Whitney opened her eyes wide. She flung open the window even before the maids came in.

“I just want to know if he’s okay…”

However, the letter she was waiting for did not come. Whitney looked out the window several times with disappointment, but the beautiful white bird was nowhere to be seen.

It seemed he would not reply this time either.

With a knock, a maid entered. Whitney washed up, changed clothes, and headed to the dining room for breakfast.

“Is the meal to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. Has anything unusual happened?”

Drinking the warm tea made her body feel like it was melting. Perhaps because the social season was approaching, the overall atmosphere seemed to be getting excited.

“Are there any letters from the duke’s residence?”

“No, there’s nothing in particular.”

Whitney nodded and put the soup in her mouth. Today again, the soft cream soup with onions and meat was delicious.

Tearing off some bread, spreading jam and melted butter on it, it melted in her mouth. Whitney was eating absentmindedly when she suddenly stopped.

“Did you eat too much?”

“You can eat more. You’re finally getting some color back. Don’t worry and eat.”

“…Hmm.”

She smiled awkwardly at the gazes looking at her. Then she put a little more food in her mouth comfortably.

“It seems like we’ll be busy if we go to all the places we’ve been invited to before the debutante ball.”

“I’ll sort out the appropriate places to exclude.”

“Thank you. I’ll go for a walk and come back. I ate too much and my stomach is full, so I can’t sit still.”

Whitney finished her meal and draped a shawl over her shoulders for a walk.

“Alright. The flowers at the back of the garden are blooming beautifully, so take a leisurely stroll.”

The estate was so well-managed that flowers and grass were blooming beautifully in the garden. The gardener bowed his head in greeting towards Whitney. She smiled brightly as she entered the garden.

Feeling the cool breeze as she went inside, there was a small pond. Fish could be seen swimming in it. Though small compared to the lake in the palace, the clear water perfectly reflected the sky.

‘Is he really alright?’

Whitney crouched down and stared blankly at the pond. If the queen called for her again, she would somehow find a way to meet His Highness Cheston, but for now, there was no answer other than delivering news unless he replied.

She let out a deep sigh and raised her head to look at the sky.

“Oh?!”

Suddenly, she saw a snow-white bird flying towards her. Whitney jumped up from her seat and stretched out her hand.

A note was tied to the leg of the bird that landed on her hand.

“A secret letter! Ah!”

Whitney covered her mouth with one hand and looked around. A reply had come from him, whom she thought would never respond.

As she carefully untied the note, the bird immediately flew up into the sky.

‘It seems he won’t wait for a reply.’

Somehow, she felt a bit disappointed. However, just the fact that a reply had come made her heart flutter, and she immediately ran into her room.

With a pounding heart, she opened the note to see Cheston’s handwriting.

The herbs you sent were very useful.

I have something to say, so I’d like to see you at the information broker’s at 8 pm tonight.

P.S. If you don’t come, I’ll take it as a refusal, so keep that in mind.]

Whitney read the letter several times with her eyes and blinked in disbelief. Even when she rubbed her eyes and looked again, the words asking to meet because he had something to say were clearly written.

‘Information broker?’

How did he know that she goes to the information broker?

He probably investigated her because he didn’t trust her. Whitney didn’t feel good about it, but from his position, it didn’t seem strange, so she shook her head.

Whitney lit a candle and burned the letter.

Even if it was Sonia, if she found out that Whitney was meeting Cheston separately, it would reach her aunt’s ears. Cheston didn’t seem to want anyone to find out about this. So Whitney erased his traces.

Although she had told her aunt that she was on his side, the less secrets were revealed, the easier it was to keep them secure. She had no intention of disclosing it to anyone until she made a complete contract with him.

Cheston waited for Whitney behind the curtain. Aaron stared at the door with a restless expression.

“I wish you’d stop moving, it’s distracting.”

“Aren’t you anxious? I’m scared we’ll get caught.”

“You know there’s no one interested in me. It’ll be quiet for a while, so stop making a fuss.”

“The queen’s spies are watching Your Highness’s every move with their eyes wide open.”

Aaron glanced at the clock with an expression that said he was scared to death. Cheston’s head throbbed just from watching him look at the door and then the clock for who knows how many times.

‘This is why I wanted to come alone.’

Because of Aaron, who insisted on coming along even though he could just guard the separate palace if he was anxious, Cheston had no choice but to come together.

“That’s why we set up a stand-in. What’s the problem when no one’s even coming into the room?”

“I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not.”

Aaron let out a deep sigh. Cheston smiled slyly and gestured towards Gnosis.

“I’d like to strengthen the security around just in case.”

“You don’t need to worry. I’ve sent people out.”

Cheston nodded. The clock was pointing to 8 o’clock. She would have understood the meaning written in the message to come to the information broker.

She probably realized that he had investigated her and wasn’t happy about it. He would understand if she didn’t come for that reason.

The moment the clock struck 8, rapid breathing could be heard.

“Haa, ha. Am I late by any chance?”

At her clear and calm voice, Cheston’s head turned towards the curtain. Although she was quickly catching her breath, gasping breaths were still escaping between her lips. She was wearing a hat like last time, but emerald green eyes were fully visible through the veil.

“Ah…”

Cheston felt strange. He didn’t know if he had unknowingly expected it, or if he was surprised that she came, but an indescribable emotion washed over him.

“You’ve come right on time. Would you like a glass of water?”

“Thank you.”

She greeted lightly and sat down in the chair. Her sparkling eyes looked around as if searching for him. Thinking that Cheston hadn’t arrived yet, relief flashed across her expression.

“Did you hope I wouldn’t come, Lady Orlean?”

He said as he walked out from behind the curtain towards Whitney. She stood up abruptly with startled eyes.

“Your Highness.”

Her green eyes that looked at him shook slightly, then busily moved, scanning various parts of his body. Only after confirming that there were no visible wounds did she seem to be relieved, letting out a small breath.

“Why don’t you drink some water first?”

Cheston received water from Gnosis and handed it to her. Her hands, which were politely folded, grasped the cup.

“I’ll get straight to the point. You seemed curious about this woman. Is she perhaps related to your mother?”

Whitney turned her head to look at Gnosis when she saw the flyer he held out. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him, seeming to reproach him.

“It’s not his fault. This place is practically mine now.”

“Did you buy the information broker?”

Cheston nodded. She had a somewhat surprised expression, but soon turned her gaze to the flyer he held out.

“The woman in the flyer looks similar to my current stepmother. Before marrying my father, she went by the name Cecilia Weston. I know she entered as the second wife of Viscount Weston. I also heard that Melissa went to the viscount’s residence together.”

Whitney freely shared what she was curious about. It seemed she was speaking under the assumption that he already knew, so there was no point in hiding it.

“You’ve probably heard that she suddenly disappeared, and that her reputation in Heart Fail wasn’t good. I have the information you want.”

“…You do, Your Highness?”

“I move faster than the information broker.”

He smiled and handed Whitney the documents. Then he said to her:

“This is in return for the herbs. I hope it will be helpful to you.”

“Are you giving this to me without any price?”

Whitney looked at him with a face full of suspicion. Her fresh green eyes sparkled without malice.

“Come to the palace once more. Receiving the queen’s summons.”

“Is that enough?”

Is that enough, she says. Receiving the queen’s summons was not an easy thing. She might have been called out of curiosity the first time, but what was she thinking for the second time?

Her unwavering eyes were filled with confidence.

“If I go to the palace at the queen’s summons, will you tell me then?”

“Yes. I’m not sure yet if I can trust you.”

“I won’t betray Your Highness. I can say that with certainty.”

Cheston suddenly remembered the act Whitney had put on before. For some reason, he wanted to tease her. He was curious how she could be so certain.

“Can you be so sure because you’ve taken me to heart?”

Mother said that love makes anything possible.

Even knowing it was absurd, he wanted to ask. Maybe he just wanted to see those pretty eyes waver in bewilderment.