<span>Now that she’d thought everything through, Rishe lowered her eyes.


    <span>“Then we’ll continue to protect you here, Rishe-sama.”


    <span>“Thank you. Please excuse me again.”


    <span>The knights stood in the hallway on either side of the door in front of her room. After thanking them, Rishe opened the door.


    <span>And when she entered, she found an envelope at her feet.


    <span>“…”


    <span>“What’s the matter?”


    <span>“Nothing.”


    <span>She gently shook her head and entered the room so as the envelope wouldn’t be seen by the knights.


    <span>Once she locked the door, she picked up the envelope.


    <span>It was an envelope of very fine white paper. The red wax seal was stamped with the imperial seal of the Garkhain family.


    <span>When Rishe opened it, a sheet of paper was inside.


    <span>On it were beautiful words meticulously written, saying:


    <span>“I’ll let you in on a little secret. Go to the chapel tonight at nine o’clock. — Arnold Hein.”


    <span>Rishe stuffed the paper back in the envelope and called Elise to her room.


    <span>***


    <span>At nine o’clock on the appointed night, Rishe, d in a ck dress, visited the chapel in the corner of the Royal Castle.


    <span>She had her knight guards wait for her a distance away from the chapel.


    <span>She showed them the wax sealed letter and said, “I’d like to see His Highness Arnold alone.”


    <span>The source of the letter was probably waiting for her in advance.


    <span>Rishe opened the door to the chapel and raised her voice without closing the door.


    <span>“Good evening, Your Highness Theodore.”


    <span>The light shining through the stained ss windows and the candlelights kept the interior of the chapel fairly lit.


    <span>“Good evening, my beautiful sister-inw.”


    <span>In front of the chancel at the end of the red carpet that stretched ahead stood a young man.


    <span>“You’re not the least bit surprised. It’s as if you knew it was my letter all along,” Theodore said with augh, while Rishe exhaled.


    <span>“The style of the signature didn’t resemble His Highness Arnold’s.”


    <span>“Well, it was just a matter of hoping you’d be fooled. Although, I don’t think you’ve ever seen Brother’s signature before.”


    <span>Certainly, in this life, she hasn’t seen it yet. But in another life, she did.


    <span>Arnold, who had waged war on other nations, had sent written derations of war to the royal families of the countries in advance. Having lived the life of a knight and had close ties with the royal family, Rishe had personally seen it.


    <span>Arnold’s handwriting was beautiful, but when it came to his own name, he seemed to have a habit of jotting it down messily.


    <span>The signature on the letter that Rishe received in her room was too polite inparison to that one.


    <span>“And why did youe when you knew it was me who sent it? I thought you said it’s inappropriate to stay alone with other men… Oh, is that why you didn’t close the door?”


    <span>“There are also knights awaiting orders a short distance away.”


    <span>She had taken other measures, but she’d keep them out of her mouth.


    <span>Theodore looked bored as he let his fingers run through his fluffy, bouncy hair.


    <span>“I’ve gone to the trouble just to teach you something good, so it would be nice if you’re a little more weing. I never imagined that Brother actually likes a woman like you.”


    <span>“If you have anything to say, please be quick.”


    <span>“You said during the day that you knew how cruel Brother was. You can’t possibly be fully aware of that.”


    <span>Theodore approached Rishe one step at a time.


    <span>“We don’t get along with each other as a family. And then the Empress – our father’s wife, isn’t our real mother. She’s what they call the second wife.”


    <span>“It’s not a rare story for someone of noble blood.”


    <span>“Oh, yes. But what if the reason for the Emperor’s former wife’s absence was because someone murdered her?”


    <span>Theodore stood in front of Rishe, his eyes narrowed and a somewhat bewitching smile glowed in his eyes.


    <span>“Your brother killed your mother.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>A detestable gleam shimmered in his eyes that were of the same color as Arnold’s.


    <span>“You see what I mean? That’s how cruel Big Brother, Arnold Hein, is. You may have been lured by the Crown Princess’ position somehow, but you’d better let go of that stuff. The man is a man who can eveny a hand on his own mother. He’s a man who can eveny a hand on his own mother.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>“All brides who had married into this country ended up unhappy. I think you’re beginning to understand what I meant during the day. It’s not a threat or anything, you really could be killed by your husband.”


    <span>“I get what you’re talking about.”


    <span>Rishe merely sighed.


    <span>“What’s wrong with that?”


    <span>“Huh?”<span>


    <span>Theodore’s eyes went round at her retort.


    <span>“What is wrong with you? He’s a mother-killer! Why aren’t you upset to hear these horrible things?!”


    <i><span>Well, I was surprised with that new piece of information, but I’ve known one of his ‘criminal records’.</i>


    <span>There was nothing more scary than that one.


    <span>When Arnold proposed to her, the only thing Rishe knew about him was Arnold Hein in her previous lives.


    <span>The Emperor who ughtered, invaded, and trampled on the royal families of various countries in a bloody and ruthless manner.


    <span>The traitor who killed his father emperor and usurped the throne.


    <span>The man who once killed Rishe.


    <span>All her knowledge and memories about him were nothing but horrendous.


    <span>But even so, Rishe decided.


    <span>“I’m willing to marry him with all my heart.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>Now that she was by his side, she’d been wondering if she’d see him in a different light than she had in the past.


    <span>“E-Even with that knowledge? Big Brother’s name has no middle name for blessing. He’s a cursed man who’s been spurned by our father and mother.”


    <span>“I have the name ‘Ilmgard’ myself, but I have never felt the need for it. Your Highness Theodore Auguste Hein…”


    <span>“Shut up!”


    <span>“I don’t need to know those sorts of things.”


    <span>Looking straight up into Theodore’s eyes, Rishe assured him.


    <span>The Arnold Rishe has known in this life seemed at least a decent man.


    <span>Despite the coldness in his behavior, he was a politician who looked out for his subordinates and tried to respect the people.


    <span>What Rishe wanted to figure out was why Arnold would head into a future like that.


    <span>For example, what events within the next few years would change him?


    <span>Or was he holding on to that cruelty he would unleash in five years’ time, and was just hiding it well?


    <span>— Or was he just a ‘mere human being’ with a decent heart and soul, who had to resort to cruel means for some non-negotiable purpose, instead of a monster?


    <i><span>Silly me.</i>


    <span>Rishe smiled as she softly mocks herself inwardly.


    <span>“Is that all you wanted to say? Well then, I’ll take my leave.”


    <span>“Whoa, wait!”


    <span>“How about I give you an alternative?”


    <span>She cut him off and looked back at the door of the chapel.


    <span>“If you don’t mind, speak with your brother from here on out.”


    <span>“H…”


    <span>There stood Arnold with his steely eyes.


    <span>“Big brother.”


    <span>Theodore croaked and cleared his throat.