‘Ah!’
Suddenly, Amanda spotted Amelia in the crowded room. Amanda knew her family attended the reception, of course, but hadn’t had the time to seek them out yet. Amanda gave her farewell to Log.
“I’ll see you again soon.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire.”
After receiving the ambassador’s bow, Amanda immediately headed towards where her sister was amicably chatting with another noblewoman.
“Amelia!”
Amelia’s head turned, and she gave a sunny smile when she spotted her older sister.
“Ah, sister—no, Your Highness!”
She quickly corrected herself and gave a small giggle. Amanda found the sight so adorable she couldn’t help but smile.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, I’ve been talking with Glenn.”
“Glenn?”
It turned out that Amanda knew the young woman next to Amelia. Their cousin Glenn had freckles and thick red hair, and Amanda had once left Windsor Castle under the pretext of going to Glenn’s wedding.
“Oh my goodness, Glenn. It must have been a long way, how did you get here?”
Glenn bowed her head and gave a smile.
“Hail the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire.”
“You can omit such greetings between us.”
“I had so much help from the hairdresser you sent to my wedding. Of course I had to attend my cousin’s wedding—No, I mean, Your Highness’.”
For some reason, Amanda found it heartwarming that her family had not yet adjusted to her status. She was beyond happy to see her family after only meeting political figures.
“It must have been a difficult journey to the capital city. Did you both have dinner?”
Amanda played the older responsible sister among Amelia and Glenn. For now, she could shed the pretentious image of the crown princess and become the real Amanda.
*
*
*
Oliver had also been surrounded by a number of people, but soon enough everyone gave him a wide berth and he was left to himself. Perhaps it was due to his aura that no one approached him, until a lone shadow appeared by his side. Oliver, sensing the presence, turned his head and saw a familiar face.
It was Aaron, Amanda’s older brother.
“What are you doing here, Your Highness?”
Oliver had once been given a cold reception by Aaron, but the latter was in a very different mood now. Oliver replied in a voice equally as flat as Aaron’s.
“I’m waiting for my wife.”
Aaron’s eyes shone brightly for a moment, but he continued on calmly.
“May I stand next to you for a while?”
“Make yourself comfortable.”
Oliver, however, did not initiate any further conversation with Aaron, and neither did Aaron with Oliver. Aaron might have come to say something, but no words were exchanged between them.
And so silence passed. Neither man seemed uncomfortable standing in what others would have called an awkward atmosphere. It was only after a long silence did Aaron finally speak.
“…Your Highness.”
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Take good care of Amanda. Make sure she’s happy.”
Aaron frowned at Oliver’s arrogant attitude. He didn’t expect the prince to talk this way, but Amelia had said that if he looked into Oliver’s eyes, he would see how much the prince loved Amanda. Although Aaron wasn’t sure what Oliver felt at the moment, Aaron seemed to understand a little about what his sister meant. After a few minutes of contemplation, Aaron summarized his thoughts into a short phrase.
“…You have my loyalty, Your Highness.”
Another smiled graced Oliver’s mouth as he thought how Aaron’s loyalty was tied to Amanda’s happiness. Oliver glanced over at Aaron, who was standing next to him with blazing eyes. If it had come from anyone else other than Amanda’s brother, Oliver would not have tolerated this. Oliver turned back to the front with an indifferent look.
“I look forward to your loyalty.”
“You can depend on me.”
And so, unexpected relationship was created between the two. Both Oliver and Aaron stood together, not paying attention to the fact that the noblewomen around them were staring at the pair.
*
*
*
Leon sat in the corner of the reception hall wordlessly drinking his win. Next to him was a group of young nobles, regulars at the parties he hosted. If it weren’t for Amanda covering her face at the masquerade ball, some of them would have recognized her.
“Second Prince, didn’t you say the Crown Princess attended the party? She might know the secret—”
Leon cut off their words as if he didn’t want to hear them.
“Of course not. Her time there was too short to notice anything, and even if she did, what can she do about it?”
“But—”
Kwang!
Leon slammed his wine glass onto the table.
“Shut up. If you don’t believe me, deal with it yourself. My mother and the Anita family are behind me, who would dare to touch me?”
“I’m sorry, Second Prince.”
Leon’s face twisted after hearing the apology. He didn’t mean to leave Amanda be after their meeting, but there was a time for everything. Leon had placed pressure on Amanda’s wedding planning, but if he had gone any further, his mother Madelyn would have stopped him. The Empress had already ordered Oliver’s wedding to go through. At the very least, Leon wasn’t stupid enough to get caught. Until then, he could deceive Madelyn and enjoy himself.
‘Just wait, sister-in-law.’
Leon’s repressed emotions gave way to a despicable smile.
‘The more you resist, the more I want to take away.’