But.

Adeline didn’t cling.

She didn’t avoid her gaze either.

From start to finish, not once did she lower her eyes.

That fact subtly shook Eva. The composure she’d believed she had cracked very briefly.

The attitude of someone certain they held the upper hand. That familiar sensation created a fissure somewhere in her chest.

Kailen had been like this too.

So she couldn’t stand that gaze—it was unbearably irritating. Was this because she was someone’s lowly mistress?

These two, perfectly matched…

Emotion surged up hot and sudden.

Even if her family had now dissolved without a trace, before their decline she’d definitely been a baron’s lady. 

Already irritated at feeling humiliated by Kailen—who despite his considerable abilities was ultimately common-born—now even the woman attached to him as his wife acted this way.

Her eyes flashed with fire. Kailen’s warning flew completely out of her mind at that moment.

“Do you trust your husband?”

The words came out abruptly. Clear provocation.

Adeline answered without hesitation.

“Of course, we’re married. If I don’t trust my husband, who would I trust?”

That answer scraped Eva raw inside. She twisted her lips upward.

“Surely you don’t believe the title of ‘married couple’ proves love? How well does the princess know her husband to say she trusts him like that? I can’t understand it.”

Adeline’s eyebrows furrowed very slightly.

“…What are you trying to say?”

Eva stepped closer like she’d been waiting for this.

“Naive princess. Your husband is a far more frightening man than you think.”

As those words ended, the air froze.

Adeline inhaled. This time clearly, anger crossed her face.

“…Your rudeness knows no bounds. Don’t insult my husband.”

Eva laughed. Like this whole thing was some amusing play.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Adeline said this and turned. But just when it seemed she’d leave, after moving about two steps she stopped briefly.

Without fully turning her head, but clearly enough for the other to hear, Adeline spoke distinctly.

“Miss Lorenz, since you say that day was a misunderstanding, let me say one thing. If a situation arises where you need to meet my husband officially in the future, go to his branch office building.”

Adeline slowly turned her head to look at Eva. Her gaze was calm, her emotions already settled.

“I hope there’s no occasion to see Miss Lorenz at my home again.”

With those final words, Adeline walked away. She neither hesitated nor looked back again.

Eva stared blankly at her retreating figure.

This wasn’t the picture she’d wanted. No scene of the princess crumbling, no sight of her desperately clinging.

Eva’s expression slowly twisted.

Until Adeline’s back disappeared from view, the fire in her eyes wouldn’t easily extinguish.

* * *

Finally, the day of Isabel’s visit approached quickly. Fortunately the weather was decent, so the journey wouldn’t be too unpleasant.

But Kailen, Isabel’s actual son, had a business trip scheduled for today. 

Actually, his schedule had been set long ago, and Isabel’s visit had been arranged around it, but as a result of Kailen’s business trip schedule suddenly changing, Adeline ended up greeting her alone.

Walking toward the main gate, Adeline had to admit she was more nervous than expected. 

Even leading the servants at the front, her fingertips were slightly stiff. So while trying to steady her breathing, a carriage stopped before the gate.

The carriage door opened, and Isabel stepped out.

She appeared to be a woman around fifty. Most impressive was how upright her posture was for her age. Her graying brown hair was neatly pinned up without a strand out of place, and her face had no overly decorative elements.

Soon blue eyes lifted toward Adeline.

Those eyes at least were the same as Kailen’s. That fact felt strangely welcome.

Though it was hard to say the mother and son looked exactly alike. Looking at each feature individually, they clearly had different faces. Yet the feeling remained. The degree of their resemblance maintained a subtle line difficult to explain.

Adeline stepped forward and showed courtesy.

“Welcome. After such a long journey…”

Before she could finish, Isabel moved first. She bent her knees without hesitation. And offered courtesy toward Adeline.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Adeline was startled. She reflexively stepped forward to support her.

“Please don’t do this, Mother.”

That form of address came out without hesitation. Rather, it was so natural that even Adeline herself was surprised.

“Come inside first.”

She led Isabel almost like an escort. An attitude that wouldn’t allow any more formalities. The servants dispersed according to instructions, and the two entered the quiet mansion.

Adeline guided Isabel to the family drawing room on the second floor. A space with wide windows where noise didn’t reach. As the door closed, the cool air settled further.

“This time I should properly greet you.”

Adeline said this and stood up. She straightened her face and spoke courteously.

“Originally I should have welcomed Mother together with Kailen, but I apologize that he’s absent.”

And she tried to bend her knees.

At that moment, Isabel firmly shook her head.

“Such courtesy… I cannot dare accept. Please don’t do this.”

Isabel’s words were extremely polite, but she seemed unwilling to back down.

Adeline straightened her body.

A brief silence flowed between them. Then the door opened and Mrs. Lien entered. She carried a tray in her hands.

“I’ve prepared tea.”

Isabel smiled warmly at the sight.

“It’s been a while, Lien.”

Mrs. Lien also greeted her properly, then quietly set down the tea and withdrew. Like that, only Adeline and Isabel remained in the drawing room again.

Adeline hesitated briefly with the teacup before her. Then spoke honestly.

“I wanted to meet you, Mother. But… I’m only meeting you now.”

The words that should have followed—“I’ve heard much about you from Kailen”—never came out. She couldn’t bring herself to lie.

In truth, Kailen avoided mentioning his own family. Since Adeline was similar in that regard, she didn’t particularly show hurt feelings.

Like that, family solidified between them like an unspoken taboo, and no one touched that forbidden territory first.

Isabel took a sip of tea. Slowly. Then set down the cup soundlessly.

“Your Highness will have no occasion to call me ‘Mother’ in the future.”

Her tone was neither cold nor warm. Just matter-of-fact. Like stating facts, without adding emotion.

Adeline couldn’t immediately accept those words. Why, for what reason? Such questions rose in her eyes.

Though Isabel’s expression in saying not to call her Mother didn’t seem to hold particular malice. No sign of testing, no sharpness of drawing lines.

Adeline steadied her breath briefly, then carefully opened her mouth. A cautious attitude like gauging how her single word might change the atmosphere here.

“I am… lacking in many ways.”

With her hands neatly folded, she lowered her head.

“I’ll work not to hold Kailen back. So please… let me call you Mother.”

Even after finishing, she couldn’t raise her head for a while.

Isabel watched this quietly, then smiled very faintly and shook her head.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“…?”

Adeline raised her head. Puzzlement showed plainly on her face.

Isabel didn’t avoid her gaze and met Adeline’s eyes. Her blue eyes were remarkably calm.

“I’m not Kailen’s birth mother. So the title of ‘Mother’ that Your Highness uses… I cannot dare accept it.”

Adeline lost her words for a moment. She felt breathless. “Shocked” was insufficient to describe it. She was stunned.

Adeline’s voice trembled slightly.