#48. His Engagement Ceremony
Just as the Empire needed to show its dominance by maintaining relations with western nations, it was equally important to demonstrate that the Kingdom of Ronica still held solid influence.
With that thought, Vellia stole a glance at the Empress.
Though she forced a smile on her lips, her expression was visibly strained.
Of course. She must be furious.
Everything about the Kingdom of Ronica could have belonged to her son—but instead, it had all been taken away before her very eyes.
“Your Majesty, it is nearly time for today’s main figures to make their entrance.”
“Ah, yes. Indeed.”
At the Empress’s words, the Emperor turned back toward the hall.
That was enough to satisfy Vellia. If she pushed any further and provoked unnecessary attention, she might be restricted in her actions.
Khalid clasped Vellia’s hand tightly, as if to say, You did well.
Hmph. I can’t just let them treat Khalid with disregard.
Relieved, Vellia allowed herself a light smile.
Soon, with the orchestra playing, Raul and Elin walked slowly down the flower-adorned aisle.
Elin, dressed to perfection, looked stunning. Raul, holding her hand, gazed at her with what seemed like tender affection.
Watching them smile so happily, Vellia let out a derisive laugh.
All masks… nothing but masks.
She knew well enough that their supposed affection was nothing more than an act.
Even in the middle of such performance, Raul’s eyes kept searching for her, seated at the head table. To do so while standing beside Lady Canterif, his betrothed, was outright disrespectful.
But it didn’t matter to Vellia. After all, it had been Lady Canterif’s own choice to side with Raul.
“They truly make a beautiful couple.”
Turning her gaze to the day’s bride and groom, Vellia beamed brightly and leaned her head against Khalid’s shoulder for all to see.
Then, catching Raul’s eyes, she smiled deliberately.
I am not your lover.
Though the distance wasn’t small, she could feel his eyes tremble distinctly.
Even with his fiancée walking at his side, Raul could not tear his gaze from Vellia.
How irritating.
Who did he think he was?
As though he still had some claim over her.
The thought made Vellia’s expression twist faintly with scorn.
Since her return to the past, she had never shared any special feelings with Raul. She had gone back in time at the very moment she had first started falling for him—so in truth, they had never truly been anything.
If one insisted on defining their relationship, at most he was the man who had once proposed to her, or perhaps simply her former fiancé’s older brother.
That’s all it ever was.
So why did he keep looking at her like a spurned lover?
Why did he act as though she had been stolen away from him by Khalid?
“…He’s watching you.”
Khalid murmured softly into her ear, his tone heavy with displeasure.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Vellia deliberately clung closer to Khalid, her eyes fixed squarely on Raul.
Their gazes met.
“….”
Raul froze mid-step, staring openly at her.
Elin, walking beside him hand in hand, noticed where his eyes were fixed. Her face hardened into an icy mask.
“…Your Highness.”
At her call, Raul turned his head away and resumed walking.
Still, he could hardly believe Vellia was truly standing at Khalid’s side.
He had approached her purely as part of a plan, with no real feelings involved.
But when he thought she was already within his grasp, she had cast him aside and chosen Khalid instead. The rage that had surged in him at that time was unbearable. And now—
She was mine to begin with.
From Raul’s cold, dark eyes seeped a twisted obsession, an unnatural longing that he couldn’t extinguish.
The smile slowly drained from his face.
And beside him, Elin’s heart crumpled in despair.
Even at this distance, Vellia’s presence was shaking Raul relentlessly.
The engagement she had long dreamed of since childhood had, in this moment, become a bitter humiliation. All she wanted was to flee.
“Blessings to today’s couple!”
Thunderous applause erupted.
Yet the couple’s faces were chilled with emptiness.
The guests, seated behind them, could not see their expressions—but Vellia, watching from the front, noticed immediately. Both Raul and Elin were consumed by their own emotions, lost in separate thoughts.
She hoped Raul would feel nothing but misery throughout this engagement ceremony. That he would not, for even a fleeting instant, feel happiness.
…And so it is already.
Vellia smiled sincerely and clapped, offering her own twisted blessing upon their misfortune.
“Don’t you think this is too flashy?”
Vellia asked Khalid with concern.
Surely their attire was extravagant enough to draw anyone’s eyes.
“No. It has to be at least this much to avoid suspicion.”
Khalid replied as he adjusted his outfit.
Beside him, Vellia frowned, inspecting her own dress in disapproval.
“It’s beautiful. Why worry?”
“Still… wouldn’t it be better to wear something less noticeable?”
At that moment, they were standing before the entrance of a casino, bickering in their glamorous attire.
It was the site where Raul had left his only remaining illegal operation hidden—this casino.
“By standing out, we actually deflect suspicion, Vellia.”
“But still…”
As she hesitated, Khalid wrapped an arm around her shoulders and ushered her inside.
“Don’t worry. Just trust me, Princess. Nothing will happen tonight. All you need to do is enjoy yourself.”
And before she knew it, Vellia found herself being pushed deeper inside the casino.
“Prince Khalid. Princess Vellia. This way, please.”
The manager led them to a private room. Vellia sighed but followed.
The interior was far more refined than she expected. She had imagined a sordid den of gambling, but instead, the atmosphere was clean and lively.
“It’s no different from a regular salon.”
“Exactly. Just with a few games added in.”
For someone like Vellia, who had never been to such places of entertainment, it was surprisingly novel.
At tables across the room, men and women sat casually, sipping tea or wine and conversing. Dealers stood at other tables, running various games for the guests.
It was dazzling—though nothing truly extraordinary.
“This will be your private room, Your Highness, Princess.”
The manager showed them into a spacious lounge, much like the resting salons used during balls. It was designed for guests to retreat to when they wished to take a break from mingling.
Khalid casually gave their orders while Vellia rolled her eyes at him.
“Have you been here before?”
“…A few times.”
“With whom?”
Khalid laughed evasively.
Clearly, it wasn’t just once or twice.
Narrowing her eyes, Vellia pressed again.
“With whom, Khalid?”
“Ha! Vellia, are you jealous?”
She almost slipped, but quickly calmed herself. Jealous? Absolutely not—she refused to admit such a thing.
“…I’m only curious why you were here.”
“What do you think a useless second prince does? Just wandered around, played games.”
As usual, Khalid downplayed himself.
Vellia shot him a sharp look.
“Are you hiding something from me?”
“What nonsense.”
Caught by her glare, Khalid chuckled awkwardly.
“Honestly, I just drank, played some games, listened to empty flattery. That’s all.”
See? Nothing at all, he said, slipping an arm around her. Vellia swatted him off.
“Really?”
“…I had no choice. Keeping up the image of a carefree wastrel meant less scrutiny.”
His explanation made sense, but Vellia still squinted suspiciously at him.
Suddenly, Khalid pulled her close by the waist and showered kisses across her face.
“Kya! What are you doing!”
“Hahaha.”
“Khalid!”
“You grow more adorable by the day.”
He murmured between kisses, ignoring her futile resistance until at last she surrendered to his embrace.
Then—creak.
The sound of wheels rolled nearby. The manager must have returned with their drinks. A knock followed, startling Vellia upright.
“Khalid!”
She smacked his arm.
But Khalid, utterly shameless, called out toward the door:
“Leave it and go. Don’t disturb us.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The manager respectfully placed the tray of drinks and withdrew.
“Now, where were we?”
“What do you mean, where were we? Honestly!”
Flustered, Vellia covered her face with both hands.
“You drive me mad with longing, and then stop? How cruel.”
What nonsense!
“We’re not here to play around.”
“Of course we are.”
Khalid answered with a straight face.
Vellia gaped at him in disbelief, and he laughed again.
“All right, let’s step out for now.”
She could never tell what he was truly thinking.
Had they not come here to catch Raul?
Still puzzled, she let him lead her out of the room.
“Wait—?”
“Shh. Just follow me.”
Soon they descended into the main hall. Vellia immediately noticed all eyes turning their way.
“It’s been a while, Prince Khalid.”
Several guests greeted him warmly.
Vellia glared sharply at him.
But Khalid, unbothered, accepted their greetings and pulled her to a gaming table.
It was a card game.
“Do you know how to play?”
“Somewhat.”
“Oh? So you’re not that good?”
Vellia teased, pricking at his pride.
A vein twitched on Khalid’s forehead.
“You’ll see.”
Quietly, he declared his participation.
He handed his purse to the manager to be exchanged for chips.
A small crowd gathered. From the moment the second prince and Princess Vellia entered, attention had followed them. Now that they joined a game, interest spiked further.
“I’ll deal the cards.”
At the dealer’s words, Khalid nodded.
The shuffling ceased, and three cards were placed before each player.
How fascinating…
It was a sight utterly new to Vellia.
Despite her earlier worries, her eyes sparkled with growing curiosity.
I thought it was supposed to be an illegal gambling den?/
I don’t get it why are they playing games?! I thought they went there to catch Raul in the act?