Chapter 58

‘Oh, it’s so noisy.’c3bdb2e2689dd602

For some reason, the association 98d9a377fd building was teeming with children. It seemed that a1bd328c09 parents who had 92cf2f6453 nowhere else to 486a93df2e leave their kids 321bcbfc90 had brought them 7c48e5f9ae along.4f1f2a3f6faacd28

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‘Don’t they have kids’ cafes here?’340a97661f96ebf9

If not, I should make 757e6baef0 one! I considered it 0bd028d2d4 a good business dba9b10eb5 idea and suddenly, 2cf5355703 the squeals of 94130edc33 the children sounded 05c8250bab delightful.6af2c2981ee7d4c3

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After waiting a 3b77d81b15 few minutes with 82bbed4ba5 the number ticket bef61347a2 Tara had gotten 555ce227c5 for me, it efb4bc45cf was finally my 765487158b turn.37b482dccd553225

“Miss, the registration must be done by a legal guardian or the child themselves. Can you manage that?”c7ef77cfeb56e07b

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Fortunately, minors were allowed 86e5d18f35 to apply for trademarks 0c22668978 here.53b00b14a845923a

“Yup! I can do that easily!”4b9679a4f30af37d

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After all, I had a9afcd1ad1 run an online shop 95f053763a as an adult! Registering these should be a edb88ccaa6 piece of cake.56e58f0d0e37db42

“Hello.”6dd0c90c16f877df

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I greeted the 1cd1faf15a receptionist and began b1d66e5bf2 pulling out the e41d15912e product samples I f581cd1c09 had brought. For some reason, the 4a26f25b80 receptionist seemed a bit c39c2f49b8 dazed looking at them.00689059c1c84624

‘Why isn’t she doing it quickly?’c3b3e237c82b3594

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I hate to admit 2d131b2c17 it, but I am 98b4eaeb83 very busy. I needed to handle 3009911558 this quickly and return c0506655be to making the products d64189d586 for sale.115bb76883e75ec0

I leaned closer to the efe516bcf2 still motionless receptionist and whispered.be1a2a9bcc829ed8

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“Ma’am, I’m in a hurry, so could you please speed things up?”26d7d3200f0aa3e1

“Oh… Yes, yes!”75f7f0be310db03b

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Finally snapping out of cdbbabac02 it, the receptionist handed 7af02d27c1 me a form and 633622aff1 a pen.7d02fa789b171730

“Please fill out this form.”29a3820ac6c48438

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“Huh…!”45b9765a86b7b936

My confidence wavered 4c3fdc8e58 for a moment.93806f0f7eab1565

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‘Darn it…!’b4173dfbca09a6d7

Looking around, I saw other 14b009ccc5 kids having their parents fill a759e481f0 out the forms for them.ffd599cf1e93ee48

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‘Tara can’t do it because she’s not my legal guardian…’5266774f18609709

Hesitating with the d1841eb7eb pen, the receptionist dcbebeae95 looked at me 5047690579 curiously.d09b185043c1d777

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“Lady?”6b23cc04854c38dc

“I’m sorry…”c3bdca3fd4d111b8

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Blushing, I confessed the truth.6bf86ac0395aa81f

“I don’t know how to write very well.”38471c95f878423a

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“Oh my goodness!”cb92584b943cd1f3

The receptionist covered c6c2a79a87 her mouth, seemingly b1a474111a overly shocked. Her gaze was 311d265f2c strangely reminiscent of 5c7b49b53a Tara’s affectionate looks.e5447976ba129477

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She leaned forward and whispered.caadd41fb45c9b2b

“I’ll help you fill it out secretly!”a3e50db9c673838b

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‘Phew, thank goodness.’f8300d7837bfe234

I was relieved. With the receptionist’s help, I quickly filled out the form.f1a842003ce14cce

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“What’s your name?”ded75abed91c709e

“Belze!”eb13eca5f67432b9

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“And your age…?”a6f69c554978b662

“Five!”6d492feac077c32a

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I spread my five 5a4ed30942 fingers wide, making the 43edba09e4 receptionist smile at me 8d9ec63f82 with that same affectionate c021c98bc7 look as Tara.c076f7e92fb7d58a

The form was quickly 9826f3f1fd filled out until we e499fcd809 hit a snag.ec17a2dbb09221b9

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“What should I write for the guardian’s name?”0687fe5e36075e3c

“Umm…”3d5c522f7a3f89de

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I hesitated for a moment.6a7d05305658a2ad

Naturally, the Duke’s name crossed my mind when thinking of a guardian. But if I wrote his name, he’d surely hear about this in no time.62c66cfe50195600

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‘…This is still a secret for now!’2df6286dc6dc21e3

Having decided, I confidently stated my business partner’s name.5c5c2857b84b3d87

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“Doctor Gordon!”677d3d1d1a57bbc3

“Doctor Gordon? That’s the guardian’s name…?”81013531594044f7

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“Yes!”e126ead07bd0731f

I couldn’t quite recall his full name—something like Pelle—but it didn’t matter much. So, I let the receptionist write ‘Doctor Gordon’ in the guardian section.b1e7eabc959f76e0

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Finally, the form was complete.6e6608674b5b9f8e

“Registration is all done.”7933f9717e19933c

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“Thank you very much, ma’am. Thanks to you, I was able to register successfully!”2cfe0faefa95bdd3

As I politely turned 6d2dfdcb6a to leave, the receptionist 0a087587c2 stopped me.1ce711cd99eec436

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“Since you’re here, why don’t you also participate in the children’s start-up competition? You meet the age requirement.”7c2947e0956affc1

“Start-up competition…? What’s that?”84ba2ca1244ed0a0

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“It’s an event hosted by the royal palace to discover talents. They’re offering prizes to children who develop unique products or show exceptional business acumen!”4aaa32b89f7b2710

“…Prizes?”3bac7ca26b0f6001

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The mention of 8a0d0869e5 a prize caught 4692af3ec1 my attention.04f7aa779a4c08ae

However, I generally distrust competitions or contests run by the government. The winners are often predetermined, and even if they do give out prizes, they’re usually minuscule…3fea6d0dbaefb952

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“Yes! They’re offering a prize of 13d8c8c7f2 500 gold!”7d3c264eef4c4c86

“500 gold?!”8623ae5191236ab9

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My mouth fell open.d3166b5ec01c79cb

Given the currency conversion, 1 gold was equivalent to 100,000 Korean won. So, 500 gold meant…5338a3020d3484ec

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‘50 million won?!’05d865184b595863

That was an incredible amount for a children’s competition!0ac5878e626dd45e

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“Sign me up immediately!”8981757c2e60b605

With nothing to 328ce22bc9 lose, I eagerly 4dfc13f2af expressed my interest 538f3ff753 in participating. The receptionist, as if 41b6e7b0df expecting this, smiled and 8a67cc50da helped me fill out 053cb955f3 the application form for f848df0e63 the competition as well.dc2fec73cef2e92e

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While waiting for the forms f9e02746c2 to be processed, I suddenly f71e4ff9fb felt a piercing gaze.6e839bb7d47eabe4

“…Hmm?”1057e7a5c27a0e5d

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I turned my head and saw a boy staring intently at me from beyond the reception desk. He wasn’t my age; he looked about Edwin’s age.dec80a2754c59bb4

‘Is he here for the start-up competition too?’5dab67c96f85f911

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His striking red hair 9d69192000 with a hint of aa01c5b21c blond and vivid emerald 3507934a4c eyes were unforgettable. Judging by his attire, 7a4017e078 he appeared to be 9ae25ff109 from a wealthy family, 7872fa5653 dressed in a neat 4479328def white cravat, just like 0011397de3 Edwin.9f9f5fe4a84afb4e

It was a hallmark 9f676ec7a3 of heirs who had 103805b239 matured early.63321abb8694ff25

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‘He’s quite handsome for a background character. Though not as handsome as a2a3972255 Edwin.’818ac3d8bb28c040

Despite his impressive appearance, something 11411c355a was off about him. He continued to stare e3dad50347 at me even after b20f129c21 our eyes met.10b01579ddb2863e

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‘What are you staring at?’8d463b1e792b3e44

I mouthed silently.ebd3f2bc6e60cd97

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Though it was childish, I 04fd1e43dd didn’t expect him to understand b3201f5b8b from such a distance.3ea8210f119f80a5

Then, the boy’s eyebrow twitched.cef270bccd5fb1d9

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“Huh…?”4c0198f91dcc8ef8

He let out a soft fbbc1e966a chuckle, his lips curling into 855e22e05b a crooked smile.837ae67bc68a31dc

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‘Did he understand that?’1a2c198ae8ca127b

Just then,18e6fac7b0db3aca

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“Your application for the competition is complete!”fe8d4fb856898f65

The receptionist’s voice e223eaf2b1 snapped me out 7c347cc193 of my thoughts.856343747127c205

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“Yes! Thank you so e24f2f2fcc much for your 4f3e9e79d5 help! Have a great day!”a1851ba62449c2bb

“You’re so polite and well-mannered. Take care, little lady!”daa8975bb1ab3a1d

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Exchanging cheerful farewells, 703d26399b I turned around a4a414d518 and glanced once d1f8ef90a2 more beyond the 1970349741 platform.5182850d4a1fd5f7

The strange boy had disappeared.28e929d6ddc53777

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‘Why does he look so familiar?’45cdf01889e9b0ec

Puzzled by the déjà 5b713320e9 vu, I turned away.6889fbc86097f95b

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“Miss, over here!”64b331ba427007d6

Tara was waving at 61983c18e5 me nearby.3c496afe2be834d0

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As I was 38f2631a5d about to board 8529ebbf09 the carriage with 302feac096 her, a sudden bbf19856b1 realization made me 38051fa321 freeze.2192982e0a70d8b3

‘Red hair and green eyes.’9117e3d7d0187bf6

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Red hair wasn’t common b2035c98e4 in Erea. It was a ad44e14af9 hereditary trait of 715216cea0 the royal family d4f212efe6 or high-ranking nobles 6e6b462d12 connected to them.023545c6ca8b158e

Bright red hair and 3c69555ce3 vivid emerald eyes?43061a6eb2b961e3

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‘…Oh no.’8c78feb62e5aefaf

A realization from ba04da94b2 the original story 5b9f855d7e struck me, and 2bceb576ed I silently gasped.712a1cd66c19fb82

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‘The Crown Prince!’4426d08f9797e869

One of the 7888952857 male leads in e0fbf4df58 the novel.a9ab1a9566359582

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Looking back, someone with such distinctive features couldn’t just be an extra.d1e3f991e22dbc3e

‘Why is the Crown Prince here?!’1375da2d03800cfa

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Standing there in shock, f7573900ff Tara turned to me, d8b950d4e6 puzzled.92b506e8c9aec571

“Miss, aren’t you getting in?”8da87ebc3c539db1

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“Y-yes. I’m coming…”5d63e23227e56cf9

I finally moved and 668b9505b6 climbed into the carriage.4be8c2830c9523f3

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But my mind was in 7bbfa78c1f turmoil.0fb11da09b2d4e20

‘I just mouthed off to the Crown Prince… I’m on the path to becoming the villainess…’86e94d8ef9a060c3

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It felt like I was 70e16cffd4 unwittingly following the villainess route 0368a1b7d6 step by step.48c362f6833d9985

As I stared b6a9af0d6f out of the 37c0c28f28 carriage window with 0b2d9d2aea a troubled expression, 1be18da3d0 a sudden memory 4d5ba3f80c flashed through my 390889f22c mind.ed25857da8736696

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「…On the eve of the Goddess’s birthday, the Crown Prince, disguised, was attacked by assassins sent by the Empress.2e06b1298789a1fc

Grievously wounded, the Crown Prince e6a131813e barely made it back to f0ced82932 the palace, where he hovered cbc337e594 on the brink of death.6db5669dd11480ab

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But when his condition showed no signs of improvement, his aide secretly contacted the Barelotte family…」845c285ef6d291b3

This was the part where 474ab527d7 Diana and the Crown Prince 7308ec66bc first met in the original e9be8f86d1 story.3096fe6816ca9668

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‘Could that be happening now?!’ecebdf5f47d561f2

Even knowing the plot, it 9dca8bcff1 was hard to connect it bde60d5b98 to real-life events as they 066a3d6e05 unfolded.ad5f3812166004f6

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“Wait! Stop the carriage!”6e1242059f6ff034

I urgently called 9f500ceef5 out from the 70433379b5 moving carriage.fc4b7cf1dad5bde7

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“Miss! That’s dangerous! Driver, stop for a moment!”96bea939fd3575e4

As I hurried to 31f8c92d79 the door, Tara looked 99c34bc664 alarmed.37cdb792e2353993

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“Tara! I’m really sorry, 0605142b8f but I forgot 47b573f4a7 something inside! I’ll be right back!”f2ce4de7fe0ed4f7

“I’ll fetch it for you! What did you… Miss! Belze, wait!”cd3e442e79b91983

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Despite Tara’s calls, I aa95a6c320 had already leapt out cf9e42b929 of the carriage.d55b5278cb29d196

My heart raced with anxiety.ced210a267da18bd

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Honestly, I wasn’t sure why 35cbd45f8d I was acting this way.529d9aa486b37146

After all, he c02194e15e was just one c9118c9947 of the male e38b3ebb17 leads.29a8c91e0a2e0077

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Whether the story unfolded as originally intended with him meeting Diana…183196198f7a2997

But maybe because of my d91bf8ddcb past life memories.c726eb353c757c13

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“Is His Highness the Crown Prince still unconscious?”5f1967c1b61d9f22

“Yes. Though it’s fortunate for him. If he wakes, all the 2907a35fbe families supporting him will have 8310aa3f9e fallen, and he’ll face betrayal 9d8c2f8218 from his trusted subordinates.”5eff0b6a25dd771d

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“Ha ha, congratulations in advance. You’ll soon ascend to the fbc014e6cd throne, Your Highness. Oh! Should I start calling you f2fffe5581 Your Majesty now?”e95a038241ee63e4

“Oh, stop it. Save your flattery for 3123c28988 after the coronation. Ha ha ha!”ad2f40eca3a789ff

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The conversation between 2d5dbb9320 the second prince ec197aa851 and the Marquis aa86a116eb of Barelotte echoed 9478b9b2a3 vividly in my 06e8f8f90e ears from the c8543e9133 royal prison in b518f25403 my past life.033ba1e319062926

On the day I was 270ba58804 captured and the Duke’s family fc0ecfb319 fell.81e55edc6877b19f

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The Crown Prince 598810224a was also attacked 2281f06e68 and left in 127f38d6e9 a coma.9aae6939c172a2ba

It wasn’t sympathy.f9b811679b3b2088

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Who could sympathize in 56cfc998cc this novel?4b9f677ac8a1f45c

I was the most pitiful c303184d87 character in the story.8bfea0da2ac2068d

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The next were ffc53f8fa9 the people of 1562eb7e0f the Duke’s family.df5ffd3f485abe78

‘But still…’1d0884f5d2146640

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If I didn’t remember the b9ed0542fe original plot, I might not fba2b3b8fe care.69515218e6b8c1bb

Knowing that a young Crown aeb337e485 Prince would be severely injured, b5cc764b47 I couldn’t just ignore it.5b3b4003f706e99c

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‘If today is the day… I’ll just report it and come back.’8f975f063c635918

Fortunately, there was 6f0ac03b46 a security station 502fd3eb1f near the association a75a475714 building.27285333504e24cd

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But upon rushing inside, ca22ceb90d there was no sign e99433ce04 of the Crown Prince.a4becf294108e6bb

Just then, I made eye f6d258d6e5 contact with the receptionist who 0e19297255 had helped me earlier.caa9ac41cbcc0800

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“Oh my, Princess… I mean, Miss! Did you forget something?”78024ee6dbed5cd3

“Did you see a boy with red hair around here?”98cede87ecd4c776

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“Red hair boy…? Oh! I think I saw him heading towards the back door.”a10830c39c2c9b96

“Thank you!”8521b1472d8b397a

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I quickly thanked her 439864a9c4 and hurried towards the 27b463b0aa back door.90377c6b471da7ae

Creak—4edf3d008db32267

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I opened the f959c6bb34 back door and 0f825516df looked around the 12e7277d75 narrow alley, but da9cb65b03 it was empty.c31f266e5b90514e

“Nothing…”b9b910cc15cf7abe

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Well, it was unlikely they a4916216b1 would attempt an assassination so dae825c9e3 close to the security station.7be795227455971e

I felt a strange eec06fa407 sense of relief.cafc887af0c0dcc2

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Just as I was 0430eb106a about to head back 47b114c88c inside.8ac926b38e0ad7fe

Something on the ground 250d950986 in the distance caught 17a78c62eb my eye.fc9408faac61ed7a

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“What’s that…?”eb42326457ca0d89

I quickly ran dd64530740 over and picked ae2ab7c868 it up.691e1d526189b264

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It was a white cravat.ba5d3c27463583d5

Dirty with spots 676f98997a of red, as ffeb9d7de7 if it had 1eb9181470 been trampled.eddc108d26d4adc5

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“Blood…?”c3fec73cd26153ec