ã€ŠThe Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride  in a Former Enemy Countryã€‹


 Chapter 1 Because this breaking off engagement scene is too tiring

    [Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner! You¡¯re such a vicious woman to be this sovereign crown prince¡¯s fiancee. Right this very minute, I¡¯m breaking off my engagement with you!]

    [Okay, I understand.]

    [Huh.]

    Despite the dismay of her former fiance, the Crown Prince, the young lady Rishe bowed.

    It¡¯s a dignified and elegant salutation that fascinated the guests around them.

    The Crown Prince was dumbfounded, but still shouted in haste.

    [Wait, wait! You agree to calling off the engagement!? Are you not worried about how you¡¯ll be treated after this!?]

    [No, it¡¯ll be fine.]

    She knows very well how she¡¯ll be treated when the word spreads out.

    Various defamations will pile up on Rishe¡¯s head and she¡¯d be sentenced to exile. She¡¯d be cut off from her family and has to live alone.

    (Because, this is the seventh time now.)

    This was not the first time Rishe had gone through the same ordeal.

    (I¡¯d better get busy now. If I don¡¯t pack my luggage up when the news reaches my mother and father¡¯s ears, there¡¯d be no chance for me to get into the house. I failed to do so the first and third time, and ended up desperate in starting over again.)

    [Oh, hey! Wait, listen up! I¡¯ll think for a week and the charges against you will be read out!]

    (Oh, right! I need to pack up some dresses. I also need to bring some things related to my occupation in this life. I wonder if I still can do so by the time I get home from here. Oh no, time is running out! If only I could rewind time in any way, I hope there¡¯s still enough time left!)

    [Hold on ~, wait~, Rishe!]

    The guests around couldn¡¯t resist convulsing into laughter at the Crown Prince, who is on the verge of dissolving in tears.

    Rishe was suddenly reminded of something and looked back.

    [I forgot to tell you something important, Your Highness.]

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    [Uh-huh, yeah, that should be! If you have any words of regret¡­]

    [No, that¡¯s not the case.]

    It was but a slip of the tongue, whatever. Having been abandoned the seventh time, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to have second thoughts.

    And so, I smiled.

    [Be happy with Marie. Have a good life together.]

    [What¡­?!]

    Rishe started walking while flipping her ball gown.

    [Huh, what, uhh, I haven¡¯t said anything about it yet, my beloved woman is Marie¡­!?]

    Rishe ignored the shouting behind her, she¡¯s really busy now. She was so upset the first time that she launched objections to protect herself, but now, she¡¯s been schooled that she¡¯d only be getting ridiculous answers.

    (More than that, I¡¯m so excited. I wonder what my life would be this time around.)

    Looking back to her 6 past lives, Rishe laughed.

    (Every life has been a lot of fun and fulfilling¡­. but this time. In this lifetime, I want to live longer and live freely!)

    To do that ¡ª she must ensure that she won¡¯t be killed anymore.

 Chapter 2 This time, I want to relax

    Her first life was spent wandering around after her engagement was called off, deprived of even the proper clothes to wear.

    Fortunately, she met a peddler¡¯s carriage, who purchased the accessories she had on her. With the money, she tagged along with the kind-hearted peddler and headed to a neighboring country.

    Having been taught business as an apprentice, bought and kept books to herself, she wanted to travel the world alone and independently.

    As a duke¡¯s daughter, Rishe, has bloomed into an incomparable beauty.

    She collected what she was excited about and sold them to those who wanted them. In the course of time, repeated exchanges had become a great enterprise that involved thousands of people.

    She had done business with the king of a desert country and the prince of a snow country.

    And when her dream in life which was to travel around the entire world was the only one left, she was embroiled in the war and was killed.

    Then she found herself back to her 15th birthday, the moment where the Crown Prince broke their engagement at an evening party.

    ¡°Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner! An insidious woman like you is not worthy of being this sovereign Prince¡¯s fiancee ¡­ I will break off my engagement with you!¡±

    Of course, she was completely stupefied at first. Caught in a daze, the Crown Prince stared down at Rishe and was very pleased to say, ¡°Do you feel so heartbroken calling off our engagement?¡±

    After surveying her surroundings, everything remained the same as the past five years. Rishe stood there, dressed in a gown and accessories that would be purchased by the peddler.

    She may be in the middle of a dream.

    Or the past events had only been dreams.

    At first, she was paralyzed like that, but she didn¡¯t stay muddleheaded. Rishe snapped back from her reverie and took action for the ¡®redo.¡¯

    In her first life, she lived as a female trader and steadily expanded her business, but she had always regretted what she had done that night.

    So, the moment she was sentenced to exile, Rishe rushed home.

    (Thank you, God ¡­! Thanks to you, I can start all over from this night again!)

    Rishe was sincerely relieved.

    (Now¡­.. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s still enough time left! I must hurry home and collect the stuff that can help me on my business from my room!!)

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    This has been the only regret in her first life.

    [At that time, if I had a little more fortune, I would have expanded my business sooner and achieved my dream earlier]

    After complaining about it over and over again, the King of the desert, who became her best business partner, asked her, [Don¡¯t tell me, that¡¯s the only point you regret and wish to do all over again¡­.?] She retorted. Yes.

    When she arrived home, she took out her jewelry box and the books she had inherited from her deceased grandmother. She went to the woods where she had met that peddler, but missed meeting him, because of her trip home.

    It was but a distance away but her judgement failed her, so she missed the carriage. [If I could repeat the first life all over again, on the flip side, there will be instances that never occurred in my first life.] This was what she realized then.

    Thus, in that lifetime, her path to becoming a merchant was exterminated.

    Good luck might be helpful in starting a business, but personal networks also play a vital role. That path would have been too unrealistic without that peddler¡¯s acquaintance.

    When she had no other choice but to sort out her luggage, she found a small medical herb catalog among her books.

    It contained illustrations of exotic medicinal herbs from a country located far away. After selling her jewelry, Rishe crossed the sea with the money and began studying pharmacology.

    Fortunately, her destination was one of the first countries she had stayed a long time, so she had no difficulty writing or reading and mingling with the citizens.

    Rishe also retained some knowledge from her first time trading.

    Having the information that some expensive herbs in some countries could be bought cheaply in that country or that an epidemic was going to be prevalent in that country around that time were quite helpful.

    As a result, Rishe lived a reasonably fulfilling life as a pharmacist. It came in handy.

    The challenging days of saving a sick Crown Prince in a certain country and succeeding in mass-producing rare drugs ensued with her knowledge from her merchant days.

    But again, when she went to the center of the epidemic, she died.

    And then, after the second time her engagement was called off, it was followed by her third life. Until the fourth time, her life ended in a quite similar manner.

    Then, she watched her young lady¡¯s happy marriage as a maidservant and dressed herself up as a man and became a knight. Every life had been rewarding and enjoyable. ¡ª- Life itself.

    (But I¡¯ll definitely die at the age of 20.)

    There lies the problem.

    Despite having enjoyed her life and had a lot of fun on all six lifetimes, Rishe had never lived long at least once.

    Besides, she was too busy in every life to notice it.

    (Though they were all fun, I would like to enjoy life at least once, at least at a leisurely pace. And of course, I don¡¯t want to die! This time, I¡¯ll make money within the five years first to live and enjoy life longer. Down the road, beware not to die until the age of twenty and from then on, I can enjoy a comfortable life¡­!)

    With that in mind, Rishe rushed out of the castle.

    She had to get home as soon as possible and gallop on the swiftest horse from the castle premises all the way home to pack a lot of luggage.

    (Would it be faster to get down to the gardens if I climb down the trees from the balcony?)

    This bright idea struck her mind and so she changed directions at once.

    Rishe had been on the battlefield as a knight in her sixth life, so this kind of excitement was just like any other day.

    The harshness of the battlefield wasn¡¯t as scary as jumping from the balcony onto a tree.

    However, the moment she turned around the corner towards the balcony, she suddenly barreled into something.

    [Watch out.]

    Her feminine shriek broke into the night as she staggered back, Rishe looked up at what was before her.

 Chapter 3 The man who killed me

    ¡°Wow ¡­¡±

    There stood an outrageous beauty.

    His nose is straight and thin lips look ruthlessly cold. His hair is nearly jetblack, he¡¯s slender, but powerfully built.

    What¡¯s most impressive is his blue eyes. His elongated glacial eyes are as sharp as blades.

    (¡­. Gasp)

    The dark-skinned man snorted as he looked down at Rishe coldly.

    [You¡¯re charging at full speed. I thought you were a boar.]

    This was an embarrassing way to encounter a stranger, but not so for Rishe. In the first place, this wasn¡¯t the first time she met him.

    [What are you up to in a corner like this? The party is in the hall¡­]

    [Ahaahhhh ¡ª¡ª !!!]

    [!?]

    The man was startled by Rishe, who screamed without warning. His body responded with great alacrity, and his right hand immediately grasped the hilt of his sword.

    [¡­. What are you up to? Even if you¡¯re a young lady, I would kill you¡­.]

    [Emperor Arnold Hein!!]

    Arnold, the black-haired man, was interrupted by Rishe¡¯s recognition.

    She too was plagued with a strange urge to kill. Because she had just recently exchanged swords with this man.

    It was him who killed her and ended her sixth life.

    (So, this man has been invited to the evening party too¡­)

    But thinking about it, it¡¯s quite a convincing story.

    Arnold is a royalty from an imperial militant state not far from her country. Both countries were embroiled in war before. But now, they are at peace on the surface and would occasionally establish contact.

    Her former fiancee, the Crown Prince, would soon announce Marie, whom he fell in love with, as his new fiancee.

    The Crown Prince must have made arrangements in advance for Marie¡¯s introduction, a commoner¡¯s daughter, to other neighboring countries.

    Arnold examined Rishe with interest.

    ¡°Do you know me? This is my first time in this country.¡±

    (I don¡¯t really know you¡­)

    Her heart was thumping badly, but she still managed to feign a smile.

    Arnold¡¯s homeland, Garkhain, is ruled by an imperial dynasty that abides by the code ¡°If you don¡¯t have power, you are not a royal family.¡± If a royalty is weak, he will be eliminated even if he has the right to sit on the throne.

    Armed with such immense military power, this Arnold here will invade other countries five years later.

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    It happened on her first and second life, and the third and fourth life. The same was true for the fifth time, and the sixth time, where Rishe herself stood on the battlefield.

    (But if possible, I don¡¯t want to make an enemy of him.)

    While Arnold is the emperor, he is also his country¡¯s most skilled swordsman.

    And what¡¯s most terrifying about him is that not only does he excel in swordplay, he¡¯s also a brilliant strategist.

    Facing him peacefully at this moment, she could almost picture him in various stances. Speaking of which, even when she¡¯d exchanged swords with him on the battlefield, she always had this feeling that his gaze overlaps with his sword.

    (I must contrive some sort of excuse.)

    Rishe hid her right foot backwards, pinched her ball gown and gracefully lowered her hips.

    [My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner. I have never seen you before, but I¡¯ve heard of you.]

    The corners of Arnold¡¯s lips tilted up as if pleasurably entertained.

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    [You have the making of a first-rate swordsman. There¡¯s no shaking in your stance.]

    [Not at all. I just did my best to greet his Highness as a state guest without being rude.]

    [You addressed me as the ¡°Emperor.¡±]

    With his reminder, Rishe realized her blunder.

    [My father is alive, and I¡¯m still the Crown Prince. ¡ª Why did you make that mistake?]

    [Well¡­ Uhm¡­.]

    This is too bad.

    What a terrible oversight. It might have come across to him as her knowing the future. No, she¡¯s thinking too much.

    While wrestling with various thoughts, Rishe realized the gravity of her slip-up.

    (¡­.Deceiving him won¡¯t let me end up dead, right?)

    Anyway, she doesn¡¯t know what Arnold thinks about it.

    The thought of the possibility of her being killed, she couldn¡¯t help but curse Arnold inwardly.

    Despite branding him the Emperor impudently, Rishe will soon be exiled tonight. This slip of the tongue won¡¯t be of any influence to diplomatic relations.

    After taking that into account, then there¡¯s only one way to escape now.

    After taking a deep breath, Rishe curtsied towards Arnold again. But this time, it wasn¡¯t the courtesy of a noble lady, but the bow of a lady¡¯s attendant when apologizing to her master.

    [My apologies, his Crown Prince. Although I was in a hurry, I¡¯m very sorry for my tactless mistake.]

    Then, she raised her face.

    [Nevertheless, I¡¯m in a hurry with my former fiance calling off our engagement. Forgive me, but I have to go!]

    [¡­.. Your betrothal was cancelled?]

    Rishe, lifted the hem of her dress and again sprinted away.

    Time has been ticking and she must beat the clock. Rishe pushed the balcony door and rolled up the hem of her dress.

    She took her shoes off and tried to move to a nearby tree, but the ground was surprisingly closer from the balcony.

    (That¡¯s it? Is it possible? I thought I had to jump into a tree, but from the height of this second floor, I can just jump right into the garden, right?)

    At the same time, her body leaped.

    The moment she crossed the railing, Arnold¡¯s eyes, who had been following her in silence, widened.

    [Huh, hey¡­.]

    Rishe jumped off the balcony, leaving behind a trail of her fluttering moonlit dress.

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 Chapter 4 If you break off my engagement, would you be happy?

    The body shouldn¡¯t be perpendicular to the ground when landing. Although the lawn was soft, the burden on the feet is too great.

    After landing first on her soles, she braced herself by bending and bracing herself with her shin to thigh, then rolled to the ground. She rolled on her back with her dress, and got up again.

    (Now, I must hurry.)

    With leaves sticking everywhere her coral hair, Rishe glanced down at her shoes. She found a stone nearby and immediately smashed the heels breaking them off.

    This would make it somewhat easier to run. Rishe happily put on her shoes and sprinted away again.

    ****

    On the balcony where Rishe jumped off, the Crown Prince Arnold of Garkhain watched the unfolding of the whole episode.

    What the hell just happened?

    He thought of the way she rushed into this corner and called him the Emperor. From her appearance and demeanor, although she¡¯s the image of a high-ranking aristocratic young lady in the court, her actions and way of behaving characterizes a skilled swordsman.

    A perfect passive landing after jumping off the balcony.

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    Rishe, who had soiled her dress, started running after breaking her heels without missing a beat.

    [Huh¡­.]

    This unconventional behavior earned a smile from Arnold.

    [Huh, kuku. Kukku]

    A servant approached from behind while his shoulders were rocking from his snicker alone.

    [Your Highness, why have you come to such a place? Please return to the hall as soon as possible. We understand that you have no intention of getting married for the time being, but it¡¯s still better if you start looking¡­. ¡ª Your Highness?]

    The servant¡¯s eyes rounded in astonishment. The Lord, who had always sported a grim and scowling look, is now laughing in good cheer.

    [What, what¡¯s wrong?]

    [Oliver, get the carriage ready¡­. No, that¡¯s too annoying. Separate a horse from the carriage and saddle it.]

    [What on earth¡­.]

    Arnold smiled terribly truculent, coming close to a wolf, who has finally found his prey.

    ****

    Rishe raced to the carriage that had been waiting in front of the Royal Castle and hastened home. She stopped the carriage when she could see their mansion a few hundred meters away.

    [Miss? I¡¯ll take you to the mansion¡­.]

    [Oh, no, I¡¯m fine here! Daniel, thank you so much!]

    She said goodbye to the coachman, whom she has known since she was a child, and waved her hands while running away.

    The road to the house is muddy after the rain this morning. If the carriage continues on its way, she will get stuck. She has lost a lot of time twice, so she¡¯d been running home since then.

    [Ha, ha, wa¡­.]

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    Unlike the physical body of a trained knight, this body lacks endurance. Rishe arrived panting at the mansion, determined to train herself to some extent in this world.

    Then, she was dejected.

    [Aaghh ¨C¡­]

    A crowd was visible in front of the mansion¡¯s main gate.

    The moon is so full tonight, which allows her to see quite clearly what¡¯s going on even from a distance. People holding torches are curiously looking at a carriage.

    At the center of the crowd was a carriage carrying the flag of the royal family.

    (I guess I should turn back¡­.)

    The moment Rishe took a step, the knight, who was holding back raised his voice.

    [His Crown Prince! Here to see Rishe!]

    [Move! Hey, make way!]

    From behind the crowd, a man shouted. So, his identity needs no confirmation again.

    [I was late, Rishe!]

    The knight paved way for her former fiance, the Crown Prince Dietrich.

    [I understand that you don¡¯t want to hear words of condemnation from your beloved¡¯s mouth any longer. But it can¡¯t be helped! It¡¯s my duty as the next king to wield the hammer of justice against such an evil woman!!]

    [I didn¡¯t make it in time¡­.. And I arrived at the worst time ever. If only I arrived as late as the first time, I would have missed this face of yours Crown Prince¡­.]

    [¡­? What are you muttering about?]

    Dietrich scanned Rishe¡¯s face and sneered.

    [I guessed it right. You were laughing blankly in my face a while ago, but you were actually heartbroken.]

    [¨C Yeah?]

    [You must be devastated now that your engagement has been called off.]

    What led him to that conclusion? She really doubts Dietrich self-confidence.

    ¡°I can see at a glance that you¡¯ve been wandering around shattered! Look at your dress full of dirt, your broken shoes, and those scratches on your skin. If your sorrow over our broken betrothal would drive you into this end¡­.]

    [Are you stupid?]

    [What!]

    Rishe was struck dumb for a moment at this oblique amazing interpretation.

    [Sorrow didn¡¯t stain my dress, nor broke my shoes. It may come as a surprise to you, but I¡¯m not at all saddened by our broken engagement.]

    [What, hmm, what did you say!?]

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    At Rishe¡¯s outspoken retort, the crowd around them snickered.

    [Oh, is that the Crown Prince? Did he fall for Miss Rishe?]

    [Uhm, I¡¯m not sure, but did they mention something about an engagement being called off?]

    [I wonder what¡¯s the truth of the matter. In spite of that, the young miss doesn¡¯t look crestfallen at all, and the Crown Prince seemed to be more hurt.]

    [You¡­. Shut up!! Lowly commoners like you dare insult me!!]

    Dietrich rebuked loudly, but he¡¯s a man of fairly statuesque features. Blessed with a picturesque refreshing appearance of blond and blue eyes, plus his status as the Crown Prince, countless women would always flock to him.

    Reared up as a butterfly and spoiled as befits his status as a prince, he has always been confident and treated those around him with arrogance.

    For example, it¡¯s a common occurrence for him to scold a butler when he¡¯s in a bad mood and seriously say, [I¡¯m so awesome, to be able to properly reprimand my servants.]

    No matter how many times Rishe was reborn, his attitude has never changed.

    (I¡¯m glad I never had to live life married to this person.)

    The first time he dissolved their engagement, she was staggered and repeatedly consoled herself, [Exhiling me benefits the country. It is part of his duty and mission.]

    But once she discovered outside that it wasn¡¯t the case, she never grieved and even thanked him for calling off the engagement.

    [Your Highness, the commoners are the ones you have to protect and care for. That was uncalled for.]

    She was too lazy to argue with him another minute, but she still has to be careful. Not for herself, but for the servants and the knights present.

    [Speaking of attitude, yours needs changing. Are you willing to chase me and ask for my forgiveness?]

    [No, not at all. If anything, thank you for breaking the engagement ¡­]

    [What?!]

    Not only the servants around them, even the knights burst into laughter. For their safety, they couldn¡¯t laugh openly, so they tightened their lips and only their shoulders were visibly quivering.

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    Subject to their snickers, Dietrich flushed red.

    [Ha, don¡¯t make fun of me!]

    [That¡¯s right. That¡¯s so vicious Miss Rishe ¡­..]

    At the sweet voice that joined in the party, Rishe sighed.

    Around the crowd sashayed a delicate, petite young woman. The pretty little girl with big teary eyes came forward as if to protect Dietrich.

    [No matter how hurt you are, you can¡¯t speak rudely to his Highness Dietrich¡­.! Please don¡¯t hurt my beloved any more!]

    [Miss Marie. You¡¯re here.]

    Marie, Dietrich¡¯s lover, glared at Rishe with eyes brimming with tears.

    Why would he bring his current lover to chase after a woman who has lost her engagement? She was speechless at his nerve, but Dietrich kept reprimanding behind Marie.

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    [Rishe, did you make my little Marie cry again?! I¡¯ve heard everything from Marie. You bullied her at school, made fun of her, and sometimes trapped her in the night classroom at night! Did you really think that a distorted woman like you could be the Queen?!]

    (Come now, I¡¯ve never done anything of the like¡­.)

    She shot a quick glance at Marie and looked elsewhere.

    [I get it your Highness. Have you already informed my parents of your broken engagement?]

    [What else did you expect?! ¡ª- Of course, I told them! The Duke and the Duchess were furious they swore to cut ties with you!]

    [Oh, In the end, I still came too late¡­.]

    Her parents value appearance more than anything else. She should no longer wish she could bring out her possessions out of her room.

    [What¡¯s with that face! Oh my, haven¡¯t you always been indifferent since earlier?! What, has the shock of the broken engagement finally dawned on you¡­.]

    [Look here, Dietrich.]

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    Rishe was tired of calling him the Crown Prince, and so she called his name directly.

    [I¡¯m amenable to the cancellation of the engagement. I¡¯ll never show up in front of you. So, there¡¯s no need to worry.]

    [Eh?! Did I hear you right¡­.?!]

    [Ever since I was a child, I have always thought that the position of the ¡°Crown Prince¡¯s fiancee¡± was only my value and that¡¯s the only meaning to life. But I was wrong, I can find my own worth. Now that I know that, everything¡¯s fine.]

    Rishe looked straight at Dietrich¡¯s eyes and spoke clearly.

    [I don¡¯t need you in my life.]

    [Huh¡­¡­]

    Dietrich staggered a few steps back and planted his butt on the ground.

    The comical impact of this picture was too unbearable that the knights and the spectators chortled, no longer able to stifle their laughter.

 Chapter 5 To be happy

    [Don¡¯t you laugh at me! Preposterous!]

    [My dear, Dietrich, are you all right? You¡¯re so terrible, Miss Rishe¡­!]

    [Whatever you say, Marie. Let¡¯s have a chat someday.]

    When she turned to Marie, her thin shoulders jerked. Even without that title, it doesn¡¯t mean she can¡¯t make a living.

    [You¡¯re not only pretty, but also outstanding. I sincerely admire you.]

    [What ¡­ what do you mean?]

    [You are a wonderful person who keeps a warm smile while growing up in a care-free environment laden with labor. You¡¯ve always strived not to create barriers with your neighbors and spared no effort in letting those people around you feel relaxed. ¡ª Even now, you kept His Highness behind you and defended him in front of me.]

    Marie¡¯s eyes flickered in confusion.

    Rishe has chosen words that reduced her guilt none at all.

    [Is it for your family? ¡ª Do you really have to marry His Highness Dietrich at the cost of my exile?]

    [Ah¡­.]

    She had heard this fact of life the nth time.

    Born and raised in a poor family, it was ingrained in Marie¡¯s mind that her brothers are more important and that she should protect them.

    Marie went to school to study and in desperate need to find a marriage partner there, just to get her family¡¯s stomach full.

    [But remember, it is you, not others, that determines your life¡­. Did you think that a man, who could cut off his long-time fiancee without blinking an eye, can keep you for a lifetime?]

    Marie was startled and looked back at Dietrich.

    The man, who was guarded by a girl, was still slumped on the ground.

    [If you want to grasp the future, it¡¯s meaningless unless it¡¯s something you wished for, not somebody else¡¯s.]

    [My wish?]

    [Yes. I hope you¡¯d walk through life where you and your family will keep on smiling.]

    Rishe bowed low after her speech.

    For a moment, Marie stared at Rishe unblinkingly, as if struck by a word she has never heard before.

    (It¡¯s up to you what you want to do next.)

    In fact, a year later, Dietrich will lose his status as the Crown Prince and falls from power.

    With his gullible character, he was inspired by his vassals and plotted a reckless coup d¡¯etat against the king. Then, the plan ended poorly when it was simply revealed at the early stages, and he became a laughing stock in the entire country.

    She heard of Marie¡¯s circumstances along with this gossip.

    [Rishe, I¡­.]

    Marie, who knew nothing of her fate, seemed forewarned by Rishe¡¯s words.

    [For a long time, I¡¯ve always been told that I¡¯m the sister and that I have to put up with my brothers. Even if it¡¯s hard, I have to bear it. I have to endure everything for their sake. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve never raised objections to anyone¡­.]

    [Making your brothers and yourself happy is possible at the same time.]

    [¡­]

    Marie¡¯s throat trembled and she sniffed as if on the verge of tears. Her rich eyes shone radiantly as jewels.

    She knows she¡¯s beautiful. And it would be a lie if she said she didn¡¯t want a happy life.

    But indeed, she too must start living her own life.

    [¡­. Now!]

    Dietrich went vigilant when a sudden grin came over Rishe.

    [Then, this nuisance will disappear.]

    Despite those precious possessions in her room, Rishe knew that her parents would never let her in. She swivelled around and wondered what to do next.

    [Wait¡­ Stop right there, Rishe¡­.!]

    [Hmph, listen up, Rishe! I will never forgive you. Don¡¯t¡¯ regret your behavior towards me!]

    [Huh, it¡¯s a bother! I have nothing more to tell you! I¡¯m done!]

    [Come, knights, arrest Rishe!]

    The knights reluctantly chased after Rishe, who was about to walk away quickly. Sigh, their work is really hard too.

    Rishe swiftly turned around the corner while feeling sorry for him, but at the next moment, she sensed an ominous premonition.

    [Excuse me for the offense Miss Rishe. You¡¯ll have to come with me for a moment¡­.Argh?!]

    Rishe seized the knight, who approached her and grabbed the hilt of his sword. She unsheathed it from the scabbard and raised it over her head.

    In the same instant, a sharp metallic clang resounded.

    Rishe deflected a sword blow aimed at her.

    [Arnold Hein¡­.!]

    [Ah.]

    Laughing behind his sword was the man who once killed Rishe.

 Chapter 6 What did you just say?

    ¡°Seems like the sword has found a worthy wielder.¡±

    The clang between two blades meeting whistled around. Arnold retrieved his sword and sheathed it, while Rishe did the same.

    However, both never took their eyes off each other.

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°Sir knights, better put your swords down or else things will escalate.¡±

    The knights were puzzled by Rishe¡¯s counsel.

    However, it¡¯s purely playing with fire if these knights were to confront the Crown Prince of a friendly nation.

    (Besides, even with the combined efforts of everyone assembled here, I¡¯m sure they can¡¯t beat this man.)

    He is a formidable swordsman. Rishe¡¯s hand that fended him was now completely numb from his blow.

    In five years time, he¡¯ll be even stronger, that¡¯s why he is a terrible man.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, where on earth did you pick up that fencing trick?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a secret and not enough to earn your praise. Even though it was evidently a draw, it was still a long way off.¡±

    ¡°Haha, a secret.¡±

    (Laughing¡­ huh, Arnold Hein¡­.)

    Rishe was perplexed at Arnold¡¯s laughter.

    In another life, she had always seen him either as terrible as the devil or with a ruthless grim face. Yet now, he¡¯s whole countenance was somewhat bathed in gentleness.

    (I¡¯ve known the Emperor Arnold when he was twenty four, so is he now 19 years old? ¡­.. It¡¯s kind of weird. He still has a boyish countenance and a mischievous feline smile on his face¡­)

    His earlier trick was more of an invitation to play rather than an attack. The slight hint of murder was intentional, which triggered Rishe¡¯s response. Though, not to the extent of being tempted by the play.

    This chuckle from Arnold jolted Marie and Dietrich, who were stunned, from their reverie.

    ¡°Hmph! Guhh, I don¡¯t know who you are, but please don¡¯t interfere with Miss Rishe.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Who do you think you are!?¡±

    (This stupid prince, don¡¯t you recognize the face of the state guest you¡¯ve invited?!)

    Was there no time for them to meet in person before the evening party?

    But then again, Dietrich may have no interest in diplomacy at all.

    On the other hand, Marie was more sensible and gauged the majestic air exuding from Arnold.

    Rishe¡¯s voice may be tremulous, but there¡¯s no question that her courage is better than hers. If it had not been for ¡°The Crown Prince¡¯s fiancee¡± and ¡°the girl who would employ whatever means to marry the prince,¡± she wouldn¡¯t have been in conflict with her.

    Arnold raised his chin up on Dietrich.

    ¡°So that man there is your ex-fiance. He¡¯s more stupid than I imagined.¡±

    ¡°What, what did you say?! Do you want to be executed too?¡±

    ¡°My dear Dietrich, please speak no more¡­¡­please. He is His Highness, the Crown Prince Arnold, are you still going to provoke him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about. If he¡¯s indeed the Crown Prince, of course I would hold my tongue.¡±

    It was pure denial.

    Nonetheless, Dietrich, who has now been educated of who the black-haired man is, turned pale at once.

    ¡°Ar, Arnold?! This man, is he the Crown Prince of Garkhain?!¡±

    [Eep¡­p!!]

    The knights unitedly stepped back in petrified embarrassment. And the people, who gathered around to feast on the spectacle, couldn¡¯t help but tremble looking at Arnold.

    [That monster Prince who single-handedly annihilated an enemy¡¯s battalion of knights¡­.?]

    [Shhh, shut your mouth! You¡¯ll get yourself killed speaking recklessly like that!]

    Although their countries are at peace now, this prince had been a terrifying opponent from a former rival country.

    Even if the rumors of his bloodthirstiness weren¡¯t as horrible as in five years time, they are still in awe of Arnold. The spectators¡¯ terror manifested in the way they hid behind the knights, as if they couldn¡¯t wait to run away.

    (This is so troublesome¡­.)

    Rishe took a deep breath, nearly a sigh and raised her head up to Arnold.

    [Your Highness, Arnold, may I ask what you were doing? Your Highness must have drawn your sword just for fun.]

    [¡­. haha.]

    Arnold seemed to agree.

    [Of course, I ought to speak of the main point quickly. No, let me apologize for my rudeness first.]

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    (Huh, so this man apologizes easily to others at the age of nineteen.)

    This was truly shocking. After he was crowned the Emperor, she had heard that he beheaded all the vassals, who remonstrated against what they claimed was a reckless invasion, on the spot.

    But what he did next was even more astounding.

    [Huh¡­]

    Arnold knelt before Rishe.

    (What kind of joke is this?!)

    Five years later, this emperor led an elite army and invaded foreign countries.

    Arnold, who never bowed before others, was both noble and arrogant. This is simply an incredible sight for Rishe, who had been on the battlefield as his enemy.

    In addition, he bowed low, as if he were a knight swearing allegiance to his lord.

    If it weren¡¯t for Arnold¡¯s identity, this would have been a picturesque sight. In fact, even those who scurried away in fright a while ago were now sighing as if they had fallen in love.

    But Rishe was feeling the complete opposite.

    [What are you doing ?! A Crown Prince should never kneel in this kind of place!]

    [I apologize for my disrespect, and pray¡­.]

    Arnold raised his head up and took Rishe¡¯s hand.

    He pulled her quite forcibly forward, and then stared at Rishe¡¯s face up close.

    (He¡¯s making me breathless¡­.)

    No matter how many times she looks, his face is simply breathtaking and his eyes are almost dazzling.

    Well-shaped eyebrows, straight nose, long eyelashes.

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    His sharply lit blue eyes reminded her of an ice adrift in a distant northern country, as seen from a boat in her past life.

    It must be a kind of escapism to think of him in that context.

    Arnold pulled Rishe¡¯s attention back.

    [Pray, be my wife.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­?]

    What? What was that?

    When Rishe swept a glance around, she found everyone in a state of stupefaction. She withdrew her gaze and again looked down at Arnold, who was kneeling.

    [¡­ Wife?]

    [Uh-huh, yes.]

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    [Your wife?]

    [Uh-huh.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    This series of affirmation was telling her that what he said just now was no dream.

    The moment Rishe realized this unexpected turn of events, her throat throbbed uncontrollably.

    (Wait, what the hell does he mean?!)

    Her eyes flickered in agitation.

    That means getting married. Rishe and Arnold.

    With the man who killed her in another life.

    (This situation is making me totally dizzy. I don¡¯t know what he means or his aim is¡­ But I¡¯d better answer him quickly.)

    As the crowd waited with bated breath, Rishe answered flatly.

    [I refuse.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Absolutely.

    There¡¯s no need to think twice before refusing anything of the like. Rishe has vowed to survive this time and live a peaceful and relaxed life.

    ¡ª However, why?

    [Ha, hahaha!]

    (¡­.What are you laughing so happily?!)

    Arnold¡¯s hearty laughter aroused nothing but foreboding for Rishe.

 Chapter 7 Conditions before the marriage

    Her sixth life before the present.

    Clad in men¡¯s wear, Rishe traveled to an island nation and became a knight.

    That country was a lovely and historical kingdom made of red bricks.

    She was picked up by a group of knights and taken care of for a while. Since she was dressed as a man throughout the journey, they didn¡¯t realize that she was a woman and so recommended her to join the knights.

    The training that followed after was literally spitting blood.

    As the young daughter of a Duke, she was trained on swordplay for self-defense. Despite her foundation, the training imposed on the knights as a man was completely different from what a lady was taught to a great extent.

    She was trained day and night without enough sleep and went through endless beating before finally becoming a full-fledge swordsman

    Then the Garkhain army invaded the castle led by Emperor Arnold.

    (How did I end up right here¡­..)

    Rishe limply sat on the chair without making a sound.

    On a chair across her was Arnold. His legs were crossed, his cuffs were clinging to his elbows, and his demeanor was as pompous as his title holds.

    [What¡¯s wrong? You look annoyed.]

    [¡­.. I am.]

    I admitted sullenly.

    I couldn¡¯t just say, ¡°It¡¯s awkward facing you directly since you killed me in another life,] right? From the first time she was reborn, Rishe decided to keep this secret to herself.

    [I have lots of plans to do after being exiled. But thanks to you, my parents are dug out from the mansion. Your proposal will surely reach His Majesty¡¯s ears¡­.]

    Recalling the uproar that ensued following Arnold¡¯s proposal, my headache throbbed.

    After Rische refused Arnold¡¯s proposal, the silence that reigned before the Duke¡¯s mansion was terrifying.

    It was Dietrich who broke it.

    [Ga, is the Crown Prince of Garkhain seeking Rishe¡¯s hand in marriage?! Wait, whaaaat¡­..?!]

    His scream that ended in a screech, jolted Rishe¡¯s parents, who were listening inside the mansion.

    Then she was restrained by her parents and quickly dragged into the mansion. They turned a deaf ear to her cries such as, ¡°I¡¯m not getting married. I¡¯m going to leave this country as decreed by Dietrich.¡± She paled instantly and was totally upset.

    Meanwhile, a glorious carriage rushed from across the road.

    It was the king of the country that rolled out of the carriage stuck in the mud.

    The muddy king grabbed his son¡¯s neck and slammed his head down on the ground.

    Then he shouted at Arnold.

    [His Highness Arnold! Please forgive this stupid son of mine¡­.!! You came all the way from Garkhain for the introduction of my son¡¯s fiancee, but he failed to express his gratitude nor even greet you!!]

    [Ow, father it hurts! A stone has got into my forehead¡­.!!!]

    [And Miss Rishe, I¡¯m really sorry for my stupid son!!! I know it¡¯s a selfish wish, but I sincerely apologize as a king and father! So, for our country, could you please reconsider His Crown Prince¡¯s proposal?]

    Her parents followed suit and kowtowed like the king with their foreheads on the ground.

    Prostrating in front of her regardless of the crowd was making Rishe dizzy.

    Arnold, who was watching the show in amusement, suddenly erased his nasty smile and walked in front of the king.

    [¡­. Please raise your face, His Majesty the King!]

    Arnold¡¯s face appeared detached and due to his chilly voice, the King stubbornly stuck his head to the ground.

    [This trivial matter won¡¯t affect the friendship between our countries. But if you could, I wish you could persuade her.]

    Rishe came to know later from his valet that his comforting words were actually a threat to the King.

    [Despite being invited by the Crown Prince and having attended the evening party, I wasn¡¯t welcomed properly. If the Crown Prince were to bring this news home, would the Empire think that the Crown Prince had been disrespected?] ¡ª He said exactly this same thing to the King¡¯s squire.

    [Ta, please Miss Rishe!¡­]

    Rishe was struck dumb at the fat King, who looked at her pleadingly and seemed on the verge of tears.

    Truth is, there was no point in listening to their cries here. She is bent on leaving the country without regrets. But then Arnold came and whispered softly in her ear.

    [ ¡ª If you refuse, I¡¯ll use another way to have your hand.]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    *****

    Thus, reluctantly, a place was set up for her to ¡°talk alone¡± with this man.

    All the guests were gone and leaving Rishe and Arnold facing facing each other at the reception room of the Royal Palace.

    [What on earth are you up to?]

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    [What am I plotting?]

    [It¡¯s a marriage proposal. Do you have other motives for telling me that?]

    After all, he is the man who¡¯s going to start a war aggressively and garner enemies around the world in five year¡¯s time. She asked, but Arnold merely grinned and licked the corner of his mouth.

    [I¡¯m not plotting anything. I just fell in love with you.]

    [Love ¡­]

    She was surprised, because this word seemed alien to me.

    It¡¯s too troublesome trying to dig deeper, since he¡¯s just going to lie no matter what.

    There¡¯s no way a man who will later be known as an ¡°Ice Blooded Man¡± or a ¡°Monster¡± would spout something romantic as that.

    [Why would you refuse? Your engagement has been called off and your exile has been decided, plus you¡¯ve got no backing. For you who have no choice but to die drooling, shouldn¡¯t you instead board my boat?]

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    [Certainly, I would have jumped to that story if I were old.]

    Yes. Had she not gone through six lives and experienced the same thing as her first life, she would have clung to Arnold¡¯s hand eagerly.

    Believing that she has no other way to survive.

    But Rishe knows.

    There are endless possibilities for her life in the future and she can live life the way she wants.

    (I can survive without marrying him ¡­ but ¡­)

    Rishe brooded over with her hands pressing her head.

    Life can veer of greatly even with a tiny change.

    She is not sure how many lives she will live through in the future, but it seems that marrying Arnold is the only option for her in this life.

    He is the man who fired the arrows of war, a brutal and heartless Emperor, a conqueror.

    Although she had heard many rumors and speculations about Arnold Hein, who spurred the world war, his intentions remained a mystery.

    Why did Arnold do that?

    This thought has always been lingering in her mind since her first life, and now that she has finally got to speak to him.

    As a merchant, she heard that ¡°The war started in a distant country.¡± As a pharmacist, she heard that ¡°Many died¡±

    Even when she became a lady¡¯s maid, she comforted her trembling lady, ¡°It¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Of course, when she confronted him as a knight, her heart was pierced by his sword.

    (If I were to stay by his side, would I get to know why?)

    Her curiosity was urging her.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    But she also felt that it doesn¡¯t matter.

    (Wait, what if¡­)

    She recalled a ¡°dream¡± she had once. Or was it longing?

    Rishe gasped and looked up.

    [¡­ You said you fell in love with me.]

    [Yes, so I¡¯m asking for your hand in marriage.]

    He¡¯s vomiting such a lie with a straight face.

    [So, can you indulge my whims?]

    [I promise to grant you everything, as long as it¡¯s within my power.]

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    [¡­. I have conditions.]

    Arnold urged her to continue in silence.

    [All items for the marriage ceremony must be procured from the merchants I specify.]

    [All right, as you wish.]

    [And then, once the marriage ceremony is over, set up a place to establish contacts with dignitaries from different countries.]

    [Rather, it¡¯s the first job you want as the Crown Princess. Anything else?]

    [I want to live separately from your parents.]

    Her earnest request drove Arnold into laughter.

    [Looks like you¡¯re worried about your in-laws]

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    [That¡¯s not the case. My mother told me that getting along with another family is the hardest part of getting married. Would you mind finding a house, even if it¡¯s dirty and old?]

    She¡¯s absolutely not saying this because she hates cohabiting.

    Arnold first killed his father before starting the war.

    It wasn¡¯t a half-hearted scheme like Dietrich did, but a coup d¡¯etat that resulted in the death of his father. Then he claimed the throne and became the Emperor, took control of the whole empire, and began moving his army freely.

    (You will have less chance of killing your father if you live separately from them. Well, it might not mean much at the moment.)

    [What else do you want? I¡¯ll grant you anything to marry you.]

    [Tell me what you¡¯re up against right now¡­¡­ And one last important thing I have to mention]

    Despite the knowledge that it was impolite, Rishe stuck her fingers towards Arnold.

    [¡ª I¡¯ll definitely mess your castle upside down! I¡¯m an idler, lazy, and hates working!]

    [¡­¡­¡­¡­]

    Hence, can the proposal be withdrawn and say, ¡°This sort of Crown Princess is undeserving¡±?

    Arnold however convulsed with laughter and never said a word to withdraw his suit.

 Chapter 8 Prepare for divorce

    [¡­. For the first time, I have a ¡°dream of the future.¡±]

    Rishe once told a friend she made in another country.

    [All this time, I¡¯ve only had the title ¡° The Crown Prince¡¯s fiancee¡± and ¡°The Duke¡¯s daughter.¡± What I aim for in the future is to be worthy of those titles¡­. I¡¯ve traveled in caravans, enjoyed the countless sceneries of different countries I¡¯ve never known before, and for the first time, I want to turn that dream into a reality.]

    [Really, so who¡¯s the guy?]

    The king of a desert country listened to her with a gentle smile on his face. So, Rishe also responded with a smile.

    [I want to go to every country in the world. I want to walk every city on my own feet, look at the markets and see the smiling faces of the people living there!]

    This scenario seemed to have happened long ago.

    ****

    [¨C !]

    Rishe opened her eyes with a snap and drew about half of the sword on her side.

    Sitting opposite her in the carriage is Arnold, a former enemy in her previous life.

    The hand he stretched out was on top of the hilt of the sword that Rishe has drawn.

    [¡­. What¡¯s with your hand?]

    Rishe shrank back as far as possible when she saw his hand stretched out.

    This is the fifth day of their trip back to Garkhain.

    There are five carriages in all, with knights on the front and rear, and Arnold¡¯s servants second from the front.

    His luggage and other servants are loaded in the carriage behind while the huge royal carriage is in the middle.

    Rishe, who will become the Crown Princess, must take the same carriage as Arnold, even if she was unwilling.

    For this reason, she reminded him, ¡°Don¡¯t touch even just one finger.¡±

    It¡¯s a serious dilemma for the Crown Prince to not touch his Crown Princess. But since Arnold promised to ¡°listen to everything Rishe says¡±, he acquiesced.

    ¡ª- And yet, the promise was easily broken.

    In contrast to Rishe¡¯s scowl, Arnold was staring at her meaningfully without losing his composure.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look so scornful. I was just reclaiming what you snatched from me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­?¡±

    When she looked down, she saw that indeed it wasn¡¯t her sword. Or rather, as a Duke¡¯s daughter, it¡¯s impossible for Rishe to carry her own sword.

    The sword has the emblem of Garkhain engraved on the hilt and golden decorations forged against its black scabbard.

    ¡°Gyaa!¡±

    She screamed in spite of herself and pushed it back to Arnold.

    ¡°Uhm, haha, I¡¯m very sorry!!¡±

    ¡°Uhm, kekeke¡­. Oah, I thought we were in trouble. I was dreaming of rowing a boat so I grabbed your sword unawares. I must have slept soundly and rolled it up as a pillow.¡±

    Arnold chuckled while receiving the sword, and placed it beside him.

    Rishe pressed her beating heart beneath her dress and took a deep breath.

    (I¡¯ve done it¡­ oh my gosh, I just used the sword that stabbed my heart as a pillow¡­)

    If nervous or vigilant, having a sword at hand would give a knight a certain relief. Nevertheless, Arnold¡¯s sword that she hugged to herself unconsciously was the worst.

    ¡°You indeed slept soundly, but still instinctively grabbed a sword and lay it closely. There¡¯s no way you¡¯ve never held a sword before.¡±

    Arnold smiled curiously, resting his cheek on his right arm that was resting on the window frame of the carriage.

    ¡°To reach that kind of level, you must be trained harshly in the battlefield. As a lady, have you been exposed to such a life?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, yeah.¡±

    In fact, it can be said that she lived more like a man rather than a lady.

    ¡°¡­ But, I didn¡¯t devote all my time only on swordplay, I¡¯m also fond of flowers.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s gaze was drawn by the baggage placed beside her seat.

    Rishe¡¯s handkerchief were embroidered with rows of small, lovely flowers.

    She has also picked some flowers along the way while the horses were resting by the lake. The flowers she collected today were still fresh, but the ones she picked five days ago are now starting to wither.

    ¡°These flowers are not for admiration.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    Rishe blinked and looked down at the flower in his hand.

    It smells a little sweet and fills the heart. It¡¯s mild and sweet smell is smack of spring wildflowers.

    Looking out of the window, there are blooming flowers gracing the woods heading to Garkhain, which Rishe had never seen.

    She wanted to get off the carriage and pick some up, but she can¡¯t delay the journey just to satisfy her own whims.

    However, the eyes trained outside remained melancholy and dismayed.

    Looking silently at her, Arnold suddenly said.

    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve sent a servant on the swiftest horse. I¡¯ve sent a message on your behalf to the firm you wanted to be responsible for our wedding to come for a negotiation.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re taking me into account.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an emerging firm with a reputation I¡¯ve been hearing about these days. Have you always favored them?¡±

    ¡°No, but I¡¯ve heard from a friend that their goods are of high quality.¡±

    Rishe is relieved that Arnold is making good of his promise.

    A typical royal family has merchants in their midst. It would be impetuous and tough to request their removal and instead trade with other merchants.

    (However, I want to establish contact with those people as early as possible.)

    The merchant Rishe commissioned was the peddler who picked her up in her first life and also trained her into a seasoned merchant.

    Two years ago, Tully, the chairman of the trade company established the group, which is still growing at present. But in a few years, they will become the largest trading company in the world.

    She managed to get in touch with them when she concocted new drugs when she lived as a pharmacist and they became her distributor.

    At that time, pharmacist Rishe struggled hard to win credit, but this time, it would be easier.

    (I think this marriage isn¡¯t going to last long. So I must make sure that I can escape anytime once trouble gets in. To do so, I will use all means that the title Crown Princess is capable of.)

    She isn¡¯t sure what Arnold is plotting, but there¡¯s no way she¡¯s going to end up being used. Whether she¡¯s going to divorce or escape, she¡¯s got to make her days meaningful.

    She must survive within the next five years, to live a leisurely life then on.

    ¡°A penny for your thoughts?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­.¡±

    Rishe basked unblinkly at his perfect handsome face in spite of herself.

    Somehow, she felt like her eyes were burning and she couldn¡¯t look straight at him.

    His outrageous beauty is not a metaphor but a destructive force.

    Even more so, because this same beautiful man killed her in the past.

    ¡°Er, it¡¯s nothing¡­..¡±

    Before her words fell, the agitated neighing of the horses echoed.

    ¡°Stop! Oi, stop the carriage!¡±

    A scream echoed in the front carriage. The knights, who were guarding left and right of the carriages rushed forward.

    ¡°You bastard, who do you think you are ¡ª Gu, aahhhhh!¡±

    An ambush! Rishe sensed the anomaly, but before she could jump out, Arnold got off the carriage with his sword in hand.

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°Stay here, be quiet.¡±

    Arnold locked the door from the outside and headed towards the danger.

    (Even if he¡¯s a knight, as the Crown Prince, should he approach danger by himself?!)

    Rishe was left astonished and standing on the shelf about to jump out too.

    They were probably attacked by bandits.

    The carriage has separate locks inside and outside the door, and Arnold locked the outside, mainly to keep Rishe safe from the scuffle.

    (Is he trying to keep me from running away?¡­.He told me to be quiet.)

    This carriage must be the primary target. Even if she¡¯s locked inside and keeps quiet obediently, the glass windows can be broken and she still could be dragged out.

    However, since the door is locked outside, it¡¯s impossible for her to move out of the carriage freely.

    After a sidelong glance at a coachman running deeper into the forest, she searched the interior of the carriage for something that can be a weapon. Then, noticed the ornamental hairpins on her hair.

    (¡­. pins, I missed you!)

    Rishes¡¯s eyes sparkled as she removed a hairpin from her hair, twisted it, and then inserted it into the keyhole.

    (When I was a maid, my lady would lock herself in rooms because she hated studying, so I would often forcibly unlock doors this way ¡­)

    Jiggling the pin up and down, the simple carriage lock finally gave way.

 Chapter 9 Now, make your choice

    She cautiously pushed the carriage door open, but saw no figure of the bandits.

    As she is now unarmed, Rishe skirted to the center of the commotion while paying attention to her surroundings. The screams and curses that erupted in the front gradually subsided.

    The reason was quite plain to see.

    (¡­. They are¡­.)

    Dozens of men, who were probably the bandits, were either rolling or strung on the ground,

    Standing in the middle of them was Arnold, who kicked one of them to his back. He drew and thrust his sword in his throat while frowning in boredom.

    ¡°This is all you¡¯ve got? I even took the trouble to let my knights back off and meet you alone. You¡¯re so boring¡­..¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­!¡±

    Arnold¡¯s face turned grim and he stomped on the bandit¡¯s belly.

    The terrifying coldness that settled on his face wasn¡¯t from the trouble brought by their attack, but more of disappointment from failing to meet his expectations.

    Even the knights who were supposed to be his subordinates were trembling at the coldness his whole body was emitting. Holding the sword dripping with blood on his hand, Arnold slashed it in the air and started to clean it.

    Are the bandits to be slaughtered helplessly in the end?

    Despite the danger, Arnold wiped his sword on the bandits clothes before sheathing it.

    On closer inspection, almost all the bandits lying on the ground were knocked out.

    (Oh, no one¡¯s killed!¡­. Is it because we¡¯re still in another country¡¯s territory?)

    Indeed, he has enough reason not to start with such a meaningless step.

    Or, at this point in time, Arnold is still restrained and won¡¯t kill anyone indiscriminately.

    While I was inspecting him, Arnold seemed to have sensed my eyes and looked in my direction. Then there was a surprise. It was an honest reaction, a far cry from the murderous glint in his eyes just moments ago.

    ¡°How did you get out of the carriage?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a secret. You¡¯ll only remedy it once I disclose it.¡±

    ¡°Ha, you never fail to surprise me.¡±

    She hoped he¡¯d mellow down from his ferocity just now, he¡¯d age quickly if he keeps on with through the years. Just as she decided to shrink back, a man came down from inside of another carriage.

    ¡°Your highness! You¡¯ve gone out of your way again!¡±

    The man who was bristling in anger was no less tall than Arnold. With short silver hair and elevated eyebrows, he was no other than Arnold¡¯s squire, Oliver.

    ¡°What do you think the knights are following you for? Not only did you let the knights back down, you just had to engage these bandits by yourself!¡±

    (As I was saying, you¡¯ve hit the nail on the head¡­.)

    Oliver wasn¡¯t cowed by Arnold at all. Rishe got to know him five days ago and before leaving the country, he said, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to making your acquaintance, Your Highness.¡±

    Towards Oliver¡¯s rebuke, Arnold was somewhat helpless rather than angered as when he put on his Crown Prince¡¯s face.

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    ¡°I¡¯d rather protect the national interests on my own, than let them fight and cause irreparable damage. Whatsmore, those who engaged first in the battle are already injured.¡±

    That being said, several knights leaning on some trees swayed. Arnold instructed the others to lay them down.

    ¡°First squad, tend to the wounded! Second squad, bound these bandits!¡±

    ¡°Hai!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s entirely only your conjecture, Your Highness! Lucky you are that there was no accident. Look, even Rishe-sama was dragged out from the carriage. How is a woman supposed to defend herself left all alone in the carriage?¡±

    ¡°Nobody dragged me out of the carriage.¡±

    Rishe corrected then swept a look around quickly.

    She¡¯s more concerned about the conditions of the knights. Their bleeding shows that their injuries weren¡¯t fatal, but they look too weak.

    ¡°Uhm, let me help you.¡±

    The moment Rishe spoke, the head of the knight helping a wounded jerked up and looked at her in fright.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare! Your Highness Crown Princess, please go back to the carriage and take a rest.¡±

    (¡­?)

    There was nothing wrong with the way the knight refused her.

    But the way he looked was more like unwilling to let her get close to a close friend.

    (He¡¯s more wary than unwelcoming¡­.)

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    When one of the knights groaned, another helped him him.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°No, my body is getting numb¡­¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡­ Hey¡­.¡±

    The knight hurriedly picked up a sword that fell under his feet, but the moment he checked the blade, he paled.

    ¡°Your Highness! Please take a look. The bandits seem to have smeared poison in their weapons.¡±

    ¡°¡­. Damn!¡±

    Arnold merely arched a brow and added instructions to the knights.

    ¡°Quickly ascertain where the wounds are. If it is close to the heart, try to purge the poison out.¡±

    His instructions were brief and precise. Rishe looked around, and approached a bandit already tied up.

    She pulled his dagger out of its sheath, and its blade was coated with a glistening liquid just as the knight has said.

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    (The fluid was smeared aplenty. This must be cheap poison and is readily available in large quantities.)

    When she fanned with her hand to catch a sniff of it, there was no pungent odor. This time, she directly tipped her nose closely for a better analysis.

    (It smells sweet, like an overripe apple¡­. It¡¯s a mixture of sheer grass and ear stone mushroom, for sure. It¡¯s also largely consistent with the Knights¡¯ symptoms.)

    Rishe stood up quietly and headed for their carriage.

    ¡°Your Highness, Lady Rishe is returning to the carriage.¡±

    ¡°Let her be. Let her do what she wants.¡±

    ¡°Well, although she¡¯s trained in swordsmanship, she has never been to the battlefield. This horrible sight must be traumatizing for a young lady.¡±

    (This must be it. And this one, and this too¡­.)

    While listening to Arnold and the others talking, Rishe searched for what she needed.

    ¡°The poison is probably some kind of numbing potion. I¡¯m told there is something that hunters around here use to weaken their larger prey.The amount coated on the blades shouldn¡¯t be nearly as lethal, though.¡±

    ¡°Nonetheless, this is too troublesome. The fastest we can arrive in Garkhain is estimatedly in two days. Coupled with caring for the paralyzed knights, it would require more than that.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to look for the settlement of these hunters. If we can get the antidote¡­.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me!¡±

    Rishe, who returned carrying some items, swiftly raised her hand.

    ¡°I have the antidote.¡±

    ¡°¡ª Say what?!¡±

    All eyes centered on Rishe at once.

    ***

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    Arnold¡¯s views were generally in line with Rische¡¯s own speculations.

    This sweet-smelling poison is one that is used by hunters all over the continent. It¡¯s made from ingredients that can be harvested in the springtime, and it¡¯s prized because the toxins disappear when heated by flames.

    ¡°A glass of wine is the lethal dose for an adult male. Less than a hundredth of that have poisoned the knights.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡±

    While letting the wounded knights lie down on their sides, Rishe explained to Arnold. Meanwhile, her hands didn¡¯t stop from doing some certain steps¡­.

    ¡°But it¡¯s better if they don¡¯t lie on their backs, as it can worsen the movement of the tongue and other parts of the body. The base of the tongue will fall towards the throat and block the airway.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­. I get what you¡¯re saying, so what next?¡±

    Arnold asked, peering at Rishe¡¯s hands.

    ¡°What are you, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°What, can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m making the antidote?¡±

    Rishe informed with all seriousness as she kneaded the herbs in the bowl.

    The white soup bowl was filled with the flowers she had just picked in the morning.

    Crush those flowers with the back of a spoon, and when it¡¯s ready, add another herbaceous flower and pestle it again. Although a mortar would have been more efficient, this luxury cannot be said in a place without tools.

    ¡°The reason this poison is so highly prized by hunters is because it¡¯s cheap, readily available, and the antidote is easy to secure.¡±

    Throughout her life as a pharmacist, she had treated a few patients who suffered from this poison.

    The poisons produced by spring wildflowers can also be detoxified by those herbs thriving in the same forest.

    The hunters, who have discovered that a deer which ingested a stone ear mushroom remained alive after eating certain wildflowers, took them as their test subject.

    ¡°In fact, boiling this would be more effective. But let¡¯s use this for now, there¡¯s no time to lose.¡±

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    Adding a small amount of water to the crushed medicinal herbs and straining it through a cloth, Rishe then stood up with the bowl filled with green medicine in her hands.

    Then she finally noticed that everyone was actually looking at her with incredulity.

    ¡°¡­¡­.?¡±

    She was baffled by this united front and so looked at Arnold without thinking.

    Aside from Oliver¡¯s gaze, Arnold seemed deep in thought. Treatment should be administered as soon as possible.

    Rishe thought worriedly, then it came to her.

    (Ah, perhaps they¡¯re doubting me.)

    Come to think of it, it¡¯s a no-brainer.

    (I wouldn¡¯t want to drink medicine concocted by a stranger out of the blue, either. But the longer the poison stays untreated, the harder it will be to get rid of their paralysis¡­.)

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    At the very least, she¡¯d like to put their fears to rest. Rishe made her mind up and faced Arnold.

    She rolled up the sleeves of her own dress, and next, pulled his sword halfway out of its sheath.

    ¡°I have to borrow this, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Na ¡ª-!¡±

    After declaring her intention, she pressed the inner skin of her arm against the blade. There was a slight pain, but it was nothing compared to the loss of a knight¡¯s life.

    ¡°What are you doing!¡±

    Arnold was astounded by the red streak on Risch¡¯s arm. He almost grabbed her arm and instantly drew her body back.

    Rishe didn¡¯t expect that he would react so strongly. But there was not time to deal with him, she picked the bowl brimming with the antidote then glanced at the knights.

    ¡°Please be assured. This liquid is no poison.¡±

    She scooped medicine with a spoon and applied it into the self-inflicted wound. The fact that it stings a little is a sign that the ingredients of the herb have been extracted.

    ¡°It¡¯s a mixture of licorice grass, lucua flowers, and crushed curry berries. If you¡¯re still dubious, I can take a sip.¡±

    Truth is, it¡¯s too bitter so she wants to avoid tasting it as much as possible. Hiding her true feelings, she looked down at the knight who was closest to her.

    ¡°Your poison will last for a few days, so make your choice.¡±

    ¡°Err¡­ but¡­?¡±

    ¡°Would you take a chance on this antidote or suffer from this paralysis all the way to Garkhain? Well, you can also ask His Highness to find a hunter settlement and obtain the antidote they¡¯re using¡­.¡±

    Rishe smiled broadly while repeating their options.

    ¡°What about you, Your Highness, what say you?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold looked at Rishe with a complexity he had never shown before.

 Chapter 10 Pleased to be a hostage, sir.

    Rishe¡¯s antidote was successfully employed, and the knights who applied it to their wounds are to remain in place and rest their horses until their numbness disappears.

    Now that she has the chance to wander out of the carriage, Rishe excitedly went to pick some medicinal herbs that she¡¯d been staring at inside the carriage moments ago.

    Herbs to reduce inflammation, flowers for stomach aches, and headaches. Afterwards, she collected sleeping mushrooms and wrapped them in a handkerchief.

    Arnold apparently had sent a messenger to the frontier Earl in charge of this territory to take care of their captive bandits.

    It took a while before he arranged everything with Oliver. Then he came to the lake shore where Rishe was working.

    ¡°Is your hobby of picking flowers a practical one, not ornamental?¡±

    Watching Rishe lay out her harvested plants and flowers, Arnold asked jovially.

    Rishe was a bit wary as he sat down beside her. But he wasn¡¯t doing any unnecessary moves, so she resumed her work.

    From the herbs whose stems are useful, unnecessary leaves were plucked out one after the other. The leaves have no medicinal properties, but when added to soup, the flavor extracted makes it tasty. Sleeping mushrooms are much trickier to handle with spores that must be dried totally in the sun.

    (I wonder if they¡¯d be disgusted if I tie the mushrooms up on the roof of the carriage and let them dry. The picture is too embarrassing especially on the carriage the Crown Prince is riding in. But it doesn¡¯t hurt asking, right¡­.?)

    As she pondered and worked seriously on her herbs, she noticed Arnold¡¯s gaze.

    His eyes were no doubt fixed at Rishe¡¯s hands. He sat cross-legged, with his elbow resting on his lap and cheek on his cheek. He seemed absent-minded, at the same time intent.

    (He looks like a kid watching a procession of ants¡­.?)

    What¡¯s so fun about it? As she was wondering, her eyes locked with Arnold¡¯s.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did I bother you?¡±

    ¡°No. Are you worried about something?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal. It¡¯s just that I think I have yet to dig up your bottom.¡±

    Arnold laughed it off.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what other means you have to entertain me.¡±

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    (Do I look like a rare beast or something?¡­.)

    It was totally rude. Rishe may have been reborn seven times, but she¡¯s still a normal human being.

    ¡°The antidote I concocted a while ago wasn¡¯t meant to entertain His Highness.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    Arnold erased his provocative grin and left a sigh.

    ¡°¡­. The knight you chose to blackmail with your sham threat was formerly from the favela.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t threaten anyone. What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°While the Garkhain empire recognizes meritocracy, many are often touted because of their origins. Nevertheless, he never succumbed to external pressure, worked hard and became a knight.¡±

    Pausing from picking up seeds from a flower, Rishe faced Arnold.

    ¡°The knight who had the most severe paralysis had only been assigned to the Order for a short period of time and had been training day and night in hopes of succeeding in this mission. The old knight who bowed his head in gratitude to you, and was wounded with you while trying to cover for a newcomer, is a very caring man.¡±

    ¡°Seems like you know your knights very well.¡±

    ¡°I appointed him. He is my vassal.¡±

    Arnold hung his words there, straightened his posture and bowed his head deeply towards Rishe.

    ¡°I thank you for saving their lives.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    My ears are playing tricks on me again, can somebody tell what¡¯s going on?

    Is this the mask of Arnold Hein, the evil and treacherous Emperor Rishe has known all her lives? Or perhaps, is this his real face?

    When he was pointing his sword at the throat of that bandit, there was nothing in his eyes but boredom pestering a toy.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t anything special that warrants His Majesty¡¯s bow. I just used whatever knowledge I had.¡±

    ¡°Hah. With so many ladies out there, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s even one who happens to have the necessary pharmacy knowledge.¡±

    ¡°More than that! Earlier, when I cut my arm, you tried to grab my wrist, didn¡¯t you? You were going to break your promise not to touch me at that time, weren¡¯t you?

    ¡°That would be force majeure.¡±

    They talked for a while, and then she sighed softly.

    ¡°Speaking of which, why are the knights so wary of me?

    ¡°Wary?¡­.Oh. All the knights who stayed in the Royal Palace as guards heard that your engagement had been called off. It must have stirred up unwanted notions of what kind of an evil woman you were to have been abandoned.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s it.¡±

    True enough. People like them wouldn¡¯t take it for granted if a rumored wicked woman like her suddenly claimed to have concocted a drug for the injured.

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    ¡°Right, I must remind you of one thing. Once we arrive in Garkhain, there may be those who will work against you with disrespect. I¡¯ll do everything I can to make sure that doesn¡¯t happen, but if it does, tell me right away.¡±

    ¡°Are there other circumstances I should be warned about?¡±

    ¡°The choice for the Crown Princess was left to me, but my choice should be a royalty of another country. I¡¯m sure your duke family is also of a royal lineage.¡±

    As Arnold has said, looking at it in a broader sense, she¡¯s still a member of the royalty.

    ¡°Why did my father order me to marry a princess from another country, not a noble lady in my country ¡ª ?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a hostage.¡±

    Garkhain is a military state that has greatly expanded its territory during the war.

    Although they have now signed peace treaties with neighboring countries, the relationship in between them is on a tightrope. There is no country that would refuse offering a princess to Garkhain.

    If a princess is brought from another country into the royal family, Garkhain will gain an advantage over that country. To put it in the extreme, it¡¯s one way of conveying the threat, ¡°If you confront me with your teeth, your daughter¡¯s safety is not guaranteed.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve sent a message to my father that my Crown Princess is the daughter of a Royal Duke and was the fiancee of the Crown Prince. I took fancy of her and looted her from the Crown Prince. As one of the important figures in the country, the Crown Prince resisted to the end.¡±

    ¡°Looted¡­.¡±

    Indeed, Dietrich had been forever complaining and making noises. He had no right to intervene over Rishe¡¯s marriage, though.

    ¡°You were acknowledged by my father, but only because he deemed you worthy of being a hostage. In the country, there will be those who will despise you.¡±

    ¡°Point taken, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯ll shut them up. As the Crown Princess, you should be proud¡­¡±

    ¡°Hostage, that¡¯s wonderful!¡±

    Arnold frowned when Rishe suddenly leaned towards him.

    ¡°¡­.What?¡±

    ¡°If I were to be treated as an ¡°actual hostage,¡± I won¡¯t have to embark on the official duties of the Crown Princess, right?! I would be made to live in the corner of the castle, only come out when needed, and have no say in any official business or diplomatic relations!¡±

    ¡°Oh, ahhh¡­.¡±

    ¡°I can do it..! I would do my best to be a perfect hostage¡­!¡±

    Biting down on her euphoria, Rishe shuddered.

    In fact, she was quite worried about that point.

    Being a crown princess is definitely no picnic. Having been trained for this position, Rishe knows that the Crown Princess would be forced to work on a schedule that would allow her get very little to no sleep.

    But if she is held as a hostage, she won¡¯t be forced to perform important tasks.

    ¡°A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Thank you for keeping your promise, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­.Er¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, of course, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m well aware that we¡¯ll be busy until the wedding is over.¡±

    With a sigh of relief, Rishe went back to working on her herbs.

 Chapter 11 Letâ€™s process everything together and do a cleanup

    After the antidote incident, the wariness of the knights who were keeping Rishe at arm¡¯s length eased up a bit.

    Initially, the knights were reluctant to leave their comrades in her care, but the rest of the way, they actively reported the conditions of the injured and even consulted Rishe for the treatment.

    And as if in gratitude, some would wander through the woods when they stop for a rest and collect herbs that Rishe wants.

    Though she really doesn¡¯t need their thanks for healing them, she was still glad for their frankness.

    Having experienced the life of a pharmacist, Rishe now wants to collect raw materials for medicines whenever she can. They may come in handy in a variety of situations.

    A few days after the bandits¡¯ raid.

    The carriages finally arrived at the Imperial Capital of Garkhain.

    ¡°We¡¯re here¡­.¡±

    The moment the carriage passed through the gates, Rishe muttered without thinking.

    It is an orderly cityscape lined with rows of white-walled buildings. There are various shops on the first floors, and when looking up to the second floors, flowers can be seen displayed on the windowsills.

    Laughter could be heard from people coming and going along the well-maintained brick roads, and in the heart of the beautiful city, stood a towering magnificent castle.

    ¡°This is the imperial capital, Siengis. It¡¯s the largest city in the country and one of our trade centers.¡±

    Even while listening to Arnold¡¯s introduction, Rishe felt fidgety inwardly.

    In no time at all, people gathered to watch the opulent carriages that have entered the city.

    Some were carrying shopping bags in their hands, while others held their children in their arms. They were waving their hands with sparkling eyes akin to welcoming a wonder.

    The city is bustling, giving a glimpse of the wealth of this country. The children staring at her with glittering eyes were so cute, Rishe couldn¡¯t resist smiling. Their young cheeks turned rosy as they hopped around happily.

    The carriages traversed through the streets, passing through the castle¡¯s main gate and entered the castle. Knights lined up on the left and right of the road, welcoming the Crown Prince and his fiance.

    Arnold, who had gotten out of the carriage first, extended his hand towards Rishe. He did it so naturally, from raising his hand to assisting Rishe, rendering the surrounding knights a bit flustered.

    (¡­?)

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long journey, Your Royal Highness, Rishe¡­¡±

    Oliver, the squire in the front carriage, bowed his head as he joined the knights in attendance. After that, he looked at Arnold as if he were a rarity.

    ¡°It¡¯s totally unusual for His Highness to lend a hand to a woman, don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    (¡­ Hah!!)

    Hearing that pointed out, Rishe realized that the requisite she had demanded of Arnold, the ¡°Don¡¯t touch a finger¡± was breached. It was him who reached out first, but it was her who accepted it.

    ¡°Haha, kekekeke¡­.¡±

    Arnold, who had succeeded in his maneuver, burst out laughing. Frankly, it was annoying. Oliver seemed to have seen a miracle, but then he whispered something in Arnold¡¯s ear.

    Receiving the report, Arnold sighed in annoyance.

    ¡°Is something the matter?¡±

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    ¡°¡­ I had arranged a royal villa for you in the Royal Palace, but it seems that the preparations have been delayed due to some mistakes. Unfortunately, you are likely to spend some days in the guest room in the Royal Palace.¡±

    This rang alarms on Rishe¡¯s head.

    One of the conditions put forward by Rishe for the marriage cited ¡°Separation from parents.¡± That wasn¡¯t simple by no means. She had expected that it would take months for the preparation, but now, he¡¯s saying that it would only take a few days?

    ¡°Uhm, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m fine staying in your residence for the meantime.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡­ But, I have been away from the palace for quite some time. It¡¯s dusty and in a terrible mess.¡±

    ¡°I already told you, didn¡¯t I? It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s old or dirty. Of course, until Your Highness¡¯ arrangements are in place, Your Highness can always get on with your affairs as usual.¡±

    Truth is, she was dying to say, ¡°I want to live alone in the future.¡± But in the first place, she had decided to live with Arnold separately from the emperor.

    ¡°Besides, I¡¯m a hostage!¡±

    ¡°¡­ Why are you so proud of it?¡­¡±

    Rishe merely stuck her chest up and grinned broadly.

    *****

    They were led to a detached royal villa located in a corner of the vast Imperial Castle grounds.

    The royal villa was small with four floors in all. The place, which has been unused for so many years, was certainly dusty.

    (But it¡¯s not that bad.)

    She had envisioned a place similar to a storeroom, but the inside of the castle was rather empty and tidy. Lots of dust settled on the surfaces, but there is no deterioration due to neglect.

    It would be a solid fortress once it¡¯s totally cleaned up.

    ¡°If you want to live in the Royal Villa, just do as you want. I¡¯ll be busy for the next few days, but I¡¯ll get some servants to keep the guest rooms available at all times.¡±

    With that said, he disappeared with Oliver.

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    Oliver informed him that their absence in the past two weeks has left him a mountain of official business that requires sleepless nights for a few days to finish.

    (Emperor Arnold Hein ¡­ Oops, he¡¯s still the Crown Prince. I¡¯m worried about what he¡¯s scheming, but never mind that. Better make my bed first.)

    Rishe changed into the simplest dress she brought with her, and rolled up her sleeves.

    To begin with, she opened all the windows, even with the knight guards watching every nook cautiously.

    Fortunately, the weather was fine today and the whole castle was aglow.

    It may look like a deserted castle with no curtains or carpets, but once it is furnished, it will be a splendid space.

    Having secured the means of ventilation, Rishe next searched for the stairs to the basement.

    When she pushed open the heavy wooden door, a slippery mouse ran past her feet. The knight accompanying her squeaked, ¡°eek!¡± but still entered the basement with a poker-face.

    ¡°Ri, Rishe-sama, what are you doing in a place like this?¡±

    ¡°Most cleaning tools used by servants are usually stored in the basement. There it is.¡±

    From the storeroom, she obtained a hataki, a broom, a dustpan, and a new rag.

    A pail was also found, and after fetching water, Risch began a great sweep of the castle.

    She covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief wrapped around her face, and beat off the dust from high places, such as the edge of a window sill. Once that was done, she moved on to sweeping the dust off the floor.

    ¡°With the dusts all cleaned up, it feels gratifying!¡±

    Rishe rolled up her sleeves that had fallen off full of vim and vigor.

    She first swept the dust with a broom and rag so that the dust accumulated like a snow won¡¯t fly, gathered the lumpy dust in one place, and once she dumped it, moved on to sweeping again.

    With the sweeping done, it was time for mopping. She really wanted to use a floor mop, but found nothing in the storage room, so she could only use the hataki.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, is there anything I can do to help?¡±

    The knight guard, whom she didn¡¯t even spare a glance, asked. Even though it was a detached palace, every room inside the castle used by the imperial family is vast.

    However, Rishe shook her head.

    ¡°I can¡¯t ask the knights guarding me to clean up.¡±

    ¡°But¡­there¡¯s no reason for Her Crown Princess Rishe to go out of her way to do a laborious task like this. Please use a guest room in the main castle.¡±

    ¡°No, this castle suits me well enough.¡±

    Rishe wasn¡¯t banking on anything so she was so adamant about it.

    Preparing a guest room is really hard labor. During her life as a lady¡¯s attendant, just a one-night stay by a guest would mean maids being harassed from morning to night without a break.

    Not a single hair, not a single dust, not even a wrinkle in the sheets. The harshness of the labor and also the tension of being beaten for an intolerable failure were terribly exhausting.

    She doesn¡¯t want to put the maids through that kind of stress merely because of a few days of stay in the main castle. She heard that maids in the castle are but a few, so it must be taxing for them to even handle work in the main castle.

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    ¡°Now, look at that!¡±

    She turned to the area where she had finished ragging and showed the knight.

    The knight¡¯s eyes rounded in astonishment as he looked around the room, which was now completely clean and brightly sunlit.

    ¡°Imagine that you were the one who cleaned up this whole place, don¡¯t you think life would be much more fun?¡±

    She asked in laughter. The knight joined in amusement, totally agreeing with her.

 Chapter 12 About the maidâ€™s â€˜senpaiâ€™

    The cleaning of the royal villa has gone smoothly and some rooms were now ready for use.

    She sent the knights to bring in the bed and took a break. The knights seemed to have assumed that Rishe would be resting somewhere in the meantime, but then she moved on to clean the next room as a matter of course.

    She was holding the rag in hand, but found out that the water in the bucket fetched earlier was almost used up. Rishe grabbed the bucket and went out to the well where she had just been told where. No knight guard may be in sight, but then, she is in the royal palace grounds in the first place. There¡¯s no need for a guard to stroll around.

    (Surely, having a guard is merely nominal. Arnold Hein is just trying to keep tabs on me, right?¡­..)

    She pondered as she walked through the blossoming courtyard with the bucket in her hand. Colorful butterflies fluttered around the flower beds, flapping their wings lower.

    (Besides, he seems reluctant to let me meet the current Emperor. Though if I were just a nominal bride and a real hostage, it might still be necessary to have an audience with the Emperor.)

    She¡¯s also quite curious what kind of person the Emperor is that led to Arnold¡¯s patricide.

    Of course, she wants to stop it if possible.

    Becoming the Emperor by killing his father was the beginning of Arnold¡¯s tyranny.

    (I have never known what fate awaited Arnold Hein after I died in my other lives, whether he reigned as the winner of a war of aggression, or he was subdued by some country¡­ either way).

    Rishe looked forward abruptly.

    (If it comes to that, I can¡¯t just sit around¡­! Whether I¡¯m held as a hostage or being forced to take care of the castle while he¡¯s away as his wife, even if I¡¯m just regarded as a decoration, it¡¯s going to be tough! That¡¯s why!! Absolutely! No to war!)

    It would be nice if he would at least divorce her then let her go. But if she¡¯s thrown out in the midst of the war, she feels like she can¡¯t escape the fate of being inadvertently killed and again reborn at the age of twenty.

    (¡­. Huh?! Wait a minute, in the first place¡­)

    In retrospect, all of the reasons why Rishe lost her life in the past six times could be traced back to the wars that Arnold had instigated.

    (I died in the fires of war, I died in the treatment of a plague that had spread in a village, I died taking care of the wounded, I died during the invasion of the Garkhain army¡­)

    Every circumstance surrounding her death was entirely similar. Rishe squatted without thinking and massaged her head.

    (¡­ Maybe, it¡¯s better if I ask for divorce as early as now¡­.)

    However, she quickly reconsidered it.

    (¡­No! It¡¯s too late for regrets on what I¡¯ve chosen. I¡¯ve ended up dead even living as far away as possible from Arnold Hein. If that¡¯s the case, what about living close to him this time around and see how the trend goes?)

    There¡¯s still no certainty as to why Rishe had been reborn over and over again, but maybe this would be the last time.

    Suppose it¡¯s the last one indeed, she must live it to the fullest, enjoy every hour and live longer.

    She might have some reservations, but regrets shouldn¡¯t be one of them.

    (Forget it, I¡¯m in the midst of cleaning now.When the bed arrives, I¡¯ll soak in a bath and clean off the grime and exhaustion from the trip and cleaning. And then, I¡¯m going to lay down as much as I want¡­!)

    With a firm resolve, she stood up and made her way to the well in good cheer.

    Thereupon, she heard a roaring laughter of ridicule.

    ¡°Hey, look at you, novice, you¡¯re trying too hard.¡±

    ¡°But even if you bend over backwards, we¡¯re the only ones¡¯ who¡¯ll be the Crown Princess¡¯ handmaidens!¡±

    From the sounds of it, there are several girls arguing around the well just around the corner.

    ¡°Hey, are you listening? I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s useless even if you break your neck!¡±

    ¡°Arghh¡­¡­!¡±

    The faint shriek reached Rishe¡¯s ears, followed by the sound of someone falling. Rishe rushed over to the well.

    There she saw a girl lying on the ground surrounded by four other girls.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    She ran to the girl on the ground and helped her up. She¡¯s a lovely girl with pale golden hair and big eyes. Although she¡¯s dishevelled and was covered in mud, she was dressed in her chambermaid¡¯s livery.

    Meanwhile, the girls, who were now scowling at Rishe, are wearing the same sass. It¡¯s a combination of a loose dress that allows free movement, coupled with a white apron.

    ¡°Who are you?? Are you new here too?¡±

    One of the girls glowered at Rishe.

    Although Rishe wasn¡¯t garbed in a maid¡¯s uniform, her dress at the moment was too plain. Her coral hair is also tied up at random, and most of all, her entire body is grubby from the big cleaning.

    (If I¡¯ll introduce myself here, it¡¯ll likely cause a bigger fuss.)

    At a loss for the right words to answer her, she seemed to have irritated the handmaid¡¯s temper all the more.

    ¡°Why are you being silent? Just because there will be a need for an attendant for the Crown Princess, they are raking up new recruits. I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve ever done any ragging or water work before. Look at your hands, they¡¯re so smooth.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, what a pity! It¡¯s because we¡¯ve already been working in the Royal Palace for three years that we¡¯re the ones who are going to be the maidservants at the Royal Villa and would soon be working alongside Arnold-sama.¡±

    ¡°Let me, do you want to stand? I don¡¯t think you have any injuries¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey, listen up!¡±

    One of the maidens shouted at Rishe, who was supporting the bullied girl. The redhead is probably the leader of this group.

    ¡°You¡¯re being cocky, aren¡¯t you? If you really want to be a handmaiden, you¡¯d better learn how to respect your seniors. In any case, girls as bad at their jobs as you guys wouldn¡¯t be able to serve as an attendant in this castle, don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    More than that, there¡¯s something that¡¯s bothering Rishe now.

    The red-haired maid is holding a thick curtain in her hand. It¡¯s so thinly stained that it doesn¡¯t look like it was washed.

    The red-haired maid somehow faltered as her eyes stared at her hand.

    ¡°What, what¡­¡±

    ¡°Uhm, better not wash the curtains today.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Of course the maids were affronted at Rishe¡¯s warning.

    ¡°Are you trying to tell me that if I wash it after noon, it won¡¯t dry out? Sure enough, you¡¯re such an amateur! The days are long in spring, and today¡¯s weather is hot. That¡¯s enough to ¨C¡±

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    ¡°Well, it¡¯ll probably rain in a little while.¡±

    The girls exchanged glances at her certainty.

    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡±

    ¡°Look, there are now clouds gathering in the sky, and the butterflies and bees are flying low. I think it would be more troublesome if you wash a big game.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡­.?¡±

    Upon hearing the hints, another maid muttered in a faint voice.

    ¡°¡­ Diana said that if I take the initiative in washing such a big game, I can be evaluated and take a spot among the Crown Princess¡¯ handmaidens.¡±

    ¡°Wow, are you saying that it¡¯s now my fault?¡±

    The redhead girl called Diana was indignant and her face flushed red.

    ¡°Don¡¯t expect such an amateur girl to be right, the weather has always been fine today! Come on, let¡¯s better do the laundry quickly!¡±

    Diana swivelled around in a huff and the other maids left with her.

    Rishe sighed and looked back at the golden-haired girl who had gotten up.

    ¡°Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?¡±

    ¡°¡­.Yes, I¡¯m fine. Thank you, I¡¯m¡­.¡±

    The girl¡¯s gaze wandered as if searching for words to say and then bowed her head.

    ¡°My name is Elise. Thank you for helping me¡­¡±

    The girl, who raised her face up, was almost expressionless.

    But from the polite bow and the way she chose her words so hard, Rishe could tell that she meant it.

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    Rishe shook her head and smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, More importantly, you¡¯re now dirty.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡­¡­..¡±

    Elise looked down at herself. Although she remained stoic, the dejection on her shoulders were unmistakable.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, this has been given to me.¡±

    ¡°As long as you take it off and wash it right away, you¡¯ll be fine. Even though it¡¯s going to rain, the fabric of your dress dries easily. If you use a lot of soap and wash with a brush to scrape away the mud, rather than rubbing it with your hands, it will come off.¡±

    ¡°Brush it?¡±

    ¡°The reason mud stains are so hard to remove is because the dirt gets deep into the thread. A brush is the best way to get rid of it.¡±

    During her life as an attendant, Rishe did a lot of research because the sons of the house were too mischievous and always played around the garden. Even those muddy socks they¡¯ve been hiding for days for fear of being scolded can be brushed off with a lot of patience.

    ¡°Who are you¡­?¡±

    Elise blinked, then stared at Rishe.

    ¡°Is it true that the handmaidens of the Crown Princess have already been decided?¡±

    Rishe gently averted her gaze, unsure whether to answer Elise truthfully.

 Chapter 13 What determines the value of a life

    Returning to the Royal Villa after parting ways with Else, Rishe used the water she¡¯d fetched and went back to cleaning.

    After a while, the knights came back with the bed. The large and fluffy bed is covered with clean sheets, which appears very comfortable to sleep on.

    After ragging the place to her satisfaction, Rishe decided to take a break. She climbed to the top floor room where they had brought the bed, and stepped out onto the balcony.

    Looking down from there, the imperial capital was beginning to turn golden with the golden rays of dusk.

    It rained a little earlier, so the air was crystal clear and you could see far into the distance. The spring breeze blew fresh on her sweaty skin from the cleaning.

    She draped her arms over the balcony railing, rested her cheek on them and closed her eyes.

    It would be great if she could just go to sleep like this. But she has to take a bath. Nevertheless, it¡¯s hard to get away from the view and the spring breeze on the balcony.

    While she was thinking in daze, her mother¡¯s voice suddenly crossed her mind.

    ¡°Rishe, there¡¯s no need for your own thoughts in your life..¡±

    She frowned, remembering the words she had once been told.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ever forget. A life of service and loyalty to the royal family is the mission of our duke and duchy.

    ¡°No matter how excellent you are, being born a woman is all for naught. All you have to do is live up to that and help the Crown Prince, that¡¯s all you have to do.¡±

    ¡°Studying? Having enough knowledge is merely for the sake of mingling in social occasions. Worry more about your bridal training. You¡¯ll learn to smile more amiably.¡±

    She¡¯s amazed at how she could still remember each lesson word by word. Rishe exhaled in one breath.

    (That¡¯s to be expected. Since I was fifteen years old, I can¡¯t remember how many times my father and mother said the same thing over and over again¡­.)

    She doesn¡¯t know if she can kick the habit. Shortly after the annulment of her engagement, memories from Rishe¡¯s childhood would sometimes pop up.

    Since young, Rishe¡¯s parents preached their beliefs repeatedly in front of her.

    ¡°Marry a man renowned in society. True happiness for a woman is only marrying such a partner and bearing his child.¡±

    ¡°¡­ But, mom¡­.¡±

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    Rishe was forbidden to argue back then.

    First off, Rishe¡¯s value to her parents was only in terms of, ¡°the daughter who will eventually become the queen and give birth to the heir to the throne.¡±

    One¡¯s worth is not determined by others, nor it is something granted by one¡¯s title.

    ¡°¡­..¡±

    Rishe¡¯s fingertips twitched unconsciously, and she slowly opened her eyes.

    And in the poise drilled in her, asked.

    ¡°¡­. Are you sure it¡¯s fine? Slipping away from public service midway?¡±

    ¡°You never cease to amaze me, do you?

    Hearing the man reveling in the situation, she jerked up and turned around.

    There, as one would expect, stood Arnold. He finished his claim with a chuckle and reclined on the entrance to the balcony.

    ¡°I thought I could keep my mind off things quietly. How can you be so pretentious with all this distance?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that? I was just swimming with the tide little by little and gauging when to let my presence known.¡±

    ¡°Ha, like I would believe in your nonsense.¡±

    Arnold walked forward and stopped beside Rishe. He was a bit cautious, but he scanned the castle grounds curiously.

    ¡°What were you looking at?¡±

    ¡°The capital¡­ What¡¯s that building over there?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a library. It is state-funded and houses books collected from various countries.¡±

    ¡°Wow! That whole huge building?!¡±

    It must be rich in collections of books. Rishe¡¯s eyes sparkled as if she couldn¡¯t wait to get there soon.

    Then she pointed to something else that had been bothering her.

    ¡°And that spire? It looks magnificent.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a church. It also doubles as a clock tower, ringing bells that tell the time in the morning and at night.¡±

    ¡°Wow, how wonderful..! Come to think of it, there seems to be a big bazaar in that area.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the biggest shopping street in the Imperial City. Early in the morning, there are stalls lining the streets selling freshly stocked items for the day.¡±

    ¡°Impressive!Then, Your Highness, those beautiful mountains over there¡­.¡±

    Every time Arnold unraveled each place, Rishe couldn¡¯t help feeling thrilled.

    The pictures painted by him swelled in her mind and she thirsts for the chance to see each of them personally. There¡¯s a vast library, a beautiful church at the crack of dawn, and a morning market where you can buy and sell fresh fruit.

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    Rishe¡¯s excitement did not escape Arnold¡¯s notice.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. I was just wondering what was so much fun about it. What interest is there in a country where you have been married in unwilling circumstances?¡±

    ¡°Uhmmm¡­.¡±

    She was caught tongue tied. Her mind couldn¡¯t quickly come up with a plausible answer for him.

    (What should I say? Has my curiosity been too abnormal?)

    Well her interest was genuine, so maybe she should just go along with his assumption.

    That being said, it was quite odd to talk to Arnold, who had been an antagonist in her former life. And that sense of discomfort led to some sort of shyness.

    As a result, Rishe blushed and stammered while cooking up an answer.

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    ¡°¡­ It¡¯s because of longing.¡±

    From his expression, Arnold was clearly surprised.

    ¡°Longing?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve always wanted to visit this country for a long time.¡±

    In her first life as a merchant, Rishe had only one dream: To become a trader.

    And then travel across all countries in the world. But that dream ended where it left off with one last country.

    The last one was here, the Garkhain Empire.

    It wasn¡¯t just her life as a merchant that prevented her from treading the soil of the Imperial Kingdom of Garkhain.

    In every lifetime, Rishe had to first acquire the means to make a living for herself. Yet, by the time this prospect was within reach, the situation had changed and the possibility of freely going in and out of Garkhain became impossible.

    For Rishe, this marriage allows her the chance to first visit Garkhain.

    ¡°Perhaps the final push of why I decided to marry Your Highness was because of that longing.¡±

    ¡°¡­.¡±

    Arnold raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth looking down at the castle.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in this country that¡¯s worth your yearning.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true! There are so many fascinating places to visit, even if you only briefly told me about them earlier. The glittering faces of the townspeople, the knights are also suave. Besides¡­¡±

    It¡¯s fun to envision wonderful things, no matter what the subject matter is.

    Rishe knitted her brows as she jovially counted down her fingers, and Arnold unconsciously fell on the animation evident on her face.

    His eyes were strangely gentle, but there¡¯s also an inexplicable bafflement in between his brows.

    ¡°Am I saying anything weird?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re unaware of it, that¡¯s a big problem.¡±

    (Hmph, how rude¡­¡±)

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a woman like you. The content of your arguments, the depth of your knowledge, the skills you¡¯re hiding; basically, they are all unnecessary for a mere lady.¡±

    Rishe cringed at every word Arnold uttered.

    ¡°Rishe, there¡¯s no need for your own thoughts in your life.¡±

    She was again reminded of her mother¡¯s teachings and she opened her mouth in retort headfirst.

    ¡°¡­. Everything I have is my treasure, whether it is worthless in the eyes of others or not. It¡¯s an asset that I will never lose, and is an important part of my life. Even if someone decides it¡¯s pointless.¡±

    She turned squarely to face Arnold and looked straight up at him, who is taller.

    ¡°It¡¯s up to me to decide what¡¯s worthwhile for my life.¡±

    Rishe will never accept the curses that were once poured on her by her own parents.

    A woman can do anything she wants, and she will never again live just to be a queen and give up what she aspires to learn.

    She held Arnold¡¯s stare with the fiery flames still blazing within her. Oddly enough, he returned her stare with a gentle one.

    ¡°¡­ I understand.¡±

    Then he stroked Rishe¡¯s cheek with his big hand.

    His thumb gently wiped the surface of her skin. Rishe blinked and then it struck her that her face must have been dusty from the cleaning.

    ¡°You¡¯re free to do whatever you want in this country from now on. I promise to be a force to be reckoned with and support every wish you may have.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡­¡±

    Rishe was stumped at his unexpected tolerance.

    Having said that, Arnold has every right to ask Rishe to act ¡°Princess-like.¡± Since this is a political marriage where the powers between the two countries are different, Rishe¡¯s essence is merely a hostage.

    And yet, instead of limiting Rishe¡¯s freedom, Arnold goes so far as to say that he will support her?

    ¡°Why would you do that?¡±

    ¡°I told you, I fell in love with you.¡±

    Arnold reprised the same lie as ever.

    ¡°On top of that, you may be indifferent to others¡¯ opinions ¡ª- But I find your bottomless abilities genuinely pleasing, rather than meaningless.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s much I can get across.¡±

    Saying that, he withdrew his hand away from Rishe, turned his back to her and started walking.

    His feet braked at the entrance, he looked back at the dumbfounded Rishe and added.

    ¡°Consider whatever compensation you want. I¡¯ve just breached your ¡°Don¡¯t touch a finger.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    After Arnold was gone, Rishe lost her strength for some reason and sat down on the balcony.

    ¡°¡­ I can¡¯t read him at all! What exactly is that man, Arnold Hein, planning?)

    A peaceful night soon approached the Imperial Capital of Garkhain.

 Chapter 14 Night party is no problem

    ¡°Hmm¡­..¡±

    Awareness slowly emerged in the sunshine that filtered through the window.

    She turned over in the comforting dazzle and found no walls where she¡¯d imagined them to be.

    Realizing that she was sleeping in a larger bed than usual, Rishe stretched out her arms and legs as far as she could.

    Was she in her room at the duke¡¯s mansion, or at the royal palace of the desert king where she stayed over in her merchant days, or in the straw bed of her chambermaid life?

    Her mind was muddled upon waking up and filtered through where she could be. After a leisurely stretch, Rishe finally opened her eyes.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    The bed has a canopy and is protected by a light blue curtain. With the sunshine peeking through the thin curtain, she found herself in a deserted room with no furniture or carpet.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    No need to train in the morning, no need to tend the herb garden, no need to prepare breakfast, no need to analyze the concoction she had set up the night before, nor was she in an inn where she had stayed during their journey to Garkhain.

    With that in mind, Rishe simply buried her face into the pillow.

    ¡°¡­So fluff¡­.¡±

    In the bed, she thoughtlessly let out a monologue.

    From the height of the sun, it was probably around six o¡¯clock in the morning.

    It must have been close to midnight when she finally lay in the bed last night.

    ¡°That means¡­. I slept for more than six hours¡­?¡±

    Rishe found it hard to believe this fact.

    Up until now, four hours of sleep has been the norm in her life.

    When she was a knight or a pharmacist, it was less than that, three hours at best.

    (¡­ Besides, I¡¯m only planning on cleaning up today. I¡¯m a hostage in the first place. Does that mean that I can sleep a little more¡­?)

    A knock on the door however pulled her down from the seventh heaven.

    ¡°Rishe, are you awake?¡±

    ¡°Ha, yes!¡±

    She jerked up from the bed in an instant at the sound of the voice on the other side of the door.

    ¡°This is Oliver at the behest of His Highness, I apologize for disturbing you so early. I¡¯ve got something for you.¡±

    ¡°Please wait a moment. I¡¯ll be right with you.¡±

    Rishe jumped down from the bed and hurriedly dressed herself.

    She untied the curtains to cover her bed and opened the door to see the squire, Oliver, smiling.

    ¡°Pardon me for the disturbance Your Highness. It is only at this time that I was able to leave His Highness¡¯ office. It relieves me to see you already up.¡±

    ¡°Uhm, cough, it¡¯s fine¡­ Haven¡¯t you had enough rest last night Oliver sama?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my unsightly face, there¡¯s been a pile of paperwork we have to deal with. His Highness hasn¡¯t even taken a nap since yesterday.¡±

    Rishe was reminded of Arnold.

    He came to the balcony yesterday, shouldn¡¯t he have gone to sleep instead of wasting his time like he did?

    ¡°His Highness seems too busy, but wasn¡¯t he at work on the carriage ride home, too?¡±

    ¡°All the paperwork that was done before we left was completed during the round-trip itinerary. ¡ª What His Highness is currently dealing with is the work that piled up during his visit to the Hermitian state.¡±

    ¡°Ah¨C¡±

    With a mixture of understanding and sympathy, Rishe lowered her eyebrows.

    The person who killed her is now being killed by his official duties, it¡¯s truly pitiful. Rishe sympathizes with Oliver.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Oliver sama. I can¡¯t believe you had to quit your job just to attend an evening party.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s all good. His Highness, who had said ¡°I do not intend to get married for the time being¡±, actually found his wife because of it.¡±

    Olivar grinned, a sincere and heartwarming smile.

    However, Rishe was bothered by a point and gently extended her hands out. And then she told Oliver.

    ¡°Here you go. Please don¡¯t hesitate to take a look.¡±

    ¡°¡­.Pardon?¡±

    ¡°And not only that, but you¡¯ve been observing me since earlier, haven¡¯t you? If you have any concerns, feel free to ask me to your satisfaction.¡±

    ¡°Uhmm.. mmm¡­¡±

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    Oliver rolled his eyes, then opened his mouth as if in resignation.

    ¡°Just as His Highness said, you have a first-class talent as a swordsman, don¡¯t you? I suppose it¡¯s partly due to my own inexperience, but I never thought you¡¯d be able to pick up on even such an insignificant hint¡­¡±

    (¡­ It¡¯s not much of a swordsman¡¯s intuition, but a gut feeling from my days as a merchant.)

    Rishe has caught Oliver¡¯s prying eyes many times before.

    The eyes of a nobleman trying to determine if the goods offered to him are genuine. Or a merchant¡¯s eye trying to pick out what is profitable from a jumble of stones.

    In other words, he has discerning eyes that can identify which is cheap.

    ¡°If I¡¯ve done anything that¡¯s rude towards the Crown Princess, I sincerely beg your forgiveness.¡±

    Oliver bowed so deeply, Rishe had to stop him.

    ¡°Not at all, please raise your face.¡±

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    It is only natural for a squire to be wary of the woman who suddenly married his master. More than that, she has some questions to ask.

    ¡°Oliver sama, I understand that you¡¯re deeply concerned about His Highness. Have you been with him for a long time?¡±

    ¡°I was originally a knight recruit from this country. I was seriously injured and was about to be relieved of my duties, but His Highness picked me up. I¡¯ve been serving as his squire for about ten years now.¡±

    ¡°¡­.You are such a loyal person, do you know why His Highness Arnold is planning to marry me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    Oliver frowned in bafflement, then continued.

    ¡°To be honest, I myself was surprised. His Highness has been saying all this time that he has no intention of getting married for the time being. Nevertheless, it seems that he suddenly changed his mind after meeting Rishe-sama in the Hermitian country.¡±

    Hasn¡¯t he told his trusted follower of his true intentions as well? She felt more and more frustrated of having no clue as to what Arnold was up to.

    ¡°But, Rishe sama, let me assure you of one thing.¡±

    Oliver hurriedly opened his mouth, perhaps misunderstanding that she was worried.

    ¡°I¡¯ve watched His Highness by his side for many years, but I¡¯ve never seen His Highness look so happy. He smiles so meekly in front of Rishe sama.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    Isn¡¯t that just because he¡¯s amused?

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t look pleased. His Highness has always been popular among women because of his looks.¡±

    ¡°I admit that he¡¯s certainly very popular with the ladies with his beauty, but I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m happy about it. His behavior towards me feels like he¡¯s simply playing with a toy.¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha.¡±

    Oliver merely laughed without denying it. After all, he got the same impression.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you have an understanding of His Highness. ¡ª I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve talked too much, but please accept this.¡±

    What Oliver gave her was three sheets of paper.

    ¡°His Highness has asked me to give you a list of the guests, who will be invited to the wedding ceremony.¡±

    ¡°Thank you very much. I was just about to ask for it.¡±

    It¡¯s quite helpful to be able to have things arranged without having to ask. Rishe checked the names of the state guests listed there, one by one.

    (His Majesty Zahad, His Royal Highness Prince Kai, Her Royal Highness Princess Harriet ¡­.The Kingdom of Domana is no longer represented by His Majesty, but by Duke Jonal.)

    Rishe pondered through the names of the people on the list. For her, this is more than just a list of wedding attendees.

    In a sense, this is the list of the key figures in each country that Arnold turned against.

    Before Arnold kills his father a few years later and wages a war of invasion, there¡¯s still an opportunity to change the situation in each of these countries.

    It could be said that the people listed here are also related to it.

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    (His Majesty Zahad, I¡¯d be glad if I could be friends with you this time as you did when I was a merchant. I wonder if Prince Kai will go out of his way again despite his weakness¡­ He has a strong sense of responsibility for his official duties, so I¡¯m sure he will storm the long trip.)

    She felt a bit nostalgic, reminiscing about all the people she had been involved with in her past lives.

    (They will one day become Garkhain¡¯s ¡°enemy nations.¡± Even so, if we can take action now, we might be able to prevent the relationship from deteriorating, if not to an ally.)

    She would like to believe that doing so would help to avoid war. Not knowing Rishe¡¯s feelings, Oliver goes ahead with the story.

    ¡°The wedding is in three months¡¯ time, so everything will be arranged in time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thank you.¡±

    ¡°In the meantime, what I would like to discuss with you is tomorrow¡¯s evening party, which is a matter of concern¡­.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow¡­ eh?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Did she hear him right?

    Oliver¡¯s face turned even more cloudy hearing Rishe¡¯s obvious bewilderment.

    ¡°¡­. Rishe sama, didn¡¯t His Highness mention it to you?¡±

    ¡°Zee, nothing at all. Is there an evening party tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°Huh, that guy is truly¡­.!¡±

    Oliver slapped his forehead down as he assessed the current situation.

    ¡°¡­. There is. And His Highness knows, is he trying to squash me by not telling me about it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my negligence¡­! He told me, ¡°There is no need for Rishe to attend an evening party like that, just present a notice of absence.¡± I tried to persuade him at length and assumed that he agreed!¡±

    She really pities Oliver. There was no way the Crown Prince¡¯s fianc¨¦e could not attend the evening party held at the Royal Palace.

    ¡°No need to worry, Oliver sama. I¡¯ll go. Rest assured that I will attend the party properly.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Rishe sama. Then I¡¯ll hasten the selection of your handmaidens and have it confirmed by the end of the day.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine by myself. This time, I¡¯ll do the work alone.¡±

    She has some certain reservations about the selection of her handmaidens.

    From yesterday¡¯s exchange between the maids, it seems that there is a dispute over Rishe¡¯s potential handmaidens.

    Meeting those ladies while washing pots or at the well, ¡°It¡¯s settled because it¡¯s already been decided¡± won¡¯t work.

    ¡°But won¡¯t you find it difficult choosing on your own?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. I can even do my hair and wear my clothes alone. I was even the one who packed my clothes and stuff out of my parent¡¯s home, so no need to worry.¡±

    Despite Oliver¡¯s doubt, Rishe hurried to rearrange her cleaning schedule for today and tomorrow.

    ****

    ¡°¡ª- Your Highness, Arnold, there¡¯s something I need to ask.¡±

    This was the first thing Rishe said when they met again dressed in her evening finery.

    ¡°I would like to have some medicinal herb seeds and a corner of the garden that I could use as a field. I¡¯ve written out a list, I¡¯d be happy to talk to you about it later.¡±

    ¡°¡­. Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Whatever I want, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ll fulfill them before?¡±

    As Rishe turned her head, the somehow tired-looking Arnold sighed. He has been dressed up by Oliver for a while now. He¡¯s now wearing his usual black military uniform with a red cloak and black gloves on his hands.

    ¡°I heard Oliver say that he didn¡¯t brief you on the details of tonight¡¯s party. This is a nonsense that Father has organized in order to maintain the appearance that the Crown Prince is looking for a marriage partner from within the country.

    ¡°Oh, I see. I understand.¡±

    Certainly, domestic aristocrats must be dissatisfied if the crown prince, a premium stock, only seeks marriage outside the country.

    ¡°Since I¡¯m engaged to you, there¡¯s no need for such a night out. It¡¯s not hard to imagine how the nobles would treat you as a hostage.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯ve already gotten ready.¡±

    Rishe pointed out and plucked the hem of her gown.

    She is wearing a bright sea-colored dress. The sheer fabric of the skirt is in layers and the generously draped hem puffs out like flower buds.

    Her coral hair was braided and pinned up with a hair ornament. Her makeup was light, coupled with pearl earrings, and lustrously polished shoes.

    ¡°Remember, Your Highness. I may indeed be the ¡°Hostage Crown Princess¡± for this country. But I don¡¯t see any disgrace in that.¡±

    Because that¡¯s what she has chosen to do.

    Her claim only widened Arnold¡¯s eyes in astonishment.

    ¡°¡ª Let¡¯s go, you should show off your fiancee.¡±

    Extending his arm to escort her, Arnold exhaled as if in resignation, then smiled unabashed as usual.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. You have to excuse my touching.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re both wearing gloves.¡±

    Arnold took hold of Rishe¡¯s hand and started walking.

 Chapter 15 Scorn doesnt hurt or itch.

    ¡°Tonight¡¯s evening party is a small one to be held in the central hall of the main castle.¡± But the dance hall, with the musical corps playing, is drawing a crowd of guests.

    There are women in bright dresses and men in military uniforms, the official costume of the country. At first glance, they are dressed as they are the beau monde and are chatting with each other, glasses in hand.

    Rishe, with her hand on Arnold¡¯s arm, stopped at the entrance and took a look around.

    ¡°¡­.Somehow, it¡¯s a bigger party than I¡¯ve expected.¡±

    ¡°Really? This is somewhat quiet though for a castle like this.¡±

    ¡°Ta, the great power norm¡­¡±

    The number of people gathered in this hall is regarded as a huge evening party back in Rishe¡¯s homeland. Rishe was once again amazed at the wealth of Garkhain. Arnold, on the other hand, looked as if he was disgusted from the bottom of his heart.

    ¡°No matter how many people are gathered here, all that takes place is a ridiculous hunger hunting. Look, here they come.¡±

    In time with his speech, he and Rishe were spotted at the entrance, and the guests swarmed in a blink of an eye.

    ¡°Your Royal Highness, Prince Arnold, we are honored to have been invited here tonight.¡±

    ¡°¡­. Lord Rivel, thank you for your time.¡±

    ¡°Your Royal Highness! I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back safe and sound. Please tell my daughter how your journey has been.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s nothing to talk about in particular.¡±

    Surrounded by this horde, Arnold was distinctly unsympathetic.

    The profile he exhibited from Rishe¡¯s view was also uncharacteristically dismissive. It may be partly because of his well-groomed features, he looked even more ruthless.

    (The ¡°Emperor Arnold Hein¡± in my impression is closer to this cold-looking countenance¡­)

    While she was lost in her thoughts, Arnold, who sensed Rishe¡¯s eyes, looked down.

    And just as she was thinking that he¡¯d stop pretending and be the person he has always been, he gave off the first smile since they¡¯ve arrived at the venue.

    ¡°¡­. However, it has indeed been a fortunate journey.¡±

    The women¡¯s cheeks flushed red to that dazzling smile.

    But Arnold was oblivious to their scorching gazes. Instead, he leaned straight down in front of Rishe¡¯s face beside him, and smiled so closely they thought he¡¯s going to kiss her.

    Then, he continued.

    ¡°It is how I was able to find my bride.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    A sense of unease spilled over the hall.

    Graced with his perfect features at point-blank range, Rishe felt a tingling behind her eyes. Meanwhile, the women around them were baffled at Arnold¡¯s smile.

    ¡°Uhm, is His Royal Highness smiling¡­?¡­ To that ¡°hostage¡±?

    ¡°His bride¡­.! He has never even paid us any attention before¡­¡±

    Although these were hushed and whispers, the movements of their lips gave a rough idea what they were talking about. A well-dressed man stepped forward with a young girl, presumably his daughter.

    ¡°Your Royal Highness, then this beautiful girl is your fiancee¡­.?¡±

    All at once, zesty piercing stares were directed at the two from all corners.

    Curiosity. Jealousy. Disdain. Prejudice. They thought they could hide their thoughts well, but all these feelings were apparent in their eyes.

    Fortunately, Oliver had conditioned her as much as he could yesterday, so as not to be overwhelmed with this kind of disparaging reception.

    But then again, such neither hurts or itches.

    (Well, compared to when my engagement was broken in front of the public)

    Besides, Rishe has lived through life seven times. If she was unperturbed with the breaking of her engagement, this kind of situation wasn¡¯t much of a threat to her.

    So, she smiled softly and bowed gracefully in greeting while plucking the hem of her dress.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner.¡±

    Put the right leg diagonally back, bend the left leg, and gently lower the head with the spine straight.

    With one curtsy, the nobles who wanted to poke fun and point about the ¡°the girl from an inferior country who was brought in as a hostage¡± faltered.

    Rishe¡¯s demeanor was thoroughly instilled in her strict queenly education. Some of her gestures may be the result of habits she had developed in her other lives, but it was only Arnold who was able to tell them apart.

    Arnold regarded Rishe with satisfaction.

    ¡°She has just arrived in our country, and doesn¡¯t have many to fall back on. When this husband is not around, I hope everyone will lend my wife a helping hand.¡±

    ¡°Ye¡­ Of course, Your Royal Highness.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rishe sama.¡±

    Arnold clasped Rishe¡¯s hand and withdrew from the circle.

    The eyes of the audience were now trained on them. Rishe protested in an inaudible whisper, without leaving a trace to their spectators.

    ¡°¡­. You¡¯ve just added extra fuel to those young ladies.¡±

    ¡°What fuel?¡±

    ¡°Jealousy of course. That kind of emphasis on the word ¡®wife¡¯ would only fuel their fighting spirit.¡±

    To which Arnold snorted.

    ¡°If I don¡¯t look after you, they¡¯ll take it that you¡¯re just an insignificant wife and move to get rid of you. As far as my fianc¨¦e goes, you¡¯ll always be the target for attack. In that case, it¡¯s better to show it publicly while I still can.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, show?¡±

    ¡°That I¡¯ll protect you no matter what.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡±

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    Rishe blinked stupidly, as if she¡¯s been told something inconceivable.

    (Protect?¡­. Protect me! Arnold Hein protects me?!)

    Another tingling sensation that she couldn¡¯t figure out compounded her bewilderment.

    His remarks were too unbecoming for someone who has killed her in another life. She was at a loss for words, but naturally couldn¡¯t express it that way, otherwise people would think she¡¯s daft.

    After a moment of hesitation, Rishe cut in.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need much protection. If anything, it¡¯s His Highness who is the most dangerous to me.¡±

    ¡°Me, how could I be a danger to you?¡±

    ¡°In many ways. For the time being, I can¡¯t compete with Your Highness in swordplay.¡±

    It¡¯s a frustrating fact, but definitely a safe bet. Nevertheless, her remark seemed to amuse Arnold.

    ¡°Maybe, we should better try our hand at it later.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love to if you could do that! Even if it¡¯s too much to ask, I¡¯d like to have training sessions as well. It¡¯s too much to ask for Your Highness¡¯ time, so I would appreciate it if Your Highness could introduce me to a master or other people.¡±

    If she could learn Arnold¡¯s sword techniques, she might be able to figure out how to defeat him.

    Granted that she won¡¯t be able to match his level in terms of speed and strength, she still might be able to acquire some workaround. Rishe¡¯s eyes flashing with expectation drove Arnold bursting into laughter with his shoulders shaking.

    ¡°As I thought, you¡¯re giving me more answers than I¡¯ve expected.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡­. It looks like another song is about to start.¡±

    A gentle melody flowed from the band. The people who had gathered in the hall were now scattered into the center and by the walls. Next thing she knew, Rishe and the others were surrounded by only men and women who would be dancing with the melody.

    It was obvious that the attention was focused on what the Crown Prince and his fiancee would do.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to force yourself to dance.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯d love to join in the fun too, can I?¡±

    Wording her question as a provocation, Rishe once again extended her right hand.

    ¡°¡­. Very well.¡±

    Arnold naturally took her hand and guided her into a space where there were fewer dancers. He has always been blunt towards women with the same excuse that he¡¯s unwell. For what it¡¯s worth, his response to her invitation gives the impression that he has gotten used to it.

    They moved to the center of the ballroom, facing each other while holding hands.

    Arnold rested his right hand on Rishe¡¯s back.

    (Whoa¡­.)

    The hand that gently clasped her waist was much larger and masculine that she¡¯d thought, earning a gasp from Rishe.

    This was the first time she¡¯d been this too close to Arnold, right?

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 Chapter 16 How to win the (future) Emperor

    (No, it¡¯s not the first time. This is the second time¡­..)

    The last scene before Rishe¡¯s eyes in her last life revived in her mind.

    Today is the second time she¡¯d been too close to Arnold.

    And the first was when his sword pierced her heart.

    Even as the dance began, Rishe was shifting her feet in a stupor, ruminating on her memories.

    In that castle, many knights were slaughtered by then Emperor Arnold Heine. Rishe was also standing amidst that pool of blood, clutching the hilt of the sword that was slick with her own blood, and with shoulders heaving with her breathing.

    Protecting the rear of the room from which the royal family escaped.

    If the young princes make it safely through the hidden passage, they will be sheltered by their allies.

    It was such a battlefield, where protecting the royal family was a victory, and they were willing to sacrifice their knights¡¯ lives.

    Rishe only slammed her sword once against Arnold¡¯s cheeks when she heard the bell that signaled, ¡°The princes have escaped.¡±

    It was the only thing that could have hurt Emperor Arnold.

    In the next moment, a jet-black sword was thrust between Rishe¡¯s chest.

    She could still remember the heat at the time, as if a burning stake had been driven into her heart.

    It didn¡¯t hurt, it was just hard to breathe. Drawing his sword, ¡®Emperor Arnold Heine¡¯ knelt down beside the fallen Rishe and whispered something in her ear.

    For some reason, she can vividly picture that scene on that day.

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡±

    Unknowingly, Rishe gripped Arnold¡¯s hand tightly.

    (Shall I play a prank on you?)

    As it is, Rishe retreated backwards, escaping from the hand attached to her waist. Rishe was out of Arnold¡¯s lead, and yet the harmony of their dance was never disturbed as she spun gracefully in place once.

    Obviously, her surprise attack was successful.

    Noticing his slightly rounded eyes, she was sure of it.

    (Come now, what are you going to do if I try to take the lead in the dance?)

    She stared up at Arnold defiantly, declaring war with a huge grin.

    It would be a delightful sight to see if she could let him dance in accordance to her lead.

    Rishe drew his hand tightly towards her and attempted to let him turn with the flow of the music.

    But was instead conquered by Arnold.

    ¡°!¡±

    A hand clasped Rishes¡¯s waist and deflected the flow in another direction.

    In the meantime, the axis of rotation was changed and the planned movement was repainted.

    (Ah!)

    Rishe ended up twirling around alone on the spot

    Of course, that didn¡¯t mean he¡¯s going to expose her for her atrocious behavior. The hem of her dress swelled softly as she completed a beautiful turn, and cheers erupted all around her.

    (Ugh¡­¡­¡­¡­)

    Rishe, who had done a graceful turn, was not happy about it.

    (I see, so that¡¯s how you¡¯d parry¡­ Then how about this one?)

    Rishe stepped forward and tried to step on his toes in another challenge, but Arnold remained unperturbed. After avoiding it as a matter of course, he smirked down at her invitingly with what could be read from his eyes as, [What are you going to do now?]

    (You look like you¡¯re saying, no matter what I do, it would be useless.)

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    It¡¯s annoying to see him unflappable, but it¡¯s true that he¡¯s a few shots better.

    Rishe let out one breath and tried to use a turn to entice him. But, Arnold was not swayed by it and backed off without hesitation.

    (His balance is well-proportioned¡­.!)

    Her tongue rolled inwardly.

    (We¡¯re dancing closely, but I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m stepping on anything at all. All my efforts are sidestepped. Wait for him to let his guard down, and charge all at once!)

    It was infuriating. While earnestly fumbling for an opening in one way or another, Rishe was led to steps and spins. Arnold, who was [keeping Rishe company on the play], gave no impression of defeat.

    (Just like that time. I was being serious, but Arnold Hein remained impassive.)

    Well, in this case, she¡¯d like to hit back somehow.

    Everyone watching them was knocked sideways as their dance clearly goes beyond socializing convention.

    Rishe was totally oblivious to it as she was intent on finding an opportunity against Arnold, then a thought struck her.

    (-Ah? Come to think of it, since earlier¡­)

    Nod, she gulped with a grunt.

    (No, it¡¯s not since earlier, but the whole time.)

    The scene back on her sixth life flashed before her again.

    Rishe was only able to inflict a sword wound on Arnold once.

    Then and now, Arnold had one weakness that could be called a weakness.

    (If I poke him there, I might win¡­)

    The thought had just taken shape when Arnold, who had been redirecting Rishe¡¯s moves so far, suddenly hugged her around the waist.

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    And then, he dipped her upper body down, concealing a coercive scoop underfoot.

    ¡°Ah¡­~¡±

    She¡¯s going to fall on her back.

    With that thought, Rishe reflexively reached out her hands and clung to the man in front of her. She was relieved that she¡¯d been held tightly by his big hands, but then a chuckle rang in her ear.

    At the same time, the music that¡¯s being played came to a stop after a jangling sound.

    (¡­.It¡¯s over..?)

    Blink, blink.

    After a moment of silence came a resounding round of applause.

    ¡°Oh, no, that¡¯s wonderful!¡±

    The nobles who had been watching around fluttered around them.

    ¡°His Highness, the Crown Prince and his fianc¨¦e, the vibe of your dance is spot on!¡±

    ¡°It was like watching a sword dance in the arena, it made my hands sweat.¡±

    ¡°Is this a dance of the Ermiti Nation?This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen it¡­.¡±

    ¡°Huh?! No, that was, uh¡­.¡±

    Unsure of how to explain it, Rishe consulted Arnold. However, he seemed to be enjoying Rishe¡¯s fluster and left her to fend for herself without extending any hand at all.

 Chapter 17 Do you buy fights being sold?

    After the dance, the venue moved to the next hall and it was time for pleasant conversation in the form of a stand-up buffet.

    At first, Rishe was at Arnold¡¯s side, receiving greetings from invited guests, but Arnold said absentmindedly.

    ¡°The wine from earlier must be kicking in. Go catch some breeze on the balcony.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s excuse was a total lie and he must be wanting to let Rishe take a break from the crowd.

    Rishe hasn¡¯t drank any wine. After all, since they got to the party, people had been talking to her incessantly even when she didn¡¯t utter a word.

    (I can say, he¡¯s surprisingly a gentleman.)

    This was an evening party that Rishe had decided to attend, even though Arnold¡¯s wasn¡¯t keen on it.

    It¡¯s a wonder if he¡¯s taking Rishe into account after her declaration of ¡°I¡¯m going to live a life of idleness, no working¡±.

    (I¡¯ve been used to working without drinking or eating in my past lives, but¡­)

    She took a quick look around and looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me for a moment.¡±

    Rishe bowed politely to her audience, and then quietly moved away from the crowds.

    Instead of heading straight to the balcony, she walked slowly through the venue, among the people enjoying their meals.

    There are surely matters that she couldn¡¯t understand just by staying close to Arnold.

    (In any case, I¡¯ll have to gather more information. In my past six lives, I¡¯ve never known anything about the domestic ballgame in Garkhain)

    All Rishe knew were gossips and events big enough to be passed on outside the country.

    Even though Arnord killing his father was no secret, she¡¯s in the dark as to how things got to that point.

    She needs to acquaint herself more with Arnold¡¯s surroundings and find out what¡¯s going on inside the castle.

    (I¡¯m sure there must have been some distortions in the way the rumors flowed outside the country. First off, Arnold Hein himself is not the same as the rumors at the age of nineteen. He¡¯s not as nefarious and mean as some of the stories I¡¯ve heard in other countries, but gentle¡­)

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    Rishe couldn¡¯t help feeling conflicted with this notion.

    (Right, so far, he¡¯s been kind, no doubt about that. Though I should notate that, ¡®I¡¯m still unclear of his motive¡¯, and ¡®he¡¯s somewhat abominable.¡¯)

    She snapped out from her reverie and surveyed her surroundings once more.

    In order to survive beyond and live an idle life in the castle, she has to quickly take action now.

    (I¡¯m sure that one over there is Lord Hannewald. I¡¯m guessing he¡¯s on good terms with Count Geal¡­. Duke Fudemann and Duke Taenitz seem to be having a friendly conversation, but they¡¯re actually distant to each other.)

    She recalled all the names introduced to her earlier and memorized them. Then she sniffed a sweet perfume.

    A girl with fluffy golden hair and dressed in a lovely dress cut across to speak to Rishe.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, Ms. Rishe. My name is Cornelia Thea Tuna.

    The Tuna family is the thirty-first duke family Rishe had greeted today. So, she smiled and returned the greeting.

    ¡°Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner, It¡¯s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.¡±

    ¡°Fufu, it¡¯s an honor to speak with you.¡±

    With a soft smile, Cornelia held one glass in each hand.

    With her adorable big eyes and plump soft lips, she offered one of them to Rishe.

    ¡°Ms. Rishe, if you don¡¯t mind, have this glass of wine.¡±

    Simultaneously with her offer, other women who were watching Rishe next to her, started giggling.

    ¡°- As a hostage, you must be aware that you¡¯ve been chosen as a pawn to be discarded at any time.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d probably have a good time with Arnold-sama in the meantime¡­.¡±

    ¡°After all, you¡¯re from a weak country, right?¡±

    In the midst of such whispers, Cornelia was staring at her with teary eyes.

    ¡°Are you unhappy with the wine I¡¯m giving you¡­?¡±

    (¡­If my memory serves me right, the Duke of Tuna has a vast fiefdom to the south of Garkhain).

    Rishe took a step forward to receive the glass.

    ¡°Not at all, thank you, Lady Cornelia.¡±

    Just before Rishe¡¯s fingers touched the glass, Cornelia raised her voice deliberately.

    ¡°Kya, oh no! My hand slipped!¡±

    The glass was dropped unnaturally and fell towards Rishe.

    At that same moment, Rishe plucked the hem of her dress with one hand, bent her waist and grabbed the glass with the other hand.

    ¡°Huh?!¡±

    Cornelia cried in surprise when the wine that was supposed to spill was swirled back into the glass.

    Rishe pinched the stem of the glass and gently swirled the wine inside. A whiff rose as she stuck the tip of her nose close to the glass as if to confirm the content.

    (Smells like ground pepper. I don¡¯t know where you got it from, but you¡¯re playing with food.)

    First of all, it¡¯s overkill to stuff a pack of it inside one¡¯s dress just to prepare wine. She should unify her strategy and either drink it or keep it in her hand. In spite of her astonishment, outwardly, she smiled happily.

    ¡°It¡¯s a rare wine with a somewhat pungent aroma.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Cornelia squeezed out her best smile, then bit her lips in frustration. It¡¯s a shame she¡¯s got a lovely smile on her face, she doesn¡¯t deserve it.

    Rishe moved another step closer to Cornelia and stared straight in her eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s very interesting, I¡¯ve never had it back in my country. I¡¯m going to recommend it to His Highness, but where did you get this glass from?¡±

    ¡°Huh! Well, that¡¯s¡­.

    When offered a fight, buy it. It seems that Cornelia was not prepared to do so.

    ¡°I¡¯m, I¡¯m sorry Rishe-sama. It¡¯s a big venue and I forgot where.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pity. Well, let me let His Highness have a taste of this glass. I¡¯ll let him know that the Lady of the Tuna family has treated me well.¡±

    ¡°Er, uhm!¡±

    Cornelia flailed in panic and shook her head.

    ¡°That, it was intended for Rishe-sama, so Rishe-sama should be the one to drink it. No, please don¡¯t! I¡¯m sorry, give that glass back to me¡­Ah!¡±

    In spite of Cornelia¡¯s pale face, Rishe drew the glass near her mouth.

    Then took a sip.

    ¡°Ugh, no¡­¡­¡­.!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just as pungent as I imagined it would be.¡±

    In front of the aghast women, Rishe smiled again.

    ¡°I¡¯m very glad I¡¯ve been so welcomed in this manner¡­.Cornelia-sama, if you don¡¯t mind, may I invite you to a private tea party next time?¡±

    ¡°Wha, me?!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m especially curious to know what the Tuna family¡¯s territory is like.¡±

    Cornelia was in a state of confusion, but she eventually nodded her head.

    (I hope this will work well.)

    Riese¡¯s plans would eventually require land in a warm climate. The Tuna family fiefdom should be appropriate, but she wants to explore some information through Cornelia.

    (I¡¯ll take up a fight. But¡­)

    Holding the wine glass in her left hand, she extended her right hand to Cornelia.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it, Cornelia-sama.¡±

    ¡°Wa, yes¡­.¡±

    (¡ª-Merchants don¡¯t buy and sell without making a profit.)

    In her life as a merchant, the man who mentored her in business once told her sourly.

 Chapter 18 Scars exposed

    Rishe stepped out onto the balcony, and sipped a little wine while listening to the music playing from the hall.

    She tried swirling a bit of it in her mouth and shut her eyes to the stinging spiciness.

    While she was taking sips repeatedly, Arnold suddenly appeared on the empty balcony.

    ¡°¡­What¡¯s with the face?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not frowning at You Highness in disgust.¡±

    Replied Rishe while swirling her glass.

    ¡°It¡¯s just that this wine is so spicy¡­.¡±

    ¡°Spicy? The wine?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a special recipe with chili peppers. I was able to lose weight and put up with the first sip.¡±

    ¡°Have those crappy people been running around harassing you?¡±

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    Arnold asked as he took the glass from Rishe¡¯s hand.

    She wouldn¡¯t have let him do so easily if he were an opponent, in fear of being taken advantage of at the next moment. Arnold sniffed at the content and winced.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to drink this stuff. I¡¯ll throw it away.¡±

    ¡°Oh-no-no, don¡¯t! The wine was courtesy to me, I shouldn¡¯t lose this opportunity to savor the taste. At least drink it with no leftovers.¡±

    Rishe hurriedly retrieved her glass and took another sip.

    However, the spiciness of the pepper is easily dissolved in the spirits. She grimaced at the tingling spiciness that runs on her tongue.

    ¡°¡­.Speak, who are they? I¡¯ll have their heads cut off.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s stupid. Rather than discard those people, better use them wisely.¡±

    With the peppers in the wine, a few servings of it really was tough work. Rishe glared at the wine glass and was suddenly reminded of another matter.

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    ¡°By the way, there¡¯s one thing I do owe you an apology for.¡±

    ¡°Apology?¡±

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve borrowed His Highness¡¯ name as shield.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡±

    This time around, it¡¯s all good thanks to her threat of ¡°conveying Arnold of your harassment.¡±

    Using someone else¡¯s name in a fight isn¡¯t pretty after all. Rishe bowed her head while Arnold sighed in one breath.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with a wife using her husband¡¯s name?¡±

    ¡°¡­Erm, I¡¯m still only your fiancee.¡±

    ¡°Leave it alone. It¡¯s a done deal anyway.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    The glass that Rishe was holding was taken from her again.

    She thought it would be discarded this time, but to her surprise, Arnold swallowed the contents in one go.

    Rishe was speechless. She lowered her head and muttered in disbelief.

    ¡°¡­.spicy¡­.¡±

    ¡°I, I told you so! Are you okay?! Water is better than liquor¡­.!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. More importantly, have I done justice to the wine rationale?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    In other words, Arnold had helped Rishe escape. Since cutting their heads off was ¡°stupid,¡± then he¡¯s letting her ¡°do it her way.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Arnold laughed at her awkward gratitude.

    Then he suddenly asked out of the blue.

    ¡°What were you thinking about when we were dancing?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You were thinking about someone else, not me in front of you. Who was that person?¡±

    Rishe was at a loss for an answer.

    (I met you in another life, five years later)

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    It¡¯s a strangely sweet tone of voice. In spite of this, he stared at her with the eyes of a hunter, with no intention of letting Rishe escape. Nevertheless, she can¡¯t give a straightforward answer.

    ¡°I was worrying about His Highness¡¯ body, not about anyone else.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried?¡±

    Falsifying with a lie that was close to the truth, Rishe blurted out something she¡¯d noticed in the middle of the dance. She indicated his left shoulder with her finger.

    ¡°Were you injured here?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It¡¯s, it¡¯s really just a minor discomfort.

    But it was certainly a catch.

    Arnolt¡¯s left shoulder was only slightly sluggish when compared to his right.

    For example, if the right is equal to 100, the left can be 98. Since his dominant arm is his right, it¡¯s a discrepancy that¡¯s unnoticeable just in a normal dance.

    It was the memories of her previous life that convinced Rishe of this.

    It¡¯s also because of this that Rishe was able to inflict a wound on Arnold.

    Unbeknownst to Arnold at that time, she had this notion that if she were to attack him on the left, she would have had the chance to defeat him.

    As it turned out, her sword skill was insignificant, because Arnold got through Rishe effortlessly.

    ¡°¡­ Fu¡±

    Arnold gave a dark grin. The expression on his face, which seems to be lurid, was also somehow bewitching.

    Instead of answering right off, Arnold reached for his collar and snapped off the clasp with one hand.

    Then he stripped his military armor gently to the side.

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    (Uh¡­.)

    On his exposed neckline was a large scar.

    From the looks of it, it¡¯s a scar that¡¯s hidden by his clothes and extends to an invisible area. It¡¯s probably years old.

    ¡°It¡¯s an old wound. It goes all the way to the shoulder and is a bit mangled.¡±

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s awful.¡±

    Rishe thoughtlessly reached out and gently touched Arnold¡¯s neckline.

    Arnold could have shaken it off, but he silently accepted Rishe¡¯s fingers.

    Tracing it slowly, his scar is something that she can feel even through her gloves.

    (It¡¯s an old scar that looks like a decade old. They were stabbed with a blade¡­ more than once. It¡¯s like he was stabbed in the neck over and over again, intending to kill him¡­)

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    Her memories of being a pharmacist once prompted Rishe into picturing the scene. What came to mind was Arnold, who shed a tremendous amount of blood.

    How did he survive such wounds? On top of that, the fact that he can still move was a miracle.

    Even when the wounds were miraculously healed, he must have gone through epic suffering before he was able to handle the sword as he wanted.

    ¡°Only a few people know about this wound. Not to mention, no one ever figured it out on their own.¡±

    ¡°How did you get these scars?¡±

    ¡°¡­..¡±

    With a dark grin, Arnold looked down at Rishe with eyes narrowed.

    She couldn¡¯t make out his expression more than usual because the moon was behind him, but he must be telling her.

    (¡ª Don¡¯t go any further, I guess.)

    When Rishe pulled her fingers back, his grin that looked a bit feral disappeared.

    Arnold tidied his clothes and refastened the metal fittings around his neck.

    (Arnold Hein almost died in the hands of someone nearly a decade ago. Who was it and for what?)

    Rishe looked down deep in thought.

    (Speaking of those who have the advantage of killing the Crown Prince, the other heirs to the throne and their allies¡­ Arnold Hein must have a younger brother. Though, I¡¯ve never met him yet.)

    This is also a point of concern. Even though Rishe¡¯s title as a ¡°lucrative hostage¡± was in effect, it¡¯s a wonder how often she would be able to meet the royal family.

    In this regard, it may not be the will of the imperial family, but rather Arnold¡¯s intentions. For example, tonight¡¯s party was about to end, but he didn¡¯t inform Rishe.

    ¡°¡­Your Highness, Arnold, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to do.¡±

    Rishe looked up at Arnold.

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    ¡°I¡¯d like to select my lady¡¯s maids in a few days.¡±

    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll tell Oliver to hurry up.¡±

    ¡°No. I would like to choose them myself, rather than bothering Oliver-sama.

    His amused eyes turn to me. The disturbing grin that had been there earlier had completely disappeared, and Arnold was his usual self.

    ¡°What are you up to now?¡±

    ¡°Nothing important. I¡¯m just concerned about the working conditions of the maids.¡±

    With an empty glass in her hand, Rishe thought back of the handmaidens she met at the well.

    To live a long and idle life is to survive first and foremost.

    In order not to be killed at the age of twenty this time, it is probably imperative to prevent the war that Arnold Hein started. And the only thing Rishe can do to increase the chances of preventing the war is to reach out to other dignitaries with whom she has interacted in her previous lives.

    There¡¯s a lot of work to be done for her to take action at the upcoming wedding ceremony.

    (Farm a field, grow medicinal herbs, do a lot of shopping, collect a lot of cheap sake, and then¡­)

    Rishe seriously laid out a plan that seems to have nothing to do with avoiding war.

 Chapter 19 The identity of the maid

    As the evening party at the Royal Castle was coming to an end, a shadow of a boy stood in the dimly lit courtyard of the castle.

    He has fluffy black hair and rounded blue eyes, a boy with a somehow neutral beauty and is around sixteen years old. He¡¯s looking up at the balcony from the palace yard.

    There was a girl within the boy¡¯s sight.

    She is a girl with coral-like hair color, beautiful even from a distance.

    She stayed there for a while as if waiting for someone else, but eventually she was called by a waiter and left the railing.

    The boy stared at the fading sight of her.

    A moment later, a man appeared where the girl was standing.

    The man then glared at him quietly, as if he had known the boy was there all along despite the darkness and the distance from the balcony.

    ¡°~~~~ ¡­¡­!¡±

    A creepy chill ran down the boy¡¯s back and he reflexively whimpered.

    That man¡¯s spicy murderous air is what the boy likes best of all. However, that air of warning disappeared as the man retreated.

    ¡°Oh, man. You¡¯re not going to play with me today¡­..¡±

    The boy looked down and muttered regretfully. It¡¯s probably because of that beautiful girl he saw earlier.

    ¡°I miss you, older brother.¡±

    The boy had been grumpy ever since the day she arrived.

    It wasn¡¯t necessary for his older brother to forbid him to attend such an evening party. The only regret, however, was that the opportunity to speak to her head-on was distant.

    ¡°But I¡¯m making preparations for a proper greeting soon. ¡­you know, sister-in-law.¡±

    The boy whispered in a soft voice.

    *****

    ¡°Jeez, you are all useless.¡±

    A girl¡¯s voice echoed in the small stone laundry.

    The red-haired maid, Diana, looked triumphant over the newcomer-looking maid. Rishe, who was doing the laundry in the midst of the other maids, looked up without stopping her hand.

    It¡¯s been three days since Rishe, who lives alone in a detached palace, began to sneak off to do her laundry under the watchful eye of her knights. She got to see the spectacle of an angry Diana and cowering newcomers on a daily basis.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you even do your own laundry? I asked you to do the job this morning, and it¡¯s not finished yet by noon. We have already finished cleaning the ground floor one third of that time!¡±

    ¡°So, sorry Diana-san¡­.¡±

    The new maids braced themselves in horror. Among them was Elise, whom Rishe had rescued and woken up the other day.

    Rishe took her bubbly hands out of the tub and rinsed them lightly before speaking to Elise and the others.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Where¡¯s the rest of the laundry?¡±

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    ¡°¡­It¡¯s you again.¡±

    Turning around, Diana glared fiercely at Rishe.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know which you belong to, but I really envy you. You¡¯re so bored, you can often afford to help people every day.¡±

    She spat as she turned the other side.

    ¡°Let¡¯s use these useless recruits alone. Come on Laura, Maya, if you want to be chosen as the Crown Princess¡¯ handmaidens, you can¡¯t just sit around here and do nothing.¡±

    Diana took a sheet of paper out of her apron pocket and looked over the writing.

    ¡°Today, it looks like the list from the Royal Villa will be sent. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get a better reputation if you carry out your tasks without the chamberlain telling you to do so!¡±

    ¡°Oh, wait for us, Diana!

    ¡°The two maids left the laundry area, scrambling after Diana.

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    After the door closed, Rishe grinned at Elise and the others.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s get on with it. If you have a big one that takes a lot of time, turn it over this way.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for always helping us¡­.!¡±

    The new maids were both frightened and relieved. Some of the girls were on the verge of tears and bowed their heads to Rishe several times. Rishe turned and washed the sheets with Elise around the tub.

    Elise mumbled morosely.

    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s because it¡¯s taking us forever to learn our jobs¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only been the fifth day for everyone in the castle, isn¡¯t it?¡¡Everyone¡¯s untrained in the beginning.¡±

    Rishe replied while rubbing the sheets against the washboard.

    ¡°In the first place. Elise-san is not at all unfamiliar with washing, right?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Elise nodded sheepishly at Rishe¡¯s conjecture.

    They¡¯ve all been doing laundry together for the past few days, and She¡¯d noticed that the newcomers gathered here aren¡¯t all incapable of doing the laundry.

    The girls recruited in the castle had probably been helping out with household chores and such until now. When they have tasks right in front of them, they are able to move properly.

    Nonetheless, what Diana said was also true.

    They spend longer time than usual in front of their not-so-much laundry.

    (But the reason for that is obvious.)

    Rishe asked Elise about one more thing that has been bothering her.

    ¡°Have you ever heard of Diana-san¡¯s past?¡¡Like if she came from a wealthy family.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes. I¡¯ve heard that her father had a number of shops and that Diana was studying then.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of that too. As I recall, he got into debt and all of her father¡¯s shops were sold away.¡±

    After listening to the maids, Rishe paused from scrubbing the sheets and pondered.

    Inexperienced newcomers are under pressure from their seniors. It¡¯s up to Rishe how to deal with them.

    ¡°Um, are you done with that?¡±

    Elise asked me anxiously and smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s get these laundry out of the way for now.¡±

    ****

    That afternoon, thirty handmaidens gathered at the Royal Villa in the Royal Palace.

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    There were ten members chosen from the handmaidens who originally worked in the castle, and twenty new recruits from the castle grounds. Among them, twenty maid servants for the crown princess will be selected.

    When they were told that today was the announcement day of the results of the selection, the girls fidgeted nervously.

    ¡°Hey. It has been rumored that the Royal Villa was in a terrible condition due to neglect, but everywhere looks quite shiny, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I wonder if any of the servants have been here to clean the place up.¡±

    ¡°What kind of person is Rishe-sama do you think? Oh, the thrill of it¡­.¡±

    Some of the chambermaids were having secret conversations with each other, while some searched the grounds for someone.¡±

    ¡°Elise, that girl who always stands up for you is nowhere to be seen.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­.¡±

    ¡°See, Diana, that cheeky newcomer hasn¡¯t even been shortlisted in the first place.¡±

    With one of her cohorts pointing that out, Diana felt proud of her victory.

    ¡°You bet. After all, to serve the Crown Princess, you have to have a certain amount of decorum. Even if that cocky girl were shortlisted, I bet she¡¯ll be removed!¡±

    Her eyes were sparkling with the confidence of someone who¡¯ll surely be chosen.

    Before long, a knock sounded in the room where the handmaidens had been ushered.

    ¡°Rishe-sama has arrived. Everyone, please bow down.¡±

    At the command of the chamberlain, the handmaidens immediately lowered their heads. Diana also bowed her head in anticipation, with plenty of room to spare.

    The sound of shoes echoed as a woman walked steadily before Diana and the others. A fluffy dress was on the edge of her vision and smelled somehow gentle and refreshing.

    Even before they could see that figure, they can tell that Crown Princess Rishe is a wonderful woman. Diana and the others felt proud at the thought that she was going to be their Mistress from now on.

    However, Laura, who was beside Diana, whispered in a tiny voice.

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    ¡°Hey, Diana, don¡¯t you find this scent somewhat familiar?¡±

    ¡°Hmph, don¡¯t talk to me right now.¡±

    It is the unique scent of the Crown Princess. It must be some kind of luxury perfume. Diana thought so, then suddenly backtracked.

    ¡°¡­.Soap.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Diana, what did you say?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s soap. This is the one we use in the laundry, the one we always¡­¡±

    It was at the same moment that a voice proved her conjecture true.

    ¡°Please, everyone, raise your heads up.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    No, it can¡¯t be!

    That can¡¯t be true, but the voice was awfully familiar.

    Diana and the others tensed terribly and looked forward in trepidation. Half in prayer and half fraught in fear.

    Followed by gasps.

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    ¡°I am Riche Ilmgard Wertsner.¡±

    There stood the beautiful girl who had been an eyesore for the past few days.

    And also with the gentlest smile on her face.

 Chapter 20 Her Judgement

    (Thank goodness the sheets were washed in time!)

    Standing in front of the maidservants, Rishe was inwardly nervous, while being introduced by Oliver, Arnold¡¯s squire.

    There had been so much to do this morning that she had to put off the laundry until later today. She exhaled softly so that no one would notice that she had just managed to get ready and come over.

    Unaware of Rishe¡¯s musings, Oliver explained to the assembled girls.

    ¡°You were nominated as maidservant candidates because His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, has asked for people closer in age to help Her Royal Highness, Lady Rishe, who will be the future Crown Princess. Those chosen should bear this in mind.¡±

    As a matter of fact, this was the first time she has heard of this, but that has to be left aside for now. Rishe examined the faces of the girls gathered.

    Elise¡¯s mouth was hanging open in obvious surprise. She seemed to have so much emotional ups and downs to the situation, but for once, it was understandable.

    (Sorry. I thought the best way to get a genuine picture of your situations was to speak to you as the same handmaiden.)

    The other new maidservants in the room were as stunned as Elise with their eyes shining as they looked at Rishe.

    On the other hand, Dianna and the other senior maidservants looked terribly pale.

    Some were shaking with their teeth clattering. Others were unable to utter a word, flapping their mouths open and shut. Some stood around with abandon, while others were on the verge of tears.

    They were all the girls who had thrown harsh words at Rishe, who had been lurking as a maidservant.

    Their leader, Dianna, held a hand to her mouth, to muffle her shriek just now.

    ¡°Well, then, Rishe-sama, please give them your instructions.¡±

    ¡°..Okay.¡±

    After Oliver¡¯s introduction, Rishe stepped forward quickly.

    ¡°First of all, I¡¯d like to apologize for what I have done. I¡¯m sorry for the deceitful way I¡¯ve met you. ¡ª But thanks to you, I was able to take a closer look at your work.¡±

    Oliver next to her was baffled. On the other hand, the newly recruited maid servants became jittery at once.

    ¡°¡­What should we do? Come to think of it, we had Rishe-sama help us with our laundry!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure to get fired for this! Without my salary, my brother won¡¯t be able to go to school¡­¡±

    Perhaps, the newcomers could no longer control their anxiety, and they began to vent it in whispers. Hearing the buzz, Oliver whispered with a troubled look on his face.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, you mentioned something about your work a while ago¡­ In fact, two-thirds of the people here are amateurs who have just been gathered from the castle grounds.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because there are hundreds of maidservants in the castle, but most of them are of advanced age. Normally, we should have chosen those who were excellent in their jobs¡­ But His Highness Arnold asked us to make sure that the maidservants are around Lady Rishe¡¯s age so you could get along well with them.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk more about that later.¡±

    Indeed, he thought it strange to hire newbies from the castle as candidates for Rishe¡¯s maidservant. But now wasn¡¯t the time to ponder over Arnold¡¯s intentions.

    ¡°I was told that choosing the maidservants was up to Rishe-sama, but no matter what, we can¡¯t have inexperienced maid servants for the future Crown Princess.¡±

    Oliver took out a sheet of paper from his pocket.

    ¡°I have a list here with the names of the new recruits. Please inform them that they haven¡¯t been selected. Let¡¯s fortify Rishe-sama¡¯s handmaidens with those with a little more experience.¡±

    ¡°Oliver-sama.¡±

    ¡°Let me start off with, Elise¡­¡±

    ¡°Miss Elise, Miss Nicole, Miss Hilde, Miss Margarette, Miss Rose¡­¡±

    ¡°Nah¡­¡±

    Rishe named the girls¡¯ without looking at the paper, much less listening to what Oliver had to say, calling them by their names herself.

    The eyes of the newcomers, whom Rishe named, rounded. All of them were faces she¡¯d seen in the laundry area at least once.

    ¡°Miss Ericka, Miss Amelia, and¡­¡±

    ¡°Well, don¡¯t tell me you remember all of them?! You weren¡¯t even assigned to you. A mere servant¡¯s name¡­¡±

    ¡°I remember. Without these servants, we won¡¯t be able to keep our daily lives going.¡±

    After replying to Oliver, she called out the remaining names and then turned to the maidservants.

    ¡°That¡¯s all. I¡¯d like to address the twenty.¡±

    The newcomers freaked out and tensed up.

    Some of them shrank back and trembled. Dianna and the other maidservants, who hadn¡¯t been called by name, looked triumphant.

    Facing them, Rishe announced.

    ¡°The twenty people whose names I have just called out will be my maidservants.¡±

    ¡°¡­Uh¡­.¡±

    The air in the place froze, and Oliver let out a startled cry.

    ¡°R-Rishe-sama! Those names are the newcomers¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I would love for them to work here at the Royal Castle.¡±

    Even the newcomers who were supposed to be told that they weren¡¯t hired were in a state of disbelief, as if they had no idea what was going on.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Elise.¡±

    ¡°Wha-at?! Um, yes, um, but uhm ¡ª¡±

    Elise remained stuck there stammering. It was Dianna¡¯s trembling voice that rose before she could speak.

    ¡°Why, Rishe-sama! Rishe-sama must have seen them in action; how useless and inexperienced these newbies are! While we have done a lot of work in the shortest amount of time!!¡±

    ¡°Hey, you! You¡¯re being disrespectful to Rishe-sama!¡±

    Even when Oliver rebuked her, Dianna continued desperately.

    ¡°I will be of good service to you, Rishe-sama!¡¡I¡¯ll do any job I can get my hands on!¡¡So, please¡­!¡±

    ¡°You, back away! Don¡¯t come any closer to Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, I was¡ª I¡¯m so sorry for being so rude to Rishe-sama! But I didn¡¯t know who you were!! But I promise I¡¯ll make it up to you, I¡¯ll make it right! So, please, please, look at my abilities as a maidservant!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe stared at her.

    ¡°Dianna, I want to ask you to do something for me.¡±

    ¡°Ah~ Thank you very much Rishe-sama! When you say ¡®ask¡¯, you mean, I¡­¡±

    Dianna breathed a sigh of relief, looking reassured.

    However, Rishe continued to stare at her right in the eye.

    ¡°You are to resign as a maidservant, effective immediately.¡±

    ¡°..Eh¡ª¡±

    Dianna¡¯s face quickly turned pale.

    ¡°Wha¡­why? I¡¯m so much better than these slow working newbies! I¡¯ll do every job perfectly, I promise¡­!¡¡So, you must hire me!¡±

    ¡°Hey, Dianna¡ª¡±

    Rishe shed off the polite tone she¡¯d been using on these girls and called calmly.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you take notice? These newly hired girls weren¡¯t bad at their jobs.¡±

    ¡°¡­ What do you mean¡­?¡±

    ¡°So, can you remember? You were once new to the castle. What has ever troubled you?¡±

    Bewildered, Dianna¡¯s eyes wandered as if to ask for help.

    But soon enough, she looked at Rishe as if she had an idea, and slowly opened her mouth.

 Chapter 21.2 Letâ€™s start all over again

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, guys. I thought I¡¯d become someone who had nothing. I lost my home and fortune, my family¡¯s backing and had to live on my own! I¡¯ve made it this far from scratch, so it was unfair of me to presume that you weren¡¯t up to the task¡­!¡±

    Dianna¡¯s shoulders shook from her crying, covering her face with both hands.

    But it wasn¡¯t! I had never started from scratch! Everything I¡¯d been taught remained with me. Yet I didn¡¯t even realize how blessed I was. Have I got carried away saying things I shouldn¡¯t have?

    ¡°Diana-san¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m really sorry¡­¡±

    The newbies rushed over to her as she sat down, surprised by her outright apology.

    ¡°That¡¯s not true, Dianna-san. We¡¯re the ones who are sorry for being unreliable.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, Dianna-san might be scary, but her work has always been spot on! So do the other seniors. So, please¡­¡±

    ¡°No. I deserved not being chosen as a maidservant. Because this¡­¡±

    ¡°Dianna.¡±

    Rishe reached out to her and smiled softly.

    ¡°I told you. I have a favor to ask of you.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡­¡±

    ¡°I want this Royal Castle to be a training ground for new handmaidens.¡±

    When she said this, the maidservants on the spot buzzed. Not only them, even Oliver¡¯s eyes rounded.

    ¡°Those of you who have no experience will learn the work of a maid here. Of course, not with the ¡®watch and learn¡¯ method, but with close guidance. You can ask questions as frequently as you want until you learn. Once you have mastered the skills of a maid, you will be promoted to the Main Castle, where the Royal Family resides.¡±

    The problems that Dianna, Elise and the others have run into were the same ones that were happening in other castles and noble residences.

    Those doing daily work didn¡¯t have the time to teach the newbies, so they had no choice but to acquire skills in their respective ways or quit the job because it wasn¡¯t working for them.

    Perhaps those who quit under such circumstances could have performed to their full potential if only they had been taught properly.

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    Conversely, it was also possible for those who have learned through self-study or mimicry to commit crucial mistakes.

    However, if they were trained properly somewhere, this problem would be solved.

    And this could be done in Rishe¡¯s castle.

    ¡°As Dianna said, once you¡¯ve acquired a skill, it will be an everlasting asset. You have to learn to read and write, perform your jobs, and commit your tasks to memory. Once you¡¯ve acquired them, they are a weapon you can use wherever you go. When you¡¯re about to be kicked out of a workplace, or have to live a different life, I¡¯m sure they will come in handy.¡±

    The eyes of those maids, who were scared of being rejected in this castle earlier, sparkled at Rishe¡¯s words.

    ¡°So the twenty newbies will be my handmaidens. ¡ª And Dianna, I¡¯d like you to be my assistant in teaching them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be Rishe-sama¡¯s assistant?¡±

    ¡°From now on, all maids who come to the castle will study for an hour or so a day. I want Dianna and your friends to play the role of teachers and to prepare teaching materials for their studies. I also need you to make a work manual for when they learn to read.¡±

    ¡°We are the teachers¡­ make teaching materials¡­ and manuals?¡±

    Dianna gawped.

    She looked like she couldn¡¯t think straight after being given a choice that she had never ever imagined. Rishe gently took out Dianna¡¯s notes, which she had kept in her pocket.

    ¡°This, I¡¯ve seen it.¡±

    ¡°H-How did Rishe-sama find that?¡±

    I will keep my mouth shut on that question. I can¡¯t tell you that I joined the maidservants cleaning up the main castle this morning to find your notes.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got the gist right down to it, and the writing is clean and clear. If you have the talent to write down what you¡¯ve seen and heard and memorized so well, I think you¡¯re the right man for the job of making teaching materials.¡±

    ¡°¡­..¡±

    When she told her that wholeheartedly, Dianna¡¯s face, which had been abashed until now, turned flushed red.

    ¡°W-Why are you praising me so after all those insults I¡¯ve hurled at you?¡±

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    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    Dianna bit her lips tightly and took the hand that Rishe offered her.

    Standing up, she bowed her head deeply and said.

    ¡°I will continue to do my best.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡±

    Rishe then turned to Elise and the other new handmaidens.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you all have a lot to learn for a while, too. If things get too hard, you can always talk to me.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes!!¡±

    *****

    When Squire Oliver returned to the main castle, his master, Arnold, who was at his desk in his office, said without even looking at him.

    ¡°Has Rishe decided on her handmaidens?¡±

    ¡°About that, my lord.¡±

    Oliver walked over to his master.

    ¡°Do you remember? There used to be a problem in the castle ¨C prone to being understaffed ¨C because of the quick turnover in new servants.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. We have raised wages to reduce the turnover rate. Even so, the current situation is only slightly better than it was then.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Rishe-sama will eventually come up with a permanent solution.¡±

    Arnold looked up from his papers at his response.

    ¡°She found a talented woman among the handmaidens to create teaching materials and declared that she would establish a training system centered on new recruits. Moreover, she charmed the newcomers into learning by saying ¡®the skills you acquire will be an everlasting asset¡¯.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°The maids were so moved and delighted. I thought there was a faction between the newcomers and the senior handmaidens, but today, they were holding each other¡¯s hands.¡±

    ¡°¡­Ah. I see.¡±

    Arnold laughed with satisfaction and continued to move his pen again.

    ¡°Well, have you expected this? You don¡¯t seem too surprised, though.¡±

    ¡°Is this something I could predict. Well, I was expecting her to do something hilarious.¡±

    ¡°It would be disrespectful to your future wife if you were too blatantly amused¡­¡±

    Oliver shrugged and then blurted out.

    ¡°But, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll have fun, too. I wonder what feats she could accomplish in the future.¡±

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    ¡°Oliver~¡±

    Arnold lowered his eyes and said in a voice slightly lower than usual.

    ¡°Rishe isn¡¯t a wife brought in for the benefit of the royal family or the national interest.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After sighing, Oliver replied, ¡°I understand,¡± and resumed helping his master.

 Chapter 21.1 Letâ€™s start all over again

    ¡°¡­ I-I didn¡¯t know how to¡­.¡±

    She began to list them one by one, remembering them as she went along.

    ¡°I had washed shirts and sheets before I came to the castle after my family fell into ruins. But I had no idea how I should wash the dresses or military uniforms that I had never seen before.¡±

    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s a given.¡±

    ¡°The seniors were busy running around, and they said, [We don¡¯t have time to teach you. Watch me work, and learn], so I did. I wanted to ask what I didn¡¯t understand, but it was hard to do so¡­¡±

    ¡°Okay. What else?¡±

    ¡°There was so much to learn, different soaps and washboards were used depending on the type of cloth material. Different soaps and washboards were used for different cloths, and different tools were used for different cleaning areas. It wasn¡¯t just the types of tools, but also the places where each tool was stored that were so complicated¡­ I wasn¡¯t allowed to ask questions again after I¡¯d been taught once.¡±

    The newbies exchanged looks in astonishment and Rishe knew why.

    What Dianna had just said were the exact same things that were bothering them and kept delaying their tasks.

    They have searched around without knowing where to find the tools, Those whom they¡¯ve tried to ask were too occupied and so they returned in dejection. This was the kind of trouble that all newbies have to deal with.

    ¡°¡­But!! I grew fully-fledged in that kind of situation all by myself! The day after I came to the castle, I was able to do what I was taught the day before. Unlike these girls!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s only one major difference between you and these newbies.¡±

    After listening to Dianna¡¯s arguments , Rishe told her.

    ¡°These girls are illiterate!¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡­!¡±

    At the same time as Dianna¡¯s eyes rounded, Elise looked down.

    The literacy rate of the general public was similar in every country. Few families, especially when it came to women, were willing to spend the high cost of educating them.

    Born into a merchant family, Dianna learned reading and writing and was able to cope. She and her good friends and the other maidservants were probably in a similar situation.

    But a lot of maids weren¡¯t.

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    ¡°Your job description is explained to you only once. If you can¡¯t record it yourself to review later on ¨C how confident are you that you could do your job as well as you do now?¡±

    ¡°T-That¡¯s not¡­¡±

    Dianna unconsciously ran her hand over her apron pocket. She tucked a note in there with the various schedules for the day, making sure it was neat for her to work smoothly.

    That was why she knew exactly how much help being ¡®literate¡¯ could bring.

    And how hard it was for maidservants who weren¡¯t. It was too easy to notice those who couldn¡¯t read or write.

    ¡°These girls are all working just as hard as you are. Think about it, remember how you were in the past.¡±

    ¡°Me, in the past¡­¡±

    Dianna flopped down, as if she had lost strength.

    ¡°¡­I-I-I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

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    ¡°Diana-senpai?¡±

 Chapter 22.1 Confronting the former boss

    Wind-driven petals fluttered down the Royal Castle of Garkhain.

    Rishe in a linen dress was maneuvering a hoe in her hand to flatten the bumpy soil.

    This place was the part of the courtyard that she had coaxed and borrowed from Arnold during the evening party a few days ago.

    (With an area this big, it¡¯ll be fine for the time being.)

    I looked around at the area I tilled yesterday and was satisfied with the results.

    The several buckets placed beside them were filled with thick layers of mulch. The healthy soil was gathered from under the deciduous trees in the garden.

    I managed to lift up a bucket and spread the mulch on the ground. By the time I finished scattering them all over the ground, my arms were numb.

    (I need to start working out seriously.)

    This body, which belonged to a delicate young lady until recently, has puny strength and muscular power. It was far from being a knight, let alone the life of a pharmacist working in the fields.

    Even though my mind knew how to move my body, my body couldn¡¯t keep up.

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    That said, she still wanted to persist longer. Rishe regained her spirits and began hacking up the soil on which she had sprinkled the mulch with the hoe in her hand.

    Carefully, yet firmly, aerating the soil while mixing the soil and mulch.

    While she removed any visible weed roots, she didn¡¯t fuss over them much. Sometimes it was interesting to see flowers and plants that she couldn¡¯t remember sprouting up between the plants she was growing.

    The knights standing a distance away also watched Rishe¡¯s work with interest. Then Dianna came over and her eyes rounded.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, what on earth are you doing?¡±

    ¡°This? I¡¯m working on a field.¡±

    ¡°Field¡­ The Crown Prince¡¯s fianc¨¦e is¡­.¡±

    After mixing the mulch painstakingly, ridges of fluffy soil were completed.

    She¡¯d like to sow the seeds right away, but it would be better to let them acclimate in the sun for a few days. Rishe wiped the sweat from her forehead and grinned at a pouting Dianna.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting. So can you show me what you¡¯ve come up with?¡±

    ¡°Hah! Yes, please!¡±

    Dianna looked nervous as she held out the document in her hands.

    On it was a pretty drawing of a broom and a rag, along with carefully written characters.

    ¡°I thought that the first words for the newbies to learn should be about cleaning supplies!¡±

    Devoid of her apron, Dianna who was dressed in her maid¡¯s uniform, fumbled with the hem of her dress.

    She had been appointed as the maidservants¡¯ trainer, and Rishe had given her one directive. That was, ¡®to decide what to teach the rookies first.¡¯

    ¡°That way, they¡¯ll use it for their daily tasks and it would be easy for them to feel that what they¡¯re learning is useful.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I think it¡¯s very good.¡±

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    Rishe smiled and nodded, and Dianna¡¯s face lit up in a flash. However, it soon turned cloudy with a lack of confidence.

    ¡°But, I¡¯ve been thinking that they¡¯d be happier knowing their own names first rather than the names of their cleaning tools.¡±

    ¡°Yes. It is certainly a good idea to incorporate such concerns, but¡­¡±

    Rishe was reminded of the sons in the mansion she had come in contact with in her life as a lady¡¯s maid.

    They learned how to write their names with their tutors, practiced hard, and then came to show it to Rishe. She smiled at this nostalgic memory and shared her thoughts with Dianna.

    ¡°It¡¯s something that students can¡¯t review or teach each other when forgotten. And it¡¯s time-consuming for the teacher to explain it all at once.¡±

    ¡°Oh! I see, it certainly is!¡±

    At Rishe¡¯s words, Dianna let out a breath of relief. Apparently, she had been wondering about this for a long time.

    ¡°As you¡¯ve mentioned, it¡¯s nice to be able to ¡®put what you learn to work right away¡¯. If I were a student, I¡¯d be very happy.¡±

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    ¡°Yes! Thank you¡­!¡±

    Dianna¡¯s eyes lit up as she hugged the paper that Rishe returned to her.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, doing these sort of things are fun. It¡¯s much more fun thinking about how to help than trying to figure out what nasty things to say.¡±

    ¡°Fufu, that¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°But, why would Lady Rishe do so much for us?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±

    Just as Rishe stammered a bit, Elise, her handmaiden, came from the other side.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, it¡¯s time to get ready.¡±

    Rishe merely nodded at her impassive reminder.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Dianna, I have to go now. Can you proceed with the teaching material exactly as I told you?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Leave it to me!¡±

    ¡°Dianna-senpai¡­ Can you teach me again after dinner tonight?¡±

    ¡°Fufu, of course. I won¡¯t let you sleep until you¡¯ve finished two pages today, so keep that in mind!¡±

 Chapter 22.2 Confronting the former boss

    After watching Elise and Dianna¡¯s conversation with a smile, Rishe headed to her room in the Royal Palace.

    ¡°Your bath is ready.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I need to get this sweat and mud off first. When I get out of the bath I have to dry my hair and change into the most expensive dress I have. Elise, can you help me tie my hair up?¡±

    Rishe was giddy with excitement, imagining the guest that would be visiting later. Elise sauntered behind her and nodded her head curiously.

    ¡°I heard that our guest is a merchant. Is it necessary for you to dress up expensively?¡±

    ¡°Yes. For now, it might be one of the ingredients.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    A few hours later, Tully, the merchant chairman of the Aria Trading Company, arrived.

    The Aria Trading Company belonged to a group of merchants who picked Rishe up in her first life. And Tully, the chairman, was the one who taught Rishe what it meant to be a merchant.

    How to determine the value of products and trading partners; how to invest money, and lucrative businesses that shouldn¡¯t be touched.

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    For Rishe, Tully was a master of commerce.

    With them on her side, she could have a wider option down the road.

    Whether when she got divorced and kicked out of Garkhain, or when the war left her short of supplies, the trading company would certainly be of help. Of course, if Rishe could pay a reasonable price by that time.

    (Anyway, once I make a track record of big business deals, that¡¯s how I¡¯ll connect with them. The question is, how can I convince that chairman?)

    While cleansing herself in the bath and changing into her fine dress, Rishe did a lot of math.

    (The Aria Trading Company in this era has just been established and is still not that big. A wedding ceremony of the Garkhain Royal Family is a business deal that a normal trade company would want to sign at all costs. Should I¡­)

    She felt like sighing as Elise styled her dry hair in a knot. After all the preparations, Rishe checked herself in the mirror.

    Her hair was fluffily curled and her dress was a bright red color for the eyes. From earrings to rings, she wore as much jewelry as she could, plus a feather fan in her hand.

    (Hmm¡­A bit more flair would probably make me look like a ¡®good shopaholic sucker.¡¯ I don¡¯t mind if he says, ¡®Look at this show-off, spending as much money as she can on the wedding.¡¯)

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame. In fact, Rishe-sama was supposed to look beautiful and dignified with your hair pulled back in a bun to match your dress¡­¡±

    Elise was a little sullen. She said she used to tie her younger sisters¡¯ hair and pick out their daily clothes for them. She was also outstandingly proficient at dressing them up. And Rishe, who could prep herself up, also wanted to rely on her in the future.

    ¡°Thank you, Elise. But today, this is the guise of the game.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Meanwhile, the news of Aria Trading Company¡¯s arrival arrived.

    Accompanied by two knight guards, they headed to the reception room of the main castle. The Royal Palace where Rishe resided didn¡¯t have a reception room yet.

    When she stood in front of the reception room, the butler, who bowed politely, opened the door for her. First, one of the knights went in to ensure that it was safe, and then he bowed to Rishe.

    After expressing her thanks, she entered the room and found a man standing there.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Kane Tully, chairman of the Aria Trading Company. Congratulations on your wedding!¡±

    Tully, with a seemingly amiable smile on his face, inclined his head towards Rishe.

    He had shaved off the stubble he always grew and brushed back his hair, which tended to bounce around due to his sleep habits, unlike the man Rishe knew so well.

    It seemed that he hasn¡¯t got a hangover.

    ¡°I¡¯m Rishe Irmgard Wertzner. Thank you for coming all the way. Please have a seat.

    ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡±

    Tully waited for Rishe to take a seat, and sat down in the chair across from her. Though he was just smiling, he had already examined Rishe in a second with his droopy eyes, which ladies in the tavern acclaimed as ¡®sexy and dreamy¡¯!

    (As expected, just one look at me and he¡¯d be able to see through all this.)

    Nevertheless, it was a glance that was completely imperceptible, unless one was wary of being appraised from the onset.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good season for it. Is Lady Rishe¡¯s wedding set in the middle of August? Then, you¡¯re going to be a bride of the summer sky. That¡¯s truly wonderful! I am envious of all the people of Garkhain that such a beautiful woman is the future Queen of the nation.¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s too good to be true!¡±

    While smiling and dismissing social compliments, scenes of the past flashed through Rishe¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Bwahahaha!¡¡Sure enough, you couldn¡¯t see that the sapphire was a fake, you idiot!¡¡I had a bet with people in the Trading Company on whether or not you¡¯d fall for that middleman¡¯s tricks. Thanks to that, I¡¯m the only one to win. Thanks also to my inexperienced subordinates, I¡¯ve made a fortune.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Rishe, your graduation exam. If you want to be part of my business in the future, go recoup the loss of the 5 million gold that your seniors took out. Oh, and just so you know, no more than a week.¡±

    ¡°Please, Rishe, please!¡¡Could you explain to Aria that the woman with me last night was just a friend?¡±

    Unwittingly, she had a distant look in her eyes. Tully, in front of her, of course, didn¡¯t know that Rishe had seen his true nature.

    ¡°A white wedding dress would look great on Lady Rishe with your hair color, don¡¯t you think? For example, how about styling it with thin layers of silk?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    The flow of the conversation turned to proposals before she knew it.

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    Did it mean that they were now having a negotiation? Well, it seemed that she has passed the first stage, Rishe was relieved.

    ¡°That¡¯s totally fantastic, Chairman Tully. I¡¯m sure you already know, I¡¯d like to have your reputable Aria Trading Company to provide us with all of the items to be used in the wedding.¡±

    ¡°Okay-Okay! How kind of you to say that to a small business like ours!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s get right to it. Do you have something for me today? I¡¯d love to see it.¡±

    According to the messenger, he wanted to have a business meeting related to the wedding. Perhaps the Trading Company has come with a pile of goods in their wagons that could be sold to Rishe.

    (Once a deal is done, everything will be off to a good start. If I can get through the first meeting with this chairman¡­)

    ¡°Lady Rishe.¡±

    Tully smiled at Rishe.

    ¡°I have nothing to offer you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 23.1 Could she beat her former boss?

    When Tully shrugged, Rishe froze involuntarily.

    ¡°My bad, I apologize. Perhaps, that¡¯s a poor choice of words.¡±

    ¡°Chairman Tully¡­¡±

    ¡°But as I said, we can¡¯t accommodate you in our company.¡±

    ¡°And why is that?¡±

    The power of the Aria Trading Company was absolutely necessary for the measures Rishe has in mind for the future.

    The network of contacts and business routes that Tully would be expanding in the future and the suppliers to the artisans who develop products ¨C having a connection with them who would develop into a global scale within a few years would lend her more hands in gaining control over dignitaries of various nations.

    Tully maintained that deceptive smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s because the commodities we can offer now don¡¯t meet your conditions.¡±

    ¡°As for my conditions, I¡­¡±

    ¡°It seems that you¡¯re risking your life on this deal.¡±

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    I felt like he could see through my resolve and my expression almost changed spontaneously.

    Droopy eyes framed by long lashes, blatantly probed Rishe this time. That look probably meant, [I have no intention of hiding my measuring gaze any longer.]

    ¡°If our Trading Company fails to complete the deal, we will incur some serious losses ¡ª I¡¯ve seen more than a few faces of people with that kind of desperate resolve to the point of rotting.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°You carry more resolve than anyone I¡¯ve ever seen in my life. Despite the fact that you¡¯re only purchasing items for your wedding from a mere merchant.¡±

    Rishe¡¯s mind was filled with the words Tully had once said to her.

    [Become a merchant chosen by your customers, offer them products and value that they can only get through us. ¡ª Once that happens, we¡¯ll get to be the ones to choose our customers.]

    Tully, in fact, has always had a good eye on who he was dealing with.

    Even if it was a big client, he would not do business with a customer who would lead to a loss in the long run or who wasn¡¯t in the best interest of the Trading Company.

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    Rishe was on the verge of being sieved and eliminated right now.

    ¡°This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.¡±

    She smiled softly, trying to mask her agitation as much as possible.

    ¡°That¡¯s why, I¡¯m just nervous about the arrangements. I¡¯m too embarrassed of my inexperience.¡±

    ¡°Haha, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m sure your wedding will be a wonderful affair¡­ Unfortunately, what our company can offer you is totally insufficient.¡±

    Tully stood up and gave a deliberately reverent bow.

    ¡°Chairman Tully¡­¡±

    ¡°It was an honor to hear from you. Even so, Garkhain is indeed a wonderful country. We would like to forget about our work for a while and enjoy a few days of sightseeing. This servant is thankful that we¡¯ve been given a nice place to stay.¡±

    ¡°Please wait, chairman. I just need a few more minutes of your time¨C¡±

    ¡°Goodbye, Your Highness, the lovely future Crown Princess.¡±

    Tully left the reception room shortly before Rishe could hold him back.

    ***

    (I didn¡¯t even have an island to cling to¡­)

    With her teacup in hand, Rishe mused absentmindedly.

    She removed the lot of jewelry she was wearing and changed into something more comfortable to move around in, and joined the table at the Royal Palace.

    There were some freshly baked cookies in front of her, but she doesn¡¯t have the energy to bring them to her mouth.

    (I was definitely nervous, but I didn¡¯t mean to show it on my face. I can¡¯t believe he refused to do business with me after seeing through me in that instant¡­)

    No matter how many times I was reborn, I don¡¯t feel like I can beat Tully at all. While I¡¯m pondering the various reasons for my defeat, the handmaidens are chatting happily.

    ¡°¡­ He finally proposed to me that night!¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s great!¡±

    This was a tea party time when maids who had finished their daily study sessions enjoyed sweets and chatting. Basically, it was just a gathering for the girls, but Rishe decided to join in as well every few days.

    Today, however, their conversations fell on deaf ears.

    ¡°I¡¯m jealous. I want to marry someone nice too.¡±

    (Still, I wonder if it¡¯s simply a case of being forewarned. He¡¯s not someone who jumps into a lucrative business venture without a second thought, no matter how lucrative it seems to be.)

    ¡°Me too! I¡¯m also yearning for someone like that!¡±

 Chapter 23.2

    (However, just how much detailed information could that Chairman get from just one look on my face? Right! He¡¯s a cautious guy, but from the way he looks, he seems like he loves to take a gamble or two¡­)

    I have a lot of thoughts, but I can only conclude this one thing.

    (The chairman rejected me¡­ This is an irrefutable fact.)

    Rishe felt deeply dejected.

    With the help of the Trading Company, establish relationships with dignitaries in various countries.

    Avoid war by reaching out to those dignitaries.

    Avoid war and live a long and comfortable life.

    It was partly because of those goals. But now, more than anything else, the fact that her former boss rejected her was gouging her heart.

    However, in the corner of that depressing feeling, something niggled at her.

    (¡­What is it? It¡¯s strange.)

    ¡°Speaking of dreamy marriages, Rishe-sama, how did His Highness court you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I was wanting to hear of that too! All the girls in the castle are curious to know the story of Rishe-sama and His Highness Arnold. That¡¯s right!

    (The Chairman said they¡¯re staying in an inn and would do some sightseeing. Why did you bother to tell me that they¡¯ll be staying in Garkhain¡­)

    ¡°¡­Rishe-sama?¡±

    As the maids stared at her curiously, one thing occurred to Rishe.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry everyone. I actually had a little trouble sleeping last night, so I think I¡¯ll go to my room and rest for the day.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so? We¡¯re sorry, Rishe-sama. You¡¯ve been very busy¡­¡±

    ¡°No, you as well. Let me join you for the tea party next time!¡¡I also don¡¯t need dinner today.¡±

    ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll stay away from your room so as not to disturb your rest.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you a cup of tea to help you feel better in the morning.¡±

    After thanking the quick-learning maids, Rishe went back to her room and locked the door.

    Holding a bunch of herbs in her hand.

    *****

    ¡°Well, Chairman Tully, you¡¯re drinking like a champ today!¡±

    Kane Tully was walking through the streets of the Royal Capital of Garkhain with a few of his men.

    He was in a good mood as he opened the buttons of his shirt and revealed his wide chest. Then replied with an air that looked like he was humming.

    ¡°The sake in Garkhain is good. I¡¯m sure if we stock up on more and sell it in the north, we could make a fortune.¡±

    ¡°Forget it, Chairman Tully, this is a huge loss. You¡¯ll only drink them all down on the way there.¡±

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    ¡°Hahahahaha, you¡¯re probably right!¡±

    He joked around with his like-minded friends as they headed to the inn. He really would have liked to take a woman or two with him, but the circumstances today didn¡¯t allow it.

    ¡°We¡¯re short of drinks. As I recall, the first floor of the inn we¡¯re staying at has been turned into a tavern.¡±

    Speaking of this, they arrived at the inn they were staying at. The tavern inside was thriving, as joyful cheers could be heard outside.

    ¡°Nevertheless, are you feeling better, Chairman?¡±

    One of his friends, who was completely staggering drunkenly, asked with a hiccup.

    ¡°Our customer was the Crown Princess of Garkhain, right? It was such a waste to reject such a business deal.¡±

    ¡°Stupid, we¡¯d be losing a lot of money if we had that princess as a customer. You may be blind to it, but I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just a girl of 15 or so. What the heck could have gone wrong?¡±

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    Tally snorted and raised his hand on the door of the inn.

    ¡°Listen, that young lady is¨C¡­¡±

    ¡°Welcome back, Chairman!¡±

    His drunkenness that made his head spin around cooled down all at once.

    ¡°No way¡­¡±

    Looking at a picture in the tavern, Tull¡¯s smile turned a bit cramped.

    ¡°I knew you¡¯d be here soon¡­¡±

    There was Lady Rishe, the Crown Prince¡¯s fianc¨¦e.

    ¡°As I thought, you¡¯ve invited me here. I¡¯m honored.¡±

    Seeing her smiling, Tully felt a rare surprise.

    He had expected her to come, but didn¡¯t expect it to be today. That was why he didn¡¯t take back the woman who had hit on him either, just in case.

    It was good that her visit was earlier than he had expected, but there were also a few things he didn¡¯t anticipate.

    ¡°Would you like to join me for a drink?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The girl¡¯s coral hair was dyed chestnut, perhaps for the sake of secrecy.

    Around her were piles of comatose men.

    All of them were drunk with a glass of beer or wine in their hands. Some were propped up at the tables and others were snoring loudly.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on with these guys?¡±

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    ¡°It was a drinking game. They said if I won, they¡¯d buy me a drink.

    Rishe chuckled and tipped her glass.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I just want to continue the business negotiation with Chairman.¡±

 Chapter 24.1 Challenge My Former Boss

    On the first floor of an inn near the Royal Castle, Rishe sat at a table.

    The people who were drunk around her had already been collected by the innkeeper.

    The guests who had been watching and cheering, gathered around Rishe ¨C the winner of the drinking game.

    ¡°Miss, that was a spectacular drink! I¡¯m not much of a drinker, so I won¡¯t challenge you, but let me buy you a drink to thank you for such an entertaining show.

    ¡°Oh, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Let me treat you. A chicken and cheese combo goes well with wine.¡±

    ¡°Looks great! I¡¯ll take it.¡±

    Looking at the wine and food lined up on the table, Rishe chuckled to herself.

    All the food in this tavern was delicious. The liquor must have been carefully preserved as well. She¡¯d like to take her time and savor them, but her rival was sitting across the table.

    Tully, the Trading Chairman, looked at Rishe with a twitchy smile.

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    ¡°Whoa, I beg your pardon. I would have never thought that you¡¯d be able to get my subordinates drunk and wasted.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, so everyone here is from your company, right? They¡¯re very pleasant people, so I couldn¡¯t help but drink more.¡±

    Of course, she knew them well.

    After becoming a member of the Trading Company in her first life, Rishe won the drinking game at the first drinking banquet as well. It seemed like the people she drank with earlier were the same people from back then.

    (The look on your face now is the same as it was then.)

    During her time as the Duke¡¯s daughter, Rishe got accustomed to drinking as part of her queen¡¯s training.

    Whether that training paid off or not was unclear, but she never got drunk with a simple dose of alcohol. The things she had learned during her time as the Duke¡¯s daughter had also been useful in her lives.

    Tully stared at Rishe¡¯s hair as he accepted the drink he¡¯d ordered.

    ¡°Nevertheless, you¡¯ve dyed your hair quite beautifully.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. My hair color stands out a bit, so I¡¯ve chosen this color for tonight.¡±

    It was the herbs that the knights picked on the way to Garkhain that dyed Rishe¡¯s hair chestnut. They came in handy when wanting to change looks temporarily because it could come off cleanly in warm water at a certain temperature.

    ¡°If I say I¡¯ll sell you this craft, will you negotiate with me?¡±

    ¡°Haha. No way!¡±

    A sharp glint flashed in Tully¡¯s eyes as he propped his elbows on the table.

    ¡°You¡¯d be the one making a fortune.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She¡¯d expected that reply, but he was still horrible.

    ¡°Come on, from here on, let¡¯s talk business as you wish. I¡¯d like to make a toast.¡±

    ¡°First things first. When we are out of sight from the castle people, please speak comfortably. If an elder speaks to me so politely, my identity will be compromised.¡±

    ¡°Cheers, I¡¯ll take you at your word, then. Feel free to change the way you speak.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for taking my situation into consideration. It makes me uncomfortable when you speak so politely to me¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­? No problem, that¡¯s alright.¡±

    As Tully raised his drinking glass, Rishe matched it with her own. Tully drank about half of it in one go and then gasped.

    ¡°So? Miss, no more, ¡®I need a wedding dress¡¯ rubbish. Speed is the name of the game in big businesses. You¡¯ve been trying to establish contact with us as naturally as possible, but let¡¯s skip that tedious nonsense.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was impossible for such tricks to get past you.¡±

    ¡°Sweet.¡±

    After a friendly grin, Tully downed the other half of his drink.

    ¡°My gut is telling me, Miss Rishe should be wanting to be a business partner, not a customer.¡±

    After all, that was how she was lured out here.

    The reason he mentioned about staying in the Garkhain Kingdom for a while was probably because he thought that she¡¯d get in touch with him again. He definitely didn¡¯t feel like she was an enemy.

    Still, she must beat Tully in this lifetime.

    He was once her boss and someone who would always be there for her in the end, but not this time.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about all the profitable schemes you have planned.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Chairman¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to be a part of a plan that I know nothing about. But rest assured, I have a good work ethic, despite my appearance. Just as you¡¯re probably thinking right now¡­ No, I promise you more than that!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Chairman.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll formulate the perfect strategy. Come now¡­¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡±

    Tully¡¯s shoulders jerked.

    ¡°What?¡±

 Chapter 24.2

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you about my plans. ¡ª But I still hope you¡¯ll help me in the future, should I ever need the Aria Trading Company.¡±

    When I told him that, the lips of the man who had once been my boss was distorted into a smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re being funny, Young Lady. Without credibility and just contractual; it¡¯s not even clear how much profit there is ¨C it¡¯s one of those promises that merchants hate to make.

    ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll arrange compensation every time.¡±

    ¡°Are we supposed to work without knowing what we¡¯re doing and just believe the word ¡®profitable¡¯? Now that¡¯s an idea.¡±

    I know that it would be easier to proceed if I told you everything.

    Even so, I had no intention of confiding in him that the Crown Prince of Garkhain will kill his father, the emperor, and will wage war on every nation in a few year¡¯s time, so I¡¯m taking measures to stop him.

    ¡°Listen, young lady. I trust in my instincts and utilize it to a great extent when I size up someone. But what I value more than that is¨C¡±

    ¡°Result and performance.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

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    Tully¡¯s eyes rounded, as if struck by a void.

    ¡°How did you know that?¡±

    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll think of a business that will work in the Royal Capital. If you decide that I am worthy of your trust, will you reconsider it by then?¡±

    Rishe stared at him and Tully eventually began to laugh, his shoulders shaking.

    ¡°Hahahaha! That¡¯s great! So if your idea is going to be profitable, I¡¯ll acknowledge it, right? Terrific, that¡¯s exactly my kind of thing!¡±

    (I know exactly what you mean. If I make this much profit in a few days, you won¡¯t have to think about it.)

    ¡°Be back in a week. I¡¯m looking forward to it, young lady.¡±

    ¡°You have my word.¡±

    Rishe smiled and stood up, emptying her glass.

    ¡°Thank you for sparing the time for this negotiation. Also, when everyone in the company wakes up tomorrow, try to give them this medicine.¡±

    ¡°Whoa. What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°I think you will better understand it once you use it.¡±

    Rishe handed the packet of concoctions to Tully and left the tavern.

    ***

    Using a rope hanging over the courtyard, Rishe clambered onto the balcony.

    Even though the inn was less than 10 minutes away from the castle, it was a challenge to sneak out. She retrieved the sheets she used as a rope to leave the room and walked on the balcony. There should be knights on guard outside the door, so she must walk noiselessly.

    (¡­They must have not noticed that I went out. Maybe, I¡¯ll stay in bed tomorrow morning and just have someone bring me warm water. I should at least get my hair color back before someone finds it strange.)

    With that thought in mind, Rishe opened the glass door to her room and gasped.

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    ¡°You¡¯re late.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold was sitting in the only chair in the room with his legs crossed.

    T/N: Caught!!! Happy Weekend!

 Chapter 25.1 At the mercy of my (future) husband

    ¡°Why is Your Highness here?¡±

    I haven¡¯t seen Arnold since the evening party a few days ago.

    There was still no room for him in the Royal Castle, and she had also heard that he was performing a vast amount of duties in the main castle. So, as far as Rishe knew, Arnold had only been to the Royal Castle once.

    Of all days, he came the second time today, when Rishe happened to have slipped out of the castle.

    ¡°¡¯¨CI¡¯m certain merchants of the Aria Company arrived during the day.¡±

    Arnold, his cheekbones on the armrest, said quietly.

    The flame of the lamp on the side table beside him flickered and swayed. The room was so dimly lit that it was difficult to see his expression clearly.

    ¡°I was looking forward to seeing what you had in store for me, but I haven¡¯t heard from you in a while. I just got a report from your knight guard, saying that you were turned down for business.¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡±

    Arnold rose from his chair and approached her one step at a time.

    ¡°It was strange ¨C strange that a mere merchant would turn down a request from you, the future Crown Princess.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Sensing the instinctive danger, Riese naturally backed away.

    But behind her was a wall. At this rate, she¡¯d be trapped in a few more meters or so.

    ¡°I expected something to happen to the Aria Trading Company at the time you specified them. It seemed meaningless, since you don¡¯t look like the kind of woman who¡¯d fuss over where to shop.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s collars, which he usually kept neatly fastened, were now loosened around his collarbones.

    He appeared defenseless from the way he was dressed, but the air around him wasn¡¯t. The moonlight lit up the old scars on his neck and his expression.

    He was smiling cheerfully.

    However, his eyes were fiercer than usual, like a wolf trying to hunt down its prey.

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    ¡°I left work to check on you, but I could tell through the door that your room was empty.¡±

    Rishe remembered. The day Arnold killed her, his eyes once looked similar to this.

    She didn¡¯t know whether it was the memories of the past or the future, but she naturally tensed up at the sight of something she was acquainted with.

    The air was terribly tense.

    The only difference was that Arnold had no killing intent on him.

    ¡°I was the one who said you can spend your time freely in this castle. I didn¡¯t think it was right to torture your knight guard in the corridor at this late hour, so I let him leave and waited quietly for your return.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°I got it.¡±

    Arnold laughed darkly as he peered closer and smiled, bracing his hands on the wall to lock Rishe in.

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    ¡°Even you would look like that if you were left alone with a man at night.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Rishe somehow felt upset hearing what he said.

    Perhaps something like trepidation was on his face. I opened my mouth in frustration at that, but it occured to me that rebuttal was a mistake.

    To him, I¡¯ve done something for which I owe an apology.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m very sorry.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her heartfelt apology erased the smile on Arnold¡¯s face as he looked down at Rishe.

 Chapter 25.2

    ¡°Slipping out of the castle alone at night is a conduct unbecoming of His Highness¡¯ fianc¨¦e. If found out, it could damage your reputation as well.¡±

    Up until now, Rishe¡¯s failures in life have been hers alone.

    But for once, it was different. Even if she was as good as a ¡°hostage¡± and even if it was just a formality, she lacked the awareness of being someone¡¯s future wife.

    I was prepared for the scandal and punishment in the unlikely event of a problem, but I know that it wasn¡¯t enough.

    However, Arnold said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    That was so unexpected that Rishe, who had been looking down, looked up.

    ¡°When people in the castle see you, they won¡¯t recognize you as the woman who will eventually become the Crown Princess. You¡¯ve only been in front of the people once ¨C over the carriage ¨C and you¡¯ve dyed your hair color conspicuously. Unless, you¡¯ve actually been unfaithful, that is. I can surmise that you¡¯ve been bargaining with the Aria Company.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, that¡¯s too generous of a word.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I have a problem with.¡±

    So there were other outrageous mistakes that Rishe hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d committed?

    She looked nervously at Arnold with brows furrowed.

    ¡°Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°Are you not hurt or anything?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    That was unexpected.

    Why would he ask such a question? Rishe blinked repeatedly, and eventually nodded.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°Have you been involved in some kind of crime?¡±

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    ¡°Certainly not.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold then exhaled, lowering and letting go of the hand that had trapped Rishe against the wall.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be accompanying you from now on, whenever you leave the castle. That¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°What? Uhm, you¡¯re coming with me?¡±

    ¡°I told you, once we¡¯re married, you¡¯re free to do what you wanted, and I¡¯ll give you a helping hand.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say that! I can¡¯t let Your Highness go along with my selfish behavior. Uhm, no, I¡¯ll be more careful in the future, but¡­.

    ¡°I said you¡¯re free to do what you wanted, but I didn¡¯t say you¡¯re allowed to do anything dangerous.¡±

    Rishe was left agape.

    ¡°And don¡¯t let anyone but me know what you¡¯re up to. It¡¯s hard to control others from gossiping.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re being too lenient with me.¡±

    Whatever the case might be, I would add that.

    I don¡¯t understand why on earth I¡¯d come to that conclusion.

    Although I¡¯ve been treated beyond expectation to begin with, what did it mean when I¡¯m tolerated after such a blunder?¡±

    ¡°You mean if I restrict you to never leave the castle, you¡¯ll continue to slip out quietly in the future, right?¡±

    Arnold, who was once again seated in his chair, chuckled in his usual fashion.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather give you conditional permission than that, since you seem to have more restraints that way.¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    Rishe somehow lost strength and she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him.

    ¡°Am I so difficult to understand?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you? I think you¡¯re rather a confusing and unpredictable sort of person.¡±

    ¡°You must be having fun with that Chairman.¡±

    Recalling her exchange with Tully, Rishe hung her head.

    It was quite disheartening to have two men read her thoughts and actions in quick succession.

    I don¡¯t know why, but letting me off the hook to some extent must be of significance to Arnold Hein¡­

    I think I should take great advantage of it, but I feel guilty when I go this far. Even though I want to prevent war, I don¡¯t want to behave like a bad wife.

    After mulling over it, I finally realized what Arnold meant when he said I have more restraints with his permission.

    ¡°Speaking of the chairman, what the hell happened between you and the Aria Trading Company?

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Feeling somewhat exhausted, Rishe looked up and said with a pout, ¡°Your Highness, if I may ask something?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Are you hungry?¡±

    Arnold rolled his eyes at the question.

 Chapter 26.1 Having dinner with my (future) husband

    In a small kitchen in a remote castle, Rishe was chopping medicinal herbs. These herbs were brought back by the knights who were on patrol around the Royal Capital earlier this morning.

    After she finished chopping quickly, she gathered them on the chopping board with a knife and pressed them down in the pot with one hand. Then she added some seasonings and then stirred them in with the bacon and onions that had already been half cooked.

    The aroma of the soup permeated the air in the small kitchen, which was only used for simple cooking. The only time this place was used was for breakfast, so no one went near it in the evening hours.

    ¡°Ahem¡±

    In such a small kitchen, Rishe glanced back.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better if you wait in the room?¡±

    Arnold was hanging on a wooden chair in the corner.

    He sat with his cheek on a simple table beside him, watching Rishe make soup.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine here.¡±

    ¡°If Your Highness says so¡­¡±

    Wouldn¡¯t that be boring?

    Come to think of it, Arnold had been watching Rishe closely since earlier as she was washing off the dye from her hair with warm water and a towel.

    Maybe it¡¯s just an ingrained habit of observing others.

    With that in mind, I stirred the soup around and around. It seemed to be simmering now, so I scooped a small portion in a saucer for tasting and sipped a little.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She added salt, stirred, and tasted it again. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut and hurriedly poured water into the pot, bringing it to a boil again before adding pepper.

    She also added more chopped herbs, just to be sure, and tasted the soup again.

    The taste of it sobered her up.

    I-What have I done!

    Realizing my own transgressions, I regretted having taken such actions.

    Taking Arnold out for dinner at night and making soup was tough work, even if it was due to fatigue.

    ¡°Uh, Your Highness.¡± With a saucer of soup left in her hand, Rishe spoke meekly.

    ¡°Actually, I owe you an apology for something.¡±

    ¡°What? Have you been wandering around the castle grounds by yourself at night?

    ¡°That too!! I¡¯m very sorry for suggesting a light meal here. Uhm¨C¡±

    I took a deep breath, unsure of how to start.

    It takes a lot of courage to confess my weaknesses to a man who was my enemy in another life. To put it simply, it¡¯s embarrassing, but if I don¡¯t speak honestly here, I¡¯ll be in big trouble.

    Rishe rummaged around for words, and after debating what to do, she finally turned around.

    Then, she managed to squeeze a tiny voice, ¡°Uhm, I¡¯m a terrible cook!¡±

    ¡°¨CHo¡±

    For a moment, there seemed to be a look on Arnold¡¯s face that I had never seen before, but it must have been my imagination.

    ¡°I invited you here out of hunger and exhaustion, but this was a complete blunder. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ve always wondered why you were so adept at it in the first place. Normally, it¡¯s rare to find a Duke¡¯s daughter who has experience in cooking.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s part of it, but¡­¡±

    In Rishe¡¯s various lives, meals were generally a way of ¡®stuffing something in her stomach first¡¯.

    Of course, she loved delicious food, but she prioritized sleeping time rather than spending time cooking. When she was a knight, she even ended up sprinkling salt on boiled potatoes and that was it.

    When I was a pharmacist, I was told, [Medical preparation and cooking are similar. You just have to put the right amount of ingredients in.]

    Certainly, preparations such as chopping ingredients and boiling them in a pot might be the same.

    However, in Rishe¡¯s perspective, when cooking had the elements ¡®ingredient flavors¡¯ and ¡®fire control¡¯, it was fundamentally different from concocting medicines.

    I don¡¯t mind this soup as long as I am the only one who drinks it.

    That¡¯s why I¡¯ve made it this far, but I¡¯m beyond uneasy in having Arnold drink it.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting, but I¡¯m afraid that this soup is not to Your Highness¡¯ taste.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Please wait a little while longer, I¡¯ll go get some food from the main castle¡¯s kitchen. We¡¯ll talk about the Aria Trading Company afterwards.¡±

    Before she could finish, Arnold got up from his chair.

    He then took the saucer in Rishe¡¯s hand and smoothly sipped a bit from the remaining soup.

    ¡°Ah!!¡±

 Chapter 26.2

    Because of her surprise, her reaction was delayed. Even though Rishe immediately recovered and was flustered, Arnold muttered, ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s good.¡±

    ¡°Huh?!¡±

    Her eyes went round. Arnold, on the other hand, gulped down what was left in the saucer.

    ¡°There you go, this soup is fine.¡±

    ¡°No way, it can¡¯t be!¡±

    Rishe tasted it again, but it was still too pungent and didn¡¯t deserve any compliment. At the very least, it wasn¡¯t a taste that could be served to others.

    What were you thinking? How could this taste good?

    After having doubts, I was flabbergasted.

    Come to think of it, this guy also drank wine with chili just the other day. The spiciness was the problem with that one. Even the taste couldn¡¯t be described as good.

    Maybe, this guy has a problem with his sense of taste.

    ¡°Hey, you must be thinking of something improper.¡±

    He retorted with such reluctance on his face. Nevertheless, even Rishe could see that this was Arnold¡¯s concern.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve made me hungry. Let me help you. I¡¯ll set the table quickly.¡±

    Arnold quickly set the table. Then Rishe, who had finished preparing the evening meal, had to drink the rather strong-flavored soup with Arnold.

    Rishe usually ate alone in the dining room at the main castle. Even on the journey to Garkhain, she didn¡¯t eat with Arnold, who was always on the move giving instructions to the knights.

    It was quite novel eating dinner face-to-face with him as a companion.

    ¡°Now,¡± After eating, Rishe, who had regained a bit of energy, finally got down to business.

    ¡°To put it simply, I¡¯m gonna make the Aria Trading Company earn profits. In exchange, they have to fulfill some ¡®absurd orders¡¯ from me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It¡¯s an overly broad explanation, but it was better than a lengthy and confusing one.

    She gave a supplementary explanation to Arnold, who frowned.

    ¡°The Aria Trading Company will expand its power and become one of the world¡¯s leading trade associations. In the future, only they will be able to stock commodities that can¡¯t be bought or sold. Unique routes and so on are sure to emerge one after another!¡±

    ¡°After hearing about their performance over the last two years, I¡¯ll admit that those guys are worth investing in. So?¡±

    ¡°I want that Trading Company¡¯s power, so I contacted them, but they refused to do business with me unless I¡¯ll show a hand. I didn¡¯t want that to happen, so I¡¯ve offered them an alternative.¡±

    ¡°The conditions are¡­¡±

    ¡°Within a week, I must devise a new business venture that¡¯s profitable in the Royal Capital. If that meets the Chairman¡¯s requirements, he¡¯s willing to be a business partner.¡±

    Arnold fell silent at the explanation, which didn¡¯t tell him anything substantial.

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    Perhaps, he had countless questions he wanted to ask.

    But just like Tully, she couldn¡¯t tell him everything. Rishe¡¯s plans must not be revealed to Arnold, more than anyone else.

    After all, the war that Rishe wanted to prevent was something he would instigate.

    I braced myself, but when Arnold finally spoke, he gave me an unexpected reply.

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I said I understand. I understand what you¡¯ve done today and what you¡¯re going to do.¡±

    Such an answer made Rishe feel out of sorts.

    ¡°Your Highness, why won¡¯t you ask what I intend to use the Aria Trading Company for in the future?¡±

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    ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve kept it a secret from the Trade Company, even when you¡¯ve issued alternatives. So I don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to tell me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°More importantly, do you have any idea what business to do?¡±

    Rishe was hit where it hurt and she looked down.

    ¡°I have a few ideas for the business itself. However, I still don¡¯t know if they¡¯ll be profitable in the Royal Capital. I have to know what kind of people live in the city, what¡¯s the craze, and what¡¯s loved.¡±

    It¡¯s a survey that would normally take some time. I think Tully knew that, and that¡¯s why he gave me a deadline of a week.

    ¡°You mean, it¡¯s going to be tough.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Mmm.¡±

    That meaningful reply gave her a bad premonition.

    When Rishe looked up, she saw an utterly detestable smile on Arnold¡¯s face.

    ¡°It would be fun fun watching you struggling.¡±

    I knew it!

    It¡¯s still hard to read his motives, but I think I¡¯m starting to understand parts of it. That nasty smile is just annoying when he¡¯s picturesque because of his beauty.

    While Rishe was thinking dejectedly, Arnold finally rose from his seat.

    ¡°As I have said before, you¡¯re free to do as you please. I¡¯m going back to the main castle now.¡±

    ¡°Okay, good night.¡±

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    Before he left the kitchen, he turned around.

    ¡°Have you met my brother yet?¡±

    ¡°Your brother, Your Highness?¡±

    This was the first time that Arnold has ever mentioned his brother.

    ¡°I think I haven¡¯t. I¡¯ve never seen his face, so I can only say ¡®maybe¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Okay. But if he comes near you, don¡¯t deal with him as much as you can.¡±

    ¡°Your brother¡¯s name is Theodore-sama, isn¡¯t it? Is there a reason for this?¡±

    I¡¯m not at peace with my own brother. I thought Arnold¡¯s reply would be this, but then he said:

    ¡°That¡¯s something you don¡¯t need to know.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    Then the door closed slowly.

    ****

    The next day.

    Rishe, who was heading to the fields while wondering what to do with her business in the Royal Capital and the survey she has to do in relation to it, found herself at a loss.

    ¡°Ri-Rishe-sama!! Please step back and return to your room.¡±

    ¡°His Highness will be angry! Please, we beg you!¡±

    She looked down at the field, hearing the panicked voices of knights.

    What¡¯s going on here?

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    There was a boy lying down and napping peacefully on the soil that Rishe had tilled.

    He was a neutral looking boy with black hair like Arnold¡¯s, and a face so beautiful even with his eyes closed.

 Chapter 27.1 Meeting my (future) brother-in-law

    ¡°The soil I tilled so hard¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, I think that¡¯s what the problem is¡­¡±

    As a knight pointed him out, Rishe looked down at the boy.

    She had never heard of his features, but from his appearance alone, she could guess who he was.

    ¡°Could he possibly be the Second Prince?¡±

    ¡°Yes, His Highness Theodore.

    I knew it¡­

    I just wanted to pat my head. There was no way this boy who was lying directly on the ground and breathing in his sleep was Arnold¡¯s younger brother.

    I can¡¯t believe I met him the day after I was told to stay away from him.

    In all of Rishe¡¯s lives, she had never been aware of Theodore¡¯s existence.

    Rishe had lived in another country and very little information about the Garkhain royal family had reached her ears. Thus, she was still in the process of gathering information about the Garkhain royal family little by little since her arrival in the country.

    Theodore was four years younger than Arnold and was said to be 15 years old, the same age as the Rishe.

    The current emperor was said to have six children, but she had heard that Arnold and Theodore were the only male heirs to the throne, and the rest were all princesses.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    The knights began to panic again at Theodore¡¯s grumble.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, please step back here for a moment.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-?¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh.¡±

    Theodore¡¯s shoulders jerked in response to the knight¡¯s scream, and his eyelids slowly opened. The knight who woke him up covered his mouth with his hand, while another knight punched him in the back. But the boy who had been asleep seemed to have woken up.

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    His eyes, which were the same blue as Arnold¡¯s, was dazzling as he looked up at the sky.

    Theodore held out a hand in front of his eyes to create a shadow, and then glanced up at Rishe.

    ¡°You-Older Brother¡­¡±

    Apparently, he also discovered Rishe¡¯s presence.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness Theodore. I apologize for greeting you so late.¡±

    Rishe smiled at him with the utmost caution inwardly.

    ¡°My name is Rishe Irmgard Wertsner. I had the pleasure of being added to the ranks of the Royal Family. I have to admit that I¡¯ve done nothing to deserve it, but I¡¯ll serve the family to the best of my abilities.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    In fact, I¡¯m trying my best to slumber in this castle.

    Theodore blinked sleepily as he stared at her.

    To be honest, I couldn¡¯t predict what he would do next.

    Nevertheless, Rishe was only considered a ¡®hostage¡¯. To the powerhouses of Garkhain, she was merely the daughter of a duke from a weak country.

    I¡¯m sure I¡¯m not welcomed, though.

    As she was looking for a way out, Theodore raised his upper body, smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, my beautiful sister-in-law!¡±

    Uh¡­

    His beautiful, feminine face brimmed with a huge smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that we¡¯ve met in a place like this. I¡¯ve written to Brother so many times, but he hasn¡¯t ever replied!¡¡But with a wife as beautiful as you, I can see why he¡¯d want to keep you all to himself.

    ¡°Uhm¡­ You flatter me.¡±

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    ¡°Hahaha, don¡¯t be so stiff, I wish you could be more at ease.¡±

    Theodore stared at Rishe amiably.

    They¡¯re siblings, but they don¡¯t look much alike.

    Their hair and eyes were the same color, but their lips, and other features were different. There was no doubt that both of them were exceptionally beautiful, but had she not known that Arnold had a brother, she wouldn¡¯t have thought he was his brother.

    To begin with, their expressions are completely different.

    ¡°So if I don¡¯t lie here all night, I¡¯ll never get to shake your hand.¡±

    Theodore stood up and roughly brushed the dirt from his body. He was a little taller than Rishe, but much shorter than Arnold.

    ¡°Theodore Auguste Hein. Second in line to the throne, Arnold Hein¡¯s brother.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness Theodore.¡±

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 Chapter 27.2 Meeting my (future) brother-in-law

    With a friendly look on his face asking for a handshake, Rishe smiled and responded.

    Next to her field of vision, the knights were terribly nervous. Perhaps they, too, have received an order of the sort, [Keep Rishe and Theodore away from each other.] However, they probably couldn¡¯t openly stop the man himself, Theodore.

    ¡°By the way, what are you doing here? I fell asleep here during my walk in the castle. I got sleepy, so I took a nap here.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯m the one cultivating this field.¡±

    ¡°You, sister-in-law?! Wow, you¡¯re amazing. It¡¯s not every day that I get to see this much soft soil! The sun is shining just right and I can hear the birds chirping. It¡¯s a blessing to be able to grow plants here.¡±

    ¡°I am honored by your praise, Your Highness. But, Your Highness Theodore, I¡¯ll be planting the seeds here in a few minutes.¡±

    ¡°I see. So it¡¯s a bed for a limited time. But there¡¯s one thing that bothers me.¡±

    Theodore bent down by the field and pointed to something.

    ¡°Sister-in-law, can you have a look at this?¡±

    ¡°Is something the matter?¡±

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    ¡°Here. Isn¡¯t it funny when you look at it closely?¡±

    There was nothing there, but a nondescript piece of dirt. To make sure, Rishe bent down too.

    It was then that Theodore whispered.

    ¡°I want to help you, Rishe Irmgard Wertsner.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    A sincere look shot through Rishe from up close.

    ¡°Poor thing, you¡¯ve been brought to this place, but your essence isn¡¯t a bride, but a hostage. As far as I know, no queen in this country has ever lived happily.¡±

    Theodore¡¯s expression, with his back to the knight, didn¡¯t have the same meekness as before.

    ¡°In the future, let¡¯s have a talk in private. Don¡¯t tell Brother, and in a place where there¡¯s no eye for surveillance.¡±

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    ¡°Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    ¡°Let me show you how to get away from Brother.¡±

    There was a strange fervor caged in Theodore¡¯s eyes as he whispered.

    Rishe had little information about the Royal Family of this country. However, those circumstances surrounding Arnold could lead to a war in a few years¡¯ time.

    This Theodore might also be one of the keys to it. If that was the case, it would be very meaningful to have that confidential conversation with him as he suggested.

    But.

    Rishe smiled at him.

    ¡°His Highness Arnold has instructed me not to do anything dangerous.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡±

    ¡°To tell the truth, His Highness scolded me just last night. I can¡¯t afford to unintentionally sow rumors by leaving alone with another gentleman.¡±

    A crack appeared on Theodore¡¯s face and eventually, his well-formed eyebrows were distorted.

    ¡°You have no idea how cruel Brother is. You don¡¯t know how he behaves once he holds a sword, or what his eyes look like on the battlefield.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fully aware of that.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s more to it than that. He could kill you one day.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    That had already sunk in, so deep that she even dreamed about it.

    Although she didn¡¯t expound on it, Rishe straightened up with a smile on her face.

    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Your Highness Theodore, please vacate this field.¡±

    To the knights at some distance, they seemed to be talking only about the field. Theodore, who was still bent over, erased the expression on his beautiful face.

    Now, that look resembles your brother a bit¡­

    But Arnold was really better than her. By any means, it would have never escaped him that his call just now was a trap.

    Although he has no killing intent against me, every time Arnold Hein¡¯s name was mentioned, he blotted out something close to it¡­Second in line to the throne isn¡¯t how I would introduce myself to my brother¡¯s fianc¨¦e.

    So was his attempt to emphasize Arnold¡¯s cruelty. He probably was skillfully trying to fuel Rishe¡¯s fears of marrying him.

    I know how Arnold Hein looks on the battlefield, too. But, even if he was his brother, he shouldn¡¯t talk about him like that¡­)

    After thinking that far, Rishe suddenly realized.

    Why am I so angry?

    It shouldn¡¯t matter to her whatever Arnold¡¯s own brother purported him to be.

    While marveling on this, she bowed to Theodore.

    ¡°I must fetch my hoe because the soil is flattened. I think that¡¯s enough for today. If you¡¯ll excuse me, Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After making sure there was no reply from him, Rishe walked away. The knights also gave the Prince a respectful salute and then followed to protect her.

    Well now. I hope there¡¯ll be some movements.

 Chapter 28.1 Reeks of a messy sibling relationship

    The earlier conversation made it clear that Arnold¡¯s obstruction was among the reasons why Rishe couldn¡¯t have a face-to-face meeting with the royal family.

    His Highness Theodore, his four sisters. Her Majesty the Emperess¡­ First and foremost, I¡¯d like to talk about the current Emperor¡­

    If he wouldn¡¯t even let her say hello to them, then she has a long way to go. As she meditated on this, she was reminded of Arnold¡¯s warning last night.

    Stay away from his brother, huh?

    Arnold and Theodore have a rocky sibling relationship. Or it might be because they were brothers.

    What could be a reason for this? Firstly, to prevent me from doing something to His Highness Theodore. Secondly, to prevent me and His Highness Theodore from colluding with each other and becoming Arnold Hein¡¯s enemy. Thirdly, lest His Highness Theodore do something to me. But¡­

    If that were the case, then there had to be some reason why Arnold gave Rishe precedence over his own brother.

    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±

    While walking down the cloister between the remote castle and the main castle, Rishe looked back at the knights.

    ¡°Are His Highness Arnold and His Highness Theodore on good terms?¡±

    ¡°Erm¡­¡±

    She dared to ask the obvious, which made the knights terribly agitated.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, that¡¯s something we can¡¯t talk about.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s alright. Then, have you been ordered to keep me away from his brother?¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, we can¡¯t speak about that either.¡±

    She felt apologetic hearing the response was more eloquent than verbal affirmation.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for asking you something strange. I¡¯ll arrange for a supply of wine to be brought to your quarters again, and I hope you all enjoy it.¡±

    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s very thoughtful of you.¡±

    ¡°The entire Order has always been delighted to receive Rishe-sama¡¯s gifts. All of them said, [She understands the hearts of knights.]¡±

    ¡°Hahaha¡­¡±

    She already knew that for the most part. Because, she of all people, had once been a knight.

    However, I have to gather information. If it¡¯s difficult to get it from the knights, then I think the best way will still be¡­

    As she was mulling over this, she heard a familiar voice.

    ¡°Arrange the manpower there. I¡¯ll get back to you on the platoon formation.¡±

    Huh?

    Rishe stopped in the middle of the cloister and looked towards the training grounds.

    Arnold was there too.

    He was talking to an elderly man at the entrance to the training grounds. He was, she believed, the man who claimed to be a Count military officer at the recent soiree.

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    He had two knights standing behind him, while he looked at Arnold bitterly.

    ¡°With all due respect, Your Highness Arnold, but what is the use of protecting the people so generously? At this rate, some of the noblemen and lords will be dissatisfied.¡±

    ¡°The nobles have their own private army. Yet the state has to provide them with allowances to maintain it. If you¡¯re still ranting about how it¡¯s not enough, then let the rest say what they want.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness!¡¡Please reconsider. I wouldn¡¯t say your father will like your arrangements.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    At his words, Arnold glared at the Count with a chilly gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m not open for objections.¡±

    ¡°Hi¡­¡±

    It was a gaze that seemed to take the breath away, even to bystanders like them. The knights beside Rishe also gulped and cleared their throats.

    How tense¡­ The air seems so glacial, it¡¯s almost numbing.

    ¡°¡ª¡­¡±

    It was at this time that Arnold noticed them. Although they were far apart, their eyes met head-on.

    Rishe felt a little embarrassed having caught peeking at him where he worked.

    That¡¯s probably a, ¡®any comment?¡¯ look. Uhm.

    From what she overheard, what Arnold said seemed like a sound argument. For the time being, she has to show support.

    She pondered how to go about it. Eventually, Rishe was struck with an idea. So with a serious face, she clenched her fist and raised it in front of her face.

    It was the so-called ¡®good luck, get them¡¯ pose.

    I wonder if he got the message.

    In response to Rishe¡¯s seriousness, Arnold raised his eyebrows with all his might. While she was impatient wondering if her intention was conveyed, he sighed.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡ª Then he chuckled softly.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    That was too gentle a look, so Rishe quickly braced herself on the spur of a moment. If she had her own sword, she might have reflexively pulled it out of its scabbard.

    Because he still had such a wintry look in his eyes even though the rage he was holding in seemed to have abated.

    What¡¯s with that face?

    T/N: I¡¯ll finish the second part tomorrow.

 Chapter 28.2

    The tension that had dominated the place a moment ago had somehow disappeared. Arnold, who restored a blank expression, told the Count, ¡°If it¡¯s necessary to suppress the opposition of the nobility, I¡¯ll send them a separate notice.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by notice?¡±

    ¡°What if I tell them that it¡¯s in their interest for the state to protect the people? It¡¯s one thing granting military power to the aristocrats and another dedicating them to the protection of the people. There will be a difference in the final tax revenue.¡±

    ¡°Ha¡­¡±

    ¡°If we have a safe environment and our people can focus on work and childbirth and childcare, they¡¯ll pay more taxes and they¡¯ll be better off.¡±

    The Count looked like he wanted to argue, but he just hung his head gingerly.

    ¡°Certainly, if you could respond in that manner, complaints will be kept at the minimum¡­¡±

    ¡°Then, we¡¯ve done the math here enough to convince you. That¡¯s it.¡±

    Arnold turned on his heel and walked away from him. Rishe, who had been bracing herself all along, took a deep breath when he went out of sight.

    I don¡¯t know what it was about, but I hope it¡¯ll proceed more peacefully than the outset. Nonetheless, that single expression with such a destructive power is the ultimate beauty¡­

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    She looked around and saw the knights smiling at her for some reason. Strangely enough, they were smiling as if they¡¯d been watching her.

    She twisted her head around and regained her composure.

    In the meantime, I must gather a little information about Arnold Hein and His Highness Theodore. I was hoping to get something done with the business today, but I have no resources.

    If not the knights, the best source of information would still be that place.

    ****

    ¡°¨C I heard that the brothers have seldom seen each other since a long time ago.¡±

    The voice belonging to a maidservant echoed in the laundry room of the castle.

    ¡°Even though they live in the same castle together?¡±

    ¡°The servers said they have separate seating for meals. They said something about how hard it was to set up the mess hall. There¡¯s no doubt about it.¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors that even if the brothers pass by each other in the corridor, they don¡¯t even look at each other, let alone talk to each other.¡±

    ¡°Those are just rumors, just rumors.¡±

    Rishe, with her hair dyed and glasses on to conceal her face, listened to the girls as she washed sheets and listened to their conversation. She has procured a maid¡¯s uniform, so her identity went unsuspected as they chatted while working hard.

    The maids, who had been working at the castle for a little over 10 years, continued with smiles.

    ¡°They¡¯re so handsome. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d look great together.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? It¡¯s totally disrespectful for us to openly admire them. Though, I¡¯ve had sneak peeks of them myself.¡±

    ¡°But why do they keep such a distance from each other when they¡¯re family?¡±

    Rishe asked, feigning curiosity, and the maidservants turned their heads.

    ¡°Why? I don¡¯t know about His Highness Arnold, but I believe His Highness Theodore is interested in his elder brother.¡±

    ¡°You mean¡­¡±

    ¡°This is just between us. I heard that he once wanted to rob the knights under His Highness Arnold¡¯s service to be his personal knight guards.¡±

    At those words, Rishe couldn¡¯t help but pause.

    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s common. Younger brothers usually imitate their older brothers in everything and ask for the same study materials.¡±

    ¡°I see. So that¡¯s what happened.¡±

    ¡°His Highness Theodore looks lovely.¡±

    I thought to myself, while ostensibly agreeing with them, in my mind.

    So did he try to contact me for the same reason? But even so, what was the point?

 Chapter 29.1 What she already knew

    ¡°Their four younger sisters aren¡¯t even in the Royal City. The next time the family will have a chance to get together will have to be at His Highness Arnold¡¯s wedding.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of which, how about his fianc¨¦e? Hey, newbie!¡±

    ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±

    Rishe looked up as the conversation shifted.

    ¡°You look unfamiliar. You¡¯re a maid to the remote palace, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯ve been worried when I heard that they recruited a bunch of newbies, but it looks like things are going pretty well. I¡¯ve been told that those kids, who are almost amateurs, are rapidly becoming more and more proficient at their jobs.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe was happy, knowing that the hard-working maids were being praised.

    ¡°Yes, Diana-senpai and the others are teaching us meticulously, and everyone is absorbing everything steadily. It¡¯s wonderful to see how they¡¯ve come up with a lot of ideas unique to the Royal Palace.¡±

    For the first few days, Rishe tagged along in teaching them the ropes, but once the maids swallowed the methods perfectly, they worked much more efficiently than she had expected.

    They¡¯ve been able to deal with the choice of where to keep things and tools aided by Diana¡¯s posters and maps posted in various places.

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    The maids were also learning their letters little by little by themselves, which they¡¯ve made into an enriching afternoon study.

    The maidservants who were assigned to the teaching department had their own specialties: Some excelled at verbal explanations; some transcribed things down well. They each had their own specialties, including those who perfected scolding and motivating others.

    They discussed and determined their roles among their peers and assisted Rishe.

    At this juncture, Rishe merely would spend two hours a day teaching the newcomers their job, and in a little while, she could leave them completely to their trainers.

    Once all of the maidservants have learned their jobs and the remote palace is all cleaned up, I can bring Arnold Hein to the palace. This will allow me to physically distance him from the current Emperor for a bit¡­

    From what I¡¯ve heard, although Arnold lives in the main castle, he may not have much contact with his father emperor.

    But so long as the reason behind him murdering his father remains unknown, I think it¡¯s best to keep them apart.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to hear about those kids, but how is Lady Rishe? Come to think of it, I heard a rumor that His Highness Prince Arnold went to the palace last night.¡±

    How did you know?!

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    Though they were a good target for gossip, the information network of the maidservants has always amazed her. Not just in Garkhain Castle, but all of the maidservants that Rishe had been involved with in the past six lifetimes were well-informed of the events that took place in the places they served.

    ¡°Yup, I was very sleepy last night so I went to bed early. But I¡¯m sure His Highness Arnold hadn¡¯t met with her either.¡±

    ¡°Nah, what a bummer.¡±

    ¡°If you have any juicy gossip about them, be sure to share it with me. Every time I go home, my daughter begs me for updates.¡±

    ¡°His Highness Arnold is getting married, so all the young girls in the castle are discussing it.¡±

    ¡°Ara, it¡¯s not just the young girls, we do too!¡±

    Surrounded by girls laughing hilariously at that, Rishe felt awkward and so innocently washed the sheets, so that her identity wouldn¡¯t be suspected.

    ***

    After collecting intelligence called laundry, Rishe returned to her room through the balcony, and washed off her dyed her with the warm water she brought back with her.

    This time, she walked out of the door and headed to the field again with the knights escorting her down the hallway.

    With a hoe, she plowed the soil that Theodore had leveled and then checked the condition of the soil. The soil had acclimatized faster than she had expected, so she changed plans and began to sow the seeds.

    She pricked the soil up to the second line of her index finger, sowed two seeds in each of the holes she made, and covered the top gently with fluffy soil.

    Next, she fetched water, watered them, ,keeping in mind that the amount of water should be just enough to lightly moisten them.

    The knights offered to help her with the watering process, but since she couldn¡¯t give them tasks outside their jurisdiction, she politely declined this time as well.

    ¡°Lady Rishe, what kind of crops are you growing in the field?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a medicinal herb. This time of year, it should sprout in a few days.¡±

    They returned to the remote palace while having such conversations. While outwardly behaving in a relaxed manner, inwardly, Rishe was very impatient.

    It¡¯s getting late. I have to bathe to get rid of the mud, and come up with a business plan that will convince the Chairman while at it. I heard there¡¯s a library in the Royal City, so I¡¯ll have to go there and get a better insight of the population structure of the capital. The ratio of men to women, the age range, the number of shops there is, and I also must gather more information about His Highness Theodore.

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    The more she thought, the more she realized she had endless things to do.

    Diana has also asked me to review the materials they¡¯ve created, and then there¡¯s the preparations for the wedding. I¡¯ve also got to get moving on the counter-measures to the state guests. And then¡­

    ¡°Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°Ah, by all means¡­¡±

    Rishe climbed up the stairs to her room with a distant look in her eyes. She couldn¡¯t afford to succumb.

    I¡¯m going to laze around once this is over! Absolutely! Everything is for goofing off and sleeping in till past noon everyday, and a longer life in the future. I don¡¯t want to die at the age of 20 this time around. So¡­

 Chapter 29.2

    Now that she¡¯d thought everything through, Rishe lowered her eyes.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll continue to protect you here, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Please excuse me again.¡±

    The knights stood in the hallway on either side of the door in front of her room. After thanking them, Rishe opened the door.

    And when she entered, she found an envelope at her feet.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    She gently shook her head and entered the room so as the envelope wouldn¡¯t be seen by the knights.

    Once she locked the door, she picked up the envelope.

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    It was an envelope of very fine white paper. The red wax seal was stamped with the imperial seal of the Garkhain family.

    When Rishe opened it, a sheet of paper was inside.

    On it were beautiful words meticulously written, saying:

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you in on a little secret. Go to the chapel tonight at nine o¡¯clock. ¡ª Arnold Hein.¡±

    Rishe stuffed the paper back in the envelope and called Elise to her room.

    ***

    At nine o¡¯clock on the appointed night, Rishe, clad in a black dress, visited the chapel in the corner of the Royal Castle.

    She had her knight guards wait for her a distance away from the chapel.

    She showed them the wax sealed letter and said, ¡°I¡¯d like to see His Highness Arnold alone.¡±

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    The source of the letter was probably waiting for her in advance.

    Rishe opened the door to the chapel and raised her voice without closing the door.

    ¡°Good evening, Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    The light shining through the stained glass windows and the candlelights kept the interior of the chapel fairly lit.

    ¡°Good evening, my beautiful sister-in-law.¡±

    In front of the chancel at the end of the red carpet that stretched ahead stood a young man.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the least bit surprised. It¡¯s as if you knew it was my letter all along,¡± Theodore said with a laugh, while Rishe exhaled.

    ¡°The style of the signature didn¡¯t resemble His Highness Arnold¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Well, it was just a matter of hoping you¡¯d be fooled. Although, I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve ever seen Brother¡¯s signature before.¡±

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    Certainly, in this life, she hasn¡¯t seen it yet. But in another life, she did.

    Arnold, who had waged war on other nations, had sent written declarations of war to the royal families of the countries in advance. Having lived the life of a knight and had close ties with the royal family, Rishe had personally seen it.

    Arnold¡¯s handwriting was beautiful, but when it came to his own name, he seemed to have a habit of jotting it down messily.

    The signature on the letter that Rishe received in her room was too polite in comparison to that one.

    ¡°And why did you come when you knew it was me who sent it? I thought you said it¡¯s inappropriate to stay alone with other men¡­ Oh, is that why you didn¡¯t close the door?¡±

    ¡°There are also knights awaiting orders a short distance away.¡±

    She had taken other measures, but she¡¯d keep them out of her mouth.

    Theodore looked bored as he let his fingers run through his fluffy, bouncy hair.

    ¡°I¡¯ve gone to the trouble just to teach you something good, so it would be nice if you¡¯re a little more welcoming. I never imagined that Brother actually likes a woman like you.¡±

    ¡°If you have anything to say, please be quick.¡±

    ¡°You said during the day that you knew how cruel Brother was. You can¡¯t possibly be fully aware of that.¡±

    Theodore approached Rishe one step at a time.

    ¡°We don¡¯t get along with each other as a family. And then the Empress ¨C our father¡¯s wife, isn¡¯t our real mother. She¡¯s what they call the second wife.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a rare story for someone of noble blood.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes. But what if the reason for the Emperor¡¯s former wife¡¯s absence was because someone murdered her?¡±

    Theodore stood in front of Rishe, his eyes narrowed and a somewhat bewitching smile glowed in his eyes.

    ¡°Your brother killed your mother.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    A detestable gleam shimmered in his eyes that were of the same color as Arnold¡¯s.

    ¡°You see what I mean? That¡¯s how cruel Big Brother, Arnold Hein, is. You may have been lured by the Crown Princess¡¯ position somehow, but you¡¯d better let go of that stuff. The man is a man who can even lay a hand on his own mother. He¡¯s a man who can even lay a hand on his own mother.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°All brides who had married into this country ended up unhappy. I think you¡¯re beginning to understand what I meant during the day. It¡¯s not a threat or anything, you really could be killed by your husband.¡±

    ¡°I get what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    Rishe merely sighed.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Theodore¡¯s eyes went round at her retort.

    ¡°What is wrong with you? He¡¯s a mother-killer! Why aren¡¯t you upset to hear these horrible things?!¡±

    Well, I was surprised with that new piece of information, but I¡¯ve known one of his ¡®criminal records¡¯.

    There was nothing more scary than that one.

    When Arnold proposed to her, the only thing Rishe knew about him was Arnold Hein in her previous lives.

    The Emperor who slaughtered, invaded, and trampled on the royal families of various countries in a bloody and ruthless manner.

    The traitor who killed his father emperor and usurped the throne.

    The man who once killed Rishe.

    All her knowledge and memories about him were nothing but horrendous.

    But even so, Rishe decided.

    ¡°I¡¯m willing to marry him with all my heart.¡±

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    Now that she was by his side, she¡¯d been wondering if she¡¯d see him in a different light than she had in the past.

    ¡°E-Even with that knowledge? Big Brother¡¯s name has no middle name for blessing. He¡¯s a cursed man who¡¯s been spurned by our father and mother.¡±

    ¡°I have the name ¡®Ilmgard¡¯ myself, but I have never felt the need for it. Your Highness Theodore Auguste Hein¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know those sorts of things.¡±

    Looking straight up into Theodore¡¯s eyes, Rishe assured him.

    The Arnold Rishe has known in this life seemed at least a decent man.

    Despite the coldness in his behavior, he was a politician who looked out for his subordinates and tried to respect the people.

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    What Rishe wanted to figure out was why Arnold would head into a future like that.

    For example, what events within the next few years would change him?

    Or was he holding on to that cruelty he would unleash in five years¡¯ time, and was just hiding it well?

    ¡ª Or was he just a ¡®mere human being¡¯ with a decent heart and soul, who had to resort to cruel means for some non-negotiable purpose, instead of a monster?

    Silly me.

    Rishe smiled as she softly mocks herself inwardly.

    ¡°Is that all you wanted to say? Well then, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    ¡°Whoa, wait!¡±

    ¡°How about I give you an alternative?¡±

    She cut him off and looked back at the door of the chapel.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, speak with your brother from here on out.¡±

    ¡°H¡­¡±

    There stood Arnold with his steely eyes.

    ¡°Big brother.¡±

    Theodore croaked and cleared his throat.

 Chapter 30.1 What you need to know

    ¡°Why? Why would Brother come all the way to this place¡­?¡±

    After taking a wobbly step back, Theodore looked at Rishe.

    ¡°No way, for you?¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold. I¡¯ve been expecting you.¡±

    When Rishe bowed to Arnold, Theodore¡¯s face got distorted abhorrently, then he looked up at him with a bitter expression.

    ¡°It¡¯s all a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding, Brother! I didn¡¯t mean what I said earlier. I just wanted to get along with Sister-in-law and that¡¯s why I tried to scare her a little!¡±

    ¡°Theodore.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He called out his brother¡¯s name with a low voice.

    Theodore kept his mouth shut at that, gulped and shushed.

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    ¡°I ordered you to stay away from Rishe, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes that were looking down on his brother were cold to the core.

    Not a single hint of emotion lurked in them, yet that gaze was terrifying. The tension, smacked of the tip of a sword pointed at his throat, made even Rishe, who was only watching, breathless.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brother.¡± Theodore bowed deeply with a shudder racking his entirety. But even with such a display, to Rishe, Arnold looked uninterested in any of it.

    ¡°Rishe, let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Please wait, Your Highness. I just need to talk to your brother for a few more minutes.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    What exactly was going on between them?

    Based on his earlier excuses, Theodore didn¡¯t seem to want to totally break ties with his brother. On the other hand, Arnold showed no signs of concern for his brother.

    His Highness Theodore wanted to make me fear Arnold Hein. What for?

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    It was unlikely that she could keep Arnold back any longer.

    She was about to give up and walk towards the door where he was, when something happened.

    ¡°Ha¡­¡±

    In a tiny little voice, Theodore muttered.

    ¡°I knew it. I was right, wasn¡¯t I, sister-in-law.?

    ¡°What?¡±

    The moment she heard that, a chill ran down her spine.

    Rishe looked at Theodore as if she had been played. And for the first time, she realized that the reason he was shaking all over wasn¡¯t out of fear.

    He was laughing?

    It was a beautiful smile, somehow bewitchingly dim and lovely.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Big Brother.¡±

    Theodore looked up, and this time, he looked at his brother seriously.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be gone from this place. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to be enough to convey my remorse, though.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, Theodore¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have startled you, sister-in-law. I won¡¯t say anything mean like that anymore.

    Then, after thanking Rishe, Theodore said to his brother, ¡°Good night, Brother. It¡¯s a pleasure to have seen you up close after a long time.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Theodore walked out of the chapel, past Arnold.

    Rishe remained a little perturbed, replaying the smile Theodore had shown her earlier.

    With only the two of them left in the chapel, Arnold spoke first.

    ¡°I¡¯ve warned you the same way, Rishe.¡±

    He should be pertaining to that same ¡°Stay away¡± warning.

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 Chapter 30.2

    ¡°Since I¡¯ve been summoned in Your Highness¡¯ name, I couldn¡¯t ignore it. I didn¡¯t expect Your Highness, who is very busy, to come earlier than expected.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d be crazy to sit around after receiving a response to a letter I don¡¯t remember sending.¡±

    When she heard his reply, she was convinced.

    After receiving Theodore¡¯s forged letter, Rishe called her handmaid, Elise, and wrote this reply: [I accept your invitation. Then I¡¯ll go to the chapel alone at the specified time, 9:30.]

    The time she indicated was 30 minutes later than the time Theodore summoned her.

    It was right before Rishe left her room that she sent the letter through her maid. She didn¡¯t want him to reply too soon and be stopped from going out.

    It was nice of you to have come early, thank you. But¡­

    Rishe looked at Arnold.

    I feel like His Highness Theodore didn¡¯t want to be heard speaking ill of him¡­

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    When asked, she was about to shake her head and say it was nothing.

    But on second thought, Rishe decided to go for it.

    She figured she had to clarify this matter properly.

    ¡°Why do they say you¡¯re a cruel person?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold then lowered his gaze slightly.

    ¡°Because it¡¯s true. I¡¯ve killed a plethora of people on the battlefield, and I¡¯ve done it more than once. I¡¯ve done some atrocious things, not once or twice.¡±

    I know, but¡­

    Rishe still wasn¡¯t satisfied with his reply.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t need to hear from you such tales that can be heard from others.¡±

    ¡°So what do you want to know?¡±

    ¡°Your thoughts.¡±

    Not words uttered by a third party.

    Right now, she wanted to hear what Arnold had to say himself.

    ¡°My thoughts?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. I understand that you¡¯ve earned exemplary merits in the last war. I also know you treated those bandits who attacked our carriage cruelly and heartlessly¡­ And yet, you didn¡¯t kill them.¡±

    At that time, Rishe thought it was probably because the place where they were attacked was another country¡¯s territory.

    She thought the Emperor Arnold Hein she knew wouldn¡¯t have shown mercy to those bandits.

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    However, seeing him up close and personal, it was hard to believe that that was the only reason.

    ¡°Hmph¡­¡±

    Gloomy shadows shrouded his blue eyes when he looked up.

    ¡°It seems I¡¯ve been a little too easy on you, haven¡¯t I?¡±

    Arnold¡¯s hand reached for her.

    And then his right hand, wearing a black glove, stretched out and slowly gripped Rishe¡¯s neck.

    ¡°If you want to survive in this castle, you¡¯d better get rid of those fancy ideas right now.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Neatly shaped fingers dug into her throat.

    Even with the weakest force he was exerting, his large hands could have easily wrung Rishe¡¯s neck.

    ¡°I believe in what I¡¯ve seen.¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen me on the battlefield, what are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve given me so much consideration. That unmistakably is your true self.¡±

    ¡°Ridiculous.¡±

    Arnold sneered with a slight catch in his mocking voice.

    ¡°I brought you here to use you.¡±

    ¡°Then, all the more so.¡±

    Rishe gently laid her own hand on Arnold¡¯s.

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    Rather than pulling it off her neck, she wrapped it around her neck tighter. This way, would it convey even a little bit of her meaning?

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re a cruel man, husband-sama¡± (I went for husband rather than Master.)

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡±

 Chapter 31 What I didnâ€™t know

    Once Rishe spoke, Arnold¡¯s face twisted.

    His gaze turned terribly violent. She should have spurned and shunned him at this point, yet Rishe looked straight at those blue eyes.

    For some time, their eyes fought for supremacy.

    What he spun next were these words.

    ¡°What the heck is the basis of your resolve?¡±

    Rishe failed to understand the truth of the question.

    ¡°What resolve?¡±

    ¡°You have that look in your eyes sometimes. ¨C Identical to the eyes of someone on the battlefield.¡±

    It was as if he could see through her pasts.

    Unable to reply immediately, Rishe shut her mouth. Arnold¡¯s hand slipped away from her neck.

    In turn, he touched her, this time to her cheek.

    Arnold grazed the nape of Rishe¡¯s neck with his thumb and looked straight into her eyes.

    ¡°You have the eyes of someone who has made up his mind to die here to stick to this faith, and yet, has not given up on life and would fight his fate until the very end. Such is the look of a human being.¡±

    For some reason, Rishe couldn¡¯t move and just looked up at Arnold the whole time. The moonlight that filtered through the stained glass cast the shadows of his eyelashes on his cheeks.

    Through Rishe¡¯s eyes, Arnold felt as if he was looking at a distant war, or of those who once wielded the sword themselves.

    ¡°When I had to kill someone was the most terrifying moment on the battlefield.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    So he had things that scared him too.

    But thinking about it, it was a given. Rishe already knew that the man in front of him was not a ruthless, cold-blooded killer.

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    No matter what the future or the past might be.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Rishe murmured quietly.

    ¡°I sometimes think, I maybe not of this world anymore.¡±

    It was a confession out of context; she could say so herself.

    Even knowing that it wasn¡¯t a reply to his question, she still said it. Despite this, Arnold remained silent as he waited for the rest of her story.

    Feeling prompted, Rishe wove a little more, throwing in a few lies here and there, because she couldn¡¯t just confide in him the truth.

    ¡°I have dreamed six times in the past that I was killed. I¡¯ve woken up from that dream and found that I¡¯m still here alive. And yet, sometimes I get very scared.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re scared?¡±

    ¡°The truth is, I¡¯ve been wondering if I was already dead; if my life had ended at that moment, and if the world I¡¯m living in now is but a long dream I¡¯m having after death.¡±

    As she spoke, Rishe was inwardly confused, truly puzzled.

    What am I saying?

    I never knew I felt this way.

    But not that Rishe thought about it, she has been frightened somewhere all along.

    She didn¡¯t want to die this time around. She wanted to do her best to survive. This was Rishe¡¯s main goal in her seventh lifetime.

    But it was also the same in the past.

    For the 2nd and 3rd time, she struggled for survival. Even the 5th and 6th times she tried, but she still died a noble death without accomplishing it.

    This fact has always lingered in the back of her mind.

    Regardless of her efforts, she might still be killed again five years later.

    In the first place, this world that Rishe was living in might not be real.

    When her thoughts started flowing in that direction, she consciously stopped herself.

    No.

    Rishe looked down and quietly meditated on it.

    Then she told herself.

    So what if I¡¯m scared? ¡ª If there¡¯s fear in me, I¡¯ll buck it and move forward.

    The longer they stood still, the more dreadful things crept up behind her.

    Rishe raised her head and looked at Arnold again.

    ¡°But still, I made up my mind that even if this life is only a dream, no matter how it ends, I won¡¯t run away.¡±

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°What I have now is nothing so grand as Your Highness says. I¡¯m only prepared to live this life as your wife.¡±

    She was certain that even if she were to be reborn again, she would never reach this fate again.

    In a time loop, Rishe was well aware how hard it was to replicate the exact same flow of life as that in other lives.

    Since she knew it, she must face it with all her might.

    To stop the war. To survive.

    Consequently.

    Perhaps, she could do something for Arnold, who might not have wanted that kind of future.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I want to get to know you.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha.¡±

    A sneer escaped him upon hearing her declaration. His hand, which had been on her cheek, now caught Rishe¡¯s jaw.

    And in the next moment.

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡­¡±

    Something soft touched her lips.

    Rishe gasped, unsure of what had happened.

    After a few seconds that stretched like eternity, Arnold¡¯s lips, which were resting on top of hers, left. What sounded next was a soft whisper.

    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot.¡±

    His gaze harbored something akin to helplessness.

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    His voice was so gentle, as if he was persuading a child, but at the same time, exuding something like loneliness.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be prepared to be my wife.¡±

 Chapter 32.1 Gems at the fingertips

    ¡ª After that incident in the chapel, the next evening¡­

    Rishe was standing in the small kitchen of the remote palace, busy moving around.

    It wasn¡¯t the smell of cooked food that filled the kitchen, but a sweet scent that must have caught the attention of the maidservants. Several of them came to peek into the kitchen, and each time they did, they were surprised.

    ¡°Rishe-sama! What¡¯s this mass of flowers?¡±

    The maid was right. There were a lot of flowers crammed on the kitchen table.

    Rishe, who was plucking the petals from the roses, chuckled at the question. These roses with withered petal ends had been left unsold in the castle¡¯s florist¡¯s shop. She had Elise buy them all up for her.

    ¡°Sorry for scaring you. I¡¯ll take care of the flowers, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not it¡­¡±

    She stared at Rishe¡¯s hand, puzzled.

    The red roses weren¡¯t the only things in the kitchen. There were orange gerberas and purple gentians. There were other colorful flowers as well, and pink petals were simmering in a pot in the stove.

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    It was mainly due to this pot that the thick floral scent wafted into the kitchen.

    ¡°Oh! Are you going to do some dyeing by any chance?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s a secret.¡±

    Rishe looked at her with a glittering smile.

    ¡°But I hope you¡¯ll try it when I¡¯m done. Unless, of course, you don¡¯t want to.¡±

    ¡°Sure!¡¡I don¡¯t understand anything, but I¡¯d be glad to help you, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The maid went back to work, wondering what the contents of the pot would be.

    Rishe was determined to give her a definite answer, but she might be confused to find out what was in the bottle that she kept in the corner of the table. With that in mind, she cleared away the leaves and stems.

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    I think this pot could use a little more simmering. I¡¯m done with the petals¡­

    Rishe sat down and picked up the papers she had laid under the bottle.

    It was the information she had spent time writing holed up in the library, browsing documents about the country.

    Population density in the Imperial Capital. Changes in economic conditions. The circumstances of the surrounding areas, and information on the merchants and travelers who came in and out.

    As Rishe read, she thought, Although the business proposal to be presented to Chairman Tully has been decided, it¡¯s only five days to the promised deadline.

    The samples of the products she¡¯d be producing would be ready by then.

    She also has all the materials and formulas for calculating interest rates and so on that would determine if it would be profitable.

    After spending the morning holed up in the library and the afternoon gathering materials, the odds were in her favor and there were no problems.

    Still, Rishe wasn¡¯t at ease. For some reason, she couldn¡¯t get rid of the doubt if she really made the right decision.

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    Rishe browsed through the string of words she transcribed again.

    There¡¯s so much that I don¡¯t know.

    She was keenly aware of this as she flipped through the numerous documents.

    As she read through the papers, she found that Arnold, who had made numerous military achievements in the war three years earlier, had apparently acquired political authority as Crown Prince.

    Then as the victorious nation, he first used the reparations paid by other countries to purchase local crops and specialties at high prices.

    Even in a victorious nation, only a small percentage of the population could immediately benefit from the spoils of war.

    At the end of the war, those who had been soldiers and blacksmiths who were needed to forge armors and swords in large quantities; workers, such as apothecaries, who were temporarily employed by the military to produce medicines for the war effort, lost their jobs.

    Many stayed in big cities to find work, but those who couldn¡¯t find work, ended up in the slums.

    Provinces and rural areas were robbed of their manpower by the war, and even after it, many didn¡¯t return to seek jobs there.

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    Thus, production rates have fallen in rural areas where there were no workers, and food prices eventually rose drastically across the country.

 Chapter 32.2

    But upon hearing that the state was willing to buy local crops and seafood at a high price, the jobless workers in the Imperial Capital headed for the countryside.

    In fact, from the transit records during this period, a large number of people traveled from the Imperial Capital to the countryside for farming and other purposes.

    Furthermore, Arnold distributed the foodstuffs he purchased to various places to fill the bellies of those impoverished by the war.

    A fair amount of money had been invested in this policy, but as a result, the Garkhain Kingdom became even richer. Productivity and fertility rates increased.

    Consequently, tax revenues also increased and national power was strengthened. This trend was totally obvious just by analyzing some of the documents.

    A fact I would never have known if I¡¯d lived outside of Garkhain.

    A scene last night flashed through her mind.

    Arnold told her, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be prepared to become my wife.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    What did he mean?

    She should have clarified properly, but Rishe was dumbstruck. It was because the expression on his face looked somewhat sad.

    That look and gaze, Rishe knew.

    He had that same look on his face when he killed me.

    She had so many questions she wanted to ask him.

    And yet, she couldn¡¯t even stop Arnold from turning his back to her.

    She tried to picture that moment, and it even brought back another memory. Rishe cringed, then turned over and plopped down on the desk, heaving.

    There¡¯s absolutely no deeper meaning to the act itself. Absolutely not. So don¡¯t think about it.

    But, she also thought.

    She has already made her mind up, so there was no time for big talk.

    Rishe squeezed her eyes shut and got up from the chair.

    Then she lightly tapped her cheeks to regain her spirit.

    I have to get this done first!

    It was time to move on to the next step in the process.

    Rishe took the pot down from the stove and separated the boiled petals from the juice into bowls. She let them cool down while she prepared another pot. When it was cool enough, she squeezed the water out of the petals with a cloth.

    Next, she picked up a glass bottle from the table. The transparent slime inside was the sap of a tree that grew widely on this continent.

    She mixed the dye extracted from the flowers with the sap while trying to prevent bubbles from emerging as much as possible. Once the dye was evenly distributed, she transferred the mixture to a small vial and shook it to release the bubbles.

    A vial of dark pink liquid resulted from it.

    Opening another glass bottle, Rishe dipped the brush she had prepared into it.

    It was the mixture of the juice of certain medicinal herbs, a light milky white color. She carefully applied it to her nails. On top of that, she applied a layer of the pink liquid she had just completed evenly so it wouldn¡¯t bulge out.

    After about 10 seconds, the liquid began to feel hot and fuzzy.

    She waited for a few minutes without using her fingers before poking it with the tip of the brush handle and found that it had hardened. It seemed to have hardened well.

    Excellent.

    She spread her hand, and was pleased to see her nails dyed rose pink. They were glossy and shiny with the hardened sap and her fingertips seemed to be covered with gems.

    This was a discovery she had acquired in her life as a pharmacist when she was researching new drugs by mixing medicinal herbs together.

    The juice of three different herbs combined with the sap of the widespread clusters of colonial trees (not sure if I identified right =¥³¥ê©`¥Ë¤ÎÄ¾) would solidify in a few minutes or so. When she was a pharmacist, she used it to reconstruct the broken nails and other parts of an injured person¡¯s body.

    Now she just needed to experiment if it hardened well when mixed with flowers other than roses.

    Just as she as pondering, Elise, the maidservant, showed up.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, please take a break.¡±

    Seeing that Rishe was still in the kitchen, Elise, who called her out several times, curved her lips up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you some tea. So please take a break this time¡­¡±

    At that moment, Rishe¡¯s fingernails inadvertently caught Elise¡¯s attention. She paused and her eyes shone like stars in the vast sky.

    ¡°Sparkly, shiny¡­¡±

    Her voice sounded so cute as she let out a soliloquy, that Rishe chuckled.

    ¡°You came just right in time, Elise.¡±

 Chapter 33.1 Pearl Tears

    When Rishe told Elise what she wanted to do, she nodded curiously and willingly extended her hands.

    Sitting across from her, Rishe first disinfected her slender fingers.

    Making sure there were no stinging scratches on her fingernails or fingertips, she began preparing.

    ¡°In Eastern Countries all the way from here, there¡¯s a culture of dyeing nails with flowers. This is a combination of that culture and nail art reinforcement.¡±

    She dipped her brush into the milky liquid and explained as she painted Elise¡¯s nails.

    Elise listened curiously as she talked about the distant land.

    ¡°Does that mean the nails will be stronger?¡¡Mine are always brittle.¡±

    ¡°The area where it¡¯s applied should be less prone to cracking. But the best thing you can do is to eat a well-balanced diet of meat, fish and beans.¡±

    Nails were a part of the skin. What was good for the skin was also good for the nails.

    ¡°Meat, fish, beans,¡± Elise murmured and nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll remember. From now on, I¡¯ll ensure I¡¯ll be able to eat on my paycheck.¡±

    ¡°I know your family is in a difficult situation.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re poor and I have many brothers and sisters. Now, if we manage to get some meat or vegetables, they¡¯re fed to my little brothers and sisters.¡±

    Rishe has heard about it when she wasn¡¯t yet her handmaiden.

    Elise was working to contribute to the family and she said she really wanted to be employed at the castle as a handmaiden.

    I¡¯ve heard there are shanty towns in this country before. As I recall, on the way to Garkhain, during a break after being attacked by bandits¡­

    At that time, she was told that one of the knights, who was a vassal of Arnold, was from the favelas.

    Even His Highness Arnold¡¯s policies didn¡¯t save everyone. In the first place, his policies were partially obstructed by someone else¡­

    With that in mind, she finished applying the primer solution to all her nails.

    When she finally dipped the brush in the flower-dyed sap, Elise¡¯s eyes were glued to the brush. While she was carefully applying them evenly, she couldn¡¯t help exclaiming in wonder.

    ¡°Really, it¡¯s so beautiful. I¡¯ve never seen anything so sparklingly beautiful before.¡±

    Else was a very fashion-conscious girl.

    She seemed to enjoy picking out Rishe¡¯s dress and styling her hair every day. She was also very dexterous with her hands, so she probably could paint her nails well.

    ¡°It¡¯s only pink right now, but let me know your favorite color, too. I hope you¡¯ll accept it once it¡¯s done.¡±

    ¡°N-No. It¡¯d be a waste for me to take something so wonderful. I think I¡¯m going to pass it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no, not at all. I¡¯d be happy to let Elise and the others use it.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama¡­¡±

    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief as she finished painting her entire right hand. The process was hard to fix once it failed.

    ¡°What color do you like?¡¡There¡¯s also the blue of a forget-me-not and the yellow of a sunflower. There¡¯s red, orange, pink and even purple.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I bet any color would look great on your white fingers.¡±

    With her smiling and saying so, Elise looked at her with a somewhat pensive expression.

    Then, beads of tears trickled down her large, round eyes.

    ¡°Elise!¡±

    Rishe panicked in front of the maid, who suddenly began to cry.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on? Have I scratched you!¡±

    It would be terrible if it was smeared with the liquid. But Elise shook her head repeatedly.

    ¡°No, no. I¡¯m just very happy.¡±

    Elised paused for a moment and then blinked.

    ¡°I-I¡¯ve never had anything so beautiful in my life.¡±

    While speaking, tears ran down her cheeks.

    ¡°What I needed most was food for my brothers and sisters. When I had a little money, I had to buy what I needed to survive.¡±

    Her tiny voice gradually turned into choking sobs.

    ¡°I never had a hair ornament, and my clothes were always tattered. I always wore boy¡¯s hand-me-downs. So I was really happy when I received such a pretty uniform at the castle.¡±

    Rishe remembered.

    When she first met Elise, she had been very sad that her uniform had been soiled.

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    ¡°I was just happy that Rishe-sama hired me and I got my official uniform. I had to put up with all other beautiful things. So¡­¡±

    Elise wiped a tear with the back of her hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy, Rishe-sama. So happy that I don¡¯t even know how to thank you¡­¡±

    ¡°Elise¡­¡±

    Rishe gently patted her head.

    All the maidservants of this detached castle were working for their families. Just like Elise, there were more than a few kids who have been stifling their own aspirations and dreams.

    The business I¡¯m trying to establish lacked the ideas that I needed urgently!

    Part 2 will be tomorrow. Have a nice day!

 Chapter 33.2 Pearl Tears

    ***

    The day of the promised deadline.

    In the reception room of the main castle, Tully, the chairman, and four executives of the Aria Trading Company were all present.

    With Tully at the center and the executives standing on either side of him. They were all familiar faces to Rishe.

    Rishe, on the other hand, was facing them, explaining her product.

    ¡°¨CAnd paint the nails like this.¡±

    Lining up behind her were seven handmaidens.

    Each of their nails were tinted crimson, bright blue, pale green, and clear yellow.

    Their toes, glossy and shiny with sap, were very beautiful.

    ¡°The conditions in the Imperial Capital of Garkhain is as documented. Women accessories are very expensive, but many common households can afford it. Women who want to be fashionable but can¡¯t afford to buy jewelry or dresses will love this product.¡±

    She presented a sheet of paperwork to Tully.

    It was a document that made no mention of the ingredients, but listed an estimate of the purchase price and production costs.

    ¡°And this is the transit record of people entering and leaving the Imperial Capital. As you can see, many of them are male travelers in the prime of their careers.¡±

    ¡°Looks like it. And these guys have a home to return to and a family waiting for them.¡±

    ¡°That makes it the perfect souvenir. These bottles are small, and not too bulky.¡±

    Being small and not too bulky meant that it could easily be distributed outside the country.

    It would also be convenient for the Aria Trading Company, where peddling was the main selling method.

    ¡°What do you think, Chairman Tully?¡±

    Tully, who had been listening to Rishe in silence, asked the other executives without tearing his off Rishe.

    ¡°Chester, Melvin, Neil and Russell, tell us what you guys think.¡±

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    The named executives cited their opinions.

    ¡°Chairman, I think it has potential. Regardless of how far you trust the cost accounting, if we can keep it this cheap, it means we can mass produce it.¡±

    ¡°If I were to put a price on that bottle, I¡¯d say 2000 gold for the common people.Still, there¡¯ll be a gross profit.¡±

    ¡°It uses flowers for the dye. If we take flowers that only bloom in a particular country for the dye, we can sell it with added value in other countries.¡±

    ¡°Oh, man, you guys are really boorish.¡±

    When Tully heard his men talking, he held his forehead and shrugged.

    ¡°Cost? Gross profit? You don¡¯t think that¡¯s the only way to look at a product, do you?¡±

    ¡°Then, what about you Chairman?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s settle it. You dictate whether this commodity is an ant or a pear.¡±

    Tully said, and smiled gently.

    Not at Rishe or his men, but at the handmaidens present.

    ¡°Go ahead and give us your opinion, lovely ladies. How do you feel about painting those nails?¡±

    ¡°Uh, um¡­¡±

    Tully¡¯s smile, which has been described as ¡®a mature man¡¯s sexuality,¡¯ made the handmaids¡¯ cheeks flushed.

    Inwardly, Rishe strongly prayed that they wouldn¡¯t be deceived by any good-for-nothing dude in the future.

    The maids were reserved at first, then they began talking.

    ¡°We often look at our hands when we are at work. If our nails are beautiful to look at, I¡¯d be so happy and excited to see them.¡±

    ¡°With such lovely nails, I feel like I can do my job better than usual! That¡¯s how I feel. Fufufu, it¡¯s weird.¡±

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    ¡°It was difficult to paint my right hand by myself, so we had a nail polish contest with other maids. We chatted while painting, and it was so much fun! When we get better at it, we¡¯ll talk about trying to draw pictures.¡±

    The maids babbled, buoyant and gleeful.

    Finally, Elise uttered with a bashful smile, ¡°I was happy. I was just so, so happy¡­¡±

    ¡°Elise¡­¡±

    She painted her nails a coral color extracted from gerbera.

    When Rishe asked her again what her favorite color was, she didn¡¯t hesitate to answer, ¡°The same color as Rishe-sama¡¯s hair.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    Tully leaned back against the backrest.

    ¡°By the looks on the faces of these girls alone, this product is going to be a success. There¡¯s no need to do all those calculations about purchase price or whatnot.¡±

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    ¡°So, Mr. Chairman, does this mean Rishe-sama has passed your challenge?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    In that instant, surprise seeped through Tully¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Now, we¡¯ll see¡­¡±

    The maids exchanged glances, getting suspicious at the turn of events.

    Tully picked up a few papers that Rishe had laid out on the table and flipped through them again

    ¡°The price of a product is inclusive of all added values. Whether the cost is low or it¡¯s available for mass production has no bearing on the value of the product.¡±

    ¡°True enough.¡±

    ¡°This product is unique and is the only item available, so demand is expected to be high. If I were the inventor, I¡¯d raise the price and sell it to the gentry.¡±

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    Rishe¡¯s gaze was focused squarely on him, trying to figure out what was going on in his head.

    ¡°Shall we hear what your real thoughts are?¡±

    ¡°Uhm-hum¡­¡±

    Sure enough, Tully had seen it coming.

    ¡°Thank you, Chairman Tully. Now that you like this product, I¡¯ll finally cut to the chase.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, Mr. Chairman, what¡¯s going on here? Cut to the chase, so you mean¡­¡±

    Despite the upset executives, Rishe and Tully faced each other across the table.

    ¡°From here on out, let¡¯s talk about the terms of our business. Chairman Tully¡­¡±

 Chapter 34.1 Circulating Gold

    After receiving a few papers from Elise, Rishe let the maids withdraw from the reception room.

    ¡°Then¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, if I may be so bold, I¡¯d like to advise you first.¡±

    Tully raised one hand as if to restrain himself and chuckled.

    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to add extra terms? Your product is excellent. If you agree with our sales strategy of marketing it as a high-priced product for the aristocracy, then we¡¯ll give you a pass.¡±

    ¡°No, Mr. Chairman.¡±

    Rishe faced him and said clearly.

    ¡°We¡¯ll proceed our negotiation as is.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it¡­¡±

    She nodded and presented one of the documents she had to Tully.

    ¡°First of all, this is the arrangement regarding salaries in Garkhain. Three years ago, this country instituted something called minimum wage.¡±

    ¡°Whoa, interesting.¡±

    Tully looked at the contents of Rishe¡¯s notes with interest.

    ¡°I see. The employer must pay any worker more than this amount. Is anyone who contravenes it an offender?¡±

    Rishe nodded.

    ¡°Since this measure has been established in Garkhain Kingdom, there¡¯s no longer the case of ¡®no matter how much you work, you can¡¯t make ends meet.¡¯ Instead, everyone can now have a stable income. This has spurred the wealth of the country.¡±

    ¡°However, only those who can get a job benefits from it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Tully hit the nail on the head.

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    This measure that Arnold issued has increased the income of the workers.

    On the flipside, employers¡¯ spending rose proportionally to the increase of wages that each worker must be paid.

    Employers started to keep the number of people they hire to a minimum.

    Consequently, there were fewer cases of people unable to make ends meet no matter how hard they worked. But there was still a portion of the population who couldn¡¯t get by because there was no place to work.

    ¡°Next, please take a look here.¡±

    Rishe showed Tully the second document.

    ¡°I¡¯ve gathered all information necessary for mass production, including suppliers of materials and workshops for production, as well as distribution channels. As you can see, the costs associated with manufacturing can be kept fairly low, except for labor costs.¡±

    ¡°Good grief.¡±

    Tully leaned forward and propped his chin on his hand with his elbow resting on his lap.

    ¡°I¡¯m beginning to get what you¡¯re saying. Now, shall we get on with it? What do you intend us to do now that you¡¯ve set us up this far?¡±

    ¡°We need to recruit people from the favelas who are desperate for work.¡±

    Rishe kept her back straight and continued.

    ¡°I¡¯ll only provide you the craft for this product if you promise to do this.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The somewhat belligerent light from Tully¡¯s eyes suddenly disappeared.

    ¡°That¡¯s a noble thing to do.¡±

    He sighed deeply and shot Rishe a cold look.

    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m very disappointed in you, Lady Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Kane Tully! You¡¯re being disrespectful to the future Crown Princess of this country!¡±

    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s fine.¡±

    Rishe held back the usually cheerful knights and turned to face Tully again.

    ¡°Even with this plan, the Trading Company should be well served. It may be less inferior to that for aristocrats, though.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not enough for a greedy merchant like me. If you¡¯re looking for charity instead of commerce, you¡¯ll have to wait until I change jobs to the clergy.¡±

    That was the answer she had anticipated.

    Tully wasn¡¯t cold to others, but he advocated aesthetics for business.

    For this reason, Rishe told him, ¡°This isn¡¯t about charity, but business.¡±

    ¡°Say what?¡±

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    Tully frowned.

    The other executives showed identical expressions of incomprehension.

    ¡°Someone once told me that a good merchant can choose his customers.¡±

    The person who had once taught Rishe those words was looking at her with a complicated look on his face.

    ¡°I also learned just the other day that in Garkain, after the war ended, the government spent a huge amount of money to invest in the poorest of the poor.¡±

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re talking about. As I recall, hasn¡¯t His Royal Highness the Crown Prince already taken measures? A lot of people were saved and enriched, or something like that. It was a hot topic among the merchants.¡±

    ¡°Yes. But if His Highness hadn¡¯t taken these measures, and only the royal family and the nobility had enriched their own pockets, the citizens would have been starving.¡±

    In her life as a merchant, Rishe traveled to many countries around the world.

    Some of them, like the Garkhain, belonged to the victorious side, but not all of them were rich.

    Some countries were even much poorer than the countries that lost.

    ¡°When consumption declines, the economy stalls. When that happens, workers lose their jobs and become poor again. Once that cycle occurs, even the royal family and the aristocracy, who live off of the taxes paid by the people, are doomed.¡±

    Then Tully sneered.

    ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is, if you keep your riches in one place, you¡¯ll never get rich? If so, share with the poor?¡±

    ¡°No. Let me say something to your liking.¡±

    Rishe smiled and told Tully, ¡°Mr. Chairman, instead of choosing our customers, why don¡¯t we create them ourselves from now on?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

 Chapter 34.2

    That instant, his eyes widened.

    Rishe continued, ¡°The people who live in the favelas aren¡¯t likely to be ¡®customers¡¯ for most merchants. After all, they are just trying to make ends meet on a daily basis.¡±

    Elise told her just the other day.

    There were days when they couldn¡¯t afford to buy extra food and couldn¡¯t even afford a satisfying meal.

    There were times in her past life when Rishe also had trouble with food until she got her work back on track.

    ¡°But think about it. What would happen to the market if they were given jobs and enough income to live on without fear of tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°It¡­¡±

    ¡°People who weren¡¯t customers before become customers once they get a job. As the number of customers increases, the merchant¡¯s sales will increase. This cycle will eventually lead to the Trading Company hitting the jackpot.¡±

    Rishe smiled as she drew circles with her index finger.

    ¡°All the products of Aria Trading Company are impressive. Once we get more customers in the market, it will be the company that will make the most money.¡±

    ¡°Ha¡­¡±

    In a flash.

    Tully, who had been listening to the conversation with cold eyes, burst into a boisterous belly laugh.

    ¡°Haha, hahahahaha!¡¡I like it, I love it!¡¡So what you¡¯re saying is, don¡¯t choose your customers, grow them into customers!¡±

    ¡°There might be few at first, but as the business expands, the number of people, who can get out of poverty will soar.¡±

    ¡°By doing so, the tax revenue of Garkhain will also increase. So this is a win-win situation for the future Crown Princess, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    It sounded too blunt, but generally speaking, he was right.

    As a merchant, Rishe was initially trying to meet Tully¡¯s challenges.

    She hoped to be able to propose a business that would be profitable and cut back on the losses.

    However, when she learned of the measures Arnold had imposed, she was at a loss about the policy.

    It wasn¡¯t until she heard Elise¡¯s thoughts that she was convinced.

    Undoubtedly, Rishe should do business not as a merchant, but as the Crown Princess.

    Something that would bring profit and prosperity to the nation and wealth to the people.

    This wealth wasn¡¯t only the ability to eat without worries, but also the hope that one could live without giving up one¡¯s dreams and aspirations.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s the right answer. Nevertheless, it¡¯s one of the few means I can offer you at the moment.¡±

    ¡°No, not bad, huh? It¡¯s like you could see right through my thoughts and beliefs. It was pretty fun.¡±

    Tully looked terribly happy, a change from the bored look on his face from earlier.

    ¡°But Lady Rishe, you¡¯re still immature.¡±

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    She remembered that smile.

    It was the smile Tully showed every time his subordinate, Rishe, failed in her merchant life.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I say before? Your behavior is too earnest to deal with a mere merchant. People like that are looked down upon, seen through, and used.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your advice.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I think you want my company so badly. I¡¯m starting to plot to exploit that obsession and squeeze it out to the last minute.¡±

    [The Chairman¡¯s character defect turned up], the executives seemed to be saying with dumbfounded looks on their faces. Of course, Rishe, inwardly, was thinking the same thing.

    ¡°Hey, Chairman, that¡¯s the Crown Princess you¡¯re talking to, please restrain yourself.¡±

    ¡°Now what? There¡¯s roughly over a hundred percent of difficulty in your proposal. If I reject it, you¡¯ll have to come up with another idea. Maybe we¡¯ll have something even tastier to talk about¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe meditated slowly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to approve of my business dealings with you with open arms.¡±

    ¡°Great. I¡¯m glad you know me so well for a guy you¡¯ve only met a few times.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have really wanted to use this hand if I could¡­¡±

    She sighed and held out the last document.

    ¡°Oopsy, I wonder what¡¯s going to pop up next, what¡­¡±

    At that moment, the color of Tully¡¯s eyes changed at once.

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    ¡°Chairman? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Unease and agitation was palpable on his face.

    Tully, who had always been collected from the beginning, spoke in a panic.

    ¡°Lady Rishe, how did you know about this?¡±

 Chapter 35.1

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve taken some special measures to find out more about you.¡±

    Truth was, Rishe had seen it with her own eyes, but she continued to feign ignorance.

    ¡°I am currently cultivating several medicinal herbs in a corner of the castle. The concoction of these herbs will complete a medicine that will be delivered to the great eastern kingdom of Renfa.¡±

    Her knight guards made faces, as if to say, So that¡¯s what it is!!¡±

    Rishe nodded to them, who always accompanied her to work in the field, meaning, yeah.

    ¡°Chairman Tully, I take it you¡¯re familiar with the symptoms of the disease described there?¡±

    ¡°This is Aria¡¯s¡­¡±

    Rishe knew the girl, Aria Tully, well.

    She was now 10 years old, an innocent and bright girl.

    She was level-headed and just as inquisitive as her elder brother, and full of vim and vigor. The Aria Trading Company was also named after her.

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    Tully, the Chairman of the Trading Company, loved his only remaining family, Aria, with all his heart.

    It was for this reason that he was widely collecting information from all over the world to help cure a certain disease.

    ¡°As you might guess, this medicine is effective against the illness of your sister, Aria Tully-sama.¡±

    This has been proven in her past life.

    Aria developed a respiratory condition when she was much younger than she was now.

    And her brother, Tully, searched non-stop for medicine for her while peddling around the world.

    He heaved a breath and said in a snatched voice, as if to stifle the bout of jitters that burst within him, ¡°It¡¯s no surprise that information has been leaked about my sister¡¯s illness. I¡¯ve been consulting doctors everywhere since my arrival here in Garkhain. But how did you come to know about Renfa¡¯s pharmacology?¡±

    Renfa, a kingdom in the east, has been studying pharmacy since ancient times.

    Doctors around the world came to rely on this knowledge and beg for instruction, but not much information was disclosed to those from the outside world.

    Rishe also knew that Tully tried, in every means possible, to explore medicines in the past, every time he plied his trade to Renfa Kingdom.

    ¡°The pharmacist who frequented my birthplace was a native of that country. It was him that got me invested in Renfa¡¯s pharmacology.¡±

    Although she was lying when she proudly stated that a pharmacist frequented her birthplace, the origin of her person, who once became her teacher was true.

    The pharmacist, who was a native of Renfa, taught Rishe, who had been studying on her own, a lot of things.

    One of them was the drug she was now presenting to Tully.

    ¡°I did a detailed investigation into Aria¡¯s medical condition. If she takes this medication for a year or so, she¡¯s expected to make a speedy recovery.¡±

    ¡°Did you expect me to take your word for it? When you¡¯re neither a doctor nor a pharmacist?¡±

    His reply was reasonable. She would have replied the same way when someone suggested her something of the like.

    Thus, Rishe left another trick.

    A week ago, on that night¡­

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you like the medicine I gave you last time?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    The executives around him reacted more strongly to her question than Tully.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean the drug we took the morning after we were wasted in the tavern, do you?!¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡±

    It was a week ago, the night her negotiation with Tully had broken down.

    Rishe had slipped out of the castle and rode to the tavern, and in the time it took for Tully to arrive, she competed drinking with the members of the Trading Company and got every last one of them drunk.

    On her way back, she handed Tully a bottle of pills.

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    [¨CWhen everyone in the company wakes up tomorrow, try to give them this medicine.]

    It was a very effective remedy for hangovers.

    ¡°The moment I got up, I was ready for a hangover that would last until the next day, but as soon as I took that, I felt better.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s something that quickly drains the alcohol toxins from the bloodstream, repairs an inflamed stomach, and so on. I have concocted it.¡±

    ¡°That medicine was from Rishe-sama?!¡±

    The executives looked sincerely surprised.

    Rishe hadn¡¯t crushed them for no reason that day.

    This way, once they took the medicine beforehand and knew that it was effective, they¡¯d give a little more credence to Aria¡¯s medicine.

    Well, I can¡¯t deny that I¡¯ve gotten into the habit of having a drinking spree with them¡­ Facing Tully, she reflected inwardly.

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    ¡°I can¡¯t prove right away that this medicine works. But, Mr. Chairman, weren¡¯t you searching for every little possibility?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Tally held his forehead and sighed heavily. Then he opened his mouth: ¡°Be the merchant of choice for your customers. Offer products and value that can only be obtained through you. Then you will be the one who chooses the customer. This is something I¡¯ve always told my subordinates.¡±

    Yes. I know.

    Even Rishe has taken that lesson to heart.

    Tully smiled to himself and said, ¡°You¡¯re a game changer, Lady Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Chairman¡­¡±

    ¡°So far, it¡¯s been a bargain of me choosing you. But now, it¡¯s your turn to choose me.¡±

    Tully straightened his back and looked at Rishe.

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    His eyes are terribly sincere. He was a proud man, but he was a man who could give up all of that for his beloved sister.

    He wasn¡¯t even sure if the drug would really be effective.

    Nevertheless, Tully tried to bow to Rishe.

    ¡°Please, I¡¯m willing to give all my wealth to you if you want. But please, I beg of you, give me this potion¡­¡±

 Chapter 35.2

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t get me wrong.¡±

    Rishe interrupted Tully as he tried to bow down.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the records about the concoction without any conditions.¡±

    ¡°Nah¡­¡± Tully looked at her, disbelief all over his face.

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m going to provide you with the herbs to make it, too. I¡¯m not pushing for a contract in exchange, so please don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡¡I tried to dodge a deal with you. Isn¡¯t this why you brought this trump card out?!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my trump card, yes. But I don¡¯t want to use your sister as a leverage,¡± Rishe replied to a stunned Tully.

    ¡°But I would like you to reconsider.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°People living in the slums are also worried about their families. There are many brothers and sisters who would sacrifice their own dreams to make sure their little brothers and sisters don¡¯t fall sick and are fed properly.¡±

    Remembering Elise, Rishe clasped her hands together.

    ¡°I think it should be the country who saves them, but I have no power as the Crown Princess. I am powerless without help. The only thing I can offer you at the moment, as I mentioned earlier, is that poor method.¡±

    If it were Tully, he¡¯d be able to build it into a much, much bigger enterprise.

    If it were Arnold, he¡¯d have used the Trading Company to develop bold and significant measures.

    There was too little she could do.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that the tide has turned or anything like that. So please, Chairman Tully¡­¡±

    Rishe bowed deeply.

    ¡°Won¡¯t you conclude a deal with me?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡±

    Silence reigned in the reception room for a few seconds.

    Would Tully still consider her naive?

    If she were still living as his subordinate, she might not have been allowed to be independent.

    Just as she was thinking that, she felt him get up from his chair.

    ¡°Please raise your head, Lady Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­¡±

    Tully then knelt beside Rishe and bowed reverently.

    ¡°Chairman Tully! Please don¡¯t, wha!¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand if you can¡¯t forgive my past rudeness. But, I just realized how inexperienced I still am and have a long way to go.¡±

    ¡°No, uhm! Ho-really, please stop!¡±

    She really was flustered and didn¡¯t know what to say when her former boss said something like that.

    ¡°Being a merchant is to work to enrich everyone involved. The merchants who take the money, the craftsmen who make the goods, and every customer who gets a product and feels like they¡¯re willing to pay the price to get it, will all be enriched¡­ And yet, I was impossibly naive. I¡¯ve been a pompous asshole, thinking I could choose my customers.¡±

    His tirade startled Rishe.

    ¡°The people in the favelas have never been my customers. The truth is I didn¡¯t care what happened to them. But you¡¯re right, there are a lot of kids there, like my sister.¡±

    Tully looked up at Rishe.

    ¡°Your business of enriching a lot of people is far more respectable than a man like me could ever hope to come up with in business. Irrespective of my sister¡¯s medicine, I should be ashamed of my arrogance.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Mr. Chairman¡­¡±

    After saying that, Tully remained on his knees and bowed his head deeply once more.

    ¡°The Aria Trading Company will henceforth provide you with what you desire in the name of Kane Tully.¡±

    ¡°Thank you very much!¡±

    With widening relief, Rishe felt herself relaxing.

    ***

    Finally, I¡¯ve secured a supply route.

    In the reception room where Tully and his colleagues had departed from, Rishe was leaning back on her chair.

    I¡¯m glad I was able to develop the samples in time. The medicinal herbs are growing well, and all the maids will be able to work on their own soon. It¡¯s about time to start other preparations¡­

    While mulling over that, she felt a shuddering pain in the back of her head.

    The medication must be wearing off.

    She was aware that she¡¯s been pushing herself too hard the past few days.

    Tending to the field, educating the maidservants, making educational materials and developing products, she had no time to spare.

    On top of that, she had to conduct all sorts of research to negotiate with Tully today.

    The only way she managed all these was to cut down on her sleep time, which was obviously very difficult for Rishe, whose stamina was currently poor.

    Really, I need to get in shape.

    She examined herself and confirmed she had no cold or any contagious illness.

    It was probably just a mild overwork. With a little rest, she should be able to recover.

    But first, I just need to get one more thing done.

    As she was thinking about this, the knight who escorted Tully and the others out of the reception room returned.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting, Rishe-sama. We¡¯ll send you to your room.¡±

    Rishe mended her slump and smiled.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, is something the matter?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She looked down and exhaled softly.

    Her vision became blurry.

    She was feeling normal until a few minutes ago. As soon as the pain reliever wore off, she found herself in this situation.

    ¡°Pardon me. Could you please call my maid, Elise?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sure!!¡±

    Perhaps sensing her anomaly, the knight hurriedly rushed out of the reception room.

 Chapter 36.1 The King of the Favelas

    ¡°Over here, Oliver-sama!¡±

    The knight who was escorting Rishe led Oliver, the Crown Prince¡¯s squire, into the reception room.

    ¡°How is Rishe-sama doing?¡±

    ¡°She looked pale and had difficulty sitting up. She¡¯s now being cared for by my counterpart, Kamil.¡±

    ¡°Who else knows about this?¡±

    ¡°At Rishe-sama¡¯s behest, I sent Elise, her handmaid, ahead of you. No one else knows about it.¡±

    ¡°Well done. That¡¯s good.¡±

    Oliver and the others have received orders from their master for some time now.

    In the event that an unprecedented situation concerning Rishe occurred, they have to handle it confidentially with a small group of people and be careful not to spread it within the imperial castle.

    Perhaps the order wasn¡¯t only to protect the Crown Princess from disparaging gossip.

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    As I recall, His Highness Theodore made contact with Rishe-sama. Jeez¡­

    He must covertly carry Rishe out and call a trustworthy doctor. With that math in his head, Oliver jumped into the reception room.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, how are you feeli¡­?¡±

    Oliver was lost for words. Curious, the knight also looked into the room, then his eyes widened.

    The reception room was an empty shell.

    Rishe, who was supposed to have collapsed, or Kamil, the knight who had stayed behind, was nowhere to be seen. And Elise, whom he said he sent to the room first, was also gone.

    ¡°What the heck¡­¡±

    Oliver gulped and cleared his throat.

    ¡°Oh, Oliver-sama!¡±

    ¡°Report to His Highness. Until further instruction, please keep this situation to yourself.¡±

    ***

    Theodore, the second prince, slipped out of the castle as usual and walked leisurely through the imperial capital at night.

    He was wearing a robe and a hood up over his eyes, accompanied by only one escort. At a glance, no one would notice that this boy was royalty.

    First off, in this country, only the Emperor appeared before the people publicly. It was fair to say that few people know Theodore as a prince.

    Still, he hid his face because the place where he frequented was problematic.

    Theodore stepped into a narrow back alley, and steadily went deeper.

    That path, where a stocky bodyguard would get cramped, was one that no ordinary citizen strolling down the main street would brave even in the daytime.

    The surrounding houses, illuminated by lanterns, were all shabby. Theodore knocked on the door of one of them, the only one with lights on.

    After a voice responded inside, the guard proceeded and opened the door.

    Theodore entered the building with a flick of his right hand sleeve.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been expecting you, Theodore-sama.¡±

    An old man with a bent back bowed deeply.

    Theodore smiled, sat down in a chair nearby and smiled cheerfully.

    ¡°Hey, Dominic, it¡¯s been three days. I¡¯m so glad to hear that Raina¡¯s baby is born, that¡¯s great news!¡±

    ¡°And it¡¯s all thanks to Theodore-sama¡¯s generous support.

    ¡°Hahaha, don¡¯t be so formal. I and everyone in this favela should help each other out.¡± Theodore said, then cast his eyes down without warning.

    ¡°Thank you for abducting the future Crown Princess?

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    ¡°As long as Theodore-sama commands it,

    The castle was seemingly uneventful and stirring normally. However, that wasn¡¯t to say that nothing has changed.

    The knights under his brother¡¯s direct control, those on guard, his brother¡¯s escort, and others on highly visible duties were moving about as usual.

    But other knights have disappeared, and those on off-duty didn¡¯t seem to be in their quarters either.

    ¡°Elder brother is now in a panic looking for Rishe with a face that says it¡¯s nothing on the surface. Ha, that¡¯s a good sign.¡±

    ¡°And how are you going to dispose of that girl? Kill her or enslave her. We¡¯ll do whatever you wish. Just give us the word and we¡¯ll do the dirty work for you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re reliable and quick to talk, helping me¡­ But, well, there¡¯s no rush.¡±

    Theodore crossed his legs and rested his cheek on his hand.

    ¡°More importantly, your credit is due on this one. I know it must have been hard for you to move inconspicuously, but you¡¯ve done a great job capturing Rishe.¡±

    Then he turned his attention to the two people standing in the corner of the room.

    ¡°Elise, Kamil, I owe it to you guys.¡±

    ¡°If Theodore-sama commands it.¡±

    The petite girl and the tall knight both bowed to him.

    Then they looked straight at Theodore.

 Chapter 36.2

    Elise, the maidservant, and Kamil, who had been in charge of Rishe¡¯s guard for a while now, were two people that Theodore has long been acquainted with.

    The two were born and raised in this favela, and lived in a desperately in need of food.

    Theodore, who has secretly frequented this favela for a long time and took advantage of the inhabitants in exchange for money, gave them a beautiful smile.

    ¡°Then again, I didn¡¯t expect this chance to come so soon. I never thought she¡¯d fall ill and pass out, creating the perfect opening to kidnap her.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Rishe-sama¡¯s body search has been done. She has no weapons or other means of escape.¡±

    ¡°Perfectly done!¡±

    Theodore then looked at the maid.

    ¡°Elise is looking so much better. It¡¯s a relief to see that you¡¯ve been eating properly.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Theodore-sama for recommending me to the castle as a maid through the church.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. It was a great opportunity to get a spy close to my brother¡¯s fianc¨¦e. I¡¯m very grateful to you for having done a marvelous job of earning Rishe¡¯s trust.¡±

    Theodore then looked at the knight, Kamil.

    ¡°Besides, Kamil, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve had a hard time with your escort mission, too, have you? My sister-in-law seems quite a bit active.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Thanks to being assigned to escort Rishe-sama, I was able to fulfill Theodore-sama¡¯s orders.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha. I was unhappy when you joined the Order and was selected as Brother¡¯s knight guard. I even asked you to be my knight, but you simply refused.¡±

    Was that about two years ago?

    Theodore¡¯s request was denied and the gossip about the Second Prince wanting his brother¡¯s knight guard and throwing a tantrum, etc. circulated. But in reality, Theodore knew the knight beforehand.

    ¡°I can torment my brother owing it to you, being his knight guard. Thank you so much.¡±

    Theodore took out a leather bag full of gold coins and handed it to them both.

    Elise and Kamil bowed reverently and received their reward.

    ¡°Thank you for all your hard work, keep up the good work.¡±

    Theodore commended them and left.

    ***

    ¡°Oh! It¡¯s Theo!¡±

    On the way home, a boy dressed almost as much as a rag came running up to Theodore¡¯s side.

    ¡°Hello, Vim. Is your house-sitting duties going well?¡±

    ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll keep Anna safe until mother comes home from work!¡±

    ¡°As expected of an elder brother, good job!¡±

    Theodore bent down and caressed the boy¡¯s head repeatedly.

    The boy was grubby, and an ordinary person would be hesitant to touch him, but Theodore didn¡¯t mind.

    ¡°But it¡¯s getting late, so you¡¯d better go do the rest of your mission setting the futon.¡±

    ¡°But, but I have to welcome Mother first¡­¡±

    ¡°Sleeping with your sister is the most important task for a brother.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The boy still looked contemplative, then obediently nodded in understanding.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get on with my futon mission. Good night, Theo!¡±

    ¡°Good night, sweet dreams.¡±

    Theodore stared the boy¡¯s back until he disappeared. He watched him enter a shabby building and straightened up.

    ¡°It¡¯s an elder brother¡¯s job to sleep with his younger sister, right? But my brother has never done that for me.¡±

    ¡°Theodore-sama.¡±

    Theodore¡¯s shoulders were drooping when his tall guard called his name.

    Theodore first came to this shanty town when he was a child. He held hands with his mother, who was now deceased, and set foot here to give alms.

    This cesspit of a city that existed in a corner of the rich imperial city was estranged from everyone else.

    ¡°To my brother, the inhabitants of this town and I are the same. As long as he¡¯s there, I have to show that I¡¯m willing to take action to help one way or the other, but the truth is he really doesn¡¯t care. That¡¯s just the way it is.¡±

    Theodore looked down and muttered to himself.

    ¡°However, with this counterstrike, I wonder if I get to see a bit of my favorite look on his face that he¡¯s fond of showing me.¡±

    ***

    Inside a dimly lit room, Rishe was desperately trying to stay conscious.

    This place seemed to be in a building on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Trapped in a room that was akin to a storage room, Rishe had been waiting for ¡®that moment¡¯ for a long time.

    The door was locked from the outside. There was a window, but she seemed to be on the third floor of the building, so it was a long way to the ground.

    Outside the door and below the windows, sentries with weapons seemed to have been set up. The guards were poorly dressed and resembled savage thieves.

    Rishe squatted in the corner of the room, battling with her whirling vision, lethargic body, and headache.

    Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived.

    ¡°Hello, sister-in-law. How does it feel to be betrayed by your maidservant and guard?¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore¡­¡±

    Rishe spat a short breath at the entry of the person she¡¯s been waiting for.

 Chapter 36.3

    Theodore smiled in a good mood, and stood in front of the door, looking down at Rishe.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that you¡¯ve been abducted by the maid you¡¯ve brought up so lovingly. I heard from Elise that the new maids are getting faster at their jobs.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of talk among civil officials that once the system you¡¯ve devised is in place, our castle¡¯s servant shortage problem will be solved. I envy you for contributing to the problem that has been bothering Brother, and for being an excellent bride.¡±

    After he said that, the smile disappeared from the boy¡¯s beautiful face.

    ¡°You are the kind of person my brother needs.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe spoke in a daze.

    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±

    ¡°Of course, I did it to upset Brother.¡±

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    ¡°Did you send Elise and the others just for this?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Theodore admitted with a relaxed tone.

    ¡°The only people of value to Brother are those who have something outstanding to offer. A skilled knight; a good squire; a bride who can reform the castle. And a useless brother like me is of no use to him.¡±

    Rishe suddenly realized.

    All this time, she had thought that Theodore hated Arnold. But that wasn¡¯t the case.

    ¡°Then he should at least hate me. Otherwise, Brother won¡¯t even look at me¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu.¡± Theodore hung his head down and laughed heartily and ludicrously.

    ¡°It was amazing how Brother looked at me properly when I got in touch with you. Even that cold look he gave me, as if he was looking at something abhorrent, was much better than being ignored!¡±

    Theodore¡¯s body trembled; not in fear, but in ecstatic rapture.

    ¡°As long as I¡¯m pissing off my brother, his feelings will all be directed at me! I¡¯m deeply relieved whenever I think that my brother is thinking of me!¡±

    Theodore stood in front of Rishe, who was lying on the floor, and peered at her malevolently.

    So Rishe smiled back. She suppressed her wavering vision and the nauseating headache, and smiled openly.

    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Theodore¡¯s face contorted at her claim.

    But he quickly regained his composure and restored his expression.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re frustrated for being captured, that was just sour grapes. That¡¯s not cute.¡±

    ¡°Then, as a way of dealing with my pathetic captivity, can you tell me just one thing? Why do you and your family get along so poorly?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±

    ¡°I was caught up in the brawl between brothers, and was thus held captive. You can¡¯t just say I¡¯m entirely irrelevant.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Theodore¡¯s expression turned sullen, then turned childish, as if he had come up with a prank.

    ¡°That¡¯s true. Let me tell you something. Didn¡¯t I once tell you that Brother killed our mother?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I perfectly remember.¡±

    ¡°There is a premise to that story. The premise is that Mother tried to kill him years ago.¡±

    Rishe remembered the scars on Arnold¡¯s neck.

    It was a myriad of old scars that must have been more than 10 years old. It was his only weakness, and something that was usually hidden behind clothing and other things.

    ¡°Mother has always hated Father and Brother. And Brother hated Mother just as much ¨C so much that he wanted to kill her one day.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Maybe, that man is planning to kill Father someday, too¡­ If he¡¯s planning to do that, no matter how much of a felon the Crown Prince is, he¡¯ll still be a felon, and he won¡¯t get away with a capital crime.¡±

    Theodore who was unaware of the future three years later, jokingly uttered, ¡°The Imperial Family is so scattered because first off, our father considers his children to be political pawns. Secondly, Brother has cut off all contact with his siblings. My sisters were even sent to live in different places under his orders.¡±

    ¡°What made His Highness Arnold hate your mother so much that he killed her?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But isn¡¯t it normal to hate someone who¡¯s been trying to kill you?¡±

    Is that so?

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    At least the Arnold that Rishe had seen in this life didn¡¯t seem to be the kind of person who would hate anyone for doing so.

    But¡­

    She tried to think, but her thoughts turned mangled and warped.

    ¡°That ends my story. Did you understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I understand, totally.¡±

    Rishe mustered her willpower and smiled at him.

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore wishes to be on good terms with His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡­¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t speak ill of His Highness when I asked you why your family doesn¡¯t get along. This is a far cry from the time you warned me to stay away from His Highness.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost your mind.¡±

    Theodore stood up and turned his back on Rishe.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to go play with Brother, and you should be quiet at best. There¡¯s no point in trying to escape when there are guards, okay?¡¡Bye.¡±

    The door closed and the sound of the lock clicked.

    As Theodore¡¯s footsteps drifted away, about four or five people were left in the hallway.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe exhaled deeply and opened one of the boxes piled in the corner of the room that she had found earlier.

    There were many winter curtains tucked away inside.

    She pulled them out and settled into a corner of the room and slowly plopped down there.

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    It was a bit hard, but it was nothing compared to camping in the wilderness back in her knightly days.

    Rather, such pleasure brought joy to her heart.

    I can finally sleep!

    In the time it took Theodore to get here, she had been desperately trying to stay conscious, in case she couldn¡¯t wake up from a sound sleep.

    The splitting headache and nausea was caused by severe drowsiness, but most of all, she was really sleepy.

    She sighed in relief and with a sense of peace knowing that she could take a nap.

    She closed her eyes and some time later¡­

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡±

    She woke up with a snap.

    It was only a short nap, but her thoughts were much clearer.

    Although she couldn¡¯t say that she has fully recovered, she felt much better than just before she collapsed.

    Um, there was ¡­ there it is.

    She took out her stash of pills and swallowed them, putting up with the bitterness. It was a stopgap measure, but once it worked, she would be able to move more easily.

    Rishe then quickly tugged up the hem of the dress she was wearing and removed the dagger that was strapped to her thigh with a ribbon.

    This dagger that Elise prepared for me is quite a good one. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s His Highness Theodore who distributed these weapons in the slums.

    With that in mind, she pulled out another thing she had hidden away.

    The two golden pins were originally hair ornaments.

    But she could use it to pick locks.

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    This was all thanks to her life as a handmaiden, where she was obliged to take her reclusive master out for an evening party or study.

    Well now¡­

    She had all the information she could draw out of Theodore.

    With the dagger and picking lock pins in hand, Rishe stood up.

 Chapter 37.1 Canâ€™t Even Be Called A Lock

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    The lock inside the door has been broken and she had checked it before Theodore¡¯s arrival.

    Because of that, the door, which should have been easy to open from inside, could only be unlocked from the outside to get out.

    But Rishe knew.

    Maybe it¡¯s around here¡­

    She knelt in front of the door and found a tiny hole ¨C A hole that existed when the inner lock was broken.

    It was something that only a thin pin could manage to get through, and could be unlocked in case of emergency.

    Most people wasn¡¯t aware of the hole¡¯s existence because they rarely got the chance to use it, but Rishe was a skilled help in her former life.

    While inserting the golden pins in, Rishe contrived her subsequent steps.

    Then thought of the two people who chose a confinement place where she could easily escape.

    I have to thank Elise and the knight for this. And for betraying His Highness Theodore, who is said to be well-liked in the favelas.

    It was only a few days ago that Rishe realized a possibility.

    The time she had received a letter from Theodore, tricking her into believing that it was from Arnold.

    That letter was placed in Rishe¡¯s room.

    Even though it was inserted through the gap under the door, it was a feat that was impossible without entering the detached castle.

    And currently, no one went in or out of the detached castle other than Rishe, her handmaidens and her knight guards.

    Although outsiders weren¡¯t officially banned from entering the grounds, any unrelated person walking in would still be noticed.

    Even at present, when maid servants were all over the place, cleaning and maintaining the detached castle.

    It would be difficult for a completely unrelated person to enter without being seen.

    Rishe investigated noncomitantly, and concluded that an outsider sneaking into the palace was unlikely.

    Even the entry and exit of Arnold, the Crown Prince, was gossiped about by the maid servants, as was the case the other day. But, there were no witnesses at all.

    That being the case, then it was more likely that the letter was brought in by either a maid or a knight guard.

    It was also possible that Theodore left the letter with an irrelevant maid.

    However, he left an envelope stamped with the Imperial Family¡¯s seal in Rishe¡¯s room. That was exactly the kind of rumor that would keep the rumor mill churning.

    Then, the idea that someone among the maids or knights siding with Theodore¡¯s plan was plausible.

    She didn¡¯t want to probe further, but there was a good chance that Theodore would try something next.

    So, while making a sample of the nail polish to present to the Aria Trading Company, Rishe began looking into the handmaidens.

    Especially since the new maids were girls that Arnold had gathered around the city for her.

    Their backgrounds were rigorously vetted and seemed to have been thoroughly scrubbed, including the absence of any criminals in the family, but one maid had a strange history.

    That was Elise.

    The new maids were all from poor families. However, Elise was the only one who came from an extremely poor district considered a favela.

    When she looked at the letter of recommendation, she saw the name of a church close to the favela.

    There was nothing strange about a poor girl being recruited by a church that has a charitable ministry.

    But then, why was Elise the only one from the slums?

    It was just a minor snag that she felt.

    However, since there was no proof, a conclusion had to be drawn.

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    Elise was a sweet girl. If she was being forced to do something like espionage, she also wanted to free her.

    Thus, when she was feeling unwell, she took the opportunity and ordered the knight to call Elise.

    She was going to talk to her if she made any move in that direction.

    But when Elise rushed into the reception room, she looked like she was on the verge of tears and said, ¡°Please don¡¯t worry, Rishe-sama. No matter what happens, I will definitely protect you. Definitely¡­¡±

    She was trembling all over. There was no doubt she was ready to betray her ¡°client.¡±

    What was even more surprising was that the other knight left behind spoke up, following Elise¡¯s lead.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, I¡¯ll help you too. I was deeply moved by the measures you mentioned earlier to save the favelas. With Elise, I will take the responsibility of getting you to a doctor.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe recalled in her muddled state.

    He was the knight who was previously attacked by bandits on their way to the country and was paralyzed by the numbing poison.

    Arnold said after she detoxified him that he was from the favelas and had become a knight through hard work.

    ¡°Elise, we¡¯ll receive whatever punishment we deserve. Let¡¯s help, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°I know. Rishe-sama, please wait for me. I¡¯ll¡­¡±

    ¡°No, do me a favor.¡± Rishe said, cutting off their determination.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve been ordered by His Highness Theodore, I want you to feign obedience.¡±

    ¡°Wha¡­?¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, how did you know that?¡±

    Looking at their stunned faces, the truth that Rishe wanted to confirm was all too clear.

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    ¡°Can you tell me what His Highness Theodore¡¯s instructions are, Elise?¡±

    ¡°To abduct you somewhere when we get a chance. And I was also told that you must not be harmed.¡±

    While Rishe was caught off guard that such an order was attached, Elise bowed deeply.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Rishe-sama. I will accept any punishment and scolding.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, aside from myself, Elise is innocent. She is in a poor situation in the shanty town and couldn¡¯t disobey His Highness Theodore¡¯s orders.¡±

    The knight, Kamil, spoke with a pained expression on his face.

    ¡°His Highness Theodore has been providing personal support to the favelas. The residents of that quarter will do anything for His Highness. If someone disobeys his order, he¡¯ll be shunned by the entire clan and persecuted even within the small neighborhood. Elise couldn¡¯t escape.¡±

    ¡°Kamil, we¡¯re on the same page.¡±

 Chapter 37.2

    ¡°I was able to become a knight and take my family out of that town. And yet, taking this order is a mortal sin against the future princess of the Crown Prince.¡±

    Rishe listened to their exchange, then said, ¡°I think it¡¯s best to talk about this later. Let¡¯s go for now.¡±

    ¡°Go where?¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course, abduct me, just as His Highness Theodore commanded.¡±

    In that second, Kamil and Elise stared at her with mouths agape.

    Rishe endured the headache, flipped a paper she had used for her business meeting with Tully and wrote a note on it.

    [Let¡¯s talk about the rest in the chapel.]

    With this, only Arnold would roughly guess the details.

    Arnold¡¯s memory should be fresh about her being summoned to the chapel about a week ago.

    Thus, Rishe slipped out of the castle and burrowed in this building on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

    ***

    With that note behind, His Highness Arnold should have been made aware that I left the castle of my own volition. Likewise, His Highness Theodore would believe that my abduction was successful¡­ This way, neither will condemn Elise and the others.

    She pushed the pins into the spot she was aiming for and felt something heavy. She wrenched it upwards and heard the sound of the door opening with a rattle.

    She stood up and opened the door a little. Then she heard men talking from outside.

    ¡°Is there a need for so many people to watch over a lady? I obey Theo-sama¡¯s orders, but to be honest, three is enough, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I heard that the young lady inside knows how to use a sword. Theo-sama is more worried about us than he is about the woman running away?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s all locked. There¡¯s no way she could get out. Isn¡¯t there five in this hallway, six upstairs, ten downstairs and outside? Under no circumstances¡­Ugh?!¡±

    Rishe opened the door at once and kicked the man behind his knees.

    She swung the dagger, still in its sheath, down to the back of the man¡¯s neck as he lost his balance and fell to his knees. A small grunt echoed and he fell into the hallway with a flop.

    ¡°W-What the hell! What happened?!¡±

    ¡°Hey, the woman is out!¡±

    ¡°Nonsense, lock the door properly¡­¡±

    ¡°Just pin her down!¡¡we¡¯re ordered not to do anything rough, but there¡¯s no other choice, let¡¯s tie her up!¡±

    One of the four remaining men tried to grab her.

    Rishe bent down and dodged the hand that reached for her shoulder and slammed his elbow straight into the man¡¯s groin. A scream smacked of a crushed frog reverberated, and the man stumbled back a few steps.

    ¡°Ughh~~¡±

    Shallow.

    Rishe analyzed her own shot calmly, and retreated. She took a big step back and took a pause.

    As expected, the current Rishe¡¯s strength and stamina was too weak.

    If I¡¯m to use martial arts with this physique, I¡¯ll have to harness their force and gravity.

    With that thought in mind, she faced the opponent before her.

    The men, who finally realized what was happening, hurriedly drew their respective swords. This was quite a story when hers was still sheathed.

    ¡°Excuse me. Could you just let me through, please?¡±

    ¡°Watch out! She seems quite skilled!¡±

    ¡°Bullshit. It¡¯s four against one!¡¡Let¡¯s attack all at once, don¡¯t let her get away!¡±

    She had asked politely, but there was no indication that the men would listen.

    On the contrary, with a command, they all pounced at Rishe.

    In the narrow corridor, such a fight was out of the question.

    Rishe gripped her dagger and parried a rushing blade to the right.

    With just one strike, the sword in the man¡¯s grip was hurled away. If a sword that was brandished recklessly was struck at a certain point, the recoil would let it easily leave a hand.

    The sword that flew off stuck in a door, and she slammed the hilt of her dagger into the belly of the stunned man.

    ¡°Kaha¡­¡±

    Rishe pushed the man away, and quickly dodged the three remaining men. She aimed for an opening, then jumped into the bosom of one of them and cleaved his face with her sheathed dagger.

    The area between the eyebrows was a vital point in the human body. If hit hard enough, the worst case scenario would be death, but with Rishe¡¯s current strength, it was no problem. The man grandly collapsed without even a scream.

    ¡°What the hell are you? Which part of her is just a simple young lady with a nibbling swordsmanship!?¡±

    ¡°Damn it. You stupid¡­!¡±

    One of them swung his sword down with his right hand. The moment she dodged it, a blade came right at her from the side.

    A double-edged sword!

    She readied her dagger and stopped the blow. Along with the dull clang, Rishe¡¯s hand went pale and numb.

    But¡­

    Compared to the blow she deflected from Arnold¡¯s sword, this blow didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit heavy.

    The last man standing looked at her and squeaked in fright.

    Rishe didn¡¯t seem to be bothered by the man. She unsheathed the dagger in her hand. The blade that has been sealed till this moment was exposed, and the flustered man quickly repositioned his sword.

    But instead of pointing the dagger at the man, Rishe plucked the hem of her dress.

    Then she plunged the dagger into the right side and cut the hem with a bleep. Rishe was very pleased to see the man in front of her, dumbfounded.

    ¡°Now I can move around a lot easier.¡±

    ¡°Huh?!¡±

    After all, it wasn¡¯t convenient to fight in a dress. It was an obvious fact, but he chewed on it seriously.

    ¡°Sorry for the wait. Before we continue, let me ask you again.¡±

    ¡°Sh-shit!¡±

    ¡°Can you step aside and admit defeat?¡±

    She had a nap, albeit a short one, and the pill she took was taking effect. Although it was a pain reliever, Rishe was recovering.

    If he didn¡¯t put up a fight, it would be so much better. But the man, who was trembling all over and his shoulders quivering, lunged towards Rishe.

    Since that was the case, she had no choice but to respond.

    ****

    From what I¡¯ve heard earlier, there are six people upstairs and 10 on the ground floor and outside.

    Rishe pondered in the corridor where the five men were knocked down.

    She quietly walked down the stairs. Then groans of men echoed in the corridor.

    Rishe quickly drew her dagger and spun around, and swung her leg up, deploying the force of her rotation.

    ¡°Gah~!¡±

    The heel of her shoe struck the man fully on the face.

    ¡°Uh, unbelievable¡­¡±

 Chapter 38.1 Broken Door

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    Theodore was facing his brother in a modest room he had rented on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

    His brother, seated in a chair, has his cheekbones propped on the armrest. The languid, blank look on his face showed no emotion, but depending on how you look at it, you could say that he was in a bad mood.

    He spoke, hoping that was the case, ¡°I¡¯m so happy. I can¡¯t believe Big Brother came all the way to such a place just to see me.¡±

    He smiled sincerely, but his brother in the front didn¡¯t say anything. So, Theodore teased merrily.

    ¡°Even alone, without an escort! No matter how many times I¡¯ve asked to meet and talk to you, you¡¯ve never replied to me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve talked to Big Brother like this. No, maybe this is the first time! Just us, brothers, only with no outsiders present!¡±

    After a brief snicker, Theodore¡¯s face twisted a little.

    ¡°For her sake, Big Brother should listen to anything I say.¡±

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    With that thought in mind, he felt something deep in his chest, as if burning bits and pieces of his heart away.

    ¡°You¡¯re wasting my time.¡±

    His brother finally spoke, but he sounded terribly cold.

    ¡°You summoned me. Now tell me what you want.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s harsh for my precious Big Brother to say.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have to talk to you at all.¡±

    Theodore clicked his tongue at those words.

    ¡°Hey you know what? You are in no position to defy me. I¡¯ve kidnapped your beloved girl, so show me a more flustered look! Ah, don¡¯t tell me you actually don¡¯t care about that girl?!¡±

    He said that in an attempt to provoke him, but he knew that couldn¡¯t be true.

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    Even Theodore thought that it was a stupid farce when he first heard of it. At the end of the day, that was his brother returning with a bride from a foreign country.

    High-ranking nobles had determined that she was probably a hostage. For a long time, their father Emperor had been ordering his elder brother to marry for political gains.

    Marry a princess from another country and control her under the Garkhain imperial family.

    It was his father¡¯s policy, and something he himself had carried out. Theodore¡¯s late mother was also a princess of a once prosperous country.

    His brother must have chosen a suitable woman from another country to respond to his orders and brought her back. Initially, Theodore was of the same opinion as the nobles.

    He sensed that something was amiss when the message that arrived prior to his brother¡¯s return carried orders to ¡®gather maidservants for his betrothed.¡¯

    He had Elise undercover as a potential handmaiden while he investigated the flow. Then he was informed that his brother was going to prepare a detached palace for his bride and live there as soon as it was ready.

    That would have been impossible if he intended to set up a wife as a mere window dressing. All he should have to do was to build a birdcage in a corner of the main castle, feed her and leave her alone there.

    He didn¡¯t have to live with her.

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    Of course, that made me jealous.

    When he heard that he set her free and gave her a field, he wanted to trample the arable land.

    But he stifled his childish envy. He was convinced that Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner would serve his purposes.

    At this moment, he could actually talk to his brother.

    He was ordered to ¡®stay away,¡¯ and when they met in the castle, he wasn¡¯t even allowed to speak to him. But they could now have a conversation in person.

    ¡°What you¡¯re doing doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean anything?¡±

    Theodore chuckled.

    ¡°At the end of the day, to Big Brother, I¡¯m just a useless and worthless stranger, who is only related to you by blood. I thought this time, you¡¯d realize that even a useless brother could do harm to his brother. But let¡¯s get to the point.¡±

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    Theodore imitated his brother and propped his cheeks on the armrest. Then he said, ¡°What I want, of course, is to be the next Emperor, Big Brother.¡±

    Did his brother ever anticipate this request? Or did he simply not care? Either way, the expression on his face remained unchanged.

    He found that deeply boring.

    The night I called her into the chapel, he had given me such a cold stare¡­

    As expected, his demands for succession rights and the like wouldn¡¯t sway his brother¡¯s heart.

    To Theodore¡¯s knowledge, that girl was the only weakness of his brother so far. And now she was in his custody.

    Of course, he had to strike there.

    Theodore stood up and continued to threaten his brother.

    ¡°Did you hear me? If you want Sister-in-law back in one piece, you must step down from the first line to the throne and give it to me. If Brother won¡¯t comply, I don¡¯t know what I might do to her.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I would hate it when that happens. You look like you¡¯re unconcerned, but you¡¯re actually worried about her, aren¡¯t you?

    He took a step towards his brother.

    ¡°I know she really means a lot to Brother, doesn¡¯t she? Much more than me, whom you didn¡¯t even want to see, or our sisters whom you sent away from the Imperial Capital! You care about her, interested in her, and want to keep her by your side. Do you know why I know that much? Because I¡¯ve been watching you for so long!¡±

    Theodore took another step forward. He approached closer ¨C a distance that he normally wasn¡¯t allowed to go.

    ¡°The life of the person you cherish is in my hands. You must be really worried. You must be at your wits end! The fact that Big Brother came out to answer my summon without an escort this late at night proves it more than anything else!¡±

    The thought that he actually said such words to his elder brother made his vision distorted and woozy. When he finally stood in front of his brother, he looked down at him and whined.

    ¡°Hey, tell me, Big Brother! Tell me, who doesn¡¯t even hold a candle to you, ¡®I¡¯ve lost this time around. You win, Theodore.¡¯ Admit it brusquely, and step down as the Crown Prince. That¡­¡±

    He rested his hand on his own chest and told his brother, ¡°My life will be fulfilled with that alone.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 38.2

    A few seconds of silence dominated the room.

    Before long, his brother spoke, ¡°Theodore.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He was so happy when he heard his name called.

    But he was surprised to see the expression on his brother¡¯s face. Because there was no anger or contempt, much less disgust, floating there.

    Why is he¡­

    His brother was smiling wryly as he sat comfortably in his chair.

    It was as if to say, There is no one in this place who can do me harm.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep you company for a little while. When you said you locked her up, did you keep her in a locked cell or something?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    That question irritated Theodore a bit.

    Prisons weren¡¯t something that could be found anywhere. Everything in the Imperial Capital was under the control of the Order, and they would naturally investigate such things.

    In other words, he asked the question knowing that she wasn¡¯t imprisoned.

    So, he also retorted with a sneer, ¡°She¡¯s kept in a narrow, dirty room, the size of a prison cell. Locked from the outside, where she can¡¯t get out on her own without the key.¡±

    ¡°The key? What else?¡±

    ¡°Rough men with weapons are watching the room she¡¯s in. It¡¯s a room so high up in the building that she can¡¯t escape even through the window. If she raises her voice to call for help, the guards will jump right in and silence her.¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk, I didn¡¯t know there was even a window.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    For some reason, his spare reply increasingly vexed Theodore.

    ¡°Were you listening to me? There¡¯s no way she can escape from a window in a high room, or from a locked door.¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t escape?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. And the unlikely event that she gets out, the watchmen will capture her, and that¡¯s the end of it.¡±

    He made it so clear, And yet, that didn¡¯t raze his brother¡¯s composure.

    ¡°Normally, I suppose.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    ~ What in the world was that?

    Impatience followed by frustration was kindled deep within Theodore. Did he possibly err in choosing the person to hold hostage?

    No, it can¡¯t be!

    There was no mistaking the fact that her brother had his eyes on her, no matter how he looked at it. So why wasn¡¯t he angry at him?

    Shouldn¡¯t he be furious, turn his hatred on him, and hurl abuse at him?

    ¡°I knew I should have cut off one of her fingers and brought it with me. It isn¡¯t too late for that. You should know Sister-in-law will easily get hurt from my single command to the guards, right?¡±

    ¡°Foolish little brother.¡±

    The elder brother laughed disdainfully at Theodore.

    It was close to what Theodore was craving for, but it was distinctly different. He didn¡¯t despise Theodore¡¯s foul play of taking his bride hostage, but Theodore¡¯s folly.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t stand a single chance of winning when you thought you¡¯d captured that one.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    After saying that, his brother¡¯s eyes turned towards the door.

    ¡°Oh look, here she comes!¡±

    ¡°W-W-What do you mean?! Why can¡¯t I understand what you¡¯re saying? It¡¯s not like you¡ª¡±

    Just as Theodore was about to argue vehemently, the door popped open with a bang.

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    The door was properly locked. How did it get thrown open?

    Theodore looked in the direction of the door in disbelief.

    The sight he beheld was even more astonishing.

    ¡°No way¡­¡±

    There stood a girl, holding a dagger in her hand.

    With the dagger in one hand, she flipped her coral hair and the hem of her dress.

    His brother¡¯s fianc¨¦e, Rishe, looked at him with her beautiful face and smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

    ¡°I¡¯ve come to even the score, Your Highness Theodore.¡±

 Chapter 39.1 Sealed Purpose

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    ¡°Stupid¡­¡±

    What¡¯s going on?

    Theodore backed away, unsure of why she appeared.

    No way, was Elise swayed by her kindness?! That¡¯s odd¡­ weren¡¯t Hugo and his crew on the watch? They would never betray me, and there¡¯s no way they¡¯d let Elise lead her away!

    While Theodore was upset, Rishe turned her gaze to the right.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    She called his name quite awkwardly. And her expression was somewhat tense.

    Theodore knew that they hadn¡¯t been in contact since that night in the chapel.

    He didn¡¯t know what had happened, but his brother was unperturbed with the awkward look on Rishe¡¯s face.

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    ¡°It seems my foolish brother has caused you trouble. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that¡­¡±

    ¡°According to this one, you were locked up in a place that was almost a prison. Did you get out through the window? Or have you drilled a hole in the wall?¡±

    ¡°I-Is that a question? I got out through the door as usual!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha. What a ¡®usual¡¯ way to get out of a locked door with guards.¡±

    Although Rishe was out of sorts, the tension disappeared from her face, and she seemed relieved.

    His brother was enjoying himself, but Theodore was having none of it.

    ¡°What the heck!¡±

    He clenched his fists tightly and glared at Rishe.

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    ¡°How did you get here? How the hell did you get out of that place?!¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    ¡°I knew it. Somebody must have betrayed me. Otherwise, it would have been impossible! What have I ever done for¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, with all due respect, I have a few words of advice I¡¯d like to share with you.¡±

    Rishe had a somewhat cold look on her face as she spoke.

    ¡°Advise?¡±

    Her strange momentum caused Theodore to flinch.

    She was supposed to be a naive young lady of the same age as his.

    ¡°First¡­¡±

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    Rishe gently raised her index finger.

    ¡°You must never let a captured prisoner of war out of your sight. You must never take your eyes off your prisoner at any time, even if you lock him in a room with a key, and never leave him alone. There must be at least two guards in the room with him.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®prisoner¡¯?¡±

    At least, it¡¯s not a word that popped out of an ordinary lady¡¯s mouth. When she spouted something crazy out of the blue, he couldn¡¯t help but make a decent argument.

    Because Rishe has been walking towards him without a care in the world, Theodore was driven closer and closer to the wall.

    ¡°Second, there must be more than one person present during the body search. Once it was confirmed that he is unarmed, the last step is to do it yourself.¡±

    With a dagger in her hand, which he didn¡¯t know where she got it from, Rishe continued.

    ¡°Don¡¯t leave him fully clothed. The best thing to do is to strip him naked. The prisoner won¡¯t be able to hide weapons and escape tools, especially if she¡¯s a woman. If you can push them into thinking, ¡®I can¡¯t escape dressed like this,¡¯ it will be a deterrent.¡±

    As if she was speaking common sense, her red lips spun the words.

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    ¡°Third, it was totally inappropriate when you left my hands and feet free. In such a case, handcuff the hands behind the back, then bind the base of both thumbs with a strong cord. Not to mention the ankles, of course. But it¡¯s best to restrain them and then tie them to a post or the bed.

    Her eyes, framed by long eyelashes, shot through Theodore. The doll-like beauty of her face was quite scary.

    And yet, for some reason, he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off it.

    ¡°But even after all this, it¡¯s still too light. Do you know what the most important thing to do is?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You must crush both his arm and leg bones.¡±

    Did she mean it?

    Theodore gulped and cleared his throat, scared out of his wits. Rishe peered closer into Theodore¡¯s face with his back to the wall and said nonchalantly, ¡°We must go this far. Crush his bones, restrain his broken limbs, take all his possessions and watch him in groups. Only after we¡¯ve gone this far can we determine that the possibility of the enemy escaping is low. And even then, you have to keep in mind that it¡¯s not absolute.¡±

    What on earth is this girl doing?!

    Theodore knew exactly what the look in her eyes was.

    It was the same gaze that he saw on the battlefield some time ago and could never forget.

    Theodore saw a look just like hers in a land he visited to help the knights heal.

    ¡°The enemy we let escape could bring back intelligence about our own troops, which could lead to the destruction of our allies. Civilians might die. ¨C So we must ensure that we don¡¯t miss by any means possible.¡±

    Oh yes, those eyes.

    Aren¡¯t those the eyes of a man standing on the battlefield?

    The moment he was convinced of that, Rishe said, ¡°That¡¯s what it means to capture the enemy.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    In front of this mysterious girl, Theodore¡¯s back was horribly frayed.

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    He couldn¡¯t tell exactly how she was feeling, but then she suddenly smiled.

    ¡°I read that in a book once. Your Highness seems a little too kind in making threats and taking hostages. After all, you even ordered them not to do anything violent against me.¡±

    ¡°What the heck are you?¡±

 Chapter 39.2 Sealed Purpose

    ¡°I¡¯ve talked a lot, but I haven¡¯t told you the key stuff yet. Let¡¯s just say that the reason I was able to escape is a secret¡­ AHH!¡±

    A large hand grabbed her by the shoulders and Rishe took a few steps back.

    Behind her stood her brother, who looked a bit dumbfounded.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of telling your captor how to do a perfect restraint?¡±

    As his brother asked, he took off his black coat and draped it over Rishe¡¯s shoulders.

    It was then that Theodore noticed for the first time that there was a deep cut in the hem of her dress. Rishe, in her own right, was greatly flustered as she was forced to put his coat on.

    ¡°Your Highness? No, you can¡¯t do this! I¡¯m fine, so please have your coat on!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you wear it.¡±

    ¡°But then, your scars¡­¡±

    Before Rishe could finish her words, Theodore¡¯s gaze shifted on his brother¡¯s neck.

    What, those scars.

    There were countless scars there. All of them looked like old wounds, but he could tell at a glance that they were deep wounds.

    And from the way Rishe spoke, his brother has been hiding their existence and that he had told Rishe about it.

    AHH.

    He didn¡¯t let Theodore know that there were such scars, let alone talk to him about it himself.

    I¡¯m still not good enough.

    Theodore barely gritted his teeth.

    He never lets me in on his secret. He doesn¡¯t trust me. I knew better.

    Then he remembered a few years ago, when the country was still at war.

    Theodore had taken part in the relief effort for the war at that time.

    The relief station, which was built far from the front lines and where the wounded were brought, was supposed to be a ¡°safe¡± place, where they wouldn¡¯t be attacked, according to the agreement between the nations.

    And yet, there were men who attacked it. They weren¡¯t knights, but some sort of robbers.

    Their eyes were bloodshot, as if they had been impoverished by the war. They raised their swords, screaming for medical supplies, money, and food.

    The people who could move had fled, and the ones targeted were the seriously wounded. Theodore also tried to flee, but the injured man whom the sword had been pointed at was an acquaintance from the favela.

    When he realized this, he instinctively jumped up.

    For Theodore, who grew up being ignored by his father Emperor and compared to his superior brother, the people in the favelas he met in the service were no strangers to him.

    They were important to him. They smiled at him instead of his father and worried about him instead of his mother. So, he wanted to protect them.

    He braced himself for the terrible pain. He thought he would be dead. He shut his eyes tightly, but the moment he was afraid of never came.

    Instead, he heard a murky scream and he looked up in horror.

    Then he saw his brother¡¯s back, carrying a sword.

    ¡°Big Brother?¡±

    His constricted throat finally quacked clearly. His voice seemed to have reached him properly.

    His brother¡¯s face that slowly turned around was dyed red with splattered blood.

    Red drops of blood flowed down from his outline. In front of a live person just moments ago, his brother¡¯s expression remained the same. He roughly wiped the blood off his face with his cuffs.

    At that moment, he thought his brother was going to kill him too.

    He had lost count of the number of times he had a conversation with his brother.

    His brother was a beautiful and fearsome man with whom he had little to do with.

    Although he has made tremendous achievements on the battlefield, he was feared by allies and enemies alike for his cruelty.

    That was Arnold Hein to Theodore.

    At that time, he had been unable to move because of his fear of his brother.

    But he turned those cold eyes on him, and then said in a matter-of-fact manner, ¡°You did well.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t process what he was told, and went blank.

    Then his brother looked down and continued, ¡°You did well in defending your subjects, even though you were trembling. That isn¡¯t an exemplary behavior for a member of the royal family, but it¡¯s an honorable thing for a lord to do.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

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    ¡°Next time, please don¡¯t try to put your life on the line. Still, you should be proud of yourself for being able to move like that on the spur of the moment.¡±

    My brother had been watching me. Theodore couldn¡¯t wield the sword like him, which was why he took action behind the scenes.

    Such a fact made him incredibly happy.

    I adore you. That¡¯s why I can¡¯t allow ¡®that thing¡¯ to happen.

    Theodore glared at Rishe, who was in front of him.

    I would have done it without hurting you, but if it comes to this, I can stab her. If I can harm her and get caught in Brother¡¯s crosshairs¨C

    ¡°Trying to kill me is not going to get you anywhere.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He cringed when his thoughts were easily seen through.

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    His turmoil that he normally has been able to conceal was blatantly visible on his face. Obviously, she has swept him off his feet that he could no longer maintain his usual demeanor.

    ¡°I said I was going to settle this, but I have no intention of engaging in physical combat with you. More importantly, please answer me. What is your objective?¡±

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s the next Emperor¡¯s seat. Is there anything else that two brothers in the line of succession would fight over?¡±

    ¡°I do not think so, that¡¯s why I am asking you with His Highness Arnold in attendance.¡±

    How was he supposed to answer that question? Such was Theodore¡¯s resolve that was soon to be overturned.

    The girl, wearing his brother¡¯s coat over her dress, uttered something unbelievable.

    ¡°Your real goal is to bear the stigma of a great sinner as the one who plotted to usurp the throne. Isn¡¯t that what you wanted?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Hearing those words, his brother squinted.

    However, it was Theodore who was more surprised than his brother.

    How did she know?

    3/5 Bonus Chapters¡­ The other two will be done tomorrow! Have a jolly weekend, take care ^_^

 Chapter 40.1 The Truth

    Hope you¡¯re having a great weekend! Bonus Chapter 4/5

    He almost blurted it out, but he couldn¡¯t let his brother hear those words.

    So Theodore retorted in a hurry, ¡°What are you talking about? You¡¯re saying I want to be a sinner? Do you think anyone would sin for such a thing?¡±

    ¡°Real¡¯ is probably a misnomer. If your true intentions lie in what happens after you become the sinner, that is.¡±

    That was a mouthful of speculation.

    But Rishe sounded almost convinced.

    ¡°It took me a long time to understand. I couldn¡¯t understand why you were aiming at me, and more, but if my speculation is correct, it would explain everything.¡±

    ¡°Why? I told you, it was to make Brother suffer.¡±

    Theodore forced a smile.

    ¡°You are despised like a hostage inside the castle, instead of a bride that should be a blessing to the people. If Brother fails to protect such a bride, his reputation will be ruined. I thought so at first.¡±

    He continued to speak, avoiding looking at his brother and trying his best not to show any signs of agitation.

    ¡°But your use has exceeded my expectations. So I¡¯ve decided to use you in earnest. I thought that by threatening you, I could deprive my brother of his right to the throne, and so I planned to -¡±

    ¡°From the perspective of a third party, I only have one point of value such as being the fianc¨¦e of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. This position is only valuable because of His Highness Arnold¡¯s presence and status.¡±

    ¡°It¡­¡±

    ¡°You mustn¡¯t have considered that, have you? How dare you use me as a shield to remove His Highness from his position as Crown Prince?¡±

    Those spoken words could have come off as disrespect.

    But Rishe was so imposing. Perhaps that was a trivial matter to her.

    Rishe actually didn¡¯t care about her value from a third party¡¯s perspective.

    ¡°I can tell you that there is almost nothing to be gained from kidnapping me. So why did Your Highness Theodore take the time and effort to carry out such a drama? If nothing could be gained as a result of the commotion, then wasn¡¯t the purpose ¡®to cause a commotion itself¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Wrong¡­¡±

    At Theodore¡¯s denial, Rishe lowered her eyes.

    ¡°You have done very little official business as the Second Prince in the last few years, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    When she said that, he suddenly wanted to bite his tongue.

    Rishe was right. Theodore had almost abandoned his duties as a prince for about two years now.

    It was something everyone in the Imperial Castle knew. And that was exactly within his calculations.

    In order to be gossiped about as the Second Prince playing all day, drinking and sleeping in the castle, Theodore behaved even more uninhibited.

    However, what he was trying to say was far from what he was aiming for.

    Theodore stared at Rishe with such a premonition.

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    ¡°I have looked at your records in various ways. It seems that at some point two years ago, you stopped participating in service to the favelas. Why, when you seem to have been a regular visitor since you were a child?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯ve lost interest. I¡¯d rather take a nap in the castle than do some silly service.¡±

    ¡°That too is a lie. I understand that you have given aid to the people of the favelas very recently. We didn¡¯t see any evidence of public funds being used, so you must have funded it privately, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He wondered how far she had deciphered the ¡°records¡±.

    In the castle¡¯s library, a certain amount of documents were available to the public.

    From old state administration records, that could almost be called history books, to the most recent financial situation, anyone within the castle could read them.

    However, everything that was lined up was superficial information.

    If you painstakingly unravel all sorts of information, you might be able to pick up some of the backstories that haven¡¯t been made public, but that should take some time.

    Really, what is she!

    The girl before him continued, ¡°You care and sympathize a lot for the poor people of the favelas and are close to them. When an orphan was suffering from an illness, it was said that you nursed him and held his hand every moment of the day, didn¡¯t you? On one occasion, you arranged a doctor for a woman who had to give birth alone, and kept talking to her and encouraging her to give birth. I suppose that¡¯s why you¡¯re napping in the castle during the day. It¡¯s because you do all these all night long, am I right?¡±

    She spoke as if she¡¯d witnessed everything. Theodore had an urge to laugh at the fact that his every action has been transparent.

    ¡°Hahaha! It¡¯s not that pretty. I¡¯m just trying to ingratiate myself with those guys and manipulate them into doing what I want.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Your Highness certainly seems to have a bunch of rogues under your control.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. They could do all sorts of crimes for money. I got close to them because they¡¯re useful, nothing more!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a different way of looking at it. You could also say that you¡¯re taking them under your protection. There are people who are forced to commit crimes for their food the next day. Aren¡¯t you in control by leading them?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe continued with earnest eyes.

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    ¡°You have compassion for the favelas. You want to save them, and that isn¡¯t impossible in your position. Nevertheless, you¡¯re willing to get your hands dirty, but why is it that you¡¯re unwilling to engage in public activities as a member of the royal family?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±

    His heart began to thump unpleasantly.

    He was afraid of his brother¡¯s gaze. He was scared that he would be found out. The more flustered he was, the more he couldn¡¯t look at his brother.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want any of your achievements as the Second Prince; on the contrary, you want to throw them away. No, you feel that you must throw them away. For that, you attempted to commit the crime of harming the Crown Princess.¡±

    ¡°No, of course not. I just want to beat my brother.¡±

 Chapter 40.2

    ¡°If that were truly the case, you would have aimed directly at His Highness Arnold and not me. Since His Highness has the knight guard, Kamil-san, by his side, didn¡¯t you have plenty of opportunities before I came to this country?¡±

    Theodore gasped for breath, while Rishe continued.

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have done anything to directly harm your brother, could you? If so, then I think the principles behind your actions were all for your brother¡¯s sake.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    A strange sensation hit him, as if his feet were getting warped beneath him.

    Alarm bells went off his heart, making him terribly dizzy. In the midst of his wobbly world, Theodore yelled.

    ¡°No! No, no, no, no! Oh God, what are you talking about? You..!¡±

    Right this moment, he just felt strongly that he had to resist this girl. He couldn¡¯t care less if his brother took the words to heart.

    ¡°Tell you what, I want my brother to hate me!¡¡I want to be shunned, hated and excluded. I¡¯d rather be killed by my brother than be useful to him and not be accepted like you are!¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore.¡±

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    ¡°It makes me happy to make Brother angry. I¡¯m glad to have Brother push me away! I did this for just that, that¡¯s all!!¡±

    ¡°Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!!!¡±

    Rische said gently to Theodore, who yelled at her.

    ¡°Please tell me what you are afraid of.¡±

    The hell was that¡­

    She was speaking as if she was on his side.

    Rishe looked up at Theodore.

    With a soft voice and a somewhat labored expression, she continued

    ¡°Perhaps your fear is the same one I have for the future.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Was there anything this girl was afraid of?

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    He heard his brother¡¯s voice, and it made him cringe and tense up.

    ¡°Enough, that¡¯s enough.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°I told you to stay out of it.¡±

    Sweat trickled down Theodore¡¯s cheeks. Nervousness was beginning to make him thirsty, and he even began to feel a twinge of pain.

    ¡°Please wait, Your Highness. Please, I beg you, please tell me how you really feel about your brother-¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±

    His brother¡¯s voice sounded still as indifferent as usual.

    You¡¯ve already expected that, didn¡¯t you?

    So why did he feel like cowering?

    He didn¡¯t care that Theodore was trembling, he continued.

    ¡°Whatever this guy wants is none of my business.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Before Theodore could think of anything, he was running out of the room.

    ¡ª

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore!¡±

    In the room where Theodore had left, Rishe looked back at Arnold.

    At the deepest hour of the night, it was pitch black outside the window. The sound of Theodore¡¯s footsteps echoed down the corridor and gradually receded.

    ¡°Why are you deliberately keeping your brother at bay?¡±

    She asked, and Arnold in front of her looked at her as if to say, ¡°Nonsense.¡±

    ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t care.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Rest assured, if he continues to harm you, I¡¯ll send him out of the castle just like our sisters.¡±

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I meant.¡±

    That much was apparent.

    Yet Arnold was trying to weasel out of it.

    But I won¡¯t let him get away with it.

    This man, ¡°Arnold Hein¡±, would be the most important person in the world in the future as Rishe knew it.

    It was him who waged war on all nations, overrunning and devouring them with his overwhelming military power.

    In all her six lifetimes, there was no one in the world who didn¡¯t know his name.

    However, not once did his brother, Theodore Auguste Hein, appear in any of the leaked stories about the Garkhain Kingdom.

    At first, Rishe had taken that for granted.

    This was because there wasn¡¯t much minutiae of the country that was circulated in other countries. If that was the case with the royal family, it would have been rumored among the upper class at most.

    It wouldn¡¯t have been surprising if it reached mere merchants or doctors.

    However, it was different when it came to Theodore.

    In light of Theodore¡¯s earlier behavior, it was clear that he himself was deliberately keeping his name out of public scrutiny.

    ¡°Your brother is working to disappear from the future of Garkhain Kingdom. That is a higher priority for him than the people of the favelas¡­In short, his behavior must be because of you, Your Highness.¡±

    As far as Theodore¡¯s behavior was concerned, there was no doubt about it. What Theodore cared about more than anything else was Arnold.

    ¡°So what¡¯s your point?¡±

    ¡°You told me the other day that I don¡¯t have to be prepared to be your wife.¡±

    When she said that, she felt a tingling pain deep in her chest. Wondering to herself what it was, Rishe continued.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to figure out what you meant. Among the many conjectures that have come to mind was that it could be associated with His Highness Theodore¡¯s behavior.¡±

    Rishe even thought that his statement might have been made on the assumption that they would eventually be divorced.

    But if not.

    What if those were words based on the fact that he would kill his father and start a war three years later? And what if Theodore, who has been observing his brother, caught wind of a portion of it?

    ¡°Are you intending to cut off the future you that should exist beyond this?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D¡­¡±

    Arnold turned and looked down coldly at Rishe.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what His Highness Theodore is afraid of? That is why he¡¯s been acting as an incompetent Second Prince to succeed to the throne. Even if something were to happen to you in the near future, as long as His Highness Theodore is with you, the Imperial family will continue without a hitch.¡±

    She wondered if Arnold had already orchestrated such a future. She didn¡¯t want to think in that direction, so she looked up to him as if in prayer.

    ¡°Can you share with me your thoughts?¡±

    It was a gamble of sorts.

    A question to see if something already existed that could turn him into the brutal Emperor Arnold Hein in a few years¡¯ time.

    If only you could confide in me a little.

    Arnold has a human heart.

    Truth was, he didn¡¯t really mean for that war to happen.

    That can surely change the future!

    Believing that, Rishe looked at him.

 Chapter 40.3

    Arnold, who has been silent for a long time, slowly uttered.

    ¡°Ah, I see.¡±

    He didn¡¯t exude any kind of anger.

    She almost sighed in relief when the expression on his face took her breath away.

    ¡°Now I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    ¡°¡­?!¡±

    Arnold laughed as if to challenge her.

    A chill ran down her spine, because the light in his eyes looked eerily dark for a moment.

    What does that mean?

    Rishe hasn¡¯t counted on this response.

    ¡°You¡¯re pretty cute.¡±

    ¡°What¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m thinking and are terribly confused, right? But you don¡¯t have to know. You¡¯re free to let your imagination run wild, though.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Arnold said, without the slightest indication that he would confide anything to Rishe.

    How sweet. Thinking so, she clamped her lips tightly. After living in the castle for a few weeks now, she thought she has gradually got a better understanding of Arnold.

    Terribly conceited. I don¡¯t even know where this person¡¯s bottom is¡­

    Arnold, on the other hand, lost his smile and regained that bored, blank look he had earlier.

    ¡°Let me repeat, leave Theodore alone.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°As you¡¯ve mentioned earlier ¨C I certainly do have a plan for what happens after I die. But that¡¯s only natural. I can¡¯t make a policy that would stagnate just because of my death.¡±

    It seemed that Arnold was only going to deny Rishe¡¯s speculations.

    If that was his answer, then there was no break through with her current cards.

    ¡°There¡¯s another way to look at it. Theodore read too much into it, and acted exactly how you led him to believe.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Everything is only foolery. It¡¯s too stupid a choice for someone who has the right to the throne.¡±

    Arnold spat out in reply.

    ¡°As I thought, you shouldn¡¯t have gotten involved with a person like me.¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe rolled her eyes at that response.

    At the same time, she felt like she understood why Arnold tried to keep Theodore away.

    Why he refused to even talk to him and turned his back on him.

    ¡°You also think your little brother is lovely, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Arnold frowned.

    It was an expression of wanting to deny Rishe¡¯s remark, but that wasn¡¯t about to change her idea.

    Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have said anything like not getting involved with him or something like that.

    ¡°Someone once told me that if you want to protect someone, sometimes it¡¯s better to keep them away. Being there by your side to help you isn¡¯t always in their best interest.¡±

    While passing it off as she ¡°read that in a book¡± again, Rishe remembered a certain knight. That knight looked a little lonely when he told her this.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised. Did someone really say that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. You¡¯re a bottomless pit and a schemer, and I don¡¯t know what the hell you¡¯re thinking, but you¡¯re not a cold-hearted person.

    Although she was frightened earlier, Rishe has no intention of abandoning the idea.

    Even though she knew that he was the man who killed her and waged war on the world, she already knew that he was human.

    ¡°But I¡¯ll mention one thing. You seem to be preparing for a future in which you will be gone, but have you ever thought of doing the opposite?¡±

    ¡°The opposite?¡±

    ¡°A future without His Highness Theodore could happen. One never knows when or if one dies.¡±

    Rishe has no idea what would happen to Theodore in the next five years.

    In another life, he might have chosen to continue to stay out of the public eye. Or he could have rebelled against his brother and been captured and punished.

    He could have lost his life for one reason or another.

    So she look into Arnold¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°At that time, you can live life without regrets.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Hopefully, so would Rishe.

    Even if she¡¯d be dead in five years. Even if this was her last life.

    ¡°I, too, hope to live the life of your wife with no regrets.¡±

    Rishe turned his back to Arnold and left the room.

    From Theodore¡¯s footsteps, he should have headed upstairs, not outside.

    ¡°Shit¡­¡±

    A soft click of a tongue echoed in the room where Arnold was left alone.

 Chapter 41.1 Take that hand

    Bonus Chapters 5/5

    Rishe followed Theodore out into the corridor and went straight up the stairs.

    There was no sign of anyone other than them in the building, which seemed used to be an inn.

    Theodore seemed to have gone up one level, not to the 4th floor, but further up.

    Finding the door to the rooftop open, Rishe stepped outside.

    The rooftop must have once been where the inn¡¯s laundry was hung out to dry. The sight of so many sheets flapping around must have been an impressive sight.

    Theodore was standing in a quiet place and with the starry sky above.

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    His back, like a lost child, jolted and shivered.

    Theodore turned to Rishe and looked at her, his lips curving into a pout.

    ¡°Next to tying them up, are you going to instruct me on how to escape. Should I have gone outside, rather than on a rooftop with nowhere to run?¡±

    ¡°You never meant to escape.¡±

    If he really intended to shake Rishe off, that was exactly what he would have done. He should have gone out.

    In response, Theodore let out a huff.

    ¡°Aye. I¡¯d rather have a private chat with you alone now than be outside. I didn¡¯t want to behave any more unseemly in front of my brother.¡±

    Theodore walked to the edge of the rooftop and turned around, resting his back against the railing.

    Sincere shades lurked in his eyes. There was no longer a trace of the aimless boy who had been evading his real motives.

    ¡°My Big Brother has been trying to keep the credits of the good changes of the country detached from him as much as possible.¡±

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    He said, squinting and laughing.

    ¡°As you might have expected, the public has already heard about the major policies that Big Brother imposed. Other petty reforms that were drafted had been indirectly kept under wraps. Or they were made to look like they were drawn up by Father.¡±

    The wind that blew in on the rooftop ruffled his soft hair.

    ¡°On the contrary, there¡¯s a strange rumor widespread about Big Brother. Do you know what it is?¡±

    ¡°You mean His Highness Arnold¡¯s ¡®brutal¡¯ behavior in the war?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Even you, from another country, must have heard about it. Why do you think the bad publicity about the Crown Prince from the victorious country is spreading to other countries?¡±

    When asked like that, the answer required of Rishe was obvious.

    ¡°I guess His Highness Arnold intentionally spread it?¡±

    ¡°I think like you. He hid his achievements and tried to spread bad press instead. It¡¯s hard to believe that someone, who¡¯d do that, is going to be in the front stage and run the country for a long time.¡±

    Theodore slowly closed his eyes.

    ¡°Besides that, I¡¯ve also noticed something else when I was spying on him. He¡¯s not attached to his current position. He¡¯s always working so that he can disappear. I found this out because I¡¯ve been watching him the whole time.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what Big Brother is up to for the future. But I don¡¯t want to see a wonderful man like him disappear. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Theodore has no idea what future Arnold would choose.

    He has no way of knowing that his brother wasn¡¯t going to get off the front stage, but rather start a slaughter in the center of it.

    However, the crisis that Theodore sensed might have been tied to that future.

    ¡°Most of what I did was mimicking Big Brother. If he¡¯s going to leave the country to me and disappear, why don¡¯t I disappear first? Then he won¡¯t be able to do anything stupid.¡±

    The same blue eyes as his brother¡¯s stared at Rishe.

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    ¡°It¡¯s the only way I can be of any use to Brother.¡±

    Theodore laughed serenely.

    Rishe has a lot she wanted to say to him. And then there were also things she wanted to ask.

    ¡°What made you decide to talk to me about it?¡±

    ¡°You said earlier that you were afraid of the same thing I am. If you can read my thoughts, that means you¡¯re afraid of Brother¡¯s disappearance, too. Isn¡¯t it scary if that happens? If something happens to your husband, your position as his wife will be in jeopardy.¡±

    In fact, it was for another reason, but Rishe didn¡¯t point it out.

    There was no way she was going to tell him that his brother was going to be the cause of her death in five years¡¯ time.

    ¡°So, you see. If my story makes your fears even more real, I thought it would be worth telling you.¡±

    A wicked look glimmered in his eyes.

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    ¡°I figured if I did, I¡¯d give you more of a scare.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe felt weary upon hearing such a distorted motive.

    Both brothers needed to stop getting a kick out of others¡¯ emotional turmoil.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the face? You¡¯ve got my loveable Big Brother, so isn¡¯t this better? Well, not that he was ever my brother. If you¡¯re scared of what the future holds and despairs that you can¡¯t stop him from here on, then you might as well take a step back.¡±

    ¡°With all due respect¡­¡±

    The wind was blowing extraordinarily strong. Rishe raised her hands to keep Arnold¡¯s coat over her shoulder from being blown away.

    ¡°I don¡¯t plan to be afraid of the future.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

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    Theodore¡¯s eyes rounded.

    Rishe then felt a sudden twisting sensation in her feet.

    The medicine is wearing off.

    The pill she took to cover up her discomfort was starting to lose its effect. It was only a matter of time.

    ¡°Your brother is most likely planning something crazy, so I¡¯ll do my best to stop it by any means necessary.¡±

    She took a deep breath and stood firmly. She look ahead and wove the words one by one, without wavering.

    ¡°I¡¯ll spend all I can and borrow all the help I can. Because I don¡¯t think I can win by any means against such an impossible man. And for that, of course, Your Highness Theodore¡­¡±

    Rishe looked straight at him.

    ¡°I need your help, too.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

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    Theodore¡¯s eyes widened once more, as if surprised.

    But he quickly changed his expression and smiled somewhat self-mockingly.

    ¡°That¡¯s my brother¡¯s wife, very confident. But, I don¡¯t think that can stop him. There¡¯s no way my words would ever reach that man. So, the best I can do is to get in his way like this.¡±

    ¡°And yet you¡¯ve been acting all these two years, haven¡¯t you? You¡¯ve put yourself in a dangerous position, and even gone so far as to get your hands dirty. But if you want to help your brother, you have to be happy yourself.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Apparently, Theodore didn¡¯t understand what those words meant.

    ¡°Why should I be happy? That¡¯s not part of Big Brother¡¯s future.¡±

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s relevant. His Highness Arnold would never pick a future that will make you unhappy.¡±

    ¡°And why is that?¡±

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    Rische told the confused boy.

    ¡°You¡¯re his one and only brother in the world.¡±

    ¡°¨C!¡±

    Theodore looked at Rishe as if seeing something incredible.

    ¡°Why do you think His Highness Arnold came to this place alone at this time of night?¡±

    ¡°Of course to help you.¡±

    ¡°No, His Highness knew that I was a willing captive. He knew there was no need to help me.¡±

    Then again, he sure knew that Theodore would never make fun of roughing Rishe up.

 Chapter 41.2

    ¡°If it were someone else¡¯s call, His Royal Highness Arnold would have never been here. Even if he was forced to move as the Crown Prince, he wouldn¡¯t have chosen to do so alone. He must have complied because the request was from none other than his brother.¡±

    ¡°Stop it. I don¡¯t need those words.¡±

    Theodore painfully squeezed out his voice.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hope that I might be loved.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way that man has been watching over me. How can someone who is ignored by his father be respected by his brother? But that¡¯s fine.¡±

    Theodore exhaled and then smiled.

    ¡°My brother saved me once, so I also wanted to help him one day¡­ Although he probably doesn¡¯t even remember that day.¡±

    Then he turned around and looked out the railing.

    ¡°I¡¯ll decide what use I have.¡±

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    ¡°¡­?¡±

    ¡°I really should have done this a long time ago, instead of trying to do something nonsensical¡­I¡¯m really an utter and complete failure.¡±

    ¡°What the¡­¡±

    She was horrified.

    She finally realized what Theodore was planning to do here. Theodore sat on the railing as if having fun and leaned outward.

    ¡°No, Your Highness!¡±

    Rishe tried to rush towards him. But at that same moment, her vision swayed. Her legs were entangled and she fell down.

    Huh, at this time?!

    She struggled to stand up, but was totally weak. A splitting headache shook her skull like an alarm bell, taking her breath away.

    Theodore looked down at Rishe, who had collapsed and looked satisfied.

    ¡°Thank you, sister-in-law. I was quite happy when you said you needed me.¡±

    Even if she desperately reached out, it was impossible for her to reach Theodore, who was a few meters away.

    ¡°It¡¯s useless!¡±

    At the same time she practically shrieked and almost shouted¡­

    A lone shadow rushed past Rishe.

    That figure grabbed Theodore, whose eyes widened, by the arm, then forcibly dragged him back inside the railing.

    Theodore gasped, recognizing the figure.

    ¡°Big Brother?!¡±

    He looked up incredulously at Arnold, who saved him.

    It was impossible for Rishe to see Arnold¡¯s face, as his back was turned to her.

    But the action he made the next moment shocked even Rishe.

    Arnold seized Theodore, whom he¡¯d brought down, by his collars, and slapped his cheek.

    ¡°¨C¡°

    ¡°What did you think you were doing?!¡±

    For the first time, Rishe heard Arnold¡¯s booming voice.

    Theodore rubbed his cheek and looked up at his brother¡¯s face, stunned.

    ¡°Because¡­¡±

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    Theodore choked.

    ¡°Because, there¡¯s nothing I can do. This is the only way I can be useful to Brother. I am not of any value to you!¡±

    ¡°How stupid! What idiot would risk his life for a man who has never done a single brotherly thing in his life?¡±

    Arnold¡¯s voice was ice-cold.

    Nevertheless, Rishe was convinced. Arnold¡¯s decision to keep Theodore away was out of consideration for his brother.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that for me¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Theodore kept his mouth shut. Perhaps, he was about to give up communicating with his brother.

    Rishe remembered him smiling mournfully and said earlier, ¡°There¡¯s no way my words can reach that man.¡±

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    Theodore¡¯s resignation and Arnold¡¯s shunning had been mounting to this moment.

    ¡°Your little brother¡¯s choice might be a mistake¡­¡±

    Rishe spoke as she struggled to get up.

    Arnold slowly turned around. Rishe looked him in the eye, and appealed while battling a headache.

    ¡°But, his main purpose wasn¡¯t. Your brother¡¯s desire to help you, that in itself cannot be a foolish thought¡­ Right? Your Highness Theodore?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Theodore clenched his fists tightly when she called his name, gasping for breath.

    ¡°Sister-in-law is right.¡±

    ¡°What are you¡­¡±

    Arnold returned his attention to Theodore, so Rishe couldn¡¯t see his expression again.

    Instead, she could see Theodore¡¯s face clearly.

    That somewhat lost look on his face previously was replaced with determination.

    ¡°I¡¯d been wishing countless times to be Big Brother¡¯s strength, to be of help. Anything I can do to help, I will do.¡±

    His eyes, identical to his brother, looked straight at Arnold.

    ¡°You¡¯re my only brother in the world and my idol.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    How did Arnold react?

    Unable to peek at him, Rishe watched them as if in prayer.

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    Eventually, Arnold removed his hand from Theodore¡¯s chest and slowly drew back.

    ¡°From now on, stop doing such unnecessary things.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Theodore¡¯s face contorted at those words, which seemed to push him away again.

    Rishe¡¯s chest also felt a slicing pain. But what Arnold added was totally unexpected.

    ¡°I told you. Don¡¯t ever, ever put your life on the line again.¡±

    At that moment, Theodore¡¯s eyes almost popped out.

    ¡°Do you remember what happened then?¡±

    Arnold answered his quivering question.

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    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Immediately, clear teardrops ran down from Theodore¡¯s large eyes.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m s-sorry.¡±

    His voice quaverred.

    Theodore bawled his eyes out and apologized repeatedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, brother. I¡¯m sorry, sister-in-law. Sorry¡­¡±

    In front of his little brother, who was sobbing like a child, Arnold said in a quite worried voice.

    ¡°Okay, okay, don¡¯t cry.¡±

    ¡°Wa, but¡­¡±

    Seeing the two of them, Rishe breathed a sigh of relief.

    Great. If he can still cry with a face like that, then he¡¯ll be fine¡­

    Theodore¡¯s tear-stained face was that of a young child courageously trying to make peace.

    In the end, Arnold stood up, and this time knelt in front of Rishe.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡±

    ¡°You came, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because you say some very strange things.¡±

    Perhaps it was a warning that Theodore might be gone. It might have sounded like a threat, but to Rishe, it was half-serious.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve made up.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold stood up silently and held out his right hand, fitted with a black glove, to Rishe.

    Rishe smiled and took his hand. Then, for some reason, she felt as if a thread of tension was loosened.

 Chapter 41.3

    ¡°Really, I¡¯m glad¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe?¡±

    She lost strength.

    At the same time, her consciousness, which she had been holding onto with sheer willpower, drifted away.

    ***

    ¡°Sister-in-law?!¡±

    Theodore couldn¡¯t help but squeal when he saw Rishe suddenly fall.

    Her brother quickly hugged her, who was limp and weak. Theodore hurriedly stood up and rushed over to them, wiping away his tears with his cuffs.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡¡I¡¯m pretty sure she tripped and fell down earlier, but¡­¡±

    Could it be that her earlier performance of ¡®I collapsed because I¡¯m sick¡¯ wasn¡¯t an act, but a fact?

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    Realizing this possibility, Theodore paled.

    ¡°What should I do? Could it be because I held Sister-in-law captive?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    His strangely calm brother looked down at Rishe in his arms and muttered.

    ¡°She¡¯s just sleeping.¡±

    ¡°Heh~?¡±

    The unexpected reason gave him pause.

    But looking closely, Rishe was indeed breathing smoothly, sound asleep.

    ¡°No kidding¡­¡±

    It was abnormal to take a nap under these circumstances.

    Unlike Theodore, who muttered dumbly, his brother was smiling a little. Seeing that, he thought, ah.

    Here¡¯s another expression I¡¯ve first seen on my brother.

    Even though he witnessed it, he didn¡¯t feel as bewildered as he did a moment ago. He marveled at his brother¡¯s mysterious change of heart.

    ¡°Theodore.¡±

    He was flabbergasted when his brother suddenly called his name.

    ¡°Do you have a carriage ready somewhere?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t used to being spoken to by his brother, which made his reply sound curt.

    ¡°It¡¯s parked a distance away. If you want to carry Sister-in-law, I¡¯ll call them right away.¡±

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    ¡°Yes, please.¡±

    After saying that, Brother carried Rishe up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let this one rest in the room below until the carriage arrives.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Theodore nodded and then wiped the tears from his eyes again.

    He thought it was ridiculous to have his elder brother carry the princess.

    ¡°Big brother said please. He meant¡­¡±

    The cheek that his brother slapped still stung.

    But his chest felt terribly warm.

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    Wake up. I can¡¯t just sit around in a daze.

    After all, it was the first time that Big Brother had ever relied on him.

    ***

    When Rishe slowly blinked her eyes open, the sunshine greeted her.

    To be precise, she was on a bed where the sun shone.

    She was in a dreamy space, tucked in fluffy beddings and fluffy sheets.

    As an added bonus, she could hear the pleasant sound of a writing pen.

    While she listened to it, her consciousness slowly sank back into slumber.

    A pen?

    That got her wondering and finally sobered her up.

    Then she saw Arnold at his desk a distance away, running his pen over a document.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°What? You¡¯re up already?¡±

    Arnolt paused his task and smiled at Rishe.

    ¡°Your Highness?!¡±

    ¡°You can go back to sleep if you want. It¡¯s only been half a day.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, half a day?¡±

    For all intents and purposes, this was Rishe¡¯s room in the detached palace. In a state of confusion, Arnold explained what was going on.

    ¡°You suddenly collapsed and then started sleeping soundly on the rooftop. I brought you back in my foolish brother¡¯s carriage, but I can¡¯t leave a person in a coma alone in the room. Much less let a maidservant who doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s going on take care of you.¡±

    ¡°Uhm, is that¡¯s why Your Highness stayed awake?¡±

    ¡°I needed to get some work done, anyway, so I didn¡¯t have time to sleep.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!!¡±

    She hurriedly sat upright on the bed, and bowed her head. Then she paled as she realized that the dress she was wearing was a simple nightgown.

    H-How?!

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It was your handmaiden, Elise, who changed you.¡±

    Although her thoughts were preempted, she felt relieved.

    She slowly looked up, and Arnold got up from his chair. He stood in front of her and asked, ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    His voice was gentle, and she felt strangely perturbed with his well-outlined face looking down on her.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m all right now. I¡¯m sorry for troubling you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good to know you¡¯ve recovered.¡±

    Arnold then took out an envelope from his pocket.

    When she received and opened it, she found a white piece of paper with four fold marks on it. The words were spelled out in a brushstroke she had seen sometime ago.

    [Dear Sister-in-law.]

    It was a letter from Theodore.

    [I¡¯m sorry for all the horrible things I¡¯ve done to you. I have a lot to say, but scratch that ¡ª First, I¡¯ll definitely pay what I owe you. For that, I¡¯ll lend you my men from the favelas. If you ever need people in the underworld, you can always count on us.]

    Rishe chuckled inwardly.

    The offer itself is quite reassuring.

    If she could, she didn¡¯t want to resort to that.

    [Most of all, I¡¯m very grateful. ¡ª So, thank you.]

    The candor of the thank you letter made her stroke it gently with her fingertips.

    ¡°You had a talk with His Highness Theodore.¡±

    Arnold merely raised a brow in response.

    ¡°Why do you think so?¡±

    ¡°Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have kept this letter, right?!¡±

    Arnold didn¡¯t answer, but that was a sign of affirmation.

    At any rate, it was a relief.

    She thought this has achieved a little change in her present life.

    Above all, the brothers seemed to have gotten closer.

    She smiled happily and was asked by Arnold.

    ¡°Why are you smiling like that?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m happy about it, of course. Because my husband¡¯s family relationship is better than satisfactory.¡±

    ¡°Strange girl.¡±

    Arnold lowered his eyes and looked at her.

    His expression was softer than usual.

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    However, he seemed to have been struck with a thought and said, ¡°I had forgotten. Think of something you want in the next few days.¡±

    ¡°Something I want?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t talking about something she wanted to buy, right? While she was wondering why, Arnold continued.

    ¡°I¡¯ve broken my vow not to touch you again.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve given me permission if I¡¯m wearing gloves previously at the soiree, but I didn¡¯t abide by that restriction at that time either.¡±

    Did something like that happen?

    She twisted her head because she couldn¡¯t remember.

    As far as Rishe could recall, whenever she saw Arnold these days, he seemed to have been wearing black gloves.

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    For example, right now.

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    Then, it dawned on her.

    He was referring to the incident that happened in the chapel about a week ago.

    Arnold wore gloves then, too, but it wasn¡¯t her hands that he touched.

    It wasn¡¯t my hand, it was my lips.

    Immediately after, Rishe¡¯s face burned.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t want anything!¡±

    She hurriedly shouted and grabbed the sheets to hide her face. Arnold put on a hateful grin at her display.

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    ¡°Besides that, why did you do it?¡±

    ¡°Do you want to hear it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡±

    She really wanted to pursue it, but couldn¡¯t help but reject it with all her might. But she¡¯s been terribly nervous about that matter, even last night when she saw Arnold for the first time in a long time.

    She was talking to Theodore, but as soon as she saw Arnold¡¯s face, her body went rigid.

    It was for this reason that she felt relieved when he treated her as he normally did, thinking that Arnold had forgotten about it.

    I knew he¡¯s up to something! Or not! I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on anymore, so I¡¯ve been trying to brush it off!

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°What now!¡±

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    While hiding her rosy face under the sheet, she stared at Arnold with only her eyes visible.

    Arnold chuckled and said softly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll look after my little brother.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    That was unmistakably an older brother¡¯s words.

    They were words that contained a sense of responsibility plus hard work for his younger brother.

    If only Theodore was listening. Despite that thought, Rishe shook her head. ¡°No¡±.

    ¡°He¡¯s my brother-in-law, too.¡±

    Arnold looked a little surprised, then chuckled again.

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Although the burning in her face has subsided, there was still something hot in her chest.

    A little troubled by this, Rishe looked down.

    ***

    Evening.

    Oliver, Arnold¡¯s squire, was holding his aching head in his hands as he finished listening to the explanation regarding his lord¡¯s absence in office.

    ¡°So, in the end, His Highness Theodore made friends with Rishe-sama. So, that¡¯s what it boiled down to?¡±

    ¡°Is there a problem?¡±

    ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about.¡±

    Oliver couldn¡¯t help but pour down the words he had been enduring on Arnold, who had gone to his office desk.

    ¡°Your brother is no ordinary prince. That man leads an underworld that is involved in criminal activities, right?¡±

    ¡°Looks like it.¡±

    ¡°As you probably know, the maidservants in the castle are completely fond of Rishe-sama; then there¡¯s the Aria Trading Company, which has been attracting attention from many countries in recent years; His Highness the Second Prince and the residents of the underworld he leads.¡±

    Oliver counts them off. The Crown Princess has made many contacts in her first few weeks in the country.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think Rishe-sama¡¯s game pieces are expanding rapidly?¡±

    It could be taken as some sort of a threat.

    But Arnold didn¡¯t seem to care.

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    ¡°What does it matter? It¡¯s better than having a wife who¡¯s living in isolation.¡±

    ¡°My Lord¡­¡±

    Perhaps his master has left this situation unattended on purpose.

    Realizing this, Oliver heaved a deep sigh.

    ¡°I understand, as My Lord commands. That aside, I have a delivery for you.¡±

    Oliver held out a letter. Arnold¡¯s brow furrowed when he saw the stamp on the sealed wax.

    His master reluctantly took the envelope and opened the letter inside to look through it.

    Then he gave a soft cluck of his tongue and handed the letter back.

    Oliver took the letter with a reverent bow.

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    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    The letter was written by an important person in a certain country.

    First, he congratulated the Crown Prince Arnold on his engagement.

    However, due to some circumstances, he couldn¡¯t congratulate him in person at the wedding ceremony in about two months¡¯ time.

    Accordingly, it was written that he wished to visit the Garkhain Kingdom with celebratory gifts ahead of the wedding ceremony.

    What a way to go, again!

    Oliver held his hand to his forehead at the proposal, which was likely to cause a stir.

 Chapter e1.1 Extra 1.1 - A story of Rishe and Arnold joining hands

    The table was lined with adorable little bottles.

    Rishe mulled over as she looked at the colorful liquid that filled them.

    ¡°This is the product that sealed the deal with the Aria Trading Company?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m having a bit of trouble with this right now.¡±

    She unfolded a piece of paper on which she had written down various ideas, telling Arnold in front of her.

    He listened to Rishe¡¯s story as he looked at it with interest.

    What happened just a few moments ago¡­

    Arnold asked Rishe to give details about the business meeting that she had concluded with the Aria Trading Company.

    He was apparently on a break and had come to check on Rishe in between his duties.

    She thought it was unusual, but it made sense that he wanted to know. At the same time, Rishe recalled.

    She had already told Arnold how the negotiations with the Aria Trading Company had gone. But on second thought, she hadn¡¯t shown him the key goods.

    So, Rishe made him wait on the terrace in the garden of the detached palace and fetched the materials and vials from her room.

    Now they were both facing each other at a white table set up on the terrace.

    Rishe took one of the vials and let the light shine through it.

    ¡°We want to promote this product on a large scale to create more jobs. To that end, I¡¯ve thought a lot about the design and color name of the vials¡­¡±

    ¡°A color name?¡±

    Arnold responded quizzically.

    ¡°If it¡¯s the name of the color and nothing else, it¡¯s unmistakably red.¡±

    ¡°Of course it is, but just ¡®red¡¯ wouldn¡¯t sound good, would it? These products have been dyed from flowers, so this time I decided to name them after flowers.¡±

    She put the vial in her hand on the table, and pointed to the others one by one.

    ¡°The red color is the Rose and this vibrant yellow is the Sunflower. The blue with a little purple is Delphinium. Doesn¡¯t it make you even more attached to a flower when it has its name on the label like this?¡±

    What she wanted customers to associate with was the storefront of a flower shop. For example, the sight of brightly colored flowers glistening in the sun.

    The same kind of glitz and glamour could be found on the shelves in somebody¡¯s room. She wanted to deliver that kind of excitement, and that was why she decided on these names.

    ¡°Just the way of naming something makes a product more appealing.¡±

    ¡°Is that how it works?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how it works.¡±

    As she stressed, Arnold, who has his cheekbones on the armrest of his chair, muttered, ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure naming them such is appropriate, though I don¡¯t have other ideas. The design of the bottle suggests that this product is intended for women¨C¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the problem, Your Highness!¡±

    Arnold was caught off guard when Rishe suddenly leaned forward.

    ¡°W-What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°Your Highness is right. This product is expected to have a main buyer base of women, and I¡¯m doing my best to pursue cuteness. But personally, I¡¯d like the gentlemen to get their hands on it as well¡­¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a woman¡¯s prerogative to dress up in ornaments. She was certain there would be a segment of men who would be interested in the product as well.

    If the design was too feminine, it would be difficult for them to get a hold of it. That was what¡¯s troubling Rishe.

    It was obvious that sales would be better for products that both men and women buy compared to those that only women buy. As a merchant trained by Tully, she didn¡¯t want to narrow down the customer base.

    However, since it was expected that most of the customers were women, the line of stimulating women¡¯s desire to buy beautiful designs couldn¡¯t be abandoned. Half-heartedly wasn¡¯t the best way to go about anything.

    ¡°It would be good publicity if I could at least get someone, an influential man, to paint it on.¡±

    Suddenly, Rishe giggled as an idea occurred to her.

    ¡°For example, Your Highness Arnold. How¨C¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    Risce froze at the unexpected answer.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°I said if you want to paint my nails, I don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Eh~¡±

    Her ears really weren¡¯t playing tricks on her.

    ¡°Y-y-yeeeeah?!¡±

 Chapter e1.2 Extra 1.2 - A story of Rishe and Arnold joining hands

    She was just kidding, but Arnold looked serious. Realizing this, Rishe was more flustered.

    ¡°Uh-h, are you sure?! It¡¯s hard to remove them, though, and you¡¯ll get color on your nails and all that!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem with that?¡±

    ¡°¡­.!¡±

    Rishe was surprised to hear such a retort with a straight face.

    Arnold wasn¡¯t wearing any kind of ring or earring, and he didn¡¯t seem to be interested in accessories either. It was for this reason that she thought he¡¯d be reluctant to have his nails painted.

    Maybe, he¡¯s more flexible than I thought. Or perhaps, he¡¯s not so particular¡­?

    That was probably the most likely line. Since he has such a stunning appearance, he probably just didn¡¯t need to dress up normally.

    With that thought in mind, Rishe convinced herself.

    If he was willing to promote for men, nothing could be more reassuring. She was torn, though, as to whether or not she should to let ¡°Emperor Arnold Hein¡± be a publicist.

    ¡°In that case, we¡¯d love to have you. Your Highness would be a great ambassador for us.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. Well, suit yourself.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    Rishe quickly picked up her tools and asked Arnold to help her.

    ¡°Then disinfect your hands while I prepare the base solution. Could you take off your gloves, please?¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Arnold nodded and removed the black glove he was wearing from his left hand.

    As she was about to pass the disinfectant to him, Rishe¡¯s gaze was suddenly drawn to his hand.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s hand was so beautiful.

    Overall, his hands were large. His fingers were long and well-proportioned and stringy around the instep. The bone lines and blood vessels like knots stood out, akin to a sculpture.

    sSme parts of his skin were hardened because he wielded a sword on a daily basis.

    However, his martial ruggedness proved that he was indeed a flesh-and-blood human being, not a handmade work of art.

    His face is unparallelled, but so is the rest of him. He¡¯s so smart and has amazing swordsmanship. How should I put it, it¡¯s outrageous?

    This was the hand that took the pen in the office to save the people.

    Then again, it was also the hand that wielded the sword on the battlefield to kill the enemy.

    The former Rishe was pierced through her own heart by that sword.

    Seems like a long time ago. But it feels so recent¡­

    She¡¯s been looking at Arnold¡¯s hand absentmindedly like that, but was suddenly jolted.

    It was terrible how she just realized a fact.

    Wait. Isn¡¯t it that in order to apply nail polish to His Highness¡¯ fingernails, I have to touch his hands all throughout?¡­

    She realized that and paled.

    It was only natural when you think about it. At least for Rishe, it was impossible to paint someone else¡¯s nails without fixing them with her own hands.

    Yes, but I¡¯m going to be touching this hand! No, don¡¯t make it so complicated. This is a necessary part of the treatment, and it can¡¯t be helped!¡­

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m just trying to figure out what color to paint! But first, I¡¯ll prepare the primer for you, so please wait!¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that she had forgotten about it. She rushed making the preparations whilst lecturing herself to calm down.

    That aside, this should be nothing! So why are you upset about it?! Because this is the hand of the man who killed you!

    Anyway, she has to be calm. She was rushing to mix the solution quickly, when Arnold suddenly spoke.

    What did he say?

    ¡°I¡¯ll never get tired looking at your hands.¡±

    ¡°Pardon¡­?!¡±

    What was he suddenly saying at a time like this?

    Rishe was terribly confused, as if he could see right through her. But Arnold continued on without a care in the world.

    ¡°They move quickly and smoothly. There is no hesitation when they¡¯re at work; it¡¯s a pleasure to watch.¡±

    ¡°T-Thank you¡­¡±

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    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to paint your nails with anything? I think they¡¯ll look good on you.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m busy and it¡¯s okay!

    She couldn¡¯t use hard-to-remove nail polish in case she needed disguise. She would have omitted that part and explained it too crudely, but Arnold didn¡¯t pursue the matter.

    Mo, when it comes down to this¡­

    She wanted to hurry up and paint his nails before he could say something more heart pounding. Determined to do so, Rishe enthused.

    ¡°Your highness! Then lend me your right hand!¡±

    ¡°Here.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Arnold extended his hand before her eyes.

    Rishe quailed though she convinced herself that there was nothing to it. She couldn¡¯t help but hesitate to touch the pretty hand now that the time was at hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t do it.

    After turning around and hiding her face, Rishe said in a mosquito buzzing voice.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a rain check on this.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I really appreciate the offer, Your Highness. One of these days¡­ Uhm, when I develop a color that better suits Your Highness! I¡¯ll be back then, I appreciate your help!¡±

    She hurriedly kept her tools away as she made excuses. Arnold seemed to have agreed and began to put on his gloves, saying, ¡°I see.¡±

    Phew. He shouldn¡¯t have found it strange¡­

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    She let out a sigh of relief. Rishe was completely caught off guard and looked straight at Arnold.

    Then immediately regretted it.

    Because Arnold had a terribly despicable grin on his well-groomed face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind as long as you touch me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Words failed her.

    Arnold seemed satisfied for some reason, and stood up. ¡°It¡¯s time to get back to my office.¡±

    What was that all about!

    Rishe was awfully frustrated because he could see through her own inexplicable emotions.

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 Chapter e2.1 Extra 2.1 - A Merchants Life: A Night in the Desert

    This is a short story, slightly different from the main story, when Rishe was a merchant.

    That day.

    The group from the Aria Trading Company had chosen an oasis in the Halil Desert as their camping site.

    The group¡¯s livelihood was peddling, so they were familiar with the preparations for the camp.

    They unpacked, rested the camels they rented from the desert people, and prepared their own sleeping quarters.

    Each did their work without being told, and in no time at all, were done with setting their camps, precisely sharing the workload.

    Then, as the sun was setting¡­

    The group began a grand drinking feast around the bonfire to keep the beasts away. Their excuse for the day was this.

    ¡°Acha! Toast to our chairman and little sister, Rishe, for their feats!¡±

    ¡°Grab your cup and hold it high! Ready, say ¡ª cheers!¡±

    ¡°Cheers!¡± And with a booming voice, they each raised their wine cups above their heads. Rishe, of course, followed their example and drank the beer that was poured out.

    ¡°Ahhhh that was delicious!¡­¡±

    The booze flooded their dry bodies from the desert journey.

    Night in the desert was a sharp turnaround from the intense heat of the day; the temperature plummeted drastically. The drinks they sipped as they sat in the cold and by the fire had a different flavor than usual.

    The man who sat down across from her apparently had the same impression.

    ¡°Kwahh~ that¡¯s exceptional!

    Her boss, Tully, the Chairman of the Trading Company, said with a huge smile on his face.

    ¡°A desert night, a beautiful starry sky, great sake! Business is looking forward to a great future and there¡¯s nothing to be said for it. Hey, Rishe!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Chairman, I know you¡¯re happy, but please don¡¯t drink too much.¡±

    Even Rishe was very happy inside, though she still said a word of caution.

    After successfully dealing with a difficult business negotiation, the return journey home has always been accompanied by prolonged feasting and drinking spree.

    Of course, as the lowest-ranking member of this trade association, Rishe has a lot of miscellaneous work to do, so she has to get up early again the next day.

    But for now, it was time to enjoy the little party.

    ¡°Look, Rishe, the meat you¡¯ve been waiting for is roasted. I¡¯ll give you the best part!¡±

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    She was offered a mutton on the blade of a knife and she accepted it with a piece of bread instead of a plate.

    Then, on top of that, she put a piece of cheese, which simmered and melted on top of it. This was the cheese that Neil, an executive of the Trading Company, had just roasted on a skewer over the campfire.

    It was absolutely delicious. With sparks of fire rising from the campfire, she was truly grateful to be able to eat a delicious meal for another day.

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    ¡°Let¡¯s ea¨C¡±

    Tully stopped Rishe from finishing her words.

    ¡°Wait, wait, wait, Rishe. It¡¯s a night in the desert, so you need to be more exotic.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    There was nothing exotic about it, because Rishe and her friends had been constantly traveling to different countries. But she knew immediately what Tully was referring to as he took out a vial.

    ¡°Are you sure, Chairman?¡±

    ¡°Of course. Food on the road is only delicious if shared with other people.¡±

    Tally chuckled and shook the small red glass vial.

    Inside the vial was a spice made from herbs that could only be found in this region.

    It wasn¡¯t a commodity; it was the personal property of Tully. It must have cost a good deal of money in the desert village they stopped in when they came.

    Still, Tully opened the vial and sprinkled the spice crisply over the cheese. Then he prompted her with a look.

    Rishe nodded deeply, then took a big bite with her heart thumping.

    Right that moment, the juices of the gravy seeped out.

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    The flavor was intense without being overpowering, and such deliciousness filled her mouth. The rich cheese tangled with it and enveloped the gravy.

    Sometimes a pinch of spice might be spicy. This rare stimulus went well with both meat and cheese.

    ¡°Mmm~!

    She held her cheeks and bit down, and the merchant members who were watching her let out a cheer.

    ¡°Alright guys, we¡¯ve got Rishe¡¯s approval! This is good!¡±

    ¡°More roasts, more cheese!¡±

    ¡°Hey, why are you making me look like a poison tester?¡±

    ¡°Your tongue never makes mistakes. Considering all that, why is it always that messy when I do it myself?¡±

    Tully asked with his lips curled up. With good food and drinks, her complaints were soon forgotten.

    In the midst of the feast, the members of the company called out to Rishe.

    ¡°Hey, Rishe, have you had enough to drink?¡±

    ¡°Eat more vegetables. Look, there¡¯s some palm trees over there.¡±

    ¡°Eat some bread. And of course the meat. After all, you¡¯re the one who has meritorious deeds this time!¡±

    Rishe was discomfited by the way she was randomly being taken care of.

    ¡°Uhm, Chairman¡­ I feel like everyone is strangely kind today.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, they¡¯re also happy! Because you¡¯ve won such a big deal.¡±

 Chapter e2.2 Extra 2.2

    She was surprised when Tully said that.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t my merit, was it? It was mostly set up by Chairman, and I only helped a little.¡±

    ¡°Still, it was your push that got King Zahad to move on¡­ Has it been almost a year since our guys picked you up after your engagement was broken off?¡±

    ¡°Come to think of it, that¡¯s about right.¡±

    She was even more baffled at Tully¡¯s question.

    It was because that day seemed somehow in the distant past.

    Has it only been that long since Crown Prince Dietrich broke off their engagement and exiled her from her homeland?

    It¡¯s kind of weird.

    She met them by chance that day and was allowed to accompany them on their journey, which was why she was with them today. She met the chairman, Tully, and he allowed her to join as a merchant member.

    Since then, she¡¯s been working so hard that she hasn¡¯t had time to think about her homeland.

    Rishe, clad in a robe to shield her from the sand, looked to the east.

    There was her homeland far to the east, but of course it couldn¡¯t be seen from where they were.

    There was only one thing to see: the panoramic view of the desert.

    The large moon floating in the sky illuminated the area. The smooth sandy ground glowed silver, and in this way it looked like a snowfield.

    As they were gazing at this breathtaking scenery, Tully said in a sobering tone.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite a feat for a naive young lady to make it this far.¡±

    ¡°For that matter, isn¡¯t it because Chairman¡¯s merchant training was relentless?¡±

    What revived was the nightmarish memory of that period underneath. As Rishe looked into the distance, Tully said as he sipped directly at the liquor bottle.

    ¡°Oh, right. By the way, King Zahad¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes? What about him?¡±

    ¡°He might have fallen in love with you.¡±

    ¡°Ge~tsu!¡±

    The beer she was drinking almost entered the wrong channel and she choked on it.

    A bunch of merchant members looked at her and asked her what was wrong, but she hurriedly replied that it was nothing.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°To be exact, maybe one step closer to being in love with you? Be careful, Rishe. It¡¯s a hassle if you get into a romance with your business partner.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s convincing when Chairman says it, but I¡¯m safe! It won¡¯t come to that! Chairman must have been mistaken.¡±

    More than that, Rishe told Tully.

    ¡°Mr. Chairman, you really ought to be more careful. Everyone knows you¡¯ve been asking out the ladies of the palace.¡±

    ¡°What choice do I have?¡¡When you see such beautiful flowers blooming in the desert, there is nothing I can do to resist. I can¡¯t help but want to kneel down and say, ¡®I would love to have you.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to tell Aria.¡±

    ¡°Quit that! Please, just not this!¡±

    He bowed his head down with the force of his forehead hitting the sand and sighed.

    Of course, she really wasn¡¯t going to tell her something that was bad for her education.

    ¡°Chairman, thank you so much¡­¡±

    She thanked Tully, who again got up to dust himself off.

    ¡°Ah? What?¡±

    ¡°For picking me up and raising me as a merchant. Otherwise, I would have been lost by now. Besides¡­¡±

    Rishe turned her attention again to the vast desert.

    Before her was the sea of sand.

    The moon shimmered on the surface of the oasis and a bonfire burned beside it.

    The camels froze to sleep, and amidst the laughter of their companions, exotic drinks and food were laid out.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t left that country, I wouldn¡¯t have even known such a beautiful landscape.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It really was a beautiful sight.

    This was the future that she had no choice but reach, but she was here by choice.

    For Rishe, who was born into a duke¡¯s family and was constantly told that she had no other value than to be the future queen, each of these events has overturned her world.

    Tully smiled wickedly as she thanked him.

    ¡°You have a long way to go. ¡ª You¡¯re going to go all over the world, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    Tully remembered what Rishe told him was her dream.

    [I want to travel to every country in the world while doing business.] This goal was also a major driving force for Rishe.

    I¡¯ve got to get back to work tomorrow.

    She has a dream and someone she looked up that supported it. That alone made her feel like she could move forward with confidence, no matter what kind of life she had.

    Tully raised her bottle of sake and called out to his men on the other side of the fire.

    ¡°Neil! It¡¯s about time, just do as usual!¡±

    ¡°Okay, Mr. Chairman. I¡¯ll play you the perfect tune for a night in the desert.¡±

    ¡°All right, if Chairman permits, I¡¯ll dance. That fascinating dance I saw in the palace¡­¡±

    ¡°Gyahaha~ you idiot! You¡¯re already wobbling on your feet!¡±

    As her friends convulsed in laughter, Rishe laughed along. After all, the party was unlikely to be rounded up early.

    At the very least, they won¡¯t be doing their customary drinking contest.

    With that resolution, the night in the desert wore on.

 Chapter e3.1 Extra 3.1

    A Story Of The Crown Prince From A Servant¡¯s Point Of View

    In Arc 1, a few days after Arnold kissed Rishe.

    It¡¯s been a long time since Oliver became Arnold¡¯s squire.

    For Oliver, who was born into a family of knights but had his way cut off by an injury, Arnold, who found him, was a master whom he could serve without a second thought.

    To the extent that if there was no other choice, he would willingly sacrifice his life for him.

    So, for his master¡¯s sake, he would advise him like no others could in their fear of Arnold.

    Making up his mind to ask a question of that nature on this day as well, Oliver opened his mouth.

    It was just as Arnold was reading through a troublesome document and finished a stroke of disagreement.

    ¡°Eh, speaking of which, master. Has anything unusual happened to you lately?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

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    After receiving the papers from Arnold, who answered flatly, Oliver argued further.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s nothing. There¡¯s obviously something wrong with you.¡±

    ¡°What? If you¡¯re going to interfere with my work, get out.¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t seen Rishe-sama for a few days now.¡±

    He tried to cut straight to the point, but Arnold continued reading the documents silently without batting an eyelid.

    When he was looking down, his long eyelashes were accentuated and his good looks were highlighted, even though he was a man.

    Arnold¡¯s appearance was so perfect that it looked even more like a contrivance.

    Most women were smitten by his looks, but as far as Oliver knew, there was one girl who was quite formidable.

    How ironic, since that person, of all people, was to become his wife.

    ¡°Has it been since my lord went to the chapel the day before yesterday with a letter from Rishe-sama? What in the world has happened to you? Up until now, you¡¯ve gone to check on her from time to time, and when it was impossible for you to do so, you even forced me to go.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Despite the reports from the knight guards, you are quite worried about your wife, aren¡¯t you? She¡¯s only just arrived in the castle, so you must be feeling anxious too.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold picked up a pen and signed at the bottom of the document.

    After that, he said, still without changing his expression.

    ¡°For the time being, I won¡¯t be visiting the detached palace.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Why?¡±

    Has he lost interest in that girl so soon?

    Although he thought so, Arnold¡¯s reply was something Oliver hadn¡¯t expected at all.

    ¡°It¡¯s because something unconscionable was done.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t swallow the words that had been said so quietly, so he confirmed.

    ¡°¡­ Unconscionable, by whom?¡±

    ¡°I did, to her.¡±

    ¡°You did, to Rishe-sama?¡±

    After a few moments of silence, Oliver screamed with all his might.

    ¡°Thats¡­ AHHHHHHH?!¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    Arnold frowned and glared at Oliver.

    An ordinary being might have been frightened and so terrified that they might not even be able to speak, but Oliver was different. Arnold knew this as well, so he had no reservations about it.

    ¡°How can I shut up!!! Oh, what did you mean by unconscionable?! I don¡¯t understand; I mean, what did you do? Don¡¯t tell me¡­ My lord, you haven¡¯t had your wedding yet!!¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t gone that far. You¡¯re so noisy.¡±

    Since the situation didn¡¯t seem to be irreversible, he patted his chest for the time being.

    However, what he told him was still shocking.

    ¡°That¡¯s the end of it.¡±

    ¡°No, no, no, that¡¯s not the end of it.¡±

    Oliver knew that the second prince, Theodore, had contacted Rishe that day.

    Even he had been suspicious of the letter from Rishe that was sent shortly afterwards. Arnold said he would respond to it, but he barely imagined that the ¡®unconscionable¡¯ thing occurred after that.

    But again, why on earth did he do that¡­ Was he trying to keep His Highness Theodore in check by showing his favor to Rishe-sama? Or could Rishe-sama possibly¡­ No, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s right, but¡­

    As an elder and a squire, it was clear to Oliver what should be done.

    ¡°My Lord, have you properly apologized to Rishe-sama?¡±

    Arnold ignored him and continued his work.

    Have a jolly weekend! Take care always ^_^

 Chapter e3.2 Extra 3.2

    ¡°No matter how beautiful Your Highness the Crown Prince is, there are things you can and can¡¯t do. I don¡¯t know what you did, but you do have a clear understanding of that, right?¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡­Huh, I guess that¡¯s why you¡¯ve decided not to ¡®see her for a while.¡¯

    The sound of the pen moving never stopped. So he dared to nag him.

    ¡°If you haven¡¯t apologized, would you like me to arrange something for you?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Your future wife will hate you.¡±

    ¡°Oliver.¡±

    Whoop ¨C Oliver held his tongue.

    Arnold flipped through the papers and told him matter-of-factly.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I did it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He instinctively wanted to sigh, but held himself back.

    ¡°¡­Well, I didn¡¯t mean to be impertinent.¡±

    ¡°Quite. First of all, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±

    After saying that, Arnold dropped his eyes again. No emotion could be seen from his expression.

    ¡°She¡¯s the woman I forced to marry and take as my wife in the first place.¡±

    That doesn¡¯t mean she hated you from the very beginning, though.

    After all, Oliver knew.

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    He knew that Arnolt tried to honor that girl he brought from another country as best he could.

    I know you care for her.

    He has never seen his sovereign lord wrack his brains for a single person.

    When Rishe was involved, Arnold had a soft expression on his face that even Oliver, with whom he spent his youth, has never known.

    There has never yet been a precedent for you to entrust your own knight guard to someone else. You¡¯ve even escorted the lady to an evening party, and danced with her for the opening dance of special significance.

    Feeling dumbfounded, Oliver shook his head, good grief.

    Eating her food without a poison tester. That doesn¡¯t sound like you, ¡®doing something unconscionable,¡¯ for the purpose of being hated. If I were you, I¡¯d carry out more efficient means¡­

    He swallowed those words and let out a loud sigh.

    Arnold clicked his tongue, but instead he smiled at him.

    ¡°I know, I won¡¯t say anything more than that. I am your servant.¡±

    Oliver¡¯s idea of a ¡®servant¡¯s role¡¯ was to accomplish what his lord wanted.

    So, nothing was to be done now. Until the day he gave him a second order.

    ¡°By the way, Your Highness, be that as it may, I think a proper apology would be in order.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s about time you really get out of here.¡±

    That wasn¡¯t going to happen.

    After all, there was still a lot of work to be done for the day.

 Chapter ci.1 Character Introduction of the Characters in Arc 1

    ¡ô Riche Ilmgard Wertsner (heroine)

    ¡ô Arnold Hein (the heroine¡¯s fianc¨¦)

    ¡ô Kane Tally (a merchant and the boss of the heroine in her past life)

    ¡ô Theodore Auguste Hein (the second prince brother-in-law of the bride)

    ¡ô Riche in her merchant life (1st life)

    ¡ô Diana

    ¡ô Elise

    ¡ô Oliver

    ¡ô Knight Guards

 Chapter 42.1 All set to move in.

    In the days following her capture, Rishe recuperated slowly in her fluffy bunk.

    She tended the fields to a minimum, leaving the education of the maidservants to Dianna and eating plenty of nutritious food.

    In her bed, she basically slept well while filling out order forms for the Aria Trading Company and writing proposals for the commercialization of the nail polish.

    On the fifth day, after taking a home-made medicine and feeling completely rejuvenated, even the Imperial City¡¯s attending physician had given his approval.

    ¡°All is in order now, Rishe-sama.¡±

    The maidservant, Elise, announced to Rishe and bowed her head.

    A bunch of maidservants gathered on the spot also bowed their heads, following Elise¡¯s example. There was a certain tension that filled the hall.

    The women looked meek, secretly gulping and clearing their throats as they waited for Rishe to speak.

    ¡°Good work, everyone.¡±

    Their master, Rishe, said a word of praise.

    ¡°You guys have made this day possible for me. You¡¯ve done a wonderful job; thank you from the bottom of my heart.¡±

    In response, the maidservants buried their heads lower and lower.

    Rishe quickly lowered her eyes and took a step forward. The sound of her shoes echoed and stopped once in front of the door.

    ¡°At last¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama.¡±

    The maidservants swallowed hard and watched their master¡¯s back as she left the room.

    Rishe went straight to the main castle, accompanied by two knights.

    They visited the office of Crown Prince Arnold.

    ¡°Your Highness, Rishe-sama is here to see you.¡±

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    ¡°Enter.¡±

    The knights slowly opened the door and stood back on either side.

    Rishe thanked them and stepped into his office.

    ¡°Good day, Your Highness Arnold. Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule.¡±

    ¡°This is the first time you¡¯ve ever asked for a meeting with me.¡±

    Arnold stopped writing and slowly put his pen down beside him.

    Then he said with a generous smile.

    ¡°What in the world is the matter? You look a lot more nervous than you should be for just coming to see your fianc¨¦.¡±

    ¡°Then, let¡¯s get right to it.¡±

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    The squire, Oliver, shot his alert eyes to them for a moment.

    Rishe took one deep breath and informed Arnold with a full head start.

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness¡¯ room in the detached palace is ready!¡±

    ¡°¡ª What?¡±

    Arnold¡¯s brows couldn¡¯t furrow any deeper.

    His well-sculpted face was beautiful, even with such an austere expression. With that in mind, Rishe continued to explain.

    ¡°Your office is located on the second floor and your bedroom is on the top floor, the fourth floor. I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long.¡±

    To be exact, the room had been ready a little while ago.

    But, she thought it would be better not to call Arnold until the maidservants were perfectly capable of cleaning and doing other tasks.

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    It would be detrimental to the maidservants¡¯ hearts to have the Crown Prince there when they were inexperienced in their work.

    ¡°We have a bedroom and an office, so you¡¯re welcome to move in at any time! If you¡¯re, I can show you around now.¡±

    ¡°¨C Wait.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Arnold still had a grimace in contrast to Rishe, who was in high spirits.

    ¡°This is what you want?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡±

    Looking closely, Oliver was also gaping.

    Arnolt sighed and then asked more.

    ¡°Then what are you so nervous about?¡±

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m nervous! My precious handmaids have worked so hard for today! The thought of this being like a graduation exam makes me very nervous¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe knew all too well how hard they worked to get to this day.

    The maidservants toiled every day, early in the morning, helping each other out.

    After work, they would hold study sessions, learning the letters and striving to use them for the next day¡¯s work.

    It was Rishe who did the final check, and she was amazed at how well the windows were shining, the dust-free floors and the white sheets.

    The extent of their growth was enough to bring even Dianna and the other mentors to tears.

    ¡°I¡¯m nervous, but I can confidently say that it¡¯s a beautiful room. So I would love for you to take a look at your new room.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold sighed again and put his cheekbones on the armrest.

    ¡°I thought you wanted to be alone and free in that detached palace.¡±

    ¡°No way! That doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±

    ¡°Meaning?¡±

    ¡°Aye.¡±

    Rishe walked over to his office desk and placed her hand on the desk and looked Arnold in the eye.

    ¡°I would like to live in that castle with Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡±

 Chapter 42.2

    It was initially a scheme to separate Arnold from the current emperor.

    Three years later, he would kill his father and start his path to war.

    And that detached palace was a villa that she hoped would help prevent his father¡¯s murder.

    A castle like that was too big for Rishe alone. With these thoughts in mind, she stared at Arnold.

    Arnold looked surprised for some reason, but eventually his expression melted into a smile.

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    His gaze seemed to see right through to her heart.

    ¡°It seems that you¡¯re up to something fun again.¡±

    ¡°Hi, don¡¯t make it sound so scandalous!¡±

    But in a way, he hit the nail on its head. Could it be that he really could read her mind?

    Or was I too aggressive calling him?

    If Arnold became wary, he might not be able to move into the detached palace.

    While she was inwardly impatient, Arnold stood up and said, ¡°Fine.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that offer. You¡¯ve put me in a good mood.¡±

    ¡°Eh~ Who¡¯s in a good mood?¡±

    ¡°Me. ¡ª Let¡¯s go.¡±

    When she looked at Oliver, for some reason, he nodded to her with a wry smile.

    He mouthed the words, Thanks for saving me.

    Does that mean His Highness was in a bad mood before I came here?

    And now, for some reason, his mood seemed to have been restored.

    As she was wondering, she heard him call out.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes!¡±

    Rishe rushed after Arnold to show him around.

    ****

    ¡°¨CThis is Your Highness¡¯ bedroom.¡±

    Rishe stood at the door, and told Arnold at her side.

    At the end of the corridor some distance away, the maidservants were peering in anxiously. Perhaps they were wondering how he found the office she had already shown him earlier.

    When they met Rishe¡¯s eyes and she smiled and nodded, the girls clasped each other¡¯s hands and broke into huge smiles.

    ¡°Get in.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The bedroom, with its blue tones, was immaculately polished from corner to corner.

    A dark blue canopy and soft pillows. The sheets were stretched tightly, and there was a candy-colored round desk.

    The carpeting was of the highest quality, with a smooth, tightly knit pile of wool that didn¡¯t produce a single sound of shoes, but not a single dust particle was on it.

    ¡°This¡­¡±

    Arnold gave her a surprised look.

    ¡°What do you think? Isn¡¯t it a wonderful room?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, looks like it.¡±

    Rishe was delighted hearing his honest words of affirmation.

    ¡°I¡¯ve discussed this with Oliver, and we¡¯ve decided to keep the furniture to a bare minimum for now. The bookshelves and everything else will have to be brought in when you move out of your current room.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine¡­ But I¡¯m surprised.¡±

    Arnold stood in the center of the room and scanned the room with interest.

    ¡°This detached palace has been neglected for years. It would have been impossible to complete it in three weeks even if it was just your room, right?¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Aren¡¯t they amazing? My maids!¡±

    ¡°Totally. This is a huge deal.¡±

    Arnold turned and looked at Rishe.

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    ¡°You¡¯ve trained the rookies to this point from scratch, haven¡¯t you? If they have set up the castle where the royal family resides and their work has been approved by the Crown Prince, they will never be without work in the future.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness is right. If these girls were to live elsewhere, they¡¯ll be free from future uncertainties.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s more to be gained.¡±

    Rishe inclined her head, as he continued.

    ¡°It¡¯s pride. ¡ª The pride that comes from knowing that you¡¯ve done a solid job and that you¡¯ve been recognized by others. It¡¯s not directly related to the life and death of a person, but sometimes that pride can keep a person alive.¡±

    ¡°¡­Your Highness?¡±

    Arnold slowly lowered his eyes.

    He didn¡¯t show much emotion, yet his expression was somehow gentle.

    He looked down at Rishe with a gaze as if he¡¯s looking at something precious.

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    ¡°You have a gift for making others proud.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes rounded at this unexpected compliment.

    That didn¡¯t occur to her at all, what the heck was that all about? Arnold¡¯s shoulders shook when Rishe stared blankly at him.

    ¡°Pfft~¡±

    It was a nuanced breath that irresistibly spilled out.

    ¡°Is that the kind of look you get when I praise you?¡±

    Rishe sighed at the sound of his amusement.

    ¡°You said that out of the blue to tease me, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°What a shame. I mean, that was a sincere compliment.¡±

    That didn¡¯t sound sincere at all. Nevertheless, after a sigh, Rishe replied like this.

    ¡°What a shame. Even if it¡¯s false, it¡¯s nice to hear you praise me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After all, this was a man whom she has always considered ¡°unbeatable¡±.

    Arnold¡¯s eyes widened a bit. Feeling as if she had gotten even, Rishe laughed.

    ¡°By the way, did you notice?¡¡This is the sunniest room in the villa. With the windows open, the breeze is so nice and refreshing, it¡¯s perfect for a nap.¡±

    ¡°¡­Unfortunately, I rarely return to my bedroom during the day. You could have used this room instead of giving it to me.¡±

    ¡°Uhm, I¡¯m like a hostage, right? I mean, it¡¯s not going to be pretty if I were to languish in this castle. A princess who does nothing shouldn¡¯t have a nice room like this.¡±

    ¡°The ¡®idle¡¯ queen?¡±

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    ¡°?¡±

    What did that twinkle in his eyes mean?

    She was curious, but she decided not to delve too deeply.

    ¡°Come to think of it, is your room right next door?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It will be easier for the guards if our rooms are close.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s easier for me to do that too. I might be able to detect your recklessness before it happens.¡±

    ¡°What recklessness! I¡¯m going to be laying low from now on. I won¡¯t do that.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Just a little bit?¡±

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    He said softly, dumbfounded.

    ¡°You can take liberties, but don¡¯t do another one of those things that make you sick like the other day.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    She took it as a normal scolding.

    Rishe reflected on it and remembered that she wanted to ask Arnold for help.

    ¡°Speaking of which, Your Highness. I have a favor to ask of you in this matter.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    She smiled at him, who looked a bit wary.

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    ¡°Do you remember what you promised me before?¡±

 Chapter 43.1 Please instruct me, Your Highness.

    ¡°¡­ Are you really serious about this?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±

    When Arnold asked, Rishe smiled and nodded.

    They were standing in a small training ground in the corner of the Royal Palace. The knights guarding Rishe were worriedly looking at them.

    They moved from Arnold¡¯s bedroom to the training ground because of the exchange earlier.

    [¡°Would you please practice swords play with me, Your Highness?¡±]

    After Rishe finished showing Arnold around his room, he did so.

    It had happened about three weeks ago and she thought he might have forgotten about it, but apparently he remembered.

    [¡°Oh, by the way, we talked about this at an earlier soiree.¡±]

    [¡°I¡¯m glad you remember. I¡¯ve learned a lot from this incident. This body lacks strength and needs to be trained as soon as possible.¡±]

    The marriage ceremony was only about two and a half months away, and there was a lot of work to be done in that time.

    All she needed was time and energy to get everything done.

    Her physical strength, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory function were a far cry from her life as a knight.

    It wasn¡¯t something that could be acquired immediately from scratch, but thinking about the future, she wanted to start training as soon as possible.

    [¡°I know Your Highness is very busy, and I don¡¯t intend to ask you to train with me all the time. However, I would like you to teach me just once.¡±]

    Rishe looked into Arnold¡¯s eyes.

    [¡°Can you teach me the ¡®special training techniques¡¯ that Your Highness and the members of the knight guards are using?¡±]

    [¡°Heh~¡±]

    The corner of Arnold¡¯s lips curled in amusement.

    [¡°How did you know?¡±]

    [¡°My field is located near the Knights Training Field. I¡¯ve seen each squadron training on several occasions, but only Your Highness¡¯ knight guards were clearly different in their movement proficiency.¡±]

    It wasn¡¯t just during training.

    When they were guarding Rishe, they had no room for a single, momentary, body lapse.

    Not all the knights of Garkhain were like them.

    Only Arnold¡¯s knight guards have that outstanding skill. If so, it was obvious who was behind such an operation.

    After all, someone far more seamless than those knight guards was their lord.

    [¡°If you have an established training regimen, I¡¯d love to know about it.¡±]

    [¡°¡­¡±]

    However, it wasn¡¯t just because she wanted to acquire the skill.

    Rishe recalled a scene she witnessed in her previous life.

    When the Garkhain Army was the enemy, His Highness Arnold was the most threatening¡­ But the other knights were just as troublesome enough to deal with.

    They were terribly powerful.

    Not only the generals of each battalion, but even the lower knights on the front lines, each and every one of them were formidable in the battlefield.

    Even now, His Highness Arnold¡¯s knight guards are prominently strong. But all the Garkhain knights didn¡¯t seem to have that kind of strength.

    In other words, she thought.

    His Highness Arnold will build up that mighty Order in just five years or so from now.

    It was truly terrifying.

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    It was unlikely that they only gathered people with knightly talent. Given the scale of their numbers, such a thing was impossible.

    They must have some kind of specific training regimen. If so, then I should learn¡­

    [¡°¡­¡±]

    Arnold fell silent for a moment while Rishe stared at him.

    Perhaps he was about to decline.

    However, he eventually sighed as Rishe stared firmly into his eyes, unwilling to give up.

    [¡°¡­Okay.¡±]

    [¡°What?!¡±]

    Not expecting an easy nod, Rishe blinked.

    What Arnold had agreed to before was supposed to be a normal practice.

    [¡°Are you sure? I asked for it, but I think it¡¯s a military secret¡­¡±]

    [¡°There¡¯s no harm in the Crown Prince¡¯s wife knowing. ¡ª Besides, I¡¯ve promised to fulfill whatever you wanted.¡±]

    [¡°!¡±]

    His voice as he said this seemed a little softer than usual.

    The strange feeling of comfort it brought, made Rishe a bit flustered.

    [¡°Uh, thank you. I¡¯m glad, very happy.¡±]

    [¡°Happy? Why?¡±]

    [¡°Because¡­¡±]

    With a look of utter incomprehension, Rishe replied.

    [¡°Because as far as I know, your swordsmanship is unparalleled and the most beautiful around the world.¡±]

    [¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±]

    Since she could be taught by such an opponent, it was impossible not to feel joyful as a former knight.

    Arnold glanced at her for a moment and then huffed.

    [¡°Around the word?¡±]

    [¡°¡­But of course, in a metaphorical sense!¡¡It¡¯s just a metaphor, okay?!¡±]

    She hastened to add, not wanting him to be suspicious.

    Then Arnold said in a self-mocking voice.

    [¡°There¡¯s nothing beautiful about a skill that only kills humans, is there?¡±]

    [¡°¡­ Your Highness.¡±]

    [¡°I¡¯m heading to the training area. Go get dressed for action.¡±]

 Chapter 43.2

    ***

    And after that exchange, here they were.

    ¡°Grab the restraints. One for Rishe, three for me.¡±

    ¡°¨CHai!¡±

    The knight guard Arnold ordered began to move after a snappy reply.

    However, the look they gave Rishe while they were at it obediently was terribly worried.

    The knights returned with a crate and held it out to their lord, bowing their heads.

    Arnold took it and picked up a certain item inside.

    ¡­ A belt?

    ¡°Put this on.¡±

    Rishe obediently received what was handed over.

    It was a brace in the form of suspenders and a belt in one piece.

    While Arnold explained, he first put his arms through the suspenders in a loop.

    The belt that intersected with those two suspenders vertically was wrapped around his waist and secured with a clasp.

    ¡°Turn around when you¡¯re done.¡±

    She turned around as ordered.

    Then Arnold¡¯s hand, fitted with a black glove, grabbed Rishe¡¯s left hand.

    He wrapped a thin strap around her wrist.

    And then, he put Rishe¡¯s left hand behind her, and secured her waist belt and wrist strap with metal fittings.

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    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    In this manner, her left hand was useless.

    ¡°Special training is performed with the body partially restrained and the movement of the limbs impeded.¡±

    As he spoke, he himself began to wear the same restraints.

    The difference was that while Rishe¡¯s dominant arm, the right side, was free, Arnold had a strap wrapped around his right dominant arm.

    ¡°Is this how you always train?¡±

    ¡°Not necessarily. Everything would come to nothing if you were to develop some strange habits.¡±

    As if accustomed to it, Arnold finished putting his belt on, and grabbed another tool from the crate before he could secure his wrist behind him.

    It was similar to a knee pad, but it didn¡¯t seem to have the same use as it looked.

    Arnold wrapped that leather around his left knee.

    He¡¯s trying to keep his left leg unbent.

    He then picked up a black eye patch.

    Arnold covered his right eye with that eye patch and tied the cord behind his head.

    Finally, a knight guard stepped forward reverently and secured Arnold¡¯s wrist to the belt at his waist.

    Rishe, on the other hand, has only her left hand restrained.

    ¡°Make adjustments in this state. ¡ª Sword.¡±

    The knight who received Arnold¡¯s signal held out a wooden sword to Rishe.

    Rishe thanked the knight and held the wooden sword in one hand.

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    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    She could feel how her center of gravity was thrown out of whack just from not being able to use her left hand.

    On top of that, it would strain her muscles to use only one hand to support something she normally held with both hands.

    But it didn¡¯t seem so simple.

    ¡°Is sealing off the limbs to bring conditions closer to the battlefield?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Because if it¡¯s just to strengthen the core and build up the muscles, there¡¯s no reason for Your Highness to cover one eye.¡±

    Rishe asked while looking at Arnold, who received a wooden sword from a knight.¡±

    ¡°This training is for ¨C continuing to fight even when a part of your body is disabled on the battlefield ¨C right?¡±

    ¡°¡­Hahaha!¡±

    Arnold laughed heartily and pointed the sharp tip of his wooden sword at Rishe.

    ¡°Great observation, as always.¡±

    Unlike Rishe, it wasn¡¯t his dominant arm that was free.

    Moreover, it was his left arm, which was slightly slower to move than the right due to an old injury in his shoulder joint. And yet, there wasn¡¯t even a hint of an opening.

    ¡°Not very much, but it¡¯s hard to believe you¡¯re a proper lady who knows nothing about the real battlefield.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She could feel her skin tingling in the tense air.

    The knight guards unconsciously backed away, as if their instincts as swordsmen made them do so.

    ¡°If you get wounded, you can¡¯t move your arms. If you get blood splashed in your eyes, they¡¯ll be useless for a while. But even in those circumstances, the fight goes on, and the enemy will attack you.¡±

    A vivid memory of the battlefield revived in Rishe¡¯s mind.

    ¡°I will swing my sword even if my arm is torn to shreds. Even if my legs are shattered, I will still advance. Even if both of my eyes are crushed, I¡¯ll find a way to slash into the enemy until the end.¡±

    Arnold looked at Rishe.

    ¡°This training is for that.¡±

    His eyes have always been sharp.

    Even with one eye covered with an eyepatch, she wondered where that heavy pressure stemmed from.

    ¡°¨C It¡¯s the so-called link to the path to survival.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    His words made her gulp.

    I shouldn¡¯t have fought against him.

    Chivalry, as Rishe knew it, was a kind of aesthetic.

    It required nobility and beauty, even while wielding a sword and fighting for the country.

    To take up a sword fairly and squarely, to fight without shame, even against the enemy, and to die for one¡¯s master to the end¡± was respected.

    Even Rishe, once a knight, risked her life and eventually died to protect the royal family.

    Despite the odds, survive, even if it means floundering unsightly ¡ª and to the enemy for it. That¡¯s what made up the knights of the Garkhain Army.

    In the past, Rishe had this man as an enemy.

    And depending on her fate in the future, there was a possibility that they might become enemies again.

    Arnold laughed as Rishe gingerly regripped her wooden sword.

    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d have you experience a fight with me after you¡¯ve gone through basic training. Since you¡¯re the one I¡¯m dealing with this time, I¡¯m only covering one eye instead of both.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my honor, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not going to let my fianc¨¦e suffer a single injury before the wedding.¡±

    Arnold could guarantee that because of the overwhelming difference in their ability.

    Rishe thought for a moment and then opened her mouth.

    ¡°If I beat Your Highness, can you tell me one thing about anything I want to know?¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡±

    ¡°In return, if I lose, I¡¯ll grant you one thing, whatever Your Highness desires.¡±

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    Arnolt looked surprised, then laughed as if delighted by Rishe¡¯s bet.

    ¡°All right.¡±

    ¡°Well, then, please treat me favorably.¡±

    A knight gave the signal for the start.

 Chapter 44.1 What the crossed swords could tell.

    Arnold pointed the sharp tip of his wooden sword at Rishe. It was a beautiful stance, but somewhat open.

    Perhaps it meant ¡°go ahead and strike¡±

    Since there was a difference in their strengths, she also honestly gripped her wooden sword.

    Then she checked the conditions of her limbs again.

    The restraint on her left hand was secured to her back by a hook-like clasp.

    It wasn¡¯t like being cramped by a mighty force, but more or less like in a state of a game. However, due to the structure of the joint, the range of motion was limited.

    If you hold a heavy wooden sword in one hand, an arm that lacked muscle strength was enough to withstand it.

    The longer the fight lasts, the worse the disadvantage¡­ Then¡­

    Rishe exhaled briefly and dove a foot into Arnold¡¯s space.

    Arnold remained still. Where he was, she aimed at his right face and raised her wooden sword at an angle.

    Kaan ~ a loud crack resounded.

    Arnold lightly parried Rishe¡¯s sword.

    She had struck with a reasonable amount of momentum. And yet, Arnold¡¯s sword didn¡¯t falter.

    In that case¡­

    She twisted in an axis and flipped around. Even that blow, which used centrifugal force, was easily received by Arnold.

    The two swords crossed and interlocked, overlapping with the gaze beyond them. Arnold, who was temporarily one eyed, narrowed one of his eyes and laughed.

    ¡°Come on, that¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    A creepy feeling ran down her spine as she looked into his eyes that looked as if he was truly enjoying it.

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    Rishe immediately jumped back and regained her stance while breathing.

    My balance is shaky. My grip is lax. I¡¯m drawn to the sensations I have when my left hand is of use¡­!

    She reflected on some points and considered what she could do to quickly cope up.

    Correct the balance¡­and the pacing will change. I need to step in further, only the weakest sword tip will hit His Highness.

    She calculated in her head and ascertained the spot she would charge in. Since her grip was out of control, she raised her sword upwards, so that as much power as possible could be transmitted to the tip of it.

    A trivial trick wouldn¡¯t work, but it was better than nothing. Also, she has to stop trying to find her balance with her left hand.

    Again.

    Simultaneous with Rishe¡¯s thoughts, Arnold gave her an inviting look.

    She tempered her breath, let it out shallowly, and slashed at Arnold again.

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    ¡°Ya~¡±

    Her first swing was blocked. Once she pulled back, she immediately struck two or three times and dove into Arnold¡¯s bosom.

    She tried to slash up from underneath him, but Arnold¡¯s sword also blocked it, and pushed her back with a twist of his arm.

    ¡°¨CHeh.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Pause.

    However, it was also at this time that Arnold, who has only ever held up his wooden sword, made his first move. Rishe retreated once more, leaving a gap.

    ¡°Oh, hey, Rieshe-sama¡¯s movements have changed a lot after crossing swords with His Highness only a few times¡­¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s impossible! But¡­if I¡¯m not mistaken¡­¡±

    The exchanges between the knight guards fell on deaf ears as she devoted her attention to striking Arnold. Defended and attacked, she searched for a breakthrough.

    ¡°You¡¯re moving too stiffly. Don¡¯t challenge me with might. Your legs are slipping.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He pointed out, and she was flabbergasted.

    He corrected her while they crossed swords. She was reminded of the days she was desperate to make up for her inability to match men in terms of strength.

    ¡°Take advantage of your agility. Step on your left foot and you can still move, right? One more step, not yet, look!¡±

    She stepped in accordance with Arnold¡¯s guidance while they clashed swords.

    A sensation rekindled ¨C that sense of life that she had not too long ¨C like it was just recently.

    Arnold instructed Rishe in a straightforward, yet precise manner.

    Amazing. I was a knight, and it took me five years to get to that point.

    Perhaps Arnold could tell the best solution just by watching Rishe¡¯s moves.

    But.

    Even Rishe was unwilling to give up. The more she got used to the bodywork, the more her vision opened up.

    Then, this time, she started to make room to observe Arnold.

    What passed through her brain was the image of Arnold Hein ¡°That Day¡±.

    ¨CRight!

 Chapter 44.2

    The moment she drew back, the wooden sword strike came from exactly where she imagined it would come from.

    Arnold¡¯s sword slid just barely past Rishe¡¯s sword. If she hadn¡¯t ducked as quickly as possible, her wooden sword would have been sent flying.

    As things stand, breaking into my space, he should approach from above!¡­

    Five years later, when she crossed swords with Arnold, he did the same move as he did just now. It was a blow that the knight Rishe received with a sword at hand.

    She remembered that, but she could never stop him now. So she took another step, forcing herself to retreat.

    Immediately after, Arnold¡¯s sword tip grazed Rishe¡¯s bangs.

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    She knew he would stop me just in time, but the instinctive sense of danger made her sweat uncomfortably.

    She lost her balance by evading with no room to spare and wobbled backwards a few steps.

    The expression of Arnold, who stopped the blow precisely still, flickered a bit there.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that my swordsmanship is the strongest as far as you know?¡±

    Rishe said to him earlier.

    ¡°But your move was that of someone who knows someone stronger than me¡­ You were thinking about that guy while crossing swords with me, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold had a provocative smile on his face, as if he was joking.

    But his gaze was sharp, making Rishe grip her wooden sword again.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be jealous, but I¡¯m getting jealous.¡±

    ¡°You must be kidding. Besides, the most powerful man I know is rightly Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    Rishe asserted, looking straight at Arnold.

    However, his point wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. Because what Rishe had envisioned was Emperor Arnold Hein five years later.

    ¡ª He was even stronger, more ruthless, and more overpowering than the current Prince.

    Their entire Order was slaughtered by that man. He wasn¡¯t the kind of person to say, ¡°We don¡¯t intend to harm you in any way.¡±

    And now, she was now crossing swords with that man.

    ¡°Come on. Just hold your ground a little longer.¡±

    Arnold smiled cheerfully.

    His language was a bit less informal than usual, and seemed appropriate for his age ¨C 19 years old.

    She complied in kind. She hunched back and held her sword in position.

    She took one or two steps and slowly closed the gap between them while measuring the distance.

    Arnold also gripped his sword. And the moment their breathing overlapped, she stepped in at a stretch and swung her sword to the side.

    She ducked in a flash. Her figure slipped past Arnold and she quickly spun around.

    Similarly, he whirled around and parried that sword attack. Then the tip of Arnold¡¯s sword struck Rishe¡¯s sword hard.

    ¡°Huh~¡±

    The wooden swords collided with each other above, and then quickly pulled back and exchanged once on the lower level, and from there, went overhead again. The sound of hard wood crashing into each other echoed and sent a tingling numbness to Rishe¡¯s hands.

    Arnold covered one of his eyes, and wasn¡¯t supposed to be able to move one of his legs, but it didn¡¯t feel like that at all.

    Again!

    She took half a step back, and swung her sword with all the force she could muster all at once.

    Arnold withdrew. Rishe¡¯s wooden sword cut the sky wide open, but she just plunged right in.

    At that time, the only sensation that Arnold Hein had left me was the feeling of being scarred¡­!

    Desperately clutching at the memory, she swung the final blow with all her strength. Arnold was caught off guard for a moment.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    But that was the end of it.

    Rishe¡¯s sword was sent flying with a single cleave wielded by Arnold.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    The sword that left her hand grazed the cheek of one of the knight guards who were watching them in amazement and hit the stone wall of the training grounds.

    ¡°Oopsy?!¡±

    ¡°Are you all right? A-Ah!¡±

    Rishe tried to rush over to them, but she was drained of strength and just sat down on the ground.

    ¡°¡­Ha~Wa¡­¡±

    ¡°Impressive display.¡±

    Arnold, whose breath wasn¡¯t disturbed one tiny bit, looked down at her.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to move more than a step, but it seems, I¡¯ve underestimated you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve set some restrictions for yourself.¡±

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t my opponent, I would have stayed on the same spot.¡±

 Chapter 44.3

    With Rishe breathing laboriously, Arnold signaled one of the Royal Knight Guards. One of them rushed over and removed the restraints on his hand.

    Arnold then removed the leg restraint himself and bent down in front of Rishe and released the strap on her left hand.

    ¡°Thank you for your guidance¡­¡±

    She¡¯d expected it, but still it was a shame that she lost. Perhaps she wore her feelings on her face, Arnold chuckled as he rested his cheekbone on his knee.

    ¡°Did you say you¡¯d listen to me on everything about one thing?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m at your service! I don¡¯t go back on my words!¡±

    With a bit of desperation, Rishe assured him.

    In any case, she didn¡¯t seriously think she had a chance of winning. It was a lucrative gamble for Rishe, whether she could win or lose.

    In the unlikely event that Rishe won, she could ask Arnold what she wanted to hear.

    If she lost, as expected, she could determine what he wanted from her. Maybe that could also aid her in finding out why Arnold has asked her to marry him.

    It was for these reasons that she put forth such a proposition.

    That¡¯s right. It¡¯s all part of the calculation. I don¡¯t regret it, no regrets¡­

    She was in fact thoroughly frustrated, but told herself that.

    Arnold observed her expressions for a while, and eventually, as he untied his eye patch, he said, ¡°Right¡­ Then leave your afternoon open two days later. We¡¯re going out to the castle town.¡±

    ¡°The castle town? I will obey, of course, but what are we going to do there?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you then.¡±

    Arnold stood up and left the eye patch he untied to a knight guard.

    Umm ¡­ As the Crown Prince and his fianc¨¦e, are we going to do some official duties or something?

    Anyway, she¡¯d never figure it out just by thinking about it. Come to think of it, it would be the first time since she went out of the castle to see Tully, the business chairman.

    At that time, a burglar was found, and he made her promise to be with him when she went out of the castle in the future.

    Arnold would go as far as to accompany Rishe everywhere.

    Her mind wandered off with that thought, while Arnold curiously looked down at her.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? It¡¯s about time you got up.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ Uh¡­¡±

    After slumping to the ground forever, Rishe gently turned away from Arnold.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be here for a while longer. Your Highness, please go ahead and return.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    She hated to explain it, but she had to.

    She braced her stomach and opened her mouth in shame.

    ¡°Actually, my limbs are now shaking after the hand-to-hand combat.¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡±

    ¡°Somehow, my body seemed unable to keep up with the exercise¡­¡±

    It was really pathetic. If she tried to stand up now, she might just plunge face first into the ground.

    ¡°So I suggest you get some rest. I¡¯ll make sure the training area is properly locked up, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Highness?¡±

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    Arnold gave her a hmmm look.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be touching you with my bare hands, so it¡¯s fine, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?¡±

    A bad hunch struck her.

    She wanted to instinctively say ¡°no¡±, but she didn¡¯t know what was being confirmed.

    Meanwhile, Arnold knelt in front of Rishe and extended a black gloved hand towards her.

    ¡°Eh? Huh, wait, Your High¨C¡±

    The next moment, Rishe fluffily floated away.

 Chapter 45.1 Bound to be Upset

    Arnold carried her sideways.

    The moment Rishe swallowed the situation, she let out an all-out scream.

    ¡°Hi-higyaahhhhhh!¡±

    Arnold looked down at Rishe, who was flapping her feet, with a poker face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mess around, else you¡¯ll fall.¡±

    ¡°What, uh, yeah, cause what the hell is this?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t get it up, right?¡±

    Arnold said and began to walk briskly ¨C in the so-called ¡®princess hug¡¯ state.

    No way¡­!

    Realizing that she was being taken straight to her room, Riese turned pale.

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    ¡°Ah¡­¡­¡­I¡¯m going down, let me down, please let me down! Don¡¯t worry about it, I just need to rest a bit and I¡¯ll be fine!¡±

    ¡°Again, don¡¯t struggle too much.¡±

    Even if I struggle violently, you¡¯re holding me so tightly, so who are you trying to scare?!

    Unable to speak, Arnold gave her a dumbfounded expression.

    ¡°You know what? I can¡¯t just leave my fianc¨¦e on the ground and go back to work, can I?¡±

    Indeed, common sense might dictate that!!

    Rishe was unfazed by a few things, but it was just impossible under the current circumstances. After all, this was Arnold Hein carrying her princess style.

    Her limbs were too weary to move and it was unlikely that she would manage moving by herself.

    She seek help from her knight guards with a gaze, but the moment their eyes met, they shook their heads. They were desperate, too.

    Someone, please!

    No matter how much she screamed her heart out, salvation failed to appear.

    Even the knights whom they rubbed shoulders with outside the training grounds looked in disbelief as if they were seeing something inconceivable and looked away from Rishe in a daze.

    Arnold seemed to have chosen a less crowded route, but it would be impossible not to meet anyone by the time they have reached the detached palace.

    ¡°Your Highness!¡­ Thi-the way you¡¯re carrying me must be too much of a burden to Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you think, you might as well just stay put.¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    She wanted to tell him to put her down once more, but he was becoming detestably unyielding. At a loss, Rishe realized another huge problem.

    Huh?!

    Looking closely, Rishe¡¯s left hand was tightly clutching the chest of Arnold¡¯s coat.

    She seemed to have reflexively grabbed it the moment he picked her up. From there, unconsciously, she seemed to have kept her grip on it.

    Her vision whirled in chaos. Whether or not he knew about Rishe¡¯s inner turmoil, Arnold called out to her.

    ¡°Speaking of which¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°What did you want to ask me?¡±

    When he asked that out of the blue, she looked up at him without thinking. She had to look directly at Arnold¡¯s well-outlined face up close and personal, and immediately regretted it.

    ¡°You mentioned it earlier during the sparring. Didn¡¯t you say you want to ask me something if you won?¡±

    ¡°You think I¡¯m in the mood to hear it in this state?¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    LOL!!!

    In the end, Arnold noticed that Rishe was upset.

    She was certain he found her reaction amusing. However, it was hard to protest openly when there was no doubt he was helping her out in her disability to move.

    Rishe half-heartedly opened her mouth to ask a lot of questions in desperation.

    ¡°When is your birthday?¡±

    ¡°Birthday?¡±

    Arnold wondered, and after a short pause, he answered.

    ¡°The 28th of the 12ft month. ¡°

    ¡°You were born in winter! What are your hobbies?!¡±

    ¡°Nothing in particular.¡±

    ¡°The things Your Highness likes to do!¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t given it much thought.¡±

    ¡°So what type of woman do you prefer?¡±

    ¡°What are you asking me that for?¡±

 Chapter 45.2 Bound to be Upset

    He was radiating an air of openness to questions, but there was very little information gained. However, Arnold sounded as if he meant it, rather than flubbing a response.

    I really can¡¯t hear what I want to hear in this posture¡­ No, I shouldn¡¯t have been in this position to begin with!!!

    She came to her senses and couldn¡¯t bear to stay again. However, against Rishe¡¯s resistance afterwards, Arnold didn¡¯t let her down until the end.

    ¡°Ri-Rishe-sama!?¡±

    When they arrived at her room in the detached palace, her maidservant Elise, who greeted her, squealed. She was normally poker faced, but when she saw Arnold carrying Rishe, her mouth dropped open.

    ¡°Elise!!¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

    She was lowered onto a chair and clung to Elise, who rushed over to her. Seeing her exhaustion, Arnold said, ¡°Rest a while longer. Don¡¯t do anything reckless until you can feel your limbs again.¡±

    The reason I¡¯m reeling now isn¡¯t because of the sparring!

    She screamed deep inside, but couldn¡¯t blurt it out. Arnold said he had some official business to attend to and went straight back to the main castle.

    Immediately after Arnold was out of sight, the knights who didn¡¯t usually enter Rishe¡¯s room spontaneously rushed over to her.

    ¡°Are you alright, Rieshe-sama?!!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t help you! We couldn¡¯t help in every sense of the word!!!¡±

    ¡®No, no¡­ I understand where you two are coming from.¡±

    They were, for one thing, sporting the same disbelieving looks similar to those people they had crossed paths with on their way. For that alone, I would like to thank them.

    One of the knights continued, ¡°Nevertheless, we¡¯re sorry.¡±

    ¡°Are you hurt? Uhm, I mean, I¡¯m not referring to what happened earlier, but to your training with His Highness.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    Arnold didn¡¯t inflict a single wound on Rishe as he guaranteed. After all was said and done, that was owing to his sword¡¯s ability.

    The knight patted his chest in relief.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that. When we heard that His Highness Arnold was going to give Rishe-sama special training, we were truly surprised.

    ¡°It was the safest form of special training His Highness had ever undertaken.¡±

    I knew it, today¡¯s sparring was only part of the multiple training regimen.

    Arnold still has a plan. Realizing this, Rishe closed her eyes.

    It¡¯s no longer necessary for me to coach the maidservants every morning. The field isn¡¯t quite stable yet, but I can check on it twice a day and it¡¯ll be fine. My business with the Aria Trading Company is also awaiting the Chairman at the moment. There¡¯s a lot of work to be done on the other ¡®preparations¡¯, but it will be more difficult to get moving once we start in earnest, so the time to move is now.

    With a renewed commitment, Rishe looked at Elise.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for startling you earlier, Elise. Have you received a package from the Aria Trading Company?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Rishe-sama. I brought it to you.¡±

    Elise nodded and pointed to a wooden box in the corner of the room.

    After I get some more rest, I need to get moving. Thanks to the sparring, I¡¯ve recovered my body¡¯s instincts a bit.

    Rishe clasped her hands tightly together.

    Strengthening my body for my longevity plan, now it¡¯s time to get serious!

    ****

    On that day, about 20 trainees had been gathered in the Fifth Training Ground in the Royal Palace.

    They were young men standing on the border between youth and boys. Dressed in brand-new training clothes, they listened to the knight¡¯s instructions nervously.

    ¡°¨C The above training is scheduled for 10 days. As I said before, this training is for you guys before you join the Order. This is a part of a nobleman¡¯s education and also a place to select the best talent from the common people, so keep that in mind.¡±

    The knight said, scanning the few faces lined up at the spot.

    ¡°Whether you¡¯re the son of a nobleman or from a favela, you¡¯ll be valued equally here. I wish you all the best in your development.

    ¡°Hai!!!¡±

    ¡°¡­ Hmm. You there¡±

    The knight instructor looked at a brown-haired boy in the back row and called.

    ¡°I say Lucius, your response is quite good. It¡¯s coming from your stomach, a voice that would sound good in a battlefield.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Thank you!¡±

    ¨D¨DRishe, who was called by the name of a man ¡°Lucius¡±, replied vigorously.

    She applied makeup to change the look of her face, wore a short boyish wig, and stood straight with her body wrapped in a cloth to hide the roundness of her chest.

 Chapter 46.1 Okay, letâ€™s mix in here

    It wasn¡¯t the first time she had dressed as a man, when she was a knight.

    In her merchant life, Rishe traveled the world peddling.

    Although she had hired an escort everywhere she went, it was still dangerous for a woman to travel alone.

    In order to reduce the risk as much as possible, she took on the guise of a boy while traveling in danger zones and when her escort was short-handed.

    The reason she came to live as a man in her knight¡¯s life was also due to being dressed as a man when she encountered the members of the Order.

    The fake name ¡°Lucius¡± used this time was also what she used to call herself.

    So far, I seem to have gone unnoticed. The knights who know ¡®me¡¯ don¡¯t participate in the training of the candidates.

    Her coral hair was carefully tied up and held in place with pins and nets. This way, even if her hair was long, it could be bound up neatly.

    On top was a high quality wig from the Aria Trading Company.

    I tried all sorts of tricks, but it¡¯s thanks to His Highness Theodore that people don¡¯t suspect my identity.

    Theodore, the second prince of the Garkhain, scowled grandly when Rishe asked him to do this.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you using me wrong?¡±

    That was yesterday. Theodore said it when she visited him in his office.

    He fluffed his kinky black hair and bounced it up and down, rested his cheeks on his hands on his desk and continued to speak.

    ¡°You want to be part of the knight-candidates¡¯ training, and as a man? I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s a good idea, but why should I help you?¡±

    ¡°Because you wrote to me the other day, that Your Highness Theodore would help me in my time of need.¡±

    ¡°I wrote it? I did write it!¡±

    Perhaps he didn¡¯t want the letter to be mentioned too much, Theodore raised his voice with a slight blush.

    This boy, who was of the same age as Rishe, wore his expressions openly on his face unlike his brother Arnold.

    ¡°You know, sister-in-law, I said that assuming that you wanted to take advantage of people in the underworld, or take advantage of the favelas, or something like that.¡±

    ¡°At the moment, what I need is physical strength. ¡°and by extension, save His Highness Arnolt! Not only that, it¡¯s related to helping His Highness Arnold!¡±

    ¡°What to do, I have no idea what Sister-in-law is talking about¡­¡±

    Theodore leaned back in the back of the big chair and looked into the distance.

    ¡°First off, is there any need for Sister-in-law to blend in with the knight candidates? Why don¡¯t we just have a knight guard to coach you?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t ask you to devote that much manpower for my sake alone. You¡¯d be worried if I were to associate with them normally, but I want to be trained mercilessly.¡±

    ¡°Wow, I can¡¯t believe it. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d go out of your way to torture yourself.¡±

    Theodore oohed and ahhed and stuck his tongue out.

    Rishe didn¡¯t particularly want to torture herself in any way, but right now, she wasn¡¯t strong enough.

    ¡°I think we¡¯ll be training for 10 days, right? After that, I¡¯ll be able to train properly on my own. But since I¡¯ve come to this country, I want to experience the training of the Garkhain military.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Theodore listened with a cumbersome look on his face, but he suddenly looked like he had an inspiration.

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    The next moment.

    The beautiful boy in front of her smiled like a flower blooming.

    ¡°Uhm, Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re on to something good.¡±

    He had a girly, dainty smile, but it was strangely frightening.

    Theodore stood up and plopped his hand into the office desk and looked into Rishe¡¯s face.

    ¡°All right, I will cooperate with beautiful Sister-in-law. I¡¯ll do my best to make your wishes come true.¡±

    ¡°What? Thank you, but why all of a sudden¡­?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s going to be fun.¡±

    Theodore smirked, looking as if conniving an evil plot.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Brother never expected this either. His wife dresses up as a man and sneaks into the Order.¡±

    I¡¯m not so sure about that¡­

    Although she couldn¡¯t give an immediate answer, she didn¡¯t want to think that he could see through her actions that well.

    Theodore, on the other hand, sat down in his chair again, in a jovial mood.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it, alright, let¡¯s do it! I don¡¯t believe this won¡¯t stun Brother. There¡¯s no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to surprise His Highess Arnold, you know! I mean, Your Highness, haven¡¯t you made up with your brother?¡±

    ¡°I-Hey, I want to see every expression on his face.¡±

    As usual, Theodore proudly crooned and sang his unusual yearning promptly.

 Chapter 46.2

    ¡°I¡¯ll just make up a random background and get back to you later. I don¡¯t expect any of the candidates to be from the favelas this time, but just make sure you have some background knowledge in case things get personal. Can we pretend that you know how to use the sword? You beat up all my men, so it¡¯s impractical to hide that you¡¯re experienced.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I got used to it¡­¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh, you think? That¡¯s helpful.¡±

    Theodore¡¯s chest heaved as he took out a document from the drawer.

    As expected of him, he only sent her maidservant, Elise, to spy on Rishe.

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t let Brother find out until it¡¯s over. Else it won¡¯t be fun. You won¡¯t see Brother in the training grounds used by the cadets, but you still have to be careful. I¡¯ll make arrangements, so Sister-in-law can go now.¡±

    ¡°Okay! Thank you, Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    She bowed to Theodore and was about to leave the room.

    ¡°¡­Ah, there¡¯s one thing I forgot to mention.¡±

    When she turned around, Theodore, who was searching for his papers, said without looking up.

    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll be leading the charge on policies to help the favelas¡­ It¡¯s something that Brother has been working on behind the scenes.¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes rounded in astonishment.

    ¡°Does that mean the two of you will be working together in your official duties?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    This has been inconceivable for the two of them not long ago.

    At any rate, Arnold kept his brother at a distance, and Theodore, for his brother¡¯s sake, made it a rule not to perform any official duties overtly.

    She was naturally delighted that the two brothers became involved through public service.

    ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to tell you. Bye.¡±

    On closer inspection, Theodore¡¯s office was neat and tidy. According to the rumors among the maidservants, it had been covered in dust until now.

    ¡°And don¡¯t get injured in training. You are Brother¡¯s fianc¨¦e.¡±

    ¡°¡­Sure. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.¡±

    Rishe smiled and bowed. Then she left the room, and continued¡­

    ¡ªTo this day.

    ¡°Hah¡­¡±

    After training, Rishe sat in an empty drinking water fountain.

    Earlier, there were a lot of cadets, but they all regained their energy after the break and went back to change their clothes.

    In the midst of all this, only Rishe, who had been trained as ¡®Lucius¡¯, was still stuck.

    This is the basic training of Garkhain¡­

    The first training session was running. The kind of running that Rishe knew of was completing a set distance in as little or as fast a time as possible.

    But the training that they did was different from that.

    They were ordered to continue running for an hour and a half regardless of the distance.

    It was limited to running only a little faster than walking, and no faster than that.

    At first she thought the training was fairly easy, but it was very painful.

    Not only Riese, but the other trainees around her seemed to be in the same boat. However, being real men, they did it better than Rishe.

    The same was true for the upper body strength training they did afterwards.

    They repeated the step-by-step content that they found painful, with a break every few minutes. The first few times were fine, but she gradually became fatigued and felt a dull, heavy sensation all over her upper body.

    After that, she ran again and did another strength training session, ending today¡¯s training.

    When they were done, they were told to take a light meal and given a sandwich with chicken stuffing.

    It wasn¡¯t much of a meal, but they were told that their bodies wouldn¡¯t be built without it, so they managed to tuck it in.

    Cadets were only trained in the morning every day.

    If she didn¡¯t return to her room soon, the maidservants and knights whom she ordered not to wake her up since she¡¯d sleep in until noon, would get suspicious.

    It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve worked out¡­ No, it¡¯s a first for this body. It¡¯s supposed to be gentler than the beginner¡¯s training of a knight, but I¡¯m feeling the load firmly, as painful as it sounds¡­

    She felt a dull ache to her arm. If not, muscle pain probably has already set in.

    Rishe exhaled, imagining the pain that was about to hit her.

    But somehow, my body feels warm.

    She was meditating and enjoying the comfort of the wind against her cheeks when a presence approached her from behind.

    ¡°Hey, Lucius! Haven¡¯t you changed yet?¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    She turned around and saw a young man standing there with a pleasant smile on his face.

    He has short, cut chestnut hair and almond eyes. He looked about 17 years old, and was a trainee just like Rishe.

    He¡¯s the one who cared enough to run with me earlier when I almost fell behind during the run.

    Rishe smiled and thanked the young man again.

    ¡°Thank you for your help earlier. I believe you¡¯re Fritz-san, right?¡±

    ¡°Haha! We¡¯re all fellow trainees, so that was the least I could do, right? And please don¡¯t call me Fritz-¡®san¡¯. I don¡¯t need to call me -san or talk to me in such a polite way.¡±

    ¡°Then, Fritz, thanks again for your help earlier.¡±

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    ¡°Hmm! I won¡¯t be polite either, so pardon me, would you?¡±

    Smiling contentedly, Fritz sat down next to Rishe.

    ¡°I was going back to the inn, but I was wondering about you. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re dressed yet, can you move?

    ¡°I¡¯d like to say I¡¯m fine, but I think I¡¯d like to rest here a bit longer.¡±

    The language she had used in her knightly life came out more easily than she thought.

    It¡¯s been a long time since she¡¯s spoken, but it was probably because Fritz was so easy to talk to.

 Chapter 46.3

    ¡°I see, I guess I¡¯m gonna have to stick around for a while.¡±

    ¡°What? But I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired. You don¡¯t need to worry about me, you can go home first.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I wanted to talk to you. Weren¡¯t you praised during the greetings? But when the training started, I thought you were funny because you looked on the verge of death.¡±

    He has a toothy smile and a carefree expression on his face.

    He was a cheerful, warm, sunny young man.

    ¡°Thank you, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°So don¡¯t thank me. I¡¯m from a town so far away that I¡¯d be happy to have someone to talk to for the next 10 days. My town is called Siutena, do you know it? It¡¯s a northern port town where ships from the Snowy Kingdom Koyor dock.¡±

    ¡°Koyor Kingdom¡­¡±

    That country was one of the countries with which Rishe was particularly familiar.

    The Snowy Kingdom of Koyor was a very cold country located across the sea from the Garkhain Kingdom.

    In her past life, Rishe had lived there. It was a land that she had traveled to by ship many times in her other life in order to establish a relationship with the sickly prince in that country.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been to Siutena, but I¡¯ve heard of the name. They have delicious fish.¡±

    ¡°Haha, I¡¯m tired of it! But it¡¯s a nice city. If I hadn¡¯t admired that man, I wouldn¡¯t have aspired to be a knight and would have lived in that city forever.¡±

    ¡°Who is he?¡±

    Fritz chuckled and pointed a finger at Rishe.

    ¡°The Crown Prince of this country, Prince Arnold!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz continued happily, unaware that Rishe froze.

    ¡°A war hero, a master swordsman, a policy reformer! There¡¯s a lot to be said, but in any case, he¡¯s so damn cool!¡±

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    ¡°Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah¡­¡±

    Rishe gently looked away as she gave a clipped reply.

    ¡°During the war three years ago, our port city was in trouble. But Prince Arnold was amazing! In the town where our residents took refuge, they came down from the ship and annihilated a bunch of enemies. I don¡¯t even know the details of how they took advantage of the terrain to achieve that!¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s foul play how he¡¯s so skilled in the sword and strategies, you know? I¡¯ve asked a few knights, but I¡¯ve heard that the only people who can approach Prince Arnold are his knight guards. Sometimes I see them in the castle, but their momentum is somehow overwhelming.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    She felt strangely restless at Fritz glittering eyes as he spoke.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only seen it once. Prince Arnold¡¯s swordsmanship isn¡¯t only strong, it¡¯s also very beautiful.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she heard those words, she muttered.

    ¡°I know¡­¡±

    At that moment, her face turned hot all of a sudden.

    What am I saying now!

    ¡°Right? I knew it! Or rather, Lucius has seen Prince Arnold¡¯s sword play, too!¡±

    ¡°Yes, only once!¡±

    Fritz seemed to have not noticed that Rishe was blushing.

    She turned around so as not to look strange, but that heat didn¡¯t seem to cool down easily.

    Wha-why?!¡¡I¡¯ve said that same line about his beautiful swordsmanship to His Highness himself!vAnd just recently!!!

    Come to think of it, she recalled Arnold¡¯s surprise at that moment.

    Did I say something quite embarrassing?¡¡But it¡¯s true! Besides, besides¡­

    While Rishe was thinking in circles, Fritz continued to talk happily.

 Chapter 46.4

    ¡°I may not be able to do as well as Prince Arnold, but I want to be strong too.¡±

    Fritz stood up and picked up a broom that had been placed in the corner of the water fountain. He held it like a sword and stood at the ready.

    ¡°Yah!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    A snapping sound cut through the sky.

    Rishe, who was wrapped in a mysterious upset, looked up when she heard it.

    ¡°Fritz, you¡¯d better put more force to your pinky finger.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Pinky?¡±

    Fritz turned around, keeping his broomstick pointed down.

    ¡°When you grip the sword, put the most force around your pinky finger. If you¡¯re right-handed, put more pressure on your left hand. Your right hand should be about half of that.¡±

    ¡°Is half alright?¡±

    ¡°You have to do that much to get both hands to work equally. Don¡¯t put too much pressure on your wrists¡­ Yeah, swing it as is.¡±

    ¡°You mean like this? ¨CHa!¡±

    The sound of the broom swinging down sounded sharper than before.

    Its trajectory, which had been off at an angle earlier, was now properly straight. With this, it would save a lot of the power from being dispersed.

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    Fritz himself noticed the change in his demeanor.

    ¡°Lucius, how did you know this!¡±

    ¡°I just have a bit of sword experience, that¡¯s all. More importantly, you¡¯re awesome! You swallow fast.¡±

    ¡°No, no, no, you¡¯re the amazing one!¡±

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    With a twinkle in his eye, Fritz looked at the broom he was clutching.

    ¡°But it makes such a difference just to be taught by others! This will make me like Prince Arnold one day.¡±

    ¡°You there.¡±

    At the call, Rishe and Fritz swung around.

    There was a man standing there.

    ¡°He who wishes to become a knight mustn¡¯t call the royal family that. He should be called His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir! I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    As Fritz bowed, Rishe also stood up and bowed.

    ¡°All right, you just need to remember. Both of you, look up.¡±

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    Pardoned, Rishe and Fritz raised their heads.

    The man was probably in his mid-thirties.

    His slightly long gray hair was neatly trimmed with hairdressing products. He was cleanly dressed, but had a few shades under his eyes.

    Although he was scolding Fritz, the air he exuded was calm.

    He definitely was a high-ranking aristocrat from the way he behaved. It was apparent how tall and well-muscled he was even through his clothes.

    ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to show respect to the royal family in whatever form they take.¡±

    ¡°Hai, thank you!¡­ Uh, that aside, please pardon me!¡±

    Fritz spoke fearfully.

    ¡°By any chance, are you Count Rovine? Our town¡¯s lord¡­¡±

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    ¡°You¡¯re right, I¡¯m the head of the House Rovine.¡±

    ¡°Wow, I knew it!¡±

    Rovine?

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened at the exchange between the man and Fritz.

    No way, Count Rudger Larus Rovine! This is the guy that¡­

    Rishe looked up at the man standing in front of her. Then, she cleared her throat with a persistent smile.

    ¡ª His Royal Highness Arnold slayed as the ¡°Great Sinner,¡± the great warlord of the Garkhain Kingdom.

 Chapter 47.1 The Person He Would Kill

    The man¡¯s crime was ¡°trying to stop Emperor Arnold Hein¡¯s tyranny.¡±

    Rudger Lars Rovine.

    He was a count of the northernmost land of the Garkhain Kingdom, a loyal vassal who had served the imperial family for generations.

    He was a frontier count with many military honors in past battles, and was known to be adored by many people.

    But the loyal vassal, Count Rovine, was killed by the man who should have been his lord.

    Three years later, he was murdered in a backhanded way for admonishing Arnold, who had become emperor, for his war of aggression.

    I¡¯ve heard all kinds of rumors about torture and killing him alive, and chopping his head in one fell swoop. It was also said that Emperor Arnold Hein executed his entire clan in order to make the Count of Rovine pay for his ¡®treason.¡¯

    The murder of Rovine was one of the factors that had caused the nations to be terrified of Arnold.

    That person was now standing in front of Rishe.

    Rovine then shifted his gaze from Fritz to Rishe.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He looked at her with gray eyes and she flinched a little.

    He was calm, but the air he exuded was that of a warrior himself.

    The Frontier Count¡­ has been entrusted with the front line of the border. He¡¯s bound to see through everything.

    If that was the case, she would be exposed for being a woman, wouldn¡¯t she?

    Rishe gulped hard at the thought. Rovine opened his thin lips and said in a quiet voice, ¡°You¡­¡±

    At the moment Rishe¡¯s tension rose, he continued, ¡°Do you like chicken?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    That unexpected question popped her mouth open.

    Rovine, on the other hand, has a look on his face as if he had said something so common.

    Rishe and Fritz¡¯s confusion next to him didn¡¯t bother him at all, and he added in a matter-of-fact manner, ¡°If you don¡¯t like chicken, any other meat will do. There are beans, eggs and milk.¡±

    ¡°Uh¨C¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡±

    ¡°No, no, I like it! There¡¯s nothing I don¡¯t like to eat!¡±

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s great!¡±

    ¡°¡­!?¡±

    What in the world were they being forced to answer?

    She wasn¡¯t in the mood to ask even if she was dying to, because Rovine still looked serious.

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    ¡°If you don¡¯t have a problem eating, you should eat a lot more. From the looks of it, you have less muscle mass than the standard man.¡±

    ¡°H-Hai! Thank you for your advice!¡±

    So that was what it was. What a relief!

    She had learned about food that made up the human body in her life as a pharmacist. It was a knowledge that wasn¡¯t so prevalent now, but she supposed Rovine was referring to that.

    In my case, however, I¡¯ve proven in my knight life that no matter how much I eat, I can¡¯t build the same muscles compared to men.

    In that sense, he would probably find out that she was a woman, after all. She was smiling on the surface, but she was chilled deep inside.

    Rovine seemed satisfied and nodded his head.

    ¡°Young men should be nurtured more. From tomorrow onwards, I will be participating in training you. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    ¡°Wow, Rovine-sama is going to coach us! Amazing! I¡¯m not¡­ It¡¯s an honor!¡±

    Looking at Fritz, happy and jubilant, Rovine immediately relaxed.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to being involved in the training of those who have a future. My itinerary was delayed and I was unable to participate in today¡¯s training. How did you guys feel about it?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz and Rishe looked at each other.

    It was Fritz who opened his mouth first.

    ¡°To be honest, it was very much considerate towards us! Since it¡¯s called training for the Order, I was prepared to be made to run until I threw up more or train to the point where I couldn¡¯t stand up in an hour!¡±

    ¡°I was a little surprised too. We are allowed to drink water regularly, and we have breaks¡­ I¡¯ve heard of Knights of the Order in other countries, but all I¡¯ve heard is that they train newcomers more rigorously.¡±

    Rovine nodded at Rishe and Fritz¡¯s remarks.

    ¡°Indeed, it was the same in this country until a few years ago, because we were at war, and we were in need of immediate help. But a certain person changed that bad practice.¡±

    ¡°Bad practice? The training?¡±

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    Fritz inclined his head, and Rovine politely informed him.

    ¡°It¡¯s undoubtedly a bad practice. We first crush the ¡®useless¡¯ by rigorously training the new recruits. The people who were sifted out in this way were forcibly trained within a short period of time and sent to the battlefield one after another.¡±

    Ah~

    ¡°But what we elders need to do isn¡¯t to select young people, but to cultivate them, because those who aren¡¯t selected in the first round are necessarily unfit. Above all, we are now at peace, and there¡¯s no need to take a dangerous approach.¡±

    Rishe suddenly remembered.

    Arnold¡¯s squire, Oliver, once said that he was injured and could no longer aspire to become a knight.

    If Oliver¡¯s injury was due to his training to become a knight, then she could somehow imagine who changed that bad practice.

 Chapter 47.2

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be pessimistic just because you didn¡¯t achieve the results you wanted in this training. You just have to work hard from now on.¡±

    ¡°Hai!¡±

    ¡°¨CExcuse me, Your Excellency Rovine.¡±

    At the sound of a knight¡¯s call, Rovine turned.

    ¡°His Majesty will be preparing for an audience shortly. Please come to the throne room.¡±

    ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll be on my way¡­ I¡¯ll see you tomorrow then.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your story!¡±

    She bowed her head alongside Fritz and watched Rovine walk out of the training grounds.

    Rishe stood rooted on the ground and mulled over things.

    His Majesty, His Royal Highness Arnold¡¯s father, I have never been allowed to meet him, but he¡¯s certainly here at the Imperial Castle.

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    It has been a month since Rishe arrived in this country.

    No matter how vast the castle was, the lack of contact with the Emperor to this point was deliberately directed.

    However, the thing that bothers me most right now is more than His Majesty¡­

    When she looked up a moment later, she saw Fritz taking a deep breath and patting his chest.

    ¡°Ha, that was tense, Lucius! I never thought I¡¯d be able to talk to Count Rovine.¡±

    ¡°Really? You looked like you were behaving normally.¡±

    ¡°No way! I was actually sweating! But it¡¯s motivating to hear you say it like that. So, Lucius, you got time for me later? Let¡¯s have dinner together.¡±

    ¡°Ah!!¡±

    That being said, she was jolted.

    If she didn¡¯t go back soon, the knight guards might get suspicious. If they reported to Arnold, she would likely be found out in no time.

    ¡°Sorry Fritz, I have to go. I have work in the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°I see, but it can¡¯t be helped, good luck!¡±

    ¡°Thanks and see you later!¡±

    After hurriedly leaving the training grounds, she jumped into a nearby storage room and removed her wig. It wasn¡¯t her dress she changed into, but a uniform for a maidservant.

    She put the set of training clothes and other items into a laundry basket and covered the top with a sheet. She couldn¡¯t wander around the castle dressed as a trainee, but it was no problem if she was dressed as a maid.

    Once she reached the detached palace, she returned to her room from the balcony as usual.

    She was almost brought to tears on the way up the rope with her shaking arms.

    ¡°Elise, I¡¯m back!¡±

    ¡°Welcome back, everything¡¯s ready.¡±

    She took a quick bath in the bathroom with Elise¡¯s help. She was the only one who knew about men¡¯s clothing. She sweated off, put on a clean dress and got ready to go.

    She dried her loose, wavy, coral- hair and combed it through, and was all set.

    ¡°Good morning, Rishe-sama!¡±

    ¡°Good morning everyone¡­¡±

    She inadvertently exposed her fatigue, and the setting of ¡°an elegant bath after a good night¡¯s sleep until noon¡± was about to collapse, but fortunately, the maids didn¡¯t seem to notice it.

    As she was walking from the bathroom back to her room with a few of the handmaidens, including Elise, she met an unexpected person.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

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    She was about to say, how unusual, and then it occurred to her why he was there.

    Several knights were bringing belongings into the office that had been prepared for Arnold.

    ¡°How¡¯s the move going?¡±

    ¡°Who knows, I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s doing the moving.¡±

    ¡°My Lord, no, Your Highness Arnold! It¡¯s not good, you need to give me proper instructions¡­¡±

    The squire, Oliver, emerged from the office. He looked at Rishe and smiled.

    ¡°Hi, Rishe-sama, thank you for this wonderful room for His Highness.¡±

    ¡°Not at all, Oliver-sama. I hope it¡¯s a comfortable working environment for all of you. By the way, just now, you addressed His Highness as My Lord¡­¡±

    Arnold looked up as she asked, and replied with a terribly uncomfortable look on his face.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been telling him to stop calling me that freaky name, but this guy never listens.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve restrained myself doing that in public, haven¡¯t I? Forget about that, I¡¯ll arrange last month¡¯s document¡¯s on the right-hand side of the bookcase, if that¡¯s okay with you.¡±

    Oliver quickly returned to the office and directed the other knights around.

    That call. It sounded like a clear distinction that your master isn¡¯t His Majesty, but His Highness Arnold.

    She hoped to hear from Oliver again in the near future.

    While pondering, Arnold called her.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±

    He bent down quickly and brought his mouth close to Rishe¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Tomorrow afternoon at two o¡¯clock, come to the West Gate. Don¡¯t let others know.¡±

    Was it because of the presence of several maids around her that he thus lowered his voice? It was somewhat tickling when his slightly hoarse voice hit her ear.

    Arnold was about to leave when Rishe stood on tiptoes and replied with a hand covering her mouth.

    ¡°Should I dye my hair?¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to go that far.¡±

    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll be dressed to blend in with the city.¡±

    Once she was done, she stood down and stepped away from Arnold. That was when she first noticed the eyes of the maidservants.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    W-What?!

    The maids were looking at Rishe and him with rosy cheeks and glittering eyes.

    Rishe was unaware of how the scene of them talking privately in each other¡¯s ears looked like from the edge.

    ¡°Your Highness, please come quickly!¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡­Well then.¡±

    When Oliver called, Arnold walked into his office with a cumbersome look on his face.

    Rishe parted with the strangely fidgety maids, and when she entered her room, Elise, who looked equally restless, spoke.

    ¡°Uhm, Rishe-sama, what did you speak about privately earlier?¡±

    They were alone in the room, so she decided to tell only Elise about it.

    ¡°Actually, Elise. Tomorrow afternoon, I¡¯m going to the castle town with His Highness Arnold.¡±

    Instantly, Elise, whom she thought has always been poker-faced, had a change in her eye color.

    ¡°What kind of outing is it?¡±

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    ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you the details. But I was beaten to the punch and had to do whatever His Highness orders. So I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be helping him with some official duties.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Anyway, we need to dress inconspicuously tomorrow. Would a brown dress do?¡¡I also have a gray robe, so I¡¯m going to get it moderately dirty and traveler-wise¡­ Wa~.¡±

    Rishe was surprised when Elise grabbed her hand firmly.

    ¡°Leave it to me, Rishe-sama.¡±

 Chapter 47.3

    ¡°What? What are you¨C¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll definitely prepare for tomorrow. Please leave it to me. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make you look the prettiest.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    That strange declaration somehow ushered a bad hunch.

    ¡°You know, Elise, I¡¯m just going into town for a bit of business, so you don¡¯t have to go through all that trouble.¡±

    ¡°No!¡¡Your clothes, your hair, everything has to be perfect tomorrow!¡±

    ¡°?!¡±

    She has never seen Elise with this kind of spirit.

    Despite the frightened Rishe, Elise huffed and puffed with enthusiasm.

    ¡°Of course, these are clothes that blend in with the city. But it has to be cute.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, ye-aaah?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to borrow some clothes from Dianna senpai. I¡¯ll go get Dianna senpai right now!¡±

    ¡°Elise, you and Dianna are getting along so well! No, oh, wait a minute!¡±

    ****

    The next day.

    After finishing her training as a cadet in the morning, Rishe was sent out to meet up with Arnold by Elise, who dressed her up with tremendous spirit.

    They met up with their eyes deep in their hoods and passed through a hidden passage for the royal family.

    After a few minutes of walking out of the underpass that doubled as a waterway to the outskirts of the city, Arnold stopped and said.

    ¡°We¡¯ve come far enough, so you can take your hood off if you want.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When asked to do so, Rishe was shocked.

    While hiding her face as much as possible, she timidly observed Arnold under her hood.

    Arnold was wearing a simpler blue garment than usual.

    It has a stuffed collar that hid the neck, and although its shape was close to that of a commoner¡¯s outfit, the tailoring and material was of good quality.

    There was also a casual embroidery of gold thread, and anyone who saw it would have been able to tell that it was a top-grade item.

    He wore a thin black robe over it, making it easier to hide his mouth. The goggles hanging around his neck were popularly used by travelers to protect themselves from the wind and sunlight.

    They would be able to hide their faces in case of an emergency, but they were basically going to walk the streets as normal. She knew she got the right answer, since the public knew very little about the faces of the royal family.

    I know, but¡­!

    Arnold asked quizzically as he looked at Rishe, who was hesitating to remove her hood and clutching the front of her robe in her hands.

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    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    To the bewildered Rishe, he continued, ¡°There is no need to be vigilant. It¡¯s unlikely that any of the public will recognize me or your face. It¡¯s not a strange place we¡¯re heading to right now, so it wouldn¡¯t be a problem if they found out it was us later on, would it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, of course.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re that stubborn about it, you¡¯re going to look more suspicious.¡±

    He was right.

    Now that it came down to this, there was no way around it. Rishe made up her mind and took off her hood, letting go of the hand that was clutching it.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She braced herself and looked up at Arnold.

    Their eyes met, and Arnold looked a little surprised.

    Hidden underneath the white robe was a light blue dress with a fluffy, gliding hem.

    This dress that Dianna had lent her was apparently the early summer attire that was popular among the girls in the castle.

    It was cool and cute, with lines like flower buds from the waist down.

    Her coral hair was gathered up on the right side and braided into a large, loose braid.

    While there were other beautiful braids, they were common, but the Rishe at the moment had a ribbon braided into her hair by Elise.

    As expected of Elise, she should be just an ¡°ordinary girl in town,¡± but she was cute and stylish with a lot of attention to detail.

    Nevertheless, she felt herself blushing at the thought of exposing this image to Arnold.

    Sure, I¡¯m to blend in with the city, but¡­

    Both the dress that Rishe was wearing and her braid style were seen all over the castle from earlier.

    She couldn¡¯t help but feel uncomfortable.

    Even Rishe liked to dress up, and she put a lot of thought into her dress and hairstyle for an evening party and other occasions, but today she was supposed to be working with Arnold.

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡±

    ¡°No! I know what you want to say!¡±

    Arnold tried to open his mouth, but Rishe interrupted him.

    ¡°I had an inkling that you¡¯re on an official business today! It¡¯s too simple and out of place, and how should I put it?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s you, I thought you¡¯d come in a linen dress and a simple robe.¡±

    ¡°Am I so easy to understand?¡±

    A bit surprised by what he was seeing, Arnold looked at Rishe from top to bottom once more.

    ¡°Is this the work of the maids?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I think you misunderstood, but I have no problem with your attire.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    She was relieved to hear that.

    Arnold went on to say, ¡°I¡¯ll give your handmaiden a compliment later.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯d better get going. At this rate, we¡¯ll attract attention in a different way than you feared.¡±

    ¡°Oh, wait for me!¡±

    Rishe hurriedly chased after Arnold as he strode away.

 Chapter 48.1 Theres something wrong with the situation!

    ¡°And yet, it¡¯s the perfect time to be out and about! It¡¯s warm, but the wind is cool.¡±

    ¡°Is that right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. The air is sparklingly clear, thanks to the rain we had last night!¡¡Once again, this is a very beautiful city.¡±

    Rishe¡¯s cheeks broke out in a smile as she took in the scenery around her.

    The castle town of Garkhain was a historic city. It has a majestic brick cityscape and gleaming, massive architecture.

    In the midst of it all, buildings made with a new vibe mingle with the others, weaving a perfect harmony.

    The late spring breeze was gentle and rustled the hem of her fluffy dress.

    Rishe grinned ear to ear at the comfort of it.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful looking down from the castle, but it¡¯s fun to walk around in person.¡±

    ¡°What? The way you¡¯re talking, it¡¯s as if you¡¯ve never walked down this street before.¡±

    ¡°Hey, it was at night last time!!¡±

    ¡°Ha~¡±

    The moment he mentioned the night she escaped from the castle, she quickly retorted.

    She couldn¡¯t see Arnold¡¯s expression as he was walking ahead of her, but he must be looking despicable.

    They had such an exchange, but Arnold never mentioned their destination. The number of people in the surrounding area gradually increased, perhaps heading towards the center of the imperial capital.

    Why is it that I could hear bustling voices from the other side?

    Rishe was pondering, but eventually stopped and let out a cry of wonder at the sight she saw.

    ¡°Wooow~!¡±

    They passed by a main street filled with crowds of people.

    Both sides of the wide street stood various stalls. A great variety of goods lined up in front of the eaves.

    Smoked meat and fish, seasonings in neat little bottles.

    Some stalls were selling exotic lamps, while across the street they were selling exquisite tableware.

    The calls for service echoed cheerfully while people happily chose their wares. Fruit was piled up in crates, and the mellow scent wafted through the air.

    The main street brimming over with smiles delighted Rishe.

    ¡°A market!¡±

    She stared at the busy marketplace and couldn¡¯t help but gawk.

    Then Arnold, who was just about to walk past, stopped.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a market, though. It¡¯s nothing more than a little larger. It¡¯s nothing strange, you know.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not!¡±

    His misconceptions were denied by Rishe as best she could.

    ¡°See, for example, that stall! The peddler deals with textiles from the Jubel Kingdom. It¡¯s imbued with sacred meaning, and they rarely get permission to distribute it to other continents! This must be the only kingdom where you could find them outside of that country¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She remembered approaching with trade in her merchant life and received the answer: ¡°Only a country as big as the Garkhain Kingdom would we allow exports.¡±

    No way, they did permit.

    ¡°And those are the Koquilt Kingdom¡¯s famous grapes. And those are rare Saluf bird eggs. Ah!¡¡If you look closely, you¡¯ll see that it¡¯s not just the eggs, there¡¯s also the parent bird in the birdcage!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Those trinkets they sell over there are a craft in this country! The delicate workmanship is so popular that women from all over the world buy them. The lamp merchants next door are probably a group from the desert town of Halil Rasha. After all, merchants flock to a country with a booming economy, even if it takes them a longer trip¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m also curious about the food stalls over there. It¡¯s hard to see it from here because of the crowd, but I¡¯m wondering if that might be from the Koyor Kingdom¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Huh?!!¡±

    She suddenly came to her senses.

    The next thing she knew, she was staring at Arnold, who was staring at her with his eyes down.

    Seeing that, she realized her outburst.

    I shouldn¡¯t have ¨C I spoke too much from a merchant¡¯s perspective! I was too overcome with excitement from coming to the Garhkain market, which I¡¯ve long been in awe¡­

    She coughed and cleared her throat.

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 Chapter 48.2

    Yes, it¡¯s said that you can tell a lot about a city by looking at the market. Not only does it provide a simple picture of the economy, but it¡¯s also a mirror of the security of the surroundings.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°For example, there are no overt guards or exaggerated vigilant knights in this market. It means you don¡¯t have to be so nervous in terms of security, which is a testament to the security of the market!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°In such cities, travelers feel more at ease and are more likely to stay for longer periods of time and spend money¡­ Market tours are¡­ important, or rather¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    She contrived some excuses that didn¡¯t seem to mend much. It was time to apologize honestly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I couldn¡¯t help but be so happy that I went overboard.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold took out his pocket watch from his pocket in front of Rishe burying her head.

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    ¡°Sorry to take up your time, but we¡¯ll have to be on our way. Please do not hesitate to tell me so I can fulfill your orders¡­Okay?¡±

    After checking the time, Arnold tucked the watch in his pocket and began to walk.

    Rishe was surprised to find that the direction of travel was towards the market.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve said so much, we can¡¯t just ignore it, can we?¡±

    Her eyes widened at the sudden remark.

    ¡°Are you sure?!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s still plenty of time to spare.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

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    She was so happy, her eyes lit up.

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    Thus, Rishe set foot into the marketplace of the Imperial City.

    As they plunged into the crowd, her heart became increasingly exhilarated.

    Under the blue sky, the sight of rows of brightly colored cloth roofs was so beautiful in itself.

    ¡°How about some fresh berries! Have one, isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡±

    ¡°Look here, freshly caught and smoked salmon!¡¡Perfect for a sandwich, I¡¯ll give you a discount!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re only available today, and no longer on sale tomorrow; specialty from the Koyor Kingdom! It arrived in Siutena a week ago, fresh off the boat. If you miss this one, who knows when the next one will be!¡±

    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±

    Feeling emotions that could no longer be spoken in words, Rishe bit down her joy.

    The merchants were lively, and shoppers were chatting and choosing their goods.

    Being in a space brimming with vitality alone made one energized.

    ¡°Look. Over there, look¨C¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Arnold looked suspiciously at Rishe, who froze unnaturally in the middle of the conversation.

    However, the problem that Rishe was currently facing was indiscernible.

    ¡°No, nothing.¡±

    ¡°¡­? Whatever it is, don¡¯t just stop and get lost. Worst case scenario, I¡¯ll strap you in.¡±

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    ¡°Haha, that was a joke, but it sounds like you mean it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding!¡±

    Feeling chilly, she regained her composure and pulled Arnold¡¯s sleeve.

    ¡°More than that, that fruit vendor. She looks like she¡¯s from the snowy kingdom of Koyor. Can I go look around for a moment?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, but is there something you want?¡±

    ¡°Please wait over here and I¡¯ll be right out.¡±

    She stopped at a stall a few meters away and visually selected the best of the piles of fruit.

    When paying, she asked if she could cut it up for her, to which the well-dressed female shopkeeper happily nodded in agreement.

    The fruit was large and oval-shaped, and was covered with a hard outer skin.

    When she peeled it off with a knife, the soft, ripe flesh inside was exposed.

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    She took the flesh stuck in wooden skewers and returned to Arnold.

    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡±

    ¡°¡­Wait. What is that red, disturbing object?¡±

    ¡°This one?¡±

    His gaze lingered on the fruit that Rishe was holding.

    Rishe chuckled and pointed the skewered fruit at Arnold.

    ¡°It¡¯s a Koyor fruit. It looks bright red and slushy, but it¡¯s nourishing, nutritious and very good for the body.¡±

    While explaining, she brought the fruit to Arnold¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Here you go, take a bite.¡±

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    ¡°Stop right there. It doesn¡¯t look like it no matter how I think about it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s healthy, you know?

    To emphasize, his well-outlined brows couldn¡¯t be distorted any further.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His instincts probably were acting up, not to mention the taste.

    But when Rishe stared at him, Arnold eventually reluctantly opened his mouth.

    It was but a small opening, but it was unexpectedly unguarded.

    Arnold moved his jaw awkwardly while frowning. She observed and waited for him to finish chewing before she asked, ¡°What do you think? It¡¯s nutritious, and I think it¡¯s sweeter than it looks.¡±

    ¡°It tastes nourishing.¡±

    ¡°Ahem, you look bitter.¡±

    Nevertheless, Rishe was satisfied. Arnold was overworked by all accounts, so sometimes it was good to eat these things.

    Speaking of which.

    She remembered the face of a certain person.

    That man often ate this fruit in my life as a pharmacist.

    The prince, who had been sickly since his childhood, was forced to take all sorts of things that were considered medicines.

    He was a serious man to begin with. That was why he didn¡¯t hesitate to take whatever medicine he would have rejected with all his might if he were a normal person.

    I can¡¯t believe he diligently took that nasty tasting medicine that I concocted with my master¡­ Thanks for enduring that for a year and a half, he was completely cured of his illness.

 Chapter 48.3

    Most good medicines weren¡¯t delicious. Arnold, still frowning, wiped his mouth gingerly with the back of his hand.

    ¡°So, any other places you¡¯d like to see?¡±

    ¡°There are many! The stall over there¨C¡±

    She came to an abrupt halt as before and forcibly squeezed a smile.

    ¡°Um, aren¡¯t those leather goods in the stalls over there very nice?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a town a couple of days¡¯ ride from here where a lot of artisans live. They must be from there.¡±

    ¡°Nah, I see!¡±

    She smiled and regrouped. Whew! That was a close call!

    Wiping a cold sweat inwardly, she explored Arnold¡¯s expression.

    Did he notice it? He didn¡¯t, right?

    Besides being embarrassed by her attire today, Rishe has another problem.

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    I knew it. I¡¯d be suffering from muscle pain by all means¡­

    Rishe wanted to hold her head up to the problem she had deliberately ignored earlier.

    The dull ache she always felt was manageable. As before, the trouble was that pain struck her when she least expected it.

    Today¡¯s training was to work on the lower body in addition to running.

    Since yesterday was only the upper body, the policy seemed to be dividing the training areas by day.

    I knew there was a theory that taking a break was better than working out every day.

    Fortunately, the pain in her lower body hasn¡¯t kicked in yet, but she could feel a dull ache sprouting up to her thighs.

    Still, I have to conceal it. If His Highness finds out about my sore muscles, he might pursue it¡­ By the way, that was some great coaching from Count Rovine.

    While walking around in the guise of calm, she thought back to the events of the morning.

    Rovine joined the training team today, observed each of the cadets carefully, and gave them advice tailored to their needs.

    ¡°Your physical fitness is excellent, but you have a tendency to push forward unnecessarily. Make it a habit to survey your surroundings and use your head. This will also help you protect yourself.¡±

    ¡°You seem capable of calmly assessing your abilities. It¡¯s an excellent skill, but don¡¯t use it to narrow down your options. If there¡¯s a gap between what you want to do and what you can do, figure out how to bridge that.¡±

    Rovine¡¯s gentle and simple but sincere tone augmented the weight of his words.

    You can tell he¡¯s looking out for all of the cadets and even teaching them to think about their future. Plus he¡¯s very good at complimenting.

    Other cadets even began to completely worship Rovine after the morning¡¯s training.

    However¡­

    Rishe peeked at Arnold¡¯s profile as he walked next to her.

    His Highness Arnold killed Count Rovine.

    And that was only three years away.

    I have a lot of things to discover, but the one I¡¯m most interested in is ¡°that thing¡± that¡¯s happening right now. I don¡¯t care how good a leader Count Rovine is, it¡¯s still weird.

    Rishe gently looked down and thought about what was bothering her since yesterday.

    Should she sound Arnold out?

    However, he wasn¡¯t necessarily the one who created the situation that Rishe was wondering about.

    To begin with, Count Rovine was serving his father, the current Emperor, not Arnold.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She was absorbed in her thoughts, then felt a gaze on her.

    When she looked up, she saw Arnold staring at her.

    Just a moment ago, they were supposed to be standing side by side, but before Rishe knew it, she was left a few steps behind.

    Strap!!!

    She must hurry up and catch up lest she¡¯d really be bundled up. Although her upper body was dull and sore, it wasn¡¯t unbearable.

    But before Rishe sprint off, Arnold returned to her and said, ¡°Am I walking too fast?¡±

    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s fine, just¡­¡±

    She reflected on his question.

    Come to think of it, His Royal Highness Arnold walked slower today than usual¡­ right?

    Now that she thought about it, she finally realized it.

    He probably knew all along that Rishe was uncomfortable from the way she was acting.

    However, he didn¡¯t say it out loud, which meant he was casually keeping pace with her.

    What¡¯s this? This fluffy, warm feeling.

    Rishe softly exhaled.

    When all is said and done, His Highness Arnold is very kind.

    It was hard to believe that three years later, he would be someone who would kill people for outrageous reasons.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ Thank you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When Rishe smiled and thanked him, Arnold took his gaze off her.

    As Rish walked with him again, she secretly made up her mind.

    Above all, I must know more about him.

    It might help to stop the scourge created by Emperor Arnold Hein.

    With that in mind, she looked around the market for a while.

    This time she bought some decently delicious fruit, ate some smoked meat grilled at the stalls, and tasted some bread.

    Arnold was dumbfounded, wondering if she would eat them all, but he didn¡¯t seem fed up with being taken along for the shopping spree.

    Eventually, after checking out all of the stalls, Arnold took out his pocket watch and looked at the time.

    ¡°Could it be¡­ is it time to go?¡±

    She asked, and he replied as he put away his pocket watch.

    ¡°Not really, but it¡¯s about time to get going. If we stay in one place too long, there¡¯s a chance that Oliver¡¯s messenger will find us.¡±

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    ¡°I see. Oliver-sama~ What?!¡±

    Rishe almost dropped her baked goods for eating, and her eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°You mean, you didn¡¯t even inform Oliver-sama of today¡¯s outing?!¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°That sounded as if it was a matter of course!!!¡±

    She was appalled at the reply that was lacking the slightest bit of apology. But Arnold quickly reasoned, ¡°The work for today was done. I haven¡¯t set up a system where my absence for half a day will incur any adverse effects.¡±

    ¡°Then, what if a problem arises?¡±

    ¡°If things get a little messy, I¡¯m sure Oliver will at least buy us some time.¡±

    She wondered if that was true. Arnold didn¡¯t seem to have any reservations about Oliver, and that was what worried her.

    By any chance, was yesterday¡¯s whispering because you didn¡¯t want Oliver-sama to hear it? But there¡¯s no need to hide it from your own servant if it was official-related business.

    That moment, a question arose in Rishe¡¯s mind.

    Does that mean this sneaking around isn¡¯t official business?

    If so, then what was Arnold¡¯s purpose? Looking at the confused Rishe, the roots of all evil laughed happily.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go¡­¡±

    ¡°H-hai¡­¡±

    Not knowing anything, Rishe couldn¡¯t come up with another word.

    After all, she lost the battle, and declared that she would do whatever he said.

    Then, they took a short walk from the market, and she became more and more confused when she saw where she was brought in.

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

 Chapter 49.1 Beautiful Immitation

    Rishe looked up at the door in front of her.

    She was brought to a section of the Imperial City on the outskirts of the city.

    At the heavy door beyond at the end of the staircase that stretched down to the basement, there hung a sign that said, ¡°Knock a set number of times.¡±

    ¡°The shopkeeper of this place doesn¡¯t come to the castle when I call him. Thanks to that, I¡¯ll have to come down here myself.¡±

    ¡°The shopkeeper? What the heck?¡±

    Arnold didn¡¯t answer, but knocked five times slowly on the door.

    Rishe heard nothing, but he must have gotten a reply inside. He opened the door and prompted Rishe with a glance. Making sure there weren¡¯t any elements to watch out for, she entered the store.

    The first thing she saw was a large wooden counter.

    The interior of the store has a wooden floor.

    There were no fancy decorations, and instead of shelves that seemed to display merchandise, there was a leather sofa and a low table.

    At first glance, it¡¯s a modest storefront, but¡­ that counter is a single plate of Karin wood.

    Something poking sounded, reminiscent of a cane.

    Then a beautiful petite old woman with grayed hair came out of the back.

    She had a soft smile on her face, and her face was covered in elegant, light makeup.

    She was accompanied by a man in his mid-twenties, who was supporting her steps. The old woman stood in front of the counter and bowed deeply.

    ¡°Long live Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince. It¡¯s good to see you well¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t humble yourself. Raise your head up.¡±

    With Arnold¡¯s permission, the old woman looked up.

    Then she looked at Rishe and smiled.

    ¡°Beautiful lady, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I am the proprietor of this shop.¡±

    ¡°Nice to meet you. My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertzner.

    ¡°This is my grandson. Come on, you should pay your respects to Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­ Oh, that¡­¡±

    The man maintained a respectful posture the whole time looked up a bit.

    His complexion was pale and almost bloodless. His shoulders and voice were trembling, as if scared of something.

    And he stubbornly refused to look at Arnold.

    He must be afraid of His Highness Arnold¡­ He must have been influenced by His Highness¡¯ ¡®notoriety¡¯

    The horrifying rumors about Arnold have reached the people¡¯s ears.

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    Rumors about his brutal behavior on the battlefield, of piling up the corpses of his enemies, probably terrified the man in front of them.

    Even though he was the hero who had led his country to victory, it was perhaps natural to be scared when he was in the presence of the real deal.

    Though the man in question didn¡¯t seem to give a damn about it at heart.

    She glanced beside her, but no emotion altered Arnold¡¯s neat profile.

    While she was immersed in her thoughts, the old woman said with a bitter smile, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I scolded him severely a moment ago. It¡¯s because my grandson couldn¡¯t determine the authenticity of the goods we sell here.¡±

    It didn¡¯t look like it, but perhaps she was protecting her frightened grandson.

    The old woman, who seemed very fond of her grandson, on the other hand, continued, ¡°Well, it¡¯s quite difficult to distinguish them. If you don¡¯t mind, Rishe-sama, why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Grandma! That¡¯s disrespectful to the Crown Princess!¡±

    ¡°Lorenz, bring me that box.¡±

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    With the old woman¡¯s order, the man hesitantly withdrew to the back of the room.

    Eventually he returned, bringing a red velvet box. The old woman took the box, and placed it on the counter.

    ¡°This merchandise is the commodity you deal with here in the shop?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Please take a look.¡±

    Rishe looked down at the box that was slowly opened and her eyes widened.

    ¡°We are a humble jeweler.¡±

    Inside the jewelry box, there were three beautiful gems in a row.¡±

    ¡°Which of these gems do you think is an imitation? It¡¯s just for fun, so feel free to pick one.¡±

    ¡°Answer, Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Arnold spoke, so Rishe looked at the gems intently.

    The one on the far right was a pale violet color. The middle one was golden like honey dissolved in water, and the left one was a dark red gem.

    They¡¯re all transparent. The cut is delicate and very beautiful.

    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Jewelry was once also a favorite commodity for Rishe as a merchant. She had seen many stones with her own eyes and had learned a lot.

    That was why Rishe answered frankly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The old woman nodded slowly, with a smile on her face.

    ¡°What a crystal clear answer. It¡¯s wonderful how you answered honestly and don¡¯t misrepresent what you don¡¯t understand¡ª¡±

    ¡°So, shopkeeper¡­¡±

    Rishe looked at her and continued, ¡°Can I borrow a magnifying glass, if you don¡¯t mind?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    The old woman was instantly surprised.

    ¡°Tweezers and a cloth, just in case. Then, please excuse me for a moment. May I take a look at it in the light by the window?¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­Hmm.¡±

    The old woman squeaked.

    ¡°Ah, um, this way, please.¡±

    The man, her grandson, held out his tools to her while shivering.

    ¡°Thank you. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡±

    Rishe took them and moved to the window and grabbed a pair of tweezers.

    She had to make sure she knew exactly how much force she needed to apply. Otherwise, she would lose momentum and let the gemstone fly.

    She picked a gem carefully to prevent this from happening, and tried to see it through the light.

    It¡¯s still beautiful even looking like this. But¡­

    As she looked through the loupe and observed the details of the stone, she determined that her initial impression wasn¡¯t wrong.

    So she told the old woman. ¡°All these three stones are imitations.¡±

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    ¡°T-this is¡­¡±

    Looking at the old woman¡¯s astonishment, she was probably right. Her grandson, standing next to her, also looked at Rishe and gaped.

 Chapter 49.2

    On the other hand, only Arnold chuckled as if he had expected this development.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for underestimating you, Rishe-sama. You¡¯re the first young lady to choose an appraisal kit instead of relying on guesswork or their beauty.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have borrowed your precious tools. But I didn¡¯t think I could make a decision without at least looking at them.¡±

    As she returned the tools to the man, Rishe recalled.

    It¡¯s a lesson I was reminded of in my life as a merchant¡­ The beauty of the jewel isn¡¯t a standard for guaranteeing its authenticity.

    The fledgling Rishe didn¡¯t know that, and was attracted by fake gemstones at random. Bitter memories flashed back, and she suddenly looked in the distance.

    ¡°Although, Shopkeeper, even if they are imitation gems, these gems are truly beautiful.¡±

    ¡°Can you think of it that way?¡±

    ¡°Yes. They¡¯re sparkling and clear.¡±

    Rishe walked back to the counter and looked down at the jewelry box again.

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    Authenticity wasn¡¯t the only thing that determines the splendor of a gem¡­ Even knowing that they were knockoffs, she was certain there were many people who would love and cherish these stones.

    The gems were simply beautiful. Rishe adored these stones with all her heart.

    They were so enthralling that she couldn¡¯t help but smile at them.

    ¡°Y-you¡­¡±

    The old woman standing in front of her let out a small gulp.

    After that, she once again bowed deeply.

    ¡°I¡¯m deeply impressed, Rishe-sama. My sincerest apologies for testing the future Crown Princess.¡±

    ¡°Huh?!! No, it¡¯s nothing at all. Please raise your head.¡±

    While hurriedly telling the old woman, Rishe pondered.

    Got it, all that questioning was to test her.

    His Highness Arnold was standing on the sidelines. So this must be related to the reason he brought me here¡­

    What in the world were they going to make her do?

    I wonder if it¡¯s a jewelry appraisal¡­ That¡¯s not the case, because this is a store where professionals work. Or were they in a sales bind and wanted to do something about it?¡­ No, I don¡¯t even get that vibe. Then why?

    As she mulled over it, the old woman smiled and said, ¡°My son and his wife have a wide range of business, but this shop is my hobby. They have an extensive collection of stones from all over the world, and I choose which customers to sell them to.¡±

    Some merchants engaged in that kind of business from time to time. When she nodded in understanding, she was told something unexpected.

    ¡°But, Rishe-sama, if it¡¯s someone like you, I¡¯d definitely love it for you to have it.¡±

    ¡­.Huh?

    She felt like the story was going in a strange direction.

    She looked askance next to her, but realized that Arnold has left the counter and was now sitting in a leather chair.

    He rested his cheekbones on the armrest, turned to the old woman and said, ¡°Enough of the tedious talk. If you¡¯re convinced, just give this gal what she wants.¡±

    ¡°As you wish. I¡¯d be delighted to prepare everything.¡±

    They left her out of the talk, so she hurriedly interrupted the conversation.

    ¡°Um, Your Highness Arnold? What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    ¡°Ma, then Rishe-sama hasn¡¯t heard the details yet?¡±

    Rishe nodded persistently. The old woman smiled and then replied, ¡°The Crown Prince wants a ring for his bride to wear at the wedding ceremony.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Eeeek.¡±

    A weird voice was squeezed out with all her strength.

    TN: I see, they were shopping for wedding rings ^_^

 Chapter 50.1 The Purpose of the Trip Out of the Castle

    Wait a minute. You mean that ring you wear on your finger?

    Perhaps there was no doubt about it. This was a jewelry shop, a place that deals with jewelry.

    Who the hell is the bride then? His Royal Highness Arnold¡¯s bride, the bride, that would be¡­

    After a few moments of contemplation, Rishe abruptly came to her senses.

    That would be me!!

    The moment that registered, she thought she would lose her mind.

    She glanced in a panic at Arnold, but he looked sullen as usual.

    He propped his cheekbones and sported a look that shouted he was doing nothing abnormal.

    That made it hard to dismiss.

    Wh-w-why? Could it be that a ring is required for the wedding ceremony even in Garkhain?¡­ No, no, that can¡¯t be true! Wearing a ring on the ring finger of the left hand is meaningful only in our country. I¡¯m pretty sure they wouldn¡¯t give a ring to a marriage partner in any other country!

    If it wasn¡¯t a ceremonial necessity, what was it for then?

    While she was thinking in circles, the old woman spoke, ¡°My grandson will bring you some tea. Please have a seat on the couch, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Um, uhh, okay ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get this one ready. It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve had a customer, so I¡¯m very excited.¡±

    As prompted, Rishe sat next to Arnold.

    Because of the three-seater sofa, there was an empty space open for one person in the middle. Feeling uncomfortable, she asked timidly, ¡°Your Highness, um, what is this¡­?¡±

    ¡°What? Is there anything you still don¡¯t understand?¡±

    ¡°Of course there is!¡±

    Thus she prodded in a series of questions.

    ¡°As I recall, I¡¯m supposed to accompany Your Highness and do as you wish, after I lost the bet, right?¡±

    ¡°Precisely, your perception is correct.

    ¡°So why are we talking about buying a ring?¡±

    It was strange, no matter how you thought about it.

    As she was lost in her thoughts, Arnold quipped, looking at the pocket watch he took out of his pocket.

    ¡°All I demand of you is to have a ring.¡±

    ¡°How on earth did you come up with that?! There should be more to it than this, isn¡¯t there? An expedient order for Your Highness, and something I don¡¯t normally do.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Is that what you want me to do?¡±

    ¡°No!¡±

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    No, in a sense, she could say that.

    Rishe¡¯s purpose in proposing such a bet was to bring out Arnold¡¯s real intentions and feelings. And yet, a new mystery arose instead.

    ¡°Besides, you needn¡¯t exercise your rights from the bet on this. If for some reason you wanted me to wear a ring, you could have told me and I would have done so.¡±

    ¡°¡­Errr.¡±

    For some reason, Arnold was dumbfounded as he tried to say something perfectly legitimate.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d choose honestly if I said I¡¯ll buy you a ring and you can choose whichever you want.¡±

    ¡°Ugh.¡±

    ¡°I was afraid you dislike others from buying you things.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t reply.

    Arnold was right. It was unsettling to be treated like that. Even now, she was extremely upset by this development.

    ¡°If so, you¡¯ll have to make the most of this opportunity. The gems they deal with here are top-quality. There¡¯s no limit to the money, so choose whatever catches your eye.¡±

    ¡°But, Your Highness, I can¡¯t afford to buy something so expensive at a moment¡¯s notice.¡±

    ¡°¡­Rishe.¡±

    Arnold interrupted as if he¡¯d expected that.

    ¡°If we order the ring here, the castle will foot the bill.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    The words shook Rishe¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°You¡¯re interested in trade, and I have a surplus of private funds which I don¡¯t have much use for. Thanks to you, it won¡¯t be dead money. What do you think?¡±

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    ¡°T-that¡¯s¡­!¡±

    Arnold chuckled.

    ¡°As you¡¯ve seen, the shopkeeper is a person with a strong obsession with jewels. If I spend my money here, the owner may use the profits to purchase new pieces of jewelry. To put it in a roundabout way, we¡¯ll be feeding merchants and skilled craftsmen.¡±

    ¡°U-h-h¡­¡±

    ¡°If you want to obtain other gems from other countries, that¡¯s fine too. Because when things and people move, so does money. So, still wanna refuse?¡±

    Zsst, devious!!!

    But Arnold had a point.

    It was the saddest thing for a merchant to have people with money, who were unwilling to spend it.

    It was unreasonable for the royal family to splurge, but if they have a surplus of private funds, then by all means let it fall to the people.

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    ¡°¡­I get it.¡±

    In any case, this was an ¡®order¡¯. In any case, Rishe has no veto power.

    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll choose. With all my heart and soul, I will do my best.¡±

    ¡°Ha~¡±

    Arnold laughed in amusement and gave her a hearty cheer.

 Chapter 50.2

    In the meantime, the old woman returned from the back.

    She came in with a stick and smiled as she hung it across from Rishe and Arnold.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get right to it. It will take about a month to make a ring. Today, I¡¯ll let you choose the stone and also decide on the rough design of the ring.¡±

    ¡°Okay, thank you for considering this work.¡±

    Rishe politely bowed her head. The old woman asked this and that, and then went on to listen to Rishe¡¯s requests.

    The embellishment shouldn¡¯t be too flashy. She had her measure the size of her left ring finger. They worked out the details while chatting.

    What gave her a gasp halfway through was when she decided on gold as the color of the ring.

    She recalled a certain exchange when he told her: ¡°It goes well with your hair color.¡±

    Arnold told her yesterday, ¡°You don¡¯t have to dye your hair.¡±

    It was a coral-colored head that stood out. If she could hide it, it would have been best.

    She wondered why he said something like that, only to find out that it was for choosing a ring.

    Eventually, it was time to choose the desired gem.

    ¡°I¡¯ve made a few selections. There¡¯s a lot more at the back, but let¡¯s start with the first one.¡±

    The old woman smiled and showed her her prized collection.

    Looking down at the first jewelry box, Rishe gasped.

    ¡°Oh my!¡±

    The gems lined up there were dizzyingly beautiful.

    It wasn¡¯t just the colors; the shapes and cuts were wondrous. They were absolutely mind-blowing that Rishe¡¯s eyes sparkled.

    ¡°Shopkeeper, if I may ask, is this the phantom opal that was only found a few years ago in the mines east of Halil Rasha?¡±

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    ¡°Do you recognize it? Hmm, please take a look at this one too. Isn¡¯t this pink diamond beautiful ? This aquamarine is also a gem¡­¡±

    ¡°Whoa¡­!¡±

    It literally really was a jewelry box.

    Arnold showed not the slightest bit of interest, but Rishe couldn¡¯t contain her excitement.

    The old woman called it ¡®The Gem Stone¡¯, and all the items there were wonderful.

    But there came the tricky problem.

    ¡°¡­Uh-huh, how fun! So, Rishe-sama, did you find anything to your liking?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Hrm¡­¡±

    When the old woman asked, she looked down.

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    Right, I¡¯m choosing a gem I¡¯m going to wear myself, not looking at the goods to stock and sell.

    From that perspective, it was quite difficult.

    As a Duke¡¯s daughter, Rishe of course has picked jewels.

    However, it was from the perspective of what was appropriate for the Crown Prince¡¯s fianc¨¦e.

    But this time was different.

    Since I¡¯m going to wear it for the wedding, I should probably wear a diamond. If I were to match the color of my eyes, an emerald would be the way to go, but it¡¯s also the symbol of the royal family of my country, so it might not be the best choice. Speaking of which, I wonder how much King Zahad, who loves to show off his jewels, would be pleased to see these¡­ hep, it¡¯s for me now!

    The more she thought about it, the deeper she was tied up. And what was more, all the stones were wonderful.

    It was hard to narrow it down because they were all superb. If she had to say more, she wouldn¡¯t know which one to choose.

    The old woman smiled watching Rishe¡¯s troubled face.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, pardon me for being presumptuous, but may I, this old woman, give you a piece of advice?¡±

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯d love to hear it.¡±

    When she looked up, the old woman gave her a very gentle look.

    She looked at Rishe as if watching over her, and said, ¡°Wear your favourite stone and proudly puff your chest up. ¨C For girls, that alone gives them courage.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    That counsel took her breath away.

    ¡°It¡¯s as a jewelry worthy of the Crown Princess, but as your own good amulet. It¡¯s best to choose jewelry with this in mind.¡±

    ¡°¡­Shopkeeper.¡±

    ¡°Just purely, genuinely, what you¡¯re fond of.¡±

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    Something she genuinely loved.

    Rishe pondered the meaning of the words.

    ¡°For example, Rishe-sama, what is your favorite color?¡±

    ¡°Favorite color?¡±

    The moment she asked her, an answer immediately came to her mind.

    She cast a glance at Arnold next to her and their eyes met. Arnold seemed to have been staring at Rishe, not at the gems on the tabletop.

    His eyes were a very beautiful blue.

    His brother, Theodore, has similar blue eyes, but Arnold¡¯s were a bit lighter.

    That might be why he has an icy impression.

    The hue is like a frozen crystal clear sea in a cold country.

    Did she feel the same way when she first faced him as a knight?

    Or was it an impression she had somewhere in this life?

    Because she had stared into these eyes so many times over the past month, her memory was no longer clear.

    Still, it was unsettling to see herself reflected in those eyes.

    So naturally, she blurted, ¡°Do you have a gem that¡¯s similar to this person¡¯s eyes?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold frowned.

    There seemed to be no color more beautiful ¨C that was all.

    Although that was what Rishe meant, the people around her reacted strangely.

    ¡­Huh?

    ¡°Oh my, dear me, my!¡±

    Wait a minute. Did I just say something outrageous?

    She paled instantly, but she couldn¡¯t pretend the statement didn¡¯t leave her mouth.

    Seeing the old woman¡¯s face glowing with joy, Rishe was convinced of her blunder.

 Chapter 50.3

    ¡°No, um, wait, that¡¯s not it! Please wait, I didn¡¯t mean to sound crazy! I really don¡¯t have any other intentions. I just like the color of His Highness Arnold¡¯s eyes and always thought them beautiful!

    ¡°Fufufu, you always thought that, is that so? All right, please wait a minute. From that angle, I have a recommendation for you.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, Shopkeeper!¡±

    Even though she was aided by her cane, the old woman disappeared into the back quite quickly.

    As a result, only Rishe and Arnold were left behind.

    ¡°Uhmmm¡­¡±

    Arnold didn¡¯t say anything from earlier. But she didn¡¯t want him to pursue the subject.

    Rishe covered her face with both hands, and dipped her head on the spot. She couldn¡¯t very well glance at Arnold¡¯s corner.

    ¡°¡­ Please forget that one just now¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ****

    Although there was a lot of commotion, they managed to pick a stone from there. The ¡°special stone¡± that was brought out from the back was exactly what Rishe wanted ¨C magnificent.

    She felt awkward afterwards, but after a while she managed to regain normalcy.

    The making of the ring itself would be done by the grandson.

    And now, having left the shop, Rishe was at a certain place with Arnold.

    ¡°It¡¯s a scenic view. The breeze is cool and pleasant.¡±

    They were on top of the outer wall that surrounded the Imperial Capital.

    The Imperial Capital of Garkhain was like a fortress in the city itself ¨C with a wall several meters thick enclosing the city.

    The place where the archers take up position when enemies attacked was said to be open to the public as a street in normal times.

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    After leaving the jewelry store, Arnold brought Rishe there.

    Just below was the grand gate to the entrance of the Imperial Capital, where the carriage traffic was busy.

    It was enjoying watching it, but it was already dusk.

    ¡°Look, the big sunset will soon set in the direction of the Imperial Palace.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah, right.¡±

    ¡°So this is what it looks like from this side.¡±

    The usual view overlooking the city was from the castle. The scenery from the other side was fresh and she never got tired of all sorts of things.

    As she was thinking, Arnold, who was standing next to her, suddenly asked her, ¡°Why is the ring finger on your left hand?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You specified to measure the size of that finger.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a¡­ custom.¡±

    She didn¡¯t want to go into too much detail about that.

    In Rishe¡¯s country, it was commonplace for wedding rings to be worn as such, but it was embarrassing to think that she was aware of it.

    ¡°Your Highness, why did you give me a ring? Is there a deeper reason for it?¡±

    ¡°Apart from that, the ring doesn¡¯t mean much. But you¡¯ve been working with your hands a lot, haven¡¯t you? You¡¯ve been busy concocting pills, doing miscellaneous chores, and all sorts of things.¡±

    Speaking of which, she suddenly remembered.

    While she was working in front of him, he often glanced at her hand and observed them with interest.

    ¡°I thought it must look nice to see those fingers fitted with the jewelry I gave you.¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    She was discomfited hearing that.

    How should she reply?

    After hesitating, Rishe blurted out: ¡°Then you¡¯ll be the first I¡¯ll show the ring to once it is done.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    That was all the exchange she could carry out.

    After taking a huff and a puff, Rishe wondered what time it was.

    I¡¯m fine with it, but what about His Highness Arnold? He¡¯s been looking at his watch when we left the shop, and it¡¯s almost sunset. If he¡¯s concerned about the time, it¡¯s probably time to go home¡­

    Then it occurred to her.

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    Wrong.

    Arnold wasn¡¯t worried about the time to get back to the castle or anything like that.

    If he was anxious about the time to return, he should have glanced at his watch more often afterwards¡­ But throughout the time we have been here at the Great Gate, His Highness never picked his watch up once.

    That meant he wasn¡¯t worried about the time anymore.

    Even though he had checked his pocket watch many times in the market and in that jewelry store.

    Perhaps

    There was something that had been bothering Rishe for the past few days.

    So she took a soft deep breath and smiled.

    ¡°By the way, there¡¯s a rumor going on among the maids that the Count of Rovine is in the Imperial Castle, is it true?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I let him stay for a short time to mentor the knight cadets.¡±

    ¡°I see. His fame is renown, and I¡¯d be glad to meet him as well. Why the Count?¡±

    ¡°I called him because Rovine is best fit at mentoring inexperienced people.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness -¡±

    Her smile disappeared and she looked up at Arnold beside her.

    ¡°Who are we waiting for here?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 50.4

    Arnold looked calmly back at her.

    ¡°That came out of the blue.¡±

    ¡°No, I thought it was strange to begin with, ever since I heard that Count Rovine was going to train the cadets at the Imperial Castle.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Count Rovine defends the northernmost seaside territory of the country, doesn¡¯t he? In the eyes of the rest of the world, that could have been an important base of operations to invade the Garkhain Kingdom. However, thanks to the presence of our warlord, General, Count Rovine, other countries couldn¡¯t take advantage of it.¡±

    Rovine¡¯s existence was a deterrent for potential enemies.

    Even in peacetime. Just a few years ago, the world was at war. It was still too early for the nations to come loose.

    ¡°And yet, the Count left his domain and came all the way to the Imperial Capital. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s here to train cadets.¡±

    It was for this reason that it sounded absurd.

    Even when she heard that Rovine was joining the training, and when she replayed today¡¯s training in the marketplace.

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    The truth of the matter could be linked to why Arnold was looking at his watch.

    Arnold laughed, revelling in Rishe¡¯s speculations.

    He has no intention of hiding it, but he didn¡¯t mean to tell her so easily either.

    ¡°What if I told you that there was no deeper meaning and that it was just a show of face? Keeping regular face-to-face contact with your subjects helps in terms of cementing their loyalty.¡±

    ¡°If the wedding hadn¡¯t been imminent, that explanation might have convinced me. But if it was a personal meeting, wouldn¡¯t it have been nice to have the opportunity in just two months¡¯ time?¡±

    If she hadn¡¯t been told that it was Arnold who had called Rovine, her discomfort might have been a little less.

    However, Arnold in Rishe¡¯s knowledge would never overlook a key base without reason.

    ¡°I can see why you¡¯re suspicious of Rovine¡¯s visit. ¡ª What makes you think I¡¯m waiting for someone here?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s simple. Because this is a place where you can see the castle grounds and at the same time monitor visitors from ¡®outside¡¯.¡±

    Arnold no longer cared about the time since he came to Great Gate.

    In short, if Arnold waited there, his ¡®target¡¯ would come to him. That time was soon, and perhaps it was a guest from outside.

    Arnold said with relish, ¡°You¡¯re right, training the cadets was merely a facade. There had to be an ostensible reason for Rovine to lead the corps and stay in the Imperial City.

    Why did it feel like instructing her to reward her for guessing right?

    Truth to tell, Arnold seemed to be enjoying himself terribly, despite his motive being exposed.

    ¡°I received a letter the other day from the royal family of a certain country. They couldn¡¯t attend the wedding, so they¡¯re bringing their congratulations ahead of schedule instead.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ pretty sudden.¡±

    ¡°Of course, this isn¡¯t entirely impossible. If there¡¯s a death in the family, they may cancel their attendance in the ceremony. There¡¯s a custom that delaying the blessing is disrespectful, so they¡¯re going to hold an advance celebration instead. So, we also replied that pre-celebration was unnecessary.¡±

    It was a common social exchange of pleasantries. After that exchange, the invited guests who declined to participate would reply, ¡°Well, then, we can always congratulate you at a later date.¡±

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 Chapter 50.5

    In short, it was a natural part of social interaction and diplomacy, but they wouldn¡¯t actually visit for the pre-ceremony celebration.

    ¡°What you¡¯re hiding then, I¡¯ll put aside for now. Did you hear back from them?¡±

    ¡°Additional letters arrived from there before we could respond. They said they wouldn¡¯t wait for a reply from the country and leave to congratulate us as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Which means they took a hard line before we said no.¡±

    She didn¡¯t know how to describe it, but she has a bad feeling about this.

    ¡°Who wrote you the letter?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have any idea?¡±

    He was right. She had a vague idea when Arnold called Count Rovine, the protector of the northern territory.

    ¡°Immediately after I received the letter, I sent out a scout to the northern port city of Siutena. It was only a week ago that I received word of ships¡¯ arrival. From there, I calculated the speed of the carriage, the time of rest, and the lodging in the towns along the way. After calculating things like lodging in towns along the way, I figured it would be this time of day.¡±

    The merchant at the stall said that the merchandise they were trading today arrived in Siutena a week ago on a ship.

    As Arnold thought, the goods and ships that arrived in the port city had reached the Imperial City this morning.

    Food carriages would also be in a hurry, but if it was a carriage carrying royalty, it would be a bit slower.

    With that in mind, it would be reasonable for them to be this late.

    ¡°Wa~¡±

    Arnold reached out towards Rishe and pulled the hood of her robe over her head.

    She was taken aback, but she could tell at once that it was to hide her hair color.

    When she looked up, his gaze was directed out of the Great Gate and onto the carriage road that stretched out into the plains.

    Rishe followed suit and also looked into the distance of the carriage road.

    That¡¯s¡­

    ¡ª She recognized the carriage at once.

    Trips to Koyor, the snowy kingdom, were taken to and from the port town of Siutena.

    The design of that carriage was undoubtedly Koyor¡¯s.

    If there was a suspicious visit from the Koyor Kingdom, the best person to be on the lookout for it would be Rovine, who had been keeping an eye on the countries across the sea for years.

    That was why Arnold called Rovine. In order to keep the royalty coming from the Koyor Kingdom in check without any diplomatic disturbances.

    And there was only one person in the Koyor Kingdom whose name was listed as an attendee at the wedding ceremony.

    ¡°Wertsner, I want to protect my country¡±

    The voice of a young man flashed back to her mind.

    ¡°I will spare nothing to achieve this¡­ That¡¯s probably the greatest duty I¡¯ve ever had, having escaped death.¡±

    Prince Kyle¡­

    The sickly and responsible First Prince of the snowy land of Koyor.

    It was the name of a certain young man that Rishe had taken care of in her life as a pharmacist.

 Chapter 51.1 Ive made friends with the candidates.

    ¡°Ah, Prince Kyle ¨C how dignified he looks, even when seen from afar!¡±

    The girls who were invited to the royal palace often talked about him in such a way.

    ¡°Silver hair and light blue eyes ¨C he¡¯s like the ice spirit in stories.¡±

    ¡°The strong-willed look on Kyle-sama¡¯s face accentuates his dignified aura.¡±

    In the royal palace of the snowy land of Koyor, First Prince Kyle was the topic of conversation.

    The girls, who were friends of the Princess, invariably praised Kyle.

    Rishe had witnessed this same scene countless times in her past life because of her stay in the royal palace of Koyor.

    ¡°A man who is clear-headed and calm, yet still has passionate aspirations. When our eyes met at the evening party last night, I was enthralled.¡±

    ¡°It would be wonderful if I could marry a man like him¡­ What a shame that¡¯s never gonna happen.¡±

    A girl said, hiding her mouth behind a fan, while the Princess was absent from her seat.

    With love and sympathy for Kyle, and then a bit of curiosity.

    ¡°¨CPoor Kyle-sama.¡±

    The words spun by a cute voice sounded cruel.

    ¡°A departed soul must have fallen in love at first sight with him.¡±

    *****

    It was the next day that confirmed Kyle¡¯s entry into the Imperial Capital.

    On this day, Rishe, who was dressed as the brown-haired boy Lucius, was sitting on a bench in a corner of the training ground.

    Ow, breathing is¡­!!!

    Even though she was just sweating, the cloth wrapped around her chest made her feel hot.

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    Today was the third day of training and after running like the first day, they did the same upper body workout.

    They were now taking a break, but she was exhausted due to lack of physical strength combined with muscle pain.

    However, Rishe has a friend who was worried about her.

    ¡°Are you okay, Lu? I¡¯m going to fan you, okay?¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Fritz¡­¡±

    Fritz, her fellow cadet, sat next to her and used the paper that had just been handed out to everyone to fan Rishe.

    ¡°Haha~ It¡¯s cool ¡­ but I¡¯m fine. We have a hand-to-hand combat after this, so you need to get some rest.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. It¡¯s always cooler to have someone else do it for you, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, I feel you.¡±

    The piece of paper, which Fritz was using as a fan, contained a three-day interim evaluation.

    It listed all the cadets¡¯ names and their numbers on a five-point scale.

    Next to Lucius¡¯s name, it stated that both her physical and muscle strength ratings were 1.

    This was, of course, the lowest value and the other items were blank.

    Everyone except Rishe had at least 3 or higher written on them, and Fritz scored 5 in both criteria.

    However, Fritz himself didn¡¯t seem to attach much importance to it.

    ¡°So, I guess I¡¯ll finally get to hold a wooden sword today!¡¡Aww, I can¡¯t wait!¡±

    ¡°I know Fritz has been looking forward to it. I¡¯m rooting for you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you! ¡­ Ah!¡±

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    ¡°Lucius Alcott!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    The master who called Rishe¡¯s alias was the frontier Count, Count Rovine, who was leading the training.

    ¡°Rovine-sama!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to stand. You should try to regain your strength and conserve it during the break.¡±

    Deterred from standing up, Rishe and others obediently sat back down on the benches. Nevertheless, they straightened their backs even straighter than usual.

    Rovine looked at Rishe and asked softly, ¡°Looking at you today, you look even more tired than yesterday. Didn¡¯t you get enough rest yesterday?¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡±

    Rishe stammered when he saw through her condition.

    As expected of Count Rovine; he¡¯s a leader His Highness Arnold would approve of.

    After all, she and Arnold had spent the whole afternoon yesterday walking around the castle town.

    After spotting the carriage where Prince Kyle was in, they even checked which inn they were staying at, so it was nighttime before they returned to the Imperial Castle.

    She had planned to go to bed early, but since she had to tend to the fields and deal with the medicinal herbs, she turned in as usual.

    ¡°Please pardon my lack of self-discipline.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not blaming you. However, after this, trainees are going to have a match. If things get too hard, tell me right away.¡±

    ¡°Hai, thank you.¡±

    If it was a general knightly training, it would have been, [Only by training under harsh circumstances can you train both physically and mentally.]

    But there were many knights who were injured by it. As expected, it seemed that the policy in the Garkhain Kingdom was to train them prudently and steadily.

    This kind of training will create a country that can boast of its tremendous military strength in five years¡¯ time.

    Moreover, Rovine¡¯s training wasn¡¯t only steady and honest.

    It seemed that he made adjustments afterwards. On the third day of training, many of the cadets were getting tired of the monotonous and painful training.

    However, sparring with a wooden sword could be fun.

    Besides the change in the training itself, they would realize that it took effort to be a master of the sword.

    The cadets would work harder and harder after the match.

    He was indeed an excellent mentor. She could understand why Arnold used the cover of training cadets as a ¡®natural circumstance to summon Count Rovine.¡¯

    I wonder if His Royal Highness Arnold informed Count Rovine about Prince Kyle.

    Not that he let him be in the dark about everything, but it was a question how much of it he shared.

 Chapter 51.2

    Perhaps there were facts and plans that Rishe hadn¡¯t been told, but had been told only to Rovine.

    Count Rovine had once joined His Highness Arnold¡¯s command.

    How did Arnold behave in the previous war?

    Curious about this, Rishe asked, ¡°Rovine-saman, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d love to hear some stories about the war effort for later study¡­ For example, the defense of Siutena, Fritz¡¯s hometown.¡±

    ¡°Oh! I¡¯d love to hear that, too. Especially about His Highness Arnold!¡±

    Fritz, who was a fan of Arnold, took flight in the expected direction.

    ¡°I see¡­ If you want to hear only the surface in a short time, that could always be arranged.¡±

    Rovine, who seemed keen on educating the youngsters, preambled and started, ¡°In the battle for the defense of Siutena, the Garkhain Army had 7,000 men. The enemy attacked by ships with a force of 15,000.¡±

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s almost double the difference in power.¡±

    ¡°In fact, the difference in strength was even greater than that. After all, His Majesty only entrusted 3,000 soldiers to His Highness Arnold on the front line.¡±

    ¡°What? Why did he reduce the number of soldiers when they were already lacking in numbers?¡±

    Rovine replied to Fritz¡¯s question: ¡°The remaining 4,000 were young knights who were trained at a fast pace, and peasants, who were forced to carry weapons. His Highness Arnold mobilized those 4,000 into less dangerous tasks, such as diversion, evacuation of the population and logistical support. And then he faced the enemy with only those soldiers who were of some strength.¡±

    ¡°Still, His Highness won, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Yes. We took advantage of that day¡¯s weather, the heavy rains, the terrain of the port city of Siutena, and fought by leveraging on the opponent¡¯s situation. ¨C That one strategy overturned the difference in force strength and minimized our casualties to the extreme.¡±

    Fritz¡¯s eyes were shining; he gulped and cleared his throat.

    ¡°Around the same time, there was a battlefield under similar circumstances. Garkhain won the war, but thousands of people died. Most of the dead were inexperienced soldiers.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean¡­ having more soldiers isn¡¯t always better?¡±

    ¡°Not exactly. The more soldiers you have, the better, of course ¨C but there¡¯s no point in having a huge army with poor skills ss His Highness Arnolt has proven on the battlefield.¡±

    Rovine spun quietly.

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    ¡°His Highness has no interest in the weak. He won¡¯t give the weak a chance to stand on the battlefield and earn meritorious deeds. ¨C But that is how he reduces the number of people who lose their lives unnecessarily.¡±

    His Highness Arnold¡­

    Rishe looked down and pondered.

    Arnold would never let the weak fight.

    Instead, he aimed for a country where every knight was a force to be reckoned with.

    The Garkhain Kingdom would prove this in five year¡¯s time.

    Does he want to be strong so that he can wage war against the world one day?

    ¡°The world is at peace now. But it won¡¯t bring back the lives lost in the last war.¡±

    Rovine smiled softly.

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    It was stiff, but very gentle.

    ¡°Countless young men died in the last war. I have to atone for that at least.¡±

    Ahh¡­

    Once upon a time, Rishe has heard those same lines.

    [¡°In that war, young men not much older than me lost their lives. I couldn¡¯t even go near the battlefield.¡±]

    She could still remember vividly.

    Rishe, who was then a pharmacist, called out to a man.

    [¡°Prince Kyle, haven¡¯t my mentor told you? Survival is an important part of your royal duties.¡±

    [¡°I can¡¯t for the life of me see that this is something that should be accomplished at the expense of my people.¡±]

    Rishe unconsciously turned her gaze towards the main castle.

 Chapter 51.3

    In the audience room, Prince Kyle would be greeting Emperor Garkhain. Rishe would also be meeting Kyle in the afternoon with Arnold.

    ¡°The break will be over soon. Get some rest until then.¡±

    ¡°Hai, thank you, Rovine-sama.¡±

    Rishe and Fritz bowed, and Rovine left; perhaps to address the other cadets.

    ¡°They¡¯re amazing, aren¡¯t they? Both His Highness Arnold and Rovine-sama.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right.¡±

    Rishe nodded.

    She has a lot to think about, and then things that had to be fulfilled.

    It was frustrating, but she had no choice but to do it one at a time.

    To accomplish that, I have to be physically fit. In any case, I have to work out¡­

    As the flame of enthusiasm burned, a few cadets in front of them.

    ¡°Yo, Lucius, even though you¡¯re rated 1, you¡¯re being eyed by Rovine-sama quite a bit.¡±

    ¡°Sven¡­¡±

    The smirking young man, Sven, was one of the outstanding cadets.

    According to the evaluations handed out to everyone, his physical strength was rated 4 and muscle strength 5.

    ¡°If you have no ability, it¡¯s nice to get some hands-on instruction from him. That really makes me envious.¡±

    ¡°Uhhh¡­¡±

    Before Rishe could reply, Fritz stood up and retorted, ¡°Hey, Sven. I told you to stay away from Lucius.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s nice of you, Fritz. But we¡¯re being nice, too, you know?

    Sven and the others smirked and looked down at Rishe.

    ¡°The guys from the favelas may not understand, but the knights in this country are a meritocracy. No matter how hard you try, it¡¯s useless.¡±

    ¡°As Sven said, you¡¯re at the bottom. Wouldn¡¯t you rather work elsewhere than spend your time training?¡±

    This is¡­ should I say, typical?

    Rishe felt that way, but Fritz obviously felt differently.

    He always had a cheerful smile on his face, but his eyes were now blazing in anger.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough Sven, Lu is serious about this. Don¡¯t make fun of other people¡¯s efforts.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. I think you misunderstood something. We aren¡¯t here to play nice with you.¡±

    Sven shrugged and sneered; whereas Fritz was serious and getting furious.

    ¡°Look at you, you¡¯re always pissed when we laugh at Lucius. If you want to be a knight, you¡¯ve got to have the guts to kick my ass, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Rishe was surprised by that remark.

    ¡°Fritz, have you ever tried defending me before?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not defending you or anything. I just don¡¯t like it when people insult my friends.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She let out a soft breath at his reply.

    Although, I myself don¡¯t care what they say¡­

    It was almost time for the break to end and for the hand-to-hand combat to begin.

    For the round-robin match, Rishe would be crossing swords with all of them.

    It wasn¡¯t my intention to have even Fritz get insulted for my involvement.

    ¡°Time¡¯s up!¡±

 Chapter 51.4

    A short command echoed through the training grounds.

    Rishe and Sven just had a face off, and the winner had just been announced.

    It happened less than ten seconds after the start signal sounded.

    ¡°Thank you very much.¡±

    Rishe said, pointing the tip of her wooden sword to him.

    Sven was down on his buttocks on the ground and pale in the face. His mouth opened and shut as he stared at the tip of the sword, which was a hair¡¯s breadth away from his nose.

    The training ground was silent.

    The only person who didn¡¯t look surprised was Rovine.

    ¡°W-what¡­ y-you, w-what, why?¡±

    Rishe extended a hand to Sven, who desperately strung a word.

    ¡°Can you stand, Sven?¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t real. This is¡­! You¡¯re barely strong enough! Even in strength training, you¡¯re nothing at all!¡±

    ¡°The way I defeated you wasn¡¯t through physical or muscular strength. I think you¡¯re going to learn how exactly I did it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The other trainees who were watching the combat were still agape.

    Sven shook his head as if unwilling to meet their gaze.

    ¡°Why? I couldn¡¯t possibly lose to you!¡±

    ¡°Sorry if I scared you. But I don¡¯t want to get Fritz in too much trouble.¡±

    Rishe bent down and stared into his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to get along with you, too.¡±

    ¡°H¡ª¡±

    Sven let out a scream, then quickly got up.

    She really didn¡¯t have any other intentions, but she might have scared him needlessly.

    As Sven hurried back to his companions, Rishe pulled back into the corner as well. Then Fritz rushed over to her with a glint in his eye.

    ¡°Lu! You were amazing!!¡±

    ¡°Fritz, I¡¯m sorry for all the trouble I¡¯ve caused you.¡±

    When she bowed her head in apology, Fritz stared at her blankly.

    ¡°Why are you apologizing? I did it on my own accord. For that matter, I think it¡¯s me who troubled you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just for Fritz. It¡¯s also for Sven, because if he makes a habit of underestimating his enemies, he might die because of it.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Fritz¡¯s eyes widened at Rishe¡¯s remarks.

    ¡°Besides, I found out after the match with Sven that he has very good reflexes. I think it would definitely be a shame if Rovine-sama didn¡¯t get to see more of it.¡±

    With only ten days of training, time for direct instruction was vital.

    Rishe thought seriously, while Fritz broke into a huge smile.

    ¡°Lu, you know, you¡¯re quite different.¡±

    ¡°By the way, why do you call me Lu?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Since you¡¯re Lucius, I figured a nickname for you. Don¡¯t you like it?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Rishe shook her head in reply.

    In her former life as a knight, that was indeed a nickname for ¡®Lucius¡¯. Perhaps that was why she felt very nostalgic.

    ¡°I¡¯d be glad if you call me that. Thanks, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    The moment Rishe smiled, Fritz clutched his hands over his chest.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, I wonder what that is.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    Fritz coughed, though he didn¡¯t look sick.

    ¡°Err ¡­ Oh, oh right!¡¡We¡¯re supposed to go into town for lunch today after training. Do you still have work to do?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I have quite a lot of work to do this afternoon.¡±

    Rishe was again reminded of a huge problem.

    She would be meeting Kyle this afternoon.

    What was his real purpose?

 Chapter 52.1 Reunited with her former patient

    Then in the afternoon.

    Rishe took her disguise off, finished bathing in the warm water, and got ready to go.

    Her coral-colored hair, in gentle waves, was pulled into a neat and clean half-up.

    Rishe dressed in a pale blue dress paired with pearl earrings, painted her fingertips with a nice pale pink.

    Then, with Arnold wearing a cloak and white gloves in his usual military uniform, they headed to the reception room.

    As they were walking through the main castle, Rishe softly asked, ¡°His Royal Highness Prince Kyle greeted His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress in the morning, right? Did anything unusual transpire at that time?¡±

    Arnold replied, as if he found it tiresome, Father Emperor seems to have allowed the Prince of Koyor to stay in the country for the time being.¡±

    ¡°Oh, how long exactly is for the time being?¡±

    ¡°Who knows. I¡¯m not sure how long people who can¡¯t participate in the wedding ceremony ¡®due to some circumstances¡¯ intend to stay.¡±

    Rishe smiled at his thorny reply.

    However, it was Kyle who was lacking in courtesy this time, so she couldn¡¯t say anything.

    But, that¡¯s strange.

    Kyle was by nature very sincere and polite. Rishe knew that very well.

    [¡­ ¡°Prince Kyle, thank you for the detailed record of your physical condition after taking your medicine.¡±]

    That was, as she recalled, right after she took over Kyle¡¯s treatment from her mentor in her life as a pharmacist.

    After finishing his official duties for that day, Kyle still holed up in his study, sitting at his desk and running his pen.

    [¡°But please, take an early rest. It would be useless if you get sick because of it.¡±]

    [¡°Rest assured. Of course I¡¯m not going to overdo it, Wertsner.¡±]

    He used to call Rishe by her last name, and he would say it, carefully stressing each letter.

    [¡°I¡¯m aware of the struggles you and your mentor have gone through to concoct this new medicine; and that¡¯s why I want to reward you in the way I can. I can¡¯t afford to cut corners.¡±]

    [¡°¡­ I think my mentor forgot the hardships the moment the medicine was made.¡±]

    [¡°And you?¡±]

    [¡°The sooner Prince Kyle is fully recovered, the sooner I can forget about it.¡±]

    Rishe said jokingly, but he, on the other hand, nodded seriously.

    [¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±]

    Even when I met him in a life other than a pharmacist, he treated me with sincerity and civility. At least, he¡¯s not the kind of person who would force his way through a visit without considering the convenience of his destination¡­

    While she was contemplating on this and that, they reached the reception room.

    The knight on guard opened the door for them, and she entered the room together with Arnold.

    This was a different room from the one Rishe had previously used for business meetings with the Aria Trading Company.

    The well-polished marble floor was decorated with flowers.

    All of the furnishings, such as tables, chairs and fireplaces, were in white and gold.

    The chair arrangements and other furnishings might have been changed according to the number of visitors.

    Currently, there was one chair in the back and two chairs in the front, facing each other. Arnold took a seat on one of the chairs in front.

    Rishe hasn¡¯t taken a seat yet. Because although she was engaged to Arnold, she was still only the daughter of an Ermiti Duke.

    For this reason, in a personal meeting between the Crown Prince and a Prince like this one, she couldn¡¯t be in the same chair from the beginning.

    Not until they¡¯ve gone through the greetings. Thus, she stood in the corner.

    ¡°Prince of Koyor, His Royal Highness Kyle Morgan Cleverly greets you.¡±

    At those words, Rishe bowed her head quickly.

    She didn¡¯t look up until Arnold and Kyle finished their greetings. Therefore, for a while, she could only listen to their voices.

    Arnold seemed to have stood up, followed by a squeak of his shoes. There was the rustling sound of clothes, so she knew that Kyle bowed.

    ¡°Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness Arnold. I¡¯m Kyle Morgan Cleverly. I came to congratulate you on behalf of my father.¡±

    ¡°We thank you for traveling all the way here. Your blessing will be a beacon of light for our future.¡±

    At first, they exchanged greetings somewhat formally.

    The Crown Prince and the First Prince, both of them should be on an equal footing, but the air in which they talked wasn¡¯t so.

    The Koyor Kingdom was far weaker than the Garkhain Kingdom.

    The difference in national power is obvious. Though Koyor is also a country that produces gems and is rich in gold mines¡­

    The problem was about other supplies.

    Snow closes in on them in the winter, making it difficult to secure and distribute food. The consumption of firewood, a daily necessity, is also very high; food and fuel cannot be provided by the country alone.

    Although financially wealthy, it held a great deal of factors that made it a target for other countries.

    It has managed to maintain its perilous position through active diplomacy and political marriages.

    For a Kingdom like Koyor, the military state of Garkhain, which was just across the sea, should never be made into an enemy.

    Five years from now, Koyor will form an alliance with other nations against Garkhain ¡ª and will be defeated and invaded.

 Chapter 52.2

    The problem facing Koyor today was its military fragility and the physical weakness of Kyle, its heir apparent.

    The fact that Kyle was forced to come to the country even after a grueling voyage made one imagine the nuisance of the problem.

    Eventually, the exchange of greetings by Arnold and Kyle ended, and she sensed that Arnold was looking at her.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness?¡±

    She looked up when he called her.

    Rishe, who had been waiting in the corner, walked to Arnold, who was yet to be seated.

    ¡°I¡¯m Princess Rishe. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    ¡°Pleased to meet you.¡±

    Rishe looked at Kyle in front.

    Ceramic-like skin and silver hair. Short, trimmed silver hair that glowed on the surface.

    His eyes were a pale light blue, resembling the surface of a clear lake.

    The stubborn glint in them reflected his tenacity.

    He really resembles an ice spirit.

    She remembered the tinge in some girls¡¯ cheeks as they gossiped about him.

    ¡°My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner. It is a great honor to meet Your Royal Highness Prince Kyle.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe smiled, the next moment ¡ª

    ¡°I¡¯m Kyle Morgan Cleverly.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Kyle dropped to his knees without hesitation and quickly knelt before Rishe.

    It was flawlessly done, quite like a professional knight.

    When he lowered his eyes, his eyelashes, which seemed to be made of ice, shone through the light.

    Kyle remained in that posture and stated quite naturally, ¡°You¡¯re the image of a beautiful goddess.¡±

    Uh.

    Kyle seriously looked straight up at Rishe.

    ¡°I¡¯m extremely honored to meet you. Please forgive my rude outburst in the presence of such a beauty. I had thought that His Highness Arnold¡¯s fianc¨¦e must be a princess of incomparable beauty. I just didn¡¯t imagine how much.¡±

    Uh, uh-huh¡­

    ¡°The gold that our country boasts is no match for the sheer brilliance of Lady Rishe. Even the flowers in full bloom would be ashamed of their existence before you.¡±

    Hearing the compliments raining with such sincerity, Rishe recalled.

    It¡¯s¡­

    In some countries, there was a culture of ¡®men praising women.¡¯

    Children were routinely taught this technique from an early age.

    Whenever a woman was walking down a muddy street in Koyor, a strange man would stop her and offer her a gentlemanly escort so that she wouldn¡¯t be in danger.

    According to her mentor, it was devised to entertain families during the long winter months when they couldn¡¯t leave the house.

    Whether that was true or false, she didn¡¯t know. But in any case, the higher the status, the more the men of Koyor tended to respect the culture.

    In other words, Kyle, a prince and a very serious man, would carry it out with a straight face.

    It was only as a courtesy, and Kyle himself had no other intentions.

    However, he was so sincere in his compliments, that women were reputed to say, ¡®Despite knowing that it¡¯s a routine, I almost took it seriously.¡¯

    ¡°You flatter me, Your Highness.¡±

    Rishe smiled, accepted the compliment, and then flushed it out.

    It was also the Koyor¡¯s way to not overreact, but take things in stride.

    Not that it matters.

    There was something that inevitably bothered Rishe.

    Prince Kyle¡¯s complexion is terrible¡­

    She looked down at him kneeling in despair.

    His skin, even though it¡¯s white, looks even paler. The nail on his index finger is cracked, and there are lines running down the side. The mucous membranes at the edges of his eyes are a bit too white, too! And his posture is less energetic than usual; his voice is obviously softer than before!

    She quickly accounted for the nutrients and herbs she needed now in her mind. In the meantime, Kyle showered praises on Rishe.

    ¡°The fingertips of His Highness¡¯ chosen bride are beautiful, as if they were adorned with jewelry.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. This nail polish will be manufactured in Garkhain soon. I hope everyone in Koyor will be able to enjoy them as well. Your Highness Arnold¨C¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Huh?!

    The moment she saw her fianc¨¦ standing beside her, Rishe was taken aback.

    It was because Arnold was looking at Kyle with terribly glacial eyes.

    Did I miss something?!

    T:N: Hahaha

    Arnold: You lookin for death? ¡É(¡¤¦Ø¡¤)¡É

 Chapter 52.3

    Perhaps, there were some important truths behind the ongoing conversation between Kyle and Rishe.

    It was a pity that he couldn¡¯t figure it out, but his expression right now was so cold that if a third party saw him, he would have been frightened and started crying.

    Kyle was unaware of Arnold¡¯s hostility since his eyes were only on Rishe, but this couldn¡¯t continue.

    Rishe casually reached out her hand towards him with a smile pasted on her face.

    ¡°Uhm, Your Highness ¨C¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±

    When Rishe tugged on the hem of his coat, Arnold¡¯s expression softened and he urged Kyle to take a seat.

    ¡°Enough of this. Please be at ease and make yourself at home. Treat this as your own castle.¡±

    ¡°Then I will take you at your word, Lady Rishe. I beg your pardon for my unseemly behavior in the presence of someone who is no less than a goddess.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Also, as I am not yet a member of the royal family, I hope you won¡¯t mind talking to me.¡±

    In light of such an exchange, they sat down in chairs and made small talk.

    Once the conversation kicked off, Arnold resumed his usual brusque self, but wasn¡¯t as cold as he was earlier.

    They continued to talk for a few minutes, but Kyle¡¯s purpose remained elusive.

    ¡°¨C Then, the staff in the castle will show you to your rooms later. I only hope that the fatigue of your journey will wear off.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it.¡±

    The meeting ended and Kyle left the room. Rishe and Arnold remained in the reception room together.

    Whew¡­

    She slumped back in her chair and took a deep breath. After a series of raging social engagements, Rishe was completely exhausted.

    She somehow felt relaxed being alone with Arnold.

    However, it was quite strange that she got used to being with Arnold to this extent.

    ¡°Did you find out anything, Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t understand anything. The conversation we had just now was packed with safe remarks, without a shred of Kyle¡¯s true intentions.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Then what was that look on your face just now? You looked as if you could kill someone with your eyes!¡±

    To her surprise, Arnold propped his cheeks nonchalantly.

    ¡°Forget about that. I heard that Kyle has brought some Koyor scholars with him on this visit. A place will be set to exchange information with the country¡¯s scholars. If you¡¯re interested in listening as well, I¡¯ll arrange it.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes lit up at the unexpected suggestion.

    ¡°It¡¯s not worth the hassle of entertaining them if we don¡¯t get anything out of it.¡±

    ¡°Right. In a manner of speaking, they¡¯re here to congratulate! But I¡¯ll be glad to listen to them. As a matter of fact, there¡¯s a medication I¡¯d like to give Prince Kyle, who I¡¯ve heard is very sickly.¡±

    The timing of the visit was unexpected, but Kyle was originally an invited guest at the wedding ceremony.

    At the time of his visit to the country, Rishe would have made preparations to provide him with the medicine that would cure his illness.

    All the herbs needed to completely cure him were all in her head.

    ¡°If I can explain it to the Koyor scholars and convince them of the benefits, I won¡¯t have to sneak a dose of it.¡±

    ¡°Say what?¡±

    ¡°It would be too suspicious if I offered him medicine out of the blue, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    In her life other than that of a pharmacist, she wrote an anonymous letter to the man who became her medical mentor, telling him about the medicine that could cure Kyle.

    That master would pull all the stops for the sake of drug research, but Rishe¡¯s too suspicious letter seemed to have been properly administered.

    ¡°It would be better for him to start taking the medication as soon as possible. I¡¯ve been thinking that the only way to get his medication to work for a while is to mix it with his meals and have him take it regularly.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    As Rishe spoke, Arnold squinted.

    ¡°Is this a joke?¡±

    ¡°Do I sound like I¡¯m joking?¡±

    When was the last time Rishe retorted with the same line as Arnold¡¯s?

    The fact that she was half-serious should be kept under wraps at this point.

    ¡°For now, focus on the next hassle tomorrow. We¡¯re supposed to hold a welcome party for Kyle. Unfortunately, we have to be there.¡±

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll go ahead and get ready.¡±

    ¡°I suppose the soiree is the most natural way for Rovine and Kyle to get into contact. I¡¯m sure Kyle would have intuited the checks and balances, but diplomacy¡­ Hey, what¡¯s with that appalled look?¡±

    Arnold frowned at the stiff Rishe.

    However, since she had promised Theodore, she couldn¡¯t reveal the reason for her upset.

    Count Rovine will be attending the soiree to welcome Prince Kyle!!

    On second thought, Rishe broke out in cold sweat at this natural course of events.

    That meant even she would have to meet Rovine.

    Count Rovine will surely know that I¡¯m Lucius!!!

 Chapter 53.1 Surprise

    That night, Rishe went to the field as usual accompanied by two of her knight guards.

    She was wearing a dark blue dress that was washable and hid any stains. Her long hair, which she usually let down, was tied high up in a ponytail.

    The knights waited a short distance away while she silently began to harvest the herbs.

    All she could think about were the concerns that arose today.

    Count Rovine will be present at the soiree. No matter how you look at it, Luciu¡¯s real identity will be exposed¡­

    She uprooted the weeds while also thinning out the sprouts of the medicinal plants.

    The moon was full tonight, so it was almost enough to work without a lantern by her side.

    Although, I was going to reveal my identity and apologize after the training period was over. Until then, I¡¯d like to get some genuine training as a real knight cadet.

    Rishe wanted to study in depth the knights of the country.

    She wanted to know about the wars that Rovine and his friends talked about, plus the military ideologies of Garkhain.

    It wasn¡¯t just for her own training and physical fitness.

    By doing so, I feel like I could understand a little bit about what ¡°Emperor Arnold Hein¡± will be cooking up in five years¡¯ time.

    Rishe sighed as she thinned out the little sprouts.

    Then, she gingerly regained her spirits.

    ¡ª As for the evening party, we¡¯ll have to find a way to properly entertain Prince Kyle without being noticed by Count Rovine and suspected by His Highness Arnold. I¡¯ll tide over it with that hand! It¡¯s grueling, but I¡¯m sure I can apply my fifth life to it.

    She brushed the dirt from her hands and stood up.

    Thanks to the muscle pains that assaulted her entire body, she has gotten used to the constant pains, though it hurt when she was working.

    ¡°Are you going back, Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, a little longer. I need to harvest some medicinal herbs today.¡±

    She replied to the knight and lifted the basket of weeds she had plucked out.

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    The night breeze drifted softly and caressed her cheeks.

    After spring, a short rainy season would follow on this continent. Tonight¡¯s wind was a pleasant breeze that heralded such a rainy season.

    Would it be the butterfly season soon? Perhaps, she could find a place to watch them in the castle as well.

    While pondering, she caught sight of some flickering lights from the windows of the tower a short distance away.

    Normally, that area would have been pitch black. As Rishe looked on, a knight noticed and informed her, ¡°That¡¯s the tower where the Koyor scholars are staying.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±

    Kyle¡¯s room was prepared in the main castle, but the others were probably staying there.

    There must be some of the scholars who were acquaintances with Rishe. Of course, in this life, Rishe knew them one-sidedly.

    I wonder if Jerome or Gideon is around. Greg doesn¡¯t like ships, so he¡¯s likely to stay on Koyor.

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    There were faces that inevitably came to mind as she remembered the people she missed.

    Master is now traveling from place to place in search of pharmaceutical literature.

    About a year and a half in her life as an apothecary, she met the man who became her pharmacy mentor.

    He looked out for Rishe, who learned medicine on her own, and taught her a lot of things.

    She had been with that master for about two years, but she still had a lot to learn from him.

 Chapter 53.2

    There¡¯s no way my mentor would be with the Koyor envoys this time around, but¡­ if I could meet him, I have to ask him for advice on various matters.

    She has a lot of medicines she wanted to concoct for the future, not just for Kyle¡¯s case. The problem was that she didn¡¯t yet have enough reserve of various herbs.

    Meaning, medicinal and other herbs that should be harvested and dried during the winter months were impossible to acquire for the time being.

    She was still in talks with the Aria Trading Company, if they could somehow purchase and stock them up, but that might be difficult to do so without getting into contact with the pharmacy powerhouse ¨C Renfa.

    But with Prince Kyle right now, I hope I can manage to convince the scholars to give it a try for a few days.

    But the medicine really tasted nasty.

    To the extent that it would take some time to prove that the drug wasn¡¯t toxic.

    But I¡¯ll have to get him to take his medication somehow¡­ At this rate, Prince Kyle won¡¯t even be able to get up from his sickbed in five years¡¯ time.

    Rishe knew this because she met Kyle as a merchant in her first life.

    She dealt in jewels as a merchant, and one opportunity led to a deal with the royal family of Koyor.

    Kyle valued Rishe and engaged in a lot of business with her, but his condition only worsened.

    Five years later, Koyor gave up on the first prince, Kyle, and began to nurture the five-year-old second prince, as the successor.

    Come to think of it, this is the year Prince Kyle¡¯s half-brother will be born. His birthday is in the same seventh month as mine, so it¡¯s ¡­ next month.

    Right now in Koyor, the gentle Third Queen was probably getting ready to give birth for the first time.

    [¡°I have no interest in the throne. I don¡¯t see the point.¡±]

    Kyle said this in her first life.

    [¡°But I wanted to at least repay this country and its people for respecting me as a prince¡­ Above all, I¡¯m most afraid I¡¯ll end up unable to repay the favor.¡±]

    Rishe recalled those words vividly, which he spun in a hoarse voice, without the strength to get up.

    Anyway, Prince Kyle needs to get better¡­

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    She bent down by the field and picked some herbs for Kyle to drink.

    Nevertheless, in all those time loops, I wonder if Kyle has ever visited Garkhain at this point in his life. He could have done so in every life, but it¡¯s possible that this is his first time.

    After all, Kyle visited under the pretext of ¡°Celebrating Arnold and Rishe¡¯s Engagement.¡±

    If it¡¯s one of the changes in his life that¡¯s different from anything he has ever done before, that means this world has changed a bit.

    With that in mind, she was undeniably hopeful.

    It¡¯s significant. Something is definitely working¡­ Yass, it¡¯s getting me more motivated!

    She wanted to change the future and live as long as possible. And then, laze around as soon as possible.

    Her goal was to sleep ten hours a day, read a book in the shade of a tree and enjoy an afternoon tea.

    How happy it would be to tie her hammock on the balcony in the evening and eat fruit while drying her hair after a hot bath.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    She was engrossed daydreaming, when a knight said in a taut voice, ¡°Rishe-sama, please withdraw.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Almost at the same time as them, Rishe noticed something too.

    ¡°¨C Surprise!¡±

    Came a man¡¯s soft voice.

    No way.

    The familiar voice prompted Rishe to stand up instinctively.

    The shadows of the building prevented her from seeing his face well, but the white coat he wore was clearly visible.

    The reason the knight guards couldn¡¯t draw out their swords was probably because of the Koyor armband on his coat.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    ¡°I thought that the person who manages such a field would be in a similar profession to me. I didn¡¯t expect it to be a person of noble birth with two guards.¡±

    ¡°You are¡­¡±

    The man walked toward Rishe with a light gait.

    When his face was illuminated in the moonlight, and his figure came into clear view, Rishe gasped at this unexpected surprise.

    How could it be?

    The man had slightly longer blonde hair that reached his shoulders and was pinned up like a girl.

    He hadn¡¯t fastened the front of his coat, so it fluttered in the wind.

    The man smiled happily as the hem of his white coat flapped.

    His somewhat feminine face was a bewitching beauty that made his age unrecognizable.

    There¡¯s no way this person is with Prince Kyle right now¡­ No, no, no, that assumption is wrong! I¡¯ve never heard exactly where he was and what he was up to before I met him ¡ª

    The man was pinching a lit cigarette between his fingers.

    It was a thin scented cigarette. It didn¡¯t contain toxins like cigars do. Instead, it permeated a gentle, sweet floral scent.

    She was sure of it because she studied with him for a long time.

    ¡°Good evening, my kindred spirit. What do you intend to use that herb for?¡±

    ¨CTeacher.

    Rishe onced called him.

    Michel Evan was standing in front of her.

 Chapter 54.1 Answer the former teacher

    [¡°What humans produce must be used correctly.¡±]

    It was on just a moonlit night that Rishe last saw him.

    [¡°I generally agree with that, but I have a problem with this precept. I mean, no one can define what ¡®correctness¡¯ is exactly.¡±]

    Michel Evan, a genius, said that time with a scented cigarette in his mouth and the floral scent on his body.

    [¡°With my ¡®potion,¡¯ I¡¯m sure the world would be destroyed easily. If that¡¯s not right, Kyle would definitely stop it.¡±]

    [¡°Teacher, that¡¯s ¡­¡±]

    [¡°Hey, Rishe¡­¡±]

    Michel smiled softly as he draped his pale golden hair over his ears.

    [¡°Is it dreadful to wish to see how what you¡¯ve created will change the world?¡±]

    [¡°¡­¡±]

    Purple eyes shot at Rishe.

    He said with a lonely, yet unquenchable smile, [¡°Goodbye, my student. Hopefully, your life is right for you.¡±

    She never saw him again.

    That Michel was now standing before her.

    The two knight guards stepped out to protect her, who stood rooted in shock.

    ¡°Excuse me. I know you are from Koyor, but would you mind telling me your name, just in case?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡­ Oh! I¡¯m sorry if I startled you.¡±

    Michel said and gave a bow.

    His posture was rocky, without any core to his balance.

    ¡°My name is Michel Evan. I¡¯m from Koyor, as you have guessed.¡±

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    ¡°The tower you¡¯re staying at is a short distance away. I¡¯m sorry, it seems you got separated from the knights in charge of security and so was left here on your own.¡±

    ¡°Evan-sama, if you¡¯re lost in the castle, I¡¯ll call for another knight at once to take you to the tower.¡±

    The normally gentle knights treated Michel warily. And yet, their behavior wasn¡¯t suggestive of diplomatic discourtesy.

    Nevertheless, Michel brushed them off. He smiled and said, ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you. But I¡¯m not lost. I¡¯m just curious about the girl over there and I¡¯d like to ask her a few questions.¡±

    ¡°Evan-sama, with all due respect, she is our country¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. The both of you.¡±

    When Rishe interjected, the knights said ¡°Hai~¡± and stepped back.

    After thanking them for protecting her, Rishe turned to Michel.

    It¡¯s really a surprise to see my teacher here!

    For the time being, as people who have met for the first time, she has to greet and ask questions as if they had never met before.

    ¡°I¡¯m Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner. Are you one of the scholars that His Highness Prince Kyle has brought with him?¡±

    ¡°Well, the word scholar should be the most appropriate. I specialize in research, and I rarely get to work in the field.¡±

    Michel chuckled and pointed his index finger at her.

    ¡°¡­ Those fingernails.¡±

    He was referring to Rishe¡¯s fingertips, which were colored pink with nail polish. They were painted before the meeting with Kyle and has yet to be removed, in the hope that it would be a stepping stone for the distribution of nail polish in Koyor.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the sap of gelwood. The sap, which is normally milky white in color, looks like it¡¯s mixed with some kind of dye.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When he pointed out, she felt a lump in her throat.

    I can¡¯t believe he could see through that much with just one glance.

    Rishe created this pink nail polish.

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    Of course, Michel didn¡¯t know it existed, and it should be his first time seeing it; but he analyzed in a matter of seconds.

    ¡°What method did you use to harden it?¡±

    ¡°I added Jibby nectar and Rapet herb to the Rissi herb, and mixed it with glue.¡±

    ¡°I see. That¡¯s a good combination.¡±

    Michel observed Rishe¡¯s nails again, sounding impressed.

    ¡°Is the reason you didn¡¯t use Cyril herb to prevent the formation of extra bubbles?¡± (not sure of the existence of these herbs/grass)

    ¡°You¡¯re right. You know everything, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m just doing some theoretical calculations.¡±

    Michel said and gave her a mischievous look.

    ¡°What do you think would happen if the sap of Estoma is mixed there?¡±

    What came to mind were the days of repeated experiments.

    I¡¯ve dealt with Estoma sap many times when I was with him. So I can kind of picture it.

    Rishe met him in the eye and replied with a conjecture that has formed in her head.

    ¡°I think it would harden more strongly than the one I formulated. It would be sturdy enough to be used for bonding chipped teeth. It wouldn¡¯t be opaque and would harden while remaining transparent.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d have to agree with you.¡±

    ¡°¡­ However, it is just my conjecture. We can¡¯t derive what the actual results will be without verification.¡±

    When she added that, Michel¡¯s eyes widened a bit.

    He then huffed and laughed softly, nodding in satisfaction.

    ¡°You¡¯re a very nice girl. You¡¯re able to construct theories and are good at implementing them. You value experimentation and actual proof. If possible, I¡¯d like you to be my student.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Evan-sama.¡±

 Chapter 54.2 Answer the former teacher

    In her past life, she was critiqued with the same lines.

    But she couldn¡¯t reply the same way as she did then.

    ¡°It¡¯s difficult for me to study under your guidance, but¡­ would you mind enlightening me on some matters while you¡¯re staying here?¡±

    ¡°No, of course I don¡¯t mind. I¡¯m still learning myself and there¡¯s a lot I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Then, Evan-sama will be my ¡®teacher¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Teacher. Hahaha, that¡¯s funny.¡±

    Rishe pondered while Michel was smiling at her.

    The question is, what did this doctor come to Garkhain for? If it was for that ¡®medicine¡¯¡­

    A sensation, akin to frustration, crept into her chest.

    But if it was for another matter; she didn¡¯t want to contradict that by asking him something unnecessary.

    Perhaps, he genuinely tagged along under Kyle¡¯s orders. While she was considering various potential circumstances, Michel¡¯s gaze returned to the field.

    ¡°By the way, my student, back to my first question, may I ask you something?¡±

    ¡°Sure, what is it?¡±

    ¡°The plants growing in this field are out of my field of expertise. So I don¡¯t know that much about them. I¡¯m just guessing¨C¡±

    Michel said as he sucked on the scented cigarette he was holding between his fingers.

    ¡°Are you, by any chance, going to serve Kyle a dose?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He said he didn¡¯t know much about them, but that didn¡¯t stop him from calmly seeing through their intended use.

    Thanks to that, the knight guards beside her looked at her in astonishment.

    Even if it¡¯s his field of expertise, Teacher won¡¯t say ¡®I¡¯m an expert¡¯. [¡°I don¡¯t know everything, so there¡¯s no way I can say I understand everything perfectly.¡±]

    He was still the same in this aspect.

    No, this Michel was the Michel before Rishe knew him, so it might be wrong to say that he was the same as ever.

    ¡°Err, Teacher¡­¡±

    Rishe cleared her throat.

    ¡°I need to consult you about that as soon as possible.¡±

    This was a great opportunity.

    I¡¯m sorry, Teacher. But now that I¡¯ve met you, let¡¯s work for Prince Kyle!

    ****

    Although I said that¡­

    The development that Rishe had brought upon herself made her want to clutch her head in both hands.

    They went to the main castle¡¯s reception room. It was a bit narrower room than the one they used during the day.

    In that room were Rishe, Michel, the knight guards, and Kyle, who had been summoned.

    I never thought I¡¯d meet Prince Kyle all of a sudden.

    Kyle sat upright on his chair, and looked completely bewildered, but he politely greeted Rishe.

    ¡°Thank you for a wonderful evening, Lady Rishe. No words can express my euphoria for having the good fortune of seeing you twice in one day. ¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Kyle, please don¡¯t be alarmed. Be at ease to speak your mind.¡±

    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take your word for it. Michel, what on earth are you doing here?¡±

    Kyle looked at Michel, who was sitting beside him with a troubled look on his face. Michel smiled at him and gently answered, ¡°I found this amazing girl in the courtyard. She has something beneficial, so I wanted to introduce her to you as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Mind your words. This lady is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Garkhain¡¯s betrothed.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really? But she became my student just now.¡±

    ¡°Student?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    When Kyle looked at her askance, Rishe bowed in apology.

    She couldn¡¯t help but apologize as if she were Michel¡¯s relatives ¨C a remnant of her life as his student.

    ¡°To put it simply, this girl is well versed in pharmacy. I think the medicine she¡¯s concocted is going to work for your body.¡±

    ¡°Medicine? Lady Rishe did?¡±

    ¡°It was a surprise. I heard that you studied with a master from Renfa. From what little I¡¯ve heard about him, he was a master who seemed to get along with others pretty well. Right, Rishe?¡±

    ¡°Ahaha¡­¡±

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    She dodged Michel¡¯s question with a smile. Michel continued regardless of it, ¡°She has an herb that¡¯s outside my expertise, but I still have an idea of its medicinal properties. It certainly will be effective, and the side effects aren¡¯t a hindrance to daily life. By all means, I think Kyle should take it and we¡¯ll experiment with it.¡±

    ¡°Teacher, you can¡¯t ¡®experiment¡¯ with the Prince of a kingdom!¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh? My mistake. Common sense is troublesome, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    After a momentary pause, Michel looked at Kyle, who had an indescribable look, and smiled at him.

    ¡°But I sincerely wish Kyle would get better soon.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Ahhh, Teacher, the way you put it¡­

    Kyle was way too serious, and had a sincere heart.

    He couldn¡¯t refuse others¡¯ goodwill due to his sickly physique, and he has a strong awareness of the inconveniences it caused.

    ¡°I get it.¡±

    Ahh~

    Sure enough, Kyle seriously nodded.

    He was grateful to Rishe, but was at the same time, worried.

    ¡°Your Highness Kyle, are you sure?¡±

    ¡°This is the medicine that our country¡¯s topmost scholar vouches for and wants to try. I¡¯m prepared to do everything in my power. It would be a godsend, if it means new possibilities will arise here.¡±

    After that, he added articulately, ¡°Above all, the medicine prepared for me by a goddess-like figure, will certainly be effective to some extent.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Then, we¡¯ll prepare from now on¡­¡±

    Rishe gave him a distant look, and replied.

 Chapter 55.1 Concocting medicine for a former patient

    Before she could start concocting Kyle¡¯s medicine, she must report to Arnold.

    She asked one of her knight guards to give him a message, who was supposed to be working in the main castle¡¯s office.

    Then, what came back as Arnold¡¯s reply was a simple ¡®I understand¡¯.

    What a surprise. Since it¡¯s an act bordering diplomacy, it would likely be approved only under the supervision of His Highness Arnold.

    Evidently, he really did intend to let Rishe be as free as possible. She knew she couldn¡¯t see through his true intentions, so she got to work.

    First off, I have to make liquid medicine!

    With a basket full of medicinal herbs, Rishe headed to the royal villa as fast as she could. She lit a fire in the kitchen¡¯s furnace to simmer the multiple processed herbs.

    After asking a maid to take care of the pot, Rishe returned to the reception room and questioned Kyle while waiting for the medicine to boil.

    ¡°¡­ I see. So you haven¡¯t had much to eat on the road?¡±

    Kyle looked down after Rishe asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing to admit, but my seasickness is terrible¡­ At sea, I was holed up in my cabin the whole time.¡±

    ¡°That must have been difficult. So how about after you arrived at Garkhain?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been sick in the carriage since we¡¯ve landed¡­¡±

    Kyle seemed seriously dejected.

    Michel smiled softly at the sight of the prince, serving.

    ¡°But Kyle did his best too. I think he did a great job battling the nausea.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Michel, would you stop stroking my head?¡±

    ¡°I felt sorry for him. He threw up on the fruit too. I did manage to get him to put some water and ice in his mouth, but I¡¯m just not cut out to take care of other people.¡±

    Michel brushed Kyle¡¯s silver hair with a plop as if he was patting a child.

    ¡°You should have brought an ordinary doctor with you instead of someone like me.¡±

    Kyle then looked a bit stumped.

    ¡°The queen will give birth soon. The number of doctors serving the royal family is limited, so I should leave as many of them as possible. ¡ª Of course, I could have left you behind.¡±

    ¡°Entirely useless. Childbirth is a wonderful field, but it¡¯s definitely not my area of expertise.¡±

    ¡°Some time ago, you came back in a bloody mess, saying ¡®I was able to witness the birth of a cow.¡¯ Wasn¡¯t that part of your research?¡±

    ¡°Nope. I¡¯ve never seen one and I was curious, so I just got into it on a whim.¡±

    ¡°¡­ You¡¯re the one who reduced the Koyor Castle in a state of terror for that reason¡­¡±

    Rishe had heard that story too. She heard that there was a great commotion because of a bloody prowler walking around the castle.

    It was said that not only Michel, but even Kyle, who had nothing to do with it, was called out by the queen and they were both scolded together.

    Teacher often looks younger than 18-year-old Prince Kyle, you know. Though no one knows how old he is¡­

    After all, Michel himself couldn¡¯t remember his age.

    On the outside, Michel looked like he was in his mid to late twenties.

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    But sometimes, he seemed more innocent than that, and sometimes he talked like he¡¯s been living a long time.

    ¡°Anyway, we got to eat dinner today. I¡¯m sure Kyle¡¯s strength will recover little at a time.¡±

    Michel said, but Kyle¡¯s face remained detached.

    ¡°I¡¯m ashamed for being unable to control myself. I need to be more strict with myself¡­¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle.¡±

    In Koyor, it was more common to honorably refer to him as ¡®Prince¡¯ than ¡®Your Highness¡¯.

    So Rishe addressed Kyle that way, just as she had done in her former life.

    ¡°Self-care isn¡¯t about being hard on yourself, it¡¯s about cherishing yourself.¡±

    ¡°Cherish?¡±

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    ¡°To start with, get plenty of rest; take a long bath; and eat lots of nutritious and delicious food. Stretch out, exercise, laugh a lot, and spend some time having a good time doing what you¡¯re fond of doing.¡±

    Rishe smiled at Kyle.

    ¡°You need to enjoy your life that way to be healthy.¡±

    ¡°Enjoy life¡­¡±

    Rishe nodded as he chewed on the words repeatedly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your return. I¡¯ll prepare you some medicine to keep you from getting sick on the ship. You can take it home as a souvenir. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have more time to enjoy the scenery this time.¡±

    Kyle looked a little surprised and then bowed his head deeply.

    ¡°Thank you, Lady Rishe.¡±

    ¡°No, please don¡¯t dwell on it.¡±

    She wanted him to get well, apart from diplomatic and other issues.

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    As she was contemplating, Michel said, ¡°By the way, Rishe. You said it would take some time to concoct the medicine. So, in the meantime, would you like to read this?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Michel nonchalantly pointed to the refining book he brought with him.

    She has been wondering about it for a while now, but one possibility struck her. Like Rishe, Kyle seemed to have noticed it as well.

    ¡°That¡¯s your research record you showed me the other day.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I wrote it down just like everyone else told me to, but it¡¯s not really my thing. It¡¯s all in my head.¡±

 Chapter 55.2

    ¡°You¡¯ll just forget all about it except your own interests, don¡¯t you? However, the notes are too esoteric in its content. That would be too difficult to present to someone you¡¯ve never met before¡­¡±

    ¡°Waaaaaa!!!!¡±

    While turning the pages of the book she received, Rishe couldn¡¯t help but let out a cry.

    Teacher¡¯s old research results!!! By the time I met him, they were already burned as lab material! He said he couldn¡¯t remember what he wrote, but it¡¯s something I¡¯ve been curious about¡­.

    There were a lot of notes in it that Rishe still didn¡¯t know.

    There were a number of things that he seemed to have been satisfied with which he determined from experimental results, but probing deeper into them, they seemed to lead to various outcomes. She couldn¡¯t seem to stop just reading them.

    ¡°¡­ That¡¯s a surprise. Does Rishe know what Michel is researching about?¡±

    Michel laughed happily at those words which escaped Rishe¡¯s ears.

    ¡°Fufufu, I knew she was a very interesting kid.¡±

    ****

    After spending the next hour or so asking Michel various questions, she went to the royal villa to check on the pot.

    It seemed to have boiled to some extent, so she let it cool down and transferred it to a small bottle.

    After returning to the reception, she called Kyle, who was resting in his room alone. Rishe held out the finished bottle of medicine to him, and announced modestly. ¡°Here¡¯s the finished potion¡­ But there is actually one major issue with it.¡±

    Michel was baffled.

    ¡°You mean the side effects? The major one seemed usually just enough to make someone drowsy.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not a side effect.¡±

    ¡°Tell me, Lady Rishe. I¡¯ll go through any ordeal to overcome my illness.¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle¡­¡±

    Rishe gently lowered her eyes.

    Kyle, who looked very calm, was affected, and gulped and cleared his throat.

    ¡°This medicine has an awful taste.¡±

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    ¡°It tastes awful.¡±

    Kyle parroted and nodded his head in understanding. Then Michel chuckled and said, ¡°What, what was that?¡±

    ¡°Kyle will be fine. He¡¯s a very strong kid ¨C very serious and hardworking. Eh?¡±

    ¡°Teacher, can you stop raising the hurdle?!¡±

    ¡°Ha, can you really take the challenge?¡±

    Kyle looked intimidated, but he shut his eyes as if he¡¯d made up his mind.

    ¡°No, this isn¡¯t the time to be weak. If this is the challenge I¡¯ve been given, then I¡¯ll just take it with all my might.¡±

    ¡°Or, Prince Kyle¡­¡±

    ¡°It certainly smells horrendous. And so much more than the bitterness that the people were forced to lick in the past wars!!!¡±

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll give Kyle a drink. Say ¨C ahhh.¡±

    ¡°Ah-Teacher!! Wait, at least get some water before you give it!¡±

    Giving no chance for Rishe to stop him, Michel pushed the vial to Kyle¡¯s mouth.

    A murky green liquid was poured down Kyle¡¯s throat when he tried to say something.

    ¡°¡ª-¡­¡­¡±

    Kyle held it in his mouth, turned around, and froze for a few seconds.

    Perhaps he couldn¡¯t swallow it, but the longer he kept it in his mouth, the harder it got. At the same time that Rishe stood up, she heard him gulp and swallow.

    ¡°Uh, Prince Kyle¡­?¡±

    She was relieved that he drank it in one go, but she asked hesitantly.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

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    ¡°Uhm¡­.¡±

    Kyle was about to reply, but what came out was a coughing fit.

    It was obvious he wasn¡¯t, but he looked up and forcibly squeezed out a voice.

    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m fine ¡­ It¡¯s far more palatable and easier to drink than the dirt my father used to tell me to eat.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not palatable or anything. This medication is liquid, you know?!¡±

    Comparing solids and liquids in the concept of palatability was probably uncommon.

    ¡°Hey, Kyle, what does it taste like? What does it taste like?

    ¡°It has a distinctive smell that assaults you mixed with the bitterness and sourness. The strange sweetness of the drink, after it¡¯s drunk, tangles around your tongue and makes it feel slippery ¡­ ugh.¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle, your live feed is okay! Excuse me, knights, please give Prince Kyle some water ¡­!¡±

    ¡°Hang in there and savor the taste. Here¡¯s one more mouthful.¡±

    ¡°Teacher!!¡±

    In the next few moments, the reception room was in an uproar.

    Nevertheless, she managed to calm them down and asked Kyle to return to his room. Apart from the effects of the potion, he needed to get a good rest.

    Leaving the Koyor knights to escort him, only Rishe, Michel and her knight guards were left behind.

    ¡°Teacher, it¡¯s time for you to go back to the tower and rest. A knight is going to show you around, so would you please wait a little while until he gets here?¡±

    ¡°All right. Thank you so much.¡±

    It was past ten o¡¯clock in the evening. It was time for Rishe to return to the royal villa and prepare for sleep. She has another training session in the morning, so she had to remove the nail polish she painted.

    Maybe I should stop by the field again later.

 Chapter 55.3

    She really should go to bed immediately, but her mind was indeed filled with one thing and another.

    While she was immersed in her thoughts, Michel was looking at the rest of the potion and licking his fingers up curiously.

    It was somehow a nostalgic and comforting time for Rishe.

    I never thought I¡¯d be able to call him ¡®Teacher¡¯ again.

    She remembered an incident in one of the rooms called the laboratory.

    At that time, Michel was holding the ingredients for a certain secret medicine.

    It wasn¡¯t an unusual sight, but every time she witnessed all the things related to that secret medicine, Rishe¡¯s heart thrummed.

    Perhaps her anxiety often showed on her face.

    [¡°You really don¡¯t like this secret medicine, don¡¯t you, Rishe?¡±]

    Michel once said that and laughed softly.

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    [¡°You¡¯re a smart kid. Besides, you have a lot of knowledge, which makes me curious where you obtained them. If you have one flaw as a student, it might be that you only want to use your knowledge and skills to make people happy.¡±]

    The scholar, who has been dubbed a genius, never ceased to smile, which made him seemingly harsh.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s wrong for you to determine someone else¡¯s happiness.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Teacher.¡±

    He stroked his fingertips over a piece of paper with the formula of the secret medicine.

    ¡°Let me use an analogy that¡¯s easy for you to understand. Isn¡¯t the raison d¡¯¨ºtre of something that has been born a poisonous drug, according to its role, to make people unhappy?¡±

    There was no real need for Michel to keep a piece of paper describing pharmaceutical procedures.

    Even when the master he served had ordered him to do so, he still burned the records.

    The only thing that Michel had voluntarily written down was how to concoct that secret medicine.

    [¡°I want to make sure that the medicine of my own making would do its job properly¡­ Maybe this is what you call parental love.¡±]

    Michel laughed jokingly and said to Rishe back then.

    [¡°I respect the teacher, but I just can¡¯t understand something.¡±]

    [¡°What is it you don¡¯t understand?¡±]

    [¡°What you said about the raison d¡¯¨ºtre of the existence of a poisonous drug¡­¡±]

    In truth, it might have been a mistake to disagree.

    But she just couldn¡¯t swallow her voice and continued.

    [¡°Can a poisonous drug really make someone happy?¡±]

    [¡°¡­¡±]

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    When asked, Michel looked surprised.

    However, Rishe was serious.

    [¡°It¡¯s not like you to assume that you were born to make someone else unhappy. Because then it would be as if¨C¡±]

    [¡°¡­ Don¡¯t worry so much about it. This secret medicine is still not finished.¡±]

    Michel chuckled and interrupted Rishe.

    [¡°It¡¯s ready as a medicine. But I can¡¯t get the people I need to experiment with it. ¡ª I can¡¯t find anyone who will use this medicine in the way I want it to be used.¡±]

    [¡°What kind of person do you need¡­?¡±]

    [¡°Hmm? That¡¯s right.¡±]

    Michel put his index finger to his mouth and smiled extraordinarily beautifully.

    [¡°I¡¯ll keep it a secret until I find him.¡±]

    So that was how that story ended.

    With that kind of vibe in his voice, Michel lowered his eyes.

    Teacher and I just couldn¡¯t come to an agreement about that secret medicine. In the end, we had to say goodbye and we never saw each other again.

    Now that Michel appeared in front of her on her seventh life, Rishe pondered.

    I wonder if Teacher found the kind of person he was looking for.

    She was on this thought when she heard a knock at the door.

    Outside the room, a knight on guard was standing outside over the hallway.

    Since there were signs of more people there, the knight who was arranged for Michel must have arrived.

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    ¡°Excuse me, Rishe-sama. There¡¯s a call for you.¡±

    As she expected, the knight came to inform her. Rishe thanked him and addressed Michel.

    ¡°Teacher, sorry for the wait.¡±

    ¡°No, Rishe-sama. It wasn¡¯t the pick-up for Doctor Evan who arrived¡­¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    Curiously, Rishe looked up and saw a person she hadn¡¯t expected to see standing in front of the open door.

    ¡°Rishe, let¡¯s go home.¡±

    ¡°¡ª¨C Errr¡­.¡±

    For some reason, Arnold was there when he was supposed to be working late every night.

    TN: That ending (/?¥î?)/

 Chapter 56.1 What my teacher taught me.

    Arnold stood there with arrogance, as if it were blissfully natural.

    His features were remarkable, no matter how many times she looked at it. Rishe thought as she obeyed in a daze.

    Why is His Highness Arnold here to pick me up¡­.!

    The knight by her side softly informed in a whisper, as if he heard that question.

    ¡°¡¯Earlier, when I was arranging for His Highness Kyle¡¯s escort, I also visited His Highness Arnold¡¯s office. I was ordered to inform His Highness as soon as the medication was finished.¡±

    ¡°N-no, that¡¯s not what I¡¯m wondering about¡­¡±

    What she didn¡¯t understand was why Arnold came to be here now. She sure would understand if he was present at the refining of the medicine, but what was the point in showing up afterwards?

    ¡°¡­ Is that man the scholar in question?¡±

    His eyes were on Michel, sitting on the couch in the reception room. His frosty stare almost indifferent.

    Putting her own doubts to the side, Rishe nodded, yes.

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    ¡°This is Michel Evan from Koyor. He¡¯s very knowledgeable and he¡¯s going to teach me a lot during his stay.¡±

    ¡°Fufu, I¡¯m honored for that introduction. I guess I¡¯ll have to put on my best manners.¡±

    Michel stood up from the couch and bowed gracefully to Arnold. His golden hair flowed smoothly along with it.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, good evening. Are you the country¡¯s Crown Prince? Thank you very much for letting us have access to the Royal Library.¡±

    Duh, I hope that¡¯s okay¡­

    She watched, flabbergasted, as Michel greeted Arnold on her side. Michel has never been interested in worldly affairs and was quite free in his interpersonal relationships.

    After all, he treated even the prince of a country, Kyle, the same way as he treated his student, Rishe. She couldn¡¯t think of other people, other than Michel, who could stroke the head of a grown-up royal.

    When he met the princess of a certain country, he said, ¡°How do you do? Your hair looks soft and lovely. I¡¯d like to use it for an experiment. Could you cut off a lock of it?¡± He smiled at her, angering the squire, a knight, by her side.

    It wasn¡¯t surprising to see such behavior displayed before Arnold.

    In the unlikely event that Teacher tries to stroke His Highness Arnold¡¯s head, he must be stopped at all costs¡­

    Although she braced herself, Arnold responded with little change in his expression.

    ¡°¡­ If you need anything in sharing your knowledge with your wife, we will provide it here. I understand that the foreign minister will be showing you around the imperial capital tomorrow, but if there are any inconveniences, please feel free to say it.¡±

    These words came out of the blue and surprised Rishe.

    Michel seemed happy, and smiled without regard to Arnold¡¯s stoic expression.

    ¡°I appreciate that. Then, I¡¯ll be asking you to do a lot of things for me without reservation.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Rishe, let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°O-Okay. Good night, Teacher.¡±

    Rishe walked out as well, chasing after Arnold, who left quickly.

    Just before she left the room, someone called out from behind.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    When she looked back, Michel was still smiling serenely.

    It was the same smile those days. Rishe¡¯s eyes narrowed, feeling somewhat nostalgic.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow. Go ahead and think about what you want to know.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Sure. Thank you, teacher.¡±

    And the door was slowly closed.

    Those days seem a long, long time ago.

    That thought lingered in her mind as she walked down the corridor of the main castle with Arnold.

    The knight guards followed from a little distance behind. The one who broke the silence first was Arnold.

    ¡°In your opinion, is that man capable?¡±

    ¡°You mean, Teacher? He is!¡±

    She had a long conversation with him before calling Kyle, so that it wouldn¡¯t be strange that she knew too much about Michel.

    Of course, Rishe explained, while trying not to accidentally blurt something about future events.

    ¡°I heard you speak just now. Michel Evan is the same man known throughout the world for his amazing work. He has done so many wonderful things, so it¡¯s quite embarrassing for me to judge him.¡±

    ¡°¡­ I don¡¯t know what such a man wants to do in Koyor. From the sound of his name, he isn¡¯t from that country.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s just because the food there is palatable ¡­¡±

    She actually knew why, but she didn¡¯t hear that in their earlier conversation, so she covered it up.

    Nevertheless, Arnold¡¯s opinion of the Koyor Kingdom still remained low. With that in mind, she decided to ask the question she had earlier.

    ¡°More than that, Your Royal Highness, why did you come to pick me up all of a sudden?¡±

 Chapter 56.2

    ¡°It was on my way.¡±

    ¡°So when you said go home, you mean¡­¡±

    ¡°I think they¡¯re done moving my stuff from my private quarters to the royal villa.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡±

    In other words, the move from the main castle where Arnold had been living until now to the royal villa was complete.

    While Arnold was working in his office in the main castle, the royal villa was being prepared. In short, it must mean that Arnold stopped by the reception room while he was moving.

    ¡°Does that mean that Your Highness and I are going to be neighbors from now on?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what it comes down to.¡±

    Thank goodness¡­

    This would put some physical distance between Arnold and his father for now.

    She didn¡¯t know what would lead to his father¡¯s murder, but until she got to the cause of it, she hoped they would avoid getting involved in any way possible.

    Arnold curiously glanced sideways at Rishe beside him.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that relief on your face?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s a major undertaking since I arrived in Garkhain, you know? I had to clean out the palace and conduct study sessions with all the maidservants. I¡¯m deeply moved when I think that Your Highness is finally able to move in.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She gave an explanation that was off the mark, but sounded genuine. She must thank the maid servants who worked so hard to get here again tomorrow.

    Arnold burst into laughter while she was lost in thought.

    ¡°It does sound fun to live in a deserted castle and watch you plan this and that from the sidelines.¡±

    With all the pride of a former maidservant, you¡¯re absolutely not allowed to do that!

    She couldn¡¯t say it out loud, and could only secretly argue deep inside. Since Arnold would be the master of the royal villa, she would like to see such a partner do a perfect job.

    ¡°Ah, right Your Highness, I will be sleeping until noon for a while and won¡¯t be getting up early. If you don¡¯t see me in the palace, don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m just sleeping soundly.¡±

    She told Arnold the same excuse she gave the knights and maidservants. In fact, she would be training as a knight cadet all morning.

    Arnold replied with a slightly dumbfounded look on his face.

    ¡°Even if you sleep until noon, it won¡¯t do you any good in terms of regaining your strength if you¡¯re always late getting to bed.¡±

    ¡°Err¡­ I¡¯ve been making an effort to get to bed early.¡±

    ¡°At least, that isn¡¯t true for someone who¡¯s been concocting medicine until this hour.¡±

    Arnold said and put his hand in his coat pocket. After a moment¡¯s thought, he tossed something in front of Rishe.

    ¡°Take it.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Riche reflexively reached out and trapped what was thrown in both hands.

    When she opened her hands, she found a golden pocket watch. It was the one that Arnold had used when they sneaked away from the castle yesterday.

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    ¡°Your Highness? Such an expensive item shouldn¡¯t be treated carelessly ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not taking it lightly. ¡ª You can keep it for a while.¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean to tell me you¡¯re going to lend me your watch, right?!¡±

    This pocket watch was designed about four years ago.

    Before then, the only clocks in the world were big wall clocks, a sundial that could be used only on sunny days and a water clock that froze on cold days.

    Of course, you couldn¡¯t take it with you, and your chances of checking the time were limited.

    Then this pocket watch came along.

    There weren¡¯t that many in circulation and each one was very expensive.

    Only a few royalty and aristocrats owned them. It was also unlikely that many ordinary people had ever seen one, let alone heard of it.

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    ¡°It¡¯s very precious, and I can¡¯t borrow it lightly.¡±

    ¡°What? You¡¯re not going to use it?¡±

    ¡°U-Uhm ¡­¡±

    Honestly, it would be very convenient to have it on hand.

    ¡°Many doubt its authenticity simply because of its short history, but I¡¯ve confirmed that it¡¯s accurate as long as you don¡¯t make any adjustments. It¡¯s much more useful than a sundial.¡±

    Yes, I know that very well¡­

    Rishe¡¯s mind was filled with the smile of the man who invented this pocket watch.

    ¡°It¡¯s especially useful on the battlefield because it¡¯s so easy to carry around. I had to verify its credibility many times before it was put to practical use.¡±

    ¡°On the battlefield¡­¡±

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

 Chapter 56.3

    Rishe considered the reason for Arnold¡¯s expressionless remarks next to her.

    ¡°You mean on a mission? If you can get the time right, it¡¯s easier to coordinate with the other teams.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. We can¡¯t deal with things like bad weather if we¡¯re working based on the height of the sun and nature.¡±

    Arnold was probably standing on the battlefield only a year or so after this pocket watch was invented.

    ¡­ His Royal Highness is so flexible in incorporating new technology into his strategy. He doesn¡¯t believe anything blindly, but researches its usefulness himself to verify.

    It stood to reason that a country that clung to antiquated concepts couldn¡¯t win a war against Arnold. The defeats that were once invisible in her past lives were well understood when she was by his side.

    Suddenly, Michel¡¯s words popped up in her mind.

    [¡°If only there¡¯s someone who could use this drug the way I wanted it to be used¡­¡±]

    ¡°¡­¡±

    A shiver ran down her spine and she involuntarily stopped walking.

    Arnold, who stopped a few steps away, looked suspiciously back at Rishe.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Nothing.¡±

    She took a deep breath and then walked abreast with Arnold again.

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you up on your offer to borrow this watch. It would be useful to have it with me and keep track of time when I¡¯m mixing and concocting medicine.¡±

    ¡°Oh, for concocting?¡±

    ¡°In fact, pocket watches were originally invented for this purpose. My former pharmacist teacher found it useful, much to his chagrin.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Your mentor from Renfa?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Master is an oddball, but he¡¯s a truly amazing pharmacist.¡±

    Rishe nodded, her chest heaving.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    Then Arnold asked, ¡°In pharmacy, I don¡¯t think a man from another country can compare to a native of Renfa. What does that man just now have that is better than your teacher?¡±

    ¡°Doctor Michel isn¡¯t a pharmacist.¡±

    Rishe replied while walking alongside Arnold.

    ¡°I heard that he mixes and formulates drugs as part of his research, and he has a background in pharmacology. He said that he knew nothing about medicine and that it isn¡¯t his area of expertise.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s just playing it down; he¡¯s actually well-versed in pharmacy.¡±

    Even as she expounded, Rishe recalled.

    She first met Michel when she was staying in Koyor with her pharmacy mentor in her second life.

    My mentor had always had a thing for Dr. Michel. He said, ¡°Don¡¯t mix my pharmacy with this man¡¯s research.¡±

    In the end, he said angrily, [¡°I and that guy just don¡¯t click with each other in a similar way.¡±]

    Exactly as he said, he was a master in pharmacology, and it seemed like she got involved with Michel, every time they met at Koyor Castle.

    Thanks to that, when Michelle said earlier, [¡°I think I¡¯m going to get along well with Rishe¡¯s mentor,¡± she kind of chuckled.

    Even so, I never thought I¡¯d see Teacher Michel again here. I always thought he would be staying in Koyor for a long period of time in three years from now, but¡­

    Thinking back to her surprise when she met Michel in the field earlier, she reflected on the laxity of her imagination.

    Come to think of it, it was three years before I met him in my second life. It was a year before I¡¯m asked to be his student in my third life. I couldn¡¯t possibly say that Teacher hadn¡¯t been in Koyor before we met.

    As she was reminiscing about the old days, Arnold asked.

    ¡°Then who the hell is that man?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s ¡­¡±

    What would be the best way to tell Arnold?

    She was a bit tangled, but there seemed to be no other way to describe him as he was, so Rishe explained.

    ¡°He¡¯s the kind of scholar who studies various substances in this world to formulate new ones.¡±

    ¡°Formulate new substances?¡±

    ¡°Yes. And I heard he has developed a lot of medicine and equipment needed for research.¡±

    He must have had an idea of such a profession. Arnold frowned.

    ¡°You don¡¯t say!¡±

    ¡°Yes. In Doctor Michel¡¯s case, his goal isn¡¯t to create gold, but that¡¯s the closest thing you can call it.¡±

    Rishe looked up at Arnold¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°¡ª- An alchemist¡­¡±

    It was Michel¡¯s profession.

    And in her third life, it was a title that Rishe, his student, took on as well.

 Chapter 57.1 The Future Knights

    Early in the morning, dressed as a man and wearing the uniform of a knight cadet, Rishe arrived at the still empty training ground.

    The quiet training ground was brimming with clean air. It would be another hour and a half before the cadet training would begin.

    It took me a lot of caution to slip out of the room, so I¡¯m five minutes later than usual.

    After all, Arnold was in the next room. He was still asleep at this hour, but the slightest noise could have caught his attention.

    After cleaning, I need to flex and start a quick warm-up. ¨COkay.

    She grabbed her broom with enthusiasm and swept the ground of the training grounds. She tidied up the wooden sword that was propped up against the wall, and then did some stretching exercises.

    As she was stretching her body muscles, she saw a figure on the training ground.

    ¡°Fritz!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    This was also a scene every morning. She called him the same way she had called him yesterday, but Fritz freaked out and his shoulders quaked as soon as Rishe called out to him.

    The smile on his face was somewhat cramped.

    ¡°Oh, good morning, Lu.¡±

    ¡°Morning. What¡¯s up, Fritz?¡±

    ¡°Huh?! Oh nothing! Actually, I didn¡¯t sleep very well last night!¡±

    Fritz shyly said shyly and scratched his head.

    He got her worried for a second. He had come to the imperial capital from the distant port city of Siutena and was living an unfamiliar life while training. There was a chance that he could get sick at the slightest change.

    ¡°Your complexion isn¡¯t that bad. Do you have a fever? Do you have an appetite?¡±

    ¡°I ate well in the morning, and I don¡¯t feel feverish.¡±

    ¡°Then, can you run your fingers under your eyes?¡±

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    ¡°Err, like this?¡±

    She looked at the color of his mucous membranes, but unlike Kyle, he didn¡¯t seem to be anemic. However, she¡¯d like to examine them more closely.

    ¡°Fritz, I¡¯m sorry for a minute¡­¡±

    ¡°Owa?!¡±

    She took Fritz¡¯s wrist and gently placed two fingers where his thick veins were. The results weren¡¯t good, so Rishe frowned.

    ¡°¡­ Somehow, your pulse is very fast.¡±

    ¡°No, ah-!¡±

    Fritz hurriedly backed away, and smiled awkwardly.

    ¡°I ran from the castle gates to here. I was just training!¡±

    ¡°What? Really?¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah! So, I just couldn¡¯t sleep, but I¡¯m full of energy. It¡¯s nothing, so let¡¯s start training!¡±

    ¡°Hmm ¡­¡±

    ¡°And it wasn¡¯t because I was sick that I couldn¡¯t sleep.¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    Craning his neck, Fritz stared at Rishe, then covered his face with his hands in embarrassment.

    ¡°¡­ I-I think I might have found someone I like¡­¡±

    ¡°Heh~! Congratulations!¡±

    He said he was going to spend the afternoon touring the Imperial City, so she guessed he met the person there. Whatever it was, it was great to foster new relationships.

    ¡°Good for you, Fritz. As an acquaintance of mine once quoted, ¡®A knight who is in love becomes stronger very quickly!¡¯¡±

    Visit novelhall[.]com for the best novel reading experience

    ¡°Y-yeah, right¡­¡±

    After receiving Rishe¡¯s blessing, Fritz looked strangely tangled. This was quoted by a certain country¡¯s knight commander. Did it smell a little scandalous?

    As she mulled over it, there were signs of people at the entrance to the training grounds.

    This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen anyone other than Fritz come in at this time of day.

    Only Rishe and Fritz trained voluntarily every morning.

    Eventually, a young man, a knight candet, appeared.

    ¡°Lucius, you do always have morning training¡­¡±

    ¡°Good morning, Sven.¡±

    He was the cadet who had cursed at Rishe yesterday during training.

    Instead of responding to Rishe¡¯s greeting, Sven kept silent. When Fritz saw the situation, he stepped in front of Rishe.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    ¡°Yo, Sven. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here so early, this is a first.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s because of your rebuttal when you left last night that Lucius comes and trains every morning before anyone else!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a fact, see? Lu beat all of us hand-to-hand because he¡¯s been working hard like this.¡±

    Listening to the exchange between the two, she had a vague idea of what had happened after yesterday¡¯s training. She was certain, who seemed to have taken her under his wing, blurted that out without pretense.

    ¡°Thank you, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re my friend. Come on, Lu, let¡¯s get the day¡¯s training started.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Sorry about that. Just give me a minute.

    Rishe turned to Sven and asked, ¡°Would you like to train with us too, Sven?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    At her invitation, Fritz and Sven¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Oh, what are you talking about? What¡¯s in it for you to ask me out!¡±

    ¡°Benefit?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯d be a lot better off if you just leave me alone.¡±

    Rishe tilted her head as if she was told something strange.

    ¡°The reason knights have to be strong isn¡¯t to be the best swordsman in the country, right?¡±

    ¡°Wha-what is ¡­?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s about protecting the people we want to protect. That¡¯s why it¡¯s meaningless unless everyone grows up. There¡¯s a limit to the number of people you can protect if you¡¯re the only one getting stronger.¡±

    Sven¡¯s eyes rounded and he stared at Rishe.

    Rishe wasn¡¯t a knight in this life. But she could still remember what her former life had taught her.

    ¡°Besides, Sven, you stayed here after yesterday¡¯s training and did some independent training, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°How did you know that?¡±

    T/N: Nyahaha, Rishe is giving Fritz butterflies ¡É(¡¤¦Ø¡¤)¡É

 Chapter 57.2

    ¡°The ground is in a different state this morning than it was when I saw it after training.¡±

    She had acclimated herself when she swept the area with a broom, and he had probably sparred with someone else. The traces on the ground and the bruises on Sven¡¯s wrists gave it away.

    ¡°We have a limited amount of time to use the training grounds, and it would be more efficient if we all trained together. So why don¡¯t you join us?¡±

    ¡°¡­ I didn¡¯t come here to work out with you.¡±

    Sven clenched his fists tightly and took a deep breath before speaking.

    ¡°Fight with me again, Lucius.¡±

    ¡°Err, Sven¡­¡±

    Fritz blurted out, dumbfounded.

    ¡°Lu won yesterday on merit, not on a fluke. You might be reluctant to admit it, but ¡­¡±

    ¡°I know!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    It was a strangled voice.

    ¡°There¡¯s a difference in ability between me and Lucius. The truth is, I knew that much the moment I lost to this guy yesterday!¡­ So, I considered it seriously. I went around asking the other guys what I was lacking! I¡¯m just trying to figure out how I can be strong enough to beat Lucius¡­.¡±

    ¡°Sven¡­¡±

    Sven took another deep breath and then turned to Rishe and told her.

    ¡°You¡¯re better at this than I am! Knowing that, I want to sign up for a rematch. To find out how hard I need to work enough to surpass you!¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Sven¡¯s shoulders were trembling. Even his face was red and he looked on the verge of tears. You could see the mixture of emotions on his face such as frustration, nervousness and embarrassment.

    It must have taken a lot of courage to ask Rishe. Nevertheless, he turned to her and pleaded.

    ¡°Please, Lucius. Give me another chance.¡±

    ¡°Lu¡­.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz looked back at her. Rishe nodded at him, smiled and replied.

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    When put that way, she earned a look of disbelief.

    ¡°Uhm, it¡¯s that simple? I made a fool of you yesterday!¡±

    ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to get Fritz in trouble, and I didn¡¯t dwell on the ins and outs of it.¡±

    ¡°More than that, it would disrupt your morning training time¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Besides, I¡¯ve got a few things I want to try¡­¡±

    While listening to Sven¡¯s hurried words, she went to pick a wooden sword that was propped up against the wall of the training ground.

    In addition to the normal wooden sword that she used yesterday, there was also a wooden dagger that was only half of it.

    ¡°By the way, may I ask what strategy you¡¯ve come up with?¡±

    ¡°¡­ You¡¯re powerful, but you¡¯re weak in strength. So I¡¯m going to have to put pressure on my arms and prevent you from attacking me¡­¡±

    ¡°There certainly will be something painful in executing those tactics.¡±

    Rishe chuckled. She chose two wooden swords of normal length and two shorter ones, and held them in both hands.

    ¡°Fritz, if you don¡¯t mind, would you like to spar with us?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course! I would have asked for a match with Lu myself.¡±

    ¡°Fufu, good. I¡¯m glad to hear that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, oh~¡­¡±

    When she smiled in relief, Fritz looked troubled for some reason. Wondering, she handed him one of the wooden swords and offered the other to Sven as well.

    ¡°You, are you really going to spar with me ¡­?¡±

    ¡°Of course. But I just have one request.¡±

    ¡°Request?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Rishe nodded and clutched two short wooden swords, one in each hand.

    Then she smiled.

    ¡°I want you two to work together and fight me, not a one-on-one sparring.¡±

    ¡°Nah ¨D¨D¡­¡±

    ¡°The two of us?!¡±

    Fritz and Sven screamed and then looked at each other.

    ¡°Lu, you mean, two against one?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Will you do it?¡±

    She asked Fritz, and he nodded immediately.

    ¡°It¡¯s something you wanted to ¡®try¡¯, right? Okay, sure thing.¡±

    ¡°Ha, don¡¯t get me started, Fritz! The two of us against one Lucius, we can¡¯t be that cowardly!¡±

    ¡°Know what, Sven. It¡¯s wrong of you to think that you could beat Lu if you challenge him with numbers and strength.¡±

    Sven was puzzled, but when he realized that Fritz was on board, he readied his wooden swords as if he had made up his mind.

    With two wooden swords in hand, Rishe pointed the tip of her right sword to Sven and said, ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready, please.¡±

    ¡°¡ª Come on!¡±

    T/N: I think Sven¡¯s gonna cry if he finds out he¡¯s a she hahahaha¡­

 Chapter 57.3

    He moved with a powerful, long sweeping stroke. He swung his wooden sword and slashed at her with all his strength.

    ¡°Don¡¯t swing with all your might.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe stepped back and dodged the blow.

    Sven swiftly swung the next one and aimed at Rishe¡¯s shoulder. She flicked it with her left sword, and that was enough to break his stance.

    ¡°Ku¡­¡±

    Sven exhaled and gripped his wooden sword once more. He seemed flustered, but amazed that he didn¡¯t drop his sword just now.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a good idea to keep your centre of gravity on your sword when attacking. It¡¯s hard to hold your stance when it¡¯s hit, and it¡¯s even worse if you can avoid it.¡±

    ¡°Yah~!¡±

    ¡°Always think of your next strike when you attack.¡±

    While explaining, she stopped Sven¡¯s blow with her left sword.

    Kaan ~ right after the sound of the wooden sword clashing, another presence attacked.

    Rishe held the sword in her right hand and deflected the attack above her head.

    ¡°Whoa, that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about, Lu!¡±

    She smiled at Fritz¡¯s cheerful compliment, and pushed both of them away. From there she raised the tip of her wooden sword again and broke into Sven¡¯s bosom.

    She tried to slam the hilt into his shin, but Sven parried it off with his sword.

    ¡°Good move, but it¡¯s a shame!¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Rishe spun around and slashed at Fritz along the way. Fritz blocked it with his sword, but Rishe didn¡¯t stop attacking.

    When one blocked her, she would just switch to the other one. While engaging and holding Fritz down with her left sword, she unleashed the sword in her right hand.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    ¡°Sven! Don¡¯t take it, avoid it!¡±

    ¡°Ugh!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the rhythm! Sven, look closely at Fritz¡¯s movements and match your tricks with him!¡±

    In response to Rishe¡¯s advice, the two exchanged glances as they moved. They wielded their swords in sync, but it wasn¡¯t enough.

    ¡°A bit more. If you were in your opponent¡¯s shoes right now, where would you aim to attack?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    ¡°I see, of course¡­¡±

    It was Sven who shouted first.

    ¡°Fritz, below!¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Taking that word as a cue, Fritz quickly sat down. He crouched down just off the ground and tried to brush off Rishe¡¯s leg with his wooden sword.

    The moment she dodged with a leap, Sven charged forward from the front. Rishe raised both hands caught it with both swords crossed overhead, twisting her upper body as she landed.

    Drawn by Rishe¡¯s rotation, Sven was thrown off in front of Fritz.

    Fritz reached out to support him. He grabbed Sven¡¯s arm to help him regain his stance, and they quickly slashed simultaneously.

    Rishe parried with her left and right swords. Despite the impact of it, Rishe was unconsciously thrilled.

    Wow, much better¡­!

    They had been challenging her individually earlier, but as soon as they became conscious of their coordination, their movements changed.

    They must have been aware of it as well. Even when Rishe¡¯s sword parried their swords, their eyes were shining. It was obvious they¡¯re having a great time sparring.

    ¡°Fritz, let¡¯s push through with the next shot.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do it!¡±

    ¡°Good call ¡ª but sorry!¡±

    Rishe exhaled briefly and gently retreated.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Their stance was shaken by the sudden loss of resistance and their stance collapsed.

    Rishe took advantage of the opportunity and hammered into Fritz¡¯s sword, turning the tip around.

    Unable to resist the tangled movement, Fritz released his grip on the wooden sword. Thus, she flicked it far away, and set next for Sven.

    ¡°Agh!¡­¡±

 Chapter 57.4

    She swung her left sword down and was blocked by a wooden sword held horizontally. However, a sword poised to withstand an impact from above was, in contrast, vulnerable to attacks below.

    She used the sword in her right hand and flipped it up, thus Sven¡¯s sword went flying as well. The sword twirled around, drew a circle in the air, and then fell to the ground and rolled.

    ¡°Haa, haa, ha¡­¡±

    Since they¡¯ve lost grip of their swords, it was deemed impossible to proceed.

    That ended the sparring.

    The two were somewhat stunned. Rishe swung both swords in her hands and then smiled at them.

    ¡°It¡¯s exactly how I felt yesterday from the match. You two have chemistry in battle.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I and Fritz ¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I wanted to see the two of you team up, so I¡¯m glad this opportunity came up so soon.¡±

    Perhaps both of them were talented and have a similar view of swordsmanship. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have moved like that even with some pointers from Rishe.

    If the two of them were to become knights together, they would surely become remarkably strong. Rishe smiled imagining such a future.

    On the other hand, Fritz and Sven were still at a loss for words.

    ¡°Lu-Lucius, are you referring to us, not your own skills and tactics?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I had so much fun and I¡¯d love it if we could do it again tomorrow!¡±

    When she said that, Sven looked somewhat bitter.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh, hahaha!¡±

    Contrary to Sven, Fritz burst out laughing like a fool.

    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s meet for morning practice again tomorrow, Sven!¡¡Let¡¯s have a strategy meeting together so we can beat Lu.¡±

    ¡°Damn!¡­ I¡¯ll come. I¡¯ll come even earlier than Lucius! I don¡¯t know what time you come in and start warming up, but I¡¯ll never lose next time!¡±

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    I really do clean up before flexing, but it¡¯s just a habit so I¡¯ll keep that to myself¡­

    She was thinking about this when Sven bowed down and said in a strained voice.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry. You know, for a lot of things.¡±

    ¡°I already told you. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    When she reiterated, Sven looked on the verge of tears once more.

    ¡°¨CHmph, I¡¯ll beat you one of these days.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. But I¡¯m not gonna lose.¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡±

    Rishe laughed at such an exchange, then sensed a strange look on her. When she turned around, she saw Fritz staring at her.

    ¡°Fritz? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?! Oh, it¡¯s nothing! I just thought, what the heck, Lu laughs a lot!¡­¡±

    ¡°Well, thank you. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s always smiling and cheerful.¡±

    In truth, Rishe would have liked to smile more, but if she let her mind wander, she would be reminded of her worries. She gently focused her attention on the entrance to the training grounds while trying to keep the two from noticing.

    There was no sign of anyone so far, probably because it was still early.

    Count Rovine will be here soon¡­ I have to make sure I¡¯d gather information during this drill for tonight!

    Rishe was inwardly fired up for the upcoming evening party.

 Chapter 58.1 Ill get away with it somehow.

    A deep blue dress had been chosen for her evening¡¯s attire.

    Her hair was tied up by her maidservant, Elise, and braided at the back.

    Her hair was coiled back with curls on the side of her face, creating the right amount of glamour, but overall, was elegant and subdued.

    Every time Rishe moved a bit, her pearl earrings swayed. After checking her entire length in front of the mirror, she smiled at the maidservants who prepared her for the occasion.

    ¡°This is exactly what I was aiming for. Thank you all.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Rishe-sama.¡±

    On this occasion, she asked for an outfit that wasn¡¯t too glamorous or too modest.

    In Rishe¡¯s experience, that was the least conspicuous at an evening party. The maidservants seemed shy, but also proud of their work.

    Rishe was pleased with their response and regained her spirits.

    Once we get to the venue, I can¡¯t be distracted at all. I don¡¯t want to run into Count Rovine, but I don¡¯t want him to think I¡¯m blatantly avoiding him ¡­

    She was mulling over this when a knock came at the door.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, I have letters for you.¡±

    The maidservant handed her two letters.

    One of the letters was from a girl named Marie.

    She was the sweetheart of Crown Prince Dietrich, who was once Rishe¡¯s fianc¨¦, and with whom she began correspondence after arriving in this country.

    Marie-sama¡­ I see you¡¯re working so hard for His Highness Dietrich in that royal castle.

    Marie, who ¡°robbed¡± Rishe¡¯s fianc¨¦, was still engaged to Crown Prince Dietrich.

    However, it seemed that she wasn¡¯t with Dietrich because she has to ¡°put up with it for the sake of her family and marry a wealthy man¡±, as she did at first.

    It seemed that Marie was struggling to reform Dietrich, who had been abandoned by his father, His Majesty, in the castle.

    Her letter revealed that she was sometimes kind and sometimes strict with her fianc¨¦, despite being subjected to strong winds against her sails.

    I have to write her a reply as soon as the evening party is over. And then¨C

    When she turned over the second envelope, she found the name of the shop, Light Crystal Jewelry Shop, written in one corner.

    That was the name of the jewelry store where Arnold brought her to.

    Since Rishe had an inkling what it was about, she opened the letter with a paper knife. What came out was exactly what she thought it would be ¨C a single design drawing.

    Looking at the ring design drawn on it, Rishe almost let out a gasp.

    ¡­ Beautiful.

    So much that she wished she could just forget about the time and stared at it.

    But she gingerly held back and browsed through the letter. The old woman who owned the shop had made various notes about the design that her grandson had drawn.

    Her letter goes, ¡°I told you that it would take at least a month to complete the ring, but it seems that a Koyor craftsman has come to the imperial capital. If you commission this craftsman, you¡¯ll surely be delighted because the expected time frame could be shortened significantly.¡±

    She found the detail surprising. Would a change in craftsmen make that much of a difference in delivery time?

    Nevertheless, this was good news for Rishe.

    The sooner the ring is finished, the sooner I can modify the dress to match it. Chairman Tully has also urge me with my fabric selection¡­

    She stared at the design drawings again.

    ¡ª Normally, the wedding dress is the highlight rather than the ring. But somehow, I¡¯d like to put more weight on the ring¡­

    What would Arnold say when he saw her fitted with this ring?

    She couldn¡¯t help, but be flustered with such thoughts. Then her maidservant, Elise, calls out to her.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, it¡¯s about time.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

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    After taking a deep breath, Rishe put the letter away before heading to the evening party.

    ****

 Chapter 58.2

    The largest hall in the Imperial Palace was used for the evening party tonight.

    Rishe entered the venue with Arnold as escort on this day as well.

    The hall was a spectacular sight with the lights of the chandeliers twinkling and packed with people dressed in gorgeous attires.

    However, Arnold, who apparently abhorred such evening parties, already looked disgusted.

    ¡°¡­ Your highness, I can see your thoughts on your face.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m snuffing it out. There¡¯s no problem.¡±

    I wonder if there really isn¡¯t a problem¡­

    Kyle, the guest of honor, approached us.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold, thank you for setting up this event for me.¡±

    Kyle bowed to him, and then turned his attention to Rishe.

    ¡°Lady Rishe, you¡¯re beautiful in daylight, but even more so on this occasion. You¡¯re evocative of a mysterious flower that blooms in a moonlit night.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness Kyle. May this evening be an enjoyable one for Your Highness.¡±

    She let the social flattery pass and smiled.

    I¡¯m done greeting Prince Kyle. I¡¯ve done my duty, at the very least.

    Next, Rishe looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯ll go and speak with the ladies.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold would now have to introduce Kyle to the noble lords.

    This was the place where the royal family would introduce high ranking nobilities to the prince of another country. Rishe, a mere fianc¨¦e, wouldn¡¯t be present at such a scene.

    It was indeed fortunate that this party wasn¡¯t after the marriage. This way, she wouldn¡¯t have to be present at the meeting between Rovine and Kyle.

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    The question was whether or not she could avoid Rovine in the hall.

    ¡°Well then, Your Highness Arnold, I¡¯ll see you later.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Enjoy yourself, Your Highness Kyle.¡±

    She gave an extraordinarily polite bow and casually left the place.

    She really wanted to take ¡°countermeasures¡± right away, but if she were to do anything unusual beside Arnold, she was sure to get caught right away.

    Is it alright for me to stay away from him like this? ¡­ Now, concentrate ¡­

    Rishe escaped to the wall and took a deep breath on the spot.

    While taking gentle deep breaths, she carefully observed the area and listened carefully.

    The buzz of the hall and the sound of people¡¯s shoes blended together.

    After forming a single mass, they were broken down again into distinctive sounds.

    It wasn¡¯t just the noise that was perceptible.

    In her field of vision, she could see brightly colored dresses and cloaks, and the figures of various people of mixed genders.

    As she focused intently, the scope of her vision gradually expanded and the number of things she could perceive increased.

    ¡­ Found him.

    In the midst of her sharpened senses, Rishe locked on a certain spot.

    At such a distance where his face was almost unrecognizable was a trace of Rovine.

    There was no room for mistakes. After all, he was the person who has been instructing her on the training ground for the past few days. Especially this morning, she had familiarized herself with Rovine¡¯s aura for tonight.

    Rishe took another deep breath and shut her eyes.

    Even with her eyes closed, she could sense Rovine¡¯s aura that she found earlier moving around. After opening her eyes and making sure she was right, Rishe moved on to her next plan.

    ¡°How do you do, Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°How do you do, Mrs. Barthel? Thank you for sharing your lovely brand of tea with us at the recent evening party.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, your dress is magnificent. Which merchant is it from¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m honored. This dress is from the Aria Trading Company¡­¡±

    She moved leisurely around the venue, exchanging greetings with various women.

    She didn¡¯t want to disrupt the social scene. As the Crown Prince¡¯s fianc¨¦e, she mustn¡¯t be rude to the guests.

    And never let anyone realize that she was evading Rovine.

    Count Rovine seems to be heading straight towards the center of the venue. ¡ª And His Highness Arnold and Prince Kyle are to the west of it. Considering Count Rovine¡¯s character, if he spots His Highness, he should change direction immediately.

    While tracking the signs and estimating the patterns of his movements, Rishe walked around the evening party venue with a natural gait.

    He stopped¡­ He should have started a conversation with someone. Then it¡¯s fine for me to stop and have a chat, too.

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    With that decision, she chatted with a person she had met at the recent evening party. As soon as Rovine¡¯s presence began to move, Rishe similarly cut it short.

    It took an enormous amount of concentration, but she had to work hard for at least the duration of the soiree.

    For the fifth time in my life, I¡¯m fine detecting a presence for half a day. Come to think of it, concentration is linked to physical fitness¡­

    Of course, she¡¯d like to be more physically fit than she currently was.

    In the midst of that thought, she spotted Arnold and Kyle a short distance away. She could clearly see them, but they were too far for her to hear a word of what they were talking about.

    While introducing the nobles to Kyle, Arnold looked languid and a bit grumpy.

    Kyle, on the other hand, was terribly serious and seemed to be exchanging words and opinions with the Garkhain nobles.

    Nevertheless.

    Seeing them both, Rishe thought.

    They¡¯re utterly picturesque¡­

    Arnold with dark hair and Kyle with silver hair. Both of them were different in lineage, but they were both dazzling in appearance. The women around them were riveted to them.

    I¡¯m sure they would fetch a hell of a price for a pair of portraits of them. I know someone who might be willing to pay for it¡­

    Rishe thought as she gently drifted away from them.

 Chapter 58.3

    I¡¯m sure His Highness Arnold wouldn¡¯t welcome the idea of anyone painting him, but I wonder if somehow a miracle would happen and he¡¯ll allow it. If a craze starts with him, and spreads from the upper classes to the common people, portraits can generate huge profits ¡­

    ¡°My, Rishe-sama, you look so serious. Can I help you?¡±

    ¡°Mrs Khan. I¡¯ve been working on a plan from what I¡¯ve learned at this evening party and use it to revitalize economic activity.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s totally wonderful!¡±

    A well-dressed marchioness, who was smiling sweetly, appeared in front of Rishe.

    The good natured lady smiled and said, ¡°There¡¯s someone I would like to introduce to you, Rishe. This is Baron Vehlman.¡±

    Along with her introductio, a tall man with a neatly trimmed moustache stepped forward.

    ¡°It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Rishe.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Baron. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m able to greet you here today.¡±

    While plucking the hem of her dress and curtsying, Rishe scanned her memories. She had memorized all information related to the Garkhain aristocrats.

    Baron Vehlman ¨C a clan whose previous head built a fortune as a merchant and was granted a barony.

    When Rishe looked up, the baron was smiling gently.

    He was indeed calm with the bearing of a gentleman.

    ¡°I normally would have been afraid to have a word with the future Crown Princess, but after hearing of Your Highness Rishe from my old mother¡­ I wanted to pay my respects by all means even just once, so I asked Madam Khan to intercede.¡±

    ¡°Mother, you say?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I was told that Rische-sama recently became a customer of my mother¡¯s shop.¡±

    Immediately, a buzz stirred around them.

    The people who had been chatting with each other looked at Rishe in astonishment. Some spoke in whispers, but Rishe heard them perfectly well.

    ¡°No way, that dour old woman ¡­!¡±

    ¡°Not even the previous Empress had the chance to be that shop¡¯s customer, you know? That¡¯s ¡­¡±

    After overhearing the exchange, Rishe figured the Baron¡¯s mother.

    ¡°Could it be¡­¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your jewelry purchase. My mother was very pleased to have you as her first customer in a long time.¡±

    ¡°Did you hear that? Rishe-sama even bought jewelry from that store¡­!¡±

    The buzz got louder and louder, making Rishe confused.

    I-Is it kind of a big deal¡­

    She did say ¡°choose my guests¡±, but she never thought it was something that would cause a stir in social circles.

    So she gently corrected him with confidence.

    ¡°Actually, I just picked out the jewelry in the store. It was His Highness Arnold, not me, who bought the jewelry from your mother¡­¡±

    However, that caused a third round of buzzing.

    ¡°His Royal Highness Arnold has given a lady a jewelry¡­!¡±

    Yeah, he surprised me there too¡­

    She replied deep inside and decided to keep her mouth shut.

    The Baron smiled, then changed the subject flawlessly.

    ¡°Our foolish son has been absorbed in drawing designs since he got home. If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t like, please let me know. I¡¯m at your service.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense, the design I received was very beautiful and delicate. I¡¯m really looking forward to seeing the finished product.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great to hear. It would be a great honor for my family if the future Crown Princess wore it.¡±

    Rishe was suddenly struck with curiosity and asked the baron.

    ¡°Speaking of which, I was told that a craftsman from Koyor is here and that the production time for the rings will be greatly reduced. Does a change in craftsmen shorten the progress by that much?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Rishe-sama, the truth is, we don¡¯t have any skilled craftsmen in Garkhain.¡±

    Rishe was surprised by this unexpected reply.

    ¡°If you want to produce elaborate jewelry, you need a skilled craftsman, and the closest one is in Koyor across the sea. The period of time required for production is mostly spent on transportation. But this time, we have a craftsman in Garkhain and we would be able to save time, so that¡¯s perhaps why mother told you that.¡±

    The lady, who was listening nearby, asked the Baron.

    ¡°I thought inconvenience was the cause of the slow production of jewelry. So, that¡¯s actually the case. But why are there no craftsmen in Garkhain?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the by-product of the war, Madam.¡±

    ¡°Oh dear¡­¡±

    The lady¡¯s eyes widened, but for the same reason that Rishe had imagined.

    ¡°Garkhain is a country that honors valor, isn¡¯t it? Many young people hone their skills in swordsmanship and martial arts. Thanks to that, the few jewelers there were originally has further declined due to the recent wars.¡±

    She saw such a similar scene in her life as a merchant. When fewer people bought new jewels, there were no more jobs for the craftsmen, so they all went off to war as soldiers.

    Any job that required manual skills would become rusty if their fingertips weren¡¯t used. And an injured fingertip would make it even harder for them to return to work after the war.

    I guess the sights I¡¯ve seen in future wars have been recurring in past wars¡­ Many countries with top-grade metal ornaments have been reluctant to participate in the war effort. Even Koyor, which has a lot of skilled craftsmen, played a major role in the war, but all they did was support their allies.

    Besides, Koyor, a snowy country, couldn¡¯t leave the house during the winter. The fact that they spend a lot of time indoors and that gems could be found in the country was probably another reason why it was the soil where artisans were nurtured.

    ¡°There are many blacksmiths, though. The skill of forging iron that can be used as a weapon and the skill in processing metal are two completely different things¡­ Oops. This isn¡¯t the kind of topic that should be discussed in front of women.¡±

    The lady hurriedly concurred with the baron¡¯s words.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right, Baron. Your fondness for war stories is a bit poisonous to the ladies¡­ I¡¯m sorry for engaging to hear scary stories, Lady Rishe.¡±

    Rishe politely bowed and thought.

    Garkhain thought they had gained a lot by winning the war¡­ But even in this undefeated country, they¡¯ve lost some things.

    On a second thought, it was perhaps a matter of course.

    However, it felt somewhat strange for Rishe, who had only witnessed countries defeated by Arnold in her former lives.

    She was tempted to hear more, but she couldn¡¯t outrightly say so. She smiled and feigned interest in continuing the conversation, while searching for signs of her target.

    Count Rovine is talking to someone on the other side by the wall.

    After confirming this, Rishe suddenly realized.

    ¡­ Are His Royal Highness Arnold and Prince Kyle going to the balcony?

    When she followed their aura, she saw Kyle taking Arnold out to the balcony to avoid public scrutiny.

    ¡°¡ª Mrs. Kahn, Baron Vehlman, please excuse me for a moment. My friend seems to be on his way over there.¡±

    Rishe left and quietly followed Arnold and Kyle.

 Chapter 59.1 A turning point with the snow country

    Rishe approached the balcony. She searched for signs and made sure that Arnold and Kyle were the only two people there.

    Somehow, it looks like they¡¯re about to have a serious conversation.

    Normally, it was unwise to exchange words on a balcony like this. But with Arnold, he would immediately notice if there was even one person approaching them carelessly.

    Knowing this, Rishe quashed her presence to the maximum extent possible. Even when she was wearing high heeled shoes, she could still walk noiselessly.

    She paid careful attention and listened from behind the pillars, keeping an eye out for Rovine¡¯s movements.

    ¡°Garkhain is indeed a wonderful country. The country has prospered so much is probably due to the skill of His Majesty and Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    Kyle¡¯s voice had a solid timbre to it.

    He might be trying to cut it out of a casual conversation, but that wasn¡¯t good enough. There was no way Arnold would tolerate that voice, which was imbued with tension and resolve.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for a roundabout preamble or flattery that is so transparent in its social nicety.¡±

    As she had expected, Arnold simply cut him off.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get to the point. For what reason did you push your sick and frail body all the way to this country?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness.¡±

    Hearing those words, Kyle took a deep, shallow breath.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t a social nicety. I sincerely respect your achievements as Crown Prince. I know that your government cares about and reaches out to the most vulnerable people¡­ I am speaking to you here, not to your father, because I believe that you can understand my thoughts.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Will you please help our country, Koyor? ¡ª Not in the form of money or medical assistance.¡±

    Kyle told Arnold.

    ¡°We need military support from Garkhain.¡±

    Rishe gasped.

    Why in the world would Koyor?

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    The snow country, Koyor, has never been active in war.

    The reason behind it was obvious ¨C it lacked military strength.

    Located in a frigid region and surrounded by great powers, Koyor¡¯s diplomatic relations were based on the art of diplomacy and its abundant financial resources.

    ¡°As you know, Koyor has very little military power¡­ but that doesn¡¯t mean because we didn¡¯t want to raise soldiers. It¡¯s the result of a long history of continuous pressure from neighboring countries that we don¡¯t have a military force. We have been allowed to exist without being invaded, provided that we don¡¯t have the power to fight and continue to provide gemstones to neighboring countries.¡±

    When was the last time Kyle had spilled those same words with regret?

    How many times in her life had that been the case?

    ¡°The royal family has always handed the fate of the kingdom to other nations under constant threats that they would destroy the kingdom whenever they feel like it¡­ I want to get out of that ball game, decide my country¡¯s fate at home and do my best to protect my people. Will you please help us to get there?¡±

    Arnold asked in a slightly lower voice than usual, ¡°You mean to say, Koyor wants to break alliances with other neighboring countries and make a pact with Garkhain instead?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The balcony fell silent for a few moments.

    The silence of the place was accentuated by the buzzing of the evening party nearby. With it, Kyle¡¯s nervousness was palpable.

    ¡°¡­ If you¡¯re wondering what I¡¯m suggesting¡­¡±

    After a while, Arnold¡¯s voice rang out.

    ¡°I doubt that this thing called peaceful royalty has any value in existence.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­¡±

    At that moment, the air became even more tense.

    Even Rishe, who was only eavesdropping, instinctively tensed up. Arnold continued in a tone that didn¡¯t hide his dismay and mockery.

    ¡°Although it¡¯s foolish for this country across the sea to ask for forces to fight neighboring countries; if we were to proceed, what does Koyor intend to bring to the table in exchange for our country¡¯s provision of military power?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Let me assure you that Garkhain will be given top priority over the gemstones, gold and silver we have been exporting to our allies so far. The profitability of our country is out of the question and we will offer them to you at a lower price than the ones you can mine at home.¡±

    Upon hearing that offer, Rishe understood.

    ¡­ So that¡¯s what it was about.

    If you were to consider the surface of what Kyle said, it was a self-serving act of giving national security precedence.

    But it was clear that this wasn¡¯t the case.

    No, Prince Kyle.

    Rishe looked down and spoke to him in her mind.

    You¡¯re a very honest person¡­ Not suitable for lying.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh.¡±

    Arnold, as expected, didn¡¯t miss the flaw in Kyle¡¯s statement.

    ¡°If I¡¯m in your position, and if I were to make such an offer to another country, I would make sure to put a validity period on the terms of exporting gemstones. You can¡¯t continue providing gemstones, your largest source of revenue, without regard to profits. That would only be gradual self-inflicted harm.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s obvious that you know you don¡¯t have to bother breaking up the duration. That appears to be an unconscious blot on your mind.¡±

    Arnold was right.

    And in Rishe, there was knowledge to back up that speculation. She pictured and thought what the export circumstances would be like in Koyor from this point on to a few years later.

    ¡°Koyor is already running out of gemstones, am I right?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

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 Chapter 59.2

    She felt Kyle catch his breath.

    Yes, it is.

    She¡¯s been involved with Kyle in different lifetimes.

    She thought she had formed a bond with him on each occasion, but the major problems he and the Koyor Kingdom were facing were kept secret from Rishe, who was merely a merchant and pharmacist.

    Of course. He can only reveal this stuff to the core figures of the country.

    Koyor has preserved its existence as a nation with its financial wealth and the power of diplomacy through political marriage alone.

    The loss of financial power from Koyor would lead directly to the destruction of the nation.

    If there was nothing left that Koyor could offer, neighboring countries would fight over it, and the victorious country would end up swallowing the territory as its own.

    ¡­ Something close to that had happened in the future.

    That was when Arnold, who became emperor, waged war on the world.

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    It was supposed to be the least damaging way for a kingdom like Koyor, which lacked the strength to fight, to surrender before the battle.

    But the surrounding countries surrounding Koyor didn¡¯t allow it.

    After all, all the shipping routes from Garkhain led to the port of Koyor.

    If the Koyol Kingdom was lost to Garkhain, it would have been a great blow to the northern continental countries.

    It was for this reason that the allies forced Koyor to fight with them. They declared that if Koyor refused to do so, they would attack Koyor before Garkhain could.

    Koyor had no choice but to go to war.

    They shoveled together the few knights they had in the country and threw them into battle. But most of them ended up dead.

    Riche still remembered the events in her lives as a pharmacist.

    [¡°Wertsner, I want to protect the country.¡±]

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    That juncture was when there was no longer any decent knight left in Koyor. Kyle took the sword in his own hand and paid no heed to Rishe¡¯s dissuasion.

    [¡°For that, I¡¯m not going to employ any means¡­ It¡¯s probably my greatest responsibility, having been born to die.¡±]

    Rishe has no idea what happened to Kyle then.

    Rishe herself was killed in one of the battles she got embroiled to as a pharmacist.

    ¡°But, I¡¯m just not sure what to make of it.¡±

    Arnold uttered and asked with little interest.

    ¡°Your actions are nothing short of folly. Why did you come here with a state bordering ineptitude?¡±

    The question was quickly answered.

    ¡°I probably won¡¯t live much longer.¡±

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    Kyle spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a kind of tragic resolve.

    ¡°A new life will soon be born to my royal family. For the sake of that child¡¯s future and for the sake of my own people, I must do what I can now.¡±

    ¡°Ha¡­¡±

    Arnold sneered.

    It sounded eloquent, as if to say that it wasn¡¯t worth talking about.

    Then Arnold turned to Kyle and told him something she didn¡¯t expect.

    ¡°I get it. Let me show you how to win a war.¡±

    ¡°W-What did you just say?¡±

    Like Kyle, Rishe, who was hiding, was also surprised. But Arnold didn¡¯t care.

    ¡°¨C For a ruler, it¡¯s a common sentiment to govern in line with the people¡¯s hearts. The general of the army must be a man of wisdom, leadership and control.¡±

    The sound of hard soles echoed.

    ¡°Choose the best skilled soldiers, and ensure their compliance with orders and discipline. Rewards and punishments for soldiers should be carried out fairly and rigorously. You must master the terrain of the battlefield and proceed as far as possible under weather and climate favorable to your army¡­ There¡¯s more, but the basics are these.¡±

    Arnold enumerated his own cars to Kyle, then continued.

    ¡°But even with the knowledge I just gave you, Koyor won¡¯t win the war. That¡¯s because you don¡¯t have the power to put this knowledge into practice. Will your people be able to stop chopping wood for the winter to train? Do you have time to spend on devising ways to cultivate your land and fight with other nations?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°The former dynasty must have found a way out of diplomacy because they couldn¡¯t do it.¡±

    Arnold faced Kyle and hammered the words mercilessly.

    ¡°A competent man is someone who can put their knowledge into practical use, and I¡¯m not interested in incompetent human beings¡­ Even if he¡¯s a royalty of a neighboring country.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°I decline. Since you seem to have misunderstood me in the first place, let me clarify, the Emperor of this country and I are on the same side.¡±

    In that instant, the air in the place seemed to have grown colder.

    ¡°It¡¯s more in my nature to invade and take someone under my control rather than join hands with another country.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The sound of Arnold¡¯s shoes echoed from the balcony. Rishe quickly left before she was noticed.

    She left the hall as quickly as she could while keeping an eye out for any sign of Rovine. She escaped to a corner of the corridor in the main castle with the cacophony of voices chatting behind her.

    Then she meditated in the shadows.

    What swirled around in her head was, of course, what just happened.

    ¡ª This one is a turning point.

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    Rishe exhaled softly.

    Prince Kyle proposed an alliance to His Highness Arnold. It may be a minor event in the history of Garkhain, but for Koyor, it would be a major historical divergence that would change the tragedy that would occur five years later.

    After all, Koyor had only one choice in the past, to be destroyed by Garkhain or by the neighboring countries.

    However, if they could build a friendly relationship with Garkhain here.

    If they could use that as an opportunity to gain enough power to brave surrounding countries, that would change Koyor¡¯s fate.

    There¡¯s absolutely no room for mistakes here.

    Rishe pressed her lips tightly.

    Prince Kyle should be prepared to do anything to form an alliance with Garkhain. But that would be pointless. If Koyor remains in a subservient position, Koyor¡¯s ruler will just have to change to be an ally to Garkhain.

    If that happened, there was only one point to aim for.

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    ¡ª In short, they need to get Koyor, which has never had much power, be powerful enough to form an equal relationship with the great Garkhain¡­?

    Rishe almost squatted on the spot.

    Could there really be such a method? As long as she didn¡¯t have to meet the Emperor of Garkhain; if Rishe could do anything, that would only be to change Arnold¡¯s mind.

    [¡°It¡¯s more in my nature to invade and take someone under my control rather than join hands with another country.¡±]

    He said that so seriously.

    Rishe clenched her hands tightly at the tremendousness of the path she had to seize.

 Chapter 60.1 For the future

    ****

    ¡°¡ª Okay, Lucius, how about this?!¡±

    Right after a whistling sound of the wind, the knight cadet, Sven, shouted.

    Riese, who was dressed in men¡¯s attire, clapped with her eyes shining. The wooden sword that Sven held in his grip drew a very impressive sword line.

    ¡°Amazing, Sven amazing!¡¡Now that was a very beautiful kata!¡±

    It was exciting to see someone¡¯s improvement as a bystander.

    Sven immediately broke into a happy smile at Rishe¡¯s compliment, and then he quickly straightened up his stance.

    ¡°Uhm, this is natural with me¡­ Hehehe.¡±

    He swung his sword over and over again, tracing the feeling he had earlier. Repetition drill was one of the basics, so being proactive was beneficial.

    Rishe lowered her wooden sword and estimated the time at the height of the sun.

    ¡°It¡¯s about time, let¡¯s take a short break and then we can clean up the training ground.¡±

    ¡°Hm, I¡¯m not gonna let you beat me at cleaning. Let me just go and have a glass of water.¡±

    ¡°Okay, be back soon.¡±

    Rishe saw Sven off as he headed towards the well and spun around.

    ¡°Hey Fritz, the match from earlier¡­¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡±¡¯

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    As soon as she called out to him, Fritz, who was swinging his sword behind her, dropped his wooden sword. She seemed to have startled him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I was concentrating.¡±

    ¡°Err, it¡¯s nothing! No, you were focusing.¡±

    Fritz¡¯s fingers, which hurriedly tried to pick up his wooden sword, brushed against Rishe¡¯s fingers, which tried to reach out at the same time. He only hit her once, just for a moment.

    And yet, Fritz yowled and backed away.

    ¡°Wa~!!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    What was the matter with him?

    ¡°¨C Oh, could it be static electricity? Funny, that shouldn¡¯t happen during the humid season.¡±

    ¡°No, Lu! Why are your fingers so thin and delicate¡­!¡±

    ¡°F-fingers?¡±

    She cringed at his words. She remembered that in her life as a knight, someone determined that she was a woman by her skeleton, so she hurriedly faked a smile.

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    ¡°I guess it¡¯s normal to be like this. Fritz and the others have been training, so maybe your hands are stronger than others.¡±

    ¡°R-right¡­ That¡¯s normal, normal¡­¡±

    When she saw Fritz mumbling to himself, she was still worried. He said he didn¡¯t get enough sleep yesterday, so she was sure wasn¡¯t feeling well.

    ¡°Fritz, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Uh, I¡¯m fine! More importantly, are you alright?¡±

    She blinked at his question.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m fine, my muscle pains have abated.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great. But you don¡¯t look so good today. You never looked depressed during training, no matter how hard it is. I¡¯m worried because you looked a little down and seemed to be sighing earlier too.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

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    Rishe was surprised to know that he¡¯d been watching her silently.

    First of all, Fritz possessed the best qualities of a knight. He¡¯s very observant of his surroundings, and it¡¯s not an easy feat to be able to pay so much attention to others while training himself.

    This kind of knight was also suitable to be a commanding officer. While feeling that Fritz was reliable, she apologized for worrying him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Actually, I¡¯ve been thinking about a lot of things.¡±

    ¡°I see. I won¡¯t force you to share it, but if there¡¯s anything I can do for you, just ask. Okay? It¡¯s refreshing just talking to someone else.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°Haha, great!¡±

    Fritz gave her a toothy grin.

    ¡°Just sit and rest a bit longer. Would you like me to get you some water?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. But you should go get some water.¡±

    ¡°Hm, all right, I¡¯m off then.¡±

    After waving to Fritz on his way to the well, Rishe slowly sat down on the bench.

    But, I can¡¯t possibly talk to him about that¡­

    She couldn¡¯t talk about wanting to change the future of the war in a few years¡¯ time, nor could she mention the issue at hand regarding friendly relations with the Koyor Kingdom.

    Suppose Riese said, ¡°What do you think it would take to get the two countries to form an alliance on equal footing?¡± It was a wonder what Fritz¡¯s reaction would be if she discussed such things with him.

    After eavesdropping on the conversation on the balcony last night, Rishe hasn¡¯t got a chance to talk to Arnold.

    To be precise, they had had a bland conversation. However, with the eyes of the guests of the evening party and the guard knights, she was unable to ask him anything intricate.

    But even if they¡¯d been alone together, she wouldn¡¯t have mentioned his discussion with Kyle.

    ¡ª I wonder if the events last night had ever happened in my previous lives.

    She tossed and turned last night.

    Holding her knees and pressing her forehead against them, Rishe contemplated.

    Prince Kyle came to this country in the name of celebrating His Highness and my wedding. This is probably the first time that has ever happened.

    Even if an exchange similar to last night¡¯s conversation had happened in the past, Garkhain and Koyor had never formed an alliance. In other words, everything must have gone down the drain.

    Once again, she felt that she couldn¡¯t let this time pass.

    Of course she wanted to prevent Koyor¡¯s tragedy, but Rishe had other agendas in mind as well.

    As he pondered in circles, a familiar presence approached her.

    ¡°¨C Alcott! You¡¯re early.¡±

    ¡°Rovine-sama!¡±

 Chapter 60.2

    Rishe looked up abruptly when someone suddenly called her.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Because of her reflexive defensiveness, Rovine looked at her strangely as he entered the training grounds. She hardly meant to show it, but he was indeed keen on observation.

    But, she couldn¡¯t possibly say, ¡°I escaped from your presence all night last night, so it was just a reflex.¡±

    I heard Fritz Noland screaming a moment ago. I came in to see what¡¯s going on. Did you get hurt?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m simply taking a break!¡±

    Rishe excused herself while brushing the dust from her clothes.

    ¡°I was just thinking about something pitiable. I was feeling guilty, so I acted a little weird.¡±

    It was a deceptive explanation, but it wasn¡¯t an outright lie.

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    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®pitiable¡¯?¡±

    After a short struggle, Rishe asked, ¡°If the knight cadets here become knights and then we wage war with some country¡­ At that time, everyone will go to war, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­ That¡¯s right.¡±

    Rovine affirmed in a quiet, slightly snatched voice.

    ¡°Beyond the aim for knighthood, there could be a future where everyone is in danger¡­ When I thought that, it kind of freaked me out.¡±

    That thought had been lingering in Rishe¡¯s mind for some time now.

    Garkhain was an enemy country back when Rishe was fighting as a knight.

    The knights of this country were really strong and were a great threat to their enemies, but that didn¡¯t mean none of them died.

    Looking at Fritz and the other cadets, she hoped that their dreams would come true.

    But Rishe knew that if things progressed as they stood now, there would definitely be a war.

    Then Rovine spoke, ¡°My son died in the last war.¡±

    ¡°-!¡±

    Rovine exhaled with a faint smile.

    ¡°I wanted to praise my son for a wonderful end after he fought proudly¡­ But as much as I felt that sentiment, I wanted my son to live.¡±

    ¡°Rovine-sama¡­¡±

    When Rishe was stuck, Rovine added, ¡°I want the youth of today to grow up healthy. I want the future to be filled with hope¡­ Since I lost my son, that has been my greatest wish.¡±

    He sounded gentle, but lonely.

    Rovine has always been looking out for his trainees. It finally occurred to her why his gaze was so gentle.

    ¡°War is about depriving someone of the future. Of course it¡¯s better that such things don¡¯t happen, and even if you¡¯re aspiring to be a knight, you have every right to be afraid. The only way to overcome it is to face it.¡±

    ¡°Face it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t deny your wishes, your feelings. Feed off of them and move forward. Explore what you can achieve.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His words prodded Rishe into thinking.

    My wish ¨C What I can achieve.

    Rishe was once a knight, too.

    She met a respectable master and swore to protect them. She didn¡¯t regret dying for them, and still thought that way.

    But it also occurred to her.

    She never wanted to see her loved ones in danger and her friends dying.

    ¡°Thank you, Rovine-sama.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. It looks like nothing happened, so I¡¯ll head back. See you later.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

 Chapter 60.3

    Rishe bowed her head and watched as Rovine walked out of the training grounds.

    After that, she pondered again.

    I want to live freely. I don¡¯t want to die. I want to stop the war for that¡­ But that¡¯s not all.

    She crouched down on the ground again, meditating and looking inside herself.

    I don¡¯t want the Koyor Kingdom to perish. Besides¡­

    She muttered ¡°besides¡± with just a movement of her lips.

    The current Garkhain is a military power that countries all over the world feared. Even His Majesty, the Emperor of the kingdom, is scared, not wanting to displease His Highness Arnold. Because Garkhain is an overwhelmingly powerful country, there is no other country with which we can have equal and friendly relations.

    It must have been Arnold¡¯s father, the current emperor, who had been conducting belligerent politics.

    But Arnold said last night, ¡°The Emperor and I are on the same side¡±. Rishe recalled the self-mocking tone that stained his voice.

    His Highness said, ¡°It¡¯s more in my nature to invade and take someone under my control rather than join hands with another country¡±, but is that really the case?

    It had been a month and a half since she had come to Garkhain. Thinking of Arnold, who had been by her side all that time, Rishe didn¡¯t think so.

    If His Highness sees himself as such.

    She slowly opened her eyes.

    ¡ª I¡¯d like to tell him that it¡¯s not true.

    Even if Arnold himself didn¡¯t know that.

    Not just to tell him in words, but to make Arnold himself understand.

    Garkhain is neither dominant nor hostile. If such a country expands not just in Koyor, but all over the world, it might change the future behavior of His Highness Arnold.

    Rishe stood up slowly and took a deep breath before slapping herself on the cheek.

    Then she looked straight ahead.

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    Think, let¡¯s go and make our wishes come true! Time never stops anyway. Nothing will be done if we don¡¯t act!

    As she spurred herself on, Sven and Fritz, who had gone for a drink of water, returned.

    ¡°Lu, we kept you waiting¡­ Oh, are you feeling better?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve figured it out. There¡¯s no point in worrying about it.¡±

    First and foremost, she had to plan what actions to take after the training was over.

    As Fritz said, she was feeling a bit more energized, just in the nick of time.

    ****

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡­ I¡¯m pleased to have someone special to watch your training. This is the man you must risk your lives for, His Highness, the Crown Prince of this kingdom.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After the training began.

    The trainees who were lined up on the training field were buzzing at the sight of the person who had appeared.

    They knew they shouldn¡¯t make a fuss, but they all seemed unable to hide their excitement. When they first saw him, such as Fritz standing next to Rishe, they were so surprised that they staggered at the sight of him.

    Under such circumstances, only Rishe was desperately struggling to keep her face from cramping.

    Nevertheless, the voice of the instructor, Rovine, mercilessly spun the name of that person.

    ¡°His Highness Arnold Hein.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe wanted to clutch her head.

    The man standing in front of her, with the most beautiful colored eyes in the world, was sullenly looking at her.

 Chapter 61.1 Plot exposed

    What is His Highness Arnold doing here? Formal knight training aside, I can¡¯t believe the Crown Prince came to train the cadets!!

    Even Theodore said that Arnold would never visit this training ground.

    However, there was no way she could mistake the figure of the beautiful man standing in front of her.

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold stared at her silently and she felt cold sweat trickle down her face.

    Has only a second passed? It might be as short as a blink of an eye to others, but to Rishe, it felt quite longer.

    In her knight¡¯s life, there were times when she could see the scene around her slowly during tense battles, but what was this tension where she couldn¡¯t even hold a sword in her hand?

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    By the time Rishe braced herself¡­

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    Arnold suddenly took his gaze off of her and ordered his vassal standing next to him.

    ¡°Rovine, start training quickly.¡±

    ¡­ Huh?!

    Contrary to Rishe¡¯s anticlimactic feelings, Arnold continued to speak nonchalantly, ¡°I want to see the trainees in action. What are the training drills?¡±

    ¡°Ha, we¡¯ve already done one-on-one combat. It was implemented after flexibility and running. After that, they¡¯re supposed to train their muscles. How about it?¡±

    ¡°Then make adjustments after the match. Make sure that your body is sufficiently relaxed and free of physical exhaustion.¡±

    The trainees seemed to have grown taller just from Arnold¡¯s speech. Arnold didn¡¯t even look at Rishe the rest of the time, except for the one time earlier.

    I-I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve been discovered¡­.!

    ¡ª No, that can¡¯t be true.

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    She vehemently corrected the wishful thinking that sprang up in her mind.

    Even though she was wearing a short wig, her face was only slightly altered with make up to give her a different impression. Anyone who knew Rishe would recognize her at a glance.

    Above all, even if she changed her appearance drastically in some way, her opponent was Arnold.

    The way she stood and walked, she felt that he¡¯d spot her with the slightest quirk or something.

    Still, I should have just gotten away with it for ten days! How I could encounter His Royal Highness Arnold, who is so busy with his official duties, here ¡­¡­!

    Following Arnold¡¯s command, Rovine instructed the cadets.

    ¡°Then, as always, start with flexibility. Don¡¯t get carried away just because His Highness Arnold is here.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    They replied in unison, each scattering to their usual places. Rishe also rushed to the corner of the training grounds while silently searching for any sign of Arnold.

    ¡°Hey, Lu, it¡¯s terrific! That, His Royal Highness Arnold, he¡¯s the real deal!?¡±

    ¡°U-Uh-huh, good for you, Fritz.¡±

    With a cramped smile, Rishe embraced another wishful thinking.

    Maybe he missed it.

    Maybe he didn¡¯t notice Rishe¡¯s existence and wouldn¡¯t say anything.

    If that was the case, Rishe could also continue her training here.

    She wondered if she could somehow preserve the terms with Theodore; to keep this secret from Arnold until the training is over and let him be present when the truth got revealed afterwards.

    With a glimmer of hope, she completed the usual training and sparring.

    ****

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    ¡°¡­¡­¡­.So?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    When Rishe was called to the back of the training grounds, she fell into despair, sandwiched between the wall and Arnold.

    Throughout the training, Arnold hadn¡¯t bothered Rishe at all, but had examined the trainees¡¯ conditions together with Rovine.

    She¡¯d been hoping that everything would end up uneventful, but those thoughts were understandably shattered.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Uh, uhm, ¡­¡­¡±

    With him looking at her up so close, Rishe was unable to see Arnold¡¯s face properly. With her back to the wall, she looked away awkwardly.

    ¡°Y-You look in good spirits, Your Royal Highness¡­¡­. I¡¯m extremely delighted that you¡¯re speaking to a mere cadet¡­.¡±

    ¡°¡­. Ho?¡±

    Knowing that she was barefaced, she¡¯d pretend to be a trainee for a while. Besides, there were no signs of anyone else around, but she didn¡¯t want to be overheard having an awkward conversation.

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Hearing Rishe¡¯s reply, Arnold stretched out his hand.

    Arnold had been wearing black gloves lately, but his hands were now bare.

    Against all odds and expectations, Arnold wrapped his hands around Rishe¡¯s face and squeezed her cheeks.

    ¡°Mmm?!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re not the person I think you are, then I suppose you won¡¯t mind me touching you directly.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

 Chapter 61.2

    She was taken aback when he suddenly spouted something like that.

    ¡°I basically try not to break my deal with my fianc¨¦e¡­ But if I¡¯m dealing with a mere knight cadet, I¡¯m not obliged to give that kind of consideration.¡±

    W¨C You¡¯re too close to my face!?

    He tilted her face up with both hands, and when she looked into his eyes, his well-proportioned face drew closer and closer.

    Arnold¡¯s appearance was a work of art. No matter how many times she looked at it, it was almost poisonous to see at close range.

    And this sensation, once before, somewhere¡­¡­.

    Along that thought, she suddenly remembered.

    He had touched her on the cheek and raised her head up, then the moment when Arnold¡¯s lips touched hers flashed in her mind.

    The breathless sensation of that moment passed so vividly that her cheeks burned all at once.

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Arnold¡¯s hands were pleasantly cool and chilly.

    Did Arnold realize what she had recalled? With that thought in mind, she became even more reluctant to look straight into his eye.

    However, Arnold had no mercy to such Rishe.

    ¡°Here. Don¡¯t be so quick to argue with me.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness ¡­¡­!¡¡At first I thought you were angry, but actually you¡¯re having a blast!¡±

    ¡°How? I¡¯m not interested in playing with mere cadets.¡±

    Having said all that, Arnold pressed his hands on Rishe¡¯s cheeks. It was hard to speak well when her cheeks were all but squeezed, but that was when she suddenly noticed.

    ¡°Your Highness, you must leave!¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Because, someone¡¯s coming¡­¡±

    She heard footsteps approaching. Even Arnold must have noticed it, but he had no intention to stop.

    ¡°Hey, Lu? Lucius, where¡­¡±

    It was exactly the person Rishe expected that set foot behind the training grounds. She clashed with his eyes head on and gasped.

    It was Fritz, the same cadet, who appeared.

    ¡°Uh~¡±

    And he witnessed it all.

    Her current predicament, where Arnold has cornered her against the wall, wrapped her face in his hands and was looking at her up close.

    ¡°Ah, Prince Arnold?!¡±

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    Fritz who called him that without second thought hurriedly restated it.

    ¡°N-No, Your Royal Highness!! Uh-that-Why?¡±

    ¡°Fritz! It¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking!¡±

    Nothing could be done except play it off as a joke. She tried to rectify Arnold¡¯s behavior before it was misunderstood, but Fritz shouted in a flipped-out voice.

    ¡°Sh-I beg your pardon!¡±

    What?!

    Before Rishe could say anything, Fritz sprinted off in a fluster.

    ¡°Wait, Fritz, wait ¡­¡­!¡±

    She called him to stop, but he ran straight through.

    ¡°Ah ¡­¡­ Your Highness Arnold!¡¡Someone just saw us, clear as day!¡¡He¡¯s absolutely trustworthy, but depending on who you¡¯re dealing with, you never know what kind of rumors you might start!¡±

    ¡°So what if rumors run the mill? What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot!¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah? What¡¯s the point?¡±

    Even after Fritz¡¯s arrival, Arnold never once took his gaze off Rishe. It was a huge difference from his behavior earlier in the training.

    ¡°Ko¡­.¡±

    Rishe opened her mouth, feeling that she had to say something, but she felt shy for some reason.

    ¡°My fianc¨¦e, I believe, is here¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Then Arnold stopped his hand with a snap.

    A strange silence ensued, but what the heck was this moment? Then, a while later, Arnold said, ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Y-yup, Indeed! So, in a place where trainees are¡­¡±

    ¡°Nonetheless.¡±

    ¡°Wap~¡±

    A strange voice came out as her cheeks were squished once more.

    ¡°¡®A mere knight cadet¡¯ is speaking quite rudely to me here.¡±

    ¡°Ugugu~¡­¡±

    With him saying that, Rishe resigned herself. She was sorry for her deal with Theodore, but she was at her limit.

    ¡°¡­. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re apologizing for. Tell me exactly what you did.¡±

    ¡°I- I dressed up as a man in secret to Your Highness and infiltrated the training of the knight cadets! I¡¯m so sorry!¡±

    ¡°Good job.¡±

    He immediately released his hands. When Rishe was finally freed, she hemmed and hunkered down in place.

    ¡°Nyahaha¡­¡±

    It was strange to have Arnold¡¯s hands wrapped around her burning cheeks. Even the coldness of his hands seemed to have remained there. She wrapped both hands on her cheeks and took a deep breath.

    Arnold also thought he seemed to have overdone enjoying himself. Looking down at Rishe who seemed more worn out than when she trained, he asked, ¡°So? What are you up to this time, dressing up like this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s purely for fitness sake.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the truth, you know?!¡±

    She was offended by his suspicion. But she was the one trying to deceive Arnold, so it couldn¡¯t be helped.

    ¡°Your Highness, why did you personally come to inspect the cadets?¡±

    Arnold paused for a second at the question and then replied without batting an eyelid, ¡°¡­ I heard that one of the cadets this term was recommended under Theodore¡¯s name.¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    In other words, Rishe.

    But what surprised Rishe was the fact that ¡°Arnold was concerned about the person Theodore recommended¡±.

    Although His Highness Theodore said that His Highness Arnold would never show up at a cadet¡¯s training session¡­

    That wasn¡¯t the case at all.

    Rishe was ecstatic, but at the same time she couldn¡¯t wait to tell Theodore about this.

    I wonder how Theodore will react.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the point.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She tensed up.

 Chapter 62.1 Lies and Selfishness

    ¡°Let me ask you again; why are you doing this?¡±

    ¡°As I said, it¡¯s for my physical fitness¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the only reason. You could have done it in other ways such as having a full-time mentor on hand.¡±

    Arnold said in a definite tone and looked down at Rishe who remained crouched.

    Then he continued, ¡°¡­ ¡®I can¡¯t let them take up the slack for me. I want to know the actual way things are done in the training field. It¡¯s better to disguise myself as a man so that my gender and position won¡¯t be taken into account¡¯¡­ Based on what I¡¯ve seen so far about your thinking process, that¡¯s about right, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    He has seen through me¡­!!!

    ¡°But I still can¡¯t figure it out. The training content is naturally tailored to a man¡¯s physical and muscular strength. You must have known that you would barely be able to keep up with them if you participated in it.¡±

    He even pointed out Rishe¡¯s initial concerns, which made her more and more speechless.

    ¡°I thought it would be worthwhile for me to participate in this training because of my lack of ¡­¡­ physical and muscular strength.¡±

    ¡°Your swordsmanship revolves around your dexterity, your core, and the accuracy of your slashes. If you¡¯re after physical strength alone, muscular training isn¡¯t so important.¡±

    Ugh¡­..

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    She could roughly guess what Arnold was trying to say.

    He thought that she should stop her training as a cadet.

    Still, I can¡¯t just say ¡®stop¡¯ without an island to cling to.

    He told her earlier that he was trying his best not to break his covenant to Rishe.

    That was, of course, the pledge he had made when he proposed.

    He was referring to his promise to fulfill everything Rishe wished to the best of his abilities.

    That¡¯s why he¡¯s asking me why I¡¯m here. If His highness is satisfied, I can stay here until the last day.

    But she thought.

    She didn¡¯t want to use extra manpower for herself. She wasn¡¯t concerned because of her gender or because she was the fianc¨¦e of the Crown Prince.

    These reasons were just pushed aside by Arnold¡¯s arguments.

    What remained was the last motive, which she didn¡¯t even tell Theodore, her partner in crime.

    ¡°¡¯I understand what Your Highness is saying. But ¡­¡­.¡±

    ¡°But?¡±

    She knew that she was totally being selfish.

    That was why Rishe glumly bowed down, curled up in a ball and muttered.

    ¡°I wanted to go through the training you devised¡­.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    That ended up sounding like a childish argument.

    Arnold raised an eyebrow. The sparring he did with Rishe not long ago, that just one time, seemed to have become Rishe¡¯s flesh and blood.

    In her life as a knight, Arnold defeated Rishe. It was a complete defeat.

    If the same man has devised a way to train rookies, she would like to learn it firsthand.

    ¡­. Sigh, this doesn¡¯t explain anything.

    Rishe hurriedly stood up in front of Arnold who has gone silent.

    ¡°Uhm, my basic strength may indeed be unsuitable for this kind of training, but His Excellency Rovine, the instructor, can accurately determine the limits that won¡¯t lead to over-training. Trainees can also spar with each other and point out each other¡¯s shortcomings. I think I¡¯ll grow stronger steadily over the next few days!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Speaking of training as I know it, it¡¯s like pushing myself to the limit to the point of harming my body, but this training has taught me otherwise. If I can learn everything I need to know in the next few days, I can get by on my own without a full-time instructor.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°And by then, there¡¯s absolutely no reason for you to spare your time and resources with me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Was the explanation still weak after all that?

    She thought so, but for some reason, Arnold held his forehead and sighed deeply.

    ¡°Uh, Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°¡­. It¡¯s nothing. And I¡¯m well aware that you don¡¯t have any reservations about the training, which is supposed to be physically demanding.¡±

    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s fun, and it¡¯s educational.¡±

    After that assertion, Arnold looked at Rishe with a grimace.

    Then, after another sigh, he asked, ¡°¡­ You aren¡¯t hurt, or significantly worn out, are you?¡±

    ¡°Yes. His Excellency Rovine gives proper guidance.¡±

    ¡°You seemed to have gone out of your room at five in the morning. What time do you go to bed at night?¡±

    ¡°Ugh. I get under the covers as early as possible at about eleven o¡¯clock at night¡­¡±

    She left the room cautiously, but it seemed that he had noticed the signs. Yet he overlooked it. Or Did he think she was going to take care of the fields?

    Recently, she¡¯s spent some time in her bunk, memorizing the geography of Garkhain and reading the diplomatic records of the city so far.

    As a result, she actually went to sleep much later, but she nonchalantly kept that to herself.

    Arnold who looked in deep thought eventually spoke, ¡°I have a condition.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

 Chapter 62.2

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened at the unexpected response.

    ¡°Go to bed early for another hour. And most importantly, be careful not to let another person discover your gender. Cool?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you want me to continue?¡±

    She didn¡¯t expect to be exonerated.

    But Arnold looked at Rishe, reminiscent of someone asking a child.

    ¡°Can you protect yourself?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!¡±

    Poof, the world suddenly became brighter.

    Arnold sighed again and then asked Rishe.

    ¡°From a cadet¡¯s point of view, what does this Order look like?¡±

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    Rishe answered the question enthusiastically. She could provide such information as much as he wanted.

    ¡°Very impressive. All of the trainees have perfect qualities and His Excellency Rovine¡¯s guidance is also very precise. The knights have been assisting us well, and also pay attention to each of the cadets.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Your knights are very important to you, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    When she uttered that, Arnold replied with an unreadable blank expression.

    ¡°Human resources are a national asset. They should be respected.¡±

    But¡­

    She muttered secretly deep inside.

    In a few years, you will execute Count of Rovine and drag many knights into a war of conquest.

    Why was that?

    After taking one deep breath, Rishe broached.

    ¡°I overheard Prince Kyle¡¯s intentions.¡±

    Then Arnold chuckled with amusement.

    ¡°I knew you were nearby last night.¡±

    ¡°You noticed? I thought I was completely and carefully discrete.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a start. Not many people could elude my senses.¡±

    If there was a next time, she¡¯d have to be more careful. With that in mind, Rishe asked, ¡°How much grace do you have in Koyor?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Of course, you¡¯re not talking about the amount of gems mined, are you?¡±

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    ¡°Of course. What I want to know is your father¡¯s ¡­ the reprieve from His Majesty the Emperor of Garkhain.¡±

    After saying that, she looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°Both he and Your Highness Arnold were wary of Prince Kyle¡¯s reasons for coming here, and you sought out the truth. It should be the same for your father.¡±

    Rishe knew little about the current Emperor. She didn¡¯t even have a clue about what kind of person he was or what his thoughts were.

    But he was Arnold and Theodore¡¯s father. She should keep that in mind and make a move.

    Besides, Arnold said last night.

    It suited his nature to invade and bring a country under his control than to join hands with other countries.

    Even if that wasn¡¯t the case, she was the princess of Arnold, the son of the father who required ¡°someone from outside the country who was worthy of a hostage¡±.

    ¡°¡­ Unfortunately, knowing how far my father has grasped the situation is beyond me. But if he gets to know what¡¯s going on in Koyor, he¡¯ll try to move before Koyor loses its national power to another country. That country itself isn¡¯t worth a damn, but we need a route to the north.¡±

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    As expected, things still weren¡¯t looking good.

    It would be too late to change the relationship between the Koyor Kingdom and Garkhain once the Emperor got wind of it. If that were to happen, they couldn¡¯t plan for something that would take years to accomplish.

    ¡°I can roughly guess what you have in mind, but¡­¡±

    Arnold took a step closer to Rishe.

    Then a dazzling yet dim smile spread on his face.

    ¡°¡­ I think you¡¯d rather have me invade that country instead of your father-in-law.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    A shudder crept up her spine.

    ¡°What¡­.¡±

    ¡°You are trying to convince me to make peace with Koyor, aren¡¯t you? But there is no such material in that country. If you stop me from moving, and in the meantime my father becomes aware of Koyor¡¯s plight, it would be far more troublesome than me making a move.¡±

    Arnold peered in as if getting a kick out of Rishe¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of who¡¯s going to put an end to that country that¡¯s just waiting to perish. If they had quietly stayed at home, they could have fooled us for several years. Their folly of asking help from another country ended up laying their cards bare to be taken advantage of.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°If the Father Emperor finds out, I can¡¯t do anything. If you¡¯re willing to show mercy to Koyor, I¡¯d love for you to help me invade that country.¡±

    A serious tone bled through his jest.

    If she had just met him, she might have felt terribly frightened. But now Rishe knew exactly what he was doing.

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness is sometimes a superb liar.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    She felt a bit saddened as she replied, ¡°If you really think it¡¯s more fitting to run roughshod over someone than to build a friendly relationship, then you should have forced me to marry you without making any troublesome promises at that time.¡±

    Arnold raised an eyebrow at her remarks.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what purpose you had in marrying me, but as the daughter of a Duke of a lowly country, you could have done what you wanted. In spite of this, you did otherwise. Ever since I came here, you respected me as you¡¯ve always done.¡±

    Even earlier.

    Everything he listed as ¡°conditions to continue training¡± was more like words of advice for Rishe.

    How could that kind of Arnold choose such a future?

    She didn¡¯t know, so she looked up into his eyes in front of her.

    His eyes were the color of the sea with a dark shade dwelling in them. But that shade faded somewhat quietly.

    ¡°¡­ You can judge me however you like, but¡­¡±

    Arnold pulled away from her.

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    Then said.

    ¡°Remember, war for this country isn¡¯t an outrageous choice or anything¡­ It¡¯s just another political tool.¡±

 Chapter 63.1

    Riche first visited Koyor in her life as a merchant.

    There was a short summer in Koyor. It was in such a season that terrible thunderstorms surge in the evening. Tully and Rishe reached Koyor Castle, which stood on the shore of the sea, half in distress.

    The downpour was so hard that they almost gave up, and their protective cloaks were useless against the rain.

    After being let in the back door, she remembered being handed a towel by the attendant who greeted them, and they were finally given a break.

    ¡°Hahahaha! We were told it was going to rain heavily, but it was more downpour than I expected.¡±

    Her boss, Tully, burst into laughter and wiped his sopping wet bangs.

    ¡°Rishe, that¡¯s why I told you you didn¡¯t have to follow me. I was the one who made the decision not to postpone the negotiation time. You should have stayed at the inn with the rest of the guys.¡±

    ¡°Forget about that, Chairman Tully!¡±

    Rishe excitedly responded as she dried her hair.

    ¡°If it rains this much in the summer, won¡¯t rainproof cloaks sell well? Something thinner, lighter, brighter and cooler looking for snow!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a fantastic idea, but shouldn¡¯t you take care of yourself first? Your hair and dress are a mess, yet you protected the merchandise.¡±

    ¡°Because people can get dry when wiped.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha!¡±

    Tully laughed briefly and then looked at Rishe.

    ¡°Well, well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re starting out on the right foot. A person with that kind of spirit is a favorite of the valued clients here.¡±

    ¡°Valued clients?¡±

    Would that be the servants of this castle, etc.?

    ¡°In any case, it would be rude to stay at the castle dressed like this. The delivery was made in time, so we¡¯re free now ¡­¡­¡±

    Tully raised the corners of his mouth in a grin, despite Rishe¡¯s attempts to say so.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Your Highness Kyle.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Tully spoke suddenly and gave a gentlemanly bow right then and there.

    Rishe also moved on the spur of the moment, and she plucked the hem of her dress and bowed her head.

    ¡°Your Highness¡± is, could it be¡­?

    The sound of shoes echoed steadily and stopped in front of Rishe.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Tully. I¡¯m sorry for rushing you through the stormy weather.¡±

    ¡°I am delighted to be here, but I do beg your pardon for our unflattering appearance.¡±

    ¡°It was my father, the king, who asked for it as soon as possible. I¡¯ll have them get you a change of clothes and hot water as soon as possible. And this lady?¡±

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    ¡°My subordinate, Wertsner.¡±

    ¡°Then I must say hello.¡±

    It was an imposing voice.

    Could it be that a royalty appeared? He went all the way to the back door to welcome a mere merchant.

    ¡°¡ª It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner.¡±

    Rishe introduced herself with her head down. Drops dripped from her hair, wetting the floor.

    ¡°Kyle Morgan Cleverley. We sincerely welcome your visit.¡±

    A surprise came shortly afterwards.

    ¡°Your Highness Kyle!¡±

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    Kyle knelt before Rishe.

    The prince of a country didn¡¯t hesitate to kneel to the apprentice merchant.

    Could this be the custom of ¡®Koyor men respecting women¡¯?

    It took only a moment for Rishe to figure it out, and she soon found out his true intentions.

    ¡°It must have been arduous on the road in the rain, protecting the horses and carriage. Even if that wasn¡¯t the case, you have done well for the ship journey and risked all to get here. This is a country where supplies are scarce. With the support of merchants like you, we¡¯re able to protect our people¡¯s lives.¡±

    The prince with light blue eyes looked straight into Rishe¡¯s eyes and added, ¡°¨C I give you, merchants, my respect and gratitude.¡±

    This was their first encounter.

 Chapter 63.2

    Kyle was royalty, but he was a man of respect for other people in various capacities.

    Both to Kyle¡¯s servants and to the knights who protected him. To his own people, to the old, and even to children much younger than himself.

    ¡°So you¡¯re our Esteemed Doctor¡¯s apprentice? I¡¯ve heard from him that you¡¯re a promising pharmacist.¡±

    In her life as a pharmacist, he pushed his sickly body to come to the port to pick her up.

    ¡°I never imagined that Michele would take a student. I¡¯m sorry for your hardships, but I¡¯m delighted to have an excellent pharmacist here. Would you be willing to lend a little of your wisdom to our country?¡±

    Even in her life as a pharmacist, he didn¡¯t dismiss her as a dubious disciple like the world in general, and he listened to what Rishe and Michele wanted to do.

    He would get on his knees, listen to them from the same perspective, and try to be there for them.

    Kyle never acted arrogantly, and yet, he tried to fulfill his responsibilities as royalty.

    It was probably in her pharmacist¡¯s life that she spent the most time with Kyle.

    Rishe met Michele and became his student, and then together they moved to Koyor.

    Then she was assigned to work with Kyle, who was in charge of public affairs related to academia, doing a variety of research. As such, events like this were frequent.

    ¡°¨C Michele, I heard you neglected to clean your room again after I told you the other day.¡±

    Whenever Kyle scolded Rishe and the others, he was like a guardian, too.

    Even that day, Kyle had Michele, who was probably much older than him and, sit on the couch, while he stood with his arms crossed in front of him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a complaint from another scholar. They said you came back covered in blood all over and scared them into locking themselves up in the lab. You¡¯ve soiled the lab carpet, and now what research are you doing?¡±

    Michele raised his brows in annoyance and asked Rishe, who was sitting next to him.

    ¡°What should I do, Rishe? I can¡¯t remember at all. Did this happen the other day?¡±

    ¡°Teacher, that¡¯s when you said you helped a cow give birth and got a specimen instead.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that one!¡±

    Looking down at Michel, who instantly became cheerful, Kyle was helpless.

    ¡°¡ª That¡¯s not all. You¡¯ve been sleeping in the lab all this time and haven¡¯t been back in your private room. They said you¡¯ve left your food untouched in your room, so your eggs are rotting and stinking up the place.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, the weather¡¯s been nice lately.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Prince Kyle ¡­¡±

    On behalf of Michele, who was accepting the natural order of things, his student, Rishe, bowed her head.

    ¡°Be very careful in the future. Please refrain from immersing yourself in your research in a filthy manner, and please finish the meal that has been served to you¡­! I will never again overlook you eating flowers from the garden because you can¡¯t be bothered to go get a meal!¡±

    ¡°Wait, that last bit was the first time I¡¯ve heard of too. ¡ª And it¡¯s not just Michele I¡¯m having a problem with.¡±

    ¡°You too, Wertsner.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been storing so many books, making someone report that even the stone floor might collapse at any moment. As for the ones you¡¯ve finished reading, wouldn¡¯t it be appropriate to move them somewhere else?¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°And I told you not to stack books higher than yourself. It could collapse in case of an earthquake or something.¡±

    ¡°¡­ I have nothing to say¡­¡±

    However, all the books in her room were valuable and educational.

    She¡¯s read them many times and the contents were in her head. However, books could give you completely different insights, depending on when you read them.

    I¡¯m a freeloader, so I can¡¯t afford to bother the castle¡­ But I can¡¯t prioritize parting with them!! I need to spend at least two more weeks, no, three weeks to consider it and one final reading¡­

    ¡°Therefore, one room will be opened as a library to you.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Sorry Prince Kyle, I think it¡¯ll take a month or so to get rid of ¡­ what?¡±

    T/N: well the teacher and student are both devoted to their jobs, I laughed at the *eating flowers in the garden*

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 Chapter 63.3

    That really shocked Rishe to the core.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I-Is that alright? What I have in my room are books on medicine. I¡¯m the only one who uses it, and it would be inconvenient for you to open a room.¡±

    Alchemists were always seen as ¡°just spending money and time, but rarely produced results¡±.

    Koyor invited Michel not because of the need for knowledge in alchemy, but because he was expected to be knowledgeable in various fields, including pharmacology.

    Kyle essentially needn¡¯t respect Rishe and the others as ¡°alchemists¡±.

    But he said it without hesitation. With a serious face that straightforwardly conveyed his intentions.

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty to support you, but I absolutely don¡¯t want any compromises on your own behavior.¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle ¡­¡±

    As he said, Kyle had helped Rishe and Michel many times.

    ¡°Are you guys immersed in research and not eating again¡­?! Wait, okay, don¡¯t move, don¡¯t move. Just watch the flask and immediately take this bread to your mouth. Drink water first.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to my father for the research funding. ¡ª I know you¡¯ll definitely get results. I¡¯ll make him nod his head.¡±

    ¡°Did it work?? ¡­ Great, congratulations.¡±

    ¡°Above, I¡¯m really happy that all your hard work has paid off.¡±

    In a room in the Garkhain Imperial Castle, Rishe quietly pondered.

    ¡­ Prince Kyle has been so good to me in every life I¡¯ve had. That¡¯s why I am¡­

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    She raised her head up when Michel called out before her.

    In the morning, Arnold allowed her to continue her training. And in the afternoon she visited the tower where the Koyor scholars were staying.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read through it.. The points of view are very good and interesting. I¡¯m interested in the results myself.¡±

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    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Michel.¡±

    Lined up on the tabletop were the research drafts she had written out in the days since her reunion with Michel.

    These were the ones that had ended up being only aspirations in her alchemist¡¯s life. She wanted to get Michel¡¯s opinion, as some of them could be used for her future plans to avoid war.

    ¡°All of them have been tested to some extent, haven¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°When I was at home, I did some as a hobby. I had to interrupt it because of my marriage to this country.¡±

    Rishe mixed the truth with lies. In fact, it was because she died in the middle of her research.

    ¡°For reference, have you ever experimented with this material?¡±

    ¡°I did. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been wondering about the proportions here. The chemical solution is too strong with the material¡­¡±

    While her knight guards were on the lookout, Rishe asked Michel a lot of things.

    One of the weapons that Koyor has in its arsenal right now is the product of a scholar named Dr. Michel¡­ His Royal Highness Arnold will be interested in this, but it won¡¯t bridge the friendship between the two countries. Dr. Michel isn¡¯t going to be part of Koyor for the foreseeable future.

    Besides, she thought.

    There was another reason why she didn¡¯t want Michel and Arnold to be close to each other. Remembering when she once parted company with Michel, she clenched her hands together.

    ¡°Hey, Rishe¡­¡±

    Michel smiled softly, stopping her arguments.

    ¡°Do you like studying?¡±

    ¡°Yes, very much!¡±

    She nodded sincerely at the question.

    ¡°Learning something new is always exciting. The world just keeps expanding and once you get to know the different perspectives, you¡¯ll see things differently.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu, yeah. It¡¯s fun to learn, and it¡¯s also fun to put it into practice¡±

    ¡°Yes. I jump for joy when I can prove in an experiment a theory I¡¯ve built on my desk.¡±

    ¡°I get you. And you¡¯re definitely right.¡±

    Michel propped his cheeks up on the table and said with a bewitching smile.

    ¡°¡ª You¡¯re not fit to be a queen.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The knight guards were about to say something, but Rishe deterred them with a glance.

    Though it was riddled with elements of misunderstanding, Michel meant no offense at all. He continued in a clear voice.

    ¡°Because, you know what?¡¡The freedom to go anywhere and try anything you want anytime suits you better. You¡¯re much better suited to that way of life.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Teacher.¡±

    ¡° I wish you could come with me.¡±

    When he craned his neck, his golden hair spilled out in the breeze.

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll discover a lot of things you don¡¯t know. I¡¯ll teach you everything you need to know, how about it?¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much for the invitation ¡­ but what concerns me most right now is ¡­¡±

    Rishe looked out the window.

    In the distance, she could see the detached palace where her room and the others¡¯ were located. Arnold should be back in his office and conducting official business in that one room.

    ¡°Arnold Hein?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She stiffened.

    When Michel looked down, the shadow of his long lashes fell on his cheeks.

    ¡°I¡¯m interested in him too. I heard that he refused Kyle¡¯s request, but his refusal was very much suited to my experiments, you know? I¡¯d like to know what would happen if I gave him a certain drug.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡­¡±

    She felt an unpleasant sweat trickle down her face.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve named it Gunpowder. If it¡¯s your husband, phew¡­¡±

    Michel said, looking at Rishe with somewhat dark eyes.

    ¡°¨C I have a feeling its use would be very effective.¡±

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 Chapter 64.1 Who Teacher Was Searching For

    Her upset manifested on her face only for a moment.

    Rishe quickly erased it and smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s very interesting to experiment with His Highness Arnold.¡±

    She exuded false curiosity and pretended to be genuinely interested.

    Her heart was pounding, but Michel probably didn¡¯t notice it.

    I have to draw out information¡­

    Michel¡¯s ¡°gunpowder¡± was a chemical that could blow up everything.

    Rishe couldn¡¯t believe it when she witnessed its power for the first time. The experimental hut exploded from the inside, and the stone walls shattered and crumbled in an instant.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about this drug, Rishe.¡±

    After showing Rishe the site, Michel smiled against the black smoke rising at a distance, putting his index finger to his lips.

    ¡°We have to hide it properly. ¡ª I¡¯ll decide who will be the first to use this gunpowder.¡±

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    Michel had been searching for that person for a long time. And Rishe, who had been his student, had hoped that such a person wouldn¡¯t appear forever.

    But still, he finally found him.

    He had found the worst candidate in the world that Rishe could ever imagine.

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d meet him here.¡±

    Michel whispered calmly, unlike his voice earlier.

    Miche¡¯s student, Rishe, knew about the conclusions Michel had drawn in his research. Michel knew how much sound could reach others, in which direction and at what distance.

    With his back to the knights, Michel¡¯s speech would be almost inaudible to them.

    ¡°I wanted to give my gunpowder to someone who could hold the real power of war. So over the years, I¡¯ve been researching the policies of the kings of various countries. But just by reading the records, I could tell that the emperor of Garkhain was emotional and troublesome. And I felt that his son, the Crown Prince, obviously wasn¡¯t not the right person for my experiment ¨C because his policies made him the true ¡®good king¡¯ himself.¡±

    After a gentle smile, Michel tucked his hair behind his ears.

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    Rishe innocently asked a question so not to show her frustration.

    ¡°Teachr, what kind of person are you looking for?¡±

    In her life as an alchemist, Michel had never told her that.

    ¡°It¡¯s a secret until I find him¡±, he said mischievously probably because of Rishe was against the ¡°gunpowder experiment¡±.

    Maybe, Michel would tell her in this life.

    As she stared at Michel expectantly, he chuckled.

    ¡°Neither a tyrannical king nor a good king is suitable for my ¡®experiment¡¯. I¡¯ve decided that the Emperor and the Crown Prince of Garkhain fit the bill. What have with me is premature.¡±

    ¡­ So, Teacher has never approached His Highness Arnold in my other lives.

    Michel¡¯s gunpowder wasn¡¯t used in the war waged Emperor Arnold Hein waged.

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    If Arnold had known of the existence of gunpowder, he would surely have put it to practical use and waged an ¡°efficient¡± war, just as how he said he used the pocket watch he lent to Rieshe to make decisions on a mission.

    Teacher isn¡¯t interested in others¡¯ gossip. Rather than regard His Highness Arnold based on his reputation as the ¡°ruthless Crown Prince¡±, he believed in the ¡°results¡± of the policies that he had implemented. ¡ª And after His Highness became Emperor, he excluded him from his experiment list for the same reason as the current Emperor.

 Chapter 64.2

    But in this life, he found Arnold.

    ¡°¨C¡­¡­ His Royal Highness Arnold is a very good Crown Prince!¡±

    Rishe said with a smile.

    ¡°Uh-huh, he¡¯s a very gentle man. He cares about preventing people from being impoverished by war, and because he was distressed to see knights injured in training, he devised his own training routines.¡±

    She chose her words with care, all along feigning cheerfulness on the surface.

    ¡°And on top of that, he¡¯s willing to listen to my every wish. The other day, when I lost a bet, I told him I¡¯ll do whatever he says, but instead of giving me an order, he gave me a ring. Hmm, isn¡¯t he nice?¡±

    As if she was proud of her fianc¨¦.

    Rishe maintained her smile throughout her speech, so as not to sound like she was trying to convince Michel.

    ¡°If he has mentioned something awful to Prince Kyle, perhaps that wasn¡¯t his intention. Therefore, His Highness Arnold isn¡¯t the kind of person you are looking for¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey, Rishe¡­¡±

    He directed his bewitching smile to her.

    ¡°Can I meet your husband?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe nodded, keeping her natural smile.

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll ask if he could set aside some time for you in the near future.¡±

    ¡°Then go and see him now. If he¡¯s as kind as you say he is, he¡¯ll forgive me, won¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Teacher Michel, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand. You don¡¯t really want me to meet him, do you?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

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    Michel chuckled, looking at her.

    ¡°Then you can do it, Rishe. Because I find you as interesting as Arnold Hein.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Please don¡¯t joke about it. There¡¯s nothing that would be of interest to Teacher, including me.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±

    He replied as he peered at Rishe.

    ¡°You never once asked me what ¡®gunpowder¡¯ was all about.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She realized her blunder.

    She thought she was careful not to overreact or be overly surprised, but it backfired on her.

    ¡°It might be interesting to check you out. If you agree with that, then maybe I might feel better about staying away from Arnold Hein.¡±

    ¡°¡­Teacher¡±

    ¡°Fufufu, I¡¯m sorry Rishe. I know it¡¯s a terrible thing to say, but this is my mission, too.¡±

    ¡°Your mission?¡±

    ¡°Yes. What is created as a poison has value only if it fulfills its job to kill. It¡¯s similar to what makes my existence worthwhile.¡±

    Michel said smilingly.

    ¡°Humans who have been born to ruin the world have to behave in accordance with their mission. That¡¯s what my alchemy abilities were bestowed upon me to do.¡±

    She sniffed something as sweet as a flower.

    This was the smell of the scented cigarettes Michel often smoked.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same one I¡¯m after. ¡ª Turning the world upside down, making a mess. I¡¯ve been looking for someone with the makings of a king for a long time.¡±

    ***

    Rishe, accompanied by her knight guards, was walking down the corridor of the main castle.

    Shortly after that, Kyle¡¯s messenger called Michel, and their ¡°class¡± time was over.

    Michel bid her with a smile, ¡°See you tomorrow, Rishe,¡± and left the room as if nothing had happened.

    That conversation might be nothing for Teacher, but that can¡¯t take be a joke¡­.

    She felt like sighing while walking down the hallway.

    Teacher Michel will contact His Highness Arnold by any means necessary, and I¡¯m sure His Highness will listen to his suggestions. I¡¯ve found from spending time with him that he¡¯s flexible with new technology and knowledge ¡­¡­

    She could only imagine the consequences if Arnold learned of the existence of gunpowder and failed to avoid the future of war.

    I won¡¯t let His Highness discover the existence of gunpowder. At the same time, aim for friendly relations with Koyor¡­¡­. And as quickly as possible¡­¡­.

    She was immersed in her thoughts that she didn¡¯t pay attention to her surroundings.

    As a result, a hand suddenly reached out and caught Rishe¡¯s wrist from the side of the hallway.

    ¡°!¡±

    Her eyes widened.

 Chapter 65.1 Beautiful light

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore!¡±

    ¡°¡­ Hi sister-in-law.¡±

    It was Theodore, Arnold¡¯s brother, who captured Rishe.

    Had he just returned from his official duties? He was wearing an outdoor cloak, and his lips were bent at the sight of Rishe.

    It was clear without asking him why he looked sullen.

    ¡°They found out? The man-dressing thing.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Theodore removed his hand from Rishe, crossed his arms, and stared down at her.

    Even so, he still spoke in a whisper so that the knight guards couldn¡¯t hear him. Facing Theodore like this, Rishe could only apologize flatly.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry. You¡¯ve even done so much for me¡­¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s inevitable that you¡¯d get caught. Even if you managed to fool Brother, it¡¯s not that complicated. But that¡¯s not the point. What¡¯s with your reaction? It¡¯s not like you¡¯re the only one having fun!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean having fun¡­?¡±

    ¡°I mean, why would Brother go to visit the cadets? He¡¯s never done that before. I was doing official business in the favelas when I got a report about it, but I wasn¡¯t too freaked out deep inside.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, about that¡­¡±

    ¡°Arnold told me that he came to check on the cadet that you recommended because he was concerned about it.¡±

    After hearing that, Theodore went silent for a good few seconds, then covered his face with his hands and looked down quietly.

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Wait, it¡¯s a bit hard to digest that account, so let me put it aside for now and don¡¯t think about it¡­ I¡¯d like you to tell me again at a later date, not now, about how Brother reacted¡­¡±

    Ta, that sounds like a lot of work¡­

    It seemed that a lot of things were hard to swallow right away because of all the things that have happened over the years. Looking at Theodore¡¯s back, which was almost drooping, Rishe asked, ¡°Nevertheless, weren¡¯t you out at the favelas? How could the news of His Highness Arnold¡¯s visit reach you so quickly?¡±

    ¡°My ¡®vassals¡¯ are proficient at what they do, and I have a complete network of information so that I can find out about any incidents related to Brother even if I¡¯m down in the castle.¡±

    Theodore said with all seriousness. As expected of a prince, he had enormous power as a prince, but he only poured his abilities into his brother.

    The ¡°vassals¡± he was referring to shouldn¡¯t be pointing to knights who serve the imperial family. He must be referring to the people of the favelas and lowlifes who were indebted to him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not just about Brother, I¡¯ve done a thorough investigation on the backgrounds of the trainees as well. I also monitor their behavior during their stay in the castle to see if they pick up some strange plays.¡±

    ¡°I see. As His Royal Highness, you¡¯re watching over the knights¡¯ in the making in the shadows, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s part of it.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    When Rishe tilted her head, Theodore said reluctantly, ¡°¡­I sent my sister-in-law over. If there¡¯s a strange person mixed in with that group and something happens to you, I¡¯d be sorry for my brother.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    Apparently, he was watching over Rishe as well.

    ¡°Thank you, and I¡¯m sorry for worrying you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about you. All of this is for my brother, of course.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu, I understand¡­ Then, Your Highness¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s cheeks reflexively relaxed, but she looked up at him with her smile gone.

    ¡°Could I borrow some of your proficient ¡®vassals¡¯ for a while?¡±

    Theodore¡¯s eyes widened at Rishe¡¯s request.

    ¡°I¡¯d like them to report directly to me, not to Your Highness. All I ask of them are simple tasks. I can promise you they won¡¯t be in danger.¡±

    ¡°¡­Let me ask you just one thing. Is that going to help my brother?¡±

    ¡°No. Rather the opposite.¡±

    Rishe flatly said.

    ¡°To rebel against His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 65.2

    Theodore wasn¡¯t bothered with that answer for just a few seconds.

    ¡°Fine.¡±

    He immediately curled the corners of his mouth, a mischievous smile on his face.

    ¡°Sounds like fun. I¡¯ll give you a ride.¡±

    ¡°So, do we have a deal?¡±

    This was how a sister and brother-in-law quietly made a secret pact with each other.

    ****

    After parting with Theodore, Rishe hastily wrote several letters.

    She entrusted them to her maidservants, ate dinner alone, and then went to work in the fields. After checking on the maidservants¡¯ work, she bathed in hot water, and returned to her room.

    Once her hair was dried, she waved the maidservants away for rest and to be alone.

    She sat down in the only chair in the room and breathed softly. She naturally thought about Michel.

    ¡°¨C Thank you, teacher.¡±

    In her life as an alchemist, he had once taken Rishe out to the northern tip of Koyor.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see such a magnificent aurora borealis.¡±

    That was the simplest word she could come up with at that moment.

    On one continent, in Koyor, the Northern Lights could be seen. But Rishe had never seen them throughout her lives.

    ¡°It was just the right time of the year. It¡¯s most visible on an evening when it¡¯s warm for a while and then suddenly cools down, but it looks like it¡¯s going to rain in a few hours if we don¡¯t hurry.¡±

    As they walked through the snowfield, Michel took out a glass bottle.

    Inside the corked bottle was a special chemical Michel had formulated. Normally colorless and transparent, it only produced snow-white crystals when the temperature dropped.

    It wasn¡¯t exactly accurate to be reported to the royal family, but it helped a great deal to the extent that Rishe and the others used it on a daily basis. Michel was right. It looked like they had to hurry on their way back.

    ¡°So, Rishe, did it give you a pointer on the research you¡¯ve been choking on?¡±

    ¡°Yes, very much!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±

    Michel laughed as she shook the lantern in her hand.

    Rishe was also wearing a fur cloak, but Michel, who was frozen, was one step more lumpy. The multiple layers wrapped around his neck made it difficult for him to move.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, teacher. I¡¯m sorry you had to go all this way for me.¡±

    ¡°Why are you sorry? It¡¯s because you¡¯re my apprentice.¡±

    Michel exhaled a cloudy breath and bent his head.

    ¡°I can show you anything you want to see. If there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know, I¡¯ll teach you with all the knowledge I have¡­ Of course, if you want to get to something on your own, I won¡¯t stand in your way.¡±

    Michel often told Rishe that.

    When the people around her saw him, they were always surprised. Their impression of him was always, ¡°The only thing Michel Evan cares about is his research. He doesn¡¯t care about anyone else.¡±

    But that wans¡¯t the case.

    ¡°Why are you paying so much attention to me?¡±

    ¡°Why, you say?¡±

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t take an apprentice, you could devote yourself to your own research. So why is that?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s right.¡±

    Michel put a hand to his chin as they walked down the snow-cleared path.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because it¡¯s the only ¡®good¡¯ thing I could do in my life.¡±

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    ¡°¡­Teacher?¡±

    His mumbled response sounded as if it had been sucked into the surrounding snow.

    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to dwell on that. Just learn more, absorb more, grow up steadily, and grow taller.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Teacher, I can¡¯t grow any taller physically.¡±

    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re already that old?¡­ Well, that¡¯s shall we say out of the question.¡±

    He looked back at Rishe and smiled really gently.

    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m very much looking forward to what kind of scholar you¡¯ll be.¡±

    She thought that line must have come from Michel¡¯s heart.

    It wasn¡¯t that he was particularly kind only to Rishe as his student. He also looked out for Kyle and liked the people living in Koyor.

    It wasn¡¯t that he had some kind of animosity towards others. It wasn¡¯t that he wished to ¡°experiment¡± with gunpowder out of some nasty feelings or cruelty.

    It was for these reasons that it was impossible to get a handle on him.

    What Teacher wants to do is experiment to see if gunpowder can change the world.

    Rishe slowly meditated.

    ¡ª I wonder what will happen if I tell Teacher everything.

    That was the option that went through her brain.

 Chapter 65.3

    I¡¯ve lived my life over and over again, so what if I told him that I know what the future holds. What if I told him that His Highness Arnold is going to start a war and I don¡¯t want you to give him the gunpowder?

    Michel told his experimental collaborators at the time that he didn¡¯t want a ¡°Tyrannical King¡±.

    What if I told Teacher that giving His Highness Arnold the gunpowder will bring about a catastrophic future.

    But Michel didn¡¯t regard hearsays about someone¡¯s reputation for granted.

    He must see for himself, prove it, and judge personally. Then, in the end, contacting Arnold would be inevitable.

    Another option came to Rishe¡¯s mind.

    If I were to leave the country and go away with Teacher Michel, would he still reach out to Arnold?

    Then he might smile and say, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Thoughts ran in circles in her mind.

    She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes.

    She noticed something strange on the other side of the balcony, where the curtains weren¡¯t closed.

    ¡­ Light?

    When she looked up, a very small speck of light swooped across the outside.

    Realizing what it was, Rishe hurriedly got up from her chair and stepped out onto the balcony, still in her nightdress.

    And then he let out an involuntary gasp.

    ¡°¡­ Whoa.¡±

    A lot of fireflies were flying around.

    It was as if fragments of a star had come down and were fluffily playing around. Rishe looked up and her eyes sparkled.

    In the midst of all the time loops so far, she has gotten used to these creatures.

    Perhaps because of this, she could immediately recognize their type just by looking at the characteristics of their glow.

    They¡¯re Luciola Fireflies. How lovely.

    These fireflies were a land-based species that could fly quite high. They were relatively common on this continent, but when seen close up, they were very beautiful.

    It¡¯s a shame to appreciate them alone. It¡¯s bath time for all the maidservants. That guy, however ¡­¡­

    Rishe glanced at the next balcony.

    It was then.

    She heard a click, then the door opened.

    The owner of the adjacent room she was thinking might come out, appeared onto the balcony.

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    ¡°!¡±

    Then they looked at each other.

    ¡°Go¡­good evening.¡±

    ¡°¡­Hmm.¡±

    The events of the day were still fresh in her mind, and she felt somewhat shy. Arnold, however, seemed unconcerned, and remained cool.

    With his sword in his hand, Arnold quickly averted his gaze from Rishe and looked at the lights that were flashing around him.

    ¡°What are these?¡±

    ¡°Fireflies.¡±

    ¡°Fireflies¡­¡±

    Arnold said, as if chewing an unfamiliar word.

    After a few moments of contemplation, he said sullenly, ¡°If you wish to exterminate them, I will order others to do so.¡±

    ¡°What? Why?!¡±

    ¡°Fireflies mean bugs.¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

    Rishe was appalled by that unemotional rejoinder.

    Above all, regardless of whether these creatures emitted a beautiful light or not, extermination was a ridiculous thing to do.

    ¡°Insect control is necessary, but you can¡¯t go about killing them indiscriminately! Every living creature, including humans, is part of a big chain. If you kill too much of one of them, it affects everything in the chain.¡±

    Rishe ran to the railing close to Arnold¡¯s side to persuade him.

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    The balcony of her room wasn¡¯t connected to the next room, and even if she stood right by the railing, Arnold was a little far away.

    ¡°Besides, this is for human convenience. Take a look.¡±

    She pointed to the fireflies drawing lines of light and smiled at him.

    ¡°Very beautiful, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold, who looked like he was mulling over something, let out a sigh after a few moments of silence.

    ¡°¡­ I suppose so.¡±

    She was glad he understood.

    Rishe was happy, but on the other hand, had mixed feelings.

    It¡¯s weird. All my worries are all due to His Highness Arnold.

    While thinking about this, they stood on the balconies of their respective rooms for a while, watching the fireflies.

    A glow that passed in front of Rishe¡¯s eyes went straight past and danced and frolicked near Arnold.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it flying towards Your Highness?¡±

    She uttered with a hint of resentment to which Arnold laughed with a wicked grin on his face.

    ¡°Then you can come to this room too.¡±

    She was in agreement with that.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s only about a meter and a half away.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

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    Rishe plucked at the hem of her nightdress.

    She put her hand on the balcony railing, and with a flourish, leaned up on her knees and climbed directly on top of the railing.

    ¡°Hey, no way¡­¡­.¡±

    Arnold was about to deter her, but before he could complete his sentence, she had already moved.

    With that thought, Rishe flew in a swoosh.

    It was nothing for Rishe to jump over railings.

    She was supposed to land once on the railing on the other side, and then fly again from there and jump down to the balcony where Arnold was.

    Even Arnold knew that Rishe could jump down from the second floor. Their rooms were on the fourth floor, so there shouldn¡¯t be any problem.

    That was how it should be.

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    ¡°Kyaaa~¡±

    Rishe couldn¡¯t help but scream.

    Because the moment she jumped down onto the balcony, Arnold caught her as if to protect her.

    T/N: Kyaaaaah¡­ nice catch Arnold. Watta romantic firefly date¡­

 Chapter 66.1 The Fire Once Seen

    Then came a clattering noise.

    That must be the sound of Arnold¡¯s sword falling. Apparently, he even threw the sword in his hand to catch her.

    The moment she realized it, she felt like she couldn¡¯t breathe.

    ¡°Arnold, Your Highness.¡±

    She desperately wanted to speak and ended up calling his name.

    Her heart skipped a beat.

    It was no surprise. After all, Arnold has now elfolded Rishe in his arms!

    ¡°Uh-um¡­.¡±

    For some reason, he wouldn¡¯t let go of her, so Rishe hurriedly added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯ve surprised you. But uhm, Your Highness¡­¡±

    She clutched Arnold¡¯s coat. She wanted to look him in the eye, but she didn¡¯t think she could even raise her face.

    ¡°Your Highness knows it already, right?¡¡That I could jump over this far without problems.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah. After all, you jumped off a balcony to the ground.¡±

    ¡°Then why would you¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    A few seconds of silence followed.

    With that thought in mind, Arnold who was carrying Rishe muttered vexedly, ¡°¡­Despite knowing it, you can¡¯t blame me for moving reflexively.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    That unexpected response took her breath away.

    He has always had a gutsy smile when he was trying to ruffle Rishe.

    But now, his voice sounded reluctant and slightly sulky. This unusual behavior threw her off balance.

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    As the strength of his arms relaxed, Rishe awkwardly moved away from him.

    Then with a gasp, hurriedly picked up Arnold¡¯s sword. He threw it out for her, but it was important to a swordsman.

    ¡°Thank you very much.¡±

    Arnold took the offered sword with a somewhat tangled look on his face.

    Then he took his eyes off of Rishe and turned away. Could it be that Arnold was feeling awkward as well?

    ¡°¡­Why did you jump over in the first place? I think you should have just walked out into the hallway and into this room through the door.¡±

    He said that deceptively that Rishe blinked.

    ¡°Through the door?¡±

    ¡°Through the door.¡±

    ¡°Instead of jumping over the balcony?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Mulling over calmly at his words, Rishe finally realized.

    ¡°¡­Right!?¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha.¡±

    Arnold looked down and chuckled.

    Then he looked at her and gave her a gentle, yet grating smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same as when you tried to go across the ¡®shortest¡¯ as you did then.¡±

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡±

    She had an idea about it, but she brazenly feigned ignorance.

    Even so, Arnold was tolerant of Rishe¡¯s behavior.

    Rather than being disgusted or scolding her and lecturing her on the proper decorum of a Crown Princess, he looked around as if he was enjoying the view.

    At first, I thought he was just teasing me.

    He appeared really enjoying himself, so she couldn¡¯t really get mad at him either.

    You¡¯re a strange man. Arnold would probably look bitter if she were to say that outright.

    ¡°By the way, why does Your Highness have a sword?¡±

    When asked, he looked up at the fireflies and said, ¡°I mistook this light for the light of a torch.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    That made sense.

    The light of fireflies blinked at regular intervals. They drew a line of light, broke off once, and then shone again, and so on.

    Come to think of it, it¡¯s quite similar¡­

    To the torches seen on the battlefield.

    Rightly so, it could be said that it resembled the movement of a scouting unit approaching, hiding in the shadows, relying on the light of a torch.

    Of course, the resemblance wasn¡¯t so great that they could be immediately linked. And since they were inside a castle, it was obvious that such caution was unfounded.

    Still, it was natural for Arnold to pick up the sword.

    The memories of the battlefield are deeply rooted in this man¡­

    If Rishe had not experienced the life of a knight, she probably couldn¡¯t understand it at all.

    Or would she have feared Arnold or distanced herself from him more than necessary?

    However, this was no longer the case for Rishe who was standing next to him.

    ¡°¨CIf it were me¡­¡±

    She prefaced it and pointed to the ramparts that should be on the other side of the darkness.

    ¡°I would create narrow gaps in the walls and place archers in every part of those walls. I¡¯d install a bell in each of the compartments so that we can ¡®warn¡¯ others loudly and repel other intruders we find.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She looked up at the man who was once her enemy and smiled as if to challenge him.

    Arnold looked surprised for a moment, then immediately said with amusement.

    ¡°¨CThe sound is tricky, but the bow isn¡¯t much of a threat. Everywhere you go, there is an emphasis on ¡®knightly virtue¡¯ or something like that, and archers are only seen as an auxiliary force. They aren¡¯t very skilled, and the accuracy of their aim is limited.¡±

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 Chapter 66.2

    ¡°Ugh, sure.¡±

    ¡°Of course, we conduct our research beforehand. So far, I haven¡¯t experienced any of my troops retreating because of bow interference.¡±

    As far as Rishe knew, only the eastern continent respected archers. Top-notch wielders didn¡¯t come along very often if their skills weren¡¯t given due credit.

    Arnold, who had been an opponent in her knightly life, was totally dismissive of a bow threat. From the standpoint of an intruder, she would have hoped that he would have at least been vigilant.

    ¡°Suppose the castle is the battlefield and you¡¯re already at a disadvantage as the defender, what would you do then?¡±

    ¡°¡­If the opposing general is you, I¡¯d deliberately leave holes in the line of defense and pretend that there are unprotected areas.¡±

    ¡°Ho. Are you going to invite the enemy in?¡±

    ¡°That way, Your Highness won¡¯t be alarmed and won¡¯t be foolish enough to attack, right? If the battle evolves into a siege, it¡¯ll be the end of the world. My top priority is ¡®never to be perceived as inferior¡¯. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll act like I¡¯m waiting for you, not running away, and stand before Your Highness with aplomb!¡±

    ¡°Ha. Interesting.¡±

    Amidst fluffy and dancing fireflies, Arnold propped his elbows on the balcony railing and continued, ¡°The key is to increase the bulk of the army. The southern side of this castle is the hardest to defend, so how will you make up for it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d have to take advantage of the environment. For example, manipulate tricks¡ª¡±

    Nevertheless, Arnold came up with strategies effortlessly.

    Whenever Rishe contrived and designed a strategy, he instantly broke them. Looking at the beautiful glows, Rishe got frustrated and asked Arnold, ¡°¡­Do you have a fountain of inexhaustible strategy Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°It sounds good when you put it that way. Tactics are built on the premise of ¡®weaknesses¡¯ in humans.¡±

    ¡°Weaknesses¡­¡±

    ¡°Even in a siege, where it¡¯s likely to be devastating, it¡¯s easy to exploit the weaknesses. For example, if you capture the country¡¯s women and children and kill them savagely in front of the city walls, the enemy soldiers may open the gates themselves and even come to your aid¡­ I can think of countless ideas like that in my head.¡±

    Rishe blinked once.

    She couldn¡¯t see any emotion on his profile while he was watching fireflies. So she asked, ¡°You hate wars, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Normally, others would entertain the opposite impression.¡±

    ¡°Really? But I don¡¯t think a warmonger would have that look on their face.¡±

    He smiled at that, but he still had a bitter look on his face.

    A firefly softly approached and Rishe followed it with her gaze. The large grain of light twinkled and illuminated Arnold¡¯s hair and eyes.

    Ah~

    A sparkling stardust reflected off in his eyes.

    His clear sea-blue eyes were staring straight at her. Rishe couldn¡¯t help but gasp, getting more enamored by Arnold¡¯s eyes than the fireflies flitting splendidly around.

    ¡°You have really, beautiful eyes ¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The words, which came out unconsciously, seemed to touch something in Arnold.

    When he gently lowered his eyes, the length of his eyelashes stood out. Arnold looked at her and responded, ¡°¨CThese eyes are the same color as my father.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    The sound of his voice, though clearly audible, had a somewhat croaky ring to it.

 Chapter 67.1 First Time Finding It Out

    ¡°These eyes are proof that I have my father¡¯s blood in my veins¡­ When I was a kid, I wanted to gouge out both of my eyes.¡±

    ¡°¡­Your Highness.¡±

    Arnold looked at Rishe and said in a subdued voice.

    With a sincerity that showed no hesitation, he told the truth, which was commonplace to him.

    ¡°They aren¡¯t beautiful and worthy of your admiration.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His words brought a stabbing pain in her chest.

    He averted his gaze from Rishe and looked out through the fireflies of the evening darkness towards the imperial city.

    The overlooking cityscape from the balcony during the daytime was now pitch black and silent.

    ¡°The first day you came to this castle, you said you¡¯ve been longing for this country.¡±

    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s still a wonderful place to visit in person.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t feel the same sentiments about what you appreciate. The light of these insects looks like warfare, and the view of the imperial city down here feels like an abomination.¡±

    Arnold exhaled briefly and then spoke up.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s because I have the same eyes as my father¡¯s, or maybe it¡¯s because we are the same in nature ¡ª Either way, it¡¯s still ugly.¡±

    His profile while speaking resembled his usual nonchalance.

    However, Rishe saw a small glimpse of Arnold¡¯s underlying emotions.

    Thus, she responded, ¡°¡­Do you remember how you thanked me when I detoxified all the knights on our way to Garkhain?¡±

    Arnold returned his gaze to her when she asked.

    ¡°Your Highness told me about the merits of the knights then. You know their virtues because you¡¯ve been right there with them, right? Everything else you see is the same.¡±

    Rishe enunciated slowly.

    ¡°Whether the lights in the distance resemble warfare or the light of a beautiful firefly, those values aren¡¯t immutable inheritance from your parents, but something acquired from what you¡¯ve seen and heard before.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Then you just have to know. You can enjoy the beauty of this country and its wonderful creatures in the future.¡±

    She spoke while staring straight into Arnold¡¯s blue eyes. She smiled brightly, trying to hide the ache in her heart.

    She did her best to hold back the urge to touch him and stroke his head as she would a small child, and added, ¡°You¡¯ll surely see a lot of beautiful and important things.¡±

    ¡°Ha~¡±

    Arnold snorted with a self-mocking smile.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for such a thing. All I have to have is what I can use for my own purposes, that¡¯s all. Eliminate the unnecessary, cut them down, and move on. That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve killed people I cared about with my own hands¡­ Now that you¡¯re here, I can also kill you if you¡¯re a hindrance.¡±

    Rishe recalled. Theodore once told her that Arnold had killed his mother. Could he be referring to that time?

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to with the matters with Koyor.¡±

    A dark light lurked in his blue eyes.

    With a ruthless look on his face, Arnold warned, ¡°Don¡¯t let me get rid of you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe squeaked and pursed her lips.

    It wasn¡¯t because his command was horrifying.

    ¨CIt sounded more like a plea.

    What for?

    If she was only going to be around for a purpose, and she let him be by his side for his needs, he shouldn¡¯t have asked such a wish on Rishe.

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    ¡°I can¡¯t make any promises on that¡­¡±

    She made up her mind and answered.

    ¡°I¡¯ll move for what I want to achieve, even if I have to be your wife. Even if you end up killing me, that way of life for me is just non-negotiable. Besides¡­¡±

    Rishe proudly told Arnold, ¡°I just have to come back here again.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

 Chapter 67.2

    ¡°If you kick me out now and tell me to break off the engagement, I¡¯ll come back to this castle for an interview as a maid.¡±

    Arnold blinked and his eyes widened a bit.

    Feeling that her prank was successful, she grinned and continued to speak, ¡°If that doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll dress up as a man and be a knight, or as a pharmacist. I¡¯ll come back to you as often as I can and learn the skills that will allow me to sneak into this castle.¡±

    When she first came to this country, she thought she might get divorced and kicked out one day.

    She even took some measures to make sure that she could survive without problems if that happened.

    But now, all that Rishe wanted to do was to stay in this castle and stay by Arnold¡¯s side.

    ¡°So don¡¯t worry. Your Highness won¡¯t quietly eliminate me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Simultaneously with that declaration, Rishe came up with a conclusion.

    I understand now what I should do for His Highness Arnold in the future.

    To change his perspective and let him get to know a new aspect of the world.

    To that end, Rishe wanted to show him something. No, that person might not be Arnold alone.

    ¡°I beg your pardon, Your Highness.¡±

    Rishe reached for him.

    She wrapped her hands around his cheeks and stared at him gently. It would be impolite to touch him unnecessarily, but she ended up unable to resist it.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know your father, but to me, these eyes are the color of Your Highness¡¯s eyes, not your fathers¡­. I would repeat it over and over again, even if you find it an abomination yourself.¡±

    Gazing into eyes the color of the frozen sea, Rishe smiled.

    ¡°I think the color of your eyes is the most beautiful in the world.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

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    Arnold slightly frowned.

    Of course she didn¡¯t want to impose her values on him. She didn¡¯t even want to deny the feelings he has for his own eyes.

    But she really had to tell him.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    How did these words resonate with Arnold?

    He looked down and laid his own hand on top of Rishe¡¯s hand, still with a blank expression and no hint of emotion in his eyes.

    She felt like he was about to say something.

    However, that sign soon disappeared. Arnold gave her a vaguely gentle gaze and said, ¡°¡­It¡¯s late. Take a break today.¡±

    Then he gently let go of Rishe¡¯s hands, which were wrapped around his cheeks.

    Rishe meekly withdrew her hands and whispered in a tiny voice. The truth was, she felt a sense of regret, but his emotions were too deceptive.

    ¡°Good night, Your Royal Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°¡­Hmm.¡±

    The next thing she knew, the lights of the fireflies were no longer visible.

    By the time Rishe returned to her balcony, Arnold had already gone back to his room. She gently looked back.

    The breeze blowing across the balcony at night rustled the hem of her nightdress.

    The night view was much lonelier than it was earlier when she was alone.

    ¡­ I can¡¯t believe he wanted to gouge his eyes.

    Arnold¡¯s words conveyed an aversion or disgust for his father.

    However, she didn¡¯t think it was a simple feud between father and son that caused him to be so uncomfortable with the color of his own eyes. After entering her room, Rishe went straight to her bunk.

    Then she took out a piece of paper that she had hidden under the pillow.

    This was a design drawing of the ring that Arnold has given her. Rishe looked at the drawing with its beautiful design many times before going to bed.

    The ring was supposed to use a gemstone of the same color as Arnold¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe put away the design drawings again, got off her bed and went to her desk.

    While looking at the pocket watch that she borrowed from Arnold, she picked up a feathered pen.

    It¡¯s almost the bedtime I promised His Highness.¨C I¡¯ve got to do what I can until then.

    *

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry for last night, my lord.¡±

    Oliver, Arnold¡¯s squire, bowed in his office.

    The office desk, which has only been used for a short time, was already stacked with piles and piles of documents. Nevertheless, the document Arnold was holding in his hand was the one Oliver just gave him.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I was just going to call you on this matter.¡±

    ¡°By some chance, will you be moving right away?¡±

    Oliver raised an eyebrow at his lord¡¯s unexpected command.

    ¡°I understand the need for this, but it is somewhat premature.¡±

    ¡°It makes sense because he thinks so too.¡±

    Arnold said with a cold look.

    ¡°¨C Besides, some damages are within calculation.¡±

 Chapter 68.1 Position to protect people

    ¡°¡­Lu, got a minute?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After the early morning training that day.

    Rishe¡¯s smile froze when Fritz called her.

    Sven, who was training with them, has gone to the well to fetch water.

    It was just Rishe, who was dressed in her men¡¯s attire, and Fritz were in the training grounds, where no other candidates have yet arrived.

    Today, Fritz was behaving quite strangely.

    The way he wielded his sword was sluggish, somewhat distracted and clumsy.

    And Rishe had an inkling to the reason for this disturbance.

    ¡°That-After yesterday¡¯s training¡­¡±

    In the end, I¡¯m sorry you¡¯ve been in so much trouble¡­

    After all, he saw me talking to Arnold, the person he idolized.

    Moreover, I was cornered against a wall and had my cheek squeezed by His Royal Highness Arnold¡­

    Fritz looked somewhat awkward, while Rishe looked distant. He searched for words one by one and continued in a mysterious manner.

    If this is an insensitive question, feel free to punch me in the face. You were in the back of the training ground yesterday with His Highness Arnold¡­

    She knew he misunderstood.

    With this confirmation, Rishe laughed it off with the excuse she came up with.

    ¡°Yeah. I had His Highness Arnold remove the rubbish in my eyes!¡±

    ¡°¨CEh.¡±

    Fritz blinked repeatedly.

    While he was stunned and taken aback, Rishe continued her explanation without pause.

    ¡°It was windy yesterday, right? I screamed when I got some dust in my eye, and His Royal Highness Arnold noticed it and came over to check on me. I was so frightened that I struggled, so he ended up pinning me down and I was immobilized. Thanks to him, I was able to get rid of the dust right away and didn¡¯t have to go to the well to wash up.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Fritz. You could have listened to various stories about swordsmanship, but you hurriedly left!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe inwardly broke out in a cold sweat in front of the silent Fritz.

    Could she deceive him? At the same time she gulped, Fritz finally spoke.

    ¡°S¡­¡±

    ¡°S?¡±

    ¡°¨CAwesome Lu!¡¡I didn¡¯t expect His Royal Highness Arnold to take the dust out of your eyes in person!¡±

    Thank goodness!!!

    Rishe almost collapsed when she realized that Fritz believed her.

    Fritz looked radiant, and for some reason, looked terribly relieved.

    ¡°I see, so there was dust in your eyes¡­So, that¡¯s what it was¡­¡±

    Fritz admires His Highness Arnold. I bet he didn¡¯t want to see someone whom he considers a hero pinning a mere trainee to the wall¡­

    She felt apologetic when she thought that this bothered him all night.

    ¡°By the way, Lu, you tried to stop me yesterday. You must have tried to get me to meet His Highness Arnold! Ah, it¡¯s shameful how I¡¯ve jumped to the wrong conclusion¡­¡±

    Fritz clutched his head in his hands, so Rishe gently cheered him up.

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    ¡°There are plenty of opportunities to show His Highness Arnold your talent once you become a real knight. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do just fine.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Then Fritz snapped out of it and crouched down.

    ¡°¡­Lu, now I¡¯m going to tell you something uncool.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? What is it?¡±

    ¡°I spent the evening thinking in circles, and I got scared.¡±

    There seemed to be another reason why Fritz was acting strange.

    When Rishe nodded, he began to speak quietly.

    ¡°It was under the influence of His Highness Arnold that I came to be a knight.¡±

    ¡°I remember. Didn¡¯t you say His Highness Arnold saved your town from an enemy¡¯s invasion?¡±

    Fritz nodded his head and continued with a look of dejection.

    ¡°Did I tell you about it like it was a pleasant experience for me? But that¡¯s not really true. I was just being cheerful on purpose, but I have other memories of that day.¡±

    Of course, I knew that¡­

 Chapter 68.2

    Fritz said he saw Arnold wielding his sword.

    But if he was a child who had escaped to safety, there would have been no such opportunity.

    The Emperor Arnold Hein, whom Rishe knew, was himself at the forefront.

    He was the same in this lifetime when they were on their trip back to Garkhain. When bandits attacked the carriage, Arnold alighted from the carriage and swung his sword, despite the presence of the knights guarding him.

    His Highness Arnold is always the most dangerous in the battlefield.

    If he witnessed him wielding his sword, then Fritz was left in the danger zone when Siutena became a battleground.

    ¡°It was like a dream come true for me when His Highness Arnold saved me¡­ Everything that happened that day was a dream that somehow felt surreal.¡±

    ¡°¡­Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°But it was all real.¡±

    When Rishe looked down, Fritz remained downcast.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t I pathetic? I even remembered how scared I was to see someone I admired. I dreamed about that day for the first time in a long time, and I became a knight in Siutena. But I was so different from His Highness Arnold, and I was too scared to move a tiny bit.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t even help you in my dreams.¡±

    Rishe gently crouched down and looked Fritz in the eye.

    ¡°Fritz, it¡¯s okay to be scared, you know?¡±

    ¡°¡­huh¡­¡±

    She smiled softly resting her cheek on her knees.

    ¡°War is naturally scary. It¡¯s a given that you¡¯ll get scared and disgusted.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m about to become a knight, you know? A knight is worthless if he¡¯s afraid of fighting. No matter how much you practice with your sword, you¡¯ll still be the weakest in the battlefield.¡±

    Rishe shook her head.

    ¡°How can you be weak? You were a victim of the battle of Siutena, and you were really scared. ¡ª But you worked hard to make it a reality, with a longing that could be called a hope for the future.¡±

    ¡°¡­Lu.¡±

    Looking straight into Fritz¡¯s eyes, he looked genuinely surprised.

    ¡°You¡¯d probably make a better knight if you knew the fear of battle.¡±

    Because Riese wasn¡¯t afraid.

    She lived the life of a knight and wasn¡¯t afraid of dying that day when she fought to protect her masters. That was the true meaning of a knight. She risked her life on the battlefield.

    That was why she died.

    She never regretted living that kind of life and dying that way.

    But she could say with certainty.

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    ¡°You will be stronger-because you knew how to fear what you should be afraid of.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz¡¯s almond-shaped eyes widened round in surprise.

    He chewed on Rishe¡¯s words, and slowly made a pretense of thinking to himself, then chuckled.

    ¡°I feel better.. Please excuse me, Lu.¡±

    Although his voice had a troubled timbre to it, it was perfectly clear. Fritz laughed mischievously and said.

    ¡°It seems like there¡¯s nothing to be afraid of anymore just because you guaranteed I¡¯ll be stronger.¡±

    ¡°¡­Pfft!¡±

    In that case, wouldn¡¯t it nullify what Rishe just said?

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    Rishe stood up, laughing at the joke. Fritz followed suit with an enlightened look on his face.

    ¡°Let¡¯s be knights together, Lu.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe smiled softly instead of responding.

    ¡°Lu?¡±

    ¡°It looks like Sven is back. Let¡¯s go get the cleaning supplies together, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°Uh, oh-oh¡­¡±

    While walking out together, Rishe quickly restored her expression.

    Sorry for lying, Fritz.

    She had no right to nod here.

    Rishe of this lifetime wasn¡¯t a knight on the front lines, but the one who would send them into battle.

    But that was why.

    ¡ª I have to do what I do to protect you from the war.

 Chapter 69.1 Modest Treaties

    After finishing training as a knight cadet, Rishe hurriedly returned to the detached palace this day as well, bathed in hot water and then got dressed for the day.

    Two knight guards were heading to the guest room in the main castle.

    When a knight knocked, an answer came from inside. After thanking the knight, Kamil, for opening the door, Rishe called out to the other knight.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, can Volker-san stay guard in the corridor and only Kamil will accompany me to the guest room? It would be rude to have several knight guards to meet with our guests¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand, Rishe-sama.¡±

    The knight nodded and stood back to the side of the door. Rishe turned and smiled at Kamil as if to say, ¡°Please take care of me¡±.

    ¡°Excuse me, Your Highness Kyle.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama.¡±

    Kyle stood up and bowed to Rishe at the perfect angle. His seriousness was apparent in his every single gesture.

    Yesterday, Kyle had a discussion with the scholars in the imperial capital all day and seemed to have had dinner with them. She hasn¡¯t seen his face since the night before last.

    She was worried about his health, but judging by the way Kyle looked up, she could tell.

    ¡°I¡¯m relieved that the medication I gave you seems to be working.¡±

    ¡°Can you tell my physical condition at a glance?¡±

    ¡°Your exact condition must be examined in detail, but I can roughly identify some of the more obvious symptoms. Your morning and evening coughs may have subsided a bit, making it easier for you to sleep.¡±

    ¡°¡­You even have a goddess-like eye for detail.¡±

    Uh¡­.

    The reverent curtsy made Rishe feel indescribable.

    She knew it was customary and socially acceptable in Koyor to never miss a compliment to a woman.

    However, it was discomfitting to hear this from someone who in her past life scolded her to ¡°put away the books in your room¡± or ¡°go to bed early at night even if you are busy with your research¡±.

    Rishe feigned a gentle smile, and sat on the sofa. Kyle also sat down while she put the vial she brought with her on the table.

    ¡°Your Highness, take these pills from today as well.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Is this one different from the previous one in liquid form?¡±

    ¡°That medication is absorbed quickly and has immediate effects, but the effects are weak, and its duration is short. However, you need enough sleep and regain your strength before you can take this medication¡­¡±

    [¡°Potent medicine is a poison to a body that is too weak,¡± her teacher taught her.]

    Kyle¡¯s illness, which was more likely to manifest itself in the respiratory tract, was actually largely related to a weakening of the stomach, so her intention was to get him to sleep well and restore his appetite.

    ¡°This pill is made from a powdered mixture of crushed herbs mixed with honey.¡±

    Sugar-coated milk tea-colored pills filled the vial.

    ¡°Your Highness sometimes feels out of breath, right? Your lungs are exhausted, but your heart beats must also be affected. In addition, you strain to close your lips, which tend to turn pale. The reason for this is that you are unconsciously clenching your teeth.¡±

    ¡°That¡­I didn¡¯t mean to do that, but is that so?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s normal for the mouth to have a gap of a few millimeters between the upper and lower teeth, with no contact between them. In Your Highness¡¯ case, do your upper and lower teeth touch each other even when you think you are relaxing?¡±

    Kyle¡¯s eyes widened in surprise when she said that.

    ¡°I¡¯ve watched Your Highness¡¯ appearance at the evening party, and you sometimes held your forehead. You have headaches, don¡¯t you? But in your case, it¡¯s because of the tension in your body, so headache medication doesn¡¯t help.¡±

    ¡°¡­Did you diagnose that just from every move I made?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still learning. My teacher from Renfa can diagnose a lot more at a glance.¡±

    ¡°An apothecary named Hakurei, who treated me in the past, had the same great eye. Many people called him the best apothecary in the world. I never expected that there¡¯s someone else with that kind of knowledge¡­

    No. That Hakurei-sama is exactly my teacher¡­

    She couldn¡¯t say outright, so she muttered deep within. Rishe regained her composure and put the vial of pills in front of Kyle.

    ¡°Take it 30 minutes before you eat. The effects will be slow and long-lasting, so you¡¯ll have more time to relax during the day.¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­Thank you very much.¡±

    ¡°However, the taste is as bad as liquid medicine.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It really tasted awful.

    The sweetness of the honey that has been added to the already tasteless herbs creates an unnecessary cacophony.

    But Kyle nodded with a look that couldn¡¯t be painted.

    ¡°If it can get this body get a little bit of decent action, that much is inevitable.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    Now, it was time to get to today¡¯s business.

    Rishe put hands on her knees and softly spoke.

    ¡°I overheard you talking with His Highness Arnold at the other night¡¯s party.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

 Chapter 69.2

    Kyle¡¯s eyes widened then slowly calmed down.

    ¡°I¡¯ve shown you something embarrassing.¡±

    His silvery eyelashes were delicate, as if they were made of ice, and they looked exquisite in his pale light blue eyes.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s only polite to return home quietly after His Royal Highness Arnold rejected me, but I can¡¯t just give up here.¡±

    ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t you think that was dangerous? Even though we aren¡¯t at war now, a victorious nation like Garkhain can overturn the situation. I¡¯m sure Prince Kyle has heard of the battle in which His Highness Arnold, during the war, beheaded all the royalty of the hostile country, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    Kyle caught a glimpse of Kamil, the knight guard, standing at a distance.

    Realizing Kyle¡¯s reservations, Rishe said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if that knight overhears our conversation, His Highness Arnold won¡¯t hear it.¡±

    The knight guard, Kamil, was from the favelas.

    He was a knight of Arnold¡¯s knight guards and was normally obligated to report to Arnold everything that happened to Rishe.

    But Kamil was the only exception.

    He was so impressed with the measures Rishe had recently taken for the favelas that he offered to help her.

    Even Rishe¡¯s kidnapping by Theodore instigation, Kamil and her handmaid, Elise, worked together to help her.

    As someone with a fianc¨¦, Rishe shouldn¡¯t talk to Kyle alone.

    But if he were an ordinary knight guard, the report would have reached Arnold.

    Therefore, she¡¯s been waiting for Kamil to come as her knight guard after the shift in guards. Unexpectedly, he came around earlier than expected.

    When Rishe glanced at Kamil, he bowed and stood as far away from Rishe as possible.

    Kyle waited for it and then spoke.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read about the national affairs that His Highness Arnold got involved in, and it is clear that he put the people first in his measures. There¡¯s no doubt that he¡¯s a wise ruler¡­I suspect that his mercy is even extended toward the enemies during the war.¡±

    ¡°¡­Please enlighten me.¡±

    Even Kyle was aware of it. Although he had such certainty, Rishe waited for his words.

    ¡°I¡¯m a royal who is supposed to protect his people, but I know nothing about the battlefield ¡ª So that¡¯s all in my imagination. However, a battlefield is supposed to be much harder to move around on if there are more wounded than dead.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Kyle was right.

    If your comrades have died, you have no choice but to leave them behind and move on.

    It was traumatic and heartbreaking, but it wouldn¡¯t really lead to a decline in strength.

    However, this wasn¡¯t the case with the wounded.

    Once a comrade was injured on the battlefield, the knights would help, rescue, and protect him.

    That was less power devoted to the battle. As a result, their troops might be wiped out to protect their wounded comrades.

    ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s why His Highness Arnold was so ¡®effective¡¯ on the battlefield, when he brutally killed enemy soldiers. One look at a soldier and you know he¡¯s doomed; few would less likely to stand up to him to save him. Even less is willing to fight for the survivors. Killing the royals rather than capturing them could also be seen as an attempt to reduce the sacrifices of the knights who¡¯re willing to risk their lives to take them back, in addition to putting an end to the war¡­¡±

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    Rishe nodded at Kyle¡¯s thoughts, who should know nothing about the battlefield.

    Prince Kyle is still brilliant. The way he stands by a mere merchant and scholar, and his current battlefield theory¡­He has an accurate analysis and concept for situations that he hasn¡¯t experienced himself.

    If only he hadn¡¯t been so sickly.

    And if the world wasn¡¯t at war so often, he would surely be known as a wise ruler.

    ¡°I agree with you.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-dono¡­¡±

    His Highness Arnold¡¯s brutal killing of his enemies in the past wars has a purpose. It¡¯s not surprising to save the majority at the expense of extreme sacrifices.¨D¨D¡­¡­And because of that, he said it would be better for him to invade Koyor before his father, Emperor Garkhain, catches wind of it.

    Arnold was kind.

    And because of his kindness, he didn¡¯t have qualms in choosing war and murder.

    That was why she thought she had to stop it.

    Kyle once again excused himself in front of Rishe.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to speak to a woman like this¡­Besides, even if His Royal Highness Arnold is in fact a brutal man, the plan I must take remains the same.¡±

    ¡°Defend Koyor at all costs, even at the risk of your life.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll say that, am I right?¡±

    She looked up at Kyle, who looked up in surprise, and smiled sadly.

    [¡°I want to protect this country. I will do everything I can to achieve that.¡±]

    [¡°That¡¯s probably the greatest duty I have ever had, having been born to die.¡±]

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    He said so and joined the ranks of the unwanted war.

    ¡°I used to think that I should risk my life to protect what is important to me. But there¡¯s no doubt that¡¯s not good enough.¡±

    Remembering what she told Fritz earlier as well, Rishe continued, ¡°Because the life of the person you wanted to protect is going to last a long time after that.¡±

    At that moment, she heard a gasp from Kyle.

    ¡°Adversities in life don¡¯t come only once. They are just as much a danger as they are a blessing as you overcome the current hardships.¡±

    As they talked, she recalled the royal family members she served as a knight.

    They risked their lives to protect and defend their precious princes. They weren¡¯t afraid to die for them. With that in mind, they stood on the battlefield and fought with their swords in their hands.

    Rishe now knew better that that was a bad move.

    Emperor Arnold might have caught up with the feeling carriage.

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    Their allies, who had escaped, might have betrayed, and they eventually lost their lives.

    If one of the knights, just one of them, survived, they might have been saved from such difficulties.

    ¡°I learned that Garkhain knights are strong because they fight with the spirit of ¡®survive and protect at all costs¡¯, rather than ¡®die nobly there to protect¡¯¡­They are taught to fight and live even if they lost a limb or can no longer hold a sword.¡±

    And it was no other than the Crown Prince, Arnold, who devised such a training method.

    ¡°Please, Prince Kyle¡­¡±

    Rishe looked into Kyle¡¯s eyes and instead of ¡®Your Highness Kyle,¡¯ she called him that same way she once did.

    This was how the people of Koyor addressed him. It was sort of a friendly nickname for the royalty. It might be somewhat impolite for Rishe of this world to call him this.

    But Rishe dared to say it.

    ¡°First off, I hope Prince Kyle can strike a small alliance with me.¡±

    ¡°Alliance, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°To persuade His Royal Highness Arnold, I need your help like no other for the sake of the alliance between Garkhain and Koyor.¡±

    Rishe said and spread a paper she hid on the desk.

    She wrote it in a hurry after parting with Arnold on the balcony last night. Kyle gulped as he looked over the plan.

    ¡°Miss Rishe, what on earth are you¡­¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t provide you with any details. But I¡¯m sure that with you, Prince Kyle, we can make this plan a reality.¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t think this will convince His Highness Arnold. On the contrary, I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t spare a glance at it.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Rishe denied resolutely.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if His Highness Arnold will nod his head¡­But if this plan works, he will definitely listen.¡±

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    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡±

    ¡°Of course because¡­¡±

    She straightened her chest and smiled.

    ¡°¡­I am His Highness Arnold¡¯s future wife.¡±

 Chapter ex1.1 Extra Edition 1.1 - A Tale of Scared Rishe and Arnold Who Pacified Her.

    In the midst of an evening party, the moon was moistening the spring air.

    Rishe was walking down the hall alone when she overheard the ladies gossiping about a rumor.

    ¡°¨CYou also heard it, right? The spring moon is very beautiful when watching it from the south corridor of the imperial castle.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to go near there at night, even if I knew that.¡±

    Apparently, they knew some secrets surrounding the imperial castle.

    She really should spare time to leave Arnold during soirees so as not to miss situations like this.

    Rishe joined their circle to gather information.

    ¡°Hello, ladies, what are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Dear Rishe-sama! You¡¯ve come to the right place. No, we were discussing a great place in the imperial castle with a wonderful view. Then the words ¡®South Corridor¡¯ came up¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been to the South Corridor several times. It¡¯s a scenic corridor, but is there any circumstance that makes it uninviting?¡±

    She feigned interest in the gossip and dug deeper.

    What kind of topics would fly out of these well-informed women?

    I hope I could hear something about the imperial castle, members of the royal family, and His Royal Highness Arnold¡¯s father¡­

    But what jumped into Rishe¡¯s ears in anticipation was something she didn¡¯t want to hear.

    ¡°There¡¯s a rumor that the South Corridor is haunted.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­¡±

    Immediately after that, her blood ran cold.

    ¡°It is said that the spirit of a man who slipped and died while building this castle appears night after night¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh? I¡¯m pretty sure I heard that a maidservant who died of bullying from the head chamberlain in the olden days became a ghost¡­¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it a horse ghost? You see, it went on a rampage and got out of control, so a knight slashed him down¡­¡±

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t! I heard this from my grandmother!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    While they were talking like crazy, Rishe was silent and frozen.

    Eventually the evening party concluded and Arnold¡¯s messenger came to call her.

    Rishe awkwardly said goodbye to the ladies and joined Arnold in leaving the hall of the soiree.

    ****

    The day was warm in the daytime and a pleasant night breeze blew outside.

    However Rishe¡¯s steps were laden as she walked behind Arnold.

    ¡°¡­¡­Hey.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She looked up with a gasp when Arnold called her.

    She didn¡¯t notice that she lagged far behind from Arnold.

    She wanted to catch up with him in a hurry, but she couldn¡¯t move from there.

    Is this perhaps the¡­

    This was the southern side of the Imperial Castle.

    It was the shortest route from the location of the hall used for this soiree to the detached palace where Rishe lived.

    Arnold walked back to Rishe¡¯s side and looked at her suspiciously.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me those guys just now did something to you?¡±

    ¡°No-no-no! That¡¯s not true.¡±

    ¡°Then what happened? From the way you¡¯re walking, it¡¯s not like you have a leg injury.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±

    She thanked him for his concern, but she couldn¡¯t muster the strength to give more details at the moment.

    Because while she was trudging along in a daze, she felt in serious trouble.

    ¡°¡­Uhm, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Is this perhaps the southern corridor of the imperial castle?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know?¡±

    ¡°¡­.!¡±

    When Rishe asked the obvious, Arnold became more and more steely.

    ¡°Rishe, what happened at the soiree? I¡¯ll move in person depending on the circumstances, just say the word.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­Really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I promise.¡±

    ¡°T-Then, I¡¯ll take you at your word¡­¡­¡±

    Encouraged by his reassurance, Rishe mustered her courage and finally spoke.

    ¡°¡ªI hear there are ghosts here!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    At that moment, Arnold immediately looked like it was nothing important.

    ¡°If you¡¯re wondering that¡­.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you just made a ¡®nonsense¡¯ face! It¡¯s because the ladies told me that some people actually saw them!¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they just making up stories that exist in every castle to relieve boredom? It¡¯s a kind of entertainment where the topic is more important than the truth. To begin with, there¡¯s no such thing as ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Maybe there are¡­!!¡±

    T/N: Yup, I¡¯m catching up on raws¡­

 Chapter ex1.2 Extra Edition 1.2

    Rishe could never explain to Arnold why she was arguing insistently.

    I didn¡¯t believe in ghosts in my first life either. But-but, I mean!!!

    Rishe¡¯s own existence, dying once and living a life on the loop, suggested the possibility that ¡°there might even be ghosts¡±.

    That was naturally petrifying.

    She wasn¡¯t afraid of the bandits, or the rogues who kidnapped her, or the world¡¯s most powerful emperor who would rival her five years in the future, but she was very much afraid of ghosts.

    Weapons were useless against ghosts, and there was no way Rishe could confront them with the skill she possessed.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Hiyaaa!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her reply turned inside out.

    Arnold held his forehead, let out a huff, and then said, ¡°I¡¯m not going to be able to do anything about it.

    ¡°¡­Fine, let¡¯s turn back.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this path scary? Then if we don¡¯t go through here, it will be solved. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    ¡°N-N-No¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but cling to Arnold¡¯s proposal.

    But Rishe couldn¡¯t just nod here.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Let¡¯s just go home this way¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­ Isn¡¯t this South Corridor a problem?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. If we take another route from here, we¡¯ll have to go back to the front of the hall where the party was held, won¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°Well, I suppose so.¡±

    ¡°The guests have left, and I¡¯m sure the servants are busy cleaning up by now. If Your Royal Highness were to return in the midst of that mess, the hall would be in turmoil¡­¡±

    When the royal family was present, the lower level servants weren¡¯t allowed to look up, much less show themselves.

    Even Rishe had to dismiss all maidservants except those serving maids when Arnold was present.

    Cleaning up after a night party was a lot of work and the servants tend to sleep very late.

    As a former maidservant, she couldn¡¯t put such a burden on the people who were cleaning the halls.

    ¡°So, I¡¯ll do my best¡­I¡¯ll do my best and get back to my room by myself from here. I¡¯ll be fine ¡­¡­!¡±

    ¡°¡­W-wait, what do you mean by yourself?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have the courage to do it right away, so I thought it would take a little more time¡­ So don¡¯t mind me Your Highness. Please go back to your room first.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold looked down at Rishe and spoke, ¡°How would you muster the courage to do it?¡±

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll accompany you until you can move, so tell me what to do.¡±

    ¡°But I can¡¯t trouble you that much-¡±

    Arnold raised his index finger in front of Rishe¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Your voice is trembling.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Sealing her whistle in the dark, Rishe obediently shut up.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for acting like I¡¯m making light of your fears.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Since I took you out for the evening party as my fianc¨¦e, it¡¯s my duty to get you back safely to the detached palace.¡±

    ¡°No, not at all! Speaking of which, I had it coming when I poked my nose into those rumors¡­¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re like this even with me here, I don¡¯t think you can cope with being stranded here alone.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    Honestly, he nailed it on the head.

    When she lifted her gaze fearfully, it seemed that Arnold was really going to help Rishe.

    Although he didn¡¯t believe in ghosts, he wouldn¡¯t shun Rishe for fearing them.

    ¡°¡­Sleeves.¡±

    Rishe squeezed out the word.

    ¡°Can I walk around with a hold of Your Highness¡¯ sleeve or just the edge of the hem of your coat?¡±

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t mind, if it does any good.¡±

    ¡°As far as I know, Your Highness is the strongest person in the world.¡±

    She almost mumbled, but at least she wanted to answer honestly.

    She wove what she had in mind to Arnold in front of her.

    ¡°As long as I think that the invincible Arnold, the Crown Prince, was within reach¡­it has an amazing effect. It gives me a little bit of relief and courage¡­¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold raised an eyebrow when she reached that far.

    And after a moment¡¯s thought, he sighed deeply again.

    Although I thought it would be a nuisance if we were to hold hands. So, I decided to clutch his sleeves. Either way, it¡¯s still a nuisance¡­

    She was sure he was seriously taken aback. But after a while, Arnold looked up and extended his right hand towards Rishe.

    And then he took Rishe¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Ah, Your Highness Arnold?¡±

 Chapter ex1.3 Extra Edition 1.3

    Rishe¡¯s eyes rounded when it turned into holding hands.

    Arnold remained quite unruffled in response to her surprise.

    She found no extra emotion on his well-defined face, and was as expressionless as usual.

    After some time, he said with a look that said it was the most natural thing in the world, ¡°I won¡¯t let you go, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He took her breath away.

    Arnold started walking towards the detached palace while holding Rishe¡¯s hand.

    With her hand clasped in his, Rishe unconsciously took a normal step.

    I can walk¡­

    Before she knew it, her trembling earlier had subsided.

    Her hand on Arnold¡¯s was tightly clasped, but it didn¡¯t hurt one bit.

    Rather, she felt a gentle connection, as if he tried not to crush her hand.

    Above all, she felt a sense of security, knowing that he would never leave.

    ¡­It¡¯s not scary.

    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief.

    Then this time, she grasped Arnold¡¯s hand, and while staring at his back, she said, ¡°¡­Thank you. Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Just keep walking. If you take it easy, you might stay paralyzed again.¡±

    ¡°Okay. ¡ª If you don¡¯t mind, may I borrow your sword? I think I¡¯d feel more secure if I¡¯m armed, and I might walk faster.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold dexterously unhooked the sword from his waist with one hand and popped it straight at Rishe.

    She caught it with her free right hand and hugged the scabbard tightly.

    ¡°Pfft~¡±

    Then her fear completely vanished.

    ¡°¡­ Why are you laughing?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. With Your Highness in one hand and Your Highness¡¯ sword in the other, it makes me feel truly invincible.¡±

    ¡°If I let you hold my sword, we might get stuck in case of emergency.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t matter, right? Your Highness can pull your sword out in an instant, regardless of whether I¡¯m holding it or not.¡±

    ¡°You were shaking just a few minutes ago, but are you feeling better now¡­?

    He asked so suspiciously, but she found it strange too.

    Nevertheless, it was impossible for her to let go of Arnold¡¯s hand. That¡¯s why she planned to follow along quietly.

    Amidst the journey, Rishe suddenly looked up and unconsciously gasped.

    ¡°AH~¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter now?¡±

    She remembered what the ladies exchanged earlier. The night sky view from the south corridor was wonderful.

    ¡°The moon is beautiful, don¡¯t you think so?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold looked up once at the sky and watched the crescent moon shining in the distance.

    After that, he withdrew his gaze without saying a word.

    Rishe and Arnold walked toward the detached palace never once letting go of their clasped hands.

    *****

    The next day, in Arnold¡¯s office.

    Oliver, Arnold¡¯s squire, turned to his lord¡¯s fianc¨¦e and said with a laugh, ¡°The South Corridor? Oh, you mean that haunted story? That¡¯s a groundless rumor.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    The coral-haired girl quickly confirmed.

    Oliver nodded to reassure her while checking the documents he received from her.

    ¡°No one died in that place, and nobody slayed a horse. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s all a lie that someone randomly made up.¡±

    ¡°Huh, thank goodness¡­¡±

    ¡°It seems that the paperwork for the Aria Trading Company is also in order, so I will accept it as is.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Oliver-sama. ¡ª Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    Arnold, who was scribbling his pen at his office desk, replied curtly to the girl¡¯s call.

    After she left the room, Oliver smiled while sorting through a stack of papers.

    ¡°Anyhow, Rishe-sama sure is cute, you know. I never thought that the person who threatens a knight with an antidote would be afraid of a ghost.¡±

    ¡°Oliver, shut up and move your hands.¡±

    ¡°However, we can¡¯t ignore the fact that there are people who share groundless rumors to the future Crown Princess about the imperial castle. I will find out the source and deal with them.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­they¡¯re just ridiculous gossip.¡±

    Arnold held his cheek with the hand that wasn¡¯t holding the pen and mocked, ¡°¨CIf it really is ¡®dead spirits appear where the dead appear¡¯ in the first place, I¡¯m sure these eyewitness¡¯ accounts sprang up elsewhere.¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha! Well, you make sense.¡±

    Oliver laughed at his lord¡¯s opinion while sorting out the documents.

 Chapter 70.1 Confidential Talks and Floral Scent

    Kyle promptly started working that afternoon and did exactly what Rishe had discussed with him.

    To avoid Arnold¡¯s suspicions, he seemed to carry out his mission naturally amid their visit during the day while going around the inspection locations that he had applied in advance to the Garkhain state.

    The only time Rishe would talk to Kyle was once a day when she administered the medicine she had concocted for him.

    Under such circumstances, only the knight from the favelas, who was Rishe¡¯s accomplice, would accompany her. Then they would discuss the details of the operation.

    Then a few nights into the operation.

    ¡°Please check here, Rishe-dono.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±

    Rishe gasped as she took in the items on the table.

    ¡°This is a surprise. Honestly, I thought it was doubtful that we would be able to make it in time, even with Prince Kyle¡¯s help¡­¡±

    When she said that, Kyle nodded sincerely.

    ¡°It¡¯s because I encountered a familiar face on the ship to Garkhain. The other items you requested are already on hand.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s also difficult to collect these even for the trade association that I patronize.¡±

    The said ¡°operation¡± required some manpower and goods. But even the Aria Trading Company didn¡¯t always have any goods at hand.

    Thank God Prince Kyle is here. I might have worked as a merchant too if I¡¯ve ever been here in Garkhain¡­

    After all, this was the only country that Rishe has never visited in her past lives.

    She knew most businesses in other countries, but she was unfamiliar with the market in Garkhain.

    Prince Kyle is awesome. He¡¯s not only familiar with his own country, but also with the merchants and artisans across the ocean of his country.

    Rishe gazed at Kyle¡¯s provile, who was once again checking the number of items.

    Kyle has an official role in the Koyor Kingdom related to academia and trade.

    It was for this reason that he got involved with Rishe, who was then a merchant, and also Rishe, who spent time as an alchemist.

    Kyle¡¯s network extended to this country.

    He¡¯s actually met many merchants face to face and done honest business with them, so he¡¯s got a handful of merchants based in Garkhain, too. And those merchants treat Prince Kyle as an important customer and are available for urgent purchases¡­

    Merchants valued people, and Kyle would be a trustworthy customer to any merchant.

    ¡°¨CBut I can¡¯t guarantee that this powder is the right one. Maybe Michel can determine it.¡±

    ¡°No, Prince Kyle. It¡¯s not a problem. I can determine the compositions on my own. And, as I¡¯ve told you, I want to keep this operation a secret from Teacher Michel as well¡­ Has Teacher gone down to the castle today?¡±

    ¡°Yes. When he¡¯s not doing research, he spends most of his time in places where there are books.¡±

    Kyle probably thought that Michel was in the library below the castle.

    But when it came to Michel¡¯s behavioral patterns, Rishe was actually more familiar with it.

    If Michel was out in the castle grounds, he must be doing exactly what Rishe thought he would do.

    ¡°Rishe-dono, my request for an audience with His Highness Arnold one last time has been accepted.¡±

    Rishe accepted.

    Kyle was a royalty from Koyor, even if it was an inferior kingdom to Garkhain.

    She knew that Oliver, Arnold¡¯s squire, could convince Arnold not to refuse all requests from guests of the state.

    ¡°But that¡¯s the day after tomorrow, two evenings later.¡±

    ¡°¡ªYes. I understand that you have only three days left of your stay before going back to Koyor.¡±

    Kyle visited the country on the pretext of congratulating Rishe on her marriage.

    The second ostensible reason was also to exchange knowledge and experiment with scholars, not to form an alliance.

    If they extended their stay for no particular reason, they would henceforth draw suspicions from Arnold¡¯s father, the Emperor.

    Once noticed, Koyor only has two choices: His Majesty invades them, or His Highness Arnold, who evades it, will. Prince Kyle¡¯s life would be at risk¡­.

    Pushing aside those concerns, Rishe said cheerfully, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, Prince Kyle. In fact, I was thinking that since your meeting with His Highness Arnold will not happen until the day after tomorrow, it will give us a day to prepare.¡±

    Kyle breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°¡­ Thank you very much. If there¡¯s anything I can do to help, please let me know.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu. I¡¯m glad to hear that, but it¡¯s late and you need a good night¡¯s sleep.¡±

    ¡°No, I can still move. The medicine you gave me has helped me feel much better.¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle.¡±

    Rishe smiled while sorting through the assortment of items.

    ¡°Did you forget? I can tell at a glance how tired you are. Have a good night¡¯s sleep, and let¡¯s look forward to tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°¡­Forgive me, Rishe-dono. For the sake of our country, you¡¯re working like this.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. Besides, I¡¯m happy to have more friends in the country I married into.¡±

    When Rishe assured him that, Kyle¡¯s eyes wident, and he bowed deeply.

    ****

 Chapter 70.2

    Once noticed, Koyor only has two choices: His Majesty invades them, or His Highness Arnold, who evades it, will. Prince Kyle¡¯s life would be at risk¡­.

    Pushing aside those concerns, Rishe said cheerfully, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem, Prince Kyle. In fact, I was thinking that since your meeting with His Highness Arnold will not happen until the day after tomorrow, it will give us a day to prepare.¡±

    Kyle breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°¡­ Thank you very much. If there¡¯s anything I can do to help, please let me know.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu. I¡¯m glad to hear that, but it¡¯s late and you need a good night¡¯s sleep.¡±

    ¡°No, I can still move. The medicine you gave me has helped me feel much better.¡±

    ¡°Prince Kyle.¡±

    Rishe smiled while sorting through the assortment of items.

    ¡°Did you forget? I can tell at a glance how tired you are. Have a good night¡¯s sleep, and let¡¯s look forward to tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°¡­Forgive me, Rishe-dono. For the sake of our country, you¡¯re working like this.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. Besides, I¡¯m happy to have more friends in the country I married into.¡±

    When Rishe assured him that, Kyle¡¯s eyes widened, and he bowed deeply.

    ****

    After returning to her room, Rishe who was supposed to be sleeping hurriedly set about preparing for her next move.

    After a certain amount of work, she checked the next room for signs of life.

    There was no sign of anyone in Arnold¡¯s room, and he seemed still on official business.

    After carefully checking that, she got out on the balcony with a rope.

    From her room on the fourth floor, she descended into the garden and stealthily headed in the direction of her field.

    As she approached, she sniffed a floral scent from the field, just as she had expected.

    ¡°¨CTeacher.¡±

    She knew he¡¯d be there.

    When Rishe called, the man standing by the field looked up.

    The golden-haired man had a scented cigarette in his mouth.

    With his fingers in his sideburns, Michel smiled, pinched the cigarette on his fingers and said, ¡°Hello, Rishe, good evening. Are you ready to go on a journey with me?¡±

    Rishe shook her head.

    ¡°I said no to that. I just came to talk to you.¡±

    ¡°¡­Fine, let¡¯s have a chat.¡±

    When Michel took this stance, Rishe couldn¡¯t help but remember.

    She recalled the day in her life as an alchemist when Michel and she took a wrong turn.

    With a certain amount of nervousness, Rishe spoke, ¡°Do you really intend to give the gunpowder to His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°I wonder if I should¡­Because he seemed terribly productive. He¡¯s going to stir up the world with gunpowder.¡±

    Michel took a drag on his scented cigarette and blew a puff of smoke, and then continued, ¡°I have a responsibility to do so.¡±

    ¡°Responsibility?¡±

    ¡°Well, let me compare it to poison for you to easily understand. Poisons are created with the power to harm people. So, if you don¡¯t use it to kill people properly, poisons have no reason to be born, right?¡±

    She heard the same line in her previous life.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same with gunpowder. If it¡¯s born with the power to change the world, you have to use it to properly screw up the world.¡±

    Michel¡¯s eyes, which never ceased to smile, took on a cold, icy glow.

    ¡°Everything has to fulfill the purpose for which it was created. It¡¯s the same with my own existence.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe knew exactly what a stubborn-sounding argument was.

    ¡°A man who is born to stir up the world must move in accordance with his mission-?¡±

    ¡°Yes. You know exactly what I was going to say, Rishe.¡±

    Of course she could understand everything, because Michel had said it repeatedly.

    With the same absolute, non-negotiable expression as now.

    ¡°If I can¡¯t do that, I have no reason to exist. Likewise, gunpowder must be used ¡®properly¡¯. Otherwise, it¡¯s birth will be meaningless.¡±

    ¡°Do a lot of people have to die for that?¡±

    ¡°Peace, ethics, human morality¡­What¡¯s more important than promoting the world at large?¡±

    ¡°¨CTeacher.¡±

    ¡°Pfft, I¡¯m troubled. I¡¯m sorry Rishe, I don¡¯t mean to be mean to you.¡±

    Michel giggled and then smiled somewhat sadly.

    ¡°That much is true.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She clenched her hands at his declaration.

    ¡°Teacher has always been like this.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°You behave more freely than anyone else, when in reality you are more inconvenienced than anyone else. There are so many things you want to do and so many things you don¡¯t want to do, but you are trapped in what you think is your ¡®role¡¯. You¡¯re investing all your talents as an alchemist into your research, and you¡¯re setting yourself up to do what needs to be done, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­What¡­¡±

    ¡°There are certainly things in this world that only you can accomplish. But the reason for your presence in the world isn¡¯t simply to achieve that feat.¡±

    Rishe let out a deep breath.

    Then she looked him straight in the eye and said, ¡°People can exist in this world, even if they meant nothing.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Michel¡¯s eyes widened a bit.

    It was but a moment, and it was so trivial that it couldn¡¯t be called a change.

    But even if it was less than a second, Michel looked dumbstruck.

    It was the first time she had ever seen this look on his face, even for Rishe, who had spent years with him.

    ¡°¨CYou say the strangest things.¡±

    Michel quickly dismissed the emotion and smiled the same soft smile he always had.

    ¡°Nothing in the world is conceived for nothing. As long as you¡¯re born, you have to live up to that meaning.¡±

    ¡°Teacher, I am¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sleepy now. Let¡¯s get back. Good night, Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Teacher!¡±

    Michel turned around and looked at her once more, before going on his way.

    ¡°See you tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe was somewhat relieved to hear his farewell that meant future meeting.

    In her third life, she heard a very sad farewell, ¡°Goodbye, my student¡±.

    After meditating and taking a deep breath, she gently opened her eyelids.

    I have to hurry.

    She only had one day left.

 Chapter 71.1 What The Country Is Proud Of

    At the time of the appointment with Arnold, the room prepared for Kyle was a room usually used for meetings.

    Since the royal family used the room, the furnishings were all first class. The round table set in the center of the room was something you couldn¡¯t find in a guest room.

    A knock eventually sounded, and Squire Oliver opened the door.

    As he stood next to the door, Arnold appeared from behind.

    Kyle, who was already at the table, stood up there and bowed.

    ¡°Arnold-dono, thank you for your time today.¡±

    ¡°¨CLet me warn you beforehand¡­¡±

    Arnold looked down calmly at Kyle across the round table.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to repeat what we talked about the other day. I still don¡¯t see the value in an alliance with the Koyor Kingdom.¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m totally aware of that.¡±

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    His gaze turned to the corner of the room.

    ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll hear something a little more sane, eh? Rishe?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    Standing at a distance from the round table, Rishe, who had been quiet as if she were a maidservant, smiled as she met Arnold¡¯s gaze.

    Don¡¯t be pressured. This is a business negotiation; it¡¯s a battle.

    Arnold¡¯s eyes were belligerent. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to find out more about it, and the provocative glitter in his eyes made the air in the room tense.

    Kyle must have felt it too. Arnolt huffed, took his gaze off Rishe, and sat down.

    ¡°Take your seats too. Let¡¯s get on with it.¡±

    ¡°Before that, Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    Rishe walked over to the side of the round table and stood in the middle of Kyle and Arnold.

    Then smiled with open arms while looking towards Arnold.

    ¡°Do you know what makes me different today?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold raised a quizzical brow at Rishe¡¯s question.

    This response was totally expected. But when Arnold examined Rishe, he replied with his cheek propped on the armrest, ¡°Necklace, bracelet, earrings¡­None of them are familiar. I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve ever worn them in front of me.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She didn¡¯t expect him to see it at a glance.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    His Royal Highness Arnold has good eyesight. It¡¯s not just simple eyesight, but insight, kinetic vision, and his ability to recognize a variety of things is very strong¡­

    Rishe nodded and sat down and continued to explain to Arnold.

    ¡°As you mentioned, I bought all of these jewelry from Aria Trading Company yesterday. It¡¯s a collection of jewelry from Koyor.¡±

    Kyle spoke to support Rishe¡¯s statement.

    ¡°Let me expound Koyor¡¯s industry to you. Our country produces gems and is snowbound for more than half the year. The combination of these conditions means that we have a large number of excellent artisans who make jewelry.¡±

    Koyor had countless innovations on how to spend the long winter.

    The custom of men complimenting women was another tradition to keep households running smoothly. In the same way, jewelry crafts, which could be done indoors, have been valued since ancient times until now.

    ¡°Koyor¡¯s craftsmen can produce decorations that would take longer to complete in other countries, but they can do it quickly and elaborately. It¡¯s Koyor¡¯s treasure that we can be proud to show the world.¡±

    Again, Kyle¡¯s claim was a fact.

    Arnold was supposed to present Rishe a ring from the recent incident. And they told her that the ring would normally take a month to complete.

    However, according to a letter she received from the old woman who owned the store, that period was reduced to just one week.

    The reason for this was that a Koyor craftsman was on board the ship on which Kyle had traveled to Garkhain.

 Chapter 71.2

    From her life experience as a merchant, there was no doubt about it. She could tell that the craftsmanship of the Koyor Kingdom was among the best in the world.

    Garkhain, on the other hand, lacked artisans who could produce such works.

    This was the consequences of the previous war.

    Blacksmith skills to forge metals weren¡¯t the same as fine-tuning skills, and today¡¯s Garkhain lacked the skills in metalworking.

    In other words, it was a field in which the powerful Garkhain wasn¡¯t proficient.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    However, Arnold¡¯s gaze remained cold.

    He sat in his red velvet chair with his languid cheeks, watching Kyle with boredom.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes were the image of indifference.

    At the moment he named her, Rishe felt a tingle of tension, but she kept her soft smile.

    Here we go.

    She knew that The Art of Jewelry Making didn¡¯t interest Arnold one bit. Even Kyle was worried that she couldn¡¯t convince Arnold with it.

    But this was a commercial practice.

    When offering a product, the customer has two choices: to buy or not to buy it. Most of them would choose ¡°Don¡¯t buy,¡± and often they wouldn¡¯t gain a business opportunity.

    However, when multiple products were offered, different mindsets arose other than buying or not buying.

    It would become a matter of making a choice: ¡°Which one of these products is the most valuable?¡±

    In this instance, the decision to buy wasn¡¯t a choice between ¡°buying or not buying,¡± but rather, ¡°which one of these should I buy?¡±.

    Business deals of letting them choose ¡°one they like among several items¡± was easier to conclude with a purchasing decision than if they were only offered one item from the beginning.

    Of course, I don¡¯t think such a petty business practice would work for His Royal Highness Arnold¡­But for me, this business negotiation isn¡¯t just for the purpose of forming an alliance.

    To that end, it was necessary to present a skill that was of no value to Arnold.

    ¡°Prince Kyle.¡±

    When Rishe called her former business partner, Kyle nodded quietly.

    He reached into his pocket and pulled out something from his coat. You will be able to find a lot more information about the company and its products. Even though Kyle displayed ¡°it¡± on the tabletop, Arnold¡¯s expression remained the same.

    Rishe turned to Arnold and asked, ¡°You recognize this item, don¡¯t you? Your Highness Arnold?¡±

    The obvious question was met with a bland reply.

    ¡°It¡¯s mine to begin with. What about it?¡±

    ¡°This is¡ª¡±

    Rishe took this as a cue to elaborate.

    ¡°¨CWait.¡±

    Arnold stopped Rishe with a slightly raised eyebrow.

    There was a slight change in his expression, which earlier looked like nothing mattered. Rishe was surprised, but she knew why.

    ¡°¡­ I didn¡¯t expect you to notice this much.¡±

    Her business smile remained on her face, but her tongue rolled inwardly. Although Arnold didn¡¯t say much, he surely saw through Rishe¡¯s ¡°trick¡±.

    ¡°This is undoubtedly identical to the one that Your Highness said was useful during the war¡­ But what we have on the table now isn¡¯t yours.¡±

    Rishe reached into the bag beside her and pulled out another item. Then she placed it in front of him as Kyle did.

    ¡°Your watch is still with me.¡±

    Lining up on the table were two pocket watches.

    They were almost identical in appearance, yet they have a different golden glow. This small difference was probably the reason why Arnold distinguished it.

    ¡°Prince Kyle¡¯s watch is a replica of your watch I borrowed.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold stared quietly at Rishe.

    ¡°A jeweler who came to Garkhain on board the same ship as Prince Kyle developed it. After consulting with the owner of the jewelry store, I borrowed the necessary equipment for casting. ¡ª I was told that it is possible to cast jewelry such as rings and metals in exactly the same way as gears and screws.¡±

    They scraped wax and other materials to make a prototype, then used the prototype to take a mold and pour metal into the mold to harden it.

    The most time-consuming part of these processes was making the prototype.

    However, on the contrary, once the prototype and mold were finished, the mold could be mass-produced in a short time. That was the advantage of the casting technique.

    A skilled craftsman could perform error-prone castings even with great precision.

    Nevertheless, it was a gamble to see if they could make it in time.

    I thought it might be someone who is a ¡°skilled craftsman in Koyor¡± and who ¡°can ride on a royal ship with Prince Kyle¡±¡­But I¡¯m really glad he was someone I know well.

    The inventor of that watch was also a person with whom Rishe got involved with in her past life.

    That man entrusted the casting of the parts needed to make the watch to Koyor craftsmen, and he also chose Koyor because of their prowess in jewelry-making.

    The artisans who traveled to Garkhain had molds for casting watch parts.

    When working in other countries, it was common to bring along the products of one¡¯s previous work for sales pitches.

    And fortunately this time, things worked out just as Rishe had hoped.

    If only I had the parts on hand, I could put together a perfect watch¡­It¡¯s all thanks to Teacher Michel¡¯s careful instruction in my life as an alchemist.

    She faced Arnold feeling some regret.

    ¡°The gears and screws are products of elaborate metalwork. Their combination produced this pocket watch that you found so useful in the war. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, similar objects will be developed in the future.¡±

    Rishe was confident.

    These processed metals could create a variety of possibilities depending on their uses. Although it was but a fantasy now, Rishe knew that there were many scholars in countries around the world who were studying these fields.

    In her life as an alchemist, Rishe has seen a lot of their research.

    ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯m sure you will want it.¡±

    If he properly understood the value of this watch and used it for his own purposes¡­

    ¡°Transfer this technical skill to Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

 Chapter 72.1 Crown Prince and Prince

    Arnold stared at Rishe.

    Rishe didn¡¯t want to let go of the gaze he was pouring on her, not even for a moment. Thus, she stared right back at him and showered him with one question after another.

    ¡°Your Highness knows very well the splendor of the ¡®watch¡¯ as a work of art. Have you ever wanted to own a rare item in the world which is inexpensive and in large quantities? Or have you ever imagined what you could do with that technology and turn it into something else?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It took them only a few days to make this watch.

    There was no need for her to bother explaining it and emphasizing how short the production time was. Arnold could surely calculate it on his own.

    ¡°Scholars all over the world are starting to work on technology with springs and gears. If they combine all their knowledge, we might be able to realize the dream of a carriage that works without horses, or a ship that sails without the wind¡­¡±

    Rishe smiled broadly, deliberately exuding confidence.

    ¡°But then, Koyor is the only country in the world that has the skills to manufacture it.¡±

    ¡°Huh~¡±

    Arnold, with his cheeks still propped, smiled lazily.

    ¡°¡­You speak as if you¡¯ve seen the future.¡±

    He spoke as if he had seen through Rishe¡¯s heart.

    How could he be so keen even when he knew nothing of Rishe¡¯s secrets?

    However, the future that Rishe told Arnold here was nothing more than a prediction, even for her, because Koyor disappeared.

    The war broke out, and the country¡¯s originally meager strength weakened. Then Garkhain invaded it. This outcome has to be changed, even if taken only little by little.

    I should be able to convince His Highness here¡­

    Rishe squeezed her hands tightly together.

    The smile that appeared on Arnold¡¯s face earlier suddenly disappeared.

    ¡°¨C And then?¡±

    His piercing voice echoed throughout the room.

    And Arnold regained his earlier indifference.

    ¡°Kyle Morgan Cleverly. What the hell are you thinking?¡±

    Rishe winced at that numbing voice.

    A dark glint flashed in Arnold¡¯s eyes as he shot a glance at Kyle.

    Arnold was almost expressionless, not even raising his voice. And yet, there was an intimidating feeling that made the skin tingle and ache. Even Rishe, who was just beside him, got nervous.

    Arnold continued without mercy.

    ¡°I admit that your country¡¯s technology is excellent. That power is certainly what our country lacks.¡±

    His shapely fingers tapped the armrest of the chair.

    The sound reverberated through the room and spurred the tense air. Arnold must have calculated everything while they were at it.

    ¡°¡­But your naivety makes me cringe even more.¡±

    Rishe gasped reflexively.

    The pressure that Kyle was suffering must have doubled because of this. Arnold cared nothing about it and reiterated.

    ¡°Do you understand that knowledge, skills, and people can be taken to other countries? There¡¯s no need for me to pay your artisans and invite them to Garkhain. If I threaten them with force and force them to obey, most of them will exercise their knowledge. As soon as our country has mastered this skill, we can kill the survivors of Koyor.¡±

    After saying it off like it was nothing, he asked Kyle, ¡°Did you come here without thinking about it? You came here as ornamental royalty at the behest of my wife.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness! Prince Kyle¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe, you do the same for once.¡±

    That calm side glance he shot Rishe made her hold her tongue.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you ever consider what would happen after I got my hands on that ¡®technology¡¯?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The meaning behind his question was painfully understood.

    Rishe knew exactly what the future Arnold would do. But he also understood more than that.

    That¡¯s why¡­

    ¡°¡­Rishe-dono believes in Arnold-dono.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Kyle was the first to respond.

    In the room brimming with tension, Kyle stood tall and dignified, looking at Arnold boldly.

    ¡°When Rishe-dono proposed to use metalwork techniques to negotiate, I worried that Arnold-dono wouldn¡¯t consider it. However, Rishe-dono consistently put her trust in Arnold-dono.¡±

    Kyle¡¯s pale light blue eyes reflected a lake in a field of snow.

    His clear eyes never stagnated and never ceased to shine with sincerity.

    ¡°There¡¯s no doubt that Arnold-dono wants power for a better future.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Kyle was right.

    Rishe now understood.

    Even if Emperor Arnold Hein would wage a war of aggression a few years in the future. Even if Arnold would be feared on the battlefield as a ruthless crown prince in a few years.

    She knew what kind of person Arnold was at the moment.

    ¡°¡±I can¡¯t say as much as Rishe-dono, but I myself came to this country because I believe in Arnold-dono.¡±

    Kyle, who spoke on behalf of Rishe, continued, ¡°Just by listening to your battle records and the hearsays of your policies, I have learned that you are a good ruler and a general who pays a certain amount of respect even to enemy soldiers. Even now, instead of dismissing me outright, you entertained this form of negotiation with me.¡±

    Arnold raised a brow.

    He was no longer staring at Kyle impassively, but with a particular emotion ¨C whatever form it was.

    Arnold almost spat out the words when he asked Kyle.

    ¡°You mean you ¡®believe¡¯ that¡¡I wouldn¡¯t invade Koyor and seize your artisans?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°How naive. You¡¯ve come to the foolish conclusion that you can rely on me and my country, of all things.¡±

 Chapter 72.2

    ¡°I might have been foolish enough when I thought of relying on you to protect me. But I don¡¯t think I was wrong in my decision to form an alliance with you.¡±

    Kyle retorted without hesitation.

    ¡°¨CAs royalty, I came here with the deepest respect for you.¡±

    Then he put his hand on his chest.

    ¡°Koyor might have exhausted its gems, but we retained the knowledge of our scholars and the skills of the metalworkers. If we can merge these two with Garkhain¡¯s power and start researching together, we may be able to achieve the future that Rishe-dono pictured earlier.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m not saying right away. I will spare no effort to earn your trust. Please reconsider it, even just for a moment¡­¡±

    It was then.

    ¡°Excuse me.¡±

    The door of the room opened and a certain person appeared. When Kyle saw him, his eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore.¡±

    ¡°Good afternoon, Your Highness Kyle. I¡¯m sorry for bothering you, Brother. I sincerely apologize for barging in the middle of your talk.¡±

    Theodore bowed and simply excused himself. He then looked up at Rishe and gave her a signal with a number of blinks.

    Emergency!

    Rishe quickly rose to her feet and told Arnold and Kyle.

    ¡°Please excuse me. I¡¯m sorry for leaving in the middle.¡±

    ¡°Ri-Rishe-dono?¡±

    ¡°Please let me know of the results of your conversation later. I¡¯m really sorry. If you¡¯ll excuse me!!!¡±

    Rishe left the room bitterly with Theodore. Both of them ran out at the same time while two knight guards hurried after them.

    ***

    ¡°¡­What¡¯s the rush?¡±

    Arnold muttered to himself left behind.

    With his cheeks propped on the armrest, he turned to Kyle and said matter-of-factly, ¡°My apologies, too. My wife and brother always work impudently.¡±

    ¡°I was a bit surprised, but it¡¯s no problem. Better yet continue our talk¡­¡±

    ¡°Oliver, come on in.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    With Arnold¡¯s command, his attendant, a silver-haired man, entered the room.

    Kyle¡¯s eyes widened involuntarily, because his squire wasn¡¯t the only one to enter the conference room.

    ¡°Arnold-dono?¡±

    A group of knights appeared. There must be a dozen or so of them.

    They silently entered the room and lined themselves up behind Arnold.

    ¡°What on earth is¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold accompanied by several knights quietly stared at Kyle.

 Chapter 73.1 Sparks of disquiet

    Rishe dashed out of the meeting room and walked quickly.

    She really would have sprinted if she could, but since she was in the main castle, that was impossible.

    She restrained her impatience and listened to Theodore¡¯s explanation.

    ¡°¨C We¡¯ve lost the person we¡¯ve been tailing.¡±

    Theodore, who was walking beside Rishe, said in a hushed voice.

    ¡°The last confirmed location is a back alley in Block 17, south of the Imperial City. It happened three hours ago, and we¡¯re still searching around that area.¡±

    ¡°What was the situation when you lost sight of him?¡¡Even if it was the result of realizing that someone¡¯s watching him, it¡¯s not¡­a good idea to dispatch people in the favelas.¡±

    ¡°They said they smelled something sweet.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡±

    She has a pretty good idea what the potion was. It was probably some sort of numbing potion extracted from a certain mushroom.

    ¡°They said that was all they could remember after he went into the alleyway. By the time they woke up, two hours had passed, and their target was gone. In short-¡±

    Theodore said in a slightly lower voice than usual.

    ¡°Michelle Evan¡¯s surveillance has failed.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe pursed her lips tightly.

    A few days ago, Rishe had asked Theodore for his help.

    [¡°Please keep an eye on Teacher Michel and apprise me of his activities. ¡ª And then, if he tries to get close to His Highness Arnold, I want you to stop him.¡±]

    Theodore¡¯s subordinates were slum dwellers, who were well versed in the depths of the imperial capital. They have their own information network and a wide range of activities in the imperial capital.

    In addition to this, Theodore has a surveillance network within the Garkhain Castle to gather information on Arnold¡¯s movements.

    However, Michel ditched his tail.

    ¡°Please give that person plenty of water, just in case. If you don¡¯t mind me asking, do you have anything else on Teacher Michel?¡±

    ¡°They said his hand luggage is different from usual. It¡¯s a sturdy metal bag, and he handles it with great care.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    ¡°Of course they have to report anything unusual about the person they¡¯re following.¡±

    Theodore grinned.

    His smile at such times was uncannily similar to Arnold¡¯s.

    ¡°I¡¯ve mobilized everyone in the favelas right after we got the report. We¡¯re in the midst of a man hunt, spreading out in a radial pattern around Block 17.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a little over two and a half hours since we lost Michel Evan and I¡¯ve been informed. As soon as we find the target, I¡¯ll do as you asked. Reports will be coming to me in due course.¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened. She didn¡¯t expect that he did something that far in advance.

    She still hasn¡¯t told Theodore what the gunpowder was and also Miche¡¯s desire to let Arnold use it at this juncture.

    She did ask him to do something once they¡¯d identified the target.

    However, in Theodore¡¯s position, in a situation where he couldn¡¯t grasp anything, she told him to monitor the guest from a foreign country, and that if he behaved in a certain way, they have to carry out certain actions and report to her.

    Theodore, who was running next to Reece, looked dumbfounded.

    She had no idea that they would go so far as to help her in advance in case something unforeseen did happen.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that face? Did you think that I, your brother-in-law, is someone who only does what I¡¯m told?¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡¡But do you really trust me that much?¡¡I didn¡¯t even tell Your Highness why I wanted to go after Teacher Michel¡­¡±

    Theodore, who was walking briskly beside her, was dumbfounded.

    ¡°A man without nothing to hide doesn¡¯t thwart the person who¡¯s following him. Usually, they simply try to drive them away or seek help from the appropriate authorities. It¡¯s only the ones who are planning to do something crazy afterwards would go to the trouble of knocking his tails out with some unknown drug.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe couldn¡¯t say anything and dropped her gaze while walking fast.

    His words were filled with a certain sense of belongingness to the group of roughnecks he organized from the favelas and the near-criminals that he added to his staff.

    Theodore casually looked back at the knights behind them and whispered in a much lower voice.

    ¡°I know it was an emergency, so I took you out even though I knew you were with Brother. I¡¯m going to apologize now, because it¡¯s inevitable that Brother will question you about it.¡±

    ¡°No, thank you, Your Highness. Let me just confirm once again. Was there no no contact between Teacher Michel and His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°I can assure you that there was no such contact. It doesn¡¯t look like he approached Oliver either. There¡¯s just one thing I¡¯m curious about¡­¡±

    ¡°When Your Highness Theodore barged into the conference room earlier?¡±

    Theodore nodded when she mentioned the point he had been wondering about.

    ¡°Just because I¡¯m the second prince, there¡¯s no reason why I should interfere in a meeting between Brother and Kyle. And yet, Oliver made no move to stop me.¡±

    ¡°His Highness Arnold didn¡¯t look surprised either¡­¡±

    ¡°Was it because he wasn¡¯t surprised? Or he had seen through it all and expected this development.¡±

    Or maybe because it would be more convenient for His Highness Arnold to have me leave the meeting¡­?

 Chapter 73.2

    She was probably overthinking it.

    However, Rishe probably couldn¡¯t consider all the possibilities she could think of to be at par with Arnold¡¯s thoughts. In any case, they must be vigilant.

    ¡°Your Highness Theodore, how¡¯s the search for Teacher going¡­¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, Lord Theodore.¡±

    A knight appeared at the end of the corridor and called with familiarity. The tall knight must be a member of Theodore¡¯s knight guards.

    ¡°All right. Come on, sister-in-law, this way!¡±

    ¡°Have you already located Teacher?!¡±

    ¡°Whose brother do you think I am? Besides, that man has returned to a place where he can be most easily monitored!¡±

    She chased after Theodore, who ran off as soon as they left the main castle, plucking at the hem of her dress and running through the outer garden.

    There was no need to confirm where the best place for easy surveillance was.

    ¡°Huh¡­¡±

    Her breath hitched as they continued running. Even though she had been training as a knight cadet, there was no way she could gain physical strength in just ten days.

    When Rishe arrived panting at the location, the man was sitting leisurely.

    ¡°¨CHi, Rishe.¡±

    Michel smiled lazily in the flower-filled garden.

    Behind him were a total of four knights. Their uniforms were slightly different in design from Arnold¡¯s knight guards.

    Michel was sitting in a white chaise lounge in the garden, surrounded by the knights and smoking a scented cigarette.

    ¡°You¡¯re an excellent student, but you need guidance on how to handle laboratory animals. Sometimes, when cornered, animals behave in unexpected ways, you know?¡±

    ¡°¡­Teacher.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t block all the exits. A cat with no more trees to shelter in would scratch a dog that¡¯s chasing it, you know? Meow! And more.¡±

    Michel raised his right hand in a flutter and imitated a cat brandishing its claws.

    ¡°But, even though you¡¯re tailing me, it really doesn¡¯t have any significant effect on my behavior.¡±

    When he nodded his head, his shoulder-length golden hair flowed smoothly according to gravity.

    Theodore who was out of breath still tried to step forward casually, as if to shield Rishe.

    ¡°What¡¯s with this guy? Why are you acting close to my brother¡¯s fiancee¡­¡±

    The knights guarding Rishe also caught up with him, but Rishe deterred them with a glance.

    After that, she glanced at the knights surrounding Michel.

    ¡°Your Highness, the knights guarding Teacher¡­¡±

    ¡°I get it. You guys, don¡¯t you know what I meant by following that man? Get out of here.¡±

    The knights bowed awkwardly upon receiving Theodore¡¯s command.

    ¡°Our apologies, Your Highness, the Second Prince. We can¡¯t obey your command at our discretion.¡±

    ¡°¡­What did you say?¡±

    Theodore raised his eyebrows in displeasure. The knights got frightened, but they didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of quitting this place.

    Michel blinked at their exchange.

    ¡°Hey Rishe, why do you want to get rid of the knights? Maybe they care for me. You¡¯re very kind, thank you. But¡­¡±

    Michel chuckled.

    ¡°¨CThere¡¯s no need for that.¡±

    This presence¡­

    The sound of stomping on the lawn made Rishe turn around swiftly.

    She didn¡¯t need to look to see who was approaching her. This was a presence that she had learned just recently from observing the person enough to avoid having to face him.

    Count Rovine!

    ¡°¡­Lucius Alcott¡­¡±

    The eyes of the tall warrior who stood in front of Rishe widened for a moment.

    Rovine quickly regained his composure, removed his gaze from Rishe and first greeted Theodore.

    ¡°¡­Your Highness Theodore. Have the knights done something rude?¡±

    ¡°I ordered them to stay back, but they said that they couldn¡¯t obey me. Rovine, would you like to explain this to me?¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon. But they can¡¯t obey your orders out of loyalty, even if they come from Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°So I¡¯m asking you why?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The air that Rovine was exuding at the moment was that of a knight standing on the battlefield.

    It was a far cry from the caring leader that Rishe has dealt with in the past.

    ¡°It¡¯s an order from His Majesty, the Emperor.¡±

    ¡°!!!¡±

    The word ¡°Emperor¡± made Theodore wince a bit.

    ¡°Michel Evan has given notice that he¡¯d cause a major incident 15 minutes from now.¡±

    ¡°Teacher Michel¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s right, you know. I found the right knight in the castle and declared, ¡®I am responsible for the violence that will occur at eighteen o¡¯clock, so catch me when that happens.¡¯¡±

    She wondered what Michel was talking about.

    She was confused for a moment, but then she remembered her purpose.

    ¡°So that His Highness Arnold will hear about the gunpowder?¡±

    ¡°In the name of interrogation, I¡¯ll have to tell him everything. Considering what¡¯s about to happen, I¡¯m sure the Crown Prince and Emperor of Garkhain will pay attention to what I have to say, right?¡±

    Michel smiled softly and said without a hint of guilt.

    ¡°With the magnitude of what¡¯s to come, it¡¯s impossible for it to go unheard of by the royal family.¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

 Chapter 74.1 Itâ€™s a fire hazard

    Michel still intended to cause an incident using gunpowder.

    She thought she had anticipated and prepared for it.

    However, when she found out that Michel was actually going to proceed with it, she felt a sting in her chest.

    ¡°¡­No way,¡± Theodore clicked his tongue, looked back at Rishe, and whispered.

    ¡°Rovine isn¡¯t a knight. He isn¡¯t a knight, and yet he moves like one because he is the lord of the northernmost region of Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°¡­So you¡¯ve decided that Koyor¡¯s guest, Dr. Michel, is a threat to Garkhain?¡±

    ¡°Yes. If your father has already heard of this matter, then your brother may have received some kind of order.¡±

    Rishe clenched her hands tightly.

    Michel hinted at an attack on Garkhain, and Rovine moved to keep watch.

    What if Emperor Garkhain hears of it and orders Arnold to do something?

    Prince Kyle¡­

    Rishe shot a glance at Michel while suppressing her impatience.

    ¡°Teacher Michel, the actions you¡¯ll take will involve even innocent people.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know. I know.¡±

    ¡°Teacher¡­¡­!!¡±

    Michel looked at Rishe when she screamed and deposited the scented cigarette in his fingers.

    ¡°It¡¯s the best way to show it off, right?¡¡It¡¯s the best way to show people the power of gunpowder and the kind of misery it can create.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Create misery?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it does. That¡¯s what gunpowder exists for. As its creator, I should make sure that it fulfills its role.¡±

    Michel has been saying this since her third life.

    Everything has a reason for its existence and a role to play.

    And that fulfilling that role was the meaning of its birth.

    That¡¯s how Teacher Michel and I parted ways.

    Rishe just couldn¡¯t accept Miche¡¯s principles.

    She wanted to stop Michel from trying to use gunpowder, and she even begged him not to.

    But in the end, nothing worked out and they went their separate ways and never saw each other again.

    ¡°I have to take responsibility for what I¡¯ve created ¨C even if it makes someone else unhappy.¡±

    He uttered in a muffled voice.

    [¡°Goodbye, my student.¡±]

    His smile was just like that moonlit night that day.

    It reminded Rishe of her last night as an alchemist when she exchanged words with Michel. But that was back then.

    ¡°Sister-in-law!

    ¡°!¡±

    Theodore raised his voice. There was a knight by his side, and he seemed to have heard something.

    Rishe heard the report from Theodore and gasped.

    It¡¯s time¡­

    ******

    In the gardens of the Imperial Castle in Garkhain, Michel Evan was feeling strange.

    The reason for this was the girl standing in front of him.

    The girl named Rishe, whom he had decided to call his ¡°student¡± on a whim after coming to this country, was giving him a stubborn and sincere look.

    That¡¯s weird.

    Michel bent his neck as he savored his sweet cigarette.

    She looks angry, but it also doesn¡¯t look like it¡­ However, there is no way that I can understand the human heart.

    He was reminded of a distant memory like a haze.

    [¡°¨CMy wife died because of your birth.¡±]

    The man, his father, had repeatedly told him that.

    His emaciated father was in a dimly lit mansion filled with books. The servants had disappeared, and the young Michel heard these words incessantly.

    [¡°You must pay for what you¡¯ve done to me. You were born to make us miserable, you¡¯re the (shinigami) Grim Reaper¡­!¡±

    His father used to be a very talented scholar.

    However, he changed after his mother¡¯s death. He started to hate Michel, who was the closest to him, and blamed him for her death.

    [¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry I was born at, Father.¡±]

    He clutched my robe tightly and apologized to him.

    Even though he was hungry and lonely, he didn¡¯t beg his father for anything. Instead, he reached for the books that were piled up all over the mansion, as if to cover up his starving belly.

    It was only when Michel touched the books did his father¡¯s gaze on him soften just a little.

    Fortunately, the academy also accepted Michel.

    Knowledge poured easily into his mind, and he felt comfortable with it. He used the knowledge he had acquired from the books in the same way he breathed and drank water.

    Eventually, Michel¡¯s father took him outside. A lot of adults surrounded him. His father would tell them outside.

    [¡°This child inherited my power. You can use him as much as you like in my place.¡±]

    The adults buzzed, but Michel was delighted.

    His father wanted something from him. For the first time in his life, Michel was given a role other than ¡°killed his mother and made his parents unhappy¡±.

    [¡°Father. Can I be of use to you?¡±]

    He asked, feeling dependent on him.

    He looked at him as if he were looking at something repulsive and said, [¡°Of course.¡±]

    He remembered shivering at his coldness.

    ¡°Since I¡¯ve been raising you, Grim Reaper, you should at least be useful for that. Because that¡¯s your ¡®right use¡¯.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    T/N: This is dark, very dark¡­awww, poor Michel. I¡¯m in tears¡­ I¡¯m one of those who cry easily, so, I¡¯ll continue this tomorrow¡­

    Like my translation? Consider buying me Coffee on Ko-Fi ^_^

 Chapter 74.2

    He has long since forgotten how he felt when he heard his father¡¯s response.

    He probably couldn¡¯t stand up steadily somehow, and his heart might have pulsed painfully. He might have felt suffocated, and perhaps crouched down in his wobbly vision and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    However, the more Miche¡¯s father pushed him away, the more he grew closer and closer to his studies.

    After they placed him in the laboratory, his world became even more expansive. The more he wanted to know, the more he experimented and researched, and the more answers he got.

    Alchemy was much clearer than his father¡¯s thoughts or his mood of that day.

    Besides, the adults around him in the lab were much kinder to him than his father had ever been.

    [¡°Michel is amazing, he¡¯s indeed that man¡¯s son.¡±]

    While secretly feeling like they were his older brothers or fathers, Michel learned many things about alchemy.

    He thought that his changes in those days were triggered by even the slightest action. Looking into the records that the adults wrote, Michel added many things to them.

    He would know immediately what was missing from the components, what was extra, what could be an uncertainty.

    [¡°¨CIf I do this, I¡¯m sure everything will work out.¡±]

    As he scribbled his pen across the pages, he felt twinges of excitement inside.

    It was a problem that the adults had been struggling with, discussing face to face, trying to create a drug with a certain effect.

    [¡°Then, I¡¯ll mix these chemicals with each other. We won¡¯t know for sure until we experiment it. You know what I mean, right?¡±]

    After saying that, Michel raised his head.

    For the first time in his life, he seemed to have helped someone.

    Michel thought that being useful in the academic field might be his only right role as someone born to make his parents unhappy.

    Then, he dreamed foolishly.

    [¡°Michel.¡±]

    A voice sounded terribly cold.

    [¡°¨CYou indeed a grim reaper child, aren¡¯t you?¡±]

    Michel couldn¡¯t move a muscle when they pierced him with their gazes.

    The adults looked down at Michel and whispered to each other.

    [¡°What the hell is going on? How can you be so good at making chemicals that kill people?¡±]

    [¡°I guess this talent is innate, since no one has taught you. Your father was right.¡±]

    [¡°If we mass produce this drug, our country will be able to win the war without a fight. But can we really produce such a devil¡¯s invention into practice?¡±]

    In short, Michel was an existence born to kill and drive someone unhappy, just like his father said.

    That drug was never used in the end.

    It was because a rival nation attacked the royal castle, and everything got burned. All the experimental records turned into ashes. His father and the other alchemists lost their lives, and although Michel was the only one who escaped the fire, he wandered from place to place alone.

    Thanks to his father¡¯s name, Michel was welcomed with open arms when he traveled to academically thriving countries.

    He found a lot of research published in his father¡¯s name that Michel had invented in that dingy mansion, but he didn¡¯t really care about it.

    All that he had left was learning.

    Alchemy was surprisingly fun once he got to that point.

    Researching for his own interests, rather than for someone else¡¯s, was a very peaceful and gentle feeling.

    He felt certain that that was how people felt when they interacted with their friends and family.

    That was why Michel was so satisfied when his research led to the creation of gunpowder.

    He was proficient at driving people unhappy that he created this stuff.

    And this gunpowder, like Michel himself, has the power to turn someone¡¯s life miserable. And since everything in this world was born for a purpose, it must fulfill its created significance.

    ¡°The raison d¡¯etre of a chemical born as a poison is to make people unhappy, just as it was meant to do.¡±

    Speaking of which, Rishe said the other day that it was fine to exist in this world even without any meaning.

    However, there was no such thing as a meaningless thing in this world. Such things should have been eliminated as unnecessary and shouldn¡¯t have remained.

    Rishe confronted Michel from a distance and spoke while looking at him.

    ¡°¡­When I heard these words from someone once, I foolishly asked, ¡®Can¡¯t poisons really make someone happy?¡¯ However, I was wrong. I should have affirmed it instead of asking at that time.¡±

    Miche¡¯s brief student clearly disagreed with his thoughts.

    ¡°¨CEven poisons can make someone happy.¡±

    ¡°Pfft~¡±

    She was indeed a strange girl.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t take the words of someone like me seriously.¡±

    ¡°I am your student. But no matter what you say, I can¡¯t accept everything you teach me with conviction.¡±

    Michel listened to Rishe¡¯s words with a smile on his face.

    It was almost eighteen o¡¯clock. There might be a slight margin of error, but it would be about that time when the three gunpowder barrels in the Imperial City of Garkhain would explode.

    Unlike Koyor, which was covered with snow, the weather in Garkhain was mild in spring, which was the ideal condition for explosives to work.

    They had already completed an experiment in an uninhabited field, but this was his first attempt in the city. In remote experiments with gunpowder, Michel had worked on a plan for some time.

 Chapter 74.3

    Climate, humidity, weather, and the density of buildings.

    He strolled through the imperial capital of Garkhain day after day and found a place that fit the bill. On this day, when the sun was shining and the air was dry, he lost his tail and set up all the three.

    He utilized the structure of a clock and invented a mechanism so that the sparks would explode when the time came. He was positive that there would be enormous damage. Deaths would also be inevitable.

    Moreover, there was no way that the imperial family of Garkhain, which placed great importance on war, would let something that could cause that much damage escape.

    Soon, that time would come.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rishe, but that¡¯s just the way I am¡­ I¡¯m a monster, and taking you as my student was just me playing human.¡±

    ¡°One¡¯s role isn¡¯t defined by anyone, not by others, but you yourself! For you, I may be a fleeting student, but I want to grab a different role.¡±

    ¡ª The next moment.

    He thought he heard Rishe mutter something inaudible. Then she looked back at the tall man with the gray hair.

    ¡°Lord Rovine, I apologize for having falsified my position until now. But first, let me tell you something to settle this situation. Teacher Michel Evan still hasn¡¯t told you what he intends to do, has he?¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right, Lady.¡±

    As the frontier count claimed, Michel hadn¡¯t yet talked about the existence of gunpowder or what kind of violence he was planning to launch on the Imperial Capital.

    Experiments were prone to failure if the uncertainties weren¡¯t taken into account.

    Remote experiments inevitably involved a lot of pitfalls. Even the explosives he had planted in the Imperial Capital could end up failing to explode for some reason or another.

    He didn¡¯t reveal his tricks just in case.

    Michel wondered if Rishe was thinking along the same line. If so, that would be quite funny. It would be as if she were a student who had been by his side for years.

    I don¡¯t think I have the aptitude to be around anyone.

    The thought of Kyle popped into his mind, but he decided to ignore it.

    Either way, it was just around the corner.

    ¡°Now, let me clear up a misconception about Michel Evan.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Michel blinked at Rishe¡¯s unexpected remark.

    Oh, I see. Rishe may pretend to know about gunpowder, but she doesn¡¯t know that I can make it explode in a timed fashion.

    First off, it wasn¡¯t even clear if she really understood what gunpowder was.

    Perhaps she thought that if she could just keep him down, the disaster at eighteen o¡¯clock wouldn¡¯t happen.

    Rishe stared straight at Michel as he came up with that thought.

    ¡°The teacher who taught me alchemy once said, In any experiment, there is always an element of uncertainty. If you don¡¯t take that into account, your experiment is likely to fail.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He gasped upon hearing it.

    That was exactly what Michel was thinking. Rishe¡¯s clear green eyes never strayed from Michel¡¯s.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how genius an alchemist you are. If you don¡¯t have enough information about the pawns in your experiment, you will never achieve the results you expect.¡±

    Before he knew it, Rishe was holding a golden pocket watch in her right hand.

    ¡°Your experiment is a failure.¡±

    She informed him proudly.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way you could have anticipated this uncertainty ¨C Me¡­ Everyone involved in this case has done their ¡®job¡¯ promptly.¡±

    ¡°What the¡­¡±

    A bell rang in the distance.

    It was the sound of the time signal from the church, which also served as a clock tower. It was eighteen o¡¯clock, the time when Michel planted the bomb.

    The sun was just about to set, and the sky of the Imperial Capital was dyed dark blue.

    Michel looked to the west, to the Imperial Capital, which he could view below from the garden. Was that the direction of one of the sections where he set up the mechanisms?

    That was when it happened.

    ¡°¡­Thunder?¡±

    A line of light ran quickly and briefly vertically.

    But if it was lightning, that would be strange. The sky was clear, and lightning was supposed to fall from the sky to the earth. But now, the light rose from the bottom to the top.

    It was as if it was running up into the sky.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not¡­¡±

    ¡°What you create is not only poison. Even if it seems to you that it¡¯s only harmful to people, if you use them in a different way, it can create various merits.¡±

    The next moment.

    ¡°!!¡±

    With a loud popping sound, a grain of light burst in the sky of the Imperial City.

    It was gunpowder.

    She knew that at a glance, but it wasn¡¯t the result Michel had envisioned.

    On the contrary, it became even a breathtaking sight.

    It resembled an enormous flower.

    A chemical that was supposed to crush and kill people was blooming in the night sky with vivid colors akin to the aurora borealis.

    T/N: I just felt burnt out so I wasn¡¯t able to update recently. Let me have a few more rest for the holidays ¨R??¡ñ??¨Q

    I wish everyone an advance Happy New Year! Despite the pandemic, I wish y¡¯all a prosperous and healthy 2021 ???? Stay safe. Read with you next year ?(`?¡ä)?

 Chapter 75.1 Something Different

    One erupted up safely¡­

    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief, looking up outside of the castle from the gardens of the Imperial Castle.

    Of the two knight guards who escorted Rishe, all who remained here were looking up at the sky, except for one who hurriedly headed somewhere.

    Her partner Theodore¡¯s eyes, which had a shade like his brother¡¯s, also widened.

    Since losing sight of Michel, Theodore and his team set up a search matrix throughout the Imperial Capital.

    However, what they were mainly looking for was not Michel himself, but the gunpowder.

    Their main target for this surveillance wasn¡¯t Michel.

    This was how Rishe explained her request to Theodore.

    It was only a few days ago that she spread out a few sheets of paper on the table in the conference room and broke down the general picture.

    [¡°Teacher¡¯s purpose is probably to set up things in three places in the Imperial Capital. I would like all of you to evacuate the people around as soon as you find something of the shape illustrated on this paper. Are any of you good at disarming ¡­ traps?¡±]

    [¡°Of course. Half of my men are skilled in this area.¡±]

    [¡°Then have them follow the procedures outlined here.¡±]

    What she gave Theodore was a diagram of the device that Michel might use.

    [¡°Like a trap, it¡¯s a dangerous device if you disarm it by mistake. But unlike traps, this one isn¡¯t difficult to disarm, so if you learn the exact steps, the risk level will decrease considerably.¡±]

    [¡°It¡¯s a much more friendly design than the traps they usually disarm. However, I¡¯ll remind them to be very careful.¡±]

    [¡°Thank you¡­ Next, let¡¯s talk about the potential installation locations for the ¡°target¡±. If you lose sight of Teacher, you can still narrow down your search to a certain extent.¡±]

    After saying that, Rishe continued to explain to Theodore.

    By following him every day, they were able to figure out all the routes that Michel has taken.

    They determined the range of his activities prior through the information network of the residents in the favelas. Michel¡¯s neutral and stunning appearance stood out well, and he wasn¡¯t the kind of man who would wear a disguise to blend in with the city.

    Furthermore, Rishe remembered.

    She remembered Michel¡¯s experiment plan, which he taught her during her life as an alchemist.

    In the urban experiment plan, the number of devices to be prepared is three. He said that he will conduct the experiment in a well-ventilated area that is biased only towards low buildings.

    The locations where these conditions overlap are well known to the residents of the favelas who roam all over the Imperial Capital to earn a living.

    It would be easier to find them if they limited their search to the routes that Michel took.

    In his remote experiment, Michel assumed that most of the conditions would be aligned as per the plans in order to eliminate as much uncertainty as possible.

    The climate, humidity, weather, and building density were optimal for this experiment. The three devices were set up at a distance of at least one kilometer from each other to ensure that the wind direction and other conditions were as varied as possible. I can¡¯t tell how many times he repeated these lines over and over, so I recall clearly¡­

    The time of the explosion was just before nightfall. This was the time when there was barely enough light to see the explosion and fewer people were out on the streets.

    At this time of the year in Garkhain, it was eighteen o¡¯clock in the evening.

    And just a few minutes ago, right after her conversation with Michel, Theodore received a report saying, ¡°It¡¯s time.¡±

    ¡°Now, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    Michel stood up and stepped forward unsteadily.

    The knight guards rushed to ready their swords, but quickly stopped. At eighteen o¡¯clock, the time Michel foretold, confusion was all over their faces when they witnessed the events that occurred in the Imperial Capital.

    Rovine looked down at Michel with a blank expression and said nothing.

    ¡°Colored flames. The smell of gunpowder. That thing blew up in the sky? What the hell does it contain?¡­¡±

    Teacher Michel¡¯s device is so accurate and easy to understand.

    What Rishe was concerned about was whether she would be able to make it in time, and whether or not the mass of gunpowder she had named fireworks would shoot up into the sky successfully.

    Even if we could find the gunpowder device, it was a gamble that we¡¯d be able to reconnect the wires. Although I¡¯ve never seen the device before, thankfully, it was designed for handling simply by following the correct procedure.

    There was no excess in the device, and it could be connected to some extent by observation alone.

    The device was so simple that anyone could use it, which was also convenient for users.

    Rishe named the beautiful flames that rose in the sky fireworks.

    The glow of the fireworks seemed etched vividly in Michel¡¯s eyes. He gazed at the sky with eyes looking at an unknown matter, like a child who didn¡¯t yet understand the starry sky.

    T/N: hmmm, baby Michel ????

 Chapter 75.2

    In time, the second fireworks blast off in the sky.

    The moment Michel averted his gaze, Rishe spoke clearly.

    ¡°¨CMy teacher once showed me the aurora borealis.¡±

    When she said this, Michel, who was almost deadpan, slowly looked at her.

    ¡°Back then, I was trying to figure out how to tell if a piece of metal contained a certain toxic metal. And then, when my teacher showed me the northern lights, I noticed that it resembled something ¡ª It¡¯s the reaction of a metal on fire.

    ¡°¨CThat¡¯s right. When you burn metal, the flames change color depending on the type of metal. The blue and green flames certainly resemble the aurora borealis.¡±

    Rishe nodded at Michel¡¯s somewhat absent-minded response.

    What she used for the fireworks was metal shavings obtained from a craftsman in Koyor. She asked Kyle to get the powder, which was never available in the market.

    ¡°I thought the experience gave me a way to identify the type of metal, but there was more to it than that.¡±

    She sighed and told him.

    ¡°If you look at it another way, you¡¯ve also got a way to color the flames.¡±

    Michel¡¯s eyes widened slightly.

    ¡°Do you see a flicker of light floating in the darkness as a torch of war or as the light of a firefly? A slight change in perspective can completely change the meaning of an event.¡±

    Rishe realized this the night she and Arnold talked on the balcony.

    How could they stop Michel? How could she get Arnold to accept Koyor?

    It occurred to her that the answer to both of these questions was to offer a different perspective and value to what they perceived as worthless or harmful.

    ¡°Even if there¡¯s only one observed phenomenon, that doesn¡¯t mean there is only one role for it.¡±

    That was why she thought.

    Wasn¡¯t the role of humans and things the same?

    ¡°-!¡±

    Michel had always believed that he had a role to play in making people unhappy.

    Rishe¡¯s retort that something could exist without meaning was denied. But come to think of it, it was only natural.

    Because my teacher is an alchemist.

    Unless proven true, words were merely hypotheses.

    Michel, a genius alchemist, would never believe in others¡¯ hypotheses, much less swallow them.

    If I don¡¯t prove it in front of his eyes and show the conclusion, we¡¯ll never get anything¡­

    So this was how she proved it.

    ¡°There is no single effect that a person or thing can have. There¡¯s no such thing as an entity that exists only to make someone unhappy.¡±

    ¡°¨CDid you invent this mechanism just to make me understand that?¡¡Why did you go so far¡­?¡±

    The answer to the question was obvious.

    ¡°Because I am your student.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    There was no way Michel could understand what Rishe meant by ¡°your student.¡±

    But still, she piled on the words as if praying.

    Michel was someone who generously provided her diverse knowledge in her former life.

    Even if Teacher doesn¡¯t know that ¡­ even if the world rewinds ¡­

    They would never disappear.

    As long as Rishe remembered, that fact would always exist in her mind.

    ¡°If you really think that your existence and what you¡¯ve created with your own hands is something that can only make someone else unhappy¡­¡±

    In a corner of the Imperial Capital, she spotted a third fireball glowing.

    Even with Michel¡¯s device, there would inevitably be a time error. The third fireball, which ignited a bit late, seemed to climb up into the sky with a trailing tail behind it.

    ¡°I will continue to preach with all my heart that this isn¡¯t so.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Just before it exploded in the sky above, the light disappeared for a moment.

    ¡°Please see with your own eyes ¡­ What you have created will bring out a value you never knew.¡±

    B-O-O-M! A resounding explosion echoed.

    Large flowers bloomed in the night sky, and they twinkled like meteors.

    The light twinkling in blue and green sprinkled out just like stardust. With a dry, crunching sound, they dyed a part of the sky and made it shine as brightly as the aurora borealis.

    Michel stared at the light and squinted his eyes, looking very dazzled.

    ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t know.¡±

    He murmured.

    ¡°I knew about the flame color reaction and how gunpowder works. It never occurred to me that they could be used in this way.¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sure there¡¯s plenty more. From a different perspective, there are other uses for the things you invented and that you thought are poisonous to this world.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu, maybe you¡¯re right.¡±

    Michel chuckled ruefully.

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Not at all, Teacher.¡±

    She shook her head and told him positively.

    ¡°Not at all, it is you Teacher. You¡¯re a peerless genius in the world and an alchemist who will create even more wonderful inventions in the future.¡±

    ¡°¡­ You say the craziest things.¡±

    After giving her a puzzled look, Michel looked up at the sky again.

    ¡°But, yeah¡­ Is that so?¡±

    His smile was bleeding with the ephemeral demeanor of a cry.

    ¡°I was able to create the source of such a beauty¡­¡±

 Chapter 76.1 Alliance Settlement

    ¡°Teacher¡­¡±

    It was then that Rishe took a step forward towards Michel.

    ¡°What are you doing, Rovine?¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    A voice echoed. Rishe looked over her shoulder and felt as if shot. The air in the place abruptly became tense, and the knights all knelt down at once.

    At the entrance to the garden was an unheralded figure.

    His Highness Arnold¡­?

    Arnold appeared with a dozen or more knight guards trailing behind him.

    One of the knights was the knight guard who left the garden when the first firework exploded. Perhaps he informed Arnold of this place.

    ¡°Michel!!¡±

    Kyle came charging forward.

    Arnold, who seemed to have brought Kyle along, never once looked at Rishe, but trained his cold gaze to his vassal.

    ¡°I asked you. What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon, Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    Rovine bowed lower and lower at Arnold¡¯s domineering voice.

    ¡°Someone made an unwarranted threat, and we needed to monitor him. I apologize for the delay in reporting this.¡±

    ¡°Michel Evan?¡±

    His blue eyes slowly looked towards Michel.

    Rishe stood on guard. She was unsure of the details, but the look on Arnold¡¯s face showed that he had a rough grasp of the situation.

    ¡°What are you going to do, sister-in-law?¡±

    Theodore, who was standing beside her, whispered.

    ¡°Your Big Brother¡¯s knight guard seemed to have been following Kyle¡¯s side. Maybe your brother is trying to take Michel Evan¡¯s master, Kyle, into custody¡­¡±

    Rishe observed Kyle, standing by Michel¡¯s side in alarm.

    And yet, Prince Kyle is acting strangely.

    Meanwhile, Rovine continued his report to Arnold.

    ¡°Michel Evan announced that there will be a major incident in the castle grounds today at eighteen o¡¯clock.¡±

    ¡°¡­How?¡±

    ¡°The imperial capital is under the protection of His Majesty, and as a loyal vassal of the royal family, I was on the lookout.¡±

    ¡°I see. I get what you¡¯re saying.¡±

    Rishe stood ready after Anold¡¯s reply.

    Calm down. I¡¯m prepared to ¡°negotiate¡± with His Highness Arnold. There¡¯s still room to fight for the alliance with Koyor and for Teacher Michel¡¯s treatment.

    She was about to step in front of Arnold when he did.

    ¡°¡­Although¡­¡±

    Arnold took his first glance at Rishe.

    ¡°My fianc¨¦e must have declared that she would clear up the misunderstanding with Michel Evan?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Her eyes widened when the spearhead pointed at her without warning.

    ¡°She¡¯s right. The phenomenon that just occurred was merely the result of Michel Evan¡¯s disclosure of Koyor¡¯s technological capabilities.¡±

    What does he mean¡­?! He might have heard what I said from the knight¡­

    Against all odds, Arnold seemed to be adding up his story to Rishe¡¯s plan.

    Rovine looked up, a deep crease etched between his brows.

    ¡°Your Highness, Arnold, what exactly are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯ve been disrespectful to our Koyor guests, that would be a serious matter. I¡¯m not sure what to make of it, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯s a good idea. While Kyle is preoccupied, dismiss the knights this instant.¡±

    Rishe wasn¡¯t mistaken. She was confused inwardly, but she was certain that her earlier conjuncture was correct.

    Looking closely at Prince Kyle, he didn¡¯t seem nervous at all. In other words, His Highness Arnold didn¡¯t come here for any reason that would be detrimental to Prince Kyle¡­

    ¡°Then let me ask you. Why are Koyor¡¯s scholars showing off their technological capabilities in here?¡±

    Arnold cast his eyes down at Rovine¡¯s question.

    By any chance, no way¡­

    Her heart skipped.

    Arnold uttered the words that Rishe had been wishing for in a plain yet clear voice.

    ¡°Our country will start a technological liaison with Koyor soon.

    ¡°¨D¨D!!¡±

    Overwhelming surprise and joy filled her heart in an instant.

    I hurriedly looked at Kyle, and he nodded broadly with a proud expression. Evidently, they exchanged terms in the conference room afterward.

    He understood, didn¡¯t he?

    Her heart started to beat faster and faster.

    Military power isn¡¯t the only power that a country has. The technology that Koyor possesses is monumental, and it may one day lead to wonderful inventions.

    Above all.

    Garkhain can foster relationships with other countries other than invasion¡­

    Right now, they¡¯ve only taken one step forward.

    Nevertheless, she was irresistibly delighted and looked at Arnold.

    His blue eyes narrowed into slits, and then he slowly averted his gaze from Rishe.

 Chapter 76.2

    He then looked down at Rovine, who was kneeling at his feet.

    ¡°Instead of Koyor¡¯s military support, we will borrow their academic knowledge. For starters, I¡¯m going to lend my knight guards here to Koyor. And the fire sparks that just erupted in the sky will prove that the Koyol Kingdom has technology that is unknown to our country.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s voice was calm, but with a definite air of authority.

    ¡°Do you understand? We are about to enter into a new alliance, so you are not to interfere with it with such scandals.¡±

    ¡°But Your Highness, Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to listen. Withdraw this instant.¡±

    His blue eyes blurred with a clear warning.

    ¡°If you make any more noise, my father may hear about it.¡±

    !

    Arnold¡¯s remark startled Rishe inwardly.

    But she didn¡¯t let it show on her face.

    After a momentary silence, Rovine remained in his kneeling position and bowed deeply to Kyle.

    ¡°Your Highness, Prince Kyle, I apologize for my reprehensible discourtesy. It was all my fault for acting imprudently. If you will forgive me, I would be willing to devote my head to Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense. Please raise your head, Count Rovine. It seems that Michel¡¯s words and actions caused a misunderstanding. I¡¯m very sorry for the great deal of inconvenience.¡±

    Kyle replied sincerely.

    She didn¡¯t think Kyle himself heard the report that was delivered to Arnold. As usual, he supposed that Michel carried out an ill-placed research and caused a commotion.

    ¡°Before we cause any further embarrassment, we¡¯ll withdraw from this place. Your Highnesses Kyle, Your Highness Arnold, I beg your pardon once more.¡±

    After another bow, Rovine quietly stood up and looked at Rishe.

    He gave her the same polite bow. Rishe plucked at the hem of her dress and bowed her head. Then, Theodore approached her gently.

    ¡°Sister-in-law. It looks like we¡¯ve got this situation under control, so I¡¯m going to slip out for a bit and check out the city.¡±

    Theodore left the garden before Rishe could thank him. She couldn¡¯t thank him enough, but she¡¯d have to return the favor with something proper at a later date.

    Many knight guards also resigned at Arnold¡¯s command.

    All who were left were Rishe, ARnold, Kyle, and Michel.

    ¡°Now then, Michel¡­¡±

    Kyle cleared his throat and began scolding Michel, who was older than him, like a child.

    ¡°¡­What the hell were you doing?! I was very surprised when I saw the flower fire sparks scattered in the sky. Is that your new invention?!¡±

    ¡°Kyle ¡­¡±

    It was a nostalgic sight for Rishe. If there was one thing that was unusual, it was the way Michel dropped his lashes and expressed his regret.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re helping us with the alliance, but can you tell me about it in advance? That way, I can present the results of your studies to Garkhain in a less inconvenient way.¡±

    ¡°No, Kyle. I really should use my life to atone for this¡­¡±

    ¡°Teacher Michel!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    When Rishe called out his name, Michel looked exasperated.

    But confessing everything under the circumstances wasn¡¯t a good idea.

    Once Kyle heard the truth, he would have to answer to Garkhain as the prince of Koyor.

    ¡°Be quiet for now and let Prince Kyle vent his anger.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she smiled, Michel lowered his head deeper, looking at a loss.

    But eventually, he spoke up.

    I¡¯m sorry, Kyle. I¡¯m sorry, Rishe.¡±

    ¡°¡­Michel?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t do it again. I now understand for sure that my theory was a big mistake.¡±

    Michel then clutched the hem of his lab coat tightly.

    ¡°¡­I promise, it won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    His words sounded sincere and innocent, akin to a child trying his best to utter an oath.

    Kyle swallowed in surprise, but on the other hand, Rishe was relieved. She looked up at Arnold again and met his blue eyes.

    ¡°Let me tell you, I¡¯m not warming up to you.¡±

    Arnold said with a somewhat chilly gaze.

    ¡°If the knight¡¯s report is true, then it¡¯s obvious that Michel Evan was planning to do something nefarious. However, if we treat him as a criminal publicly, Father Emperor will hear about it. In order to avoid that, I used the measures you had in place.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes, thank you very much.¡±

    Arnold also seemed to be aware that the fireworks were Rishe¡¯s work.

    The report that he received from the knight must have been fragmentary.

    And yet, the ¡°event to show off Koyol¡¯s technology¡± that Arnold told Rovine about was the very persuasion that Rishe was trying to use on Arnold.

    Besides, from the start, as long as she could get through this, the rest was going to be a straightforward confession.

    ¡°I was going to tell Your Highness Arnold all about what Teacher Michel tried to do later.¡±

    Even though it was an attempt, it would have been a mortal crime if it succeeded. Although we concealed it, we couldn¡¯t completely exonerate him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to Your Highness to decide what to do.¡±

    ¡°Oh, how laudable.¡±

    Arnold grinned with a wicked look.

    ¡°You were trying to keep this man away from me and even got Theodore involved.¡±

    He noticed!!!

 Chapter 76.3

    However, it wasn¡¯t surprising when you think about it.

    It was Theodore¡¯s men, dressed as waiters and gardeners, who were monitoring the castle.

    Theodore initially sent them to gather information about Arnold in the castle, but there was no way Arnold wouldn¡¯t have noticed their presence.

    ¡­But come to think of it, I also noticed that his younger brother was collecting information about him. It¡¯s so sweet how he left his brother to his devices all these years¡­

    She should inform Theodore of this discovery as well. He has helped her a lot, and she needed to repay him as much as she could.

    With this in mind, Rishe opened her mouth softly.

    ¡°As a matter of fact, I¡¯m just as guilty as Teacher Michel.¡±

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°I made use of Teacher Michel¡¯s plan instead of stopping it¡­ And I wanted you to see those fireworks, too.¡±

    She had already assumed in advance that there would be a time difference in the launch.

    When Arnold heard the first one, he would surely look to the sky. Her plan evidently worked.

    ¡°Fireworks have dangerous properties as you can imagine. But as you can see, depending on how you use them, they can create a view that no one else in the world has ever seen. I believed that if you know this, you¡¯ll surely open up to a lot of possibilities.¡±

    It was by no means limited to the pleasant use of gunpowder.

    It was about the products made with Koyor¡¯s technology. It was also about the future of Arnold himself.

    ¡°You may still think that all of your power is dedicated to war.¡±

    Rather than keeping the existence of gunpowder a secret, she trusted him and presented it.

    This was Rishe¡¯s choice.

    ¡°One day, I¡¯ll prove to you that it¡¯s not.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold merely raised a brow and stuck his chest proudly.

    ¡°You might regret it.¡±

    Eventually, that was the only line he strung.

    ¡°You can do whatever you want with Michel Evan, just don¡¯t dispose of him publicly.¡±

    Rishe cringed at Arnold¡¯s bluntness.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear you or Kyle complain if I kill him and dispose of him secretly. You¡¯re okay with that?¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she pulled Arnold¡¯s sleeve, he bent down a little.

    After all, Rishe and Arnold had a height difference of more than 20 centimeters.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Actually¡­¡±

    Rishe stood on tiptoes and whispered in his ear.

    ¡°It was Teacher Michel who came up with the structure of the pocket watch.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She could see the wrinkles deepening between Arnold¡¯s eyebrows even without looking at him.

    ¡°It seems that he invented it as a means of having an instrument to measure time for his research.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of evidence that Teacher Michel, a Koyor scholar, was the developer of the device, although he hasn¡¯t disclosed his name because he hated the hassle with it. For example, Koyor¡¯s artisans have molds of the parts.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I believe that Teacher Michel¡¯s knowledge will be essential for future joint research with Koyor.¡±

    She planted her heels on the ground, then craned her neck to look up at Arnold.

    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡­¡±

    Arnold raised the other brow, and then sighed softly¡­

    ¡°No matter how I think about it, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve been confident in your ability to woo me from the start.¡±

    ¡°No way! I was confident that Your Highness would be interested in my teacher.¡±

    That was quite true. There was no way she could be so proud as to fool Arnold and have him do what he wanted.

    She could tell by the bitter look on his face that the plan had managed to work.

    That was a close call, though. Before the meeting in the evening, he absolutely had no intention of lending knight to the Koyor Kingdom. If His Highness Arnold had prepared knights in advance, it wouldn¡¯t have been for an alliance to Koyor, but only in light of the war¡­

    That thought chilled her liver all at once.

    She knew that Arnold wasn¡¯t outrageous.

    But for that reason, he must have meant it when he said, [If you¡¯re thinking for Koyor, I¡¯d better invade him quickly.]

    Besides, there are other things that bother me.

    Earlier, Rovined mentioned Emperor Garkhaine¡¯s name as the reason why he couldn¡¯t obey Theodore¡¯s orders.

    He disobeyed Theodore¡¯s orders to show that he was someone who would never disobey.

    And yet, His Highness Arnold said, ¡°Before my father hears about it. In other words, His Majesty wasn¡¯t informed about Teacher Michel¡¯s case.

    To be exact, Rovine just mentioned that his master was the emperor, but he never said that he was under His Majesty¡¯s order.

    It¡¯s strange that an incident involving a distinguished guest wasn¡¯t reported to the emperor. Isn¡¯t His Excellency Rovine supposed to be a famous loyal vassal?

    Rishe felt a stirring in her heart somehow.

    After all, she knew the future.

    -His Excellency Lord Rovine will be executed for treason as a result of his advice to His Highness Arnold in the future.

    She looked up at Arnold.

    His profile, which was deadpan, was as beautiful as a counterfeit.

    ¡°¡­What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°No, nothing.¡±

    Rishe gently shook her head and spoke.

    ¡°The people in the castle must have seen those fireworks.¡±

    She glanced at Michel and realized that Kyle was still scolding him.

    Kyle was pretty scary once he got angry. She was well aware of it, but she wasn¡¯t going to give him a helping hand this time.

    ¡°If it becomes known that this is Koyor¡¯s technology, public interest will support the alliance.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    No one knew what gunpowder was. They wouldn¡¯t know what it was for or how powerful it was just by looking at the fireworks.

    The fireworks must have caught people¡¯s eyes simply as beautiful art.

    She hoped that the reputation of the fireworks would help to build an equal relationship between the great nation of Garkhain and the small nation of Koyor.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re probably right.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu!¡±

    She was delighted to hear Arnold¡¯s approval.

    There were still countless things that Rishe didn¡¯t understand. But she knew what she had to do.

    She took a deep breath and rekindled her determination to push forward for the future.

 Chapter 77.1 Selfishness and Wishful Thinking

    ¡°¨CThe Imperial Capital is really amazing!¡¡I never thought I¡¯d see something like that floating in the night sky.¡±

    Cadet Sven¡¯s voice echoed through the training grounds early that morning.

    ¡°I saw it pretty clearly from the inn I was staying at. Did you also want to see it, Lucius?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I wanted to see it, but I was so busy at the time that I didn¡¯t have time.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu. Right, right? You should thank me Fritz. You were able to enjoy such a view because I invited you to a study session!¡±

    Rishe listened to Sven¡¯s excitement with a smile, still dressed as a man.

    Today was the final special training day for the cadets. And accordingly, it was also the last day of the early morning training for Rishe and the others, so they finished the cleaning carefully.

    The sky was clear, and it looked like it was going to be pretty hot today.

    Even though it was such a wonderful morning, Fritz looked disturbed.

    ¡°Fritz mistook it as a shooting star at first and started making a wish. Hey, Fritz?¡±

    ¡°E¨Chuh?! Ye-ah!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz looked up hurriedly, as if he was still in a daze.

    Sven looked at him, then patted him on the shoulder as if he guessed something.

    ¡°Lucius, Fritz, both of you lend me that wooden sword. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

    ¡°What? It¡¯s okay, Sven. We¡¯ll take it with us.¡±

    ¡°No!¡­ Fritz, you owe me for this!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Fritz rolled his eyes, but eventually bowed apologetically to Sven.

    The three of them were alone on the training grounds before the training began. Rishe watched Sven¡¯s back and spoke to Fritz standing next to her.

    ¡°You¡¯re kind of nervous with Sven.¡±

    ¡°Ah-¡­Yeah, kind of.¡±

    She felt Fritz tension as he looked down.

    ¡°¡­Lu, we were summoned by His Excellency Rovine yesterday.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    It was a no-brainer for Rishe to interpret what those words meant.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve decided to become a knight?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah. He told me to go back to my hometown to get ready, and then return to the capital again. From there, I¡¯ll officially become an apprentice knight of Garkain.¡±

    ¡°Congratulations, Fritz!¡±

    She couldn¡¯t be any happier to hear the good news.

    All of the cadets were outstanding in their own way. Among them, Fritz and Sven were by far the best.

    ¡°I knew for sure that you¡¯d be chosen, but it was nice to hear it again. Have you written to your parents? Right, you¡¯d rather inform them face to face! Congratulations!¡±

    ¡°¡­I met His Excellency Rovine before I came here.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened, and Fritz squeezed out a terribly pained expression.

    ¡°Lucius Alcott won¡¯t join the Order. His Excellency Rovine said you declined to do so.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rovine didn¡¯t want to expose Rishe¡¯s disguise.

    After the incident with Michel last night, she wrote to Rovine.

    She apologized for hiding her true identity and for disrupting an important training session.

    She was certain that Rovine was busy, but he replied immediately. They were supposed to meet each other again at the night party tonight to see off Koyor¡¯s party.

    In his letter, he also included this sentence:

    ¡°If you can spare the time, please join us as a knight cadet until the last day of training.¡±

    After last night¡¯s incident, I wasn¡¯t sure how much I could trust His Excellency Rovine¡­ but he sure tried to protect my days as a cadet for Lucius Alcott.

    Despite that, Rishe apologized to her dear friend.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Fritz.¡±

    She looked Fritz in the eye and told him without looking away.

    ¡°The truth is, I¡¯m telling a very big lie.¡±

    ¡°¡­Lie?¡±

    ¡°Thanks to that lie, I was able to come here and train with everyone. But it¡¯s still a lie, so I can¡¯t be a knight now.¡±

    She chose that path in her sixth life. It was entirely different this seventh time.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been lying to you, too. I¡¯m really, really sorry¡­¡±

    When she apologized, Fritz¡¯s eyes flickered somehow.

    ¡°Lu, I¡¯m sorry too.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no, why are you apologizing?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±

    When she asked, Fritz hesitated slightly.

    Then, as if he had made up his mind, he turned his head and uttered, ¡°¡­Actually, I¡¯ve been aware of the lie you¡¯ve been telling for a while now.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes rounded at this unforeseen confirmation.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always thought it was strange that Lu is so petite and ridiculously delicate!¡±

    ¡°Fritz¡­¡±

    ¡°You have a high pitch voice and thin hair, so you¡¯re¡­!¡±

    No way, he even noticed that I¡¯m a woman¡­

 Chapter 77.2

    While she was panicking at the unforeseen fact, Fritz assured her seriously: ¡°You¡¯re really about 14, right?!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her body was stretched tight.

    ¡°¡­Eh?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a rule that you have to be 15 years old to join this training. But I¡¯m sure you lied about your age to come here for your family.¡±

    ¡°¡­No, yeah, well, that¡­¡±

    ¡°No, no, no!¡¡If anyone finds out that you lied, you¡¯ll be at a disadvantage in next year¡¯s exams. You don¡¯t have to say anything just because I got it right¡­!!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Fritz, who was desperately trying to argue with her, evidently didn¡¯t really find out.

    He had considered the possibility that Rishe was younger than prescribed, but it hadn¡¯t occurred to him that she was a woman.

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    That¡¯s right. In my sixth life as a knight, the only person who discovered that I was a woman was the Commander¡­

    She had mixed feelings and felt guilty for having lied to him.

    However, Arnold told her last night, It¡¯s inevitable for Rovine to find out, but don¡¯t let the other knight cadets learn that you¡¯re a woman.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry Fritz. I would have definitely told you the truth soon enough¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay, take it easy! That¡¯s not the point.¡±

    When Rishe raised her head, he had a sunny smile on his face.

    ¡°One of these days¡­I hope I¡¯ll see you again after today¡¯s training.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Hearing those words, it dawned on Rishe.

    The reason why Fritz looked so unhappy was because he wanted to say goodbye.

    He showered all the friendship he could to Rishe, who hadn¡¯t even told him the truth, in just ten short days. He was so happy about that that he couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    ¡°Of course. It may be a little different from what it is now, but still, definitely!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be stronger than ever by then. I promise.¡±

    ¡°Fufufu~¡±

    Rishe squeezed the hand that he extended to her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do our best for each other, Fritz.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    For a moment, she thought Fritz looked like he was about to cry.

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    But she was wrong. After a beat, he smiled like the sun as usual.

    I won¡¯t let them send you to a tragic battlefield.

    Rishe felt the presence of someone and looked at the entrance of the training ground.

    Frontier Count Rovine strolled in. He glanced and bowed at Rishe, who was the only one who could understand.

    Rishe saluted him as well, and the rest was business as usual between instructor and trainee.

    Nonetheless, while various thoughts were running through her mind, she challenged the last special training.

    ***

    It was three o¡¯clock in the afternoon, and Rishe was walking through the corridors of the detached palace after finishing some errands.

    When she asked Oliver, who passed her on the way, he told her that Arnold was in his office. After sending Oliver off on his way to the main castle, she knocked on the door of the office.

    Arnold looked at Rishe in some surprise when she entered after waiting for his reply.

    ¡°¡­That was pretty fast.¡±

    ¡°It is enough to take that much of his time. I really appreciate it.¡±

    She sat down in a chair on the right side of the office when he urged her to take a seat.

    Arnold watched her and then looked down at his hand again, running his pen over his papers.

    ¡°¡­Are you satisfied?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I was able to have a good talk with Teacher.¡±

    After the morning training, Rishe went to see Michel.

    The people of the Koyor Kingdom would be leaving the Imperial Capital early tomorrow morning. Since this was the last time they would spend the whole day here, Kyle was busy greeting everyone.

    In the meantime, Arnold had arranged for Kyle to let her speak with Michel, who was suspended as punishment for his ¡°little fuss.¡±

    [I wish they could take my head out and I just provide knowledge.]

    This disturbing line was Michel¡¯s opening statement.

    Rishe was taken aback even though she was indeed accustomed to his words and deeds. While rebuking him, she poured honey into Michel¡¯s tea.

    [There¡¯s no way to do that, and there¡¯s no point in trying. Inspiration doesn¡¯t come from existing knowledge. It comes from new experiences, don¡¯t you think so?]

    [Oh, you know exactly what I mean. But, I think they¡¯re too forgiving.]

    While accepting the too-sweet tea, Michel gently lowered his eyes.

    [If you want to execute me or force me to produce loads of medicine for the war. I can. I think it would be an unwise decision to have me take charge of the joint research between Koyor and Garkhain to make something good for the world.]

    [Teacher¡­]

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    Rishe fended Michel off last night and told only Arnold the whole truth.

    The gunpowder¡¯s existence, and Michel¡¯s attempt to use it.

    The current Michel would probably want to make amends for that.

    Arnold looked as if he didn¡¯t care and said, [Michel Evan¡¯s use remains the same.]

    Michel himself, who caused the commotion, wasn¡¯t satisfied with that decision.

    Rishe preached to Michel while fully understanding his feelings.

    [You say that, but normally it would be a very serious punishment, don¡¯t you think? The royal families of two countries are involved in a project that requires them to constantly produce the best possible results. I¡¯m not sure what to say. If you were an ordinary person, you¡¯d be under tremendous pressure.]

    [Hmm, that¡¯s right. Do you think I should do my best?]

    This was a fluffy way of putting it, but in a way it was amazing. She has never seen Michel work so hard in her life as an alchemist.

    [It¡¯s novel to me, but I¡¯ll do my best. ¡ª I never did research with that sense of creating something wonderful for the world.]

    [I¡¯m also looking forward to what new inventions Teacher can make.]

    Michel giggled in amusement when Rishe expressed this solemnly.

    His smile was of delight.

    It was the first time Rishe ever saw him smile like this. Michel tucked his hair over his ears and muttered to himself, his eyes downcast.

    [¡­I just want to apologize for what I said to you the other day.]

    [Apologize?]

    [I was wrong to say that you¡¯re not fit to be queen.]

    It reminded her that something of that sort did happen.

    [I think there¡¯s nothing wrong about that.]

    [No, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re well suited for it, but I also think it¡¯s a shame.]

    His purple eyes looked gently at Rishe.

    [Don¡¯t you regret it? Don¡¯t you regret your life as Arnold Hein¡¯s bride?]

    [Of course, Teacher.]

    Rishe said it flatly.

    A few days ago, they didn¡¯t finish their conversation.

    So she smiled and said.

    [What I want to know most in the world right now is the one who will be my husband.]

 Chapter 77.3

    More than any research outputs or any principles.

    She thought this from the bottom of her heart and repeated the words.

    [So, I¡¯m going to stay by his side, even if our engagement will be terminated and he drives me away.]

    [Haha, then I have no right to stop you.]

    Glad that he understood, Rishe stood up and bowed.

    [I¡¯m sorry to have taken up so much of your time while you¡¯re preparing to return home.]

    [No, it was a pleasure to talk to you. I¡¯ll be leaving you soon.]

    Michel stood up and said with a gentle smile, [See you soon, my student.]

    [¡­!]

    ¨CGoodbye.

    She recalled the parting words she exchanged with Michel in her life as an alchemist. The sound of ¡°See you soon,¡± which meant reunion, rang entirely different from that moonlit night of the past.

    ***

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    After thanking him, Arnold remained at his desk and said in a seemingly disinterested tone.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do much.¡±

    ¡°Not at all, you have been very lenient.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just better to make use of it than to make a fuss over something that was never attempted.¡±

    Besides, Arnold continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been informed of Michel Evan¡¯s behavior. I¡¯m not going to let him take the reins, no matter how competent a scholar he is. It would be better to invest in a joint research project with Koyor and only profit from it without the hassle of administration.¡±

    ¡°¡±Still, I still think that¡¯s generous¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care¡­ And you¡¯ll be inspecting them periodically to make sure their research doesn¡¯t head towards strange intentions again, right?¡±

    Rishe nodded adeptly at the remark.

    ¡°Yes. I was hoping you can leave that to me!¡±

    This was the first time that Arnold entrusted something to her.

    Whenever she thought about it, she felt all fired up anew.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to seeing Your Highness Arnold, Prince Kyle, and Teacher Michel will develop in the future.¡±

    ¡°¡­I wonder how long it will take before we reach what you called ¡®a carriage that works without horses¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Fufu~¡±

    At this moment, he seemed to be considering it seriously, even though he was feigning resistance to the partnership.

    She felt strangely happy about it.

    The choices that Rishe was desperately trying to make just lined up, but if Arnold and someone else would aim for them together, it would seem that nothing was impossible in the future.

    If anything, I want to move on to a better future, not a life of avoiding the worst possible future!¡¡I still don¡¯t know what His Highness Arnold¡¯s intentions are, but we should be progressing little by little¡­

    She hoped that she could change the future someday while accumulating such changes.

    Her days of training as a knight cadet were safely over. From now on, she planned to start preparing in earnest for the wedding ceremony.

    At last, I¡¯ll take care of that next¡­

    As she was formulating her plans in her head, Arnold stopped writing and looked at her.

    ¡°¡­You look like you¡¯re contemplating something bad, are you?¡±

    ¡°No-no, certainly not!¡±

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    She smiled brilliantly and hastily changed the subject.

    ¡°Well then, Your Highness.¡¡I have one more thing to report in connection with Koyor¡¯s technology.¡±

    ¡°Report?¡±

    I swiftly took out a small box from the bag she was carrying.

    It was a small velour-covered box that could fit in the palm of her hand. Arnold seemed to have guessed what was inside when he saw it.

    ¡°¡­Is it finished?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    It contained the ring that Arnold gifted her.

    A Koyor craftsman finished it and presented it to Rishe first thing in the afternoon.

    The ring was still in the box, but Rishe hadn¡¯t seen it yet.

    She thought it would be nice to open the present in front of the person who gave it.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I promise that when the ring is ready, I¡¯d first show it to Your Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve only seen the designs before, but it¡¯s very nice. I¡¯m sure the finished product will be¨D¨D¡±

    She was about to open the box excitedly, but Arnold interrupted her and called her name.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    When she looked up, Arnold¡¯s eyes were looking straight at her.

    He had the same blank expression as before, indifferent and calm.

    ¡°¨D¨DYou don¡¯t have to wear that ring.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    At that moment, she felt a piercing pain deep in her chest.

    Not wanting Arnold to see her expression, Rishe quickly looked down.

    Her face must have looked terrible when she heard Arnold¡¯s words.

    What is this?

    She unconsciously wrapped her hands around the ring box on her lap.

    Then got bewildered by her emotions.

    She felt sad and very lonely.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to¡­¡±

    That was all she managed to say, careful not to let her voice shiver.

    She wondered why she was so sad.

    T/N: Awww, I¡¯m very curious how this would end, but I¡¯d have to do the next part tomorrow. Have a nice day ????

 Chapter 77.4

    As usual, it would have been enough for Rishe to love what she liked, even if no one shared it with her.

    ¡°I told you. All I want from you is to give me a ring.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold opened his mouth, but she couldn¡¯t seem to muster up the courage to look at him.

    The pain in her chest was so excruciating that she might never be able to look at Arnold¡¯s face again.

    A crown princess who couldn¡¯t look at her husband¡¯s face shouldn¡¯t be a factor for disqualification.

    What should I do?

    While Rishe¡¯s thoughts were spinning around, Arnold spoke.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have the right to ask for that much.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she heard the unexpected rejoinder, she raised her head with a snap.

    She thought she would never see him again, but that wasn¡¯t the case. Their eyes met, and Arnold put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and continued.

    ¡°Everything you wear can be whatever you want. You don¡¯t have to wear something you don¡¯t like just because I gave it to you.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°Even if it¡¯s our wedding ceremony, you¡¯re free to choose only what you like, without regard to what anyone else thinks.¡±

    When she heard that, she understood what Arnold was trying to say.

    In other words, Arnold was trying to respect Rishe¡¯s desires.

    No ordinary crown princess was allowed such a thing.

    In fact, from an early age, Rishe had been taught that there were things that should take precedence over her preferences.

    That was why even now, she sometimes fell back into that habit.

    When she was choosing the stone for the ring, she thought that it should be something suitable for the wedding ceremony and the position of the Crown Princess.

    But His Royal Highness Arnold said that he will respect my wishes¡­ I don¡¯t have to wear something for that reason, even if it was a ring he gave.

    Arnold had always been like this.

    Whether Rishe dressed as a man or wanted to learn alchemy, he would readily allow it.

    It¡¯s not him being indifference or leaving me alone. He is trying to affirm the ¡°freedom¡± I seek.

    That fact should have been gratifying.

    I should be pleased. I know I¡¯m asking for too much, but¡­

    And yet, Rishe argued sulkily.

    ¡°It is¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    She was certain she sounded sullen.

    Rishe¡¯s response was unexpected and seemed to have startled Arnold.

    His expression surely looked unusual.

    With this in mind, she told him the truth that she had planned to keep hidden.

    ¡°Do you remember, Your Highness, Arnold? I chose the ring finger of my left hand for my ring size?¡±

    ¡°¡­Oh. I asked you why, but you didn¡¯t answer.¡±

    ¡°In my country, a ring is given by the groom to the bride upon marriage. It¡¯s a custom that originated from the first king and queen, and it¡¯s always on the ring finger of the left hand.¡±

    It was for this reason that Rishe followed suit.

    When she mentioned this, Arnold raised his eyebrows in wonder.

    ¡°I also longed for such rituals.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She was certain she uttered something she shouldn¡¯t have.

    Although she was aware of this, she couldn¡¯t contain herself. Rishe felt desperate and stood up with the small ring box in her hand.

    ¡°I want to wear this ring at the wedding ceremony and choose a dress to match it!¡¡You said I don¡¯t need to wear it, but I will use it for every occasion in the future!¡±

    ¡°Rishe, calm down.¡±

    ¡°Rather, I resisted the urge to put it on my finger right away and brought it here¡­!¡±

    Standing in front of his office desk, Arnold gulped slightly when she blurted that out.

    ¡°So, Your Highness Arnold, please put the ring on me.¡±

    Rishe placed the box in front of Arnold and extended her left hand.

    Then she commanded with some difficulty.

    ¡°I¡¯m not wearing gloves right now.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡ª¡±

    When she first met Arnold in this life, he promised her that he would never lay a finger on her.

    To this day, Arnold has faithfully kept this promise and wore gloves at night parties and other occasions.

    Today, Arnold was bare handed, and on the back of his exposed hand, there were streaks that weren¡¯t when he was wearing gloves.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine without them.¡±

    She felt a little embarrassed to say this, but it was easier than saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay to touch me directly from now on.¡±

    Arnold wanted very little from Rishe.

    The only thing he wanted was to give her a ring after he won the game where the loser had to obey the winner.

    Rishe wanted to wear this ring properly.

    And she wanted Arnold to see it too.

    ¡°¡­I really, really want it on now, so¡­¡±

    Arnold was too adept at indulging Rishe.

    With that in mind, she mustered her courage and said, ¡°Please, Your Highness.¡±

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    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold cast his eyes down and sighed briefly.

    He stood up with the small box in his hand and walked around the office desk.

    He grabbed Rishe¡¯s wrist and pulled her towards the couch.

    She blinked as he plopped her down the couch.

    Arnold then knelt down before Rishe.

    His big hand seized her left hand.

    That was all, but it instantly made her cheeks burn.

    And then Arnold, still in that position, lowered his eyes and brought his lips to the back of Rishe¡¯s hand.

    After that, he dropped another kiss at the base of her ring finger.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°Mmm?¡±

    He called her name with his lips pressed against her skin, and covered his own mouth with his free hand.

    Arnold immediately stopped kissing her and looked up at her.

    But then, should they intertwine their fingers so easily?

    Hey, what¡¯s happening¡­

    She felt dizzy in the back of her head.

    It was only after this that she realized. She not only liked the color of Arnold¡¯s eyes, but also the shape of his hands and fingers.

    But now wasn¡¯t the time to pore over that.

    Although Arnold pushed Rishe too far, he kept his composure.

    On the contrary, he turned his eyes to her with some sincerity and asked in a hushed voice, ¡°Can I touch you?¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

    He has already touched her.

    But it was as if he wanted to receive a proper nod from Rishe and deliberately asked to confirm it.

 Chapter 78.1 Jewel of the future

    ¡°Yes¡­¡±

    She hastily nodded.

    Arnold¡¯s eyes narrowed as if he was quite satisfied with that.

    Without letting go of Rishe¡¯s hand, he opened the ring box with his left hand alone. His big hand was very dexterous, and he was able to get the ring out easily.

    Meanwhile, Rishe was feeling overwhelmed.

    That kiss just now¡­

    She heard that kneeling and kissing the back of the hand was a proposal ritual of the Garkhain royal family.

    However, when Arnold asked her to marry him before, he only knelt and took her hand.

    Maybe they were redoing that night.

    Is it because I told him I longed for the rituals associated with marriage?¡­

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    If that were the case¡­

    ¨CThe earlier question, ¡°Can I touch you?¡± was a second marriage proposal.

    Why is my face so hot?

    She knew she was overthinking it, but she shut her eyes tightly.

    Arnold put his fingers on Rishe¡¯s wrist, perhaps to make it easier to fit the ring. Right that moment, her heart increasingly pounded noisily, and she felt at a loss.

    Although, we¡¯re simply holding hands¡­

    This shouldn¡¯t be much different from a handshake.

    She wondered why she was so disturbed about it.

    I shouldn¡¯t have asked you not to lay a finger in the first place¡­

    Such regret made her feel like crying.

    She never imagined that it would be so embarrassing to retract her statement in this manner.

    Arnold said in a dumbfounded voice when she tied her lips and began shivering.

    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t hold your breath.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±

    In fact, it was almost like that. She realized that she couldn¡¯t lie through her teeth, but was too afraid to be honest.

    ¡°I just seem to forget how to breathe¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Heh¡­¡±

    Laughing!!!

    Wasn¡¯t it too much to upset her like this? This seemed to have happened before, but it was the time for her to complain.

    It was because the cold ring touched the tip of her ring finger.

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    She was jittery. She could feel herself getting hotter and hotter, which made her even more embarrassed.

    She wondered if Arnold remembered the temperature of her hand when he touched her earlier.

    Please, don¡¯t notice that it¡¯s hotter than that time.

    With a somewhat reverent hand, Arnold began to slip the ring onto Rishe¡¯s finger.

    Perhaps it was because she closed her eyes, but it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time.

    It seemed to go on forever, but then it stopped at the spot where Arnold had just kissed her.

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    ¡°Hwa¡­¡±

    She briefly let out a breath, but kept both eyes shut.

    ¡°Did you remember how to breathe?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, somehow¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­It seems that you¡¯ve forgotten how to open your eyes this time.¡±

    Now he was poking fun on her, the more she couldn¡¯t open her eyes.

    Her heart was pounding fast, and she didn¡¯t even know how she appeared. She turned her head to hide her expression, and felt Arnold¡¯s hand reaching for her.

    ¡°Nmm~¡±

    Her shoulders jerked when he touched her eyelids.

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    Arnold gently traced the lines of Rishe¡¯s eyelashes with his thumb.

    It was as if he was wiping away a tear.

    Or as if he were waking up a young child who was deeply asleep. With a very gentle touch, he traces his way to her nape.

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He called her name so softly, as if comforting an infant.

    It was for this reason that Rishe snapped her eyes open in trepidation.

    When Arnold noticed that her face was bright red, he squinted as if looking at something important.

    ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±

    For some reason, she felt a little regretful as he slowly released her hand.

    But still, at Arnold¡¯s prompt, she looked down. Upon seeing her ring finger, she unknowingly gasped.

    ¡°¡­Wow~¡±

 Chapter 78.2

    Shining there was a ring with a blue sapphire.

    The ring was glittering with gold, resembling a woven gold ivy.

    The ring was made of two arms in an embrace and a wave-like pattern, forming a gorgeous yet elegant beauty. She wondered how delicate a technique was required to realize such a design.

    There were small studs of diamonds scattered around the stone.

    The diamond¡¯s glow, which resembled stardust, seemed to be protecting the stone in the center, making it look healthy and very pretty.

    Beautiful, cute, and best of all¡­

    In the center of the stone, the sapphire there seemed to attract anyone¡¯s attention.

    It was a deep, striking blue, like the frozen crystal-clear waters of a cold country.

    Rishe held her left hand out in front of her, and it reflected the sunlight. She muttered to herself attentively.

    ¡°It¡¯s really the same color of Your Highness¡¯s eyes¡­¡±

    With this in mind, a strange delight welled up in her.

    That old woman, the owner of a jewelry store, smiled and said before, ¡°Jewelry is a talisman.¡± Feeling the truth in her words, Rishe bit her joy.

    ¡°I can do anything just by wearing this ring¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The next moment, however, she realized something.

    Arnold himself hated the color of his eyes.

    How would he look when he saw the color of the ring she chose?

    ¡°What do you think, Your Highness?¡±

    Rishe lowered her eyes and placed her hands on her lap apprehensively.

    With the back of her hand up, Arnold could see it properly. Then Arnold, who was still kneeling in front of her, looked at her hand.

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    His reply was in a somewhat defenseless tone of voice.

    Arnold held Rishe¡¯s hand again.

    After intertwining their fingers as before, he traced the base of her ring finger loosely, as if checking it.

    A tickling, almost numbing sensation ran through Rishe. She cowered slightly, but did nothing to untangle her hands.

    Arnold smiled with his hands down and said.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s better than I imagined¡­¡±

    ¡°!¡±

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    His reply took her breath away.

    Me too.

    Rishe tightly bit her lips to contain the words that popped to mind.

    For some reason, I feel happy to see you smiling like this¡­

    Then she discovered that she seemed on the verge of crying.

    ¡°Rishe?¡±

    She shook her head in fear of blurting it out loud. Instead, hse replied with a troubled state of mind.

    ¡°There¡¯s another thing I want to ask Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°Say it.¡±

    Her heart tingled at the indulgent reply.

    ¡°I¡¯ll listen to anything you want now.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Looking at her closely while whispering something like that stirred up the agitation she had felt earlier once more.

    Normally, if Rishe wanted to do something that wasn¡¯t related to national politics, he could allow almost anything.

    He was too indulgent by any means, but then again, she¡¯d been selfish enough as it is. Rishe carefully stated her wish so as not to reveal the tremor in her voice.

    ¡°I would like to travel with Your Highness one day. I¡¯d be happy to serve as your guide on the journey.¡±

    ¡°Travel?¡±

    ¡°Yes. A journey to see the many beautiful things this world has to offer.¡±

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    It didn¡¯t have to be right now.

    But she really wanted to have his promise.

    ¡°It¡¯s not just fireflies and fireworks. ¨D¨D I want to go and find more things that are beautiful and picturesque to you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold squinted silently.

    It seemed like he was looking at something dazzling.

    The sunlight streaming into the office made his blue eyes look even more clear.

    She couldn¡¯t resist falling in love with the color of his eyes yet again.

    ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯ve got one more thing to do.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Rishe blinked, unable to believe her ears.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. If you can¡¯t figure it out on your own, I¡¯m not going to tell you.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not fair!¡±

    She wanted Arnold to give a definite answer, but he untangled their fingers and stood up.

    Rishe looked up and frowned in protest.

    ¡°Do you think an ordinary person can defeat a riddle from you?¡±

    ¡°Rishe, an ordinary person doesn¡¯t detonate an unknown chemical in the sky over his bride¡¯s house.¡±

    ¡°Uh¨C¡±

    It shouldn¡¯t be such an issue, but the painful part came from being poked at.

    When she reluctantly gave up, Arnold patted Rishe¡¯s hand with an amused smile.

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not that hard, is it?¡±

    ¡°¡­!?¡±

    Rishe couldn¡¯t string a word when he was patting her head.

    She wanted him to stop it because she couldn¡¯t think straight.

    Rishe bowed down while wondering why she was so disconcerted.

    The sea-colored gem shone on the ring finger of her hand resting on her lap.

    I hope someday His Highness Arnold will know how beautiful I think this color is¡­

    For starters, she¡¯d be wearing this ring to the soiree tonight.

    She was sure that it would shine brightly and beautifully as she would see Kyle and the others off and wish for a wonderful future for their two countries.

 Chapter 78.3

    Under a clear blue sky, the market they stopped at was very busy.

    Rishe had a fulfilling time looking around the various stalls with Arnold.

    Visiting a market for the first time was a lot of fun in itself.

    However, there was one thing that bothered Rishe.

    These lines of sight¡­!

    The people crowding the marketplace occasionally looked at them blatantly.

    ¨CThe people crowding the market sometimes glanced at them openly, or to be more exact, at Arnold, who was standing next to Rishe.

    ¡°Hey-hey-hey, did you see that guy? He¡¯s so cool!¡±

    ¡°I saw him! You have to see him even if you don¡¯t want to!¡¡I mean, I can¡¯t help but see him! Does such a lady-killer really exist in the world?¡±

    It was no wonder the girls were in an uproar. Rishe looked up at Arnold as he received some items.

    He has a straight nose and thin, cruel-looking lips. His eyebrows were well shaped, and his eyes were beautiful. His eyelashes were so long that they cast a shadow on his cheek.

    Arnold noticed it when she stared at him for a while.

    ¡°What¡­¡±

    ¡°No, nothing. It¡¯s just that I think your face stood out once more.¡±

    Arnold looked completely nonplussed upon hearing her.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s been getting all the attention.¡±

    ¡°Huh?Ah¡­I-It¡¯s must be the hair color.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe replied and picked the tail of her hair that Elise braided.

    The most common hair color in this continent is brown. Many nobles had silver or blonde hair, and few had coral hair like Rishe¡¯s.

    Arnold started walking, so she asked while strolling alongside him.

    ¡°Should I have dyed my hair?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of hair color.¡±

    For some reason, after saying it outright, Arnold covertly glared at the men walking around them.

    In the meantime, the women passing by were excited to see Arnold. However, after a glance at Rishe beside him, they had tangled looks on their faces. After witnessing such scenes over and over again, Rishe started to feel unsettled indeed.

    When a beauty this good is walking around normally, he¡¯s going to stand out badly no matter what you think¡­

    At this rate, they would discover that he was Crown Prince Arnold Hein.

    My stomach churns at the thought¡­ In my life as a knight, His Majesty went out of the castle many times to drink and sing. The people all knew at once that it was His Majesty in disguise!

    Thus, while stopping by the side of the road to take a break, Rishe cut in with this.

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    ¡°Since goggles are so precious, why don¡¯t you wear them?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Today Arnold was wearing goggles around his neck.

    The goggles were worn by travelers to keep out the sun and sand, so their vision wouldn¡¯t be impaired.

    At the very least, it was better than exposing his overly-toned face.

    But Arnold himself thought differently.

    ¡°In my experience, the more you try to hide something, the more likely it is to be exposed. These goggles are just an emergency measure.¡±

    Well, that¡¯s for sure¡­

    The king that Rishe served was certainly wearing a blatant disguise every time. Perhaps that wasn¡¯t a good idea.

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    You can¡¯t disguise the beauty of His Highness Arnold¡¯s face by hiding his eyes. He has a face that you can¡¯t look directly at with half-hearted determination, so maybe it¡¯s better than drawing attention to him. Right?

    However, she was still worried.

    ¡°Even if it¡¯s fine this time, I¡¯d have to secure another means of disguise for the next time we go out on a secret trip.¡±

    ¡°Next time?¡±

    ¡°Yes, next time.¡±

    Rishe nodded in response to Arnold¡¯s parroting.

    Aside from Rishe herself, the problem was Arnold.

    As the crown prince, his safety was of paramount importance to the country.

    As a former knight, she still wanted to emphasize that.

 Chapter 78.4

    While Rishe pondered, Arnold, who seemed to have no real interest in the matter, said, ¡°Then next time, you should dye your hair. Not only you but I should do that too.¡±

    ¡°You too?¡±

    ¡°Not as much as the coral color, but there aren¡¯t many people with black hair. If your mixture of herbs can temporarily change the color of my hair, that will be fine.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After a while, Rishe rejected the proposal.

    ¡°That¡¯s no good¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The dye from the herbs is very weak, I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t dye black hair.¡±

    Black was the strongest color of all.

    Unlike Rishe¡¯s hair, Arnold¡¯s hair wouldn¡¯t be so easy to dye.

    ¡°If you want to remove the color instead of dyeing it, it might be possible with some trial and error, but¡­ you won¡¯t be able to recover it right away, so you¡¯ll have to live with that hair color for the time being.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t really matter what my hair color is.¡±

    That being said, Rishe screamed involuntarily.

    ¡°That can¡¯t do!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She almost shouted louder than she ought to.

    She whispered the latter, but the people around them didn¡¯t seem to think she was strange.

    Even so, the man in front of her, Arnold noticed that she was acting strangely.

    ¡°Why are you so¡­?¡±

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    ¡°N-Nevermind.¡±

    Rishe cleared her throat and said in a hurried, mended tone.

    ¡°I¡¯ll think of something to do next time. We¡¯d better get going, Your Highness. There are buttered shellfish for sale over there!¡±

    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re not still planning to eat them, are you?¡±

    Although she took him aback, that seemed to have diverted his attention successfully.

    Rishe gently stroked her chest, but mutterd why she rejected Arnold¡¯s proposal.

    Because I¡¯m sure that black hair suits Your Highness best¡­

    Changing that color with medicine for the time being would be more sinful than hiding his eyes with goggles.

    Anyway, next time.

    By the time the next opportunity arrived, she¡¯d have to come up with some good ideas.

    Rishe decided to do so.

    ****

    ¨D¨DThen, after watching Kyle enter the country and locating his lodgings, they were on their way back to the Imperial Capital.

    ¡°But now I¡¯m finally convinced.¡±

    The hidden passage back to the castle was dimly lit. Rishe muttered as she illuminated her feet with the lantern.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°The reason for today¡¯s sneaking around. When you said that you were going to give me a ring at that jewelry store, I was surprised, thinking that you brought me out of the castle for that purpose.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    ¡°I was mistaken. It was for Your Highness to personally see the Koyor carriages that arrived.¡±

    Rishe first thought it was for a sneak peek of public affairs, but it was for her ring.

    ¡°¡­I thought it was really for official business. I¡¯m relieved to find out that the Crown Prince had a reason to go all the way out to the city.

    However, Arnold, who was walking ahead, looked back at Rishe with a smile.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that the carriage was the main purpose, did I?¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?!¡±

    What did he mean?

    Arnold seemed satisfied when he saw the confusion on Rishe¡¯s face.

    There was no way to find out his true intentions as he immediately turned and started walking again. Rishe reluctantly followed after him.

 Chapter 78.5

    From time to time, Arnold would ask Rishe if there was anything she wanted right now.

    He promised to fulfill all her wishes when he proposed to her, and so it seemed necessary to confirm to make sure that he fulfilled the contract.

    Each time, Rishe would ponder over each request and ask for new fertilizer for the fields or sweets that would please the maids.

    However, he asked too often that she ran out of ideas of things to ask for.

    So, one day, she answered like this.

    ¡°What I want is to pass the days in idleness!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she stated this so proudly, Arnold glanced at her meaningfully.

    Facing him across the white round table in the courtyard of the detached palace, Rishe gazed at his face. A man with such a neat face with his eyes downcast was picturesque, but what was with that expression?

    While she was wondering, Arnold asked, ¡°What exactly is the kind of idle life you want?¡±

    ¡°What? That¡¯s of course¡­¡±

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    Rishe froze for a couple of seconds as she tried to reply smoothly.

    It was easy to talk about living the dream. It should be, but why couldn¡¯t the words come out?

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t you really want it?¡±

    ¡°N-no way!¡±

    It was just unimaginable living a life of leisurely, mind-melting laziness with no pressing work to do.

    ¡°For example, for example, sleeping until almost noon.¡±

    ¡°Is it fine not past noon, but until mid-morning?¡±

    ¡°I do the bare minimum of work, and then I have a leisurely cup of tea.¡±

    ¡°At least you¡¯ll be working.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡¡We¡¯ll have two tea parties a day and eat a lot of sweets!¡±

    ¡°In that case, I¡¯d say you¡¯re more busy than idle.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Rishe was dumbfounded when he defeated her at every turn.

    There must be more to it than that. There must be concrete examples of that kind of daily life, where you could live lazily and leisurely.

    I wonder if there¡¯s any example of a surprisingly lazy life that will surprise His Royal Highness Arnold!

    When she was pondering in circles, she felt Arnold¡¯s gaze on her and looked up.

    ¡°What is it, Your Highness?¡±

    Arnold then chuckled, resting his cheek on the round table.

    ¡°You¡¯re probably not cut out for a life of idleness.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not¡­¡±

    She tried to argue with him, but Arnold wouldn¡¯t listen to her.

    In the end, he told her to think about what else she wanted, so Rishe ended up worrying about a lot of things.

 Chapter 78.6 Extra 4.1 - A story about Risheâ€™s beauty

    ¡°What is strange about expressing my gratitude?¡±

    Before an evening party started, Rishe, who was waiting in the waiting room next to the hall, asked. Arnold, who was sitting on a chair, raised his eyes.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the first time I met Your Highness? My footwork isn¡¯t that of an ordinary lady.¡±

    ¡°..A-Ah.¡±

    Rishe bumped into Arnold back then, mistakenly called him ¡°Emperor,¡± and gave him an extremely polite bow.

    Then he chuckled and said, ¡°You have the footwork of a great swordsman.¡±

    Seemingly recalling that moment, Arnold rested his cheek on the armrest.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to imply that it was strange. I was just pointing out that it¡¯s not the movement of an ordinary noble lady, but that of a knight or swordsman.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯m just an ordinarily noble lady.¡±

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    The days Rishe spent as a ¡°Duke¡¯s daughter¡± were before the time loop. For her who had lived many times over, it was like a distant past.

    I may have forgotten how to behave like a lady since I lived doing various professions.

    If that was the case, it was a big deal.

    ¡°If there¡¯s anything unnatural about my movements, I must correct it. It would be a disgrace to Your Highness, my fianc¨¦.¡±

    As for Rishe herself, she took pride in her movements which were ingrained in her as a swordsman.

    She didn¡¯t care if it lowered her standing. But this time, she was the Crown Princess.

    As the fianc¨¦e, she must avoid causing trouble for Arnold.

    ¡°There is no such thing as a stain.¡±

    ¡°Say that again? I¡¯m sure some people are complaining to Your Highness Arnold for choosing a Duke¡¯s daughter from a weak country.¡±

    Rishe stood in front of Arnold and picked at the hem of her light blue dress.

    After giving a bow once, she raised her face and craned her neck.

    ¡°Now, feel free to point out. Should I fix how I pull my leg back? Or the way I shift my center of gravity?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Come on, Your Highness!¡±

    When Arnold suddenly turned away, Rishe protested.

    ¡°I won¡¯t know these things myself, so you have to take responsibility for pointing it out.¡±

    ¡°I apologize if this has bothered you, but there¡¯s no need to correct it.¡±

    ¡°But, I must look unladylike, don¡¯t I? I¡¯ve looked at myself in the mirror many times, but I can¡¯t really figure it myself. I know this may be troublesome, but I would like Your Highness to take a look at¡­¡±

    Arnold sighed as Rishe rattled on.

    ¡°It seems that my words aren¡¯t enough¡­¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    A black gloved hand caught Rishe¡¯s wrist.

    Arnold stared straight at her and said without looking away.

    ¡°¨D¨DYou¡¯re beautiful, so I¡¯m telling you to leave it. Don¡¯t fix it.¡±

    ¡°¡­.!¡±

    Rishe swallowed.

    After a moment of almost making a funny mistake, she remembered the context of the conversation. The actual meaning of what Arnold was trying to say came down like a thunderbolt.

    My stance?!!!!

    She immediately straightened her back.

    Arnold took his hand away from Rishe¡¯s and spoke in his usual tone.

    ¡°Don¡¯t keep thinking of trivial matters such as disgracing me. You just have to act like yourself.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°The people in the banquet hall won¡¯t realize that your stance is that of a swordsman. You can be sure I¡¯m the only one who can.¡±

    ¡°¡­Oh, r-really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. So don¡¯t force yourself to bend the beauty of what you¡¯ve lived and gained so far just because you¡¯re the Crown Princess. ¡°

    Since he phrased it that way, even Rishe had no choice but to nod obediently.

    ¡°Then, I will continue to behave as a swordsman in a dignified manner ¡­¡±

    ¡°Pfft.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s expression softened with satisfaction.

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    ¡°That¡¯s great.¡±

    You don¡¯t have to sound so patronizing!!!

    Unable to say what was on her mind, Rishe sat down on the couch nervously. They would have to wait here for a little while longer before the evening party started.

 Chapter 78.7 Extra 4.2 - Comparing Hand Sizes

    Rishe wasn¡¯t a competitive person. She knew that there were many great people in the world and that she couldn¡¯t compare to.

    However, there was only one person that she sometimes felt a bit of rivalry with, Arnold ¨C the man she absolutely was unable to beat.

    That was the case one day.

    During a chat, the topic of Arnold¡¯s sword came up, and Rishe asked to borrow it.

    She didn¡¯t unsheath it but just held it in the courtyard and gave him her honest opinion.

    ¡°Your Highness¡¯s sword is a bit difficult for me to handle¡­¡±

    She looked down while returning the sword, and Arnold replied while receiving it.

    ¡°That¡¯s only right. We have differences in strength and hand size in the first place.¡±

    ¡°M¡­ I don¡¯t deny muscle strength, but my hands are relatively large, right?¡±

    The hand size didn¡¯t determine anything, but Rishe somehow felt like arguing.

    ¡°When I was at school, mine was bigger than other girls.¡±

    As she spoke, she raised her right hand to her chest level and turned her palm toward Arnold.

    She then met his gaze, and after a moment, Arnold raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that waiting look?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for Your Highness to do the same.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because I want to compare our hand sizes¡­¡±

    As she explained, the wrinkles between his eyebrows dipped deeper and deeper.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to compare.¡±

    ¡°That may be true. But don¡¯t you want to prove it in the end?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold sighed, but eventually did the same as Rishe with his black gloved hand.

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°All right, get on with it.¡±

    Rishe immediately touched his hand and aligned their wrists first.

    The fingertips of her right hand didn¡¯t even reach the first joint of Arnold¡¯s fingers.

    ¡°They¡¯re incomparable¡­¡±

    ¡°I can see that.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t realize how different they were until we put them together.¡±

    Even Rishe knew that Arnold¡¯s hand was big. However, she realized it again in this way.

    How should I put it?

    Rishe examined their hands, palms overlapping, and said.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s a man¡¯s hand, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Silence filled the courtyard.

    She found herself talking about the obvious and felt somewhat embarrassed.

    She averted her gaze, but their hands remained in place.

    ¡°Oh, well, it¡¯s not that I haven¡¯t thought so before. My hand seems completely hidden, um¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Hmm.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Arnold bent his fingers loosely.

    Arnold wrapped his hand around her weak, unprotected hand, and she looked up at him in amazement.

    ¡°I see.¡±

    Arnold remarked with a pretty irritating smile and provocative look.

    ¡°¡­A woman¡¯s hand, eh?¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

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    At that moment, her cheeks instantly burned.

    Perhaps¡­

    Wrapped in each other¡¯s hands was perhaps embarrassing to both of them.

    When Rishe hurriedly untangled her hand, Arnold snorted with that same irritating look. She knew he was making fun of her, but she couldn¡¯t complain because she started it.

    ¡°If you want a sword, let me make you one that suits you. You don¡¯t have to force yourself to handle the same sword as that of a man.¡±

    ¡°¡­Okay.¡±

    Arnold returned to the main topic and started walking, so Rishe followed him and stepped out of the courtyard.

    He touched her through his gloves, but it felt scorching hot.

    She wondered about it and looked at her right hand again.

 Chapter 79 Too Close!

    That night when Arnold put on the ring for her.

    As Rishe walked next to Arnold on the way to the banquet hall, a thought popped up suddenly, and she asked, ¡°Why did Your Highness propose to me back then?¡±

    It was a question she asked him several times when they just met.

    He brushed it off those times, but she was hoping that he would tell her soon. When she looked up at him expectantly, Arnold regarded her seriously.

    He went on to say with a deadpan look on his face.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you? It¡¯s because I fell in love with you.¡±

    ¡­And that¡¯s an outright lie, isn¡¯t it?!

    Even when she replayed the moment they met, she couldn¡¯t figure something that Arnold Hein might have fallen.

    Besides, there was no way that Arnold Hein would have asked her to marry him on the spur of the moment. Rishe sulked a bit, but she picked up the pledge he offered.

    ¡°After that, you also said you asked me to marry you with the intention of using me.¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s right. ¨D¨D Well, I guess it doesn¡¯t matter what the reason is.¡±

    For Your Highness, perhaps!

    For Rishe, it was the turning point of her life. She didn¡¯t want to know everything, but she would like to have at least a little more information.

    Her show of discontent earned a laugh of amusement from Arnold. At this rate, he was never going to tell her why he asked for her hand in marriage.

    Staring at her ring finger ring, Rishe made a decision.

    It¡¯s time to move on to the next stage, right?

    *****

    ¡°And so, Your Highness Theodore. ¨CI would like to know about the relationship between your father and His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re stepping into some pretty dangerous territory, you know¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s question drew a dumbfounded look on Theodore, who was lying on the lawn.

    He looked up at Rishe and rubbed his eyes, as if the sunshine was too bright.

    Although he seemed languid, he was as kind as his brother because he raised himself gentlemanly.

    ¡°The story between my fianc¨¦ and his father is important to me as well.¡±

    After laying a handkerchief beside Theodore, Rishe sat down on it and brought her knees together.

    ¡°Your Highness is the most knowledgeable about His Highness Arnold. I¡¯m sure you know something about it, so I¡¯ve come to ask you for help.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s about right. I don¡¯t think anyone in this world can beat me when it comes to knowledge about my brother.¡±

    Theodore puffed out his chest proudly as Rishe applauded. He then quickly got up on his knees and rested his chin on his hands on them, pouting.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t think I can live up to your expectations. I don¡¯t care whatever Sister-In-Law asks as long as you offer me new information about my brother as a reward!¡±

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    ¡°Whatever you say.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never spoken to our father. I¡¯ve tried to find out as much as I could about his relationship with Father, but he and my father don¡¯t talk to each other in public.¡±

    Theodore continued, plucking at the grass. ¡°Whenever Father gives an order, he summons my brother to the audience hall alone. Oliver and the rest of Father¡¯s servants aren¡¯t allowed to be there either.¡±

    That is to say, the place is thoroughly deserted?

    ¡°But I know a little bit about her mother.¡±

    Rishe was looking down, but her head perked up at that unexpected word.

    ¡°As I recall, His Highness Arnold¡¯s mother is different from yours, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not that unusual.¡±

    And she heard that the woman who was Theodore¡¯s mother already passed away.

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    Emperor Garkhain¡¯s current consort was a partner not related to him by blood.

    ¡°Do you remember? I told you that Brother killed his mother.¡±

    Theodore asked with a somewhat sad and blank expression.

    Rishe nodded and asked a question that she failed to ask at the time.

    ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°It seems that Brother¡¯s mother had always hated him. She kept him away from her and hurled abuses at him whenever she saw him. One day, after many years of this, he stabbed her with a sword.¡±

    Theodore continued quietly, ¡°It is said he drove his sword straight through his left chest.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe suddenly remembered.

    In her sixth life, she died under Arnold¡¯s sword.

    The tip of his sword pierced her heart.

    ¡°Is that a certainty?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hidden from the public, but everyone in this country knows about it.¡±

    Theodore carried on somewhat bitterly.

    ¡°Brother¡¯s mother was a princess in a certain country. I heard that she was given in marriage as a hostage by her father¡¯s order.¡±

    ¡°His Highness Arnold once told me that His Majesty imposed a condition on his wife: that she must be of royal blood from another country.¡±

    In Rishe¡¯s case, she descended from the royal family of her country.

    Arnold said that although she was distantly related, she was recognized for it.

 Chapter 79.2

    If I can find out about His Highness Arnold¡¯s mother, I may be able to get a glimpse of why he asked me to marry him¡­ and what he intends to do with this marriage.

    But this idea was too sweet.

    I don¡¯t know if finding out about it will lead to a plan to avert war in a few years. I still feel like I need to figure out the murder of his father that started the war, and the coup d¡¯etat¡­against the current emperor. And about that matter, too.

    As she was making various calculations, Theodore stood up, stretching widely.

    ¡°Hwaaa~ I should probably get back¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to bother your break.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Well, the time spent on talking about my brother is irreplaceable, so that¡¯s fine. Oh, what time is it now?¡±

    ¡°From the position of the sun, it¡¯s past three in the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s prompt answer took Theodore aback.

    ¡°I want to know the time after you check your watch or make some other movement of the like.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just an approximate calculation, not as accurate as a clock¡­ Speaking of which, Your Highness Theodore¡­¡±

    Rishe asked her future brother-in-law about a matter that has been bothering her for a long time.

    ¡°There¡¯s a castle town overlooking there with a beautiful building with a pointed tower. What is that?¡±

    It was a question that she asked Arnold before.

    Theodore looked at the tower and answered effortlessly.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a church. It¡¯s the second largest and most magnificent church on this continent. People from other countries sometimes come to worship there. They gather once a month to pray, and once a year to sing. I heard it¡¯s a very important building.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    It seemed that some things needed to be confirmed.

    Rishe quietly lowered her eyes and concocted a plan.

    ****

    After thanking Theodore and parting with him, she returned to the detached palace with the knights who had been waiting for her at a distance.

    Afterward, she headed to Arnold¡¯s office. When she was left alone with him, they each sat down on the couch facing each other.

    Rishe rested her hands on her knees and called out his name with sincerity.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the serious face?¡±

    ¡°This time, I have a selfish request.¡±

    A glance at Rishe prompted her to continue, and she spoke up flatly.

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    ¡°¡­I¡¯d like to officially call off the engagement.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold turned a quiet gaze towards her.

    ¡°Ah. But, of course, the previous¡­¡±

    She was just about to say something when Arnold rose.

    Then he sat down next to Rishe. Rishe took a deep breath when he stared at her at close range.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want.¡±

    ¡°? Yeah?¡±

    She didn¡¯t finish explaining, but Arnold didn¡¯t ask further.

    Since it¡¯s His Highness Arnold, he might have anticipated my thoughts and understood my intentions this time as well.

    With that thought in mind, a shapely hand reached out and stroked Rishe¡¯s coral hair as if combing it.

    ¡°Hyah!¡±

    Since the other day, when Rishe told him that it was fine to touch her directly, Arnold would stoke her hair like this from time to time.

    The way he touched the side of her ear made her feel strangely ticklish and uncomfortable. From Arnold¡¯s point of view, he probably thought he was petting some kind of animal, but the suddenness of his actions were bad for her heart.

    To top it off, his face was so close to hers that made her feel trapped.

    ¡°Er, Your Highness?¡±

    The man with the most beautiful face in the world, as far as Rishe knew, whispered in a voice slightly lower than usual.

    ¡°That way, I can work out plans to pester you by any means necessary.¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?¡±

    This declaration made her cringe.

    After wondering why he stated this, she realized that there was a miscommunication.

    ¡°Oh, please wait!!¡¡I didn¡¯t say enough. Let me explain everything! So, please back off for a moment!!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t. You just said that you want to break off the engagement, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s not what I meant!¡¡I¡¯m not going to run away from Your Highness¡¯s schemes. The engagement I want to officially call off is¡­!!!¡±

    ¨D¨D With her former fianc¨¦, His Highness Prince Dietrich.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she added that, Arnold raised his eyebrows and let out a deep sigh.

    T/N: Rishe scared me there for a sec¡­

 Chapter 80.1 Convenient, though.

    The carriage belonging to Crown Prince Garkhain was heading south along the highway.

    The journey so far has been kind of a blur.

    If they continued on for about half a day from here, they should be able to vaguely see their destination.

    Dressed in a cool, youthful dress for the oncoming summer, Rishe turned to Arnold, who was sitting across from her in the carriage reading some documents.

    It¡¯s a surprise, though¡­ I didn¡¯t expect His Highness to offer his company on this excursion.

    Then Rishe recalled her exchange with Arnold a week ago.

    ***

    ¡°That¡¯s right. My engagement with His Highness Dietrich since I was young remains unofficially annulled. ¡°

    Rishe clarified it in Arnold¡¯s office.

    Arnold, who was facing her, seemed to have grasped her intent.

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    ¡°Did you hold a ¡°betrothal ceremony¡± with the Hermitian Crown Prince?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s a very old ritual, and I heard that it¡¯s something that no royalty of any country performs nowadays.¡±

    The ¡°betrothal ceremony¡± was a separate ceremony from the ¡°wedding¡±.

    In many cases, it was a ceremony performed in political marriages, where children were brought together for marriage.

    It was to ascertain that a political marriage, a long-term plan that would take more than a decade to complete, wouldn¡¯t be violated lightly. In Dietrich¡¯s case, however, he didn¡¯t care that such a contract existed.

    ¡°My parents seemed to have made a request to His Majesty, King Hermity.

    It was almost like a hazy memory, but Rishe vaguely remembered it.

    All she could remember was feeling very sleepy after being forced to get ready so early in the morning. Dietrich, on the other hand, was very excited to be in a different atmosphere.

    ¡°My engagement to him is still registered with the shrine.¡±

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t even heard of it. After all, an engagement ceremony alone is rare, and there are few precedents for a contract being broken.¡±

    Rishe shut her eyes and nodded cryptically.

    ¡°I completely forgot about it. ¡ª I can¡¯t marry another man unless I go to the Grand Shrine and complete the formalities in annulling my engagement!¡±

    Of course, it was a bright red lie.

    Rishe was well aware that if she wanted to marry a man other than Dietrich, she had to apply for annulment at the Grand Shrine beforehand.

    She got to know of it on her fourth lifetime, when she dropped by the Grand Shrine for an errand.

    A bishop told her that she needed to go through formalities to break off her engagement if she did an engagement ceremony, and she hurriedly applied on the spot.

    In this life, I purposely came all the way to Garkhain without annulling it despite knowing it¡­ If I really didn¡¯t want to marry His Highness Arnold, I would use the fact that my betrothal ceremony with His Highness Dietrich hadn¡¯t been broken as an excuse. I thought I could make a break for it and get away.

    It was a custom that most countries didn¡¯t practice, so she stepped on the assumption that Arnold wouldn¡¯t confirm it either.

    Rishe kept her head down and glanced upward at Arnold.

    But I think it¡¯s safe to scrap this now. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll have to think of not wanting to marry His Highness Arnold¡­ Because His Highness is gentle, and kind.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°N-Nothing!¡±

    However, it was an engagement she had left behind.

    It would be a waste if she didn¡¯t use it for its intended purpose and just break it off as usual. Rishe decided to use this as an opportunity to investigate certain things.

    I¡¯ve been wondering about the relationship between His Highness Arnold and the Krushade Order for a long time.

    Rumors have it that there once was a goddess in this world.

    The religion named Krushade Order worshipped this goddess and created teachings, almanacs etc. dedicated to her.

    Their teachings have spread throughout the world, and many believed them. The same was true for Rishe¡¯s homeland and Garkhain.

    Although the depth of devotion varied from person to person, most people lived their lives under the influence of their teachings. At weddings, they pledged their love to the goddess, and on her birthday, they celebrated with their families.

    Most nobles were given a church baptismal name in addition to their first and last name.

    In Rishe¡¯s case, ¡°Ilmgard¡± from her name ¡°Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner¡± was her baptismal name granted by the church.

    The teachings of Krushade and the Goddess were so pervasive that such customs were familiar.

    Garkhain is one of the most powerful ¡°nations¡± in the world, but the Krushade Order is just as powerful and also has a much longer history than Garkhain.

    However, one person also reduced the history of such a colossal order into ashes.

 Chapter 80.2

    Five years from now, His Highness Arnold, who then became Emperor, will burn down all of the churches.

    He set fire to churches around the world, dragging out the priests and killing them in front of the believers.

    He also burned all scriptures, and the symbols of faith were so thoroughly destroyed that there must have been no trace of them. I¡¯ve seen it with my own eyes at least once.

    Before she started this life, she thought that Arnold¡¯s purpose in doing so was to destroy a very powerful organization.

    However, after talking with him in this life, something kept bothering her.

    The castle town of Garkhain can be seen from the detached palace. On the day I first came to the castle, I asked His Royal Highness Arnold what the spires to the east of the city were.

    Arnold said that it was a church. It also served as a clock tower, ringing the bells in the morning and evening to announce the regular time.

    However, compared to Theodore¡¯s answer, his answer was unnatural.

    His Highness Arnold¡¯s explanation barely touched on the church itself, only mentioning its role as a clock tower.

    This, combined with Arnold¡¯s actions in the future, was quite troubling to her.

    It¡¯s odd that that¡¯s all he can tell me about the building was that it¡¯s called ¡°the church¡±. His Highness Arnold would have explained the authority of the church and its political value to me, just like his brother did. I can only assume that he dared to avoid them.

    Perhaps Arnold has some personal sentiments about the church.

    If this sentiment was what led to the murderous violence five years later, Rishe has several reasons for wanting to stop it at all costs.

    Besides, this is the only time in my life that I¡¯m likely to see ¡°that person¡±. Nevertheless, if I¡¯m going to approach the Grand Shrine Temple to investigate, I¡¯ll have to come up with a reason that doesn¡¯t seem odd.

    If that was the case, breaking off the engagement with Dietrich would be just the thing.

    It was the letter she received the other day that gave her the idea for this plan. Rishe took it out and showed it to Arnold.

    [¡°Marie, Prince Dietrich¡¯s current fiancee, has been working very hard to break the engagement. A betrothal ceremony is rarely annulled, but Marie has come forward, identifying herself as Dietrich¡¯s unfaithful lover, and has proceeded to annul the betrothal because of Dietrich.¡±]

    Arnold looked at the letter that Rishe presented with boredom.

    [¡°I¡¯ve heard that His Highness Dietrich¡¯s side has completed the formalities, and all I have to do is go to the Grand Shrine. I¡¯m sure the process will be quicker since I won¡¯t have to meet with His Highness Dietrich.¡±]

    [¡°¡­¡±]

    [¡°It¡¯s a bit of a rush, can I visit the Grand Shrine of the Holy Kingdom of Domana soon? I hope to be back in a week or so at the earliest.]

    [¡°¡­¡±]

    She asked in the form of a request, so Arnold had no choice but to nod.

    At any rate, without going to the Grand Shrine, Rishe wouldn¡¯t be able to marry any man other than Dietrich.

    She had no idea what Arnolt¡¯s intentions were, but as long as he had to marry Rishe, he¡¯d have to give permission no matter what.

    Honestly, I wish His Highness Arnold to come with me.

    Rishe thought while observing Arnold, whose brows knitted sullenly.

    After all, this was an investigation to figure out what was bothering Arnold¡¯s mind. It would definitely be easier to move if the person involved were present.

    It¡¯s a pity. With his official duties, that will be impossible¡­Even I had to rush through the preparations for the wedding in order to be away at this time of the year.

    When she was about to give up on the idea¡­

    [¡°Then, I¡¯ll accompany you.¡±]

    [¡°H-Huh?!¡±]

    Rishe raised her voice in surprise, but Arnold, who was beside her, looked calmly at her.

    [¡°What? Is it inconvenient?¡±]

    [¡°No. It¡¯s rather the opposite!¡±]

    It was so convenient that she got astonished.

    While she was mulling over Arnold¡¯s intentions, he rested his elbows on the back of the couch and explained.

    [¡°It just so happened that I accumulated a lot of official business concerning the church. I¡¯ve been putting it off because it¡¯s just too much trouble, but if I could just see them personally, it would be faster.¡±]

    That sounds so fake¡­

    [¡°Moreover¡­¡±]

    [¡°?¡±]

    She tilted her head, waiting for the rest of Arnold¡¯s words, but he fell silent for a moment before speaking.

    [¡°No, nothing.¡±]

    That was quite questionable.

    It wasn¡¯t every day that Arnold took back a word he was about to say.

    She felt that his attitude was always different when it came to the religion.

    It¡¯s just a hunch, but I could be wrong. But why on earth would¡­

    She tried to stare at him, but there was no way she could read Arnold¡¯s thoughts.

    If so, it would be best to have him accompany her there.

    A few days later, a carriage departed for the Holy Kingdom of Domana, and it took a few more days to reach today.

 Chapter 81.1 Exactly as she expected

    But I didn¡¯t expect him to really accompany me.

    Rishe thought absentmindedly as she sat in the carriage on their way to the Grand Shrine.

    Arnold, who was seated across from her, was quietly working on some paperwork. She was worried that he might get dizzy, but he kept a cool countenance.

    His squire, Oliver, who looked on death¡¯s door, handed him the bundle of papers piled up beside him. In addition, another bundle was loaded on another carriage.

    Well, it¡¯s usually absurd for the Crown Prince to be out of the country for a week without any preparation! I¡¯m sorry, Oliver-sama. Thanks to His Highness Arnold¡¯s presence, we¡¯ve been able to change to new horses at regular intervals, and we¡¯re heading for the temple more smoothly than expected.

    Rishe apologized deep inside as she processed the medicinal herbs she had picked along the way.

    ¡°¡­But then again, it¡¯s as expected of Garkhain.¡±

    While talking to him, she crushed the sepals of flowers that could be used as an antidote.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that the road to the Grand Shrine would be so neatly maintained. If it wasn¡¯t for that, I don¡¯t think I would have been able to travel so smoothly, no matter how much close the Domana Holy Kingdom is to the country.¡±

    A long journey in a horse-drawn carriage was likely to cause fatigue due to the bumps. But thanks to the paved road, the burden was minimal.

    Arnold indifferently replied as he flipped through his papers.

    ¡°There¡¯s a generous budget for the repair of this road. Thanks to the large number of people who go to the Grand Shrine to worship, the tax revenue from the towns around the road is high.¡±

    ¡°If people travel long distances, that alone is a pot of gold in motion¡­ However, if there is traffic, does that mean that there are many devout believers in Garkhain? The only road that the Order allows to come and go close to the Grand Shrine is the road from Garkhain.¡±

    Rishe was also curious about that. In any case, the power relationship between Garkhain and the Order is unparalleled in the world.

    The Order has power that transcends the boundaries of nations.

    For this reason, they normally didn¡¯t give any preferential treatment, even if they were dealing with a major power or its royalty.

    The only thing that was special to the Order was a princess, whose bloodline was said to be that of a goddess.

    Yet, only when dealing with Garkhain did the Order show a slightly different behavior.

    One of them was the existence of the second largest church in the world in Garkhain. Churches in other countries should all be built on the same scale so that there would be no difference in authority between churches.

    It¡¯s not just that the Order is singling out Garkhain. It¡¯s that the Garkhain side hasn¡¯t invaded the Kingdom of Domana, where the Order is based.

    The Holy Kingdom of Domana became a ¡°neighboring country¡± because the countries between Garkhain and Domana became Garkhain territory after the war.

    Even though the Holy Kingdom of Domana, the home of the Order, is not a strong military power, Garkhain allowed it to exist to the south of the country without invading.

 Chapter 81.2

    Arnold¡¯s father, the current emperor, was a man who has been actively engaged in war. Even from the way Arnold spoke, she could tell that he was a belligerent man.

    So why did he maintain friendly relations with a country that was politically important yet lacking in war potential?

    According to the rumors I heard when I was traveling around in my life as a merchant, Emperor Garkhain is very religious¡­Did His Highness Arnold burn churches because of his feud with such a pious father?

    ¡°That¡¯s not important.¡±

    Arnold looked up from his papers and met Rishe¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t want a maid to accompany you?¡±

    ¡°Yes. At this time of year, only a limited number of people are allowed to enter the Grand Shrine. It¡¯s better to have them stay in the detached palace rather than have them wait in the nearby city during our stay in the temple.¡±

    ¡°¡ª It¡¯s a festival. It¡¯s a bad time to be here.¡±

    Rather, I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve scheduled it to coincide with preparations for that festival¡­

    With that in mind, the carriage began to slow down.

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    Rishe looked out the window, but they were in the woods in the middle of the road. It wasn¡¯t their destination, nor was it a place where they could take a rest.

    Nevertheless, the carriage eventually came to a complete stop. Sensing that Arnold was about to move, Rishe grabbed him firmly by the sleeve. Arnold then raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°¡­Something seems wrong. Stay in the carriage.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to leave me behind twice. Besides, Your Highness knows by now that locking me up is pointless.¡±

    This was the second time that something went wrong while she was riding in a carriage with Arnold.

    Arnold left her behind the last time, but that wasn¡¯t going to happen this time around.

    ¡°¨CIndeed.¡±

    Arnold sighed, then got out of the carriage himself first and reached out his hand to Rishe.

    Rishe smiled and took his hand to get out of the carriage. The carriage carrying knight guards was parked in front of the Crown Prince¡¯s carriage, and the knights outside the carriage had confused expressions on their faces.

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    ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°Your Highness, carriages from other countries seem to be blocking the road.¡±

    Rishe felt an ominous hunch upon hearing the report.

    No way¡­

    She thought of a certain person, and almost at the same time, she heard a voice just as she had expected.

    ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t like it at all! I hate it, I loathe it!¡±

    The bright and clear voice of a girl echoed through the surrounding woods.

    Arnold turned his gaze in that direction. The door of a pure white carriage opened, and a girl of about ten years old jumped out from inside.

    ¡°Hey, listen up! What are you complaining about? The white carriage is exactly what you wanted, and you were having a good time just now!¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind from a while ago!!! I want a black carriage this time!! I hate this. Otherwise¡­¡±

    Then the girl looked at her.

    She has a beautiful figure akin to a doll with big, bright eyes. Her pale purple hair was in rich waves.

    Her lemon-colored dress with frills was a little young for her age of ten, but it suited her lovely appearance well.

    As soon as the girl with shiny polished shoes saw that the carriage that Rishe and Arnold were riding in was black, she shouted with a look of determination.

    ¡°I¡¯ve decided! If Dad won¡¯t listen to me¡­¡±

    Then she sprinted at full speed, hugged Rishe around the waist, and shouted, ¡°I¡¯m going to ride in their carriage!¡±

    ¡°Myria!! Don¡¯t you dare bother other people!!!¡±

    Ahhhh¡­

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    Rishe looked down at the girl and sighed softly in her mind.

    As usual. Myria-sama.

    She was the daughter of the family Rishe served as a maid, and she was one of her ¡°targets¡± on this trip.

 Chapter 82.1 Tend to her former master

    In her fourth lifetime, Rishe began serving the Duke¡¯s daughter, Myria Clarissa Jonal about a year and a half from now.

    She worked for the Marquis of Domana and had made friends with the young and mischievous children. Thus, she was asked to do the same for the Duchess of Jonal. It was there that she met eleven-year-old Myria.

    Myria was demanding, and other maids kept her at a distance.

    Her father, the Duke, was paralyzed due to an illness he had contracted a long time ago and was also prone to illness.

    He cared for his daughter, who he couldn¡¯t spend much time with. However, his means weren¡¯t commendable, and he couldn¡¯t cope with Myria¡¯s willfulness.

    As soon as Rishe arrived, the head servant¡¯s first words were: You too must be careful with Miss Myria. She is a very difficult person to deal with.

    But¡­

    For the second time in her seventh life, Rishe met Myria for the first time, and looked down at her whirlwind of a hug around her waist.

    Then a troubled-looking man emerged from Myria¡¯s carriage.

    ¡°Myria, you¡¯re being troublesome!¡±

    His Excellency Jonal¡­

    A man around his forties walked toward them, looking flustered.

    With his blond hair brushed back and his mustache neatly trimmed, the man was Rishe¡¯s former master. However, unlike what Rishe remembered, he didn¡¯t have a cane now.

    I had heard that His Excellency Jonal had an illness a long time ago.

    In fact, it was within a year and a half from now that his body became paralyzed.

    When he reached Rishe¡¯s side, he first bowed politely.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, young lady. My daughter is causing a ruckus¡­ Come on, let her go!¡±

    ¡°NO, NO!!¡±

    Myria screamed at the top of her lungs and tightened her grip. Then she buried her face in Rishe, who was supposed to be a stranger.

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    ¡°Myria!¡±

    ¡°I hate you, Papa! You never listen to my requests, and yet scold me! All the trouble I cause these people is because you¡¯re so mean!¡±

    Arnold raised a brow when she shouted this.

    Rishe deterred his attempt to move with a look before talking Myria¡¯s small hair whorl.

    ¡°¡­Young Miss.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me. Are you going to stand on my dad¡¯s side too?!¡¡You¡¯ve never met him before. You don¡¯t know anything about him, and you haven¡¯t even heard what I have to say!¡±

    ¡°Young Miss, please take a look at this.¡±

    ¡°What the heck¡­!!¡±

    Myria raised her head in annoyance and gasped in the next moment.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Rishe spread out before her the handkerchief she had prepared.

    When she showed her the white lace, Myria gave her a look of ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    Aiming for that moment of confusion, Rishe crushed the handkerchief into her right hand.

    She laid her left hand on top of her clenched hand and lightly kissed the back of that hand. She then tapped it and opened her hand.

    ¡°¡­Eh?!¡±

    The handkerchief she had crushed in her hand disappeared without a trace.

    In its place appeared a small stuffed bear.

    The servants and knights buzzed in surprise. However, Myria, who witnessed it right in front of her, seemed to be more surprised than anyone else.

    ¡°W-W-Witchcraft?!¡±

    Myria¡¯s cheeks flushed red, and her big eyes sparkled. Rishe smiled and told her.

    ¡°No, Young Miss. This is called ¡®magic¡¯. It¡¯s a token of your friendship.¡±

    ¡°R-Really?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    When she presented the stuffed animal, Myria¡¯s stubborn hands loosened.

    Rishe crouched down on the spot and greeted her from a glance below her.

    ¡°My name is Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner. What is Young Lady¡¯s name?

    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m Myria Clarissa Jonal, Papa¡¯s daughter, and I¡¯m almost ten years old.¡±

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    ¡°Well then, Myria-sama¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t keep calling her ¡°Young Miss¡± in this lifetime.

    Rishe smiled a little sadly and handed her the stuffed animal that she had prepared for this purpose.

    ¡°I hope you like it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I do.¡±

    Myria shyly lowered her eyes, but still wrapped the stuffed animal in her hands and said with eyes turned away, ¡°Thank you¡­¡±

    ¡°What a surprise! I never thought Myria could be so docile.¡±

    Her father, Jonal, looked at her incredulously.

    However, Rishe thought, Myria-sama is indeed a good, straightforward girl.

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    After meeting eleven-year-old Myria and being entrusted with her care, Rishe has always found her to be more innocent than her age.

 Chapter 82.2

    Together they grew flowers in the flower beds, took walks in the forest, and slept in the same bunk on thunderstorm nights.

    Since she hated studying, Rishe also spent a lot of time going through her textbooks with her.

    And when Myria turned fifteen, the same age as Rishe now, she¡¯d be married in a church and become a happy bride.

    But that day¡­

    Rishe stood quietly and gently closed her eyes.

    But that day, the Garkhain army attacked the place where Myria¡¯s marriage ceremony was held.

    And Rishe died.

    Although she was a maidservant, Rishe was permitted to attend Myria¡¯s wedding as if she were her sister, and she was inside the snow covered church when the Garkhain army invaded.

    She then escaped with Myria and the others from the church, which was set on fire, and died.

    Come to think of it, I wonder if His Highness Arnold was in that church where I died.

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    Curiosity suddenly pricked her, so she glanced at Arnold beside her.

    Arnold was watching Rishe and Myria¡¯s interaction nonchalantly, so their eyes clashed the moment Rishe turned without warning.

    You must have been there.

    It was then Arnold issued a command.

    He set that beautiful temple ablaze and ordered to kill everyone inside it.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe gently lowered her eyes and took a deep breath so as to escape notice.

    She raised her head once more and called out to her fiance.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    She moved closer to him and protested in a whisper.

    ¡°When I did that magic earlier, you¡¯ve been staring intently at the trick!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold then turned away and replied, ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. You guided your right hand to attract people¡¯s attention, but your left hand clearly moved strangely.¡±

    ¡°A normal person should have focused properly on my right hand. Even if you¡¯ve noticed it, you¡¯ll have to let it slide.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Rather than that, I think it was necessary to prepare the sleeves of your dress in advance. I think you¡¯re quite well-prepared.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    This time, Rishe wanted to turn away, but she looked up confidently so as not to arouse suspicion.

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    ¡°I was actually going to show it to Your Highness. Perhaps in the carriage during the journey, or when you take a break from your work.¡±

    ¡°Huh? You don¡¯t mean to tell me that you were going to present me with a stuffed bear, do you?¡±

    ¡°¡­ I thought it would be fluffy and soothing.¡±

    ¡°Ha~¡±

    Arnold laughed in amusement.

    It was a surprisingly gentle laugh, which made Rishe¡¯s eyes widen.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll just leave it at that.¡±

    ¡°¡­Truth be told, I¡¯ve been practicing so that if there were any kids in the temple, I could show them!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see. That¡¯s a shame.¡±

    She had no clue what was a shame about it, but she¡¯d better leave it at that. Otherwise, as Arnold implied, it would be too suspicious.

    I was planning to meet Myria-sama either at the Grand Shrine or on the way there, you know? I¡¯m sure His Highness wouldn¡¯t think that I was going to meet Myria-sama from the start¡­ The problem lay on the young Myria-sama.

    Rishe turned around and looked at the father-daughter exchange, which was calmer than before.

    ¡°Listen to me, Myria. It¡¯s not far from here to the Grand Shrine, and a white carriage would be fine.¡±

    ¡°But if you look closely, white is childish!¡¡I was chosen to represent the maiden priestess at the festival, you know?! If so, I¡¯ll be embarrassed if my carriage doesn¡¯t match that!¡±

    Around them, the servants and maids of the Jonal family were watching with wary looks on their faces.

    Not a single one of them was someone Rishe knew.

    That¡¯s weird.

    Rishe somehow felt uneasy.

    I¡¯m sure Myria-sama was never this selfish, no matter how much she purports to be. Even if she hates studying or wants to eat something sweet for a snack, she¡¯ll never say something so unreasonable as, ¡°I don¡¯t like the color of the carriage.¡±

    Rishe also turned her attention to the Duke of Jonal.

 Chapter 82.3

    She heard that her former master had always been in poor health, but as far as Rishe could tell at the moment, he was in perfect condition. He looked a little weary, but that was probably due to the carriage ride and his daughter¡¯s tantrums.

    The Duke heaved a deep sigh and bowed once again to Rishe and Arnold.

    ¡°I apologize for the delay in greeting you. I am Joseph Ehrenfried Jornal, duke of the Holy Kingdom of Domana. I apologize for the inconvenience my daughter has caused you.¡±

    He then turned his attention to the coat of arms of the Garkhain Kingdom painted on Arnold¡¯s carriage.

    ¡°Are you members of the Garkhain royal family?¡±

    Arnold sighed briefly and greeted him as the Crown Prince.

    ¡°I¡¯m Arnold Hein. I understand that my father, His Majesty, is indebted to you.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    The Duke seemed to have gasped soundlessly.

    He concealed it cleverly, but Rishe clearly sensed his upset. Perhaps Arnold perceived it, too.

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    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were the Crown Prince. If that is the case, then this young lady must be the one you have just been engaged with. Again, I hope you will pardon my daughter¡¯s impudence.¡±

    ¡°¡­ If my wife wills it.¡±

    ¡°Of course, there is no problem, for I have met such a lovely young lady.¡±

    After replying, Rishe smiled and walked toward Myria.

    Arnold and the Duke of Jonal continued their ceremonial greetings. Meanwhile, Rishe crouched down and smiled tenderly at Myria.

    ¡°Myria-sama, why are you quarreling with your father like this?¡±

    ¡°My father doesn¡¯t understand that I¡¯m a substitute for the maiden priestess. The festival is just around the corner, and if I fail to do things right, I¡¯ll bring disgrace to the real priestess and goddess who have passed away!¡±

    ¡°I see. So for the next festival, Myria-sama will be playing the role of the shrine princess?¡±

    Rishe nodded, pretending that she never heard of it before despite knowing everything about it.

    In the Krushade Order, a festival was held for the goddess, the object of worship.

    Usually, a priestess, who was said to carry the blood of the goddess, would attend the festival and offer prayers to the goddess.

    The church has cherished these maidens for generations.

    However, twenty-two years ago, the previous priestess died in an accident, and the women of the goddess¡¯ bloodline disappeared.

    The bloodline never ceased, as boys were born into the ancestry, but only a woman could serve as priestess, the goddess¡¯ representative.

    That¡¯s why the Order has continued to cancel the festival for about twenty years. However, as a result of the protests from the believers, the celebration will resume this year with a substitute priestess.

    Rishe thought back to the explanation she heard in her life as a maidservant.

    ¡°I heard that only women born to the aristocratic family of the Holy Kingdom of Domana can represent the maiden priestess. Myria-sama was chosen for the position?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s a great honor, isn¡¯t it? And yet, Papa¡­¡±

    Myria compressed her lips and whispered, ¡°Papa is stupid. He upsets me.¡±

    Rishe blinked at the sound of Myria¡¯s voice, which was the lowest she had ever heard.

    A few moments ago, Myria was displaying the willfulness of a child younger than her age.

    But now she looked much more mature, and was quietly looking at her father.

    ¡°I cursed Papa¡­ He still doesn¡¯t believe that all the people I cursed¡­ died.¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama?¡±

    It was horrifying.

    A chill crept up Rishe¡¯s back.

    Myria began to giggle. The expression of the girl Rishe once served rendered her speechless. It was something she never saw before.

 Chapter 83.1 Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces

    Rishe suddenly remembered.

    In all her years as a maidservant, Myria had only ever spoken to her while sleeping on the bunk with her.

    ¡°You know, Rishe. I have a power that I couldn¡¯t tell anyone about.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you what kind of power it is now that I can¡¯t use it anymore because I promised my dad I wouldn¡¯t¡­ But it¡¯s real.¡±

    A clouded look surfaced on Myria¡¯s face, who usually appeared innocent and had countless winsome expressions, talking about it.

    There is no magic and there is no such thing as a curse. Typically, I would have expressed such an opinion¡­

    Rishe couldn¡¯t say for sure. In the first place, she, of all people, was someone who has been living her life on the several loops with mysterious powers.

    It was then she pondered what words she should say to Myria.

    ¡°¨D¨D!¡±

    She could feel the air turning tense.

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    It was only for a moment, and no one else noticed it, but she was sure she felt it and turned around.

    His Highness Arnold!

    Arnold, who seemed to have finished his exchange with the Duke, was looking at them from a short distance.

    Somehow, the look in his eyes was bone-chilling. However, his gaze wasn¡¯t directed at Rishe.

    His ruthless gaze was focused solely on Myria.

    Why?

    It wasn¡¯t the kind of gaze someone would give to a girl he has never met before. The cold eyes reminded her of a certain person.

    Five years later, he bore the same expression as ¡°Emperor¡± Arnold Hein¡­

    Arnold, who would burn down churches in the future, slowly started walking towards them.

    Rishe reflexively looked back at Myria. She seemed to have missed Arnold¡¯s attention to her.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m going back to the carriage now. Thanks for the ¡­ stuffed bear!¡±

    ¡°Oh, Myria-sama!¡±

    The girl sprinted off quickly and her back disappeared into the carriage.

    The duke looked at her and bowed deeply. She plucked the hem of her dress, returned the bow, and let out a breath.

    ¡°Rishe, we¡¯re leaving. Come here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±

    Arnold resumed his usual blank expression. When he called her over, Rishe quietly returned to the carriage and sat down across from him.

    Looking out the window, she saw that the Duke wasn¡¯t in the carriage, but was waiting on one side of the road.

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    Even though the carriage was carrying the substitute maiden priestess, that was a Duke¡¯s carriage.

    They probably planned to keep their distance for a while before setting out so as not to keep up with the royal family of another country.

    We¡¯re likely to reach the Grand Shrine first.

    With that in mind, Rishe glanced at Arnold.

    The look he gave just now¡­ Could it be that His Highness is aware of ¡°that thing¡±?

    She raised a brow, chewing over the certain condition of the Duke of Jonal.

    I think that¡¯s unlikely to happen at all, but it¡¯s His Highness Arnold¡­ I should probe, even if a little overtly.

    Rishe stared at him.

    Then Arnold, who was about to resume his paperwork in the moving carriage, spoke.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You looked scary when you looked at Myria-sama just now, you know.¡±

    He probably didn¡¯t expect her to speak straight to the point. Arnold lifted his gaze from the document and looked at Rishe.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s any different than normal.¡±

    No, it¡¯s not. Your Highness always has a much calmer expression.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Well, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Rishe flinched at the odd timing of his frown. But even if he scowled, she thought he¡¯d take the conversation further down the road.

    ¡°You¡¯re the only one who¡¯s ever said that about me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

    When Rishe inclined her head, Arnold placed the papers he was holding in his hand next to his seat.

    He rested his cheek on the window sill, his eyes downcast, before adding.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t for any good reason. I just don¡¯t like kids.¡±

    I see. So that¡¯s how it is.

    At this juncture, she decided to take it one step further.

    I¡¯m sure your third sister is around the same age.

    ¡°Even though she¡¯s a child, Myria is ten years old. As I recall, Your Highness¡¯s third sister is about the same age, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested, and I don¡¯t remember.¡±

    Really¡­?

    Arnold said so, but today¡¯s Rishe wouldn¡¯t believe him.

    After all, even with his younger brother, Theodore, his ostensible behavior was different from his inner thoughts.

    When she didn¡¯t hide my suspicious gaze, Arnold briefly sighed and then said with a blank expression on his face.

    ¡°¨C Just because they¡¯re blood related doesn¡¯t mean that everyone can have an unconditional affection for each other. Blood ties have no effect on whether or not you can establish a good relationship.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re absolutely right about that.¡±

    Rishe herself couldn¡¯t understand her parents. Arnold¡¯s opinion that even family members could be strangers was dead on.

    But then again, I think he was referring to his father rather than his sister¡­

    Arnold, who was looking out the window, was staring at a point.

    As Rishe looked in that direction, she saw a majestic stone building in the distance. That was the Grand Shrine, their destination.

 Chapter 83.2

    Emperor Arnold Hein would probably burned down that Grand Shrine in the future after Rishe died.

    Rishe took a deep breath as she watched the still scenery of the beautiful temple.

    I can only stay in the Grand Shrine for a few days at most. I have to explore as much as I can before I finish the engagement annulment procedures.

    ¨D¨DAbout an hour later, the carriage arrived at the Grand Shrine.

    Arnold took her by the hand again and she descended from the carriage.

    The priests guided them to the anteroom, where they would prepare themselves and then meet with the high priest.

    It was at that moment that something strange happened.

    ¡°Stop! Hey, what the heck is wrong with you?!

    The knights behind them shouted, and she could hear the whinnying of a horse.

    She looked back and saw a boy of about ten years old rolling off the horse he was riding and landed on the ground.

    The boy was wildly gasping for breath, as if he was considerably exhausted. Arnold¡¯s knight guards vigilantly surrounded the boy to take care of him.

    Rishe would have liked to approach him, but Arnold had a firm grip on her wrist. However, it was obvious that this was an abnormal situation.

    The crest on the horse¡¯s saddle is that of the Duke of Jornal. What on earth¡­

    Rishe gasped there as she tried to observe the boy.

    That boy is¡­

    In her knight life, Rishe had one boy she was worried about.

    He was four years younger than Rishe and would be eleven years old now. He had light brown hair and an innocent-looking face, but he had a habit of staring at adults with dark, stagnant eyes.

    And a black eye-patch covered one of his eyes.

    No way¡­

    The child in front of Rishe resembled that boy very much.

    She wondered if she had mistaken him, but he looked too much like him for that. He seemed a little shorter than she remembered, but it was only natural considering that they should meet six months later.

    But I¡¯ve never heard of his story.

    Whether in her life as a maidservant or as a knight.

    The boy then struggled to squeeze his voice out of his ragged breathing and told the knights.

    ¡°P-Please¡­H-Help me¡­¡±

    ¡°Calm down before you talk, okay? Take your time.¡±

    ¡°H..Huh¡­B-¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ Hey, somebody get me some water!¡±

    ¡°Oh, Your Highness, I also¡­¡±

    Before Rishe could finish pleading, Arnold release his grip.

    Just as she thought, Arnold started to walk ahead of Rishe and knelt in front of the boy. Seeing this, the knights hurriedly raised their voices.

    ¡°Your Highness! Please step back, even if he¡¯s a child, there might be danger¡­¡±

    ¡°If you can¡¯t speak, then answer my question with a shake of your head. ¡ª Did something happen to Lord Jonal?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The boy nodded desperately, and Rishe¡¯s heart made a jarring throb.

    ¡°Is the Duke already dead?¡±

    The boy shook his head.

    ¡°If so, is something life-threatening happening?¡±

    The boy shook his head again in denial.

    Although relieved for the moment, Rishe paled at Arnold¡¯s next question.

    ¡°And the same goes to his daughter?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Although out of breath, the boy nodded amply.

    Thank God¡­

    Arnold narrowed his eyes and stood up. For the time being, he probably decided that it was not so urgent that he had to fight for a second to hear more of it.

    A cup of water was brought, and a knight gave the boy a drink while supporting him.

    ¡°Huh, that¡­¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re able to speak now, explain the situation.¡±

    ¡°T-The carriage¡­¡±

    The voice that managed to string some words was that of a boy named Leo, whom Rishe knew.

    The boy, who seemed on the verge of tears, continued to speak.

    ¡°The wheels on the carriage suddenly came off.¡±

    ¡­Huh?

    ¡°Master jumped out of the carriage with the young lady in his arms. The carriage and horses slid down the ravine, and the master injured his arm¡­¡±

    Myria¡¯s voice flashed through Rishe¡¯s mind.

    [I don¡¯t want to take this childish carriage to the Grand Shrine. And yet Papa doesn¡¯t understand.]

    [I cursed Papa¡­He still doesn¡¯t believe that everyone I cursed¡­died.]

    After Myria¡¯s waywardness, the carriage she hated plunged down.

    And the Duke she blamed for it was injured. It was as if the ¡°curse¡± that Myria mentioned has become a reality.

    ¡­W-What the hell is this all about¡­?

    Rishe unconsciously clutched the hem of her dress.

 Chapter 84.1 I thought Id gotten used to it by now.

    In her sixth lifetime as a knight, when Rishe joined the Order, the boy known as ¡°Leo¡± was a scullery servant with wounds that were still healing all over his body.

    His words were prickly, but he was basically quiet and worked hard. But he always kept his head down and kept his hair long.

    Even though they had been together for several years, Leo had not been very open with her, but she had seen his one eye once.

    The wound was so badly gouged that it was painful even when it was completely healed. The severity of the injury Leo had sustained was obvious.

    When Rishe asked a senior knight who was in the same room with him this question:

    [Do you know how Leo came to be a member of the Order?]

    [Hmm¡­?]

    The senior knight on the upper buck always slept in his spare time.

    This day, however, he was awake and looked up from his pillow with a slouch and looked down at Rishe, who was sitting in a chair by the wall.

    Then he called out Rishe¡¯s nickname, who dressed herself as a man and named herself ¡°Lucius¡±.

    [¡°¡­Lu, are you perhaps wanting to get yourself into trouble again?¡±]

    [¡°Nothing of that sort¡­ He was sitting alone in the corner of the training area, watching the training after he finished his chores today.¡±]

    Hearing her reply, his sleepy eyes narrowed further.

    [Hmm¡­? You couldn¡¯t even beat me, yet you could afford to pay attention elsewhere. How impertinent.]

    [It¡¯s because Joel-senpai fell asleep on the bench and didn¡¯t wake up no matter what!]

    The senior knight turned over after yawning with an unsuspecting face.

    But instead of dropping the conversation, he seemed to have decided to stay with her a little longer.

    [I¡¯ve heard that His Majesty happened to pass by and found him in the bottom of a merchant ship and picked him up.]

    He began the story then.

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    [I heard him mumbling while having a high fever caused by a festering wound and having nightmares. As I recall, he said that he committed a terrible mistake at his previous employer, and that he had been chastised so severely as punishment that he escaped, thinking he would be killed.]

    [How can an eleven year old child be punished like that for failing to do his job?]

    [It¡¯s common for rich people to treat their servants as if they weren¡¯t human beings. I told you because it¡¯s you, but don¡¯t tell anyone else¡­ And don¡¯t delve too deep into it.]

    After this advice, the senior knight covered his head with his jacket once more.

    [Unless you can turn back time, Leo¡¯s wounds will never go away.]

    ***

    A light knock sounded in the anteroom of the Grand Shrine.

    ¡°Excuse me, Your Highness Arnold, Rishe-sama.¡±

    The one who showed up was Arnold¡¯s attendant, Oliver.

    Oliver walked to Arnold¡¯s chaise longue and said after a light bow, ¡°His Excellency Jonal and his daughter have settled in their rooms. Also, there is a request for an opportunity to thank Your Highness for the loan of your carriage.¡±

    ¡°Tell him there is no need for any concern. More importantly, has there been any subsequent abnormality between the Duke and his daughter?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I think the reason why his daughter was crying was because she was startled by the carriage plunging down. But she seemed to have finally stopped crying just now.¡±

    Hearing Oliver¡¯s report, Arnold glanced at Rishe who was sitting beside him.

    ¡°¨D¨DThat¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Rather than Arnold himself being concerned, he seemed to have confirmed her safety for Rishe¡¯s sake. Releasing the tension in her body, Rishe exhaled a sigh of relief.

    Thank goodness¡­

    Arnold and Rishe took immediate action when they heard that the Duke¡¯s carriage had an accident.

    The boy led the way to the scene of the accident and carried the Duke and Myria, who were shivering on the side of the road, into the carriage. Rishe swiftly examined them and made sure they weren¡¯t seriously injured.

    Meanwhile, the knights working under Arnold¡¯s command inspected the carriage that had slipped and fallen. Fortunately, there were no fatal injuries to the horses, but the carriage seemed to have been wrecked when it hit a tree during the slide.

    Myria was sobbing the whole time, clinging to Rishe and refusing to let go.

    The Duke, who had a slight bruise on his arm, nudged his daughter with a troubled look and repeatedly thanked them. He then looked at the boy who was frozen in the carriage and thanked him, ¡°Thank you, Leo, for calling for help.¡±

    T/N: Maybe the Duke tried to silence Leo to keep Myria¡¯s secret¡­

 Chapter 84.2

    After all that fuss, Rishe and her party returned to the Grand Shrine.

    I hope the young lady feels at ease in her room¡­ But that¡¯s not all there is to think about.

    Rishe had a new concern.

    Lord Jonal called that boy ¡°Leo¡±. That boy is definitely the Leo I know¡­ But he didn¡¯t have an eye patch or a scar on his left eye, which means, ha.

    It meant this was before the event that caused Leo to lose one of his eyes.

    Senpai said that Leo¡¯s wounds were due to a terrible punishment by his former employer¡­ It¡¯s three months from now that Leo would be joining the Order¡­ Considering the time of year, his previous employer would have to be Lord Jonal.

    Rishe gently lowered her gaze.

    I¡¯ve never heard of Lord Jonal violently treating his servants. He was always very tolerant and smiled no matter what mistakes newcomers made. It¡¯s hard to imagine him chastising an eleven year old to the point of such severe injury.

    But, on a second thought.

    Not a single servant I¡¯m familiar with is here, which means everyone will be replaced afterwards¡­ There has to be a reason for that. First and foremost, the talk about Myria-sama¡¯s ¡°curse.¡±

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    An unpleasant thought dawned on her slowly in a blur.

    For example, what if her curse is indeed true?

    She kept her head down and chewed over it so that Arnold next to her wouldn¡¯t notice.

    What if the cause of Leo¡¯s serious injury wasn¡¯t Lord Jonal¡¯s chastisement, but someone else¡¯s who Lord Jonal was trying to protect? What if all the servants who knew about it were dismissed in order to hide it? Besides, if there¡¯s someone that Lord Jonal wants to protect even if he has to use such means, it is¨C

    Rishe looked up at Arnold beside her and said, ¡°Your Highness, aside from thanking you, I¡¯d like to see the two of them in good health.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°And also to that boy who served as a messenger. He looked in a lot of pain from riding so fast.¡±

    Arnold looked at Rishe with an expression that didn¡¯t hide his annoyance.

    But then he let out a small sigh.

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    ¡°Oliver. Keep them in check.¡±

    ¡°Very well, sir. Thank you, Rishe-sama for persuading His Highness.¡±

    No, this is really my own personal agenda¡­

    Meanwhile, another knock sounded at the door.

    The man who showed up was a young priest.

    ¡°Your Highness, Arnold. The Archbishop is ready for you. Please follow me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    You look blatantly disgusted!

    Arnold and Rishe would have separate meetings with the bishop.

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    The reason was simple and obvious: they came here for different reasons.

    Arnold came for official business involving the church, while Rishe visited the Grand Shrine to process her engagement cancellation with Dietrich.

    Arnold would talk to the archbishop, the head of the religion.

    On the other hand, Rishe was fine with any bishop who has a certain rank. Therefore, they would go their separate ways afterward.

    ¡°Oh, um, Your Highness Arnold, the priest is waiting for you¡­¡±

 Chapter 84.3

    Arnold clicked his tongue softly when Rishe prompted him.

    Then he looked up at Oliver beside him.

    ¡°Oliver, stay with Rishe for a while.¡±

    ¡°As you wish.¡±

    Oliver bowed with his hand on his chest. Arnold finally stood up and left the room with the priest.

    When the door closed, it was just the two of them in the waiting room, Rishe and Oliver.

    ¡°¡­ Oh, you were really a great help!¡±

    Oliver remarked with a fresh smile on his face.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, Master is more reasonable when you¡¯re around. I wish it were always like this.¡±

    Reasonable¡­?

    It sounded like something you would say to a child, but he has been in Arnold¡¯s service for ten years.

    In other words, he has been Arnold¡¯s squire since he was nine years old. If he was serving him since he was about that age, he might naturally treat him as such.

    ¡°However, I really should be able to persuade him without Rishe-sama¡¯s help. Phew, I am ashamed of incompetence.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true. Besides, the only time His Highness Arnold expresses a certain degree of willfulness is with Oliver-sama. I think that¡¯s proof of his trust in you.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    If he was so forgiving, he should have at least told him why he asked Rishe to marry him.

    Of course, even if he told Oliver about it, it didn¡¯t guarantee that he would share it to Rishe.

    Oliver chuckled softly as he thought this inwardly.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, you¡¯re looking out for my master, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Huh¡­

    Rishe had known how to smile like Oliver in the past.

    It was the kind of smile that fellow knights wore when they talked about their lord and master, His Majesty.

    It was a look of loyalty, pride, respect, and affection in equal measure.

    The master-servant relationship between the two of you is a strong one. I would like to hear about His Highness Arnold from you as well, Oliver-sama.

    However, if she suddenly asked something inappropriate, Arnold would immediately catch wind of it. Rishe decided to start with a distant, indirect question.

    ¡°Did Oliver-sama have a good master-slave relationship with His Highness Arnold from the start?¡±

    ¡°Haha, no way.¡±

    After an amused laugh, Oliver continued with the same refreshing smile, ¡°After all, at that time, my lord was only nine years old and had just killed all of his own vassals.¡±

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    Regardless of Rishe¡¯s silence, Oliver blurted out.

    ¡°Back then, I was also dispirited because I was injured and my knight career was cut short. My family nearly disowned me, and I didn¡¯t care where I died, so I went to my lord¡¯s side who had committed such an outrage.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, have you ever heard about the case of the vassal murder?¡±

    When Rishe shook her head, Oliver said to himself, ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°Then it seems that rumors are getting harder to spread around the castle. We must devise a way to make it spread a little more.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There, the third knock of the day sounded.

    ¡°It seems that Rishe-sama is summoned. Let¡¯s go. I can¡¯t enter the shrine myself, but I¡¯ll accompany you on your way.¡±

    ¡°T-Thank you¡­¡±

    Rishe stood up from the chaise longue with some dismay.

    ¡ª There were precedents about him murdering the emperor and rumors about him killing his mother. I¡¯m not going to be surprised to hear whatever rumors there are anymore.

    Oliver calmly responded to the priest.

    Rishe shallowly sighed without his notice.

    Even after what happened to Myria-sama and Leo, the biggest mystery is still His Highness Arnold¡­

 Chapter 85.1 Apparently, Iâ€™ve offended you

    She held back plenty of what she wanted to ask as Oliver prompted her to rise from her seat.

    The priest led them to the cathedral on the east side of the shrine.

    The massive door that she was led to looked vaguely familiar.

    Oliver stopped and smiled as he stood next to the door.

    ¡°This is as far as I can accompany you. See you later, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Oliver-sama. See you later.¡±

    Afterward, Rishe must enter the cathedral and convey her broken engagement in front of the statue of the goddess.

    Afterwhich, a bishop would read out the sacred poem.

    By listening to it silently and accepting the meaning of the sacred poem into the body and soul, it was believed that it could purify the soul from the stain of broken engagement.

    It was something she would do all day.

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    ¡°¡­Poor girl. How many hours of sacred poetry does she have to go through to complete the Engagement Cancellation Rite? Even the most devout of believers would suffer great pain.¡±

    ¡°Through it all, she¡¯ll only be allowed one rest at most¡­¡±

    She could hear the priests whispering to each other in low voices as they passed by.

    She could barely hear them talking, but she guessed what they were saying by the movement of their lips. And their sympathy was also directly related to Rishe¡¯s concern.

    I know, right? I never came to worship in my fifth and sixth lives. I don¡¯t know if I can endure another night of prayer¡­

    Rishe gulped with determination as she entered the temple.

    ¨CAnd then, a few hours later.

    I-I-It¡¯s so much fun!!!

    In a private space, Rishe was overcome with emotion.

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    The beautiful cathedral was filled with the voice of the bishop. The poem they read was said to be a translation of the words written in the Holy Scriptures.

    When she was a Young Miss, she had heard these verses many times. But now, they sounded completely different to Rishe.

    I had no idea that the 12th verse of the holy poem was connected to the folklore of the Quarq Islands¡­!

    As she listened to the bishop¡¯s voice, Rishe felt excited and thrilled.

    I used to think that this sacred poetry was a work of art composed of beautiful words. It¡¯s a huge misunderstanding. It¡¯s an epic adventure story with the gods as the protagonists!

    She realized this as soon as the first section began.

    It was a truth that Rishe, a mere Young Miss, could never have realized.

    But having seen and heard so much about the world, she understood exactly what the poem was trying to say.

    The ¡°Breath of ice¡± that they just read must be referring to the winter coast of Quarq, which would mean that ¡°The Great Stream,¡± on the ninth verse, the sea, would be mentioned again! ¡ª I knew it! The poem ¡°Even the Flowers Freeze¡± refers to the phenomenon where the surface of the sea freezes and looks like a field of white flowers. It¡¯s magnificent.

    In her life as an alchemist, she had studied the phenomenon with her teacher, Michel.

    Rishe felt nostalgic, and her eyes sparkled as well as she remembered the frozen ocean scenery.

    [Soon a thunderclap will pierce the land of bubbles. With the dawn¡­]

    I wonder if the story of King Solnero will overlap with this one. And now that they¡¯ve mentioned Princess Eusoness, I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll touch on it. I¡¯m looking forward to it¡­!

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The bishop, who had been focusing down on the scriptures, glanced at Rishe in bafflement.

    When he finished reading the 12th verse, he broke out into a whisper.

    ¡°..W-Well then, that¡¯s long enough. Let¡¯s take a break here.

    ¡°Indeed, I didn¡¯t realize that so much time had already passed.¡±

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    She wanted to hear more, but it looked like she¡¯d have to wait.

    I would have liked to hear more, but the bishop must be tired.

    Because she was honestly disappointed, her disappointment surfaced on her face.

 Chapter 85.2

    Seeing this, the bishop looked more and more confused, and then left the cathedral quickly.

    Judging from the position of the sun, it must have been about three hours.

    Seeing the light coming through the stained glass, Rishe stood up.

    She remembered from her childhood that if she went out from this door to the balcony, there would be a mural with the original words of the sacred poem.

    As she opened the door to the balcony, the cool evening breeze softly caressed Rishe¡¯s cheeks.

    This is it. The Goddess¡¯s painting and the sacred poem in the original text.

    The golden light from the sunset illuminated the balcony walls.

    Rishe looked up and followed the engraved texts with her eyes.

    I haven¡¯t seen the Krushade script or Krushade language in a while. Well, this sentence is from¡­ ¡°The goddess poured out her blessings on the world of men¡±.

    It seemed that the writing on the mural was part of a sacred poem. Utilizing her memory of the past, Rishe read bit by bit.

    The Maiden Priestess spreads the blessings of the Goddess, invisible to the eye and inaudible to the ear, to the human world. Guiding compassion¡­

    As she continued to read back and forth, she felt a presence approaching.

    Rishe glanced back and saw a man appearing on the balcony.

    The man was dressed in a bishop¡¯s uniform embroidered with gold thread.

    He seemed to have a different rank from the bishop who had been reading the sacred poetry to Rishe earlier.

    ¡°You must be Riese Ilmgard Wertsner.¡±

    The bishop smiled.

    He was probably in his mid-thirties. He was a tall but thin man with a somewhat inanimate expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m Christoph Justus Traugott Schneider. I am an assistant to the Archbishop.¡±

    ¡°Nice to meet you, Schneider-sama. I¡¯m sorry for asking you to perform this ceremony on such short notice.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s sad that you aren¡¯t able to be united with the person with whom you exchanged the betrothal ceremony, but that is also the will of the Goddess.¡±

    Schneider then looked up at the mural that Rishe had been reading.

    ¡°Written on this mural is a sacred poem about the lore of the Goddess and the Maiden Priestess. Mysterious script, isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s called the Krushade script. ¡ª It is said that only a handful of people can read it, because of the difficulty of both the script and the language.¡±

    ¡°Krushad is the language spoken by the Goddess, isn¡¯t it? As I recall, that¡¯s why they have a different language system from ours.¡±

    ¡°You are very knowledgeable. It is as you say. I¡¯m ashamed to admit that it took me ten years to learn it.¡±

    Then he narrowed his eyes nostalgically.

    ¡°The former Maiden Priestess was very skilled in the Krushade language. I don¡¯t think there has ever been anyone quite like her.¡±

    ¡°The former¡­ You mean¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes. She was the priestess who lost her life in a tragic accident 22 years ago.¡±

    Schneider smiled sadly and continued.

    ¡°Did you know? It is said that Maiden Priestesses have the blood of the Goddess in their veins. That is why it is believed that only women born into the Priestesses¡¯ families can be chosen as Maiden Priestesses. The previous generation also had a younger sister, but she was too weak to serve as the Maiden Priestess and passed away ten years ago.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±

    ¡°There have been a few boys born, though, so it¡¯s not like the line of the precious goddess perished. However, it remains a fact that only daughters can serve as a Maiden Priestess.¡±

 Chapter 85.3

    As she listened to his story, Rishe wondered inwardly

    It¡¯s an interesting tale, but why is he sharing this with me?

    ¡°I beg your pardon. I was going to start with small talk, but it turned out to be too long.¡±

    Schneider gazed up at the mural and turned to her smilingly.

    Then he told Rishe sincerely.

    ¡°¨CYou must not marry Arnold Hein.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His unheralded advice took Rishe¡¯s breath away.

    ¡°Why is that¡­¡±

    She was about to ask, but quickly held her tongue. Another person appeared on the balcony.

    ¡°¨C I thought I ordered that no one from the Order/Religion is to approach my wife at all, except as necessary for the ritual?¡±

    ¡°¡­Your Highness, Arnold.¡±

    Arnold coldly looked at Schneider.

    The air was tense and the temperature seemed to have dropped dramatically. Schneider flinched, but cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

    ¡°Um, I wasn¡¯t informed, Your Highness.¡±

    He was trying to hold onto his composure, but his fear was clearly visible.

    Nevertheless, Schneider seemed to have decided to give Arnold a piece of his mind.

    ¡°Rishe here isn¡¯t your wife but your fiancee. The Goddess will not allow you to call your unmarried partner ¡®wife¡¯.¡±

    ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°H¡­¡±

    The sharp click of his shoes made Schneider cower.

    Arnold took one step at a time, slowly, but never letting go, suppressing Schneider with his gaze.

    ¡°T-The engagement annulment isn¡¯t over yet to begin with.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°In other words, for the Goddess, Rishe¡¯s fianc¨¦ is not Your Highness Arnold. She is still engaged to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Hermity.¡±

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know if you understand the concept of ¡®difference in beliefs¡¯. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to kneel before your Goddess and ask for forgiveness.¡±

    Arnold took Rishe¡¯s hand and pulled her close to him.

    Or perhaps he pulled her away from Schneider. Without batting his eyelids, he turned his dimly lit eyes to Schneider.

    ¡°¨D¨D Even if I kill you and become a sinner.¡±

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    ¡°Aah!¡±

    She could see how Schneiner turned pale all at once and clenched his teeth tightly.

    He seemed to have lost for rebuttal and ran off the balcony like a bullet. As the pattering footsteps drifted away, Rishe uneasily raised an eyebrow.

    Errr¡­.

    While holding his hand, she gently looked up at him up close.

    Arnold was silently looking in the direction of where Schneider had disappeared, with eyes like a predator intimidating the outside of its territory.

    I -I think I¡¯ve upset him¡­

    Apparently, Arnold had nailed the Order¡¯s people to stay away from Rishe.

    She had never heard of it, but she didn¡¯t think he would tell her why. So, she decided to shift on another matter instead.

    ¡°¡­I think it would be safer if you don¡¯t call me ¡®Wife¡¯ when we¡¯re only engaged.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe was aware of this at least.

    Not only this time. In front of a third party, Arnold would sometimes refer to Rishe, who was still only his fianc¨¦e, as his wife.

    I¡¯m sure there are reasons behind it, though.

    For example, calling her ¡°wife¡± was shorter and easier than ¡°fianc¨¦e.¡±

    However, they weren¡¯t married yet. Calling her something other than what she really was would unnerve some people.

    But Arnold replied without a hint of offense.

    ¡°It¡¯s all been decided anyway.¡±

    ¡°What decision?¡±

    ¡°That you will be my wife¡­¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    She felt her heart skip a deep in her chest at his candid response.

    An unnatural scream almost escaped her mouth, so she covered her mouth with her free hand. Then Arnold gave her a quizzical look.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What? N-Nothing¡­¡±

    She mumbled a reply, but Arnold became even more suspicious.

    Rishe removed her hand from her mouth and said softly.

    ¡°However, it would be dangerous to say that the decision is final¡­ You never know what¡¯s going to happen in life.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Even if we¡¯re engaged, who can say what will happen in the future?¡±

    At any rate, Rishe had the precedent named Dietrich. She even had a betrothal ceremony, but as Arnold knew, the result was the same.

    ¡°It¡¯s not limited to a broken engagement. For instance, ¡­ I might die before my wedding with Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    I can¡¯t speak for His Highness Arnold, but I¡¯ve died many times before.

    With that thought in mind, Rishe tried to look away. ¡°Right?¡±

    But someone blocked her.

    Arnold, who was holding onto Rishe¡¯s wrist with one hand, used his other hand to grab Rishe¡¯s chin.

    M¡­.

    He forcibly had her to look up, albeit gently at that.

    Looking up closely in the sunset-painted backlight, Arnold ordered Reece, eyes slightly downcast.

    ¡°¨CI will never allow that.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He whispered a hairbreadth away from kissing her, making her gasp.

 Chapter 86.1 I dont have too many weaknesses.

    Rarely did Arnold tell Rishe something in a commanding tone.

    ¡­But all my deaths so far have been caused by none other than Your Highness, you know?!

    It was a pity she couldn¡¯t utter that protest.

    First off, there was no point in telling Arnold this now. But Arnold, who had no way of knowing our inner thoughts, peered more closely into Rishe¡¯s face.

    ¡°Your answer?¡±

    ¡°M¡­¡±

    Her voice was a little scratchy, but it seemed strangely sweet.

    It was as if he was scolding but also coddling her. With him looking down at her with eyes as blue as jewels, she felt at a loss for words.

    ¡°[I understand]¡­ If you don¡¯t nod yes, I¡¯d be unreasonable as I was before.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    Arnold stroked the outline of Rishe¡¯s lips with his thumb.

    It just barely touched her lips, but it was a warning touch. It sent a strange tickle down her spine, and a weak numbness creeping in.

    When he said ¡°before,¡± he must have been referring to the time he kissed her out of the blue.

    His touch was soft, but Arnold¡¯s eyes were somewhat cold.

    Nevertheless, Rishe looked back into his eyes and somehow managed to wring out a rebuttal.

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re pretending to be mean again!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He certainly kissed her impolitely before.

    His meaning and his real intent was a mystery, but she knew a lot more than she did then.

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    For instance, Arnold sometimes acted like a villain when he was covering up some secret.

    ¡°I-I can understand that much. Your Highness isn¡¯t someone who would act rashly or unreasonably¡­!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    The moment her eyes widened, Arnold drew her by her waist.

    Dark eyes looked down at Rishe. She couldn¡¯t even avert her gaze because of the way his hand captured her outline.

    In this state, Arnold bent down to cover her.

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

    The kiss from that day flashed through her mind, and she shut her eyes tightly.

    Simultaneously, she distinctly felt that the approaching lips stopped just before they touched Rishe¡¯s lips.

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Their lips were barely touching each other.

    But they were really close, so close that she could almost feel the temperature of his lips seeping through the air.

    If either Arnold or Rishe were to make even the slightest movement, a second kiss would surely be exchanged.

    ¡°~~~~ ¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyelashes trembled as she shut her eyes tightly.

    She could feel Arnold blinking, so she knew he hadn¡¯t closed his eyes. Arnold stared, presumably at Rishe¡¯s face, and then slowly distanced himself.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°H-Haah¡­¡±

    Once released, Rishe exhaled heavily. She had been holding her breath without even realizing it.

    Ho, I really thought he was going to kiss me¡­

    T/N: Thank you all for the Coffee ^_^ Happy Friyayyy!

 Chapter 86.2

    That seemed not the case, but it was too bad for her heart. She held her hot, burning cheeks in her hands and took a deep breath to calm down.

    Arnold raised his eyebrows and then let out a deep sigh before saying.

    ¡°Anyway, I don¡¯t need a religion telling me what to do. I¡¯m not going to obey, so let it stay that way.¡±

    ¡°O-Okay¡­¡±

    Her heart was beating at a ridiculously fast pace. Rishe rested a palm over her chest and managed to reply.

    Arnold sighed once more and then asked her.

    ¡°Why did the bishop approach you earlier?¡±

    Oh, right. He warned me not to marry you.

    Rishe looked up at the mural beside her without uttering a word about it.

    ¡°I was reading the sacred poem written here, and he came to explain the contents.¡±

    She didn¡¯t tell the truth, but didn¡¯t lie either. Arnold glanced at Rishe and gave it a curious look.

    ¡°Can you read these texts?¡±

    ¡°I used to study it, but then I stopped at some point. There are a lot of things I¡¯m not sure about.¡±

    ¡°¡­Which part?¡±

    Rishe blinked at his question.

    But Arnold seemed to be waiting for an answer, so she pointed to a section of the mural.

    ¡°It¡¯s a sentence over there. The second word is basically read as ¡®spring,¡¯ but I thought it might have another meaning.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold perused the mural and said without hesitation, ¡°That means flower.¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    She looked at him in deep surprise.

    Arnold¡¯s eyes were disinterested, but he told Rishe without skipping a beat, as if he were reading easy texts.

    ¡°The most well-known meaning of that word is ¡®open¡¯, followed by what you say ¡®spring.¡¯ However, there is a third rarely used meaning of the word, and that is ¡®flower¡¯, which represents something that opens in spring.¡±

    ¡°S-So if I substitute the noun ¡®flower¡¯ for the temporal noun ¡®spring¡¯, do the words before and after also change in meaning?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it does. If you read that sentence together, it becomes ¡®the girl with the floral hair¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Wow ¡­¡±

    Arnold was accurate.

    From the combination with the rest of the text, there was no doubt that he translated the words.

    She was impressed by the brilliance of it, but also felt incredulous.

    ¡°If I may ask, can Your Highness read everything in the Krushade language?¡±

    ¡°Only to the extent that it is written here.¡±

    ¡°To the extent written here, the sacred poem? The wording of the sacred poem is so difficult to decipher that there are even researchers who specialize in it¡­!¡±

    It was a language that even the Archbishop¡¯s assistant had said it took him ten years to finally master.

    The only reason why Rishe could read Krushade was because she had a chance to learn it.

    And yet, why couldn¡¯t she surpass the large amount of knowledge that Arnold possessed?

 Chapter 86.3

    ¡°So, what¡¯s that sentence there? The literal translation is ¡®The seasons go round under the guidance of the girl,¡¯ but that doesn¡¯t feel quite right to me.¡±

    ¡°If anything, it¡¯s closer to ¡®The four seasons recur under the guidance of the girl. It probably refers to the festival held by the Maiden Priestess.¡±

    ¡°¡­Do you understand that too?¡±

    ¡°It says ¡®sing¡¯.¡±

    Rishe was even more baffled by the straightforward spun answer.

    The fact that you have a beautiful face, superb swordsmanship, excellent in national affairs and strategy, and well-educated means that you have no weaknesses¡­

    The Krushade language was an expertise rather than common knowledge. Even the bishops of the Order used scriptures written in their country¡¯s own script as a standard.

    Come to think of it, rumor has it that the current emperor of Garkhain is a devout believer, and that is why he did not invade the Kingdom of Domana, where the Grand Shrine is located. For instance, the fact that His Highness Arnold was given specialized education¡­ Thus, His Highness doesn¡¯t like the Krushade religion.

    As she was chewing over this, a cool breeze blew across the balcony.

    Rishe¡¯s hair was gently ruffled, and she reflexively held it with her right hand. Afterward, she looked at her hair in surprise.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not from the Maiden Priestess¡¯s lineage, am I?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°That sentence about the girl with the floral hair Your Highness told me about earlier. The girl with the floral hair carries the blood of the Goddess and guides the people as the Maiden Priestess, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°In other words, the woman who is qualified to be the Maiden Priestess would have ¡®floral hair,¡¯¡­¡±

    Rishe looked down at her hair, which drew gentle waves.

    Her hair was a yellowish pink hue. The closest analogy would be the color of coral, but it could also be the color of a flower.

    ¡°I inherited my hair color from my red-haired mother and blond-haired father, respectively. It may not be a color you see often, but it doesn¡¯t have much of a story behind it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°My parents¡¯ lineage goes back as far as my paternal ancestor¡¯s name in the Hermitian royal family. So no matter how much I think about it, I think it¡¯s unlikely that I have the Goddess¡¯s blood in my veins.¡±

    Feeling increasingly apologetic, Rishe unconsciously bowed. Then a frowning Arnold asked, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°I now know why Your Highness proposed to me¡­ You probably thought I¡¯m the last survivor to qualify as the Maiden Priestess.¡±

    Bishop Schneider said earlier that all the women who qualified as priestesses have died.

    ¡°If a woman of the Maiden Priestess¡¯s blood is alive and raised somewhere hidden, taking her to wife would be a great help to Garkhain, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°But I am completely unrelated to the Maiden Priestess. So I¡¯m sorry if I misled Your Highness and made you propose to me on that basis¡­.¡±

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°W-What¡¯s with your face?¡±

    Arnold was squinting and regarding Rishe with a dumbfounded look on his face.

    She flinched, not knowing why. Arnold sighed for the umpteenth time today and then spoke.

    ¡°Remember several days ago when Kyle compared you to a goddess?¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    She was reminded of it now that he mentioned it.

    As she recalled, when she first met Kyle in this life, he told her that she looked like a beautiful goddess.

    It was a social norm peculiar to the Koyor Kingdom, and Rishe had hardly heard it.

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    However, looking back at it this way, she realized that Arnold looked very unhappy back then.

    Ah!! Could it be that the reason why His Highness looked so scary at that time was because the word ¡°Goddess¡± was mentioned?

    She had wondered why he glared at Kyle like that, but now it finally made sense. At the same time, she figured Arnold¡¯s deep-seated dislike of the Religion.

    Arnold quietly looked down at her when she convinced herself of it.

    ¡°¡­I have no interest in such things, let alone the lineage of a Maiden Priestess, even if a real goddess were to manifest.¡±

    His claim made Rishe blink once.

    Once Arnold¡¯s eyes were sincere, he appeared more mysterious and beautiful. He made himself clear, looking intently at Rishe.

    ¡°There¡¯s only one person in the world I¡¯ll kneel to.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    In Garkhain¡¯s courtship, a man would kneel to a woman and drop a kiss on the back of her hand.

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

    She remembered Arnold doing that to her, and her cheeks burned at once.

    Arnold burst out laughing, seeing Rishe flustered. A large hand reached out and ruffled Rishe¡¯s head.

    ¡°I¡¯m in a better mood. I¡¯m going back to my official business.¡±

    H-Was he teasing me?!!

    She wanted to shout in protest, but no words came out that instant.

    In the end, she only managed to feebly say, ¡°See you later,¡± frustrating her to no end.

    T/N: Yup, Arnold only kneels to his wife ( ????? ??) Happy weekend and take care!

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 Chapter 87.1 Getting Closer to the Person She Cared About

    After seeing off Arnold¡¯s back, Rishe exhaled.

    She took a few deep breaths to quell the burning in her cheeks, then a priest came to the balcony.

    ¡°I beg your pardon, Rishe-sama. We¡¯ve suspended the ritual for a break, and it will take a little longer before it resumes.¡±

    Seeing the apologetic look on the priest¡¯s face, Rishe inclined her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal if that¡¯s the case. But what¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°W-The thing is¡­¡±

    The priest bowed and continued in a troubled tone, ¡°The acting Maiden Priestess locked herself in her room¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ***

    After leaving the ceremonial cathedral, Rishe strolled alone in the courtyard.

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    [Apparently, Myria-sama did not like the costumes we had prepared for the festival.]

    The monk spoke with drooping shoulders.

    [At present, a bishop who is acquainted with Myria-sama, is at the door with the Duke of Jonal, trying to persuade her. If we don¡¯t alter her costume by tomorrow morning, we won¡¯t be able to make it in time for the festival.¡±

    As a result, a great commotion was ensuing in front of Myria¡¯s room.

    The bishop who was in charge of Rishe¡¯s ritual was one of the people acquainted with Myria, so he joined in coaxing her.

    After Rishe offered to postpone the ritual, she inquired about the location of the room where Myria was said to be holed up.

    However, she didn¡¯t head towards the corridor where the Duke and the others gathered and walked along the courtyard leading to the back of the guest house instead. She had some conjectures, but she discovered something unexpected on the way.

    There¡¯s only small footprints left.

    The tip of the footprints led to the forest that surrounded the outside of the Grand Shrine. The owner of the footprints seemed to have headed that way.

    Upon our arrival here, we were told that the forest surrounding the Grand Shrine is off limits because it is a sanctuary¡­

    She examined it carefully, but they appeared to be a boy¡¯s shoes from the shape. Moments after bypassing the footprints, Rishe looked up at the guest room building where she had arrived.

    Just then, a familiar voice rang out from the easternmost window on the third floor.

    ¡°I will! I will only wear a pink dress to the festival!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The birds perching on the trees in the courtyard were startled and flew away at once. The next she heard was the Duke¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Myria! How many times do I have to tell you, listen to me!¡±

    Thank God. Both of them looked fine.

    The argument between father and daughter was a relief that she patted her chest.

    Even though they didn¡¯t suffer serious injuries, there was the aftermath of the carriage slipping and plunging down. She was worried that they¡¯d be mentally drained, but from the sound of their voices, they seemed to be fine.

    The windows were open and the curtains were drawn.

    From where Rishe was standing, she could see the back of Myria standing there scowling at the door.

    It looks like a lot of people are really crowded behind the door¡­ This will only make Myria-sama even more stubborn.

    Rishe scanned her surroundings to make sure there was no sign of anyone else.

    She then looked up at one of the trees that lined the courtyard, the one closest to Myria¡¯s room.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She rolled up the hem of her dress, revealing the dagger attached to her thigh.

    She disregarded the dagger and reached her fingers over the belt that secured it. A thin rope with a hook at the end was tied and bundled to the fastener of the belt.

    Now then¡­

    Myria¡¯s voice was still echoing from the window she looked up at.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you understand, Papa? That carriage ended that way because of my magical powers!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. It was a wheel malfunction, an accident!¡±

    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t. It was my power! So do me a favor, or you¡¯ll be in big trouble again!¡±

    ¡°Myria¡­¡±

    ¡°All of you, hurry up and get away from the door! Or else¡­¡±

    Myria¡¯s voice came to a sudden halt.

    She looked back at the window, as if she had sensed some kind of presence, and stiffened as if she were looking at something unbelievable.

    ¡°Huh¡­e-e-ehhh?!¡±

 Chapter 87.2

    Rishe descended from the window sill into the room and smiled at Myria.

    ¡°Hello, Myria-sama.¡±

    She fixed the hem of her messy dress and pulled the hooked rope into her hands. Noticing the leaves tangled in her hair, she combed them off with her hands.

    Myria¡¯s mouth opened and closed her mouth in silence, seeing Rishe appear through the window.

    ¡°Myria? What¡¯s wrong, Myria?¡±

    ¡°N-Nothing!¡±

    Myria anxiously replied to the Duke¡¯s call. She then looked back at Rishe and asked her in a whisper, unable to hide her agitation.

    ¡°Gosh, what are you doing here?! I¡¯m on the third floor, so how did you get through the window?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a secret. Please don¡¯t tell anyone that I¡¯m here, okay?¡±

    Rishe¡¯s smile deepened as she held up a finger in front of her lips.

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    Myria¡¯s eyes rounded, then she turned solemn.

    ¡°You must have magical powers, just like me.¡±

    Not really, but it¡¯s dangerous if a young lady like you were to copy me¡­

    Rishe crouched down in front of Myria while secretly withholding her inner thoughts.

    ¡°Myria-sama, what is your complaint about the festival dress? That white dress hanging over there is very pretty.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Myria looked down for a moment, but soon whispered.

    ¡°My mom passed away.¡±

    ¡°¡­Okay.¡±

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    Myria¡¯s small, thin fingers plucked a strand of fluffy violet hair and began to play with the ends.

    ¡°She often said that I¡¯m the princess of our family, so a pink princess-like dress would look good on me. That¡¯s why, if I¡¯m going to be acting as the Maiden Priestess, I want to wear a pink dress that my mom said would look good on me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe slowly looked down after hearing her explanation.

    ¨D¨DYou¡¯re lying to me, young lady.

    Rishe knew it.

    It was Myria¡¯s habit to wrap her hair around her fingers whenever she was lying.

    Nevertheless, she also knew that Myria¡¯s deceased mother, who always dressed her beloved daughter in many pink dresses, was a fact.

    It must be true that she wants to wear a pink dress. But citing it as her reason for her waywardness is a lie. If that¡¯s the case, what on earth was her lie for?

    Updated from novelhall[.]com

    Rishe spoke while pondering over it.

    ¡°Well then, Myria-sama. Shall I change this white dress to pink later?¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­?¡±

 Chapter 87.3

    Perhaps her suggestion was totally unexpected, so her honey-colored eyes widened.

    ¡°Really? Magic? Is it through magic?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not magic. But we can prepare a dye and dye it any color you want.¡±

    ¡°Dye¡­¡±

    ¡°From the looks of it, the cloth won¡¯t shrink when wet. Once the tailoring is finalized, you can design the finished dress with your own hands, right? For instance, change a white dress to pink and decorate it with flowers.¡±

    ¡°¡­!!!¡±

    Myria¡¯s sparkling eyes were irresistibly cute. Rishe¡¯s cheeks relaxed as she lectured her.

    ¡°It¡¯s a very fun process but also time consuming. If we don¡¯t finish the adjustments today, it will be difficult to make it in time for the festival.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah, I¡¯m in! Right away!¡­ Ah¡­¡±

    Myria, who responded instinctively, immediately covered her mouth as if in a panic. Rishe chuckled, but quietly stood up.

    ¡°Then please open the door and let your father see you¡­ But first, if you could just close your eyes for a moment.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    Rishe waited for Myria to close her eyes and walked to the window.

    It was much faster and easier to ¡®get down¡¯ from the room than it was to go up.

    After a while, she reached the ground of the courtyard and called to the window from which she had come out.

    ¡°¨CYou can open your eyes now!¡±

    ¡°Uh, no..!!!¡±

    Myria looked down the window. Rishe raished her index finger again and shushed her.

    She looked at her former master who nodded, gave her a polite bow, and started walking back the way she came.

    Of course, I had to investigate Young Miss and His Highness Arnold, but I can¡¯t abandon either one behind in this life.

    Searching for signs of life, Rishe treaded out of the shadows of the trees and quietly walked towards the forest.

    When I came here in my previous life, I was told that the forest is a sacred place. But I¡¯m certain there was no mention of it being off-limits back then.

    The thin footprints left behind were that of a small child.

    The shape of the shoes were that of a boy¡¯s, so they could not be Myria¡¯s footprints. And you examined the traces, you¡¯d find that they were new, having only been on for a few hours.

    If that¡¯s all there is to it, it¡¯s probably not that important¡­ But if a person of concern comes and goes in a forbidden forest, we can¡¯t just ignore it, can we?

    Rishe had been walking briskly so far, but before she reached the entrance to the forest, she decided to muffle her footsteps.

    She meticulously eliminated any signs of life and walked on noiselessly.

    Then, she sensed the presence of people in the forest at dusk. The sound of tiny footsteps approached her.

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    ¡°Hello, Leo.¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡±

    Leo let out a short scream when Rishe called out to him. His eyes widened innocently as he stared at her.

    ¡°¡­ You were with the Crown Prince of Garkhain earlier.¡±

    This is the second time I¡¯ve caught someone by surprise.

    With that thought in mind, Rishe smiled at Leo. Leo regarded her warily.

    ¡°The forest ahead is off-limits, you know.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­ And also that you¡¯ve been in and out of there.¡±

    ¡°You misunderstand. I just came here to look for some flowers for my master¡¯s room and was trying to trace my steps back here.¡±

    Despite being eleven years old, Leo was blunt.

    However, his behavior was gentler and less prickly than the scarred man she had met in her life as a knight. Rishe looked down at Leo¡¯s head and said, ¡°You have a piece of zaot (*not sure about this, maybe sheet moss) moss on the hem of your pants, you know?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    ¡°This moss only thrives in places in shaded areas. For example, in the forest.¡±

    Leo gingerly raised an eyebrow. After that, he turned his face away as if in annoyance.

    ¡°Are you going to give me a sermon? Or are you going to turn me in to the Order?¡±

    ¡°Neither, but I need you to show me around.¡±

    ¡°Show you around where?¡±

    ¡°Well, of course¡­¡±

    Rishe chuckled and pointed in the direction Leo had walked.

    ¡°To that forest, which is off-limits.¡±

 Chapter 88.1 They said this is a sacred place

    ¡°Wha¨Ct!¡±

    Leo tightly screwed up his face and took steps backward.

    ¡°You¡¯re a grownup, what are you thinking?¡±

    He resembled a stray cat who disliked being around people.

    He stared up at Rishe with an air of a man about to roar.

    ¡°How can the Crown Princess of Garkhain defy the Order¡¯s ban?

    ¡°Only people who also entered the forbidden forest would know that I entered it.¡±

    ¡°T-That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a bad adult, so if someone points out that I have moss on my face, I¡¯ll just shrug it off.¡±

    Leo clicked his tongue in frustration at her rejoinder.

    ¡°¡­If I show you around, will you keep it a secret that I entered the forest?¡±

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    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll still keep it a secret. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    Leo rolled his eyes at her response.

    ¡°But it would be nice if you could take me there. The sun will be setting soon, and if it gets too late before we get home, my soon-to-be husband will scold me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He turned on his heel and began to walk away.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Rishe thanked him and followed him.

    If it had been Leo, whom I met in my life as a knight, he never would have shown me the way¡­

    Perhaps he would have ended up neatly ignoring her without uttering a single word.

    Even back when they started conversing, he would say something like, ¡°Why should I go along with you?¡± Or, ¡°Get lost.¡± Or also, ¡°Don¡¯t get involved in the mess the First Unit caused.¡±

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    It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve walked in the woods. I need to keep my stride constant and count my steps just in case.

    In this way, she could get a rough estimate of the distance from their starting point.

    When walking in the woods or mountains without any landmarks, it was important to know your location.

    Leo and Rishe were almost uniform. Rishe bent her fingers and counted her steps, while talking to Leo¡¯s back.

    ¡°I heard your name from Duke Jonal earlier. I¡¯m Rishe, nice to meet you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I just happened to have some free time and wanted to take a walk around the Grand Shrine. I¡¯m glad you happened to pass by!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°But what were you doing out here?¡±

    ¡°Miss Myria is apparently causing a ruckus¡­¡±

    Leo finally opened his mouth and continued curtly, ¡°I¡¯m slacking off in a place where no one would come looking for me. I don¡¯t want to get too close and get into any trouble.¡±

    This is something Leo has said to me many times in my life as a knight.

    In any case, this boy was the same Leo that Rishe once knew.

    She smiled wryly, but then a new question occurred to her.

    ¡°By the way, were you allowed to enter the Grand Shrine? I¡¯ve heard that only a minimum number of people are allowed in the shrine because of the upcoming festivities.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because my master is very considerate¡­¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I grew up in an orphanage near here.¡±

    It was the first she has heard of it.

    I wonder if His Excellency the Duke had Leo accompany him to the Grand Shrine for his homecoming as well.

 Chapter 88.2

    Rumors have it that at this time of year, bringing servants to the Grand Shrine was a rather complicated procedure.

    In the first place, the Maiden Priestess should be residing there now, and they required thorough proof of identity of anyone entering and exiting.

    Rishe had left her maids in Garkhain, and Arnold had only his squire, Oliver, with him.

    The knights who escorted them along the way were waiting in a town near the Grand Shrine.

    There are a lot of things to worry about, though.

    Rishe looked around.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The reddish glow of the setting sun illuminated the forest.

    The path was overgrown with short weeds, which made the animal tracks clearly visible. There was a small scratch on a tree a little way off from her spot.

    Traces of scraped weeds and animal hair tangled in the trees.

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    As Rishe looked at these things, her thoughts wandered.

    ¡°¡­From here on out, please follow my footsteps.¡±

    ¡°Huh, why?¡±

    ¡°Because there might be nests of vipers in the weeds. If you get bit by one, it¡¯ll cause a commotion and they¡¯ll know you went into the woods.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. But it¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±

    She stood still and smiled at his little back.

    ¡°I¡¯ve come this far, so I¡¯ll be fine on my own.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Leo swiftly turned around. His eyes were wide and round, as if he were looking at some unknown creature.

    ¡°Thank you for showing me the way. I¡¯ll proceed on my own, so you can go back to the shrine first.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe discerned Leo¡¯s guard rising when she told him this while tucking her hair behind her ears.

    ¡°What on earth are you really doing?¡±

    ¡°Nothing for you to give me that look. But it would be wrong to ask you to accompany me a little longer, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay.¡±

    Rishe blinked in surprise.

    ¡°The sun will soon set completely, and it isn¡¯t safe for you to remain alone in the forest. If anything should happen to you, I will be suspected and punished.¡±

    The image of Leo with an eye patch flashed through Rishe¡¯s mind.

    ¡°¡­Your master doesn¡¯t seem like that kind of person, though.¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ll stay behind anyway. If there is anything you want to see in this forest, please do so quickly.

    ¡°Are you sure? Well then, I¡¯ll do that.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Leo screamed in panic as Rishe took a step forward.

    Leo was probably alarmed because Rishe left his trail and started moving further and further into the forest.

    ¡°Wait! I told you, it¡¯s dangerous to walk in the wrong direction because there are nests of poisonous snakes!¡±

    ¡°The snakes that live on this continent are venomous but timid. They¡¯ll slither away upon seeing someone. Moreover, they won¡¯t stick their heads out of their burrows when they can hear us talking.¡±

    ¡°Even so, there¡¯s always a possibility, you know!¡±

    ¡°No. If anything, more dangerous than snakes are¡­¡±

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 Chapter 88.3

    Rishe stopped in front of a large tree with a scratch on its trunk.

    Leo, who had been chasing her, stopped right behind her.

    Rishe picked up a fallen branch and began to examine the area around the scarred tree, using it to cut through the weeds.

    Then, she found exactly what she had suspected.

    ¡°I knew it.¡±

    A metal trap was set on the ground hidden by fallen leaves and weeds.

    Two half-moon shaped metal plates overlapped each other, with jagged, pointed fangs on the inside.

    If a prey fell on this trap, it would have bitten the prey¡¯s leg.

    ¡°How did you know there¡¯s a trap here?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a mark on the trunk of the tree. In such cases, only people can understand the markings so that they don¡¯t lose track of their traps.¡±

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    She bent down to examine the trap¡¯s condition. The metal tusks were sharp, and the surface was glowing with iridescent colors.

    She took out a handkerchief and wiped the surface, careful not to activate the trap. Then, first, she sniffed closer.

    Iron. And this liquid smeared on the surface¡­

    She got up and approached another tree trunk that was close by.

    She needn¡¯t have to check to find out what trap there was.

    She stretched her arm to the limit and pushed the ground with the branch in her hand, and the ground disappeared after a popping response.

    ¡°A pitfall trap¡­¡±

    ¡°Leo, stay back. It¡¯s dangerous.¡±

    While speaking, she fished out the rope she took out with the handkerchief earlier.

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    She threw one end of the rope straight up and hooked the end to a tree.

    After a quick pull to make sure it was stable, she looked into the pit while holding the rope with one hand.

    The pit is about a meter in diameter and also about a meter deep. There¡¯s abatis at the bottom.

    A sharp metal stake peeked out from among the fallen leaves.

    Using the rope as a support, Rishe reached down to the bottom of the pit and wiped the end of the stake with her handkerchief.

    The same goes for this trap. It has a strong metallic odor, and a drug as pungent as metal.

    She confidently blurted out with a sigh.

    ¡°It¡¯s coated with poison.¡±

    Then Leo frowned.

    ¡°Is that for killing prey? If the forest is off-limits, why would a hunter use a trap like these?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s a forbidden forest, maybe someone is taking advantage of it and comes in and out to set traps.¡±

    ¡°Then why are you diligently wiping the needlepoint with your handkerchief?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m interested in the poisons that hunters use around here. I have to take samples once I discover them. It¡¯ll be hard if I put them off for later.¡±

    She explained her purpose properly, but it made Leo look increasingly confused.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Leo?¡±

    When Rishe inclined her neck, Leo slowly answered.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that some royalty and aristocrats set up proxies much like themselves in order to escape assassination.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not very well known, but there are certainly countries who do that. What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not cut out to be a proxy.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Leo looked up at Rishe and then said seriously.

    ¡°I think you¡¯d better find another job because with your crazy behavior, they¡¯ll soon realize you¡¯re a fake Crown Princess.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Leo¡¯s kind advice left Rishe at a loss for a response, and she fell into deep thought for a while.

    T/N: Hahaha, Leo is cute. He thought Rishe is a stand-in¡­

 Chapter 89.1 Sheâ€™s been told she was a substitute!

    In the end, Leo¡¯s misunderstanding that Rishe was the Crown Princess¡¯s substitute was left unresolved.

    His eyes were brimming with conviction, and no amount of excuses from Rishe made him believe her.

    When Rishe returned to the shrine, she took a small breath in the dining room alone. Then she remembered the exchange she had just had with Leo.

    [Um, I-I¡¯m not a substitute.]

    When Rishe refuted in confusion, Leo responded with all seriousness, [That¡¯s what all substitutes say. I believe so.]

    [You may be right, but! In the first place, I don¡¯t think His Highness would go out of his way to replace his fiancee.]

    [Don¡¯t worry about it. You said earlier that you wouldn¡¯t tell anyone that I was in the forest, right?]

    Leo looked straight into Rishe¡¯s eyes and gave her a sincere look.

    [So I promise you, too. I won¡¯t tell anyone you¡¯re a fake.]

    [¡­]

    With him vowing so strangely solemn, she had no choice but to reply with a vague word of thanks.

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    Well, there¡¯s no particular reason for me to correct him. Leo might be essentially curt, but he¡¯s surprisingly caring.

    With that conclusion, she moved her fork and knife.

    The dining room was too huge for one person, but Arnold never showed up. Apparently, the ruckus that Myria had caused in the evening delayed his official duties.

    At long last, as Rishe finished her meal and was drinking her after-dinner tea, Oliver came to apologize.

    ¡°My apologies for not being able to accompany you to dinner¡­ And Rishe-sama, I have received a plea from the Order and His Excellency the Duke of Jonal.¡±

    ¡°Is it about Myria-sama?¡±

    ¡°Yes. As you¡¯ve probably guessed, they are asking for your help in preparing for the festival.¡±

    Standing at the entrance to the room, Oliver continued with his hand on his chest.

    ¡°Above all, Myria-sama herself expressly demanded for Rishe-sama.¡±

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    Oh, Young Miss!

    She felt a surge of excitement in my heart and wanted to agree immediately.

    However, due to her position, she couldn¡¯t give an answer at her own discretion.

    ¡°Have you told His Highness Arnold about this?¡±

    ¡°No, I thought I¡¯d ask for Rishe-sama¡¯s wishes first.¡±

    ¡°You mean we have to contrive how to tell His Highness about it, lest we¡¯d sure displease him, right?¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha-ha.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Oliver smiled refreshingly, having failed to entirely fool her.

    Rishe smacked her forehead and placed her teacup on the saucer.

    I don¡¯t know what the reason was, but His Highness didn¡¯t want me to have any contact with the Order. I wonder how he would react if he knew they were asking me to help with the festival¡­

    In any case, it wouldn¡¯t be a pleasant sight.

    Rishe contemplated for a while before telling Oliver.

    ¡°Oliver-sama, I would like to speak to His Highness about this.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not going to allow you to take on such a role.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of his anger. If anything, I would like you to help me recover afterwards.¡±

    ¡°Recover?¡±

    She parroted, failing to grasp his meaning.

 Chapter 89.2

    Nevertheless, Rishe felt it more appropriate for her to negotiate with Arnold instead of Oliver.

    It will also be convenient for me to be with Young Miss. With an excuse to stay in contact with the Jonal family, I can explore more about Young Miss¡¯s ¡®curse,¡¯ His Excellency¡¯s changes, and Leo¡¯s injuries¡­

    Besides, if she could be involved in the preparation of the ¡°Festival¡±, she might be able to understand Arnold¡¯s intentions towards the Order.

    It¡¯d be unreasonable for him to get angry at Oliver-sama because of what I want to do.

    As she was deep in thought, Oliver chuckled.

    ¡°You¡¯re very kind, Rishe-sama. I¡¯m sure that¡¯s why you¡¯ve forgiven Myria-sama. Had it been me whom Myria-sama hugged back there, I probably would have made things even worse.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have anything particular to say, but I can¡¯t imagine any interaction between His Highness Arnold and Miss Myria¡­ To start with, His Highness said that he doesn¡¯t like children.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Oliver looked dumbfounded at her response.

    ¡°That¡¯s not something you should say to your future wife, by mistake.¡±

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    ¡°Yes.¡±

    His eyes widened at the unexpected reply.

    Not knowing Rishe¡¯s feelings, Oliver bowed his head earnestly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rishe-sama. I¡¯ll give my master a stern lecture later on. He¡¯s still unaware that he will eventually be in a position to educate his heir¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, no, it¡¯s not a problem at all!! Don¡¯t worry about it at all, uh! Forget about that!!¡±

    While drowning out Oliver¡¯s remarks, Rishe hurriedly changed the subject.

    ¡°Children, yes, children! What was His Highness Arnold like when he was a child?¡±

    ¡°Oh, My Lord?¡±

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯d love to hear about it!¡±

    It was a question that came to her on the spur of the moment, but it was definitely something she was dying to ask. Oliver, who seemed pressured by Rishe, lost his bearings and replied.

    ¡°He was a wonderfully talented Crown Prince. I met him for the first time a decade ago, but I had heard of his reputation long before that.¡±

    Oliver then told her this.

    ¡°Rumors about him being a child prodigy weren¡¯t limited domestically. For example, it is said that whenever His Majesty from the desert country of Khalil Rasha came to visit, he would always bring his son along to exchange knowledge with our sovereign and practice swordsmanship with him.¡±

    ¡°His son¡± should pertain to King Zahad.

    Come to think of it, Zahad, the King of the Desert, seemed to have met Arnold several times.

    It was Zahad who promptly informed Rishe in her merchant life that Arnold Hein had started the war.

    Rishe suddenly remembered the belligerent look on Zahad¡¯s face at that moment.

    His Highness Arnold and King Zahad¡­ They¡¯re close in age, but are both royalty from countries of roughly equal power. Most importantly, they are opposites in personality and thinking. They don¡¯t seem to get along with each other very well¡­

    The desert nation of Khalil Rasha was one of the countries that would be on equal footing with Garkhain in the future when Arnold waged war. Once the two would meet at the wedding, she had a vague feeling that their interaction wouldn¡¯t pass smoothly.

    However, there was no point in worrying about that now.

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    ¡°When you met the nine-year-old Crown Prince, was he the same as rumors claimed him to be?¡±

    ¡°I was summoned to the Imperial Castle and knelt in the audience hall waiting for his arrival. I was very surprised when My Lord sat down on the chair in front of me and allowed me to look up.¡±

    Oliver smiled, almost wryly.

    ¡°The first time I saw His Highness, he looked as if carrying painful scars all over his body.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes rounded involuntarily.

 Chapter 89.3

    ¡°There was a large gauze on his small cheeks, bandages on his temples, and countless wounds on his arms and fingers. The wound on his neck didn¡¯t heal well, and the bandage covering his throat was stained with the vivid color of blood¡­ Even a grown man would have been in agony from the pain of the injuries itself and the fever that accompanied it.¡±

    There were scars on Arnold¡¯s neck from old injuries.

    The scars were large and deep, as if he had been stabbed repeatedly with a blade. She unconsciously clutched the hem of her dress.

    ¡°Despite all that, my little master sat on the chair without a care in the world and showed no sign of distress. On the contrary, his eyes were cold as frost as he rested his cheek on the armrest of the chair.¡±

    She might not have witnessed that scene, but she could picture it.

    At nine years old, he was younger than the current Leo and Myria. But even just imagining Arnold¡¯s expressionless face after being seriously injured was bizarre.

    And yet, the sight of an expressionless Arnold despite being badly injured was bizarre to even visualize.

    ¡°He was born with an exquisite appearance, so I guess it was the combination of his features and aura. I couldn¡¯t believe that a young child unleashed such a tremendous sense of intimidation. The people around me were trembling under My Lord¡¯s pressure.¡±

    ¡°You told me at noon that he killed a vassal.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. It has been customary since that incident for My Lord to have few servants.¡±

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    Rishe kept silent when he shared dryly.

    Oliver spoke lightly, but Rishe knew that he wasn¡¯t going to tell her the details of the matter.

    ¡°Many things happened at that time, and I chose to serve my lord. As he recovered from his injuries, his talents became increasingly apparent¡­ However, no matter how much he grew up as the Crown Prince, his character remained somewhat distorted.¡±

    Oliver looked down at Rishe with the gaze of an older brother talking about his younger brother.

    ¡°That¡¯s why¡­ I am relieved that he chose someone like you as his consort.¡±

    Rishe blinked as the conversation took an unexpected turn.

    ¡°I have nothing to offer His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°Nothing of that sort. Besides, he seemed to be enjoying himself very much. I¡¯ve never heard him call someone¡¯s name so gently.¡±

    ¡°M¡­¡±

    Now that he put it like that, it made her feel shy to hear him just call her name.

    Oliver blinked with an ¡°Oh¡± when Rishe hung her head somewhat shyly.

    ¡°You look much different from before.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°When you first came to Garkhain, you didn¡¯t seem too happy when I told you that I had never seen him so happy. I¡¯m glad to see that you¡¯re developing a good bond with us, hahaha.¡±

    ¡°N-That was¡­! You got it wrong. I didn¡¯t mean to imply anything special!¡±

    If not, what was it then?

    Now I¡¯m happy when His Highness smiles¡­

    She couldn¡¯t help but feel troubled with that certain fact.

    Rishe stood up, flustered and bowed to Oliver.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go call His Highness. No matter how much work he has to do, he still needs to eat!¡±

    ¡°Thank you very much. If Rishe-sama can speak to him, he¡¯d be happy to round up his official duties.¡±

    ¡°I-If you¡¯ll excuse me.¡±

    Rishe raised her head and hurried out of the dining room and into the hallway. She never looked back at Oliver and began to walk to the east side of the temple.

    ¡°My Lord, you¡¯re cruel to your future wife.¡±

    Oliver muttered, but it remained unheard.

    ***

    My cheeks are burning from all the strange thoughts I¡¯ve been having.

    Rishe left the guest house and headed through the corridor to the tower where Arnold was. The cool night breeze might have cooled the heat a bit.

    As she followed Arnold¡¯s signs and looked for the room he was using for the meeting with the bishops, she overheard something.

    ¡°But still, Lady Rishe will make a wonderful wife for you.¡±

    ¡°?!¡±

    It was Schneider¡¯s voice, the archbishop¡¯s assistant.

    W-Well, another strange topic! And this presence¡­

    As Rishe came to a sudden halt, she heard Arnold¡¯s voice from the other side of the hallway.

    ¡°Anyone from the Order has no grounds to evaluate my wife.¡±

    The echoing footsteps stopped abruptly.

    The only people ahead of her seemed to be Arnold and Schneider.

    Rishe masked her presence while Schneider frankly spoke.

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    ¡°Your Highness, all marriages are united by the blessings of the Goddess and the Order. We are a part of your marriage.¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡­ First, it¡¯s a pointless debate about what kind of Queen she will be.¡±

    Arnold spelled out in a more frosty and savage voice than usual.

    ¡°Because she¡¯s only going to be my nominal wife.¡±

    In a blind spot in the corner, Rishe gasped.

    ¡°W-What do you mean? You looked on good terms earlier, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s worth using. It was merely a matter of respecting her until we get married¡­ Once I take her as my official wife, I won¡¯t lay a finger on her. I¡¯ll just lock her up in a detached palace and tame her.¡±

    Although he sounded displeased, his words carried weight.

    Schneider, who was listening at his side, stated in confusion.

    ¡°Y-You can¡¯t keep her till she dies¡­!¡¡It is against the will of the Goddess to treat your wife in such a manner!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about that.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Riche pondered for a moment, then withdrew without making a sound.

    She counted for about ten seconds and then turned down the corridor toward Arnold and Scheiner with her shoes clacking.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s Rishe-sama.¡±

    The bishop, Schneider, looked at her somewhat perturbed.

    Rishe smiled and greeted, ¡°Good evening.¡±

    Next, she looked up at Arnold next to him and said with a different expression.

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 Chapter 90.1 Future Husbandâ€™s Speculation

    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Your Highness!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe exclaimed and clung tightly to Arnold¡¯s arm.

    Arnold seemed to have gasped, but it went unnoticeable.

    When he looked down at her with his usual blank expression, Rishe raised her head and gave him a petulant child-like look.

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d be late coming back, but I didn¡¯t expect to find you here. Your Highness didn¡¯t come back, so I had dinner alone, you know?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve had a break from your work, you should have come to see me immediately, as you always did. I don¡¯t want you to forget that I¡¯m looking forward to seeing You Highness at all times.¡±

    She clung to Arnold¡¯s arm and rubbed her head against it.

    Rishe feigned anger and looked up at Arnold like a spoiled child.

    ¨D¨D Acting as if she hadn¡¯t heard a word of the exchange just now.

    Now, how will Your Highness react?

    Rishe hugged Arnold¡¯s arm even tighter before Bishop Schneider¡¯s eyes.

    Arnold frowned slightly but only for a moment.

    Unless my behavior was an excessive pretense¡­

    As she was wondering, Arnold spoke.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Just as she suspected.

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    Arnold whispered downcast and patted Rishe on the head as if to comfort her.

    ¡°I¡¯ve just finished my official duties. I¡¯ve thought of rushing things, but I seem to have made you lonely.¡±

    The most beautifully shaped fingers in the world combed her coral-colored hair.

    Gentle fingers dotingly brushed Rishe¡¯s sideburns over her ears. Then he looked closely into her eyes and asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have a quick dinner but stay by my side, all right?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Your Highness. And while we¡¯re eating, I would like to hear about the events of the day.¡±

    Rishe smiled gently and enacted a familiar exchange.

    After that, she turned her attention to Schneider.

    ¡°Bishop, I apologize for my willfulness. But may I have My Lord back for tonight?¡±

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    She rubbed her cheek against Arnold¡¯s arm and dared to request willfully.

    The stunned Schneider cleared his throat and nodded.

    ¡°O-Of course. The Goddess commends hard work, but not if it¡¯s at the expense of your health. ¨D¨D Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.¡±

    Schneider scrambled off.

    Rishe was lost in thought as she watched him disappear.

    You must not marry Arnold Hein.

    The Bishop warned her.

    She must find out what his intentions were as soon as possible. To that end, she needed to lend a hand to Myria for the festival.

    While she was thinking in silence, Arnold next to her spoke.

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    She wondered why he sounded so close.

    ¡°H¡ª¡±

    The moment it dawned on Rishe, she turned pale.

    ¡°Hyaaah!¡±

    Speaking of which, she was still hugging Arnold¡¯s arm.

    She shrieked and distanced herself away upon registering it. She held up her hands and apologized, insisting that she meant no harm.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry! I was so lost in thought that I forgot I¡¯m clinging to your arm!! And forgive me for sticking to you without your permission!!¡±

    ¡°Why are you apologizing?¡±

    Arnold wrinkled his brow and looked back at her pensively.

    ¡°Did you hear it? I said I was going to make you my nominal wife.¡±

    ¡°Of course, I heard it¡­¡±

    Rishe tilted her head and looked into Arnold¡¯s blue eyes.

    ¡°How could I possibly take Your Highness¡¯s word for it?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 90.2

    Arnold felt momentarily caught off-guard when she asked with sincere wonder.

    ¡°I thought that maybe you said it to encourage my ¡°idle life as the Crown Princess¡­ Rather than doing so out of indolence, it would be more convenient if Your Highness were to keep me under house arrest or the like. But I can¡¯t imagine Your Highness going out of your way to tell the Order about it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°So, for the time being, I decided to jump on Your Highness¡¯s bandwagon¡­ I have no idea what your motives are, but you wanted to keep it ¡®this way¡¯ for the Bishop, right? I thought it would be more convenient for me to play the lousy wife who never doubted Your Highness and mistakenly believed that you love me.¡±

    The more she elaborated, the deeper the wrinkles on his brow.

    Rishe realized why he was resistant from the start.

    His Highness must have sensed my presence.

    Although she stood in a blind spot at the corner of the corridor, he must have picked up whiffs and footsteps.

    Thus, he must have a motive for stating such claims under the circumstances.

    It was for this reason she retreated to the middle of the corridor and played the role of an unknowing fianc¨¦e, pretending that she had just arrived at this place.

    Arnold looked bitter for a while, but eventually spoke.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you were playing ¡®lousy wife¡¯ the way you behaved earlier.¡±

    ¡°Huh?! Have I probably failed?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡±

    Then he turned around and muttered after a sigh.

    ¡°You could have punched me in the face.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    Rishe was frankly surprised to hear this unexpected statement.

    By any chance, is he feeling guilty about me¡­?

    That said, if Rishe appeared there as normal, it would have been meaningless for him to lie to Schneider.

    ¡°I would be much better if you could tell me what your intentions are instead of beating you up.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not expecting you to tell me. ¨D¨D More importantly, Your Highness¡¯s dinner.¡±

    The priests would prepare the meals for them while they were in the Grand Shrine. Since she was drinking tea earlier, the kitchen fire might not have been put out yet.

    I wonder if I can ask Oliver-sama to deliver the dinner now.

    As she was thinking, Arnold suddenly spoke.

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust people who say anything like that.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe blinked and replayed the words that rang like a warning.

    Perhaps it was the lighting in the hallway, but Arnold¡¯s sea-blue eyes smoldered with a somewhat gloomy glint.

    ¡°Nothing has changed. I¡¯m just using you for my own purposes.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    Rishe looked him straight in the eye and replied without skipping a beat.

    ¡°It takes more than just words to trust someone.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Arnold probably didn¡¯t realize it.

    His behavior so far was sufficient proof of his trust.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you on the balcony of the cathedral during the day? I believe that there¡¯s always a reason when you pretend to be mean.¡±

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    Once there, Rishe put an end to it and smiled.

    ¡°I won¡¯t go so far as to say you can trust me too, Your Highness¡­ But please bear in mind, I¡¯m not someone who would easily falter when pushed away a bit!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes widened subtly.

    Then he sighed softly and muttered to himself, keeping his eyes down.

    ¡°That much, I already know.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She was glad to hear him say that.

    Arnold, on the other hand, looked into her eyes again and said.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for upsetting you. What do you want from me?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. Besides, I don¡¯t intend to be a fianc¨¦e of convenience, so no worries about that!¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Her beaming smile alarmed Arnold a bit.

    Pfft, you¡¯re probably feeling an ominous premonition, but I¡¯ll take advantage of the guilt you just showed me!

    The best time to negotiate was when the other party apologized to you.

    It was one of the things she learned in her merchant life, and it was surprisingly effective.

    ¡°First things first. I would like to help Myria-sama prepare for the festival, so please give me your permission.

    ¡°Help with the festival?¡±

    Arnold looked as if he¡¯d just had something terribly bad thrown into his mouth.

    ¡°Did the Order ask you to do this?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind the details. I also have one more favor to ask.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°No, I will add two more. If something crops up, I¡¯ll discuss them with you in due course!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    In the end, Arnold acquiesced to Rishe¡¯s stubborn request.

 Chapter 91.1 Former Master and her Fluffy Hair

    After finishing breakfast with Arnold in the dining hall on the second morning after arriving at the Grand Shrine, Rishe saw him off to his official duties and returned to her room.

    She took out a leather trunk case from under her bed, which contained many small bottles. Rishe pondered and took out three of the bottles.

    The glittering bottles were decorated with floral patterns made by glass convex.

    She stowed them in a small bag and left the room with them, heading for the floor where Myria¡¯s room was located.

    The Duke, Myria¡¯s father, was standing at the door.

    ¡°Good morning, Your Excellency Jonal.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re here, Rishe-sama.¡±

    The Duke turned to Rishe and gave her a polite bow with his hand on his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my daughter is still getting ready¡­ I¡¯m very grateful for your assistance in preparing for the festival. You are still in the middle of your own rituals, but as her father, I can¡¯t be of much help.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry about it. Besides, I¡¯ve made an outlandish request.¡±

    She meant the ¡°request¡± she put forward through Arnold last night. The duke immediately thought of it and smiled, ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°It is nothing outlandish. It would be my pleasure.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you agreed. It might come as a surprise, but¡­¡±

    While they were chatting, a sulky voice came from behind the door.

    ¡°What are you talking about, Papa and Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. That aside, didn¡¯t I tell you to come out, Myria? You¡¯re keeping Rishe-sama waiting.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Myria fell silent, and the Duke sighed.

    ¡°Myria, are you listening to me? That¡¯s why I told you to let the maids stay. It will take a long time for you to get ready by yourself.¡±

    ¡°I can put on my dress by myself!¡­ I did it¡­ properly.¡±

    ¡°Then quickly get out of there. It¡¯s almost time for your rehearsal.¡±

    ¡°Please wait, Your Excellency. Would you mind stepping away from the door for a moment?¡±

    Rishe took over the Duke¡¯s place and spoke gently to Myria.

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­ Are you perhaps not changing your dress right now, but taking care of your hair?¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    She heard a gasp. In light of her reaction, she was convinced that she guessed it right.

    That¡¯s right. ¨D¨D This is the 13th reason why Young Miss doesn¡¯t come out of her room in the morning. ¡®On humid mornings, you should know that your fluffy hair is even fluffier!¡¯

    Rishe neatly composed herself and whispered to Myria.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, please let me help you get ready¡­ Do you mind letting me into your room?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After a moment of hesitation, the door opened a crack. The Duke saw it and called out to his daughter in a rush.

    ¡°Myria!¡±

    ¡°Papa can¡¯t come in here! Only Rishe-sama can enter my room!¡±

    ¡°My apologies, Your Excellency. Please respect the lady¡¯s pride and wait here for a while longer.¡±

    ¡°W-What¡­¡±

    Rishe left the Duke in a daze and entered Myria¡¯s room.

    Then, there stood Myria on the verge of tears and her pale violet hair puffed out in a fluffy mess.

    ¡°Ri-Rishe-sama¡­¡±

    She must have been struggling for a long time. Her purple hair was tangled in the brush clutched in her small hands.

    It must have been painful when she tried to comb by force.

    ¡°What should I do? If I don¡¯t do something, I¡¯ll be late for the festival rehearsal. I don¡¯t want to show this disgusting head to my dad or the archbishop!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of it right away.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯ve been up early and kept at it long ago. And yet, it¡¯s no good at all. I¡¯m never going to make it¡­!¡±

    On the side table, there was a tray that seemed used to carry breakfast. The soup bowl was empty, but there was more than half a loaf of bread left.

    Perhaps she had been struggling without eating properly.

    I need to finish quickly and have her eat breakfast.

    Rishe opened her bag and took out three small bottles from inside.

    ¡°Myria-sama, please open the lid of this bottle and smell the scent.¡±

    ¡°¡­Floral scent?¡±

    ¡°Yes. This bottle has a lily fragrance, and this blue bottle has an orchid fragrance. The clear bottle here is lilac.¡±

    Myria sniffed the vials that Rishe showed her.

 Chapter 91.2

    ¡°It smells nice. What is it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an oil that you can use for hair care, and it will control your hair from becoming frizzy.¡±

    ¡°Oil! But don¡¯t hair oils have a more peculiar scent? Most of them are white in color, but the bottle contents are transparent.¡±

    ¡°This one is made from vegetable oil, and no animal fat is used. It doesn¡¯t have an unpleasant odor and doesn¡¯t clump when applied on long hair.¡±

    Rishe had made all preparations before leaving Garkhain.

    Most of them were based on the premise that she would meet Myria at the Grand Shrine.

    In addition to the stuffed animal she used for her magic trick, she also has an assortment of homemade hair oil, hand cream, and everything else that made Myria appreciated in her life as a maid.

    The three bottles of hair oil she took out from her trunk were each Myria¡¯s favorite scents in her previous life.

    ¡°Which one of these do you like best?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure which one I like best!¡¡I like them all, but I think I¡¯m in the mood for lilac.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Then, let¡¯s go with lilac today. Please sit here.¡±

    She sat Myria in front of the mirror stand and poured out the bottle content into her palm.

    A sweet, but not overpowering floral scent gently permeated. She rubbed the oil in both hands and carefully applied it into Myria¡¯s hair.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen hair oil like this before. Is it distributed in Garkhain?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s mainly distributed in the eastern continent. It¡¯s not easy to find on this continent, so I made them.¡±

    ¡°You made them? Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s easy as long as you have all the ingredients, so let me teach you how to make them next time.¡±

    After she finished applying the oil, she received the brush from Myria.

    As she combed through the tangled hair, she tamed the hair that became frizzy from the humidity. Myria¡¯s eyes sparkled, watching the change.

    ¡°Amazing¡­ It was so shaggy just now.¡±

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    ¡°We have plenty of time, so let¡¯s just continue braiding it. Can I leave that to you?¡±

    ¡°O-Of course!¡±

    Myria¡¯s cheeks flushed as she looked at Rishe through the mirror.

    ¡°Somehow, it feels like when my mom asked me.¡±

    It was an inaudible and brief soliloquy.

    Myria probably didn¡¯t mean for Rishe to hear it. She understood it, so she just smiled and she didn¡¯t reply.

    Instead, she chatted with her casually as she let her braid her beautifully colored hair.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, how was your dress yesterday?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t try it on and put it right back! The measurements should be right, and I didn¡¯t want to spend too much time changing.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you can¡¯t judge the balance of the hem and sleeves until you try it on, can you?¡±

    ¡°Because we¡¯ll dye the dress? It might be the right length for a white dress, but it will probably be different for a pink dress! If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d better get it done fast. We¡¯ll dye it beautifully, and if I feel that the balance is not right, we can adjust it on the spot!¡±

    ¡°Hmm, indeed. You¡¯re right, Myria-sama.¡±

    As they were talking, Myria suddenly looked out the window.

    When Rishe followed her gaze, she saw Leo walking in the courtyard. He was not heading for the forest, so he was probably running an errand.

    ¡°Myria-sama, do you ever chat with Leo over there?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to that kid, because he takes me as a child all in all.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true that you are a year younger than him¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s experience, not the number of years you¡¯ve lived that determines your mental age!¡±

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    Myria¡¯s gestures were childish as she sat on a chair and swayed her legs while stating something mature.

    But all of a sudden, her expression clouded. She gently lowered her eyes and muttered melancholy.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Papa has no qualms about taking in a child from an orphanage.¡±

    Rishe nodded, feeling the echo of melancholy in her words.

    ¡°Papa brought Leo in as a servant out of the blue. At an orphanage run by the Order, Bishop Schneider asked him to help because he was fighting all the time.¡±

 Chapter 91.3

    ¡°So that¡¯s how it was.¡±

    ¡°He brought him home without consulting me, and Papa is terrible. He told me that Leo would be my playmate. Besides, he wanted me to know that there are children from all walks of life in this world.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe somehow understood the reason for Myria¡¯s frustration.

    ¡°I told my maidservants about it, and do you know what they said? ¡®Your father is awful. If it¡¯s a friend, he should at least be a girl.¡¯ Others also said, ¡®I wish he considered your feelings.¡¯ Or something like, ¡®How about getting a puppy then?¡¯ They¡¯re not what I meant. What I don¡¯t like is¡­¡±

    ¡°Because it seems that Leo¡¯s own wishes were not taken into account, right?¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s guess made Myria¡¯s eyes widen.

    ¡°No matter what circumstances Leo was born into, he should live as Leo. He¡¯s neither your playmate nor a teaching tool for you to learn about the world. And yet he was only concerned about you, so you hated it, right?¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    After a heaving blink, Myria muttered, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    After speaking, she chewed on each word as she continued.

    ¡°I really didn¡¯t like it. Why should Leo be taken in for those reasons just because he grew up in an orphanage? He might have had his own reasons for fighting with the other kids. But I couldn¡¯t believe that Papa, who never listened to me before he took Leo in, listened to his opinions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to agree with your thoughts, Myria-sama. ¨D¨D But, you know there are things wrong with you too, don¡¯t you?¡±

    When questioned, the tips of Myria¡¯s brows lowered.

    ¡°I guess I never properly explained my feelings to Papa and always felt angry at him¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yesterday and today, you haven¡¯t told your father much about your feelings, have you? Why don¡¯t you tell him that this isn¡¯t just an inconsiderate whim, but that you have your own thoughts and circumstances?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so honest with me, so there must be a reason why you don¡¯t do so with your father.¡±

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    That said, Myria¡¯s face increasingly turned cloudy.

    Nope. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s in the mood to talk about it.

    She showed this kind of expression whenever she felt that. Rishe knew this all too well from her experience in her previous life.

    So, she gave up listening and picked up a lemon colored ribbon.

    ¡°Look, Myria-sama. How about this?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s lovely!¡±

    Myria let out a cheerful voice when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

    Rishe finished her hairstyle, making a ring of hair high on each side and clipping them high.

    Like the ears of a small bear, she curled them up on either side. As a finishing treatment, she braided the edges and tied them together at the back of her head with a ribbon. It was a simple yet lovely hairstyle that suited Myria well.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? It¡¯s so cute!!¡±

    This was your favorite hairstyle when you were a little girl.

    Rishe smiled, reminiscing the old days.

    As Myria grew older, she didn¡¯t ask much for it. But for ten-year-old Myria, she found it very satisfying.

    ¡°Thank you very much, Rishe-sama! This is perfect for rehearsal!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, let¡¯s go. Can you greet your father waiting for you in the hallway with a big smile?¡±

    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s no good! It must be an elegant and ladylike greeting, befitting this hairdo!¡±

    Myria ran quickly toward the door with an excited smile. Rishe also followed her, planning on her next move.

    I¡¯ve still got a lot of work to do. But I can¡¯t let this opportunity pass me by.

 Chapter 92.1 Its important to know who youre dealing with.

    The rehearsal for the festival that began in this way proceeded unexpectedly smoothly.

    As the Archbishop led the way, Myria solemnly performed her role as the substitute Maiden Priestess.

    Her walking posture from the main nave to the altar and the way she paid tribute to the Goddess were perfect.

    The bishops around her looked surprised, especially when she recited the long text of the sacred poem without a hitch.

    Reece smiled softly as she watched the rehearsal behind the cathedral.

    Young Miss is a hard worker. She must have been practicing by herself since she was assigned as the Maiden Priestess.

    The Myria of today was no longer Rishe¡¯s master. Even so, she felt somewhat proud and supported Myria¡¯s efforts.

    A certain man walked to Rishe¡¯s side.

    ¡°Wonderful. The preliminaries for the festival seem to be going very well.

    ¡°Bishop-sama.¡±

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    It was Schneider who spoke to her. Rishe looked up at him and smiled back.

    ¡°Please forgive me for displaying something immodest last night. I was feeling lonely when His Highness failed to return.¡±

    ¡°O-Oh, it¡¯s nothing¡­¡±

    Schneider looked somewhat uncomfortable, as if recalling last night.

    After that, he cleared his throat and looked at Myria in front of the altar.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have dragged you into the festivities when you¡¯re only here for the ritual.¡±

    ¡°No. If you¡¯re talking about this, please don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t do that. When picking, we should have chosen a girl of a more sensible age to stand in for the Maiden Priestess¡­ The Maiden Priestess¡¯s family has a distinctive trait in their hair color.¡±

    His words made her think of the mural she saw on the balcony yesterday.

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    ¡°Although Myria-sama is a substitute, she was chosen because she fit the criteria, even if only a little.¡±

    ¡°Was it based on a verse from the sacred poem, ¡®The Girl with the Floral Hair¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Outstanding. That part is translated as ¡°Spring Colored Girl¡± for the masses, but you grasped it well.¡±

    ¡°Someone taught me how to read it.¡±

    To be on the safe side, she didn¡¯t mention Arnold¡¯s name.

    Meanwhile, something suddenly occurred to her.

    I wonder what His Highness Arnauld thought about it.

    Rishe pondered while lending an ear to Schneider.

    Is it possible that reading the sacred poem has given him an inkling of ¡®that thing¡¯? Impossible. We¡¯re talking about His Highness Arnold here. It¡¯s possible that he has known it all along. If that¡¯s the case, I can understand why he looked at me like that.

    While her thoughts were turning, Schneider looked at her.

    He appeared calm, but it also made his eyes look ruthless.

    ¡°You have a very beautiful hair color.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s shoulders jerked at his comment.

    Schneider was unaware of it. If it had been Arnold, for example, he would have guessed right away.

    ¡°With a hair color like Miss Rishe, you would have definitely been chosen as a substitute Maiden Priestess. It¡¯s a shame that you weren¡¯t born in the Kingdom of Domana¡­¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DWhen it comes to rituals dedicated to God, the most important thing is faith and passion.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Schneider was amazed at Rishe¡¯s rebuttal.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think so, Bishop?¡±

    ¡°Th-That¡¯s right¡­¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama is taking her role very seriously. If I can help her in any way in her efforts, I would be honored to do so.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    This time, Rishe pressed for answers on Schneider who fell silent.

    ¡°By the way, on a different note, Bishop said something strange yesterday. Why shouldn¡¯t I marry His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°M-Miss Rishe, we¡¯ll talk about it another time.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

 Chapter 92.2

    Rishe rushed down the main nave with fluttering tiny footsteps.

    Schneider was flabbergasted and bowed to excuse himself. Rishe closely watched his back, but accepted Myria¡¯s hug.

    ¡°Did you listen, Rishe-sama?! I never missed a beat at the rehearsal!¡±

    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s very impressive, Myria-sama!¡±

    She seconded and hugged Myria back, earning her delighted giggle.

    Myria¡¯s cheeks were dyed with happiness, but then she said with a taut expression.

    ¡°But I still need to practice! This dress isn¡¯t for the real show, and I didn¡¯t use any of the sacred tools/ceremonial objects today. The setup will change a bit more, so I¡¯m gonna try to stay on top of it! It¡¯s because you must be very careful when handling sacred objects!¡±

    ¡°The sacred tool is the bow held by the Maiden Priestess, right? She shoots arrows infused with the power of each season in order to rotate the seasons on behalf of the Goddess.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Of course, we just pretend to shoot at the festival¡­¡±

    Even though it was a ceremonial object, a bow and arrow was a weapon.

    Myria showed a slight tension, perhaps because she knew this well.

    Rishe massaged her small hand to relieve her tension.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go for lunch, shall we, Myria-sama? Today, they specially arranged for us to eat in the garden!¡±

    ¡°Is it a picnic by any chance?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a beautiful day, so I¡¯m sure it will be pleasant. ¨D¨D The sun may be too bright, so you should wear a hat, Myria-sama.¡±

    She developed a habit in her maid life and tended to say such things. She was worried that it might appear a bit strange, but Myria didn¡¯t seem to mind that much.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never eaten outside before!¡±

    Rishe beamed as the girl¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement.

    However, Myria¡¯s innocent expression changed as soon as she was taken to the lunch table.

    ***

    ¡°W-What, Why¡­?¡±

    When Myria arrived at the garden and saw the cloth spread out on the grass, she stiffened and trembled.

    Rishe expected her reaction, so she proceeded with her preparations without worrying. She then beckoned Myria over to her on the cloth.

    ¡°Come on, Myria. Please come here.¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute, Rishe-sama! Hey, why is¡­¡±

    A small finger pointed unceremoniously at one person.

    ¡°Why is Leo here?¡±

    ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t want to be here, My Lady.¡±

    Leo sullenly remarked while sitting down on the cloth. Rishe gently chided her as she set the dishes on the cloth.

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    ¡°Myria-sama, don¡¯t point your finger at people, okay? When you eat, smile and don¡¯t fight at the table.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know Leo was here! Why on earth¡­¡±

    ¡°You were worried about Leo this morning, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m not prepared for this out of the blue!! I¡¯ve never been to the same dinner table with Leo, no matter how many times Dad invited him!!¡±

    Leo sulked when Myria accused him of this.

    ¡°¡­ I just came here because they said I could eat delicious meat, even though I didn¡¯t really want to.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you mean the meat lured you here¡­?¡±

    Myria was aghast, but this was part of Rishe¡¯s plan.

    Even Leo, in her knight life, was always curt, but only when she told him there would be a meat-roasting party in the garden did he come close to her.

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    ¡°Please take a seat, Myria-sama. If we don¡¯t eat soon, you won¡¯t be able to make it to practice this afternoon, you know?¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    Perhaps stimulated by her sense of responsibility, Myria sat down awkwardly on the cloth.

 Chapter 92.3

    Rishe opened the basket and took out the lunch that the priests had prepared for them.

    There was a large round loaf of bread cut in two, filled with plenty of vegetables and meat, and topped with a sweet and spicy sauce.

    This way, the plates were minimal, and there was no need for knives and forks. It was a perfect lunch for outdoor consumption and an easy way for common folks to eat. Nevertheless, Myria was sure she had never seen anything like it.

    ¡°Meat and vegetables sandwiched in such a big piece of bread¡­ How do you eat this?¡±

    ¡°Keep the bottom half wrapped in paper and hold it in your hand and enjoy it as is. Be careful not to spill the sauce.¡±

    ¡°Like this?!¡±

    When Rishe nodded, Myria opened her mouth timidly.

    Seeing this, Leo commented sardonically.

    ¡°You can only bite the edges of the bread if you open your mouth so elegantly.¡±

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. It¡¯s the first time I had it¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmph¡­¡±

    Leo declined to comment further.

    Instead, he opened his mouth wide in front of Myria¡¯s eyes and bit into the bread in his hand.

    ¡°Big mouth¡­¡±

    Myria watched on in amazement.

    But eventually, she looked at her hand and opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

    Then she took a bite.

    At first, she seemed hesitant, squirming and making dainty jaw movements. After a few seconds, her eyes lit up.

    ¡°¡­Mmmm!¡±

    It was obvious she found it delicious.

    Rishe giggled, seeing her all-too-obvious reaction. As if he had been hit by some kind of pressure point, Leo also immediately covered his mouth, as if trying to hold back a laugh.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it. Do you like it, Leo?¡±

    ¡°I-It¡¯s okay.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s delicious, thank goodness!¡±

    Breathing a sigh of relief, Rishe decided to start eating as well.

    Despite her inner worries, Myria and Leo were having a little conversation.

    ¡°What¡¯s the sauce that L-Leo just put on the meat?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It looked spicy and delicious, so I just spread it on.¡±

    ¡°Is it spicy? How can it be spicy and still taste good?¡±

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t think the kids will understand, so you¡¯d better not try it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re only one year older than I am!¡±

    They might be unwilling, but at first glance, their conversation was reasonably pleasant.

    I still can¡¯t conclude what causes Leo to get injured in the future. I¡¯m also curious about Young Miss¡¯s ¡°curse¡±. However, if it¡¯s as I imagined, there¡¯s nothing better than a good relationship between the two of them.

    Yesterday, Myria had said that she herself had the power to curse, and that anyone who rejected her would be in danger.

    Before dismissing it as ¡°impossible,¡± she must find out why Myria made such a statement.

    Myria spoke shyly as she was lost in thought.

    ¡°U-Erm, that¡­ Is Leo having any trouble at our house?¡±

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    ¡°Nothing in particular. Other than my employer¡¯s daughter throwing one hell of a tantrum.¡±

    ¡°Well, t-that¡¯s¡­!¡±

    ¡°Come on, Leo. Don¡¯t be mean to her.¡±

    When Rishe chided him, Leo tossed the last bite of bread and piece of meat into his mouth and finished it before replying.

    ¡°I have a room to myself and free time after work. In that sense, it¡¯s much easier to spend time there than at the orphanage.¡±

    Myria appeared relieved with his answer. With more than half of her lunch still in her hand, she shot her next question.

    ¡°What was the orphanage where you stayed like?¡±

    ¡°Is that a curiosity-driven question?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not! I just want to know¡­¡±

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    Leo was struck with guilt when Myria hung her head dejectedly.

    He suddenly turned away from Myria and explained in a blunt manner.

    ¡°People have different takes about what kind of place it is. For those who are suited to live there, it¡¯s a good place to stay.¡±

    ¡°I heard you weren¡¯t suited for a job, so you got kicked out and came to us.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    Leo muttered quietly in response. The murmur was normally inaudible, but Rishe read the movement of his lips.

    ¡°I was driven out because I wasn¡¯t fit for it.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    What did that mean?

    Rishe wondered what went on, but she was reluctant to get in the way of their conversation. She just listened to Leo and Myria¡¯s exchange while eating her lunch.

    ¡°Bishop Schneider is in charge of the orphanage, isn¡¯t he? You mean Bishop Schneider is your father?¡±

    ¡°No way.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Myria was jolted at Leo¡¯s decisive denial.

    ¡°He took care of me. He taught me how to live. That¡¯s all. I don¡¯t have any parents.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m sorry, that was uncalled for. You¡¯re not blood related, so you shouldn¡¯t carelessly refer to him as your father.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I meant¡­ I¡¯m done eating, so can I go now? I¡¯ll clean up what I¡¯ve used.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Leo, wait, wait.¡±

    Rishe hurriedly stopped him, and Leo, who was about to stand up, looked at her in doubt.

    ¡°What is it? I have to get this over with soon, lest my afternoon chores¡­¡±

    ¡°Your afternoon chores have been rescheduled. I have spoken to His Excellency Jonal and told him that I would like to have Leo¡¯s time.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DWhat?¡±

    Leo scrunched up his face as hard as he could, but Rishe merely smiled at him.

    ¨D¨D Thus, after lunch.

    In the courtyard on the outskirts of the Grand Shrine, Rishe explained to a certain person.

    ¡°You probably remember, but just in case. This is Leo, the errand boy of His Excellency Jonal I told you about last night.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Leo was met with a look from this man and felt immensely uncomfortable.

    ¡°And Leo, let me introduce you again. He is ¨D¨D¡±

    Rishe halted and looked up at the man standing beside her.

    As far as she could gauge, he looked very unhappy. But without much concern, she returned her gaze to Leo.

    ¡°His Royal Highness Arnold Hein, Crown Prince of Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    At that moment, Leo slumped down and muttered, ¡°Why is this happening¡­?¡±

 Chapter 93.1 Change the future a bit

    ¡°Hey, Leo.¡±

    Rishe looked down at the whorl of his hair and called to him.

    When Leo raised his head and gave her a vigilant look. The future one-eyed him would also look at adults with such a look in his eyes.

    Rishe remembered with a smile and asked him.

    ¡°¨D¨DWhy don¡¯t you learn martial arts from His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°Huh ¡­?!¡±

    His exclamation was a mixture of surprise and fright.

    Leo reflexively looked up at Arnold and blinked in disbelief.

    However, when he realized that Arnold didn¡¯t correct her despite looking reluctant, he finally turned blue.

    ¡°Na-I¡¯ll learn. Me?!¡±

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    ¡°He is really powerful. In the last war, he single-handedly annihilated a rival knight order.¡±

    I know that much about him!! I heard that he is the Crown Prince of Garkhain, which means that he is Arnold Hein, right?¡­ AHH!!!¡±

    Leo covered his mouth with both hands, perhaps realizing that his remarks were disrespectful. Arnold looked unconcerned, but for Leo, it was a huge slight.

    Nevertheless, I¡¯m really glad that His Highness Arnold has agreed to help.

    It was only last night that Rishe decided on this promise.

    Arnold offered an apology, and she asked him for a total of three wishes.

    The first was to help with the festival, and the second was this.

    His Excellency Jonal has also readily agreed to this¡­ The rest is now up to Leo¡¯s sentiments¡­

    Rishe glanced at Arnold and solicited his demand.

    Arnold commanded Leo indifferently.

    ¡°¨D¨DStraighten up.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    His voice was plain, yet clear.

    Arnold has a way with his words. His voice even sounded as if it would make people sober up just hearing it when he was commanding them to do something.

    Leo couldn¡¯t conceal his confusion, but he eventually made up his mind. He rested his hands pointing to the ground and stood up, concentrating all pressure on his knees.

    He then stared straight at Arnold.

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    Arnold squinted at the sight.

    ¡°Take a few random steps and walk properly.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes, sir.¡±

    Leo did as he was told and began to walk slowly through the courtyard.

    ¡°Halt.¡±

    He stopped dead in his tracks.

    Arnold¡¯s brow wrinkled, and he looked at Rishe.

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    ¡°M. Did Your Highness notice it too?¡±

    Rishe cocked her head, Arnold replied without concealing his reluctance.

    ¡°What the hell were you planning to do with all this stuff you picked up?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s quite a difficult question for me to answer, but I¡¯m sure Your Highness will take care of him¡­¡±

    ¡°You know what¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. He closed his eyes and sighed softly.

    Leo remained vigilant, but he still asked politely.

    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure what¡¯s going on here.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Leo. I know it¡¯s none of my business, but I couldn¡¯t help but worry.¡±

    Rishe continued, choosing her words cautiously.

    ¡°You¡¯ve undergone some kind of training, haven¡¯t you?

    ¡°!!¡±

    Leo¡¯s eyes widened instantly.

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    ¡°W-W-What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You also did it rather recklessly. You¡¯ve suffered a physical injury and haven¡¯t healed properly, yet you¡¯re still performing the same training, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°What made you think that?!¡±

    ¡°Because that¡¯s how you carry yourself.¡±

    With her reply, Leo¡¯s strawberry-colored eyes shook in bewilderment.

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to feel the pain anymore, but the joint in your right ankle has loosened up. You¡¯re unconsciously shielding it, so it¡¯s causing a peculiar habit in the way you walk. Can you think of a situation where you bend your right leg easily, but feel no pain twisting it?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 93.2

    Arnold must be in agreement and remained silent.

    Aside from Rishe, whom he took a walk with him through the forest, he had only taken a few steps before Arnold here. How observant was he to be able to see through that?

    ¡°Then there¡¯s your arms or perhaps your shoulders, I should say¡­ Do you know how overused your right shoulder is?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°If nothing¡¯s done, your growth will be compromised.¡±

    The future Leo that Rishe was quite different.

    Leo¡¯s previous employer punished and left him with one eye, but he must have suffered injuries all over back then. His limbs also suffered from the sequelae of his injuries, and he seemed to find it arduous moving himself.

    ¡°It¡¯s not too late now.¡±

    The memories of her life as a knight flooded her mind.

    Leo would come every so often to watch in the corner of the garden where Rishe and the others were training. Except for that time, he would never approach a place where others were.

    Back then, Leo by no means watched them. He merely watched sword fighting training.

    He radiated an undeniable longing.

    He had eyes that looked at dreams that he could no longer have and that would never come true.

    If she could, she never wanted Leo in this life to have such eyes.

    I don¡¯t know for what reason Leo will be injured enough to lose one of his eyes in the future. The best way to prevent that is to change his environment, but it won¡¯t do any good if Leo sets on a path he doesn¡¯t want to take.

    Life should always be based on one¡¯s own will, and one should always choose a path he desires.

    With this thought in mind, she looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°So, Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His squire, Oliver, was also impaired due to overtraining in all likelihood.

    Because of Arnold, the training of knight cadets was changed, taking into account the strains on the body.

    ¡°Since you asked it of me, I won¡¯t break my word¡­What matters is what this kid chooses to do.¡±

    Arnold regarded Leo coldly.

    ¡°If you¡¯re up for it, I¡¯ll give you a stepping stone to the strength you desire. But I¡¯m not going to lend a hand to someone half-hearted either.¡±

    ¡°H-I¡­¡±

    ¡°I have your master¡¯s permission. What happens next is up to you.¡±

    Leo hesitated for a moment with a streak of trepidation.

    ¡°If I¡¯m going to learn martial arts from you, I¡¯m going to have to go to Garkhain, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. How long is up to you, but you¡¯ll be away from the Jonal family for a while.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The boy¡¯s small head hung down in regret.

    ¡°Then, I can¡¯t go.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold gave him a disinterested look, hearing his response.

    Rishe promptly asked when Leo¡¯s answer didn¡¯t sound like he meant it.

    ¡°Leo, are you sure you won¡¯t regret it?¡±

    ¡°¡­Of course I will.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

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    Before he knew it, all signs of fear had disappeared from Leo.

    On the contrary, there was a hint of regret in his tone. Leo looked up at Arnold with sparkles in his eyes.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s why! Could you please at least train me while you¡¯re here?!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I will keep in mind what I¡¯ll learn and never train recklessly again. Please, I beg you!¡±

    He implored and bowed deeply.

    His small shoulders were shivering.

    Arnold looked at him and then replied without batting an eyelid.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll take some time this evening.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Leo jerked his head up as if flicked with eyes wide.

    ¡°Rishe, is that fine by you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course, Your Highness. But if you are busy with your official duties during our stay¡­¡±

    ¡°The Order has requested that we extend our stay by a few days early on. They won¡¯t be able to keep up if I force them to work with me.¡±

    Aahh©`¡­ It¡¯s true that you perform your duties with little or no rest on a daily basis.

    If Arnold¡¯s task at the Grand Shrine was to settle some disputes, then of course the people of the Order would be involved in it.

    Arnold¡¯s work schedule must be grueling for them.

    ¡°Thank you very much.¡±

    Leo bowed deeply with the taste of success.

    While relieved at the situation, Rishe thought inwardly.

    He said he can¡¯t go to Garkhain, not that he doesn¡¯t want to¡­ That¡¯s a strange choice of word for Leo.

    Leo might not have said it, but Rishe perceived some things. Arnold, most likely, has seen through it.

    However, she should not pursue the matter just yet.

    ¡°Sorry for catching you by surprise, Leo.¡±

    Leo looked at Rishe with a grimace when she apologized.

    ¡°Not at all. But shouldn¡¯t you supposedly explain these things to me before bringing me here?¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯d probably have run away if I told you.¡±

    ¡°Any commoner in any part of the world would run away the moment they heard that they were going to meet the royal family of another country.¡±

    Arnold turned his eyes on Rishe while they were chatting.

    ¡°Have you known this kid before?¡±

    Hey, your intuition is too keen, don¡¯t you think?

    Rishe inwardly cringed, but shook her head without a tiny trace of it.

    ¡°No. What makes you think that?¡±

    ¡°How dare an errand boy treat you so familiarly?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    Rishe floundered. She stretched her head and whispered to Arnold.

    ¡°He thinks I¡¯m a substitute, not the Crown Princess herself¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold turned his head away from Rishe when she told him that.

    At first glance, he looked deadpan, but his big hand covering his mouth and his shoulders subtly shaking were unmistakable.

    ¡°¡­Eh?! Your Highness, are you trying to hold back your laughter?¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a fat lie!! Hey, don¡¯t turn your back on me, look at me!!¡±

    As she was waddling around Arnold, Leo reached out his hand to Rishe with trepidation.

    Looking at his face, there was a shade of concern as if asking, ¡°Even if you¡¯re a substitute, do you think it¡¯s safe to behave this way toward the Crown Prince?¡± Kind.

    ¡°¡­Anyhow, now that we¡¯ve settled it, I¡¯d better get back to my duties.¡±

    Who are you fooling¡­!!

    But, Rishe had tons of things to do as well. Since she had spent the morning helping Myria, she had to resume her interrupted ritual in the afternoon.

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    And Leo, even if His Highness were to instruct him, I don¡¯t think this would alter his future¡­

    As she was chewing over this, she felt the presence of people approaching the courtyard.

    ¡°Your Highness, and Rishe-sama, too.¡±

    ¡°Oliver-sama.¡±

    Oliver bowed and turned his attention to Leo.

    Although he looked a bit troubled, he stood beside Arnold and counseled.

    ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to bring to your attention.¡±

    ¡°Not just to His Highness, but to me as well?¡±

    She felt an ominous premonition.

    Arnold also raised his eyebrows slightly and ordered Oliver.

    ¡°Keep it brief.¡±

    ¡°Okay, then¡­ The date of the festival may be postponed.¡±

    Oliver uttered after a sigh.

    ¡°The seamstresses working on Myria-sama¡¯s dresses have fallen ill.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    It was the second time after the carriage.

    Rishe gasped at the news. That white dress was ¡°something that Myria had rejected¡±.

 Chapter 94.1 It blooms in spring.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid the seamstresses have caught a cold.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The Duke of Jonal replied with a wry smile in the anteroom for the festival preparations.

    Rishe rushed to the scene and took a slow breath to cover up her heaving. The Duke was slumped in the chair across from her.

    ¡°They must have been very anxious about the impending festival and pushed themselves.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that. What are the medical conditions of the seamstresses?¡±

    ¡°It seems that they¡¯re suffering a terrible fever, and they said their bodies felt heavy¡­¡±

    Rishe lowered her eyes upon hearing the unfavorable news. Afterward, she looked over to Leo, who was standing in the corner of the room.

    Leo stood beside his master as an errand boy and looked somewhat surly.

    However, it didn¡¯t seem to be due to the postponement of Arnold¡¯s sword instruction.

    Rishe returned her gaze and asked the Duke in the chair across from her.

    ¡°If the dress isn¡¯t ready in time, wouldn¡¯t Myria-sama be sad? I¡¯d be glad to comfort her, but I¡¯m not sure where she is.¡±

    ¡°Well, s-she¡¯s¡­¡±

    Immediately after the Duke spoke, the lovely girl¡¯s voice sounded.

    ¡°¨D¨DI¡¯m fine, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama?¡±

    Myria appeared donning an air of calmness.

    She looked grown-up.

    She was incompatible to the girl who was on the verge of tears just this morning when her hair didn¡¯t look the way she wanted it to.

    And behind her were two men.

    One was Bishop Schneider, and the other had a golden pattern embroidered on his chest, indicating a higher rank than Schneider.

    Rishe stood up and bowed, thinking.

    He is the current Archbishop¡­

    The Archbishop knew in another life was the next in line.

    I know neither Bishop Schneider nor this Archbishop. That means that both of them will be gone from the Grand Shrine within a few years¡­

    ¡°You know what, Rishe-sama?¡±

    She looked up and saw Myria standing before with a gentle smile.

    ¡°I feel so very sorry. I pressed the seamstresses and thought only of myself.¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­¡±

    ¡°I swore to the Goddess I¡¯ll behave from now until the festival, so there¡¯s no need for you to stay with me anymore.¡±

    Rishe blinked at her words.

    The Archbishop, standing beside Myria, also smiled serenely and said.

    ¡°Miss Rishe, I apologize for our church asking for your assistance. However, we cannot take up any more of the future Crown Princess of Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. It was a pleasure to help Myria-sama, and I¡¯d have loved to be there with her¡­¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Miss Rishe. But, it¡¯s all good.¡±

    ¡°Myria¡¯s innocent smile was filled with clear rejection.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be a pink dress, and it¡¯s fine if it¡¯s a rushed new dress. Our top priority is not to delay the festival schedule! Am I right, Bishop Schneider?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Myria-sama. You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe gently bent down and told Myria eye to eye.

    ¡°All right, Myria-sama. I¡¯ll stop helping you with the festival.¡±

    Myria looked somewhat relieved.

    ¡°But please know this.¡±

    ¡°What¡­?¡±

    Thinking of the past life she had spent with her, Rishe smiled tenderly.

    ¡°I also like you very much because you are so cute and full of energy and willfulness.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    At that moment, Myria¡¯s honey-colored eyes shook.

    It might have been Rishe¡¯s illusion that she seemed about to cry. But Myria turned her back on Rishe and looked up at the Archbishop.

    ¡°Archbishop, Bishop Schneider, we have to go to the evening prayer early. It would be disrespectful to the Goddess if we were late.¡±

    ¡°Sure. So, let¡¯s go, Lord Jonal.¡±

    As Myria and the rest were leaving the anteroom, Bishop Schneider called out to the boy standing in the corner of the room.

    ¡°What are you doing, Leo? You should join us in prayer.¡±

    ¡°¡­Got it.¡±

    Leo, who had been quietly watching what was going on, gave a dismissive reply and began to walk away.

    As he walked past Rishe, he looked up once. But once he met her gaze, he looked away.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Oliver immediately came to Rishe, who was left alone.

    ¡°Rishe-sama, Master will be here soon, so could you wait here for a moment?¡±

    ¡°His Highness Arnold?¡±

    After hearing the news about the seamstress¡¯s collapse in the courtyard, Rishe returned to the cathedral with Leo.

    Arnold, on the other hand, received a report from Oliver on another matter. Has he settled that matter?

    Eventually, footfalls heralded Arnold¡¯s arrival to the anteroom.

    Upon seeing Rishe¡¯s countenance, he frowned.

    ¡°Oliver, leave your seat. Get things ready for what I ordered earlier.¡±

    ¡°I understand. Well, then.¡±

    As soon as Oliver left the room, Arnold sat down across from Rishe.

    Arnold held a roll of paper in his hand and asked with wrinkles between his eyebrows.

 Chapter 94.2

    ¡°Why do you look like that?¡±

    ¡°I thought I perfectly masked my emotions¡­¡±

    Rishe frankly displayed her melancholy and held her cheeks with her hands.

    ¡°Myria-sama didn¡¯t look well. I¡¯m worried that she was pretending to be calm while hiding her tears.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold heaved a sigh and tossed the scroll in his hand to Rishe.

    ¡°Open it.¡±

    What exactly was it?

    While wondering, Rishe untied the tied string. She unrolled the paper and gasped at the content.

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    The first thing that caught her eye was the words ¡°Investigation Report.¡±

    The familiar appearance of the carriage, the scattered drawings of what appeared to be parts, plus the notes supported one of Rishe¡¯s speculations.

    I was going to slip out of the shrine one of these days and go check it out for myself.

    In the center of the paper, there was a large drawing of a certain part.

    It was an axle that connected what seemed to be the front wheels of a carriage.

    ¡°The front wheels of the Jonal family¡¯s carriage that caused the accident had been tampered with.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her heart started to beat faster, not because the carriage had been tampered with.

    Rishe was ruffled because Arnold was looking into the accident.

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    ¡°That carriage does not belong to the Jonal family. The day before leaving the mansion, the Duke¡¯s daughter made a fuss about riding in a white carriage. The Duke listened to his daughter¡¯s demand and arranged for a white carriage.¡±

    ¡°¡­ So, you suspected it wasn¡¯t a curse, but that someone intentionally contrived the accident?¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you have done the same anyway?¡±

    He threw the question as a matter of course, but she could not nod immediately.

    Rishe knew firsthand that there were mysterious forces at work in this world.

    Just as she lived her life on the loop, it would not be surprising if an event beyond human comprehension had befallen someone else.

    The possibility that Myria was such a person could not be dismissed until there was a conclusion.

    However, that possibility was highly unlikely. Furthermore, Arnold¡¯s investigation showed that the accident was caused by human intervention.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always thought it was odd to begin with.¡±

    Arnold rested his languid cheek on the armrest.

    ¡°The previous Maiden Priestess died 22 years ago, and her sister also died 10 years ago. Consequently, there was no one to serve as the Maiden Priestess, and the festival has not been held for 22 years.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes. The previous Maiden Priestess¡¯s sister was too weak to succeed her sister.¡±

    The last woman born to the Maiden Priestess¡¯s bloodline was her sister.

    It was said that only a few males remain of the Maiden Priestess¡¯s bloodline.

    As they waited for the birth of a baby girl, the days passed without any festivals being held.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way they set up a ¡®proxy¡¯ now without a reason.¡±

    There was no hesitation in Arnold¡¯s words.

    ¡°It¡¯s sophistry to say that the congregation has become so vocal that they have appointed a proxy to reopen the festival, if only formally. For a religion that believes in the existence of a Goddess, a ritual by proxy is meaningless.¡±

    Hearing that, Rishe was convinced.

    His Highness Arnold was skeptical about it all along.

    Perhaps since he first saw Myria.

    I thought there was no way His Highness could see through her right away¡­ But, come to think of it, this man can read the original sacred poetry.

    It wouldn¡¯t be strange if he knew from the beginning about the traits of a person qualified to be the Maiden Priestess.

    Arnold looked straight into Rishe¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°A Maiden Priestess with the blood of the Goddess is said to have floral-colored hair.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Myria¡¯s hair was pale purple.

    It was a very beautiful shade of hair, like a flower blooming in spring.

    ¡°The commonly known sacred poem does not mention the physical characteristics of the Maiden Priestess. Perhaps they intentionally translated it differently from the original, in case it was necessary to ¡®hide¡¯ her from the world.¡±

    ¡°¡­As in this generation?¡±

    ¡°I knew you¡¯ve figured it out too.¡±

    He pointed it out in an amused manner, but she still couldn¡¯t nod her head.

    It wasn¡¯t that Rishe ¡°figured¡± it out. To be exact, she had known it long ago.

    [This girl isn¡¯t my daughter. Myria is a precious person someone entrusted to us¡­]

    The memory that popped naturally to her was a confession she heard from her fourth life.

    It was said that the deceased Maiden Priestess of the previous generation had a younger, sickly sister.

    Unable to serve as a Maiden Priestess, that woman spent most of her life in the temple and risked her life to give birth to a daughter.

    And Rishe carefully watched over the girl who was raised in secret.

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    Arnold was unaware of this fact, but he spoke indifferently.

    ¡°¨D¨DThat kid is a real Maiden Priestess, a qualified one.¡±

    That¡¯s for sure¡­

    Rishe stared straight back at the gaze that seemed to see through everything.

    That¡¯s why you¡¯ll try to kill her in the future, isn¡¯t it?

    T/N: Okay, so the color of spring has now turned purple¡­

 Chapter 95.1 Sleeping in the forest

    [I don¡¯t want to study! I¡¯m definitely going to eat sweets today. I¡¯m not going to study!]

    Miria, whom she served during her maidservant life, would often shout like this and lock herself in her room.

    Rishe¡¯s lock-picking skills had been acquired for this purpose.

    Listening to the sound of her voice, it was easy to tell if she was really shutting herself away to be alone or if she was behaving like a spoiled brat.

    Today, it was the latter, so Rishe unreservedly picked the lock on the door and entered the room, looking down at the curled figure under the blanket on the bunk.

    [Miss, weren¡¯t you working so hard until yesterday?]

    Rishe, dressed in her maidservant¡¯s finery and with her coral hair tied up in a ponytail, spoke to the lump in the blanket.

    [Will you write a letter in Krushade to the Archbishop at next month¡¯s celebration?]

    [Because when I woke up this morning, I hated it! None of the kids have learned to speak Krushade, and the job of acting the Maiden Priestess doesn¡¯t require reading the original text. I don¡¯t want to be the only one who has to study so hard. I¡¯m sick of it!]

    Rishe pondered the protests that came back from the lumpy blanket.

    I¡¯ve heard that the Krushade language takes a long time to learn, even for adults.

    Myria was twelve years old at this time, but she had not yet been told of her true identity.

    Rishe knew beforehand, because her father, the Duke, had told her.

    A year after arriving at the mansion, he told her that he would like to have an ally who knew what was going on by Myria¡¯s side.

    As the real Priestess, learning the Krushade language was a must for Myria. However, it was understandable that she would find it difficult to study by force without being informed of such things.

    [My Lady.]

    Rishe quietly crouched down and spoke.

    [Gaining knowledge means that you have more weapons in your arsenal. Or perhaps you could say it¡¯s about expanding your world.]

    She could tell that Myria was contemplating while curled in the blanket.

    [Learning a language that isn¡¯t commonly used will give you a glimpse into a world that you would not normally know. Wouldn¡¯t you like to know how mythical people lived, what they dreamed about, and what they thought was beautiful? Maybe, there¡¯s even a wonderful poem that your beloved Goddess wrote¡­]

    [¡­!]

    Myria was suffering from a small puppy love at this time, so her shoulders jerked.

    [If it¡¯s allowed, I¡¯d even like to sit in on your Krushade class.]

    [¡­Rishe, too¡­?]

    [Yes. For example, I would be very happy if Miss Myria becomes my teacher¡­]

    She flipped up the blanket and looked up at Rishe with a gleam in her eyes.

    [That means, you¡¯ll be studying with me¡­?!]

    [Of course. But you must do a lot of studying first¡­]

    [I¡¯ll do it! To be Rishe¡¯s teacher sounds so much fun!]

    Myria was now in high spirits, so she came down from her bed and hugged Rishe.

    [Thank you, My Lady. Let¡¯s get you ready for your morning class.]

    [Okay! I might meet Mr. Bernhard on the way, so please ensure to make me look as cute as possible today.]

    [Pfft. As you wish.]

    After this exchange, Myria began to study diligently and taught Rishe what she had learned that day.

    It was why Rishe could read the Krushade language.

    She went to the shrine with Myria and sometimes spoke with the archbishop of that generation.

    But these were all different events than the one they had now.

    ***

    Why was it hidden from the world that the Miss was a real Maiden Priestess?¡­ I hadn¡¯t been told about it either, but I think I might get to know in this life.

    In the evening, Rishe was staring at a pot in the kitchen in a corner of the Grand Shrine.

    Boiling in the fire were some medicinal herbs that she had thrown in.

    The kitchen, where only Rishe and Arnold were present, was something Rishe requested from Arnold, and the Order arranged it for her.

    As she slowly stirred the pot, she asked Arnold on the other side behind her.

    ¡°Does Your Highness believe in the existence of curses?¡±

    However, she was positive that Arnold didn¡¯t believe in them.

    It was a question that needn¡¯t to be asked, but Arnold gave her an unexpected answer.

    ¡°There are times when it¡¯s more convenient to pretend that something exists.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe turned around.

    Arnold was sitting on a chair in the kitchen with his cheek resting on the table beside him, seemingly watching Rishe work passively.

    ¡°Convenient, you say?¡±

    ¡°The concept of power beyond human comprehension is very effective in manipulating public sentiment. This is especially true on the battlefield, where it is so easy to influence the morale of soldiers.¡±

    ¡°¡­I see.¡±

    At first she was surprised, but his answer was very Arnold-like.

    For him, it was kind of tactics and politics, not about what he believed or disbelieved.

 Chapter 95.2

    ¡°The Duke probably believes in his daughter¡¯s ¡®curse¡¯ and thinks that since she is an authentic Priestess, it is not surprising that she has the power to curse others.¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right. On top of that, he seemed to want to assert to me, a third party, that there is no such thing as a curse.¡±

    It was probably because she didn¡¯t want Reece to find out who Miria really was.

    ¡°He decided that he could cover it up if it was just the carriage accident, but then the incident with the seamstress collapsing came into play. I suppose he wanted to keep you away before you got any strange ideas.

    If only that were the only reason I was rejected to help with the festival¡­

    Rishe stepped away from the pot and took out two small vials that she had in a small bag.

    She placed them on the table.

    ¡°What are these?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a poison I collected yesterday.¡±

    Her bland answer earned a husky laughter from Arnold.

    ¡°¡­I think you¡¯ve come up with something much more interesting than stuffed animals.¡±

    ¡°Several traps have been set in the forest around the Grand Shrine. I wiped it off with a handkerchief, soaked the handkerchief in water, and collected the precipitated substance.¡±

    The drug in the vial on the right had settled to the bottom while the on the left was floating near the surface.

    ¡°The vial on the left is a sleeping potion. It has an immediate effect, and at this dosage, an adult male can fall asleep within a few minutes. Basically, it¡¯s used by hunters¡­¡±

    As she spoke, Arnold seemed to recall an earlier incident.

    ¡°You told me something similar when bandits attacked us on the way from your homeland to Garkhain. That time, it was a numbing agent, but is it similar in use?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Also because, the more violent the prey, the more the quality of the meat deteriorates. However, if the trap is so deadly that it kills the prey immediately, and it can¡¯t be drained of its blood before it¡¯s recovered, the meat¡¯s quality will degrade. So, after catching the prey in the trap, they use this kind of drug to keep it alive as long as possible until it is collected.¡±

    She picked up the small vial and shook it.

    ¡°The last time¡¯s numbing drug and this sleeping potion both have one thing in common: the toxins are dispelled when heated¡­ But this sleeping potion has one more special feature.¡±

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    ¡°Tell me about it.¡±

    Rishe placed the vial on the table and indicated the other vial with a glance.

    ¡°The vial on the right seemed to be a deadly poison.¡±

    The poison in the vial was transparent with a slight reddish tint.

    ¡°If a lethal dose is taken into the body, it can kill you in a matter of minutes. Even if the dose is less than that, you¡¯ll soon suffer from a high fever and severe fatigue, and immobility for a week.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°However, this poison is adverse to the sleeping potion, and they neutralize each other.¡±

    ¡°Neutralizes it, huh?¡±

    Arnold raised an eyebrow, and Rishe nodded.

    ¡°The effects of the sleeping potion dissolves the effects of the poison. ¨D¨D On the contrary, the poison here suppresses the sleeping potion from working.¡±

    The two bottles on the table together produced a clink.

    ¡°If you take these two drugs at the same time, you will not fall asleep or die for a while.¡±

    ¡°¡­Then is it possible for you to go about your normal life as if nothing had happened?¡±

    ¡°Yes. However, the sleeping potion will be completely absorbed and becomes ineffective in just a few hours¡­ By then, all that remains in the body will be poison.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that a few hours after the poison enters your body, you¡¯ll die without warning?¡±

    As Arnold guessed.

    ¡°¡­The only time poisons are used in hunting is when dealing with a terribly ferocious beast, or when only armed with weapons with low killing power. There are few traces of vicious predators in this forest, so I can¡¯t see any reason for them to go to the trouble of poisoning the traps.¡±

    ¡°But a hunter¡¯s only weapon is his bow, right? Daggers, bows and other weapons are not powerful enough. It should be challenging to kill beasts with them.¡±

    ¡°Actually, this poison is not detoxified by heating! The only advantage is that since the prey doesn¡¯t suffer much, the fur and other parts of the body don¡¯t get damaged. But even if that were the case, the sleeping potion should be enough. Besides¡­¡±

    To begin with, Rishe had another suspicion.

    ¡°There was a metallic smell coming from the trap that had been set¡­¡±

    She noticed yesterday when she checked the scent of the drug smeared on the traps.

 Chapter 95.3

    ¡°Animals have a keen sense of smell. Hunters bury new traps in the ground for months or soak them in river water to eliminate the smell so they won¡¯t be noticed. It¡¯s impossible to have a handkerchief absorb the metallic scent of a chemical solution on the surface of a set trap with a mere wipe.¡±

    ¡°Then I guess there¡¯s only one conclusion.¡±

    Arnold leaned his back against the chair and said leisurely.

    ¡°The trap was set for people.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Honestly, she wanted him to deny that it was an outlandish idea.

    But with Arnold¡¯s assurances, Rishe had no choice but to be convinced.

    ¡°To put it simply, it is a poisonous trap suitable for assassination. If a target enters the forest and gets caught in the trap, it will be treated as a mere injury in itself, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Once he has finished dressing his wounds in the temple, he is bound to die without suffering.¡±

    ¡°If this were a timeless poison, the person would start suffering the moment it enters the body through the wound. Others will be aware of the poison soon enough, and they will suck the toxin out of the wound.¡±

    ¡°However, I do not recommend the procedure of sucking out such deadly poison. Even if you spit it out right away, you will end up ingesting it. Even the person who performed the procedure could die.¡±

    At best, first aid would be providing a numbing or sleeping potion. Rishe¡¯s teacher in her alchemist life advised, and Rishe was wholeheartedly in agreement.

    ¡°Is the antidote you know still simmering in that pot?¡±

    ¡°Those are mainly medicinal herbs, which are the ingredients of a sleeping potion. I collected them from my walk in the forest. The quantity is small this time, so what I have here is enough for five people¡­¡±

    When she said that much, Arnold sighed, understanding what Rishe wanted.

    ¡°If you want to deliver it to the four seamstresses, I¡¯ll order Oliver to send an errand boy.¡±

    ¡°¡­Thank you!!¡±

    It was a relief for once, but she couldn¡¯t be too optimistic. Arnold seemed to agree with her on that.

    ¡°You said that fever and fatigue only occur when the amount of poison is less than a lethal dose. The seamstresses symptoms seem to fall into that category.¡±

    ¡°I believe that the poison was absorbed through their skin, not swallowed or entered through a wound.¡±

    It was obvious what all four of the fallen seamstresses would have touched.

    ¡°¡­ I wonder if a similar mixture of poison had been applied to Myria-sama¡¯s dress.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Myria said this morning.

    She was so excited to dye the dress that she sent it off for adjustment without trying it on, just to have it delivered as soon as possible.

    ¡°A lethal dose for a child is much less than for a grown woman. Had Myria-sama tried the dress on yesterday, the poison would have spread through her skin, and she might have died this morning.¡±

    Myria, who had been ecstatic with the ribbons when Rishe styled her hair, could have died.

    The thought of it sent a chill down her spine.

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault for urging her to try on the dress¡­¡±

    Rishe fought to keep the tremor out of her voice and muttered softly.

    One wrong move and things could have gone horribly wrong.

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    Just as she was about to be swallowed up by this thought, Arnold said.

    ¡°¨D¨DStop imagining a future that hasn¡¯t come or be afraid of it.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s shoulders jerked up at the clarity of his words.

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    His words were plain, yet powerful.

    Arnold looked straight at Rishe and continued.

    ¡°Make no mistake. What you¡¯ve conjured up is only a sliver of a possibility ¨C one that doesn¡¯t really exist.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    ¡°What you fear is definitely not going to happen.¡±

    It was an incident that has already been avoided.

    Now that he put it that way, Rishe slowly exhaled.

    ¡°The same goes for the seamstresses. The final adjustments to the tailoring would have been made anyway, regardless of your actions.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    He called her name as if to prompt her, so Rishe nodded.

    ¡°I got it. I¡¯ll try to finish the antidote and deliver it to the seamstresses as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±

    It sounded as if he was trying to say that she had done a good job.

 Chapter 95.4

    Rishe couldn¡¯t help but cast her eyes down, knowing for certain that she couldn¡¯t be too depressed.

    Your Highness, Young Miss¡­

    She believed that Arnold in front of her was a kind person.

    Nevertheless, some kind of ¡°purpose¡± in Arnold¡¯s mind was going to be achieved even if it would shatter his gentleness.

    That was why, five years from now, Arnold would command his army to kill Myria.

    Now that Myria¡¯s life seemed to be in danger, there was no telling how Arnold would react if Rishe tried to avert it. There was also the possibility that Arnold would take a hostile stance, as he had done with the Koyor Kingdom not long ago.

    ¡°I would like to inform His Excellency Jonal that there is a move to assassinate Myria-sama. Since she is under His Excellency¡¯s custody, we need his say in protecting her.¡±

    After she summoned her courage and spoke, Arnold¡¯s eyes partly dropped.

    ¡°¡­Fair enough. At least it would be more meaningful than alerting him to curses and the like.¡±

    Rishe was relieved to hear his response and got up from her chair.

    ¡°I¡¯ll finish the antidote by the time Myria-sama and His Excellency finish their prayers. I¡¯d appreciate it if you could arrange for it to be delivered.¡±

    ¡°All right.¡±

    She rolled up the sleeves of her dress and returned to the boiling pot.

    After confirming that it was boiled well, she transferred it to the five bottles she had prepared.

    Normally, she¡¯d cool it down under running water, but it was best to waste as little time as possible. She entrusted the five bottles to Arnold, hoping that they would cool down in transit.

    ¡°I¡¯ll head to the guest room building, then.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­I will order my men to send them post-haste.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡±

    Rishe bowed deeply and started walking in the opposite direction of Arnold.

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    Upon reaching the guest room wing, Rishe decided to wait for Duke Jonal and Myria¡¯s return in the hallway on the floor where their rooms were located.

    Maybe I should just head to the cathedral where they¡¯re supposed to be praying¡­

    The only reason she didn¡¯t go there was because she was worried about Schneider and the others¡¯ movements.

    I have to tell His Excellency Jonal about the alleged assassination alone. If he permits it, I¡¯d like to keep Myria company and protect her.

    However, Rishe rejected the idea the moment the thought came up. It would be difficult to stay close to the Order without attracting suspicion.

    Why don¡¯t we just concoct a fake assassination attempt on me and beef up security for all the important people in the shrine?¡­ No, if I¡¯m at risk for assassination, I¡¯ll be kicked out of the shrine and told to return to Garkhain for safety.

    Time quickly passed while she was lost in thought.

    It seems like they¡¯ll return late¡­

    Just as she thought that, she heard small footsteps running towards her.

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    She thought it was Myria¡¯s footsteps, but she soon realized it was not.

    This footstep is from Leo.

    True to Rishe¡¯s conjecture, Leo came running up the stairs.

    But he was out of breath and looked terribly anxious.

    ¡°Hu-Did Myria-sama come here?!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe shook her head in answer.

    ¡°No, she¡¯s not back yet. By any chance, do you have any idea where she is?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Leo¡¯s face crumpled into a distorted expression when Rishe asked.

    ¡°After the prayer, the adults had to stay in the cathedral to discuss some things, so they asked me to walk her to her room¡­On the way here, the wind blew her ribbon away, and she looked like she was about to cry, so while I went to get it by myself¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, no¡­¡±

    She felt a chill run down her spine.

    Still, she quickly asked Leo while trying not to frighten him.

    ¡°Did anyone approach you before you left Myria-sama?¡±

    ¡°No. I can tell that there was no sign of anyone nearby, but¡­¡±

    ¡°But?¡±

    ¡°As we were walking down the path to my room, she asked me where the orphanage I grew up in was located. I told her that it was just beyond the forest to the east.¡±

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    Rishe understood everything in an instant.

    ¡°I expected her to head back to her room first, but¡­¡±

    Of course, Myria wasn¡¯t going to go back obediently.

    Convinced of this, Rishe made up her mind.

    ¡°¡­Leo, please. You¡¯re going to have to run to the cathedral and tell everyone you trust about this. If possible, I would like you to inform His Highness Arnold He¡¯s supposed to be near the office tower.

    ¡°But I¡¯m going to the forest to find her¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to go!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    There were a lot of traps in the forest. It was safer for Rishe to go there than for Leo.

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    She must go and pick Myria up before something happens to her.

    ¡°Please, okay?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¡±

    Without waiting for Leo¡¯s reply, Rishe immediately sprinted off.

 Chapter 96.1 Her resolve

    As the setting sun turned the surrounding area red, Rishe ran east through the corridors of the Grand Shrine.

    Before the area was buried in complete darkness, she stepped into the forest.

    A child¡¯s footprints. Not Leo¡¯s, a girl¡¯s shoes!

    She found tracks left on the ground and frowned, taking a shallow breath.

    I knew it, Young Miss entered this forest¡­

    She was tempted to move quickly, but that would mean missing the trail. While calming herself with shallow breaths, Rishe observed the woods.

    The soil was only partially exposed, and fallen leaves covered the ground.

    There were only a few footprints left, but Rishe didn¡¯t hesitate to start walking.

    The toes of the footprints were facing east.

    Myria must have headed that way. She followed the fresh treads on the grass and whatever few marks she could find.

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    Humans were one of the largest creatures in the world.

    It was easy to forget, but even a child like Myria was taller and heavier than most of the animals in the forest.

    As such, it was possible to consider tracks such as treads of fallen branches or torn spider web.

    Stay calm, stay cool, and be sure. The searchers that His Highness Arnold will surely find my tracks.

    The way the meadow has been shoveled, the remnants of spider webs that have been torn up. A tree branch that looked like it had been trampled on by shoes or hooves, as if someone had fallen over it.

    She proceeded while distinguishing the traces of large animals from those of what might have been a child.

    One tiny oversight, it could be too late¡­

    An unpleasant image came to mind, but she pushed it down with a deep breath.

    Eventually, she found a strand of purple hair caught in the bark of a tree. She was relieved that she was in the right direction, but at the same time, a new concern arose.

    This is as far as Leo and I walked. I don¡¯t know anything about the traps that lie ahead.

    But then, she sensed a presence that was different from that of an animal.

    Found you!

    Some distance away from Rish was a small girl¡¯s back.

    It was definitely Myria. Myria was sitting down at the base of a tree and wiping her eyes repeatedly with the back of her hand. Seeing her, she felt a tightening in her chest.

    ¡°Myria-sama!¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Myria¡¯s shoulders jerked up, and she looked at her in the distance.

    She wondered if she had been crying because she was all alone in the dark forest. Rishe rushed to her and made sure she was okay.

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    ¡°Myria-sama, are you hurt?¡±

    ¡°Riche-sama¡­!!¡±

    A small hand stretched out and clung tightly to Rishe.

    ¡°Are you in pain? Did you sprain your foot or got hurt somewhere?¡±

    Myria shook her head. She was relieved at her reply and stroked her head in a hug.

    ¡°Thank God¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe muttered and sensed that Myria was trying to hold back her tears.

    In contrast, she asked in a shaky voice.

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    ¡°Why are you being so nice to me?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, why?¡±

    ¡°Because I have bad powers.¡±

    Rishe blinked and pulled away from Myria.

    The face she saw was crumpled and close to tears.

    ¡°I thought you liked me.¡±

    ¡°O-Of course I do!!¡­Of course, I like you very much!!¡±

    ¡°Pfft, I¡¯m glad to hear that¡­If that¡¯s the case, isn¡¯t it safe even if you have the power of the curse?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because I uttered some things. Even if I possess such a horrible power, honestly, I still like it. But I¡¯m to blame for Mama!¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­¡±

    Even in Rishe¡¯s life as a maidservant, Myria never mentioned her mother¡¯s death much.

    She looked like she didn¡¯t want to talk about it, so Rishe didn¡¯t dare to delve into it.

    She hadn¡¯t realized that the reason for this was because she was carrying such anguish.

    ¡°Oh, you know what, Rishe-sama?¡±

    Once she started talking, she couldn¡¯t stop like a bursting dam.

    As if in sync with her overflowing tears, Myria struggled to speak.

    ¡°I was trying to get Papa to hate me. Wouldn¡¯t it be better if he gets away from me so he wouldn¡¯t have to go through what Mama did?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°So I decided to be a willful and troubled kid. Once Papa hates me, he¡¯d send me back to the orphanage!¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    Myria sniffled and wiped her eyes repeatedly.

    ¡°¡­I love Papa.¡±

    Myria, who had been repeatedly doing and saying things to earn her father¡¯s rejection, uttered in a tremulous voice.

    ¡°I¡¯d much rather he hate me and drive me out than have him die because of me. I don¡¯t care if I can¡¯t be around him anymore. I just want him to be healthy, so¡­¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­¡±

    ¡°Everything¡¯s been fine until now. When I wasn¡¯t feeling really angry, saying ¡®I hate you¡¯ wouldn¡¯t trigger the curse. But yesterday¡¯s carriage accident and today¡¯s dress, were my fault¡­¡±

 Chapter 96.2

    Rishe gently wrapped her hand around Myria as she tried to rub her eyes.

    ¡°Is that why you said you¡¯d stop being wayward earlier?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her small head bobbed.

    Evidently, the Order didn¡¯t do anything to her.

    It was probably something Myria decided by herself after a long contemplation in order to avoid hurting anyone else any more.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure my real mom and dad abandoned me because I¡¯m a cursed child¡­Just like with Leo, Bishop Schneider asked Papa for help, and that¡¯s how I became Papa¡¯s daughter.¡±

    It dawned on Rishe.

    When they were having lunch with Leo during the day, Myria told not to say Father carelessly since they weren¡¯t related.

    It was an uncharacteristically cold thing for Myria to say to Leo and Schneider.

    However, those words were not directed at others, but were Myria¡¯s own introspection.

    She has long known that she wasn¡¯t related to her father.

    That was why she told herself that she should keep her distance from the duke.

    ¡°But Papa is so kind. I know that there was no use waiting for him to drive me away if I was going to give all my love back to him for raising me when I wasn¡¯t really his daughter.¡±

    ¡°So, you got the location of the orphanage from Leo and tried to leave on your own?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    Myria looked into Rishe¡¯s eyes and cried out, wailing.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I intentionally lost the ribbon that you tied for me¡­!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She tightly embraced Myria , who was soaking in tears, over again.

    ¡°I should be the one saying sorry, My Lady.¡±

    ¡°Hiccup, h-hiccup¡­¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, you looked so desolate, but I couldn¡¯t pet you like this. ¨D¨DTruly, to the very end.¡±

    She wished she hadn¡¯t done such things as leaving Myria alone.

    Even when she sulked about wanting to be alone, she should have hugged her and asked her why she was so sad.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been working so hard to protect your father, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a wonderful girl. Your father will surely cry a lot if you tell him you¡¯re going away.¡±

    ¡°What, Papa?¡±

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    Rishe smiled and nodded in response to her disbelief.

    In fact, the Duke of Jonal had been shedding buckets of tears on the eve of Myria¡¯s wedding.

    The presence or absence of blood ties didn¡¯t matter to him at all.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to your dad, Myria-sama.¡±

    However, Myria still shook her head.

    ¡°No, I can¡¯t go home!¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be around the people I love! How I wish it¡¯s me who dies, not Mama or Papa or anyone else¡­¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama!!¡±

    At that moment, Myria pushed her away with all her might, a bit away from her.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Then a popping-like sound echoed.

    A hard-sounding noise, like the clang of metal against metal. Rishe reflexively looked around and noticed the heel of Myria¡¯s shoe.

    Then, she noticed that the heel, which was about an inch high, had what looked like a very thin string tangled around it.

    No way¡­

    It only took a moment for a series of thoughts to occur to her.

    The reason why Myria was crying here, and the metallic sound high up in the air. She surmised that she must have fallen into something that used a certain string technique.

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    She marveled if there was ever a time in her former lives where she saw a trap entangled in the prey¡¯s legs and set the ¡°target¡± in the direction the string was pulled.

    She was pretty sure that was a trick with a poisoned arrow.

    ¡°No!!¡±

    Rishe reached out as fast as she could.

    She grabbed Myria by the shoulders and embraced her in a shielding hug, trapping her in her arms.

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­ !!¡±

    Immediately afterwards, pain struck her neck.

 Chapter 97.1 Muddled up

    It felt like she was on fire, but that was just a reflexive illusion.

    Her vision was greatly fuzzy, and she clawed at the ground with my hands.

    She failed to dodge, and a red drop fell from my neck where the surface of her skin had been ripped open.

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

    An arrow that grazed Rishe¡¯s neck was stuck into the ground.

    The shade of the potion on the arrowhead was familiar to Rishe.

    It¡¯s the same as the other traps, mixed poison¡­!

    She clenched her teeth tightly and probed her neck. Her fingertips glided over it, but¡­

    The arrow only grazed me. If my neck is injured and bleeding this much, the wound is nothing serious. The problem is¡­

    The mixture of poisons must have penetrated in.

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her consciousness began to cloud, and she felt like she was going to zonk out.

    However, she was somewhat relieved to realize that it was a raging drowsiness.

    Right now, the nectar poison has not yet taken effect.

    This poison mixture contained a fast-acting sleeping potion that ¡®attacks and counteracts¡¯ the poison.

    As long as the sleeping potion was absorbed into the body, the poison should not work.

    Moreover, the symptoms that Rishe felt were not nausea and pain, but intense drowsiness.

    The sleeping drug is more dominant, not the nectar poison¡­I¡¯m sure this mixture of poisons is a concoction containing more dosage of sleeping potion than poison.

    She tried to come up with a remedy, but her thoughts were cut off in the middle. She crouched on the ground, struggling to piece them together.

    Beads of blood dripped on the fallen leaves. When Myria saw this, she shivered, but still stood up and cried, ¡°Rishe-sama, wait! I¡¯ll go get someone right away!¡±

    ¡°No, you c-can¡¯t move¡­by yourself!¡±

    She was out of breath and couldn¡¯t speak loud enough. As she listened to the sound of Myria¡¯s footsteps drifting away, she desperately scolded herself.

    What a blunder, shedding blood before My Lady and causing her to worry too much¡­

    She must avoid becoming a source of grief for Myria.

    When around a young child, you have to protect not only their safety, but also their mind.

    Don¡¯t fall asleep. Stay awake, take action, and prolong the time it takes scratching your feet even for a little!

    There were no medicinal herbs that could be used for detoxification. The antidote she concocted must be in the carriage by now.

    She had them send all five bottles to the four seamstresses with one as a spare.

    As a general rule, it was always a good idea to prepare an extra supply in case of damage or loss in transit.

    That person would have arranged for transportation, just as Rishe had asked him to do.

    With that in mind, she wondered who exactly she had asked to make such arrangements.

    But she should worry about that later.

    The wound. At the very least, I should clear the poison that must have remained in the skin around the wound.

    The tingling and frictional heat was caused by the poison that remained on her skin.

    The poison from the nectar would be absorbed into the body within thirty minutes of application to the skin.

    If the amount of poison that enters the body was too high, it could lead to sequelae, even if the detoxification was successful.

    There is no water, and it¡¯s a part that can¡¯t be tied. I can¡¯t even reach it with my mouth to suck it out. That leaves me with¡­

    She pressed her forehead to the ground and reached for her legs in a crouched position.

    With trembling fingers, she managed to unfasten the dagger that was belted to her thigh. She couldn¡¯t seem to use both hands, so she put the sheath in her mouth and pulled the blade out.

    Cleanse it with fresh blood.

    That was the only way left for now.

 Chapter 97.2

    With meticulous care, she tried to aim the tip of the blade to her skin. But even though she wanted to avoid major blood vessels, her consciousness was shaky, and she couldn¡¯t live up to her goal.

    ¡°!¡±

    The moment her hand weakened, the dagger fell to the ground.

    Get a grip!¡­There is no other first aid method. I¡¯m a maidservant. I absolutely can¡¯t hurt My Lady¡¯s spirit¡­No, I¡¯m no longer a maidservant now. I should awaken Teacher Hakurei. But that was supposed to be in my alchemist life¡­

    Some things turned muddled up. She gasped and reached for the dagger that had fallen right beside her.

    Although My Lady went to call for help, people from the Order would not be able to enter the Forbidden Forest¡­I have to take care of this myself. There¡¯s no one who¡¯d risk to come here and make an enemy of the Order¡­

    Something denied her thoughts. Rishe squatted and frowned.

    ¡­Why does Arnold Hein¡¯s face come to mind?

    That Emperor was the man who had waged war on the country where Rishe served as a knight.

    She pushed herself to think of it that way, but her discomfort was growing stronger and stronger. She had to take immediate action, but the world was shaking terribly.

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    Emperor Arnold Hein is His Majesty, Zahad¡®s enemy¡­ He¡¯s the man who decimated the Koyor Kingdom and executed the royalty of various countries ¨C the tyrannical Emperor who tried to kill My Lady and His Highness. He killed Captain and Senior Joel. He was a ruthless man who started a world war and caused the death of many people¡­He¡¯s mean and¡­

    Her wound throbbed and pulsed, and the feverish sensation aggravated.

    As she put her hands on the ground and tried to raise her upper body, she subconsciously pictured the man in her mind.

    His swordplay is beautiful. His bearing is aesthetically pleasing, and he performs his official duties with precision. He¡¯s sincere towards people, thoughtful and bold, but sometimes seems very scared.

    Footfalls on fallen leaves suddenly sounded.

    However, the current Rishe couldn¡¯t deftly pick it up.

    In her almost hazy consciousness, there were only a few things that were clear.

    For example, his dark hair, his sea-blue eyes.

    The soft voice he used to call her, and the way he stroked her hair, which he has been doing recently.

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    The astounded look on his face when looking at her, or the way he smiled on rare occasions.

    He is always looking at me straight in the eye. He lies, but he¡¯s not really a liar and a very kind man at heart. I¡¯m getting married. My¡­

    Rishe slowly looked up.

    Feeling like crying, she looked at the figure standing in front of her.

    ¡°¡­Husband¡­¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold was panting.

    She¡¯d never seen him breathe unevenly.

    Arnold looked down at Rishe and clicked his tongue with an abject expression. He grabbed her shoulders tightly as he sat down.

    ¡°!¡±

    He forcibly brought her to her feet and pressed her back against the trunk of the tree behind her.

    Before she could register anything, he gripped her by the shoulders and bit into her already bleeding neck.

    ¡°U-Aahh?!¡±

    Then she heard a strong sucking sound.

    She recoiled at the strange sensation and paled after a beat.

    He was biting into her neck and sucking the poison out.

    Rishe tensed upon realizing this.

    ¡°Pwa¡­¡±

    He spat out the blood he had sucked out onto the ground and took a short breath.

    When Arnold tried to kiss Rishe¡¯s neck again, she resisted with all that was left of her strength.

    ¡°Your Highness, d-don¡¯t!!¡­If you do¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold sucked on Rishe¡¯s wound, turning a deaf ear to her desperate protests.

    Rishe¡¯s objections were stifled as Arnold¡¯s fingers dug into her wrist and stitched it to the tree behind her.

    ¡°Your Highness, please, let me go!¡­It¡¯s poison. Don¡¯t put it in your mouth. It¡¯s dangerous¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    A low voice commanded after spitting her blood, with a pair of glittering eyes scowling at her.

    This was probably the first time Arnold seriously scowled at Rishe in this life.

    ¡°For once, I won¡¯t listen to your wishes.¡±

    His beautifully shaped lips were wet with red blood.

    He gingerly wiped it away with the back of his hand and whispered in a hushed voice, ¡°I told you¡­I won¡¯t allow you to die.¡±

    ¡°U-u¡­!¡±

    He bit her and sucked roughly.

    He couldn¡¯t tell if it was hot or painful, but the numbness of the remaining poisonous liquid on her skin eased. Nonetheless, she didn¡¯t feel safe, and her mind was in turmoil.

    Why not?¡­I don¡¯t want you to do anything dangerous. I don¡¯t like it. And yet, here you are¡­

    She felt like crying, but more than that, she felt dizzy. She couldn¡¯t endure for long because she just wasn¡¯t strong enough.

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    ¡­Oh, God, it¡¯s really¡­

    Rishe slowly closed her eyes as she felt the world spin.

    It¡¯s like when I¡¯m dying..

    A familiar sensation snatched her consciousness and she sank into that warm sea.

 Chapter 98.1 A gentle touch

    ***

    When she lost consciousness, she dreamt about her past life.

    That day, Rishe looked back to the memories of her life as a knight.

    Body pain.

    Blood seeping down her body and her trembling arms.

    It was a dream of the last day of her life, when her heart creaked painfully, but she still tried to protect what she had to protect.

    [Get His Highness and the others to the location as soon as possible!]

    [Our Light, our Lord! Protect him with your life, and even if it takes your life, keep the path alive!]

    The sound of swords clashing scattered here and there with battle cries echoing. In a battle so fierce that even sparks exploded, her friends died one after another.

    The one who brought them this despair was the man who led the enemy army.

    ¨CArnold Hein

    Rishe glared at the man, gripping her blood-soaked sword.

    His dark, murky blue eyes flickered towards her. That was enough to make her instincts warn her to run.

    His frighteningly well-formed face was stained with the blood of those whom Rishe had cherished.

    The expression on his face didn¡¯t change a tiny bit.

    And yet, a murderous spirit without emotion pierced through him. But even though he dominated the air in the place and the tension was so numbing that even breathing was laborious, she couldn¡¯t turn away from him.

    His Majesty, Captain, and the commander were all killed by this man¡­Senior Joel also protected me¡­

    She let out a short breath and gripped her sword tightly.

    She cared nothing about dying miserably. She fought for the princes, hoping that they would at least escape.

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    In order to stall him, Rishe desperately wielded her sword.

    Other knights also attacked Arnold one after another.

    They were easily reaped, and the pile of corpses grew until there was no one left alive. The tip of Arnold Hein¡¯s sword eventually pierced Rishe¡¯s heart.

    It was a dream of the last few moments of her life that ended there.

    But the moment her consciousness collapsed and dissolved, she remembered Arnold Hein whispering in her ear.

    [¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D]

    Ah¡­

    That part of her vague memory flashed back vividly for a moment.

    He definitely said that at that time.

    The moment she understood, she forgot everything she had seen in this dream, and her memory slowly unraveled.

    Someone was stroking her cheek.

    In response to this sensation, Rishe slowly awakened.

    ***

    The hand touched her cheek gently and yet as if to shake her out of sleep.

    It stroked her cheek carefully and meticulously, as if checking for fever. Rishe didn¡¯t know whose hand it was, but it was a very gentle touch.

    When she felt it move away, she opened her eyes.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    In a room filled with the darkness and silence of the night, Rishe looked up hazily.

    ¡°Arnold, Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold was sitting beside the bed where Rishe was lying down.

    She called his name, but he remained silent. His well-formed face was beautiful even with his furrowed brow.

    It was undoubtedly his hand that had woken Rishe from her slumber. However, she wondered why Arnold was by her side when she was in the guest room of the Grand Shrine.

    After pondering about it for a while, she finally remembered what he just did.

    ¡°Your Highness, how are you feeling?¡±

    Hearing her scratchy voice, Arnold¡¯s wrinkled brow worsened.

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    ¡°How can you be worrying about me when you just woke up?¡±

    ¡°Because¡­¡±

    She tried to speak, but she was burning and felt lethargic. She felt hot and heavy everywhere, signifying a high fever.

    Arnold sighed and put his arm around Rishe¡¯s back.

    ¡°Uu¡­¡±

    He prompted her to get up, but she couldn¡¯t seem to muster the strength. In the end, Arnold supported her most of the way as she raised herself up on the bed.

    With one arm around her back, he reached toward the bedside table with his other hand.

    The small bottle with the lid still open was, of course, familiar to her.

    Arnold took the bottle and placed the rim against Rishe¡¯s lips.

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    ¡°I just retrieved it. Drink it up.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 98.2

    When she shut her mouth tightly and covered it with the palm of her hand, Arnold looked increasingly sullen.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you to drink.¡±

    ¡°No. Your Highness should be the one taking this antidote.¡±

    She looked up into his blue eyes and desperately pleaded.

    ¡°Your Highness¡¯s body is more important than mine.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    In an instant, his eyes took on a frosty glint.

    Arnold moved the bottle away from Rishe and silently slurped down the bottle of antidote. Seeing this, Rishe breathed a sigh of relief.

    Great, His Highness will be fine after taking this.

    Arnold must have retrieved one of the five bottles of antidote she had concocted.

    She wondered if the seamstresses who received the remaining four bottles were all right. They must have been suffering from high fever, but she hoped they wouldn¡¯t suffer any after-effects.

    With that in mind, she looked at Arnold absentmindedly. However, the well-defined larynx showed no sign of swallowing.

    While she was wondering with a head in a whirl, Arnold suddenly grabbed her by the chin and turned her toward him.

    And then she was given a somewhat assertive kiss.

    ¡°Hmm ¡­!?¡±

    Rishe¡¯s lips were opened, and the sweet potion was trickled in.

    Even though she realized his intentions and resisted, she couldn¡¯t get any strength into her arms.

    No! This antidote is for Your Highness¡­

    Though she was screaming deep inside, Arnold refused to let her go.

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    He clasped her waist when she tried to get away and tipped her chin to thwart her throat.

    It was an instinctive reflex to swallow when someone did that to you.

    In spite of her attempts to resist, Rishe choked.

    ¡°Gulp¡­¡±

    After he was sure she had swallowed, he finally released her.

    Rishe scrunched up her face and looked up at him, feeling at a loss.

    ¡°W-Why?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Arnold then wiped Rishe¡¯s lips with his thumb.

    Although his hand was gentle in doing so, there was a hint of smoldering irritation in his eyes.

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    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what, I¡¯m pissed off right now.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold glared at her from close range, almost hitting her forehead with his.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to apologize for being rough with you¡­This time, you can hit me if you want.¡±

    Rishe knotted her lips and reached for him. But it wasn¡¯t to hit him.

    She brushed his lips while resisting the urge to cry.

    Arnold looked dubious when she traced his lips.

    ¡°What¡­¡±

    ¡°Your medicine, Your Highness¡­?¡±

    She asked because she was really scared, but for some reason, Arnold rolled his eyes for a moment.

    Afterwhich, he grimaced and said, ¡°I spat out your blood right off. I feel no difference, so there¡¯s no need.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s a deadly poison, you know. While the sleeping potion is working, once it¡¯s absorbed, it can kill you if you¡¯re not careful.

    ¡°What matters to me is the fact that you¡¯ve been poisoned by it.¡±

    Arnold stroked Rishe¡¯s neck with his fingers.

    There was a bandage wrapped around it.

    The wound itself was shallow, but she was bandaged in an overly exaggerated manner, and it seemed to have been fastened methodically.

    ¡°I¡¯ve told you before not to take any chances.¡±

    His quiet voice sounded as if loaded with a variety of emotions.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Because of Rishe¡¯s actions, even Arnold was drawn into the danger.

    For the royal family, the crown prince ¨C the heir to the throne, him consuming a poisonous drug was a matter of great importance that could affect the fate of the whole country if not handled properly.

    Above all, the mere thought of what might happen to Arnold was enough to make her cower in fear.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    With a pensive look, Arnold laid her on the bed.

    Then he asked.

    ¡°Are you in pain?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

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    The fever and the heaviness of her body were still there, but she could still move her fingers. Thanks to the antidote she had been given, she wouldn¡¯t have to go through the pain again.

    Arnold placed his hand on her left hand, which she opened and closed, for confirmation. It felt colder than usual because of Rishe¡¯s higher body temperature.

    The light from the lamp on the bedside table reflected in his blue eyes, akin to a fishing light she had seen in her previous life.

    ¡°You¡¯ll live.¡±

    It was a very sincere confirmation of the obvious.

    She had a feeling that if she just affirmed it with words, he would not believe her.

    So Rishe intertwined her fingers with his, which were lying atop, and gripped them tightly.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold briefly sighed.

    Seeing this, she instinctively asked, ¡°Have you ever lost someone in front of you?¡±

    Arnold slightly lowered his eyes.

    Seeing the gesture, she realized how foolish the question was.

    He has been through war. He definitely witnessed someone¡¯s death before, and did it over and over again.

    But then, Arnold told Rishe something unthought of.

 Chapter 99

    ¡°¨D¨DThe first one I saw was my sister that my father killed.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    This information couldn¡¯t sink in for a while after Arnold quietly shared it with her.

    His Highness¡¯s sister, his father?

    She knew exactly what the word meant, but her brain refused to grasp it.

    Arnold looked down at Rishe¡¯s inexplicable reaction and continued without blinking an eyelid, ¡°She was a royal baby that one of Father Emperor¡¯s consorts delivered. She was only a few days old when Father Emperor took what the consort was desperately trying to protect and pierced her with his sword.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no¡­¡±

    That scene almost popped into Rishe¡¯s mind, but she axed it reflexively.

    As I recall, His Highness¡¯ father fought wars with countries all over the world and had royal women from various countries offered to him.

    Lying on the bed, Rishe asked with a voice almost trembling.

    ¡°Why would he do such a thing?¡±

    ¡°The man only allows children, who have markedly inherited his blood in their veins, to exist¡­He said that killing her in front of his consort was punishment for giving birth to a ¡®baby that wasn¡¯t¡¯.¡±

    Just killing a baby was hard to swallow, but the confusion dug deeper and deeper.

    How could he determine that in front of a newborn baby?

    Arnold seemed to have discerned what was boggling Rishe.

    ¡°¨D¨DHave black hair and blue eyes like Father Emperor.¡±

    Arnold stared at Rishe with twin blue eyes, just as he spoke.

    ¡°That is the condition for a royal baby to survive.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Rishe raised an eyebrow at the revelation.

    Not only Arnold, but also his half-brother, Theodore, has black hair and blue eyes. The same must be true for his four younger sisters, but it never occurred to her that such a condition had been imposed on them.

    Is that why His Highness said that the color of his own eyes was abominable?

    It reminded her of a conversation they once had on the balcony of the detached palace.

    That was his response when she praised how beautiful his eyes were.

    His blue eyes were identical to his father¡¯s, and he hated them so much he wanted to gouge them out. But the cause was more than just dislike for his father.

    ¡°Blue eyes are supposedly a trait that is hard to pass on to children.¡±

    If ¡°black hair¡± was added to that condition, very few cases must have fit the bill.

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

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    ¡°¡­So, the babies your father didn¡¯t recognize¡­?¡±

    ¡°They were all killed in front of the consorts who gave birth to them without exception.¡±

    She was rendered speechless at this admission.

    How could he do such a thing?

    In her life as an alchemist, she assisted in childbirth several times.

    A healthy postpartum period for both mother and child was not something to be taken for granted. These women endure changes for ten months, and risk their lives to give birth to their children with anxiety and pain.

    And yet, the man who was supposed to be the father of the child had scrubbed away the life that had been born?

    ¡°Was the young Prince Arnold forced to be there?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    The affirmation in the form of silence made her heart ache even more

    ¡°Has anyone paid any attention to Your Highness? The Imperial Concubines surely looked out for you¡­¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DThey were all vindictive and hateful towards me for surviving.¡±

    The next thing he said was almost like a monologue.

    ¡°The one who hated me the most was probably my mother, who gave birth to me.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Arnold intertwined his fingers with Rishe¡¯s as she drew in a breath.

    His voice turned even calmer, as if he was confirming an obvious fact.

    ¡°While he was killing babies, that man was always telling me, ¡®Your body has inherited blood that is superior to that of other humans.¡¯¡±

    A beautiful finger slowly traced the ring that Rishe was wearing.

    ¡°But that can¡¯t be true. What is the value of a pedigree that is merely inherited from that man?¡±

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°You should know better. Regardless of who I am, no matter who¡¯s blood I carry, it is not a reason to respect me over others.¡±

    Arnold said with sincerity shimmering in his eyes.

    ¡°Never say again that my life should take precedence over yours.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She felt a sharp, dull pain in her left chest.

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    In fact, she wanted to reply, ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡±

    But, she could barely utter the words.

    Looking up at Arnold from her bed and gazing into his eyes, Rishe blinked slowly and cautiously.

    But in the next moment.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­!¡±

    The tears that she had been holding back spilled from both eyes.

 Chapter 99.2

    ¡°Hey¡­¡±

    Arnold frowned and quickly withdrew his hand from Rishe.

    Nonetheless, he caressed the bandage on her neck and looked down at her sullenly. It was a very unusual expression, one that clearly reflected confusion.

    ¡°Are you still hurting somewhere?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it¡­¡±

    She promptly denied, but her voice sounded tremulous and shaky. She pressed the back of her hand against her eyes, but the tears kept flowing.

    Look down at the drops that came one after another, Arnold spoke in bewilderment, ¡°Why are you crying then?¡±

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Rishe herself was greatly perplexed. She wanted to hide it, but it didn¡¯t work.

    She hadn¡¯t cried in front of anyone since she could remember.

    ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re just too kind.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Rishe had long noticed that.

    Some knights who have survived from dangerous battlefields had means to fight with no regard for their lives.

    She asked them why, and they told her that it was a punishment for surviving.

    They felt guilty that they were the only ones who survived while their friends died, so they continued to stand on the battlefield, thinking that they had to make amends for it.

    But there was no such thing as a survival sin.

    ¡°Your Highness, you were so young and did nothing wrong¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    However, Arnold¡¯s behavior seemed like it.

    When bandits attacked them before, he commanded the knights to back off and drew his sword alone.

    It was all about trying to be on the front lines on the battlefield, like the Ciutena battle that Fritz talked about, or his confrontation with Rishe in her sixth life.

    What if that was his way of atoning for his sins?

    Perhaps, since he was a kid¡­

    Just the thought of it made Rishe want to cry.

    The back of her eyes were burning, and she felt terribly distressed. Arnold could tell that it wasn¡¯t due to pain.

    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t rub your eyes too much.¡±

    ¡°Uh-h¡­¡±

    Arnold grasped her hand when she stammered.

    Her vision disappeared, and she could see the world in a blur. With each blink, everything became clearer and clearer, and then quickly turned hazy again.

    It was then that Arnold appeared on the screen, with a disconcerted expression on his face.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡±

    Arnold asked with a frown while brushing Rishe¡¯s tears with his finger.

    ¡°¡­How can I get you to stop crying?¡±

    ¡°~~~~¡±

    When he asked, she cried even harder. Upon seeing this, Arnold saw this, he let out a reproachful voice.

    ¡°Rishe¡­¡±

    ¡°Because-because¡­¡±

    He only cared about her. He didn¡¯t care about himself.

    The feeling that the matter was beyond her control simmered with the heat of the poison.

    Because of it, she blurted something out beyond her comprehension.

    ¡°Ah, head.¡±

    ¡°Head?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to pet Your Highness Arnold¡¯s head.¡±

    The wrinkles on Arnold¡¯s brow deepened in response.

    ¡°You know¡­¡±

    She realized that it was an outlandish request. To deal with an adult male, it was a misguided wish no matter which angle you looked at it.

    But right now, she really wanted to stroke Arnold¡¯s head.

    She couldn¡¯t reach him when he was a child, but she wanted to touch Arnold right in front of me.

    Thus, she looked up at him pleadingly.

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold sighed deeply and kneeled on her bed.

    A creak sounded, followed by the rustling of the sheets.

    With hands flanking Rishe¡¯s face, Arnold looked down at Rishe as if he were enveloping her directly above.

    Their distance shortened. In this way, Rishe could touch him.

    With a slightly hushed voice, he yielded to Rishe¡¯s demand.

    ¡°Suit yourself.¡±

    ¡°O-Okay¡­¡±

    Sob-sob, she stretched her hand and slowly touched Arnold¡¯s head.

    It felt strange. Arnold looked unaccustomed to it, but Rishe wasn¡¯t any better.

    Even so, she gently stroked his black hair.

    Arnold¡¯s lightly tousled hair was surprisingly soft to the touch.

    For some reason, she found it irresistible, and then tears welled up in her eyes once more.

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    ¡°Hm~~¡±

    ¡°¡­Hey.¡±

    Arnold looked like he wanted to say something different. Rishe knew she was annoying him, but she couldn¡¯t help it.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°¡­Damn.¡±

    Arnold, who had been covering her, bent down and gently laid his forehead against Rishe¡¯s. Their bangs tangled together and rustled.

    And then he closed his eyes.

    ¡°Please, no more crying.¡±

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    The pleading words were spun in a strained voice.

    ¡°Seeing you crying makes me feel like losing my head¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It was rare to see Arnold barely managing to do something, too.

    Rishe hurriedly tried to cease crying. In the end, however, she ended up weeping like a child.

    She had never been allowed to cry in front of her parents, so this was a new experience for her.

    Arnold was of course perturbed, but he still brushed her tears until she fell asleep, exhausted from crying.

 Chapter 100.1

    ¡°Hmm ¡­¡±

    It was a warm and fluffy awakening.

    In Rishe¡¯s slumber, she felt like she dreamed about her time in Garkhain.

    It was a dream about the events that happened just days ago, like talking with Arnold on the balcony of the detached palace and going to the soiree with him.

    For Rishe, it had been a long time since she had had a dream that was not her past lives.

    It was a shame that she had to get up, so she rubbed her forehead against something close at hand. She wasn¡¯t clear what it was, but it was quite a good fit.

    Something warm was wrapped around her. And the sound of a beating heart reassured her.

    Her eyes drooped, and she felt like dozing off, but that something was heaving on her body.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Last night¡¯s lethargy immediately vanished.

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    It didn¡¯t seem an after-effect of the poisoning. She stirred in wonder and slowly opened her eyes as she looked up.

    And then took a load of everything.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold was hugging her in his sleep in the bed.

    ¡°¨D¨D!?¡±

    At that moment, she barely restrained herself from screaming.

    Nuh-uh¡­

    They were undoubtedly facing each other, wrapped in the quilt. Arnold was sleeping with Rishe¡¯s head cradled in his arms.

    Arnold¡¯s mouth looked buried around Rishe¡¯s bangs.

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    How did I end up on the same bed as His Highness?

    Arnold was the only one using a pillow while Rishe turned his arm into one. She panicked when she registered that, but she was too stumped to move.

    Then she recalled how it all started.

    It¡¯s all my fault for fretting and being whiny!!

    Rishe immediately blanched, upon remembering what had happened last night.

    I told him to go back to his room and sleep, but he said, ¡°I can¡¯t leave you alone, I¡¯m going to stay with you for the night.¡± Then I said something like, ¡°If you must insist on staying here, please at least sleep in bed instead of staying up all night¡±¡­

    She¡¯d cried her eyes out last night that her thoughts got muddled and said some crazy things.

    Arnold was rendered speechless at that time, but he reluctantly nodded and said, ¡°Okay,¡± because Rishe looked on the verge of tears once more.

    Nevertheless, her deeds were unconscionable.

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    I was an alchemist, but what have I done!!¡­I should have asked him to return to his room at all costs and slept alone¡­

    He was too contrite and followed Rishe¡¯s lead.

    Rishe quickly disentangled herself, looked up at Arnold, and lowered her eyes.

    I hope he isn¡¯t too uncomfortable from being my pillow¡­

    Arnold would have normally awakened when Rishe moved.

    However, his eyes remained shut.

    Rishe didn¡¯t know if it was because he attended to her or the poison affected him, but she hoped this sleep has helped him recover a little.

    She gazed at Arnold¡¯s sleeping face, praying for such a thing.

    He looks a little younger when he¡¯s asleep.

    Arnold had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his white shirt.

    Through his loose collar, she could see his usually hidden collarbone, Adam¡¯s apple, and neck.

    What Rishe couldn¡¯t help noticing were the countless scars on his neck.

    He said that his mother hated him more than anyone else.

    Could his mother be the culprit behind these scars?

    She felt like touching him, but she couldn¡¯t do anything unscrupulous without permission.

    Thus, as she stared blankly, Arnold¡¯s hand moved as if searching for something.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After that, he gently opened his eyes.

    His blue eyes that weren¡¯t yet fully awake were clear in the morning sun through the window. She would have admired them in normal times, but it was inappropriate under the circumstances.

    ¡°¡­ Good morning ¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold blinked slowly.

    He then reached out to Rishe and brushed her coral bangs.

    He clasped both of her cheeks, closed his eyes, and rubbed their foreheads together.

    He was probably checking her for fever.

    Despite knowing that, she was more nervous than necessary because of the languidness peculiar to waking up that Arnold wore.

    ¡°Your Highness, um¡­¡±

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

 Chapter 100.2

    He asked in a hoarse, languid voice.

    Their foreheads were against each other, so close that their eyelashes brushed, so Rishe hurriedly replied.

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m fine. Thanks to you, I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m fine¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold opened his eyes and raised a brow, making her regret repeatedly stating that she was fine.

    She felt embarrassed and hurriedly tried to sit up, but Arnold grabbed her arm.

    ¡°Hya~¡±

    ¡°Just go back to sleep.¡±

    Rishe once again sank into the sea of slumber with Arnold dragging her beside him.

    She had no choice but to lie down and ask a question.

    ¡°Your Highness, is there anything wrong with your body?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    Arnold touched Rishe¡¯s neck as he answered.

    Perhaps he was trying to undo the knot in the bandage.

    Rishe leaned back without a trace, but continued to shoot questions.

    ¡°Thank you very much for yesterday¡­Errr, Myria-sama¡­?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve informed the Duke through Oliver that there may be an attempt on her life.¡±

    She was relieved. She expected Arnold to proceed so, but it was a relief to hear it again.

    ¡°I told the kid herself not to leave her father¡¯s side. Oliver reported to me once in the middle of the night, and she seemed to be quietly staying with the Duke.¡±

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    ¡°Did Myria-sama inform you of my whereabouts?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Leo told me about it, and I ran into her on my way to the forest.¡±

    She heard a sizzle and the rustling of clothing.

    Arnold explained exactly what she wanted to hear as he untied her bandages.

    But they were still beside each other.

    ¡°I¡¯ve instructed Leo and Shrine Maiden not to tell anyone that you¡¯ve entered the forest. It would be pointless if the Order found out and caused a scene.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for everything ¨C uh-ah!¡±

    When Arnold¡¯s fingers touched the surface of her skin, she shivered.

    ¡°Come on. Don¡¯t struggle.¡±

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    ¡°But it tickles¡­hmm-hahaha! Your Highness, wait¡­!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I told you not to struggle.¡±

    She got scolded and thus did her best to endure. After some time, her bandage was removed.

    After it happened, sheI realized that she could untie the bandage by herself. However, since Arnold seemed to be seriously checking her would, she kept mum about it for now.

    ¡°It looks like your wound is starting to heal. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going to scar.¡±

    She didn¡¯t really care about that.

    In her knight life, she had scars here and there.

    But instead of saying that, Rishe tried to explore the wound herself.

    Then Arnold stared into Rishe¡¯s eyes.

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    ¡°Your eyes aren¡¯t swollen either.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness carefully wiped away my tears¡­¡±

    She replied in embarrassment, but Arnold seemed satisfied with her answer.

    ¡°Would you like to bandage it again? I¡¯ll have a new bandage prepared.¡±

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s okay, Your Highness.¡±

    He raised his upper body, so Rishe got up with him.

    ¡°The bleeding seemed to have stopped, so I thought I¡¯d leave it as is. As long as it¡¯s not a serious wound, it would be too exaggerated to wear a bandage.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯d better bandage it.¡±

    ¡°Eh?¡±

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    ¡°It turned red. It would be safer to bandage and hide it.¡±

    She tilted her head at the suggestion.

    ¡°This poison is not supposed to cause inflammation of the wound¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After all, this assassination poison was chosen because it leaves no visible traces of poisoning death.

    Thanks to her teacher¡¯s antidote and Arnold who gave it to her, Rishe was almost recovered.

    However, Arnold denied it.

    ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the wound.¡±

    ¡°U-huh?¡±

    He traced it with his finger, and she recoiled from the tickle. Arnold didn¡¯t touch the wound, but the area around it.

    Then he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

    ¡°There¡¯s a red mark where I¡¯ve kissed and sucked your skin.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Her mind went blank.

    She wondered if he just said something rather outrageous to her.

    Perhaps it was when she had the poison sucked out of her. However, remembering once again what Arnold had done to her for that reason, Rishe was immensely speechless.

    ¡°Your white skin makes it stand out even more.¡±

    ¡°Hu-Eh?!¡±

    After a beat, heat rushed to her cheeks.

    She hurriedly pulled the covers to hide her face, which was definitely flushed. She absolutely didn¡¯t want to know what kind of expression Arnold has on his face right now.

    First off, didn¡¯t he give me the medicine yesterday through his mouth?!

    She felt much hotter than yesterday, when she really had a fever. In the midst of her whirling thoughts, she barely managed to speak.

    ¡°Um, I¡¯ve been wondering about something for a while!¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    I can¡¯t just ask, you¡¯re strangely adept at handling women, are you?!

    Was he usually like this? She wanted to ask, but at the same time afraid to ask. It was quite puzzling why she felt that way.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

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    Her swirling emotions were confusing her, then Arnold spoke.

    ¡°Why did you entrust your message to me to Leo?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She stifled her confusion and pulled down the covers that had been covering her face.

    ¡°¡­I knew that if I didn¡¯t get there soon, something would happen to Myria-sama.¡±

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡±

    She met Arnold¡¯s eyes, and though he was expressionless, he didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of letting her go.

    He got pissed at a lot of things last night, and then took the situational peculiarities into consideration.

    ¡°You don¡¯t really think he¡¯s trustworthy, do you?¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

 Chapter 101.1

    The air a moment ago seemed all an illusion as his cold gaze shot through Rishe.

    It made Rishe let out a breath.

    The reason for Leo¡¯s unbalanced physique was not just because he was overtraining and on the verge of break down.

    Of course, His Highness Arnauld is aware of this.

    The day before yesterday, when Rishe was walking in the forest with Leo, she was walking with a steady stride.

    If she counted her steps in this state, she could draw up a map in her mind.

    It was useful in a strange place, and the information had been helpful when she was chasing Myria in the forest yesterday.

    What bothered Rishe was Leo when she compared with his stride.

    The day before yesterday, Leo¡¯s walking speed was exactly the same as mine, when he was supposed to be walking at a constant stride.

    He was never faster nor slower than Rishe.

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    In the forest, where the footing was unsteady, he showed not even a slight deviation.

    That meant that either Leo was matching her stride, or he adjusted so that he could walk at a certain distance from Rishe.

    ¡°It is peculiar that Leo knows about the ¡®royal substitute¡¯ strategy in the first place.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She agreed with him on that point as well.

    Regardless if you¡¯re related to the nobility or the royal family, a strategy that was widely known to the common people was meaningless.

    Leo clearly said that he¡¯s heard of it if she were to say it was a wild guess.

    There were many strange aspects about Leo to call him an ¡°ordinary child¡±.

    ¡°You were probably just as wary as I was. That¡¯s why you didn¡¯t mention the antidote when you asked him to send the message to me.¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s partly because I didn¡¯t want to waste time. And I was confident that Your Highness would understand everything I wanted.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he would have deliberately chosen to gamble under that circumstance regardless if it¡¯s you, especially when the safety of the Maiden Priestess was at stake.¡±

    Arnold sat on the edge of the bed and continued.

    ¡°I had Oliver continue to investigate the carriage with the broken axle¡­Although they fooled us with the involvement of multiple coachmen, it seems that Schneider, the archbishop¡¯s assistant, is the one who prepared the carriage¡­¡±

    ¡°And then¡­¡±

    Rishe clutched the sheet tightly.

    ¡°It is none other than the Order that is trying to kill the last Maiden Priestess.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Even though it was obvious, her heart was still in turmoil.

    There weren¡¯t probably even sentries in the forest.

    Accompanying servants and guards have been extremely limited ¨C all of these were under the Order¡¯s master plan. They set up an environment to take advantage of on the guise of the festival and the divine teachings.

    The Order which supposedly should protect Myria-sama is targeting her¡­

    When Rishe remained silent, Arnold spoke.

    ¡°Leo¡¯s footsteps are loud on purpose.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    ¡°You mean, his footsteps are silent when he walks normally?¡±

    ¡°Yes. He can¡¯t blend in with the surroundings, so he must have made a conscious effort to make noise.

    It¡¯s true that Leo¡¯s footsteps are quite audible, but¡­

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    Rishe could see that it was distinctly different from the adults around him, as well as Myri, who was closer to him in weight.

    But she thought it was because she remembered Leo and Myria¡¯s footsteps from her past lives.

    Did His Highness Arnold notice that after Leo took only a few steps?

    In just a few minutes, he grasped more than what Rishe observed.

    She was amazed yesterday, but she was even more amazed now.

    ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to have a child learn such a skill.¡±

    ¡°I hope you¡¯re wrong, but¡­¡±

    ¡°No matter what you wish, it¡¯s obvious once we gather all intelligence.¡±

    Arnold continued speaking without mercy.

    ¡°¨D¨DLeo has been trained as an assassin.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She looked down and nodded.

    His distinctive body movements and the traces of training inappropriate for his age were probably due to his special upbringing.

    Rishe and Arnold were on the same page.

    ¡°If you knew that, why did you entrust him with a message for me?¡±

    ¡°It was Your Highness who took charge of this matter based on your conjectures¡­Isn¡¯t that because you don¡¯t have enough information to determine which side Leo was on?¡±

    Arnold frowned slightly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that big of a deal. I just figured if I brought him back and handed him over to Theodore, black or white, he¡¯d put him to good use.¡±

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    That was a lie. Arnold also promised to mentor Leo, but he chose not to go to Garkhain.

    ¡°It was probably Bishop Schneider¡¯s orphanage that trained Leo as an assassin. If Leo was forced out of that institution, the only reason is that there was no longer any point in keeping him there¡­As an assassin, he¡¯s either full-fledged or he¡¯s been disqualified and banished.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve already decided that Leo¡¯s out of the assassination business.¡±

    ¡°No, Your Highness.¡±

 Chapter 101.2

    Rishe looked into Arnold¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I have determined that Leo is an assassin.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold exhaled quietly upon hearing her response.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why did you entrust him with the rescue?¡±

    ¡°Even if he¡¯s an assassin, he isn¡¯t considered a threat¡­I believe that he is too kind to make killing people a living.¡±

    The first day they arrived at the Grand Shrine, Leo frantically rode his horse to call for help, to let them know that there had been a carriage accident.

    When Myria disappeared, he seriously turned pale and told Rishe what happened. If he was going to kill Myria, he should have just kept quiet and fooled her.

    But Leo even called Arnold for help.

    ¡°¨D¨DI took advantage of that. I¡¯ve decided that no matter what skills Leo had, he couldn¡¯t kill someone with his gentleness.¡±

    It was for this reason that she let Leo and Myria interact and share a meal together, despite knowing it was a terrible idea.

    Because she knew the future.

    Leo committed a huge mistake, and his employer punished him so severely that he lost one of his eyes.

    If he hadn¡¯t escaped with his life, he would have been killed.

    His employer was not the Duke, Myria¡¯s father. It was probably his employer in the assassination business.

    Leo¡¯s failure may have been about Myria-sama¡¯s assasination. If the tale about Duke Jornal¡¯s paralysis due to an illness was a lie, then it must be the sequelae of the poison he had used to protect Myria-sama¡­

    The poison that poisoned Rishe and the seamstresses would have left them with severe paralysis, even if it didn¡¯t kill them, if the treatment wasn¡¯t timely.

    In retrospect, the symptoms that appeared on the Duke were exactly the aftereffects of the mixed poison.

    The Duke of Jonal I served as a maidservant probably lied to me.

    The reason he faked the cause of his illness might have been to avoid unnecessary tension to Myria.

    The servants might have been replaced in order to prevent people, who knew that he did not have any chronic illnesses, from informing Myria of the truth.

    The Duke¡¯s paralysis and Leo¡¯s serious injury are destined to be determined in this Grand Shrine.

    The uproar that occured here probably resulted in the punishment of the archbishop.

    And so Myria grew up believing that the misfortunes that occurred around her were her fault, and she grew up with that trauma buried in her heart.

    We have to keep Leo from carrying out the assassination, keep him and His Excellency and the others safe. Keep everything under control¡­ However, if the enemy after Myria-sama is the world¡¯s largest religion, Krushade, it isn¡¯t the way to go¡­

    She struggled and let her thoughts slip out.

    ¡°Why would the Order want to kill Myria-sama, the Maiden Priestess?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Pfft, she heard a stifled chuckle.

    Rishe looked at Arnold in surprise, and he asked.

    ¡°Do you really think that the Maiden Priestess is the one that the Order needs to protect?¡±

 Chapter 101.3

    ¡°¡­?!¡±

    She wondered what he was alluding to.

    She didn¡¯t ask, but she picked up on it too.

    ¡°Are you referring to the time when the previous Maiden Priestess passed away twenty-two years ago?¡±

    ¡°Ha¡­Maybe.¡±

    Arnold smiled in amusement, but it was a grim smile.

    Rishe had seen this expression somewhere before.

    The predecessor died years before His Highness Arnold, now nineteen, was born.

    There was no way that Arnold could have been familiar with the events of that time.

    However, the sense of disquiet in Rishe¡¯s mind became more and more pronounced.

    Ever since my life as a maidservant, I¡¯ve always wondered inwardly.

    If they really wanted to protect Myria, they could have made a big show of announcing that she was the Maiden Priestess and thoroughly protected her in the name of the cause.

    The Maiden Priestess was the reincarnation of the Goddess and an object of worship for believers all over the world.

    It would have been better to make her existence public so that she could grow up in a safe environment.

    But what was the reason for hiding her existence and giving her up for adoption to the Duke¡¯s family?

    ¡°¨D¨DRishe.¡±

    Smiling, Arnold looked into Rishe¡¯s eyes and whispered.

    ¡°Do you want to help that priestess¡¯s child?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    She nodded earnestly in response.

    A large hand stroked Rishe¡¯s cheek and tilted her head up. Then he continued calmly.

    ¡°The festival will take place today as scheduled. It seems that it will be held without a hitch, with all the necessary arrangements in place.¡±

    ¡°What¡­!!¡±

    The ceremony would be held by Myria as the Maiden Priestess and the archbishop.

    Myria would be left alone among the people who wanted to kill her. No matter what happened there, there would be no one to help her.

    ¡°Why in the world did Your Highness advise me against the assassination? I can¡¯t believe the Duke isn¡¯t the least bit suspicious of the Order¡­¡±

    ¡°You say the craziest things.¡±

    Arnold remarked, and Rishe looked up at him in confusion.

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    ¡°Lord Jornal is a devout believer. Do you think he was only raising a child who was the Maiden Priestess because of the Order¡¯s order?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­.¡±

    ¡°But now, the Order is wishing for his daughter¡¯s death. Under such circumstances, what reason would the Duke have to protect a child who is not even related to him?¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Arnold said in all seriousness.

    Noticing this, Rishe hurriedly denied it.

    ¡°That¡¯s not true! To His Excellency Jonal, Myria is an important daughter. Even if it is the will of the Order, even if she is a daughter not related to him by blood, he would never put her in danger.¡±

    Rishe knew this perfectly well.

    His Excellency cared for Myria from the bottom of his heart and raised her with great care.

    That was definitely a genuine affection that transcended the boundaries of blood ties and duties from the Order.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I want to help¡­Myria-sama, Leo, and His Excellency, Duke Jornal are all here.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    Arnold cast his eyes down slightly.

    ¡°Then don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    After that, he gently told Rishe, ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­?¡±

    Arnold got up from the bed and put on his coat, which was hanging on a chair beside him.

    ¡°You should rest for a while longer.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Arnold left the room and closed the door quietly.

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    His Highness Arnold is on our side. This is the most reassuring thing.

    A ripple arose in the depths of her heart.

    Rishe pressed her lips together, stood up, and began to dress herself.

 Chapter 102.1 What the Young Hand Desires

    All signs of human presence had vanished from most of the Grand Shrine.

    The sound of Rishe¡¯s shoes echoed in the silent hallway after she changed her dress.

    She peeked into the cathedral, which was the closest to the guest rooms, but it was empty as well. Until yesterday, there were bishops praying to the Goddess and priests busily preparing for the festival.

    No one. Not only Myria-sama and His Excellency Jonal, but also His Highness Arnold and Oliver.

    Could it be that they headed for the cathedral?

    Ordinary believers were prohibited from attending the festival ceremonies. No one, not even Arnold, should be allowed near the cathedral.

    Why is my heart racing?

    The future Emperor Arnold Hein will burn down churches and priests. Even so, the current His Highness Arnold would not do anything rash against the Order¡­So, what was the point of ordering the believers to stay away from me?

    To begin with, there must be a reason for him to make an enemy of the Order in the future.

    In the past, she only thought they were in his way.

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    The Order was a powerful force and a stronghold for people all over the world. They were nothing but an eyesore to the rulers. and there was no reason to overlook their existence.

    Though I¡¯m sure that¡¯s only one of the reasons.

    In the distance, the bells rang out, signaling the start of the festival.

    The next moment, Rishe grabbed the hem of her dress and hurried to the cathedral.

    ¡°Huh, Leo!!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe managed to stop when the boy jumped out in front of her.

    Leo appeared and looked straight up at Rishe.

    Really, I didn¡¯t hear any footsteps at all. Not even a sign¡­

    She squeaked in her throat.

    Leo observed Rishe and spoke with a hint of caution.

    ¡°Are you going to the cathedral?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Isn¡¯t the festival about to commence?¡±

    Leo¡¯s brow furrowed.

    ¡°I heard that Arnold Hein asked for an urgent meeting with the Archbishop.¡±

    ¡°His Highness Arnold? But to do that right before the ceremony¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s just trying to take advantage of their deal. I¡¯ve heard that the Order has a rule that if Garkhain asks for a meeting, they can¡¯t refuse.¡±

    This sudden information made Rishe¡¯s eyes widen.

    Are you saying that there is a contract between the Order and Garkhain?

    Leo snorted when he saw Rishe¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°I knew it. You know nothing about it.¡±

    No matter how many contracts they have, they can¡¯t possibly take precedence over the rituals of the festival. His Highness Arnold¡¯s purpose is not really for a meeting¡­

    Rishe frowned.

    To drive the Order into committing a Breach of Contract?

    It was a conclusion she was almost certain of.

    I have no idea what will happen once they renege on their contract. But perhaps His Highness will use it as an excuse to participate in the ceremony¡­

    An ominous premonition crept up her spine.

    Aside from Emperor Arnold Hein, the 19-year-old Arnold, whom Rishe was more familiar with, was not going to inadvertently antagonize the Order.

    But perhaps that assumption was wrong to begin with.

    Garkhain and the Order have some kind of agreement.

 Chapter 102.2

    Letting the Order¡¯s side violate it would make Arnold move easier. Perhaps he was aiming for that situation and proposed a meeting that was never going to happen.

    On top of that, there is a justification attached to His Highness Arnold¡¯s action. ¨D¨D As long as he is willing to help Myria-sama¡­!

    In order to protect the Maiden Priestess from the Order.

    As long as such justice exists, believers of the world would side with Arnold.

    His Highness is kind¡­ That¡¯s why he can behave in such an outrageous manner to protect something.

    He must be helping Myria to fulfill Rishe¡¯s wishes.

    ¨D¨DThat was exactly what he was going to do, by any means necessary.

    ¡°I got to go¡­¡±

    They must help Myria.

    That said, she couldn¡¯t let Arnold do anything atrocious.

    She didn¡¯t want to think that it was a mistake asking him for help, but she was bitterly disappointed about her thoughtlessness.

    Leo¡¯s small body stood in front of Rishe when she tried to hurry ahead.

    ¡°No. Don¡¯t go any closer to the cathedral.¡±

    ¡°Leo¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you because I can¡¯t leave you alone for some reason. I won¡¯t let you off the hook if you¡¯re on Arnold Hein¡¯s side.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe clasped her hands together, brimming with melancholy.

    ¡°I can¡¯t be on His Highness Arnold¡¯s side.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    ¡°Thanks for your concern, Leo¡­But I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    She told him frankly.

    ¡°There are things I have to do beside that person, even if it means making an enemy of him.¡±

    ¡°Please excuse me¡­!¡±

    The small figure leaped in front of Rishe when she attempted another run.

    He was about to grab her wrist, but Rishe swiftly dodged it. She took a step backwards, trying to get enough distance from him to regulate her breathing.

    ¡°!¡±

    Leo immediately shortened the distance between them.

    Fast!

    Before he even had time to blink, Leo reached for her collar. The moment he grabbed her dress, he spun around and fended him off.

    He almost speedily grabbed her again, but she landed a light blow on his wrist. Rishe slapped Leo¡¯s hand away, and he took his stance, keeping his distance.

    ¡®You¡¯re a really terrible substitute. If you keep this on, they¡¯ll know you¡¯re not the real Crown Princess.¡±

    ¡°Are you done pretending to be a normal child?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s useless against you. You¡¯re watching people¡¯s movements and paying attention to their aspects shouldn¡¯t be paid attention to!¡±

    He closed the distance between them at once, but she dodged just in time.

    Leo didn¡¯t stop his pursuit. He almost grabbed Rishe¡¯s arm, but as soon as she avoided it, he swung his foot toward her. Just as Rishe dodged it and spun around, he attacked anew.

    Hu, no time to breathe.

    Come to think of it, Rishe¡¯s adversaries had always been bigger than her.

    She has never had to deal with someone smaller than herself like Leo. Perhaps that was the reason she had always been at the mercy of others.

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    This agility. If you are distracted in the slightest. If you are distracted in the slightest, you¡¯d be apprehended!

    She struck, dodged, and played with her physique to keep him at bay.

    She looked for an opening to see if she could run past Leo, but he stepped in at that moment. Leo¡¯s still thin, pliant arm loomed over Rishe, ready to capture her.

    ¡°¡­!¡±

 Chapter 103.1 The Flowerâ€™s Color

    An unfamiliar opponent. But¡­

    Rishe exhaled briefly and struck Leo in return.

    She grabbed his wrist and dragged him back. She whirled to Leo¡¯s back where his balance collapsed, grabbed his clothes and pulled him back.

    Leo clicked his tongue and immediately tried to crouch down. But she expected him to move that way.

    It¡¯s the only way out!

    ¡°W-Whoa!¡±

    Taking advantage of Leo¡¯s movement, she knocked him to the ground instead. Leo immediately tried to regain his posture, but Rishe instantly swept his legs and knocked him down.

    ¡°Damn¡­¡±

    If he has a weapon here¡­!!

    When his back hit the ground, Leo threw something he had hidden in his sleeve to Rishe. She knew it was a small stone after she reflexively avoided it.

    Rishe flipped Leo over and reached for the hem of her dress at the same time. With the rope hidden in the strap on her thigh, she restrained Leo behind him.

    ¡°Let me go!¡±

    She tightly knotted the rope around his wrists and finished with a special knot to prevent him from untying it. She didn¡¯t intend to hold him for a long time, so there was no need to break his bones.

    ¡°This sucks! You, how did you know my movements?¡±

    ¡°I understand you perfectly. ¨D¨DI know how to use my small figure to my advantage.¡±

    Leo¡¯s strikes were top-notch.

    So, she effortlessly predicted his movements. He was lean and precise ¨C there was no other way out, so Rishe easily determined it.

    ¡°All the long range weapons are less powerful. Stone throwing, dagger throwing, not even a bow and arrow.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    She stood up, brushed the dirt off her dress, and continued.

    ¡°The techniques are difficult to master, despite them having low lethality¡­If you want to absolutely defeat your enemy, you have to smear them with poison.

    ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°You have the poison, right?¡±

    Eyes as red as strawberries glared at Rishe.

    ¡°If you had used it beforehand, you could have at least apprehended me. So why didn¡¯t you use it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one to talk. You didn¡¯t even give me a chance to hit you.¡±

    Leo retorted resentfully, but it was a question if he paid heed to it.

    At any rate, Rishe¡¯s condition was slowly deteriorating. Sweat was trickling down her bandaged neck, though she hid it behind a calm visage.

    I¡¯m dizzy and fatigued, resembling an anemic¡­It¡¯s because I¡¯m running all over the place that the poison is draining my energy.

    She really wanted to head for the cathedral right now, but that was impossible if she couldn¡¯t get her breathing under control.

    Even though she trained every morning, it took time to build up her physical strength. Rishe looked at Leo, careful not to let her breathing get out of control.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t use a weapon smeared with poison because you were worried about me, right?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°I beg to differ. You¡¯re too gentle a child, unfit to kill people.¡±

    ¡°Stop it! It¡¯s only been a few days since we¡¯ve met, but don¡¯t speak as if you¡¯ve known me all my life. Don¡¯t talk to me like you¡¯re a family or sister!¡±

    Leo rolled on the ground and glared at Rishe with a piercing gaze.

    ¡°I had to stop you guys. Even if it meant I¡¯m dead here, or kill you.¡±

    ¡°Leo¡­¡±

    ¡°But why?¡±

    His small shoulders were quivering.

    Rishe gasped at the sight of it.

    No way¡­

    Rishe kneeled in front of Leo.

    As she supported him up, she looked down into his eyes and asked, ¡°Leo¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Who exactly are your enemies?¡±

    She realized that all her conjectures were wrong.

    She asked him to confirm that her guess was right.

    Leo was holding something back, then looked resigned and let out an unchildlike sigh.

    ¡°My enemy is Garkhain.¡±

    Leo looked Rishe straight in the eye.

    ¡°And the Archbishops of the Krushade Order.¡±

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

 Chapter 103.2

    Her guesswork about Leo was wrong.

    With Leo¡¯s combat skills, the reason he was taken in by the Duke¡¯s family forcibly, and the reason he accompanied them on the festival trip were all for a different purpose than she had assumed.

    ¨D¨DLeo is not there to kill Young Miss, but to protect her!!

    Leo committed a blunder in her past life.

    Rishe thought of it as failing to accomplish his mission as an assassin. However, if Leo was not an assassin, but a guard, then his failure was for failing to protect Myria and the Duke.

    It was for this reason that the Leo in her knight life has always been bitter about something.

    Maybe it was his anger at himself for failing in his previous mission and wounding the duke.

    He also wished for His Highness Arnold to guide him to become stronger¡­Not for assassination skill to kill someone, but to protect them¡­

    Rishe clasped her hands firmly, and then calmly asked Leo.

    ¡°Are you Myria-sama¡¯s bodyguard?¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ve been disqualified now. I took my eyes off her and put her in danger, and you saved her.¡±

    ¡°You said that one of your enemies is the Archbishop of the Krushade Order. Is the Archbishop and Bishop Schneider who are after Myria-sama?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Leo fell silent and looked away.

    But his other statement should not be overlooked.

    ¡°Why do you say that Garkh¨¢in is an enemy?¡±

    ¡°We, the people of the Order¡­¡±

    Leo exhaled briefly.

    ¡°If we don¡¯t do something¡­Garkhain will annihilate us all¡­¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe gasped when he uttered the words as if knowing the future.

    Are you saying that the Order reckoned at this point that His Highness Arnold will attack them in the future?

    As soon as she learned this, one of the questions boggling her was cleared up.

    Arnold advised the Duke that Myria was being targeted. However, the Duke didn¡¯t suspect the Order and entrusted Myria to them for the festival.

    It wasn¡¯t because Arnold¡¯s advice was untrustworthy.

    On the contrary¡­ His Highness Arnold¡¯s advice sounded like a warning to them.

    If a father was told that his beloved daughter was in danger of being assassinated by someone who had no reason to kill her¡­

    The father would be alarmed and would rush to serve their purpose and leave the place as soon as possible.

    What if His Highness Arnold had even calculated that last night?¨D¨DMeaning, in order to fabricate a reason to immediately antagonize the Order, hasten the execution of the festival.

    Why would Arnold go to such lengths to deal with the Order?

    The more she thought about it, the less she understood. But for now, she had to hurry up.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Leo.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure of this level of restraint? It¡¯ll take some time, but I¡¯ll escape it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not your enemy.¡±

    Her breathing became smoother. If she could just get a few more minutes, her poorly rested body would be able to move.

    ¡°I want to protect Myria-sama. On top of that, I don¡¯t want His Highness to come into conflict with the Order¡­I¡¯m sure our interests are in line.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Leo raised an eyebrow and then muttered.

    ¡°The real thing? Are you really the Crown Princess of Garkhain?¡±

    ¡°In order for that to happen, I¡¯ll have to finish the engagement annulment ritual and return home. If he gets into a fight with the Order, they won¡¯t let me continue with the annulment ceremony.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey, Leo.¡±

    Rishe recalled her knight life and smiled.

    In that life, Leo always looked rankled.

    He didn¡¯t join their circle and just stared at the training from a distance, but Rishe couldn¡¯t leave him alone.

    She repeatedly tried to talk to Leo at every turn, but he always chased her away in annoyance. She did that for almost five years, so it was no wonder that Leo had said such a thing to her earlier.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always considered a boy who looks a lot like you as my little brother, so I was kind of happy when you got mad at me for talking like an older sister.¡±

    ¡°Nah ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to you later, if I can. I¡¯d love to discuss with you some things.¡±

    When Rishe was about to walk away, Leo flung a word at her back.

    ¡°Goddess Tower!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe looked back in confusion. Leo buried his head deeply and continued without looking at her.

    ¡°The Archbishop and Myria didn¡¯t really go to the cathedral.¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­¡±

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    ¡°The cathedral is used for large-scale events involving hordes of people, but the really sacred ceremonies are held in the Goddess Tower at the far end of the Grand Shrine.¡±

    The map of the Grand Shrine that she had been taught in her maidservant life appeared in her mind.

    What was called the Goddess Tower did not exist in the future that Rishe knew. Instead, a place that was once abhorred as a sealed tower existed behind the Grand Shrine.

    ¡°Thank you, Leo.¡±

    ¡°Do you believe me? I might be lying.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all right.¡±

    Rishe chuckled. It wasn¡¯t a ladylike smile, but a mischievous boyish smile, like she used to have in her knight life.

    ¡°I have a feeling that if you lied to me just now, you¡¯d yell out later and tell me, ¡®It¡¯s a lie.¡¯¡±

    ¡°S-Shut up!¡±

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 Chapter 103.3

    He was so angry, but Rishe hurriedly excused herself and sprinted off to the Goddess Tower.

    ¡°¡­Weird adult.¡±

    Leo, who was left behind in the corridor, muttered to himself.

    His wrists were bound behind his back and tied in a rather complicated knot. It wasn¡¯t really that impossible, but it was going to take a lot of effort to untie it.

    ¡°Damn. If that¡¯s not her kind of business, what the hell is?¡±

    Leo cluck his tongue and then looked at Rishe¡¯s back as she ran off.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s the future Empress of Garkhain.¡±

    ****

    Rishe carefully ensured not to get dizzy and rushed to the back of the Grand Shrine.

    What was swirling in her head was the fact that Leo had just told her.

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    Garkhain is included in Leo¡¯s ¡°enemies¡±¡­Why in the world did he refer to the entire Garkhain Kingdom, and not to His Highness Arnold¡¯s name?

    The whole picture was finally coming into focus, but the crucial part was missing. She felt unsettled and had a disturbing premonition.

    I¡¯m sure that the reason the Duke suddenly tried to separate me from Young Miss was because he didn¡¯t want me to find out that she is the Maiden Priestess.

    However, it did seem a little unnatural to her.

    I sensed more of a will to not let me find out than a will to let someone find out.

    It reminded her of an incident that happened just the day before yesterday.

    When she met Young Miss for the first time in this life, His Highness Arnold looked at Myria with cold eyes. The duke also looked nervous the moment His Highness Arnold said his name¡­

    She wondered if there was anything else that made him feel threatened.

    What I have seen and heard in this Grand Shrine; His Highness told me about his childhood¡­

    A possibility emerged in Rishe¡¯s mind.

    No way.

    Feeling incredulous, she jumped into the tower she had reached.

    Even though it was a tower, one floor seemed as big as a cathedral. The entrance was in the form of a door, with separate staircases on either side.

    As Rishe began to climb the stairs, she found a figure when she reached the third floor.

    ¡°Oliver-sama!¡±

    ¡°Oh, Rishe-sama.¡±

    When Oliver calmly turned around, she found the Archbishop¡¯s assistant, Schneider, crouched at his feet.

    Schneider seemed to have fainted, and drops of blood were dripping from the corner of his mouth. She blanched, but his injury didn¡¯t look quite serious as if he dropped from a single blow.

    ¡°Is something troubling you? I thought I asked a priest to send a message for you to rest in your room.¡±

    ¡°Is this from His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°Yes. And My Lord is a little higher up, following the archbishop.¡±

    Oliver smiled and pointed upwards, and Rishe cleared her throat. Oliver¡¯s demeanor, which was usually unafraid of Arnold, was somewhat terrifying when seen in this way.

    ¡°I¡¯m going after His Highness.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d better not. My lord is in a terrible mood right now, you know?¨D¨DAfter all, you were injured.¡±

    This unexpected information made gape.

    But Oliver¡¯s smile must be a lie.

    ¡°Thanks for the heads up! But if His Highness isn¡¯t in a calm state, someone needs to stop him!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe put her foot on the stairs and ran up again.

    Her carefully regulated breathing became erratic, and she was heaving while heading upward. Upon reaching the sixth floor, she noticed an arrow that fell there.

    This is the sacred tool of the Maiden Priestess used during the festival.

    After picking them, she looked up and saw several arrows scattered on the stairs.

    A small bow was also among them. Rishe pressed her lips together.

    There is no way that Young Miss, who respects the Goddess would leave her sacred tools lying around. Either she¡¯s in a situation where she can¡¯t pick them herself, or she¡¯s never been conscious in the first place.

    While picking up the bow and arrow, Rishe reached the entrance of the seventh floor.

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold, sword in hand, slowly looked back at Rishe.

    She shuddered with instinctive fear. He bore resemblance to the Emperor she had faced in knight life.

    But the fallen priests around him were breathing, and the gaze he shot her was different from that time.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Rishe?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    With a curiously gentle gaze, Arnold extended his hand to her.

    ¡°Your breathing is erratic, and you don¡¯t look well.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness ¡­¡±

    ¡°You must have acted recklessly again before you got here.¡±

    He gently brushed her cheek with his sword hand, but his hand smelled of rusty blood.

    ¡°I¡¯ll save the priestess kid. You don¡¯t have to worry about a thing.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°So, be a good girl and wait here.¡±

    He sounded like calming her down, but she felt like he was trying to tell her something.

    ¡°Can you do that?¡±

    Arnold¡¯s sea-blue eyes stared quietly at Rishe.

    The light that dwelled there was dark and sharp as a blade.

    ¡°There¡¯s just one thing I¡¯d like to ask you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Why did you want to keep me away from the Order¡¯s people?¡±

    She recalled the events of their first day in the Grand Shrine.

    They had an exchange on the balcony. Before that, however, Rishe spoke with Bishop Schneider.

    [It is said that only women born into a family of the Maiden Priestess can be chosen as Maiden Priestesses.]

    [A few boys have been born, so the noble Goddess¡¯s lineage has not died out.]

    [¨D¨DThe Maiden Priestess of the previous generation was very skilled in the Kurshade language. There will never be anyone like her, ever again.]

    Rishe took a deep breath.

    The woman who was Myria¡¯s mother gave birth to only one child, Myria.

    After her death, Myria became the only woman with the blood of a Maiden Priestess. That¡¯s why the Order raised Myria in secrecy.

    But what if there were other women whose existence was ¡°hidden¡±?

    It was as if the Order kept Myria¡¯s birth a secret.

    What if the person who was supposed to be dead was alive?

    Arnold told Rishe.

    [If you string that sentence together, it becomes ¡®the girl with the floral hair.]

    Rishe stared into his eyes as he stood in front of her.

    With a heavy sword in his hand, Arnold looked at her with downcast eyes, so beautiful that they could have been painted.

    ¡°What color is your mother¡¯s hair?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After a few seconds, Arnold suddenly smiled calmly.

    However, his eyes were still dark. They were an unfathomable shade, like the ocean at night.

    Arnold¡¯s hushed voice replied.

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­Pale purple, like a violet flower.¡±

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

    The previous Maiden Priestess did not die.

    Perhaps she was offered as a hostage. To Garkhain, under his father Emperor ¨C for the Holy Kingdom of Domana to escape invasion.

    ¡°Your mother is supposedly the dead Maiden Priestess¡­¡±

 Chapter 104.1

    In other words, Arnold was one of the descendants of the Maiden Priestess.

    Bishop Schneider¡¯s warning stirred in Rishe¡¯s mind.

    [¨D¨DYou must not marry Arnold Hein.]

    If the reason the church wanted to kill Myria was because she has the blood of the Maiden Priestess¡­

    Then the Order must be aiming to prevent the birth of a new child with the Maiden Priestess¡¯s blood.

    That¡¯s why His Highness told the bishop that he would make me his nominal wife¡­!

    He said that in order to show that he had no intention of producing an ¡°heir with the qualifications of a Maiden Priestess¡± with Rishe.

    In short, it was a way to prevent the Order from harming Rishe, Arnold¡¯s future wife.

    So, it was all to protect me.

    Right from the start, Arnold accompanied her to the Grand Shrine might have been because he was wary of the Order.

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    But Arnold never once mentioned that to her.

    ¡°It¡¯s probably because of Father Emperor that they¡¯re about to kill the Maiden Priestess.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Arnold blandly spoke about Myria, his cousin.

    Then he turned his back on Rishe and started walking to the stairs leading to the upper floor. There was no sign of Myria and the rest on this floor, and Arnold must have surmised that.

    ¡°You think your father is involved in the assassination of Myria-sama?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not involved, but that guy is the cause.¡±

    Rishe followed Arnold up the stairs.

    He did not look back, but continued to speak.

    ¡°Twenty-two years ago, Garkhain made them sign several treaties in exchange for stopping the invasion of the Holy Kingdom of Domana.¡±

    ¡°Treaties¡­¡±

    Emperor Garkhain did not invade the Holy Kingdom of Domana, the home of the Order, wasn¡¯t because he was a devout believer.

    Using force as a shield, he signed a pact with them.

    The Holy Kingdom, the Maiden Priestess married to Garkhain, and Arnold, whose precious blood were being held hostage.

    ¡°One of them states that for the next twenty years, any girl born with the qualifications of a Maiden Priestess will be presented to Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°Then, the main reason for the concealment of Myria-sama¡¯s existence is¡­¡±

    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s to protect the Maiden Priestess against our kingdom, not the world.¡±

    They passed the entrance to the eighth floor and approached the stairs to the ninth floor. She felt out of breath, but she didn¡¯t want Arnold to notice it.

    ¡°Father Emperor decreed that if the treaty is breached, he will annihilate the Order. The very existence of this Maiden Priestess violates this treaty.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s why Leo said that Garkhain will destroy the Order¡­¡±

    Arnold turned around at Rishe¡¯s remark.

    ¡°So, Leo is on the side of the guards, not on the assassins of the Priestess?¡±

    Arnold muttered without showing any significant emotion.

    He quickly looked forward and dismissed it as nonsense.

    ¡°The Order is not monolithic, either. It seems that the Order is divided between those who want to keep the Priestess alive and those who want to kill her before Garkhain finds out about her existence.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is the Archbishop trying to kill Myria-sama in order to eliminate the trigger for Garkhain to invade?¡±

    ¡°Kill her before anyone knows it is too shallow a rationale, though.¡±

    Arnold told Rishe, insinuating something.

    ¡°The reason they resumed the festival was probably to use the ritual as an excuse to summon the priestess and put her out of the reach of her guards.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her heart raced, giving rise to an unpleasant dizziness.

    The anemia-like symptoms were worse than before.

    It was partly due to the increased physical activity, but there were other obvious reasons.

    How murderous¡­

    The murderous air surrounding Arnold stimulated her instinctive fear.

    This was dangerous, and if they didn¡¯t leave as soon as possible, their lives would be in danger.

    Her body was giving off such warning bells, and she slowly broke out in cold sweat.

    ¡°The traps in the forest were set to see if they could kill her and make it look like the work of a neighboring hunter. Only a young priestess would dare to enter the forbidden forest.¡±

    Arnold paused at the entrance to the ninth floor.

    ¡°¨D¨DBut thanks to you, I almost died, too.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    A chill ran down her spine at the sound of Arnold¡¯s low voice.

 Chapter 104.2

    ¡°Your Highness! Please calm yourself. If you don¡¯t, there will be unnecessary deaths!¡±

    ¡°Unnecessary? Why?¡±

    Arnold retorted as he approached the door in front of him.

    ¡°It was the Order that broke the treaty and displayed unwillingness to obey. If they try to kill us, we¡¯ll be happy to kill them.¡±

    ¡°You just told me that they are not monolithic! Not all people who belong to one organization think alike!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold made no reply.

    Instead, he swung his right leg up towards the massive door and kicked it open at once.

    ¡°!¡±

    At that moment, arrows poured down like rain.

    Before Rishe could brace herself, Arnold stepped forward. The sword, which he brandished diagonally to the right deflected all the arrows away at once.

    Archers will take advantage of firing all at once¡­

    In the hall, a dozen or so figures in monastic garb held their bows as they guarded the altar behind them.

    They were in a state of unrest. But Arnold¡¯s eyes only saw the man who was dragging the unconscious Myria towards the altar.

    ¡°¨D¨DWe¡¯ve cornered him!¡±

    His eyes gleamed like those of a predator.

    ¡°¡±You¡¯re not going to kill the Priestess at the altar, are you?¡­How ridiculous.¡±

    Arnold laughed blithely as he looked at the Archbishop.

    ¡°Do you really think that justifies your actions? That¡¯s ludicrous.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Stay here¡­Oliver©`¡±

    ¡°Ha! As you wish!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Before she knew it, his squire, Oliver, was standing behind her.

    I didn¡¯t realize that a breakdown of this magnitude could slow me down so much¡­

    Rishe clasped her hands tightly. However, Arnold rushed off to the back of the hall shortly after a pause.

    She wanted to go after him, but Oliver grabbed her shoulder. Without enough strength to shake his hand off, Rishe looked back at him.

    ¡°Oliver-sama! At this rate, Your Highness will kill the Archbishop¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll definitely kill him, but no worries¡­¡±

    Oliver smiled and remarked like an excellent squire.

    ¡°Even if that happens, the Order¡¯s senate will end up cutting off the archbishop.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°The existence of the Maiden Priestess, their concealment of it, and the assassination racket. I think he will offer the dead Archbishop to His Majesty as an apology to the Order¡¯s crime. ¨D¨DAfter that, he should present Miss Myria to Garkhain and dismiss it as it¡¯s late, but it¡¯s as per the treaty.¡±

    She was having a throbbing headache. A sensation similar to nausea rose from the pit of her chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure this will happen sooner or later. I think His Majesty was also interested when the Order announced that they were going to reopen the festival. Isn¡¯t this a much more amicable outcome than the Emperor waging war against the Order by taking advantage of Myria¡¯s existence?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way it¡¯s going to be amicable¡­¡±

 Chapter 104.3

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    Oliver¡¯s perfect smile disappeared.

    Then he looked at Rishe with a somewhat melancholic smile.

    ¡°Killing so many people to save his cousin, Myria, will only add to his troubles, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Oliver-sama.¡±

    ¡°If possible, I would ask you to save me, though it would be an unreasonable request, and one that I do not wish to make.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Oliver¡¯s hand left Rishe¡¯s shoulder.

    Arnold dodged the arrows of the approaching priests, fending them off with his sword as he made his way to the altar. The closer the distance was, the higher the hit rate must be, but Arnold didn¡¯t care about it.

    At this rate, His Highness will reach the altar soon. But¡­

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    The Archbishop pushed Myria up to the altar.

    Arnold was fast, but not in time for the moment of evil.

    First and foremost, I must save Young Miss¡­

    Rishe tightened her grip on the divine bow tool she had just picked up.

    This was the Maiden Priestess¡¯s bow that Myria was supposed to use. It was a sacred object that was normally used in festivals.

    Sorry, Young Miss.

    Rishe took a deep breath.

    Let me borrow your precious weapon.

    ¡°Rishe-sama?¡±

    Oliver¡¯s eyes widened when Rishe slowly raised the bow.

    ¡°This is absurd! It¡¯s a long way from here to the altar. Even a trained archer can¡¯t hit it¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the only way now.¡±

    She spread her legs to shoulder width apart and quietly positioned herself facing the Archbishop.

    Her target was his leg. It was a part of the body that wasn¡¯t life-threatening, could reliably delay movement, and cause immense pain.

    If she could shoot him, she could stop him from harming Myria.

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

    It¡¯s indoors and there¡¯s no wind. There¡¯s no trees or grass to block it, and the target won¡¯t run around like a wild animal.

    She took a series of deep breaths, trying her best to sharpen her focus all at once.

    By doing so, she temporarily barred the sounds and even voices around her.

    Hence¡­

    She stretched the string to the limit. She pulled her arrow hand to the side of her ear, careful not to tremble.

    ¨D¨DThis is much easier than the hunting I did when I was living as a hunter in my fifth life.

    There was no need to move around watching where the butterflies and birds fly and doing weather forecasts.

    There was no need to climb trees to hide, to mask her own presence to the utmost limit, or keep walking in the mountains, following the signs of her prey.

    The archbishop at the end of the arrowhead tried to reach out toward Myria.

    ¨C¡­Now!!

    At the moment of certainty, Rishe released the arrow straight ahead.

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    A single arrow cut through the air past Arnold¡¯s side. Arnold looked back at her for a moment, but immediately returned his gaze forward.

    And right after that.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡±

    The Archbishop held his thigh and fell down from the platform screaming.

 Chapter 105 If you can, fire back

    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±

    Oliver, who was watching behind her, gasped.

    ¡°It¡¯s more than a hundred yards away, but to shoot him with such accuracy¡­?¡±

    ¡°Oliver-sama, please take this!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe stuffed the divine bow to Oliver¡¯s hands and also ran toward the altar.

    She has ignored the dizziness and nausea just now.

    I averted the Archbishop¡¯s actions. As for the rest¡­

    She could see Arnold¡¯s back, walking toward the Archbishop with his sword in hand.

    The sound of his footsteps amplified the tense atmosphere in the hall.

    The dozen or so monks who had their bows at the ready had fled like spiderlings.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold!¡±

    Rishe called out to him, but he showed no sign of turning back.

    The Archbishop, crouching on the stairs to the platform, looked up at Arnold and shouted, holding his arrow-studded leg.

    ¡°D-Don¡¯t come any closer!¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    Arnold snapped frostily.

    With his back facing her, Rishe couldn¡¯t see what kind of expression he had right now. But she could clearly see the Archbishop¡¯s face as he crawled backwards in an attempt to escape.

    ¡°I forbid you to speak.¡±

    ¡°Hi¡­¡±

    What did the Archbishop see?

    He looked cramped and pale and shivery. Arnold took one look at Myria, who was lying on the altar, and said with a look of disinterest.

    ¡°I heard that the sister of the previous priestess was very weak. It was deemed difficult for her to bear children, which was why she was spared the treaty.¡±

    ¡°I told you to stay away¡­¡±

    ¡°And yet¡­¡±

    His last footstep clicked.

    Arnold stopped, gazed down at the Archbishop below, and asked quietly.

    ¡°¨D¨DWhy is that ¡®girl¡¯ here?¡±

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    ¡°Ha!!¡±

    The Archbishop blanched and appealed with his best, gesturing with his hands.

    ¡°I was inwardly against it!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°It would be foolish to defy Garkhain! That¡¯s why we decided twenty-two years ago to give up the most important treasure of the Order, the Maiden Priestess, to show our intentions!

    Rishe squeezed her lips together as she ran to the altar.

    The Archbishop didn¡¯t care about Arnold¡¯s silence and just raised his voice.

    ¡°But it is not advisable to go against the Cardinal¡¯s plan. That¡¯s why I pretended to agree with them and spent a decade trying to find the right moment! If we keep Miss Myria alive, we will not be able to avoid a confrontation with Garkhain. If that happens, there will be another war and world peace will be disrupted¡­!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I have no intention of going against Garkhain, even if it means confronting the Cardinal. The decision to bury Miss Myria was made in an attempt to show reverence to you and your father!¡±

    The Archbishop folded his hands tightly in front of his chest.

    ¡°All this to create a world of peace.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He spoke in a trembling voice, praying not to the Goddess, but to Arnold.

    ¡°¡­Please, just understand that¡­¡±

    The Archbishop, one of the world¡¯s foremost clergymen, begged Arnold.

    But what came back to him was a terrifying voice.

    ¡°¡­And why should I listen to your silly prayers?¡±

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    ¡°¡­!?¡±

    The Archbishop looked up at Arnold with astonishment.

    ¡°The world you¡¯re creating is of no value to me¡­I wouldn¡¯t let you live and let you go, like my father did.¡±

    ¡°K¡­¡±

    ¡°Just, how convenient it is.¡±

    Arnold probably smiled.

    It was easy to tell from the archbishop¡¯s pale face that there had been a change in his expression.

    ¡°That treaty seems to be an excellent ground for me to kill you here.¡±

    ¡°No, don¡¯t¡­¡±

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    It was then that Rishe finally reached them.

    ¡°Your Highness!¡±

    She grabbed Arnold¡¯s sleeve and called out his name under her breath. But Arnold made no reply or even spared her a glance.

    Once again, she called out his name as if pleading.

    ¡°Arnold, Your Highness¡­!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After a few seconds of silence, Arnold turned around with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to beg for this guy¡¯s life, are you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Please, I beg you, give me that sword.¡±

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    However, Arnold looked at her with a smile that hinted at ridicule.

    ¡°You can only say that because you were the only one whose life was in danger in this case.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re too careless about your own safety. ¨D¨DIt¡¯s as if the fact that ¡®once a man dies, he¡¯s finished¡¯ has slipped from your mind.¡±

    Although she cringed inwardly, it didn¡¯t show on her face.

    For now, she just stared into Arnold¡¯s eyes and tried her best to appeal.

    ¡°You can¡¯t kill him here! If you kill the Krushade Order¡¯s Archbishop, even if it results in Myria-sama¡¯s salvation, the rift with the Order is inevitable.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. That doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Arnold easily shook off Rishe¡¯s hand.

    She wanted to cling onto him to stop him, but Arnold would surely be unmoved. She jumped in front of the Archbishop, but his strength overpowered her all the same.

    I won¡¯t let you kill him¡­I don¡¯t want Your Highness to think that you can only use the same means as your father.

    Everything would be over once he killed him.

    After all, Rishe knew very well. Arnold wasn¡¯t the kind of person who thought that killing the target was the solution.

    But Arnold took another step toward the Archbishop.

    Regardless, cut down on his killing intent as much as possible. Distract His Highness! There is no way to divert this man¡¯s thoughts from his anger, even for a moment!!

    Arnold regripped his sword to set the angle of the blade.

    The Archbishop was frightened out of his wits and seemed paralyzed all over. In the midst of this, Rishe thought desperately.

    For instance, what¡¯s the most shocking thing that¡¯s happened to me lately?

    Everything almost overrode all of her previous thoughts and feelings.

    The moment this thought popped up, a picture flashed back in her mind.

    I¡¯ll take that¡­

    With that idea, there was no time for hesitation.

    Rishe dashed to Arnold and reached for his neck.

    ¡°Your Highness, Arnold!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Then, she hugged him tightly around the neck.

    Rishe pulled him closer so that she could put her weight on him and looked up at his neck. She stood on tiptoes, aimed at the skin peeking through his collar, and pasted her lips there.

    ¡°¡­What¡­?¡±

    She didn¡¯t reply.

    She then opened her mouth wide and bit Arnold¡¯s neck with a yum¡­

 Chapter 106 Something he didnâ€™t want

    ¡°¡­¨D¨DAh?¡±

    Arnold¡¯s stunned voice could be heard in her ear.

    The hall fell silent, and Arnold¡¯s murderous intent wavered.

    At the same time, his left hand grabbed her waist, and Rishe pulled her lips away with a ¡°phew¡±.

    After a few moments of separation from each other, blue eyes stared down at Rishe up close.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing, you?¡±

    Arnold asked grimly.

    He looks even scarier than before, though she thought his killing intent has diminished.

    Oliver sounded breathless behind her while the archbishop stared blankly. With Arnold hugging her waist, Rishe blinked.

    ¡°What, um¡­¡±

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    She paused for a few seconds and then huffed.

    ¡°Did it perhaps hurt?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about!¡±

    His voice boomed a bit louder than usual, which took her off guard.

    Thank goodness, it didn¡¯t hurt.

    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to touch Arnold¡¯s cheek.

    She looked at him sincerely and said, ¡°¨D¨DI was just being impulsive so you can look at me.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    He didn¡¯t just turn his gaze to her, as he had done earlier.

    She wrapped her hands around his cheeks and bored into his eyes. She slowly spoke, making sure that her reflection was in his blue eyes.

    ¡°The Archbishop¡¯s plan has failed.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°With you here, he can no longer act out of fear. It is no longer necessary for you to behave recklessly.¡±

    Rishe merely glanced at the Archbishop, but he jolted, and his face turned even more pallid.

    He was terribly panic-stricken, but his limbs were so stiff, so he would not be able to stand without some rest. But then, Arnold¡¯s eyes glazed over.

    ¡°¡­There is no justice in the words of this man.¡±

    He uttered roughly.

    ¡°I have found out that this man is a distant relative of the Priestess¡¯s bloodline. Killing a direct lineage priestess could work to this his advantage.¨D¨DDo you really think that a saint who kills a young child for personal gain has any reason to exist?¡±

    Arnold questioned, laying his right hand on Rishe¡¯s hand that was wrapped around his cheek.

    ¡°If you ask a Cardinal of the Order about this, they¡¯ll be happy to give you this man. Even if some of the cardinals were involved in the Maiden Priestess¡¯s assassination, they would cut them off with a straight face.¡±

    Arnold loosely intertwined their fingers together.

    After that, he let Rishe¡¯s hand drop away from his cheek. But Rishe never took her eyes off Arnold.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case¡­then all the more so.¡±

    Rishe replied, feeling desolate somewhere.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want Your Highness Arnold to be an unwanted murderer.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes widened promptly.

    ¡°Killing this man is what I want now.¡±

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡±

    Rishe absolutely denied, causing Arnold to look at her quizzically.

    ¡°Your desire to kill is not for yourself¡­I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s for me, for Myria-sama¡­¡±

    And/or, it was for his mother.

    Rishe was well aware of Arnold¡¯s current state, where he was feared as the ¡°ruthless Crown Prince¡± on the battlefields of the past and as the ¡°tyrant without blood or tears¡± in the world of the future.

    ¡°You said earlier that I was careless about my safety. But it seems to me that it is Your Highness who is indifferent to your own sentiments.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Rishe gently reached out.

    ¡°Please¡­¡±

    This time, she didn¡¯t stroke his cheek.

    She turned her head and grabbed Arnold¡¯s sleeve with the sword, squeezing it.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t want a kind person like you pretending to be fine with killing people anymore.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t see Arnold¡¯s expression because she was looking down too.

    However, if she were to raise her head now, she¡¯d probably couldn¡¯t control the trembling in her voice.

    Useless¡­

    She couldn¡¯t expose herself as a disgrace here while directing a one-sided wish to Arnold.

    Rishe took a brief breath, suppressed the fluctuations in her heart, and looked straight up at Arnold.

    Then she said imposingly, ¡°If you kill them, that¡¯s where it all ends. It¡¯s going to be difficult to find out the full extent of their plan and the people involved.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re so inclined to it¡­isn¡¯t it Your Highness, Arnold Hein, who makes the most of everything available?¡±

    Arnold asked subduedly, looking at Rishe.

    ¡°Do you honestly think this man will tell you what he¡¯s up to?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I believe.¡±

    ¡°What is it about this guy that makes him so believable?¡±

    Faced with this question, she audibly answered.

    ¡°I believe in Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s brows drew tighter.

    Afterward, he let out a sigh, resembling a deep breath. He turned to the Archbishop, switched the sword in his right hand to his left, and swung it down in one motion.

    ¡°H-h¡­.!¡±

    Came the cracking sound of marble.

    Arnold thrusted his sword right next to the Archbishop. Although she knew he wasn¡¯t going to kill him, Rishe also felt her liver chill for a moment.

    Gazing down at the Archbishop, who was too shaken to speak properly, Arnold spoke.

    ¡°I will spare your life for the Crown Princess. Don¡¯t ever forget who ¡­ saved you.¡±

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    ¡°W-Wa, understood.¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t be foolish enough to think that you¡¯re saved. Any information you have, I will use any means necessary to extract it.¡±

    Arnold then fell to his knees and said to the Archbishop

    ¡°¨D¨DSooner or later, I¡¯m going to make you wish you¡¯d died here.¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

    Even Rishe, who was just listening, felt goosebumps rise on her skin.

    At this second, a more deadly atmosphere than when he had his sword hand took over the place. Rishe reflexively tensed up.

    Arnolt rose, pulled out his sword and sheathed it.

    Then, he noticed a dozen or so people approaching the entrance to the hall.

    The Order, reinforcements!

    As soon as Rishe turned around, the large door was flung open.

    Schneider, the bishop who should have collapsed downstairs earlier, ¡¡was standing at the head of the line.

    Why is he here?¡­ No, there¡¯s no time to think about it. We have to take care of Myria before she wakes up.

    Arnold held out his hand in front of Rishe, who got ready to take a stand.

    ¡°Your Highness?¡±

    Arnold calmly said, shaking his head to deter Rishe.

    ¡°That man is probably an enemy of the Archbishop. Right from the start.¡±

    ¡°Enemy?¡­No way.¡±

    In the next moment, Schneider looked around the hall and shouted to the priests behind him.

    ¡°Behold! His Highness Arnold, the Crown Prince of our ally kingdom, Garkhain, has saved the Maiden Priestess from the hands of the Archbishop!¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Immediately after that, a loud cheer rang out.

 Chapter 107 Cheers and attention

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    Rishe gaped.

    To be honest, the aftermath of the situation was quite perilous.

    In any case, Myria fainted and the Archbishop was stunned.

    Also, Arnold pointed his sword at the priest who attacked him and brought him to this point, knocking him into a coma.

    He could have been discredited for trying to help Miss Myria and turned the Order against him. But thanks to you, Schneider-sama¡­

    The priests rushed over to restrain the archbishop.

    Meanwhile, they looked up at Arnold and verbally expressed their gratitude.

    ¡°Your Highness, Arnold Hein! Thanks to you, we were able to save Miss Myria.¡±

    ¡°How could we ever thank you¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold raised his eyebrows in genuine displeasure, then silently turned his gaze to Schneider.

    Next to Schneider stood Leo. He had just slipped out of Rishe¡¯s noose and was looking at them in a tangle.

    Schneider was the one who assigned Leo as Myria¡¯s guard.

    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief.

    Then a bloodied man came tumbling in.

    ¡°Myria!!!¡±

    ¡°Wait, Your Excellency Jonal.¡±

    Schneider grabbed the arm of the Duke, Myria¡¯s adoptive father.

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    ¡°The Archbishop¡¯s minions may still be lurking somewhere. I¡¯ll take Miss Myria. You stay back¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, get off me!!¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    The duke shook off Schneider¡¯s hand and ran to Myria¡¯s side.

    He didn¡¯t even spare Arnold and Rishe a glance. He ran to Myria, whom the priests were carrying up and hugged her tightly.

    ¡°Myria¡­!!¡±

    ¡°Hmm, Papa?¡±

    Myria slowly awakened and blinked when she saw the Duke¡¯s face.

    A few seconds later, her dazed eyes came into focus and she reached out to the Duke.

    ¡°Papa!¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡­ You poor thing, you must have been scared. Do you feel any pain anywhere?¡±

    With Myria in his arms, the Duke repeatedly and tearfully apologized.

    ¡°I¡¯m such a fool. I didn¡¯t even know who the real enemy was!! I believed the Archbishop¡¯s words and handed you over to him as a result. You¡¯re more important than life itself, and I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t protect you¡­!¡±

    ¡°Huh-huh-hmm¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m an incompetent father¡­There¡¯s no way I¡¯m ever going to be allowed to be with you again¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true. No, no¡­¡±

    The duke looked confused at Myria who was shaking her head.

    ¡°After the Archbishop drugged me, I kept having dreams! I dreamed that I was in the Grand Shrine and that Papa saved me when a lot of dangerous things were falling from above.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°You got sick because of it, but you always lied for me, saying it was because of an old illness. See? Even in my dreams, you were protecting me!¡±

    Myria clung to the Duke tightly as she sobbed.

    ¡°I dreamed about Papa, so I knew you would certainly save me. So, please don¡¯t cry like this, Papa¡­¡±

    ¡°Myria¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I have worried you. But, but¡­¡±

    She spoke in an inaudible and delicate voice.

    ¡°I¡¯ll behave, and you¡¯ll be my Papa for a long time¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course, I will!!¡±

    As if to drown out his daughter¡¯s fears, the Duke shouted.

    ¡°Keep in mind that no matter how bad you become, Papa will always love you and be there for you¡­¡±

    ¡°Papa!¡±

    Myria cried, bawling.

    Rishe, in her life as a maidservant, has worked hard to avoid hearing her cry. But at this moment, her cry gave her relief.

    Then she looked up at Arnold next to her.

    ¡°They¡¯re quite fussy, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure the Duke and that Maiden Priestess are not even related.¡±

    He frowned upon the rest of Myria¡¯s blood relatives.

    ¡°But why is he so concerned about the Maiden Priestess¡¯s safety? I don¡¯t understand it at all.¡±

    ¡°Oh, on the way to the Grand Shrine, didn¡¯t Your Highness Arnold tell me that blood ties have no effect on whether or not you can establish a good relationship?¡±

    Then he gave her a look that said, ¡°So what?¡±

    Arnold must have wanted to say at that time, ¡°Just because we are related by blood does not mean we can get along with each other. But Rishe took that line to heart in another direction.

    ¡°In other words, Your Highness is right. ¨D¨DBlood ties have absolutely nothing to do with whether people can get along.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°It probably doesn¡¯t matter. Even though they¡¯re not related by blood, they¡¯re undeniably father and child.¡±

    After a few moments of reluctance, Arnold let a few seconds pass before sighing.

    ¡°Oh, well, Oliver¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. I¡¯m ready to receive your scolding.¡±

    The silver-haired squire, Oliver walked towards them and smiled pleasantly. The only time Oliver called Arnold ¡°My Lord¡± was basically when there was no third party present.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for letting Rishe-sama pass despite your order to keep her back. But, I think I made the right decision.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°I never thought that Rishe-sama would use such a method to stop Your Highness¡­Pfft, kekeke¡­.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°What a pity! I would have loved to have seen the expression on Your Highness¡¯ face when you did that¡­Ouch!¡±

    He kicked him!

    Rishe¡¯s eyes widened as Oliver crouched in front of her, rubbing his shins.

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    Arnold silently kicked Oliver in the shin. She has always thought that Arnold¡¯s behavior towards Oliver was more in line with his age of nineteen.

    ¡°Are you okay, Oliver-sama?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rishe. Whatever it is, you should be resting right now.¡±

    ¡°Okay, but Oliver-sama is in pain.¡±

    ¡°Leave him alone. If you don¡¯t follow me, I¡¯ll pick you up and carry you.¡±

    ¡°Hie ¡­¡±

    Rishe internally apologized to Oliver and tried to walk away with Arnold.

    However, she wobbled and her footing twisted. Seeing Rishe plopped on the floor, Arnold didn¡¯t hesitate to bend down.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

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    This situation was quite familiar.

    Thus, Rishe shrieked in a panic.

    ¡°Oh, please forgive me for carrying you like a princess!¡±

    ¡°Ho¡­¡±

    She pointed her hand at Arnold and demanded that he remain still.

    ¡°I can walk by myself. I¡¯m fine! Just take a break before going¡­hya!¡±

    Without warning, he gently lifted her up along with her exclamation.

    And, and, Your Highness¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D !!

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it fine carrying you sideways?¡±

    She should be commended for restraining her scream.

    He was carrying her vertically, unliked the way he carried her before. With her hips on Arnold¡¯s left arm and her back supported by his right arm, she put her arm around his shoulders.

    By doing so, she was barely able to keep her balance.

    How can you have so much arm strength when you seem to be on the slender side? I mean, this seems a lot more embarrassing than being carried princess-style, because we¡¯re stuck together in many parts¡­!

    The priests were buzzing in agitation and then looked at them in astonishment. Rishe¡¯s cheeks inevitably burned and she pleaded with Arnold.

    Because she was carried up, it was quite novel to look down at Arnold, but it wasn¡¯t the time to enjoy it.

    ¡°Your Highness! I¡¯m fine, so leave me here for the time being! Um¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you down.¡±

    ¡°Chuckle~~¡±

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    Rishe was disconcerted, but she knew he would never let her down. She looked around for someone to help, but Oliver, the only one who seemed willing to speak up, remained crouched.

    Had she known this would happen, she wouldn¡¯t have abandoned him.

    While Rishe was regretting her actions, Arnold continued forward. In addition, he said somewhat grumpily, ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re moving around when you haven¡¯t even regained your strength. You¡¯re always reckless.¡±

    ¡°And who¡¯s to blame for this?!¡±

    Then Arnold snorted and let out something that hinted on self-ridicule.

    ¡°Me.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She felt a sharp, faint pain in her left chest.

    Then Bishop Schneider stepped forward.

    ¡°Your Highness, Arnold, may I have a moment of your time?¡±

    ¡°As you can see, my wife has suddenly fallen ill. We¡¯ll have to talk about the trouble later.¡±

    What do you mean, ¡°As you can see¡±?

    Arnold was heading straight for the exit of the hall. Perhaps realizing that he had no intention of stopping, Schneider did not follow.

    Instead, he looked up at Rishe calmly.

    Rishe remembered his warning once more.

    ¡°You must not marry Arnold Hein.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe hugged Arnold tightly around the neck.

    She then looked straight at Schneider with an unyielding determination. Schneider¡¯s eyes widened as if truly surprised.

    Then he bowed deeply to Rishe.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Arnold, whose face was no longer visible, asked, and Rishe answered in the same position.

    ¡°If I don¡¯t hug Your Highness tightly, it will be dangerous if Your Highness loses balance on the stairs¡­¡±

    ¡°Ha.¡±

    Did he see through the lie?

    But Arnold sounded strangely happy. He patted Rishe on the back with the hand that was supporting her, as if he were caring for a child.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±

    ¡°P-Please take care of yourself, too!¡±

    He countered her with a, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me what to do.¡±

    She was unwilling to but she didn¡¯t think she could talk back too strongly in her posture. After all, her heart was pounding and her cheeks were forever on fire.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Feigning casualness, Rishe stroked Arnold¡¯s neck where she had bitten him earlier.

    After that, she shut her eyes tightly and prayed that His Highness would let her down soon, in the middle of the endless staircase.

 Chapter 108 What is offered

    Arnold carried her to her room and forced her to rest.

    Arnold usually listened to Rishe¡¯s wishes.

    But this time, he dismissed her offer to help him clean up a bit, or even her request to check on Miss Myria¡¯s condition.

    She had no choice but to rest quietly. After she recovered her strength early in the morning the next day, she and Arnold listened to what Schneider had to say.

    ¡°Originally, the Order¡¯s cardinals were divided into several factions.¡±

    Schneider combed his gray hair back methodically today.

    There was fatigue around his eyes. It was obvious that he had gone through a great deal of trouble from yesterday until now.

    ¡°There¡¯s a faction that wants to hide and raise Myria-dono and keep her existence a secret from Garkhain. And then there is the faction that, like the Archbishop, fears Garkhain and believes that Miss Myria¡¯s should be erased.¡±

    Rishe raised an eyebrow at the painful truth.

    ¡°So there are multiple people who wanted to harm Myria-sama?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but they¡¯re also a very small minority. A Maiden Priestess with the blood of the Goddess is an object of worship for us.¡±

    Rishe was more than a little relieved to hear those words.

    However, she wouldn¡¯t trust Schneider¡¯s claims before them so easily. Arnold, who was sitting next to her, seemed to be of the same opinion.

    ¡°For someone you claim as an object of worship, she sure seemed like a decoy for the Maiden Priestess, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Arnold sat on the same couch as Rishe and rested his cheek on the armrest.

    His sword was propped up beside him. He should have left it with Oliver, who was waiting in the corridor.

    ¡°If you wanted to protect the Priestess, you shouldn¡¯t have taken her out where the Archbishop could reach her. If the faction that hides and nurtures the Maiden Priestess is in the majority, it would have been easy to proceed with a policy of keeping her out of the public eye.¡±

    Arnold was right.

    If Schneider, the Archbishop¡¯s assistant, had been aware of the Archbishop¡¯s plans, he should have acted to prevent such a situation from occurring in the first place.

    ¡°The faction that hides and nurtures the priestesses and the faction that says they should be eliminated. ¨D¨D May I know which faction you belong to?¡±

    ¡°Neither of them.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Arnold regarded Schneider indifferently.

    Schneider laced his fingers on his knees and leaned forward, saying.

    ¡°I am certain that my measures were meant to put Miss Myria in danger. However, the Archbishop should be eliminated as soon as possible. To do so, I had to prove that the Archbishop wanted to get rid of the priestess and that he was going to carry it out. I must provide conclusive evidence.¡±

    ¡°¡­So that¡¯s why you had Miss Myria attacked by the Archbishop, and why so many priests witnessed it?¡±

    Schneider bowed in response to Rishe¡¯s question.

    ¡°To be honest, I can only say that it was a miscalculation for the Crown Prince of Garkhain to visit the Grand Shrine under these circumstances.¡±

    That must have been Schneider¡¯s true intention.

    ¡°The Archbishop is our enemy, but you are too, at the same time. No matter how hard we try to expose the Archbishop¡¯s scheme, everything will end if the Crown Prince of Garkhain discovers the existence of the Priestess.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is that why you sent Leo to me then?¡±

    ¡°I received a report from that child that Rishe-sama has some knowledge in martial arts¡­I didn¡¯t expect that the most talented child in our orphanage would be so easily defeated.¡±

    Then he chuckled, ¡°That child still has a long way to go, right?¡±

    From the way he said it, it seems that Leo was telling the truth when he said that he was not a substitute father. If anything, Schneider was akin to a mentor watching over his student. The Archbishop probably didn¡¯t know that the orphanage was such a training institution.

    ¡°Why was Leo going in and out of the forest where the traps were set?¡±

    ¡°The purpose is to find out the locations of the traps the Archbishop has set and report it. I can¡¯t easily enter the forest where the Archbishop has forbidden us to go.¡±

    If it was a young child like Leo, it would be overlooked as a simple mischievousness. It was not hard to understand what Schneider was trying to say.

    But whether or not to take it in stride was another matter.

    ¡°¡­The Archbishop, assuming that the tomboy, Myria, might enter the forest, probably prepared the traps to make it look like an accident and kill her. But the fact remains that Myria-sama was in danger in the forest. Did you let the trap go unattended when you knew there was a chance of that happening?¡±

    ¡°Leo was supposed to protect her just before she gets in danger¡­But the moment he took his eyes off of her, Miss Myria headed into the forest and put herself at risk.¡±

    Schneider looked at Rishe calmly.

    ¡°¨D¨DIn the unlikely event, I would have punished Leo with my own hands and apologized to the Goddess with my own life.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe raised an eyebrow.

    In the future, as Rishe knew it, Leo was severely punished and wandered between life and death, losing one of his eyes.

    There was no man named Schneider among the leaders of the Krushade Order, and the position of Archbishop was occupied by someone else. That must have been the result of the ¡°unlikely event¡± that Schneider mentioned.

    ¡°Enough of this nonsense.¡±

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    Arnold told Schneider in a low voice.

    ¡°The only question you need to answer is what your intentions were in creating this situation, including whether you intend to let the Maiden Priestess live, and how you will treat Father Emperor.¡±

    ¡°Are you willing to listen to my thoughts?¡±

    ¡°How audacious. You¡¯ll probably be the next Archbishop anyway, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s up to Your Highness, Arnold.¡±

    Arnold frowned at his response.

    ¡°As I mentioned earlier, there are several factions in the Order, either to hide the Maiden Priestess from Garkhain and nurture her, or eliminate her before Garkhain knows about her¡­I was, of course, the former, but now I am not.¡±

    ¡°What are your plans, Schneider-sama?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to establish an alliance with you.¡±

    When Rishe¡¯s eyes widened, Schneider exhaled and smiled bitterly.

    ¡°Not with the Garkhain Kingdom or His Majesty, but with Crown Prince Arnold Hein¡­And with your soon-to-be Crown Princess, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°I would like to ask you to keep Miss Myria¡¯s existence hidden from His Majesty. And when I become Archbishop, I will return the favor to Your Highness Arnold as best I can.¡±

    It was an offer Rishe hadn¡¯t expected.

    In the first place, the reason Rishe visited the Grand Shrine at this time was to establish a connection with Myria.

    If she could establish a relationship with Myria, the Maiden Priestess of the Krushad Order and a world-renowned authority, it might help in avoiding war.

    She hoped that she could prevent a future like the one that would eventually come, where Arnold would burn down churches and try to kill Myria.

    In all my lives so far, His Highness and the Order have always been enemies. If this cooperation is realized, the future will surely change. However¡­

    Rishe glanced up at Arnold next to her.

    ¡°What kind of alliance?¡±

    Just as she had expected, Arnold looked at Schneider with deep displeasure.

    ¡°You seemed to have misjudged your position, Schneider. No matter what you wish, I am already aware of the existence of the Priestess.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°The power of the Order is of no concern to me. For you, on the other hand, this is a top-secret matter with lives on the line. ¨D¨DIf you have time to make such a long-winded offer, you¡¯d better bow more deeply.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

    Rishe cast her eyes down, but Arnold did not even glance at her.

    Schneider turned pale and looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°I told Your Highness that my fate depends on your will.¡±

    Schneider bowed to Arnold as if he were offering him his head.

    ¡°If you can accept my bow, I don¡¯t care if you leave my body and crush me to the ground. I beg you to help us.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re shivering. Your Goddess whatsoever isn¡¯t going to help you like that.¡±

    ¡°For me, faith is not about seeking salvation from the Goddess, but about devoting my life to her. If my life can save the Goddess¡¯s child, then so be it.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold was about to say something, looking down at Schneider, when a voice interrupted.

 Chapter 109.1 Like a child

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    The door of the room was opened, and a lovely girl peeked inside.

    Myria came into the room with sparkling eyes, wearing a white flower crown in her light purple hair like a violet flower. Arnold glared at Oliver, but Oliver bowed and left the room.

    ¡°Myria-sama, are you ready for the celebration coming up?

    Rishe asked as she hugged Myria, who returned a smile akin to a broken flower.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m all set!¡±

    After all that had happened yesterday, Myria had stoutly offered to resume the festival to Schneider and her father.

    The duke objected, but Myria shook her head. When her father told her about her origins, Myria took it all in and said.

    [I am the Maiden Priestess, am I not? Then I want to play my part properly.]

    [Myria¡­]

    [I want my mom and my dad, who had protected me all these years, to see me in my best.]

    Hearing this, the Duke cried and was appeased. Thus, the festival was to resume later.

    After finishing her preparations, Myria was dressed in her Maiden Priestess¡¯s white dress.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°I was so sleepy yesterday, but today I¡¯m fine!¡­I¡¯ve heard that after the festival, you will immediately hold the ceremony to break off your engagement to your former fianc¨¦, and then return to Garkhain.

    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s what we¡¯re preparing for.¡±

    Rishe nodded with a wry smile.

    From the start, she had made a lot of demands in order to come to this Grand Shrine. With her wedding preparations underway, she couldn¡¯t hold Arnold indefinitely.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sad to say goodbye.¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­¡±

    Myria looked down with a tearful expression, and Rishe felt suddenly sad.

    I¡¯ve long known it. In this life, I can¡¯t always stay by my lady¡¯s side.

    Myria was a beloved young miss for Rishe.

    She was willful, a tomboy, and most of all, an incredibly lovable and kind girl. From the day she met Myria at the age of eleven until the day she married at the age of fifteen, she had watched her grow up.

    In the midst of all this, she regarded her like a younger sister.

    But that was a life that would never return no matter how lonely I am¡­

    ¡°You know, Rishe-sama¡­¡±

    A small hand grasped Rishe¡¯s hand tightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to bid you farewell now, but even if I don¡¯t see you often¡­¡±

    ¡°Myria-sama¡­?¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama, can I think of you as my big sister ?¡±

    Myria couldn¡¯t possibly tell how surprised Rishe was.

    Resisting the urge to cry with joy, Rishe bent a bit. Then she stroked Myria¡¯s shyly tinted cheek and smiled.

    ¡°I would be very happy to have a sister like you, Myria-sama.¡±

    ¡°Wa¡­!¡±

    Rishe hugged Myria tightly as she squealed with joy.

    Then she pulled, looked at her, and laughed. Myria then ran towards Arnold.

    ¡°Your Highness, Crown Prince!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold regarded Myria in silence, but the carefree Myria wasn¡¯t intimidated.

    She plucked at the hem of her dress and gave a ladylike bow.

    ¡°Papa¡­Father told me Your Royal Highness helped us. Thank you, Your Royal Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe looked at Arnold, inwardly chilled.

    To Arnold, Myria was his blood cousin. Myria didn¡¯t know that, but Arnold must have had some reservations on the matter.

    I¡¯m sure that His Highness had his own concerns about Myria-sama, but he won¡¯t claim her as his cousin¡­

    Arnold replied to Myria with a cold tone and frosty eyes.

    ¡°I helped because my wife wanted it, nothing more.¡±

    ¡°Um, I see¡­¡±

    Myria¡¯s shoulders slumped, and she immediately displayed a look that said, ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea.¡±

    ¡°But, Your Royal Highness is going to marry Rishe-sama, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°What about it?¡±

    ¡°Then, Your Royal Highness is my big brother!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold raised a pensive eyebrow at Myria¡¯s remarks.

    Seeing this, Rishe couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    ¡°Um, pfft!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. I think you¡¯re right, Myria-sama. After all, His Highness Arnold is the man who will be my husband.¡±

    Rishestroked Myria¡¯s head and looked into her honey-colored eyes and said.

    ¡°Think of us as family¡­Not only me, but also His Royal Highness, Arnold.¡±

    ¡°My pleasure! Rishe-sama, I¡¯ll do my best for the festival!¡±

    Myria jumped up and down and smiled at Arnold.

    ¡°Your Highness. I also hope you¡¯ll have a look.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Well then, I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you!¡±

    Myria excused herself cheerfully and quickly left the room. From the other side of the door, Leo¡¯s scolding voice could be heard, but it was drifting further and further away.

 Chapter 109.2

    ¡°¨D¨D¡­¡­Being born as the Maiden Priestess is nothing but a burden.¡±

    Arnold could be heard muttering in a low voice.

    Perhaps in response, Schneider spoke up.

    ¡°I have to confess that I advised Her Highness the other day that she should not marry Your Highness¡­I didn¡¯t expect hyer to know the truth about Your Highness Prince Arnold¡¯s bloodline.¡±

    It was more like a realization rather than an informed one¡­

    To be precise, she didn¡¯t know anything at that time.

    There was nothing wrong with Schneider coming into the conclusion that Rishe must have known it. Still she didn¡¯t bother to correct it.

    ¡°A child with the blood of the Goddess should not be born recklessly. It will surely become a source of conflict. If a baby girl were to be born, the Order would be prepared to go to war to obtain a child that qualifies as a Maiden Priestess.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    ¡°It would be terrible to be the mother of such a child without knowing anything about it. However, Your Highness, the future Queen of Garkhain, is a woman of stronger spirit than I imagined.¡±

    ¡°No. You¡¯re flattering me too much¡­¡±

    The unexpected compliment disconcerted Rishe.

    ¡°If it is possible, we hope that you and your wife can establish a new relationship between Garkhain and the Order. Despite being born with the blood of the Maiden Priestess, you don¡¯t have to bear that unmerited fate¡­Not only for Miss Myria, but also for the children of the future.¡±

    ¡°Schneider-sama¡­¡±

    Rishe looked at Arnold again.

    However, there was still no change in his expression.

    His Highness Arnold will eventually burn the Order in the future¡­I wonder how he is feeling at this moment.

    Also, was it his because of his hatred for the Order?

    She thought about it but had no answer. In the first place, she didn¡¯t have a clear picture about what happened to Arnold and his mother.

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    Then, a knock sounded.

    ¡°Bishop Schneider, I¡¯m sorry but you need to prepare for the ceremony.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­Your Highness.¡±

    For Schneider, this was their last stronghold. Once Arnold returned to Garkhain, they would have no further option to carry out.

    Arnold clicked his tongue, then looked down at Schneider.

    ¡°You¡¯re so annoying. If you¡¯re summoned, get going.¡±

    ¡°No, Your Highness, I¡­¡±

    Schneider was about to argue, but Arnold interrupted.

    ¡°I will keep the existence of the Priestess a secret from Father Emperor.¡±

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    ¡°!¡±

    Schneider held his breath right after.

    Rishe was also surprised and called out Arnold¡¯s name.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s always been my intention. It would be troublesome if Father Emperor learns of the existence of the Priestess and decides to make absurd moves.¡±

    Arnold disclosed in displeasure, but his announcement was still clear.

    ¡°In that case, it¡¯s easier to team up with the Order leaders.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Schneider tried to say something, but the words seemed stuck in his throats.

    The slightest hint of blood came back to his pale face. Rishe was also relieved and stroked her chest.

    ¡°A-Are you sure? As I¡¯ve mentioned earlier, there are a few benefits for you¡­¡±

    ¡°We will not be left with few benefits. I don¡¯t care if we don¡¯t have the power of the Order, but we will exploit anything there is.¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to get into the details here.¡±

    Arnold repeated what he had said earlier with a scowl.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡­I said get going¡­¡±

    ¡°Bishop Schneider, it¡¯s time for you to get ready.¡±

    A priest¡¯s voice came from outside, and Schneider stood up.

    He then thanked Arnold once more.

    ¡°I will never forget this favor. May the Goddess bless you and your wife.¡±

    ¡°Give it up. I don¡¯t need any of that.¡±

    Rishe chuckled at Arnold¡¯s response and looked at Rishe.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s transfer Your Highness¡¯s share to Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Schneider-sama¡­¡±

    Rishe received his blessings and smiled at him.

    When Schneider left the room, Rishe and Arnold were left alone in the room. Rishe sat back on the couch and looked up at Arnold next to her.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you overdoing it?¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Arnold gave a quizzical look at Rishe¡¯s question.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°Well, I hope so.¡±

    ¡°Why do you ask that? In light of your interactions with the Priestess, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re more than happy to have a good relationship with the Order.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, but¡­¡±

    Rishe¡¯s mouth twitched.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want Your Highness to do something that¡¯s against your real hopes.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    Arnold took a shallow breath and leaned back against the couch.

    ¡°It¡¯s not entirely unintentional.¡±

    ¡°You sure about that?¡±

    ¡°As I told the bishop, if they don¡¯t have something, it¡¯s fine. But if they do, we¡¯ll use it to our advantage.¡±

    I hope it¡¯s not about the war¡­

 Chapter 109.3

    It was too complicated to let go, but for now, everything was good.

    Arnold wasn¡¯t the only one who exercised the ¡°exploit if you can¡± principle. Even Rishe, if she could establish an alliance with the Order, would pull out all stops to avert war.

    ¡°That¡¯s great¡­I think Myria-sama will be very pleased.¡±

    At her words, Arnold bent his lips in a huff.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of children.¡±

    Oh. If Oliver-sama hears you say that, he¡¯s going to get angry.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°He said it¡¯s not a good idea to utter such comments in front of your future wife¡­¡±

    Arnold laughed provocatively.

    ¡°Ha.¡±

    He grabbed Rishe¡¯s chin and tilted it up, making her look up.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re ready for that.¡±

    ¡°Hmm ¡­!?¡±

    The conversation spiraled to an unexpected turn, and she was so flustered she blurted curiously.

    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®ready¡¯?¡±

    ¡°The point is, you¡¯re talking about the heir, right? Schneider was addressing the children you and I are going to have.¡±

    ¡°H-Eh¡­?¡±

    The atmosphere of the place suddenly changed, and Rishe¡¯s mind went blank from the information.

    Arnold laughed in amusement at Rishe¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°You still don¡¯t get it, do you?¡±

    ¡°No, what-, I knew that! Really, all of it perfectly!¡±

    ¡°Heh?¡±

    She understood it. She just didn¡¯t register much of it as reality.

    Arnold¡¯s eyes narrowed as he realized how upset Rishe was.

    ¡°For all I knew, I¡¯d have a separate room for the detached palace.¡±

    Is that what I overlooked?!

    She was stupefied by the hard truth, but couldn¡¯t let it show on her face. As her vision spun in circles, Rishe desperately tried to argue.

    ¡°But that¡¯s because, first of all, Your Highness promised me that you wouldn¡¯t lay a finger on me¡­!¡±

    ¡°I recently withdrew that. You¡¯re aware of that.¡±

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    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    Arnold¡¯s finger slowly traced the ring on her left ring finger.

    W-W-What am I to do¡­!

    ¡°I¡¯ve gone too far with my teasing.¡±

    Arnold chuckled in front of the flustered Rishe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    He stroked his head, ruffling Rishe¡¯s hair.

    Then Arnold said, ¡°Even if we get married, I would never lay a hand on you.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­Eh?¡±

    His unexpected declaration stunned her.

    She blinked repeatedly and looked up into Arnold¡¯s sea-blue eyes.

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    ¡°¡±Yes.¡±

    It was a clear affirmation, and Rishe knew it.

    Right. His Highness Arnold proposed to me for some reason.

    Reminded of this once again, she exhaled slowly.

    I am not supposed to play the role of a real wife.

    She was relieved.

    But at the same time, she felt some kind of strange ripple.

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Rishee couldn¡¯t help but bow as she felt a throbbing pain in her left chest. Arnold probably didn¡¯t notice this and leaned back against the couch, letting out a small yawn.

    Seeing how somewhat defenseless he looked, she decided to dismiss her own feelings for once.

    ¡°Are you sleepy?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    His reply was a little gentler than usual.

    I was allowed to rest, but His Highness must have been busy.

    Even the night before last, Rishe let him sleep in the same bed as her. Arnold was very sensitive to people¡¯s presence, so he probably didn¡¯t sleep well.

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    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some rest until the festivities begin?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold glanced at Rishe beside him.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Then he lay down on the couch and put his head in Rishe¡¯s lap.

    ¡°Er, Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Lend me your lap for a moment¡­ I¡¯m going to take a nap here.¡±

    She choked up in surprise.

    That really wasn¡¯t the issue. He was just too close, and Arnold¡¯s head on her thighs felt strange, but that in itself was strangely fine.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, feel free to leave.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant, but I must inform Oliver-sama.¡±

    ¡°No need. Have him stay in the hallway.¡±

    ¡°Stand by¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been defying my orders too much lately.¡±

    That being said, he must have been thinking about Arnold.

    ¡°Is that all you care about?¡±

    ¡°And one more thing. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d be comfortable as a pillow.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Somehow¡­¡±

    Remembering yesterday morning, she felt embarrassed and clammed up.

    Arnold remembered the same thing, and looked up at Rishe.

    He said, ¡°I slept well the other night.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Then he gently blinked at her.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have any strange dreams¡­It¡¯s quite unusual.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Your Highness ¡­¡±

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    Now that he said it like that, she couldn¡¯t find a good argument.

    If that were true, he should not take a nap here, but sleep in her bed for a short while. Of course, sleeping alone was best, but she couldn¡¯t bring myself to advise him.

    Arnold asked again, looking up at the troubled Rishe.

    What have you been dreaming about?

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Late at night, when I was checking on you, you rubbed your cheek against my hand and smiled.¡±

    ¡°U-U-Huh?!¡±

    Now that he asked, she immediately remembered her dream at that time.

    Rishe always dreamed of the days she spent in her past lives. When she slept on the same bed with Arnold the other night, her dream was the first dream that wasn¡¯t since her life started on the loop.

    It was a dream from this life, from when she met Arnold.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°~~~~¡±

    There was no way she could be honest, so Rishe squeezed her lips in silence.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a secret.¡±

    ¡°I see. I¡¯m jealous.¡±

    She placed her palm over Arnold¡¯s eyelids, sulking. Thanks to Arnold¡¯s long eyelashes, their tips tickled her hand.

    ¡°You should get some sleep now.¡±

    ¡°All right.¡±

    It took about five minutes for her to hear Arnold¡¯s smooth breathing.

    When she was sure that he was asleep, she slowly pulled her hand away.

    She then gently touched Arnold¡¯s sleeping lips with her fingers.

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Her left chest still hurt with a tingling sensation.

 Chapter 110.1 Flower Colored Blessing

    The ritual of the festival was solemn and grand.

    Schneider played the role of the Archbishop while the dressed Myria stood in front of the altar. She offered her sacred bow and arrow to the Goddess and sang a beautiful tune.

    Myria appeared lovely and at the same time very regal.

    Rishe applauded her heartily for behaving even better than she had in rehearsal. Arnold watched her next to her without uttering a word, but at the same time, he didn¡¯t dismiss it as nonsense.

    Rishe also paid attention to Arnold¡¯s reaction with a smile.

    After the festival was over, it was time to break the engagement ceremony that had been suspended.

    It took a long time, from before noon to about two o¡¯clock in the afternoon, before Rishe¡¯s engagement with Dietrich was finally annulled. Rishe took a snack, hurriedly finished preparing to leave, and headed for the carriage where Arnold was waiting.

    ¡°Thank you for your patience, Your Highness!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. You don¡¯t have to be in such a rush.¡±

    Arnold said so, standing beside the carriage, but the town where the inn was located was about two hours away. If they weren¡¯t to leave posthaste, the sun would set in the forest.

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    All the knight guards, who had been waiting in a nearby village for the past four days because they were not allowed to enter the Grand Shrine, were able to join them. As Rishe greeted them, she spotted a brown-headed child.

    ¡°Leo.¡±

    ¡°Geez.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you also coming to Garkhain?¡±

    Rishe asked knowingly, and Leo frowned in annoyance.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I just thought I¡¯d learn how Garkhain fights till the last minute.¡±

    Apparently, Leo had been going around taking advice from Arnold¡¯s knight guards.

    There was a piece of bandage attached to his cheek.

    ¡°How¡¯s your training with His Highness?¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s awesome.¡±

    While Rishe was performing the engagement annulment ritual, Arnold summoned Leo and gave him the sword practice he had promised.

    Arnold must have been busy, but he still paid attention to this matter. It seemed that he taught Leo well. His face showed no sign of weakness, and he looked rather spirited.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to absorb everything they teach me. When you leave, Schneider will give me my first training in a long time.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, it¡¯s nice to see you so motivated.¡±

    The danger to Leo had vanished from Rishe¡¯s mind.

    Thanks in part to Leo¡¯s desire to be strong, she now knew that it was not to kill someone, but to protect. Rishe knew it was unwarranted of her as an elder to worry, but it still made her relieved.

    ¡°Take care of yourself, Leo.¡±

    Rishe bent and looked at Leo eye to eye to wish him well.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get hurt. Study a lot, meet a lot of people, and expand your options.¡±

    In the back of her mind, she envisioned the Leo she had met in her knight life.

    Leo escaped from Schneider and survived, yet he chose to live in that country and was always angry at himself.

    In that way, he looked at Rishe and the others who were training as knights, as if they were distant longings that he could no longer reach. Rishe remembered this and told Leo.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯re still smiling when you grow up.¡±

    ¡°¡­?¡±

    Of course, Leo looked skeptical.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really get what you¡¯re saying.¡±

    After saying that, Leo looked down.

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    ¡°I had a great time practicing with Arnold-sama earlier¡­And also when I walked through the woods with you.¡±

    ¡°Leo¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve only been to the forest a few times.¡±

    Rishe laughed when he averted his gaze.

    At the very least, Leo¡¯s days of trying to become stronger as a bodyguard for an important person would not be so torturous.

    ¡°I¡¯d better get going¡­If you want to be a knight, you¡¯d better ask His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯d rather be carefree than a knight.¡±

    ¡°Carefree?¡±

    Was it, in other words, a positional thing? Certainly, it might be easier to move around as a shadow guard or something than as a knight.

    While Rishe was lost in thought, Leo said in a somewhat frustrated voice.

    ¡°¡­I can roam the forest freely with ropes, use projectiles such as daggers or a bow and arrow; that¡¯s the kind of fighting style I¡¯m aiming for!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Leo¡¯s face turned red, and he stuck out his tongue at Rishe. Then, just as Rishe thought he was going to turn away, he bowed to Arnold and sprinted off.

    He¡¯s gone¡­

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°!Yeah.¡±

    She straightened up at Arnold¡¯s call and headed towards the carriage where he was waiting.

    Arnold offered his hand for her to board first then got in on Rishe¡¯s front. Soon, the carriage began to move slowly.

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    ¡°Did the engagement annulment ceremony go off without a hitch?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting, but everything was fine.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no problem.¡±

 Chapter 110.2

    Arnold rested his cheek on the window sill and looked up at the passing Grand Shrine in a daze.

    Rishe looked not at the view outside, but at Arnold sitting across from her. She wondered how Arnold felt about the place that was associated with his late mother.

    I hope I didn¡¯t make him uncomfortable by bringing him here¡­

    In all likelihood, the reason Arnold tagged along was to protect her.

    He even ordered people to stay away from ¡°Arnold Hein¡¯s fianc¨¦e¡± except for during the ritual, fearing that the Order might make some kind of move against her.

    What I¡¯m trying to achieve is to thwart His Highness¡¯s goal.

    In other words, to stop the war that Arnold would wage.

    If Arnold were to know about Rishe¡¯s intentions, how would he feel?

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe had been staring too intently at Arnold that he turned to glance at her.

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    Rishe was lost in her thoughts when a shapely hand reached out. After stroking her bangs in a combing motion, Arnold touched her forehead.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a fever anymore.¡±

    She guessed his intentions and said, only to hear him retort, ¡°I¡¯ve decided not to trust your self-assessment of your physical condition.¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    She lamented. Rishe didn¡¯t mean to lie to him, either.

    She looked down and asked reluctantly as she raised her eyes once more.

    ¡°So, what are the results of Your Highness¡¯s diagnosis?¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re fine. Your complexion is much better now.¡±

    Arnold withdrew his hand and turned his eyes out the window again.

    Moreover, his blank expression was even more emotionally unfathomable than usual.

    ¡°Um, Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Wanting to do what she had been thinking about, Rishe asked him.

    ¡°Can I sit next to you instead of across from you?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes widened slightly when she asked permission.

    The left side of her chest ached again, and she panicked.

    ¡°N-Nevermind, I¡¯m fine facing you!! Right, will you be doing paperworks like you did on our way here?!¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    With eyes downcast, Arnold tapped the seat next to him.

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes lit up.

    She carefully stood up in the carriage, and Arnold naturally lent her a hand. Using his hand as support, she transferred herself around and sat down next to Arnold.

    ¡°What are you up to this time?¡±

    ¡°Well, you know¡­¡±

    She extended her left hand and brushed Arnold¡¯s sideburns over his ear.

    The moment Arnold¡¯s attention was drawn to Rishe¡¯s left hand, she used a trick with her right hand.

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    A peach-colored flower crown appeared in front of Arnold¡¯s eyes.

    From the look on his face, she¡¯d say she succeeded in surprising him. Rishe smiled and placed the flower crown on Arnold¡¯s head.

    ¡°Surprised?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Wonderful. I was worried that you¡¯d see through it on the way, so I practiced in the Grand Shrine.¡±

    Arnold has a beautiful face, and the flower crown suited him perfectly. If she were to mention it to him, he¡¯d surely give her a disapproving look.

    ¡°I heard that the flower crowns given out at the festival are a blessing from the Goddess.¡±

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°However, with the way Your Highness is acting, you¡¯d probably say you don¡¯t need the Goddess¡¯s blessing, right?¡­So I knitted this crown for you.¡±

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    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    For instance, she didn¡¯t think this was enough of an apology for forcing him out.

    Still, even if it was paltry, she hoped it would touch Arnold. She hoped that the beauty of the flowers and their sweet fragrance would do some good.

    ¡°Then is this a blessing from you?¡±

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s not big of a deal to call it that¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Ha.¡±

    Arnold laughed as he let out a shallow breath.

    She felt another sharp pain in the chest at the look he gave her. Arnold gave her no time to ponder over this and said, ¡°¨D¨DI¡¯ll be damned. I¡¯m no match for you.¡±

    ¡°¡­!?¡±

    Rishe blinked, unsure of the meaning of his unexpected response.

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    ¡°I¡¯ve never been able to beat Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°That can¡¯t be. You just don¡¯t know it.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah¡­?¡±

    His flat affirmation got her even more confused.

    Nevertheless, Arnold squinted next to her. He took off the flower crown, and this time he put it on Rishe¡¯s head.

    ¡°The crown looks better on you.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­ But I received your blessing.¡±

    Obviously, he wasn¡¯t annoyed by it.

    Rishe heaved a sigh of relief and then giggled with pleasure.

    ¡°It looked great on you, too, Your Highness. The flowers on top of your head made you so cute.¡±

    ¡°¡­Stop it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, a novel look. You were really cute.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Arnold snorted and rejoined sarcastically, ¡°You¡¯re indeed getting bolder. After all, you¡¯re the one who bit me on the neck.¡±

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re bringing that up now?!¡±

    Rishe hurriedly excused herself from what was already becoming an embarrassing past.

    ¡°I did that mainly because Your Highness did it first¡­¡±

    ¡°Mine was a life-saving action. It¡¯s different from you who had other options.¡±

    ¡°Uh-ku-ku¡­!¡±

    When she couldn¡¯t argue with him and fell silent, Arnold laughed in amusement.

    ¡°I knew I couldn¡¯t win against Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°I told you that¡¯s impossible.¡±

    Arnold appeared disinclined to explain in detail, and he gently caressed Rishe on the head with a chuckle.

    She wanted to question him further, but was ruffled to see his eyes looking at her at close range.

    Sure enough, I¡¯m feeling weird.

    The left side of her chest throbbed in pain.

    She recalled Arnold¡¯s words when she kissed him in the chapel.

    [You don¡¯t have to be prepared to be my wife.]

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe gripped the hem of her dress tightly and exhaled briefly.

    Whenever Arnold touched her, she would feel a faint tingle in her heart. She wondered why that was.

    My heart this man pierced hurts so much.

    If she wasn¡¯t careful, it would be a lot worse than having a sword thrust at her like that time.

    Rishe had been wondering what Arnold whispered to her in the last moment of her knightly life. She couldn¡¯t help but want to remember those words that were vague and indistinct.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Arnold¡¯s arm.

    She didn¡¯t want Arnold to see her expression but couldn¡¯t hide her anomaly either.

    ¡°Rishe?¡±

    ¡°Just for a bit¡­¡±

    She implored, as if praying.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sleepy, so please lend me your shoulder, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She wondered if he saw through that lie.

    But Arnold softly said, ¡°All right.¡±

    He stroked her hair as if she were a child, and she exhaled while still sticking to Arnold.

    Sure enough, His Highness is very kind.

    However, that tingling pain still persisted.

    It would have been nice if she could sleep it off, but that seemed impossible. The pain that sprouted in her left chest, while strangely sweet, was tormenting Rishe.

    T/N: This ends Volume 3¡­ Side Stories will be tomorrow or the next day ????

    You can check out Amekawa Touko¡¯s new work while waiting for updates. I¡¯ve started it yesterday. The oppressed outcast princess was a legendary reincarnated witch. ?I don¡¯t want you to come and pick me up. Please don¡¯t interrupt my nap with my servant.

 Chapter v3side1

    Since arriving in Garkhain, Rishe has occasionally had tea with Arnold.

    His servant, Oliver, asked her, ¡°Despite our advice, His Highness Arnold never takes a break. He seems to stop when Rishe-sama asks him to, so if you don¡¯t mind, could you take him out from time to time?¡±

    One day at tea break, Rishe suddenly thought of something and asked Arnold.

    ¡°Your Highness, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to perform palmistry for you just for fun.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DPalmistry?¡±

    Rishe placed her teacup on the saucer and nodded.

    ¡°If you look at the palm of your hand, you will see a variety of lines there. In the eastern continent, they look at these lines and tell your fortune based on them. It¡¯s called palmistry.¡±

    While waiting for the tea to be prepared and Arnold¡¯s arrival, Rishe was playing this ¡°palmistry¡± game with the maids.

    In that vein, she came up with this idea.

    If she could see Arnold Hein¡¯s palm, she would love to observe it.

    Arnold, on the other hand, had a subtle look on his face.

    ¡°¡­Divination of the East.¡±

    ¡°Er, this is very popular in my country. It¡¯s the kind of topic that attracts a lot of attention at women¡¯s social gatherings¡­¡±

    Of course, it was a downright lie. This divination was something she learned during her alchemist life when she was in the eastern continent.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think fortune telling has any credibility whatsoever.¡±

    ¡°Personally, I¡¯m of the view that it¡¯s something to be enjoyed, regardless of its credibility. Then, when you¡¯re not sure what to do, maybe it will nudge you to act.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    Well, that may be an idea that Your Highness can¡¯t relate to¡­

    Just as Rishe had expected, Arnold raised eyebrows rose higher.

    But then he sighed, took off his gloves, and placed them on the table with his right palm facing up.

    ¡°Here. Suit yourself.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    Rishe quickly smiled and examined Arnold¡¯s palm.

    ¡°¡­Your intellectual line is deep and long. Awesome.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°The same goes for your talent line. You also have good fortune with wealth, and there¡­What the heck is this? I¡¯ve never seen a palm with plenty of blessed lines!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Don¡¯t ask me¡­¡±

    Moreover, Arnold¡¯s palm showed the so-called ¡°Take over the world phase¡±.

    It was a phase that Rishe, who knew what the future held for the next five years, had to pay attention to.

    I think this divination is pretty accurate.

    Rishe couldn¡¯t help but look at her own palm.

    The same is true for my palms. Both the left and right life lines are cut off once at about the length of ¡°dying around the age of 20,¡± but another life line extends from the side where it was cut off¡­

    This was exactly the kind of palmistry that was ideal for Rishe, who has been dying at the age of twenty over and over again.

    When she first took notice of palmistry, she¡¯d been so excited alone. What pained her, however, was how hard it was to tell anyone that she was right.

    She was lost in her thoughts when Arnold asked, ¡°Are you done?¡±

    ¡°Oh, please wait!¡±

    She stopped him from withdrawing his hand and asked him to show her the base of his pinky finger.

    ¡°This is your marriage line. The more lines you have, the more chances you have of meeting the right person for marriage.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    At the base of Arnold¡¯s pinky finger, there was a single, clear line.

    ¡°Mmm-hmm. Since Your Highness has one, it seems you only have one destined mate.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah! But don¡¯t worry, just because it¡¯s not much doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s bad. See, I have a single marriage line, too.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After showing her own hand to Arnold, Rishe went back to analyzing his palm.

    ¡°And the time for marriage itself seems to be early.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°The position of the line indicates that you will get married in your late teens or around the age of twenty. So, if my palm reading is correct, Your Highness¡¯ marriage will probably be soon.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°The lines are also long and dark, so it is the phase of someone who has a great love life. So, all in all, Your Highness will soon be united in a great romance with the woman of your dreams! Oh dear?!¡±

    Having said that far, she suddenly registered something strange.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    And Arnold, who had probably realized it beforehand, looked at her and continued with a straight face.

    ¡°It¡¯s you. You¡¯re my marriage partner¡­¡±

    Damn, that¡¯s right©`©`©`©`©`©`!!

    Heat spread to her cheeks at once, embarrassed in every sense of the word.

    ¡°Um, n-no, fortune-telling!! This is only fortune-telling!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She ridiculously rattled on and on even though she was the object of the said marriage.

    She hurried to excuse herself, but Arnold rested his cheek on the armrest.

    ¡°I suppose so.¡±

    And then he smirked.

    ¡°Now, for one thing, let me read your palm, too.¡±

    ¡°H-huh?¡±

    At Arnold¡¯s unexpected suggestion, Rishe clasped her hands tightly together.

    ¡°W-Why in the world would I show it to you?¡±

    Arnold appeared increasingly amused when saw how flustered Rishe was.

    ¡°I believe that¡¯s how I can tell if your palm reading is correct or not. I¡¯m supposed to marry you soon, and according to your palmistry, I¡¯m supposed to get married at my current age. Then again, if it¡¯s a marriage with intense romance with my destined mate, then the party should have the same phase as well as me, right?¡±

    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Come on, give me your hand.¡±

    ¡°No, absolutely not!!¡±

    Her cheeks were burning, and she hurriedly hid her hands behind her back. There was no way she was going to let Arnold see it now.

    Rishe knew very well that her marriage line was as thick and long as Arnold¡¯s, because she had seen it countless times.

    ¡°They say that palms change, and that fate is not set in stone! Anyway, not now, please, I beg your pardon!!¡±

    Not until the heat on her cheeks has cooled down, but not here.

    Rishe felt too embarrassed to let anyone know that she also had matching marriage lines no matter which angle she thought.

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    However, perhaps Rishe¡¯s reaction was too obvious.

    Arnold cleared his throat and laughed in amusement.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. If you say so, I¡¯ll let you off for now.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you¡­¡±

    ¡°For now.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    His reminder made her shoulders jerk.

    Arnold was satisfied, and for a rare moment, picked up his teacup and took a sip.

    Rishe¡¯s heart was going pit-a-pat, but she heaved a sigh of relief.

    She gently moved her hand from behind her back back to her lap, then glanced at the base of her pinky finger and traced that long, clear line with her fingertip.

    T/N: Yes, Rishe, you¡¯re made for each other¡­the only soul mates¡­hahahah

 Chapter v3side2

    For Kamil, a knight guard, the day had been a real mess.

    He committed a huge mistake during the day and got punished by his lord, Arnold.

    He was depressed and dejected, and his childhood friend, Elise, found him in a pathetic state. He lied that it was nothing and was about to help her with her work when he dropped her laundry.

    To top it all off, when he went into town to buy an apology for Elise, he inadvertently stumbled upon a most embarrassing picture.

    How did I get into such a ridiculous situation?

    A man and a woman were kissing each other in an alley he took a shortcut through.

    Just when he thought he had stumbled upon the wrong place, a silver-haired man looked at him and called out matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Hey, Kamil.¡±

    ¡°Oliver-san?!¡±

    As it turned out, he was acquainted with one of them.

    What made things worse was that the blonde woman he was kissing was a complete stranger to Kamil.

    The woman gave Kamil a lusty look and asked Oliver, ¡°¡±Oliver. Do you know this boy?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. From work.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    The woman moved away from Oliver and smiled at Kamil.

    The woman giggled when she saw Kamil flinch. The woman then waved her hand to Oliver.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯d better get going. See you later, Oliver.¡±

    ¡°The streets are dangerous at night. I¡¯ll walk you home.¡±

    ¡°No, thank you. You never know who might stab me if they see me walking with you.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, that¡¯s harsh.¡±

    Oliver cowered, but he didn¡¯t seem to take the woman¡¯s words to heart.

    The moment the woman passed, Kamil sniffed her faint perfume. He instinctively straightened his spine and bowed to the woman who waved ¡°bye-bye¡± to him as well.

    After that, he asked Oliver, flustered.

    ¡°Oh my, oh, Oliver-san!! Isn¡¯t she a different woman from the one I met in town recently?¡±

    ¡°Recently¡­¡±

    Oliver tilted his head with a look of deep wonder.

    ¡°Who was she again?¡±

    ¡°A beautiful woman with long chestnut hair and a red dress!¡±

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    ¡°Ahh! You mean her?¡±

    He finally seemed to have recalled her, but did it normally take that long for him to do so?

    Oliver, as Arnold¡¯s squire, always performed his job flawlessly and was always friendly to them, the knight guards.

    Kamil naturally assumed that the woman Oliver had brought with him recently was his girlfriend. But if that was the case, what was with the blonde woman who was just here?

    C-Come to think of it, my seniors told me that Oliver-san is a female enemy despite his appearance¡­That doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s too popular, but is that what it¡¯s supposed to mean?! maybe that¡¯s what it means!

    ¡°Excuse my dumb answer. I¡¯ve been out with so many different friends lately that I can¡¯t remember which woman you¡¯re referring to right away.¡±

    It seems I got it right¡­

    This was inconceivable for Kamil, who had never been out with a woman more than a handful of times. If by any chance he were to go out with Elise, he would never forget it.

    When that thought popped in his mind, his face clouded as he remembered today¡¯s blunder.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t look happy. Oh, and by the way¡­¡±

    Oliver looked as if he had just thought of something, and then smiled freshly.

    ¡°Kamil, do you have a few minutes to spare?¡±

    ¡°Me? Yes, I¡¯ve already submitted a leave notice.¡±

    ¡°Wonderful. Now, if you don¡¯t mind, would you like to join me for a drink?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    His invitation surprised him, but he had no reason to refuse.

    In the midst of his confusion, he was led to a bar at the end of an alley, where they ended up drinking one-on-one.

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    It was a popular tavern where the common people crammed together, shouting and making merry.

    Kamil, sitting at a table in the corner, sipped from a cup of beer and glanced at Oliver, who had an air of familiarity with the place.

    ¡°You surprise me. I never thought Oliver-san would drink in a tavern like this.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? I used to be a knight cadet myself. After training, my seniors used to drag me out here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re referring to yourself as ¡®I¡¯¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah, except when I¡¯m working.¡±

    He replied with an uplifting smile, and Kamil got dazzled by how beautiful he was.

    From the perspective of a man like Kamil, his face was incredibly well-shaped. Nonetheless, he was convinced of this as well.

    In any case, Oliver was not inferior to Arnold, standing next to him.

    He always wore a smile on his face and performed his job with aplomb, which made him extremely popular among women.

    If a woman got to know that he was part of Arnold¡¯s knight guards, she would likely ask him to give her information about His Highness Arnold about ten times and also ask about his squire, Oliver, around three times.

    While he was contemplating, a woman from the tavern approached him and smiled at Oliver.

    Oliver also returned a gentle smile, and something was established in the air. However, Oliver immediately looked at Kamil.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point. Kamil, please don¡¯t let what happened today bother you.¡±

    ¡°¡­You mean, the beauty I saw earlier today¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. You¡¯re depressed over His Highness Arnold¡¯s reprimand, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    Kamil¡¯s eyes widened at his comment.

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

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    ¡°You don¡¯t have to hide it. Because during the training, you obviously seemed to have lost your energy from that moment on.¡±

    Kamil felt embarrassed from being seen through thoroughly.

    The other day, the Second Prince, Theodore, told him, ¡°Kamil, your face betrays you easily. Everyone knows that you like Elise, except maybe you and my sister-in-law.¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t be so dejected. His Highness Arnold only points out people who have room to grow.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Besides, if he didn¡¯t approve of you in the first place, you wouldn¡¯t have been chosen as a Knight Guard.¡±

    It was a question whether Oliver invited Kamil to cheer him up.

    ¡°I¡¯m still inexperienced, and I¡¯m not able to be of any use to His Highness Arnold.¡±

    ¡°I beg to disagree. Even Rishe-sama¡¯s guards are assigned only with the people he trusts. I¡¯m certain that you and the others are able to protect his precious fianc¨¦e, and that¡¯s why he gave you the task.¡±

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

    If someone else told him that now, he would have burst into tears.

    Oliver chuckled as he shook his glass of wine.

    ¡°Nevertheless, it must have hurt when he rebuked you harshly. I¡¯ll advise His Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    ¡°No!!!¡±

    Realizing that he had been misunderstood, Kamil hurriedly shook his head.

    ¡°That¡¯s not it! The reason I¡¯m depressed is not because His Highness scolded me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    ¡°Yes. This is all my problem¡­¡±

    He wrapped the cup of beer between his hands and squeezed it tightly as he replied.

    ¡°Today¡¯s training required a high level of concentration. However, just before the training was about to end, I let my guard down a little too early.¡±

    Arnold did not miss that moment.

    ¡°He reprimanded me, saying that I will get hurt with that attitude, even if it is training. I keenly realized how naive I was when he said that I would have died if we were at the battlefield. In the end, I guess I was just too proud of my training somewhere in there.¡±

    ¡°Training injuries, huh?¡±

    ¡°Although His Highness is very strict in his training, he always gives special consideration to injuries sustained during training.¡±

    Oliver chuckled for some reason. Kamil didn¡¯t know why, but he dropped his gaze.

    ¡°The reason I¡¯m depressed is because of my own inadequacy and¡­ I let that depression drag me down. I¡¯m ashamed of causing trouble for my childhood friend.¡±

    ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s not a problem.¡±

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    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Oliver said while sipping his wine.

    ¡°The person who can mull over why he has been scolded, instead of being depressed by it, will grow.¨D¨DHis Highness will definitely be pleased when he sees that change.¡±

    ¡°¡­ Oliver-san¡­¡±

    Kamil felt warm deep inside.

    As if to pursue the matter with Kamil, Oliver smiled at him.

    ¡°And by childhood friend, you mean Elise, right? I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll forgive you for the trouble you caused her.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    That said, he again remembered what Elise said earlier.

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    When Kamil dropped the sheets on the ground, Elise said worriedly, ¡°Let me carry the laundry.¡±

    ¡°Kamil, are you okay? If you¡¯re not feeling well, you should eat a lot and rest¡­Meat, fish, and beans.¡±

    ¡°Elise¡­¡±

    He plopped down on the table and talked like a drunk, even though he wasn¡¯t drunk.

    ¡°¡­Elise is an angel¡­¡±

    ¡°Hahaha. I envy you greatly.¡±

    For the next hour or so, Kamil drank three cups of beer while chatting with Oliver.

    When it was time to pay the bill, Oliver said, ¡°I¡¯ll pay for this.¡±

    Kamil declined at all costs and rather would have treated Oliver for his advice, but he said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to treat me. Rather, if any other Knight Guard is troubled, please buy him a drink and lend an ear to his woes.¡± All he could do was express his gratitude.

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    ¡°But still, Oliver-san is amazing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah? What?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re proficient at your job, and you even take care of a lowly knight guard like me.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha. Thank you.¡±

    How kind he was! He might be a little frivolous to women, but otherwise he was like a saint.

    Kamil sincerely believed this. As they were leaving the tavern, he asked.

    ¡°Besides, you are not afraid to advise His Highness.¡±

    ¡°Oh©`¡­¡±

    Oliver, who was a little flushed from the alcohol, said as he tucked his wallet into his coat.

    ¡°That¡¯s because it¡¯s not that difficult to talk to him.¡±

    ¡°Eh? Really? But you know, that¡¯s His Highness Arnold?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Really, it¡¯s no big deal.¡±

    And Oliver, with his usual pristine smile, clearly stated.

    ¡°I¡¯m only willing to be killed if it¡¯s by His Highness.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D¨DWell.¡±

    Even though it wasn¡¯t winter, Kamil felt a chill in the air.

    But Oliver was completely oblivious to it.

    ¡°Then you should go straight back to the barracks. I have an appointment later, so I¡¯ll part with you here.¡±

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    ¡°O-Okay¡­¡±

    Kamil waved his hands and saw him off.

    When all is said and done, the person chosen to be His Highness Arnold¡¯s confidant is no ordinary person¡­

    He chewed on that fact and vowed to to be more diligent.

    A few days later, when Arnold praised his sword-handling, Oliver gave him a small clap behind his back.

 Chapter v3side3.1 A story from the world where Arnold and Rishe attend the same school.

    * This is a rustic school parody.

    * This is a completely different world line that has nothing to do with the main story. Some settings, such as the age of the character, have changed from the main story.

    There were many eccentric people at the Royal Academy where Rishe has moved.

    For example, the economics teacher who drinks at the academy.

    The head of the public relations committee, who was sickly and overly serious, but sweet-talked the female students with a straight face. The science teacher who was a genius but out of the ordinary, and always has a fluffy smile on his face.

    There was a Student Council made up of students with bad behavior, and a Student Council President who boldly claimed that he ran the school for his brother. There were many faces that came to mind, though Rishe was only acquainted with them.

    Among all, the most mysterious for Rishe was the presence of a male student in the senior year.

    ¡°¨D¨DRishe.¡±

    ¡°Arnold-senpai!¡±

    During a break between classes, a voice called out from the classroom door, startling Rishe to her feet.

    In this traditional school, even the doors of the classrooms were massive. The carvings on the doors were said to have some cultural value.

    However, the beauty of the boy standing there made even the fine carvings seem hazy.

    Arnold¡¯s appearance stirred up the students in the classroom.

    ¡°Oh my God, why is Arnold-senpai calling Rishe-san?!¡±

    ¡°Ah, that transfer student? Wasn¡¯t she called out by President Theodore before too? And Teacher Tully and Teacher Michel¡­¡±

    ¡°What exactly is going on, even Arnold-sama? I heard that Senpai doesn¡¯t spend much time with the students in his grade, not just underclassmen¡­¡±

    Amidst the chatter of her classmates, Rishe hurried to the hallway.

    At this traditional school, the majority of the students came from high class families. With the exception of a few delinquents, most of the students were well-behaved, and all were neatly dressed in their school uniforms.

    However, Arnold here was wearing his uniform in a laid-back manner.

    His black blazer jacket was unbuttoned at the top.

    Even the top three buttons of his shirt underneath were unbuttoned, thus exposing his shapely collarbones. He was wearing a tie today, but it was loosened as a matter of course.

    Despite this, Arnold¡¯s figure exuded a sense of elegance.

    In addition to his beautiful face, he seemed to attract the attention of not only the entire classroom, but even the students in the hallway.

    What is it with all this flamboyance and charisma when he¡¯s just standing there?

    Rishe pondered before reaching Arnold.

    ¡°Senpai, why are you in my classroom? ¡­That book!!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes sparkled at the several books that Arnold was carrying.

    ¡°Did you really find it !? From the library?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not much trouble. If you¡¯re going to read through them, start at the top and work your way down.¡±

    Arnold held the book together with one hand, even though they must weigh quite heavily. When Rishe received them and hugged them, she sniffed the scent of the books in the library.

    ¡°Thank you! I¡¯ll read them when I get back to the dormitory today!¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve never seen you in the school building at this hour before. Are you going to take your classes seriously today?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re playing truant unreservedly¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t know why he was attending the academy, since he was the top student in all subjects. Arnold himself probably only enrolled in the school because he was the son of the director.

    When this subject came to discussion, Arnold suddenly gave an annoyed look.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It was no wonder. After all, the students around them were all talking about him.

    Yearning eyes, envious gazes, pining looks. Some people looked scared, while some students glued their eyes at the god-like being.

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d find a student who could talk to Arnold-san normally.¡±

    ¡°Did he take the trouble to deliver those books for her? How the hell did this new student get along with the director¡¯s son?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    At that moment, Arnold softly clicked his tongue.

    That was all it took to make everyone¡¯s shoulders jump with fright.

    As the surroundings quieted down, then Arnold took Rishe by the waist and pulled her close to him.

    ¡°Hya!¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DCome back to the usual place after school.¡±

    He whispered in her ear, but the students nearby must have heard him.

    Arnold purposely spoke to her in that manner, but Rishe¡¯s cheeks burned.

    ¡°Um, but, I¡¯m on cleaning duty today.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting¡­I¡¯ll look for the other books while I¡¯m at it.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

 Chapter v3side3.2

    She was so happy with the nice suggestion that she forgot her embarrassment.

    ¡°I¡¯ll hurry up, then.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    He slid his hands off her waist and released her.

    Arnold stroked Rishe¡¯s head and then turned his quiet gaze straight at the students who were looking at him.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°Gasp¡­¡±

    A brief scream sounded behind Rishe.

    It was rare for Arnold to directly glare at the mute students. She wondered what gossip the students were talking about that stimulated his reverse scale.

    However, the bell rang and Arnold said, ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep.¡± She saw him off with a ¡°have a nice sleep¡± and went back to her seat.

    Then, a girl, a close classmate, spoke to her impatiently.

    ¡°Hey, Rishe, what was that? Why were you with Arnold-senpai?!¡±

    ¡°Well, um, we have an appointment¡­¡±

    Upon hearing Rishe¡¯s reply, the color on the classmate¡¯s face somehow changed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me, you always claim you have an appointment with someone after school¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    When she nodded gently after some contemplation, her friend squealed, and the entire classroom that had been listening in buzzed.

    ****

    Yo, I finally got a chance to shake them off.

    After finishing her after-school cleaning duty, Rishe was on her way to meet Arnold when she was caught up in a bit of a commotion.

    The girls who wanted to meet Arnold came to beg her to take them with her.

    However, she was now heading to a secret place, so she couldn¡¯t take the girls with her.

    Rishe had no choice but to sprint down the hallway, feigned to have run up the stairs, and jumped out the window into the courtyard.

    After that, she scanned her surroundings cautiously with her guard up at all times and arrived right in front of the meeting place.

    From here on out, I have to be quieter than ever.

    She arrived at a library in an old school building.

    This was where the school¡¯s collection of books was gathered. Although it was called a library, it was much larger than a normal library and was filled with a vast number of books.

    There were books that the teachers of the academy brought in, and there were also a great number of specialized books. When Rishe found out about this library when she first moved to the school, she came

    And then she met him.

    No one probably has ever thought that the only bookshelf at the far end is a secret door¡­

    With that in mind, she arrived at the bookshelf she was looking for.

    With a little trick, she unlocked the door and slowly pushed it open, without making a sound.

    It was a small room with soft sunlight shining through the trees.

    There were two old sofas and a lot of books piled up on the floor. The hidden room was made up of things that should have been thrown away, but they were actually cozy.

    ¡°Excuse me¡­¡±

    After closing the door, Rishe softly greeted and entered.

    Normally, she would have heard a reply or the sound of paper being rolled up, but there was none today. She wondered if he was away, but the man she was meeting was there.

    Asleep?

    On the sofa by the window, Arnold was lying with his feet on the armrest and a book in his hand, asleep.

    He was barely wearing the jacket earlier, but now he had it draped over his back. He was wearing a white shirt, and even his tie had been removed.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    She must have approached him quickly, because his eyelids immediately opened.

    Sea blue eyes looked at Rishe drowsily. His gaze was quite boundless, and he stared at her in bewilderment for a couple of seconds.

    ¡°Oh, good morning. Did I wake you?¡±

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

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    Arnold raised himself up and sat back on the right side of the sofa. His languid air from having just woken up gave off a kind of sexiness that made her unable to look at him directly.

    ¡°I had a dream. You.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe blinked at that unexpected information.

    After that, she remembered something and gasped.

    ¡°It¡¯s a strange coincidence! I¡¯ve been dreaming about you a lot lately, too.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°My dream is in a world other than this one. I was wearing a dress and carrying a sword! I think it¡¯s because the books that you found for me are all about that kind of world.¡±

    Since her first encounter with Arnold, he has picked out a lot of books for her.

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    Arnold, who rarely attended classes and used the hidden room in the library as his bed, was surprisingly familiar with the books in the library. The reason he went to Rishe¡¯s classroom was to deliver the books he had discussed with her.

    They likely spent so much time together, that was why she has been dreaming about Arnold a lot lately.

    But at the end of the day, it was just a dream, so she never told Arnold about it. The current turn of events reminded her of it.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Arnold patted the sofa.

    She thought he was telling her to sit beside him. She obeyed and sat next to him, feeling warm in the afternoon sun.

    Arnold rested his cheek on the backrest and looked at her.

    ¡°What kind of dreams did you have with me?

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    ¡°W-What kind¡­¡±

    It might have been a casual question, but Rishe stammered.

    Arnold examined her up close, as if sensing her discomfort about the situation.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the face? Tell me¡­¡±

    ¡°Uhhh¡­¡±

    The awkwardness that welled up in her made her regret blurting out having a dream.

    It seems quite embarrassing to talk about the content honestly.

    But she couldn¡¯t take back what she said. She read an Eastern proverb, spilt water wouldn¡¯t go back to its tray, in the book that Arnold gave her.

    ¡°¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨DI dreamed about¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°¡­Dream about getting married.¡±

    Arnold¡¯s eyes widened slightly.

    But Rishe opened her mouth and said, aware that her face was burning.

    ¡°I dreamed that I was going to marry Arnold-senpai!! It¡¯s a hypothetical, what-if dream, in a world other than here.!!¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    This time, Arnold looked surprised.

    I knew I shouldn¡¯t have told you this!

    Would he laugh at her for having crazy dreams? Or would he think she was creepy and keep his distance?

    She tied her lips in preparation, but heard a chuckle from the person next to her instead.

    ¡°¡­Ha.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    She expected ridicule, but was dumbfounded when she received none of it.

    Arnold smiled that kind of gentle smile, so calm and soft.

    Afterward, he gave her a mischievous look and said, ¡°I just had the same dream as you.¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D!?¡±

    It was Rishe¡¯s turn to be surprised.

    Some things happened strangely, but Arnold refused to tell her the details. She persisted in asking for more, but he said, ¡°Then you tell me first,¡± so she had no choice but to give up for now.

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    After all, Rishe would surely be here tomorrow and the day after.

    She would try to get the details of Arnold¡¯s dream out of him somehow while reading a lot of books.

 Chapter 111.1 Complicated when left behind

    A gentle stone staircase seemed to lead down to the ocean.

    The July sunlight was transparent, yet it was full of life, making the seaside town sparkle.

    The walls of the buildings in the city were painted pure white. A soft sea breeze blew through the almost azure blue sky, in contrast.

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the harbor.

    The flag of a certain country was fluttering on an anchored sailing ship.

    The pale mint green dress that Rishe was wearing was also fluttering in the wind.

    The wind from another country always made Rishe feel excited. She looked out to sea, holding her hat with one hand to keep it from being blown away.

    Then Arnold, who was walking ahead of her, turned around and extended his hand to her so naturally.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Apparently, the pavement of the stone stairs a few steps ahead of them was getting worse.

    Rishe was wearing high heeled shoes, so he must have thought that her footing was in jeopardy. Rishe hesitated a little, but took Arnold¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to hurry. Hold my hands if you want to enjoy the scenery while walking.¡±

    Err¡­

    That rendered her flustered.

    She¡¯s been feeling a little strange lately. Whenever Arnold directed his concern at her, she felt fidgety and restless deep down.

    But as normally as possible, she turned her attention to the ships in the harbor.

    ¡°They¡¯ve already disembarked, haven¡¯t they? I¡¯m looking forward to talking to them.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t want to wait for them at the Imperial City? Even if we don¡¯t meet now, we¡¯ll greet each other at the wedding ceremony next month.¡±

    ¡°But they arrived a month early. Then I¡¯d really like to meet them and get to know them better.¡±

    Rishe glanced back while speaking.

    When her eyes met those of Arnold¡¯s knight guards, she showed no sign of alarm and gave them a pleasant smile.

    Only Rishe knew what kind of reputation the person they were about to meet would have in the future.

    They eventually arrived at the port, and Oliver and a few knights who were ahead of them led Rishe and Arnold.

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work. I would like to quickly greet our guests.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Oliver¡¯s gaze turned to a corner of the port.

    There was a white lace parasol set up there.

    A woman was standing under its shade. She was still quite a distance from them for Rishe to get a good look at her expression, but the woman was covering her mouth with her open fan.

    That¡¯s the one who got executed in the future, the famed ¡°villainess.¡±

    Rishe slowly let go of Arnold¡¯s hand, which had been escorting her.

    Then she looked straight at the woman.

    Four years from now, she will be condemned by her husband, the King, as the queen who wiped out the national treasury by indulging in luxury in the country where she was married.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Her gesture of closing the fan was breathtakingly beautiful.

    As the woman walked towards them, her golden hair whipped in the breeze.

    Her dark green dress that fluttered in the breeze looked heavy for early summer, but she handled her feet lightly without feeling it.

    It¡¯s as if she¡¯s walking on clouds¡­rather than walking.

    Rishe blinked as she observed the woman.

    That aside. She looks like she¡¯s sprinting toward us with all speed¡­?

    ¡°Uh!! Mo-mo-mo¡­¡±

    Mo?¡­ She means, ah!!

    By the time she realized she was in danger, it was too late.

    With a loud crunch, the woman fell down in a heap. Rishe threw away the slightest bit of caution and rushed to the woman¡¯s side.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Mmm. My apologies¡­¡±

    The woman who seemed on the verge of tears looked up at Rishe.

    The woman¡¯s bangs, however, were so long that they obscured her eyes, making it impossible for them to make eye contact.

    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry that my mere existence has caused you trouble!! This is an expression of gratitude that has been handed down from generation to generation in the eastern country, and means ¡®please bow your head at any time.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Um! Please look up, there¡¯s no need for that!¡±

    Rishe did her best to deter the woman who was trying to stick her forehead on the ground.

    Arnold, who stood in a distant place, gave her a look that said, ¡°I don¡¯t mind it,¡± but that was probably not going to work.

    But! It¡¯s hard to believe, but there¡¯s no doubt that this is the person under the circumstances is¡­

    Rishe then gazed at the trembling woman in her arms.

 Chapter 111.2

    ***

    It was only a few days ago that Rishe and her company had decided to go to the seaside city in western Garkhain.

    It had been about a week since their return from the Grand Shrine in the Holy Kingdom of Domana.

    Early in the morning, she did voluntary training to build up her strength, went to tend to her fields, and counseled the maids on their work.

    While working on business negotiations with the Aria Trading Company, she wrote a reply to Michele¡¯s letter, and otherwise continued with the preparations for the wedding ceremony.

    Such daily life was the same as before she went to the Grand Shrine.

    However, there was an indescribable haze in Rishe¡¯s heart. Perhaps it was no wonder that her brother-in-law, Theodore, saw through her.

    ¡°Older Sister.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe blinked when someone called her while she was walking through the corridors of the main castle.

    Theodore, who was walking next to her, examined her face and then gave her a stern look.

    ¡°Hey, were you listening to me?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Your Highness Theodore¡­I¡¯m relieved to hear that you¡¯re working well with Chairman Tully.¡±

    Rishe previously had a business meeting with the Aria Trading Company, a company she had been involved with in her first life.

    Their deal was that she would tell Tully how to make nail polish and give the Aria Trading Company exclusive rights to sell them. In exchange, they would provide employment to needy people.

    However, Theodore, rather than Rishe, was now the main person in charge of the project.

    Theodore was the person most familiar with the situation in the favelas. He knew a lot more than Rishe about the distribution of goods and the procurement of materials in Garkhain.

    That was why Theodore did most of the work while Rishe concentrated on the production method of the nail polish.

    At first, Theodore was reluctant, saying, ¡°If this succeeds, everyone will praise me, but I don¡¯t want to do anything that would snatch the credit away from my sister-in-law.¡±

    However, when she retorted vehemently that her purpose at the moment wasn¡¯t to conduct business, but to laze around, he accepted the project even though he looked a little reluctant.

    Nonetheless, it seemed that Theodore¡¯s current interest was in Rishe.

    ¡°My brother told me to work hard, so it¡¯s only natural that I should do well. That¡¯s not the point. Sister-in-law, is something bothering you?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He asked so direction that Rishe pressed her lips together.

    ¡°Rather than a bother, it¡¯s more like¡­¡±

    Recently, she sometimes felt pain in her left chest when she was around Arnold.

    But when she did see Arnold, she felt strangely uneasy. She felt restless and uncomfortable.

    In the back of her mind, she felt a sense of urgency and loneliness.

    ¡°I¡¯m worried about His Highness Arnold.¡±

    Theodore frowned after she muttered this. Rishe hurriedly cooked up an excuse.

    ¡°I mean, there¡¯s nothing wrong with His Highness. It¡¯s just that he always seems to be so busy.¡±

    ¡°Ah, right? Yeah, I know exactly how you feel.¡±

    Theodore nodded in agreement, so Rishe asked him incidentally.

    ¡°Recently, Your Highness has also helped. But even so, your brother is still handling heaps of official duties almost single-handedly, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ve heard that the amount of official work that Father is in charge of is about the same with Brother now¡­But Father has a lot of vassals, and they¡¯re all on his side.¡±

    Theodor sighed as they walked down the hallway.

    ¡°To put it another way. There are many of Brother¡¯s enemies in the castle.¡±

    ¡°His Highness¡¯ enemies¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because Brother is making bold changes from Father¡¯s methods in his area of responsibility. Plenty of people don¡¯t gain any benefits from them and get cut off.¡±

    Speaking of which, she once encountered a man who claimed himself to be a Count/Earl military officer in a confrontation with Arnold.

    [With all due respect, Your Highness Arnold, there is no point in protecting the ordinary people so well. At this rate, some of the noble lords will become dissatisfied.]

    [Please reconsider. Your leadership is, by all means, not to your father¡¯s liking.]

    The reason that Earl Marshal was so bullish was probably because he was under the authority of the current emperor.

    All the important people in Garkhain right now are just vassals of the current emperor¡­At this stage, even Arnold Hein¡¯s vassals are not in place.

    She could think of the names of the military personnel that Arnold would use heavily in the future when they would eventually wage war.

    There was one more thing that Rishe wanted to ask.

    ¡°Speaking of His Majesty¡­¡±

    She asked Theodore, shaking up the story she heard from Arnold in the Grand Shrine not long ago.

    ¡°Where are your father¡¯s consorts?¡±

    ¡°¡­You don¡¯t mean Her Majesty, but his other consorts?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Do they live in detached palaces, as I do?¡±

    ¡°All the other concubines are dead, except for the current Empress.¡±

    Rishe stopped in her tracks and gulped at his simple answer.

    A few steps ahead of her, Theodore looked back at her.

    A beautiful smile appeared on his face.

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    ¡°Haven¡¯t I told you before? ¨D¨D All the consorts who will be married to this country will be unhappy.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe cleared her throat.

    Theodore looked as if it was nothing and muttered, ¡°That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, by the way, Tully has a message for you. He said he¡¯ll have the results of the research you asked for soon.¡±

    ¡°Thank you very much.¡±

    ¡°And if you¡¯re worried about Brother¡¯s busy schedule, I¡¯d advise you not to do anything rash. I really can¡¯t believe you got struck by a poisoned arrow in the neck to protect someone else.¡±

    She had no words to reply, but where did he hear that story from? Theodore¡¯s ability to gather information was still incredible.

    ¡°See you later.¡±

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    Rishe breathed a sigh of relief when Theodore walked ahead of her.

    Her knight guards were walking a little further away.

    When she returned to the detached palace with them, she bumped into Arnold in the entrance hall.

    ¡°Rishe.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    When he called her name, her shoulders almost jumped.

    But she refused to show it, so she smiled extraordinarily and looked up at Arnold.

    ¡°You seemed in a good mood, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    His blue eyes stared at her, and she inwardly cringed.

    She believed she was acting as usual, but she wondered if he noticed something unnatural. However, Arnold continued without mentioning it.

    ¡°You¡¯re just in time. I was just about to send for you.¡±

    ¡°Is there something I can help you with?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    He calmly stated without a care in the world.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be away from the castle for a while.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Rishe blinked once.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you alone, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll leave you with your guards. You can use them as you see fit.¡±

    ¡°Are you going away on some kind of official business?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to welcome some guests from abroad. They are invited guests at the wedding ceremony, and we¡¯re planning to have them stay in Vinleys City.

    Rishe and Arnold¡¯s wedding would take place about a month from now.

 Chapter 111.3

    It was not uncommon for guests from distant places to arrive around this time, in case of delays in their itinerary.

    The host would prepare a castle for the guests to stay in so that they could spend their time there comfortably. Since it was only a preliminary welcome, Arnold, a member of the royal family, would be going alone.

    ¡°How far away is that city?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a city on the western coast. It¡¯s about four days by carriage.¡±

    ¡°It must be difficult for you to travel so far in your busy schedule¡­¡±

    ¡°When we went to the Holy Kingdom of Domana recently, I collaborated with Theodore on an experiment, and it was successful. If I use the same approach and work along the way, there shouldn¡¯t be any problems.¡±

    Although this was gratifying, Rishe was still unsettled.

    His Highness won¡¯t be here for a while.

    She unconsciously looked down.

    Rishe unknowingly reached out and grabbed Arnold¡¯s sleeve tightly.

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    Then Arnold gently asked.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    The gentle way he asked upset her, but that wasn¡¯t the reason she couldn¡¯t speak.

    ¡°This is ¨C well, what¡­?¡±

    Rishe, more than anyone else, was perturbed by her own actions.

    Arnold would be gone. It was hard to describe how she was feeling about that fact.

    Could this be¡­

    She turned her head and pondered.

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    Could it be? I want to go with His Highness¡­

    ¡°Do you want to come along?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Rishe raised her head, cringing because he seemed to have read her mind.

    ¡°To the beach.¡±

    ¡°¡­ !!¡±

    When he asked so seriously, Rishe nodded.

    ¡°I want to go!! To the beach!!¡±

    She replied so sincerely that Arnold bowed his head as if in contemplation.

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    ¡°But you have to prepare for the wedding. If I take you with me, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll push yourself too hard again.¡±

    ¡°For that matter, it¡¯s no big deal to make arrangements on the trip¡­¡±

    After all, this was a marriage of the royal family.

    The busiest person right now was not Rishe, but the diplomats and the people involved in the proceedings of the ceremony. The number of things that Rishe had to do herself was dwindling.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold looked down at Rishe¡¯s hand that was clinging on his sleeve impassively.

    Afterward, he replied calmly.

    ¡°Then I¡¯m taking you with me.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    She was so happy that a flower quickly bloomed in her heart.

    Garkhain¡¯s beach¡­

    She nodded quickly, but it was true that she wanted to go to the beach.

    If foreign ships were arriving, there would be a lot to see there. The more she thought about it, the more excited she became, and her eyes sparkled.

    ¡°Oliver, make arrangements.¡±

    ¡°As you wish, leave it to me.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Oliver-sama. By the way, who are the guests this time?¡±

    If they were going to the western coast, they must be coming from the western or southern continent.

    She was thinking of the list of invited guests when Arnold answered.

    ¡°Sigwell Country, Prince Curtis and his sister Harriet.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    It was the name of a country that Rishe was familiar with.

    I¡¯ve never met Her Highness Princess Harriet, but I know His Highness Curtis quite well.

    She remembered and let out a short breath.

    It¡¯s the royal family that I served during my hunter¡¯s life.

 Chapter 112.1 Princess and Knight

    The Sigwell Kingdom, located on the western continent, was a country replete with books that it was called the land of books.

    The royal family owned a printing press, so the people were accustomed to reading books. Above all, the royal family all loved books.

    Four years after Rishe began serving in the Sigwell Kingdom, the royal family received sad news.

    ¡°¡­His Highness Curtis has been bedridden for days.¡±

    One of her fellow hunters said with a somber expression.

    ¡°No wonder. At any rate, Harriet-sama was executed just like that¡­Her marriage changed her.¡±

    ¡°No way, I never expected that she would be so extravagant to the point where she crushed the national treasury, causing the people to suffer and drive them into poverty.¡±

    Whispers echoed in their assigned room.

    Feeling uncomfortable, Rishe called out to a fellow hunter who was nearby.

    ¡°Hey, Harriet-sama is¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah. Before Rishe-sama came to this country four years ago, Harriet-sama had left for Fabrania for her bride training.¡±

    After Rishe nodded, the hunter informed her.

    ¡°Harriet-sama married for political reasons. Her marriage was necessary for this country to maintain its power among its allies.¡±

    ¡°And yet, she was convicted of a great crime at the place of her marriage and was executed.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. This country will be forced to pay reparations for Harriet¡¯s crimes, and will also be forced to secede from the alliance.¡±

    This situation definitely invited dark clouds.

    While Rishe was meditating, she felt someone resting his arm on top of the hood of her robe.

    ¡°Hya.¡±

    ¡°Yo, I¡¯m back, Rishe, guys.¡±

    ¡°Chief!¡±

    Everyone buzzed at the return of the person they had been waiting for.

    ¡°Chief, how¡¯s the preliminary hunting ground inspection?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Well, all I can think of is I¡¯m tired. The situation in Fabrania is terrible.¡±

    ¡°Well, then¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the people in the provinces are starving. Wealth is concentrated in the royal capital, but even in the capital, the gap between the rich and the poor is obvious!¡±

    The huntsmen¡¯s expressions sank as they heard the man¡¯s deliberately cheerful voice.

    ¡°I heard merchants talking that it was no doubt due to Harriet-sama buying up jewelry and dresses and spending money like hot water. I¡¯ll be damned, haha!¡±

    Rishe wanted to look back at the man, but his arm was over her head and she couldn¡¯t move.

    She struggled to get out of the way and was about to turn around.

    ¡°Hey, Ra-¡±

    ¡°¨D¨DThis country will join the war against Garkhain.¡±

    The hunters gasped at the revelation.

    ¡°Is that true, Chief? But His Majesty once said that he has no intention of fighting with Garkhain¡­¡±

    ¡°Fabrania offered this as a condition for the settlement other than paying reparations. As long as this country participates in the war and assists Fabrania, there is no need to secede from the alliance.¡±

    The man¡¯s voice was deprived of the light-hearted tone he had just moments ago.

    The expression on his face was also not his usual aloof smile, but one of mockery.

    ¡°Queen Harriet is a great sinner ¨D¨D The other party is asking this country to ¡®take responsibility¡¯ for marrying off such a princess.¡±

    ***

    Queen Harriet neglected her ailing husband for several years and depleted the national treasury after marrying Fabrania.

    Within that period, the people were starving; forged money was rampant; and the country was drained, but she did not care.

    Eventually, when the king recovered thanks to a certain doctor¡¯s treatment, it was said that he executed his wife out of despair over her actions.

    That was what Rishe knew about Princess Harriet.

    But¡­

    Inside the small castle, rising above the cliffs, Rishe looked down at the woman.

    ¡°Hee-hee-huh¡­¡±

    The woman crying here was the princess herself, Harriet.

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    No matter how you look at it, she doesn¡¯t look like the evil queen who left her starving people to die while she indulged herself in luxury.

    One shouldn¡¯t judge people by their appearance. Nevertheless, values and ethics appeared in the details of their behavior.

    Harriet was sitting in a chair, crying with her long golden hair.

    Her waist-length hair, though well-groomed, looked disheveled. Rather than being the length she wanted it to be, she gave the impression that it had been neglected and ended up this length.

    In addition, her bangs were so long that they covered her eyes.

    It was like a shield to escape the gaze of others.

    ¡°Harriet-sama, please calm down.¡±

    ¡°Hee, h, o-okay¡­¡±

    Sitting in the chair across from her, Rishe organized the information he had gleaned from her crying.

    ¡°Let me summarize what you have said so far¡­First of all, Harriet-sama, you came to Garkhain from Fabrania, where you are having your bride training, is that right?¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh, hiccup.¡±

    ¡°Meanwhile, your brother, Prince Curtis, has departed on a different ship from your home country of Sigwell.¡±

    ¡°T-That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°And on Harriet-sama¡¯s ship, you had female knights escorting you, but all suffered from food poisoning¡­¡±

    Rishe couldn¡¯t help but lower her gaze, feeling deeply sorry for the knight guards.

    They must have been very sick after being rocked on the ship for days in a vomit-inducing sickness. Harriet, who was the only one who had eaten a royal meal, seemed to have survived without getting sick.

    In fact, my brother¡¯s ship also has our country¡¯s female knights for such occasions¡­h¡­B-But, hoo-hoo¡­¡±

    ¡°Due to your separate routes, your brother¡¯s ship got delayed, and only Harriet-sama arrived in Garkhain first¡­¡±

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    ¡°Yeah.¡±

 Chapter 112.2

    Rishe glanced back at Arnold while they were speaking.

    Arnold was standing silently with his arms crossed behind Rishe, giving off the vibe that he was not at all interested and found things troublesome.

    ¡°Your Highness, would it be possible for some of our knight guards to protect Harriet for a little while?¡±

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s the only way out. Oliver.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Then I¡¯ll assign staff right away¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, um, um¡­¡±

    Harriet tried desperately to speak, her voice wet with tears.

    ¡°My apologies. Thank you for your concern, but that¡¯s not going to work¡­¡±

    ¡°Harriet-sama?¡±

    ¡°M-Moreover, my fianc¨¦ has been very strict with me.¡±

    The ¡°fianc¨¦¡± she was referring to was the king of Fabrania.

    ¡°What did the King tell you?¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡­ I wasn¡¯t allowed to let a man other than my husband around me!!¡±

    That instruction certainly wasn¡¯t strange.

    ¡°And so, I can¡¯t take advantage of your kindness¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry¡­hu-hu¡­¡±

    She apologized repeatedly in a muffled voice.

    Harriet, who looked completely crestfallen, muttered so quietly that it was unlikely for anyone around her to hear clearly.

    ¡°Hee, I want to stay indoors¡­¡±

    Oh, this is no good.

    This was totally the ramblings of someone who was on the edge.

    I wondered what was going on when she suddenly plopped down on her knees upon meeting me. She assumed that the loss of her own guards would cause trouble for Garkhain.

    Harriet¡¯s concerns were correct. Oliver, looking troubled, whispered to Arnold.

    ¡°What do we do now, My Lord?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no other choice. We can¡¯t let a guest from another country stay here without an escort.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe got up from her chair and walked beside Arnold.

    ¡°But there are no female knights in Garkhain.¡±

    ¡°There are fewer such countries in existence. Only a few in the western continent have them to begin with¡­¡±

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    ¡°¡­¡±

    She stared up at Arnold right next to her as he talked with Oliver.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold made eye contact with Rishe once, and then returned his gaze to Oliver as if it had never happened.

    ¡°¡­For example, suppose you hit up some mercenaries and found a woman who is miraculously skilled. I¡¯d certainly not trust that person enough to put her beside the princess of another country.¡±

    ¡°Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°There is no way that you can immediately arrange a person with a certain level of competence as a bodyguard, whose identity can be reliably trusted, and whose manners are up to standard¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold.¡±

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    Rishe tugged Arnold¡¯s sleeve.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    After pausing for several seconds, Arnold sighed heavily and looked at Rishe as if he had given up.

    ¡°What?¡±

    It was not like Arnold to ask again when he knew what Rishe was going to say.

    With that in mind, Rishe responded with a small ¡°yes¡± and a raised hand.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be Harriet-sama¡¯s bodyguard.¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama?!¡±

    Contrary to Oliver¡¯s alarm, Arnold held his forehead and looked down. It was as if he was saying he has had a bad feeling about it.

    ¡°Your Highness, do you have any complaints about my etiquette?¡±

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

    ¡°Are you suspicious of my identity?¡±

    ¡°Of course not.¡±

    She smiled at Arnold, who replied bitterly.

    ¡°Then, what about my sword skills?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There should be no other suitable person in this situation than Rishe.

    Even though Rishe was the fianc¨¦e of the crown prince, her status was only that of a duke¡¯s daughter of a weak country.

    It was not uncommon for a duke¡¯s daughter to be chosen as a lady-in-waiting for a princess. With that in mind, working as a guard for a limited time was not that strange.

    However, it seemed that only Rishe thought so.

    ¡°You just want to do it, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°And what are you planning to do about it?¡±

    ¡°What reason do you have to object, Your Highness? If something happens to Princess Harriet without an escort, it will be in no small part the responsibility of Garkhain¡¯s side, right?¡±

    For that matter, Harriet¡¯s escort situation is irrelevant. Even Arnold would want to avoid such trouble.

    ¡°It is true that I am no match for Your Highness and the knight guards. But even so, as an escort, I should be able to be of some use to you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not where the issue is.¡±

    Arnold looked frankly into Rishe¡¯s eyes.

    He put his lips to Rishe¡¯s ear and whispered in a low voice, ¡°You are the one person I need to protect above all else.¡±

    ¡°¡­!!¡±

    Rishe felt like her eardrums were numbed by his declaration.

    He¡¯s definitely working on some sort of motive!

    She hurriedly took a step back and held back the urge to argue.

    ¡°Well, rather than protecting me, I¡¯d be happier if you could trust me that most enemies can¡¯t defeat me!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying I don¡¯t trust you. ¨D¨D I do trust your courage and your skill with a sword.¡±

    After the bitter words, Arnold sighed again.

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    ¡°I¡¯d like to ask you what you¡¯re up to, though.¡±

    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s a secret.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­Can you give us a moment, please?¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Rishe was happy and pleased at the conclusion that had been reached.

    ¡°Leave it to me, Your Highness.¡±

    She smiled and was about to go to Harriet when Arnold grabbed her by the arm.

    ¡°Gya!?¡±

    ¡°But remember.¡±

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    Arnold quietly spelled out his words, as if to inscribe them.

    ¡°Most enemies can¡¯t defeat you¡­Knowing that, you¡¯re my protector.¡±

    ¡°O-Okay, I understand¡­¡±

    Her heart was about to burst, so she needed some reprieve.

    Rishe headed toward Harriet while curbing the burning on her cheeks.

    She sat down on the chair, turned around, and called out to Harriet, who was crying uncontrollably.

    ¡°Thank you for your patience, Harriet-sama.¡±

    Rishe then knelt down in front of her.

    ¡°¡­? Ah, um¡­¡±

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    This reminds me of my life as a knight.

    She straightened her back and took Harriet¡¯s slender hand.

    Unlike in the past, when she was dressed as a man, she would not have held her hand gently.

    She wanted to reassure her with a smile, even if it was metaphorical.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry anymore. I¡¯ll get rid of all the bad luck that comes your way.¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha-he¡­¡±

    In accordance with the chivalrous spirit that has been instilled in her, she vowed to the lady in front.

    ¡°I will protect you¡­ Rest assured, Princess, okay?¡±

    ¡°~~~~ !?¡±

    At that moment, Harriet, whose eyes were hidden by her bangs, suddenly turned red.

 Chapter 113.1 Please dont hesitate to ask for help.

    The small castle where they would be staying was built on the outskirts of Vinleys.

    It was built on a small hill overlooking the coastal town, and it took them less than a few dozen minutes to get back down to the city from there.

    It has become quite a large group, though¡­

    Rishe¡¯s knight guards were trailing after her a distance away.

    The women walking in front of them were Harriet¡¯s maidservants. And just behind Rishe was a downcast Harriet walking.

    The large group of people that followed them was a bunch of dignitaries who were there as if to tell everyone that they were very important people.

    She told them that it would make them stand out badly, but the woman who claimed to be the chief maid didn¡¯t listen at all.

    [We can¡¯t do that. No matter what the situation is, the future Crown Princess of Garkhain is going to escort Harriet-sama. At the very least, our role as maidservants is to stay by Harriet-sama¡¯s side and alleviate any inconvenience she may cause to you.]

    The head maid was probably about the same age as Rishe¡¯s mother.

    She couldn¡¯t argue when told that it was a matter of course. As a result, Rishe¡¯s group escorting Harriet became a group of about ten people.

    Still, I want them to enjoy walking around the city.

    Rishe looked back at Harriet and smiled.

    ¡°Are you tired, Harriet-sama?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Ah, uh ¡­¡±

    Harriet fidgeted and bowed, revealing her agitation.

    Then, glancing at the maids, she replied, ¡°I¡¯m all right. You don¡¯t have to worry about me¡­¡±

    ¡°That can¡¯t be. You¡¯ve just come off a boat trip, yet you want to get to know more about the city of Garkhain.¡±

    Rishe told Harriet with a hand on her chest, resembling a knight.

    ¡°I want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.¡±

    Rishe was carrying a sword at her waist.

    It has a black scabbard with gold embellishment. This was the spare sword that Arnold usually used.

    It was a bit big for Rishe, but he lent it to her, saying that it was better than nothing.

    He also lent her a sword belt, but it was still loose even when she fastened it to the tightest hole, so she had poke a new hole. Arnold looked slender, but compared to Rishe, he had a solid, masculine physique.

    As Rishe wrapped her sword belt around her dress and fixed Arnold¡¯s sword there, she was naturally drawn to the life of a knight.

    This also reminds me of how to be a knight¡­

    A knight should respect all women.

    That was the instruction of the king who had a loving wife. Rishe, who dressed as a man and knighted as a man in that country, knelt before women countless times.

    To protect Harriet here, Rishe looked straight at her.

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    ¡°Is the sea breeze chilling you? If the sun is too bright, we can bring you a parasol right away. We can walk at any pace you like, just let me know.¡±

    ¡°N-N-No, t-that¡¯s outrageous¡­¡±

    ¡°Princess, please, don¡¯t be shy with me.¡±

    She smiled at her again as she took her small, white hand.

    ¡°I want you to enjoy this moment. ¨D¨D I swear to devote myself wholeheartedly to that end.¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    Then Harriet murmured, blocking her eyes hidden by her bangs with one hand.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s so bright¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you still want a parasol?¡±

    When Rishe asked, Harriet shook her head. After that, she looked very embarrassed and shifted her gaze away, hiding her face with her long bangs.

    The head maid, who was walking a few meters behind them, told Harriet with a cool face.

    ¡°Lady Harriet, excessive reservation is rather rude to Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes!¡±

    Harriet¡¯s petite body shivered, and she shrank more and more.

    Seeing this, the head maid gave a big sigh.

    ¡°I believe His Majesty has given us leave to enjoy shopping at Garkhain to the fullest. In order to contribute to Garkhain¡¯s economy, shouldn¡¯t we visit jewelry stores first?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

    Rishe couldn¡¯t see Harriet¡¯s face, but she could tell that she was troubled.

    ¡°But, you see, the money¡­¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? His Majesty has given you a lot of gold coins to this continent.¡±

    The head maid interrupted rather curtly.

    ¡°First of all, even if you really don¡¯t have any, it¡¯s a lady¡¯s duty to behave gracefully and without any hint of it. Your lady¡¯s reputation is directly related to His Majesty¡¯s standing, you know?¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Oh gosh, you¡¯re beyond salvation! Rishe-sama, I apologize on behalf of my lady.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe blinked once, then smiled softly at the head maid.

    ¡°No, head maid-sama.¡±

    She then took a step forward and squeezed the head maid¡¯s hand.

    Her eyes widened, but Rishe continued speaking regardless.

    ¡°It is true that your lady¡¯s behavior may cause your master to be ill-repute. But I hope you won¡¯t mind that, at least not in my presence.¡±

    ¡°Well, you could say that!? But Rishe-sama, why are you holding my hand?¡±

 Chapter 113.2

    ¡°His Majesty the King of Fabrania¡¯s reputation should be determined by his own actions. Therefore, no matter how Harriet-sama behaves, our impression of His Majesty will never change.¡±

    Her beautifully wrinkled eyes blinked repeatedly in confusion.

    ¡°Besides ¨D¨D I can feel the kindness in Harriet-sama¡¯s heart that she doesn¡¯t want to bother me.¡±

    ¡°Huh ¡­!?¡±

    Harriet¡¯s shoulders jumped, probably because Rishe turned around without warning.

    ¡°But seriously, please don¡¯t hesitate. I would be very happy to have you laughing with me as your guard.¡±

    ¡°Gasp¡­¡±

    ¡°As for the shopping, please look forward to it tomorrow, as my favorite company, Aria Trading Company, will be bringing you some of their best items.¡±

    She gazed into Harriet¡¯s eyes, hidden behind her bangs.

    Then she asked.

    ¡°And Harriet-sama, why do your maids do the talking instead of yourself?¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­?¡±

    Harriet¡¯s tone shook with confusion.

    ¡°If you feel uncomfortable about stating your own wishes, is there anything you would like to do for your maids instead?¡±

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about, Rishe-sama?¡±

    The head maid raised her voice in panic and shook her head.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about us. And you, Lady Harriet¡­¡±

    ¡°U-Umm¡­!!¡±

    Harriet opened her mouth, as if gathering up her fragile courage.

    ¡°W-Well then¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh, My Lady?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­somewhere cooler! A place where the maids can sit and rest. Um, I¡¯m sure the head maid is more tired from the boat trip than I was in the first class cabin. Er¡­¡±

    Harriet buried head deeply and continued, though in gradually fading snatches.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry if I said something out of line¡­¡±

    Rishe smiled at the blank stare of the head maid.

    Harriet had been peeking at her maids several times early on. It looked like she was worried about their eyes, but maybe she was worried about them. It seemed that Rishe was right in her thinking.

    ¡°All right. Let me take you to a restaurant with terrace seats.¡±

    Rishe was new to the city, but she remembered the map Arnold had shown her.

    With the position of the sun at this hour, some of the stores overlooking the beach would be in the cool shade.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry for bothering you¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Harriet-sama, you are a person who can be brave for others.¡±

    ¡°!!¡±

    Harriet¡¯s small shoulders shook when she put the offer forward for her maids.

    Expressing her wishes was something she collected herself to do. Nevertheless, she was willing to say something she found hard to say for the sake of her tired maids.

    ¡°I have the utmost respect for your kindness.¡±

    ¡°Uh, er¡­!!¡±

    And then.

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe stopped and extended her hand to Harriet.

    Then she looked back diagonally behind her and silently looked up at the whitewashed building.

    Seabirds were flying around the rooftop, chirping and twittering to each other.

    The cumulonimbus clouds floating in the blue sky shone brightly in the sun.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°What is it, Rishe-sama?¡±

    When one of the knight guards approached, Rishe told him.

    ¡°I hear cries that sound like a lost child. I thought I¡¯d go check on it for a while.¡±

    ¡°A child¡¯s voice? Then we¡¯ll do it ourselves.¡±

    ¡°The knights are to guard Harriet for a spell. With the maids around¡­it should not be a problem for some men to protect her for a short while.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Rishe-sama!¡±

    Before the knights could stop her, Rishe slipped easily into the back alley.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    She muffled her footsteps and cut off any sign of her presence to the limit. She turned a couple of corners and went deeper and deeper into the alley.

    There was not a single person visible in the white stone alleyway.

    That¡¯s impossible.

    Rishe briefly exhaled.

    The next moment, she gripped Arnold¡¯s sword.

    ¡°¨D¨D!!¡±

    Someone suddenly descended directly from above.

    She drew her sword, held it above her head, and received a weapon head-on. It was more of a reflex action as a swordsman than a calculated move.

    The sound of steel clashing with steel echoed through the area.

    The figure immediately stepped back and smiled good-humoredly.

    ¡°Huh, haha!¡±

    It was a tall man wearing a gray robe.

    The top half of his face was obscured by his hood. But his mouth was distorted in amusement.

    ¡°Hello pretty lady, nice to meet you. When someone stares at you like that, it¡¯s hard not to come out.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe silently held her sword and looked straight at the man.

    A face I¡¯ve never seen before and a voice I¡¯ve never heard before. But this trick¡­

    ¡°Hey. ¨D¨D How did you find out?¡±

    The hooded figure made a gesture as if peeking at me.

    ¡°That I¡¯ve been staring at you from the rooftop all this time.¡±

    He asked playfully, and Rishe narrowed her eyes.

 Chapter 114.1 A crisis occurred

    ¡°I didn¡¯t make any special moves. I was just looking for a place that might be under surveillance.¡±

    With a swish, she swung her sword away and changed her stance.

    Rishe¡¯s arms were stronger than before. She seemed to be able to handle the heavy sword.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a habit of mine when I¡¯m surveying my surroundings for safety.¡±

    ¡°Haha! Just a habit?¡±

    The reply came from an old man¡¯s voice Rishe couldn¡¯t identify.

    The next moment, the man said in a young man¡¯s voice.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a habit to instantly check a blind spot and shoot a pinpoint glare¡­You¡¯re another one of those rare finds.¡±

    The hooded man deliberately pondered, ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°Even if I¡¯m trying to talk in vain like this, there¡¯s no breach at all. I came out here for fun, but it¡¯s a mistake.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Lady, excuse me. I¡¯m going to take a nap here for a while¡­Whoops!¡±

    The tip of Rishe¡¯s sword just barely grazed the hood of his robe. The fact that he was able to dodge her did not deter her from her pursuit. Without fear, she stepped forward and swung her sword again.

    With each swing, Rishe¡¯s torso shook as she took the second and third strikes. It was for this reason that she hunted the man in the robe carefully, yet without any mercy.

    ¡°!¡±

    She twisted round to avoid the dagger tip that approached her eyes.

    ¡°Heh, dodge this.¡±

    You¡¯re going to stab my eyes¡­

    Rishe curled her lips with a snort as she jumped into the man¡¯s gap.

    She lowered the tip of her sword to the ground and slashed up at the man.

    He ducked, but she perfectly calculated his movements. The man laughed as he quickly reared his head to the side.

    ¡°Huh, fast, fast!¡±

    ¡°¨D¨D ¡­¡­¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    Came a resounding clang.

    The man¡¯s dagger blocked the tip of Rishe¡¯s sword. It was probably only Rishe who felt her arms tremble.

    ¡°I¡¯m running out of time to play¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    The man licked his tongue.

    ¡°Coral-haired lady, you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in the world. Instead of killing each other, why don¡¯t we have a more meaningful conversation?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m working, and I didn¡¯t mean to get into a killing spree with you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a lie. You¡¯ve been aiming at my face so relentlessly.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured. I¡¯ve already achieved my purpose.¡±

    From Rishe¡¯s angle, she could see the eyes that were hidden by the hood.

    It¡¯s still the face of a man I don¡¯t know. But¡­

    His eyes were red.

    It was enough to know that. When Rishe retreated backwards with her sword, the man laughed and nodded his head.

    ¡°Sure, you¡¯re not thirsty for blood. Got it, got it.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Rishe-sama!¡±

    A knight¡¯s voice echoed from the other side.

    The cloth of the man¡¯s robe fluttered as he sprinted off into the alley. Rishe slowly sheathed her sword and watched as the man¡¯s back disappeared.

    ¡°What happened, Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°I think I heard the clangs of swords, though it was faint¡­¡±

    The knights seemed to have heard it, even though it was a long way from the main street. Rishe bowed and apologized to them.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Apparently it wasn¡¯t a child crying, but a cat and a crow fighting.¡±

    ¡°What? A cat and a crow?¡±

    ¡°I pulled out my sword to mediate, but it was so heavy I dropped it.¡±

    Then she smiled.

    ¡°Other than that, nothing happened.¡±

    The knights breathed a sigh of relief hearing her reply.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re fine, Rishe-sama. But next time, I hope you¡¯ll leave us to it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, both of you.¡±

    Rishe glanced at the end of the alley as she walked away.

    ¡°¡­¡±

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    There was no sign of anyone there.

    She didn¡¯t say anything but returned to the knights and Harriet.

    If I were a real guard, I¡¯d report what just happened to Harriet¡­

    Rishe remembered the exchange she had just had with Arnold.

    ¡°Can you take care of the princess?¡±

    Arnold asked Rishe while he was preparing to go out.

    Rishe nodded in reply as she wrapped her sword belt around her.

    ¡°Of course. But where are you going, Your Highness?¡±

    ¡°I have some work to do in the city. I¡¯ll return at night.¡±

    Oliver, his squire, was also busy giving instructions to the knights. Rishe was convinced that he didn¡¯t seem to have any interest in diplomacy with Harriet.

    As I thought, His Highness Arnold¡¯s purpose is not to entertain the distinguished guests.

    It was not like Arnold to go out of his way to greet them. In her experience, it was when he had multiple intentions that he made his move.

    When he bought Rishe¡¯s ring for her in the castle town, it was also to scout for Kyle¡¯s arrival in the country.

    The reason he accompanied Rishe to the Grand Shrine was not only because of the official business that was piling up with the Order, but also as a check.

    It seemed to be the same this time.

    Under Rishe¡¯s gaze, Arnold put on his coat and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. I just need to confirm something.¡±

    ¡°Confirm?¡±

    ¡°That aside, this sword is not suitable for your size. The knight guards will be by your side, so don¡¯t strain yourself.¡±

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    Arnold took the sword that was leaning against the wall and handed it to her.

    ¡°Thank you for lending me your sword, Your Highness.¡±

    Arnold looked down at her quietly.

    ¡°¡­For you.¡±

    ¡°?¡±

    When she cocked her head and waited for him to continue, Arnold sighed and said.

    ¡°I also thought that showing you the seaside scenery might improve your mood a little.¡±

    What the hell did that mean?

    She blinked, and he looked at her as if to say, ¡°Don¡¯t you understand?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been looking strangely somber lately.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    His elebaration threw Rishe off.

    Is he worried about me?

    At the same time, a feeling of guilt welled up in her.

    Rishe¡¯s downcast look was definitely due to that.

    With Arnold in mind, a strange loneliness burrowed deep in her heart. She must have noticed the change.

    ¡°Um, no! I don¡¯t have any problems that Your Highness needs to worry about!¡±

    ¡°I doubt it. You don¡¯t give a damn about yourself at all.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t retort because she had a record. That went for Arnold, too.

    A large hand stroked her head while she was lost in thought.

    ¡°I feel bad about making you do something that feels like work. I¡¯ll make it up to you¡­¡±

    Rishe recalled his doting voice, and it made her ears burn.

    I¡¯m the one who offered to protect Harriet-sama.

    A knight guard called out to her when he saw that she was about to crouch down.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Rishe-sama?¡±

    ¡°No-nothing! Anyway, we¡¯d better hurry back to Harriet-sama¡¯s.¡±

    A little further down the street, she spotted Harriet¡¯s back as she talked to the head maid.

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    Her highness, Princess Harriet, the sister of His Highness, Prince Curtis, whom I never met in my fifth life.

    Gestures that hid her face, and a long hair that was randomly stretched.

    Her dress looked heavy, probably because of the thick fabric, which was not suitable for early summer. And that shade of dark green.

    Her attire doesn¡¯t feel right for a woman who has crippled the national treasury by buying luxury goods¡­

 Chapter 114.2

    Discernment must be done carefully.

    It was foolish to be swayed by rumors that others spread and to believe what one hadn¡¯t witnessed personally.

    Nevertheless, it was also a bad idea to be misled by the words and actions of the person in front of her, and ignore the information she has in your hands.

    Because of Harriet¡¯s execution, the Sigwell Kingdom was forced to choose warfare instead of joining Garkhain¡¯s ranks. Of course, I would like to avoid that¡­

    Then she heard the voice of the head maid.

    I¡¯d like to thank you for your kindness. You must not take advantage of the kindness of Lady Reece.

    ¡°Listen, Harriet-sama. We must not take advantage of Lady Rishe¡¯s kindness.¡±

    Her tone was dignified and stern. Combined with the head maid¡¯s age, she reminded Rishe of her own mother.

    ¡°You must leave them a good impression on us, so they¡¯d have a good relationship with Fabrania in the future. A friendship with Garkhain is a long-cherished wish of His Majesty.¡±

    ¡°I-I understand¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m terribly sorry.¡±

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    Harriet buried her head deeply and repeated in a small voice.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m a princess¡­If I¡¯m not useful to my father, brother or husband, I don¡¯t deserve to exist¡­. I have to work hard. I must work harder¡­¡±

    ¡°Harriet-sama!¡±

    ¡°Hiya!!¡±

    Harriet jerked up with a start, and Rishe smiled.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting. There was no problem, so let¡¯s go to the store.¡±

    ¡°Huh, ha-hi¡­!¡±

    ¡°There are plenty of wonderful shops along the way. I heard that this city attracts a lot of goods through trade. Besides¡­¡±

    Harriet listened with her head down as Rishe walked while explaining.

    Rishe spent the rest of the evening guarding and making sure there was no sign of anything suspicious in the area.

    ***

    Then, after returning to the castle, Rishe walked Harriet to her room and left after bidding her goodnight.

    I¡¯ll take a break from escort work until we go out tomorrow.

    Garkhain knights guarded the castle.

    The guests did not have their own personal guards there, because to do so would be an expression of ¡®I don¡¯t trust the guards¡¯.

    The man in a robe once again came to Rishe¡¯s mind.

    Should I report that man¡¯s existence to His Highness Arnold?

    What kind of purpose did Arnold have for coming to this city?

    The best course of action to take would depend on that. At the moment, she couldn¡¯t see them yet. While thinking about this, she headed for the servants¡¯ quarters.

    ¡°I¡¯m back. Is Elise here? I need to ask her a little favor¡­ ¨D¨D What¡¯s up?¡±

    The dozen or so maids were all huddled in one place, sullen.

    ¡°R-Rishe-sama, um¡­¡±

    Elise stepped forward, pale and trembling.

    The words she said took Rishe¡¯s breath away.

    ***

    A few hours later.

    Rishe looked up quickly when she heard the footsteps of the person she had been waiting for in the dining room.

    ¡°Your Highness Arnold!¡±

    ¡°¡­What¡¯s up?¡±

    Arnold raised an eyebrow when Rishe got up from her chair and ran over to him.

    He realized that something unusual might have occurred when he noticed Rishe¡¯s complexion.

    ¡°Did something happen when you were guarding the princess?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe shook her head. Scared of the presence around her, Rishe grabbed Arnold¡¯s jacket tightly.

    ¡°Nothing like that. I just wanted to ask a favor of Your Highness, but it¡¯s really impolite of me¡­¡±

    ¡°Then say it. Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯ll do whatever you want.¡±

    Even with reassuring words directed at her, Rishe¡¯s eyes remained lowered.

    She almost stuck to Arnold and said, as if trying to summon up courage.

    ¡°¡­I want to sleep in the same room with Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­.Huh?¡±

    This was not enough to get the message across, of course.

    She knew it, so she made sure there was no one around except Arnold before continuing.

    ¡°Because¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t care that she got one eye almost plucked in an alleyway just hours ago. Faced with a more serious fear, Rishe struggled to appeal.

    ¡°The maids said they saw a ghost¡­!!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

 Chapter 115.1 spoiled beyond belief

    ¡°¨D¨DSo?¡±

    No one has entered the dining room yet.

    Arnold didn¡¯t call for a server, but did his best to appease Rishe.

    He sat her down in a chair, and sat himself down on the left side of the chair, stroking Rishe¡¯s head as he asked.

    ¡°Slow down. I¡¯m not going anywhere. Tell me what¡¯s going on when you¡¯ve calmed down.¡±

    ¡°My maids cleaned each room for me¡­¡±

    Rishe managed to retell what she had just heard from the maids.

    ¡°While they were cleaning, they heard what sounded like a window opening in the next room, which was supposed to be empty. It was a little creaky, high-pitched, distinctive sound.¡±

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s a castle by the sea, so the hinges must be rusting.¡±

    ¡°When the startled maid looked at the window, she saw that the window of the room remained closed. Thinking it was her imagination, she went out into the hallway to change the water in the bucket, and just as she went out, she spotted a vague shadow of a man in the distance!¡±

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    Remembering the horror Rishe had felt when she heard it, she curled up with a tremble.

    ¡°If there was a normal person there, they would have heard footsteps, right? But the figure slid away without a sound¡­¡±

    She could clearly visualize the scene she hasn¡¯t seen.

    ¡°The next thing they know, he¡¯s all gone.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe was terrified of ghosts.

    Since Rishe herself has died multiple times and was still here by a mysterious fate, she didn¡¯t think it was believable to say ¡°there are no ghosts.¡±

    Arnold stared at Rishe as she recounted the tale.

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re afraid of that missing person?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid, Your Highness?!¡±

    ¡°What can something insubstantial do to us, if it did exist?¡±

    ¡°Oh, only someone who isn¡¯t afraid of ghosts can say that!!¡±

    But it was also reassuring.

    ¡°¡­These things get scarier and scarier when the people around you are also scared, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    As Arnold stroked Rishe¡¯s head, she gently turned her head.

    ¡°In the end, I had to pretend to be calm because the maids turned pale. I told them there was no such thing as ghosts, and they were relieved, but I couldn¡¯t tell them that I was scared too¡­¡±

    ¡°So have you been holed up in this dining room alone, waiting for me to come home?¡±

    Rishe nodded.

    ¡°There are a lot of candlesticks on the table.¡±

    ¡°Because I want the place to brighten up a bit.¡±

    She thought about staying in the room with the maids, but that would be too deceptive.

    She¡¯d been reciting Arnold¡¯s over and over again deep inside until he came back. Without telling that, she glanced up at him.

    Arnold never laughed at Rishe.

    ¡°By the way, Your Highness, the rice¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m busy petting you.¡±

    ¡°¡­ ???¡±

    He said it as if it was his top priority. She knew she shouldn¡¯t behave like a spoiled child, but this sense of security was amazing.

    ¡°¡­I like the sea very much.¡±

    ¡°I bet.¡±

    ¡°But the sound of waves at night in a room that might be haunted is kind of scary¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Is it difficult for you to stay alone in a room?¡±

    She clutched the hem of her dress with her right hand and Arnold¡¯s coat with her left.

    ¡°¡­Your Highness Arnold¡­¡±

    Arnold looked tangled when she called his name.

    Seeing this, Rishe panicked.

    ¡°I-Am I being a nuisance?! I¡¯m a grown up but still wanting to sleep in the same room with you!!¡±

    ¡°Not really.¡±

    Then he deliberated and gave a big sigh.

    ¡°¡­Not really¡­¡±

    He said it twice¡­

    She wondered why, but Arnold continued to frown.

    ¡°¡­I believe there are two rooms on the fourth floor to the south. Are they ready for use?¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes! The maids cleaned the whole castle, so it¡¯s sparkling clean¡­¡±

    While answering, Rishe blinked rapidly.

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    ¡°Will you sleep in the same room with me?¡±

    ¡°¡­There¡¯s no way I can just rip you out of this state and stuff you back in your room.¡±

    This state probably referred to the left hand that was clutching Arnold¡¯s coat.

    She was embarrassed, but she wanted to hold on for a little while longer.

    But the moment she heard a knock on the dining room door, she quickly let go.

    ¡°Excuse me, Your Highness. A messenger has just arrived.¡±

    The one who showed up was one of the knight guards.

    Hmm, I¡¯m glad I let go promptly¡­

    Not wanting to look pathetic, Rishe laid her hands on her lap.

    ¡°A messenger in a small boat has arrived ahead with a message. The ship carrying His Royal Highness, Prince Curtis is expected to arrive at the port in a few hours.¡±

    Rishe was relieved to hear that. She was sure Harriet would be happy to hear about her brother¡¯s arrival.

    Arnolt responded to the knight¡¯s message impassively.

    ¡°All right. Now, go quickly and call Oliver back.¡±

    ¡°As you wish. Also, His Highness Curtis has already eaten aboard the ship, so there is no need to worry about entertaining him tonight.¡±

    ¡°What about port security?¡±

    ¡°Well, about that¨D¨D¡­¡±

    Come to think of it, there was a rumor of a ghost ship on the coast of Sigwell.

    Why on earth did she remember something unnecessary?

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    (~~~~)

    Rishe hurriedly drowned out her thoughts and looked down and remained silent.

    It¡¯s still a little unsettling to be away from His Highness Arnold.

    However, of course, she must refrain from acting up in front of the knight.

 Chapter 115.2

    She lectured herself, but shortly after¡­

    ¡°¨D¨D!¡±

    Arnold touched Rishe¡¯s hand effortlessly.

    He intertwined their fingers under the table and hooked them playfully.

    She looked at Arnold in surprise, but he looked completely unconcerned. While holding Rishe, he continued to talk to the knight about work.

    Their joint hands were still hidden under the table.

    But someone¡¯s right there!!

    The thought of it no longer made her afraid.

    This kind of secret was too bad for her heart. She tried to pull her hand away, but Arnold kept squeezing it tighter.

    And yet, his tone remained indifferent.

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    They held hands covertly, and when she listened to Arnold¡¯s voice, she felt her ears burning and getting hotter.

    ¡°¡­Rearrange tomorrow¡¯s schedule the way I just told you. Tell the others to do the same.¡±

    ¡°Leave it to me. Well then, Your Highness, Rishe-sama, if you¡¯ll excuse me.

    ¡°O-Okay!¡±

    The knight bowed and left the room, and the door to the dining room closed.

    Rishe wondered if the knight thought it strange that Arnold and her chairs were so close together even when the food hadn¡¯t been served yet. She couldn¡¯t stop thinking about it, but the problem was still her left hand.

    ¡°Ah, Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    With a rather softer reply, he traced Rishe¡¯s ring finger with his.

    ¡°Thank you for holding my hand. Um, but¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    He rested his cheek on the opposite armrest, his eyes fixed on the ring on her ring finger.

    It was the ring he gave her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been wearing this ring a lot lately.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s very important.¡±

    That was a fact, but it was strangely embarrassing when he pointed it out.

    I thought His Highness was not interested in what I wear, but¡­

    She wondered if he even noticed how she looked through the sapphire at every turn, gazing at the surface of the stone at length.

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    The thought made her even more embarrassed and upset.

    ¡°Is goldsmithing a Koyor craftsmanship? Despite such fine workmanship, it is well cared for.¡±

    ¡°So, Your Highness¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Arnold looked down and traced a smooth line over the ring.

    Rishe mused what he would think of her scarlet face.

    She was curious, but there was no way she could ask him directly. Gathering up her courage, Rishe said something completely out of topic.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s time for dinner! I heard that His Highness Prince Curtis has dined onboard the ship, so Your Highness should be finished by the time they arrive¡­!!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold chuckled and gently removed his hand from Rishe.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. It looks like you¡¯ve stopped trembling.¡±

    What do you mean by can¡¯t be helped?!

    But first, she had to calm her beating heart.

    Rishe took a deep breath and rang the bell for the servers.

 Chapter 116.1 Approach with a modus operandi sheâ€™d been hoping to avoid.

    Rishe stayed with Arnold throughout the meal and did a little work afterwards.

    She went with him to the study, where she worked on the preparations for the marriage ceremony while Arnold worked on his official papers.

    What they did on this day was to finalize the invitees.

    The letter sent to Rishe¡¯s home country contained the name of someone she didn¡¯t want to meet, which made her face a little tangled.

    But, of course, there was more news to look forward to.

    There was a letter to Zahad, who had been a close friend of Rishe¡¯s in her past life but whom she had never met in this life. There was also a letter to the king of the country she had served as a knight. By the looks of it, she could meet some of the knights who were once her colleagues.

    However, Arnold¡¯s reaction to seeing the list of guests was cumbersome.

    With a wry smile, Rishe finished the process and took on the biggest challenge of the day.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m off to take a bath!!¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah.¡±

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    Arnold, who still looked entangled for some reason, nodded to Rishe¡¯s declaration.

    ¡°Mm, please come and pick me up. I¡¯ll pretend to sleep on the third floor, in the first room prepared, right across from

    the maidservants!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be there no matter what. But more importantly, is the bath itself safe?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I usually bathe alone, but I asked the maids to bathe me today on the account that I¡¯m tired from the escorting work!!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Arnold replied with a bitter, ¡°I see¡±.

    Although Rishe was uncomfortable lying to the maids, she must not let it be known that she was going to sleeping with Arnold.

    If that happened, they would probably find out that she was terrified of ghosts. She told everyone that she would get ready herself tomorrow morning and that they should help Harriet together with her maidservants.

    Arnold, on the other hand, had apparently only told Oliver the situation.

    ¡°Excuse me, Rishe-sama. I¡¯ve come to fetch you for your bath.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m coming.¡±

    After cheering herself up, she gave Arnold a ¡°I¡¯m off¡± look and left the study.

    She then started walking with the maids to one of the several bathrooms in the castle.

    ¡°Thank you very much, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°When you said that there is no such thing as ghosts, everyone was relieved.¡±

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s terrific! Everyone, don¡¯t stay up too late today and go to bed right away.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

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    While exchanging such conversation with the maids, they headed downstairs.

    On the way, Rishe sensed the presence of many people and turned her attention to them.

    ¡­Harriet-sama.

    The third floor was connected to the guest room building on the east side of the castle.

    Harriet was looking out the window at the connecting passage while her maids waited behind her.

    ¡°Good evening. Isn¡¯t it a lovely moonlit night?¡±

    ¡°U-Uh!?¡±

    Harriet¡¯s slender shoulders bounced sharply, and she began to panic.

    Beyond the horizon, the harbor illuminated by the moonlight was visible when looking down.

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    ¡°That sailing ship is the Sigwell Kingdom¡­¡±

    ¡°Uh, um, yes¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah! Isn¡¯t that carriage coming up the hill the very same carriage that your brother is riding in? I¡¯m so glad they¡¯ve arrived safely.¡±

    ¡°Ah, thank you very much¡­¡±

    Harriet, who bowed low, then glanced up again.

    Her eyes were hidden by a curtain of long bangs. It was hard to see her expression, but she didn¡¯t seem to be unhappy with Rishe.

    Harriet looked out the window again and muttered in a whisper.

    ¡°Troet¡¯s Moon Hill¡­¡±

    ¡°!¡±

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    The words sounded familiar to Rishe.

    ¡­It figures. If you were born and raised in that country with that family, then you must be like Harriet, right?

    With some mixed feelings, she replied with a soft chuckle.

    I don¡¯t really like to use this kind of approach¡­

    But it was definitely a shortcut to getting to know Harriet.

    Rishe got ahold of herself and spoke.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s the final scene of the Cradiette Adventures.¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­¡­!?¡±

    Harriet raised her face like a shot.

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    ¡°Did it remind you of the scene of a carriage carrying a princess through the moonlit hills?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, have you read this¡­? The book only started appearing on the western continent just last month¡­!¡±

    ¡°Yes. I heard about it and ordered it.¡±

    It was a downright lie.

    In fact, she read it in her fifth lifetime, when she was in the Sigwell Kingdom. In Sigwell, also known as the land of books, plenty of books were produced every day.

    ¡°It¡¯s a wonderful story! Right from the start of the story, when the hero Jean makes her triumphant return, she was so cool that I could almost picture it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, exactly!! I get you, it¡¯s amazing. Every scene is rich in scenery, and yet, the development is full of ups and downs! Oh, and if you don¡¯t mind me asking, who is your favorite character?¡±

    ¡°General Craig!¡±

    Rishe¡¯s and Harriet¡¯s voices just overlapped perfectly.

    A little further away, the maids looked surprised. Harriet¡¯s cheeks were flushed, and she spoke happily.

    ¡°Wow, I like him too¡­! He is cold but precise, a master swordsman who watches over Jean from afar!!.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s very reassuring just having him in the story. And his conversations with Jean are fun to read.¡±

 Chapter 116.2

    ¡°Hai! I¡¯m sure that in the sequel, we¡¯ll learn more about the general¡¯s past¡­! I¡¯m looking forward to seeing him play an active role in the future.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±

    Rishe smiled and chose her words carefully.

    I never imagined that the General would die protecting Jean in the next volume either.

    Rishe knew the future.

    This meant that she knew the ¡°unpainted future developments¡± of the stories that existed in this world.

    While chatting with Harriet, she must tread carefully for her not to realize it.

    Once you know what¡¯s going to unfold, you can¡¯t go back to the time when you knew nothing!! I didn¡¯t want to talk about ongoing books with someone who loves to read, but¡­

    This was also the only topic that Harriet seemed to be open to.

    As expected, Harriet seemed to be much more relaxed than before, and talked to Rishe.

    Then, she whispered very quietly.

    ¡°Uh, I¡¯m so glad. In Fabrania, I¡¯ve been told to look through more practical books, not fictional stories¡­¡±

    ¡°How long have you been in Fabrania for bride training, Harriet-sama?¡±

    ¡°Well, a year and a half.¡±

    ¡°Wow, so long? So has it been a year and a half since you¡¯ve seen your brother?¡±

    ¡°T-That¡¯s right¡­! I¡¯m sure my brother has read the Cradiette Adventures, and I¡¯m looking forward to talking to him about it¡­¡±

    After saying that much, Harriet took a big deep breath.

    ¡°Ah, that, Rishe-sama.¡±

    ¡°Yes, what is it?¡±

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    ¡°¡­Thank you for letting me meet my family.¡±

    She said so in that same inaudible voice.

    The maidens waiting some distance away probably couldn¡¯t hear her. In a voice that was probably strained by design, Harriet continued.

    ¡°Cough, I don¡¯t mean that in a weird way! But I ¨C if it wasn¡¯t for your wedding, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to see my brother until my own wedding ceremony. That¡¯s next year, and it¡¯s a long way.¡±

    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t you go back to your country during your bride training? It¡¯s not like Fabrania and Sigwell were very far apart.¡±

    ¡°T-That¡¯s because I¡¯m married, even if I¡¯m just engaged¡­Unless there is a celebration or mourning, it is a shame to return home.¡±

    When Rishe blinked, Harriet said, somewhat wistfully.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a nuisance, at least not to you. I¡¯ve been training to be a bride for a year and a half now, and I¡¯m still a complete mess.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t true, Harriet-sama.¡±

    ¡°No, I am. Because the only use for a useless princess is in a political marriage!¡±

    Her small hands covered her face over her bangs.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been kept alive and nurtured by the people¡¯s taxes. If I¡¯m not useful to my country, not only is there no meaning to life, there is no meaning to being born¡­¡±

    ¡°Harriet-sama¡­¡±

    Looking closer, Harriet was trembling.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got to do it right¡­I¡¯ve got to-do it right¡­¡±

    It was not something she intended for Rishe to hear, let alone the maidservants.

    You think your role can only be fulfilled through a political marriage.

    This mentality was quite familiar.

    She¡¯s just like the old me.

    If that were the case, there was no way Rishe would tell her here and now.

    The potential that lies within you would always be an unreachable longing unless you find it yourself.

    For Harriet now, it was as distant and unrealistic as a story written by someone else.

    So instead, she told her something that could comfort her.

    ¡°¨D¨DHarriet-sama, the carriage just passed through the gate.¡±

    ¡°!¡±

    Harriet gently looked down at her from the window.

    A few moments later, the carriage stopped and a man got out from inside.

    His golden hair, the same color as Harriet¡¯s, was cropped short.

    He was tall, with a supple, slender body. He was dressed in simple but elegant clothes, and wore a cloak as formal attire.

    The person looked up and smiled as if he was relieved to see Harriet.

    ¡°Brother Curtis¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Rishe looked at the eyes of the man that Harriet called.

    Thanks to the glimmering moonlight, she could see him clearly even at a distance.

    ¡­I see. So that¡¯s how it is.

    The man¡¯s eyes were red