“Calm down, Laila. They’re not scarier than Mother, no matter what.”

She took a quiet deep breath.

“I must not forget Mother’s efforts to toughen me up.”

Thinking of Ellen, her surprisingly pounding heart found tranquility.

Laila handed her fan to the maid and politely expressed her thanks to the women seated around the table.

“Thank you for inviting me to tea time, ladies.”

The first to respond to Laila’s greeting was Dalena.

“Prince Consort, wouldn’t it be better to address us as ‘Mother’ rather than ‘ladies’?”

Dalena’s tone was genuinely affectionate.

“While I may not be the mother of Prince Marboro, when you think about it, you are our future daughter-in-law.”

Laila was utterly dumbfounded. Dalena’s argument was nonsensical.
The reason Laila dislikes the concubines is due to the contempt, disregard, and caution they show towards Marboro. However, beneath that, there’s another aspect – the concubines are ignorant of her true identity. Though they are called concubines, their true identity is women also known as Royal Mistresses.

Unless they give birth to a prince, concubines are nothing more than officials in the king’s court. Now Laila knows everything. The children they bore are not of royal blood; they simply think they deceived the king among themselves. The evidence must have been accumulating all this time, although Laila couldn’t imagine how.

Due to complex political relationships at the time, the king simply overlooked the matter. In normal circumstances, these women should have been punished for adultery.

The king had built Marboro’s power base with some nobles, including Phillip. In other words, if Marboro ascended to the throne, they would be expelled from the royal palace.

However, Dalena, with an angelic smile, confidently said, “They are all members of the esteemed Cigarette Royal Family.”

The concubines, who were fanning themselves, slightly nodded their heads, lifting the corners of their mouths artificially.

“That’s fine if you call us that, but whatever, just come in, Prince Consort.”

“That’s right. We’ve been waiting. Ho ho.”

The red and yellow-haired concubines spoke in turn. Their voices were gentle, seemingly affectionate.

Finally, the blue-haired concubine nodded towards an empty chair.

“Please, have a seat there.”

Laila was very displeased with their rudeness. ‘What would Mother have done in this situation?’ If it were her personality, she might have flipped the tea table, shouted loudly, and even thrown dessert. Just thinking about it was refreshing. ‘I wish I were as straightforward as Mother.’ But she couldn’t help it. Holding back a sigh, Laila forced a smile and sat in the chair.

“Prince Consort.”

Before the cup was properly placed, the red-haired concubine sharply cut in.

“There were rumors. What do you think about Marboro Prince ascending to the throne?”

“Excuse me? Rumors?”

“There were rumors that Marboro Prince is going to ascend to the throne.”

Laila’s heart thumped. Some people knew, but it hadn’t been public knowledge until now. In other words, this conversation was still highly confidential.

Currently, the most likely successor to the throne in the public eye was the son of the first red-haired concubine.

“Who… spread such rumors?”

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily flickered towards Dalena. It was a reflexive action. Marboro knew about his ascent to the throne, and he and Dalena had been together.

“Why? Are you trying to dig up the mastermind?”

At the provocative words of the red-haired concubine, Laila unconsciously shivered. The reactions of other concubines rose slightly at her response.

The red-haired concubine pressed on aggressively.

“Even cold water has a top and bottom. Surely Marboro Prince isn’t plotting rebellion, right?”
Marboro’s ascent to the throne is known to Enok, and since then, he and Dalena have been together.

“Why? Are you trying to find out the mastermind?”

At the impudent words of the red-haired concubine, Laila unconsciously flinched her shoulders. The reactions of other concubines subtly heightened at her response.

The red-haired concubine pressed Laila more aggressively.

“Even cold water has a top and bottom. Surely Marboro Prince isn’t plotting rebellion, right?”

A cold sweat ran down Laila’s spine. It felt like everything was becoming dark before her eyes.

The yellow-haired concubine laughed mockingly at Laila’s reaction.

“Oh? Have you seen such a cheeky child? Surely you don’t really think that, do you?”

The blue-haired concubine chuckled.

“My, the questions from the ladies are quite mischievous. Pressuring the youngest princess with such unreasonable questions, no wonder the prince consort was flustered.”

The corners of the red-haired concubine’s mouth twisted into a sneer. Laila felt a chill from her gaze, like a snake facing a mouse.

‘What should I do? Mother, help me!’

Laila unconsciously thought of Ellen, who wasn’t even present.

Perhaps because of that.

In her mind, the face of Ellen, with one corner of her mouth pulled up very wickedly, appeared.

“…….”

Laila focused on the three concubines’ expressions again.

It was strange. After recalling Ellen’s wickedness, the malicious expressions of the three concubines seemed mild like lambs.

The situation hadn’t changed, but strangely, Laila felt a bit more comfortable inside.

‘No matter what, could there be anyone more evil than Mother?’

She had endured Ellen’s wickedness. Moreover, since the wedding, Ellen had been embracing her gently.

As her insides eased, the fear also diminished.

Laila raised her shoulders confidently. She then showed a calm and leisurely smile.

“Rebellion?”

The concubines were surprised by Laila’s change in attitude.

“Well, my eldest son is Prince Sabre. He is the one to succeed the throne.”

Laila listened to the red-haired concubine’s words without uttering a response.

“But the rumor that Marboro Prince is going to ascend to the throne is not about considering rebellion, is it?”

Other concubines chimed in one after another.

“Prince Consort, surely you don’t believe that he will actually become king?”

“There’s no law that says the eldest son must become king. Besides, the newly arrived youngest may lack the capability to inherit the throne.”

She couldn’t lie. Yet, she couldn’t admit the truth either.

As Laila quietly sought an answer, Dalena, placing chocolates on the concubines’ plates, spoke affectionately.

“Oh, enjoy the sweet chocolates and calm down, honorable concubines.”

They are addressed as concubines. But referring to them as honorable concubines.

Of course, since only they were present, the form of address might not be a big issue. However, Laila was dumbfounded by the unheard-of title.
There was a growing suspicion that Delina might have leaked this confidential information.

“It’s a sensitive matter, but what if you just hear the rumors and question Prince Consort as if investigating?”

At Delina’s persuasive smile, the expressions of the concubines softened. The red-haired concubine fanned herself slowly.

“Well, it might just be Lady Ondella’s nonsense……”

Laila felt awkward. Lady Ondella caused the issue, and Laila felt sorry for misunderstanding Delina.

The concubines briefly focused on their private conversation. Not missing the chance, Delina winked at Laila.

As if she was on Laila’s side. After that, Delina melted into the conversation with the concubines.

Recent purchases, dresses, hairstyles, and party stories, etc.

Except for Laila, the three concubines engaged in a lively conversation. Delina had no opportunity to take care of Laila. Whenever Delina’s eyes were about to reach Laila, the concubines took turns to talk.

It was deliberately excluding her, evident to anyone.

Tea time was also extremely dull with no match.

However, Laila didn’t mind. In fact, she felt comfortable not having to participate in the conversation. She pretended to nod along with the concubines’ conversation, recalling her past with Ellen.