TRETTHD 33

#33. You Lost, Didn’t You?

A month passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, based on memories from her previous life, Bellia made numerous preparations.

Most importantly, she managed to preemptively handle the gold mine negotiations and the opening of the Shanetan Highway — both of which had played crucial roles in the downfall of the Kingdom of Ronica.

Especially the Shanetan Highway. It had been the most decisive route that allowed the Ingot Empire to invade Ronica.

Raul had declared that he would use Ronica’s great road to attack the Kingdom of Yakum, then marched his army straight toward Ronica’s capital.

“That bastard…”

That was how they were betrayed by the empire they had trusted most as their ally — the royal castle burned, and her family was slaughtered.

Chloe, trying to escape through a secret passage, was caught by Raul…

Bellia shook her head, refusing to dwell on the past.

“…Scumbag.”

Her beloved Chloe had leapt out a window, leaving behind one final plea: she didn’t want to live such a disgraceful life.

Of course, the kingdom hadn’t fallen solely because the highway was opened. But it had certainly helped push the empire to redirect its troops from Yakum to Ronica. Bellia exhaled deeply.

“Bastard!”

The rage still hadn’t subsided, so she shouted another curse aloud.

“I’ll kill him with my own hands.”

Not someone else — she would pierce Raul’s throat herself, without hesitation. Bellia lived for that day.

Thankfully — if it could be called that — the groundwork had gone smoothly thanks to Khalid’s help.

But still…

“…A mercenary guild, huh.”

He had hidden it so slyly, not even a hint when standing right in front of her?

“The nerve… to keep this hidden even when telling me to make him emperor.”

Bellia puffed her cheeks as she recalled the report Derrick had given her. She had been stunned to discover that Khalid was operating a mercenary guild in the Duchy of Tessa.

He must have been preparing for the future, quietly, even in the previous life.

“As if daring me to find out. Unbelievable.”

She clicked her tongue.

Taming this hound was proving to be far more difficult than she’d expected.

“And what? He’s running a trading company too? Ha!”

She remembered Khalid brushing it off like it was no big deal — so irritating.

Derrick had warned that digging deeper would take a lot of time. So even the guild and the merchant group, which were already known, were likely just the tip of the iceberg.

“Shameless man…”

Bellia’s eyes sparkled as she smiled mysteriously.

She had every right to be annoyed that he was hiding so much from her, but strangely, it only made her more excited. Even as she uncovered more about him, her heart raced.

“I want to know more about him.”

Yes. That was exactly how she felt.

Her curiosity about Khalid was becoming uncontrollable.

“I’ve just been getting swept up all this time.”

When Khalid had suddenly approached her with sincere feelings, Bellia hadn’t been able to hide her shaking heart and ended up getting completely drawn in.

But while apart from him, she had braced herself.

Now it was time to strike back.

He was a hunting dog — and she was the master. She couldn’t forget that.

The hunt had only just begun. There was still a long way to go. Until she reached her goal, she needed to keep the reins tightly in her hands.

“Still, how cheeky of him.”

She no longer intended to deny her feelings for him. She couldn’t stop them. But that didn’t mean she would drown in romantic sentiment.

Khalid was pulling every trick in the book to sway her. And she wasn’t going to let him get away with it — not when she could see through it all.

“…I wonder if that Khalid succeeded in the previous life.”

She suddenly found herself curious about the Khalid from her past life.

She hoped he had succeeded. It would be a small comfort to her, who had died so miserably.

Bellia stood on the terrace, taking in what might be her last view of this place. Once she left, when would she ever see Ronica’s warm royal palace again?

“Sister, are you ready?”

Chloe appeared, her eyes still puffy.

They had spent the entire night chatting in Bellia’s room.

“She looks a little better now…”

Just yesterday, she had cried all day begging Bellia not to go, then got mad and told her to leave faster, then cried again saying not to get married, and finally proudly declared she’d handle Harold herself.

Chloe’s wildly shifting emotions had made Bellia wonder — was she always like this?

“I thought she sent me off with no problem before…”

Bellia greeted her with an awkward smile.

“You’re not taking much with you.”

“Yeah. I’ll probably need to buy everything again once I get to the Empire.”

“Then at least take that ugly statue with you!”

Chloe pointed to a small sculpture tucked in a corner of the terrace. It was something she and Harold had made for Bellia’s birthday when they were little.

“It’s too heavy.”

“Hmph!”

Was she about to cry again?

Bellia looked at her in concern, but Chloe bit her lip and held back the tears.

“Sniff… Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s ready outside.”

And with that, she marched out of the room.

Bellia chuckled quietly and followed behind her.

She walked slowly, letting her eyes take in every detail. Outside, a crowd had gathered to see her off.

“Bellia.”

Harold greeted her with a wide grin, reaching out his hand. Bellia smiled back and took it.

As they approached the carriage, the King and Queen looked at her, their eyes slightly red.

“Travel safely.”

“Stay healthy, dear.”

“Yes, Father. Mother.”

Bellia responded confidently.

This wouldn’t be the last time — she wasn’t going to cry.

“I’ll always miss you, my child.”

The Queen embraced her tightly.

“Sending you off like this pains me… but I believe you’ll do well, wherever you go.”

Once she left Ronica, who knew when — or if — she’d return. But she would not meet the same tragic end again.

The future was changing.

From the moment she chose Khalid over Raul, everything had started to shift.

“…Because I’ve changed too.”

Compared to her past self, Bellia had changed immensely. She was no longer the foolish girl who lost everything and could only cry. Though she was heading toward the Empire, a place filled with painful memories, her heart felt unexpectedly light.

In fact, she wanted to get there as soon as possible.

“I want to see him.”

She missed Khalid. He had always looked at her like she was the most precious person in the world. No matter what she said, no matter how much she pushed him away, he never changed.

Maybe he wasn’t so different from Raul after all.

But even if it was foolish — this time, Bellia had made her choice.

“I won’t fail again.”

She had no intention of repeating the same mistake.

Bellia gave her family one last bright smile.

“Stay well, everyone.”

Her expression as she stepped into the carriage was cheerful — as if she were looking forward to the future.

“…Shouldn’t she be here by now?”

Ashid nearly frowned at the question. It was the fourth time Khalid had asked.

“She’ll come. Of course she will.”

He couldn’t say that aloud, or he’d surely be scolded — so he forced a polite smile and gave the same answer again.

“She should be arriving soon.”

Khalid clearly didn’t like that answer.

Why did time feel so slow today?

“Ah, there she is.”

He snapped his head up. In the distance, a white carriage slowly approached.

Khalid leapt up from the steps where he’d been sitting, ready to greet her.

As the carriage pulled to a stop, he rushed over and opened the door with a bright smile.

“Bellia.”

He held out his hand — only to have it slapped away by her small, white one. His lips twitched in amusement as he peeked inside.

“Huh? Bellia, come on now.”

“This isn’t right, Khalid.”

She didn’t even turn her head, her voice icy.

Khalid chuckled and reached in, gently grabbing her hand.

“We haven’t seen each other in ages. Don’t I at least get to see your face?”

“Step back. Then close the door.”

“Bellia…”

“And then greet me properly.”

Her tone was cold and firm.

Realizing why she was acting this way, Khalid burst into laughter and gently closed the door.

Ashid and the others from the Second Prince’s palace looked on in confusion.

Khalid leaned against the carriage and laughed for a while, forehead pressed to his arm.

Then, straightening up, he threw open the door and bellowed theatrically:

“My dearest Bellia!”

Everyone stared in stunned silence. What was His Highness doing?

But Khalid wasn’t finished.

As soon as Bellia placed her hand in his, he yanked her toward him.

She stumbled out of the carriage, losing her balance.

“Ah—”

Khalid pulled her into a tight hug and whispered in her ear:

“Smile. Everyone’s watching.”

Then, louder:

“Bellia! I thought of you every single day while we were apart!”

What was with this awkward, stiff tone? If he was going to act, he should at least do it well.

Bellia couldn’t help but laugh at his shamelessness.

He had promised to welcome her like the person he loved most in the world — and this was it?

“You know that wasn’t good enough, right?”

She mumbled, burying her face in his neck.

Khalid chuckled.

“I’ll make it up to you later. Just smile for now.”

At his words, Bellia immediately changed her expression — beaming as if she were the happiest person in the world.

Khalid gently set her down.

“I’m disappointed, really.”

“I wanted to kiss you, but if I do, I won’t be able to stop.”

She burst into laughter.

“We can’t do that here.”

But his last comment earned him a smack on the arm.

How am I supposed to respond to that?!

Khalid, pretending to be in pain, rubbed his arm with a grin.

“Haha. Just let me off easy.”

“Khalid, you lost. Admit it.”

Bellia reminded him of how she’d boldly kissed him during their last encounter — and how he’d sworn he’d outdo that welcome when she arrived in the Empire.

“Fine. I lost.”

“Then hug me again.”

Khalid covered his face with one hand, inhaled deeply, and exhaled.

“…Are you trying to make me lose my mind?”

“Come on.”

Bellia smiled sweetly and held out her arms.

Khalid bit his lip, like trying to restrain himself. He took a step closer and growled low:

“…You’ll regret this.”