“Why are you asking that of you? Has the old man gone senile?”

In fact, a major issue like opening Shanetan Street was something that should have been discussed directly with the king of Ronica.

The fact that he brought up such an important matter to Bellia meant that he had already spoken with the king of Ronica, but didn’t receive a positive response.

“He just asked me to put in a good word with the Kingdom of Ronica. It feels like he’s just poking around.”

Callid leaned back deeply in his chair.

“…Does this mean a conquest war will start soon?”

Bellia nodded, agreeing with his words.

“Still, we should look for ways to delay it as much as possible.”

The emperor was eyeing the Kingdom of Yakum beyond the Kingdom of Ronica. And that ambition would likely include the Kingdom of Ronica as well.

In her previous life, Bellia seemed to be settling in well as the First Prince’s consort, so she never expected that he would invade the home country of the future empress.

Moreover, when Shanetan Street was first opened, there was truly active exchange between the two countries, and many positive effects occurred.

‘That’s why I let my guard down…’

When all those things became familiar and no one suspected the empire.

Raul, who became emperor, imprisoned the empress and invaded the Kingdom of Ronica in an instant, as if he had planned it from the beginning.

He deliberately blocked all information from reaching Bellia, and Bellia knew nothing until the moment her country collapsed.

Bellia clenched her fist.

“This time, I won’t let that happen.”

Yes. She must not forget.

She had to consciously keep whipping herself and not let her guard down even for a moment. Because a moment of carelessness could be a shortcut to ruin.

So no matter how happy and joyful she was now.

‘…I can’t neglect my purpose by being intoxicated with momentary happiness.’

The emperor’s demand to open Shanetan Street meant that the start of all those events was not far off.

“We need to come up with a way to buy time. We need to hold out at least until next winter passes.”

Until public opinion forms that the empire, which has fallen into chaos due to an unprecedented cold wave, needs to be quickly stabilized.

If we can hold out until then, before the empire starts a war for territorial expansion, a full-fledged struggle for the throne will occur.

“Oh, and when he asked if there was anything I personally wanted, I did mention one thing…”

At that moment, Bellia scratched her cheek and spoke hesitantly.

“Don’t get angry, okay?”

“I won’t get angry. How could I possibly get angry with you?”

At Callid’s gentle words, Bellia carefully opened her mouth.

“Um. I asked him to come to our wedding with Her Majesty the Empress.”

“…What?”

“I know I should have discussed it with you. But I couldn’t miss such a golden opportunity.”

Bellia tried hard to make excuses. While doing so, she glanced at Callid’s expression. Contrary to expectations, he didn’t seem to mind that fact much.

When Bellia looked puzzled, Callid smiled and replied.

“Because I don’t have anything left for Mother to insert personal feelings into.”

Then, quickly calculating the benefits that could be gained when the Empress and Emperor appeared together at the wedding, Callid asked.

“Did he agree to that? The Emperor would surely have refused.”

Callid wore a curious expression. Then Bellia grinned and said.

“He was reluctant, but I said wouldn’t it be strange if Her Majesty the Empress wasn’t present when the High Priest of the Divine Nation is also coming to our wedding?”

Oh ho. Callid exclaimed in admiration.

“Bringing in the Divine Nation was really well done.”

“Right? It’s such a good name to use as an excuse for anything.”

Bellia continued speaking with a pleased smile.

“Anyway, when I said I didn’t want a wedding that would be criticized by the Kingdom of Ronica and the Divine Nation, he agreed.”

“That old man wouldn’t be able to stand losing face.”

Callid nodded.

The Emperor must have been displeased, but he could never refuse Bellia’s request.

Bang!

Just then, a loud noise was heard from somewhere. Soon after, a series of clattering sounds followed. The first sound was loud enough to make the space reverberate through the walls.

It was the first time such a loud noise had been heard in the Second Prince’s palace, which was usually quiet and calm.

“…Come to think of it, it seems we had a guest today.”

“Ah. That’s right. Lady Kinnetra arrived at the palace today. The sound we just heard was concerning, so I should go out and check for a moment.”

As Bellia was about to go out to assess the situation with a worried voice, a maid’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“Your Highness. Princess. Are you alright?”

Bellia signaled to Callid not to follow her, then quietly went out alone and closed the door.

“We’re fine here. But I should check what that sound was.”

“It… It was the sound of the guest falling from the bed.”

Bed?

Bellia put one hand on her cheek with a puzzled expression.

“Is Lady Kinnetra hurt?”

“No. The guest said not to worry as it’s nothing serious.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

She seemed to really like the room Erzé had assigned her.

It looked like she got too excited and rolled off the bed.

Bellia chuckled and went back into the room.

“It was nothing serious.”

“Really?”

Callid stroked his chin and said.

“I’m sorry, but it seems you’ll have to take full care of Lady Kinnetra. I’m too busy these days to have any spare time.”

“Don’t worry about that. But…”

“Hmm?”

Bellia wanted to ask Callid what he thought about Erzé. If he felt any new emotions when he saw her. If he was a little concerned or if his eyes kept being drawn to her.

But if she suddenly asked about her, Callid would surely find it strange. He was a sharp person after all.

‘Besides, Erzé seemed more curious about Raul than Callid earlier.’

There was no need to worry and fret in advance when there was no connection between the two.

Bellia shook her head saying it was nothing and changed the subject.

“It’s nothing. I’ll take care of Lady Erzé, so you focus on what you need to do.”

“…I won’t force you to tell me what you don’t want to. But Bellia, I don’t think you need to take the difficult path alone. If you don’t like the baroness, you can dismiss her right away. You’re in a position where you can do that.”

Callid gently spoke and lightly stroked Bellia’s cheek with his finger.

He seemed to know that Bellia had deliberately brought Erzé into the palace. And that it wasn’t with such good intentions.

Feeling as if Callid had seen right through her thoughts, Bellia let out an embarrassed laugh.

It was clear that he was worried about her.

Erzé seemed interested in Raul. Callid had no interest in her at all. The thoughts she had been having were clearly unfounded concerns brought on by an overactive imagination. So Bellia decided to shake off unnecessary worries.

Just as she was trying to calm her mind, Callid opened his mouth.

“Then going back to what we were talking about. What exactly did Raul say?”

It seemed she was mistaken in thinking she had successfully changed the subject to talk about the Emperor and Erzé.

Bellia was a bit troubled that Callid hadn’t forgotten and was bringing up that topic again.

‘Hmm. What should I do…’

It seems it will be difficult to avoid it completely.

In the end, Bellia calmly opened her mouth.

“He asked if I took your hand to reject him.”

“Ha…”

Callid was angered by Raul’s attitude, which didn’t deviate even an inch from his expectations.

Is fate really a thing?

It was the first time he had seen Raul so obsessed with someone to the point of disregarding even the reputation he had built up.

Could the previous life Bellia spoke of have had some influence?

Was it that Raul and Bellia were meant to be together, but because he interfered, fate was trying to forcibly bind them?

Callid felt like he was going crazy with all sorts of thoughts that kept swirling in his mind.

“But I spoke firmly to him.”

At Bellia’s proud words, Callid asked back.

“What did you say?”

“I said the reason I rejected him was simply because I didn’t like him.”

As Bellia smiled saying “I did well, right?”, Callid’s expression grew darker.

“So now you really don’t need to worry about it.”

Today was truly an unavoidable situation.

It’s not like she wanted to spend time with Raul either.

But she could understand Callid’s feelings as well.

Bellia moved a bit closer to him, trying to soothe Callid’s mind.

At that moment, Callid looked directly at Bellia and said in a clear voice.

“I’m jealous.”

Just now, what did he say…?

“Just thinking about you being with Raul makes me feel like I’m going crazy.”

Callid’s voice grew lower and darker.

“Callid…”

“So tell me everything he said without leaving anything out. Okay? Bellia.”

It had been a while since he had revealed his raw emotions like this.

And paradoxically, it was reassuring to see that side of him.

She felt foolish for trying to test him using Erzé.

“Thinking about what moves that guy might have made on you when I wasn’t there, I just can’t stand it.”

Callid’s gaze was dangerous.

“Did he say he still likes you?”

Bellia felt like she couldn’t move an inch, captivated by his gaze.

Her body seemed to stiffen with tension.

She barely managed to swallow and give an answer.

“…No.”

“Then did he say he couldn’t give up on you?”

Bellia slowly nodded.

At that, Callid’s expression contorted as if he was barely holding something back.

“Ha. Damn it.”

As if he could no longer control his emotions, Callid ran a hand over his face and let out a big sigh.

Bellia, as if enchanted by that sight, unconsciously reached out and pulled him close. Then she held him in her arms.

“Calm down, Callid.”

A person like this would change?

Raul must be mistaken about something.

There was anger in his furrowed eyes, but ironically, a smile kept spreading across Bellia’s face as she watched him. What had really become of her?

His jealousy was uncomfortable and burdensome. But because of that, an even greater thrill spread through her.

“I haven’t been in my right mind since I heard you were walking with Raul.”

The more he obsessed over her, was jealous, and fretted.

A satisfying sense of fullness was felt.

“I don’t even know how I got here.”

Saying that, Callid raised his head. His eyes overflowed with desire that he couldn’t hide.

He no longer hides his desire.

“What do I have to do for you to be completely mine? I thought I had you all figured out, but I keep feeling like you’re slipping away.”

No matter how much he had her, again and again, it always felt insufficient and lacking.

Callid had no intention of letting Bellia go, but he couldn’t be satisfied with the current situation just because she was in his arms now.

So of course, he had no intention whatsoever of losing Bellia to Raul.

“Callid.”

Bellia laughed as Callid anxiously tightened his hold on her.

“Are you anxious?”

Then she threw back the same question Raul had asked her to Callid.