The Regressed Empress Tames the Hunting Dog (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
Kalid immediately lost interest in those letters.
But Acid quietly handed him one more letter and said,
“There’s one letter without a sender’s name mixed in. Should I check this one as well?”
At that, Kalid lazily rolled his eyes toward the letter.
‘Hmm.’
Normally, he would have simply ignored it, but for some reason, the thought of Raoul returning to the empire empty-handed lifted his mood. It was a whim. He reached out and picked up the letter bearing no markings whatsoever.
Most letters sent to him were nothing but invitations from insignificant noble houses.
Those who wished to curry favor with Raoul, the First Prince, but lacked the means to do so, had turned to Kalid instead. They figured that if they showed even feigned interest in Kalid, the First Prince’s faction would try to win them over.
‘…Annoying fools.’
This letter was surely of the same sort.
Not even writing a sender’s name was probably just another ploy to attract attention.
Yet today, in an uncharacteristically generous mood, he tore open a corner of the letter.
“Huh?”
Kalid’s expression stiffened slightly as he skimmed through the letter.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”
At the puzzled question, Kalid handed him the letter.
It didn’t seem like anything important, since Kalid was showing it to him.
Acid quietly took the letter and examined its contents.
“…Your Highness. Could this be from the First Prince’s side?”
“Who knows.”
Along with the statement that there was no gold mine here, the letter even asked if he wanted to know the true location.
How could it have arrived at such a precise moment?
“…Tch.”
They themselves had only confirmed today that there was no gold mine here.
Yet the sender of this letter already knew that fact. If the First Prince’s faction had known, they wouldn’t still be conducting investigations like that.
Kalid grinned with amusement.
“Find out who sent it.”
This letter had been sent to the Second Prince’s Palace in the empire.
Adding the time it took to bring it from there to him, it must have been written at least a week ago.
Did the sender realize the presence or absence of the gold mine far earlier than they did?
“For now, cancel the withdrawal order.”
It seemed he’d have to stay in the Ronica Kingdom until he found the sender of this letter.
He had no urgent matters at the moment, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Since things had turned out this way, he might as well visit the kingdom’s capital to take a look at his scheming elder brother’s face.
Kalid disliked Raoul’s insincere attitude—pretending to be kind-hearted while spreading all sorts of vile rumors behind his back, then playing the role of the benevolent older brother protecting his younger sibling. It was laughable. Even more pathetic was how Raoul, clearly harboring an inferiority complex toward him, tried so hard to act as if he didn’t.
‘Come to think of it, I heard he’s been trailing after the local princess lately…’
That self-satisfied man was chasing after someone?
He was curious what other tricks Raoul might be plotting.
Moreover, it sparked a rather intriguing curiosity—what kind of attitude would Raoul show toward the princess if they unexpectedly ran into each other? Kalid’s lips curved into a faint, amused smile.
“Find out as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
Acid bowed his head and hurried off to carry out the order, approaching the knights.
Kalid swept back his loose hair and once again took in the inspection team with his eyes.
‘So someone claims to know the true location of the gold mine…’
Heh.
Kalid let out a quiet chuckle, clearly entertained.
[This is the timeline separator]It had already been half a month since she sent the letter.
Apparently, it hadn’t properly reached the Second Prince.
Bellia slammed her desk with a loud bang and stood up.
She couldn’t wait any longer. She really needed to consider another approach now.
Raoul still kept trying to persuade her at every opportunity.
He even dangled before her the honor and wealth she’d gain if she chose him.
His clumsy attempts to lure her with those hollow illusions she’d already experienced once before were contemptible—but she couldn’t just let things continue like this.
After all, he was the empire’s First Prince, the son who enjoyed the emperor’s abundant affection. Surely, as time passed, things would unfold exactly as he wished.
‘…I need to reject his proposal first.’
But how exactly should she do it?
No matter how much she pondered, no clear answer came to her.
‘If only my older brother or Abamama would strongly speak to him on my behalf right now.’
Herald still seemed hesitant, likely due to concerns about relations with the empire.
Bellia paced restlessly around her room before stopping abruptly.
Now that she thought about it, there was one more person in the kingdom who could help her.
Derek of the information guild Runes.
He was someone she absolutely had to ally with to fight against Raoul.
Moreover, he had been one of the few who remained on her side until the very end in her previous life.
‘What was that false identity he used back then…?’
As Bellia quietly recalled her past memories, her expression brightened.
A faint recollection from a brief conversation long ago in the imperial palace drifted through her mind.
There were several options, but enough to thoroughly investigate.
If she could borrow his strength, she might find a clever way to reject Raoul’s proposal.
Bellia quickly changed into inconspicuous clothing and called for her guard knight, Sir Ben.
“Sir Ben.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I need to get ready to go out.”
Though it was a sudden outing, Ben simply followed her quietly.
To Ben, Bellia had truly changed overnight.
She used to be the princess who quietly read books in the library or garden, but recently she’d been doing things that made no sense at all.
Still, knowing the Bellia he’d always seen, he was certain she’d handle matters wisely.
With that thought, Ben set aside his worries and sharpened his senses, focusing solely on his duty as a knight to protect her.
The carriage Bellia rode left the royal palace and headed into the city.
After getting off at the central square of the town, Bellia pulled a robe over herself. It was stifling, but she had no choice—someone might recognize her as the princess.
“First, we’ll go to the restaurant, then stop by a café afterward.”
“Yes.”
“Next will be the bookstore.”
If none of those three places worked, it would have to be the tavern.
She needed to check them quickly and move on.
“Let’s go.”
Bellia hurried toward the nearest restaurant among today’s target locations.
As the bell jingled, a server hurried over. Bellia smiled sweetly and asked,
“I’ve come to look for diamonds on the third floor.”
“Oh, I’m sorry… but we’re a restaurant. The jeweler is in the shop across the street, milady.”
“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. I must have confused the shops.”
Bellia covered her mouth as if startled.
Then, letting out an embarrassed laugh, she left the shop with Ben.
It wasn’t the restaurant.
She knew aimlessly wandering around like this wasn’t the best method, but it was the fastest and most certain.
So she had no choice but to visit every shop Derek had mentioned before.
After confirming the café wasn’t it either, she headed toward the bookstore. Just as she finished greeting the owner with a sigh—having confirmed the bookstore wasn’t Runes’ hideout either—and was about to step outside—
Thud.
She collided hard with someone entering the bookstore, causing her robe to slip off.
Her silvery hair, as if spun from fine threads of silver, cascaded down in a brilliant shimmer.
Bellia hastily pulled the robe back over herself, but the man had already noticed her unusual hair and expressed his surprise in a deep, low voice.
“Ah…?”
Bellia quickly lowered her head.
Sir Ben immediately stepped forward to block the man from approaching Bellia.
The man’s attire clearly marked him as nobility.
Ben had never seen such a noble in the Ronica Kingdom, but considering he might be an imperial noble visiting to meet Prince Raoul, he politely offered an apology.
“I’m sorry. My lady must have made a mistake.”
“…My lady?”
Despite Ben’s courteous demeanor, the man merely smiled with amusement and didn’t move aside from the doorway.
“We’ve finished our business and are leaving. Would you please step aside?”
“Nope.”
The man swept back his thick black hair and grinned.
His vivid blue eyes sparkled with interest.
His gaze remained fixed firmly on Bellia.
“Calling you ‘my lady’—you must be the daughter of some noble house, then?”
From his teasing tone, Bellia instantly sensed it.
He’d clearly figured out her identity.
Finally signaling Ben to stand down, Bellia stepped forward and spoke.
“For the sake of passersby, it’d be best if we talked outside.”
The man seemed to agree, slightly stepping aside from the doorway.
Once outside and facing him, Bellia took in his appearance. His tall, solid build was noticeable, but it was his deep black hair and cold gaze that made his presence even more imposing.
An intensely chilly aura.
That sharp, almost cutting sensation suggested he was no ordinary person.
He wasn’t refined like a knight, nor did he give off the air of a rogue.
His unbuttoned shirt made him seem carefree, yet an underlying chill radiating from him made approaching him difficult.
“Well then, since you suggested talking outside, shall we have a proper conversation?”
“If you’re looking for a fight, I’d appreciate it if you stopped right there.”
Bellia sighed as she spoke.
“A fight…? That’s a bit disappointing. I think you’re the one who should have something to say to me.”
The man murmured, stroking his chin.
Puzzled by his unexpected remark, Bellia looked up at him.
Just then—
“What are you doing here?”
Someone strode over, grabbed Bellia’s wrist, and pulled her toward himself.
Then, as if it were only natural, he stepped between her and Kalid.
“…Your Highness Raoul.”
Bellia frowned as she looked at Raoul, who was holding her wrist.
How on earth had he gotten here?
It couldn’t have been a coincidence.
‘…Was he following me?’
He must have heard she’d left the palace and followed her.
He was probably trying to stage a chance encounter.
“Please let go of my arm.”
“Did he threaten you in any way?”
“No. So please release me now.”
The way he acted as if he owned her made her skin crawl.
He seemed to recognize the man standing before them. Who could he be?
As Bellia wondered this—
The man, who had been silently observing them, suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Hahaha! So it was you after all.”
“Kalid. I asked why you’re here.”
Kalid?!
Bellia’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at him.
Black hair, blue eyes—and that arrogant, composed demeanor.
He matched exactly the description of the Second Prince she’d only heard about in rumors.
“Well, I’m just a good-for-nothing idler who wanders around wherever.”
By sheer chance, I ended up in Ronica.
In response to Raoul’s sharp question, Kalid answered with ease.
“I’d heard you were here, but I didn’t expect to run into you right in the middle of the street.”
Kalid shrugged, then walked over to Raoul and snatched Bellia’s hand back from his grip.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Oh? I just had business with someone, and you were blocking her without reason.”
Kalid replied dismissively, then leaned close to Bellia’s ear and whispered quietly,
“I was planning to visit you anyway—what good fortune.”
Startled, Bellia stared wide-eyed at Kalid, who calmly tugged at the corner of his lips and asked,
“Isn’t that right, Princess Bellia?”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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Chapter Comments (3)
Inline Comments (10)
Soon after, Kalid pressed his lips against Bellia’s.
Why the chapter stop here i want mooooore😭
Clozé spoke from the sofa, sprawled out in a thoroughly undignified manner.
I really like Clozé she’s a great supporting character and a good entertaining sister.
Clozé grumbled to herself.
Poor clozé her sister will go on another country to mary she will be allone
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Difficult but she needs to realize her revenge could take quite some time, years possibly. It’s understandable that her emotions have nowhere to go right now, but she needs temperance.
It’s nice to find a ML that has emotional awareness like Kalid does.
This emperor is such a greedy man. If he weren’t so detestable I’d have second-hand embarrassment.