Rachel’s face, waiting in the reception room, was gloomy. At that moment, Belia sensed it. Rachel hadn’t brought the news she wanted.

“Rachel. Do you have any information from Luness?”

“…Your Highness.”

“How did the search go?”

“They’ve only confirmed about half of it so far. The sudden departure of the lord’s knights and attendants made it impossible to check everything. The rest is being gradually investigated to avoid detection by the search party…”

“So, did they find anything?”

Rachel nodded.

“So far, nothing has been found.”

Belia sighed deeply in relief.

It was fortunate. Even after investigating half of it, the fact that they hadn’t discovered the buried people in the soil meant there was hope.

“And Caelon Viscount Yeongsik sent a letter urgently requesting to be delivered to Your Highness.”

Rachel took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Belia. Belia opened the letter with a puzzled expression and read it down.

I apologize for omitting greetings due to urgent circumstances.

Please also understand that I am getting straight to the point.

The 1st Prince knows that I am an associate of Luness.

Moreover, he recently asked me separately if Your Highness has visited me.

Seeming to have a suspicion, I explained that I had never met you separately because I was enrolled in the Caelon Viscount’s residence for my education as the successor.

He asked with a gaze that seemed to know something, and I mentioned that you visited Luness when you were Princess Ronica and sold valuable information at that time.

I told him that I had never met him personally, but it seems that the 1st Prince is suspicious of me, so contacting you will be difficult for a while. In the future, please proceed with work through the manager of the clinic.

For a while, I will assist the 1st Prince and alleviate suspicions. During that process, harm may come to Your Highness, but I believe you will handle it wisely.
“On the day when the 2nd Prince returns, I will contact you again. Please stay healthy. Rain]

Having checked all the letters, Belia smirked. Then, she immediately took the letter to the candlestick, set it on fire, and threw it into the fireplace.

“Is it bad news?”

“…I might not be in contact with Derek for a while.”

“Then, what about the search…?”

Rachel asked with a worried expression.

“You don’t need to worry. We can continue the search with the steward. It’s just that the 1st Prince seems a bit suspicious of him.”

“Oh my.”

“But it will be fine. He’s a smart person.”

Belia faintly smiled.

In her previous life, Derek was one of the closest aides to the 1st Prince. However, for some reason, Derek was always kind to Belia. Whether it was when they got along well by the Crown Prince’s side or when she bore the stigma of being abandoned and scorned as the discarded empress.

Even when he visited the empress’s palace on the pretext of monitoring her on the emperor’s orders, he always came with good gifts.

‘Back then, I had many conversations with Derek.’

He would undoubtedly be the key in this fight.

Raul does not know the stories exchanged between Belia and Derek. He is unaware of the bond that remained between them.

Even before, Raul firmly believed that Derek was on his side, and it was unlikely to have changed now. Becoming Caelon Viscount, Derek was the person who had contributed the most to the 1st Prince.

So, this time, Raul would believe that Derek is on his side again. Then, he would blissfully smile, completely unaware that his most formidable enemy is within his grasp.

“Since Khalid said he would contact us on the day he returns, it won’t take long.”

Those words written in Derek’s letter became a tremendous comfort to Belia.

It felt so reassuring, as if he casually stated that Khalid would return.

“Including the members of the Order, there must have been a considerable number. Even though they’ve investigated half of the accident site, there’s no trace, which surely means there’s hope.”

“Yes, he will surely return safely.”

However, if it is true that Raul, like herself, has returned with all the memories of the future, their carefully laid plans might be jeopardized. Belia was worried about that.

Everything she had prepared for this year’s severe winter might turn out to be in vain.

“Rachel.”

Belia called Rachel with a firm voice.

Rachel immediately stared at her.

“There’s no evidence, but the probability that the 1st Prince is behind this incident is high.”

Rachel nodded.

“Both Khalid and Capri Viscount, including the Order, have disappeared. Naturally, it’s worrying and frustrating. However, we can’t lose like this. We’ve been building up a lot, and it will undoubtedly bear fruit for us.”

The idea of gaining support from the people of the empire and establishing a foundation was still prevalent.

It wasn’t the time to be confined to the palace. They had to go out to the streets, meet the people, and make their support reach the palace.

“I will resume external activities. I’ll inform you as soon as the schedule is set, Rachel.”

“Yes, Your Highness! I will do my best to assist you!”

“Let’s endure a little longer. They will surely return.”

On the day Khalid returns.

She would provide him with a stronger background.

And.

If Khalid returns unharmed.

‘I, too, will tell him the same feelings. I will say I love him.’