TRETTHD 39

#39. An Old Grudge

Because Khalid had filled her wardrobe to the brim, choosing a dress for the party wasn’t difficult.

Velia selected a deep blue gown along with matching jewelry and sat down in front of her vanity to get ready.

“His Highness seems to be very fond of you, Princess.”

The maids assigned to Velia chattered away. They were all from lower noble families of the Empire, serving as lifelong attendants in the Second Prince’s palace.

“Your silver hair is just so beautiful.”

“When you first arrived, I honestly thought a fairy had appeared.”

They never missed an opportunity to flatter her.

Velia, who had never been fond of noisy chatter, felt tired just listening to them. But she knew even the smallest of her actions could spread everywhere through their mouths, so she kept a gentle smile on her lips and listened.

“By the way, I heard Lady Canterif will be at the party today…”

“Lady Canterif?”

The name was familiar, but Velia feigned ignorance.

Now that she thought about it, she would be seeing that woman again—and she couldn’t help but sigh.

A person who was always bristling with thorns toward her, picking a fight at every turn.

At first, Velia had been baffled as to why. Later, she learned that Lady Canterif had been mentioned since childhood as the future consort of the First Prince, Raul.

She must have grown up believing she would be the First Prince’s bride, only to have a princess from another country suddenly appear, take her place, and marry him instead. How absurd that must have felt. Velia could understand her feelings to a degree.

But…

That didn’t excuse how slyly Lady Canterif went about tormenting her.

“Yes, there’s been a recent rumor that she and the First Prince are engaged.”

Seeing Velia show interest, the maids eagerly spilled everything they knew.

“Since you refused His Highness the First Prince, I hear talk of marriage with the Lady began right afterward.”

From the moment she rejected Raul, it was natural for things to change from her previous life.

She’d vaguely assumed he would marry someone eventually as a prince of the Empire—but she hadn’t imagined it would be Lady Canterif, not even Erze.

“Ah… so if they’re engaged, I’ll be running into her quite often.”

“Yes, and the Lady is known for her strong personality. She might try to pick a fight with you, so please be careful.”

Even in this life, now that she had gotten Raul just as she wanted, would she still act mean toward Velia?

Velia’s lips curled faintly.

Of course she will. This time, maybe she’ll claim it’s about her pride.

Of all people, why Raul?

Having experienced him firsthand, Velia wanted to warn Lady Canterif against her choice—but she decided not to meddle. After all, the woman had always wanted to marry him.

Just because he looks good on the outside doesn’t mean he’s a good person.

Well, Velia wasn’t in a position to mock her, given she had married him herself in the past.

“But today’s party is to welcome you, Princess, so please don’t worry!”

“That’s right, today’s star is you!”

Thinking Velia was worried about Lady Canterif, the maids offered words of encouragement. She hadn’t actually been concerned about being harmed, but she appreciated their kind intentions and thanked them with a smile.

Before long, she was ready.

With her hair and makeup finished and the gown on, Velia was just trying on the last pieces of jewelry when—

“Velia.”

Khalid was leaning casually against the doorway, calling her.

He was already fully dressed. In a dark tailcoat, with his hair neatly swept back, he looked incredibly handsome. Velia’s heart gave an unbidden flutter at his changed appearance.

“Beautiful.”

“You look wonderful too.”

As if he’d been waiting to hear that, Khalid’s eyes softened in a smile.

“The necklace you wore earlier suited you better.”

When had he seen that?

Holding back a laugh, Velia pointed to the blue sapphire necklace he had complimented before.

“Then I’ll wear this one.”

As the maids quickly switched the necklace, Khalid smiled broadly, stepped forward, and held out his hand.

“Shall we go turn Raul’s stomach upside down?”

Velia clasped his hand, sharing his delight.

The path to the ballroom was the exact opposite of his residence—extravagant and glittering.

Realizing her memory hadn’t been wrong, Velia glanced at Khalid. His expression was unreadable as he walked ahead.

“Are you scared?”

Noticing her occasional glances, Khalid asked.

Velia shook her head slightly.

“No.”

“…Well, you’ve already been through this before.”

For a moment, his expression turned complicated, but he shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Besides, I’m with you now.”

Raul was bound to be seething the moment he saw them together.

The thought eased the irritation Khalid had been feeling earlier.

“It’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.”

“…Khalid.”

Her violet eyes fixed on him.

“You’re not thinking of doing anything unnecessary, are you?”

As though caught, Khalid looked away.

“Now’s the time to watch and wait. Once we’re firmly established, we’ll bring him down—so don’t do anything rash.”

Velia knew he was thinking about Raul, which made it all the more necessary to warn him. They couldn’t let personal feelings ruin their plans.

“So don’t go picking a fight with him now.”

“You’re really cruel.”

“Cruel? We’re engaged, we’ll be married, we share a bed, and spend every day together—what’s cruel about that?”

Velia looked at him, half exasperated.

He was far more jealous than she had expected—and that had only intensified since she told him about her regression.

She could understand his unease, but she had no idea how to reassure him.

“I’m going to stay by your side, always.”

Aside from repeating that promise, there was nothing else she could do—and that realization left her feeling heavy-hearted.

“We should go in now.”

This time, she would be introduced not just as a guest, but as the Second Prince’s fiancée.

That alone made her heart pound, but with Khalid clearly distracted by other thoughts, her nerves were frayed. Still, it was understandable—learning she had once been Raul’s lover must have been quite a shock.

After all, those memories with Raul aren’t erased…

Good or bad, that was the price of revealing her regression, and Velia had to accept it.

“His Highness the Second Prince Khalid, and Princess Velia of the Kingdom of Ronica!”

Holding Khalid’s hand and wearing a serene smile, Velia stepped through the grand doors into the ballroom.

The stares were immediate—everyone had come to see the much-talked-about Princess of Ronica.

Just how beautiful must she be, for both imperial princes to have proposed to her?

“…They’re all looking at you.”

“Let them look.”

Velia was used to such attention.

“It’s because you’re too beautiful.”

Khalid’s tone was curt, almost sulky.

“And you had to wear such a pretty dress too…”

The dress, the jewelry, the shoes—he had personally chosen them for her, delighted in how well they suited her. Yet now, seeing others’ entranced gazes, he seemed to regret it. Velia swallowed back a laugh.

Gasps of admiration echoed around them.

“The rumors were true.”

“…No wonder the princes fell for her.”

And the winner, clearly, was Khalid.

“Oh… Princess Velia. You are truly radiant.”

The Emperor, already present, greeted her warmly. As the guest of honor, Velia had been allowed to make the final entrance—an honor unmatched in the Empire.

No one will dare treat me carelessly now.

It was as good as announcing that the Kingdom of Ronica was invaluable to the Empire.

Whatever his true feelings, at this moment, the Emperor was extending her extraordinary favor.

A far better reception than I expected.

Before being the Second Prince’s fiancée, she had been introduced to all as the Princess of Ronica—a fresh and promising start.

“Raise your glasses, everyone.”

The Emperor led a toast to welcome the Princess of Ronica as a future imperial princess, and to the continued peace between the Ingot Empire and the Kingdom of Ronica.

Music began to play.

Khalid led Velia to the center of the hall. It was the first time the Second Prince had danced in front of so many people, and all eyes widened at the rare sight.

“Khalid, can you dance?”

“Do I look like I can’t?”

Velia smiled teasingly at his confident reply.

“For your information, I’m very good at dancing.”

She provoked him with a playful glint. Khalid’s lips curved in amusement as he placed a hand on her waist.

“We’ll see about that.”

They moved in time with the music.

Velia had expected him to be clumsy, imagining he’d never enjoyed dancing at such events.

Wait…

But he led her smoothly, with practiced ease.

“…Didn’t you say you rarely attended parties?”

“Heh.”

He just chuckled, giving no answer.

“Don’t tell me you lied to me?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what’s this?”

“Isn’t it good for you if I’m a good dancer?”

Velia puffed out her cheeks.

The thought of his hand guiding someone else on the dance floor left her annoyed.

“…Who did you dance with?”

“Hahaha.”

Her tone was unmistakably jealous, and Khalid couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Those watching were astonished—it was the first time they had heard the Second Prince laugh aloud.

“Forget it.”

“Velia, you’re my first for everything.”

Shameless hound.

She shot him a glare.

As the music ended, they stepped away from the center.

“I’m thirsty.”

“Wait here. I’ll get you something.”

Khalid left to fetch her a drink.

The moment he was gone, as if waiting for her to be alone, someone approached—dressed in dazzling finery.

“Hello. I’m Elin Canterif. A pleasure to meet you.”

It was Lady Canterif.