While she was panicking at the unforeseen fact, Fritz assured her seriously: âYouâre really about 14, right?!â
ââ¦â
Her body was stretched tight.
ââ¦Eh?â
âItâs a rule that you have to be 15 years old to join this training. But Iâm sure you lied about your age to come here for your family.â
ââ¦No, yeah, well, thatâ¦â
âNo, no, no!ãIf anyone finds out that you lied, youâll be at a disadvantage in next yearâs exams. You donât have to say anything just because I got it rightâ¦!!â
ââ¦â
Fritz, who was desperately trying to argue with her, evidently didnât really find out.
He had considered the possibility that Rishe was younger than prescribed, but it hadnât occurred to him that she was a woman.
Thatâs right. In my sixth life as a knight, the only person who discovered that I was a woman was the Commanderâ¦
She had mixed feelings and felt guilty for having lied to him.
However, Arnold told her last night, Itâs inevitable for Rovine to find out, but donât let the other knight cadets learn that youâre a woman.
ââ¦Iâm sorry Fritz. I would have definitely told you the truth soon enoughâ¦â
âThatâs okay, take it easy! Thatâs not the point.â
When Rishe raised her head, he had a sunny smile on his face.
âOne of these daysâ¦I hope Iâll see you again after todayâs training.â
â!â
Hearing those words, it dawned on Rishe.
The reason why Fritz looked so unhappy was because he wanted to say goodbye.
He showered all the friendship he could to Rishe, who hadnât even told him the truth, in just ten short days. He was so happy about that that he couldnât help but smile.
âOf course. It may be a little different from what it is now, but still, definitely!â
âIâll be stronger than ever by then. I promise.â
âFufufu~â
Rishe squeezed the hand that he extended to her.
âLetâs do our best for each other, Fritz.â
ââ¦â
For a moment, she thought Fritz looked like he was about to cry.
But she was wrong. After a beat, he smiled like the sun as usual.
I wonât let them send you to a tragic battlefield.
Rishe felt the presence of someone and looked at the entrance of the training ground.
Frontier Count Rovine strolled in. He glanced and bowed at Rishe, who was the only one who could understand.
Rishe saluted him as well, and the rest was business as usual between instructor and trainee.
Nonetheless, while various thoughts were running through her mind, she challenged the last special training.
***
It was three oâclock in the afternoon, and Rishe was walking through the corridors of the detached palace after finishing some errands.
When she asked Oliver, who passed her on the way, he told her that Arnold was in his office. After sending Oliver off on his way to the main castle, she knocked on the door of the office.
Arnold looked at Rishe in some surprise when she entered after waiting for his reply.
ââ¦That was pretty fast.â
âIt is enough to take that much of his time. I really appreciate it.â
She sat down in a chair on the right side of the office when he urged her to take a seat.
Arnold watched her and then looked down at his hand again, running his pen over his papers.
ââ¦Are you satisfied?â
âYes. I was able to have a good talk with Teacher.â
After the morning training, Rishe went to see Michel.
The people of the Koyor Kingdom would be leaving the Imperial Capital early tomorrow morning. Since this was the last time they would spend the whole day here, Kyle was busy greeting everyone.
In the meantime, Arnold had arranged for Kyle to let her speak with Michel, who was suspended as punishment for his âlittle fuss.â
[I wish they could take my head out and I just provide knowledge.]
This disturbing line was Michelâs opening statement.
Rishe was taken aback even though she was indeed accustomed to his words and deeds. While rebuking him, she poured honey into Michelâs tea.
[Thereâs no way to do that, and thereâs no point in trying. Inspiration doesnât come from existing knowledge. It comes from new experiences, donât you think so?]
[Oh, you know exactly what I mean. But, I think theyâre too forgiving.]
While accepting the too-sweet tea, Michel gently lowered his eyes.
[If you want to execute me or force me to produce loads of medicine for the war. I can. I think it would be an unwise decision to have me take charge of the joint research between Koyor and Garkhain to make something good for the world.]
[Teacherâ¦]
Rishe fended Michel off last night and told only Arnold the whole truth.
The gunpowderâs existence, and Michelâs attempt to use it.
The current Michel would probably want to make amends for that.
Arnold looked as if he didnât care and said, [Michel Evanâs use remains the same.]
Michel himself, who caused the commotion, wasnât satisfied with that decision.
Rishe preached to Michel while fully understanding his feelings.
[You say that, but normally it would be a very serious punishment, donât you think? The royal families of two countries are involved in a project that requires them to constantly produce the best possible results. Iâm not sure what to say. If you were an ordinary person, youâd be under tremendous pressure.]
[Hmm, thatâs right. Do you think I should do my best?]
This was a fluffy way of putting it, but in a way it was amazing. She has never seen Michel work so hard in her life as an alchemist.
[Itâs novel to me, but Iâll do my best. â I never did research with that sense of creating something wonderful for the world.]
[Iâm also looking forward to what new inventions Teacher can make.]
Michel giggled in amusement when Rishe expressed this solemnly.
His smile was of delight.
It was the first time Rishe ever saw him smile like this. Michel tucked his hair over his ears and muttered to himself, his eyes downcast.
[â¦I just want to apologize for what I said to you the other day.]
[Apologize?]
[I was wrong to say that youâre not fit to be queen.]
It reminded her that something of that sort did happen.
[I think thereâs nothing wrong about that.]
[No, Iâm sure youâre well suited for it, but I also think itâs a shame.]
His purple eyes looked gently at Rishe.
[Donât you regret it? Donât you regret your life as Arnold Heinâs bride?]
[Of course, Teacher.]
Rishe said it flatly.
A few days ago, they didnât finish their conversation.
So she smiled and said.
[What I want to know most in the world right now is the one who will be my husband.]