TRETTHD 60

#60. Reexamination

A carriage, loaded with flowers, arrived at the pre-booked venue, its hooves clattering across the stone pavement.

Those who had discussed how to arrange the blooms quickly set to work, trimming and preparing them.

By the time the tables and surrounding spaces began to look more vibrant, the host, Belia, appeared.

“Ah, the flowers have arrived. Thank you so much.”

“Of course! Don’t worry, Princess!”

Belia was incredibly busy. She inspected the items for the auction, checked the contributions from each noble family, reviewed the party schedule, and meticulously assessed the placement and acoustics for the musicians. She even paid attention to the types of dishes the chefs were preparing and how they were being made. Her attention to detail left everyone in awe.

“Since the tableware is so ornate, don’t overdo the flowers. Make sure the accent colors stand out.”

“Yes! Leave it to us!”

Belia nodded at the maids, who responded with enthusiastic affirmations. Seeing her approval brightened the faces of those holding the flowers.

“Princess Belia!”

“Princess!”

From a distance, a group of about five or six people ran toward Belia, calling out. They were the artists sponsored by Belia, the creators of the works that would be auctioned that day.

“Welcome,” Belia said with a bright smile. One young man hesitated and muttered,

“Are we really allowed to come here…?”

Their anxiety stemmed from being among so many nobles.

“What’s the problem? Don’t worry—just enjoy yourselves. We’ve prepared a spot for you over there, away from any discomfort.”

Belia had arranged a place for them where they could enjoy the party without constantly encountering nobles. The artists’ expressions swelled with gratitude.

Belia, calm as if it were nothing, exuded a quiet consideration that always moved those around her.

“Let’s see how much your works sell today. It should be fun.”

She winked and moved on swiftly. Watching her go, one of the artists murmured in awe,

“Princess Belia coming to the Empire is truly a blessing for us all.”

Where else in the world would there be a princess who could converse so casually with them?

“Yes. I’m really thankful that the Second Prince is engaged to her,” another added.

“Isn’t it the other way around?” a friend teased, and the young man chuckled, cleared his throat, and continued,

“Anyway, the Second Prince seems like a good person. Surely he would like someone like her.”

They naturally spoke positively about both Belia and Khalid, who was soon to be her fiancé.

“I heard the Second Prince will be here today too. We’ll see for ourselves.”

“I’m sure of it. Want to bet?”

“Haha, okay, I’ll bet on your side then.”

“What?! Then it’s not really a bet!”

Another man grabbed their shoulders and guided them to the seats Belia had designated.

“Haha, come on, everyone, let’s take our places.”

Belia’s small acts of kindness quickly became the talk of the Empire, and her popularity spread like wildfire. The more beloved she became, the more positive perceptions of Khalid followed. His discovery of the gold mine and his rescue of Raul from a monster hunt were reexamined, casting doubt on the old rumors surrounding the Second Prince.

“Princess! It looks like preparations are nearly done, so take a short rest. Once the party starts, you won’t get a moment to yourself.”

Suzan of the Sapio family approached Belia, concerned. Belia barely paused, moving constantly. How could such strength come from such a petite frame?

“Let’s just double-check the auction stage one last time.”

“We’ve already checked everything!”

“But…”

“Twice, even three times.”

Suzan was firm, holding Belia’s hand.

“Come on.”

“No, wait…!”

Belia stretched her free arm, but it was useless. Suzan led her to a spot where Rachel and Mia were already seated, waiting.

“Why are you so late!”

“The Princess was moving everywhere, so it took a while to find her,” Suzan said with an exhausted sigh, prompting Rachel to laugh softly.

“The chef secretly made this for the Princess earlier. Try it,” Mia said, her eyes sparkling. The youngest of the four, she was clever enough to fit in effortlessly.

“Mmm, thank you.” Belia smiled awkwardly and picked up her fork.

“Really, don’t overdo it,” Suzan sighed. Then she turned to Rachel.

“Rachel, tell the Princess something. I’m afraid she’ll wear herself out.”

“It’s not that bad…” Belia protested quietly, but they paid no attention.

Since the day Rachel had declared she wanted to be friends with Belia, the four—Belia, Rachel, Suzan, and Mia—had grown unusually close. Recently, they even decided to call each other by name, though they still often said “Princess” out of habit.

Rachel smiled at Belia.

“Suzan’s right. You’ve been overworking yourself lately.”

“No…”

“Every time the Second Prince sees you, he glares so intensely…”

Khalid? Belia’s eyes widened.

“He’s giving you silent pressure so you won’t overexert yourself—it’s really scary.”

“Eh, no way…”

“So, Princess, rest now. Don’t do anything until the guests arrive.”

But Belia felt compelled to double-check everything. She couldn’t shake the nagging worry that something might go wrong.

“They’ll worry if you keep checking on things,” Rachel said sternly.

“Alright,” Belia reluctantly agreed. The four exchanged smiles.

“Then enjoy the dessert the chef made for you!” Mia said, giggling.

Time flew as they laughed and chatted. As the sun set, the evening arrived, and the elegant carriages began to arrive one by one.

“It’s finally starting,” Suzan said, trembling slightly. Belia rose with a composed, almost resolute expression.

“Then let’s greet our guests.”

Belia personally greeted every visiting noble, never allowing fatigue to show. Most attendees had come less for the bazaar and more out of curiosity, eager to see the much-talked-about Princess Belia, or to catch a glimpse of items contributed by the Marquis of Caprie.

“I heard this was a bazaar, but it feels more like a banquet.”

“Yes, it’s quite refined, probably because it’s hosted by the Princess.”

Compliments rang out from the ladies in attendance, clearly impressed. Typically, a bazaar drew only those interested, and it ended quickly. Belia’s event, however, was elegant and full of attractions, pleasing the cultured tastes of the nobility.

“The music is fresh, and the dinner rivals a royal banquet.”

“I heard wealthy families like the Marquises of Caprie and the Sapios sponsored a lot.”

“Really?”

“Apparently the Princess is close with their daughters.”

Rumors spread fast.

“Did you hear?” Ladies whispered, covering their mouths with fans.

“Some say the Marquis of Caprie is subtly showing support for the Second Prince…”

“Impossible,” others shook their heads, dismissing the absurdity.

“But especially the Marquis’s daughter is very close to Princess Belia. Since the Marquis didn’t stop her and even sponsored the event… there’s some credibility to it,” said one woman.

All eyes turned to the terrace on the second floor, where Khalid and the Marquis of Caprie were already conversing cheerfully.

“Apparently the First Prince had a small incident recently, so the Marquis’s stance shifted quietly,” one whispered.

“Oh my…”

“Of course, the Marquis hasn’t openly declared support yet, but you never know what might happen.”

Thoughts raced through everyone’s minds: Will the Second Prince truly intervene in the succession? What is happening with the First Prince? Does the Marquis really support the Second Prince?

“Then…” someone cautiously asked.

“Are the Marquises of Caprie, the Duke of Tessa, and the Kingdom of Ronica supporting the Second Prince?”

The room fell silent. This was no joking matter. If the Marquis’s support was real, the Second Prince’s influence would grow rapidly, challenging the assumption that Raul, the First Prince, was the likely successor. Succession conflicts between the princes could begin.

Moreover, the legitimate heir of the Ingot Empire was not Raul, but Khalid. At that moment, a chilling truth sank into everyone’s hearts.

“…So, Your Highness, what do you intend to gain by holding me back?”

“The Marquis is annoyingly perceptive,” Khalid said with a flat laugh beside the Marquis holding a glass of champagne.

Leaning against the wall, Khalid regarded him with a mischievous gleam and said lightly,

“You don’t need to worry about what I get, anyway.”

“Perhaps in the past… but my daughter likes the Princess, your fiancée, very much. So that can’t happen now.”

“Rachel… right?”

Khalid recalled the name of the girl near Belia who had been bothering him.

“Tell her to stop following Belia around. She keeps wandering into the palace without realizing how dangerous it is.”

His tone was irritated. As Rachel and Belia grew closer, he spent less time with her. He didn’t like it one bit.

“Haha. As you know, I can’t win against my daughter.”

“…Then people might start saying the Marquis is on my side,” Khalid warned coldly, his tone a subtle caution: if he didn’t want trouble, he should back off.

“Well… it seems too late for that now,” the Marquis said, glancing over the banquet hall. Curious eyes from the crowd darted toward them.

“So,” Khalid’s eyes flashed dangerously, “are you really going to take my hand?”