Love Me Just Once - Chapter 68

Suddenly, Ophelia realized she didn’t know how he had spent that month. She had died and returned, but she also didn’t know how he had turned back time.

But such things could be asked later. What was important to her now was the downfall of Reden, so Ophelia decided to focus on the immediate topic. Exchanging enough information here would ensure that Idren wouldn’t interfere with her business later.

Idren, who had been furrowing his brow as if organizing his thoughts, said,

“I didn’t know the second prince was close to the merchants.”

As far as he knew, the large merchant groups of Egelbarmot were connected to Crown Prince Orien or Princess Talia. In Crown Prince Orien’s case, it was because he would inherit the throne, and Princess Talia was popular due to her competence.

Listening to his words, Ophelia said,

“He’s not just close to the merchants. Netepel has a merchant group.”

Of course, very few people knew this fact.

Ophelia recalled something she had once heard from Netepel.

“Actually, I have some hidden assets that I’ve kept away from others’ eyes.”

The young man who had once been her only friend added in a gentle voice,

“As you know, the world isn’t friendly to us. You never know what might happen… I made it in secret. I’ll only tell you about it.”

And that secret asset was none other than a merchant group.

Since it was hidden, it wasn’t operated under Netepel’s name. But Netepel said it was entirely his own.

In fact, he moved the money from that merchant group very freely. Ophelia remembered how he had spent money as if showing off to her.

“Whenever you’re in trouble, you can rely on it.”

Netepel had said that, but she wasn’t the type to rely on others when in trouble.

Finishing her thoughts, Ophelia said,

“Since the merchant group isn’t operated under Netepel’s name, you wouldn’t have known. Netepel falsely put forward a merchant group leader to build relationships with others, then used that format to build connections by being introduced to their friends.”

It wasn’t an awkward method, as those who buy and sell goods want to make acquaintances everywhere.

After listening to her words for a moment, Idren asked,

“Do you remember the name of that merchant group?”

“…The name, no.”

She wasn’t good at remembering people’s names either. So there was no way she would remember a merchant group’s name.

Of course, if it had been something very important, she might have somehow crammed it into her head, but she had a financial advisor who remembered such things for her when meeting people.

Thinking of the boy who still didn’t know much in this life, Ophelia added,

“But I do remember the emblem.”

At gatherings, merchant group leaders always brought items engraved with their emblems. So the emblems of those she met frequently remained in her memory. The emblem of the merchant group Netepel owned was no exception.

After searching her memory for a moment, Ophelia said,

“If my memory is correct, the emblem of Netepel’s merchant group was a yellow peony.”

Then Ophelia yawned slightly. After rubbing her face once, she asked,

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

Idren shook his head at the woman who was clearly fatigued. From their conversation, it seemed Ophelia hadn’t yet made a precise plan on how to deal with Reden.

Well, she must have a lot on her mind at this time. He kept forgetting because it felt like a continuation of their married life from the previous life, but they had been married for less than two months.

Idren wondered how long it would take for Reden to fall if Ophelia didn’t change her mind.

In the last life, Reden had fallen in three years.

The current Ophelia knew more than she did then. So she would likely be skilled at making efficient decisions.

Perhaps Ophelia would complete her revenge much sooner than three years. Idren didn’t know what would become of their relationship in that case.

In this life, they had become closer than ever before, but he was far from enough to be her reason to continue living. Because hoping and deluding oneself were different, Idren knew this fact well.

When the time came, Ophelia would abandon him. If he clung to her, she might offer an apology at most.

But it’s better not to hear such an apology at all.

And Idren thought this situation was frustrating. If she told him why she didn’t want to live, he could at least try to do something about it, but he knew nothing about her inner thoughts.

However, Ophelia had twice refused to answer his question about why she had taken her own life. Both times were clear rejections.

There was another reason he couldn’t speak carelessly.

Idren remembered what Ophelia had said earlier in the day.

“I thought you understood me.”

And then Ophelia had sent him out of the study. Idren read disappointment and betrayal in her actions as she handed back the things he had brought.

He didn’t want to appear as such a person to Ophelia ever again. He didn’t want to ruin a relationship he had built so preciously with a single misspoken word.

While he was at a loss in this situation where he could neither do this nor that, Ophelia yawned once more and got under the covers. Still lying with her back turned, she said,

“If you have nothing more to say, I’m going to sleep now.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day, Idren did not come to teach her.

Instead, Ophelia met his financial advisor. He told her that the king was meeting with the Lord of Rohos. The Lord of Rohos had arrived at the castle as soon as the gates opened early in the morning, he said.

And Salode – he introduced himself again as if knowing she wouldn’t remember his name – showed her the boy who had come with him.

“He’s not yet ready to serve the royal family, but I brought him to show you how much he has been educated.”

There was a hint of pride in Salode’s voice as he said this. It was the satisfaction of a teacher who knew his student was excellent.

Although she didn’t need to check to know that her financial advisor was intelligent, Ophelia nodded to him.

“Ah, before we do anything, tell me your name first.”

She seemed to have heard it before, but couldn’t remember well.

And Ophelia felt a slight gravity in the fact that she couldn’t properly remember the name of someone she had known for a long time in her previous life. Of course, her financial advisor was always in the right place when needed, so there was no particular need to call him… but still, not knowing his name seemed too much.

The boy, unaware that he had been by her side for years in her previous life, introduced himself without hesitation.

“My name is Dahel.”

Dahel. After rolling the short pronunciation in her mouth once to not forget it, Ophelia nodded.

With her permission given, Dahel recited the noble houses of Edegrun in front of her. Their political and diplomatic aspects were a bonus.

When the boy, who clearly knew more details than her, moved on to the Nebel family genealogy, Ophelia briefly interrupted him and said,

“Tell me more about Nebel in detail.”

Idren had said that Nebel was the main pillar among the council of elders that was becoming an obstacle.

It was unknown whether war would break out between Brinwell and Aglante in this life as well, but Ophelia wanted to at least take care of the royal castle and Edegrun in Idren’s place if war broke out and he had to leave.

The council of elders was at the center of such capital politics, so it would be convenient to know about them in advance.

Dahel, who had paused briefly due to her words, began his explanation.

“The head of the Nebel family is Gilord Nebel. Below him, the most legitimate heir is his only daughter, Siana Nebel, and if she has any defects that make it difficult for her to inherit the family head position, the family will pass to her cousin Rochiden of Brinwell. Rochiden is the grandson of one of the Brinwell princesses, and currently in Edegrun, the prevailing opinion is that Gilord will bring him in as an adopted son-in-law to continue the family line.”

It was something she had heard from Idren before. Ophelia asked the man who was somewhere between a young man and a boy,

“As far as I know, the current diplomatic relations between Aglante and Brinwell are quite poor. Does Nebel have enough power to openly show that they will form ties with the Brinwell royal family in this situation? What’s the reason for that?”

At this, Dahel hesitated a little. He seemed unsure whether her question was a test or genuine curiosity.

Strictly speaking, it was the latter, but Ophelia didn’t reveal that. After all, they weren’t close yet in this life, and there was no need to let him know that she didn’t know something.

After a moment’s hesitation, Dahel continued,

“The reason Nebel can wield power in the capital is because the family is wealthy and has strong political influence. The Nebel family owns a large granary area and mines that produce colored gems. Moreover, they hold three of the twelve seats in the council of elders, exerting considerable influence on passing laws that apply within Edegrun.”

It was an explanation that made logical sense but lacked details. At those words tinged with a bit of inexperience, Ophelia furrowed her brow. Rather than a sign of dissatisfaction, it felt like seeing a child crawl when in her memory they had been walking.

It was then that Salode, who had been watching how Dahel spoke, interjected.

“If it’s not impolite, may I add to what Dahel has said?”