As the tea parties and sledding competitions passed, winter in Olstein deepened, and Amelia’s range of activities, previously confined to the crown princess’s mansion, slightly expanded. Sometimes, she walked through the central garden, or like today, toured various parts of the castle open to foreign nobles with Philip.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the exhibition hall.”

Philip looked around the taxidermy exhibits of elk heads, bear and snow leopard skins, and sable mounts, recalling how he had visited as a child, led by his father.

There seemed to be hundreds of animal mounts and hunting trophies in the exhibition hall. He had learned that hunting, as part of military training, was very important in Olstein, which had always focused on cultivating combat power.

When Philip explained this, Amelia responded weakly, agreeing but with eyes that seemed to be gazing far off into the distance.

Although Amelia had initially shown interest in Olstein’s wildlife after hearing about the exhibition hall, she seemed more distracted as time passed.

“Amelia, I’m sorry about the last party.”

Philip, sensing something, apologized as they left the exhibition hall.

“What for?”

“For making you leave early. I was gone for too long…”

Amelia widened her eyes and asked, “Leave early?” Philip, not understanding why she focused on that word, explained that Crown Prince Josef had told him so.

“…His Highness?”

“Yes… why?”

“…”

Amelia fell silent, her expression now one of confusion. Philip, noticing something different about her, felt a tinge of anxiety. Was she really that upset?

It had all started when he briefly stepped away from the dinner room. As he crossed the hall, a group of ladies, whose names and faces he didn’t know, suddenly surrounded him.

An older, middle-aged woman spoke first, and then they all bombarded him with awkward questions about marriage plans, not letting him go. Having been raised in the formal culture of Sarnica, Philip was extremely flustered by the free-spirited atmosphere of a party filled with nobles from various countries.

By the time he managed to make excuses and escape, Amelia had already disappeared. If he hadn’t run into the crown prince, who told him she had left, he would have searched the garden of the mansion.

“…Did something happen then?”

Even when Philip asked, she just shook her head, saying it was nothing. Amelia remained silent until they parted ways at the intersection of the corridors, lined with solemn murals.

* * *

How much of me does Amelia occupy?’

As Philip thought the sky seemed to have grown a bit cloudy, he headed toward the Sarnica embassy.

Until a few months ago, he hadn’t thought for a moment that he would stay in Olstein for so long. If it weren’t for Amelia, he would have stayed in Brienne until the last moment before returning to Sarnica, as he always did.

Philip had visited Brienne every year under various pretexts. At first, he claimed it was because he was fascinated by the sea. Then, he said he wanted to see the trade ships. By the time he was old enough to realize that living on a massive island made such claims nonsensical, he stubbornly stayed in Brienne, even complaining that returning to Sarnica was too bothersome.

“Hello, Philip Clavier.”

From the moment that fairy-like little girl had said his name, Philip had adored her. Everything in Brienne, where Amelia lived, seemed like heaven.

Amelia, who fluttered around the Brienne castle like a butterfly with a big ribbon in her hair. Amelia, who waved from a cliff overlooking the harbor whenever Philip returned to Sarnica. Amelia’s tiny footprints on the endless sandy beaches. Her serene profile as the red glow of the sunset spread.

The reason Philip stayed in Brienne was that Amelia was there. He had been happy to inherit a diplomatic position because it meant he could see Amelia more often. The reason he respected Duke Leonid was also because Amelia deeply loved her father.

Everything began with Amelia.

“I need to go to Olstein.”

Philip followed her to the empire without hesitation, as she was naturally present in his past, present, and future. He was even a little pleased that Amelia was leaving Brienne. It might be his chance to be her number one.

And how naive that thought was…

“…”

With a heavy heart, Philip entered the embassy. He blamed himself for his arrogance, thinking that just watching Amelia from the sidelines would be enough to satisfy him.

Some things can’t be achieved through romantic wishes like prayers to the gods or wishes upon stars.

Even for a noble raised with the finest education, first love taught an equal and unrelenting lesson in unfairness.

This won’t do.

* * *

“Mother.”

“You’re here?”

His mother, who greeted Philip’s arrival with a gentle voice, was sitting at the table in the living room, writing cards.

“It’s such a task to decline all these invitations.”

Though she said that, his mother didn’t seem too displeased. Ever since she began searching for a bride for Philip, the arrival of party invitations had brought her a subtle sense of pride.

“Your father even said marrying into the imperial nobility might be a good idea…”

“Mother.”

Philip interrupted her and sat on the couch across from her.

“There’s something I need to say regarding marriage.”

“Oh my, what could it be? Have you finally found a lady you like?”

His mother’s plump cheeks lifted slightly with anticipation. But Philip’s next words did nothing to meet that expectation.

“Please don’t arrange any more matches… at least for the time being.”

“Why?”

“You know that I love Amelia.”

Philip’s mother looked at him with a sympathetic gaze and smiled kindly as she listened to his earnest tone.

“I’m well aware of that, Philip.”

“…”

“And I also know that your father doesn’t approve of her.”

“That’s because, Mother,” Philip stood up abruptly, “it’s because of the situation Amelia is in. If she had stayed in Brienne, Father would have accepted her.”

His mother, with her elegantly styled golden hair, slightly darker than Philip’s, remained silent, but her expression did not show any agreement with his defense of Amelia.

“Do you really believe that?”

Her voice was soft yet carried the firm tone typical of the Countess of Clavier. Normally, Philip would have calmed down under that authoritative gaze, but not today.

“…What do you mean by that?”

His mother walked over and met his eyes directly.

“Philip, the heir of the Clavier family must become a diplomat for Sarnica.”

“…”

“Isn’t that your dream?”

“My dream,” Philip’s voice grew intense, “being a diplomat is something I can achieve through my own efforts. Being with Amelia is also my dream. Just as my profession is both the goal of the family and mine, can’t Amelia also be a part of that?”

“Your father doesn’t think so.”

His mother’s words made Philip’s expression harden.

“The Clavier family isn’t as old as the title we’ve received,” his mother said with a sigh. Philip was well aware of this fact. The Clavier family’s ability to hold power beyond an earldom in Sarnica was due to his maternal grandmother’s promise of inheriting substantial land after his birth.

His mother’s family holding a high position in Sarnica was their one true advantage.

“Right now, with all the political turmoil, diplomats are treated as more than just messengers. But your father is aiming for something higher.”

“…”

“To achieve that, we must compete with the high-ranking nobles of the royal family. The Clavier family doesn’t have the same backing as they do. Fortunately, His Highness holds your father in high regard, and the Crown Prince also thinks highly of you.”

In other words, Philip’s marriage must be with someone whose family can support the Claviers. A princess from a duchy in the corner of the continent, let alone a hostage under the imperial governor, wouldn’t satisfy his father.

The silence in the embassy’s reception room was heavy, matching the cold atmosphere.

“I just want to make Amelia happy,” Philip said, his tone sorrowful.

In Philip’s world, Amelia deserved to be loved. Even within the Clavier family, she should receive everyone’s affection and be welcomed as a noble lady.

“You’re lucky to have your mother,” Amelia had once said. “I don’t even know what my mother looked like, so I can’t even miss her.”

Philip remembered the sad, lonely voice Amelia had spoken in when he asked about the absence of any portraits of her late mother in Brienne Castle.

Even though they were young, Amelia seemed to carry a sadness much larger than herself. She had grown up enduring that sorrow, tucking it away in her heart. Philip wanted to be the one to bring happiness to her.

“Philip,” his mother gently patted his hand as he remained silent.

“A happy home isn’t built on love alone.”

“…”

“Think about why you’re able to be in a position superior to others.”

Without the documents proving their noble status, the Clavier family crest, or the lands bestowed by His Majesty, we’re nothing.

Her voice was as firm as her resolute expression.

“To deal with your father, you need a more concrete negotiation plan.”

Philip’s mother let go of his hand and turned her back, leaving the reception room.

“I have one.”

Philip, who seemed as if he would remain silent forever, finally spoke, his words heavy.

His mother turned back toward him.

“I have a negotiation plan.”

Philip steadied himself.

He no longer wanted to feel the way he did a few days ago when he had to send Amelia away alone.

He had thought of one way to change his father’s decision—the final negotiation.

“I’ll apply for Amelia’s asylum in Sarnica.”

“…”

“If the Sarnica royal family directly certifies her status, she will no longer be a hostage,” Philip said in a determined voice. His eyes gleamed like a gemstone polished with resolve.

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