When Bellia tightly closed her mouth and gave no answer, Erzé hurriedly waved her hands and spoke urgently.

“It’s really okay if you say no! I know I made an unreasonable request.”

Bellia felt her heart sink at Erzé’s words about wanting to stay in the imperial palace.

Why did she wish for such a reward?

She had hoped Erzé would ask for a dress or expensive jewelry. Or she thought Erzé might use this opportunity to seek a position in high society and ask to be invited to a tea party.

If she were as greedy as Bellia had seen in her previous life, she might have even asked to be by her side.

After all, being close to herself, the princess of Ronica and future empress, would be an excessive position for a baroness’s daughter.

But to ask to stay in the imperial palace for a few days…

“Ah, well… I heard something like that somewhere. I thought about wanting to visit the imperial palace at that time, and when you told me to say what I wanted, I just…”

Unlike her earlier appearance of sparkling eyes when demanding what she wanted, Erzé once again fidgeted with her fingers and trailed off.

Bellia watched her silently for a moment before speaking.

“No. It’s fine.”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Erzé met her eyes again with a startled expression.

And it seemed Callid beside her was the same, as he called out Bellia’s name in a surprised voice.

“Bellia?”

“I’m not the master of the Second Prince’s palace, so Callid’s permission would be needed, but is that alright?”

At Bellia’s question, Callid’s expression subtly faltered. But he soon let out a small sigh and answered.

“Alright. If that’s what you want.”

He had never opposed what Bellia wanted.

Bellia also knew he would allow it.

But on the other hand, she had hoped he would refuse just this once.

‘I don’t even know why I’m doing this myself.’

The desire to have Erzé stay in the palace to observe her coexisted with the desire to never be entangled with her again.

However, among those feelings…

The fact that Callid would not change.

The fact that he would be on her side until the end.

The desire to prove that fact ostentatiously was a bit stronger.

“Wow! Really?”

Erzé clapped her hands lightly and rejoiced with a bright face.

She seemed very surprised, as if she hadn’t expected at all that she would be able to stay in the imperial palace, but she couldn’t hide her joy.

“But it’s difficult right away, so go back home and inform Baron and Baroness Kinnetra that you’ll be staying at the palace for a few days, then pack the necessary luggage and come. I’ll make arrangements so you can visit anytime.”

As Bellia finished speaking with a faint smile, Erzé nodded vigorously and replied.

“I’ll go back right away and tell my parents! Thank you so much, Princess!”

“Then we’ll meet again soon.”

She knew it was a gamble.

Letting Erzé into the palace just because she wanted to confirm his feelings was clearly a foolish act. But once she realized that doubts about Callid had sprouted in her mind without her knowing, she wanted to be certain.

More than anyone, she wanted to trust him, but she kept feeling uneasy.

That all love was futile.

That all people were the same.

That loyalty was only betrayed and it was natural for the trusting person to be the fool.

That’s what Raul had taught her.

But Callid said that was wrong.

He said he wouldn’t change, and asked her to trust him.

He gave her all control of their relationship and said that.

‘So this time…’

Instead of avoiding it, she would face it directly and shatter all the remnants of the past.

It was time to end this wretched ill-fated relationship.

Bellia did not take her cold gaze off Erzé until her figure was completely out of sight.

In the carriage returning to the imperial palace after everything was finished.

Bellia unknowingly let out a deep sigh and leaned her head against the carriage wall.

Her body was truly exhausted, but she felt relief that all the work she had prepared for over a month was finally done.

“You did well.”

Callid came closer and fully embraced Bellia’s head leaning against the wall.

Bellia leaned her limp body against him.

“I’m sorry for making an unreasonable request, Callid.”

It was an apology for arbitrarily inviting Erzé to the palace.

Callid probably didn’t want to let anyone into his palace. But she pushed it through on her own, so he must not be feeling good about it.

“I’m fine with it. She won’t run into me much anyway, and she won’t be staying at the palace for that long.”

Callid shrugged and carefully opened his mouth.

“More importantly, didn’t you dislike the Kinnetra baroness’s daughter?”

“Did it show?”

She thought she hadn’t shown it, but it seems it was obvious to Callid’s eyes.

Bellia let out a light laugh and answered.

“You’re right. Lady Kinnetra wasn’t a bad person, but… if you ask if I liked her, well. I didn’t feel particularly inclined to become close friends with her.”

“Then what were you thinking when you allowed her to stay at the palace? Do you have something else in mind? Did you meet her in your previous life or…”

Bellia shook her head.

“This time, we really overcame a big crisis thanks to her. And it’s not such a difficult request. She’s not asking for anything in return, just wanting to stay at the palace for a few days. It’s a story a young lady could dream of.”

“Bellia.”

“That’s really all there is to it, Callid.”

She couldn’t tell him that in her previous life, this woman had taken her place and become empress.

She didn’t want to tell her beloved person all the painful stories of the past.

Isn’t the story of being killed by Raul already enough? She didn’t want to add the story of the person who took Raul away from her.

Perhaps she was maintaining a trivial pride.

But she didn’t want to appear more pathetic in front of Callid.

“Really.”

“…Alright.”

Noticing that Bellia didn’t want to talk about Erzé, Callid reluctantly nodded and answered.

“Get plenty of rest when we get back.”

“Yes. I suppose I should.”

But winter was coming soon.

Already, cold winds carrying a chill were blowing.

Before winter, she needed to check on the clinic operations, firewood storage conditions, and preserved food supplies.

‘And the antidote development is falling behind too…’

There were so many things to do, but Bellia only had one body, and she felt overwhelmed.

“Don’t overdo it, Bellia.”

As if noticing her thoughts, Callid gently stroked Bellia’s head.

“…I’m not overdoing it.”

“You are overdoing it right now. Such an obvious lie.”

Callid shook his head and continued seriously.

“You need someone who can share some of the work you’re doing.”

Bellia pressed her lips tightly together.

It was a fact she was starting to realize herself. There was too much work for her to handle alone.

Then Callid whispered softly in Bellia’s ear.

“Rachel Caprie.”

At the sudden name, Bellia broke away from Callid’s embrace and met his eyes.

“I don’t like it, but she seems to be the most suitable candidate.”

Callid burst into laughter at Bellia’s bewildered expression.

“We’ll talk about the details when we get back.”

“What did you say?”

Bellia asked in surprise.

“So, Marquis Caprie was originally on your side…”

She thought it might be too early when the marquis showed no reaction when she casually probed, but to think he had already joined hands with Callid.

“We’ve decided to start moving in earnest, so it’s not bad to reveal it now.”

“Then does Rachel know that too…”

Did she approach me on purpose?

Bellia swallowed the words she couldn’t bring herself to say.

If there were such hidden interests behind someone she thought was a friend, it might hurt a little.

However, Callid shook his head and said,

“No. Only the marquis’s eldest son knows about it, no one else knows about my relationship with the marquis.”

Callid said firmly, crossing his legs. He looked somehow confident.

Bellia recalled the assumption she had made, and asked in a slightly trembling voice.

“How long has the marquis been on your side?”

“For quite a long time. Since before I even came of age.”

Callid answered readily.

“Ha…”

It was shocking. How could there be so many hidden things constantly popping up?

Bellia realized why Marquis Caprie had remained neutral until the end in her previous life.

He had no choice but to remain neutral because Callid, whom he had been supporting, gave up the throne.

“Why on earth couldn’t you become emperor?”

Bellia sighed and voiced her doubt.

Why?

Just looking at his forces revealed now, it definitely wasn’t weak enough to collapse helplessly against Raul.

“Did you perhaps not have the desire to become emperor?”

When Bellia asked, Callid raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

“Who knows?”

His attitude was cryptic, as if he wouldn’t answer.

“…What is it?”

Bellia, who was already sensitive because of Erzé’s appearance, felt needlessly hurt by Callid’s attitude and complained.

Then Callid reached out towards Bellia.

“Come here.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then I’ll come to you.”

Callid came and sat next to Bellia. Then he lowered his head slightly to meet Bellia’s eyes.

“Why are you making that face?”

“…What face am I making?”

“You’re making a face like a child who had their candy taken away.”

What nonsense!

Bellia was indignant, but thinking that anything she said would only sound like an excuse, she chose not to say anything.

Callid looked at Bellia like that, smiling as if she was cute, then opened his mouth.

“If I didn’t take any action in that time…”

Callid lightly kissed Bellia and continued.

“Perhaps it was because of you?”

At his sudden words, Bellia’s face turned bright red.

She didn’t know how to react every time he casually said such things.

“D-don’t joke around…”

“I’m not joking though?”

Callid smiled broadly and embraced Bellia fully in his arms.

“Surely, I wouldn’t have wanted to be hostile towards you. Maybe I was scheming to take you away from Raul.”

“That can’t be.”

“You never know.”

Everything Callid said sounded like a dream, but somehow Bellia found herself wishing his words were true.

If there had been even one person in that time who thought of her, who had died so helplessly, surely that fact alone would have comforted her soul that had faded away alone.