Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Aren't they beautiful?
He told me that if I left this country and went with him, he wouldn't meet with Prince Arnold.
Michel had said it with an apology and a smile.
Rishe's thoughts spiraled. She took a deep breath, slowly opening her eyes, and when she did…she saw something strange on the balcony, beyond her open curtains.
Light?
She raised her head, watching a small bead of light float through the space.
Realizing what it was, Rishe leapt from her chair and rushed out onto the balcony in her nightdress.
"Wow…!"
All around her were little bugs in flight, like fragments of stars dancing in the air. Rishe watched them, her eyes sparkling. In one of her past lives, she'd become very familiar with creatures like this, and she could tell exactly what species they were from the characteristics of their light.
These are leto fireflies. They're so beautiful.
These terrestrial fireflies could fly to high altitudes. It was a relatively common sight on this continent, but when she saw so many of them up close, she had to appreciate the experience.
It's such a waste to watch them by myself, but the maids are bathing right now. My only other option would be…
Rishe snuck a glance at the neighboring room. Just then, she heard a door open, and the very man she'd been thinking of stepped out onto his own balcony.
Their eyes met.
"G-good evening."
"Indeed."
Rishe felt a little awkward, remembering what had happened earlier that day.
Arnold, on the other hand, seemed wholly unbothered. With the same cool look on his face as always, he glanced from Rishe to the little lights flitting around outside. His sword was in his hand.
"What are these?"
"They're fireflies."
"Fireflies." Arnold tested the—perhaps unfamiliar—word.
He thought for a moment and then said, "I can order them exterminated, if you'd like."
"What?! Why?!"
"Flies are insects, right?"
Rishe was astonished by his emotionless suggestion. She couldn't comprehend the leap from "insects" to "extermination," disregarding the beautiful lights the creatures gave off.
"Sure, we'll need some insect repellent, but you can't just indiscriminately cull them! All animals, humans included, are part of a larger system. If you eliminate too many of any one species, it affects all the other living things around them."
Rishe ran over to the railing in her haste to persuade him. The balconies of the two rooms weren't connected; even when she pressed up against the rail, there was still some distance between them.
"Besides, it may be selfish human sentiment, but…please, take a look."
Rishe pointed at the fireflies drawing trails of light in the air, smiling at Arnold. "See? Aren't they beautiful?"
Arnold was silent for a moment, just looking at Rishe, before he let out a small breath. "I guess you're right."
She was sincerely glad that he understood, even if that gladness was somewhat undercut.
This is so strange. All my current worries stem from Prince Arnold.
Nevertheless, the two of them stood on their balconies, watching the fireflies together. Her eyes followed one light as it danced its way from her to Arnold.
"They seem to like you, don't they?" Rishe was a little jealous.
Arnold smiled teasingly. "Why don't you just come to my room, then?"
Oh, that makes sense.
"I suppose I shall. It's only about a half-meter jump."
Before Arnold could question her, Rishe lifted her skirt, grabbed the railing, and climbed up.
"Hey, you're not really going to—"
Arnold was saying something, but she'd just ask him to repeat it when she was over there. Her mind made, she sprang into the air. Leaping from one railing to the other was nothing for Rishe. All she had to do was land well and then jump down to Arnold. However…
"Eep!"
The moment she landed, Arnold caught her protectively. There was a loud clatter, most likely the sound of Arnold's sword falling to the floor. He'd thrown it aside to catch her. She thought her heart would stop.
"Prince…Arnold…"
Rishe barely managed to squeeze her voice from her throat. Her heart was clanging like an alarm bell.
And how couldn't it be? She was trapped in the circle of Arnold's arms.
"Erm, I…"
For some reason, he wasn't letting her go.
Flustered, Rishe stammered, "I-I'm sorry if I surprised you, but, um…" She clutched at the prince's jacket. As much as she wanted to look him in the eyes when she spoke, she didn't think she could raise her head right now. "You had to know I could make a jump like that."
"I guess you're right. I have seen you jump from a balcony to the ground before."
"Then why did you…?"
Arnold was silent for a time. Then, sounding embarrassed, he said, "My body acted on its own. I couldn't help it."
Rishe balked at the unexpected answer. He usually wore a bold smile when catching her off guard with his words, but now he seemed reluctant—almost sulky. Whenever he treated her differently than usual, it threw her for a loop.
As soon as he loosened his hold on her, Rishe pulled awkwardly away. Then she gasped, hurrying to pick up Arnold's sword. He'd thrown it away for her sake, but that didn't make a swordsman's blade any less precious.
"Thank you."
Arnold accepted the proffered sword with a slightly complex expression, then looked away from Rishe. She wondered if he was feeling awkward as well.
"Why did you even jump in the first place? You could have just come through the door, right?" He seemed to be trying to deflect attention from his discomfort.
Rishe blinked. "Through the door?"
"Through the door."
"Instead of jumping from the balcony?"
"That's right."
She considered the logic of his words and came to one conclusion: "You're right!"
A snorting laugh crept out of Arnold. When he raised his head, it was to give Rishe a very soft, teasing look.
"You're always taking the shortest route, aren't you?"
"I have no idea what you mean!" Rishe did, of course, but she played dumb all the same.
Arnold was astoundingly open-minded when it came to Rishe. He never got fed up or scolded her, never tried to persuade her to act the part of the crown princess. Instead, he watched her as if it brought him joy to do so.
Before, I always figured he was just messing with me for his own entertainment.
What a strange person he was. She didn't say it aloud—he wouldn't want to hear that from her.
"By the way, why did you have your sword out, Your Highness? "
He looked up at the glowing insects around them. "The lights looked like torches to me."
It made sense. Fireflies flickered at regular intervals, with the streaks of light moving, cutting out, and then lighting up again.
Now that he mentions it, they do resemble torchlights on a battlefield.
Specifically, they looked like the torches of a scouting party moving through the shadows, drawing closer. The resemblance wasn't perfect, though, especially here inside the palace walls. He should have realized right away that his worries were unfounded, but he'd picked up his sword on instinct.
His memories of the war must have a firm hold on him.
Had she herself not lived as a knight, Rishe likely wouldn't have understood his actions. In fact, she might've even feared his intentions and kept her distance. But the Rishe who was standing here right now was different—she did understand.
"If it were me," She began, pointing toward the palace walls somewhere in the darkness, "I'd station archers in intervals along that side. I'd place a bell at every interval so they could warn of intruders or other dangers."
Rishe looked up at the man who had once been her enemy and challenged him with a smile.
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