~Chapter 62~
“Ah… I just talked with His Highness the Crown Prince for a moment.”
“My brother was looking for you today too. Was there a problem with your promotion?”
“No, not that. We just… talked about the inheritance of the count’s title. Until now, the branch family didn’t recognize it. But since my promotion is confirmed, he said they won’t be able to oppose it anymore.”
Richard slightly raised his eyebrows.
Lyssa’s words sounded like an excuse, but he let it pass.
Maybe it was something hard to explain—or something he didn’t need to know.
“That’s right. The Medinael branch family being unreasonable is nothing new.”
“I’ll bring Yvonne soon too. Her health has gotten much better.”
There was joy in Lyssa’s voice, the kind that comes after long waiting.
Seeing her, Richard gave a short laugh.
“That’s good. Anyway, let me know right away if you see Amelie.”
In the end, the topic returned to Amelie.
Lyssa only smiled playfully at him.
“You two seem really close these days. I’m happy for you. Weren’t you the one who used to tell me not to get close to Amelie?”
“…That was a long time ago.”
Looking embarrassed, Richard turned away with his sword.
“I’ll go first.”
“Don’t worry too much, Richard. Amelie will be fine.”
She spoke lightly toward his back.
Richard nodded once, but she couldn’t see it.
Richard walked down a narrow back alley, his face dark.
The stone street was uneven, the walls tight beneath the gray sky.
He had once promised himself never to walk this path again…
“Why am I here again…”
His broken resolve led him back toward the counseling office—this time as Knight Logan.
His long black hair was messy, his throat smelled faintly bitter from the herb that disguised his voice.
He thought he’d never use this disguise again.
[ Sorry, I’m still unwell… let’s meet next time. ]
[ The counseling office is fully booked for days. ]
[ I don’t feel like going to the training grounds. Next time, I’ll try to make time. ]
He had sent letter after letter, even tried to visit.
But every time, Amelie politely refused him.
Meanwhile, Lyssa had seen her a few times.
The only way left to meet her… was like this, as a “client” at the counseling office.
At least she had accepted Logan’s reservation.
“See you next time.”
When Richard stepped inside, Amelie smiled as she saw off another client.
That bright smile—eyes shining, lips curved gently—
the very smile he longed to see melted away his bottled-up anger.
But then he noticed her face.
Her cheeks had grown thinner, faint shadows lay under her eyes.
Traces of her illness lingered.
Richard frowned slightly.
“Sorry for making you wait. The last session ended late.”
Amelie greeted him with a somewhat awkward smile.
When Richard bowed lightly and sat, a woman came from inside.
“Oh, this is Miss Karen from House Silone. She’s been working with me recently. She makes excellent tea—please try it.”
Richard carefully lifted the cup.
One sip, and he realized she was right.
“…It’s very good. Subtle, not too strong.”
“Right?”
“Thank you. But… I heard you were ill after the masquerade ball.”
“Ah… Richard must have told you.”
“Yes. His Highness was very worried about you.”
Amelie laughed softly, embarrassed.
“I’m fine now. I can even work here again.”
“That’s good.”
Richard swallowed back the words that rose.
If she was fine, then why did she avoid only him?
The unanswered questions piled up in his chest.
His silence made Amelie’s eyes show a hint of caution.
“Are you here today because of Lyssa again?”
“No. Her promotion will go as planned. After hearing your opinion, I realized I had judged her wrongly.”
At those words, Amelie’s face brightened.
So that’s why she had been wary—she was afraid he might attack Lyssa again.
“That’s wonderful! Thank you for taking my words seriously.”
“…I just thought your judgment was more reasonable.”
Richard forced strength into his lips to keep them from breaking into a smile.
He nearly smiled back at her shining face.
“Then, Sir Logan, what trouble brings you today?”
“As I said before, I have many worries. Today… is another one.”
“Ah, yes. What kind of worry this time?”
Amelie folded her hands on her lap, looking a little tense.
Richard pressed his lips shut, eyes lowered.
He had thought of a “trouble,” but he wasn’t sure if he should say it.
“…There’s a young lady I can’t stop thinking about.”
It was about Amelie herself—his real concern lately.
Her eyes blinked wide, as if she’d heard something unexpected.
“You, Sir Logan?”
“Yes.”
“So… a romance problem?”
“That’s not it!”
Richard quickly denied it.
Amelie Garnet as a love interest? Impossible.
Not once had his gaze toward her been impure—he believed that firmly.
“That lady and I could never be like that.”
“Ah, so you dislike her?”
“…Until recently, yes.”
“Which means not anymore?”
Without realizing it, he answered honestly—and Amelie immediately caught the slip.
She smiled gently.
“I see. So why does she trouble your mind?”
“…I used to really dislike her. But she’s not such a bad person after all. Lately, I keep noticing her. She stays in my thoughts.”
Her warm hazel eyes were fixed on him, and because of that, Richard kept talking about Amelie without realizing.
After listening quietly, Amelie set down her cup.
“Do you find yourself wondering what she’s doing now? Wanting to see her, thinking of her often?”
“…How did you know?”
Richard froze, then lifted his eyes.
Could Amelie really read hearts?
Amelie smiled softly.
“That means, Sir Logan, you like her.”
“Yes… I suppose it is a kind of liking.”
Her answer was firm, clear.
And he admitted it without hesitation—because he hadn’t thought of it as romantic liking.
“Hmm. I don’t think you’ll realize it all at once. Could you tell me more about her?”
Her calm voice carried the words: It will take time.
