Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

“AND THAT CONCLUDES my report on last night’s affair. I can’t believe I declared to my former fiancé that I would prove how wonderful a husband Prince Arnold is…”

Rishe finished her report to Theodore in the middle of her herb garden. She placed the herbs she’d gathered in her basket and stood, holding down her straw hat.

A little ways away, under the shade of a tree, Theodore pressed his fingers to his temples. “What am I to do about this? I can’t tell anymore whether you’re asking for advice or just bragging about your relationship.”

“Pardon, Prince Theodore? I’m sorry, the cicadas are so loud, I couldn’t hear that!”

“Nah, it was nothing,” Theodore replied with a glowing smile.

Rishe picked up her basket and trotted over to the shade where Theodore sat, her lemon-colored dress billowing in the breeze. “I can list any number of Prince Arnold’s wonderful qualities, but I want a way to get Prince Dietrich to really understand instead of just telling him.”

“So you came to me for help?”

Theodore respected his brother, Arnold, dearly. He knew Arnold’s good qualities well, yet he didn’t seem sympathetic to Rishe’s plight.

“I understand what you’re here for, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you.”

“What?! Even though this is an opportunity for you to thoroughly discuss each and every good quality of your older brother’s?!”

“Well, you’re not talking about his qualities as a man or as a brother but as a husband, aren’t you? You’re the only person in the world who can claim to have any expertise on the subject, my dear sister.”

“Hrk!”

Theodore closed his eyes solemnly and placed a hand over his heart like a pious believer, though there was a streak of mirth in his voice. “It’s too bad, but I’ll have to limit myself to merely watching over you as your younger brother. Though please do engrave each and every one of my brother’s reactions into your memory. And give that reprobate Dietrich a good pummeling for me.”

“J-just because you have a cute face doesn’t mean you can say things like that!”

“In any case, you just have to show the guy the loving relationship between you two, don’t you? Just act even closer than you normally do while you’re in front of him.”

Theodore made it sound like the simplest thing in the world, but for Rishe, it was anything but. She also wanted to avoid bothering Arnold as much as she could since it was her slip of the tongue that had caused all this ruckus in the first place.

I’m worried I’ll do something strange if I spend too much time at Prince Arnold’s side anyway…

Once again, Rishe was considering her latest problem: the realization that she would have to kiss Arnold at their wedding. Theodore regarded her with open curiosity now that her expression had suddenly changed, but there was no way she could tell him the reason behind it.

I can’t ask Prince Theodore about the kiss. I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about that sort of thing in regard to his brother. Rishe had no siblings of her own, but she did have a cousin who was going to succeed the Weitzner name after her marriage, so she could understand Theodore’s position somewhat.

I’d like to ask Prince Theodore about Sir Gutheil as well, but I have no good pretext for it. I can’t make any hasty moves, lest I come off as suspicious.

Her musings were interrupted by Elsie’s arrival. “Good day, Lady Rishe. Your Highness.”

“Hey, Elsie. You’re really working hard lately, aren’t you? My dear sister and Kamil are always praising your efforts.”

“Oh, th-thank you, Your Highness…but I still have a long way to go!” Elsie shook her head, embarrassed, before looking up at Rishe. “Lady Rishe, we’ve received word that a visitor without an appointment is at the palace gates asking for you. Another maid is taking word to Sir Oliver.”

Don’t tell me Prince Dietrich is storming the castle! Rishe’s face paled at her first guess, but the name Elsie gave her was one she wasn’t expecting to hear.

“Um, word was it was a woman. S-Syl…” Elsie carefully read the name off a note pulled from her pocket. “Sylvia Hollingworth.”

Rishe blinked, wide-eyed.

 

---

 

Word of Rishe’s visitor traveled from the maids to Oliver to Arnold, and she was permitted to enter the palace and taken to a reception room.

Rishe parted with Theodore, hurriedly changed into a dress more appropriate for receiving guests, and headed for the reception room with two of her guards. She opened the door to find a red-haired woman resembling a flower in full bloom.

“I apologize for keeping you. I am Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”

“Please, no apologies necessary! I’m honored to make your acquaintance.” The woman stood and curtsied gracefully. “My name is Sylvia Hollingworth. Thank you so much for your help last night.”

“Please rise, Miss Sylvia. How are you feeling? You didn’t aggravate your condition coming all the way here, did you?”

Her complexion did seem to be better, but such an effect could be achieved with makeup, so Rishe wasn’t comfortable going off of that detail alone. Despite her worry for the songstress, Sylvia shook her head elegantly.

“I received some medicine from the doctor you sent me and rested well last night. I was already feeling better by the time I went to bed, and by morning, I was completely recovered.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Rishe said, though she was still worried Sylvia was secretly pushing herself. Last night, it seemed like Sylvia had fainted and then regained only partial consciousness. If she had suffered an attack from an illness of some sort, it was very rare to recover completely a day after such severe symptoms. Still, she did appear healthy to Rishe’s careful eye.

“It’s all thanks to you, Lady Rishe. I wish I could treat you to the performance you were supposed to see last night right away, but the show has been postponed a whole week…” Sylvia wilted, truly disappointed.

Rishe smiled. “I’d also love to see you perform as soon as possible, but I must insist that you take the time to recover.”

“It’s just…you never know which day might be your last, you know?” Sylvia said with a smile of her own. Rishe started, and Sylvia looked her in the eye as she added, “The performer or the audience. No one knows when they will take their last breath.”

She pressed a graceful hand to her chest in a refined, captivating gesture. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were powerfully magnetic. “I was born to sing, you see. That’s why I itch to stand on the stage as many times as I possibly can.” She laughed bashfully. “Or so I’d like to say, but I can hardly claim such a thing after canceling a performance due to poor health.”

Rishe chuckled. “I’ll admit, I do want to hear you sing, but I also wish you wouldn’t push yourself, Miss Sylvia.”

Sylvia’s shy smile returned. “Lady Rishe, please just call me Sylvia. There’s no need for you to treat me with such formality.”

“Only if you do the same for me. Please, call me Rishe.”

“I couldn’t! I would normally never even be able to meet with the future crown princess!”

“Oh? In that sense, am I not just a fan of the opera who would normally never be able to meet the diva herself?”

After all, the audience was not typically afforded the opportunity to speak with the performers.

Sylvia wore naked surprise on her face before bursting into laughter. “Ah ha ha! Very well. Rishe, then.”

“It’s a pleasure, Sylvia.”

Rishe’s guards watched over the exchange with sunny smiles. Rishe shook Sylvia’s hand and recalled what she could about the songstress.

Sylvia Hollingworth belonged to a traveling opera troupe and had made a name for herself in many different countries. Her singing voice and beauty were obvious draws, but she also had a talent for acting that enchanted the audience, captivating all those who watched her perform. She was active in the future as well, her songs giving courage to many people in the tough times after the war began.

“I saw you perform a year ago in my homeland of Hermity.”

“Really? I’m thrilled to hear it! A year ago in Hermity… Was it ‘The Fairy’s Wedding,’ then?”

“It was so wonderful! Especially at the end, when the princess exchanged her vows with a kiss—” Rishe gasped, cutting herself off.

“What is it, Rishe?”

“I’m sorry, Sylvia. This is a bit of a strange question to ask when we’ve only just become friends, but…” Rishe squeezed Sylvia’s gloved hands and said with complete sincerity, “I’d like to know more about that kiss.”

 

---

 

They moved to one of the visitors’ gardens, where Rishe gave Sylvia a quick once-over. Then Rishe called for her maids and had a tea set prepared at a light-blue table. Along with their tea came a variety of small cakes of every color.

Gold fork in hand, Sylvia asked Rishe what she had meant earlier. “Is your wedding kiss troubling you, Rishe?”

“Mrgh… I wouldn’t say it’s troubling me. I’m just…embarrassed.” Simply putting it into words left Rishe feeling rather besieged. She’d dismissed the thought of asking Theodore about this, but even having the conversation with another woman made her nervous. “You have to kiss in your shows sometimes, right, Sylvia? Is there anything you do to prepare yourself, or to put the thought of who might be watching out of your mind?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be much help to you,” Sylvia said simply. “When I sing, I become the character I’m playing. I just feel that it’s only natural to kiss the person I love in that moment, so the thought doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”

“The person you love…in that role?”

“Yes. During a performance, I truly love the person playing my partner. Just on the stage, of course.” Sylvia put her elbows on the table and set her chin atop her laced fingers, grinning at Rishe. “After a truly incredible performance, however, the feeling can linger after the curtain falls, and we end up staying together even after the show is over.”

“Wow…” Rishe breathed a sigh of awe. This was a world completely unknown to her.

Sylvia giggled. Cutting up a raspberry mousse cake, she said, “I’ve loved enough to fill an ocean.”

“Then, the rumors about your love life…”

“Oh, you’ve heard them? Yes, they were all fantastic.” The diva spoke so lightly, she might as well have been singing.

Sylvia had a reputation as a prodigy of the theater, but there was one more thing she was known for—and that was having many lovers. Rishe had never paid that rumor much attention, but now she was hearing from the woman herself that it was all true.

“I feel that my singing becomes richer each time I experience love,” Sylvia told Rishe, her chest puffing up with pride. “My heart pounds and aches, nourishing my voice! That’s why I love love. And when my voice gets all the nourishment it needs, we can both part with a smile.”

“Nourishment for your voice, you say…”

“Yes. You receive something different from each person you love, after all.” She glanced down. “Just kidding. I’m sure people just see me as a fickle woman.”

“No, I think you’re amazing, Sylvia!” Rishe exclaimed, prompting Sylvia to look taken aback. “I feel like I understand a part of what makes your singing so incredible now. You pour everything you’ve experienced in your life into your singing, don’t you?”

Sylvia’s lips parted in surprise.

“It’s amazing that you can use your experiences to sustain you like that. That’s exactly how I want to live too!” Rishe told her.

Sylvia blinked several times before beaming like a flower unfurling its petals. “Hee hee! Oh, Rishe! It’s the first time in my life anyone’s understood what I meant when I talk about love!”

The lady had a maturity to her, but she was absolutely adorable when she smiled. Her happiness was infectious, and Rishe found her own smile mirroring Sylvia’s. Yet the songstress’s next words cracked her calm.

“Are you not in love, Rishe?”

“Wha—?!” Rishe almost dropped her teacup in surprise. “Wh-what? Why?!”

“Well, if you’re worrying about the kiss at your wedding…”

“When did I say anything about love?!”

“Hmm.” Sylvia leaned in till the tip of her nose was mere inches from Rishe’s. Rishe got a whiff of a high-quality, sweet-scented perfume. Sylvia stared at Rishe with alluring eyes framed by those doll-like lashes. “If you just close your eyes, won’t it be over before you know it?”

“Huh?! Is that how it works?!”

“For you to be placing such importance on it…I was thinking maybe you entered into a political marriage but then wound up falling in love despite yourself.”

Rishe felt like her heart was going to leap right out of her chest. “I-I am still yet a humble disciple. N-nothing of the sort has occurred!”

“A disciple of what?! Let me ask then, Rishe.” Sylvia’s painted lips curled up in a smile once more. “Does every little thing your husband-to-be does interest you? Do you wish you knew what goes on in his head?”

Well, of course. Rishe’s thoughts naturally turned to Arnold. I wish I knew when he plans to initiate his revolution against his father, and why he proposed to me…

“Do you wonder who he’s with when he’s not with you?”

He might be with Sir Gutheil right now! What if he’s not merely expanding his Imperial Guard but actively planning future invasions?!

“Do you find yourself thinking about your future with him before you can help it?!”

I only hope to avoid the war and live in peace!

“If so, then it’s love.”

Rishe whipped her head back and forth in denial. “No! I really think it’s something different!”

“Are you sure? Doesn’t your heart get all fluttery when you think about him?”

It’s certainly harrowing to consider what might happen if I can’t stop him!

Rishe took a sip of her tea to disguise the anxiety she was feeling. Sylvia, on the other hand, was visibly disappointed.

“Well, that’s too bad. I wanted to talk about love with a girlfriend over tea… But if you’re so upset by the thought of kissing him when you’re not in love, is the crown prince so loathsome to you?”

“Not at all! Prince Arnold is wasted on someone like me!” Arnold was not at fault in the least. The problem in this situation lay entirely with Rishe. Her cake sat forgotten as Rishe fervently defended her fiancé. “He’s kind, deeply knowledgeable, strong, and incredibly skilled in matters of politics! He’s always considerate of me and of his retainers as well. I honestly can’t even find the words to describe how much I respect him.”

For some reason, Rishe couldn’t stop trying to convince people of how wonderful Arnold was. Sylvia listened patiently before taking Rishe’s hand and giving her a smile that belonged on the face of the goddess herself.

“You have my support, even if your feelings are one-sided.”

“Gah! That’s not… That’s not what I—”

Sylvia giggled and smiled fondly. “How wonderful… I’d like to fall in love again soon too…”

“You would ‘too’…? Are you not in love with anyone right now?” Rishe asked.

“In my dreams, perhaps.” When Rishe tilted her head curiously, Sylvia shrugged. “I remember you helping me when I collapsed last night, but then it gets hazy again… I feel like I can remember a man holding me, though.”

“Huh?!” Rishe blurted.

“I know you were the one watching over me and that I was a bit out of it,” Sylvia said hastily. “But the man I dreamed about was such a gentleman, even though the way he spoke was a little rough… My first thought on waking was how I wished I’d be able to see him again.” She laughed. “How silly of me, wanting to meet a man I dreamed up.”

Rishe blinked. “Sylvia.”

“Today was a good day anyway, though. After all, I met you, and you’re so wonderful.”

“A knight carried you to the carriage from the greenroom last night.”

“Huh?”

He’d knelt down next to Sylvia and picked her up almost reverently.

“His name is Sir Gutheil. A tall gentleman…”

Sylvia’s eyes opened wide. “Wh-why, Rishe!” She grabbed Rishe’s hands once more, and Rishe gave her a firm nod.

Thus, Rishe obtained just the pretext she needed to meet Gutheil the knight.

 

---

 

During the war in the future, Rudolf Gert Gutheil served as Arnold’s aide in his invasion of the western continent. Rishe heard that he earned this lofty position not just for his competence as a commander but also for his astute use of intelligence. Of course, she had heard this during the war, and it wasn’t as if she could simply believe whatever she heard about Galkhein at the time. It was perfectly possible that the information itself was intentionally leaked in the service of some strategy.

Prince Arnold manipulates his own reputation, after all. Despite his brilliant political moves, he never publicizes his own involvement and instead maintains his “cruel and brutal prince” image.

Rishe learned from Arnold and Harriet not to believe every rumor she heard. That made it even more vital that she get the measure of Gutheil herself.

“Hmm. So the songstress Sylvia is interested in our knight Gutheil, eh?”

Theodore had just arrived in the garden and was propping up his chin with one hand. His eyes rested on a man and woman walking through the riot of flowers. Poking at a cake that Rishe had set in front of him, he said, “Well, Gutheil’s a pretty attractive man. Not as much as my brother, of course, but he’s got manly features and sharp brows. He’s tall and well built too.”

“Sylvia didn’t seem to remember his appearance all that well. She just said she felt very safe in his arms.”

“You were moved to help the lovestruck songstress out, were you, Sister?”

Rishe glanced at the pair on the other side of the garden. “It’s a good thing you just happened to be passing by, Prince Theodore!”

“Mm. I was quite worried about what I might be getting roped into when you suddenly asked me if I knew him.”

On the other side of the garden, Sylvia was smiling at a nervous Gutheil.

“I’m sorry. Sylvia wanted to thank him, and I wouldn’t have been able to arrange for their meeting myself.” Rishe had no power to ask anything of Arnold’s knights, as she was just his fiancée at this point. She would have had to go through Arnold, but she’d heard that he would be busy with work in his office all morning. “I’m glad Sir Gutheil was kind enough to agree to meet with her as well…”

“Yeah. The way I see it, he doesn’t look completely uninterested.”

“You can tell?”

From where Rishe and Theodore were sitting, they couldn’t hear the pair’s conversation. But the soft smile on Sylvia’s face was plain for anyone to see. To Rishe, Gutheil was simply nervous the whole time, so she wondered how Theodore could tell whether he was interested. She cocked her head to one side, and Theodore grinned sunnily at her.

“You really are naive in the ways of love, sister dearest! Apart from Elsie, you’re probably the only one who hasn’t noticed the huge crush Kamil has on her!”

“Wh-what?!”

Kamil was one of Rishe’s guards. Both he and Elsie originally hailed from the slums, and they had known each other since they were small. Rishe was completely unaware of the “huge crush” Kamil had on his childhood friend.

“I’ve not yet studied the ways of love…”

“Huh? Studied?!”

Rishe lowered her head. Besides, I hardly have time for that now. I can’t even consider it until I’ve fulfilled my vow.

The thought was almost unconscious, and it was gone from her mind by the time she raised her head once more.

“What sort of man would you say Sir Gutheil is, Prince Theodore?” Rishe steered the conversation back on topic by asking what she really wanted to know. Part of it was simple information-gathering, but she also wanted to know as much as she could get away with knowing for the sake of her new friend, Sylvia.

“He’s the serious type, I think. The man’s twenty-three and tall, even among the knights. He’s got skills with a sword and took his studies seriously too. Seems like he’s a little high-strung, like he’s the sort of guy to get hung up on stuff, but you could just say that means he’s diligent. Just…” Chin still in his hand, Theodore gave Rishe a pointed look. “Listen. If you asked me about Gutheil, it means you know why I know him, right? That means you’ve heard he may become one of my brother’s Imperial Guards.”

“…I haven’t heard anything about Sir Gutheil specifically, but Prince Arnold did tell me he was thinking about expanding his Imperial Guard, yes.”

“A question for you, then. What do the retainers my brother chooses all have in common?”

“Other than the fact that they’re all highly skilled, you mean?”

Theodore had issued her a challenge, but Rishe raised the white flag right away.

“I could never hope to compare to you when it comes to knowledge of your beloved brother, Prince Theodore.”

“Heh heh heh. Well, I’ll just have to tell you, then.” Theodore’s eyes, a slightly deeper blue than Arnold’s, narrowed with pride. The next moment, however, the expression had been wiped from his face as he murmured, “They’re all talented but oppressed in some way—so that talent has never been acknowledged, you see.”

Rishe realized he was spot-on.

“Take Oliver, for example. He was a knight with a bright future. The firstborn son of a marquess appointed by the emperor himself, with impressive swordsmanship and a talent for command as well. Not that I want to admit it.”

“I heard he injured himself training when he was young and was never able to pursue knighthood again after that.”

“Exactly. His father, Lord Friedheim, instructed him with a rigor that bordered on violence. As a result, he ended up unable to even grip a sword. The marquess deemed him worthless, and my brother made him his attendant after he was disowned by his family.”

It was a much more tragic tale than the version Rishe had heard.

“Kamil is the same, as a talented man from the slums who was never given a fair chance. Galkhein’s claim as a meritocracy gives people all the more reason to compete fiercely with one another. The people who work most closely for my brother were all denied opportunities due to their origins or whatever else.”

“That’s what Prince Arnold—”

“He’s very thorough about it too. Even his warhorse, Hildebrand, is a good horse, but one treated terribly by his previous owner. He was on the verge of death when my brother took him in.”

Rishe had ridden that very horse just a few days ago. He was a fantastic mount who responded perfectly to every one of Arnold’s instructions. Horses were clever animals and very sensitive to a person’s feelings. He likely understood that Arnold had saved his life.

“That being the case, he still only takes on people with exceptional abilities. If they’re not talented, then he won’t so much as bat an eye no matter how wretched their environment may be.” Theodore turned his pretty eyes on Rishe. “Do you understand what I’m getting at, my dear sister?”

“You mean to say there’s a reason Sir Gutheil is even a candidate for Imperial Guard of the crown prince?”

“Correct. Gutheil, you see…” Theodore lowered his voice and whispered the rest to Rishe.

“…Is that true?”

“Who can say? That’s all I’ve managed to dig up on him, anyway.” Theodore cocked his head while Rishe mentally organized the information he’d given her. “Will any of that help you support your friend in her romance, though?”

“Yes, I believe it will,” Rishe said with a smile. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. “I must express my admiration for your information network once more, Prince Theodore. I would expect nothing less from Prince Arnold’s brother himself.”

“Heh heh heh. Go ahead, compliment my connection to my brother even more. I’m competing with Oliver right now, you know. He thinks he knows my brother better than me. That’s the whole reason I investigated the candidates for his Imperial Guard.”

I can’t imagine Oliver expressing interest in such a contest. Rishe kept that thought to herself.

It was then that Sylvia and Gutheil completed their circuit of the garden.

“Might you meet with me again sometime, Sir Gutheil?”

“Sure, erm…if you wouldn’t mind…”

They’ve even made plans for another date! Things were moving much faster than Rishe expected.

As Rishe gawked at them, Gutheil hesitantly began, “But, Lady Sylvia…are you truly well? You were so light when I held you yesterday. That was worrying enough on its own.”

Sylvia beamed at him. Even Rishe found the expression positively angelic. “Just hearing of your concern for me is a delight. I assure you, I feel fine now.”

“You’re sure you’re not pushing yourself? I only just realized I should’ve had you refrain from walking around the garden. Please forgive my utter lack of consideration.”

“Nonsense. I could tell you were walking slowly for my sake.”

“Well, if the fresh air was good for you, then I’m happy to have helped.”

Rishe could sense just how concerned Gutheil was for Sylvia by the way he sighed when he heard she was okay. Sylvia gave her a little wave and mouthed “thank you,” and Rishe returned the smile.

If only they could spend a little more time together.

Theodore piped up, “The songstress is heading home, then? But just imagine the rumors that would spread about the palace’s lack of manners if we let such a famous performer return all on her own.”

“My, Prince Theodore…!”

“Gutheil, I command you to see the lady home safely.”

Though Gutheil was caught off guard, he quickly met Sylvia’s eyes and bowed his head deeply. “Understood, Your Highness. I will protect her with my very life.”

Rishe could not help feeling touched by Theodore’s consideration when she saw how Sylvia’s eyes sparkled. She bid the diva goodbye, promising to speak with her again in the near future, before seeing her off. As Sylvia left with Gutheil, her blossoming smile returned to her lips.

“Cleverly done, Prince Theodore. There won’t be any problems with Sir Gutheil’s schedule?”

“I’ll give the knights some excuse. He doesn’t have any duties that can’t be delegated anyway.”

“Despite his outstanding capabilities, you mean?” Maybe it had something to do with the secret Theodore had shared with her. “Now that we’ve come this far, I have another small favor I’d like to ask of you.”

“Oh, I just knew you were going to get me wrapped up in something weird!” Theodore protested. Yet not only did he hear Rishe out, but he even said in response, “Well, that’s not any different from what I’ve done before. It’s a bit frightening how accustomed I’m growing to this, isn’t it?”

Ultimately, he readily agreed to her request.

 

---

 

That afternoon, something else occurred that was of particular interest to Rishe. It did not directly involve her, however—it involved her current fiancé, Arnold, and her former fiancé, Dietrich.

“Thank you so much for today, Prince Arnold.” Dressed for a soirée, Rishe thanked Arnold on their way to the party hall. “I never thought you would allow Prince Dietrich to accompany you on your afternoon duties…”

Arnold replied with nothing but silence.

Oliver had reported the occurrence to her after she’d parted with Sylvia and Gutheil, while she was in a meeting about the wedding. She’d been sincerely surprised to hear it, but the idea had apparently been Oliver’s to begin with. He’d suggested that Arnold stop by to pick up Dietrich during his business in the capital and show the foreign prince how he worked.

“Won’t he be in Prince Arnold’s way, though?”

“Oh, I’m sure he will. I’ve heard all the rumors about Prince Dietrich, you know.”

“Oliver!”

“I doubt it will be a problem. A slight disturbance will not have much effect on my lord’s activities. And I’m sure it will be worthwhile for Prince Dietrich to see another royal around his age at work.”

Rishe realized something when she saw the bright smile on his face. “Oliver, are you…having a bit of fun?”

“Ha ha ha, why, perish the thought! I’m sure it will be just as valuable an experience for my lord to interact with someone his age who is of a similar standing.”

Would it be a good experience, though? Rishe had been concerned, but when she learned that Arnold had agreed, she figured she would just leave things to him.

“W-was everything okay? Prince Dietrich didn’t cause you any headaches?”

“Not really. No matter who accompanies me on my business, it doesn’t change the work involved.”

Before Rishe could protest, there was a rustling from the shrubbery on the side of the path. Rishe was surprised, but not by the noise. It was because in the split second they heard the noise, Arnold stepped protectively in front of her.

“Prince Arnold…” Rishe peeked out from behind Arnold’s large frame. They both turned to scan the shrubbery. “It’s…a cat.”

“So it seems.”

From the shadows emerged a black cat still small enough to be called a kitten. Rishe stepped out from behind Arnold and knelt, holding her hand out toward it. Judging by how it didn’t crouch down low, it seemed to be accustomed to people.

“C’mere, kitty…”

“…”

“Aww, it ran away.”

The cat must have had plans after this, just as they did. Rishe stood, slightly disappointed, and took Arnold’s arm once more.

“Thank you for protecting me…but you could tell it was only an animal as well, couldn’t you, Prince Arnold?”

“That doesn’t guarantee your safety. If a beast was able to infiltrate the palace in the first place, that just means we need to improve on our current security.”

“You’re calling that kitten a beast?”

Arnold was right, of course. The fact that there was a route the kitten could use to get into the palace was a problem. If someone brought the animal in, then there was an issue with the checking of the guests’ belongings. And if it had gotten in on its own, that was evidence that, for instance, the ramparts could be breached by way of a tree.

Prince Arnold makes use of even the most trivial bits of information when he makes decisions. There was plenty to learn from how Arnold saw the world. As Rishe considered this, she thought, He must know what Prince Theodore told me about Sir Gutheil.

They arrived at the party hall after exchanging only trifling small talk. The moment the doors to the hall opened, a soft cheer blew through the room. The hall was filled with significant figures, all holding glasses of wine. As Rishe bathed in their scrutiny, she casually confirmed the identities of each individual she walked by.

There are a few people here I’m not acquainted with yet. Is that Lady Diekmeier in the dress that’s modeled after a rose? The woman Lord Hannawald is escorting must be his wife. He mentioned her to me before. The current emperor is supposed to be the host of this party, but he’s absent as always. Prince Arnold is attending in his place…

She got that far before she raised her head, having sensed an intense stare. She met Arnold’s eyes immediately, and his expression softened as he studied her. Rishe’s heart skipped a beat, and a buzz swept through the crowd at the same time.

“H-hey, have you ever seen such a tender look on Prince Arnold’s face before?”

Was Prince Arnold always watching me as I attended parties like this in the past? Rishe wondered, remembering what he’d said to Dietrich the day before. Although the thought flustered her, it also made her happy.

A man she’d never met before approached them. “I…I’m pleased to see you enjoying yourself tonight, Prince Arnold. It’s been some time since we last met, but I’m glad you’re doing well.”

“Lord Egel,” Arnold said icily.

Lord Egel. Prince Theodore told me that the current emperor values this marquess.

While Rishe wanted to greet the man as well, she couldn’t say anything until Arnold introduced her. Until then, she bowed her head politely and listened to their conversation.

“First, please allow me to congratulate you on your engagement. A real wonder, that. As far as I’m aware, you’ve never spared so much as a glance at a member of the fairer sex, and now you’ve finally chosen a bride…”

“…”

“I may be biased, but I believe my own daughter is rather pretty. It’s terribly disappointing that she never caught your eye. That brings me to a rather surprising rumor I heard—is it true, Your Highness, that you’re absolutely infatuated with your fiancée?”

Rishe’s shoulders twitched, her head still bowed. Lord Egel governs a region in the west, doesn’t he? How the heck did he hear a rumor like that?!

Surely this was the time to make her introductions, but Rishe felt so awkward that she could no longer raise her head. A moment later, however, Arnold cupped her chin.

“What an interesting rumor.” He gave a gentle tug, and she had no choice but to meet his eyes. His hand still on her face, he gazed down at her with a soft smile that turned daring as he pulled Rishe closer by the waist. “Is there some problem if it’s true?”

Eep!

Rishe wasn’t sure what to make of his provocative smile. The marquess was equally speechless, prompting Arnold to snort and take Rishe by the hand.

“Let’s go, Rishe. You can make your introductions later.”

“R-right. Excuse us!” Rishe felt bad for the informal manner of their parting, but the marquess was equally flustered as he left. Heart hammering in her chest, Rishe gazed up at Arnold. “Was…was that all right?”

“Was what all right?”

Are you serious?!

Rishe could think of any number of issues with that exchange, but apparently none of it bothered Arnold. She didn’t have the courage to go into specifics, so all she could do was fall silent.

“You don’t need to introduce yourself to him right now. More importantly…”

Rishe followed Arnold’s gaze and realized what he was getting at. “Right.”

In a corner of the venue, Dietrich—who should have spent the whole afternoon with Arnold—was peeking out from behind a pillar, trembling.

Wh-why is Prince Dietrich cowering like that with tears in his eyes, like a little puppy? The weepy way he quivered made him look just like his father, the king of Hermity. Oh, Prince Dietrich, you have to be more confident at soirées! And it’s not good manners to be by yourself so early in the evening…

Arnold stared at her wordlessly.

Rishe returned his gaze, arm linked with his, and realized, Wait! It’s not my responsibility to be counseling Prince Dietrich anymore! At last comprehending the reason for Arnold’s expression, Rishe nodded at him. I understand. Leave this to me, Prince Arnold!

Arnold seemed as if he wanted to say something to her, but he ultimately stayed quiet. Rishe collected herself and called out to the pillar.

“Good evening, Prince Dietrich. I hear you accompanied Prince Arnold today during his work. What did you think of what you saw?”

“Wh-wh-what did I think of it?!” Dietrich leapt out from behind the pillar and advanced on Rishe, tears still in his eyes. “I-I-I—”

“Please calm yourself, Your Highness! Let’s take this out to the balcony, shall we?!”

Other partygoers were trading hushed whispers, surprised by Dietrich’s behavior. Rishe hurriedly led him and Arnold out onto a balcony, where they could speak freely.

“L-Lord Arnold! Do you always cram so much work into your schedule?!”

“I do.”

“That can’t be! There’s no way! You must have packed so much into your schedule today just to scare me!”

Rishe blinked at Arnold once more in surprise. “Did you really have that much work to do today, Prince Arnold?”

“No? I had less to do than usual. Oliver went and changed my schedule on me.” Arnold wore the same inscrutable expression he always did. He was completely unperturbed, whereas Dietrich was clutching at his head and squirming. “I even took a break because I couldn’t bear this one’s constant pestering.”

“That’s what’s so strange about it!” Dietrich countered. “You worked all the way until evening with only one break?! It was just work, travel, work, travel, work, work, work! And you were doing paperwork inside the carriage while we traveled! Have you never even heard of coach-sickness before?!”

“Really, Prince Arnold…” Rishe sighed. “You must take more frequent breaks.”

“I could say the exact same to you.”

“Why are you two acting as if this is just a typical day for you?!” Dietrich panted like he was exhausted. Thankfully, the energy it was taking him just to breathe meant he wasn’t actually producing much volume when he yelled. “Are you human?! Is that stamina of yours human?!”

Prince Arnold’s workload seems excessive, even to me. No wonder it scared Prince Dietrich… The other prince must have been shocked to see how Arnold worked up close. Rishe couldn’t even imagine the two of them sharing a carriage.

Shoulders heaving, Dietrich took a deep breath before asking Arnold, “Have you ever even questioned it before?” His expression hardened, his tone becoming more serious. “Royalty must spend morning to night thinking of their subjects and sacrificing their time for the sake of their country. No matter how hard they may work, no one will praise them for it. Self-sacrifice is only natural, absolute devotion is a given, and if you can’t achieve that, you’ll be cast aside as unnecessary.” Dietrich scowled. “You can’t choose how you want to live. Your subjects may think you live affluently, but the truth is, there’s nothing free about your life! You’re bound by custom, captive to the way others see you, and at the end of it all…”

“What of it?”

Dietrich froze at Arnold’s matter-of-fact tone.

“Of course royalty has no right to a human life.”

“What’re you…?”

“Do you not understand? The life of a king or an emperor is weightier than the lives of millions of his subjects.”

Rishe gulped.

“If a small country is invaded by a larger one, it can send out thousands of soldiers and it won’t make a difference. But if the king of that country offers his own life, the war is over.” Arnold tapped his throat with his middle finger. “The king has a duty to each and every one of his subjects. Whether you understand that or not, a royal is nothing more than a pawn in a much larger game.”

“A pawn?”

“Neither you nor I have the right to live life as human beings.”

A chill ran down Rishe’s spine at Arnold’s plain assertion.

“Y-you talk as if you think we all have to be ready to give our lives for our countries someday! Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?!”

Arnold smiled scornfully, a dark light in his blue eyes. “That was your obligation the moment you were born as crown prince.”

Dietrich gritted his teeth and turned his back on them, fleeing back into the party. Rishe followed a few steps after him, then stopped. It was now just her and Arnold out on the balcony together.

“Rishe.”

The summer breeze blew through the silence stretching between them. Rishe raised her head timidly when Arnold called her name. Her eyes met Arnold’s from a few meters away. She could find no words to say, and Arnold sighed.

“What was it you said to that cat earlier?”

“Sorry?”

His pensive gaze landed on his shoes. “Right. I remember.” Arnold turned to her again and extended his hand, his voice just as soft as the expression on his face. “C’mere, you.”

“Huh?!” Rishe’s cheeks flushed. The line was completely unexpected coming from Arnold.

Did Prince Arnold just call me like a cat?! It just wasn’t fair—though if someone asked her exactly what wasn’t fair, she didn’t think she’d be able to answer.

As she groped for a reply, Arnold tilted his head and smirked. “Hmm?”

Rishe finally gave in, taking a step toward him. She took his proffered hand and let him pull her the rest of the way.

I need to ask.

She studied Arnold in earnest, their fingers still entwined. “If war breaks out again in the future…” It took considerable courage for Rishe to bring up this hypothetical with Arnold, but she didn’t tear her gaze from his blue eyes. Quietly, so that no one else would hear, she asked him, “To what end would you offer up your own life?”

Arnold smiled. “I’m not interested in hypotheticals.”

“But you’re prepared to make use of it, are you not?”

“Kings and emperors bear the full responsibility for their countries,” he stated as if they were discussing the weather. “A crown prince is only born to take on that burden. You could say that’s doubly true for me.”

Rishe flinched. Arnold’s father had not accepted any of the children born to him without a specific hair and eye color. Arnold was likely not his true firstborn son. He was only the crown prince because his father had killed any brothers who came before him.

Prince Arnold bears no responsibility for that. She squeezed his fingers. Yet he feels his very existence is a sin…

A devastating sadness weighed on Rishe’s heart. Only a moment ago, Arnold had said that royalty had no right to a human life. He didn’t seem to want that for his brother Theodore or his sisters, though. Nor for his empress-to-be.

The only people he feels don’t deserve to be human are his father and himself. Does he realize that?

He touched Rishe’s cheek. “You’re pouting.”

Since he’d already seen through her attempt to hide it, she let the expression show fully on her face. “I am, because I’m angry…but I’m angry at myself.”

“Whatever for?”

“I just feel so useless.” Rishe hung her head, pursing her lips. “I want you to be happy, Prince Arnold.”

Arnold regarded Rishe with astonishment.

“I wish your future could be nothing but happiness…even if you don’t think you deserve it.” No, just wishing wasn’t enough. “I’ll try to be more creative.”

“…Creative.”

“We’ll eat the most delicious food in the world, sleep on beds so fluffy you’ll want to just melt into them, and see sights so beautiful it makes you dizzy…” She listed everything she could think of, carefully scrutinizing each suggestion. “I’ll give you experiences like that to show you the appeal of being happy.”

She was absolutely serious, but Arnold just stared at her in bewilderment before chuckling quietly. “Heh.” It was a rare sort of smile for Arnold, like he couldn’t contain his emotions. “I see the appeal plenty already.”

He set his hand atop Rishe’s head, and she tilted it to the side in confusion. Then Arnold donned the teasing smile she was more accustomed to.

“And what about you? Have you decided how you want to celebrate your birthday yet?”

Rishe flinched, not expecting him to turn the tables on her.

“Is there anything you want?”

“Ugh… Can I say I want what you want, Prince Arnold?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Urgh…”

Rishe’s birthday was eight days away. She knew if she didn’t make up her mind soon, there wouldn’t be any time to prepare for it—but she just couldn’t think of anything.

“It’s like you have no desires.”

“You’re the last person I want to hear that from, Prince Arnold!”

“Oh?”

Rishe’s heart thudded against her rib cage when that teasing smile appeared. She was sure Arnold didn’t mean anything by it, but she couldn’t help thinking of what she knew was coming.

I haven’t solved the issue of the kiss at our wedding either! And I don’t have many days left to figure that out! And…

Rishe glanced back toward the party hall, where Arnold’s knights were providing security. She had to do more digging on Gutheil as well.

I need to figure all this out, one after another. First, I’ll investigate tomorrow using the method I asked of Prince Theodore.