Whitney’s daily routine had noticeably changed. Maids entered her room on time to help with her grooming and taught her the necessary etiquette.

There was a mountain of things to learn, starting with historical knowledge about the Kingdom of Ruewen.

It was fortunate that she still remembered some of what she had learned as a child. Since Whitney hadn’t been given a proper teacher, everything she learned in the Rubeness family felt new to her.

‘It will take time to learn.’

Whitney did her best not to burden her aunt who had helped her. She was even busy with an unexpected younger sibling.

“Elder sister. Let’s go for a walk together today.”

“Shall we? Have you already finished your homework?”

Leo nodded. His flushed cheeks were still cute. Whitney finished her lessons for the day and went for a walk with Leo.

The Rubeness family’s garden never failed to impress. The well-manicured flowers and trees in the vast field were so peaceful that it was hard to believe it was territory located on the border.

‘I suppose that means the Margrave is guarding it well.’

I can understand why His Majesty the King is wary. Even just looking at the knights, one could tell how safe this place was. They lived calmly and steadily, seeming to have the confidence to handle any situation that might arise.

There were still five months left until the debut ball in August. Whitney felt as if time was passing slowly.

“Elder sister, what kind of grass is this?”

“It’s very important. Something that shouldn’t be taken by others. So it’s a secret from other people.”

Whitney planted the Bellonia she had brought in the inner part of the garden. She had told her aunt it was an herb to get permission to plant it, but she didn’t reveal what kind it was.

‘It should be fine if I plant it here.’

At least in this environment, it would grow well without dying. It was an unknown herb and looked like a weed, so it was difficult to distinguish without looking closely. Bellonia has white spots regularly appearing at the tips of its leaves, which play an important role in detoxification.

Having been caught by Leo, she had no choice but to tell him it was their secret. Leo’s eyes sparkled at the word “secret”.

“Game! Secret game!”

As if promising never to tell, Leo nodded his head repeatedly. Whitney smiled while patting Leo’s head.

“Wow. Elder sister is pretty. I wish you would keep smiling!”

Leo’s smiling face as he said that was even more lovable. Whitney smiled brightly at Leo, who was grinning and hugging her.

Somehow, it seemed she had been smiling more often since coming here.

Cheston sipped his tea with an expressionless face. He had stepped in because he couldn’t stand his mother being summoned by the Queen again.

“My mother is unwell, so I came in her place.”

“It will be a tea time between mother and child for a change. It’s been a long time since we’ve sat face to face and had tea, hasn’t it, Cheston.”

Mother and child, indeed. What kind of mother would try to kill her own child?

Cheston was currently registered as the Queen’s child. Since the official wife was Queen Adelaide, following convention, Cheston was registered as the Queen’s child.

Of course, the Queen didn’t want this, but she had to accept it under the King’s suggestion, or rather, threat. Cheston only wished the King would stop paying attention to him.

The King’s love was poison to both him and his mother. It was only an unwanted love, and he wished it would be given to someone who wanted it.

Cheston looked at the Queen’s red eyes staring intently at him, then turned his gaze away. He replied in a flat voice.

“…That’s right. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit often.”

Along with a bitter taste, the scent of Libenia flowers lingered at the tip of his nose. The Queen smiled and watched intently as Cheston drank his tea.

“That’s not how a child should speak to their parent. Shall we have time like this to sit face to face and drink tea more often?”

“I would like that too, but this place doesn’t seem suitable for me to visit frequently.”

“Cheston has always been a quick learner since childhood. I’m pleased as a mother. There’s plenty of tea, so enjoy as much as you like.”

Seeing the Queen’s smiling face made his stomach churn.

“Mother. Were you here?”

An unwelcome voice was heard, causing Cheston’s brow to furrow slightly. Karl de Clifton. The Queen’s one and only beloved child.

“Karl, what brings you here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be in the middle of your lessons?”

“I finished early. I didn’t expect to find you having tea with Prince Cheston. It would have been nice if you had called for me too.”

“You’re busy, aren’t you? I was feeling lonely, so I called for Elenia to have some tea and chat, but she wasn’t feeling well, so Cheston came instead.”

The Queen turned her head to call a maid to prepare tea for him, and Karl was about to pour tea into an empty cup and drink it.

Cheston immediately observed the Queen’s reaction to Karl’s action. He was curious how she would react if her son drank the tea laced with poison.

“What insolence is this!”

In an instant, the Queen struck his hand, and Karl dropped the teacup he was holding. The sound of breaking china and tea spilling on the floor was heard.

Karl’s red eyes widened in shock. Cheston rose from his seat with a faint smile on his lips.

“Now that my elder brother has arrived, I shall take my leave. Why don’t you have tea time with him occasionally?”

The Queen didn’t answer and just smiled slightly. Cheston stood up, bowed his head, and headed towards the annex palace.

As Cheston approached the annex palace, he struggled to focus his blurry vision.

‘Damn it. How much was I poisoned this time?’

He tried to steady his breathing as he entered the annex. At that moment, he staggered and lost his balance.

“Are you alright? Lady Elenia has fallen asleep.”

“That’s good…”

Cheston headed to his room, supported by Aaron. If it was enough to overwhelm him, who had developed immunity to most poisons, perhaps the Queen really intended to kill him this time.

“What is that mad Queen trying to accomplish?”

“Aaron, watch your words. There are ears everywhere. Calm down and check the drawer for any remaining herbs Lady Orlean gave us.”

“…Understood.”

He said he wanted to rest and lay down on the sofa, leaning back. He was exhausted, over and over again. Not knowing how long he had to continue this life made it even harder.

“Rest.”

At Aaron’s words, Cheston closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Whitney received a letter from Leverom. Her heart fluttered at the news that her dress would soon be completed.

The Rubeness family supported Whitney in everything she wore and ate. She was busy every day wearing different dresses and learning things she hadn’t been taught before.

Until now, she had been confined to the attic every day, unable to interact properly. For her, life in the Rubeness territory was beyond anything she had imagined. Everyone was kind to her and treated her with respect.

Sometimes she felt bitter when faint memories of her childhood, which she couldn’t remember clearly, came to mind, but dwelling on the past wouldn’t help.

Whitney slapped her cheek and widened her eyes. Four months left, not much time remained. She had to learn everything and prepare perfectly before then.

‘By the way, I should inform His Highness the Prince that I’ve left the Duke’s residence…’

There was no way. If she sent a letter to the royal palace, it would surely reach other ears. Whitney racked her brain for a method but couldn’t come up with an answer.

For now, she tried to focus on the task at hand, thinking it was more important to concentrate on what was given to her.

Knock knock knock.

“Lady Whitney. The Lady is looking for you.”

At Sonia’s words, Whitney left the room with her. After greeting Lady Rubeness, she showed Whitney the bird perched on her finger and said,

“I’m not sure if luck is on your side, but something good has happened.”

The small bird tilted its head and looked at Whitney. Not understanding what Lady Rubeness meant, she stood still, staring at the bird.

“The bird seems to follow you well, aunt.”

“Whitney, this is not just any bird. It’s used to send secret messages from the royal palace.”

“Secret messages?”

More importantly, did she just say royal palace?

Whitney’s gaze finally turned to the bird’s leg. Discovering the small note tied there, she carefully approached.

She untied the paper from the bird’s leg, but it waited patiently without leaving.

“An invitation has come from Her Majesty the Queen. It seems word has reached her ears that a new person has joined the Rubeness family. What will you do?”

“…Does this mean I can go to the palace?”

“Yes, it’s not an opportunity given to everyone. However, I cannot go. You’ll have to go alone, is that alright?”

Whitney thought for a moment. But if she could go to the palace, she might be able to see Prince Cheston.

She carefully nodded.

Perhaps this would be a chance to find out who was taking Libenia, and why that scent came from him.

“I’ll go. I’ll go by myself.”

“I thought you’d say that. But always be careful. Her Majesty the Queen is more perceptive of people’s inner thoughts than you might expect.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Whitney once again gazed at the bird flying back into the sky.