By now, Shien had more or less figured it out.
(This Princess Royal might look like she was just having fun, but she wasn't merely playing around.)
She was testing Shien.
Using a playful attitude as a weapon to lower others' guard, concealing her true intentions, then striking at the appropriate moment—that was the kind of person Liyadella was.
(Is that what you'd expect from royalty?)
As a royal, and a direct descendant at that, how could she possibly have become first in line to the throne without some real capability?
Even if Roxie had voluntarily given up the throne, if Ria had merely been a willful princess who only knew how to play around, there was no way the position of first heir would have been handed to her.
Perhaps in terms of strength and talent, Ria was inferior to Roxie, but when it came to intelligence and strategy, she might even surpass Roxie.
Having realized this, Shien subconsciously dropped his carefree attitude and looked deeply at Ria.
Ria stared straight back at Shien, her eyes carrying a gleam that others could not understand.
The two simply looked at one another, and the atmosphere grew increasingly delicate.
In such circumstances, how could Roxie not understand what was happening?
"Ria."
Roxie spoke.
Her voice was detached and calm, yet it brought boundless pressure with it.
Affected by that voice, the subtle atmosphere around them suddenly trembled, as though it were about to be crushed apart.
Shana, standing behind Ria, immediately changed expression and nearly reached for the hilt of the longsword at her waist.
Ria was similarly startled for a moment before smiling bitterly.
"Looks like I've made Roxie angry."
Ria raised her hands as though surrendering, wearing a helpless expression.
Shien, too, looked at Roxie in some surprise.
Yet