TRETTHD 30

#30. I’m Waiting for You to Say You Love Me

Khalid had whispered to her that they should lay down a cloth on the wide lawn in the garden and look up at the sky. With delicious food beside them, they could read books when bored and eat when hungry.

The suggestion was so warm that Velia smiled, her eyes folding gently.

“It sounds like a dream.”

This was the last time they would spend together before Khalid returned to the Empire.

Velia didn’t want to upset him. At least for now, she wanted to go along with his wishes.

He hadn’t forgotten that she once mentioned going on picnics in the forest behind the royal palace as a child—and he had prepared this spot for her. She was grateful. And honestly, Velia enjoyed having these simple conversations with him.

It had been so long since she’d been able to picture a happy future without any worries that she couldn’t even remember the last time.

“We’ll be happy in that house.”

She knew how much consideration Khalid was giving her. Though he was always kind to her, she also knew that by nature, he wasn’t usually like that.

Seeing how he’d changed just for her, a flood of thoughts crossed Velia’s mind.

“…I want to see it.”

She was curious about the future he had imagined.

Her time in the Empire had been utterly miserable—but the place he talked about seemed like it could only bring happiness. Even though she despised the Empire, the house Khalid spoke of felt like a completely different world.

“You have to take me there.”

“Of course.”

Khalid replied gently, lifting himself slightly and kissing her lightly on the forehead.

Then he moved smoothly on top of her. His knee brushed against hers. Supporting himself with one hand, Khalid looked down at Velia, blocking the sunlight that had been falling on her face.

“Your Highness. Please move.”

“How can you say something so cold in a moment like this?”

Khalid narrowed his eyes.

“And what kind of moment is this, exactly?”

Velia shook the leash of her hunting dog lightly. But it was clear Khalid wasn’t the only one holding the leash—he licked his lips slowly and seductively.

Ever since he had confessed his feelings to her, he had taken every opportunity to flirt openly.

“It’s a moment where I want to kiss you.”

“W-What?!”

Velia was at a loss for words at how shameless he was.

She had let it slide a few times before, but this time she was determined not to give in—!

“Mmph!”

Khalid’s lips came down on hers so fast that it stole her breath away.

Again! Just like this!

Velia pounded on his chest with her fists, but he didn’t budge.

Is kissing the only thing on your mind whenever we meet?!

She grumbled internally, but when Khalid gently stroked her cheek, her eyes fluttered shut.

“…”

When the feeling of his lips faded, Velia slowly opened her eyes. Khalid was smiling. He withdrew his hand from her cheek and brushed her hair away from her face.

“Khalid.”

“Shh.”

Their lips met again—this time softer and warmer than before.

Without realizing it, Velia gripped the front of his shirt. It wasn’t even the first or second time, yet every time they kissed, her heart pounded uncontrollably. Her vow not to be swayed seemed meaningless.

After the short kiss ended, she looked at Khalid in a daze.

“I wish you’d be bound to me forever. That you wouldn’t be able to go anywhere but stay by my side.”

Coming from someone who had just talked about living together in a warm home—what kind of contradiction was that?

“That’s a crime.”

Velia gave him a slight glare.

Khalid curled up one corner of his mouth into a smirk.

“I think everything will be fine if you just say you love me.”

He locked eyes with her, not letting her escape his gaze.

Velia felt like she was under a spell—unable to look away as if he were controlling her with his eyes.

“Khalid…”

“I’m waiting. Very patiently.”

He smiled bitterly.

That expression tugged painfully at her heart. But even then, the words I love you wouldn’t come out.

She could have just said it, even if she didn’t mean it. But her tongue felt heavy, as if weighted down with iron.

“Don’t make that face.”

Khalid turned his body to the side, stood up, and brushed off his clothes. Then, extending a hand to Velia, who was still lying down staring up at him blankly:

“It’s getting late. Let’s head back.”

* * *

The day Khalid left, he smiled brightly as he said goodbye.

He told Velia he would be waiting for the day she came to the Empire—and left without hesitation.

She thought he might look back at least once before passing through the castle gates, but he never did. That stung a little, and Velia kept watching his retreating figure.

They’d see each other in just a month—so why did it feel so sad?

“Sister. Do you already miss the Second Prince?”

“…No.”

Chloe, who had come to see him off as well, gave her a meaningful smirk.

“You say no.”

“Hmm.”

Lately, Chloe had become a little mischievous.

She kept giving her sly, half-lidded glances and giggling in strange ways.

Velia rested her hand on Chloe’s head and gently patted her.

“Chloe. Is it fun teasing your sister?”

“Teasing? I’m not teasing… I just…”

As Velia asked gently, Chloe gradually quieted down, stammering as she continued.

“You just seem to really like the Second Prince. It’s kind of amazing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re like someone who’s fallen in love for the first time. All fluttery and unsure of what to do. It’s kind of funny…”

So that is teasing.

Velia raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t mean anything bad! Just…!”

Chloe tried to explain herself desperately, but halfway through, she got flustered and shouted as if she were the victim.

“Ugh! You’re leaving for the Empire soon, and I can’t even play a little prank?!”

Velia was taken aback but couldn’t help laughing—she understood how Chloe felt.

“Why are you leaving so soon, anyway? Can’t you stay a bit longer? If you go now, I’ll only see you again at your wedding.”

Velia pulled her into a gentle hug.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s upsetting. But I have to go.”

“…Okay.”

Chloe replied quietly.

Seeing her sister so downcast made Velia’s heart ache too. So she purposely released her arms and clapped her hands brightly.

“Remember how I told you to keep your afternoon free tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“There’s someone I want you to meet.”

It was time to start wrapping things up in Ronica.

After finishing her morning schedule, Velia walked through the corridor, organizing her thoughts. She had one month left before leaving for the Empire.

In that time, she had to ensure that Ronica would not crumble as easily as before.

The first step was to connect Chloe and Derek.

Even in my previous life, Chloe gave it her all.

In the letters Chloe used to send after she came of age, she wrote about all the things she was doing for the kingdom. It was clear she had worked harder than anyone.

She had helped Harold with various tasks and taken charge of diplomatic responsibilities. But still, understanding international politics alone would’ve been difficult for her.

She probably had no idea what Raul was doing to control her sister’s life. And she couldn’t have imagined that the Empire would destroy Ronica.

Who could have predicted they’d invade the Empress’s homeland so mercilessly?

Velia clenched her fists tightly.

If she introduced Derek to Chloe, then in this life, she might be able to assess situations more critically.

Even if she and Khalid were eventually crushed by Raul, there would be a way to protect Ronica from the Empire.

Next is my brother.

Even if she had to hurt his soft heart, Harold needed to be hardened. For Ronica, Velia needed to have the strength to sever ties if necessary.

Her family was too tender-hearted.

That was fine in peaceful times, but if the chaos in the Empire spilled over into Ronica, it would cause serious problems.

I’ll feed Harold some information…

Then she’d tell him to be aggressive in negotiations over the gold mine shares.

Khalid had decided to split the shares between the two nations and informed them of that.

Khalid, the discoverer of the gold mine, Ronica—the kingdom where the mine was located, and the Empire—Khalid’s homeland.

After negotiations, ownership of the mine would be divided among the three.

Ronica needed to demand a larger share.

We need to emphasize Khalid’s status as a prince of the Empire.

The mine was on Ronica’s land.

So they should demand at least 45% of the shares.

Even then, combining Khalid and the Empire’s shares would exceed 50%, so they couldn’t oppose too strongly.

Besides, the Empire hadn’t contributed at all to discovering the mine—Ronica’s demands weren’t unreasonable.

Well, not that Khalid’s shares would ever go to the Empire anyway.

Velia continued mentally organizing the tasks she needed to complete over the next month.

“…Yes. That one…”

“Sister.”

“…shouldn’t be…”

“Sister!”

“Huh?!”

Velia jumped at the loud voice calling her name and looked around in surprise.

“Why are you muttering to yourself like that?”

“Huh?”

Oh no. She’d been walking around talking out loud to herself.

Flustered, Velia looked at Chloe, who gave her a strange look.

“You’re not depressed because the Second Prince left, are you?”

“What? Haha. Of course not.”

“Then why were you just standing in the hallway muttering like that?”

Chloe narrowed her eyes.

“Ah… I just had a lot on my mind. Come on, let’s go. Our guest should be waiting.”

Velia grabbed Chloe’s shoulder and led her to the drawing room, where Derek was already enjoying a cup of tea.

Sensing Velia’s arrival, Derek set down his teacup and stood to greet them.

“Princess Velia. Princess Chloe. It’s a pleasure. I’m Rain.”

At his polite greeting, Velia smiled softly.

“Let’s all have a seat first.”

Once they sat down, the maids replaced Derek’s tea with a fresh tray of refreshments.

“The reason I arranged this meeting today is because I really wanted to introduce Rain to Chloe.”

Chloe gave Velia a subtle look, as if urging her to explain.

“Rain is the head of the Ronica branch of the Rune Information Guild.”

“Rune?”

Chloe’s eyes widened slightly in recognition.

Then she cast Derek a curious glance.

So he’s a guild branch chief…

Even with her favorite tart in front of her, Chloe fell into deep thought. There must be a reason Velia introduced him.

Then, as if understanding her sister’s silent request, Chloe beamed brightly and spoke.