The reason for doing such a foolish thing was that, at the time, Rahelika felt a sense of guilt towards Talia. That emotion, which had not yet been erased, was the result of a choice she had made when she was young.

Now she would choose a different way to compensate, but in the past, being young herself, Rahelika thought it wouldn’t be bad to give Talia a man who was easy for her to handle. Unlike Helena, who had a gentle personality and no big goals, Talia had clear assertions and objectives.

Mediocre men would think they needed to break such a woman, but Rahelika didn’t want to see her sister, who was quite cute when young despite being ill-mannered, being broken by others.

Especially not by a man inferior to Talia herself in both status and talent.

However, being born a princess, Talia couldn’t avoid marriage. Since he had no intention of marrying off his eldest daughter, Levenen wouldn’t just leave Talia and Helena alone.

If that was the case, it would be better if the husband was stupid or docile. Thinking this way, the second prince of Tesendot appeared to Rahelika as an appropriate match.

First of all, Resit Tesen was rather taciturn. Although he was said to speak bitingly in front of those of mixed blood, it was the opposite of Talia, who spoke as if her tongue was oiled at official occasions.

And he had less than Talia. Although their status was equal, Tesendot was a poor country. On the other hand, Talia had personal wealth almost as much as Orien.

So if words didn’t work, she could manipulate him with money.

Moreover, he was physically healthy and good-looking, so it seemed there couldn’t be a better match.

Of course, Levenen might not be pleased due to the unfavorable conditions, but there was a separate way to resolve that.

After considering everything and extending her hand, Resit didn’t grab it quickly.

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”

Until then, not having as much patience as now, Rahelika wanted to get annoyed at the man who was playing hard to get, but she held back and spoke again.

“I know you’re interested in my younger sister.”

Unable to lie that he wasn’t, Resit just remained silent at those words. That was enough, so Rahelika went ahead and scratched at the other’s pride.

“But with nothing to your name like you, prince, you probably can’t even speak to her, let alone propose. Ah, don’t think my words were rude to say to an allied country’s prince. I’m just stating facts.”

“…I won’t consider it rude. But I don’t wish to talk further.”

“If you turn your back now, this might be your last chance to see Talia.”

As if that was unpleasant, Resit, who was turning away from her, stopped in his tracks. Rahelika smiled at the man who had taken her bait. It was a smile Resit couldn’t have seen as his back was turned.

“By next year, Talia will already be married to another man. High status, wealthy, and even good-looking? Unlike with me, Father won’t block her path to marriage.”

“As you say, she’s an excellent person. But how could I marry such a person?”

Resit shot back, turning to face her again. Rahelika read displeasure in the wrinkles between his brows.

“As the princess said, aren’t I a prince with nothing to my name, unable to even speak a word?”

“Yet you’re still listening to my words despite thinking that.”

“That’s…!”

“Prince, do you still not understand what I’m saying?”

And Rahelika fully opened the fan she was holding. It was something she did when she wanted to hide her feelings or throw a tantrum since long ago.

“I’m saying I’ll push aside all those guys and place you beside my younger sister.”

It was a decision made without asking the opinion of the person in question, but Rahelika didn’t recognize the problem. Such twisted things were common in her life anyway.

Isn’t it fine as long as the result is good? With that thought, Rahelika revealed the plan to the prince who didn’t know how to scheme.

“If you propose to Talia from the start, you’ll surely be rejected. So first, propose to me.”

At that, Resit Tesen looked at her with an expression as if he had bitten into something unpleasant.

“…What if it’s accepted when you say such things?”

She didn’t want to marry him either, but it didn’t feel good to be treated as someone to be avoided. Rahelika twisted her lips.

“Do you think Father would want to place you, whom I don’t even want beside Talia, beside me?”

“…I asked just in case, as one never knows.”

“Needless worry. You’re too insignificant for that to happen.”

“That’s reassuring. Thank you.”

…Seeing him not backing down even once made her wonder if she had made the right choice, but it was already halfway done and couldn’t be undone.

She’s the type to reject somehow even by trampling if she doesn’t like it anyway. With only this half-baked faith in her sister, Rahelika proceeded with the plan.

“Even if Tesendot’s national power has declined, it has been a long-time ally. So Father won’t be able to outright refuse. And in Egelbamot customs, if the person proposed to can’t be given, the next child should be recommended. Of course, it’s just a custom and depends on the parents’ hearts, but they can’t simply ignore a proposal from an allied country’s prince.”

That was the gist of the plan she had devised.

“If you had proposed to Talia, there wouldn’t be a second proposal because Helena below her is still young.”

“…But if I propose to the princess, the chances of receiving a second proposal would be high.”

“That’s right. Of course, Father will hope you decline and give hints… but I believe you’ll pretend not to notice that much. Once you’re married to Talia, Father will also soften his displeasure as you’ll be his daughter’s husband.”

Of course, there was a flaw in those words. Even if Father made a second proposal, if Talia didn’t accept it, Resit would only incur Father’s wrath without gaining anything and have to withdraw.

But that was Talia’s choice, so it didn’t matter either way.

The man with a naive personality, despite wielding a sword well, fell for her words completely.

After getting his confirmation that he would do as she said, Rahelika warned the man about something she had almost forgotten.

“However, if you propose to me and end up marrying Talia, you won’t be able to become a husband loved by her. Because I don’t get along well with my sister, she reacts sensitively to such things.”

“For saying that, you’ve been quite enthusiastic in recommending this.”

“…Anyway, it hasn’t happened yet. I’m just giving you an opportunity.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

And Resit Tesen lowered his eyes.

“I never had such expectations anyway.”

How stupid. Rahelika thought so, but she had no sympathy left to pity someone else’s son.

“Rather, I’m wondering if this isn’t committing a sin. The Second Princess surely won’t want this proposal.”

“Talia will think a man with nothing like you is better than a man who doesn’t listen to her, so don’t worry.”

She comforted him like that, but in fact, the reason Rahelika could push him into the situation without any hesitation was because she trusted Talia’s personality.

But Rahelika didn’t reveal that fact until the day Resit proposed to her in front of Father. Because she couldn’t know if the man wanted to marry Talia enough to take such a risk.

In conclusion, Talia and Resit got married. It was because she accepted the man for some reason after hearing the story from Father.

As expected, they didn’t get along well. On her wedding day, Talia openly sneered at her when she came to give a wedding gift.

“To think I have to use even a husband that you used, it feels really disgusting.”

But anyway, Rahelika achieved her goal. Resit Tesen gave up even his family name and belonged to Talia. He became an obedient and quiet man, not shining himself but making Talia shine.

Thinking about that, there should be no reason to be dissatisfied, but recently Rahelika began to wonder if she had made the right choice. She had thought it was the best thing and given it to Talia, but she didn’t seem to be so satisfied.

Maybe there might have been a better option. Sometimes such thoughts occurred to her. It couldn’t be helped even if Resit Tesen, no, Resit Amaren, was a flawless man. Because Talia didn’t seem to be satisfied.

But Orien doesn’t need to know this story. Rahelika smiled at her elder brother who was staring at her.

“Lord Amaren won’t be interested in me. But if you’re still worried, I’ll tell him not to come to me from now on.”