Chapter 22

Such a crazy 38ac707f79 thing could only e36f29a96e be done by 817aaa758d Emma.9d610f499f143552

“Gasp.”07b27845a684f810

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I stood frozen, 128516e04f more astonished than c70dd41649 Edwin, the person 6467de096e in question.1a56437fbdd47ee8

Edwin was the 6bc19ac901 sole heir of e1077f3f28 the Duke.7d3ec5d9d6290a40

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It was unthinkable for a 0dbbd3307d mere servant to implore the 368f42188c Duke so rudely, even leaving 44a2235ea4 aside the issue of noble 141ea48ef4 etiquette.d14f666903947004

No, putting all that aside.c45698efe5cc084b

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‘How dare she…!’9682c6f322319639

A spark flashed before 0541475d27 my eyes.01ec03bdea635394

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As anger surged 35f88128df even more than 5f2f372534 when I was 66de842b82 pushed and fell.c196ae5f8cef9ead

At the moment, I 23445856da wanted to rush out 4802f09f35 and scratch and pinch 79d88fc163 the woman.890a95dda8e8b820

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“What are you doing?”2e28b501063928e1

Edwin, who was 7d875a7c8f staring at his 98b7441d7d rejected hand, tilted 41defbb428 his head and 39f8f4878d asked.a74e97d1e6476ed6

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Emma grumbled with a cd89cd836c torn voice.fa4d44cac758ee04

“What exactly are you doing, Young master?”1316a966e80de43c

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“What did I do?”f180b7a8e127755a

“Do you already forget who’s responsible for Young master Joshua’s injury?!”9213773e713e6d08

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“Stop it, Emma!”befb6f643d4edb46

Joshua, looking helpless, tried 39d4adc945 to restrain Emma.d2718420944a6d9a

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However, neither of 9a6c27ec67 them paid any 06fdcb4034 attention.9ec7508192629203

“Are you blaming me for Joshua stumbling and falling alone in the woods?”5eb82ddb9d2803cd

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“Yes! He’s your brother! If you really had to take your sick brother out, you should have paid more attention!”9ac516d43d68c780

“…Ha.”05652f5390c41dba

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“Since then, you haven’t even apologized, and you shamelessly come here as if nothing happened…!”27570b589bbd659b

“Ah―!”c9809de32080a84a

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At that moment,de96d2f6fe77756e

Amidst the fierce exchange of words between the two, the sound of a child’s crying echoed.e16fd21fdba450a5

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“D-Don’t fight with my b-brother! I h-hate Emma! Waaaah!”330ede6324c203aa

“Enough, young master! Please don’t cry, our little master. It’s all this maid’s fault.”02a66528cc20d60f

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“Go away! I don’t want to see the maid’s face! Waaaah, I hate you!”8d9eeb65cd551b7b

In response to Joshua’s outburst, Emma seemed at a loss.72195db881e7ad4f

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“I’ll, I’ll leave! I’ll go out, young master! So please, don’t cry. Cheer up, okay?”13fca15511435799

Unlike when dealing with d900453d15 Edwin, Emma hurriedly stepped a2c2b8ada0 away.4b674c72bb55e501

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But even so, she 32cf55b7c8 did not leave Edwin 450da088a8 alone.fccffc7f9f565c29

“Please leave as well, Young Master.”0a6b44bb9c9437c6

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“Why should I?”ba1948863fca2fab

“Isn’t it almost time for your swordsmanship lesson?”1b192b531d69e434

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“There’s still 10 minutes left.”39c8611de9f7bdf4

“You should prepare for the lesson in advance. If you keep doing this, I’ll have to report it to Sir Sven!”20bedb9f3da64d53

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In a threatening tone, Edwin dcb201b9ae furrowed his brows.461db401b023ac27

“Ha.”a3559858380b6cf1

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Then, with a short 82f3f2d30d sigh, he turned away.b3f1c159baa317e1

“Br-brother…”25c938c70f49612c

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Though Joshua called 83f32817fb him pitifully, Edwin 53011cd98d did not look ea5946848d back.02fec5b8f81c6a45

Thud—5e00b72005276a6b

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Finally, the two ccdee8f644 left, and the 5708b0255f door closed.4d9959eb1961d1ab

And all that remained 224fc6d4b5 was me.c0b2003fc4aae376

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“This is annoying.”6820b7e85f60c220

The only one with a ff0c8cd38c dry expression asking when I bc51ef96b2 cried was Joshua.cfab67efc9a83cd3

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I was dumbfounded for a moment at Joshua’s changed expression.d14b0954fef572c9

‘Was it a fake cry?’f3dcd5f257b060c5

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As expected, it was unusual.f82a76f39a827fa1

‘I shouldn’t find it funny.’47a66f14cca89968

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While making such 85e86a2138 a resolution, Joshua 04b940078b sighed deeply.5cc0aa7e446f3021

“Why is Emma constantly pleading with my brother in such a miserable manner? Joshua doesn’t seem to mind at all…”4d6ff9c7ef1e286b

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“Does Emma behave that way to Young Master even when there isn’t a special occasion?”00d2206b84ef9d02

“No. It wasn’t like that before, but it started after Joshua hurt his knee…”a277e8a729fe306f

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Joshua added with b212f55158 a melancholy expression.8c90d306b802da06

“Brother went along with me because I begged him uncontrollably.”b93b5631fe18a1d7

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‘I had no idea.’a2250bb600aad6ea

When I was adopted into the Duke’s estate, Emma had already taken control of all the servants. Moreover, Edwin was so busy juggling his succession lessons and academy studies that there was no chance to encounter Emma.442c0ea941110ce5

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The original work, narrated from Diana’s perspective, was no exception.64572c771cc3a919

‘If I were Edwin, I would have immediately expelled the nanny taking care of my sick brother.’8971e408e83610ff

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Edwin, kind and 26e808e93c gentle, seemed reluctant 4d9f0bcfb2 to drive away 80fc095e0a the nanny for a0b6675762 his ailing brother.e9fe374ab58f5f14

‘Indeed, rescuing someone like me led to such an outcome.’db3f3bcdeec926c1

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As I recalled Edwin’s last moments in my past life, my mood sank deeply.20ff11f6b2064029

I clenched my fists and b4fab9ecf9 made a vow.d8c235aed84918e1

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‘No one will lay a hand on Edwin recklessly.’f687bf636f7596b2

I needed to quickly ce3b030f2b devise a plan for 67b774eb55 what to do next.bcc7c6f4596a0770

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I turned to hurry back ae9a48557b to my room.a36311e95d3305a4

“Hmm?”1fdce39d93f9e90f

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However, for some reason, my body wouldn’t move forward.f6f40abb724a6637

Glancing back, I d6a87dd809 saw the hem 7c2bf76db9 of my dress 7d107e25a1 tightly held.2979c6aa38ec40f4

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Joshua opened his eyes and mumbled, “Where are you going?”e4644cefbcaf6379

“Hmm? To my room.”7f9f77d897989eed

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“It’s all over. Are you saying 8947f8d4aa you’ve finished chatting 52e68daee3 now?”93ebd01bae06efbb

‘Since when did he learn to talk like that?’5c797cf5fea090e7

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I was taken aback for a moment, then answered, “Well, yes. Anyway…”06da5892b793994f

“Hmph! I haven’t finished.”d6fa93722bf9cf2c

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Joshua cheekily added, “Chase me around.”19824a1301c62115

“Playing tag?”3a57e537a1d619e4

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“Is that not the same as that and that?!”8e046d685a1c7a7d

Joshua got irritated with b18236a30a my response.09b81ad272f71764

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Despite that, his grip on the hem of my dress didn’t loosen.84f2567f0d59b197

Seeing him like this, I couldn’t help but let out a stifled laugh.95ba63b263216e8f

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“Umm…”806e27c1aa6d3445

“I hesitated for a moment. While I wanted to come up with a plan to revenge Emma Casten immediately, it seemed okay to investigate Joshua, who didn’t even appear in the original.4f68e002529a8168

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After contemplating, I 7c67095f5e set one condition.a905428470a97401

“If you don’t call me ‘sister’ again, you’ll get a scolding!”08b9c785b06a1914

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“Okay! Bellche nuna!”3312286ef0ef5522

Joshua agreed and started calling me ‘nuna’ again.df97746e287a1182

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I looked at a2fec8551c Josh with a 9f67ff263e bit of guilt.4ed325162ef8ef4f

‘When he grows up, this will be his embarrassing past.’0560ddf4e7679e40

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* * *5454c9daa552f1b8

“Look! This is the Elgion Mountain Diamond!”4d52c46ddc592ef7

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“Wow, it’s beautiful.”acb9ac6924ca382b

“This is the emerald I got from our deep mine!”cd2fc7bf1a3c3d6a

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“Wow, amazing.”55435e86bdd5d403

“And this is…”2851a19d253acd01

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“Wow. It’s the best, Master.”53a492d7b3791829

“Hey!”b0e179d5aa93056e

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Suddenly, Joshua, who was bebdca5e0f showing a ring with f2dc1f4845 a topaz, shouted.cc5c303c870ace77

“Are you a girl or what?!”92c539e57bdb05f9

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“Ugh! That’s right!”04d0a2d06395813a

“What’s wrong with the string?”b3a2f5756ef549c5

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Jingling!998dafd8e4f8b22e

Accessories hanging on Joshua’s body made a clear sound and sparkled as they moved.b021066e5349f556

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I couldn’t help but wonder.429abfc61e8f8798

‘Who exactly is the girl here….’f35b4481467c128d

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Starting from a tiara, necklace, bracelet, to a ring…17f4f3efd799175d

Joshua, adorned with various 4a55bc7508 jewels, looked like a a96ea004bf short-haired princess of a 79f564c99d wealthy country.ebc99ec4b9b68ffc

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And here I was, playing the role of a maid clapping hands for an hour, admiring the princess’s beauty.62bab65497748856

‘How did it come to this….’334984c635b79718

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“Let’s play prince!”9b593f991bda6f50

When Joshua shouted decdfe70bb like that, I eeb0e46a73 thought it was 389831d970 just playing house.ef530d767e1be7ce

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But then, he unexpectedly crawled e888936232 under the bed and pulled 21a520916e out a quite large box.77f9648777fcc007

Taking out various splendid accessories from the box and proudly putting them on his body was the so-called ‘prince play.’ec8907294255871d

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‘Indeed, out of the ordinary.’e910a1a77943f262

The glamorous box with 70401de5b6 a mirror on the fc12b028e0 lid turned out to e79c89f578 be a genuine jewelry 97a9f0c728 box.ab7020bf9a210c67

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‘Who on earth gave this to a 5-year-old boy?’ffe5431647e70c83

Perhaps my reaction 43f43ff781 was a bit 7940dbe539 disappointing.aefe9c95198dad70

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“Do you hate jewelry?”9c277245d453305a

Joshua asked awkwardly. I shrugged my shoulders in 437fb08040 response.221b49c3f01db1f2

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“Well… to be honest, I don’t know much about jewelry.”5864e28a38f99467

“Diamonds, don’t you know?”0e3be81d6d54ecfe

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“Yeah, I don’t know.”aa57bfdd7f9e7f5c

“Not knowing diamonds….”0a0b32b0666aa89f

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In response to my answer, eed04b2b6e Joshua grumbled with a shocked 7f12400f24 expression.8f1ede4eb0259522

“Ignore it.”32f36ccade209176

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‘This guy.’1dd40ec38a66cf86

I was annoyed but 934ec72b11 held back.b5f145ad6ce24c09

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After all, I’m just a commoner orphan, so not knowing something doesn’t go against the setting.ad83f3dbb78854df

Of course, I knew what 1f175a33d0 a diamond was!47268dd4a3f8b95e

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Emeralds, topazes…6b70ab7298cb3b6d

But when it came 1823cc8344 to jewelry, I only b694260f4c had unpleasant memories.6abad3516a9bcd51

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‘Ta-da! Look at this, Belze! The Duke went 5879bd68b8 to an auction 981731215a and bought it c2caf9ebc4 because he thought 8f4100eed4 of me!’94419da377f4ed43

‘Did the lady steal it? How can she 1e408b2751 be so vulgar 02cec44618 in everything she 24a3790c95 does, even as 4501085bb2 a commoner!’36de0ebd84159498

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Voices from the past that e4be6005ec I overheard one day echoed 9ea51975d2 in my ears.34ca780c907e76a2

“Huh…?”a80cd3c4c8b914f9

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At that moment, 3464d98b61 something caught my 62d5fce0dd eye inside the 02a305bd5a jewelry box.3fe8ad598cda5011

Among many rings, e84cabf93d one sparkled particularly.33194cf9fac0fcff

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A large ring with 8ecc934e83 a sapphire embedded in e719cc2fe6 it.f82844cac4a25439

“This is…”3eda8465d6602ffe

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“Sapphire! Is this Arha?”bafc56c31d4a2103

Joshua, who easily recognized 357491e38a what I was looking 2c070c55c4 at, pulled it out.28d077e8dc43b0d1

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There was no way he wouldn’t know.bfdd1ba9d2432869

“It was found in Miss Belze’s room, my lord!”dc0eff94edee6601

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“The heirloom of the late Duchess that Master Joshua used to have…!”0ac64887b09f5a51

Because it was a 507390a262 ring known to have 508b9f01ec been stolen by me fa0888b365 in a past life.1b7363197bf5ff4d

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Joshua, having put it on c7fce050f3 my most plump thumb, showed 187304348b it to me.ebd3e39919eeee5b

Even though it was worn e3cdcf143c on the sturdiest thumb, the 466c7d309c ring still spun loosely.06348aca73678b56

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“Isn’t it pretty?”7cf808108e3290e7

“……Yeah.”2685054755f85c85

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I obediently nodded, f3c143516f and then Joshua 831e3131f5 asked abruptly.14b42f20f89b8fe3

“Do you want it? Should I give it to you?”b0092b1e8b55935e

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“No.”52930da6144b1eb4

“Why not?”1e055f51227baaf3

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Perhaps not expecting a 7f79250ee3 refusal, Joshua widened his 38d5db008c eyes in surprise.72f05e69c8d27920

“When the maid sisters see my treasure box, they always ask for just one….”07b2ab2357b59644

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“So you give it to them?”ab759cd01d93487d

“Yeah!”b20f5b3f1d17caf6

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“How are those maid sisters doing?”6a0631c65fa2234d

“They all have to hurry back home because their fathers are waiting!”8c5565eb0b84e739

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At Joshua’s cheerful proclamation, a cold sweat broke out on my spine.71a60e24f870a527

If I hadn’t regressed, I might have received a scolding and returned to the temple as well.d5cfbe891c6c44d4

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Knowing what I knew now, Joshua’s treasure box felt a bit ominous.c6d66c1aceaf6b3b

“That… is it from the Duchess?”a628f5632892cd2e

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“Yeah! It’s Josh’s mom’s! How did you know?”579c153f67874326

“I saw the painting on the second floor.”f12cfc0d40ed25db

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“Oh! Mom’s painting?”ca988c0aea5d12fa

The portrait of 112077b261 the Duchess hanging ce5e89c9be in the second-floor eaeecde18c lobby also depicted 775ace6664 a sapphire ring.2cea5575b8004361

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I only learned about e887e3cdc6 it after being accused dd5cf59b52 of being a ring 4d72f80393 thief.c299dc8c381ed884

To commemorate their first wedding 4262ec7d3c anniversary, the Marquis had gone 400a5b2a77 to a distant country to fa467898a6 fetch a very expensive ring.966de522ee4edd5a

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The marchioness had cherished 2ea3765135 the ring so much c1b565ea1a that she wore it 4bb06de80d instead of her wedding e4553d506e ring while she was 923a6dcf87 alive.db2a9980a6926274

“Be careful with that.”cb67b6ec588a86bd

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I cautiously advised Joshua, 806132dac3 who was genuinely innocent.726d5a92ae641692

“Don’t give something like this casually to others.”b55b62b07c644bf6

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“Why?”9c355d8a6f146c86

“Because you’re going to have to take it out later when you’re upset with your mom.”14254ff8ea81827e

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“Oh, uh….”132e07cdf383339a

Joshua’s eyes widened at my words.4db7705c6bca2c50

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It seemed like there was c7237afaeb no one else who had c585d9b4d5 given him such advice.f4801594b0f3de7d

“Oh, I see….”3808624f97937d8d

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Joshua, who seemed to 343a7a3a23 be deeply pondering, soon b76a6a5dee mumbled with a disappointed 2f5a5b610d expression.0779ceb8cc168402

“Since everything is Josh’s, do as you please. If you really want to give it to someone, you can… when you have someone you want to give it to.”6599c6daa6bb804c

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“That’s right.”4ec693755b08352f

Because that way, he could e2e971b267 claim ownership of the ring.2cd854f99ed25372

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I responded with a 8bd2712889 cold sneer.9354974493d6956b

After Joshua’s death, Emma Casten openly claimed that the Duke had given her this ring.f1345462e4e116a2

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The servants, naturally, 36c3255429 murmured their dissatisfaction ac4f1f4de9 to Emma.bd736a8b111eb4ce

Having gained control inside the ff40bbdfa1 mansion, she constantly harassed me.a74e60d0eae84513

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When I, fed c5599ceab2 up with the 56195a9143 situation, threatened to bb0a56ef32 expose the truth 42304c371e to the Duke, e468a8e631 she had a 7e5c83274a maid bring me 191b35ea2b into my room dbf7a46e8e and framed me 6a6c699f45 as a thief.466a7e1de0f3d1b0

‘Damn it.’50942892bf76db61

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Even thinking about e3e0900678 it now made e845de6093 my teeth chatter.ba9d38823db26702

“But hey, Sister.”d1fd07674d0bc835

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As I shivered, 589bf76459 Joshua suddenly called 67ddc108b4 me.05da89f2d60a9e5e

“Does brother not want to see Mom?”8edbdb2faa60dad6

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“…Edwin? Why is Edwin suddenly brought up?”f17e759487e3df13

“Uh, well… actually, all of this belongs to Mom.”ef79775d50adbab4

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Joshua shyly confessed.bbcd3109047b92e1

‘This all belongs to the Duchess.’7a3aaad80bbc284a

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Now I understood why 64ee4a7e6e a seemingly normal boy 78a251680b had so many accessories.f78b11f699f183fd

‘…Sorry, Josh.’18a974a57308090c

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Feeling guilty for cebf663c65 judging him strangely ef46e683fe for a moment, 690c1b5875 I apologized silently.f4f67f8ba7e052a5

“But brother, while Josh is pestering Dad for these, he never asks for anything else and always gives in! Our brother is really nice!”57f4e1f89586a3eb

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That was obvious.ddde76eab04ddb38

A healthy boy wouldn’t play with adult women’s accessories.c6dc21b5b810b5b7

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‘Sorry, Josh.’da801cbc1bc27cc9

I apologized once again.3431bca8fd44c7e6

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“Brother probably wants to see Mom too, right?”2694973f7ebebdcc

“…Yeah, probably.”dcca3f149fa7ca13

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“Then, will brother take this?”4414bec7300533f5

Joshua, with the 087977fc52 sapphire ring on 0d0fb04b68 his thumb, flashed 5d57633bbf a smile and 140e6c0896 said.6c7a6b3e0030a9c8

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At that moment, a good 9dda96ac13 idea flashed through my mind.c301537be6a2e97d