Love Me Just Once - Chapter 69

There was no reason to refuse when she was offering to tell about what was asked. Ophelia nodded.

Salode, who expressed gratitude for the permission with a silent bow, opened his mouth.

“When Aglante is divided into two parts based on Edegrun, laws below Edegrun can be enacted according to the king’s will, but laws applicable to the north including Edegrun cannot be enacted without the approval of the Council of Elders.”

Ophelia recalled the book she had read on the day she received the governor’s letter of delegation from Idren. The history book of Aglante, which he said was boring, contained cases of conflict between the royal family and the Council of Elders over the passage of bills.

Salode continued.

“Although it is said that Nevel has granary areas, in fact, the land owned by the royal family in the south is better. Nevertheless, the reason Nevel wields power in Edegrun is because there is a law enacted in the time of the previous king that gives priority to purchasing Nevel’s harvest in Edegrun and the lands to its north.”

In other words, it meant they had control over the domestic consumption rights of the north.

Considering that it’s difficult to grow ordinary crops in Edegrun and beyond, it meant that Nevel’s harvest would sell out even without competition.

Ophelia knew how economically advantageous this was. Being able to avoid competition in the market meant being able to maximize one’s own profits.

She spoke to Salode, who had remained silent as if giving her time to think.

“To overturn that law, a new law would have to be proposed and approved by the Council of Elders, but it won’t be easy with Nevel having three seats.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then, what’s the reason Nevel was able to have three seats?”

If she could find out the reason, she could also devise a way to take them back.

Of course, Idren said he would take care of internal affairs himself, but Ophelia thought it would be fine for her to ponder on this issue as well.

Didn’t Idren also say he would introduce people who could be helpful to her?

He even – although it wasn’t something she had asked for – made sure she didn’t run into the former Lord Rohos.

So she could do this much together. Ignoring the fact that she was meddling in something that didn’t suit her, Ophelia thought.

Soon, Salode continued.

“It’s because two elder families united in Nevel. Nevel, who had previously absorbed another elder family by marrying the heir of another elder family, gained a third seat this generation when Gilrod Nevel married the only daughter of another elder family and then became widowed.”

“Then strictly speaking, isn’t one of those seats the daughter’s?”

If two heirs of families married and one of them died, one of their children would inherit the deceased parent’s legacy. It was intended to prevent the family line from being cut off.

And since she had heard that Gilrod had no children other than Sianna, it would be right to pass on her mother’s seat and family to her.

However, Salode disagreed with her words.

“Gilrod Nevel is delegated as the proxy for all of his daughter’s rights. This includes the right to the seat, and unless Sianna Nevel officially demands it, she will not inherit her mother’s family.”

And Ophelia read the premise underlying those words – that Nevel’s daughter would never resist her father.

Given that she knew how Gilrod Nevel treated his daughter, it was a natural attitude, considering that Salode, Idren’s close aide, would not be unaware of it.

That day, Dahel showed her a few more things before leaving.

Before taking Dahel out, Salode asked if there was anything she wanted to have taught separately. Ophelia told the man, who seemed to care quite a bit for his disciple, that the child would do well at anything, so he should teach as he saw fit.

After Salode left, it wasn’t long before Idren came to visit.

Remembering that he had been gloomy yesterday, Ophelia checked the man’s complexion once. Fortunately, Idren grinned as if last night’s events were just last night’s events.

“It’s almost time for lunch. How about having a meal with me today?”

It was as if she wouldn’t sit at the same table with him without an invitation, but they were in the habit of dining together every evening unless something came up.

Ophelia stared at the person who was speaking strangely. Then Idren added an explanation.

“Anika Rohos has arrived at the castle. I meant for the three of us to have a meal together.”

“Why didn’t you say that from the beginning, instead of beating around the bush?”

“I was curious how you would react if I suggested having a meal together.”

Ophelia replied to the man who was curious about such trivial things.

“Then I’d just agree to it.”

I see. Idren muttered in a lowered voice and took her hand. Although she hadn’t meant to embarrass him deliberately, Ophelia felt uncomfortable seeing him dejected, so she overlooked his unpermitted action.

If it’s unpleasant, I can just push it away, so it doesn’t matter. Ophelia thought as she followed Idren down to the dining hall.

Anika Rohos had just arrived at the dining hall. Upon seeing her, the Lord of Rohos immediately bowed.

“I greet Your Majesty the Queen.”

Idren, standing beside her, whispered. Please offer your hand to Anika.

When she did as instructed, Anika kissed her hand. It was one of the most common ways to swear allegiance, and it seemed Idren had given her prior notice.

When the greetings were over and they sat down, Ophelia realized that their seating arrangement was the same as at the banquet at Rohos Castle before.

Idren sat next to her and Anika faced them. Considering that the king’s seat in the royal castle was always the head seat, it was a unique arrangement.

“If there’s anything that bothers you or you’re curious about during the meal, tell me.”

After hearing Idren whisper beside her, Ophelia understood the reason for this arrangement that deviated slightly from the norm. If Idren had sat at the head seat, it would have been inconvenient for him and her to converse.

Throughout the meal, it was mainly Idren who led the conversation. Ophelia heard him asking the new lord if she was managing the territory well and if there were any other problems.

Anika answered without any hesitation. As she had heard before, she seemed to be quite capable.

Finally, when the meal was somewhat finished, Idren asked Anika.

“You’ve completed the task I assigned well, so I’ll give you a reward. Is there anything else you desire?”

Ophelia raised an eyebrow at this unfamiliar statement.

Whatever it is, it probably won’t have any direct connection to me. Thinking this while looking down at the dessert, Ophelia’s ears caught an embarrassing statement.

“If it’s alright, please allow me to swear allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen.”

Anika saw the king’s lips curve gently when she said that. His yellow eyes also folded neatly. It was an expression that seemed to have no intention of hiding his satisfaction.

The queen beside him seemed a bit surprised, though.

Anika saw the queen’s eyebrows twitch slightly.

And the queen slowly turned her head to look at the king beside her once, then turned her gaze back to her across the table. She seemed to have no idea that all of this was her husband’s plan.

But if she didn’t swear allegiance to the queen, the king would drag her to the hunting grounds as well.

He would probably do so until someone who gave an answer to his liking appeared. Anika knew he was more than capable of doing that.

Although it might be like a lottery for the other party, it was her precious life at stake, so Anika did as the king instructed.

To her, who had gathered and brought evidence of neighboring lords’ slave trade and tax embezzlement, the king said.

“Since you seem to know how to distinguish friends well, I’ll introduce you to new people as I said.”

And he asked.

“How about having lunch at the castle? It seems that would be more convenient to swear allegiance as soon as possible.”

At those words, Anika realized what she had to do at the dining table. The king was telling her to swear allegiance to the new queen.

Perhaps it was natural. She had been prepared as a wedding gift for the queen from the beginning. Anika didn’t forget what the king had said at Rohos Castle.

“I don’t want to burden the woman who crossed the border just for me with the haughty nobles of Edegrun as a wedding gift.”

So the answer to the order to state her reward was already decided, wasn’t it?

As she expected, the king liked her answer. The young man who was smiling freshly said.

“If you add a suitable gift, it would be acceptable to receive an oath of allegiance.”

In other words, it meant to bring a decent tribute to the queen on her own.

Considering that he himself had ordered the oath of allegiance, there was quite a lot to say, but none of it could be uttered.

Anika gave another answer that would suit his taste.

“Yes, I will bring something that will please you.”

The king curled his lips once more upon hearing those words.

Seeing that radiant face, Anika thought he would have done well even if he had taken up plunder and threats as his profession. He seemed to have the aptitude for it.