Chapter 63
“If I can’t have you, then you can’t have anyone either.”
The low murmur seemed to snare Ivan’s ears. It wasn’t loud enough to wake Ian, but Ivan appeared intent on catching even the smallest whisper.
Amelia lowered her feet from the bed. Unintentionally, the hem of her nightgown lifted, and through the parted canopy drapes, her smooth legs came into view. Ivan’s gaze shifted to them. It was natural—after all, those were the same legs he had once caressed and kissed so tenderly.
“……”
But soon, his eyes drifted away, showing no hint of desire. He merely loosened his tie as though something weighed heavily on his chest.
“Since you refused to have me, you’ll never be happy.”
Amelia rose from her seat and moved toward Ivan. She reached out, gently resting her hand on his firm jaw, and whispered. Just as her fingertips sensed his faint warmth, their eyes met.
“That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”
“……”
“Or am I wrong?”
She asked without averting her gaze, wondering if her reasoning made sense—or if she merely looked like a madwoman.
“Do as you please.”
Ivan replied in an indifferent tone, pulling her hand away as though even that slight touch was intolerable.
“I’ll send the letter of proposal as soon as possible.”
“Go ahead.”
Ivan hated her. There was no point in guessing when it began; the thought itself was laughable. So even knowing he would send a proposal to someone else and marry them didn’t shake her much.
“If you notice anything suspicious, you must report it immediately.”
“Since Ian’s life is what our contract hinges on, I’ll uphold it without fail. You needn’t worry.”
Amelia gave her assurance. Ivan tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on her face.
“Do you have more to say?”
As if searching for something in her expression, as if hoping for an answer to a question he would never ask.
“No.”
But it lasted only a moment. He gave a curt reply and walked past her without a trace of hesitation. Amelia, standing opposite him, slowly trailed her fingers over the edge of the table he had leaned against.
“If I can’t have you, then you can’t have anyone either.”
“If you don’t accept me, you’ll never be happy.”
The lines she had spoken like an actress replayed in her mind. Were they entirely lies? If she hadn’t made that promise regarding Ivan and Ian, perhaps those words wouldn’t have been a performance at all—but the truth. The thought made her laugh faintly, bitterly.
The sounds from the next room faded completely, along with the lingering warmth on the table’s edge. Ivan’s presence—his noise—was gone from her world.
Three days later, Ivan publicly declared that Ian would hold his coronation as Crown Prince in the year he turned two. The temple announced that the gods gladly embraced the emperor’s decision.
However, the temple added one condition: accepting Ian as Crown Prince was the same as accepting him as a son, so to foster affection, they must spend time together every day, even briefly.
Ivan accepted without resistance.
“He sent all these as gifts?”
Not long after, gifts from Ivan flooded the West Palace. Amelia stared blankly at the heap of items that filled the empty space before her bed.
“From His Majesty the Emperor?”
Her voice trembled with disbelief, and Louis nodded. His face mirrored the same shock.
“All this… why?”
“I have no idea either.”
“……”
“Oh, there are dresses too.”
And not just dresses. There were fabrics and lace to have gowns made to her taste, and even at a glance, the jewelry pieces gleamed like rare treasures.
“My goodness…”
Greed flickered in Louis’s eyes. Because Amelia had insisted on a frugal lifestyle, Louis too refrained from dressing lavishly. Considering young ladies’ love for trends and beautiful things, her reaction was only natural.
“The colors are gorgeous. And the texture…”
Amelia teased Louis, running her fingers over the fine fabric with admiration.
“I’ve felt a little self-conscious wearing only plain dresses every day.”
She glanced down at her current simple gown, embarrassed. She had seen the beauty of the world—she knew what was fine—but could never indulge in it. Louis, reading that in her tone, wasn’t surprised.
“He even sent me such precious things… Did His Majesty leave no message for me?”
Amelia turned to Rodan, who had delivered the gifts. Straightening with pride at her attention, he answered politely.
“He said since you had few belongings when you came for Ian’s sake, he sent dresses and jewelry as gifts.”
A roundabout way of saying her wardrobe was shabby and needed proper attire.
“If the dresses don’t fit, a tailor will be summoned for adjustments. If you have designs in mind, you may use the fabrics.”
The tone was perfectly polished, the diplomacy of a seasoned courtier. Louis was quietly impressed.
“I see. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty, Sir Rodan.”
“Yes, and now I’ll deliver gifts for young master Ian.”
With another bow, Rodan withdrew.
“I’d like to change into one.”
“I’ll assist you. Dresses like these require extra hands.”
At her words, the maids rushed forward, while Madame Warner oversaw organizing the mountain of gifts. They helped Amelia into a blue gown of her choosing.
“Beautiful…”
Awkward under their attentive hands, Amelia gazed at her reflection and sighed in wonder. Louis, glancing over, showed a flicker of surprise.
“It suits you perfectly.”
The maids chimed in eagerly:
“Shall we redo your hair?”
“These sapphire earrings would match wonderfully.”
They fawned over her, while Louis watched with barely concealed annoyance.
“Every single piece seems chosen to suit you.”
“Indeed. It’s as if he knew exactly what would look good on me. Has he been watching?”
Amelia giggled lightly, clearly pleased. Louis’s expression twisted—Amelia was deluding herself, wasn’t she?
“That’s enough. Thank you, everyone.”
“Call us if you need anything else.”
When the maids withdrew, Amelia proudly showed off to Louis. Louis’s face soured.
“In the end, I won.”
“What?”
Won? Over a few gifts? Louis blinked in confusion.
“Honestly, I liked him. Before Aaron ever ordered me to seduce the emperor. From the moment he saved Ian.”
Her words were soft, almost secretive, so unlike her usual sharp tone that Louis was momentarily thrown.
“But he said he’d never have me.”
“Wh-what? You confessed to him?”
“When you weren’t around. That day in the library.”
Louis tried, but she couldn’t shadow Amelia all the time. A gap like that was all Amelia needed.
“The Duke of Russell and Aaron once told me they’d use my seduction as grounds for a holy war, so I was careful not to get caught—to protect him.”
“……”
“But he refused me. After holding my hand without hesitation, he refused.”
A flash of bitterness crossed Amelia’s face as she recalled that moment. Louis parted her lips, stunned by this confession.
“I was hurt—angry, even. So I gave a false prophecy. Honestly, I wanted to kill him when he tried to kill Ian. It didn’t seem wrong to let him die for defying the gods.”
“……”
“But then I thought—once Ian becomes Crown Prince, he’ll be safe from Aaron’s grip. So I didn’t hesitate.”
Louis’s stare turned sharp, accusatory, as if to say That’s why you acted like this?
“But look now. In the end, he accepted Ian. And he sent all this to me and Ian.”
Amelia smiled without flinching under that gaze.
“That means he lost. This is his apology for making me angry.”
“……”
“I feel so relieved.”
Like someone freed from a throbbing ache. Louis wondered if Amelia had always been this kind of person. Considering her impulsiveness, her sharp tongue, her refusal to ever back down—it wasn’t impossible.
“And now, it’s nearly time for Ian to meet His Majesty. I should go and thank him personally.”
Lifting her skirts lightly, Amelia strode off as if she couldn’t wait to taunt the emperor she believed had surrendered to her.
