<span>“If you kick me out now and tell me to break off the engagement, I’lle back to this castle for an interview as a maid.”


    <span>Arnold blinked and his eyes widened a bit.


    <span>Feeling that her prank was sessful, she grinned and continued to speak, “If that doesn’t work, I’ll dress up as a man and be a knight, or as a pharmacist. I’lle back to you as often as I can and learn the skills that will allow me to sneak into this castle.”


    <span>When she first came to this country, she thought she might get divorced and kicked out one day.


    <span>She even took some measures to make sure that she could survive without problems if that happened.


    <span>But now, all that Rishe wanted to do was to stay in this castle and stay by Arnold’s side.


    <span>“So don’t worry. Your Highness won’t quietly eliminate me.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>Simultaneously with that deration, Rishe came up with a conclusion.


    <i><span>I understand now what I should do for His Highness Arnold in the future.</i>


    <span>To change his perspective and let him get to know a new aspect of the world.


    <span>To that end, Rishe wanted to show him something. No, that person might not be Arnold alone.


    <span>“I beg your pardon, Your Highness.”


    <span>Rishe reached for him.


    <span>She wrapped her hands around his cheeks and stared at him gently. It would be impolite to touch him unnecessarily, but she ended up unable to resist it.


    <span>“I don’t know your father, but to me, these eyes are the color of Your Highness’s eyes, not your fathers…. I would repeat it over and over again, even if you find it an abomination yourself.”


    <span>Gazing into eyes the color of the frozen sea, Rishe smiled.


    <span>“I think the color of your eyes is the most beautiful in the world.”


    <span>“―― ……”


    <span>Arnold slightly frowned.


    <span>Of course she didn’t want to impose her values on him. She didn’t even want to deny the feelings he has for his own eyes.


    <span>But she really had to tell him.


    <span>“…”


    <span>How did these words resonate with Arnold?


    <span>He looked down andid his own hand on top of Rishe’s hand, still with a nk expression and no hint of emotion in his eyes.


    <span>She felt like he was about to say something.


    <span>However, that sign soon disappeared. Arnold gave her a vaguely gentle gaze and said, “…It’ste. Take a break today.”


    <span>Then he gently let go of Rishe’s hands, which were wrapped around his cheeks.


    <span>Rishe meekly withdrew her hands and whispered in a tiny voice. The truth was, she felt a sense of regret, but his emotions were too deceptive.


    <span>“Good night, Your Royal Highness Arnold.”


    <span>“…Hmm.”<span>


    <span>The next thing she knew, the lights of the fireflies were no longer visible.


    <span>By the time Rishe returned to her balcony, Arnold had already gone back to his room. She gently looked back.


    <span>The breeze blowing across the balcony at night rustled the hem of her nightdress.


    <span>The night view was much lonelier than it was earlier when she was alone.


    <i><span>… I can’t believe he wanted to gouge his eyes.</i>


    <span>Arnold’s words conveyed an aversion or disgust for his father.


    <span>However, she didn’t think it was a simple feud between father and son that caused him to be so ufortable with the color of his own eyes. After entering her room, Rishe went straight to her bunk.


    <span>Then she took out a piece of paper that she had hidden under the pillow.


    <span>This was a design drawing of the ring that Arnold has given her. Rishe looked at the drawing with its beautiful design many times before going to bed.


    <span>The ring was supposed to use a gemstone of the same color as Arnold’s eyes.


    <span>“…”


    <span>Rishe put away the design drawings again, got off her bed and went to her desk.


    <span>While looking at the pocket watch that she borrowed from Arnold, she picked up a feathered pen.


    <i><span>It’s almost the bedtime I promised His Highness.– I’ve got to do what I can until then.</i>


    <span>*


    <span>“…I’m sorry forst night, my lord.”


    <span>Oliver, Arnold’s squire, bowed in his office.


    <span>The office desk, which has only been used for a short time, was already stacked with piles and piles of documents. Nevertheless, the document Arnold was holding in his hand was the one Oliver just gave him.


    <span>“It’s fine. I was just going to call you on this matter.”


    <span>“By some chance, will you be moving right away?”


    <span>Oliver raised an eyebrow at his lord’s unexpectedmand.


    <span>“I understand the need for this, but it is somewhat premature.”


    <span>“It makes sense because he thinks so too.”


    <span>Arnold said with a cold look.


    <span>“– Besides, some damages are within calction.”


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