“Rachel!”

“Your Highness! How have you been?”

After Viscount Capprie revived, Rachel had decided to spend some time at home with her family, and she had sent a letter to Belia explaining her decision. Even though some time had passed since then, it had been a long time since Belia had seen Rachel.

“You look good.”

“Oh, do I?”

Rachel laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. Seeing her bright expression, a faint smile appeared on Belia’s face.

“You seem comfortable too, Your Highness.”

The two continued chatting, catching up on each other’s lives.

Belia resumed her external activities after Khalid’s return, and she could feel her influence growing as the nobles’ perception of her changed. Previously, people couldn’t openly criticize her because she was Princess Veronica, but behind her back, there were rumors and gossip about her relationship with Raul and Khalid.

However, on the day Khalid returned, those who witnessed their reunion realized that her choice of the Second Prince was genuinely out of love.

While it was a bit different from the truth, in the current situation, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

“Susan told me. She said you were impressive at the recent party.”

Rachel asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

“It was nothing special.”

“But Lady Cantareep… I mean, the Second Princess, returned with an incredible expression, they said.”

Belia took a sip of tea, hiding the pleasure that couldn’t be concealed between her subtly narrowed eyes.

“Well, I suppose.”

Rachel pressed for more as Belia kept hesitating.

With a smile, Belia finally opened her mouth.

“His Highness, the Second Prince, comforted me a lot when I was heartbroken over my husband’s disappearance. It seemed to greatly disturb him.”

So, Ellen Cantareep spread false rumors that Belia was trying to seduce Raul. It was partly to undermine Belia’s reputation, but it was also to ensure that she couldn’t stay in the Empire any longer.

It wasn’t easy to deny the rumors without Khalid around. People began to murmur against Belia, and she had to endure their unpleasant glances.

It all started with Ellen Cantareep.

“He was quite rude to me at the party, so I simply asked him to stop spreading false rumors.”

At that time, finding Khalid was more critical, and she didn’t have the mental energy to worry about the rumors. But now was different.

Belia wasn’t a saint, and she wasn’t someone who would endure those who spoke ill of her.

She merely asked people not to spread false rumors in front of the public.

If Ellen Cantareep was so upset that she had to go back home in frustration, wasn’t she just not worth paying attention to?

“Is it really nothing?”

“I think it’s essential to address such matters in public.”

“Even so, I just…”

Belia changed the subject.

“Winter is coming.”

Rachel’s face became serious at those words.

“Last year, through the clinic, we made sure many imperial citizens had a more abundant winter than before. We plan to do the same this year.”

Last year was a practice for this year.

This winter was expected to be extremely harsh.

“We’ve completed repairs in the problem areas, and now we need to stock firewood, food, and fur in the clinic’s basement.”

“I’ve checked the documents you sent before. It seems we can fill up on firewood and fur within the timeframe, but the problem is…”

“Food.”

Rachel nodded in agreement.
“Yes, that’s right. It won’t be easy to fill the food storage with enough supplies to endure the period you desire, Your Highness.”

“But we have to.”

Belia asserted firmly.

However, Rachel spoke with concern, as if expressing her worries.

“Even though we are looking into dried meat and grains, if we store enough grain for the winter all at once, it may seem insufficient for the Empire citizens, causing significant backlash. Wouldn’t it be better to prepare a similar amount as last year?”

Belia also had concerns about that.

But this year was different from the previous one.

It would be an even colder and longer winter. If they prepared similarly to last year, they would undoubtedly run out of supplies. Moreover, they wouldn’t be able to plant wheat until next summer, leading to a shortage of food until then. Even if they resumed wheat farming when the weather permitted, it would be autumn before they could harvest.

So, they needed to conserve food now, even if complaints poured in.

“No. I’ll go with the option of stockpiling as much as possible.”

Rachel couldn’t understand why Belia insisted so much, but she couldn’t fathom the reasons.

“Your Highness, it’s risky to suddenly lock up food supplies for such a prolonged period, even if it’s for a good cause.”

Belia pondered how to convince Rachel. However, it wasn’t something she could say was seen in the future.

“Besides, Prince Raul and Khalid will also make thorough preparations for this winter. Last summer was exceptionally hot, and there was a lot of rain. The hotter the summer, the colder the following winter. It’s a precautionary measure for any unforeseen events. Please follow suit.”

“But…”

“Sorry. This is an order.”