Because Ruelia had briefly left her post during the day, her departure from work was delayed.
It was also because her mind had been so tangled that she struggled to focus unlike her usual self.
“Thank you. Sir Bilein.”
As usual when she was late, Sir Bilein—the duke’s right-hand man—escorted her home.
Their homes weren’t even that far from the ducal residence.
“Please enter safely, Lady Ruelia.”
The knight was an upright man, very much like his master.
Above all, he sincerely respected Kailles, the Empire’s strongest swordsman.
Since he was a knight trusted by Kailles, he followed her like a shadow even into places she couldn’t go.
Which meant he might know something.
“Sir Bilein, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“The knight-family gathering today…”
“The Imperial Joint Army Training Meeting hosted at Count Emil’s estate, you mean?”
Noble families of the Empire were allowed to maintain private soldiers according to imperial permission.
Those families qualified to have soldiers were so-called knight families, and they gathered regularly for joint training to defend the Empire.
But it wasn’t just training.
It was also the Imperial Family’s scheme to monitor and restrain the Avere Ducal House without directly interfering.
“Yes. Did the duke happen to meet Lady Emil during that event?”
Please let it be no.
She wanted to believe the future she knew and reality were different.
“Yes, that is correct. The Count personally assigned his daughter to attend to the Duke. He said the Duke is a very particular man, so there must be no mistakes.”
It was over.
The wheel of fate continued to spin in the same direction.
Ruelia bit her lip.
“What kind of person is Lady Emil?”
“She is a noble lady. The Count trusted her enough to assign her to the Duke—she is quite intelligent.”
“And the Duke’s reaction?”
“He seemed comfortable. Like when he is attended to by the head butler or the vice aide.”
At that unbelievable report, Ruelia’s eyes widened.
That picky man was satisfied immediately?
Was this really the beginning of a fated tragic love?
‘No, it’s too early to give up.’
What if it wasn’t one-sided love, but mutual affection?
That would solve everything.
A spark returned to Ruelia’s eyes.
“How did they seem together?”
She asked carefully, hiding her tension.
“She seemed to respect the Duke.”
Respect.
The word felt insufficient.
It was positive, but not romantic. No emotional hint of affection.
Ruelia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Is that all? Did Lady Emil show no other interest?”
Ruelia looked at Bilein with desperate eyes.
Bilein scratched his head and looked up diagonally, thinking hard.
Then he suddenly clapped his fist into his palm.
“Now that I think about it, she did ask the Duke many questions.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. It seems they had a shared point of interest.”
“Thank goodness.”
Ruelia clasped her hands.
This was a good sign.
As Ruelia smiled in satisfaction, Bilein also smiled and added brightly,
“Lady Emil also seems to have a close relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince. That’s probably why their conversation went smoothly.”
“Oh, I think I’ve heard of that. She is the lady rumored to be…”
Ruelia stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened, and a hollow sense of despair crept in.
Bilein, unaware, finished her sentence.
“Yes. The lady rumored to be chosen as the Crown Princess.”
Crown Prince Gallion—the infamous playboy.
Lady Aila Emil was the woman destined to choose the Duke’s closest friend.
‘This is the worst possible outcome!’
Ruelia suddenly remembered the reason behind the Duke’s eventual rebellion.
The Duke, who sacrificed everything for his friend’s ascension to the throne, had his only love stolen by that very friend. That betrayal had led to tragedy.
Her face went pale.
“Any other questions?”
Bilein asked curiously.
“No, that’s all.”
“Then I will take my leave.”
Ruelia stared at him for a moment.
But her wavering gaze soon steadied. The despair in her eyes faded.
As if she had made a decision, she spoke firmly.
“Yes. Thank you. And… let’s work well together from now on.”
At the sudden declaration of cooperation, Bilein tilted his head slightly.
“If a candidate for Duchess has finally appeared, we must all unite with one heart.”
What else could she do? She was already on a sinking ship.
‘There might still be information in the diary. I can prepare.’
If there was even a single thread of hope, she had to row until the end.
Even if she had to jump off the ship right before it sank.
After returning to the ducal house, Bilein immediately went to Kailles.
“I have returned.”
“Anything unusual?”
“No. The suspicious individual we discovered last time was not seen.”
At his report, Kailles raised one eyebrow.
“So she has finally given up? I thought she would appear since she called Ruelia out today…”
“The craftsman reportedly left the Bellona Trading Company long ago.”
“Then he has no relation to Count Bellona?”
“I am not sure.”
“Not sure?”
Kailles’s fingers tapped the desk in a steady rhythm.
The cold gaze of his eyes made Bilein tense and hurry his reply.
“I will investigate further and report back.”
“By the way, why did the Crown Prince visit Ruelia?”
“He said he was simply passing by her house.”
“Passing by?”
“Yes. Perhaps he was going to meet another noble lady?”
Kailles lightly scoffed, thinking of his friend’s nature.
He did not bother explaining further.
The Crown Prince’s public image was entirely self-inflicted; there was no need to correct it.
“How is the area around Ruelia’s house?”
“The escorts are maintaining double and triple security.”
“Good. Keep it discreet so she doesn’t notice.”
His usually expressionless face grew even more rigid.
Bilein hesitated before continuing.
“But there was something odd the Vice Aide said today.”
“What is it?”
“She seemed interested in Lady Emil.”
“What kind of interest?”
“She was curious about Lady Emil and even seemed to have some favorable impression.”
Kailles’s brows furrowed slightly—but then relaxed as if it was nothing.
“She is an aide. She probably just wanted to assess the nobles I met.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
Bilein nodded.
But there was still one more thing.
After gauging his master’s mood, he continued carefully.
“And… she said that since a candidate for Duchess has appeared, we should unite and do our best.”
The rhythm of Kailles’s finger tapping slowed.
Then it stopped entirely.
“It seems she is planning something ridiculous again. That foolish woman.”
“Shall I stop her?”
“No. Leave her be. She wouldn’t listen even if you tried.”
Kailles picked up the documents Ruelia had neatly organized.
He had told her she could finish them at home and bring them tomorrow, yet she insisted on completing them immediately, claiming ducal documents could not leave the estate.
Speed did not mean carelessness.
Ruelia’s work was more precise and refined than any aide he had ever had.
Kailles lazily flipped through the pages.
Bilein, watching him, narrowed one eye.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m asking if you’re alright. You told her today that there is a woman you wish to make Duchess.”
Kailles gently placed the documents back on the desk.
“Bilein.”
“Yes.”
“She looked very innocent and satisfied when she heard it.”
His tone was strangely amused.
Kailles rested his chin on his interlocked fingers.
And then he looked at Bilein with a dangerous expression Ruelia had never seen before.
