The white sand on the seashore was soft and warm to the touch. As the waves gently lapped against the shore, creating a soothing melody, beachgoers reveled in the tranquil atmosphere. The sun's rays illuminated the sand, casting a golden glow that added to the beach's enchanting allure.
Ophelia was walking along the seashore, her bare feet sinking into the soft sand. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sand between her toes and the gentle breeze caressing her skin.
The rhythmic sound of the waves provided a peaceful soundtrack to her leisurely stroll as she took in the breathtaking view of the endless horizon stretching out before her.
As she strolled along the shoreline, Zaden was following a decent distance behind, admiring her from afar.
She stopped taking a step and turned to face him, a smile playing on her lips. As she turned to face him, their eyes met, and a spark of recognition ignited between them.
Their eyes stayed locked for a couple of seconds before he shyly looked away, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
"Zaden," she called.
"Yes, Miss Ophelia," he replied solemnly, trying to hide his nervousness.
"What's the current situation at the port? It seems busy," "she asked, glancing towards the bustling docks not far away from the territory lord's private beach.
Noises can be heard from the ships coming in and out of the harbor and the sound of people loading and unloading cargo.
The air was filled with the scent of saltwater and the distant cries of seagulls. Miss Ophelia's curiosity piqued as she observed the flurry of activity from afar, wondering what new arrivals or departures might be taking place at the port.
"Ehem, I heard a delegate arrive at the port," Zaden responded.
"Delegate? From where?" Ophelia inquired, her interest growing.
"A kingdom across the sea," Zaden replied.
"No wonder the territory is busy," she murmured while gazing at the sea that stretched endlessly before her.
"What's the purpose of their visit to our kingdom?" she asked.
"Based on the information we have; they are here for a diplomatic meeting. That's what they are trying to show, but they said the crown prince of that kingdom came here to find a potential bride," Zaden answered.
"How interesting," she replied, raising an eyebrow.
The reason for their visit was so romantic and idealistic. It made her curious about the crown prince's intentions.
Raising his flag as the crown prince of another kingdom will surely attract multiple alliances and potential suitors.
Ophelia was not sure if that was a great idea, as this kind of plan would be either beneficial or dangerous for the crown prince. Either way, the king seems to support the idea.
The kingdom won't lose anything from the arrangement but rather gain alliances and a deep connection to the royal family of another kingdom if the crown princess is of Nohan blood.
Ophelia smiled as she remembered the information from 'In the Power of Love'. The book mentioned a similar plotline about a crown prince searching for a bride.
The crown prince was the second male lead in the story, even though he only appeared in a few chapters. However, his presence has a significant effect on the story.
Based on the story, the crown prince offered a marriage proposal to the heroine. Of course, the heroine was certain that she was in love with the hero, but she couldn't help but feel conflicted. She can't just reject an offer from another kingdom's crown prince without acting like she's thinking about it.
Because of that, there is drama in the heroine and hero's relationship, which adds tension to the story. By the time that offer was made, they already had a secret relationship together, but nobody knew about it.
This secret relationship creates complications and obstacles as they navigate their feelings for each other. That offer might have caused some conflict between the two, but it also made them have a stronger bond as a couple.
However, that is not the case now since the hero and heroine's engagement was officially announced.
Ophelia wonders what will happen because of the changes in the story.
She was more curious about what would happen to the couple's relationship than the crown prince's journey to find a bride, since at the end of his stay in the kingdom, he succeeded in finding a bride among the noble ladies.
"There's a ball tonight, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Yes, Miss Ophelia," Zaden replied.
"Let's go. I want to get ready for the ball," she said, then turned and walked back to the mansion.
---
"My apologies for not welcoming you myself this morning, your grace," the lord of the territory said with a bow.
"It's fine. I understand that you have other things to do," she replied graciously, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"No, your grace. Even if I have other things to do, how can I miss welcoming you? It's very impudent of me," he said, bowing deeply.
The person bowing in front of Ophelia is the territory lord. The man was in his late forties, with his hair graying at the temples and an obvious declination of his hair.
The man's face has obvious wrinkles on his face and hands.
Seeing an old man bow his head apologetically made Ophelia uneasy because she always respected her elders.
"Lord, please raise your head. As I said, I understand you," said Ophelia, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.
The lord of the territory raised his eyes with admiration and respect for her.
He couldn't help but feel deeply moved by her understanding.
Ophelia was just not accustomed to the norm of the world she was in. If other higher-ranking nobles were in her shoes, they might have flipped and been offended, causing chaos for the territory lord.
There's no wonder the man was touched by her kindness and looked at her as if a halo was floating above her head with wings spreading on her back.
"I believe you have other things to attend to. I can't keep you here any longer," she said with a gentle smile.
He nodded in agreement and reluctantly tore his gaze away from her, knowing that duty called him elsewhere. "Thank you for your understanding, your grace. Please excuse me," he bowed before turning away.
Ophelia sighed, then opened her palm beside her as if expecting something to appear out of it.
Someone placed a glass of wine in her grasp, and she took a grateful sip. Then she roamed her eyes around the hall, taking in the lively atmosphere and the elegant guests mingling with each other.
The ballroom was adorned with sparkling chandeliers and intricate tapestries, creating an enchanting ambiance. Ophelia couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as the music swelled and couples twirled across the dance floor.
The atmosphere of the ball was in full swing, but the main character hasn't arrived yet.
She glances at the entrance door and eagerly waits for the main character to make their grand entrance.
The double doors swing open, revealing a young man dressed in a sharp suit, exuding confidence and charm. All eyes turn towards him as he confidently strides into the room.
"Crown Prince Liam of Bosom Kingdom has arrived," the herald announced to the gasps and whispers of the attending guests.
The Crown Prince stride into the ballroom with his posture straight and his head held high, exuding an air of grace and authority.
His hair, as deep as the blue ocean that covered his forehead, was meticulously styled and glistened under the chandeliers. And his eyes that stood out were a piercing shade of emerald, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.
Ophelia watched with scrutinizing eyes as she observed his every move, analyzing every gesture and expression. She couldn't help but feel intrigued to meet the other characters in the story other than the hero and heroine.
She nodded her head in acknowledgement as she criticized the crown prince's appearance.
As expected of a second male lead. He's handsome and charming, with an air of mystery that draws people in. She thought as her eyes followed the man's movements.
"Your grace," a voice called out, making her stare break away from the character she was observing.
She turned her head toward the man beside her. "Yes?"
"...do you want more wine?" he asked while keeping his eyes on the incoming servant holding a tray of wine.
"Sure," she nodded.
Zaden reached out and took one of the glasses from the tray when the servant passed by and gave it to Ophelia.
She sipped the wine, savoring its rich flavor. Ophelia has nothing to do but observe her surroundings at the ball while sipping her wine. She didn't know how many hours had passed, nor did she know how many glasses she had emptied as the night went on.
As she kept her own business, she was unaware that a pair of sharp, deep blue eyes had been watching her for a while among the crowd. The mysterious figure was observing her every move.
The figure's gaze was intense, filled with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. Ophelia couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine as she roamed her eyes around the room, but to no avail; she couldn't find anyone staring at her, which gave her the shivers.
***