âI might have been foolish enough when I thought of relying on you to protect me. But I donât think I was wrong in my decision to form an alliance with you.â
Kyle retorted without hesitation.
ââAs royalty, I came here with the deepest respect for you.â
Then he put his hand on his chest.
âKoyor might have exhausted its gems, but we retained the knowledge of our scholars and the skills of the metalworkers. If we can merge these two with Garkhainâs power and start researching together, we may be able to achieve the future that Rishe-dono pictured earlier.â
ââ¦â
âOf course Iâm not saying right away. I will spare no effort to earn your trust. Please reconsider it, even just for a momentâ¦â
It was then.
âExcuse me.â
The door of the room opened and a certain person appeared. When Kyle saw him, his eyes widened in surprise.
âYour Highness Theodore.â
âGood afternoon, Your Highness Kyle. Iâm sorry for bothering you, Brother. I sincerely apologize for barging in the middle of your talk.â
Theodore bowed and simply excused himself. He then looked up at Rishe and gave her a signal with a number of blinks.
Emergency!
Rishe quickly rose to her feet and told Arnold and Kyle.
âPlease excuse me. Iâm sorry for leaving in the middle.â
âRi-Rishe-dono?â
âPlease let me know of the results of your conversation later. Iâm really sorry. If youâll excuse me!!!â
Rishe left the room bitterly with Theodore. Both of them ran out at the same time while two knight guards hurried after them.
***
ââ¦Whatâs the rush?â
Arnold muttered to himself left behind.
With his cheeks propped on the armrest, he turned to Kyle and said matter-of-factly, âMy apologies, too. My wife and brother always work impudently.â
âI was a bit surprised, but itâs no problem. Better yet continue our talkâ¦ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âOliver, come on in.â
â!â
With Arnoldâs command, his attendant, a silver-haired man, entered the room.
Kyleâs eyes widened involuntarily, because his squire wasnât the only one to enter the conference room.
âArnold-dono?â
A group of knights appeared. There must be a dozen or so of them.
They silently entered the room and lined themselves up behind Arnold.
âWhat on earth isâ¦â
ââ¦â
Arnold accompanied by several knights quietly stared at Kyle.