As they entered the ballroom, people whispered while looking at the affectionate couple. Melissa’s face turned pale after blushing.

“Here they come. The reason I attended this event today is to announce the engagement of Whitney Belle Orlean, the star debutante, and my son Cheston de Clifton.”

At His Majesty’s words, the Queen’s head instinctively turned towards the King. Her mouth trembled with an unexpected expression.

“Furthermore, I lift the ban on the Rubeness family’s entry to the capital.”

Everyone looked puzzled at the King’s words. The Rubeness family had the Queen’s support, and the King had sent the Viscount Rubeness, who had a better reputation than himself, to the border. Readmitting a family he had exiled meant a change of heart.

“Whitney Belle Orlean will reside in the palace as Cheston’s fiancée and receive education.”

“Your, Your Majesty. I, her mother, have not heard anything about this.”

Cecilia Weston stepped forward with a bewildered expression. The King stroked his chin and nodded towards Lady Rubeness.

“I’ve finished discussing with Lady Rubeness, who came as Lady Orlean’s guardian, so this is a matter for the two of you to resolve. Above all, do you intend to refuse the King’s order?”

“…How could that be? It’s an honor for our family.”

Cecilia curtsied, lifting her dress. Whitney took in the sight of her stepmother. Even she couldn’t disobey the King’s command.

Her stepmother’s sharp gaze turned towards her, but all she could do was glare. If Whitney were to stay in the palace, her mother would no longer be able to restrain her. She would probably try to quickly pilfer the duchy’s assets.

‘One month until I come of age.’

Once her birthday passes, Whitney will have the power to exercise her rightful authority. If she can endure just a little longer, she can prevent Cecilia from freely controlling the duchy.

Whitney clenched her fist.

“Today’s protagonist is Whitney Belle Orlean. It seems I judged people correctly.”

The Queen smiled, closing her red eyes. This was just the beginning. Perhaps the Queen would use her to push Cheston into an even more difficult situation. She would think of Whitney as her own person and try to use her as a spy.

‘On the other hand, she might knowingly pretend not to know and use me.’

The King’s forgiveness of the Rubeness family also meant they were no longer on the Queen’s side. Whitney swallowed hard as she looked at the Queen. The hot flame flickering in her red eyes now seemed to be directed at her.

“Come here. I need to hear an explanation about what you’ve done. I didn’t raise you to stab me in the back like this.”

Whitney saw Cecilia Weston, who had come to find her in a moment alone. She seemed to be suppressing the urge to shout.

Cecilia, who had grabbed Whitney’s arm tightly, gritted her teeth and lowered her voice. She seemed to know the problems that would disadvantage her once Whitney gained power.

“Mother, why don’t we talk about this later when I invite you? There are too many eyes here.”

“Are you afraid of showing others that you’re hated by me now? What if you refuse to meet me?”

“Who could stop a mother from visiting her child? Even His Majesty would allow it.”

“Ha! Is this how you repay me for feeding and raising you?”

“You should speak correctly. Did you ever feed or raise me properly? You didn’t give me proper food or let me receive education. Do you know what that’s called?”

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed sharply. Whitney ignored the pain in her arm.

“Abuse. It’s called abuse.”

“What?”

“You must know what you did. After father died, didn’t you neglect me and use me like a maid? Despite me being the only legitimate heir of the Orlean duchy, you educated my sister Melissa to become the head of the family. But don’t worry.”

Whitney smiled as she removed Cecilia’s hand.

“I’ll help you seduce His Highness Karl. You weren’t interested in Prince Cheston anyway, were you?”

“…You say you’ll help Melissa? Do you think I’ll believe that?”

“You have to believe me. If you desperately want it, you have no choice but to trust me, right?”

Whitney blinked and smiled more brightly. Seeing her mother’s distorted expression, she then said as she noticed Cheston approaching.

“Prince Cheston is coming. You should manage your expression. His Highness Karl went to the garden. If you want to create a scandal with my sister, now’s your chance.”

She then turned and walked towards Melissa. It seemed she was relaying what Whitney had said as she whispered. Soon after, Melissa quickly left the banquet hall.

“Why did that woman come to you? Did she do something?”

“It was nothing. More importantly, I have something to tell you after the banquet ends.”

Cheston gently took Whitney’s arm to examine her body, looking her over.

“Ah…”

A short moan escaped Whitney’s lips as she felt pain where her mother had gripped tightly. At the same time, Cheston’s face contorted.

“From now on, it would be better if you weren’t alone with that woman when I’m not around.”

“This much is fine.”

He sighed and said.

“It’s not fine. You’re in pain, aren’t you?”

Whitney was led by his hand out of the banquet hall. Then they entered a prepared private room where he sat her on the sofa and called for Sonia Telfe.

“It looks like there might be bruising on her arm, so we should apply some medicine. I’ve asked Aaron to bring some, so receive it and apply it.”

“Understood.”

“If there’s luggage, I’d like it moved right away. Seeing her earlier, she seemed worked up, so I’m not sure what she might do.”

“My lady had already sent word about that as well.”

Whitney looked back and forth between the two as they conversed, then spoke carefully.

“Your Highness, this won’t even bruise.”

“That’s not true. Don’t you know how delicate your skin is?”

“His Highness is right. We can’t let your arm bruise again when the scars have just faded, Your Grace.”

Sonia and Cheston replied to her words simultaneously. In the end, Whitney quietly waited for Aaron to bring the medicine.

Karl was angry. The sudden engagement announcement was one thing, but he never expected his mother’s favorite child to become Cheston’s fiancée. It seemed his father had already finished discussing it with him, which made him feel betrayed.

“Damn it!”

He couldn’t believe he had missed out on Whitney, who was both the daughter of the Orlean duchy and backed by the Rubeness family. She would surely become the head of the duchy. Even if she couldn’t be his official wife, he could have made her his mistress and solidified his power.

Once again, his father had chosen Cheston over him. That wasn’t all. When Whitney and Cheston’s engagement was announced, Princess Violet of Petontra’s expression subtly twisted. This meant she was more interested in Cheston than in him.

Come to think of it, her gaze always seemed to be directed at Cheston. Why did everyone around him always go on about Cheston! Cheston!

In the end, even Whitney had become Cheston’s. He couldn’t lose the Princess of Petontra as well.

“…Prince Karl?”

As he roughly ran his hands through his hair trying to suppress his anger, his gaze turned to Melissa. Her red hair, bathed in moonlight, seemed alluring. Her rare purple eyes were also exceptionally beautiful. Karl, who needed comfort at that moment, approached Melissa.

“Lady Melissa. It seems you didn’t enjoy the banquet. I can tell because you came looking for me.”

“You looked sad, Your Highness. I couldn’t ignore that. If I could offer even a small comfort… that would be enough for me.”

Melissa approached Karl and gently stroked his arm. She lowered her eyes and wore a sad expression as she took Karl’s hand.

“Don’t be sad. I heard that a fiancée has been chosen for you, Your Highness. I will simply cherish the memory of our kiss in my heart.”

“…Are you sad? That you can’t be by my side?”

“I don’t have the right to such a relationship. I’ve always admired you, Prince Karl. My desire to see you just once grew into a longing to be close to you, and when we shared that dreamlike kiss, I felt like I had everything.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. The clear liquid ran down her flushed cheeks. Melissa quickly wiped them away with her hand and smiled brightly as she stepped back a couple of paces from Karl.

“But that’s not allowed anymore, is it? Even harboring such feelings would displease the princess if she found out. But… may I embrace you one last time, Your Highness?”

“There are many ways for you to stay by my side, Lady. Nothing is impossible if you think about it with an open mind.”

Karl’s eyes flashed red as he pulled Melissa closer by the waist. His gaze was drawn to her low-cut dress. He licked his lips at the sight of her luscious skin.

Noticing his eyes glimmering with desire, Melissa raised her hands to encircle Karl’s neck. She whispered to him in a sweet voice.

“I am yours, Your Highness. So you may ravish me as you please.”

Karl’s complicated thoughts suddenly cleared. In his eyes, there was only Melissa looking up at him. It didn’t matter where they were or what he was doing.

He was a prince, and there was nothing he couldn’t do. What reason was there to push away someone who wanted him? The engagement to the Princess of Petontra was just an alliance anyway. She had set her sights on someone else, so Karl had no need to remain loyal to her either.

Their lips soon met in a passionate kiss. Karl tried to suppress his heated breath as he took Melissa’s hand and led her towards a private room.