Chapter 8: The Live-In Son-in-Law
For nearly a week following her unexpectedly eventful conversation with Whitney, Meredia had been on edge, filled with irritation and frustration.
It wasn’t just the proposal itself—whose true intentions remained unclear—but something else had happened that had further aggravated her.
So, when she personally paid a visit to the Ringaarden estate a few minutes ago, the murderous aura she exuded was so intense that the maids greeting her could barely serve tea without trembling.
“It’s been a week since we last met in person, Lady Meredia.”
Just as she raised the teacup with mechanical grace, Whitney strolled into the garden with his usual enigmatic smile and seated himself across from her.
“If I’d known you were visiting, I would’ve arranged a more proper welcome.”
“Hah.”
Right beside him, a girl stood as if she belonged there—so much so that Meredia, momentarily forgetting her anger, let out a dry laugh.
“You really are full of surprises.”
The girl was dressed in a convincing maid’s uniform, but Meredia immediately recognized her.
Lunelle Misthylene. A knight cadet once ranked at the top of her class. Winner of the 138th Imperial Youth Swordsmanship Tournament, which had featured fierce contenders including princes and the Duke of Embergreen’s eldest son.
And yet, due to an absurd clause in her knight’s oath, she had fallen from grace overnight and become a tragic spectacle for the Empire’s gossipmongers.