Melissa, who seemed unlikely to come, visited with lavish decorations. All eyes turned to her. As if she were the protagonist, she smiled brightly and captivated people’s gazes.

“Whitney, it’s been a while since there was such a splendid banquet.”

“Welcome, elder sister. I was worried you weren’t coming because you were late.”

“How could that be? There’s no reason not to attend a banquet you invited me to.”

Whitney nodded. Melissa, with her red hair beautifully styled up, revealed her smooth neckline. Her sparkling dress looked even more beautiful in the light of the chandelier.

‘She bought another dress with the money aunt gave her.’

The dress Melissa wore must have cost an enormous amount. In contrast, Whitney showed elegance with a design that accentuated her lines. People’s eyes were filled with curiosity at the different images the two exuded.

At first glance, they looked like a close family, but the look in their eyes was as cold as could be. Melissa stared straight at Whitney with only the corners of her mouth raised.

“I’ve been concerned that my younger sister lacks in many ways. Is everyone enjoying themselves?”

“Oh my, Lady Melissa. We thought you weren’t coming. It really brightens up the place. Is that the new design?”

“Yes, it’s the latest dress made by Madame Fontage. It’s one of the lines made for the social season. You have an excellent eye indeed.”

As Melissa appeared, everyone showed interest in her dress. Whitney smiled faintly and took in their change of attitude.

‘The sides will be divided again here.’

She wasn’t interested. Rather, their behavior worked in Whitney’s favor. It would be easier to sort out the people to filter out later if it was clear which side they were on.

As Sonia said, she had invited those needed in the capital center, but few came forward. Instead, there were plenty of people observing the situation and gauging which side to join.

“By the way, Lady Melissa, didn’t you go to the palace together?”

Melissa’s face hardened for the first time since coming here. Flustered, she smiled awkwardly, the corners of her mouth trembling slightly.

“The Queen only called for me, so elder sister Melissa didn’t come along. If there’s an opportunity next time, I’m thinking of asking if she can come too.”

“Oh my! Lady Orlean. Then can you tell us about it too?”

“I’d like to request that as well.”

At Whitney’s words, everyone bombarded her with questions, their faces excited with anticipation. She said she would consider it and looked at Melissa. As attention shifted to Whitney, Melissa bit her lip, seemingly upset.

“If we meet again, I’ll bring it up then. But I can’t be sure if she’ll listen to the story.”

“Of course. We all understand. By the way, there’s a tea party at our mansion next week, would you like to come?”

“I’m also holding a banquet. I hope the princess will definitely attend.”

Everyone handed Whitney invitations as if they had been waiting. Whitney looked at the thoroughly provoked Melissa and said,

“Can elder sister Melissa come along too? I’m still not familiar with high society.”

“Hmm, let’s do that. Lady Melissa would be welcome.”

“It would be delightful if both of you came together.”

There was no sincerity in the bright smiles. Neither Whitney’s words nor the replies of the other ladies contained anything but empty words.

Whitney, who had hoped for the banquet to end safely, sent a letter to the informant as soon as everyone left. Her heart felt like it would burst.

She wanted to run and check if he was alright right away, but she couldn’t. She just hoped he wasn’t badly hurt.

“How terrible. Even though I sent a skilled person, you’re still unscathed. You don’t know how much your indifference angers me.”

The Queen sent a contemptuous look at Cheston sitting opposite her.

It seems she had expectations, perhaps because it took time for the report to come in. Cheston barely held back the sneer trying to escape between his lips and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry to have survived this time as well. I too am uneasy that I couldn’t bring joy to Your Majesty the Queen. But this much should have given you a moment of pleasure.”

Cheston took off his outer garment. The cuts on his arms and all over his body were enough to make one frown. At his action, the Queen laughed loudly and looked down at Cheston with a vicious face.

“Your flattery grows by the day. Prevent the King from visiting Elenia. If not, there will be quite a troublesome situation this time.”

“…I’ll keep it in mind. If I say mother is unwell, he won’t visit.”

If that happens, the Queen also can’t summon mother separately. But she will achieve what she wants by sending people. For example, methods like continuously poisoning mother through a doctor without calling her out separately.

“Yes, make up whatever excuse. The point is not to let them meet and talk about other things, you understand?”

“Yes, I know what you mean.”

“It seems your sword skills haven’t improved much even after becoming a Sword Master. How fortunate that you don’t forget how to wield a sword thanks to the people I occasionally send.”

“I won’t forget Your Majesty the Queen’s grace.”

“I hope you’ll repay that grace without fail. I’m earnestly waiting for you to do so when I need it.”

The Queen smiled, her eyes creasing.

“You may go now. And Dieta, lay new carpets after Cheston leaves. It’s unpleasant, perhaps because of the filthy blood stains.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll bring new carpets right away.”

Cheston stood up, bowed to the Queen, and left the Queen’s palace. He was filled with self-contempt, his boiling anger and relief mixed together.

The Queen’s words about repaying her grace surely meant his death. But Cheston couldn’t die as he pleased. As long as his mother was alive, he was just a pawn moving as the Queen wished.

His mother, knowing this, tried to take her own life several times, but even this was thwarted by the King’s love. His mother too was a body unable to die as she wished.

Cheston entered his changed room, dragging his tired body. At the maid’s words that she had drawn warm water, he went into the bathroom and soaked his body. Though he felt a stinging pain from the open wounds, that much was nothing.

‘How frustrating.’

The greater pain was not from the sword cuts but elsewhere. Though he should be used to it by now, it was hard to get accustomed to someone trying to kill him. Still, his mood improved somewhat after drinking a glass of alcohol and soaking in the tub.

He felt like he wanted to fall asleep like this.

Would everything be easier if he gave up?

All Cheston wanted was to live happily with his mother. He never wished to become king, nor did he have any desire for power.

There was no place to ask for help, no one who would offer to help. At least until Whitney Orlean appeared.

‘I’ve been having useless thoughts.’

This too must be because of her, suddenly appearing and shaking things up. His head was once again filled with Whitney. Cheston shook his head to clear away the pouring thoughts. He even felt his concentration wavering and tension easing.

The feeling of walking through a hazy fog continued, and Cheston got out of the water. As the cool air brushed his body, his mind cleared.

He had to devise ways to survive here.

‘She’s truly a strange woman. Even stranger that there’s no contact from the informant. Yet I keep thinking of her.’

He shouldn’t have expectations, but hope kept welling up, tormenting him.

Cheston put on a robe and returned to his room. He couldn’t even remember when he last slept peacefully. He woke easily at the slightest sound and spent every night wide awake.

Just as he sat at the table and took another sip of warmed alcohol, a bird flew in through the window carrying a letter in its beak.

“Ha.”

Cheston let out a hollow laugh at the letter that had flown in again. No one but Aaron cared about his well-being. At the news of an assassin, his father conducted a perfunctory investigation, and his mother was forbidden from meeting others for a while to receive his father’s protection.

Even herbs were enclosed in the envelope. How did she know he was injured and send herbs?

If she had heard the story, it must have been leaked from the Queen’s side. She said she often showed her face at gatherings, so she must have heard from someone who knew the palace affairs well.

Spreading palace matters was likely meant to subtly convey that he was still in the Queen’s disfavor. It also implied that the moment one stood on his side, they would be in the same position.

The Queen will not stop. She will continue to tighten the noose around his neck to bury him in the mud.

She sent many herbs carefully selected to heal wounds quickly.

I’m sending this letter worried about your well-being after hearing the news.

I’ve enclosed herbs, thinking you might not have treated your wounds properly. The powdered ones can be mixed with water and drunk as tea to ease the pain.

Please grind the leaves immediately and apply them to the wounds. Please forgive me for sending them like this, as they must be applied right away to be effective.

I don’t mind if you think I’m meddling.

I was relieved to hear that Your Highness is safe.

Please don’t get hurt until we meet again.

P.S. Our contract hasn’t been fulfilled yet, has it? I need Your Highness.]

Cheston put down the alcohol he was drinking and turned to the warm water beside him. Then he added the powder and poured water.

“Your Highness, let me taste it first.”

“There’s no need.”

Aaron looked worriedly at the teacup in Cheston’s hand. But Cheston drank the water before he could stop him.

If he doubted the sincerity after seeing that letter, he would feel pitiful. No one had wanted him like this before. So he intended to survive somehow until he could meet her again.

It was as good as having one more reason to survive.