Chapter 29: Colors of the Heart.

Amelia spent her mornings studying for the exam with Marie, then assisted Sarju with his research in the afternoons.

Now formally Julius’s fiancée, Marie worried about Amelia and repeatedly advised her to take breaks now and then.

“But if I miss even a single day, Sarju-sama’s research advances so much that I can’t keep up.”

Amelia politely declined Marie’s invitation to study together that afternoon as well.

Indeed, helping Sarju required intense concentration. By the time they finished, she was often so exhausted that she went straight to bed without eating dinner.

Still, being involved in developing a new water magic was an immense honor, and Amelia herself found it endlessly enjoyable.

“But if this continues, you’ll collapse someday.”

“No, I’ll be fine. I think I have more stamina than Sarju-sama. If he would just rest, I could rest without hesitation too.”

“…I thought you’d be the one to collapse first, but it seems he’ll beat you to it. I’ll have to speak with Julius-sama.”

Marie muttered softly, almost to herself, then looked at Amelia.

“I was worried, you know. I thought maybe you were throwing yourself into this to forget how painful things were with Lease.”

“Absolutely not!”

Amelia hurriedly denied it.

“At first, yes—I couldn’t understand why Lease would do such things, and it hurt terribly. But now… I don’t even have the mental space to think about him. Creating new water magic, helping Sarju-sama with his research—it’s just so much fun I can’t stop.”

Her father’s obsession with earth magic began after the neighboring lord made an earth magic user the head of his house. The neighbor passionately extolled how wonderful earth magic was, repeatedly bringing up stories of Amelia’s great-grandfather, and her father became completely convinced.

Soon after, he arranged the engagement between five-year-old Amelia and Lease.

Water magic, he said, was useless no matter how well one wielded it.

Those words had been directed at himself, yet from childhood, Amelia had felt as though they were aimed at her.

But once Sarju’s new water magic was complete, it would become just as meaningful as earth magic. Being able to help create it made her truly happy.

“I see. If that’s truly what you want, I won’t stop you. Just please take good care of your health. Don’t overestimate yourself by thinking ‘I’m still fine.’”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Marie’s words were filled with gentle concern, wrapping Amelia’s heart in warmth.

Hatred and sorrow never last forever.

Eventually, she would forget Lease completely and cleanly.

“I know you’re busy, but you will attend our engagement announcement party next month, won’t you?”

Julius and Marie’s formal engagement had been announced, and next month a grand engagement announcement party would be held. Envoys from other countries would attend, so Marie would soon be swept up in preparations.

“Yes, I’ll be there. Sophia-sama personally insisted that if I attend, Sarju-sama will come too, so I must come.”

They had even offered to prepare the dress and everything else, leaving her no room to refuse.

Besides, it was a celebration for her dear friend and for Julius, who had always looked out for her. She wanted to bless them from the bottom of her heart.

“Even so, to receive a personal invitation from Her Highness Crown Princess Sophia… It almost feels like the royal family is surrounding you, but having you with me makes me feel stronger. Maybe this is fine as it is.”

“Marie-sama?”

When Amelia asked, Marie simply smiled elegantly and said it was nothing.

The following rest day, Sophia had requested Amelia come to the royal castle. Marie had been invited as well, so they agreed to go together.

On the day, a royal carriage came to pick them up at the dormitory. Amelia boarded with Marie.

Marie, whose family maintained a residence in the capital, had attended parties at the royal castle before, but never on a personal invitation. Unlike her, Amelia had never visited the castle before enrolling—yet thanks to assisting Sarju’s research, she had been there many times already.

The maids working at the castle recognized her face and started to guide her toward Sarju, so she explained she had been summoned by Sophia today.

Apparently Sarju had been in the royal library since morning, so she planned to visit him after her business concluded.

When they arrived at Crown Princess Sophia’s quarters, she was waiting with several designers. Today’s agenda was to decide on dresses for the engagement announcement party.

“No need for formal greetings. We’re going to be sisters-in-law, after all.”

Sophia welcomed them warmly.

Indeed, as Julius’s fiancée, Marie would eventually become Sophia’s sister-in-law. But Amelia was different—she thought such familiarity wasn’t permitted. Yet Sophia insisted,

“You’re my friend, Amelia.”

“There’s only one month left, so let’s decide quickly.”

Sophia began carefully examining the piles of fabrics.

“Julius has black hair and green eyes, so your dress should be green. For jewels… black diamonds, I think. Amelia, something more vivid green, perhaps with yellow sapphire.”

It was natural for Marie, as Julius’s fiancée, to wear his colors. But wearing a dress in Lease’s colors—green—made Amelia hesitate.

She was about to suggest a different color when she suddenly froze.

Golden hair and vivid green eyes weren’t exclusive to Lease.

This brilliant green. This shimmering, beautiful gold—

They were Sarju’s colors.

“Um, Sophia-sama. That color…”

“Oh? Do you dislike it?”

Sophia smiled brightly, leaving Amelia at a loss for words.

“Of course not. But…”

People might misunderstand.

If that happened, it could cause trouble for Sarju. Choosing her words carefully, she tried to explain—and Sophia’s expression suddenly grew serious.

“Actually, it would help us greatly. I’m sorry. I know I’m asking too much of you…”

Apparently, among the congratulatory envoys from neighboring countries expected to attend, there were rumors that someone from the Empire might infiltrate.

Of course, security would be flawless; no suspicious individuals would be allowed inside the castle.

But Sarju, when absorbed in research, was unpredictable—he might wander off anywhere.

The royal family had concluded that the best way to keep him in line was to keep Amelia close by his side.

For a young man and woman to stay together constantly, pretending they were engaged was the most effective method.

When asked so earnestly, Amelia had only one possible answer.

“If I can be of any help at all…”