# 18
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Episode 18
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Kyles' uniform had the same pattern.
The blue bell flower blooms between the blue flame, the symbol of the Ducal Palace.
“There seems to be an error.”
“The Duke himf requested it.”
Ruelia looked at Cales.
“This means that you represent the Duke’s Palace, so there is no need to worry.”
Even though she was a commoner, this meant treating her as part of the ducal palace.
Ruelia understood the good sense, but…
“Oh, doesn't that seem to be the only meaning?”
Ayla replied in a cheerful tone.
“It is an honor to notice another meaning.”
“Haha, how could I not notice? It would be disappointing if I didn’t.”
Ruelia rubbed her eyes.
Ayla and Kyles talk cordially, even exchanging smiles.
“Wow, this is great.”
She was worried about the crowded atmosphere in the fashion salon, but that was just a worry.
'As I expected from the Duke!'
If this continues, the two will soon be wearing matching outfits.
Ruelia closed her eyes, imagining Ayla and Caelus dancing.
But the picture was not clear. Maybe because the dress was designed just for her.
She stopped imagining and opened her eyes.
“Well, Monsieur Duke, will you step back and let Miss Ruelia change her clothes? We will put up the curtain.”
Cales did not answer, his gaze was lost in a strange place.
The atmosphere has been friendly so far.
Ayla thought she was being neglected, and her face stiffened.
“Mr. Duke?”
“I'm going out for a moment.”
There was no need to go out with the curtain in place.
Ruelia felt sorry, she wanted them to spend time together.
When he left, Ayla sighed deeply, as if she was trembling.
“I'm sorry, he's been a little distracted since his visit to the palace.”
Ruelia held Ayla’s hand and apologized warmly.
Ayla lowered her eyes like a scolding puppy and said sadly:
“The Duke seems to hate me.”
“No, impossible! I assure you, this is not true.”
“True, I was clearly rude. Naturally, this should reach his ears.”
Despite Caelus's impudence, Ayla blamed herf.
Ruelia liked Ayla more, even though she seemed to be turning away from Cales.
Ruelia sighed as Lotelrus's staff skillfully helped her change her clothes.
Ayla herf came forward to make the adjustments, a rarity for regular clients, adjusting the waistline and shoulder pleats.
“Luckily, the dress fits you. It's perfect.”
“Really, it's very beautiful.”
“But, do you have someone to decorate you on the day of the party?”
“What? My sister will help me... maybe.”
Melissa had worked as a maid in noble houses to cover the costs of Ruelia's studies.
Maybe you learned to decorate, or at least watched it.
“Hmm...”
Ayla looked at Ruelia, then said cautiously:
“Why don't you sleep at my house the night of the party?”
"What?"
“We get ready together in the morning. Our maids are skilled, and you don’t have shoes or jewelry to match the dress, I will lend you.”
It was a good show.
It would give her a chance to talk to Ayla more.
She also needs to confirm the identity of Ayla's secret partner.
'He seems to be the Crown Prince.'
A plan was needed.
“So…”
She almost said it was a great honor, but suddenly the door opened.
“No need. Ruelia is from the Duke’s Palace, and the palace servants will be in charge of decorating her.”
Ayla glanced at Kyles skeptically.
The position of Duchess has been vacant for some time, and the skills of the maids may have declined or become outdated.
But she didn't dare point it out in front of Caelus, especially with his terrifying aura and her guilt.
"Well, no choice then. Now it's the Duke's turn?"
Ayla clapped, and Lotelrus' staff prepared Caelus' uniform.
“You can take off your clothes behind the curtain.”
Ruelia’s cheeks automatically reddened at the word “take off.”
Even though it had been a long time, the memory of that day was still fresh.
The knights were not lying when they said:
-Seeing him once will make you never get away.
Not her man's body. It must be forgotten.
Ruelia shook her head violently, then noticed Cales looking at her annoyed.
How long has he been watching? Why is he staring like that?
“Mr. Duke?”
At Ayla's invitation, Caelce entered behind the curtain in the corner of the drawing room.
He put on the costume with the help of Ayla, who stayed outside the curtain.
Thanks to Kyles' height, his face was visible above the curtain, and they exchanged a friendly conversation, smiling at each other, and touching hands as they handed over the clothes.
Ruelia looked at the scene happily.
'good! Well done, Sir Duke!'
Without knowing the harsh nature of their conversation.
“After this is over, I hope we never meet again.”
“Yes, that's what I hope too.”
“The same goes for helping me.”
“Oh, that won't happen.”
They stared at each other as if they were going to devour each other.
“Why do you keep targeting Ruelia? Do you want to become like Count Bellona?”
Ayla smiled softly at Caelce's question.
That sly smile appeared in his eyes.
“No, just because Ruelia herf is loved, like me.”
Her sparkling green eyes were rather beautiful.
But in Kyles' eyes, she was like poison.
“Your proposal to the prince was exciting.”
“Don't you think it's strange?”
"What?"
“Why couldn’t someone as talented as Ruelia reach a higher status, just because of her origin?”
Kyles closed his mouth tightly.
He had never thought in this direction before.
He thought her salary, time, and protection as a commoner were enough.
Until now, he was her master.
But after his duel with the prince, he felt a little uneasy.
When Caelus fell silent, Ayla nodded as if she had expected it.
“Of course, someone like you wouldn't think of that.”
Isn't she also a noble?
“Isn’t this to prepare Ruelia as a palace tool if you become Empress?”
“Oh, I don't care about the position of Empress. The administration of Lautelrus is enough for me.”
Ayla grabbed the pants, but it seemed she had no intention of passing them on, as if she were joking.
“So, focus on running your salon.”
“I would love to, but there are problems.”
“I heard there's a financial problem. Count Bellona's scheming, isn't it?”
Ayla's eyebrows rose in admiration at Cayce's information.
“I will solve the financing problem.”
Perhaps this was the reason for her visit to the prince.
She was definitely smart.
She decided that benefiting from him was better than indebtedness to the prince, and she quickly understood the truth about Count Bellona.
“What are the conditions?”
“No benefits.”
“Not in exchange for preventing me from meeting Ruelia, right?”
Ayla became agitated, but Caelus raised his hand to calm her down.
Originally, he intended to.
He looked at Ruelia, whose violet eyes were sparkling innocently as she looked at them.
At that moment, he couldn't say no.
“No, just don't try to pull her away from me.”
"Good."
The deal is over.
Ayla happily passed the pants on.
She extended her hand to shake hands as confirmation of agreement.
Cales ignored it and said coldly:
“Now, tell me.”
"What?"
“The real reason you targeted Ruelia.”
His low voice was very threatening.