Chapter 32: The Colors We Share.

To explain the situation to Amelia’s parents, who had come to the capital for Julius’s engagement announcement party, it was Sarju who stepped forward.

A few days before the party, her parents arrived in the capital and were summoned to the royal castle along with Amelia.

Unlike Amelia—who had visited the castle many times and even had a dedicated room prepared for her—her parents appeared visibly uneasy.

It was only natural to feel anxious when called to the royal castle without knowing the reason.

Moreover, their daughter had become completely at home here, even on familiar terms with the maids.

If they had been led to an audience chamber, they might have fainted from sheer nerves.

Fortunately, Sarju was waiting in one of the guest rooms, with only a single attendant standing quietly in the corner.

“Amelia. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“No, not at all.”

In truth, Amelia herself wasn’t entirely sure why Sarju had summoned both her and her parents.

She assumed it was to explain in advance and align their stories, since she would be acting as his partner at tomorrow’s party.

But after the initial greetings, the conversation turned to the crop situation in the Renis territory, fluctuations in grain prices, and soon shifted to Sarju’s specialties: botany and earth magic.

Then, with evident passion, he began to speak at length about how much Amelia had contributed.

At first, her father had been tense, but once the topic turned to the Renis lands, he grew talkative.

As the discussion progressed, it became clear that he was deeply impressed by the depth of Sarju’s thinking and the breadth of his knowledge.

“Amelia’s excellent memory and the accuracy of her data have helped me countless times. She has truly become indispensable to me.”

Hearing such high praise for his daughter from Sarju, her father’s eyes even misted over slightly.

“I would like her to continue supporting me by my side in the future. However, I understand she is the sole heir to the Renis Count house.”

“In that case, there is no problem. I have a younger brother with two children. I intend to adopt one of them as my heir.”

Both Amelia and her mother were stunned to hear her father—who had been so stubbornly fixated on earth magic—say it so readily.

“Your cousin, then. Has a fiancé been decided for him?”

“No, not yet. He will enroll in the academy next year, so we plan to decide by then.”

“Next year, hm.”

Sarju murmured thoughtfully, as though considering something.

“My escort knight has a younger sister of similar age. She is the second daughter of Count Ededd, and an earth magic user. She has expressed a desire to marry into a house with thriving agriculture so she can make full use of her abilities.”

At Sarju’s casual remark—“She might be a good match”—her father drew in a sharp breath.

With Sarju acting as intermediary, the engagement was as good as decided.

After the long engagement had been nullified and her future seemed uncertain, their daughter had been recognized as an outstanding assistant to the Fourth Prince.

And now, the long-desired earth magic user might marry into the Renis Count house.

Her father looked almost dreamlike.

Next, Sarju informed him that he and Amelia were jointly developing a new water magic.

“A new water magic…?”

“Yes. It will take more time, but if successful, it could save the future of this country. Water magic is not my specialty, so I rely on Amelia’s help every day.”

“…Water magic… Amelia… aiding His Highness…”

Her father bowed his head, clenching both hands tightly.

Even after they left the castle, he remained silent.

As Amelia prepared to part ways midway to return to the dormitory, she spoke quietly with her mother while glancing worriedly at her father.

They wouldn’t have much chance for a proper conversation on the day itself.

“Amelia. I’m so glad you’re happy. You’re living such fulfilling days.”

“Yes… I’m sorry for worrying you so much about Lease and everything else.”

“It’s all right. None of it was your fault. We always wish only for your happiness.”

“…Thank you, Mother.”

As Amelia was about to leave her mother and head back to the dormitory, her father—who had been silent the entire time—finally spoke.

“…Actually, I had brought someone along intending him to be your partner tomorrow.”

“Father.”

She couldn’t help the slight reproach in her voice—she had told him repeatedly in letters that it was unnecessary.

“I’m sorry. I was so fixated on earth magic that I neglected your happiness.”

“Eh?”

She stared at him in stunned disbelief, never imagining her father would apologize.

“Sarju-denka is a truly remarkable man.”

“Yes. I’m proud to be able to assist with his research.”

Her father nodded repeatedly.

“Come home during summer break. Show me all the data you’ve been keeping.”

With that, he returned to the carriage before she could see his expression clearly.

Her parents were staying at a noble inn that night.

Amelia watched them go, then returned to the dormitory.

( I never thought Father would say something like that…)

Sarju had changed her father’s rigid views on earth magic and even arranged a potential engagement for her cousin.

And he had called her indispensable.

The thought filled her with joy.

Tomorrow, she would attend the party as his partner.

Back in her room, Amelia opened the window to gaze at the sky, trying to calm her soaring emotions.

The next day.

After rising and preparing herself, the carriage arrived to fetch her.

She rode to the royal castle, met up with Sophia and Marie, and began the day’s preparations.

She donned the beautiful dress made especially for this occasion, had her hair styled, and was adorned with jewels.

The maids bustled attentively around her, praising how lovely she looked once fully dressed.

The vivid green dress accented with yellow sapphire jewels—Sarju’s colors.

Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, wearing his colors, Amelia recalled the day she attended the new student welcome party.

(Back then, things were so difficult…)

She hadn’t even known about the party and had hurriedly prepared an old dress.

In hindsight, even that color had matched Lease’s eyes—the color of her former fiancé.

That day, when she had been so isolated, the only one who helped her was Sarju.

He had taken her hand, led her into the venue, and danced with her in the center of the hall.

She had been so happy she forgot everything else.

Perhaps today she would dance with him again.

The thought made her heart race.

When preparations were complete, a maid escorted her to the waiting room.

There, the four princes stood in formal attire, each relaxing in his own way.

Crown Prince Alexis immediately went to Sophia’s side upon seeing her and took her hand.

Second Prince Est complimented Sophia, Marie, and Amelia in turn.

His own fiancée was a foreign princess and absent today; he was escorting a maternal cousin instead.

Julius—the star of the day—was confirming the schedule with Marie.

Even he seemed slightly nervous.

Sarju, meanwhile, stood apart from his brothers, reading a book.

When he sensed her presence and looked up, he immediately closed the book and approached.

“Amelia. It suits you perfectly. You look very beautiful.”

“Ah… thank you… very much…”

His straightforward praise made her blush and look down.

She could feel her cheeks burning.

The maids who had helped her dress, Sophia, and Marie had all said similar things repeatedly.

But words from Sarju felt special; she couldn’t stay calm.

As each spoke with their partner, Alexis scanned the room and spoke.

“Today, several envoys from other countries will attend, but since this is an engagement announcement, most guests are domestic nobles. With so many people, however, it would be easy for unfamiliar faces to blend in unnoticed. Everyone, please refrain from acting alone.”

At their eldest brother’s words, the younger princes nodded solemnly.

Before long, the time for the party to begin arrived.