Lisi was tense, her nerves taut.

Her previous life’s experiences with her stepparents had been horrendous.

It was as if they despised even the sound of Lisi breathing; they ridiculed and abused her.

She didn’t imagine that Lord and Lady Green would be like her previous tormentors, but she couldn’t help but be timid due to the trauma from her past.

However, Lisi pulled herself together with all her strength and met the gaze of Lord and Lady Green.

“Alright, Lisi. Just be at ease.”

The voice of Heraina was cold.

“I must apologize in advance, as what I am about to say might make you uncomfortable.”

“Mother.”

As Heraina interrupted, trying to admonish Kevrant for his indiscretion, Lisi laid a hand on the back of Kevrant’s hand.

“Kevrant.”

Upon receiving a gentle glare from Lisi, Kevrant sighed and nodded.

Heraina was inwardly shocked.

‘To think she’s managed to discipline our son like that.’

Kevrant was stubborn as a bull, and although he seemed to listen to his parents’ words, in reality, he did as he pleased.

“How did you meet Kevrant?”

“I sought out Lord Green. I proposed to Lord Green.”

At this unexpected answer, not just Heraina, but also Wyvern and Kevrant’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Lisi!”

Whether it was something that hadn’t been discussed with Kevrant, he grabbed Lisi’s hand.

Lisi cautiously withdrew her hand.

Lisi’s gaze was still fixed on Heraina.

“You took the initiative… to seek out our son and propose?”

“Yes.”

Lisi answered calmly again.

Heraina found herself at a loss with the direction the conversation was heading.

It was rare for a lady to propose first, and even if it did happen, it was usually framed as if the man had proposed first in public narratives.

For a lady to actively court a man, it would degrade her status.

However, even in this moment, Lisi’s dignity did not falter. She still radiated an air of nobility and grace.

Heraina, who had finally regained her composure, asked tentatively,

“Why?”

“I wanted to run away. I wanted to run away from the Ducal House of Witlow.”

Heraina had anticipated that the Duke of Witlow might use Lisi for his advantage.

But why would she want to run away if she was raised so preciously?

Heraina thought this wasn’t a subject to be approached lightly, and contemplated how to ask about it in a roundabout way.

Her contemplation was unnecessary. Lisi began speaking on her own.

“I am a bastard. I was born from the Duke of Witlow and a maid.”

An oppressive silence fell upon the room. The chilly air filled the sitting room.

Everyone held their breaths, staring at Lisi’s lips which had calmly stated the unimaginable truth.

This was a gamble thrown by Lisi.

‘The fact that I am a bastard of the Duke might trip me up in the future. If so, it would be better to reveal the truth myself.’

No matter what the outcome would be.

Even if Kevrant was disappointed and drove Lisi out.

It would be better than having everything she had built up collapse once the truth of her being a bastard came to light in the future.

Heraina had also figured out Lisi’s intention.

‘She’s cunning.’

Heraina liked clever children.

“The Duke of Witlow killed my mother and spared only me. He raised me well so he could sell me off. But the Duke and Duchess of Witlow had no aptitude for raising children. They were either too doting or too abusive.”

A bitter smile momentarily crossed Lisi’s face and disappeared.

“I was severely abused. I was hit, ridiculed, and mocked. I had to work like a maid, and the maids didn’t treat me like a noblewoman. Since we couldn’t silence all the maids, rumors about me often leaked out, but…”

Lisi swallowed a sigh.

“Those who spread the rumors and those who heard them died. The truth about me briefly surfaced before vanishing, and false rumors proliferated. The flower of the Witlow Ducal House. The youngest daughter that the Duke of Witlow adored above all else.”

Lisi paused for a moment and lowered her gaze.

Her lush eyelashes, the same color as her hair, concealed the emotions in Lisi’s eyes.

“The Duke of Witlow decided to give me to the Earl of Hutchis in exchange for a gold mine. I didn’t like that, so I sought out Lord Green.”

“Why… specifically him?”

“I thought Lord Green would help me.”

“Why did you think that? Kevrant has never shown any interest in women.”

“I had written to the Lord…”

“I wrote her a letter.”

Kevrant cut off Lisi’s words.

Kevrant noticed that Lisi was going to candidly say, ‘I know the Earl’s weakness!’

That was not acceptable. Their parents were very sensitive about that part.

“I’ve sent Lisi several letters asking her to reveal the Duke of Wittle’s weaknesses.”

Fortunately, their parents did not tell Kevrant to keep his mouth shut.

“The Duke of Wittle’s weaknesses?”

“Yes. Britney Wittle has been spreading false rumors about my relationship with her. That I asked her to dance, and that I fell for her. It was so annoying that I was planning to play a bit of a trick.”

Herena narrowed her forehead.

Wyvern leaned back on the sofa, humming as if he found it amusing.