~Chapter 65~
Count Winterfall reluctantly let the Emperor and his knights into the mansion.
“Greetings to the Sun that shines upon the Empire.”
“Yes. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen the Count in the capital. Have you thought of staying in Barbate permanently? A man like you is sorely needed in politics.”
“…I am honored, Your Majesty, but my estate keeps me far too busy. It’s not a role suited for me. Still, may I ask what brings you to my home…?”
“Ah, I nearly forgot the most important matter. Thank you for reminding me.”
Gaspar’s gray eyes swept through the interior of the mansion. But the person he sought was nowhere in sight. His brow lifted sharply.
“Is the young lady not here?”
“…My daughter is resting in her room at the moment.”
Count Conrad’s face stiffened, sensing trouble. Gaspar clicked his tongue.
“It’s troubling if a subject of the Empire hides during a crisis. Bring her at once.”
‘Who’s the one who’s been hiding until now…?’
Unwilling, Conrad went upstairs and returned with Amel. As soon as she saw Gaspar, she bent her knees in a respectful bow.
“Greetings to the Sun that shines upon the Empire. I am Amelie Winterfall.”
“Good. No need for formalities. The situation is urgent, so listen carefully—I will now deliver an Imperial decree.”
Her eyes widened at the word “decree.”
“You are ordered to join the subjugation of the Rift that has appeared in the southern lands near the capital. If you perform great service, then this time I shall finally resolve the matter concerning the Witch.”
“….”
Everyone’s face hardened except Gaspar’s.
To say he would “solve the witch problem” if she fought in another Rift battle… it was clearly treating her like a pawn.
‘And when the time comes, he’ll just claim other nobles object too strongly. He has no shame.’
Amel’s fists clenched, but then—
“Your Majesty.”
Conrad stepped forward, placing himself between Gaspar and Amel. With a grave look, he spoke firmly.
“Your Majesty already knows this well, but the Verdério Empire has never been kind to my daughter.”
“I do. I regret that as well.”
“Because of that, I could only watch my precious daughter—from afar—for fifteen long years.”
Gaspar fell silent. Conrad’s blue eyes blazed as he continued.
“What she ate in the morning, how she fell asleep at night, which colors she loved, which toys she played with, how much her hair was cut, how much she grew, which skills she learned, which potions she brewed… I could only read them from reports written by others.”
“…Father.”
Amel stared at him in surprise.
She already knew how much her parents had missed her while she was locked away at the Witch’s Institution. But hearing her father pour out his heart in front of the Emperor—it still stung her nose and eyes with emotion.
Conrad glanced at his daughter, then fixed his gaze back on Gaspar.
“…That is how hard it was to finally have my daughter back. Please, help her live freely—even without my constant protection.”
“Y-yes. Since the Count speaks so earnestly, I cannot ignore it.”
Gaspar nodded awkwardly.
“But, saying all this means you agree to her participation in the subjugation, yes?”
Without hesitation, Amel nodded. Her answer was short and clear.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In no time, Amel had changed into her battle clothes, broom in hand, ready to head to the gathering place.
“….”
“….”
She looked up at Christan, who also stood silently. He, too, had to join the subjugation by Imperial order.
“How will you get to the southern gate?”
“Hmm…”
Amel had planned to ride her broom alone to the southern gate, where the forces would gather. But leaving Christan to go separately didn’t feel right.
Yes, he could take a carriage or a horse, but she didn’t want to leave him behind.
“…Would you like to ride with me on the broom?”
Christan stared at the broom in her small hands. Except for the pale blue ribbon tied to the end, it looked no different from an ordinary servant’s cleaning broom.
‘That mistake I made the first time…’
He remembered when he first met her. He had thought her maid’s broom was for cleaning and nearly embarrassed himself. Even now, he winced at the memory.
How many times must she have heard such remarks in her life?
Any ordinary person would have built walls around their heart after such wounds. Yet Amel had forgiven his blunder with grace. But forgiveness was not enough—he had to grow past it.
‘For her sake… and mine, I must learn to understand her world.’
Slowly, he reached out and took her offered hand.
“…Alright.”
Amel’s face lit up instantly.
“Yes!”
She placed the broom in the air. It floated at just the right height for Christan. Amel hopped on first, settling into place.
“Sit sideways here, like this.”
“…Like this?”
He followed awkwardly. Amel gripped the broom tightly.
“We’ll rise slowly. Hold on to something—anything!”
“Got it.”
He followed her lead, grabbing the broom as it lifted. Their feet left the ground, rising higher and higher.
Christan’s gaze dropped to the shrinking world below—people, trees, brown-roofed houses, all small beneath his feet. The air against his face was fresh, unlike that of the ground.
He looked up at Amel. And at that moment, he realized—
The girl he always looked down upon from his taller height had always been looking down on the world from above, on her broom.
Silver-blue hair streamed in the wind. Amel glanced back.
“Is this height okay for you?”
“…Yes.”
“Are you sure? You don’t sound fine.”
Mistaking his hesitation for fear of heights, Amel lowered the broom slightly. Christan grabbed her quickly. The broom jolted.
“W-wha—what are you doing?!”
“I’m fine. Let’s stay at this height.”
“Ah… alright.”
She smiled, relieved, and steered the broom southward.
“Then, let’s go!”
The broom soared smoothly on the wind.
They landed safely at the southern gate.
The gathered imperial knights and mages glared at the sight of the Witch’s broom—until they saw Duke Bellerophon riding with her. Then their eyes widened in shock.
‘So it’s true… the Duke of Bellerophon supports the Witch!’
They might sneer at Amel, but none dared cross Christan. Their hostility vanished immediately.
Amel disliked their glares, but since they would soon fight as comrades, she let it go. Christan’s presence at her side gave her strength.
Everything seemed to pass without trouble—until an unexpected voice called out.
“Lady Winterfall, we meet again today. A pleasure to see you.”
