“I’ve missed you, Your Highness!”

“!”

Rishe exclaimed and clung tightly to Arnold’s arm.

Arnold seemed to have gasped, but it went unnoticeable.

When he looked down at her with his usual blank expression, Rishe raised her head and gave him a petulant child-like look.

“I thought you’d be late coming back, but I didn’t expect to find you here. Your Highness didn’t come back, so I had dinner alone, you know?”

“…”

“Since you’ve had a break from your work, you should have come to see me immediately, as you always did. I don’t want you to forget that I’m looking forward to seeing You Highness at all times.”

She clung to Arnold’s arm and rubbed her head against it.

Rishe feigned anger and looked up at Arnold like a spoiled child.

―― Acting as if she hadn’t heard a word of the exchange just now.

Now, how will Your Highness react?

Rishe hugged Arnold’s arm even tighter before Bishop Schneider’s eyes.

Arnold frowned slightly but only for a moment.

Unless my behavior was an excessive pretense…

As she was wondering, Arnold spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

“!”

Just as she suspected.

Arnold whispered downcast and patted Rishe on the head as if to comfort her.

“I’ve just finished my official duties. I’ve thought of rushing things, but I seem to have made you lonely.”

The most beautifully shaped fingers in the world combed her coral-colored hair.

Gentle fingers dotingly brushed Rishe’s sideburns over her ears. Then he looked closely into her eyes and asked.

“I’ll have a quick dinner but stay by my side, all right?”

“Of course, Your Highness. And while we’re eating, I would like to hear about the events of the day.”

Rishe smiled gently and enacted a familiar exchange.

After that, she turned her attention to Schneider.

“Bishop, I apologize for my willfulness. But may I have My Lord back for tonight?”

She rubbed her cheek against Arnold’s arm and dared to request willfully.

The stunned Schneider cleared his throat and nodded.

“O-Of course. The Goddess commends hard work, but not if it’s at the expense of your health. ―― Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”

Schneider scrambled off.

Rishe was lost in thought as she watched him disappear.

You must not marry Arnold Hein.

The Bishop warned her.

She must find out what his intentions were as soon as possible. To that end, she needed to lend a hand to Myria for the festival.

While she was thinking in silence, Arnold next to her spoke.

“Rishe…”

“Yes?”

She wondered why he sounded so close.

“H—”

The moment it dawned on Rishe, she turned pale.

“Hyaaah!”

Speaking of which, she was still hugging Arnold’s arm.

She shrieked and distanced herself away upon registering it. She held up her hands and apologized, insisting that she meant no harm.

“I-I’m sorry! I was so lost in thought that I forgot I’m clinging to your arm!! And forgive me for sticking to you without your permission!!”

“Why are you apologizing?”

Arnold wrinkled his brow and looked back at her pensively.

“Did you hear it? I said I was going to make you my nominal wife.”

“Of course, I heard it…”

Rishe tilted her head and looked into Arnold’s blue eyes.

“How could I possibly take Your Highness’s word for it?”

“…”