TKMLTE 94

CHAPTER 94

Translator: Rae

***

There’s No Need To Keep The Mother Alive

With more people around, the duke’s estate was livelier than ever today, buzzing with energy.

‘Will this kind of atmosphere become an everyday thing from now on?’

Whitney couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips.

The House of Orléans had regained its stature–now, all that was left was for her to navigate her own path forward.

"The food is so delicious, Your Grace! Oh my god...… This is the best duck dish I’ve ever had.”

"I'm glad it suits your taste. Your food was delicious, too, Rene."

"Really?! I would be very happy to help out around here if possible!”

“Serene.”

Zegmon called Rene’s name in a low voice. Whitney smiled as if to reassure him.

"The chef is a famous figure in the capital. If you want to learn, tell me anytime. They are also in need of assistance, so they’d be happy if you come forward.”

The chef, recommended by Mr. Aamon, has arrived at the duke’s estate, and every dish was exceptional. Each time Rene took a bite, he couldn’t hold back his admiration. Head Chef Dane would have been proud if he had seen that.

“I have a wine that goes well with this.”

At Whitney's suggestion, Sheila brought out a bottle of wine from Linze’s collection. Rene wetted her lips with her tongue before taking a sip, pairing the wine perfectly with the meal.

At that moment, Lane seemed to remember something and put down her fork.

“Oh right—Linze seemed to be having some trouble with a business partner.”

"Trouble? I haven't heard anything else."

“It feels like he’s gotten involved with the wrong people. He also mentioned that strange things keep happening at the vineyard.”

"I'll send someone. Thanks for alerting me.”

Mr. Linze wouldn’t have told her because he didn’t want to bother her. Perhaps he thought he could handle it by himself.

Witney smiled reassuringly at Rene.

“I looked into it, but if someone’s behind this, they’re being incredibly subtle about it.”

"If you say so, then it’s likely one of the capital investors he mentioned.”

Witney narrowed her eyes as she chewed on the crisp lettuce of her salad. It seemed like the first thing to do was deal with this.

‘I’ll have to contact the information broker tomorrow.’

If problems arose in the wine business, it would be a serious issue. Now that the royal family was involved, any failure would directly impact Cheston. There was no telling when His Majesty the King might decide to withdraw his support, leaving them vulnerable to the consequences.

"But are you really sure about this?”

“Yes. However, if Sir Zegmon is officially hired at the duke’s estate, he’ll have quite a lot to do for the time being. He’s the only knight we have so far.”

"That won’t be a problem. I may not look like it, but I’m strong enough to handle several men on my own.”

"That's a relief. I'll try to recruit more knights as soon as possible.”

The dinner was filled with conversations. Suddenly, Rene’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she turned to Whitney.

"So did you meet the angel who came looking for you, Your Grace?"

"Serene!"

"Pfft—"

If not for her remark, it would have been a perfectly peaceful evening.

***

Carl couldn’t contain his anger. How could they push forward with this without so much as a word to him? Without hesitation, he headed straight for the queen’s palace, where his mother resided.

The restoration of the burned garden was still underway, but his mother had left the main palace the moment Cheston’s actions took a sudden turn. Carl’s footsteps grew faster and heavier with each passing moment.

‘My child! A woman carrying the royal bloodline…!’

He trembled with rage at his mother’s unilateral actions. Just like that day when he had nearly d*ed—she had acted without telling him a thing.

Carl flung the door open. The queen, unfazed, continued listening to her attendant’s report. Without even sparing him a glance, she raised a hand, signalling him to wait.

"I'll listen to the rest later."

“Understood.”

As the servant left, her mother’s gentle eyes immediately changed. Her sharp, slanted eyes flicked over Carl as she leisurely fanned herself. Carl’s gaze followed the slow fluttering of the fan, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths as he struggled to rein in his anger.

"Why didn't you tell me?! You knew that woman—Maurice—was carrying my child, didn’t you?!”

"Carl."

The queen's voice dropped to a low, chilling tone. The graceful movement of her fan suddenly ceased, and she frowned, her expression darkening as she issued a warning.

“Lower your voice. Unless you want everyone to know, you have to do well in keeping your mouth shut. Did it never cross your mind that I kept it from you precisely because I knew you’d react like this? How little you understand your own mother.”

She tapped the armrest with her closed fan, her gaze sharp and unwavering. Carl felt a chill run down his spine.

“Do you intend to ruin everything by letting Princess Violet find out? Is it really worth all this fuss just because some lowborn woman is carrying your child? And to think you came running straight here, just like you did with Cheston.”

Carl clenched his fists. He couldn’t stand her dismissive tone. But no matter how ruthless she was, would she really go so far as to eliminate his own child? That—he could never allow.

"If Princess Violet can't bear a son, then shouldn't we at least have the son of a commoner? Mother, you know better than anyone that having an heir means having power. I can't abandon that child."

“Yes, there’s always an ‘if’. That is why I will save the child. There’s no need to keep the mother alive, is there? Look at Cheston—having weaknesses only brings trouble. I will take the child and raise him.”

“If that becomes known, everyone will condemn us. They’ll seize the opportunity to tear me apart! How could you even think of such a thing, Mother…?!”

“...Well, I see things differently. If Princess Violet can’t bear a child, we can simply make it seem as if she did.”

Carl couldn’t help but laugh at his mother’s way of thinking. It seemed she had completely lost her mind, coming up with ideas no one else would even dare to consider. However, Carl had no intention of opposing her.

Just as his mother had said, Maurice would only become an obstacle. If something was destined to be a weakness, it should never have been created in the first place.

"As Mother said, all I need is a child.”

***

A few days later, the capital was full of talks about the Orléans Family. The rumors about the angel spread throughout the duke's estate. And it was all because of a single remark from Rene.

‘She’s really impossible.’

Everyone was clearly seizing the opportunity to tease Whitney. She had to hear the word ‘Angel’ all day long.

It didn’t take her long to figure out who Rene’s so-called angel was, but the moment her face flushed red, everyone let out a short gasp of surprise.

“Oh my, Your Grace, it seems the angel left you a newspaper.”

“...There’s no need for even the nanny to tease me.”

She shook her head and took the newspaper. Margaret agreed, saying that Cheston deserved to be called an angel based on his appearance. It wasn’t just her—everyone in the duke’s estate immediately thought of Cheston at Rene’s words and nodded in agreement.

Whitney's face flushed when she thought of that evening.

"More than that, everyone is in the festive mood."

Whitney Orléans, now the head of the family, uncovered not only the unjust d*ath of the late Duke but also the truth behind the wrongful d*aths of many others!

[Louise Anne is scheduled to be executed during the day, and her daughter, Maurice, has been sentenced to life in prison.

The mother and daughter continued to plead their innocence until the end, showing no remorse toward the victims’ families. The unexpected change in the initial ruling has sparked discussions among the nobles, but Chief Judge Renoto has remained silent on the matter.

Rumors suggest that Renoto may have altered his decision due to external influence.

However, the majority believe that the punishment given to the two women was justified.]

Whitney closed the newspaper. The mention of external influence was likely referring to Cheston, but it seemed they couldn’t address it directly.

After all, if they did, Her Highness the Queen would also be exposed, so they must have been careful.

‘But didn’t she dislike Maurice?’

She suddenly wondered why the queen had changed her mind. Hadn’t she openly disregarded Maurice before? Whitney needed to find out what kind of deal had taken place between the queen and Maurice. Otherwise, these unsettling feelings wouldn’t go away.

"Do you have any concerns?"

“Hmm, there’s something that doesn’t quite add up. It seems like the fastest way to get answers is to go to the royal palace… I’m considering sending a letter to Prince Cheston.”

Of course, meeting him wasn’t her true objective, but if she went to the royal palace, there was a chance she would run into them. After much deliberation, Whitney finally began writing the letter she would send to Cheston.

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door, and Sheila entered. She exchanged a glance with Margaret before turning her gaze to Whitney.

“Yes, His Highness Prince Cheston is indeed an angel. He’s so beautiful that anyone would acknowledge it at first sight. Your Grace probably knows that better than anyone here.”

“Pfft—Your Grace, please. I only came to deliver this. A letter has arrived from the royal palace.”

Lies. She’s holding back her laughter.

Running her hand through her hair, Whitney took the letter. 

“...A letter?"

"Yes, It seems to be an invitation. Princess Violet has requested a meeting with you.”

Whitney had expected it to be from either Prince Cheston or the enraged queen. But the unexpected ender made her halt. She turned to Sheila and asked.

“…Me?"

Witney narrowed her eyes. She had a bad feeling about Princess Violet.

‘The last time I saw her was after the banquet incident…’

Violet had shown interest in Cheston. Perhaps, she, too, felt like she was missing something and wanted to probe Whitney for answers.

“Will you be sending a reply to accept it?”

“I have to.”

Though it was framed as an invitation, Whitney had no valid reason to refuse. It wasn’t actually an invitation—but an order.

***

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