TRETTHD 25

#25. The Shame Is Mine

Khalid wore a smile on his lips as he returned to the royal capital. Seeing the flustered expression on Derek’s face made him feel as if he had won something, and he was in a good mood. Even if it was childish, he couldn’t help it—that was how he truly felt.

“The Marquis of Sellon, huh…”

It was clear that Derek had no desire to get involved in the power struggle for the throne.

He had never wanted to be part of the Marquis household to begin with, and if he became the heir, he’d inevitably be dragged into the imperial succession dispute he so despised. From Derek’s point of view, joining the Marquis family must be a thought he didn’t even want to entertain.

Khalid also didn’t feel the need to persuade someone who was clearly unwilling.

After all, this was a matter that required trust.

“Still, connecting with the Master of Lunes is a big win.”

Derek had agreed to help, using Belia as an excuse.

It was a bit irritating how he wriggled out of direct involvement, but if he was weighing the First and Second Princes and leaning slightly in Khalid’s direction, it wasn’t a bad outcome.

Though it was somewhat annoying that he brought up Belia’s name in the process.

“Haa…”

Khalid folded his arms and leaned back deeply in the chair.

Just thinking of her name made him miss her.

“This is getting serious.”

Wasn’t it getting worse?

Still, Khalid smiled softly and closed his eyes.

He thought that as soon as he arrived at the capital, he would go straight to see Belia.

The library was so quiet—it was a place Belia deeply cherished.

Since childhood, she had always preferred calm solitude to noise.

Today, too, she was reading in the library to escape the commotion outside when someone suddenly pulled out a chair and sat across from her, staring directly at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“How am I looking at you?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say: “Like I’m the most precious thing in the world.”
Instead, Belia pursed her lips and changed the topic.

“How did things go while you were away?”

Khalid clearly noticed she was changing the subject on purpose, but he played along and answered.

“About as expected.”

“Really? What was he like when you met him?”

Belia leaned toward him slightly, curiosity evident in her posture.
Khalid replied in a sulky tone, slightly annoyed at her showing more interest in another man than she had when he arrived.

“He seemed clever.”

“Haha, what kind of answer is that? That’s just obvious.”

Derek ran an information guild.

Saying he seemed smart after meeting him?

Belia chuckled and replied playfully.

“He’ll take our side eventually. I plan to meet him again and try to persuade him.”

“He didn’t seem like someone who’d give in just because you ask.”

“Hmm, but Derek’s a good person. If I ask sincerely, maybe he’ll listen?”

At Belia’s teasing tone, Khalid raised a brow.

“You think he’s a good person?”

“Of course.”

“Why?”

“He left a good impression when I met him.”

Belia swallowed all the things she couldn’t tell him.

She tried to laugh it off, but Khalid suddenly asked:

“…Then what about me?”

“Pardon? Ahahaha.”

Belia burst out laughing at the unexpected question.

He would occasionally act jealous like this, completely out of nowhere.

“Belia. Why aren’t you answering?”

“Hahaha.”

“Hmm? What do you think about me?”

He looked so serious that it made him seem a little cute.
The question didn’t suit him at all, which made it even funnier.

Now that she thought about it, even the way he kept bringing her flowers was kind of like that.

Why does he always act so unexpectedly?

“Well, you’re a good person too.”

As Belia suppressed her laughter and answered, Khalid’s face fell a little.

Since she had laughed enough, she decided to stop teasing him and spoke seriously.

“There’s a way to persuade Derek. I know his weakness.”

“You’re planning to blackmail him?”

At Khalid’s question, Belia laughed again.

She wasn’t usually one to laugh easily, but somehow she kept laughing around him.

Everything he did just felt oddly adorable.

“Not blackmail. I just know what he wants most right now, and I think I can help with that. I’m just planning to ask.”

Though she said it lightly, Belia had already made up her mind.
Derek wouldn’t be able to refuse her request.

In her previous life, Derek had treated her kindly first.
Very few people showed warmth to someone abandoned by the emperor, so she had been genuinely grateful for his kindness.

She felt a bit guilty about being so calculating now, but in truth, what she offered would be like a miracle for Derek too—so she decided to be shameless.

“By the way, are the preparations for the engagement ceremony going well?”

“I heard the Empire is sending a representative.”

“Do you know who it is?”

She hoped it was someone she was familiar with.

If it were the emperor’s decision, he’d surely send someone who supported Raul.

With the First Prince already here and Raul having lost face after being rejected by her, the emperor would want to avoid giving Khalid any more advantage.

“Marquis Sellon.”

“Well, isn’t that quite the coincidence.”

She had changed the subject from the son, only for the father to show up.

“He’s only coming to bolster Raul’s standing. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Belia agreed with that.

“More importantly. Did you try on the dress I sent?”

He was referring to the dress he’d sent her for the engagement.

He had been sending her gifts non-stop—first a necklace, then shoes, a bracelet, and finally the dress.
His excitement for the engagement was obvious, and she couldn’t bring herself to reject any of it.

“Yes, it’s really beautiful. But Khalid…”

Belia hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“It’s unusual for the groom to handle these kinds of things himself, isn’t it?”

“What’s the problem?”

Khalid’s shameless response left her more flustered.

“Well, I mean… if you take care of even the small things, people might…”

She tried to explain, but the look in Khalid’s eyes—genuinely wondering what does it matter?—made her trail off.

“Never mind. Thank you.”

She told herself the embarrassment and awkwardness were hers to bear.

It had already been three months since Khalid came to the Kingdom of Ronica.

Though it was a short time, letters had flown back and forth, and the wedding date had been set for the coming spring.

“Still, I’m glad the engagement will be held in the Kingdom of Ronica.”

Cloze sprawled unceremoniously across the sofa as she spoke.

“What, are you not coming to the wedding?”

“Of course I am.”

Despite the affirmative words, her tone lacked enthusiasm.

Belia chuckled softly at her sister.

Remembering how her younger sister had grumbled through every step of the preparations made her seem even cuter.

“Are you unhappy that I’m getting married?”

“No.”

“Doesn’t sound like you’re happy either.”

“Well, I just feel a bit… restless.”

Cloze imitated their mother’s refined tone, though she remained sprawled on the sofa, prompting Belia to laugh.

“Ugh!”

Pouting, Cloze puffed her cheeks as she stared at her overly cheerful sister.

“You’re not going to the Empire right after the engagement, are you?”

To maintain equality in their alliance, the leaders of the Ingot Empire and the Kingdom of Ronica had decided not to favor either side and to share responsibilities.

Since Khalid was already in Ronica, they had decided to hold the engagement ceremony there first and the wedding later in the Empire.

“A spring wedding… That’s not far off.”

Still, it seemed the emperor took the alliance with Ronica seriously.

“There’s the joint gold mine investigation too… And Ronica is a well-established kingdom. For the Empire, it’s beneficial to keep them close.”

Belia assessed the situation coolly.

Even in her past life, she recalled the emperor treating her surprisingly well when she first arrived.

“Though that was also because I was Raul’s fiancée…”

There was no doubt political calculations were involved.

If Ronica had been a powerless kingdom, the emperor wouldn’t have approved the marriage at all.

“To strengthen Raul’s position, he would’ve chosen the most useful alliance possible.”

Belia’s only concern had been the fact that she was marrying the emperor’s unloved son.

She had feared her status might be affected, but politically, things seemed to remain neutral.

“No need to waste energy worrying unnecessarily.”

If the emperor kept this attitude, she wouldn’t face many disadvantages living in the Empire as the prince’s wife.
At least for now, being a princess of Ronica carried more meaning than being Prince Khalid’s fiancée.

That suited Belia just fine. Less attention meant more freedom to carry out her plans.

“…I have a few more things to take care of. Once they’re done, I’ll go to the Empire.”

Cloze sat up suddenly.

“You could just send the Second Prince and stay here until the wedding next year!”

She was increasingly upset at how eager her sister seemed to leave, as if she couldn’t wait another day.

“How could I?”

Belia smiled gently, not noticing her sister’s feelings, and Cloze turned her head away.

Then she curled up, hugging her knees to her chest.

“…If I’d known you’d get married this fast, I would’ve said the Second Prince was no good.”

“What?”

Belia let out a disbelieving laugh.

“What kind of wedding happens so fast?”

Cloze grumbled under her breath.

Belia was dumbfounded.

“Cloze. Do you even know how old I am?”

“Ugh.”

Sometimes she acted so mature it was worrying, but now she was just a child.

“By normal standards, I’m marrying late.”

“Late? Brother isn’t even married yet!”

Cloze snapped, dragging Herald into it for no reason.

“Well, he’ll get married soon too.”

“…You don’t understand anything.”

Cloze muttered sulkily, as if her sister just didn’t get it.

Then, with a big sigh, she asked:

“Anyway, is the First Prince coming to the engagement?”

She looked truly curious.

After all, Raul had effectively been rejected by Belia.
Many people were curious.

“Who knows.”

Knowing his personality, he’d probably show up.

Outwardly, he’d smile and congratulate his brother, pretending to be the perfect gentleman.
But deep down, he’d grind his teeth in resentment and seethe with anger at Khalid.

“Now that I think about it, it’d be awkward if he came, but it’d also be weird if he didn’t…”

“He’ll probably come.”

He cared more than anyone about his public image.

“Someday, I’ll rip that mask off and show the world who he really is.”

Belia gritted her teeth.