If they were a normal couple, it would be natural to want to know more about each other.

Callid was curious about every little thing about Bellia. But Bellia never asked about his personal matters unless it was absolutely necessary.

It was a bit annoying that she knew all sorts of trivial things about Raul, while knowing little about himself.

It was like confirming to her what kind of existence he was.

‘She didn’t tell me why she hates Raul either.’

There must be something.

‘Could it be prophecy or foresight….’

Everything Bellia had said so far was information that could not possibly be known without prophecy or foresight.

So Callid naturally thought she would know everything about him too. That’s why he believed she chose him, and no one else, as the next emperor.

But the more time he spent with her, he realized that Bellia didn’t know much about Callid.

‘Coming to Ronica was just on impulse.’

He had only intended to check on the progress of the gold mine search led by Raul while stopping by the Tessa duchy near the Kingdom of Ronica.

But he got to know Bellia, discovered a gold mine, and made contact with the master of Lunes. Plus an engagement. He gained many things from one moment’s choice.

All of this was unexpected.

In terms of profit and loss, it was clearly a huge gain.

“Bellia. Tell me. What should I do?”

Callid’s voice was gentle.

His gaze looking at Bellia was full of affection.

The hand caressing her cheek was also warm.

But.

Should I tell you everything truthfully when you’re not being honest with me?

‘For now, I’ll have to respond appropriately while observing the situation.’

Callid chose to keep his mouth shut.

Bellia didn’t fully trust him. She kept something hidden and only wanted him to move according to her plan. That couldn’t be a proper relationship.

Callid wanted to share deeper emotions with Bellia. But in a one-sided relationship where one side has the upper hand like now, some push and pull is necessary.

“That’s fair, right? My lovely Bellia.”

An obvious person is not interesting.

Callid knew that fact very well.

So he’s determined not to say anything first.

If you’re curious, want to know more about me. Be curious about what I’m hiding and try to unravel me.

“Mmm…”

“Sleep more.”

Callid patted Bellia who was mumbling in her sleep.

There was a very deep smile on his lips.

[This is the timeline separator]

When Bellia opened her eyes, it was already the middle of the night.

She was in Callid’s arms.

‘When did I fall asleep…?’

Bellia wasn’t surprised to see Callid lying next to her.

It was because his presence had become familiar by now.

“…Are you awake?”

Callid greeted with a very low voice.

He seemed to have woken up from Bellia’s movement.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

“No… It’s okay.”

While saying it’s okay, he hugs Bellia tightly in his arms again and closes his eyes.

“We have a lot to talk about…”

“We can talk plenty while lying down.”

Callid, who said that, smiled to himself as if remembering something.

“Aren’t you used to talking in bed by now?”

Bellia softly called his name at the unfunny joke.

“…Callid.”

“Haha. I’m saying we can talk plenty like this.”

Bellia shook her head.

Callid smiled happily at Bellia’s reaction and hugged her tightly again.

“Eek!”

“Hahaha.”

Callid’s laughter rang in her ear. It was a laughter that made her heart race somehow.

Bellia glared at Callid with a sulky expression.

“By the way, when do you plan to return?”

“Oh my… Are you trying to send your fiancé, who just had an engagement ceremony, back to the empire so quickly?”

He tried sounding very disappointed, but Bellia was cold.

“Yes. So please let me know in advance when you’re going.”

Callid pondered for a moment.

“I should be leaving soon. I have things to settle with His Majesty to welcome you, so I’m thinking of leaving sometime next week.”

“Then I’ll depart for the empire right after a month from when you leave.”

Callid looked a bit surprised at those words.

“Why so early?”

“I have a lot to do in the empire.”

“Then leave with me.”

“No. I have a lot to do here too.”

There were things she needed to check before departing for the empire to prevent repeating what happened in her previous life. Bellia planned to leave for the empire after finishing those things.

Callid chuckled and wrapped his arm around Bellia’s waist again.

“My lovely lover is so busy.”

Bellia’s cheeks turned slightly red at his embarrassing words.

But not wanting to show her embarrassment, she shrugged her shoulders in an exaggerated playful gesture as if it couldn’t be helped. Callid laughed at her attitude, finding it amusing, and hugged Bellia tightly in his arms.

“How will I endure missing you already?”

“I’ll be there soon, you know.”

“I’ll have to spend lonely nights until then.”

As he said that, he kissed the top of Bellia’s head with a smacking sound.

“What are you doing?”

By now, there was laughter mixed in Bellia’s voice too.

Callid didn’t stop his actions and buried his face in her neck, kissing it.

“When you arrive in the empire, I’ll run to you faster than anyone else in the world.”

That’s something I’ve heard many times before.

“Like I did?”

“You can look forward to it.”

Callid confidently said in a proud voice.

“Haha. What is that?”

Strangely, even while holding her in his arms, he kept feeling it wasn’t enough. The thirst isn’t quenched. Callid’s eyes glinted with desire. He whispered in Bellia’s ear in a deep voice.

“…I will definitely raise you to the highest place in the empire.”

His mind was firmly made up.

He will become the emperor.

And he will fully possess Bellia.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What did you say?”

Raul shouted, slamming the table at the news his subordinate brought.

“That bastard discovered a gold mine?”

He couldn’t believe it.

What kind of nonsense is this?

How many people have searched the mountains until now!

They thoroughly searched the mountains, but there were only a few small gold ores at best, let alone a gold mine.

“Such rumors are spreading throughout the empire, they say.”

“…That bastard Callid must have deliberately spread the rumors.”

But is he in his right mind to spread rumors about a gold mine that hasn’t even been discovered?

Raul calmly organized his thoughts.

“He’ll end up falling for his own trick.”

As he was about to continue reading the book he was reading with a sneer.

“Your Highness!”

Marquis Selon, who was still staying in the kingdom, said as he ran in breathlessly.

“The 2nd Prince is currently reporting to the King of Ronica about the gold mine.”

“What?!”

“He has already sent a letter to the empire…”

Raul jumped up from his seat, dropping his book.

“Are you saying the gold mine was really discovered?”

“…”

“I’m asking if what you’re saying is true!”

“…It was discovered in the south, they say.”

Marquis Selon bit his lip with an angry expression.

“They say there was a gold mine at the end of the southern mountain range, not the eastern mountain range.”

Raul closed his eyes tightly, suppressing his chest boiling with anger and dejection.

Why did all the plans go awry? Everything was going smoothly.

Everything he had built up collapsed.

“Your Highness.”

“What did the investigation team say?”

Raul’s voice was calm.

“That is…”

“It’s alright, speak.”

Marquis Selon found it even more difficult to speak when Raul didn’t get angry.

But it was a fact that needed to be conveyed.

“They say if a large-scale gold mine was discovered in the south, even if a gold mine exists in the east, it would certainly be very small in scale. They were of the opinion that further investigation would be meaningless.”

“…I see.”

So it ended up like that.

Raul smiled bitterly. There was nothing he could do about the gold mine. If Callid had already discovered it, there was nothing he could do. This was just bad luck.

“And regarding the rumors circulating in the empire.”

Marquis Selon sighed and delivered another piece of bad news.

“The story of Prince Callid saving Your Highness and defeating the demon beast is being exaggerated and spreading together.”

“…Kuk.”

Raul burst into laughter, covering his eyes.

“Hahahahaha.”

Marquis Selon looked at the prince anxiously, bewildered by Raul’s reaction.

“Your Highness?”

“Haha. I took quite a blow this time.”

From that Callid, that is.

Is he finally showing his claws now?

That indifferent face pretending to be aloof about everything was all a lie.

“We’re returning to the empire right now!”

Raul ordered the return to the empire.

He had a feeling that Callid’s hidden blade wouldn’t end with this.

Now he had to prepare for the real war. There was no time to waste.

‘Callid. Don’t be complacent thinking the things you have will continue to remain in your hands.’

They were all meant to return to him. That included Bellia, of course.

‘It’s going to get busier from now on.’

Raul looked out the window with a cruel smile.

The Kingdom of Ronica visible through the window was too peaceful.

Yes. It was a damn too peaceful place.

[This is the timeline separator]

Bellia sat down in the chair with a bright smile.

“It’s been a while.”

“You look good.”

“Oh my, do I?”

Bellia asked back, putting one hand on her cheek with feigned innocence. The man sitting across from her burst into hearty laughter. It was a different feeling from when he had seen her in the past.

Meeting Bellia in the royal palace, he felt like he could really sense the dignity of a princess.

“You must have had trouble coming, Derick.”

“How could I not come when the princess summoned me like this?”

Bellia nodded as she looked at the neatly dressed Derick.

It had become difficult to go out with many guests staying at the royal palace after the engagement ceremony. They had continued to exchange letters, but there were things she needed to discuss with him in person. After all, there were limits to what could be conveyed in writing.

“I didn’t know what you like, so I prepared foods that I like.”

Bellia said lightly.

Various dishes were neatly arranged on the table. Overall, there were many dishes that were not heavily seasoned. She had thought about having tea while talking, but she wanted to have a meal together at least once.

‘He must definitely enter the marquis family.’

Bellia cut the food in front of her into small pieces and put it in her mouth.

It was more delicious than expected. It was worth asking them to pay special attention to the food today.

“It’s delicious.”

Derick seemed to think so too as he smiled.

“I put in a little effort for you.”

“I’m honored.”

As they continued eating, Bellia sharply observed Derick. Then, seeing his eating manner, she raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.

He was showing surprisingly impeccable table manners. At that level, he should be able to mingle with the nobles without much problem.

“Derick. Do you plan to stay in the kingdom?”

Derick answered Bellia’s question with a smile.

“I plan to stay here for the time being.”

“Then I’ll introduce you to Closet. She’s a smart child, but I’m worried because she’s still young.”

With the help of the information guild, there will be more things Closet can do.

In her previous life, they lost too much just from the empire blocking information heading to the Kingdom of Ronica.

However, if Closet cooperates with Lunes to grasp the continental situation in advance, they won’t be helplessly caught off guard like then.

“Please help, even if it’s just while you’re staying in the kingdom. I’ll introduce you to Closet as the branch manager of the information guild.”

Bellia was worried about the Kingdom of Ronica after she left.

“I won’t stop you from getting information from Closet, but be careful not to get caught because that child is quite clever too.”

“Hehe. I understand.”

From Derick’s standpoint, there was no reason to refuse since it meant gaining a new client.

Moreover, he thought that if Princess Bellia called her clever, Princess Closet must not be easy to deal with either.

“What do you think about Marquis Selon’s request?”

“I’m still considering it.”

Bellia remained silent for a moment.

Then, as if pondering something, she tapped the table habitually.

Finally, Bellia opened her mouth with a determined expression.

“…Marquis Selon has a chronic illness.”