Blackening the Affectionate Male Lead - Chapter 42

It was a dress that was truly befitting of a summer day. Wearing a dress made by Le Bellom, she looked in the mirror. Whitney, having finished her preparations with the help of her maids, sat in a chair.

‘Ah! Come to think of it…’

As she touched her bare neck, she remembered the engagement ring Cheston had given her. She had forgotten to mention it, not having the energy to take care of it.

“Are you ready?”

At Cheston’s voice, Whitney turned her head to look towards the door. He approached her, with her hair twisted up and adorned with feathers.

“I came because I thought there was something forgotten, and it seems I just remembered.”

He stood behind Whitney and placed a necklace around her neck. Whitney stood looking in the mirror as the emerald necklace was fastened. The clear and vivid green jewel, as if capturing the verdant foliage, sparkled with every movement.

“I bought it thinking it would suit you, and it seems I made a good choice.”

“…Thank you, Your Highness.”

“It’s not enough compared to what I’ve received. We still have time, how about having a cup of tea?”

“Is that alright?”

“There’s someone who wants to meet you, and since it would be troublesome if others saw, I sneaked into the palace.”

At Cheston’s words, Whitney tilted her head to the side. Soon after, as she followed him to the reception room, someone ran up and grabbed Whitney’s legs.

“Sister!”

“…Leo?”

Whitney’s eyes widened at the appearance of a child who shouldn’t be here. Soon after, she discovered her aunt sitting in the reception room.

“Aunt.”

“Whitney, are you alright?”

Lady Rubeness rose from her seat and approached Whitney. She smoothed down her chest and then paid her respects to Cheston.

“Thank you for so willingly granting my request. Thanks to Your Highness’s generosity, I was able to confirm that my niece is safe.”

“It was permitted by His Majesty the King. Isn’t that why you took my side?”

“To be precise, not yet. After Whitney is acknowledged by the Queen, her engagement to Your Highness will be announced.”

Lady Rubeness clearly corrected the facts. Cheston nodded with a low laugh. He raised his eyebrows at Whitney and said,

‘Contract.’

Was he asking if she knew about the contract her aunt had made?

Whitney shook her head slightly. That was a contract between just him and her. Whitney didn’t notice Cheston’s lips curling up slightly.

She only wondered about his appearance, which seemed a bit more pleased than before.

“Then let me ask one thing. What power does Lady Rubeness intend to exert over the Orleans duchy in the future?”

“I intend to support whatever Whitney desires. Your Highness will gain the power of the Rubeness family, but what can you do for Whitney?”

Her aunt asked with a rather serious face. It seemed she had no intention of ending with just an engagement.

“I said I would do everything she wants. The first of that will be the engagement. With her engagement to me, she will regain the authority of the Orleans duchy. Isn’t that enough for her?”

“Doesn’t that mean she has to take as much risk?”

“That too has been resolved.”

Whitney’s head turned towards Cheston. Resolved? She hadn’t heard anything about this.

“She will stay at the palace. By my side until her safety is guaranteed.”

“What?”

Whitney’s eyes widened again at Cheston’s words. Surprised at the news that she would be staying here, she looked at him, but Cheston just touched Whitney’s hand on the table and smiled.

Her aunt raised her eyebrows at those words and took a sip of tea. Cheston let out a short sigh and immediately gave the answer her aunt wanted.

“Ah. His Majesty the King has also given permission.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

Her aunt, who had thought it wouldn’t be allowed, immediately agreed. Although it was already known to everyone that she had fallen out with the Orleans duchy, there was no reason for her to leave there.

“But Aunt, I want to return to the duchy. There’s no reason for me to avoid it, is there?”

“Whitney, don’t think you’ve lost just because you’re not going to the duchy. Using something better is winning.”

Cheston shrugged his shoulders. He smiled as if to say he could be used anytime.

As the debutante ball began, ladies in full regalia appeared outside the door. As the announcer called their names, they entered one by one according to their turn.

Melissa, dressed more splendidly than anyone, waited for Whitney’s turn.

“Mother, Whitney really isn’t coming, right?”

“That’s right. I was told everything was perfectly handled, so don’t worry. I’m thinking of going to where Whitney is as soon as the party ends.”

“Oh my! Lady Orleans. Come to think of it, isn’t Lady Orleans of age to have her debutante ball? But the main character isn’t here.”

At Lady Rain’s words, Cecilia just smiled without answering. Lady Rain’s gaze turned to Melissa. She snorted at the sight of Melissa, who was dressed more splendidly than anyone.

“Anyone who sees might think Lady Melissa is having her debutante ball.”

“That means she’s that eye-catching. Melissa looks good in anything she wears.”

“I heard rumors that the star has already been decided this time, and that it’s Lady Orleans. The main character shouldn’t be late. I hear Her Majesty the Queen is sensitive about time appointments.”

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Rain.”

Cecilia turned her head and stared at the closed door. It would soon be time for Whitney Orleans’ name to be called.

“Whitney Orleans of the Orleans ducal family!”

As the door opened, Cecilia and Melissa were about to head inside where the Queen was.

At that moment, everyone’s gaze turned to one place. At the unexpected appearance, everyone whispered, “Oh my, how did that woman come here?”

Cecilia’s face twisted as she turned her head back.

“Whitney.”

“Mother, why are you so surprised? You were about to go in as if it was natural, even though I hadn’t arrived.”

“…How could that be?”

Moreover, the person beside Whitney must surely be Lady Rubeness. Two pairs of green eyes turned towards Cecilia. She shivered at the cold gaze looking at her.

‘What is this, why…’

Cecilia unconsciously swallowed hard. Then she smiled awkwardly and gestured to Whitney.

“Come here. It’s your turn to go in.”

“No. I’ll go in with my aunt, so mother and sister can stay here. She came as my guardian, after all.”

“What are you saying? I’m your guardian.”

She felt intimidated by Whitney’s gaze approaching her. Cecilia unconsciously stepped back.

“Mother, if you were my guardian, shouldn’t you have come looking for me when I didn’t show up? Don’t you think?”

“…Do you think His Majesty the King would allow it?”

“Yes, he’s already allowed it. How else could my aunt be here? She came here because His Majesty the King permitted it. It’s thanks to you, mother.”

Whitney, smiling brightly, immediately turned back and went to her aunt. Melissa, unable to believe this whole situation, was looking at her with her head raised and red eyes.

“Well then, I’ll be going in now.”

Whitney then went inside with Lady Rubeness. Cecilia and Melissa could only watch the backs of the two as they left.

The Queen’s gaze, sitting in the chair, turned to Whitney. She smiled with satisfaction at Whitney’s appearance, which was beyond imagination.

“Whitney Orleans. You haven’t disappointed my expectations.”

Whitney slightly bent her knee to the Queen and bowed her head. She doesn’t know how long she’s been waiting for this moment. The moment to be acknowledged by the Queen and become an adult.

The Queen’s hand extended to her, and Whitney lightly kissed the back of it.

“It seems the star of the debutante ball has been decided. I’m really looking forward to tonight’s ball. I hope everyone has an enjoyable party.”

Along with envious glances from people, the Queen bestowed the title of star upon Whitney. As planned, Whitney was the star of this social season.

After the audience, the next order was the party. Whitney naturally looked for Cheston with her eyes. As she was about to move her feet to go to the banquet hall with her aunt, she soon faced Cecilia and Melissa.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“I’m afraid that would be difficult, Lady Orleans. As my niece has been under threat, let’s talk where I am present.”

“She may be your niece, Lady Rubeness, but she’s my daughter. Isn’t it a bit much for an aunt to interfere in a conversation between a daughter and mother?”

“Did you not see the letter sent from the Rubeness family? Or are you pretending not to know and trying to buy time? I’d like to ask, Lady Orleans.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do you want to say?”

Cecilia continued to feign ignorance until the end. Her aunt lightly pushed Whitney’s back. Then she squinted her eyes as if to say she would take care of this herself.

“Sister!”

“Leo, who were you with?”

“My lady. I’m a bit late because I was handling the incident.”

“That’s alright. Is there anything else?”

Sonia nodded. Leo held Sonia’s hand and pointed to the end of the corridor, saying to Whitney,

“Good-looking brother!”

“Huh?”

“Good-looking brother is over there. Sister, wait.”

Whitney burst into laughter at Leo’s words. After thanking him, she walked towards the end of the corridor where Cheston would be. He was probably hiding to avoid other people’s eyes.

Her footsteps gradually quickened.

Finally, when she reached the end of the corridor, Whitney opened her mouth to call Cheston.

“…Your Highness?”

“Shh.”

She was led into the room by Cheston’s hand without being able to say anything.