TRETTHD 43

43. Jealousy

“What brings you here all of a sudden?”

Belia asked brightly.

Though things hadn’t gone exactly as planned, she was rather pleased with how smoothly the tea party had ended.

Khalid looked at her with a bold grin and answered shamelessly.

“To see you.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Belia let out a hollow laugh.

“Don’t joke. Seriously, what brings you here?”

She had already been planning to leave, looking for an excuse to slip away. Khalid’s sudden appearance gave her a natural way out, so she didn’t feel the need to scold him.

Still, curiosity gnawed at her. Why had he shown up all of a sudden?

Meeting his gaze, Belia urged him for an answer.

“I figured it would be almost over by now…”

“And?”

Khalid smiled brightly, as if amused.

“I thought if I took you away from there, the princess would be terribly annoyed.”

Belia laughed along, finding his reason quite agreeable. Truthfully, she had secretly enjoyed seeing the expression on Princess Canterif’s face sour.

‘Really… we match in the strangest ways.’

Chuckling, Belia teased him with a playful voice.

“You could’ve at least given me a heads-up. I was really startled.”

Khalid laughed heartily in response.

“Come here.”

He patted the space beside him. Belia gave him a meaningful look. What on earth was he planning?

“Wouldn’t it be better to face each other?”

Instead, Khalid grinned and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him.

In an instant, Belia’s body fell into his arms.

“No… I like holding you like this better.”

Khalid held her firmly, while Belia flustered. Then, he bit her exposed neck through her dress.

“Ah!”

Belia let out a startled cry and quickly covered her mouth.

“What are you doing?!”

She slapped his shoulder.

“Seriously, what is this?”

“Sweeten up.”

Khalid buried his face into her neck again, inhaling her scent deeply. Belia was left speechless.

“…You’re so sweet, sometimes I want to swallow you whole.”

Belia thumped his shoulder, signaling him to stop. Yet Khalid ignored her protest, keeping his grip tight.

“You’ve been neglecting me lately.”

His voice carried a hint of hurt, muffled against her neck, almost like a whining child.

“Khalid.”

No reply came. Recently, they had mostly discussed work.

“We have so much to do.”

Time was tight, leaving little room to stroll leisurely.

“…”

“Khalid. Are you really doing this?”

His grip loosened slightly, and Belia seized the moment to slip from his embrace—but still sat on his lap. Khalid, not intending to let her go, tightened his hold again.

“Tell me. What’s missing?”

“You are.”

Belia almost laughed at his bluntness, but held back and asked,

“How can I fill that?”

Khalid’s hands on her waist twitched. She slapped them away.

“Not that.”

He didn’t answer again. The shadow of darkness in his lowered gaze worried her.

“Did something happen?”

“Just… something.”

He didn’t outright deny it, so she guessed something must have happened. A sudden thought struck Belia.

“Did you see Raul?”

Realizing that he might be upset because of Raul, his attitude suddenly made sense. Khalid’s face darkened.

“…He’s not willing to give up on you. He asked me how long you would stay by my side.”

Before, Belia would have scoffed without flinching, but now, knowing she had been Raul’s lover, Khalid could not easily dismiss his provocation. Belia felt a pang of pity for him, imagining the hurt he must have felt.

She sighed deeply and cupped his cheeks.

“I really hate Raul. You have no idea how creepy it is that he has feelings for me.”

She pressed his cheeks twice, then gave his slightly protruding lips a light kiss, glaring at him.

“Do you want more?”

Khalid’s pupils flickered. Belia’s lips drew close to his.

“If you keep pestering me, I’ll have no choice but to scold you, Khalid.”

He felt faint.

“…If this is what it means to be scolded, I’ll cause trouble every day.”

“I’m not joking.”

Her voice was low and cold.

“I understand why you care about Raul. But…”

She lifted her half-closed eyelids to meet his gaze. Her long eyelashes moved slowly and gently, tickling a corner of his heart. She kissed him lightly again, holding his shoulders, continuing,

“Didn’t you promise you wouldn’t force your feelings on me?”

He did not look away, his blue eyes flickering with something subtle.

“You said that hearts always change,” she reminded him.

“So… has your heart changed?”

“Yes.”

Khalid lifted his arm from around her back, holding her delicate neck with one hand, and kissed her deeply as if to swallow her breath.

After lingering over her, he pulled away and said hoarsely,

“Give me certainty.”

The carriage jolted.

“I think I’ve already given enough.”

“Not enough.”

He kissed her roughly again.

“I always find you lacking, Belia.”

His desire was intense—though they were in contact, he wanted to reach deeper.

“It’s a shame we’re in a carriage.”

“…I agree.”

Until he pulled her closer, she hadn’t expected such desire from herself. It had only been a contract between them, a partnership for mutual goals. Yet she wanted him. She didn’t know where this greed came from.

‘…I don’t know.’

Belia embraced his neck tightly, hiding her confusion.

Belia had gone for a walk in the garden after a long while.

Staring at papers all day had made her head spin. She had been avoiding walks to prevent encountering Raul inside the palace, unless Khalid accompanied her—but her throbbing headache was unbearable today.

“They say the roses are in full bloom in the central garden…”

The maid spoke hesitantly, as if disappointed. How ironic that she had chosen the small garden next to the Second Prince’s palace for her walk, when there were so many more beautiful gardens in the palace.

“These flowers are beautiful enough. I really like them.”

Belia smiled and spoke calmly. Raul’s residence and the Second Prince’s palace were far apart, so she wouldn’t run into him here. She ventured deeper into the garden.

“I wish the Second Prince had come with me, don’t you think?”

“Well, you’ve been taking it easy, so it can’t be helped.”

It had been hard to hold Khalid back from abandoning work to accompany her. Acid silently pleaded with her with tearful eyes to restrain the prince.

‘He seemed so busy…’

Belia chuckled, recalling the recent commotion. Khalid was stubbornly staying close—what a problem.

‘He really acts like a dog, doesn’t he?’

Belia looked up at the palace, guessing Khalid could probably see her through the window.

‘I really can’t handle him.’

Partly, she had chosen this garden to avoid Raul, but also for her drooping, disappointed “hound” of a companion.

‘He looks kind of cute like that…’

Belia hummed happily, her steps light. She strolled slowly, hands behind her back, smiling brightly as if to show Khalid. He’s probably fuming right now, she thought.

“Princess Belia.”

A voice from behind made her stop. She instantly recognized it—Raul.

“What a coincidence to meet you. I’m surprisingly glad to see you.”

Belia exhaled subtly and turned, keeping her expression neutral. Despite the discomfort, he was still the empire’s First Prince.

“It’s been a while, Prince Raul.”

She hid her displeasure and greeted him calmly. It had been a long time since they last met.

‘…Annoying.’

At the previous party, Raul had disappeared after the emperor’s greeting, not appearing to welcome her. She had thought perhaps he was avoiding her out of pride after she rejected him.

“You seem to be doing well.”

“No. Thanks to Prince Khalid, I’ve been comfortable.”

Belia refused to say even a polite “thanks to you.” Raul gave a bitter smile.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Yes. You are.”

Belia answered bluntly.

“Is it because I proposed to you?”

Belia sighed exaggeratedly.

“Your Highness, even us talking like this will become a topic of gossip.”

“Belia…”

Raul murmured her name softly.

But Belia was firm.

“I never gave you permission to say my name.”

She had only stepped out to rest a bit, and now this trouble. Why was Raul here?

“You’re still as cold as ever.”

“I have no reason to be kind to Your Highness.”

His smile faltered at her icy words.

“…I’ve always wondered,” Raul began,

“As you said, hearts can change. Isn’t Khalid the same?”

He genuinely seemed confused. Perhaps he had asked this many times before, and Belia had never answered properly.

“Was I really nothing to you?”

Raul’s pained expression drew a cold laugh from Belia as she finally spoke.