TRETTHD 15

Chapter 15: “I Need to Pull Myself Together.”

After entering the palace, they moved straight into the drawing room connected to her chambers and continued their conversation there.

“The Empress has agreed to send the proposal soon. It should officially arrive any day now.”

“It’s truly a relief that Her Majesty is stepping in,” Belia said, sipping her perfectly steeped tea.

“To be honest, I didn’t think it would be possible. Not only did I doubt Her Majesty would accept conditions disadvantageous to the First Prince, but I also wasn’t sure she’d intervene directly.”

Khalid looked puzzled at her words.

“What do you mean?”

The Empress was Khalid’s mother. Her helping him should’ve been expected. It was strange to hear Belia express uncertainty about it. Noticing Khalid’s suspicious gaze, Belia quickly added an explanation.

“Oh, I just meant… Her Majesty hardly ever leaves the Empress’s Palace, so I wasn’t sure it’d be easy for her to get involved…”

Before she could finish, Khalid interrupted.

“So those rumors made it to Ronica too?”

“Excuse me?”

Confusion from memories of past and future information crossed Belia’s face. In an instant, her expression darkened with dismay.

It was common knowledge in the Empire that the Empress lived in near seclusion. So it made sense that present-day Belia would know. But now that she had said it, she remembered—she hadn’t known that about the Empress before going to the Empire.

‘…That was a mistake.’

She calmly set down her teacup and tried to regain her composure. She had to find a way to recover the situation.

At that moment, Khalid slowly sipped his tea and spoke.

“The Emperor is greedy and loves to show off. So even if he’s obsessed with another woman, he wouldn’t want word of the Empress living like a dead woman in seclusion to spread to other countries. That’d be a disgrace to his own face.”

His fingers slowly traced the edge of the cup.

“But I’m not going to question you about this again. So don’t waste time trying to come up with excuses.”

When Belia looked at him, slightly flustered, he continued nonchalantly.

“Back to the main point. Her Majesty must’ve given up something significant to secure the proposal from the Empress Consort. I’m sure it wasn’t a small sacrifice.”

“…Is that so.”

“In any case, all you need to know is that an official proposal will be coming soon.”

Belia gave a small nod.

“Thank you for telling me in advance.”

“I agreed to cooperate—so I’ll give it my best.”

Khalid grinned boldly.

“Do you have plans for lunch tomorrow? Let’s eat together.”

“Sorry, I have horseback riding around that time…”

Belia scratched her cheek awkwardly. It felt rude to turn down an invitation after he’d gone out of his way to make it.

“I only just started learning, so I don’t want to skip it. But I’m free in the evening.”

She wanted to make good use of her time while she still had some freedom. Khalid asked with a sulky expression:

“Is that knight teaching you again tomorrow?”

“Sir Ben? Oh, yes. I asked him personally.”

“You’re very close with your guard, aren’t you?”

His tone was full of discontent, and even his crossed arms looked resentful.

“Of course. He’s like family to me.”

Belia replied calmly, as if his question was ridiculous.

Khalid recalled how Ben had said meeting Belia at the riding grounds was lucky. That conversation flashed through his mind and slightly dampened his mood.

As Khalid pressed his lips together in displeasure, Belia cautiously called him.

“Your Highness?”

“…Don’t you think it’s time you just used my name?”

A frown creased his brow.

With a sigh, Belia finally said:

“Khalid.”

As always, saying his name made the letters swirl strangely in her mouth. But she didn’t want him to notice.

“Belia.”

Again.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Khalid leaned closer across the table toward her.

“I’ve been thinking—we need to spend more time together if we want to convince people that our relationship is genuine.”

He smiled slowly.

“How about I teach you horseback riding myself?”

“You, Your Highness?”

Startled, she reflexively used his title again. Khalid raised an eyebrow at that but soon spoke in a gentle tone.

“Also, I overheard you say you want to learn swordsmanship.”

He must have heard her conversation with Ben earlier.

“Even if regular swordsmanship is too much, I can at least teach you how to handle a dagger.”

“Really?”

Her face brightened.

“Yes. So let me teach you horseback riding. It’ll be easier to teach dagger skills without anyone else around.”

The idea of learning dagger skills while riding with Khalid was perfect. A dagger could be hidden and used in emergencies.

It was an ideal proposal.

Belia immediately accepted.

“I’ll find a suitable dagger for you, and until then, I’ll watch your riding.”

“Thank you.”

As she expressed her gratitude, Khalid rose from his seat with a composed demeanor, as if his business was done.

“After riding, let’s have dinner together. Like I said earlier, the more time we spend together, the better.”

“All right. I don’t have other plans, so let’s spend the whole day together tomorrow.”

Belia stood to see him out. Just as Khalid was leaving with a satisfied look, he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.

“Oh, and Belia. When you come tomorrow, don’t bring him.”

Then, with a swoosh, he exited the room.

“…Huh?”

Wait, could it be…?

‘No way…’

Belia let out a hollow laugh and shook her head in disbelief. Then she slumped down on the couch.

The evening sunlight poured deep into the room. Belia raised her hands to shield her eyes.

Khalid needed to bring her the proposal soon.

“Haa…”

It felt like things were going well, and yet… like something was slipping away.

Belia calmly reviewed the progress so far.

She had successfully won over the Second Prince. Their relationship was stable. If he sent a proposal, she could use that as a reason to reject Raul.

Then she would become the Second Prince’s consort and help Khalid become Emperor.

Knowing the future gave her an advantage—if she used that information to take away Raul’s future achievements, the goal wasn’t impossible. The Emperor’s favoritism toward the First Prince was a concern, but… the Emperor would die soon anyway.

‘Less than three years left.’

She had to change the tides before then.

Realizing how little time she had, Belia removed her hand from her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. She couldn’t hesitate. She had to keep moving forward.

She had fewer resources than her enemies. So she had to sharpen herself, strike swiftly, and tear at their throats. This was no time for emotional games.

Belia stood up.

She didn’t know what Khalid expected from her, but—

‘…His sincerity.’

His joking comment at the party resurfaced.

But she quickly shook her head.

“…Nonsense.”

There’s no way he really meant it.

“Belia.”

Why was his voice calling her name again?

Those piercing blue eyes, the face that had leaned close as if to kiss her, the cool breeze and crisp air of that day—all of it came vividly to mind.

“Stop it.”

Belia slapped her cheek hard and pressed both hands against it.

Her face burned.

“I need to pull myself together. What am I even thinking?”

For some reason, guilt began to creep in.

Hadn’t she sworn revenge? So why was she living so comfortably now? The despair that once carved into her heart remained like a scar.

Her gaze hardened, dark and resolute once more.

After horseback riding with Khalid in the morning, lunch together, and afternoon strolls, their routine had become familiar. Even others now saw it as a natural sight.

As usual, after finishing their ride and changing clothes, Belia was having lunch with Khalid.

“This is delicious.”

She wiped her mouth and spoke in a completely emotionless tone.

Khalid, resting his chin on one hand with a crooked posture, looked at her in disapproval.

“Are you really not going to tell me what’s wrong?”

“I told you—nothing’s wrong.”

Even when his question was filled with concern, her response was cold.

Khalid’s brow furrowed again.

“You haven’t smiled lately. You’re cold to me. And yet you say it’s nothing?”

“That’s meddling.”

His expression turned stone-cold.

“…What exactly are you so afraid of?”

The sudden question made Belia’s hand freeze mid-motion.

He was sharp.

Her heart jolted at having her inner feelings exposed.

…Yes, she had to distance herself.

They were too close now—too close for comfort. That must be why he could see right through her.

Belia forced a bitter smile and spoke with a soft sigh.

“Khalid, I’ll go back to learning horseback riding from Sir Ben. Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule.”

Khalid let out a hollow chuckle.

“Why the sudden change?”

“I’ve been hearing a lot of people say we look like a sweet couple. The goal has been achieved. So there’s no need for you to teach me anymore.”

They hadn’t even begun dagger training yet.

The existing daggers had been too heavy for her, so a custom one was being made. Until then, she couldn’t begin training.

So with the goal of their horseback riding accomplished, there was no longer any reason to spend so much time together. Spending time without reason was something real lovers did—and they were not that.

Khalid knew that too. So her explanation made perfect sense.

‘Right. We’re just allies by agreement. But still…’

Khalid clenched his jaw.

He wanted to stop her—he didn’t want to let go.

“I thought we were becoming close.”

His voice dropped slightly.

Belia noticed he was hurt but pretended not to.

Once she realized she’d become too relaxed, she vowed not to grow emotionally close again.

This was a contractual relationship. No reason to become overly familiar.

“…Of course. We have to get along, or we’ll have trouble working together.”

She smiled lightly.

“So hurry and bring that proposal, Khalid.”

She reminded him again, then stood up and left the dining room after a brief bow.

Khalid sat silently, staring at her retreating figure with an unreadable expression. He couldn’t take his eyes off her for a long, long time.