Khaled was not satisfied with this. The reward was small for the effort expended.

But Velia looked quite pleased.

“It’s as expected.”

She had expected it in her previous life when the Emperor had handled it too.

Of course, back then Velia had also stepped in to perfectly cover it up, but this time the incident had been exposed.

“It’s satisfying just to let people know he isn’t perfect.”

Raul had always been portrayed too positively.

A perfect Crown Prince? There could be no such person.

Velia let out a small, sarcastic laugh.

“People have realized that the Crown Prince is not perfect. It may seem like a small matter, but it will become a small opening for us among those who thought he must become the Emperor.”

Velia took a bite of her favorite baked snack.

It tasted especially rich and delicious today.

“Did the chef change?”

Startled by her sudden question, Khaled asked back.

“Why? Is it not tasty?”

“No, it seems even tastier today.”

Saying this, Velia closed her eyes and smiled softly.

“Uhhuh, it really is delicious.”

Khaled returned her affectionate gaze with a smile of his own.

(This is a time separator.)

“Princess, a letter has arrived from the Kingdom of Ronica.”

Upon hearing the news from her maid, Velia quickly ran to her room.

As she opened the door and entered, she saw neatly arranged letters on her desk.

‘This is from Cloje. This is from my brother… Oh, there’s even a letter from Mother.’

Checking the sender one by one and smiling, Velia suddenly froze as she picked up the last letter.

It was not addressed to her by name but by a pseudonym. She immediately knew who it was.

‘…Derek.’

What on earth was he doing contacting her now?

Moreover, from the Kingdom of Ronica!

“Phew…”

Velia let out a deep sigh.

She then quickly opened Derek’s letter first.

…omitted…

Mother’s condition has improved significantly. I will consider the offer you made after Mother is completely healed.

…omitted…
] I will stay in the Ronika Kingdom for the time being. Princess Cloje has been taking great care of me lately. It’s all thanks to her concern.

Please stay healthy in a distant foreign country.

I hope to see you soon.

The letter was succinct.

He had conveyed all the necessary information while concealing any potentially suspicious details in case someone covertly read the letter.

Moreover, he even feigned being an artist sponsored by Velia on the surface. Such was his thoroughness, befitting of an information guild leader.

Velia gave a satisfied smile.

His letter mentioned that the medicine Velia had given him had been effective.

In truth, that was the most critical information. They had an agreement before coming to the empire, after all.

However, Velia was not pleased that his mother would join House Cellon after her recovery. When exactly was he planning to do it?

Velia carefully folded the letter.

“Hmm…”

It seemed he would stay in the Ronika Kingdom for longer than she had expected.

Why was he acting so leisurely, knowing that the Count would soon die?

“For now…”

She would have to write back, instructing him to report the discovery of a bastard in the Count’s house.

And they needed to agree on when he would enter the family and begin heir training.

She grew slightly anxious that he might not come to the empire even after the Count died.

Derrick, as she knew him, would never break a promise, but confirming would set her mind at ease.

Velia thought so and opened the remaining letters one by one.

“Aha.”

As expected, Harold’s letter was filled with immense concern and wellwishes.

Every line was densely written, and Velia couldn’t help but smile, envisioning her brother’s demeanor.

“Anyway, that brother of mine.”

He hadn’t merely asked if she was eating well; he had also written about the seasoning of the food, the proportion of vegetables—trivial details that were so like Harold that Velia laughed as she folded his letter.

Her mother’s letter was short, but the worry and love that seeped through were palpable. And there was a crucial piece of information noted briefly.

“Is His Majesty really going to visit the empire?”

The story she had brought up to provoke the Emperor and Empress was actually coming true.

Her thought process paused for a moment after reading that the ambassador from Xinguo would attend Velia’s wedding.

She had thought it was a bluff, for they hadn’t come when she married Raul in her previous life.

“And even mom is coming…”

Her mother would come to the empire to see her wedding and also meet her father.

Why had things suddenly changed like this?

Velia was confused.

There were more than one or two things different from the future she knew, so she couldn’t pinpoint what had changed.

“I’ll have to consult Khaled.”

She found herself naturally thinking of him whenever something happened.

Velia was slightly startled to realize how much she had come to rely on Khaled.

The feeling that he was truly becoming a life partner, walking the path of life together, became more real.

Of course, they hadn’t married yet…

“But we’re going to soon, anyway.”

With that thought, Velia chuckled.