Belia, who had been avoiding eye contact as if she would spit fire if she knew that she had collapsed, scratched her cheek with an awkward expression.

“Well… Thanks to that, Khalid scolded me a lot.”

“But now you’re sitting at the desk again. Really…”

Rachel rubbed her forehead with one hand.

It seemed like an atmosphere where she would continue to nag if she didn’t get up now, so Belia quickly got up from her seat. Then she grabbed Rachel’s hand, leading her to the sofa.

“Haha. Okay. Then, let’s have some tea and chat. It’s been a while.”

Ultimately, shaking her head as if she couldn’t resist, Rachel sat opposite Belia.

Soon, a maid brought warm tea and placed it on the table.

While sipping warm black tea, Belia quickly changed the topic to avoid Rachel’s nagging any further.

Talking like this, it might be good to ask about the ‘rumors.’

“How have you been during your break?”

Rachel let out a sigh.

“Well, nothing has changed. My uncles keep bothering me whenever I try to play with them, and my father, seeing me help you, was upset that I didn’t go out as much…”

There were rumors that the Count Capri offered unusual love to Rachel. Belia had heard of their harmonious family, but it seemed that there were still some complaints from the person involved.

“It’s really annoying.”

“Haha. But it looks peaceful, so it’s good.”

Listening to Rachel’s story, Belia suddenly felt a longing for her family.

Although her family was planning to visit the Ingot Empire a few days after the wedding, Belia always missed her family.

“Participating in the party is unbelievably nosy. Complaining about the clothes being too flashy, why did you dress up so much, etc… How old do they think I am…”

“I guess they’re just worried.”

“Haha. Maybe, but it’s still annoying.”
In response to Belia’s words, Rachel pursed her lips.

“I just wish to stay home. I recently found out that even the marriage proposals sent to me were secretly handled, and it was really surprising.”

Rachel expressed her frustration with a spirited anger.

Finding her reaction cute, Belia burst into laughter. Despite being the cherished daughter of Count Capri, and at Rachel’s age, there should have been a fiance by now. The fact that there was no news was the reason for such surprise.

“Rachel, do you not meet anyone?”

Belia twinkled her eyes.

“If there were, he would have already run away from my father and uncles, right?”

The situation that could be imagined in her mind made Belia burst into laughter.

“Stop laughing, Princess. I’m serious.”

“What does Lady Capri say?”

“She just sighed with a pathetic expression and told me to wait for now while sticking her tongue out.”

Belia nodded at her words.

Soon, there seemed to be good news for Rachel too.

“If Lady Capri steps forward, it will be resolved soon. She will surely find a good match for you.”

“I hope so, but…”

Rachel, fidgeting with her teacup, muttered quietly.

“Watching the Princess and the Second Prince… I also want to meet someone we both like in the future.”

At her words, Belia smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

“Given that Rachel is a good person, it will surely be possible.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

Rachel, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, covered her reddened face while sipping tea.

Observing her, Belia wiped her teacup carefully with her fingers and asked.

“Rachel, can you honestly tell me how the rumors about me are circulating in society?”

“Rumors? Hmm, well…”

“For example, leaving room for the First Prince…?”

Rachel realized that Belia’s question was very heavy, and she thought seriously about it.

“I think I vaguely heard such rumors. But that’s just gossip among the people around the court. I’ve never heard such opinions among others. It seems that Lady Capri is not particularly concerned, just telling me to wait with a disdainful expression.”

“Really? Then that’s a relief.”

“Have you heard any other rumors?”

Belia tilted her head lightly, as if it was nothing. Sensing that Rachel was quick-witted, she didn’t ask any further questions and changed the subject, standing up from her seat.

“Oh, right. Wait a moment.”

She took out a letter from among the documents on her desk and handed it to Belia.

“I saw you sorting out the letters for the Princess on the way here, and I happened to bring one from the clinic.”

“From the clinic?”

Belia opened the letter with a puzzled expression.

While the main content of the letter was ordinary, stating that preparations for winter were proceeding smoothly, in the middle, there was a very brief mention that the development of a medicine had been completed, written in code.

‘Finally…!’

Belia’s expression brightened in an instant.

Observing her, Rachel asked curiously.

“Is there good news written in it?”

Folding the letter neatly, Belia replied.

“Yes. It’s news that the preparations for winter are proceeding smoothly. It seems we’ll be able to spend this winter without any shortage.”

“Wow. That’s a relief!”

“Then let’s finish the work at the orphanage today. We need to reconsider the scale and method of support. We also need to manage the operating funds transparently.”

“Yes! Please leave it to me.”

Everything was going well as planned.

Rachel and Belia smiled at each other.