“The Crown Prince seems to have grasped the situation, Your Majesty.”

As the meal was nearing its end, Chancellor Konrad lowered his voice slightly. Upon hearing the chancellor’s report, the emperor flinched for a moment but quickly returned to a composed expression, chewing his meat with a greedy motion of his jaw.

“When did that happen, exactly?”

“About three days ago, we estimate. It seems Duke Mieschko has been meeting with the ministers.”

The emperor set down his fork and picked up his wine glass, taking a sip. He wasn’t particularly surprised, as he had expected Josef to eventually discover that he had authorized Brienne’s proposal.

“Why hasn’t there been any noticeable reaction?”

The chancellor asked with a puzzled expression. The emperor responded curtly.

“There’s no need to be impatient, Konrad. He could be testing our response.”

As the emperor set down his wine glass, servants filed in, carrying dessert plates. A slice of liquor-infused cake was placed in front of each official dining at other tables. For the emperor, his chamberlain personally added fruit topped with cream.

The emperor hosted these lunches with officials in the palace’s dining hall at least three times a week. During these meals, the officials would take turns praising the empire and the emperor.

‘They act that way in front of me but secretly conspire with Duke Mieschko behind my back…’

‘Who could it be?’

The emperor scrutinized each of his subjects’ faces, trying to guess who might have ties to Duke Mieschko. He managed to narrow it down to a few names but couldn’t be certain about all of them.

However, he couldn’t openly interrogate the officials. Publicly revealing that the relationship between the emperor and the crown prince was strained would weaken his position. The Olstein Empire needed to appear stable, without giving the impression that the nobility could challenge imperial authority.

“Either way, I can’t let Josef take control of the navy.”

The emperor muttered to Chancellor Konrad, seated beside him. The other officials, seated farther away, were busy chatting among themselves.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” the chancellor nodded.

“What’s the status of Brienne?”

“According to the knights dispatched there, the work is progressing smoothly. Large quantities of timber are being imported, and they’re all of excellent quality.”

“Hmm.”

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, suddenly recalling Lady Amelia from Brienne.

“Do you know anything about Lady Amelia?”

“…Lady Amelia, you say?”

Caught off guard, Chancellor Konrad hesitated briefly before responding.

“You mean the hostage the crown prince brought from Brienne.”

“Josef did?”

“Yes, she is currently residing at the Crown Princess’s residence.”

“…Hmm.”

Hearing this, the emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had known of the hostage’s existence but had only seen her for the first time at the recent debutante ball. Even so, amidst the many nobles, she had left a strong impression on him.

“Your Majesty, it was made by Lady Amelia of Brienne.”

As soon as Lady Romberry mentioned her name, Josef’s expression had darkened fiercely.

Brienne had chosen to surrender. It was a distant coastal duchy, far from the Olstein capital, and Josef had turned it into a governorate.

Yet Josef hadn’t executed the family; instead, he brought the lady as a hostage and placed her in the uninhabited Crown Princess’s residence.

When Lady Amelia’s name was mentioned, was Josef’s fierce reaction directed not at her but at those around him?

“We must keep a close eye on that lady,” the emperor said quietly.

“Especially concerning her relationship with Josef.”

Chancellor Konrad looked momentarily startled but quickly nodded in agreement.

—

“The crown prince will visit tomorrow.”

When Henrik informed her, Amelia assumed that, like last time, Josef was merely coming to inspect the residence. She wondered if she should refrain from offering tea this time. Helen, too, was nonchalantly baking cookies.

“What is all this?”

So when dozens of servants began bringing in large mirrors and laying out dresses in the first-floor banquet hall, Amelia could only stare in astonishment.

“You said you didn’t like any of them.”

Josef, who had been watching her from the doorway, strode in and spoke.

“I thought maybe you found the selection too limited.”

The banquet hall was transforming into a grand dressing room. Mannequins draped in dresses kept arriving, and jeweled accessories were being arranged on a table brought from storage. Partitions, mirrors, and sofas were set up to create fitting-room-like spaces.

“Wasn’t it just a necklace that Your Highness bestowed upon me?”

Amelia asked stiffly, and Josef replied with a wide grin.

“You might’ve disliked the necklace itself.”

In other words, he had no intention of leaving until Amelia made her decision today.

As Josef’s chamberlain directed the servants in the banquet hall, he immediately rushed over when he caught Amelia’s eye.

“Lady Amelia, I beg your forgiveness for the oversight last time.”

Before Amelia could respond, the chamberlain began pouring out excuses. He had failed to anticipate her refined taste, and it was entirely his fault for bringing such a limited selection of necklaces. After all, choosing the perfect gift was supposed to be part of the pleasure.

“We’ve brought items from every boutique in the capital today, so you’ll surely find something you like.”

“…I didn’t send it back for that reason.”

Amelia managed to interject, squeezing her words into the chamberlain’s incessant apologies.

At this, the chamberlain’s face quickly clouded over.

“Th-then, what did you mean?”

“…”

“…My lady?”

Just as Amelia was about to speak, her eyes landed on the steward anxiously wringing his hands, the numerous luxury items filling the hall, and Josef wandering leisurely among them.

It wasn’t that she disliked the necklace itself; she just hated the fact that it came from Josef. But admitting that now would only waste the effort of the servants struggling to move dresses around.

Amelia forced a bitter smile and shook her head.

“…Never mind. I’ll choose something.”

Relief washed over the steward’s face.

“A wise decision, my lady. Please, take your time.”

—

The chamberlain’s claim that they’d brought all the clothes from every boutique was no exaggeration. Even walking around the banquet hall once took considerable time. After much deliberation, Amelia finally picked out a suitable dress for outings.

“I’ll help you change, my lady.”

Betty appeared at her side and led Amelia to a small adjoining parlor. Inside, a few maids were waiting to assist.

“His Highness said Helen should rest upstairs since this might take a while.”

Amelia agreed. Helen was getting on in years and standing for long periods was becoming difficult for her. It was surprising, though, that Josef would show such consideration. The phrase *might take a while* did linger in her mind, however.

“There’s a mirror outside.”

A maid opened the door, and Amelia reluctantly stepped out. Josef was lounging casually on a sofa near the mirror.

“Oh my, it suits you perfectly!”

A woman in an elegant dress approached, likely a seamstress from one of the boutiques judging by the pin cushion in her hand.

“How do you like it, my lady?”

The light pink dress was made of a delicate fabric. Its short hem revealed her ankles, and its slim skirt seemed ideal for boating or picnics.

“No good.”

Before Amelia could respond, Josef’s low voice rumbled. She turned slightly and saw his inscrutable gaze fixed on her.

“The neckline’s too low.”

The seamstress flinched, clearly unprepared for his interjection.

“M-my apologies, Your Highness. In that case, I’ll add lace to the inside—”

“Try a different one.”

Sinking deeper into the sofa, Josef gestured dismissively, leaving no room for further discussion. Resigned, Amelia selected another dress with the seamstress.

“My lady, please try this one.”

The seamstress presented a dress made of heavy dark green fabric, accompanied by a high-neck bolero. It was the complete opposite of the previous dress—a clear reaction to Josef’s earlier critique.

Suppressing a sigh, Amelia returned to the parlor. She switched out the underskirt, adjusted the waistline, and changed the sleeves, restarting the tedious process.

“Does it always take this long?”

Josef’s eyes scanned her as she emerged. The seamstress fidgeted nervously.

“M-my apologies, Your Highness.”

“The dress looks cumbersome.”

Josef frowned. He didn’t seem pleased with this one either.

“She can’t even sit comfortably in it.”

“…”

“Change it again.”

Amelia finally intervened, unable to watch the seamstress turn pale any longer.

“Your Highness, I’m satisfied with this one.”

“Are you? That’s a relief.”

Josef grinned.

“I’m not. Pick another.”

“…”

Should she suggest ‘Your Highness choose for me?’ Amelia considered it but quickly dismissed the idea. She feared he might take her seriously and start following her around.