#119. The Reason I Cannot Return
After Belia collapsed, the situation began to change rapidly.
Rumors of an affair between the Empress and Duke Canterif swept through the capital. To make matters worse, there were whispers suggesting that the First Princess Consort might be involved in an assassination attempt on the Second Princess Consort.
The Empress explained that those events had occurred long before meeting the Emperor, but his anger did not subside easily. As a result, Duke Canterif’s estate, which had several suspicious circumstances surrounding it, was subjected to a search.
“What will happen to Duke Canterif’s house?”
“Shh. Watch your words.”
“The tension is so thick here it’s hard to even breathe.”
The nobles quietly tried to avoid mentioning the duke’s family.
At the moment the Canterif family lost power due to scandal, the Marquis of Caprie stepped forward.
The Marquis of Caprie had influence over politics in general and was more than capable of replacing Duke Canterif. With the support of Duke Errington, who had returned to the capital, the Caprie family steadily grew in power. In the social scene, Rachel Caprie actively showed her presence and increased their influence.
“How is Her Highness, the Second Princess Consort?”
“She regained consciousness briefly recently. She’s improving a lot.”
“That’s a relief. I pray every day that Her Highness will wake soon.”
By now, the reputation of the First Princess Consort, Elin, had hit rock bottom. Those who had aligned with her were barely seen in society, wary that the malicious rumors they had spread about Belia might come back to haunt them.
“Surely the Lord listens to many prayers. I believe His gracious touch will surely reach Her Highness.”
It had been almost a month since Belia had collapsed. The light of her necklace still hadn’t faded.
‘What exactly is that light?’
The necklace emitted a gentle glow, as if protecting Belia. It was said to have been gifted by the Deputy Priest, so the light was surely a manifestation of divine power.
Rachel smiled bitterly and spoke sincerely, “I hope Her Highness wakes soon.”
At that moment, Khalid was in Belia’s room handling documents.
To stay close to her, he had placed a small desk in her room to review all paperwork there. Unless it was urgent, he rarely left the room.
“Ha…”
Khalid pushed back his hair and meticulously examined the documents.
News had come that the clinics Belia had spearheaded were nearly completed, and that a defensive line connecting the western and northern outskirts of the capital was almost finished. Using the clinic construction as a cover, soldiers were secretly stationed there through cooperation between Duke Tessa and Duke Errington. Now, they could respond swiftly to any unforeseen situation.
Khalid tilted his stiff neck back and moved his head. Since Belia had fallen asleep, his fatigue had not subsided.
“Belia… when will you wake?”
Duke Errington, having come just in case, had seen Belia asleep and said there was nothing he could do. After a moment of thought, he only smiled and assured her that she would wake soon, so there was no need to worry.
‘Lost…? What does that even mean?’
Some of the things Duke Errington said were hard to understand. Was it because he was a mage?
Khalid turned his gaze to Belia lying there.
‘So peaceful…’
If she was truly just asleep, why wouldn’t she wake?
“You said you wanted to see me…”
When Belia had briefly opened her eyes, she had said that. She had wanted to see him.
“Ha…”
Khalid turned his gaze to the ceiling, covering his eyes with his arm. A deep sigh quietly filled the room.
“What… does that mean?”
Khalid asked Belia, a mix of disbelief and slight embarrassment on his face. Understandably so—if someone told you that your partner belonged to them, you’d be shocked too.
“It’s exactly as I said.”
“You mean I’m… your partner?”
“Strictly speaking, it means you and I are partners in that world.”
Khalid let out a deflated sound.
“I thought all the talk about time was ridiculous, but now you’re saying I’m your partner too? That makes it even less believable.”
“As I said earlier, whether you believe it or not is entirely up to Your Highness.”
Khalid was about to say something more, but at that moment, the coachman announced they had arrived at the temple. Belia had prepared to step down from the carriage and was waiting for the door to open.
Khalid, amused, spoke:
“Alright. Let’s see if you can achieve the outcome you desire.”
Belia responded brightly, smiling.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
The temple shone with magnificent brilliance. The divine power imbued within the building filled anyone who saw it with awe.
“…Let’s go.”
Belia pulled her hood low and walked into the temple.
“State your purpose for visiting.”
“I wish to pray to the Lord. I request a private prayer room.”
“If you wait a moment, a cleric will guide you to a prayer room.”
Belia nodded slightly.
Khalid escorted her to the temple, then left for other matters, promising to return in the afternoon. Until then, Belia had free time.
Soon, a young cleric approached her quickly.
“You wish to use a prayer room? Please follow me.”
Belia lowered her head and followed the cleric.
The cleric led her to a small prayer room near the central chapel.
“This is your room. You may use it freely with no time limit. Pray as long as you wish. That is all.”
Belia watched as the cleric left and examined the room.
It was simple—no distracting decorations, only a statue of the Lord and a space for prayer.
Belia knelt and clasped her hands.
‘Lord… if you hear my prayer, please respond.’
Closing her eyes, she prayed. Hoping her prayer reached the Lord.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Her legs tingled and then went numb.
‘I want to return. Please show me the way to where I belong.’
Tears rolled down Belia’s cheeks.
Then, at that moment, a warm, sacred power enveloped her.
[Child.]
Belia’s eyes snapped open, and she looked around in surprise.
It was a voice she had never heard before. Or rather, it wasn’t a voice in the usual sense—it was a direct communication of will into her mind.
And the warm, abundant divine power…
Belia knew immediately who the source was.
“Lord! Please send me back to where I belong!” she cried desperately.
[Do not be anxious; the dream will soon end.]
“I want to return… please, please let me go back…”
Belia clutched her chest, longing to return to those she loved.
[My beloved child, when your desire is sincere, your wish shall be granted.]
After that, no further response came. Belia quietly wiped her tears and remained in the prayer room for a long time until she calmed down.
Leaving the temple, she was deep in thought. The Lord’s words had been significant.
A dream? Does this mean I can return if I truly wish it?
Then why couldn’t she return now, even though she wished so earnestly? And how could the dream have been so vivid and long?
Belia bit her lip.
“Are you here?”
Khalid, already waiting in front of the temple, spoke to her.
“So, was it worth coming to the temple even while making this request to me?”
“Yes.”
Khalid’s eyes gleamed, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
“Then, as you said, you’ll return to the other timeline?”
“Of course.”
Belia paused, met Khalid’s gaze, and then spoke firmly, as if making a vow to herself.
“I will definitely return. I don’t want to leave you there alone.”
“…Good luck.”
Fortunately, Raoul had not discovered Belia’s secret visit to the temple. Presumably, he had not searched for her during that time.
The problem, however, was that even after several days, Belia remained in this place.
‘Why…?’
She desperately wished to return all day, yet she still could not leave.
Belia tapped the desk lightly, trying to clear her thoughts. But in the First Princess Palace, that was nearly impossible. Luxurious items she didn’t like dominated every space, and in the garden she could hear Erze’s high, delicate laughter while strolling with Raoul.
The servants were gradually drawn to Erze, and often fumbled nervously in front of her.
‘I should go to the Second Princess Palace garden.’
It would surely be quiet there.
Belia quietly left the First Princess Palace.
Arriving at the Second Princess Palace, she found Khalid sitting on the bench as if waiting for her. In that moment, Belia thought: if she returned to that other world, what would happen to herself who remained here? What about her memories? Would Khalid here continue living the same way?
“Seeing you again,” Khalid said with a smile.
It was the first time Belia had seen Khalid smile. His face lingered in her mind.
“You haven’t returned to the place you mentioned yet, have you?”
Belia stared blankly at Khalid, who looked at her with amusement.
Ah…
At that moment, Belia realized: the reason she wanted to return, and the reason she couldn’t, were both because of one person.
She couldn’t leave because she couldn’t bear the thought of him after she left.
“Why are you just standing there?”
Khalid asked, seeing Belia frozen in place.
She slowly walked toward him. The thought that he spent time in this empty garden. That, despite being Raoul’s wife, he gave her his side. That he usually seemed indifferent but smiled at her.
Belia could no longer contain her frustration.
“…I think it’s because of you. You’re the reason I can’t return.”
