The daughter of Chancellor Konrad Lorenzo, Lily Lorenzo, who suddenly visited the Mieschko ducal household, began to tell a story Marika had never heard before.

“To others, he might have seemed different, but Will was always so kind to me.”

Lily spoke while composing herself after the tears brought on by her emotions.

“Truly, we were devoted lovers. My father opposed us, though…”

Chancellor Konrad couldn’t bear the thought of his daughter marrying someone who held only a lowly position in the cavalry. One day, after receiving a severe reprimand, Will Valentin had no choice but to leave the cavalry, receive a knighthood, and be dispatched to Brienne.

Still, they exchanged messages now and then, hoping that Chancellor Konrad’s anger would subside. However, in recent weeks, all communication had ceased.

“And then, what I received was Will’s belongings, sent by the knighthood.”

Tears streamed down Lily’s face again.

“Can you imagine, Lady Marika? The last word from your lover being his belongings… Such a misfortune will never happen again. For a while, I wasn’t myself. Honestly, I’m still not. I scream and have nightmares every night.”

Lily clutched her handkerchief tightly, as if trying to suppress her sobs.

“The thought that my Will died all alone, in that distant place, on the land of Brienne, shatters my heart into pieces. Moreover, no one gives me a clear explanation of how or why Will died.”

An accident, suicide, or murder—no one in Olstein Castle seemed to care about the knight who died far from home. She had pleaded with her father, Chancellor Konrad, multiple times in tears, but he, too, shook his head.

“My father truly seemed not to know. After much begging, he finally told me just one thing. That it was His Highness the Crown Prince who resolved the incident in Brienne and mediated to prevent war.”

“….”

“I’m telling you this because it’s you, Lady Marika.”

Lily wiped her swollen eyes and continued.

“It’s an open secret in the royal court that His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince don’t get along well. Because of this, my father hardly associates with His Highness.”

Having thought hard about where to find a clue, Lily had ultimately decided to visit Marika.

“Lady Marika, could you ask His Highness for me? I even tried requesting an audience in secret, but there’s been no reply. Please, I beg you, Lady Marika.”

Losing a lover must be a terribly sad thing.

Yet, Marika couldn’t quite understand why not knowing the cause of death was making Lily suffer to this extent.

“…If it’s just asking, it’s not impossible.”

After a moment of hesitation, Marika spoke, and Lily’s face brightened immediately.

“Truly, are you really going to help me, Lady Marika?”

“Yes… But I can’t be sure how His Highness will respond.”

“That’s alright.”

Lily smiled faintly.

“Among all the ladies, you were chosen by His Highness. I’m sure His Highness loves you very much. If it’s your request, I believe he’ll share even a little bit of information.”

“….”

Lily’s tone was as resolute as a sermon given by a temple priest. Marika, who had never given much thought to the concept of love, could only remain silent.

“Perhaps you think this kind of talk isn’t fitting for a noble.”

Lily smiled sheepishly, seeming to have interpreted Marika’s silence another way.

“Please understand. When you’re in love, everyone acts a little irrationally… It’s just that my period of irrationality is a bit longer than others.”

After meeting Will Valentin, her world had completely changed. She was even glad not to have been chosen by the Crown Prince. Each day felt like a blessing just to be alive…

Though no one had asked, Lily confessed these sentiments before leaving the Mieschko estate.

Marika barely managed to see her off. She was too lost in thought.

What is love, anyway?

The bulk of that old, trite question suddenly loomed large.

Weren’t all nobles like her parents, like herself and Josef, forming the most efficient marriages and building their families accordingly? Wasn’t that the wisest way to uphold one’s house and live a life befitting nobility?

Marika’s opinion hadn’t changed. Seeing Lily, who had abandoned all decorum and composure due to an emotion as nebulous and intangible as love, only solidified her stance. Watching Lily climb into the carriage, her mourning dress trailing behind her, was certainly not an image Marika wished to emulate.

“….”

Yet the look in Lily’s eyes as she spoke of Will Valentin, a man whose name Marika hadn’t even known, lingered in her heart like tea leaves stuck to the bottom of a teapot.

***

Dana’s eyes were filled with regret as she bid farewell to Amelia.

“My Lady, it would be wonderful if you could stay a few more days.”

“I wish I could, too,” Amelia said with a smile.

For a moment, this was her honest feeling. During her brief stay, the maids at the Calstad manor had treated her with the utmost care, and watching Dana laugh and chatter so innocently had been so enjoyable that time seemed to fly by.

“But I promised Betty I’d return today.”

“Then next time, you must come prepared to stay longer.”

“I will. But I have a favor to ask, Dana.”

Amelia wanted to borrow the horse Dana had once promised her. Since she was wearing a dress suited for riding, with no waistline and just a single petticoat, she wished to go for a walk in the area before heading back.

Dana, hearing this, showed a hint of concern.

“Will you be alright on your own, my Lady? Should I send a servant with you?”

“I’ll be fine. I won’t go far. Besides, I have to return the horse anyway.”

Despite her explanation, Dana’s expression remained uneasy.

“Then let’s do this, my Lady.”

Understanding that Amelia wanted some time alone, Dana suggested a compromise that wouldn’t interfere.

They would have the Calstad carriage take her to the Crown Princess’s residence. But if she didn’t return before sunset, Dana would order the servants to search for her.

“It gets dark quickly here. We’re close to the royal hunting grounds, so you might get lost or caught in a trap that hasn’t been cleared away yet.”

“Alright. Thank you for your concern.”

Amelia gratefully accepted Dana’s thoughtfulness. Though she had no intention of embarking on the grand adventure Dana seemed to fear, the layered safety measures gave her reassurance.

“Tell the servants to be on alert. After all, it’s partly your responsibility for living in such a scenic place.”

“My goodness, Lady Amelia, you can joke.”

Even at Amelia’s dry humor, Dana laughed heartily.

****

The royal coachman, under Josef’s orders, urged the horses of the four-wheeled carriage onward. As the sunset cast its glow over the river, the shortcut took the carriage through the forest behind the Calstad estate’s riding grounds.

“…Henrik.”

Henrik, who was escorting the carriage from behind, approached at Josef’s call.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Without a word, Josef gestured with his eyes over Henrik’s shoulder. Henrik turned his head in confusion, then froze.

“What in the—”

His younger sister, Dana, was on horseback, talking to a few of the estate’s staff.

Before Josef could say anything, Dana turned and recognized them. She began riding toward them.

“Brother!”

Though Dana’s voice held a mix of excitement and surprise, Henrik’s expression hardened, and he shouted:

“Dana Calstad!”

Henrik’s warhorse blocked Dana’s path.

“Don’t you know royal protocol? How dare you ride a horse in front of the Crown Prince’s carriage!”

“Ah…”

Only then did Dana seem to recognize Josef’s face illuminated by the carriage’s lantern.

“Show proper respect.”

Seeing Dana’s pale face, Henrik’s tone softened slightly. He dismounted and extended his hand. Leaning on his arm, Dana dismounted, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, she bowed her head.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

At the sight of her crimson hair, Josef recalled the debutante ball, where Amelia had adorned Dana’s hair with a handmade accessory.

“What’s the matter?”

“….”

Hesitating, Dana glanced at Henrik before answering.

“Um… Lady Amelia hasn’t returned, so I instructed the servants to search…”

“What?”

At the same moment, Henrik’s exclamation was interrupted by the sudden opening of the carriage door.

Dana flinched as Josef stepped out of the carriage.

“Where did she go?”

“Pardon?”

“When did she disappear?”

Still leaning on Henrik, Dana appeared frightened by Josef’s relentless questioning.

“About… three or four hours ago. She said she wouldn’t go far, so she should be back by now, but she hasn’t returned…”

Josef turned back toward the carriage. He grabbed one of the lanterns hanging from the roof and mounted Henrik’s horse.

Seeing Josef already holding the reins, Henrik spoke urgently.

“Your Highness, this area is safe—it’s a royal hunting ground. You don’t need to go yourself. If you insist, I can—”

“Return to the palace.”

Josef looked around as he spoke.

“I’ll bring her back.”

“Your Highness!”

Spotting a trail of hoofprints leading off the path, Josef spurred the horse forward.

It was forbidden to enter the hunting grounds alone after sunset.

When the royal family wasn’t hunting, servants set traps for rabbits or foxes. Even Josef didn’t know where those traps were. A misstep could injure a horse severely.

The twilight was already fading to gray. Josef imagined Amelia wandering, looking around in confusion.

“…”

Unable to ease the rare anxiety he felt, he tightened his grip on the reins.