Chapter 50.1: The Purpose of the Trip Out of the Castle

Wait a minute. You mean that ring you wear on your finger?

Perhaps there was no doubt about it. This was a jewelry shop, a place that deals with jewelry.

Who the hell is the bride then? His Royal Highness Arnold's bride, the bride, that would be...

After a few moments of contemplation, Rishe abruptly came to her senses.

That would be me!!

The moment that registered, she thought she would lose her mind.

She glanced in a panic at Arnold, but he looked sullen as usual.

He propped his cheekbones and sported a look that shouted he was doing nothing abnormal.

That made it hard to dismiss.

Wh-w-why? Could it be that a ring is required for the wedding ceremony even in Garkhain?... No, no, that can't be true! Wearing a ring on the ring finger of the left hand is meaningful only in our country. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't give a ring to a marriage partner in any other country!

If it wasn't a ceremonial necessity, what was it for then?

While she was thinking in circles, the old woman spoke, "My grandson will bring you some tea. Please have a seat on the couch, Rishe-sama."

"Um, uhh, okay ..."

"I'll get this one ready. It's been a long time since we've had a customer, so I'm very excited."

As prompted, Rishe sat next to Arnold.

Because of the three-seater sofa, there was an empty space open for one person in the middle. Feeling uncomfortable, she asked timidly, "Your Highness, um, what is this...?"

"What? Is there anything you still don't understand?"

"Of course there is!"

Thus she prodded in a series of questions.

"As I recall, I'm supposed to accompany Your Highness and do as you wish, after I lost the bet, right?"

"Precisely, your perception is correct.

"So why are we talking about buying a ring?"

It was strange, no matter how you thought about it.

As she was lost in her thoughts, Arnold quipped, looking at the pocket watch he took out of his pocket.

"All I demand of you is to have a ring."

"How on earth did you come up with that?! There should be more to it than this, isn't there? An expedient order for Your Highness, and something I don't normally do."

"Huh? Is that what you want me to do?"

"No!"

No, in a sense, she could say that.

Rishe's purpose in proposing such a bet was to bring out Arnold's real intentions and feelings. And yet, a new mystery arose instead.

"Besides, you needn't exercise your rights from the bet on this. If for some reason you wanted me to wear a ring, you could have told me and I would have done so."

"...Errr."

For some reason, Arnold was dumbfounded as he tried to say something perfectly legitimate.

"I didn't think you'd choose honestly if I said I'll buy you a ring and you can choose whichever you want."

"Ugh."

"I was afraid you dislike others from buying you things."

She couldn't reply.

Arnold was right. It was unsettling to be treated like that. Even now, she was extremely upset by this development.

"If so, you'll have to make the most of this opportunity. The gems they deal with here are top-quality. There's no limit to the money, so choose whatever catches your eye."

"But, Your Highness, I can't afford to buy something so expensive at a moment's notice."

"...Rishe."

Arnold interrupted as if he'd expected that.

"If we order the ring here, the castle will foot the bill."

"!"

The words shook Rishe's shoulders.

"You're interested in trade, and I have a surplus of private funds which I don't have much use for. Thanks to you, it won't be dead money. What do you think?"

"T-that's...!"

Arnold chuckled.

"As you've seen, the shopkeeper is a person with a strong obsession with jewels. If I spend my money here, the owner may use the profits to purchase new pieces of jewelry. To put it in a roundabout way, we'll be feeding merchants and skilled craftsmen."

"U-h-h..."

"If you want to obtain other gems from other countries, that's fine too. Because when things and people move, so does money. So, still wanna refuse?"

Zsst, devious!!!

But Arnold had a point.

It was the saddest thing for a merchant to have people with money, who were unwilling to spend it.

It was unreasonable for the royal family to splurge, but if they have a surplus of private funds, then by all means let it fall to the people.

"...I get it."

In any case, this was an 'order'. In any case, Rishe has no veto power.

"Then, I'll choose. With all my heart and soul, I will do my best."

"Ha~"

Arnold laughed in amusement and gave her a hearty cheer.