Rishe couldn’t help but cast her eyes down, knowing for certain that she couldn’t be too depressed.

Your Highness, Young Miss…

She believed that Arnold in front of her was a kind person.

Nevertheless, some kind of “purpose” in Arnold’s mind was going to be achieved even if it would shatter his gentleness.

That was why, five years from now, Arnold would command his army to kill Myria.

Now that Myria’s life seemed to be in danger, there was no telling how Arnold would react if Rishe tried to avert it. There was also the possibility that Arnold would take a hostile stance, as he had done with the Koyor Kingdom not long ago.

“I would like to inform His Excellency Jonal that there is a move to assassinate Myria-sama. Since she is under His Excellency’s custody, we need his say in protecting her.”

After she summoned her courage and spoke, Arnold’s eyes partly dropped.

“…Fair enough. At least it would be more meaningful than alerting him to curses and the like.”

Rishe was relieved to hear his response and got up from her chair.

“I’ll finish the antidote by the time Myria-sama and His Excellency finish their prayers. I’d appreciate it if you could arrange for it to be delivered.”

“All right.”

She rolled up the sleeves of her dress and returned to the boiling pot.

After confirming that it was boiled well, she transferred it to the five bottles she had prepared.

Normally, she’d cool it down under running water, but it was best to waste as little time as possible. She entrusted the five bottles to Arnold, hoping that they would cool down in transit.

“I’ll head to the guest room building, then.”

“Okay…I will order my men to send them post-haste.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Rishe bowed deeply and started walking in the opposite direction of Arnold.

Upon reaching the guest room wing, Rishe decided to wait for Duke Jonal and Myria’s return in the hallway on the floor where their rooms were located.

Maybe I should just head to the cathedral where they’re supposed to be praying…

The only reason she didn’t go there was because she was worried about Schneider and the others’ movements.

I have to tell His Excellency Jonal about the alleged assassination alone. If he permits it, I’d like to keep Myria company and protect her.

However, Rishe rejected the idea the moment the thought came up. It would be difficult to stay close to the Order without attracting suspicion.

Why don’t we just concoct a fake assassination attempt on me and beef up security for all the important people in the shrine?… No, if I’m at risk for assassination, I’ll be kicked out of the shrine and told to return to Garkhain for safety.

Time quickly passed while she was lost in thought.

It seems like they’ll return late…

Just as she thought that, she heard small footsteps running towards her.

She thought it was Myria’s footsteps, but she soon realized it was not.

This footstep is from Leo.

True to Rishe’s conjecture, Leo came running up the stairs.

But he was out of breath and looked terribly anxious.

“Hu-Did Myria-sama come here?!”

“!”

Rishe shook her head in answer.

“No, she’s not back yet. By any chance, do you have any idea where she is?”

“…”

Leo’s face crumpled into a distorted expression when Rishe asked.

“After the prayer, the adults had to stay in the cathedral to discuss some things, so they asked me to walk her to her room…On the way here, the wind blew her ribbon away, and she looked like she was about to cry, so while I went to get it by myself…”

“Oh, no…”

She felt a chill run down her spine.

Still, she quickly asked Leo while trying not to frighten him.

“Did anyone approach you before you left Myria-sama?”

“No. I can tell that there was no sign of anyone nearby, but…”

“But?”

“As we were walking down the path to my room, she asked me where the orphanage I grew up in was located. I told her that it was just beyond the forest to the east.”

Rishe understood everything in an instant.

“I expected her to head back to her room first, but…”

Of course, Myria wasn’t going to go back obediently.

Convinced of this, Rishe made up her mind.

“…Leo, please. You’re going to have to run to the cathedral and tell everyone you trust about this. If possible, I would like you to inform His Highness Arnold He’s supposed to be near the office tower.

“But I’m going to the forest to find her…”

“I’ll be the one to go!”

“!”

There were a lot of traps in the forest. It was safer for Rishe to go there than for Leo.

She must go and pick Myria up before something happens to her.

“Please, okay?”

“――”

Without waiting for Leo’s reply, Rishe immediately sprinted off.