“It’s absolutely impossible.”

As usual, Amelia, Leonid , and Philip were gathered in the drawing room.

Though the scene looked the same, the atmosphere was entirely different. Her father didn’t make jokes about Philip frequently visiting the estate, and Philip wasn’t smiling.

Leonid had an angry expression, Amelia, sitting diagonally across from him, looked uncertain, and Philip, sitting opposite her, appeared worried.

“Father…”

“It’s absolutely impossible. I’d rather go myself than send you to the Empire alone.”

The deep furrows in her father’s brow were rare and resolute. Amelia was taken aback by her father’s stern demeanor, something she had never seen before.

“But, Father… I’ve already told the Crown Prince.”

“Even so, it’s out of the question!”

Her father slammed his fist on the armrest, raising his voice sharply. Amelia flinched but stood her ground.

He said he’d kill Father.

She swallowed the words that lingered on her lips as she watched her father, angrier than ever before.

The Crown Prince had only said it as a possibility, but the implication was clear—he could harm her father at any time if necessary.

Moreover, considering how he’d tested her yesterday, Josef was already beginning to suspect that her father was plotting something. That was why it seemed more crucial than ever not to let him go to the Empire.

“…I can’t let you go either, Father.”

“Amelia!”

Leonid shot up from his chair.

“I’ve made up my mind… I’m going.”

“You stubborn girl…”

Leonid ‘s voice was filled with anger, but his expression as he looked at Amelia was full of deep sorrow.

Amelia bowed her head, guilt and frustration welling up inside her, unable to look at her father any longer.

“…Duke Leonid , I never thought I’d say this, but…”

Philip spoke up cautiously.

“I also believe it would be wrong for you to go to the Empire.”

“Philip, this is none of your concern,” Leonid said firmly.

“If the Crown Prince leaves Brienne, and you go to the Empire as well, Brienne will be left without a leader. We cannot allow that to happen.”

Furthermore, since Amelia had already spoken to the Crown Prince, going back on her word now might only raise suspicion. Philip’s advice was practical.

“If you care for Brienne, staying here would provide stability for the people.”

If both Leonid and Josef left Brienne, only the Empire’s knights would remain. Amelia recalled the soldier who mercilessly beat Jerome.

“I agree with Philip, Father.”

“…”

“For Brienne’s sake, you need to stay.”

Her father collapsed into his chair as if his legs had given out. He sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.

“…This is what I feared most. Amelia, I’d rather go to war than this.”

“Father, I’ll be fine.”

Even at Amelia’s words, Leonid continued to sit with his head bowed, hand still on his forehead.

“Sending you to the Empire alone… it’s as good as surrendering.”

No words seemed to reach her completely disheartened father.

But Amelia only grew more determined.

Yesterday, she had been half out of her mind, volunteering to be a hostage in fear of what might happen to her father. But after hearing Philip, her resolve solidified.

“Duke Leonid , are you aware that the Crown Prince plans to hold his engagement ceremony after arriving in the Empire?”

Leonid lifted his head at Philip’s question.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“The bride is said to be the daughter of the Duke of Mieschko.”

“The Duke of Mieschko… One of the families that helped establish the Empire.”

Leonid leaned back, muttering, as Philip nodded.

“It’s customary not to engage in major conflicts during such celebrations.”

Philip explained that this was why the Empire had been so willing to accept Brienne’s surrender. With the Crown Prince’s engagement on the horizon, the Emperor wouldn’t want to provoke any unrest.

“Does that mean Amelia will be safe for a while?”

Leonid asked, and Philip agreed.

“Even criminals receive pardons during national celebrations, don’t they?”

At the very least, Amelia would be a hostage of the principality, having sworn loyalty to the Empire. She was going as a guarantee of good relations between Brienne and the Empire, so the situation wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

“My parents have also been invited to the engagement. If Amelia goes to the Empire, I’ll go with my parents.”

“Really, Philip?”

“After the ceremony, if the opportunity arises, I’ll try to request that she returns to Brienne. I’ll even ask for my Father’s support”

Philip’s words seemed persuasive enough that her father looked deep in thought. Amelia seized the moment and clung to his knee.

“Father, let’s do as Philip says. If you leave as well, who knows what will happen to Brienne? It’s better if I go.”

“…Amelia, my dear.”

Leonid took Amelia’s hand from his knee.

“Do you even understand what you’re saying right now?”

“…”

“You’re saying you want to go to Olstein, having never set foot outside Brienne? Do you think you can live surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place?”

You don’t understand what that means, her father murmured sadly.

“The world outside Brienne is not kind, Amelia.”

Amelia gently pressed her cheek against her father’s warm, quiet hand and closed her eyes.

If she could live like this forever, she wouldn’t need to care about how small Brienne was. Here, where even the summer rains passed softly, Amelia could live in peace, like a baby cradled safely in a lullaby.

“…I still want to go.”

But without her father, Brienne would no longer be a peaceful cradle. Maybe it was time for Amelia to leave. Just as her father had protected Brienne all these years, perhaps now it was her turn to protect it.

“Brienne is where both Mother and I were born. If there’s something I can do for this place, I’ll do it.”

A newfound determination gleamed in Amelia’s blue eyes.

Leonid sighed deeply, wordlessly, and gently stroked her hair.

* * *

The Imperial soldiers leaving Brienne had been reduced to about half.

Only the Crown Prince’s personal guard was departing. The remaining knights would continue patrolling around the harbor and Brienne’s castle as ordered.

Mounted soldiers were escorting the Crown Prince’s carriage, while Amelia’s carriage was at the very end of the procession.

“My lady, please take this.”

Amelia accepted the trunk Helen handed her.

“I packed it lightly. They said we’re allowed to exchange items, so… if you need anything, just write me a letter.”

“Thank you, Helen.”

Tears finally welled up in Helen’s eyes as she looked at Amelia’s smile.

“My lady, to think you’re leaving for Olstein so suddenly… I’ve heard it takes days to get there by carriage.”

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll write you as soon as I arrive. No, I’ll write on the carriage and send it the moment I arrive.”

Amelia comforted Helen, who was sniffling. Looking at the sleeve Amelia held out, Helen murmured softly.

“You’re wearing the dress I made.”

“Yes. It’s my favorite.”

Amelia smiled as she touched the hem of her dress. Delicate lace, hand-stitched by Helen around the sleeves and collar, gave the dress a refined elegance.

“I feel like wearing this will ensure I arrive safely in Olstein.”

Helen nodded at Amelia’s words.

“It will. Every time I worked on that lace, I wished for your happiness, my lady.”

“Really? Then I’m sure good things will happen in Olstein too.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Helen repeated herself several times, her voice filled with emotion, before reluctantly letting go of Amelia’s hand.

“Amelia.”

As Helen stepped back, her father approached.

“Father…”

“I slipped a letter into your trunk.”

With his head slightly bowed, her father held Amelia’s hand and spoke softly.

“Give it to the Duke of Mieschko. It’s a letter congratulating him on his daughter’s engagement.”

Though it seemed like a trivial message, Amelia couldn’t help but wonder why her father insisted on delivering it through her. But she simply nodded as her father continued explaining.

“The Duke of Mieschko’s family is known to be friendly toward other nations, especially the Duke himself. It would be good for you to get close to his daughter.”

Her father rambled on, giving unnecessary details about how knowing the Duke’s family could ease her life in the Empire.

Amelia realized that these were not really words of advice for her but rather a distraction, her father’s way of avoiding their parting. The letter too was merely an excuse to prolong their conversation. Yet, she pretended not to notice and smiled.

“Don’t worry, Father.”

“Amelia, your mother will watch over you from the heavens.”

“…Yes.”

“Go now. If you delay any longer, the Crown Prince may grow suspicious.”

Her father, with reddened eyes, gently pushed Amelia away as though forcing himself to let her go. Amelia, feeling as though her feet were glued to the ground, made a great effort to move.

* * *

“Hurry up and get in.”

The soldier standing beside the carriage ordered Amelia gruffly.

“…”

At the very back of the Empire’s procession stood a carriage.

It was a shabby one, clearly meant for people of low status—someone like a hostage. It wasn’t from Brienne but had been brought directly by the Empire.

‘The Crown Prince must have decided to take Father with him from the very start,’ Amelia thought as she boarded the carriage without looking back.

“…Is that all your luggage?”

In response to the soldier’s question, Amelia, who had been putting the trunk under the seat, stood up and nodded. He gave her a once-over and scoffed.

“You really don’t know anything, do you?”

“Pardon?”

“…It’s none of my business.”

The soldier muttered something cryptic and slammed the door shut.

‘What did he mean by that?’

As Amelia sat there, puzzled, the carriage door opened again.

“Hey.”

A soldier with an annoyed expression shoved something into the carriage.

“What is this?”

“Put it on. His Highness gave it to you personally.”

Amelia, caught off guard, accepted what he had pushed into her hands.

It was a jet-black robe, with soft fur trimming the shoulders. Amelia instinctively ran her hand over the fabric. She had never touched such a thick and heavy garment before.

“Don’t you know how cold Olstein is?”

The soldier looked at her with disdain.

“He said it would be a hassle if you froze to death on the way.”

Without waiting for a response, he slammed the door shut again.

“Move out!”

At the soldier’s shout, the carriage creaked and began to lurch forward.

The carriage was leaving Brienne… Amelia, with the robe resting on her lap, felt a sudden jolt in her chest. She hurriedly turned around and looked out through the small window at the back of the carriage.

There was Helen, still wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, and the servants standing beside her. Her father, head bowed, couldn’t bring himself to look in her direction. Behind them, the Brienne castle loomed tall, the Empire’s flag already flying from its towers.

Just that morning, when she had gotten dressed, taken the trunk Helen handed her, and climbed into the carriage, Amelia had been repeating to herself like a mantra that everything would be alright.

It’s going to be fine. I’ll return to Brienne soon. Next time, I’ll ride a fast horse.

Before winter ends, or maybe even before summer arrives. I’ll come back to see Brienne’s sea that Father loves and that Mother yearned for. I’ll welcome the trade ships, walk on the sandy shores, and dance the waltz at the spring festival.

“…”

But could she really? Could she really come back? Would this be the last time? Suddenly, those thoughts filled her mind.

Amelia stubbornly kept her lips shut. She worked hard to clear her mind. She didn’t even want to think the word goodbye, not even silently. The moment she did, it might become real.

“Can you manage on your own in the Empire?”

“The world outside Brienne is not kind.”

“Do you even understand what you’re saying right now?”

Her father’s figure was shrinking, slowly fading from view. Soon, Brienne Castle was far behind, and the carriage left the cobblestone road and entered the forest.

Amelia let her tears fall freely, rolling down her cheeks and dropping onto the front of her dress.

There was no one around to see her now.

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