# 13
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Episode 13
* * *
Ice-cold eyes exchanged glances with Belen. Belin nodded as if to confirm that the person the Duke thought of was the same person he expected.
The corner of Kyle's mouth distorted.
“What ridiculous dreams.”
“Exactly! Our assistance is loyal to my lord Duke only.”
“Is that all you have to report?”
“No, sir. That night, that young lady secretly met with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Cayce's blue eyes grew darker.
As the air grew colder, Belen swallowed. The less the Duke spoke, the more he felt his lifespan decrease.
If this continues, it will be another hellish training.
Belen tried to calm Kyles down in order to survive.
“Since the help has no intention of leaving the Duke’s Palace, wouldn’t it be better not to worry?”
It seems that Beilin's strategy worked.
“Were there any other resignations from Ruelia after that?”
“I checked with the maids cleaning the office today, and they found nothing.”
“Okay, then it's over.”
Fortunately. It seemed that we could proceed with the next report.
“But, Sir Duke, what about the project that the aid is running?”
“What project? Do you have work with Ruelia?”
“I met her on my way, and she asked me to attend a meeting of the ‘Duke’s Marriage Promotion Committee’.”
The wrinkles between Kyles' eyebrows deepened.
The quick-witted server realized that he had just lost the points he had regained.
“One hundred laps around the training ground. Nine days left.”
What a fundamentalist who adheres to the rules.
Belin gritted his teeth and ran around the square.
* * *
“Sir Belin, welcome.”
Ruelia warmly welcomed Belin to the garden terrace of the Duke’s Palace. The refreshments were already ready.
“But, did you come right after training?”
As she was showing him to his seat, she noticed his appearance and sent her nose in a slight wag.
Pale face, clothes soaked with sweat, and skin covered in dust. He looked like someone back from hell.
“I apologize. I came in a hurry after morning training without showering.”
“No, I'm the one who should apologize! You should have rested after training, but I stole your time.”
“No, no. I am very happy to participate in your plan! I will gladly attend the next meeting. Don’t ever exclude me!”
Belin smiled weakly, his sunken black eyes sparkling.
“But the butler is here too.”
“Of course. Mr. Senior is the Duke’s closest confidant, so he cannot be excluded from the promotion committee.”
“Right...”
Belin's eyes were filled with frustration and exhaustion.
“Sit somewhere comfortable.”
Belin hesitantly sat across from Ruelia, ignoring the sharp gazes coming from the third floor of the mansion.
-I allow you to speak this time. However, if it looks like Ruelia is going to do something stupid, let me know. Respond moderately without annoying her.
It was a tough request.
The definition of “foolishness” was ambiguous. Does he mean something life-threatening or something personal?
He had to guess the Duke's intentions.
Otherwise, the Duke, who has been in a bad mood lately, might drag the Angel of Death himf out of Hell.
“Okay, let's start the meeting?”
Ruelia clapped her hands with a bright smile, announcing the start of the meeting.
I first explained the overview of the promotion committee.
“I met His Highness the Crown Prince recently. It seems that the Empire will soon interfere in the Duke’s Palace marriage.”
“The Empire’s interference in the affairs of Abeer Palace is unacceptable.”
Belin gritted his teeth, with a hostile tone as if he was facing an enemy.
He wasn't the only one who was upset.
“True. The Imperial Princess, in particular, does not fit into the traditions of Aber Palace. Historically, no marriage with a princess has resulted in a good ending.”
Even Senior, the servant who usually didn't gossip, showed disgust.
In contrast to Cales' good relationship with the prince, the people of the Duke's Palace had resentment towards the imperial family.
This was due to the actions of the former Duchess of the Imperial Family: her bad relationship with her husband, her spying for the Imperial Family, and her being someone who was disrespected by the palace servants.
Even her only son was like that.
Ruelia remembered the history of the palace, and she automatically looked displeased.
“I agree with you both. The Empire’s interference in palace affairs only means monitoring and restricting us.”
Restricting the number of soldiers for the empire was a measure with the same meaning.
They do not trust Abir's loyalty.
Therefore, the imperial family sought marriage alliances at every opportunity.
In this generation, they have not raised the issue yet due to the princess’s young age. But if Kayles' marriage is delayed, they may push for an engagement.
The Emperor has already shown his intention to intervene.
“Therefore, the Duke’s marriage must be expedited.”
Ruelia clenched her fist excitedly, looking at the two for their approval.
“Right. I totally agree!”
Fortunately, Belen nodded enthusiastically first, but soon looked confused.
“Is there someone in mind?”
“Oh, haven’t you noticed yet? You are the Duke’s closest confidant, think carefully.”
After deep thought, Belin's face lit up as if he had discovered something.
"Ah! I know! I know him better than anyone!"
Senior laughed gently and looked at Ruelia as if she were his granddaughter, comforting her.
“This is something the Duke will decide for himf. He is an unwavering person and will choose a partner wiy.”
A few days ago, Ruelia would have agreed.
“No, after what I saw yesterday, I'm sure he's wrong.”
“What happened at the fashion salon?”
“You don't know how severe it was there. I apologize for the expression, but it was a disaster.”
Ruelia sighed deeply, until the coffee in her cup trembled.
“What? Did the Duke reveal his feelings there?”
Belen frowned in surprise.
“Yes, it was very rough. I was like sitting on a pillow full of thorns.”
“He's not good at expressing emotions. He'll change soon, just wait.”
Senior trusted the Duke blindly.
Well, the Duke is good with his followers, so it's hard to imagine him behaving badly.
If persuasion doesn't work, it's time to change strategy.
“I suggest that we help the Duke a little so that he does not suffer.”
"how?"
“First, I ask you, Mr. Belin, to investigate that woman. Her preferences, business plans, any information useful to the Duke. Palace knights are faster than any guild at gathering information, right?”
With a touch of praise, she gave her instructions. Ruelia's strategy worked perfectly, and Belin smiled excitedly.
“Of course, that's very easy.”
“If I gather the information, I will give the Duke useful advice based on it. That is acceptable, isn’t it, Mister Senior?”
Fortunately, he didn't object. Senior nodded gently.
Step forward.
But there was a bigger hurdle.
'How do I get rid of the Crown Prince?'
It is not mentioned in the diary why Count Emil's daughter chose the prince in the end.
If she remembered that, she would be able to help the Duke…
While Ruelia was seriously thinking about the next steps, Belin coughed.
“What's the matter, Mr. Belin?”
With a serious look, he asked her:
“When do you intend to marry, Assistant, and what kind of man?”
Belin's eyes were full of anticipation as he waited for her answer.