“Lady Rubeness?”

Cecilia’s eyes widened. It seemed she was aware of her aunt’s existence. Whitney clasped her hands and stood before the woman.

“I’m Whitney Orlean. Did my aunt ask for me to be brought?”

“My name is Sonia Telfe. Lady Rubeness said she called for the young lady’s upcoming debutante.”

Guardian!

Whitney’s eyes grew round. Cecilia, displeased with the sudden situation, furrowed her brow and wedged herself between the two.

“You suddenly appear and want to take my daughter? The debutante can be handled at the duke’s residence. We appreciate Lady Rubeness’s help, but it’s best to decline.”

“The lady’s opinion is irrelevant. It seems you haven’t even provided proper clothes for the young lady. I don’t think we can entrust the debutante to Lady Orlean. It might be better if you send a letter directly.”

“Whitney. You’re not going, are you?”

Cecilia grabbed her arm tightly and smiled with narrowed eyes. Whitney looked at Sonia watching her, then patted Cecilia’s hand on her arm and whispered softly.

“Mother, you know how important this time is for me, for elder sister’s sake. If aunt becomes my guardian, I’m sure I can gain the Queen’s approval.”

“So you’re saying you’ll go with her?”

“Isn’t what you want a good marriage for elder sister? Elder sister may be at the center of social circles, but good marriage proposals aren’t coming in.”

Central nobles were picky. If a woman didn’t excel in appearance, etiquette, literature, everything, she would likely be overlooked. Melissa had beautiful looks, but compared to central nobles educated from childhood, she lacked in many areas.

This was separate from getting along well with people. It wasn’t that no marriage proposals came in, but if Melissa had been satisfied with that level, she would have been married already.

“What if you go and don’t come back?”

“Wouldn’t that be good for you, Mother? I thought you’d be happy if the troublesome me disappeared from your sight.”

“That’s…!”

Cecilia was about to raise her voice but glanced at Sonia. She was standing there, taking in Cecilia’s actions without moving. Perhaps intimidated by that gaze, Cecilia let go of Whitney’s arm.

“I was just complaining, Mother and elder sister are my only family. I’ll come back. So don’t worry. You’re my legal guardian, Mother.”

“…Right! That’s right. I am legally your guardian.”

The composure that had vanished returned to Cecilia’s face.

“Please wait a moment.”

Whitney went straight up to the attic. She had to hide her books and belongings, as they would surely search the attic again in her absence.

She slightly pushed the bed aside and opened a door in the floor. In this secret space in the attic, known only to her, she put the books related to the duke’s residence. She also carefully placed well-dried herbs and seeds, then closed the door. Then she pushed the bed back to cover it without arousing suspicion.

Whitney soon came back down. Cecilia and Melissa’s gazes clung persistently to Whitney. However, Whitney neatly clasped her hands and followed Sonia out of the mansion.

After half a day’s journey, their carriage arrived at the Lafemonto estate on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Leowen. The now-darkened sky greeted her.

In contrast, a mansion incomparably larger than the duke’s residence stood before her eyes.

‘So this is the Rubeness family’s estate.’

Along with the vast land, knights standing at attention were visible around the mansion. The large castle visible in the distance was surely the one managed by the Rubeness family.

“Please follow me. It’s late today, so it would be best to rest and greet them tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Whitney followed Sonia into the mansion. Maids lined up to greet her. Whitney involuntarily shrank back at their impeccably neat and uncluttered appearance, which needed no comment.

“You can use this room. You’ll be staying here at least until the debutante. If there’s anything uncomfortable, please let me know.”

Does this mean I can stay here until the debutante?

Whitney nodded with a dazed expression at the unexpected words. Carefully entering the room, Whitney sat on the edge of the large bed.

Absentmindedly looking around the room, she seemed to finally realize it, burying her face in the bed and muttering.

‘I’ve escaped the duke’s residence.’

Her joy of stomping her feet was short-lived as a knock was heard. Sonia said the bath was ready and offered to attend to her.

Soon after, maids entered, but Whitney dismissed them, saying she would do it alone. The wounds on her body hadn’t fully healed yet, and she didn’t want to show them to others.

She headed to the bathroom. It was filled with steam, perhaps due to the warm water, and a fragrant scent gently permeated her nostrils.

As she carefully dipped her foot in, her body relaxed as if tension was releasing. She couldn’t remember when she had last immersed herself in a spacious bathtub or used such high-quality fragrances. Whitney, fully submerged in the water, thoroughly enjoyed her bath.

‘I said I’d return soon, but if it turns out like this, Mother won’t stay quiet.’

Tomorrow, when meeting aunt, she needed to discuss that part. She had almost given up due to no reply to the letter, but didn’t expect them to send someone so quickly.

Returning to the room, Whitney dried her wet hair with a towel and looked in the mirror. Her face looked more relaxed, but her thin body and dry skin were still noticeable.

‘This won’t do at all.’

Whitney sighed deeply. When she meets her aunt tomorrow, she’ll surely think the same. She had to capture her aunt’s heart somehow.

The Rubeness family was on good terms with the Queen. But there was a reason they became Margrave and lived on the border. It was because Lord Rubeness had done something to upset the King.

This too was something she learned while searching for newspapers about past events. Whitney thought she needed to know more details about this matter. If her aunt became her guardian, there might be a way to improve relations with the King.

After all, Whitney had a connection with the 2nd Prince, who was favored by the King.

She dried her hair and lay down on the bed. Fatigue washed over her and her eyelids grew heavy.

“I shouldn’t sleep. I need to think about what to do tomorrow. First, after talking with aunt… I should also inform His Highness about the situation…”

She tried to resist her closing eyes, but perhaps because it had been so long since she lay on a soft bed, she couldn’t overcome the drowsiness.

Whitney curled up on the soft bed and fell asleep.

Whitney’s eyes flew open as she rose from the bed and looked around.

Judging by the lack of activity, it seemed to be before the maids came to wake her.

Whitney got out of bed and drew the curtains. Opening the large window that provided a wide view, there was a terrace outside.

Resting her hands on the railing, she gazed intently at the well-maintained garden. Being morning, a cool breeze swept over Whitney’s body.

‘It’s refreshing.’

The people of the Rubeness family were busy moving from early morning. Unlike the lazy people at the duke’s residence.

Perhaps because it was a border region, even the knights were training from the morning.

Whitney entered the room only after spending a long time observing the surroundings from the terrace. Just then, there was a knock at the door followed by Sonia’s voice.

At the signal to come in, Sonia and the maids appeared.

“We’re here to help you prepare. The lady said she wants to have breakfast together.”

This isn’t something I can refuse, is it? Whitney was concerned about the wounds remaining on her arms, but she had no choice but to nod.

Soon, the maids quickly helped with her grooming. Though their touch felt awkward, Whitney pretended not to mind and let them work.

Fortunately, there were no lingering gazes on her wounds. The maids finished their tasks and quickly disappeared.

Whitney followed Sonia towards the dining room.

‘It’s my first time seeing aunt.’

Since father married mother before she was married off to the Margrave, there had been no chance to meet face-to-face. The Rubeness family was seen as a threat to the King.

For that reason, it was still difficult for them to advance into the capital. Moreover, no child had been born to the Rubeness family until a heir to succeed the Margrave was born a few years ago.

There had been no reason to set foot in central nobility circles before, but with an heir born, the story changes.

“My lady, I’ve brought the Orlean young lady.”

At Sonia’s words, the dining room door opened. She did not enter, but waited in front of the door.

Whitney swallowed hard and entered the dining room.

Servants were bringing food to the large table. And seated there were Lady Rubeness and the Margrave.

“I am Whitney Orlean of the Orlean ducal family.”

Whitney lifted her skirt slightly and greeted them.

At her flawless greeting, a gentle smile bloomed on Lady Rubeness’s face.