The Grand Lady Chamberlain who had bid farewell moved to the banquet hall. A maid who bowed her head to him soon brushed past Windsor.

He stood there motionless, looking at the retreating back of the Grand Lady Chamberlain. As if bewitched by a ghost.

Or, as if he had found the bluebird he had been searching for at home.

As Windsor rubbed his chin with his dry hand, the image of Jacqueline’s brightly smiling face saying “I told you so” flashed through his mind.

Heh.

A chuckle escaped between his teeth. A softened voice flowed through the fingers caressing his chin.

“Perhaps she was right after all.”

***

Mrs. Brown’s house, though not quite a mansion, boasted the largest size in the vicinity. With five servants, she could be considered fairly wealthy.

The red brick house, though rustic compared to the sophisticated interiors of the capital, exuded the cozy atmosphere unique to country villages.

From the hand-knitted tablecloths and carpets to the old wooden floors polished to a shine, every item bore the touch of its owner.

At mealtimes, the aroma of food wafted into the living room, and occasionally lost sheep would peer in through the windows outside.

While Lady Somerset seemed to despise this place where the scent of hay drifted like air, Jacqueline actually quite liked Southfield.

The azure plains, the endless blue sky, and the leisurely grazing sheep were so comforting that they made her forget about the complexities of the world.

However, today, even the sight of the vast plains and snow-white sheep failed to put her mind at ease. It was because of one man before her who had triggered her wariness.

Jacqueline’s gaze turned to her mother sitting beside her. Then, in a voice stiffer than usual, she asked.

“Who is this person?”

The answer came not from her mother, but from the man. He extended a business card with a polite smile.

“I am Parker O’Brien, attorney at law.”

Jacqueline picked up the business card placed on the table. He was a lawyer from the most famous law firm in the kingdom.

A place that had a faint connection to her as well. If it could be called a connection.

Jacqueline looked at the lawyer with an uncharacteristically expressionless face. The reason her mother had called her here, even sending a false letter.

The cause was right before her eyes. Smiling arrogantly.

“…”

Jacqueline was different from her father, Baron Somerset. She was no longer the naive young lady of an earl’s family, nor a hothouse flower that could be deceived by plausible lies.

The ‘penniless young lady’ who had been through thick and thin asked in a cold voice.

“What brings a lawyer here? I remember all of my father’s debts were paid off. Were there more victims I don’t know about? Did you bring any promissory notes?”

“I’m not here about your father’s affairs.”

Parker leaned back in his chair with a relaxed smile. As if knowing he had the upper hand, his words and actions exuded confidence.

“Jacqueline, show some manners to the gentleman.”

An displeased voice came from beside her. Jacqueline wondered why her mother was taking the lawyer’s side.

Just what news had he brought?

“Then what is this about? I’m afraid I won’t be able to spare you much time.”

“In that case, let’s get straight to the point.”

At Jacqueline’s cold attitude, he finally leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Parker scrutinized Jacqueline with cool eyes and carefully opened his mouth.

“What I’m about to say is confidential. If word gets out, you’ll have to deal with the consequences yourself.”

It sounded almost like a threat. Jacqueline said nothing, her lips tightly drawn. Instead, her mother replied, “Of course.”

Jacqueline turned to look at her with furrowed brows. Her mother, like a hothouse flower, didn’t know how harsh the outside world could be. Nor that even a small promise could eventually tie them down.

“I am His Majesty the King’s lawyer.”

His Majesty the King.

Jacqueline’s brow furrowed again at the unexpected appearance of this figure.

Why would His Majesty…, ah.

Suddenly, her conversation with Walter came to mind. It must have been the day before going to the Preston mansion.

―It’s an open secret that the atmosphere between the royal family and the Marquis Preston’s family is not good regarding young Benjamin’s custody. I’m worried you might get caught up in that storm, Jackie.

What did I answer then?

If her memory served her right, it was “That won’t happen.”

Well, it did happen, sir. Your foresight is truly remarkable, I must say.

Jacqueline pushed away her complicated thoughts and stared at Parker. Parker, who had expected her to be surprised, looked taken aback by Jacqueline’s calm response.

He rubbed the corners of his mouth with his thumb and forefinger before finally getting to the point.

“His Majesty the King is preparing for a trial against Lord Windsor Preston. It’s a trial to determine who should be the legal guardian of young Benjamin Preston.”

“And?”

“We would like Miss Somerset to be a witness for our side.”

“As a witness for His Majesty… you mean to testify that Lord Preston should be stripped of his custody rights?”

“You catch on quickly. As intelligent a lady as I’ve heard.”

Parker smiled with satisfaction. He continued, rubbing his hands together.

The sight was so reminiscent of a praying mantis that Jacqueline unconsciously leaned back. She had the thought that if she wasn’t careful, she might be devoured.

“It’s simple. Just testify to the fact that Windsor Preston is unsuitable as young Benjamin’s guardian. For example, that he treated Benjamin harshly, or that he was indifferent to Benjamin’s upbringing.”

At those words, Jacqueline quietly pulled up the corners of her mouth. As if he had expected this, Parker smiled in turn. His expectant gaze was directed at her lips.

“The Lord Preston I saw was deeply interested in young Benjamin’s upbringing. He even checked everything the tutor taught, in detail. Of course, he showed no signs of being oppressive. While he may have a somewhat brusque personality, there’s no doubt about his love for his nephew. Benjamin, too, trusts and follows Lord Preston. They have quite an ideal uncle-nephew relationship.”

For a moment, Parker’s brow furrowed sharply. He leaned back and glared at Jacqueline. After taking a breath, he put on a look of disdain.

“It seems you don’t understand what I’m saying, Miss Somerset.”

“No, I understand perfectly. You want me to give false testimony in favor of His Majesty, don’t you, Mr. O’Brien?”

“False testimony, you say.”

Parker muttered those words and then nodded. Lady Somerset chided her, saying, “You’re going too far, Jacqueline.”

Parker leaned forward again. He looked at her with a confident smile. As if certain that this time her lofty attitude would crumble.

“100 million gold.”

“…”

“If you provide the testimony, we will pay you 100 million gold as compensation.”

At those words, Lady Somerset quietly drew in a breath. However, Jacqueline’s expression didn’t change at all. No, her voice became even colder.

“So you’re telling me to sell my conscience for 100 million gold?”

“Hmm.”

Parker raised an eyebrow. He nodded his head grandly, as if doing her a favor. A faint laugh escaped from between his teeth.

“You’ve got quite the nerve. Very well. 300 million gold. That’s the final offer. I can’t go any higher than that.”

“Hahaha.”

Jacqueline burst into light laughter. Parker, thinking her heart had finally turned, joined in the laughter.

“Now then, if you’ll just sign this contract…”

“No.”

Jacqueline shook her head firmly. The laughter that had been floating in the room disappeared, and a heavy silence settled in its place.

Jacqueline looked straight at the lawyer and drove home her point.

“I can’t do that.”

Parker looked at her with narrowed eyes. As if suspecting it was a ploy to extort more money.

He raised his eyebrows and smirked. The wrinkles on Parker’s forehead were neither sensual nor charming.

His contemptuous gaze was typical of a nouveau riche mocking a fallen aristocrat. Seeing Jacqueline’s straight back and noble eyes, a sneer escaped from between his teeth.

“Excessive greed often ruins things. Trying to raise up the fallen House of Somerset with this is nothing but overambition. Besides, an amount over 300 million gold is beyond my discretion. His Majesty’s approval…”

“It seems you’re the one who doesn’t understand my words properly, Mr. O’Brien.”

Parker stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth at Jacqueline’s sharp retort.

“No matter how much you offer, my answer won’t change. I believe Lord Preston is an excellent guardian.”

“Jacqueline!”

Immediately, a sharp voice flew at her. Turning her head, she saw her mother glaring at her with angry eyes. Jacqueline protested with an aggrieved expression.

“Mother, I can’t give false testimony just for money. Lord Preston and young Benjamin…”

“So you want me to rot in this dirty countryside for the rest of my life!”

Lady Somerset’s pale face flushed red. She trembled as if unable to contain her anger.

Jacqueline grabbed her arm with a worried expression.

“Mother, please calm down…”

“Do I look calm to you? What’s so important about that testimony? Is it more important than me? Can’t you do that much for me?”

Jacqueline said nothing.

Suddenly, Windsor’s indifferent face came to mind. No matter how kindly one might put it, he couldn’t be called an affectionate uncle.

But Windsor loved his nephew in his own way. And he tried to protect his nephew.

On the other hand, Benjamin was always excessively tense in front of his uncle. His shoulders would stiffen, and his expression would disappear.

However, he wasn’t afraid of Windsor. No, the child actually liked his uncle. That’s why he didn’t want to disappoint him.

Testifying on the King’s side was tantamount to betraying those two. And Jacqueline couldn’t do that. She was already too deeply entangled with them.

Jacqueline slowly turned her head to look at the lawyer. A calm voice flowed from her parted lips.

“Why is His Majesty suddenly interested in young Benjamin?”

“It’s not sudden. After the death of young Benjamin’s father, he’s merely asserting his rightful claim.”

“Rightful claim? After two years have passed?”

“Lord Preston may be young Benjamin’s uncle, but remember that his origin is that of an illegitimate child. The blood tie between them is faint. However, His Majesty the King is young Benjamin’s maternal grandfather.”