Thus, the two of them set off into the imperial capital's market. Rishe's heart soared as they mixed with the crowds, the colorful tarp roofs of the stands beautiful under the blue sky.
"Fresh berries here! Try one! They're a beautiful color, aren't they?"
"The stuff I got here is all Coyolles specialties, on sale today only! Our ship came in to Ceutena a week ago. Miss this chance, and who knows when you'll get another one!"
"Aah!"
Rishe was enjoying herself so much that the delight spilled from her lips in squeaks and gasps.
The merchants were animated, and the customers chatted avidly as they shopped. Just being in this vibrant space gave Rishe energy.
"Look at that! Over th—"
When Rishe stopped short, Arnold looked at her with curiosity. "What is it?"
He couldn't possibly have guessed what was bothering her.
"Don't worry, it's nothing."
"Hrm? Well, whatever. Just don't stop in the middle of the road—we'll get separated. Worst-case scenario, I'll have to put a leash on you."
"Aha ha ha. Good joke! You almost had me fooled."
"…"
"I-It is a joke, right?!" Rishe fought to compose herself, tugging at Arnold's sleeve. "Anyway, check out that fruit vendor. They seem to be from Coyolles—I want to take a look."
She walked to a stall a few meters away and picked the most succulent fruit from the bunch. As she paid, she asked the well-built woman running the stand to slice up her purchase. The woman nodded, peeling the large, oval-shaped fruit's hard skin, revealing the perfectly ripe flesh inside. Rishe returned to Arnold with the succulent pieces impaled on wooden skewers.
"Thank you for waiting for me."
"Wait. What's that unsettling red object?"
Arnold's gaze froze on the fruit. Rishe smiled, holding out one of the skewers.
"It's fruit from Coyolles. I know the color is weird and it looks slimy, but it's very filling and nutritious. It's good for you," Rishe explained, ferrying the fruit to Arnold's mouth. "Try a bite."
"Hold on. I can't get past how it looks."
"It's good for you!" Rishe repeated. Arnold's shapely eyebrows settled into a frown, doubtless catching on she hadn't mentioned anything about its taste. Eventually, he opened his mouth with great reluctance—just a little, but the vulnerability of the position was palpable.
Still frowning, Arnold chewed awkwardly. Rishe watched him until he was done.
"What do you think? It's sweeter than it looks and, as I said, it's very nutritious."
"…Yeah, nutritious. It tastes nutritious."
"My, what a sour face."
Still, Rishe was satisfied. Arnold had a tendency toward overwork, so eating healthy food once in a while would only do him good.
Come to think of it, in my life as an apothecary, I often fed that other prince this fruit, didn't I?
The prince in her memories, sickly since childhood, had all sorts of medicine forced on him. He was a diligent person at heart, consuming without complaint things others would have rejected on sight.
I was always surprised when he drank the tinctures my master and I prescribed—they tasted so bad. But he endured it for a full year and a half and made a complete recovery.
Good medicine almost never tasted good.
Arnold wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, still scowling. "So? What else do you want to look at?"
"Gosh, there's just so much! That stand's got—!" Rishe stopped herself and forced a smile. "Uh… The leather goods in that stall are very well made, wouldn't you say?"
"There's a town specializing in leathers about a two-day carriage ride away. That's probably where they're from."
"I-I see!" Was her forced smile giving her away?
Did he notice? He didn't, did he?
Aside from the embarrassment of her elaborate outfit, an additional problem was plaguing Rishe: Every muscle in my body is killing me!
She'd been doing her best to ignore it, but she was flagging. She could endure the ever-present dull ache but not the periodic lancing pain. They'd done lower body conditioning in addition to running in today's training.
Yesterday, they'd only worked their upper bodies—no doubt they'd target different areas at different times. Rishe was aware of the theory that a period of rest was important for successful muscle growth.
Fortunately, she wasn't feeling much pain in her lower body yet, but a numbness was slowly spreading through her thighs.
I can't let him catch on. If he realizes my muscles are sore, he'll want to know why. Lord Lawvine's training was impressive, though.
Lawvine, joining the day's instructors, had observed every trainee, offering them each personalized advice.
"You're very physically capable, but that makes you overconfident. Observe your surroundings carefully and think before you act."
"You utilize your strength well, which is an impressive feat, but don't let your proficiencies limit your choices. If there's a gap between your aspirations and your ability, you and I must come up with a way to bridge that distance."
Lawvine's gentle voice and his artlessly sincere way of speaking lent his words persuasive power. It's obvious he's guiding every recruit with their futures in mind. And he's very good at giving compliments. However…
Rishe glanced up at Arnold as he walked beside her.
Prince Arnold is going to murder Lord Lawvine. And in just three years. I have a list of things to investigate, but that incident is my top priority. No matter how skilled an instructor the count is, it's odd…
Rishe lowered her gaze and considered the strange thought she'd had yesterday. Should she investigate Arnold? He wasn't necessarily the source of the situation, however. Lawvine didn't serve Arnold—he served his father, the current emperor. As she dwelled on this, she felt a gaze settle on her.
She glanced up to find Arnold staring. They were no longer walking side by side; Rishe had fallen several steps behind.
Oh no, here comes the leash!
She had to catch up before he actually put it to use. Her upper body throbbed, but she could endure.
Before she could run to meet him, Arnold went to her. "I'm still walking too fast, I see."
"Huh? No, I'm fine, I just…" She rapidly blinked her wide eyes, realizing what he'd said.
Come to think of it, Prince Arnold is walking slower than he usually does.
Thinking about it, there was no way he hadn't seen through her. He would have noticed her odd behavior from the very beginning. He hadn't said anything, though, just casually matched her pace.
What is this warm, floaty feeling?
Rishe gave a little sigh.
This Prince Arnold really is very kind. It's impossible to imagine him killing someone for something stupid just three years from now.
"I'm fine… Thank you." Rishe smiled, and Arnold looked away.
Joining his side once more, Rishe quietly made up her mind.
I need to learn more about him.
Armed with enough knowledge, she might be able to prevent the tragedy Emperor Arnold Hein would wreak on the future. Rishe let her gaze wander the market while she thought.