Chapter 48
“Welcome to the Reed delegation’s second visit to Escliffe. I hear that this time, the crown prince himself has accompanied you.”
Ivan greeted the delegation at an unhurried pace. The members of Reed’s delegation—who had just been named the guests of honor for the celebration—rose from their seats.
“We are most grateful for such a warm welcome.”
The man who responded carried himself with the most immaculate attire and an elegant demeanor. He was most likely the crown prince Ivan had mentioned.
“Carter, Crown Prince of Reed. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I bring you his greetings.”
Ivan smiled faintly at Carter’s words.
“I’m always well. I hope you’ll pass my regards on to Reed’s Emperor as well.”
Carter readily agreed. Amelia didn’t know the exact nature of their relationship, but she could at least tell that this was not the first time the two had met.
“We’ve prepared many special things for you.”
Ivan was not the sort to be naturally warm or amiable. Yet Carter didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable with him—and Ivan, in turn, casually inquired after the Emperor’s health.
“You said you wished to clear up the misunderstanding that you had disrespected Escliffe’s god and His representative, so I have invited the High Priestess to join us.”
At Ivan’s words, the delegation’s attention shifted toward Amelia. Black hair, black eyes—her appearance was already widely known, and aside from the servants, she was the only woman present, making her impossible to miss.
“I see.”
Carter replied with a faint smile, as if there had never been any moment in the past when they had doubted the High Priestess’s existence, denied the god, or looked down on Escliffe.
“We, too, hope to completely clear up the misunderstanding between our two countries.”
But the chill in Carter’s eyes as they met Amelia’s made his true feelings clear. He held no goodwill toward her—just as Ivan had once denied the existence of both god and priestess.
“Well, you’ll have plenty of time during your stay. The High Priestess will remain in the palace, so there should be ample opportunity to spend time together.”
Ivan’s words were almost an admonition to take this chance to overcome the stain that had nearly made Reed into a traitor within Escliffe. Carter smiled quietly and said he would do so.
But he hardly seemed the type to approach Amelia warmly for conversation.
“…”
It wasn’t hard to guess that something had already been agreed upon before this meeting.
“I thank you for your considerate hospitality and wish to offer a token in return.”
Carter glanced over his shoulder. His attendants stepped forward, bearing a small casket and a neatly rolled scroll. Carter handed these to Rodan, Ivan’s secretary.
“I hear you’ve discovered a new gold mine.”
Ivan chuckled when he opened the casket. Inside was a gold medal engraved with the Escliffe imperial crest.
“And what’s written on the scroll is a list of gifts that will arrive later. Unfortunately, we had to leave in a hurry and couldn’t bring them with us…”
Carter revealed the second gift—a selection of Reed’s specialty goods, among which was grain that Escliffe had recently begun to seek out.
“Please think of it as a token of friendship, personally ordered by His Majesty the Emperor.”
It wasn’t hard to realize that this statement was aimed at those who opposed improving relations with Reed. His smiling face swept the room with eyes sharp as blades.
And the main target seemed to be Duke Russell, judging by how long Carter’s gaze lingered on him.
“In that case, I’ll have to prepare a grand return gift of my own.”
Ivan smiled and passed the scroll to Rodan, who whispered something in the emperor’s ear.
“See that they receive it upon their departure. For now, let’s enjoy the performance we’ve prepared—the dancers sponsored by the Escliffe imperial family.”
At Ivan’s suggestion, Carter readily stepped back. As he returned to his seat, the space he had occupied was filled by dancers.
When the music began, they moved like graceful swans. The slender hands reaching toward the air and the precise tips of their feet held both fragility and strength—qualities Amelia deeply admired.
But not everyone was watching the stage as she was. Some only pretended to watch the performance while stealing glances at Amelia.
“Why do you think His Majesty invited the High Priestess?”
Someone in the room voiced the question.
“I hear she’s been staying in the palace recently. Perhaps he truly intends to mend relations with the temple.”
Someone else gave a hopeful interpretation.
“Or maybe he has another purpose—or wants to show that relations with Reed aren’t as bad as people think…”
Someone speculated that Ivan might be trying to suggest the god’s oracle had been wrong.
“…”
And then there was Duke Russell, whose thoughts were unreadable, and Ivan, whose gaze toward Amelia was unmistakable—it was a reminder to keep the promise to help her.
“Whatever the case, her hair and eye color are certainly unusual. Quite fascinating, really.”
The music was drawing to a close. The dancers’ movements slowed, their steps growing smaller and quieter. Under the subtle pressure pressing down on her, Amelia clasped her hands together in her lap, the soft fabric crumpling slightly in her palm.
At last, the performance ended completely. Amid the applause, Amelia naturally joined in, offering her praise to the dancers.
“Now that the celebratory performance is over, may I take the floor?”
Rising to her feet, she effortlessly drew everyone’s eyes to her. Normally Ivan would dislike such a presence, but this time he nodded with composure. Almost at the same moment, Duke Russell frowned.
“His Majesty has graciously allowed me to attend and speak here today, and I am grateful for that.”
Amelia inclined her head to Ivan, who gave the barest nod in return.
“Above all else, I am truly delighted that our two nations will once again enjoy friendly relations.”
She smiled faintly and looked around at the gathered guests. The surprise and puzzlement on their faces were evident—many remembered how, until recently, she had openly opposed reconciliation with Reed.
“So last night, I prayed to the god.”
“…”
“I asked for guidance on how Escliffe should proceed, and what would become of us.”
Inciting people was something Amelia both disliked and found the easiest thing in the world—because she had been thoroughly trained to do it from the moment she could think. Trained under Aaron’s heel.
“Fortunately, even to someone as unworthy as myself, He sent His voice.”
She folded her hands neatly before her chest.
“He said to me…”
The room fell silent—not from polite attention, but from the heavy tension and wariness settling over it.
“‘Nothing can break my will to watch over this land, so I have sent a second representative into the world.’”
“…”
“‘Make that child the crown prince, and the bridge between the imperial family and the temple.’”
Crack.
The sharp sound of something hard snapping under pressure rang out. Watching Carter’s face betray his shock, Amelia turned toward the source of the noise.
Ivan still sat in his lofty seat, every inch the sovereign, but his face was cold and rigid as he glared at her.
“‘That is my will.’”
But his anger no longer frightened her. Amelia no longer believed that Ivan would protect Ian. And she had no intention of showing kindness to the father who would not even acknowledge his own child, instead intending to make him the servant of a far more privileged sibling.
“I will do it. Whatever it takes…”
She met his gaze unflinchingly, recalling the moment she had cradled Ian, laughing and crying, and the tiny sounds of the child who had seemed to share in her grief.
Now, she was the only one Ian had left.
She had to protect that poor child herself, so he would not be battered by the storms without shelter. It was what any mother must do.
