Leonid began walking through the castle gate carrying a lantern.

He was worried because Amelia hadn’t returned even after the sunset had disappeared and the sky had turned dark blue.

Amelia had become quiet since the soldiers began searching the river, claiming they were looking for Josef’s body. Today, he had heard she had been wandering outside the castle since noon.

Leonid, who had developed a habit of worrying excessively about his daughter, decided to search for her himself, anxious that Amelia might have thrown herself from the cliff.

Fortunately, not long after he began walking toward the cliff, Amelia came into view.

“Amelia…”

And behind her was Crown Prince Josef.

“…Father.”

“…”

Although Amelia approached him calling his name, Leonid couldn’t respond.

He just blinked his eyes blankly several times, checking whether the Crown Prince before him was a painting or a ghost.

“Duke.”

Only when a brief sound, seemingly in place of a greeting, flowed from Josef’s lips did Leonid come to his senses.

“…Crown Prince.”

“…”

“You are safe.”

Leonid barely managed to offer a greeting. However, he still forgot to follow protocol. Josef didn’t seem to mind. Rather, he stared at Leonid as if he had something to say.

“…”

After looking at Josef standing before him, Leonid turned his gaze to Amelia, who was standing silently a little distance away, beside him.

With her head slightly bowed, Amelia maintained her composed posture without speaking.

“What brings you to Brienne?”

Leonid, after briefly looking at her, turned his head back to Josef and asked a question.

“Have you come as the Emperor of Olstein?”

“I am not yet Emperor.”

Josef answered as if he had been waiting for this.

“Though the Emperor is dead.”

“…”

“Coronation requires the temple’s approval.”

So, what was the reason Crown Prince Josef had rushed here before even settling the Olstein imperial family that had collapsed through rebellion?

“I came to see Amelia.”

The Crown Prince stated what Leonid was about to ask.

“…I see.”

Leonid nodded.

“Let us go to the castle for now.”

Amelia followed beside Leonid, who had turned his back and begun walking toward the castle.

“Father, let me carry it.”

Amelia took the lantern from Leonid’s hand and supported his arm.

“…”

Amelia’s face, briefly illuminated by the lantern, was slightly flushed.

* * *

Thanks to Crown Prince Josef’s sudden appearance, Brienne Castle was thrown into confusion for several days.

Leonid had to gather the soldiers who had been searching for the Crown Prince’s body by stirring the river mud with sticks, and he also sent a messenger to Olstein Castle just in case.

And since Josef, despite his seemingly fine face, had injuries all over his body and still needed recovery, a room had to be prepared by emptying the castle’s annex.

The castle employees, who suddenly found themselves having to serve the Crown Prince, were also in a state of emergency. They were afraid they might make serious mistakes before the Crown Prince since they had no knowledge of the protocol followed in the imperial castle.

Because of this, the maids followed Betty around, copying even the way she folded napkins, and the head butler’s dependence on Helen grew even more intense than before.

When will His Highness the Crown Prince return to the empire? The servants exchanged glances containing such questions whenever they walked the corridors, but they didn’t voice them aloud.

Because when the Crown Prince returns, he won’t go alone. He will take away Lady Amelia and the twins whom they had served with all their hearts.

Everyone shared the feeling that they wished this could be delayed, even a little.

One day, the maids finally couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked Betty. Has the Crown Prince held the twins? Betty nodded. So, how did he look?

Betty said he seemed pleased. Although Betty was the twins’ nanny and must have been present, her tone somehow lacked conviction.

Finding this strange, the maids pressed further. What did His Highness say? Betty explained again.

He didn’t say anything. Even when Louis and Julia burst into tears as soon as they were held by the Crown Prince and tried to go to Lady Amelia, he just smiled without saying much.

Is that enough evidence that he was pleased? The maids returned to their respective workplaces still unconvinced, thinking that the imperial Crown Prince was an incomprehensible and difficult person.

And they came to marvel that Lady Amelia, who had captured such a Crown Prince, was indeed an extraordinary person.

* * *

Just as Amelia was about to go to bed, there was a knock at the door.

“…”

Amelia got up from the bed and put on her robe. Usually, a knock is followed by the name of the person making the sound. For example, “It’s Betty, My Lady.”

But after the recent low, heavy knock, there was no such addition. She hurried to the door, feeling she knew who it was.

“…Your Highness.”

“Hello.”

As expected, Josef was standing in front of the door. He was looking down at Amelia in a somewhat hunched posture to avoid hitting his head on the doorframe.

“What brings you here?”

Amelia asked with concern. Though she was glad to see Josef appearing suddenly in the middle of the night, she was worried, knowing that his body still needed recovery.

“I wanted to see you.”

Josef grinned.

“Let’s go out.”

“Wait…”

Before Amelia could answer, Josef pulled her shoulder out the door.

“Where are you going? The doctor said you shouldn’t walk much…”

“It’s fine. We’ll just look at the stars and come back.”

Stars? Amelia’s gaze, as she was being practically dragged by Josef, turned to the corridor window. The unusually clear and deep night sky seemed to have captured his attention.

“Did you want to see the stars?”

When Amelia asked this, Josef paused and then burst into laughter.

“Of course not. I wanted to see you.”

At Josef’s words, which came out clearly without any evasion, Amelia suddenly felt warm.

* * *

“This is where I first saw the sea of Brienne.”

The place Josef had led Amelia to was near the cliff where the two had encountered each other a few days ago.

“…I see.”

Amelia had also spent much time here since childhood. It was her favorite spot among the hills stretching along the coast. With only sky and sea filling her vision, it gave the illusion that no one else remained in the world.

Now, instead of the sun and moon, large stars seemed to come close before her eyes. Amelia gazed at the night sky, which resembled deep purple amethyst.

Many people describe stars in various ways. Amelia preferred to be content just watching the twinkling of stars. While doing so, she sometimes felt comforted, as if the stars were looking back at her.

“Amelia.”

Josef was looking only at her.

“Louis and Julia resemble you.”

“…What?”

Amelia felt puzzled at Josef’s words. Except for the twins’ large blue eyes, it was difficult to find any resemblance to Amelia.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“…You’re joking.”

‘Is he trying to tease me?’ Amelia felt slightly annoyed at Josef, who was smiling. In her view, the children’s features clearly indicated they were heirs of the House of Restec.

“No.”

Josef, still with a smiling face, shook his head seriously. Because of this, Amelia now became confused, wondering if her judgment was wrong.

“The children’s surname is Przhemysl.”

Josef said softly.

“…”

Amelia turned toward Josef.

Her determination to be with Josef in the future remained unchanged.

However, Josef Restec would become Emperor. Because of this, the Restec imperial dynasty would continue to thrive.

Then what should be done with the twins? Louis and Julia, who belonged to the House of Przhemysl and received God’s blessing in that name.

Amelia’s heart pounded. Once again, Josef had simply voiced aloud what she was worrying about without first asking or listening to her concerns.

“That won’t change.”

And he gave an answer she hadn’t expected.

“What?”

Amelia’s eyes widened.

“Because you will be by my side.”

Josef said this and knelt on one knee on the ground.

“Your Highness…”

The face of the Olstein Crown Prince looked up at Amelia.

“Lady Amelia Przhemysl.”

“…”

“Become my empire.”

Josef’s voice spread through the quiet night sky.

“I intend to end the Restec dynasty with myself.”

His voice calmly enveloped Amelia, who stood frozen.

As Emperor, Josef would fulfill his duty only until either Louis or Julia became Emperor.

After that, Josef would pass the Restec family’s imperial crown to the House of Przhemysl.

Automatically, the surname of the family ruling the Olstein Empire would become Przhemysl.

“After me, the Olstein will be ruled by the Przhemysl dynasty.”

Josef’s black pupils, seated in his deep eyes, were directed only at her. Amelia saw the stars contained within them.

“So if you would become my Empress.”

“…”

“It would be the greatest honor in this insignificant life.”

Having finished speaking, Josef bowed his head like someone ready to receive a blessing.

Amelia couldn’t say anything. She tried to nod, but if she did, tears would soon overflow from her eyes.

It would be strange to cry in this situation, so she had to hold back. But contrary to her intention, she sniffled.

“…”

Josef raised his head and looked at Amelia. He didn’t smile even as he saw Amelia hurriedly wiping away her tears.

Instead, Josef slowly drew Amelia’s left hand and quietly kissed her fourth finger. His bowed face was as sacred as a knight making a vow.