# 10
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Episode 10
* * *
Ruelia opened her mouth in surprise, moving it without a sound.
'Wasn't it love at first sight?'
Did he become irritable due to cold treatment from the woman he admired? Even though he is a tough guy, he is somewhat meticulous, so why does he act like this?
Who is not hurt by hostile words? Count Emil's daughter's facial features hardened.
If this continues, he may be rejected before he confesses his love.
“I apologize, but trust with old customers is also important.”
No, what wound?
It seemed that she would not back down in front of the Duke.
It was also said that she served the Duke well, but it seems that her personality is not just someone who seeks to please others.
Maybe that's why I liked Kyles more.
“If you had told us in advance, we would have sent our designer to the Duke’s Palace.”
“If we had the luxury to dress up quietly, we would.”
Strong confrontation.
Ruelia was already fed up. But she couldn't leave them like this.
One of them might be labeled a failure if this continued, so I decided to intervene.
“Hello, Miss Emil.”
Ayla greeted calmly.
“Who is the miss who came with you...?”
Ayla looked at Ruelia with indifferent eyes.
But her green eyes, calm even in the face of the Duke's sharp reaction, suddenly twitched.
“I am Ruelia, I work as an assistant in the Duke’s Palace.”
As soon as she heard her name, her eyes filled with joy.
“What? Really? Ruelia, the legendary assistant of the Bellona Guild?”
A respectable title for a commoner!
Ruelia looked at her in astonishment.
Meanwhile, her green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, like tree leaves sparkling under the spring rays.
“Nice to meet you!”
“So do I. But, do you know me?”
“Of course, the legendary aid of the Bellona Guild!”
“Legendary…?”
“Yes, haven’t you led every project to great success? I have always admired you.”
Ruelia didn't exactly understand, but she seemed to like Ayla.
Feeling a little relieved, she looked at Kyles with proud eyes.
'What is this? Why does he look angrier?'
A cold sweat ran down her back.
If her relationship with a woman the Duke loves becomes close, wouldn't that be beneficial to him later?
'Ah, jealousy!'
He may become upset with anyone near a woman for whom he begins to have feelings, whether it is a man or a woman.
“Admiring an ordinary helper like me? That’s too much praise.”
“Ordinary? Miss Ruelia is the talent I want to work with!”
Ruelia's eyes widened.
It's a compliment, but it's a very strong temptation.
Isn't it better to work with someone whose future is secure rather than someone who might turn out to be evil? Without worrying about dying together.
“Me too...”
She almost expressed her true feelings.
If it wasn't for the cold, bitter voice that came from behind.
“How long are you going to gossip with my assistant?”
Cales put his hand on Ruelia's shoulder.
He pulled her back slightly, and Ruelia naturally moved away from Ayla.
He stepped between them as if he was waiting for the moment, blocking Ruelia's view.
“Isn't your job making clothes? Not hanging out with my assistant.”
Ruelia clicked her tongue unconsciously.
What can you say? She thought he was a man with plans and obsessions.
But he was just a clumsy lover.
“Oh, Miss Ruelia is going to wear my clothes? Really?”
“Yes, I heard that there is a party at Countess Bellona’s palace in two weeks.”
Ruelia replied, peeking her head out from behind Cales' shoulder.
“She's my partner. So, we came to tailor the clothes together.”
“Oh, are you going to the party together?”
Ayla clapped her hands in an exaggerated tone. Ruelia frowned in embarrassment.
Her relationship with the Duke might be misunderstood like this.
“When Countess Bellona invited us, she appointed me as the Duke’s partner. Since the party includes nobles, it seems that he chose the Duke as my protector so that I would not be harassed.”
Ruelia raised herf on her tiptoes, pointing with difficulty from behind his shoulder.
“Ah… like that then.”
Ayla smiled sweetly at the sight of Ruelia, then went to the table and grabbed the catalogue.
“Did you find a style you like?”
The catalogue, with its fine cover and thick paper, was very heavy. Ayla's arm trembled slightly under the weight.
Ruelia didn't miss the moment, and quickly poked Cales in the side.
“The catalog looks heavy, help her carry it.”
Caelus frowned at her low whisper.
But he did not refuse her request, so he took the catalog from Ayla and immediately placed it on the table.
“Ruelia, didn’t you say you like this dress?”
He confidently opened a page from the catalog and pointed at it with his finger.
"Yes, correct."
“Let's take this. I want to add touches of the colors and coats of arms of the duchy.”
Ayla was stunned by Caelus's request.
"What? This? But…"
“What's the problem?”
“Since I drew the design myf, the details did not bring out the texture, but the patterns here are not dyed on the fabric, but embroidered by hand.”
"so what?"
“It can't be completed in two weeks.”
How unfortunate that he chose this particular one. Ruelia looked at the catalog embarrassed.
She didn't know, because she used to buy ready-made clothes.
Of course, if nobles could not flaunt jewels on their clothes, they would flaunt luxury in other ways.
It is natural for the price to rise.
“I'll choose something else.”
“No, so be it.”
Kyles hardened his eyes.
“This dress is much more elegant than the jeweled ones.”
Didn't he just hear her rejection?
Or does he want to play the role of the villain who harasses the woman he loves?
“But, Monsieur Duke...”
Ayla Caelis called out with an embarrassed expression.
But, without any intention of listening to her, he raised the corner of his mouth with a sarcastic look.
“Wouldn’t the matter be solved by hiring more embroiders?”
A commanding tone mixed with provocation.
It was not appropriate behavior to make a good impression.
"This is correct."
“Then gather all the available embroiderers. I will pay handsomely.”
“But the cost of the dress will become very expensive.”
“It doesn't matter. I'm a man who knows how to reward my loyal helper that much.”
Or is it not so?
Maybe he was trying to show off his attractiveness in the most childish way.
Ruelia felt as if she was already seeing the end of this love, and her face became frowning.
* * *
Kyles remained alone in the reception room, while the two women went to the fitting room to take measurements.
“That woman is annoying.”
Remember the previous situation.
Especially those looks that were wary.
This was the woman whom his friend and political ally, the Crown Prince, coveted as a potential wife.
“She seems to have an ambition to become like Countess Bellona. So, perhaps she will refuse to be the prince’s wife...”
Even at the meeting with Count Emil's family, she showed interest in Ruelia.
Now, she has publicly shown her desire to woo Ruelia.
Ruelia didn't seem to mind.
She always spoke to him in a knightly tone, but she responded to that woman with kindness and softness.
“Even her coming forward to serve me was part of a plan.”
Suddenly, he remembered Ruilia's resignation letter that he had ordered to be burned.
Ruelia who chose this place.
Was the reason she came today because she was planning to change her job?
If so, she may have chosen this salon to ascertain the character of her potential employer.
Now remember, you asked about Count Emil's daughter.
“Belén.”
“Yes, sir.”
Belin, who was accompanying as a guard, responded immediately.
Kyles whispered to him in a confidential tone
“Investigate everything about Count Emil’s daughter, the owner of this place. Her connections, her projects, her employment plans here, everything.”
“Okay, sir.”
Even after Belen left, Caelce continued to stare with sharp eyes.
Why does it take so long to take measurements? Are they doing something else?
Such as negotiating an employment contract.
He stared in the direction of the very quiet fitting room, then suddenly stood up from his seat.
It seems that they should not be left alone.