Chapter 3 (Part 1)

It had been such a long time since Amelia visited the Birken household that her heart pounded with every step she took after getting off the carriage. Moreover, it was her first time visiting with the intent to confront someone, making it even harder to stay calm.

“Amelia, it’s been such a long time.”

She worried she might get angry the moment she saw his face, but unexpectedly, the Duchess of Birken was already waiting for her. Seeing her after such a long time felt incredibly welcoming.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. You seem well too. I heard you came to see Edwin? I was worried that you two had grown distant lately, but it’s a relief to see you’ve reconciled.”

Since she was there to confront him, Amelia felt a pang of guilt hearing the Duchess’s words. She felt a bit sorry, knowing there might be an argument in the drawing room soon.

“I just have something to talk to him about.”

She tried to sound nonchalant, but her voice trembled slightly.

“Is that so? Edwin will be down soon, so why don’t you wait in the drawing room?”

Fortunately, the Duchess didn’t seem to notice her uneasy voice.

“Alright.”

As she looked around and saw no sign of Edwin, her racing heart began to calm down. The Duchess led her into the drawing room and invited her to sit. As soon as they sat facing each other on the sofa, a maid approached with a tray holding a teapot and teacups. The maid carefully placed the teacups and poured the tea.

“I heard you’ve been nominated as a Crown Princess candidate? Congratulations.”

The Duchess, who picked up her teacup first, offered her congratulations. Whether Edwin had told her or not, even someone who didn’t participate in social activities like the Duchess knew about Amelia’s news.

“Th-thank you.”

Amelia could only respond awkwardly as she wasn’t particularly happy about the congratulations.

“How do you feel about it?”

“Well, I’m not sure. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Since she couldn’t honestly say she didn’t want to be the Crown Princess, Amelia answered evasively.

“I suppose it must have been surprising to suddenly become a Crown Princess candidate. I was really surprised when I heard the news too. I heard the Crown Prince and Lady Limerick were quite close, but who could have predicted she would suddenly disappear?”

The Duchess spoke with a bitter expression, sharing a different story from what Amelia knew. It was publicly known that the Crown Prince and Lady Limerick weren’t that close, making the Duchess’s words puzzling.

“As far as I know, they weren’t on good terms.”

“Is that so? From what I heard…”

“Amelia.”

Just as the Duchess was about to share something else she knew, a voice called out to Amelia from behind. Both she and the Duchess turned their heads simultaneously.

“You’re here. I’ll leave you two to talk in private.”

The Duchess of Birken stood up hurriedly, as if she were an intruder. Amelia said she could stay longer, but the Duchess insisted on leaving.

“It’s better for you two to have a cozy chat after meeting again after so long, right?”

The Duchess, unaware of the conversation that was about to unfold, seemed to think they would have a friendly talk.

But that’s not the case.

Since she was prepared to argue if necessary, Amelia felt a bit guilty. But she had no choice. Edwin had wronged her first. It was only natural to be angry since she had suffered because of him.

“You know why I’m here, right?”

Once they were alone, Amelia’s face hardened instantly, as if she had never smiled.

“Yes.”

Edwin nodded, indicating he understood.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Not enjoying arguments, Amelia was willing to forgive if Edwin apologized first for saying unnecessary things to her father. She thought he deserved a chance.

“Well, I don’t think I can say what you want to hear. Wasn’t it you who ignored my warning?”

But Edwin quickly squandered the opportunity Amelia gave him.

“What?”

‘Is he really trying to pick a fight with me?’

She didn’t understand why he was provoking her, but his words made her increasingly angry. Although she wasn’t usually quick to anger, she couldn’t hold back at this moment.

“Why are you doing this to me? We’re not close enough for you to interfere in my affairs.”

Amelia’s voice grew agitated as she finally lost her temper.

“I just wanted to stop you through the Duke if necessary. I thought we were close enough for that, but I guess I was wrong.”

Seeing his genuinely regretful expression, Amelia was confused about whether he was sincere or just provoking her.

“T-that was a long time ago. We haven’t spoken in the past three years. Don’t you think your actions are excessive?”

Amelia found herself more flustered.

“Didn’t you approach me first recently?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“I thought you were trying to ask me a favor at that time… wasn’t that it?”

“What?”

Amelia was speechless at Edwin’s unexpected words. 

‘How did he know?’

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice that you always hesitate before asking for a difficult favor?”

‘Did I do that?’

Amelia hadn’t realized she had such a habit, but thinking back, it seemed true. When she was in a difficult situation, there was always a long silence before she made a request.

“How did you know?”

“We’ve known each other for so long. Of course, I’d know that much.”

Edwin shrugged his shoulders lightly, as if it were no big deal.

At that moment, Amelia realized that being childhood friends had its downsides. They knew each other so well that he could see right through her.

“Why are you so surprised? Judging by your reaction, I think I know why you went to the masquerade ball.”

‘No way… ‘

Although she hadn’t told anyone except Mary, she felt anxious.

“What do you think?”

Her heart suddenly started pounding. Trying to remain calm, Amelia asked.

“You went to that filthy place because you wanted to lose your purity, right? Probably because you didn’t want to become the Crown Princess.”

‘How did he know?’

She should have acted nonchalantly, but she couldn’t. She never imagined Edwin would know this much, and her shocked eyes wavered with unease.

“Judging by your expression, I’m right. You thought I wouldn’t know, didn’t you? The moment you were nominated as a Crown Princess candidate, you decided to go to a masquerade ball, which you had never done before. What other reason could there be?”

“….”

“You sometimes do outrageous things. So, of course, I anticipated you might try something this absurd.”

Hearing Edwin’s confident voice, Amelia realized there was no point in hiding anything from him anymore. Their close childhood friendship had made them too familiar with each other.

Amelia’s face flushed with embarrassment.

‘I should have never come here.’

She felt more troubled than when she had come to complain. If she hadn’t come to see Edwin, she wouldn’t be having this conversation. She had underestimated him.

“Yes, you’re right. Now that you know the reason, please stop interfering.”

Since she was already found out, Amelia decided to be honest. Although she could no longer go to the masquerade ball, she still hoped he would stop meddling.

“That won’t do.”

“What?”

When they were younger, Edwin used to grant Amelia whatever she asked. So, she had hoped that no matter how much he had changed, he would still grant her request. But now it seemed that was just her wishful thinking.

Over the past three years, Edwin has changed a lot. She had felt it when they met at the royal palace last time, and she felt it again today.

“What’s your reason? Why are you doing such unreasonable things?”

“You don’t need to know.”

When she turned her gaze away, Edwin cupped her cheek with his hand, forcing her to look into his eyes. Amelia’s eyes trembled.

“If you have a reasonable explanation, I won’t interfere.”

“Are you really serious?”

“I have no intention of lying.”

No matter how much a person changes, their true nature remains the same. Amelia somehow felt certain that Edwin wouldn’t go back on his word.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants a pure woman as his Crown Princess, so I planned to lose my purity and disqualify myself.”

“His Royal Highness wants a pure woman? Where did you hear such nonsense?”

When she answered honestly, Edwin looked completely taken aback.

“I-I just happened to overhear it.”

“So, you’ve been looking for someone to help you with such nonsense?”

“Well, yes, but I wasn’t planning to give myself to just anyone. I intended to find a man I fell in love with at first sight.”

Although she had been truthful up to now, Amelia didn’t want to admit she had considered giving herself to just anyone. So, she tried to make her actions sound more noble.

“Do you think you can find your destined partner in such a place? You don’t even like the kind of men who frequent those sordid places.”

As expected, her lie was quickly seen through.

“Yes, I thought it was better to give my purity to just anyone than to become the Crown Princess. Is that enough? Now that you know the reason, leave me alone!”

In the end, she had to admit even the things she didn’t want to reveal to him.