“Why are you crying?”

“…..”

“Bellia.”

Callid, who stood up and looked at Bellia, wiped her tears and asked with utmost gentleness.

Bellia, unable to answer, reached out and hugged Callid’s neck.

“Hmm. Do you pity me?”

Callid smiled and lifted Bellia, embracing her in return.

“Bellia.”

Bellia exhaled deeply, her face buried in Callid’s neck. The turbulent emotions were not easily settled.

Unaware of Bellia’s state, Callid playfully asked.

“Can I kiss you?”

Bellia shook her head.

Though she hadn’t sobbed loudly, her face was tear-stained, so she must look unsightly now. Suddenly, she became very conscious of how she might appear to him.

“No?”

Bellia, still burying her face in his neck, nodded. Callid chuckled.

He held Bellia in his arms like a child and stroked the back of her head.

“…Callid.”

“Yes.”

“The throne is yours.”

Bellia was sincere.

As if reading her heart, Callid gently kissed her head and asked.

“…Shall I stay here tonight?”

His voice was suggestive.

But Bellia rubbed her eyes, wiping away tears, and answered.

“No.”

For his sake, who poured so much affection on her. And for her own sake, who had come to love him, they needed to move forward.

‘We will be happy.’

Definitely in this life.

Her resolute determination sparkled in her eyes, still moist.

“We should go back. To our battlefield.”

Bellia intends to place in his hands, one by one, everything he has lost and everything that should rightfully be his. And herself, who has come to love him.

Today was the day of Raul and the Kanterif princess’s engagement ceremony.

Bellia stepped out wearing a dark purple dress. Being an engagement ceremony, it shouldn’t take too long.

“Bellia.”

Callid was waiting in front of the door and extended his hand.

Bellia smiled brightly and took his hand.

“They’ve decided to hold the wedding next autumn, I hear.”

“Of course. Unless the emperor has gone mad, he wouldn’t seriously try to postpone our wedding, would he?”

Bellia shrugged.

“I suppose he wanted to dampen our spirits a bit.”

Thinking about it, it seemed like an indirect expression of dissatisfaction with Callid’s successful handling of various matters, outshining Raul, even without the empress’s prodding.

“That’s not really important.”

Bellia’s voice grew slightly quieter. Then she whispered softly.

“What’s important is that the emperor has started paying attention to us.”

Soon, there will be attempts to keep us in check.

“I’ve been trying to keep a low profile, but it seems we’re still bothersome.”

“That old man probably disliked our engagement from the start.”

His tone was thoroughly cynical.

Callid, seemingly not wanting to discuss the emperor further, changed the subject with a hardened expression.

“Ah, right. I’ve made investments through the merchant guild in the place you mentioned before.”

“You mean the winery in the southern region?”

Callid nodded.

“The wine made from this autumn’s grape harvest will become a masterpiece that will be talked about for years to come.”

The wine produced this year will become a high-end wine that will be in short supply later.

In a few years, nobles will flaunt their power based on whether they possess this wine or not.

‘Knowing this, I can’t just let it pass.’

Bellia had no intention of missing out on such an obvious profit. But it was too conspicuous for her to act directly. So her strategy was to use Callid’s merchant guild.

Through his guild, she managed to secure a contract to invest in and purchase more than half of this year’s wine production.

“It will bring enormous profits, just wait and see.”

“The guild master who went for a preliminary inspection was quite excited. He said this year’s grapes are exceptionally good.”

These significant matters could be gradually acquired according to the memories of her previous life, without overly provoking the First Prince’s faction.

“If it’s your word, I have no choice but to trust it.”

Callid had indeed profited greatly from following Bellia’s suggestions.

Especially in financial matters, he had gained a lot, so as soon as he heard about this investment opportunity, he immediately contacted the guild to proceed.

Though surprised by the sudden contact, the guild master was very satisfied after visiting the winery in person and sent back a reply expressing great expectations. He even wondered who was providing such information.

“The guild master wants to meet you.”

“I’d love to.”

Bellia smiled broadly.

She wanted to meet all the people around him.

‘Come to think of it, I should meet Duke Tessa as well…’

Bellia, suddenly struck by the thought, tapped Callid’s arm and asked.

“Will Duke Tessa attend our wedding?”

“Grandfather? Of course, he should come and boost the morale of his only grandson.”

“It might be good to set a date and visit the duchy sometime.”

Callid responded positively to Bellia’s suggestion.

“Grandfather would welcome you anytime.”

“That’s a relief then.”

She needed to meet Duke Tessa and confirm, as they would be involved in various matters in the future.

Whether he was truly someone who would help Callid.

Or.

‘…Someone who is also using Callid.’

As they continued their conversation, they soon arrived at the hall where the engagement ceremony was taking place.

Bellia and Callid took their designated seats.

The empress, sitting nearby, glanced at Callid and then turned, addressing him warmly.

“It’s been a while, Callid.”

But Callid replied curtly with a stiff expression.

“Indeed.”

“Your rigid attitude hasn’t changed. I know you don’t like me, but it’s your brother’s engagement ceremony. Couldn’t you greet me with a smile?”

The empress spoke with a clear smile on her face.

Her demeanor was elegant and incredibly kind. But her eyes remained ice-cold.

“And Princess Bellia, it’s the first time since then, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do drop by my palace occasionally. It would be nice to have a chat. I’ll arrange a gathering with the Kanterif princess next time.”

It wasn’t a particularly welcome invitation.

But Bellia, like the empress, responded elegantly with a bright smile.

“I’m honored by your invitation.”

Her posture was always impeccable.

“The empress is a warm-hearted person, that’s why she’s so considerate.”

The emperor, who had been watching from the side, added a word.

Callid sat quietly, just looking ahead without any reaction.

‘Hmm…’

Bellia’s lips twitched as she witnessed the emperor’s displeased gaze brush past Callid. The emperor didn’t even greet Callid.

Annoying, should I make a scene? Or not?

While thinking this internally, Bellia outwardly smiled kindly and tightly held Callid’s hand. Then, quietly observing the emperor who was ignoring Callid as if he didn’t exist, she spoke softly.

“Callid. Do you remember when we got engaged?”

At Bellia’s call, Callid met her gaze with a curved smile on his lips.

Though they weren’t showing it, the emperor and empress were probably listening to their conversation.

Bellia smiled mischievously.

“When we got engaged in the Kingdom of Ronica, the priests showered us with flower petals, remember?”

Seemingly grasping her intention immediately, Callid responded, suppressing a laugh.

“You mean the priests from the Holy Country?”

“Yes. His Eminence personally sent a delegation with gifts.”

Bellia’s mother, the queen of the Kingdom of Ronica, was a holy maiden who presided over rituals in the Holy Country.

And not just any holy maiden, but one of the most precious bloodlines, the daughter of one of the five grand priests currently ruling the Holy Country.

Because the systems of the Holy Country and the Empire were different, it was difficult to explain her exact position, but if pressed, she could be considered similar in status to an imperial princess.

Bellia wanted to let them know. Who she was. And whom such a person had chosen.

“His Eminence said he would attend the wedding, but…”

“Did the Grand Priest really say he would visit the Empire?”

The emperor asked urgently before Bellia could finish speaking.

As the Holy Country was quite closed off, it was rare for a Grand Priest to move personally. So it wasn’t unreasonable for the emperor to be surprised that a Grand Priest would say he’d personally visit for a wedding in the Empire.

Bellia suppressed a laugh, covering her mouth with one hand.

“Yes, that’s what he said. But His Eminence is very busy, so he might not be able to visit depending on the situation. I’m thinking of sending an invitation first.”

The emperor brightened at Bellia’s words.

“Then I will send that invitation in my name.”

Having a Grand Priest of the Holy Country visit the Empire at the emperor’s invitation would be a great achievement in imperial history. Unable to miss this opportunity, the emperor actively engaged in the conversation.

“If Your Majesty does so, I’ll be at ease. But I also want to inquire about my grandfather’s well-being after a long time, so I’ll send a separate message.”

“Oh ho. Yes. If the princess’s letter is included, the Grand Priest will be even more pleased.”

The emperor laughed loudly, seeming very happy.

And beside him, the empress briefly showed a displeased expression.

“From what I hear, it seems there were many interesting events at your engagement ceremony.”

The emperor turned his body towards Bellia and asked questions. Blinded by the achievement he could claim, he was already more interested in this story than the engagement ceremony.

Bellia inwardly sneered at the emperor’s behavior.

‘From the start, he’s a person who cares most about his own honor.’

No matter how much he dotes on Raul, in the end, he puts himself first.

So manipulating the emperor to her liking shouldn’t be too difficult.

Bellia pretended to ponder for a moment, tilting her head, then asked Callid.

“Callid. Do you remember when the delegation from the Southern Country gave us many rare gifts?”

Bellia’s voice was full of excitement. Callid nodded and replied.

“I remember bringing some of the gifts we received then to the Empire.”

“Right?”

Bellia smiled brightly.

She naturally drew him into the conversation with the emperor.

Surely someone would see this and reconsider the relationship between Callid and the emperor.

Humans are simple creatures, after all.

“Oh ho? Yes. The delegation from the Southern Country visited the Empire too. Ho ho.”

It seemed they had stopped by the Empire while visiting the Kingdom of Ronica.

“They were quite curious fellows.”

“Isn’t it possible because Your Majesty’s reign has spread to the Southern Country?”

The emperor laughed loudly again, pleased even with Bellia’s polite remark.

‘He’d like to keep us in check, but we need to show him we’re not easy to deal with.’

Bellia was reminding him of this once again.

They couldn’t completely bow to them. They needed to maintain a level of threat while being cautious.

“It’s a shame the king can’t attend your wedding.”

The emperor said, stroking his chin.

The Kingdom of Ronica possessed vast plains, yielding abundant food and various minerals.

It was a country capable of self-sufficiency with sufficient resources and food, and its geographical location made it a strategic point that the Empire couldn’t treat carelessly.

To the west was the Ingot Empire, to the north the Holy Country, to the east the Kingdom of Yakum, and across the vast desert to the south was a united kingdom of various tribes.

And currently, the Kingdom of Ronica maintained generally friendly relations with all these countries.

‘So, look down on us moderately.’

If you show such obvious contempt, wouldn’t it make people angry?

Bellia smiled, slightly raising the corners of her mouth.