TRETTHD 40

#40 A Changed Future

“Belia Ronica. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Canterif.”

Even though it had been a long time since she’d last seen her, the moment Belia laid eyes on her, every memory of her came flooding back.

Elin Canterif.

The esteemed daughter of Duke Canterif, head of the imperial parliament—said to be at the pinnacle of all power.

Yet, for some reason, her relationship with Belia had always been strained.

“We’ll be seeing each other often from now on, I suppose.”

Her tone was bright and courteous, but Belia noticed immediately.

In a fleeting instant, Princess Canterif had scanned her from head to toe with a look of disapproval.

‘…Looks like we’re not going to get along this time either.’

Belia didn’t particularly want to be close to her, but she also didn’t want to waste energy keeping up appearances.

“If this is your first time in the Empire, Princess, feel free to ask me anything you don’t know. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Oh my. I appreciate your kind words. I look forward to your guidance.”

Belia and Princess Canterif smiled politely at each other, wearing friendly masks.

But beneath the smiles, they both knew how little they liked one another.

Belia would never ask her for anything. They were both fully aware of that, yet still exchanged civil greetings.

“Belia.”

“Ah, Khalid.”

Before she realized it, Khalid had returned and approached Belia’s side.

“I was just exchanging greetings with Princess Canterif.”

“I see.”

Khalid wrapped one arm around Belia’s waist while the other gently tidied her hair.

“Didn’t you say you were thirsty?”

“I’ll drink in a bit.”

His gaze was fixed solely on Belia, as if Princess Canterif didn’t even exist.

“Your Highness, Second Prince. It’s been a while.”

Elin Canterif gently held her skirt and greeted Khalid. But he didn’t even turn toward her.

“Ah… the princess looks well.”

He had no intention of engaging in conversation.

“This is the first time I’ve seen Your Highness at a party.”

“…Where’s my brother? Why is the princess alone? I heard she’s soon to be betrothed.”

A thinly veiled suggestion: go bother your fiancé, Raul, instead of me.

Elin clenched her lips, swallowing her frustration.

At first, she had found amusement in seeing the cold, arrogant prince—so self-absorbed—so desperately attached to someone. Now, it just made her stomach churn.

‘…This is ridiculous!’

What did that princess think she was doing! And where was Raul?

Why should she feel diminished in front of them?

Elin Canterif was the Empire’s most distinguished young lady.

With no princess in the picture, no other unmarried woman could rival her influence.

‘Belia Ronica…!’

She truly disliked her.

But Elin forced a polite smile and responded as graciously as possible.

“Prince Raul has stepped out briefly to speak with His Majesty.”

“I see.”

Khalid answered casually, as if he wasn’t curious at all.

Feeling the increasing attention of the crowd, Belia removed Khalid’s hand from hers.

“Why?”

“Enough. You’d be rude to the princess.”

Though their conversation was quiet, Elin, nearby, apparently heard it. She forced a polite smile, lips taut with tension.

“…I suppose I’ve been a hindrance to you two. Then, Princess Belia, we shall meet again later.”

“I’m sorry, Princess. I’ll make it up to you. Let’s have tea next time.”

“Yes. Very well.”

Elin spun and left.

“Why are you so cruel to the princess?”

“I don’t talk to just anyone.”

Belia frowned at his arrogant tone.

‘Right… that’s just his personality.’

He had been cold and indifferent when she first met him. She had forgotten that, yet he still managed to surprise her.

But she needed to manage his image carefully. No need to make enemies unnecessarily.

“…Khalid.”

Just as Belia opened her mouth to speak,

Clang!

A sharp sound of breaking glass erupted, causing a commotion. Someone had spilled a drink. Belia glanced toward the disturbance, vaguely remembering a similar incident.

“Huh…?”

It was strange.

Previously, Princess Canterif had spilled a drink on a count’s daughter.

“I sincerely apologize, Lady.”

This time, a young man had spilled wine on the count’s daughter.

“Belia… why is this happening?”

The person had changed.

The event was the same, but the lead actor had changed.

‘…Could the future be shifting?’

Belia felt a mix of excitement and unease.

Belia examined the documents Khalid had given her.

“The progress is slower than expected?”

She held a report on the illegal gambling establishments Raul was investigating.

“Of course. He suddenly left for the Ronica Kingdom right when he should have been acting.”

Khalid shrugged.

Since returning to the Empire, Raul had resumed matters he had previously put on hold. As a result, progress was slower than Belia had anticipated.

It seemed they would have to watch a little longer.

“I’ll have to put my plans on hold.”

By now, Raul likely hadn’t fallen into gambling. Interfering prematurely could backfire.

Though he had been decisively defeated by Khalid in the Ronica Kingdom, that didn’t mean he was incompetent.

“As I felt at the party, the future is slowly changing.”

It was too risky to act rashly. Too many things were already twisted. No guarantee the future she predicted would come true.

“Let’s leave him for now and aim for the decisive moment.”

Khalid nodded at Belia’s words. He excelled at judging situations, and that skill would now be crucial.

“If the future you experienced is changing, it’s vital to determine the exact timing.”

“Exactly. I can’t do this alone. I need your help.”

Khalid wore a confident expression.

“Don’t worry. As you’ve seen, I have quite a few resources.”

He smiled mischievously. Belia quietly held his hand, trusting him.

Then Khalid asked in a low voice, almost teasing:

“Don’t you think we’re a perfect match? What you can’t do, I can. What I don’t know, you do. Isn’t that a perfect combination?”

Belia scowled at his serious tone.

“Stop trying to brainwash me like that.”

“Then at least let me do it a little?”

Khalid rested his hand on her head and chin, feigning hurt.

“I’m not an easy person.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

He tousled her hair mercilessly.

“Khalid!”

Belia scowled, about to protest, but he quickly changed the subject.

“Raul must be furious by now.”

Looking at her confused expression, Khalid smiled like a playful child.

“The ‘gift’ we talked about should have arrived today.”

“Ah…”

Belia assumed he meant the spies Raul had planted. She urged him to continue.

“The knights, the servants, the cooks… they were all well hidden.”

Could it be…

“Did you kill them?”

“No. I know you’re trying to change my image. I couldn’t just kill them recklessly.”

He straightened his shoulders proudly.

“At first, I thought of killing them all and presenting them to Raul as a gift. But I held back, thinking of you.”

Belia responded in kind to his proud gaze.

“Well done. What did you do with the spies?”

“I dismissed them all overnight. The charge: insulting the royal family. They’ll face trial, so it’s up to the courts.”

“Well done. Raul will be quite annoyed.”

Watching that would be entertaining, she thought.

“Anyway, it’s now impossible for him to track my movements, so he’ll be quite worried.”

“For now, I’ll personally choose who can enter the Second Prince’s palace. If I recognize them, I can filter them out.”

She wouldn’t miss anyone loyal to Raul.

‘No need to risk anything unnecessarily.’

She decided to leave internal matters at this level. The events in the Ronica Kingdom had attracted enough attention; it was time to stay cautious.

“For now, I’ll focus on establishing myself in society.”

There would surely be obstacles, but if she followed her plans from the Ronica Kingdom, no one would interfere.

Seeing her confident expression, Khalid asked curiously,

“Do you have something in mind?”

“I plan to engage in charitable work.”

“What kind?”

Belia had long wanted to change public perception from the bottom up. Charity was one way to do that.

‘Princess Canterif would never do this, so it’ll be even more effective.’

Moreover, the support of the Second Prince’s spouse among the citizens had symbolic significance.

“I’ll start by sponsoring orphanages, then support struggling artists.”

She spoke fluently, as these were long-held plans.

“Eventually, I’ll turn to medicine, providing affordable treatments for the people.”

Like before, she wanted to pursue the medical sector.

“Ultimately, life and death are the most critical issues for the citizens.”

Furthermore,

“Starting now ensures greater benefits later.”

Next winter, unprecedented cold would strike.

“The snowstorm you mentioned?”

As expected, Khalid remembered everything she had told him the day she confessed her return to the past.

“Yes. The snow will be so heavy that travel will be impossible. Many will die from hunger or freezing.”

“Hmm…”

“But we know in advance. We can’t stop natural disasters, but we can prepare.”

Belia smiled.

“We can help them through the facilities I’ve established through charity.”

This would naturally raise Khalid’s profile and increase admiration for the Second Prince’s abilities among citizens.

“We need to prepare now.”

Belia placed a basket on the desk.

“What’s this?”

“Invitations I’ve received.”

So many invitations had arrived that they were stacked like this?

Khalid looked at them, shocked.

“I’ll select a few. If anything seems unfamiliar, let me know.”

Belia wanted to be thorough, in case there were details she hadn’t yet discovered.

“Ask me anything, Belia.”

Khalid replied happily, ready to assist with whatever she needed.