Amelia really only intended to take a short stroll along the lake path and then turn back.

“Um… Lady Amelia…?”

If only someone hadn’t called out to her from behind.

“…”

The voice was so soft she could have easily pretended not to hear it, but Amelia turned around.

“…Are you really Lady Amelia?”

Seeing the woman confirm her name, Amelia was puzzled.

Not only was this someone she had never met before, but even after correctly addressing her, the woman seemed hesitant to approach, fidgeting awkwardly.

“Yes. Hello.”

Amelia took a step forward as she responded. The person who had called her was a girl she didn’t recall meeting before. Her neatly tied hair and timid eyes made her look even younger.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Ah, I’m so sorry!”

Only after Amelia greeted her did the girl realize her own breach of etiquette, blushing and raising her voice.

“My name is Dana Calstad.”

“Ah… it’s nice to meet you, Lady Dana.”

It was a name Amelia didn’t recognize. As she internally regretted not memorizing the noble families that Josef had briefed her on, the nervous Lady Dana finally seemed to gather her courage.

“My Lady… could you…?”

And then she made a surprising request.

“Would you be my chaperone?”

* * *

“…I see.”

Sitting together on a bench beneath the shade of the trees, looking out at the lake, Amelia began to explain the process of a debutante ball to Dana, who seemed completely unfamiliar with it.

Amelia explained that chaperones for debutantes are typically experienced noblewomen who’ve been active in society for years. That likely held true in Olstein as well, and if Dana were to attend with Amelia, who was not yet married and younger than the typical chaperone by about twenty years, it might harm Dana’s reputation.

After listening quietly, Dana murmured in a low voice.

“…It seems I made an unreasonable request.”

“…”

“I didn’t know there were such requirements for chaperones… I’m sorry, Lady Amelia.”

Her face fell, and her eyes began to redden.

“Lady Dana…”

“If I can’t participate in this year’s debutante ball, what will I do?”

Dana sniffled, looking like a disappointed child who hadn’t received a birthday present. She must have been quite excited about the debutante ball. Amelia smiled gently.

“Of course, that won’t happen. You can always ask another lady to be your chaperone.”

“…But I don’t know any other ladies.”

Dana shook her head, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her dress, having forgotten to take out a handkerchief.

“I haven’t been living in the capital for very long.”

Dana continued, sounding a bit ashamed. She explained that her parents had passed away early, so she was raised in her grandparents’ estate, far from the capital. She had only moved near the castle where her brother was stationed a few months ago, so she hadn’t had the chance to meet many people, much less find a chaperone or friends.

“When I visited here to see my brother, I noticed you. Embarrassing as it is to say, you’re the only noblewoman I know. I only found out your name by overhearing others talking.”

“So, you waited here hoping to meet me?”

Dana nodded at Amelia’s question.

“I didn’t know where you lived. I thought if I came here, I might see you again…”

Seeing Dana’s hunched shoulders and hesitant tone, Amelia felt a desire to help her. Young ladies on the verge of their debut should be able to feel hopeful and eagerly anticipate it. This should apply to this bold but inexperienced girl just as much.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll find a chaperone for you.”

“Really?”

Dana’s head shot up like a wilting flower suddenly revived by water at Amelia’s words.

“Are you sure I can ask you for this favor? Though I don’t really have anyone else to ask…”

Amelia couldn’t help but smile at her honesty.

* * *

After parting ways with Dana, Amelia carefully reviewed the information on noble families that Josef had given her, searching for someone who might be a suitable chaperone.

What had her own debutante ball been like? As a princess, she hadn’t needed a chaperone, but Admiral Licht’s wife had taught her how to carry herself in a gown and how to dance.

Everything had been delightful back then. She remembered fumbling through a waltz with her father, getting tangled in the steps, and being fascinated by the taste of wine, which she drank so much of that she fell asleep halfway through the party. Though it was hardly formal, it had been more fun than any other party.

“…”

Amelia unwrapped those cherished memories, feeling a gentle, almost distant sense of nostalgia. Some emotions, like longing, no longer affected her deeply. It was like a pond so full it no longer ripples.

She hoped Dana’s debut would leave her with wonderful memories, too. Surely Dana, like other girls, was eagerly looking forward to her first grand event. Amelia wanted her to enjoy everything—the dress fittings, picking out accessories, and dancing with her escort.

Who would be the right person to help with that? Amelia turned her attention back to the list of families, hoping to find a suitable candidate—someone with a quiet reputation and, ideally, without children of their own who might also need chaperoning.

Amelia decided to contact Viscountess Romberry. The Viscount of Romberry was a low-ranking official in the royal court, and all of their children were already married. Aside from a known association with the Knight Commander’s family, there wasn’t much else remarkable about them, which matched her criteria.

There was no time to send a letter, so she decided to visit in person. As she reached for her parasol, there was a knock on her bedroom door.

“Lady Amelia?”

Betty brought unexpected news.

“The Captain of His Highness the Crown Prince’s Guard is here.”

* * *

“Lady Amelia, I apologize.”

Descending the stairs with a mix of doubt and curiosity, Amelia saw Henrik standing there, unmistakably dressed in the uniform of the Guard.

He wore a slightly troubled expression, and as soon as he saw her, he apologized, leaving her even more puzzled.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to apologize on behalf of my sister, who seems to have caused you trouble.”

“Pardon…? Oh, um… Won’t you come in?”

Amelia opened the manor door and invited Henrik, who was already making cryptic remarks, inside.

“Thank you for having me.”

She initially intended to head to the second-floor tea room, but she paused. After an impromptu visit from Josef, she realized it was too small to host first-time visitors comfortably. Although Henrik wasn’t as tall as Josef, he was broad-shouldered enough to nearly spill out of a chair. So, she opened the doors to the spacious parlor on the ground floor.

“Please, take a seat.”

“…Thank you.”

The reception room, next to the ballroom, was designed as a resting area for ladies to enjoy tea after dancing. As a result, the room was filled with floral patterns—from the curtains to the wallpaper, carpets, and even the sofas. Henrik glanced around, his expression slightly baffled, then cautiously took a seat across from Amelia.

“What do you mean by ‘your sister’?”

“…It appears that she hasn’t learned to properly introduce herself yet,” Henrik replied with a wry smile to Amelia’s question.

“Dana Calstad is my sister.”

“Pardon?”

The sound that escaped her was louder than expected, enough to startle Henrik. Amelia quickly closed her mouth but failed to mask her surprise.

“…Our parents passed away early, so I became a young soldier, and Dana had no choice but to live with our grandparents.”

Having likely encountered this reaction before, Henrik continued without paying much attention to Amelia’s reaction. He explained that he’d recently joined the Guard and was given the baronial title, allowing him to finally bring Dana to the capital.

“And yet, as soon as she arrives, she’s causing trouble.”

So the Dana she’d met yesterday was Henrik’s younger sister. Amelia looked at Henrik more closely. If she had to find a resemblance, it would be their similar reddish hair. But otherwise, there was little connection between the tearful girl afraid of missing her debutante ball and the gruff, bear-like captain of the Guard.

“My apologies, Lady Amelia.”

“It’s quite alright. I offered my help willingly.”

Amelia shook her head. She then mentioned that she’d been considering Lady Viscount Romberry as a potential chaperone for Dana. She wondered if Henrik had any insights.

“I do know that Viscount Romberry is indeed acquainted with the Knight Commander of the Royal Order…”

Henrik hesitated briefly before asking a question.

“But, what exactly is a chaperone?”

“…It’s someone who accompanies a lady to her debutante ball.”

Amelia calmly explained the preparations young ladies undergo for their debutante balls. Henrik, looking entirely at a loss, listened to her explanation in silence. Now that she observed him, his expression at moments like these was somewhat similar to Dana’s.

“…It appears I’m of little help.”

Henrik looked sheepish. Although he had come to apologize, he realized there was nothing he could do to alleviate Amelia’s workload.

“That’s why I said it was fine.”

“I am honored, but may I accept Lady Amelia’s kindness?”

“There’s no need to feel honored…”

Amelia gave a slight, embarrassed smile. Henrik, however, looked serious.

“Please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“In that case…”

Amelia looked at Henrik thoughtfully.

“Since you’re the captain of His Highness’s Guard…”

“…”

“I trust you won’t treat ladies with undue authority.”

Henrik, who had been sitting with a slightly perplexed expression, understood that she was asking him not to scold Dana too harshly and gave a reluctant smile.

“Understood.”

Henrik gave a small bow and quickly stood.

“Thank you very much, Lady Amelia. Since I’m currently on duty, I’ll take my leave now.”

Amelia followed to see Henrik out, and as he held the door, he suddenly looked curious.

“Is every room in this house like this?”

Amelia chuckled and shook her head.

“Only this one.”

She explained that she had used the reception room next to the ballroom because she thought the tea room upstairs felt too small after Josef’s recent visit.

But as she explained, Henrik’s expression grew increasingly perplexed.

“…His Highness had tea here?”

“Yes…”

“Here?”

“Yes… Why?”

Henrik scratched his head, looking at her in surprise.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“What do you mean?”

He looked at her, then hesitated, folding his hands at his waist.

“…It’s not exactly a secret.”

“…”

“His Highness doesn’t drink tea at all.”

Amelia was left speechless. Josef hadn’t appeared to be avoiding tea during their meeting.

“Not only tea; he rarely drinks alcohol either. If it’s not clear water, he won’t drink it.”

“…”

“His Highness was nearly poisoned by tea when he was a child.”