Bellia was looking around the clinic.

Since it hadn’t been long since operations began, she was a bit worried that the workers might not coordinate well or that the atmosphere might be chaotic.

However, upon coming and observing, everyone working here was moving much more organically than expected.

“How’s the work going?”

“Everyone works diligently as if it’s their own business, so even if problems arise, they’re quickly resolved… Honestly, it’s going more smoothly than expected.”

The person in charge of managing the clinic was a member of Lunes, the information guild run by Derek.

And he was also one of the few who knew Derek’s true identity.

After all, they were planning to prepare many things here, so it couldn’t be entrusted to just anyone.

As Bellia couldn’t directly manage the situation herself, she had requested Derek to dispatch a guild member.

“I received word from Lane. They say they’ve found a clue?”

Bellia asked, recalling Derek’s letter she had received recently.

At that, he smiled confidently.

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

Derek’s letter contained the answer Bellia had been waiting for so long.

That they had found a clue to manufacture the antidote.

She had been worried about when she would hear from them, but the timing was very good.

‘If it had been a little later, I was going to urge them, but fortunately.’

At this clinic where Bellia was now, pharmacists were gathered, pouring all their efforts into developing the antidote.

“When do you think it will be completed?”

“Hmm. We’ll have to see how it progresses, but according to the chief pharmacist, it’s not far from completion.”

“Is that so?”

“The component analysis is finished, and we just need to determine the mixing ratios.”

At his words, Bellia’s expression turned relieved.

It was really close.

Winter was already approaching.

The Empress had less than a year left to live. The antidote needed to be delivered to her as quickly as possible.

They would extend the Empress’s lifespan very gradually, so that the Emperor wouldn’t notice.

‘She won’t refuse the antidote. The Empress seemed to be hanging on as much as possible for Callid’s sake.’

Bellia recalled the face of the Empress she had met before.

She was clearly the face of a mother.

Of course, that doesn’t mean she intends to improve the mother-child relationship. That wasn’t something Bellia should presumptuously intervene in, and it was a clear fact that the Empress had hurt Callid.

So they should just fulfill what she wants to a reasonable extent while gaining benefits. That’s what the Empress would want too.

That much is enough.

“Let me know when it’s definitely completed. I’ll be waiting.”

“Understood.”

Bellia finished her conversation with him and inspected the interior of the clinic again.

It was quite well-received among the imperial citizens for offering high-quality medical care at affordable prices.

Even now, many people were waiting to receive treatment, even if it meant getting a waiting ticket.

Bellia nodded greetings to them as she went down to the basement.

“All the firewood has been filled.”

“Hmm…”

The underground storage was packed with firewood to be used throughout the winter.

“We’re devising various methods for humidity control, but since the building was constructed not long ago, we’ll only know for sure after going through winter.”

The person managing the warehouse calmly explained to Bellia.

“What about the blankets?”

“They’re stored over there.”

Opening another door in the basement, there were blankets neatly stored. As they were also items vulnerable to moisture, it seemed they had placed paper in between to prevent humidity.

“You’ve paid careful attention to storage? Thank you.”

“Not at all! The Princess is doing all this for the imperial citizens, so we can’t be negligent in management.”

The manager answered with a pleased expression.

“We’re also checking the food supplies daily. We’re storing them as jerky and dried rations. It seems everyone will be able to spend this winter abundantly.”

“That’s a relief.”

After thoroughly inspecting the underground warehouse, Bellia left the clinic.

She felt at ease knowing that everyone working here was diligently doing their jobs.

“Please continue to take care. I’ll come to check occasionally, but if there’s any urgent matter, please send a letter to the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes, understood.”

Only after checking everything to the very end did she board the carriage.

Even inside the carriage, Bellia didn’t let go of her documents.

The clinics built in each region were also preparing for winter like this one. The methods varied slightly according to the climate of each region, but the goal was the same.

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

While it could be provided free to the poor, it was impossible to provide for free to everyone.

The purpose of the medical volunteer work was to provide jobs to idle healers while simultaneously building a reputation for Callid and Bellia.

But there was one more hidden purpose, which was to observe the lives of the imperial citizens.

Who were the truly needy, and what were their lives like?

It might be difficult to grasp perfectly, but it was necessary to investigate to some extent in advance, as there could be those who would abuse Bellia’s charitable work.

‘Those who have encountered the healers won’t be able to lie recklessly.’

In any case, the healers’ volunteer work was beneficial to Bellia in many ways.

‘Support from the nobles has also increased.’

After the bazaar, the nobles began to take a lot of interest in charitable work.

“Ugh!”

Bellia stretched out her arms and yawned.

If she returned to the Imperial Palace like this, she would have to prepare for the wedding.

Sending invitations, venue reservations, dress fittings…

There was more to do than expected.

Since she couldn’t expect help from the Empress, Bellia had to do everything herself. It’s not like she could entrust it to the Empress Consort, could she?

‘First, compile the list of people to send invitations to…’

Since there were many guests coming from foreign countries, she needed to send invitations in advance to convey the exact date. Only then could they make plans to come to the Empire.

“Haah…”

Somehow, even though she dealt with accumulated work every day, it felt like nothing ever ended.

She also needed to make plans for next year.

She also had to prepare for things after the wedding…

“We’ve arrived.”

Already?

Bellia was startled and slightly lifted the curtain on the window, and indeed, they had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Time had flown by while she was lost in thought.

As the carriage door opened and she slowly got out, someone was waiting for Bellia with a polite attitude in front. He was someone Bellia knew.

“…What’s the matter?”

The head chamberlain who directly served the Emperor.

He was waiting for Bellia.

“His Majesty the Emperor has commanded to bring the Princess.”

Although it seemed strange and doubtful what this was about suddenly, Bellia followed the head chamberlain towards the Emperor’s office.

Perhaps Bellia’s expression had become quite stiff, as the head chamberlain smiled and said,

“Please don’t worry too much. It seems His Majesty has received a report on the charitable work and bazaar the Princess has been doing recently.”

“Is that so?”

“He seemed to be in a very good mood.”

Hmm.

Seeing that he was bringing up words she hadn’t even asked about, it seemed certain that the Emperor had indeed called her with good intentions.

Bellia carefully tried to guess the Emperor’s intentions.

‘It doesn’t seem like it will be a very good thing for me… What’s his ulterior motive?’

Raul’s reputation had fallen, and Callid’s status had risen.

It must have been an unpleasant thing for the Emperor.

Moreover, calling Bellia today was also a sudden situation, and it wasn’t an audience with Callid together.

‘The charitable work and bazaar are just excuses.’

There must be something more.

Something he needs to talk about with Bellia alone.

Eventually, they arrived at the Emperor’s office.

Through the slowly opening door, the sight of the splendid room came into view.

There, the Emperor was sitting arrogantly, but when he saw Bellia entering the office, he brightened up.

“Oh! Princess Bellia!”

“I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“Hahaha! Let’s do away with such stiff greetings. The Princess is also my daughter-in-law, is she not?”

It was certain.

The Emperor wanted something from Bellia.

“It is an honor to be treated so comfortably.”

When Bellia spoke words of humility, the Emperor was pleased and offered her a seat.

“I’ve heard you’ve been doing a lot of good things in the Empire recently.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, no. I hear there’s high praise for the Princess among the imperial citizens.”

The Emperor began to praise Bellia with a bright smiling face.

And the more he did so, the more Bellia’s suspicions grew.

“At first, when I heard that both of my sons had sent you marriage proposals, I misunderstood a bit, but I think it’s rather a blessing that you came to the Empire with your kind heart.”

The Emperor’s praise became increasingly excessive.

“Hahaha. You must have felt disappointed that I haven’t helped much when you’re doing so many good things like this. Isn’t that right?”

“Not at all. I am well aware that my comfortable stay in the Empire is all thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration.”

“Haha! Really. I quite like you.”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter.

“Is there anything you want? I’ll grant you anything.”

Bellia held her words for a moment.

In that brief time, thousands of assumptions crossed Bellia’s mind.

Is it okay to accept this favor now? Or, if I refuse? What’s the hidden meaning?

“Don’t hold back. It’s not often that I offer to give something like this. So don’t regret it later and tell me what you want.”

It was because she knew it was rare that she was being more careful.

But she couldn’t drag it out for long.

Bellia quickly organized her thoughts.

“Then, if it’s not too presumptuous, may I make one request, Your Majesty?”

“Haha. Anything.”

The Emperor’s expression showed anticipation for what kind of request Bellia would make.

In any case, this was an opportunity.

So Bellia had no intention of missing the chance.

Even if the Emperor becomes wary of them later because of this, it’s beneficial to keep him in check.

“If you’re not inclined, please just treat it as passing words.”

“I’m curious to the point of wondering why you’re beating around the bush so much. Are you going to ask for the Emperor’s seat for Callid?”

The Emperor asked with a laugh, but there was a barb in his words.

Bellia raised her head and met the Emperor’s eyes.

Then she voiced what she wanted.

“Please give the position of Head of the Guard to the Second Prince.”

At Bellia’s words, the Emperor was silent for a moment.

It wasn’t such a grand position that he could immediately say no. But it was also a bit irritating to just freely give it to Callid.

If she had demanded an excessive position, he might have tried to persuade her with something else.

“Although it may not have been Your Majesty’s intention, unfortunately, Prince Callid has been largely excluded from imperial affairs despite being the Second Prince.”

Bellia slowly spoke in response to the Emperor’s silence.

“…I came all the way to the Empire solely with Prince Callid in my heart. But I found that the Prince has nothing to do as an imperial prince of the Empire.”

“Hmm.”

On the surface, it might look like a complaint about how hard it is to trust and live with someone like that in a lonely foreign country, but it was actually mocking the Emperor for not giving Callid any work.

But Bellia spoke with a bright smile.

“I’m moving like this for the sake of the Empire, aren’t I? So please allow Prince Callid, who will be my husband, to do something that can be of help.”

A deep smile spread across Bellia’s face.