Chapter 126.1

"When consulted, wanting to take a walk along the beach, someone showed me this beach. ―― I didn't expect you two to be here. I'm sorry to bother you."

Another fat lie...

There was no way that Raul hadn't noticed that Rishe and Arnold were on the beach.

Raul chuckled at the sight of Rishe's wet hair and dress, and held out her hat to her.

His laughter was so identical to the real Curtis.

"Here you go."

"...Thank you very much."

Rishe thanked him, but warily received his favor. Raul's appearance was as if he was observing their movements.

Rishe trusted Raul in her life as a hunter, but she was now clueless about his purpose.

Under his watch, Rishe should approach with caution.

While Rishe was thinking, a hand reached out beside her.

"Your Highness Arnold."

Arnold stood beside her and took the hat that Raul offered her.

"I thank you on behalf of my wife... Rishe."

Arnold plopped the hat on her head.

Rishe held it with both hands and fastened it on tightly, looking up at Arnold and Raul in turn.

"Thank you, both of you."

"......"

"......"

However, the two didn't look at Rishe.

Raul, pretending to be Curtis, smiled and told Arnold, "Thank you for bringing the merchants for Harriet this morning. She's very interested in Garkhain's products."

Arnold, on the other hand, maintained a blank expression, as if he didn't care.

"I'm glad to hear that. If you have any other requests, please feel free to let us know."

"In that case, I would very much like to speak with Rishe-dono."

"......"

Raul smiled at Rishe and added, "My sister told me that you are also an avid reader. I'd like to have a chance to chat with you after dinner."

No matter how you look at it, I don't think you're after a chat...

Raul's gaze shifted to Arnold again.

At that moment, Rishe flinched when she realized that Raul could be observing Arnold.

[Arnold Hein may be wounded.]

She was reminded of that phrase from her life as a hunter.

Arnauld was now in a shirt with his jacket off, which meant he was wearing less clothing than usual. It was easier to study his body movements and quirks when he was wearing light clothing.

If Raul sees through His Highness Arnold's scars...

That was Arnold's only weakness; a scar that he probably didn't want people to know much about.

Not wanting to reveal it to Raul, Rishe decided to get his attention.

"... Of course, Your Highness Curtis!"

Rishe said brightly and stepped forward with a smile.

Of course, there was no way Rishe could hide Arnold, who was taller than her, but it would be nice if she could protect him a little by doing this.

"What kind of books do you read, Your Highness?"

"Any book that can be called a book, no matter what the subject. I like to pick up anything that has words on it and read it."

It certainly sounded like something Curtis would say, and Rishe nodded with a forced smile.

"I know exactly how you feel."

"I'm glad you feel the same way, Rishe-dono. On a summer day like today, I would love to lie in the shade of a tree and read. Add some sweets by my side, and that would be perfect."

Note that Raul hated sweets.

The real Curtis has a sweet tooth, so he must be acting it out. However, for Rishe, who knew Raul inside and out, the conversation was too bland.

Even if it's just a superficial exchange, I must somehow divert his attention away from His Highness Arnold...!

However, despite Rishe's best efforts, Raul smiled at Arnold again.

"You are truly a wonderful fiancée. I really envy you, Arnold-dono."

Tsk, Raul, you idiot!

Rishe protested deep inside without losing her smile.

Why are you smiling provocatively at His Highness Arnold?

Rishe had no idea how Arnold reacted to Raul's look. But before she could turn around Raul continued.

"I was very surprised when I received the news that His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of Garkhain had suddenly announced his engagement to a young lady from another country, and that the wedding would take place only three months later."

His red eyes shot straight at Arnold, behind Rishe.

"It was too abrupt...Are you that crazy about your fiancée, Arnold-dono?"

"......"

In an instant, Rishe felt as if the air had chilled.

Perhaps it was Arnold's silent gaze at Raul. Rishe could no longer bear to listen, so she tried to divert the topic.

"Uhm, Your Highness, Curtis, I'm sorry to interrupt, but Harriet-sama..."

However, Rishe's words were cut off.

It was not Raul in front of her, but Arnold standing behind her.

"――Yeah, I am."

"!"

Arnold reached out a hand and hugged Rishe tightly around her waist.

Arnold bent down, took off the hat he put on her, and nuzzled Rishe's ear from behind.

He stared at Raul and said, "I couldn't help but fall in love with her at first sight."

"―― ...... !!"

His declaration caused a sting on Rishe's left chest.

Arnold naturally must have noticed the stiffening of her body.

But Arnold didn't care. He slowly told Raul in a low voice that seemed to carve into Rishe's eardrums, "I sincerely wish to have her, and I courted her by any means necessary to get her nod...I'm in such a hurry to marry her, because I want to make her my wife as soon as possible."

"Er, Your Highness..."

Rishe tried to escape from Arnold's hands, but he caught her left hand this time.

Arnold's hand locked it from behind, and intertwined their fingers.

"If I didn't do this, another man might take her away from me."

"......."

If it were only words, it would have sounded like a dizzyingly passionate whisper.

But Rishe knew exactly what he was doing.

Arnold's words have the ring of a fat lie.

Of course, it wasn't that Arnold couldn't hide it, but perhaps he didn't conceal it on purpose.

He did it so that Rishe would know that every word he was weaving now were lies directed at the man in front of them.

All right...

Rishe cleared her throat.

No problem, I'm aware of His Highness' intentions.

Rishe was naturally concerned about the short time before their wedding. After all, he had asked her to marry him in May, and the ceremony would take place in the middle of August.

Rishe was supposed to marry her first fiancé, Dietrich, in September of this year.

Because of this, her bridal gown and other preparations were underway to a certain extent, but this was probably not the case on Garkhain's side.

She heard that they went to a great deal of trouble to prepare for the ceremony and also to invite guests from various countries. Because it was an invitation from the Great Power, Garkhain, royalties and nobility of other countries also expressed their willingness to attend.

Arnold was a rational man and would never do such a thing without any thought.

In addition, there was no way that the kind of infatuation he had just expressed could be the reason for such urgency.

Rishe knew it very well.

"...I'm sure you'll be a happy bride, Rishe-dono."

Raul said with a cramped smile.

This was the first time Rishe had seen his composure crumble, including in her hunter life. Rishe wondered if Arnold glared at Raul menacingly behind her.