Ophelia was silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. Seemingly anxious about this, Idren hurriedly added.

“I don’t expect much. Just stay as you are now, that’s enough.”

And the man mumbled. Perhaps that could be asking for a lot. It was a statement that limited what he could have for himself.

Although knowing this was the behavior of people afraid of rejection, Ophelia couldn’t readily open her mouth. After moving her lips silently for a moment, she changed the subject.

“…Come to think of it, your birthday is coming up soon.”

Idren’s birthday coincided with the New Year’s festival. From what she had heard, he wasn’t actually born then, but it was arbitrarily set that way.

It wasn’t the usual way of determining a birthday, but Ophelia hadn’t asked about it in detail. Idren wasn’t someone who wouldn’t know this, and she didn’t want to pry into matters that likely had circumstances behind them.

The man, noticing that she had changed the subject as she pleased, simply went along with it. Yes. Though his voice had subtly sunk, Ophelia pretended not to notice and spoke.

“Shall we return to the room now?”

After that day, Idren never asked her the same question again.

Nor did he show signs of being upset. He just acted as if such a conversation had never taken place. He smiled and kissed as before, and said small sweet things.

Unable to bring up a topic she couldn’t agree with again, Ophelia participated in this pretense, feigning ignorance.

She felt sorry for not readily promising the future, but she couldn’t speak carelessly. Even if unintentional, Ophelia didn’t want to lie to him.

Still, actions could suffice. After all, intentions aren’t conveyed through words alone. If she lived well through the next year, Idren would surely forget about not receiving a definite answer.

More important was the fact that his birthday was approaching.

Staring intently at her reflection in the mirror, Ophelia thought. What should I do for that man?

On her birthday, Idren had given gifts that were not only expensive, but also showed signs of much deliberation.

Even if she couldn’t do something grander than that, she wanted to do something with similar sincerity, but nothing appropriate came to mind.

Foolish. I should have thought about this earlier. Frowning and glaring at her own face, Ophelia wondered. What was it that Idren had asked for?

It was amusing to think this way when just a few days ago she hadn’t given a definite answer to his request.

After staring at the bundle of contradictions in the mirror for a moment, Ophelia rose from her seat. Nothing would change by staying cooped up in the room.

Entering the room as summoned by the queen, Hazel greeted the woman who was showing interest in him after a long time.

“Hello, Your Majesty?”

“It’s been a while.”

The queen had rarely left her room lately. It was an unofficial, but widely known, seclusion.

Naturally, the people who could see the queen’s face were limited to those she personally showed interest in, and Hazel was not among them.

Well, he could guess the reason to some extent. That damn cousin of his must have done something wrong again.

Having left his family, the system of guilt by association was unfair in many ways, but since he looked similar to that man, it was something he had to take into account.

He knew that socially inept guy would cause trouble someday. Thinking this, Hazel waited for the woman before him. It wasn’t proper to rush the words of a superior.

…Though he could show the flexibility to continue the conversation if that superior seemed unable to easily broach the subject.

Hazel asked the woman who seemed to have something to say but couldn’t readily open her mouth.

“Is there anything else you’d like to say?”

Then the queen, after hesitating for a moment, said.

“Actually, I want to go out.”

“…Where would you like to go?”

It was an unintentionally serious question, as the king was likely to react sensitively to the queen’s outing.

The young man was inherently fussy, and lately, he had been particularly on edge. Recently, Hazel had seen him lose his temper at the elders in the council chamber several times. It was a display of his originally poor temperament coming to the fore.

Still, he seemed to exercise some restraint in front of his spouse.

Well, it did seem like one could easily grow tired if their bedmate acted excessively. Separate from his bad temper, the king wasn’t a dull person, so he would likely act with that in consideration.

While thinking, the queen’s words continued.

“I haven’t decided yet. I was just thinking of visiting Galisa once.”

“It will be cold since it’s winter… but if you wish, I will report to His Majesty.”

“No, I think it’s better if I go to him myself.”

Ophelia stopped the knight who was about to move immediately. If Hazel told her she was going out, Idren would come right away.

It was better if she moved herself.

“Then I will send word to His Majesty.”

It seemed like Idren would come along with that message.

“There’s no need for…”

Ophelia, who was unconsciously stopping the knight, hesitated.

But wouldn’t it be impolite to visit without sending notice?

Just, should I not go today and talk about it later tonight? Such thoughts even crossed her mind.

Ophelia didn’t want to bother Idren. She was already not being helpful, so she refused to waste his time as well.

It was then that Hazel suggested.

“Then how about this? It will soon be time for His Majesty to finish his meeting. Why don’t you go to meet him then?”

“…Is it alright to visit so abruptly?”

“Doesn’t the king often come without notice?”

“Well, I…”

But she couldn’t say with her own mouth that she had nothing to do. While she might tell Idren everything without hiding anything, Hazel was a subordinate. There was a certain decorum to maintain accordingly.

To her hesitation, Hazel said.

“Don’t worry. He will like it.”

Even if everyone else found it troublesome, the king alone would welcome it. Thinking this honest sentiment that he couldn’t voice in front of his superior, Hazel added.

The queen stared at him for a moment before nodding.

While it couldn’t be said that Hazel’s words were unconditionally right, Idren didn’t seem to dislike her coming.

However, he said this.

“If you had told me in advance, I would have come to you.”

And the man quickly gathered the papers sprawled across the desk. Ophelia said to the man clearing away the scattered items.

“You don’t have to tidy up.”

After all, she was also showing an unorganized appearance.

But Idren shook his head. After sweeping up the papers and putting them in a drawer, he said in a slightly smaller voice.

“I want to show you only my best side.”

“Why?”

Almost reflexively asking, Ophelia realized her words might have sounded sharp. She corrected herself.

“I didn’t mean to pick a fight.”

She was just curious about his motivation, as she felt similar feelings herself. It wasn’t easy to maintain a perfectly composed appearance at all times.

I know. Answering with a small smile, the man said.

“Because I want you to think well of me.”

And the man slightly lowered his eyes. It was a trace of embarrassment.

Ophelia stared at him for a moment before asking.

“…Why do you want that?”

She had been the same. Ophelia too had wanted Idren to think well of her.

But she couldn’t explain why she came to have such a desire.

It was certainly something, but it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what it was.

Idren looked at her with beautiful eyes for a moment before answering.

“Isn’t it natural to want to look good to someone you like?”

“…Ah.”

So that’s what it was. Lowering her gaze slightly, Ophelia looked down at the wooden desk. The large hand that occasionally grabbed hers was lightly tapping it.

It was such a faint movement that it made no sound, but the emotion was clearly visible. Idren was feeling shy. Since there was nothing else that could have made him bashful, it seemed he was embarrassed for saying he liked her.

Why answer a question when you know it will make you embarrassed?

And naturally, Ophelia recalled his numerous questions that she had avoided.

She had been so cowardly then.

But how could Idren find the courage?

Recently, small words and actions that she would have simply heard and passed over before kept bothering her.

Perhaps it was because she was becoming more like Idren. Such a thought suddenly occurred to her.

It could be that, as he said, wanting to look good to the other person, she was curious about his feelings and wanted to know more about him.

But isn’t saying you like someone too heavy?

Ophelia blinked. It was then that Idren asked.

“Why did you come?”