# 28
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Episode 28
Ruelia's body trembled as she searched for a way to step back.
At the same time, I noticed the wrinkles on Kyle's forehead as he frowned, and I remembered his command.
“Don’t go back again.”
With difficulty, she gave strength to her legs, straightened her posture, and waited quietly.
Then, Caelus drew a satisfied smile on his lips.
He placed one hand on his chest, then extended his other hand, asking Ruelia to dance with him. It looked like a scene from a fantasy book.
A handsome knight asks the princess to dance.
Her heart was beating hard.
She had not drunk alcohol yet, but her heart was beating unjustifiably fast, and her cheeks were blooming red.
“Sir Duke?”
Ruelia was confused, and forgot the fan she was carrying, so she started passing it in her hand.
“Stop joking and get up quickly. It might be misunderstood if people see us.”
Her last words were directed to herf.
You shouldn't get used to being treated like ladies. If she develops any excessive ambitions, she will be in trouble. This social world is not for her.
Perhaps Kyles had other intentions.
“What if they see us? I intend to show everyone clearly.”
Kyles looked sharply at Ayla.
Ayla was gently pushing the Crown Prince's arm while laughing. When Countess Bellona introduced someone, she applauded enthusiastically and happily.
The more she did that, the more Kyles frowned.
As I expected, this was just another plan of the Duke's jealousy. Maybe he just wanted her attention.
‘Ayla was attached to the Crown Prince the whole time.’
When she realized the situation, her heartbeat calmed down.
Instead, I felt a little pity.
“If we want to be careful, the Duke is not my taste.”
She couldn't tell the Duke directly, because he still didn't know anything.
But you must convey it indirectly.
“Aren’t you upset now? I think it’s time to show the truth.”
“Well, rise first, Sir Duke.”
Suddenly, a galleon whistle was heard from behind.
“Just talking is not enough to liven up the party. What if we all dance and have fun?”
“I agree, Your Highness.”
Aella and Galeon's chemistry was perfect.
Of course, people who wanted to curry favor with the Crown Prince agreed with him.
“Your Highness, I agree too.”
“I was going to have fun now anyway.”
“Well, then, Miss Emile?”
The Crown Prince extended his hand, and Ayla smoothly placed her hand on top of it.
Seeing this, Ruelia's eyes lit up, and she took Calice's hand without hesitation.
'I shouldn't leave them alone.'
In a short moment of separation, they grew closer.
While Kyles and Ayla were still far away from each other.
When Ayla and Galeon, and Ruelia and Caelus stepped into the ballroom, other couples followed.
Soon the cheerful music of waltzes began to play.
When she got into the ballroom, Ruelia felt nervous again.
There weren't many dancers, and everyone was watching them.
I felt like they were thinking: 'Let's see how this slang plays out.'
“You're doing much better than training.”
She heard Kyle's voice whispering in her ear.
"truly?"
“Yes, if you raise your head a little and look into my eyes, you won’t look like a beginner.”
With encouragement mixed with praise, Ruelia gained a shred of confidence.
She raised her head and looked into Caelus's blue eyes, and he raised his lips in a smile.
“Wasn't the training helpful?”
"Yes."
Ruelia smiled. Then, Kyles frowned and looked somewhere.
Ruelia followed his gaze, seeing Galleon turning quickly, pulling Ayla away from them.
"What?"
What a betrayal!
“If you lose focus here, you will stumble.”
“Ah, yes.”
“By the way, Ruelia.”
When he suddenly called her, she tilted her head questioningly, and Caelus frowned and asked:
“When you got off the carriage, what did His Highness say to you?”
Ruelia's face reddened at his question.
“He kindly pointed out a mistake I made.”
"gently?"
Kyles laughed sarcastically.
I looked again at Ayla as she was dancing and talking intimately with Galion. It seemed as if he would not be able to ask her to dance in this intense atmosphere.
“You seem to have gotten too close to Miss Emil.”
"Yes, our tastes are similar, and we're the same age, so we get along well. She's really a great person."
“Well, it's not bad to find a good friend.”
Seeing Cales smile, Ruelia felt relieved.
If his smile today seemed to embrace everything in the world, was it an illusion?
But, since he seems to be in a good mood, it's time to give advice.
“I asked her about various things, and Miss Emil said she liked a nice man like His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Should you have said that? Kyles looked at her with eyes full of doubt.
“How many crooks are there among these nice people?”
“But people are more attracted to someone who is nice rather than someone who is scary or strict.”
Kyles' eyes narrowed.
“Don’t tell me that you also love such a man?”
This was jealousy. Or perhaps a feeling of inferiority towards a friend.
“Of course, I would prefer someone as warm-hearted as you, Sir Duke.”
Kyles nodded calmly, as if it were f-evident.
Since his mood had improved a little, this was the best time to teach him.
“But as Miss Emile said, isn’t someone who is outwardly nice more attractive? If I find someone like that, I might be charmed and marry him.”
Ruelia said as she walked away slightly towards the Crown Prince.
Her foot stumbled a little, but she was confident that the Duke would guide her as well as in training.
She thinks Kyles is perfect in everything.
But Caelce's brow suddenly became more frowned.
“Oh, I'm sorry!”
Ruelia stomped on Kyles’ foot forcefully.
But powerful enough to attract everyone's attention.
“It's okay. When you trample, I just feel a tickle. You can keep trampling without worrying.”
Cales, gritting his teeth, carried out Ruelia's request to the letter.
* * *
As the night progressed a little, Ruelia was sitting on the balcony sofa.
Ayla was beside her.
“Miss Ruelia, you were tired, weren’t you?”
“Yes, it seems I was very nervous.”
“Here, drink this and relax.”
Ayla handed her a glass of champagne.
Small bubbles were rising from the transparent yellow liquid.
When Ruelia took a sip, her eyes widened.
“It smells really good.”
This was Ruelia's favorite champagne.
An extravagant champagne made from green grapes, sold exclusively at the Countess Bellona's guild. She tasted it once while testing the sale, but because of its price, she only bought the cheap ones.
Ruelia happily took another sip.
“The Duke said we should drink together.”
At Ayla’s words, Ruelia glanced at Cales from behind the balcony, and showered him with compliments.
Did Belén also tell the Duke? He was smart to send champagne, which Ayla loves.
I felt that her advice while dancing was helpful.
“Do you like this champagne too, Miss Emile?”
Ruelia's eyes widened as if she didn't know anything.
But Ayla frowned, as if she was in an embarrassing situation.
"The flavor is really great, but I get a headache the next day if I drink it, so I don't drink it. I kind of hate it."
Ruelia was disappointed by Belin’s helplessness.
He didn't even know her ideal type, and even the information he gathered was wrong.
'That's why he didn't succeed in the revolution.'
After learning about the future, her questions sometimes dissipated. How did the Duke fail in the revolution despite his military strength exceeding that of the Crown Prince?
His knights were stupid.
Therefore, Ruelia decided to never think about helping the Duke in turning the future around.
“But the Duke seems more precise than I expected?”
At Ayla’s words, Ruelia rubbed her chest comfortably.
He didn't like her, but at least he scored a point? She looked at Ayla excitedly, and she smiled sweetly.
“He seems to be only nice to the woman he loves?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Ruelia nodded enthusiastically as she answered.
My lord the duke is a nice man!
“I was worried that the Duke would be harsh with you too, Miss Ruelia. Fortunately, he is kind to you.”
Ruelia's head stopped moving, as if it had stopped.