Chapter 13

After reading Nate's letter, Melissa ran towards the carriage stand, determined to chase after Amelia's carriage. She had completely forgotten about the fact that she needed to hide her blonde hair from Amelia and her plan to become a pianist in the empire, but due to Josh's calmness, he didn't let the carriage go, and she couldn't chase after it.

At the carriage stand, a servant approached the stunned Melissa. He was a young cook's apprentice who had been working since early spring, a bit older than Nate, and he bowed to Melissa.

"Miss, it's my fault that Nate was taken away. Lady Amelia asked me to tell her about your time in Laton, and I ended up talking about many things except for your blonde hair. I even mentioned that Nate had beautiful features under his long bangs. I think Lady Amelia became interested in Nate because of me. I knew that you came to Laton because of Lady Amelia and that I shouldn't talk about your blonde hair, but I'm truly sorry."

It wasn't his fault. She had only instructed him not to tell Amelia and Duke Johnston that Melissa had blonde hair. Amelia, who was technically Melissa's younger sister, was cunning and could easily manipulate people with her smooth talk and beauty. If she asked earnestly about her sister, he would have told her anything. Amelia chose him, a young male cook's apprentice, because he seemed easier to extract information from than Josh or Josh's sons. Rather, Melissa was surprised that he had managed to keep the secret of her blonde hair.

Although she thought this in her head, Melissa remained stunned and couldn't even speak. When she realized it, the cook was gone, probably dismissed by Josh.

She hesitated about whether to tell Rose and Josh about her suspicions regarding Nate, worrying if it was right to involve them further after they had already been troubled by her elopement. Then, she realized that Nate must have felt the same way, leaving without telling her anything.

The first part of the letter was probably written under Amelia's orders, while the scribbled part was Nate's true feelings. The phrase "as planned" in Nate's scribble could only mean the plan for Melissa to become a pianist in the empire as a commoner. Not knowing Nate's circumstances, Melissa felt that she had been pushed away by Nate.

It felt as if something inside her was falling, and tears began to fall uncontrollably. Once the tears started, they wouldn't stop, and Melissa sobbed uncontrollably.

Josh and Rose could only watch over such a Melissa. Rose immediately went to the border lord's territory to explain the situation to Nate's aunt. Josh, a week later, went to the Duke Johnston's residence in the capital with the pink pearl necklace that Amelia had hurriedly ordered.

Josh saw Nate working as Amelia's attendant, looking no different from the other servants, with his long bangs covering his face. Nate didn't seem injured, worn out, or restrained, but he didn't approach Josh even when he noticed him, and they couldn't communicate.

After meeting with Nate's aunt, Melissa learned about Nate's mother and understood, albeit vaguely, what Nate wanted to do at the magic academy and the meaning behind his words, "if Melissa accepts me."

Although being taken by Amelia was probably a coincidence, Nate must have gotten closer to what he wanted to do. Nate wouldn't return to Laton. While Melissa was worried about Amelia's intentions, she decided to accept Nate and wait for him in the empire, where everything would be over.

She really wanted to go to the capital immediately and stop Nate, but without knowing his purpose, she couldn't.

---

It had been half a year since Nate left for the capital, and today was the enrollment ceremony for the imperial noble academy.

Melissa was successfully ordered by her father to enroll in the imperial noble academy. Although it was supposed to be a sad event, she rejoiced with Josh and Rose, as it was the result she had hoped for. Rose had also successfully resigned from her position as a maid at the Duke Johnston's residence and was now working at the Laton lord's mansion, preparing to live as a commoner in the empire.

She was relieved that she could manage dormitory life without Rose, thanks to the practice they had done before enrollment.

Since there were a few noble children from her own country at the imperial noble academy, Melissa wore a brown wig and attached a blue-green ribbon, a memento from the first time Nate gave her cookies, to the wig. Although the ribbon was more suitable for a commoner and not fitting for a noble academy, it didn't matter since it was already strange for her to be enrolled in a foreign noble academy.

During the waiting time before the enrollment ceremony, among many families, Melissa, who had no acquaintances or family, was approached by another incoming student.

"Excuse me, are you from the Kingdom of Waynwright?"

The Kingdom of Waynwright was Melissa's home country. The one who approached her was a stunningly beautiful girl, whose artificial rose on her chest, a mark of an incoming student, seemed to fade in comparison. She looked much more mature than Melissa, despite being the same age.

"Yes, I'm Melissa Johnston from the Kingdom of Waynwright."

"I'm Aubrey Clayton from the Kingdom of Waynwright. Since we're both from the Waynwright social circle and have been exiled to this empire for some reason, let's be relaxed, okay?"

Clayton was a baronial family with a long history, known for its wine and fruits. When Melissa nodded in agreement, Aubrey started talking non-stop.

"I thought you were from Waynwright. Call me布莱. Can I call you Miss Melissa?"

"Mel is fine."

Although surprised by the sudden lack of reserve in her words, which was uncharacteristic of a young lady, Melissa, who was used to Nate, didn't mind.

"Mel, I think the young man over there and the young lady under that tree are also from Waynwright. They look lost and a bit shadowy, definitely. Let's go and talk to them! And then we can all share our misfortunes! ... I guess, in modern terms, it would be something like, 'The stepmother and half-sister who kicked the young lady out of her home are now in love with the crown prince in the empire, and even if she's asked to return, it's too late!'"

Although she initially gave a noble and distant impression, Aubrey was so friendly that Melissa couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking that she must have looked "lost and a bit shadowy" too.

"The crown prince hasn't been decided yet, and the first prince was only three years old..."

"I know! I was just trying to say it in the style of a popular romance novel in the empire. Did you not know? ... I was told that keeping up with trends would help me make friends..."

"I don't know the popular romance novels, but I'd be happy to be friends with you."

This is how Melissa met Aubrey. The young man and young lady that Aubrey had spotted were also from Waynwright and had their own reasons for being exiled to the empire. The four of them huddled together and attended the enrollment ceremony.

Without seeing Nate, who had been taken to the capital, Melissa's life in the empire began.