# 26
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Episode 26
“Do you know that priest?”
His low voice, caressing her ears, caused Ruelia's shoulders to tremble.
“Yes, he was a classmate at the academy.”
"Colleague? Were you two friends?"
"No, he wasn't. He was one of the people who hated me."
Her natural tone came out unintentionally. It was difficult to suddenly change the way she spoke to the Duke.
In fact, she used this tone to bring herf closer to the Duke at first, because he seemed more comfortable when talking to knights.
'Just be normal!'
It was enough for her to talk as she did with others, but she felt a little shy. She felt embarrassed with herf, and her ears gradually began to heat up.
At that moment, Caelus caressed her ears again.
"There's no need to be afraid. Remember what I told you that day?"
At his words, Ruelia smiled brightly.
“Yes, I will clearly show them who I am.”
Kyle's eyebrows rose slightly. His gaze lingered on Ruelia's reddened ears for a moment, and then the corner of his mouth rose as well.
Suddenly, the servant's announcement sounded loudly.
“The little sun of the empire, His Highness the Crown Prince, and Miss Emile of the Count’s family, and the pillar of the empire, the Duke of Abert, and Miss Ruelia.”
Galion, who had been talking intimately with Ayla, turned around.
“Ruelia, you are finally shining in high society today. Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ruelia's voice trembled slightly. When she saw Gallion and Ayla walking intimately together, the tension she had hardly calmed returned.
Suddenly, Caelce retracted the right arm he had been offering, and grabbed Ruelia's hand with his left hand.
He placed his right hand on her back.
“Breathe deeply, then hold your breath for three seconds, then exhale slowly.”
Cales explained the breathing method knights use to calm themves before battle, gently rubbing her back.
His large, rough palm slid down Ruelia's back softly. He should have been goofy, but he was surprisingly precise and kind.
It was titillating.
Hence, he was even more embarrassed.
'Wait, a minute...'
If it keeps going down like this, what will happen?
With tickling and embarrassment, Ruelia's shoulders almost stuck to her neck.
Fortunately, his hand stopped somewhere high. Thanks to that, Ruelia was able to breathe as he instructed her. Her spasming muscles relaxed as well.
“Thank you, Sir Duke.”
"Are you well?"
“Yes, thanks to your touch.”
Ruelia's cheeks reddened slightly.
Caelus felt the familiar beat of her heart, and gave a smile warmer than ever.
“It was like what my father used to do, so I calmed down quickly.”
His mouth returned to its normal position.
Meanwhile, Galion and Ayla entered the concert hall first.
Cales, who had become expressionless, stepped forward as he led Ruelia.
Ruelia walked over, fixing her eyes on Ayla and the crown prince who were one step ahead of her.
She didn't want to admit it, but they seemed to get along. Perhaps because of the similar sheen of their hair, they were a striking pair.
So much so that everyone's eyes were on them.
“Oh my God, look over there.”
“The miss next to His Highness the Crown Prince is Miss Emil of the Count’s family, right?”
“Is she the woman over whom the Duke and His Highness were said to have quarreled?”
“It seems so.”
The people suddenly closed their mouths when they saw Cales's stern face as he followed them.
Ruelia's lips trembled indignantly as she watched this scene. She didn't expect high society to be so shamelessly cruel.
Hiding the mouth with a fan does not hide the ugliness.
“Oh my God, but who is Duke Abert’s partner?”
Ruelia did not like the curiosity directed at her directly.
“Who do you know? Wasn’t her name mentioned without a family name?”
"What? So it's just slang!"
“Oh my God, how could a commoner be the Duke’s partner?”
If they are going to judge people, let them do it quietly so as not to be heard.
'Same thing.'
It was as if the experience of the day she entered the academy was being repeated.
At that time, she was young and shy because of her status, so she couldn't protest. She was stupid.
“Let them talk as they want now. Just remember their faces well.”
Kyles whispered softly in her ear.
Ruelia nodded and raised the corner of her mouth slightly.
'Surely, the master must be one of authority.'
She felt reassured, reaffirming why she had to save Caelce's future.
Ruelia squeezed his crossed arm slightly, and a calm smile appeared on her lips.
Suddenly, someone whispered to the people in high society in a low voice.
“Ah, so they were really in this relationship.”
The ladies waved their fans together, exchanging glances.
Their voices became much lower.
Although Ruelia was not experienced in high society, she understood more than anyone the meaning of their looks.
She was somewhat expecting this response.
“Ellie, if the nobles point at you for no reason, don’t let it get you down. Trust the Duke, okay?'
Melissa, who worked as a maid in a noble family, seems to understand the environment of high society more.
“They have lost their minds.”
Today's cold gaze was particularly authoritative.
So, if something happened, she decided to inform the Duke legally first.
As she felt comfortable, her vision widened slightly. Besides the priest, she noticed other people from her academy days who were bothering her.
Ruelia turned her gaze towards them, tilting her head slightly to the side. It was a satisfying feeling to see these narrow-minded people, who still didn't know how to apologize, turn away.
“Thank you, Sir Duke.”
Ruelia looked at her trusted partner today and said in a softer tone.
Kyles looked at her, raising his eyebrows as if he didn't understand what she meant.
“Okay...”
When I tried to explain why, I felt embarrassed.
Even if she had implicit permission, how could she so brazenly say to the Duke that she was using him as a shield and a sword?
Instead of explaining, Ruelia laughed cheerfully.
Caelus frowned with his nose.
“Kaylus, what are you doing?”
Galion turned around, as if looking for trouble, but at that moment, a priest wearing a gray robe that did not match the ceremony stood in front of the four.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Sir Duke Abert, and Miss Emile.”
He completely ignored Ruelia's greeting.
“O priest...”
“How dare you...”
“Sorry!”
The three rebelled at the same time.
But Ruelia didn't care at all. I felt strong just by having two trusted allies.
“It's been a long time, hasn't it?”
She greeted him first as if nothing mattered to her.
In fact, despite the teasing and neglect she suffered at the academy, she never broke down in front of them. As now.
When she greeted him with a bright smile, the priest looked confused.
“Do you two know him?”
Galion asked, and Ruelia shrugged.
“Just a colleague from the academy.”
The priest smiled kindly, as if he was expecting this.
“How have you been since then, Ruelia? I heard that you work with the Abir family. I hesitated to greet you for fear of disturbing you, so I did not greet you.”
His tone was very gentle.
A voice devoid of any evil, as if he had repented.
“Yes, thanks to your teachings at the academy, I now work with the Duke’s family. I even rode in a carriage with His Highness the Crown Prince, and it’s all thanks to you.”
Even if he becomes a believer, his character does not change.
So, I tried to provoke him to test it.
In the past, he had been easily angered by the slightest provocation.
But today was different.
“At that time, I was immature. Now, I repent under the teachings of the Lord. I apologize from my heart.”
Today, Ruelia appeared glamorously in high society.
As a common villain, she relies on the authority of Duke Abert to harass a good priest.