Then in the afternoon.

Rishe took her disguise off, finished bathing in the warm water, and got ready to go.

Her coral-colored hair, in gentle waves, was pulled into a neat and clean half-up.

Rishe dressed in a pale blue dress paired with pearl earrings, painted her fingertips with a nice pale pink.

Then, with Arnold wearing a cloak and white gloves in his usual military uniform, they headed to the reception room.

As they were walking through the main castle, Rishe softly asked, “His Royal Highness Prince Kyle greeted His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress in the morning, right? Did anything unusual transpire at that time?”

Arnold replied, as if he found it tiresome, Father Emperor seems to have allowed the Prince of Koyor to stay in the country for the time being.”

“Oh, how long exactly is for the time being?”

“Who knows. I’m not sure how long people who can’t participate in the wedding ceremony ‘due to some circumstances’ intend to stay.”

Rishe smiled at his thorny reply.

However, it was Kyle who was lacking in courtesy this time, so she couldn’t say anything.

But, that’s strange.

Kyle was by nature very sincere and polite. Rishe knew that very well.

[… “Prince Kyle, thank you for the detailed record of your physical condition after taking your medicine.”]

That was, as she recalled, right after she took over Kyle’s treatment from her mentor in her life as a pharmacist.

After finishing his official duties for that day, Kyle still holed up in his study, sitting at his desk and running his pen.

[“But please, take an early rest. It would be useless if you get sick because of it.”]

[“Rest assured. Of course I’m not going to overdo it, Wertsner.”]

He used to call Rishe by her last name, and he would say it, carefully stressing each letter.

[“I’m aware of the struggles you and your mentor have gone through to concoct this new medicine; and that’s why I want to reward you in the way I can. I can’t afford to cut corners.”]

[“… I think my mentor forgot the hardships the moment the medicine was made.”]

[“And you?”]

[“The sooner Prince Kyle is fully recovered, the sooner I can forget about it.”]

Rishe said jokingly, but he, on the other hand, nodded seriously.

[“I’ll do my best.”]

Even when I met him in a life other than a pharmacist, he treated me with sincerity and civility. At least, he’s not the kind of person who would force his way through a visit without considering the convenience of his destination…

While she was contemplating on this and that, they reached the reception room.

The knight on guard opened the door for them, and she entered the room together with Arnold.

This was a different room from the one Rishe had previously used for business meetings with the Aria Trading Company.

The well-polished marble floor was decorated with flowers.

All of the furnishings, such as tables, chairs and fireplaces, were in white and gold.

The chair arrangements and other furnishings might have been changed according to the number of visitors.

Currently, there was one chair in the back and two chairs in the front, facing each other. Arnold took a seat on one of the chairs in front.

Rishe hasn’t taken a seat yet. Because although she was engaged to Arnold, she was still only the daughter of an Ermiti Duke.

For this reason, in a personal meeting between the Crown Prince and a Prince like this one, she couldn’t be in the same chair from the beginning.

Not until they’ve gone through the greetings. Thus, she stood in the corner.“Prince of Koyor, His Royal Highness Kyle Morgan Cleverly greets you.”

At those words, Rishe bowed her head quickly.

She didn’t look up until Arnold and Kyle finished their greetings. Therefore, for a while, she could only listen to their voices.

Arnold seemed to have stood up, followed by a squeak of his shoes. There was the rustling sound of clothes, so she knew that Kyle bowed.

“Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness Arnold. I’m Kyle Morgan Cleverly. I came to congratulate you on behalf of my father.”

“We thank you for traveling all the way here. Your blessing will be a beacon of light for our future.”

At first, they exchanged greetings somewhat formally.

The Crown Prince and the First Prince, both of them should be on an equal footing, but the air in which they talked wasn’t so.

The Koyor Kingdom was far weaker than the Garkhain Kingdom.

The difference in national power is obvious. Though Koyor is also a country that produces gems and is rich in gold mines…

The problem was about other supplies.

Snow closes in on them in the winter, making it difficult to secure and distribute food. The consumption of firewood, a daily necessity, is also very high; food and fuel cannot be provided by the country alone.

Although financially wealthy, it held a great deal of factors that made it a target for other countries.

It has managed to maintain its perilous position through active diplomacy and political marriages.

For a Kingdom like Koyor, the military state of Garkhain, which was just across the sea, should never be made into an enemy.

Five years from now, Koyor will form an alliance with other nations against Garkhain — and will be defeated and invaded.