Idren kept his word about making preparations.

Not long after, Ophelia was able to receive the inspection schedule.

Like in her previous life, it was an itinerary centered around Galisa and the surrounding areas.

Since it was somewhat like an outing, Ophelia dressed up quite nicely and sat in front of the dressing table to check her appearance.

The red velvet dress that Idren seemed to especially like caught her eye.

It was then that the door opened.

“You look beautiful. I’m so pleased.”

Idren said that as soon as he entered the room, and then smiled brightly.

Seeing that pale face, Ophelia thought again. He’s like a flower.

Objectively speaking, Idren was far from a flower, but everything that bloomed beautifully gave off that feeling.

She turned in her chair and dismissed the servants who were helping with preparations nearby.

“Do you like red?”

“I like what you’re wearing.”

Though his chest still felt cold remembering Ophelia collapsing on the castle walls in a red dress, there was a memory etched from before.

Touching the jewels hanging from the woman’s neatly braided hair with his fingertips, Idren added.

“Do you remember when you started the red dress trend? I’ve liked it since then.”

Ophelia, who had pulled out and thrown away the jewels he touched in Reden’s garden, no longer stopped him now.

Just as Idren was about to be touched by the generosity he had gained after much effort, she asked.

“Is that why you didn’t stop the trend?”

When luxury items became popular in the country, the king Idren should have intervened once, but Ophelia had never heard any restraints.

Even if it was difficult to speak directly because their relationship wasn’t good, he could have spoken through Salode, the financial advisor.

No, Salode must have insisted that she should be restrained.

Ophelia knew the financial advisor’s personality. Didn’t he say everything he wanted to say without calculating whether he would be disliked at all?

Nevertheless, the fact that it didn’t reach her ears meant that someone else was blocking it.

It’s not difficult to guess who that was. Ophelia lightly touched the nose of the man who was averting his gaze and blushing slightly.

“It’s really funny.”

If he liked it that much, she wondered why he didn’t throw a tantrum asking her to wear it.

Well, it’s fine. She could just wear it often from now on.

Looking at the man who was inexplicably passive at times, Ophelia concluded.

Even if Idren didn’t know how to be greedy, it was enough if she resolved it.

Rather, there was something she was curious about. Ophelia asked the man who had moved his hand from her hair to her ear.

“Will it become trendy this time too?”

If so, she should restrain herself a bit.

Although it had been a few months since the elder families were swept away, the aftermath had not yet fully subsided.

It was then that Idren answered.

“It might.”

Ophelia was beautiful enough to catch anyone’s eye at first glance, so some might want what she had.

Don’t people envy what stands out?

Idren himself had envied the world Ophelia belonged to in his childhood.

To be precise, he had wanted her who belonged to that world, but anyway.

“But not as much as before. Now people fear the royal family.”

“It didn’t seem that way when we did relief work the day after the wedding.”

“That’s because it was only you then.”

He remembered how benevolent Ophelia had looked that day.

The woman wore white clothes with gentle eyes, looking down and smiling brightly.

How could one not fall for someone doing good deeds with such a face?

Of course, even with such a face, she only got angry at him…

Thinking of the woman who dressed up so prettily yet shouted at him fiercely, a belated feeling of hurt rose up. Idren grumbled with unnecessary emotions.

“My chest hurts.”

“What’s this all of a sudden…”

“You hit me last time, didn’t you?”

At that, Ophelia raised her eyebrows as if dumbfounded.

“You did something deserving of being hit, didn’t you?”

That was true. Idren, left with nothing to say, closed his mouth. Ophelia sighed and pulled his arm.

“Sit next to me.”

As he sat on the dressing table chair as she instructed, a small hand rose to his chest. It was a hand wrapped in glossy white leather.

After lightly patting his chest a few times, Ophelia asked in a playful voice.

“Does it feel better now?”

“You really…”

You’re treating me completely like a child. Idren grumbled and pulled the woman who was smiling so that he couldn’t even get angry.

Ophelia allowed herself to be embraced by him, still smiling. She tilted her head slightly so as not to smudge her makeup.

The woman who allowed him to put his arms around her asked.

“So, do you dislike it?”

The whispered informal speech sent a thrill-like sensation up his spine. Idren shook his head.

It was the first time in his life someone treated him like this, but… that didn’t mean he disliked it.

“I must not have grown up enough. Seeing as I like this.”

Hearing the words he exhaled with a sigh, Ophelia laughed softly.

That sound seemed just like a hymn, and Idren couldn’t help but think. Nice to look at, nice to listen to. Is there any part of her that isn’t nice?

It was then that a knock was heard at the door.

“Your Majesty, the carriage is all prepared.”

A familiar voice reminded them of their situation.

Ophelia, who had been in his arms, pulled away. Sighing once again at the lost warmth, Idren stood up following her.

As Idren had predicted, the atmosphere on the streets was not good.

People were frightened and subdued.

Of course, a welcoming procession was prepared, but Ophelia already knew the expressions they made when they sincerely welcomed someone.

She had gone on inspections with Idren in her past life as well.

Worried, she turned to look at the man sitting next to her, and Idren answered in a low voice.

“It’s the reaction I expected.”

When he planned the inspection, Salode had said:

“What supports the throne are principles. The reason Aglante trusts and follows Your Majesty is because of the certainty that you, as a Sigrasal descendant, will act for the country – in other words, the long-held principles.”

It was similar to words he had heard before.

“Your Majesty has destroyed a part of that.”

Since he was indeed at fault for that part, Idren allowed the financial advisor to criticize him with rhetoric that dangerously toed the line of propriety.

“Rebuilding what you’ve destroyed yourself is harder than usurping someone else’s.”

“Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”

If it had been impossible, Salode and Risana would have long since searched for a new royal bloodline.

Namie was still alive in this life, wasn’t she?

Idren had taken that child from the Brinwell royal family and left her with people who knew nothing about royal bloodlines.

However, Salode would already know about that.

It wasn’t something he had particularly hidden from him either.

“You’ll have to make an effort.”

“I promise I will.”

“You may have to go back quite a lot.”

“I won’t run away just because of that.”

Now that Ophelia had finally agreed to stay by his side, there was no way he could go elsewhere.

Salode nodded as if he was also aware of that part.

“Fortunately, it seems you won’t have to walk alone anymore.”

And the man added:

“I opposed the marriage for nothing.”

Previously, Salode had opposed his marriage.

His evaluation must have been revised because an unexpected variable arose even before Ophelia came to Aglante.

In Salode’s eyes, the king who had suddenly gone mad must have seemed to come to his senses after getting married.

In reality, everything that made him turn his eyes was related to Ophelia, but anyway, since there wouldn’t be anything to worry the other party about again, Idren nodded.

Ophelia already liked Aglante.

So it was his duty as a husband to refine this land to her satisfaction.

While briefly recalling the conversation he had with the financial advisor, Ophelia asked beside him.

“Are they very afraid of you?”

“For now, yes, but that won’t last forever.”

Humans tend to forget. Even now, those who didn’t know the previous king act as if they don’t know him now.

“And they like you, don’t they? That’s enough for me.”

Ophelia being loved in Aglante was always what he wanted.

He wanted her love all to himself, but Idren wished the whole world would love her.

Then Ophelia would be safer and happier.

And that happiness would culminate in his own.

It was then that Ophelia whispered beside him.

“Still, I’d like them to cherish you too.”

“I’ll make it as you wish.”

He agreed because there was no reason to go against it, but Ophelia made a subtle expression.

“You have such a unique personality.”

You listen well, but you also get upset easily. You have a strong pride, but you don’t give up.

And before he could ask if she disliked that, the woman added.

“Well, I still like it though.”

She finished playfully and squeezed their joined hands a little tighter.

As Idren savored that warmth that would forever tickle his heart, his eyes fell upon a villa with silver doors.

It was the villa he had once given to Ophelia.

Every part of it sparkled, but for him it was filled with unpleasant memories. After briefly looking at the edge of the villa, Idren said.

“I’ve decided what I want for my birthday gift.”