Ruellia tilted her chin down and opened and closed her mouth blankly.
‘Wait… wasn’t this love at first sight?’
Was he getting prickly because the woman he liked was treating him coldly? He was usually quite attentive despite his bluntness, so she couldn’t understand why he was acting like this.
Who wouldn’t be hurt by such aggressive words? Lady Aila Emil’s face stiffened instantly.
At this rate, she might get rejected without even getting a chance to confess.
“I apologize. However, maintaining trust with long-term clients is also important.”
No. Not hurt at all.
Aila didn’t look like someone willing to back down either.
She had said she managed the Duke’s needs very well—she didn’t seem like someone who simply catered to others.
That was probably why she had caught the Duke’s attention.
“If you had contacted us in advance, we would have sent our designer to the ducal estate.”
“If I had the luxury of time, I would have done that.”
A standoff of pure tension.
Ruellia was already exhausted just watching. But she couldn’t just leave it be.
At this rate, she might end up branded as some nuisance.
“Hello, Lady Emil.”
She cautiously greeted Aila.
“And you are…?”
Aila turned her calm gaze toward Ruellia.
Despite her earlier composure against the Duke’s sharp words, her green eyes now wavered.
“I’m Ruellia, a clerk working in the ducal household.”
The moment she heard the name, Aila’s expression turned to delight.
“Pardon? Really? You’re Ruellia, the legendary clerk of the Bellona Trading Company?”
A commoner being addressed with honorifics—Ruellia blinked in confusion.
Aila’s green eyes sparkled like leaves bathed in spring sunlight, full of excitement.
“It’s an honor to meet you!”
“Same here… but do you know me?”
“Of course! You’re the legendary clerk of Bellona Trading Company!”
“Legendary…?”
“Yes! I heard every business you touch turns into a huge success. I’ve always admired you.”
Ruellia didn’t fully understand, but it seemed Aila liked her.
That was at least a relief.
Ruellia then glanced proudly at Kailles.
‘Huh? Why does he look even angrier?’
Cold sweat ran down her back.
If the Duke saw his subordinate getting along too well with the woman he supposedly liked, it could complicate things.
Ah—jealousy!
It made sense. Even someone he loved might feel threatened if they got too close to someone else.
“I don’t deserve such praise. I’m just an ordinary clerk.”
“Ordinary? I’d love to work with someone like you.”
Ruellia’s eyes widened.
It sounded like polite flattery, but it was a very tempting offer.
Maybe someone with a stable future was better than someone who might turn into a villain in the future. Less risk of dying together, at least.
“I—”
She almost said it.
If not for the icy voice that cut through the air behind her.
“Until when do you intend to chat idly with my clerk?”
Kailles placed a hand on Ruellia’s shoulder.
With a slight pull backward, Ruellia was naturally separated from Aila.
He stepped in between them as if he had been waiting for this moment, blocking Ruellia’s view of Aila.
“Is your job not to make clothes? Not to loiter around with my clerk?”
Ruellia clicked her tongue without realizing it.
What was this? She thought he was some calculating, possessive schemer.
But he was just a clumsy man in love.
“Oh my, Ruellia will be wearing my design? Really?”
“Yes. There’s a banquet in two weeks at the Bellona estate.”
Ruellia peeked her head out from behind Kailles’ shoulder to answer.
“She is my partner. That’s why we intend to have matching outfits.”
“Oh my, you two are attending the banquet together?”
Aila clapped her hands exaggeratedly. Ruellia’s expression stiffened.
This was going to create misunderstandings.
“Lord Bellona assigned me as the Duke’s partner for the event. Since many nobles attend, I believe he wanted the Duke there as my guardian so I wouldn’t be treated poorly.”
She stretched on tiptoe to explain from behind Kailles’ shoulder.
“…I see.”
Aila smiled gently and moved to the table, picking up the catalog.
“Have you decided on a style you like?”
The thick catalog made of heavy paper and leather bindings looked extremely heavy. Aila’s arm trembled slightly.
Not missing the chance, Ruellia quickly nudged Kailles.
“The catalog looks heavy. Could you hold it for her?”
At her whisper, Kailles frowned—but still took it from Aila and placed it on the table.
“Ruellia, didn’t you say earlier that you liked this dress?”
He flipped to a page without hesitation and pointed.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Let’s go with this. Add a hint of the ducal colors and insignia.”
At Kailles’ demand, Aila looked flustered.
“Pardon? This? This design—”
“What’s the problem?”
“The patterns are not printed; they are individually embroidered. It’s extremely detailed work.”
“And?”
“There’s no way we can finish it in two weeks.”
Ruellia looked at the catalog with a troubled expression.
She usually only bought ready-made clothes, so she didn’t know.
But of course, aristocrats who couldn’t show off wealth with jewels would display it through embroidery instead.
Naturally, the price would rise as well.
“I’ll choose another one.”
“No. This one.”
Kailles’ eyes sharpened.
“It’s far more elegant than something overloaded with jewels.”
He ignored her objection completely.
“…But Duke—”
Aila tried again, but Kailles’ lips curled faintly, dismissive.
“Hire more artisans. I will pay whatever is required.”
“The cost will increase significantly.”
“I don’t care. I am someone who can afford to invest in my clerk.”
Ruellia sighed inwardly.
Was this his way of showing affection? It was… incredibly awkward.
* * *
Kailles sat alone in the reception room, watching the two women go into the fitting room.
“That woman… is troublesome.”
He replayed the earlier scene in his mind.
Especially the way she looked at Ruellia—guarded, cautious.
She was a noblewoman even the Crown Prince, his political ally, had once considered as a potential Crown Princess candidate.
And now she was openly showing interest in Ruellia.
Ruellia didn’t seem to dislike her either.
She was usually formal and restrained with him, but toward that woman, she spoke softly and warmly.
“So she approached my service under ulterior motives.”
Then he recalled the burned resignation letter Ruellia had once tried to discard.
Ruellia had chosen this place herself.
Was it possible her reason for coming here was tied to plans of leaving?
Was she checking potential employers?
Come to think of it, she had asked about Aila Emil.
“Billain.”
“Yes, my lord.”
His escort stepped forward immediately.
“Investigate everything about the daughter of House Emil. Her connections, her business dealings, hiring plans—everything.”
“Yes, understood.”
After Billain left, Kailles narrowed his eyes.
Why was fitting clothes taking so long? Were they discussing something else?
Like contract negotiations.
He stood abruptly, staring at the quiet fitting room.
It seemed leaving those two alone was a mistake.
Lmao they’re so funny 🤣