TRETTHD 17

#17. To Reveal a Secret

Ironically, before Khalid even realized his own feelings, it was Belia who had already sensed them. That’s why she must have fled first—like someone afraid. As if she couldn’t bear it.

So Khalid decided to approach Belia slowly.

But every time she looked at him with those eyes, eyes that clearly showed she was shaken by him, he couldn’t help but want more. He wasn’t some teenager going through puberty, yet every time he faced Belia, he was overwhelmed by desire.

‘…No. There’s no need to rush.’

It was obvious that she was shaken by him.

But cowardly Belia would keep running away, and in this state, he would have no choice but to keep chasing her. Knowing that well, Khalid still chose to begin this push-and-pull.

Khalid sincerely wanted Belia.

He wanted even the slightest glance she gave to belong to him.

As he looked back at the garden where Belia had been, a deep and intense desire flickered in his eyes—then quickly disappeared.

* * *

“Hahaha. So?”

“They say the second prince’s been following you around like a puppy lately.”

“Belia must be feeling overwhelmed.”

It had been a while since the siblings spent time together.

Clozet was animatedly recounting recent events to Harold, finding everything amusing.

“He picks flowers himself from the greenhouse and brings them, all wrapped up. But honestly, it just doesn’t suit him at all.”

Belia, who had been quietly observing the situation with resignation, turned her head and stared at her sister upon hearing that.

Resting her chin on her arm, Clozet continued with a scrunched-up expression:

“Someone who looks all dark and dangerous walking around holding yellow flowers—it’s hard not to stare, seriously.”

“Hahaha. Still, I’m happy to see that he seems to really like our Belia.”

Thinking they were just a sweet couple, Harold laughed warmly.

Belia gave her brother a concerned look.

He was too soft. She worried what would happen to him in the future.

He had blindly trusted Raul before, just because she had liked him.

“Ora-boni. The Ingot Empire may be our ally, but it’s not entirely on our side.”

“I know.”

“No, listen. Even if I become a princess consort and go to the Ingot Empire, don’t ever forget—it won’t be a safe haven. Always be on guard. Never stop doubting.”

Harold looked serious at Belia’s firm words.

“Belia. If something’s wrong, don’t hide it. Tell me.”

“…There’s nothing.”

“I really don’t know what you’re thinking.”

After sipping his tea, Harold set his cup down.

“Do you truly love Prince Khalid?”

Belia hesitated for a moment before answering.

“…Yes.”

“Good. Then that’s enough.”

Looking at her brother’s gentle smile, Belia’s expression grew uneasy.

Just then, Clozet bit into a cookie with a loud crunch and spoke bluntly:

“You’re worried about what happens after you go to the Empire, right? This might sound arrogant, but I think I’m pretty sharp and good at reading situations. So trust me with things here and don’t worry too much.”

Clozet, still youthful in appearance, stared at Belia with steady eyes.

“Honestly, you’re not the only princess. I kind of like this life, so you don’t have to feel responsible for me.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed after her bold statement, Clozet reached for another cookie and crunched into it again.

Somehow, her little sister seemed so cool in that moment.

Harold must have thought the same, because he hurried to speak as if he didn’t want to lose out:

“Trust me too. I may not seem reliable to you two, but…”

Harold scratched his cheek awkwardly with a sheepish grin.

“But I’ll do my best.”

Then he flashed a wide smile, trying to look dependable.

Belia couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Belia reviewed the documents Khalid handed her.

“…It was true.”

Khalid nodded at her words.

Raul had been deliberately controlling the flow of information. The investigation team had repeatedly reported about the monsters found in the mountains, but all reports were intercepted before reaching the top.

“Are you planning to make this public?”

“No. Let’s leave it for now.”

As expected, Raul was secretly planning to subdue the monsters without Khalid’s knowledge.

“Then why did he ask you to investigate this?”

“Because he’ll fail.”

Belia scoffed with a smirk.

For Raul to take all the credit, he would have to succeed using only his own knights. He wouldn’t bring Khalid’s men.

Which meant things weren’t much different from the previous timeline. Belia intended to use Raul’s failure to highlight Khalid’s achievements.

“You read the report, right?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you think it’s destined to fail?”

The report detailed the types of monsters encountered.

Most were low-level, but there was one very dangerous one living in the river.

“I don’t understand why the Alrag is there.”

The Alrag was a monster usually found in high mountain lakes.

Sightings in lowland areas were extremely rare.

It had sharp claws, tough skin, and its body was covered in a slimy mucus.

The most troublesome part of subduing the Alrag was that mucus.

When it touched water, it became even more viscous, making it almost impossible to land a solid hit. That’s why defeating the Alrag near water was so difficult.

“Do you think Prince Raul can defeat the Alrag? I really don’t think it’s possible.”

“Ingot’s knights are skilled. It’s too early to judge.”

“No. Raul probably thinks the same. But he hasn’t even formed an official subjugation force. He’s just taking a few close aides. What can they possibly achieve like that? They’re underestimating the situation.”

Belia flipped through the report pages.

After turning a few more, her hand stopped.

“See here? It says the presence of a mana stone is suspected.”

Khalid sighed.

“A monster with a mana stone isn’t the same as an ordinary one, right?”

Belia smiled.

Then she pulled out a map.

It was the same map she’d used when explaining the location of the gold mine before.

“If you follow the river upstream…”

She naturally pointed to a spot.

“There’s a narrow gorge here where we can block the water. If we drain the area around the Alrag, subjugating it won’t be difficult. The water’s the real issue.”

Khalid studied the map closely.

It was clear that her proposed strategy was viable based on the terrain.

Block the water upstream, expose the riverbed, then strike.

It wasn’t a complex strategy—but it wasn’t one a novice in monster subjugation could come up with either. One would need detailed knowledge of the geography and the monster’s traits.

“How do you know all this?”

“I’ve loved books since I was young. I read a lot—on all kinds of topics.”

Belia answered casually.

But Khalid had so many questions about her.

Aside from being attracted to her, there were simply too many puzzling things.

‘Starting with how she chose me over Raul…’

She knew the location of the gold mine.

She noticed Raul’s report suppression.

She instantly identified the Alrag and came up with a strategy.

Belia was acting like someone who already knew everything.

Unless she had foreknowledge, none of this made sense to Khalid.

Then Belia spoke again.

“What’s more important than how I know all this… is something else.”

“What is it?”

“You have to rescue Prince Raul and his knights, and you must defeat the Alrag.”

Khalid needed to take all the credit. On top of that—

“The mana stone will be located where the Alrag’s torso meets its tail.”

Belia stated firmly.

“So you need to secure that as well.”

How could she possibly know that?

Khalid stared at Belia in confusion as she met his gaze calmly.

“I know I seem suspicious. You must be wondering how I know all this, how I got this information.”

She bit her lip.

“Do you remember what I said last time?”

Khalid silently stared at her.

“…You need to trust me.”

“Belia.”

“I know. I know I seem shady.”

But she couldn’t tell him the truth—that she had returned from the future.

It wasn’t a story anyone would easily believe.

Even she sometimes wondered before bed whether this was all just a dream.

‘He won’t understand. But…’

Belia lowered her head.

“When the time comes, I’ll tell you everything.”

Would he keep doubting her? Or decide to wait and see?

She was curious about his reaction.

But she didn’t have the courage to check.

Then Khalid’s voice called her name—cold and firm.

“Belia.”

Her body flinched.

Of course he still had doubts. Belia understood that completely. But no matter what, she had to maintain this relationship.

Even if she couldn’t tell him about her regression, she thought of persuading him with more information—until a low sigh reached her ears.

“I don’t know what you think of me. Am I that untrustworthy to you?”

“…No. That’s not it.”

This wasn’t a simple matter.

The truth that Belia had returned from the future—that was a ridiculous, dreamlike tale.

It would go beyond anything Khalid could guess or suspect.

“To be honest, just the fact that I’ve fallen for you… already makes me like a dog on your leash.”

“What…?”

He had feelings for her?

Belia looked at him in shock.

Seeing her reaction, Khalid seemed even more surprised.

“I thought you already noticed. Haven’t I made it pretty obvious?”

“Stop joking.”

“I’m not joking, Belia.”

His blue eyes were serious as they looked at her.

Her throat tightened, as if blocked.

“…Khalid.”

She barely managed to breathe out his name.

Khalid came around the desk, approaching Belia where she sat.

She slowly looked up at him as he placed one hand on the desk, standing by her side.

“Yes.”

Khalid reached out and touched her cheek.

Then he slowly caressed her face—around her eyes, down her cheeks, to her ears.

“My mind tells me I should be questioning and doubting you. But the feeling that overrides all that…”

He gently brushed her hair back.

Belia couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her heart pounded wildly.

They were only bound by a contract. She was only supposed to use him.

Yet, staring into her trembling violet eyes, Khalid whispered in a voice thick with desire:

“All I can think is that I want to have you.”