# 22
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Episode 22
* * *
Ruelia jumped out of her seat.
'What? Does he intend to be exterminated for treason without even confessing his love?'
If she had known that things would come to this point, she would have resigned a long time ago.
She suddenly remembered the Duke's face while they were practicing dancing.
He looked happy for some moments, but mostly he was nervous. And from a certain moment, his mood seemed to completely collapse.
'He's been reacting sensitively ever since the strange rumors started.'
Shortly after trying on her dress, she heard in the herbal apothecary that Caelis and the Crown Prince had an argument in the palace.
It is said that the cause of their quarrel was a woman. But the Duke dropped his sword and lost, didn't he?
Ruelia considered it a ridiculous rumor and ignored it.
So how could Caelus lose to Galleon in a sword duel?
But was that a mistake?
Ruelia looked at Sir Belin, who was ready to go out, with a keen look.
Belen felt her gaze and answered calmly.
“You can wait sitting down. They're talking now.”
That was somewhat reassuring, but her anxiety had not completely gone away.
To find out the reason for this situation, Ruelia asked a question.
“Ser Belin, has the Duke recently lost a duel to the Crown Prince?”
"What? I...I don't know anything!"
Belin coughed awkwardly, his ears slightly red, trying to wriggle out. He was clearly lying.
“Ser Belin, the Duke is threatened with execution for treason. You must be honest so we can come up with a plan!”
Belen's eyes widened at her accusation.
"What? Betrayal? That's dangerous!"
“Do you think hitting a member of the royal family is not a big crime?”
“Well, maybe His Highness did something that deserved a beating.”
How could he be so reckless?
Even if he is loyal, he should not always support his master. If he really wanted to protect him, he should lash out when necessary.
Ruelia got out of the carriage, saying sharply.
“Why? Did His Highness the Prince try to kidnap the woman the Duke loves?”
“How did you know?”
Belin's mouth widened as if he had seen a ghost.
Ruelia, who was about to leave, stopped.
"truly?"
“Yes, the Prince provoked the Duke earlier. Perhaps it still bothers him.”
The corners of Ruelia's eyes rose so inteny that it made Belin tremble.
“He deserves to be beaten, then. If he forgets who saved him and maintained his position, then he deserves to be disciplined.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. He who does not know gratitude does not deserve to be treated as a human being.”
Ruelia repeated her father's teachings. Belen smiled relieved.
“Never change your mind.”
“Sure. Come on, let’s help the Duke now.”
Ruelia prepared to get off the carriage with a serious face.
Belin moved forward to guard the door and inspect the area.
Suddenly, a huge shadow appeared behind him.
“Sir Duke?”
Kyles pushed something violently. Suddenly, silver hair sparkled before Ruelia's eyes.
“Ah, Ruelia, hello?”
The Crown Prince quickly regained his balance, waving his hand and smiling brightly.
As if the fight had never happened.
“I salute His Highness the Prince.”
Ruelia bowed slightly with an expressionless face.
“You look amazing today, like the heroine of the party.”
Came the surprising praise.
Ruelia narrowed her eyes as he ran a hand through his shiny silver hair.
‘It seems that he has no intention of punishing the Duke for harming a member of the royal family or treason.’
It seems that his guilt towards the Duke is great.
Ruelia smiled innocently as if she knew nothing.
“Thanks for the compliment. But I’m not the heroine today.”
“No need to be modest. The party Countess Bellona is throwing today is thanks to her former assistant, isn’t it?”
Gallion winked.
Ruelia almost frowned, but she held herf together.
“Stop talking nonsense and sit down.”
Cales' tone and face were disrespectful.
But Gallion didn't care. He smiled sarcastically and went to sit next to Ruelia.
Caelus grabbed the prince's neck and pulled him to sit next to him.
“Caelus, your words are different from your actions.”
Gallion protested forcefully after being dragged and pulled like a paper doll.
What if Kyles returns to violence?
Ruelia quickly motioned to Belin, and he immediately closed the door.
Ruelia tried to calm the atmosphere by talking to the prince.
“By the way, Your Highness, have you been attacked?”
“Who knows? It seems that someone does not want me to come to the party. The carriage stopped due to a disturbance nearby, so they broke its wheel and fled.”
Ruelia's eyes widened. She stopped herf from looking at Kyles, whose behavior was suspicious.
Following a report he received just before the ceremony, the prince showed up with perfect timing. Did Caylus try to disrupt the prince's escort?
But he was relatively calm, and the prince seemed innocent.
“Luckily, Kyles showed up, so I asked him to give me a ride, but he hit me.”
“A new vehicle is coming, but you have been stubborn.”
Kyles replied with a frown.
“My partner is waiting for me!”
“That's your problem, Your Highness.”
“It's the same way anyway. Isn't it better to go together?”
“Should I be your bodyguard on the day of the party? If you were worried about your partner, you should have brought extra security.”
Ruelia swallowed as she watched Cales' face.
His fingers were trembling irregularly.
“Hmm, Ruelia, do you agree with him?”
Suddenly, Galeon smiled at her with eyes.
"What?"
“Is it right that I keep Miss Emile waiting?”
Ruelia's eyes rolled.
Whether the Duke does anything or not, the Prince is now in the carriage. If the Duke abandoned him, he might be misunderstood.
Better to keep the prince close and defend him.
After thinking quickly, Ruelia smiled coldly.
“The carriage is spacious. If we do not ignore His Highness the Prince’s plight, it will seem positive for the relationship of the Duke’s family and the palace, won’t it, Sir Duke?”
“Wise as always, Ruelia.”
Gallion's chest swelled with pride.
Veins popped out on Kyles' hand. He clenched his hand tightly and ordered Belen to the door.
“To Count Emil’s house first.”
Ruelia nodded to Cales with firm eyes.
'I will take over the prince.'
* * *
The carriage stopped in front of the entrance to Count Emile's house.
Gallion entered to pick up his partner.
“Why are you following me?”
Gallion looked at Caelus, who was following him at a distance.
“Didn’t you hear, Ruelia? Whoever broke the cart wheel might attack again, so you must be protected.”
“I didn't know you could help me so much.”
“I thank you for your status as crown prince.”
At Caelus's warning, Gallion cautiously touched his stomach. It looks like he got a bruise.
-If you haven't decided yet, I will take her to the palace?
What big mistake did he make?
All he did was give a hint to his stupid friend to realize his feelings.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt wronged.
"By the way, were you serious about what you said? Your words contradict your actions. All your actions scream jealousy as a man."
Gallion raised his arms defensively and turned towards Caelus.
This time, he wouldn't get hit.
“You like Ruelia, right?”
Caelus stopped, standing like a statue.
Galleon's enthusiasm was diminished by his terrifying aura. He clenched his arms in defense.
Ruelia was wrong. You have attached to the prince someone more dangerous than an assassin. Is this a planned assassination attempt?
Gallion shouted, feigning confidence.
“You will be reprimanded by Ruelia! Didn’t she send you to protect me?”
"correct."
A serious look appeared on Kyle's face.