~Chapter 76~
I came to the royal palace after Bastian’s sudden summons, feeling nervous as if I had done something wrong.
The memory of snapping at him at the masked ball was still fresh.
The words I had said back then were so harsh that just thinking about them made my face burn.
I silently repeated to myself, hoping he wouldn’t bring it up:
“Please, don’t mention that.”
“His Highness is waiting for you in the library.”
“Yes.”
As I followed the head steward, my heart raced for no reason. Even my footsteps sounded louder, and I got more nervous. I clutched my dress tightly to hide my tension.
When the elaborately decorated door opened, I saw the library. The faint scent of heavy wood and leather filled the air. The room seemed to hold both history and authority.
Bastian was sitting alone at a large table, playing chess. The soft sound of chess pieces hitting the board strangely added to the tension.
Sensing my presence, Bastian looked up.
“Have you been well, Lady Amelie?”
“Yes… I’m alright. And Your Highness, have you been well?”
I tried to sound calm, but my voice trembled slightly. Bastian’s eyes swept past me and then softened into a smile.
“I’m having the best time of my life.”
I thought it would be his usual playful smile, but this was different. It wasn’t a light joke—he really looked happy.
His bright smile made my tension melt away.
“Ah, I saw that you became a knight. Congratulations. And… I’m really sorry for the masked ball.”
I bowed my head slightly, speaking carefully. Bastian laughed freely.
“There’s no need to apologize, Lady Amelie. I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to you, I can be with the one I love.”
“Huh? I didn’t do anything…”
I replied, confused. He picked up a chess piece and continued talking casually.
“You snapped me back to reality with your harsh judgment, didn’t you?”
“….”
“Harsh judgment.” My lips stiffened at the words. Even back then, my words had been cruel. Seeing him mention it so lightly made my face flush. But he didn’t seem to blame me at all.
“As you said, I was always in the middle.”
Bastian quietly moved a chess piece and said suddenly, his eyes dimming for a moment.
“I always struggled between the Crown Prince and the man who loved her. I never thought it would make the other person feel insecure.”
His expression was briefly self-mocking, then he looked at me with his familiar playful smile. The playfulness reached the corners of his mouth.
“Then, after getting a real hit from him, I finally woke up.”
“Uh… Saying it like that makes it sound like I really hit Your Highness.”
“The important thing is that I woke up. And Lady Amelie, even if you had really hit me once, I could forgive it.”
“Puhuh.”
His calm and playful answer made me laugh, even though I had been holding it back. I felt a little relief.
The troubled, conflicted man was gone. In front of me now was a man smiling brightly, in love.
But the smile didn’t last. Bastian’s face suddenly darkened.
“Because of my fuss, Richard has to suffer.”
“Richard? Why?”
“The Empress doesn’t like all attention on me.”
I went blank for a moment. Did the Empress and Bastian not get along? I thought he had a good relationship with Richard, but apparently not.
“The news about my engagement is out, and it’s still causing a stir. Soon, she will pressure Richard to marry.”
“…What?”
I froze. Richard… to marry? Already? My fingers automatically clutched my dress.
“Richard isn’t old enough for that yet, right? And the Crown Prince hasn’t even been engaged.”
“Exactly. That’s why they’ll hurry. The Empress doesn’t want me here.”
Bastian paused while moving a chess piece. ‘Could the Empress be trying to make Richard emperor?’ I thought, suddenly alert.
“Amelie, don’t say unnecessary things.”
A familiar deep voice came from behind. Startled, I turned and saw Richard standing at the doorway, watching us.
“I heard wolves cry even in daylight. Looks like my brother really is a wolf.”
Bastian winked at me. Stern-faced Bastian, and wolf-like Richard standing there… it surprisingly fit. I laughed slightly, and Richard narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t laugh at my brother. Or you’ll be called here every day.”
“Then I’ll just come and learn chess.”
I replied playfully, and Richard frowned deeply.
“Amelie Garnet, your brother already has a lover—”
“Lady Amelie,”
Bastian interrupted, calling my name lightly.
“Take my foolish brother for a walk. There’s a beautiful lake on the west side of the palace.”
The west lake sparkled in the sunlight. Only Richard and I were there.
“You got kicked out for saying something strange.”
“If I stayed, I’d just be your playmate. Does it bother you?”
I hesitated, then shook my head.
“No. Walking by the lake is better.”
Richard and I laughed at the same time. It wasn’t even a special moment, but our timing matched perfectly.
The wind was gentle, the sun warm, and our laughter felt light.
Yet, Bastian’s words kept coming back to me. Hesitating, I finally asked:
“You said you might get married soon?”
Richard’s face immediately stiffened. His brows furrowed sharply, eyes narrowing. He clearly didn’t like it.
“What rumor is that?”
“Not a rumor… The Crown Prince said you might be pressured to marry.”
“Ha… So my brother wasn’t just talking about Mother.”
Richard stopped walking. His silent face looked tired, almost weary.
“Pressure is real, but there’s no immediate marriage. I’m not at the age to follow every word of Mother.”
“I see.”
I secretly sighed with relief. My heart felt lighter. Richard noticed and looked down at me.
“And don’t jump to conclusions alone like last time.”
Not mind-reading, apparently. No wonder I can’t say anything freely around him.
“Ah. Yes. I apologized, so it’s fine.”
I spoke quietly, feeling guilty. Richard glanced at me suspiciously, then narrowed his eyes, as if he remembered something.
“By the way, Amelie. You don’t know anything about Wudian Montorre while he was abroad, right?”
“Yes. I completely forgot he even existed.”
“I’ve been checking… Seems he’s in debt.”
“Debt?”
Richard nodded silently.
“It seems like a large amount. I’m still figuring out the details.”
…Wow, unbelievable. I stuck my tongue out and muttered. Outwardly fine, but completely hopeless.
“For now, just pretend you don’t know. I’ll gather solid evidence.”
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
Richard spoke in a low voice, and I decided to trust him, patiently waiting for the meaningful news he would bring.
