Chapter 6

I have been in a cold war with my father.

He still doesn’t seem to like the fact that I go to the Tralles Duke’s house to help, but he also seems to have a rational side that understands that it’s a request from the Duke’s family and that it’s not a bad thing to have connections. In the end, we just ignore each other.

Usually, whether I was in the wrong or not, I would apologize and "make up," but I don’t want to do that anymore, so I haven’t apologized yet.

I don’t even understand why he’s angry that I’ve become friends with the Duke on my own.

I guess he just doesn’t like it when big decisions are made without him.

That’s why I can’t bring myself to apologize this time.

If he ever loses interest, I’ll apologize and do as he says, but for now, I want to spend my last days as I please. I don’t think I’ll be punished for it.

I guess I’ve become quite thick-skinned without realizing it.

As for the rest of the family, they both pretty much leave me alone.

Mother seems busy with Olvia and doesn’t want to get involved in anything complicated.

Olvia, who goes out with the Prince, comes back tired and doesn’t seem to understand much.

Even though she’s gotten better, I’m a bit worried.

The other day, I thought Prince Gilbert seemed quite forceful.

In that case, I feel more comfortable spending time at the Duke’s house.

Sadias always treats me well, and the servants are all pleasant people. I’ve heard that the fact that many of the servants have served the family for generations is proof of the good atmosphere in the house.

Martha, the head maid, always prepares mint tea and sweet treats for me, and though she doesn’t say much, I feel welcomed.

So I try to help Sadias with his meals as much as I can.

He still looks pale and has an upset stomach from eating the emotions of the people who visit him for work. It’s a bit scary to see him eat emotions until his heart feels hollow, but when he smiles and thanks me afterward, the hole in my heart fills with joy.

So I don’t mind at all and even find it fulfilling.

Thanks to that, Sadias has recovered quickly.

“Don’t you look much better now?”

As I look at his face, which is regaining its vigor and sharpness, Sadias shakes his head anxiously.

“No! Not yet! I’m not fit to escort you yet!”

“You don’t have to be so nervous about escorting me…”

“But, Amalie, you don’t really want to be escorted by me…”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then I’ll put in as much effort as I can, and it’s my choice.”

When he smiles mischievously with his recovered healthy face, I can’t help but feel flustered.

I had a feeling he was quite handsome, but as expected, or rather, he’s even more attractive than I imagined.

His hair, which has started to regain its silver shine, no longer looks gray.

I wonder why I ever mistook such a beautiful person for an old man.

I feel like I want to go back in time and lecture myself.

Thus, the cold war at home continued, and the day of the royal-sponsored evening party arrived.

Olvia and the others were to enter first, followed by us.

In the waiting carriage, Olvia’s delicate face was clouded with anxiety.

“I’ve never entered with anyone other than my sister. It feels so strange.”

“Olvia, don’t look so worried. The Prince said he really wants to enter with you.”

“I know, but…”

“It’s okay. You’re the cutest sister in the world. If you get really scared, you can hide behind me.”

As I fix her bangs with my fingertips, she finally smiles.

I felt like she had become a distant presence after being chosen by the Prince, but Olvia is still Olvia.

“You look really beautiful today, too.”

“So do you, Olvia.”

There’s a knock on the door.

Olvia lowers her eyes slightly, looking a bit anxious, and steps out of the carriage.

In front of her stands the elaborately dressed Prince Gilbert.

The Prince, dressed in white and purple, and Olvia, dressed in purple, look like a prince and princess from a fairy tale.

The Prince whispers something in her ear, and Olvia looks down, blushing.

As I watch them walk into the dazzling light of the venue, there’s another knock.

Startled, I look up to see a beautiful young man with silver hair tinged with blue looking down at me.

His amber eyes shimmer in the light leaking from the venue, like melted gold.

He, Sadias, smiles wryly and offers his hand.

He must have come to the carriage because I hadn’t come out for so long.

“S-Sorry.”

I take his hand and step out of the carriage.

His hand, once bony and knobby, is now a firm, strong man’s hand.

Though he was originally pale, his improved complexion no longer gives him a ghostly appearance. Rather, he looks like a beauty born from the moonlight.

Sadias looks me over and smiles warmly.

“You look beautiful.”

“So do you, Sadias.”

“I hope I’m a worthy match for you.”

“I’m the one who should be wondering if I’m a worthy match…”

“It seems we’re both still uncertain.”

We laugh together, and the tension in our shoulders eases.

“Shall we, Amalie?”

I gently place my hand on his offered arm, and we start walking.

At first, I didn’t think there were many eyes on us.

Everyone was focused on the Prince and Olvia.

The first to notice were the women.

They whispered to each other, “Who is that gentleman?” and “Is that a wonderful person?”

The whispers spread like ripples on water, growing wider and wider.

People became interested, and one by one, they turned to look at us.

“That’s…”

Someone whispers.

“Isn’t that the Duke of Tralles?”

“The Duke of Tralles, could it be the Glutton Duke!?”

“No way! He’s so beautiful?”

“I heard his son inherited the title but was too weak to enter society.”

“What a wonderful person…”

I feel like boasting that this person has become so energetic thanks to me. It’s not really something to boast about, since he just needed to eat properly, but it’s still amusing to see people finally notice Sadias’s true charm and be shocked by it.

“Everyone is talking about you, Sadias.”

I can’t help but smile as I talk to him, and he returns a gentle smile.

“It’s thanks to you, Amalie.”

When he says it himself, I feel not just a little embarrassed and happy.

“But there seem to be quite a few men looking at you, Amalie.”

“No way.”

“It’s true, though.”

I’m used to being seen as the noisy older sister next to Olvia.

Or maybe they’re feeling misplaced jealousy, thinking I’ve been kidnapped by the prince of the evening party.

“Are you nervous?”

“You know very well, don’t you?”

“Maybe. I can’t know everything. After all, Amalie’s heart belongs only to Amalie.”

Sadias says it as if it’s nothing, but now I understand why his words make me want to cry.

I never felt like I owned myself.

I thought my life and my heart were not mine to control.

That’s why Sadias’s words made me happy.

I felt recognized.

I try hard to keep the moisture from my eyes and lift my face proudly.

My parents and others who always thought I was a boring, unremarkable woman must be watching from somewhere.

I smile as if declaring to them.

Being by Sadias’s side.

This is something I chose and grasped on my own.