# 19
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Episode 19
* * *
Ayla smiled crookedly at Caelce's threatening tone.
The Duke of Abert is an interesting man.
Clings to strange things, or perhaps has a strong intuition?
'I don't like this guy.'
Ayla glanced at Ruelia in the distance.
The beautiful girl was watching them with eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ayla smiled at her, and Ruelia responded with a friendly smile.
“Well, you don't have to be under my command.”
“Do not try to evade, and speak frankly.”
Ayla felt slightly disturbed by the Duke's immediate caution.
But since they agreed, she decided to be honest.
“I heard there was a disturbance in the temple recently.”
Cayce's head tilted at the mention of the temple.
Everyone in social circles knew of his hatred for the temple because of the former Duchess.
“What kind of disorder?”
"The matter was immediately kept quiet. No one knows the truth. But it is said that a prediction was revealed."
"Prediction? Another nonsense to fool people."
Kyles gritted his teeth.
Was it mistrust, or perhaps aversion?
“However, it is strange that Countess Bellona was in the temple at that time.”
Ayla had endured Caelce's terrifying aura until now, but for the first time she felt fear suffocating her.
* * *
After the adjustments were finished, Ruelia caught Ayla who was preparing to leave.
“Miss Emil, since you're here, why don't we have tea together?”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, if you're not busy.”
“An invitation from Miss Ruelia? Even if I’m busy, I’ll drink tea.”
Ayla happily placed her hands on her cheeks.
Ruelia felt her heart flutter with joy.
“It is an honor to be with Miss Emil.”
“I am the one who feels honored. A rare time to drink tea and talk with you alone.”
Alone?
Ayla seems to think that the Duke hates her and will not join.
True, he was a bit harsh.
'Did they just get into a fight?'
The atmosphere was heavy after the adjustments.
Ruelia looked at Cales with a frown.
“This is my home.”
Kyle's mouth curved strangely.
Ruelia quickly understood his intentions.
“Of course. How could the Duke miss receiving a valuable guest?”
She nodded as if to say, “Trust me.”
Kyle's face turned into a rotten apple.
'No, Duke! They can't be left alone.'
Who knows what problem might arise?
You will stay to watch and leave when the weather improves.
Ruelia gave Caelus a subtle wink from Ayla.
Kyle's face contorted even more.
"What? The three of us?"
Ayla looked confused as well.
“Yes, yes. Let's go.”
Ruelia stepped forward.
The faces of the two behind her looked like someone who had chewed poisonous grass.
* * *
In the garden of the Ducal Palace, amid the beautiful lavender forest in spring, a rare tea session was held in the pavilion.
Ayla's seat was next to the Duke, and Ruelia was opposite her.
'They look consistent.'
Ruelia looked at them pleasantly.
*They looked weird wearing the outfit together in front of the mirror, but these clothes were definitely theirs.
“By the way, when does Sir Belin work?”
Desserts could be prepared according to Ella’s taste…
Ruelia looked at the dessert table with regret, but she had to do what she could.
“This is tea produced in the duke’s lands. The most fragrant in the empire. This is a duke containing almond flour from our lands. The skill of our chefs makes it tastier than that of the empire.”
Ruelia continued to show off about the Duke's palace: the beauty of the palace gardens in spring, the grandeur of the castle in the grounds, the Duke's wealth and military power.
“All of this is thanks to the Duke’s distinguished leadership.”
“Haha, it seems so. The Duke and you have managed the lands well.”
Ayla responded enthusiastically.
That was touching.
Ruelia loved the duke's polite silence.
'If it continues like this, it will be great.'
Kayles' offering of sweets to Ayla was satisfactory.
“I hope you enjoy.”
“Thank you, Sir Duke.”
They exchanged looks for a long time.
Ruelia almost regretted coming.
I felt comfortable, so I clapped like a wooden doll.
“Oh, I remembered! I didn’t finish the report I asked for yesterday.”
They looked at her strangely.
Her acting was poor.
“I'll go first.”
Ruelia quietly pulled out her chair.
Ayla tried to get up.
“Then, I should leave too. I wasted Miss Ruelia’s time.”
'No, that's not the point!'
Ruelia quickly leaned over and kicked Cales' foot under the table.
Kyles looked at her in surprise.
Ruelia stared at the stupid Duke desperately.
“I'll go first.”
“No, wait.”
“I will send the dress when it is finished. It will be more beautiful than what you saw. We will meet on the day of the party.”
Ayla winked with her beautiful green eyes.
Ruelia felt her heart pounding.
Kyle's features looked confused, as if...
'Is he excited?'
Ruelia smiled, seeing the duke in love, but Ayla got up.
“No need to say goodbye.”
"No, that is not right. Monsieur Duke, why don't you accompany Mademoile Emile to the carriage?"
Turn crisis into opportunity!
Ruelia wanted them to walk together, even if only for a little while.
But Caelus, seness and courageous, missed the opportunity.
“Senior, accompany Miss.”
“Okay, sir.”
The servant left with Ayla.
Ruelia sat down, stunned and exhausted.
“Ah... that's a lot...”
“Didn't you say there was a report to finish?”
“I remembered, I finished it. There is no need to go.”
She responded in a slightly rude tone, sitting up diagonally and staring at Kyles.
Kyles shrugged.
“Then continue drinking tea. You are tired of the adjustments, rest.”
“Wasn't the dress gorgeous?”
“Yes, it seemed appropriate.”
"You too. You were great in uniform."
She sincerely praised Ruelia.
The outfit was more suitable for him than his previous party clothes.
That was proof of Ayla's skill.
“It seems that the designer was creative.”
“It wasn't bad.”
He looks shy.
The young duke's appearance was pleasant.
But the previous error must be compensated. Didn't you say Melissa?
'He should be nice and friendly.'
Ruelia looked at Cales seriously.
“In this context, how about giving Miss Emil a gift?”
"gift?"
Kyle's eyebrow rose.
He looked surprised, as if he hadn't thought about it.
“Yes, as a token of appreciation. After what happened with the Count, sending a gift will strengthen the relationship.”
A sweat trembled on Kyle's temple.
He said in his usual harsh tone:
“If she wants a relationship, let her come.”
'Stupid!'
How could he refuse even when everything was offered to him?
Can this man win a woman's heart and fall in love? Maybe she's wasting her time.
Ruelia sighed deeply.
Kyles laughed and crossed his arms, a gentle smile appearing on his lips.
“And there is someone else who deserves my gift.”
Ruelia's eyes widened in astonishment.
'What? Is there another candidate for the role of the Duchess?'