Clue (2)

"Your father will be home soon so try not to speak of Ian and that woman. You do not want to upset him when he is proud of what you are doing now. Have you thought about which young lady you would like to escort you to the party? You must start thinking of who will be useful to you," said Layla.

Victor wondered if his mother didn't want him to mention Noelle because his father didn't know what happened to the maid. Wouldn't it work in his mother's favour to tell his father that Ian was snooping around? It might lower Hank's interest in Ian, something Layla wanted to happen.

"I cannot think of a woman now-"

"You must. Ian is prancing around with Scarlet. You must find someone to compete with that. I hear that the princess was seen with Scarlet. There are rumours that the princess is not living in the palace. She would make a good bride for you," Layla considered.

Layla's only concern was why the princess wasn't in the palace.