That night, the King visited Ophelia for some reason.

After spending quite a long time alone with her, as soon as he left the room, the King ordered for the Princess’ room to be cleaned up. The man nervously snapped at them, asking what they would do if the person inside got hurt.

By then, Mahanas had guessed why the King was paying so much attention to Ophelia.

Even if a woman was a bit out of her mind, she would be forgiven if she was pretty, and his sister was born with a beautiful face. She really had to be grateful for her good looks.

Satisfied with how things turned out, Mahanas sent clothes to his sister the next morning. He also assigned a new maid to replace the one who trembled in fear, claiming that the Princess was possessed by a demon.

It was clear that the King was pleased with her appearance, so he planned to dress her up nicely and present her at the breakfast gathering.

As he intended, Ophelia looked quite decent. Mahanas felt satisfied seeing her hairstyle that nicely revealed her white neck, one of her attractive features. The King couldn’t take his eyes off her either.

Mahanas quietly advised the young man, who was behaving immaturely.

“Women get angry if you stare at them like that.”

Without even glancing at him, the King replied.

“I know.”

However, contrary to his answer, the young man kept his gaze on Ophelia until she took her seat.

Soon after, the King announced the start of the breakfast, and the meal began.

During the meal, Mahanas spoke to the King about the canal toll between Leden and Aglante.

Originally, the canal was built by Aglante, so Leden had to pay a fee to use it, and he was thinking of reducing it a bit this time.

“…So I think it would be good to have a slight adjustment to the canal toll. What does Your Highness think?”

Honestly, he didn’t expect a positive response.

The King didn’t even try to hide the fact that he wasn’t focused on the conversation. Throughout the meal, he didn’t look at anyone except Ophelia. He seemed more anxious because she wouldn’t meet his eyes.

But the answer that came back was much more sincere than he expected.

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

It was a short sentence, but it was clearly different from the vague responses he had been receiving. There was a distinct sense of agreement.

However, the King was still looking straight ahead. Looking in the direction of his gaze, Mahanas could understand why he changed his attitude.

Ophelia was looking at the King with her bright blue eyes.

Idren stared straight at the woman glaring at him.

“The canal toll has been expensive for a while.”

Of course, it was Leden who paid for it, so it didn’t matter to him, but now it was a perfect card to play.

As soon as he responded positively to that proposal, Ophelia’s gaze turned to him.

Looking into those blue eyes, Idren thought he liked her honesty. Now that the other person reacted as he expected, he felt somewhat equal.

Without taking his eyes off the hostile blue eyes, Idren continued.

“Since we’re getting married to Leden… It should be fine to adjust it on this occasion.”

The prince, who had been making a fuss next to him, brightened up at his words.

“Oh, I’m glad we had the same thought. Then, how should we adjust it…?”

“I’ll set the criteria on my side and send it to you.”

As soon as he said that, Ophelia put down her utensils.

Idren noticed that she was about to get up from her seat. It was against etiquette to do such a thing at a breakfast gathering with guests present, but whatever she did would be more well-behaved than what she had shown him yesterday.

He had decided not to care how rude she was, but not now.

Ophelia had something she needed to hear.

Before she could get up from her seat, Idren spoke.

“And as soon as this breakfast is over, I will leave right away.”

Hearing those words, the prince next to him asked in surprise.

“Isn’t that too soon?”

It wasn’t just the prince who reacted. The King of Leden also looked at him, but Ophelia didn’t even bat an eye.

Idren could bet his right hand that she wanted him to get lost quickly.

But he had no intention of leaving alone.

Still not taking his eyes off the person in front of him, Idren delivered the news she wouldn’t welcome.

“So, Princess, you’ll have to get ready as soon as the breakfast is over.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh my, it seems the Prince hasn’t informed you.”

Then Idren deliberately turned to Mahanas. Knowing for certain that Ophelia hated her relatives, he intended to make her hear the news from the relative she despised.

The prince, receiving his gaze, cleared his throat.

“The King paid the full bride price this morning. It pains me to send you away, but we can’t stop him from taking you with him.”

Upon hearing those words, Ophelia immediately made a look of utter disgust. Idren thought it was fortunate that she had barely touched her food. At least since she hadn’t eaten much, she wouldn’t get indigestion.

Fiddling with the utensils she had put down – it was a knife, quite fittingly – Ophelia spoke in a chilling voice.

“I think you need to have a conversation with me, Your Highness.”

Then Ophelia gave a ceremonial smile. Idren could see the twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Ophelia seemed thoroughly angry.

As soon as the breakfast was over, she took him to the palace garden. Idren followed her through the unfamiliar grass and trees.

As soon as they reached a place deep enough where no one could hear them, Ophelia whirled around.

“What’s wrong with you since yesterday?”

Although the news was delivered through Prince Mahanas’ mouth, she seemed to know that the plan originated from him.

Idren saw the green jewel dangling from the tip of her neatly tied-up silver hair. The small butterfly-shaped jewel looked like it would fall off at any moment.

Idren grabbed the accessory before it could fall. Ophelia glared at him and snatched it away coldly, making a snapping sound.

“Are you listening to me?”

Ophelia, who had carelessly thrown the green butterfly behind her, asked him reproachfully.

Idren didn’t tell the woman that in the past, he had lived only listening to her words more than he could have imagined. He didn’t want to intentionally hurt himself by doing something that would clearly elicit a “so what?” response.

Instead, he let out a small sigh.

“I don’t understand what the problem is.”

“What?”

“You don’t like your family anyway, right?”

Moreover, her family didn’t really like Ophelia either.

Idren didn’t want to leave Ophelia beside the Prince of Leden. The Prince treated Ophelia like an object. It was a fact that became evident after observing them for several days.

Of course, if he took her away now, her life might be a bit uncomfortable for a few days, but couldn’t she understand that much? Idren intended to prepare the things she needed.

Idren added further explanations about the aspects she might be concerned about.

“I will prepare the necessary items after we cross the border. If there is anyone you want to bring along, you can do so. As for the carriage, we’ll have to use a hastily prepared one for now, but I’ll arrange a proper one once we cross the canal.”

However, even after hearing his explanation, Ophelia didn’t seem to feel any better. She spoke in an even sharper voice.

“I don’t need things like that! I don’t mind camping out!”

“Then what exactly is the problem?”

Then Idren recalled one more thing.

“Is it because you can’t have a royal wedding procession?”

In his previous life, he had sent a bridal carriage to Leden. It was a carriage made of ivory, gold, and sandalwood. Ophelia had ridden in it all the way to Aglante.

As soon as he said those words, Ophelia’s expression crumpled. Idren could see a strange contempt in her blue eyes. It was a gaze that asked if she really seemed like the type to care about such things.

“…Don’t look at me like that, and just tell me what you’re dissatisfied with.”

“Do I need permission now for how I look at you?”

Permission? She was always the one taking the lead in the situation as she pleased.

But Ophelia probably didn’t even realize that she herself had been like that.

So Idren decided to just enjoy the woman’s attention focused on him. It had been a long time since she had talked to him for this long. So long that it almost felt like the first time…

No, was it really the first time?

While he was pondering the existence of a similar experience, Ophelia snapped at him.

“Why are you suddenly agreeing to adjust the canal toll?”

“…So that was your complaint.”

Well, she was a woman who didn’t even care about him in the first place.

With a bit of bitterness, Idren thought this situation was unfair. Ophelia’s family members were receiving all her attention just by doing things she hated.

He could barely receive a shred of her attention unless he used them.

Wasn’t that why he brought up the canal toll in the first place?

As expected, Ophelia started to react, so he thought he should be thankful, but Idren felt a little resentful.

A feeling akin to jealousy, but not quite jealousy, rose up in him. He shook his head.