The carriage carrying Kaileas and Ruella arrived in front of the most dazzling shopping district in the bustling commercial area.
Lucillus Dress Atelier.
A cloud-shaped signboard with the name written in gold over a pink background hung beautifully above the entrance.
What had once been a small boutique gifted to Count Emil’s young daughter on her coming-of-age day had now expanded into the very heart of the capital’s fashion district.
“Wow… it got even bigger.”
As the carriage door opened, Ruella slightly parted her lips in surprise.
Flowers in brilliant colors, likely grown in a greenhouse, lined the steps and released a rich fragrance into the air.
Even the signage, railings, and door handles were all of the highest quality.
The overwhelming luxury made her feel strangely intimidated.
‘Am I even allowed to enter a place like that?’
She felt like a mere commoner would be crushed by the atmosphere.
“Is this the place?”
Kaileas, who had been silently reviewing documents the entire ride as usual, finally looked outside and spoke.
He turned his head to examine the building they had come to.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Who owns it?”
Had he not yet checked the information about the woman he supposedly liked?
Ruella quietly observed his expression.
He looked mildly displeased.
It seemed she had chosen something too extravagant after all. He was not someone who spent money on luxury, so he probably didn’t like it.
“As far as I know, it belongs to Lady Emil of Count Emil’s family. The same lady who once attended to you during the knights’ council meeting.”
She subtly used Lady Emil as a shield.
If Kaileas had feelings for her, maybe his reaction would soften.
“Emil? Isn’t this place invested in by the Bellona Trading Company?”
“No. I heard it was built entirely with the Count’s family funds.”
“I see. Then let’s go in.”
See? It worked.
She let out a small sigh of relief at his softened expression.
It was finally time to meet Lady Emil.
And she could also observe how deep Kaileas’s feelings were.
While analyzing their relationship, she planned how to support his love life moving forward.
‘It would be best if the lady had at least a little affection for him.’
Then everything would proceed smoothly.
Ruella, thinking this small wish, instinctively stood up to step out of the carriage first.
“Ruella.”
At that moment, Kaileas suddenly called her.
He got off the carriage first—something he had never bothered to do before—and acted in a manner like he was escorting a noble lady.
“Yes, my lord?”
Ruella stared blankly at the hand extended toward her.
Kaileas fixed his gaze on her without wavering.
“Aren’t you getting out?”
He urged her.
“Oh—yes, I should.”
Ruella carefully leaned out of the carriage. She avoided his offered hand entirely.
But she still didn’t fully get down.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Kaileas raised his hand to block her path, looking incredulous.
“Pardon? You told me to get out…”
“You were trying to get down without taking a knight’s hand?”
“….”
What was wrong with him today?
If he had always acted like this, she would have naturally taken his hand.
But Ruella had never once been treated like a lady by Kaileas. Not because he lacked manners—he simply treated her strictly as a subordinate.
And she had never been offended by that.
Supervisor and subordinate.
Both had simply fulfilled their roles perfectly.
“Um… if I take your hand, wouldn’t people misunderstand?”
“Misunderstand what?”
That was partly because of her conversation with Melissa earlier.
A mistress…
The Kaileas she knew would never keep something like that.
But the world did not see things that way.
In noble society, rumors spread faster than a fan fluttering open.
And the owner of Lucillus—the boutique that catered to high society women—would hear such rumors immediately.
“That is… if I suddenly start behaving differently when I never did before…”
“What does anyone else’s perception matter? By that logic, we shouldn’t even be attending Bellona’s banquet together.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
“Exactly. And if you’re going to attend a banquet, you should get used to this.”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
Ruella nodded along, already half-convinced.
Kaileas looked satisfied, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
“Even if rumors spread, it won’t matter.”
His gaze briefly shifted toward the atelier building, then the surrounding shops.
Ruella followed his line of sight.
In the second-floor window, the faint silhouette of an elegant woman’s movement could be seen—no doubt Lady Emil.
“I understand perfectly,” Ruella said sincerely.
She had always known he was intelligent. She hadn’t expected him to be this calculating even in matters of love.
A jealousy strategy.
If that was the case, she could fully cooperate.
“Good. I’m glad you understand.”
Kaileas looked at her as if she were a useful subordinate.
So the resignation letter truly wasn’t her real intention.
Perhaps it had been Bellona’s scheme to separate them.
‘That snake-like woman… I’ll make her give up.’
And if necessary, he would crush Bellona’s trading company itself.
Once something entered his territory, he had no intention of letting it go.
Especially valuable people.
“Let’s go.”
At his signal, Ruella slowly raised her hand.
A faint ink scent lingered on her skin.
Her fingers, slightly hardened from constant writing with a quill, were surprisingly soft—warmer than a hot water bottle in winter.
A strangely pleasant sensation.
Kaileas subtly tightened his grip.
Ruella glanced at their joined hands, slightly tense.
‘What is this…? Something feels strange.’
Unlike the knights who normally escorted her, Kaileas was holding her hand firmly.
It didn’t feel like he was simply inexperienced at escorting a lady.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
She quickly spoke.
“Thank you.”
Kaileas frowned slightly, then loosened his grip.
He let out a quiet sigh and shook his head as if frustrated with himself.
“Ruella.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Let’s go.”
His expression returned to normal.
He gently guided her forward, as if the earlier awkwardness had never happened.
Soon, they reached the entrance of the atelier.
“Welcome, Lord Kaileas of House Avere, and Lady.”
The doorman bowed respectfully upon recognizing them.
For a moment, Ruella felt like she had become a true noble lady.
A dangerous feeling.
* * *
The interior of Lucillus was just as luxurious as its exterior.
Yet the hospitality was surprisingly poor.
The VIP guests had not even met the designer or the owner yet.
Kaileas was already in a bad mood. Leaning back with crossed legs, he flipped through a catalog and complained to Ruella.
“The service here is impressive.”
“Maybe we arrived too suddenly.”
They had rushed over after sending a late notice without prior reservation. That might be the reason.
This kind of treatment was probably a first for Kaileas.
‘So he really does like Lady Emil.’
To endure this kind of treatment and still wait patiently…
The power of love.
Ruella focused on the catalog.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.”
She couldn’t help but admire it.
Was this Lady Emil’s craftsmanship? The dresses were so elegant and extravagant it felt like being drawn in.
“If you see something you like, choose it. We don’t want to waste time when the owner arrives.”
“Ah, yes.”
He probably meant to pick something quickly and leave.
Ruella flipped through the pages and stopped at a simple, minimally decorated dress. It looked easy to make within two weeks.
“I like this one.”
At that moment, the person responsible for receiving orders finally entered the room.
“Apologies for the delay, Lord Kaileas of Avere.”
Golden hair, clear green eyes, and an elegant, refined demeanor.
Aila Emil, daughter of Count Emil.
With a rather impressive first impression, Ruella steadied her racing heart.
At last, her master and his beloved were in the same room.
How would Kaileas react?
She turned toward him with anticipation.
“Just a mere count’s daughter acting quite presumptuous.”
Ruella froze.
She was utterly shocked by Kaileas’s words.
