shouted in a voice a207ecdba4 full of forced energy, and ec8d808174 the Duke slowly turned his 431e041f74 head to stare at me.80761a3e0d496b21

Even Edwin turned, frowning d2ae28284c like he didn’t understand 931ab6447c what was going on.ce2a47c261a22a5b

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‘I’m doomed…’8b85654a95f849e1

I could feel 06b3ed5cdf the despair sinking 0e9cf1eb1b in under the 974dbbc8c6 weight of their 1fe9fa884d stares.f44e577b95bf75fe

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The Duke took another 41cb8d1a70 sip of wine, then 69a35e3f80 pressed me further in 0868673ad9 a heavy voice.a855a4eefc0f113d

“I heard you called for Madam Cloud.”505d38db4672bb98

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“Ah, th-that, Your Grace… about Madam Cloud, it’s, um…”a91625be3e054e3a

“I’m disappointed.”16ccb4866414f681

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“…Huh?”3f77687ae0f39e9a

“I’m your legal guardian. Why did I have to hear from someone else that your guardianship might be transferred?”43d8ba7f415659a2

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“Uh…”df2d4ad300e69253

“Is it because you’re ashamed of me?”85a0d8740277ad26

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‘Ashamed…?’aca2a93367424828

My mouth dropped e7939e2414 open at his 8be18ce307 unexpected words.e422eb3a8ecdb0c3

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But before I could 5bd82f2d13 answer, the Duke continued 723069fc41 with a bitter expression.30c2ee11d949d1d5

“I see. I suppose, in the eyes of modern children, I must look rather outdated.”93213073b1a3c9dc

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“……”9c8d3ca389648cdc

“Maybe it’s time to have the butler overhaul my wardrobe…”b2a8f5798e650d09

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“N-no!”44e903d4b8af2a2a

I shouted instinctively 78ff05ac16 before the Duke 57dcaa6544 could actually carry 2a864b2ff1 out that idea.fce2f159653bb30a

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“A-ashamed? Absolutely not, Your Grace! You’re not old-fashioned at all! Absolutely not!”bc952a39183ec4da

“Then why did Madam Cloud send me a letter saying she’s now your godmother and I should hand over the sponsorship papers?”24200d1f532e5c4b

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At his next c79deb2eb8 words, I nearly 1699571ec0 collapsed from shock.f00d21b13ae73714

‘That wretched old woman! What did she do?!’e02bcd7a91611756

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While I was still stammering, 00ea8858bd the Duke added with a 47906d7a22 grave look,ea86136974ec78c3

“And why wasn’t I invited to any Academy events for your guardianship? Not for you, nor for Joshua.”4fb9a49737f2f29d

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“I-it wasn’t like that!”b0c3afd2eef7c916

Seeing the Duke d334f74938 glaring back and b02c76e741 forth between Josh c13c04ce89 and me, clearly d217cd5536 misunderstanding everything, I 93f8e3389f practically screamed.d8863e312809651c

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Then I hurriedly 170887cb3d lowered my voice.fbc646a5b665519d

“I-I asked Madam Cloud to represent you just because I thought it would be difficult for you to attend, Your Grace.”3088c90179345bbe

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“Why?”3adc072deceda085

“Huh?”1c4a6783c88c837a

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“Why would it be difficult for me?”5bc8d9d855b6885f

The Duke looked genuinely puzzled, 28fd754591 and I felt completely helpless.f27377f7a5c17d37

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“You mentioned you had an important meeting today…?”6eedef4dabcf3236

“That’s nothing. I could’ve postponed it.”1ab76ae080292ce4

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The Duke muttered coldly.4eeb6983c72efcab

“Or just had it reported to me in writing.”0ae1c1f3833d77cf

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“O-oh… I didn’t know that was an option…”3f0fd10df6822ec0

I mumbled weakly, feeling like 5911ad9896 my soul had left my f4b5e90a8a body.5ebaba151e20cef0

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“I’m disappointed.”9956d76da046fe0b

The Duke let out another 7035fbe06e low sigh.0f4f913aee82ba8f

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I hadn’t expected this kind 805c266497 of reaction at all, so 7257cba2a9 I was completely stunned.1eea142d7b01a9c2

When I glanced at Joshua, aa5c938e17 he looked just as bewildered.f552d733c29b3056

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‘We were sure he’d scold us if he found out…’60afd147440acc26

Especially after what happened 4fc9ff1a17 — Joshua had practically b8e8aac427 handed over family assets f10434aa1e without a fight. The Duke, who 71461a9b2e was usually strict 77def86ad0 and valued the 1a80778b3e pride of House e416e04072 Kallios, should have 87249f6cb2 been furious.ffb3926f71bee0a6

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‘But instead, he’s… disappointed.’64a632923cd77a7b

Thinking it over, a42b19fe8b I realized he ce0595b0a8 did have a eb79dda35d point.058583cbfadd2f40

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A complete stranger had 911e50ab3d acted as our guardian 7d287b7840 in his place, and 0ca3f62e0b he only heard about 5854a52d9b it after the fact.e414ba64d286e1fd

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”6a0f2b18f3eae602

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Feeling calmer, I apologized first.776903add5caa81d

“The reason we didn’t tell you was because… Joshua and I thought we could handle it ourselves, and I didn’t want you to have to deal with a bunch of overly fussy noblewomen.”46d4d8d0f1514033

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The main reason was that 874dc603c9 Joshua was scared, of course.c60b0107c1ee33fe

But I carefully chose my e0204b93b8 words to soothe the Duke’s b34bed18c1 hurt feelings.47ce36d26f5a4638

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“You know how the noblewomen would talk. I didn’t want rumors spreading that the Duke of Kallios had to rush to the Academy over his children.”ddbdc6a1f39a9d3a

“……”0b88edc6f30aa50b

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“And more than anything, I didn’t want you to see me as a problem child causing trouble the moment I entered the Academy.”2c6518f53c3fcad5

I gave him a 2ad7079397 sheepish smile as I ba495cfee6 added,54b6694c31f206f3

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“No child wants to get caught doing something wrong by their parents, right?”c9c97466ed78258b

It was a roundabout 37b1d22ba9 way of covering for a0c06433ca Joshua too.bc3c2dcf2d25bf6a

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For some reason, 12b7f5edd3 the Duke’s stiff bd077a1ad3 expression softened instantly.16eb3d7d4ed35140

“……Hmm.”3434370963e5a403

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He nodded and fc29f736a6 finally spoke again.513d3f76566bcf43

“But from what I heard, the issue wasn’t caused by you, Belze. There’s a different culprit.”dee5ad20b148dbf4

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“Hic.”7ba07c8135da91ad

At the Duke’s 28d946acaf side glance, Joshua 3a61811315 flinched visibly.d43194ad39e1781c

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He might have been trying e7c97b5282 to soften it, but the c7eab9e816 meaning was clear.d21ef89f73f4275a

“We’re family. Joshua’s problems are my problems too!”6d201764ae8d7de4

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I hurriedly threw myself back f24a146800 into the conversation, flashing an cc540af572 awkward grin.a46d7717b75f7e40

“And honestly, I wasn’t exactly innocent either.”533fec002c834a8b

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“Hmm?”78d83ad3f47bb7cc

The Duke tilted his 730bd285e0 head, confused.dafae2a2b624b9d9

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I figured he probably didn’t know the full details of what had happened at the Academy’s main office today.8a51d2a6be1789ed

After all, there 3a3b4c9e56 were barely any cbb665709c witnesses, and even 93c954a0a9 if Madam Cloud f74932c9c9 wrote a letter, 3a0275845e there were limits 4722a916e1 to how much f0f1eff5dc she could explain.507ddcd95c96312e

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And I was right.b5472822390551c5

“It was because of Gomgomdori. I used him to beat up the troublemakers.”055d55d3db22d878

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“Ohh.”759096c006682863

I whispered sneakily, and e0850a57f9 the Duke clapped his ba99e43b1e hands in admiration, wearing 247228e5c4 an amused smile.b4340585c5ede150

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“But still, it was Josh who knocked out Danvers Campbell, the main culprit.”d0bb312d79c3881c

“Well done, Joshua.”6f7217c1b600c857

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At my little fib, the d52a48f7b6 Duke finally turned to Josh 6b02bd78a8 and praised him.c6d3a48c9beeb0a5