<span>“… Are you really serious about this?”


    <span>“Yes, of course.”


    <span>When Arnold asked, Rishe smiled and nodded.


    <span>They were standing in a small training ground in the corner of the Royal Pce. The knights guarding Rishe were worriedly looking at them.


    <span>They moved from Arnold’s bedroom to the training ground because of the exchange earlier.


    <span>[“Would you please practice swords y with me, Your Highness?”]


    <span>After Rishe finished showing Arnold around his room, he did so.


    <span>It had happened about three weeks ago and she thought he might have forgotten about it, but apparently he remembered.


    <span>[“Oh, by the way, we talked about this at an earlier soiree.”]


    <span>[“I’m d you remember. I’ve learned a lot from this incident. This bodycks strength and needs to be trained as soon as possible.”]


    <span>The marriage ceremony was only about two and a half months away, and there was a lot of work to be done in that time.


    <span>All she needed was time and energy to get everything done.


    <span>Her physical strength, muscr strength, and cardiorespiratory function were a far cry from her life as a knight.


    <span>It wasn’t something that could be acquired immediately from scratch, but thinking about the future, she wanted to start training as soon as possible.


    <span>[“I know Your Highness is very busy, and I don’t intend to ask you to train with me all the time. However, I would like you to teach me just once.”]


    <span>Rishe looked into Arnold’s eyes.


    <span>[“Can you teach me the ‘special training techniques’ that Your Highness and the members of the knight guards are using?”]


    <span>[“Heh~”]


    <span>The corner of Arnold’s lips curled in amusement.


    <span>[“How did you know?”]


    <span>[“My field is located near the Knights Training Field. I’ve seen each squadron training on several asions, but only Your Highness’ knight guards were clearly different in their movement proficiency.”]


    <span>It wasn’t just during training.


    <span>When they were guarding Rishe, they had no room for a single, momentary, bodypse.


    <span>Not all the knights of Garkhain were like them.


    <span>Only Arnold’s knight guards have that outstanding skill. If so, it was obvious who was behind such an operation.


    <span>After all, someone far more seamless than those knight guards was their lord.


    <span>[“If you have an established training regimen, I’d love to know about it.”]


    <span>[“…”]


    <span>However, it wasn’t just because she wanted to acquire the skill.


    <span>Rishe recalled a scene she witnessed in her previous life.


    <i><span>When the Garkhain Army was the enemy, His Highness Arnold was the most threatening… But the other knights were just as troublesome enough to deal with.</i>


    <span>They were terribly powerful.


    <span>Not only the generals of each battalion, but even the lower knights on the front lines, each and every one of them were formidable in the battlefield.


    <i><span>Even now, His Highness Arnold’s knight guards are prominently strong. But all the Garkhain knights didn’t seem to have that kind of strength.</i>


    <span>In other words, she thought.


    <i><span>His Highness Arnold will build up that mighty Order in just five years or so from now.</i>


    <span>It was truly terrifying.


    <span>It was unlikely that they only gathered people with knightly talent. Given the scale of their numbers, such a thing was impossible.


    <i><span>They must have some kind of specific training regimen. If so, then I should learn…</i>


    <span>[“…”]


    <span>Arnold fell silent for a moment while Rishe stared at him.


    <span>Perhaps he was about to decline.


    <span>However, he eventually sighed as Rishe stared firmly into his eyes, unwilling to give up.


    <span>[“…Okay.”]


    <span>[“What?!”]


    <span>Not expecting an easy nod, Rishe blinked.


    <span>What Arnold had agreed to before was supposed to be a normal practice.


    <span>[“Are you sure? I asked for it, but I think it’s a military secret…”]


    <span>[“There’s no harm in the Crown Prince’s wife knowing. — Besides, I’ve promised to fulfill whatever you wanted.”]


    <span>[“!”]


    <span>His voice as he said this seemed a little softer than usual.


    <span>The strange feeling offort it brought, made Rishe a bit flustered.


    <span>[“Uh, thank you. I’m d, very happy.”]


    <span>[“Happy? Why?”]


    <span>[“Because…”]


    <span>With a look of utter iprehension, Rishe replied.


    <span>[“Because as far as I know, your swordsmanship is unparalleled and the most beautiful around the world.”]


    <span>[“―――― ……”]


    <span>Since she could be taught by such an opponent, it was impossible not to feel joyful as a former knight.


    <span>Arnold nced at her for a moment and then huffed.


    <span>[“Around the word?”]


    <span>[“…But of course, in a metaphorical sense!　It’s just a metaphor, okay?!”]


    <span>She hastened to add, not wanting him to be suspicious.


    <span>Then Arnold said in a self-mocking voice.


    <span>[“There’s nothing beautiful about a skill that only kills humans, is there?”]


    <span>[“… Your Highness.”]


    <span>[“I’m heading to the training area. Go get dressed for action.”]


    <hr>