The walk was pleasant. The lakeside was filled with daffodils, just as the chamberlain had once described to Amelia.

Startled by a grumpy swan, Betty shook out her linen apron, sending water droplets flying. They sparkled in the sunlight like shards of broken glass before falling to the ground.

“Did it scare you?”

“I’m fine now.”

Betty explained that she was less scared of the bird itself and more startled by how it seemed to pull her toward the lake.

“Betty, you can’t swim?”

“I’ve never tried. When I was younger, I was too busy watching over my siblings to have time for such things.”

Betty added that her constant worry about her siblings falling into the water had likely made her fear it herself.

“I think I’m much better now.”

She clarified that it wasn’t out of dislike that she forced herself to walk around the lake with Amelia.

“Shall we head back? I’ll prepare some snacks.”

At Betty’s suggestion, Amelia hesitated. As tea time approached, the path had grown quieter, but the afternoon was still far from over. The ducks waddling on the lawn looked so leisurely that she wanted to stay a bit longer.

“I’ll stay out a little while on my own.”

“On your own, my lady?”

Betty asked with a concerned expression, recalling the knight who had suddenly appeared and spoken to Amelia earlier.

“I want to check out that path over there.”

Amelia pointed toward a narrow path partially obscured by rose vines. The occasional presence of gardeners indicated it wasn’t entirely deserted.

“That path leads to the annex palace. No one should be there now.”

The annex had once housed the emperor’s consort, who passed away last winter. Although unoccupied, the gardens and buildings were still maintained.

“I see…”

Far from being deterred, Amelia seemed more eager after Betty’s explanation. Memories of Philip had surfaced while looking at the daffodils, prompting a desire to sort out her thoughts in the tranquility of the garden. Seeing her expression, Betty made a suggestion.

“In that case, I’ll wait here so you can come and take a look for a bit.”

“Will you do that?”

“Yes. But don’t be too long, or Helen will have to drink tea alone.”

Leaving Betty behind, Amelia headed down the narrow path, holding her parasol.

* * *

Compared to the earlier path, which seemed modest, the rose-covered trail felt opulent. Entranced by the blooms she hadn’t seen in a long time, Amelia soon forgot her promise to Betty to return quickly and ventured deeper.

A breeze rustled through the leaves, making the petals whisper. Amelia tilted her parasol back slightly and gazed up at an unfamiliar tree. Its small, white blossoms looked like patches of snow clinging to the branches, giving an illusion of winter’s remnants.

She admired the interplay of light and wind among the flowers and leaves.

Having grown up amidst mild sea breezes, she reminisced about the unfamiliar harshness of last winter. The sight of snow-covered branches had been fascinating yet alien.

Back then, she had assumed no flowers would ever bloom here. Every step she took seemed to confront her with something that hurt, making her fearful and resentful.

Yet now, just by lifting the shade and shifting her gaze, the scenery had changed so dramatically. Walking a little beyond the castle, she found everything waiting for her to be new and somehow comforting. Would the swans, patiently waiting for the thaw, have enjoyed today as well?

“…Hello.”

Amelia murmured so softly even she could barely hear it.

‘Goodbye, Philip.

I’ll remember you, even if we never meet again.’

* * *

Amelia’s thoughts were sharply interrupted by an unfamiliar man’s voice.

“Excuse me.”

Startled, she spun around. Her parasol slipped from her hand and fell to the ground unnoticed.

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

The man smiled gently, unperturbed by Amelia’s alarm. He was wearing the same uniform as the knight who had approached her earlier.

“Are you coming from the lakeside?”

“…”

“I was delayed by work and didn’t expect to encounter someone so lovely during my stroll.”

The knight spoke courteously, seemingly to put Amelia at ease.

However, to a lady left alone in a secluded area, he was anything but reassuring.

“You don’t seem familiar… May I know which noble family you belong to?”

“…”

“If it’s not too much to ask, may I know your name?”

The man took a step closer, determined to elicit some response. He appeared unwilling to leave without learning something about her.

Left with no choice, Amelia finally spoke.

“Please leave.”

The knight chuckled quietly.

“Even your voice is beautiful.”

“…”

“Forgive my boldness, but it infuriates me to think I’ve never found someone like you until now.”

Despite his flattering tone, Amelia found the one-sided conversation deeply uncomfortable.

Still, as she was no longer a debutante, it would be impolite to simply turn her back and flee.

While Amelia pondered her next move, the knight, perhaps misinterpreting her silence, stepped even closer.

“My lady.”

His hand reached out, nearly touching her arm when Amelia firmly intervened.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The knight flinched, his face betraying a brief flash of awkwardness.

“M-My apologies. I didn’t mean—”

“If you know it’s inappropriate, then leave.”

A low voice resonated from behind Amelia.

“Don’t you agree?”

Startled, the knight turned toward the new arrival.

“Your Highness.”

The knight quickly dropped to one knee, bowing his head. Amelia, still recovering from her shock, curtsied as well. But Josef ignored her, walking past to confront the knight.

“My deepest apologies. I never intended…”

“Look at me.”

The knight cautiously lifted his head at Josef’s command.

“Ugh!”

Josef’s boot connected squarely with the man’s face. A sickening crack accompanied the knight’s groan as he fell, clutching his bloodied face.

“……”

Amelia was so startled that she couldn’t even speak. Sure, it would be a lie to say she hadn’t envisioned such a scene, even for a brief moment, but she never expected the Crown Prince to actually carry it out. And in reality, far more blood had been spilled than in her imagination.

Just as Amelia was about to offer her handkerchief, the man staggered to his feet.

“S-Sorry.”

He mumbled, his voice barely audible. Blood seemed to continue gushing beneath the hand he pressed against his face.

“…I’ll take my leave.”

The man turned back the way he had come, his shirt soaked in dark crimson.

Josef, as if the man no longer existed, only checked that nothing had stained the tips of his shoes.

—

“What are you doing here?”

Amelia, who had been watching the man walk away, slowly turned her head.

Josef was picking up her parasol, which had fallen to the ground.

“I was out for a walk.”

“All the way here?”

At Josef’s persistent questioning, Amelia tilted her head.

“Am I not allowed to come here?”

“No.”

Josef nodded as he folded the parasol.

“Don’t come here.”

“Can you tell me why?”

Wouldn’t it be a shame not to let anyone into a place so beautifully maintained? Even the sunlight patterns drawn on the ground were like a painting.

“Does the reason matter?”

“……”

“If I say so, then that’s how it is.”

Josef frowned.

Amelia felt an odd sense of defiance. When faced with unpleasant situations, her usual response was to turn her back and leave. She often regretted it, considering it a bad habit.

But with this man, a stubbornness took hold.

“Give it back.”

Amelia took a step toward Josef, who was holding her parasol.

“Answer me.”

“It’s mine. Please give it back.”

“I’ll give it to you if you answer.”

It looks fragile. Josef held the parasol lightly, smirking. The delicate silk parasol could easily snap with a little pressure from him.

“……”

Amelia’s expression hardened. She could have easily given away any other possession, but she couldn’t bear to see Josef take the parasol that Helen had painstakingly crafted for her. Especially since she knew he was the type of person who might actually break it.

The more serious she became, the more entertained Josef looked.

“Amelia.”

“……”

“You have to answer.”

Finally, Amelia lowered her gaze slightly and spoke.

“…Fine.”

“What?”

“I won’t come here anymore.”

Hearing her answer, Josef unexpectedly handed the parasol back to her.

“Good. Take it.”

Amelia reached for the parasol in Josef’s hand. But even after taking a few steps closer, it wasn’t easy to grasp. Josef was slowly drawing his arm back toward himself.

Realizing she was being lured like prey, Amelia stopped walking. But by then, she was already too close to Josef.

Her vision was swallowed by the shadow cast by Josef’s height. Even when she looked up, all she could see was his face. The warm sunlight and the fragrant breeze vanished, leaving only his unsettling gaze.

“Why?”

“……”

“I said, take it.”

Amelia, suppressing her anger, stretched out her arm, but Josef’s hand, holding the parasol, was now above her head. Without realizing it, she stood on her tiptoes, and as she lost her balance, Josef’s arm naturally wrapped around her waist.

“Ah…”

Amelia tried to straighten herself, leaning against Josef’s upper body, but her movements were as feeble as a butterfly pinned in place. Josef used his free hand to grasp the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

Amelia held her breath, forced to endure Josef’s intense gaze. His dark, deep eyes were fixed on her, watching her every reaction.

When his eyes shifted to the corner of her lips, Amelia felt she knew exactly what he intended.

“Stop.”

She forced out her voice, though it barely came.

“You make so many different faces in moments like this.”

Josef’s teasing words flashed through her mind.

“…You’ve humiliated me enough.”

In the silent forest, their bodies were pressed together like lovers. Josef’s fingers traced the line of her jaw, his breath brushing past her neck and pooling in the hollow of her collarbone.

Amelia turned her head, closing her eyes tightly with all her might. Because of this, she didn’t see the silent expression in Josef’s eyes.

After observing her for a while, Josef finally let out a soft chuckle.

“Fine.”

With a low murmur, he pulled away.

It wasn’t until Josef’s arm retreated that Amelia exhaled a faint sigh. He placed the parasol in her hand and walked away without another word.

Left alone, Amelia sank slowly to the ground. Her trembling hand gripped the parasol handle tightly.