#77. The Antidote
Belia finished her work and headed toward Khalid’s study. Her pace was unusually urgent.
The ever-gentle and composed Belia moved briskly down the long corridor as if running, startling the servants working in the Second Prince’s palace.
“Oh! Princess!”
“Where is His Highness?”
“He’s currently at the training grounds—”
But when Belia heard that he wasn’t in his study, she didn’t wait to hear the rest. She quickly turned and left the palace.
Was the training ground on the left?
As Belia hurried toward it, she spotted Khalid from a distance and slowed to a halt.
Haa… haa…
Her rapid pace had left her slightly out of breath.
She bent over, placing her hands on her knees to catch her breath. Once she regained composure, she stood up and smoothed her disheveled hair. It was slightly embarrassing to show him such an excited state.
Hoo…
Satisfied, Belia approached Khalid lightly and primly, as if she hadn’t been running at all.
“Khalid.”
Khalid paused mid-swing of his sword at the sound of her clear, calling voice and turned his head. Belia waved cheerfully, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.
Seeing her, Khalid wiped the sweat from his brow, smiling. His training must have been intense—the shirt he wore was already soaked and clinging to his skin, revealing the contours beneath.
Why is he wearing that…!
Though the training ground held only Khalid and a few knights, Belia didn’t want anyone to see him like this.
Khalid handed his sword to a nearby knight and approached her.
“Did you run here? Your body isn’t fully ready yet.”
Khalid’s tone was worried as he looked at her face. Belia tried to deny it.
“I’m just a little warm.”
In the middle of winter, that made no sense. She realized how ridiculous her excuse sounded and fanned herself with her hand, trying to hide her embarrassment. She thought it wouldn’t be noticeable, but Khalid immediately saw through her.
Belia hurriedly changed the subject.
“Khalid. I need your help.”
“…Here?”
Belia frowned at his words. Khalid grinned mischievously.
“Hmm. Even for me, this isn’t the best place…”
“Pardon?”
…Could it be?
Startled, Belia quickly reached out and covered his mouth with both hands.
“One more word and—!”
Seeing her face turn bright red again, Khalid couldn’t help laughing.
“You really have no sense of embarrassment… haha!”
He looked at her, then, unable to contain himself, scooped her up in a hug and set her down again.
Sweat from his training carried a strong scent, but instead of being unpleasant, it made her heart race.
“Haha. So, what’s the matter?”
“Oh…”
Belia, snapping back to focus, whispered into his ear.
“The antidote has been completed. Remember what I told you before?”
Khalid nodded.
“It will neutralize Her Majesty the Empress’ condition. So we must deliver it.”
He smiled confidently.
“Don’t worry. Everything is already prepared.”
Meanwhile, leaving the theater, Elin linked arms naturally with Raul, her dress perfectly in place.
Recently, Raul and Elin had spent more time together, so such casual intimacy had become familiar.
“Your Highness, how did you enjoy the performance?”
“The actors’ performances were excellent.”
Raul had personally invited Elin to attend today’s show at the Grand Theater. The experience felt like a dream to her; just knowing Raul had made the effort thrilled her.
After a few comments about the play, Elin asked about a recent topic she had heard.
“I heard that the Baroness Kinetra recently stayed at the palace. It was quite the talk in high society. Have you met her, Your Highness?”
“Ah, of course.”
A faint smile appeared on Raul’s lips. Seeing him smile at someone else briefly made Elin tense, but she quickly masked it with a radiant smile and asked:
“What was she like? I’ve heard she’s very charming.”
“Charming… well, I suppose one could think that.”
“So… she wasn’t?”
Elin’s curiosity was evident on her face. She had been following the social buzz about the Kinetra family. The fact that the Baroness was invited by Princess Belia herself intrigued her.
Raul chuckled lightly, as if recalling a memory.
“She was indeed charming… but there’s someone even more charming.”
Elin was certain he meant Belia. Rumors had always suggested Raul had not forgotten her. Her expression stiffened unintentionally.
Noticing her discomfort, Raul stopped and looked at Elin.
“Why do you have that expression, Elin?”
He approached her with concern. Flustered, Elin mumbled her feelings.
“I know you still have feelings for Princess Belia, but…”
Raul cut her off firmly.
“What do you mean? The one I care about is you, Elin.”
“…What?”
“I know there are rumors about Princess Belia and me. Regardless, my previous proposal doesn’t change. But my fiancée isn’t Princess Belia—it’s you, Elin.”
“Your Highness…”
The unexpected words made Elin’s eyes widen in surprise. Raul took her hand gently.
“I apologize for not showing you my best self for a while. I know it must have hurt. But that will not happen again, and I will ensure you are never hurt because of it.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, making her face turn bright red.
“So, will you trust me and follow me, Elin?”
“…Of course. You are the only one I have, Your Highness.”
Raul extended his hand, escorting her again. Though his smile was radiant, his eyes held a chill that contrasted sharply.
On her way to the clinic, Belia frowned as she noticed Raul’s carriage passing by.
Rachel, sitting across and reviewing documents, saw Belia’s expression and asked worriedly:
“Princess, you don’t look well.”
“I’m fine. Just… something’s on my mind.”
“You’ve been overworking yourself lately. Today, I could have come alone…”
Indeed, today’s visit only required a few confirmations, so Belia’s presence wasn’t strictly necessary.
“I haven’t attended to guests in a while, so it’s time I did.”
“But still…”
Belia smiled silently and gazed out the window.
Her real reason for coming with Rachel was to collect the antidote. Once obtained, a maid Khalid had secretly placed in the Empress’ palace would deliver it.
The Empress had a connection from her youth…
When the Empress was still Princess Tessa, she excelled in every way, particularly in swordsmanship, as befitting the heir of the Knightly Tessa family. Her exploits were widely discussed in society.
The maid delivering the antidote was the granddaughter of someone Princess Tessa had helped back then.
Fate works in mysterious ways.
Even the Empress likely forgot that connection, yet they hadn’t. How Khalid found them was unknown, but he vouched for their trustworthiness, so Belia had no choice but to believe him.
“We’ve arrived, Princess.”
Rachel’s announcement brought Belia back from her thoughts. She then followed the caretaker to check the underground storage.
“Is this it?”
Belia carefully examined the antidote in the underground lab. The quantity wasn’t large, but enough to last until the next batch was produced.
“The formulation was tricky, so it took longer than expected. I apologize.”
“No, I honestly worried it might not be possible… Thank you for your effort.”
Although they could secretly remove the medicine from the Empress’ palace, the limited quantity made analysis uncertain. Yet, they had successfully produced the antidote. Partnering with Lunes immediately after regaining control had been the right choice.
“We’ve also confirmed that the latest batch neutralizes the poison. Its effect is certain.”
Belia felt she finally held the key to making Khalid Emperor. She clutched the antidote box to her chest.
“Please continue producing this medicine. Also, could you check if it’s possible to make it this way on a regular basis?”
“What do you mean?”
Belia carefully explained her idea to the caretaker. After listening, he rubbed his chin and nodded.
“I’ll try. I don’t think it’s entirely impossible.”
“Good. Then please do.”
Finally hearing a positive response, Belia’s previously tense expression softened, and she smiled brightly.
