Due to this sudden good news, the palace was thrown into excitement, with people running around spreading the joyful news.

Meanwhile, on the other side, slightly earlier.

Due to the sudden incident at the ball, Marianne had sent guards to investigate everyone who attended the ball.

This investigation actually uncovered several troublemakers who had snuck in, whom Marianne temporarily detained.

Time dragged on very late, and the nobles who had undergone repeated interrogations finally returned home exhausted.

The woman who returned home was still wearing that luxurious evening gown, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window in the study.

She frowned deeply, looking at the moonlight scattered in the courtyard outside the window, her face full of contemplation.

The man stood at the study doorway, his back leaning against the door, arms crossed over his chest, a smile on his lips as he watched the woman's silhouette with interest.

After a long while, the woman spoke heavily: "The development of events is completely different from what we predicted."

"I actually think that if everything developed according to prediction, that would be too boring."

The man said with a smile, "It's precisely because of the unexpected that things become interesting."

Her frown deepening, the woman turned around and stared at him displeasedly:

"We finally found an adapter, even if he was an idiot controlled by his lower half, we managed to fool him into believing it. The 'Witch' planted a seed in him, and we secretly arranged for him to try approaching Sophia. This was both a test and an experiment—I didn't hold much hope for success."

At this point, the woman's voice turned sharp:

"But everything was proceeding according to expectation in the early stages, only deviating at that point— Tell me, why was there no reaction when Sophia touched the mark, but instead Celitia showed a response?"

The man innocently shrugged: "Why indeed?"

"You're still playing dumb!" the woman shouted angrily. "Sophia doesn't have the bloodline you claimed at all. The one who actually has it is Celitia, right?"

"That's correct." The man's voice remained relaxed. "From a certain perspective, your plan also succeeded, so don't be too hung up on it."

"You knew all along?"

The woman became increasingly agitated, sparks flying in her eyes. "That means you actually knew back then, but kept it hidden from me all this time?!"

"You still care so much about it. Who Marianne's daughter really is shouldn't matter, right? After all, she could never become your daughter anyway."

The man sighed, several traces of grievance and disappointment appearing on his face.

"Always focusing your attention on Marianne day after day for over ten years—aren't you worried that I might feel hurt? Our daughter is still by your side. If she knew that you originally wanted to use her to exchange for Marianne's daughter, she might completely break down, don't you think?"

"Shut that hypocritical mouth of yours!"

As soon as the man spoke these words, the woman's body tensed and she shouted in fury.

"Whether you actually have feelings in your heart is something I can still tell. To you, we're all just objects for your amusement!"

"Ah, don't say such harsh things—it really would hurt my feelings."

The man's lips drooped, his expression feigning sadness, though his eyes remained crystal clear without a trace of sincerity.

The woman was so angry her chest heaved up and down. After quite a while, she barely managed to calm down.

"Also, listen to me—since you still consider her our daughter, you're not allowed to tell her about these matters!I don't care who you amuse yourself with, but don't you dare amuse yourself with her, understand?"

The man raised his hands in surrender: "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you, my dear Countess."

Glaring fiercely at the man, the woman finally exhaled deeply and brought the topic back:

"Forget it. Since the mark has already taken effect on Celitia, we can slightly adjust our plans and include her as well. The 'Witch' probably didn't expect this either, but it doesn't affect anything. If anything, having the relationship between Celitia and Sophia gives us more room to maneuver."

"Good thinking, but don't be careless."

The man said with a smile, "Unlike Sophia, Celitia's level of acceptance of that power might far exceed your imagination."

The woman's eyes narrowed: "I remember you saying she had contact with that power before?"

"That's right," the man nodded. "If you're too confident, you might fail spectacularly. Don't blame me for not warning you when that happens."

The woman glanced at him: "You'll have a way to handle it, won't you?"

"Who knows?" The man shrugged. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't."

"To you," the woman snorted coldly, "Celitia is quite an interesting plaything, isn't she?"

"You're absolutely right," the man laughed, pleasure in his eyes. "So I'll work hard to think of something."

With that, the man's figure dispersed like light smoke and instantly disappeared.

Staring at where he had vanished, the woman irritably pounded the table:

"How infuriating..."

At this moment, knocking sounds came from outside the study.

Someone called softly: "Mother, are you inside?"

"Come in." The woman responded.

A black-haired, brown-eyed girl pushed open the door and walked in from outside, her face full of unease:

"It's so late, but Mother suddenly called me here—is there something you want to discuss with me?"

She had just returned from the ball and was exhausted, yet her mother had called her to the study.

This was quite rare—there must be something important to tell her?

The girl couldn't help but feel very nervous.

"Sit."

The woman didn't answer immediately, indicating for her to sit in the chair in front of the wooden table.

The girl sat down as instructed, wringing her fingers and waiting for the woman to speak, her expression becoming even more anxious.

"Benita."

Calling out the girl's name, the woman turned around and sat down across from Benita.

The candlelight on the table flickered, illuminating a face similar to Benita's.

It was Benita's mother, Meilenn.

"I heard," Meilenn said, "that you have a good relationship with Celitia, is that right?"

"Lily and I are indeed friends."

Benita didn't quite understand why Meilenn would ask such a thing and looked at her in confusion.

"Very good." Meilenn softened her voice. "There's something I want you to accomplish."

"Eh?" Benita's eyes widened.

This was the first time she had seen Meilenn assign her a task, and she couldn't help but get excited.

Was Mother finally willing to acknowledge her?

"It's like this..." Meilenn's voice gradually lowered.

As Meilenn slowly explained, Benita's expression first showed shock, then resistance, and gradually changed to conflict.

"If... I want to become Mother's heir...?"