Epilogue

Epilogue

 

“THE CAPITAL really is amazing! Did you see that stuff up in the sky?!” Sven’s voice resounded through the training grounds early that morning. “I could see them pretty clearly from my inn. I bet you wish you’d seen ’em too, Lucius.”

“Yeah, I wish I had. I was just so busy, I didn’t really have time to look.”

“Heh heh. You really missed out. And you should thank me, Fritz! You only got to enjoy the view ’cause I invited you over to study!”

Rishe, in her cadet disguise, listened to Sven’s excited rambling with a big smile on her face. Today was the last day of the knight cadets’ special training. As such, this was also the last day of their early morning sessions, and they took extra care with their cleaning. The skies were clear with the promise of a hot day. A wonderful morning all around, yet once again Fritz was looking down.

“Fritz thought they were shooting stars at first. He started making wishes on ’em. Isn’t that right, Fritz?”

“Hmm… Huh?! Oh, yeah!” Fritz looked up, flustered. He really was out of it.

Sven seemed to sense something off and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Lucius, Fritz—gimme your swords. I’ll put ’em away for you.”

“Huh? You don’t have to do that, Sven. We’ll do it together.”

“It’s fine! But you owe me!”

Fritz stared at Sven, eyes wide, before bowing his head and thanking him quietly. Sven left Rishe alone with Fritz in the early morning training grounds. She watched him go and then turned to Fritz. “He sure sounded excited.”

“Ah…yeah, I guess so.” Fritz was still hanging his head. He seemed nervous. “Lu, Count Lawvine summoned us yesterday.”

Rishe could easily imagine what that meant. “You’re going to be knights, then?!”

“Yep. We’ll head back to our hometowns first to prepare before we’re due back in the capital. After that, we’ll be official knights-in-training of Galkhein.”

“Congratulations, Fritz!” Rishe was as delighted to hear it as if it were her own good news. The cadets all showed promise, but Fritz and Sven were particularly talented. “I knew for sure you’d be chosen, but I’m happy to hear it all the same. Have you written to your family yet? Of course, it’d be great to tell them in person too! Really, congra—”

“I ran into Lord Lawvine on my way here today.” Rishe blinked in surprise. Fritz’s words came out compressed, like squeezing them out was painful. “He told me, ‘Lucius Alcott won’t be joining the knights.’ It was your own decision, he said.”

Lawvine hadn’t revealed Rishe’s secret. After the incident with Michel the night before, Rishe wrote him a message. She apologized for lying about her identity and disturbing his vital training sessions. No doubt he was incredibly busy, but she received a response immediately. She would see him tonight at a party to see off the guests from Coyolles. His message had also said this: “If your time allows it, please continue to attend training as a candidate until the final day.”

I’m not sure how much I can trust Lord Lawvine after the incident last night, but…he’s trying to protect “Lucius Alcott’s” life as a knight candidate.

Rishe apologized to her dear friend. “I’m sorry, Fritz.” She looked him square in the eye. “The truth is that I’ve been telling a really big lie this whole time.”

“A lie…?”

“That lie permitted me to come here and train with you all, but it was still a lie. I can’t become a knight right now.” Her sixth life—when she’d chosen that path—and this one, her seventh, were worlds apart. “I was even lying to you… I really am sorry.”

Fritz’s eyes swam. “I’m sorry too, Lu.”

“Why? What do you have to be sorry for, Fritz?”

Fritz hesitated, but eventually he made up his mind and, still looking down, shouted, “I think I’ve known for a while now what you were lying about!”

“Huh?!” Rishe’s eyes opened wide.

“I always thought it was strange! I mean, you’re so small, and you seem really delicate, and your voice is high! So, um…!”

No way! He realized I’m a girl?!

As Rishe started to panic, Fritz voiced his conclusion, his face grave. “You’re really, like, fourteen, aren’t you?!”

Rishe froze. “What?”

“Yeah, you can only attend this training if you’re fifteen or older. But I’m guessing you came here for your family, lying about your real age, right?”

“Er, well. Actually, you see—”

“No, it’s fine! If it gets out that you were lying, I know you’ll be disqualified for the test next year! And you don’t need to tell me if I’m right!” Fritz babbled. Apparently, he hadn’t caught on.

Right. Even in my life as a knight, only the captain realized I was a woman! Rishe felt a complicated blend of relief and guilt at knowing she was still undiscovered. To be fair, last night, Arnold had said, “There’s nothing you can do about Lawvine finding out, but make sure none of the other knight cadets realize you’re a girl.”

“I’m sorry, Fritz. I promise I’ll tell you the truth one day…”

“You don’t need to! Don’t worry about it!” When Rishe looked up, Fritz had a sunny smile on his face. “You said ‘one day,’ though. That means you’re planning on seeing me again after training ends today, right?”

At that, Rishe suddenly realized the reason for Fritz’s bad mood these last couple of days: He was dreading their parting. They had only been together for ten short days, and Rishe hadn’t even been telling him the truth, but Fritz had put everything he had into their friendship. Rishe was so happy that she couldn’t stop herself from beaming.

“Of course. Things might be a little different between us, but I definitely will!”

“I’ll be stronger then, I promise.”

Rishe squeezed Fritz’s proffered hand. “Then let’s both try as hard as we can, Fritz.”

For a split second, Fritz looked like he might cry, but Rishe thought she’d imagined it. An instant later, he was back to that same radiant smile as always.

May you boys never end up on a tragic battlefield.

Rishe sensed someone’s presence and glanced at the entrance of the training grounds. Lawvine, count of Galkhein’s northern border, strolled inside. He looked at Rishe, dipping his head in a bow only she would notice. Rishe returned the gesture, and then they were once again instructor and trainee. No matter the circumstances between them, they still had to finish this last day.

 

---

 

At three in the afternoon, after finishing various errands, Rishe walked down the hall in the detached palace. Running into Oliver on the way, she asked where she could find Arnold. Learning he was in his office, she bid goodbye to Oliver, who was headed for the palace proper.

Rishe made her way to the office and knocked on the door. She waited for permission and entered the room to find Arnold surveying her with surprise.

“That was fast.”

“It was more than enough time. Thank you, truly.”

With his eyes, Arnold directed her to sit. Rishe slid into a chair on the right side of the office. Arnold watched her, then looked down at his hands again. He picked up his pen and asked, “Are you satisfied?”

“Yes. I made things very clear with the professor.”

 

After her morning training, Rishe had visited Michel. Everyone from Coyolles would be leaving first thing in the morning. This was their last full day in Galkhein, and Kyle was busy saying his goodbyes. For the mess he’d made, Michel had been confined to his quarters, but Arnold had a word with Kyle and Rishe had been admitted entry.

“If only you could take my head off and scoop out my knowledge.” The first thing out of Michel’s mouth had been that frankly terrifying comment. Even Rishe, who was used to his antics, was taken aback.

Rishe added honey to his tea, admonishing, “There’s no way to do that, and there wouldn’t be any point. ‘Epiphanies come not from existing knowledge but from new experiences,’ right?”

“You really know what you’re talking about. I think you’re a little too open-minded, though.” Taking the too-sweet tea, Michel looked at the floor. “I could make a bunch of chemicals for war, but I just don’t think taking charge of Coyolles and Galkhein’s joint research to make positive impact in the world is the right fit for me.”

“Professor.”

The night before, with Michel’s permission, Rishe had told Arnold the truth about everything—about gunpowder and how Michel had wanted to use it, and that Michel likely felt he needed to repent for what he’d done. But Arnold had just said, “Michel Hévin’s role will remain the same,” with the usual uninterested expression on his face.

Michel, the one who had caused the commotion in the first place, didn’t seem to agree. Rishe understood his feelings and tried to persuade him. “You might not be satisfied, but any normal person would find this a particularly grueling task. I mean, there’s royalty from two countries involved, and you’ll need to constantly produce viable results. In your position, a normal person would crumble under the pressure.”

“Hmm, you may be right. In that case, I suppose I do need to do what I can.” His wording had been somewhat vapid but remarkable nonetheless. In all her time as an alchemist, Rishe had never seen Michel pledge himself to something. “I’m not used to this, but I’ll do my best. I’ve never done research with the goal of improving the world.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what your new state of mind allows you to come up with,” Rishe said, dead serious, and Michel giggled in amusement. But he looked happy too. It was Rishe’s first time seeing him laugh that way.

Michel tucked his hair behind his ear and cast his eyes down again, muttering, “I wanted to apologize for what I said to you the other day. When I said you weren’t suited to being an empress.”

Rishe had forgotten about that completely. “I don’t think you were wrong.”

“No, I think you really are suited for it. But I still think it’s too bad.” His violet eyes softened. “You don’t regret spending your life as Arnold Hein’s bride?”

“I don’t, Professor,” Rishe said plainly. Come to think of it, she hadn’t been able to finish what she wanted to say to him the other day. She smiled and told him, “Right now, what I want to study most is the man who will be my husband.” More than any scientific research or theory, she felt this from the bottom of her heart. “That is why I’ll remain here. Even if he breaks off our engagement and chases me away.”

“I have no right to stop you, then.”

Glad that he understood, Rishe stood and bowed to him. “I’m sorry for taking so much of your time. I know you have to prepare for your return home.”

“No, I was happy to talk to you. I suppose we won’t see each other for a while.” Michel stood and, with that same gentle smile, said, “See you later, my student.”

His goodbye reminded her of the final words they’d exchanged in her life as an alchemist, but unlike those said that moonless night, these promised another meeting.

 

“It’s all thanks to you, Prince Arnold.”

“I didn’t do anything significant,” Arnold said at his work desk, visibly disinterested.

“But you did. You made a very generous decision.”

“It’s just more productive to put him to use rather than bluster on about what wasn’t anything more than an attempt. Oh, and I received a report on the man’s behavior. Michel Hévin may be a capable scholar, but I don’t want anything to do with him personally. I’ll leave our joint research with Coyolles in his hands. I’ll take the benefits, but I’m not managing him myself.”

“I still think it’s generous of you.”

“I don’t care. Plus, you’ll be looking in on him from time to time to make sure he’s not working on anything nefarious, right?”

Rishe gave him a firm nod. “Right. I’ll take care of it!”

It was the first time Arnold had ever entrusted her with something, and she found the idea exciting. “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see what the joint powers of Prince Arnold, Prince Kyle, and Professor Michel can invent.”

“And then we’ll see how long it’ll take to create those carriages that move without horses you talked about.”

“Heh heh.”

Back in the garden, he barely seemed to be paying attention, but this showed he had been thinking about it. That made Rishe strangely happy. Constantly agonizing over the future was tiring her out, but if she had Arnold and other people working alongside her, the possibilities seemed endless.

Working toward a better future sounds preferable to trying to avoid the worst ones! I still don’t know what Arnold’s plans are, but I feel like I’m making progress.

All she could do was keep changing things one by one until a new future was born. Her days training as a knight candidate had ended safely. Her next plan: start her final preparations for their marriage ceremony.

Next up is the church, so I should—

While she was making plans in her head, Arnold put his pen down and studied her. “I see you’ve got your scheming face on again.”

“Heavens, no! Perish the thought!” Rishe donned a smile and veered the conversation off-topic. “Oh, I have one more thing to report about Coyolles’s technology, Prince Arnold!” Giddy, she pulled a small velvet box out of her bag.

Arnold could guess what was inside. “It’s finished, then.”

“It is.”

Inside the box was the ring Arnold had bought for her. A craftsman from Coyolles had presented it to Rishe this very afternoon. Rishe hadn’t seen it yet either—it was still inside the box. She figured if she was opening a present, she should do it in front of the one who gave it to her.

“I promised to show it to you as soon as it was complete, didn’t I?”

Arnold didn’t respond.

“I peeked at the design a little while ago, and it was gorgeous. I’m sure the finished product is—”

Before she could excitedly open the box, Arnold called her name as if to stop her. “Rishe.”

She looked up and found him staring straight at her. With the same blank look he’d worn earlier, he quietly said, “You don’t need to put it on and show me.”

Rishe’s heart thrummed in her chest. She suddenly found she couldn’t look Arnold in the face. She hung her head, trying to hide the no-doubt pathetic look she was wearing.

What is this feeling? She found herself squeezing the ring box on her lap, confused by the welling emotions. Why was she suddenly overcome with sorrow and loneliness?

“By that, you mean…?” was all she managed to say, trying to mask the hoarseness in her voice. Why did she feel so miserable? Normally, she was perfectly happy to appreciate the things she liked on her own without letting anyone else’s opinion bother her.

“I believe I told you the only thing I wanted to do was buy you the ring.”

Even after that, she still couldn’t muster the courage to look at him. Her heart hurt so much she feared she might never be able to look at him again. And a crown princess who couldn’t even stand the sight of her husband had more to worry about than whether she was suited for the position.

What do I do?

While her thoughts spiraled, Arnold spoke up again. “I have no right to ask for anything more.”

“Huh?” Rishe’s head snapped up. Well, there was that worry gone. She was looking at him fine.

When their eyes met, Arnold abandoned his pen and leaned back in his chair. “You should wear what you like. I’m not going to force you to wear anything just because I gave it to you.”

“Oh, Prince Arnold…”

“That goes for the wedding as well. Wear whatever you want without worrying what anyone else will think.”

When she heard that, she finally understood what Arnold was trying to do: respect her wishes. Normally, a crown princess wouldn’t be given anywhere near this level of freedom. She was only a duke’s daughter, but Rishe had been taught from a young age that some things had to be prioritized over her own desires. Even now, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking that way sometimes. It had happened back in the jewelry store, when she’d considered their wedding and her position as the crown princess over her own preferences.

But Prince Arnold is saying that he respects my wishes. That I need not force myself to wear this ring, even if he bought it for me. Arnold was always like this. Whether it was dressing like a man or studying alchemy, he allowed her to do as she liked. He’s not just indifferent or thoughtless. He’s actively supporting my desire for freedom.

The thought should have made her happy. I should be glad. I know it’s asking too much to want more, but…

Rishe found herself muttering sulkily, “No…”

“What?”

Even she thought she sounded immature. Arnold was surprised—he hadn’t expected her to react like that. Shocking him was rare, so she revealed the truth, despite her desire to keep it a secret. “Do you remember how I chose the ring finger on my left hand when they measured me?”

“Yeah. I asked you why, but you didn’t tell me.”

“In my country, when a couple is married, the husband presents the wife with a ring. It’s a tradition that began with the first king and queen. The ring is always worn on the left ring finger.” That was why Rishe had chosen that finger. When she told him, Arnold frowned for some reason. “Even someone like me respects that tradition.”

She’d probably just said something she shouldn’t have, but she couldn’t stop herself all the same. Driven by some obstinate feeling, Rishe stood, holding the ring box. “I want to wear this ring for the ceremony, and I’ll choose a dress that matches it! You say I don’t need to, but I plan to wear it all the time!”

“Rishe, calm down.”

“I-In fact, I wanted to put it on right away, but I held myself back and came here first!” She stomped over until she was right in front of Arnold’s desk. He swallowed nervously. “So…please put it on my finger right now, Prince Arnold.” She set the box down in front of him and thrust out her left hand.

Arnold knit his brows and said, “I’m not wearing gloves right now.”

“Ugh…” When she’d first met him in this life, she’d made Arnold swear not to lay a finger on her, and he’d been diligently upholding that promise, wearing gloves to parties and other such places. Right now, however, his hands were bare. She could see the flex of tendons under his skin that gloves would normally hide.

“You don’t need them.” Telling him that was embarrassing, but it was easier than saying, Go ahead and touch me skin to skin.

Arnold desired very little from Rishe. After all, they’d had a contest where she’d promised to do anything he wanted if he won. He had won, and all he wanted was to buy her a ring. Rishe wanted to wear that ring. And she wanted Arnold to see her wearing it.

“I want to put it on right now.” Arnold was way too good at making Rishe act selfishly. She took a deep breath, building courage. “Please, Your Highness.”

Arnold sighed and looked down. He picked up the box and stood, walking around the desk. But when he reached Rishe, he took her wrist and led her over to the couch, directing her to sit. Rishe sat and blinked up at him, lashes fluttering. Arnold knelt before her, taking her left hand into his large one. Just that contact made her cheeks flare with heat. And to make matters worse, Arnold brought her hand up to his lips, his eyes cast down, and kissed the base of her ring finger.

“Rishe.” He called her name with his lips still touching her.

“Mmh…” Rishe’s free hand flew up to cover her mouth. Arnold raised his head, but then he intertwined his fingers with hers.

Wh-what is this?! Her head spun. She was realizing for the first time now that she didn’t just like Arnold’s eye color. She was also very fond of the shape of his hands and fingers. But this was no time for such thoughts.

Arnold was absolutely toying with her, but the look on his face was as cool as ever. He managed to seem sincere as he asked, voice slightly husky, “Is it all right if I touch you?”

It’s a little late, isn’t it?! It was like he was only asking to hear her answer. “Y-yes…” She nodded as best as she could.

Arnold’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction. He opened the ring box with one hand, keeping his other hand on Rishe’s. His big hands were dexterous, and he was easily able to get the ring out one-handed.

Meanwhile, Rishe was reaching her limit. What was that kiss?

She had heard that kneeling and kissing the back of a woman’s hand was the marriage proposal custom among the nobility in Galkhein, but when Arnold had proposed to her, he’d only knelt and taken her hand. Maybe this was a do-over of that night.

Is it because I told him I respected marriage traditions? If that was the case, then his earlier question essentially amounted to a second proposal.

Ack, why is my face so hot?! Rishe knew she was overthinking this, but she squeezed her eyes shut nonetheless. Arnold’s fingers were on her wrist now, perhaps to make it easier for him to put the ring on her. The moment they touched her, Rishe’s heart pounded even harder, obliterating her composure.

Our hands are just touching! This was nothing more intimate than a simple handshake, yet the contact almost made Rishe panic. I shouldn’t have told him not to lay a finger on me when all this started. She regretted it so much it made her want to cry. She had never imagined simply taking back that request would be so mortifying.

While she was trembling, her lips pressed shut, Arnold gave her an exasperated look and said, “Hey, don’t hold your breath.”

“I-I’m not.” That was a lie, she was holding her breath. She didn’t like keeping things from him, but the truth was too painful. “It’s just that I can’t really remember how breathing works…”

“Heh.”

He laughed! How dare he, after making her so flustered. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, but she didn’t have the energy to complain.

Rishe flinched as the cold ring touched her finger, contrasting with the heat of her body, embarrassing her further. She wondered if Arnold remembered the temperature her hand normally was. Please don’t notice that it’s hotter than usual!

Arnold slid the ring on, his touch almost reverent. It felt like it took forever, maybe because Rishe had her eyes closed, but eventually the ring settled right in the spot where Arnold had kissed her.

“Pwah…” Rishe exhaled the breath she’d been holding, her eyes still closed.

“Did you remember how to breathe?”

“S-somehow…”

“Seems you’ve forgotten how to open your eyes now,” he said, amused.

That made opening her eyes even harder. Her heart rang like an alarm bell in her chest, and she had no idea what to do with her face. She hung her head to hide it instead and felt Arnold’s hands reaching out to her.

“Mmh…” Rishe’s shoulders flinched when he touched her closed eyelid. His thumb brushed against her lashes, tracing the line they drew, like he was wiping away tears. Or maybe waking a small child who was deeply asleep. His finger touched her delicately, making its way to the corner of her eye.

“Rishe.”

Even his voice was soft and soothing, and Rishe was finally able—albeit timidly—to open her eyes. When she did, she saw Arnold looking at her bright-red face like it was something precious, his eyes narrowed in fondness.

“I’m done.”

His hands slowly withdrew, and for some reason Rishe was sad to let them go. He gestured for her to look down and she did, blurting out, “Wow…”

Shining on her finger was a ring set with a blue sapphire. The band shone brilliantly, like it was spun out of golden thread, with two strands curving together like waves. It was a showy piece, but it had a refined beauty. To think of the sheer delicacy needed to craft such a design. The center stone was inlaid with small, starlike diamonds. They twinkled like protective lights, shining heroically and adorably.

It’s beautiful and…kind of cute? Most of all… Set in the center was a brilliant, eye-catching sapphire—a deep, endless blue, like a frozen lake in a cold northern country. Holding her hand up, Rishe let the sunlight glance off it, murmuring, “It really is the same color as your eyes, Your Highness…”

A peculiar joy blossomed inside her. The old woman who ran the store had smiled and told her that jewelry was like a good luck charm. Rishe savored her happiness, finally understanding what she meant.

“I feel like I can do anything wearing this ring.” A moment later, she gasped. Arnold himself hated the color of his eyes. What would he think when he saw a ring she’d chosen to match them?

“What do you think, Your Highness?” Rishe furrowed her brows, timidly laying her hands on her lap. If she raised them now, Arnold would be able to see the ring on it up close. She did so, and his eyes fell upon it.

“Well…” His voice was stripped of defenses. He took Rishe’s hand again, entwining their fingers once more and brushing his thumb over the shape of the ring, as if to see how it felt. It tickled, sending a strange tingling through Rishe. She hunched her shoulders, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

Arnold looked down and smiled. “It feels better than I thought it would.”

Rishe’s breath caught. I also… Rishe shut her lips tight to keep the surfacing thought from escaping her mouth. I also feel happy for some reason when I see you smiling like that… She also felt a little like crying, she realized belatedly.

“What is it, Rishe?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say exactly what she was feeling. She shook her head softly and, somewhat at a loss, said, “I find myself wanting to pester you for something else, Prince Arnold.”

“Tell me.” His tone seemed to imply that anything she desired she would have, and Rishe found her heart throbbing again. “Right now, I’ll listen. Whatever it is.”

Hearing his whisper with his eyes on her made her earlier agitation flare up. Arnold usually did anything she asked of him, so long as it wasn’t related to national politics. All in all, she was frightfully spoiled, but that ship had sailed.

Rishe spoke her wish, forcing the tremble out of her voice. “I’d like to go on a journey with you, Your Highness. I’d be a great tour guide, you know.”

“A journey?”

“Yes. A journey to see all the beautiful things in the world.” It didn’t have to be right now, but Rishe wanted a promise for the future. “Not just fireflies and fireworks… I want to show you all kinds of things worth seeing.”

Arnold’s eyes narrowed, like he was squinting against the light. The color was even clearer in the sunlight pouring in through the office’s windows. For the thousandth time, Rishe was captivated by those eyes.

“…There’s one more of those now because of you.”

“Huh?” Rishe wasn’t expecting that. She blinked in surprise. “What’s that?”

“Who knows. If you can’t figure it out yourself, I’m not going to explain it.”

“Th-that’s not fair!” She wanted to demand an answer, but Arnold just pulled his fingers away and stood up. Rishe pouted in protest. “Do you think normal people can solve your riddles?”

“Rishe, normal people don’t blow up strange chemicals in the skies above their in-laws’ house.”

“Ugh…” That was hardly relevant, but she still didn’t want to hear it. Reluctantly, she relented, and Arnold placed his hand on her head with a bemused smile.

“I don’t think it’s that difficult a puzzle.”

He kept petting her, rendering Rishe speechless. Even when he was just touching her in jest, it was hard to keep her composure. She wished he would stop.

Rishe hung her head, wondering why she was getting so flustered. Her hands were in her lap, the ring on her finger shining like the ocean.

I hope one day he’ll be able to understand just how beautiful I find this color.

For the time being, she’d wear the ring to the party tonight. It would shine radiantly as she saw off Kyle and Michel, lighting the flame for a wonderful future between their two countries.

 

To be continued…