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

The earlier conversation made it clear that Arnold’s obstruction was among the reasons why Rishe couldn’t have a face-to-face meeting with the royal family.

His Highness Theodore, his four sisters. Her Majesty the Emperess… First and foremost, I’d like to talk about the current Emperor…

If he wouldn’t even let her say hello to them, then she has a long way to go. As she meditated on this, she was reminded of Arnold’s warning last night.

Stay away from his brother, huh?

Arnold and Theodore have a rocky sibling relationship. Or it might be because they were brothers.

What could be a reason for this? Firstly, to prevent me from doing something to His Highness Theodore. Secondly, to prevent me and His Highness Theodore from colluding with each other and becoming Arnold Hein’s enemy. Thirdly, lest His Highness Theodore do something to me. But…

If that were the case, then there had to be some reason why Arnold gave Rishe precedence over his own brother.

“Can I ask you something?”

While walking down the cloister between the remote castle and the main castle, Rishe looked back at the knights.

“Are His Highness Arnold and His Highness Theodore on good terms?”

“Erm…”

She dared to ask the obvious, which made the knights terribly agitated.

“Rishe-sama, that’s something we can’t talk about.”

“That’s alright. Then, have you been ordered to keep me away from his brother?”

“Rishe-sama, we can’t speak about that either.”

She felt apologetic hearing the response was more eloquent than verbal affirmation.

“I’m sorry for asking you something strange. I’ll arrange for a supply of wine to be brought to your quarters again, and I hope you all enjoy it.”

“Sure, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

“The entire Order has always been delighted to receive Rishe-sama’s gifts. All of them said, [She understands the hearts of knights.]”

“Hahaha…”

She already knew that for the most part. Because, she of all people, had once been a knight.

However, I have to gather information. If it’s difficult to get it from the knights, then I think the best way will still be…

As she was mulling over this, she heard a familiar voice.

“Arrange the manpower there. I’ll get back to you on the platoon formation.”

Huh?

Rishe stopped in the middle of the cloister and looked towards the training grounds.

Arnold was there too.

He was talking to an elderly man at the entrance to the training grounds. He was, she believed, the man who claimed to be a Count military officer at the recent soiree.

He had two knights standing behind him, while he looked at Arnold bitterly.

“With all due respect, Your Highness Arnold, but what is the use of protecting the people so generously? At this rate, some of the noblemen and lords will be dissatisfied.”

“The nobles have their own private army. Yet the state has to provide them with allowances to maintain it. If you’re still ranting about how it’s not enough, then let the rest say what they want.”

“Your Highness!　Please reconsider. I wouldn’t say your father will like your arrangements.”

“…”

At his words, Arnold glared at the Count with a chilly gaze.

“I’m not open for objections.”

“Hi…”

It was a gaze that seemed to take the breath away, even to bystanders like them. The knights beside Rishe also gulped and cleared their throats.

How tense… The air seems so glacial, it’s almost numbing.

“—…”

It was at this time that Arnold noticed them. Although they were far apart, their eyes met head-on.

Rishe felt a little embarrassed having caught peeking at him where he worked.

That’s probably a, ‘any comment?’ look. Uhm.

From what she overheard, what Arnold said seemed like a sound argument. For the time being, she has to show support.

She pondered how to go about it. Eventually, Rishe was struck with an idea. So with a serious face, she clenched her fist and raised it in front of her face.

It was the so-called ‘good luck, get them’ pose.

I wonder if he got the message.

In response to Rishe’s seriousness, Arnold raised his eyebrows with all his might. While she was impatient wondering if her intention was conveyed, he sighed.

“…”

— Then he chuckled softly.

“Huh?”

That was too gentle a look, so Rishe quickly braced herself on the spur of a moment. If she had her own sword, she might have reflexively pulled it out of its scabbard.

Because he still had such a wintry look in his eyes even though the rage he was holding in seemed to have abated.

What’s with that face?

T/N: I’ll finish the second part tomorrow.