âWhat is strange about expressing my gratitude?â
Before an evening party started, Rishe, who was waiting in the waiting room next to the hall, asked. Arnold, who was sitting on a chair, raised his eyes.
âWhat do you mean?â
âDidnât you say the first time I met Your Highness? My footwork isnât that of an ordinary lady.â
â..A-Ah.â
Rishe bumped into Arnold back then, mistakenly called him âEmperor,â and gave him an extremely polite bow.
Then he chuckled and said, âYou have the footwork of a great swordsman.â
Seemingly recalling that moment, Arnold rested his cheek on the armrest.
âI didnât mean to imply that it was strange. I was just pointing out that itâs not the movement of an ordinary noble lady, but that of a knight or swordsman.â
âThatâs right. Iâm just an ordinarily noble lady.â
The days Rishe spent as a âDukeâs daughterâ were before the time loop. For her who had lived many times over, it was like a distant past.
I may have forgotten how to behave like a lady since I lived doing various professions.
If that was the case, it was a big deal.
âIf thereâs anything unnatural about my movements, I must correct it. It would be a disgrace to Your Highness, my fiancé.â
As for Rishe herself, she took pride in her movements which were ingrained in her as a swordsman.
She didnât care if it lowered her standing. But this time, she was the Crown Princess.
As the fiancée, she must avoid causing trouble for Arnold.
âThere is no such thing as a stain.â
âSay that again? Iâm sure some people are complaining to Your Highness Arnold for choosing a Dukeâs daughter from a weak country.â
Rishe stood in front of Arnold and picked at the hem of her light blue dress.
After giving a bow once, she raised her face and craned her neck.
âNow, feel free to point out. Should I fix how I pull my leg back? Or the way I shift my center of gravity?â
âI donât know.â
âCome on, Your Highness!â
When Arnold suddenly turned away, Rishe protested.
âI wonât know these things myself, so you have to take responsibility for pointing it out.â
âI apologize if this has bothered you, but thereâs no need to correct it.â
âBut, I must look unladylike, donât I? Iâve looked at myself in the mirror many times, but I canât really figure it myself. I know this may be troublesome, but I would like Your Highness to take a look atâ¦â
Arnold sighed as Rishe rattled on.
âIt seems that my words arenât enoughâ¦â
âEh?â
A black gloved hand caught Risheâs wrist.
Arnold stared straight at her and said without looking away.
âââYouâre beautiful, so Iâm telling you to leave it. Donât fix it.â
ââ¦.!â
Rishe swallowed.
After a moment of almost making a funny mistake, she remembered the context of the conversation. The actual meaning of what Arnold was trying to say came down like a thunderbolt.
My stance?!!!!
She immediately straightened her back.
Arnold took his hand away from Risheâs and spoke in his usual tone.
âDonât keep thinking of trivial matters such as disgracing me. You just have to act like yourself.â
âButâ¦â
âThe people in the banquet hall wonât realize that your stance is that of a swordsman. You can be sure Iâm the only one who can.â
ââ¦Oh, r-really?â
âYeah. So donât force yourself to bend the beauty of what youâve lived and gained so far just because youâre the Crown Princess. â
Since he phrased it that way, even Rishe had no choice but to nod obediently.
âThen, I will continue to behave as a swordsman in a dignified manner â¦â
âPfft.â
Arnoldâs expression softened with satisfaction.
âThatâs great.â
You donât have to sound so patronizing!!!
Unable to say what was on her mind, Rishe sat down on the couch nervously. They would have to wait here for a little while longer before the evening party started.