“Amelia, are you alright?”

Philip, sitting across from her in the carriage, asked with concern.

Amelia weakly nodded.

Outside the dim window, the scenery of Olstein Castle’s courtyard slowly passed by. The white snow piled on the garden sculptures reflected the moonlight, making them glisten.

She didn’t even know how she managed to leave that place.

The shock of meeting Josef’s eyes had thrown her mind into disarray.

She could barely remember if she had greeted Duke Mieschko, how she made it to the carriage, or what Josef had said.

‘How foolish.’

Amelia let out a small sigh and blinked her eyes, still unable to focus clearly due to fatigue.

In the end, Josef learned that she had delivered her father’s letter to Duke Mieschko. The fact that Josef had appeared so unexpectedly had left Amelia in shock.

And as she boarded the carriage with Philip’s help, she had caught a glimpse of Josef’s face—he had looked visibly displeased.

‘Was he that bothered by the fact that I delivered the letter without his knowledge?’ It was just a simple letter congratulating the engagement.

“I’m sorry, Philip.”

Amelia gave a faint smile to Philip, who had been casting worried glances at her the whole time.

“Amelia…”

“I must have been really tired. I just want to rest.”

It was the truth. Amelia closed her mouth and lightly shut her eyes. She could feel the carriage gradually slowing down in the silence, its wheels softly rattling.

* * *

Two days had passed since then.

Amelia was staring absentmindedly at the afternoon sunlight streaming into her bedroom.

“Lady Amelia, an invitation has arrived.”

Amelia, who had been lying lifelessly on the bed, sat up with a start.

“Is it from His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Huh? …No.”

Betty shook her head curiously and handed over a card on a silver tray.

“It’s from Lady Marika Mieschko.”

“…Lady Marika?”

Amelia picked up the card and looked at the back. It was a simple invitation with tomorrow’s date and the address of the Mieschko estate.

“The head maid of the Mieschko household said that Lady Marika Mieschko will be choosing a dress for her engagement tomorrow and would like you to assist her.”

“…”

“She said that since you’re from Brienne, you must be well-versed in things like lace and fabrics.”

Amelia placed the card back on the tray and nodded.

“…Alright, I’ll go.”

Feeling drained, Amelia sat back down on the bed and sighed. Lying in bed all day had left her head foggy.

The night she returned from the party, she hadn’t been able to sleep a wink. She felt as if Josef might burst through the door at any moment, so she had stayed up all night, wide awake.

At first, she had been most afraid of Josef’s silent demeanor—the way he looked at her with that icy expression, as though he might put a knife to her throat.

The uncertainty of waiting had made her heart shrink with anxiety. She even thought it would be better if he would just slap her and get it over with.

But even after sleeping in late the next day, there was still no message from the Crown Prince. Now, looking back, she felt slightly embarrassed by how she had collapsed from shock.

“…”

As a a daughter of a ruler of a country, shouldn’t she have been more composed in front of the Crown Prince? That thought had kept her in bed, unable to face the world. She wished she could hide in a mouse hole, if only they made one large enough.

If someone had been by her side, they might have reassured her that the weather had been cold, that she had been nervous, and that she had had reason to be stressed, soothing her with kind words. But there was no one by Amelia’s side to say such things.

So, she was left drowning in this misplaced guilt.

“Lady Amelia, are you alright?”

Betty, who had approached her side, asked cautiously.

“You haven’t eaten since yesterday, and you’ve stayed in bed all day.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor?”

Amelia shook her head.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“That’s my job, Lady Amelia.”

Betty smiled kindly.

“Shall I help you change? It might lift your spirits.”

‘Do I really look that bad?’ Amelia fiddled with her wrinkled pajamas. Staying in bed while pretending to be fine was a bit childish.

Facing Betty’s concerned expression, Amelia suddenly felt guilty for acting so immaturely.

“…Alright.”

“Great. Take your pick. There are plenty of dresses that His Highness the Crown Prince sent recently.”

Betty led Amelia to the large wardrobe. A mirror stood on the soft carpeted floor in front of them.

“How about this one?”

As Betty held a dress against her, Amelia glanced at her reflection and mumbled.

“…My hair’s a mess too.”

Having spent all day lying in bed, her brown hair, which once had soft waves, was now tangled and flattened.

“It’s alright. I’ll tie it up for you.”

Betty, with skillful hands, wrapped an underskirt around Amelia’s waist as she spoke.

“You’re quick with your hands, Betty.”

Amelia complimented her, and Betty grinned.

“Maybe because I have so many younger siblings.”

“How many?”

“Nine.”

“Nine?!”

Amelia’s surprised expression didn’t faze Betty at all as she nodded.

“Yes. So I’ve gotten used to doing everything quickly. With twelve people, including my parents, just sitting down to eat is like going to war.”

“Do you have to take care of all of them?”

“Back then, I did. Now that my siblings are older, it’s manageable.”

Betty, who had quickly dressed Amelia while sharing lighthearted anecdotes about her bustling household, brought out a comb. Amelia’s hair gradually returned to its original shape.

“Your expression looks much better,” Betty said, looking at Amelia in the mirror with a relieved smile. Indeed, Amelia felt better than when she had been confined to her bed.

“You’re right. It’s thanks to you, Betty.”

“Thank you. I hope you’ll feel hungry soon, too.”

When Amelia nodded, Betty’s face brightened.

“That’s great! I’ll go bring you some stew.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Amelia smiled slightly as she watched Betty leave. After all the fretting and anxiety, she actually felt lighter.

“Maybe it was something I had to face eventually,” she thought to herself, deciding to accept it. There would be times when she’d have to deal with things she didn’t want to, especially now that she had left Brienne. There would be many situations she wouldn’t understand, and enduring them might just be part of her responsibility.

The same applied to Josef. This was Olstein, after all—the castle where the emperor and crown prince resided. Amelia came to terms with that fact. Josef was everywhere, and whether she waited or not, she would inevitably run into him. She would deal with it when the time came.

For now, her priority was to eat the dinner Betty was bringing. Amelia closed the wardrobe door, which was filled with things Josef had given her.

* * *

“Thank you for coming, Lady Amelia.”

“It’s nothing, Lady Marika. But… is there anything I can help with?”

Thanks to Betty’s care the previous day, Amelia was in much better spirits as she visited the Mieschko estate that morning at Marika’s invitation.

However, what she saw upon entering Marika’s bedroom, following the maid’s guidance, left her a bit bewildered.

Judging from her quick estimation, Marika’s room was at least three times the size of Amelia’s.

A massive bed large enough to fit ten people, wardrobes filling an entire wall, a strikingly colorful sofa, and even a large clavichord for leisure were all neatly arranged, with plenty of space remaining.

“I’ve never seen a room this big,” Amelia thought, admiring the intricate patterns of the luxurious wallpaper.

Marika sat on a stool in the middle of the room, resembling a doll. She was dressed only in a petticoat, choosing dresses as the maids brought them to her.

One maid brushed her hair, another held a measuring tape and pins, and yet another tied the ribbons of her stockings. Each maid had their task, leaving little room for Amelia to step in.

“I need your eye for fashion, Lady Amelia,” Marika said with a bright smile.

“I’m required to wear black, the symbol of the empire, for the imperial wedding. But for my engagement, I want something as bright and extravagant as possible.”

“Right…”

“If anyone could find a better quality dress, it’d be you, Lady Amelia.”

“I can certainly help with that.”

Amelia nodded. She had spent enough time at Brienne’s port, looking at fabrics and lace, to know which were high-quality, even if she didn’t know the exact prices.

“The Crown Prince said he’d cover all the costs, so I’ve only picked out the most expensive ones from the capital’s shops,” Marika said cheerfully.

“… I see.”

Instinctively, Amelia thought of Josef and struggled to suppress the anxiety that began to bubble up inside her.

“How about this dress, my lady?” a maid carefully presented a gown with a long silk train that flowed like a veil. The edges were trimmed with soft fur, giving it a lovely appearance.

“I don’t like it—it doesn’t have any jewels.”

Amelia had thought the dress might be too extravagant, but Marika clearly had different tastes.

“Isn’t there anything more expensive?”

Marika asked, sounding almost like she was pouting.

Amelia scanned the room. Her eyes landed on a maid who had just opened a box and was pulling out a new dress.

“Lady Marika, how about that one?”

Amelia pointed to an ivory gown so wide and full that two maids had to hold it up on either side. The bodice, decorated with small jewels, was intricately embroidered with lace trimmed in gold thread at every fold.

“Oh!”

Marika jumped up and rushed toward the dress.

“The lace on this must’ve taken a guild artisan a year to make,” Amelia remarked, admiring its craftsmanship.

Marika’s face brightened even more as she gazed at the dress in awe.

“Lady Amelia, really?”

“Yes, the length and the complexity of the design make it a rare piece.”

With the maids’ help, Marika held the dress against her body, clearly pleased.

“Then I’ll go with this one. Thank you, Lady Amelia.”

As soon as Marika made her decision, the maids moved in sync to help her put on the dress.

“Are you trying it on right now?”

“Yes, I need to show it to His Highness.”

The smile on Amelia’s face froze.

“… Is His Highness here?”

Marika, allowing the maids to dress her, nodded.

“My father said he’d be visiting on business today, so I decided to choose my dress today.”

“…”

“He’s in the drawing room next door, so please wait just a little longer, Lady Amelia,” Marika said, then turned back to admire herself in the mirror.

“… Of course.”

Barely hearing her, Amelia nodded, her mind racing to find a way to avoid meeting Josef.

‘Should I say something urgent came up?’

She had no prior commitments to use as an excuse, and she didn’t know anyone well enough here. Maybe she could pretend to feel unwell? But that would be rude…

No matter how much she thought about it, there didn’t seem to be a polite excuse to leave now that the Crown Prince of the empire was present.

“… Lady Amelia!”

The slight irritation in Marika’s voice snapped Amelia out of her thoughts.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Lady Marika!”

She must have been too lost in thought. Marika had already finished dressing.

“What were you thinking about? Let’s go.”

Marika walks gracefully toward the door, her shoulders poised. The back of her dress is as splendid as the front. The ivory fabric shimmers alongside her blonde hair, gleaming brightly. A maid adjusts the long, trailing skirt from behind.

“You look truly beautiful, Lady Marika.”

“You have excellent taste, Lady Marika.”

The maids, following Marika like attendants, offered compliments one by one. Indeed, this dress would surprise even Josef.

Josef…

Amelia gave a small shake of her head. She needed to stop thinking about him.

He might not even notice her, distracted by Marika’s dress. And even if he did, he might not care. Amelia glanced at her own dress. The deep blue gown was nothing remarkable, especially compared to Marika’s.

“Father, it’s Marika.”

As Marika spoke, the door to the drawing room opened.

“Oh, Marika is here.”

The voice of Duke Mieschko filled the room.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Marika spoke politely as she stepped into the drawing room. The maids stood back, leaving the door open, bowing slightly.

“……”

Reluctantly, Amelia followed.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince,” she muttered quietly, stepping aside next to Marika.

“You’ve picked quite a dress, Marika.”

Amelia lifted her gaze at the sound of Duke Mieschko’s jovial laughter. The duke and Josef sat side by side on the drawing room sofa.

Though he joked, Duke Mieschko’s eyes were warm as he looked at Marika. It was the gaze of a father simply delighted by the presence of his beloved daughter.

“I like it, Father,” Marika said, unable to hide her excitement.

“……”

The room fell silent. Amelia, fixing her meaningless stare on some part of the wall, realized the reason for the sudden stillness.

The duke and Marika were both waiting for Josef’s reaction to Marika’s dress.

Amelia glanced at Josef.

He was looking at her.

“……”

Quickly, Amelia dropped her eyes to the floor.

“It’s lovely,” Josef finally said.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Marika replied, pleased. Duke Mieschko chimed in, saying it suited her well.

Amelia looked up. Josef was still watching her.

His intense gaze felt sharp, like a needle prick. Amelia clenched her lips. She felt a cold sweat forming on her back.

“Why is Lady Amelia here?” Duke Mieschko asked curiously.

“I asked her to help me pick out a dress, Father. Lady Amelia is from Brienne, so I thought she’d have an eye for expensive… I mean, fine clothing.”

“Ah, I see. Brienne is known for its active trade, so Lady Amelia must have a keen eye.”

Suddenly, Josef, who had been staring at Amelia the whole time, spoke up.

“Then I should ask for her help too.”

“…Pardon?”

“I haven’t chosen my formal attire yet.”

Amelia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Come to my office tomorrow morning.”

It was less a request and more of an order.

“…Do you think I can be of any help?” she asked hesitantly.

“You’ll need to be.”

A faint smile lingered on his words.

With this unfortunate encounter, Amelia realized her suspicions were correct.

The Crown Prince could find any excuse to torment her.

TL NOTE: Visit and bookmark the story at dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and updates of its latest release.