“It’s strange.”

As soon as she said that, Idren retorted with a pout, as if throwing a tantrum. Yes. With his hands, he was turning the chair she was sitting on to face him.

After the fever passed, whether it was fatigue or a cold, he didn’t even attempt to find an excuse.

Ophelia spoke once more to the man who kept covering her mouth.

“I’m telling you, it’s strange.”

The deceased southern lords were all those who had poor relationships with Idren.

In other words, they were those who associated with Taeran when he was alive.

Until now, Taeran’s close associates who had been friendly to the royal family changed their attitude after Taeran and some others were purged.

Although they were lying low, afraid they might be executed too, Ophelia had thought to deal with them someday since it was uncertain when they might turn.

But now, before she could take action, news of their deaths was coming in one after another.

Instead of answering her words, Idren kissed her once more.

His golden eyes were gently half-closed, as if wanting to express affection.

Ophelia grabbed the cheek of the man who looked good, though it was doubtful if he was listening to her words.

Holding him firmly so he couldn’t move on his own, she looked into his golden eyes and asked.

“Was it really an illness?”

“It probably wasn’t.”

Idren, who answered with a slightly muffled pronunciation, knelt on the floor.

It seemed he was uncomfortable matching eye levels with one side sitting.

Not knowing how precious his knees were. Almost clicking her tongue, Ophelia decided to just let him do as he pleased.

After all, if there had to be a difference in eye level, she preferred to be the one above.

Moving her hand that was holding his face to near his prominent Adam’s apple, Ophelia said.

“How can you be so sure?”

“If it were an illness, the whole family should have caught it, but only the lords died.”

And contagious diseases don’t spread like that. Women and children get infected first.

The man whispered gently, incongruous with the content, as he slowly lowered his hands from her waist.

When he subtly lifted her up, Ophelia pretended not to notice and wrapped her legs around his torso.

Embracing his neck while lifted in the air, a deeper kiss than before descended.

Matching the hastily pressed and parted lips, stimulated in some way, Ophelia rolled her eyes to survey her surroundings.

With the unusually elevated view, the entire scene of the room came into sight. It was Idren’s office, subtly different from her memory.

Salode, who used to be here almost like furniture, was not in the castle now.

In fact, Ophelia had been worried about Idren’s relationship with his vassals. It was because of the things Idren had done unilaterally.

Whether it was Penrel or Salode, they had reason to be disappointed in their lord.

But Salode didn’t sharpen his tongue unexpectedly.

The financial advisor glanced at her standing beside Idren and said in his usual tone.

“Since I’ve worked overtime until Your Majesty’s return, I’ll be taking a vacation now.”

And he really didn’t come to work after that, so Idren had been very busy lately.

Ophelia was with him under the pretext of helping, but rather than work, situations like this often unfolded.

Caressing her body, Idren walked towards where the fireplace was.

Slowly unbuttoning his shirt, Ophelia said.

“Still, it’s fortunate.”

When their lips parted briefly, Idren asked back.

“What is?”

“Your vassals.”

They don’t seem to have that many complaints.

By then, Idren, who had set her down on the armchair, knelt on the floor.

Warming one hand by the fire and removing her shoes with the other, he said.

“It’s thanks to you.”

Ophelia didn’t believe his words.

“If you want to lift my mood, other words would be more effective.”

Passionate words focused on the immediate situation were good.

Saying certain parts were pretty or looked good.

Though she didn’t place much significance on compliments about appearance, Ophelia quite enjoyed it when Idren said such things when their flesh met.

It was because the man showed signs of liking it so much that he could barely hold back from speaking out loud.

But Idren shook his head.

“It’s not empty words, but true. They told me to treat you well.”

Especially Penrel, who had earnestly implored him.

Idren recalled the man who had repeatedly told him in roundabout expressions to treat his spouse well.

The knight seemed very concerned that he might be disliked by Ophelia.

In contrast, Salode didn’t say much.

After expressing his wish that principles would never be ignored again, the man had spoken just once.

“She seems to be a person of great magnanimity.”

Considering that the royal financial advisor was adept at speaking indirectly, it likely meant that since Ophelia had been patient until now, he should treat her well from now on.

Perhaps there’s nothing Ophelia can’t do.

Admiring inwardly the woman who had even won over those who were previously indifferent to her, Idren clenched and unclenched his warmed hand a few times.

Is this warm enough? After gauging, he gently stroked down the woman’s calf.

Feeling the other’s body temperature slightly cool, it seemed fortunately well warmed.

Idren, bending his waist completely, lifted one of the woman’s legs onto his shoulder.

As he kissed her ankle while pulling down her clothes, Ophelia murmured. Your taste seems a bit strange.

Idren didn’t bother to deny those words he had heard in the past as well. If it was that his taste was strange, that was rather fortunate.

Otherwise, no one would fail to fall for Ophelia.

But regrettably, Ophelia was quite charming even from an objective point of view.

Such an Ophelia had said she liked him. Burying his lips on the exposed white calf, Idren thought.

@”I love you.”@ Italics+Gray tone

He must be the only man in the world to hear such words from Ophelia.

Thinking that, Idren just wanted to stay like this forever.

In fact, he still couldn’t quite believe this was reality. It felt like he might open his eyes in the royal tomb at any moment.

An Ophelia who wasn’t cold towards him. How on earth could he believe it?

He pressed his lips to the thigh exposed beneath the rolled-up skirt.

Ophelia reached out and caressed his ear. Idren let out a small moan at the ticklish touch. It was then that Ophelia asked.

“Then why did the lords die?”

It seemed she wanted to focus on that issue first. Idren slowly parted his lips and answered.

“It must have been poisoning.”

“Poisoning?”

“Since it’s not a disease, but looks like one.”

Though it wasn’t actually his doing, there had been similar incidents in the past.

Like mixing toxic components into scented candles and giving them as gifts to target multiple people.

“Did Anika kill them?”

And Ophelia immediately added. But Anika isn’t that kind of person…

Unlike her father Taeran, Anika Rohos was indeed a person who cared about justice.

Idren agreed with her.

“I don’t think Anika is the culprit either. But since she would benefit the most from this situation, I’ve called her to the capital for now.”

“Is that so?”

Her voice carried a hint of pleasure.

In fact, he had done it anticipating she would be pleased.

Calling Anika to the capital was partly to show Ophelia.

Of course, Ophelia was smart enough to know the past and present were different, but still, Idren wanted to clearly show her that Anika was alive.

It was because he remembered how the other had felt great responsibility for Anika’s death in the past.

Lowering his head over the exposed skin again before the woman got cold, Idren asked.

“Shall I arrange a meeting like before?”

“No, I’ll do that.”

And Ophelia added. From what I saw last time, she seems a bit afraid of you.

It was understandable since he had killed someone in front of Anika. Nodding his head, Idren replied.

“Do as you wish.”

It’s Edegrun.

Anika Rohos swallowed dry saliva once as she looked at the towering castle walls before her.

She was born and raised in the South.

Though she traveled frequently thanks to her mother’s full support, it was all limited to the South.

It wasn’t just because her deceased father had a narrow-minded way of thinking.

Originally, southern lords rarely came to Edegrun.

Edegrun was already tightly controlled by the elder families, so there was nothing to gain by setting foot there.

Her dead father seemed to have tried to change the situation in this king’s generation, but the result was a purge.

“Taeran Rohos is sentenced to death for the crimes of trading people belonging to me and embezzling taxes belonging to the royal family for personal gain.”

That was the justification the king gave, but his true intention was likely to seize the opportunity and sweep them away.

Her father protested his innocence and said he would withdraw support for the royal family if the truth was not revealed, but there was something he hadn’t considered.

Corpses could not hold any rights.