First Arc (King of Euphorion) - 29. Ophelia's Arranged Marriage

Meanwhile in Eternal Harmony City, the Kingdom of Asteria. King Gervis sat behind his desk in the Golden Light Castle's study room while checking the financial reports in his hands.

"This year's financial income has decreased significantly, what happened?" he asked with a displeased expression at the finance minister who was standing before him.

"Pearl Gate City of Euphorion is very popular among traders and merchants. Euphorion also secures their trade routes from bandits and monsters so it's easier for them to get there, their beautiful scenery also attracts so many travellers and tourists. In addition, they have several other trading cities that are developing rapidly in the last few years," the finance minister explained.

King Gervis frowned at him.
"I've heard about it, but shouldn't affect us this bad."

"That's because our kingdom's main goods, Stardust Champagne's popularity lost to Euphorion's Innocent Wine. They say the wine has a better taste but doesn't contain alcohol at all. This product is very popular among the nobles and very addictive since they can drink a lot of it without getting drunk," the finance minister explained again.

King Gervis snorted in annoyance. He narrowed his eyes pointing at the finance minister who was starting to look pale.
"Don't we have other reliable goods?"

"Our Twilight Tea is also lost to Euphorion's Passion Tea. Not only can increase energy, that tea can also reduce stress," said the finance minister while looking down, not daring to look at King Gervis.

King Gervis sighed tiredly with an annoyed expression.
"We must find a way out for this."

"Now we are looking for other local goods that have the potential to beat their goods and also provided additional funding to improve some of our trading cities."

King Gervis deep in thoughts for a moment, trying to find a solution. Then he shook his head.
"No, that's not enough. Send some people to find out more about their kingdom, especially their activities in their entire trading city."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said the finance minister. Then he bowed and left the room.

King Gervis got up from his seat and looked at the window as his mind was still in deep thought. He had heard from many people about the cause of drastic change in the Kingdom of Euphorion.

A few years ago a hunter overthrew the former King of Euphorion and took the nobles along the minister's trust in a short time. After that, he also got the people and military force's trust. Then the Kingdom of Euphorion suddenly reopened their trade routes and their cities began to develop rapidly as well as their local goods.
'This King Zel of Euphorion is a talented person. Even though he is not from the nobles, his intelligence as a ruler is excellent. It would be great if I could invite him as a member of the Peace Alliance.'

King Gervis deep in thought again, since making him a member of the Peace Alliance could only make them cooperate easier. But that didn't mean they couldn't compete. Suddenly a smile began to develop on King Gervis' face when a better solution crossed his mind
'I heard he is still young and unmarried. Now, Ophelia is already twenty-one years old, it would be better if she married a reliable man like him. It could strengthen the two kingdoms' relationship and it will help her to forget Angel soon.'

Soon, the knocking sounds accompanied by a faint familiar voice came.
"Father, may I come in?"

"Come in, Ilex," said King Gervis as he returned to his chair.

Ilex entered the room and bowed to him.
"Father, what happened? Why does the finance minister come out with a pale face?"

"There's a little problem with our finances, but now I've found the solution."

Ilex breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad to hear that."

"Have you heard the news about King Zel of Euphorion? I want to hear your opinion of him."

"I have heard about him, although he's not from the nobles, he has the good ability as a ruler. It's rare that someone from commoners like him has that ability," replied Ilex.

"What do you think if I set Ophelia up with him?"

Ilex was shocked by King Gervis' words. How could King Gervis give Ophelia to a man he didn't know.
"Father, I think this is too hasty. We don't know who he really is and the truth of the news," he said doubtfully.

"I know, therefore I will send a delegation to meet and invite him to Asteria. We can decide after we meet him personally whether he is suitable as Ophelia's husband or not," said King Gervis.

Ilex furrowed his brows.
"Ophelia has just turned twenty-one. Isn't she too young to get married?" he said, trying to change his father's decision.

King Gervis sighed tiredly.
"Isn't it better than seeing her constantly locking herself in her room after Angel's death?"

Ilex snorted in annoyance when he heard Angel's name. After Angel's death, Ophelia was heartbroken and avoided meeting him or her father. Sometimes, Ilex caught her in Angel's room just to cry for hours there. Now, since the room was locked, she began to shut herself in her room and rarely went out.
"You're right, maybe by marrying someone else she can forget him," said Ilex.

"Tell Ophelia about this so she won't be too surprised by it."

Ilex sighed in submission to his father's decision.
"Yes, father." Then he bowed and left.

'With this, maybe Ophelia doesn't think about that illegitimate child anymore. Angel... Even after your death you still torture my sister,' thought Ilex.

Note:

Innocent Wine is Angelus Raizel's idea because he has poor alcohol tolerance (Prologue chapter 5), so he gave this idea to the local winery and asked them to develop it.

Passion Tea is also his idea because he likes to drink tea (First Arc chapter 2), but on the other hand, he also needs additional energy to work on his documents, especially since there is a lot to be taken care of in his early reign.