The day after celebrating her seventh "16th birthday," Rishe found herself seated on the chaise lounge in her chamber, absently gazing out the window while holding a ship's arrival schedule in her hand.
With the wedding ceremony looming close, there was a mountain of tasks to be done today as well. However, she couldn't seem to focus. Rishe's mind was filled with the newly realized emotions.
(...I... love Prince Arnold...)
Each time she repeated this thought, a mixture of embarrassment and unrest surged within her. Her worried maids had come to check on her several times since morning. However, she could only give vague responses, feeling deeply sorry for troubling them.
(It wasn't just my imagination that made me feel uneasy when thinking about His Highness...)
Reflecting on it again, several incidents came to mind.
(Just recently, His Highness Arnold kissed my hair to deceive the Emperor when we were caught in the grove by the tower...)
Just recalling that moment made her face burn. Rishe pressed both her cheeks with her hands, lost in thought.
(Was it because I already had feelings for him that I felt lonely when we quarreled like a married couple in the streets of Vinlith?)
Perhaps, it was the same reason why His Highness Arnold's words bothered her enough to turn into a "married couple's quarrel."
(Was it also because of that I felt uncomfortable seeing His Highness resting his head on my lap in the Grand Temple? Being told that I didn't have to wear the ring he had given me made me incredibly sad...)
No, it wasn't just that.
(And when His Highness Arnold kissed me for the first time in the chapel...)
Though surprised, she didn't dislike it. There was no revulsion, only a desire to understand the reason behind it. That incident happened only three weeks after meeting Arnold in her life.
"Ugh..."
On her birthday, she recalled the kisses they exchanged.
(...No matter how far back I try to remember, I can't recall a moment when I didn't like His Highness Arnold...)
Rishe had no idea when she had fallen in love with him.
(Was it perhaps love at first sight on my part? ...No, that can't be true, but still...!)
Feeling both embarrassed and fluttery, she couldn't help but wonder.
(No, I have to pull myself together! I've been too nervous just from talking with His Highness Arnold yesterday and this morning. There's also the preparation for the wedding ceremony, and...)
As Rishe thought this to herself, Arnold's voice from that day flashed in her mind.
"The resolve to be my wife? There's no need for that."
Those words stung deep in her chest.
(I have to stop His Highness Arnold's war...)
She reaffirmed such thoughts in her heart.
(Of course, just stopping it won't be enough. I need to understand what Prince Arnold Hein, the future "Emperor," was trying to achieve even if it meant using war as a means. I have to face it.)
The Arnold she fell in love with and the future Arnold who acted as a cruel emperor were the same person.
(Their way of thinking, their rationality... Arnold's genuine kindness...)
Rishe closed her eyes slowly, gripping the documents she had in her hand tightly.
(Because I admire him, I must avoid that future at all costs.)
She pledged to herself, opening her eyes.
(The key must lie with His Majesty, the current Emperor. I must not approach him carelessly. Just remembering what happened the other day makes me nervous, but...)
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Rishe-sama, may I come in?"
"Elsie, please come in!"
As Elsie entered the room, Rishe expressed her apologies with a sense of guilt. "I'm sorry for earlier. I was absent-minded, and even though everyone came to talk to me several times, I didn't notice..."
"Don't apologize, Lady Rishe. Are you feeling better now? I was a bit worried, so I'm glad you're feeling better now." Elsie replied.
Feeling relieved by Else's comforting words, Rishe felt even more guilty. It wasn't that she was unwell, but she still couldn't muster the courage to confess her feelings about Prince Arnold to Elsie and the others.
(I'm really sorry everyone. I'm going to keep it a secret a little longer...)
As she thought this to herself, Elsie handed Rishe an envelope. "This letter is for you, Lady Rishe."
"Thank you." Rishe took it, opened it, and checked its contents. The letter, starting with an apology, was actually what Rishe had been waiting for.
"Lady Rishe, what is this?" Elsie asked.
"..."
Rishe stood up and asked, "Elsie, could you help me pack? I'll probably be away for a few days again."
"U-Understood. But, Lady Rishe, the wedding ceremony is in two weeks. Won't you be very busy?" Elsie asked.
"Yes. But this trip is necessary for the wedding ceremony." Rishe said determinedly.
"Huh?" As Else tilted her head in confusion, Rishe thought to herself.
(A slight delay like this shouldn't be a problem. Rather, I've been intentionally working to cause a delay, calculating for "this situation at this time." The problem is that I need to talk to him to proceed with the plan...)
Nevertheless, Rishe had made up her mind. She would visit the person she had just realized her love for.
***
"Wedding dress for the ceremony?" Prince Arnold asked.
"Y-Yes, Your Highness Arnold..."
Facing Arnold across the desk, Rishe, still tense as ever, pleaded while tightly grasping the hem of the dress.