Chapter 31 – Extension of Expiry Date

A week before returning to the Kingdom.

For Amber, the fact that her return was near was a great relief. She had come to the Empire seeking a new life, and though she’d achieved decent results, she still missed the Kingdom. The homesickness, the wary eyes of rival factions, all weighed on Amber’s gentle nature. Most of all, with the Prince here, her original purpose had already faded.

“You can continue your research in the Kingdom if you wish, Amber. It’s absolutely possible.”

Professor Hesington said as Amber was writing her research diary. It was a sudden change of topic, but Amber’s response was mechanical.

“That’s a relief.”

“Do you miss the Kingdom?”

She hesitated at the second question. She could feel the Professor watching her expression. There was nothing in the Kingdom for Amber to miss. No one she cared for, no family—everything was just a burden now. Then, suddenly, one thing came to mind.

The sea, layered with memories.

“Yes. There’s something I want to see.”

A faint smile appeared on Amber’s lips and quickly disappeared.

* * *

Meanwhile, Dieldo spent his time hovering around Amber. Of course, Amber’s attitude remained unchanged. She still pretended not to know him and kept her guard up. Even the researchers seemed to watch his reactions.

Naturally, he didn’t just waste time. Dieldo started investigating the Empire’s power structure.

“So the young Marquis is a thorn in the Princess’s side.”

“Yes. She wants him gone, but for some reason isn’t doing it.”

…What’s gotten into her?

Petricks, seeing the Prince suddenly so motivated, responded with even more enthusiasm. The Prince may have grown up a reckless scoundrel, but he was clever enough not to ruin his lands.

Anyway, Petricks was secretly looking forward to what the Prince would do. The problem was, whenever Amber appeared, the Prince would drop all scholarly ambition and rush off.

“Amber. Where are you going?”

“Amber. About herbology, I don’t understand page 95.”

“Amber. Want to eat together?”

For example, like this.

The Prince was just like a big dog. Whenever he saw his master, he’d run over wagging his tail. Even if pushed away, he’d keep coming back. Anyone watching would think, “Aren’t you embarrassed?” That says it all, doesn’t it?

‘Is it okay to be like this when it’s not mutual?’

Petricks’s opinion changed in a single day, when the Prince vanished from Amber’s side. Amber asked,

“…Sir Arno.”

“Hmm? Miss Serentano, what is it?”

He’d suspected she had business from the way she lingered, but hadn’t expected it to be this kind of business….

“You’re alone today?”

He hadn’t expected that either.

Realizing it wasn’t just the Prince’s one-sided antics, Petricks was mildly shocked. If the neighborhood dog you saw every day suddenly disappeared, you’d wonder where he went, right? Of course, he hid his confusion behind a gentle smile.

“The Prince has another engagement. Did you have a message for him?”

That day, the Prince had left to make ‘plans’ with the Princess. Amber quickly waved her hands in denial.

“No! It’s not that! I wasn’t wondering about the Prince.”

A strong denial is a kind of affirmation. Skilled Petricks interpreted it accordingly.

‘So you were wondering about the Prince….’

The next day, Dieldo appeared before Amber and started bothering her again. Even though Petricks hadn’t mentioned Amber had asked about him. That was Petricks’s own little courtesy.

And before long, the Empire’s final ball approached.

* * *

‘…Did I pick the wrong day? Would the ship even leave tomorrow?’

Amber worried as she looked out at the rain.

The ball was both a celebration of their research success and a farewell party. The atmosphere was quite different from the Prince’s social ball.

When Amber entered alone, the dance floor was already empty. Elegant music, researchers and nobles chatting quietly. Seeing colleagues dressed up—people she’d only met in lab coats and tired faces—made her look around awkwardly.

“There you are.”

Lizbet spotted Amber and approached. Lizbet was an Imperial researcher and Amber’s roommate.

“It’s funny. We haven’t known each other long, but now you’re leaving. You’re not planning to stay in the Empire?”

“No. Not now.”

“It’s sad, but what can you do? I’ll just visit the Kingdom, right?”

Lizbet smiled and poked Amber’s side.

“By the way, about the Prince. Are you really not involved?”

“What?”

“It shows.”

“……”

“If I can tell, the Princess must know too.”

Lizbet turned her head. Amber followed her gaze and saw the Prince sitting beside the Princess. He couldn’t hide his bored expression, propping up his chin. He showed no interest in the Princess or the party. His face changed the moment he met Amber’s eyes.

Lizbet spoke with a laugh in her voice.

“See? It’s obvious.”

Amber was about to make some excuse when the Princess began her speech right on cue.

“To my dear friends, thank you for attending tonight. I am confident this research will open a new chapter in our Empire’s history. Of course, it will also strengthen our harmony with the Kingdom….”

Her formal, flawless speech was met with applause.

“Finally, I thank Lord Sperado for providing this venue. And also, Miss Amber Serentano.”

As the Princess’s gaze turned to Amber, others did too. Amber’s face flushed as she found herself in the spotlight, and the Prince, Dieldo, came forward.

“In the Kingdom, when honoring someone’s achievement, we exchange the cups of the most honored and the one who accomplished the feat.”

It was a tradition from the Kingdom’s founding era. The King’s knight, after returning victorious, receives wine from the King and is asked to make a wish. The knight asks to exchange cups with the King, and drinks the wine meant for the King, sacrificing himself. It was an act of loyalty, seeing through the assassin’s plot against the King.

It was a chilling tale, but now it symbolized trust between the royal family and the honoree. In other words, it showed royal trust.

“I will offer my cup to one of our Kingdom’s own.”

Dieldo rose and descended from his seat.

“He’s coming to you, Amber.”

As Lizbet said that, Amber sensed something odd in the air. No, it must be a mistake. Surely not?

But the Prince was already standing before Amber. Time seemed to stop. He spoke in a low voice only she could hear.

“Amber, your cup.”

“It should go to the Professor….”

“Even Professor Hesington acknowledged your achievement.”

Professor Hesington, standing at a distance, winked at Amber as if to encourage her. She had no choice but to exchange cups with Dieldo.

“Thank you.”

Dieldo smiled. Just exchanging cups made him look foolishly happy.

As the beautiful melody played, everyone toasted, led by the Princess. Dieldo also raised his cup beside Amber. Watching him, Amber felt like this reunion and sharing a drink in a foreign land was a dream. She’d imagined marrying him, maybe, but never this scene.

Moments passed slowly. After the toast, people paired off on the floor and began to dance.

Then Dieldo reached out his hand to Amber.

“One dance.”

She looked at his outstretched fingers. Then, through the sound of rain and music, a low voice reached her.

“I’m asking you, Amber.”

Why did that day come to mind? The rainy, peaceful moment in the garden when their lips met and hearts connected….

Dieldo seemed to remember the same thing, as he began to speak.

“I thought of you every time it rained. You don’t remember, but back then, you really liked me.”

He said such shameless words with a charming smile…. If she’d lost her memory, she might have been swept away by that face. And he wasn’t wrong.

“Today’s the last time. So I hope you’ll accept.”

Amber hesitated at the word “last.” Her heart sank.

Last time… She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but she was sure she didn’t want this to be the last time with him.

That’s why she took his hand.

Dieldo’s eyes widened, then he smiled. Maybe it was because that smile was so handsome. She slowly let herself be led by him. Standing together on the floor, feeling his large hand on her waist, she moved softly.

“You don’t remember, but… I was powerless and pathetic. Just a Prince in name.”

“Pathetic…?”

It was a confession that made her look at the powerless, pathetic, Prince-in-name.

He met her gaze and released her waist, letting her dress spread wide. He laughed softly, looking genuinely happy.

“I started thinking, maybe it’s better to just be a tool.”

“……”

“So I became D*ldo.”

He chuckled quietly at the thought.

“That day, I promised myself to serve the woman who bought me. You took me out of that d*mn shop.”

His blue eyes met hers. Amber wanted to look away, not wanting to see her own expression, but his next words stopped her.

“The one who saw me when no one else did.”

So, Amber herself should have said those words. To the man who saved her from a ruined life, who saw only Amber Serentano.

“Thank you. For giving my life meaning.”

“……”

This too… was something Amber wanted to say. She wanted to return those words exactly. She wasn’t the only one who’d found meaning—she’d been healed by living briefly with a man who knew only ‘Amber.’ Even though he’d hurt her again, she still, foolishly, liked him….

Their first meeting was impulsive, the next out of necessity.

He needed her, and she needed him. They had comforted each other. They shouldn’t need each other anymore, so why did they keep getting tangled up? Why did she keep falling for his tricks?

Of course, she’d known the answer for a long time. The reason they both clung so foolishly and messily was probably…

“Prince… actually—”

Just as she was about to speak, swept up in the mood, his body suddenly collapsed.

Amber’s face was instantly overtaken by shock.

“George!”

Just for that moment, she forgot to pretend she’d lost her memory and called his name.

Amber saw Dieldo’s face go pale.

‘What is this? What’s happening…?’

Honestly, he looked like he could die at any moment. Amber was terrified by that. She tried to hold up his collapsing body, but the weight was too much, and she ended up falling beside him. Still, she could only look at him endlessly.

Her hands trembled. The unbelievable reality unfolded before her eyes.

Guards rushed over and someone screamed.

The ballroom instantly turned into chaos.

Right in front of Amber, Dieldo lost consciousness.