When Locus received the urgent report this morning, he happened to be there with tasks to handle.

At that moment, he observed someone reorganizing the letters sent to the Second Imperial Palace. Upon reflecting on the situation today, the suspicion that he intentionally delayed the Second Prince’s letter became a conviction.

“He claimed it was a mistake in sorting the letters and returned them to their original state…”

“That’s unlikely.”

Belia asserted firmly. Moreover, when she observed the actions of the Empress today, it seemed like she was confident that Belia hadn’t heard about Khalid’s disappearance.

“…It’s Raul.”

“Yes?”

“Prince Raul has schemed something.”

Although it couldn’t be expressed in words, Belia’s intuition strongly asserted so. The casual demeanor she briefly encountered with Raul and his meaningful words.

‘Empress may not be well-informed about the situation.’

So, he would provoke her like that. If Raul heard about the situation, he would undoubtedly be furious at his mother.

Perhaps someone picked up some story somewhere, called him, and set up a plan to insult Belia. The problem was how poorly executed it was.

“Isn’t it difficult to conclude that it was Prince First’s doing? Empress may have intercepted the letter…”

“No. I’m sure it was him.”

If it wasn’t him, there was no way he would return Khalid’s letter. He would have chosen to hide it instead.

Certainly, something manipulative had been done.

“Isn’t Locus going into the search party?”

“I volunteered but was rejected. Even though I strongly requested it due to Father’s matters, it was declined.”

“…I see.”

Belia sank into deep thought.

What advantages could they gain by her learning about Khalid’s letter later?

‘Time. Schedule.’

He concealed Khalid and the negotiating party’s movement schedule.

Then, what benefit would they have if Belia learned about it a bit later?

‘…Response.’

No.

Belia shook her head.

Even if the negotiating party had set off a bit earlier, there was no way they could anticipate a landslide.

After all, it happened suddenly.

Was it really a natural disaster of this magnitude?

“Exactly where did it happen?”

At Belia’s question, Locus pointed to a specific location on the unfolded map with his finger.

Schpell region.

Located near the border of the Empire, passing through Ronica from the Yacoum Kingdom.

“Are you sure it rained heavily enough to cause a landslide to this extent?”

“Yes. Related damage reports were also sent urgently.”

Locus nodded heavily.

Suddenly, Belia’s fingers, which had been tapping the table, stopped.

“Wait a moment.”

In response to Belia’s abrupt words, Locus looked at her.

“Flood… a flood in the Schpell region.”

Muttering something to herself, Belia slammed the table so forcefully that it made a loud noise as she stood up from her seat.

Why had she forgotten?

No, of course, fully recalling all memories from her previous life was nearly impossible.

So, it wasn’t Belia’s fault, but…

‘Couldn’t recall at all…’

Around this time, there had been heavy rainfall and damaged areas in the western region.

And that damage included floods and landslides.

“Your Highness?”

Locus called out to Belia with concern.

However, as if her voice didn’t reach, Belia nervously bit her lip.

‘…Raul didn’t do anything wrong?’

Then, was all of this really just a coincidence?

Even with the assumption that Raul didn’t act to harm Khalid, the mere thought of it made her hands and feet tremble.

If Khalid had truly met with an unforeseen accident…

A never-ending sense of dread slowly engulfed her from her toes.
Originally, Khalid wouldn’t have been part of the negotiation team. His knights and Marquis Caprie would not have left with him either.

“…It’s because of me.”

Because Belia chose Khalid.

So, he caught Raul’s attention, and the Emperor began to take notice of him. Until then, he wasn’t even in consideration, just a wayward prince.

“I… I carried the weight on his shoulders.”

Belia’s beautiful violet eyes, which had sparkled, lost their brightness.

At that moment.

I told you not to bite your lips.

“…Huh?”

Belia looked around nervously at the voice that momentarily brushed against her ears. It was undoubtedly his voice.

Her throat instantly choked up.

Something hot welled up in her throat, and she wanted to let out a loud, sobbing sound right now.

Was it an auditory hallucination?

No… she wished it were just an auditory hallucination.

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

Yes. Right now, nothing can be known.

Until a definite report comes, one must not give up prematurely.

At least until Belia sees his body with her own eyes.

“Locus, Rachel, you have tasks to do.”

Belia conveyed to them firmly.

It’s been a week since the news of Khalid’s disappearance.

The search party that would go find the negotiation team finally set off from the capital after delaying the schedule for various reasons.