TRETTHD 114

Chapter 114. Vellia’s Death

The supplies that had once filled the underground of the clinic were now completely gone. That place had been an immense help.

The citizens of the Empire could not stop praising Vellia and Khalid. The Emperor and Raul had also taken measures during the winter, but it was too late to truly win the hearts of the people.

Last winter, and again this winter.

They would never forget the Second Prince, who had come in person to check on the afflicted areas out of genuine concern, nor his consort, who had built a warm and welcoming clinic.

So it really was important to act first.

After inspecting the clinic and leaving a few instructions to the caretaker, Vellia stepped outside.

The people were waiting for her with cheers.

“Your Highness, thank you!”
“Thank you, thank you so much!”
“We’ll never forget this!”

Along the road, people lined up on both sides, calling out their gratitude. At their voices, Vellia’s expression softened.

Yes, at the start it had been a calculated move, taken for her own purposes.

But even so, through her actions many had received help, and now she was being met with heartfelt gratitude. That was something she felt she would never forget.

She thought to herself that, just as she cherished the trust they had shown her before Marquis Celon’s funeral, she would treasure this sight in her heart as well. Vellia moved a little closer toward them.

Such lovely, grateful people…

The knights blocked the crowd so she couldn’t go all the way to them, but the distance still wasn’t far.

She could see every face. Everyone was smiling. Her heart warmed, and Vellia returned their smiles and waved.

And then—

“Ugh!”

Someone burst out from the crowd and lunged at her.

“Your Highness!”
“Kyah!”
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

It was a small boy.

The knights immediately restrained him, but it was already too late. A dagger had been driven into Vellia’s abdomen.

Blood streamed down, staining the blue dress she wore until it turned dark crimson.

No…

Her consciousness grew hazy.

Through her blurring vision, she saw the boy trembling, his hands covered in blood. He was crying.

Why…

Her thoughts cut off.

Her body swayed, her knees buckled.

Before she hit the ground, the knights rushed to support her.

“Summon the healers! Quickly!”

The caretaker and healers of the clinic rushed out, faces pale.

“Your Highness! What on earth—!”
“No time to explain! Treat her, now!”
“Yes!”

The scene fell into chaos.

The citizens who had witnessed the moment Vellia was stabbed wept and prayed outside the clinic.

Carefully, she was brought inside. The healers pulled the dagger from her abdomen and poured their energy into her.

It was a force unlike holy power.

“Urgh…”

“Your Highness, you mustn’t lose consciousness!”

They worked desperately until the bleeding stopped.

“Send word to the Imperial Palace at once!”
“Yes!”

A knight mounted up and rode off.

But Vellia’s pain was unbearable. She couldn’t hold onto consciousness any longer.

And so she fainted completely.

When news of the attack reached the palace, Raul immediately hurried to the clinic.

With Khalid absent, no one could stop him.

“What happened?”

Arriving at the clinic, Raul demanded an explanation.

The caretaker lowered his head.

“I am sorry, it was my failure.”

“I am not blaming you. I asked what happened.”

Raul’s voice was cold.

“Someone among those who came to see Her Highness rushed at her.”

Raul walked toward the treatment room, his face sunk in thought.

There, Vellia lay on a bed, motionless. Her complexion was pale from blood loss.

Raul stood over her, an unreadable expression on his face, then closed his eyes.

“I will take the Second Princess Consort to the palace. The assailant has already been brought there, and the interrogation will be handled by the Imperial Family.”

“…Understood.”

The caretaker hesitated, anxious. Could he entrust her to Raul? For all they knew, the First Prince himself might have orchestrated this attack.

But he had no power to resist.

As if sensing his worry, Raul added,

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of harming her.”

Thanks to the healers’ tireless efforts, her wound had nearly closed. It was sheer fortune that the clinic was right there, allowing treatment immediately after the attack.

But she was not fully healed inside, and her life still hung by a thread.

Raul slipped his arms beneath her neck and knees, lifted her gently, and carried her to the carriage bound for the palace.

“We return to the palace. Summon a priest there immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”

The carriage began to roll away.

After a long tour, Khalid finally returned to the palace.

The chilling stillness that greeted him at the Second Prince’s residence filled him with dread as he looked for Vellia.

Had he missed a message in his haste? Why was she nowhere to be seen?

He hurried to her chamber.

The maids at her door gasped at the sight of him.

“Your Highness!”

“Where is Vellia?”

“Her Highness is…”

The maid faltered.

“Where is she?” Khalid pressed.

“Your Highness, why are you only here now…”

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

“We sent so many letters—begging you to return, for Her Highness is gravely ill…”

Gravely ill?

Khalid’s expression froze.

“What do you mean? No—where is she? Is she inside?”

He threw open the door.

The room was thick with the haze of burning herbs, their scent heavy in the air.

Through the smoke, on the ornate bed, lay Vellia.

Khalid froze.

Why was she lying like that?

His mind stopped.

He had come expecting her bright smile of welcome—yet she would not open her eyes.

Step by step, heavily, he approached.

“Vellia.”

No reply.

“Vellia, it’s me. I’m here.”

His voice shook. Still, no answer.

He touched her cheek with the back of his trembling hand.

…There was warmth.

With a ragged breath, he collapsed to the floor in relief.

He thought she was dead. Thought she had left him again, just like before.

After all his effort, even now.

But the faint warmth on her skin reassured him—this time was different.

“…What happened?”

His voice was low, dark.

A maid stepped forward.

“She was stabbed while visiting the clinic.”

“The assailant?”

“A nine-year-old boy. He is imprisoned.”

A boy of nine?

Then surely, someone had put him up to it.

What reason would a child have to attack the very woman who had worked so hard for the people?

Khalid exhaled deeply, covering his face with his hand.

“…When did this happen?”

“Not even three days ago.”

At least it wasn’t too long ago.

“Thank goodness you’ve come now. We feared you would arrive too late.”

“You said letters were sent?”

“Yes, through magical devices, to every place you were expected to stay.”

But in his haste to return, Khalid had never lingered long enough to receive them, camping under the open sky as he raced back to the palace.

If only he had stopped, he might have gotten word. If only he had arrived a little sooner…

He clenched his teeth.

“What is her condition now?”

“The dagger was laced with poison. Fortunately, since it happened right before the clinic, she received immediate treatment and later a priest’s healing. But the poison was extremely potent—it could not be fully purged. The Imperial Apothecary is preparing an antidote as we speak.”

So that was why the room was filled with the smoke of herbs—to slow the spread of the poison.

He grasped the situation. But he needed more details.

“Have Acid investigate everything and report to me at once.”

The maid bowed and left.

Khalid sat beside Vellia, stroking her cheek, his expression grim.

“Vellia.”

He kept calling her name, but she never stirred.

Of all things… poison.

His heart would not settle, seeing her lying like this.

He had seen her like this once before—in another life.

At her funeral.

Vellia, poisoned by Raul, lying lifeless in her coffin.

“…Your Majesty.”

His dry, cracked voice rasped.

He remembered standing for who knew how long before her coffin, holding a single flower. He had been the last to arrive, the last to linger by her side.

Was it just to end like this, that you went to Raul, Vellia?

Just to meet me as a corpse, laid in a box dressed with flowers?

With your memories erased, leaving only mine intact?

Did you walk knowingly into a future that held only death?

“…Wait for me.”

At your grave, I will offer Raul’s head.

Rest in peace.

“I’ll join you soon.”

No one heard the words he whispered.

He had laid flowers in her arms and walked away.

It was an old memory. One he could never forget.

Your death was unbearable to me.

Khalid brushed back the strands of hair falling across her face, arranging them gently, tenderly, as if she might shatter with a touch.

“You promised you wouldn’t leave me alone…”

His trembling voice faded into the air.

“Vellia. How long will you lie here? Hm?”

Please… open your eyes.

But unlike his despair, Vellia simply breathed softly, eyes closed as if in peaceful sleep.

And then, at that moment, the necklace around her neck began to glow with a faint, shimmering light.