Queen Adelaide was not in a good mood.

She was furious at the contents written in the letter sent from the Kingdom of Carulo. It seemed the king had taken action, somehow finding out about the sent letter.

[Let’s consider this matter closed. Emily was very angry, causing me trouble. It seems they don’t think it was your doing, so don’t worry.

Adelaide, don’t ever do something like this again. This is the last time I’ll turn a blind eye.

If someone from the Kingdom of Carulo gets hurt again, I won’t stand idle either. Know that I will hold you responsible.]

Adelaide tore up the letter and threw it into the fireplace. Her insides were boiling over with rage. She gritted her teeth and gulped down wine.

“Jane.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Find out whose mouth it leaked from.”

“I’ve already sent someone to do that. Don’t worry. We can’t keep traitors near Your Majesty.”

At Jane’s words, Adelaide nodded and slumped onto the couch. At least the queen’s palace was quiet, so her head hurt less.

“What is Karl doing?”

“His Highness the Prince has finished sword training and is resting.”

“And that man?”

“He hasn’t stepped foot outside the separate palace.”

Adelaide raised her hand to cover her eyes. It was an unexpected direction. She was frustrated at not receiving any compensation for her cousin’s death.

‘I have no face to show.’

Though she had stabbed him to death with her own hands, it became a lump in her throat that she couldn’t get what she wanted from the king. If she had known it would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have sent him off so futilely.

In fact, if she went back, she would have chosen that method again. She had already been given one chance and didn’t intend to miss it. It was obvious that if left alone, he would interfere with Karl. The king’s love was directed towards his mistress, and he was keeping an eye on Cheston, who had become a Sword Master.

She would wait and wait for Karl to make one mistake. He was the type of person who would only be satisfied after handing over her position to that woman’s hands.

“I suppose I can’t just watch anymore. I think the royal banquet after the debutante would be appropriate, what do you think?”

“When people are most distracted would be the best time. I will proceed according to the date Your Majesty has set.”

“Yes, and don’t tell Karl. That boy’s face reveals everything, which is troublesome.”

“But… will it be alright?”

Jane wore an anxious expression. The queen burst into laughter. It seemed she was worried about what might happen if something went wrong and Karl were to die.

“Are you afraid you’ll be blamed?”

“How could that be? I’m concerned that Your Majesty might fall into despair.”

“Oh, Jane. I can smile because you’re by my side. Don’t worry, my plan is perfect. Karl won’t really die, so it’s fine.”

“If you say so, I’ll proceed with peace of mind.”

Adelaide nodded. If her son had been just a little more talented, if he had just become a Sword Master with aura, she wouldn’t have gone this far. Because of her inadequate son, she was becoming more and more vicious. The young girl who had craved the king’s love was now gone.

She was just living to protect the rights and position she should have. No one would be able to point fingers at her.

Especially not those who don’t know how much of a hell it is to live with a man who looks at another woman for a lifetime.

[This is the timeline separator]

Whitney pondered upon receiving the invitation.

“I can’t believe he really invited me.”

Even in her previous life, he had no interest in her. Rather, didn’t he fall for her elder sister’s seduction and have secret meetings with her?

She still couldn’t tell if Melissa believed that she had saved Karl’s life. However, judging from Karl’s words and actions towards her, he wasn’t someone who would be satisfied with just Melissa.

Perhaps her elder sister too was only used and met a miserable death like herself. The important thing was that Whitney died at the hands of her elder sister and Karl, and she had no interest in the story after that.

“I’ll prepare to go to the palace.”

“I’m not going today. I’m thinking of sending a reply. I want to ask if I can go with my elder sister.”

“…You mean Lady Melissa?”

“If I go alone, situations that could be misunderstood might arise. Since my elder sister wanted to go anyway, it would be convenient for me to take her once, and it would spread to others too.”

Then Whitney would naturally draw attention in social circles. Not only being summoned to the royal palace, but rumors of her private meeting with Karl would spread, so everyone would try to extract information from her.

[Whitney Belle Orlean, I want to keep the promise I made to you.

It would pain me if you refused my invitation. I hope you’ll give me the chance to serve you fragrant tea.

Wouldn’t it become a memory if we talked together in the beautiful garden?

Then, I’ll wait for your answer.]

Good memories, he says. She already had plenty of unpleasant memories. Whitney would never forget Karl’s sweet voice that had deceived her. His gaze that had perfectly feigned his emotions as if he were in love was etched into her mind.

Whitney dipped the pen nib in ink and began to write her reply.

[I was overjoyed to receive Your Highness’s invitation. However, as I have not yet had my debutante, I worry that Your Highness might be caught up in unnecessary rumors. Therefore, I wish to visit with my elder sister as a guardian. My elder sister has always wanted to see Your Highness Karl.

In fact, there wouldn’t be a woman who doesn’t long to meet Your Highness.

I hope Your Highness will understand my feelings.]

Even the time spent writing the reply felt wasteful to her. After sending the letter to the court, Whitney rose from her seat with a tired look and went to the garden. She hoped the cool breeze might improve her mood.

[This is the timeline separator]

Fortunately, Karl sent a positive reply. Whitney immediately prepared to go to the duke’s residence. Melissa was delighted at her words and sent a letter right away telling her to come to the duke’s residence.

Whitney intended to use this opportunity to go to the duke’s residence and secure the necessary documents. She needed more accurate evidence than the letters the butler had sent.

‘I’ve asked the informant, but since he’s also connected to Lord Cheston, I’ll have to solve this on my own.’

Perhaps he was also looking for information. Whitney grabbed an ornate handkerchief and entered the duke’s residence.

“I was about to go alone if you were late, but fortunately you came on time.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you went alone, elder sister. But I didn’t want to trouble His Highness Karl by making him call for me again.”

“…Is that so? Wait a little longer. I have things to prepare.”

“Take your time preparing. I’ll be reading a book in the study.”

Melissa went straight into her room without even listening to Whitney’s words. Whitney handed the handkerchief to a maid and told her to deliver it to her elder sister.

Rael, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, slowly approached with sparkling eyes. Seeing that he still hadn’t been fired, it seemed he was pleasing mother and Melissa well. Whitney hesitated for a moment before pretending not to notice Rael.

“Do you have something to say?”

“You’ll be coming of age soon.”

“And?”

“If you promise not to cast me out, I can give you the information you need.”

“Are you proposing a deal to me right now?”

Rael flinched and then nodded. For a moment, Whitney’s lips curled up at his eyes that looked nervous, as if being chased by something.

“Bring me information that I might find enticing. Then I’ll consider it. The price for silence will be generous.”

At Whitney’s words, Rael’s eyebrows twitched. Pretending to head towards the study so others wouldn’t notice, she went to her mother’s office.

With everyone busy adorning Melissa, there was no way anyone would be in the office. Whitney carefully entered the office. With the butler guarding the door, there was no need to worry about getting caught.

While looking at the financial documents in the drawer, Whitney discovered a space locked with a key in the back.

‘Something must be here.’

At the sound of knocking on the door, Whitney hurriedly closed the drawer and left the office. As she moved towards the study, talking with the butler, her mother appeared from the opposite direction.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was feeling bored, so I thought I’d read a book. Is elder sister’s preparation finished?”

“Yes, it just finished, so hurry down.”

The butler bowed his head and quickly disappeared. Cecilia’s suspicious gaze turned to Whitney. She suddenly turned around as if something had occurred to her.

“Oh, mother. After the debutante is over, I’ll be returning to the duke’s residence, so I think my room should be changed.”

“Your room, as always, suits the attic, so don’t have unnecessary thoughts.”

Cecilia approached Whitney and whispered, pressing down on her shoulder.

“Whitney, I think you’ve finally become somewhat useful. Don’t disappoint my expectations. You should repay me for raising you to this extent since you were young. Don’t you think? I raised and cared for you, who isn’t even my child, so if you’re a thinking creature, continue to act as you always have.”

“…Yes, I will.”

“This is why I’m always worried about you. The reason I didn’t let you out of the mansion was all because of this. I was afraid you might be swayed by unnecessary things and lose your ability to discern like this. The fortunate thing is that you know your place well.”

Cecilia then turned Whitney’s body and pushed her back.

“Now, hurry along. You have things you need to do.”

Whitney turned her back on her mother and headed for the stairs to go downstairs. She thought it was truly fortunate.

How fortunate that her mother couldn’t see her expression since her back was turned.