Amelia was convinced of Rupert’s feelings.

She believed that the meaning behind the pink dahlia she had given him during a dinner invitation at her estate represented Rupert’s true emotions.

"I am glad to know your heart."

For Amelia, this was nothing less than the perfect signal, a response to her willingness to abandon her position as her family’s heir to be with him.

"Weekdays are impossible."

Knowing she could never yield Rupert to Iolin, Amelia was devising a plan to take the first step herself.

Since she was confident of their mutual feelings, what remained was the confirmation process.

To accomplish this, she felt they needed time alone—hence her preparation for a date.

"Confession is just like a seal of confirmation, my lady."

Inexperienced in such matters, Amelia sought advice from her maid, who had a wealth of experience in romance.

After recounting everything that had transpired with Rupert from her own perspective, the maid offered a simple conclusion:

Based on Rupert’s actions, it was clear to the maid that he had feelings for Amelia. However, his shy nature seemed to hold him back.

"Is that so?"

Reflecting on the maid’s analysis, Amelia tried to recall if Rupert was indeed reserved, but she remembered him as being rather proactive.

"I’m certain, my lady! There are more timid men than you think. You need to set the mood."

The maid firmly insisted on her analysis and urged Amelia to create an opportunity for them to be alone together.

"How could someone who made a fairy tale book inspired by you, defended your mistakes, gave meaningful remarks, and even gifted you flowers feel nothing? It’s ridiculous!"

Seeing Amelia’s uncertainty, the maid launched into a passionate monologue. Listening to her, Amelia’s confidence returned.

"Usually, there are club members around, or when we manage to set plans, his siblings are there ruining the atmosphere."

Amelia thought back to how she was the first of the three women to meet Rupert and felt certain that she understood his heart better than anyone else.

"First, we’ll have tea at a café in the capital over the weekend. Then we’ll head to the Imperial Arboretum for a walk."

Weekdays were out of the question—Amelia had her academy classes, and Rupert had lectures to give.

Their only time together was during the manga club’s activities, but it was hard to set the mood with others around.

That’s why Amelia planned to set up a weekend meeting and take a stroll with Rupert through the arboretum.

The Imperial Arboretum was expensive to visit, meaning commoners rarely went there except on special occasions. Nobles, too, tended to linger only near the entrance.

Amelia blushed at the thought of walking deeper into the arboretum with Rupert, where no one could interrupt the romantic atmosphere that would naturally arise.

Missing this chance could mean losing Rupert to Iolin—or worse, Zinnia. The urgency of the situation drove her determination.

"Confess! If you don’t, I will!"

Her current mindset was simple: if it doesn’t work, make it work.

"This? Amelia made it for me, and it’s incredibly convenient," Rupert had said.

"It’s one of his most cherished items."

Zinnia recalled Rupert mentioning the pen he treasured during one of their recent meetings.

"A magic pen."

Zinnia recognized it immediately—it was an item Amelia had submitted as an assignment for her magical engineering class.

Having inspected and suggested improvements for the pen herself, Zinnia instantly understood its origins.

"I need to be useful too."

Zinnia could tell how much Rupert valued the magic pen and how grateful he was to Amelia for making it.

Watching Rupert’s reaction, Zinnia chastised herself for not thinking of it first. Magic was her specialty, yet she hadn’t used it to make anything Rupert needed.

"That’s a failure by my standards!"

By Zinnia’s—or any objective—standards, the magic pen was a failure.

Few, including her mentor Yustaf, could use it effectively. Even Zinnia herself struggled to handle it properly.

"It’s a shame that only I can use it. It would be wonderful if other creators could benefit from this pen as well."

Zinnia remembered Rupert expressing regret that his workshop members couldn’t use the pen, even though it worked perfectly for him.

"I’ll create a magical tool that anyone can use and make Rupert love me for it!"

Her new goal was clear: she would create a magical item that everyone could use and that Rupert would treasure.

"Something that would be helpful... a person, perhaps? Someone to assist with initial drafts or finalizing completed manuscripts would be ideal."

Casually probing Rupert about what he needed, Zinnia began forming an idea.

"Someone to help with illustrations? Perhaps I should make a golem."

Having learned from Yustaf, a master of golem creation, Zinnia had the skills necessary to construct such a magical assistant.

However, typical golems were too crude for the delicate work of drawing. She would need to redesign their structure and appearance entirely—a massive undertaking.

"I’ll need help."

Zinnia thought of the best collaborator for her project: Krune, the dwarf craftsman of the Somerset Workshop.

With Krune’s unparalleled craftsmanship, Zinnia was confident they could create the perfect golem.

"Zinnia! Why are you taking those?!"

Yustaf was horrified as Zinnia emptied his storage of rare ores and gems.

"I need them."

Ignoring Yustaf’s protests, Zinnia packed the materials into her subspace pouch.

"At least tell me what they’re for!"

"For love."

Seeing the determination in Zinnia’s eyes, Yustaf realized there was no stopping her.

And thus, the Great Mage’s treasure-filled storage room—rivaling the Imperial Treasury—was raided in an instant.

"Clang!"

"Your skill has improved."

"I’m not the same as I was before!"

The dull thud of wooden swords clashing echoed through the royal training grounds as Iolin and Edric sparred.

It should have been a foregone conclusion—Edric, who never stopped training, versus Iolin, who had set her sword down years ago.

But—

"What kind of insane sister is she?!"

Edric was startled as Iolin’s thrust broke through the defenses of his prized Marionette swordsmanship.

Though it was only a brief counterattack before Iolin’s stamina gave out and she conceded defeat, Edric couldn’t believe his eyes.

Even his Swordmaster mentor had said Marionette couldn’t be countered on first sight, yet Iolin had pierced through it in an instant.

"My stamina is weak, and my blade has dulled."

Unfazed by Edric’s shock, Iolin assessed her condition critically.

Once passionate about swordsmanship, she had lost interest and stopped practicing years ago.

"I can regain my edge by sparring with Edric for two weeks."

She believed that while her stamina needed work, her technique could quickly return to its peak by training against her brother.

"Why are you suddenly practicing swordsmanship again, Sister?"

Edric, dragged into sparring during his weekend visit to the palace, couldn’t help but ask.

Iolin was not one to revisit abandoned pursuits.

"To create something, one needs experience."

"What?"

"It’s for something I’m working on."

Caressing the wooden sword she had pulled from storage that day, Iolin pictured the intense battle scenes she was planning for Puppet Theater.

The next chapter required dynamic, visceral combat, but she hadn’t been satisfied with her initial drafts.

"It wasn’t enough."

To perfect her work, she decided to relive those moments herself, using her sword to capture the energy and movement she wanted to convey.

"He expects nothing less than the best."

She wanted to amaze Rupert, who always called her a genius, by creating something even he couldn’t imagine.

"If I’m as captivated by him as I am, I want him to be just as captivated by me."

Iolin knew better than anyone that her best weapon to win Rupert’s heart was her manga.

"And as for my impudent little brother…"

She glanced at Edric, who was still reeling from their sparring session.

Iolin had never forgotten how he had betrayed her and stolen her treasures.