The Ronica Royal Palace was generally quiet.

Of course, as befitting the royal palace of a nation, there were many people coming and going, and the workers were diligently doing their jobs, but the atmosphere was more cozy and warm rather than dynamic.

Such a palace was unusually noisy for once.

Bellia glanced around at the unfamiliar atmosphere full of excitement.

Near Bellia, who was standing on the stairs, everyone from the King and royal family to the Prime Minister and elders of the noble council had gathered outside.

“How are you feeling?”

Herald, who was standing beside her, carefully asked while observing Bellia’s expression.

Though she knew very well why her brother was watching her, Bellia pretended not to know and answered with a bright smile.

“I feel great.”

Herald awkwardly smiled at Bellia’s response, which was no different from usual.

It was an expression that clearly showed discomfort to anyone who saw it.

‘You might as well ask me directly. Really, brother…’

So.

The reason why such an excessive number of people were gathered in one place and Herald kept glancing at her expression from the side was.

“Waaah!”

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Ronica!”

“Kyaa! Prince Callid!”

It was because Callid, the 2nd Prince of the Empire and recently rumored to have some kind of relationship with Bellia, was officially visiting the royal palace.

Cheers began to erupt from near the main gate, indicating he had finally arrived.

‘Finally…!’

After that day he visited the castle, Callid had sent a letter saying he would officially visit the Kingdom of Ronica. Although it was a matter already discussed with the King, surface actions were important at this time.

The 1st Prince Raul had already arrived in Ronica and was leading the joint investigation team of the Empire and the Kingdom, and now the 2nd Prince Callid was visiting the royal palace.

Two princes of the Empire visiting the same country at the same time.

It was the first time this had happened, so it was obvious that other countries would be watching with great interest.

“Don’t be grumpy towards the 2nd Prince, okay?”

“…Hmm.”

Herald did not respond to Bellia’s request, which seemed to be looking out for the 2nd Prince, with a sullen attitude.

How dare he meet my sister in secret…!

To Herald’s eyes, which were blazing with anger, Callid was no different from a thief.

‘No. They didn’t say the rumors were true.’

As Herald, who had tried his best to calm his mind, threw his gaze towards the main gate, he could see the 2nd Prince, the culprit of this affair, marching in leading his knights and attendants.

As his figure drew closer to the royal palace, people observed Bellia’s expression and behavior.

They had faces that seemed to be dying of curiosity about whether they were lovers as rumored.

“Well… He’s not bad-looking, I suppose.”

Herald grumbled grumpily for no reason. Bellia burst into small laughter at that. It seemed he was feeling a knee-jerk opposition, probably because this was the man rumored to be involved with his sister.

“He’s even more handsome up close.”

Herald turned his head to look at her with wide eyes at his sister’s mischievous words.

It was a gaze full of unspoken questions, asking if those rumors were really true.

Bellia didn’t answer that question.

After all, her relationship with him would be revealed to everyone soon enough.

With a meaningful laugh, Bellia checked Raul’s face, barely visible behind Herald.

He was smiling brightly, but she knew it was a façade.

The slightly crooked corner of his mouth and the frequent fiddling of his thumb and index finger.

It was his old habit that appeared whenever something displeased him.

‘Ha. What sincerity…!’

As she coldly observed that appearance, her conversation with Raul from a few days ago came to mind.

With a crunch, Bellia’s expression crumpled. The more she thought about it, the more anger welled up.

“He’s much better than some people.”

Though she didn’t specify who, Herald seemed to understand immediately and muttered softly.

“Well, I suppose he’s less slippery than the 1st Prince.”

“Pfft!”

This time, Closet, who was standing next to them, couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

“Closet…”

“Ah. Sorry, sister.”

Closet apologized with a voice mixed with laughter and immediately regained her composure.

As Callid approached the entrance of the castle, the King and Queen of Ronica greeted him at the forefront. Then they gave words of welcome.

Callid expressed his gratitude for the King and Queen’s welcome with a faint smile, not the cold expression he had when he first saw Bellia.

“Sister. I think I was right.”

“About what?”

“About the 2nd Prince. You know?”

Closet poked Bellia’s side as she spoke.

At first, Bellia was puzzled, not understanding what she meant, but soon recalled their previous conversation and gritted her teeth to keep from laughing.

She had to try not to distort the deliberately assumed noble expression.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s a secret between my sister and me. So don’t ask, brother.”

“Are you two having fun talking about something without me again?”

“We can’t tell you because it’ll all go to Father’s ears if we do, brother.”

Closet turned her head with a huff as she spoke in a firm voice. Then Herald looked at Bellia with a hurt expression.

But Bellia also awkwardly smiled and turned her head away.

“…That’s too much.”

Herald felt somewhat lonely.

The greetings exchanged between the King and Callid were all over.

Then, as the King slightly turned his body to introduce the princes and princesses to Callid, Callid and Bellia’s eyes met.

Callid grinned as if pleased.

It was a smile that seemed to say he was looking forward to what kind of welcome greeting she had prepared.

‘Whew.’

Bellia took a few deep breaths internally.

She knows it’s a crazy thing to do.

But.

“Kuk…”

Callid laughed as he noticed Bellia’s appearance, which had stiffened as if nervous.

Then he naturally turned and greeted Herald.

Herald had an uncomfortable expression, but in contrast, Callid’s expression was very bright.

Eventually, the King began introducing the princesses of Ronica to Callid.

“From this side, Bellia, Closet. They’re all lovely children.”

“Yes. They truly are.”

I can’t stand it, really.

Bellia closed her eyes tightly and opened them again at his answer, which he didn’t even try to hide.

“Hello. I’m Closet Ronica.”

“Princess Closet. Nice to meet you. I’m Callid Ingott.”

“Yes! I’m really! Pleased to meet you too!”

While Bellia was preparing herself mentally, Closet, who was exchanging greetings with him, answered more brightly than anyone else. After all, the 2nd Prince seemed better than the 1st Prince.

Her sister had also acknowledged her relationship with him.

At times like this, shouldn’t she step up and be on her sister’s side?

With that thought, Closet winked and whispered in a small voice.

“Please take good care of our sister.”

Callid responded in an equally small voice to that adorably cute remark.

“Of course.”

Then the two of them giggled, finding something amusing.

A moment later, Callid stood in front of Bellia.

“Bellia.”

He called her name very sweetly and raised an eyebrow slightly.

It was as if he was saying, if you have something prepared, let’s see it.

The words he had left echoed in her ears.

“I hope you’ll welcome me as if I’m the only person in the world for you.”

Just as everyone was starting to wonder why Bellia wasn’t giving any greeting or action.

Bellia bit her lip hard.

‘It’s too late now.’

Everything was started by her.

They’re in the same boat anyway, aren’t they?

There’s no need to be shy and back out.

A moment later, when she raised her head after bowing it briefly, her expression was completely different from before.

‘See?’

Callid smiled mischievously as he watched her transformation in real-time.

“Callid. I missed you.”

Saying that, Bellia took a step forward with her arms outstretched.

Then she smiled, gently closing her eyes.

That smile was so bright it almost created the illusion that the surroundings were illuminated.

‘Didn’t he ask to be treated as if he was the only one visible in the world?’

It’s not like I can’t do that.

To make Raul withdraw his proposal to her, it wasn’t enough to spread rumors about her relationship with the 2nd Prince. A big event that could remain in everyone’s mind was needed. An event that would make it impossible not to withdraw the proposal.

So this is what she came up with.

If someone could have looked into Bellia’s mind right now, they would have done their best to dissuade her.

But there was no one who could see her inner thoughts, and in the end, it happened.

“Oh my!”

“Bellia!!”

“Good heavens!”

Bellia stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her hands around Callid’s neck. Then she playfully met his gaze before immediately kissing him.

The reactions were varied, but Callid’s was the most impressive.

She could feel his body, which was in contact with hers, stiffen. She had always disliked his relaxed attitude, but somehow it felt satisfying.

Bellia, who had been kissing him for a very long time, slowly pulled her lips away.

‘Was that the appearance you wanted? Your Highness Prince Callid?’

Callid looked at Bellia, who was wearing a satisfied expression, with shaking eyes. But only for a moment.

“Mmph!”

Callid grabbed Bellia’s nape with one hand and showered her with another deep kiss.

“Good gracious…”

Herald’s dumbfounded voice was heard.

But Bellia responded actively to Callid’s kiss with an attitude of ‘whatever’.

…They could somehow smooth things over, right?

Although this was the place welcoming Prince Callid’s visit, and in front of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Ronica.

‘Raul must be watching this scene right now, right?’

Thinking about that made her feel a little pleased.

‘By the way…’

This man absolutely doesn’t know the meaning of ‘moderation’.

Bellia lowered her hands from Callid’s neck and poked his shoulders repeatedly.

It meant to stop.

‘Really!’

But Callid chuckled without removing his lips.

“Shtop (Stop)…”

This time Bellia warned in a small voice.

Only then did Callid separate his lips from Bellia’s. Then he hugged Bellia tightly in his arms with a very affectionate expression.

“I quite like this welcome greeting. I hope you’ll do this often in the future.”

Callid whispered in a very small voice into Bellia’s ear.

Bellia was dumbfounded. But she couldn’t lose. If she didn’t take the initiative here, she wouldn’t be able to control this willful man in the future.

“More than that, you’re not very good at kissing, are you?”

Callid’s eyebrow twitched.

“I look forward to you doing better next time, Your Highness.”

Callid burst into loud laughter at Bellia’s provocative words.

“I’m sorry it wasn’t satisfactory. I’ll try harder next time.”

After delivering those final words, Callid released Bellia.

When they looked around after their tremendous misdeed had ended, the situation was already devastated.

“Be-Bellia…!”

The King and Queen stared at Bellia with their eyes wide open, unable to continue speaking. Herald was the same. Among them, only Closet’s eyes sparkled as if finding it amusing.

‘When did sister become so bold?’

It was clear that everything that happened today would spread quickly among the nobles.

Who would have thought that Bellia, always quiet and well-behaved, would suddenly act so boldly in front of so many people, and at a place welcoming a prince from another country?

And what about the 2nd Prince?

Without showing any signs of being flustered by Bellia’s sudden action, he rather showered her with an even deeper kiss.

Of course, he did flinch and stiffen slightly, but Closet didn’t see that.

Closet, looking at the two who seemed to be in a deeper relationship than she had thought, decided that she would have to interrogate her sister about everything in detail soon.

Of course, she didn’t forget to compare Callid and Raul.

‘Looking again, the 2nd Prince is better than the 1st Prince.’

Closet nodded her head several times.

Actually meeting the 2nd Prince, she could be certain that her inference was quite reasonable.

“Shall we go then? I’ll help guide you.”

“Sounds good.”

And amidst those confused people, only Callid and Bellia remained calm.