Derek looked like he didn’t know what Velia said. But that wasn’t everything.
“You won’t live long. “At this rate, maybe a year?”
“Princess, do you have any basis for thinking that way?”
In fact, this was something that no one knew about until the Marquis of Selon died. However, Velia traced her previous memories and completed her confirmation. Luckily, the Marquis of Selon came to the kingdom in person.
“There are little black spots on his fingernails. I confirmed it once more at a dinner party a few days ago. “It would be fatal for the Marquis of Selon, who has a chronic illness.”
The spot was still light and not very noticeable, but I saw that there was a clear mark.
Derek stroked his chin as Velia spoke.
There is only one reason why black spots appear on fingernails.
“… … “It’s an addiction.”
Velia nodded her head.
It may be obvious, but the person behind it was the Marchioness of Selon.
The cause was Derek’s presence. Shortly after her son’s death, the Marchioness, upon learning that her husband had an illegitimate child, poisoned the food the Marquis was eating.
Because it was such a small amount, other people who ate the same food did not experience any major problems.
‘But the Marquis of Selon, who originally had a chronic illness, will soon show symptoms.’
Moreover, the Marchioness will poison her several more times after this.
Velia hesitated for a moment about whether to tell Derek about this, but decided that it would be best not to do anything that would raise more suspicions, so she saved her words.
“derek. “I am joining as a marquis.”
“princess.”
“I’m not forcing you to take over the title of marquis. I don’t care if you go and destroy the marquis or shake the power. Just give Khalid a helping hand in order to succeed to the throne later.”
Velia really didn’t care whether he squandered her successor’s fortune or coveted her power.
However, now is the time when Khalid needs the name of the Marquis of Selon, and there is a person in front of him who can give it to him very easily.
Of course she should appease him.
“I will take what you said into consideration.”
He suddenly appeared one day, shortly before the death of her marquis, becoming the successor to the author of the Marquess de Selon.
It was after that that Velia got to know Derek. Therefore, it was not possible to know exactly why he, who was so reluctant to become a marquess, obediently went there and became the successor.
But there were suspicious circumstances. She, Velia, remembered something that happened much further in the future.
“derek. “I know the medicine that will cure your mother’s illness.”
I know him who tried to cure his biological mother’s illness while squandering all of his fortune. And after his mother died, a medicine was created to cure the disease.
It was this medicine that brought great success to Velia’s medicinal business, which she led as empress. When the drug was developed, Derek’s sad and sad expression was vivid.
Velia smiled.
“I ask you to join the Marquis in exchange for telling me that. And please be on my side.”
Derek Selon would never turn down this offer.
Derek, looking at Velia, who was smiling triumphantly, burst into laughter.
“How did you know my mother was sick?”
“It’s a secret.”
Velia had a confident attitude.
“Is there any evidence that the drug is effective?”
“no.”
This time she was much more confident than before.
Derek sighed with a shocked expression on his face.
“But are you saying you will pay me for that?”
“yes. “The effect will be certain.”
“Do you think I would believe that?”
“You’ve already searched the entire continent, right? But you couldn’t find it. But the only person who answered that he could make a medicine to cure the disease appeared, and you, who are grasping at straws, can’t just ignore what I say, can you?”
Velia had nothing to show. She also knew he would be suspicious. However, he, who is rather suspicious, will be confused to see himself asking for his deal in such a shameless manner.
In order to deceive someone, you have to plan carefully and create evidence. So I thought that going simple like this would work for him.
Velia could hear her heart pounding. She won’t refuse, right? A very small feeling of anxiety rose up.
“… … “It requires trust.”
Velia realized that he had fallen for her through his words. So with her easy heart and her bright smile she said to him,
“Then decide after treating your mother first.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t keep my promise?”
“There is no way the Master of the Information Guild, who makes his living with good faith, would betray your trust.”
Derek thought that while running an intelligence guild, he had met a lot of reckless people, but none of them seemed as bad as Velia.
“under. “Are you the type of person who usually works this way, plugging up the escape holes?”
Derek sighed as he realized she couldn’t escape from Velia’s grasp.
“… … Then please tell me the medicine that will cure her mother’s illness. “If my illness is truly cured, I will become a marquis.”
“great.”
Velia flipped through her pre-written paper.
“Dry the ingredients listed here, grind them, mix them with water, and drink. One tablespoon once a day. “It’s dangerous to eat more than that, so be sure to watch the amount.”
“… … All right.”
Derek carefully placed the paper with the medicine written on it in his arms. Velia, who was watching this, said something.
“Oh, and I’ll sell it later, so don’t spread the word anywhere.”
Derek burst into laughter without realizing it.
“ha ha ha. of course. “As long as it is effective, I will be on the princess’s side.”
“Then you will soon be on my side.”
“ha ha ha.”
While we were looking at each other and smiling happily, a cold energy came from somewhere.
“You look very happy?”
When they slowly turned their heads to hear a voice so cold that it somehow sent a chill to their shoulders, Khalid was there, looking at them with calm eyes.
“… … Khalid?”
Velia was startled to find Khalid suddenly appearing and she called his name. However, Khalid did not respond, but walked over naturally and sat down next to Velia.
“What are you talking about so happily? “I’m curious too.”
It was a very hostile attitude.
Velia asked with a sigh, thinking she knew why he was doing this.
“What’s going on here all of a sudden?”
“I heard you were eating alone with a man who was out of town, so I rushed over.”
But what I expected and actually hearing those words out in the open like this were different stories.
Velia was very embarrassed and tried to stop Khalid, but he didn’t move.
“haha. “As expected, you guys get along well.”
Derek said in a laughing voice. Then Khalid made a sullen expression.
“I heard that the two of you looked very friendly at the engagement ceremony.”
Khalid looked at Derek’s expression with disapproving eyes.
“I thought about it before, but seeing you together makes you look better together.
It wasn’t a big statement, but Khalid’s expression softened, as if he liked it quite a bit.
Derek also had a natural talent for dealing with people. Velia smiled with satisfaction at that sight. When she entered the social world, it was clear that if she was given a bit of push, she would quickly adapt and settle down.
So she had to make him her own. In that sense, this proposal was absolutely necessary.
“I decided to introduce Klose to Derek. “He decided to help the Ronica Kingdom while I was away.”
“Hmm. is it.”
Khalid stroked Klose’s chin, remembering how sharp his eyes were every time he met him. Derek got up after confirming that the story was roughly concluded.
“Well then, I’ll just leave.”
“is it so. “I hope there is good news the next time we meet.”
Derek said hello and left the restaurant.
Then he placed his hand on his chest containing the paper and took a moment to breathe deeply.
‘First, I need to analyze the ingredients of the medicine.’
Derek didn’t believe everything Velia said, but he began to assume what could have been.
If this really heals his mother, then he will be on her side. Thinking like that.
As long as she can become a mother, it will not be difficult for her to become a writer. Moreover, Princess Velia said that she would not care if the latter writer was ruined.
This was an offer that he could not lose.
* * *
After Derek left, Khalid and Velia were spending the late afternoon together.
The weather was nice today. No, not just today, the weather has been good lately. The scent of flowers carried by the wind was fragrant.
“Velia.”
Velia looked out her window blankly and turned her head when she heard a voice calling her. Khalid looked blankly at her Velia.
Her silver hair fluttering in the wind was mysterious. How can someone who looks so thin and weak move with such strength?
Her burning sunset dyed her red, but her Velia still looked dangerous, as if it might disappear.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
I thought you would disappear.
I feel like you’re leaving me.
I feel like they would easily let me go.
“Khalid?”
How can this anxiety go away?
Khalid burst out laughing.
“just. “Because it’s pretty.”
“You always say you’re pretty when you have nothing to say, right?”
“Really.”
Velia stuck out her lips.
Khalid thought as he looked at Velia.
What should I do to keep her by my side for the rest of her life? What should she do to make her love herself with all her heart?
She had nothing to say even if it was an obsession. But this was Khalid’s way of loving.
‘I’m going to make you think you’re holding my leash and shaking me.’
She must not even know in her dreams that the tangled skeins of thread will be tied together around her delicate wrist holding that leash.
For a long time, she was doing her duty as a well-behaved hunting dog without her noticing.
Then, when she no longer cares about the leash she is holding, she can then take his hand away from him.
“Where does everything you eat go?”
It’s so dry.
I grabbed her wrist and found that she could hold it in one hand.
“Tsk. I need to eat more. “Isn’t this why I always lack stamina?”
Velia blushed at what Khalid said to her.
“hmm. Now that I think about it, the food in the Empire is a bit spicy. Do you think you’ll be able to get used to it?”
“sure.”
Still, she served as empress for a long time. That was enough time for Velia to get used to the food of her empire.
Then Khalid took a sip of her tea and changed the subject.
“… … I’m now getting ready to go back. “She plans to stay in the Duchy of Tessa for a while before going to the imperial palace.”
The Duchy of Tessa was located in the western part of the empire. Since it was right next to the Kingdom of Ronica, it was the perfect location to plan something.
Velia also knew that Duke Tessa was the head of the West. However, when she became empress, the power of the Duchess of Tessa was significantly weakened.
She said, ‘The influence of the Han family would not have suddenly decreased, so it would not have much power now… … .’
Because all the dukedom had was the old order of knights and honor. However, Khalid’s words that he planned to stay in such a ducal house were significant.
Velia suddenly became curious and asked Khalid a question.
“What kind of person is Duke Tessa?”
