~Chapter 53~
“Duke.”
Erman couldn’t hide his surprise. But Christan ignored the Crown Prince and stepped in front of Amel, blocking the space between them.
Amel looked up at him with dazed eyes.
“Your Highness… How are you here…?”
Just then, she heard a rattling sound and a bold, familiar telepathic voice.
『This guy became my legs today!』
Amel’s eyes widened.
“Kamarin!”
“I brought him.”
Still wary of Erman, Christan finally turned toward Amel. In his hand was a sturdy birdcage, and inside, the purple owl hopped restlessly.
『Witch! I’m back! I’m hungry, give me pomegranates! This guy only fed me bird seeds!』
Kamarin chattered noisily. Amel quickly took the cage from him, her face flustered. She poked Kamarin with her finger and whispered.
“Quiet. I’ll order pomegranates as soon as we’re home…”
Once Christan saw Amel relax, he turned his sharp gaze back on Erman. His voice came out like a growl.
“Did you just force a proposal on someone who said no… Crown Prince?”
His gray eyes flashed dangerously. If Erman had even a little of Gaspar’s personality, he could have accused Christan of treason on the spot. That was how threatening his aura was.
But Erman wasn’t that bold. He only looked wronged and protested.
“No, Duke, this is a misunderstanding. I didn’t force anything… I’m also a victim here. Father is the one who wants Lady Winterpool as my bride.”
Christan’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“…Is that true?”
“Why would I lie about this…?”
Erman’s shoulders slumped. From behind Christan’s back, Amel peeked out and felt a little pity for him.
‘If I think about it… he’s in a situation kind of like His Highness. The Emperor completely controls his life too.’
Still, remembering that he carried Gaspar’s blood made her sympathy fade. Straightening her thoughts, Amel tugged Christan’s sleeve.
“Your Highness, let’s go.”
“…You.”
His way of addressing her had returned to normal. With a slightly stiff expression, he asked,
“Why are you here?”
“That’s my question. When did you come to Barvate? Is Kamarin’s research already finished? And how did you know I was here?”
Christan was taken aback by the flood of questions but answered one by one.
“I arrived today. I pushed the researchers to finish early. And…”
He hesitated, then finally admitted,
“I went straight to the Count’s mansion when I arrived in Barvate. He told me… that you had gone to the Imperial Palace.”
“What? My house?”
Amel’s eyes widened. Christan pressed his lips shut and only moved his eyes aside.
“Anyway, the palace can be dangerous… I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Amel’s cheeks burned red, her heart pounding fast. He had worried about her before, but this time it shook her more deeply.
Even if her mind was fragile right now, that one act of concern was enough to lift her from despair.
“Thank you.”
Amel smiled through her tears. The drops she had held back for so long finally fell. Christan, startled, reached out instinctively to wipe her face. His thumb came away damp.
“Why…”
“Oh… I’m not crying because I’m sad. I’m just… so glad to see you, Your Highness…”
Amel sniffled. Kamarin squawked loudly.
『What, why are you crying?! Stop that! If you cry over such a small thing, it’ll ruin the reputation of me, your familiar!』
“…Pft.”
Amel burst into a small laugh at Kamarin’s self-centered words.
Christan, still stunned, pulled out a handkerchief from his coat and handed it to her. She dabbed her eyes carefully.
“Is it all over now?”
“Ah.”
A voice interrupted. Christan turned. Erman stood there, watching them with a sour look.
“Leaving me standing here… really…”
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
Christan’s tone was stiff—completely different from how he spoke to Amel. Erman shrugged, clearly used to it.
“I wasn’t asking for an apology, so it’s fine.”
His eyes flicked toward Amel. With the same weary smile as before, he said,
“Then, let’s meet again next time, Lady Winterpool.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Right then, palace guards suddenly appeared and practically dragged Erman back to his residence.
Christan glanced at Amel.
“Let’s go back inside.”
He followed her into the reception room where she had first been led.
The knights waiting inside were startled by Kamarin in his cage. They bowed apologetically to Christan.
“We are truly sorry, but may we keep this creature? For the safety of the palace.”
“…Very well.”
Amel reluctantly handed over the cage, looking displeased. Once the knight left with Kamarin, she whispered to Christan.
“By the way… how did you even bring him inside?”
“What do you mean?”
“I had everything taken away at the entrance—even my potions.”
“…I see.”
Her tone made it clear he hadn’t done it the gentle way. Thinking of how she herself had been disrespected by the guards, his anger simmered. He sipped his tea to calm himself.
“Ah?!”
Amel reached out, but it was too late—he had already drunk it.
“What’s wrong?”
“…That was the tea I drank from earlier…”
“…My apologies.”
Christan nearly dropped the cup in his embarrassment. Amel shook her head quickly, her face red.
“N-no, it’s fine. Should I ask them to bring a new pot?”
“It’s alright.”
Just then, the door burst open. The same stern attendant from earlier strode in.
“Lady Winterpool! His Majesty is ready to see you now, so hurry—D-Duke?!”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Christan lifted his chin. The attendant stammered.
“W-why are you here?”
“I came to see Lady Winterpool. It’s none of your concern.”
“…I see.”
Everyone knew Christan never set foot in the palace unless it was an official event. Given his relationship with Gaspar, it was natural.
Yet he had come all the way here to see Amel, when he could have waited outside?
The attendant’s instincts flared. This would cause a huge stir.
Amel, frustrated at the awkward pause, asked,
“So, I can go see His Majesty now?”
“Yes, right away.”
“Okay. I’ll be back, Your Highness.”
“…Alright.”
There was a trace of regret in Christan’s eyes. The attendant noticed it immediately.
‘When they return, I must report this to His Majesty at once!’
Unaware of the gray eyes watching her, Amel followed the attendant out of the room.
