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~Chapter 49~
Richard left the counseling office with a complicated expression.
Why had he even come here in disguise?
After talking with Amelie, he felt doubtful.
The worries he had brought up in counseling had all been lies.
Saying Lyssa wasn’t fit to be commander, saying he shouldn’t stay close to her—those weren’t his true thoughts. He had only said them to see Amelie’s reaction.
If Amelie still hated Lyssa or was obsessed with him, she would have secretly welcomed Lyssa’s downfall.
“Welcomed it? Not at all.”
But instead, Amelie had gotten angry—furious at the unfairness and criticism toward Lyssa.
Richard realized Amelie no longer hated Lyssa like before. Her words might be arranged carefully, but her eyes were filled with genuine affection.
‘No need to come here anymore.’
He had planned to watch her for a long time, but there was no reason now.
It was time for “Sir Logan” to disappear.
From now on, there was no need to doubt Amelie Garnet or fear Lyssa being in danger.
That was what he wanted all along… yet he felt strangely empty.
“Are you leaving already?”
As he stood there lost in thought, his real shadow knight, Lux, appeared. She had even put on a dress to follow him in disguise, only to feel disappointed at the quick end.
“The job’s done. What about your investigation?”
“I checked the whole area for days. No suspicious people. Just some drunkards fighting. That’s all.”
“For the capital, that’s peaceful enough.”
Lux’s investigation confirmed Amelie was safe.
Still, he couldn’t forget how she once collapsed, wounded, into his arms. That memory still chilled him.
And with people going missing in the capital lately, it was better to be cautious.
“There’s no need to worry. At least seven guards are watching her with the eyes of hungry hawks.”
“I know. I just wanted to see for myself.”
“…Admitting you’re worried? How strange. You used to shudder at Amelie’s name.”
Lux couldn’t understand. She had always been his unseen watcher, trying to catch Amelie’s flaws. But now, her master was openly worried about her.
“The one who changed isn’t me. It’s Amelie Garnet.”
Richard brushed back his long hair, then stopped.
Yes—this disguise was no longer needed.
He told himself it was nothing, ignoring the gentle emotions stirring inside.
“Amelie, these are my close friends.”
“Hello. I’m Amelie from the Garnet family.”
Lillian brought me to a group of young ladies and introduced me. I smiled brightly and greeted them.
It was my first social party, my first debut.
Thanks to Lillian, I had the chance to attend, and I knew the first impression mattered.
“Nice to meet you. We’ve heard so much from Lillian. Can we call you Amelie too?”
“Of course. Please treat me like a friend.”
“Great. Let’s use first names from now on.”
Thankfully, Lillian’s friends were as kind as she was. They asked about me and made sure I wasn’t left out.
“Everyone, I have news to share.”
Lillian clapped her hands to draw attention.
“I received a proposal! Of course, I accepted, and the engagement ceremony is already being prepared.”
“What? Congratulations—!”
“No way! Is the sun going to rise from the west tomorrow?”
“Truly shocking. I thought Lillian would never settle down, not even in old age.”
…Was it really that shocking?
Lillian only smiled confidently and showed them her engagement ring.
“It’s true love. And it’s all thanks to Amelie.”
She winked at me, shifting the spotlight. Just as she said before—she wanted to emphasize her “true love” while also boosting me.
The other ladies leaned in curiously.
“I heard Amelie helped you a lot?”
“Yes, I decided right after consulting her at the counseling office.”
“Oh, it must have been amazing advice.”
They started asking me many questions about love, relationships, and my counseling. I told them about helping couples, why I started the office, and of course, my café and lattes.
“I want to visit your counseling office too.”
“Me as well! How else will I find someone perfect for me?”
“Please do. It’s open Monday through Thursday.”
“Can I come next Tuesday?”
And just like that, I finished a successful “presentation” of my counseling office and even got reservations. Everything was going according to plan.
But then—
“Amelie, how do you know so much about love? Have you dated a lot?”
“Eh? Me?”
That question hit my weak spot.
I forced a smile.
“I haven’t dated much. But I listened to many worries from the servants, so I became a bit of an expert.”
“True, giving advice isn’t the same as having experience.”
“Then, do you have a lover now?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Really? Not even now?”
I wanted to firmly say no again, but I just laughed it off.
“You’ll find one soon. You’re too pretty to be left alone.”
“Not at all. Look around—everyone here is beautiful. Who would notice me?”
“Someone already is. Look over there.”
Lillian pointed across the room.
I turned and saw a young man with brown hair looking at me. When our eyes met, he flinched and quickly bowed, his face red.
“Oh my, he’s coming this way!”
“Good luck, Amelie!”
“W-What?”
The girls giggled and slipped away, leaving me standing alone.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jayden Hutton, second son of Count Hutton.”
And just like that, I was pulled into an unexpected introduction with a stranger.
