TRETTHD 64

#64. Do You Have Any Requests?

Belia was inspecting the clinic.

Since it hadn’t been operating for long, she had been a little worried—perhaps the staff wouldn’t work smoothly together, or the atmosphere might be chaotic.

But after arriving and observing, she realized that everyone here was functioning far more harmoniously than she had expected.

“How is the work going?” she asked.

“Everyone works as if it’s their own task, so even if a problem arises, it’s quickly resolved… Honestly, it’s going more smoothly than we anticipated,” replied the person in charge of the clinic’s management.

He was a member of Deric’s information guild, Lunes, and one of the few who knew Deric’s true identity.

Since Belia planned to prepare a lot of things here, she couldn’t entrust the task to just anyone. And because she herself couldn’t manage it directly, she had requested Deric to send a guild member.

“I received a message from Rain. You said you found a lead?” Belia asked, recalling Deric’s letter from some time ago.

He smiled confidently.

“Of course. Research has been underway for quite some time.”

Deric’s letter had contained the answer Belia had been waiting for so long: a lead for creating the antidote.

She had been worried about when she would hear from him, but the timing was perfect.

If it had been a little later, I would’ve had to nudge them. Good thing it didn’t come to that.

At the clinic where Belia currently stood, the pharmacists were dedicating all their effort to developing the antidote.

“When do you think it will be completed?” she asked.

“Hmmm… We’ll have to see how it progresses, but according to the chief pharmacist, it shouldn’t be long now.”

“Really?”

“The component analysis is finished; we just need to determine the mixing ratio.”

Hearing that, Belia allowed herself a relieved expression. It had truly been a close call. Winter was already approaching. The empress had less than a year to live, and the antidote needed to reach her as soon as possible.

It had to be done very gradually so that even the emperor wouldn’t notice, prolonging the empress’s life just enough.

She won’t refuse the antidote. It seems she’s also holding on for Khalid’s sake.

Belia recalled the empress’s face from their previous meeting. She was undoubtedly a mother figure.

Of course, that didn’t mean Belia intended to mend their mother-child relationship. That wasn’t her place, and the empress had clearly caused Khalid some pain.

So, Belia decided that fulfilling the empress’s desires while securing some benefit for themselves was enough. The empress would likely want that too. That alone was sufficient.

“Let me know once it’s fully completed. I’ll be waiting,” Belia said.

“Understood.”

Finishing the conversation, Belia continued inspecting the clinic.

The clinic had received a positive response from citizens because high-quality treatment was offered at affordable prices. Even now, many people were waiting with tickets for their turn. Belia greeted them with a nod before heading down to the basement.

“All the firewood has been stocked,” reported one of the staff.

“Hmmm…”

The basement storage was packed with firewood to last through the winter.

“We’re devising various methods to control humidity, but since the building is still new, we’ll only know for sure after winter passes,” explained the manager calmly.

“And the blankets?”

“They’re stored over there.”

Opening another door in the basement, Belia found blankets neatly arranged. Because these items were also vulnerable to moisture, paper had been placed between them to prevent dampness.

“You’ve taken great care in storage. Thank you.”

“Not at all! Everything you do for the citizens must be properly managed,” the manager replied proudly.

“We also check the food daily, storing dried meat and grains. I believe everyone will have plenty this winter.”

“That’s a relief,” Belia said, inspecting the warehouse thoroughly before leaving the clinic. She felt at ease knowing everyone here worked diligently.

“Please continue your good work. I’ll visit often, but if urgent matters arise, send a message to the palace,” she instructed.

“Yes, understood,” the manager replied.

Only after confirming everything did Belia board the carriage. Even inside, she kept reviewing documents. The clinics built in other regions were similarly preparing for winter, with methods adapted to local climates, but the goal remained the same.

Of course, we can’t provide everything for free.

The poor could receive free treatment, but it wasn’t feasible for everyone. The medical service served both to give idle healers work and to build a reputation for Khalid and Belia.

But there was also a hidden purpose: observing the lives of the empire’s citizens—who truly struggled and to what extent. While it might be impossible to grasp everything perfectly, it was necessary to investigate in advance to prevent anyone from exploiting Belia’s charitable work.

Those who meet the healers won’t easily lie.

In any case, the healers’ volunteer work brought Belia many advantages.

Even the nobility’s support has increased.

Since the bazaar, the nobles had shown much more interest in charity.

“Ugh!” Belia stretched her arms wide.

Upon returning to the palace, she would need to prepare for the wedding: sending invitations, securing the venue, fitting the dress… There was far more to do than she had anticipated.

She couldn’t rely on the empress for help, and she couldn’t leave it all to the dowager empress either.

First, make a list of invitees…

With many guests coming from abroad, invitations had to be sent early so that they could plan their travel to the empire.

Sigh…

No matter how much work she completed each day, it felt like nothing ever ended. She also had to plan for the next year and prepare for post-wedding matters.

“We’ve arrived.”

Already? Belia was startled. Peeking through the curtains, she realized they had reached the palace. Lost in thought, time had flown by.

As she stepped down from the carriage, someone awaited her respectfully—it was someone she knew.

“…What is it?”

The grand steward, directly attending the emperor, was waiting.

“The emperor has requested your presence, Princess,” he said.

Belia, puzzled by the sudden summons, followed the steward to the emperor’s office. Seeing her stiff expression, the steward smiled.

“Do not worry. His Majesty seems to have received reports on the charity work and bazaar you recently conducted.”

“Is that so?”

“He appeared very pleased.”

Hmmm. Since he spoke without being asked, it seemed clear the emperor’s summons had a good intent. Belia tried to anticipate his motive carefully.

This might not be entirely good for me… What’s he really after?

Raoul’s reputation had declined while Khalid’s standing had risen. The emperor surely didn’t like that. Furthermore, today’s summons was sudden, and Khalid was not present.

The charity and bazaar are merely excuses.

There was certainly something more—the reason she alone had been called.

Finally, they arrived at the emperor’s office. Through the slowly opening doors, Belia saw the lavish room. The emperor sat arrogantly, and upon noticing her, brightened.

“Oh! Princess Belia!”

“Your Majesty,” she replied.

“Hahaha! Spare the formalities. Aren’t you my daughter-in-law?”

It was certain—the emperor wanted something from Belia.

“It is an honor that you treat me so kindly,” she said humbly, and the emperor, pleased, gestured for her to sit.

“I’ve heard you’ve done much good for the empire recently.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

“No, no. Your praise among the citizens is widespread,” he said with a bright smile, continuing to compliment her. The more he praised, the more suspicious Belia became.

“At first, I was a bit concerned when I heard my two sons proposed to you, but seeing your kind heart and your coming to the empire has been a blessing,” the emperor said, increasingly effusive.

“Hahaha. And yet, I haven’t been able to help you, which must have disappointed you. Isn’t that so?”

“Not at all. I am aware that my comfortable life in the empire is all due to your consideration, Your Majesty,” Belia said.

“Haha! Truly, I am pleased,” the emperor laughed heartily.

“Do you have any requests? I will grant anything you wish,” he added.

Belia paused. In that brief moment, countless possibilities raced through her mind. Could she accept this favor? What if she refused? What hidden meaning lay behind it?

“Do not hesitate. Opportunities to receive something from me are rare. So speak your desire without regret,” the emperor urged.

Knowing this was a rare chance, Belia remained cautious but couldn’t delay. She quickly composed her thoughts.

“Then, if I may be so bold, may I ask a single favor, Your Majesty?”

“Haha. Anything,” the emperor replied, curious to see what she would request.

This was her opportunity. She wouldn’t let it slip. Even if the emperor later grew wary, it would still be advantageous to have him bound to them.

“If it displeases you, simply consider it a passing remark,” she added.

“Curious… What request could take so long to voice? Planning to demand the throne for Khalid?” the emperor joked, though there was a sharpness in his tone.

Belia met his gaze and spoke her request clearly:

“Please grant the position of Guard Commander to the Second Prince.”

The emperor was momentarily silent. It wasn’t a position so grand that it couldn’t be refused, but giving it so casually to Khalid felt slightly irksome.

“Though it may not have been your intention, unfortunately, Prince Khalid, despite being the Second Prince, has been largely excluded from imperial duties,” she explained slowly.

“… I only came to the empire because my heart was set on Prince Khalid. Yet as the empire’s prince, he had no responsibilities.”

On the surface, it might appear as if she were lamenting the difficulty of trusting him in a foreign land, but in truth, she subtly criticized the emperor for giving Khalid no duties. Yet she spoke with a radiant smile.

“I am working for the empire myself. Please allow Prince Khalid, who will be my husband, to contribute as well.”

A warm smile spread across Belia’s face.