Amelia carried with her an original sin.

She had thought so ever since she was a child.

Her mother had died because of her.

When she was young, longing for her mother without fully understanding, the servants never gave her a proper answer no matter how much she asked. Her father would simply hold her tightly, saying her mother rested in the sea of Brienne.

As she grew older, she began to piece together fragments of overheard whispers from the servants, who would occasionally murmur,

“If only she hadn’t been born…”

Her mother had struggled from the moment she became pregnant with Amelia, and there had been difficulties during childbirth as well. Despite calling for a famous doctor from another country, her mother passed away shortly after holding Amelia just once.

Her father had come from the southern kingdom of Kut, further south of Brienne. He had given up everything to stay in Brienne after meeting her mother. The two lovers had planned to live happily ever after in Brienne Castle, where the waves first touched the continent.

If it hadn’t been for Amelia.

“I can’t love Amelia alone.”

Her father’s voice, raw with grief, echoed in her memory like it was yesterday, even though she had heard it long ago. It was a confession she had overheard as a small child, peeking through a crack in the door, where her father sat in his study, as if choking on his own sorrow.

“I can’t love her…”

Those few words had engraved themselves deeply in Amelia’s heart. Though she had never felt lacking in the love her father showed her—not even once—she still believed in her father’s unwavering affection.

But her mother, her father’s one true love, had died because of Amelia. That fact was irrefutable. Every time her father saw Amelia, he must have been reminded of that, facing a wound that could never heal on his own. Especially in the early days after her mother’s death, it would have been even harder for him.

No matter how much her father loved her, and no matter how much Amelia longed for her mother, that fact would never change. Amelia had lived, born from the death of her mother, growing up while bearing that heavy truth.

The short line from the play she saw in the distant Olstein Empire suddenly brought all these memories flooding back. The weight of her guilt returned, and Amelia had only shed tears in repentance, hoping to lighten that burden, even just a little.

“The only reason you’re still alive is because of my goodwill.”

That’s why Josef’s words didn’t surprise her much. Because it was true. Amelia had always lived relying on someone’s goodwill, and that was how it would continue to be.

“I know that,” Amelia replied calmly. Josef’s expression remained stiff, as though still displeased with something.

“…”

Though she could tell he was annoyed, Amelia couldn’t turn away first in front of the crown prince. So, she shifted her gaze to a distant spot, waiting for the wind to dry her tear-streaked cheeks.

“How insolent,” Josef said, stepping closer.

“Don’t turn your eyes away from me.”

His hand gently caught her chin, forcing their gazes to meet.

“…I apologize.”

She wondered if it wasn’t more proper to avoid eye contact, but Amelia did as he commanded. Perhaps staring at Josef’s emotionless face would help clear her mind, as it was colder than the winter wind itself.

“You’ll be grateful to me soon.”

Josef’s fingers traced the edge of Amelia’s eye. His touch, moving from the corner of her eye to her temple and then toward her ear, made Amelia bite down on her lip to endure it. She wanted to ask if this was the “goodwill” he had spoken of.

“You’ll come to me,” he said, his hand dropping. Leaving behind those cryptic words, Josef turned and walked in the opposite direction from where Amelia needed to go. She watched him disappear.

It was only natural, but the fact that the crown prince’s residence was so close to the crown princess’s chambers, where Amelia stayed, seemed to weigh on her even more. She sighed as that thought crossed her mind.

***

“Lady Amelia.”

Betty knocked on the door. Amelia, sitting by the window working on some lace, turned her head.

“You have a guest.”

Betty was smiling unusually brightly. It made Amelia briefly wonder if this guest was for her or for Betty, as she asked again for clarification. Still smiling, Betty laughed, saying who else would have a visitor here.

“They’re waiting in the drawing room.”

“The drawing room?”

Amelia followed Betty down the hall. This was the crown princess’s residence, so she thought she wasn’t allowed to use any rooms other than her assigned chambers on the second floor.

“Yes, they said you could start using the drawing room and tea room now, especially since there’ll be more guests…”

Who? Betty laughed as she opened the door to the drawing room.

“Lady Amelia.”

A familiar voice greeted her.

Amelia stood still, staring at Helen, who was smiling warmly at her.

“Helen?!”

“Yes, it’s me, my lady.”

Helen nodded, as if to remind the stunned Amelia that this wasn’t a dream.

“Helen… How are you here?”

Slowly approaching, Amelia clasped Helen’s wrinkled hands. Though her face was weary from the long carriage ride from Brienne, there was still a lively wisdom in her eyes.

“Duke Leonid requested it of the crown prince. He said that with me here, you’d be able to live a bit more comfortably, my lady.”

“…”

“But I didn’t realize how cold Olstein’s winters would be… Foolish me, I didn’t even think to bring you a fur coat.”

Helen wiped away a tear, perhaps more sentimental than before. It hadn’t been that long since they’d been apart, but Amelia could tell she had aged a bit in the meantime.

“I’m fine… But how did you manage to come here, Helen?”

In Brienne, animal fur was considered more for carpets or blankets than for clothing, so it was understandable that Helen felt this way. Amelia wondered how Helen had endured the long journey.

Next to Helen’s luggage was a thick robe, neatly folded, as if to ease Amelia’s concerns.

“I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince sent it as a token of permission for my stay in Olstein. As we got closer, the weather became so cold that I had no choice but to wear it. But I felt so guilty thinking of you the entire time…”

Amelia patted Helen’s shoulder to soothe her self-blame.

“No, it’s alright. His Highness lent me clothes as well.”

“Did he? That’s a relief.”

“Yes… You’ve worked hard, Helen.”

Though she tried to smile, Amelia’s heart was in turmoil. Helen’s arrival brought more concern than joy. She couldn’t help but think,

“Even Helen has come.”

It had been easier when she left alone. The hardships she faced were a result of her somewhat naive determination to take responsibility for Brienne’s safety in her father’s stead. But others around her shouldn’t have to go through the same trials…

“You’ve lost some weight, milady,” Helen said, running her hand over Amelia’s with concern.

“Really?”

“You look like you’ve lost strength as well…”

Helen’s worried gaze met Amelia’s, and Betty, standing nearby, bowed deeply.

“I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for not taking better care of her.”

“No, Betty.”

Amelia shook her head, trying to deny it. She quickly thought of an excuse to prevent Helen from worrying while also not blaming Betty.

“…I think it’s just because I’ve been a bit bored. Since it’s cold outside, I’ve been staying indoors, and that must have affected my complexion.”

“You haven’t been getting much sunlight, then.”

Helen nodded, understanding.

“Try to go out more often. You’ve always enjoyed walking around the village.”

“I will.”

“Has there been anything else troubling you? The chamberlain said you could use other rooms in the castle now, and if you need anything more, they’ll send it over. It’s all by His Highness’s order. We should be grateful.”

“I’ll soon have reason to thank him.”

So that’s what Josef had meant earlier. But it didn’t feel like gratitude at all.

“They’ve been generous enough already.”

“Is that so? His Highness must be a kind person.”

“Yes… he’s a good man.”

Amelia smiled bitterly. If a small lie could keep Helen from worrying, it was worth telling.

“Oh, by the way, milady. The Levant is arriving at the port soon.”

The unexpected word slipped out from Helen’s mouth as she returned to her usual demeanor from Brienne.

“The Levant? Why?”

“The knight commander says Duke Leonid intends to offer it to Olstein…”

“Father…”

Amelia let go of Helen’s hand and sat on the sofa in the parlor.

“So, me coming here wasn’t enough…”

Helen shook her head at Amelia’s murmur.

“It’s likely unrelated. Now that Brienne has become a governorate, it’s something unavoidable.”

Betty, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, finally spoke up.

“Excuse me… Who is the Levant?”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry for leaving you out of the conversation, Betty,” Amelia said, looking up and offering a small smile.

“The Levant isn’t a person, Betty,” Amelia explained.

“It’s the flagship of Brienne’s First Fleet.”

* * *

The Brienne’s ship, Levant, was heading toward the port of Olstein.

Upon hearing reports from the coastal margraves, Olstein’s officials held an emergency meeting.

At the head of the massive oval table sat Josef, the Crown Prince and Governor of Brienne.

“Has a report been made to His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Not yet,” the chamberlain shook his head at Chancellor Konrad’s question.

“They say both Brienne’s and the Empire’s military flags were flying together on the ship.”

The knight commander added.

“…So they are offering the Levant to the Empire,” Chancellor Konrad muttered. Josef believed his words were credible.

The Levant was one of Brienne’s great warships, which escorted its trade vessels. With a navy experienced in long voyages and standing strong against any vicious pirates, Brienne’s maritime dominance was clear. It had become an unspoken rule that Brienne’s ships were not to be touched, and thanks to the Levant, Brienne controlled trade routes across the continent.

During the time Olstein focused on conquest, the Levant had been sailing far east of the Kut Kingdom, protecting Brienne’s merchant ships, and thus was unable to participate in the war. This was one of the major reasons Duke Leonid of Brienne decided to surrender.

The fact that the Levant, undefeated in naval battles, was now sailing into Olstein’s port with the Empire’s flag beside Brienne’s symbolized that Brienne was pledging loyalty as a governorate under the Empire.

Josef was sure of it, especially seeing the displeasure on Chancellor Konrad’s face.

Brienne was offering its warship to Josef, the Crown Prince and Governor, as a token of allegiance. Without having lifted a finger, Josef had achieved this significant accomplishment, something that undoubtedly frustrated Konrad.

“Perhaps we should start preparing to establish a navy of our own?” the knight commander suggested.

The chamberlain frowned at the thought. Considering the empire’s finances, the proposal of forming another military division was unappealing to him.

Olstein had hardly any proper naval forces, let alone a fleet. The empire’s cavalry had always been powerful enough, and with the recent acquisition of southern coastal territories and imperial ports, they hadn’t felt the need for a navy. Most resources were obtained through plundering, and trade was primarily conducted via land routes.

Thanks to Josef’s efforts, the situation had changed. Most of the coastal margraves were now allied with the Empire. In terms of territory, the Empire was at a point where it could control the entire sea route between Sarnica and the Kut Kingdom. However, they had no suitable ships, making it impossible to take advantage of this opportunity.

“We’ve only just finished the war, and if we establish a navy now, do you think the other kingdoms will stand by idly? It seems more prudent to focus on trade by using the duchies along the coast we’ve conquered,” Chancellor Konrad countered. While Brienne had generously offered their ships, the other imperial lands would not be so forthcoming. Whether for warships or merchant vessels, it was clear, as the knight commander had said, that the Empire needed its own fleet to dominate the seas.

The debate over whether to prioritize a navy or trade dragged on, but it ended surprisingly quickly. Josef’s one comment—pointing out that discussing hypothetical scenarios without the Emperor present was pointless—silenced everyone.

A major decision would take more time. For now, the ministers agreed to report the Levant’s arrival to the Emperor and send an inspection team to the port to formally accept Brienne’s goodwill.

“Your Highness, it seems we should offer something in return,” Konrad said, turning to Josef.

“Brienne has shown goodwill by offering their flagship. It might be a good opportunity to win public favor by reciprocating.”

“What kind of return?” the chamberlain asked on Josef’s behalf, pausing as he wrote the minutes for the report to the Emperor.

“As I understand it, when Your Highness visited Brienne, you brought the duke’s daughter here as a hostage.”

“…”

“Why not consider sending the young lady back to her homeland? A ship in exchange for one girl seems to be a highly favorable deal for us…”

Josef spoke firmly, as if declaring a fact.

“That will not happen.”

His low voice was calm, as though stating something obvious.

“Amelia will not return to Brienne.”

The ministers seated around the table remained silent, watching Josef closely. The chamberlain cleared his throat awkwardly, and the knight commander looked curious but hesitated to speak. Finally, Chancellor Konrad broke the silence.

“…Do you believe Brienne still poses enough of a threat to justify keeping her as a hostage?”

“Indeed.”

‘I can create the threat myself if necessary.’

Josef swallowed the thought, no longer wishing to speak. He seemed to withdraw into his own thoughts. Chancellor Konrad, who had served the royal family for a long time, saw in Josef’s eyes a resemblance to the Emperor himself.