<span>“Slipping out of the castle alone at night is a conduct unbing of His Highness’ fiancée. If found out, it could damage your reputation as well.”
<span>Up until now, Rishe’s failures in life have been hers alone.
<span>But for once, it was different. Even if she was as good as a “hostage” and even if it was just a formality, shecked the awareness of being someone’s future wife.
<i><span>I was prepared for the scandal and punishment in the unlikely event of a problem, but I know that it wasn’t enough.</i>
<span>However, Arnold said, <span>“It doesn’t matter.”
<span>“!”
<span>That was so unexpected that Rishe, who had been looking down, looked up.
<span>“When people in the castle see you, they won’t recognize you as the woman who will eventually be the Crown Princess. You’ve only been in front of the people once – over the carriage – and you’ve dyed your hair color conspicuously. Unless, you’ve actually been unfaithful, that is. I can surmise that you’ve been bargaining with the Aria Company.”
<span>“Your Highness, that’s too generous of a word.”
<span>“That’s not what I have a problem with.”
<span>So there were other outrageous mistakes that Rishe hadn’t realized she’dmitted?
<span>She looked nervously at Arnold with brows furrowed.
<span>“Your Highness?”
<span>“Are you not hurt or anything?”
<span>“Huh?”
<span>That was unexpected.
<span>Why would he ask such a question? Rishe blinked repeatedly, and eventually nodded.
<span>“Yeah, I’m not.”
<span>“Have you been involved in some kind of crime?”
<span>“Certainly not.”
<span>“…”
<span>Arnold then exhaled, lowering and letting go of the hand that had trapped Rishe against the wall.
<span>“I’ll be apanying you from now on, whenever you leave the castle. That’s fine.”
<span>“What? Uhm, you’reing with me?”
<span>“I told you, once we’re married, you’re free to do what you wanted, and I’ll give you a helping hand.”
<span>“Please don’t say that! I can’t let Your Highness go along with my selfish behavior. Uhm, no, I’ll be more careful in the future, but….
<span>“I said you’re free to do what you wanted, but I didn’t say you’re allowed to do anything dangerous.”
<span>Rishe was left agape.
<span>“And don’t let anyone but me know what you’re up to. It’s hard to control others from gossiping.”
<span>“Ah…”<span>
<span>“Ah?”<span>
<span>“You’re being too lenient with me.”
<i><span>Whatever the case might be, I would add that.</i>
<i><span>I don’t understand why on earth I’de to that conclusion.</i>
<i><span>Although I’ve been treated beyond expectation to begin with, what did it mean when I’m tolerated after such a blunder?”</i>
<span>“You mean if I restrict you to never leave the castle, you’ll continue to slip out quietly in the future, right?”
<span>Arnold, who was once again seated in his chair, chuckled in his usual fashion.
<span>“I’d rather give you conditional permission than that, since you seem to have more restraints that way.”
<span>“So…”
<span>Rishe somehow lost strength and she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him.
<span>“Am I so difficult to understand?”
<span>“Aren’t you? I think you’re rather a confusing and unpredictable sort of person.”
<span>“You must be having fun with that Chairman.”
<span>Recalling her exchange with Tully, Rishe hung her head.
<span>It was quite disheartening to have two men read her thoughts and actions in quick session.
<i><span>I don’t know why, but letting me off the hook to some extent must be of significance to Arnold Hein…</i>
<i><span>I think I should take great advantage of it, but I feel guilty when I go this far. Even though I want to prevent war, I don’t want to behave like a bad wife.</i>
<i><span>After mulling over it, I finally realized what Arnold meant when he said I have more restraints with his permission.</i>
<span>“Speaking of the chairman, what the hell happened between you and the Aria Trading Company?
<span>“…”
<span>Feeling somewhat exhausted, Rishe looked up and said with a pout, “Your Highness, if I may ask something?”
<span>“What?”
<span>“Are you hungry?”
<span>Arnold rolled his eyes at the question.