Chapter 169: Chapter 77.4

As usual, it would have been enough for Rishe to love what she liked, even if no one shared it with her.

“I told you. All I want from you is to give me a ring.”

“…”

Arnold opened his mouth, but she couldn’t seem to muster up the courage to look at him.

The pain in her chest was so excruciating that she might never be able to look at Arnold’s face again.

A crown princess who couldn’t look at her husband’s face shouldn’t be a factor for disqualification.

What should I do?

While Rishe’s thoughts were spinning around, Arnold spoke.

“I don’t think I have the right to ask for that much.”

“…”

When she heard the unexpected rejoinder, she raised her head with a snap.

She thought she would never see him again, but that wasn’t the case. Their eyes met, and Arnold put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and continued.

“Everything you wear can be whatever you want. You don’t have to wear something you don’t like just because I gave it to you.”

“Your Highness Arnold.”

“Even if it’s our wedding ceremony, you’re free to choose only what you like, without regard to what anyone else thinks.”

When she heard that, she understood what Arnold was trying to say.

In other words, Arnold was trying to respect Rishe’s desires.

No ordinary crown princess was allowed such a thing.

In fact, from an early age, Rishe had been taught that there were things that should take precedence over her preferences.

That was why even now, she sometimes fell back into that habit.

When she was choosing the stone for the ring, she thought that it should be something suitable for the wedding ceremony and the position of the Crown Princess.

But His Royal Highness Arnold said that he will respect my wishes… I don’t have to wear something for that reason, even if it was a ring he gave.

Arnold had always been like this.

Whether Rishe dressed as a man or wanted to learn alchemy, he would readily allow it.

It’s not him being indifference or leaving me alone. He is trying to affirm the “freedom” I seek.

That fact should have been gratifying.

I should be pleased. I know I’m asking for too much, but…

And yet, Rishe argued sulkily.

“It is…”

“What?”

She was certain she sounded sullen.

Rishe’s response was unexpected and seemed to have startled Arnold.

His expression surely looked unusual.

With this in mind, she told him the truth that she had planned to keep hidden.

“Do you remember, Your Highness, Arnold? I chose the ring finger of my left hand for my ring size?”

“…Oh. I asked you why, but you didn’t answer.”

“In my country, a ring is given by the groom to the bride upon marriage. It’s a custom that originated from the first king and queen, and it’s always on the ring finger of the left hand.”

It was for this reason that Rishe followed suit.

When she mentioned this, Arnold raised his eyebrows in wonder.

“I also longed for such rituals.”

“…”

She was certain she uttered something she shouldn’t have.

Although she was aware of this, she couldn’t contain herself. Rishe felt desperate and stood up with the small ring box in her hand.

“I want to wear this ring at the wedding ceremony and choose a dress to match it!　You said I don’t need to wear it, but I will use it for every occasion in the future!”

“Rishe, calm down.”

“Rather, I resisted the urge to put it on my finger right away and brought it here…!”

Standing in front of his office desk, Arnold gulped slightly when she blurted that out.

“So, Your Highness Arnold, please put the ring on me.”

Rishe placed the box in front of Arnold and extended her left hand.

Then she commanded with some difficulty.

“I’m not wearing gloves right now.”

“Uh—”

When she first met Arnold in this life, he promised her that he would never lay a finger on her.

To this day, Arnold has faithfully kept this promise and wore gloves at night parties and other occasions.

Today, Arnold was bare handed, and on the back of his exposed hand, there were streaks that weren’t when he was wearing gloves.

“It’s fine without them.”

She felt a little embarrassed to say this, but it was easier than saying, “It’s okay to touch me directly from now on.”

Arnold wanted very little from Rishe.

The only thing he wanted was to give her a ring after he won the game where the loser had to obey the winner.

Rishe wanted to wear this ring properly.

And she wanted Arnold to see it too.

“…I really, really want it on now, so…”

Arnold was too adept at indulging Rishe.

With that in mind, she mustered her courage and said, “Please, Your Highness.”

“―― ……”

Arnold cast his eyes down and sighed briefly.

He stood up with the small box in his hand and walked around the office desk.

He grabbed Rishe’s wrist and pulled her towards the couch.

She blinked as he plopped her down the couch.

Arnold then knelt down before Rishe.

His big hand seized her left hand.

That was all, but it instantly made her cheeks burn.

And then Arnold, still in that position, lowered his eyes and brought his lips to the back of Rishe’s hand.

After that, he dropped another kiss at the base of her ring finger.

“Rishe.”

“Mmm?”

He called her name with his lips pressed against her skin, and covered his own mouth with his free hand.

Arnold immediately stopped kissing her and looked up at her.

But then, should they intertwine their fingers so easily?

Hey, what’s happening…

She felt dizzy in the back of her head.

It was only after this that she realized. She not only liked the color of Arnold’s eyes, but also the shape of his hands and fingers.

But now wasn’t the time to pore over that.

Although Arnold pushed Rishe too far, he kept his composure.

On the contrary, he turned his eyes to her with some sincerity and asked in a hushed voice, “Can I touch you?”

“… !!”

He has already touched her.

But it was as if he wanted to receive a proper nod from Rishe and deliberately asked to confirm it.