Chapter 1.2
“Then… just to the carriage, please.”
To ease his burden, she clung tightly to his broad shoulders. As a result, her body pressed closer to his.
“This should make it easier for you, right?”
At her innocent remark, his body stiffened slightly, but he nodded without a word. At first, the stranger’s embrace felt awkward, but his quiet, respectful demeanor soon put her at ease. She caught the familiar scent of violets from him, and his ears, flushed red with nervous tension, stood out amusingly. Amelia’s lips curled into a small smile.
He gently placed her into the carriage. The horse had survived the ambush, but the coachman had fled. Mami, skilled with horses, took the reins. The man silently moved to close the carriage door. Amelia quickly called out.
“Thank you for your help. If you tell me where you live, I’ll make sure to repay you.”
For a moment, their eyes met and softened. At first, she’d thought his gaze was cold and sharp…
‘His eyes… they’re beautiful. Such a unique blue.’
He stared at her for a moment, then spoke quietly, as if the matter was already settled.
“This is enough. No repayment is needed.”
“What…?”
With a curious final word, the man firmly shut the carriage door. Left behind, Amelia found herself unable to shake off thoughts of him—his image lingered strangely in her mind. Shortly after, a knight in full armor approached the man.
“Your Grace, Duke—”
“Shh.”
As the knight began to address him, the man silenced him with a cold tone. Glancing at the departing carriage, the knight lowered his voice.
“What exactly are you doing, sir? Who is that woman—?”
“Watch your tongue.”
Ignoring the knight, the man mounted his horse.
“I have a matter to attend to.”
“What? I thought we were returning north?”
“Not you. Stay behind and—those men from earlier.”
Recalling the bandits buried in the landslide, the man’s voice turned even colder.
“Kill them all.”
“……”
“No—leave one alive.”
“What? Your Grace! Your Grace!”
But the man, addressed as Duke, vanished before the knight could protest further. Left alone, the knight wore a bewildered expression.
Having arrived safely at the Ducal estate, Mami was still trembling, unable to believe what had just happened.
“Bandits? That area is usually busy with travelers—it shouldn’t have been dangerous at all!”
Amelia couldn’t forget the bandit’s remark about the value of her life, but she forced herself not to dwell on it.
“We were lucky the landslide happened when it did. And we met a kind soul as well.”
“Honestly, that man scared me too. I thought he might be working with the bandits.”
“No, he was very kind. And…”
‘His eyes were beautiful.’
Amelia couldn’t forget the way his gaze had lingered on her—those piercing, blue eyes.
‘I must repay him somehow if we ever meet again…’
“If His Grace, the Duke of Fiore, had found out, he would’ve been furious.”
The Duke of Fiore, Amelia’s grandfather, was away from the estate due to affairs at the royal palace.
“We’re both safe, so let’s not tell Grandfather. I don’t want to worry him.”
To Mami, Amelia seemed incredibly composed throughout it all.
“You’re amazing, my lady. I was so scared I couldn’t stop crying, but you didn’t shed a single tear.”
Mami didn’t know that Amelia had offered her own life to save hers. Yet Amelia didn’t speak of it, only offering a soft smile.
“If I had panicked, you would’ve lost control too. I had to at least pretend to be okay.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve protected you.”
“Mami, don’t think that way. You helped me. Protecting you is my duty.”
Amelia’s gaze was steady as she gently reassured her.
“That’s a noble’s duty. And besides, I care about you so much—it’s only natural.”
Mami looked at her with admiration. Though her heart was fragile, her spirit was not. In fact, she was stronger than anyone—never surrendering to her fate and always trying to smile.
‘She’s truly the daughter of Lady Ailey, the legendary Musketeer.’
However, there was one person who could make even someone like Amelia falter—her lover. With a knowing look, Mami spoke.
“By the way, my lady, I found this while retrieving your belongings from the carriage.”
What she held in her hand was the proposal letter.
“That’s—!”
“Is this a marriage proposal from His Grace, Duke Bastien?”
No longer able to hide it, Amelia gave a small nod.
“Yes. At this banquet, I’m expected to accept His Grace the Duke’s proposal. That’s why Father sent me there.”
“Then… why did you hide it? Don’t tell me—you don’t like His Grace?”
“Of course not!”
“Of course you don’t! Duke Bastien is the strongest contender for the imperial throne. He’s perfect—his appearance, his character—there’s nothing lacking.”
Edzov Riot Bastien. Amelia’s beloved—and the leading heir to the throne of the Solara Empire. Though the Emperor currently had two sons, Edzov’s half-brother was a monstrous creature with commoner’s blood, leaving Edzov as the most likely successor.
“Yes. He will become a glorious Emperor. Someone like me… I don’t belong by his side.”
Amelia’s voice wavered—a rare change from her usual composure, even in the face of bandits.
“I… I’m going to die soon…”
“My lady! Don’t say that! You’re going to live a long, long life—I know it!”
Mami’s words were kind, but such miracles didn’t happen. The stabbing pain in her heart, which came and went, was proof enough of that.
“I just want him to be happy. I don’t want him to hurt because of me. I already feel so sorry… He loves me so deeply, and yet I have nothing to give him…”
Watching Amelia, blaming herself just for being loved, Mami’s heart ached. She silently handed her something else.
“I found this in the carriage, too.”
“A violet—it didn’t wither!”
The violet Rosa had sent her had somehow survived the chaos and returned to her unharmed.
“Even this flower is full of life. So don’t ever give up, my lady. You deserve to love and be loved—long and well.”
At Mami’s words, a faint smile bloomed on Amelia’s lips.
‘Will a miracle like this violet ever come to me too?’
Late that night, Amelia slipped out to find Meysarina, leaving behind Mami, who had offered to stay with her. Meysarina had departed ahead of her, yet she was nowhere to be found.
‘Strange. She must know I’ve arrived at the estate…’
In Amelia’s hand was a silver musket, its handle engraved with an elegant floral pattern. It was a relic of her late mother—and a cherished heirloom of House Fiore. Amelia wanted to give it to Meysarina before the banquet began.
‘I want Meysarina to become the next head of House Fiore.’
With excitement in her heart, she reached for the door to Meysarina’s room.
“Come closer. Yes, just like that…”
A man’s voice echoed softly into Amelia’s ears. One she knew well.
“I love you, Your Grace…”
Then came a whisper so cruel it slashed through her heart. Amelia’s eyes trembled violently.
‘What… what is this?’
Choking back a flood of fear, she opened the door slightly.
“Haa… haa…”
The sounds were clearer inside. Her mind began to fog, and she almost wished her eyes would lose sight altogether. On the large bed, Meysarina lay in someone’s arms.
“Your Grace… if you hold me like that… ah—!”
Her scarlet hair spread like a flower across the bed. Amelia, wide-eyed with disbelief, looked at the man holding her sister like a beast.
The man who had proposed to her.
Her beloved.
“Duke Bastien…?”
