The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country

There was no glimpse of intense emotion on Arnold’s face.

Just a pair of cold, indifferent eyes directed towards Raul.

“Get off her.”

“…”

Despite the brief command, it made the eardrums go numb.

Even Rishe choked back a gasp. Raul, who was the direct recipient of it, must have felt even a sharper intimidation.

“I beg your pardon for this, Your Highness Arnold.”

The corners of Raul’s lips twitched for a while, before he managed a calm smile.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, but I have no excuse.”

“Your Highness Curtis!”

Rishe frowned at his misleading remarks.

“I beg your pardon. Your fiancée is dazzlingly beautiful.”

Seriously, what’s wrong with your head?

Was he aware that he was now playing the role of His Highness Curtis, the First Prince of Sigwell?

Raul had always played his subject role perfectly, but he was now saying and doing things that were impossible for Curtis. Rishe was confused by his actions, so she strengthened her arms, which had been pushing Raul away from her all along.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

The sound of Arnold’s shoes echoed through the hallway as he approached leisurely.

Arnold walked toward them with an expression that said he had no intention of dealing with Raul’s provocation at all. At first glance, his behavior was no different than usual.

But the chill in his eyes and the grit of a murderous intent in his voice dominated the air.

“I ordered you to get away from my wife.”

“―――― ……”

Raul might end up getting killed.

The pressure was so heavy and frustrating that Rishe felt it instinctively. Raul slumped and then gently removed his hand from Rishe.

Arnold grabbed the freed Rishe by the arm and pulled her close.

His touch was very gentle, but it also carried a strength that denied any refusal. Arnold looked into Rishe’s face, wrapped his arms around her shoulders where Raul had touched her, and asked in a quiet voice, “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Where else did he touch you?”

“He covered my mouth with his palm, but nothing else…”

Arnold’s shapely eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Arnold seemed to be enduring something here.

“…Other than that, are you feeling any discomfort?”

Rishe nodded immediately.

Seeing this, Arnold slowly lowered his eyes. Even though it was just a gesture, Rishe still felt a tingle of intimidation.

It was not directed at her, but at Raul, who was standing behind Arnold. But Arnold didn’t even look at Raul.

“I’ll walk you to your room. Let’s go.”

“Your Highness…”

Arnold was about to pull Rishe’s hand, when a gentle voice threw him back.

It was Raul’s voice, pretending to be Curtis.

“Do you really care for your fiancée with all your heart?”

His question echoed with a deliberate provocation against Arnold.

“If I were in your position…I would be kissing Rishe-dono right here and now to show him that I am…a pillager.”

“Your Highness, Curtis, that’s enough joking around ――”

“Or perhaps you should be slaying me right here. The rumors that Your Highness Arnold is a ruthless Crown Prince seem to be groundless.”

There was no doubt that Raul was provoking him. Rishe couldn’t figure why he was behaving that way, so she could only scowl.

However, Arnold remained unperturbed.

“…I see.”

On the contrary, he smiled generously and looked his nose down at Raul.

“It seems that your arrival to this country is against the will of your master.”

――！

It was Rishe, not Raul, who revealed her surprise.

Raul had a strange expression pasted on his face. Rishe couldn’t see through his mind, but the situation seemed to have caught him off guard.

“What do you mean by that?”