TRETTHD 29

#29. Let’s Live There Together

Khalid’s greatest ally was the House of Duke Tessa.

Thinking back to how Khalid had been preparing something until the very end, it was clear that the duke’s household possessed some hidden power.

“My grandfather is the epitome of chivalry.”

Come to think of it, when Raul became emperor, Khalid had stepped down so naturally, and Duke Tessa hadn’t posed any threat. That’s why Belia had only been slightly cautious of the duke back then, not paying him much mind.

Raul hated talking about Khalid, and the emperor openly supported Raul. So Belia had only concerned herself with maintaining favorable public opinion among the nobles and citizens. Raul was someone who already had so much.

“What do you plan to do in Duke Tessa’s territory?”

“I want to check on the knight order and visit my grandfather. It’s been a while.”

Belia tilted her head in confusion.

Why visit the duke now of all times? He had already passed through the duchy on his way to the Kingdom of Ronica. And now he was planning to stay there again?

‘Is he preparing something in secret?’

She realized she knew very little about Khalid.

Startled by this realization, Belia leaned toward him and asked,

“What did you usually do in the imperial palace?”

“Well… just lazed around, really. No one cared about the second prince.”

There was something distant about Khalid’s answer, as if he was deliberately avoiding the question. It was the first time she’d seen him like this.

Khalid, who always seemed willing to give her everything, now appeared to be hiding something—and it unsettled her.

“Still, you had duties. You couldn’t have just idled around.”

“Who knows?”

“…Do you not want to answer?”

Khalid’s gaze trailed over her expression, which had stiffened slightly.

“I’m just happy you’re showing interest in me.”

“…Khalid.”

“Yes, just say my name like that.”

He kept changing the subject instead of answering her question. With a sigh, Belia gave in.

“I don’t want to doubt you.”

Her sad expression made Khalid’s chest tighten.

“Once I return to the Empire, you’re the only one I can trust. If you hide things from me too, I won’t have anyone left to lean on.”

She bit her lip.

She was hurt. Her heart ached, steeped in sorrow.

‘What should I do with you…?’

Khalid covered his face with one hand.

“Belia…”

“I know it’s silly of me to say this when I’m hiding things from you too, but…”

“No, I’m the one in the wrong.”

He stood up and approached her.

Then he knelt on one knee before her and kissed the back of her hand.

“…Once we arrive in the Empire, I’ll tell you everything. I mean it. Just wait until then.”

“Alright.”

They had come too far to start making deals with emotions now.

It was time to lay everything bare and prepare together.

That was the right path.

Belia reached out and wrapped her arms around Khalid’s neck.

Khalid slowly descended the stairs.

Downstairs, Raul was already prepared to depart and speaking with the King of Ronica.

“I’ll make sure to relay your message to my father.”

“Thank you. Please return safely.”

Raul, chatting cordially with the king, spotted Khalid.

Following his gaze, the king turned and smiled warmly.

“Hoho, I’ll leave you brothers to talk alone.”

“…Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

The King of Ronica left with the nobles and attendants.

Khalid approached Raul.

“Just the two of us now, Khalid.”

“Indeed. Feels like it’s been ages since we last met like this.”

Their greetings held no warmth.

They had always avoided crossing paths in the Empire.

After all, the emperor rarely summoned Khalid, while Raul practically lived in the imperial office. Ironically, that gave Khalid more freedom, which he preferred.

“You played it smart this time, didn’t you?”

Raul finally broke the silence, and Khalid gave him a crooked smirk.

“Not really. If this counts as ‘smart,’ my brain would be offended.”

Raul disliked everything about Khalid—from his tone to his expression—but forced a smile for appearances.

“Don’t think it’s over yet.”

Please. Such concern.

Khalid returned a warm smile of his own.

Raul’s expression hardened.

“…You don’t actually believe a single gold mine will change everything, do you?”

“Of course not. I haven’t even started yet.”

“I will be the emperor.”

Both Khalid and Raul harbored the same belief deep inside, hiding their sharpened blades behind smiles.

One day, they would drive that blade into each other’s back.

“The gold mine, the monster subjugation, and Princess Belia… Fine. You got lucky this time. I’ll admit that.”

Khalid didn’t deny it. He had been lucky. For once, he agreed with Raul’s words. But they weren’t on good terms, so he replied sarcastically.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re admitting anything.”

“Haha, what are you talking about?”

Raul laughed loudly, as if saying, You’re no match for me.

That smug look annoyed Khalid. He smiled coolly and said,

“Well, if you’re frustrated, go cry to His Majesty. You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

Always running off to tattle to the emperor.

“Khalid.”

“Must be nice to be the beloved prince, huh?”

“That’s enough.”

“Just following your example. I’ve learned from the best.”

Raul couldn’t hold it in any longer and opened his mouth to retort—

“Princess Belia—”

“Enough. Don’t you dare mention my woman.”

Khalid found it infuriating when Raul spoke of Belia with that regretful expression.

“Come on. You get bored of everything quickly. You weren’t chosen—don’t cling to her. It’s pathetic.”

He gave Raul a condescending pat on the shoulder.

So stop obsessing over Belia.

“…I’ll head to the Empire first.”

Raul bit his lip in frustration.

Khalid didn’t miss the chance to dig in one final jab.

“Take care. Don’t waste the life I went out of my way to save.”

“….”

Raul didn’t answer. He turned sharply and strode away with his knights. Khalid watched him until he was completely out of sight, then tilted his head slightly.

A vivid smile lingered on his face.

It had been a long time since Belia had gone on a picnic near the capital. Since her return to the past, this was her first time there. For her, it had been over ten years since she last visited this forest.

“Careful, you might trip.”

Khalid reached out his hand, and Belia giggled as she took it.

“I can handle this much!”

She stepped firmly over a rock and climbed ahead. Khalid followed with a smile, shaking his head in amusement.

“Belia, how does it feel to be out like this after so long?”

“I’m so happy.”

“You’re even happier because I’m here, right?”

He teased her playfully.

Belia smiled and skipped ahead.

Normally, she would’ve laughed it off, but this time, she beamed brightly and nodded.

“Yes. Thank you for coming with me.”

Khalid realized this was the first time he’d seen her smile so freely—truly happy, without overthinking.

Seeing her smile, he understood. She hadn’t been genuinely happy before.

“I wanted to spend time like this with you before you leave for the Empire.”

Khalid walked up to her and offered his arm. Belia laughed and clung to it.

“If I had known it’d feel this good, I would’ve come outside more often.”

“Right? We never thought of just going out together.”

“When we return to the Empire, let’s go on outings together. I’ll find nice places.”

Hearing Khalid say go on outings felt odd to Belia. Maybe it was because she knew they wouldn’t really have the time, which made it all the more precious.

“Let’s do that. Let’s go places—freely.”

They walked through the forest hand in hand for a while. They watched sunlight filter through the trees and listened to the babbling brook.

Eventually, they spread a thick cloth over a small hill and sat down.

“Ahhh.”

Belia stretched and lay down.

If her mother, the queen, saw her like this, she’d probably scold her for not behaving like a proper princess. But Belia just wanted to relax.

Khalid chuckled and lay down beside her.

“The sky is pretty, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t remember the last time I looked at the sky like this.”

The clouds drifted slowly, carried by the breeze—calm and carefree.

“The sky was always this blue and clear…”

Yet she had been walking through such darkness.

“Belia?”

“Ah, it’s nothing… I just suddenly wanted to drift like a cloud.”

She laughed faintly.

She had told him she would share everything, but she still needed time to prepare.

To fully accept her past. To gather the strength to open up about her pain.

To hold on to hope for a better future.

Yes—she needed time.

“I have a house in the Empire.”

Suddenly, Khalid spoke, and Belia turned to him.

“A home I got for myself. Not from the royal family—truly mine.”

“How did you get it?”

“I’ve done a lot of things. Mainly, I run a merchant group. I thought I’d go bankrupt at first, but things worked out, and I made quite a bit.”

“You bought a house with that money?”

Khalid grinned.

“Yeah. It was the first thing that was truly mine.”

A mansion built on the outskirts of the Ingot Empire’s capital.

It once belonged to a fallen noble family and was extravagant and beautiful. The garden was even larger than the house, offering an endless sense of peace. Quiet and perfect for retreat.

Khalid eagerly described it to her.

After speaking for a while, he smiled softly, turned to her, and said gently:

“Let’s live there, Belia.”