Meanwhile in the Kingdom of Asteria, King Gervis sat at his desk in the Golden Light Castle study room while checking the financial reports on his hands.
"This year's financial income have decreased significantly, what has happened?" he asked with a displeased expression at the finance minister who standing before him.
"Pearl Gate City of Euphorion is very popular among traders and merchants. Euphorion also secure their trade routes from bandits and monsters so it's easier for them to get there, their beautiful scenery also attracts so many tourists. In addition they have several other trading cities that 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 is less popular than 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 worrying about getting drunk. " the finance minister explained again.
King Gervis grunted 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 are also less popular than Euphorion's passion tea, that tea can boosting energy but also giving a relaxing feeling." 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 at their entire trading city."
"Yes, Your Majesty." said the finance minister, then he bowed and left the room.
King Gervis raised up from his seat and looked at the window while his mind still in deep thought. He had heard from many people about the cause of drastic change at Kingdom of Euphorion. A few years ago a hunter overthrew the former King of Euphorion who was a dictator, then he took the nobles and minister's trust in a short time, after that the people's trust and military forces were also in his hands. The Kingdom of Euphorion which had been closed suddenly reopened their trade routes, and then their cities began to develop rapidly as well as their local goods.'This person is very talented, even though he is not from the nobles but 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 it easier for them to cooperate with each other but that didn't mean they couldn't compete. Suddenly a smile began to develop on King Gervis's face when a better solution crossed his mind'I heard that 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 relations between the two kingdoms and maybe she soon forget Angel with this. '
Soon, a knocking sound accompanied by a familiar sound was heard."Father, may I come in?"
"Come in, Ilex." said King Gervis while returned to sat on his chair.
Ilex entered the room and bowed to him."Father, what happened? Why the finance minister come out with a pale face?"
"There's a 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 the new King of Euphorion? I want to hear your opinion of him."
"I have heard about him, although he's not from the nobles, but his ability to lead needs to be recognized, it's very rare to have someone like him as a king." Ilex replied.
"What do you think if I set Ophelia up with him?"
Ilex shocked by King Gervis's words, how could be he 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 also 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 make decision after we meet him whether he is suitable as Ophelia's husband or not. " said King Gervis trying to convince him.
Ilex furrowed his brows."Ophelia has just turned twenty-one, isn't she too soon 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 his name. After Angel's death, Ophelia looks so heartbroken and avoiding meeting him or her father. Sometimes, he 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."
"Tell Ophelia about this matter 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.'