Karl’s face hardened.

Whitney did not yield to Violet’s gaze. She had done nothing wrong. As she said, it was Karl who came to find Whitney, so it was not right for her to answer first in this situation.

“My elder brother came to spar with me, and we happened to run into the princess who was taking a walk. As you know, he was very angry about the scandal, so his voice rose as he tried to ask the princess about Lady Melissa’s intentions.”

“Hmm, I see. Everyone was being so hush-hush, I thought it was something I shouldn’t know about. Your Highness was imprudent. Isn’t that an issue to take up with the person involved?”

Violet had a point too. Karl rested his chin on his hand and gently stroked Violet’s hair. Then he smiled brightly and said,

“But we can’t meet someone involved in a scandal again. More stories would spread, so we tried to avoid direct contact. If Lady Orlean had known too, things might have been different.”

“So did you hear Lady Orlean’s answer?”

At Violet’s question, Whitney opened her mouth that had been closed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know my elder sister would react that way. At that time, I was with Prince Cheston.”

“Yes, as the princess says, we were together then. We were talking on the terrace, came out to the stage hall, and after that is the story the princess knows.”

“I see. We can talk next time we meet. It should be a simple matter then.”

“There’s no need for you to get directly involved. Mother already said she would meet with Lady Orlean to wrap things up, so don’t worry.”

Karl furrowed his brow and cut off Violet’s words. She calmly composed her expression and just smiled lightly at Karl’s words.

The queen hummed a tune as she watched the four people.

“Doesn’t Violet’s face seem flushed?”

“Yes, she must feel humiliated. Due to the unexpected scandal, the palace is full of talk about His Highness Karl and Melissa.”

“I should have ripped her mouth apart, it’s a shame I couldn’t. Still, there’s a competitive glint in the eyes of that usually dignified child.”

“Did you deliberately arrange for the four of them to meet?”

“Look over there. The crossing gazes. Whatever happens, it will turn out in Karl’s favor.”

As they entangle, biting and wounding each other, the one who stands tall will grow that much more. Karl needed a bit more intense stimulation.

“I hear Lady Orlean has requested to meet me?”

“Yes, what should we do? She’s been sending letters every day, pleading her innocence. They’re full of content about how her innocent daughter’s purity was taken and she was abandoned by the prince.”

“Innocent?”

The queen sneered. Could an innocent woman seduce a man who came out to the garden and reduce him to one night’s entertainment? It was nonsense.

“We’ll see if she’s really an innocent child when we meet. Instead of Lady Orlean, send a letter to Lady Melissa inviting her to the palace.”

“Understood.”

“I hear Elenia has been getting close with Lady Orlean lately?”

She tapped her fingers on the table, her eyes twinkling.

“Bring some Libenia tea. It’s time for an intimate moment after so long.”

“Understood. I’ll relay the message right away.”

The queen was pleased at the thought of meeting Elenia after so long. A smile came unbidden as she imagined the frail body that trembled at the mere sight of her and the blue eyes that couldn’t even meet her gaze.

Melissa looked out the window, nervously biting her nails. No matter how long she waited, no letter came from Karl. Moreover, her mother sent letters to the queen every day, and perhaps because of the scandal that had stirred up the capital, marriage proposals were pouring in like rain.

“It’s really strange. Just because of the scandal with the prince, they’ve suddenly become curious about me. They must think I’m easy!”

Unable to contain her anger, she dropped the letters on the floor. If it wasn’t Karl, it meant nothing to her. Whitney had snagged Cheston, even if it was only half a seat. It angered her that she, who was better, couldn’t seduce Karl.

‘No, surely Karl was falling for me then.’

If he kept seeing her, his heart would surely be moved. If she couldn’t become queen, she should at least become his mistress. Considering the mother of the favored second prince, that wasn’t a bad option either.

Melissa immediately went to her mother. Then she begged to have dresses made at the salon where Whitney had her clothes fitted. If she imitated Whitney, whom Cheston and the queen liked, who knew? She might suit their tastes.

She didn’t want to return to that muddy life.

Whitney was exhausted. Just sitting there drained her energy. Fortunately, Karl had a separate schedule, so the tea time couldn’t last long.

Cheston and Whitney rose from their seats first and headed to the annex. Whitney sighed deeply as she took Cheston’s arm.

“I don’t know what they were thinking arranging such a gathering.”

“I think it will happen often from now on. By the way, did you find Libenia in the queen’s palace?”

“Thanks to you.”

If Libenia was found in the queen’s palace, they now had to find a way to eliminate it. Continuing to cultivate Bellonia wasn’t a problem, but it was difficult to cultivate in large quantities, so just stopping it like this was going in circles.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“It would be good to take advantage of the queen’s quiet spell to eliminate where Libenia is planted, but according to the informant, it’s planted in a secret place that can only be entered with the queen’s permission.”

“If it disappears completely, she’ll certainly find it strange. The informant would be in trouble… We need another method. I’ll ask my aunt to send Bellonia. Although it’s quiet now, we don’t know when she’ll move again, and if Lady Elenia takes it again while recovering, it could be difficult.”

“Mother’s health has improved a lot… Father’s visits have become more frequent, and although the queen’s silence is worrying, she won’t move right away.”

Cheston was certain. That the queen wouldn’t be able to harm his mother for the time being. Whitney was curious about the basis for his thoughts.

“Why do you think so?”

“Since Father won’t leave Mother’s side, she can’t openly offer Libenia tea.”

“That’s fortunate then. Oh, there’s a place I’d like to go, can you come with me? I want to see the beach behind the palace.”

“The sunset should be beautiful around this time.”

“Actually, I prefer the sea at dawn and morning rather than the setting sun.”

Whitney smiled faintly, recalling the sea bathed in sunlight. Although not transparent, staring intently at the cool sea strangely made her feel good. The irregular sound of breaking waves reaching her ears made her heart feel at ease while clearing her mind.

Walking with Cheston along the back path of the annex, they came upon a wide grassy field. Whitney slowly traced her memories, following the path she remembered when she had come out alone to see the beach.

As Cheston had said, the sky was emitting a mysterious color, changing from blue to red. After being momentarily mesmerized by the purple-like appearance rather than the blue sky, she looked at the beach.

“Your Highness, do you think one could survive falling from that cliff?”

“You mean that cliff over there? One could survive.”

Whitney felt a strange sense of déjà vu at his calm response. After slowly lowering his gaze from the cliff to the sea, he finally realized the oddity of Whitney’s question and asked back.

“Of course, it would be different if you fell.”

“You speak as if you’ve fallen before, Your Highness. Don’t worry, I have no intention of falling.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Whitney still didn’t take her eyes off the cliff.

“Then, it looks like there might be a cave where that ledge is below. Is there a separate path to get there?”

“I’m not sure if you’re interested in geography, the cliff, or that specific location. I’d like you to tell me.”

“I’m interested in that location. I’m not interested in cliffs or geography. Could a person survive if they fell from there?”

“From that height, they’d lose consciousness, but if rescued quickly, they could survive. Although the waves are strong, there are waves that push water towards the beach, so most would be saved.”

“Is this something all royal family members know?”

Cheston shook his head. Whitney’s eyes trembled with anxiety, wondering why he alone was so knowledgeable about this aspect.

“Your Highness…”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to go there?”

Whitney slowly nodded. Cheston extended his hand to her.

“The path is treacherous, so it would be better to hold hands as we go.”

She grasped Cheston’s hand tightly and followed behind him. As the two came down to the beach, they approached the cliff. Looking up from below, the dizzying height made her neck stiff.

“Can we climb up from here?”

He looked at Whitney’s dress and hesitated for a moment. She let go of Cheston’s hand, took off her shoes, and lifted her dress. He quickly turned his head away from her exposed legs.

“This should be fine, don’t worry.”

“The rocks are sharp and dangerous. I think it would be better to come back and look another time.”

“Who knows when we’ll have time like this again? We need to check while the queen’s guard is down.”

Haa.

Cheston let out a short sigh, then suddenly lifted her up.

“This way will be faster, so hold on tight so you don’t fall.”

Whitney’s hands automatically wrapped around Cheston’s neck at his action of lifting her so lightly. He began to step onto the rocks and move inward with large strides.