#106. A Distant and Dizzying Night
Khalid’s large hand wrapped around Velia’s neck, while his other hand held her waist, lifting her onto his thigh.
Then, as if savoring the moment, he slowly claimed her lips. The kiss, mixed with tears, was both bitter and sweet.
“Velia.”
At the sound of her name, Velia flinched, her body trembling. There was a depth to his voice that went beyond how he normally spoke.
It had always been a call full of desire, of wanting her, but today, her name lingered with an even more languid, sticky intensity.
“It’s not that you and I couldn’t meet…”
Khalid whispered, pressing his nose against hers.
“You just… didn’t remember.”
Before Velia could ask what he meant, he stole her breath again, consuming her. His warmth, his movements, and his languid breathing made her restless.
“I have always been by your side…”
In this moment, Velia felt herself helplessly drawn into his blue eyes. She could think of no rebuttal and simply waited for him to continue.
“And you knew this, didn’t you?”
“No… that can’t be… ugh.”
Khalid bit her neck sharply, leaving a mark.
The sting made Velia’s words vanish in an instant.
“Wait…”
The thought that she might have known him—Velia racked her memory but could recall nothing of him.
Khalid’s lips traveled from her neck to her collarbone and shoulders, leaving his mark. Wherever he touched, the heat lingered like a branded flame.
“So remember.”
Khalid lifted Velia effortlessly and walked toward the bed, gently laying her down.
She couldn’t understand a word of what he was saying.
Seeing the slight tremor in her eyes, Khalid chuckled softly.
“We’re going to play a little game. You either remember me or you don’t. How about it?”
“Khalid…”
“I’m betting on you not remembering…”
As he fixed his gaze on her and tossed off his shirt, the languid smile spreading across his face was intoxicating, impossible to look away from.
“Then bet that you will remember—and win this time.”
With that, Khalid claimed her lips again. The weight of his body pressed her down, focusing all her senses.
Velia wrapped her arms around his neck, focusing on the warmth they shared. His hands caressed her softly, as if she were the world’s most precious treasure, and her chaotic thoughts melted away. She wanted nothing more than to share this pleasure with him.
“Khaaa—lid…”
Her voice trembled as she called his name, and Khalid, as if his patience had reached its limit, quickly pulled her dress down. There was urgency in his touch.
Meeting his gaze, Velia closed her eyes gently and spoke.
“Now, everything is yours.”
Her words seemed to ignite him; his eyes flashed with a rough intensity.
“Ha… Velia. You are…!”
“I love you.”
Khalid bit his lips as if restraining himself.
“I love you, Khalid.”
Once she spoke from her heart, she could no longer hold back the words. Her emotions spilled forth like a river overflowing its banks. Velia whispered “I love you” to him again and again. Khalid furrowed his brow for a moment, then, unable to contain himself, leaned over her.
Every nerve was electrified as she felt him fully. It was dizzying and intoxicating. Soon, their heavy breaths filled the room entirely.
Though the room was still dark, the bright morning light streaming through the curtains told them the day had come.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Khalid…”
Velia called his name in a hoarse voice. It felt surreal to have him by her side.
“You really came back.”
“Yes.”
“…You’re alive.”
“Yes.”
The sound of his voice in her ear felt so comforting.
Velia chuckled softly, wiggling closer into Khalid’s embrace. Resting her face against his firm, muscular chest, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.
Khalid’s hand gently stroked her back as he spoke.
“The Emperor has summoned us.”
“…I don’t want to go.”
“Haha.”
Khalid laughed at her playful pout. But Velia knew she couldn’t truly refuse the Emperor’s call. She sighed, pouting reluctantly.
“Let’s stay a little longer.”
Hearing her rare sulky tone, Khalid lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
“He seems displeased.”
“Of course. Raul’s wedding was so lackluster. Naturally, he must be furious.”
And the Emperor probably hoped Khalid was dead. Reactions were naturally divided between those who had wished for his return and those who hadn’t.
But Khalid was his son.
Velia could not understand the Emperor’s attitude at all.
“It seems he wants to hurry the Crown Prince appointment.”
“Because you returned, I suppose.”
“Yes. But the Marquess of Caprie, the Duke of Errington, and Duke Tessa will oppose, so it won’t be easy.”
Khalid smiled slyly.
“The central, eastern, and southern nobles support Raul, but the east and south aren’t united under leading nobles—they’re coalitions of minor houses. Only the Duke of Canterif represents the central region.”
“And the Emperor can’t push it if the western and northern leaders oppose. Besides, the Marquess of Caprie has fully aligned with us.”
The Marquess had always been Khalid’s man, but to the public, the recent disappearance made it look like he fully supported the second prince.
“We’re in a slightly advantageous position.”
“Which is why the Emperor is anxious.”
In terms of legitimacy, Raul could never surpass Khalid. Support leaned subtly toward Khalid, making it difficult to elevate Raul as Crown Prince.
And the Empress, whom the Emperor hoped would die slowly, was still alive—an unexpected complication.
So when Khalid disappeared, the Emperor didn’t rush the search; he hoped he would die.
“Still, we can’t relax.”
“Raul has regained his memory, so he’ll surely try something.”
Velia nodded.
“He also knows you’ve allied with the Duke of Errington.”
“Then it’s time to face him head-on. We’ve prepared thoroughly.”
Velia smiled at his villainous confidence.
“Yes. We will win.”
Her expression matched his resolve.
The Emperor was extremely irritated.
Instead of being pleased that his son had returned alive, he showed open displeasure. It was somewhat amusing to Khalid, though it didn’t affect him much.
“Glad you survived.”
“Thanks to your concern, Your Majesty.”
“Then explain the situation in detail.”
A formal exchange.
Khalid calmly recounted the events of that day. There was no proof that Raul had schemed anything. The heavy rain, the landslide, their unfortunate presence at that exact moment—it was simply bad luck.
The disappearance of the prince ended that way.
“Long time no see, Khalid.”
“…Is today just unlucky?”
Raul awaited Khalid outside the audience chamber. Khalid’s sarcastic tone barely masked his attention, but Raul approached with a smile, unreadable intentions in his eyes.
“Long time. I suppose you didn’t come here because you’re happy your brother survived…”
Khalid raised one corner of his mouth.
“Do you have questions for me?”
“Haha. What an odd thing to say.”
Velia had told him that Raul was regaining his pre-regression memories sequentially. Khalid wondered how much he remembered now.
If Raul remembered up to the moment of death, he wouldn’t be smiling at him now. Khalid’s eyes gleamed with amusement.
“By the way, why is the newlywed groom wandering here yesterday? Even a political marriage doesn’t justify this. The princess is pitiable.”
Raul didn’t know Khalid had recovered all his memories from before his regression. He likely assumed he had the upper hand.
“No need for you to concern yourself with our marriage.”
“Oh, ‘our marriage.’ While you were gone, I did all sorts of things with Velia.”
“Did Velia tell you that?”
Velia? Khalid frowned at Raul using her name so casually.
“Still, we should be polite. Don’t use her name recklessly.”
“I cared for Velia while you were gone. I protected her when the palace might have cast her out. Do you know our relationship…”
Raul spoke casually, but Khalid sensed his unease at Khalid’s return.
“Enough.”
Khalid cut him off with a faint smile.
“I’ve said it before: stay out of my woman’s affairs. You look pathetic otherwise.”
Since Khalid’s return, the Emperor, perhaps feeling urgency, moved quickly to advance the Crown Prince appointment.
He concentrated rewards on the first prince, ensuring Raul had no advantage, and pressured the undecided nobles to side with the first prince.
With the Emperor actively intervening, public opinion over the Crown Prince appointment intensified, making the palace a tense battleground.
Meanwhile, corruption within the Duke of Canterif’s family, the leader of the first prince’s supporters, was revealed, further stirring chaos.
“Bring the Duke of Canterif here immediately!”
All the wealth the Duke had secretly hoarded, along with his privately raised soldiers, was exposed. The Emperor’s anger at betrayal soared.
Amidst this turmoil, Velia strolled through the garden alone, enjoying the moment.
The sky was blue, a gentle breeze blew, and everything felt refreshingly clear.
“Today, the weather is really beautiful,” Velia said with a radiant smile.
