AFTER slipping out from the royal court, Amelia headed straight into town. Not only was her dress in subdued colors, helping her keep a low profile, but she was even hiding her silver hair with a relatively large scarf. Helt was also adorned in a modest outfit, so to bystanders, they must seem like either siblings with a large age gap or father and child.
Amelia crossed her arms. “Well, we’re in the city now; so far, so good. The question is, how can I see Luke?”
“When you were invited to the Klein estate a while back, a servant informed me about the estate’s location, as well as the general route there. It is admittedly somewhat distant. Do you think you can manage the walk?”
“I can. Thanks.”
She’d been considering asking people for directions, so Helt’s suggestion was timely, which she was exceedingly grateful for. She was fit from her daily chores, such as working in the fields. As long as she wasn’t doing it for days on end, walking wasn’t anything agonizing to her.
As she slipped through the crowds on the streets, Amelia sighed softly. Is my betrothal with Luke going to dissolve once and for all? she wondered with a hint of unease.
The Saint was supposed to become the king’s consort or to wed into a family of similar status. She’d heard the same thing from Helt, so Prisca likely hadn’t been lying. The king had even taken an orphan as his consort, indicating that the Saint status must be considerably highly regarded.
Since the royal family wasn’t an option, Amelia could understand Luke’s name being nominated as a representative of a household with similar influence, but he was already betrothed to Amelia. Even if she didn’t seem like it, Amelia was a princess. Would even an engagement between the royal family and a ducal house be called off if it was necessary for a marriage with a Saint?
Assuming that was true, there was a high chance that they were going to proceed with the engagement regardless of Luke’s personal wishes. Perhaps there was no longer anything Amelia could do to change this fate. She’d been grasping Helt’s shirt so that she wouldn’t get lost, and she tightened her grip on the fabric.
It’s okay, Amelia, she told herself. I should trust Luke. She even had strawberries on her side. You could do anything if you had strawberries, so everything would work out somehow.
As she psyched herself up while staring down at the cobblestone paving, Helt came to an abrupt stop. It took Amelia by surprise, and she smacked her face into his back with full force.
“What? Did something happen?” She pressed down on her stinging nose and peered out from Helt’s back. Her eyes widened as an enchanting boy with golden eyes came into view. “Luke?”
The moment their eyes locked, Luke rushed up to her. “Amelia!” In no time at all, he gathered her into his arms. “Thank goodness. I received a report that you snuck out from the royal court, and I came out into the city, but… Oh, I was so worried that I might not find you.”
His tight embrace made her feel a mix of joy and bashfulness. That said, something else was more concerning to her right now. “Luke… Are you crying?”
If it wasn’t her imagination, his voice was trembling, and something was dripping onto her shoulder.
“I’m not.”
He moved his hand as if to wipe something before his hold on her finally loosened. When he pulled away, Amelia saw his misty golden eyes.
“Hey, Luke. Prisca—”
“I know. Before we do anything else, let’s get inside my carriage.”
Luke led her by the hand, weaved through the crowds, then climbed onto a carriage parked in an alley. Helt promptly got into the driver’s seat, meaning that Amelia was all alone with Luke inside the carriage.
Sitting across from her, Luke spoke up. “We received a correspondence from the royal family today. It stated that Fifth Princess Prisca Glaisharle was recognized as a Saint, and they proposed a union of marriage with the young Lord Klein according to tradition.”
Amelia widened her eyes. Prisca’s words had been true after all. It doesn’t sound like I’m going to be murdered after being doted on, but…are Luke and Prisca going to end up together either way?
Holding back the tears that threatened to blur her vision, Amelia chewed hard on her bottom lip. “Do you think…it’s better for me to step aside?” she muttered weakly.
Color drained from Luke’s face in a flash. “What are you even saying? You’re the person I love, Amelia, and I told you I’ll protect you, didn’t I?!”
“But given that the Saint’s a princess, she’ll have to marry into a household that’s only second to the royal family. No one can deny that you’re the most qualified candidate, Luke.”
Though Amelia had been a prisoner for four years, she was still technically a princess, meaning that she at least had basic knowledge about ducal houses. At the moment, the only heir of an appropriate age that had yet to marry was Luke. Even in the scenario that other choices were present, House Klein would take priority as the leading ducal house, since the requirement was “a household only second to the royal family.”
Amelia let out a shaky breath. “I like you, Luke, and I’m not saying that I doubt your feelings. But if you turn down a political marriage with Prisca, it’ll bring a lot of trouble to your family. This is at least better than being killed, so…” When she got to this point, she hesitated. “Still, it’s going to be heartbreaking for me to give you my blessings from somewhere near your side. I think…I might go back to my original plan of getting a fresh start in life as a strawberry vendor.”
“Amelia…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve also gotten really skilled at pouring strawberry-related liquids into containers. People would probably get tired of just sweet stuff, so I’ll also research savory dishes—”
“Amelia!” No sooner had Luke called her name than he rose to his feet and threw his arms around her. Amelia fell silent, unable to find her voice. After stroking her head a few times, he released her and settled down by her side. “Your fresh start in life will be as my wife, Amelia. You’ve already moved on from a strawberry vendor.”