The experience wasn't exactly smooth, but Rishe eventually selected a jewel. The "first-class gem " the old woman brought from the back was just what Rishe was looking for.
Tension lingered in the air, but Rishe slowly regained her sense of equilibrium. The old woman's grandson said he would draw up some designs for the ring.
Leaving the store, Rishe and Arnold set off toward their next destination.
"This is a great view. The breeze is cool. Feels nice."
They stood on top of the walls surrounding the imperial capital.
Galkhein's capital city was itself a fort, boasting fortifications several meters thick. Directly below was the main gate into the city, with carriages coming and going in an endless stream. An enjoyable sight, to be sure, but sunset drew closer with each passing moment.
"Look at that! The sun looks huge, and it's setting right over the imperial palace!"
"Guess it is."
"So this is what it looks like from outside…" Normally, Rishe gazed down at the town from the palace; the view from the opposite side was new to her. She didn't think she'd ever get tired of it.
Suddenly, Arnold asked her, "Why the left ring finger?"
"Huh?"
"You specified that finger when they measured you."
"That's…just a tradition, I guess…"
She didn't wish him to inquire further. Wearing wedding bands on the left ring finger was a given in her home country, but she was embarrassed to admit how quickly she'd decided upon it.
"I could ask the same of you, Your Highness. Any particular reason you wanted to buy me a ring?"
"Not really. It didn't have to be a ring, but you work with your hands often, don't you? Mixing medicine or doing chores… You're always running around doing tasks."
Now that she thought about it, whenever she worked in front of Arnold, he studied her hands with great interest.
"I like the idea of seeing a piece of jewelry I gave you on those busy little hands of yours."
"I…" That left her flustered. How could she even respond?
After a moment's hesitation, she said, "In that case, when the ring is finished, you'll be the first person I show it to."
"Good."
That short exchange took a lot out of her. With a sigh, Rishe wondered what time it was.
I'm doing fine, but I wonder about Prince Arnold. He looked at his watch so much today. We'll probably have to head back soon. No, wait.
Arnold couldn't have been worrying about returning to the palace.
If so, he would have been checking the time more and more the later it became. But His Highness hasn't looked at his watch once since we arrived at the main gate.
So, he was no longer concerned about the time.
But he checked it constantly in the market and the jeweler's shop. Maybe…
Something had been bothering Rishe for the last few days. She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. "Come to think of it, I've heard the maids gossiping about Lord Lawvine's arrival at the imperial palace."
"Yeah. He'll be staying for a brief period and assisting with the knight cadets' instruction."
"Is that right? He's a very distinguished individual, and I'd like to pay my respects to him if possible. Whose guest is he, precisely?"
"Mine. Lawvine specializes in training inexperienced fighters."
"Your Highness."
Rishe stopped smiling and locked eyes with Arnold. "Who are we waiting for up here?"
Arnold stared back at her, nonplussed. "That came out of nowhere."
"No, I've been thinking about it ever since I learned Lord Lawvine was here."
"Oh?"
"He lords over the northernmost territory of Galkhein—beside the sea, isn't? A crucial area to shore up against any foreign invasion. But no other nations could make a move so long as the brave general Lord Lawvine is there."
Lawvine's presence served as a bulwark against potential enemies. They were in a time of peace, but just a few years ago, the whole world had been at war. It was too soon for any nation to relax.
"And yet…the count has left his territory and traveled the long distance down to the capital. It strains credulity to imagine he would come all this way simply to train some new recruits."
This was what had been nagging at her—first when she met Lawvine and learned he would be assisting with their instruction, and again when she'd recalled today's training in the market. Maybe the truth was connected to Arnold's incessant watch-checking.
For Arnold's part, he just smiled, as if he was enjoying Rishe's speculation. His expression made it clear he wouldn't hide anything, but he wasn't going to explain it either.
"What would you say if I told you there was no deeper meaning? That I simply wanted to meet the man face-to-face? A ruler must meet his vassal in person occasionally, if only to foster deeper loyalty."
"I would accept that explanation if you weren't getting married soon. If you simply wanted to see him in person, two months hence would have been a perfect opportunity, right?" She also would've found it more believable if someone else had summoned Lawvine, but the Arnold whom Rishe knew would never leave a crucial region unguarded for no reason.
"Why do you think I'm waiting for someone?"
"Because this is the perfect vantage point to see into the town and survey any incoming visitors."
Arnold hadn't checked the time since they'd arrived at the gate. In other words, if they simply waited here, his target would come to them. Doubtless the appointed moment was approaching, and his visitor would likely be arriving from outside the gates.
"Just as you surmised, training the new recruits was the public-facing reason for the count's visit. A pretext for his presence in the capital, along with his entourage." This was likely a reward for her correct guesses.
Despite his exposed intentions, Arnold seemed amused by their exchange. "The other day, I received a letter from a foreign royal. He sent his regrets that he couldn't attend my wedding, but he wished to arrive early to offer his congratulations. Naturally, I sent a response telling him not to trouble himself."
It sounded like a typical exchange of pleasantries. "Well, we can talk about how you neglected to mention any of this to me later," Rishe said. "How did he respond?"
"I got another letter before I even posted my reply. 'I'd like to congratulate you as soon as possible—I'm heading to you before receiving your response.'"
"He forced your hand before you could turn him away." That sounded like trouble. "And who exactly sent you this letter?"
"You've got an idea, don't you?"
She did. She'd had one ever since learning Arnold had summoned Lord Lawvine, protector of northern Galkhein.
"Right after I got the letter, I sent a scout up to the northern port town of Ceutena. A week ago, that scout reported the arrival of a ship. Considering the time it would take for a carriage to make it that distance, with a few stops at inns along the way, I calculated that he'd arrive right about now."
In the market, one of the merchants had mentioned a product arriving in Ceutena aboard a ship a week ago that had just made it to the capital. Arnold was right; goods from the port had just arrived this morning. Wagons carrying food would have been expedited, but a royal entourage would have a slower journey. This would be the time.
Arnold reached out and put Rishe's hood up, likely with her distinctive hair color in mind.
Rishe followed his gaze out beyond the gates to the carriage path extending into the plains. She strained her eyes, trying to see as far as she could.
The design on that carriage is from Coyolles…
A suspicious visit from Coyolles jived with Rishe's theory—it would be prudent to seek advice from Lord Lawvine, who kept tabs on countries across the sea.
Arnold had summoned him to keep the visiting royal in check without ruffling any diplomatic feathers. And there was only one person from Coyolles invited to their wedding ceremony.
"I want to protect this country, Weitzner."
A young man's voice drifted through her mind.
"I'll do anything it takes. Fortune has allowed me to live this long, and therefore I must shoulder this great task."
Prince Kyle…
Coming to see Arnold was the eldest prince of the snowy country of Coyolles, a sickly young man with a strong sense of responsibility. Rishe's patient in her past life as an apothecary.