"You’ve… changed quite a bit," the prince muttered, seemingly without thinking.
My wife responded with a radiant smile so breathtaking that audible gasps rippled through the room.
"I see Your Highness has noticed."
"Ah… yes…"
The prince nodded, as if hypnotized.
"You see, I’ve lost a little weight. I also decided to change my hairstyle entirely. And my perfume now contains deodorizing properties—specially crafted by a perfumer. I suppose my appeal has become so noticeable that even Your Highness couldn’t help but remark on it. Truly, I owe it all to my dear husband."
…Wife, no. The prince was clearly talking about you, not about my weight, hairstyle, or body odor.
"And Your Highness, I see that you haven’t changed much at all."
She gave him a quick once-over before glancing lovingly at me. Then, turning back to the prince, she let out an elegant laugh, dripping with superiority.
It mirrored my earlier behavior toward the baron’s daughter perfectly.
…Wife, that smug look and veiled insult may have been lost on the prince entirely.
What woman would envy a middle-aged man like me?
I couldn’t possibly surpass the prince, a young and handsome man.
Yet, watching my wife smile confidently, I couldn’t help but adore her all the more.
"By the way, Your Highness, how do you find my wife’s dress tonight?"
"It suits her perfectly. Truly, it’s stunning… truly…"
The prince’s repeated “truly” confirmed his infatuation.
"This gown is made from Solié fabric, by the way," I added with a smirk.
"Ah, no wonder. The fabric is exquisite—it’s from that kingdom, is it?"
The prince’s distracted compliment only fueled my satisfaction.
Solié is a small island nation with which our country is currently seeking to establish diplomatic ties.
While its military power is negligible, it is rich in resources, making it highly appealing. However, the nation is notoriously insular, maintaining little contact with other countries.
As a result of its island geography, Solié has historically avoided invasion. But with recent advances in navigation, Solié has begun to recognize its vulnerability.
In response, it has started reaching out to major powers, including our nation, to establish alliances. We’ve only recently begun engaging with Solié, determined not to fall behind our competitors.
With its abundant resources, Solié wields significant leverage in negotiations. Among its prized exports is a fabric spun from the silk of unique silkworms found only on the island. This fabric, which glows even in the darkest night, is breathtakingly beautiful—truly befitting my goddess of a wife.
I placed a hand gently around her waist, drawing her closer.
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