However, Velia knew he was actually quite busy. He spent most of his time working.

Reports were coming in every day. He was always busy, yet he kept lying.

It was an absurd tantrum, but Velia played along and crossed her arms at Prince Khaled.

“Shall I play with you for the next few days, then?”

At Velia’s endearing words, Prince Khaled’s expression turned peculiar.

Velia carefully examined his face, wondering if he felt insulted by her comment about playing along. However, his gaze remained fixed on her, so that didn’t seem to be the case.

Feeling awkward, Velia cleared her throat and let go of his hand with a thought that suddenly came to her mind.

Prince Khaled’s arm felt a bit empty.

“Ah! I’ve thought of a way to get back at that person.”

At this, Prince Khaled stopped walking and looked at her.

“What is it?”

Prince Khaled couldn’t remember exactly, but in his previous life, after coming to the empire, Raul had faced a significant problem.

Ordered by the Emperor to crack down on illegal gambling establishments in the capital, Raul had become addicted to one such place.

Although he followed the order and eliminated most of the establishments, he left one and frequented it for gambling.

‘An illegal casino targeting nobles…’

Casinos weren’t illegal in the empire. They were permitted within the bounds of the law.

There were several legallyoperated casinos, and the minor bets happening there were allowed. Those places were also acknowledged as social hubs for the nobles.

However, Velia knew that one of them was running an illegal gambling facility.

“I can’t really talk about it here. I’ll explain in detail later.”

Noticing people lingering nearby, Velia stopped talking with a sly smile.
Prince Khaled had to check the progress of cracking down on illegal gambling facilities and decide the timing to expose them. This could inflict a minor stain on Raul’s reputation.

‘Back then, I had to stop rumors that Raul frequented illegal gambling houses.’

This time, if they themselves released that news, tarnishing Raul’s clean image even a bit, it would be quite entertaining.

‘Previously, I immediately asked for the Emperor’s help, but this time I’ll spread it so the Emperor won’t even have the chance to intervene.’

This wouldn’t be a major blow to make Raul waver in his position.

However, to topple a robust castle, one should start by weakening its foundation, digging it out slowly. Knowing that this was in process somewhat eased his urgency.

Then, Prince Khaled spoke with an air of amusement.

“I was also just thinking of sending a little gift to Raul. We had the same thought, didn’t we?”

Since learning of Velia’s reincarnation, Khaled was reluctant to just let things slide.

He was struggling to win her heart fully, while Raul not only abandoned her in another life but even killed her.

Moreover, wasn’t it Raul who caused her emotional wounds, forcing her to lock her heart away?

Feeling all his efforts were foiled by Raul irritated him more and more.

Of course, he didn’t mind striving for Velia, but the fact that it was all because of Raul was unbearable. So, he had prepared his own little gift.

“What’s the gift, may I ask?”

When Velia asked, curious, Khaled whispered softly.

“The spies he sent to me?”

At those words, Velia’s eyes widened in surprise.

He already caught them all?

She had been meaning to mention that Raul had placed spies around him to keep tabs. And he already knew?

“Since when did you know?”

“Well, you pick up on such things quickly.”

Had he known all along?

Then why hadn’t he retaliated against Raul, or ever come to the capital?

Velia swallowed her questions.

“More importantly, I’m curious about what entertaining idea you’ve come up with?”

“I can assure you, you’ll find it quite enjoyable.”

Velia grinned.

Intrigued by her elevating answers, Khaled nudged Velia.

“Give me a little hint.”

“Um.”

Velia grabbed Khaled’s shoulder and whispered into his ear.

“Raul will fall into gambling.”

Hearing Velia’s softly spoken words, Khaled’s eyes grew wide.

“What?”

Amused by his reaction, Velia chuckled and planted a kiss on his cheek as if to show off. Khaled laughed in response.

To those observing from a distance, they looked like a loving couple.

“We’ll talk details when we’re alone.”

Velia’s face brightened at the thought of fully sabotaging Raul.

She intended to gradually steal away everything he had.

And this was just the beginning.