Called by her elder brother Orien, the First Princess Rahelica frowned upon seeing the man standing in front of her as the door opened. Netepel, soaking wet, stood before her dripping tea.

Knowing that he had appeared before Orien in such a state, Rahelica unfolded the fan she was holding and covered her face.

“You really, why do you keep crawling in here?”

If it were me, I’d just run far away and live. Rahelica added coquettishly as she gently waved her amethyst-adorned fan. Netepel did not respond to her words and stood with his head bowed. It was then that Orien approached them.

“Rahel, why are you standing there instead of coming inside?”

Calling his sister in a voice as soft as spring sunlight, Orien spoke sharply to his other sibling.

“Can’t you disappear quickly?”

And Orien extended his hand to his sister. Rahelica, who had closed her fan, placed her hand on it as if accustomed to it. The hem of her lavender dress fluttered.

By the time Orien had guided her to the sofa, the sound of the door closing was heard.

Seated on the sofa, Rahelica called out to the person in front of her.

“Elder brother.”

And a smile that she usually wore bloomed on her face. Her violet eyes, resembling those of their mother, Empress Iris, curved. Looking at his sister who looked like a spitting image of their mother except for her hair color, Orien recalled what their father had said. It’s like the purple of violets.

Their father, Levenen, was enamored with that color. In fact, he was enamored with everything about his wife.

But their mother does not love their father.

Poor father. Orien shook his head slightly and grasped a new teacup. It was freshly brewed tea brought in by the servant who had entered with Rahelica.

“Have a cup of tea too.”

At that, Rahelica snapped open her fan and covered her mouth. She spoke in a coy voice. I’ll pass.

“Actually, I had refreshments with mother before elder brother called for me.”

And Rahelica gently waved her fan. Orien noticed the small amethysts embedded in the fan his sister was holding.

“That’s the one mother treasured, isn’t it?”

“Yes, she gave it to me a few months ago.”

And Rahelica fully opened it so he could see the fan in detail. The sound of the small amethysts embedded in the fan’s ribs colliding with each other was heard. The sunlight entering through the window shattered as it hit the jewels.

After watching the crystals brilliantly reflecting light for a moment, Orien said,

“Wasn’t that given to mother by father long ago? I think he said it was one of the wedding gifts.”

There was a slight tone of reproach in those words for his sister who had thoughtlessly accepted something with such deep meaning. Rahelica smiled at her elder brother who spoke of a marriage that had been tainted long ago.

“She said it would suit me better. Mother doesn’t like these things anymore.”

And she closed the fan with a snap and smiled brightly. It was the smile of a princess who, despite being old enough, hated the idea of marriage and loved jewels and luxury, begging her father every day.

Orien shook his head at his sister as if she was hopeless. You really.

“Even if mother said that, how could you take something so important?”

And he gestured to the servant standing nearby. Go and bring what’s by the window.

The servant, bowing deeply, immediately followed his master’s order. Orien, who had received a box wrapped in red satin, unwrapped the satin. Inside was a box made of suede.

Handing it to Rahelica, Orien said,

“This is for you. Open it.”

The white fingers of the princess, cared for nightly with pearl powder and perfumed oil, touched the leather box. Rahelica, who had received the box, raised her eyebrows upon seeing what was inside.

“It’s a fan?”

“Actually, I knew mother had given you a fan.”

Orien explained to his sister who was opening the fan decorated with rubies and black opals and holding it up to the sunlight.

“I had one made according to the latest fashion, so use that one.”

And he nodded towards the amethyst-studded fan Rahelica was holding in her right hand. That’s an old one. Apart from the memories attached to it, there’s nothing particularly special about it.

After examining the fan for a moment, Rahelica responded to her elder brother who spoke of long-dead memories.

“It’s beautiful, elder brother. Thank you.”

Her voice was mixed with a bit of coquetry. Orien smiled, his expression softening at that voice so typical of his sister.

“Don’t mention it for something like this. Return the fan to mother.”

“If mother will accept it.”

“Try to persuade her well. Aren’t daughters usually close to their mothers? And mother cherishes you the most among her daughters.”

It was already a well-known rumor even outside the palace that Empress Iris particularly cherished Rahelica, the eldest daughter, among her one son and three daughters.

Long ago, after confronting her husband’s infidelity, Iris, who had turned cold, always kept her eldest daughter, who looked exactly like her, close and cared for her.

But Rahelica pouted her lips and said,

“To say she only loves me. Talia and Helena would be hurt if they heard that.”

“Rahel, you know too.”

And Orien paused for a moment before adding,

“Talia and Helena were born after ‘that incident’, so they grew up without receiving much of mother’s love.”

‘That incident’ referred to the event about twenty years ago when an illegitimate child entered the palace.

Rahelica stared at her elder brother who spoke of the sin their father had committed as if it were a disaster brought about by God. Orien, who had red eyes like their father, smiled at her.

In an age where God is dead, how ridiculous. Rahelica mocked inwardly, but didn’t voice those words. Soon, Orien continued.

“Rahelica. You should soothe mother’s heart well. Father has atoned for a long time, twenty years.”

Hm? Where in the world is there a man who doesn’t make mistakes? Orien added gently, trying to appease his sulky sister. Rahelica was clearly upset because he had told her to return the fan to their mother.

“Now that I’m married too, I understand. How can one endure being hated by one’s wife?”

At that, Rahelica laughed as if she had heard something amusing.

“Ah, elder brother. You jest. Your new sister-in-law won’t hate her husband as long as you don’t take another woman to your bed.”

Orien sighed deeply at his eldest sister who, despite being over twenty-five, knew less about men than her two younger sisters and was more immature. He called her name firmly.

“Rahel.”

Rahelica finally gave the answer he wanted.

“Alright. As you say, elder brother, I’ll return the fan to mother.”

And she yawned softly. Orien said to his sister who still seemed like a sixteen-year-old girl.

“Come to think of it, it’s your nap time. You should head back now.”

“Yes, thank you for the fan.”

Rahelica, who had bid farewell in an affectionate voice, rose from her seat. The hem of her lavender dress, which her mother had personally chosen, swayed with her steps.

Orien watched his sister’s retreating figure until she had completely left the room, then set down his teacup.

Not long after, news came that the empress had thrown a fan into a well.

The days following the wedding ceremony were quite busy. Idren had to spend the entire time in his office reviewing diplomatic documents brought by envoys from various countries under the pretext of congratulations and writing replies to be sent back with them.

An envoy had also come from Reden, Ophelia’s country. Idren did not allow them into the castle and sent them back immediately. He felt that letting them stay longer would only damage Ophelia’s dignity.

Idren, who had put down Prince Mahanas’s letter regarding the adjustment of canal operation fees brought by the Reden envoy, called for his financial advisor. Salode.

“Yes.”

“Is Hazel finding the queen’s escort duties manageable?”

“He didn’t seem to have any other complaints.”

“Good, tell him to report immediately if any problems arise.”

That way, he could take measures promptly before things escalated.

Idren, who had briefly scanned King Dares’s letter which, like his son’s, only argued for their own benefit, asked,

“Is the seal ring of the Governor of Galisa prepared?”

Salode answered immediately as if he had expected this question.

“I’ve placed it in the third drawer along with the letter of authorization.”

Idren, who had also put the king’s letter down on top of the prince’s letter, bent down. He took out the letter of authorization and seal ring of the Governor of Galisa from the drawer Salode had mentioned. These were things he had prepared for Ophelia.

In his previous life, Idren had not given these to Ophelia directly but sent them through Salode. As Salode was his confidant, he had hoped the two would get along well.

But the one who should have gotten along well with Ophelia was none other than himself.

After briefly checking the documents for any errors, Idren stood up from his seat. I’ll go see Ophelia.

“And about Brinwell, I think there might be a conflict soon. What do you think?”

“There have been continuous reports of minor disturbances near the Kirios Mountains.”

And Salode immediately added. I’ll prepare accordingly.

Idren nodded to his quick-witted aide. Yes. It might be larger in scale than expected, so prepare thoroughly.

“You know. For matters where the outcome is clear, no amount of preparation is too much.”