TRETTHD 97

#97. Aren’t You Curious?

Although the members of Lunes’ guild were conducting a search, Belia couldn’t feel at ease waiting quietly at the palace. At the very least, she would rather go there herself and check than sit around anxiously.

So, Belia once again made her way toward the Central Palace, where the Emperor resided.

“No word from the search party…!”

Did the royal family even have any intention of finding Khalid?

“…Of course not.”

Even as she walked toward the Central Palace, most of the people she passed probably wished Khalid would die there.

Faced with such an unforgiving reality for him, Belia paused for a moment and took in the vastness of the palace. In such a place, the number of those hostile to him far outnumbered those who cared.

How had Khalid managed to survive growing up here?

“…Your Majesty.”

“Please inform the Emperor of my presence.”

It had been several visits over the past few days.

Standing naturally before the lavish, gold-trimmed doors, Belia waited for the chamberlain to speak. The chamberlain, recalling how he had been rejected by her before, looked troubled as he opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, the Second Princess Consort requests an audience.”

A moment later, a voice from inside granted permission. With a sigh of relief, the chamberlain quietly opened the door. Belia straightened her posture and strode into the Emperor’s office.

“What brings you here today?”

The Emperor exhaled, looking somewhat unsettled at Belia’s appearance, and Belia immediately got to the point.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to go.”

“…I’ve already sent a search party. How can I rest easy knowing my son is missing?”

The Emperor pressed his hand to his forehead.

“Please let me go.”

Determined not to back down today, Belia spoke again.

“I understand your concern. But it’s far too dangerous for the Princess Consort to go to the accident site. It’s still raining heavily in the Shupen region, and who knows what other accidents may occur.”

“Then let me go.”

“I forbid it.”

“Your Majesty!”

Belia called out loudly at the Emperor’s firm refusal.

The Emperor shook his head once more, then spoke slowly.

“Recently, the Empress mentioned that you are the princess of Ronica and the granddaughter of the chancellor.”

Belia had expected the Empress to tattle, but she hadn’t anticipated that the Emperor would bring it up directly to her. She looked at him, slightly surprised.

The Emperor rubbed his chin, displeasure written clearly across his face.

“It doesn’t sit well with me when the customs and rules of the royal family are ignored.”

“…Then should I have simply smiled and accepted it when the Empress claimed Khalid was dead?”

Belia’s sharp voice drew the Emperor’s gaze to the window. This wasn’t a moment to scold the Second Princess Consort anyway.

He had no desire to clash with Belia unnecessarily.

“I’ve heard about the situation from multiple sources. It’s true that the Empress acted clumsily. But your actions weren’t any different from threatening her.”

“Clumsily…?”

Belia almost laughed bitterly.

Even knowing how foolish the Empress had been, the Emperor was still defending her.

“Are you telling me to apologize to the Empress?”

“Enough. I didn’t bring this up to scold you,” he waved his hand.

“I’ve already told her that she was rude to you, so let it go.”

Ah, that explained it.

No wonder it had been so quiet since tea time—there had been no response from the Empress. Belia had thought perhaps the Emperor would allow her to stir up trouble, but instead, he had prevented it.

“In any case, you are well aware of your position.”

Belia acted as a bridge between the Ingot Empire, the Divine Nation, and the Kingdom of Ronica, so even the Emperor tried to treat her favorably.

She was aware of this herself, which gave her the confidence to make her request. The Emperor seemed to recognize her intentions.

“Then you must also foresee the consequences if a Princess Consort were to go to a flood-stricken accident site and something were to happen.”

“But…!”

“It would create an even greater diplomatic issue. Do you expect me to permit that with my own hands?”

The Emperor turned to look Belia in the eyes.

“I have repeatedly tried to reason with you, understanding your grief over your husband’s disappearance. But I can no longer allow this.”

His tone left no room for negotiation.

“You are intelligent enough to understand what I mean. I will overlook the Empress’s rudeness, so you too should step back.”

Belia clenched her teeth, understanding the Emperor’s unspoken message. She could not reveal her true self to him as she might with the Empress. Despite any flaws, he was still the Emperor, not someone to take lightly.

Belia bowed her head, saluted the Emperor, and began to leave the office.

A faint voice from behind reached her ears.

“Wouldn’t it have been better if you had married Raul from the start?”

Belia paused but did not turn. The Emperor probably knew it was too late to change anything. He simply gestured to the chamberlain, who opened the door, and Belia exited the office calmly.

The long corridor of the Central Palace, lined with red carpets, felt especially oppressive today.

“If the Emperor reacts that way, the search party won’t be motivated to find Khalid either.”

That explained why no reports had arrived. She even doubted if they had truly gone to the Shupel region.

Belia quickened her pace toward the Second Prince’s residence. Surely, some news from Lunes should have arrived by now. Derek had also said results would come within a few days.

“Good thing Havis helped.”

Thanks to the wide-range search tool she had developed, it would allow rapid verification and updates.

“Please… let there be no response from the magic device.”

If there was no figure beneath the collapsed soil, Khalid must have survived the accident.

As she rounded the last pillar of the corridor, a cheerful voice called from behind.

It was Raul.

“Belia.”

She shot a cold glare at him.

“Haha, don’t look at me so coldly,” he laughed, approaching as if her hostility meant nothing.

“Why such a grim expression on such a fine day?”

“…Fine day?”

Belia let out a bitter laugh at his absurdity.

“Of course, I understand your worry over Khalid’s disappearance. But the search is being conducted thoroughly, so results should come soon.”

Thoroughly?

Belia smirked, incredulous at his shameless words.

“Then why has the search party not even provided a preliminary report?”

“There’s no need to get so worked up, Belia.”

“Do not address me so informally. I have told you multiple times that you do not have my permission to use my name.”

Belia’s disdain was clear as she stepped back, prompting Raul to approach even closer.

“Come to my residence, let’s talk. A cup of tea perhaps.”

“Sorry, I’m too busy for that,” she replied sharply, frowning.

Raul took a step closer, speaking so quietly that only she could hear:

“You must be full of suspicion…”

A smirk of amusement tugged at his lips.

“Aren’t you curious whether it was me who put Khalid in danger… or not?”

Belia scoffed. Even if she suspected him, there was no need to reveal it now.

“The landslide happened because of the heavy rain. How could Your Highness in the palace have put him in danger?”

She smiled coldly, clearly entertained.

“Did you perhaps set something on the mountain?”

“Hahaha. Interesting speculation. But I thought you might have noticed.”

Raul grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her close. He pressed a kiss to her hand.

“Khalid will not come back.”

Belia recoiled, trying to pull her hand free, but Raul didn’t let go.

“What are you doing?”

“Belia.”

“Let go. This is rude!”

She struggled, but her hand remained trapped.

Belia lifted her gaze to meet his.

“…Ah.”

Something was off.

Raul’s gaze was intensely ominous. Obsessive. Possessive. Dominating.

“Gold mine… monster hunt…”

He muttered incomprehensible words and stepped closer. Belia backed away, but he didn’t stop.

She stumbled, hitting the large window frame behind her.

“No more places to run, huh?”

He tilted his head, amused, while she bit her lip in frustration.

Raul held her shoulder, guiding her against the window.

Belia’s pupils trembled.

“What will you do now?”

Before she could answer, his face was suddenly inches from hers.

As if to kiss her, his head tilted slightly. Belia felt a surge of nausea. She shoved him away just before his lips could touch hers.

Raul smiled, a mixture of frustration and desire deep in his gaze. He used one hand to brace against the glass, trapping her, and stepped closer.

“No…!”

Belia struck his cheek with her hand. She didn’t care that she had hit the Prince; she just wanted him away from her.

Raul turned his head at the blow, covering his eyes and laughing. He wiped blood from his lips.

“Is this… something Khalid taught you?”

His tone had changed. Strange.

Belia breathed sharply, suspicious.

“Hmm? Belia.”

His eyes were different now. Arrogant. Cold.

And yet, familiar.

“No… this can’t be…”

Belia’s eyes widened as realization struck.

Raul, smiling deeply at her, reached out. He gently brushed her trembling hair and cheek and spoke.

“My Empress.”