“What do you mean by ‘worth it’?”

“It’s because I wasn’t born looking like this.”

Even though he knew she was referring to her clothes and makeup today, Idren almost contradicted her. No, you must have been this dazzling since birth.

But fearing he might look like a man truly melted by love if he said such things, Idren kept his mouth shut. He took Ophelia’s hand. She gently held it back.

As they walked towards the banquet hall, she said in a small voice.

“Actually, I put a lot of effort into showing this appearance.”

“You didn’t need to go to such lengths.”

Ophelia was someone who could effortlessly play with his heart without trying.

“For someone saying that, you seemed to like it quite a bit.”

“……I’m ashamed.”

Putting everything else aside, he felt like a shallow man obsessed with just looks.

Ophelia seemed to find his apology amusing. She lowered her head slightly and smiled again.

Her mood swings, clearly different from usual, were like those of someone drunk, but there was no smell of alcohol. Slightly surprised by the fact that she was genuinely enjoying herself, Idren held her hand a little tighter.

Ophelia, who had been poking him with small but distinct laughs, said:

“No need to apologize. I’m glad you reacted that way.”

She hadn’t known that the appearance she had hastily put together in a few weeks would elicit such a varied response from him.

When the man turned his head to hide his flushed face and even stuttered, Ophelia felt fully compensated for all her efforts. The irritation she had felt every time she had to force herself to eat things she didn’t like and swallow medicine to sleep on time all disappeared.

Is this the feeling that made you cultivate yourself?

Thinking she understood why the other person tried to look good down to the smallest detail, Ophelia said:

“I’m serious. You’re not the only one who wants to look good for someone.”

“……If you keep saying such things, my heart will ache.”

My heart, because it’s beating so fast…… And the man made an expression as if he was about to cry. He seemed quite embarrassed by his own words.

With a slightly reddened and distorted face, he mumbled. Please forget what I just said.

Although she usually didn’t like teasing, seeing him like this made her want to torment him.

Suppressing the irrational sadistic urge within her, Ophelia said:

“Later, come to my villa in Galicia at sunset.”

The year-end party was just about showing face and giving a congratulatory speech anyway. The real importance in Aglante was placed on the New Year’s festival.

Of course, Idren, being the king, would have to stay a bit longer, but he should be able to leave his seat around evening. It was tradition for everyone to spend the last day of the year with their families.

Ophelia planned to leave earlier and go to the villa first.

“It might be a bit inappropriate to stay out on such an important day, but since it’s close to the palace, we should be able to go quietly.”

Do you dislike it?

Her voice was light, as if he wouldn’t dare refuse.

He couldn’t say that confidence was arrogant. Whether it was like this for all things one liked, Idren couldn’t deny anything Ophelia said.

The reason he didn’t readily agree was not because he disliked the proposal, but because he couldn’t believe what he had heard.

Idren asked back in a slightly trembling voice.

“You’re letting me into your villa?”

“Didn’t you ask to be invited sometime?”

“I did say that, but……”

He hadn’t thought it would be today.

In his past life, the villa was one of the spaces he couldn’t dare to aspire to. Just like the bedroom they had shared, all of Ophelia’s private spaces were not permitted to him.

But now…….

No, the more touching part was something else.

Wasn’t it that Ophelia had remembered what he had said?

Perhaps because she was closer to being indifferent than attentive. Whenever Idren caught a glimpse of such kindness-like aspects from her, he felt not just happy but proud. It was because he felt he had secured some place in her heart.

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, he muttered.

“……I like you so much.”

“There’s no need to keep stating facts I already know.”

Though her words were coy, her expression honestly showed she was pleased.

Idren, who had been savoring that affection for a moment, stopped. They had already arrived at the banquet hall.

Being in a space with many people was not enjoyable.

Looking down at the people crowding the banquet hall, Ophelia realized anew that she was not suited for socializing. Just seeing that scene made her feel tired already.

Moreover, there were no people she could be glad to see in the banquet hall.

Deos said she would arrive during the New Year’s festival, and the former Lady of Rohos, to whom she felt indebted, had declined the invitation saying she was unwell. Though she wanted to compensate the woman who had lost her daughter somehow, Ophelia had no intention of forcibly bringing her to Edegrun, so she accepted the refusal.

Fortunately, the people who came to greet her did not attempt to converse beyond that. Whether it was because she hadn’t shown her face outside for a long time, or because the man beside her had somehow intervened, Ophelia thought it was somewhat fortunate.

It was then that she saw a familiar face among the milling crowd.

Far away, Siana was talking to someone.

By the time she confirmed that the person conversing with her was Salode, Siana turned her head towards her. Ophelia saw the woman’s brown eyes widen slightly as she discovered her.

Before she could discern whether it was joy or something else, Siana approached her. Salode, who had turned his head following her, merely gave a slight bow as they had already exchanged greetings.

“Hello, Your Majesty the Queen.”

The woman who bowed neatly according to etiquette no longer stuttered.

Ophelia returned the greeting to the woman who was much stronger than she had expected.

“It’s been a while, Siana.”

“Yes, have you been well?”

“Yes, have you been doing well?”

Although it was a much gentler tone than she usually used with others, Ophelia didn’t correct herself. The last day of the year could be more generous than other days, and even if it wasn’t just about the date, Siana deserved such treatment.

Even after losing Anika, Siana had managed her life well. She had digested one by one what had been taken away by her father, and didn’t run away even in moments that could have been frightening. These were news that reached her ears even without deliberately looking into her.

Ophelia thought that perhaps she might be a better person than herself. Despite experiencing similar losses, Siana hadn’t collapsed. It was a different result from herself, who had been barely pieced together by Idren after shattering into pieces.

How embarrassing it was to have once judged such a person arbitrarily.

She wanted to wish blessings on the woman’s future even now, but she hesitated to speak, afraid that something bad might happen if she added her words. While she hesitated for a moment, Siana opened her mouth.

“Um, I’m not sure if this is rude to say, but… you look really good today.”

Ophelia smiled, not fully understanding the implied meaning in the words. Then Siana blushed slightly and added an explanation.

“Actually, I was a bit worried because you had been in seclusion for so long… but I’m glad you seem much better than when I last saw you.”

Normally, people didn’t comment much on the appearance of royalty. It could unnecessarily give others something to pick at.

Nevertheless, Siana had no hesitation in speaking up. It was probably because she herself had nothing but goodwill and concern.

A smile formed unconsciously, finding her heart pretty and grateful. Ophelia spoke to the person who liked her despite the numerous incidents that had occurred.

“Thank you. You really look like the head of a family now.”

“Ah, no. I still have a long way to go…”

Seeing her blush and stutter a little, it seemed her old speech habit emerged a bit when she was embarrassed.

Still, now that Gilbert Nebel was gone, many people would probably overlook that much.

Perhaps this time, she could approach first. Ophelia, who had been watching the shy other party for a while, reached out her hand.

“I’ve been quite cold to you all this time.”

“Ah, no. Who would dare say such a thing…”

“No need to cover for me. I know my words and actions were sharp.”

And the queen raised the corners of her mouth slightly. It was a smile that suited her delicate features, characteristic of southern beauties, but Siana somehow thought her smile was faint.

Perhaps it was because the hand she held was cooler than expected. Just as she was about to think that the other person might not be very healthy despite being dazzlingly beautiful, the queen opened her mouth.

“Thank you for enduring well despite that.”

And the queen moved her lips as if to add something. Siana waited for a moment to allow her to choose her words.

Finally, the woman put strength into the held hand as if she had made some decision. She whispered in a slightly trembling voice, like someone nervous.

“I hope only good things lie ahead in your path from now on.”

As Ophelia had instructed, Idren boarded the carriage before sunset. If he left the palace now, he should arrive at the time she mentioned.

When he finally arrived at the villa, Idren could understand why Ophelia had been busy going outside all this time.

The villa was shining brilliantly under the twilight sun.

The silver main gate was tinged with a warm crimson, and the windows fitted with colorful glass were reflecting the sunlight in far more diverse colors than he had known.

However, what caught his eye even more was the silk road laid from the main gate to the villa building.

The silk and glass crafts exuding southern splendor clearly showed whose hands they had passed through, automatically elevating his mood. The sincerity of a person close to indifference gave such a feeling no matter how many times he experienced it.

The inside of the building was quiet, as if the servants had been deliberately cleared out.

However, he could tell where she was without needing guidance. Idren finally burst into laughter at the magnificent Leden decorations climbing up the stairs. It seemed she was truly sincere about bringing pieces of the palace, both then and now.

As he set foot on the stairs he had always imagined but never climbed, Idren wondered what Ophelia had prepared. Anything would be fine. With his current mood, he felt he could receive anything and feel as if he had gained the world.

Years later, he would mock his own thoughts. To be satisfied with receiving anything.

What a foolish thought.

That day, what was waiting for him in the most splendid room at the top of the stairs was his lover’s corpse.