At Bellia’s unexpected words, Callid lifted the corners of his mouth playfully, as if thinking she was joking. But Bellia’s expression was serious. There was no sign of joking at all.

“Hmm, are you saying you’ve come back from the future?”

Even as he asked the question, his voice had a hint of laughter in it, as if he thought it didn’t make sense.

“Or have you been reading a fairy tale?”

Bellia paused briefly at his attitude, which showed he didn’t think this story could be true at all.

An uncomfortable silence followed.

“…Bellia.”

“Yes.”

Callid stared quietly at Bellia’s face. Then, as if realizing her words weren’t a joke, he immediately made a complicated expression and ran his hand over his face.

“Well… Even now, magical devices are being actively researched, and magic that transcends space is being developed. Returning in time, it might not be an entirely impossible story. Yes, I suppose it could be possible.”

He tried to understand, stretching out his words.

But Bellia shook her head firmly at his words.

“No. Even in the future, it was impossible to transcend space or time.”

Callid pressed his lips together with an expression that said he didn’t know what to say. He seemed to be turning over in his mind several times whether she was really talking about returning to the past.

Then, meeting Bellia’s serious gaze, Callid let out a sigh-mixed statement.

“…Honestly, it’s hard to fully believe.”

“I know. That’s why I thought long and hard before bringing it up.”

At Callid’s words, Bellia’s complexion darkened, and she struggled to move her stiffened lips to continue speaking.

“Callid. I came back from the future to the past. This isn’t a dream, nor is it a fairy tale. Regression was the reality I experienced.”

“…Hmm.”

Callid had a troubled expression. Then he immediately let out a sigh and closed his eyes.

That image entered Bellia’s eyes one by one, very slowly, like a picture.

‘Ah…’

Bellia turned her head to the side at the overwhelming futility.

He doesn’t believe. He’s not listening to the story.

It was words she had finally managed to say after contemplating for a very long time and gathering courage.

It wasn’t an unexpected situation. But still.

‘I thought he would believe me.’

Because he was the only person who believed everything she insisted on without any explanation.

Didn’t Callid believe the things that her parents and elder brother said they couldn’t listen to without clear evidence?

‘It’s ridiculous…’

They both had things they were hiding. They didn’t trust each other.

It wasn’t a normal relationship from the beginning.

Weren’t we bound by a contract from the start?

But why on earth…

“Bellia.”

When he called her name, Bellia flinched.

Callid reached out his hand.

“Come here.”

Bellia hesitated for a moment.

“Bellia.”

Callid called Bellia once more. His arm was still stretched out towards her.

Looking at that sight, somehow a feeling of sadness washed over her.

Where did that belief come from? Bellia realized that without knowing it, she had thought he would unconditionally take her side, that he would believe everything she said.

‘How foolish…’

So that’s why she feels so disappointed.

Even knowing that it would be difficult for anyone to believe easily, for some reason she thought he would be different…

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing Bellia unable to move from her spot, Callid got up from his seat and approached her.

Then he picked up Bellia who was sitting and tucked her into his arms, adjusting his position.

She squirmed uncomfortably, suddenly finding herself sitting on Callid’s thigh, but Callid seemed to have no intention of letting her go, tightening his grip on her waist even more than before.

“I don’t know what to do when you cry.”

Crying?

Bellia lightly brushed her eyes. Moisture clung to the back of her hand. She was taken aback.

Hurriedly wiping her eyes, Bellia spoke, pretending nothing was wrong.

“…I know it’s hard to believe.”

But her voice was full of disappointment.

“I believe you. I believe everything. But I just needed a little time too.”

Callid gently patted Bellia’s back as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“I want to hear in detail about your regression story.”

Bellia hesitated for a moment before parting her lips.

“There, I was the Empress of the Empire, and I was miserably killed after losing everything. There was nothing I could do of my own will.”

Callid’s expression hardened coldly at Bellia’s matter-of-fact mention of losing her life.

“…Explain in detail.”

Bellia began a long story.

That there, Raul was the Emperor and she became his Empress.

“Were you lovers with Raul?”

The fact that Bellia and Raul were lovers.

This seemed to be the part that bothered Callid the most, as he asked once more.

“We were, for a time.”

But it was an ill-fated relationship.

There were only terrible memories.

Bellia’s expression darkened.

“Is that related to why you said you want to bring Raul down?”

“Yes.”

“Haa…”

Callid let out a deep sigh.

Somehow, regret washed over him that it might have been better not to know.

‘No. It’s more terrifying to assume I kept not knowing.’

Bellia’s feelings towards Raul.

Callid had always been unbearably curious about the source of those feelings. But now that he finally heard the answer he had been so curious about, he didn’t feel particularly pleased. He simply couldn’t unravel his twisted expression.

Despite clearly resolving the curiosity that had been tormenting him all this time, his complexion grew darker and darker.

The arms holding Bellia tightened.

“Then why did you choose me?”

“Because you were the only one.”

Bellia slipped out of his arms and slowly headed towards the terrace.

Throughout confessing her regression to him, she kept feeling stifled. It was hard to breathe.

“You know what? I thought there was a limit to the pain a person could receive from another person…”

Bellia continued speaking as she flung open the terrace doors.

“But when you dig into a wound you’ve already received once, it comes back as an even greater pain.”

Outside, it had already become a dark night.

Bellia stood with her back to the night sky, looking straight at Callid.

“Raul killed me.”

She didn’t avoid his gaze.

“He forcibly poured poison into my mouth.”

Every word she spoke was laden with intense pain.

“The Ronica Kingdom, my family. Everything was shattered by his hand.”

Hatred, resentment, and anger towards Raul were thickly embedded in every letter.

“I can’t forgive him. So I needed someone who could help me bring him down, and that was only you.”

Callid was silently listening to Bellia’s words.

The room was darker than outside, so Callid’s expression wasn’t clearly visible. In the darkness, he showed no reaction, which made Bellia feel anxious.

Bellia asked with a self-deprecating smile.

“Do you regret taking my hand, Callid?”

At this moment of revealing the truth, the anxiety she had hidden every day showed its presence strongly.

If he knew everything, he might regret it then.

Even though she had dragged him in herself, her own feelings had always been more important than his intentions.

Despite acting so selfishly, Bellia’s inner self trembled anxiously, fearing to hear words of regret from him.

‘But this is the last time.’

Whatever answer came from his mouth, Bellia decided to let go of her hesitation.

She had revealed all the truth. What happened next was up to him.

So her greed should end here.

Even if he didn’t believe her, there was nothing she could do, she consoled herself.

“I…”

Callid, who had been silent all this time, opened his mouth heavily.

“I was angry that you knew more about Raul than I did.”

So he deliberately leaked information to Bellia, as if to show off, even though it didn’t suit him.

“But when I think that it’s all because you watched from beside that guy… To be honest, I’m even angrier.”

But the more he chewed over the story, there was a part he couldn’t understand.

“What was I doing then?”

Callid rose from his seat. Then he approached Bellia and gently stroked her head.

“There’s no way I would have left you alone.”

Callid’s touch was gentle. As if soothing the wounded Bellia.

Bellia closed her eyes, leaning her cheek against his large hand.

“I never met you in my previous life.”

“Not even once?”

Callid asked as if perplexed. It was strange that they hadn’t crossed paths even while staying together in the imperial palace. It wouldn’t have been easy unless someone had intentionally prevented it.

“No. Not even once. We didn’t even accidentally brush past each other.”

Callid clicked his tongue.

“Must have been Raul’s doing.”

“Maybe.”

If only I could have met you then, would the past have changed a little?

“I still can’t believe you’ve come back from the past.”

Callid gently picked up Bellia.

“But the pain, loss, and anger you’ve shown me can’t be fake.”

Then he walked briskly to the bed and laid Bellia down.

“You want to return the pain you experienced, don’t you?”

“That’s right. I want Raul to crumble miserably. I want to see him lose everything and scream in agony.”

Venom filled Bellia’s eyes.

“It will happen. If that’s what you want.”

Callid lightly kissed Bellia’s hand as if making a vow.

At that small action, Bellia felt the sharp sensation of revenge that had been prickling her slowly subsiding.

He might not be able to fully believe the story of returning from the past, but seeing Callid ultimately take her side, saying it would be as she wished, Bellia opened her mouth once more as if reaffirming.

“Our contract will continue until he falls.”

“Yes.”

“I can do anything for that.”

“Yes.”

“So…”

Bellia reached out and grabbed Callid’s collar, pulling him close.

“Don’t betray me, Callid.”

Callid gave Bellia, who had come close enough to touch noses, a light kiss with a smack sound, then smiled very brightly.

“Of course. You’re holding my leash, where would I go?”

At those words, Bellia smiled prettily, her eyes curving.

“Death is the only fate for a traitorous hound.”

I will never forgive.

So don’t think about cutting the leash and running away.

Callid burst into laughter at Bellia’s straight gaze.

“Every time you do this, I feel how tightly I’m bound to you.”

Despite his words, his expression was extremely pleased.

Bellia gently stroked his cheek.

“Callid.”

The person by my side now.

“…I’m glad it’s you.”

Bellia thought sincerely as she buried her face in Callid’s chest. Looking at Bellia like this, Callid hugged her tightly, unable to control the rising emotion.

It was fortunate that she couldn’t see his expression.

Bellia, who had confessed a secret she couldn’t tell anyone else, would never leave his hands. She tried to tame the hunting dog, but in the end, it might be the owner who was tamed.

Without realizing it, the thread that gradually entangled Bellia was tightly wrapped around her entire body.

‘How lovely.’

While you feel reassured by the leash firmly in your hand, I’ll take care of the rest.

“I’ll help with your revenge.”

So just don’t leave my arms.

If you just stay like this, I’ll make choosing me the best decision of your life.

Callid’s eyes shone brightly.