“I will treat you with proper formality as my official concubine, granting you lands and a title.”

Rose had intended to ask Challen if he knew the man named Aster, who seemed suspicious.

However, what she witnessed was the shocking scene of Challen proposing to Casalyn to become his concubine.

Rose ran out to the garden, half out of her mind, and collapsed onto the grass.

The tulips, blooming so prettily as if to mock her mental shock, swayed leisurely in the wind.

“No, this can’t be. I must have heard wrong.”

“What seems impossible?”

Startled, Rose looked up to see Aster standing there, his expression one of mild curiosity and a light smile.

“This is none of your business. Please go away.”

Rose hastily got up and brushed the dust off her skirt.

Aster hummed and cautiously approached her, carefully plucking a leaf from her hair.

Rose looked at him with wide eyes, as if he were a strange creature.

“Why do you keep hovering around me? If you want something from me, don’t even dream about it!”

“I don’t want anything.”

“What?”

“Well, there is one thing.”

Aster gently lifted the corners of Rose’s mouth with two fingers.

“I would like to see Her Majesty the Queen smile. That would be enough for me.”

“What are you saying? How dare you tease the Queen of Khan?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you. It’s just that I’m concerned about why you always wear such troubled expressions on your beautiful face.”

Rose, dumbfounded, touched her own cheeks.

This was a first for her.

She had always been compared to her sister, who never lacked suitors, overshadowed and scrutinized, and had never heard such words, not even from Challen.
“Were you watching me?”

“I know it might sound presumptuous, but in fact, I’ve been observing Her Majesty the Queen for quite some time. Not so much watching, but unknowingly finding myself rooting for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember the small parties you occasionally attended following Lady Casalyn? Despite not being highly regarded within your family, I noticed your efforts. Your attempts to smile and interact with people despite finding socializing difficult caught my attention.”

You must find this unpleasant.

Aster touched his neck sheepishly, smiling apologetically.

Rose was taken aback to learn someone had been viewing her in a positive light without her knowing. It was a first for her, and she didn’t know how to respond.

He continued,

“I believe there must have been a deep misunderstanding at the last reading session. I couldn’t attend due to recent engagements, but I admire how you’ve been trying to stay strong and dignified.”

“Well… I am the Queen, after all. It’s only natural not to crumble easily.”

“It’s not natural at all. You should have more confidence in yourself.”

Rose adjusted her disheveled hair and cleared her throat.

The unfamiliar praise made the man before her more suspicious yet oddly thrilling.

“Unlike you, Lady Casalyn doesn’t resemble the Queen at all.”

“Do you know my sister?”

“Yes. I saw her a few times while attending the royal school. Once, she bumped into my shoulder and didn’t apologize, and I saw her playfully capturing the attention of other gentlemen.”

Aster quietly rolled his eyes, gauging Rose’s reaction.

As her eyes slightly trembled, Aster continued to fan the flames of her curiosity.

“Unlike Lady Casalyn, who always calculates profit and loss and leads with reason, I thought you valued people’s hearts.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’ve always felt it’s a shame that your potential and talents are overshadowed by Lady Casalyn’s. In my opinion, Your Majesty has far greater qualities. If you have any concerns, please share them. I might be able to help.”

Rose, her heart rippling with unfamiliar joy, finally looked directly at Aster.

Upon closer inspection, he was quite an attractive man.

She thought it wouldn’t hurt to remember the face of such a person.

“Actually, I’ve just come across a concern.”

Rose trailed off, giving Aster a subtle look.

Aster bowed slightly, smiling kindly.

“Please, tell me anything. Dear Queen.”

Using empty smiles and flattery to lower someone’s guard.

This was one of the things Aster excelled at.