Considering the typical royal engagement ceremony, the one taking place today between Prince Khaled and Velia was of a surprisingly small scale. Of course, despite its small scale, the ceremony didn’t deviate much from the typical procedures.

In her previous life, she had had both an engagement and a wedding ceremony in the empire. If one had to put a timeline to it, her engagement with Raul had happened much later than the present.

So, she hadn’t expected to hold a quick engagement ceremony in Ronika or that Count Selon would act as the emperor’s representative.

Velia remembered Derek, to whom she had given orders.

‘Around now, rumors must be starting in the empire, right?’

As soon as the Emperor’s letter arrived, announcing the wedding date for next spring, she had sent a letter to Derek to carry out the operation.

“Princess, it’s time to go to the ceremony.”

At the maid’s announcement, Velia rose from her seat.

The dress she was wearing was simpler than a wedding dress.

But instead of pure white, it had a faint pink hue, making it more vibrant.

“Right.”

There weren’t many people attending the engagement ceremony, and they were all just witnesses to confirm the promise of marriage between Velia and Khaled. The archbishop would likely come, give a brief blessing, and leave.

Velia envisioned her engagement ceremony with indifference.

It wasn’t anything impressive. She looked at herself in the mirror with a lighthearted thought, hoping it would be over quickly as she was a bit tired.

“Let’s go.”

Velia slowly made her way to the engagement venue.

When she arrived at the central square where the engagement was being held, everyone was already seated and waiting for her.

“You look beautiful.”

Khaled, whom she met at the front of the venue, praised Velia when he saw her.

“I thought you would look beautiful in this dress when choosing it, but reality surpasses imagination,”

His words, blatantly uttered with an unashamed face, made Velia burst out laughing.

“You look handsome too.”

It was sincere. Naturally, a handsome person becomes even more dashing when they dress up.

Then Khaled smiled and extended his hand.

In a moment, they would be announced and would walk down the flower path in front of them.

“This is our engagement ceremony. We are declaring to the people here that we’re going to get married.”

Saying this, Khaled, who had taken a deep breath, asked Velia.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Hmm. Not sure.”

Khaled, who had been quietly observing Velia’s composed demeanor, tried to say something several times, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.

When he remained silent for a while, Velia turned her head to look at him.

He had a face full of displeasure.

“What’s the matter?”

“Sometimes, you’re too much for me.”

“Oh……. Did I respond too insincerely?”

Velia asked cautiously.

She was worried that she might have made a verbal mistake.

But Khaled shook his head.

“It’s a more fundamental problem than that.”

He sighed softly and held back his words. Explaining his grievances here would be a big blow to his pride.

“But I promised not to force anything on you……. So, I’ll overcome this disappointment alone.”

Only then did Velia realize.

She had already experienced both engagement and marriage in her previous life, so this formal event wasn’t that important to her. She had thought of it as just a process to get through for her goal. But it must have been different for him.

“Khaled.”

“……. ”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings.”

“Velia. Right now, it’s better if we don’t say anything.”

“Hmm. I’m sorry.”

She didn’t mean to hurt him.

Velia squeezed the hand she was holding with Khaled.

“……Don’t try to act cute, either.”

She didn’t mean that either.

Velia squeezed his hand tighter.

And then she whispered in a low voice.

“Once we walk this path with you, we can never go back. But it’s okay.”

Velia smiled bravely.
“Do not forget. It was I who chose you.”

At her words, Prince Khaled, who had been quite stiff, seemed to involuntarily relax.

He thought himself childish and simple, but her single sentence made him feel better.

“I will do my best to ensure that you have no regrets about your excellent choice.”

Then, the voice of the Archbishop, calling out the protagonists of the day, rang out.

To the accompaniment of the orchestra, Prince Khaled and Velia slowly walked the path strewn with beautifully scattered white flowers, their hands tightly held together.

Their faces were filled with smiles.

Everyone watching them confirmed that they were truly in love as rumors had it. Seeing them smiling so happily, there was no way their feelings could be false.

‘Oh my goodness…!’

Of course, some were more upset because of this.

Raul, sitting in the front row, clenched his teeth as he watched Velia, who was coming towards him with a pretty smile that lit up the surroundings.

He should have been by her side.

‘Why on earth? Why is it Khaled standing next to Velia, not me?’

He still could not understand.

Does she really love Khaled?