The servant who returned with the mentioned item was not alone. Ophelia asked the man who followed the servant in:

“Why have you come?”

It was asked out of pure curiosity, but Idren felt as if she was hinting at something and asked back:

“Have I come at an inconvenient time?”

“That’s not it.”

She had things to say to him anyway. Ophelia, who received the letter and box, gestured to the servant. Understanding her meaning, the servant left the room.

When left alone with Idren in the room, Ophelia continued reading the letter and said:

“Netepel is coming to Aglante.”

“I was actually coming to talk about that.”

And Idren showed what he was holding in his hand. It was an entry application with Netepel’s name on it. Because those of high status had to be cautious about crossing borders, foreign royalty always had to receive the Grand Prince’s approval when entering Aglante.

As she received and examined the document with Netepel’s name from Idren, Ophelia allowed the man standing behind her to skim through Netepel’s letter. She thought it might hurt him if she tried to hide it, especially given his sensitive nature.

After roughly reading the letter Netepel sent, Idren said:

“Your friend seems to have many complaints about this marriage. It’s written as if I’m going to eat you alive.”

And he furrowed his brow as if wronged. When in fact, it was the opposite.

Ophelia asked the man who kept describing himself as a ruffian:

“What have I done for you to say that?”

Idren looked down at the woman who seemed unaware of her own behavior. If she asked like that, he had plenty to say.

However, Ophelia concluded before he could say anything. It’s all because your heart is too soft. She added as she opened a new letter.

Idren didn’t correct the woman who said such disappointing things, not knowing that he was only like this in front of her. He had realized recently that Ophelia didn’t seem to find people attractive just because they were upright.

I need to know what she likes to use it. Thinking this, Idren scanned the items on her desk and noticed a small box. He asked:

“Isn’t that what the 2nd Prince’s attendant brought?”

“You remembered?”

And Ophelia unwrapped the box that was on the desk. Idren’s expression hardened when he confirmed what was inside the box, which she too was probably opening for the first time.

Inside was a ring with a red jewel.

While friends could commonly exchange accessories, a ring given by the opposite sex had a slightly different meaning. In Aglante, Reden, or Egelba, a ring symbolized a vow and an unchanging promise.

Of course, it could also carry the meaning of friendship… but it was courteous not to send gifts that could cause misunderstandings in the first place.

Especially to someone who had just gotten married.

Ophelia seemed to notice something odd too, as she tilted her head slightly.

“…I wonder what Netepel meant by sending this?”

“Either he has feelings for you or animosity towards me. It could be both.”

Idren glanced down at the letter papers on the desk.

“If you look at what’s written there, his thoughts about me are quite clear, aren’t they?”

And Idren added in a nonchalant tone. You’re the kind of woman someone would like.

Ophelia didn’t refute the man who said something no one else in the world would agree with. She knew what rose-colored glasses were too.

But in the past, Netepel had never shown romantic interest in her. As she thought about her friend’s intentions in confusion, Idren asked:

“In your previous life, you wouldn’t have shown me these things, would you?”

“…Probably not.”

It was obvious, as she wouldn’t have shown gifts and letters from a friend to a husband she wasn’t close with.

And Ophelia realized that this situation might seem somewhat strange to the other person. She added:

“I’m saying this just in case, but there’s nothing between Netepel and me.”

“I know.”

He knew better than anyone that Ophelia didn’t easily develop romantic feelings for someone.

Idren reached for the gift sent by the Egelba prince. Ophelia handed it over to him without resistance.

The jewel set in the ring was as red as Runtalis’s eyes. As he examined it for a moment, Ophelia said:

“On the day you killed the Lord of Rohos, Netepel asked me to run away with him.”

It was something she had momentarily forgotten due to all the events that followed.

“…What do you mean?”

But Idren, who asked like that, stopped her before she could open her mouth. No, don’t explain. I understand enough.

He snapped the box shut. Ophelia tilted her head back to look up at the man standing behind her. His strained neck caught her eye. Idren, who had put down the box on the desk with a tense hand, said:

“That prince doesn’t seem to want to remain just friends with you.”

His low voice was clearly tinged with emotion. Ophelia noticed that his mood had twisted, but not knowing what to do about it, she lowered her head forward again.

Looking down at the woman’s round back of the head, Idren remembered that even in the previous life, the 2nd Prince of Egelba had frequented Ophelia’s villa to the point of wearing out the door.

Back then, he had simply thought their friendship was strong, but now it seemed the prince had been so diligent in building up different feelings.

Thinking that another man had looked at Ophelia the same way he did, the jealousy that had been calm recently rose up. Trying not to show his intensified emotions, Idren thought about how to deal with the man who had dared to suggest elopement to someone engaged to another.

Being a prince of Egelba in name, he couldn’t be touched immediately. However, if he made a few deals with Crown Prince Orien over time, burying him at the bottom of the sea wouldn’t be a big task.

But Ophelia probably wouldn’t want him dead.

Even after turning back time and learning some unpleasant truths about him, Netepel Runtalis was still someone Ophelia had known for a long time.

The appropriate measure she would think of would probably be just keeping distance and not seeing his face.

Idren asked the person who seemed lost in thought:

“Are you going to meet the 2nd Prince?”

And the man took a deep breath. Ophelia realized he was waiting for her denial.

But she needed to see Netepel’s face at least once. She had to ask about the facts related to the former Lord of Rohos, and she also needed to return the ring and draw a line. Both were matters unsuitable to be exchanged in writing.

After learning what was necessary… In any case, she wouldn’t be able to call him to Aglante frequently like in her previous life. First of all, she herself had no intention to, and Idren wouldn’t like it either.

Having reached a conclusion amidst her confusion, Ophelia said:

“I need to meet him once for now. But after that, I won’t say anything even if you don’t allow Netepel to enter the country in the future.”

Idren nodded immediately, as if he had expected her to say that. I understand.

And then he remained silent for a moment. Ophelia waited for the man whose thoughts she couldn’t read. He would need time to sort out his thoughts too.

After a brief silence, having somewhat calmed his emotions, Idren changed the subject.

“More importantly, about the friend you asked me to introduce. How about the Southern Lord?”

“The Southern Lord?”

“Yes, I mean Anika Rohos.”

If it’s Anika Rohos, isn’t she the woman who greatly disliked her father?

Ophelia recalled the woman standing in front of Rohos castle gates on the day she decided to become friends with Idren. She remembered the wheat-colored high ponytail.

Even in her previous life, Ophelia had met Anika face to face a few times. It was because they had business to ally for.

Although their deal – Anika would report her father, and she would summon him to the capital – ended before it was her turn.

Ophelia looked up at the man who didn’t hesitate to kill for her. Idren met her eyes and continued:

“After the Lord of Rohos died, Anika inherited all his lands. Despite her young age, she’s managed the assets well, so she’s smart, and unlike the former lord who allied with neighboring lords, she hasn’t formed any factions yet. She’s coming up to the capital this month, so it wouldn’t be bad to get to know her.”

Idren’s suggestion wasn’t bad. The southern part of Aglante and Reden were very close, just across a canal. So knowing the Southern Lord would make it easier to handle Reden as well.

Since she didn’t plan to receive Netepel’s help this time, she needed to meet many people from other places. Ophelia nodded.

“Alright.”

And she suddenly recalled a fact she had almost forgotten.

Ophelia asked the man whose satisfaction was clearly visible on his face:

“By the way, what happened with the adjustment of Reden’s canal passage fees?”

He had definitely taken care of that. Recalling the contents of the letter he had sent to Reden recently, Idren answered:

“It would be boring to just tell you, so watch and see. I’ve handled it in a way that brings no benefit to the Mevasa royal family, so it should be interesting to observe.”