98

The next day.3e4fd78cb8bce507

As usual, I visited 8e24b64133 Joshua for his healing 6cfaf9af1c session.8ec16ddb444da8ce

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Whoosh―!9abe10dd7538bd02

The healing light I summoned 43fa540a5a pierced the orange energy in eb880e7355 Joshua’s chest like an arrow. Gradually, the light thinned and 4943abdc0d faded away.0f700eaf09d40224

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By the time it disappeared dc44a712be completely, both of us were 76ce3bc97f covered in sweat, breathing heavily.9b342d41255bf3d1

“Phew… Is it all done?”2e884f2325b9acbf

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“Yeah. Are you okay, Josh?”0faaab116565b322

“Yup! I don’t even 9e2080c069 need naps anymore!”1a293380f31382e8

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Despite his tired 5d2c6c4407 face, Joshua smiled 0d2fb00950 brightly.29c1ba564c8c4bf8

Just as he said, the 5862d5ea09 naps he used to fall a2fcd00647 into immediately after healing were e17a3e5197 becoming less frequent, and he c5c8d623ff could stay awake much longer 0bdaa56923 now.a28e3244596c9417

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It seemed his stamina 420b330b8a had improved significantly.b3ddbe46bd434412

‘His condition has improved so much compared to the beginning.’22428d659425a57f

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I observed the orange 952bfa1f50 flame flickering in his bcccfec9d6 chest.9d0ae66a2bbfb494

When I first c755fd7121 saw it, the baff4a1a77 energy had spread 2a6473f588 so widely across 14e0098b8d his chest that 6be26cd0a7 pinpointing its origin 4867b2fc72 felt impossible. But now, it had 9a77f0b4ed visibly shrunk.545391673b2e82f8

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Joshua’s illness was a 6e0e9c79b5 rare genetic disease, one 4bef87ab03 that couldn’t be guaranteed ff0f4b2b41 a complete cure.2aa89b8b9b0fc215

But at this rate, d916ae9c39 the energy would eventually 3aeaab5d37 dwindle down to a da15234f1d tiny speck, just like ea8ef4e1b6 Edwin’s, allowing him to 183b9a4e62 live without any hindrance.d563bb2fec22b37f

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‘I can save Joshua.’c56b46f00b58ed65

The hopeful thought brought e2648d943f a wave of joy 7ef8a5d1fd and relief.5dc029d8ad57ad0e

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“His heartbeat grows stronger by the day,” said Grandpa Gordon with a satisfied look as he finished listening with his stethoscope.d707a67f2ed7f784

“Now, take the rest of your medicine, young master.”e744cb86757cc569

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“Ugh! This medicine is so bitter! How much longer do c7dca24469 I have to take 0a7d0d29f4 it?”dbda97f2b0f0fddb

Joshua grimaced but 87df2929dc still drank the 0e5eba94a9 dark concoction Gordon 88967ceca1 handed him.c8b38a5d059556c8

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A few days ago, some 274e120bc1 rare medicinal herbs unique to 1ea56d31d1 the Tebron Marquisate, his maternal 0049557f69 family, had arrived.a77c49ce3c43d5b6

Since Joshua started taking 9e52dc2a6c medicine made from those 51e645f287 herbs, his stamina had c723803841 shown noticeable improvement.d828f548fe00aa24

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Of course, Gordon’s d898a22773 meticulous care played dfc6daf193 a major role 903ef07bea in Joshua’s swift 215ab5281b recovery.4967bcc9c702f943

“It’s all thanks to Grandpa’s medicine!”f95edc20a10c1a4f

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“You’re too kind, Madam President. It’s a mere 36ff9e0478 trifle compared to f103a6e12b your extraordinary abilities.”689f6c32692eb8b8

“Ugh! D-don’t call me that…!”222b2cd1c6c55b4b

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Gordon’s proud response to 4aaf00dcef my praise made me 7e54922af2 grit my teeth and 2f9efb6b31 glare at him.2d194d19fc2e0689

“President? What’s that?”62908660bb63109a

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Meanwhile, Joshua, who 4f760af5e3 had finished his bdb120f7fe medicine and was 1054c65cf5 now enjoying a 8773a92802 candy provided by 330c90407c the butler, asked 375a3390c1 curiously.f9446934f24cd19f

“Oh, well…”5717fbc37289ee45

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“Indeed, young master. Our Madam Belze 0de0ef0fef here won first 9c2ce6875e place in the e80b22f84c national children’s business 32988568ff competition held by d33ee33678 the palace!” Gordon b11203a934 cut in, stealing 59ee3b6783 the chance to 8fa6c37627 explain myself.1da1bccf4932763f

“Wow! First place? That’s amazing!”3dd16d8c2ba0d05c

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“Of course! And the prize money f5ced366a1 was a whopping 500 d27526c35f gold! In honor of 73459787f3 this achievement, everyone, 2526c6e9c7 stand up!”5b9d9283a5bbc83a

“……?”dcde25fefd136c60

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“Let’s give Madam President a round of applause!”7288890fccd1813a

Clap, clap, clap, clap!89d4d2cba1b8678d

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Gordon abruptly stood up and 52f287e5ea started clapping enthusiastically.7d4ccc83f070f1b3

Becky, one of the five a3f1df7053 maids newly assigned to Joshua, dedef9a6b8 followed suit with an impeccably 44e3a0813c straight posture.c5eff50ff1a9f75e

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“You’re so cool, Madam President!”f1e201a2dcead53d

“Way to go, Madam President!”c283c2e2bcf17708

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“Wow, Belze! Hooray!”a6490ba146bae023

Joshua, likely not 9e3dfb65a1 understanding what it d2fe20fadf meant, joined in cb60a40f6e the applause excitedly.8b70ca0baf64f1d1

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“P-please, stop…”8f5e71b374e28171

I buried my reddened face 6f8f23585a in my hands, unable to d6baff0bef handle the embarrassment.f24b4ed97c7478ec

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Gordon’s dramatic behavior wasn’t d121913d1c without reason, though.386a2d2f1784af2e

Last evening, when 59c719c6b0 I returned to 218f073d04 the duke’s estate…2c167ea5c2544a9e

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As I was carrying the 972f629fb4 heavy box containing the prize b5bdbe8889 money, I bumped into Gordon, 332c76752a who had just finished Joshua’s 5c02a28a6c afternoon checkup.de89f990f34809de

“Oh! Grandpa!”93ed68a36dc6fff3

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Feeling exhilarated, I had turned 0cd4d5b672 to the butler helping me c4b42904c7 carry the box and said…5d22e35795e7dd50

“Hey, Grandpa Gordon! Look at this!”9c955b4a327455c6

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I couldn’t hide dbad118106 my excitement as 011059fcb3 I gestured toward 45023c70ff the heavy box b50e853e8b of prize money. The butler carefully set it 73f1f058cf down while I rushed to 2f512990e6 Gordon’s side.db0c2d94d92500aa

“What is it, Madam Belze?” he asked, peering curiously at the box.3e3e4f8b1bc07e1e

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“I won first place in the national children’s business competition! Look at the prize money!”a380c33e8660246d

Gordon’s eyes widened as he 29e509bd38 opened the box and caught 3879f4db1e sight of the neatly stacked 7057d59e5c gold coins inside.189edbbcd57c72e3

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“By the heavens… 500 gold?”b3df52da29bd1bca

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?” I grinned, 62e07761fd puffing out my chest proudly.eb2f458339419d91

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“Indeed, Madam President. You never fail to amaze 4089e031c0 me.”bd7b45bb485dab86

That nickname again. I had immediately b381b1f733 grimaced, but Gordon bd5137158b had only chuckled, 5a2872f843 clearly amused by a43e34e01b my reaction.58e7962acd83f783

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“And you carried this heavy box all the way here yourself?”d5c2798433aefc47

“Of course! I may look 390148d9d4 small, but I’m 7fa3dbafb2 strong!”1a688367363b1365

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“Still, you should have asked someone for help. Young ladies should cedd7bf5a5 be careful not ff1de8f3b9 to strain themselves.”f783fa5e026b6b79

“Ugh, Grandpa, stop worrying so much! I’m fine!”cb30da406d3e35a2

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That conversation had b0f233195c set the tone 92abaff1de for the day, 05c85374d4 and now Gordon 52f9b12640 was making it 6cf9ef26c6 his personal mission d252993e81 to turn every ea44c48d46 mention of my e2ee5ce882 win into an 897d25aaf4 over-the-top celebration.1191bdaada321083

Back in the present, b94dd43332 I sighed as I 29e45d4f93 remembered his antics.3ee2ab86ab17c03c

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“Please, just stop calling me ‘Madam President’ already…”6f50e3f4e1e8b5d5

Gordon, completely ignoring my 05183e9dbc plea, grinned mischievously.a1d339be913fa32d

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“Come now, Madam President. You’ve earned the title fair and square.”9660fce759c9b2b4

Joshua, who had been watching the exchange, tilted his head. “Belze, does that mean you’re super rich now?”884634e2b420a1bb

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I laughed nervously. “Well, not really. It’s more like I’m saving up for something important.”4d11d5c9667cd3fd

Joshua nodded solemnly, as if 06ac6c6411 he completely understood.cc20a2b32da04862

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The maids giggled at his 50d80a2b0b earnest expression, and even Gordon e3dc0429a8 smiled fondly.a076330ab1d42fda

Despite the embarrassment, I couldn’t 32ce757307 help but feel a little 215c442d40 proud. It was moments like these 4ede9b48fb that made all the hard 8962618485 work worth it.a5ce47b7e029de29

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“Butler! Please move this to Grandpa Gordon’s room!”bf18ded375415ec2

“Huh? What is this?”d4d371e8066b873e

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“This is… Grandpa’s bonus payment!”86cf480ef9c8137b

The ever-perceptive butler quickly opened 374d6e2344 the box, revealing its contents. The pile of c75ed603ba gold coins inside 8f0e4f6b21 made Gordon’s eyes 951adaecda nearly pop out 084347fb92 of his head.076a5e442db4d0aa

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“Whoa! B-bonus payment? Are you serious? All this gold…”29dcb75836dc4f08

“500 gold!”877fc113444df4d2

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“W-what?! 500… 500 gold?!”1017aaeba92513f2

“Yes! Grandpa and your assistants worked so hard to help me, so this is a reward!”aea70802f9ce3cb8

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“Well…”a0f496467e71d986

“Please keep taking good care of us!”1d536f53c0436ada

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By the time 3f0d0659a3 I returned to 25435f7b02 the duke’s estate a55cdbbcd1 yesterday evening, I 67fdbe15f2 had decided to b287f0a269 accept the building 485e81f9fd the Crown Prince 9b48fc4170 offered.fc010b8ed80dea3d

So, I handed over 90a9638cd2 the 500 gold prize b191e9284c money to Gordon without a94ea88b18 hesitation. After all, I still had c675b20063 952 gold left and couldn’t 68c038cd32 deny his exceptional abilities had 98051a8bce helped me become the person 29045d1262 I was.685b30dfecd76067

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‘A good company should never skimp on bonuses for exceptional employees.’bdee1518c9ef6ffb

This was my way 6f4bb14c9b of entrusting the first 9d382b66b8 slave—no, partner—with a long-term 6326fbecdb collaboration.0e22d293c0cafffa

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But then,ba95e4fbdd5f8136

“Long live Madam Belze, our President! Long live!”7ccf7df754c01320

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From that point on, Grandpa 62ef280074 Gordon started treating me with 5a18256cb9 an embarrassing level of deference.3449791e29c6516f

‘Well, I guess even with the duke’s generous salary, receiving what amounts to 50 million won all at once would make anyone ecstatic.’17bd0a5b23bc11c4

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Watching the capitalism-driven joy bfb4762941 on his face, I 17a300d5e5 couldn’t help but chuckle.86efa3ad25d20297

Then—e5e33ecb3336262c

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“…I’m jealous. You even got to visit the palace.”e6f72fbe12afb2a6

A faint, wistful 827c6dd24a voice caught my 49ebf04b8e attention.c194cd6752beab6d

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Looking down, I 0350f0ad8c saw Joshua with 0dd7c4aa5e his head drooped, 409217f90b wearing a dejected bfafb29622 expression.11fe6dcb7965863e

“…Josh, have you never been to the palace?”1859090cb38a9abd

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“I have. When I was little and not sick yet… but I don’t remember any of it.”14ae64a6a8908120

Perhaps it was because 85a20dc3e4 he had been confined 28c150fd46 to the house for 40cf3121c3 so long due to ddbde97253 his illness. Lately, with my 41c7222f5f frequent outings, Joshua 2bc0b28ae2 had started to 6a966c27a8 show hints of 5b85ca4d2c envy mixed with bfc0bee24b sadness.e71744749df58738

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I couldn’t stand 52d057f879 the thought of 6318975f7c him feeling discouraged 3922304122 or upset because 69f70f17d5 of me, especially 3ed3b6ab68 now that he de09dd72fb was regaining his 4d0edef237 vitality.b5a5c91c11eb9ee5

“The palace isn’t fun at all!”d00ab7c1f1c1cc6d

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“You’re just saying that to make me feel better, aren’t you?”a761be7fbb838c83

Joshua pouted, his d741cf2716 sharp intuition catching cac42cd6e4 on to my 8df2e8cbb7 attempt at comfort.5667b2134d2bfe68

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I shook my head earnestly.0d61b94c44122794

“No, it’s true! Ask Edwin if you don’t believe me. There are weird people who only pick fights… I don’t ever want to go back!”e43bbacb7ca30f63

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That was the honest truth.dc2f9c1f632a8126

Seeing my dramatic 8d27e3aa50 shudder, Joshua finally 5654b98acc lifted his head, 62b1d9f4c3 his curiosity piqued.93c667df57df4f15

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“Weird people? What did they say to you?”eb7033d010072c43

“They called me a fake Saintess and said they didn’t want to talk to a commoner!”86bb6c2c6cefd998

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“Ugh. That’s so stupid. The palace sounds awful!”42d8759c41b9960f

“Right?”921bc41abd000e73

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Once Joshua’s mood e893bafe24 seemed to brighten, b56aa64d6f I grinned and 370c0a381e added,31da480b18a5ee7a

“Get better quickly, and let’s skip the palace. Let’s visit Main Street instead!”82bd0ea7169b8184

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“Main Street?”dccbd8fb3b104fbe

“Yup! We’re going to open our store there soon!”b20978871a03824c

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“Wow! You really are the President, huh?”da67acada63b50e7

“Of course! So, you have to heal up and get healthy by then!”7cf6ce88c65cb06a

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“Okay! Starting today, Sir Joshua will begin sword training! Hiya!”19cc720ef1ef83d2

Joshua suddenly jumped a5da622bf9 out of bed b6021fd9f0 and swung his 07c6c78e9d pillow like a 9c98ccff0b sword.b8ba6b6b4003ca89

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‘That might be a bit much…’a102f60522de89e4

After calming his overly enthusiastic c033707119 spirit, I left the room c5c598ddde and headed out.d23a24ecf2d12de0

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“Shall we, Miss?”2a2e56598eb20569

Following the butler, I made bfb8f9297a my way to the duke’s 481c11c9b7 office. The duke, who 5e00e7d6c9 had returned late db3a2a0b78 last night, had 37b5be510c requested a meeting e14f1c8e2c with me in 903aa86d0c the morning.d1b99852c69cf431

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Before long, we reached 08ec320fa5 the office.11c42d4d428b9f2c

Knock, knock.d0095253f8fe9889

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“Your Grace, it’s Anderson. I’ve brought the young lady.”0f63cc55481fe6a2

“Come in.”5e50cde83ccbe171

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At the low response, e70a9b3573 the door opened.75b0c8d94c552285

I walked briskly 0ee30cbbda into the now-familiar 4dc7951d69 study and greeted c03799c56b him politely.a9ae27e8ce67d96d

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“Hello, Your Grace! Good morning!”08a7e0f34ae6f3d4

“Yes, good morning to you as well.”758333f998e4b1b1

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The Duke, seated at his 20b4546604 desk, stood up and approached. He seemed to 4c59ccdb00 have been working 8297e3f08d early, as papers 3d68588cee were scattered across 7051ef45d9 the desk.af52eeb58b81731c

“Anderson, fetch some cookies and a drink for the child.”bf7df8478bcdfc37

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“Yes, Your Grace.”a949ed651f03cd4a

“Come, take a seat.”59b3ca3cfbf019db

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At his gesture, dd92e7de70 I settled onto 33047aeb34 the sofa. The Duke followed and sat f0262f4af3 in the seat of honor cb33dc2e0b across from me, immediately starting 1f907df42c the conversation.fbc2d6c103572ac2

“I’m truly sorry I couldn’t stay with you yesterday, Belze. At this rate, I can hardly call myself a proper guardian.”d50dd86e136f34f9

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“Oh, no! It’s fine, Your Grace! Edwin came to pick me up, after all.”47bac71e6021020b

“There was an emergency report about a pack of fiends attacking a village out of nowhere…”684d19f58b8ee5a8

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He sighed, his face e6375112ed clearly weary.903228752f9a44c6

It seemed the incident had 1b0edeabf2 kept him at the palace 861be71eed late into the night for c145c1d180 meetings.7b9798423f441715

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I tilted my head, 9f06ba03dc a sense of déjà 9ed160072d vu creeping in.7aa88a032d263822

‘Didn’t Adolf Galagos also say his entry to the palace was delayed due to fiends?’a0506f5be1507f55

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Fiends were abominable 7b0601ddea creatures created by 4cfffb5ab8 heretics who worshipped 9f2bfb6d21 demons and evil 4884812096 spirits instead of 3c42b509a7 the goddess.43a36a34920961d7

Like monsters in f752a47fc0 a game, they 000fa62f33 were dangerous and 365bc15ee2 destructive.c5ba20c4219930db

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Although most had fd194d92d9 been eradicated in e01074c4ad the Holy War b3764cbd50 centuries ago, a 076f4b718c few persistent species 71357533f2 still caused trouble b9a1e6e604 today.757f691e9c7beb20

“…I heard from Edwin that you handled things well at the competition. But you gave the entire prize money to Dr. Gordon?”a1c323a5ef15a4ff

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“Yes! It’s his payment!”b6f55a04eba1c70f

“Payment?”1ee14d47c9013db8

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“Grandpa helped a lot on volunteer day, so I wanted to thank him! Hehe.”803109d5d6518c04

“Well, it’s only right to reward those who work hard under you. You did well.”3a18c3832f95d276

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The Duke nodded approvingly, 23bb453cb2 seemingly convinced I had 72271bbc32 hired Gordon as my 97248d3968 employee.5290906292b3c380

I decided not to ad5e2f6263 correct him.28a09580270644d1

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“But then, what about the rent for the building on Main Street?”b25403a647ee68ba

“Oh, that… well…”cba7190536f69539

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“Of course, you’re short on budget.”3b934bcb62c4cbf4

I was about c22c3d1854 to explain what 63ebd7be1e happened at the fd5c901833 palace, but the e5f9d65766 Duke was one acb88b9e59 step ahead.9ee14dd88d64f489

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“That’s why I’ve prepared this in advance.”f9618cbc55f183e9

“Huh? What…”1cb82feed3e61f71

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“Here.”cf3be77bda6dd21b

He suddenly pulled something from 3024212f7a his coat and slid it e676059761 across the table toward me.72668f20674b0bdd

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It was a b861f5f5d0 bundle of white 9bb9864481 papers bound with 8b1ca541f5 luxurious gold thread, 0db82988de stamped with Kallios’s 9ab3c2b69f seal.8830520a508b6860

I stared at ddfc4fcf6a it, utterly bewildered.73b780d223621865

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“Wh-what’s this?”73c61aeb0d9ecc55

“A checkbook.”2e5f847a3545fd31

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“A c-checkbook…?”6191ffaf737190b3

“That’s right.”599ee43c88aeab52

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The Duke nodded with 16d363052b a smug expression.bf4b99017a0d1fe1

“As your guardian, it’s only natural to make this level of investment.”13bae81bb974c4b8

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“…….”4d80fb9d4d848d9c

“Consider it pocket change.”21cdb8b5040dd929

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