#118. My Beloved Is You
The more she thought about it, the stranger everything became.
The last time she had regressed, it was because Duke Errington had cast a forbidden magic, turning back time at the cost of Khalid’s life.
Normally, turning back time should be impossible.
Even Duke Errington, who had only ever theorized about it, had managed to cast the spell just once in his entire life.
So then, how was she here now?
Belia rose from where she had been sitting and stepped out onto the terrace.
From there, the vast imperial gardens unfolded before her eyes—stretching all the way to Khalid’s palace in the distance.
If I can figure out the method, maybe I can go back again.
The exhaustion on Belia’s face was replaced with a spark of hope.
She carefully pieced together the circumstances of that day, and everything that must have happened afterward. Somewhere, there had to be a clue.
The condition… was it my death?
The last time, her regression had followed after her death. She would consider that the first condition.
I was stabbed back then, so I must have died.
If she had somehow survived, then this place ought to be a dream—but it felt far too vivid for that.
She wanted to believe it was just a dream, but that was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Forcing herself to push aside personal feelings, Belia began analyzing her situation with cold clarity.
If her death was the first condition, then the second must be…
Magic.
Was it possible that she had unconsciously manifested magic herself?
Or maybe some faint residue of magic still lingering in her body had awakened in that moment?
But Belia quickly shook her head.
“No, that can’t be it.”
When Duke Errington had once tried to teach her about magic, he had told her plainly that her body was brimming with divine power and thus incapable of receiving magic.
If that was the case, then could it be that someone else had used time magic?
Again, Belia shook her head.
No one but Duke Errington could possibly wield time magic.
Unless… because she had died, Duke Errington had tried once more to reverse time?
Belia bit her lip hard.
The first time they had met, the duke had told her that no one knew about his research into time magic. That meant the spell had not yet been perfected.
So then, how had she come here?
Suddenly, she recalled her visit to the Magic Tower with the duke.
He had spoken to her in riddles, and at one point had said:
“Divine power and magical power are not different things.”
He had even hinted that unless one was beloved by the God, returning to the past would be impossible.
“Divine power and magical power are not different things…”
Could that mean time could also be crossed through divine power?
If divine power could cross time, then perhaps the divine energy within her body was the key.
I need to go to the temple.
It wasn’t as though she expected to find a clear solution there. But at this point, the only decisive clue she had was her divine power—and the temple was the only place tied to it.
“I want to visit the temple.”
“Why?”
Raoul regarded her with suspicion, as though she were scheming something there.
“You remember I said I wanted to try to understand you? I don’t think I can do that here. I want to calm my heart in prayer at the temple.”
Belia offered a plausible excuse, trying to persuade him.
Since Raoul controlled her every move, even a temple visit required his permission.
“No.”
“…Why not?”
“The outside is dangerous, Belia.”
Raoul set down his pen, clasped his hands, and leaned on the desk.
“Khalid returned to the palace not long ago. He’s violent—he could threaten you. It would be best if you kept a low profile for now. Try not to go near the Second Prince’s palace either.”
He spoke with such a gentle expression, as if he were sincerely concerned for her.
“In times like this, I can’t let you leave the palace. It would weigh on my mind.”
It was clear Raoul had no intention of ever letting her step outside.
Belia sighed softly and reluctantly backed down.
“…All right.”
“If there’s anything you want or need, just tell me.”
“No, it’s fine.”
She slipped quietly out of Raoul’s office.
Visiting the temple was not going to be easy.
What do I do…?
Back in her room, Belia paced anxiously.
She had to find a way to reach the temple. But with Raoul so adamant, she couldn’t possibly bring it up again.
Restless, she wandered back and forth across her room.
Wasn’t there some way she could sneak out?
Suddenly, a name flashed in her mind.
Khalid…!
Everyone in the First Prince’s palace was Raoul’s loyal pawn.
To slip away from Raoul’s gaze, she needed to ask help from the one person he would never imagine she’d turn to.
The very idea that Belia—who had devoted herself to making Raoul emperor—would seek help from the Second Prince to escape the palace and visit the temple was something Raoul could never predict.
Claiming she wanted to be alone, Belia moved quietly and secretly toward the rear garden of the Second Prince’s palace.
She already knew the layout perfectly and could avoid all the watchful eyes.
Sure enough, she found Khalid sitting on his usual bench, staring out at the garden.
“Kal—!”
No. She couldn’t call him by name.
In this world, he was not her lover.
Belia pressed her lips together and approached.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince.”
“…What is it?”
“Would you… take me to the temple? Without anyone knowing?”
At her sudden request, Khalid let out a disbelieving laugh.
“And why do you want to go there?”
“There’s something I need to confirm.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to ask my esteemed brother instead?” he sneered.
“…Raoul won’t let me leave the palace.”
Khalid gave her a curious look.
“In this vast palace, you’re saying I’m the only one you can ask? You want me to help you?”
“Yes. Please.”
“And why should I?”
His voice was utterly indifferent.
“…Please.”
“Sorry, but I’ve no interest in being dragged into bothersome matters.”
Khalid stood up to leave.
Belia quickly blocked his path.
“Then let’s make a deal.”
Khalid scoffed.
“A deal? You’re practically a prisoner in this palace. You can’t even step outside—your big request is to visit the temple for a short while. What could you possibly offer me in exchange?”
He wasn’t wrong.
But Belia clenched her teeth.
She couldn’t give up. The temple might hold the key to returning.
“I’ll give you information you want.”
“Oh?”
A glint lit Khalid’s eyes.
“Even if what I want is secrets about Raoul?”
Belia nodded firmly.
Khalid chuckled, low and amused, and then strode back toward the Second Prince’s palace.
Did I fail…?
Belia squeezed her eyes shut, sighing in defeat.
What now?
Then a voice called from behind her.
“Well? Aren’t you coming?”
“…What?”
“You said you wanted to go to the temple. Follow me. I’ll take you.”
Belia’s face brightened instantly.
Afraid he might change his mind, she hurried to follow closely behind him.
Getting to the temple wasn’t difficult.
Her conspicuous hair was tied back and hidden beneath a dark hood. Then she crouched low in Khalid’s carriage so no one could see her from outside.
The guards didn’t dare inspect the Second Prince’s carriage—no one wanted to risk his temper.
And so, thanks to Khalid, Belia finally slipped out of the palace. Once the palace disappeared from sight, she straightened from her cramped position and sat properly on the seat.
“Thank you.”
“Well then, shall we talk about our deal now?”
Khalid leaned back, eyes gleaming with intent, as if determined to strip her of every secret.
Belia couldn’t help but recall the very first day she met him.
Back then too, his eyes sparkled with interest.
Even though his attitude had been irreverent to the extreme.
“Is there any information you want?” Belia asked.
Khalid’s lips curved.
“The reason you want to go to the temple.”
Whether then or now, he was always the same.
He could have asked something far more important, but instead, he chose to satisfy his curiosity.
“Is that really all you want?”
“Yes.”
“It’s nothing much. My heart was unsettled, so I wanted to pray to the God.”
“For something so trivial, you sneak out of the palace in secret, against Raoul’s will, and come to me of all people? Ridiculous.”
Khalid tilted his chin, urging her to be more honest.
“…All right. Since this is a fair deal, I’ll be honest.”
Even if he didn’t believe her, she refused to lie.
Belia drew a deep breath.
“This world is full of things that defy reason. What I’m about to say is one of them. Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”
Khalid smirked, nodding for her to go on.
After a moment’s hesitation, Belia finally spoke.
“I came here from another timeline. I’m going to the temple to find a way to return.”
“…What did you just say?”
“I mean there’s a way to cross time. To go back to the past, or forward to the future. This is only my theory, but I believe divine power or magic is the key. I’ve lived through it myself, so it isn’t just a fantasy.”
At that, Khalid burst out laughing.
“Hahaha. What a fascinating tale. And you’re saying you want to return to the time you came from?”
“Yes.”
“And what’s so different about that time, that you’d risk everything to go back?”
Belia hesitated, then answered truthfully.
“…Because someone I love is there.”
At her earnest words, Khalid’s brows furrowed slightly. His expression then hardened, cold and unreadable.
“In that world, my brother treated you well, I take it?”
“No. My beloved isn’t Raoul.”
Belia cut him off immediately.
If there was one thing she absolutely couldn’t stand, it was being mistaken for Raoul’s lover—least of all by Khalid.
Meeting his gaze squarely, she smiled softly and said:
“In that world, my beloved is you, Khalid.”
