“A ring?”

Whitney tilted her head sideways, looking at the diamond ring placed on her palm. Since a bird had brought it, it was clearly sent by Lord Cheston.

She untied the note attached to the bird’s leg.

[If you also agree to what I sent, wear the ring on Debutante Day. I hope you understand that I cannot put it on for you.]

Whitney stared intently at the ring sparkling in the sunlight. As she carefully picked it up with her fingers, it emitted a mysterious light in various directions.

‘This is the first time I’ve received something like this.’

She felt dumbfounded, as if receiving a confession from a man. Of course, he probably didn’t give it to her with that meaning. It was just a way to easily reveal their relationship to others.

Nevertheless, Whitney felt good. With a shy expression, she carefully slipped the ring onto her finger. Although it was slightly big, there was no problem wearing it.

Whitney kept looking at the ring on her finger and then shook her head vigorously.

“Hmm. I feel like my heart is floating. It feels fluffy like cotton candy.”

It felt like it might disappear at any moment, but even then, she wouldn’t cry like a child. She didn’t covet it because she already knew it wasn’t truly hers.

Whitney rested her chin on her hand, looking at the clear sky. Her desk was filled with information about the duke’s residence. Documents about finances, Cecilia, and Melissa were piled up.

“How will I drive them out when I return to the duke’s residence?”

If she just sent them away, there would be a lot of talk. Whitney groaned, tapping the table repeatedly, then shook her head vigorously.

“I’ll think of a better way.”

For now, she put the ring in a drawer since it could be lost. Sonia, who brought breakfast, replaced the cooled teacup with warm tea and set down a soft omelet. Next to it was chewy yet fluffy bread.

After spreading strawberry jam and putting it in her mouth, followed by the fluffy eggs, a smile automatically spread across her face.

“How does Mr. Eamon make such delicious food every day?”

Sonia smiled and handed over the Encourt soup. She set down the soup, which Mr. Eamon had been putting his heart into making lately, with a pie-like bread on top. When she slightly tore the bread with a fork, warm soup was visible inside.

“Wow! This is so fun.”

“I thought the Young Lady would like it.”

Whitney took a spoonful of soup. The taste was so soft that her mouth opened wide, and she kept reaching for more. Sonia looked at Whitney with a pleased expression, then poured more tea and said,

“Take it easy. Or you’ll get sick.”

“This much is fine. I’ve been eating a lot lately and my stamina has improved.”

“The Madam is worried you might be overexerting yourself.”

Whitney shook her head. Then she said to Sonia,

“Tell her not to worry, as things are progressing well according to plan. There might even be a surprise after the debutante.”

“The Madam will be pleased.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what it is?”

Sonia nodded.

“There’s a time for everything. I think the Young Lady will let us know when the time comes. More importantly, are you going to visit the information broker today?”

“Hmm, I’m thinking of attending the tea party Lady Heleni invited me to today.”

“I understand. I’ll prepare the dress sent by Rebellom.”

Whitney nodded. Every time she wore his dresses, everyone couldn’t take their eyes off her. Thanks to that, she attracted attention wherever she went.

Rebellom kept expressing gratitude to Whitney, saying orders kept coming in even though he had closed his shop. Yet strangely, he wouldn’t accept orders from others.

He only said he would start accepting them after the debutante was over.

‘Come to think of it, it’s strange. What money did he use to make the dresses?’

Although she had given him enough money, it wasn’t enough to make several dresses. Rebellom didn’t say anything to the end, and Whitney gave up as well.

She shook off her complicated thoughts and focused on eating the food in front of her.

[This is the timeline separator]

“You should have endured it.”

“…It was making a scratching sound.”

“Why suddenly…when you’ve been enduring well until now.”

Aaron let out a deep sigh. Cheston laughed as he recalled Karl in a mess at his feet.

“It was just sparring.”

“We both know it wasn’t just sparring.”

“That’s why I let him win at the end.”

Cheston shrugged as if to say what’s the problem. He wore an indifferent expression as if the wound from the sword didn’t even hurt.

“Please take care of yourself.”

He closed his eyes as if to say enough with the nagging and shook his insides vigorously. It meant for Aaron to leave now, but Aaron stood firm.

“I’ll leave after watching you fall asleep.”

“Go. Father will call for me soon anyway.”

And as he said, soon a maid from the main palace came. At the news that the king was looking for him, Cheston raised his tired body.

Cheston headed to the back road with the maid to avoid others’ gazes.

It had been a while since he was called to the main palace. He walked to the office. If he had to be mindful of the queen’s mood, he wouldn’t have been called at all.

However, his father kept calling him in. The king’s affection was nothing but burdensome to him. Who would welcome love that drives one to death?

Cheston entered the study and bowed his head in greeting.

“May the light of the Kingdom of Reowen be abundant. I heard you called for me.”

“Come in. I called because I need your opinion.”

Golden hair, the symbol of the Reowen royal family, red eyes different from Cheston’s. If it weren’t for the blonde hair, he would have denied his bloodline.

“Sit down.”

Cheston sat down. On the table was a letter to be sent to the Kingdom of Karulo. And next to it was a marriage proposal request from the neighboring Kingdom of Perontra.

“The Kingdom of Karulo is demanding compensation as if they’ve been waiting for the death of the queen’s cousin. What do you think we should do?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to discuss this matter with Her Majesty the Queen?”

“She’s a woman who only thinks about what will benefit her own kingdom, not worth talking to.”

The king frowned, showing his displeasure. There must be a reason why he continues to live without divorcing despite disliking her so much. Cheston disliked his father’s duplicitous attitude.

“Is it because of the alliance between countries that you continue with her, Father?”

“What other reason could there be? The queen is a vile and cruel woman. Her son is no different. Do you know how many women he’s touched since becoming an adult?”

He didn’t know since there was no public information. But judging from his foul behavior, it seemed more than enough. However, what’s the difference even if it’s the king?

“We need a suitable negotiation proposal.”

“If I help you with this matter, please promise me one thing.”

“Speak.”

“Please allow me to check if there’s Libenia in the queen’s palace garden.”

“Libenia? You mean the herb?”

Cheston nodded. It was strange that Libenia was continuously supplied without interruption. Even if bought with money, there should be a limit.

“Alright, I’ll allow that much.”

“Thank you.”

Only after receiving the king’s promise did Cheston present his plan.

“In fact, the Kingdom of Karulo probably already knows the full story of the incident. Since Her Majesty the Queen would have sent a letter, catch evidence of the sent letter and pressure Her Majesty. The girl named Jane will know everything.”

“There was a maid the queen was particularly fond of. You mean to make them withdraw the compensation themselves.”

The king nodded. Since the assassin never existed in the first place, no evidence could be found. Everything was based on fabricated evidence. The king glanced at Cheston and handed him a document.

“I’m thinking of engaging you to the princess of this place.”

“…You mean Perontra?”

“Yes, don’t you need a place to give you strength too?”

“If the princess dies, war will break out. Her Majesty the Queen certainly won’t sit still.”

“It would be difficult to kill a princess of a country.”

At the king’s words, Cheston clenched and unclenched his fist, then shook his head.

“I already have more than enough on my side.”

“Where do you have allies here?”

“If you allow it, Father, I will bring the woman I want to be engaged to.”

The king clicked his tongue. He must be displeased that his son, whom he thought was smart, was uttering foolish words.

“This time too, if the queen’s influence reaches, she will surely run away.”

“That won’t happen. Because she’s a person who has bet her life.”

“…Did she say she would bet her life on you?”

Cheston nodded. The king wore an incredulous expression and frowned in disapproval. But thinking about it, the marriage proposal Petontra wants is probably for Karl, not Cheston. There was a reason they wanted the legitimate heir.

Especially for a marriage between countries.

“If you offer me, you’ll be embarrassed, Father. So please proceed with the marriage talks with my elder brother. I have no intention of easily letting the woman who bet her life on me die.”

“If you insist that much, I’ll judge after seeing who you bring.”

“The one I bring will surely satisfy you, Father.”

If the child who pleased the queen becomes engaged to Cheston, public opinion will be in turmoil.

To the Rubeness family, if she who became the star of the debutantes and the best bride candidate stands beside Cheston, the queen will be enraged with a sense of betrayal. However, she couldn’t ruin the one she chose with her own hands. If she became the star of the debutante, anything she wanted during the social season would be possible.

With the queen’s full support, she could find the best groom and get married. But that fiancé being Cheston meant the queen herself would be gifting him the best bride.

As Cheston imagined the queen’s face contorted with anger, a smile spread across his face.