Afterwards, Velia and Prince Khaled often stopped by the casino whenever they had time, enjoying various games.

Some days they simply sat at a table, sipping wine together, while on other days they won a tremendous amount of money.

Of course, there were days when they lost everything and returned emptyhanded.

Just as everyone became accustomed to them spending their leisurely time at the casino, they received a tip that Raul had started frequenting the place as well.

“Is it tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

It had been a few days since the illegal gambling den was scheduled to open.

The time had finally come to expose Raul’s activities.

“All we have to do is become witnesses who have seen him get caught there. Then the rumors will naturally spread.”

Prince Khaled lifted the corners of his mouth slightly.

“The security team showing up that day has nothing to do with us, correct?”

“They were involved with Raul in cracking down on illegal establishments. So if a report comes in, they’ll definitely show up.”

If, by any chance, an investigation reveals their negligence in the crackdown, it would harm their superior, Raul.

Such loyalty would trip Raul up.

“Ah, right! We’ve captured all the people Raul sent, haven’t we?”

Velia suddenly lifted her head to ask.

“Of course. They’ve already been captured and confined underground.”

“Good.”

As initially suspected, Raul didn’t think it was mere coincidence that Velia and Prince Khaled appeared while he was there. He had people secretly monitor everything from their movements to their daily lives.

But Velia and Prince Khaled knew this and left it be.

“There’s no need to feed him information any longer.”

Leaving Raul’s hidden agents completely alone could only arouse more suspicion.

So, they weeded out those who were obvious but deliberately left those hiding in secret, making him think he still had spies among them.

However, with the day to trap Raul approaching tomorrow, there was no more need for that.

“This is just the beginning.”

“I know.”

“Step by step, we’ll bring down the ground he stands on.”

Velia’s expression was highly charged.

The emperor would undoubtedly try to downplay the incident, but public opinion could be shaped from this point, so they couldn’t let it slide.

“Let’s go over it one more time.”

Velia put the pen tip in her mouth, contemplating for a moment before swiftly jotting something down on paper.

Officially, Velia and Prince Khaled were to visit the clinic construction site together tomorrow.

“We’ll be busy from noon tomorrow.”

The muchtended clinic construction was almost complete.

They had also established their sponsorship of artists and had not forgotten to regularly visit and assist childcare facilities.

Recently, public opinion toward Velia had grown increasingly favorable.

Especially when Velia visited the childcare facilities as a sponsor, everyone in the vicinity would welcome her.

“As soon as the clinic construction is completed, we’ll start manufacturing medicine.”

“Yes.”

“There’s a specific medicine we must make.”

And that, as soon as possible.

‘The empress can’t survive past next summer.’

Although they had already requested Derrick to produce an antidote, there was still no news.

‘We absolutely have to make the antidote before summer comes.’

The empress must not die now.

Her death would put Prince Khaled at a great disadvantage.

“What medicine are you thinking of?”

“An antidote.”

Prince Khaled wore a puzzled expression.

Velia bit her lip. It was difficult to tell him that his mother was being poisoned, and that the perpetrator was likely the emperor. She feared he would be hurt.

She hadn’t been able to say it until now, but she had to let him know. Waiting any longer might make it irreparable.

“The empress is addicted to medication.”

It was a very soft voice, but Prince Khaled caught on instantly.
He looked slightly surprised, but he asked no questions.

How he knew about it, who was doing such a thing, and why he hadn’t spoken of it all this time.

Nothing at all.

“…You’re not asking anything?”

It had been a long time since Khaled had conversed with the empress.

The empress always gave Khaled a hard time, and it was uncomfortable for Khaled to even look at her.

“…Is that old man finally planning to kill my mother?”

Breaking the long silence, Khaled asked.

Velia nodded her head with difficulty.

“Yes, indeed.”

That was the end of his answer.

It was impossible to tell what Khaled was thinking, but somehow, it felt like he was screaming internally.

“We’re making an antidote. I’ve already requested it from the Information Guild Luneth. As soon as the ingredients are gathered, we’ll start production, and once it’s complete, I’ll secretly deliver it to Her Highness, the Empress.”

Velia calmly explained.

“Those who monitor the empress are always around. So, we need someone in the palace on our side. I’m asking that of you.”

“…Alright.”