Chapter 20: “Why Have You Been Like This Since Yesterday?”
That night, for some unknown reason, the Crown King went to see Ophelia.
After spending quite some time alone with her, the King came out and immediately ordered her room to be cleaned out. The man who conveyed this said the King had snapped irritably, asking what would happen if someone inside got hurt because of the mess.
Around that time, Mahanas had already begun to suspect why the King was so preoccupied with Ophelia.
Even if a woman was a little off in the head, people would forgive her if she was beautiful—and his sister had, at the very least, been born with a fine face. She really owed everything to that pretty face of hers.
Satisfied that the situation had wrapped up neatly, Mahanas sent clothes to his sister the following morning. He also replaced her former maid, who’d been trembling in fear claiming the princess was possessed, with a new one.
The Crown King was obviously taken by her appearance, so the plan was to dress her up nicely and present her at breakfast.
As intended, Ophelia looked presentable. Her hairstyle showcased one of her best features—her pale neck—and Mahanas was pleased. The King couldn’t take his eyes off her either.
Mahanas leaned in and offered a quiet word of advice to the young man, who still looked rather youthful.
“Women assume you’re angry when you stare like that.”
Without even glancing in his direction, the Crown King replied,
“I’m aware.”
But despite his words, the young King didn’t stop looking at Ophelia—not until she sat down.
Soon after, the former King signaled the start of the breakfast meeting, and the meal began.
During breakfast, Mahanas brought up the toll fees for the canal that ran between Reden and Aglanthe.
The canal had originally been built by Aglanthe, so Reden had to pay to use it. Mahanas was hoping this might be a chance to negotiate a reduction.
“…So I believe a slight adjustment to the toll fees would be beneficial. What does Your Majesty think?”
Truthfully, Mahanas didn’t expect a positive response.
The King wasn’t even pretending to pay attention. He hadn’t looked at anyone at the table except Ophelia. It seemed the more she avoided his gaze, the more desperate he became to get her attention.
Yet, the reply he received was far more sincere than expected.
“That wouldn’t be bad.”
It wasn’t a long sentence, but compared to the vague responses he’d gotten so far, it was a clear agreement.
Still, the King didn’t shift his gaze. When Mahanas followed his line of sight, he understood what had changed his mind.
Ophelia was staring directly back at the King with her bright blue eyes.
Idren met the girl’s piercing gaze head-on.
“The canal tolls have been quite expensive, haven’t they?”
Of course, it was Reden who paid those fees, so it didn’t concern him personally—but it was the perfect card to play right now.
The moment he responded positively to the suggestion, Ophelia turned her gaze toward him.
Looking into those blue eyes, Idren found her honesty refreshing. She reacted exactly as he expected, and that alone made things feel more balanced.
Keeping his eyes on her hostile glare, he continued speaking.
“Since I’ll be marrying into Reden… this would be a good time to make adjustments.”
The prince, who had been chattering away the entire time, brightened at his words.
“Oh, what a relief that you think the same. So, how should we go about adjusting—”
“I’ll set the terms and send them over.”
As soon as Idren said this, Ophelia put down her utensils.
He realized she was about to stand. Even though it was against protocol to leave the table with guests present, anything she might do now would be milder than what she’d shown him yesterday.
He had decided not to care about how rude she might be—but not just yet.
There was still something she needed to hear.
Before she could rise, Idren spoke again.
“After this breakfast, I’ll be returning immediately.”
The prince, startled, asked,
“Isn’t that too soon?”
It wasn’t just the prince who reacted. The King of Reden also looked at Idren, but Ophelia didn’t even flinch.
Idren was willing to bet his right hand that she wished he’d disappear as soon as possible.
But he had no intention of disappearing alone.
Without breaking eye contact, Idren delivered the unwelcome news.
“Which means, Your Highness, you should also be ready to depart as soon as breakfast ends.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh dear, it seems the prince didn’t tell you.”
He deliberately turned to Mahanas. Since he now knew how much Ophelia hated her relatives, he wanted her to hear it from one of them.
Caught in his gaze, the prince cleared his throat awkwardly.
“The Crown King paid your dowry in full this morning. It breaks my heart to see you go, but we can’t stop him from taking you with him.”
Upon hearing this, Ophelia made a face like she was going to be sick. Idren was relieved she had barely eaten. At least she wouldn’t get indigestion.
Fiddling with the utensil she’d put down—a knife, no less—Ophelia spoke in an icy tone.
“It seems we need to have a little talk, Your Majesty.”
Then she gave him a ceremonial smile. Idren noticed the twitch at the corner of her lips.
Ophelia was clearly furious.
The moment breakfast ended, she dragged him out to the palace gardens. Idren followed her into a thicket of unnamed grasses and trees.
Once they reached a secluded spot far from prying ears, Ophelia suddenly spun around.
“What is wrong with you since yesterday?”
Though the announcement had come from Prince Mahanas, she seemed to know the plan had originated with Idren.
Idren spotted the green gem dangling at the end of her neatly pinned silver hair. Shaped like a small butterfly, it looked like it was about to fall off.
Before it could, he caught it in his hand. Ophelia glared at him and snatched it away with a loud snap.
“Are you listening to me?”
She tossed the green butterfly behind her and glared as she asked.
Idren didn’t tell her that, in the past, he’d lived hanging on her every word more than she realized. He knew her reaction would be something like “So what?” and he didn’t want to invite unnecessary heartache.
Instead, he gave a small sigh.
“I don’t see the problem.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You don’t even like your family, do you?”
And to be fair, her family didn’t seem to like her much either.
Idren didn’t want to leave her with that Reden prince, who treated her like property. After observing him closely the past few days, it was obvious.
Of course, bringing her along might make life inconvenient for a few days, but that was manageable. Idren already planned to provide everything she needed.
He added some practical details that might concern her.
“I’ll prepare your belongings once we cross the border. If there’s someone you’d like to bring along, you can. For now, the carriage is a makeshift one, but we’ll get a proper one after the canal.”
But even after hearing his explanation, Ophelia didn’t seem any less upset. Her voice grew even sharper.
“I don’t care about things like that! I don’t mind camping out!”
“Then what is the problem?”
Then he remembered something else.
“Is it because we’re not having a state wedding procession?”
In his previous life, he had sent a bridal carriage to Reden—made of ivory, gold, and sandalwood. Ophelia had ridden in it all the way to Aglanthe.
As soon as he brought this up, her face contorted with disgust. Idren saw a strange disdain in her blue eyes—eyes that clearly said, Do you really think I care about that?
“…Don’t look at me like that. Just tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Do I need your permission even for how I look at you now?”
Permission, really? She was always the one taking the lead anyway.
Though, she probably didn’t even realize that about herself.
So Idren decided to enjoy her attention for now. It had been a long time since she’d spoken to him this much. It almost felt like the first time…
Wait—was it actually the first?
While he was wondering if there had been anything like this before, Ophelia snapped,
“Why did you suddenly agree to adjust the canal toll?”
“…That’s what you’re upset about?”
Well, of course. She never cared about anything he did anyway.
With a touch of bitterness, Idren thought the situation was unfair. Her family could easily hold her attention just by doing things she hated.
But he had to go out of his way—use them even—to get a mere glance.
Wasn’t that the reason he brought up the toll fees in the first place?
Now that she was reacting as he expected, maybe he should be relieved. But instead, Idren felt… a little wronged.
He shook his head, unable to hide the petty jealousy rising inside him.
