Raul turned his head away, ignoring Elin who was trembling with clenched fists, and spoke in an indifferent tone.

“I have known the princess since we were young, so I didn’t ask because I already know her taste.”

Velia’s eyes slightly narrowed at Raul’s demeanor.

Khaled chuckled with a deflated tone, perhaps sharing similar sentiments.

“Can’t you be a little more considerate? Isn’t this too careless?”

Raul glanced at Elin.

“Is the princess satisfied with the preparations?”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

Elin forced a smile as she responded, but her words soon vanished into thin air.

Because Raul had turned his head before even hearing her answer.

Irritated by his cold response, Elin bit her lip.

‘Tsk.’

Velia wiped her cookiestained lips, internally clicking her tongue.

Though it might be entertaining to watch them be emotionally tense, that would require sitting here for much longer with the two irksome figures before her.

Eventually, Velia opened her mouth, hiding her irritation.

“Your engagement ceremony is not far off. Two months away, was it?”

It was the first question directed toward them.

“Yes. The ceremony is before the end of summer.”

Elin responded calmly.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t even congratulated you. Congratulations, Princess.”

Velia extended a courteous greeting.

“Will you both be attending then?”

“Of course.”

Velia deliberately grabbed Khaled’s hand as she replied.

Very much like a loving couple.

Raul’s expression hardened slightly upon seeing this.

“Is there any discomfort in living here since you’ve come from another country?”

“None. Prince Khaled takes very good care of me.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Khaled grinned with pride upon noticing Raul’s crumpled expression.

“Anyway, when are you planning to get married? We should coordinate so the timings don’t overlap.”

Khaled changed the subject, preventing Raul from speaking to Velia any further.

In any case, if Raul and Elin were getting engaged, they too would need to set a wedding date; a discussion between brothers wouldn’t be an issue. However, the problem was a recent dinner with the emperor.

During the meal, the slightly weary emperor hinted that it would be better if the eldest married first for appearances’ sake.

‘The empress must’ve stirred some trouble.’

Sitting beside him, the empress’ subtly smiling lips confirmed his suspicions.

Yet Khaled and Velia’s marriage was more like a treaty between countries. The emperor knew this, and was somewhat embarrassed when he mentioned it.

The emperor suggested they had until next spring, hinting that a slight delay wouldn’t be impossible if both countries coordinated well.

‘Detestable.’

Velia’s eyes grew colder.

“We are in discussion with His Majesty.”

At Raul’s words, Khaled didn’t hide his disdain.

“His Majesty seems eager to prioritize his beloved son, but we are definitely proceeding with our wedding next spring. Don’t harbor pointless dreams.”

“Khaled.”

“Asking us to delay—what nonsense. It’s already been agreed upon by both countries. Why should we seek Ronika Kingdom’s understanding now?”

Breaking an agreement between countries to prioritize his son’s wedding was too reckless.

Velia also opened her mouth quietly.

“Prince Raul. This wedding is my only wedding.”

She then took another sip of her tea.

“The empire thinks so little of Ronika Kingdom’s standing? Disappointing.”
Her voice was icecold.

Before the Emperor even spoke those words, Raul should have prevented the Empress from pressuring him.

Considering her memories from a previous life, the Empress used to consult with Raul before sharing her opinions with the Emperor.

It was unlikely for someone like her to selfishly request something from the Emperor without a word. Moreover, wasn’t this Raul’s responsibility?

‘It’s certain that he tacitly agreed.’

So, Velia was even more dumbfounded.

The Emperor might be out of sorts to speak such nonsense, but Raul should not have been.

Was this the extent of someone who had stayed by her side in the past?

The more she thought about her past self, the more foolish she felt. She grew increasingly angry, feeling utterly pathetic.

“I have no intention of postponing the wedding either,”

Velia loudly set down her tea cup.

“I truly regret it, Princess.”

Raul wore an awkward expression.

“His Majesty was quite stubborn at the time. There was nothing I could do. I was just asking for your opinion, so don’t take it to heart.”

“If Your Highness is sincerely concerned about me, I trust you will speak well to His Majesty on this matter.”

Velia looked directly into Raul’s eyes, her smile artificially crafted.

“Personally, next fall seems like a good time for your wedding with the Princess.”

Raul closed his mouth tightly.

His face still wore a smile, but his eyes had turned cold.

Tea time had ended.

“In any case, we will proceed as planned. Please adjust your schedule, generous brother. Oh, and,”

Prince Khaled added as if suddenly recalling.

“The tea was bitter. Use better tea leaves. I’ll gift some if needed.”