Iobeht, who entered the study of Count Green, was promptly guided to the reception room. As if expecting Iobeht’s arrival, Rishi was waiting for him in the reception room.

Kay was not present.

‘She’s a perceptive woman.’

He wanted to have a private conversation with Rishi about this matter. He didn’t want to bring up the story of almost being betrayed by the upper-class host in front of his longtime friend, Kay.

Rishi was dazzlingly beautiful today as well. She wasn’t wearing a flashy dress, but her flowing crimson-silver hair seemed to radiate light.

‘She was beautiful even at the wedding.’

Even after returning to the palace, he often, no, frequently, thought of Rishi.

The image of her that came to mind was so beautiful, almost like a goddess. He thought he might be idealizing her too much, but it wasn’t true. The real Rishi he met again was far more dazzling than the image he had imagined.

“Your Highness.”

As Rishi gently lowered her head, the half-tied hair flowed down like jewelry onto her straight collarbone. It was hard to look away from her straight collarbone.

Iobeht, barely turning his gaze away, said, “Call me Iyo, Iris.”

“How dare I casually use the nickname of His Highness the Crown Prince? This is more than enough.”

Iobeht didn’t insist twice. Her slightly husky and modest voice, compared to other women, seemed like it would evoke emotions that should not be harbored when her name ‘Iyo’ was mentioned.

‘It would have been better if Kay were here.’

When the three of them were together, it didn’t happen like this. However, being alone with Rishi made him feel strangely uneasy.

“Your words were correct.”

Iobeht sat on the sofa and brought up the main topic.

“Worben tried to stab me in the back. The Meritium was fake.”

“I see.”

“I promised to give advice after investigating Worben. Now, let’s hear that advice.”

“Before that, Your Highness, if I may. I know it’s impolite, but… are you considering marriage with Brittany of the Whitelow Duchy?”

Brittany of the Whitelow Duchy.

Although it could easily be said as ‘sister,’ Rishi expressed it that way.

“You casually offered advice, didn’t you? Brittany is not a good woman, and soon a woman suitable for me will appear.”

Now that he couldn’t put off the situation without the Crown Princess, it was a bit difficult, but Iobeht decided to trust Rishi.

Rishi kept silent for a moment, holding a teacup.

A slightly lowered gaze, long and lush silver eyelashes that could create shadows under her eyes.

Iobeht couldn’t take his eyes off her sparkling eyelashes.

As a man with a rank and status second only to the emperor, Iobeht had never been nervous in front of a lady. He couldn’t understand why he felt so tense in front of Rishi, to the point where even the speed of his breathing was noticeable.

“Jameetra runs an operation in the upper class.”
Rishi’s thick, red lips moved. Only then did Iobeht realize that he was exerting force on his hand.

“As a person from the Taleha Kingdom, she is an intelligent and trustworthy woman.”

Iobeht shifted his gaze away from Rishi’s lips and tried to recall if he had heard the name ‘Jameet’ before. It seemed like a name he might have heard in passing.

“It doesn’t seem like a big upper class.”

Iobeht was worried that Rishi might have noticed his voice slightly trembling.

“It may not be a big upper class now, but Jameet is smart and ambitious, so she’ll quickly grow into a significant upper class. The main trading item will probably be coffee.”

“Coffee… Is that the bitter-tasting drink? I found it quite repulsive.”

“There are some enthusiasts. It seems like it will become more popular soon.”

“Really? Do you like coffee?”

Rishi smiled slightly, wrinkling her nose, and it looked adorable.

“No. But it’s okay if you mix it with milk.”

“Hmm, that’s an odd combination.”

Iobeht trusted Rishi, but he couldn’t accept her statement that the tea called ‘coffee’ would become popular. Coffee was truly a dreadful beverage.

“I guess coffee is okay, Iris. What I want is not a small upper class in an island country that uses tea as the main trading item.”

The Taleha Kingdom was an island country quite distant from the continent.

“I want an upper class that can show more value than I invested.”

In other words, he wanted an upper class that would bring in a lot of money.

Rishi didn’t immediately respond this time either. Her delicate fingers moved along the edge of the teacup. After placing the teacup on the table, Rishi looked up.

He was embarrassed because his eyes met hers when he was so focused on her fingers. She probably didn’t notice that he was scrutinizing her fingers.

“Jameet’s upper class will show more value than you expect.”

“Well, Iris, with just coffee trade…”

As Iobeht mumbled, Rishi took out a black stone and extended it toward him. It was a stone slightly larger than a fist.

Carelessly examining the stone, Iobeht suddenly widened his eyes when he realized what the stone was.

“This is…?”

“It’s Meritium. Real Meritium.”

“Where did you get this? It’s hard to find one this size.”