Chapter 56.1: What my teacher taught me.

Arnold stood there with arrogance, as if it were blissfully natural.

His features were remarkable, no matter how many times she looked at it. Rishe thought as she obeyed in a daze.

Why is His Highness Arnold here to pick me up....!

The knight by her side softly informed in a whisper, as if he heard that question.

"'Earlier, when I was arranging for His Highness Kyle's escort, I also visited His Highness Arnold's office. I was ordered to inform His Highness as soon as the medication was finished."

"N-no, that's not what I'm wondering about..."

What she didn't understand was why Arnold came to be here now. She sure would understand if he was present at the refining of the medicine, but what was the point in showing up afterwards?

"... Is that man the scholar in question?"

His eyes were on Michel, sitting on the couch in the reception room. His frosty stare almost indifferent.

Putting her own doubts to the side, Rishe nodded, yes.

"This is Michel Evan from Koyor. He's very knowledgeable and he's going to teach me a lot during his stay."

"Fufu, I'm honored for that introduction. I guess I'll have to put on my best manners."

Michel stood up from the couch and bowed gracefully to Arnold. His golden hair flowed smoothly along with it.

"Nice to meet you, good evening. Are you the country's Crown Prince? Thank you very much for letting us have access to the Royal Library."

Duh, I hope that's okay...

She watched, flabbergasted, as Michel greeted Arnold on her side. Michel has never been interested in worldly affairs and was quite free in his interpersonal relationships.

After all, he treated even the prince of a country, Kyle, the same way as he treated his student, Rishe. She couldn't think of other people, other than Michel, who could stroke the head of a grown-up royal.

When he met the princess of a certain country, he said, "How do you do? Your hair looks soft and lovely. I'd like to use it for an experiment. Could you cut off a lock of it?" He smiled at her, angering the squire, a knight, by her side.

It wasn't surprising to see such behavior displayed before Arnold.

In the unlikely event that Teacher tries to stroke His Highness Arnold's head, he must be stopped at all costs...

Although she braced herself, Arnold responded with little change in his expression.

"... If you need anything in sharing your knowledge with your wife, we will provide it here. I understand that the foreign minister will be showing you around the imperial capital tomorrow, but if there are any inconveniences, please feel free to say it."

These words came out of the blue and surprised Rishe.

Michel seemed happy, and smiled without regard to Arnold's stoic expression.

"I appreciate that. Then, I'll be asking you to do a lot of things for me without reservation."

"... Rishe, let's go."

"O-Okay. Good night, Teacher."

Rishe walked out as well, chasing after Arnold, who left quickly.

Just before she left the room, someone called out from behind.

"Rishe."

When she looked back, Michel was still smiling serenely.

It was the same smile those days. Rishe's eyes narrowed, feeling somewhat nostalgic.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Go ahead and think about what you want to know."

"... Sure. Thank you, teacher."

And the door was slowly closed.

Those days seem a long, long time ago.

That thought lingered in her mind as she walked down the corridor of the main castle with Arnold.

The knight guards followed from a little distance behind. The one who broke the silence first was Arnold.

"In your opinion, is that man capable?"

"You mean, Teacher? He is!"

She had a long conversation with him before calling Kyle, so that it wouldn't be strange that she knew too much about Michel.

Of course, Rishe explained, while trying not to accidentally blurt something about future events.

"I heard you speak just now. Michel Evan is the same man known throughout the world for his amazing work. He has done so many wonderful things, so it's quite embarrassing for me to judge him."

"... I don't know what such a man wants to do in Koyor. From the sound of his name, he isn't from that country."

"No, it's just because the food there is palatable ..."

She actually knew why, but she didn't hear that in their earlier conversation, so she covered it up.

Nevertheless, Arnold's opinion of the Koyor Kingdom still remained low. With that in mind, she decided to ask the question she had earlier.

"More than that, Your Royal Highness, why did you come to pick me up all of a sudden?"