“Your Highness.”

The steward approached Josef, who was lounging on the long chair in his office.

“Chancellor Konrad is here to see you.”

“Is it about the engagement?”

The steward looked puzzled, as if wondering how Josef had known.

“Excuse me? Ah, yes… that’s what he said.”

“Send him in.”

Josef casually turned the page of the book he was holding as he gave the order.

It was obvious why Chancellor Konrad wanted to meet him, especially after the engagement between the Mieschko family and the Emperor had been arranged.

Konrad would likely try to find fault with the marriage to complain that his daughter had not been chosen.

“Understood.”

The steward bowed and left, and it didn’t take long before Chancellor Konrad was shown in to meet Josef.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Chancellor Konrad entered the room with a composed smile.

“It’s been a while, Chancellor Konrad. What brings you here?” Josef asked, closing his book, his tone feigning casualness.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I haven’t had the chance to see you since you returned from Brienne.”

“Is that so? I didn’t notice at all,” Josef said with a sly smile, his subtle jab barely concealed. Chancellor Konrad’s expression stiffened slightly.

“…I have something to discuss with you, Your Highness.”

“Good. I also have something to show you.”

Josef gestured toward the handkerchief on the tea table with the book still in his hand.

“Here. It belongs to Lady Lily.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

Chancellor Konrad stared at the neatly folded handkerchief, momentarily speechless, before forcing a nervous smile.

“Lily… you mean my daughter, Lily?”

Josef leaned back slightly, nodding.

“Yes, but why is it here…?”

Konrad trailed off, unable to ask further. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

“It was found in a soldier’s belongings during an inspection.”

“…”

“He claims to be in a relationship with Lady Lily.”

“…I see… but what’s the issue with that?”

Josef chuckled and shook his head.

“It’s true that the cavalry has strict discipline, but we don’t interfere with personal affairs.”

“…”

“However, if someone wanted to make an issue of it, they certainly could.”

The chancellor, looking confused, remained silent as Josef continued slowly.

“What do you think would happen if rumors spread that the two lovers were planning to elope?”

“Y-Your Highness. What are you saying…?”

“The reason being that the woman is pregnant…”

“Your Highness!” The chancellor sprang to his feet, shouting in outrage. His face turned red, unable to hide his fury.

“How could you say such a thing… that’s an insult to my daughter and my family!”

“I know,” Josef replied calmly, his expression unchanged. “I just made it up.”

The chancellor’s voice trembled with anger at the sudden, blatant insult from someone young enough to be his son.

“Your Highness, even as a joke, that is going too far.”

“I can easily turn an unfounded joke into a fact.”

Josef’s tone remained cool and composed. Chancellor Konrad’s face hardened.

“Are you threatening me?”

The chancellor’s pride, built over decades of managing the Empire’s affairs, burned with rage at the arrogance of the young crown prince who had conquered the continent.

Josef, watching him carefully, responded, “Is this a threat?”

His icy voice made the chancellor flinch. He glanced at Josef, whose stern, warrior-like face and piercing eyes were filled with hostility, as if ready to strike at any moment.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer, Konrad averted his eyes. Hidden within his sleeve, his clenched fist trembled with fury.

“Then what do you call it when the chancellor tries to find fault with a marriage I’ve decided on?”

“…”

“Answer me.”

The chancellor, forgetting his dignity, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

“…I never intended to find fault, Your Highness.”

“Then what is it you wanted to say about the engagement?”

“Well, I… I simply wanted to offer my congratulations.”

Josef quietly watched him, waiting. It didn’t take long for the chancellor to inwardly admit defeat, resolving not to oppose the marriage any further. Like a dog cornered, it wasn’t long before he lowered his tail.

“…Of course.”

“…”

“I came to offer my congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Josef nodded slightly to the chancellor, who muttered weakly.

“The chancellor is essential to Olstein. I sincerely believe that,” Josef said.

“…”

“Don’t force me to do anything that would damage Lady Lily’s honor.”

Josef reopened the book resting on his lap, his eyes fixed on it as Chancellor Konrad trudged out of the office.

* * *

“Philip!”

Philip, standing in the courtyard of the Crown Princess’s residence, turned at the sound of Amelia’s voice.

His bright blond hair and gentle smile were just as dashing as they had been in Brienne. Even the brown cloak he wore seemed to gleam with an elegant shine.

Amelia ran toward Philip, her face lighting up with joy as he waved at her.

“Philip! You really came.”

“Of course. I promised you, didn’t I?”

Though it hadn’t been long since she’d left Brienne, to Amelia, it felt like ages since she’d seen Philip’s smiling face.

“How did you know I was here?”

“When noblewomen are taken as hostages, they usually stay at the Crown Princess’s residence.”

Philip had tracked down Betty, who was looking after Amelia, and Betty had rushed to Amelia’s room right before heading out to work, making this meeting possible.

“I’m so glad. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to meet.”

Seeing Amelia’s bright smile made Philip’s ears turn slightly red. But Amelia, not noticing, felt a little puzzled. She had expected Philip to greet her more enthusiastically, but his reaction seemed subdued.

“Philip, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“…Uh, huh?”

“Are you not happy to see me? Doesn’t it feel like it’s been a long time?”

Amelia tilted her head, feeling a bit disappointed by Philip’s quietness.

“Of course I’m happy. How could I not be? It’s just…”

“…?”

“Seeing you outside of Brienne… it’s just, you look so grown-up. It’s kind of strange….”

“What are you talking about?”

Amelia burst out laughing at Philip’s words, amused. It had already been three years since her debut, and his comment felt oddly out of place.

Embarrassed by her reaction, Philip looked like he wasn’t pleased with his own answer, tapping the ground nervously.

“This isn’t what I meant…”

He mumbled to himself, scratching his head. Seeing that familiar gesture from her old friend, Amelia felt as though she had been transported back to their childhood. The ice that had settled in her heart slowly melted into a warm sense of nostalgia.

“…How is life here?”

Philip, perhaps feeling awkward, changed the subject.

“I’m not sure yet.”

Amelia shook her head. It wasn’t just that she didn’t know—it was more that she didn’t want to know. Any thought tied to her memories in Olstein inevitably brought up thoughts of Josef.

The Crown Prince who exuded a fierce, predatory hostility, like the winter. He was the kind of man she had no desire to get to know.

“And what did the Crown Prince say?”

“Well… oh, the maid looking after me said I might be appointed as one of the ladies-in-waiting.”

Philip tilted his head, not picking up on her evasive tone.

“That could happen, but not every noble hostage becomes a lady-in-waiting for the Crown Princess.”

“I see… well, I haven’t even met the woman who’s supposed to become the Crown Princess.”

“Do you want to?”

Philip offered something unexpected.

“How?”

Amelia asked with a puzzled expression, and Philip pulled out a small card from inside his coat.

“There’s a tea party at the Mieschko Ducal House tomorrow.”

The Mieschko Ducal House—those who were set to become related to the royal family. Amelia examined the card Philip handed her. It was a luxurious invitation, edged with lace, and she realized why it seemed familiar.

“Ah.”

As she fiddled with the invitation, she figured it out. The material and pattern of the lace were from Brienne.

“…”

Feeling a strange sense of comfort, Amelia gently stroked the lace. She had known that lace made in Brienne was considered a luxury export, but encountering it here made her unexpectedly nostalgic.

‘No, I can’t.’

If she let herself get too sentimental, she might start thinking about her father or Brienne, and that would bring tears to her eyes.

“The invitation only has your name on it, Philip.”

Amelia quickly handed back the invitation, forcing a smile.

“Marika wanted to host a gathering with nobles her age before the engagement. Since she doesn’t live in the castle yet, she probably doesn’t know you’re here. You can just come as my partner.”

Amelia learned from Philip’s explanation that the name of the woman who would become the Crown Princess was Marika.

“Amelia, just like your father said, the Duke of Mieschko prefers to engage with other kingdoms and is more moderate. He’s friendly with our family too.”

“…”

“Maybe Lady Marika is similar. If you get to know her, she might even help you return to Brienne sooner.”

Amelia thought of the letter hidden in her dressing table, the one she had kept out of Josef’s sight.

Going to the tea party and getting acquainted with Lady Marika seemed like a good opportunity to deliver that letter to the Duke of Mieschko.

“…Alright, I’ll go.”

When Amelia nodded, Philip smiled happily.

* * *

“Welcome back, Lady Amelia.”

“Yes… what’s that?”

After parting ways with Philip and entering her room, Amelia asked Betty, who was holding a large box.

“The Crown Prince’s chief chamberlain brought it a little while ago.”

Betty placed the box on the table, which already had several other packages and boxes piled up. There was also a trunk on the stool that she hadn’t seen before.

“The chamberlain said these were gifts from His Highness.”

“…”

Amelia approached the table. The trunk was the same size as the one Josef had torn apart a few days ago, but the gold trim and intricately carved lock made it look far more expensive than the one she had used.

Ignoring the flashy trunk that seemed to boast its presence, Amelia opened one of the boxes.

“Oh my.”

Betty gasped quietly beside her.

Inside was a cape made of fur. Amelia quickly closed the box and opened another one. Dresses, shoes, gloves, and fur hats—everything was luxurious.

“…”

Amelia gazed at the hat that matched the cape. The pale grayish-white fur looked much softer and more luxurious than the fur attached to Josef’s robe.

“The hat and cape seem to be made from silver fox fur,” Betty remarked in wonder beside her.

“Silver fox?”

“Yes. It’s rare because it can only be hunted when winter hunting is allowed.”

“…”

“Is this your first time seeing one too, my lady?”

Amelia nodded, gently touching the cape. She felt a sense of guilt and discomfort, as if she were handling something that didn’t belong to her.

Everything Josef had sent smelled of Olstein. The shiny new dresses, shoes, and gloves were cold and stiff—foreign objects that, despite being designated as hers, felt unfamiliar.

There was no trace of Brienne.

Amelia looked around her room again. Though she spent all day here, it felt as unfamiliar as if she were in someone else’s room.

“You might never return to Brienne.”

Josef’s words seemed to echo in her ears.

“…I can’t just refuse them, right?”

Amelia asked softly, and Betty paused while organizing the table.

“Do you not like them? The chamberlain said you could request anything else you might need.”

“It’s not that.”

It didn’t matter what he sent. Even a single handkerchief from Josef was something she didn’t want. It felt like a silent message, urging her to accept that she wouldn’t return to Brienne.

But having volunteered as a hostage for the sake of Brienne’s safety, it would be absurd to act prideful and send the gifts back.

Amelia pulled out one of the dresses at random.

“Betty, there’s a tea party at the Mieschko Ducal House tomorrow.”

“Yes, my lady. Do you like this one?”

Betty asked, holding the dress Amelia handed her.

“…Yes.”

“I think it’s a bit plain… but you’re so beautiful, my lady, that you’ll look good in anything.”

“Really?”

Forcing a smile at Betty, Amelia watched as she carefully smoothed out the dress’s wrinkles, her emotions in turmoil.

From now on, she would be living in Olstein’s palace, an outsider in the empty Crown Princess’s residence, wearing the clothes provided by the Crown Prince.

But I am Amelia of Brienne.

“…”

Amelia unconsciously brushed her hair back, just as Josef had done the night before. She couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that, as long as she remained in the empire, she would never truly be free from him.

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