Until confirming Duke Tessa’s feelings, nothing could be conclusively determined.

“Belia.”

“Yes?”

“Raul is looking in this direction.”

Khalid whispered in Belia’s ear.

“So, smile even happier. It’ll turn that guy’s insides upside down.”

Belia burst into laughter, knowing his words were sincere, making her feel even more joyful.

Laughter didn’t leave their faces.

Slight smiles appeared on the faces of those who watched the lovely couple.

After one song ended, Belia and Khalid left the center of the banquet hall.

“Khalid.”

Raul approached them with Ellyn.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“…Well, thanks.”

Even though there was no sincerity.

Khalid, hiding his true feelings, managed to conjure up a smile.

“Congratulations, Princess.”

“Thank you, Lady Cantareef.”

Ellyn and Belia also exchanged polite greetings.

“Today is truly beautiful.”

Then, Raul looked at Belia and complimented her.

The words were commonly used greetings, but they didn’t sound that way to Belia.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to look at her with such a gaze. Knowing it was a persistent stare, Belia bit her lower lip.

“Thank you, First Prince.”

“Red suits you well.”

But Raul didn’t stop there; he spoke to Belia again.

“…Does it?”

There were no more words to exchange between them.

A moment of silence passed between them.

“Thank you for your congratulations, Your Highness.”

“Thanks, Khalid.”

With a sly smile, Khalid embraced Belia’s shoulders and spoke.

“We have many people to greet. We’ll be going now.”

Turning away, they headed back into the crowd.

“Shall we move as well?”

However, noticing Ellyn’s less than pleased expression, Raul gently approached her, wrapping his arm around her and getting close.

“Ellyn? Is something wrong with you?”

Raul smiled brightly, meeting Ellyn’s gaze.

“If you’re not feeling well, please tell me. I can’t have you feeling unwell.”

“Your Highness…”

Ellyn was about to be moved by his words, but before she could, Raul gently kissed her lips.
Surprised, Raul half-closed his eyes at the sight of Ellyn hiccoughing.

“Well then, let’s go to Duke Cantareef.”

“…Yes, yes!”

Having heard her response, Raul firmly grabbed Ellyn’s hand and took the lead towards where the duke was.

However, his expression, warm and affectionate just moments ago, had now turned cold and unfeeling.

“Princess! No…! Your Highness, the Crown Princess!”

While Khalid exchanged greetings with several people, someone approached and called Belia.

It was Rachel.

“Congratulations!”

With a smiling face, Rachel approached, offering her congratulations.

“Today, you looked so, so beautiful!”

Someone, standing beside Rachel with her cheeks puffed, pressed her head with one hand.

“Rachel, you’re making her uncomfortable.”

“Oh, right! Princess, no, Crown Princess! This is my second older brother.”

Beside Rachel, a tall man with manners fitting for a noble made a polite greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I am Rokus Caprié, affiliated with the Central Knights.”

Khalid, who already seemed familiar with him, didn’t offer any special greetings.

“Oh, nice to see you, Sir Rokus.”

“It’s an honor to exchange greetings like this.”

Unlike the bubbly Rachel, he gave off a much calmer vibe. Rather than a knight, he seemed closer to a scholar.

Finding this contrast intriguing, Belia looked at Rokus with interest. Khalid, noticing her gaze, subtly intervened.

“Why are you here?”

“Well… Naturally, I came to congratulate Your Highness on your marriage.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Contrary to his appearance, he spoke somewhat clumsily. Khalid, being accustomed, cut off his words naturally.

“Hahaha. Why do you keep putting on airs? It’s a joyful day.”

“I don’t like that attitude of yours.”

While they exchanged bickering remarks, Belia approached Rachel.

“How have you been?”

“Very well!”

With a bright smile, Rachel responded.

Holding a champagne glass near her mouth to hide her lips, Belia asked in a low voice, “…How is the task I asked for progressing?”

In response, Rachel’s eyes sparkled, and she smirked, displaying a self-satisfied expression.

“Don’t worry; it seems it will be finished faster than expected! Oh, but…”

Rachel paused, then asked with a sly smile, “Are you going to discuss work until the day of the wedding?”

“…There’s not much time.”

Blushing slightly, Belia mumbled the end of her sentence.

“Hehe. You’ll be surprised when you check the information later.”

Belia chuckled at Rachel’s teasing.

Since Rachel started helping Belia, the Duke of Caprié informed his children about the fact that he had joined hands with the second prince.

As a result, Rachel had naturally become involved in more discreet matters besides Belia’s charitable activities.

“…It’s time to give Duke Cantareef a significant gift.”

We can’t let Raul’s power continue to grow like this.

Belia smiled as if finding it amusing.

“Make sure to keep the information well. We’ll talk more after all the wedding schedules are done.”

They could discuss deeper matters with Rachel at that time.

While planning for the future, a tall and robust figure approached them, tapping lightly on their shoulders.

“Lord Khalid. It’s been a while.”

“…Grandfather.”

The leader of the Western Aristocracy Union and Khalid’s grandfather, Duke Tessa, appeared.

Whether he was an enemy or an ally to Khalid remained to be seen.

Belia stared at him with sharp eyes, wondering.