It was the hour when the evening's festivities had come to a close.
Walking beside Arnold in the deserted imperial palace after the guests had left, Rishe, her hand gently resting on his arm, couldn't help but feel quite content.
The hem of her rose-colored dress fluttered in the soft evening breeze. The gardens spread out on both sides of the corridor were bursting with flowers unique to this season.
The breeze, hinting at the impending arrival of summer, caressed Rishe's hair.
"What a wonderful evening," she said, her cheeks flushed despite not being intoxicated. Rishe looked up at Arnold beside her and smiled as she spoke.
"Your Highness Arnold, thank you for accompanying me to the evening's festivities once again."
"It's only natural for me to accompany my wife to social gatherings."
"But, Your Highness, I heard you dislike evening parties?"
According to Oliver, Arnold rarely attended evening parties before Rishe came to this country. He had never escorted women or danced before.
Watching Arnold accompany her so naturally and gallantly made Rishe realize that there was nothing he couldn't do.
"I am aware that I have involved you in my social and business connections. Therefore..."
"I've told you."
Arnold's voice, looking down at her with his blue eyes, remained as calm as ever.
But it was indeed a gentle voice, clearly conveying his message to Rishe.
"I will continue to support and assist you in achieving your aspirations."
Rishe couldn't help but be astonished by those words.
Feeling oddly embarrassed, she instinctively lowered her head, but at that moment, she felt something amiss with her earring.
"What's wrong?"
Arnold immediately stopped.
Rishe's dangling earring had gotten tangled in her coral-colored hair.
"I'm sorry. It seems to have caught..."
She tried to untangle it quickly, but it was difficult to examine closely with the gloves she wore for the evening.
(I have to take off the gloves. But they're tied with ribbons at the wrists, so it will take some time...)
Feeling sorry for keeping Arnold waiting, she thought of suggesting that he return to the palace first.
However, at that moment, Arnold, who was wearing black gloves, effortlessly took them off his hands.
Unlike Rishe's gloves, his came off easily, revealing Arnold's large hands.
They were well-formed and elegant, with a hint of ruggedness typical of someone who wields a sword. His beautiful hands reached out to Rishe.
"I'll take care of it."
"Ah!"
His touch was ticklish, causing Rishe to gasp.
"It's caught on the clasp. Wait a moment."
"Y-Yes... Ah!"
Arnold's fingers, which were undoing the tangle, gently touched Rishe's earring, earlobe, and hair.
"..."
Although she wanted to remain calm, it was too ticklish. Rishe slightly tilted her head and giggled, trying to suppress her laughter.
"Rishe."
"B-Because it's ticklish...!"
Arnold called out Rishe's name as if gently reproaching her for not being still.
His tone carried a faint scolding, yet it was very gentle.
After a small sigh, the discomfort near her ear disappeared.
"There. Is that better?"
Rishe exhaled the breath she had been holding and smiled with delight at Arnold's consideration.
"Yes, I'm fine now! ...Thank you so much, Your Highness."
"..."
Then Arnold scrutinized Rishe with a steady gaze.
"Is something the matter?"
"No."
Then, as if it were nothing, he said:
"I just thought that you've become much more receptive to being touched."
It probably wasn't meant to be teasing or anything.
It was simply a statement of fact. But it made Rishe acutely aware of her own change, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
(...That means, I've...)
Thinking about it any further felt dangerous. Rishe quickly moved behind Arnold and gently pushed his back forward.
"L-Let's hurry back to the palace...! Since you've been accompanying me to the evening parties day after day, Your Highness, you need to rest early...!"
"Got it. You don't have to push. ...Let's go home."
Prompted by Arnold, who turned back, Rishe timidly grasped his arm.
And so, the two of them walked back to the palace together, through the night within the imperial castle.
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7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation
العاطفيةThis is a fan-translation of 7th Time Loop Volume 6 web novel. Please support the author, Touko Amekawa, and purchase the official English light novel translation when it is released (date TBD). The web novel is free and publically available in Jap...
