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At that moment, elsewhere in the palace—
She stood alone before a tall window.
The room behind her was dim, while beyond the glass stretched the vast imperial capital.
Framed by long lashes, her eyes silently overlooked the city below.
Her gaze drifted across the view beyond the cold pane of glass—a world that seemed close enough to touch, yet forever out of reach.
“…………”
The reflection in the window showed the magnificent diamond necklace resting against her pale throat.
She didn’t spare it so much as a glance.
Instead, her eyes remained fixed on the palace courtyard far below.
Then, almost too softly to hear, she whispered,
“…Galkhein’s happy bride.”
The words vanished into the silence like melting frost.
She turned away from the window.
Only the necklace remained, its countless diamonds quietly catching the faint light.
⸻
“As expected of Arnold’s little brother!”
Rishe smiled warmly.
Across the table, Theodore nearly spilled his teacup.
“A-And that’s not all!”
They were holding their meeting in the same palace garden where the alchemist Michelle had once demonstrated her fireworks.
Arnold had been called away briefly to deal with some official business before meeting an important guest, so while she waited, Rishe sat beneath a parasol with Theodore, listening to his latest report.
“It’s become much easier to establish a large-scale production system for Crimson Claw. Thanks to the manuals you and Diana put together, Elze and the others can make it perfectly now!”
Theodore looked away bashfully, pretending to admire the view of the imperial capital beyond the garden.
“Diana’s been preparing those maid training manuals as part of her education programme, and she’s become good friends with Elze. While you were away, everyone had some free time, so they all worked together to create an easy-to-follow production guide for the people living in the slums.”
Smiling, Rishe listened as Theodore hurriedly tried to downplay his own achievements.
“By following the manual you and Diana created, even people who can’t read can make Crimson Claw exactly the same way every time. Anyone could have thought of that.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You recognised Diana’s talent, gave her the opportunity to develop it, and found an entirely new way to apply those skills. That was your accomplishment, Theodore.”
“…Y-You’re giving me far too much credit!”
He hastily set his teacup down before leaning towards her, his expression suddenly serious.
“…Rishe.”
“Hm?”
“Are you really going to meet Father?”
Her smile faded.
“…Yes.”
“You shouldn’t.”
His answer came immediately.
“When I warned you about my brother before, it was because I was worried. This is different.”
His face grew grim.
“I’m telling you not to do it because it’s dangerous.”
(The man Arnold will one day kill…)
Instead of replying straight away, Rishe lowered her eyes.
(The Emperor of Galkhein… The man who took queens from foreign nations as political hostages. The man who only acknowledged sons born with black hair and blue eyes as worthy of living.)
Whenever Arnold spoke of his father…
A shadow always crossed those beautiful blue eyes.
(Arnold’s mother was one of the Emperor’s victims… And Arnold was wounded protecting me from the truth about her aboard that burning ship.)
The memory alone sent a chill down her spine.
She remembered the hooded man raising his sword and saying—
“That beautiful face of yours looks just like your mother’s.”
Rishe quietly clenched the fabric of her skirt.
(I still don’t know whether everything that happened between the Emperor and Arnold’s mother is what eventually led Arnold to start the war…)
But one thing had become painfully clear.
(As things stand now… Arnold will still wage war.)
She still hadn’t changed his resolve.
She had realised that much in the Canal City.
(Because it all begins with him killing his own father and taking the throne.)
Looking Theodore in the eye, she answered firmly,
“I want to meet the Emperor.”
“…………”
Theodore looked at her for a long moment.
He wanted to stop her.
She knew that.
But he also knew she wouldn’t change her mind.
After opening his mouth once, he simply sighed.
“…Just don’t do anything reckless.”
“I won’t. Thank you, Theodore.”
He pointed a finger at her.
“And when you finally meet him, you are to listen to everything my brother says. No wandering off like you usually do. Stay beside him at all times. Don’t do anything he can’t anticipate. And if something happens, don’t try to solve it yourself—let my brother handle it.”
He folded his arms.
“Promise me.”
Rishe puffed out her cheeks.
“Do you think I’m a child?”
Even so…
She understood this was Theodore’s way of worrying about her.
The Emperor had barely acknowledged Theodore’s existence despite him being his own son.
Even Rishe couldn’t forget the overwhelming killing intent she’d felt.
“…Honestly,” Theodore muttered. “Our wedding is only a few days away, and that king will be arriving today as well. I swear, you never make things easy…”
“Oh—that reminds me.”
There was something Rishe had been wondering about.
“When I asked Arnold what time our guest would arrive, he wouldn’t tell me.”
Instead, he’d simply gone off to finish some work.
“I thought we’d be preparing to welcome him together.”
“…Ah.”
Theodore blinked before giving a knowing shrug.
“Well… that’s because no one can predict when he’ll show up.”
“…You can’t?”
“Nope.”
A mischievous grin spread across Theodore’s face.
“Actually, let’s make a bet.”
“A bet?”
“Well… maybe not. You’d obviously bet on my brother instead of that king.”
He sighed dramatically.
“…Actually, I’d bet on my brother too, so there’s no point.”
“Theodore…”
Rishe laughed.
“Were you just trying to trick me into playing a game?”
Just as she said it—
Her smile vanished.
(…That presence.)
A familiar aura had entered the garden.
Before she could turn, a calm voice called out,
“Rishe… Theodore.”
“!”
Theodore immediately straightened in his chair.
Rishe rose to her feet and turned towards the approaching figure, smiling brightly.
“Arnold!”