Ophelia did not think that was strange.

Idren needed a family. He needed an heir to inherit his throne and possessions, and a woman to be his political companion by his side. Regardless of his heart, the situation demanded it.

A man so kind to his country would not leave the queen’s position vacant for long. So after her death, he would surely remarry.

Idren was the type of man who would be kind to his new wife as well. Though not as refined as Haslen, he was quick to respond and meticulous in his actions.

Perhaps he could even love his second wife.

Though she had never loved anyone the way he loved her, Ophelia knew that affection was not eternal.

Just look at Starlet’s lovers. While those with noble names treated marriage as a transaction, some of them must have surely loved their spouses.

By the time that love cooled, a handsome pirate caught their eye.

Idren was as handsome as Starlet, and possessed many merits the pirate lacked. A man like that would be easily loved wherever he went.

So while not certain, the second woman he developed feelings for might return them.

Unlike herself.

As she imagined these scenarios one by one, her burden of being left alone should have lessened, making her feel better, but it wasn’t entirely so.

How selfish.

When she felt cold curiosity about the new wife Idren would take after her death, Ophelia reminded herself. She wouldn’t stay with him as he wished, nor give him the love he asked for.

Why be curious about the life he would live?

Selfish or contradictory actions should only be done to the extent one could turn a blind eye to them. Emotions uncomfortable to show others were the same when seen by oneself.

I shouldn’t have accepted that proposal in Reden.

Thinking of the man who carefully laid foundations to manipulate her before she knew it, such thoughts occurred to her. If she had known, she wouldn’t have decided to try for three years.

What was I thinking then?

But by that logic, she had been deceived as well.

At that time, Ophelia thought Idren was just very angry. She thought once that anger cooled, he would return to being the quiet husband who maintained an appropriate distance that she knew.

However, he did not do so.

Instead, Idren erased the line between them. He acted childishly yet affectionately, sulked pettily yet silently stayed by her side when needed. It was such gentle behavior that she might melt if not careful.

Still, it wasn’t too late yet.

Ophelia thought it fortunate that she realized her state before becoming unable to do anything. The conversation at the residence was an opportunity for her, not just Idren, to face the situation.

Idren seemed quite deeply hurt this time as well.

Perhaps he could use this opportunity to detach his heart from her. Assuming she had a husband she liked, she would feel bad too if the other person talked about remarrying after her death.

Yet by the time she realized she was quite hung up on the other’s avoidance, her birthday approached.

It was a day corresponding to summer even in Edegrun.

Though that just meant the wind was a bit softer and the sky bluer, Hazel said the weather had been very good lately.

It didn’t quite match the good weather she knew, but Ophelia vaguely agreed with the coolly handsome knight. This was Edegrun, so it had to be judged by Edegrun’s standards.

The castle was very busy. Inside, a banquet would be held for about three days to mark her birthday, and outside, relief events were scheduled accordingly, so there was much to prepare.

Delegations from several nearby countries were set to come, and Mahanas’ name was included in Reden’s delegation. It seemed he planned to come in person rather than write a letter.

Idren conveyed through Salode that he would prohibit entry to anyone she didn’t want, but Ophelia didn’t mind if Mahanas appeared before her. It was time to see his face anyway.

In addition to the message Idren asked to deliver, while briefly explaining the schedule, Salode habitually inserted praise for his disciple. He praised that the child was a rare prodigy, saying he led this banquet.

“His memory is very good and he’s quick to judge situations. With such an agreeable personality, he’ll be loved wherever he goes.”

Though his words were filled with affection as if doting on his own child, the child – or young man – standing beside Salode was already much taller than his mentor. Ophelia realized her financial advisor looked quite different from his previous life.

The young man she knew was certainly slender even when fully grown, but the current Dahel looked like he would be taken by the knights if not for Salode.

When she expressed this impression to Hazel, who had become familiar from frequent accompaniment, the knight’s eyes widened.

“How did you know? Everyone was just lamenting losing a promising talent. They said it’s rare to see such growth in build even when almost fully matured.”

And the knight added.

“That’s why I’ve been giving him a good rubdown lately. I taught him a few self-defense techniques, and his learning speed is quite extraordinary. With a little polishing, he’ll be a well-rounded talent in both civil and military affairs…”

As Hazel continued speaking, the complexion of Dahel, who happened to be present for practical training, gradually reddened. Before the gentle-natured financial advisor could be roughly handled by the knight, Ophelia said:

“He’ll do better at work using his head rather than body, so don’t torment him too much.”

“Torment? I don’t do such low-quality things. I only provide education that builds blood and flesh. In these harsh times, without strength, tsk…”

And Hazel began to recount unsolicited tales of his exploits. He seemed to be trying to explain why physical strength was necessary.

Ophelia did not stop the knight who was acting bustling as if they were close. With Idren, who used to linger before her eyes daily, being quiet lately, it felt like there was a lack of noise.

As time passed and her birthday morning arrived, Ophelia could see Idren’s face as soon as she opened her eyes. The man, already dressed presentably, greeted her as soon as their eyes met.

“Happy birthday.”

“…Thank you.”

When she answered in a voice still groggy from sleep, he helped her sit up.

“I’d like to have a meal together, but I have work to attend to. Before that, there’s something I want to show you.”

And Idren gestured to the servants waiting in the room. A chest made of rosewood was placed before her.

When the wooden box with gold trim was opened, Ophelia could see a dress. The dress of blue satin embroidered with gold thread and adorned with jewels looked quite splendid and certainly pretty even to sleepy eyes.

“I remember blue clothes suited you well, so I prepared one. Do you like it?”

There was a strange tension in his asking voice. Without properly examining the dress, Ophelia nodded.

She didn’t want to complain about something received as a gift, especially from a man who was already desperate to shower her with all sorts of things.

“I’m glad. I hope I can see you wearing it today.”

And Idren brushed back her hair before rising from his seat.

Because she was still drowsy and her head fuzzy, Ophelia sat for a while even after he left the room. It was only after finishing washing her face that she somewhat came to her senses.

After wiping the moisture from her face, Ophelia finally realized what she had just received.

A blue dress.

Only then did sleep completely leave Ophelia as she rose from her seat.

She approached the servants who were taking the dress out of the box and smoothing out the wrinkles. They seemed startled by her sudden movement, but thinking she wanted to examine the gift from her husband, they stepped aside.

Ophelia ran her shaking eyes over the dress.

Adorned with gold thread, crystal, and pearls, the dress was as deep blue as water. Though the fabric differed due to the season, it was enough to evoke memories of what she received every birthday as a child.

It felt like cold water poured down her spine. Ophelia reached out to touch the sleeve of the dress. The cool fabric and tiny jewels wrapped around her hand.

As if on cue, a face she could neither forget nor had ever forgotten, who used to gift something similar, came to mind.

A smile like spring sunlight. Eyes like summer leaves.

Haslen.

Ophelia hurriedly lifted the hem of the dress. She thought she glimpsed the toe of a white shoe. But there was nothing beneath the fabric.

A servant standing nearby asked:

“Are you alright? Is there a problem?”

It was a voice tinged with worry. Ophelia shook her head. No. Nothing like that.

“I just thought I saw something wrong.”

But the trigger was more problematic than the illusion.

Dizziness rose. Ophelia blinked. Perhaps due to moving hastily in the morning, her vision was a bit hazy.

Returning to the bed, she propped her elbows on her knees. Though she knew it was an action betraying her confusion, there was no leisure to compose herself.

Bending over and burying her face in her hands, Ophelia pondered why Idren had given such a gift.