# 15
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Episode 15
* * *
"What's going on with the Duke? Why is he acting like this?"
Points are hard to earn, but very easy to lose.
Ruelia stood in front of the door without knocking, frozen.
In fact, she still had an ounce of trust in the Duke.
“Maybe he has a plan, that's why he's talking like that. Let me trust him.”
She carefully placed the tray on the small table next to the door, and swallowed quietly.
“Duke, what a terrible joke? Haha.”
Count Emil's fake laugh and the arrogant threat of the Duke.
Ruelia's heart beat anxiously.
“Is this treason?”
“Duke, I can’t take sides yet.”
“You will continue in this position?”
“Please, be understanding. Didn’t I come to ask for your help?”
"Then I have no choice. Deal with it yourf. I won't help until your daughter changes her mind."
“How do I force my daughter to change her heart?”
Fortunately, it was not betrayal. But this does not mean that he is reassured.
Count Emile is known for his love for his daughter. To threaten someone like him instead of wooing him, who would agree to give his daughter?
This is not worthy of a Duke. Politics requires imposing favors to create debt.
Ruelia clicked her tongue, but the voice suddenly got closer.
“Then, nothing to talk about. Go home.”
If this continues, she will become a bad help who spies on her master.
Ruelia quickly took off her shoes and held them up.
The door to the next room was slightly open.
She crept into the room, concealing her steps as much as possible.
“Ah, the medicine!”
She should have taken him with her.
The sound of the reception room door opening was heard.
Caelus arrogantly motioned for the Count to leave.
“If you change your mind, come back.”
"duke."
“Senior, the guest is leaving.”
Through the crack of the door, Ruelia saw the Count leaving with hunched shoulders, arousing pity.
“Yesterday he drove away Mademoile Emile, and today he loses the Count. Excellent work.”
Ruelia shook her head as she bent down to put on her shoes.
"Yes!"
When she raised her head, she encountered two terrifying blue eyes in the crack of the door.
Ruelia jumped back in shock, but her shoe got stuck on the carpet, and she fell awkwardly.
Fortunately, a strong hand saved her in time.
“Ruelia, are you okay?”
“Sh, thanks.”
Cayce gently pulled her body to stop her.
Short silence.
Ruelia tidied up her clothes, pretending to cough.
Caelus clicked his tongue for a moment, crossing his arms with a sharp look.
“If you heard, you should have waited outside the door. Why did you hide?”
“I apologize, I made a mistake in judgement.”
Ruelia lowered her head, hitting her head with her fist.
Kyles made a sound as if he was surprised, his forehead narrowed, and his clenched fingers danced restlessly.
“I will enhance the sound insulation in the reception room.”
“It's my fault for speaking at the door. But, go ahead and make a budget.”
It meant that the Count had not even sat down.
Ruelia looked at him worriedly.
“Will… Count Emil’s family become our enemy?”
"That won't happen. If he wants to help, he has to give something. Didn't you teach me that's the basis of business?"
She couldn't find anything to say to his precise comment.
What bothers her is that the rigid Duke does not even tolerate the family of the woman he loves.
“I will go to the imperial palace.”
“To meet His Highness the Prince?”
“Yes, I have an order with him. You, prepare the reception budget and go home.”
"No way! Wait a minute!"
Ruelia quickly grabbed his arm in panic.
Her small hand, which did not even cover half of his bicep, was strong, stopping him completely.
“Ruelia.”
Kyles muttered lowly, and she quickly let go of her hand.
How dare she touch her master and get in his way?
She seems to have lost her mind.
“Oh, I apologize!”
Kyles looked at her hand, his eyebrows twitching violently.
He shook his head in shock, holding his forehead.
Then he looked at her with mysterious eyes.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“Yes, the doctor asked me to deliver this medicine to you.”
She presented the tray quickly, as if to deny that she had spied on purpose.
“I'll take it later.”
Cales refused, but Ruelia was firm.
She pushed the medicine under his chin, as if she was going to force him to drink it.
Her view as a mother was strict.
"He said you were anxious. Anxiety can affect your health."
“None of that. The doctor misunderstood.”
He tries to pretend to be strong.
Ruelia held on to the bowl tightly.
“However, you must take it. Taking care of my master’s health is part of my job.”
Caylus muttered, startled.
“This is a servant’s job.”
But he took the bowl without objection.
“That's right, well done.”
As he slowly drank the medicine, Ruelia treated him like a child.
Kyles' temple trembled, but fortunately, he finished the medicine and put the bowl down.
Ruelia immediately served lemon dessert.
“Eat it.”
Kyles extended his hand to take the candy.
“Didn't you say you were going to the palace? You'll get your hands dirty.”
She pushed the candy straight to his lips.
The moment her soft fingers touched his lips, the sour scent of lemon mixed with the distinct scent of ink, causing his nose to contract.
Ruelia took out a tissue and wiped the remnants of the medicine from his mouth, ignoring his reaction.
The assistant said that she would not marry anyone because it might harm the Duke’s palace.
-From which person?
-Yes, even from a powerful noble like Your Highness.
Caelis remembered Belen's urgent words.
He should have been happy to confirm her loyalty, but…
Crack. The candy shattered in his mouth. His eyes cooled, and his forehead narrowed.
Ruelia blinked in shock after seeing that.
Kyless's eyes stopped on her shoes, practical and comfortable shoes for escape.
She was a frightened rabbit, always ready to run away.
Since the day of their first meeting.
“Really annoying.”
"What? Does the medicine taste bad?"
“Tell the doctor. The medicine is not working, so prepare a new one.”
Kyles made a face and left the corridor.
* * *
In the afternoon, Ruelia finished the work the Duke had assigned her and returned home.
"Ellie, you back? Dinner?"
“Yes, I'm early. I haven't had dinner yet.”
Ruelia walked tiredly towards the kitchen.
She took out a piece of meat she had bought on the way back, and began cutting it helplessly. Melissa entered next.
“Did something happen?”
“No, nothing.”
“You said that working at the Duke’s Palace is comfortable, right?”
Melissa looked with pity at her sister struggling to cover the costs of her medication, filled with guilt.
“No, not that. It’s just that the calculations were complicated today, so I had a headache.”
Melissa closed her mouth.
She didn't ask about her sister's master's family matters, and Ruelia wouldn't tell her.
She quietly helped her sister cook.
Melissa is better at cooking, but Ruelia forbade her from using a knife, fearing that she would get cut, which would be dangerous for her.
But today, it seemed that the knife should not be left to Ruelia.
“Um…Ruelia? Wasn’t dinner meatballs?”
Meat that should have been cut into cubes for soup is now finely chopped.
Suddenly, Ruelia stuck the knife into the cutting board.
“Yes, the Crown Prince is the problem. He must be eliminated.”
Melissa's face turned pale as she saw the knife embedded in the board.