Chapter 54….
Revolution for a Progressive World
“Let us raise a glass for the peaceful future of our homeland.”
Even during the warm family meal, Roa kept her gaze fixed silently on Ophilian. She was waiting for an opportunity. If she gave him enough subtle hints, surely he would notice something.
Before returning in time, Roa regretted not learning more about his relationship with Aizen. Why had he sided with Aizen? If she had known, she could have more easily turned him to her side. No matter how hard she thought, nothing came to mind. She had never once seen him interacting with Ophilian during the brief period of Aizen’s newlywed life.
“Let me show you to the guest chambers.”
After the meal, the Clarion family followed the servants’ guidance to the guest building.
Roa was familiar with this place. She had been summoned to the royal palace as a witness and then imprisoned under suspicion of being an accomplice. This was that same room.
“Do you like the room?”
“……”
Roa said nothing in response to the servant’s question. Her hollow eyes scanned the familiar layout. It was slightly different from when she first came here. Unlike before, when modifications had been made to prevent escape, the room now retained a more luxurious, original design.
“Is there anything you dislike? We can change rooms at any time.”
Roa turned her head toward the voice of the servant. The attendant in charge of the guest chambers was also a familiar face.
“Ae…”
“Yes?”
“Oh, nothing.”
It was Anna, the young palace maid who had helped her escape. Roa almost called her by name in delight. She wondered what had become of Anna. Perhaps she had been dismissed from the palace for aiding her—or worse, punished. Maybe even executed at a young age as an accomplice to a plot of treason.
Roa shook her head vigorously to dismiss the horrible thoughts. That time had passed. Now that she had returned, she could change things. The responsibility of altering everyone’s future weighed heavily on her shoulders.
“No, it’s fine. Thank you for your concern.”
After surveying the room, Roa stepped into the corridor. She wanted to familiarize herself with the surroundings, just in case. As she turned her head, she collided with someone who had come right up to her.
“Good day, sister-in-law.”
It was Ophilian. Roa froze for a moment upon seeing him, then composed herself and returned his greeting politely.
“Anna, could you step aside for a moment?”
“Of course. Call me if you need anything.”
Anna left without suspicion, despite the unusual tension between the two.
Even though he was someone she hoped would help, facing him without any information made her nervous.
“We’re not formally married yet, so mind your tone,” she said.
“I can’t. You’re going to be my sister-in-law now,” Ophilian replied, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He scrutinized Roa from head to toe with a cocky grin.
“By the way, why were you staring at me earlier?”
It seemed he had noticed the signal she had sent.
“If you have something to say to me without my brother knowing, go ahead.”
Ophilian also seemed interested in her.
At present, there was only one plausible hypothesis: unlike Yudar, who sought to oust Aizen, Ophilian, who had supported him, must harbor feelings opposed to Yudar.
“You can trust me. I’m confident I can keep secrets.”
There was no need to fall for Ophilian’s temptation. She didn’t have enough information about him to make any definite decisions. Now that she had returned in time, she had to be cautious to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
“No, I have nothing special to tell you.”
A small step forward, a calculated retreat. It was too early to rely on Ophilian.
“You don’t want to marry my brother, do you?”
Ophilian was just as formidable. Yudar, with all his pride, wouldn’t have gone around bragging that his fiancée didn’t love him. Ophilian had correctly gauged their relationship from the atmosphere alone.
“Of course. Who’d want a crazy wife like that?”
Ophilian laughed at his own remark, clutching his stomach.
Even with animosity, he had dared to insult the crown prince inside the palace. Roa narrowed her eyes, beginning to read the depth of his resentment toward Yudar—it was stronger than she had guessed.
“I was once in mortal danger,” she said quietly. Ophilian, still clutching his stomach from laughter, finally ceased and looked down at her.
“You came to help me back then, didn’t you, Prince Ophilian?”
Thanks to his arrival, she had bought some time. The knights of Luctia he had brought handed weapons to Aizen. If she had fled as Aizen instructed, would he have survived? Though she couldn’t apply “what if” to the past, Roa kept imagining new possibilities.
“Of course, you only helped, you didn’t save me…” she muttered under her breath, quietly enough that Ophilian couldn’t hear.
“What are you talking about?”
Ophilian raised one eyebrow in confusion. In this timeline, it was his first encounter with Roa, so it made sense.
“It was just something from a dream,” she explained with a small smile. “I saw you in a dream, and I was a little surprised to meet you in person.”
Anyone would find it hard to believe events they hadn’t experienced. She had used the dream as an excuse, but it was a small test to see if he would trust her words.
“That’s why I was staring. Nothing else.”
Ophilian’s expression changed slightly.
“Do you want me to help in reality just like in your dream?”
He leaned closer to her, and Roa didn’t step away.
“Perfect timing. I have a plan too. Care to hear it?”
Ophilian laid his cards on the table more easily than she had expected. Roa had no reason to refuse.
“I’m someone with significant grievances about the empire’s system and political direction,” he said, stroking his jaw. His narrowed eyes seemed unfocused, gazing into the distance.
Just as Roa needed an ally, so did Ophilian.
He was dissatisfied with the current system. That’s why he had opposed Yudar and sided with Aizen. Only now did Roa understand the rationale behind his actions.
“If my sister-in-law would just cooperate with me…”
“No.”
But Roa flatly rejected his proposal. Her goals and his plan were completely different.
“I have no interest in rebellion.”
Even being suspected of rebellion had brought her enough trouble. She had no desire to repeat that misery.
“So you’re being dragged into marriage against your will,” she said, forcing a smile though her eyes remained steely.
“Rebellion, you say? Poor choice of words.”
Ophilian was not pleased to see her retreat the moment he revealed his hand.
“This isn’t rebellion, it’s revolution. A revolution for a progressive world.”
“I don’t care about rebellion or revolution.”
Even with his correction, Roa clearly rejected the idea.
“So you’d refuse even if given the chance?”
Ophilian asked in a low voice.
“I respect your opinion as well, Prince.”
Roa had no intention of changing her decision. She only intended to use him to annul the engagement. But if that came with participating in a rebellion, it was a different story.
If the rebellion succeeded, Aizen would come back for her. She had barely made Aizen give up; she couldn’t let all that effort be wasted.
If it failed, she would come dangerously close to the “death” the fortune teller had mentioned.
Roa didn’t dare rush into a future she didn’t know.
“We just can’t be in a cooperative relationship.”
After finishing the conversation, Roa bowed lightly and turned to leave. But just as she passed by him and entered her room, his voice stopped her once again.
“Shall I let you meet Aizen Throne?”
Hearing Aizen’s name, Roa faltered immediately. Her only weakness, pretending to be strong, betrayed her. Just the mention of his name could break her composure.
“Be honest. If not now, you may never have the chance.”
Seeing her flinch, Ophilian smirked. He walked past her, following closely.
“I won’t let my brother allow you to meet the two of you.”
Roa thought she had said her goodbyes properly. Yet just hearing Aizen’s name still made her heart ache and her eyes water. Even if she couldn’t reach him, she wanted to watch him from afar. She knew she couldn’t, yet she still wished.
