A month had flown by. During that time, based on memories of her previous life, she had made various preparations.

Velia was somewhat satisfied that she had been able to prepare in advance for the two most crucial factors that led to the downfall of the Kingdom of Ronika: the gold mine negotiations and the opening of the Shanetan Road.

Especially, the Shanetan Road had played a pivotal role when the Ingott Empire invaded the Kingdom of Ronika.

Raul declared he would use Ronika’s road to attack the Kingdom of Yakum and led his troops towards the capital of Ronika.

‘Damned bastard…’

Thus, betrayed by the Empire they had considered their strongest ally, the royal city burned and family members lost their lives.

Cloje, who was escaping through a secret passage, was caught by Raul…

Velia shook off her thoughts, intentionally avoiding recalling past events.

‘…Wretched one.’

The lovely Cloje had left a final word that she didn’t want to live this shamefully before jumping out of the window.

Of course, the kingdom wouldn’t have fallen due solely to the opening of the road. However, the opening of the Shanetan Road significantly helped the Empire in diverting its army that was heading towards Yakum to Ronika instead. Velia took a deep breath.

“Bastard!”

She couldn’t contain her anger and deliberately cursed out loud once more.

‘I’ll definitely end his life with my own hands.’

With her own hands, without hesitation, she would pierce Raul’s throat. For that day, Velia continued to live.

Fortunately, or perhaps due to Prince Khaled’s help, the groundwork had gone quite smoothly.

More importantly.

“…Mercenary guild.”

He had cunningly hidden it, even in front of her?

‘Really disgraceful to have hidden this until the moment he said I would be the Empress.’

Velia clenched her cheeks as she recalled the report Derek had relayed not long ago. How surprised she was when she learned that Khaled was running a mercenary guild in the Duke’s domain of Tesa.

Surely, he had also been quietly preparing for the future.

‘His attitude as if daring me to find out. Absolutely breathtaking.’

Velia clicked her tongue.

Taming a hunting dog is this troublesome.

‘What? He’s operating just one branch? Ha!’

Recalling Khaled’s tone, which downplayed the whole thing, only made her angrier.

Derek had conveyed that digging deeper into this would take time. What she knew now, the mercenary guild and the branch he operates through a proxy, was likely just the tip of the iceberg.

“…Outrageously brazen.”

Velia smirked with a peculiar smile.

It could be annoying that he hides so much from her, but strangely, it was also enjoyable. Her excitement grew even while she was digging into him.

‘I want to know more about him.’

Exactly. That was her sentiment.

She couldn’t help but be curious about Khaled.

“All this time, I’ve been swayed too much.”

Since Khaled had suddenly approached her genuinely, Velia couldn’t hide her turbulent emotions and had been swayed by him.

While apart from him, Velia had made up her mind. Now was the time to counterattack. He was originally her hunting dog, and she was his master. She must not forget that fact.

The hunt had just started. There was a long way to go. So she must hold the initiative until she reached her desired goal.

‘Disgraceful.’

She had no intention of denying her feelings towards him anymore. Her wavering emotions couldn’t be stopped. But that didn’t mean she would engage in a love tirade with him.

Khaled was doing all sorts of tricks to shake Velia. Knowing this clearly, she couldn’t just let it pass.

‘…Would Khaled have succeeded back then?’

She suddenly wondered about Khaled from her previous life.

She hoped he had succeeded. That would be at least a small comfort for her tragic end.
Velia stood on the terrace, taking in the view that might perhaps be her last. Who knows when she would see the warmth of the kingdom of Ronica again.

“Big sister. Are you ready?”

Cloje appeared with puffy eyes and asked.

They had spent the entire dawn chatting in Cloje’s room.

‘She looks a bit better now……’

All day yesterday, Cloje had cried, insisting she not go. Then she had yelled, telling her to leave already, before bursting into tears again and throwing a tantrum, begging her not to get married. Finally, she had calmly promised that Herald would take care of her.

With Cloje’s emotions changing so unpredictably, Velia had seriously wondered if it had always been like this.

‘I remember she had seen me off quite casually back then.’

Velia greeted Cloje with an awkward smile.

“You’re not taking much with you?”

“Yeah. I’ll probably have to buy everything new when I get to the empire.”

“……Then at least take this ugly statue!”

Cloje pointed to a small statue sitting in a corner of the terrace. It was a statue that Herald and Cloje had made for her as a birthday present when they were very young.

“It’s too heavy to carry.”

“Tsk!”

Is she going to cry again?

Worried, Velia looked at Cloje, who bit her lip and held back her emotions.