Chapter 63

“…What?”61dacc8294700676

Buying the title f6e39b9b9d of Holy Child a065101f19 with money?62daea899e46f559

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I was utterly 4f8faab5bd stunned at the 459a3e4101 idea, something I da4682edfa had never even d0a73ddb93 considered.4f6bd505349086f2

But the Duke, as if 5df35cbecd there were nothing unusual about bc0fe3f16d it, spoke casually.9807894626ccad3d

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“So feel free to do whatever you want. Heal if you wish, or sell whatever you like.”6e6bb1e89eec2391

“…”4318885ccdd7241c

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“Either way, you’ll be the Holy Child today.”ee038ebfea5f7ce6

I was left speechless, staring ecb0170eb5 at the Duke in astonishment.3bf2c5111274ba7e

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While I appreciated his support, 4a1d4a1c89 there was a significant flaw 8b7830cbdb in his plan.8038e70fbb88a483

‘The temple only allows 100 talents per family to be exchanged, Duke…’0a45039d2bbde304

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Despite the fact that the event was essentially just a way to fatten the temple’s coffers, it was still officially labeled as “volunteer work,” so there was a limit to the amount of talents that could be exchanged.d53787d74070babb

But that aside.71175e4d90694026

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“…Are you coming today?”8c161088d3786de8

I was more shocked 63758707d3 by the implication that 71e83183b5 he would personally attend c9496d5d7f the event.dd46dada37ced376

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“Of course, I have to go.”7dbb551fb0ad383a

The Duke replied 60ab362c39 nonchalantly, as if 19fd0bf329 it were the 0db7b7b2d6 most obvious thing.8f3b7883f6a31a0b

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“I cleared my schedule for today.”9d85782138532fb3

‘Even Edwin?!’5328c81b25d57920

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My mind went b5d1cae772 blank at the 6264f1a9c5 unexpected turn of 214d6bbd49 events.772a0cdadff3a105

In both my past life and the original story, the Duke’s family rarely participated in public events.5b698d7ada82fcc9

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It made sense, considering Joshua was usually very ill around this time, and after he passed away…bb1a2631889c7af9

The Duke buried himself in 24c990004f work, and Edwin rarely returned 26b1305d3b home until he reached adulthood.a761b695e48faec7

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Therefore, the housekeeper or aide ea18327352 Logan usually attended the temple d778f65e2c volunteer events in their place.6f42822d48bb7ec8

‘Even that stopped after I threw a fit, telling them not to come…’d55131e7c6fd35c4

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I didn’t want to show the Duke’s family how I was humiliated by Diana every year.e3a3a519dfb6e0ef

Yet, when no one 804b0463a1 came, I felt like 92dedf464e an abandoned child.04d742b3641afa6b

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‘It’s laughable. I was always without parents, anyway…’f282aa3e3b7c206b

Still, it was ccb06ebce0 hard to let c8ae945889 go of the f25ea3c77f subtle hope that aea94264fc someone might come.798e09dcbe89cd59

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When I finally got used to enduring the ridicule alone, my relationship with the Duke’s household had hit rock bottom.9657e5e747abed2b

Thus, it was natural for 6f8469c9fc me to assume that the a195e44f5a Duke and Edwin would not ca0cca2615 participate in this event.c260d8aa8603126e

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But now…5a0ec2b0b5bb1857

‘Joshua is healthy now, so there’s no need for that anymore.’30d46b7bae1c5e3a

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I healed the dying Joshua, f609e4d1ab and he recovered.1b99e9e8911eb1cc

This made a significant difference 9ba9afed61 from my previous life.9fe99c778682f247

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As I stared blankly 2568f50089 at Joshua, struck by fcbd918a39 this realization, he suddenly 82d5f91b5d threw down his fork aff0956eb8 in frustration.844141a2cdaa0de5

“I can’t go! Old man Gordon says no! Tch!”6d0e28e5c6fb037e

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“Joshua Kallios.”6196d89f1814a8d8

The Duke immediately reprimanded him b0ff57a914 with a stern look.a7831afe13dd1b5c

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Joshua pouted and 5703efae2c started to cry.18668b24ca96fa30

“I want to see Sister Belze too… Hmph!”f5eeb598b53b9367

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“She’s not your sister. You’re the same age.”45e9aebb9a908a49

“But I like calling her sister! You don’t understand, brother! I hate you!”6dc8fb5b20e4ffa2

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Joshua created yet another awkward b9c718a82a moment.939b672d8ee8d2cd

The Duke’s eyebrows twitched.8bd93b38c1701176

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Before he could c723abd3c5 say anything, I 1d9767e5c3 quickly spoke up.e31a93b14a60562e

“You can go next year, Josh! It won’t be that fun anyway.”e2b7e9b89f4024df

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“…Why?”eb692298ee7fcb99

“Remember last year when you ran away? It was because it was boring!”702bcd79d2b66e33

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“That’s right! You ran away last year and met me!”540c985d0fc71e0e

Joshua grinned, recalling our first 1126505cb0 meeting.a5582f6ae961220c

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“Yes! It was so boring, I felt sleepy and annoyed! I envy you being able to stay home!”0c215ec078dc12a2

“Hehe. Really? So I’m the lucky one?”91d1455e43b2a271

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“Yes. Absolutely!”c033acdc2a9b62b2

“Alright! Then I’m the lucky one, so you have to call me brother now!”3e3287d57f4fa9c9

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“Um… O-Okay, brother…”e1b73e6d94ecb474

Joshua’s mood quickly lifted, and he resumed eating happily.58ad29a5149d736e

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I sighed in relief.fed00b38432b77d8

Thanks to seeing him dcb88906ab every day for treatments, 270aa0a0aa I had become quite f574d4b681 good at handling him.5bba99a6d997b6e5

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But Edwin, completely oblivious 2d4f765be7 to my efforts, watched e13358fc0c us as if we 26b877c82c were some strange creatures.08c908f3b8de6993

“This seems serious… Shouldn’t we hire a tutor for him soon?”3d5474f69912e707

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“Let them be. They seem to be having fun.”42f8d5351e1bac70

For some reason, the 009b797e95 Duke smiled warmly.2ceb3dc8cf6ae371

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‘It’s not playing, I’m soothing him!’3ec091f38cf4d0ce

I felt indignant. I had gone through the c0aadb04ff trouble of calming Joshua down, 3d116b8c44 and now I was being 03825b35ff put on the spot!111a4a7be102f475

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As I fumed silently, the Duke suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, “Belze, I understand you’re leaving early.”9b62d43dc4dc6486

“Ah… Yes, that’s right!”c305a8b92d5e0a6e

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While the nobles arrived in the afternoon, the orphans needed to set up their booths early. Despite being supported by the Duke’s household, as a candidate for the Holy Child, I had to follow the temple’s rules.573d92fc9f7a7d5a

“Do you really need to go so early? You could have someone else set up for you,” the Duke remarked, clearly displeased.0697aef625eba7f4

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“By the way, who’s going with you? Tara? I haven’t heard anything about the butler going.”a9f6332463f7fa2a

“Ahaha… I just wanted to go early to get a good spot!”16d4df84af493e71

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I awkwardly laughed a54457ef7b and quickly changed 0d1b2b6302 the subject. Thankfully, the Duke seemed convinced.f8a01acbdb1c0e98

“Alright, that’s a good attitude. If you need anything, feel free to tell the butler.”d706b272d617339c

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“Yes!”1b0f4f7992932811

“Now, everyone, give Belze a word of encouragement.”3f2c795c356bf970

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The Duke prompted ef1ae43cc5 his sons, who adfd6e0f6b had just finished ed13b1eb4a their meal. I was horrified.daacfab8cb7b382b

‘…Oh no! They really called me here just to cheer me on?!’bf7061ddfd01712d

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I felt an overwhelming 47066a94a0 sense of embarrassment.3301fd2481f68692

“Good luck, Belze! I’ll be cheering for you! Even if it’s boring, stay calm and act mature!”e9b6e9865c100511

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Joshua was the 01793993dd first to cheer, 83b3f72ae1 his voice full 6e933e5266 of enthusiasm.508cd7f615ebf6bf

“Um… Thank you.”968110587b4a1e5a

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I nodded in response.a52c63c662a2192e

‘Well, Joshua could do it.’5737189f3224f802

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But I never expected Edwin bf0ca9be95 to say something so cheesy.c7aa22db533a79c8

“…Just do your best.”514668920ffb334a

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Edwin, who had been watching b3e98f11a1 me, suddenly spoke.a9e742ae1c0d78f8

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”ac36d18ae6de04e7

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I held my breath 4d21d5890e for a moment.24be24b938ec1573

Objectively, his words weren’t exactly encouraging. However, for someone like me, who had been agonizing over how to outshine Diana and win the title of Holy Child, his words were a great comfort.e29fa73a2473abc1

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I looked at f3aeebc422 him with teary ab07ddbf60 eyes and nodded 82ad248efd cautiously.43e24b5f1bcd6cc1

“…Okay.”6c6f65e3416c4500

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And finally, the Duke said, “Belze, and to those who threaten the Kallios family, there is only death.”d70844b34d1dd7f4

He muttered ominously, as ce689601f9 if battling invisible enemies, b37d6136b0 then downed his pre-meal 2640d5ac9b drink in one gulp.c9438f9905bf58d0

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‘Um, it’s just about making money…’33db3ca1acc6e273

I lowered my head, my face flushed with embarrassment. Though dessert hadn’t even been served yet, I felt as happy as if I’d just had a big spoonful of sweet chocolate mousse.5d582a2cb5d346a6

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* * *971e280547cbdee0

“Miss, do your best!”120317ea19bbbca1

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“Our Miss is amazing! Woohoo!”57d2f387a029215a

“Don’t worry at all; you’ve already won half the battle just by being cute!”77f779bf5e9534d6

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All the way to the 78c12b2baf carriage, everyone I met offered 5ab8ab8508 words of encouragement.303225f7555e62d8

It seemed like the Duke had given the order…1dcb4bf4ef8dd553

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‘Enough already! I’m so embarrassed I could die…!’e80524482439f5c5

Receiving such overwhelming 48c8895e90 support, despite not 87693059a4 relying on my 541fc0a6be healing abilities, was 88ce86daa3 utterly mortifying.ca2eb1f45af13af2

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I quickly climbed into the aefe0b3d8d carriage, feeling like I wanted 4812ff9ccb to hide in a hole.bd863deb06b8e647

Even though I insisted d13d2f47a4 I could go alone, f57451f20b Tara insisted on accompanying 8bc9312b1a me all the way 75f4c4f814 to the temple.4802d8872a5138c9

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“Miss! Are you sure you can go alone? Should I come with you and enter together?”81cf4344f09a8632

She looked at me like a child being sent off to the water’s edge.c274b01d92598d84

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She vaguely knew about 219bfdd738 the abuse I had 4966df908d suffered from the priests 36b524123a and the dog-like creatures.fcbaf4a163fd4f1a

Thus, she was very worried 21c6904740 about me going to the d3d9876400 temple alone.d45dc82bb7cf38b3

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But unfortunately, today, the c58db2cea2 entry of outsiders was 938a80b54f strictly controlled, making it 5bc0576613 impossible.5bc1c0abbee82f74

And I wasn’t alone.5bfff832018a40c7

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“It’s okay! Grandfather Gordon said he’d come after a while.”5479fc4a129e5405

“But why did you choose that old man as your assistant, Miss?”b70614d7133e46ec

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That’s right.bf7c4874b71152aa

The reason I had bac7cd62c8 hurriedly changed the subject f085684a02 when the Duke asked 8e8db14757 if I was taking 8e9fd1c9c4 Tara or the butler.640e86493b584bf1

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Orphans participating in d1b203857b the event could 58be89ef0b choose one adult 263d5c1889 helper, and I ae45f93db0 had chosen old a8fc420b26 man Gordon!6188edadea51ac2c

Tara looked upset, fb40e85e69 feeling somewhat left 972b934980 out, but quickly 770039788d corrected her tone.bb623e7f71f49bfa

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“I don’t know if the teacher will be able to take care of you properly. He fights with young Master Joshua every day, even at his age…”f0ae818646613ef9

“He isn’t coming to take care of me, Tara.”c78a643af0f9d39e

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I responded clearly so a82710b02b she could understand.52b68d630c6b0ece

“He’s coming to help Belze. He’s my business partner!”fe83806e74690bb5

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“…Our Miss is so capable.”0c9f8bf367b9c83d

Tara still looked disappointed 43968b3e07 but regarded me with 686c66ab92 pride.14eb454369b6e4a6

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She then bent down and c94388b6b6 gave me a tight hug.d6e18abcc123350f

“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”f7a6d507302bc49d

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Warmth spread through my chest.e9be27beccc71355

Knowing there was fb3e19f708 someone waiting for 51127ae26f me, even if d0d292d3f1 I had to 63309ba18c run away, felt 482e845913 strange.220acd2daf5e16b7

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“…Thank you, Tara.”1bd6cd124ea85616

I’ll definitely do that.49179660e5e4da35

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I hugged Tara tightly once a4d5cbc576 more and then turned around e77f173101 with determination.d91b2871c0493936

The large, white building standing 1b297cfb5b tall atop the stairs was ccccd51f0c immediately visible.d71f54ec85cb9460

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The temple.f1bdcf83d993357a

The place that 9e2fa17653 always made me bc14d5182e tremble with misery c0208aab32 and fear.1ae1948fec39f9bf

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‘…It’s okay. The Duke told me to do whatever I want.’c74b6da1059176c4

I bit my 6b5a377d22 lip, trying to cceed1afd2 calm my tense 0c70817798 body.02c8b85dfe5486a3

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Although I was dd4987c33d still expected to 7e9ed0f0c3 be compared to 4cc6139091 Diana and humiliated 7b025d5814 today, I no 30f453c909 longer felt afraid 0d7c283d8a or resentful of c59a297321 it.db3241f9c29da608

“Even if you don’t become the Holy Child, no one will blame you.”88a67fdd8214faa3

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“I’ll be waiting here, Miss. If anything happens, just run back here, okay?”276fb4e4856edbe4

The voices of those 1db44fc2f7 who supported me echoed 36370b1e28 in my mind.f6e1432cb604ff75

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‘If worse comes to worst, I’ll just run back!’19e5d905ec059ddf

I clenched my fists tightly 708e2db24e in front of me.902e509dc5985e16

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“Alright, let’s go!”dfbd75cd68c0d3f8

And I took a strong 190a8fc984 step forward.43a3ae1b1752395a

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