I never expected to have such a quiet meal.
Whitney was eating, barely tasting her food as she chewed.
In the dining room filled with silence, only the occasional sound of a knife scraping against a plate was heard.
‘It feels oppressive.’
Whitney glanced at the Duke of Rubenars and her aunt.
They were silently focusing on their meal. Then, her eyes met with a small boy sitting next to her aunt.
The boy’s bashful smile made Whitney’s lips curve up as well.
‘That child must be the heir to the Rubenars family.’
He had silver hair just like the Duke of Rubenars and green eyes representing the Orleans Ducal Family.
Or were they more towards blue? Looking at his eyes with their mysterious color, it reminded her of a forest embracing a lake.
‘Beautiful.’
I wonder if it’s impolite to say that about a boy. Whitney smiled broadly at the boy who was staring at her intently.
About five years old, perhaps? The boy’s face turned red and he quickly lowered his head.
‘How adorable.’
Whitney chuckled silently and then turned her gaze away. After the seemingly endless meal finally ended, the Duke spoke up.
“The reason I invited you here is to seek your help with our expansion into the capital.”
Whitney hadn’t expected him to get straight to the point. She nodded as if she already knew.
“I plan to spare no support to make you the shining star of this debutante ball. However, I hope you won’t forget that the Rubenars family stands behind you.”
“I won’t forget the kindness you’ve shown in helping me.”
“I think it would be better to discuss the rest with my wife, so I will excuse myself now.”
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner, Duke.”
Whitney bowed to the Duke and sat down. He nodded and left the dining room.
“It would be good to move elsewhere now.”
Following her aunt’s suggestion, Whitney got up and followed her.
They went to a garden set up behind the mansion, where a table with tea and snacks was arranged.
The excited child, Leo, started to run towards the table but then hesitated and looked up at his mother.
“Leo, you shouldn’t eat too much.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll only have two.”
So, his name is Leo.
Whitney smiled faintly as she watched the spirited Leo.
As they sat down, a maid warmed the teacups and filled them with tea.
“Were you surprised by my sudden contact?”
“On the contrary, I was happy. I haven’t been able to reach out, but I was glad to know you still remember me.”
A bittersweet smile spread across her aunt’s face.
“I also failed to contact you. I didn’t know you didn’t attend my father’s funeral. If I had known, I would have reached out sooner. I’m sorry.”
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard about the accident. Although we weren’t very close, your mother was a special sister to me. I didn’t do much for you, which made it hard for me to face you.”
Whitney lowered her head. Would she have learned about her aunt’s existence sooner if her father’s carriage accident hadn’t happened?
“Lift your head. The accident wasn’t your fault. I left you alone when you were young, but I always believed you were doing well.”
“It’s okay. I am…”
In truth, it wasn’t okay. But Whitney just shook her head and smiled. She couldn’t forget the reason she came here.
It wasn’t to complain about her difficulties, nor was it an age for her to do so.
Whitney lifted her head and said to her aunt.
“With your help, I’ll regain what I’ve lost. So, please trust me.”
“You’re brave. You seem a lot like your father… As the ducal house might not be of help, stay here and learn.”
“My stepmother won’t allow it.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve made inquiries about that woman.”
Whitney blinked at her aunt’s words. It seemed as if there was a spark in her aunt’s eyes.
“You’ve probably met her already, but Sonia will be your dedicated maid from now on. And starting tomorrow, I’ve invited a famous teacher for lessons you’ll need for the debutante ball, so you’ll be busy.”
Whitney nodded. But why didn’t she ask me? She might be curious about how I plan to help the Rubenars family, but she didn’t mention anything about that.
“Aunt, I have a question. I know the Rubenars family is on good terms with Her Majesty the Queen, but is there a reason why His Majesty the King sent the Rubenars family to the border?”
Although it was a delicate matter, it was important to Whitney. If the King’s displeasure was more complex than she thought, it would be difficult for her to resolve the conflict with her own efforts.
“I don’t know the exact details, but I heard the Duke of Rubenars had a good reputation among the people. That might have been bothersome from the King’s perspective.”
“Then, is the Queen’s good relationship with the Rubenars family intended to counterbalance the King?”
“Yes. It’s a well-known fact that the Queen and the King aren’t on good terms, so she might be trying to strengthen this side.”
“So, even if relations with the Queen sour, the Rubenars family wouldn’t be affected?”
Her aunt set down her teacup and looked at Whitney curiously, wondering why she was asking these questions.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
