“……Is that true? How did you manage that?”

“You heard it too, sister. I went to the palace, and Her Majesty the Queen will call for me again in the future.”

“Really?”

Whitney nodded. Then she took her hand, seated her in a chair, and asked the maid for tea.

“First, calm down and have some tea. While your flushed face from excitement is lovely, a noble lady shouldn’t lose her composure. You should be even more mindful of your demeanor.”

She said this while touching the accessories attached to Melissa’s clothes. Unlike Melissa’s flashy attire, Whitney’s clothes had a calm yet elegant design.

“……Are you trying to lecture me now?”

Melissa acted as if she was about to raise her hand. But realizing this wasn’t the duchy, she clenched her fist and hid her hand under the table.

“That’s not it. Sister, I just wanted what I’ve learned to be helpful to you. Her Majesty the Queen seemed to prefer a modest and calm woman. Why don’t you observe the attire of the central nobles rather than the capital? You’re a person of high repute in social circles after all.”

“I’ll handle my own affairs. So don’t act so presumptuous.”

Melissa snorted as she picked up her teacup. Whitney nodded and took a step back. Seeing Melissa’s irritated expression, the corners of her mouth kept twitching.

‘It seems she’ll leave soon.’

Aunt wouldn’t want to keep sister here for long either. She had already had her debutante, and didn’t need guardianship, so there was no reason to stay. Above all, she wasn’t the type to keep Melissa here, who had no connection to her.

“I’ll call for a carriage for your return. Is there anything else at the duchy?”

“It’s quiet at the duchy without you. That means you’re the only unnecessary person in Orlean. See how nothing happens when you’re not there?”

Whitney smiled. How carefree they were without her.

“Aren’t you interested in His Highness the Prince?”

“There are two princes, aren’t there?”

“Two? How strange, for someone who claims to be in Her Majesty’s favor to say such a thing. Watch your words. The person I’m referring to is only one. His Highness Prince Karl, the legitimate heir.”

“Don’t worry. I know how to behave properly in front of Her Majesty. I’m not interested in Prince Karl. So you can rest easy.”

Melissa showed a satisfied smile, as if she had heard the answer she wanted. She popped a sweet macaron from the table into her mouth and savored it.

“I’d like to stay here too. Could you ask Aunt for me?”

“I don’t think it’s good to leave Mother alone. Above all, you have no connection to Aunt, do you? It’s enough that I’m the one causing trouble.”

“What do you mean no connection? I’m an Orlean too.”

Whitney laughed softly and replied. Had she forgotten what she had just said?

“Just as you only consider Prince Karl as ‘His Highness the Prince,’ don’t you think others might think the same? You bear the Orlean name, but you haven’t inherited any of their blood.”

“What?!”

Melissa bit her lip, seemingly hurt in her pride.

“I’m not saying that’s what I think, but what others might think. I’ve always considered you my family. If you really want to stay here, you should speak to Aunt directly.”

Whitney called for a maid. Then she asked where Aunt was.

“She’s in the greenhouse in the back garden. Would you like me to guide you?”

“Tell her I’ll come. It seems sister has something to say. Of course, that’s if Aunt agrees to meet.”

“I’ll convey that. Would you wait for a moment?”

Whitney nodded. She was curious about how Aunt would react. Having seen what kind of life she had lived at the duchy, she had taken guardianship without sending her back.

What answer would she give to Melissa, who shamelessly wanted to stay here?

Whitney’s green eyes sparkled, catching the sunlight.

Lady Rubeness smiled and put down her teacup at the maid’s words.

Whitney knew how to use people better than expected. Lady Rubeness liked this about Whitney. To survive in social circles, one needed to be somewhat cunning.

‘To think she would use my guilt to get rid of something bothersome.’

It wasn’t a bad method. As Whitney had anticipated, she did feel guilty about Whitney. Not only that, but she also had regrets about Cecilia and Melissa.

“Leo, what do you think? Should we let Melissa stay here?”

Leo, who had been touching flowers, looked up at Lady Rubeness. His innocent eyes, unaware of anything, crinkled prettily.

“Umm. If sister doesn’t want it, I don’t like it either!”

As if sensing her reluctance, Leo shook his head vigorously. For a child to be so perceptive.

Lady Rubeness felt a pang in her heart. But she believed this would work out well later. It was better than being oblivious after all.

“How unfortunate. But Mama thinks the same.”

Rather than telling the maid she wouldn’t meet, it would be more embarrassing to meet and talk directly. That’s probably what Whitney wanted too.

“Call both of them. They’re guests, so shouldn’t we have a meal together? Before they leave.”

“Understood. I’ll escort them to the dining room.”

“Please do. Tell Duke Byeongkyeong he doesn’t need to come.”

It would be hard to endure even if only one person said it. Lady Rubeness was a much more upright person than her. She would understand Whitney coming here, but Melissa’s situation was different. She had already hinted to him about how her niece had lived at the duchy.

So, it meant that no one here would welcome Melissa. It was like Melissa receiving at this place the treatment Whitney had received at the duchy.

“Still, Leo, treat her kindly. Understood?”

“I’ll make sure not to trouble sister.”

“Good. You’re a good boy.”

Though he said that, it was obvious how Leo would act. Although he was her son, he was a child with clear likes and dislikes. Since Whitney was the person Leo liked, it was decided who he would dislike.

Whitney carefully cut the meat and put it in her mouth. Looking at Melissa, she seemed to be savoring the food with satisfaction. Aunt carefully observed Melissa’s behavior.

Leo, seemingly disliking Melissa, stared at her intently before turning his head abruptly. Then he smiled brightly at Whitney. Whitney smiled at Leo’s behavior and winked.

‘Somehow, it feels like he might cause trouble.’

Whitney glanced at her aunt. Aunt finished her meal gracefully and wiped her mouth. Melissa, reading the atmosphere, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Aunt, I have a request.”

“Lady Melissa. Before that, there seems to be something that needs to be corrected first.”

Aunt gestured to the maid to bring tea and continued. Her gaze towards Melissa felt slightly chilly.

“I am not your aunt. Since the blood of Orlean doesn’t flow in you, addressing me as Lady Rubeness would be appropriate.”

“……I’m sorry, Lady Rubeness. But I am an Orlean too.”

“Just because one bears a name doesn’t mean everyone acknowledges their origin. Well, you said you had a request for me? I’ll listen as Whitney’s aunt, so speak.”

The corners of Melissa’s mouth quivered. She seemed deeply hurt in her pride by this unfamiliar humiliation. Having never been disrespected or looked down upon before, Aunt’s behavior must have felt rude.

But if you think about it, wasn’t it all true? Even calling her Lady Melissa instead of Lady Orlean meant she wasn’t considered a member of the Orlean family.

“I wanted to request to stay here to be by Whitney’s side. The Rubeness mansion is very beautiful, and your character is excellent, so I believe you will allow it. You even became the guardian of Whitney, who hadn’t contacted you once before, didn’t you?”

Aunt smiled and lifted her teacup. While savoring the aroma, she spoke without taking her eyes off Melissa.

“My, Lady Melissa. You and Whitney are different. You’re not my family, after all. Above all, a large sum was sent to the mansion on the condition of non-interference. This changes things. Only those befitting the Rubeness family can stay here.”

“That’s unfortunate. If I could have stayed a bit longer to take in more of this place, I could have spoken well of it to others. I’m fine.”

Melissa smiled slightly as she picked up her teacup. Though she pretended to be fine, her trembling fingertips showed she was quite angry. Whitney didn’t intervene in their conversation. She just clasped her hands and listened quietly.

“How kind of you. But there’s no need to talk about this place to others. I don’t particularly like Rubeness affairs being discussed by others. I’ll call for a carriage for your return.”

“……Thank you.”

“Your red hair is quite lovely. As if it’s been dyed.”

“Thank you for the compliment. My hair color has been as beautiful as a rose since birth. That’s why everyone can’t take their eyes off it.”

Aunt nodded lightly and looked at the clock.

“You should leave before it gets late. This place becomes dangerous after dark. There are many raiders in this border region.”

“Thank you for your consideration. I suppose I won’t be coming here again. Please take good care of my younger sister.”

“There’s no need to worry about that. She’s my niece, so of course I’ll take good care of her. Isn’t that right, Whitney?”

“Aunt treats me very kindly. So you don’t need to worry, elder sister.”

Whitney smiled brightly at her. It wasn’t a forced smile, but one that naturally formed from happiness.