<span>“These eyes are proof that I have my father’s blood in my veins… When I was a kid, I wanted to gouge out both of my eyes.”


    <span>“…Your Highness.”


    <span>Arnold looked at Rishe and said in a subdued voice.


    <span>With a sincerity that showed no hesitation, he told the truth, which wasmonce to him.


    <span>“They aren’t beautiful and worthy of your admiration.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>His words brought a stabbing pain in her chest.


    <span>He averted his gaze from Rishe and looked out through the fireflies of the evening darkness towards the imperial city.


    <span>The overlooking cityscape from the balcony during the daytime was now pitch ck and silent.


    <span>“The first day you came to this castle, you said you’ve been longing for this country.”


    <span>“Yes. It’s still a wonderful ce to visit in person.”<span>


    <span>“I can’t feel the same sentiments about what you appreciate. The light of these insects looks like warfare, and the view of the imperial city down here feels like an abomination.”


    <span>Arnold exhaled briefly and then spoke up.


    <span>“I’m not sure if it’s because I have the same eyes as my father’s, or maybe it’s because we are the same in nature — Either way, it’s still ugly.”


    <span>His profile while speaking resembled his usual nonchnce.


    <span>However, Rishe saw a small glimpse of Arnold’s underlying emotions.


    <span>Thus, she responded, “…Do you remember how you thanked me when I detoxified all the knights on our way to Garkhain?”<span>


    <span>Arnold returned his gaze to her when she asked.


    <span>“Your Highness told me about the merits of the knights then. You know their virtues because you’ve been right there with them, right? Everything else you see is the same.”


    <span>Rishe enunciated slowly.


    <span>“Whether the lights in the distance resemble warfare or the light of a beautiful firefly, those values aren’t immutable inheritance from your parents, but something acquired from what you’ve seen and heard before.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>“Then you just have to know. You can enjoy the beauty of this country and its wonderful creatures in the future.”


    <span>She spoke while staring straight into Arnold’s blue eyes. She smiled brightly, trying to hide the ache in her heart.


    <span>She did her best to hold back the urge to touch him and stroke his head as she would a small child, and added, “You’ll surely see a lot of beautiful and important things.”


    <span>“Ha~”


    <span>Arnold snorted with a self-mocking smile.


    <span>“There’s no need for such a thing. All I have to have is what I can use for my own purposes, that’s all. Eliminate the unnecessary, cut them down, and move on. That’s it.”


    <span>“Your Highness Arnold.”


    <span>“I’ve killed people I cared about with my own hands… Now that you’re here, I can also kill you if you’re a hindrance.”<span>


    <span>Rishe recalled. Theodore once told her that Arnold had killed his mother. Could he be referring to that time?


    <span>“I don’t know what you’re up to with the matters with Koyor.”


    <span>A dark light lurked in his blue eyes.


    <span>With a ruthless look on his face, Arnold warned, “Don’t let me get rid of you.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>Rishe squeaked and pursed her lips.


    <span>It wasn’t because hismand was horrifying.


    <i><span>–It sounded more like a plea.</i>


    <span>What for?


    <span>If she was only going to be around for a purpose, and she let him be by his side for his needs, he shouldn’t have asked such a wish on Rishe.


    <span>“I can’t make any promises on that…”


    <span>She made up her mind and answered.


    <span>“I’ll move for what I want to achieve, even if I have to be your wife. Even if you end up killing me, that way of life for me is just non-negotiable. Besides…”


    <span>Rishe proudly told Arnold, “I just have toe back here again.”


    <span>“What?”


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