At the auction house, Amelia encountered someone she already knew.

Madame Verny…

Madame Verny, the wife of Admiral Licht, was seated in the front row.

She had often acted as Amelia’s chaperone and had always been kind whenever they met.

There was no longer any need for Amelia to ponder the identity of Vidal’s agent. The moment she saw Madame Verny, she was certain that this was the person who had brought her father’s diamond.

Amelia suppressed her urge to approach and greet her. If she acknowledged her here, it might place Madame Verny in an awkward situation. She had no choice but to wait until the diamond, likely to appear at the end of the auction, was successfully sold.

“One thousand gold! Two thousand? Yes, thirty-five hundred!”

Amelia, who had been absentmindedly listening to the skyrocketing bids, kept her gaze fixed on Madame Verny’s profile.

Sensing her stare, Madame Verny turned her head with a curious expression.

“…”

Did she recognize Amelia standing in the shadowy corner? Just as their eyes seemed to meet, Madame Verny gave a faint smile before turning her attention back to the auction.

‘She saw me.’

Although Madame Verny’s smile was calm and without surprise, Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest.

Madame Verny, too, must have anticipated encountering Amelia in Olstein.

***

When Kut’s diamond was finally unveiled as the last item, the auction hall filled with the excited murmurs of the crowd.

The diamond, now removed from its glass case and displayed before the audience, appeared even larger and more brilliant than it had in the exhibition room.

“The final item—Kut’s Diamond!”

The auctioneer’s dramatic tone seemed intended to heighten the excitement in the room. He explained how the diamond had been submitted by a noble from the Vidal family in Kut. It was the most expensive item of the day, and he hoped it would be sold to a worthy noble.

Despite his words, the auctioneer’s gaze was fixed on one spot in the front row. Naturally, the audience’s attention followed, landing on Josef and Marika.

It was clear that there weren’t many nobles besides them who could bid on such an item.

“Starting at five thousand gold!”

Gasps were audible from all corners. Unlike the other auction items, the starting price alone set it apart. Five thousand gold could buy a small ship in Brienne.

Of course, it was a bargain compared to a thirty-carat diamond. Brave nobles began cautiously raising the price.

“Ten thousand gold.”

However, as the bids crossed ten thousand gold, the number of bidders noticeably decreased. Amelia began to feel anxious. She had expected it to fetch at least thirty thousand gold.

“Twelve thousand… Yes.”

The bids climbed slowly now: fifteen thousand, then seventeen thousand. When the price passed twenty thousand, only Josef and two or three others were still bidding.

“Twenty-five thousand.”

“…”

“Any takers? Twenty-five thousand…”

Unable to stand it any longer, Amelia took a step forward and raised her hand slightly. She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she couldn’t bear to watch her father’s treasured diamond sell for a low price.

The auctioneer, scanning the room, hesitated when he noticed Amelia stepping into the light.

“A bid, Miss?”

Amelia nodded. Nearby nobles murmured among themselves as they recognized her.

“Then, twenty-five thousand… Is there twenty-six thousand? If not, I’ll…”

“Twenty-seven.”

A low voice echoed from afar.

“…Twenty-seven thousand gold?”

Judging by the tremor in the auctioneer’s voice, the bidder was undoubtedly Josef. Amelia didn’t need to look to confirm—it was unmistakably him. She deliberately kept her gaze fixed on the stage to avoid meeting his.

“Yes.”

“Alright, twenty-eight thousand…”

Amelia raised her hand again.

“…Another bid? Then…”

“Thirty thousand.”

Josef effortlessly leaped several steps higher.

“Thirty-one thousand? Any bids?”

Amelia steadied her trembling hands inside her gloves and took a deep breath. If she gave up now, Josef would claim the diamond for thirty thousand gold. The equivalent of a small castle for a single engagement ring.

‘It’s not a bad price.’

At thirty thousand gold, the Vidal family heirloom would leave her father’s possession. It would travel far from Olstein, sold into the hands of strangers who knew nothing of Brienne, to become nothing more than a luxurious ornament.

But it wasn’t enough.

“Th…”

Amelia raised her hand again, her voice hesitant.

“Thirty-two thousand…”

“Thirty-five.”

Before she could finish, Josef’s voice interrupted her.

“…Your Highness, thirty-five thousand gold?”

The auctioneer, overwhelmed, openly addressed the crown prince.

“Thirty-five thousand… Any further bids?”

The auctioneer looked at Amelia expectantly. Josef seemed to nod in acknowledgment.

Amelia hesitated before lifting her hand again.

“…Thirty-seven thousand.”

“…”

“Are you certain?”

She nodded. The auctioneer swallowed hard.

“Then, Your Highness…”

Though the auctioneer’s tone excluded any other bidders, no one objected. The audience watched with bated breath, intrigued by the unfolding duel.

“Forty thousand.”

Josef raised the stakes again without a hint of hesitation.

After a brief silence, Josef spoke.

“…F-Forty thousand. There….”

His eyes met the auctioneer’s. Amelia lowered her hand and quietly shook her head.

“Then, at forty thousand gold, Kut’s Diamond is sold.”

A soldier briefly sounded a small horn. Amelia turned away, leaving the auction hall as applause for Josef echoed behind her.

‘Was this enough?’

She wasn’t sure what her father had truly wanted. She only hoped his treasure had at least been acknowledged as valuable—if only by its price. Recklessly participating in the auction with inadequate funds to drive the price up had been for that reason. She had also been certain that Josef would do whatever it took to acquire the diamond for Marika.

Shaking off her thoughts, Amelia began searching for a place where she might find Madame Verny.

***

“…Madame.”

Amelia stepped partially out from behind a tree and spoke.

Madame Verny, who had been walking across the path, turned in surprise and quickly approached her.

“Lady Amelia!”

“…Let’s talk over there, Madame.”

Taking Madame Verny’s arm, Amelia guided her into the maze-like garden. The two sat on a secluded bench, far from the moonlight, appearing as though they were a mother and daughter enjoying a quiet moment together.

“I was on my way to find you after leaving the auction. My goodness, how did you know I’d pass by there?”

“I thought you’d surely use the back entrance.”

Amelia smiled.

People who intended to meet someone discreetly often chose exits that were less conspicuous. Furthermore, the auction’s back door was located at the far end of the building.

Knowing that Madame Verny wasn’t familiar with the palace layout, Amelia had guessed she would take the closest exit and start looking for her.

“I thought about asking other nobles, but I worried it might raise suspicion. I even considered bribing the gatekeeper, but he wouldn’t tell me anything!”

“This is the west side of the palace,” Amelia explained gently, taking Madame Verny’s hand.

“I’m staying in the crown princess’s residence on the east side.”

“Oh, I see…”

Madame Verny nodded but appeared uneasy. Perhaps it was the mention of the crown princess’s residence that troubled her. Amelia quickly added,

“It’s unoccupied at the moment, so I’m in charge of maintaining it.”

“…That’s good to hear.”

Madame Verny looked relieved and patted Amelia’s hand, just as warmly as she used to back in Brienne. Encouraged by her familiar kindness, Amelia spoke up.

“Madame Verny… I have something to ask you.”

“And I have something to tell you, Lady Amelia,” Madame Verny interrupted.

“…What is it?”

“Lady Amelia, you must have many questions,” Madame Verny said, still smiling.

“…But I’m afraid there’s little I can tell you.”

“…”

“Lady Amelia, weren’t you surprised to see me at the auction?”

Amelia nodded.

“I was surprised.”

“You must have wondered what an old woman who usually spends her time organizing ledgers at home could possibly be doing at the imperial auction.”

“That’s not it,” Amelia said firmly, but Madame Verny chuckled softly.

“But I had to come. I was the most suitable person for the task.”

Why was that? Amelia’s face was filled with curiosity as Madame Verny continued.

“Because I don’t know anything.”

“…”

“Lady Amelia,” Madame Verny said kindly.

“You will soon return to Brienne.”

“…”

“That’s all I can tell you right now.”

Amelia remained silent.

“…Do you understand what that means?” Madame Verny asked. But Amelia didn’t respond. She sat quietly, watching as the drifting clouds briefly covered and then revealed the moon.

“Lady Amelia, Brienne is preparing for independence,” Madame Verny said in a low voice.