Then Khalid raised one corner of his mouth with a bitter expression.

It was absurd to imitate his mother at this point.

It wasn’t even a proper appearance.

But if she were to die like this, it would be a bit awkward.

Yeah. To achieve what each of them wanted, just holding hands was enough. Anything more would be burdensome for both of them.

“…Don’t die and live. Because there will be moments when you need yourself.”

Khalid struggled to speak, then grabbed Belia’s hand and walked towards the door.

The Empress didn’t reply.

But her expression, hearing those words, momentarily turned bitter and then soon relaxed.

As Khalid was leaving, she threw a comment behind him.

“Become the Emperor, Khalid.”

Khalid paused for a moment. He didn’t turn around.

He just laughed meaninglessly, opened the door, and went out without looking back.

There was a sudden summon from the Emperor.

Belia, with a trembling heart worried that their delivery of the antidote to the Empress might have been exposed, headed to the Emperor’s office with Khalid.

The Emperor’s intention to summon both Khalid and Belia together was not expected at all.

‘What on earth is going on?’

But worrying like this wouldn’t solve anything without knowing anything in the current situation.

“Don’t worry.”

Khalid looked at Belia as if nothing big had happened. Belia took a deep breath, soothing her anxious mind.

“…I’m getting nervous for no reason.”

Having said that, when they finally arrived at the Emperor’s office, there was already the face of Raul, who had arrived and was sitting down, waiting.

Surprised but not showing it, Belia greeted the Emperor according to protocol and found her seat.

Soon, the Emperor got straight to the point.

“The ambassador we sent to the Yakum Kingdom, Count Hüter, has been captured as a prisoner.”

Belia was shocked by the unexpected words of the Emperor.

Count Hüter, sent as an ambassador to the Yakum Kingdom, was captured as a prisoner?

Belia tried to recall, but nothing came to mind.
“Originally, the diplomatic affairs were handled by the Crown Prince, but this time, it seems that we need to obtain cooperation from the Kingdom of Ronika, so the Second Prince and the Prince’s Consort have been summoned. Any objections?”

… Perhaps this is it.

It was clear that this included the matter regarding the opening of the Shantan Central Road, which she subtly requested from Belia before.

Since the situation wasn’t favorable, they might be pressuring the Kingdom of Ronika even more.

As the shortest route to the Kingdom of Yakum would be through the Kingdom of Ronika.

Belia understood the hidden meaning and sighed quietly inside.

The Emperor paused for a moment, surveying the expressions of the three people in front of him. Then, he spoke, weighing his words.

“This morning, a letter arrived proposing negotiations regarding the safety of the envoy. To dare to unilaterally notify the Empire… We plan to return everything to those despicable people, but as Count Hüter is a meritorious servant of the Empire, it is only natural to bring him back.”

Given the situation of being captured as a prisoner, even if they were to delay returning these unpleasant emotions to the Kingdom of Yakum, negotiations had to proceed.

“So, this meeting was arranged to discuss who should go as the representative of the Empire for negotiations. Express your opinions.”

Usually, if there was such a task to assign, the Emperor would overtly assign all responsibilities to Raul.

However, this time, considering the need for cooperation from the Kingdom of Ronika, it seemed that Khalid was being considered.

If Belia had married Raul, there would be no hesitation; Raul would have been sent without a doubt.

“If the negotiations succeed, it will be a very honorable and joyful occasion. The Emperor subtly encouraged both of them.”

Belia pondered for a moment.

Was there a time in her previous life when Raul went out for negotiations for the envoy captured as a prisoner?

‘…I don’t remember.’

From the story of the envoy being captured as a prisoner to negotiating their return, nothing remained in Belia’s memory.

‘Something feels strange…’

This was undoubtedly a good opportunity for Khalid.

But there was a lingering uneasy feeling.

“If I were to go, it would be a very honorable and joyful occasion. However, it may not be easy to leave the position vacant for a long time due to the upcoming wedding preparations. I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Moreover, Raul did not actively step forward.

He, who would not easily miss such an opportunity under normal circumstances.

‘…Is it a trap?’

Belia glanced at Khalid with suspicion.

He seemed to have similar thoughts as her.

But there was no appropriate time to bring this up.

It would take more than two months to negotiate with the Kingdom of Yakum and return. If an unexpected incident occurred during that time, it would take even longer.

Raul, who was preparing for the wedding in the fall, would find it a bit tight to go to the Kingdom of Yakum and come back.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor sighed as if considering.

Then, after a moment, he looked at Khalid.

“You will go as the person in charge of this negotiation.”

There was no reason to refuse left.

Rejecting such an honorable position would only leave an opportunity for the Emperor and Raul.

The Emperor spoke casually, as if showing understanding.

“It’s the first time I’m entrusting such a big task, so I’m worried, but include Duke Caprie Hufak, who is proficient in practical matters, in the negotiation team. Then, there shouldn’t be a problem with the negotiations.”

In the end, Khalid could only respond quietly.

“…I will do my best with the task entrusted to me.”