“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.”

“―― ……”

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.– 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.

“– Besides, some damages are within calculation.”