Whitney watched Melissa leave. She worried about what Melissa would say to their mother upon returning, but it didn’t really matter to her.
“Are you worried?”
“No, actually, I’m looking forward to it. What sister will say to mother. I’m sorry for dragging Lady Rubenner into this.”
“The debutante ball is only a few months away. Did you enjoy your conversation with the queen?”
Lady Rubenner seemed to be probing about our conversation. Since the talk had been rather uneventful, I didn’t have much to add. The only noteworthy point was that the queen’s response seemed positive.
“The queen might call me again.”
Then, perhaps, I might meet Carl. What kind of expression should I have if I see him? It took a lot of courage to return and face Melissa.
‘I’m not ready to meet him yet.’
I’d inevitably meet him at the ball after the debutante event, so I wanted to delay that as long as possible. He would hide his true nature, showing a false face to the people, whispering sweet lies.
“I think so too. I’ve heard some strange rumors about the Orleans ducal house. Cecilia is apparently embezzling funds. Are you going to keep an eye on it?”
“I’m already on it. Once Melissa returns, I’ll get a letter. I’ve planted someone there.”
I calmly responded. I received weekly reports, and tomorrow was the day, so I’d find out what was happening in the ducal house.
“Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any other movement yet. But things might change if they realize I can’t give them what they want…”
“If you need help, let me know. I feel guilty towards you, after all.”
“Don’t say that. I’m always grateful to you.”
“That’s comforting to hear.”
Lady Rubenner left for her room. I sat down and pulled out a letter from the desk drawer, reading it bit by bit.
Cecilia had been greedily embezzling. Likely, she planned to drain most of the assets before I became an adult and took over the estate. Her recent laxity seemed due to my words.
‘Having promised to continue overseeing the ducal house’s affairs, she must’ve relaxed.’
I organized the information on another piece of paper, trying to figure out where the money was going.
‘Come to think of it, Lady Rubenner was right. Melissa’s hair does seem darker than when she was younger.’
Such a deep red was unprecedented. Suddenly, I remembered something from my childhood.
‘Her hair seemed more orange when she first arrived…’
I decided to ask the butler to send me a childhood portrait I had drawn.
“Weston was her maiden name, wasn’t it? I don’t even know my stepmother’s origins.”
I immediately sent a letter to an informant.
Upon returning to the ducal house, Melissa screamed.
“How dare they! How dare they!”
She couldn’t forget the humiliation. The way Lady Rubenner had looked at her haunted her. Melissa grabbed her head in frustration.
“Melissa! Calm down! What unrefined behavior is this?”
Cecilia frowned upon seeing her daughter’s outburst immediately upon returning. Melissa’s temperament had sharpened lately, especially since Whitney’s departure.
“Mother should have seen! How arrogantly she held her head high, insulting me! The humiliation Lady Rubenner gave me!”
“That’s why I told you not to go. What if they had demanded the money back?”
“We have more than enough money! Is money all that matters to you, Mother? More than the disgrace I suffered?!”
Melissa screamed furiously, tears brimming in her eyes, trembling with humiliation.
“You said I wouldn’t have to endure such disgrace again!”
“Melissa, calm down. You’re an Orleans. This unrefined behavior ends today.”
Cecilia held Melissa’s arm, whispering in her ear.
“There are many ears listening. Can you guarantee that those here won’t gossip about our private affairs? Didn’t your mother teach you not to trust people?”
“You never cared before! Why are you hovering around me now?”
Melissa showed no signs of calming down. Cecilia disliked her daughter’s attitude, regardless of what she had heard.
“Don’t worry. Anyway, that girl will have to return here. There’s no place for her in the ducal house, so she won’t suffer such disgrace again.”
“Promise me.”
Melissa, crying, asked Cecilia. Her mother patted her back and whispered.
“Yes, I promise.”
She hugged Cecilia tightly, sobbing. Melissa remembered Whitney’s smiling face and clenched her teeth.
Whitney checked a letter from the ducal house. It mentioned Melissa’s outburst upon her return.
Cecilia hosted parties every two weeks at the ducal house, likely to cement her social standing. There was also a mention of her meeting someone in secret.
“Secret meetings?”
If the butler didn’t know who it was, it meant she met with someone covertly. Being a second wife, Cecilia hadn’t blended well with other noblewomen. It was common for aristocrats to value lineage, so her outsider status was natural.
Melissa, with her ruby hair and amethyst eyes, captivated people, but Cecilia had hair closer to orange and black eyes. First-time viewers might not consider them mother and daughter.
There was no news yet on my inquiry to the informant. Preparations for my debutante ball were complete. I eagerly awaited its arrival.
“Lady, your mother summons you.”
“Okay, I’ll be there shortly.”
Responding to Sonya’s call, Whitney headed to the study.
“Did she mention why she’s calling me?”
“No, nothing specific. But I suspect it’s about…”
“About…?”
“Since the debutante ball is nearing, everyone gathers in the central capital. As you’ve learned everything, it’s time to go there.”
Whitney’s steps halted.
‘I didn’t expect to return to the ducal house so soon.’
Reading her thoughts, Sonya smiled and said,
“Lady, you won’t be going to the ducal house but to a villa owned by the Rubenner family in the capital. So, no need to worry.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
The Rubenner family’s people were kind to Whitney. They were so caring and considerate that she didn’t want to leave. They were quick to notice her thoughts and often spoke up first.
Whitney entered the study with a lighter heart.
“Come in.”
She greeted lightly and saw Leo, who seemed to be on the verge of tears. As Sonya had hinted, it seemed time for her to leave.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Yes, I see you’ve heard. It’s time to go to the capital. Everything’s ready, so how about leaving tomorrow?”
“So soon?”
“There’s much to prepare even there. I can’t go, so Sonya will accompany you.”
Whitney nodded in agreement. Leo approached with a sad face, seemingly reluctant to part. He hugged her tightly, burying his face in her embrace.
“Whitney, will we see each other again?”
“Of course. If you miss me, I’ll come to visit anytime. And I’ll make sure you can come to the capital too.”
“Really?”
She smiled broadly and stroked Leo’s hair. She was determined to repay the debt of gratitude to her aunt.
“Wait, I should give you a gift before I leave.”
At her aunt’s gesture, a maid brought an envelope. Her aunt handed Whitney the sealed envelope with a smile.
“I hope this helps you. If you’re not happy, I can’t face your brother.”
“I’ve only laughed while I was here. I’ve never been happier. Everyone has been so kind to me.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll do well. Can I open this now?”
“Of course.”
Whitney carefully opened the envelope with a knife. Inside was the information she had requested from the informant.
“The late Duchess of Westen suffered from chronic illness and died early. Cecilia Westen became the new Duchess, already accompanied by her young daughter, Melissa. The identity of Melissa’s father is unknown. Cecilia’s reputation in Hartfail was poor. One day, she suddenly disappeared.”
Hartfail was a rural area at the edge of the Kingdom of Lrowen. The lack of information on the Duke of Westen was likely due to the lack of interaction with the central capital.
Whitney placed the letter back into the envelope and thanked her aunt again.
“This information is exactly what I needed. Thank you. I’ll use it wisely.”
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
_____
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