Kyle had noticed, just as Rishe suspected he might. She was sure of it, but she didn't interrupt, waiting for him to continue.
"While I am a royal who should be protecting his people, I know nothing of the battlefield. This is all supposition on my part, but I assume movement across the field is more difficult with wounded soldiers than dead ones."
It was exactly as Kyle said.
If your comrades died, all you could do was leave their bodies behind and march on. It was tragic, and it would shred your heart, but it didn't tank your productivity. With injuries, however, it was a different story. A knight would fight to protect an injured comrade. That meant less strength devoted to winning the battle, leading to the destruction of entire squads.
"Prince Arnold likely massacred his enemies on the battlefield as a matter of strategy. If the enemy soldiers saw their fellows lying dead, they wouldn't be standing against him to protect their comrades, sapping their will to fight. He doesn't capture enemy royals; he kills them. This could also be viewed as decisive way to end a conflict, reducing casualties on each side."
Kyle had no experience with war, but Rishe agreed with his theories.
Prince Kyle really is amazing. His close relationships with merchants and scholars are one thing, but to have a good head for strategy too… He has ample ability to analyze and imagine things he has no personal experience with.
If Prince Kyle weren't so feeble and times weren't so bad, Rishe was sure he'd be known as a wise ruler.
"I feel the same way you do, Your Highness."
Arnold must have slaughtered his enemies so ruthlessly in the war for a reason. In this way, he could sacrifice the few to save the many.
That's why Prince Arnold legitimately believes that an invasion he leads will be better for Coyolles than one by his father.
Arnold was kind, and that kindness allowed him to make the merciless choices of war and murder without hesitation. That was why Rishe knew she needed to stop him.
Kyle bowed to Rishe once more. "I apologize for discussing such unpleasant topics with a lady like yourself. Even if Prince Arnold truly is a tyrant, it doesn't change what I must do."
"I bet you intend to say, 'I'll protect Coyolles even if it costs me my life.'"
Kyle looked at her in surprise. Rishe's smile was sad.
"I once believed I needed to risk my life out of a desire to protect something too—but I don't think that's right anymore. After all, the life you save keeps going long after yours ends." She could sense Kyle's breath catching.
"People aren't in peril just once in their lives. After you overcome the initial distress, happiness and danger await you."
As Rishe spoke, she remembered the royals she'd served as a knight. She had risked her life to protect her prince and his family. Unafraid to die, she stood on the battlefield, wielding her sword with that feeling swelling in her heart. Now Rishe knew how foolish she'd been. Emperor Arnold could have caught up to their fleeing carriage. They may have reached their allied nation only to be betrayed there instead, killed all the same. And if one of their knights had survived, they might have been able to protect them from such dangers.
"Since coming here, I've learned that Galkhein's knights are strong not because they die nobly to protect their charge but because they protect their charge by staying alive no matter what happens. They're taught to fight and live on even if they lose their limbs or can no longer hold a sword." And the one who'd instilled those lessons in them was none other than the Crown Prince.
"Please, Prince Kyle…" Rishe looked Kyle in the eye and addressed him by name, as she had so many times in her past. The people of Coyolles always used this direct address rather than the more formal "Your Highness."
It was an expression of their affection for him. In this life, it might be rude for Rishe to do the same, but she did it anyway. "For the time being, I implore you—form a small alliance with me."
"An alliance?"
"In order to persuade Prince Arnold. You are a necessary factor in the alliance between Coyolles and Galkhein." Rishe spread out the papers she'd snuck in with her on the table, having hastily written them up the night before after parting with Arnold on his balcony.
Running his eyes over her plan, Kyle swallowed hard. "Lady Rishe, who exactly are you?"
"I can't tell you that, unfortunately, but I'm confident that you can pull this plan off."
"Will this really persuade Prince Arnold? I'm not sure he'll even bother to listen."
"He will," Rishe said matter-of-factly. "I don't know if Prince Arnold will agree, but I know that if you follow this plan, he'll at least hear you out."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Well, naturally…" Rishe said, puffing out her chest with a grin.
"Because I'm Prince Arnold's future wife."
**************************************
Kyle immediately set about following Rishe's plan that afternoon. To prevent Arnold from growing suspicious, he went along with the tours Galkhein had prepared for his visit, carrying out his part in the operation as smoothly as he could.
Rishe only met with him once a day when she provided him with the new medicine she had made. On a night several days after, they began to enact their plan…
"Please check these for me, Lady Rishe."
Rishe gasped when she saw what he had put on the table between them. "I'm shocked. Frankly, I wasn't sure we would get it together in time even with you helping me."
Kyle nodded sincerely. "There was a familiar face on the ship to Galkhein. I managed everything else on your list as well."
"Thank you very much. The company I use has trouble procuring these sorts of things."
Rishe's current strategy required several individuals and items—the latter being outside the Aria Trading Company's wheelhouse.