#108. Surviving the Winter
“Rachel!”
“Your Highness! How have you been?”
After the Marquis of Caprie survived, Rachel had written to Belia, saying she would spend some time at home with her family.
It had been quite a while since then, so for Belia, meeting Rachel in person felt like a very long time coming.
“You look well.”
“Oh? Do I?”
Rachel laughed softly, covering her mouth. Seeing her expression brighten, a small smile involuntarily appeared on Belia’s face as well.
“You look relaxed too, Your Highness.”
They exchanged pleasantries and continued their conversation.
Since Khalid’s return, Belia had resumed her public activities and had begun to notice the way nobles’ eyes on her had changed. Slowly, she expanded her influence.
Before, Belia, being Princess Ronica’s daughter, had often been unable to confront others directly. Behind her back, people whispered about her and Raoul or Khalid, calling her cunning and sly.
However, the day Khalid returned, those who witnessed their reunion realized that her choice of the Second Prince was truly out of love.
Although not entirely accurate, given the current situation, it wasn’t far from the truth.
“I heard from Susan. They said you made quite an impression at the recent party.”
Rachel’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“It was nothing.”
“But they say Princess Canterif… no, the First Prince’s consort, returned with quite an expression on her face?”
Belia quietly sipped her tea, watching Rachel’s eager expression. But through the slight lowering of her eyes, a hint of amusement escaped.
“Well… I suppose.”
Rachel pressed again as Belia lingered on her words.
With a faint smile, Belia began to speak.
“The First Prince comforted me greatly after my husband’s disappearance. I suppose that upset her quite a bit.”
Indeed, Elin Canterif had spread rumors that Belia intended to seduce Raoul.
The goal was not only to ruin Belia’s reputation but also to drive her out of the empire.
Without Khalid, it was difficult to refute the rumors.
People began whispering, and Belia endured their displeased gazes with poise.
And it had all started with Elin Canterif.
“At the party, she was quite rude to me, so I simply asked that the baseless rumors stop spreading.”
At the time, finding Khalid was far more important, and she didn’t have the mental energy to care about rumors.
But now was different.
Belia wasn’t merely kindhearted, nor would she allow someone who tried to undermine her to go unchallenged.
She had merely asked that the rumors not be spread in public.
And if Elin Canterif left the party visibly frustrated, it only showed she was of little consequence.
“Truly nothing of significance?”
“The important part is that it was said in front of everyone, isn’t it?”
“I don’t intend to protect the pride of someone attacking me. But… anyway.”
Belia changed the subject.
“Winter is coming soon.”
Rachel’s expression grew serious.
“Last year, through the clinics, we ensured that many citizens could have a better winter than before. Naturally, we intend to do the same this year.”
Last year had been practice for this year.
This winter would be brutally, impossibly cold.
“All repairs in problematic areas are finished, and from now, we need to stockpile firewood, food, and blankets in the clinic’s basement.”
“I’ve checked the materials you sent before. If we start now, we can fill it with firewood in time, and the blankets as well. The problem is…”
“Food.”
Rachel nodded.
“Yes. That’s right. It won’t be easy to stockpile enough food to last as long as Your Highness wants.”
“But it must be done.”
Belia spoke firmly.
Rachel, however, looked concerned.
“We’re looking into dried meat and grains, but if we store all the grains in the warehouse for winter, there might not be enough food now, and citizens may rebel. Wouldn’t it be better to prepare a similar amount as last year?”
Belia shared that concern.
But this year was different.
The winter would be longer and harsher. Preparing the same as last year would definitely lead to shortages.
Additionally, wheat cannot be planted in winter, so supplies would be low until next summer. Even if planting resumed when the weather warmed, the harvest wouldn’t come until autumn.
Thus, food had to be rationed even if complaints arose.
“No. We’ll stockpile as much as possible.”
Rachel couldn’t understand why Belia insisted so strongly.
“Your Highness, while it is for a good cause, suddenly locking away food like this is risky.”
Belia pondered how to persuade Rachel—she couldn’t say she had seen the future.
‘Raoul will certainly take precautions too.’
He had also experienced harsh winters before.
“Rachel, not only I, but Prince Raoul and Khalid will also prepare thoroughly for winter. This summer was extremely hot, and it rained a lot. The hotter the summer, the colder the following winter tends to be. We must prepare for any eventuality, so I hope you’ll cooperate.”
“But…”
“Sorry. This is an order.”
Belia cut her off firmly.
Though Rachel didn’t fully understand, she eventually nodded.
“…I will follow Your Highness’s orders.”
“Even if it seems excessive, it will allow us to survive the winter comfortably. Think of it that way.”
Belia smiled gently as she explained the upcoming plans.
This winter would be a pivotal moment that could determine the future.
“Then let’s prepare quickly. The First Prince knows how I prepared last year, so this time, they will make their own preparations too.”
“Will the royal family intervene?”
“Likely. If the royal family intervenes on a large scale, our efforts may be attributed to them.”
“So it’s important to take initiative.”
“Fortunately, last year, we achieved visible results, and they hurriedly tried to catch up with us.”
So this year, they must act first.
“Join me for upcoming public schedules, Rachel.”
“Of course.”
Belia smiled happily as Rachel responded confidently.
“What did you just say?”
Belia raised her voice at Asid, who had hurriedly come to deliver a message at Khalid’s command.
Had her vigilance toward the Emperor weakened due to her preoccupation with winter preparations?
How could she have missed such news?
With a clearly flustered expression, Belia asked again.
“Is everything you just told me true?”
“Yes, Your Highness. This morning, His Majesty declared war on the Yakum Kingdom.”
Had the Emperor gone mad?
How could he start a war with winter just around the corner?
“The official reason is…”
Before Asid could finish, Belia already guessed the cause.
“You’re claiming that Khalid had an accident while returning from negotiations with the Yakum Kingdom, right?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
Though officially announced as a natural disaster accident, the Emperor suddenly blamed the Yakum Kingdom and declared war. Belia could not understand his intention.
“Ronica has partially opened the Shanetane Avenue. How do they intend to move troops to the Yakum Kingdom? What did Khalid say?”
“He said it wasn’t an actual attempt to go to war. However…”
Belia sighed knowingly.
“We must consider what the Emperor gains merely by declaring war.”
Asid nodded.
Belia pressed her temple, her head throbbing.
“Thank you for reporting, Sir Asid. It must have been hectic managing the guards.”
“Not at all. They’ve followed instructions better than expected, so things are going smoothly.”
“That’s good. Did Khalid say he would be late today?”
“No. He just went out briefly to check something, so I had to deliver the message. Once finished, His Highness has no further appointments.”
“I see. Thank you.”
After sending Asid off, Belia exhaled deeply.
There had been a war with the Yakum Kingdom in her previous life.
The war, which lasted for a long time, was started by the current Emperor and continued until Raoul overthrew the Ronica Kingdom.
Back then, Ronica had opened the Shanetane Avenue, facilitating troop movements and allowing for a strategically advantageous attack.
But this time, moving through the Ronica Kingdom was impossible.
Belia tapped her desk thoughtfully.
‘Declaring war is too serious to be just for show…’
She was confused.
Belia rang the bell on her desk to summon a maid.
“Your Highness, did you call?”
“I need a favor. Can you go and see what the current atmosphere at the palace is like?”
Since she rarely gave orders, the maid eagerly agreed and quickly left the Second Prince’s palace.
Palace staff are highly sensitive to the atmosphere, moving accordingly. It was better to rely on their eyes and ears than to investigate personally.
Perhaps they would notice things Belia could not.
“Phew…”
Khalid had said the Emperor wasn’t actually planning a war.
At first, Belia was too shocked by the declaration to think clearly, but calmly considering it, it was indeed impossible to wage war now.
Moreover, the Emperor, who valued his reputation and glory, would certainly not act rashly.
‘But he did actually declare war. It can’t be his sole decision.’
Belia chuckled dryly at the obvious culprit.
‘Raoul, huh.’
Since the Emperor declared war, a letter announcing war would soon be sent to the Yakum Kingdom, and negotiations would follow their response.
Her concern, however, was that they had previously held hostages to demand concessions.
Even if war wasn’t desired, the Yakum Kingdom’s recent actions had been extreme.
‘Uh…?’
Belia’s hand froze mid-tap on the desk.
