# 36
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Episode 36
Kyles was grateful he didn't spit the candy out of his mouth.
He sat quietly and looked at Ruelia.
When their eyes met, Ruelia's eyes sparkled, but her fingers were trembling slightly, showing her nervousness.
“Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”
“Because the ladies think I'm your hidden mistress.”
Kyles raised his eyebrows sharply. He straightened up in his seat, abandoning his comfortable position.
“Is that why you drank so much yesterday? Did Countess Bellona say something unnecessary?”
“No, it's not. The wine was just delicious...”
Ruelia's cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
“You don't have to worry about that.”
“It's the biggest problem! What if that young lady misunderstands and stays away from you because of me?”
"It doesn't matter."
“Why? Why doesn’t it matter? I want to see the Duke, whom I respect after my father, live happily with the partner he loves.”
Caelus smiled with a mixture of bitterness and satisfaction, a smile that was difficult to explain.
“I don't need help. Anyway, there's no one I want to make a duchess of.”
Kyles turned his eyes towards the book and said indifferently.
“What? But you said there was someone there then.”
“Did I say that? I don’t remember.”
Caelus denied his previous words and turned the page of the book.
Maybe because of the sleeping medicine, he looked so calm, he didn't look like a liar.
'So, will the events written in the diary not happen anymore?'
Upon reflection, the future has already changed a lot.
For example, the trade route opened by the Bellona Guild this time. According to the diary, it was supposed to happen later, and with someone else's efforts.
Thanks to Ruelia's intervention, much has changed, and the Duke may have escaped his devastating fate.
“This is really cool.”
Ruelia unintentionally muttered her thoughts.
Kyles raised his head.
“No, I mean, it's good that you won't have unnecessary problems.”
Ruelia quickly added, terrified.
Kyles tapped his finger on the book slowly,
A sign of his annoyance, Ruelia's lips dried up.
But he continued coldly.
“If I ever want a partner, I'll tell you first.”
"Really? When will that be?"
“You'll be waiting a long time... a very long time.”
“No matter how long it takes, I will be ready.”
Ruelia relaxed completely.
She didn't know if he never loved Ayla or sorted out his feelings on his own. But she became confident that he would not destroy himf with the obsession of love.
That was very reassuring.
After all, Kyles was an important person to her, and she didn't want to see him break down.
Of course, she was also happy that she wouldn't have to give up her permanent job with a salary of 1,500 gold.
“But, Sir Duke, why did you decide to support Miss Emile’s dream?”
This was pure curiosity.
If the Duke didn't like Ayla, why would he interfere in something that didn't concern him?
“Because it looked fun.”
“Interesting?”
“I was curious to know how the daughter of a knightly family would take over the succession without having the skill of a sword.”
“Well, I'm curious too.”
“Personally, I don’t like Countess Bellona, but having people like her will benefit the development of the empire. They may be targets for others to fulfill their dreams.”
Ruelia saw Cales smile warmly for the first time.
She felt her heart filling unintentionally.
“Wonderful, Sir Duke.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
Certainly, the Duke is more suited to the role of hero than villain.
“I truly respect you, Sir Duke.”
“Stop flattering...”
“It's not flattery! It's sincere! I'm really glad I can help you.”
Caelus lowered his head to the book again.
Then he said firmly:
“If you finish your questions, you can leave.”
“Yes, thanks. I'll go now.”
Ruelia's steps as she left the library were particularly light.
After she left, Caelus violently closed the book.
“Huff.”
He wasn't even reading the book. He shook his head vigorously.
“Ruelia doesn’t hate you, does she?” She's the first woman you've ever shown interest in. Why do you refuse marriage?
- Because I know how miserable the life of someone who is forced into a marriage he does not want is.
Kyles remembered his mother not being friendly to him.
He rarely saw her smile. He thought it was so by nature.
But he later discovered, through photographs of her youth at her family home, how bright she was.
She was like Ruelia, full of dreams.
‘What I need is not a wife, but a helper.’
Ruelia always emphasizes that she is happy as his assistant.
“That is enough.”
Repeat as confirmation.
If he lasted until the emperor died, he could avoid marrying the princess. He can choose an intelligent heir from the family branch.
With this, he could keep Ruelia at his side without problems. She said she was not thinking about marriage either.
He arranged his future plans, then grabbed the papers Ruelia left behind.
He stared at the titles of the two documents, then casually took out the apology letter.
After reading a few lines, Caelus covered his face with his large hand, and a light curse leaked from his mouth.
“Damn, I won't sleep tonight either.”
《Say that the most honorable duke of the empire was not a drunken raver, but an honest one. Believe me.》
He lowered his hand with difficulty and began reading the letter again, smiling contentedly.
* * *
When she returned home, the sun had just set.
Ruelia brought tomato soup for a headache and an oyster dish from the duke's household cook.
“Melissa, I'm back.”
But Melissa wasn't there.
She put the food in the kitchen and looked for her sister, but found no trace of her in the house.
“Where did you go?”
On a rocking chair in the living room, there was a basket containing lace that Melissa handmade.
The needle attached to the thread was thrown haphazardly into the lace.
Ruelia took out the needle and put it in place, arranging the thread to avoid tangling it. While arranging, her eyebrows narrowed.
'It doesn't look like anyone came.'
If there had been a visitor, there would have been at least cups of tea. But the dining room, which serves as a reception room, was clean.
After a short thought, Ruelia quickly came out and sent an agreed signal.
A knight appeared from somewhere.
“Miss Assistant, what's wrong?”
“You're on duty guarding our house today, aren't you?”
"Yes, correct."
"And my sister? Where did she go?"
“A visitor came and summoned her.”
visitor? The only person who might visit Melissa is a maid she previously worked with.
But isn't this a busy time for the maids?
“Do you know who he is?”
“It was a man. Brown hair...”
"What? A man with brown hair? How tall was he?"
I remembered a man.
Two years ago, the scoundrel who linked her to the Duke. She thought she got rid of him...
“Maybe a head shorter than me…”
Is it possible?
“Don't worry, there's a knight accompanying Miss Melissa. Oh, here he comes.”
In the direction the knight pointed, there was another knight running quickly, his face pale.
“There has been a problem. Miss Melissa has suddenly disappeared.”