Amelia found herself uncomfortably standing in the center of the ballroom, where music filled the air, led by Josef. The situation was awkward, not just because she had to dance with him but also because the Olstein nobles’ dance steps she had glimpsed earlier were entirely different from those in Brienne.

Amelia felt like a marionette with its strings cut, her movements clumsy and disjointed. In contrast, Josef’s movements, as expected, were smooth and skilled.

“Relax,” Josef said, patting the hand that rested on her back. He had noticed how stiff her upper body had become from tension. No doubt, it appeared awkward to others as well.

Amelia loosened her tightly held arms, which naturally brought her closer to Josef’s torso.

Josef’s hand, which had been supporting her back, gradually slid down to her waist. Though his movement was devoid of any particular emotion, the thin fabric of her dress allowed the warmth of his hand to seep through to her skin.

“…”

Amelia looked up at Josef resentfully. If only his fingers moved in an unpleasant way or his gaze lingered too long on her chest, she could have said something.

But Josef simply maintained a posture that looked as though he might embrace her at any moment, his eyes locked on hers.

Distracted by his gaze, Amelia’s feet occasionally collided with Josef’s polished shoes or stepped on them during the spin turns.

It was a complete mess.

“Oh.”

“My, my.”

Amelia stumbled and fell into Josef’s arms. His firm body didn’t budge, so the others likely remained unaware of the mishap.

Clicking his tongue deliberately, Josef wrapped both hands around her waist and steadied her. Only Amelia, who had bumped her forehead against Josef’s chest, blushed deeply.

Ultimately, it was Amelia who broke the silence.

“Your Highness, do you find this waltz enjoyable?”

“No.”

Yet, despite shaking his head, Josef’s expression showed amusement. Seeing Amelia’s face contort, he chuckled.

“…Were you hoping to see me flustered?”

“Let’s say that’s true.”

With that, he lifted the hand holding hers slightly. From that moment, the steps fell into place, and Amelia’s legs began to move more naturally.

What were Brienne’s steps like again? Leaning into Josef’s arm, Amelia found herself reminiscing about Brienne’s spring festival, which she could no longer attend. By now, preparations would be in full swing. Once the festival began, the women would wear short dresses revealing their ankles, and the men, dressed in light tunics, would dance on the beach until the starlight kissed the sand.

‘I won’t be there after all.’

“You’ve been wearing that necklace a lot lately,” Josef’s voice brought Amelia back to reality.

His tone carried simple curiosity. Lately, Amelia had noticed that even Josef, who typically appeared inscrutable, could at times display a normal, human expression during their conversations.

“…”

“Where did you get it?”

His gaze landed on the thin chain draped across her collarbone. Amelia’s fingers instinctively touched the pendant hidden beneath her dress. Perhaps the fact that nothing seemed to hang from the chain appeared odd to him.

“It’s a gift from my father.”

“When?”

“Not too long ago…”

Amelia answered honestly, knowing that straightforwardness was one of the quickest ways to end a conversation with Josef.

She explained that the necklace came with a letter and added that her father seemed busy building ships. However, she left out parts of the letter reminiscing about her childhood, believing Josef wouldn’t care about such details.

“Ships?”

Josef tilted his head, still holding her hand.

“…Yes.”

Amelia nodded. Wasn’t it Josef himself who had ordered Brienne to build a fleet? Why did he look as though he was hearing about it for the first time?

“…”

Josef fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. Amelia barely stopped herself from asking what was on his mind.

“Is that type of necklace popular in Brienne?”

And yet Josef soon returned with another question.

“…I’m not wearing it because it’s fashionable.”

“…”

“I wear it because my father gave it to me.”

Hearing Amelia’s reply, Josef frowned slightly and lifted his head, breaking eye contact. Perhaps it wasn’t the answer he had wanted, but Amelia didn’t particularly care. She felt no obligation to say what he wished to hear.

The music ended without them realizing.

—

“It appears Lady Amelia was correct,” said Duke Mieschko, who had come to visit Josef’s office.

“Brienne has indeed begun constructing warships.”

Josef had ordered Brienne to build ten ships. Therefore, Brienne’s reports and budget requests should have gone directly to him. Yet Josef hadn’t received any such reports. Despite this, construction was progressing smoothly, and according to Duke Mieschko, even the high-ranking officials were already aware.

The emperor had intercepted Brienne’s reports.

“With His Majesty’s signature on the documents, Brienne likely proceeded with construction as instructed, Your Highness.”

Standing by the window, Josef turned his head as he listened to the duke’s explanation.

“It seems His Majesty does not trust me.”

“Your Highness, that can’t be the case,” Duke Mieschko said with a laugh, oblivious to Josef’s hidden resentment.

“Building a fleet is a significant matter. His Majesty probably wishes to oversee the process personally.”

“Is that so?”

Josef feigned ignorance, and the duke nodded.

“I’m sure His Majesty has his reasons. Perhaps you should request an audience with him.”

Josef casually humored Duke Mieschko, who had started rambling about trivial matters, before sending him on his way. He then turned his gaze back out the window.

Whatever the Emperor did, his intentions were always clear. He despised Josef. Though he used Josef to secure his position as Emperor, he was wary of acknowledging the achievements of his son.

This time was no different. The Emperor had no intention of involving Josef in establishing the navy. The message was clear: Josef, who already commanded the cavalry, wouldn’t be granted more military power. It was a decision fitting of his father.

“Such a foolish move.”

What could the Emperor have been thinking when he immediately approved the estimate sent by Brienne? The nobles of Olstein wouldn’t even know which types of wood were needed to build ships. Nor had the Emperor consulted the lords who already possessed naval forces to approve the budget.

In short, there was no way to verify what Brienne might be planning for the ships. They could have grossly inflated the budget or chosen to use substandard materials on purpose. The Emperor lacked the diligence to suspect such possibilities and handle matters accordingly. His only virtue as a ruler was his arrogance.

Josef decided it was necessary to find out what Leonid might be scheming. His eyes followed the scenery outside as he came to this conclusion.

—

From Josef’s office, he had a clear view of the inner courtyard. From the corridor of the small residence, one could see the garden path leading to the Crown Princess’s residence, and from the bedroom, he could watch who entered or left the mansion. Amelia still didn’t know this.

She was walking through the courtyard now, as usual, leisurely strolling with a parasol. She was as stunning as she had been a few days ago while waltzing with him.

He could no longer be satisfied with merely watching Amelia. It no longer brought the same fulfillment, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Every time he saw her, he was reminded that some emotions refused to be controlled.

A deep thirst grew within him.

When their eyes met, Josef felt as if he were gripping a thorned rose with his bare hands. It was as if deep holes were forming everywhere, impossible to fill no matter how much water he poured in. Whenever that happened, he found himself entertaining thoughts he had never dared consider before.

Yet Amelia, like a butterfly that could harm no one, floated peacefully through her world.

—

A few days after the debutante ball, Amelia sat in the drawing room, staring at the table with a troubled expression.

“…”

“The Crown Prince said that if you don’t like any of these items, you may return them,” Betty said as she laid out ten or so necklaces on the black velvet cloth. Judging by the box in her hands, there were at least six more to go.

“I was supposed to choose one from these?” Amelia asked in surprise.

Betty shook her head. “His Highness said they’re all gifts for you.”

“Why?”

“…I didn’t ask him, my apologies.”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no need to apologize.”

Amelia reassured Betty, who lowered her head as if she had made a mistake.

Betty wasn’t obligated to provide an explanation. That was Josef’s responsibility for suddenly sending her so many necklaces.

Amelia silently stared at the jewels, which shimmered softly in the sunlight. Was this a threat? Or a display of power? At best, she could interpret it as a reward for her efforts in redecorating the Crown Princess’s residence.

However, considering that their last conversation had been about necklaces, Amelia found it hard to interpret Josef’s gesture as a genuine act of goodwill.

“…”

The necklaces, predictably, were all extravagant. Three pearl necklaces of varying sizes. Some adorned with diamonds or emeralds, others with gold pendants, and even one entirely encrusted with gems.

Back in Brienne, Amelia had often worn accessories even more opulent than these. She would change dresses multiple times a day, either at Helen’s suggestion or based on her mood.

But in Olstein, she didn’t feel the need. It wasn’t about being frugal; she simply thought it absurd for a hostage to parade around in extravagant finery.

Moreover, she resented how Josef seemed determined to strip her of anything she brought from Brienne.

“Could you send them all back?” Amelia asked.

Betty, who was holding a necklace adorned with rubies, looked puzzled. “None of them appeal to you?”

“Not one,” Amelia replied firmly.

Betty’s face fell, as if she found it unfortunate. “You should at least try one on, my lady. This one would suit you perfectly,” she said, lifting a grand pearl necklace.

“I’ll fetch a mirror right away.”

“No, I don’t want to.”

Despite Betty’s persistent urging, Amelia shook her head. Betty looked distressed but opened the box to pack the necklaces back up.

“Are you sure you won’t choose even one?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll send them back. What should I tell the chamberlain?”

It was unthinkable for a servant to return gifts from the Crown Prince, but if it had to be done, there needed to be a solid excuse.

“Just tell him I didn’t like any of them,” Amelia said calmly. “His Highness said that would be fine.”

“Understood.”

As Betty repacked the necklaces, Amelia lightly pressed her temple and sighed. She already felt a headache coming on, and she hadn’t even seen Josef yet.