Stella carefully observed Milla’s back as she walked ahead. In this place covered with cobwebs and dust, Milla’s perfectly neat appearance felt strangely out of place.

Occasionally, large and rough statues would unexpectedly pop out, startling her, but overall, Stella found Verdura Castle somewhat to her liking.

Amalrune felt more like a prison where she couldn’t freely go anywhere outside her room.

The mess could be cleaned up gradually, and since she was literally taken as a hostage, they wouldn’t let her starve.

‘Rudina, I don’t think I’m going to die.’

Stella wished she could write a letter to Rudina.

The room was as clean and organized as Milla had said.

Contrary to the terribly worn exterior, the interior was quite luxurious, with a canopy bed adorned with elegant curtains on all sides, a wide sofa and table that could easily seat five people, a vanity with a large mirror, and a dresser.

It was even more spacious and nicer than the room she had in Amalrune.

While Stella was looking around the room, the servants carried in her luggage, and Milla naturally directed the servants and maids. She seemed quite adept at managing the household staff.

The unpacking was nearly complete.

“The bathwater is ready.”

A maid, emerging from the door attached to the room, which seemed to lead to the bathroom, bowed and spoke. From the open door, white steam billowed out like clouds.

Perhaps life here wouldn’t be as worrisome as she had feared.

After soaking in the warm bath, some of the fatigue from the long journey dissipated. Stella sat dazed on the bed for a while, then suddenly stood up and flung open the balcony door.

As soon as she opened the door, the chilly air enveloped her, but perhaps because her body was still warm, she didn’t feel cold.

As the sun set and darkness fell, the outside scenery looked quite different from the daytime.

“Rudina must have escaped well, right?”

She kept thinking how wonderful it would have been if Rudina had come with her.

Rudina, who was very affectionate, cried easily but had a surprisingly positive outlook, would have quickly grown fond of this place.

She would have wandered around the spacious castle like a little puppy, saying things like, ‘Let’s decorate this part like this, and that part like that.’

Overcome with sudden longing, Stella touched the bracelet on her right wrist. The blue beads had cooled in the cold air. Wasn’t it said to be a bracelet that brings luck?

She thought she was fine as long as Rudina could live happily for the rest of her life.

“It’s cold outside.”

Lost in thought while looking out the window, Stella heard Milla’s voice from behind. When Stella turned around, Milla was standing there with a composed demeanor.

She had changed clothes, and the color of her dress had turned a deep green, making her look like she had transformed from bricks to ivy.

Earlier, in the chaos, Stella hadn’t noticed, but Milla was quite beautiful. Her dark hair and slightly dark blue eyes matched her calm personality very well.

The dimples that appeared slightly on one cheek when she spoke made Milla’s otherwise cold impression seem a bit more human.

“I feel refreshed and good. But what’s the matter?”

“I came to tell you about tomorrow’s schedule.”

“There’s a schedule?”

She had expected to be stashed away like an old sack of grain, given her status as a hostage, but it seemed that wasn’t entirely the case. Stella waited curiously for Milla’s response.

“You need to take your Bloodline Document and go present yourself to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“The Bloodline Document?”

“Yes. Along with the Bloodline Document you brought, there is also a gift from the Kingdom of Amalrune for His Majesty.”

The Bloodline Document was something she already had, so it wasn’t a concern, but the gift for the Emperor was news to her.

“I hadn’t heard about a gift.”

Stella was taken aback, but Milla remained composed.

“I have already received the gift. It was specially prepared and sent by the King of Amalrune.”

A princess sent as a hostage was required to bring one of her country’s treasures. Although the Credion Empire would keep the treasure during her stay as a hostage, from the perspective of the giver, it was merely a form of extortion.

However, for the safety of their beloved child, the rulers were willing to send their country’s treasures. These accumulated treasures filled the private vault of the Emperor of Credion.

“…I see. That’s fortunate. So, do I go alone to greet him?”

Stella hoped someone would accompany her as she asked. Having only heard ominous rumors about the Emperor, she felt anxious even before meeting him.

“No, all the princesses residing in the Plant District must go.”

“The Plant District?”

“Yes, this is the area where princesses from countries of the Western Continent reside,” Milla explained.

“So, all those princesses will present their pedigrees and gifts too?” Stella inquired.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Milla confirmed.

Stella thought that if it was simply a matter of stepping forward one by one to present gifts, it wouldn’t be so bad. She fervently hoped that the King of Amalrune hadn’t sent anything too conspicuous as a gift.

“How many princesses are staying in the Plant District?” Stella asked.

“Including you, there are fourteen. There are a total of eight districts within the imperial city where princesses reside,” Milla replied.

Stella realized that they must have gathered hostages from all over the continent, and there were quite a few. She wondered if any of the other princesses had been pushed into this situation like she had.

“After you present your greetings, a formal dinner with His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled. Please understand that His Majesty is incredibly busy and won’t be able to spend much time. Also, here is a notebook with the etiquette you must follow when dining with His Majesty. Since it differs from Amalrune’s customs, please study it carefully and memorize it,” Milla instructed, handing over a small notebook.

Stella took the notebook and opened it with both hands. There were quite a few pages filled with neatly written text.

“Is all this table etiquette?” Stella asked, surprised.

“Yes, this is for when you go on walks, this is for the formal dinner gatherings held twice a year, and this is for the tea parties and social gatherings held in each district. Once you master these, I will inform you of other matters as well,” Milla explained, stacking another small notebook on top of Stella’s hands with each explanation.

“Oh my,” Stella exclaimed, noting the many differences from Amalrune.

“Um, Milla. I’m really curious about something,” Stella said, tilting her head as she pondered. The notebooks piled on her palm had grown by two more volumes.

“Yes, please ask,” Milla encouraged.

“I’m a hostage, right?” Stella asked directly.

No princess had ever openly declared herself a hostage before, so Milla was a bit taken aback. However, she quickly composed herself, waiting for Stella’s question, secretly curious about what she was going to ask.

“A hostage? No, Princess, you are here for the peaceful relations between the two countries…” Milla began.

“That’s what it means to be a hostage. Anyway, I’m just a hostage, so why do I need to learn Credion Empire’s etiquette? Aren’t I just supposed to be locked up here, used for leverage, and then killed when I’m no longer useful?” Stella pressed.

“Oh my!” Milla exclaimed, genuinely surprised. Her previously calm demeanor shifted, her voice, eyes, and lips all widened in shock.

“Princess, absolutely not. I don’t know where you heard such rumors, but they are certainly not true,” Milla insisted, realizing she had gotten a bit worked up. She took a deep breath to calm herself and spoke again in her usual composed voice.

“Princess, you are here as a candidate to be an Empress, not just a simple hostage,” Milla clarified.

“What?” Stella reacted, surprised by the news.

“That can’t be. If it were such a position, they wouldn’t have sent me…” Stella stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing she almost revealed that she wasn’t a legitimate princess but the daughter of a concubine. She felt like she had narrowly stopped herself from running off a cliff.

Thump, thump, thump. Stella tried to calm her wildly racing heart.

“While it’s true that Amalrune is a small nation, our Emperor does not choose the Empress based on the size of a country’s power. So please, don’t say such things,” Milla reassured her.

Fortunately, Milla seemed to have interpreted Stella’s words differently.

“Thank you,” Stella said, relieved that she had managed to navigate the situation well.

“Thank you,” the voice repeated.

“Huh?” Stella responded, recognizing the voice she had heard earlier.

“What’s wrong?” Milla asked, watching Stella closely as she suddenly changed her expression and looked around.

“It’s nothing. I guess I’m just a bit tired,” Stella replied, though her eyes continued to dart around, scanning her surroundings.

“I’ll have the maid bring you some tea that’s good for sleep. If you need assistance from me or the maid, just pull the cord next to the bed,” Milla offered.

“Okay,” Stella agreed.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” the voice echoed again as Stella replied. She squeezed her eyes shut.

“Then I will take my leave,” Milla said, noticing Stella’s darkening expression and assuming she must be very tired. She quickly left the room.

Once alone, Stella looked around with determination, as if she had made up her mind. Being in a distant place seemed to have given her courage she never had before.

“Did you follow me all the way here?” Stella asked aloud.

“…”

She expected an immediate reply, but the room remained silent.

“There’s no one here now. You can come out,” Stella invited, her voice steady.