Chapter 50.3

"No, um, wait, that's not it! Please wait, I didn't mean to sound crazy! I really don't have any other intentions. I just like the color of His Highness Arnold's eyes and always thought them beautiful!

" Fufufu , you always thought that, is that so? All right, please wait a minute. From that angle, I have a recommendation for you."

"Ahh, Shopkeeper!"

Even though she was aided by her cane, the old woman disappeared into the back quite quickly.

As a result, only Rishe and Arnold were left behind.

"Uhmmm..."

Arnold didn't say anything from earlier. But she didn't want him to pursue the subject.

Rishe covered her face with both hands, and dipped her head on the spot. She couldn't very well glance at Arnold's corner.

"... Please forget that one just now..."

"..."

****

Although there was a lot of commotion, they managed to pick a stone from there. The "special stone" that was brought out from the back was exactly what Rishe wanted - magnificent.

She felt awkward afterwards, but after a while she managed to regain normalcy.

The making of the ring itself would be done by the grandson.

And now, having left the shop, Rishe was at a certain place with Arnold.

"It's a scenic view. The breeze is cool and pleasant."

They were on top of the outer wall that surrounded the Imperial Capital.

The Imperial Capital of Garkhain was like a fortress in the city itself - with a wall several meters thick enclosing the city.

The place where the archers take up position when enemies attacked was said to be open to the public as a street in normal times.

After leaving the jewelry store, Arnold brought Rishe there.

Just below was the grand gate to the entrance of the Imperial Capital, where the carriage traffic was busy.

It was enjoying watching it, but it was already dusk.

"Look, the big sunset will soon set in the direction of the Imperial Palace."

"...Yeah, right."

"So this is what it looks like from this side."

The usual view overlooking the city was from the castle. The scenery from the other side was fresh and she never got tired of all sorts of things.

As she was thinking, Arnold, who was standing next to her, suddenly asked her, "Why is the ring finger on your left hand?"

"Huh?"

"You specified to measure the size of that finger."

"It's a... custom."

She didn't want to go into too much detail about that.

In Rishe's country, it was commonplace for wedding rings to be worn as such, but it was embarrassing to think that she was aware of it.

"Your Highness, why did you give me a ring? Is there a deeper reason for it?"

"Apart from that, the ring doesn't mean much. But you've been working with your hands a lot, haven't you? You've been busy concocting pills, doing miscellaneous chores, and all sorts of things."

Speaking of which, she suddenly remembered.

While she was working in front of him, he often glanced at her hand and observed them with interest.

"I thought it must look nice to see those fingers fitted with the jewelry I gave you."

"That's..."

She was discomfited hearing that.

How should she reply?

After hesitating, Rishe blurted out: "Then you'll be the first I'll show the ring to once it is done."

"Hmm."

That was all the exchange she could carry out.

After taking a huff and a puff, Rishe wondered what time it was.

I'm fine with it, but what about His Highness Arnold? He's been looking at his watch when we left the shop, and it's almost sunset. If he's concerned about the time, it's probably time to go home...

Then it occurred to her.

Wrong.

Arnold wasn't worried about the time to get back to the castle or anything like that.

If he was anxious about the time to return, he should have glanced at his watch more often afterwards... But throughout the time we have been here at the Great Gate, His Highness never picked his watch up once.

That meant he wasn't worried about the time anymore.

Even though he had checked his pocket watch many times in the market and in that jewelry store.

Perhaps

There was something that had been bothering Rishe for the past few days.

So she took a soft deep breath and smiled.

"By the way, there's a rumor going on among the maids that the Count of Rovine is in the Imperial Castle, is it true?"

"Yeah, I let him stay for a short time to mentor the knight cadets."

"I see. His fame is renown, and I'd be glad to meet him as well. Why the Count?"

"I called him because Rovine is best fit at mentoring inexperienced people."

"Your Highness -"

Her smile disappeared and she looked up at Arnold beside her.

"Who are we waiting for here?"

"..."