Chapter 03
Because she had stepped out briefly during the day, Ruelia ended up leaving work late.
Her mind was a mess, and she struggled to focus—unlike her usual self.
“Thank you, Sir Billein.”
As he often did when it got late, Sir Billein—Kylas’s right-hand man—escorted her all the way home.
It wasn’t even that far from the ducal estate.
“Please go inside, Lady Ruelia.”
Like his master, the knight was a solid, steadfast man.
Above all, he sincerely respected Kylas, the strongest sword in the Empire.
Because he was both a knight Kylas trusted and a fellow man, Billein followed his lord’s movements like a shadow—often to places Ruelia couldn’t reach.
Which meant… he might know.
“Um, Sir Billein. Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“About today’s Knight family gathering.”
“You mean the Imperial Allied Forces training meeting hosted by Count Emil?”
Imperial nobles were allowed a certain number of private soldiers, approved by the imperial family.
Families permitted to maintain such forces were recognized knightly houses, and they gathered regularly for joint training to defend the Empire.
But it wasn’t just about training.
It was also the imperial family’s way of monitoring and subtly restraining House Aber—without lifting a finger.
“Yes. Did the duke happen to greet Count Emil’s daughter there?”
Please say no.
She wanted to believe that the future she knew and the present reality were different.
“Yes, he did. The count personally instructed his daughter to attend to the duke. He said His Grace was extremely particular, so there must be no mistakes.”
She was doomed.
The clock of fate was still ticking in the same direction.
Ruelia bit her lip.
“What kind of person is Count Emil’s daughter?”
“She was a refined young lady. Clever enough that the count trusted her to serve the duke.”
“And… how did the duke react?”
“He seemed comfortable. Much like when he is attended by the butler or by you.”
Ruelia’s eyes widened at the unbelievable news.
That picky man had been satisfied right away?
Was this really the beginning of a doomed, unrequited love?
No—it’s too early to give up.
What if it wasn’t one-sided? If it became mutual, everything could be solved.
A sharp light returned to Ruelia’s eyes.
“How did she seem toward our duke?”
She asked, hiding her tension.
“She appeared to respect him.”
The word “respect” felt lacking.
It suggested goodwill—but not romantic interest. A rational feeling, not one that could easily turn into love.
At the incomplete answer, Ruelia narrowed her eyes slightly.
“That’s all? Did she show no other interest in him?”
She looked at Billein with desperate eyes.
Billein scratched his head and rolled his eyes upward, thinking. Then suddenly, he struck his palm with his fist.
“Now that you mention it, she did ask His Grace quite a few questions.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It turns out they share a common interest.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ruelia clasped her hands together.
That was a positive sign.
As Ruelia smiled in satisfaction, Billein followed suit and added cheerfully,
“She’s also close to the Crown Prince. That’s probably why their conversation flowed so well.”
“Oh… I think I’ve heard that. She’s the one His Highness—”
Suddenly, Ruelia fell silent.
A hollow despair flooded her widened eyes.
Unaware, Billein finished the sentence for her.
“Yes. The young lady rumored to be the Crown Prince’s chosen future consort.”
Crown Prince Gallion—the notorious womanizer.
The person Lady Isla Emil would eventually choose was the duke’s closest friend.
This is the worst possible outcome!
The reason for the duke’s future rebellion flashed through Ruelia’s mind.
A man who sacrificed everything for his friend’s rise to the throne—only to have the one woman he ever wanted taken by that very friend.
Betrayal gave birth to tragedy.
Ruelia’s face turned pale.
“Do you have any other questions?”
Billein asked, looking at her curiously.
“No… none.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Ruelia stared blankly at Sir Billein as he bowed.
Her trembling eyes slowly steadied. The despair that had crept in vanished without a trace.
As if she had made up her mind, she spoke firmly.
“Yes. Thank you. And let’s work well together from now on.”
At the sudden proposal of cooperation, Billein tilted his head slightly.
“A potential duchess has finally appeared, so we need to unite with one heart and one mind.”
What else could she do? She was already aboard a ship that had begun to capsize.
There must be useful information in that diary. I can prepare.
As long as even a shred of hope remained, she had to keep rowing until the end.
Even if she had to jump ship just before it sank.
* * *
After returning to the ducal estate, Billein headed straight to the duke.
“I’ve returned.”
“Nothing unusual?”
“No. The suspicious individual we spotted before was nowhere to be seen.”
At Billein’s report, one of Kylas’s eyebrows lifted.
“So that woman finally gave up? I heard she summoned Ruelia during the day—I thought she’d show herself.”
“That craftsman left the Bellona Trading Company long ago.”
“Then he has no connection whatsoever to Count Bellona?”
“I’m not certain.”
“…Not certain?”
Kylas’s second finger began tapping the desk in a steady rhythm.
As his cold gaze darkened slightly, Billein stiffened and answered quickly.
“I’ll investigate more thoroughly and report back.”
“But why did the Crown Prince approach Ruelia?”
“He claims he was just passing by her house.”
“Passing by?”
“Yes. Perhaps he was on his way to meet another young lady?”
Kylas snorted lightly, recalling his friend’s reputation.
He didn’t bother correcting Billein.
The Crown Prince’s public image was entirely self-inflicted—there was no need to fix it.
“How is the area around Ruelia’s home?”
“The guards are maintaining double and triple layers of security, as usual.”
“Good. Watch over her quietly. Don’t let her feel alarmed.”
His already stiff expression hardened further.
Seeing that, Billein hesitated, unsure whether to continue. But one could not keep secrets from their lord.
“However, the aide said something strange today.”
“What was it?”
“She showed interest in Count Emil’s daughter.”
“What kind of interest?”
“She was curious about what kind of person Lady Emil was. It even seemed like she had a favorable impression.”
Kylas frowned briefly, then smoothed his expression as if it were nothing.
“She’s my aide. She was probably just assessing the tendencies of a noble I met.”
“Ah… yes, that makes sense.”
Billein nodded.
But there was still one important thing left to report.
As he glanced cautiously, Kylas looked at him as if to say, “Go on.”
“What else?”
“She said that since a potential duchess has finally appeared… we should join forces and do our best.”
The tapping of Kylas’s index finger slowed.
The rhythm broke.
“She’s planning something ridiculous again. What a strange woman.”
“Will that be alright?”
“Let her do as she pleases. It’s not like she’d listen even if I stopped her.”
Kylas picked up the documents Ruelia had neatly organized before leaving.
He’d told her she could take them home and bring them back in the morning, yet she’d insisted on finishing them at the estate—claiming ducal documents could not be taken outside.
Fast work didn’t mean sloppy work.
Her skills were more precise and efficient than any aide he had ever employed.
With languid eyes, Kylas flipped through the pages one by one.
Watching him, Billein frowned slightly.
“That’s not what I meant… I was asking whether you are alright, Your Grace. I heard you told the aide today that there is a woman you wish to make your duchess.”
Kylas gently set the documents down on the desk.
“Billein.”
“Yes.”
“She looked so innocent, completely unaware that I was talking about her. It was… almost endearing.”
It was a report colored with emotion.
Perhaps because of that, Kylas interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them.
He stared at Billein with a ferocious expression—one Ruelia had never once seen.
Sweet 😏🤌