#73. Do You Like Khalid?
Velia’s expression had hardened into a cold mask.
Erze, who had scurried up beside her, glanced at her cautiously before carefully asking:
“Um, Princess. You seemed a little troubled earlier… are you all right?”
It was obvious that Erze’s earlier outcry about there being a pond had been intentional. From her manner, it was clear she had wanted to rescue Velia from an uncomfortable situation.
But what had just happened was nothing that should be shown to others. Velia smoothed her expression and forced a small smile.
“Of course.”
“I… I’m sorry if I made things awkward. I was the one who suggested going with the First Prince, after all. If you were forced into an uncomfortable situation because of me, then I truly apologize.”
The more Erze fretted over her like this, the more stifled Velia felt.
“I appreciate the thought, Erze.”
Velia forced a bright expression.
“But it really was nothing. It seems His Highness Raul simply misunderstood something. So there’s no need to worry about it.”
“…Yes.”
Erze’s face dimmed, her head drooping as she fiddled nervously with her fingers.
Velia flicked her eyes toward Raul. He was still standing where he had been, silently staring at them, before finally turning away and leaving the greenhouse alone. All the better.
Whether Raul was upset or angry—that wasn’t Velia’s concern at all.
“Do you like the greenhouse?”
At Velia’s question, Erze nodded.
Then, crouching by the edge of the artificial pond where crystal-clear water endlessly flowed, she murmured:
“Magic really is amazing. I don’t know how something like this is even possible. Thinking that all the knowledge I have of the world is nothing more than a handful of sand… it makes me feel stifled, and my mind gets complicated.”
“You don’t need to know everything. That’s precisely why the mages of the Tower exist.”
Velia reached out, brushing her fingers over the soft leaves. With Raul gone, only she and Erze remained in the greenhouse.
Though the clash with Raul had already drained her, she couldn’t simply brush off what the maids had told her earlier.
Standing beside Erze as she watched the pond, Velia spoke quietly:
“A few days ago, I heard you sneaked into Khalid’s chambers.”
“Ah, that was…!”
Startled by the sudden subject, Erze jumped to her feet. She tried to hastily explain, but Velia continued evenly.
“They say nothing suspicious was found after the investigation, so I suppose that’s true. But what you did was such a grave offense that you could have been expelled from the palace on the spot.”
“…I’m sorry.”
It was clear Khalid hadn’t pressed the issue only out of consideration for Velia. Since Velia had invited Erze personally, he had tolerated it. But precisely because of that, Velia couldn’t simply let it slide.
“Do you like Khalid?”
“Huh? Wh-what… what do you mean?”
Erze stammered in flustered confusion.
Velia watched her sharply and repeated,
“I’m asking if you did it because you like Khalid.”
“N-no, it’s not like that…!”
Her lips trembled, her eyes restless with unease.
“I… I just…”
“Well. Whatever the reason doesn’t matter. It would be foolish for me to pry into something Khalid himself wished to cover up. But Erze…”
Velia’s voice cut cold, like frost.
“I’m not someone kind enough to endure all your rudeness. Please be careful with your actions so that I don’t come to regret showing you goodwill.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
Velia studied the crestfallen girl for a moment, then softened her face back into her usual gentle expression.
“It’s late. Let’s return now.”
On their way back from the greenhouse to the Second Prince’s palace, not a single word was exchanged.
As they walked past the central garden, silence engulfed them; only the steady echo of footsteps filled the long stretch back.
Erze walked slowly along the familiar corridor.
Though it was late and the moonlight streamed in, the halls weren’t too dark.
Tap, tap—her light footsteps echoed brightly, reflecting her mood.
Soft slippers, smooth pajamas, a warm bed, the luxurious palace, the beautiful gardens outside her window—everything here was so splendid it felt like a dream. Even the air itself seemed different from back home.
If only I could stay in a place like this forever…
Her steps slowed to a halt.
She wandered out onto a terrace where both the central palace and the First Prince’s palace could be seen. A cool wind brushed her skin as she stared blankly at the scenery.
This place was like a fantasy. Everything that happened here felt like a dream.
And everything she enjoyed felt like a mirage—never truly hers to hold, always slipping through her fingers.
Desire welled up inside her.
It’s not fair…
Princess Velia had everything.
The warm and gentle First Prince. The reserved but caring Second Prince. Those fairy-tale princes, the very image of perfection, all sought Velia’s affection.
She never imagined she could win their hearts herself, but watching Velia toy with the affections she could never possess—it made Erze resentful.
Especially today.
So unfair.
It hadn’t been intentional.
She had just happened to run into the First Prince in front of the central palace, and when he asked what she was doing, she simply answered. Yet she couldn’t forget the way the maids glared at her, or the sour expression on Velia’s face.
During the entire walk, she had shrunk like a criminal under trial, while the First Prince looked only at Velia as if Erze didn’t even exist.
And Velia—her indifferent face, as if tired of even being in the same moment with her.
And I even helped the princess…
Yet why did Velia treat her so coldly? Even threatening her to “be careful.”
The real Velia was nothing like the kind, gentle princess everyone believed her to be.
They’re all deceived. And I bet the Second Prince doesn’t know what happened today either.
Erze vividly recalled the exchange between Velia and Raul.
That strange, heavy atmosphere. Their words.
She had wanted to warn Khalid so many times, but Velia always held her back. But no longer.
Her eyes turned sharp and venomous.
She spun around and left the terrace, heading not for her own room, but in the opposite direction.
Knock, knock, knock.
Late at night, when all aides and attendants had long since retired, a quiet knock sounded at Khalid’s office door, where he was still working.
“Who is it?”
It couldn’t be Velia.
He had only just returned to his office after watching her fall soundly asleep.
Then who could it be at this hour…?
“Y-Your Highness, it’s Erze Kinetra.”
At the sound of that name, Khalid’s brow furrowed instantly.
Ever since visiting the greenhouse with that woman, Velia’s expression had been dark. Something must have happened there.
Yet Velia had forced a smile, saying it was nothing. He couldn’t press her, not when it was clear she didn’t want him to.
…How irritating.
The thought of Velia suffering because of this woman made him want to throw her out right then and there. Surely she was someone with whom Velia had a bad fate in his past life too. Otherwise, why would Velia be so troubled, losing her appetite?
But… for now, she’s still a guest invited under Velia’s name.
Khalid sighed quietly, rose, and opened the door.
“What is it?”
Caught by his cold gaze, Erze gasped and fumbled, eyes darting nervously.
“Ah, um… I have something to tell you…”
Khalid leaned against the doorframe, tilting his chin as if to say, Well? Speak, then.
“It’s… something important. I don’t think I can say it out here…”
“Then don’t. Leave.”
He turned as if to dismiss her outright.
But then Erze whispered from behind him:
“It’s about Princess Velia and the First Prince.”
At those words, Khalid’s face went ice-cold. He turned back to her with a scowl. Erze gave a shy little smile.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… it’s about what happened in the greenhouse today. I thought Your Highness should know.”
Khalid despised her all the more.
Still, he had to hear what she was trying to say.
“…Come in.”
At his permission, Erze stepped cautiously past him into the office. Moments later, the heavy door slammed shut.
She looked around with a little gasp of admiration, showing not a shred of nervousness.
Khalid, irritated by her demeanor, sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Erze hurried over and perched delicately on the seat opposite him.
“So. What do you want to say?”
“Pardon?”
“What exactly do I ‘need to know’ about Velia and my brother?”
He cut straight to the point. Erze lowered her head, clasping her fingers together as if struggling, then let out a deep sigh and finally spoke.
“I wasn’t sure if I should tell you this or not… but I thought you ought to know.”
Her preamble was far too long.
Khalid simply watched her silently, waiting to hear her out.
“I knew from the very beginning that the First Prince had feelings for the princess. But today…”
Erze inhaled deeply, as though making a great decision. Then she declared with a determined face:
“I overheard the First Prince holding the princess back… and telling her he loved her.”
“…What?”
Khalid’s expression twisted harshly.
Seeing that, Erze pressed on.
“And… the princess didn’t push him away.”
Her words made his blood run cold.
But Khalid didn’t cut her off.
Erze looked troubled, as though speaking of something terribly difficult.
“And then… she asked if he could give her something so great that she would choose him over the Second Prince.”
“That’s absurd. Are you planning to keep spouting nonsense in front of me?”
Khalid tilted his head, his voice sharp with disbelief. But Erze protested, as if wounded.
“It’s true! I clearly heard the princess asking the First Prince if he could give her a flower that only grows in the North!”
At that, Khalid froze in place.
