“Haven’t you heard? Lord Gart, the most trusted person of Duke Kuran. Even if I say this much, you won’t pretend not to know who he is, right?”

Ruela covered her ears and took a step back.

“I know, so don’t shout. And I don’t care if you’re Lord Gart’s daughter or the king’s daughter. I rejected Valder Guildmaster because I didn’t like him, so why would I be nervous just because Duke Kuran values him?”

“What, what did you say?”

Gart’s lady’s cheeks reddened even more. The yellow-haired lady next to her, seeming to want to help her, spoke up.
“Answer properly. Who bought that ring? We all know Miss Rominin was kicked out of Kamun Mansion without a penny, so it’s unlikely she bought it herself and is lying.”

Gart’s daughter, who had been momentarily shocked, blinked her eyes and re-engaged.

“Surely you didn’t steal it?”

At her words, everyone gasped, covering their mouths with their hands as if screaming quietly.

One of the clamoring ladies, with a face full of laughter, spoke up as if consoling.

“Surely, that wouldn’t be the case? Still, she’s from a noble family by name.”

The mouse-like lady resumed speaking.

“It’s too strange not to be suspicious. Expelled with nothing spare and then came to the royal ball yesterday wearing an incredibly fancy dress.”

Another outspoken lady chimed in.

“The dress you’re wearing now is also a style unseen in Kurun. What kind of trick did she use? Could it be that joining the Ferose Guild gets you dresses and diamond rings?”

The dress Ruela wore to the tea party today was a modified version of the basic dress brought from Elav by Cozette. It was hastily arranged with ruffles and lace to suit the afternoon tea party. She planned to change only the decorations next time, making it look like a different dress.

Ruela, stroking her dress with the diamond ring, spoke arrogantly.

“Joining the Ferose Guild would magically get me dresses and rings? Oh, of course, the guild doesn’t accept just anyone.”

“Then where did those things come from? Did you really steal them?”

When Gart’s daughter questioned her with an attitude as if she would report her right away, Ruela shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

“It’s not a big deal. Elav’s most famous designer is here for me. As you know, even if I have money because of Guildmaster Valder, I can’t buy anything at this local store.”

“But that still doesn’t make sense. You said you bought the ring from a downtown store.”

When Gart’s daughter asked with an angry tone, everyone nodded in agreement.

Ruela, looking at them, raised the corners of her mouth calmly.

“This was given to me as an engagement present by Duke Feromont. Oh, of course, he purchased it not in Elav but at a local store here.”

For a moment, the ladies in front of her and the surrounding nobles, who had been watching the situation, closed their mouths as if in agreement. Thanks to them, the corner of the garden where they stood became strangely quiet.

“What’s going on?”

Feeling an unusual atmosphere, Lady Line, the hostess of today, approached.

“Well, as there might be lies, let’s bring Duke Feromont immediately to confirm.”

At the shout of the mouse-like lady, everyone turned their heads to find Duke Feromont.
As Kite and Lady Line approached, a brown-haired lady who hadn’t uttered a word so far shouted, unable to connect her words properly due to excitement.

“Duke Feromont, what’s that? That diamond ring…”

Gart’s daughter intervened, pushing the excited brown-haired lady aside.

“I’ll tell you. Your Grace, did you really get engaged to that woman?”

Ruela frowned at Gart’s daughter, who was pointing fingers at her.

“Oh, finger-pointing. Isn’t that a bit uncultured?”

Whether she heard her words or not, Gart’s daughter quickly lowered her finger, retracting her accusatory gesture.

“Be quiet. Are you afraid the lies will be exposed?”

Ruela blinked innocently in response.

“Lies? Why would I lie? Since you’re so curious, I’ll ask directly.”

She waited for Kite to come closer, then called him in a calm tone without raising her voice.

“Kite?”

Once again, the ladies were left in awe as they witnessed Ruela casually calling the Duke by his name.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

Kite responded to the affectionate call, scanning Ruela’s surroundings before furrowing his brows.

“Where’s Tien? I told him not to wander off and stay close.”

Tien emerged from the shade of a tree and answered.

“I’m here, sir. The atmosphere seemed quite tense, so I stayed back for a moment. But I never neglected my duty to protect.”

Understanding the nod, Kite approached Ruela.

“It seems everyone has a lot of questions for me. Let me answer Ruela’s question on behalf of everyone. What was the question?”

Smiling affectionately and making eye contact, Ruela asked.

“Everyone seems curious about our relationship. Shall I announce it loudly to everyone?”