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.”

“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 – uh-ah!”

When Arnold’s fingers touched the surface of her skin, she shivered.

“Come on. Don’t struggle.”

“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.

“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?”

“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.”

“―――――― ……”

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.”

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?”

“―― ……”