# 27
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Episode 27
When the priest bowed, all eyes suddenly focused on him.
Ruelia, who was covering her face with the fan, couldn't see his expression clearly, but she felt a tingling sensation throughout her entire body.
“Helping Duke Abert’s family, right?”
These were the only words that Ruelia heard clearly. As for the rest, they were faint whispers that she could not distinguish.
But she could guess what they were saying.
“That woman is a commoner, isn’t she?” While this priest is a noble?'
“True, for a noble to bow down to a commoner… What happens to the empire for such things to happen?”
– ‘This is Duke Abert’s fault. No matter how much he likes to help him, there are classes and systems in the empire.'
Ruelia was not greatly affected by the nobles' fingers pointing at her, she was used to it. But she never wanted her boss, whom she respected, to be insulted because of her.
She is, after all, the Duke of Abert's only assistant.
As soon as the priest straightened, Ruelia bowed firmly.
“No, I was wrong. Thanks to the Duke, today I trained in Wallace for the first time, and I should have realized my mistakes from the academy days, but I was so narrow-minded.”
The priest realized her intentions and bowed again.
“No, Miss Ruelia, really, back then, we were so narrow-minded and offended you.”
The priest was surprised by his hasty words.
The ladies' fans began to move again after they understood the meaning of the dialogue. Those who were among the “us” looked agitated as they looked around.
Ruelia took advantage of the strange atmosphere and added.
"In those days, I was blinded by the scholarship, so I wasn't paying attention. I misunderstood the offer to give up first place in exchange for sponsorship. I thought it was a death threat if I got first place. I was stupid."
She was still bent over.
“This is kinda...”
“Hmm, didn’t you say you knew this priest?”
“No, it's not true.”
This time, I heard people's voices clearly.
Finally, public opinion began to change.
In time, her trusted allies began a coordinated attack.
“Mr. Duke, have you heard?”
“I knew a little about it.”
“I heard from the fashion salon staff about the distinction of nobles in the academy, but I didn’t know it was this serious. This is exaggerated.”
“I agree with you.”
Ayla and Kyles' chemistry was perfect.
Ruelia felt grateful and raised her head.
Then, she saw Calice's cold face, befitting the title of “Fair Ice.”
“Your Highness, I request an investigation into the recurring problem of discrimination within the academy.”
“I will accept the request.”
Gallion gladly agreed.
For him, who would become emperor in the future, any opportunity to discipline the nobility was welcome.
“But, is that enough, Duke of Abert?”
“Of course not. Whoever harms Aber’s family’s help harms me personally.”
Caelus stared at the priest. He was determined to crush it once and for all this time. Getting him expelled from the empire wouldn't be so bad.
“But at that time, Ruelia wasn’t affiliated with your family?”
Gallion protested, but Caelis didn't care.
“This is an opportunity to expose the temple’s flaws as well.”
He was the type of person who only used principles when it suited him.
Suddenly, a voice was heard.
“Enter Countess Bellona!”
The servant's loud screams drowned out the murmurs of the ballroom.
The door opened wide, and a middle-aged woman entered elegantly and quietly. Countess Bellona approached directly from Ruelia's group.
“I was late after inviting the guests. Forgive me, Your Highness.”
Countess Bellona bowed politely to the Crown Prince.
Gallion looked like he was complaining, but he was not going to show his frustration like a prince here.
“I know you're a busy person, it's okay.”
“Your Highness is as generous as expected.”
The Countess ignored Caelus and turned to their partners.
“Ayla, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
“Hello, Countess Bellona, it has been a while.”
“And Roelia.”
Countess Bellona took both of Ruelia's hands.
"I really miss you."
With tears glistening in her eyes, Ruelia lowered her eyes.
Despite her elegant appearance, fatigue was evident on the Countess's complexion, which aroused a feeling of guilt in Ruelia.
“I'm sorry, it's been a long time since my last visit.”
“I let you leave thinking that you would return soon, but I did not expect the years to pass like this.”
Ruelia felt that she had been negligent towards the Countess, who had been her savior.
She should have visited her instead of being satisfied with letters and gifts, even if the Countess refused to meet under the pretext of being busy.
“I'm sorry.”
“It's okay, isn't it great to see you at the party today?”
The Countess smiled brightly, then turned to Caelce.
“It seems the Duke took good care of Ellie. Thank you.”
Her features were like a mother who married her daughter.
Caelus quietly approached Ruelia's side, staring at the Countess without responding.
The Countess did not avoid his gaze, but smiled brightly.
“So, shall we really start the party?”
As soon as the Countess's words ended, the servants entered, pushing a cart carrying a three-layer cake to the main table.
Amidst the noisy movement, Ruelia and the Duke had to move away from the Countess a little.
The candles were quickly lit, and the audience calmed down out of respect for the host of the party. Countess Bellona went up to the podium next to the cake.
“I thank everyone who came to celebrate the opening of a new trade route for the Bellona Guild.”
It was a normal greeting.
Ruelia prepared her hands to clap with sincere enthusiasm.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the savior who told me about the existence of this path and enabled me to take it.”
Ruelia's cheeks reddened.
I felt grateful for the Countess's intentions, who wanted to praise her despite her resignation from business, even though she wanted to stop attracting attention.
‘No, this achievement is all thanks to your wonderful leadership of the trade.’
Ruelia repeated the words of response in her mind, staring into the Countess's mouth.
“I dedicate all this glory to the temple and to God.”
The countess blew out the candles.
Applause and words of congratulations filled the concert hall. Ruelia joined the crowd in applause.
She felt a strange pain in her palms.
* * *
Calm and cheerful tunes flowed into the concert hall.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themves. They would talk to people they felt comfortable with, expanding their networks.
Ruelia was unable to engage in this, so she contented herf with quietly observing Countess Bellona.
She was talking to a noble from another country, and the Crown Prince and Ayla were in that group.
It was strange not to feel frustrated. An achievement she thought was common suddenly became the property of the temple.
'Well, there's no need to worry about a subordinate who has already left.'
Ruelia tried to shake off her frustration, then looked back at the concert hall.
The nobles scattered here and there looked at her furtively, but when their eyes met, they turned their heads, feigning ignorance.
Ruelia turned her head, searching for the reason.
“Master Duke, are you supposed to stay here quietly guarding me?”
“Who knows when that disappeared priest will come back to harm you?”
“Impossible, would he dare to come back and bother me after this humiliation?”
“We can't be sure.”
The priest in question disappeared when Countess Bellona appeared.
There were supposed to be other priests invited, but their absence was worrying.
“As you saw, I won’t let anyone bother me anymore. Stop worrying about me, and go over there and get something that will benefit the fiefdom.”
Ruelia said in a complaining tone, her face slightly frowning, staring at the empty ballroom.
“Anyway, it doesn't look like anyone's going to dance.”
liar.
She could not blame her boss directly, so she contented herf with a sideways glance.
“I clearly heard there was going to be a ball. Perhaps His Highness made a mistake.”
“We worked hard to train in vain.”
I sighed deeply.
'How much effort I made to prepare the atmosphere...'
It was unfortunate that her efforts to give the Duke time with Ayla had been in vain.
She felt that she would remember the first concert of her life as the worst experience.
Suddenly, Kyles turned beside her.
“If that's a pity, let's dance now.”
Ruelia laughed sarcastically at his confusing words.
Then, Caelus bowed elegantly on one knee, and politely asked the sky-like lady to dance.
“It is a great honor to share your first dance with you.”