Arnold stared at Rishe.

Rishe didn’t want to let go of the gaze he was pouring on her, not even for a moment. Thus, she stared right back at him and showered him with one question after another.

“Your Highness knows very well the splendor of the ‘watch’ as a work of art. Have you ever wanted to own a rare item in the world which is inexpensive and in large quantities? Or have you ever imagined what you could do with that technology and turn it into something else?”

“…”

It took them only a few days to make this watch.

There was no need for her to bother explaining it and emphasizing how short the production time was. Arnold could surely calculate it on his own.

“Scholars all over the world are starting to work on technology with springs and gears. If they combine all their knowledge, we might be able to realize the dream of a carriage that works without horses, or a ship that sails without the wind…”

Rishe smiled broadly, deliberately exuding confidence.

“But then, Koyor is the only country in the world that has the skills to manufacture it.”

“Huh~”

Arnold, with his cheeks still propped, smiled lazily.

“…You speak as if you’ve seen the future.”

He spoke as if he had seen through Rishe’s heart.

How could he be so keen even when he knew nothing of Rishe’s secrets?

However, the future that Rishe told Arnold here was nothing more than a prediction, even for her, because Koyor disappeared.

The war broke out, and the country’s originally meager strength weakened. Then Garkhain invaded it. This outcome has to be changed, even if taken only little by little.

I should be able to convince His Highness here…

Rishe squeezed her hands tightly together.

The smile that appeared on Arnold’s face earlier suddenly disappeared.

“– And then?”

His piercing voice echoed throughout the room.

And Arnold regained his earlier indifference.

“Kyle Morgan Cleverly. What the hell are you thinking?”

Rishe winced at that numbing voice.

A dark glint flashed in Arnold’s eyes as he shot a glance at Kyle.

Arnold was almost expressionless, not even raising his voice. And yet, there was an intimidating feeling that made the skin tingle and ache. Even Rishe, who was just beside him, got nervous.

Arnold continued without mercy.

“I admit that your country’s technology is excellent. That power is certainly what our country lacks.”

His shapely fingers tapped the armrest of the chair.

The sound reverberated through the room and spurred the tense air. Arnold must have calculated everything while they were at it.

“…But your naivety makes me cringe even more.”

Rishe gasped reflexively.

The pressure that Kyle was suffering must have doubled because of this. Arnold cared nothing about it and reiterated.

“Do you understand that knowledge, skills, and people can be taken to other countries? There’s no need for me to pay your artisans and invite them to Garkhain. If I threaten them with force and force them to obey, most of them will exercise their knowledge. As soon as our country has mastered this skill, we can kill the survivors of Koyor.”

After saying it off like it was nothing, he asked Kyle, “Did you come here without thinking about it? You came here as ornamental royalty at the behest of my wife.”

“Your Highness! Prince Kyle…”

“Rishe, you do the same for once.”

That calm side glance he shot Rishe made her hold her tongue.

“Didn’t you ever consider what would happen after I got my hands on that ‘technology’?”

“…”

The meaning behind his question was painfully understood.

Rishe knew exactly what the future Arnold would do. But he also understood more than that.

That’s why…

“…Rishe-dono believes in Arnold-dono.”

“!”

Kyle was the first to respond.

In the room brimming with tension, Kyle stood tall and dignified, looking at Arnold boldly.

“When Rishe-dono proposed to use metalwork techniques to negotiate, I worried that Arnold-dono wouldn’t consider it. However, Rishe-dono consistently put her trust in Arnold-dono.”

Kyle’s pale light blue eyes reflected a lake in a field of snow.

His clear eyes never stagnated and never ceased to shine with sincerity.

“There’s no doubt that Arnold-dono wants power for a better future.”

“…”

Kyle was right.

Rishe now understood.

Even if Emperor Arnold Hein would wage a war of aggression a few years in the future. Even if Arnold would be feared on the battlefield as a ruthless crown prince in a few years.

She knew what kind of person Arnold was at the moment.

“”I can’t say as much as Rishe-dono, but I myself came to this country because I believe in Arnold-dono.”

Kyle, who spoke on behalf of Rishe, continued, “Just by listening to your battle records and the hearsays of your policies, I have learned that you are a good ruler and a general who pays a certain amount of respect even to enemy soldiers. Even now, instead of dismissing me outright, you entertained this form of negotiation with me.”

Arnold raised a brow.

He was no longer staring at Kyle impassively, but with a particular emotion – whatever form it was.

Arnold almost spat out the words when he asked Kyle.

“You mean you ‘believe’ that　I wouldn’t invade Koyor and seize your artisans?”

“That’s right.”

“How naive. You’ve come to the foolish conclusion that you can rely on me and my country, of all things.”