When he opened his eyes, it was already the faint dawn following a pitchblack night.

Khaled lay beside Velia, holding her tightly in his arms. Velia squirmed out of his embrace and headed for the terrace.

He felt refreshed after a good night’s sleep.

“How beautiful.”

It felt like forever since he’d had the time to admire the scenery from the terrace.

The still and chilly air of dawn began to envelop the world.

The damp air from the night gradually dried, rustling in the sunlight.

Feeling slightly disappointed, Velia took a deep breath.

Then, a blanket was wrapped around her shoulders.

“You’ll catch a cold. It’s getting chilly in the mornings and evenings now.”

“Thank you.”

Velia clutched the blanket tightly.

Then Khaled embraced her once more, blanket and all.

“Feeling less tired?”

“Yes. I must have fallen asleep like I passed out.”

Velia responded sweetly to his tender question.

Khaled chuckled, his face close to the top of Velia’s head.

It was unbearable how cute she was, yawning like a little child.

“You really were a sleepyhead yesterday.”

“Pardon?”

“I can almost imagine what you were like as a child.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Khaled only continued to smile without answering.

Confused, Velia tried to turn her head to look at him but couldn’t because he held her head tightly.

It was only after the sun had fully risen and the world was bright that Khaled finally let go of her.

“We should go inside now. People will see.”

Velia turned her body.

Following her back into the room, Khaled spoke.

“How was the tea party yesterday?”

“Ah…”

Anticipating a long conversation, Velia sat down on the sofa.

Khaled took a seat opposite her.

“We’re planning a big bazaar.”

“A bazaar?”

“Yes. Many ladies are interested in participating.”

“That’s good. Who’s participating?”

At his question, Velia looked at him with an exaggerated smile.

“Hmm? Quite the triumphant expression, huh?”

“Hehe.”

“Did the Capri Duchess agree to participate?”

Oh?

Velia looked at him, surprised.

How did he know without me saying anything?

“There must be a reason for you to smile like that. And the only one who could make you smile like that is the Duchess of Capri.”

He even offered an unsolicited explanation, winking playfully.

“Wow, you’re correct.”

How had this man managed to act so clueless until now?

Velia chuckled and spoke.

“The Duchess of Capri has agreed to help me wholeheartedly. Moreover, the Countess of Sappio and the Countess of Zuebirk have also expressed interest.”

The Duchess of Capri, of course, but also the houses of Sappio and Zuebirk were very wealthy families, accumulating more wealth through various enterprises.

These were not families to be dismissed lightly.

“Others also wanted to sponsor, albeit in a smaller capacity.”

Velia had a genuinely pleased expression.

“That’s good. Your reputation seems to have spread quite a bit in society.”

Ever since starting her charity work, Velia had been consistently visible in various places.

From visiting orphanages monthly to discovering new artists, she met a lot of people.

She even visited slums to assess their condition personally.

During the construction of the clinic, she urged the healers to continue their medical volunteer work for the less fortunate citizens.

Velia covered all the costs.

“Didn’t expect the rumors to spread so quickly?”

“Seems like you don’t know just how popular you are.”

Praise for Velia could be heard on the streets throughout the empire.

It was the first time the imperial citizens had shown such favor to a princess from another country.
“If you walk down the street now, everyone would follow behind you, scattering flower petals.”

“Eh, come on.”

In truth, Velia had also somewhat noticed it.

It was because more and more people had been showing up to watch her whenever she visited the orphanages she sponsored.

But Velia shrugged off her shoulders, believing such attention would soon wane.

“It’s just that I’ve become a bit popular; don’t exaggerate it.”

Prince Khaled felt wronged.

Because it wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

“Anyway, the work done by the healers during the medical volunteering was really significant.”

“It really seems like a good choice. Since it’s good work, everyone is also motivated.”

Velia lightly responded.

The healers had been quite enthusiastic ever since Velia explained the true purpose of the medical volunteer work.

Not only because it was good work, but also because Velia, the princess of Ronica and prospective crown princess, had met each of them individually and had meaningful discussions, which moved them greatly.

Suddenly, a different thought crossed Prince Khaled’s mind and he spoke to Velia.

“You always talk as if everything is a means to an end, yet you are always sincere when dealing with people.”

Sponsoring orphanages.

Initiating medical volunteer work.

Supporting artists.

Preparing for heavy snowfalls…

And.

“…You even tried to use me as a means. But, what about it? Was all of this just a means to an end?”