Chapter 6: 6

This is a retranslation since copies of the early chapters have been lost. I'll translate as fast as possible, but please enjoy the updates for now.

What Did He Just Say?

「As expected, you’re skilled with the sword indeed.」

　The sound of the blades scraping against each other echoed. As Arnold sheathed his sword, Rishe also slowly lowered hers.

　However, they did not take their eyes off each other.

「Who the hell are you?!」

「Please stand down, Sir Knights. Things will only get even more complicated if you get involved.」

　Rishe’s warning puzzled the knights.

　However, she couldn’t have the knights of the kingdom confront the Crown Prince of a kingdom they were at peace with.

(And I’m sure that even if everyone present work together, they wouldn’t be able to beat this man.)

　What terrifyingly precise swordsmanship. Rishe’s hand, which received that sword, was completely numb from that blow.

　Five years later, he would be even stronger than now, so he was a terrifying man.

「By the way, Rishe, where on earth did you learn that swordplay?」

「It’s a secret. Besides, it’s not worth your compliment. You obviously cut me some slack with that blow you just gave me.」

「Hahaha, was it that obvious?」

(He’s laughing…Errr, Arnold Hein…)

　Rishe was perplexed, looking at Arnold, who was seemingly enjoying himself.

　The man she had seen in her other lives had always sported terrifying devil-like expression, or a ruthless look on his face. Yet, his aura now was somewhat gentler.

(Since the Arnold I knew was 24 years old, he should be 19 now, right?… How strange. No wonder he still has a juvenile look, and the way he laughs is more like a mischievous boy.)

　His earlier strike was more of an invitation to play rather than an attack. The dab of killing intent mixed into it was probably not serious, but was intended to get Rishe to respond. Emitting bloodthirstiness for sun was just ridiculous, though.

　While Rishe was observing Arnold, Marie and Dietrich, who had been stunned in the background, snapped back to their senses.

「Excuse me! I don’t know who you are, but please but please stay away from Lady Rishe!」

「Yes, yes, yes! Who the hell are you anyway?!」

（You stupid Crown Prince, you don’t even know the face of the distinguished guest you’ve invited!)

　Was there no time for them to meet in person before the soiree? I wondered, but then again, Dietrich had no interest in diplomacy at all, so maybe there was none.

　Marie, on the other hand, seemed to have perceived Arnold’s unusual air.

　Her voice trembled with fear, but she seemed to have mustered her courage for Rishe’s sake. If it weren’t for their relationship as 『the Crown Prince’s fiancée』 and 『the girl who had to marry the Crown Prince by any means necessary,』Rishe might have avoided a confrontation with her.

　Arnold unconcernedly raised his chin toward Dietrich. 

「Is that guy over there your ex-fiancé? He looks even dumber than I thought.」

「Say w-what?! Do you want to be executed too?!」

「Dietrich-sama, I beg you, please shut up. And Your Highness Arnold, you know that he’s the Crown Prince of this kingdom, yet you’re still provoking him.」

「I don’t understand what you’re talking about. But if he’s indeed the Crown Prince, of course I’ll watch my mouth.」

　It was whitewashed denial. 

　Dietrich and his company, on the other hand, turned pale when they found out who the black-haired man was.

「A-Arnold?! Is he perhaps the Crown Prince of the Garkhain Kingdom?!」

「Gasp…!!!」

　The knights almost fell back, and then stopped, as if ashamed of themselves. Even the townspeople who had gathered to watch the commotion looked at Arnold tremblingly.

「Is he the monster Crown Prince who single-handedly wiped out enemy knights?」

「Don’t be stupid! You’ll get yourself killed talking like that!”」

　Although they had made peace now, they awere still dealing with the dreaded Prince of a former enemy state.

　Arnold was still feared in the kingdom, though not as much as in the world five years later, along with bloody rumors about him. The spectators seemed too afraid to show their backs to Arnold and run away, so they stood petrified behind the knights.

(Things just got troublesome…)

　Rishe took a deep breath, almost a sigh, and looked up at Arnold.

「Your Highness Arnold, may I ask what business you have here? I doubt that Your Highness drew your your sword just for the heck of it.」

「…Ahh」

　Arnold seemed to agree.

「You’re right, I should cut to the chase. No, let me apologize for my rudeness first.」

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(Huh? So this guy can properly apologize to others at nineteen.)

　What a surprise. I had heard that after he became Emperor, he beheaded every one of his vassals who attempted to remonstrate against his reckless invasion.

　But what astounded Rishe even more was the actions he took next.

「Eh…」

　Arnold knelt down in front of Rishe.

(No freaking way?!)

　Five years later, the Emperor would lead an elite army to invade foreign countries.

　Arnold, who gave everyone else the cold-shoulder, was noble and arrogant. So for Rishe, who once stood on the battlefield as his enemy, this was an incredible sight.

　Moreover, he bowed and assumed the posture of a knight, swearing allegiance to his lord.

　If it had not been Arnold doing so, Rishe would have found it a terribly picturesque sight. In fact, even those scurried away in terror of Arnold earlier were sighing in admiration.

　But Rishe was feeling the complete opposite.

「What are you doing?! Your Highness, the Crown Prince, shouldn’t be kneeling in a place like this!」

「I apologize for my sudden impudence, and I humbly ask ――」

　Arnold looked up and took Rishe’s hand.

　He pulled Rishe a tad too hard, making her stumble forward. He then regarded Rishe from up close.

(Uh….)

　No matter how many times I see him, his beauty is so breathtaking that I’m almost dazzled.

　Shaped eyebrows, a straight nose, and long eyelashes.

　His sharply lit blue eyes remind me of an ice adrift in a distant northern kingdom that I saw from a boat in my past life.

　Is it a kind of escapism that made me think of something so irrelevant?

　Arnold pulled Rishe’s attention back. 

「Please, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?」

「………. Huh?」

　What did you just say?

　Rishe looked around and found that everyone was looking at her in shock. She looked forward again and down at Arnold on his knees.

「… Your wife?」

「Yes.」

「Me, yours?」

「Uh-huh.」

「………..」

　This series of affirmation told her that the current situation was no dream. 

　The moment Rishe registered this completely unexpected development, even she couldn’t’ string a word of response.

(Wait, what’s this all about?)

　She was so agitated that her eyes flickered.

　He was asking her to marry him, her, Rishe, to Arnold.

　To the man who killed her in another life.

(This situation is making me totally dizzy. I have no idea what he means or what his purpose is, but… I’d better answer quickly…) 

　As the people around them watched with bated breath, Rishe replied resolutely.

「I refuse.」

「………..」

　It was obvious.

　Of course she would refuse such a proposal. She vowed to survive this time and lead a peaceful and carefree life.

　―― And yet, why?

「Pfft, hahaha!」

(… Why are you laughing so happily!!)

　Arnold’s hearty laughter aroused nothing but foreboding in Rishe.

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