More than any research outputs or any principles.

She thought this from the bottom of her heart and repeated the words.

[So, I’m going to stay by his side, even if our engagement will be terminated and he drives me away.]

[Haha, then I have no right to stop you.]

Glad that he understood, Rishe stood up and bowed.

[I’m sorry to have taken up so much of your time while you’re preparing to return home.]

[No, it was a pleasure to talk to you. I’ll be leaving you soon.]

Michel stood up and said with a gentle smile, [See you soon, my student.]

[…!]

–Goodbye.

She recalled the parting words she exchanged with Michel in her life as an alchemist. The sound of “See you soon,” which meant reunion, rang entirely different from that moonlit night of the past.

***

“Thank you, Your Highness Arnold.”

After thanking him, Arnold remained at his desk and said in a seemingly disinterested tone.

“I didn’t do much.”

“Not at all, you have been very lenient.”

“It’s just better to make use of it than to make a fuss over something that was never attempted.”

Besides, Arnold continued, “I’ve been informed of Michel Evan’s behavior. I’m not going to let him take the reins, no matter how competent a scholar he is. It would be better to invest in a joint research project with Koyor and only profit from it without the hassle of administration.”

“”Still, I still think that’s generous…”

“I don’t care… And you’ll be inspecting them periodically to make sure their research doesn’t head towards strange intentions again, right?”

Rishe nodded adeptly at the remark.

“Yes. I was hoping you can leave that to me!”

This was the first time that Arnold entrusted something to her.

Whenever she thought about it, she felt all fired up anew.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Your Highness Arnold, Prince Kyle, and Teacher Michel will develop in the future.”

“…I wonder how long it will take before we reach what you called ‘a carriage that works without horses’.”

“Fufu~”

At this moment, he seemed to be considering it seriously, even though he was feigning resistance to the partnership.

She felt strangely happy about it.

The choices that Rishe was desperately trying to make just lined up, but if Arnold and someone else would aim for them together, it would seem that nothing was impossible in the future.

If anything, I want to move on to a better future, not a life of avoiding the worst possible future!　I still don’t know what His Highness Arnold’s intentions are, but we should be progressing little by little…

She hoped that she could change the future someday while accumulating such changes.

Her days of training as a knight cadet were safely over. From now on, she planned to start preparing in earnest for the wedding ceremony.

At last, I’ll take care of that next…

As she was formulating her plans in her head, Arnold stopped writing and looked at her.

“…You look like you’re contemplating something bad, are you?”

“No-no, certainly not!”

She smiled brilliantly and hastily changed the subject.

“Well then, Your Highness.　I have one more thing to report in connection with Koyor’s technology.”

“Report?”

I swiftly took out a small box from the bag she was carrying.

It was a small velour-covered box that could fit in the palm of her hand. Arnold seemed to have guessed what was inside when he saw it.

“…Is it finished?”

“Yes.”

It contained the ring that Arnold gifted her.

A Koyor craftsman finished it and presented it to Rishe first thing in the afternoon.

The ring was still in the box, but Rishe hadn’t seen it yet.

She thought it would be nice to open the present in front of the person who gave it.

“Didn’t I promise that when the ring is ready, I’d first show it to Your Highness Arnold?”

“…”

“I’ve only seen the designs before, but it’s very nice. I’m sure the finished product will be――”

She was about to open the box excitedly, but Arnold interrupted her and called her name.

“Rishe.”

“Yes, Your Highness Arnold.”

When she looked up, Arnold’s eyes were looking straight at her.

He had the same blank expression as before, indifferent and calm.

“――You don’t have to wear that ring.”

“!”

At that moment, she felt a piercing pain deep in her chest.

Not wanting Arnold to see her expression, Rishe quickly looked down.

Her face must have looked terrible when she heard Arnold’s words.

What is this?

She unconsciously wrapped her hands around the ring box on her lap.

Then got bewildered by her emotions.

She felt sad and very lonely.

“I don’t need to…”

That was all she managed to say, careful not to let her voice shiver.

She wondered why she was so sad.

T/N: Awww, I’m very curious how this would end, but I’d have to do the next part tomorrow. Have a nice day 🙂