“What……?”

“Let’s run away.”

It was true that when people are cornered, they lose their reason. Amelia at this moment was not in her right mind.

“Let’s run away quickly…….”

“Mother?”

“We need to get out of here fast.”

She didn’t actually mean to run away, but she wanted to escape from this place that urgently. She grabbed Leonel’s hand and started walking quickly. They had to get out of this castle as soon as possible. Any delay and Raphael might appear from anywhere.

“Your Highness……!”

She felt the maids following her from behind but didn’t care. The only thought in her head was that they needed to leave right now.

“Let’s start moving.”

“Mother, you’ve been having a hard time.”

She didn’t want to show it to the child, but it couldn’t be helped. In fact, she was anxious. She feared that if things continued this way, she would end up spending her life trapped in this castle, just as Raphael wanted.

“It’s not that…… I’m okay.”

Thanks to the rapidly departing carriage, Amelia let out a sigh of relief. Now she felt like she could live. Just being in the carriage made her feel this relieved.

“Ah, right. Leonel… I didn’t really mean we were running away. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“I haven’t been out for a while and needed a change of pace…”

If she had really planned to run away, she wouldn’t have done it like this. Now that they were out, she felt alive. Opening the window, the incoming breeze felt so refreshing.

“Shall we stop by the dessert shop and then go to the merchantry together?”

“The Chester Merchantry?”

Amelia nodded to indicate ‘yes.’ The wind on her cheek felt pleasant. Just a few days of being tormented by that person had left both her body and mind exhausted.

“Yes, you should take a look at the magic swords too. I left them there.”

It was better to leave them at the merchantry for Leonel to easily find later on.

“I might as well do some shopping too. Should I buy some clothes for my son?”

She planned to do some ordinary shopping today. After all, she had accumulated some unused personal budget… Amelia spent her personal budget only on outings with Leonel.

“I’m fine……”

Leonel shook his head with a flushed face, and Amelia’s lips curled up. He’s so cute I could die. Those soft cheeks, that unique scent that only a child has. Leonel was her rest and her therapy.

“Shall we go on a date today then?”

“……Yes!”

When she first used the word ‘date,’ Leonel looked so embarrassed and happy. Now he answers with quite a bit of courage, which made her laugh.

“It’s incredibly delicious.”

“……”

Amelia couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of Leonel silently eating his brownie. A child was still a child. Seeing his eyes sparkle like that made her feel full by proxy. She should pick out some clothes for Leonel at the merchantry later.

How much of the personal budget was left?

“Should I order one more for you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

He says he’s fine, but why is he salivating again? His actions not matching his words were too cute, and she couldn’t help but laugh. It was pitiful how he tried to act grown-up by not eating desserts in the Grand Ducal Palace. It seemed like he only ate them when she was around.

“It’s okay. We have plenty of time, let’s have one more before we go.”

She wished they could stay for dinner… but surely Raphael wouldn’t be able to stand it. Strangely, whenever she and Leonel went out, Raphael made sure they had dinner together. And he always asked if the outing was fun. Every single time. Despite her answers always being the same.

“Jane, can you order one more? You girls can order for yourselves too.”

“Yes, yes!”

Girls will be girls after all. They all couldn’t keep their minds off the charming desserts. Amelia enjoyed the sweetness in her mouth too, but she stopped her fork to not succumb to the sweetness. If she got too accustomed to comfort and sweets, she’d lose sight of her goals.

“Do you want to go anywhere else?”

“No, I don’t!”

Thanks to Leonel, who always said he was fine, Amelia was busy looking for something new. Will she be able to meet the master at the merchantry today? Probably not, with Leonel here. It seemed like seeing the Master was the only way to soothe her anxiety.

“Shall we head to the merchantry then?”

It was the first time she was taking Leonel to the merchantry. It was true that she had been avoiding it on purpose.

“When we get to the merchantry, I’ll change the ownership of the magic sword to you. You’ll be able to find it at any branch of the empire.”

Not that it would happen, but there was a chance she might not always be by Leonel’s side. After all, it was supposed to be his.

“……I don’t want to.”

“Leonel?”

“Please give it to me after I become an adult, directly from you.”

Had she ever mentioned that Leonel was smarter than other children? And that he was very perceptive? The child immediately realized why she was saying this. That’s why he said such a thing. Don’t leave my side.

Amelia could only nod with a bitter smile. She couldn’t bring herself to voice a promise because she wasn’t sure if she could keep it. She would struggle to change the predetermined future, but she wasn’t confident that anything would change.

“It’s  you, Your Grace.”

“It’s been a while, Howard.”

Perhaps because they had bumped into each other once, the manager was excessively kind to her. Howard’s behavior as he led the way with a friendly smile showed no trace of his past demeanor.

“Did you receive my letter?”

“Of course, I did.”

Seeing his gaze linger on Leonel for a moment, it seemed unlikely that the Master would appear today.

“I want to show my son the magic sword. And could you bring some clothes that would fit him?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Ah, just bring all the design books.”

It wasn’t spending my own money, but spending yours. Today, I’ll indulge in luxury for once. They wouldn’t criticize her for spending on her own child’s clothes.

“We will prepare it right away.”

Thanks to the swift-moving staff, several racks of clothes were soon brought before her and Leonel. They had a strong determination to contribute significantly to the tightly packed clothes.

“All the items brought here are from the design book. If there is something specific you want, we can also make it to order.”

“I’ll take my time choosing.”

“It would be best not to touch the magic sword.”

The magic sword, encased in glass to prevent handling, was shining more fiercely than on the day of the auction. The sight was enough to send chills down Amelia’s spine, and she shuddered. In contrast to her, Leonel’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the sword.

“Shall I change the ownership to the young duke?”

“No, keep it under Mother’s name.”

Amelia was surprised at Leonel’s response. The boy, who had been excitedly looking at the sword, now commanded with a cold face and voice.

“Yes, I will do that.”

Seeing him quickly grab her arm and rub his cheek against hers, it seemed like the Leonel she knew……

“Do you see a style you like?”

“If Mother picks it out, I’ll like anything.”

Who could dislike a child who only spoke sweet words? She conveyed to Howard that she wanted a quick response. She hoped the Master would understand that she didn’t have much time.

“The young duke would look good in navy blue.”

“The material is velvet too, so it will be warm in winter.”

Today wasn’t about meeting with the Master; it was about buying clothes for Leonel, so she needed to focus. The problem was that any design she picked seemed to suit him. It was an undeniably selfish gene. Starting with Raphael, everything he wore looked good on him. That man would probably look luxurious even in rags.

“They all look nice.”

In truth, it was impossible to find anything that didn’t suit Leonel. She felt his small fingers grasp her hand as she pondered.

“Mother, this is enough for me.”

Amelia couldn’t hold back the moment she heard those words.

“Send everything here to the house.”

“Mother, I’m really okay……”

Ignoring Leonel’s protest, a broad smile spread across Howard’s face. He hurried to arrange the packaging, perhaps worried she might change her mind.

“Mom, it’s okay. I have plenty of money.”

“I really…”

She didn’t need Raphael’s money; she was overflowing with money herself. She had hooked a big fish — the emperor, no less.

“Then I will contact you as soon as possible.”

She was talking about the Master. Amelia nodded lightly, pretending not to care too much. The outing today was so satisfying that she hated the thought of having to return.

“Should we really just run away?”

“Mother?”

If she went back to the Grand Ducal Palace, she would have to face Raphael again. She wished he would ignore her as before… but now it was the complete opposite. The more impulsive his actions became, the more anxious Amelia felt. It was all the more so because she couldn’t fathom his intentions.

“Shall we eat dinner before going back?”

“That sounds good.”

The response didn’t come from Leonel. Amelia turned around at the voice coming from behind her. The first thing she saw was the familiar, unsettling pair of golden eyes. It was Raphael, who should have been at the Grand Ducal Palace.