I didn’t expect to have such a quiet meal.

Whitney couldn’t even taste the food as she put it in her mouth and chewed.

In the dining room filled with silence, only the occasional sound of knives scraping plates could be heard.

‘It feels like it’s going to get stuck.’

Whitney glanced at Margrave Rubeness and her aunt.

They were silently focused on their food. Then her eyes met with those of the small boy sitting next to her aunt.

Whitney’s lips curved into a smile at the sight of the child’s beaming face.

‘That child must be the heir to the Rubeness family.’

Silver hair identical to Margrave Rubeness, and green eyes representing the Orlean ducal family.

Or should I say closer to blue? Looking at those eyes with their mysterious color reminded her of a forest cradling a lake.

‘Beautiful.’

Would that be a rude thing to say about a boy? Whitney smiled brightly at the gaze fixed intently on her.

He must be about five years old? The child’s face turned red and he bowed his head deeply.

‘How adorable.’

Whitney laughed silently and turned her gaze away. As the meal that seemed like it would never end finally concluded, the Margrave spoke.

“The reason I called the young lady here is to receive help in entering the capital.”

She didn’t expect him to get straight to the point. Whitney nodded as if she already knew.

“I intend to spare no support to ensure you become a shining star at this debutante. However, I hope you won’t forget that the Rubeness family stands behind you.”

“I won’t forget the grace you’ve shown in helping me.”

“I think it would be best for you to discuss the rest with my lady, so I shall take my leave first.”

“Margrave, thank you for inviting me to this meal.”

Whitney bowed to the Margrave and remained seated. He nodded and left the dining room.

“We should move to another place as well.”

At her aunt’s words, Whitney stood up and followed behind her.

As they went to the garden prepared at the back of the mansion, tea and refreshments were laid out on the table.

The excited child tried to run to the table but stopped abruptly and looked up at his aunt.

“Leo, you mustn’t eat too much.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll only eat two.”

So his name is Leo.

Whitney smiled faintly as she watched Leo’s excited back.

As the two ladies sat in their chairs, a maid warmed the teacups and filled them with tea.

“You must have been quite surprised by my sudden contact?”

“I was rather pleased. I felt glad to know that you were aware of my existence, even though I hadn’t been able to contact you once.”

A bitter smile spread across her aunt’s face.

“I couldn’t contact you either. I didn’t know because you didn’t come to Father’s funeral. If I had known, I would have contacted you a little sooner. I’m sorry.”

“When I heard about the accident, I couldn’t believe it. Even though we weren’t that close, he was a child I cared for especially as my elder sister’s son. I hadn’t done much for him, so it wasn’t easy for me to see you.”

If Father’s carriage accident hadn’t happened, would I have been able to know about Aunt’s existence a little sooner?

Whitney bowed her head deeply.

“Raise your head. The accident wasn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone when you were so young, but I believed you were doing well.”

“It’s alright. I…”

In truth, it wasn’t alright. But Whitney just shook her head and smiled. She must not forget the reason she came here.

She didn’t come here to complain about how difficult it had been, and she was already past that age.

Whitney raised her head and said to her aunt.

“With your help, I’ll reclaim what I’ve lost. So please trust me and leave it to me.”

“You’re brave. Looking at you closely, you seem to resemble your father a lot… It doesn’t seem like you’ll get much help from the Duke’s residence, so stay here and learn.”

“My stepmother won’t let that happen.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve looked into that woman.”

At her words, Whitney blinked. Somehow, it seemed as if sparks were flying in her aunt’s eyes.

“You’ve probably already met her, but Sonia will be your dedicated maid from now on. And starting tomorrow, I’ve invited famous teachers for the lessons you’ll need for your debutante, so you’ll be busy.”

Whitney nodded. But why doesn’t she ask me? She should be curious about how I plan to help the Rubeness family, but she didn’t say anything about that part.

“Aunt, I have a question. I know that the Rubeness family is on good terms with Her Majesty the Queen, but is there a reason why His Majesty the King sent the Rubeness family to the frontier?”

She knew it might be impolite, but it was important to Whitney. If the matter of offending the King’s mood was more complicated than expected, it would be difficult for her to resolve the conflict with her power alone.

“I don’t know the details either, but Margrave Rubeness had a good reputation among the people. From His Majesty’s perspective, that must have been irritating.”

“Then is the reason Her Majesty the Queen is on good terms with the Rubeness family to keep His Majesty in check?”

“Yes. It’s also a well-known fact that Her Majesty and His Majesty don’t get along, so she’s probably trying to empower this side.”

“Then, even if relations with Her Majesty the Queen sour, would it not matter to the Rubeness family?”

Her aunt put down her teacup. Then she looked at Whitney with a face that seemed curious about the reason for asking such questions.

After staring at Whitney’s unwavering eyes for a moment, she smiled faintly.

“If there’s a corresponding reward, it wouldn’t matter.”

“I was thinking it might be better to receive support from His Majesty the King rather than Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Do you have a good method in mind?”

To her aunt’s calm question, Whitney replied.

“Aunt, I intend to side with His Highness the Second Prince.”

“…The Second Prince? The prince Her Majesty the Queen is desperate to kill?”

“But he’s the one His Majesty the King favors. Though it will be risky, if the Rubeness family supports the Second Prince, His Majesty will be pleased.”

He must have been concerned about not being able to help openly. So from the King’s perspective, it would be a welcome development.

“His Highness the Second Prince… Are you confident? Confident in making him take your side, I mean.”

“Yes, I’m confident.”

Whitney said with sparkling eyes, without hesitation.

“If you become a shining star and capture His Highness the Second Prince’s heart, I’ll support you with all my might. I swear on the name of the Rubeness family.”

Having secured her aunt’s promise, Whitney smiled brightly.

“Me too! Leo too! I thwear on the name of Rubeneth!”

Leo said, raising his hand high, not even wiping off the cookie crumbs around his mouth. Seeing this, Whitney wiped Leo’s mouth with a handkerchief.

She made a promise to herself. That she would not create a situation where this lovely child would be in danger.

Lady Rubeness’s face contorted as she received Sonia’s report.

“You’re saying there were wounds on her body?”

“It seems the young lady didn’t grow up receiving affection at the Duke’s residence. I suspect the bullying might have continued since she was left alone after the Duke of Orlean passed away.”

“…Look into whether there’s medicine to remove scars. And we’ll need medicine for wounds that haven’t healed yet.”

“There were traces of herbs applied. Thanks to that, the wounds weren’t too severe.”

Her heart was torn.

When she heard the news of her brother’s death, she wanted to go, but couldn’t. It was clear that the moment she went to the capital directly, it would reach the King’s ears and be taken as disobedience to orders.

“I should have at least inquired about her, I was too complacent.”

She couldn’t say anything else when her brother said the child needed a mother. Although the news of remarriage was somewhat hasty, she thought he would manage well.

“I should send a letter to Lady Orlean. She’s holding the temporary position of head of the family until Whitney comes of age, right?”

“Yes. I understand it’s under the lady’s jurisdiction until she completes her debutante.”

“Whitney must have sent me a letter not just for guardianship, but because she needs other help too. It’s going to be busy for a while.”

Lady Rubeness immediately prepared to send letters to the relatives of the Orlean family. Now that her small and powerless niece had reached out her hand, it was her role to take that hand and guide her.

“I should go see my husband. It seems a large sum of money will be needed, so I should discuss it with him.”

“The Margrave said he would follow everything you do, so there’s no need to tell him separately.”

“He’s gone to the border again, hasn’t he?”

“He left a message saying he would return quickly.”

Lady Rubeness nodded. As soon as Sonia prepared paper and pen on the desk, she began writing the letter. In fact, the content of the letter wasn’t important.

The amount of money included would be what mattered. It seemed that the reason this woman Cecilia became the Duchess was not to be a good mother to Whitney.

“Did you say she has a daughter?”

“Yes, Melissa Orlean is currently a lady being noticed in social circles. However, I understand that no marriage talks have progressed, perhaps because no suitably good matches have come forward.”

“Please look into this child Melissa a bit more too. And which families have put forward marriage proposals.”

If they hadn’t responded to proposals from decent families, it meant they were aiming higher.

Lady Rubeness thought she knew. Who Cecilia and her daughter were after.