Having already guessed what Eglet might bring up, Jerron nodded carefully as he sipped his tea.

“Yes, so I’ve heard.”

“My, I imagine Meliover must be overjoyed.”

Although Eglet spoke Meliover’s name with apparent familiarity, the corners of her mouth twisted slightly, revealing an expression that did not quite match her words.

She raised her teacup to her lips, hiding her expression. When she put it down again, her smile was as calm and relaxed as before.

“There wasn’t any unfortunate accident, or injury, I hope?”

“The House of White has kept things extremely secretive, so it’s been nearly impossible to find out anything about the young lady.”

Eglet chuckled.

“That’s only natural. After all, she’s a sister found at last.”

She tilted the teapot and refilled Jerron’s empty cup.

“This tea is brewed from an herb called Avetus. In truth, in the northern empire, it’s infamous as a poisonous plant used during interrogations to cause excruciating headaches.”

“…!”

Jerron’s hand trembled on his cup.

“But isn’t it amusing? Brewed at just the right temperature, it becomes a marvelous cure for headaches instead.”

Still smiling, Eglet set the teapot down with care.

“How is it? Has your headache improved, Marquis?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m grateful for your generosity.”

She laughed softly.

“Generosity? Oh, hardly. It’s I who owe you, Marquis, for acting on my behalf—yet I have so few ways to express my gratitude. Still…”

Eglet’s expression abruptly hardened.

“You must make sure I never have reason to use this herb the way those cruel northerners do, Marquis.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With his answer, Eglet’s gentle smile returned as she rose from her seat.

She moved toward a golden blossom just beginning to bloom, tending to it with a watering can. The saturated flower bud gleamed, ready to burst open.

Yet a nearby bud, still unopened, was suddenly crushed in her hand.

“To think I’ve been so careless, letting my mind wander when such an important guest has returned alive. How thoughtless of me.”

Dusting her hands off, Eglet dropped the mangled flower to the ground. She glanced at the attendant beside her.

Immediately, the attendant returned with a red envelope, sealed with golden wax.

“Shouldn’t we extend the same courtesy to our noble young lady?”

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

Breti’s first night at the White ducal residence passed peacefully. Even Meliover, who had looked so frail and unsteady, seemed to have recovered somewhat.

Rising early the next morning, Breti dressed with Bagi’s help and headed downstairs. When she entered the dining room, she found Meliover and Karsten already seated.

Breti dipped the hem of her skirt in greeting.

“Did you sleep well, Mother? And you, Brother?”

She was surprised at how naturally the words Mother and Brother now came to her lips—especially Brother, which she’d once thought she could never say aloud. Yet here she was, the word now feeling almost familiar.

“Yes, did you sleep well too?”

Karsten didn’t reproach her for the show of affection—this was, after all, exactly the family picture he’d wanted to paint.

Still, every time she called him Brother, Breti couldn’t help the little pang in her chest.

“My dear, did you have any good dreams last night?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Breti offered a gentle smile as she took her seat.

As soon as she sat, breakfast was brought out and set on the table.

“Come to think of it, we’ve never asked about your life before Karsten found you, Laterna.”

At Meliover’s question, Karsten and Breti’s eyes met for a brief moment.

“You can speak freely, my dear.”

“Ah, well…”

“Laterna, what was your name back then?”

Meliover asked with a warm, kind smile.

After a long pause, Breti answered carefully.

“It was Breti.”

“Breti—that’s a lovely name. What were the people like, the ones who took you in?”

‘They were good people. They both treated me like their own daughter, and even more than that.”

“Oh, how grateful I am. It must have been so hard for them to let you go.”

“No, both of them… passed away.”

Breti replied, forcing a faint, bitter smile.

Noticing the look on her face, Karsten stepped in to explain.

“After the couple who raised her passed, Laterna was working at a nearby inn, Mother.”

“An inn?”

Meliover repeated in shock, as if she couldn’t believe her daughter had worked in such a place.

“Yes, as I mentioned in my letter, I happened to find her there and brought her home.”

“I see…”

Meliover looked at Breti with sympathy. An awkward silence fell between them.

Meliover was the first to break it.

“Laterna.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“Sometime, let’s go visit the people who looked after you.”

Thinking of her late foster parents, Breti felt tears threaten and forced her lips into a smile.

“Oh dear, I’ve talked so much I’ve kept you from eating. Let’s have our breakfast.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Breti bit the inside of her cheek to hold back tears as she picked up her utensils.

A little while later, breakfast finished, they moved to the sitting room to enjoy tea and pastries.

They were in the midst of pleasant conversation when Benon, the butler, quietly approached Karsten to announce a visitor.

“Your Grace, you have a guest.”

Karsten’s brows knit slightly in confusion.

“This early in the morning?”

“Yes, Your Grace. It’s the head lady-in-waiting from the imperial palace—Her Majesty the Empress’s Pophia Palace.”

At the mention of the Empress, Karsten’s expression grew even more tense. Soon, a woman entered the room.

“Your Grace, Duke of White, it is an honor. I am Laila Cage, head lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Empress.”

She offered a formal greeting, holding a single envelope in her hand. Karsten caught a glimpse of its colour and clenched his jaw.

‘That envelope…’

Before he could say anything, Meliover’s face lit up as she rose to greet the visitor.

“Countess Cage, it’s been too long.”

“My lady, how have you been? Her Majesty the Empress also sends her regards and wonders after your health. Are you well?”

“Yes, Countess.”

It seemed Meliover was well-acquainted with the woman. In the midst of their conversation, Meliover reached over to take Breti’s hand.

“Now that I have my daughter back, it feels as if all my illness has vanished.”

“Oh my, then the rumors about the young lady’s return… were true.”

Meliover gave a gentle smile, warmly cupping Breti’s hand.

“Yes, Countess. Our Laterna has grown up so beautifully and come back to her mother’s arms.”

“Truly, God has blessed you. Congratulations, my lady. Her Majesty the Empress was overjoyed to hear the news, and sent this.”

Countess Cage extended a red envelope to Breti. Staring at the mysterious golden wax seal, Breti took it hesitantly.

“Her Majesty the Empress has personally sent an invitation for Lady Laterna White to attend the upcoming Imperial Ball.”

At the mention of an invitation, Breti could only stare in shock.

‘I knew there would be a lot to handle… but an imperial invitation?’

Instinctively, Breti glanced at Karsten first. As expected, his expression was anything but pleased. Seeing his discomfort only made Breti’s own anxiety grow.

“The message is that Lady Laterna is to attend the Imperial Ball, which will be held three days from now.”

Not months, not even weeks away—just three days. Breti’s face drained of all color at the news. Karsten’s expression grew even darker.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

With a brief bow, Lady Cage exited the sitting room.

Meliover watched her go, then turned to Breti—who was still dazed—and squeezed her hand.

“My dear, we’ll have to have a dress made for you if you’re to attend the Imperial Ball.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“I’ll have someone come right away after breakfast.”

Meliover was clearly excited, ready to summon a dressmaker at any moment. But her enthusiasm was cut short by a single sentence.

“I don’t intend for Laterna to attend, Mother.”