TRETTHD 50

#50. Do You Think I’ll Fall for You?

From then on, whenever they had spare time, Vellia and Khalid often dropped by the casino to enjoy different games.

Some days they would simply sit at a table together, sharing a glass of wine. Other days, they’d win a huge sum of money. And of course, there were also nights when they lost it all before returning home.

By the time their small but frequent visits to the casino became a familiar routine to everyone—

They received a report that Raul had begun frequenting the casino as well.

“Tomorrow night?”

“That’s right.”

The illegal gambling den was due to open again in just a few days.

At last, it was time to expose Raul’s corruption.

“All we need to do is witness him being caught there. The rest will take care of itself—rumors will spread on their own.”

Khalid’s lips curved in a sharp smile.

“The patrols showing up that night… they have no connection to us, correct?”

“They’re the same men who once cracked down on those illegal facilities alongside Raul. So when a tip comes in, they’ll have no choice but to appear on-site.”

If any investigation concluded that enforcement had been neglected, the blame would naturally fall on Raul, their superior.

That loyalty of theirs would end up being the very chain that dragged Raul down.

“Oh—right! Did we already round up the men Raul sent after us?”

Vellia quickly lifted her head and asked.

“Of course. We caught them all and locked them in the underground cells.”

“Good.”

Just as expected, Raul hadn’t believed it mere coincidence that Vellia and Khalid appeared at the gambling den the same night he did. So he had secretly assigned people to shadow their movements and daily lives.

But Vellia and Khalid knew all about it—and deliberately let it happen.

“There’s no need to keep feeding him information anymore.”

If they had ignored Raul’s spies completely, it might have looked suspicious.

So they rooted out the obvious ones, while leaving the well-hidden ones untouched, allowing Raul to believe his spies were still safely in place.

But now that his downfall was imminent, there was no longer any need to play along.

“This is only the beginning.”

“I know.”

“But little by little, we’ll collapse the very ground he stands on.”

Vellia’s face was flushed with excitement.

The Emperor would no doubt try to quietly brush this case aside. But from here on, public opinion could be shaped—there was no letting this pass.

“Let’s review everything once more.”

Vellia chewed lightly on the tip of her pen, then began jotting notes on a sheet of paper.

Officially, tomorrow’s schedule had her and Khalid making a joint visit to the medical clinic construction site.

“Looks like it’ll be a busy day from morning.”

The clinic construction was nearly finished.

Their patronage of the arts was settling into place as well, and they hadn’t forgotten to make regular visits to the childcare facilities to offer aid.

Among the people of the Empire, favorable sentiment toward Vellia had been growing steadily.

Especially when she visited the orphanages in her capacity as patron, crowds would gather to greet and welcome her warmly.

“Once the clinic is complete, we’ll move straight into pharmaceutical production.”

“Yes.”

“There’s one medicine that must be made.”

And it had to be done quickly.

The Empress didn’t survive past next summer…

She had already commissioned Derrick to develop the antidote, but there had been no news yet.

The antidote must be completed before summer comes.

The Empress must not die now.

If she did, it would tip the scales far too heavily against Khalid.

“What medicine do you intend to make?”

“An antidote.”

Khalid’s expression clouded with confusion.

Vellia bit her lip hard. Telling him his mother was being poisoned—and that the culprit was likely the Emperor himself—was too cruel. She feared how much it would wound him.

That fear had silenced her until now. But she couldn’t keep it from him any longer. If she delayed, it might become irreversible.

“Her Majesty the Empress… is suffering from poisoning.”

Though her voice was soft, Khalid understood immediately.

His surprise showed for just a moment. Yet he asked no questions.

He didn’t ask how she knew. He didn’t ask who was responsible. He didn’t ask why she hadn’t told him sooner.

Not a single thing.

“…You aren’t going to ask me anything?”

It had been years since Khalid last held any real conversation with the Empress.

She had always lashed out in anger at the sight of him, and he, in turn, had found her presence difficult to endure.

“…So the old man truly means to kill my mother?”

Breaking the long silence, Khalid finally spoke.

Vellia nodded heavily.

“I see.”

That was all he said.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. But somehow, she could almost feel the scream echoing inside him.

“We’ll make the antidote. I’ve already requested help from the Runeis guild. Once we have the ingredients, production will begin immediately. And when it’s complete, we’ll secretly deliver it to the Empress.”

Vellia explained calmly.

“However, the Empress is constantly watched. We’ll need someone inside her palace who can be trusted to help. That part—I’ll leave to you.”

“…All right.”

Summer’s scorching sun had at last calmed, and the nights were cooled by gentle breezes. During that time of easing heat, Vellia and Khalid had accomplished much.

The stronger the foundation, the sturdier the fortress that could be built upon it.

And right now, they were laying that foundation with care.

“First, let’s deal with Raul tomorrow.”

The clinic was nearly complete, only finishing touches remaining. Vellia inspected it carefully, checking walls, floors, and interiors.

They had even included a basement space, meant to serve as shelter in emergencies.

The workers had questioned why such a space was necessary.

Vellia had explained that it was to accommodate overflow patients, and asked them to construct it exactly as designed.

And the result was more than satisfactory.

Perfect. With this much room, many people could take shelter here.

Being underground, it would stay warmer than a normal house in winter.

If people were reluctant to stay there, it could still serve as storage.

The space was large enough to hold food, firewood, and clothing for the winter.

“Does it match what you imagined?”

“Yes. Completely.”

“All the other clinics are being built the same way. We’ll visit them one by one when time allows.”

Khalid rested a hand on her shoulder as he spoke.

“I’ve already begun looking for trade partners through the merchant guild—places we can buy foodstuffs that store well for winter.”

“Then we must prepare firewood now, before autumn ends. And secure supply lines. Otherwise, next year’s stores will be in jeopardy.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for that as well.”

A year would pass quickly.

So they intended to treat this winter as a trial run—procuring slightly less than their final plan required, just to test whether the long-term storage and basement insulation worked as intended.

“There’s still much to confirm, but at least it’s all ready before winter. That’s a relief.”

Vellia smiled brightly.

The fewer variables, the more certain the outcome.

“Is today’s inspection finished?”

“Yes. We’ve checked everything important.”

As they left the clinic together, they continued chatting lightly.

“You remember we decided to recruit healers? We had far more applicants than expected, so I think running the clinic will go smoothly.”

“That’s good news.”

Khalid’s expression brightened.

It looked, outwardly, like an ordinary day.

But tonight—

Tonight was the night all their careful planning would bear fruit.

“Khalid. Let’s not return directly to the palace tonight. Let’s stop at the estate instead.”

For what was to come, the estate seemed the better choice.

When she lightly tugged his arm and suggested it, his face lit up even more than before.

Realizing he had completely misinterpreted her meaning, Vellia flushed crimson and smacked his back.

But Khalid only laughed harder, seized her hand, and pulled her along at a half-run.

“W-wait…!”

Suddenly being dragged along, Vellia stumbled in step with him. Yet there wasn’t a trace of displeasure on her face.

“Khalid…!”

When she called his name, he stopped abruptly and turned to her.

“Ah… sorry. I just feel a bit impatient.”

Then, slipping a hand beneath her knees, he swept her up into his arms.

“Khalid!”

“This way we’ll get there faster.”

“How long could it possibly take just to walk to the carriage—ahh!”

Before she could finish, he quickened his pace.

Vellia flushed, mortified at the thought of everyone staring at them. But since he showed no sign of putting her down, she quickly covered her eyes with one hand and pressed her face against his chest.

Honestly! He’s impossible…!

He was becoming more reckless by the day.

Yet it wasn’t as though she truly hated it. Peeking through her fingers, she tried to gauge the distance left to the carriage.

There was still time before nightfall.

Vellia couldn’t help but laugh softly, then adjusted her posture to loop her arms comfortably around his neck.

By evening, a discreet visitor arrived at the estate.

Khalid and Vellia, already prepared, summoned him straight into the study.

“So. The patrols are moving?”

“Yes. The moment the report came in, the very same men from the previous crackdown were dispatched.”

“What about timing?”

“It’s close. You must leave immediately.”

Khalid nodded sharply.

Vellia’s face turned cold as ice.

“…Let’s go.”

“You remember what we agreed?”

“Of course. We’re only there to enjoy ourselves, nothing more.”

“Good.”

Khalid caressed her cheek fondly, then rose to his feet.

“Bring the carriage around. We’re leaving now.”

“It’s already waiting.”

He extended his hand to Vellia.

“Shall we go and have some fun tonight, princess?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

They clasped hands, both wearing matching villainous grins.

Almost running, they climbed into the carriage, and Vellia’s heart pounded wildly during the ride to the casino.

They had carried out many maneuvers before, but this was the first time they were directly cornering Raul himself.

“…Hoo.”

“Why so tense?”

“I’m not tense. I’ve only ever been waiting for the perfect chance to ruin him.”

Vellia’s lips curved in a sly, confident smile—so different from her usual gentle demeanor.

“I really can’t wait to see his face when he sees us there.”