# 37
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Episode 37
"What? Sister? How could this happen?"
There was a knight from the Aber family secretly accompanying her, so how?
“It appears that a highly skilled person was involved.”
“Someone with skill?”
Ruelia's eyes trembled.
So, not that bastard. It is the work of someone with a purpose.
But her sister is just an ordinary assistant. She worked as an anonymous maid in a noble's house for a short time.
Who would send someone skilled to kidnap her?
“Where…where did she disappear?”
Ruelia tried to control her trembling voice.
If the person was able to deceive the Aber Knights and take Melissa, her life might be in danger.
Obviously, the target is Ruelia.
“Miss Assistant, wait a minute. Let me inform the Cavalry Squad first...”
"There's no time! Tell me now!"
How could she lose her sister?
She may not be her blood sister, but she is like a soul to her.
When she woke up with fragmented memories of a previous life after falling out of a tree, Melissa took care of her and raised her like a mother.
If she was exposed to danger because of her, Ruelia wouldn't bear to live.
When she stared at the knight as she shivered, he nodded as if he had made a decision.
“You, inform the Commander and the Duke immediately. Miss Assistant, come with me.”
The knight summoned a horse and jumped on it, then extended his hand to Ruelia and helped her up. The horse took off quickly.
'Should I have left the Duke's Palace early?'
No matter what she thought, there was no reason to target Melissa other than Ruelia's connection to the duchy.
But Cales had no direct enemies, except for the Imperial Family who were wary of the Aber Family.
'No, maybe someone is holding a grudge.'
Ruelia asked the knight:
“Is there any news about the attackers on the Crown Prince’s car who were arrested yesterday? Do we know who is behind them?”
“They are still under investigation at the Imperial Palace. They look as usual.”
This was a typical imperial conflict.
The tragedy began with the death of the Empress who gave birth to Galleon.
The new empress tried to kill the first's son to make her son emperor. The Crown Prince's half-brother shared the same idea with his mother.
“I heard that the Duke eliminated them all…”
“There are always remains hiding.”
Ruelia closed her eyes tightly.
Was it her fault that she joined the duchy? If she had resigned when the diary was found, could this have been avoided?
“I...I'm sorry.”
The horse stopped in front of a building.
It was in a crowded area, a cafe frequented by many.
I was relieved that there were potential witnesses, but kidnapping someone in such a place was scary.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes, Miss Melissa entered the café with a brown-haired man.”
Ruelia got off the horse and quickly tried to enter.
Suddenly, Belin's voice was heard from behind him.
“Miss Helper!”
Surrounding him was a band of knights, on horses, with serious, merciless faces.
“Mr. Belin.”
Ruelia's eyes watered at the authoritative appearance.
“Melissa, my sister...”
“Don't worry. We will find your sister and protect her.”
Ruelia nodded.
The squad advanced to storm the café, opened the door...
“Melissa!”
Melissa came out, with wondering eyes.
Ruelia ran over and hugged her.
"Where were you?"
Melissa patted her sister, who looked on the verge of tears, on the back and looked around.
“Ellie, what… what is this?”
Her face reddened when she saw the armed knights in front of the café.
“I came home and couldn't find you.”
“Oh, a visitor came for a moment...”
“Is he that bastard from two years ago?”
“No, not him. I had something missing for him, so send someone to get it.”
"Something? What is it?"
“Something I picked up at a store that ls lace.”
“Why didn't you leave it at the store instead of delivering it yourf?”
Melissa's eyes darted around for a moment.
“The owner of the thing was not trustworthy.”
“But why did you disappear? The knight said you disappeared.”
Ruelia asked with red eyes.
Melissa took out a tissue and wiped her eyes.
“I was in an inner room of the café. Maybe the knight didn’t see me.”
Melissa seemed calm.
The knights looked sharply at said knight with frightening gazes.
“I...I!”
The knight apologized and scratched his head.
“It's okay, misunderstandings can happen. But I hope you'll be more careful with urgent reports. My sister has hidden a lot.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Shall we go back now, Eli?”
"Yes."
Ruelia and Melissa held hands and started walking.
They declined the offer of a stroller, wanting to walk together for the first time in a while. Maybe because Ruelia was afraid of losing her sister?
Ruelia clung to Melissa, pampering herf.
“Today, Count Emil came.”
“The father of the missus who made your dress?”
“Yes. I remembered our father when I saw him.”
Ruelia spoke excitedly about what she saw. Melissa listened and her eyes widened in surprise.
“He said he would become Duke Emile?”
"Yes, great, isn't it? I'm jealous."
“True. But wasn’t she a strong candidate to be the Crown Prince’s wife?”
“Marriage depends on a person’s desire. It seems that Count Emil will support his daughter.”
Melissa sank into thought, perhaps she remembered their father like Ruelia.
Ruelia suggested.
"I'm going to ask for a day off soon. Shall we go visit our father together?"
Melissa nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, I like that.”
Their smiles were very similar.
* * *
The next day, Ruelia informed Kayles about what happened yesterday after she showed up for work.
“It's a good thing it wasn't serious.”
“Yes, but my sister felt disturbed and afraid.”
“It might interfere with her daily life. I will ask them to watch from a further distance.”
"Thanks."
Ruelia smiled lively, Cales rubbed his forehead and said:
“And the person who reported hastily...”
“Don't punish him.”
Ruelia quickly intervened.
Yesterday, Belen asked her.
- Protect him, it wasn't intentional.
It was in good faith.
Momentary fear was not a problem. She was also grateful that the knights, even the ones who were resting, rushed out to look for Melissa.
“Okay, if you're okay, I'll get over it.”
“Thanks. By the way, did you see the final version I submitted yesterday?”
“Yes, as usual, it was perfect. Do it as is.”
Kyles handed over the signed papers.
There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he had stayed up all night checking them.
“Was the doctor's medicine not effective?”
Kyle's brow narrowed at her question.
“It wasn't bad.”
It seems like a lie.
“I will ask Senior to bring chamomile tea.”
“No need. I have to go to the Imperial Palace.”
“The palace? Have you discovered the identity of those who disguised themves as priests?”
"Almost. I'll discuss how to deal with them."
While Ruelia was nodding, Caelce took his coat.
When he was about to leave, Ruelia called out to him as she reviewed papers on the desk.
“Mr. Duke, will you not sign the letter of apology? It is not there.”
“Is a letter of apology a document that requires a signature?”
“No, it's not like that...”
“Write one more before you leave today.”
“Okay...but, how long will I write it?”
Kyle's nose twitched slightly at her question.
"every day."
Was her drunken raving worth a lifetime of penance?
Ruelia felt wronged, but she endured for the sake of her salary of 1,500 gold.
Cales turned away satisfied, but Ruelia called out to him again.
“By the way, can I take tomorrow off?”
“No…”
“I want to visit my father.”
“Okay, if so, go.”
Ruelia smiled happily at Cales' approval. He looked at her for a moment, then quickly left.
At that moment, Senior entered the office.
“Miss Assistant, you have received a message.”
“Who? I don’t know anyone who would send me…”
Ruelia tilted her head in wonder, and Senior smiled as if he admired her.
“First, from Viscount Louvnell.”
Upon hearing the name of a young noble, Calice's feet stopped at the door.