Chapter 7 Conditions before the marriage

Her sixth life before the present.

Clad in men’s wear, Rishe traveled to an island nation and became a knight.

That country was a lovely and historical kingdom made of red bricks.

She was picked up by a group of knights and taken care of for a while. Since she was dressed as a man throughout the journey, they didn’t realize that she was a woman and so recommended her to join the knights.

The training that followed after was literally spitting blood.

As the young daughter of a Duke, she was trained on swordplay for self-defense. Despite her foundation, the training imposed on the knights as a man was completely different from what a lady was taught to a great extent.

She was trained day and night without enough sleep and went through endless beating before finally becoming a full-fledge swordsman

Then the Garkhain army invaded the castle led by Emperor Arnold.

(How did I end up right here…..)

Rishe limply sat on the chair without making a sound.

On a chair across her was Arnold. His legs were crossed, his cuffs were clinging to his elbows, and his demeanor was as pompous as his title holds.

[What’s wrong? You look annoyed.]

[….. I am.]

I admitted sullenly.

I couldn’t just say, “It’s awkward facing you directly since you killed me in another life,] right? From the first time she was reborn, Rishe decided to keep this secret to herself.

[I have lots of plans to do after being exiled. But thanks to you, my parents are dug out from the mansion. Your proposal will surely reach His Majesty’s ears….]

Recalling the uproar that ensued following Arnold’s proposal, my headache throbbed.

After Rische refused Arnold’s proposal, the silence that reigned before the Duke’s mansion was terrifying.

It was Dietrich who broke it.

[Ga, is the Crown Prince of Garkhain seeking Rishe’s hand in marriage?! Wait, whaaaat…..?!]

His scream that ended in a screech, jolted Rishe’s parents, who were listening inside the mansion.

Then she was restrained by her parents and quickly dragged into the mansion. They turned a deaf ear to her cries such as, “I’m not getting married. I’m going to leave this country as decreed by Dietrich.” She paled instantly and was totally upset.

Meanwhile, a glorious carriage rushed from across the road.

It was the king of the country that rolled out of the carriage stuck in the mud.

The muddy king grabbed his son’s neck and slammed his head down on the ground.

Then he shouted at Arnold.

[His Highness Arnold! Please forgive this stupid son of mine….!! You came all the way from Garkhain for the introduction of my son’s fiancee, but he failed to express his gratitude nor even greet you!!]

[Ow, father it hurts! A stone has got into my forehead….!!!]

[And Miss Rishe, I’m really sorry for my stupid son!!! I know it’s a selfish wish, but I sincerely apologize as a king and father! So, for our country, could you please reconsider His Crown Prince’s proposal?]

Her parents followed suit and kowtowed like the king with their foreheads on the ground.

Prostrating in front of her regardless of the crowd was making Rishe dizzy.

Arnold, who was watching the show in amusement, suddenly erased his nasty smile and walked in front of the king.

[…. Please raise your face, His Majesty the King!]

Arnold’s face appeared detached and due to his chilly voice, the King stubbornly stuck his head to the ground.

[This trivial matter won’t affect the friendship between our countries. But if you could, I wish you could persuade her.]

Rishe came to know later from his valet that his comforting words were actually a threat to the King.

[Despite being invited by the Crown Prince and having attended the evening party, I wasn’t welcomed properly. If the Crown Prince were to bring this news home, would the Empire think that the Crown Prince had been disrespected?] — He said exactly this same thing to the King’s squire.

[Ta, please Miss Rishe!…]

Rishe was struck dumb at the fat King, who looked at her pleadingly and seemed on the verge of tears.

Truth is, there was no point in listening to their cries here. She is bent on leaving the country without regrets. But then Arnold came and whispered softly in her ear.

[ — If you refuse, I’ll use another way to have your hand.]

[………………]

*****

Thus, reluctantly, a place was set up for her to “talk alone” with this man.

All the guests were gone and leaving Rishe and Arnold facing facing each other at the reception room of the Royal Palace.

[What on earth are you up to?]

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[What am I plotting?]

[It’s a marriage proposal. Do you have other motives for telling me that?]

After all, he is the man who’s going to start a war aggressively and garner enemies around the world in five year’s time. She asked, but Arnold merely grinned and licked the corner of his mouth.

[I’m not plotting anything. I just fell in love with you.]

[Love …]

She was surprised, because this word seemed alien to me.

It’s too troublesome trying to dig deeper, since he’s just going to lie no matter what.

There’s no way a man who will later be known as an “Ice Blooded Man” or a “Monster” would spout something romantic as that.

[Why would you refuse? Your engagement has been called off and your exile has been decided, plus you’ve got no backing. For you who have no choice but to die drooling, shouldn’t you instead board my boat?]

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[Certainly, I would have jumped to that story if I were old.]

Yes. Had she not gone through six lives and experienced the same thing as her first life, she would have clung to Arnold’s hand eagerly.

Believing that she has no other way to survive.

But Rishe knows.

There are endless possibilities for her life in the future and she can live life the way she wants.

(I can survive without marrying him … but …)

Rishe brooded over with her hands pressing her head.

Life can veer of greatly even with a tiny change.

She is not sure how many lives she will live through in the future, but it seems that marrying Arnold is the only option for her in this life.

He is the man who fired the arrows of war, a brutal and heartless Emperor, a conqueror.

Although she had heard many rumors and speculations about Arnold Hein, who spurred the world war, his intentions remained a mystery.

Why did Arnold do that?

This thought has always been lingering in her mind since her first life, and now that she has finally got to speak to him.

As a merchant, she heard that “The war started in a distant country.” As a pharmacist, she heard that “Many died”

Even when she became a lady’s maid, she comforted her trembling lady, “It’ll be fine.”

Of course, when she confronted him as a knight, her heart was pierced by his sword.

(If I were to stay by his side, would I get to know why?)

Her curiosity was urging her.

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But she also felt that it doesn’t matter.

(Wait, what if…)

She recalled a “dream” she had once. Or was it longing?

Rishe gasped and looked up.

[… You said you fell in love with me.]

[Yes, so I’m asking for your hand in marriage.]

He’s vomiting such a lie with a straight face.

[So, can you indulge my whims?]

[I promise to grant you everything, as long as it’s within my power.]

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[…. I have conditions.]

Arnold urged her to continue in silence.

[All items for the marriage ceremony must be procured from the merchants I specify.]

[All right, as you wish.]

[And then, once the marriage ceremony is over, set up a place to establish contacts with dignitaries from different countries.]

[Rather, it’s the first job you want as the Crown Princess. Anything else?]

[I want to live separately from your parents.]

Her earnest request drove Arnold into laughter.

[Looks like you’re worried about your in-laws]

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[That’s not the case. My mother told me that getting along with another family is the hardest part of getting married. Would you mind finding a house, even if it’s dirty and old?]

She’s absolutely not saying this because she hates cohabiting.

Arnold first killed his father before starting the war.

It wasn’t a half-hearted scheme like Dietrich did, but a coup d’etat that resulted in the death of his father. Then he claimed the throne and became the Emperor, took control of the whole empire, and began moving his army freely.

(You will have less chance of killing your father if you live separately from them. Well, it might not mean much at the moment.)

[What else do you want? I’ll grant you anything to marry you.]

[Tell me what you’re up against right now…… And one last important thing I have to mention]

Despite the knowledge that it was impolite, Rishe stuck her fingers towards Arnold.

[— I’ll definitely mess your castle upside down! I’m an idler, lazy, and hates working!]

[…………]

Hence, can the proposal be withdrawn and say, “This sort of Crown Princess is undeserving”?

Arnold however convulsed with laughter and never said a word to withdraw his suit.