TRETTHD 45

#45. Face-to-Face with the Lion

Raul noticed Elin trembling with her fists clenched, but he deliberately turned his head away and spoke in a flat tone.

“I didn’t ask because I already know the lady’s tastes—we’ve known each other since childhood.”

At Raul’s indifferent remark, Belia’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Khalid seemed to feel the same way, letting out a deflated laugh.

“Still, you could show a little care. Don’t you think you’re being too insensitive?”

Raul cast Elin a sidelong glance.

“Does the food suit your taste, my lady?”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

Elin forced a smile as she answered, but her words faded into nothingness. Raul had already turned away before even acknowledging her reply.

That cold reaction made Elin bite her lip and tremble.

Tsk.

Belia clicked her tongue inwardly as she wiped the crumbs of cookies from her lips.

It would have been amusing to let them stew in their own sour emotions, but that would mean she’d have to sit here with these two eyesores for even longer.

So, hiding her annoyance, Belia opened her mouth.

“Your engagement is drawing near, isn’t it? Was it two months from now?”

It was the first question she directed at them.

“That’s right. The ceremony will be held before summer ends.”

Elin replied calmly.

“Ah, then I must offer my congratulations. Congratulations, my lady.”

Belia offered the courtesy.

“You two will attend, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

Belia deliberately took Khalid’s hand as she answered, like a loving partner would.

Raul’s expression hardened ever so slightly as he watched.

“Has living in the Empire as a foreigner caused you any discomfort?”

“No. His Highness Khalid looks after me so well that I’ve never felt lacking.”

“…That is truly fortunate.”

Seeing Raul’s expression crease, Khalid smiled with satisfaction.

“By the way, when do you plan to marry? We’ll have to adjust the timing so the ceremonies don’t overlap.”

Khalid quickly changed the subject, not wanting Raul to address Belia further.

Since Raul and Elin were to be engaged, it wasn’t strange for the brothers to discuss wedding schedules. The problem, however, stemmed from a recent dinner with the Emperor.

During that meal, the Emperor—looking weary—casually suggested that since both princes were now engaged, wouldn’t it be more presentable if the eldest married first.

So the Empress has been making a fuss again.

The smile tugging at the Empress’s lips confirmed Belia’s suspicion.

But Khalid and Belia’s marriage was more than a union—it was practically a political alliance between nations. The Emperor knew that too, which was why he looked embarrassed even as he floated the idea.

He hinted that since there was still time until next spring, and if both countries agreed, perhaps postponing the wedding wouldn’t be impossible.

How insolent.

Belia loathed the Emperor for relaying the Empress’s unreasonable demands, as though it were a casual matter. Clearly, whether delayed or not, he couldn’t care less.

Belia’s gaze turned icy.

“We are discussing the schedule with His Majesty,” Raul replied.

Khalid sneered openly.

“His Majesty may want to indulge his beloved son, but let him know not to dream in vain. We will hold our wedding next spring without fail.”

“Khalid.”

“Delay our wedding? Absurd. Both nations have already agreed. How are we supposed to ask the Kingdom of Ronica for understanding now? Isn’t that so?”

To break such a promise just to let his beloved son marry first would be sheer madness.

Belia then spoke quietly.

“Prince Raul, this is my one and only wedding.”

She lifted her teacup and took another sip.

“For the Empire to treat the Kingdom of Ronica’s position so lightly… how disappointing.”

Her voice was like ice.

If the Empress had pressed the Emperor, Raul should have stopped her before it even reached that point.

From her past life’s memories, Belia knew that the Empress always consulted Raul before pressing the Emperor. She would never have made such a selfish request without Raul’s tacit approval.

He must have silently agreed.

That realization only infuriated Belia further.

The Emperor might be foolish enough to say such nonsense, but Raul should have known better.

Was this really the caliber of the man she had once stayed by?

The thought made her feel pathetic, trivial, and furious all over again.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of postponing our wedding either.”

Belia set her teacup down with a sharp clink.

“My apologies to you, Princess,” Raul said, looking slightly embarrassed.

“His Majesty was so insistent there was nothing I could do. He merely wished to ask your opinion—please don’t be too offended.”

“If your concern is genuine, then I trust you will speak to His Majesty properly on this matter.”

Belia smiled sweetly but looked Raul straight in the eye.

“Personally, I think next autumn would be a fine time for Your Highness’s wedding to the lady.”

Raul pressed his lips shut, saying no more.

Though he wore a smile, his eyes had gone cold.

Tea time was already over.

“In any case, we’ll proceed as planned, so perhaps our broad-minded elder brother can adjust his schedule. Oh, and…”

As if just remembering, Khalid chuckled and added one last jab:

“The tea was a bit bitter. Use better leaves next time. If needed, I’ll even gift you some.”

Then, taking Belia’s hand, he rose from his seat.

Raul and Lady Canterif’s engagement ceremony was only days away.

The whole palace was abuzz with preparations for the First Prince’s engagement.

The Emperor personally ordered that it be celebrated with grandeur.

If Khalid and I were the ones engaged here, would it be this extravagant?

Belia’s doubts were valid.

For their own wedding, less than a year away, she and Khalid had to handle everything themselves.

The Emperor offered no assistance, merely approving reports or occasionally intervening when coordination with the Kingdom of Ronica was required.

So irritating.

If she could, Belia would have loved to cause a scandal at Raul’s engagement, but she didn’t have the energy to waste on that.

“Princess, we must leave now.”

Meanwhile, Belia had begun the charitable projects she and Khalid discussed.

Using the funds allotted to maintain her dignity as Second Prince’s consort, she sponsored orphanages and artists. On top of that, she directed her dowry from Ronica toward building clinics throughout the Empire.

In truth, it was Khalid’s private funds supplementing it, but to avoid suspicion from the Emperor or Raul, they credited it all to Belia’s dowry.

“Princess! Really, His Highness is waiting!”

“All right, I’m coming.”

Today, she and Khalid were to visit a new clinic being built on the capital’s outskirts.

Belia quickly gathered her documents and hurried out.

When she descended the steps, Khalid was waiting with a charming smile.

“Did you wait long?”

“No, I just arrived.”

Khalid had been out since morning on business with a merchant guild and had only just returned.

He’d been busy finalizing matters regarding the recently discovered gold mine.

“You must be exhausted. I feel bad dragging you along when you’re already so busy.”

“Anything I do with you feels like a date, so I don’t mind.”

Khalid answered playfully.

“Where do you even learn such lines?”

Belia smiled despite herself, pretending to grumble, and naturally looped her arm through his.

“Did the business with the guild go well?”

“Of course.”

His smile deepened.

Recently, Ronica’s envoys had visited the Empire to negotiate shares in the gold mine Khalid discovered. As Belia advised, they demanded 45%.

“I’ve requested the Southern Magic Tower’s assistance for the excavation.”

“Well done. The location is secure, so as long as the path is cleared, mining should be quick. And refining?”

“We’ll build a refinery near the mine with craftsmen from Duke Tessa’s lands.”

So they meant to minimize transport distance. Belia rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

The Tessa Duchy was close to Ronica, making it a strategically sound choice. Moreover, Khalid’s strongest supporters were the western nobles led by House Tessa—working with them was only natural.

“If the Magic Tower helps, we should see gold by next spring. Excellent. That will give us plenty of funds.”

Even after taxes, it would leave them with significant wealth.

With that thought, Belia smiled, and Khalid’s face brightened as he watched her.

While the palace busied itself with Raul’s engagement, they had to handle as many matters as possible.

So recently, Belia and Khalid had been pushing themselves to tackle multiple tasks at once.

“At least the gold mine negotiations are settled. At one point I wanted to throw everything away, you know?”

Belia laughed as she spoke.

When the Emperor had whined for a bigger share, she had honestly wanted to slap that smug face of his.

Even as they climbed into the carriage, the conversation didn’t stop.

“The crackdown on illegal facilities seems almost finished, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. The Emperor’s been spending entire days praising Raul.”

At that, Belia’s lips curved in a crooked smirk.

Raul had been tasked with cracking down on illegal establishments, which kept him busy. But now that phase was nearly over, meaning it was nearly time to deliver a little “gift” to him.

“I really can’t wait.”

What expression would the Emperor make when he learned Raul himself was sneaking into illegal gambling dens?

“We’ve already gathered enough evidence. All we need is the right moment.”

They had proof Raul was gambling, and he was visiting the dens with increasing frequency.

The trap was set.

“Everything will go just as you desire.”

Khalid gently caressed Belia’s cheek.

“When their engagement is over and all eyes are on Raul and Lady Canterif—then we strike.”

Belia spoke with gleeful anticipation.

Khalid grinned.

“As you command.”