At the place Violet was looking, Cheston and Karl were together. However, Whitney thought she was looking at Karl because the queen had called her.

As the long training ended, the queen rose from her seat. Then she said she would introduce the two people and told them to follow.

Whitney and Violet immediately followed the queen’s words. As they went down to the training ground, everyone bowed their heads.

“Don’t mind me, everyone continue what you were doing.”

“Mother, have you come?”

“Your Majesty the Queen.”

Karl and Cheston immediately revealed themselves. Unlike Karl’s sweat-soaked shirt, Cheston didn’t look tired except for a little sweat on his head. Whitney exchanged eye greetings with Cheston.

“Say hello. This is Princess Violet Charte of Petontra.”

The queen first introduced Karl. He brushed his hair up and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. Violet naturally extended her hand.

Karl kissed the back of her hand deeply and smiled. At that warm smile, Violet’s face reddened. Whitney found it difficult to watch.

‘Nothing good will come from being involved with Karl…’

The queen seemed to have decided on Violet as Karl’s fiancée. It was fortunate for Melissa, but Whitney felt uncomfortable.

Cheston skipped over Violet and kissed the back of Whitney’s hand. As Violet’s gaze turned to him, Cheston smiled and said,

“How dare I kiss the hand of someone who will be my elder brother’s fiancée. Forgive my rudeness.”

“I came here as a princess of a country, not yet in the position of His Highness Karl’s fiancée, so it seems there’s no need to worry about that.”

Violet tried to extend her hand to Cheston again, but was stopped by the queen.

“Instead of doing this here, I was hoping the young lady could show Violet around the garden. Is that too much to ask? I have something to discuss with these two.”

“Not at all. I will escort the princess and show her around the garden.”

“You’ve been here several times, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Be careful not to take a wrong turn.”

Whitney nodded. Violet followed behind Whitney, not hiding her regretful expression. The two began walking towards the garden.

“The gardens of the Kingdom of Reowen are beautiful. In Petontra, it doesn’t rain much, so it’s difficult for flowers to grow.”

“It’s different from what I’ve heard. When summer comes, the flowers will bloom even more. Soon it will be the social season, and you’ll be satisfied when you see the banquet halls decorated with flowers.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, His Highness Karl will probably invite you.”

Violet suddenly stopped in her tracks. Then she asked her,

“By the way, what kind of person is His Highness Cheston? Seeing how he didn’t even greet me properly, he doesn’t seem to be well-educated… He didn’t seem to welcome me.”

“I’m not sure about that part either.”

She knew more about Cheston than the people here. But strangely, she didn’t want to talk about Cheston to her. It felt like she shouldn’t tell everything.

‘…She’ll feel betrayed later when the engagement is announced.’

It seemed like it would be the same even if she told everything she knew. Violet was now more curious about Cheston than Karl. That bothered her.

However, Whitney couldn’t ask directly. If she asked if she was interested in Cheston, it seemed like she would answer yes.

The queen spoke, looking at Karl and Cheston.

“Karl. Your engagement to the Princess of Petontra will be announced soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, today was just to see her face, so consider the greetings exchanged. After the debutante ball ends and a banquet is held, talks will be exchanged then, so avoid any scandals.”

Karl nodded. The queen didn’t like Karl’s sullen expression, but she didn’t care. After all, her son would eventually do as she wished.

The problem was Cheston. Strangely, Princess Violet’s gaze seemed to keep turning towards Cheston.

“The King and I had a separate conversation. Yes, you’re also of marriageable age, so you should find a partner.”

“Your Majesty. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“It makes me sad when you say that. It’s already decided, so don’t worry. The King has decided, so it’s best to follow it.”

“Who is Cheston’s partner?”

Karl looked at Cheston out of curiosity and then gazed at the queen. She thought for a moment and then smiled.

“You’ll find out later. Son, just focus on the girl who will be your fiancée. As your mother, I’m telling you to take this to heart.”

“…Yes.”

The queen gestured towards Karl. As if urging him to go to where the princess was, Karl reluctantly left his seat.

“I know you’re not interested, but I agreed because I thought it would be more convenient in my hands. Your fiancée will be Whitney Orlean.”

“I understand.”

“You’re not asking for the reason?”

“If Your Majesty has decided, I think there must be a reason. Even if I had doubts, nothing would change.”

“Well done. Yes, your efforts are commendable, so I won’t call your mother. If you just listen well, I might consider completely letting go.”

Cheston bowed his head and expressed gratitude to the queen. The queen, with a satisfied expression, told him it was time for Whitney Orlean to leave and to see her off.

He suppressed the smile rising on his lips and left the space.

Whitney wore a surprised expression at Karl’s sudden appearance. Soon realizing that the queen had sent him, she tactfully made way.

‘I wonder why she called me.’

She still didn’t know why she had come here. Perhaps she had noticed Karl’s interest in her and called both her and Violet to remind them of the difference.

Whitney headed towards the carriage to return to the mansion. Violet sent a look to Whitney as if telling her not to go, but she had no choice. She just hoped that she would wisely resist Karl’s temptation.

As she walked towards where the carriage was, at some point another set of footsteps could be heard. Whitney paused slightly and then stepped forward again.

‘It seems like someone is following me.’

Without even hiding their presence, they walked matching her footsteps. If she walked quickly, they matched the quick pace, and if she walked slowly, they matched the slow pace.

Whitney finally couldn’t stand it and turned her head to check who was following.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Cheston smiled broadly and stretched his long legs to stand in front of her. For a face that had just been in training, he still showed no signs of fatigue.

“Did Her Majesty the Queen send you?”

“Yes. And I’ve brought news that you’ll be happy to hear.”

“…News that I’ll be happy to hear?”

There was no way the queen had given him good news. Whitney looked up at Cheston with a slightly anxious face. He nodded without erasing his smile.

“It seems she has allowed our engagement.”

“Her Majesty the Queen did?”

“You might not know how much effort I’ve put in behind the scenes for our engagement, but I’d like you to appreciate it a little.”

“Won’t Your Highness lose a lot if that happens?”

“Well.”

Cheston loosely stroked his chin and lifted the corners of his mouth. He didn’t take his eyes off her, as if trying to capture Whitney’s surprised face.

“I might gain a lot. Soon the debutante ball will be held, and after that, Karl and Princess Violet’s engagement will be announced at the banquet. And us.”

He extended his hand to Whitney.

“I plan to make the announcement at the banquet that day. The queen is capricious and can’t be trusted.”

When she just stared at the outstretched hand, Cheston took her hand and linked arms. Then he smiled, narrowing his eyes, and said,

“Young lady, there are many watching eyes here. So refrain from showing all your emotions like that. Otherwise, our efforts might go to waste.”

“…But since it hasn’t been announced yet, isn’t this unnecessary?”

“From what I can see, you don’t seem to have a talent for acting. So I think we need to meet often from now on. Deceiving others is trickier than you might think.”

“Are you good at it, Your Highness?”

At Whitney’s question, Cheston was silent for a moment. Then he laughs out loud.

“Come to think of it, I’m not very good at it either. So shouldn’t we meet more? I want our contract to be maintained well. In many ways.”

“…Pardon?”

“So how about meeting once a week for the next month? Then we won’t look like such an awkward couple at the banquet.”

“If it becomes known that we’re meeting separately, won’t it be troublesome for Your Highness?”

A scandal with a woman who hasn’t even had her debutante ball yet. From Cheston’s standpoint, it might become a lasting label.

“Whitney Orlean. When I look at you, you think too much.”

Cheston finally reached the carriage, opened the door, and helped her get in. Looking at Whitney who had climbed into the carriage, he seemed to notice her complicated thoughts and made a sound by tapping his fingers.

“If you say so, let’s pretend I never said what I said earlier.”

Whitney nodded. As the carriage door was about to be closed by the servant, Cheston’s voice was heard.

“The emerald necklace would go well with your dress. Then I’ll see you that day, my fiancée.”

As the carriage started, her eyes widened. Whitney tried to hurriedly get up from her seat, but it was already too late.