Valia tightly sealed her lips, offering no response. In desperation, Erzé quickly raised her hand and anxiously spoke.

“Even if you say it’s not allowed, it’s really okay! I know I made an unreasonable request.”

Valia felt her heart sink at Erzé’s words about wanting to stay in the palace. Why did she wish for such a repayment? She had hoped for a dress or expensive jewelry, or perhaps considered asking for an invitation to a social event to improve her standing in society. She had briefly entertained the thought that, like her in her previous life, someone with many desires might ask to be allowed by her side. As a princess and the future prince’s consort, Erzé would already have a significant position beside Viscountess Kinétra, and Valia thought it might be too much to ask for. However, Erzé’s request to stay in the palace for a few days left Valia with a strange feeling.

“Oh, well… I heard such words somewhere. I had briefly thought about wanting to visit the palace at that time, and when you told me to speak about what I wanted, I just said it without thinking…”

Erzé, unlike her sparkling eyes from earlier when she demanded what she wanted, now fidgeted with her fingers and blurred the end of her words.

Valia quietly observed her for a moment before speaking.

“No, it’s okay.”

Erzé, surprised by the unexpected answer, met Valia’s eyes again with a startled expression. Even Khalid, who was beside them, echoed Valia’s name with a surprised tone.

“Valia?”

“I may not be the owner of the Second Prince’s palace, but I need Khalid’s permission. Is it okay?”

Khalid’s expression subtly changed at Valia’s question. However, after a brief sigh, he answered.

“Yeah, if you want.”

He had never opposed what Valia wanted. Valia also knew he would permit it. Still, deep down, she had hoped he would refuse this time.

‘I don’t even know why I’m like this.’

Her feelings conflicted between wanting to see Erzé stay in the palace and not wanting to get involved again.

But among them…

That Khalid wouldn’t change.

That he would remain on her side until the end.

That desire to prove it a little more was stronger.

“Wow! Really?”

Erzé clapped lightly, wearing a bright face. Although she seemed very surprised that she could stay in the palace, she couldn’t hide her joy.

“But it’s difficult right now. Go back home and tell Viscount Kinétra about staying in the palace for a few days. Prepare the necessary belongings and then come back. I’ll make arrangements so that you can visit anytime.”

With a faint smile, Valia finished speaking. Erzé vigorously nodded in response.

“I’ll go back right away and tell my parents about it! Thank you so much, Princess!”

“Then, let’s meet again soon.”

It was a gamble.

Valia understood.

It might seem foolish to bring Erzé into the palace just to confirm Khalid’s feelings. However, now that she had unintentionally harbored suspicions about Khalid, she wanted to make it clear. Although she wished she could refuse this act, she also wanted to make it known that she could trust Khalid until the end.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy, even though she wanted to believe in him more than anyone else.

Love is all in vain.

People are all the same.

Belief in gods leads to betrayal, and those who believe become fools.

Raul had told her that.

But Khalid said it was wrong.

He said he wouldn’t change, and he asked her to trust him.

He had given her control over their relationship, saying she could lead.

‘Well then…’

She would confront it directly without avoiding it and shatter all remnants of the past.

Now was the time to end this tiresome fate.

Valia stared with cold eyes until Erzé’s figure was completely out of sight.

In the carriage returning to the palace after everything was concluded, Valia unknowingly let out a deep sigh, leaning her head against the carriage wall. Despite her exhausted body, a sense of relief washed over her as she realized that all the preparations she had been working on for over a month had finally come to an end.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Khalid approached, wrapping his arms around Valia, who had her head against the wall.

Valia leaned her fatigued body into his.

“I apologize for the unreasonable request, Khalid.”

It was an apology for unilaterally inviting Erzé to the palace.

Khalid probably wouldn’t have wanted to bring someone into his palace, and he must not be pleased with her arbitrary decision.

“I’m fine. There will hardly be a chance for us to meet, and she won’t stay in the palace for long anyway.”

Khalid shrugged his shoulders and cautiously opened his mouth.

“Moreover, didn’t you seem to like Viscountess Kinétra?”

“Did it look that way?”

She thought she hadn’t made it obvious, but apparently, Khalid could see through her eyes.

Valia replied with a light laugh.

“Yes. Viscountess Kinétra wasn’t a bad person, but… If you ask whether I liked her, well, I didn’t feel the desire to be particularly close.”