A dozen imperial knights flanked him. Among them was Rishe's guard, the one who had run off after the first fireworks went off. He must have been reporting to Arnold.
"Michel!"
Kyle ran over. He had been escorted here with the rest of them.
Arnold didn't spare Rishe a glance, his cold gaze focusing on his vassal. "I believe I asked what's going on here."
"I apologize, Your Highness."
Lawvine dipped his head even lower at the weight in Arnold's voice. "This man made a threat, so we were keeping him under surveillance. I apologize for the delayed report."
Arnold's blue eyes slowly settled on Michel. Rishe stiffened. The expression on his face made it clear he understood the broad strokes, if not the fine details.
"What do we do, Sister?" Theodore whispered.
"Did the imperial knights escort Kyle here? Do you think Brother captured him, since he's Michel Hévin's superior?"
Meanwhile, Lawvine's report to Arnold continued. "Michel Hévin announced his intention to cause a violent incident at the eighteenth hour in town. As the capital city is land under the emperor's protection, I kept watch over him as His Majesty's faithful servant."
"I see. I understand your perspective."
Rishe steeled herself. It's okay. I was prepared to negotiate with Prince Arnold. I still have space to argue for the alliance with Coyolles, and now Michel is dealt with!
Rishe opened her mouth to speak to Arnold. But before she did that, Arnold spoke up first.
"However…"
For the first time since he'd arrived, Arnold looked at Rishe. "My fiancée announced she planned on correcting Michel Hévin's misunderstanding, didn't she?"
Rishe's eyes widened as everyone focused on her.
"It's just as she said. Those phenomena were just a display of Coyolles's engineering prowess."
What's going on?! I mean, maybe the guard told him what I said, but…
She couldn't believe her ears. Arnold was going along with her plan.
Lawvine's brow furrowed. "What exactly are you trying to say, Your Highness? "
"To insult our guests from Coyolles would be grave indeed. Pull back your knights while Prince Kyle is present."
"Can I ask one question, Your Highness? Why is a scholar from Coyolles displaying his engineering prowess in our country?"
Arnold lowered his eyes at Lawvine's question. Rishe's heart pounded.
Is he really going to say it?
Then Arnold spoke the very words Rishe was hoping for, clear but indifferent: "Our country is forming a technological partnership with Coyolles."
Surprise and joy welled up within Rishe until she thought she would burst. She looked at Kyle, who returned her gaze with a triumphant nod. They'd come to an agreement while she was gone, then.
Arnold understood.
Rishe's heart throbbed in her chest.
He gets that military might isn't everything. That the techniques Coyolles possesses are incredible. That they might lead to truly amazing inventions one day. And more than anything else, that Galkhein can foster relationships with other countries rather than invading them!
This was only the first step, but Rishe was still ecstatic as she turned to Arnold. The prince narrowed his blue eyes very slightly in acknowledgment before staring at Lawvine where he knelt.
"In exchange for military support, Coyolles will share its academic know-how with us. To start with, I will send the imperial knights here with me now to Coyolles. The fireworks that graced our skies are proof of the heretofore unknown engineering techniques Coyolles possesses." Arnold's voice was level, but the threat in it was plain.
"Do you understand? We are forming a new relationship. You cannot interfere by disrespecting our allies."
"But, Your Highness—"
"I have nothing more to say. Withdraw immediately." Arnold cut him off, his eyes narrowing. "If this escalates, I can't promise my father won't hear of it."
That shocked Rishe, but she didn't let it show on her face.
Lawvine remained silent for a moment. Then he turned to Kyle and bowed deeply, still kneeling.
"Your Highness, Prince Kyle, I apologize for my rudeness. I acted imprudently and take full responsibility for my lapse in judgment. If it will persuade you to forgive me, I offer you my head in apology."
"Your words are more than enough, sir. Please rise. I also owe you an apology. Your reaction is understandable in light of Michel's behavior." Kyle spoke from the heart. He likely hadn't heard the same report that Arnold had; he just thought Michel was doing experiments where he shouldn't, being a nuisance like always.
"We will take our leave before we disgrace ourselves any further. Your Highnesses, I once again apologize for my men's behavior, and for mine."
After bowing once more, Lawvine quietly stood and glanced at Rishe. He gave her a polite bow as well, which Rishe returned with a curtsy.
Theodore slid up to her. "Looks like things have calmed down. I'm going to go take a look around town."
He left the garden before Rishe could even thank him. As if she ever could thank him enough for his help. She'd have to think of a way to repay him.
The imperial knights swarming the area also took their leave, dismissed by Arnold. That left Rishe, Arnold, Michel, and Kyle together in the garden.
"Now, Michel." Kyle cleared his throat, scolding Michel like he was a child.
"What do you think you're doing?! Those fire flowers blooming in the sky! I was shocked. Was that some new invention of yours?!"
"Kyle…"
Nostalgia washed over Rishe. The only unusual aspect was Michel's brows, which were furrowed in a repentant frown.
"I'm glad you wanted to help the alliance, but you need to tell me before you do these kinds of things. We could have taught Galkhein about this with less public upset, couldn't we?"
"You've got it all wrong, Kyle. I should be repenting for this with my life—"
"Professor Michel."
Rishe called his name, and Michel gave her a troubled look. It wouldn't do for him to confess everything to Kyle right now. If Kyle learned the truth, as a Prince of Coyolles, he would feel obligated to take all the responsibility for the incident.
"Just let Prince Kyle scold you for now."
When she smiled at him, Michel's eyebrows drooped further. He looked lost at sea. At last, he murmured, "I'm sorry, Kyle. Sorry, Rishe."
"Michel…?"
"I won't do it again. I realize now that the premise of my theory was flawed."
Michel squeezed the hem of his lab coat in his hands.
"I promise…I won't do it again." His words were pure and sincere, like those of a child making a solemn oath.
His attitude stunned Kyle, but Rishe was relieved. She looked up at Arnold again, and their eyes met.