“Your Majesty.”

The chief chamberlain entered the office, opening the door with precision.

“The coffin bearing Will Valentin’s body has departed from Brienne,” he announced.

Josef, seated at his desk, raised his head. Will Valentin—an imperial knight killed by a Kut navigator at the shipyard in Brienne. The memory lingered sharply.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Highness. The courier reported it just now. The coffin should reach the capital in three or four days.”

“I should attend the funeral,” Josef remarked, accepting a document from the chamberlain. Even a knight who perished in a street brawl with commoners, if they had been serving the empire abroad, warranted a prince’s presence at their funeral.

The Valentin barony wasn’t far from the capital. A round trip would take just two days.

In hindsight, his death had inadvertently brought the Kut navigator before Josef. From that encounter, Josef had gleaned information that had helped him secure Amelia.

In some ways, Will Valentin had accomplished more than most knights. A tribute was the least he could offer.

Josef shifted his attention to the document just handed to him: a list of estates providing timber for the resumed naval shipbuilding in Brienne.

“The ownership of the Szcern estate has changed, I see.”

The once-imperial estate was now listed under a new proprietor: Baroness Greta. No doubt, the emperor’s doing to reward his mistress.

“Indeed, Your Highness. Securing timber from the forests there might become difficult for the time being, as the imperial logging guild will likely withdraw.”

“Have them stay. Pay them accordingly.”

The chamberlain hesitated, clearly unsettled.

“Your Highness, that may not be so simple.”

As the imperial demand for timber surged with naval construction, rumors about the navy’s expansion had spread among the nobility, and the response was less than favorable.

The chamberlain elaborated, “The war’s over, and the nobility is eager to indulge in peace and luxury, awaiting news of your marriage. But instead, they hear of shipbuilding and conscription. Naturally, there’s resentment.”

In Olstein, the term “army” typically meant cavalry. Seeing Josef, the cavalry commander, now extending his reach to naval forces made the lords uneasy. While some admired the empire’s evolution, others feared an omnipotent imperial grip.

“Szcern had been supplying exclusively to the crown, but with Baroness Greta as its lord, higher taxes are inevitable. If timber is also demanded, word will spread among other nobles, and…”

The chamberlain had a habit of overanalyzing, turning simple concerns into impending crises.

“Fine. Leave Szcern out of this for now,” Josef interjected, cutting off the stream of apprehensions.

“Other territories as well, given the prevailing sentiment…”

“…”

“I— I mean, perhaps, slowing the timber supply chain is worth considering. But of course, Your Highness has already accounted for this. I’ll take my leave now.”

Evidently unnerved by Josef’s wordless gaze, the chamberlain hastily excused himself, promising to prepare for the prince’s departure.

***

‘The Valentin estate isn’t far from Szcern.’

Following the imperial hunting grounds and tracing the river downstream, one could reach Szcern village and the Valentin lands.

The route was flanked by open pastures, making for smooth carriage travel. The river shimmered green due to the dense coniferous forests lining its banks.

Amelia would enjoy such a view, wouldn’t she?

Josef caught himself and smirked at the thought. Absurd. It was a funeral for an imperial soldier who had died abroad. How could he justify bringing her along?

“…”

His dark eyes gazed out at the expansive landscape visible through the castle windows.

There were moments when what he believed to be correct with Amelia turned out to be anything but.

A crown prince had no need to concern himself with another’s thoughts. Just as one need not understand the mechanics of a carriage to ride it or the mysteries of biology to breathe, Amelia’s feelings should not matter.

And yet, he found himself preoccupied with her thoughts, more than he cared to admit.

Amelia might comply with his commands like anyone else, but Josef didn’t want mere compliance. Nor did he wish to see her weeping in defiance.

He imagined her sitting beside him, as serene and graceful as ever. She was beautiful, like a work of art, but also brimming with vitality like clear water. He yearned fiercely to possess her entirely, even her very breath.

Yet in his imagination, Amelia never looked at him. She didn’t smile as she did with the maids or brighten her eyes as she did when admiring little things.

How could he earn such favor? Jewels and dresses had failed. Talking only seemed to irritate her. Would she appreciate an estate as a gift?

‘Like the emperor?’

No.

No, he wouldn’t stoop to that. He wouldn’t become like the emperor, who had killed his own brother for a mistress, only to take another mistress shortly after.

Such tangled rationalizations always brought him back to Amelia. Josef buried those thoughts, fearing the day he might need her more than he already did.

***

After sneaking out of Josef’s bedroom in the dead of night, Amelia had heard nothing from him for several days.

The first night, she had been uneasy, sleeping fitfully in her own quarters. But as days passed, her nerves eased.

Was he finally tired of her? Or had the drunken slumber worked its charm? Perhaps she should have made more of a scene that night.

Relieved yet oddly contemplative, Amelia settled into a more restful routine.

Yet, that night, she woke suddenly.

Her head felt foggy, but her body was refreshed. The room was dark, a chaotic mess of shadows. Amelia sat in bed for a moment, disoriented.

“…It’s hot.”

Despite Olstein’s cool summer nights, the closed windows had trapped the warm air. She stumbled to the window, fumbling to open the heavy curtains and unlock the wooden shutters.

Her gaze drifted outside instinctively—and her eyes widened.

Josef was pacing the garden below.

“……”

Amelia’s drowsiness vanished in an instant. Startled, her body froze, and her gaze locked onto Josef.

He didn’t seem to have just returned from anywhere. Nor did he show any signs of barging into the crown princess’s residence. He simply stood near a bench in the garden, bathed in moonlight, where he had a clear view of Amelia’s window.

If Amelia were to turn away now.

If she quietly closed the shutters, drew the curtains, and returned to bed, Josef, seemingly lost in thought, might not even notice her.

But Amelia didn’t move.

She simply stared at Josef with eyes filled with curiosity. At last, he turned his back to the window, revealing his face, which appeared slightly flustered as he realized she had been watching him from the darkness.

“Ha…”

Amelia let out a small sigh, turned her back, and left her room. She resented Josef for appearing so unexpectedly at this hour, and she despised herself for being unable to ignore him.

***

By the time she descended the stairs, exited the residence, and reached the spot in the garden visible from her bedroom window, Josef was still standing in the same position.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Amelia said softly. The quiet garden at night seemed to amplify even the faintest of words.

“… What brings you here?” she asked.

“What brings you here, My Lady?” Josef replied with a chuckle.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep by now?”

It was only then that Amelia realized she had come out just as she was, straight from bed. Embarrassed, she quickly reached up to adjust her hair.

“It’s fine. You look fine,” Josef reassured her. It wasn’t clear whether he meant her appearance or something else entirely. Regardless, Amelia lowered her hand awkwardly.

“I plan to visit the Barony of Valentin tomorrow. I might be away for a few days,” he said.

“…”

“Do you need anything?”

There was a long pause before Amelia could even process his question.

Who was this Baron Valentin? Why was Josef going there? And what exactly was she supposed to need? It was a typically unilateral statement from Josef. Not that she had any intention of indulging him.

“I don’t need anything,” she replied curtly.

“…”

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

Instead of answering, Josef took her hand gently and lifted it slightly.

“Lady Amelia,” he said, his voice soft.

“…Yes?”

“Do you hate me?” he asked, pressing a light kiss to her fingertips.

“…”

Amelia remained silent, meeting Josef’s gaze. His dark eyes were deep, unwavering, and sharp as if carved from stone. Yet within them, she saw her own reflection and nothing else.

When he released her hand, Amelia finally spoke.

“May I be honest?”

Josef chuckled as if he already knew the answer.

“There’s no need. I can tell,” he said, removing his outer coat and draping it over Amelia’s shoulders.

“Good night,” he said, turning away without waiting for a response. Amelia watched him disappear in the direction of the crown prince’s residence. Then, dragging the oversized coat along, she returned to her bedroom.

***

“What is this, milady?”

Amelia, who had been absentmindedly seated at the tea table in her study, turned her head.

Betty stood nearby, holding Josef’s coat draped over her arm.

“…Ah.”

Amelia, flustered, rose to her feet.

“I found it while tidying up your bedroom. I’ve never seen it before,” Betty remarked.

“That’s… well…” Amelia faltered, her explanation stuck on her tongue before she finally slumped back into her chair.

“His Highness… left it.”

Betty’s expression shifted subtly.

“He came here?”

“No!” Amelia exclaimed, shaking her head vehemently.

“I mean, he gave it to me outside. Or rather, he forced it on me.”

“I see. I’ll make sure to have it cleaned, then,” Betty replied, nodding as she reverted to her usual composed demeanor.

Amelia, feeling inexplicably flustered, cupped her now-warm cheeks with both hands. Betty had witnessed all manner of her behavior, yet this particular situation felt strangely mortifying.

“…Um, milady,” Betty called, turning back from the door that connected the study to the lounge.

“Hmm?”

“I apologize if this is overstepping.”

“What is it?”

Amelia tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s something I overheard from the other maids. I thought I should let you know.”

“…”

“Perhaps you’re already aware.”

Betty hesitated, her voice uncertain.

“Go on.”

“It seems Sir Philip Clavier from Sarnica is scheduled to visit Olstein.”