It wasn’t intentional.

It happened by chance in front of the Central Palace, encountering the First Prince. All she did was respond to his inquiry about her plans. However, she couldn’t forget the look of the maids staring at her and Velia’s troubled face.

Throughout the walk, the First Prince treated her as if she were a criminal, and he, focusing only on Princess Velia, who was being treated like a non-existent person.

And the Princess Velia, with an indifferent expression as if this moment was tedious.

‘Moreover, I helped the princess…’

Even so, why could she maintain such a cold attitude towards herself?

Moreover, there was even a threat to be careful in the future.

In reality, experiencing it, she was nothing like the kind Princess Velia she knew.

‘…She’s deceiving everyone. The events today are probably unknown to the Second Prince.’

Erzhe vividly remembered the conversation between Velia and Raul today.

The subtle atmosphere she felt before. And their conversation.

She tried to warn Khalid of the danger many times, but every time, Velia’s charm made her turn back. But not anymore.

Erzhe’s gaze became determined.

She turned and exited the terrace. Instead of heading towards her own room, she walked in the opposite direction.

Knock, knock.

Late at night, with advisors and servants all gone.

A faint knocking sound echoed in Khalid’s office, who was still working until that late hour.

“Who is it?”

It couldn’t be Velia.

It hadn’t been long since she returned to the office after watching that woman sleep. So, who could it be at this hour?

“It’s me, Your Highness. Erzhe Kinetra.”

Khalid’s forehead wrinkled upon learning the visitor’s identity.

Velia’s expression had been extremely dark since she returned from the greenhouse with that woman. It was clear something had happened there.

However, Velia smiled and insisted that it was nothing. Seeing her expression, he couldn’t force her to say more. Velia wished he wouldn’t ask anything.

‘…How annoying.’

Thinking about the suffering Velia had endured because of that woman, he wanted to kick her out right now.

Undoubtedly, the woman had an unfavorable connection with Velia from her previous life. She even took care not to eat properly because of her.

‘But anyway, she’s a guest invited in Velia’s name.’

Khalid sighed softly and stood up from his seat, opening the door.

“What’s the matter?”

Meeting Khalid’s cold gaze, Erzhe seemed surprised and took a deep breath. Then, rolling her eyes, she muttered.

“Um, well… I have something to tell you…”

Khalid leaned against the doorframe, signaling her to get on with it.

“It’s… an important matter. It might be difficult to talk about it here…”

“Then, don’t tell me. Go.”

Casually dismissing her with a brief command, Khalid was about to turn away.

Erzhe, feeling that Khalid’s expression turned icy, took a deep breath and whispered behind him.

“It’s about Princess Velia and the First Prince.”

Hearing those clear words, Khalid’s expression froze. Khalid, with a stern look, glanced back at Erzhe, who was shyly smiling.

“What nonsense is this?”

“Uh, well… considering what happened in the greenhouse today, I thought His Highness should know.”

Although he did not like the woman at all.

But he might need to listen to find out what she was talking about.
“Come in.”

As Khalid granted permission, Erzhe cautiously passed by his side and entered the office.

Following that, the large door Khalid had been holding closed with a firm thud, shutting tightly, echoed through the room.

Erzhe looked around the office, expressing admiration. Her attitude showed no sense of tension.

Khalid, who disliked witnessing such a scene, sat on the sofa in the office, crossing his legs.

“Sit.”

“Yes.”

Erzhe walked over with graceful steps and sat opposite Khalid.

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Hmm?”

“What’s the matter that I absolutely need to know about Princess Velia and my brother?”

When Khalid directly asked the point, Erzhe lowered her head, interlocked her fingers, and bit her lip. After a moment, she sighed deeply, raised her head, and spoke.

“I’ve been debating whether to tell you this or not… But I think you need to know.”

It was unnecessarily hesitant.

Khalid, feeling curious about what she wanted to say, simply observed Erzhe with a somewhat impatient expression.

“Since the first time I met the First Prince, I knew that he had feelings for Princess Velia. But today…”

As Erzhe seemed to muster her courage, she took a deep breath. Then, with a determined expression, she spoke.

“I heard the First Prince confess his love to Princess Velia.”

“What?”

Khalid’s expression crumpled in an instant.

Watching his expression, Erzhe did not stop.

“Princess Velia did not reject the First Prince’s confession.”

Listening to her words, it felt as if the blood was draining from Khalid’s body.

But Khalid did not interrupt Erzhe.

Erzhe made a complex expression, as if she were revealing a difficult story.

“Moreover… The First Prince asked her if she could give him something as remarkable as choosing him over the Second Prince. He mentioned giving Princess Velia a flower that grows in the northern regions.”

For a moment, Khalid was stunned.