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Episode 60

"Ahem!"

Leonid coughed heavily, clutching his chest, and bowed his head.

As he lowered his head, I could clearly see his ears turning red.

He must have been quite flustered—I couldn't help but smile.

"Were you embarrassed?"

At my amused expression and laughter, Leonid, perhaps feeling awkward, straightened his back and rubbed the tip of his nose with his index finger.

"Ahem, you really seemed like a different person."

"I worked hard, you know?"

I emphasized just how much effort I'd put in.

Like a subordinate buttering up their boss, I pressed my hands together.

Leonid, suppressing a laugh, pressed his lips tightly together.

Then, to change the subject, he pointed at my finger.

"By the way, I had no idea Cael's family had such a magnificent artifact. I might have to search my own treasury..."

"?!"

At the mention of a treasury, my eyes widened without thinking.

Seeing my curiosity-filled gaze, Leonid chuckled and spoke.

"That's an interested look, Riel—"

"Jamila. You should call me that, right? You can't make mistakes."

I quickly cut Leonid off as he tried to say my name.

From now on, a single mistake outside could be disastrous.

Seeming to understand, Leonid nodded.

"Right. Jamila... Jamila..."

"Yes."

Leonid muttered, repeating it to memorize.

I watched him, then covered my cheeks with both hands and closed my eyes.

Though I didn't show it, my heart was still pounding wildly.

I felt relieved that the three-week-long ordeal was finally over.

Performing four times a week on stage kept me incredibly busy, and I even practiced daily to embody the character of Jamila.

Singing practice, poses for singing...

And singing in front of large crowds to spread rumors—how nervous I'd been.

But perhaps thanks to the magic ring's assurance that I wasn't in my true form, although nervous, I managed to perform successfully without mistakes.

As a result, the rumors we deliberately spread quickly took hold.

Now that the first phase—meeting Leonid—had ended successfully, I didn't have to perform at the theater anymore, which was a relief.

I might have to sing a few times at the palace, but at least it wouldn't be for the theater crowds.

Though I hadn't made mistakes, I wanted to avoid that nerve-wracking tension every time.

And since the theater work had kept me so busy, I could finally resume dating Cael—that thought excited me.

We'd only managed one date a week, and even then, I was so exhausted that we'd only gone to cafes or ateliers three times in three weeks.

It felt like a newly forming couple, kept apart by work, feeling the regret of not seeing each other often.

I had been busy, but Cael had also been busy, so even at the mansion, I hardly saw him.

Still, our weekly dates had been going smoothly.

Though I kept reminding myself it was just a contract, when we were together on dates, that thought would vanish, and I'd just enjoy myself.

I wished we could date more than once a week.

But now I could return to normal.

I felt a smile creeping onto my face.

"Hehe."

As I unconsciously let out a laugh, Leonid, who had been looking elsewhere, turned his head.

"Hmm?"

"Oh, nothing."

"...It seems we've arrived at the palace. We'll soon plan the second phase, so until we're inside, please do your best as Jamila."

"Yes, don't worry."

Since he'd carried me into the carriage from the theater, we needed to exit the carriage looking like a smitten couple.

He reminded me of that, and I nodded nervously.

Then I concentrated, mentally recalling Jamila's mannerisms.

Soon the carriage stopped, and the door opened. Leonid stepped out first.

He extended his hand to me. I, as Jamila, gave him the confident smile I'd practiced and took his hand, stepping down.

I could feel countless gazes focused on us again.

Don't make a mistake.

I scanned the crowd with a bold glance, then visibly hooked my arm through Leonid's and walked proudly into the palace.

---

"Ahhh~!"

After a long yawn, I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, and my blurry vision finally cleared.

Ah, it was my room.

I sat up groggily, stretched my stiff body, and recalled yesterday's events.

After entering the palace with Leonid, I stayed close to him, showing myself to the knights, nobles, and maids.

I'd grown accustomed to their surprised stares and expressions, even having enough composure to exchange a few words with Leonid.

After making a show of entering Leonid's room together, I slipped into the prepared adjacent room, where the Chancellor and Oren were waiting to plan the next phase.

Oren handled the detailed plans.

And for this mission, I was introduced to two of Leonid's close aides who would attend to me.

After finalizing that they would assist me as Oren instructed, I finally returned to the mansion.

"Phew, what was today's schedule again?"

I must have been really tense yesterday.

Organizing my thoughts and coming to my senses, I got out of bed and stretched my arms toward the ceiling.

Knock knock—

"Lady Rielle, are you awake?"

"Ah! I'm awake. You can come in, Angel."

A knock came with Angel's voice from beyond the door.

At my permission, the door opened, and Angel entered with a bright expression.

"Good morning, Lady Rielle."

"Good morning. You seem to have good news?"

At my question, Angel, who had been opening the window to air out the room, quickly came over, covered her mouth with both hands, and began.

"I heard there was a commotion at the theater yesterday."

"Theater? Ah... the one with that new singer you mentioned?"

I pretended to know nothing about outside affairs.

I didn't need to bring it up—Angel, who was up-to-date on all gossip, always came running to tell me.

She'd told me about the new singer's debut and the rumors surrounding her, so I nodded in acknowledgment.

"Yes! That singer who's supposedly incredibly beautiful. Apparently, yesterday she rode with the King in the royal carriage and entered the palace!"

"To the palace?"

I asked back in feigned surprise, covering my mouth with both hands. Angel continued excitedly.

It was shocking enough that the King had met the singer at the theater, but that he'd carried her into the carriage after hearing her sing was illustrated on the front page of today's newspaper.

Many said the singer's boast had come true—the King had indeed fallen for her.

All the people inside the theater at the time were witnesses.

Everyone said naturally, without suspicion, that the King had been captivated by the singer's voice and beauty.

Angel explained everything in detail, then sighed and blushed.

"Lady Rielle and the Duke's romance is romantic, but isn't the King and the singer's story also romantic? It's like something out of a romance novel come to life!"

"Th, that rumor spread that widely?"

"Of course! The maids here, the people around, and all the women outside are talking about it! It even made the main newspaper article!"

"I see."

Listening to Angel's excited chatter, I recalled Oren's words.

Then I cautiously asked Angel.

"Um, Angel."

"Yes?"

"Does it... bother you that the Duke or the King are dating commoners, not nobles?"

Watching my expression, Angel stared at me for a moment, then shook her head.

"Of course not. Well, the nobles might think differently, but we just hope for the best. We actually cheer them on."

"Really?"

"Yes. In fact, quite a few of the mansion's staff secretly hope you and the Duke will get married."

"What?! Ma, marriage?"

At Angel's unexpected words, I was startled and instantly blushed.

Marriage.

Me? With the Duke?

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