Bellia observed the emperor’s expression.

It wasn’t a particularly good face.

But Bellia didn’t stop.

“The title of Second Prince is too precious to waste just running a small merchant group like now.”

She also subtly warned that Callid is not only an imperial prince, but also the person who will marry Bellia, the first princess of the Ronica Kingdom.

“Hmm. I think it would have been nice if the princess had married the First Prince.”

The emperor, who had been silent for a while, said while stroking his chin.

His gaze had become much sharper than before.

However, even if she was suspected here, she couldn’t back down as it was more beneficial to receive that.

Bellia did not avoid the emperor’s gaze.

“Haha. Well, the princess must have come all this way trusting only that Callid fellow. She must have been anxious. But why the Captain of the Guard? Wouldn’t it be better to ask for a territory or a mine instead?”

The emperor asked.

Then Bellia smiled even more brightly and answered as if she didn’t know anything.

“Oh my. I made a light request because I thought territory or mines would be more burdensome for you… Perhaps that would have been better?”

“Then is there a territory you want?”

“If possible, wouldn’t it be nice to be close to the Ronica Kingdom so I can visit my parents often?”

It was a light tone, as if joking.

The emperor also opened his mouth as if joking.

But the words exchanged within were sharp languages hiding swords.

“There are no empty territories in the west, what should we do… How about the east then?”

“The east is the opposite of the Ronica Kingdom, so it’s better for the Second Prince to stay in the capital as Captain of the Guard. As for mines, we already have a gold mine, so it’s not really necessary.”

Bellia said with a nonchalant expression.

So hand over the position of Captain of the Guard.

“I see. Still, it’s not a good look for a prince to be Captain of the Guard, so I’ll give him the authority to command the guard.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Having obtained what she wanted, Bellia smiled and bowed. Then the emperor asked, stroking his chin with his finger.

“Hmm. Not even a knightly order, what are you planning to do with just the guard?”

The emperor seemed quite curious.

But Bellia just smiled and said, isn’t it better than doing nothing?

The position of Captain of the Guard may seem insignificant, but to Bellia who knew the future, it was an invaluable position.

Demanding a higher position was still a premature judgment.

Moreover, while it may seem like a humble position, the guard will be most necessary to seize the capital first after the emperor dies.

‘…The emperor probably can’t even imagine.’

The fact that he will soon die.

Of course, hiding such thoughts, Bellia opened her mouth towards the emperor who was staring at her.

“His Highness Callid doesn’t have much experience doing practical work. So taking on too big a position might be burdensome.”

“Haha. Is that so.”

The emperor suspected Bellia.

But there wasn’t anything clearly suspicious, so it was strange to openly doubt her.

The emperor asked again with an expression of being generous.

“Then is there anything the princess wants?”

Bellia pondered for a moment at the emperor’s sudden question, then smiled brightly and expressed what she wanted most at this moment.

“I…”

Bellia’s expression was bright as she left the emperor’s office.

She could finally stand on equal footing with Raul.

She may seem terribly lacking compared to Raul, but it was a much better choice than receiving territory or mines.

However.

‘The opening of Shanetan Avenue…’

As Bellia had worried, the empire demanded the opening of Shanetan Avenue in the Ronica Kingdom.

Of course, it wasn’t an official demand. It was just a request to exert a little influence on the Ronica Kingdom.

But Bellia, who had clearly seen what results the opening of Shanetan Avenue brought about in her previous life, felt her heart sink endlessly when she heard that story.

‘They spoke indirectly, but Ronica has no intention of opening Shanetan Avenue.’

Bellia said she would convey the message to her father, but since she was just a princess, she couldn’t guarantee an answer.

The emperor seemed quite disappointed, but that wasn’t important to Bellia.

‘…The purpose of calling me today was Shanetan Avenue.’

To think they would coax her by saying they’d give her what she wanted, and then urge her to promote the opening of Shanetan Avenue.

The more Bellia thought about it, the more dumbfounded she was, and she stopped walking for a moment to let out a hollow laugh.

Then as she was about to start walking again.

“Princess Bellia.”

Is today an unlucky day?

Of all places, to run into Raul here.

Bellia wasn’t very willing, but she had no choice but to turn towards where the voice came from.

“Prince Raul.”

“It’s been a while.”

“…What brings you here?”

There was bewilderment in Bellia’s voice.

Beside Raul, who was greeting her cheerfully, was a familiar person with a flushed face, looking around restlessly.

“Why is Lady Kinnetra with Your Highness?”

Feeling Bellia’s gaze, Erzé greeted Bellia with reddened cheeks.

“Princess Bellia! I’m so happy to see you again!”

“You seem to have arrived today.”

“Yes! On the way here, the First Prince helped guide me.”

Raul guided the way?

When Bellia looked at Raul with an expression asking if it was true, Raul smiled handsomely and said.

“It’s all true. She was lost in the palace, so I helped her along the way.”

“…Is that so. I feel somewhat sorry if my guest caused you trouble.”

“It wasn’t difficult, so don’t worry about it.”

Bellia felt uncomfortable having such light conversation with Raul. So she smiled awkwardly and opened her mouth to tell Raul she would be leaving now.

But Raul was faster.

“Would you walk with me for a moment?”

“Pardon?”

“I’d like to have a little chat.”

Bellia looked around.

This place happens to be the Central Palace. There were too many eyes watching.

“I’m sorry. A new guest has arrived, so I think I should go greet them now.”

Bellia couldn’t refuse bluntly, so she politely declined Raul’s request.

But Raul pretended not to hear and asked again.

“I won’t take up much of your time. I’ll have my attendant safely guide the guest to the Second Prince’s Palace.”

“…I don’t want to do anything that might cause misunderstanding, Your Highness.”

Bellia said in a small voice.

But Raul didn’t back down.

“Would it be alright if we walk with attendants and ladies-in-waiting?”

She couldn’t just reject the First Prince and leave at this point. Bellia felt the attention on them from the surroundings.

“…Alright. I can’t spare much time though.”

Eventually, Raul ordered the attendant standing behind him to guide Erzé. Erzé looked uncomfortable as she glanced at Bellia and Raul, but quietly followed the attendant when he led her away.

“Shall we go then?”

Raul smiled sweetly and very naturally held out his hand to Bellia.

Bellia was reluctant, but she took his hand and walked through the garden visible right from the Central Palace.

This way, Raul probably wouldn’t do anything problematic either.

The attendants and ladies-in-waiting followed at a slight distance.

They probably couldn’t hear what was being said, but it also proved that this wasn’t a situation that could cause misunderstanding to anyone.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Bellia.”

Raul called Bellia’s name wistfully.

But Bellia cut off his emotions in one stroke.

“I’ve told you many times. I never gave you permission to use my name.”

Bellia said to Raul, not hiding that she was angry.

“I’ve been thinking.”

Raul didn’t seem to have any intention of listening to her words.

No, he was only speaking his own words as if he hadn’t heard Bellia’s words at all.

“Do you really have feelings for Callid… Or if not.”

Raul looked into Bellia’s eyes and smiled meaningfully.

“Did you choose Callid in order to reject me?”

That was correct.

But Bellia didn’t show it.

She didn’t want to give any unnecessary excuses.

“On what grounds do you say such things?”

“There’s no connection, is there?”

His expression was very refreshing.

As if all his worries were over, only a sense of relief remained.

The anxious look he had shown before was nowhere to be seen.

“How long do you think a relationship formed to get what you want will last?”

She knows that everything he’s saying now is meant to shake her.

So she shouldn’t be shaken at all. She has no intention of showing him what he wants to see.

When Bellia maintained a calm attitude and didn’t answer his words, Raul burst into laughter.

“Haha. Bellia.”

Raul came close to Bellia and whispered in her ear.

“You’re anxious.”

“…”

“Is that anxiety because you’re worried Callid might change, or because you’re concerned about me?”

Bellia let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

What nonsense is he talking about.

“Your Highness. You seem to be misunderstanding something…”

“Whether in a good way or bad way. The fact that you’re concerned about me remains unchanged.”

Raul continued speaking with a somewhat satisfied expression.

“So I’ll keep shaking you.”

No matter how much Bellia refuses.

Even if she looks at him with a gaze of disgust that she couldn’t hide in time.

“Because I have no intention of giving up on you.”

He finished speaking and moved a little away from Bellia. Then he smiled kindly again and walked along the path.

Looking at his back, Bellia said coldly.

“…That’s a rude remark to both your fiancée, Lady Canteriff, and to me.”

However, Raul still didn’t care about Bellia’s reaction.

“You’ll end up coming to me anyway.”

“That’s not possible.”

“I don’t understand why you’re refusing when you and I are destined for each other.”

Destiny? It’s just bad fate.

One corner of Bellia’s mouth twisted up.

“Is this because I didn’t properly answer why I rejected you back then?”

Bellia sighed, trying to calm her rising emotions.

Then she said firmly.

“I don’t like you.”

Bellia felt irritation rising, wondering how much longer she had to have this meaningless conversation.

She wanted to go back now.

“Keep disliking me like that. It doesn’t matter anymore anyway.”

Bellia glared at Raul.

“I’m the Second Prince’s fiancée. And in a few months, I’ll be the Second Prince’s wife.”

So get your act together.

Wasn’t this something he didn’t do even in her previous life? Why is he so obsessed with her now?

Bellia couldn’t understand this Raul. He seemed like a different person from the one she knew.

“How do you think people will view you acting like this towards me?”

If you don’t want to be branded as a scoundrel lusting after your brother’s woman, just focus on your public image like you used to.

That’s what Bellia said.

However, Raul didn’t care.

“How people see me is no longer important. Because I’ve decided to have you by any means necessary.”

Raul smiled very brightly and beautifully.

“So come to me with as little hurt and injury as possible.”

The corners of Raul’s eyes curved prettily.

And that sight.

To Bellia, it was nothing but horrifyingly dreadful.