Helen loaded her luggage into the four-wheeled carriage.

“Take good care of her,” Amelia said as she handed the coachman a pouch filled with gold coins.

“Oh, thank you, my lady!”

“Don’t rush, and travel at a steady pace. Make sure she gets the best room at the lodgings.”

“Of course, my lady. Of course.”

The coachman bowed so deeply that his nose nearly touched his knees, gratitude written all over his face.

The carriage prepared by Josef was one typically used for royal errands—a luxurious vehicle far too grand for a servant. The coachman, also employed by the royal household, ensured Helen’s journey to Brienne would be safe and secure.

Nevertheless, Amelia couldn’t help but worry about Helen making the long journey alone. To ease her concern, she had prepared extra money as a tip.

“Helen, take care,” Amelia said, reaching out to hold Helen’s hand through the carriage window.

“My apologies for leaving before you,” Helen said, her voice tinged with regret.

Amelia smiled softly. “Betty will be lonely, so I’ll have to find her something to do in the meantime.”

“Yes, please do.”

Helen smiled back, her eyes crinkling at the corners as tears welled up.

“My lady, I’ll return, trusting that you’ll soon follow.”

“Yes. Travel safely.”

Amelia let go of Helen’s hand and stepped back from the carriage.

“Helen!”

Betty came running from behind and embraced Helen as she reached out her arms. They looked just like mother and daughter as they hugged through the carriage window.

After exchanging a few more words, the two reluctantly waved goodbye, bringing their farewell to a close.

“Hyah!”

At Amelia’s nod, the coachman flicked the reins. The horses turned, pulling the carriage away. The sound of the wheels rolling over the cobblestone path seemed especially melancholy, and Amelia turned her back to the departing carriage with effort.

“Let’s go,” she said.

“Yes, my lady,” Betty replied.

Amelia began walking toward the Crown Princess’s residence. She slowed her pace to let Betty, who was dabbing her eyes with her apron, catch up.

“Betty,” Amelia said quietly. “Thank you.”

“Pardon?” Betty looked up, her voice thick with emotion.

“For not asking me anything all this time.”

“…”

“If there’s something you want to ask, you can. I won’t mind.”

Amelia’s tone was calm as she kept her gaze forward.

The walled surroundings felt unusually still that day as the two walked the straight path leading to the residence.

“It might be an impertinent question,” Betty said hesitantly.

“That’s fine.”

After a long silence, Betty finally voiced her question.

“What do you think of His Highness, the Crown Prince?”

Amelia, who had been walking steadily to keep her dress from creasing, faltered for a moment. The question caught her off guard.

Turning to face Betty, Amelia saw that her expression was not curious but filled with concern.

“Helen asked me the same thing,” Amelia said with a faint smile.

“Because that’s what matters most,” Betty replied, her reaction mirroring Helen’s.

“Is that so?”

Amelia averted her gaze, looking past the garden trees toward the far end of Josef’s residence and the Crown Prince’s quarters.

She recalled the titles and descriptors often associated with Josef.

A war-monger unhesitant to kill and destroy. A harsh tyrant and cunning schemer. An imperial prince who viewed everyone as beneath him, exuding arrogance, coldness, and unshakable resolve.

The public’s perception aligned with reality, for the most part. But Betty wasn’t asking about that man.

There had been a time when Josef had felt close to Amelia—when she had no choice but to rely on his power.

But a heart that had died once would not be revived. What remained was barren resignation, filling the wasteland where emotions once thrived. Josef stood on the other side of that desolation, farther away than anyone else, at any other time.

“I despise him,” Amelia said softly.

She hated everything about him—his name, Josef Restec; his title, Crown Prince of Olstein; his black hair and eyes; the way he silently observed her; the way he called her name in his low voice.

“…”

“But a duchy’s lady has no right to feel that way toward the empire’s prince,” she added with a faint smile, looking at Betty, who remained still.

“That’s why my feelings are meaningless.”

***

Even after Helen left, there was little change to daily life in Olstein or for Amelia. Summer deepened, and nobles floated boats on rivers and lakes to escape the heat.

“My lady,” Dana said as she walked along the castle’s lakeside with Amelia. “I hear this place might soon be closed.”

“Really? Will they fill in the lake?”

Dana chuckled at Amelia’s straightforward question.

“No, that’s not it.”

Dana, who had been laughing heartily, wiped the corners of her eyes before speaking.

“That person over there.”

Then, she leaned in and whispered while lightly holding Amelia’s arm.

Following Dana’s gaze, Amelia looked toward the lake, which shimmered like an emerald as it reflected the shadow of the lush greenery.

An ivory boat floated on the water, carrying a man and a woman. One of them was the Emperor, clad in a garment woven with gold thread. Opposite him sat a woman dressed in an equally resplendent gown, her elegant expression faintly visible beneath the shade of a parasol.

“That’s Baroness Greta, accompanying His Majesty,” Dana said.

“Ah, so that’s her.”

According to Dana, the woman was the sister of Chancellor Konrad. Amelia had also heard the recent news about the Emperor taking a mistress. Betty had mentioned increased security around the secondary palace, hinting at the development.

“This place is connected to the walking paths of the secondary palace, and His Majesty is quite fond of it,” Dana explained.

She went on to say that the Emperor and Baroness Greta had been spending more time on the lake, leisurely boating. Some even suggested reserving the area exclusively for the Emperor until the end of summer.

“It’s such a vast and open space, frequented by nobles, so the Emperor’s guards must have been concerned about his safety,” Dana added.

Indeed, about twenty guards were scattered around the lake’s perimeter, standing unobtrusively. They bowed politely when they crossed paths with noble ladies on their strolls but otherwise remained still.

“I see,” Amelia replied.

“And speaking of which, my lady,” Dana said, her tone suddenly shifting to the main topic.

“Would you visit the Calstad estate sometime?”

“Pardon?”

Amelia blinked in surprise, unable to see the connection between restricting access to the lake and being invited to Dana’s family estate.

“The forest behind our estate isn’t far from the imperial hunting grounds, and it’s truly beautiful. If you venture further in, there’s a lake where the morning mist is so thick it feels as if fairies might live there.”

“A fairy forest?”

Amelia chuckled, and Dana shrugged playfully.

“Well, if you go even deeper, there’s a place called the Wolf Forest. Apparently, it’s full of wolves.”

“Isn’t that frightening?”

“It’s fine. My brother has forbidden entry, so no one goes there,” Dana said, her eyes sparkling.

“The riverbank connected to the hunting grounds is stunning. My lady, how about we go on a picnic and then spend the night at my house?”

“…”

“You’re welcome anytime, as long as it suits you.”

Dana’s description was enchanting—wildflowers along the riverbank, birds with unknown names, and mist-covered meadows. Yet, Amelia hesitated to give a clear answer.

“I’ll think about it,” she said after a pause.

“Come back tomorrow.”

But Josef had taken Amelia’s “anytime” for himself.

She couldn’t do anything freely or spontaneously.

Tonight was no exception.

***

Without a word, Amelia opened the door to Josef’s bedchamber. At some point, he had told her she no longer needed to knock or announce herself when entering.

Once inside, she shut the door and turned. Across the carpeted floor stood the massive bed, flanked by a desk and a sofa where he could work. The rest of the room extended past columns supporting archways.

“…”

Josef was nowhere in sight. Amelia cautiously crossed the carpet, glancing at the candlelit areas, but felt no presence.

“Amelia.”

The voice came from further inside. Startled, Amelia shuddered, her shoulders trembling.

“Does he want me to go there?”

She nervously moved toward the inner part of the chamber. The room was so vast that its walls and columns created a corridor-like space.

Rounding the corner, she stepped into a moonlit area illuminated by a large glass window.

“…”

There stood two chairs with high backs, about Amelia’s height, and a long table adorned with gold plates holding fruit and cake. Modest flowers decorated the setting, alongside a bottle of wine and empty glasses.

Amelia’s gaze lingered briefly on the scene before landing on Josef, who stood by the table.

“Sit,” he said.

“What… is this?” Amelia asked calmly.

Josef approached her, but she did not look away.

“It’s wine from Brienne,” he replied.

“…”

“Don’t like it? I can get something else—”

He paused mid-sentence, noticing her expression.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Her face clearly displayed discomfort.