# 35
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Episode 35
“Well...what?”
Belen responded in surprise.
“Looks like we can rest easy for a while.”
If there was no change between Ayla and the Crown Prince, there would be no reason for Caelce to turn evil.
Of course, there is still something to be confirmed.
'Am I the only one who thought the Duke loved Ayla?'
She continued to feel that she had made an error in judgment due to a bias resulting from a fate written in her diary.
In the end, no one believes that the Duke loves Ayla.
‘To avoid mistakes, I should ask directly and confirm.’
Even the information from Belén, who was close to the Duke, was not accurate.
She stared at Belin in annoyance, and he exclaimed as if he understood.
“True, the Crown Prince said that he would prevent any political marriage with the imperial family.”
"Really? That's a huge accomplishment."
“Yes, so there is no need to rush. The Duke does not seem to be thinking of marriage in a hurry.”
“Then it's over.”
Belen smiled innocently.
Now, it was Ruelia's turn to act. Since she's late, she must focus to avoid staying up late.
Besides, she has to write letters of apology from today.
“The Duke is in the drawing room. Count Emile has come to visit him.”
Ruelia pointed to the door, as if telling him to leave.
“Yes, I will go now.”
Belen replied, watching her expression.
“But if you need help, tell me.”
Ruelia stared at him sharply at his stupid words. Belin saw her gaze and quickly ran away.
But he was pushed back into the office.
Caelus returned, bringing Count Emile.
“Duke, isn’t this too much? I asked you to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince, but you made him get close to my daughter!”
"That's not something he's asking me to do. Ask both."
Count Emil became attached to Caelus, forgetting the existence of others. It seems that Ayla has not shared her plans with her father yet.
So, Count Emil was completely wrong.
However, Ruelia found the scene interesting.
'A caring father.'
She suddenly remembered her late adoptive father.
If he were alive, he would have dealt with the men hovering around Melissa this way.
'I have to visit my father's grave soon.'
Ruelia pretended not to care, staring at the papers to avoid disturbing the Count.
“Duke, didn’t you see yesterday? His Highness the Crown Prince treated me as a suspect in the carriage attack!”
“Didn’t His Highness the Crown Prince apologize after it turned out to be a misunderstanding? Accepting the Emperor’s apology graciously is the duty of a knight.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is a candidate to be my son-in-law before he is my master!”
“Huff, annoying.”
Kyles nearly exploded.
He rummaged in the desk drawer and pulled out a letter.
“Take, read this and understand your daughter’s feelings.”
Count Emile quickly opened the letter. His face turned into a mixture of pale and excitement as his eyes moved quickly.
Then his eyes filled with tears.
“Ayla, she was thinking like this…”
“If the misunderstanding is over, come back now.”
"Thank you, Duke. I will return this favor no matter what. Emile will always stand by Abeer."
Count Emile bowed repeatedly, then embraced the letter and hurried out of the duke's house.
“What a nice guy.”
Ruelia finally laughed.
Kyles looked at her with a frown. He hadn't showered yet, unlike Belen who looked clean.
“My lord Duke, I have a report on the people who were arrested yesterday...”
“Tell me in the bathroom.”
“What? Well, yeah.”
Kyles left, and Belin hurriedly followed him.
* * *
With great concentration, Ruelia finished arranging the day's papers before sunset.
I completed the final version of the grain warehouse construction, distributed the budget, and wrote today's apology letter.
'This should be enough.'
I read the apology letter again.
The letter should include details of the error according to the “who, what, when, where, why, how” principle. Therefore, I felt even more ashamed.
'Maybe I should have written 'I'm sorry' a thousand times?'
She was a little worried that her long letter might be used against her, but rewriting it meant not getting home before dinner.
Her stomach was hurting, and she wanted to go back to eating a proper meal.
'Okay, let's go.'
I gathered the papers to deliver to Senior.
Soundproofing work in the reception room was recently completed. Since Senior ran the house, she had to hand him the construction payment papers for approval.
“Sir Senior, please review it.”
Senior was on the first floor, carrying medicine from the doctor for the Duke.
“Oh, if I'm done reviewing this, can you leave?”
"Yes."
Ruelia smiled lively, Senior smiled gently and took the papers.
“So, can you give this medicine to the Duke?”
"What? Is the Duke sick?"
“He didn't sleep well yesterday, so he's tired. The doctor prescribed medication to help with sleep.”
“Looks like he had a lot to do last night.”
Senior smiled and held out a tray to her.
“But isn’t the Duke in his bedroom bathing? If the maids see me going in and out of there, strange rumors might spread.”
Ruelia remembered what happened at the party yesterday, and responded with embarrassment.
“The Duke is now in the library of the annex building.”
“Really? Well, since I have papers for him to sign, I’ll carry the medicine and inform him.”
She had something to confirm with the Duke, so it was appropriate.
Ruelia happily took the tray and looked for the library.
She was worried that the large library would make it difficult to find him, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw him.
“Sir Duke?”
Kyles had already ected a book and sat comfortably in a chair at the entrance, wearing a light shirt.
Ruelia tried to ignore the slightly open buttons on his shirt, and coughed.
“Hmm, I brought the medicine for you to take.”
“What does Senior do?”
“He is reviewing the costs of isolating the reception room. He is ensuring my departure.”
Kyles raised an eyebrow, then lowered it.
Ruelia walked over and put the tray on the table. Before she could grab the medicine, Caelce quickly took it and drank it in one go.
Ruelia tried to serve him, reaching out to take a strawberry-flavored candy, but Cales' hand was faster.
Ruelia's fingers wriggled in the air in embarrassment.
“I should have given it to you.”
“I was afraid that the effect of the medicine would weaken.”
Kyles put the candy in his mouth and responded casually, pointing to her hand.
“What are you carrying?”
“The final version of the granary site budget, and this is the first day apology letter.”
Ruelia submitted the papers.
Her eyes lit up, as if she was asking him to quickly review it and leave.
“I will review it and answer tomorrow. You can leave.”
As if he read her mind, Caelus let her go.
“Yes, Sir Duke.”
Ruelia's eyes sparkled.
But there was still something important.
“Mr. Duke, I have a question.”
"What is it?"
Ruelia fiddled with her fingers.
“The woman you said you wanted as a duchess, can you tell me who she is?”
The candy smashed into Caelce's mouth with a clear sound.