The music finally ended.
To Amos, it felt less like the end of a dance and more like a bell ringing to signal the end of a boxing match and he stand victorious.
The final note echoed through the grand ballroom.
Applause followed immediately after.
Princess Evelyn still stood before him beneath the countless crystal chandeliers of the imperial palace. Her silver-white hair reflected the golden lights beautifully while her violet eyes calmly observed him.
Meanwhile, Amos’s soul had long since departed from this place, already on its way back home.
“Thank you for the dance, Lord Amos,” Princess Evelyn said gracefully.
Her voice was steady, noble, and effortlessly composed.
Like she hadn’t just basically forced him to dance with her.
Amos instinctively bowed, a habit ingrained in him by his wonderful grandmother.
“The honor was mine, Your Highness.”
WHYYYYY YOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!
ARE YOU DOING THIS ON PURPOSE?
ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME DO A MISTAKES SO YOU COULD OUNISH ME?
YOU BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT OF A TROUBLE.
He tried to calm his emotion down from exploding.
He should fall easily to this trap.
Meanwhile Evelyn quietly observed him.
Outwardly, Amos appeared calm and dignified.
BUT WHY IS EVERYONE LOOKING AT ME?!
“Lord Amos?”
Amos snapped back to reality.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“You appear flustered.”
“I am deeply moved by Your Highness’s generosity.”
I AM TRYING TO NOT CAUSE A TROUBLE HERE.
“Sure, you do,” Elena’s voice whispered from somewhere behind him.
Traitor.
Evelyn tilted her head slightly.
“Did you say something?”
“No,” Elena answered helpfully.
Amos saved by the one who caused the trouble.
The princess blinked once, the corner of her lips curling just a little—almost, but not quite, a smile.
I’m finished, aren't I? Absolutely fucking finished.
Princess Evelyn extended her hand slightly.
“I hope we may speak again in the future, Lord Amos.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
WHY DON'T YOU JUST BE HONEST? YOU SHITTY COWARD! DAMN YOUUUUUU.
WHY DID YOU SAY OF COURSE?! NO, YOU DON'T. YOU KNOW IT.
His other self was failing him.
“Your Highness.”
A calm voice interrupted.
Elena.
Amos nearly cried from relief seeing his black-haired maid step forward with her usual emotionless face.
“The young master will surely look forward to the destined day when you meet again.”
Elena. What the hell are you saying.
“He has been very excited for this day to comes from weeks ago.”
ELENA. YOU ARE FUCKING MY SHIT UP. ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME MAD???
“I see,” Evelyn said quietly.
Her gaze lingered in Amos for a brief moment.
Then—
“Is that so? I guess Lord Amos must be paying attention to me for quite a while.”
ELENAAAAAAAAAAA, I WILL DO UNSPEAKABLE TERRIBLE THINGS TO YOU FOR SUCH TRANSGRESSION. I WILL MAKE YOU REGRET FOR THISSSS!
“Then I shall not keep Lord Amos any longer.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.”
Amos bowed again.
The moment royal etiquette permitted, he made his exit—swiftly. Very swiftly. Not running, of course. Certainly not running. Just walking… with a notable sense of urgency. One could mistake it for running but it is not just because I said so.
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“You will regret doing that.”
“I don't know what you are saying about.”
“YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!”
“Nope.”
“WHY YOU......”
Behind them, Ambrosia hurried along quietly while looking back toward the ballroom.
Her crimson eyes shifted between Amos and the princess thoughtfully.
“Brother Amos.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you running away?”
“I’m not running away, just walking really fast—there’s a difference.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, why would I lie to my dear sister?”
Elena nodded seriously.
“He lies as naturally as he breathes.”
“I hate you.”
The palace corridors seemed to go on forever. Imperial knights stood frozen like statues while servants slipped silently through the lavish halls. Towering portraits of past emperors stared down from the walls, their presence heavy enough to rattle most people. Amos paid them no mind.
His survival instincts had taken command.
“We will never attending another imperial event again.”
“Lord Aros will forbid you from doing so,” Elena replied.
“That snitch old man.”
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“I know it is you who has been leaking my information to my father.”
“He is my employer after all.”
“I asked you to stop doing that didn't I?”
Ambrosia stared at him.
Amos coughed.
They finally stepped out of the imperial palace.
The crisp night air of the capital washed over Amos like a divine blessing. Even at this late hour, the city buzzed with life. Magical lamps bathed the streets in warm light as noble carriages rolled along the grand roads at the heart of the empire.
And waiting nearby was black carriage bearing the golden crest of House Kyros.
Amos almost cried.
“TAKE ME HOME.”
“The Lord has commanded that we stay at Kyros owned capital residence, not home for the next few days,” Elena said.
“I DON’T CARE ANYMORE. JUST TAKE ME AWAY FROM HERE,”
The coachman immediately opened the carriage door respectfully.
“Young Master.”
Amos burst into the carriage with a haste that hardly suited someone of his rank. Ambrosia followed with measured steps, and Elena slipped in last. As soon as the doors shut, Amos flopped back onto the seat.
“That was really tiring.”
“You merely danced.”
“I DANCED FOR MY LIFE.”
“Overexaggerated.”
“The princess basically trying to entrap me. It was so obvious a bat could saw it.”
“Sure.”
“AND YOU HELPED HER....”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand what you have done to me?!”
“No.”
“You just almost send me to my doom.”
“Understandable.”
Ambrosia sat quietly across from them, then spoke softly—
“I think the princess likes Brother Amos.”
Silence.
Amos slowly turned toward her.
“Little sister.”
“Yes?”
“You better hope you are wrong.”
“But she kept looking at you.”
“Please stop for the sake of our family—no, for our own sake, please.”
“She also smiled.”
“ELENA MAKE HER STOP.”
“I cannot.”
“WHY.”
“Just because I don't feel like it.”
Amos covered his face.
The carriage rolled on through the capital’s streets, soft light from outside flickering gently through the windows. Soon, it came to a halt before a grand estate in the heart of the imperial capital—the Kyros Capital Residence. Unlike their main duchy lands, this place served mostly for political visits and noble gatherings when House Kyros stayed in the city. Even among the noble district, its size was nothing short of impressive.
The doors opened.
“Young Master. Young Lady. Welcome back.”
Amos stepped out first.
Then immediately looked toward the mansion with dead eyes.
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“Prepare yourself tomorrow.”
“Why?”
"Ever heard the saying, 'The Kyros never forgets'?"
"Have you now?"
“Prepare to be embarrassed.”
“I am soooo afraid.”
“You should be.”
Ambrosia quietly covered her mouth.
“Pfft.”
Amos stopped in his tracks, while Elena gave a single blink.
Silence.
Ambrosia immediately straightened again.
“I apologize.”
But Amos stared at her like he had just witnessed a miracle.
“At least someone is having fun.”
Ambrosia looked slightly embarrassed under his gaze.
“Young Master,” Elena said flatly.
“Yes?”
“You are making that smile of yours again.”
Amos’s expression instantly disappeared.
“Damn it.”