Ruela tried to hide her surprise and examined Countess Line’s expression. She thought there would be enough suspicion if he were a monster, but she never expected it to be asserted so conclusively. Moreover, everyone knows about this fact?

Though she tried to appear nonchalant, the Countess continued to cast curious glances in her direction, as if wondering how she would respond.

Lowering her gaze, Ruela took a sip of the now-cold tea, organizing her expression. Since she had once been close to the Kurane royal family, she might have been trying to figure out what the truth was.

Having organized her thoughts, Ruela looked at Countess Line with a drawn, almost painted smile.

“Claiming to know everything might be an excessive assumption.”

Countess Line’s eyes widened. Ruela quickly added as if guessing what the Countess was about to say.

“Of course, I know. And, in fact, that’s why we broke up.”

It is not known why the previous Ruela rejected him. She might have known about such a fact and wanted to escape from Balder, or she might have just disliked him. In any case, there is now a very plausible excuse, so there is no reason not to use it.

Countess Line leaned closer, lowering her voice.

“I suspected it, and it turned out to be true. But Master Balder is the highest authority in Kurane. Duke Kurane stays low-key, and the king looks like that. Yet you decided to break off the engagement; I can’t understand it at all.”

Not wanting to waste time on such useless matters, Ruela put on a stiff expression, as if to say, “Let’s stop here,” and changed the topic of conversation.

“Shall we go back to the previous conversation? If the lady honestly tells me, I will tell you too.”

Countess Line, with a dissatisfied expression, said, “Am I not honestly speaking now? Isn’t it about Romin, rather than going back and forth like this?”

Ruela made a chilly expression.

“I’ve already told you the reason for the breakup. Whether the previous Ruela knew about it for some reason or just wanted to get away from Balder because she didn’t like him, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, there’s a very plausible excuse, so there’s no reason to use it.”

Countess Line narrowed her eyes.

She put down her trembling teacup and looked around.

“You really are fearless. Is it because you lack wisdom, or is it because you have no fear?”

“The latter. I’ve already received a hostile declaration. What is there to be afraid of?”

Countess Line sighed once again.

After taking a deep breath for a moment, she nodded.

“It’s a well-known fact that the king is a monster. And the one who made him like that is Duke Kurane.”
Upon hearing the mention of the royal family, Countess Line’s eyes widened to an extent that couldn’t be any more surprised. She anxiously scanned her surroundings and, with a worried expression, lowered her voice to ask hastily.

“Why on earth would you think that? I haven’t said anything, have I?”

“It’s because you’re contemplating whether to follow your husband, and you asked about the king’s condition. Also, your husband believes that there is no future in this country.”

“Not yet, he’s just thinking about it. So, please don’t misunderstand.”

Ruela nodded as if understanding and asked.

“Who are the people speculating about the king’s condition?”

“The members of the council.”

“I see.”

Even though she calmly nodded, it was embarrassing not to have thought that there might be people doubting the king.

If they were members of the council, it was a position where they would naturally see the king frequently while performing national duties.

It would be strange if they couldn’t notice, even if he tried to hide it.

Countess Line, as if trying to turn the conversation, took a sip of her tea after a deep sigh and asked.

“We couldn’t attend the Royal Dance this time. My daughter and her aunt’s family went, and all they talked about afterward was the king’s scent. What do you think about that?”

Scent? Ruela tried to hide her surprised expression. Since the Kurane king was not a lower-level monster, he couldn’t hide his scent. Although they were sensitive to the smell of monsters due to their abilities, it was normal for ordinary people not to notice.

But deliberately revealing the scent?

What could be the reason? On purpose? Or did he think there was no need to hide the scent? Whatever the reason, it was clear that the king’s condition was unusual.

However, Ruela, who didn’t need to reveal such facts, answered with a casual expression.

“It might be because he didn’t wash. There have been many famous kings like that.”

“Really? I’ve never heard of such a story. But you know I’m not asking about that, right? Isn’t it because he became a monster and went crazy, so he’s not leading a normal life?”

Ruela adjusted her posture.

It was difficult to have a detailed conversation here as the tea party would soon end.

Especially when the Countess kept glancing around and repeatedly lowered her voice, making it difficult to concentrate on the conversation.

Ruela pointed to the gift package.