The nobles trapped in the castle began to spend their time in their own ways.

Those who were told it would take at least a few days could be seen resting in their assigned places.

“Aunt.”

“Whitney, I didn’t expect this to happen. It’s quite shocking.”

“I didn’t anticipate things would unfold this way either.”

“It seems you knew about other matters. Seeing that you had prepared evidence and various other things.”

“…News spreads quickly in the palace. I was able to do this by not ignoring even small rumors. More importantly, will you be alright?”

To break the flow, she must have revealed information about Melissa and her mother. I thought there was a reason why my aunt had stepped forward.

“Don’t worry. I’ve obtained signed statements from the others. The preparations for the family meeting are also complete. Lady Rubeness of the Marches worked hard for us.”

“I’ll go thank her later.”

“Your success is what matters. Reclaim your rightful place and restore Orleans to its original state. Above all, we owe you a debt.”

“That’s not true. It’s thanks to your help that I’ve been able to come this far.”

The aunt smiled and gently stroked Whitney’s cheek. Then she firmly grasped her hand.

“Now that we’re close, tell me if there’s anything difficult.”

“Thank you…”

“What do you plan to do now? Her Majesty the Queen isn’t one to sit idle.”

“Evidence has come to light, and if they don’t believe it, the only option is to fall into the cave again and show them directly.”

“You’re not really thinking of doing that, are you? Whitney, I can’t allow that.”

If it came to that, she would willingly throw herself into the sea. Her body would wash up on the shore, and having done it once, a second time would be easier.

“Will Melissa confess to her lies? There’s no other way to end all of this except for that method.”

“Then we have no choice but to talk to that woman.”

“Mother won’t be any different. I spoke with Melissa earlier, but we couldn’t communicate. It seemed she intends to side with His Highness Karl until the end.”

“I’ll try talking to her. We’ve got a good hand now, so don’t worry. Keep an eye on the others just in case.”

Whitney nodded at her aunt’s words. Cecilia tended to ignore Whitney, so conversation was impossible from the start. Lady Rubeness might be intimidating, so it could work out.

“Be careful, just in case. I’m concerned about the way Her Majesty was looking at you.”

“I will.”

Whitney entered the crowd. It was safer to stay in busy areas, as one never knew what might happen if separated.

Cheston was talking with His Majesty the King. He turned his head as if looking for something, then found her and fixed his gaze. While listening to His Majesty’s words, his blue eyes remained focused on Whitney.

Melissa bit her nails.

“What on earth is going on!”

She wanted to consult with her mother, but it seemed she was talking with Lady Rubeness. Others kept their distance from Melissa, not even approaching her.

They were likely being cautious, fearing they might be cast out along with her if her words were proven false. Whitney wanted to go to Her Majesty the Queen for confirmation, but with so many eyes watching, even that wasn’t easy.

She was about to move her feet to re-enter the ballroom. At that moment, someone blocked her path.

“…What is it?”

“Please follow me. There’s someone who wishes to see the Young Lady.”

Melissa’s gaze shifted to the knight’s uniform. Seeing the royal seal attached to it, she lowered her voice and nodded.

Following the knight to the back of the garden, she saw someone’s silhouette behind a tree. She immediately recognized who was waiting for her.

“Your Highness Karl…”

With her plaintive voice, Karl revealed himself. He reached out and grabbed her arm. The two ended up hidden behind the tree.

“Melissa. I heard you saved me. That you even stepped forward to testify to my father for my sake…”

His hand cupped her cheek. Melissa leaned into his hand, grasping it. To anyone watching, they might look like passionate lovers, but inside she was burning up.

‘Surely he wouldn’t abandon me after doing all this?’

Melissa looked up into the red eyes gazing down at her. His blonde hair was neatly swept back.

“Your Highness. I couldn’t bear to see you in danger.”

“Then will you testify for me until the end?”

“If Your Highness promises not to abandon me, I will stand by your side until the very end.”

She fell helplessly into his embrace as his arms encircled her waist. Looking up at him with pitiful eyes, he smiled and kissed her lips.

“I will never abandon you. But because of what Lady Rubeness said earlier, there’s a lot of talk. Is there internal strife in the Orleans ducal family?”

She shook her head. That wretched girl was saying strange things and trying to ruin everything. As long as she got a promise, it would be fine, so she put on an aggrieved expression and clutched his collar.

“Your Highness must believe me. Whitney is trying to drive out Mother and me. Soon, everyone will know.”

“Yes, I believe you.”

Karl whispered again with sweet words.

“You’re the one who saved me. When I thought I was dead, you saved me, so my heart is entirely yours.”

Only then did Melissa put her arms around his neck with a relieved expression. The two’s breathing gradually became rougher.

Cheston approached the Queen’s side.

“Wouldn’t it be better to cover this up now?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you suggesting we cover up the incident where my son nearly died? How impertinent.”

“I know that Your Majesty orchestrated this incident. I don’t think His Majesty the King is unaware either. Tell me what you want.”

“What I want is simple.”

The Queen smiled broadly, covering her mouth with her fan. Then, in a soft voice, she spoke gently.

“Your death. That would make everyone happy.”

“I’m sorry, but it seems only Your Majesty and my elder brother would be happy with that, so I can’t die.”

“…Didn’t you once say you didn’t care if you died? It seems your mind has changed. Perhaps you’ve found the will to live now that Elenia’s health has improved.”

“Think whatever you like. I won’t be at Your Majesty’s mercy anymore.”

“I made a mistake. I should have eliminated you before giving you hope. At some point, you started running wild… Not only did you take Elenia out, but you also burned down Libenia.”

She looked at Cheston with a smile, her hand moving the fan faster. Finally, with a snap, she closed it and lifted her chin.

“Then there’s only one answer. You’ve been like this since you were young. You couldn’t stand it when those around you were touched more than when you were. Quite interesting things will happen. You can look forward to it.”

“You know, don’t you? Because of Your Majesty, I don’t keep people around me. Do as you please.”

He said that, but he was uneasy.

The Queen must have noticed where his gaze had landed. He naturally averted his eyes. Then, with a smirk, he looked at the Queen.

“Do you think I can’t use people like Your Majesty does?”

“…You’ve become quite royal-like. If you had been like this from a young age, you wouldn’t have survived this long.”

“It seems I’m a quick learner. This is what I learned growing up watching. I realized late that you have to do anything to survive. Now, I think Your Majesty should realize it too.”

“What?”

Cheston received a cool drink from an attendant and handed it to the Queen.

“That Your Majesty, who once seemed beautiful and lofty, has now become so small that I have to lower my head for our eyes to meet.”

The Queen gripped the teacup tightly, glaring at Cheston.

“Don’t get angry. It will wrinkle your beautiful face. If you want to vent your frustration of not being loved by your father through young men, you should maintain that too, shouldn’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But if you wag your tongue carelessly, I’ll tear it out.”

Cheston smiled broadly at those words, pulling up the corners of his mouth with his finger.

“What do you mean?”

“Recant immediately and say you were mistaken!”

“Mother! His Highness Karl said he wouldn’t abandon me. How can you say that when our goal is right in front of us?”

Melissa shouted angrily. She shook her head vigorously, saying she absolutely couldn’t do that.

“Her Majesty the Queen also promised. I can’t give up. There are no other witnesses besides me, right?”

“There is. That’s why it’s a problem!”

Cecilia raised her voice, grabbing Melissa’s arm. She had thought Melissa had finally captured Karl’s heart, but that wasn’t the case.

“Who else is there?!”

“The Princess of Violet Petontora! She knows everything, they say. Her strengthening your testimony was also to drive you out of the palace once and for all, as you’ve become a nuisance.”

“How… did you know that? The Princess Violet wouldn’t have told you.”

“Lady Rubeness told me. She said to choose, whether to be completely ruined and driven out of high society, or to at least maintain some face!”

“…Ha! Haha! Mother, what face do we have? A noble with face wouldn’t have entered as a second wife in the first place. They wouldn’t have offered their body first to seduce a prince. Wasn’t all of this about survival for us?”

Teaching her like that since childhood, and now telling her to change direction. Melissa couldn’t accept it. Even if Violet knew, it would be fine if Karl and the Queen were on her side.

“You fool!”

Melissa’s cheek stung. Cecilia, unable to control her heaving breath, glared with wide eyes.

“That woman knows who we are! She has all the evidence! If you don’t want your head to roll right here, listen! His Majesty the King also said he wouldn’t hold us accountable, so that’s enough. If you can’t do it, I will.”

“No! Aaagh! No!”

At Cecilia’s signal, a knight appeared. Then he covered Melissa’s mouth. Melissa’s eyes widened, then slowly closed.

“When you wake up, it will all be over.”