“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 — 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.

–It 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.

“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?”