Thinking about that point, Vahamal still can’t be discarded. Netepel sighed softly and opened the letter.

The letter was sent by Tanel, who had visited Aglante as part of the delegation for Ophelia’s birthday.

Netepel hadn’t contacted her on her birthday, thinking it would be good to give her time since Ophelia was quite angry. In truth, he was also a bit annoyed at his friend’s frustrating behavior.

Ophelia didn’t want to know about the true nature of the Void King. It seemed she didn’t want to shatter the image of her husband that she had in her mind.

However, that didn’t mean Netepel wasn’t curious about how Ophelia was doing, so he asked Tanel to observe the situation there while he was in Aglante as part of the delegation.

As it happened, there were still a few of Prince Mahanas’s underlings remaining in Sigrasal Castle.

Although they worked in places where they couldn’t even see the hem of the royal family’s clothes, it was better than nothing. Even if they couldn’t see Ophelia, they could see the things surrounding her.

And this letter was a report of what Tanel had heard from them and seen directly.

Netepel, who was slowly reading through the paper, frowned slightly.

“It seems Ophelia has made a new friend.”

Moreover, that friend was someone he knew as well.

“She was keeping the daughter of Taeran Rohos in the palace?”

Vahamal seemed unsure how to react to those words. Netepel explained to the man who was inexperienced in such matters.

“I mean Anika Rohos. She just became the new Lord of Rohos, right? She even offered half of her domain to Ophelia.”

“It seems she has deep loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen.”

“But Ophelia hasn’t even been queen for a year yet. Besides, the current Lord of Rohos is shunning me.”

Because he had been on good terms with the previous Lord of Rohos, Netepel had tried to maintain some level of relationship with the new Lord of Rohos as well.

However, the new Lord of Rohos seemed to have no intention of maintaining connections with her father’s acquaintances. She had reported her father’s business partners to the king and had indirectly refused to build a relationship with him.

Netepel muttered as he read through the lines.

“I’m disappointed that after pushing me away, her new friend is the Lord of Rohos.”

But even if she disappoints him, Ophelia is still Ophelia.

Netepel thought that her innocence wasn’t a sin. While others’ ignorance might be a sin, hers wasn’t.

But he couldn’t just leave it like this, so he needed to think of some plan…. After pondering for a moment, he said.

“There were some southern lords who were recently punished due to Rohos’s accusations, right? I should contact them. They’ll be glad to hear from those who knew Taeran.”

Anika Rohos could be dealt with by their hands.

Although Ophelia might be shocked when her newly made friend disappears, she needed to know how hostile the world could be. Even if he wanted to cherish and treat her well, what could he do if she kept associating with those of poor quality?

Still not taking his eyes off the paper, Netepel asked.

“Has there been no contact from Prince Mahanas? He’s not repaying his debt.”

“My apologies, but there has been no letter from Reden.”

“He must have met her at Ophelia’s birthday… It seems things aren’t going well.”

Since it was unlikely that Mahanas had lost influence over his younger sister, it seemed that the King of Aglante had tightened his grip on Ophelia’s property rights.

Well, the more controlling the Void King was, the more beneficial it was for this side, so it didn’t matter.

“Send another letter to Prince Mahanas urging him to repay the debt. It’s not that we urgently need the money, but we’ve been too nice to the prince so far. It’s not like I’m Ophelia’s husband.”

The words came out colder than expected due to his negative feelings towards that side, but Vahamal, who had always viewed Prince Mahanas unfavorably, didn’t seem to notice this fact.

Vahamal brightened up and said.

“Very wise words. I’ll send a letter to Reden today.”

“Yes, and I’d like to know how Prince Mahanas treats Ophelia if possible. It’s right to urge repayment of the debt, but the prince isn’t particularly kind to his younger sister.”

“…Are you worried about Her Majesty the Queen?”

The question was cautious. Netepel let out a small laugh.

“Of course. Ophelia is a friend I love.”

So it was also his role to show her what the world is like.

Hoping that the prince of Reden would be as cruel as possible to his sister, Netepel turned a page of the letter. It was then that an interesting content caught his eye.

“My half-sister has requested a doctor to care for her mental health.”

“Do you mean the Second Imperial Princess?”

It must be a guess since the Third Imperial Princess Helena is in a distant foreign country, and Rahelica, who lives in the imperial palace, would have no reason to make such a request. Netepel nodded.

“Yes, but it seems she’s not using it herself, but sending it to Aglante. We should look into this more. But if I write a letter directly, Tanel might think I’m asking too much… Could I ask you to do it?”

“Yes, I’ll do as you say.”

“If the doctor goes to Aglante, I’d like to be in contact with him as well.”

Although it wasn’t a loud voice, Vahamal, who always listened carefully to his words, bowed his head further to express his understanding.

Netepel, who had put the read letter back into the envelope, raised his eyes. The sun must have started setting as the reddish horizon was visible.

Looking at the blood-red water surface, he reflexively thought of the jewel he was craving.

The Nasda King of Brinwell didn’t believe that what he wanted was just a single jewel.

“Do you really not need anything else? No military or talent?”

The king, whose wrinkles were deep but whose eyes were surely more greedy than in his youth, had asked during a private audience.

Netepel didn’t tell the old man that before an omnipotent god, people have no meaning.

The Nasda King seemed to think that he, who quietly smiled and shook his head, was still hiding his true intentions and speaking indirectly, but he didn’t ask further.

As he was briefly recalling the recent private audience, footsteps were heard behind him. Netepel turned around and looked slightly surprised as he met pale green eyes.

“Prince Masaran? What brings you here?”

Masaran, who seemed a bit out of breath as if he had ridden here in a hurry, approached with hasty steps. When the man was close enough, Netepel could clearly see the urgency illuminated by the twilight sun.

Masaran, who hadn’t even wiped the sweat from his forehead, said to him.

“Your Highness, I know it’s rude to come looking for you like this… But there’s something I want to confide in you… Could we talk?”

Netepel raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at the man who had melted after being comforted a few times. The prince of Brinwell, who could never surpass his older brother, was the object of his most focused attention these days.

He spoke in a gentle voice that would make the listener feel relieved.

“Of course, I can always make time for you, Prince.”

When they were almost near the Kirios Mountains, a letter arrived from the capital. It was from several people, including Salode, who had ordered regular reports.

As the messenger arrived after sunset, Idren received it inside the tent. His eyes widened slightly as he scanned the wax seal patterns on several envelopes. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was certainly…

“…This can’t be.”

Idren inadvertently exclaimed at the pattern he never thought he’d see in this way in his life. Penrel, who was spreading out a map nearby for a meeting, asked.

“Is something the matter?”

“Ophelia wrote a letter.”

The knight then looked at him with a bewildered expression. Idren realized that the man didn’t know how rare this was. To Penrel, they must have seemed like a reasonably good newlywed couple.

But he knew the value of this letter. Idren put all the other letters down on the desk and stroked the bumpy wax seal with trembling hands.

He muttered again.

“I can’t believe it.”

“…I’m glad you’re pleased.”

Penrel’s expression wasn’t very good as he said that, but Idren was in too good a mood to consider his subordinate’s feelings, so he ignored it.

To think Ophelia had written him a letter.

She must have remembered how he had begged for one before.

Another man might have felt his pride hurt for having to beg so pathetically for a letter, but Idren didn’t care. He was satisfied just by the fact that something had changed with Ophelia by clinging to her.

As he was still unable to shake off his emotions and was fondling the envelope, Penrel asked.

“If you’re going to read the letter now, should we postpone the meeting?”

“No, it’s fine. We should do today’s work today.”

Today, they were supposed to decide how to deploy the troops recruited from the elder families. More than half of them were hostile to him, so it was a matter that required caution.

Besides, Ophelia’s letter wasn’t something to be opened carelessly at any time. Only when he was alone, with a composed mind, could he touch it.

Idren, who had carefully put the envelope inside his clothes, looked down at the table where the map was spread. Small flags representing each family were neatly prepared beside it.

He picked up one of them and said to Penrel.

“Go and tell the commanders of the elder families’ troops that I’ve summoned them.”