Ding-dong-

Cheston carefully entered the salon. He scratched his chin at the sight that anyone would consider shabby.

‘Is this where they’re getting clothes made?’

He couldn’t understand why here of all places. Any central noble in the capital would entrust their dress to a famous salon on Poltrolli Street.

If it was in preparation for the upcoming social season, it would be even more appropriate to go to a famous place.

‘Doesn’t Whitney Orlean have to make her debut soon?’

Aaron had even commissioned an informant, saying Whitney’s whereabouts were strange. Once, he handed me a document and said gravely,

“It’s strange. There’s not much information.”

With slumped shoulders, he said that’s all the information there was. To think that all that searching was just to find out information. Sometimes he could be unnecessarily enthusiastic, and this seemed to be one of those times.

Aaron didn’t find out much.

The only daughter of the Duke of Orlean, her mother died of illness. The Duke remarried Cecilia Weston, who was the Marchioness of Weston, when she was 7.

The Duke died in a carriage accident when Whitney Belle Orlean was 8. Afterwards, the people in the duke’s mansion changed. She rarely shows her face in various social circles and official occasions.

Recently, there are records of her going out to bookstores and Lucia Salon. Otherwise, she doesn’t leave the house much.]

That also meant that there was no one left on her side in the duke’s mansion. Considering that, it made sense why she was getting her dress made here.

This must have been the best option from her perspective.

He compared Melissa, who was wearing a dress that was said to be hard to find even in the capital, with the dress that looked neat but shorter than before.

Cheston was concerned about Whitney.

“What brings you here? We’re not currently making men’s clothes.”

“Ah, it’s nothing else, I was just wondering if the lady who just left is getting her dress made here.”

Leberom quickly scanned Cheston.

‘At a glance, he looks like he’s from a central noble family. But I can’t tell which house.’

Cheston didn’t even show his face thanks to the cloak he had flipped over. Moreover, Aaron, who came with him, was even wearing a mask.

Leberom seemed to step back warily at the sight.

“W-why are you asking about that? I can’t show you the dress!”

He raised his voice, wondering if this person had come to ruin the dress again. Cheston had no choice but to reach into his pocket to find something.

“Aah! Please spare me! But I promised to protect the dress for her. Please consider my position where I can’t abandon my pride.”

Muse Leberom prostrated on the floor and pleaded earnestly. Cheston pulled out an envelope from his pocket and made an expression of incomprehension.

“I was going to hand this over. You’re acting like I’m going to kill you or something. Who on earth had visited before?”

It seemed he wasn’t the only one who had come after hearing that Whitney had entrusted her dress here. Leberom raised his head and looked at the envelope held out to him.

“What is this?”

“Open it. Whatever Lady Orlean has entrusted, do your best to make the dress. If there’s anything lacking, say so. It seems there are people trying to ruin the dress… but it looks like you won’t have to worry about that from now on.”

“…Pardon?”

Leberom received the envelope but couldn’t erase his bewildered expression.

“What is your relationship with her? I’m not sure if I should accept this…”

“Well. Let’s say it’s an investment. Don’t mention it separately. You can think of the rest as hush money.”

At Cheston’s words, Leberom carefully opened the envelope. His eyes doubled in size, then he alternately looked at the amount and Cheston.

“T-this really…”

“I’d like you not to take any orders except Lady Orlean’s clothes until the social season.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I don’t have any other orders, so I’ll pour everything into this one! But… I still can’t show you the dress.”

Cheston nodded at those words.

“Do that. I’m not curious about it anyway.”

He left the salon as if his business was finished. Aaron, who was following behind, still wore an expression of incomprehension.

“Your Highness, are you really going to go this far?”

“You saw it too. The efficacy of that herb is certain. It seems they don’t even know who’s taking it, and shouldn’t we first find out what they’re thinking?”

“I really don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand. It’s enough that I do.”

Cheston was willing to offer his neck even to someone who came to kill him if there was a way to save his mother.

Whitney’s day began with checking her correspondence. Again, today, the letter she was waiting for didn’t come.

‘Should I send another letter?’

No. That would be bowing my head and entering first. Aunt might be watching. Even though she’s a Margravine of the border, she must be hearing stories from the capital. If something interesting happens, there might be a response.

The fact that there had been no news so far was either because she wasn’t interested, or there were circumstances preventing her from coming, one of the two. If it’s the former, then I just need to create something interesting enough to gain her attention.

‘For news interesting enough to attract attention even from the frontier… I’d have to cause an incident or create a scandalous topic of conversation.’

Whitney leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh.

Neither was easy. She needed to find another way, but nothing came to mind. For now, she had put in a request with an informant. To find someone suitable to work as a butler. The condition was someone with a verified background.

She needed someone who could move with her until she reclaimed the duke’s mansion.

Knock knock knock.

Whitney was startled and stuffed the book under the blanket. To think she would see someone knocking before opening the door while living in the duke’s mansion.

“Young lady, it’s Rael. A letter has arrived, and I’m here to deliver it to you.”

“…A letter?”

She rose from her chair and flung the door open. Startled, Rael stepped back and handed over the letter.

‘Rivenia petals!’

To think His Highness Prince Cheston would send me a letter.

Whitney’s eyes widened, wondering what this could mean. She quickly composed her expression, sent Rael away, and closed the door. If it became known that she had connections with Prince Cheston, her life would become very tiresome, unlike when people thought he was just a royal knight.

If it reached the Queen’s ears, her life would be in danger without any preparations. Whitney lightly touched her neck and swallowed hard.

Sending the petal attached meant he had checked the herb. Although he couldn’t find out who was taking the herb, it was clear that he was closely related to it.

Whitney carefully opened the letter and checked its contents.

It seems you’re quite troubled at the duke’s mansion. Since I can’t gauge whether you’re someone to be trusted, let me make a suggestion.

I hear you’ll be making your debut at the upcoming social season. Become the brightest star then and earn the Queen’s recognition.

We’ll continue our conversation then.

P.S. Let me know if you need a guardian.]

Earn the Queen’s recognition? And saying to let him know if she needs a guardian, does that mean he’s offering help?

Whitney lit a candle and burned the letter. Though not explicitly stated, she knew the letter shouldn’t be left behind.

She opened the window for ventilation and carefully pondered the meaning of Prince Cheston’s words.

To earn the Queen’s recognition, she had to become the brightest star at her debut. Recalling those who had become stars every year, they were nobles recognized by their guardians. Moreover, most were the Queen’s people, and if not, they needed the guardianship of nobles with influence in the kingdom.

If it were the support of the Orlean duchy when her father was alive, it might have been different, but the current status of the duke’s mansion with Cecilia was lowered.

‘It would be fortunate not to be called uncouth even if I attend all sorts of social gatherings.’

Just looking at Melissa, the answer was clear. Although they were receiving invitations, not many were from powerful families, so even if her stepmother Cecilia offered help, Whitney had no intention of accepting it.

It might even end up being a hindrance.

Whitney’s mind kept circling back to Prince Cheston’s words in the postscript. It’s impossible without a guardian… Should she ask him for help? But she couldn’t understand how he would provide a guardian.

It’s not like Prince Cheston could become her guardian.

As she was organizing her complicated thoughts while looking out the window, Whitney’s eyes widened.

A carriage stopped in front of the duke’s mansion. Whitney instinctively knew the visitor was here for her. She immediately went downstairs.

Her stepmother’s face was contorted, and Melissa was biting her lip nervously. The woman standing with an elegant posture looked up at Whitney, who had just come down from the second floor, and said,

“I’ve come on Lady Rubeness’s behalf. She said to bring Whitney Orlean.”