In the afternoon of that day, Rishe, who was accompanying Arnold on his official duties, turned back at the groaning of her former fiancé.
They were visiting a checkpoint within the walls surrounding the city of Galkhein, located within the fortress of the capital.
Having been reading documents, Rishe approached him, who was sitting in a corner of the checkpoint with his head in his hands.
"What's wrong, Your Highness Dietrich?"
"It's not 'what's wrong'!!"
Dietrich shouted energetically, pointing his finger at Rishe, while with his other hand, he tousled his own hair.
"What's wrong, of course, is Arnold and none other than you, Rishe!! What on earth is happening!? Ever since I joined in the afternoon, it's been one official duty after another! I was hoping that since you're accompanying him today, Arnold would take more breaks!"
"...?"
"Don't give me that 'what is he talking about' look!! What's with you guys? Don't you ever think of resting? Or do you need to work constantly or you'll die without breathing!?"
"W-Well...!"
Rishe was taken aback by Dietrich, who seemed to be breathing through his shoulders.
"Just earlier, it was the sewer facility, then the Merchant Guild, and now this checkpoint!! You keep making suggestions, and Arnold immediately tries them out! If anything, today, with you being here, the tasks are even more demanding than yesterday!?"
(I... I don't have a comeback for that!)
Then Rishe glanced briefly at Arnold, who was talking to a bureaucrat, a little distance away. Arnold and the bureaucrat were discussing the method of managing the documents at this checkpoint, considering the method Rishe had proposed earlier.
Rishe had suggested a method similar to the one she had seen in a huge library she had visited in her past life, to search for records of people entering and leaving the capital, which had been taking a long time until now.
(It's true, it's been five hours since the afternoon duties started. Dietrich must be at his limit...)
After leaving the theater, Rishe and the others had lunch and then started their activities with the tired-looking Dietrich and Gutheil.
Rishe had planned to observe Arnold's official duties as scheduled and also try to find out about Gutheil's movements. However, as she watched Arnold at work, she accidentally got engrossed in that as well.
"I'm sorry, I got carried away... When I ask questions or make suggestions, His Highness Arnold immediately elevates them to a higher level and practical discussions keep coming up, so I got carried away...!"
"It's obvious you were enjoying yourself, that's why I'm scared!"
"Haha. His Highness Arnold and Lady Rishe seem to have very similar ways of thinking when it comes to official duties."
"Lord Oliver...!"
As Rishe and Dietrich talked in a corner of the checkpoint, their attendant, Oliver, passed by. Although Oliver was smiling, his cheeks seemed somewhat sunken.
"I'm sorry, Lord Oliver. It's because I made an indiscreet proposal that the conversation kept progressing..."
"No, no, I'm deeply grateful. It was an issue that took time with document viewing, and the sooner we try it, the sooner we'll see results. His Highness Arnold dislikes bringing work home, so he tries to implement everything on the spot. I'm used to it, so it's not a problem."
"I-I can't believe it, 'dislikes bringing work home'...? Even if it's work that can wait until tomorrow...!"
Dietrich, trembling, muttered as Oliver smiled wryly and spoke.
"People have different efficient ways of doing things. If seeing my master's way can be of reference to Lord Dietrich, I'd be grateful."
"Hmm...!"
Just then, Arnold looked over and called for his attendant.
"Oliver."
"Yes, I'm coming right away. Well then."
After selecting documents from the desk, Oliver returned to Arnold's side. Watching Oliver walk away, Dietrich sighed.
"Both the master and the attendant are extraordinary..."
"Please be careful not to speak ill, Dietrich."
As Prince Arnold said. Somehow, Sir Gutheil is accompanying him on today's official duties...)
The tall knight, Gutheil, stood by the door as one of the guards, showing a slightly uncomfortable demeanor.
(Gutheil mentioned he likes Sylvia, right?)
I recall Sylvia, who was crying earlier because Gutheil mentioned he liked her but said they couldn't be lovers.
(Did he tell Sylvia that because her father was a criminal? Or perhaps Gutheil's future is closed off because of her father's crimes...)
I'm still concerned about Gutheil from last night. He was patrolling the castle, and he extended his patrol to areas rarely visited. There must be some reason behind it.
(But there's a sense of unease. ...Considering Prince Arnold's vigilance, there's supposed to be someone targeting Gutheil and providing intelligence. Could Gutheil be involved in that matter?)
And then Rishe realizes something.
(Maybe...)
But she didn't want to show her thoughts on her face just yet.
To divert attention, she pretended to read the documents spread out in front of her. However, she noticed Dietrich's expression right in front of her.
"Dietrich, Your Highness?"
"..."
Dietrich silently stared at Arnold with deep emerald eyes framed by golden lashes. "...Arnold, as the Crown Prince, can be said to be flawless. He shows no personal desires, dedicates himself to his duties calmly, and possesses exceptional intellect. And he's skilled in swordsmanship too, right? His participation in wars boosts the morale of the knights, like a god of war."
(Dietrich praising someone...?)
Rishe was surprised internally. Dietrich had never uttered such straightforward praise before, except for Marie, who captured his heart.
"Dietrich, Your Highness...?"
"But, he's too perfect in every way."
His words widened Rishe's eyes involuntarily.
"Every time I do something, I've always thought, 'My abilities are not enough.' It's natural. Everything I accomplish must be something grand, recognized by everyone! However, even geniuses face unfortunate days. The days of frustration when things don't go as planned were bitter and painful..."
Dietrich spoke sincerely, unlike his usual self.
"Perhaps someone like Prince Arnold, who was born 'perfect as the Crown Prince from the start,' has a different kind of hardship."
...!
Such an opinion from him was unexpected for Rishe.
Such an opinion coming from him caught Rishe completely off guard.
"Well, I'd say I have it tougher! But, I am the future true king. It is through numerous hardships that one can become a splendid ruler..."
"Dietrich, Your Highness. What specifically did Prince Arnold find challenging?"
"Listen to me until the end! ...Well, in essence..."
Under Rishe's scrutiny, Dietrich, feeling a bit uneasy, cleared his throat.
"We, who were born into royalty, didn't necessarily wish for it."
Even when they met at the theater a few days ago, Dietrich was crying, saying, "I didn't choose to be the Crown Prince." However, his current statement seemed to carry a different intention.
"Even so, royalty, especially the Crown Prince, is expected to serve selflessly. Certainly, with this status, one wouldn't feel financial constraints. But in exchange, if we can't dedicate ourselves entirely to the country, we're not even allowed to exist."
Rishe had no right to comment on Dietrich's statement.
Despite receiving rigorous education to become the Duchess and eventually the Crown Princess, she was still different from royalty. She could only imagine what it meant to inherit a kingdom and eventually rule over it.
"Yet everyone somehow manages to find small personal joys while living. Like Marie is to me."
In Rishe's mind floated the faces of the royals she had met before.
There were kings who loved collecting jewels, kings who enjoyed carousing with the common folk, princes who rejoiced in the development of their country, princesses who loved reading, and princes who cherished their sisters.
"But, um, what shall I say... Arnold, he... he seemed completely devoid of such human warmth... No, he does have it, doesn't he? But isn't it odd? He says he finds eating during official duties bothersome, doesn't even look at the city's scenery. Apart from fulfilling the duties given to him, he seems to have no interest in anything. It was truly terrifying to watch him up close."
"Dietrich, Your Highness..."
Next, Dietrich muttered these words.
It seemed more like his own soliloquy than a conversation with Rishe.
"Arnold Hein is giving up all human happiness..."
Rishe was taken aback by that statement.
"That's how it seems to me."
"That's..."
For Dietrich, it was probably a simple question. After all, he was the Crown Prince. Being close to Arnold, he could view Arnold's stoic behavior from a close perspective. But to Rishe, Dietrich's seemingly casual evaluation appeared to succinctly capture Arnold's pseudo-malicious behavior.
"...Dietrich, Your Highness, you often speak profound truths unexpectedly. Come to think of it, you used to..."
"Alright! I'll ask him directly, 'Isn't living like that painful?!'"
"Huh?"
Seeing Rishe dumbfounded, Dietrich straightened his back and puffed out his chest.
"Yes, let's do it! Extending a helping hand equally to those rumored to be cold-hearted. Such just actions embody my future as the next king of Hermity!"
"Uh, um, please wait, Your Highness Dietrich!"