TRETTHD 103

#103. The Beloved Ones

The sudden death of Marquis Celon shocked many. At the same time, the social scene was abuzz with speculation about the succession of the Celon family.

For a brief moment, talk of Belia and Raul quieted down.

As expected, the announcement made alongside the funeral schedule confirmed Derek Celon as the next Marquis. From now on, Derek would inherit not only the leadership of the Celon household but also most of the political responsibilities his father held in the central government.

People said, all that remained was to appoint Raul as Crown Prince.

The second prince, Khalid, had gone missing. Although the royal family had not officially announced anything, many had already assumed the second prince was dead. The momentum had shifted firmly toward the first prince, Raul.

Moreover, the person who had recently been moving closest to Raul was none other than Derek Celon. Everyone assumed that the support of the Celon family would still go to the first prince.

“Looks like Derek has secured his position well.”

Given his abilities, it was easy to believe he could earn Raul’s trust, but it seemed he had become even more closely involved in Raul’s inner circle than in his past life.

Belia recalled a note secretly sent through Lunes.

“Raul holds the weaknesses of the Eastern nobles… no wonder they seemed to unite faster than expected in this life.”

A wry smile escaped her. Raul had been acting with the memory of his previous life from the very start.

Using the note and the weaknesses of the Eastern and Southern nobles she had requested from Lunes, Belia began revising her future plans.

“Is there a way to use the fact that we hold the same weaknesses to our advantage?”

Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the desk.

The Marquis’s funeral was to be held solemnly at the temple in the central square.

The Celon family was among the most prestigious in the empire. Until it was revealed that Marquis Celon had an illegitimate child named Derek, his image had been pristine.

Thus, many people had gathered, filling the central square to witness the funeral.

“He was more popular than I thought.”

Belia didn’t think so at first. Ignoring the crowd, she entered the temple. Soon, dark-colored carriages arrived one after another.

The nobles entered the temple dressed appropriately for the funeral, yet Elin was nowhere to be seen.

“Princess Canterif is still in seclusion, isn’t she?”

“…She must be miserable. The wedding is right around the corner.”

“How shameless… I feel sorry for the princess.”

Whispers directed at Belia continued unabated. Rumors had grown out of control. Rachel and Susan had tried to contain them, but once spoken, they couldn’t be reined in.

The rumors spread from nobles to the middle class, and eventually to commoners, shaking the entire empire.

It felt as if the whole world was pointing at Belia.

She felt like the infamous villainess Raul had described in her previous life.

“Your Highness, don’t pay too much attention to what people are saying. More people support you than oppose you. Usually, the voices of those who dislike you just seem louder.”

“I’m fine, Rachel.”

Belia and Khalid had once used rumors to expand their influence, so it was somewhat frustrating that all that effort now seemed wasted. But it didn’t matter. Khalid was alive and would return.

Belia offered Rachel a faint smile, reassuring her.

Once the formal listing of Marquis Celon’s achievements concluded, Derek, as his heir, ascended the podium and laid flowers atop the coffin.

As Derek appeared, attention shifted from Belia to him. He remained beside Raul throughout the ceremony, signaling to all that the next Marquis Celon had allied himself with the first prince.

Belia placed a white flower on the coffin and walked toward Derek.

“Derek Celon… should I call you Marquis Celon now?”

“Not yet. My title hasn’t been officially inherited, so my name will suffice.”

“I hope your father’s death does not bring you too much sorrow. May he rest in peace.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Derek greeted Belia with formal respect, as if meeting her for the first time. Belia returned the courtesy and turned away with a composed demeanor.

There was nothing for her to discuss with Raul, and she did not wish to reveal even a hint of her relationship with Derek in front of him.

“Belia.”

Raul’s voice called out to her.

“The whispers will quiet down soon. Don’t worry too much about them.”

Belia did not respond. She knew he had deliberately allowed the rumors to spread, so there was no need to indulge his courtesy.

The more Raul spoke, the more the rumors would grow. He knew this, and his words were simply a pretext to reinforce their connection publicly.

“Let’s go.”

With the funeral concluded, Belia led Rachel out of the temple to return to the palace.

At that moment, people began shouting:

“Your Highness!”
“Princess Belia!”
“We believe in you, Your Highness!”

A flurry of flower petals suddenly filled the air, bright and cheerful, despite the solemnity of the funeral. Yellow, red, and other vibrant petals fell against the white floors, creating a striking contrast.

“The second prince will return!”
“We will pray for Your Highness!”
“We will protect you, Your Highness!”

Belia stood in stunned silence, taking in the scene. Even those exiting the temple paused, watching. The crowd, originally attending Marquis Celon’s funeral, now seemed to have gathered solely for her.

Rachel beside her had tears in her eyes.

‘Ah…’

Belia absorbed the sight—the expressions, actions, the colorful petals swirling across the square, and the deafening cheers.

‘…I have them.’

She could feel the unconditional trust of the empire’s citizens, even though she had done nothing for them, acting only for herself. Yet they repaid her selfish kindness with heartfelt gratitude.

Her eyes reddened. She could endure it. The jeers didn’t matter. Khalid would return, and the rumors were false.

Seeing the citizens cheer for her healed her weary heart. She endured each day, waiting for him to return safely, counting the nights as if she were a child awaiting her mother.

Unexpectedly, these people comforted and supported her. She hurriedly covered her eyes to hide the tears that threatened to fall.

“…Thank you.”

The word barely escaped her lips, carrying a fragment of the deep gratitude and affection she felt. She pressed her palms to her eyes, swallowed the tears, and then smiled brightly at them.

“Thank you, everyone.”

For the first time, the people of the Ingot Empire felt truly lovable to her.

Time passed, and the day of Raul and Princess Canterif’s wedding arrived.

The sky was dark, with a fine drizzle blurring the view through the mist. It felt like the calm before a storm.

“Your Highness, are you really attending?”

“Yes.”

The maids asked anxiously, but Belia’s expression remained calm.

“But Your Highness, the situation is not favorable.”

Rumors had spread that Raul and Belia had been seen kissing in the palace. It was said that Princess Canterif fell ill upon hearing the news.

“The atmosphere when the princess arrived was tense. Wouldn’t it be better to say you are unwell?”

A few days prior, Elin had come to Belia, hoping she wouldn’t attend the wedding. Though she claimed it politely, it was almost a tirade of curses and anger.

Belia shook her head.

“If I hide now, the rumors will only worsen. It’s better to show myself. There will still be those who doubt the stories.”

Belia gazed at her reflection in the mirror. A thin woman in a dark green dress, pale-faced, staring straight ahead. Despite the comfort from her people, Belia appeared increasingly fragile. Khalid had been missing for three months already.

“Who would believe I am power-hungry and seducing the first prince?”

“…Your Highness.”

“Everything is ready.”

Belia rose from her seat.

As expected, whispers arose as she attended the wedding alone. Yet Belia remained unfazed and took her seat. Rachel, having spotted her, quickly came over and sat beside her.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

Belia felt a pang of emotion seeing Rachel care for her, knowing that she too must be clinging to a small hope.

They spoke no more.

Soon, the ceremony began, and Raul and Elin appeared, smiling brightly. The vows were exchanged, and the wedding proceeded smoothly.

Then, the rain—momentarily pausing—grew heavier, with the sound of water pelting down. Fortunately, the ceremony was indoors, so no one was startled by the sudden downpour.

At that moment, a guard’s voice pierced the rain:

“T-The Second Prince has returned!”