“Are you saying a fake diamond is being auctioned off?”

Unlike the surprised Amelia, Helen, the one who delivered the startling news, calmly nodded.

“Yes, my lady. That’s what I believe.”

“…”

The garden was silent, except for the clear cascade of water from the fountain, leaping up and falling back into the basin under the force of gravity.

Amelia, lost in thought, didn’t even notice the fawn nuzzling its face against her hand for attention.

A 30-carat diamond was rare. If the Vidal family possessed multiple such jewels, they wouldn’t need to pass one down as an heirloom. Furthermore, her father had no reason to auction off a family treasure so carelessly.

Therefore, the Vidal diamond to debut at the auction in a few days was likely a fake. Helen, cautious by nature, appeared to have reached this conclusion through careful reasoning.

“If it really is a fake, we can’t just let it slide,” Amelia murmured.

“It would tarnish the honor of the Vidal family.”

Amelia wasn’t sure how many people in Olstein knew her father belonged to the Vidal family. However, if the Imperial Court discovered that a diamond bearing the Vidal name was counterfeit, they would surely launch an investigation.

In the process, not only would the Vidal family suffer, but her father might also be dragged into the mess.

Helen had likely shared this concern with Amelia to prevent such an outcome.

“I’m sorry if I’ve troubled you, my lady,” Helen said, watching Amelia’s stillness with a worried expression.

Amelia shook her head.

“No, it’s about my father. I should know. Thank you for telling me.”

“I thought so, which is why I reported it to you. But I don’t know what to do next.”

“…We’ll have to investigate,” Amelia concluded.

Helen looked slightly startled.

“You, my lady?”

“Yes. There’s still time before the auction.”

Determining whether the diamond was real or fake would be simple enough.

“I’ll check it myself.”

“Although I’ve heard the exhibition hall is already set up,” Helen said with concern. “It won’t be easy for you to gain access, my lady. The area will be heavily guarded.”

“True… I’ll need to enlist someone with more authority.”

Amelia forced a faint smile, though her face darkened slightly.

—

Amelia thought of various people who might help.

What about Henrik? As the Crown Prince’s captain of the guard, he might help her enter the exhibition unnoticed if she explained the situation.

There was also Thomas, the chamberlain. She vaguely remembered hearing that he was a marquis. Given his high status in the royal household, he might be able to arrange access.

Could Duke Mieschko, Lady Marika, or Lady Romberry be of assistance?

“…”

Amelia’s thoughts circled through increasingly convoluted possibilities, but none provided a clear solution. A single, obvious shortcut—Josef—blocked all other paths, leaving her no alternative.

As she fed milk to the fawn and watched it nap, the sun’s golden rays began retreating behind the hills. After hours of deliberation, Amelia gave up and left the estate.

She had no choice but to ask Josef for help. Though she hated the idea, there was no avoiding it. As she walked through the garden toward the small annex, she tried to dismiss unnecessary thoughts, but her pride reared its head with each step.

Josef, who was usually leisurely, was nowhere to be seen by the time Amelia reached the entrance to the annex.

“My lady.”

A familiar guard greeted her with a slight bow.

“Is His Highness in his office?”

“He has not yet returned from the cavalry training grounds.”

“Where are the training grounds located?”

The guard hesitated briefly, then gave a sheepish smile.

“Even if I told you, my lady, it would be difficult for you to go there alone.”

“Why?”

“The training grounds are outside the main castle. You’d need a carriage or horse to get there. Besides, access is restricted to soldiers and authorized personnel,” he explained.

The guard continued with additional warnings about the dangers of stray weapons and broken equipment, but Amelia was undeterred.

“Then, at least point me in the right direction.”

“Excuse me?”

“If I can’t meet him there, I’ll go to greet him myself.”

Amelia’s tone was resolute. At this rate, she felt ready to borrow a horse and ride to the training grounds herself.

“That’s a splendid idea.”

A familiar voice, calm yet tinged with amusement, rang out behind her.

Or rather, above her.

“…Your Highness,” Amelia muttered, turning to see Josef in his black uniform.

“I didn’t know you missed me so much that you’d come to greet me personally,” he teased.

“…I just have something to discuss with you,” she replied curtly.

“Same thing,” Josef said with a grin as their eyes met.

—

When Amelia mentioned her business, Josef led her to the garden. Though audiences were traditionally held in the office, Josef frequently ignored royal protocols when it suited him.

“Sit,” he said, taking a seat on a marble bench. His expression was slightly languid as he lit a cigarette, likely tired from his return from the training grounds.

But Amelia couldn’t sit where Josef indicated. Standing before him, she hesitated before speaking.

“…It is not proper etiquette to sit beside a royal, Your Highness.”

“I know,” Josef replied, a faint smirk twisting his lips as he exhaled smoke.

“You said you have a favor to ask. I’ll listen if you sit.”

“…”

“If you don’t want to, then leave.”

Josef’s relaxed demeanor contrasted with Amelia’s urgency. He lounged comfortably against the backrest, his arm draped casually as he stared at her.

“…I’ll sit,” Amelia muttered, resigning herself to the situation.

She sat at the farthest end of the long bench, trying to put as much distance as possible between them. But the bench wasn’t infinitely long. Josef’s arm, stretched across most of the backrest, brought his fingertips close enough to graze her ear if he so chose.

“So, what’s this about?”

Amelia told herself to stay composed and replied, “I’d like your permission to visit the exhibition where the auction items are displayed.”

“An auction?”

Her request seemed unexpected, as Josef paused briefly before responding.

“Is that a no?”

“You want to see what’s being auctioned?” Josef asked.

“Yes. I heard that something called the ‘Kut Diamond’ will be on display.”

“…”

“I’d like to see it.”

Amelia observed Josef’s calm expression, but he offered no immediate response, focusing instead on finishing his cigarette.

“Do you want to own it?”

“No…”

Amelia frowned slightly. She’d said she just wanted to see it. Why was he asking if she wanted to own it?

Then again, even if she claimed she only wanted to see it, it might come across as veiled greed. Denying it entirely might seem insincere.

“…Well, maybe, in a way,” she admitted hesitantly.

“…”

“I’d be satisfied just to see it up close. It’s not like I could afford to bid on it with my funds anyway.”

Her last words felt overly defensive, even pitiful, as if she were making excuses. Perhaps it was her guilty conscience.

“…Follow me,” Josef said abruptly, not appearing to dwell on her awkward explanation. He tossed the stub of his cigarette and began walking out of the garden.

—

Information about the auction items had leaked through the servants responsible for cataloging them after their arrival.

While some auctions kept their items a secret, this event was different. It showcased spoils of war, symbols of the Empire’s victory, and there was no reason to keep them under wraps.

Of course, security was tight to prevent theft. When Josef and Amelia arrived at the grand hall, five guards stood at every door and passageway.

The moment Josef said, “Open it,” the guards scrambled to unlock the doors and stepped aside.

“Your Highness,” they greeted him in unison before retreating from the room.

Inside, items large and small were displayed in a somewhat chaotic arrangement, grouped by their countries of origin.

Amelia wandered through the maze of display cases, feeling increasingly uneasy about taking up Josef’s time. After all, he was the Crown Prince.

“Ah.”

Finally, she found the diamond. She couldn’t suppress a gasp of astonishment.

The diamond was housed in a glass case atop a pedestal, slightly below her eye level. The teardrop-shaped gem rested on a black velvet cushion, radiating brilliance.

But Amelia’s reaction was closer to shock than joy.

“This is…”

She stared intently at the diamond, doubting her own eyes. No matter how many times she looked, the conclusion remained the same.

While Amelia was absorbed in her thoughts, muffled voices grew louder outside the room. When the sound approached the door, she finally looked up.

Josef, standing slightly ahead of her, was already watching the door.

The heavy doors swung open without a sound, and soldiers poured in, numbering at least twenty. Amelia froze in bewilderment as they surrounded them.

“…Your Majesty,” Josef said calmly as the Emperor appeared through the half-circle of knights.

“What brings you here, Crown Prince?”

The Emperor’s smiling face contrasted sharply with Josef’s unchangingly cold expression.