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[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, No, or Maybe?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "IN JAPANESE TV RATINGS, 1 percent equals approximately 408,000 viewers, or 180,000 households. My news program has an average rating of 12 percent. Multiply 408,000 by 12, and we’re somewhere in the ballpark of 4.9 million viewers on average—and that’s just the Kanto region. Add in the rest of Japan, and, well… Long story short, there are currently several Tokyo Domes’ worth of people looking at me, Kunieda Kei, and my winning smile. Obviously those numbers fluctuate on any given day, but hey, I’m allowed to feel good about myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This has been The Evening File. Have a good night, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I gave my signature signoff, I looked directly into camera 2 and did my usual half nod, half bow, bringing the nearly two-hour program to a close."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a wrap!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All around me, the studio came to life in almost perfect unison, but I didn’t bat an eye. Then the assistant director ran over and bowed deeply in apology."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m so sorry, Kunieda-san! There was a page missing from the manuscript for the second half of the breaking news segment!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s all right,” I said quickly. “I was able to work around it while we were live. But it did kind of throw me for a minute there—did my voice crack?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not at all!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s good.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the floor director walked over, looking deathly pale. “Wait… He didn’t have the full script?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m afraid not. You see, um… After he gave it a quick readthrough, I had the studio print him a fresh copy while he was getting his makeup touched up. But while they were on the way here, one of the pages slipped out of the stack, and they didn’t notice until right before the segment started…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should’ve checked it before you handed it to him, you moron!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s all right, honestly. No harm done,” I insisted, smoothing things over with an awkward smile. “Just try to be more careful next time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-kun, how on earth did you work around that giant hole in the script?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I memorized it during the initial readthrough, so I simply recited it from memory.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re joking! What are you, a genius?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no. Anyone could memorize a single page.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Each script was printed out in giant two-inch letters for readability, so any given page was only about fifty words total, if that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, but still, I don’t know how you managed to recite all four of the missing news stories with such flawless accuracy! You’re incredible!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I got lucky, I suppose,” I replied modestly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, in my head, I was thinking: Cram it, you ignorant plebeians! Setting aside the incomplete script, surely one of these idiots must’ve gone looking for the missing page at some point, right? You’d think the goddamn floor director would have noticed that something was up—and yet you want to point the finger at this guy? Stone, meet glass house! And another thing? The cameras started rolling way too early! That camera assistant’s a total clod. Plus, the assistant director put the teleprompter in the worst possible spot… Is this whole studio brain-dead?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t breathe a word of this out loud, of course. My smile was more airtight than a vacuum-sealed Tupperware container. Instead, with a polite, “Great work today, everyone,” I headed out of the studio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, my director chased after me. “Kunieda!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, go away. What do you want now?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How can I help you?” I asked, turning back with a pleasant smile. He handed me a stack of papers stapled together in the upper left corner."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Here’s your script and the other materials for tomorrow’s filming trip. Sorry it’s late.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You should be sorry! Why do you always wait until the last minute to get this shit to me? I don’t have time to wait around for you forever, you stupid pleb! “This is for the behind-the-scenes with the animator, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yep, that’s the one! He’s making a new animated title sequence for The News. Not sure why we’re being asked to cover it, but whatever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re really going all out with this overhaul, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just wish they’d spare even half that budget for the evening timeslot… Anyway, we’ll be leaving here at ten and returning around two. That’ll get you back in time for the show, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve visited the place a few times already. Real nice guy, that animator. Very down to earth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Glad to hear it.” I don’t trust your judgment as far as I can throw it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll get along with him just fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hate to break it to you, but everyone I meet is either incompetent, obnoxious, or beneath my notice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anyway, good work out there today. See you tomorrow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have a good night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On my way back to the newsroom, I paused to examine a poster taped up on the hallway wall. It was an ordinary bust shot of a man, paired with the logo for The News, with the tagline: Reinventing Nightly News With Asou Keiichi. Overall, the poster’s simple, no-frills design suggested unwavering confidence in its claims."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Beside it was a poster for The Evening File. In contrast with the dignified design of the first, this one was much more casual—a reflection of the show’s overarching theme of “quick news updates over a cup of tea.” Photos of the anchors were depicted together in a collage, myself included. These photos were taken at the start of the new year to gear up for the overhaul starting this spring, and my smile was flawless. Yes, I was easily the most photogenic of the bunch. Not even my female costars could hold a candle to my perfection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatcha looking at?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A female anchor, two years senior to me, caught me admiring my own image and walked over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, hello there,” I replied affably, suppressing the spark of annoyance that flared up as she interrupted my train of thought. “This is my first time getting to see the new posters, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ooh, I see. Great photo, Kunieda-kun! The perfect prince, as usual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And as for you, I hear you turned into a total party girl after the morning timeslot dropped you like yesterday’s news. Maybe you should think about turning it down a notch now that you’re almost thirty. Just a little friendly advice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, I wasn’t looking at me. I was looking at Asou-san. He’s so photogenic.” I smiled bashfully to play up the “young rookie admiring the veteran” angle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I hear they’re gonna put these up in all the stations and trains.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seems like management’s pulling out all the stops.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, a lot’s riding on this overhaul, you know. And it seems to be working. These days we’re starting to break 13 percent.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The higher-ups were angling to “reinvent” the station (and cut costs, naturally) by dropping all the big-name veteran MCs and brainless bimbo assistants in favor of putting the spotlight entirely on the news anchors. Personally, I didn’t really see the point in them going out of their way to advertise it during the evening timeslots, but then again, I didn’t have the numbers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, with talent like yours, you might just get a poster of your own one of these days.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, I wouldn’t dream of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the honest truth. To me, being a headliner sounded exhausting. As a run-of-the-mill news anchor, it didn’t matter whether I was on set or hiding out in the newsroom, fiddling around on my phone—as long as I showed up to work, I got paid. Plus, I still got enough screen time to keep my ego happy. In that sense, I was perfectly content with my role as anchor and co-host on the evening timeslot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had achieved the perfect balance: the exceptional good looks and flawless diction of a skilled pro, and yet when it came to prerecorded segments, I could still crack jokes and drop one-liners with the best of them. Above all, my reputation was that of a responsible, competent, princely young man…and I planned to keep it that way for a long time to come."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Kunieda-kun?” Her voice took on a hint of obsequious flattery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” I replied, guarded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Listen, um… Me and my friends are going out drinking together; would you wanna come? There’s this one girl who’d really love to meet you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had a feeling something like this was coming, and frankly, it made me want to roll my eyes into the back of my skull. An older anchor past her prime trying to put her mark on a new up-and-comer? Barf."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, but…” I selected the hesitation and guilt masks from my collection of outward personas and fused them together. “There’s this girl back home in Shizuoka, and…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you have a girlfriend?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, not exactly, but…” I added a dash of embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Technically, I wasn’t lying—this chick simply took what I said and read into it, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I understand completely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry… Oh, but please don’t tell anyone! It’s a secret!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmmm… Not sure I can promise that…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mon, please? I’m serious!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, fine! But you still have to come drinking with us one of these days. Just drinks, I promise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hah! The dumbass fell for it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All I had to do was make it feel like “our little secret” and suddenly any disappointment or annoyance she felt toward me was replaced with an irresistible sense of superiority. Knowing her, she wouldn’t actually blab, but would happily lord it over the heads of other women, like: “Oh, Kunieda-kun? Yeahhh, about that… I don’t have all the details, and he’s asked me not to spread it around, but… I wouldn’t, if I were you. Sorry, hon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Piece of cake. These plebs are all so simple."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I left the station around eight. Naturally, I made sure to offer the guard a friendly “See you tomorrow!” on my way out. Yes, I built this image campaign from the ground up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the second I walked into my apartment and locked the door behind me…that was what marked the start of my off-hours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First things first, I let out a long sigh, the likes of which I would never replicate in public. Then I washed my face in the sink, and when I was done, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My perfect smile was gone, replaced with a steely blank stare, almost like my face was refusing to exercise a single muscle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next, I ran a hand through my perfectly styled hair and ruffled it up, then loosened my tie. Piece by piece, I stripped off my suit and tossed it over the back of the couch. Then I changed into my favorite loungewear: an old tracksuit (jacket and pants) my mother bought for me years ago on the second floor of a department store. At this point it was practically falling apart, but as long as I wore a coat over it, no one would notice the holes in the elbows."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And by “coat,” I’m not talking about my designer Aquascutum trench coat, either—I’m talking about a pilly off-brand duffle coat I bought online. Anything that I didn’t want to associate with “Kunieda Kei, the news anchor,” I had shipped to my house directly. Cheap instant foods, collector’s editions of my favorite manga, you name it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I slid on a pair of thick, black-rimmed fake glasses and a surgical mask to cover everything from my nose down (to protect my throat from infections, among other things). Then I grabbed my worn-out synthetic leather wallet, stuffed it in my pocket, and pulled on a pair of grimy old sneakers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this getup, no one ever afforded me more than a passing glance…and it was such a relief. Some people would call this their “lazy day outfit,” but not me. Hell, I’d wear this anywhere—Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, fashion be damned. It was so much easier to exist in the outside world not as a “guy from TV” but as a bland nobody."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every night, I spent exactly thirty minutes of my daily schedule enjoying a nighttime stroll in this disguise. No chance of anyone flagging me down. No paparazzi shots posted to Twitter. No stupid, pointless messages sent through my show’s contact form just to say “I saw so-and-so walking down the street yesterday, and I wanted to say hi, but I got too scared, LOL!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seriously, my job is so bizarre. I go on TV and occasionally get the (D-list) celebrity treatment, but other than that, I’m no different from any other white-collar worker. I make the same amount of money no matter how popular I am. Of course, this is a double-edged sword—it means I’ll never directly profit off of any star power I generate, either. (Quite a few people have left the biz to go freelance for this exact reason, but I digress.)"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the most important difference between a news anchor and a TV star is that we don’t have any managers (or agents or what have you) to shield us from bad press. We’re not allowed to be “arrogant” or “troublemakers”—the industry won’t allow it. I’m not even talking about capital-C crimes; if you commit even the smallest act of impropriety…well, it won’t ruin your life, but it’ll certainly haunt you for as long as you appear on TV. And don’t think you can play it off as a joke, either; only a respected veteran can get away with that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be fair, though, our job is to sit there and read the news to the camera, so I could understand how the station might want us to avoid provoking any sort of negative response from the viewers. But me, personally, I wanted the freedom to read trashy magazines I bought from the convenience store, or order a side salad from the deli, or put a grouchy taxi driver in his place. These were all things my “news anchor” persona could never do…but if I had to wear that mask 24/7, I’d probably suffocate to death. So to me, a scant few minutes spent dressed like a loser were worth their weight in gold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The late January wind was chilly, but I paid it no mind. At the end of my stroll, I usually ended up at my favorite neighborhood izakaya—the one that let me order food to go. My favorite item on the menu was the beef bowl (with a soft-boiled egg on top); I carried it out in a plastic to-go bag, and as I headed to the convenience store to pick up some beer to accompany it, there was practically a skip in my step."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I arrived back home, I plopped down cross-legged onto the couch and lifted the lid. Steam rose into my face as the soft-boiled egg jiggled slightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Holy hell, I’m drooling,” I muttered to myself. This was not my perfectly practiced, diligently crafted “television voice,” either. That’s how you know I’m in my happy place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinly sliced beef, each piece adorned with fat like a glistening lace hem. Shirataki noodles dyed brown from the marinade. Shapeless, mushy onions. And last but not least, the secret ingredient: finely chopped chicken liver sautéed in garlic. I stabbed my chopsticks into the egg like it killed my parents and gave the whole thing a good stir. Then, at last—paying careful attention to the meat-to-rice ratio—I took my first bite."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sho good…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ate this same thing three to four times a week, and yet somehow I never tired of it. Between bites, I took a sip of beer or added another dash of sesame to jazz things up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the staff cafeteria, I only ever ordered the “multigrain special” or whatever other new-age healthy crap they had on offer. No matter how deeply my heart yearned for the chicken nanban with tartar sauce, I couldn’t afford to tarnish my carefully sculpted image. So for me, dinnertime was always pure bliss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a satisfied sigh, I cleaned up my trash and made myself a cup of after-dinner coffee. Nothing fancy, just instant. I couldn’t be assed to do the dishes, so I used a paper cup instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Technically speaking, I had assigned my news anchor persona a favorite coffee blend, as well as a favorite tea blend, a favorite shampoo, a favorite furniture brand, and so on. And I hadn’t chosen them at random, either. These little details were crucial props, instrumental in expressing the sort of taste I wanted people to think I had. Besides, I was pretty sure normal (as in non-celebrity) people did this sort of thing to some degree or another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sipping my coffee, I picked up the remote…but just then, my phone started to ring. Not the one I used for work, either—my personal phone that only my family knew about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kei? Have you been getting enough to eat lately?” asked my mother. “One of the neighbors brought us a box of tangerines, so I was thinking of sending you some. Anything else you need?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Cup noodles,” I answered without missing a beat. “And I want a bigger variety of flavors this time. Oh, and potato chips. And canned stuff, like chicken and corned beef. Oh, and could you send me my complete collection of Dragon Ball manga I left on the shelf? I wanna reread it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t fit all that in a single box! And good lord, your eating habits are terrible!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like I told you, I eat healthy stuff when I’m at work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At work. Right,” she muttered, then let out a big, exaggerated sigh. “You know, I see your little façade on TV every single day. At first it used to make me laugh, but now? It just makes me sick.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Thanks a lot, Mom.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m serious, Kei! I don’t know how you keep up the act. To think that lazy little glutton I raised would one day be a newscaster… I mean, you always knew how to behave in public, but every time the neighbors gush about you, I always feel like such a fraud…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut the hell up! And don’t go running your mouth about me to anyone, got it?! You’ll ruin my career!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I know… Now tell me, what are your plans for the future? With a personality like yours, is there any woman in the world who could possibly agree to marry you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d made some attempts in the past—short-lived relationships with women I saw only as accessories to my “perfect” self. But these efforts inevitably ate up all my precious free time, which meant they quickly became exhausting to maintain. Then I’d have to spend even more effort making a clean break without looking like the bad guy. Rinse and repeat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mind your own business, Mom. Anyway, I’ve got things to do. Have a good night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kei, wait—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without waiting for a goodbye, I hung up the phone and hit play on my recording of tonight’s news. Again and again, I reviewed all the sections where I was onscreen—checking my articulation, my intonation, my pacing. If I stared too directly into the camera, it would come off as unsettling—can’t have that. How was my chemistry with my costars? What about my posture? My wardrobe? My mental checklist was miles long."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, I knew the little stripes on my shirt would look like an optical illusion on camera! That wardrobe stylist promised me it would be fine, too! What an imbecile!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I finished reviewing my performance, it was time to watch the news programs from the other TV stations—all of them—played back at 3x speed. If anything caught my eye, good or bad, I would rewind and play the segment at normal speed. And yes, I did this for morning, afternoon, evening, and night timeslots, which is why I had four separate DVRs in my entertainment center."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course, I could always get these recordings from the staff room at the station, but knowing me, I’d inevitably start complaining aloud: “That looks stupid. Should’ve cut that. The timing on that commercial break was totally off.” Besides, I couldn’t let them see exactly how much effort I put into my performance or it would damage my rep. Some effort was okay, but for the most part, I wanted them to think it all came naturally to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I paid extra close attention to the shows we were in direct competition with. Then I’d check the graphs to see where we came out on top and where we lost ground. The numbers didn’t always correlate to the quality of a given broadcast, per se, but there were days when you could clearly tell why the viewers were changing the channel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hunched over like a gremlin with my notepad in my lap, I scribbled notes furiously. I’d feel a twinge of hip pain every thirty minutes or so, reminding me to pause and stretch—then I was right back to it. While this definitely wasn’t a side of me I wanted other people to see…if I were to name my strongest talent, I think the unending drive to perfect myself would be it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time I finished watching all the news, it was nearly two in the morning (and yet, by the time tomorrow rolled around, I knew I’d inevitably somehow forget everything I’d seen). Time to get ready for that filming trip tomorrow. I took a quick shower, then returned to the living room and started flipping through the papers I got from the director."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tsuzuki Ushio, 27.” Huh. Same age as me. “While attending a vocational school, his original stop-motion animation—a short film depicting the life cycle of a baby bird—went viral and reached more than 10 million views online. Since then, he has received multiple international awards. Currently he works on commercials.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Generally speaking, I hated anyone who managed to get farther in life within the same time frame as me, so my enthusiasm was admittedly rather muted as I popped the reference DVD into the player."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What played was a video featuring the sort of clay figurines I remembered seeing in educational programs from my childhood. Flowers bloomed, the sun set, rain fell…all conveyed through the squishing and stretching of clay. This was actually the first in a series of videos contained on this DVD, all of them about five minutes in length. Some of them were created not with clay, but origami or plush toys."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Man, I’d hate to be this guy, I thought to myself. Stop-motion animation required thousands of minute changes, millimeter by millimeter, all strung together to create the illusion of fluid movement. Talk about torture. If it were me, I’d get fed up and smash it all into pieces before I took enough shots to compose even a single second of footage. Any dude who had the time or patience to painstakingly create something five minutes long was bound to be the most miserable nerd on the planet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Conveniently, right as I started to take a somewhat mean-spirited interest in the creator, the next video in the series featured the man himself. Clearly he was at some sort of formal award ceremony; I took one look at him, standing uncomfortably in his tuxedo, and groaned under my breath. Accomplished and attractive? Screw this guy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He really didn’t look like the kind of guy who would dedicate countless hours of his life to pointless busywork. He was tall enough to fit in with a crowd of white people, he had a well-defined nose… Put simply, he was handsome. In isolation, his individual features were striking, and yet, strangely enough, they didn’t clash with each other. He struck me as the kind of guy who’d look more at home with a chisel or mallet, chipping away at a large, ostentatious statue. Not some dorky little animation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet the glitz and glamor of the ceremony didn’t seem to go to his head. Instead, he held his gold trophy like it was an afterthought and shifted his neck stiffly. Maybe his bow tie was too tight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’d like to congratulate you on your award.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They offered him the mic, but he simply nodded in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you tell us how you feel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not much of a party person, so I feel like going home, having dinner, and going to bed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh… Well, um… Pretty hefty trophy, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. My grandma loves precious metals, so I’m sure she’ll be excited.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the matter with this guy…?” I muttered to myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wasn’t just acting quirky for the camera, either. No, he sincerely wanted to go home and didn’t care one whit about the trophy. As someone who maintained an act at all times, I had a keen eye for this sort of thing—and I wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen, grab him by the collar, and shout, “Smile, damn it! Pretend you’re embarrassed! Make some awkward attempt at expressing your joy and gratitude! Are you Japanese or not?! This reporter’s just trying to do their job! Like it or not, you have to follow the social code—that’s how the world works!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nothing was guaranteed to irritate me quite like a lone-wolf “eccentric artist” type trying to make a living in a specialized field. Especially one with absolutely no regard for my industry’s pre-established conventions. The thought that I’d have to endure this hell in just a few short hours was enough to crush my spirits, but I didn’t have a choice—it was my job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted a little more information to work with, so I turned on my computer and looked up the guy’s Wikipedia page. Obviously any information I found online wasn’t necessarily going to be 100 percent accurate, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to check. Under the “personal life” section was a line that stated: “Tsuzuki has identified himself as bisexual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ugh. I cringed on reflex. What if he thinks I’m hot? I’ll have to make sure I’m never alone in a room with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing against alternative lifestyles or whatever—frankly, I couldn’t care less—but I really didn’t get why some people had to go and make a big deal of labeling themselves. Especially since you could be discriminated against for that sort of thing. Was it a selling point in his industry or something? Not a fan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I immediately powered down my computer and got ready for bed. The first thing I did was put on another mask—not the kind I wore outside, but a vapor mask specifically designed to keep my throat hydrated overnight. Then I changed into my pajamas, set the humidifier to full blast, and headed for my room. As I stepped inside, I felt the 60 percent humidity gently engulf my body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On weeknights I always got precisely four and a half hours of sleep, then in the morning I woke up to my alarm, ate some honey, and spent exactly thirty minutes doing vocal warmups. After that, it was time to read the morning paper over a light meal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Today’s breakfast was instant miso soup, plus a bowl of rice with bonito flakes and a slice of cheese on top. Dribble a little soy sauce over it, and bon appétit. About halfway through, my tongue would usually get bored of the taste; once upon a time, I’d add some kimchi to spice things up, but ever since I landed this job, I’d had to learn to avoid eating anything too astringent. I wolfed my boring breakfast down, etiquette be damned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then I got dressed, styled my hair, straightened my tie, and nodded at my reflection in the mirror. I had now completed my transformation into everyone’s favorite Kunieda Kei."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only question was: could I keep up the act for another day?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess we’re about to find out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not five seconds after I arrived, the location manager let out a giant yawn. If he, like so many others, thought showing weakness was a way to build a rapport with me, he was utterly mistaken. If anything, it just pissed me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You look tired,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I was up late last night trying to get some editing done, but it didn’t go so well…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Like I give a rat’s ass. It’s your fault for sucking at your job. If you want a healthy work-life balance, then I recommend you find a career in a different industry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, I see. Sounds rough,” I replied, my gaze chock-full of sympathy for good measure. Truth be told, I hated people who complained about work while they were on the clock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You never really have that problem, huh, Kunieda? Seems like you’re always in top form.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I’m privileged to have such an excellent team roll out the red carpet for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Translation: Do your job, peasants. But the location manager didn’t know this, of course, so he gave me a sleepy smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wipe that smirk off your face and wake the hell up. Haven’t you heard that some people determine your worth based entirely on your smile? You might not be one of them, but I am!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re too kind… Anyway, let’s get going.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the drive over, I decided to ask about Tsuzuki Ushio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did he land a job creating a title sequence for the late-night timeslot, anyway? I watched a few of his videos, but they didn’t appear to make any particular social statement. If anything, they mostly seemed like something out of a picture book.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you know Shitara-san? The producer for The News?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know his name, but not much else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He met Tsuzuki-san while he was working on this surrealist kids’ show for a network affiliate. Ever heard of Midnight Kindergarten?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, yes. The DVDs sold like hotcakes, as I recall.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, totally! Everybody was talking about it, and word spread like wildfire… Heck, even I bought a copy! It was just so wild—you can tell none of the higher-ups were supervising this show all that closely. Like when they took those ordinary moms and dressed them up in trashy gyaru makeup to see if the kids could still recognize them…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Interesting.” Don’t care. Get back to my question, please."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So anyway, it was around then that Shitara-san first contracted Tsuzuki-san to do a promo for his show. And when he made his big comeback as producer for The News, he was like, ‘I’m calling the shots now!’ and immediately brought Tsuzuki-san into the picture without any consultation from anyone else. Or so I heard.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see.” If he was Shitara’s little pet—not that he was my producer, but still—I’d better make damn sure I didn’t get on his bad side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway… Like I wrote in the shooting schedule, we’ll come and film once or twice a week, then play three or so minutes of footage on The Evening File once a night. Then, on the night of the inaugural broadcast of The News, we’ll tell the viewers to stay tuned to our channel to see the full finished product at 10 p.m.…and that’s that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But yeah, as far as I know, today’s just a meet and greet. Mainly so we can get an idea of who this Tsuzuki Ushio guy is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I noticed that the view outside the car window looked awfully familiar…and sure enough, our final destination turned out to be no more than a ten-minute walk from my apartment. It was a neighborhood just on the outskirts of downtown, separated from the high-rise condos by a single large highway. Ugh, what if we bump into each other on the street? Not that he’d ever recognize me, of course, given my usual disguise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stepped out of the car and immediately came face-to-face with a square wood building. The first floor appeared to have an unusually high ceiling; I could tell from the tall—and firmly shut—roller door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m told this place used to be a bike shop,” said the director. “Apparently, he rents it for cheap. First floor is his workshop, second floor is his living space.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, yes. I can see where the sign used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The door’s this way. No need to take your shoes off unless you want to head up to the second floor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Passing through the narrow space between Tsuzuki’s house and the one next to it, we walked around to the back, where we discovered a plain aluminum door—the back entrance, evidently—labeled with an equally plain “Tsuzuki” nameplate. Plus a really rusty red mailbox that looked about as old as the building itself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The assistant director stepped forward and pressed the button on the intercom, but there was no response. “Maybe he’s asleep,” he mused with a wry grin. His second attempt proved fruitful, however; the lock clicked open, and the door opened a fraction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry about that,” the man mumbled, blinking his eyes sleepily. Everything about him screamed just woke up. Then he let out a big yawn, and instantly I was pissed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why do these idiots all think they can slack off? Didn’t anyone tell you what time we planned to get here? You don’t have to serve us tea and biscuits, but at least make yourself presentable, damn it!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning! Sorry to disturb you,” said the director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, for real, it’s my fault. For some reason I thought this wasn’t happening until tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Don’t be silly! I told you about it on the phone yesterday, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do I have time to wash my face and get dressed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem. You do that, and in the meantime we’ll take some footage of the exterior. Kunieda, could you wait inside? Oh, right. This is Kunieda—he’ll be leading the interview. He’s a co-anchor for The Evening File.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s great to meet you. Thanks for having me.” I bowed to him at the exact correct angle for the exact correct time, then flashed my flawless camera smile. Male or female, young or old, it was guaranteed to max out anyone’s affection meter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet Tsuzuki only afforded me the merest passing glance, his gaze dull with drowsiness. Then he turned to the director standing next to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought it was going to be a lady anchor. Isn’t that what you said when we first talked about it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh… Well, you see, there was a bit of a scheduling mishap. I apologize; I thought I told you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Meh, it’s no big deal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yeah? Then quit complaining about it. Besides, don’t you swing both ways or whatever? You should be grateful you got an Adonis like yours truly! And for that matter, not only are we paying you for your work, but we’re promoting you, too! Show some goddamn gratitude! I thought to myself. All while maintaining my winning smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like there was some miscommunication. Sorry about that,” I offered courteously. “I promise to give it 110 percent effort.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Meh, let’s just get it over with,” Tsuzuki shrugged, brushing me off like I was a speck of dust. “I know you’re just doing your job and all, but I can’t waste too much time talking to the camera. I got a deadline, y’know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I proceeded to grab this flippant man by the collar and punch him in the face several times. In my mind, that is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, uh…you go get ready, and we’ll do a bit of filming out here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once Tsuzuki turned and walked away, the director drew his lips close to my ear. Dude, get out of my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seems like he’s in a bad mood today. Normally he’s a lot more friendly… Oh well. I trust you’ll be fine, so just do your best to get him to open up to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Easier said than done, buddy! And another thing—why didn’t you people get footage of the exterior during the last few times you were here?! I growled internally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir,” I replied with a dutiful nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the rest of the crew filed outside, and Tsuzuki disappeared upstairs, leaving me alone to look around the workshop at my own discretion. The room was filled with an assortment of miniature film sets, some the size of a potted plant, others closer to a garden trough. I recognized some of them from the videos on that DVD. City streets, beaches, forests—all scattered over the dusty gray floor like Lilliputian islands. Against the walls I could see giant studio lights and what I assumed to be backdrop screens, as well as a bicycle. At the opposite end of the room was a computer with a giant 40-inch monitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right as I set my briefcase on the ancient, barely used, synthetic leather couch, I heard Tsuzuki head back down the stairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is it all right if I set my things here?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Again with the flippant response. As much as it irritated me, it would take a lot more than that to get me to back down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you do 100 percent of the work yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At the rate I get paid, I can’t afford to hire anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, no kidding. This animation crap isn’t exactly a viable career. Hell, you’re lucky you can pay your rent at all… Just goes to show how cushy our country really is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sounds stressful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah. I consider myself lucky I can make a living doing what I do. With a job like mine, some people might see it as getting paid to goof off, and they’re not exactly wrong. I’m no different from some 60-year-old retiree building a castle out of toothpicks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And here I thought Mr. Artiste was about to preach to me about how his work is “an art form” or something. Glad to see we’re on the same page."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki walked to the computer desk, opened a drawer, and took out several thick stacks of paper bound with string. He brought them over to me. “They told me you’ll need these for the filming.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are those…daily wall calendars?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You could find them in any store, and often they came with a little proverb on each page. Nothing to write home about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Check the back,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He handed me a stack, so I took it and turned it over. On the back of each page was a little pencil drawing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. Storyboards, right? But why draw them on the back of a calendar?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When the local stationery store closed down, they let me have the rest of their stock. See how these calendars are all from two years ago? They were just gonna toss ’em, but I didn’t want ’em to go to waste. Plus, the paper’s nice and thin. Super easy to work with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But won’t the ink from the other side show through?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Doesn’t matter. They’re just my personal notes. See, when I make a video, I don’t sit down and plan it all out like it’s some big thing. I prefer to be more…spontaneous. Like random little doodles on the back of a math test, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I flipped through the pages, I realized that the minute differences between each drawing formed a single continuous motion, like a flipbook. Man, what a hassle. “How many would you need to draw to create a single second of animation?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Twenty-four frames.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. That’s a bit different from our video recordings—we film at thirty frames per second. I suppose a mere fifteen seconds of footage must cost you a whole calendar’s worth of paper.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep. I’m starting to run out at this point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weird… I was expecting him to be more, you know…snobby? Self-obsessed? But instead, he was actually really humble—perhaps even downright ascetic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyone with enough exposure to the limelight was bound to get cocky, no matter the stage. And as I watched those delusional idiots from a safe distance, I could only thank my lucky stars that I was smart enough to keep it hidden. Maybe the simple fact that I had stumbled into this line of work purely by chance was enough to keep me grounded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, the rest of the team walked in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got all our exterior footage! Oh, hello, Tsuzuki-san. Are you ready for the camera? To start with, we’d like to get some shots of the studio interior.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Feel free to hide anything you’d rather not have broadcasted on television.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, no worries.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was then that Tsuzuki finally smiled…and with his steely outer façade lowered, he actually seemed like a friendly, sociable guy for once."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Didn’t realize you had it in you, grumpy. It doesn’t cost anything to act polite, so try a little harder, would you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first I was relieved, but then I caught myself—what did I have to worry about? It wasn’t my problem if he wanted to act like a grouch on national TV. If anything, it would probably win me some sympathy points from the viewers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, the assistant director’s tripod snagged on the handle of my briefcase, knocking it over and sending its contents scattering everywhere."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, watch it!” the cameraman shouted after him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I quietly walked over and helped him pick up my stuff. “You okay? It didn’t fall on your foot or anything, did it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, I was calling him all sorts of colorful insults in my mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, I’m fine. Sorry, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No need to apologize; I’m just glad it didn’t crush your toes. There’s some heavy stuff in there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With an unwavering smile, I gathered up all my belongings and straightened up once more. Just then, I noticed Tsuzuki looking at me in shock. Our eyes met. Crap, am I coming off too fake?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is something the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not particularly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, the interview went smoothly. We arranged another visit in three days, then headed back to the station."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, he had me worried for a minute there,” the director remarked on the drive back. “He seemed like he was in a really bad mood.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, and it was your job to warm him up! But instead you hid outside like a little coward!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But when we walked back in, he seemed like he was back to normal. I should’ve known you’d work your magic, Kunieda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no,” I demurred."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Granted, this was all part of my usual act, but I sincerely didn’t think it was my doing. I mean, the dude had “kill me now” written all over his face when we first showed up. Maybe he just needed a few minutes to wake up and realize how hot I was? Not that I wanted him to notice!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Perhaps he has low blood pressure.” It was the safest theory I could offer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I arrived back at my apartment, I turned back into my usual self. On my way home with my beloved beef bowl, however, I realized something critical: I had forgotten to set my DVR to record the current events debate starting tonight at 11 p.m. Admittedly it was just going to be a bunch of old guys with fancy titles bickering endlessly at each other…but the MC of the event was none other than Asou Keiichi himself, and I could already tell that the whole newsroom would be blathering about it nonstop come tomorrow morning. Plus, it couldn’t hurt to observe a more experienced anchor at work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I start running, I can make it home in time. Gripping my to-go bag in one hand, I dashed forward—completely failing to notice that the pedestrian signal was red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a small light and a giant shadow. Then, in the next instant, they were gone again—their disappearance accompanied by a loud CRASH. Then I heard the faint creak of spinning wheels and looked down at the ground. There lay a bicycle. And a rider."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gasped and hastily…checked the contents of my to-go bag. The lid didn’t come off when I jumped back, did it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope. Still intact. Thank god.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relief flooded my chest as I confirmed the safety of my precious cargo. But the very next moment—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“HEY!” the bicyclist shouted at me from under his bike. “Not only did you just run into traffic like a lunatic, but you care more about your food than your fellow human being?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, please. If you have the energy to scream at me, then you’re fine. Wait a minute—I should probably get out of here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before I could shift into a run, however, the man pushed off his bike and jumped to his feet with alarming speed. And when the streetlamp illuminated his face, I froze like a deer in headlights. Oh shit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was Tsuzuki, the animator from earlier today. I was worried about bumping into this guy from the moment I found out where he lived, and sure enough, here the hell we were. What do I do? Make a run for it? No way! The guy’s got a bike!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not going anywhere, buddy,” Tsuzuki growled as though he’d read my mind. “Agh… Damn it, this hurts. All right, you take the handlebars—my left hand hurts too much to grasp anything. And the frame’s all jacked up now, thanks to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax! He’ll never find out you’re Kunieda Kei! Willing my panic to subside, I wracked my brain for a way out of this conflict. Do I confess to everything, or keep pretending not to know him? No, I have to keep pretending! What am I supposed to do if people find out that Kunieda Kei—ranked within Japan’s Top 5 Favorite Male Anchors, nicknamed “Mr. No-Flub” by his peers, role model to all fledgling newscasters, the human personification of wit and beauty in equal measure—ignored a traffic signal and caused an accident? No, forget that! What if they find out I dress up like a hobo and buy beef bowls every night?! My life will be over! My public image—everything I built over the past twenty-five years—will crumble to dust!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on! Hurry up and grab the handle!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…How much do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For the bike and medical bills. A hundred grand? Two hundred? I’ll pay whatever you want, so get off my back, all right? Because if you try to take this to the cops, trust me, they’re not going to say the pedestrian was at fault for this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, I’m in a hurry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you think that makes it okay for you to run through a red light?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, give me a break, pal!” His voice was steadily building to a crescendo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The light was green.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like hell it was!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, no one else was around to witness it, and I don’t see any cameras, so…it’s your word against mine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before I could once again suggest money as a peaceful resolution, a fist collided with my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ow!” Sparks scattered behind my eyelids."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now you know how I feel, jackass! Aagh, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to use my left hand! Now it hurts even worse!” Gripping his left wrist in his right hand, Tsuzuki was well and truly furious. “Your first instinct should have been to apologize! Who the hell raised you?! Anyone who can’t say ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’ is human scum!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t exactly wrong, but…I mean, would he really accept an apology coming from the guy whose first thought was to check his beef bowl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry,” I said anyway. “My bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You want me to deck you with my dominant hand this time?! Damn it, just…just carry your end of the bike, all right? My legs hurt like hell, so I’m not gonna be able to get it home by myself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted to refuse, but…frankly, it posed a significant risk to me to have to keep bickering with this dude out here in public. At this hour, we could be reported for causing a disturbance. Plus, he didn’t seem interested in taking it to court or anything. But if I pissed him off any worse than I already had, things could get ugly fast…and I wasn’t confident I could take him, even taking his injuries into consideration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine.” I reluctantly grabbed the handlebars and started walking…then stopped myself. You’re not supposed to know where he lives, genius! “Which way?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Between us, the cheapo cruiser bike wobbled unsteadily, either from the damage or the uneven momentum. Now that the fear of exposing my true identity had faded, I was free to curse my terrible luck: Man, what the hell were you doing riding your bike at this time of night? For that matter, what the hell are you doing living in my neighborhood? God, this sucks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Tsuzuki spoke: “That bag you’ve got there…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By any chance, is that a beef bowl from Sudou’s?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I go there all the time. Great food, am I right? But I feel like they must’ve changed the recipe. I don’t know what it is, but…doesn’t the sauce or gravy or whatever taste kinda different now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Actually, yeah, I’ve noticed that, too,” I replied before I could stop myself. “The sweet-to-salty ratio is different.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly! So, do you usually eat at the restaurant?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. I get it to go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me too, mostly, except for every now and then. But their beer’s worse than piss!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All beer tastes like piss.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, seriously! I don’t know if it’s the bartender or the server who screws it up, but either way, when it gets to your table, the head’s as thin as the film on a cup of hot milk!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh.” Wait…why am I having a normal conversation with him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’d think I’d be devastated to learn that we were both regulars at the same restaurant, and yet…for some reason, I was really enjoying this opportunity to talk to someone about beef bowls."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you like BBQ chicken?” he asked. “You should try The Grill over behind the post office.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do they let you order to go?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, totally!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so we arrived at the very same house I had visited earlier that afternoon. All right, I kept my end of the bargain, so now I’m free to go, right?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, see ya.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But before I could turn on my heel, he seized me by the wrist. “I’m not done talking to you! Sheesh, I can’t let my guard down for a single second. You know what? Give me your phone number, just in case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I blurted it out as fast as I could—my private number, to be clear. I couldn’t afford for him to reach me on my work phone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m never going to be able to remember that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not my problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you, five?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we carried his bicycle inside, he gestured to the same couch from earlier. “Have a seat. And if you try anything funny, I’ll hole up in Sudou’s every single night until I catch you. I think you’ll find I’m very persistent.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine! Whatever!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Tsuzuki headed up the stairs, I did as instructed and sat down on the couch. When I saw how badly he was limping, even I started to feel a little guilty…but then again, it wasn’t as though he had a real job to go to. He’d just be holed up in here with his stop-motion crap regardless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Idly, I picked up a tablet I found lying forgotten on the other end of the couch. At my touch, it woke from sleep mode and the screen lit up. What, you left it on? And you don’t even have a password? That’s pretty careless—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What the…?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shouted so loud I nearly ripped through my surgical mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s up?” Tsuzuki called from upstairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh…uh…I saw a cockroach!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? You’re kidding! I’ve never had any cockroaches here. Kill it for me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fat chance!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Obviously I was lying about the cockroach, but I had to come up with something—I was just that shocked. Of all the things I expected to see on a tablet screen, my own face was not one of them!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not only that, but it was a pretty old photo of me, too. Specifically, it was a still image from a recording of the Mascot Sumo Grand Prix (MSGP for short) back when I first started out as a news anchor—the one where Asabi TV’s (extremely lame) mascot character Asazou tragically gets knocked out of the ring. Then his head pops off to reveal—surprise surprise—one very sweaty Kunieda Kei."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back during my first year, they made me do all kinds of crap. See, if you’re an unknown quantity with stamina to spare, the production staff views you as their plaything to use as they see fit, and I was no exception. Variety shows, comedy shows, you name it—I did it all without complaint. As a rookie, I couldn’t afford to be choosy, or else they’d label me “useless” and I’d never get another gig with them so long as I lived. Why? Because the TV industry has no use for those who refuse to open themselves up to the possibility of humiliation. Of course, no one ever wants to make a fool of themselves, but at a lot of stations, that’s your entire job. Fortunately, in my case I was quickly given the label of “classy/unfunny” and after that they shifted me away from that part of the work altogether."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That being said, I felt no shame regarding my less-than-glamorous early years. Think about it: behind every A-list actress is a long history of gravure pin-up work, you know? It’s like that. I did what I had to do, and now it’s in the past. The only downside was whenever some loser with too much time on their hands dug it all back up again and spread it around online. Sure enough, when I scrolled down to the comments section, it was full of crap like “Ah, the early days, before the Prince was crowned.” Dude, shut the hell up, all right? I was just doing my job, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "More importantly, why the hell was Tsuzuki digging up my dirty laundry, anyway? This was no freak coincidence, either—I checked his search history and found even more of my videos listed there. My one-day trial experience in an idol group, that time I rode in an aerobatic aircraft…all the ones that took the most physical stamina."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyway, this was no time for me to be waxing nostalgic about the good old days. Was he trying to gather dirt on me so he could rub it in my face? Did I piss him off or something? Because I was having trouble seeing this in an even remotely positive light. You conniving little bastard, I thought to myself like a total hypocrite. Just so you know, you can try to humiliate me all you want, but I’m just gonna shrug it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh hey, you actually stayed!” Tsuzuki called as he walked back down the stairs. “Sorry about that. Took me a while to find a cold pack.” He noticed me fiddling with his tablet, and yet he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. “Do you know him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm?” This raised my suspicions, since it felt like a trick question…and yet his tone was entirely casual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda Kei. He’s a news anchor for Asabi TV, usually on the evening timeslot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm…” Seriously, what was his angle?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I actually feel kinda bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that all you know how to say?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fine, forget it… Anyway, yesterday I was doing this interview for some other TV station, and I met this other male news anchor. He was kind of like Kunieda-san, all friendly and stuff…but the second I stepped away, he whirled around and started tearing his assistant director a new asshole. Kicked him in the shin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His expression hardened as though he were reliving the memory all over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I overheard him saying crap like, ‘Go play in traffic, shit-for-brains!’ You wanna know why? Because the guy bought him the wrong brand of mineral water. And I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, dude. Would it kill you to drink different water?’ You know? Like, who the hell kicks a guy over that kind of minor inconvenience? Not only that, but I heard him call our interview ‘a boring waste of time.’ But when I walked back in, magically he was all smiles again! Made me sick to my stomach, honestly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Maybe he was having a bad day,” I offered. I wasn’t trying to defend the guy; I just meant that…well…that sort of low-level abuse wasn’t exactly uncommon. And not just in this particular industry, either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean, sure, maybe. But it still pissed me off. Made me think about all the people who treated me like dirt when I was just starting out, only for them to oh-so-conveniently change their tune as soon as my career started to take off, you know what I mean? I realized that maybe I wasn’t as over it as I thought. And at that point, I got so fed up with myself that I could barely get any work done. So there I was, sulking in bed, when Kunieda-san showed up to do his interview. And I couldn’t help but think, like, great, is this guy gonna bully his assistants, too?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ouch. Harsh.” C’mon, man. I had nothing to do with that other guy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I know. But anyway…there was this moment where the assistant director’s tripod snagged on Kunieda-san’s briefcase. Stuff went everywhere. But Kunieda-san—he didn’t get upset. If anything, he was worried it might’ve smashed the guy’s toes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ROFL. Man, I’m so glad I’m wearing this surgical mask so he can’t see my shit-eating grin right now. He’s completely bought my little act! Hook, line, and sinker! What a schmuck!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how worthless and easily replaceable they were as subcontractors, there was no value in beating up an assistant director. After all, there was still a tiny chance they might grow up into someone important someday—just like there was a 1-in-1,000 chance that any given baby sea turtle would survive to adulthood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was starting to feel like Tsuzuki didn’t fully grasp even the most laughably basic of survival skills, and for that I pitied him. What a sad, sheltered little man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So then,” he continued, “I spot this book on the floor. It’s a dictionary—and not just any dictionary, but an intonation dictionary. I didn’t know news anchors even studied up on that stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm.” I got the sense it would be weird to stay quiet, so I nodded vaguely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you knew that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He leaned in closer and stared at me. I hastily leaned away. “No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmph. Anyway, the book was practically falling apart, and it had a bunch of tabs sticking out of it, and I thought… Y’know, maybe this guy’s not who I thought he was. So then I searched him up and watched some of his videos. Honestly, I thought being a newscaster was all about acting self-important and reading a script without flubbing it, but this guy? He puts 110 percent effort into everything he does, no matter what. I was actually really impressed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I’m so glad you’re stupid. It’s going to make the rest of this film project so much easier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Next time I see him, I wanna apologize. You think he’ll forgive me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dude, you don’t have to apologize. You’ll just make everything awkward. But I didn’t feel like trying to explain that to him, so instead I said, “Yeah, probably.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really think so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let it go already,” I snapped back on reflex. “If you’re only apologizing so he’ll forgive you, then don’t freakin’ bother. Only do it if you mean it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa.” He stared at me intently. Naturally, this made me panic internally. “You know, for an asshole, you make a really good point.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, seriously, you’re right. I should apologize because it’s the right thing to do.” With this deep, dark secret finally off his chest, Tsuzuki’s whole face lit up. Then he offered me his cold pack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, you keep it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No, I’m not giving it to you—I need you to help me stick it on. I can’t do it one-handed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie to reveal a fat bruise on his left hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll make an appointment first thing tomorrow, but I doubt it’s broken or anything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pointed to the affected area with his good hand, and I carefully applied the sticky side of the cold pack. He shivered slightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well… I’d better go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This time I was sure he’d let me leave, but nope, he grabbed me by the hand once again. “Wait, wait, wait, wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The hell do you want now? I applied your cold pack, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think that’s the whole reason I made you sit and wait for me? No, we’re only just getting started. Actually, I was wondering…” He yanked me back down onto the couch. “Why haven’t you asked me about it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“About what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, the stuff I have lying around? The interviews I’ve been doing? Doesn’t that make you wonder who I am and what I do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, because I already know. But obviously I couldn’t say that, so instead I answered, “I don’t really care.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should still ask to be polite, you know. Whatever. Basically, I’m a filmmaker. I make everything by hand. And right now, I’m working on a big project with a deadline coming up soon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In other words, I’m in a real bind if I can’t use my left hand…so I was thinking you ought to make it up to me by helping out with my work for a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What makes you think you’re in any position to say no?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because like I told you, I’m willing to reimburse you in cash. Just use my money to hire a guy or something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why is it always about money with you? Money, money, money! Don’t you ever feel like a broken record?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t.” I jumped to my feet and poked my thumb against my chest. “Look, I’m no billionaire, okay? I work hard for my money. Harder than the average. And as a result, I get paid more than the average, too. So if it’s something I’ve earned through good, honest work, then what’s wrong with using it as I please? Hmm? There’s no shame in it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki stared blankly back at me as he processed this passionate declaration. Then he started to applaud."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” I snapped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I mean, you’re totally right. For some reason you can be really persuasive, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gee, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s your name, anyway?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hesitated for a moment, then said, “Owari.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Little did he know, however, this was just simple wordplay on my part. With different kanji, Tsuzuki could mean “to be continued”; likewise, Owari meant “the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gotcha. I’m Tsuzuki, so that’s kind of similar. Or not really, I guess. What’s your first name, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“None of your business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Point taken. Okay, well, could you show up sometime tomorrow night? Anytime’s fine—whatever works for you. I just need a couple hours of your time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promise, it’s very simple work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, no, no! Were you not listening to a single word I said?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure I was. You’re a funny guy, Owari. I’d hate for this friendship to end so soon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, you’d hate it? Because I’d love it, actually!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Plus, I can pay you…kinda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean, kinda?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll buy you a beef bowl for dinner each night…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cheapskate.” How idiotic. I got back to my feet, and this time he didn’t try to stop me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See you tomorrow,” he grinned from the entranceway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you won’t! I’m not coming, and that’s final! End of story!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet he kept grinning at me through the crack in the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After I got home, I realized I’d forgotten my beef bowl at his house, but I couldn’t find the will to go back for it, much less buy a replacement meal. I was exhausted. Not only did I get dragged into a giant headache, but I missed the debate, too…and worst of all, Tsuzuki wanted me to start doing volunteer work at his house?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ridiculous. Does he not understand that two hours is a lot of time for a grown adult with a real job? I’m not doing that crap. It’s not my problem… Well, okay, it’s kinda my fault that his hand’s all banged up. Seriously, that bruise looked pretty gnarly… Like, really purple… No, no, no! Don’t think about it! I gotta do my nightly news review!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I plopped down cross-legged on the couch, same as always…but that night, I didn’t hunch over and take my notes. Instead, my mind kept drifting back to Tsuzuki and the way he described his encounter with “Kunieda Kei.” His voice… The way he smiled right before I left… Images flashed through my mind of the long, cold walk back to his place, pushing his busted bike between us…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forget it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What was it about him that destroyed my focus? For years I had never missed a single day of review, overtime and after-work drinking excursions be damned…until tonight, when I finally threw in the towel and turned off the TV partway through. But even after I crawled into bed, I couldn’t quite fall asleep. My head was throbbing with residual excitement, like I was a little kid on summer break or something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinking about it, I realized it was the first time I’d ever spent so much time being my true self around someone who wasn’t related to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey there,” Tsuzuki greeted me casually when I showed up at his house the next night. Almost like it was no surprise whatsoever. This pissed me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My beef bowl,” I replied brusquely. “Left it here last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah, I ate it. It was stone cold, but still really good.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You thief!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like I said, I’ll buy you another. Now quit hurling accusations at me on my doorstep, would you?” He slung an arm around my shoulder and guided me inside. Normally my body would recoil violently if another person tried to touch me without warning, but for some reason, I didn’t mind it. Then I realized that I didn’t mind it…and smacked his hand away roughly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just so we’re clear… I don’t swing that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw online that you…‘identify as bisexual’ or whatever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t play dumb with me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not, I’m not!” He fell silent for a moment, then hit upon some sort of realization—“Oh!”—and looked up. “It must’ve been the stuff I said in that one magazine interview I did. Huh…I didn’t think anyone would make a note of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you are bisexual!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I never said that. I just said that I have a very specific type, and I don’t really care about their gender as long as they check off all the right boxes. I really don’t think it’s the same thing as identifying as bi or whatever. What, did you think I was gonna come on to you? Please. I have very high standards. And you look like you just got back from robbing a 7-Eleven.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!” You have no idea how hot I am underneath all this! Rrgh, I wish I could show him exactly what he’s missing!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come here,” he beckoned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I walked over into his workshop area. He gestured to a box full of pale gray humanoid figures, each of them less than ten centimeters tall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are those, GI Joes?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No! They’re not soldiers, genius!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squinted down at them. Sure enough, there were men in business suits, pairs of young college students… The only facial feature they had to speak of was a little nose sticking out—no eyes or mouth. Yet somehow, they each seemed unique in their own right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You made all these?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. It’s what I do for a living.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were so many of them, I couldn’t begin to count."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m going to use them to create a title sequence for a news program.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, I know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So I’m thinking I’ll recreate a busy intersection. You know, like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing or something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow. You must really enjoy making yourself suffer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Each of the little clay figures had their own custom outfit, hairstyle, and accessories. My mind reeled at the thought of how much time and effort it must have taken to craft all these."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait… Is this what I think it is…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t tell me you want me to make a bunch of these.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I let out a sigh of relief. Good, because that would be insane—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just want you to paint them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ll be fine! If you mess up, you can just paint over it! To be honest, I want them to have a sort of ‘imperfect’ or ‘amateur’ touch to them. But if I tried to paint them badly on purpose, it would end up looking really obviously fake, y’know? So I honestly need your help with this. Anyway, the paint’s over there, so go ahead and take a crack at it. Paint ’em however you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And what if I want to paint their skin green? What then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, you’ll probably want to exercise some level of judgment. Think about it—this is going on national TV, so you’ll get to brag to your friends, like, ‘See that? I painted that!’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want your stupid bragging rights.” I’m already on TV enough as it is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, it’s really not that hard. What, are you bad with your hands or something? Or are you just chicken?” he smirked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say that again, asshole?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aagh! If only my hand didn’t hurt so bad!” he sighed melodramatically. “I went to the doctor and they told me it’s a sprain! It’ll take two to three weeks for a full recovery!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh boy…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What if I don’t recover in time? This gig’s for a major TV network, so if I screw it up, I might get put on some kind of blacklist and never work in this field again! Plus, not only will I not get paid, but I might have to pay damages for breaching my contract!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine! Fine! I’ll do it, okay?! Are you happy now?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would’ve been all too easy to wriggle out of this even with his guilt tripping, and yet, here I was. Honestly, I was screwed from the moment I showed up on his doorstep. Damn it, what’s gotten into me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was my first experience working with acrylic paint, but fortunately, it wasn’t that different from any other paint. Squirt it out of a tube, dilute with a bit of water, and there you go. To start with, I grabbed ten figures at random—Let’s call this Group 1, shall we? Then I picked up my fine-point brush and gave all ten of them the same color of skin, hair, and clothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While I worked, Tsuzuki was mostly on his computer, but after about an hour, he wandered back over. Then he picked up one of my finished pieces and furrowed his brow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I asked, recoiling slightly. “Just so you know, I’m not redoing a single one of these. You said I could paint them however I want, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, that’s not it.” He shook his head softly. “They’re really good, actually. I’m impressed—I wasn’t expecting you to actually try.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then don’t come over here and give me a heart attack, I thought. And what do you mean, “actually?” Of course they’re good. I’m the kind of guy who can pick up just about any skill with a little practice. Everyone says so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki looked around at the rest of the figurines and let out a small chuckle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I demanded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can learn a lot about someone through this kind of manual labor. More than you might think.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let me guess: this one was your first attempt, and this is your most recent, right? You’ve improved dramatically in a very short time frame. Thus, I can infer that you’re a quick study when it comes to new things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Damn right I am. But I didn’t have time to get smug about it—his assessment wasn’t finished there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And yet…you seem to have a better eye for color than you initially claimed. Surprisingly enough, you’re sensible to a fault. No sense of adventure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who told me to ‘exercise my best judgment’ or whatever!” I snapped back, annoyed. And why was I annoyed, you ask? Because he was absolutely right about me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even then, someone with bad judgment still would’ve done badly, since they wouldn’t know any better. But you, on the other hand—for better or worse, you’re extremely levelheaded. Which is funny, since my first impression of you was a lot more selfish.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yeah? We just met yesterday, and already you think you can psychoanalyze me? That alone was enough to raise my hackles…and worse still, he wasn’t even that far off. I was struck with the impulse to plunge my current work in progress into a bucket of solid black paint, but I resisted. After all, I got the feeling it would only create more work for me in the end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He thinks he’s got me all figured out, but he doesn’t even know my true identity, I reminded myself, willing my mind calm. I still have the upper hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, once precisely two hours had elapsed since my arrival, I rose to my feet. “All right, I’m leaving.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay then, I’ll head out with you. Gotta buy you your beef bowl, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we walked down the street, Tsuzuki pushing his mostly fixed bike, I once again found myself wondering: Why? Why was I still hanging out with this guy when my moral obligation to him was already fulfilled? Was it because he ate my beef bowl from yesterday? If so, then…what the hell was I doing, harping on about a mere 500 yen? Sure, he wasn’t questioning my identity as of right now, but every additional minute I spent with him only further increased that risk…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what do you do for a living, Owari?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not telling.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you live by yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your goddamn business.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no matter how curt I was with him, he never took offense. Almost like he’d somehow analyzed my personality after just two days’ worth of extremely short conversations. God, that pissed me off. Luckily for me, he was walking on my right-hand side…so I balled my right hand into a fist and (lightly) brought it down on his left wrist as he steered the bike."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ouch! What was that for?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For trying to pry into my personal life. Just shut your mouth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you like this with everybody? Seems exhausting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is exhausting, actually. But only because I’m not like this with anyone else. “Just leave me alone, man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When we got there, he ordered two beef bowls to go. In separate bags, of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wanna eat back at my place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I’m going home. Obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, well, you should come by again sometime,” he replied as he set his to-go bag in his bike basket. “My deadline’s at the end of March, so I’m in crunch mode.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, please. You’ll be all healed up in two measly weeks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The doctor said two to three weeks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, doctors exaggerate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I turned to go, I heard him call from behind me: “Thanks for your help today.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I took a handful of steps down the street, then casually paused and glanced back over my shoulder, but Tsuzuki and his crooked cruiser bike were nowhere to be seen. Just dim, cold, empty pavement. I tugged my mask down and let out a foggy sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was half-worried he was going to follow me home, you know, since he was such a nosy little rat—and I really didn’t want him knowing where I lived, thank you very much—but apparently not. Apparently, he actually was on his way back home, same as me. Good. What a relief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So why was I standing there in the cold, searching for him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, interesting. So you film it all on your cell phone? You don’t need any fancy equipment or anything?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Obviously there are limitations involved, but I usually find a way around them…or sometimes I just make the most of what I’ve got, y’know? There were definitely times in my life where my heart was set on buying all the latest tech, so I’d work whatever part-time job in order to save up for it. But these days, I’m like, meh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So there you have it, folks—an insider look at the world of stop-motion animation. Tune in tomorrow, when Tsuzuki-san will be giving us a crash course in Animation 101, and find out how you can start your very own weekend project! We’ll see you then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cut! That’s a wrap!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I made sure the cameras were off, I excused myself, covered my mouth, and sneezed softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sick?” asked Tsuzuki, and I suppressed the urge to slap him silly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s your fault I stood out in the cold winter streets for ten-plus minutes, zoning out! Well, okay…no, it isn’t. But still. “No, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the film crew reviewed their freshly taken footage, Tsuzuki muttered, “Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” I didn’t say any of that aloud, did I? My “camera smile” froze stiffly on my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“About what happened last time,” he clarified."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, right. Next time start with that part, genius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I had a crappy attitude for reasons that had nothing to do with you. You didn’t deserve that. So yeah…I’m sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Tsuzuki solemnly bowed to me, I bit back a laugh of a different stripe. In my mind, I was thinking, I can’t believe you actually went through with it. Don’t take everything so seriously, you dumbass. But contrary to my internal monologue, out of my mouth came, “What? No, don’t be,” tinged with just the right amount of hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Honestly, sometimes I impressed myself with how automatic my responses felt. Like an RPG battle on auto mode. Or maybe my brain was running KuniedaKei.exe in the background."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You haven’t offended me in the least, so I see no reason for you to apologize,” I assured him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You mean it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Tsuzuki’s relief, an unguarded smile spread across his face. For a moment, the sight of it made my chest ache, as though a tiny crack had formed on the surface of my heart—so small, not even a thread could fit through it. Fortunately, that moment was fleeting, and I summarily ignored it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A friend of mine encouraged me to apologize to you, actually,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did they now?” What friend? You mean me? Because I’m sure as hell not your friend, chief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I only just met him the other day, but he’s a total riot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s an oddball, and he swears like a sailor. Yeah… He’s the total opposite of you, now that I think about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not sure if I should take that as a compliment. But naturally Tsuzuki had no inkling of precisely who he was talking to, and so he grinned like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you bring your intonation dictionary today?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, it’s in my briefcase. I don’t really need it for this interview, but I like to carry it around as a sort of good-luck charm. There’s just something reassuring about having it on hand. Sometimes, right before a broadcast, or whenever I’m especially nervous, I like to flip through it at random. After all, they say the more stressed you are, the more important it is that you carry on like normal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I gotta admit, your voice is pretty enjoyable to listen to.” Tsuzuki nodded. “It’s super mellow, with this sort of silky quality to it? But you always enunciate clearly, and your pacing is perfect. You must have put a lot of practice into it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn right I have. You don’t even know the half of it. “You flatter me, but honestly, I’m still a novice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re a ‘novice,’ then so am I.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be silly!” I stared at him, my eyes wide. All an act, of course. “A novice wouldn’t have seen half the success you have!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly, I regret everything I’ve ever made. Every time I think I’ve created something special, I immediately start to see its flaws. But when you create for a living, the only way to get over your mistakes is to make something new, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s the sort of thing you should save for when the cameras are rolling…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No way.” He grimaced, possibly in embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as I had shown Tsuzuki two sides of myself, so too did he act remarkably different around each of those sides. But then again, maybe any normal person—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the point at which I stopped myself to ask: Am I really that different from a “normal” person? Well… Yeah, I guess I am. But at the same time, I still lead a “normal” life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I always hated phrases like “the real you” or “one’s true self.” To me, it was borderline insanity to believe that other people would see any sort of value in your ugliest, most imperfect self. Hence I channeled all my energy into creating a likeable persona until it came so naturally to me that I could respond on autopilot without even thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And unlike Tsuzuki, I was perfectly satisfied with what I had created."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, “Owari” turned up on Tsuzuki’s doorstep yet again. As soon as Tsuzuki opened the door, the first thing out of his mouth was, “I apologized!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks for the status update, champ, but I was there. Dumbass. “Oh yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He said he wasn’t offended,” he continued cheerfully, and my chest ached again—more sharply than it had that afternoon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Must be because I’m so frustrated with him, I decided. Here I am, putting up with his busywork to the point that I caught a cold, and he’s dancing around on cloud nine. Of course it pisses me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or so I told myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "During a dry run in the editing booth, something caught my attention on the monitor, and I abruptly stopped reading the script. “Hold on a minute. Isn’t that a little problematic?” I asked the director, who stared blankly back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was during an interview with a member of the National Diet who was suspected of making unlawful campaign contributions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See?” I said. “You can see him entering his condo’s access code on camera.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh crap, you’re right!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The picture quality wasn’t especially crisp, but anyone who zoomed in on the keypad could easily figure out the four-digit code."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry about that!” said the director. “I’ll have them blur out that part. Hang on a sec.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, am I ever glad you caught that! Thanks a bunch, Kunieda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incompetent moron. It’s YOUR job to think about this crap, you ignorant pleb. Maybe I’ll take a marker and play Connect the Dots on your stupid polka dot tie, I growled internally as I stepped out of the booth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, as I waited in a nearby chair and passed the time reading the newspaper, someone suddenly called out to me: “Kunieda-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The second I looked up, however, I froze in spite of myself, my facial muscles unsure what sort of expression they were meant to form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Standing before me was a man, approximately forty years old, with a face I thought I vaguely recognized—but that wasn’t the part I took issue with. No, my problem was everything from the neck down. He was wearing a pastel cardigan tied around his shoulders, and under that was a cotton button-up shirt tucked into chino pants. As my gaze panned further down his body, I noticed he was also sporting a pair of loafers with no socks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In other words, everything about him screamed “sketchiest man alive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, one of the veteran crew members walked by. “Oh hey, Shitara-san! What are you doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m allowed to be here, aren’t I? I work for this station, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shitara? As in the executive producer for The News? The head honcho whose program overhaul will determine the entire fate of our station’s twenty-year-old signature news show?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s with the outfit?” the crew member asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lost a bet, and my punishment was to come to work wearing a cosplay costume. So this is my ‘producer’ cosplay! Get it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I get it now. It’s a self-parody. Wait a minute… Our executive producer is wearing producer cosplay to work? Isn’t that kind of ridiculous? Sorry, stupid question—that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! Good god, this overhaul hasn’t even started and it’s already screwed. The whole station is going down in flames, I just know it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re definitely rocking the look, but I can’t help but feel that something’s missing…” the crew member said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, me too, actually.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! You know what you need? Some aviators! Ooh, or some tinted glasses! Like, on top of your head, you know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s perfect!” Shitara snapped his fingers. “I’ll go ask the prop department if they have any.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Weren’t you in the middle of something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First he calls my name, and then he immediately forgets that I exist. Great."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, he turned back to me. “Hi there, I’m Shitara. Sorry to make you evening folks do all the promo work for The News! I wanted to come and thank you personally for your work. My apologies for interrupting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, you’re not interrupting at all.” Having regained my composure, I rose to my feet and smiled gently. “I’m looking forward to the new and improved News.” In more ways than one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! That’s the most frightening thing you could have possibly said!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you have anything special planned for the first broadcast?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmm, not yet. If you have any ideas, shoot ’em my way, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” I stared at him, speechless. Dude, those two months are going to fly by before you know it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just messing with you,” he laughed. “We’ve got something in the works, but I can’t give out any details just yet. Soon, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. I’ll try my best to be patient.” Cool story. Nobody cares."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Kunieda-kun, why don’t we grab dinner sometime? I’ve been out of the area for so long that I haven’t had a chance to get to know any of our younger anchors, and I’d like to fix that. You can think of it as a token of my gratitude for doing the Tsuzuki interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s extremely generous of you, sir. Thank you. I’d be happy to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Truth be told, it sounded like a whole lot of hassle that I would’ve preferred to avoid, but since he was technically my superior—albeit not directly—I couldn’t risk offending him. So instead I decided I would play nice this time around, then find a way to decline any subsequent invites. It was the safest option."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m free anytime after 7:30, so I’ll let you choose the date, Shitara-san.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah? All right then, I’ll get in touch once I’ve got it all figured out. Sorry for barging in! Anyway…” Shitara turned to leave, then suddenly stopped short. “Oh, and don’t worry—I promise I won’t wear this getup to dinner,” he added as an afterthought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll be looking forward to it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Like hell I will. It took an incredible amount of willpower to maintain a smile. The absolute last thing I wanted was an intimate dinner for two with some middle-aged man. Fortunately, it was right around then that my news recording finished reediting, so I went back to rehearsal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, Kunieda, it feels like you’ve gotten even better lately,” the director commented."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really think so?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I do. Don’t get me wrong, you were always really talented, but these days your voice feels…clearer? More polished, maybe? And you caught that error, too. You’re doing wonderful work all around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you very much, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is it some external influence from your personal life? Did you get a girlfriend or something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, nothing like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Subtitle: Get bent, asswipe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t get it. I just don’t get it, I thought to myself over and over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But at some point it must have slipped out, because Tsuzuki looked up at me as he stood hunched over his latest set piece. “What was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounded like you said you ‘don’t get it.’ Get what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Forget it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, you’re so weird. Not that I didn’t already know that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Keep your little comments to yourself, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He straightened up, clutching his lower back. “Ugh.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you, sixty?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think I’m gonna end up with a hunchback…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two-week (or hell, two- to three-week) recovery period had long since come and gone. All the clay figurines were now painted (though more than half Tsuzuki handled himself), and there was no longer any work left that an amateur like me could handle. So instead, while Tsuzuki worked on his project, I sat around and watched TV, surfed the web, or read manga I brought from home—all things I easily could have done at my own house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki had regained the use of his left hand, and yet he never sent me away; likewise, I kept showing up. He never outright stated whether I was invited; likewise, I never said whether I was coming. And so there we were, hanging out spontaneously a few times per week."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frankly, it was an utter misuse of my time. I didn’t stand to gain anything from it. Each visit would inevitably throw my nightly schedule off by several hours, resulting in even less sleep, and I always found myself regretting my choice on the walk home. I’d think to myself, What am I doing, wasting my precious off-hours on this crap? Then I’d resolve to never go back there again…but a few days later, somehow I’d find myself making the trek once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not only that, but Tsuzuki had given me (a total stranger, lest you forget) his spare key, since he supposedly wouldn’t be able to hear the doorbell ringing while he was hyper-focused. And worst of all, I actually took the damn thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, was this ultimately impacting my work? The answer was a resounding no. Physically, I was feeling better than ever—hell, my director had even complimented me on my recent performance. Clearly all this slacking off was having a net positive effect on me…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Actually, maybe that was what kept bringing me to Tsuzuki’s place. Maybe I just wanted someone to cut me some slack for a change."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On some nights Tsuzuki was really chatty, and on others he spent the whole time silently engrossed in his work. There were even nights when we didn’t speak at all. He didn’t coddle me, just as I refused to coddle him. Sure, he sometimes asked questions that were a little too personal for my liking, but I was always free to ignore them. In terms of comfort, this place was second only to my own apartment. But on the other hand, hanging out here meant I had to admit to myself that I was carrying a lot of pent-up stress, and I was kind of scared to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To distract myself, I picked up one of the storyboards Tsuzuki had left lying around and started flipping through it. The pages depicted an astronaut piloting a spaceship over the earth, gazing down at the crowds of people living their daily lives. Then the astronaut sheds a single tear, and…The End. A very short story, all told."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what’s the deal with the astronaut?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I figured Tsuzuki might not hear me, since he was busy setting up the stage lighting and checking for shadows, but then he replied, “The astronaut is a time traveler from a future where the Earth is destroyed and all of humanity has moved on to other planets…and he’s the last descendant. So he travels back to the birthplace of his species and grieves over just how many humans there used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yikes, depressing much?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, a lot of creative people are depressed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You sure don’t seem depressed, I thought to myself. Tsuzuki had great posture and a voice that carried well, and he was always flashing a toothy grin. As a result, he’d quickly won over most of the interview crew. But then again, surely even he must have some hidden depths I wasn’t privy to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what’s the overarching theme?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? I don’t have one. Man, why does everyone always ask me that? ‘Oh, what’s the theme? What’s the message?’ Does it really matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well…” Considering all the time and passion you invest into it, one would think you’d have an answer to that question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think of something I want to make, and then I make it. Every time. End of story. There’s no deeper meaning behind it—I just want to create something. I mean, it’s possible I am working off of some kind of theme without realizing it, but it’s not intentional. I want to leave that kind of thing up to the viewer to decide for themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you just half-ass all your projects?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know the word ‘animation’?” Tsuzuki continued. “The ‘anima’ part means soul. And I don’t think souls should be restricted to one singular form, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, yeah. It’s Latin or whatever. I know. You already told me—or rather, “Kunieda Kei”—all about it last week, remember? And then “Kunieda Kei” acted all impressed and told you how “deep” he thought it was, and you flashed those pearly whites, like, “Look at me, I’m soooo smart!” I see right through you, dumbass! Is my external persona really that perfect, or are you just dense as a brick?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki peered at me. “Uh…hello? You listening?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it, man, you’re the one who started this conversation! Ugh, I can’t mess with this part since they’re gonna film it soon… What should I do…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Conversation? More like a one-man monologue,” I retorted. “Isn’t it annoying, having to stop what you’re doing and put everything on hold just for some stupid cameras?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not as annoying as it must be for them, having to lug those heavy things in and out every time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other than that first day we showed up, Tsuzuki was nothing but nice to the entire crew. Normally, time has a way of warming people up to the point that they start pushing the envelope and wearing their emotions more openly on their sleeve…and yet Tsuzuki never complained about the script or questioned why we had to do things a certain way. Was it because he could relate to the struggle of production?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Besides, I always enjoy having Kunieda-san over.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Convenient, because I’m right here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I never thought of myself as a chatty guy, but whenever I’m talking to him, I can’t seem to stop myself. I don’t know if he’s a good listener or if he just knows how to ask all the right questions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmmm.” You’d think I’d be feeling pretty smug about myself right now, and yet some part of me wasn’t entirely enthused. It was annoying how excited Tsuzuki got whenever he was talking about… Wait, what? So I get annoyed whenever he’s excited? What for? I don’t get it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah, that reminds me,” Tsuzuki said. “I’ve got dinner plans next week, so I won’t be around that night. You’re still free to come over, of course, but I can’t say for sure when I’ll get home.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dinner plans? I guess you must not be too worried about that big deadline you’ve got coming up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, lay off. It’s a business dinner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what they all say, until you end up at a hostess club.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I guess we’ll see how it goes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What kind of response is that? So you’ll do whatever they want to do, is that it? Great, now I’m mad again. Feels like I’m really touchy these days… Weird."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you ever been to a hostess club?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what if I have?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, seriously? You have?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve been to my share of ‘business dinners,’ yeah.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Interesting.” Tsuzuki looked thoughtful. “Did you have fun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no. The drinks suck and the girls are shallow. Plus, they expect you to entertain them! ‘Tell me a funny story?’ How about I tell you to get lost, uggo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you care whether the hostess entertains you? Knowing you, you probably wouldn’t even give her the time of day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn right. Why the hell would I care about her tiny dog or whatever? I don’t even know her!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like it’s not her fault then,” he snickered. He followed this up with, “Do you have a girlfriend, Owari?” But a moment later, he seemed to think better of it. “On second thought, I doubt you’ll tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then don’t ask!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just curious, man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t… Women are too much of a hassle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A boyfriend, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Men are even worse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Neither?! Let me guess: you’re too in love with yourself or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incensed, I grabbed one of the old, worn-out couch cushions and flung it at him. Unfortunately, he caught it with ease."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, watch it! Hit me if you have to, but be mindful of the set, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I ignored his complaints and stormed out of the house."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! Wait!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I proceeded to ignore him all the way home. Cram it, dumbass. You’re so stupid, you don’t even realize who I am."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I stormed down the streets, I plunged my hands into my pockets so hard, the stitches threatened to give out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In love with myself? Sure, whatever you say. Can you blame me? Everyone else is a goddamn moron and it pisses me off. They only ever let me down. There’s not one good thing about them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But more than anything, what upset me was that Tsuzuki made it sound like I was wrong for feeling this way. What an asshole!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t spend my entire life “playing nice” because someone else told me to. Right from an early age, everyone called me “smart” and “kind,” and my kid brain decided, Ah, so this is what I’m supposed to do. Then I started doing it to impress them…and before I knew it, I was an adult."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My foul mouth and pessimistic personality were traits I was born with; no one was to blame for “causing” them. And since I wasn’t trying to point the finger at anyone else, surely I didn’t deserve to be criticized. Screw him and the high horse he rode in on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so I vowed I would never, ever go back to Tsuzuki’s again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks for making time in your busy schedule for me, fellas,” Shitara grinned. He seemed like he was in a good mood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I smiled modestly and took a sip of my champagne. The three of us were situated evenly around a round table: myself, Shitara, and Tsuzuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So this is what you meant by “business dinner”?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d already come to terms with the fact that “Kunieda Kei” would still have to visit Tsuzuki’s house for work, but I was not expecting to see him here, and it caught me off guard. Now I was furious all over again. God, I want to punch your face in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki sat fiddling idly with the knot of his tie. “I’m glad I asked for the name of the restaurant ahead of time, ’cuz I would’ve showed up totally underdressed, and they wouldn’t have let me in. Why’d you bring us here, anyway? You got a more refined palate now that you’re some big-name corporate hotshot?” he asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nonsense.” Shitara let out a self-deprecating laugh. As promised, he was wearing an ordinary business suit instead of his producer cosplay. “I’ve been out of Tokyo so long, I don’t know any good places anymore. So I asked my secretary to pick a place for me, and funnily enough, when I mentioned Kunieda-kun was coming, what do you know—she was suddenly very motivated!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently this was what she had settled on: a hole-in-the-wall French restaurant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me, I would’ve been fine with some teppanyaki or something, but she insisted I take ‘our beloved prince’ somewhere nice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m really not that picky,” I demurred. Man, these tiny champagne bubbles really aren’t doing it for me. I don’t care if it’s winter—I could kill for a beer right about now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’s work going on your end, Ushio-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not bad! You could come see it, y’know. You being the producer and all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“True, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. Besides, I already have a general idea of what to expect from The Evening File’s video segments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, well, don’t come crying to me if you decide you don’t like the finished product!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No worries there. I’m a big fan of yours, so I’m sure I’ll love it. Plus, I have full creative control, so I don’t need any of the higher-ups to sign off on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Based on the way they spoke to one another, I could tell they were close friends who trusted each other. Their last gig together must’ve been a blast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look at them, two peas in a pod. Why’d they even bother inviting me? You guys realize that if the higher-ups hate it, they’ll just sweep it all under the rug with another overhaul six months from now, right? And then Tsuzuki’s precious stop-motion sequence will end up right in the trash…not that I care, of course. It’s no business of mine who you hang out with or what happens to your work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you like another drink, Kunieda-kun?” Shitara asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh, uh…sure.” It was then that I realized I’d finished off my glass of cheap champagne."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re more of a drinker than I thought!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forgive me. I was feeling particularly parched… In that case, could I get some white wine? Sommelier’s choice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Play it cool, play it cool, I told myself as I continued to feign interest in the conversation. Then, right as the soup arrived at our table, Tsuzuki asked: “Hey, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What made you want to be a newscaster?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is sudden…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really. I’ve been wondering about it for a while, actually. I just haven’t had the chance to ask you during the interview filming since we’re always so busy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The answer is,” Shitara cut in, “Kunieda-kun never actually wanted to be a newscaster at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did you know that…?” I asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you kidding? The whole network’s heard the story.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who the hell told them, damn it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t want to?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, there was a faint heat to his gaze. Of course, it was nothing more than idle curiosity; I was used to people looking at me like that. And yet, for some reason…this time it made me restless. I averted my eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I originally applied for a general staff position,” I explained. “I had no particular ambition—honestly, I was just another applicant. But in the final interview with the CEO, he looked at me and said, ‘Would you be interested in a position as a news anchor?’ I was completely blown away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The application form and job requirements for a newscaster were completely different, so at first I thought maybe this question was my final “test.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And he was serious?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, he was.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe he could tell you had the talent for it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I pursed my lips and shrugged awkwardly. “Apparently none of that year’s anchor candidates had what they were looking for. When I asked him ‘why me?’ he said it was because my voiced velar nasals are very distinct.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Basically, it’s a ‘g’ sound that passes through the nose,” Shitara cut in again. “More specifically, it’s that sort of ‘nng’ sound—I haven’t studied phonetics, so I can’t replicate it exactly. Anyway, if it’s at the start of a word, like ‘go’ and ‘get,’ then it’s just a regular voiced consonant. But ‘sing’ and ‘ingredient’ both have voiced velar nasals in them. There are other specifics, too, obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki cocked his head, puzzled. “So…what does it matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, voiced velar nasals can be grating to the ear when spoken by someone who hasn’t mastered them. You should compare your own voice with a trained professional’s—the difference may surprise you. What’s more, we’d inadvertently hired a lot of folks with slipshod articulation at the time… Did you take classes for it, Kunieda-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, actually. Before I got the job, I’d never given any thought to my voice at all. In fact, that interview was where I learned about voiced velar nasals for the first time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, I get it. So the CEO saw a diamond in the rough and pounced on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I guess so…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoops! Looks like I’m getting a call—I gotta step outside and take this. You two eat without me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, Shitara’s absence made it a lot more difficult for me to avoid looking at Tsuzuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So when the CEO or whoever told you to be a newscaster, how come you didn’t just say no?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because I wanted a job already. And they offered the best salary. And I was confident that nothing they could ask of me would make me throw in the towel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I saw it as a personal challenge,” I said. “Plus, I was honored that an industry professional would choose me. I mean, who knows how many hundreds of applicants he must have interviewed over the course of his career?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ooh, gotcha. I don’t really get the voiced nasal thing, but I do think your voice is really easy on the ears. And it’s not just that you have a ‘nice’ voice—I can tell you put a lot of work into it that the average person wouldn’t understand. You’re incredible, man.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I looked up to find Tsuzuki smiling at me softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As someone who was constantly put on a pedestal, compliments followed me wherever I went. Like air conditioning, they put me at ease—or at least they were supposed to. And yet for some reason, when I looked at him, my modest dissent died in my throat. My mind went blank and my face flushed red, as if my skin was somehow getting a workout from all this thinking. I’d already made the mistake of chugging my drink once tonight, and yet there I was, downing my wine in a desperate attempt to seem calm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hell’s wrong with you? Don’t give me those bedroom eyes. Not like you’d look at Owari like that… Not that that matters! God, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just play it off like normal?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki frowned. “Kunieda-san? You okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s up?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’re Kunieda Kei, damn it! Take the reins and steer this conversation back on track! “Wh-what about you? Could you tell me what led you to your current line of work?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who, me? Same as you—I just kinda stumbled into it. I always hated school, so instead I’d draw flipbooks during class. Big ones, like the size of a dictionary. And from there, one thing led to another, and here I am.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you’re a child at heart, I take it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I feel like I’ll never get anywhere.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nonsense. I’m really looking forward to the new title sequence for The News.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki smiled again, but by now I’d built up a tolerance to it, so it didn’t fluster me as much. Instead, the bully in me decided to get my revenge. “How are things with your friend?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, the one you mentioned the other day?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh…right. Him.” Tsuzuki grinned awkwardly. Then, fed up at last, he yanked off his tie and stuffed it into his pocket. “I think he’s mad at me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh?” I pressed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I made this total offhand comment, and…I guess it touched a nerve.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sounds complicated.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, it’s no big deal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Excuse me? “No big deal”? I beg to differ, asshole. I’m gonna take that tie out of your pocket and strangle you with it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean, I say he’s my friend, but I only know his last name and his phone number. And whenever I try to learn more, he just snaps at me or ignores me altogether. He probably doesn’t want us to get to know each other at all… He just pops up out of nowhere, sits around my house, then wanders off again, kinda like a stray cat, and I can never tell what he’s thinking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He sounded…sad. This surprised me, and I started to feel a little guilty. He always asked for details about my life so casually, I assumed he didn’t really care about the answers, but apparently I was wrong. Well, if you were serious, then you should’ve acted like it! I’m not completely heartless, you know… Maybe I need to come up with a full backstory for Owari and just try to make sure I don’t get mixed up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the only solution I could think of…but was it the right move? Was it what I wanted?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, it’s strange,” Tsuzuki mused aloud as he cut up his fish. “I love working independently—or at least, I thought I did. But for some reason, just having him over at the house…hearing the flip of a page as he reads his manga, or his catty retorts at the TV… Having that stuff in the background makes working so much more fun. It’s…comforting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I got home that night, the first thing that came to mind was: Man, I’m hungry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not that my two-hour full-course meal was on the skimpy side by any means, but it was too “classy” to have any real substance, and my mouth wanted more. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anything edible in the fridge, so I donned my usual disguise and started thinking about grabbing a snack at the convenience store…when all of a sudden, my personal phone rang. I figured it was my mother again, so I answered it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you need?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hey, I finally got it!” said Tsuzuki on the other end of the line. I could scarcely believe my ears. “Fourth time’s the charm, I guess! Maybe my brain’s good at memorizing stuff after all. Soooo…are you still mad at me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?” My surprise quickly turned to anger. He was making it sound like I was the one throwing a hissy fit for no reason!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry for what I said, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take your apology and shove it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s fine. I’m not apologizing just so you’ll forgive me, remember? You’re the one who taught me that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now I’m hyper-pissed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wanna eat some chicken with me? Picked some up from that place I was telling you about a while back. I already had a fancy dinner, but for some reason it feels like I hardly ate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did he have to have the same idea I did? I paused for a beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I arrived that I had the world’s most idiotic realization: Damn it, how am I supposed to eat with this surgical mask on? Luckily, there were ways around this. I took my chicken, put it on my plate, and turned away from Tsuzuki completely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, c’mon! Are you seriously still mad at me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t like to be watched while I eat!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How come?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought about clapping back with something like “Do I really need a reason?” but then I remembered our conversation back at the French place and decided to embellish the truth a little. “I’ve got really bad snaggleteeth. Crooked as hell. That’s why I wear the mask.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh. I thought you were just scared of getting sick.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s another part of it. Anyway, just don’t try to look at my mouth, all right? Not even as a joke. You’ll make me…feel bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I almost said make me mad, but I figured this would be more effective."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki looked at me intently. “Okay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perfect. With my back turned to him, I sank my teeth into the saucy chicken and ascended to nirvana. It was everything I could have ever wanted, right down to the bitter burnt aftertaste. The chili oil from the spicy scallions stung my nose and made me sneeze, but I kept eating."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want? I’m busy. Leave me alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re that embarrassed about your teeth, have you ever thought about getting them fixed? It’s not too late, you know…though I have heard it hurts like hell.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why not? If you’re hard up for cash, I can spot you some… Oh, wait, you said you’ve got plenty of money. My bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Don’t lend money to a total stranger. How stupid are you?” My irritation grew pointed, like the tip of a freshly sharpened pencil. It’s a lie, okay? Don’t get all bent out of shape about it. Just knock it off, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who tried to give me money when we first met!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the same thing and you know it. Honestly, I’m amazed you’ve managed to be self-employed for this long without somebody scamming you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t go around offering money to just anybody!” Tsuzuki argued. “I only offered it to you because I figured I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t pay me back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m not taking your money.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, what, you’re just going to wear a mask for the rest of your life?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, I was seeing red."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what if I do?!” I shouted, my back still turned to him, flinging my used chicken skewers to the floor, where they landed without even so much as a pathetic thump. “Yes, I’m gonna wear a mask! For my whole life! Forever! Who cares?! What business is it of yours?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I imagined what it would be like to keep my true self buried under that fake “Kunieda Kei” mask for the rest of my life…never pausing to care about anyone but myself… The thought made me sick with dread."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Who even is Kunieda Kei? For that matter, who’s the guy Tsuzuki’s been hanging out with all this time? Who’s sitting here right now? Who the hell am I anymore?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Overwhelmed, I hiked up my surgical mask and headed for the door, but this time he grabbed me by the arm before I could make it outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just slow down a minute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t touch me! Let go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Calm down and tell me what’s gotten into you all of a sudden!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just wanna go home! You got a problem with that?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t have a problem with it. I just want to know why. Is it really something worth storming out over? I know it was a personal question, but don’t you think you’re overreacting?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s not even my name. Then again, I’m not “Kunieda-san,” either… Wait, what? God help me, I’m falling apart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hair, my face, my gestures, my speech patterns, once neatly ordered like the pages of a calendar, now scattered in every direction. Why? Where did it all start to unravel? Wait, I know. It was that night I first met Tsuzuki. Yeah, it’s all his fault."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He reached up and pulled my hands away from my ears. Then I noticed his nails were splattered with dried paint, and the thought of all those soulless clay figures—and the lonely little astronaut—made tears spill down my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa, hey…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s your fault!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before now, my life was perfect. With my good looks and successful career, all I really had to do was keep quiet about one little secret. I never would’ve thought to make friends with someone without my persona to hide behind—and I never would’ve had to confront my own darkness—if only I’d never met him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, I can accept that…but if you don’t use your words and tell me where I’m going wrong, I can’t fix it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can I possibly tell you? It’ll ruin everything! If I told you your precious “Kunieda-san” is actually a snarky slob who’s been lying to your face…that I’m every bit as hollow as your clay figures and paper mâché set pieces…you’d hate me! Revile me! Throw me out!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pursing my lips tightly together, I silently shook my head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers clamped down around mine. “Are you sure you can’t trust me? Because if you can’t open up and speak your mind around me, then…why the hell do you come to my house?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stood there in silence, Tsuzuki’s expression twisted in a marbled mixture of anger, frustration, and sadness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To be fair,” he said, “I started all this when I dragged you here the first night. But you’re the one who kept coming by. Even when I ran out of tasks for you. Am I wrong in thinking you have fun hanging out with me? Because it’s fun for me, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fun?” I thought I just wanted to slack off…but now that I think of it, I don’t remember what the difference is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s…easy,” I muttered finally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Or rather, it used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But not anymore?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No,” I snapped. “Now it makes me think about stuff I’d rather not. And it’s your fault.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean, stuff you don’t want to think about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not telling.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why should I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I want to know. I want to learn more about you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki’s eyes peeked through his messy bangs—a look neither “Kunieda-san” nor “Owari” had seen before. For a moment, I found myself lost in them, admiring their beauty…and before I knew it, his face drew closer. So close I couldn’t see his eyes anymore. Then I felt the polyester fabric press up against my lips…and a beat later, I realized he had kissed me through my mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With just a single thin barrier between us, it highlighted just how warm and soft his lips were. I could feel his hot breath penetrate to the other side. My body shivered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt his fingers slide behind my ear…and the second I realized he was going to take my mask off, I slapped him in the face as hard as I could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The hell are you thinking?! You stupid freak! I’m gonna puke!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, before he could recover, I dashed outside and down the street—the fastest I’d ever run in my whole life. My heart swelled. Stung. Ached."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good, I thought to myself. Maybe this way I’ll be too distracted to think of anything else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next day, as soon as I arrived at work, the chief anchor flagged me down. “Kunieda, let me borrow you for a sec.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He led me not to the break room, not to the lounge area, but to a meeting room. Instantly, I had a bad feeling about this. Clearly this was something not meant for prying ears…and yet I had no idea what it could possibly be. Not only that, but when we arrived, Shitara was waiting for us inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, good morning. Thanks again for coming to dinner last night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My suspicions deepened. “No, no, it was no trouble. Thank you for the meal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shitara wasn’t alone. He was joined by the chief editor, the news director, the sales manager–all the bigwig execs, sitting in silence. But what could they possibly want with me? As I took my seat at the table, Shitara got the ball rolling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re in a bit of a bind… Oh, just so you know, this isn’t about your performance or anything. You haven’t done anything wrong.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then why did you squirrel me away to this private room? I looked askance at the chief anchor beside me. His expression was one of utter exhaustion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Asou’s been hospitalized.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Early stages of stomach cancer. Thankfully, it’s not terminal, but he’ll be busy with treatment for quite a while.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was completely taken aback. Not that Asou was my best friend or anything, but we chatted in the break room on occasion, and he’d always struck me as being the picture of health. What do I say? “That sounds awful”? No, that makes it sound like I barely know him… Then again, I guess I do barely know him. “Tell him I said hang in there”? No… “I look forward to his full recovery”? Honestly, these are the sorts of things I should be saying to his face, not to a third party…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, in light of that,” Shitara continued before I could find the right expression of sympathy, “I was thinking of asking you to step in as our pinch hitter for the nightly timeslot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gave it a lot of thought—well, not that I had time for a lot of thought—and I can’t think of a better fit than you. Your names even sound alike! Kei, Keiichi…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, we’ll have a senior anchor there to assist you,” said the news director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry, I need a minute.” What I really wanted to say was: Holy shit, are you all out of your goddamn minds? but I held it back. Then, once I plastered the words “stay calm” over every inch of my brain, I continued, “Okay, but…the evening timeslot…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll officially promote you at the end of March,” Shitara replied casually. “Truth be told, I’d switch you over today, if I could get away with it, but they’ll need time to find your replacement. Oh, and you won’t need to worry about the Tsuzuki interview project anymore—we’ll send someone else. We’ve got about a month until broadcasting starts, so we’re running low on time. Gonna need to get you ramped up as fast as possible.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give me a break, old man! I can’t be the MC on your nighttime news! No way! Not happening! I looked around at the other attendees, hoping for someone to throw me a lifeline, but they just stared back at me silently with their brows furrowed and arms folded. Evidently they were convinced Shitara’s way was the only way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why me? I’ve never hosted a show all on my own before. Surely there’s someone more suited to the role,” I protested gently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Such as?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t have an answer to that. Out of everyone in the room, Shitara was the only one smiling like nothing was wrong, and it made me intensely uncomfortable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We don’t have a perfect replacement for Asou Keiichi. No matter who we choose, they won’t be able to match him in terms of popularity, skill, charm, or any combination of the three. But there’s no sense in mourning our lack of human resources—I’d rather take a gamble on your inner potential.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nice try, but I’m not falling for that. “Once Asou-san is discharged from the hospital, what will happen to me? Will I return to the evening timeslot?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We don’t know,” the chief editor replied gruffly…but I could read the room. It was obvious they were only pretending it was up in the air because they knew I wasn’t going to like the real answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Instead of worrying about what’ll happen months from now, let’s focus on the four weeks ahead of us. This afternoon we’ll make a formal announcement about Asou’s condition, both internally and externally. Naturally, we’ll mention your promotion as part of that. I imagine it’ll be all over the morning papers. Now, this goes without saying, especially to a good egg like you, but going forward, you’ll need to exercise even more self-discipline whenever you’re in the public eye.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir,” I replied, almost robotically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, and clear your schedule for tomorrow,” Shitara continued, pressing his palms together. “Not that you’ve done anything wrong, of course, but we’ll need to bring you along for the apology tour.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apology tour? Where are we going?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll be stopping in at the main branches of each political party. Not that they’ll actually agree to meet with us, but we gotta cover our asses, y’know? Gotta follow procedure and all that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, did I not tell you? For our first broadcast, we’re holding a special political debate, and all party leaders are invited. Have you ever met the Prime Minister in person before? No? Well, you’re in for a treat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the end, this extremely one-sided “discussion” (more like a directive) ended before I had the chance to swallow—let alone digest—the new information presented to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I left the meeting room, I walked with my head held high, as usual, and warmly greeted everyone I passed in the hall. Then I quietly stepped into a restroom on the far end of the studio that I knew would be empty during this time of day, locked myself in a stall, pressed the flush button on the toilet, and screamed, “Go to hell!” at the top of my lungs as I kicked the wall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give me a freakin’ break! Don’t dump this shit on me! Damn it, I’m so screwed! I was being shoved out of the modest little nest I’d built for myself and told to go play housekeeper for some other guy’s ritzy mansion. I was their little minion to command as they pleased. And once the VIP was back in town, I’d be out on the street without so much as a thank you. They must’ve intentionally been looking for a mild-mannered news anchor who could survive for a few months without complaint—one that was young enough to withstand the subsequent career mishap and make a comeback later on. The phrase “sacrificial lamb” came to mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With an abrupt change of MC right before the start of the broadcast, right off the bat we’d lose all the viewers who were only watching for Asou Keiichi himself. Then again, maybe word would spread and a decent number would tune in on the first night out of sheer curiosity. But the night after that? And the night after that? No clue. If the show didn’t meet the station’s expectations, the blame would fall on me as a “poor casting choice,” and even if I somehow did pull in the numbers, I wouldn’t reap any of the rewards. I was just the stand-in, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how I looked at it, I stood to gain literally nothing from doing this. Maybe I’d be more motivated if I was the ambitious type, but I had no interest in being the station’s poster boy. It was just too much hassle. No, I was perfectly content with a modest amount of fame and success. Why did they have to take that away from me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was so unfair…and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I was just an employee—if my bosses said, “Jump,” I said, “How high?” Sure, I could’ve put my foot down back there, but I knew if I pulled a stunt like that, I’d spend the rest of my life sitting in a chair offscreen, twiddling my thumbs. Anchors were expendable, after all. Every year they hired more fresh faces with limitless potential, making it all too easy for the higher-ups to replace people as they saw fit. Like LEGO bricks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I pressed the flush button again and again, all the while thinking, I want to go home. I want to rip off this stupid business suit, change into my tracksuit, and tear my hair out while I scream rage-induced profanities into the void. Then, once I work up an appetite, I want to get a beef bowl and…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Shitara’s words revived in my mind: You won’t need to worry about the Tsuzuki interview project anymore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good, I thought to myself. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I never have to be around him ever again—that’s the best news I’ve gotten all week. Now I can stop thinking about him all the time. Why the hell did he kiss me? I don’t get it. It’s been a full twenty-four hours and he still hasn’t called me… Obviously I’d be willing to forgive him, you know, if he apologized a few dozen times and promised never to do it again. So just apologize already, damn it! Say something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re all the same…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But my whispered words were drowned out beneath the running water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s a wrap, everybody!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once the broadcast came to an end, the studio lights dimmed and a dreary music box tune began to play. Then the producer walked in carrying a giant bouquet. Oh, spare me the farce, would you? I thought to myself bitterly as I stepped forward to the center of the room, as requested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen up, folks. As you all know, this is Kunieda’s last night as a member of The Evening File. Starting tomorrow, he’ll be the solo MC for the late-night timeslot. It’s gonna be a real challenge, but we all know you can do it! Thanks for a wonderful two years!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks. What am I supposed to do with these stupid flowers? You really think a single bachelor has a vase lying around? Moron. Get me a gift card or something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I accepted the bouquet with a cheery smile and turned to face the assistant director, who was holding a digital camera at the ready; I knew the photos he took would inevitably end up on the show’s website. But even after they called it a day, the ignorant masses continued to congregate around me—asking for selfies, handshakes, and whatever else their plebeian hearts desired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m gonna watch your show every night, I promise!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t need your help to inflate the ratings. “Thank you. It’s been really great working with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“With you on board, the show’s sure to be a hit!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And you know that how, exactly? “I’ll certainly try my best.” Their applause grated on my ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even after I slipped out of the studio, the chief anchor was waiting to ambush me. “This spring, you’re gonna be a star,” he told me, clapping me on the back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Get your greasy paws off me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The late-night crew has had nothing but nice things to say about you, you know. Everyone says you’re a quick study. Feels like our ship’s in good hands with you at the helm!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, because you’ll just throw me overboard the second we start to sink."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gotta say, though, have you lost weight? Why don’t we get you a hearty meal for dinner?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I appreciate the invitation, but I have a meeting to attend after this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh, gotcha. Must be hard, being so popular! Hang in there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, shut the hell up. Swallowing my bile, I quietly imagined myself stuffing these flowers down his throat. As I was headed to the meeting room, however, Shitara walked up to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait a minute… I was planning to watch your last broadcast for The Evening File. Did I miss it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m afraid it just ended.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a shame! You look great with that bouquet, by the way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That reminds me… The other day, when we went location scouting at the hospital, I noticed they had signs up saying ‘NO FRESH FLOWERS.’ Is that a new thing these days?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sure. So you’ll be filming at a hospital?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. You know how Asou has cancer? Well, we’ve been talking about doing a series on it. Capture his struggle every step of the way. Diagnosis… Modern treatment options… Patients with inadequate access to hospital care… The final stages…” He counted them all off on his fingers like he was talking about his weekend plans. “See, cancer stories tend to bring in the ratings. Doesn’t matter how many times we run ’em. It’s a personal issue, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I felt nothing but fear and disgust for this man standing in front of me. You’re going to use your own employee’s illness to get views? Is everything about ratings with you? Instantly I knew he was exactly the sort of guy who would leave me for dead the second I slipped up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re looking pale, buddy. I know you’re a strapping young man, but I’m starting to think maybe the fatigue’s getting to you. Get some rest! We can’t have you passing out next, now can we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But his smile didn’t reach his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Miraculously, I managed to catch the last train. Inside, the cars were still covered in posters advertising Asou Keiichi’s new show, except now a sticker of my face had been added to the corner with a stupid speech bubble that said “Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be taking over!” These people were clearly hanging me out to dry. Granted, they’d explained to me that they couldn’t simply reprint the posters due to cost limitations, but I could already tell that this was just another part of Shitara’s scheme. Not that I necessarily wanted to star in my own poster—I just didn’t appreciate the flippancy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I closed my eyes, and the smell of the flowers intensified. Blegh. I could feel a migraine coming on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meeting after meeting. Rehearsal. Research. At the rate I was going, next month I was set to receive my biggest paycheck of all time. I used to cherish my nightly walks, but now I was so busy, I found myself allocating every last minute of my free time to sleeping instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The instant I arrived at home, I remembered an unfinished task and headed for the living room without even stopping to pull off my tie. I tossed the bouquet onto the sofa, then walked over and turned on my computer. It was my turn to update the stupid anchor blog, but I’d forgotten completely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I hate this. Whatever—I’ll just talk about my promotion or something. Let’s see… “Tonight was my final night on the set of The Evening File. Over the past two years, this news program has taught me so much, and I will forever hold it near and dear to my heart. I’d like to extend my fullest gratitude to my fellow anchors and the rest of the Evening File team. Going forward, I pledge to work even harder in my new role…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then my phone started ringing from the pocket of my coat, which was currently lying forgotten on the floor, and I could tell from the ringtone that it was my personal line. Tsuzuki’s face flashed through my mind, and I lunged for the phone so fast, it amazed me that I still had the energy to move at all. Do you know what time it is right now? You’re lucky I’m even awake right now, jackass!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately those complaints went unaired, because the caller was my mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There you are! I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days, but you haven’t been picking up!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I slowly slid off the couch to the floor. “I’ve been busy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you don’t say. Are you doing okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay how?” I snapped. I was in such a bad mood, I was seething."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard about your little promotion. Are you sure you can fill in for Asou-san? Don’t get me wrong, now; you’ve always been the resourceful type, but…I mean, shouldn’t they ask someone with a bit more experience under their belt?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not my problem,” I spat. “Tell them yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure you want me to do that? ‘Hello there, this is Kunieda Kei’s mother. I do believe you’ve misjudged my son’s capabilities.’ How’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Knock it off, bimbo!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you talk to your mother like that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine then, old hag!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? You think you’re so tough, hurling insults at your own mother in private where no one can see? Because I know for a fact that you’re a meek little mouse in public. I bet you smiled and said, ‘Sign me up!’ when they offered you the job, didn’t you? You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is your goddamn fault, you know!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How in God’s name did you come to that conclusion?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because you gave me this stupid handsome face! If I’d come out looking like an ugly gorilla, at least then I could’ve had a normal, ugly life! But noooo! Instead I get fawned over everywhere I go! And I don’t get the option to say no to it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re unbelievable, you know that?! Are you seriously complaining to your mother that you’re too handsome?! Who do you think you are, young man?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I heard my father in the background: “It’s late. Keep your voice down.” But by then, my mother was too incensed to listen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m done with you! Don’t think for a minute that you can come crawling back home once the rest of the world finds out about your nasty side!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good! The last thing I’d ever want is to move back in with you, bitch!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Both of you calm down right this minute—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I held down the power button until my phone switched off, then slumped down onto the floor on top of my coat. Damn it, all that shouting probably hurt my throat. I fumbled around inside my coat pocket for a cough drop, unwrapped it, and popped it into my mouth. After all, I couldn’t risk showing up on day one of the new and improved late-night broadcast with a croaky voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The room was silent, save for the soft clack, clack of the cough drop against my teeth. I couldn’t stand the acrid herbal flavor, but this brand was the most effective."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the first time I’d heard my father’s voice in quite a while… Knowing him, he was probably scolding my mother for stooping to my level right about now; then she’d push back with, “He started it!” But unlike me, she had a life partner who would always be there for her. No matter how much my mother whined and complained, my father was committed to her for life. Meanwhile, here I was, lying on the floor, just me and my cough drop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good grief.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rolling my eyes at my pathetic inner monologue, I pushed myself up into a sitting position. I had no time to waste feeling sorry for myself. I needed to finish my blog post, then do my nightly news review, then get as much sleep as I could after that, or else I’d end up with dark circles under my eyes… Just then, the bouquet caught my eye, its pale green and white color scheme, “Chosen to match your personality, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, well, it doesn’t. At all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right from the moment I accepted it, I’d longed for nothing more than to throw it away somewhere, and yet now that it was ever-so-slightly starting to wilt, for some reason I was wracked with guilt. Unable to sit still a single second longer, I got up, erased everything I’d written on the computer, grabbed my briefcase, and stumbled out of the house."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then I walked out to the street, made a right, passed through a little neighborhood park, then made another right at the convenience store. After a long walk, the pharmacy came into view; I made a left there and arrived at…a two story house with a rolling door out front. I didn’t have a clear destination in mind when I left, so how the hell did I end up here? The second story windows were all dark. Was he asleep? Was he out of the house? Was he in his workshop on the first floor? I knew I shouldn’t have come, but I couldn’t bring myself to go back home, and I couldn’t think of anywhere else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stood there like a statue until I heard a high-pitched creak behind me. Then I looked over my shoulder and realized it was the sound of Tsuzuki’s bike brakes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He looks surprised to see me. I have to say something. I have to smooth things over like I always do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, Kunieda Kei Mode didn’t trigger this time. Instead, all I managed to say was a single word: “Vase.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was given some flowers. To celebrate my promotion. But I don’t own a flower vase, and it’s been hours, and now they’re starting to wilt, so…I decided to go buy a vase…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki’s surprise shifted to visible confusion, and it was then that I realized the absurdity of what I had just said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no, that’s not it. Never mind that. There’s been a…sudden staff reassignment on the interview project, and I just…felt bad that I wouldn’t get the chance to say goodbye to you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There. That makes more sense… Still doesn’t really explain why I’m standing outside his house in the middle of the night, though, does it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He stared at me for a moment. “Wanna come in? It’s cold out here, and it doesn’t look like you’ve got a jacket.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t, no.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weeks had passed since I last set foot in this house, and yet not a single thing had changed. Well, other than the set piece, I guess—that was finished now. Little zebra crossings ran between the skyscrapers, nearly buried under the swarm of tiny figures covering every inch of the intersection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, the project’s made it through the filming and editing stages?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. All that’s left is to have Shitara-san take a quick look at it, then do a few touch-ups in post.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s great to hear. Congratulations…or am I getting a little ahead of myself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shouldn’t I be congratulating you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got a huge promotion, right? MC of your own show? That’s incredible, man. That show’s been running since I was a kid, and now I can say I’ve met the guy who hosts it. Crazy stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hah. Thanks.” Great, not you too. But I couldn’t find the energy to actually get mad at him for bringing it up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must be super busy these days.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You could say that.” Why are we making small talk? Is that why I wandered over here? For this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m sure they chose you because they know you can handle it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hell do you think you know about me, you goddamn amateur? There’s a world of difference between reading a script and hosting an entire show on your own. From now on, not only will I have to memorize the full script, I’ll have to single-handedly balance the pacing and set the tone, plus I’ll need to play off of my guests and offer well-timed, pertinent commentary, all while making sure not to steal too much of the spotlight or disappear into the background. Worse, it’s a live broadcast, and our first night we’re having a political debate of all things! These self-important windbags are gonna ramble on and on just so they can hear themselves talk, and I’m gonna have to play moderator! No way in hell can I juggle all that!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I didn’t breathe a word of this tirade out loud. Instead, all I said was, “That’s very kind of you to say. Everyone has been very encouraging thus far.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow, that’s incredible.” “Good on you.” “I know you can do it.” “I’m not surprised they chose you.” “I’m sure you’ll bring in the ratings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’d only ever seen my perfectly manicured persona, so they all mistakenly believed I was competent enough to handle it. None of them suspected for a moment that I was consumed by crushing anxiety…and I couldn’t begin to tell them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even when I slept, I was cursed with nightmares in which my mind went blank in the middle of the broadcast. Every second I failed to speak, I watched as the ratings plummeted. Five more seconds and the whole broadcast will be canceled! Hurry! Five! Four! Three! Two…and that’s the part where I’d always wake with a start. But I didn’t have anyone I could talk to about these dreams, even jokingly. My friendships were only surface level at best—I just smiled and played nice and never got angry. I mean, think about it: being honest and vulnerable with people would only be exhausting. Not just for me, but for everyone involved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Belatedly, my mother’s words pierced me like a knife: You’ve made your bed, now lie in it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I admitted to Tsuzuki just how terrified I was on the inside…how would he react? Oddly enough, now that I was at my lowest, I was strangely confident that I might just manage to tear off this seemingly inescapable mask I was forced to wear. I could hear a tiny voice in my chest: Say it. Just say it! Tell him about Owari while you’re at it! Who cares anymore? Maybe once it’s off your chest, you’ll find the strength to carry on. This could be your last chance…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to apologize from the bottom of my heart, and I wanted his forgiveness. If not that, then I at least wanted him to acknowledge that I was a human being with flaws like anyone else. Otherwise I couldn’t keep doing this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You said you wanted to learn more about me, right? Granted, you weren’t talking to “Kunieda-san” at the time, I guess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, uh—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry,” Tsuzuki cut in, holding up a hand to stop me. “I’m actually really busy right now—would you mind if I did some work? I’ve got a lot of little details I need to adjust by tomorrow morning. You’re free to stay as long as you need to, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Honestly, I should’ve left right then and there. But he’d essentially yanked the rug out from under me, and by the time I recovered, he’d already walked over to his desk. One look at his face in profile and I knew from my experience as Owari that he was now too focused on his work to listen to a word I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Damn it, you used to swoon over your precious “Kunieda-san,” and now he’s chopped liver? What, are you done sucking up to him now that he’s off the project? You’re so stupid—you don’t even realize who you were kissing that night. Do you know how bad you fucked me up? You don’t, do you? Of course you don’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having lost my opportunity to go home, I reluctantly took a seat on the sofa. The cheap synthetic leather let out a tiny squeak under my weight, and I realized just how much I had missed that sound. Not like he’ll even look at me, so I guess it doesn’t matter, I thought to myself as I slumped over lazily. Then I began to talk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right after I got the job with Asabi TV, one of my fellow recruits—a girl—she told me they were having a get-together for the new anchors. Asked me to come.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure enough, no response. Oh well. I shrugged to myself and continued."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But when I arrived, everyone stared at me like…like I was a zoo animal. There were all sorts of people there—new hires from key stations and rural cable networks all over Japan. It was like a little newscaster convention in there. And for some of them, working for a major network was their life’s ambition. They’d turn down offers from other companies and keep applying for their dream job, again and again, year after year. And then I walked in—a nobody. An anomaly. I wasn’t one of them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instantly I could tell they resented me. They say you’re really talented—but y’know, even I made it to the final interview with Asabi, so. Some of them even had the audacity to ask me if I was a nepotism hire—the son of a celebrity or a network sponsor or something. What a joke. I’m from a normal middle-class family, same as anybody else. I started from the bottom and only got this far through rigorous training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never went to broadcasting school. Never joined any broadcasting club. No Olympic-class achievements on my resume. I was just chosen on a whim by someone in a position of power. You might think that sounds impressive, but when it comes down to it, it was just dumb luck. Some guy opened a door for me, and as a result, I got to skip straight to the finish line… I’d be lying if I said I’ve never regretted it. But now I can’t go back, so instead I just… If I screw up, they’ll all say, ‘Aha! This proves that he only got in through favoritism!’ So I work as hard as I can to compete with the people who actually wanted this job, and I’m just constantly…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next thing I knew, someone was shaking me awake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san? It’s 6 a.m.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instantly my blood ran cold, and I bolted upright, causing the blanket I didn’t know I was tucked under to slide down into my lap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment I laid eyes on Tsuzuki, I remembered everything that had happened last night. Clearly I must have passed out at some point during my monologue. Didn’t even dream about anything—just out like a light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for imposing—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, it’s my fault for being distracted with work stuff. Want some coffee?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, thank you. I’ll be going home now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay then. Real quick, before you go…” He dashed up to the second floor, then came back down carrying a terracotta vase. “This was a gift from a friend of mine who’s into pottery, but you can take it if you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so I walked across town under the faint morning light, carrying a giant flower vase. It was thick, with a wide, uneven mouth; I couldn’t really tell if it was an intentional part of the design or just poor craftsmanship. When I got home, the flowers were even more wilted…but once I got them into some water and adjusted them a bit, they seemed to regain a tiny bit of their strength, and that made me feel better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve done all I can to prepare for this—or at least, more than anyone else would’ve if they got promoted in my place, I told myself as I looked down at the script. It was 9 p.m., and the broadcast was set to start in just one hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our guest speakers are waiting in the front lobby,” called the assistant director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I rose to my feet…but Shitara stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhh…to greet them…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That won’t be necessary.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s for the CEO and his team to worry about. Gotta put ’em to work somehow, y’know? You just keep on doing what you need to. Remember, you’re the MC! This is the Kunieda Kei show! Not saying you should lord it over people, but still—you’ve earned the right to a little swagger.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now I was starting to understand how this guy got shipped out to the boonies for however many years; he certainly wasn’t going to win brownie points with the higher-ups with that attitude. It was impressive, actually…but not in the “I should take a page out of his book” sort of way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, we’re ready for you in the dressing room.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From the moment I arrived at work that morning, the whole station was buzzing with restless energy—people dashing in and out, increased security, the works. Hell, they were even checking for bombs in the garbage cans on the newsfloor. Everywhere I looked, I could feel just how important tonight’s special guests were."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once my hair and makeup were good to go, I stepped into the studio to find the entire executive team, CEO included, standing at the ready while the technical team exchanged whispers:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Man, I haven’t seen this kind of all-star ensemble since the lighting ceremony for the new office building.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Our fate’s riding on this thing—in more ways than one. If we screw this up, they might just revoke our broadcast licenses!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, not funny!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squinted against the light. Was the studio always this bright? Almost like there’s nowhere for me to hide…not that they’d let me hide in the first place. This is “the Kunieda Kei show,” remember? That means I have to handle it all myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At 10 p.m., I was going to have to sit in the host’s seat for the next solid hour. And no matter how I begged or pleaded, no one would take over for me… Suddenly, the black camera cables on the floor looked like writhing snakes, and goosebumps pricked up my arms. I’d never felt this way in all my career. There were eight cameras, cranes included—twice as many as the evening timeslot. Eight large eyes, all focused on me. Plus, my image would be broadcast across all of Japan in real time. Hundreds…no, thousands of eyes, all on me…and no matter what catastrophic mistakes I made, I would never be able to escape them… Sweat began to bead on my forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Quit letting your imagination get carried away. Don’t think about all the ways you could screw up; it’ll be fine. The title sequence will play for fifteen seconds. Then the cameras will pan over the set. Close-up on me—that’s my cue. “Good evening…” Okay, and then what? Wait…what do I say after that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I walked over to a long table in one corner of the studio and attempted to grab the script sitting there, but couldn’t quite reach. Fortunately, the assistant director was standing right there. He picked it up and handed it to me. “Is everything okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just need to borrow it, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My hands were trembling as I accepted the stapled stack of papers. This was the most nervous I’d ever felt at work—even more than on my first day on the job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax, would you? Just read the script. “Good evening. Welcome to The News. Starting tonight, we’re bringing you an all-new show, and for our inaugural broadcast, we’ve invited Japan’s most distin…uishe… poli…cal lead…s to spea…with us. Joi…after th…com…ercial brea…to hear thei…akes on a…ide varie…of topics…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no matter how hard I tried to read it, it refused to stick. It felt like I was trapped inside another one of those nightmares—mind blank, spotlight on me—except this time, it was real."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me, but we need to get you miked up here shortly,” said a member of the sound crew, holding up a clip-on mic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No! I retreated a few steps back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, er…I apologize, but I’d like to use the restroom one last time, if that’s all right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I stepped out of the studio into the empty hallway, I could feel my fake smile falling apart. I headed upstairs to the men’s restroom, and no sooner had I locked myself in a stall than the trembling in my hands spread across my entire body. My teeth chattered uncontrollably."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m too scared. I can’t do this. I can’t! Maybe I could submit my resignation and then fly to a different country and wait it out until it all blows over? Maybe my appendix could spontaneously rupture? Maybe an escaped criminal could run into this bathroom and beat me into a coma? Or maybe an arsonist could set a teeny tiny fire in the building—you know, make us all evacuate, but nobody dies? That kind of fire?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But not even my best escapist fantasies could stop the clock from ticking. 9:40 p.m. If I didn’t hurry back to the studio, the team would start to panic…but my legs refused to cooperate. As I stared down helplessly at the clock on my phone, the screen timed out and went dark, so I hastily clicked it back on again. This process repeated for a full minute. Then another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, what do I do? Damned if I do, damned if I don’t… Well then, I might as well not go back, right? But if I stay here, they’ll find me sooner or later…and there’s no way I can sneak out of the station…but…but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the screen went dark again—but this time it immediately lit back up, buzzing loudly, the red “incoming call” light flashing like crazy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was such eerily perfect timing, I let out a small scream. Then I saw the number displayed onscreen and froze—but then I thought, Screw it. It can’t get any worse than this. So I answered it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Actually, on second thought… Deep down, maybe I was hoping this would happen. That would certainly explain why I bothered bringing my personal phone to work today instead of leaving it at home like I normally do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you want?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I was just wondering how you’re doing these days,” Tsuzuki replied, as though he’d completely forgotten what happened between us the last time he saw…uh…Owari. “I finally finished my project, so I’m free from work for a while. It’s gonna air on TV here any minute now, so you might wanna turn yours on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to scream at him—Don’t talk to me as if nothing ever happened! You have no idea how you made me feel!—but instead, all that came out was a tiny plea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Help me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing,” he replied casually. “I’ll be right there. Where are you right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fell silent. Obviously I couldn’t tell him, no matter what kind of crisis I was having."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sighed. “Not this crap again… Why are you always like this? Why can’t you just open up to me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trust me, I would tell you if I could. You’re the only one on this planet I’d be willing to tell…and that’s exactly why you’re the last person I’d want to find out. Which side of me is it that’s so obsessed with you, anyway?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, whatever,” he replied. “Look… The guy I love once told me that the more stressed you are, the more important it is that you carry on like normal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe you should give it a try. Just turn on the TV and watch, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The guy he loves?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With those parting words, Tsuzuki hung up on me, leaving me to my misery. At first I was furious that he would abandon me like that…but then I thought of something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fumbling with the lock, I staggered out of the bathroom stall and started running—down the stairs and back into the studio. I could feel everyone turn to look at me, their eyes stabbing into me like daggers, but I ignored them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda! Where the hell—” the news director began, but I ignored him, too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, now. Let’s not be too hard on our star performer on opening night, shall we?” said Shitara in a half-assed attempt to mollify the angry bigwig."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, I walked over to the long table and did my “normal” thing: I picked up my forgotten intonation dictionary and quietly opened it to the first page."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There, in the bottom right corner, was a rough pencil sketch of my face; it was cartoony in style, and yet somehow it still managed to capture me perfectly. Belatedly, I found myself impressed at Tsuzuki’s artistic prowess. He must’ve drawn it in secret while I was asleep—that was the only explanation I could think of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I flipped to the next page and found another drawing, identical to the first. Same with the next page. And the page after that, and the page after that… Then I pressed my thumb hard against the edge of the book and started flipping through the pages at high speed. As I watched, the drawings that I thought were “identical” slowly started to shift. My winning smile slowly faded into a steely blank stare; a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses appeared alongside a surgical mask; and my hair steadily grew more and more unkempt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I mouthed the words, “You knew?” down at the dictionary. Since when? Why didn’t you say anything? You’d think this revelation would have terrified me, and yet the little doodle was so heartwarming that I felt the urge to suppress a laugh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um… Sorry to bother you, but…your mic…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, my apologies. Right you are. Go for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe he used my damn dictionary like a drawing pad. Once I’m out of here, I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind. Yeah… Even if I ruin the whole broadcast and have to flee my home country, he’s the one person I’ll need to say my goodbyes to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Standby, sixty seconds.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words echoed across the studio. I closed my dictionary, set it back on the table, and stepped into the bright light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind me, I heard Shitara call out to me: “Don’t worry about getting it perfect, all right? No one expects that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, you should,” I replied without missing a beat. “I’ve been doing this for a while now, and ‘Perfection’ is my middle name.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t see his face, but I thought I felt him smirk at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, then—let’s see you nail it better than anyone could.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sat down in the host’s chair. To my left was an empty table, its chairs waiting to be filled. This is my show, I thought to myself as I took a deep breath. I may be nothing but a stand-in, but I’m still in charge. I don’t care who walks onto my stage, be it a party president, the Prime Minister, or even the Emperor. On this set, I’m the MC. The Master of Ceremonies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "9:59:50 p.m."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ten seconds…nine…eight…seven…six… Five seconds…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From there, the rest of the count was carried out silently, with fingers only. And at 10 p.m. exactly, I leaned forward slightly and peered into the on-air monitor positioned precisely within the cameras’ blind spot. Onscreen was a bird’s-eye view of a city, with crowds of people—by which I mean Tsuzuki’s clay figures—swarming between tall buildings. Then it panned out to the astronaut, looking down upon his distant ancestors as he shed a single fat tear…that is, until another astronaut gently placed a hand on his shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whoa. That wasn’t in the original storyboards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two astronauts exchanged a nod, and then the spaceship flew off into the stars as the logo for The News faded in. If I asked him why he added a second astronaut, would he still shrug and say he just felt like it? That there was no deeper meaning behind it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn it, why do I wish he was here?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good evening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I smiled into the camera. Then I checked my bust shot in the monitor and silently gave myself a little pat on the back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Best one yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thus far, we’ve heard your thoughts on job security and the unemployment rate. Let’s move on…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is this a dream? I wondered idly. It all felt so surreal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Next, we’ll be discussing potential countermeasures to the falling birthrate—but first, let’s watch the following clip.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the video played, I contemplated who to address first."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First, I should start with the people who have actual experience drafting legislature on this topic. Then the guy who flipped his lid over government childcare subsidies will probably want to complain, so I’ll give him a couple minutes to say his piece. After that, I’ll need someone who’s less emotionally invested to bring the conversation back down… We’ll need to address preschool waiting lists, too; I’ll give the women priority on this one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the video ended and the show resumed. Meanwhile, I arranged and rearranged my guest stars like building blocks in my mind. Stacked them up, knocked them down, stacked them up again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, if I were to sum up your arguments from my perspective…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Camera 4 centered on the table, followed by a wide shot from camera 8 on the crane. Fifteen seconds of footage from the most recent House of Representatives election, then back to the studio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the show progressed, I quickly gained an understanding of the camerawork involved, as well as which shots would be used for the broadcast. As I recited my lines, it almost felt like I was switching out the feeds myself through sheer telekinesis. Was I having an out-of-body experience? Everything seemed to be connected by invisible threads…and the power was in my hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whenever I replied to one of my guests, the words came to me naturally. Poll results, party seats, party platforms…I didn’t even need to pause to think about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, this must be a dream…because for the first time in my life, I’m actually having fun doing my job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "10:23 p.m."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The show was progressing smoothly—everyone was invested in the conversation, and there was a good back-and-forth going. So far, no major mistakes. The only problem on my mind was the upcoming commercial break."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how heated the arguments got, we still had to cut to commercials—that’s TV broadcasting for you. But this next commercial was a long one, clocking in at two and a half minutes. Misjudge the timing and it could impact the discussion or even cost us viewers. But we were already three minutes overdue, and I was running out of wiggle room. Nobody was looking at the cue cards, and the floor manager’s frustration was palpable. I needed to steer the conversation to a good cut-off point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Guess I’ll just have to do this the hard way. “I hate to interrupt, but it’s time for a word from our sponsors.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That should have been enough, but unfortunately, it wasn’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re having a very important discussion right now!” one of the party leaders roared back at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In terms of house seats, his party was a small minority, but after decades spent working in politics, this old man was more than opinionated enough to make up for it. Everyone had warned me in advance that he’d be tricky to deal with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re trying to talk about tax hikes. If you’re not going to contribute to the conversation, then just sit there and shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not contributing? Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I inhaled ever so slightly, so the cameras wouldn’t pick it up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand exactly how important this discussion is,” I said. “The thing is, I find your arguments to be flimsy at best.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of the other guests let out a snicker. That really set the guy off. “I beg your pardon? Then perhaps you need to do some research!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you sure about that? I may be the host of this debate, but at the end of the day, I’m an ordinary citizen; on election day, I go to the polls and cast my vote, same as anyone else. So as a representative of the people, I must ask: is it your party’s policy, then, to write off any opinions you don’t like by claiming they come from a place of ignorance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never said that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well then, could you explain it to me? Prior to the election, your party manifesto called these tax hikes ‘unavoidable.’ But after a dramatic decrease in house seats, your official position flipped a full 180 degrees. To the average person, it would appear as though you’ll say anything to stay elected—is that correct?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?! I find that notion extremely offensive!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The mood in the room was now dangerously tense. Some of the staff members were openly concerned; hell, even I was mildly terrified of what I’d done. I was just trying to push for a commercial break, and now this? How was I supposed to recover?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet, for some reason, I felt excited in equal measure. Just look at him boiling with rage! Now this is good television! Cameras, get a close-up!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By all means, please explain to me how a tax increase is unnecessary,” I continued. “It’s extremely unlikely, arguably impossible, to make up for the massive deficit simply by cutting funding for public services. Don’t believe me? Just look at the budget proposal for next year—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve had enough of you! I’m leaving!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The old man jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair. But I knew a single second of hesitation would cost me my victory, so I immediately turned to the assistant director and said: “Someone get this man a teddy bear and a nap.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go! Now!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And at that exact moment, I saw the monitor switch over to a commercial for a soft drink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Commercial break!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whew. I rose to my feet and bowed deeply. “I am so sorry for what I said.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next instant, the grumpy old politicians all burst out laughing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be! You had him on the ropes!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, what he said. That old man loves to grandstand for attention.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me about it! You could tell he knocked his chair over on purpose!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The little dogs always bark the loudest. And shows like these are the only time anyone from his party gets to be on TV.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had assumed the man in question was going to tear me a new one, but instead he sat there red-faced and simply stuck his tongue out at me. “You’re welcome for the ratings,” he scoffed. “I’ll expect a bottle of booze delivered to my office.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well played, sir. For as frustrated as I was, I couldn’t help but laugh as I returned to my seat. “I’ll be sure to tell my producer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After the final commercial break, it was time for today’s news headlines, then a sports update. These were both handled by other anchors."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Next up, let’s take a look at the weather.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After exchanging a few lines with the meteorologist standing in the plaza out in front of the TV station, we covered the cherry blossom forecast, pollen levels, what to wear for tomorrow’s weather… Then, at 10:57:50 p.m., the ten seconds left cue went up, and sure enough, ten seconds later, the ending theme began to play."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tune in this time tomorrow, and I’ll see you again. Until then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I gave one final smile, and…scene. Then I fell into a slight coughing fit, and the assistant director rushed over with some water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry! I wanted to bring you some during the commercial break, but Shitara-san told me it would break your concentration, so…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s all right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the end it didn’t matter, since I managed to stick it out for the whole broadcast. Still, one sip and it quickly became apparent just how parched I was. In a blink, I’d inadvertently downed the whole cup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hell yeah. That’s the stuff,” I exhaled, and a moment later I realized I’d spoken not as Kunieda Kei, but myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh crap. I looked around…and found everyone in the studio staring blankly back at me. Panic spiked in my chest. Why aren’t they saying anything? Did I screw something up and not get the memo? The room was quieter than it had any right to be, especially immediately after a broadcast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the first thing to break the silence…was Shitara, loudly clapping his hands. Then a second person joined in. Then a third. Then the camera operators…then the assistant director…the hairstylist…the makeup artist…the sound crew…the lighting crew…the camera assistants… This broadcast could never have happened without each and every one of them. Likewise, they had all watched me work, praying from the bottom of their hearts that I would pull it off like I promised I would."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surrounded by a seemingly endless standing ovation, I bowed deeply. “Thank you so much.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right, folks! Let’s break for thirty minutes, then come back together in the meeting room for the evaluation meeting,” called Shitara. Then he walked up to me. “That was better than I ever could have imagined,” he gushed with the sort of fervor I didn’t even know he was capable of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What were you imagining, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eh, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, the CEO’s headed out to a dinner party with our esteemed guests. Want to pop in for a bit?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll leave that to the big fish,” I answered. “I need to be present for the evaluation meeting. Plus, I’d like to watch tonight’s recording and double-check a handful of things. That way I can perform even better tomorrow night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re counting on you, champ.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We talked until dawn, discussing tiny details that 99.9 percent of viewers probably wouldn’t give a crap about one way or the other, like whether the subtitles should be a darker blue, or whether the camera should zoom in for an extra second after the end of the title sequence. But we industry professionals made up that last 0.1 percent, and that was why it was our job. Even Tsuzuki’s films had to start from a single frame of storyboard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was my first time sleeping on a sofa at the office, and I awoke to find something light and papery draped over my face. I could smell the faint scent of ink… Did someone use my face as a garbage can? Because this sure as hell wasn’t much of a sleep mask. For a second I forgot myself and grimaced openly, but fortunately, my newfound shield safely concealed it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Propping myself upright, I pulled the paper away from my face…and realized a man was standing in front of me. Not only that, but I was surrounded by people passed out facedown on their desks. Anyway, who is this guy again? I know I recognize him… Pretty sure he’s an editor… Whatever. He’s definitely senior to me, so I’d better be polite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning,” I blurted out, bowing my head in apology. “I apologize for conking out like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no worries. That was one hell of a show last night, so if anyone’s earned the right to pass out, it’s you. Anyway, take a look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He indicated the paper, so I followed his suggestion and examined it. “Oh…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a ratings chart, the kind the editorial team printed out whenever a show hit its target. The average viewership was listed as 23.5%…and our share was 28%."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“With those numbers, the program overhaul is off to a great start.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll notice viewership peaked at 25%, right before a commercial break, at approximately 24 and a half minutes in. Right around the time you made that ‘teddy bear’ quip.” He grinned wryly, then cautioned, “Funny as it was, for a news anchor, that comment was cutting it pretty close. Try to act edgy and you’ll just dig a hole for yourself; the viewers will lose interest pretty quickly. I know it can be tricky, but for tonight’s show, let’s try to keep things ‘business as usual.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pass that chart on to Shitara, would you? He should be back any minute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where did he go?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To the hospital,” was all he said in reply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A short while later, Shitara walked in. His gait was so light, you’d think he wasn’t tired at all. When he spotted me, he smiled. “Morning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, sir.” I handed him the ratings chart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Interesting,” he replied, but he didn’t actually sound all that surprised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Were you expecting something higher…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no. These numbers are astounding! Let’s go whine at the editorial team until they give us a little performance bonus. Drinks are in order!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shitara spun on his heel and promptly stuck our “astounding” results to the wall…with packaging tape. Like it was a child’s drawing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard you were at the hospital this morning,” I called after him. “I assume you were visiting someone?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Asou, obviously. What a prima donna, am I right?” He shrugged playfully."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He called me first thing in the morning to demand I bring him a DVD of last night’s show ASAP. Apparently he was watching last night and got intimidated by your ‘youthful energy’ or something. Told me, ‘Oh, he wasn’t bad, but I could’ve done a lot better. Once I’m out of the hospital, you’d better give me my job back!’ I tell ya, all that shouting probably scared the cancer right out of his body. Just what the doctor ordered, am I right?” He turned and looked at me. “Thanks again,” he finished, his tone uncharacteristically sentimental."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, er…of course, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you didn’t think I’d thank you? Do I look like the kind of vulture who would take advantage of a guy’s illness for the views? Gimme a break, kid. Just so we’re clear, it was Asou himself who wanted us to cover it, all right? The guy’s terrified of losing the limelight for even a second. He’s married to the job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could never be like that, I thought to myself. I’m not that ambitious—I’m just a jack of all trades. Plus, I lead a double life…but at least Tsuzuki seems to accept me… Well, I should probably ask him and make sure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Outside the station, I climbed into a taxi. “You the guy from last night’s news?” asked the driver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Congrats, you have eyes. “Yes, that’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw your show last night! It was great!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that stuff all scripted, or what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The world may never know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shut the hell up and drive, would you? I hissed internally, as I always did…but for some reason, I wasn’t actually in a bad mood. I checked my phone, hoping to find a message from Tsuzuki, but no such luck. I did, however, find an e-mail from my mother that read: Great work, hon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And for once, I actually replied: Thanks, Mom."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The taxi pulled up outside Tsuzuki’s house, and I stepped out. Glancing around furtively, I took out the spare key I’d forgotten to give back and quietly let myself in. It was pitch dark, so I headed up to the second floor, where I found Tsuzuki sound asleep in his bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unsure what to say, I slowly approached him. Then the floor let out a loud creak under my weight, and he opened his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which one are you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you Kunieda-san, or are you Owari?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought for a moment. “About half and half, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right.” He laughed. “Took you long enough. I tried to wait up for you, but I passed out around 8 a.m.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not my fault, damn it. It’s my job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Feels weird to hear you cuss in your Kunieda clothes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you been online? There’s a new article going around about you: The Prince of Asabi TV Adds a Shade of Sadism to His Persona.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gimme a break.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My first reaction was, Pay attention to the show, you idiots, but upon further reflection, this kind of gossip was probably bound to happen…and right now, I had bigger fish to fry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So…how long have you known?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘The hell are you thinking?!’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“‘You stupid freak! I’m gonna puke!’” Tsuzuki continued in his best impersonation of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really still mad about that…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! I mean, yeah, I am. But when you slapped me, it cleared my mind…and that’s when I heard it. Your…voiced velar nasals.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I remembered what Shitara-san said about ‘nng’ sounds…and then it hit me. Kunieda-san told me he’d never been consciously aware of the way his voice sounded—which meant he probably couldn’t consciously conceal it, either. And once I started to examine it, all the pieces fell into place. Honestly, I’m baffled I didn’t figure it out sooner. You really didn’t do much to disguise yourself at all, other than your clothes and your bad attitude! Hell, even your sneeze is the same! First I heard it when you were filming as Kunieda-san, and then I heard it when you came over for chicken. It’s the exact same!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why didn’t you confront me about it…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I thought maybe you had something like dissociative identity disorder—y’know, like, maybe your two personalities didn’t share memories or something. Now I see that’s not the case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I sighed and sat down on the bed with my back turned to him. “Aren’t you pissed at me?” I asked in a small voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would I be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I lied to you for a long-ass time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You didn’t lie to me. I never asked about it, so you never had the chance to be honest. The way I see it, we were both keeping something from each other, so we’re even.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously? That’s it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, that’s it. What’s wrong with that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…” It took a lot of courage for me to admit—out loud—that my behavior was abnormal. “Isn’t it…you know…creepy? And a major red flag?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I whirled around and glared at him. “This is a serious question, damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, man, I don’t know what you want me to say.” He smiled awkwardly. “I’m telling you, it’s not a problem. I really don’t understand why you’re so mad about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly, this works out great for me.” He hopped to his feet, bedsprings creaking audibly, and as I swayed slightly from the vibrations, he reached out and scooped up a strand of my bangs. “See, I was on the cusp of falling for both Prince Kunieda-san and Owari the Grump. But this way, I don’t have to cheat on anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How the hell could anyone fall for both?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’d be surprised. It’s like eating chocolate and potato chips at the same time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That analogy makes no sense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I smacked his hand away from my face, but mostly just because I was too embarrassed to react rationally. And I could tell from the mischievious look in his eye that he had already picked up on this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Most people have another side to ’em, obviously, but usually it’s not quite so…distinct. What a fascinating specimen I have here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t talk about me like I’m some kind of endangered species.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, but you are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He stole a tiny kiss—so quick I could barely feel it, much less put up resistance. Then his lips drew near a second time, and I could feel his hot breath against my skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Watching you on TV gave me butterflies, you know.” He slid his fingers behind my head and played with my hair. “I was worried at first, but as soon as your face popped up on screen, I knew you were gonna be just fine. And sure enough, you handled it all on your own! One minute you’re falling apart under all the pressure, and the next minute you’re cracking jokes like you own the place. It was so sexy, I fell in love…all over again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t handle it all on my own,” I whispered. Was my breath just as hot as his? “If you hadn’t called me when you did, I probably would’ve chickened out. For the first time in my life, I felt alone…and for the first time, I realized I truly wasn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei…” That was the first time he ever addressed me by my given name. “You don’t have to change. Stay exactly the way you are. Let me be the only one who knows the real you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean…that’s the plan. If anyone else finds out about the real me, my life is over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that your way of saying you want to be with me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it…? But he’s a guy… Then again, if I let this one get away, who knows if I’ll ever find another oddball who can accept me for who I am…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes,” I replied in a tiny voice, “but just half.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Half yes from each half of your personality? Well then, that adds up to a full yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, just half! I’m sure you’re only half in love with each half of me, anyway!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You dumbo,” Tsuzuki laughed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’d think I’d get mad at him for calling me names, but no. Instead, I got mad at myself for not getting mad about it…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m all the way in love with both sides of you. That’s double the yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "…and for letting a cheap line like that actually work on me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pulled me by the hand, guiding me to straddle his legs in a kneeling position. This was less embarrassing than letting him climb on top of me, but not by much. Then my jacket and tie ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor, and it quickly became apparent where this was headed. We were both grown adults, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, if you’re scared, we can save it for next time,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me? I don’t think so! Once you’ve had a taste of this, you’ll be under my spell. No one else will ever compare.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no! I’d hate that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn right!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dumbo. You’ve never heard of reverse psychology, have you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s that supposed to mean?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It means sign me the hell up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pressed his lips to my chest through my shirt—or rather, shirts, since I was wearing a T-shirt under my button-up. The sensation was tantalizing, like that kiss through my surgical mask; the memory made my face flush."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a rough scraping sound, like a cat’s tongue, and I realized Tsuzuki was licking the fabric. Slowly but surely, his saliva seeped in until I felt its faint warmth against my bare skin. Then he dragged his teeth lightly over the cloth—I could feel the tiny vibration against my nipples."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mine were (obviously) much smaller than a woman’s, so you’d think he’d have had trouble locating them right away, and yet his mouth suctioned around one with pinpoint accuracy. My breath hitched in my throat. Desperate for something to hold onto, I wrapped a hand around the closest thing I could find, which was his head. In response, he slid his arms tightly around my waist and started sucking even harder. Then a tiny spark of pain shot through me, and I reflexively yanked him by the ear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow! Don’t rip my ear off!” He looked up at me and made a show of pouting his lips. “I thought you were gonna ‘put me under your spell.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then kiss me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How about a “please”? His demanding tone irked me, but then he closed his eyes and puckered his lips, and he looked so adorably vulnerable trapped beneath me that I went ahead and did as requested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, he only behaved himself for about ten seconds before he started pushing his luck. Sliding his tongue into my mouth, he traced along my teeth before pulling away slightly, leaving only a thread of saliva to connect us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad you don’t actually have snaggleteeth,” he whispered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I don’t,” I shot back, but the more I thought about that stupid lie, the more guilty I felt, and I couldn’t bear to say “sorry” out loud, so instead I kissed him again. This time I initiated the tongue, but I wasn’t consciously seducing him—my body was simply acting on its hunger, devouring his mouth relentlessly without even letting him pause to take a breath. Meanwhile, he slid his fingers up my back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A faint jolt of electricity shot like a meteor across my entire body, and my back arched. I glared at him, but he simply grinned back at me like the Cheshire Cat, enjoying my exaggerated reactions. When I tried to pull away, he sapped my remaining strength with his tongue until I went weak in the knees. Then he hiked up my shirt and started caressing my tailbone—almost like he was tickling the bone directly. It drove me crazy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next he undid my belt, unzipped my fly, and grasped my exposed half-mast. Part of me found his utter lack of hesitation mildly terrifying, while another part of me found it a reassuring sign that he sincerely didn’t mind if I was male. What about me, though? Was I only okay with it because I was on the receiving end? Then again, I was kissing him pretty passionately. If his mouth was a Tootsie Pop, I would’ve reached the chocolate by now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we finally pulled apart, he moved to my neck, and moans slipped unbidden from my newly freed lips. Experimentally, I licked them, and found that our lengthy makeout had left them aching faintly, like a mosquito bite."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki’s large hand moved roughly yet deftly, following my smallest reactions like a road map to maximize my pleasure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At first I didn’t want to finish too quickly, lest it look like I was too eager…but once clear fluid started to leak from my tip, I kind of stopped caring what I looked like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…mmm!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t notice him fumbling around near his pillow with his free hand. Nor did I notice him reaching around behind me. All I could think was: I wanna cum. God, I wanna cum in his hand right now—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers slid into my underwear and right between my cheeks. I flinched at the wet sensation against my skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh, I love it when you try to hold back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go to hell! Seriously, what was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lotion,” he answered. “I have really bad dry skin, so I always put some on before bed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was glad to know the mystery substance wasn’t anything toxic, but if I were to sum up the sensation of his slimy fingers sliding into me in a single word, that word would be: horrifying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’re not going to stick it in there, are you? No way. Why would I want to do that? Look, I’ll jerk you off instead. Hell, I’ll even use my mouth if I have to! Anything but that!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before I could get the words out, I felt something foreign wriggling around inside me, and it stopped me in my tracks. One of his fingers was buried up to the knuckle, feeling the walls of my rectum, and somehow my brain was terrified it might somehow reach through my whole body and into my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop…” Reflexively, I wrapped my arms tightly around his head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just focus on this part,” he replied, working my member a bit more intensely now that it had started to wilt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Nn…aah…aah…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Feels good, doesn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His finger slid in and out in sync with each stroke. I stiffened up at the uncomfortable sensation, but he didn’t fight me; instead he continued his frontal caress, waiting for me to lower my guard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nnnn… Nngh! Aah!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaah! Which…part are you talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the answer is no. I shook my head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No?” he asked casually, like we were discussing the weather."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nnn… Who the hell would…enjoy your fingers up there?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good god, you’re so vanilla.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you’re a degenerate!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure, let’s go with that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right when I was getting used to having the one intruder in my back door, he added a second."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re only going to make it harder on yourself if you hyper-focus on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t help it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure you can. C’mon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He rubbed the underside of my hard cock until more translucent fluid dribbled out from the tip, slicking up his fingers. There was a wet squelching sound coming from behind as I slowly loosened up. Did my insides turn to putty or something? The thought was frightening, and yet the pleasure in front made it hard to want to stop. My head peeked out from under my foreskin, pink and swollen, as Tsuzuki’s vigorous strokes made my lower body jiggle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can feel you getting tight back here, so it must be working.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s the truth!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A dull pain shot through me as his fingers sank all the way inside and attempted to spread me apart. This was a pleasure I had never known, and I could feel my entrance clamping down on him. Yearning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! Aah…aaaahhh…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, my member reached its limits, and I climaxed so hard I saw stars. As I clung to him, he pulled me down onto the mattress. Then he whipped his shirt off, and for a moment I stared up at his exposed upper body with hazy eyes. But when he yanked my pants off, underwear and all, and slid in between my bare legs, I couldn’t help but find my fear once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait…I…I can’t do this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Little too late for that, don’tcha think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, really—let’s do something else. Don’t put it in me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Convenient how you change your tune now that you got to cum.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hoisting up my resisting legs, he pressed the tip of his length at my entrance, and instantly I could tell he was hard as diamonds and in no mood to negotiate. Unfortunately, although I could empathize, I still couldn’t let it happen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tsuzuki-san, please don’t. I’m scared,” I pleaded in my Kunieda Kei voice. He faltered and hung his head. Ooh, did it work?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re evil, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll try again another day, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that I was spared (for today, at least), I reached out to softly touch his shoulder…but instead he grabbed my hand and pinned it against the mattress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m gonna straighten you out…the hard way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Crap. My plan had backfired. “I thought you said you liked me just the way I am!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, even I have my limits. And I don’t appreciate you toying with my heart.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not my fault you’re so obsessed with me—hey! I said no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then I’ll meet you in the middle: I’ll only put it in halfway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Same difference!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut up. I love you, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gee, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a fellow man, I could tell from the slightest touch that his erection could not be quelled. Truth be told, I was less concerned about the potential pain and more concerned about what this was going to do to me mentally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t! Ow… That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I decided to exaggerate my pain a bit, and sure enough, his expression clouded over. This was precisely what I was aiming for, and yet it made me hesitate, too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry…” He reached out and gently stroked my cheek."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Reflexively, I averted my gaze. “Oh, no, it’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you were lying?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pushed against me more firmly, and my toes clenched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not gonna keep falling for that crap.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not lying! It really does hurt!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, it’ll hurt worse if you don’t settle down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Take deep breaths, nice and slow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t enjoy taking orders from him, but I didn’t really want to make this harder on myself, so I did as I was told. Each time I exhaled, he slid in another fraction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Agh… That’s half, right…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not yet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Liar! Hey, don’t touch that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See? Isn’t this easier?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He reached for my flaccid shaft. Considering I had only just cum, I sincerely doubted I could get hard again—and yet, to my disbelief, the memory of my last toe-curling orgasm was apparently all it took to resuscitate my cock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… Don’t… Aaahh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could feel him working my lust into a lather in the palm of his hand, appeasing my body’s fears and in turn loosening my entrance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry…I can’t take it anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once my tip started to leak again, Tsuzuki thrust his hips, and my sight pitched sideways as though the impact had struck my skull instead of my pelvis. Tears trickled from my eyes, almost like he was pushing them out of me from the bottom up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You liar… You said you’d only do half…but you put it all the way in…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, his face fell…and then his lips curled in a barely contained smirk."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know I’m not supposed to find this cute, but you’re really making it hard for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He licked away my tears, and my heart thumped painfully in my chest. Probably just because his added weight was crushing me. Yeah, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll take it slow, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My deepest parts trembled with pleasure as Tsuzuki continued to tease my shaft. Meanwhile, there was a dull ache in my rectum, as if numbed by his presence. As the tiny thrusts continued, the pain steadily shifted, and by the time we were both damp with sweat, it was drowned out entirely by the roar of pleasure across my entire body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah…aaahh! Aah…aah…Tsuzuki—!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nngh… Say my name!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ushio… Ushio…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again and again I heeded his request. Then he ripped open my button-up shirt, hiked up the T-shirt underneath, and began to suck one of my lightly swollen nipples. In response, I felt my insides clamp down on his manhood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nngh…damn it,” he groaned under his breath as he rolled in and out of me like the tide. “You were right… No one else will ever compare to this…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I felt the same way, actually, but I wasn’t about to admit it—not without taking a hit to my ego. However, perhaps some concessions could be made."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right now, it was time for these two astronauts to fly back to their home planet. But tomorrow afternoon, once we woke up in each other’s arms…before I headed out to work that night…maybe I could meet him halfway with a “Yeah, me too.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe | Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0004.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Both Are For You"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "THE NEWS COMMENTARY ended at precisely 10:43 p.m., exactly in accordance with the cue sheet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rest assured, we’ll be keeping an eye on future developments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was strange—no matter how long-winded any given commentator’s critique, once Asou wrapped it up, it felt finished. Conversely, no matter how spicy the take, without Asou there to act as a platform, the viewers would probably find it lacking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unlike me, Asou conducted himself as though the cameras were rolling at all times. He seemingly paid no mind to the assistant director’s cue cards, nor the floor manager’s directions passed on from the SCR (studio control room). No matter whether he was behind or ahead of schedule, he never batted an eye; he simply made adjustments to balance it out on the fly. The SCR could be losing their minds over delayed video footage and he’d just buy time with some cleverly improvised commentary until it finally played—so natural, you’d think it was in the script. Each broadcast was putty in Asou’s hands, just waiting to be shaped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was reasonably confident in my own ability, but even then, I was forced to admit that I was nowhere near this guy’s level…and quite possibly I would never get there. Sometimes effort and aptitude couldn’t make up for sheer talent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Next up, let’s head over to sports. Minagawa-san, if you would.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The feed then switched away from the long rectangular table with Asou, me, and the other main commentators to a round table positioned stage right. Next to it, the sports anchor stood at attention beside a large TV monitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Minagawa Tatsuki here! First up, let’s talk soccer. We’ve got a great interview with the rising star who transferred to Italy’s own A.C. Milan—and after the clip we’ll have a special gift, so be sure to stick around!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From there, we received a seven-minute respite from the camera as the video played—but all it meant was that we weren’t visible to the people watching at home, so I couldn’t let my guard all the way down. No slouching, no elbows on the table. Instead, I focused intently on the interview footage…or at least, I pretended to. In order to play up my love of my work, I nodded, smiled, and/or leaned forward whenever it felt natural to do so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, in my mind, I pictured what I would do if some idiot paid me five billion yen. Fill a swimming pool with bills and swim around in it? Take a helicopter to work every day? Honestly, I was a saint for even entertaining the notion of continuing to hold a job as a billionaire. Maybe I’d give Ushio about a million of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Next, I paused to think of a few comments I could give in the event I was asked for my opinion after the video ended—including different length varations to account for the time remaining."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As usual, I was on top of my game."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, you seemed like you were real interested in that sports interview! Are you a soccer fan?” asked the assistant director, once the show had ended and everyone was wrapping up for the night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "See? I knew one of these plebs would take the bait."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, I don’t know anything about sports. It was just a really fascinating video,” I replied, making sure to flatter the editing team. “Especially since I heard a lot of athletes tend to avoid interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly!” he replied, glancing over at tonight’s star anchor. “You’re incredible, Minagawa-san! That guy’s always come off as super aloof during postgame press conferences, but with you he was completely at ease! And you filmed it right there in his house?! I’ve never heard of anyone letting a reporter into their house before!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I guess that’s pretty rare,” Tatsuki replied casually, like it was no big deal. “He seemed kinda grouchy at first, but then we started talking about manga, and for some reason he really opened up after that! When I told him I hadn’t read the latest volume, he told me I could come over to his house and read it, as long as I helped him tidy up in exchange. So I did!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, for real?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I searched his whole house for porno magazines! But we had to cut that part, obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What happened to helping him tidy up…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tatsuki!” called Asou, interrupting the conversation. Timidly, the assistant director took a few steps back. Not that Asou was really that intimidating, but something about him commanded that sort of respect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki, however, was perhaps too dense to pick up on social cues. “What’s up?” he asked offhandedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I noticed a mistake you made tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, what? Where?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I had a feeling you hadn’t noticed. Kunieda, clue him in, will you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, do it yourself!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I paused to “contemplate” for a moment, then raised a finger in epiphany. “You’re talking about the ‘special gift’ promotion segment, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Correct,” Asou nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? What was wrong with it?” asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You said ‘three lucky winners,’” I explained."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stared at me blankly. “But the subtitles on screen literally said the same thing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Asou gave me a look that said keep going."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rolling my eyes internally, I continued, “The subtitles are one thing, but in the code of conduct outlined in the Asabi employee handbook, newscasters are only supposed to refer to the people watching at home as ‘viewers’ out of respect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? I’m not sure they taught us that during orientation week… Maybe your handbook is out of date by now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You both have the exact same handbook,” Asou insisted. “Kunieda was only hired two or three seasons ahead of you, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What does it even matter?” Tatsuki whined."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you intend to be a professional in this industry, then I never want to hear those words from you again. And here I was going to compliment you on your excellent interview…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Noooo, c’mon! Tell me I did good! Or, on second thought, maybe wait until Shitara-san’s around!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You called?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Shitara stepped out of the SCR, and Tatsuki perked up. “Asou-san was just saying that I’m a genius!” he bragged."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? A genius who doesn’t know how to pronounce the word ‘respite’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m pretty sure most people don’t know how to pronounce that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. It’s time for the eval, folks!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a brief review of tonight’s broadcast, we were free to go…but then Tatsuki sidled up to me. At first glance, he looked like the happy-go-lucky type—the kind of guy you couldn’t picture ever having any negative emotions. Whenever he smiled, his blinding white teeth seemed to take up more than half of his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, are you free this Saturday?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you ask?” I replied, quietly concealing the fact that I did not want to have to waste a single second of my precious day off, thank you very much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should come out with me for a mixer!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I wanted to sit around and waste my time, I’d stay at home and play the vuvuzela. I donned my best apologetic smile. “Sorry, but I’m not great at small talk with strangers. I’d just be a wet blanket.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry about it! I’ll handle all the small talk! You just have to sit there and smile!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If that’s all you want from me, then hang a poster of my face, for all I care. Take a hint, will you? I don’t want to go! Annoyed, I contemplated the best way to let him down without being too harsh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, another staff member stepped in. “Lay off Kunieda-san, will you? You’re making him feel bad.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Excellent. Well done. For your efforts, I’ll give you…I don’t know, one of my used erasers or something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Awww, man…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By the way, did you hear about the day trip to the hot springs?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah, that! What’s the plan?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With the subject safely changed, I hurried away to wash my face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After another meeting in the staff room and a dozen additional minor tasks, it was nearly midnight. For an evening anchor who left work during primetime, the train commute home was hell on earth—but luckily for me, late-night anchors were given free taxi tickets, so I got to skip all that nonsense."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Stepping out of the car, I thanked the driver with a smile…and once I crossed over the threshold into my apartment, the Kunieda Kei show was officially over for the night. Now it was time to take a shower, change into my tracksuit, slide on a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses and a surgical mask, and head back outside. Two keys hung from the keyring in my pocket; one was a state-of-the-art copy-protected key, and the other was an antique three-leaf clover key."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The cold was actually pretty tolerable on nights like these when the wind was still. Dead leaves littered the pavement, giving off a pleasant autumn scent. Not long after I started walking, as if on cue, I got an e-mail: Milk, white bread, packaging tape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Where’s the “Please buy this for me,” asshole? Nevertheless, I stopped by the convenience store, then walked another ten minutes and let myself into the house with the old clover key."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They were sold out of white bread, so I got whole grain,” I told him, in a gruff voice that no one would ever mistake for the famous Kunieda Kei. And in response, what did I get? No “come on in,” not even a passing glance. He was too busy staring at his computer screen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Put it in the fridge,” he replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rude much? “How about a thank you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good work, champ.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I walked up the stairs to the second floor and stuffed the whole to-go bag into the refrigerator. Next, I took out a can of beer. Then I sat down on the bed, propped myself up with a pillow, stretched my legs out, and enjoyed my drink as I reviewed tonight’s recording of The News."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A short while later, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, followed by the sound of the refrigerator door opening. “Hey, don’t leave the tape in there!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t like it? Do it yourself next time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shrugging off his complaint, I went back to the TV. Then I heard the bedsprings creak on the other side of the bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tonight’s interview segment was really interesting,” Ushio said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I turned and glared at him. “Great. Not you too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everyone’s always fawning all over that guy, that’s what!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not fawning over him. I just enjoyed the show, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just because he won over some stupid athlete, he thinks he’s the big man on campus… Not only that, he invited me to a mixer! Me! To a mixer!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s probably just trying to make sure his kind, warmhearted senpai feels included. He sounds like a nice guy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Trust me, it’s not that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ushio took the beer out of my hand and stole a sip, then regarded me with a withering look. “You know what? You complain way too much about this…‘Minakawa Tatsugi’ or whoever. Feels like you do nothing but trash-talk him every single night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, because I freakin’ hate his guts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Asou had returned to work that fall with one third of his stomach removed—just in time for the autumn reshuffle. During the six-month period that I filled in for him, the ratings hovered mostly between fifteen and seventeen percent—passing marks for what essentially amounted to a stopgap. In the end, the numbers we achieved on our first night were nothing more than a lucky fluke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I’d already gotten into the rhythm of my new role, they shifted me to the position of co-anchor/program coordinator/script reader, and I was perfectly fine with that. What I didn’t like, however, was the rookie they assigned to sports. He was just twenty-five with no prior reporting experience, and yet somehow he landed a spot on the station’s flagship news show? To the rest of us, that was an even bigger bombshell than Asou’s return to work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Worst of all, anyone who talked about it inevitably prefaced it with, “Obviously I was surprised when it happened with Kunieda, but…” This made me feel inferior enough as it was. But then, amidst all the excitement and curiosity and resentment that emanated from our studio, in walked Tatsuki like it was no big deal. I was furious at how fast he fit in with us. Of course, every time he screwed up, I gloated internally, but this was always followed by anger at his utter lack of effort…and there was only one person on this earth I could vent to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve hated him ever since his interview. Stupid smug smirk on his face… He thinks he can just coast through life by being nice and funny and smart…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And he’s correct,” Ushio shrugged. This pissed me off even more…not that I wanted him to trash talk the guy just because I was doing it. “It’s not his fault you chose to create a fake persona and he didn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Doesn’t mean I want you to call me out on it. “Yeah, I know. Shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having lost all motivation to continue my news review, I switched off the TV, finished my beer, and pulled the covers up to my neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s it? You’re done?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m too tired.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned my back to him; he started playing with my hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I snapped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m fawning over you. See? Fawn, fawn, fawn.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m gonna “fawn” my fist up your ass. “Knock it off, would you? I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of guy. I want to be adored by the masses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if they did, you wouldn’t bat an eye. The thing about ‘the masses’ is, they don’t swoon over a guy who was always competent right from the start.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m not gonna jump for joy! I’m a grown man!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I know. And you’re working so hard. I’m soooo proud of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more emphasis he put on the so’s, the more sarcastic it started to sound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re soooo adorable, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can stop fawning now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s stupid,” I spat angrily, hoping to hide my quavering voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look at me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why should I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I wanna see more of Grouchy Slob Kei before you have to transform back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. Just let me sleep. I have to go in at ten tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s early. How come?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gotta do street interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where at? Want me to casually loiter around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do that and I’ll ignore the hell out of you… I’m going to Ginza, and Minagawa’s going to Shibuya. Waste of my damn time… They oughta just send him by himself. Why the hell should I have to do half of his work?” I grumbled as my annoyance resurfaced."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, I felt Ushio bite my earlobe from behind. It didn’t hurt, but it did startle me, and I let out a tiny yelp."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh! Don’t! Stop!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was that? ‘Don’t stop?’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I whirled around to look at him. “That is not what I said!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He fixed me with a seductive look that said, You sure?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you… I’m going to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So go to sleep. I’ll find something to tide me over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What am I, fridge leftovers?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, now, settle down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every time I entertained his teasing with a serious response, I was only playing right into his hands. I had learned this lesson a dozen times by now, and yet it never seemed to stick. Generally I considered myself to be a pretty smart guy, but when it came to Ushio, I was so goddamn stupid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He yanked my mask down, slid my glasses up, and leaned over me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At first I thought he was going to kiss me, but he stopped short just as our noses touched. We stared at each other for a moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There. Now I can finally see your handsome face.” He smiled innocently. “Welcome home, Kei.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Words could not express how frustrating it was that those three little words were somehow more fulfilling to me than the adoration of thousands. And worse still, I was pretty sure he knew it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hated how devoted I was to him—so in revenge, I kissed him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Finally in the mood, are we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shut up and let’s get this over with. I’m sleepy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Roger that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he peppered my cheeks and forehead with kisses, even I couldn’t keep a straight face. When he gestured wordlessly for me to strip, I was at best dubious…but then, when he climbed naked on top of me, it felt as though I was swaddled in a heavenly blanket made just for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he held me in his tight embrace, my breathing grew hot and heavy, and I found myself frustrated that I couldn’t simultaneously enjoy both a peaceful night and a more passionate one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe he felt obligated to move things along quickly for my sake; he smoothly trailed his fingers down my body and arrived at my pelvis without any detours, pausing only to caress my hip before following the curve to its logical conclusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He gently grasped my recumbent shaft and deftly began to tease my lust awake, willing it to spill forth from inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well now! This is working pretty well, considering how ‘sleepy’ you claim to be.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s working because I’m sleepy, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh really?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His dry, rough palm added to the stimulus, driving me wild every time. Meanwhile, he ran his free hand all over my sweaty body and grinned. “Your skin’s so smooth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Times like these, I always felt so unspeakably reaffirmed. I never used to need anyone’s approval, and yet…for once, it made me appreciate the body I was born in. I hope you get that, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next thing I knew, our bodies were pressed perfectly together, skin against skin. And with each repeat visit up and down my member, the foundation of my lust grew stronger. So too did my heartbeat, transmitted to Ushio through direct contact. He pecked playfully at my loosely parted lips; the audible wetness summoned forth a different wetness down south."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The fluids leaking from my tip added lubrication to his motions, making a sexy mess…but this only enhanced my pleasure. He slid his tongue into my mouth, and I pushed back in kind, devouring him. As he teased the roof of my mouth, my cock twitched in his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Find something to tide me over,” my ass. The sweet torture was enough to make me thrust my hips in impatience. In response, he rubbed his thumb against the border that delineated my engorged head and my shaft."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The way I saw it, my libido was a solid object located deep inside me. Subjected to the heat from Ushio’s hands and tongue, however, it melted down into wax and slowly leaked out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the heat of his voice only added more fuel to that fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you wanna cum?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nngh… Yeah…I wanna cum…and then I want to go straight to sleep,” I whimpered. Normally I would’ve kept that last part to myself, but Ushio had a way of getting the unvarnished truth out of me. Maybe it was because he was the only one who ever managed to see the man behind the mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then you don’t get to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He slid his hand down and pressed a finger hard against my entrance—not hard enough to penetrate, but hard enough to make me jerk away from him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Putting it off again?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You told me I could sleep after this!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, and that was a joke, dumbo. I’m not gonna have my way with your unconscious body.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Taking care not to let me orgasm, he pumped out more of my thick, translucent fluid and used it to soften up my entrance. You’d think I’d be in control of my own body, and yet he manipulated me so easily it was actually terrifying. As he distracted my mind with the handjob, he slid his finger past the point of no return, teasing my prostate until I was in danger of cumming the second he inserted himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… Aaahh… Don’t…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was gripping the base of my shaft so tightly that I couldn’t cum even if I wanted to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh… Ushio, that hurts… I need to cum!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But if you do, you’ll just go to sleep, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… I won’t! I promise!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sure I believe you… Well, at least this way you won’t be able to sleep even if you try.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every inch of my rectum had grown sensitive to the three fingers now wriggling around inside, and it was obvious it would take more than mere ejaculation to truly satisfy my urges."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah… Hurry…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I hear you, I hear you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The “starts out resistant, ends up begging for it” trope was all too common, and yet I still hadn’t found a countermeasure. Funny, that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hang in there for a little longer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is your fault, you know! You think you can buy my forgiveness with one measly kiss?! And yet I closed my eyes and let it happen anyway. (In more ways than one.)"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt an intense heat enter my bowels. Instantly, sirens blared in my brain. But my entrance had since learned how to accommodate guests, and once it took in the widest part, my fear transmutated into ecstasy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmm… You feel so good…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once Ushio was all the way in, he leaned in close enough for me to finally wrap my arms around him and trail my fingers up and down his back. It was November, and yet he was sweating buckets. His excess lust for me was spilling over. And I wanted nothing more than to lick it all up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…aah…nngh…Ushio—!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fortunately, at the pace we were going, I could still think clearly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see now,” Ushio murmured cryptically. “Hmmm…I’m gonna have to disagree.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah… What are you…talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know when you said grown men can’t jump for joy? I think you might be wrong about that. Because I’m looking at one right now.” He prodded my cheeks with a teasing grin, and I felt the blood rush to my head all the more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am not jumping for joy! Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why yes, I am screwing you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the fuck up, you sick freak!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, now. Settle down, cutie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said shut the—aah! Gah!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought you said you wanted to cum.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He ravaged me so hard, the snarky thoughts in my head melted away before I could voice them. And after that, I moaned and writhed to Ushio’s heart’s content."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That asshole. Claims he wants something “to tide him over” and then he makes me go a second round. I sat in the news van on the drive to our morning film location, quietly biting back yawn after yawn—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh man, I’m so nervous! This is my first time doing street interviews, y’know!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "—plus any caustic comments regarding my excessively energetic junior anchor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Any tips, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "God, I wish I could stuff this mic down your throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t think of anything in particular,” I mused, donning my best pensive face. “You’ll want to make sure you get an even spread of all different age groups and genders. Plus, you’ll want to avoid anyone who looks like they’re in a hurry. Oh, and don’t try to steer the conversation—you want them to answer in their own words, even if it takes them a while. But the best advice I can give is to have confidence in yourself. Knowing you, Minagawa-kun, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? You think so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, I’m just being polite, stupid. Don’t take everything at face value. A little insecurity is healthy. Swallowing my venom, I smiled softly. “Good luck.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That said, street interviews could be quite the challenge. Topic of the day: the government’s public pension plan investment management. We each had a quota of fifty people to interview, trawling for comments we could compile into a video segment. More than once, people would spot our cameras at a distance and immediately turn on their heel or cross the street to avoid us; other times we’d set our sights on someone, only for them to quicken their pace and stare pointedly at the sidewalk. This was all very common; in fact, I’d heard stories of rookie anchors so disheartened by the constant rejection that they’d throw in the towel and trudge back to the van. Amateurs, all of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, I achieved my quota of fifty people in approximately two hours, breaks included."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Incredible work, Kunieda. You always seem to get the best footage… I wish street interviews were always this easy,” sighed the location manager."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pretty great, aren’t I? “I simply lucked out and found a lot of nice people this time around,” I replied modestly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, I think you could make a great luxury car salesman. Or a real estate agent—oh, sorry. Gotta take this.” He answered his cell phone. “Yeah? Seriously? Whoa…” Then he turned back to me. “Apparently Tatsuki just finished his quota, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s pretty good at this stuff, too! Very quick learner, that one. Plus, he’s just got this magnetic charm, you know what I mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, yes. Very impressive,” I replied, looking mildly surprised…but on the inside, I was frothing with rage. Damn that little twerp!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night found me cursing Tatsuki’s name once again. And once again, Ushio didn’t quite approve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wouldn’t it piss you off more if he didn’t take your advice and just screwed everything up?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the problem, okay? It just drives me insane how he struts around like he can do it all without even trying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So basically you feel threatened by him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have to put on an act, so you resent anyone who can win affection by being themselves while also being good at their job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true! Why the hell would I feel threatened by him?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You never know—he might be busting his ass behind the scenes, or maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye. Although I doubt anyone could be as fake as you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t call me fake!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey now, don’t get me wrong. It’s part of what I love about you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Warn me before you drop the L word, damn it! I froze, speechless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, I need to go make a phone call,” he continued, then got up and headed downstairs. A moment later, I could hear him speaking a different language—English, probably. I didn’t even know he had contacts outside of Japan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While it pissed me off that he would leave me hanging in the middle of our conversation, the intermission gave me time to compose myself as I ruminated on his viewpoint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Threatened. Resentment. In other words, I was…jealous? No. No way in hell. Never had I felt some deep desire to mingle with my coworkers—I wasn’t the type. And though admittedly Tatsuki was reasonably competent and quick on the uptake, I was confident I was the better anchor. Objectively."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki’s voice was on the higher side, his intonation was iffy, and whenever his focus slipped he would speak too quickly. While he was good-looking, he let too much of his natural energy shine through; this was all well and good for a sports anchor, of course, but he could never host a full-scale news show on his own. He lacked the gravitas required to speak about tragedy. In summation, he simply couldn’t compete with anchors in my bracket—otherwise he wouldn’t have made it onto my show at all. As much as I hated everyone blowing smoke up his ass all the time, I never actually felt endangered by his presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, that’s it. I just don’t gel with chatty airheads, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shortly after I reached this conclusion, Ushio returned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know what I think? I think you should let me meet this guy,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Minagawa-kun. You sure love to scream about him every night, so now I’m curious what he’s like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no. Anything but that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How else am I gonna find out if he’s as bad as you make him sound?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Absolutely not,” I insisted, but he ignored me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, then I’ll just ask Shitara-san,” he replied with a smirk as he crawled back onto the bed, and I knew at once that he was dead serious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop! I mean it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promise I won’t make it weird. I won’t even bring up Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not what I’m worried about!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Glad to know you trust me so much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The conversation hit a snag yet again. Frustrated, I slammed my fist on the mattress. “Don’t you dare!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not? I just wanna grab lunch with the guy. Who knows, maybe I won’t like him either! But I won’t know unless I try!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But what if you do like him…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then I’ve made a new friend, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to piss me off?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want you to make friends with him, stupid! It stresses me out enough just having to work with him—I refuse to let him infiltrate my personal life! Think about it: you were stupid enough to fall for my little act, weren’t you? Plus, you don’t exactly take things slow when it comes to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hardly ever called my name unless we were going at it—something I was guilty of as well—so it caught me off guard and made my heart skip a beat. Being good at talking and being good at arguing were two very different skillsets."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he turned to me and said, in his most “disapproving parent” voice, “If you’re going to be jealous, be cuter about it, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me you don’t want to share me, and I’ll reconsider.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you? Get bent! Go to hell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, sorry. Getting another call.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And with that, he headed back downstairs. But this time, evidently there was a lot to talk about, because he didn’t come back for a long, long time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ultimately, despite my begging and pleading, Ushio went straight to Shitara and got him to arrange a meeting with Tatsuki. He told me I didn’t have to come, to which I said, “Hah! I don’t think so, asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not that I was worried about the things he seemed to think I was worried about (because, for the record, I was way hotter than that douche). I just didn’t want to have to see him getting all buddy-buddy with my least favorite person. Was that really so hard to understand? Jackass. Maybe he puts all his compassion into his projects and doesn’t save any for the rest of us. Try to be a little more like me, would you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa… I didn’t realize the guy who made our title sequence was so young!” said the source of my problems, his tone chipper. “Real talk, I was expecting some geeky old geezer or something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It actually takes a lot of physical stamina, y’know, putting together all those huge sets and whatnot,” Ushio replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah? How long does it take to make, like, one single second of animation?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It depends, but I’d say on average it takes about eight hours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way! Seriously?! I could never do that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see you’re almost finished with your drink. Can I get you another?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, thank you. I’ll take an oolong highball.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t tell if they actually liked each other, but they were certainly keeping the conversation going. Tatsuki was a total social butterfly, and Ushio himself was more outgoing than his nerdy hobby would suggest. This is exactly what I was afraid of, I thought to myself miserably."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But although Ushio should have known full well how I was feeling on the inside, he instead asked the world’s most unnecessary question: “Minagawa-kun, what’s your impression of Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san? He’s a god among men! A living legend! Seriously, the guy’s incredible. He can pronounce anything—any prefecture, any rail line, any street! You name it, he’s got it memorized! And he never lets anything get under his skin!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I’m not quite that perfect.” Damn right I am. Glad you’ve noticed. This bolstered my mood by a fraction. Still, the compliments felt cheap coming from a guy like him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y’know, I used to think you were some kinda flawless wizard who could do anything, but now I know better. You’re always studying, aren’t you, Kunieda-san? While the rest of us are sitting around eating chips, you’re always reading the newspaper or looking stuff up in your intonation dictionary.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If anyone’s a ‘flawless wizard,’ it’s you, Minagawa-kun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you think I don’t actually try? Well, think again! I put in a decent amount of effort, if you ask me. Once I found out I was gonna be on a news show, I figured I should do some research, so I bought all of Ikegami Akira’s books on journalism!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And how many did you read?” asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Half…of the first one…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. And that’s a ‘decent effort’ to you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aww, c’mon, Shitara-san! You told me to just be myself, remember? Because Asou-san and Kunieda-san will cover for my mistakes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks for volunteering me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Only because you were throwing a fit about it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To be fair, Shitara-san, you have a way of dragging people into things against their will,” Ushio laughed, but I found I couldn’t really laugh along with him. If you asked me, I wasn’t “dragged” so much as harpooned. “When you decide you want to work with someone, you make it happen no matter what. You’re a producer through and through.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For the record, I do make an effort to follow up with people, y’know. Wouldn’t want to force them into anything. That reminds me—Kunieda, weren’t you the one who interviewed Minagawa?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ugh, this conversation keeps getting worse and worse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Coincidentally, yes. As it happened, I was assigned to facilitate the secondary interviews for that round. And out of everyone I spoke to, I remember Minagawa-kun was the only one who turned up in jeans. I was quite surprised, to say the least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was that part of your plan? To stand out from the crowd?” Ushio asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way!” he replied emphatically. “It said to wear casual clothes right there in the e-mail! But to be honest, I only went because me and a friend were applying together for fun, so I didn’t put too much thought into it at the time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oops, I got the part instead of my friend!” Who do you think you are, a pop star? I thought to myself bitterly, smiling as I picked at my seafood stew. But then they brought up an even worse memory:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard you hit on Kunieda during that interview. Is that true?” asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah… Yeah, that definitely happened.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’re supposed to deny it, dumbass!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was part of the test,” I added quickly, though not so quick as to appear hasty. “The interview process for the newsroom always includes a few quirky little tests. In this case, we asked each person to compliment the interviewer for one solid minute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "More than anything, I wanted Ushio to understand that I was only doing my job."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, right. Or the thing where they have to come up with ways to sell an entire truckload of bananas within a single hour.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And that’s when you hit on him?” Ushio asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! Yeah…I was so naïve and foolish back then…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I told you to deny it, you moron!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I walked up to him and I was like…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Out of nowhere, Tatsuki reached over and took my hand; meanwhile, I barely suppressed the urge to yank it back. I was trapped on one end of a small four-person table, my seat up against the wall, so I had no room to lean away. Then he drew his face close to mine, his expression firm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘You captivated me from the moment I walked in. You’re not like the rest of them—you truly shine.’ Or something like that, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just like that, he dropped my hand and went back to being regular old Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What are you, a wild animal? I can never get a read on you. His personality type was Kryptonite to someone like me, who was constantly on guard…which is why, when given the opportunity, I voted against him in the final hiring discussion. Nevertheless, somehow I knew he would make it through despite my protests. Setting aside his sloppy attire, he had the makings of a TV personality written all over him. Plus, he never once recoiled from the interview tests, which took a certain kind of guts…and to top it off, his ad-lib “compliment” segment lasted a perfect sixty seconds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that interview! I bet even Kunieda got a little flustered when that happened, am I right?” Shitara asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope. Not at all,” Tatsuki replied, shaking his head. “He just smiled and said, ‘Thank you. Next!’ and I was like ‘Holy crap, newscasters are so badass!’ Anyway, what do you guys wanna make with the last of the hotpot broth? Rice soup, ramen, or udon? I vote ramen!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen here, punk,” Shitara grinned wryly. “When you have hotpot at a business meeting, it’s considered polite to let your superiors make that call.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh. My bad. Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But no one was actually mad at him, of course, and so he got his wish. It must take some kind of talent to wrap the whole world around your little finger like that, I thought to myself. Admittedly ramen was my top choice as well, but it was always miserable trying to eat food I loved while simultaneously maintaining my pristine persona. Nine times out of ten, I would rather just eat cup noodles at home with Ushio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki poured the dry, curly noodles into the seafood broth, then turned to Ushio. “So, are you good friends with Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My heart skipped a beat. I glanced up at Ushio across the table from me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not at all,” he replied without missing a beat. “We met through an interview he conducted at my house a while back. Hadn’t talked to him in a while, so I figured I’d ask Shitara-san to set something up. Oh, but we live in the same neighborhood, so we bump into each other on the street every now and then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, man! Y’know, I’ve always wondered what Kunieda-san does in his free time! He’s such an enigma, y’know? I keep inviting him to hang out, but he always turns me down!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just not hugely into mixers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve invited you to more than just mixers! The past month and a half, I’ve asked you to karaoke, bowling, futsal, company baseball…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, you’re right,” I replied politely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I could feel my flawless smile slowly starting to slip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Outside the restaurant, we all went our separate ways."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Since we’re headed in the same direction anyway, would you care to share a taxi?” I asked Ushio in my Kunieda Kei voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Initially he looked startled. Then he glanced down at the ground. “Sure, that’d be great,” he replied politely, as though I was a stranger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Together, we walked down the street to find a place where we could flag a cab. As we did, I glanced over my shoulder repeatedly. Once I confirmed we’d put some distance between ourselves and the other two, I turned to him and hissed, “What was that about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What was what about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You made it sound like we hardly ever interact!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I couldn’t exactly tell him you come over my house every day, now could I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could hear the hurt in his voice, and my full belly grew heavier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean, true, but…you still should’ve told me ahead of time. That way I can keep my story straight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Normally he’d argue with me on purpose, then tease me when I got mad. This time, however, he was unusually quiet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll remember that for next time…if there even is a next time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This didn’t make me feel better in the slightest; I couldn’t even bring myself to lord it over him with a “Good. You’d better.” I never meant to argue him into silence—after all, he’d made the right call. It was just, well…loath as I was to admit it…the way he so readily treated me like a stranger actually kind of stung. I just wanted him to reassure me that we were fine. Problem was, I didn’t know how to ask for it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, what I said was, “Whatever. You’re the one who wanted to meet him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what did you think…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was impressed.” For some reason, he lengthened his stride until he was a step ahead of me. “Me, personally, I always felt super nervous around ‘Kunieda-san,’ but him? Perfectly relaxed. It blows me away how some people manage to be so open and casual without crossing the line into rude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe you don’t think it’s rude, but I sure do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I followed along behind him, I found myself wishing I could see the look on his face…and yet, though we were mere inches apart, for some reason my legs wouldn’t move any faster. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, there’s a taxi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sure enough, a cab pulled up to the curb, its vacancy light illuminated. The moment we climbed in, we returned to being perfect strangers, so we sat in silence. After Ushio gave the driver the address, he leaned against the window, closed his eyes, and fell still."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But as for me, I couldn’t bring myself to find out if he was actually asleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That weekend, after our get-together on Friday night, I was too busy to go to Ushio’s—I had a bunch of meetings scheduled since the film trip was wrapping up. Then, on Monday afternoon when I arrived at work, Tatsuki walked over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san! Thanks again for coming out on Friday!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By the way, are you free two days from now? In the morning?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er…is this work-related?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Chances were high this wasn’t another casual get-together if it was happening on a weekday, but still. If he invites me to go see a movie or something, I’m gonna tattle on him like he’s the damn No More Movie Thief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhhh…half and half, I guess? See, I haven’t spent my employee clothing allowance…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every six months, all anchors on staff were given a special allowance of 100,000 yen to ensure they had a personal wardrobe at the ready for times when the studio costume department couldn’t provide for them, such as during film trips. That said, the money was obviously meant to be put toward work clothes, and as a man, there wasn’t much I could really spend it on outside of suits and button-up shirts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And my boss chewed me out and told me I need to go spend it on something…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To prevent misappropriation of funds, employees were obligated to submit receipts alongside photos of the items purchased."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But the last time I tried, they told me the tie I bought was too tacky, so now I’m too scared to go by myself. That’s why I want you to help me, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why me, damn it? I grimaced internally, smiled externally. But before I could come up with a plausible excuse, Asou chimed in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Help him out for me, would you? If this idiot gets our clothing allowance revoked, I don’t know how I’ll ever face the next generation of Asabi newscasters. I know it’s a lot to ask, but just think of it like babysitting. You can come in late that day if you need to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And when the king of the newsroom asked for a favor, there was only one answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. Think nothing of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, fuck my life. Why does he always have to bother me with this crap? I was so annoyed, I practically ripped the door off its hinges trying to get into Ushio’s house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was planning to vent all my problems right then and there, but then I saw the big suitcase sitting near the entrance, and my momentum quickly petered out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, that’s one way to make an entrance,” called Ushio as he came down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhh…” I faltered for a moment. “They’re making me babysit Minagawa while he goes clothes shopping.” I was originally planning to complain a lot more than that, but the words wouldn’t come."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah?” Ushio replied with a yawn. “Well, have fun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not going to ‘have fun’ and you know it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Slowly but surely, we were settling back into our usual rapport."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then why didn’t you say no?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because I can’t! I’m not some freelancer like you! This shit is part of my job!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then quit complaining and just get it over with. Isn’t being married to the job your whole life’s philosophy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally I enjoyed trading barbs with him, but today his comments seemed to cut a bit more deeply, and it made me want to change the subject. “What’s with the suitcase?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah—I’m going to America for a bit to meet up with an industry contact of mine. His daughter’s getting married, and he wants me to help him put something together to play at the ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So it’s a paid gig?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…he said he’d let me stay at his house for free, so I didn’t really bother asking about compensation. But it might be a good networking opportunity, so I guess…half and half?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You “guess”? I bristled internally. “Gee, must be nice to be able to take off whenever you feel like it! With my nine-to-five, I’m lucky if I get a three-day weekend more than twice a year,” I snarked, tapping the toe of my shoe against the suitcase."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio furrowed his brow. “Excuse me? All the free health insurance and benefits you get, and you want to complain to me about time off? Go ahead—see what it’s like to be self-employed, I dare you. I’m sure plenty of clients would want to work with the Kunieda Kei.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a full-time position, I gave up certain freedoms in exchange for protection; compared to a freelancer, my job was far more secure. Obviously I understood that. And I’d seen Ushio busting his ass day and night to meet his deadlines. But surely he knew that I knew that, right? So why was he fighting me on every little thing? Not that I especially enjoyed it when he dodged the subject instead, but we couldn’t exactly maintain a conversation if he kept rebuffing every statement. Now it was starting to feel like all that dodging was precisely what kept our relationship peaceful in the first place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, I wasn’t the kind of guy who could back down from an argument once it started."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where was I when you made these travel plans, anyway? Why am I only just now finding out?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t have exact dates until recently—I want to say sometime last week? I was planning to tell you, but you didn’t show up at all last weekend.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You could have called or e-mailed me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Says the guy who’s never once informed me of his plans in advance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I started to say something like “You never told me to!” but quickly realized the same could be said of me, too. What is happening right now? I asked myself as my brain struggled to keep up. I came here to bitch about work, but instead he just blows me off for some random lady’s wedding? What did I ever do wrong? Nothing! I’m not the bad guy here!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going home,” I grumbled. “You can go ahead and have fun flying off to America or wherever. I hope you enjoy speaking broken English at your fancy little party with fancy little Ritz cracker hors d’oeuvres!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right back at you,” Ushio called after me, leaning out through the front door before I could close it. “I hope you and Minagawa-kun have a nice little shopping trip together. Too bad I’ll never know what that’s like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, we cut off contact with each other completely, so I could only assume Ushio caught his flight as planned. Meanwhile, our most recent conversation replayed in my mind over and over and over, pissing me off all over again with each encore. But I would sooner die than let anyone find out Kunieda Kei was upset, so when the shopping trip with Tatsuki rolled around, I conducted myself more cheerfully than ever—encouraging him to try on clothes, offering advice, anything to get out of there as quickly as possible. In the end, after a quick look around the department store, we successfully acquired a number of suit jackets, slacks, button-up shirts, and ties."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seriously, thank you so much. You really saved my bacon!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I’m just glad I could help. I think you’ll look great in those.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lie felt slimy and bitter on my tongue, like that time I idiotically mistook foaming facial cleanser for toothpaste."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y’know what? Let’s get lunch somewhere—my treat. As thanks for all your help.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a kind offer, but I imagine all the restaurants will be packed at this time of day. I’d rather get something at the staff cafeteria.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We were already attracting enough attention as it was, standing around in public radiating our “TV personality” energy. The last thing I wanted to do was drag this yappy mutt into an enclosed space."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good point,” Tatsuki replied, backing down more quickly than I anticipated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we crossed the pedestrian bridge in the direction of the train station, a woman’s voice called from up ahead: “Minagawa-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh god, is it one of his fans? Kill me now. I should’ve offered to pay for a taxi."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But then Tatsuki replied with something I wasn’t expecting: “Oh, hey! Long time no see!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As far as I could tell, this woman wasn’t in the industry—just an ordinary middle-aged woman. Was she a relative? A classmate’s mom?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know! I haven’t seen you here in ages!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I’ve been really busy with my new show.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I bet! I’ll have you know I watch it every night! I can’t believe you made it onto Asou-san’s show… Wait, is that Kunieda-san with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hello there,” I greeted her with a polite smile, masking my annoyance at being treated like an afterthought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san’s great, isn’t he? He’s always helping me out!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s because you have such magnetic charm, Minagawa-kun. I’m sure people flock to you wherever you go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think so? Woohoo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Has the concept of modesty ever even occurred to you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, you take care, now! Good luck at work!” the woman exclaimed, invading Tatsuki’s personal space with a clap on the shoulder. And with that, she disappeared into the distance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Someone you know?” I asked once she was gone—not because I actually cared, but because I figured that was what a normal person would ask in this situation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, not at all. No idea who she is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, I mean, I only ‘know her’ in the sense that I’ve talked to her before. Basically, uh…she’d always say hi back when I used to stand around here a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You…stood around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doing what? Selling postcards with trite little aphorisms on them? Singing off-key at the top of his lungs?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mere a sec.” He waved me over to the handrail and gestured down at the vast pedestrian crossing below. “See, I’d stand right here, look down over the edge of the bridge, and practice my live commentary. As soon as the light turned green, I’d go, ‘And they’re off! The man in the black leather jacket takes the lead! But the group of middle-aged businessmen are closing in—yes! They’ve cut ahead!’ Y’know, stuff like that. And that lady from earlier? Yeah, she originally thought I was planning to jump off. Came up to me and told me not to do it. I must’ve looked pretty crazy standing here muttering to myself, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh…er…” I was genuinely at a loss for words. “So you came here and practiced every day?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, just about. I admit I lucked into the job with Asabi, but whenever I thought about what I wanted to do with my future, I always thought, well, I like sports, so maybe I could be a commentator.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He peered over the rail and smiled fondly at the people walking below."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d come here whenever I had free time, but on weekends I’d go to the horse track or the ballpark or the soccer stadium—anywhere I could practice my commentary—and when I got home I’d turn on the TV or the radio and compare notes with the actual commentators. Then…I think it was in July? They told me I’d get my big professional debut in the fall, and I was so excited! But then later they said they wanted to put me on The News instead, and real talk, I was kinda against it. I just didn’t understand why, y’know? My boss kept saying, ‘This is a huge opportunity for you! You’ll be famous!’ and I was like, ‘I never asked for this!’ Y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So this is what Shitara meant when he said Tatsuki “threw a fit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tatsuki noticed his hand was grimy with rust from the handrail. He drew it to his nose. “Smells like metal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What are you, a child? On second thought, yes, you are. You’re my polar opposite—you have absolutely no filter. “I’m sorry to hear that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, it’s okay. I have a decent amount of fun doing my current job, so in the end, it all worked out. Plus, I’m learning a lot. And I got to make friends with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We are not friends, thank you very much. “Glad to hear you’re having fun,” I replied vaguely…but on the inside, I was pissed. I wanted Tatsuki to be a carefree idiot with just enough sense to help him skate by. I didn’t want to learn anything about the real him. But now it was looking like Ushio was right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You never know—he might be busting his ass behind the scenes, or maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s get going, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, right. Sorry, I got a bit lost in thought.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By the way—that stuff I said during the interview? I wasn’t joking around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the first time I’d ever seen the real Tatsuki behind his “lovable puppydog” persona, and the look in his eye was uncharacteristically intense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When I walked into that room, I was completely blown away. I’d met other TV personalities in the past, but you? How do I put it—you have this incredible presence about you. It’s like…being seen is your job, and you’re fully committed. I was starstruck.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think you’re giving me a little too much credit,” I replied. This was my go-to line when I needed to dodge a compliment. But, like any good hunting dog, Tatsuki blocked my escape, circling in front of my averted gaze. His vigilant attention was discomforting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you feeling okay?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You haven’t seemed like yourself today. I get the sense that you’re kinda…forcing it? Not that that was gonna stop me from bringing you, obviously, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… I’m fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Here I was, with my “perfect smile” output cranked up to 120 percent, and yet somehow he had seen right through me. To me, this discrepancy was a fatal error…and yet I decided to blame it on Ushio instead. This is your fault, got it?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, externally, I conducted myself with the utmost grace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for your concern.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we returned to the newsroom, a handful of people rushed over to find out if Tatsuki had successfully acquired his new clothes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is this guy made of honey or something? Shoo, flies. This isn’t some backwater town—surely you all have better things to do than hang on this kid’s every word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep, I’m all set! Thanks for asking!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Show us!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re getting tailored right now, so I can’t bring them in until tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you I was more than happy to tag along! Why’d you have to drag poor Kunieda-kun with you? He’s a busy guy, you know!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn right I am."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But as I slowly slipped away from the crowd, the next thing Tatsuki said stopped me dead in my tracks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were just complaining to me about how jealous your boyfriend gets, remember? I don’t want him to beat my ass for hanging out with you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jealous… Hanging out…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hope you and Minagawa-kun have a nice little shopping trip together. Too bad I’ll never know what that’s like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could feel a gasp welling up in my throat, so I snuck away to the fire escape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prior to now, I’d never given much thought to Ushio’s last words—I was too pissed off about the rest of the conversation to care—but now it all clicked. What, we’ve never gone shopping together? That can’t be right. I mobilized the full extent of my photographic memory and…sure enough, we hadn’t. On weekdays I’d come over late at night, pass out, and leave in the morning; on weekends, well…again, I mostly slept. But he’d never complained about it, so I never knew he was dissatisfied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You should’ve just told me. Sure, I might not want to strut around town in my Kunieda Kei persona, but I wouldn’t mind swinging by the neighborhood izakaya or something. I’m not that heartless. Which is exactly why I was so hung up on this issue to begin with. I couldn’t believe a guy as blunt and upfront as Ushio would bottle up his resentment until it exploded. Was he trying to put my needs first, since he knew being in public wore me out? Exactly how much was he tolerating in self-sacrificial silence?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, these extremely valid concerns were ultimately drowned out as I basked in the sweet bliss offered to me by the concept of Ushio’s jealousy. Instantly my bad mood was gone. If anything, I’d have to fight to keep a smile off my face at this point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s jealous? Of Minagawa? That grouchy look on his face was all because he was jealous? What an imbecile. If I’d known he felt that way, I would’ve at least tried to make him feel better… Damn it, now I’m grinning like an idiot!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I kneaded my face like clay, desperate to get it back into its usual “Kunieda Kei” shape. I still had the whole day ahead of me; the fun part was yet to come. But when I stepped back into the hallway, I bumped into Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh!” he exclaimed, startled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then he began to scrutinize my face, and I panicked internally, wondering if I’d failed to put it back to normal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re looking a lot better now! Glad to see it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hell do you want with me, anyway?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stepped inside Ushio’s empty house. The heater was off, but I wasn’t cold—my heart was pumping hard as I imagined the revenge I was about to exact. He must’ve left in a hurry, because the bed was a mess; his short-sleeved pajama shirt lay discarded on top of the rumpled bedspread. Now that it was nearly winter, you’d think he’d wear something with long sleeves instead, but no. Instead he’d cling to me for extra warmth, and I’d—never mind. Don’t get distracted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ignoring the shirt, I flopped down onto the bed, took out my cell phone, and dialed Ushio’s number. I didn’t give a rat’s ass about the time difference, either—I was going to let it ring until he answered it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello?” Ushio answered offhandedly. Dumbass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I hit him with the line I’d been preparing all day: “If you’re going to be jealous, be cuter about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How’d ya like that? Sucks to have your words thrown right back in your face, doesn’t it? So what’ll it be—will you play dumb? Get mad? Maybe even get embarrassed for a change? Wait…I won’t be able to see his face over the phone. Damn it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, all I got was a monotone, “Oh, I see. You finally put two and two together, huh? You must be really slow on the uptake.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not only that, but you actually called me up to rub it in my face? You truly are stupid. Not that I wasn’t already aware, of course, but good god. Absolutely clueless.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dumbfounded, I blinked, and just like that, my plan to dunk on him went out the window. What the hell? I thought I had the upper hand here. How did he turn the tables?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But at least you bothered calling at all, so I guess I’ll forgive you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?!” My mind went white, and the blood rushed to my head. “Give me a freakin’ break! I don’t need your forgiveness, okay? I just—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know, I know. You were just so overjoyed at the thought of me getting jealous that you couldn’t help but try to rub it in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I flailed around on Ushio’s giant bed, making good use of the excess space. Then it occurred to me that I could just hang up on him, so I pulled the phone away from my ear—but just then, with eerily perfect timing, I heard him say, “Don’t you hang up on me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you have spy cameras in here or something?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh, are you at my house? Awesome. Could you do me a solid and throw out that moldy old ham for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do it yourself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, now, let’s both settle down and talk.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about my phone bill?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s fine. I’ll pay for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You promise?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I promise.” Judging from the tone of his voice, he knew full well I didn’t actually give a damn about the international calling rate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His usual teasing smile came to mind so vividly, it was like he was already home again. It drove me up the wall, and yet at the same time, I sorely felt its absence. Not that I would ever admit it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’ve you been?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I snorted. “Dude, it’s only been two days.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay then, uh…do you miss me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you freaking listen to a word I just said?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, well, I miss you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh really now, I thought sardonically. Says the guy who’ll leave town for some wedding that isn’t even technically work-related? You know, I forgot just how many people seem to gravitate to you. Me personally, I never needed anyone, but now I have you, and now I need you, and it’s your fault, so man the hell up and make it right, dipshit! You probably don’t even mean a word of it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not lying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hated the fact that the mere suggestion of a smile on his end made me feel better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you still sulking?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sulking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then why don’t we have a nice friendly chat?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you wearing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What…?” I was wearing my hobo disguise, obviously. Generally speaking, when it came to my off-hours, I always wore variations of the same generic store-brand tracksuit. “You know, the usual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I figured.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then don’t ask!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, cool your jets. Okay then, where are you right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like I said, I’m at your house… Are you jet-lagged or something? I’m gonna hang up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t you dare,” he shot back in a less-than-commanding voice. “You’re so dense,” he muttered under his breath—but still loud enough for me to catch it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you on the second floor? In my bed? I bet you are.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you—” Don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to! But before I could get the words out, I was interrupted by a confusing order:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glancing around, I pressed my hand against the wall experimentally. Was there some kind of hidden compartment with treasure inside? But no matter how I tapped the walls, floor, or bedframe, nothing seemed to happen. What I thought was a simple (if aggressive) command was now a total mystery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch what?” I asked, annoyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re so goddamn dense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you’re so goddamn vague!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m telling you to touch the thing you think I’d touch if I was there with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Belatedly, I put two and two together. When he said a “friendly chat,” what he meant was—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You…idiot!” I could feel all the blood in my body rushing to my head, to the point that I started to worry my phone might melt. “Are you literally an idiot?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Didn’t you just answer that question for yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the hell up! You’re an idiot! And a sick freak!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How do you figure?” Ushio asked calmly. “Maybe it’d be kinky if we were in the same room, but long-distance phone sex is pretty normal, I feel like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was so utterly unruffled that for a moment I was inclined to agree with him…but then I caught myself. “Like hell it is! Normal people don’t have phone sex while they’re staying at a friend’s house!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m upstairs alone. And unlike you, I don’t make a lot of noise, so I’m sure it’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I do not make noise in bed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And even if I did, whose fault do you think that would be?! In my line of work, my face and voice are my lifeline, and yet you never cut me a break, no matter what day of the week—gah! No! Don’t think about it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Besides,” Ushio continued in a casual tone, “if you really didn’t want to, you could always just hang up. Not like I can force you into it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that this was pointed out to me, however, I couldn’t will myself to pull the phone away from my ear. My mind was too busy imagining the milky white fog my breath was leaving on my phone screen… Crazy to think that, right this moment, it was tickling Ushio’s ear from an entire ocean away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now touch it,” he repeated. But this time his tone was entirely different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What part…?” I asked, like the biggest idiot ever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently this pleased him, somehow. “Any part,” he replied, the smile audible in his voice. “Whichever part you’d want me to touch…or a part you think I’d want to touch.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How should I know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, okay. You want me to spell it out for you that badly, hmm? You perv,” he teased me in an uncharacteristically sensual voice. My mind and tongue went dull, as if he had drizzled me in syrup. “This is embarrassing for me, too, y’know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if. “You liar.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If anyone’s a liar, it’s you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the hell up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His breath rustled the invisible radio waves. I set my phone to speaker mode and set it on the pillow next to me. Then I lay down on my side facing the wall, slid my hand into the pocket of my tracksuit, and gingerly felt my package through the fabric. It was a lot warmer than I was expecting it to be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You touching it?” Ushio pressed, egging me on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who keeps begging me to do this… It’s not my fetish or anything… I’m just humoring you, that’s all…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. Of course,” he replied—actually validating me for a change. “It’s all my fault, and I’m the only one listening, so go ahead and have at it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Spurred on by his encouragement—or, should I say, led into temptation by his sweet whispers—I reached and ran my fingers back and forth along my shaft, aroused by a guy who wasn’t even in the room with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, I hadn’t masturbated in a long time; with an active sex life, I never really felt the urge. It was strange to think I actually kind of missed the touch of my own hand… Fortunately, masturbating was like riding a bicycle—you never really forgot how to do it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where are you touching?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not telling!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then moan a little louder so I can hear you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?” I’m a little busy taking cues from something else right now, in case you haven’t noticed. How am I supposed to moan on command? “Quit bossing me around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could practically see him tilting his head in contemplation. Not that I especially wanted to keep doing this, but if he called the whole thing off just because I refused to take orders, I was going to be pissed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What came next, however, was a voice so low and scratchy, it almost felt like a cat had licked my eardrum."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should have been used to him calling my name during sex, but somehow it sounded different over the phone…almost like it was another man speaking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Grab it and rub it real slow. Just three fingers is fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There you go, lying again. Just keep rubbing it with three fingers. Once it gets hard, focus on the head. That’s what you like, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I said, I don’t want to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You like it when I squeeze the head and start playing with the hole with my thumb, yeah? It gets you wet so fast. Makes you moan like crazy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop!” I shook my head vigorously—I don’t wanna know about that!—and yet I didn’t reach over to end the call."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was sweet poison."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do it, Kei. I want to get off to your moans.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His husky voice was interspersed with metallic clicks—probably the sound of him unbuckling his belt. The thought of him joining me kindled my smoldering desire until it caught fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There you go. See? I knew you could do it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Per his instructions, I caressed my cock the same way he always did. My body could vividly recall the sensation of his palm…the length of his fingers… It added a degree of separation between me and my member."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pace yourself, now. I know you’ll want to cum as fast as possible, but try to be patient.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well…that’s your fault…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No it isn’t.” The whisper was half amusement, half lust. “If anything, it’s your fault for making me want to torment you… Your face, your voice, your body… Filthy boy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we argued, my motions continued, faithfully recreating Ushio’s preferred style of grip. Precum leaked from my tip and met my fingers; my slick strokes spread pleasure throughout my lower body, and I could tell without looking that my fluids were steadily shifting from clear to milky white."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, technology is incredible. I can literally hear how wet you are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You gonna touch your nipples?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time it wasn’t a command, but a question—probably because he knew by this point I’d do whatever he suggested regardless. As my fully engorged shaft throbbed uncomfortably, I asked, “Whi…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said…which one…?” My ear burned hot against the pillow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fuck, that was hot,” Ushio snickered devilishly. “Whichever one you want, cutie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I obediently slid a hand under my shirt. No need to fumble around for it—it was standing at attention, just like the rest of me. This caught me off guard. At my touch, a tiny wave of pleasure rippled through me, like a drop in a bucket."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which one are you touching?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The left…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, is that your favorite? I’ll have to remember that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could have explained to him that it was simply the nipple my free hand had the easiest time reaching, but I was more focused on playing with myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’s it feel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah… It’s getting harder…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good. I wish I could pinch it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The pleasure from this small yet firm protrusion mingled with that of my groin, pushing me to stroke faster than ever before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei…does it feel good?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah…it’s good…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wanna touch your butt…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I only let you do that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it…that almost made me cum.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging from the sharp inhale of breath moments prior to that statement, I wagered he was being truthful."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah…aah… I’m gonna cum…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My precum was flowing out so thickly, I couldn’t believe I had that much in me. Chills ran down my spine at the sheer viscosity. Meanwhile, I buried my face into Ushio’s discarded pajama shirt and breathed in his scent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wanna cum together?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rub it as fast as you can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaaahh! Aah…aah…Ushio…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I applied friction to my length, I crushed my nipple between my fingers and traced circles around it—anything to heighten my pleasure. My heart pounded in my ears along with Ushio’s labored breathing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah!” My hips jerked upwards reflexively as my desire burst forth from the depths of my core, soiling my hand and underwear. “Haah…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you cum?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah.” As my gasps slowed, so too did I come back to my senses. “Anyway, I’m gonna hang up now,” I announced as brusquely as possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s do this again sometime.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like hell I will! From now on, I’m only talking to you through e-mail, so you better check your inbox!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I said my piece, I hung up without waiting for his response. Then, after I got back from my shower, I found an e-mail waiting for me: What color are your boxers?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I flung my phone against the pillow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go to hell!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "According to an e-mail I received from Ushio, he was scheduled to fly back home in about a week. Man, where do you find the time to send me all these e-mails? I rose from my seat and left my newsroom desk in search of a more private location. In the end, I found myself in the SCR for The News."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Monitors covered the wall in perfectly even rectangles, like a chocolate bar. Each of them had their own separate purpose, but right now they were all dark, and the chairs that normally held the SCR staff were neatly pushed in under the desk. The room was temperature-controlled to prevent overheating—both for the machines and the humans—but as a result, it was rather chilly when the machines were off. Shivering, I took out my phone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, hey!” Ushio answered. “What’s up? Did you change your mind about phone sex?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My voice echoed loudly through the empty room. Eh, the SCR’s soundproof anyway, I figured. That, and we didn’t broadcast on Saturdays, so no one had any reason to come by…and even if they did, I’d hear the door mechanism beep with enough time to hang up the phone and make some excuse. That was my plan, anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you’re doing such a good job e-mailing me constantly, I thought I’d call and let you know,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks! I try. Anyway, where are you? Your voice sounds echoey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t get the day off?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks to my incompetent director and his piss-poor managing, we had to reshoot some footage. Plus, I forgot to expense my business trip, so I had to get that sorted out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hard to believe the Kunieda Kei forgot something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is the loneliness getting to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As if! If anything, I bet you’re so homesick you’re crying yourself to sleep every night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha! Yeah, totally.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As we talked, I paced back and forth in front of the mixing board. “Well, since I’m in a generous mood,” I began, “I’m thinking maybe after you get home I could take you out sometime. You know, the next time I’m free.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?” Ushio asked, sounding surprised. “Like where?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know, the ramen place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Restaurants don’t count! Meh, whatever. I’m holding you to that, got it? When I get back, we’re going on a date.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” I let out a sigh as I hung up the phone. Date. Heh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, I heard a clattering sound somewhere within the sea of computer desks in the opposite corner of the room—the place where they design all the title cards and 3D graphics and whatnot."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next few seconds played out in slow motion. A chair scooted away from its desk. And then someone crawled out from under said desk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hey… Nice to see you,” said Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the world returned to its normal speed and I realized I wasn’t dreaming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In case you were wondering what I was doing in here…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wasn’t, but whatever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was trying to get concert tickets, y’know, the kind you can only get by calling in. And you know how some of the phones here have wireless priority or whatever it’s called where your call gets bumped up in the queue? Well, I asked around, and someone told me the phone in the SCR has it enabled, so I snuck in and gave it a try. Sure enough, I got through on the first try! Got my tickets and everything! So I was like ‘Hell yeah!’ But then I heard the door open, so I panicked and hid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said nothing—just stood there and listened. Didn’t even nod along."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So yeah, I got two tickets to see Mr. Children. Would you wanna come?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, I didn’t respond. Instead, I slowly scanned the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Looking for something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A blunt weapon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So I can beat you to death.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Awww, c’mon! I don’t wanna die!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My mind was a Molotov cocktail of panic and regret and shame, and Tatsuki’s derpy voice was the spark that set it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“AAARGH!” I clutched at my hair with both hands and ruffled it in frustration. I wanted nothing more than to transform into Godzilla and crush this entire building underfoot. “Why you? Why is it always you?! God, you piss me off, you obnoxious little gnat! Always hovering around me! If I had a Death Note right now, I would write your fucking name in it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, you read that right—I had given up on any hope of smoothing things over as Kunieda Kei, so instead I screamed at him in my natural voice. Granted, just because he’d overheard my more dickish side didn’t mean he’d found out everything about my personal life…but now that he knew how two-faced I was, as far as I was concerned, it was game over. Fuck it. I’ll fly to America myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki stared at me, his eyes round as saucers. “Holy crap,” he whispered. Then he burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha, oh my god! You’re a riot, Kunieda-san! A Death Note? My sides!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t trying to mock me—he genuinely found it funny. This confused me, since I was really expecting him to shout back, or at least flinch away. I furrowed my brow. “The hell is wrong with you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I should ask the same of you!” he replied. Given what he’d witnessed, I couldn’t pretend he didn’t have a point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, I get it. Basically, you put on an act in public, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t appreciate him writing off my diligent efforts as merely “putting on an act,” but nevertheless, I nodded reluctantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, that’s crazy! But like, why would you even bother? Isn’t it tiring?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your business. I can live my life however I want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey man, no judgment! Either way, you gotta do it when the cameras are rolling, right? Besides, I like both sides of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You haven’t even met both sides of me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmm…I feel like I have, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Don’t be ridiculous, you little shit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know that interview story I talked about the other day? When I hit on you and you shrugged it off?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were smiling, but your eyes were just…cold. Empty. I was right up in your face, too, so I got a good look, and…man, I was scared for my life that day. Sent shivers down my spine,” he explained in a casual tone that didn’t sound scared in the least. “Like, it definitely got me wondering, but we never really talked, and no one ever had anything bad to say about you. To them, you’re the guy everyone wishes they were—you’re kind, you’re responsible, you’re good at your job… Which is good and all, but it started to make me think maybe it was all in my head, y’know? So when they put me on the same show as you, as much as I resisted at first, I decided it was a good opportunity to get to know you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So that’s why you always hover around me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t trying to investigate you or anything like that. I just sincerely wanted to get to know you better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I folded my arms and leaned against a nearby desk. “Well?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘Well,’ what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh, hello? You’ve seen right through me! Congratulations! I have a big, fake persona I wear every day! And you wanna know why I wear it? So people will kiss my ass! I love being everyone’s favorite! It’s never caused any problems for anyone, either! The end!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, right. Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are you, an alien? I wondered. In fact, I was half-inclined to believe he actually was. He didn’t seem to understand a single word I was saying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So anyway, who was that on the phone just now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your business.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was it Tsuzuki-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was number two on my short list of subjects I never wanted to discuss with anyone, and I found myself once again tempted to kill him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got a hidden camera or a bug in here?! Huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t! It was half guesswork, I swear!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then where did the other half come from? You’ve only met him once!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmmm…” Tatsuki folded his arms as if to mirror me, then stared up at the darkened monitors. “You remember I told you about my commentary practice? It’s weird—after all the people watching I’ve done, I’ve gotten real good at noticing stuff. Even when they’re just innocently crossing the street, I can tell stuff like, ‘Oh hey, that guy’s in a good mood,’ or ‘That couple’s in the middle of a fight right now.’ I guess it’s a skill I’ve developed? Not to brag or anything. But yeah, after we had dinner together that one night, you and Tsuzuki-san walked off together, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We live in the same neighborhood, so I offered to share a taxi, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, but still… Not that you guys were walking arm in arm or anything, but I got a vibe that you were more than just casual acquaintances…which would mean that you pretended to barely know each other on purpose…which would mean you have something to hide.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that I realized I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Tatsuki’s instincts about me were right on the money—as were my instincts warning me to avoid him. That was a red flag I never should have ignored, and now I was paying the price. He knew everything…and I needed to do something fast…but instead my brain just kept screaming, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK without actually attempting to brainstorm anything. Where’s Ushio when I need him most?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You guys are an item, aren’t you? Judging from the phone call, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You think you’re some kind of investigative journalist? Is that it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who, me? No way,” he replied, staring back at me blankly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Honestly, I deserved an award for somehow not punching his stupid puppy face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m really not some kinda master of observation. I only figured it out because I pay a lot of attention to you on the regular.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Creepy and pathetic.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that point in time, I no longer had the option of asking him to keep quiet; I’d rather die."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ouch! That was harsh, man. Can you cut me a break? I’m already struggling with this as it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you think you’re struggling?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dude, not only did I just find out you have a boyfriend, I overheard you being all lovey-dovey on the phone with him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was not being ‘lovey-dovey’!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, and now you’re blushing… I don’t suppose you plan to dump him anytime soon, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The hell are you talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If not, that’s okay too. I enjoy the chase.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you enjoy!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That right there? That vitriol? Ooh, it makes me shiver. There’s something special about getting perfect, princely Kunieda-san to cuss me out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously, what the hell are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sometimes you can be really dense… Don’t worry—I love you anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First I self-destructed, and then Tatsuki dropped a bomb of his own. At this point I had nothing left to lose, so I donned a cheerful smile and announced, with all the sincerity I could muster: “I hope you die and go to hell. And when you get there, I hope you die again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa. No one’s ever responded to my ‘I love you’ with ‘go to hell’ before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to screw with me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As long as you consent, yes please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think you’re so funny, don’t you? This is what I can’t stand about you. Why would you choose this very moment to profess your feelings? You think anyone’s gonna take you seriously? Besides, everyone at Asabi knows you’re a total mixer fiend.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just like meeting people outside of our industry! Only reason I go is to chat. If you want me to stop, I will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, I don’t care what you do! It’s none of my business! My point is, don’t joke about that crap. It’s not funny, asshole.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really think I would joke about this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pouted his lips in protest. Then his expression shifted to the same intense look I saw on the pedestrian bridge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You remember I told you I wasn’t joking around during my interview?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fell silent. My fingers tightened around my bicep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right from the very moment I first met you, you’ve been all I can think about. No one else has ever made me feel this way, Kunieda-san. At first I kinda hesitated, what with you being a guy and all, but after hearing that phone call…I mean, obviously it was crushing in a way, but…I figure if you can swing that way for Tsuzuki-san, then maybe I have a shot, too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you don’t!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? How come? …Oh, sorry!” His phone started to beep in his pocket. He pulled it out and turned off the alarm. “I forgot I have a voiceover recording starting at two. I gotta go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so he hurried out of the room, leaving our conflict unresolved. (Not that there was really any way to resolve it.) Left alone in the SCR, I unfolded my arms, held up a hand, and started to count:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Okay, so…he found out about the real me…he found out about me and Ushio…and then he confessed his feelings to me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stared down at my three curled fingers for a moment, then tilted my head up and screamed at the top of my lungs:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Error! Does not compute! Someone get me out of here!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Part of me was tempted to call Ushio back right away, but I couldn’t risk anyone else finding out. So instead I went home, locked all my doors and windows (including the balcony), then dialed his number."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The cat’s out of the bag.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the only way I could think to describe it. Meanwhile, the one remaining functional part of my brain noted that I was evidently still pretty shaken up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All my secrets! Everything! Fuck it—I’m gonna catch a red-eye flight to wherever you are. I’ll live there and eat hamburgers and…I don’t know! Whatever fried foods they have!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They have a lot of fried foods here, so you’ll have to be more specific. Look, just calm down and tell me what happened, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Promise me you won’t get mad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t know until you tell me… All right, fine. I promise I won’t get mad. Now out with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So I told him everything that had happened back in the SCR. Naturally, this included the part where Tatsuki confessed his love to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ushio fell silent for a moment. “So, what are you gonna do?” he asked casually."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don’t you care?! I fumed internally. “How should I know?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Ushio didn’t miss a beat. “Be honest with me,” he replied calmly. “How do you actually feel about him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Unfortunately, I was in no condition to smirk to myself about his jealousy this time around. “This shit again?” I adjusted my grip on my phone. “Look, I don’t give a shit about him. Can’t you tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I can’t tell. That’s why I asked.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What, are you blind?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There I was, standing around awkwardly in my own house as though I wasn’t sure where I was allowed to sit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you actually didn’t care about Minagawa, you wouldn’t complain about him every day,” Ushio insisted. “You’d just shrug him off and forget about him. The second I met him, I knew: he’s not like the others—he’s the kind of guy who’d pursue you. Aggressively. And I knew you’d noticed—you just didn’t know how to handle it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course I’d noticed. Normally I could weasel out of any unwanted invitations by smiling awkwardly and letting the other person take the hint, but Tatsuki? Tatsuki didn’t get hints. He barreled through them at a hundred miles an hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the most I could say. I knew I needed to deny any interest in Tatsuki…but over the phone, I wasn’t confident I had the persuasive ability to make it stick. I couldn’t will myself to find the words. Besides, Ushio knew me better than anyone—maybe he was right about me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve been wondering what to do about it, actually. I could tell right away that Minagawa was into you, but even if I forbade you from talking about him, I’d still get paranoid… Plus, not like I can ban you from ever talking to someone at your job… Hey, Kei?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the sound of my name, I braced myself. “Yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you I love both sides of you. That it keeps things interesting. And I still feel that way. But…he probably feels that way about you, too. So how are you going to react?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The other me—the real me—was once a secret that only my parents knew. Then Ushio found out. And now it had spread even further."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To be honest, I thought I was safe. That no one else would ever find out about the real you. But Minagawa has, and now he’s standing on the same playing field as me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, I shot him down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And did he take no for an answer?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t know?” He let out a hollow laugh; it was the first time he’d ever scoffed at me. “Seriously, man, think about it. What if he tells you he’ll only keep quiet if you agree to date him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh. I didn’t think of that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oops. I meant it more like “it didn’t occur to me that he might try that”—I couldn’t picture Tatsuki ever resorting to underhanded means—but it came out sounding an awful lot like I thought it was a good idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, Ushio was pissed. “Excuse me? What, are you going to suggest it to him yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, that’s not what I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can be so careless, you know that? You think you’re smart, but you can be a real idiot. Sometimes you don’t think critically at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You promised you wouldn’t get mad!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, maybe you should promise not to be an asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pot, meet kettle! I couldn’t bring myself to back down. “This all happened because you keep e-mailing me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who told me to e-mail you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, forget it! You’re useless! You’re not helping me solve this—you’re just making me feel worse! Don’t even bother coming back to Japan!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The instant I said it, I knew I had gone too far—but it was too late."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine,” he replied in an icy voice. “I won’t.” And then the call went silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hand lowered back to my side, still clutching my leaden phone. I couldn’t even find the energy to scream. I was an asshole, all right—I should’ve told Ushio that I loved him too much to mess around with Tatsuki, but I didn’t. At the same time, however, I wanted him to tell me not to choose Tatsuki. I wanted him to fight for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart felt like it was caught in a tug-of-war between my ego and his…and it hurt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On Monday, after the broadcast, Tatsuki came jogging over. “Sorry to bother you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you need something?” I asked in my Kunieda Kei voice, since other people were present. Likewise, he didn’t comment on my tone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See, the thing is, my voiceover recording didn’t go too well,” he sighed. “It was my first time doing that documentary-style voice, and…I mean, the director said he chose me on purpose to create a contrast, but…I guess the contrast was too big? And uneven in some parts, since it was such a long take? So they decided I have to retake it, but the director told me he wants me to study up beforehand. Anyway, you remember a couple years ago when you did that one voiceover? The one about the Buddha statue restoration?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, apparently that’s what they’re going for. But when I went to check it out from the repository, they said the cultural resource division is using it right now…so I thought I’d ask if maybe you had a DVD of it lying around that I could borrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I do, actually. Would you like to come by my place and pick it up?” I suggested with a soft smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. No sense in making you wait—I imagine they’re going to want that recording done sooner rather than later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re the best!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t see any possible compromise between Tatsuki and I, but nevertheless, I knew I couldn’t let my unspoken secret fester. Even if the DVD was just a plausible excuse to get him alone, he’d been the one to make the request, and that worked in my favor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I forced my way into the passenger seat of a taxi and reluctantly took him home with me, like leftovers I didn’t want. It was the first time anyone other than Ushio had visited my apartment; guilt nibbled at me as I inserted the key into the lock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax. We’re not doing anything inappropriate, I told myself. I need to put this conversation to rest, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tatsuki didn’t sound nervous in the least."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks for having me over. Ooh, is that HUNTER×HUNTER?! Can I read it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lay one finger on my stuff and I’ll beat your ass.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow. Is that really how you’re gonna talk to me when we’re alone?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Quit your bitching and settle down. You can sit right over there on that couch. Just try not to breathe my air.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t even breathe? Are you trying to kill me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I’m lucky.” I pulled the DVD in question from the shelf and chucked the jewel case at him like it was a frisbee."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa! Almost dropped it… Thanks a bunch. When do you need it back?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t ‘need’ it at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can keep it?! Score!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now scoot over… All the way over.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I made sure Tatsuki was sitting on the very edge of the couch, I sat down on the opposite edge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is a little unnatural, don’t you think…?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t care.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So where’s your bedroom? Is it in there?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why the hell would I give you that information?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just curious, man! Has Tsuzuki-san been here before? I bet he has. Can I ask how you two got together?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go to hell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I like him. Really down-to-earth and fun to talk to. Plus, he’s hot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” Wait…was he after Ushio the whole time?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki saw the growing confusion on my face and burst out laughing. “Relax! I don’t mean it like that. You’ve never had a real relationship before, have you, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Says the guy who does nothing but hang around mixers.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did Tsuzuki-san say anything about me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you ask?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, judging from what I heard during the phone call, it sounds like he’s out of town somewhere…but you probably still told him what I said to you, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki turned his entire body in my direction, resting his elbow against the back cushion as he gazed at the still tight knot of my tie."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I’m tired of wearing this crap. I wanna be me again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ruffling up my perfect hair, I decided to hit him with Ushio’s hypothesis. “He was worried that…you’d use your newfound knowledge to blackmail me into dating you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki blinked at me, eyes wide. Then he pointed a finger at me. “Oh man, I should’ve thought of that! Yeah, that works for me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not happening!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did he have to have the exact same delayed reaction I did? As much as I hated to admit it…maybe we were birds of a feather. Usually smart, but on occasion, profoundly stupid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, you’re right. No point in blackmailing you into it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good. But right as relief started to set in—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you know, Kunieda-san, I don’t think you hate me as much as you pretend to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? Real confident about that, are you? What, you think everyone in the world loves you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s not that. But I’m pretty sure I’d be able to tell if you hated my guts for real.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sounds pretty overconfident to me, you clown! I was tempted to shower him in insults like a hail of bullets, but I knew it would only forestall the conversation. Irritating as it was, Tatsuki already had a solid grasp of my personality. Swallowing my vitriol, I looked him right in the eye—or, I tried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! I didn’t say to close your eyes!” I snapped. Nor did I tell you to lean in, damn it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Isn’t this the part where you kiss me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m gonna sew your goddamn eyelids shut.” But I wasn’t as disgusted as I could have been. “This is what I don’t like about you,” I continued. “You’re shameless, self-assured, and a ridiculously fast learner…and you think you can get away with anything as long as you smile and play nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, finally, I owned up to the inner workings of my heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…don’t especially wish I was like you, but…part of me does envy you. Which is why your behavior always pisses me off.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa! You look up to me?! Aww, Kunieda-san! That’s so sweet!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Quit putting words in my mouth.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everyone admires you, too, y’know,” he continued, inching toward me on his knees. “Your personality, your good looks, your talent…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That stuff’s all fake. It’s as staged as any TV show.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, yeah, you set it all up to get attention. And it worked. But somehow, you’re still jealous of me. You wanna know why that is? Because you’re not content with just Tsuzuki-san. Part of you wants more than that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My back was now pressed all the way against the armrest, my hand clinging to the back cushion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And you think you can fill that void?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I won’t give you an ultimatum. You don’t have to choose me over your main squeeze.” He took me by the wrist. Then he leaned in, just like he did during his interview; it didn’t make me weak in the knees, but I wasn’t repulsed, either. Worst of all, he seemed so nonchalant about this proposal that it almost started to sound like a good idea. Not sure what that says about me as a person."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re already leading a double life at work, right? So just let me have that half. I’d feel bad if I came in and wrecked your relationship with Tsuzuki-san. But since we work together, I’m sure we’d have no trouble hiding it. So why not date me at work, then go home and date him? You think he’d get mad about it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s already mad,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “He blew a gasket and said he wasn’t coming home.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure, he might’ve only said it in the heat of the moment, but he was generally a man of his word…and with his freelance job, he could find ways to support himself just about anywhere…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, nice. Lucky me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have some remorse for your actions, you ass!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll make it up to you, I promise… Can I kiss you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the hell for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” he grinned, kicking my reservations to the curb. Unexpectedly sly of him, actually. “Now let me kiss you. I know you don’t have the guts to be the bad guy yourself… Go ahead and blame it all on me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He squeezed my hand and I noticed his was a bit sweaty. That was when I realized that maybe his confidence wasn’t quite so bulletproof—an observation that sparked a hint of affection in me at the worst possible time. His was a passion entirely unlike the admiration and praise I was used to…a passion I thought only Ushio could feel for me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m in love with you. I mean it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel nothing! I feel nothing! I feel nothing! But despite my claims to the contrary, my heart was already pounding. And while admittedly I did close my eyes, it was only a reflexive response to the foreign object approaching my face…I think…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t do this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right as I thrust both hands out and pushed Tatsuki away, I heard my front door open. Naturally, there was only one person with a spare key. Thunderous footsteps barreled down the hall toward us, and the living room door flew open. I stared blankly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good grief, Kunieda-san,” Tatsuki sighed, sounding utterly unruffled. “Times like these, you gotta remember to chain the door!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’d take a lot more than that to keep me out,” Ushio replied, equally unperturbed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fair enough! Anyway, I’m not trying to start a fight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How the hell are you people so calm? Am I the only one with my heart in my throat over here? Damn it, I need to say something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Spurred on by inexplicable panic, I blurted out: “It’s not my fault! You said you weren’t coming back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh shit. That makes it sound like I was trying to cheat on him! One of those classic soap opera “you said you were going on a business trip” clichés!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I panicked even harder, Ushio turned and glared daggers at me. “The fuck did you just say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhhh… It was just a figure of speech…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Last I checked, speech is supposed to be your area of expertise. Riddle me that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hauled me off the couch, yanked me down to the floor, and slid an arm under each of my legs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, wait… What are you doing…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Punishing you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In this position?! Is he about to do what I think he’s about to do?! He wouldn’t, would he? But what else would my “punishment” be?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, dumbass!” I shouted, attempting to wriggle free. Unfortunately, he had both of my legs locked down. I was a sitting duck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think you have any right to boss me around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just—we can’t do this! Not in public! We just can’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio let out a heavy sigh. “Moron.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While still keeping hold of my legs, he got up, rolled me over, straddled my hips, then sat down on my back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pain shot through me as my toes approached my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, you gorilla! That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, it wouldn’t be a punishment if it didn’t, now would it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. This is really something else,” Tatsuki murmured in admiration, like he was observing an ant farm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t just sit there! Help me!” Damn it, why isn’t he the one getting punished?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What constitutes ‘help’ when he’s got you in a Boston crab maneuver? You want a towel or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If anyone’s an asshole, it’s you,” Ushio growled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After Ushio finally finished venting his frustration on me, he released my legs. Then he turned to Tatsuki. “So, what did you two get up to?” he asked. “Anything I should be concerned about? I’m guessing yes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hey dumbass, you’re crushing me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I tried to seduce him, and it seemed like it was working.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You didn’t need to be that honest about it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Minagawa, you little bastard…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trapped beneath his weight, the most I could do was prop myself up on my elbows to raise my head—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You stay out of this,” Ushio hissed at me. Then he turned back to Tatsuki. “So, what were you planning to do if he came around?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmm… Honestly, I wouldn’t ask him to break up with you or anything like that. I’m fine going halfsies with you, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Halfsies… Right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned my head as far as it would go, but all I could see was Ushio’s back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gotta be honest, Minegawa-kun… Even after all this, I still can’t bring myself to hate you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? Nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you’re testing my fucking limits!” This guttural roar threatened to shake my apartment windows. Compared to this, my last phone call with him was practically civil. “Half and half? The fuck are you talking about? Give me a break, kid. Even assuming he was interested in you like that, I’d never hand him over to a loser who can’t commit. If you actually loved him, you’d want all of him for yourself. But no—you don’t respect him, you don’t respect yourself, you don’t respect the concept of love in general! You wanna flirt with another man’s boyfriend? Then be an adult about it, for fuck’s sake!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio fell perfectly still for a moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei,” he continued without looking at me, “if you’re only going to give me half, then I’m not giving you my everything. You can have half, and I’ll find someone else for the other half. Got it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” I shot back without hesitation. “I don’t want that! Ever!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I slumped back to the floor and shook my head, rubbing my forehead against the cold hardwood. I didn’t want to imagine Ushio with anyone else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I had to share you, I’d go nuts,” I croaked, partially from the weight on my back and partiually from suppressing the urge to cry. I loved Ushio, and both sides of myself were his alone. It had to be him. No one else would do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was an imbecile, and this was my wake-up call."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, I feel the same way,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” He patted the back of my knee. “Now then, what do we say to Minagawa?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhhh… Get out?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He twisted my legs again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow! Stop…freaking…doing that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You led him on, so you need to apologize, damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! I don’t apologize to anyone!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? What about now?! Huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Owwww!” I flailed my limbs in agony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s funny—you’d think it’d be kind of fun, being the apex of a love triangle. Instead I was one wrong move away from being on the receiving end of a piledriver."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, that’s okay. No apology necessary,” Tatsuki said with an awkward smile. “Honestly, I was prepared to take a punch or two, y’know, anywhere except the face. But I gotta say…I think you two might just be perfect for each other.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks. In any other situation, that would have been a flattering sentiment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch him again and I’ll beat your ass,” Ushio growled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Roger dodger! Won’t happen again,” Tatsuki replied with a firm salute."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay then, I trust you. Oh, and—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you guys maybe have this conversation somewhere that isn’t literally on top of me?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Ushio just ignored me. “Could you keep quiet about his…condition? I know he’s dumb as a brick, but it’s the way he was born, and I don’t want to force him to be someone he’s not. I want him to keep living his life just the way he is… Okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, please,” Tatsuki replied flippantly, dismissing Ushio’s concern with a wave of the DVD jewel case in his hand. “You think anyone would believe a rookie like me if I tried to tell ’em our prince is a wolf in sheep’s clothing? If anything, they’d think I was trying to sabotage his career, and the whole thing would backfire. Trust me, Kunieda-san’s made a real name for himself. It’s impressive stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, I’m heading out. Sorry for imposing…in more ways than one.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the love of god, keep your little comments to yourself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio showed Tatsuki to the door, locked it behind him, then walked back into the living room, where I continued to lie on my stomach on the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the matter? Did it really hurt that bad? Want me to slap on a Salonpas or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shook my head silently and watched as my tears formed a warped little puddle on the hardwood. I knew I couldn’t afford to let my eyes get puffy, and yet I just couldn’t stop. It wasn’t his anger toward me, or the physical abuse. It was the simple fact that he cared, above all else, that got to me. He loved all of me…and he loved me with all of him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“C’mon, don’t cry. I was just trying to teach you a lesson, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lifted me up and guided me to the bedroom with uncommon tenderness; meanwhile, I continued to sob uncontrollably. Once we got to the bed, he sat me down and turned to go. Reflexively I grabbed the sleeve of his coat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just gonna get an ice pack from the kitchen,” he reassured me, wiping away my tears with a smile. “Can’t let you go on TV looking like that, now, can we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He returned with an ice pack wrapped in a washcloth. As I held it against my eyes, he stroked my hair until I calmed down. Then, when I finally looked up, I found him gazing at me with a look so gentle I couldn’t help but avert my eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said, “You go on TV every single night, and each time I watch you, I think to myself, ‘Damn, that’s impressive. He’s so ridiculously good at his job.’ But sometimes…I hate it. I hate that I have to share you with thousands of people across the country. Sometimes I get so mad, I turn the TV off.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re joking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope, I’m dead serious. If I offered to be your sugar daddy full time, would you quit your job and move in?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no,” I replied instantly. “I thrive on the adoration of the masses. Without it, I’ll wither up and die.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you, I’ll just fawn over you myself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want that, either!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The heat from my hands was starting to melt the ice pack. “You’re the exception. I don’t want your adoration.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No arguing with that, I guess.” He traced a finger over my lips and whispered, “Next time you cheat on me, you’re getting a German suplex.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to kill me?!” Because tonight you almost succeeded!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That reminds me… You had some wild ideas about what my punishment was going to be, didn’t you? You sick freak.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, excuse me for not anticipating your little pro wrestling debut!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, but exhibitionism? Really? That’s a hard no from me.” He pulled me down onto the bed with him and grinned. “I’d never let anyone else sneak a peek.” Then he tossed my melted ice pack to the floor and pressed my chilly palm to his cheek. “I was miserable the whole way here. I couldn’t leave until I finished my work, and I was an hour behind schedule… None of this is your fault, to be clear.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry.” Somehow it was easier to apologize when I knew he wasn’t blaming me. “I’m so sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s okay. I understand.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had demanded that I apologize to Tatsuki, and yet he didn’t seem to need one for himself. We helped each other out of our clothes, and when I felt his skin against mine, a soft spark of electricity shot through my entire body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For a long moment he simply held me. The tip of his nose brushed against my ear, and I could feel its residual chill from the air outside. This is 100 percent, I thought to myself. This is everything. This is all there is. If I ever feel like it’s not enough, it’s because I’ve lost sight of something. It’s all right here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I love you,” I told him for the first time. “And not just half—I love you all the way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know,” he replied quietly, nuzzling his face against mine like a small animal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, our heartbeats steadily quickened in time with each other. The two of us were perfectly content in our desire for one another, and that made me happier than anything. Wrapped up in each other’s arms, we kissed with our eyes closed, shutting out all the rest of the world. As we took turns savoring each other’s tongues and teeth, I felt a sweet yearning rise up inside me like smoke."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His kisses traced a line down my neck to my collarbone, then to my left nipple. When he sucked it, my heart tightened as though his suction was reeling it in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As his tongue spun little circles around its edges, I felt it swell up like a little red button, with my lust boiling just beneath the surface of the skin. Then he grazed his teeth against it, and I felt a warmth start to build behind my belly button."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time he arrived at my pelvis, my member was already glistening with fluid. It twitched as his breath brushed against it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah, no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment he put it in his mouth, my cock swelled and a piercing pleasure wracked my senses, as though he had condensed all of my lust into a single solid mass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh…aah…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the strength drained from my limbs, it brought the residual ache in my loins into sharp relief—my body was already begging for more. Then Ushio reached over to grab the lube I kept in the drawer of my headboard, and the sight alone was enough to make another part of me twinge in anticipation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Turn around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because I’m having trouble being patient.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He rolled my numb, post-orgasmal body over onto my stomach and propped my lower half up on my knees. I tried to spread my legs to distribute my weight more evenly, but he squeezed them back together and dribbled lotion down the crack of my ass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First my body shivered at the sudden chill. Then he slid his cock between my legs, and goosebumps pricked up my arms in a pleasant tingle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tense your legs.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His engorged member rubbed against my inner thighs, teasing my groin. I clung to the bedsheets with both hands, doing my best to endure his motions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he fucked this makeshift orifice, he plunged a finger into my lubricated ass, all the way in to the knuckle, and began to stroke me from the inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…gah…oh god…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As fireworks exploded in my brain, my hips reflexively jerked away from his touch, but he yanked me back with his free hand and added a second finger with the other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold still, damn it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His rock-hard length continued to slam against me; meanwhile, his ministrations made my rectum squelch loudly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure? You seem like you like it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He slid his fingers in to the knuckle and worked them back and forth ever so slightly. Sure enough, I could feel my walls clamping down around him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re begging for it so bad,” Ushio groaned. “I wanna put my cock in you right this minute and fuck you until I cum. You’re so hot, it’s pissing me off!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His unsteady voice and accelerating thrusts conveyed his passion in painstaking detail; his vulgar bedroom talk was laced with deep desperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He yanked his fingers back out of me. Then he grabbed my hips and held them in place while he thrust his length against me repeatedly. My rectum twitched in time with his movements; the jostling made my nipples rub against the sheets. Soon my cock was painfully erect once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt his semen spurt all over the underside of my manhood, and his warmth pulled away, leaving my thighs cold and empty. But then, not a moment later—“Aah!”—he pressed his wet tip against my perineum, nestling it in the narrow gap, and I knew he was getting hard again. Then he slid a finger in my ass again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” I pleaded. “No fingers!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His teasing was excruciating now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanna have sex! Sex, sex, sex!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We are having sex.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know what I mean!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My body wanted all of Ushio; this was not that. I had only just regained my composure, and now my eyes were damp with desire all over again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dumbo,” he whispered, stroking my back. “I was trying to hold back since you’re still a little tight, but…your funeral, I guess. Spread your legs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At his command, I gladly obeyed. I wasn’t afraid of the pain—if anything, I was more afraid of the pleasure fading away for good."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At last, he pressed the requested object against the requested location."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My eyes were open, and yet my vision burned bright white. My entrance ached as it spread to its fullest limits…but I knew the pain would fade as soon as the widest part made it in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Aah! Aah! I’m gonna cum!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! Don’t clamp down so tight!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His hot cock buried itself inside me, forcibly spreading me wider as it went. As it rubbed against my prostate, pleasure bubbled up from inside my manhood and steadily dribbled out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rest of me was utterly exhausted, but my ass continued to revel in the pleasure. I could feel his veins pulsing right up against mine; his length was throbbing so violently, I half expected to hear it every time I opened my mouth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, I’m so screwed,” Ushio muttered through sharp breaths. “Now every time I see you on TV, I’ll think back to this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t! Just forget it, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How can I sit in front of the camera with a straight face if I have to imagine you jacking off to all my broadcasts?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re stupid if you think I can!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if to make his point, he jackhammered into me harder than ever. Jostled by his endless motions, I writhed and clamped down on his length."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Nngh! Ushio! Ushio! Don’t stop!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei… Touch yourself…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As instructed, I stroked my manhood, still slick with his cum. With the steady stream of pleasure from the anal penetration, it stiffened even more readily than last time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaahh…gah…oh god…nngh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Likewise, the pleasure from my hand flowed back to my ass, and I clamped down on Ushio more intensely than ever before, engulfing him in my soft, sticky walls."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Holy fuck,” Ushio groaned, his voice tinged with ecstasy. “I think I’m gonna lose it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh! Aah! Cum in me! I’m gonna… I’m gonna…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was my SOS, and Ushio responded by pounding me hard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I love you…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even when I closed my eyes, light flooded my vision. The instant I achieved climax, my hips floated up like they were disconnected from gravity…until the next moment when Ushio unloaded his thick seed in me, weighing me back down like an anchor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio told me he had to catch a flight back to America that evening. Apparently he’d left all his luggage behind and flown here with only the clothes on his back. As for his client, they weren’t demanding he return, per se, but his own sense of integrity wouldn’t let him skip out without finishing the job he agreed to do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah?” What a hypocrite. He wants me to quit my job for him, but he’d never quit his for me. “What time’s your flight?” I asked, sounding bored."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Around five.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Which airport? Haneda?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I did some quick mental calculations. If we left for the airport at three, I could see him off and make it back to the station in time for my show. Given my stellar track record, I could probably get away with being late if I gave them a plausible excuse, like “I’m not feeling well, so I’m going to stop by the clinic before I come in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Ushio yawned, unaware of my little scheme. As badly as I wanted to brag about the date I was going to take him on, I held my tongue. After all, I wanted it to be a surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I saw him off, I could find some deserted restroom and change into my Kunieda Kei clothes. Where would I store them, though? Maybe a coin-operated locker would do the trick…but which one?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All these little details were a hassle to iron out, and yet I found I wasn’t annoyed in the slightest. First, I’d need to get my ass moving; then we’d leave the house together; then we’d catch a train to the airport; then I’d stare up at the sky and zone out watching his plane take off. No part of this task list was remotely fun, and yet I was tickled pink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, was I doing this for me or for him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The answer: both."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe | Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0005.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Paid In Full"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "THE NEWS STUDIO was on the fifteenth floor, but the dressing room was on the second. Approximately thirty minutes prior to each broadcast, we were obligated to head down and have our makeup applied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Kunieda-san! Are you going to the dressing room? I’ll come with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh. I was hoping to be discreet, but unfortunately Tatsuki slid into my elevator."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Were you just spamming the Close button?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You went to the doctor’s office today, right? Are you sick?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you talk things out with Tsuzuki-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Three seconds of silence passed, and then Tatsuki muttered, “…Make-up sex?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“CRAM IT!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my god, you did! Good for you! I hear make-up sex is the best, actually.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I swear to god, I’m gonna kill you—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, I was out of time; the elevator had arrived at the second floor. Hastily, I withdrew my hand from his neck and composed myself. The doors opened, revealing an employee standing just outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hello there, Kunieda-san!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hello,” I greeted warmly, tapping the Open button. Then I gestured for Tatsuki to step out. “After you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, thanks,” Tatsuki replied with a bright smile to rival my own. Then, once the hallway was confirmed to be empty, he added, “Y’know, at this rate, I think you’re gonna give me trust issues.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ignored him and headed into the dressing room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning! I’m here for my makeup.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, good morning! And I see you’ve brought a friend with you! Let’s start with you, Kunieda-san, since you’ll be on camera sooner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I took my seat in front of the vanity, however, the makeup artist paused to stare curiously at my reflection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is there something on my face? Goodness, I sure hope not.” Take a picture—it’ll last longer, I thought sarcastically as I pretended to get embarrassed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s just…your skin is flawless today!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind me, at the other vanity, I heard Tatsuki snicker."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“God, I’m soooo jealous! I almost don’t want to put foundation on you! Do you have a skincare routine?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if I’d tell you. It took all of my acting ability to manage a modest, “Not really.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tonight I was scheduled for another grueling performance as my more perfect half."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“YES, NO, OR MAYBE” is a nonsensical choice when you think about it, though I’m pretty sure I spent a great deal of my childhood making it. “What does ‘maybe’ even mean in these cases?” I hear you ask. Well, you see, now that I’m an adult, binary choices tend to lead to a lot of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situations, and sometimes I really wish I could stay somewhere in the middle. Of course, if someone else said the same to me, I’d tell them to pick a side. Go figure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Takemiya-sensei’s artwork really captures my two main characters in this sort of “cute adult” style, and that gets a big YES from me. She’s truly skilled at crafting sweet, gentle male faces, like Ushio in the frontispiece. The way it pairs perfectly with Kei’s bashful expression as he struggles to hide his love—aaaah! She is my barista, and I am her loyal customer for all time. Thank you so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "—Michi Ichiho"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe | Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Hypothetical Thought Exercise"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "ONSCREEN, I was blathering away:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tonight, we’ve invited legislators in their twenties and early thirties to speak with us here at the studio about their roles, representing a generation of young people who have lost faith in elections and the political system at large. Tonight’s theme: “What would you do if you were Prime Minister?” These public statements will shape the future of our political climate for decades to come. Now then, let’s take a look at their answers…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the count of three, my prerecorded self held up a flipboard for the camera to see. On it were the same trite, uninspired policies you’ve heard hundreds of times—raise childcare subsidies for each additional child, incentivize IT venture companies to move to rural areas, set the retirement age to 70, blah blah blah."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uggghhh, this is so boring,” I complained. Now that I was safely away from the studio, I could finally say it out loud. “There’s no innovation here—no hook. It’s just a matter of time before these people either vanish or start some kind of scandal for the journos to have a field day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Enlighten me, Kunieda-sensei. What would you do if you were Prime Minister?” Ushio asked me as he sat next to me on the bed, watching the recording with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would make it illegal to refer to any adult woman as a ‘girl.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m saying this current trend of referring to grown women as ‘girls’ is freaking creepy! Imagine if we addressed adult men as ‘boys’—it’s demeaning as hell. Not only that, but now we have a whole show called ‘Lady Girls’ on TV? It’s senseless! How old are they supposed to be? If you want to be ‘ladies,’ then act like it! Make up your mind!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What about phrases like ‘girls’ night out’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Call it ‘harpies’ night’ or something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And that’s what you would do if you were the most powerful man in the country?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow.” Ushio stared at me with a smile I could only describe as tepid. “Don’t quit your day job. They might actually vote for you, and that scares me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not interested in politics.” It’s way more fun to talk out of my ass, obviously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be PM either. If I were you, though…” He smirked. “I’d change careers and be a clown.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the hell for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because you’re so good at it. What about you? What would you do if you were me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Quit my job and be a house-husband,” I replied without missing a beat. “If I were you, I’d get on my hands and knees and worship me for deigning to date someone as lowly as you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? What else?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d cook three meals a day, keep the bed tidy, prepare a heated towel after every bath, give massages at bedtime, do wake-up calls in the morning…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right, right. So you want me to hold your hand and kiss you and stroke your hair and pat your back until you fall asleep? And cuddle with you on lazy Sunday mornings?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, exactly—what?! No!” I shot back on reflex, like a total comedian."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio snorted. “If you want me to start doing these things, don’t be passive-aggressive. Just use your words and ask me to show you a little extra love.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t need extra love, thank you very much!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio patted me on the cheek and his skin felt cool against mine…which meant my face was burning up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And for the record,” he said, “I’m pretty sure I’m already doing at least half of those things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Liar! I mean…I don’t care!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, yes, whatever you say. Okay, how about this…” He took the remote from my hands and turned off the TV."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To make it up to you, we can do a little brothel play tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do prostitutes normally take your clothes off for you, or is that an extra charge?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s your kink again? Me telling you I love you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go to hell!” But I didn’t tell him to stop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Grinning, Ushio planted a kiss on my lips."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe | Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, No, or Maybe?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "IN JAPANESE TV RATINGS, 1 percent equals approximately 408,000 viewers, or 180,000 households. My news program has an average rating of 12 percent. Multiply 408,000 by 12, and we’re somewhere in the ballpark of 4.9 million viewers on average—and that’s just the Kanto region. Add in the rest of Japan, and, well… Long story short, there are currently several Tokyo Domes’ worth of people looking at me, Kunieda Kei, and my winning smile. Obviously those numbers fluctuate on any given day, but hey, I’m allowed to feel good about myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This has been The Evening File. Have a good night, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I gave my signature signoff, I looked directly into camera 2 and did my usual half nod, half bow, bringing the nearly two-hour program to a close."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a wrap!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All around me, the studio came to life in almost perfect unison, but I didn’t bat an eye. Then the assistant director ran over and bowed deeply in apology."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m so sorry, Kunieda-san! There was a page missing from the manuscript for the second half of the breaking news segment!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s all right,” I said quickly. “I was able to work around it while we were live. But it did kind of throw me for a minute there—did my voice crack?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not at all!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s good.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the floor director walked over, looking deathly pale. “Wait… He didn’t have the full script?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m afraid not. You see, um… After he gave it a quick readthrough, I had the studio print him a fresh copy while he was getting his makeup touched up. But while they were on the way here, one of the pages slipped out of the stack, and they didn’t notice until right before the segment started…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should’ve checked it before you handed it to him, you moron!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s all right, honestly. No harm done,” I insisted, smoothing things over with an awkward smile. “Just try to be more careful next time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-kun, how on earth did you work around that giant hole in the script?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I memorized it during the initial readthrough, so I simply recited it from memory.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re joking! What are you, a genius?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no. Anyone could memorize a single page.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Each script was printed out in giant two-inch letters for readability, so any given page was only about fifty words total, if that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, but still, I don’t know how you managed to recite all four of the missing news stories with such flawless accuracy! You’re incredible!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I got lucky, I suppose,” I replied modestly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, in my head, I was thinking: Cram it, you ignorant plebeians! Setting aside the incomplete script, surely one of these idiots must’ve gone looking for the missing page at some point, right? You’d think the goddamn floor director would have noticed that something was up—and yet you want to point the finger at this guy? Stone, meet glass house! And another thing? The cameras started rolling way too early! That camera assistant’s a total clod. Plus, the assistant director put the teleprompter in the worst possible spot… Is this whole studio brain-dead?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t breathe a word of this out loud, of course. My smile was more airtight than a vacuum-sealed Tupperware container. Instead, with a polite, “Great work today, everyone,” I headed out of the studio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, my director chased after me. “Kunieda!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, go away. What do you want now?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How can I help you?” I asked, turning back with a pleasant smile. He handed me a stack of papers stapled together in the upper left corner."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Here’s your script and the other materials for tomorrow’s filming trip. Sorry it’s late.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You should be sorry! Why do you always wait until the last minute to get this shit to me? I don’t have time to wait around for you forever, you stupid pleb! “This is for the behind-the-scenes with the animator, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yep, that’s the one! He’s making a new animated title sequence for The News. Not sure why we’re being asked to cover it, but whatever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re really going all out with this overhaul, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just wish they’d spare even half that budget for the evening timeslot… Anyway, we’ll be leaving here at ten and returning around two. That’ll get you back in time for the show, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve visited the place a few times already. Real nice guy, that animator. Very down to earth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Glad to hear it.” I don’t trust your judgment as far as I can throw it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll get along with him just fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hate to break it to you, but everyone I meet is either incompetent, obnoxious, or beneath my notice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anyway, good work out there today. See you tomorrow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have a good night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On my way back to the newsroom, I paused to examine a poster taped up on the hallway wall. It was an ordinary bust shot of a man, paired with the logo for The News, with the tagline: Reinventing Nightly News With Asou Keiichi. Overall, the poster’s simple, no-frills design suggested unwavering confidence in its claims."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Beside it was a poster for The Evening File. In contrast with the dignified design of the first, this one was much more casual—a reflection of the show’s overarching theme of “quick news updates over a cup of tea.” Photos of the anchors were depicted together in a collage, myself included. These photos were taken at the start of the new year to gear up for the overhaul starting this spring, and my smile was flawless. Yes, I was easily the most photogenic of the bunch. Not even my female costars could hold a candle to my perfection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatcha looking at?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A female anchor, two years senior to me, caught me admiring my own image and walked over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, hello there,” I replied affably, suppressing the spark of annoyance that flared up as she interrupted my train of thought. “This is my first time getting to see the new posters, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ooh, I see. Great photo, Kunieda-kun! The perfect prince, as usual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And as for you, I hear you turned into a total party girl after the morning timeslot dropped you like yesterday’s news. Maybe you should think about turning it down a notch now that you’re almost thirty. Just a little friendly advice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, I wasn’t looking at me. I was looking at Asou-san. He’s so photogenic.” I smiled bashfully to play up the “young rookie admiring the veteran” angle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I hear they’re gonna put these up in all the stations and trains.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seems like management’s pulling out all the stops.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, a lot’s riding on this overhaul, you know. And it seems to be working. These days we’re starting to break 13 percent.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The higher-ups were angling to “reinvent” the station (and cut costs, naturally) by dropping all the big-name veteran MCs and brainless bimbo assistants in favor of putting the spotlight entirely on the news anchors. Personally, I didn’t really see the point in them going out of their way to advertise it during the evening timeslots, but then again, I didn’t have the numbers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, with talent like yours, you might just get a poster of your own one of these days.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, I wouldn’t dream of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the honest truth. To me, being a headliner sounded exhausting. As a run-of-the-mill news anchor, it didn’t matter whether I was on set or hiding out in the newsroom, fiddling around on my phone—as long as I showed up to work, I got paid. Plus, I still got enough screen time to keep my ego happy. In that sense, I was perfectly content with my role as anchor and co-host on the evening timeslot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had achieved the perfect balance: the exceptional good looks and flawless diction of a skilled pro, and yet when it came to prerecorded segments, I could still crack jokes and drop one-liners with the best of them. Above all, my reputation was that of a responsible, competent, princely young man…and I planned to keep it that way for a long time to come."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Kunieda-kun?” Her voice took on a hint of obsequious flattery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” I replied, guarded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Listen, um… Me and my friends are going out drinking together; would you wanna come? There’s this one girl who’d really love to meet you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had a feeling something like this was coming, and frankly, it made me want to roll my eyes into the back of my skull. An older anchor past her prime trying to put her mark on a new up-and-comer? Barf."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, but…” I selected the hesitation and guilt masks from my collection of outward personas and fused them together. “There’s this girl back home in Shizuoka, and…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you have a girlfriend?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, not exactly, but…” I added a dash of embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Technically, I wasn’t lying—this chick simply took what I said and read into it, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I understand completely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry… Oh, but please don’t tell anyone! It’s a secret!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmmm… Not sure I can promise that…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mon, please? I’m serious!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, fine! But you still have to come drinking with us one of these days. Just drinks, I promise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hah! The dumbass fell for it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All I had to do was make it feel like “our little secret” and suddenly any disappointment or annoyance she felt toward me was replaced with an irresistible sense of superiority. Knowing her, she wouldn’t actually blab, but would happily lord it over the heads of other women, like: “Oh, Kunieda-kun? Yeahhh, about that… I don’t have all the details, and he’s asked me not to spread it around, but… I wouldn’t, if I were you. Sorry, hon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Piece of cake. These plebs are all so simple."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I left the station around eight. Naturally, I made sure to offer the guard a friendly “See you tomorrow!” on my way out. Yes, I built this image campaign from the ground up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the second I walked into my apartment and locked the door behind me…that was what marked the start of my off-hours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First things first, I let out a long sigh, the likes of which I would never replicate in public. Then I washed my face in the sink, and when I was done, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My perfect smile was gone, replaced with a steely blank stare, almost like my face was refusing to exercise a single muscle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next, I ran a hand through my perfectly styled hair and ruffled it up, then loosened my tie. Piece by piece, I stripped off my suit and tossed it over the back of the couch. Then I changed into my favorite loungewear: an old tracksuit (jacket and pants) my mother bought for me years ago on the second floor of a department store. At this point it was practically falling apart, but as long as I wore a coat over it, no one would notice the holes in the elbows."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And by “coat,” I’m not talking about my designer Aquascutum trench coat, either—I’m talking about a pilly off-brand duffle coat I bought online. Anything that I didn’t want to associate with “Kunieda Kei, the news anchor,” I had shipped to my house directly. Cheap instant foods, collector’s editions of my favorite manga, you name it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I slid on a pair of thick, black-rimmed fake glasses and a surgical mask to cover everything from my nose down (to protect my throat from infections, among other things). Then I grabbed my worn-out synthetic leather wallet, stuffed it in my pocket, and pulled on a pair of grimy old sneakers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this getup, no one ever afforded me more than a passing glance…and it was such a relief. Some people would call this their “lazy day outfit,” but not me. Hell, I’d wear this anywhere—Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, fashion be damned. It was so much easier to exist in the outside world not as a “guy from TV” but as a bland nobody."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every night, I spent exactly thirty minutes of my daily schedule enjoying a nighttime stroll in this disguise. No chance of anyone flagging me down. No paparazzi shots posted to Twitter. No stupid, pointless messages sent through my show’s contact form just to say “I saw so-and-so walking down the street yesterday, and I wanted to say hi, but I got too scared, LOL!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seriously, my job is so bizarre. I go on TV and occasionally get the (D-list) celebrity treatment, but other than that, I’m no different from any other white-collar worker. I make the same amount of money no matter how popular I am. Of course, this is a double-edged sword—it means I’ll never directly profit off of any star power I generate, either. (Quite a few people have left the biz to go freelance for this exact reason, but I digress.)"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the most important difference between a news anchor and a TV star is that we don’t have any managers (or agents or what have you) to shield us from bad press. We’re not allowed to be “arrogant” or “troublemakers”—the industry won’t allow it. I’m not even talking about capital-C crimes; if you commit even the smallest act of impropriety…well, it won’t ruin your life, but it’ll certainly haunt you for as long as you appear on TV. And don’t think you can play it off as a joke, either; only a respected veteran can get away with that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be fair, though, our job is to sit there and read the news to the camera, so I could understand how the station might want us to avoid provoking any sort of negative response from the viewers. But me, personally, I wanted the freedom to read trashy magazines I bought from the convenience store, or order a side salad from the deli, or put a grouchy taxi driver in his place. These were all things my “news anchor” persona could never do…but if I had to wear that mask 24/7, I’d probably suffocate to death. So to me, a scant few minutes spent dressed like a loser were worth their weight in gold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The late January wind was chilly, but I paid it no mind. At the end of my stroll, I usually ended up at my favorite neighborhood izakaya—the one that let me order food to go. My favorite item on the menu was the beef bowl (with a soft-boiled egg on top); I carried it out in a plastic to-go bag, and as I headed to the convenience store to pick up some beer to accompany it, there was practically a skip in my step."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I arrived back home, I plopped down cross-legged onto the couch and lifted the lid. Steam rose into my face as the soft-boiled egg jiggled slightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Holy hell, I’m drooling,” I muttered to myself. This was not my perfectly practiced, diligently crafted “television voice,” either. That’s how you know I’m in my happy place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinly sliced beef, each piece adorned with fat like a glistening lace hem. Shirataki noodles dyed brown from the marinade. Shapeless, mushy onions. And last but not least, the secret ingredient: finely chopped chicken liver sautéed in garlic. I stabbed my chopsticks into the egg like it killed my parents and gave the whole thing a good stir. Then, at last—paying careful attention to the meat-to-rice ratio—I took my first bite."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sho good…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ate this same thing three to four times a week, and yet somehow I never tired of it. Between bites, I took a sip of beer or added another dash of sesame to jazz things up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the staff cafeteria, I only ever ordered the “multigrain special” or whatever other new-age healthy crap they had on offer. No matter how deeply my heart yearned for the chicken nanban with tartar sauce, I couldn’t afford to tarnish my carefully sculpted image. So for me, dinnertime was always pure bliss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a satisfied sigh, I cleaned up my trash and made myself a cup of after-dinner coffee. Nothing fancy, just instant. I couldn’t be assed to do the dishes, so I used a paper cup instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Technically speaking, I had assigned my news anchor persona a favorite coffee blend, as well as a favorite tea blend, a favorite shampoo, a favorite furniture brand, and so on. And I hadn’t chosen them at random, either. These little details were crucial props, instrumental in expressing the sort of taste I wanted people to think I had. Besides, I was pretty sure normal (as in non-celebrity) people did this sort of thing to some degree or another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sipping my coffee, I picked up the remote…but just then, my phone started to ring. Not the one I used for work, either—my personal phone that only my family knew about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kei? Have you been getting enough to eat lately?” asked my mother. “One of the neighbors brought us a box of tangerines, so I was thinking of sending you some. Anything else you need?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Cup noodles,” I answered without missing a beat. “And I want a bigger variety of flavors this time. Oh, and potato chips. And canned stuff, like chicken and corned beef. Oh, and could you send me my complete collection of Dragon Ball manga I left on the shelf? I wanna reread it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t fit all that in a single box! And good lord, your eating habits are terrible!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like I told you, I eat healthy stuff when I’m at work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At work. Right,” she muttered, then let out a big, exaggerated sigh. “You know, I see your little façade on TV every single day. At first it used to make me laugh, but now? It just makes me sick.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Thanks a lot, Mom.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m serious, Kei! I don’t know how you keep up the act. To think that lazy little glutton I raised would one day be a newscaster… I mean, you always knew how to behave in public, but every time the neighbors gush about you, I always feel like such a fraud…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut the hell up! And don’t go running your mouth about me to anyone, got it?! You’ll ruin my career!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I know… Now tell me, what are your plans for the future? With a personality like yours, is there any woman in the world who could possibly agree to marry you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d made some attempts in the past—short-lived relationships with women I saw only as accessories to my “perfect” self. But these efforts inevitably ate up all my precious free time, which meant they quickly became exhausting to maintain. Then I’d have to spend even more effort making a clean break without looking like the bad guy. Rinse and repeat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mind your own business, Mom. Anyway, I’ve got things to do. Have a good night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kei, wait—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without waiting for a goodbye, I hung up the phone and hit play on my recording of tonight’s news. Again and again, I reviewed all the sections where I was onscreen—checking my articulation, my intonation, my pacing. If I stared too directly into the camera, it would come off as unsettling—can’t have that. How was my chemistry with my costars? What about my posture? My wardrobe? My mental checklist was miles long."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, I knew the little stripes on my shirt would look like an optical illusion on camera! That wardrobe stylist promised me it would be fine, too! What an imbecile!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I finished reviewing my performance, it was time to watch the news programs from the other TV stations—all of them—played back at 3x speed. If anything caught my eye, good or bad, I would rewind and play the segment at normal speed. And yes, I did this for morning, afternoon, evening, and night timeslots, which is why I had four separate DVRs in my entertainment center."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course, I could always get these recordings from the staff room at the station, but knowing me, I’d inevitably start complaining aloud: “That looks stupid. Should’ve cut that. The timing on that commercial break was totally off.” Besides, I couldn’t let them see exactly how much effort I put into my performance or it would damage my rep. Some effort was okay, but for the most part, I wanted them to think it all came naturally to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I paid extra close attention to the shows we were in direct competition with. Then I’d check the graphs to see where we came out on top and where we lost ground. The numbers didn’t always correlate to the quality of a given broadcast, per se, but there were days when you could clearly tell why the viewers were changing the channel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hunched over like a gremlin with my notepad in my lap, I scribbled notes furiously. I’d feel a twinge of hip pain every thirty minutes or so, reminding me to pause and stretch—then I was right back to it. While this definitely wasn’t a side of me I wanted other people to see…if I were to name my strongest talent, I think the unending drive to perfect myself would be it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time I finished watching all the news, it was nearly two in the morning (and yet, by the time tomorrow rolled around, I knew I’d inevitably somehow forget everything I’d seen). Time to get ready for that filming trip tomorrow. I took a quick shower, then returned to the living room and started flipping through the papers I got from the director."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tsuzuki Ushio, 27.” Huh. Same age as me. “While attending a vocational school, his original stop-motion animation—a short film depicting the life cycle of a baby bird—went viral and reached more than 10 million views online. Since then, he has received multiple international awards. Currently he works on commercials.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Generally speaking, I hated anyone who managed to get farther in life within the same time frame as me, so my enthusiasm was admittedly rather muted as I popped the reference DVD into the player."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What played was a video featuring the sort of clay figurines I remembered seeing in educational programs from my childhood. Flowers bloomed, the sun set, rain fell…all conveyed through the squishing and stretching of clay. This was actually the first in a series of videos contained on this DVD, all of them about five minutes in length. Some of them were created not with clay, but origami or plush toys."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Man, I’d hate to be this guy, I thought to myself. Stop-motion animation required thousands of minute changes, millimeter by millimeter, all strung together to create the illusion of fluid movement. Talk about torture. If it were me, I’d get fed up and smash it all into pieces before I took enough shots to compose even a single second of footage. Any dude who had the time or patience to painstakingly create something five minutes long was bound to be the most miserable nerd on the planet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Conveniently, right as I started to take a somewhat mean-spirited interest in the creator, the next video in the series featured the man himself. Clearly he was at some sort of formal award ceremony; I took one look at him, standing uncomfortably in his tuxedo, and groaned under my breath. Accomplished and attractive? Screw this guy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He really didn’t look like the kind of guy who would dedicate countless hours of his life to pointless busywork. He was tall enough to fit in with a crowd of white people, he had a well-defined nose… Put simply, he was handsome. In isolation, his individual features were striking, and yet, strangely enough, they didn’t clash with each other. He struck me as the kind of guy who’d look more at home with a chisel or mallet, chipping away at a large, ostentatious statue. Not some dorky little animation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet the glitz and glamor of the ceremony didn’t seem to go to his head. Instead, he held his gold trophy like it was an afterthought and shifted his neck stiffly. Maybe his bow tie was too tight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’d like to congratulate you on your award.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They offered him the mic, but he simply nodded in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you tell us how you feel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not much of a party person, so I feel like going home, having dinner, and going to bed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh… Well, um… Pretty hefty trophy, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. My grandma loves precious metals, so I’m sure she’ll be excited.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the matter with this guy…?” I muttered to myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wasn’t just acting quirky for the camera, either. No, he sincerely wanted to go home and didn’t care one whit about the trophy. As someone who maintained an act at all times, I had a keen eye for this sort of thing—and I wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen, grab him by the collar, and shout, “Smile, damn it! Pretend you’re embarrassed! Make some awkward attempt at expressing your joy and gratitude! Are you Japanese or not?! This reporter’s just trying to do their job! Like it or not, you have to follow the social code—that’s how the world works!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nothing was guaranteed to irritate me quite like a lone-wolf “eccentric artist” type trying to make a living in a specialized field. Especially one with absolutely no regard for my industry’s pre-established conventions. The thought that I’d have to endure this hell in just a few short hours was enough to crush my spirits, but I didn’t have a choice—it was my job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted a little more information to work with, so I turned on my computer and looked up the guy’s Wikipedia page. Obviously any information I found online wasn’t necessarily going to be 100 percent accurate, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to check. Under the “personal life” section was a line that stated: “Tsuzuki has identified himself as bisexual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ugh. I cringed on reflex. What if he thinks I’m hot? I’ll have to make sure I’m never alone in a room with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing against alternative lifestyles or whatever—frankly, I couldn’t care less—but I really didn’t get why some people had to go and make a big deal of labeling themselves. Especially since you could be discriminated against for that sort of thing. Was it a selling point in his industry or something? Not a fan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I immediately powered down my computer and got ready for bed. The first thing I did was put on another mask—not the kind I wore outside, but a vapor mask specifically designed to keep my throat hydrated overnight. Then I changed into my pajamas, set the humidifier to full blast, and headed for my room. As I stepped inside, I felt the 60 percent humidity gently engulf my body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On weeknights I always got precisely four and a half hours of sleep, then in the morning I woke up to my alarm, ate some honey, and spent exactly thirty minutes doing vocal warmups. After that, it was time to read the morning paper over a light meal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Today’s breakfast was instant miso soup, plus a bowl of rice with bonito flakes and a slice of cheese on top. Dribble a little soy sauce over it, and bon appétit. About halfway through, my tongue would usually get bored of the taste; once upon a time, I’d add some kimchi to spice things up, but ever since I landed this job, I’d had to learn to avoid eating anything too astringent. I wolfed my boring breakfast down, etiquette be damned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then I got dressed, styled my hair, straightened my tie, and nodded at my reflection in the mirror. I had now completed my transformation into everyone’s favorite Kunieda Kei."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only question was: could I keep up the act for another day?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess we’re about to find out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not five seconds after I arrived, the location manager let out a giant yawn. If he, like so many others, thought showing weakness was a way to build a rapport with me, he was utterly mistaken. If anything, it just pissed me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You look tired,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I was up late last night trying to get some editing done, but it didn’t go so well…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Like I give a rat’s ass. It’s your fault for sucking at your job. If you want a healthy work-life balance, then I recommend you find a career in a different industry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, I see. Sounds rough,” I replied, my gaze chock-full of sympathy for good measure. Truth be told, I hated people who complained about work while they were on the clock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You never really have that problem, huh, Kunieda? Seems like you’re always in top form.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I’m privileged to have such an excellent team roll out the red carpet for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Translation: Do your job, peasants. But the location manager didn’t know this, of course, so he gave me a sleepy smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wipe that smirk off your face and wake the hell up. Haven’t you heard that some people determine your worth based entirely on your smile? You might not be one of them, but I am!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re too kind… Anyway, let’s get going.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the drive over, I decided to ask about Tsuzuki Ushio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did he land a job creating a title sequence for the late-night timeslot, anyway? I watched a few of his videos, but they didn’t appear to make any particular social statement. If anything, they mostly seemed like something out of a picture book.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you know Shitara-san? The producer for The News?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know his name, but not much else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He met Tsuzuki-san while he was working on this surrealist kids’ show for a network affiliate. Ever heard of Midnight Kindergarten?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, yes. The DVDs sold like hotcakes, as I recall.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, totally! Everybody was talking about it, and word spread like wildfire… Heck, even I bought a copy! It was just so wild—you can tell none of the higher-ups were supervising this show all that closely. Like when they took those ordinary moms and dressed them up in trashy gyaru makeup to see if the kids could still recognize them…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Interesting.” Don’t care. Get back to my question, please."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So anyway, it was around then that Shitara-san first contracted Tsuzuki-san to do a promo for his show. And when he made his big comeback as producer for The News, he was like, ‘I’m calling the shots now!’ and immediately brought Tsuzuki-san into the picture without any consultation from anyone else. Or so I heard.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see.” If he was Shitara’s little pet—not that he was my producer, but still—I’d better make damn sure I didn’t get on his bad side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway… Like I wrote in the shooting schedule, we’ll come and film once or twice a week, then play three or so minutes of footage on The Evening File once a night. Then, on the night of the inaugural broadcast of The News, we’ll tell the viewers to stay tuned to our channel to see the full finished product at 10 p.m.…and that’s that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But yeah, as far as I know, today’s just a meet and greet. Mainly so we can get an idea of who this Tsuzuki Ushio guy is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I noticed that the view outside the car window looked awfully familiar…and sure enough, our final destination turned out to be no more than a ten-minute walk from my apartment. It was a neighborhood just on the outskirts of downtown, separated from the high-rise condos by a single large highway. Ugh, what if we bump into each other on the street? Not that he’d ever recognize me, of course, given my usual disguise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stepped out of the car and immediately came face-to-face with a square wood building. The first floor appeared to have an unusually high ceiling; I could tell from the tall—and firmly shut—roller door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m told this place used to be a bike shop,” said the director. “Apparently, he rents it for cheap. First floor is his workshop, second floor is his living space.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, yes. I can see where the sign used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The door’s this way. No need to take your shoes off unless you want to head up to the second floor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Passing through the narrow space between Tsuzuki’s house and the one next to it, we walked around to the back, where we discovered a plain aluminum door—the back entrance, evidently—labeled with an equally plain “Tsuzuki” nameplate. Plus a really rusty red mailbox that looked about as old as the building itself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The assistant director stepped forward and pressed the button on the intercom, but there was no response. “Maybe he’s asleep,” he mused with a wry grin. His second attempt proved fruitful, however; the lock clicked open, and the door opened a fraction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry about that,” the man mumbled, blinking his eyes sleepily. Everything about him screamed just woke up. Then he let out a big yawn, and instantly I was pissed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why do these idiots all think they can slack off? Didn’t anyone tell you what time we planned to get here? You don’t have to serve us tea and biscuits, but at least make yourself presentable, damn it!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning! Sorry to disturb you,” said the director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, for real, it’s my fault. For some reason I thought this wasn’t happening until tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Don’t be silly! I told you about it on the phone yesterday, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do I have time to wash my face and get dressed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem. You do that, and in the meantime we’ll take some footage of the exterior. Kunieda, could you wait inside? Oh, right. This is Kunieda—he’ll be leading the interview. He’s a co-anchor for The Evening File.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s great to meet you. Thanks for having me.” I bowed to him at the exact correct angle for the exact correct time, then flashed my flawless camera smile. Male or female, young or old, it was guaranteed to max out anyone’s affection meter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet Tsuzuki only afforded me the merest passing glance, his gaze dull with drowsiness. Then he turned to the director standing next to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought it was going to be a lady anchor. Isn’t that what you said when we first talked about it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh… Well, you see, there was a bit of a scheduling mishap. I apologize; I thought I told you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Meh, it’s no big deal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yeah? Then quit complaining about it. Besides, don’t you swing both ways or whatever? You should be grateful you got an Adonis like yours truly! And for that matter, not only are we paying you for your work, but we’re promoting you, too! Show some goddamn gratitude! I thought to myself. All while maintaining my winning smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like there was some miscommunication. Sorry about that,” I offered courteously. “I promise to give it 110 percent effort.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Meh, let’s just get it over with,” Tsuzuki shrugged, brushing me off like I was a speck of dust. “I know you’re just doing your job and all, but I can’t waste too much time talking to the camera. I got a deadline, y’know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I proceeded to grab this flippant man by the collar and punch him in the face several times. In my mind, that is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, uh…you go get ready, and we’ll do a bit of filming out here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once Tsuzuki turned and walked away, the director drew his lips close to my ear. Dude, get out of my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seems like he’s in a bad mood today. Normally he’s a lot more friendly… Oh well. I trust you’ll be fine, so just do your best to get him to open up to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Easier said than done, buddy! And another thing—why didn’t you people get footage of the exterior during the last few times you were here?! I growled internally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir,” I replied with a dutiful nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the rest of the crew filed outside, and Tsuzuki disappeared upstairs, leaving me alone to look around the workshop at my own discretion. The room was filled with an assortment of miniature film sets, some the size of a potted plant, others closer to a garden trough. I recognized some of them from the videos on that DVD. City streets, beaches, forests—all scattered over the dusty gray floor like Lilliputian islands. Against the walls I could see giant studio lights and what I assumed to be backdrop screens, as well as a bicycle. At the opposite end of the room was a computer with a giant 40-inch monitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right as I set my briefcase on the ancient, barely used, synthetic leather couch, I heard Tsuzuki head back down the stairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is it all right if I set my things here?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Again with the flippant response. As much as it irritated me, it would take a lot more than that to get me to back down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you do 100 percent of the work yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At the rate I get paid, I can’t afford to hire anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, no kidding. This animation crap isn’t exactly a viable career. Hell, you’re lucky you can pay your rent at all… Just goes to show how cushy our country really is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sounds stressful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah. I consider myself lucky I can make a living doing what I do. With a job like mine, some people might see it as getting paid to goof off, and they’re not exactly wrong. I’m no different from some 60-year-old retiree building a castle out of toothpicks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And here I thought Mr. Artiste was about to preach to me about how his work is “an art form” or something. Glad to see we’re on the same page."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki walked to the computer desk, opened a drawer, and took out several thick stacks of paper bound with string. He brought them over to me. “They told me you’ll need these for the filming.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are those…daily wall calendars?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You could find them in any store, and often they came with a little proverb on each page. Nothing to write home about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Check the back,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He handed me a stack, so I took it and turned it over. On the back of each page was a little pencil drawing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. Storyboards, right? But why draw them on the back of a calendar?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When the local stationery store closed down, they let me have the rest of their stock. See how these calendars are all from two years ago? They were just gonna toss ’em, but I didn’t want ’em to go to waste. Plus, the paper’s nice and thin. Super easy to work with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But won’t the ink from the other side show through?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Doesn’t matter. They’re just my personal notes. See, when I make a video, I don’t sit down and plan it all out like it’s some big thing. I prefer to be more…spontaneous. Like random little doodles on the back of a math test, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I flipped through the pages, I realized that the minute differences between each drawing formed a single continuous motion, like a flipbook. Man, what a hassle. “How many would you need to draw to create a single second of animation?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Twenty-four frames.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. That’s a bit different from our video recordings—we film at thirty frames per second. I suppose a mere fifteen seconds of footage must cost you a whole calendar’s worth of paper.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep. I’m starting to run out at this point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weird… I was expecting him to be more, you know…snobby? Self-obsessed? But instead, he was actually really humble—perhaps even downright ascetic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyone with enough exposure to the limelight was bound to get cocky, no matter the stage. And as I watched those delusional idiots from a safe distance, I could only thank my lucky stars that I was smart enough to keep it hidden. Maybe the simple fact that I had stumbled into this line of work purely by chance was enough to keep me grounded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, the rest of the team walked in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got all our exterior footage! Oh, hello, Tsuzuki-san. Are you ready for the camera? To start with, we’d like to get some shots of the studio interior.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Feel free to hide anything you’d rather not have broadcasted on television.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, no worries.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was then that Tsuzuki finally smiled…and with his steely outer façade lowered, he actually seemed like a friendly, sociable guy for once."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Didn’t realize you had it in you, grumpy. It doesn’t cost anything to act polite, so try a little harder, would you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first I was relieved, but then I caught myself—what did I have to worry about? It wasn’t my problem if he wanted to act like a grouch on national TV. If anything, it would probably win me some sympathy points from the viewers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, the assistant director’s tripod snagged on the handle of my briefcase, knocking it over and sending its contents scattering everywhere."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, watch it!” the cameraman shouted after him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I quietly walked over and helped him pick up my stuff. “You okay? It didn’t fall on your foot or anything, did it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, I was calling him all sorts of colorful insults in my mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, I’m fine. Sorry, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No need to apologize; I’m just glad it didn’t crush your toes. There’s some heavy stuff in there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With an unwavering smile, I gathered up all my belongings and straightened up once more. Just then, I noticed Tsuzuki looking at me in shock. Our eyes met. Crap, am I coming off too fake?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is something the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not particularly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, the interview went smoothly. We arranged another visit in three days, then headed back to the station."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, he had me worried for a minute there,” the director remarked on the drive back. “He seemed like he was in a really bad mood.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, and it was your job to warm him up! But instead you hid outside like a little coward!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But when we walked back in, he seemed like he was back to normal. I should’ve known you’d work your magic, Kunieda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no,” I demurred."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Granted, this was all part of my usual act, but I sincerely didn’t think it was my doing. I mean, the dude had “kill me now” written all over his face when we first showed up. Maybe he just needed a few minutes to wake up and realize how hot I was? Not that I wanted him to notice!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Perhaps he has low blood pressure.” It was the safest theory I could offer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I arrived back at my apartment, I turned back into my usual self. On my way home with my beloved beef bowl, however, I realized something critical: I had forgotten to set my DVR to record the current events debate starting tonight at 11 p.m. Admittedly it was just going to be a bunch of old guys with fancy titles bickering endlessly at each other…but the MC of the event was none other than Asou Keiichi himself, and I could already tell that the whole newsroom would be blathering about it nonstop come tomorrow morning. Plus, it couldn’t hurt to observe a more experienced anchor at work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I start running, I can make it home in time. Gripping my to-go bag in one hand, I dashed forward—completely failing to notice that the pedestrian signal was red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a small light and a giant shadow. Then, in the next instant, they were gone again—their disappearance accompanied by a loud CRASH. Then I heard the faint creak of spinning wheels and looked down at the ground. There lay a bicycle. And a rider."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gasped and hastily…checked the contents of my to-go bag. The lid didn’t come off when I jumped back, did it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope. Still intact. Thank god.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relief flooded my chest as I confirmed the safety of my precious cargo. But the very next moment—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“HEY!” the bicyclist shouted at me from under his bike. “Not only did you just run into traffic like a lunatic, but you care more about your food than your fellow human being?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, please. If you have the energy to scream at me, then you’re fine. Wait a minute—I should probably get out of here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before I could shift into a run, however, the man pushed off his bike and jumped to his feet with alarming speed. And when the streetlamp illuminated his face, I froze like a deer in headlights. Oh shit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was Tsuzuki, the animator from earlier today. I was worried about bumping into this guy from the moment I found out where he lived, and sure enough, here the hell we were. What do I do? Make a run for it? No way! The guy’s got a bike!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not going anywhere, buddy,” Tsuzuki growled as though he’d read my mind. “Agh… Damn it, this hurts. All right, you take the handlebars—my left hand hurts too much to grasp anything. And the frame’s all jacked up now, thanks to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax! He’ll never find out you’re Kunieda Kei! Willing my panic to subside, I wracked my brain for a way out of this conflict. Do I confess to everything, or keep pretending not to know him? No, I have to keep pretending! What am I supposed to do if people find out that Kunieda Kei—ranked within Japan’s Top 5 Favorite Male Anchors, nicknamed “Mr. No-Flub” by his peers, role model to all fledgling newscasters, the human personification of wit and beauty in equal measure—ignored a traffic signal and caused an accident? No, forget that! What if they find out I dress up like a hobo and buy beef bowls every night?! My life will be over! My public image—everything I built over the past twenty-five years—will crumble to dust!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on! Hurry up and grab the handle!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…How much do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For the bike and medical bills. A hundred grand? Two hundred? I’ll pay whatever you want, so get off my back, all right? Because if you try to take this to the cops, trust me, they’re not going to say the pedestrian was at fault for this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, I’m in a hurry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you think that makes it okay for you to run through a red light?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, give me a break, pal!” His voice was steadily building to a crescendo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The light was green.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like hell it was!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, no one else was around to witness it, and I don’t see any cameras, so…it’s your word against mine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before I could once again suggest money as a peaceful resolution, a fist collided with my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ow!” Sparks scattered behind my eyelids."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now you know how I feel, jackass! Aagh, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to use my left hand! Now it hurts even worse!” Gripping his left wrist in his right hand, Tsuzuki was well and truly furious. “Your first instinct should have been to apologize! Who the hell raised you?! Anyone who can’t say ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’ is human scum!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t exactly wrong, but…I mean, would he really accept an apology coming from the guy whose first thought was to check his beef bowl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry,” I said anyway. “My bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You want me to deck you with my dominant hand this time?! Damn it, just…just carry your end of the bike, all right? My legs hurt like hell, so I’m not gonna be able to get it home by myself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted to refuse, but…frankly, it posed a significant risk to me to have to keep bickering with this dude out here in public. At this hour, we could be reported for causing a disturbance. Plus, he didn’t seem interested in taking it to court or anything. But if I pissed him off any worse than I already had, things could get ugly fast…and I wasn’t confident I could take him, even taking his injuries into consideration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine.” I reluctantly grabbed the handlebars and started walking…then stopped myself. You’re not supposed to know where he lives, genius! “Which way?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Between us, the cheapo cruiser bike wobbled unsteadily, either from the damage or the uneven momentum. Now that the fear of exposing my true identity had faded, I was free to curse my terrible luck: Man, what the hell were you doing riding your bike at this time of night? For that matter, what the hell are you doing living in my neighborhood? God, this sucks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Tsuzuki spoke: “That bag you’ve got there…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By any chance, is that a beef bowl from Sudou’s?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I go there all the time. Great food, am I right? But I feel like they must’ve changed the recipe. I don’t know what it is, but…doesn’t the sauce or gravy or whatever taste kinda different now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Actually, yeah, I’ve noticed that, too,” I replied before I could stop myself. “The sweet-to-salty ratio is different.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly! So, do you usually eat at the restaurant?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. I get it to go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me too, mostly, except for every now and then. But their beer’s worse than piss!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All beer tastes like piss.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, seriously! I don’t know if it’s the bartender or the server who screws it up, but either way, when it gets to your table, the head’s as thin as the film on a cup of hot milk!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh.” Wait…why am I having a normal conversation with him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’d think I’d be devastated to learn that we were both regulars at the same restaurant, and yet…for some reason, I was really enjoying this opportunity to talk to someone about beef bowls."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you like BBQ chicken?” he asked. “You should try The Grill over behind the post office.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do they let you order to go?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, totally!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so we arrived at the very same house I had visited earlier that afternoon. All right, I kept my end of the bargain, so now I’m free to go, right?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, see ya.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But before I could turn on my heel, he seized me by the wrist. “I’m not done talking to you! Sheesh, I can’t let my guard down for a single second. You know what? Give me your phone number, just in case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I blurted it out as fast as I could—my private number, to be clear. I couldn’t afford for him to reach me on my work phone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m never going to be able to remember that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not my problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you, five?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we carried his bicycle inside, he gestured to the same couch from earlier. “Have a seat. And if you try anything funny, I’ll hole up in Sudou’s every single night until I catch you. I think you’ll find I’m very persistent.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine! Whatever!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Tsuzuki headed up the stairs, I did as instructed and sat down on the couch. When I saw how badly he was limping, even I started to feel a little guilty…but then again, it wasn’t as though he had a real job to go to. He’d just be holed up in here with his stop-motion crap regardless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Idly, I picked up a tablet I found lying forgotten on the other end of the couch. At my touch, it woke from sleep mode and the screen lit up. What, you left it on? And you don’t even have a password? That’s pretty careless—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What the…?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shouted so loud I nearly ripped through my surgical mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s up?” Tsuzuki called from upstairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh…uh…I saw a cockroach!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? You’re kidding! I’ve never had any cockroaches here. Kill it for me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fat chance!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Obviously I was lying about the cockroach, but I had to come up with something—I was just that shocked. Of all the things I expected to see on a tablet screen, my own face was not one of them!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not only that, but it was a pretty old photo of me, too. Specifically, it was a still image from a recording of the Mascot Sumo Grand Prix (MSGP for short) back when I first started out as a news anchor—the one where Asabi TV’s (extremely lame) mascot character Asazou tragically gets knocked out of the ring. Then his head pops off to reveal—surprise surprise—one very sweaty Kunieda Kei."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back during my first year, they made me do all kinds of crap. See, if you’re an unknown quantity with stamina to spare, the production staff views you as their plaything to use as they see fit, and I was no exception. Variety shows, comedy shows, you name it—I did it all without complaint. As a rookie, I couldn’t afford to be choosy, or else they’d label me “useless” and I’d never get another gig with them so long as I lived. Why? Because the TV industry has no use for those who refuse to open themselves up to the possibility of humiliation. Of course, no one ever wants to make a fool of themselves, but at a lot of stations, that’s your entire job. Fortunately, in my case I was quickly given the label of “classy/unfunny” and after that they shifted me away from that part of the work altogether."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That being said, I felt no shame regarding my less-than-glamorous early years. Think about it: behind every A-list actress is a long history of gravure pin-up work, you know? It’s like that. I did what I had to do, and now it’s in the past. The only downside was whenever some loser with too much time on their hands dug it all back up again and spread it around online. Sure enough, when I scrolled down to the comments section, it was full of crap like “Ah, the early days, before the Prince was crowned.” Dude, shut the hell up, all right? I was just doing my job, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "More importantly, why the hell was Tsuzuki digging up my dirty laundry, anyway? This was no freak coincidence, either—I checked his search history and found even more of my videos listed there. My one-day trial experience in an idol group, that time I rode in an aerobatic aircraft…all the ones that took the most physical stamina."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyway, this was no time for me to be waxing nostalgic about the good old days. Was he trying to gather dirt on me so he could rub it in my face? Did I piss him off or something? Because I was having trouble seeing this in an even remotely positive light. You conniving little bastard, I thought to myself like a total hypocrite. Just so you know, you can try to humiliate me all you want, but I’m just gonna shrug it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh hey, you actually stayed!” Tsuzuki called as he walked back down the stairs. “Sorry about that. Took me a while to find a cold pack.” He noticed me fiddling with his tablet, and yet he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. “Do you know him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm?” This raised my suspicions, since it felt like a trick question…and yet his tone was entirely casual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda Kei. He’s a news anchor for Asabi TV, usually on the evening timeslot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm…” Seriously, what was his angle?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I actually feel kinda bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that all you know how to say?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fine, forget it… Anyway, yesterday I was doing this interview for some other TV station, and I met this other male news anchor. He was kind of like Kunieda-san, all friendly and stuff…but the second I stepped away, he whirled around and started tearing his assistant director a new asshole. Kicked him in the shin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His expression hardened as though he were reliving the memory all over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I overheard him saying crap like, ‘Go play in traffic, shit-for-brains!’ You wanna know why? Because the guy bought him the wrong brand of mineral water. And I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, dude. Would it kill you to drink different water?’ You know? Like, who the hell kicks a guy over that kind of minor inconvenience? Not only that, but I heard him call our interview ‘a boring waste of time.’ But when I walked back in, magically he was all smiles again! Made me sick to my stomach, honestly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Maybe he was having a bad day,” I offered. I wasn’t trying to defend the guy; I just meant that…well…that sort of low-level abuse wasn’t exactly uncommon. And not just in this particular industry, either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean, sure, maybe. But it still pissed me off. Made me think about all the people who treated me like dirt when I was just starting out, only for them to oh-so-conveniently change their tune as soon as my career started to take off, you know what I mean? I realized that maybe I wasn’t as over it as I thought. And at that point, I got so fed up with myself that I could barely get any work done. So there I was, sulking in bed, when Kunieda-san showed up to do his interview. And I couldn’t help but think, like, great, is this guy gonna bully his assistants, too?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ouch. Harsh.” C’mon, man. I had nothing to do with that other guy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I know. But anyway…there was this moment where the assistant director’s tripod snagged on Kunieda-san’s briefcase. Stuff went everywhere. But Kunieda-san—he didn’t get upset. If anything, he was worried it might’ve smashed the guy’s toes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ROFL. Man, I’m so glad I’m wearing this surgical mask so he can’t see my shit-eating grin right now. He’s completely bought my little act! Hook, line, and sinker! What a schmuck!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how worthless and easily replaceable they were as subcontractors, there was no value in beating up an assistant director. After all, there was still a tiny chance they might grow up into someone important someday—just like there was a 1-in-1,000 chance that any given baby sea turtle would survive to adulthood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was starting to feel like Tsuzuki didn’t fully grasp even the most laughably basic of survival skills, and for that I pitied him. What a sad, sheltered little man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So then,” he continued, “I spot this book on the floor. It’s a dictionary—and not just any dictionary, but an intonation dictionary. I didn’t know news anchors even studied up on that stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm.” I got the sense it would be weird to stay quiet, so I nodded vaguely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you knew that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He leaned in closer and stared at me. I hastily leaned away. “No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmph. Anyway, the book was practically falling apart, and it had a bunch of tabs sticking out of it, and I thought… Y’know, maybe this guy’s not who I thought he was. So then I searched him up and watched some of his videos. Honestly, I thought being a newscaster was all about acting self-important and reading a script without flubbing it, but this guy? He puts 110 percent effort into everything he does, no matter what. I was actually really impressed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I’m so glad you’re stupid. It’s going to make the rest of this film project so much easier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Next time I see him, I wanna apologize. You think he’ll forgive me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dude, you don’t have to apologize. You’ll just make everything awkward. But I didn’t feel like trying to explain that to him, so instead I said, “Yeah, probably.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really think so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let it go already,” I snapped back on reflex. “If you’re only apologizing so he’ll forgive you, then don’t freakin’ bother. Only do it if you mean it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa.” He stared at me intently. Naturally, this made me panic internally. “You know, for an asshole, you make a really good point.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, seriously, you’re right. I should apologize because it’s the right thing to do.” With this deep, dark secret finally off his chest, Tsuzuki’s whole face lit up. Then he offered me his cold pack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, you keep it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No, I’m not giving it to you—I need you to help me stick it on. I can’t do it one-handed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie to reveal a fat bruise on his left hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll make an appointment first thing tomorrow, but I doubt it’s broken or anything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pointed to the affected area with his good hand, and I carefully applied the sticky side of the cold pack. He shivered slightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well… I’d better go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This time I was sure he’d let me leave, but nope, he grabbed me by the hand once again. “Wait, wait, wait, wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The hell do you want now? I applied your cold pack, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think that’s the whole reason I made you sit and wait for me? No, we’re only just getting started. Actually, I was wondering…” He yanked me back down onto the couch. “Why haven’t you asked me about it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“About what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, the stuff I have lying around? The interviews I’ve been doing? Doesn’t that make you wonder who I am and what I do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, because I already know. But obviously I couldn’t say that, so instead I answered, “I don’t really care.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should still ask to be polite, you know. Whatever. Basically, I’m a filmmaker. I make everything by hand. And right now, I’m working on a big project with a deadline coming up soon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In other words, I’m in a real bind if I can’t use my left hand…so I was thinking you ought to make it up to me by helping out with my work for a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What makes you think you’re in any position to say no?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because like I told you, I’m willing to reimburse you in cash. Just use my money to hire a guy or something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why is it always about money with you? Money, money, money! Don’t you ever feel like a broken record?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t.” I jumped to my feet and poked my thumb against my chest. “Look, I’m no billionaire, okay? I work hard for my money. Harder than the average. And as a result, I get paid more than the average, too. So if it’s something I’ve earned through good, honest work, then what’s wrong with using it as I please? Hmm? There’s no shame in it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki stared blankly back at me as he processed this passionate declaration. Then he started to applaud."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” I snapped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I mean, you’re totally right. For some reason you can be really persuasive, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gee, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s your name, anyway?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hesitated for a moment, then said, “Owari.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Little did he know, however, this was just simple wordplay on my part. With different kanji, Tsuzuki could mean “to be continued”; likewise, Owari meant “the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gotcha. I’m Tsuzuki, so that’s kind of similar. Or not really, I guess. What’s your first name, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“None of your business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Point taken. Okay, well, could you show up sometime tomorrow night? Anytime’s fine—whatever works for you. I just need a couple hours of your time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promise, it’s very simple work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, no, no! Were you not listening to a single word I said?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure I was. You’re a funny guy, Owari. I’d hate for this friendship to end so soon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, you’d hate it? Because I’d love it, actually!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Plus, I can pay you…kinda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean, kinda?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll buy you a beef bowl for dinner each night…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cheapskate.” How idiotic. I got back to my feet, and this time he didn’t try to stop me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See you tomorrow,” he grinned from the entranceway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you won’t! I’m not coming, and that’s final! End of story!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet he kept grinning at me through the crack in the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After I got home, I realized I’d forgotten my beef bowl at his house, but I couldn’t find the will to go back for it, much less buy a replacement meal. I was exhausted. Not only did I get dragged into a giant headache, but I missed the debate, too…and worst of all, Tsuzuki wanted me to start doing volunteer work at his house?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ridiculous. Does he not understand that two hours is a lot of time for a grown adult with a real job? I’m not doing that crap. It’s not my problem… Well, okay, it’s kinda my fault that his hand’s all banged up. Seriously, that bruise looked pretty gnarly… Like, really purple… No, no, no! Don’t think about it! I gotta do my nightly news review!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I plopped down cross-legged on the couch, same as always…but that night, I didn’t hunch over and take my notes. Instead, my mind kept drifting back to Tsuzuki and the way he described his encounter with “Kunieda Kei.” His voice… The way he smiled right before I left… Images flashed through my mind of the long, cold walk back to his place, pushing his busted bike between us…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forget it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What was it about him that destroyed my focus? For years I had never missed a single day of review, overtime and after-work drinking excursions be damned…until tonight, when I finally threw in the towel and turned off the TV partway through. But even after I crawled into bed, I couldn’t quite fall asleep. My head was throbbing with residual excitement, like I was a little kid on summer break or something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinking about it, I realized it was the first time I’d ever spent so much time being my true self around someone who wasn’t related to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey there,” Tsuzuki greeted me casually when I showed up at his house the next night. Almost like it was no surprise whatsoever. This pissed me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My beef bowl,” I replied brusquely. “Left it here last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah, I ate it. It was stone cold, but still really good.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You thief!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like I said, I’ll buy you another. Now quit hurling accusations at me on my doorstep, would you?” He slung an arm around my shoulder and guided me inside. Normally my body would recoil violently if another person tried to touch me without warning, but for some reason, I didn’t mind it. Then I realized that I didn’t mind it…and smacked his hand away roughly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just so we’re clear… I don’t swing that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw online that you…‘identify as bisexual’ or whatever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t play dumb with me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not, I’m not!” He fell silent for a moment, then hit upon some sort of realization—“Oh!”—and looked up. “It must’ve been the stuff I said in that one magazine interview I did. Huh…I didn’t think anyone would make a note of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you are bisexual!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I never said that. I just said that I have a very specific type, and I don’t really care about their gender as long as they check off all the right boxes. I really don’t think it’s the same thing as identifying as bi or whatever. What, did you think I was gonna come on to you? Please. I have very high standards. And you look like you just got back from robbing a 7-Eleven.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!” You have no idea how hot I am underneath all this! Rrgh, I wish I could show him exactly what he’s missing!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come here,” he beckoned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I walked over into his workshop area. He gestured to a box full of pale gray humanoid figures, each of them less than ten centimeters tall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are those, GI Joes?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No! They’re not soldiers, genius!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squinted down at them. Sure enough, there were men in business suits, pairs of young college students… The only facial feature they had to speak of was a little nose sticking out—no eyes or mouth. Yet somehow, they each seemed unique in their own right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You made all these?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. It’s what I do for a living.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were so many of them, I couldn’t begin to count."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m going to use them to create a title sequence for a news program.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, I know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So I’m thinking I’ll recreate a busy intersection. You know, like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing or something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow. You must really enjoy making yourself suffer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Each of the little clay figures had their own custom outfit, hairstyle, and accessories. My mind reeled at the thought of how much time and effort it must have taken to craft all these."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait… Is this what I think it is…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t tell me you want me to make a bunch of these.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I let out a sigh of relief. Good, because that would be insane—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just want you to paint them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ll be fine! If you mess up, you can just paint over it! To be honest, I want them to have a sort of ‘imperfect’ or ‘amateur’ touch to them. But if I tried to paint them badly on purpose, it would end up looking really obviously fake, y’know? So I honestly need your help with this. Anyway, the paint’s over there, so go ahead and take a crack at it. Paint ’em however you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And what if I want to paint their skin green? What then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, you’ll probably want to exercise some level of judgment. Think about it—this is going on national TV, so you’ll get to brag to your friends, like, ‘See that? I painted that!’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want your stupid bragging rights.” I’m already on TV enough as it is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, it’s really not that hard. What, are you bad with your hands or something? Or are you just chicken?” he smirked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say that again, asshole?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aagh! If only my hand didn’t hurt so bad!” he sighed melodramatically. “I went to the doctor and they told me it’s a sprain! It’ll take two to three weeks for a full recovery!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh boy…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What if I don’t recover in time? This gig’s for a major TV network, so if I screw it up, I might get put on some kind of blacklist and never work in this field again! Plus, not only will I not get paid, but I might have to pay damages for breaching my contract!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine! Fine! I’ll do it, okay?! Are you happy now?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would’ve been all too easy to wriggle out of this even with his guilt tripping, and yet, here I was. Honestly, I was screwed from the moment I showed up on his doorstep. Damn it, what’s gotten into me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was my first experience working with acrylic paint, but fortunately, it wasn’t that different from any other paint. Squirt it out of a tube, dilute with a bit of water, and there you go. To start with, I grabbed ten figures at random—Let’s call this Group 1, shall we? Then I picked up my fine-point brush and gave all ten of them the same color of skin, hair, and clothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While I worked, Tsuzuki was mostly on his computer, but after about an hour, he wandered back over. Then he picked up one of my finished pieces and furrowed his brow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I asked, recoiling slightly. “Just so you know, I’m not redoing a single one of these. You said I could paint them however I want, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, that’s not it.” He shook his head softly. “They’re really good, actually. I’m impressed—I wasn’t expecting you to actually try.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then don’t come over here and give me a heart attack, I thought. And what do you mean, “actually?” Of course they’re good. I’m the kind of guy who can pick up just about any skill with a little practice. Everyone says so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki looked around at the rest of the figurines and let out a small chuckle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I demanded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can learn a lot about someone through this kind of manual labor. More than you might think.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let me guess: this one was your first attempt, and this is your most recent, right? You’ve improved dramatically in a very short time frame. Thus, I can infer that you’re a quick study when it comes to new things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Damn right I am. But I didn’t have time to get smug about it—his assessment wasn’t finished there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And yet…you seem to have a better eye for color than you initially claimed. Surprisingly enough, you’re sensible to a fault. No sense of adventure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who told me to ‘exercise my best judgment’ or whatever!” I snapped back, annoyed. And why was I annoyed, you ask? Because he was absolutely right about me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even then, someone with bad judgment still would’ve done badly, since they wouldn’t know any better. But you, on the other hand—for better or worse, you’re extremely levelheaded. Which is funny, since my first impression of you was a lot more selfish.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yeah? We just met yesterday, and already you think you can psychoanalyze me? That alone was enough to raise my hackles…and worse still, he wasn’t even that far off. I was struck with the impulse to plunge my current work in progress into a bucket of solid black paint, but I resisted. After all, I got the feeling it would only create more work for me in the end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He thinks he’s got me all figured out, but he doesn’t even know my true identity, I reminded myself, willing my mind calm. I still have the upper hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, once precisely two hours had elapsed since my arrival, I rose to my feet. “All right, I’m leaving.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay then, I’ll head out with you. Gotta buy you your beef bowl, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we walked down the street, Tsuzuki pushing his mostly fixed bike, I once again found myself wondering: Why? Why was I still hanging out with this guy when my moral obligation to him was already fulfilled? Was it because he ate my beef bowl from yesterday? If so, then…what the hell was I doing, harping on about a mere 500 yen? Sure, he wasn’t questioning my identity as of right now, but every additional minute I spent with him only further increased that risk…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what do you do for a living, Owari?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not telling.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you live by yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your goddamn business.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no matter how curt I was with him, he never took offense. Almost like he’d somehow analyzed my personality after just two days’ worth of extremely short conversations. God, that pissed me off. Luckily for me, he was walking on my right-hand side…so I balled my right hand into a fist and (lightly) brought it down on his left wrist as he steered the bike."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ouch! What was that for?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For trying to pry into my personal life. Just shut your mouth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you like this with everybody? Seems exhausting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is exhausting, actually. But only because I’m not like this with anyone else. “Just leave me alone, man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When we got there, he ordered two beef bowls to go. In separate bags, of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wanna eat back at my place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I’m going home. Obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, well, you should come by again sometime,” he replied as he set his to-go bag in his bike basket. “My deadline’s at the end of March, so I’m in crunch mode.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, please. You’ll be all healed up in two measly weeks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The doctor said two to three weeks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, doctors exaggerate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I turned to go, I heard him call from behind me: “Thanks for your help today.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I took a handful of steps down the street, then casually paused and glanced back over my shoulder, but Tsuzuki and his crooked cruiser bike were nowhere to be seen. Just dim, cold, empty pavement. I tugged my mask down and let out a foggy sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was half-worried he was going to follow me home, you know, since he was such a nosy little rat—and I really didn’t want him knowing where I lived, thank you very much—but apparently not. Apparently, he actually was on his way back home, same as me. Good. What a relief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So why was I standing there in the cold, searching for him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, interesting. So you film it all on your cell phone? You don’t need any fancy equipment or anything?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Obviously there are limitations involved, but I usually find a way around them…or sometimes I just make the most of what I’ve got, y’know? There were definitely times in my life where my heart was set on buying all the latest tech, so I’d work whatever part-time job in order to save up for it. But these days, I’m like, meh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So there you have it, folks—an insider look at the world of stop-motion animation. Tune in tomorrow, when Tsuzuki-san will be giving us a crash course in Animation 101, and find out how you can start your very own weekend project! We’ll see you then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cut! That’s a wrap!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once I made sure the cameras were off, I excused myself, covered my mouth, and sneezed softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sick?” asked Tsuzuki, and I suppressed the urge to slap him silly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s your fault I stood out in the cold winter streets for ten-plus minutes, zoning out! Well, okay…no, it isn’t. But still. “No, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the film crew reviewed their freshly taken footage, Tsuzuki muttered, “Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” I didn’t say any of that aloud, did I? My “camera smile” froze stiffly on my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“About what happened last time,” he clarified."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, right. Next time start with that part, genius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I had a crappy attitude for reasons that had nothing to do with you. You didn’t deserve that. So yeah…I’m sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Tsuzuki solemnly bowed to me, I bit back a laugh of a different stripe. In my mind, I was thinking, I can’t believe you actually went through with it. Don’t take everything so seriously, you dumbass. But contrary to my internal monologue, out of my mouth came, “What? No, don’t be,” tinged with just the right amount of hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Honestly, sometimes I impressed myself with how automatic my responses felt. Like an RPG battle on auto mode. Or maybe my brain was running KuniedaKei.exe in the background."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You haven’t offended me in the least, so I see no reason for you to apologize,” I assured him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You mean it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Tsuzuki’s relief, an unguarded smile spread across his face. For a moment, the sight of it made my chest ache, as though a tiny crack had formed on the surface of my heart—so small, not even a thread could fit through it. Fortunately, that moment was fleeting, and I summarily ignored it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A friend of mine encouraged me to apologize to you, actually,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did they now?” What friend? You mean me? Because I’m sure as hell not your friend, chief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I only just met him the other day, but he’s a total riot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s an oddball, and he swears like a sailor. Yeah… He’s the total opposite of you, now that I think about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not sure if I should take that as a compliment. But naturally Tsuzuki had no inkling of precisely who he was talking to, and so he grinned like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you bring your intonation dictionary today?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, it’s in my briefcase. I don’t really need it for this interview, but I like to carry it around as a sort of good-luck charm. There’s just something reassuring about having it on hand. Sometimes, right before a broadcast, or whenever I’m especially nervous, I like to flip through it at random. After all, they say the more stressed you are, the more important it is that you carry on like normal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I gotta admit, your voice is pretty enjoyable to listen to.” Tsuzuki nodded. “It’s super mellow, with this sort of silky quality to it? But you always enunciate clearly, and your pacing is perfect. You must have put a lot of practice into it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn right I have. You don’t even know the half of it. “You flatter me, but honestly, I’m still a novice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re a ‘novice,’ then so am I.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be silly!” I stared at him, my eyes wide. All an act, of course. “A novice wouldn’t have seen half the success you have!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly, I regret everything I’ve ever made. Every time I think I’ve created something special, I immediately start to see its flaws. But when you create for a living, the only way to get over your mistakes is to make something new, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s the sort of thing you should save for when the cameras are rolling…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No way.” He grimaced, possibly in embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as I had shown Tsuzuki two sides of myself, so too did he act remarkably different around each of those sides. But then again, maybe any normal person—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the point at which I stopped myself to ask: Am I really that different from a “normal” person? Well… Yeah, I guess I am. But at the same time, I still lead a “normal” life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I always hated phrases like “the real you” or “one’s true self.” To me, it was borderline insanity to believe that other people would see any sort of value in your ugliest, most imperfect self. Hence I channeled all my energy into creating a likeable persona until it came so naturally to me that I could respond on autopilot without even thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And unlike Tsuzuki, I was perfectly satisfied with what I had created."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, “Owari” turned up on Tsuzuki’s doorstep yet again. As soon as Tsuzuki opened the door, the first thing out of his mouth was, “I apologized!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks for the status update, champ, but I was there. Dumbass. “Oh yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He said he wasn’t offended,” he continued cheerfully, and my chest ached again—more sharply than it had that afternoon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Must be because I’m so frustrated with him, I decided. Here I am, putting up with his busywork to the point that I caught a cold, and he’s dancing around on cloud nine. Of course it pisses me off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or so I told myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "During a dry run in the editing booth, something caught my attention on the monitor, and I abruptly stopped reading the script. “Hold on a minute. Isn’t that a little problematic?” I asked the director, who stared blankly back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was during an interview with a member of the National Diet who was suspected of making unlawful campaign contributions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See?” I said. “You can see him entering his condo’s access code on camera.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh crap, you’re right!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The picture quality wasn’t especially crisp, but anyone who zoomed in on the keypad could easily figure out the four-digit code."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry about that!” said the director. “I’ll have them blur out that part. Hang on a sec.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, am I ever glad you caught that! Thanks a bunch, Kunieda.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incompetent moron. It’s YOUR job to think about this crap, you ignorant pleb. Maybe I’ll take a marker and play Connect the Dots on your stupid polka dot tie, I growled internally as I stepped out of the booth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, as I waited in a nearby chair and passed the time reading the newspaper, someone suddenly called out to me: “Kunieda-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The second I looked up, however, I froze in spite of myself, my facial muscles unsure what sort of expression they were meant to form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Standing before me was a man, approximately forty years old, with a face I thought I vaguely recognized—but that wasn’t the part I took issue with. No, my problem was everything from the neck down. He was wearing a pastel cardigan tied around his shoulders, and under that was a cotton button-up shirt tucked into chino pants. As my gaze panned further down his body, I noticed he was also sporting a pair of loafers with no socks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In other words, everything about him screamed “sketchiest man alive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, one of the veteran crew members walked by. “Oh hey, Shitara-san! What are you doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m allowed to be here, aren’t I? I work for this station, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shitara? As in the executive producer for The News? The head honcho whose program overhaul will determine the entire fate of our station’s twenty-year-old signature news show?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s with the outfit?” the crew member asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lost a bet, and my punishment was to come to work wearing a cosplay costume. So this is my ‘producer’ cosplay! Get it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I get it now. It’s a self-parody. Wait a minute… Our executive producer is wearing producer cosplay to work? Isn’t that kind of ridiculous? Sorry, stupid question—that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! Good god, this overhaul hasn’t even started and it’s already screwed. The whole station is going down in flames, I just know it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re definitely rocking the look, but I can’t help but feel that something’s missing…” the crew member said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, me too, actually.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! You know what you need? Some aviators! Ooh, or some tinted glasses! Like, on top of your head, you know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s perfect!” Shitara snapped his fingers. “I’ll go ask the prop department if they have any.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Weren’t you in the middle of something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First he calls my name, and then he immediately forgets that I exist. Great."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, he turned back to me. “Hi there, I’m Shitara. Sorry to make you evening folks do all the promo work for The News! I wanted to come and thank you personally for your work. My apologies for interrupting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, you’re not interrupting at all.” Having regained my composure, I rose to my feet and smiled gently. “I’m looking forward to the new and improved News.” In more ways than one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! That’s the most frightening thing you could have possibly said!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you have anything special planned for the first broadcast?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmm, not yet. If you have any ideas, shoot ’em my way, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” I stared at him, speechless. Dude, those two months are going to fly by before you know it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just messing with you,” he laughed. “We’ve got something in the works, but I can’t give out any details just yet. Soon, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see. I’ll try my best to be patient.” Cool story. Nobody cares."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Kunieda-kun, why don’t we grab dinner sometime? I’ve been out of the area for so long that I haven’t had a chance to get to know any of our younger anchors, and I’d like to fix that. You can think of it as a token of my gratitude for doing the Tsuzuki interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s extremely generous of you, sir. Thank you. I’d be happy to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Truth be told, it sounded like a whole lot of hassle that I would’ve preferred to avoid, but since he was technically my superior—albeit not directly—I couldn’t risk offending him. So instead I decided I would play nice this time around, then find a way to decline any subsequent invites. It was the safest option."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m free anytime after 7:30, so I’ll let you choose the date, Shitara-san.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah? All right then, I’ll get in touch once I’ve got it all figured out. Sorry for barging in! Anyway…” Shitara turned to leave, then suddenly stopped short. “Oh, and don’t worry—I promise I won’t wear this getup to dinner,” he added as an afterthought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll be looking forward to it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Like hell I will. It took an incredible amount of willpower to maintain a smile. The absolute last thing I wanted was an intimate dinner for two with some middle-aged man. Fortunately, it was right around then that my news recording finished reediting, so I went back to rehearsal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, Kunieda, it feels like you’ve gotten even better lately,” the director commented."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really think so?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I do. Don’t get me wrong, you were always really talented, but these days your voice feels…clearer? More polished, maybe? And you caught that error, too. You’re doing wonderful work all around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you very much, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is it some external influence from your personal life? Did you get a girlfriend or something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, nothing like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Subtitle: Get bent, asswipe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t get it. I just don’t get it, I thought to myself over and over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But at some point it must have slipped out, because Tsuzuki looked up at me as he stood hunched over his latest set piece. “What was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounded like you said you ‘don’t get it.’ Get what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Forget it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, you’re so weird. Not that I didn’t already know that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Keep your little comments to yourself, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He straightened up, clutching his lower back. “Ugh.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you, sixty?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think I’m gonna end up with a hunchback…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two-week (or hell, two- to three-week) recovery period had long since come and gone. All the clay figurines were now painted (though more than half Tsuzuki handled himself), and there was no longer any work left that an amateur like me could handle. So instead, while Tsuzuki worked on his project, I sat around and watched TV, surfed the web, or read manga I brought from home—all things I easily could have done at my own house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki had regained the use of his left hand, and yet he never sent me away; likewise, I kept showing up. He never outright stated whether I was invited; likewise, I never said whether I was coming. And so there we were, hanging out spontaneously a few times per week."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frankly, it was an utter misuse of my time. I didn’t stand to gain anything from it. Each visit would inevitably throw my nightly schedule off by several hours, resulting in even less sleep, and I always found myself regretting my choice on the walk home. I’d think to myself, What am I doing, wasting my precious off-hours on this crap? Then I’d resolve to never go back there again…but a few days later, somehow I’d find myself making the trek once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not only that, but Tsuzuki had given me (a total stranger, lest you forget) his spare key, since he supposedly wouldn’t be able to hear the doorbell ringing while he was hyper-focused. And worst of all, I actually took the damn thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, was this ultimately impacting my work? The answer was a resounding no. Physically, I was feeling better than ever—hell, my director had even complimented me on my recent performance. Clearly all this slacking off was having a net positive effect on me…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Actually, maybe that was what kept bringing me to Tsuzuki’s place. Maybe I just wanted someone to cut me some slack for a change."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On some nights Tsuzuki was really chatty, and on others he spent the whole time silently engrossed in his work. There were even nights when we didn’t speak at all. He didn’t coddle me, just as I refused to coddle him. Sure, he sometimes asked questions that were a little too personal for my liking, but I was always free to ignore them. In terms of comfort, this place was second only to my own apartment. But on the other hand, hanging out here meant I had to admit to myself that I was carrying a lot of pent-up stress, and I was kind of scared to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To distract myself, I picked up one of the storyboards Tsuzuki had left lying around and started flipping through it. The pages depicted an astronaut piloting a spaceship over the earth, gazing down at the crowds of people living their daily lives. Then the astronaut sheds a single tear, and…The End. A very short story, all told."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what’s the deal with the astronaut?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I figured Tsuzuki might not hear me, since he was busy setting up the stage lighting and checking for shadows, but then he replied, “The astronaut is a time traveler from a future where the Earth is destroyed and all of humanity has moved on to other planets…and he’s the last descendant. So he travels back to the birthplace of his species and grieves over just how many humans there used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yikes, depressing much?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, a lot of creative people are depressed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You sure don’t seem depressed, I thought to myself. Tsuzuki had great posture and a voice that carried well, and he was always flashing a toothy grin. As a result, he’d quickly won over most of the interview crew. But then again, surely even he must have some hidden depths I wasn’t privy to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what’s the overarching theme?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? I don’t have one. Man, why does everyone always ask me that? ‘Oh, what’s the theme? What’s the message?’ Does it really matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well…” Considering all the time and passion you invest into it, one would think you’d have an answer to that question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think of something I want to make, and then I make it. Every time. End of story. There’s no deeper meaning behind it—I just want to create something. I mean, it’s possible I am working off of some kind of theme without realizing it, but it’s not intentional. I want to leave that kind of thing up to the viewer to decide for themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you just half-ass all your projects?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know the word ‘animation’?” Tsuzuki continued. “The ‘anima’ part means soul. And I don’t think souls should be restricted to one singular form, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, yeah. It’s Latin or whatever. I know. You already told me—or rather, “Kunieda Kei”—all about it last week, remember? And then “Kunieda Kei” acted all impressed and told you how “deep” he thought it was, and you flashed those pearly whites, like, “Look at me, I’m soooo smart!” I see right through you, dumbass! Is my external persona really that perfect, or are you just dense as a brick?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki peered at me. “Uh…hello? You listening?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it, man, you’re the one who started this conversation! Ugh, I can’t mess with this part since they’re gonna film it soon… What should I do…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Conversation? More like a one-man monologue,” I retorted. “Isn’t it annoying, having to stop what you’re doing and put everything on hold just for some stupid cameras?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not as annoying as it must be for them, having to lug those heavy things in and out every time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other than that first day we showed up, Tsuzuki was nothing but nice to the entire crew. Normally, time has a way of warming people up to the point that they start pushing the envelope and wearing their emotions more openly on their sleeve…and yet Tsuzuki never complained about the script or questioned why we had to do things a certain way. Was it because he could relate to the struggle of production?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Besides, I always enjoy having Kunieda-san over.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Convenient, because I’m right here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I never thought of myself as a chatty guy, but whenever I’m talking to him, I can’t seem to stop myself. I don’t know if he’s a good listener or if he just knows how to ask all the right questions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmmm.” You’d think I’d be feeling pretty smug about myself right now, and yet some part of me wasn’t entirely enthused. It was annoying how excited Tsuzuki got whenever he was talking about… Wait, what? So I get annoyed whenever he’s excited? What for? I don’t get it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah, that reminds me,” Tsuzuki said. “I’ve got dinner plans next week, so I won’t be around that night. You’re still free to come over, of course, but I can’t say for sure when I’ll get home.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dinner plans? I guess you must not be too worried about that big deadline you’ve got coming up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, lay off. It’s a business dinner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what they all say, until you end up at a hostess club.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I guess we’ll see how it goes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What kind of response is that? So you’ll do whatever they want to do, is that it? Great, now I’m mad again. Feels like I’m really touchy these days… Weird."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you ever been to a hostess club?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what if I have?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, seriously? You have?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve been to my share of ‘business dinners,’ yeah.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Interesting.” Tsuzuki looked thoughtful. “Did you have fun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no. The drinks suck and the girls are shallow. Plus, they expect you to entertain them! ‘Tell me a funny story?’ How about I tell you to get lost, uggo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you care whether the hostess entertains you? Knowing you, you probably wouldn’t even give her the time of day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn right. Why the hell would I care about her tiny dog or whatever? I don’t even know her!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like it’s not her fault then,” he snickered. He followed this up with, “Do you have a girlfriend, Owari?” But a moment later, he seemed to think better of it. “On second thought, I doubt you’ll tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then don’t ask!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just curious, man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t… Women are too much of a hassle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A boyfriend, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Men are even worse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Neither?! Let me guess: you’re too in love with yourself or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incensed, I grabbed one of the old, worn-out couch cushions and flung it at him. Unfortunately, he caught it with ease."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, watch it! Hit me if you have to, but be mindful of the set, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I ignored his complaints and stormed out of the house."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! Wait!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I proceeded to ignore him all the way home. Cram it, dumbass. You’re so stupid, you don’t even realize who I am."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I stormed down the streets, I plunged my hands into my pockets so hard, the stitches threatened to give out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In love with myself? Sure, whatever you say. Can you blame me? Everyone else is a goddamn moron and it pisses me off. They only ever let me down. There’s not one good thing about them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But more than anything, what upset me was that Tsuzuki made it sound like I was wrong for feeling this way. What an asshole!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t spend my entire life “playing nice” because someone else told me to. Right from an early age, everyone called me “smart” and “kind,” and my kid brain decided, Ah, so this is what I’m supposed to do. Then I started doing it to impress them…and before I knew it, I was an adult."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My foul mouth and pessimistic personality were traits I was born with; no one was to blame for “causing” them. And since I wasn’t trying to point the finger at anyone else, surely I didn’t deserve to be criticized. Screw him and the high horse he rode in on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so I vowed I would never, ever go back to Tsuzuki’s again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks for making time in your busy schedule for me, fellas,” Shitara grinned. He seemed like he was in a good mood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I smiled modestly and took a sip of my champagne. The three of us were situated evenly around a round table: myself, Shitara, and Tsuzuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So this is what you meant by “business dinner”?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d already come to terms with the fact that “Kunieda Kei” would still have to visit Tsuzuki’s house for work, but I was not expecting to see him here, and it caught me off guard. Now I was furious all over again. God, I want to punch your face in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki sat fiddling idly with the knot of his tie. “I’m glad I asked for the name of the restaurant ahead of time, ’cuz I would’ve showed up totally underdressed, and they wouldn’t have let me in. Why’d you bring us here, anyway? You got a more refined palate now that you’re some big-name corporate hotshot?” he asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nonsense.” Shitara let out a self-deprecating laugh. As promised, he was wearing an ordinary business suit instead of his producer cosplay. “I’ve been out of Tokyo so long, I don’t know any good places anymore. So I asked my secretary to pick a place for me, and funnily enough, when I mentioned Kunieda-kun was coming, what do you know—she was suddenly very motivated!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently this was what she had settled on: a hole-in-the-wall French restaurant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me, I would’ve been fine with some teppanyaki or something, but she insisted I take ‘our beloved prince’ somewhere nice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m really not that picky,” I demurred. Man, these tiny champagne bubbles really aren’t doing it for me. I don’t care if it’s winter—I could kill for a beer right about now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’s work going on your end, Ushio-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not bad! You could come see it, y’know. You being the producer and all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“True, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. Besides, I already have a general idea of what to expect from The Evening File’s video segments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, well, don’t come crying to me if you decide you don’t like the finished product!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No worries there. I’m a big fan of yours, so I’m sure I’ll love it. Plus, I have full creative control, so I don’t need any of the higher-ups to sign off on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Based on the way they spoke to one another, I could tell they were close friends who trusted each other. Their last gig together must’ve been a blast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look at them, two peas in a pod. Why’d they even bother inviting me? You guys realize that if the higher-ups hate it, they’ll just sweep it all under the rug with another overhaul six months from now, right? And then Tsuzuki’s precious stop-motion sequence will end up right in the trash…not that I care, of course. It’s no business of mine who you hang out with or what happens to your work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you like another drink, Kunieda-kun?” Shitara asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh, uh…sure.” It was then that I realized I’d finished off my glass of cheap champagne."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re more of a drinker than I thought!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forgive me. I was feeling particularly parched… In that case, could I get some white wine? Sommelier’s choice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Play it cool, play it cool, I told myself as I continued to feign interest in the conversation. Then, right as the soup arrived at our table, Tsuzuki asked: “Hey, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What made you want to be a newscaster?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is sudden…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really. I’ve been wondering about it for a while, actually. I just haven’t had the chance to ask you during the interview filming since we’re always so busy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The answer is,” Shitara cut in, “Kunieda-kun never actually wanted to be a newscaster at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did you know that…?” I asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you kidding? The whole network’s heard the story.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who the hell told them, damn it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t want to?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, there was a faint heat to his gaze. Of course, it was nothing more than idle curiosity; I was used to people looking at me like that. And yet, for some reason…this time it made me restless. I averted my eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I originally applied for a general staff position,” I explained. “I had no particular ambition—honestly, I was just another applicant. But in the final interview with the CEO, he looked at me and said, ‘Would you be interested in a position as a news anchor?’ I was completely blown away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The application form and job requirements for a newscaster were completely different, so at first I thought maybe this question was my final “test.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And he was serious?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, he was.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe he could tell you had the talent for it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I pursed my lips and shrugged awkwardly. “Apparently none of that year’s anchor candidates had what they were looking for. When I asked him ‘why me?’ he said it was because my voiced velar nasals are very distinct.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Basically, it’s a ‘g’ sound that passes through the nose,” Shitara cut in again. “More specifically, it’s that sort of ‘nng’ sound—I haven’t studied phonetics, so I can’t replicate it exactly. Anyway, if it’s at the start of a word, like ‘go’ and ‘get,’ then it’s just a regular voiced consonant. But ‘sing’ and ‘ingredient’ both have voiced velar nasals in them. There are other specifics, too, obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki cocked his head, puzzled. “So…what does it matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, voiced velar nasals can be grating to the ear when spoken by someone who hasn’t mastered them. You should compare your own voice with a trained professional’s—the difference may surprise you. What’s more, we’d inadvertently hired a lot of folks with slipshod articulation at the time… Did you take classes for it, Kunieda-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, actually. Before I got the job, I’d never given any thought to my voice at all. In fact, that interview was where I learned about voiced velar nasals for the first time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, I get it. So the CEO saw a diamond in the rough and pounced on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I guess so…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoops! Looks like I’m getting a call—I gotta step outside and take this. You two eat without me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, Shitara’s absence made it a lot more difficult for me to avoid looking at Tsuzuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So when the CEO or whoever told you to be a newscaster, how come you didn’t just say no?” Tsuzuki asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because I wanted a job already. And they offered the best salary. And I was confident that nothing they could ask of me would make me throw in the towel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I saw it as a personal challenge,” I said. “Plus, I was honored that an industry professional would choose me. I mean, who knows how many hundreds of applicants he must have interviewed over the course of his career?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ooh, gotcha. I don’t really get the voiced nasal thing, but I do think your voice is really easy on the ears. And it’s not just that you have a ‘nice’ voice—I can tell you put a lot of work into it that the average person wouldn’t understand. You’re incredible, man.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I looked up to find Tsuzuki smiling at me softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As someone who was constantly put on a pedestal, compliments followed me wherever I went. Like air conditioning, they put me at ease—or at least they were supposed to. And yet for some reason, when I looked at him, my modest dissent died in my throat. My mind went blank and my face flushed red, as if my skin was somehow getting a workout from all this thinking. I’d already made the mistake of chugging my drink once tonight, and yet there I was, downing my wine in a desperate attempt to seem calm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hell’s wrong with you? Don’t give me those bedroom eyes. Not like you’d look at Owari like that… Not that that matters! God, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just play it off like normal?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki frowned. “Kunieda-san? You okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s up?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’re Kunieda Kei, damn it! Take the reins and steer this conversation back on track! “Wh-what about you? Could you tell me what led you to your current line of work?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who, me? Same as you—I just kinda stumbled into it. I always hated school, so instead I’d draw flipbooks during class. Big ones, like the size of a dictionary. And from there, one thing led to another, and here I am.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you’re a child at heart, I take it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I feel like I’ll never get anywhere.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nonsense. I’m really looking forward to the new title sequence for The News.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki smiled again, but by now I’d built up a tolerance to it, so it didn’t fluster me as much. Instead, the bully in me decided to get my revenge. “How are things with your friend?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, the one you mentioned the other day?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh…right. Him.” Tsuzuki grinned awkwardly. Then, fed up at last, he yanked off his tie and stuffed it into his pocket. “I think he’s mad at me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh?” I pressed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I made this total offhand comment, and…I guess it touched a nerve.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sounds complicated.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, it’s no big deal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Excuse me? “No big deal”? I beg to differ, asshole. I’m gonna take that tie out of your pocket and strangle you with it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean, I say he’s my friend, but I only know his last name and his phone number. And whenever I try to learn more, he just snaps at me or ignores me altogether. He probably doesn’t want us to get to know each other at all… He just pops up out of nowhere, sits around my house, then wanders off again, kinda like a stray cat, and I can never tell what he’s thinking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He sounded…sad. This surprised me, and I started to feel a little guilty. He always asked for details about my life so casually, I assumed he didn’t really care about the answers, but apparently I was wrong. Well, if you were serious, then you should’ve acted like it! I’m not completely heartless, you know… Maybe I need to come up with a full backstory for Owari and just try to make sure I don’t get mixed up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the only solution I could think of…but was it the right move? Was it what I wanted?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, it’s strange,” Tsuzuki mused aloud as he cut up his fish. “I love working independently—or at least, I thought I did. But for some reason, just having him over at the house…hearing the flip of a page as he reads his manga, or his catty retorts at the TV… Having that stuff in the background makes working so much more fun. It’s…comforting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I got home that night, the first thing that came to mind was: Man, I’m hungry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not that my two-hour full-course meal was on the skimpy side by any means, but it was too “classy” to have any real substance, and my mouth wanted more. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anything edible in the fridge, so I donned my usual disguise and started thinking about grabbing a snack at the convenience store…when all of a sudden, my personal phone rang. I figured it was my mother again, so I answered it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you need?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hey, I finally got it!” said Tsuzuki on the other end of the line. I could scarcely believe my ears. “Fourth time’s the charm, I guess! Maybe my brain’s good at memorizing stuff after all. Soooo…are you still mad at me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?” My surprise quickly turned to anger. He was making it sound like I was the one throwing a hissy fit for no reason!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry for what I said, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take your apology and shove it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s fine. I’m not apologizing just so you’ll forgive me, remember? You’re the one who taught me that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now I’m hyper-pissed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wanna eat some chicken with me? Picked some up from that place I was telling you about a while back. I already had a fancy dinner, but for some reason it feels like I hardly ate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did he have to have the same idea I did? I paused for a beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I arrived that I had the world’s most idiotic realization: Damn it, how am I supposed to eat with this surgical mask on? Luckily, there were ways around this. I took my chicken, put it on my plate, and turned away from Tsuzuki completely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, c’mon! Are you seriously still mad at me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t like to be watched while I eat!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How come?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought about clapping back with something like “Do I really need a reason?” but then I remembered our conversation back at the French place and decided to embellish the truth a little. “I’ve got really bad snaggleteeth. Crooked as hell. That’s why I wear the mask.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh. I thought you were just scared of getting sick.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s another part of it. Anyway, just don’t try to look at my mouth, all right? Not even as a joke. You’ll make me…feel bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I almost said make me mad, but I figured this would be more effective."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tsuzuki looked at me intently. “Okay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perfect. With my back turned to him, I sank my teeth into the saucy chicken and ascended to nirvana. It was everything I could have ever wanted, right down to the bitter burnt aftertaste. The chili oil from the spicy scallions stung my nose and made me sneeze, but I kept eating."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want? I’m busy. Leave me alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re that embarrassed about your teeth, have you ever thought about getting them fixed? It’s not too late, you know…though I have heard it hurts like hell.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why not? If you’re hard up for cash, I can spot you some… Oh, wait, you said you’ve got plenty of money. My bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Don’t lend money to a total stranger. How stupid are you?” My irritation grew pointed, like the tip of a freshly sharpened pencil. It’s a lie, okay? Don’t get all bent out of shape about it. Just knock it off, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who tried to give me money when we first met!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the same thing and you know it. Honestly, I’m amazed you’ve managed to be self-employed for this long without somebody scamming you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t go around offering money to just anybody!” Tsuzuki argued. “I only offered it to you because I figured I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t pay me back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m not taking your money.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, what, you’re just going to wear a mask for the rest of your life?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, I was seeing red."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what if I do?!” I shouted, my back still turned to him, flinging my used chicken skewers to the floor, where they landed without even so much as a pathetic thump. “Yes, I’m gonna wear a mask! For my whole life! Forever! Who cares?! What business is it of yours?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I imagined what it would be like to keep my true self buried under that fake “Kunieda Kei” mask for the rest of my life…never pausing to care about anyone but myself… The thought made me sick with dread."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Who even is Kunieda Kei? For that matter, who’s the guy Tsuzuki’s been hanging out with all this time? Who’s sitting here right now? Who the hell am I anymore?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Overwhelmed, I hiked up my surgical mask and headed for the door, but this time he grabbed me by the arm before I could make it outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just slow down a minute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t touch me! Let go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Calm down and tell me what’s gotten into you all of a sudden!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just wanna go home! You got a problem with that?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t have a problem with it. I just want to know why. Is it really something worth storming out over? I know it was a personal question, but don’t you think you’re overreacting?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s not even my name. Then again, I’m not “Kunieda-san,” either… Wait, what? God help me, I’m falling apart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hair, my face, my gestures, my speech patterns, once neatly ordered like the pages of a calendar, now scattered in every direction. Why? Where did it all start to unravel? Wait, I know. It was that night I first met Tsuzuki. Yeah, it’s all his fault."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He reached up and pulled my hands away from my ears. Then I noticed his nails were splattered with dried paint, and the thought of all those soulless clay figures—and the lonely little astronaut—made tears spill down my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa, hey…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s your fault!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before now, my life was perfect. With my good looks and successful career, all I really had to do was keep quiet about one little secret. I never would’ve thought to make friends with someone without my persona to hide behind—and I never would’ve had to confront my own darkness—if only I’d never met him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, I can accept that…but if you don’t use your words and tell me where I’m going wrong, I can’t fix it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can I possibly tell you? It’ll ruin everything! If I told you your precious “Kunieda-san” is actually a snarky slob who’s been lying to your face…that I’m every bit as hollow as your clay figures and paper mâché set pieces…you’d hate me! Revile me! Throw me out!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pursing my lips tightly together, I silently shook my head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers clamped down around mine. “Are you sure you can’t trust me? Because if you can’t open up and speak your mind around me, then…why the hell do you come to my house?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stood there in silence, Tsuzuki’s expression twisted in a marbled mixture of anger, frustration, and sadness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To be fair,” he said, “I started all this when I dragged you here the first night. But you’re the one who kept coming by. Even when I ran out of tasks for you. Am I wrong in thinking you have fun hanging out with me? Because it’s fun for me, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fun?” I thought I just wanted to slack off…but now that I think of it, I don’t remember what the difference is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s…easy,” I muttered finally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Or rather, it used to be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But not anymore?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No,” I snapped. “Now it makes me think about stuff I’d rather not. And it’s your fault.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean, stuff you don’t want to think about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not telling.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why should I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I want to know. I want to learn more about you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki’s eyes peeked through his messy bangs—a look neither “Kunieda-san” nor “Owari” had seen before. For a moment, I found myself lost in them, admiring their beauty…and before I knew it, his face drew closer. So close I couldn’t see his eyes anymore. Then I felt the polyester fabric press up against my lips…and a beat later, I realized he had kissed me through my mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With just a single thin barrier between us, it highlighted just how warm and soft his lips were. I could feel his hot breath penetrate to the other side. My body shivered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt his fingers slide behind my ear…and the second I realized he was going to take my mask off, I slapped him in the face as hard as I could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The hell are you thinking?! You stupid freak! I’m gonna puke!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, before he could recover, I dashed outside and down the street—the fastest I’d ever run in my whole life. My heart swelled. Stung. Ached."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good, I thought to myself. Maybe this way I’ll be too distracted to think of anything else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next day, as soon as I arrived at work, the chief anchor flagged me down. “Kunieda, let me borrow you for a sec.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He led me not to the break room, not to the lounge area, but to a meeting room. Instantly, I had a bad feeling about this. Clearly this was something not meant for prying ears…and yet I had no idea what it could possibly be. Not only that, but when we arrived, Shitara was waiting for us inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, good morning. Thanks again for coming to dinner last night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My suspicions deepened. “No, no, it was no trouble. Thank you for the meal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shitara wasn’t alone. He was joined by the chief editor, the news director, the sales manager–all the bigwig execs, sitting in silence. But what could they possibly want with me? As I took my seat at the table, Shitara got the ball rolling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re in a bit of a bind… Oh, just so you know, this isn’t about your performance or anything. You haven’t done anything wrong.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then why did you squirrel me away to this private room? I looked askance at the chief anchor beside me. His expression was one of utter exhaustion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Asou’s been hospitalized.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Early stages of stomach cancer. Thankfully, it’s not terminal, but he’ll be busy with treatment for quite a while.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was completely taken aback. Not that Asou was my best friend or anything, but we chatted in the break room on occasion, and he’d always struck me as being the picture of health. What do I say? “That sounds awful”? No, that makes it sound like I barely know him… Then again, I guess I do barely know him. “Tell him I said hang in there”? No… “I look forward to his full recovery”? Honestly, these are the sorts of things I should be saying to his face, not to a third party…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, in light of that,” Shitara continued before I could find the right expression of sympathy, “I was thinking of asking you to step in as our pinch hitter for the nightly timeslot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gave it a lot of thought—well, not that I had time for a lot of thought—and I can’t think of a better fit than you. Your names even sound alike! Kei, Keiichi…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, we’ll have a senior anchor there to assist you,” said the news director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry, I need a minute.” What I really wanted to say was: Holy shit, are you all out of your goddamn minds? but I held it back. Then, once I plastered the words “stay calm” over every inch of my brain, I continued, “Okay, but…the evening timeslot…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll officially promote you at the end of March,” Shitara replied casually. “Truth be told, I’d switch you over today, if I could get away with it, but they’ll need time to find your replacement. Oh, and you won’t need to worry about the Tsuzuki interview project anymore—we’ll send someone else. We’ve got about a month until broadcasting starts, so we’re running low on time. Gonna need to get you ramped up as fast as possible.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give me a break, old man! I can’t be the MC on your nighttime news! No way! Not happening! I looked around at the other attendees, hoping for someone to throw me a lifeline, but they just stared back at me silently with their brows furrowed and arms folded. Evidently they were convinced Shitara’s way was the only way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why me? I’ve never hosted a show all on my own before. Surely there’s someone more suited to the role,” I protested gently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Such as?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t have an answer to that. Out of everyone in the room, Shitara was the only one smiling like nothing was wrong, and it made me intensely uncomfortable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We don’t have a perfect replacement for Asou Keiichi. No matter who we choose, they won’t be able to match him in terms of popularity, skill, charm, or any combination of the three. But there’s no sense in mourning our lack of human resources—I’d rather take a gamble on your inner potential.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nice try, but I’m not falling for that. “Once Asou-san is discharged from the hospital, what will happen to me? Will I return to the evening timeslot?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We don’t know,” the chief editor replied gruffly…but I could read the room. It was obvious they were only pretending it was up in the air because they knew I wasn’t going to like the real answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Instead of worrying about what’ll happen months from now, let’s focus on the four weeks ahead of us. This afternoon we’ll make a formal announcement about Asou’s condition, both internally and externally. Naturally, we’ll mention your promotion as part of that. I imagine it’ll be all over the morning papers. Now, this goes without saying, especially to a good egg like you, but going forward, you’ll need to exercise even more self-discipline whenever you’re in the public eye.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir,” I replied, almost robotically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, and clear your schedule for tomorrow,” Shitara continued, pressing his palms together. “Not that you’ve done anything wrong, of course, but we’ll need to bring you along for the apology tour.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apology tour? Where are we going?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll be stopping in at the main branches of each political party. Not that they’ll actually agree to meet with us, but we gotta cover our asses, y’know? Gotta follow procedure and all that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, did I not tell you? For our first broadcast, we’re holding a special political debate, and all party leaders are invited. Have you ever met the Prime Minister in person before? No? Well, you’re in for a treat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the end, this extremely one-sided “discussion” (more like a directive) ended before I had the chance to swallow—let alone digest—the new information presented to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I left the meeting room, I walked with my head held high, as usual, and warmly greeted everyone I passed in the hall. Then I quietly stepped into a restroom on the far end of the studio that I knew would be empty during this time of day, locked myself in a stall, pressed the flush button on the toilet, and screamed, “Go to hell!” at the top of my lungs as I kicked the wall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give me a freakin’ break! Don’t dump this shit on me! Damn it, I’m so screwed! I was being shoved out of the modest little nest I’d built for myself and told to go play housekeeper for some other guy’s ritzy mansion. I was their little minion to command as they pleased. And once the VIP was back in town, I’d be out on the street without so much as a thank you. They must’ve intentionally been looking for a mild-mannered news anchor who could survive for a few months without complaint—one that was young enough to withstand the subsequent career mishap and make a comeback later on. The phrase “sacrificial lamb” came to mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With an abrupt change of MC right before the start of the broadcast, right off the bat we’d lose all the viewers who were only watching for Asou Keiichi himself. Then again, maybe word would spread and a decent number would tune in on the first night out of sheer curiosity. But the night after that? And the night after that? No clue. If the show didn’t meet the station’s expectations, the blame would fall on me as a “poor casting choice,” and even if I somehow did pull in the numbers, I wouldn’t reap any of the rewards. I was just the stand-in, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how I looked at it, I stood to gain literally nothing from doing this. Maybe I’d be more motivated if I was the ambitious type, but I had no interest in being the station’s poster boy. It was just too much hassle. No, I was perfectly content with a modest amount of fame and success. Why did they have to take that away from me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was so unfair…and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I was just an employee—if my bosses said, “Jump,” I said, “How high?” Sure, I could’ve put my foot down back there, but I knew if I pulled a stunt like that, I’d spend the rest of my life sitting in a chair offscreen, twiddling my thumbs. Anchors were expendable, after all. Every year they hired more fresh faces with limitless potential, making it all too easy for the higher-ups to replace people as they saw fit. Like LEGO bricks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I pressed the flush button again and again, all the while thinking, I want to go home. I want to rip off this stupid business suit, change into my tracksuit, and tear my hair out while I scream rage-induced profanities into the void. Then, once I work up an appetite, I want to get a beef bowl and…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Shitara’s words revived in my mind: You won’t need to worry about the Tsuzuki interview project anymore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good, I thought to myself. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I never have to be around him ever again—that’s the best news I’ve gotten all week. Now I can stop thinking about him all the time. Why the hell did he kiss me? I don’t get it. It’s been a full twenty-four hours and he still hasn’t called me… Obviously I’d be willing to forgive him, you know, if he apologized a few dozen times and promised never to do it again. So just apologize already, damn it! Say something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re all the same…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But my whispered words were drowned out beneath the running water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s a wrap, everybody!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once the broadcast came to an end, the studio lights dimmed and a dreary music box tune began to play. Then the producer walked in carrying a giant bouquet. Oh, spare me the farce, would you? I thought to myself bitterly as I stepped forward to the center of the room, as requested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen up, folks. As you all know, this is Kunieda’s last night as a member of The Evening File. Starting tomorrow, he’ll be the solo MC for the late-night timeslot. It’s gonna be a real challenge, but we all know you can do it! Thanks for a wonderful two years!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks. What am I supposed to do with these stupid flowers? You really think a single bachelor has a vase lying around? Moron. Get me a gift card or something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I accepted the bouquet with a cheery smile and turned to face the assistant director, who was holding a digital camera at the ready; I knew the photos he took would inevitably end up on the show’s website. But even after they called it a day, the ignorant masses continued to congregate around me—asking for selfies, handshakes, and whatever else their plebeian hearts desired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m gonna watch your show every night, I promise!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t need your help to inflate the ratings. “Thank you. It’s been really great working with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“With you on board, the show’s sure to be a hit!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And you know that how, exactly? “I’ll certainly try my best.” Their applause grated on my ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even after I slipped out of the studio, the chief anchor was waiting to ambush me. “This spring, you’re gonna be a star,” he told me, clapping me on the back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Get your greasy paws off me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The late-night crew has had nothing but nice things to say about you, you know. Everyone says you’re a quick study. Feels like our ship’s in good hands with you at the helm!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, because you’ll just throw me overboard the second we start to sink."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gotta say, though, have you lost weight? Why don’t we get you a hearty meal for dinner?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I appreciate the invitation, but I have a meeting to attend after this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh, gotcha. Must be hard, being so popular! Hang in there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, shut the hell up. Swallowing my bile, I quietly imagined myself stuffing these flowers down his throat. As I was headed to the meeting room, however, Shitara walked up to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait a minute… I was planning to watch your last broadcast for The Evening File. Did I miss it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m afraid it just ended.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a shame! You look great with that bouquet, by the way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That reminds me… The other day, when we went location scouting at the hospital, I noticed they had signs up saying ‘NO FRESH FLOWERS.’ Is that a new thing these days?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sure. So you’ll be filming at a hospital?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. You know how Asou has cancer? Well, we’ve been talking about doing a series on it. Capture his struggle every step of the way. Diagnosis… Modern treatment options… Patients with inadequate access to hospital care… The final stages…” He counted them all off on his fingers like he was talking about his weekend plans. “See, cancer stories tend to bring in the ratings. Doesn’t matter how many times we run ’em. It’s a personal issue, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I felt nothing but fear and disgust for this man standing in front of me. You’re going to use your own employee’s illness to get views? Is everything about ratings with you? Instantly I knew he was exactly the sort of guy who would leave me for dead the second I slipped up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re looking pale, buddy. I know you’re a strapping young man, but I’m starting to think maybe the fatigue’s getting to you. Get some rest! We can’t have you passing out next, now can we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But his smile didn’t reach his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Miraculously, I managed to catch the last train. Inside, the cars were still covered in posters advertising Asou Keiichi’s new show, except now a sticker of my face had been added to the corner with a stupid speech bubble that said “Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be taking over!” These people were clearly hanging me out to dry. Granted, they’d explained to me that they couldn’t simply reprint the posters due to cost limitations, but I could already tell that this was just another part of Shitara’s scheme. Not that I necessarily wanted to star in my own poster—I just didn’t appreciate the flippancy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I closed my eyes, and the smell of the flowers intensified. Blegh. I could feel a migraine coming on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meeting after meeting. Rehearsal. Research. At the rate I was going, next month I was set to receive my biggest paycheck of all time. I used to cherish my nightly walks, but now I was so busy, I found myself allocating every last minute of my free time to sleeping instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The instant I arrived at home, I remembered an unfinished task and headed for the living room without even stopping to pull off my tie. I tossed the bouquet onto the sofa, then walked over and turned on my computer. It was my turn to update the stupid anchor blog, but I’d forgotten completely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I hate this. Whatever—I’ll just talk about my promotion or something. Let’s see… “Tonight was my final night on the set of The Evening File. Over the past two years, this news program has taught me so much, and I will forever hold it near and dear to my heart. I’d like to extend my fullest gratitude to my fellow anchors and the rest of the Evening File team. Going forward, I pledge to work even harder in my new role…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then my phone started ringing from the pocket of my coat, which was currently lying forgotten on the floor, and I could tell from the ringtone that it was my personal line. Tsuzuki’s face flashed through my mind, and I lunged for the phone so fast, it amazed me that I still had the energy to move at all. Do you know what time it is right now? You’re lucky I’m even awake right now, jackass!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately those complaints went unaired, because the caller was my mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There you are! I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for days, but you haven’t been picking up!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I slowly slid off the couch to the floor. “I’ve been busy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you don’t say. Are you doing okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay how?” I snapped. I was in such a bad mood, I was seething."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard about your little promotion. Are you sure you can fill in for Asou-san? Don’t get me wrong, now; you’ve always been the resourceful type, but…I mean, shouldn’t they ask someone with a bit more experience under their belt?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not my problem,” I spat. “Tell them yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure you want me to do that? ‘Hello there, this is Kunieda Kei’s mother. I do believe you’ve misjudged my son’s capabilities.’ How’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Knock it off, bimbo!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you talk to your mother like that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine then, old hag!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? You think you’re so tough, hurling insults at your own mother in private where no one can see? Because I know for a fact that you’re a meek little mouse in public. I bet you smiled and said, ‘Sign me up!’ when they offered you the job, didn’t you? You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is your goddamn fault, you know!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How in God’s name did you come to that conclusion?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because you gave me this stupid handsome face! If I’d come out looking like an ugly gorilla, at least then I could’ve had a normal, ugly life! But noooo! Instead I get fawned over everywhere I go! And I don’t get the option to say no to it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re unbelievable, you know that?! Are you seriously complaining to your mother that you’re too handsome?! Who do you think you are, young man?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I heard my father in the background: “It’s late. Keep your voice down.” But by then, my mother was too incensed to listen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m done with you! Don’t think for a minute that you can come crawling back home once the rest of the world finds out about your nasty side!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good! The last thing I’d ever want is to move back in with you, bitch!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Both of you calm down right this minute—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I held down the power button until my phone switched off, then slumped down onto the floor on top of my coat. Damn it, all that shouting probably hurt my throat. I fumbled around inside my coat pocket for a cough drop, unwrapped it, and popped it into my mouth. After all, I couldn’t risk showing up on day one of the new and improved late-night broadcast with a croaky voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The room was silent, save for the soft clack, clack of the cough drop against my teeth. I couldn’t stand the acrid herbal flavor, but this brand was the most effective."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the first time I’d heard my father’s voice in quite a while… Knowing him, he was probably scolding my mother for stooping to my level right about now; then she’d push back with, “He started it!” But unlike me, she had a life partner who would always be there for her. No matter how much my mother whined and complained, my father was committed to her for life. Meanwhile, here I was, lying on the floor, just me and my cough drop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good grief.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rolling my eyes at my pathetic inner monologue, I pushed myself up into a sitting position. I had no time to waste feeling sorry for myself. I needed to finish my blog post, then do my nightly news review, then get as much sleep as I could after that, or else I’d end up with dark circles under my eyes… Just then, the bouquet caught my eye, its pale green and white color scheme, “Chosen to match your personality, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, well, it doesn’t. At all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right from the moment I accepted it, I’d longed for nothing more than to throw it away somewhere, and yet now that it was ever-so-slightly starting to wilt, for some reason I was wracked with guilt. Unable to sit still a single second longer, I got up, erased everything I’d written on the computer, grabbed my briefcase, and stumbled out of the house."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then I walked out to the street, made a right, passed through a little neighborhood park, then made another right at the convenience store. After a long walk, the pharmacy came into view; I made a left there and arrived at…a two story house with a rolling door out front. I didn’t have a clear destination in mind when I left, so how the hell did I end up here? The second story windows were all dark. Was he asleep? Was he out of the house? Was he in his workshop on the first floor? I knew I shouldn’t have come, but I couldn’t bring myself to go back home, and I couldn’t think of anywhere else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stood there like a statue until I heard a high-pitched creak behind me. Then I looked over my shoulder and realized it was the sound of Tsuzuki’s bike brakes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He looks surprised to see me. I have to say something. I have to smooth things over like I always do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, Kunieda Kei Mode didn’t trigger this time. Instead, all I managed to say was a single word: “Vase.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was given some flowers. To celebrate my promotion. But I don’t own a flower vase, and it’s been hours, and now they’re starting to wilt, so…I decided to go buy a vase…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tsuzuki’s surprise shifted to visible confusion, and it was then that I realized the absurdity of what I had just said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no, that’s not it. Never mind that. There’s been a…sudden staff reassignment on the interview project, and I just…felt bad that I wouldn’t get the chance to say goodbye to you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There. That makes more sense… Still doesn’t really explain why I’m standing outside his house in the middle of the night, though, does it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He stared at me for a moment. “Wanna come in? It’s cold out here, and it doesn’t look like you’ve got a jacket.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t, no.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weeks had passed since I last set foot in this house, and yet not a single thing had changed. Well, other than the set piece, I guess—that was finished now. Little zebra crossings ran between the skyscrapers, nearly buried under the swarm of tiny figures covering every inch of the intersection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, the project’s made it through the filming and editing stages?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. All that’s left is to have Shitara-san take a quick look at it, then do a few touch-ups in post.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s great to hear. Congratulations…or am I getting a little ahead of myself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shouldn’t I be congratulating you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got a huge promotion, right? MC of your own show? That’s incredible, man. That show’s been running since I was a kid, and now I can say I’ve met the guy who hosts it. Crazy stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hah. Thanks.” Great, not you too. But I couldn’t find the energy to actually get mad at him for bringing it up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must be super busy these days.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You could say that.” Why are we making small talk? Is that why I wandered over here? For this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m sure they chose you because they know you can handle it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hell do you think you know about me, you goddamn amateur? There’s a world of difference between reading a script and hosting an entire show on your own. From now on, not only will I have to memorize the full script, I’ll have to single-handedly balance the pacing and set the tone, plus I’ll need to play off of my guests and offer well-timed, pertinent commentary, all while making sure not to steal too much of the spotlight or disappear into the background. Worse, it’s a live broadcast, and our first night we’re having a political debate of all things! These self-important windbags are gonna ramble on and on just so they can hear themselves talk, and I’m gonna have to play moderator! No way in hell can I juggle all that!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I didn’t breathe a word of this tirade out loud. Instead, all I said was, “That’s very kind of you to say. Everyone has been very encouraging thus far.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow, that’s incredible.” “Good on you.” “I know you can do it.” “I’m not surprised they chose you.” “I’m sure you’ll bring in the ratings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’d only ever seen my perfectly manicured persona, so they all mistakenly believed I was competent enough to handle it. None of them suspected for a moment that I was consumed by crushing anxiety…and I couldn’t begin to tell them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even when I slept, I was cursed with nightmares in which my mind went blank in the middle of the broadcast. Every second I failed to speak, I watched as the ratings plummeted. Five more seconds and the whole broadcast will be canceled! Hurry! Five! Four! Three! Two…and that’s the part where I’d always wake with a start. But I didn’t have anyone I could talk to about these dreams, even jokingly. My friendships were only surface level at best—I just smiled and played nice and never got angry. I mean, think about it: being honest and vulnerable with people would only be exhausting. Not just for me, but for everyone involved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Belatedly, my mother’s words pierced me like a knife: You’ve made your bed, now lie in it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I admitted to Tsuzuki just how terrified I was on the inside…how would he react? Oddly enough, now that I was at my lowest, I was strangely confident that I might just manage to tear off this seemingly inescapable mask I was forced to wear. I could hear a tiny voice in my chest: Say it. Just say it! Tell him about Owari while you’re at it! Who cares anymore? Maybe once it’s off your chest, you’ll find the strength to carry on. This could be your last chance…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to apologize from the bottom of my heart, and I wanted his forgiveness. If not that, then I at least wanted him to acknowledge that I was a human being with flaws like anyone else. Otherwise I couldn’t keep doing this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You said you wanted to learn more about me, right? Granted, you weren’t talking to “Kunieda-san” at the time, I guess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, uh—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry,” Tsuzuki cut in, holding up a hand to stop me. “I’m actually really busy right now—would you mind if I did some work? I’ve got a lot of little details I need to adjust by tomorrow morning. You’re free to stay as long as you need to, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Honestly, I should’ve left right then and there. But he’d essentially yanked the rug out from under me, and by the time I recovered, he’d already walked over to his desk. One look at his face in profile and I knew from my experience as Owari that he was now too focused on his work to listen to a word I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Damn it, you used to swoon over your precious “Kunieda-san,” and now he’s chopped liver? What, are you done sucking up to him now that he’s off the project? You’re so stupid—you don’t even realize who you were kissing that night. Do you know how bad you fucked me up? You don’t, do you? Of course you don’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having lost my opportunity to go home, I reluctantly took a seat on the sofa. The cheap synthetic leather let out a tiny squeak under my weight, and I realized just how much I had missed that sound. Not like he’ll even look at me, so I guess it doesn’t matter, I thought to myself as I slumped over lazily. Then I began to talk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right after I got the job with Asabi TV, one of my fellow recruits—a girl—she told me they were having a get-together for the new anchors. Asked me to come.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure enough, no response. Oh well. I shrugged to myself and continued."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But when I arrived, everyone stared at me like…like I was a zoo animal. There were all sorts of people there—new hires from key stations and rural cable networks all over Japan. It was like a little newscaster convention in there. And for some of them, working for a major network was their life’s ambition. They’d turn down offers from other companies and keep applying for their dream job, again and again, year after year. And then I walked in—a nobody. An anomaly. I wasn’t one of them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instantly I could tell they resented me. They say you’re really talented—but y’know, even I made it to the final interview with Asabi, so. Some of them even had the audacity to ask me if I was a nepotism hire—the son of a celebrity or a network sponsor or something. What a joke. I’m from a normal middle-class family, same as anybody else. I started from the bottom and only got this far through rigorous training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never went to broadcasting school. Never joined any broadcasting club. No Olympic-class achievements on my resume. I was just chosen on a whim by someone in a position of power. You might think that sounds impressive, but when it comes down to it, it was just dumb luck. Some guy opened a door for me, and as a result, I got to skip straight to the finish line… I’d be lying if I said I’ve never regretted it. But now I can’t go back, so instead I just… If I screw up, they’ll all say, ‘Aha! This proves that he only got in through favoritism!’ So I work as hard as I can to compete with the people who actually wanted this job, and I’m just constantly…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next thing I knew, someone was shaking me awake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san? It’s 6 a.m.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instantly my blood ran cold, and I bolted upright, causing the blanket I didn’t know I was tucked under to slide down into my lap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment I laid eyes on Tsuzuki, I remembered everything that had happened last night. Clearly I must have passed out at some point during my monologue. Didn’t even dream about anything—just out like a light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for imposing—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, it’s my fault for being distracted with work stuff. Want some coffee?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, thank you. I’ll be going home now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay then. Real quick, before you go…” He dashed up to the second floor, then came back down carrying a terracotta vase. “This was a gift from a friend of mine who’s into pottery, but you can take it if you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so I walked across town under the faint morning light, carrying a giant flower vase. It was thick, with a wide, uneven mouth; I couldn’t really tell if it was an intentional part of the design or just poor craftsmanship. When I got home, the flowers were even more wilted…but once I got them into some water and adjusted them a bit, they seemed to regain a tiny bit of their strength, and that made me feel better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve done all I can to prepare for this—or at least, more than anyone else would’ve if they got promoted in my place, I told myself as I looked down at the script. It was 9 p.m., and the broadcast was set to start in just one hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our guest speakers are waiting in the front lobby,” called the assistant director."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I rose to my feet…but Shitara stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhh…to greet them…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That won’t be necessary.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s for the CEO and his team to worry about. Gotta put ’em to work somehow, y’know? You just keep on doing what you need to. Remember, you’re the MC! This is the Kunieda Kei show! Not saying you should lord it over people, but still—you’ve earned the right to a little swagger.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now I was starting to understand how this guy got shipped out to the boonies for however many years; he certainly wasn’t going to win brownie points with the higher-ups with that attitude. It was impressive, actually…but not in the “I should take a page out of his book” sort of way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, we’re ready for you in the dressing room.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From the moment I arrived at work that morning, the whole station was buzzing with restless energy—people dashing in and out, increased security, the works. Hell, they were even checking for bombs in the garbage cans on the newsfloor. Everywhere I looked, I could feel just how important tonight’s special guests were."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once my hair and makeup were good to go, I stepped into the studio to find the entire executive team, CEO included, standing at the ready while the technical team exchanged whispers:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Man, I haven’t seen this kind of all-star ensemble since the lighting ceremony for the new office building.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Our fate’s riding on this thing—in more ways than one. If we screw this up, they might just revoke our broadcast licenses!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, not funny!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squinted against the light. Was the studio always this bright? Almost like there’s nowhere for me to hide…not that they’d let me hide in the first place. This is “the Kunieda Kei show,” remember? That means I have to handle it all myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At 10 p.m., I was going to have to sit in the host’s seat for the next solid hour. And no matter how I begged or pleaded, no one would take over for me… Suddenly, the black camera cables on the floor looked like writhing snakes, and goosebumps pricked up my arms. I’d never felt this way in all my career. There were eight cameras, cranes included—twice as many as the evening timeslot. Eight large eyes, all focused on me. Plus, my image would be broadcast across all of Japan in real time. Hundreds…no, thousands of eyes, all on me…and no matter what catastrophic mistakes I made, I would never be able to escape them… Sweat began to bead on my forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Quit letting your imagination get carried away. Don’t think about all the ways you could screw up; it’ll be fine. The title sequence will play for fifteen seconds. Then the cameras will pan over the set. Close-up on me—that’s my cue. “Good evening…” Okay, and then what? Wait…what do I say after that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I walked over to a long table in one corner of the studio and attempted to grab the script sitting there, but couldn’t quite reach. Fortunately, the assistant director was standing right there. He picked it up and handed it to me. “Is everything okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just need to borrow it, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My hands were trembling as I accepted the stapled stack of papers. This was the most nervous I’d ever felt at work—even more than on my first day on the job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax, would you? Just read the script. “Good evening. Welcome to The News. Starting tonight, we’re bringing you an all-new show, and for our inaugural broadcast, we’ve invited Japan’s most distin…uishe… poli…cal lead…s to spea…with us. Joi…after th…com…ercial brea…to hear thei…akes on a…ide varie…of topics…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no matter how hard I tried to read it, it refused to stick. It felt like I was trapped inside another one of those nightmares—mind blank, spotlight on me—except this time, it was real."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me, but we need to get you miked up here shortly,” said a member of the sound crew, holding up a clip-on mic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No! I retreated a few steps back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, er…I apologize, but I’d like to use the restroom one last time, if that’s all right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I stepped out of the studio into the empty hallway, I could feel my fake smile falling apart. I headed upstairs to the men’s restroom, and no sooner had I locked myself in a stall than the trembling in my hands spread across my entire body. My teeth chattered uncontrollably."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m too scared. I can’t do this. I can’t! Maybe I could submit my resignation and then fly to a different country and wait it out until it all blows over? Maybe my appendix could spontaneously rupture? Maybe an escaped criminal could run into this bathroom and beat me into a coma? Or maybe an arsonist could set a teeny tiny fire in the building—you know, make us all evacuate, but nobody dies? That kind of fire?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But not even my best escapist fantasies could stop the clock from ticking. 9:40 p.m. If I didn’t hurry back to the studio, the team would start to panic…but my legs refused to cooperate. As I stared down helplessly at the clock on my phone, the screen timed out and went dark, so I hastily clicked it back on again. This process repeated for a full minute. Then another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, what do I do? Damned if I do, damned if I don’t… Well then, I might as well not go back, right? But if I stay here, they’ll find me sooner or later…and there’s no way I can sneak out of the station…but…but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the screen went dark again—but this time it immediately lit back up, buzzing loudly, the red “incoming call” light flashing like crazy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was such eerily perfect timing, I let out a small scream. Then I saw the number displayed onscreen and froze—but then I thought, Screw it. It can’t get any worse than this. So I answered it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Actually, on second thought… Deep down, maybe I was hoping this would happen. That would certainly explain why I bothered bringing my personal phone to work today instead of leaving it at home like I normally do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you want?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I was just wondering how you’re doing these days,” Tsuzuki replied, as though he’d completely forgotten what happened between us the last time he saw…uh…Owari. “I finally finished my project, so I’m free from work for a while. It’s gonna air on TV here any minute now, so you might wanna turn yours on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to scream at him—Don’t talk to me as if nothing ever happened! You have no idea how you made me feel!—but instead, all that came out was a tiny plea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Help me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure thing,” he replied casually. “I’ll be right there. Where are you right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fell silent. Obviously I couldn’t tell him, no matter what kind of crisis I was having."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sighed. “Not this crap again… Why are you always like this? Why can’t you just open up to me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trust me, I would tell you if I could. You’re the only one on this planet I’d be willing to tell…and that’s exactly why you’re the last person I’d want to find out. Which side of me is it that’s so obsessed with you, anyway?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, whatever,” he replied. “Look… The guy I love once told me that the more stressed you are, the more important it is that you carry on like normal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe you should give it a try. Just turn on the TV and watch, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The guy he loves?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With those parting words, Tsuzuki hung up on me, leaving me to my misery. At first I was furious that he would abandon me like that…but then I thought of something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fumbling with the lock, I staggered out of the bathroom stall and started running—down the stairs and back into the studio. I could feel everyone turn to look at me, their eyes stabbing into me like daggers, but I ignored them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda! Where the hell—” the news director began, but I ignored him, too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, now. Let’s not be too hard on our star performer on opening night, shall we?” said Shitara in a half-assed attempt to mollify the angry bigwig."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, I walked over to the long table and did my “normal” thing: I picked up my forgotten intonation dictionary and quietly opened it to the first page."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There, in the bottom right corner, was a rough pencil sketch of my face; it was cartoony in style, and yet somehow it still managed to capture me perfectly. Belatedly, I found myself impressed at Tsuzuki’s artistic prowess. He must’ve drawn it in secret while I was asleep—that was the only explanation I could think of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I flipped to the next page and found another drawing, identical to the first. Same with the next page. And the page after that, and the page after that… Then I pressed my thumb hard against the edge of the book and started flipping through the pages at high speed. As I watched, the drawings that I thought were “identical” slowly started to shift. My winning smile slowly faded into a steely blank stare; a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses appeared alongside a surgical mask; and my hair steadily grew more and more unkempt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I mouthed the words, “You knew?” down at the dictionary. Since when? Why didn’t you say anything? You’d think this revelation would have terrified me, and yet the little doodle was so heartwarming that I felt the urge to suppress a laugh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um… Sorry to bother you, but…your mic…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, my apologies. Right you are. Go for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe he used my damn dictionary like a drawing pad. Once I’m out of here, I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind. Yeah… Even if I ruin the whole broadcast and have to flee my home country, he’s the one person I’ll need to say my goodbyes to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Standby, sixty seconds.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words echoed across the studio. I closed my dictionary, set it back on the table, and stepped into the bright light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind me, I heard Shitara call out to me: “Don’t worry about getting it perfect, all right? No one expects that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, you should,” I replied without missing a beat. “I’ve been doing this for a while now, and ‘Perfection’ is my middle name.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t see his face, but I thought I felt him smirk at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, then—let’s see you nail it better than anyone could.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sat down in the host’s chair. To my left was an empty table, its chairs waiting to be filled. This is my show, I thought to myself as I took a deep breath. I may be nothing but a stand-in, but I’m still in charge. I don’t care who walks onto my stage, be it a party president, the Prime Minister, or even the Emperor. On this set, I’m the MC. The Master of Ceremonies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "9:59:50 p.m."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ten seconds…nine…eight…seven…six… Five seconds…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From there, the rest of the count was carried out silently, with fingers only. And at 10 p.m. exactly, I leaned forward slightly and peered into the on-air monitor positioned precisely within the cameras’ blind spot. Onscreen was a bird’s-eye view of a city, with crowds of people—by which I mean Tsuzuki’s clay figures—swarming between tall buildings. Then it panned out to the astronaut, looking down upon his distant ancestors as he shed a single fat tear…that is, until another astronaut gently placed a hand on his shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whoa. That wasn’t in the original storyboards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two astronauts exchanged a nod, and then the spaceship flew off into the stars as the logo for The News faded in. If I asked him why he added a second astronaut, would he still shrug and say he just felt like it? That there was no deeper meaning behind it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn it, why do I wish he was here?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good evening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I smiled into the camera. Then I checked my bust shot in the monitor and silently gave myself a little pat on the back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Best one yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thus far, we’ve heard your thoughts on job security and the unemployment rate. Let’s move on…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is this a dream? I wondered idly. It all felt so surreal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Next, we’ll be discussing potential countermeasures to the falling birthrate—but first, let’s watch the following clip.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the video played, I contemplated who to address first."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First, I should start with the people who have actual experience drafting legislature on this topic. Then the guy who flipped his lid over government childcare subsidies will probably want to complain, so I’ll give him a couple minutes to say his piece. After that, I’ll need someone who’s less emotionally invested to bring the conversation back down… We’ll need to address preschool waiting lists, too; I’ll give the women priority on this one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the video ended and the show resumed. Meanwhile, I arranged and rearranged my guest stars like building blocks in my mind. Stacked them up, knocked them down, stacked them up again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, if I were to sum up your arguments from my perspective…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Camera 4 centered on the table, followed by a wide shot from camera 8 on the crane. Fifteen seconds of footage from the most recent House of Representatives election, then back to the studio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the show progressed, I quickly gained an understanding of the camerawork involved, as well as which shots would be used for the broadcast. As I recited my lines, it almost felt like I was switching out the feeds myself through sheer telekinesis. Was I having an out-of-body experience? Everything seemed to be connected by invisible threads…and the power was in my hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whenever I replied to one of my guests, the words came to me naturally. Poll results, party seats, party platforms…I didn’t even need to pause to think about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, this must be a dream…because for the first time in my life, I’m actually having fun doing my job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "10:23 p.m."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The show was progressing smoothly—everyone was invested in the conversation, and there was a good back-and-forth going. So far, no major mistakes. The only problem on my mind was the upcoming commercial break."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how heated the arguments got, we still had to cut to commercials—that’s TV broadcasting for you. But this next commercial was a long one, clocking in at two and a half minutes. Misjudge the timing and it could impact the discussion or even cost us viewers. But we were already three minutes overdue, and I was running out of wiggle room. Nobody was looking at the cue cards, and the floor manager’s frustration was palpable. I needed to steer the conversation to a good cut-off point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Guess I’ll just have to do this the hard way. “I hate to interrupt, but it’s time for a word from our sponsors.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That should have been enough, but unfortunately, it wasn’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re having a very important discussion right now!” one of the party leaders roared back at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In terms of house seats, his party was a small minority, but after decades spent working in politics, this old man was more than opinionated enough to make up for it. Everyone had warned me in advance that he’d be tricky to deal with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re trying to talk about tax hikes. If you’re not going to contribute to the conversation, then just sit there and shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not contributing? Who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I inhaled ever so slightly, so the cameras wouldn’t pick it up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand exactly how important this discussion is,” I said. “The thing is, I find your arguments to be flimsy at best.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of the other guests let out a snicker. That really set the guy off. “I beg your pardon? Then perhaps you need to do some research!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you sure about that? I may be the host of this debate, but at the end of the day, I’m an ordinary citizen; on election day, I go to the polls and cast my vote, same as anyone else. So as a representative of the people, I must ask: is it your party’s policy, then, to write off any opinions you don’t like by claiming they come from a place of ignorance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never said that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well then, could you explain it to me? Prior to the election, your party manifesto called these tax hikes ‘unavoidable.’ But after a dramatic decrease in house seats, your official position flipped a full 180 degrees. To the average person, it would appear as though you’ll say anything to stay elected—is that correct?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?! I find that notion extremely offensive!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The mood in the room was now dangerously tense. Some of the staff members were openly concerned; hell, even I was mildly terrified of what I’d done. I was just trying to push for a commercial break, and now this? How was I supposed to recover?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet, for some reason, I felt excited in equal measure. Just look at him boiling with rage! Now this is good television! Cameras, get a close-up!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By all means, please explain to me how a tax increase is unnecessary,” I continued. “It’s extremely unlikely, arguably impossible, to make up for the massive deficit simply by cutting funding for public services. Don’t believe me? Just look at the budget proposal for next year—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve had enough of you! I’m leaving!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The old man jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair. But I knew a single second of hesitation would cost me my victory, so I immediately turned to the assistant director and said: “Someone get this man a teddy bear and a nap.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go! Now!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And at that exact moment, I saw the monitor switch over to a commercial for a soft drink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Commercial break!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whew. I rose to my feet and bowed deeply. “I am so sorry for what I said.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next instant, the grumpy old politicians all burst out laughing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be! You had him on the ropes!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, what he said. That old man loves to grandstand for attention.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me about it! You could tell he knocked his chair over on purpose!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The little dogs always bark the loudest. And shows like these are the only time anyone from his party gets to be on TV.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had assumed the man in question was going to tear me a new one, but instead he sat there red-faced and simply stuck his tongue out at me. “You’re welcome for the ratings,” he scoffed. “I’ll expect a bottle of booze delivered to my office.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well played, sir. For as frustrated as I was, I couldn’t help but laugh as I returned to my seat. “I’ll be sure to tell my producer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After the final commercial break, it was time for today’s news headlines, then a sports update. These were both handled by other anchors."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Next up, let’s take a look at the weather.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After exchanging a few lines with the meteorologist standing in the plaza out in front of the TV station, we covered the cherry blossom forecast, pollen levels, what to wear for tomorrow’s weather… Then, at 10:57:50 p.m., the ten seconds left cue went up, and sure enough, ten seconds later, the ending theme began to play."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tune in this time tomorrow, and I’ll see you again. Until then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I gave one final smile, and…scene. Then I fell into a slight coughing fit, and the assistant director rushed over with some water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry! I wanted to bring you some during the commercial break, but Shitara-san told me it would break your concentration, so…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s all right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the end it didn’t matter, since I managed to stick it out for the whole broadcast. Still, one sip and it quickly became apparent just how parched I was. In a blink, I’d inadvertently downed the whole cup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hell yeah. That’s the stuff,” I exhaled, and a moment later I realized I’d spoken not as Kunieda Kei, but myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh crap. I looked around…and found everyone in the studio staring blankly back at me. Panic spiked in my chest. Why aren’t they saying anything? Did I screw something up and not get the memo? The room was quieter than it had any right to be, especially immediately after a broadcast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the first thing to break the silence…was Shitara, loudly clapping his hands. Then a second person joined in. Then a third. Then the camera operators…then the assistant director…the hairstylist…the makeup artist…the sound crew…the lighting crew…the camera assistants… This broadcast could never have happened without each and every one of them. Likewise, they had all watched me work, praying from the bottom of their hearts that I would pull it off like I promised I would."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surrounded by a seemingly endless standing ovation, I bowed deeply. “Thank you so much.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right, folks! Let’s break for thirty minutes, then come back together in the meeting room for the evaluation meeting,” called Shitara. Then he walked up to me. “That was better than I ever could have imagined,” he gushed with the sort of fervor I didn’t even know he was capable of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What were you imagining, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eh, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, the CEO’s headed out to a dinner party with our esteemed guests. Want to pop in for a bit?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll leave that to the big fish,” I answered. “I need to be present for the evaluation meeting. Plus, I’d like to watch tonight’s recording and double-check a handful of things. That way I can perform even better tomorrow night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re counting on you, champ.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We talked until dawn, discussing tiny details that 99.9 percent of viewers probably wouldn’t give a crap about one way or the other, like whether the subtitles should be a darker blue, or whether the camera should zoom in for an extra second after the end of the title sequence. But we industry professionals made up that last 0.1 percent, and that was why it was our job. Even Tsuzuki’s films had to start from a single frame of storyboard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was my first time sleeping on a sofa at the office, and I awoke to find something light and papery draped over my face. I could smell the faint scent of ink… Did someone use my face as a garbage can? Because this sure as hell wasn’t much of a sleep mask. For a second I forgot myself and grimaced openly, but fortunately, my newfound shield safely concealed it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Propping myself upright, I pulled the paper away from my face…and realized a man was standing in front of me. Not only that, but I was surrounded by people passed out facedown on their desks. Anyway, who is this guy again? I know I recognize him… Pretty sure he’s an editor… Whatever. He’s definitely senior to me, so I’d better be polite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning,” I blurted out, bowing my head in apology. “I apologize for conking out like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no worries. That was one hell of a show last night, so if anyone’s earned the right to pass out, it’s you. Anyway, take a look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He indicated the paper, so I followed his suggestion and examined it. “Oh…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a ratings chart, the kind the editorial team printed out whenever a show hit its target. The average viewership was listed as 23.5%…and our share was 28%."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“With those numbers, the program overhaul is off to a great start.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll notice viewership peaked at 25%, right before a commercial break, at approximately 24 and a half minutes in. Right around the time you made that ‘teddy bear’ quip.” He grinned wryly, then cautioned, “Funny as it was, for a news anchor, that comment was cutting it pretty close. Try to act edgy and you’ll just dig a hole for yourself; the viewers will lose interest pretty quickly. I know it can be tricky, but for tonight’s show, let’s try to keep things ‘business as usual.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pass that chart on to Shitara, would you? He should be back any minute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where did he go?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To the hospital,” was all he said in reply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A short while later, Shitara walked in. His gait was so light, you’d think he wasn’t tired at all. When he spotted me, he smiled. “Morning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, sir.” I handed him the ratings chart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Interesting,” he replied, but he didn’t actually sound all that surprised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Were you expecting something higher…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no. These numbers are astounding! Let’s go whine at the editorial team until they give us a little performance bonus. Drinks are in order!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shitara spun on his heel and promptly stuck our “astounding” results to the wall…with packaging tape. Like it was a child’s drawing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard you were at the hospital this morning,” I called after him. “I assume you were visiting someone?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Asou, obviously. What a prima donna, am I right?” He shrugged playfully."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He called me first thing in the morning to demand I bring him a DVD of last night’s show ASAP. Apparently he was watching last night and got intimidated by your ‘youthful energy’ or something. Told me, ‘Oh, he wasn’t bad, but I could’ve done a lot better. Once I’m out of the hospital, you’d better give me my job back!’ I tell ya, all that shouting probably scared the cancer right out of his body. Just what the doctor ordered, am I right?” He turned and looked at me. “Thanks again,” he finished, his tone uncharacteristically sentimental."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, er…of course, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you didn’t think I’d thank you? Do I look like the kind of vulture who would take advantage of a guy’s illness for the views? Gimme a break, kid. Just so we’re clear, it was Asou himself who wanted us to cover it, all right? The guy’s terrified of losing the limelight for even a second. He’s married to the job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could never be like that, I thought to myself. I’m not that ambitious—I’m just a jack of all trades. Plus, I lead a double life…but at least Tsuzuki seems to accept me… Well, I should probably ask him and make sure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Outside the station, I climbed into a taxi. “You the guy from last night’s news?” asked the driver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Congrats, you have eyes. “Yes, that’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw your show last night! It was great!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that stuff all scripted, or what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The world may never know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shut the hell up and drive, would you? I hissed internally, as I always did…but for some reason, I wasn’t actually in a bad mood. I checked my phone, hoping to find a message from Tsuzuki, but no such luck. I did, however, find an e-mail from my mother that read: Great work, hon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And for once, I actually replied: Thanks, Mom."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The taxi pulled up outside Tsuzuki’s house, and I stepped out. Glancing around furtively, I took out the spare key I’d forgotten to give back and quietly let myself in. It was pitch dark, so I headed up to the second floor, where I found Tsuzuki sound asleep in his bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unsure what to say, I slowly approached him. Then the floor let out a loud creak under my weight, and he opened his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which one are you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you Kunieda-san, or are you Owari?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought for a moment. “About half and half, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right.” He laughed. “Took you long enough. I tried to wait up for you, but I passed out around 8 a.m.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not my fault, damn it. It’s my job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Feels weird to hear you cuss in your Kunieda clothes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you been online? There’s a new article going around about you: The Prince of Asabi TV Adds a Shade of Sadism to His Persona.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gimme a break.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My first reaction was, Pay attention to the show, you idiots, but upon further reflection, this kind of gossip was probably bound to happen…and right now, I had bigger fish to fry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So…how long have you known?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘The hell are you thinking?!’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“‘You stupid freak! I’m gonna puke!’” Tsuzuki continued in his best impersonation of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really still mad about that…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! I mean, yeah, I am. But when you slapped me, it cleared my mind…and that’s when I heard it. Your…voiced velar nasals.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I remembered what Shitara-san said about ‘nng’ sounds…and then it hit me. Kunieda-san told me he’d never been consciously aware of the way his voice sounded—which meant he probably couldn’t consciously conceal it, either. And once I started to examine it, all the pieces fell into place. Honestly, I’m baffled I didn’t figure it out sooner. You really didn’t do much to disguise yourself at all, other than your clothes and your bad attitude! Hell, even your sneeze is the same! First I heard it when you were filming as Kunieda-san, and then I heard it when you came over for chicken. It’s the exact same!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why didn’t you confront me about it…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I thought maybe you had something like dissociative identity disorder—y’know, like, maybe your two personalities didn’t share memories or something. Now I see that’s not the case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I sighed and sat down on the bed with my back turned to him. “Aren’t you pissed at me?” I asked in a small voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would I be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I lied to you for a long-ass time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You didn’t lie to me. I never asked about it, so you never had the chance to be honest. The way I see it, we were both keeping something from each other, so we’re even.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously? That’s it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, that’s it. What’s wrong with that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…” It took a lot of courage for me to admit—out loud—that my behavior was abnormal. “Isn’t it…you know…creepy? And a major red flag?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I whirled around and glared at him. “This is a serious question, damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, man, I don’t know what you want me to say.” He smiled awkwardly. “I’m telling you, it’s not a problem. I really don’t understand why you’re so mad about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly, this works out great for me.” He hopped to his feet, bedsprings creaking audibly, and as I swayed slightly from the vibrations, he reached out and scooped up a strand of my bangs. “See, I was on the cusp of falling for both Prince Kunieda-san and Owari the Grump. But this way, I don’t have to cheat on anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How the hell could anyone fall for both?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’d be surprised. It’s like eating chocolate and potato chips at the same time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That analogy makes no sense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I smacked his hand away from my face, but mostly just because I was too embarrassed to react rationally. And I could tell from the mischievious look in his eye that he had already picked up on this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Most people have another side to ’em, obviously, but usually it’s not quite so…distinct. What a fascinating specimen I have here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t talk about me like I’m some kind of endangered species.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, but you are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He stole a tiny kiss—so quick I could barely feel it, much less put up resistance. Then his lips drew near a second time, and I could feel his hot breath against my skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Watching you on TV gave me butterflies, you know.” He slid his fingers behind my head and played with my hair. “I was worried at first, but as soon as your face popped up on screen, I knew you were gonna be just fine. And sure enough, you handled it all on your own! One minute you’re falling apart under all the pressure, and the next minute you’re cracking jokes like you own the place. It was so sexy, I fell in love…all over again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t handle it all on my own,” I whispered. Was my breath just as hot as his? “If you hadn’t called me when you did, I probably would’ve chickened out. For the first time in my life, I felt alone…and for the first time, I realized I truly wasn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei…” That was the first time he ever addressed me by my given name. “You don’t have to change. Stay exactly the way you are. Let me be the only one who knows the real you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean…that’s the plan. If anyone else finds out about the real me, my life is over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that your way of saying you want to be with me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it…? But he’s a guy… Then again, if I let this one get away, who knows if I’ll ever find another oddball who can accept me for who I am…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes,” I replied in a tiny voice, “but just half.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Half yes from each half of your personality? Well then, that adds up to a full yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, just half! I’m sure you’re only half in love with each half of me, anyway!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You dumbo,” Tsuzuki laughed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’d think I’d get mad at him for calling me names, but no. Instead, I got mad at myself for not getting mad about it…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m all the way in love with both sides of you. That’s double the yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "…and for letting a cheap line like that actually work on me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pulled me by the hand, guiding me to straddle his legs in a kneeling position. This was less embarrassing than letting him climb on top of me, but not by much. Then my jacket and tie ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor, and it quickly became apparent where this was headed. We were both grown adults, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, if you’re scared, we can save it for next time,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me? I don’t think so! Once you’ve had a taste of this, you’ll be under my spell. No one else will ever compare.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no! I’d hate that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn right!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dumbo. You’ve never heard of reverse psychology, have you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s that supposed to mean?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It means sign me the hell up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pressed his lips to my chest through my shirt—or rather, shirts, since I was wearing a T-shirt under my button-up. The sensation was tantalizing, like that kiss through my surgical mask; the memory made my face flush."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a rough scraping sound, like a cat’s tongue, and I realized Tsuzuki was licking the fabric. Slowly but surely, his saliva seeped in until I felt its faint warmth against my bare skin. Then he dragged his teeth lightly over the cloth—I could feel the tiny vibration against my nipples."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mine were (obviously) much smaller than a woman’s, so you’d think he’d have had trouble locating them right away, and yet his mouth suctioned around one with pinpoint accuracy. My breath hitched in my throat. Desperate for something to hold onto, I wrapped a hand around the closest thing I could find, which was his head. In response, he slid his arms tightly around my waist and started sucking even harder. Then a tiny spark of pain shot through me, and I reflexively yanked him by the ear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow! Don’t rip my ear off!” He looked up at me and made a show of pouting his lips. “I thought you were gonna ‘put me under your spell.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then kiss me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How about a “please”? His demanding tone irked me, but then he closed his eyes and puckered his lips, and he looked so adorably vulnerable trapped beneath me that I went ahead and did as requested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, he only behaved himself for about ten seconds before he started pushing his luck. Sliding his tongue into my mouth, he traced along my teeth before pulling away slightly, leaving only a thread of saliva to connect us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad you don’t actually have snaggleteeth,” he whispered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I don’t,” I shot back, but the more I thought about that stupid lie, the more guilty I felt, and I couldn’t bear to say “sorry” out loud, so instead I kissed him again. This time I initiated the tongue, but I wasn’t consciously seducing him—my body was simply acting on its hunger, devouring his mouth relentlessly without even letting him pause to take a breath. Meanwhile, he slid his fingers up my back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A faint jolt of electricity shot like a meteor across my entire body, and my back arched. I glared at him, but he simply grinned back at me like the Cheshire Cat, enjoying my exaggerated reactions. When I tried to pull away, he sapped my remaining strength with his tongue until I went weak in the knees. Then he hiked up my shirt and started caressing my tailbone—almost like he was tickling the bone directly. It drove me crazy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next he undid my belt, unzipped my fly, and grasped my exposed half-mast. Part of me found his utter lack of hesitation mildly terrifying, while another part of me found it a reassuring sign that he sincerely didn’t mind if I was male. What about me, though? Was I only okay with it because I was on the receiving end? Then again, I was kissing him pretty passionately. If his mouth was a Tootsie Pop, I would’ve reached the chocolate by now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we finally pulled apart, he moved to my neck, and moans slipped unbidden from my newly freed lips. Experimentally, I licked them, and found that our lengthy makeout had left them aching faintly, like a mosquito bite."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tsuzuki’s large hand moved roughly yet deftly, following my smallest reactions like a road map to maximize my pleasure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At first I didn’t want to finish too quickly, lest it look like I was too eager…but once clear fluid started to leak from my tip, I kind of stopped caring what I looked like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…mmm!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t notice him fumbling around near his pillow with his free hand. Nor did I notice him reaching around behind me. All I could think was: I wanna cum. God, I wanna cum in his hand right now—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers slid into my underwear and right between my cheeks. I flinched at the wet sensation against my skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh, I love it when you try to hold back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go to hell! Seriously, what was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lotion,” he answered. “I have really bad dry skin, so I always put some on before bed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was glad to know the mystery substance wasn’t anything toxic, but if I were to sum up the sensation of his slimy fingers sliding into me in a single word, that word would be: horrifying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’re not going to stick it in there, are you? No way. Why would I want to do that? Look, I’ll jerk you off instead. Hell, I’ll even use my mouth if I have to! Anything but that!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before I could get the words out, I felt something foreign wriggling around inside me, and it stopped me in my tracks. One of his fingers was buried up to the knuckle, feeling the walls of my rectum, and somehow my brain was terrified it might somehow reach through my whole body and into my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop…” Reflexively, I wrapped my arms tightly around his head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just focus on this part,” he replied, working my member a bit more intensely now that it had started to wilt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Nn…aah…aah…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Feels good, doesn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His finger slid in and out in sync with each stroke. I stiffened up at the uncomfortable sensation, but he didn’t fight me; instead he continued his frontal caress, waiting for me to lower my guard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nnnn… Nngh! Aah!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaah! Which…part are you talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the answer is no. I shook my head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No?” he asked casually, like we were discussing the weather."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nnn… Who the hell would…enjoy your fingers up there?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good god, you’re so vanilla.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you’re a degenerate!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure, let’s go with that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right when I was getting used to having the one intruder in my back door, he added a second."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re only going to make it harder on yourself if you hyper-focus on it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t help it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure you can. C’mon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He rubbed the underside of my hard cock until more translucent fluid dribbled out from the tip, slicking up his fingers. There was a wet squelching sound coming from behind as I slowly loosened up. Did my insides turn to putty or something? The thought was frightening, and yet the pleasure in front made it hard to want to stop. My head peeked out from under my foreskin, pink and swollen, as Tsuzuki’s vigorous strokes made my lower body jiggle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can feel you getting tight back here, so it must be working.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s the truth!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A dull pain shot through me as his fingers sank all the way inside and attempted to spread me apart. This was a pleasure I had never known, and I could feel my entrance clamping down on him. Yearning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! Aah…aaaahhh…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, my member reached its limits, and I climaxed so hard I saw stars. As I clung to him, he pulled me down onto the mattress. Then he whipped his shirt off, and for a moment I stared up at his exposed upper body with hazy eyes. But when he yanked my pants off, underwear and all, and slid in between my bare legs, I couldn’t help but find my fear once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait…I…I can’t do this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Little too late for that, don’tcha think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, really—let’s do something else. Don’t put it in me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Convenient how you change your tune now that you got to cum.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hoisting up my resisting legs, he pressed the tip of his length at my entrance, and instantly I could tell he was hard as diamonds and in no mood to negotiate. Unfortunately, although I could empathize, I still couldn’t let it happen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tsuzuki-san, please don’t. I’m scared,” I pleaded in my Kunieda Kei voice. He faltered and hung his head. Ooh, did it work?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re evil, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll try again another day, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that I was spared (for today, at least), I reached out to softly touch his shoulder…but instead he grabbed my hand and pinned it against the mattress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m gonna straighten you out…the hard way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Crap. My plan had backfired. “I thought you said you liked me just the way I am!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, even I have my limits. And I don’t appreciate you toying with my heart.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not my fault you’re so obsessed with me—hey! I said no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then I’ll meet you in the middle: I’ll only put it in halfway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Same difference!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut up. I love you, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gee, thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a fellow man, I could tell from the slightest touch that his erection could not be quelled. Truth be told, I was less concerned about the potential pain and more concerned about what this was going to do to me mentally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t! Ow… That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I decided to exaggerate my pain a bit, and sure enough, his expression clouded over. This was precisely what I was aiming for, and yet it made me hesitate, too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry…” He reached out and gently stroked my cheek."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Reflexively, I averted my gaze. “Oh, no, it’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you were lying?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pushed against me more firmly, and my toes clenched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not gonna keep falling for that crap.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not lying! It really does hurt!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well, it’ll hurt worse if you don’t settle down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Take deep breaths, nice and slow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t enjoy taking orders from him, but I didn’t really want to make this harder on myself, so I did as I was told. Each time I exhaled, he slid in another fraction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Agh… That’s half, right…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not yet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Liar! Hey, don’t touch that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See? Isn’t this easier?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He reached for my flaccid shaft. Considering I had only just cum, I sincerely doubted I could get hard again—and yet, to my disbelief, the memory of my last toe-curling orgasm was apparently all it took to resuscitate my cock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… Don’t… Aaahh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could feel him working my lust into a lather in the palm of his hand, appeasing my body’s fears and in turn loosening my entrance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry…I can’t take it anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once my tip started to leak again, Tsuzuki thrust his hips, and my sight pitched sideways as though the impact had struck my skull instead of my pelvis. Tears trickled from my eyes, almost like he was pushing them out of me from the bottom up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You liar… You said you’d only do half…but you put it all the way in…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, his face fell…and then his lips curled in a barely contained smirk."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know I’m not supposed to find this cute, but you’re really making it hard for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He licked away my tears, and my heart thumped painfully in my chest. Probably just because his added weight was crushing me. Yeah, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll take it slow, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My deepest parts trembled with pleasure as Tsuzuki continued to tease my shaft. Meanwhile, there was a dull ache in my rectum, as if numbed by his presence. As the tiny thrusts continued, the pain steadily shifted, and by the time we were both damp with sweat, it was drowned out entirely by the roar of pleasure across my entire body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah…aaahh! Aah…aah…Tsuzuki—!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nngh… Say my name!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ushio… Ushio…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again and again I heeded his request. Then he ripped open my button-up shirt, hiked up the T-shirt underneath, and began to suck one of my lightly swollen nipples. In response, I felt my insides clamp down on his manhood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nngh…damn it,” he groaned under his breath as he rolled in and out of me like the tide. “You were right… No one else will ever compare to this…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I felt the same way, actually, but I wasn’t about to admit it—not without taking a hit to my ego. However, perhaps some concessions could be made."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right now, it was time for these two astronauts to fly back to their home planet. But tomorrow afternoon, once we woke up in each other’s arms…before I headed out to work that night…maybe I could meet him halfway with a “Yeah, me too.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe_Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0004.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Both Are For You"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "THE NEWS COMMENTARY ended at precisely 10:43 p.m., exactly in accordance with the cue sheet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rest assured, we’ll be keeping an eye on future developments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was strange—no matter how long-winded any given commentator’s critique, once Asou wrapped it up, it felt finished. Conversely, no matter how spicy the take, without Asou there to act as a platform, the viewers would probably find it lacking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unlike me, Asou conducted himself as though the cameras were rolling at all times. He seemingly paid no mind to the assistant director’s cue cards, nor the floor manager’s directions passed on from the SCR (studio control room). No matter whether he was behind or ahead of schedule, he never batted an eye; he simply made adjustments to balance it out on the fly. The SCR could be losing their minds over delayed video footage and he’d just buy time with some cleverly improvised commentary until it finally played—so natural, you’d think it was in the script. Each broadcast was putty in Asou’s hands, just waiting to be shaped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was reasonably confident in my own ability, but even then, I was forced to admit that I was nowhere near this guy’s level…and quite possibly I would never get there. Sometimes effort and aptitude couldn’t make up for sheer talent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Next up, let’s head over to sports. Minagawa-san, if you would.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The feed then switched away from the long rectangular table with Asou, me, and the other main commentators to a round table positioned stage right. Next to it, the sports anchor stood at attention beside a large TV monitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Minagawa Tatsuki here! First up, let’s talk soccer. We’ve got a great interview with the rising star who transferred to Italy’s own A.C. Milan—and after the clip we’ll have a special gift, so be sure to stick around!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From there, we received a seven-minute respite from the camera as the video played—but all it meant was that we weren’t visible to the people watching at home, so I couldn’t let my guard all the way down. No slouching, no elbows on the table. Instead, I focused intently on the interview footage…or at least, I pretended to. In order to play up my love of my work, I nodded, smiled, and/or leaned forward whenever it felt natural to do so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, in my mind, I pictured what I would do if some idiot paid me five billion yen. Fill a swimming pool with bills and swim around in it? Take a helicopter to work every day? Honestly, I was a saint for even entertaining the notion of continuing to hold a job as a billionaire. Maybe I’d give Ushio about a million of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Next, I paused to think of a few comments I could give in the event I was asked for my opinion after the video ended—including different length varations to account for the time remaining."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As usual, I was on top of my game."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, you seemed like you were real interested in that sports interview! Are you a soccer fan?” asked the assistant director, once the show had ended and everyone was wrapping up for the night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "See? I knew one of these plebs would take the bait."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, I don’t know anything about sports. It was just a really fascinating video,” I replied, making sure to flatter the editing team. “Especially since I heard a lot of athletes tend to avoid interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly!” he replied, glancing over at tonight’s star anchor. “You’re incredible, Minagawa-san! That guy’s always come off as super aloof during postgame press conferences, but with you he was completely at ease! And you filmed it right there in his house?! I’ve never heard of anyone letting a reporter into their house before!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I guess that’s pretty rare,” Tatsuki replied casually, like it was no big deal. “He seemed kinda grouchy at first, but then we started talking about manga, and for some reason he really opened up after that! When I told him I hadn’t read the latest volume, he told me I could come over to his house and read it, as long as I helped him tidy up in exchange. So I did!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, for real?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I searched his whole house for porno magazines! But we had to cut that part, obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What happened to helping him tidy up…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tatsuki!” called Asou, interrupting the conversation. Timidly, the assistant director took a few steps back. Not that Asou was really that intimidating, but something about him commanded that sort of respect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki, however, was perhaps too dense to pick up on social cues. “What’s up?” he asked offhandedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I noticed a mistake you made tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, what? Where?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I had a feeling you hadn’t noticed. Kunieda, clue him in, will you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, do it yourself!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I paused to “contemplate” for a moment, then raised a finger in epiphany. “You’re talking about the ‘special gift’ promotion segment, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Correct,” Asou nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? What was wrong with it?” asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You said ‘three lucky winners,’” I explained."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stared at me blankly. “But the subtitles on screen literally said the same thing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Asou gave me a look that said keep going."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rolling my eyes internally, I continued, “The subtitles are one thing, but in the code of conduct outlined in the Asabi employee handbook, newscasters are only supposed to refer to the people watching at home as ‘viewers’ out of respect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? I’m not sure they taught us that during orientation week… Maybe your handbook is out of date by now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You both have the exact same handbook,” Asou insisted. “Kunieda was only hired two or three seasons ahead of you, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What does it even matter?” Tatsuki whined."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you intend to be a professional in this industry, then I never want to hear those words from you again. And here I was going to compliment you on your excellent interview…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Noooo, c’mon! Tell me I did good! Or, on second thought, maybe wait until Shitara-san’s around!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You called?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Shitara stepped out of the SCR, and Tatsuki perked up. “Asou-san was just saying that I’m a genius!” he bragged."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? A genius who doesn’t know how to pronounce the word ‘respite’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m pretty sure most people don’t know how to pronounce that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. It’s time for the eval, folks!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a brief review of tonight’s broadcast, we were free to go…but then Tatsuki sidled up to me. At first glance, he looked like the happy-go-lucky type—the kind of guy you couldn’t picture ever having any negative emotions. Whenever he smiled, his blinding white teeth seemed to take up more than half of his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san, are you free this Saturday?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you ask?” I replied, quietly concealing the fact that I did not want to have to waste a single second of my precious day off, thank you very much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should come out with me for a mixer!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I wanted to sit around and waste my time, I’d stay at home and play the vuvuzela. I donned my best apologetic smile. “Sorry, but I’m not great at small talk with strangers. I’d just be a wet blanket.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry about it! I’ll handle all the small talk! You just have to sit there and smile!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If that’s all you want from me, then hang a poster of my face, for all I care. Take a hint, will you? I don’t want to go! Annoyed, I contemplated the best way to let him down without being too harsh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, another staff member stepped in. “Lay off Kunieda-san, will you? You’re making him feel bad.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Excellent. Well done. For your efforts, I’ll give you…I don’t know, one of my used erasers or something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Awww, man…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By the way, did you hear about the day trip to the hot springs?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah, that! What’s the plan?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With the subject safely changed, I hurried away to wash my face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After another meeting in the staff room and a dozen additional minor tasks, it was nearly midnight. For an evening anchor who left work during primetime, the train commute home was hell on earth—but luckily for me, late-night anchors were given free taxi tickets, so I got to skip all that nonsense."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Stepping out of the car, I thanked the driver with a smile…and once I crossed over the threshold into my apartment, the Kunieda Kei show was officially over for the night. Now it was time to take a shower, change into my tracksuit, slide on a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses and a surgical mask, and head back outside. Two keys hung from the keyring in my pocket; one was a state-of-the-art copy-protected key, and the other was an antique three-leaf clover key."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The cold was actually pretty tolerable on nights like these when the wind was still. Dead leaves littered the pavement, giving off a pleasant autumn scent. Not long after I started walking, as if on cue, I got an e-mail: Milk, white bread, packaging tape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Where’s the “Please buy this for me,” asshole? Nevertheless, I stopped by the convenience store, then walked another ten minutes and let myself into the house with the old clover key."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They were sold out of white bread, so I got whole grain,” I told him, in a gruff voice that no one would ever mistake for the famous Kunieda Kei. And in response, what did I get? No “come on in,” not even a passing glance. He was too busy staring at his computer screen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Put it in the fridge,” he replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rude much? “How about a thank you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good work, champ.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Screw you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I walked up the stairs to the second floor and stuffed the whole to-go bag into the refrigerator. Next, I took out a can of beer. Then I sat down on the bed, propped myself up with a pillow, stretched my legs out, and enjoyed my drink as I reviewed tonight’s recording of The News."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A short while later, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, followed by the sound of the refrigerator door opening. “Hey, don’t leave the tape in there!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t like it? Do it yourself next time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shrugging off his complaint, I went back to the TV. Then I heard the bedsprings creak on the other side of the bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tonight’s interview segment was really interesting,” Ushio said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I turned and glared at him. “Great. Not you too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everyone’s always fawning all over that guy, that’s what!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not fawning over him. I just enjoyed the show, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just because he won over some stupid athlete, he thinks he’s the big man on campus… Not only that, he invited me to a mixer! Me! To a mixer!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s probably just trying to make sure his kind, warmhearted senpai feels included. He sounds like a nice guy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Trust me, it’s not that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ushio took the beer out of my hand and stole a sip, then regarded me with a withering look. “You know what? You complain way too much about this…‘Minakawa Tatsugi’ or whoever. Feels like you do nothing but trash-talk him every single night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, because I freakin’ hate his guts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Asou had returned to work that fall with one third of his stomach removed—just in time for the autumn reshuffle. During the six-month period that I filled in for him, the ratings hovered mostly between fifteen and seventeen percent—passing marks for what essentially amounted to a stopgap. In the end, the numbers we achieved on our first night were nothing more than a lucky fluke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I’d already gotten into the rhythm of my new role, they shifted me to the position of co-anchor/program coordinator/script reader, and I was perfectly fine with that. What I didn’t like, however, was the rookie they assigned to sports. He was just twenty-five with no prior reporting experience, and yet somehow he landed a spot on the station’s flagship news show? To the rest of us, that was an even bigger bombshell than Asou’s return to work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Worst of all, anyone who talked about it inevitably prefaced it with, “Obviously I was surprised when it happened with Kunieda, but…” This made me feel inferior enough as it was. But then, amidst all the excitement and curiosity and resentment that emanated from our studio, in walked Tatsuki like it was no big deal. I was furious at how fast he fit in with us. Of course, every time he screwed up, I gloated internally, but this was always followed by anger at his utter lack of effort…and there was only one person on this earth I could vent to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve hated him ever since his interview. Stupid smug smirk on his face… He thinks he can just coast through life by being nice and funny and smart…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And he’s correct,” Ushio shrugged. This pissed me off even more…not that I wanted him to trash talk the guy just because I was doing it. “It’s not his fault you chose to create a fake persona and he didn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Doesn’t mean I want you to call me out on it. “Yeah, I know. Shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having lost all motivation to continue my news review, I switched off the TV, finished my beer, and pulled the covers up to my neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s it? You’re done?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m too tired.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned my back to him; he started playing with my hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” I snapped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m fawning over you. See? Fawn, fawn, fawn.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m gonna “fawn” my fist up your ass. “Knock it off, would you? I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of guy. I want to be adored by the masses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if they did, you wouldn’t bat an eye. The thing about ‘the masses’ is, they don’t swoon over a guy who was always competent right from the start.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m not gonna jump for joy! I’m a grown man!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I know. And you’re working so hard. I’m soooo proud of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more emphasis he put on the so’s, the more sarcastic it started to sound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re soooo adorable, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can stop fawning now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s stupid,” I spat angrily, hoping to hide my quavering voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look at me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why should I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I wanna see more of Grouchy Slob Kei before you have to transform back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. Just let me sleep. I have to go in at ten tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s early. How come?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gotta do street interviews.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where at? Want me to casually loiter around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do that and I’ll ignore the hell out of you… I’m going to Ginza, and Minagawa’s going to Shibuya. Waste of my damn time… They oughta just send him by himself. Why the hell should I have to do half of his work?” I grumbled as my annoyance resurfaced."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, I felt Ushio bite my earlobe from behind. It didn’t hurt, but it did startle me, and I let out a tiny yelp."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh! Don’t! Stop!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was that? ‘Don’t stop?’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I whirled around to look at him. “That is not what I said!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He fixed me with a seductive look that said, You sure?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you… I’m going to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So go to sleep. I’ll find something to tide me over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What am I, fridge leftovers?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, now, settle down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every time I entertained his teasing with a serious response, I was only playing right into his hands. I had learned this lesson a dozen times by now, and yet it never seemed to stick. Generally I considered myself to be a pretty smart guy, but when it came to Ushio, I was so goddamn stupid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He yanked my mask down, slid my glasses up, and leaned over me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At first I thought he was going to kiss me, but he stopped short just as our noses touched. We stared at each other for a moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There. Now I can finally see your handsome face.” He smiled innocently. “Welcome home, Kei.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Words could not express how frustrating it was that those three little words were somehow more fulfilling to me than the adoration of thousands. And worse still, I was pretty sure he knew it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hated how devoted I was to him—so in revenge, I kissed him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Finally in the mood, are we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shut up and let’s get this over with. I’m sleepy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Roger that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he peppered my cheeks and forehead with kisses, even I couldn’t keep a straight face. When he gestured wordlessly for me to strip, I was at best dubious…but then, when he climbed naked on top of me, it felt as though I was swaddled in a heavenly blanket made just for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he held me in his tight embrace, my breathing grew hot and heavy, and I found myself frustrated that I couldn’t simultaneously enjoy both a peaceful night and a more passionate one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe he felt obligated to move things along quickly for my sake; he smoothly trailed his fingers down my body and arrived at my pelvis without any detours, pausing only to caress my hip before following the curve to its logical conclusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He gently grasped my recumbent shaft and deftly began to tease my lust awake, willing it to spill forth from inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well now! This is working pretty well, considering how ‘sleepy’ you claim to be.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s working because I’m sleepy, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh really?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His dry, rough palm added to the stimulus, driving me wild every time. Meanwhile, he ran his free hand all over my sweaty body and grinned. “Your skin’s so smooth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Times like these, I always felt so unspeakably reaffirmed. I never used to need anyone’s approval, and yet…for once, it made me appreciate the body I was born in. I hope you get that, dumbass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next thing I knew, our bodies were pressed perfectly together, skin against skin. And with each repeat visit up and down my member, the foundation of my lust grew stronger. So too did my heartbeat, transmitted to Ushio through direct contact. He pecked playfully at my loosely parted lips; the audible wetness summoned forth a different wetness down south."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The fluids leaking from my tip added lubrication to his motions, making a sexy mess…but this only enhanced my pleasure. He slid his tongue into my mouth, and I pushed back in kind, devouring him. As he teased the roof of my mouth, my cock twitched in his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Find something to tide me over,” my ass. The sweet torture was enough to make me thrust my hips in impatience. In response, he rubbed his thumb against the border that delineated my engorged head and my shaft."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The way I saw it, my libido was a solid object located deep inside me. Subjected to the heat from Ushio’s hands and tongue, however, it melted down into wax and slowly leaked out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the heat of his voice only added more fuel to that fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you wanna cum?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nngh… Yeah…I wanna cum…and then I want to go straight to sleep,” I whimpered. Normally I would’ve kept that last part to myself, but Ushio had a way of getting the unvarnished truth out of me. Maybe it was because he was the only one who ever managed to see the man behind the mask."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then you don’t get to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He slid his hand down and pressed a finger hard against my entrance—not hard enough to penetrate, but hard enough to make me jerk away from him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Putting it off again?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You told me I could sleep after this!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, and that was a joke, dumbo. I’m not gonna have my way with your unconscious body.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! No!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Taking care not to let me orgasm, he pumped out more of my thick, translucent fluid and used it to soften up my entrance. You’d think I’d be in control of my own body, and yet he manipulated me so easily it was actually terrifying. As he distracted my mind with the handjob, he slid his finger past the point of no return, teasing my prostate until I was in danger of cumming the second he inserted himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… Aaahh… Don’t…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was gripping the base of my shaft so tightly that I couldn’t cum even if I wanted to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh… Ushio, that hurts… I need to cum!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But if you do, you’ll just go to sleep, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… I won’t! I promise!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sure I believe you… Well, at least this way you won’t be able to sleep even if you try.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every inch of my rectum had grown sensitive to the three fingers now wriggling around inside, and it was obvious it would take more than mere ejaculation to truly satisfy my urges."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah… Hurry…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I hear you, I hear you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The “starts out resistant, ends up begging for it” trope was all too common, and yet I still hadn’t found a countermeasure. Funny, that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hang in there for a little longer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is your fault, you know! You think you can buy my forgiveness with one measly kiss?! And yet I closed my eyes and let it happen anyway. (In more ways than one.)"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt an intense heat enter my bowels. Instantly, sirens blared in my brain. But my entrance had since learned how to accommodate guests, and once it took in the widest part, my fear transmutated into ecstasy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmm… You feel so good…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once Ushio was all the way in, he leaned in close enough for me to finally wrap my arms around him and trail my fingers up and down his back. It was November, and yet he was sweating buckets. His excess lust for me was spilling over. And I wanted nothing more than to lick it all up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…aah…nngh…Ushio—!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fortunately, at the pace we were going, I could still think clearly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see now,” Ushio murmured cryptically. “Hmmm…I’m gonna have to disagree.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah… What are you…talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know when you said grown men can’t jump for joy? I think you might be wrong about that. Because I’m looking at one right now.” He prodded my cheeks with a teasing grin, and I felt the blood rush to my head all the more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am not jumping for joy! Screw you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why yes, I am screwing you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the fuck up, you sick freak!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, now. Settle down, cutie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said shut the—aah! Gah!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought you said you wanted to cum.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He ravaged me so hard, the snarky thoughts in my head melted away before I could voice them. And after that, I moaned and writhed to Ushio’s heart’s content."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That asshole. Claims he wants something “to tide him over” and then he makes me go a second round. I sat in the news van on the drive to our morning film location, quietly biting back yawn after yawn—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh man, I’m so nervous! This is my first time doing street interviews, y’know!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "—plus any caustic comments regarding my excessively energetic junior anchor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Any tips, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "God, I wish I could stuff this mic down your throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t think of anything in particular,” I mused, donning my best pensive face. “You’ll want to make sure you get an even spread of all different age groups and genders. Plus, you’ll want to avoid anyone who looks like they’re in a hurry. Oh, and don’t try to steer the conversation—you want them to answer in their own words, even if it takes them a while. But the best advice I can give is to have confidence in yourself. Knowing you, Minagawa-kun, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? You think so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, I’m just being polite, stupid. Don’t take everything at face value. A little insecurity is healthy. Swallowing my venom, I smiled softly. “Good luck.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That said, street interviews could be quite the challenge. Topic of the day: the government’s public pension plan investment management. We each had a quota of fifty people to interview, trawling for comments we could compile into a video segment. More than once, people would spot our cameras at a distance and immediately turn on their heel or cross the street to avoid us; other times we’d set our sights on someone, only for them to quicken their pace and stare pointedly at the sidewalk. This was all very common; in fact, I’d heard stories of rookie anchors so disheartened by the constant rejection that they’d throw in the towel and trudge back to the van. Amateurs, all of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, I achieved my quota of fifty people in approximately two hours, breaks included."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Incredible work, Kunieda. You always seem to get the best footage… I wish street interviews were always this easy,” sighed the location manager."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pretty great, aren’t I? “I simply lucked out and found a lot of nice people this time around,” I replied modestly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, I think you could make a great luxury car salesman. Or a real estate agent—oh, sorry. Gotta take this.” He answered his cell phone. “Yeah? Seriously? Whoa…” Then he turned back to me. “Apparently Tatsuki just finished his quota, too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s pretty good at this stuff, too! Very quick learner, that one. Plus, he’s just got this magnetic charm, you know what I mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, yes. Very impressive,” I replied, looking mildly surprised…but on the inside, I was frothing with rage. Damn that little twerp!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night found me cursing Tatsuki’s name once again. And once again, Ushio didn’t quite approve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wouldn’t it piss you off more if he didn’t take your advice and just screwed everything up?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the problem, okay? It just drives me insane how he struts around like he can do it all without even trying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So basically you feel threatened by him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have to put on an act, so you resent anyone who can win affection by being themselves while also being good at their job.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true! Why the hell would I feel threatened by him?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You never know—he might be busting his ass behind the scenes, or maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye. Although I doubt anyone could be as fake as you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t call me fake!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey now, don’t get me wrong. It’s part of what I love about you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Warn me before you drop the L word, damn it! I froze, speechless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, I need to go make a phone call,” he continued, then got up and headed downstairs. A moment later, I could hear him speaking a different language—English, probably. I didn’t even know he had contacts outside of Japan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While it pissed me off that he would leave me hanging in the middle of our conversation, the intermission gave me time to compose myself as I ruminated on his viewpoint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Threatened. Resentment. In other words, I was…jealous? No. No way in hell. Never had I felt some deep desire to mingle with my coworkers—I wasn’t the type. And though admittedly Tatsuki was reasonably competent and quick on the uptake, I was confident I was the better anchor. Objectively."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki’s voice was on the higher side, his intonation was iffy, and whenever his focus slipped he would speak too quickly. While he was good-looking, he let too much of his natural energy shine through; this was all well and good for a sports anchor, of course, but he could never host a full-scale news show on his own. He lacked the gravitas required to speak about tragedy. In summation, he simply couldn’t compete with anchors in my bracket—otherwise he wouldn’t have made it onto my show at all. As much as I hated everyone blowing smoke up his ass all the time, I never actually felt endangered by his presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, that’s it. I just don’t gel with chatty airheads, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shortly after I reached this conclusion, Ushio returned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know what I think? I think you should let me meet this guy,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Minagawa-kun. You sure love to scream about him every night, so now I’m curious what he’s like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no. Anything but that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How else am I gonna find out if he’s as bad as you make him sound?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Absolutely not,” I insisted, but he ignored me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine, then I’ll just ask Shitara-san,” he replied with a smirk as he crawled back onto the bed, and I knew at once that he was dead serious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop! I mean it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promise I won’t make it weird. I won’t even bring up Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not what I’m worried about!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Glad to know you trust me so much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The conversation hit a snag yet again. Frustrated, I slammed my fist on the mattress. “Don’t you dare!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not? I just wanna grab lunch with the guy. Who knows, maybe I won’t like him either! But I won’t know unless I try!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But what if you do like him…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then I’ve made a new friend, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to piss me off?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want you to make friends with him, stupid! It stresses me out enough just having to work with him—I refuse to let him infiltrate my personal life! Think about it: you were stupid enough to fall for my little act, weren’t you? Plus, you don’t exactly take things slow when it comes to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hardly ever called my name unless we were going at it—something I was guilty of as well—so it caught me off guard and made my heart skip a beat. Being good at talking and being good at arguing were two very different skillsets."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he turned to me and said, in his most “disapproving parent” voice, “If you’re going to be jealous, be cuter about it, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me you don’t want to share me, and I’ll reconsider.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you? Get bent! Go to hell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, sorry. Getting another call.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And with that, he headed back downstairs. But this time, evidently there was a lot to talk about, because he didn’t come back for a long, long time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ultimately, despite my begging and pleading, Ushio went straight to Shitara and got him to arrange a meeting with Tatsuki. He told me I didn’t have to come, to which I said, “Hah! I don’t think so, asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not that I was worried about the things he seemed to think I was worried about (because, for the record, I was way hotter than that douche). I just didn’t want to have to see him getting all buddy-buddy with my least favorite person. Was that really so hard to understand? Jackass. Maybe he puts all his compassion into his projects and doesn’t save any for the rest of us. Try to be a little more like me, would you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa… I didn’t realize the guy who made our title sequence was so young!” said the source of my problems, his tone chipper. “Real talk, I was expecting some geeky old geezer or something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It actually takes a lot of physical stamina, y’know, putting together all those huge sets and whatnot,” Ushio replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah? How long does it take to make, like, one single second of animation?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It depends, but I’d say on average it takes about eight hours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way! Seriously?! I could never do that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see you’re almost finished with your drink. Can I get you another?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, thank you. I’ll take an oolong highball.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t tell if they actually liked each other, but they were certainly keeping the conversation going. Tatsuki was a total social butterfly, and Ushio himself was more outgoing than his nerdy hobby would suggest. This is exactly what I was afraid of, I thought to myself miserably."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But although Ushio should have known full well how I was feeling on the inside, he instead asked the world’s most unnecessary question: “Minagawa-kun, what’s your impression of Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san? He’s a god among men! A living legend! Seriously, the guy’s incredible. He can pronounce anything—any prefecture, any rail line, any street! You name it, he’s got it memorized! And he never lets anything get under his skin!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I’m not quite that perfect.” Damn right I am. Glad you’ve noticed. This bolstered my mood by a fraction. Still, the compliments felt cheap coming from a guy like him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y’know, I used to think you were some kinda flawless wizard who could do anything, but now I know better. You’re always studying, aren’t you, Kunieda-san? While the rest of us are sitting around eating chips, you’re always reading the newspaper or looking stuff up in your intonation dictionary.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If anyone’s a ‘flawless wizard,’ it’s you, Minagawa-kun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, you think I don’t actually try? Well, think again! I put in a decent amount of effort, if you ask me. Once I found out I was gonna be on a news show, I figured I should do some research, so I bought all of Ikegami Akira’s books on journalism!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And how many did you read?” asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Half…of the first one…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. And that’s a ‘decent effort’ to you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aww, c’mon, Shitara-san! You told me to just be myself, remember? Because Asou-san and Kunieda-san will cover for my mistakes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks for volunteering me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Only because you were throwing a fit about it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To be fair, Shitara-san, you have a way of dragging people into things against their will,” Ushio laughed, but I found I couldn’t really laugh along with him. If you asked me, I wasn’t “dragged” so much as harpooned. “When you decide you want to work with someone, you make it happen no matter what. You’re a producer through and through.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For the record, I do make an effort to follow up with people, y’know. Wouldn’t want to force them into anything. That reminds me—Kunieda, weren’t you the one who interviewed Minagawa?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ugh, this conversation keeps getting worse and worse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Coincidentally, yes. As it happened, I was assigned to facilitate the secondary interviews for that round. And out of everyone I spoke to, I remember Minagawa-kun was the only one who turned up in jeans. I was quite surprised, to say the least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was that part of your plan? To stand out from the crowd?” Ushio asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way!” he replied emphatically. “It said to wear casual clothes right there in the e-mail! But to be honest, I only went because me and a friend were applying together for fun, so I didn’t put too much thought into it at the time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oops, I got the part instead of my friend!” Who do you think you are, a pop star? I thought to myself bitterly, smiling as I picked at my seafood stew. But then they brought up an even worse memory:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard you hit on Kunieda during that interview. Is that true?” asked Shitara."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah… Yeah, that definitely happened.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’re supposed to deny it, dumbass!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was part of the test,” I added quickly, though not so quick as to appear hasty. “The interview process for the newsroom always includes a few quirky little tests. In this case, we asked each person to compliment the interviewer for one solid minute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "More than anything, I wanted Ushio to understand that I was only doing my job."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, right. Or the thing where they have to come up with ways to sell an entire truckload of bananas within a single hour.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And that’s when you hit on him?” Ushio asked Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! Yeah…I was so naïve and foolish back then…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I told you to deny it, you moron!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I walked up to him and I was like…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Out of nowhere, Tatsuki reached over and took my hand; meanwhile, I barely suppressed the urge to yank it back. I was trapped on one end of a small four-person table, my seat up against the wall, so I had no room to lean away. Then he drew his face close to mine, his expression firm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘You captivated me from the moment I walked in. You’re not like the rest of them—you truly shine.’ Or something like that, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just like that, he dropped my hand and went back to being regular old Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What are you, a wild animal? I can never get a read on you. His personality type was Kryptonite to someone like me, who was constantly on guard…which is why, when given the opportunity, I voted against him in the final hiring discussion. Nevertheless, somehow I knew he would make it through despite my protests. Setting aside his sloppy attire, he had the makings of a TV personality written all over him. Plus, he never once recoiled from the interview tests, which took a certain kind of guts…and to top it off, his ad-lib “compliment” segment lasted a perfect sixty seconds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that interview! I bet even Kunieda got a little flustered when that happened, am I right?” Shitara asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope. Not at all,” Tatsuki replied, shaking his head. “He just smiled and said, ‘Thank you. Next!’ and I was like ‘Holy crap, newscasters are so badass!’ Anyway, what do you guys wanna make with the last of the hotpot broth? Rice soup, ramen, or udon? I vote ramen!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen here, punk,” Shitara grinned wryly. “When you have hotpot at a business meeting, it’s considered polite to let your superiors make that call.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh. My bad. Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But no one was actually mad at him, of course, and so he got his wish. It must take some kind of talent to wrap the whole world around your little finger like that, I thought to myself. Admittedly ramen was my top choice as well, but it was always miserable trying to eat food I loved while simultaneously maintaining my pristine persona. Nine times out of ten, I would rather just eat cup noodles at home with Ushio."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki poured the dry, curly noodles into the seafood broth, then turned to Ushio. “So, are you good friends with Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My heart skipped a beat. I glanced up at Ushio across the table from me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not at all,” he replied without missing a beat. “We met through an interview he conducted at my house a while back. Hadn’t talked to him in a while, so I figured I’d ask Shitara-san to set something up. Oh, but we live in the same neighborhood, so we bump into each other on the street every now and then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, man! Y’know, I’ve always wondered what Kunieda-san does in his free time! He’s such an enigma, y’know? I keep inviting him to hang out, but he always turns me down!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just not hugely into mixers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve invited you to more than just mixers! The past month and a half, I’ve asked you to karaoke, bowling, futsal, company baseball…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, you’re right,” I replied politely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I could feel my flawless smile slowly starting to slip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Outside the restaurant, we all went our separate ways."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Since we’re headed in the same direction anyway, would you care to share a taxi?” I asked Ushio in my Kunieda Kei voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Initially he looked startled. Then he glanced down at the ground. “Sure, that’d be great,” he replied politely, as though I was a stranger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Together, we walked down the street to find a place where we could flag a cab. As we did, I glanced over my shoulder repeatedly. Once I confirmed we’d put some distance between ourselves and the other two, I turned to him and hissed, “What was that about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What was what about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You made it sound like we hardly ever interact!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I couldn’t exactly tell him you come over my house every day, now could I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could hear the hurt in his voice, and my full belly grew heavier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean, true, but…you still should’ve told me ahead of time. That way I can keep my story straight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Normally he’d argue with me on purpose, then tease me when I got mad. This time, however, he was unusually quiet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll remember that for next time…if there even is a next time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This didn’t make me feel better in the slightest; I couldn’t even bring myself to lord it over him with a “Good. You’d better.” I never meant to argue him into silence—after all, he’d made the right call. It was just, well…loath as I was to admit it…the way he so readily treated me like a stranger actually kind of stung. I just wanted him to reassure me that we were fine. Problem was, I didn’t know how to ask for it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, what I said was, “Whatever. You’re the one who wanted to meet him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what did you think…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was impressed.” For some reason, he lengthened his stride until he was a step ahead of me. “Me, personally, I always felt super nervous around ‘Kunieda-san,’ but him? Perfectly relaxed. It blows me away how some people manage to be so open and casual without crossing the line into rude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe you don’t think it’s rude, but I sure do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I followed along behind him, I found myself wishing I could see the look on his face…and yet, though we were mere inches apart, for some reason my legs wouldn’t move any faster. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, there’s a taxi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sure enough, a cab pulled up to the curb, its vacancy light illuminated. The moment we climbed in, we returned to being perfect strangers, so we sat in silence. After Ushio gave the driver the address, he leaned against the window, closed his eyes, and fell still."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But as for me, I couldn’t bring myself to find out if he was actually asleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That weekend, after our get-together on Friday night, I was too busy to go to Ushio’s—I had a bunch of meetings scheduled since the film trip was wrapping up. Then, on Monday afternoon when I arrived at work, Tatsuki walked over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kunieda-san! Thanks again for coming out on Friday!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By the way, are you free two days from now? In the morning?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er…is this work-related?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Chances were high this wasn’t another casual get-together if it was happening on a weekday, but still. If he invites me to go see a movie or something, I’m gonna tattle on him like he’s the damn No More Movie Thief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhhh…half and half, I guess? See, I haven’t spent my employee clothing allowance…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every six months, all anchors on staff were given a special allowance of 100,000 yen to ensure they had a personal wardrobe at the ready for times when the studio costume department couldn’t provide for them, such as during film trips. That said, the money was obviously meant to be put toward work clothes, and as a man, there wasn’t much I could really spend it on outside of suits and button-up shirts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And my boss chewed me out and told me I need to go spend it on something…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To prevent misappropriation of funds, employees were obligated to submit receipts alongside photos of the items purchased."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But the last time I tried, they told me the tie I bought was too tacky, so now I’m too scared to go by myself. That’s why I want you to help me, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why me, damn it? I grimaced internally, smiled externally. But before I could come up with a plausible excuse, Asou chimed in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Help him out for me, would you? If this idiot gets our clothing allowance revoked, I don’t know how I’ll ever face the next generation of Asabi newscasters. I know it’s a lot to ask, but just think of it like babysitting. You can come in late that day if you need to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And when the king of the newsroom asked for a favor, there was only one answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. Think nothing of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, fuck my life. Why does he always have to bother me with this crap? I was so annoyed, I practically ripped the door off its hinges trying to get into Ushio’s house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was planning to vent all my problems right then and there, but then I saw the big suitcase sitting near the entrance, and my momentum quickly petered out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, that’s one way to make an entrance,” called Ushio as he came down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhh…” I faltered for a moment. “They’re making me babysit Minagawa while he goes clothes shopping.” I was originally planning to complain a lot more than that, but the words wouldn’t come."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah?” Ushio replied with a yawn. “Well, have fun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not going to ‘have fun’ and you know it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Slowly but surely, we were settling back into our usual rapport."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then why didn’t you say no?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because I can’t! I’m not some freelancer like you! This shit is part of my job!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then quit complaining and just get it over with. Isn’t being married to the job your whole life’s philosophy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally I enjoyed trading barbs with him, but today his comments seemed to cut a bit more deeply, and it made me want to change the subject. “What’s with the suitcase?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah—I’m going to America for a bit to meet up with an industry contact of mine. His daughter’s getting married, and he wants me to help him put something together to play at the ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So it’s a paid gig?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…he said he’d let me stay at his house for free, so I didn’t really bother asking about compensation. But it might be a good networking opportunity, so I guess…half and half?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You “guess”? I bristled internally. “Gee, must be nice to be able to take off whenever you feel like it! With my nine-to-five, I’m lucky if I get a three-day weekend more than twice a year,” I snarked, tapping the toe of my shoe against the suitcase."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio furrowed his brow. “Excuse me? All the free health insurance and benefits you get, and you want to complain to me about time off? Go ahead—see what it’s like to be self-employed, I dare you. I’m sure plenty of clients would want to work with the Kunieda Kei.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a full-time position, I gave up certain freedoms in exchange for protection; compared to a freelancer, my job was far more secure. Obviously I understood that. And I’d seen Ushio busting his ass day and night to meet his deadlines. But surely he knew that I knew that, right? So why was he fighting me on every little thing? Not that I especially enjoyed it when he dodged the subject instead, but we couldn’t exactly maintain a conversation if he kept rebuffing every statement. Now it was starting to feel like all that dodging was precisely what kept our relationship peaceful in the first place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, I wasn’t the kind of guy who could back down from an argument once it started."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where was I when you made these travel plans, anyway? Why am I only just now finding out?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t have exact dates until recently—I want to say sometime last week? I was planning to tell you, but you didn’t show up at all last weekend.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You could have called or e-mailed me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Says the guy who’s never once informed me of his plans in advance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I started to say something like “You never told me to!” but quickly realized the same could be said of me, too. What is happening right now? I asked myself as my brain struggled to keep up. I came here to bitch about work, but instead he just blows me off for some random lady’s wedding? What did I ever do wrong? Nothing! I’m not the bad guy here!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going home,” I grumbled. “You can go ahead and have fun flying off to America or wherever. I hope you enjoy speaking broken English at your fancy little party with fancy little Ritz cracker hors d’oeuvres!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right back at you,” Ushio called after me, leaning out through the front door before I could close it. “I hope you and Minagawa-kun have a nice little shopping trip together. Too bad I’ll never know what that’s like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, we cut off contact with each other completely, so I could only assume Ushio caught his flight as planned. Meanwhile, our most recent conversation replayed in my mind over and over and over, pissing me off all over again with each encore. But I would sooner die than let anyone find out Kunieda Kei was upset, so when the shopping trip with Tatsuki rolled around, I conducted myself more cheerfully than ever—encouraging him to try on clothes, offering advice, anything to get out of there as quickly as possible. In the end, after a quick look around the department store, we successfully acquired a number of suit jackets, slacks, button-up shirts, and ties."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seriously, thank you so much. You really saved my bacon!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I’m just glad I could help. I think you’ll look great in those.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lie felt slimy and bitter on my tongue, like that time I idiotically mistook foaming facial cleanser for toothpaste."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y’know what? Let’s get lunch somewhere—my treat. As thanks for all your help.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a kind offer, but I imagine all the restaurants will be packed at this time of day. I’d rather get something at the staff cafeteria.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We were already attracting enough attention as it was, standing around in public radiating our “TV personality” energy. The last thing I wanted to do was drag this yappy mutt into an enclosed space."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good point,” Tatsuki replied, backing down more quickly than I anticipated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we crossed the pedestrian bridge in the direction of the train station, a woman’s voice called from up ahead: “Minagawa-kun?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh god, is it one of his fans? Kill me now. I should’ve offered to pay for a taxi."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But then Tatsuki replied with something I wasn’t expecting: “Oh, hey! Long time no see!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As far as I could tell, this woman wasn’t in the industry—just an ordinary middle-aged woman. Was she a relative? A classmate’s mom?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know! I haven’t seen you here in ages!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I’ve been really busy with my new show.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I bet! I’ll have you know I watch it every night! I can’t believe you made it onto Asou-san’s show… Wait, is that Kunieda-san with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hello there,” I greeted her with a polite smile, masking my annoyance at being treated like an afterthought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kunieda-san’s great, isn’t he? He’s always helping me out!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s because you have such magnetic charm, Minagawa-kun. I’m sure people flock to you wherever you go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think so? Woohoo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Has the concept of modesty ever even occurred to you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, you take care, now! Good luck at work!” the woman exclaimed, invading Tatsuki’s personal space with a clap on the shoulder. And with that, she disappeared into the distance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Someone you know?” I asked once she was gone—not because I actually cared, but because I figured that was what a normal person would ask in this situation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, not at all. No idea who she is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, I mean, I only ‘know her’ in the sense that I’ve talked to her before. Basically, uh…she’d always say hi back when I used to stand around here a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You…stood around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doing what? Selling postcards with trite little aphorisms on them? Singing off-key at the top of his lungs?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mere a sec.” He waved me over to the handrail and gestured down at the vast pedestrian crossing below. “See, I’d stand right here, look down over the edge of the bridge, and practice my live commentary. As soon as the light turned green, I’d go, ‘And they’re off! The man in the black leather jacket takes the lead! But the group of middle-aged businessmen are closing in—yes! They’ve cut ahead!’ Y’know, stuff like that. And that lady from earlier? Yeah, she originally thought I was planning to jump off. Came up to me and told me not to do it. I must’ve looked pretty crazy standing here muttering to myself, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh…er…” I was genuinely at a loss for words. “So you came here and practiced every day?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, just about. I admit I lucked into the job with Asabi, but whenever I thought about what I wanted to do with my future, I always thought, well, I like sports, so maybe I could be a commentator.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He peered over the rail and smiled fondly at the people walking below."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d come here whenever I had free time, but on weekends I’d go to the horse track or the ballpark or the soccer stadium—anywhere I could practice my commentary—and when I got home I’d turn on the TV or the radio and compare notes with the actual commentators. Then…I think it was in July? They told me I’d get my big professional debut in the fall, and I was so excited! But then later they said they wanted to put me on The News instead, and real talk, I was kinda against it. I just didn’t understand why, y’know? My boss kept saying, ‘This is a huge opportunity for you! You’ll be famous!’ and I was like, ‘I never asked for this!’ Y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So this is what Shitara meant when he said Tatsuki “threw a fit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tatsuki noticed his hand was grimy with rust from the handrail. He drew it to his nose. “Smells like metal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What are you, a child? On second thought, yes, you are. You’re my polar opposite—you have absolutely no filter. “I’m sorry to hear that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, it’s okay. I have a decent amount of fun doing my current job, so in the end, it all worked out. Plus, I’m learning a lot. And I got to make friends with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We are not friends, thank you very much. “Glad to hear you’re having fun,” I replied vaguely…but on the inside, I was pissed. I wanted Tatsuki to be a carefree idiot with just enough sense to help him skate by. I didn’t want to learn anything about the real him. But now it was looking like Ushio was right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You never know—he might be busting his ass behind the scenes, or maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s get going, Kunieda-san.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, right. Sorry, I got a bit lost in thought.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By the way—that stuff I said during the interview? I wasn’t joking around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the first time I’d ever seen the real Tatsuki behind his “lovable puppydog” persona, and the look in his eye was uncharacteristically intense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When I walked into that room, I was completely blown away. I’d met other TV personalities in the past, but you? How do I put it—you have this incredible presence about you. It’s like…being seen is your job, and you’re fully committed. I was starstruck.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think you’re giving me a little too much credit,” I replied. This was my go-to line when I needed to dodge a compliment. But, like any good hunting dog, Tatsuki blocked my escape, circling in front of my averted gaze. His vigilant attention was discomforting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you feeling okay?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You haven’t seemed like yourself today. I get the sense that you’re kinda…forcing it? Not that that was gonna stop me from bringing you, obviously, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… I’m fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Here I was, with my “perfect smile” output cranked up to 120 percent, and yet somehow he had seen right through me. To me, this discrepancy was a fatal error…and yet I decided to blame it on Ushio instead. This is your fault, got it?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, externally, I conducted myself with the utmost grace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for your concern.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we returned to the newsroom, a handful of people rushed over to find out if Tatsuki had successfully acquired his new clothes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is this guy made of honey or something? Shoo, flies. This isn’t some backwater town—surely you all have better things to do than hang on this kid’s every word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep, I’m all set! Thanks for asking!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Show us!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re getting tailored right now, so I can’t bring them in until tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you I was more than happy to tag along! Why’d you have to drag poor Kunieda-kun with you? He’s a busy guy, you know!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn right I am."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But as I slowly slipped away from the crowd, the next thing Tatsuki said stopped me dead in my tracks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were just complaining to me about how jealous your boyfriend gets, remember? I don’t want him to beat my ass for hanging out with you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jealous… Hanging out…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hope you and Minagawa-kun have a nice little shopping trip together. Too bad I’ll never know what that’s like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could feel a gasp welling up in my throat, so I snuck away to the fire escape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prior to now, I’d never given much thought to Ushio’s last words—I was too pissed off about the rest of the conversation to care—but now it all clicked. What, we’ve never gone shopping together? That can’t be right. I mobilized the full extent of my photographic memory and…sure enough, we hadn’t. On weekdays I’d come over late at night, pass out, and leave in the morning; on weekends, well…again, I mostly slept. But he’d never complained about it, so I never knew he was dissatisfied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You should’ve just told me. Sure, I might not want to strut around town in my Kunieda Kei persona, but I wouldn’t mind swinging by the neighborhood izakaya or something. I’m not that heartless. Which is exactly why I was so hung up on this issue to begin with. I couldn’t believe a guy as blunt and upfront as Ushio would bottle up his resentment until it exploded. Was he trying to put my needs first, since he knew being in public wore me out? Exactly how much was he tolerating in self-sacrificial silence?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, these extremely valid concerns were ultimately drowned out as I basked in the sweet bliss offered to me by the concept of Ushio’s jealousy. Instantly my bad mood was gone. If anything, I’d have to fight to keep a smile off my face at this point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s jealous? Of Minagawa? That grouchy look on his face was all because he was jealous? What an imbecile. If I’d known he felt that way, I would’ve at least tried to make him feel better… Damn it, now I’m grinning like an idiot!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I kneaded my face like clay, desperate to get it back into its usual “Kunieda Kei” shape. I still had the whole day ahead of me; the fun part was yet to come. But when I stepped back into the hallway, I bumped into Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh!” he exclaimed, startled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then he began to scrutinize my face, and I panicked internally, wondering if I’d failed to put it back to normal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re looking a lot better now! Glad to see it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hell do you want with me, anyway?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stepped inside Ushio’s empty house. The heater was off, but I wasn’t cold—my heart was pumping hard as I imagined the revenge I was about to exact. He must’ve left in a hurry, because the bed was a mess; his short-sleeved pajama shirt lay discarded on top of the rumpled bedspread. Now that it was nearly winter, you’d think he’d wear something with long sleeves instead, but no. Instead he’d cling to me for extra warmth, and I’d—never mind. Don’t get distracted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ignoring the shirt, I flopped down onto the bed, took out my cell phone, and dialed Ushio’s number. I didn’t give a rat’s ass about the time difference, either—I was going to let it ring until he answered it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello?” Ushio answered offhandedly. Dumbass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I hit him with the line I’d been preparing all day: “If you’re going to be jealous, be cuter about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How’d ya like that? Sucks to have your words thrown right back in your face, doesn’t it? So what’ll it be—will you play dumb? Get mad? Maybe even get embarrassed for a change? Wait…I won’t be able to see his face over the phone. Damn it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, all I got was a monotone, “Oh, I see. You finally put two and two together, huh? You must be really slow on the uptake.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not only that, but you actually called me up to rub it in my face? You truly are stupid. Not that I wasn’t already aware, of course, but good god. Absolutely clueless.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dumbfounded, I blinked, and just like that, my plan to dunk on him went out the window. What the hell? I thought I had the upper hand here. How did he turn the tables?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But at least you bothered calling at all, so I guess I’ll forgive you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?!” My mind went white, and the blood rushed to my head. “Give me a freakin’ break! I don’t need your forgiveness, okay? I just—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know, I know. You were just so overjoyed at the thought of me getting jealous that you couldn’t help but try to rub it in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I flailed around on Ushio’s giant bed, making good use of the excess space. Then it occurred to me that I could just hang up on him, so I pulled the phone away from my ear—but just then, with eerily perfect timing, I heard him say, “Don’t you hang up on me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you have spy cameras in here or something?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Oh, are you at my house? Awesome. Could you do me a solid and throw out that moldy old ham for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do it yourself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, now, let’s both settle down and talk.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about my phone bill?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s fine. I’ll pay for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You promise?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, yes, I promise.” Judging from the tone of his voice, he knew full well I didn’t actually give a damn about the international calling rate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His usual teasing smile came to mind so vividly, it was like he was already home again. It drove me up the wall, and yet at the same time, I sorely felt its absence. Not that I would ever admit it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’ve you been?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I snorted. “Dude, it’s only been two days.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay then, uh…do you miss me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you freaking listen to a word I just said?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, well, I miss you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh really now, I thought sardonically. Says the guy who’ll leave town for some wedding that isn’t even technically work-related? You know, I forgot just how many people seem to gravitate to you. Me personally, I never needed anyone, but now I have you, and now I need you, and it’s your fault, so man the hell up and make it right, dipshit! You probably don’t even mean a word of it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not lying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hated the fact that the mere suggestion of a smile on his end made me feel better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you still sulking?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sulking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then why don’t we have a nice friendly chat?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you wearing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What…?” I was wearing my hobo disguise, obviously. Generally speaking, when it came to my off-hours, I always wore variations of the same generic store-brand tracksuit. “You know, the usual.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I figured.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then don’t ask!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, cool your jets. Okay then, where are you right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like I said, I’m at your house… Are you jet-lagged or something? I’m gonna hang up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t you dare,” he shot back in a less-than-commanding voice. “You’re so dense,” he muttered under his breath—but still loud enough for me to catch it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you on the second floor? In my bed? I bet you are.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you—” Don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to! But before I could get the words out, I was interrupted by a confusing order:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glancing around, I pressed my hand against the wall experimentally. Was there some kind of hidden compartment with treasure inside? But no matter how I tapped the walls, floor, or bedframe, nothing seemed to happen. What I thought was a simple (if aggressive) command was now a total mystery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch what?” I asked, annoyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re so goddamn dense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you’re so goddamn vague!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m telling you to touch the thing you think I’d touch if I was there with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Belatedly, I put two and two together. When he said a “friendly chat,” what he meant was—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You…idiot!” I could feel all the blood in my body rushing to my head, to the point that I started to worry my phone might melt. “Are you literally an idiot?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Didn’t you just answer that question for yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the hell up! You’re an idiot! And a sick freak!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How do you figure?” Ushio asked calmly. “Maybe it’d be kinky if we were in the same room, but long-distance phone sex is pretty normal, I feel like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was so utterly unruffled that for a moment I was inclined to agree with him…but then I caught myself. “Like hell it is! Normal people don’t have phone sex while they’re staying at a friend’s house!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m upstairs alone. And unlike you, I don’t make a lot of noise, so I’m sure it’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I do not make noise in bed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And even if I did, whose fault do you think that would be?! In my line of work, my face and voice are my lifeline, and yet you never cut me a break, no matter what day of the week—gah! No! Don’t think about it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Besides,” Ushio continued in a casual tone, “if you really didn’t want to, you could always just hang up. Not like I can force you into it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that this was pointed out to me, however, I couldn’t will myself to pull the phone away from my ear. My mind was too busy imagining the milky white fog my breath was leaving on my phone screen… Crazy to think that, right this moment, it was tickling Ushio’s ear from an entire ocean away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now touch it,” he repeated. But this time his tone was entirely different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What part…?” I asked, like the biggest idiot ever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently this pleased him, somehow. “Any part,” he replied, the smile audible in his voice. “Whichever part you’d want me to touch…or a part you think I’d want to touch.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How should I know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, okay. You want me to spell it out for you that badly, hmm? You perv,” he teased me in an uncharacteristically sensual voice. My mind and tongue went dull, as if he had drizzled me in syrup. “This is embarrassing for me, too, y’know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if. “You liar.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If anyone’s a liar, it’s you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut the hell up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His breath rustled the invisible radio waves. I set my phone to speaker mode and set it on the pillow next to me. Then I lay down on my side facing the wall, slid my hand into the pocket of my tracksuit, and gingerly felt my package through the fabric. It was a lot warmer than I was expecting it to be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You touching it?” Ushio pressed, egging me on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who keeps begging me to do this… It’s not my fetish or anything… I’m just humoring you, that’s all…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. Of course,” he replied—actually validating me for a change. “It’s all my fault, and I’m the only one listening, so go ahead and have at it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Spurred on by his encouragement—or, should I say, led into temptation by his sweet whispers—I reached and ran my fingers back and forth along my shaft, aroused by a guy who wasn’t even in the room with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, I hadn’t masturbated in a long time; with an active sex life, I never really felt the urge. It was strange to think I actually kind of missed the touch of my own hand… Fortunately, masturbating was like riding a bicycle—you never really forgot how to do it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where are you touching?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not telling!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then moan a little louder so I can hear you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?” I’m a little busy taking cues from something else right now, in case you haven’t noticed. How am I supposed to moan on command? “Quit bossing me around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I could practically see him tilting his head in contemplation. Not that I especially wanted to keep doing this, but if he called the whole thing off just because I refused to take orders, I was going to be pissed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What came next, however, was a voice so low and scratchy, it almost felt like a cat had licked my eardrum."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should have been used to him calling my name during sex, but somehow it sounded different over the phone…almost like it was another man speaking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Grab it and rub it real slow. Just three fingers is fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There you go, lying again. Just keep rubbing it with three fingers. Once it gets hard, focus on the head. That’s what you like, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I said, I don’t want to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You like it when I squeeze the head and start playing with the hole with my thumb, yeah? It gets you wet so fast. Makes you moan like crazy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop!” I shook my head vigorously—I don’t wanna know about that!—and yet I didn’t reach over to end the call."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was sweet poison."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do it, Kei. I want to get off to your moans.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His husky voice was interspersed with metallic clicks—probably the sound of him unbuckling his belt. The thought of him joining me kindled my smoldering desire until it caught fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There you go. See? I knew you could do it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Per his instructions, I caressed my cock the same way he always did. My body could vividly recall the sensation of his palm…the length of his fingers… It added a degree of separation between me and my member."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pace yourself, now. I know you’ll want to cum as fast as possible, but try to be patient.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, well…that’s your fault…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No it isn’t.” The whisper was half amusement, half lust. “If anything, it’s your fault for making me want to torment you… Your face, your voice, your body… Filthy boy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As we argued, my motions continued, faithfully recreating Ushio’s preferred style of grip. Precum leaked from my tip and met my fingers; my slick strokes spread pleasure throughout my lower body, and I could tell without looking that my fluids were steadily shifting from clear to milky white."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, technology is incredible. I can literally hear how wet you are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You gonna touch your nipples?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time it wasn’t a command, but a question—probably because he knew by this point I’d do whatever he suggested regardless. As my fully engorged shaft throbbed uncomfortably, I asked, “Whi…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said…which one…?” My ear burned hot against the pillow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fuck, that was hot,” Ushio snickered devilishly. “Whichever one you want, cutie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I obediently slid a hand under my shirt. No need to fumble around for it—it was standing at attention, just like the rest of me. This caught me off guard. At my touch, a tiny wave of pleasure rippled through me, like a drop in a bucket."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which one are you touching?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The left…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, is that your favorite? I’ll have to remember that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could have explained to him that it was simply the nipple my free hand had the easiest time reaching, but I was more focused on playing with myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’s it feel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah… It’s getting harder…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good. I wish I could pinch it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The pleasure from this small yet firm protrusion mingled with that of my groin, pushing me to stroke faster than ever before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei…does it feel good?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah…it’s good…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wanna touch your butt…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I only let you do that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it…that almost made me cum.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging from the sharp inhale of breath moments prior to that statement, I wagered he was being truthful."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah…aah… I’m gonna cum…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My precum was flowing out so thickly, I couldn’t believe I had that much in me. Chills ran down my spine at the sheer viscosity. Meanwhile, I buried my face into Ushio’s discarded pajama shirt and breathed in his scent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wanna cum together?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rub it as fast as you can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaaahh! Aah…aah…Ushio…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I applied friction to my length, I crushed my nipple between my fingers and traced circles around it—anything to heighten my pleasure. My heart pounded in my ears along with Ushio’s labored breathing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah!” My hips jerked upwards reflexively as my desire burst forth from the depths of my core, soiling my hand and underwear. “Haah…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you cum?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah.” As my gasps slowed, so too did I come back to my senses. “Anyway, I’m gonna hang up now,” I announced as brusquely as possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s do this again sometime.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like hell I will! From now on, I’m only talking to you through e-mail, so you better check your inbox!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I said my piece, I hung up without waiting for his response. Then, after I got back from my shower, I found an e-mail waiting for me: What color are your boxers?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I flung my phone against the pillow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go to hell!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "According to an e-mail I received from Ushio, he was scheduled to fly back home in about a week. Man, where do you find the time to send me all these e-mails? I rose from my seat and left my newsroom desk in search of a more private location. In the end, I found myself in the SCR for The News."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Monitors covered the wall in perfectly even rectangles, like a chocolate bar. Each of them had their own separate purpose, but right now they were all dark, and the chairs that normally held the SCR staff were neatly pushed in under the desk. The room was temperature-controlled to prevent overheating—both for the machines and the humans—but as a result, it was rather chilly when the machines were off. Shivering, I took out my phone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, hey!” Ushio answered. “What’s up? Did you change your mind about phone sex?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My voice echoed loudly through the empty room. Eh, the SCR’s soundproof anyway, I figured. That, and we didn’t broadcast on Saturdays, so no one had any reason to come by…and even if they did, I’d hear the door mechanism beep with enough time to hang up the phone and make some excuse. That was my plan, anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you’re doing such a good job e-mailing me constantly, I thought I’d call and let you know,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks! I try. Anyway, where are you? Your voice sounds echoey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t get the day off?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks to my incompetent director and his piss-poor managing, we had to reshoot some footage. Plus, I forgot to expense my business trip, so I had to get that sorted out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hard to believe the Kunieda Kei forgot something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is the loneliness getting to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As if! If anything, I bet you’re so homesick you’re crying yourself to sleep every night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha! Yeah, totally.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As we talked, I paced back and forth in front of the mixing board. “Well, since I’m in a generous mood,” I began, “I’m thinking maybe after you get home I could take you out sometime. You know, the next time I’m free.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?” Ushio asked, sounding surprised. “Like where?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know, the ramen place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Restaurants don’t count! Meh, whatever. I’m holding you to that, got it? When I get back, we’re going on a date.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” I let out a sigh as I hung up the phone. Date. Heh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, I heard a clattering sound somewhere within the sea of computer desks in the opposite corner of the room—the place where they design all the title cards and 3D graphics and whatnot."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next few seconds played out in slow motion. A chair scooted away from its desk. And then someone crawled out from under said desk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hey… Nice to see you,” said Tatsuki."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the world returned to its normal speed and I realized I wasn’t dreaming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In case you were wondering what I was doing in here…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wasn’t, but whatever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was trying to get concert tickets, y’know, the kind you can only get by calling in. And you know how some of the phones here have wireless priority or whatever it’s called where your call gets bumped up in the queue? Well, I asked around, and someone told me the phone in the SCR has it enabled, so I snuck in and gave it a try. Sure enough, I got through on the first try! Got my tickets and everything! So I was like ‘Hell yeah!’ But then I heard the door open, so I panicked and hid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said nothing—just stood there and listened. Didn’t even nod along."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So yeah, I got two tickets to see Mr. Children. Would you wanna come?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, I didn’t respond. Instead, I slowly scanned the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Looking for something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A blunt weapon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So I can beat you to death.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Awww, c’mon! I don’t wanna die!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My mind was a Molotov cocktail of panic and regret and shame, and Tatsuki’s derpy voice was the spark that set it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“AAARGH!” I clutched at my hair with both hands and ruffled it in frustration. I wanted nothing more than to transform into Godzilla and crush this entire building underfoot. “Why you? Why is it always you?! God, you piss me off, you obnoxious little gnat! Always hovering around me! If I had a Death Note right now, I would write your fucking name in it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, you read that right—I had given up on any hope of smoothing things over as Kunieda Kei, so instead I screamed at him in my natural voice. Granted, just because he’d overheard my more dickish side didn’t mean he’d found out everything about my personal life…but now that he knew how two-faced I was, as far as I was concerned, it was game over. Fuck it. I’ll fly to America myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki stared at me, his eyes round as saucers. “Holy crap,” he whispered. Then he burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha, oh my god! You’re a riot, Kunieda-san! A Death Note? My sides!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t trying to mock me—he genuinely found it funny. This confused me, since I was really expecting him to shout back, or at least flinch away. I furrowed my brow. “The hell is wrong with you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I should ask the same of you!” he replied. Given what he’d witnessed, I couldn’t pretend he didn’t have a point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, I get it. Basically, you put on an act in public, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t appreciate him writing off my diligent efforts as merely “putting on an act,” but nevertheless, I nodded reluctantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, that’s crazy! But like, why would you even bother? Isn’t it tiring?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your business. I can live my life however I want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey man, no judgment! Either way, you gotta do it when the cameras are rolling, right? Besides, I like both sides of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You haven’t even met both sides of me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmm…I feel like I have, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Don’t be ridiculous, you little shit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know that interview story I talked about the other day? When I hit on you and you shrugged it off?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were smiling, but your eyes were just…cold. Empty. I was right up in your face, too, so I got a good look, and…man, I was scared for my life that day. Sent shivers down my spine,” he explained in a casual tone that didn’t sound scared in the least. “Like, it definitely got me wondering, but we never really talked, and no one ever had anything bad to say about you. To them, you’re the guy everyone wishes they were—you’re kind, you’re responsible, you’re good at your job… Which is good and all, but it started to make me think maybe it was all in my head, y’know? So when they put me on the same show as you, as much as I resisted at first, I decided it was a good opportunity to get to know you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So that’s why you always hover around me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t trying to investigate you or anything like that. I just sincerely wanted to get to know you better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I folded my arms and leaned against a nearby desk. “Well?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘Well,’ what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh, hello? You’ve seen right through me! Congratulations! I have a big, fake persona I wear every day! And you wanna know why I wear it? So people will kiss my ass! I love being everyone’s favorite! It’s never caused any problems for anyone, either! The end!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, right. Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are you, an alien? I wondered. In fact, I was half-inclined to believe he actually was. He didn’t seem to understand a single word I was saying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So anyway, who was that on the phone just now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of your business.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was it Tsuzuki-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was number two on my short list of subjects I never wanted to discuss with anyone, and I found myself once again tempted to kill him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got a hidden camera or a bug in here?! Huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I don’t! It was half guesswork, I swear!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then where did the other half come from? You’ve only met him once!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmmm…” Tatsuki folded his arms as if to mirror me, then stared up at the darkened monitors. “You remember I told you about my commentary practice? It’s weird—after all the people watching I’ve done, I’ve gotten real good at noticing stuff. Even when they’re just innocently crossing the street, I can tell stuff like, ‘Oh hey, that guy’s in a good mood,’ or ‘That couple’s in the middle of a fight right now.’ I guess it’s a skill I’ve developed? Not to brag or anything. But yeah, after we had dinner together that one night, you and Tsuzuki-san walked off together, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We live in the same neighborhood, so I offered to share a taxi, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, but still… Not that you guys were walking arm in arm or anything, but I got a vibe that you were more than just casual acquaintances…which would mean that you pretended to barely know each other on purpose…which would mean you have something to hide.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that I realized I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Tatsuki’s instincts about me were right on the money—as were my instincts warning me to avoid him. That was a red flag I never should have ignored, and now I was paying the price. He knew everything…and I needed to do something fast…but instead my brain just kept screaming, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK without actually attempting to brainstorm anything. Where’s Ushio when I need him most?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You guys are an item, aren’t you? Judging from the phone call, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You think you’re some kind of investigative journalist? Is that it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who, me? No way,” he replied, staring back at me blankly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Honestly, I deserved an award for somehow not punching his stupid puppy face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m really not some kinda master of observation. I only figured it out because I pay a lot of attention to you on the regular.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Creepy and pathetic.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that point in time, I no longer had the option of asking him to keep quiet; I’d rather die."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ouch! That was harsh, man. Can you cut me a break? I’m already struggling with this as it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you think you’re struggling?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dude, not only did I just find out you have a boyfriend, I overheard you being all lovey-dovey on the phone with him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was not being ‘lovey-dovey’!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, and now you’re blushing… I don’t suppose you plan to dump him anytime soon, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The hell are you talking about…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If not, that’s okay too. I enjoy the chase.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you enjoy!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That right there? That vitriol? Ooh, it makes me shiver. There’s something special about getting perfect, princely Kunieda-san to cuss me out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously, what the hell are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sometimes you can be really dense… Don’t worry—I love you anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First I self-destructed, and then Tatsuki dropped a bomb of his own. At this point I had nothing left to lose, so I donned a cheerful smile and announced, with all the sincerity I could muster: “I hope you die and go to hell. And when you get there, I hope you die again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa. No one’s ever responded to my ‘I love you’ with ‘go to hell’ before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to screw with me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As long as you consent, yes please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think you’re so funny, don’t you? This is what I can’t stand about you. Why would you choose this very moment to profess your feelings? You think anyone’s gonna take you seriously? Besides, everyone at Asabi knows you’re a total mixer fiend.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just like meeting people outside of our industry! Only reason I go is to chat. If you want me to stop, I will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dude, I don’t care what you do! It’s none of my business! My point is, don’t joke about that crap. It’s not funny, asshole.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really think I would joke about this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pouted his lips in protest. Then his expression shifted to the same intense look I saw on the pedestrian bridge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You remember I told you I wasn’t joking around during my interview?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fell silent. My fingers tightened around my bicep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right from the very moment I first met you, you’ve been all I can think about. No one else has ever made me feel this way, Kunieda-san. At first I kinda hesitated, what with you being a guy and all, but after hearing that phone call…I mean, obviously it was crushing in a way, but…I figure if you can swing that way for Tsuzuki-san, then maybe I have a shot, too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, you don’t!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? How come? …Oh, sorry!” His phone started to beep in his pocket. He pulled it out and turned off the alarm. “I forgot I have a voiceover recording starting at two. I gotta go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so he hurried out of the room, leaving our conflict unresolved. (Not that there was really any way to resolve it.) Left alone in the SCR, I unfolded my arms, held up a hand, and started to count:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Okay, so…he found out about the real me…he found out about me and Ushio…and then he confessed his feelings to me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stared down at my three curled fingers for a moment, then tilted my head up and screamed at the top of my lungs:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Error! Does not compute! Someone get me out of here!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Part of me was tempted to call Ushio back right away, but I couldn’t risk anyone else finding out. So instead I went home, locked all my doors and windows (including the balcony), then dialed his number."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The cat’s out of the bag.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the only way I could think to describe it. Meanwhile, the one remaining functional part of my brain noted that I was evidently still pretty shaken up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All my secrets! Everything! Fuck it—I’m gonna catch a red-eye flight to wherever you are. I’ll live there and eat hamburgers and…I don’t know! Whatever fried foods they have!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They have a lot of fried foods here, so you’ll have to be more specific. Look, just calm down and tell me what happened, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Promise me you won’t get mad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t know until you tell me… All right, fine. I promise I won’t get mad. Now out with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So I told him everything that had happened back in the SCR. Naturally, this included the part where Tatsuki confessed his love to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ushio fell silent for a moment. “So, what are you gonna do?” he asked casually."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don’t you care?! I fumed internally. “How should I know?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Ushio didn’t miss a beat. “Be honest with me,” he replied calmly. “How do you actually feel about him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?” Unfortunately, I was in no condition to smirk to myself about his jealousy this time around. “This shit again?” I adjusted my grip on my phone. “Look, I don’t give a shit about him. Can’t you tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I can’t tell. That’s why I asked.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What, are you blind?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There I was, standing around awkwardly in my own house as though I wasn’t sure where I was allowed to sit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you actually didn’t care about Minagawa, you wouldn’t complain about him every day,” Ushio insisted. “You’d just shrug him off and forget about him. The second I met him, I knew: he’s not like the others—he’s the kind of guy who’d pursue you. Aggressively. And I knew you’d noticed—you just didn’t know how to handle it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course I’d noticed. Normally I could weasel out of any unwanted invitations by smiling awkwardly and letting the other person take the hint, but Tatsuki? Tatsuki didn’t get hints. He barreled through them at a hundred miles an hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the most I could say. I knew I needed to deny any interest in Tatsuki…but over the phone, I wasn’t confident I had the persuasive ability to make it stick. I couldn’t will myself to find the words. Besides, Ushio knew me better than anyone—maybe he was right about me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve been wondering what to do about it, actually. I could tell right away that Minagawa was into you, but even if I forbade you from talking about him, I’d still get paranoid… Plus, not like I can ban you from ever talking to someone at your job… Hey, Kei?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the sound of my name, I braced myself. “Yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you I love both sides of you. That it keeps things interesting. And I still feel that way. But…he probably feels that way about you, too. So how are you going to react?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The other me—the real me—was once a secret that only my parents knew. Then Ushio found out. And now it had spread even further."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To be honest, I thought I was safe. That no one else would ever find out about the real you. But Minagawa has, and now he’s standing on the same playing field as me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, I shot him down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And did he take no for an answer?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t know?” He let out a hollow laugh; it was the first time he’d ever scoffed at me. “Seriously, man, think about it. What if he tells you he’ll only keep quiet if you agree to date him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh. I didn’t think of that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oops. I meant it more like “it didn’t occur to me that he might try that”—I couldn’t picture Tatsuki ever resorting to underhanded means—but it came out sounding an awful lot like I thought it was a good idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, Ushio was pissed. “Excuse me? What, are you going to suggest it to him yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, that’s not what I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can be so careless, you know that? You think you’re smart, but you can be a real idiot. Sometimes you don’t think critically at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You promised you wouldn’t get mad!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, maybe you should promise not to be an asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pot, meet kettle! I couldn’t bring myself to back down. “This all happened because you keep e-mailing me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the one who told me to e-mail you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, forget it! You’re useless! You’re not helping me solve this—you’re just making me feel worse! Don’t even bother coming back to Japan!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The instant I said it, I knew I had gone too far—but it was too late."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine,” he replied in an icy voice. “I won’t.” And then the call went silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hand lowered back to my side, still clutching my leaden phone. I couldn’t even find the energy to scream. I was an asshole, all right—I should’ve told Ushio that I loved him too much to mess around with Tatsuki, but I didn’t. At the same time, however, I wanted him to tell me not to choose Tatsuki. I wanted him to fight for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart felt like it was caught in a tug-of-war between my ego and his…and it hurt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On Monday, after the broadcast, Tatsuki came jogging over. “Sorry to bother you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you need something?” I asked in my Kunieda Kei voice, since other people were present. Likewise, he didn’t comment on my tone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See, the thing is, my voiceover recording didn’t go too well,” he sighed. “It was my first time doing that documentary-style voice, and…I mean, the director said he chose me on purpose to create a contrast, but…I guess the contrast was too big? And uneven in some parts, since it was such a long take? So they decided I have to retake it, but the director told me he wants me to study up beforehand. Anyway, you remember a couple years ago when you did that one voiceover? The one about the Buddha statue restoration?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, apparently that’s what they’re going for. But when I went to check it out from the repository, they said the cultural resource division is using it right now…so I thought I’d ask if maybe you had a DVD of it lying around that I could borrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I do, actually. Would you like to come by my place and pick it up?” I suggested with a soft smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. No sense in making you wait—I imagine they’re going to want that recording done sooner rather than later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re the best!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t see any possible compromise between Tatsuki and I, but nevertheless, I knew I couldn’t let my unspoken secret fester. Even if the DVD was just a plausible excuse to get him alone, he’d been the one to make the request, and that worked in my favor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I forced my way into the passenger seat of a taxi and reluctantly took him home with me, like leftovers I didn’t want. It was the first time anyone other than Ushio had visited my apartment; guilt nibbled at me as I inserted the key into the lock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relax. We’re not doing anything inappropriate, I told myself. I need to put this conversation to rest, that’s all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Tatsuki didn’t sound nervous in the least."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks for having me over. Ooh, is that HUNTER×HUNTER?! Can I read it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lay one finger on my stuff and I’ll beat your ass.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow. Is that really how you’re gonna talk to me when we’re alone?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Quit your bitching and settle down. You can sit right over there on that couch. Just try not to breathe my air.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t even breathe? Are you trying to kill me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I’m lucky.” I pulled the DVD in question from the shelf and chucked the jewel case at him like it was a frisbee."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa! Almost dropped it… Thanks a bunch. When do you need it back?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t ‘need’ it at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can keep it?! Score!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now scoot over… All the way over.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I made sure Tatsuki was sitting on the very edge of the couch, I sat down on the opposite edge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is a little unnatural, don’t you think…?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t care.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So where’s your bedroom? Is it in there?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why the hell would I give you that information?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just curious, man! Has Tsuzuki-san been here before? I bet he has. Can I ask how you two got together?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go to hell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I like him. Really down-to-earth and fun to talk to. Plus, he’s hot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” Wait…was he after Ushio the whole time?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki saw the growing confusion on my face and burst out laughing. “Relax! I don’t mean it like that. You’ve never had a real relationship before, have you, Kunieda-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Says the guy who does nothing but hang around mixers.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did Tsuzuki-san say anything about me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you ask?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, judging from what I heard during the phone call, it sounds like he’s out of town somewhere…but you probably still told him what I said to you, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tatsuki turned his entire body in my direction, resting his elbow against the back cushion as he gazed at the still tight knot of my tie."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God, I’m tired of wearing this crap. I wanna be me again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ruffling up my perfect hair, I decided to hit him with Ushio’s hypothesis. “He was worried that…you’d use your newfound knowledge to blackmail me into dating you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tatsuki blinked at me, eyes wide. Then he pointed a finger at me. “Oh man, I should’ve thought of that! Yeah, that works for me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not happening!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did he have to have the exact same delayed reaction I did? As much as I hated to admit it…maybe we were birds of a feather. Usually smart, but on occasion, profoundly stupid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, you’re right. No point in blackmailing you into it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good. But right as relief started to set in—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you know, Kunieda-san, I don’t think you hate me as much as you pretend to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? Real confident about that, are you? What, you think everyone in the world loves you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s not that. But I’m pretty sure I’d be able to tell if you hated my guts for real.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sounds pretty overconfident to me, you clown! I was tempted to shower him in insults like a hail of bullets, but I knew it would only forestall the conversation. Irritating as it was, Tatsuki already had a solid grasp of my personality. Swallowing my vitriol, I looked him right in the eye—or, I tried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! I didn’t say to close your eyes!” I snapped. Nor did I tell you to lean in, damn it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Isn’t this the part where you kiss me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m gonna sew your goddamn eyelids shut.” But I wasn’t as disgusted as I could have been. “This is what I don’t like about you,” I continued. “You’re shameless, self-assured, and a ridiculously fast learner…and you think you can get away with anything as long as you smile and play nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, finally, I owned up to the inner workings of my heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…don’t especially wish I was like you, but…part of me does envy you. Which is why your behavior always pisses me off.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoa! You look up to me?! Aww, Kunieda-san! That’s so sweet!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Quit putting words in my mouth.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everyone admires you, too, y’know,” he continued, inching toward me on his knees. “Your personality, your good looks, your talent…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That stuff’s all fake. It’s as staged as any TV show.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, yeah, you set it all up to get attention. And it worked. But somehow, you’re still jealous of me. You wanna know why that is? Because you’re not content with just Tsuzuki-san. Part of you wants more than that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My back was now pressed all the way against the armrest, my hand clinging to the back cushion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And you think you can fill that void?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I won’t give you an ultimatum. You don’t have to choose me over your main squeeze.” He took me by the wrist. Then he leaned in, just like he did during his interview; it didn’t make me weak in the knees, but I wasn’t repulsed, either. Worst of all, he seemed so nonchalant about this proposal that it almost started to sound like a good idea. Not sure what that says about me as a person."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re already leading a double life at work, right? So just let me have that half. I’d feel bad if I came in and wrecked your relationship with Tsuzuki-san. But since we work together, I’m sure we’d have no trouble hiding it. So why not date me at work, then go home and date him? You think he’d get mad about it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s already mad,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “He blew a gasket and said he wasn’t coming home.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure, he might’ve only said it in the heat of the moment, but he was generally a man of his word…and with his freelance job, he could find ways to support himself just about anywhere…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, nice. Lucky me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have some remorse for your actions, you ass!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll make it up to you, I promise… Can I kiss you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the hell for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” he grinned, kicking my reservations to the curb. Unexpectedly sly of him, actually. “Now let me kiss you. I know you don’t have the guts to be the bad guy yourself… Go ahead and blame it all on me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He squeezed my hand and I noticed his was a bit sweaty. That was when I realized that maybe his confidence wasn’t quite so bulletproof—an observation that sparked a hint of affection in me at the worst possible time. His was a passion entirely unlike the admiration and praise I was used to…a passion I thought only Ushio could feel for me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m in love with you. I mean it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel nothing! I feel nothing! I feel nothing! But despite my claims to the contrary, my heart was already pounding. And while admittedly I did close my eyes, it was only a reflexive response to the foreign object approaching my face…I think…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t do this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right as I thrust both hands out and pushed Tatsuki away, I heard my front door open. Naturally, there was only one person with a spare key. Thunderous footsteps barreled down the hall toward us, and the living room door flew open. I stared blankly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good grief, Kunieda-san,” Tatsuki sighed, sounding utterly unruffled. “Times like these, you gotta remember to chain the door!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’d take a lot more than that to keep me out,” Ushio replied, equally unperturbed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fair enough! Anyway, I’m not trying to start a fight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How the hell are you people so calm? Am I the only one with my heart in my throat over here? Damn it, I need to say something!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Spurred on by inexplicable panic, I blurted out: “It’s not my fault! You said you weren’t coming back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh shit. That makes it sound like I was trying to cheat on him! One of those classic soap opera “you said you were going on a business trip” clichés!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I panicked even harder, Ushio turned and glared daggers at me. “The fuck did you just say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhhh… It was just a figure of speech…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Last I checked, speech is supposed to be your area of expertise. Riddle me that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hauled me off the couch, yanked me down to the floor, and slid an arm under each of my legs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, wait… What are you doing…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Punishing you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In this position?! Is he about to do what I think he’s about to do?! He wouldn’t, would he? But what else would my “punishment” be?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, dumbass!” I shouted, attempting to wriggle free. Unfortunately, he had both of my legs locked down. I was a sitting duck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think you have any right to boss me around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just—we can’t do this! Not in public! We just can’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio let out a heavy sigh. “Moron.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While still keeping hold of my legs, he got up, rolled me over, straddled my hips, then sat down on my back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pain shot through me as my toes approached my skull."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop it, you gorilla! That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, it wouldn’t be a punishment if it didn’t, now would it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. This is really something else,” Tatsuki murmured in admiration, like he was observing an ant farm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t just sit there! Help me!” Damn it, why isn’t he the one getting punished?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What constitutes ‘help’ when he’s got you in a Boston crab maneuver? You want a towel or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You asshole!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If anyone’s an asshole, it’s you,” Ushio growled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After Ushio finally finished venting his frustration on me, he released my legs. Then he turned to Tatsuki. “So, what did you two get up to?” he asked. “Anything I should be concerned about? I’m guessing yes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hey dumbass, you’re crushing me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I tried to seduce him, and it seemed like it was working.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You didn’t need to be that honest about it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Minagawa, you little bastard…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trapped beneath his weight, the most I could do was prop myself up on my elbows to raise my head—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You stay out of this,” Ushio hissed at me. Then he turned back to Tatsuki. “So, what were you planning to do if he came around?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmm… Honestly, I wouldn’t ask him to break up with you or anything like that. I’m fine going halfsies with you, y’know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Halfsies… Right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned my head as far as it would go, but all I could see was Ushio’s back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gotta be honest, Minegawa-kun… Even after all this, I still can’t bring myself to hate you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? Nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you’re testing my fucking limits!” This guttural roar threatened to shake my apartment windows. Compared to this, my last phone call with him was practically civil. “Half and half? The fuck are you talking about? Give me a break, kid. Even assuming he was interested in you like that, I’d never hand him over to a loser who can’t commit. If you actually loved him, you’d want all of him for yourself. But no—you don’t respect him, you don’t respect yourself, you don’t respect the concept of love in general! You wanna flirt with another man’s boyfriend? Then be an adult about it, for fuck’s sake!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio fell perfectly still for a moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei,” he continued without looking at me, “if you’re only going to give me half, then I’m not giving you my everything. You can have half, and I’ll find someone else for the other half. Got it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” I shot back without hesitation. “I don’t want that! Ever!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I slumped back to the floor and shook my head, rubbing my forehead against the cold hardwood. I didn’t want to imagine Ushio with anyone else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I had to share you, I’d go nuts,” I croaked, partially from the weight on my back and partiually from suppressing the urge to cry. I loved Ushio, and both sides of myself were his alone. It had to be him. No one else would do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was an imbecile, and this was my wake-up call."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, well, I feel the same way,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” He patted the back of my knee. “Now then, what do we say to Minagawa?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uhhh… Get out?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He twisted my legs again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow! Stop…freaking…doing that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You led him on, so you need to apologize, damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! I don’t apologize to anyone!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah? What about now?! Huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Owwww!” I flailed my limbs in agony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s funny—you’d think it’d be kind of fun, being the apex of a love triangle. Instead I was one wrong move away from being on the receiving end of a piledriver."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, that’s okay. No apology necessary,” Tatsuki said with an awkward smile. “Honestly, I was prepared to take a punch or two, y’know, anywhere except the face. But I gotta say…I think you two might just be perfect for each other.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gee, thanks. In any other situation, that would have been a flattering sentiment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Touch him again and I’ll beat your ass,” Ushio growled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Roger dodger! Won’t happen again,” Tatsuki replied with a firm salute."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay then, I trust you. Oh, and—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you guys maybe have this conversation somewhere that isn’t literally on top of me?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Ushio just ignored me. “Could you keep quiet about his…condition? I know he’s dumb as a brick, but it’s the way he was born, and I don’t want to force him to be someone he’s not. I want him to keep living his life just the way he is… Okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, please,” Tatsuki replied flippantly, dismissing Ushio’s concern with a wave of the DVD jewel case in his hand. “You think anyone would believe a rookie like me if I tried to tell ’em our prince is a wolf in sheep’s clothing? If anything, they’d think I was trying to sabotage his career, and the whole thing would backfire. Trust me, Kunieda-san’s made a real name for himself. It’s impressive stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, I’m heading out. Sorry for imposing…in more ways than one.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the love of god, keep your little comments to yourself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio showed Tatsuki to the door, locked it behind him, then walked back into the living room, where I continued to lie on my stomach on the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the matter? Did it really hurt that bad? Want me to slap on a Salonpas or something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shook my head silently and watched as my tears formed a warped little puddle on the hardwood. I knew I couldn’t afford to let my eyes get puffy, and yet I just couldn’t stop. It wasn’t his anger toward me, or the physical abuse. It was the simple fact that he cared, above all else, that got to me. He loved all of me…and he loved me with all of him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“C’mon, don’t cry. I was just trying to teach you a lesson, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lifted me up and guided me to the bedroom with uncommon tenderness; meanwhile, I continued to sob uncontrollably. Once we got to the bed, he sat me down and turned to go. Reflexively I grabbed the sleeve of his coat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just gonna get an ice pack from the kitchen,” he reassured me, wiping away my tears with a smile. “Can’t let you go on TV looking like that, now, can we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He returned with an ice pack wrapped in a washcloth. As I held it against my eyes, he stroked my hair until I calmed down. Then, when I finally looked up, I found him gazing at me with a look so gentle I couldn’t help but avert my eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said, “You go on TV every single night, and each time I watch you, I think to myself, ‘Damn, that’s impressive. He’s so ridiculously good at his job.’ But sometimes…I hate it. I hate that I have to share you with thousands of people across the country. Sometimes I get so mad, I turn the TV off.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re joking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nope, I’m dead serious. If I offered to be your sugar daddy full time, would you quit your job and move in?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hell no,” I replied instantly. “I thrive on the adoration of the masses. Without it, I’ll wither up and die.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you, I’ll just fawn over you myself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want that, either!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The heat from my hands was starting to melt the ice pack. “You’re the exception. I don’t want your adoration.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No arguing with that, I guess.” He traced a finger over my lips and whispered, “Next time you cheat on me, you’re getting a German suplex.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you trying to kill me?!” Because tonight you almost succeeded!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That reminds me… You had some wild ideas about what my punishment was going to be, didn’t you? You sick freak.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, excuse me for not anticipating your little pro wrestling debut!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, but exhibitionism? Really? That’s a hard no from me.” He pulled me down onto the bed with him and grinned. “I’d never let anyone else sneak a peek.” Then he tossed my melted ice pack to the floor and pressed my chilly palm to his cheek. “I was miserable the whole way here. I couldn’t leave until I finished my work, and I was an hour behind schedule… None of this is your fault, to be clear.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry.” Somehow it was easier to apologize when I knew he wasn’t blaming me. “I’m so sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s okay. I understand.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had demanded that I apologize to Tatsuki, and yet he didn’t seem to need one for himself. We helped each other out of our clothes, and when I felt his skin against mine, a soft spark of electricity shot through my entire body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For a long moment he simply held me. The tip of his nose brushed against my ear, and I could feel its residual chill from the air outside. This is 100 percent, I thought to myself. This is everything. This is all there is. If I ever feel like it’s not enough, it’s because I’ve lost sight of something. It’s all right here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I love you,” I told him for the first time. “And not just half—I love you all the way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know,” he replied quietly, nuzzling his face against mine like a small animal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, our heartbeats steadily quickened in time with each other. The two of us were perfectly content in our desire for one another, and that made me happier than anything. Wrapped up in each other’s arms, we kissed with our eyes closed, shutting out all the rest of the world. As we took turns savoring each other’s tongues and teeth, I felt a sweet yearning rise up inside me like smoke."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His kisses traced a line down my neck to my collarbone, then to my left nipple. When he sucked it, my heart tightened as though his suction was reeling it in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As his tongue spun little circles around its edges, I felt it swell up like a little red button, with my lust boiling just beneath the surface of the skin. Then he grazed his teeth against it, and I felt a warmth start to build behind my belly button."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time he arrived at my pelvis, my member was already glistening with fluid. It twitched as his breath brushed against it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah, no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment he put it in his mouth, my cock swelled and a piercing pleasure wracked my senses, as though he had condensed all of my lust into a single solid mass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh…aah…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the strength drained from my limbs, it brought the residual ache in my loins into sharp relief—my body was already begging for more. Then Ushio reached over to grab the lube I kept in the drawer of my headboard, and the sight alone was enough to make another part of me twinge in anticipation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Turn around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because I’m having trouble being patient.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He rolled my numb, post-orgasmal body over onto my stomach and propped my lower half up on my knees. I tried to spread my legs to distribute my weight more evenly, but he squeezed them back together and dribbled lotion down the crack of my ass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First my body shivered at the sudden chill. Then he slid his cock between my legs, and goosebumps pricked up my arms in a pleasant tingle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tense your legs.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His engorged member rubbed against my inner thighs, teasing my groin. I clung to the bedsheets with both hands, doing my best to endure his motions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he fucked this makeshift orifice, he plunged a finger into my lubricated ass, all the way in to the knuckle, and began to stroke me from the inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Aah…gah…oh god…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As fireworks exploded in my brain, my hips reflexively jerked away from his touch, but he yanked me back with his free hand and added a second finger with the other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold still, damn it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His rock-hard length continued to slam against me; meanwhile, his ministrations made my rectum squelch loudly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure? You seem like you like it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He slid his fingers in to the knuckle and worked them back and forth ever so slightly. Sure enough, I could feel my walls clamping down around him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re begging for it so bad,” Ushio groaned. “I wanna put my cock in you right this minute and fuck you until I cum. You’re so hot, it’s pissing me off!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His unsteady voice and accelerating thrusts conveyed his passion in painstaking detail; his vulgar bedroom talk was laced with deep desperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He yanked his fingers back out of me. Then he grabbed my hips and held them in place while he thrust his length against me repeatedly. My rectum twitched in time with his movements; the jostling made my nipples rub against the sheets. Soon my cock was painfully erect once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I felt his semen spurt all over the underside of my manhood, and his warmth pulled away, leaving my thighs cold and empty. But then, not a moment later—“Aah!”—he pressed his wet tip against my perineum, nestling it in the narrow gap, and I knew he was getting hard again. Then he slid a finger in my ass again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” I pleaded. “No fingers!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His teasing was excruciating now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanna have sex! Sex, sex, sex!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We are having sex.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know what I mean!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My body wanted all of Ushio; this was not that. I had only just regained my composure, and now my eyes were damp with desire all over again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dumbo,” he whispered, stroking my back. “I was trying to hold back since you’re still a little tight, but…your funeral, I guess. Spread your legs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At his command, I gladly obeyed. I wasn’t afraid of the pain—if anything, I was more afraid of the pleasure fading away for good."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At last, he pressed the requested object against the requested location."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My eyes were open, and yet my vision burned bright white. My entrance ached as it spread to its fullest limits…but I knew the pain would fade as soon as the widest part made it in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Aah! Aah! I’m gonna cum!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey! Don’t clamp down so tight!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His hot cock buried itself inside me, forcibly spreading me wider as it went. As it rubbed against my prostate, pleasure bubbled up from inside my manhood and steadily dribbled out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rest of me was utterly exhausted, but my ass continued to revel in the pleasure. I could feel his veins pulsing right up against mine; his length was throbbing so violently, I half expected to hear it every time I opened my mouth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, I’m so screwed,” Ushio muttered through sharp breaths. “Now every time I see you on TV, I’ll think back to this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t! Just forget it, stupid!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How can I sit in front of the camera with a straight face if I have to imagine you jacking off to all my broadcasts?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re stupid if you think I can!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if to make his point, he jackhammered into me harder than ever. Jostled by his endless motions, I writhed and clamped down on his length."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Nngh! Ushio! Ushio! Don’t stop!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kei… Touch yourself…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As instructed, I stroked my manhood, still slick with his cum. With the steady stream of pleasure from the anal penetration, it stiffened even more readily than last time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaahh…gah…oh god…nngh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Likewise, the pleasure from my hand flowed back to my ass, and I clamped down on Ushio more intensely than ever before, engulfing him in my soft, sticky walls."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Holy fuck,” Ushio groaned, his voice tinged with ecstasy. “I think I’m gonna lose it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Aaahh! Aah! Cum in me! I’m gonna… I’m gonna…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was my SOS, and Ushio responded by pounding me hard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I love you…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even when I closed my eyes, light flooded my vision. The instant I achieved climax, my hips floated up like they were disconnected from gravity…until the next moment when Ushio unloaded his thick seed in me, weighing me back down like an anchor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio told me he had to catch a flight back to America that evening. Apparently he’d left all his luggage behind and flown here with only the clothes on his back. As for his client, they weren’t demanding he return, per se, but his own sense of integrity wouldn’t let him skip out without finishing the job he agreed to do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah?” What a hypocrite. He wants me to quit my job for him, but he’d never quit his for me. “What time’s your flight?” I asked, sounding bored."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Around five.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Which airport? Haneda?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I did some quick mental calculations. If we left for the airport at three, I could see him off and make it back to the station in time for my show. Given my stellar track record, I could probably get away with being late if I gave them a plausible excuse, like “I’m not feeling well, so I’m going to stop by the clinic before I come in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Ushio yawned, unaware of my little scheme. As badly as I wanted to brag about the date I was going to take him on, I held my tongue. After all, I wanted it to be a surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once I saw him off, I could find some deserted restroom and change into my Kunieda Kei clothes. Where would I store them, though? Maybe a coin-operated locker would do the trick…but which one?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All these little details were a hassle to iron out, and yet I found I wasn’t annoyed in the slightest. First, I’d need to get my ass moving; then we’d leave the house together; then we’d catch a train to the airport; then I’d stare up at the sky and zone out watching his plane take off. No part of this task list was remotely fun, and yet I was tickled pink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, was I doing this for me or for him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The answer: both."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe_Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0005.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Paid In Full"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "THE NEWS STUDIO was on the fifteenth floor, but the dressing room was on the second. Approximately thirty minutes prior to each broadcast, we were obligated to head down and have our makeup applied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Kunieda-san! Are you going to the dressing room? I’ll come with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh. I was hoping to be discreet, but unfortunately Tatsuki slid into my elevator."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Were you just spamming the Close button?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You went to the doctor’s office today, right? Are you sick?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you talk things out with Tsuzuki-san?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cram it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Three seconds of silence passed, and then Tatsuki muttered, “…Make-up sex?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“CRAM IT!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my god, you did! Good for you! I hear make-up sex is the best, actually.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I swear to god, I’m gonna kill you—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, I was out of time; the elevator had arrived at the second floor. Hastily, I withdrew my hand from his neck and composed myself. The doors opened, revealing an employee standing just outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hello there, Kunieda-san!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hello,” I greeted warmly, tapping the Open button. Then I gestured for Tatsuki to step out. “After you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, thanks,” Tatsuki replied with a bright smile to rival my own. Then, once the hallway was confirmed to be empty, he added, “Y’know, at this rate, I think you’re gonna give me trust issues.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ignored him and headed into the dressing room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning! I’m here for my makeup.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, good morning! And I see you’ve brought a friend with you! Let’s start with you, Kunieda-san, since you’ll be on camera sooner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I took my seat in front of the vanity, however, the makeup artist paused to stare curiously at my reflection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is there something on my face? Goodness, I sure hope not.” Take a picture—it’ll last longer, I thought sarcastically as I pretended to get embarrassed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s just…your skin is flawless today!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind me, at the other vanity, I heard Tatsuki snicker."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“God, I’m soooo jealous! I almost don’t want to put foundation on you! Do you have a skincare routine?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if I’d tell you. It took all of my acting ability to manage a modest, “Not really.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tonight I was scheduled for another grueling performance as my more perfect half."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“YES, NO, OR MAYBE” is a nonsensical choice when you think about it, though I’m pretty sure I spent a great deal of my childhood making it. “What does ‘maybe’ even mean in these cases?” I hear you ask. Well, you see, now that I’m an adult, binary choices tend to lead to a lot of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situations, and sometimes I really wish I could stay somewhere in the middle. Of course, if someone else said the same to me, I’d tell them to pick a side. Go figure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Takemiya-sensei’s artwork really captures my two main characters in this sort of “cute adult” style, and that gets a big YES from me. She’s truly skilled at crafting sweet, gentle male faces, like Ushio in the frontispiece. The way it pairs perfectly with Kei’s bashful expression as he struggles to hide his love—aaaah! She is my barista, and I am her loyal customer for all time. Thank you so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "—Michi Ichiho"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe_Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Hypothetical Thought Exercise"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "ONSCREEN, I was blathering away:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tonight, we’ve invited legislators in their twenties and early thirties to speak with us here at the studio about their roles, representing a generation of young people who have lost faith in elections and the political system at large. Tonight’s theme: “What would you do if you were Prime Minister?” These public statements will shape the future of our political climate for decades to come. Now then, let’s take a look at their answers…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the count of three, my prerecorded self held up a flipboard for the camera to see. On it were the same trite, uninspired policies you’ve heard hundreds of times—raise childcare subsidies for each additional child, incentivize IT venture companies to move to rural areas, set the retirement age to 70, blah blah blah."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uggghhh, this is so boring,” I complained. Now that I was safely away from the studio, I could finally say it out loud. “There’s no innovation here—no hook. It’s just a matter of time before these people either vanish or start some kind of scandal for the journos to have a field day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Enlighten me, Kunieda-sensei. What would you do if you were Prime Minister?” Ushio asked me as he sat next to me on the bed, watching the recording with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would make it illegal to refer to any adult woman as a ‘girl.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m saying this current trend of referring to grown women as ‘girls’ is freaking creepy! Imagine if we addressed adult men as ‘boys’—it’s demeaning as hell. Not only that, but now we have a whole show called ‘Lady Girls’ on TV? It’s senseless! How old are they supposed to be? If you want to be ‘ladies,’ then act like it! Make up your mind!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What about phrases like ‘girls’ night out’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Call it ‘harpies’ night’ or something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And that’s what you would do if you were the most powerful man in the country?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow.” Ushio stared at me with a smile I could only describe as tepid. “Don’t quit your day job. They might actually vote for you, and that scares me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not interested in politics.” It’s way more fun to talk out of my ass, obviously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be PM either. If I were you, though…” He smirked. “I’d change careers and be a clown.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the hell for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because you’re so good at it. What about you? What would you do if you were me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Quit my job and be a house-husband,” I replied without missing a beat. “If I were you, I’d get on my hands and knees and worship me for deigning to date someone as lowly as you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? What else?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d cook three meals a day, keep the bed tidy, prepare a heated towel after every bath, give massages at bedtime, do wake-up calls in the morning…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right, right. So you want me to hold your hand and kiss you and stroke your hair and pat your back until you fall asleep? And cuddle with you on lazy Sunday mornings?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, exactly—what?! No!” I shot back on reflex, like a total comedian."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio snorted. “If you want me to start doing these things, don’t be passive-aggressive. Just use your words and ask me to show you a little extra love.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t need extra love, thank you very much!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ushio patted me on the cheek and his skin felt cool against mine…which meant my face was burning up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And for the record,” he said, “I’m pretty sure I’m already doing at least half of those things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Liar! I mean…I don’t care!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, yes, whatever you say. Okay, how about this…” He took the remote from my hands and turned off the TV."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To make it up to you, we can do a little brothel play tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do prostitutes normally take your clothes off for you, or is that an extra charge?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s your kink again? Me telling you I love you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go to hell!” But I didn’t tell him to stop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Grinning, Ushio planted a kiss on my lips."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_!Yaoi_Yes, No, or Maybe_Yes,-No,-or-Maybe-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "FOR A FEW DAYS after her kidnapping, Rishe recuperated in her nice, fluffy bed. She kept her gardening work to the bare minimum, left the maids’ training to Diana, and ate plenty of nutritious food. While she did fill out order forms to merchants and continue her nail polish business plan from bed, she mostly just slept. A lot. With the help of a medicine she’d created herself, she fully recovered within five days."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After receiving a clean bill of health from the palace physician, she paid a visit to a certain room in the castle, feeling tense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Steeling herself, Rishe stepped into her fiancé’s office. “Good day, Your Highness. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to see me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stopped writing and slowly set his pen down next to his papers. “This is the first time you’ve ever called a formal meeting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was an utter ball of nerves. Her plan, which had been in the making for a long time, was entering its final stages. For the sake of the maids who had escorted her here—and for herself—she had to perform her duty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everything will be fine. I’ve done the best that I could."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold returned her uneasy look with a composed smile. “What could this meeting be about, I wonder? You’re far too anxious to have come solely to see your fiancé’s face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve seen right through me,” Rishe said. “Let me get straight to the point, then.” Arnold’s attendant, Oliver, threw her a cautious look. She took a deep breath and, after letting the tension sufficiently build, declared, “Your rooms in the detached palace are ready!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s brow furrowed. “What?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even twisted in a grimace, his face was handsome. Rishe couldn’t help but notice as she explained, “You have an office on the second floor and a bedroom on the fourth—the top floor. I apologize for the long wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The chambers had, in reality, been ready a short while ago, but she hadn’t wanted Arnold present until her maids were master cleaners. Taking care of the crown prince when they were still learning their jobs would have been unnecessarily stressful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve got a study and a place to sleep, so feel free to move in to the detached palace anytime! If you’d like, I can escort you there right now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s enthusiasm did not lessen Arnold’s natural sullenness. “That’s what you came here to tell me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, that’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed. “Then what were you so nervous about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nerves are natural! Do you know how hard my precious maids have worked for this day? This is like a graduation exam for them, so of course I’m nervous!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew how hard the maids had all worked to make it this far. Their days began early in the morning, and they assisted each other whenever they could. Once the maids finished their tasks, they studied reading and writing to put that knowledge to use in their next day’s work. Rishe had done all the final checks; the windows were polished to a sparkle and the sheets were pristine. So great was their improvement that their teachers—the senior maids like Diana—were moved to tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Despite my nerves, I am confident that the rooms are of the highest quality. Please, I invite you to come see them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed again and rested his chin in his hand. “I thought you wanted to live by yourself in that palace.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I don’t! I want to live there with you, Prince Arnold.” That was the whole point of a detached wing—to distance Arnold from the main palace, which was far too big for Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This seemed to surprise the prince, but then his expression softened into a smile. “I see.” His gaze almost convinced Rishe that he knew her true intentions. “Another amusing scheme, I presume.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-perish the thought!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was exactly right, in a way. Maybe he really could read minds. Rishe felt her panic rising; if Arnold grew suspicious, he might decide against moving in to the detached palace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she fretted, Arnold stood up. “Very well. I’ll go along with your little plot. After all, you’ve already improved one thing for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe sputtered. “I have? Improved what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My mood. Let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced at Oliver in confusion, but he just bowed his head, wearing a wry smile and mouthing the words, “Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess His Highness was in a bad mood before I came in?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Somehow, his mood had lightened. Wondering what could have possibly caused that, Rishe hurried to catch up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…And this is your bedroom, Your Highness,” Rishe told Arnold, standing beside him at the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Several maids watched anxiously from a little ways down the hall, likely wondering what he thought of the office he’d just seen. Rishe caught their eyes, smiling and nodding. The maids’ faces lit up, and they grabbed for each other’s hands. Rishe’s cheeks flushed with pleasure at the sight, and then she opened the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The color blue dominated the bedroom, which was perfectly neat from one corner to the other. Arnold’s would-be bed featured a deep azure canopy, tightly fitted sheets, and fluffy pillows. A round, amber-colored desk sat beside it. A finely woven rug lined the floor, a high-quality piece that muffled Arnold’s footsteps to silence and bore not a speck of dust."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think? It’s a fine room, is it not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s honest praise delighted Rishe. “I consulted with Oliver and decided to give you the bare minimum of furniture, so when you move in, you can bring your own bookshelves and whatever else you might want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That works. Still, I’m surprised.” Arnold stood in the center of the room, looking around with great interest. “This place hasn’t been used in years. I’m impressed you did all this in just three weeks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She giggled. “Aren’t my maids great?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very impressive, indeed.” Arnold turned to look at her. “You took new hires and trained them up, correct? They’ve prepared a palace for the royal family. With the crown prince himself acknowledging their skill, they’ll never have trouble finding work again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly right,” Rishe said. “With that assurance, they need not ever worry about their futures.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And that’s not all they’ll gain.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pride,” Arnold explained. “They’ll feel pride for a job well done. That may not be a necessity for survival, but there are times when it can keep you alive.” Slowly, Arnold lowered his eyes. Rishe couldn’t say for sure, but he seemed happy. He gazed at her like he was looking at something important. “You’ve got a talent for making people feel proud of themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had no idea what he was talking about. She stared back at him, dazed, until his shoulders began to tremble."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh…” A puff of laughter escaped his lips. “Is that any sort of face to make when I compliment you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His amusement made her sigh. “I was just trying to see if you were teasing me or not.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wound me. Those were my heartfelt thoughts.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How sad. Well, even if you didn’t mean it, I’ll happily accept your praise.” She’d take a compliment from this incomparable man anytime. Arnold’s eyes widened, and Rishe smiled, pleased to get back at him. “By the way, did you notice? This room gets the most sunlight in the entire wing. If you open the window, there’s a very pleasant breeze. It’s the perfect place to nap.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t often find myself returning to my bedroom during the day, unfortunately,” Arnold said. “You should have kept this room for yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? The best room in the house, for a hostage? I’m planning for a life of ease here; taking this room would be going too far. A shiftless empress-to-be shouldn’t have such nice things.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shiftless…?” Arnold looked dubious but ultimately did not comment further. “Come to think of it, your room’s just next to this one, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. I figured having our rooms close by would be easier on security.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s easier on me too,” Arnold agreed. “I might catch wind of your antics before they become a problem.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I have no more antics planned, just lazing around from now on. Well…” She paused. “Maybe one or two.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be stupid,” Arnold said softly, exasperated. “You can do as you like as long as you don’t put yourself at risk anymore, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry.” Feeling repentant from the scolding, Rishe recalled something she wanted to ask him. “By the way, Your Highness. Speaking of antics, allow me to beg your permission.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At Arnold’s wary question, Rishe flashed a sunny smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re serious about this?” Arnold asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, beaming. “Yes, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They stood in a small training yard in a corner of the palace grounds. The knights who served as Rishe’s guards eyed her with worry. They’d all traveled down to the practice area from Arnold’s bedroom following a brief exchange…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you do me the honor of dueling with me, Your Highness?” Rishe had inquired after the tour. It had been three weeks since she first brought up the idea, and she was worried he might have forgotten."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It seemed he hadn’t. “Come to think of it, you asked the same thing at the party, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m pleased you remembered. The recent difficulties have made me keenly aware of my lack of stamina and immediate need for further training.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s stamina, musculature, and cardiovascular conditioning were all far from where they had been during her life as a knight. Those attributes improved gradually over time, so she wanted to begin as soon as possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know you’re quite busy, but I would very much appreciate some instruction, if only once. Naturally, I wouldn’t ask you to keep me company for the entire training session.” Rishe met Arnold’s eyes. “I’d also like to learn the secret method you and the imperial knights use to enhance your training, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh.” Arnold’s lips curled up in interest. “How did you know about that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My garden is near the knights’ training grounds. I’ve observed the drills of several different squads, and your imperial knights are a cut above the rest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Outside of the training sessions, Rishe also observed the knights carefully as they guarded her, noting how they never left themselves open. Not all of Galkhein’s knights were like that—only those serving Arnold. From that, Rishe surmised the obvious: He was directly responsible for their instruction. Unsurprising, seeing as they were led by a man with even more impressive defenses than their own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If they have a particular training regimen, I’d love to learn it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe vividly recalled a moment of her previous life. When we fought Galkhein’s army, Arnold was by far the biggest threat, but his knights were no pushovers either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were all frighteningly strong. Not just the unit commanders—each individual knight on the front lines displayed phenomenal skill in battle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right now, I believe it’s just Prince Arnold’s personal knights who possess this unusual prowess. I don’t think the rest of Galkhein’s knights are at their level. Which means that in the next five years, he’s going to put together that terrifying army. There was no way he conscripted only superior talents. The scale of the force made that impossible. He must have some specific way of training people up. And if that’s the case, I need to learn it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked at him, a few silent seconds passing. She refused to give in, and their staring contest finally concluded with a short sigh from Arnold. “All right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her eyes widened; she wasn’t expecting him to agree so readily. His earlier acquiescence had just been for standard training. “Are you sure? Not to work against my own interests here, but isn’t it a military secret?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not a breach of protocol for the crown prince’s wife to know his secrets. I did promise I’d do anything you asked of me, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s voice was softer than usual. It caught Rishe off guard. “Well…thank you. I’m very happy that you said yes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re happy?” Baffled, Arnold stared at Rishe. “Why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because from what I know, your sword technique is the strongest and most beautiful of anyone in the world.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As a former knight, she was naturally delighted to learn from someone like that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked stunned for a moment before he smiled. “The whole world, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I obviously didn’t mean that literally!” Rishe rushed to clarify. “It’s just an expression, got it?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How could techniques for killing people possibly be beautiful?” Arnold asked with a self-deprecating tone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go change into something you can move in. I’ll meet you at the training grounds.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus, they’d met one another outside to square off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Bring the restraints,” Arnold ordered one of his knights. “One for Rishe and three for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.” The knight briskly followed Arnold’s command, though he and his comrades spared Rishe a few fretful glances all the while. Returning with a wooden crate, the knight handed it to his master. Arnold reached in and fished something out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A belt?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Put this on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold proffered a harness resembling a pair of suspenders connected to a belt. He explained how to use it, putting his arms through another pair of belts, crossing them over each other, and fastening them to the one around his waist."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you’re done, turn around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe did as she was told and turned away from him. One of Arnold’s black-gloved hands grasped Rishe’s left wrist. He wrapped a thin belt around it, brought her arm behind her back, and fastened the belt on her wrist to the one on her waist. With her arm bound this way, she couldn’t use her left hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Our special training consists of binding one part of the body to prevent free use of your limbs,” Arnold said, binding himself in the same way. The only difference was that Rishe had her dominant arm—her right—free, and Arnold did not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You always train like this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not always. Too much and we’d pick up bad habits, rendering it pointless.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Affixing the belts with a practiced hand, Arnold reached into the crate and brought out something else, leaving the belt on his wrist unconnected. The new tool resembled a modified kneepad, which Arnold proceeded to wrap around his knee."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s making it impossible to bend his left leg."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next, he took out a black eyepatch, covering his right eye and tying the cords behind his head. Finally, a knight reverently stepped forward and fastened Arnold’s wrist to the belt at his waist. All in all, he was left unable to use his dominant right arm, his left leg, or his right eye. Rishe, on the other hand, only lost the use of her left arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll spar like this. Swords.” At Arnold’s signal, one of the knights handed Rishe a wooden practice weapon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thanked the knight and took a stance, holding the sword in one hand. She immediately felt how much having one arm bound threw off her center of gravity, as well as the deep strain on her muscles from holding a two-handed sword in a one-handed grip. Yet the training was even more complex than that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you bind the limbs to simulate a true battlefield?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? You can tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it was just to improve core and muscle strength, there would be no need to cover one eye, Your Highness.” Watching Arnold accept his own wooden sword from one of his knights, Rishe went on, “This training is to ensure the loss of a body part on the battlefield doesn’t prevent you from fighting… Am I right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha!” Arnold laughed with his whole chest, pointing his sword at Rishe. “Your powers of observation are as impressive as always.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unlike Rishe, Arnold was using his nondominant arm, made even slower by the old wound on his shoulder. Still, he didn’t leave himself open to attack. “It’s hard to see you as a noble girl who’s never been to war.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The tension in the air made Rishe’s skin tingle. The knights all took a seemingly unconscious step back, trusting their instincts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re injured, you won’t be able to use your arm. If blood splashes on your face, your eye may be temporarily incapacitated. But the battle rages on, and your enemies will continue to press you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vivid memories of the battlefield swirled in Rishe’s mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If your arm is torn off, keep swinging your sword. If your leg is smashed, keep moving forward. If you lose both eyes, find a way to cut into your enemy for as long as you have left.” Arnold fixed his eyes on Rishe, his gaze razor-sharp. “That’s what all this is for.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can he convey such pressure with one eye covered up?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Training in these circumstances helps us stay alive out there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe swallowed. No wonder I couldn’t beat him…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knightly chivalry Rishe knew was akin to an art. Even with a sword in hand, fighting for one’s country, beauty, and nobility was important. The greatest honor was in a clean fight—one that shamed neither you nor your enemy—and ultimately offering your life in exchange for your lord’s. During her time as a knight, Rishe staked her life on protecting the royal family she served, and in the end, she had died."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Galkhein’s knights are trained to continue struggling despite disgrace, no matter the situation they find themselves in. To that end, they kill as many enemies as they possibly can."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had faced this man as a foe before, and fate might yet again pit the two of them against each other. She squeezed the wooden sword in her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled. “Normally, I’d wait to spar with a knight until they’ve been through basic training. But since I’m up against you, I’m covering just one eye, not both.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…I’m honored, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No need to worry. I don’t intend to let any harm come to my bride before our wedding.” Arnold’s confidence clearly stemmed from the overwhelming difference in their abilities."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a moment’s thought, she said, “If I win, would you answer one question of mine, no matter what it is? In exchange, if I lose, I’ll do any one thing you ask of me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked momentarily startled before smiling. He seemed to be looking forward to another potential scheme. “Very well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right,” said Rishe. “Let’s do this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A knight gave the signal to start, and Arnold brandished his wooden sword at Rishe. His form was beautiful, but it was full of holes. It clearly said, Come at me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lopsided skill level was nothing new to Rishe, and she didn’t hesitate to take up her own sword, once again confirming the state of her limbs. The belt on her left arm was attached to her back by a hook. She wasn’t bound particularly tightly—she still had some range of motion—but her range was limited by the structure of her joints. Plus, just holding the heavy wooden sword with one arm was difficult, thanks to her current lack of muscle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The longer we exchange blows, the worse my disadvantage becomes. I have to launch a direct attack!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a short breath and leapt into Arnold’s striking range in a single bound. Arnold didn’t move. She swung her sword diagonally, aiming for the right side of his face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Clang! A loud sound rang out as Arnold lifted his blade to catch Rishe’s blow. She’d put muscle into her swing, but the impact didn’t so much as jar his arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So that’s how it is, huh? In that case…!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She pivoted, spinning with the force of the blow. Arnold easily blocked her second swing as well. Their swords crossed and clashed, their eyes likewise locking from either side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s one uncovered eye narrowed in mirth. “What’s wrong? Is that all you’ve got?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shivered at Arnold’s sincere enjoyment. She sprang back and held her sword up once more, catching her breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My center of gravity’s completely off. My grip isn’t strong enough. Yearning to use both of my hands is holding me back! She listed off the problems facing her, trying to think of countermeasures. If I reorient my center of gravity, my reach will change. I’ll have to advance further to get in range of His Highness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She calculated the distance in her head and planted her feet where they’d need to be. Since she couldn’t do anything about her grip strength, she compensated by holding the sword higher to transfer more strength down the length of the blade. She had to ensure she didn’t try to regain her balance with her left arm either. Makeshift solutions wouldn’t secure her victory, but they were better than nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One more time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold goaded her with a look. Rishe took a breath, exhaled, and lunged. “Yah!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He blocked her first swing. She pulled back, slashing at him twice more, forcing herself into close quarters. She tried an upward swing, but he blocked that too, pushing her back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh…” He sounded impressed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d stopped her. But before now, he’d just been holding his sword up to parry her blows. This was the first time there was any real swordplay brought to bear. Rishe jumped back again, gaining some distance from him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey. Lady Rishe has only exchanged a few blows with His Highness, but her form has changed a lot, hasn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It doesn’t seem possible, but…you might be right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ignoring the knights’ commentary, Rishe rushed at Arnold. She strove to find a way forward as he blocked and repelled her attacks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your movements are stiff. Don’t challenge me with your strength. Make better use of your feet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped at his critiques before immediately adjusting her strategy as they sparred. She knew she could never beat a man in a contest of strength and thought back to when she’d been desperate to make up for that weakness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Use your agility. Step in with your left foot. A little farther. That’s not enough; one more step. There.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stepped forward as Arnold suggested, engaging again and again. She was getting the knack back. It was a strange feeling, like she’d done this so long ago yet so recently at the same time. For his part, Arnold’s guidance was straightforward and precise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wow. It took me five years to move like this in my life as a knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold could likely judge the best strategy just by looking his opponent up and down, but Rishe had no intention of giving up. As she got back into the swing of things, her field of view opened more and more, granting her the ability to read Arnold the same way he was reading her. The Arnold Hein of that one fateful day flashed through her mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She pulled back, the blow coming from exactly where she expected. Arnold’s sword just barely scraped against Rishe’s. If she hadn’t dodged when she did, he would have sent her weapon flying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now he’ll step into my reach and swing down from above!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her battle with Arnold five years from now, he’d moved in just the same way. Rishe the knight had parried the blow with a defensive stance. She remembered how, but her current physique couldn’t take that strain. Instead, she took one more step back, feeling Arnold’s sword graze her bangs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ngh!” She knew he would stop before his sword actually hit her, but she broke into a cold sweat regardless, instinctively afraid. She dodged with everything she had, losing her balance and staggering back a few steps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold pulled his strike at the last second, expression changing. “You said that as far as you know, my swordplay is the strongest there is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was what Rishe had told him in their earlier conversation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But just now, you reacted as if you’d faced someone even stronger than I am. You’re thinking of him as we cross swords, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that a joke? Arnold wore a provocative smile, but his gaze was sharp. Rishe adjusted her sword grip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s almost enough to make me jealous.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You jest,” she said, boldly meeting his eyes. “And I meant what I said! You’re the strongest person that I know, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t wrong, per se. Rishe was thinking of the Emperor Arnold Hein from five years in the future. He was stronger, crueler, and far more imposing than the current crown prince. That man had slaughtered her entire order of knights. He would never condescend to saying something like, “I have no intention of letting any harm come to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come, now. Pay a little more attention to me.” Arnold smirked, relishing the exchange. This newly casual tone he was taking with her made him actually seem like the nineteen-year-old boy he was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In response, Rishe held her sword up and lowered her stance. She took a step forward, then another, slowly closing the distance between them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold raised his own weapon. They breathed as one, and she lunged forward, striking out to the side. He dodged her slash. Rishe slipped past him and spun around without a moment’s delay. Arnold turned at the same time, swiping out at her. Their swords made strong contact."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The blades clashed up high, went low, then clashed high again. The clack of wood smacking against wood rang out, and Rishe’s hand went numb. Arnold might’ve had one eye covered and one leg restrained, but you never would have known from the way he moved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not done yet!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She took half a step back, then sprang forward again, swinging her sword once more. Arnold dodged backward and Rishe’s sword hit air, but she didn’t stop her charge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That feeling… The moment I was able to land one blow on Arnold Hein!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She scoured her memory, putting all her strength into her final attack. For a split second, Arnold’s face lit up with surprise. Then he slashed out and knocked Rishe’s blade off course."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack!” The sword flew from her hand, grazing the cheek of a dazed knight spectator, and finally slammed into the training area’s stone walls."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, are you okay?! Agh!” Rishe tried to run over to the knights, but her legs gave out and she fell to her knees."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m impressed.” Arnold looked down at Rishe, not even a little out of breath. “I only planned on taking a single step at most, you know. I underestimated you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As if you weren’t dripping with handicaps!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it were anyone other than you, I wouldn’t have had to move at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ignoring Rishe, whose shoulders were heaving as she tried to catch her breath, Arnold signaled the knights. One of them rushed over and undid his restraints. Arnold removed the knee restraint on his own and knelt in front of Rishe, freeing her left arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you very much…for your instruction…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had known the loss was inevitable, but it still disappointed her. It must have shown on her face because Arnold rested his elbow on his knee, chin in his palm, and smiled. “What was our agreement? That you’d do any one thing I asked you to?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, go ahead and ask!” Rishe declared, hopeless. “I don’t go back on my word!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without a serious chance of winning, Rishe had ensured this was a bet worth making whether she won or lost. If by some miracle she’d won, she would’ve been allowed one question of the crown prince. If she lost—as she’d suspected she would—she could see what kind of request he’d make. Thus, she was one step closer to figuring out why he’d proposed to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is all according to plan. I’m not mad about it… Nope, not even a little. She tried to convince herself otherwise, but she was incredibly frustrated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold watched her for a time, eventually removing his eyepatch and saying, “Well, let’s see… Leave your afternoon open two days from now. We’re going into town.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Into town? Of course I’ll come, but what are we doing, exactly?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll tell you then.” Arnold stood, handing his eyepatch to a waiting knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hmm… Some kind of “crown prince and fiancée” official business?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe decided there was no use pondering the matter now, although she realized that she hadn’t been in town since she went to see Mr. Tully. She’d snuck out, gotten caught, and thereafter promised Arnold she wouldn’t visit the town without him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was always a step ahead of her. As she stared off into the distance, he stared down at her, perplexed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong? Get up already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the ground, Rishe wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Uh…I’ll stay here for a little longer. Please feel free to leave, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t want to tell him, but she figured she had to. Resigning herself to her shame, she slowly said, “Well, to tell you the truth, my arms and legs are still shaking from our little match.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My body isn’t equipped to keep up with how I was moving.” Rishe felt truly pathetic. If she tried to stand now, she’d just fall face-first back to the ground. “I’m just taking a little rest. I’ll be sure to close up the training ground when I leave, so don’t worry… Uh, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His expression turned pensive. “Wearing gloves means it’s fine, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe had a very bad feeling. Her instincts were telling her to say no, but she didn’t know what he was asking. Before she could properly reply, Arnold knelt in front of her and reached out with his gloved hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack?! Wh—! Hey! Your Highness, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was lifted abruptly from the ground, Arnold holding her in his arms. As soon as Rishe’s mind had caught up, she opened her mouth and screamed. “Wh-whaaa?!” She reflexively flailed her legs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold studied her, the picture of calm. “Don’t struggle. You’ll fall.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, no, I… What are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t stand on your own, right?” Arnold asked, striding off as he carried Rishe bridal-style."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Realizing he intended to take her all the way to her room like this, Rishe blanched. “Let me down, let me down, let me dooown! I just need a breather, so please don’t trouble yourself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Again, don’t struggle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why not?! It’s not like struggling will do me a bit of good! Rishe kept that thought to herself as Arnold looked at her in exasperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you really think I could just leave my fiancée on the ground and go back to work?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Okay, maybe he’s got a point, but still!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had an iron grip on her composure in ordinary circumstances, but this was just too much. Arnold Hein himself was carrying her in his arms! With her limbs still immobile from fatigue, there was nothing she could do to extricate herself from this situation. She gazed at the knights imploringly, but when their eyes met, the men just furiously shook their heads. They were as flustered as she was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "S-somebody, save me! She was shouting on the inside, but no one came to her rescue."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights they passed on their way out of the training area watched them with blank looks of shock, like they were seeing something incomprehensible. To his credit, Arnold chose a route to avoid contact with crowds, although reaching the detached wing without meeting anyone would have been impossible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness!” Rishe yelped. “Isn’t carrying me around like this exhausting?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re worried about that, make it easier on me and stop struggling.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d been arguing for her release, but now she’d gone and made it harder to complain. At a complete loss, Rishe noticed something even more outrageous."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All this time, she’d been holding on to the lapel of Arnold’s jacket. She must have grabbed it automatically when he picked her up and had been squeezing it ever since. Should I let go? I should let go, right? But what do I do with my hand after that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her head was spinning, but Arnold spoke to her, completely unaware of her consternation. “Come to think of it, what did you want to ask me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked up at him, not expecting the question."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Before the duel, you said you wanted to ask me something if you won.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You want to talk about this now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s laughing!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had noticed her distress, and he was clearly enjoying it. But he was also helping her when she couldn’t move on her own. She didn’t have strong grounds for an objection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, Rishe changed tack and outright bombarded Arnold with questions instead. “When is your birthday?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Puzzled, Arnold blinked a few times and answered, “The twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you were born in winter! And what are your hobbies?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t really have any.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on, tell me what you like to do, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve never really thought about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What sort of woman do you prefer, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you care?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Despite his willingness to answer, she barely squeezed any information out of him. He didn’t dodge her questions, though. His responses seemed sincere."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t ask my real question out in public…especially not in this position!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dwelling on her predicament once more, Rishe was reminded of just how uncomfortable she was. Even in the face of her renewed resistance, Arnold refused to put her down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe?!” Rishe’s attendant Elsie squeaked as they arrived at her room in the detached palace. Even the impassive Elsie gaped when she saw her mistress in Arnold’s arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Elsie!” Her maid rushed over to her, and Rishe clung to Elsie as soon as her feet hit the floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing Rishe’s exhausted state, Arnold said, “Keep resting; don’t push yourself before the feeling returns to your arms and legs.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m not feeling faint from the duel anymore! she thought, but she swallowed it down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Declaring he had work to do, Arnold returned to the main palace. As soon as he was out of sight, the knights—who normally never entered Rishe’s room—ran mindlessly to her side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you all right, Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re so sorry we weren’t able to help you! There was nothing we could do! We were powerless on several fronts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s fine…” Rishe said. “I understand your position.” The two knights had at least warned observers off with fierce eyes and expressions on their way here. She appreciated that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Still,” one of them added, “you’re not hurt, are you? Uh, not from that—from training with His Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as Arnold promised, he hadn’t let any harm come to Rishe. Another aspect of his superior skills."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad to hear it,” one knight told her. “We were awfully surprised to hear Prince Arnold planned to give you his special training, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was the safest of his special training methods,” said the other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then today’s match was just one of several drills, like I thought. Arnold had more strategies up his sleeve. Her suspicions confirmed, Rishe closed her eyes. Well, I don’t need to attend the maids’ training every morning anymore. My field isn’t quite stable yet, but it only needs a couple of checks a day. My dealings with the Aria Trading Company are waiting on Mr. Tully. I have plenty of other preparations, but once I get started on those I won’t have time for anything else. If I want to do this, now’s the time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Renewing her determination, she looked at her maid. “I’m sorry if I gave you a shock, Elsie. Has my order arrived from the Aria Trading Company?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Lady Rishe. It’s right here.” Elsie gestured toward a crate in the corner of the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll have to act fast. Thankfully, that duel has scraped off some of the rust. Rishe clenched her fists. Time to get started on the stamina-building section of my plan for a long and cushy life!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That day, a score of trainees gathered in the palace’s fifth training ground—youths who straddled the border between childhood and adolescence. Clad in brand-new training garb, they listened tensely as a knight addressed them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That will be your schedule for the next ten days. As I mentioned, this training will focus on you new recruits who have yet to become knights. For some, this is part of your noble education. For others, it is a chance to select promising personnel from the citizenry. Keep that in mind,” the knight said, eyeing a few of the lined-up trainees. “No matter your birth, results are valued above all else. I look forward to seeing how you all progress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm… You there.” The instructor addressed a young boy with brown hair standing at the back of the pack. “Lucius, was it? Excellent projection, son. Speak from the stomach and your voice will carry even on the battlefield.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!” Rishe—addressed by the male name of Lucius—gave a vigorous response. She’d slightly altered her face with makeup, donned a boyish, short-styled wig, and now stood tall with a binding cloth wrapped around her chest to flatten it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good. A successful infiltration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her life as a knight wasn’t Rishe’s first time cross-dressing. As a merchant, she had traveled the world selling her wares. Even though she’d hired a handful of guards, setting off on voyages was still dangerous for a young woman, so she often dressed as a man when she was lacking in protection. The name she was using now, Lucius, was the same name she’d used for past disguises."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It doesn’t look like anyone’s realized yet. No one here knows me, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her coral-colored hair was carefully folded on top of her head under a net—even very long hair could be corralled with this method. On top of that, she wore a high-quality wig she’d ordered from the Aria Trading Company."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve disguised myself thoroughly, but it’s thanks to Prince Theodore that no one suspects my background."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe had asked him for this favor, Theodore, the younger prince of Galkhein, grimaced spectacularly. “Are you really asking me for this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yesterday, she had visited him in his office, where he’d reacted to her request with palpable disgust. Tossing his unruly black hair, he put both elbows on his desk, resting his head in his hands. “You want to join the cadets’ training, and as a man? First of all, you’re crazy. Second, why do I have to help?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, didn’t you answer that in your own letter? You told me I could count on you whenever I needed to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I did! I don’t know why, but I did!” Theodore blushed, his voice jumping in volume. Clearly, he wanted to hear no mention of the letter. “Listen, Sister. When I wrote that, it was with the understanding that you’d request something from the people in the slums or the city’s underground.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unfortunately, what I need most is stamina. And not for just my own sake—it’s for Prince Arnold’s as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What am I gonna do…? I can’t understand a single thing my sister-in-law is saying to me.” Theodore leaned back in his wide chair and stared off into the distance. “Why do you need to join the cadets at all, Sister? Couldn’t you just assign a knight to train you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wouldn’t ask anyone to devote that much time for my sake. And if I were to do that, they’d struggle to know how to treat me,” Rishe said. “I want to train without anyone holding back on my account.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh, I can’t believe you.” Theodore stuck out his tongue in disgust. “I would never volunteer to punish myself like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe didn’t want to punish herself; she just wanted to make up for what she lacked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The training period is ten days, right? Once it’s over, I’ll just train on my own. But since I came all the way to this country, I might as well experience the Galkhein military’s renowned instruction.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore—who’d been listening with a face as though he longed to be anywhere else—suddenly lit up. “Wait a sec!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, Prince Theodore…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just realized something.” The prince had a sweet, girlish smile on his face. It was mildly frightening. He stood, braced a hand on his desk, and peered at Rishe. “Very well. I’ll help you out, my lovely sister. I’ll do everything in my power to grant your request.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Well, I appreciate that, but why the sudden change of heart?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because it seems interesting.” Theodore giggled; he must have had some scheme up his sleeve. “I don’t think even my brother could see this coming. His own wife dressing as a man and joining his knight corps!” The prince sat back down, his mood much improved. “Okay, you’ve got me! Let’s do it! I’ll never have such a good opportunity to surprise my brother again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not doing this to surprise Prince Arnold! And didn’t you make up with your brother, Prince Theodore?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want the full array of my brother’s emotional reactions, you see.” Theodore’s expression of affection was as bizarre as always. He hummed as he discussed plans with Rishe. “I’ll make up some background for you—look for my contact later. Should I make it look like you have previous experience with the sword? You did beat up all my men. It would make no sense to pretend you’re inexperienced.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you seem confident with this sort of deception…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh. What do you think? I’m already proving useful, aren’t I?” Theodore puffed out his chest, pulling some documents out of a drawer. It didn’t exactly surprise Rishe; he had been the one to sneak Elsie into Rishe’s maids."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just make sure you’re not found out by my brother until it’s all over. There’s no reason he’d show up at the cadet training grounds, but you should still be careful. I’ll make the arrangements, so you can go for now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very well.” Rishe bowed. “Thank you, Prince Theodore.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had just turned to leave when he called out to her. “Hey, listen. I’m overseeing some pending legislation to support the people of the slums.” Rishe glanced back, but Theodore was still searching for his documents and hadn’t raised his head. “They only went through because my brother pushed them from behind the scenes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The two of you are working on it together, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You…could put it that way, yeah.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That would have been unthinkable just a short while ago. Arnold had been keeping his brother at a distance, while Theodore avoided doing any official political work for his brother’s sake. Rishe was delighted to hear that they were working together on a project."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s all I wanted to tell you,” he said. “See you later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taking a good look around, Rishe noticed that Theodore’s office was extremely neat. According to the maids’ gossip, it had been covered in dust until just recently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t get hurt during the training either. You’re my brother’s fiancée.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. Thank you for your concern, Prince Theodore.” Rishe smiled brightly and bowed again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then she left, which brings us to the present."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After training, Rishe sat at the now-deserted water station. Until a little while ago, there had been plenty of other recruits, but they all regained their energy quickly and left to go change. Among the lot of them, only “Lucius,” Rishe in disguise, was unable to move."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is Galkhein’s basic training?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’d started the day with running. In Rishe’s experience, “running” meant going down a set course, trying to improve your pace each time you did so. But the training these cadets did was different. They’d been ordered to run for an hour and a half straight without regard to distance. The instructor merely specified, “jog at a slightly faster pace than walking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first, Rishe had thought this was rather lenient, but when she actually tried it, she found it harsh. The other trainees seemed to struggle as well, but as they were all genuine boys and men, they had an easier time finishing the course than Rishe did."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their next task—upper-body conditioning—was much the same. They performed exercises that skated toward unreasonable difficulty for minutes at a time, taking breaks between sets. Even if the initial sets were no problem, your fatigue would compound until your whole upper body felt dragged down by a dull weight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then they ran some more. After a final session of conditioning, their training ended for the day. Ordered to eat a light meal, they received chicken sandwiches, though many of them were in no state to eat. They wouldn’t put on muscle without protein, though, so they choked the food down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cadet training was in the morning. For her “I’m going to sleep in until noon for a while, so please don’t wake me!” story to hold up, Rishe needed to hurry back to her maids and guards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I haven’t trained in a long time. No, I’m conditioning this body for the first time. This will be easier than the rookie training I did as a knight, but I’m still feeling the burn. It feels just as hard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A dull pain settled in her upper arms, muscles already aching. Imagining the soreness yet to come, Rishe sighed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I feel warm, at least. She closed her eyes, enjoying the cool breeze caressing her cheek, when someone approached her from behind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yo, Lucius! You’re still not changed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe whirled around to find a young man smiling at her cheerfully. The boy had cropped, chestnut-brown hair and almond-shaped eyes. He was a trainee like Rishe. When Rishe had fallen behind on their run, he’d lagged behind too out of concern."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I appreciate what you did for me earlier. I believe your name was Fritz, was it not?” she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha! Don’t make it into a big deal. We’re all in the same boat, right? And you don’t have to be so stiff.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right. Thanks anyway, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure! I’ll speak plainly with ya too, if that’s okay.” Fritz beamed in satisfaction, sitting down beside Rishe. “I was about to head back to my lodgings, but I was kinda worried about you. Can you walk?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’d like to say I’m fine, but…I think I’ll just rest for a while longer.” The cadence she’d spoken with as knight came out more easily than she’d expected. It had been a while, but Fritz was easy to talk to. That probably helped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll stay behind too, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? No need to worry about me. You should go back and rest! You must be tired.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine. I wanted to talk to you, Lucius. You got a compliment from the instructor when you spoke up during his speech, right? But then when the actual training started, you looked like you were dying. You’re an interesting guy.” He gave her a toothy grin, expression broad and open. “I come from far away, so I don’t have any friends here. You ever hear of Ceutena? It’s a port town in the north. Ships from Coyolles berth there sometimes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Coyolles was a place Rishe was intimately familiar with. The snowy country was on the other side of the sea from Galkhein, remote and cold. Rishe had lived there in one of her previous lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve never been to Ceutena, but I know the name. They have great fish there, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha, you get tired of it! It’s a nice town, though. If I didn’t look up to him so much, I wouldn’t have bothered to become a knight. I would’ve just lived my whole life there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look up to who?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz’s grin widened, and he thrust his finger at Rishe. “Crown Prince Arnold, of course!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe froze, but Fritz didn’t seem to notice as he happily prattled on. “A war hero, a master of the sword, a political genius! People say all sorts of stuff about him, but he’s just so cool, isn’t he?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ahh…y-yeah…” Rishe managed a half-hearted response, averting her eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Things were pretty bad during the war three years ago, even up in our port town, but Prince Arnold was amazing! He evacuated the citizens and then took down a whole boatload of enemies! He utilized the terrain or whatever. I didn’t fully understand the details.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not fair that he’s so good with a sword and can do strategy and stuff! I want to ask the knights about him, but it sounds like only his personal guard can really get close.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing Fritz talk about Arnold with his eyes sparkling made Rishe feel strangely discomfited."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I only saw him once, but Prince Arnold’s swordplay isn’t just strong, it’s beautiful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hearing that, Rishe couldn’t help herself from mumbling, “Yeah, I get that.” When she realized what she’d said, her face flushed. Wait, what did I just…?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right?! We agree! So—wait. That means you’ve seen Prince Arnold wield his sword, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“J-just one time!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz paid no heed to the blush spreading across her cheeks. She hung her head, hoping he wouldn’t think she was strange. Her face refused to cool down. Why not? I’ve told him myself I think his swordplay is beautiful! And just recently too! Come to think of it, Arnold had been surprised to hear such praise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe’s mind spun in circles, Fritz continued breezily, “Even if I can’t become like Prince Arnold, I want to get stronger.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz stood and picked up a broom in the corner of the water station. He held it like a sword and took a combat stance. “Hah!” The broom sliced through the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Confused, Rishe looked up. “Fritz. Tighten the grip of your pinky.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still holding the strike, Fritz glanced at Rishe. “My pinky?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. When you hold a sword, your grip should be strongest around your pinky. If you’re right-handed, grip the hilt harder with your left hand. Let your right be about half that tight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is half enough?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your grip will be uneven without that balance. Don’t let your wrists… Yeah, now swing it like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like this? Hah!” The broom swung down, hissing more sharply through the air. Its trajectory—formerly diagonal—went straight down. With the adjusted grip, he was no longer wasting his strength."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa!” Fritz observed the difference in the swings. “How do you know all this, Lucius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have a bit of experience with the sword, that’s all. You’re impressive though, Fritz! You learn fast.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way, you’re the impressive one!” Fritz looked down at the broom in his grip, eyes shining. “I didn’t know just a little instruction could make such a difference… Maybe I really can become like Prince Arnold one day!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You two,” came a man’s voice from behind them, and Fritz and Rishe turned to see him. “You must not speak so casually of the royal family. You would do well to call him His Highness the Crown Prince.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes, sir! Sorry, sir!” Fritz bowed. Rishe stood and joined him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As long as you understand. Be at ease, both of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Permission granted, the two of them looked back up. The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, his gray hair worn slightly long and fixed in place with product. He was clean and neat, but dark circles haunted his eyes. Despite his scolding, he had a gentle air about him, and he carried himself like a high-ranking noble. He was tall, his musculature obvious even through his clothes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No matter what form it takes, admiration for the royal family is a wonderful thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, thank you, sir! Umm, by the way… Pardon me for asking, but are you Lord Lawvine? Ruler of our town?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Indeed,” the man said. “I am the count and heir to House Lawvine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened. Wait, this is His Lordship Ludger Lars Lawvine?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She looked back at the man before her, swallowing nervously. He’s the brave general of Galkhein destined to be slaughtered by Prince Arnold as an “enemy of the state.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ludger Lars Lawvine was the count who governed Galkhein’s northernmost territory. His sin was attempting to prevent Emperor Arnold Hein’s spread of tyranny. Though his holding was remote, he was a man of distinguished military service, adored by a great many people. Yet this loyal retainer would be killed by the very man he served. Three years from now, he would object to Emperor Arnold’s war of conquest, and, enraged, the emperor would take his life in retaliation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I heard all sorts of rumors: He was slowly tortured to death, he was beheaded in one strike… Emperor Arnold Hein put his entire family to death to atone for Lord Lawvine’s treason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine’s execution was a source of Arnold’s universal infamy. And here he was, standing before Rishe in real time. She shrank under the scrutiny of his gray eyes. Though his bearing was relaxed, he had a demeanor that screamed “military man.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The count of the north… An officer talented enough to be trusted with the border."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wouldn’t be surprised if he easily figured out that she was a woman. Rishe shuddered at the thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As her anxiety peaked, he said, “How do you feel about chicken?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Her jaw dropped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lord Lawvine continued to look at her like he’d said something exceedingly normal. Ignoring Rishe and Fritz’s confusion, he went on dispassionately, “If you don’t like chicken, any other meat will do. And there’s legumes, eggs, and milk… Or are you not a fan of those either?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no, I like them! I like all food!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. That’s good.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What the heck is this conversation?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Much as she yearned to ask, the count’s manner shut out all possibility of questioning. Just as she expected, he solemnly added, “If your circumstances allow such indulgence, you should eat more. You appear to have less muscle mass than the average man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, is that all?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir! Thank you for your advice!” Rishe said, relaxing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had learned plenty about the sort of food needed to cultivate a strong body in her life as an apothecary. Such wisdom wasn’t yet widespread, but that was likely what Lawvine was referring to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, I already proved during my life as a knight that I’ll never have the muscle mass as a man, no matter how much I eat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine nodded in satisfaction. “Youths like you should always aim to improve yourselves. I’ll be assisting with your instruction starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing how you perform.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow, you’ll be teaching us, Lord Lawvine?! Awesome! Oops… I mean, uh, I am most honored!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon seeing how excited Fritz was, Lawvine’s expression relaxed a little. “I am overjoyed to have a hand in training promising young people. I was detained later than I meant to be, so I couldn’t attend today’s practice. What are your thoughts?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz and Rishe exchanged a glance, and Fritz was first to answer. “To be honest, I found it very accommodating! I was prepared to run until I puked or train until I couldn’t stand up anymore!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was surprised too,” Rishe said. “We were allowed breaks to drink water and rest between exercises. I’ve heard some stories of knight training in other countries—they’re far harsher on new recruits.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“True.” The count offered an understanding nod. “It was the same here until just a few years ago. During the war, we needed battle-ready forces as fast as we could get them. By training new recruits harshly, you weed out those who can’t hack it and send the rest to the front lines as quickly as possible. But…ah, someone did away with those harsh practices. You two can rest easy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it… Arnold’s attendant, Oliver, had mentioned that he’d suffered an injury and thus couldn’t become a knight. If Oliver’s injury had occurred during training, Rishe could easily guess who might have changed those practices."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What we—your seniors, that is—are charged with is not to pick out exceptional youths but to encourage everyone’s growth. I’ll see you two at training. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine turned to speak with an approaching knight. “Lord Lawvine, His Majesty awaits your arrival. Please report to the audience chamber.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, I’ll be there presently. Tomorrow then, you two.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz and Rishe bowed as Lawvine left the training grounds. “Thank you for speaking to us!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt the cogs of her mind turning as she held the pose. His Majesty, huh? I’ve never met him myself, but he lives here in the palace, doesn’t he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had been in Galkhein for over a month. The palace was expansive, true enough, but for Rishe to have failed to run into him even once implied someone was deliberately preventing an encounter. Not that I’m His Majesty’s highest concern right now…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By and by, she looked up to find Fritz taking deep breaths, a hand splayed on his chest. “Whew, that was nerve-racking, wasn’t it, Lucius? I never expected to speak with Lord Lawvine!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? You looked like you kept your cool, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way! Although it’s nice to hear you say that. Anyway, are you free? Let’s eat together!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As much as Rishe would have loved to join him, she had places to be. “Sorry, I’m afraid I have to go. I have work in the afternoon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it. Bit of a shame, but there’s no way around it. Good luck at work!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks. See you tomorrow!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe jogged off the training grounds, slipped into a nearby storage room, and removed her wig. Instead of changing into her dress, she put on a maid’s uniform. Placing her training clothes in a laundry basket, she covered it with some sheets and returned to the detached palace disguised as a servant. She entered her room in her usual fashion: via the balcony. Her arms quivered on her way up the rope, nearly bringing her to tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m back, Elsie!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Welcome back! I’ve got everything prepared for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She took a quick bath with some help from Elsie, her only maid in on the cross-dressing. Rinsing off the sweat, she changed into a clean dress and dolled herself up. Drying the light waves of her coral hair, she ran a comb through it—and thus her preparations were complete."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Morning, everyone…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her fatigue leaked into her tone, endangering her cover story of sleeping until noon before relaxing in the bath, but her maids didn’t seem to notice. Returning to her room from the bath chamber with a handful of maids, she ran into an unexpected guest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before she could exclaim how fortuitous she found their meeting, Rishe realized why he was here. Accompanying him were several knights, all carrying things into the space prepared for Arnold’s office."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How’s the move going?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who can say? I’m not the one doing it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My lord—I mean, Your Highness! Your instructions are far too general…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver poked his head out of the office. Seeing Rishe, he smiled. “If it isn’t Lady Rishe! Thank you for the wonderful room you’ve prepared for His Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, Oliver. I just hope it proves to be a productive work environment. Apropos of nothing, did you just call His Highness ‘my lord’?” She glanced at Arnold. He looked extremely unamused."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I keep telling him to stop using that title—it’s creepy. He won’t listen to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“More importantly, do you want last month’s documents on the right-hand bookshelf? Please, just come inside.” Oliver returned to the office, directing the knights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That title… Is it just me, or is he attempting to clearly denote Prince Arnold as his master rather than the emperor?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She made a mental note to inquire further. As she considered the matter, Arnold called her name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” He bent down and whispered directly into her ear. “Come to the western gate tomorrow at two in the afternoon. Don’t let anyone see you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His husky voice tickled her ear. As Arnold pulled away, Rishe reached up, cupping a hand around her mouth to whisper back, “Should I dye my hair?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No need to go that far.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. I’ll wear something appropriate for town.” She dropped back down and stepped away from Arnold, when she noticed the maids staring at them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maids were watching Rishe and Arnold with flushed cheeks and glittering eyes. It hadn’t occurred to her how their furtive whispers might read to an audience."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, please!” called Oliver from the office."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut up! I’m coming.” Arnold followed him in a huff. Rishe parted ways with the rest of the twittering maids, heading back to her room with Elsie, who was also acting strange."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Lady Rishe, why were you speaking in secret just now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you see, Elsie—I’ve got an engagement with Prince Arnold tomorrow,” Rishe said. “Outside the palace.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie’s eyes lit up. “What sort of outing will this be?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He didn’t tell me. But it was an order, so I’m sure he just wants help with some official business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Regardless, I need to dress covertly tomorrow. Would a brown dress work, you think? I have a gray robe as well; I can scuff it up to look like I’ve been traveling… Oh!” Rishe exclaimed as Elsie grasped her hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Leave it to me, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Leave wha—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must absolutely, positively leave tomorrow’s preparations to me. Don’t worry, you’ll look cute as a button, my lady!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Umm…” Elsie’s impassioned declaration gave Rishe a bad feeling. “Listen, Elsie, I’m just going into town for business, so don’t trouble yourself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s no trouble! Your clothes, your hair, everything must be perfect!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had never seen Elsie this motivated. She was vibrating with excitement, blind to the discomfort she was causing her mistress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll make sure you look fit for town, but your clothes can’t be drab!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll borrow some clothes from Miss Diana. In fact, I’ll go fetch her right now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, you two really get along well now, don’t you…? Hey, wait a second!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next day, after finishing up her morning cadet training, Rishe set out to meet Arnold following some extraordinarily motivated preparations by Elsie. She met him with her hood pulled low over her face, and they set out through a hidden passageway reserved for the royal family. Walking through the underground waterways, they reached the town in a few minutes, whereupon Arnold stopped them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s probably far enough. You can uncover your head.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched, peering up at Arnold from under her hood, trying to show as little of her face as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was dressed in a blue ensemble a tad simpler than his usual, with a high collar to hide his neck. It was made to resemble the garb of a common citizen, though the stitching and fabric were still very fine. Some nondescript golden embroidery accented it here and there; someone with a discerning eye could detect the quality. Over top, he wore a thin black robe that covered his mouth, and the goggles that hung from his neck were common among travelers for keeping the wind and sun out of one’s eyes. In a pinch, he could use them to hide his face, but he probably intended to just let them hang there. Rishe was aware that few commoners knew the faces of the royal family—it was probably fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know I can lower my hood, but… Rishe hesitated, holding her robe closed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince cocked a brow. “What’s wrong?” When she continued to fluster, he said, “You don’t need to be so nervous. No regular citizens would recognize our faces. We’re not headed anywhere strange either—and even if they realize it was us later, it won’t matter.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I suppose you’re right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Plus, if you’re hiding so fervently, you’ll just make people more suspicious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was right. Rishe made up her mind and removed her hands from her robe, lowering her hood. She steeled herself and looked up at Arnold. When their eyes met, his held a hint of surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hidden under her white robe was a layered blue dress she’d borrowed from Diana. It was a popular early summer garment among the women of the castle town. From the waist down, it resembled a flower bud—a cute, simple design."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her coral-red hair was braided loosely to the right, adorned with smaller braids here and there. A relatively common hairstyle, but Elsie had braided ribbons in as well. True to her word, the maid had rendered her into a girl you’d meet in town, while taking special care to make sure she looked stylish and adorable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that her look was laid bare for Arnold to see, Rishe flushed pink. Sure, I’ll blend in, but still! She couldn’t help feeling anxious. Rishe was fond of fashion herself, and she put plenty of effort into her dress and hair when she attended parties and the like, but today was about business."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had barely opened his mouth when Rishe cut him off. “No! I know what you’re going to say! I’m aware we’re here to work, but if my clothes were too modest, I’d stand out in the opposite direction, so—!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought for sure you’d come in a hemp dress and simple robe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Am I really so predictable?” While Rishe was reeling from the shock of being so violently seen, Arnold gave her a once-over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is the work of your maids, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You seem to be laboring under a misunderstanding. These clothes will work just fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really?” Relief washed over her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll have to thank your maids myself,” Arnold said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. She didn’t know what he meant, and he didn’t elaborate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s get going. At this rate, we’ll start attracting attention for an entirely different reason.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Hey, wait up!” Rishe rushed to keep up with him. They walked together for a time, with Rishe slowly getting used to the nagging feeling of embarrassment. Soon she felt able to strike up a more cheerful conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is the perfect season for an outing, isn’t it? It’s nice and warm, but the breeze is cool.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right! And the air is very clean—maybe because it rained last night. Now that I get another look at it, it’s really a very beautiful town, isn’t it?” Rishe smiled sunnily, gazing at the scenery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Galkhein’s castle town was a storied capital city. Its grand brick buildings stood stately and beautiful, with newer structures skillfully integrated into the old. Rishe’s dress billowed in the gentle late spring breeze. “The view from the castle is nice, but it’s fun to actually walk through it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You speak as if this is your first time down here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It was dark the last time I came!” Rishe blustered at the allusion to the night she’d snuck out of the palace. Although she couldn’t see his face as she walked behind him, he was surely scowling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even during this exchange, Arnold didn’t mention where they were going. The streets around them were growing busier; perhaps they were headed for the capital center. The crowd’s chatter rose up ahead. When she saw what they were headed for, Rishe let out an astonished, “Wow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They had arrived at a huge, crowded street dotted on both sides with stalls. The stalls held all manner of things for sale, from smoked meat and fish to spices in pretty bottles. A vendor of exotic lamps faced someone selling finely crafted silverware."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hawkers’ shouts carried through the streets as shoppers happily perused the wares. The scents of fragrant crates of fruits carried all the way to where Rishe and Arnold stood. She loved seeing streets like this, so full of joy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyes sparkled despite herself. “A market!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold—who was set to walk straight past it—hesitated. “It’s just a street market… Maybe a large one. Rather ordinary, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nonsense! Take that stand, for instance. The merchant is carrying textiles from Jubel! The cloth has religious significance to them, so it’s terribly difficult to get export permits to other continents!” Galkhein was probably the only place you could expect to find such a thing outside of its country of origin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bursting with excitement, she went on, “Those are Coquilto’s famous grapes, and those are rare eggs from a saloof bird! Ahh! Now that I get a better look, they don’t just have eggs—there’s a hen in that birdcage too!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The jewelry over there is handmade in Galkhein, right? The fine craftsmanship makes it hugely popular among women in other countries. The lamp merchants right next door come from Halil Rasha in the desert, I believe. When a country is prospering, merchants gather there. It’s a bit of a long journey, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m curious about that stand over there too. I can’t see it very well through the crowd, but do you suppose they come from Coyoll—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eep!” Rishe snapped back to reality to find Arnold’s eyes boring into her. She realized how much she’d been rambling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no, I sound just like a merchant! I couldn’t help myself, though… I finally made it to a Galkhein market!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cleared her throat. “Th-they say you can tell a lot about a place from its market. It’s a window into the economic situation, for starters, but also the state of public security.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…I see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For example, I can’t see any obvious bodyguards or overly cautious knights here. That’s proof of the market’s security, since there’s no emphasis on crime prevention! Travelers will feel safe to stay longer and spend more money in a town like this! Right? Observing a town’s market is…important, you see…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her excuses weren’t going over well. Changing tack, she opted to apologize instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry. I was so excited, I got carried away.” Rishe bowed her head as Arnold took out a pocket watch. “I apologize if I made us late. Let’s get going. I’ll follow your instructions, so don’t hesitate to… Umm, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold returned the watch to his pocket and began walking, startling Rishe when he turned toward the market."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not going there, are you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ve got plenty of time. If you’re that excited about it, we can’t just pass by.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt a surge of happiness, everything suddenly brighter. “Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, the two of them set off into the imperial capital’s market. Rishe’s heart soared as they mixed with the crowds, the colorful tarp roofs of the stands beautiful under the blue sky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fresh berries here! Try one! They’re a beautiful color, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The stuff I got here is all Coyolles specialties, on sale today only! Our ship came in to Ceutena a week ago. Miss this chance, and who knows when you’ll get another one!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was enjoying herself so much that the delight spilled from her lips in squeaks and gasps. The merchants were animated, and the customers chatted avidly as they shopped. Just being in this vibrant space gave Rishe energy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look at that! Over th—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe stopped short, Arnold looked at her with curiosity. “What is it?” He couldn’t possibly have guessed what was bothering her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry, it’s nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrm? Well, whatever. Just don’t stop in the middle of the road—we’ll get separated. Worst-case scenario, I’ll have to put a leash on you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aha ha ha. Good joke! You almost had me fooled.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It is a joke, right?!” Rishe fought to compose herself, tugging at Arnold’s sleeve. “Anyway, check out that fruit vendor. They seem to be from Coyolles—I want to take a look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She walked to a stall a few meters away and picked the most succulent fruit from the bunch. As she paid, she asked the well-built woman running the stand to slice up her purchase. The woman nodded, peeling the large, oval-shaped fruit’s hard skin, revealing the perfectly ripe flesh inside. Rishe returned to Arnold with the succulent pieces impaled on wooden skewers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for waiting for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait. What’s that unsettling red object?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s gaze froze on the fruit. Rishe smiled, holding out one of the skewers. “It’s fruit from Coyolles. I know the color is weird and it looks slimy, but it’s very filling and nutritious. It’s good for you,” she explained, ferrying the fruit to Arnold’s mouth. “Try a bite.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold on. I can’t get past how it looks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s good for you!” Rishe repeated. Arnold’s shapely eyebrows settled into a frown, doubtless catching on she hadn’t mentioned anything about its taste. Eventually, he opened his mouth with great reluctance—just a little, but the vulnerability of the position was palpable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still frowning, Arnold chewed awkwardly. Rishe watched him until he was done."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you think? It’s sweeter than it looks and, as I said, it’s very nutritious.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…Yeah, nutritious. It tastes nutritious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, what a sour face.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, Rishe was satisfied. Arnold had a tendency toward overwork, so eating healthy food once in a while would only do him good."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it, in my life as an apothecary, I often fed that other prince this fruit, didn’t I?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince in her memories, sickly since childhood, had all sorts of medicine forced on him. He was a diligent person at heart, consuming without complaint things others would have rejected on sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was always surprised when he drank the tinctures my master and I prescribed—they tasted so bad. But he endured it for a full year and a half and made a complete recovery."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good medicine almost never tasted good. Arnold wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, still scowling. “So? What else do you want to look at?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gosh, there’s just so much! That stand’s got—!” Rishe stopped herself and forced a smile. “Uh… The leather goods in that stall are very well made, wouldn’t you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s a town specializing in leathers about a two-day carriage ride away. That’s probably where they’re from.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I see!” Was her forced smile giving her away?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did he notice? He didn’t, did he? Aside from the embarrassment of her elaborate outfit, an additional problem was plaguing Rishe: Every muscle in my body is killing me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d been doing her best to ignore it, but she was flagging. She could endure the ever-present dull ache but not the periodic lancing pain. They’d done lower-body conditioning in addition to running in today’s training. Yesterday, they’d only worked their upper bodies—no doubt they’d target different areas at different times. Rishe was aware of the theory that a period of rest was important for successful muscle growth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fortunately, she wasn’t feeling much pain in her lower body yet, but a numbness was slowly spreading through her thighs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t let him catch on. If he realizes my muscles are sore, he’ll want to know why. Lord Lawvine’s training was impressive, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lawvine, joining the day’s instructors, had observed every trainee, offering them each personalized advice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re very physically capable, but that makes you overconfident. Observe your surroundings carefully and think before you act.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You utilize your strength well, which is an impressive feat, but don’t let your proficiencies limit your choices. If there’s a gap between your aspirations and your ability, you and I must come up with a way to bridge that distance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine’s gentle voice and his artlessly sincere way of speaking lent his words persuasive power. It’s obvious he’s guiding every recruit with their futures in mind. And he’s very good at giving compliments. However…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced up at Arnold as he walked beside her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold is going to murder Lord Lawvine. And in just three years. I have a list of things to investigate, but that incident is my top priority. No matter how skilled an instructor the count is, it’s odd…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe lowered her gaze and considered the strange thought she’d had yesterday. Should she investigate Arnold? He wasn’t necessarily the source of the situation, however. Lawvine didn’t serve Arnold—he served his father, the current emperor. As she dwelled on this, she felt a gaze settle on her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She glanced up to find Arnold staring. They were no longer walking side by side; Rishe had fallen several steps behind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no, here comes the leash! She had to catch up before he actually put it to use. Her upper body throbbed, but she could endure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before she could run to meet him, Arnold went to her. “I’m still walking too fast, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? No, I’m fine, I just…” She rapidly blinked her wide eyes, realizing what he’d said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it, Prince Arnold is walking slower than he usually does."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinking about it, there was no way he hadn’t seen through her. He would have noticed her odd behavior from the very beginning. He hadn’t said anything, though, just casually matched her pace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is this warm, floaty feeling? Rishe gave a little sigh. This Prince Arnold really is very kind. It’s impossible to imagine him killing someone for something stupid just three years from now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m fine… Thank you.” Rishe smiled, and Arnold looked away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joining his side once more, Rishe quietly made up her mind. I need to learn more about him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Armed with enough knowledge, she might be able to prevent the tragedy Emperor Arnold Hein would wreak on the future. Rishe let her gaze wander the market while she thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she sidled up to various stalls, she bought fruit that actually tasted good, sampled smoked meat, and nibbled on bread. Arnold glanced at her as if wondering how hungry she could possibly be, but he accompanied her shopping without a hint of annoyance. After they’d seen most of the stands, Arnold took out his pocket watch again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are we running out of time?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He put the watch away and said, “No, but we should probably get going. If we stay in one place for too long, Oliver’s underlings might find us.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah yes, Oliver’s—wait, what?!” Rishe’s eyes bulged, and she almost dropped the pastry she was eating. “Are we hiding from Oliver as well?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was astounded by his complete lack of guilt. “You say that like it’s a given!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m finished with my work for the day,” Arnold replied, nonchalant. “My being gone for a while won’t result in a complete breakdown—things aren’t poorly run. Even if something comes up, Oliver can at least buy me time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was that true? Arnold was usually very forthcoming with Oliver. Rishe found herself slightly worried. Did he whisper to me yesterday because he didn’t want Oliver to overhear? But if we’re here for official duties, why wouldn’t he let his attendant know?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A possibility bloomed in Rishe’s mind. What if this secret outing isn’t official at all?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In that case, what were they doing out here? The root of all evil smiled at Rishe’s confusion with amusement. “Come on, let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had no idea what was going on. There was nothing she could say. She’d lost their duel, and now she was obligated to do as he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once they’d reached their apparent destination a little ways away from the market, her puzzlement only compounded. On the outskirts of the capital, at the bottom of a staircase leading to a basement of sorts, Rishe faced a door. Its singular sign asked visitors to perform the appropriate number of knocks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And this is…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The shop’s proprietress won’t come to the palace even if we summon her,” Arnold said. “I have to come down here myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, it’s a store? What do they sell?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead of answering, Arnold slowly knocked five times. Rishe couldn’t hear it, but there must have been a response from inside. He opened the door, urging her forward with a glance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Alert for danger, Rishe stepped inside to find a large wooden counter. The store had wooden flooring as well, with no gaudy decorations or shelves displaying products. Instead, there was a single low table and a few leather couches."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first glance, it looks modest, but that counter is a single board of rosewood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve been waiting for you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A cane tapped against the floor as a small old woman with white hair emerged from the back of the store. She wore a soft smile and light makeup, and a man in his mid-twenties supported her as she hobbled along."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The old woman stood before the counter and bowed deeply. “I pray that you are well, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s no need for such formality. Please rise.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With Arnold’s permission, she looked back up. Then she turned to Rishe and smiled wider. “What a beautiful young lady. It’s nice to meet you. I am the proprietress of this establishment.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nice to meet you. My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is my grandson. Come now, introduce yourself to Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man, who was still bent forward in a bow, raised his head just a bit. His face was deathly pale, his voice and shoulders shaking with apparent fear. He did everything he could to avoid looking at Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s scared of Prince Arnold… Clearly the prince’s bad reputation precedes him. The citizens of his domain heard the most frightening rumors. This man was afraid of the ruler who had committed atrocities on the battlefield and left behind mountains of corpses. Arnold was a hero who had led his country to victory, but his imposing presence naturally elicited fear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He doesn’t seem bothered by it at all, as usual. Rishe saw no emotion on Arnold’s handsome face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While Rishe was musing, the old woman smiled wryly. “I’m sorry about him. I was just scolding him for failing to authenticate an item sold at our store.” It was an obvious attempt to cover for her frightened grandson. “In fact, it’s quite difficult. Would you like to give it a try, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“G-Grandmother! You cannot be so rude to His Highness’s companion!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Bring me the box.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man hesitated, but he followed his grandmother’s instruction and headed into the back of the store. Eventually, he emerged carrying a box covered in red velvet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This contains one of your wares?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Please have a look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe watched as the man opened the box on the counter in front of her. Her eyes went wide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We are but humble jewelers.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Inside the box were three beautiful gemstones."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which of these gems do you think is a counterfeit item?” the old woman said. “Please think of this as a game. Don’t worry about your answer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell her what you think, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At Arnold’s urging, Rishe peered down at the stones. The one on the right was a pale violet color, the one in the middle the light gold of honey water, and the one on the left was a deep red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’re all so clear. Delicately cut and beautiful too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, what do you think?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gemstones had been a favorite of Rishe’s when she was a merchant. She’d come across countless gems and learned a lot about them. Thanks to that, she could be candid. “I don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The old woman nodded slowly, still smiling. “What a clear answer. Responding honestly without feigning one’s knowledge is a wonderful—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Therefore, Ms. Proprietress…” Rishe looked the woman in the eye. “May I borrow a loupe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman reacted to Rishe’s question with momentary surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A pincette and a cloth for a good measurement as well, please. And if you don’t mind, could I inspect them near the window where it’s brighter?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, my…” the old woman murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her grandson offered Rishe the tools with trembling hands. She took them and walked to the window, holding up the pincette. Knowing it was important to control how much strength she exerted, she picked up a gem and—careful to not drop it—held it up to the light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking at them like this, they are just as beautiful. But… The more she inspected them, the more she was sure that her initial impressions were correct."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“These stones are all counterfeit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My word!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing the shock written all over the pair’s faces, Rishe knew she was right. Arnold alone was smiling, like he’d seen it coming from a mile away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I underestimated you, Lade Rishe. You are the first woman I’ve ever known to request appraisal tools rather than simply guessing based on how the gems look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for borrowing such valuable implements, but it was the bare minimum I required to accurately judge them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Returning the instruments to the man, Rishe recalled, I learned this lesson in my life as a merchant. Surface beauty does not indicate authenticity. Rishe looked off into the distance, thinking of an incident when she’d been caught selling fake gems toward the beginning of her career."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, counterfeit or not, these gems truly are beautiful, Ms. Proprietress. They’re very clear and shine just like the real thing.” Rishe returned to the counter and looked down at the jewelry box once more. “I believe that a gem’s authenticity is not everything. They may be fakes, but there are plenty of people who would treasure them all the same.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All they had was surface beauty, but Rishe was still fond of them. She couldn’t help smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You…” the old woman said to herself. A moment later, she bowed deeply to Rishe. “I am in awe once more, Lady Rishe. I truly apologize for testing the future crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Oh, there’s no need for that! Please rise,” Rishe said, flustered. So it had been a test."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold is watching. Is this why he brought me here? What does he want me to do, appraise jewels? He has a shop right here to do that, so that can’t be it. Maybe sales are struggling, and he wants my help? No, that doesn’t seem right either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe deliberated, the old woman beamed at her. “My son and his wife operate on a much larger scale; this store is just my personal hobby. I gather gems from around the world and take great pleasure in selecting the clients I sell them to.” Merchants often did this sort of thing, so it made perfect sense to Rishe…until the proprietress said something unexpected. “I would absolutely love to obtain something for you, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hmm? Rishe wasn’t prepared for that angle. She glanced at Arnold for an explanation, but he’d moved away from the counter to sit in one of the leather chairs. He propped himself up, resting his chin in his hand and looking up at the old woman."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Spare her your flattery. If you want her as a client, take her order.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very well. I would be delighted.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The conversation was moving along without her, so Rishe hurriedly cut in. “Umm, Prince Arnold? What exactly is going on here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, have you not heard what you’re here for, Lady Rishe?” Rishe shook her head. The old woman smiled and said, “His Highness is here to purchase the ring his bride will wear at their wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hwah?” A strange noise flew out of Rishe’s mouth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wait a second. A ring… The kind of ring you wear on your finger? Right. That had to be it. This was a jewelry store where they sold exactly that kind of ornament. Wait, what does she mean by bride? Prince Arnold’s bride… His bride is… Rishe’s mind churned. That’s me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought her legs would give out. She whirled on Arnold, but he just wore that same unflappable expression as always. He sat there with his chin in his hand like this was business as usual. That only made Rishe more confused."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why? Seriously, why?! Are rings a part of marriage ceremonies in Galkhein too? No, that can’t be! Rings worn on your left ring finger only have meaning in my country!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The jeweler’s voice broke through her spinning thoughts. “I haven’t had a customer in a long while now. I’m prepared to give this piece my utmost effort! I need to make a few preparations. Kindly take a seat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe did as she was told, sitting down beside Arnold. Timidly, she asked, “Your Highness, umm, what is all this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you still confused?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course I am! I came along with you in secret today because I promised I would fulfill any request! Why are we buying a ring?” She couldn’t make heads or tails of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold took out his pocket watch, gazing at it as he answered simply, “My request is that you let me buy you a ring.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But why? Wasn’t there anything else you wanted to make me do—I mean, something I never would under ordinary circumstances—that would benefit you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, is that what you wanted? Did you want me to ask you to do something you wouldn’t like?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, no, but…!” Maybe she did want that. Rishe had made this bet in the first place to gain insight into Arnold’s true nature and intentions. This only gave her a new set of mysteries to ponder. “You didn’t need to waste your favor on something like this. If there’s some reason you want me to wear a ring, you could have just asked.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen, you,” Arnold began. Rishe thought she was being perfectly reasonable, but he looked exasperated. “If I just told you, ‘I want to buy you a ring, so pick something you like,’ you’d kick up a huge fuss over it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have a sneaking suspicion you don’t like people buying you things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was nothing she could say to that. Arnold was exactly right; it made her uncomfortable. Hence her current upset."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Therefore, I have no choice but to make use of opportunities like this. The gems at this store are of the highest quality. Money is no object. Pick whatever you prefer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness, you shouldn’t spend money without due consideration!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had a response ready: “Rishe. Any ring you pay for here will mean an immediate transfer of funds into the castle town.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s shoulders twitched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know you have an interest in business. I have an excess of personal funds and nowhere to spend them. My money isn’t circulating. What do you think of that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-well, I…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grinned, pressing on. “The proprietress here is very particular about her furnishings, as you can see. If I spend my money here, she may purchase more. In other words, my money will eventually go toward putting food on the table of merchants and skilled craftsmen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If there’s a gemstone you’d like from abroad, that can be arranged. When people and things move, money moves as well. Or do you disagree?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Th-this isn’t fair!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everything Arnold said made sense. People hoarding money without spending spelled tragedy for merchants. No one wanted royals to spend wastefully either, but if they had excess personal funds, then funneling that money to their citizens was ideal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very well. I’ll pick something wholeheartedly, with everything I’ve got!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh.” Arnold snickered at her declaration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, the old woman returned from the back of the store, coming over to sit down across from them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, time to get down to business. The centerpiece of the ring is the gemstone—I took the liberty of selecting a few. There are plenty more in the back, but let’s start with these, shall we?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Smiling, the old woman showed them her prized collection. When she set down the first jewelry box, Rishe’s breath caught. “How incredible!” Before her was an array of dazzlingly beautiful gemstones. It wasn’t just the color, shape, and cut that caught Rishe’s eye but the variety of stones themselves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes sparkled with wonder. “Is this the famous opal that’s only mined every few years in eastern Halil Rasha?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know of it? Ha ha ha, then you must take a look at this one. A beautiful pink diamond, isn’t it? This aquamarine is another fine piece…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was truly a box of gems in every sense of the word. Arnold didn’t seem the least bit interested, but Rishe couldn’t help her mounting excitement. The contents of the box were incredible, storied pieces worthy of the old woman’s prized collection. But here, Rishe hit upon a problem."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, this is so much fun! So, Lady Rishe, has anything caught your eye yet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt a rush of disappointment in the old woman’s question. That’s right. I’m not acquiring these to sell them, I’m looking for a gem for myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From that perspective, this was a different task altogether. As a daughter of nobility, she’d chosen gems for herself before, but back then she’d made choices to suit her position as the fiancée of her own country’s crown prince. Now her task was different."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If this is a wedding ring, then I should probably choose a diamond. Emerald would match the color of my eyes, but that’s the jewel of my country’s royal family. It could be seen as offensive. These gems are all so extravagant, King Zahad would love every single one of them… Augh, this is supposed to be for me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more she tried, the more her brain got stuck. The fact that every jewel was radiant certainly didn’t help matters. She couldn’t narrow down the list at all—she had no idea what to pick."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing her struggling, the old woman smiled. “Lady Rishe, could I offer you a piece of advice?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please do.” Rishe raised her head to find the old woman watching her with kind eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As if sensing Rishe’s distress, she said, “Choose your favorite gem and wear it proudly. That’s enough to give a girl courage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Feeling nervous, Rishe swallowed hard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t think of it as a piece of jewelry befitting the crown princess but as your own personal good luck charm. That is the best way to choose treasures. Simply pick something that you like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe considered the woman’s words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For instance, do you have a favorite color, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A favorite color…?” An answer immediately leapt to Rishe’s mind. She looked up at Arnold beside her, and their eyes met. He hadn’t been looking at the gems on the table—he’d been looking at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes were a beautiful blue. His brother Theodore’s were similar, but Arnold’s were a bit lighter; they always made Rishe think of ice. That color is like the clear water of a frozen sea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She may have first noticed it when she faced off against him in her life as a knight. Or was it only in this life? She’d looked into those eyes so many times in this last month that she couldn’t remember. But looking up and seeing her reflection there gave her such a strange feeling…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you have a gem that’s the same color as his eyes?” she heard herself ask."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grunted, eyebrows knitting together. Rishe fervently believed his eyes were the most beautiful color there was. But everyone around her reacted like she’d said something exceedingly strange."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my,” the old woman hummed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wait a second. Did I just say something totally crazy? The blood drained from her face, but there was no taking it back. The joy blooming on the old woman’s face made Rishe realize her blunder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, umm, you’ve got the wrong idea! I’m not being weird, and there’s certainly no hidden meaning to it! I just like the color of Prince Arnold’s eyes, and I’m always thinking about how pretty they are—ack!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh ho ho, you’re always thinking it, are you? Very well, please wait a moment. If that is what you’d like, I believe I have something for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, Ms. Proprietress!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Despite leaning on her cane, the old woman disappeared into the back of the store with surprising speed, leaving Rishe alone with Arnold. He’d been silent for some time now, and Rishe hoped he’d stay that way. She covered her face and hung her head, refusing to look at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please forget I said all that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had no response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The experience wasn’t exactly smooth, but Rishe eventually selected a jewel. The “first-class gem” the old woman brought from the back was just what Rishe was looking for. Tension lingered in the air, but Rishe slowly regained her sense of equilibrium. The old woman’s grandson said he would draw up some designs for the ring."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leaving the store, Rishe and Arnold set off toward their next destination."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is a great view. The breeze is cool. Feels nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They stood on top of the walls surrounding the imperial capital. Galkhein’s capital city was itself a fort, boasting fortifications several meters thick. Directly below was the main gate into the city, with carriages coming and going in an endless stream. An enjoyable sight, to be sure, but sunset drew closer with each passing moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look at that! The sun looks huge, and it’s setting right over the imperial palace!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Guess it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So this is what it looks like from outside…” Normally, Rishe gazed down at the town from the palace; the view from the opposite side was new to her. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Suddenly, Arnold asked her, “Why the left ring finger?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You specified that finger when they measured you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s…just a tradition, I guess…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t wish him to inquire further. Wearing wedding bands on the left ring finger was a given in her home country, but she was embarrassed to admit how quickly she’d decided upon it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I could ask the same of you, Your Highness. Any particular reason you wanted to buy me a ring?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not really. It didn’t have to be a ring, but you work with your hands often, don’t you? Mixing medicine or doing chores… You’re always running around doing tasks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that she thought about it, whenever she worked in front of Arnold, he studied her hands with great interest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I like the idea of seeing a piece of jewelry I gave you on those busy little hands of yours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” That left her flustered. How could she even respond? After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “In that case, when the ring is finished, you’ll be the first person I show it to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That short exchange took a lot out of her. With a sigh, Rishe wondered what time it was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m doing fine, but I wonder about Prince Arnold. He looked at his watch so much today. We’ll probably have to head back soon. No, wait."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold couldn’t have been worrying about returning to the palace."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If so, he would have been checking the time more and more the later it became. But His Highness hasn’t looked at his watch once since we arrived at the main gate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, he was no longer concerned about the time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But he checked it constantly in the market and the jeweler’s shop. Maybe…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something had been bothering Rishe for the last few days. She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. “Come to think of it, I’ve heard the maids gossiping about Lord Lawvine’s arrival at the imperial palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. He’ll be staying for a brief period and assisting with the knight cadets’ instruction.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that right? He’s a very distinguished individual, and I’d like to pay my respects to him if possible. Whose guest is he, precisely?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mine. Lawvine specializes in training inexperienced fighters.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness.” Rishe stopped smiling and locked eyes with Arnold. “Who are we waiting for up here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared back at her, nonplussed. “That came out of nowhere.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I’ve been thinking about it ever since I learned Lord Lawvine was here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He lords over the northernmost territory of Galkhein—beside the sea, is it not? A crucial area to shore up against any foreign invasion. But no other nations could make a move so long as the brave general Lord Lawvine is there.” Lawvine’s presence served as a bulwark against potential enemies. They were in a time of peace, but just a few years ago, the whole world had been at war. It was too soon for any nation to relax. “And yet…the count has left his territory and traveled the long distance down to the capital. It strains credulity to imagine he would come all this way simply to train some new recruits.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was what had been nagging at her—first when she met Lawvine and learned he would be assisting with their instruction, and again when she’d recalled today’s training in the market. Maybe the truth was connected to Arnold’s incessant watch-checking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For Arnold’s part, he just smiled, as if he was enjoying Rishe’s speculation. His expression made it clear he wouldn’t hide anything, but he wasn’t going to explain it either. “What would you say if I told you there was no deeper meaning? That I simply wanted to meet the man face-to-face? A ruler must meet his vassal in person occasionally, if only to foster deeper loyalty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I would accept that explanation if you weren’t getting married soon. If you simply wanted to see him in person, two months hence would have been a perfect opportunity, no?” She also would’ve found it more believable if someone else had summoned Lawvine, but the Arnold whom Rishe knew would never leave a crucial region unguarded for no reason."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you think I’m waiting for someone?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because this is the perfect vantage point to see into the town and survey any incoming visitors.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold hadn’t checked the time since they’d arrived at the gate. In other words, if they simply waited here, his target would come to them. Doubtless the appointed moment was approaching, and his visitor would likely be arriving from outside the gates."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just as you surmised, training the new recruits was the public-facing reason for the count’s visit. A pretext for his presence in the capital, along with his entourage.” This was likely a reward for her correct guesses. Despite his exposed intentions, Arnold seemed amused by their exchange. “The other day, I received a letter from a foreign royal. He sent his regrets that he couldn’t attend my wedding, but he wished to arrive early to offer his congratulations. Naturally, I sent a response telling him not to trouble himself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It sounded like a typical exchange of pleasantries. “Well, we can talk about how you neglected to mention any of this to me later,” Rishe said. “How did he respond?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I got another letter before I even posted my reply. ‘I’d like to congratulate you as soon as possible—I’m heading to you before receiving your response.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He forced your hand before you could turn him away.” That sounded like trouble. “And who exactly sent you this letter?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve got an idea, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She did. She’d had one ever since learning Arnold had summoned Lord Lawvine, protector of northern Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right after I got the letter, I sent a scout up to the northern port town of Ceutena. A week ago, that scout reported the arrival of a ship. Considering the time it would take for a carriage to make it that distance, with a few stops at inns along the way, I calculated that he’d arrive right about now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the market, one of the merchants had mentioned a product arriving in Ceutena aboard a ship a week ago that had just made it to the capital. Arnold was right; goods from the port had just arrived this morning. Wagons carrying food would have been expedited, but a royal entourage would have a slower journey. This would be the time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold reached out and put Rishe’s hood up, likely with her distinctive hair color in mind. Rishe followed his gaze out beyond the gates to the carriage path extending into the plains. She strained her eyes, trying to see as far as she could."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The design on that carriage is from Coyolles…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A suspicious visit from Coyolles jived with Rishe’s theory—it would be prudent to seek advice from Lord Lawvine, who kept tabs on countries across the sea. Arnold had summoned him to keep the visiting royal in check without ruffling any diplomatic feathers. And there was only one person from Coyolles invited to their wedding ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want to protect this country, Weitzner.” A young man’s voice drifted through her mind. “I’ll do anything it takes. Fortune has allowed me to live this long, and therefore I must shoulder this great task.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Kyle…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Coming to see Arnold was the eldest prince of the snowy country of Coyolles, a sickly young man with a strong sense of responsibility. Rishe’s patient in her past life as an apothecary."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0005.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE DAY AFTER they’d confirmed Kyle’s arrival in the capital city, Rishe was once again disguised as the brown-haired boy Lucius. She sat on a bench in the corner of the training grounds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t breathe!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was already sweaty, the cloth she had wrapped around her chest making all the heat settle in her torso. Although she was on break, her lack of stamina and the muscle pain had left her completely exhausted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You okay, Lu? Pull yourself together! Here, I’ll fan you!” The recruit sitting next to her flapped a paper handout to create a little breeze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks, Fritz… That’s nice and cool. I’m fine, though—rest while you can. We have sparring after this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, don’t worry about that. It feels better when you have someone else do it, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Printed on the paper Fritz was using to fan her was their midweek assessment following their first three days of training. It listed all the trainees’ names along with scores from 1 to 5. Next to Lucius’s name were Rishe’s scores for stamina and strength, both a measly 1. Apart from Rishe, everyone had at least a 3. Fritz had a 5 in both, but he didn’t seem to consider the ratings terribly important."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We finally get to use wooden swords today, right? Ahh, I can’t wait! Oh, Lord Lawvine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz and Rishe hurriedly made to rise as the count appeared, but Lawvine waved them off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s no need to stand. Use your breaks to recover and maintain your stamina. Lucius Alcott, you didn’t rest enough yesterday, did you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. The count had seen right through her. Well, what did I expect from Prince Arnold’s chosen instructor?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d spent all of yesterday afternoon wandering around the castle town with Arnold. After Prince Kyle’s carriage arrived, they’d followed him to confirm the inn he was staying at, and they hadn’t returned to the palace until nightfall. She’d been planning to go to bed early, but she needed to tend her field and sort medicinal herbs. Ultimately, Rishe hadn’t made it to bed until after her usual hour."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for not being able to manage my condition.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am not criticizing you. You will be sparring after this, however. Speak up right away if it becomes too much for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir. Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In normal knight training, pushing through the pain was seen as a way to hone the mind and body, but Galkhein seemed to favor slower, more precise training."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is how they create a country with absurd military strength in just five years."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine’s training wasn’t simply slow and steady; the upcoming matches were evidence of that. On their third day of training, recruits would be tiring of the harsh, monotonous work. Sparring with wooden swords was fun. Not only would it spice things up, but it would also show everyone how much work they truly needed to do. The cadets would be more passionate in their training afterward."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if Prince Arnold has told Count Lawvine about Prince Kyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had to know something, but Rishe had no idea how much information the prince had shared. Facts or strategies that Arnold may have told Lawvine and not shared with Rishe. After all, Count Lawvine has been under Prince Arnold’s command before. It made Rishe wonder what he was like as a commander."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lord Lawvine, if you don’t mind my asking, could you share some war stories with us new recruits? Perhaps…regarding the defense of Ceutena, Fritz’s hometown?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! I would love that!” As an Arnold fan, Fritz was all for it. “Especially anything about the prince!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lawvine was passionate about educating young people. He mused, “Well, let’s see… In the defense of Ceutena, Galkhein’s forces numbered seven thousand. We faced fifteen thousand enemies attacking by ship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow… They had double our forces, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The difference in our numbers was even more dramatic than that—Prince Arnold stood on the front lines with a mere three thousand troops entrusted to him by the emperor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?! You were already outnumbered, yet he didn’t even use all the soldiers he had?” Fritz blurted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The remaining four thousand were hastily trained young knights and farmers who’d had weapons shoved into their hands. Prince Arnold saved them for low-risk diversion missions, evacuating the citizenry, and logistics. He met the enemy with combat-ready soldiers at his side.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And His Highness still won.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. He made use of the heavy rainfall that day, utilizing the terrain of the port town as well as the enemy’s position. He overturned a massive difference in numbers with strategy, rendering our side’s casualties down to the absolute minimum.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz’s eyes shone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There was another battle around the same time with similar circumstances. Galkhein was victorious again, but we lost thousands of soldiers. The casualties were almost all new recruits.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what you’re saying is…numbers aren’t everything in battle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Indeed. It’s always better to have superior numbers, but hurling hordes of untrained men at the enemy is meaningless. Prince Arnold has proven this in real time.” Lawvine’s voice dropped slightly. “His Highness spares not a thought for the weak. He would never let a weak person onto the battlefield just for a chance at military achievement. However, this policy also ensures the fewest losses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe lowered her eyes, thinking. Arnold didn’t send the weak into battle. What he wanted was an army with nothing but extremely powerful knights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is he strengthening the country to make war on the rest of the world in the future?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The world is peaceful now, but the lives lost during the conflict are gone for good.” Lawvine smiled softly. It was an awkward expression, but kind. “Many young people were killed. I feel a measure of responsibility.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh! Rishe had heard that line spoken somewhere before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Many young men around my age lost their lives in the war. And I couldn’t even stand near the battlefield.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could still remember it clearly to this day. In her life as an apothecary, Rishe had said, “Prince Kyle, do you remember what my master told you? Staying alive is a royal’s most important duty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just can’t agree when it means sacrificing my own people.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt her gaze moving toward the palace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your break will be over soon,” Lawvine was saying. “Try to get some rest before then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir. Thank you very much.” Rishe and Fritz sketched a bow as Lawvine left to speak with some of the other cadets."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They really are incredible, huh? Both Prince Arnold and Lord Lawvine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded and said simply, “They are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had much to think about and so much to do. She was growing impatient, but she knew she had to take things one at a time. And for that, I’ll need stamina. Training comes first!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she was lighting the flame of her motivation, several other cadets walked past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yo, Lucius. Lord Lawvine really seems to like you despite you scoring all ones in the assessment, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The smirking Sven was a particularly talented recruit. According to the scores, his stamina was a 4 and his strength was a 5. “It’s nice that he spends so much extra time helping people with no talent. I envy you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Sven. I told you to leave Lucius alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s so nice of you, Fritz. We’re all just trying to be nice here, you know?” Sven and his friends grinned down mockingly at Rishe. “Kids from the slums might not be aware, but this country’s knight corps works on the merit system.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right,” Sven’s friend added. “Hey, Last Place. It doesn’t matter how hard you work. You should find a new job. Training is a waste of time for someone like you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Typical. That was the extent of Rishe’s feelings on the matter, but Fritz appeared to feel differently. His usual sunny smile had been replaced with an angry scowl. “Knock it off, Sven. Lu is taking his training seriously. Don’t mock another person’s hard work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hah! You seem confused. We’re not here to make friends.” In contrast to Fritz’s sober anger, Sven shrugged, sneering. “But you always get so angry when we laugh at Lucius. If you really want to be a knight, don’t you think you should have the guts to climb your way to the top no matter how many people you have to step on to do it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fritz, have you been standing up for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not a big deal. I just can’t stand people badmouthing my friends.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out a little breath at Fritz’s bold declaration. Break was nearly over; it was almost time for their spar. The matches were round-robin—Rishe would be crossing blades with each one of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope they don’t pick on Fritz just because he chose to befriend me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Swords down!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The short command echoed through the training grounds. Rishe and Sven had faced off, and their bout had just been called. It hadn’t even taken ten seconds."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for the match,” Rishe told Sven, pointing her sword down at him. He was sitting on the ground, his face pale and mouth flapping as the blade stopped just short of grazing his nose."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The training grounds were dead silent. Lawvine was probably the only one not completely blank with shock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the… How did you…?” Sven choked out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe extended her hand. “Can you stand, Sven?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is impossible! You don’t have any stamina at all! Or strength!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Which is why I didn’t use either to take you down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The spectating trainees were utterly stumped. Sven shook his head, unable to stand their gazes. “How? How could I lose to you?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry if I scared you, but it’s important to me not to cause Fritz any trouble.” Rishe knelt and looked Sven in the eye. “Personally, I’d like us all to be friends.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh!” Sven shot up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hadn’t meant to be aggressive but had evidently upset him. She watched Sven scurry back to his companions, then backed away herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz ran up to her, his eyes sparkling. “Lu! You were amazing, just like I thought you’d be!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Looks like I have been making things harder for you. I’m sorry about that.” Rishe lowered her head apologetically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stared at her. “Why are you apologizing? Anything I did, I did because I wanted to. Now you’re making me feel like I should apologize to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t do this for you. It was a good lesson for Sven—if he gets into the habit of underestimating his enemies, he’ll end up dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz’s eyes went wide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Plus, now I know that Sven has incredible reflexes. It would be a bit of a waste if Lord Lawvine didn’t pay him more attention.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their training period was only ten days long, making every moment of personalized coaching crucial. Rishe was considering all this with deep sincerity as Fritz grinned at her. “You know, you’re pretty weird, Lu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah, and about the way you call me ‘Lu’…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! I thought it was a good nickname. Y’know, short for Lucius. Should I stop?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. She’d had the same nickname in her life as a knight; it was very nostalgic. “No, I like it. Thanks, Fritz.” When she smiled at Fritz, he clutched at his chest. “What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is he unwell? It didn’t seem like it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing, it’s just… Um, I dunno…” Fritz cleared his throat. “Er… Oh, that’s right! We were gonna go eat in town after training today. But I guess you’ve got work, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah… I have a pretty important job to do after this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the afternoon, Rishe shed her disguise, took a bath, and dressed to the nines. She put up her wavy coral hair halfway for a tidy look and donned a dress the color of soft moonlight. She wore pearl earrings and painted her fingernails light pink. Then she accompanied Arnold—who wore a cape and white gloves with his usual military uniform—to a reception room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As they strode through the palace, Rishe whispered, “His Highness Prince Kyle greeted His and Her Majesty this morning, correct? Did anything strange happen?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked extremely irritated. “My father apparently granted Coyolles’s prince permission to stay here for as long as he likes. Though I have no idea how long someone who can’t attend my wedding for undisclosed reasons would wish to remain.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pulled a taut smile at his prickly response. Arnold was right to be annoyed; Kyle was breaking social etiquette."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s what I find so strange about this, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle was diligent and courteous. Rishe knew that better than most."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, thank you for drawing up those notes on your condition after you took the medicine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This had happened during her life as an apothecary—right after she’d taken over caring for Kyle from her master. With his official duties over for the day, Kyle had continued to shut himself in his study, running a pen across paper."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I beg of you, please rest. If you collapse, this will all be for nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I’m not pushing myself, Weitzner.” The prince, who called her by her last name, had spoken as he formed each letter on the page with care. “I understand the pains you and your master have taken to develop this new medicine. I wish to help in any way I can. I can’t cut corners.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think my master forgot all about those pains the moment we perfected the medicine. And if she hasn’t, she surely will when you make a complete recovery, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s comment had been somewhat flippant, but Kyle had given her a solemn look and said, “I’ll do my best.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He always interacted with me sincerely and politely when I met him in my other lives too. At the very least, he’s not the type to barge in on someone without considering the circumstances of the people putting him up…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she mulled it over, they arrived at the reception room. The knights on guard opened the door, and she stepped inside with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold would sit first, but Rishe couldn’t follow suit. She may have been engaged to him, but as they were not yet married, her position was merely that of a duke’s daughter from Hermity. As such, she was not permitted to sit in on a meeting between a crown prince and a foreign royal. Until the two men were finished with their greetings, she would wait in the corner of the room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“His Highness, Prince of Coyolles, Kyle Morgan Cleverly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe fell into a bow. She would not rise until Arnold and Kyle had finished greeting each other and thus could only hear them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Congratulations on your engagement, Prince Arnold. I, Kyle Morgan Cleverly, have come from Coyolles in place of my father the king to wish you a blessed union.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I sincerely appreciate you making the long journey. Your country’s blessing will ensure a bright future for my own nation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the eldest princes of their respective countries, the two of them should have been on equal footing—but the way they spoke suggested otherwise. Coyolles was small fry compared to Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The difference in their standings is obvious even with Coyolles’s wealth of gem and gold deposits, Rishe thought. The problem was their other resources. The country is covered in snow all winter, which makes procurement and transportation of food difficult. They burn through firewood rapidly. They can’t produce enough food and fuel for their country on their own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They had wealth, but that just made them a juicier target for more powerful kingdoms. Their tenuous position was maintained with vigorous diplomacy and political marriages. Coyolles could absolutely not afford to make an enemy out of the militant Galkhein across the sea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Five years from now, Coyolles will stand with the rest of the world against Galkhein…and fall to invasion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Coyolles’s central issues were the fragility of both its military and its heir Prince Kyle. The fact of Kyle himself braving a harsh journey by ship to come here spoke volumes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eventually, the exchange of greetings came to an end, and Rishe sensed Arnold looking her way. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness.” Rishe raised her head. She paced over to Arnold—who hadn’t yet sat down—and stood at his side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is Rishe, my future bride. We appreciate you coming to congratulate us.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m very pleased to meet you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked at Kyle head-on. His skin was white as porcelain and his hair was silver, almost illuminating his expression as it framed his face. His eyes were a light blue, a levity to them that belied his strong will. They were like the clear surface of a lake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He really is like an ice spirit. She recalled the way the girls in his own country would blush when speaking of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner. I’m honored to make Your Highness’s acquaintance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am Kyle Morgan Cleverly.” Kyle knelt fluidly before Rishe. It was a perfect display, as if he were a knight instead of a prince. His eyes lowered, and the light shone through his eyelashes as if they were sculpted from ice. While down on his knee, Kyle spoke without a hint of self-consciousness. “Your beauty is like that of a goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goodness me…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking up at her with an earnest gaze, Kyle went on, “I’m delighted to meet you. I pray you forgive my rudeness at daring to speak in your divine presence. I had assumed that His Highness Prince Arnold’s fiancée would be beautiful, but how was I to imagine a woman of such exquisite grace?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "O-ohh… That’s right."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All the gold my country boasts could not possibly compare to your radiance, Lady Rishe. Even flowers in bloom would be ashamed of the poor display they make against your splendor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Forcing a straight face, Rishe recalled an important aspect of Coyolles culture: Men practically worshipped women. This etiquette was pushed from their youth. If a man spotted a woman in Coyolles trying to walk down a muddy path, he would drop whatever he was doing and escort her to her destination in a gentlemanly manner. The higher the status of a man in Coyolles, the more he practiced this behavior."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d heard it was all for the harmony of the household. They spend long winters trapped in close quarters, but…wow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As this was merely the custom, Kyle had no ulterior motives for complimenting her in such a way. However, as a man known for his diligence, he delivered these compliments with such fervent sincerity that he’d largely convinced ladies on the other end he meant every word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I hardly deserve such praise, Your Highness.” Rishe smiled and let the compliments go in one ear and out the other. She had other things to focus on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Kyle is so pale! Her heart sank as she looked down at the man kneeling before her. I mean, he’s always pale, but now he’s almost blue. His index nail is cracked all the way to the skin. Even his inner eyelids have a ghastly pallor! His posture is lacking, and his voice is quieter than usual as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She quickly calculated the nutrients and medicines necessary to treat the prince’s current condition. During all this, Kyle continued to extol her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your bride is beautiful down to her very fingertips. It’s as if she’s dripping with gems.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh!” Rishe exclaimed. “Thank you! We’ll be manufacturing this nail polish here in Galkhein in the future. I hope it makes it to Coyolles as well! Say, Prince Arnol—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced at her fiancé and was shocked by the ice in his eyes as he looked down at Kyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Huh?! Did I miss something?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The look on Arnold’s face was so cold it could have sent a bystander running in fright. There had to have been some crucial clue in Kyle and Rishe’s conversation just now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Kyle noticed, she reached out and tugged on Arnold’s sleeve. “Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” His expression softened somewhat, and he addressed Kyle once more. “That’s enough pleasantries. Please, sit. Relax. Make yourself at home.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I graciously accept. Lady Rishe, please do excuse any impropriety on my part in the face of a divine beauty such as yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t be ridiculous. For that matter, I am not yet a member of the royal family. Do not feel you have to treat me with any overabundance of courtesy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After that, they were finally able to sit and chat. When the conversation began in earnest, Arnold displayed the usual surliness without a hint of his earlier chill. They spoke for a good half an hour without Kyle’s intentions becoming any clearer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll have a servant escort you to your room. I do hope you recover fast from your exhausting journey here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I appreciate your concern. I’m thankful for the opportunity to rest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and Arnold stayed behind after Kyle left the room. Rishe leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath, tired after the tumultuous downpour of social pleasantries. Being alone with Arnold helped her regain some of her equilibrium—although this comfort struck her as odd."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you learn anything from that, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not at all. He only brought up safe subjects. I have no idea what he’s doing here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Then why were you looking at him like you were trying to murder him with your eyes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold brought a hand to his chin, completely indifferent to Rishe’s surprise. “More importantly, it seems Kyle’s brought a couple of scholars with him from Coyolles. There will be an information exchange between them and some of our own. Would you like to attend?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe perked up at the unexpected opportunity. “You wouldn’t mind?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re entertaining him, so we might as well get something out of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He is here to congratulate us, at least ostensibly. I’d like to be there, though. Oh, and I’ve heard that His Highness is sickly. I have some medicine for him to try.” She hadn’t expected to see him now, but Kyle had been invited to their wedding. Rishe had the cure to his illness prepared to give to him whenever he was here. She knew all the medicinal herbs required for his recovery by heart. “If the scholars from Coyolles can verify my methods, then I won’t have to sneak it into his food.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, if I just handed him some medicine, would he take it? He’d be suspicious.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her non-apothecary lives, Rishe had sent anonymous letters informing her former master of the medicine that would cure Kyle. The ambitious woman would do anything in the name of research, so despite how suspicious Rishe’s letters had been, she had followed the instructions regardless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d like him to start taking the medicine sooner rather than later—adding it to his food just seemed expedient.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That doesn’t sound like a joke, coming from you.” Arnold had said something very similar once before. In truth, she was half-serious, but she decided to stay quiet about that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In any case, brace for the next annoyance tomorrow. We’re holding a welcome party for Kyle. As much as I would love to skip it, we’ll have to attend.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right. I’ll be ready.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The best way to let Kyle and Lawvine meet naturally will be at the party. I’m sure Kyle will catch on to our warning and handle it diplomatically… Hey, what’s with that look?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned, seeing Rishe stiffen with surprise. But her promise to Theodore left her unable to reveal her inner turmoil."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Lord Lawvine comes to the party… It was perfectly reasonable for him to come, but Rishe still broke out into a cold sweat. The count’s attendance would make interacting with him unavoidable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’ll find out that I’m Lucius!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, Rishe headed for her field with her guards in tow, as always. She wore a deep blue dress that was easy to wash and didn’t show stains, her long hair tied up in a ponytail. As she silently harvested her medicinal herbs, she considered her newest worry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I meet Lord Lawvine at the party, he’ll expose “Lucius’s” identity. I knew I’d need to make an apology after the training period is over, but I’d hoped to keep it a secret until then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wanted to learn about Galkhein’s knights; she wasn’t participating in the training just to toughen up and build stamina."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This will help me get closer to understanding just what Emperor Arnold Hein plans to achieve in five years’ time…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a sigh, she thinned out the sprouts budding in her field and steeled herself for what she needed to do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have to welcome Kyle, fool the count, and avoid stoking Arnold’s suspicions. I’ll use a proven technique at the party. It’s tiring, but the lessons I learned in my fifth life will come in handy!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She dusted the dirt from her hands and stood, basket in hand. A night breeze caressed her cheek. Spring on this continent ended with a brief rainy season—the wind tonight was a pleasant precursor. The fireflies would come out soon. Maybe she could find a place on the palace grounds to watch them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she was considering this, several lights flickered to life in a distant tower. She’d never seen it lit up before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the knights followed Rishe’s gaze and said, “The scholars from Coyolles are staying in that tower.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, that’s where they are?” Rishe was acquainted with a few of them—although in this life, it was only one-sided."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if Gideon is here. Greg hates traveling by ship, so I assume he stayed in Coyolles. As she recalled the familiar faces, her mind lingered on one in particular. This should be the era when Master is traveling all over to seek out books of medicine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her life as an apothecary, she’d met her master around a year and a half from the current moment. Rishe had caught her eye as someone whose knowledge of medicine was self-taught, and the woman had bestowed even more upon her. Rishe was with her for two years, but there was still so much she could have learned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure Master’s not with the group from Coyolles, but…if I could see her again, there’s a lot I’d like to ask her. And not just about Kyle; she wanted to make other medicines in the future. Her problem was her low supply of medicinal herbs. She had asked the Aria Trading Company to procure what they could, but some would be hard to get outside of Renhua, the medicinal capital of the world."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Prince Kyle is my priority right now. I’ll have to convince his scholars to let him try my medicine for at least a few days. The difficulty lay in how absolutely terrible it tasted: The concoction was bad enough that it would be hard to convince them it wasn’t poisonous."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must get it into him, though. If I don’t, he won’t even be able to stand up five years from now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had crossed paths with Kyle in her first life as a merchant. She’d traded in gems, giving her an opportunity to do business with the king of Coyolles. Kyle found working with Rishe convenient, and they continued to make deals, but his condition only worsened with time. Within half a decade, Coyolles gave up on its first prince and named its second prince—only five years old at the time—the king’s successor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, Prince Kyle’s half brother will be born this year. I think his birthday is in the seventh month, like mine, so…next month. In Coyolles, the kind third queen was likely enthusiastically preparing to have her first child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe remembered how Kyle had spoken to her, voice hoarse, unable to even sit up in bed. “I have no interest in ascending to the throne. There’s no point. My only fear is my inability to repay my country and the people who have respected me as their prince for so long.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must ensure Prince Kyle recovers. Rishe knelt in the corner of her field, picking herbs for Kyle’s treatment. I wonder if Kyle ever visited Galkhein around this time in any of my previous lives. Has it happened in all of them? Or is this a first?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle was here to celebrate Arnold and Rishe’s engagement. This is a departure from my previous lives, and it means everything’s going a little differently. If that held true, she had hope. There’s meaning in my decisions. I’m reordering things. Okay, I’m even more motivated now!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to change the world, to squeeze out even one more second of life than her last. Her ultimate goal was to sleep a solid ten hours every night, read books in the morning shade, and enjoy tea in the afternoon. She imagined the bliss of reclining in a hammock on her balcony at night, eating fresh fruit while her hair dried from the bath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she was indulging in her fantasies, one of the knights called out to her, “Lady Rishe, step back, please.” His voice was laced with tension."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe caught on at the same time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…I’m surprised,” came a man’s soft voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Recognizing it, Rishe felt herself rising to her feet. The speaker stood in the shadow of a nearby building. She couldn’t see his face, but she could make out his white robe and the armband marking him as a citizen of Coyolles. That was the only reason her guards hadn’t drawn their swords."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I figured the person tending this field would be in a profession like mine. To think it would be a noblewoman important enough for a two-knight watch.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man ambled over to Rishe. When the moonlight illuminated his face, Rishe gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He tucked his long blond hair behind one ear with graceful fingers, his robe undone far enough to dance in the breeze. When he smiled, his beautiful, almost feminine features made it difficult to guess his age."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s no way he’s here with Prince Kyle right now. There’s no grounds for it! I have no idea how he spent his days before I met him, but—!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man held a lit herbal cigarette between his fingers, thin and fragrant, containing none of the toxins of a cigar. It just spread a sweet, flowery scent around him. Rishe knew that smell well. She’d learned it a long time ago at this man’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good evening, my assumed colleague. What, precisely, are you planning to do with those herbs?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man Rishe had once called her teacher, Michel Hévin, stood before her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mankind’s creations must be put to proper use.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The last time Rishe met this man was on a moonlit night just like this one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I broadly agree with you, but that aphorism is imperfect. No one can agree on what ‘proper’ means.” The genius Michel Hévin had said those words with the same flowery herbal scent drifting around him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I use this chemical I’ve created, the world will surely be thrown into turmoil. But what’s wrong with that?” Michel had smiled softly, tucking his light blond hair behind one ear. “Is it wrong to want to live to see the changes your work has wrought?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His violet eyes focused on Rishe. It was a lonely look, but he still smiled as he said, “Farewell, my student. I hope your life is a ‘proper’ one in your own mind.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the last time she’d seen him. But now, Michel stood before her once again. Rishe was frozen with shock, and her guards stepped forward to protect her. “My apologies, sir. I can see that you’re a guest, but would you mind telling us your name?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? Oh! Sorry if I startled you.” Michel bowed, moving with a strange fluidity, like he didn’t have a spine. “I’m Michel Hévin. Just as you’ve surmised, I’m from Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The rooms prepared for you are quite a distance from here, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’ve lost your way inside the palace, we’ll summon someone to show you back to the tower.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s knights—usually unfailingly polite—betrayed uneasiness as they spoke to Michel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel, for his part, didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. He flashed a grin. “How kind. But I’m not lost; I’m just interested in speaking to this young lady here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Hévin, I apologize, but Lady—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s all right,” Rishe cut in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At once, the knights took a step back. “Very well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sent a silent thank-you for their dedication in protecting her and turned to face Michel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Running into him here is surprising. However…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the time being, she had to greet him as if they were meeting for the first time. Besides, she had a question for him. “I am Rishe Irmgard Weitzner. Sir Hévin, might you be one of the scholars His Highness Prince Kyle brought with him to Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I guess you could call me a scholar. I’m mostly concerned with research, though—I don’t get out much.” Michel chuckled. “Those nails…” He pointed at Rishe’s pink polish. She’d painted her nails before meeting Kyle in hopes of eventually pushing the product in Coyolles. “Is it gelwood sap? It’s usually white, but you’ve dyed it a different color, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe swallowed. He can tell all that from just a glance? She had designed this nail polish herself. Michel couldn’t have known of its existence before today, but he’d analyzed its components almost instantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How did you harden it like that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I added lish grass, gibi nectar, and lapet grass, then combined it all with glue.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see. Smart,” Michel said, impressed. He glanced down at Rishe’s nails again. “Did you avoid cyril grass to prevent excess bubbles in the mixture?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just as you say. You’re well informed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, it’s just a theory.” Michel gave her an impish look. “Do you think there’d be any change if you used estoma sap for that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought back to their days of experimentation. I handled estoma sap several times when I was studying with him, so yes, I do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking at him squarely, she answered, “I believe it would harden into a much stronger polish—strong enough to glue a broken tooth back together. Also, it would probably harden clear.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm. I agree.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But that’s just a hypothesis. I would have to verify it with experimental trials.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel’s eyes went wide before he smiled softly, nodding with satisfaction. “You’re a good girl, aren’t you? You hypothesize, come up with practical applications, and value experimentation and verification of your results. I’d love to have you as a student.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Lord Hévin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d said the same thing to her in one of her past lives, but unfortunately, she couldn’t give him the same response this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Becoming your student would prove difficult, but…I don’t suppose you’d mind teaching me for the brief time that you’re here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure, I don’t mind. Though I’m still learning myself. There’s plenty I don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you very much. I shall call you ‘Professor,’ then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Professor, eh? Heh heh, that’s kind of fun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe smiled at his amusement and began to think. The real question is what he’s doing here in Galkhein. If it’s for that chemical, then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Impatience swelled in her chest, but she didn’t want to pry and raise suspicions. He might simply be accompanying Kyle on the prince’s orders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe contemplated, Michel’s gaze shifted once again to the field. “By the way, my student. Can we return to my initial question?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. What were you asking?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The plants in this field appear to be of a slightly different sort than what I study. I’m no expert, and this is only a theory, but…” Michel brought the cigarette to his lips. “You’re not planning to drug Kyle, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So much for not being an expert. He’d clocked this field instantly. One of her guards was even giving her a look of open-mouthed shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wouldn’t even tell me his own specialty. He’d just say, “I’m not an expert; I don’t have perfect knowledge of all things. I can’t say I understand everything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel was the same as always. Well, not quite. She’d never met this Michel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cleared her throat. “As a matter of fact, Professor, I’d love to speak about that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was perfect. She’d use this opportunity to put him to work for Kyle’s sake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That being said…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Some thirty minutes later, Rishe realized the situation she’d put herself in—and she was at a complete loss."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d arrived at a reception room in the palace, a smaller one than they’d used earlier. Along with Rishe were her guards, Michel, and Kyle, who had been summoned from his quarters."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "…I didn’t think I’d be going straight to Prince Kyle!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle greeted Rishe politely, though he seemed supremely stumped. “Thank you for this unexpected delight, Lady Rishe. To think I would be so fortunate as to lay eyes upon you twice in one day; I’m not sure how to express the joy I feel from such a wondrous opportunity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, I beg you—speak freely. Don’t concern yourself with propriety.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right. As you wish.” Looking worried, Kyle turned to Michel beside him. “Michel, what exactly are you doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel grinned. “I found this remarkable young woman in a courtyard. She’s got something interesting, and I wanted to introduce her to you right away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Watch what you say, will you? This is the crown prince of Galkhein’s fiancée.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, really? Eh, she just became my student a minute ago, so it’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle gave her a bewildered look. Rishe bowed her head to him, apologetic. Due to their past, she felt responsible for Michel’s behavior, as if she were a family member."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She’s an aspiring apothecary, you see. I believe she has some medicine that would benefit you, Kyle.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“An apothecary? Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She told me she studied under a mentor from Renhua! From how she tells it, I think this mentor and I would get along well, isn’t that right, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could only laugh in response. “Aha ha ha…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel plowed on. “These aren’t herbs I’ve studied myself, but I’m aware of their potency. This medicine should work, and its side effects shouldn’t impact your daily life overmuch. I think we should experiment with them, Kyle!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor, you cannot ‘experiment’ on the prince of a nation!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Was that the wrong way to put it? My, common sense can be difficult, can’t it?” Feigning surprise, Michel smiled at Kyle, who had quite a complicated look on his face. “I truly do pray for your full recovery, Your Highness. With every beat of my heart.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, Professor, you can’t say it like that…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle had a very earnest, sincere disposition and thus was susceptible to others’ sincerity. He believed his frail body to be a burden. “I understand.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as she expected, Kyle nodded his head gravely. Rishe was grateful for his cooperation, but she couldn’t help her concern for him. “Are you sure, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The foremost scholar of my country urges me to try it and stands by its efficacy. I am dedicated to doing anything it takes—I consider the possibility fortuitous.” With the utmost gravity, he added, “After all, a medicine prepared by such a goddess will doubtless have some effects simply by the very nature of its creator.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…I’ll just get it ready, then.” Rishe took a moment to collect herself, then stood. She would have to report to Arnold before she administered any medicine, so she asked one of her guards to deliver a message to his office, where he was sure to still be working."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The guard returned with Arnold’s reply: a simple “Understood.” Apparently, his intention to allow Rishe free rein still remained. Unsure of what he was really thinking, Rishe got to work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First: mix the medicine!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hastened back to the detached wing with her basket of herbs. She lit the kitchen stove and set the herbs she had already prepared to boil. Asking a maid to mind the pot for her, she returned to the reception room to interview her patient."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see…” she murmured. “You weren’t eating much on your journey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It embarrasses me to say so, but I was seasick for much of it… I was stuck in my cabin the entire time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That sounds awful. How about after you arrived in Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, then I spent the rest of the trip carriage-sick…” Kyle said dejectedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel smiled softly at his prince. “Kyle was a brilliant patient, though. He fought his nausea the whole time. I felt so bad when he threw up the fruit I gave him, but he managed to keep down water and ice. I’m not really suited for tending the sick, though…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Michel,” Kyle said. “Could you stop patting my head?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should have brought a normal apothecary with you,” Michel went on, “instead of someone who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle frowned. “The queen is about to give birth. The royal family’s supply of apothecaries is not limitless; as many as possible should remain with her, should they not? Perhaps I should have left you there as well…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way. Childbirth is way out of my wheelhouse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You just came back covered in blood a few days ago, saying you attended the birth of a calf,” Kyle protested. “Was that not for your research?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, I’d just never seen it before. I was interested, so I got a little overexcited.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You terrorized Coyolles Castle for that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The familiar banter warmed Rishe’s heart. There are moments when the professor looks younger than eighteen-year-old Prince Kyle. Of course, no one knows how old he actually is…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason for that was simple: Michel himself didn’t know it. He looked to be in his mid-to-late twenties, but he occasionally displayed the innocence of a much younger man and the wisdom of an older one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At least he was able to eat dinner tonight. He’ll improve gradually,” Michel said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle’s face remained glum. “I feel pathetic for failing to manage my own condition. I must be stricter with myself—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness. It’s not discipline you lack, it’s compassion. You must value yourself more. You need to let yourself rest, take a long bath, and eat something tasty and nutritious. I request that you exercise to the best of your ability, stay positive, and practice self-love.” Rishe smiled at Kyle. “Part of being healthy is enjoying life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Enjoying life…” Kyle repeated, considering the words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded. “Don’t worry about the return trip. I’ll brew medicine to prevent seasickness and send it home with you. That way, you can appreciate the scenery on your journey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle looked surprised for a moment before he bowed his head deeply. “Thank you very much, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t mention it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“While the medicine’s brewing, would you care to take a look at my writings?” Michel artlessly gestured toward a bundle of papers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor, is this…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, your research,” Kyle remarked. “You showed me just the other day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. People keep saying I should write things down. I don’t think it’s for me, though. I keep it all up here in my head.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you forget everything that isn’t directly related to research you’re interested in, right? Your notes are too complex, Michel. I’m not sure what a person who’s just met you could possibly make of—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow!” Rishe breathed as she paged through the notes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incredible! This is the experimental data he’d already burned when I met him! He told me he didn’t remember any of it. I was dying to see it for myself!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel dropped most experiments once he’d satisfied his own curiosity, but several were awfully promising—they just needed to be studied a bit more in-depth. Rishe got the feeling that if she started reading this, she wouldn’t be able to stop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can understand Michel’s notes, Lady Rishe?” Kyle asked. “I’m impressed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh. You really are an interesting girl.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe grilled Michel for close to an hour, then returned to the detached wing to check on her herbs. They had boiled down enough, so she let them cool before transferring them to a small bottle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She returned to the reception room and summoned Kyle, who was resting in his chambers. Thrusting the bottle into his hands, Rishe said solemnly, “This is the completed medicine. However, I must lead with one big caveat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel raised an eyebrow. “Side effects? I figured it would just make him a bit drowsy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s not side effects.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please tell me, Lady Rishe. I am willing to surmount any obstacle in order to overcome my illness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes fell, and Kyle’s expression hardened to match her. He gulped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This medicine tastes absolutely awful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It tastes awful,” Kyle parroted, and Rishe nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel broke into a smile and said, “What, is that all? Kyle can handle it. He’s a strong kid—earnest and hardworking. Right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor, please don’t put words in his mouth!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, Lady Rishe, I won’t complain. If this is what I must do, I will go to any lengths.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know,” Michel said. “I’ll feed it to him. Say ‘aah’!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep! Professor, don’t! At least give him some water!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel put the vial to Kyle’s lips, giving Rishe no time to stop him. Kyle, who had opened his mouth to speak, quickly found it flooded with muddy green liquid. The prince immediately covered his mouth and hung his head, going stock-still. He must have been struggling to swallow, but the longer he held it against his tongue, the more he would suffer. Rishe rushed to her feet, just as he gulped it down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A-are you all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I—” Kyle started, but a coughing fit cut him off. It seemed he was not all right. Still, he resolutely raised his head and squeezed out, “I’m fine. It was easier than that one time my father told me to eat dirt.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This medicine is liquid, you know!” Comparing the palatability of liquid medicine to something solid like dirt was madness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Kyle, how did it taste?” Michel asked, giddy. “Come on, tell us!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s got bitter and sour notes, and on top of that, there’s a very overpowering…unique smell. And there’s this strange, sticky sweetness on my tongue even after I swallowed it… Ugh…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness,” Rishe interjected. “We don’t need commentary. I’m sorry, could one of you knights get him some water?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why don’t you try paying a little more attention to the taste this time,” Michel said. “Here, try another swig—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor!” Rishe shrieked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reception room was thrown into chaos, but they eventually got things back under control and returned Kyle to his bed. Regardless of the medicine’s efficacy, he still needed rest. Rishe allowed the knights from Coyolles to escort him, staying back in the reception room with Michel and her own guards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should return to the scholar’s tower and get some rest yourself, Professor. I’ve summoned a knight to escort you. Just give him a few minutes to arrive.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it. Thanks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was already ten o’clock, and Rishe needed to head back to the detached wing to sleep as well. She had training in the morning, meaning she had to remove the polish from her nails. As she went through a mental checklist of her bedtime routine, Michel looked eagerly at the half-empty vial. He scooped a bit of medicine up with a finger and licked it. How nostalgic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never thought I’d see the day I’d call this man “Professor” again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She recalled an incident in their laboratory. Michel had recently gotten hold of the ingredients for a certain chemical. The day held nothing out of the ordinary, but every time Rishe saw that chemical used, she felt a twinge in her chest. No doubt she let her unease show on her face more than once."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really don’t like this stuff, do you, Rishe?” Michel had said when he caught her, smiling faintly. “You’re a clever girl with heaps of intriguing knowledge, though I’ve no idea where you learned it. In fact, your one flaw as a student is your dogged insistence that your wisdom and skills must only be utilized for the betterment of others.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The brilliant scholar’s smile soured then. “I’m not sure who gave you the right to decide what betters someone’s life.” He ran his fingers over the chemical’s recipe. “To use an analogy: Something that was born poisonous could only truly fulfill its purpose by poisoning—by worsening a life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel didn’t need the chemical. He’d burned the research notes his lord had ordered him to write. The only thing that remained was this recipe, which he’d written unprompted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I created this, and I want it to fulfill its purpose. Maybe this is what being a parent feels like,” Michel joked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I respect you, Professor, but I don’t understand your position,” Rishe told him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What can’t you understand?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The part about a poison’s purpose.” Perhaps she should have held her tongue, but she couldn’t accept what he was saying. “Can a poison really never better someone’s life?” Michel was surprised by the question, but Rishe was serious. “It’s not like you to decide that something came into this world just to make it worse. I mean, that’s just like—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to worry so much. It’s not complete yet anyway,” Michel cut her off, still smiling. “Sure, I have the formula, but I don’t have anyone to test it on. At least, not the way I’d like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What sort of person would you need?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm? Let’s see…” Michel put a finger to his lips, his smile wide and bewitching. “I’ll keep that a secret until I find them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The conversation ended there. Michel had looked down, leaving the rest unsaid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The professor and I never came to an understanding about that chemical. Eventually we parted ways, and I never saw him after that. Now that she had crossed paths with Michel on her seventh life, she couldn’t help but wonder, Did he ever find the person he was looking for?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A knock interrupted her reverie. A single guard stood outside, watching the hall. Sensing a new presence, Rishe assumed that the knight she’d requested to guide Michel had arrived."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me, Lady Rishe. Your escort is here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as she thought. Rishe thanked the knight and turned to Michel. “Thank you for waiting, Professor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, Lady Rishe, it’s not Professor Hévin’s escort…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned, curious, and found an unexpected figure in the doorway. “Rishe, come with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold, who would usually still be working at this hour, stood there looking handsome as always. Rishe felt her jaw go slack with surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did Prince Arnold come to pick me up?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The question must have been plain on her face because her guard leaned over and said, “When I requested the guard for Prince Kyle, I stopped by Prince Arnold’s office as well. He told me to call him after the medicine had been administered.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-no, that’s not why I’m confu—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, this is him. The scholar.” Arnold fixed his icy gaze on Michel, who was sitting on one of the reception room’s couches."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Brushing off her bewilderment, Rishe said, “This is Professor Michel Hévin from Coyolles. He’s very knowledgeable; I hope to learn as much as I can from him while he’s here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh, I’m honored to make your acquaintance. I suppose I should be on my best behavior.” Michel rose from the couch and offered Arnold a graceful bow. His blond hair swayed with the movement. “Good evening. You must be the crown prince of this fine nation. I hear it was you who allowed us entry into your royal library. I appreciate that tremendously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nervously watched Michel offer his greetings. The researcher was, in general, very free in his personal relations. He didn’t much value customs or courtesy. He treated Prince Kyle and Rishe, a student, in the same fashion. She didn’t know anyone else who would dare to pat full-grown royalty on the head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If he tries to pat Prince Arnold’s head, I’ll stop him at any cost."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She steeled herself for Arnold’s response, but his expression barely flickered. “As you’ll be sharing your knowledge with my wife, I will ensure you have everything you need. I believe our minister of foreign affairs is due to take you around the capital tomorrow, but let me know if there’s anything you require to make yourself more comfortable.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t believe her ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel beamed at Arnold’s blank face. “How generous! Maybe I’ll take you up on that. Ask for all sorts of things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe, let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“R-right. Good night, Professor.” Rishe scurried after Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the threshold, a voice called her back. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She turned to find Michel wearing a tranquil smile, just as she expected. It was the same one she’d seen so often in the past. Feeling nostalgic, Rishe smiled back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See you tomorrow. Think about what you want to learn, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Thank you, Professor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The door slowly closed between them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It feels like it’s been ages, Rishe thought, walking through the palace with Arnold. Their guards followed along behind them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was the first to break the silence. “So…you believe that man is a capable teacher?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The professor? Oh, very capable!” She’d taken care to speak with Michel for a while before calling Kyle to cover for the fact that she knew so much about him. Making sure not to inadvertently reference future events, Rishe explained, “There’s no one in his industry who hasn’t heard the name Michel Hévin. Considering his accomplishments, it feels presumptuous to even judge his capacity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s a guy like that doing in Coyolles? He doesn’t seem like a local.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew the reason, but it wasn’t one Michel had disclosed in their earlier conversation. She opted to make something up. “M-maybe the cuisine there suits him?” Arnold appeared to have a low opinion of Coyolles, and she wasn’t sure why. She circled back to her earlier question. “Prince Arnold, why did you suddenly show up to escort me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was on my way back. They finished up moving some of my belongings into the detached palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The move was finished, then. “Which means…we’re neighbors from now on?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I guess so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perfect! For the time being, Rishe had successfully put some physical distance between Arnold and his father. She didn’t know what precisely would lead to the altercation that resulted in the king’s death, but she still wanted them interacting less, if possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold shot her a curious look. “Why do you seem so relieved?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, this has been my biggest project since I arrived in Galkhein, hasn’t it? Cleaning the detached wing and setting up the maids with their study group. I’m thrilled that it’s finally ready to use, Your Highness.” Although she lied about the current source of her pleasure, it wasn’t wholly untrue. She made a mental note to thank her maids again tomorrow for all their hard work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold smiled. “Living in a run-down palace and watching you hatch your schemes from up close would have been fun too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a former maid myself, I wouldn’t have allowed that in a million years! Rishe objected fervently on the inside. If Arnold had to be moved from the main palace, she wanted assurance that everything would be perfect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! Just one thing, Your Highness. I’ll be out of commission until noon in the coming days. If you don’t see me in the palace, I’m just soundly asleep. Don’t worry about me, all right?” It was the same thing she’d told her knights and maids when, in actuality, she’d be off practicing with the cadets all morning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked exasperated. “Even if you sleep until noon, going to bed too late means you won’t sleep well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… Well, I am trying to get to bed early.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s rich coming from someone staying up all night to play doctor.” Arnold stuck his hand into his jacket pocket. He withdrew an object and tossed it to Rishe. “Here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without thinking, Rishe reached out and caught it with both hands. She opened them to find a shining gold pocket watch—the same one Arnold had constantly checked when they were in town. “Your Highness! You mustn’t treat something this valuable so carelessly!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean? You caught it just fine, didn’t you? Go ahead and borrow it. Keep it on you at all times.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes went wide at the unexpected suggestion. “You’re…lending me your pocket watch?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pocket watch had been invented around four years ago. The only “clocks” available prior to that were a wall-mounted model—of which only one existed in the world—sundials that depended on fair weather, and water clocks that froze on cold days. Obviously, you couldn’t carry any of those around, making telling time difficult. Then came the pocket watch. There weren’t many of them in circulation yet, rendering each piece incredibly valuable. Only a select few nobles and royals had ever seen them, much less owned one, to say nothing of the common people, who didn’t even know they existed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s so precious, though. You can’t just lend it out like this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What, you won’t use it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Deep down, she would’ve loved nothing more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold went on, “They’re still so new that people doubt their reliability, but I can promise this one is accurate as long as you keep it wound. It’s a lot more useful than a sundial.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I know that. All too well, in fact. Rishe could easily recall the smile of the device’s inventor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Since they’re portable, they came in handy during the war,” Arnold said. “I did spend some time verifying its accuracy before it saw any practical use, however.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pondered Arnold’s dispassionate comment. “What do you mean, ‘came in handy’? Was it because telling the precise time made it easier to coordinate your units?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly. Using the sun or other natural gauges for time leaves you vulnerable to sudden changes in weather.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The war would’ve come to an end not long after the pocket watch’s invention. Clearly Prince Arnold is quick to integrate new technologies into his battle strategies. But he doesn’t trust blindly; he verifies their usefulness personally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No wonder countries that clung stubbornly to the old ways couldn’t win against Galkhein. Up close, it was easy to spot the sources of wartime superiority that had escaped her in the past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel’s words suddenly rang through her head. “There is no one willing to use this chemical the way I want it to be used.” She stopped in her tracks, a shiver running up her spine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, who was several paces ahead, turned back and gave her a curious look. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing.” Rishe took a deep breath and rejoined him. “Well, I’ll accept your offer and borrow this, then. It’ll be useful for mixing and administering medicine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Administering it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The pocket watch was invented for exactly this purpose, did you know? The person who taught me medicine found it very useful. Though it frustrated her too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, the one from Renhua?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. She was an oddball, but an extremely talented apothecary nonetheless.” Rishe felt her chest swell with pride."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t imagine anyone outside of Renhua could ever compare. Is there something about that man from earlier? Is he more talented than your old apothecary teacher?” Arnold asked her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor Michel isn’t an apothecary. But he does mix drugs as part of his research, and he has some medicinal knowledge. He said it’s not his field of expertise, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she explained, Rishe thought back to the first time she’d met Michel—when she arrived in Coyolles as an apothecary in her second life. Master despised Michel the whole time we were there. She’d say, “Don’t compare my medicine with this man’s research.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ultimately, Rishe had concluded that the two were similar and that they’d never get along. Every time they met in Coyolles Castle, Rishe’s master picked a fight. Hence Rishe’s awkward smile earlier when Michel had commented that he’d likely get along with her former master."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never expected to reunite with Michel in a place like this. I wouldn’t have thought he’d be in Coyolles for another three years…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d been surprised out in the garden, but reflecting on it now, she found it naive. In my second life, I didn’t meet him for three more years. And in my third life, when I was his student, I met him a year from now. And he never exactly told me he didn’t spend time in Coyolles…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Interrupting her thoughts, Arnold asked, “Who is he, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He is…” What should she say? She hesitated before deciding the only solution was the truth. “He’s a scholar who studies the substances of this world and uses them to create new substances.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“New substances…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Apparently, he’s invented all sorts of compounds and tools to help him in his research.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s lips dipped in a slight frown. Evidently, he’d picked up on what she was alluding to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In Professor Michel’s case, I don’t think the creation of gold is his ultimate goal, but the most accurate term to describe him would be…” Rishe looked up at Arnold. “An alchemist.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was Michel’s profession—and, coincidentally, the title Rishe herself assumed as his student in her third life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Early the next morning, Rishe disguised herself, donned the uniform of the knight cadets, and left before anyone else. Silent and still, the empty practice grounds had a sterile air to them. Training wouldn’t start for another ninety minutes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was especially careful when I snuck out. It took me about five extra minutes. Starting today, Arnold resided in the room right next to hers. He’d be sleeping right now, but she wouldn’t be surprised if the smallest of noises alerted him to her presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I’m finished cleaning, I’ll stretch and then start my personal training. Okay!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gripped her broom tightly and began to sweep the training grounds. She organized the wooden swords leaning against the wall, then did her stretches. While she was getting limber, someone else walked onto the training ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fritz!” This was practically routine by now. She called out the same way she had the day before, but Fritz still twitched at the sound."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He offered a strained smile. “M-morning, Lu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Morning! What’s wrong? Did something happen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! Oh, no! I just didn’t sleep much last night!” Fritz said bashfully, scratching his head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t help worrying about him. He’d come all the way from Ceutena to the capital, spending his training living in unfamiliar circumstances. The smallest thing could negatively affect his health."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you don’t look pale or anything… Do you have a fever? How’s your appetite?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I ate breakfast like always, and I don’t feel feverish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Could you pull down your eyelid for me?” She checked the color. It looked fine; he wasn’t anemic like Kyle. Still, she wanted to examine him a little closer. “Excuse me, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She took Fritz’s hand and placed two fingertips against the large veins in his wrist. Rishe frowned, not liking what she felt. “Your pulse is awfully fast…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aaah!” Fritz pulled back, flustered, and managed another awkward smile. “I ran here from the palace gate—uh, as part of my training! I may not have slept a lot, but I’m full of energy! A-and I wasn’t losing sleep because I don’t feel good…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So why were you, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz took a long look at Rishe and then covered his face with both hands, embarrassed. “I might have fallen in love.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?! Congratulations!” He’d mentioned he’d been sightseeing in the capital during his afternoons; he must have met someone there. Whatever the case, fostering new relationships was a wonderful thing. “Someone I know once told me that knights in love get stronger faster!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“R-really…?” Rishe’s blessing put a complicated look on Fritz’s face. They were the words of another nation’s knight captain. Maybe they sounded suspicious to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While they were chatting, another person showed up. This was the first time anyone other than Fritz had arrived so early. Turning, they saw a fellow knight cadet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, Sven.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the rude trainee from the day before. Sven kept silent, not returning Rishe’s greeting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz stepped in front of her. “Yo, Sven. You’re up early for a change.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-well, you mentioned yesterday that Lucius comes to the training grounds before anyone else! I didn’t believe you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. That’s how Lu beat every single one of us! He works hard!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Based on their conversation, Rishe could guess what had happened after yesterday’s training. Fritz was still defending her against her will."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“C’mon, Lu. Just ignore him. Let’s start for the day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks, Fritz. Could you wait a second, though?” Rishe faced Sven and asked, “Want to train with us?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! What are you talking about?! What good does it do you to invite me?! Just leave me alone!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head to one side in confusion. “Knights don’t gain strength just to be the best swordsmen in the country, do they?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They gain strength to protect the ones they care about. That’s why it doesn’t mean anything unless everyone improves. Even if you’re the strongest person in the world, there’s only so many you can save.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven stared at her, wide-eyed. She wasn’t a knight in this life, but she still remembered the things she’d learned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Besides,” she went on, “you stayed behind yesterday and trained by yourself some more, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“H-how do you know that?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because the ground here looks different than it did after practice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d since flattened it down with the broom, but he had most likely sparred with someone. The dirt told her that story, as did the small bruises on Sven’s wrists."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We have limited time—training together will be more efficient. So, what do you say?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t come here ’cause I wanted to train with you.” Sven clenched a fist and took a deep breath. “Spar with me again, Lucius.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on, Sven.” Fritz gave him an exasperated look. “Lu won yesterday because he’s strong. It wasn’t a fluke. I know you don’t want to admit it, but…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know that!” Sven could barely get the words out. “Lucius and I are on completely different levels. I realized that when I lost to him! I’ve been thinking about it nonstop. I even talked to other people about what I’m missing—what I should do to get even a little stronger, or to beat him…” Taking a deep breath, he locked eyes with Rishe. “You’re better than me! I know that, but I’m still asking for another match. That’s the only way for me to figure out how to surpass you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sven’s shoulders trembled, his face turning red. He looked like he was going to cry as his frustration, anxiety, and embarrassment threatened to overflow. Asking something like this of Rishe took a lot of courage. “Please, Lucius. Give me another chance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lu…” Fritz glanced at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, smiling. “Sure. Let’s do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven balked. “R-really?! That was so fast! I mean, I was so rude to you yesterday!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t care about that. I just didn’t want to cause Fritz trouble. Besides, I’ve got a new technique I’d like to try.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Sven sputtered, Rishe went to the wall and picked up a couple of wooden swords. Along with the normal swords they’d used yesterday, there were also short blades about half their length. “By the way, can I ask what your conclusion was after all that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re strong, but you’ve barely got any stamina. If I overpower you, I can force you on the defensive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“True, I’d struggle if you did that.” Rishe smirked, picking up two regular swords and two short swords. “Fritz, would you mind participating in this match as well?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, of course! I was gonna ask to fight you too!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hah, good. I’m glad you feel that way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe laughed with relief, though Fritz looked troubled. This sudden change in demeanor confused her, but she nonetheless handed him and Sven one sword each."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have another request.” Rishe held the two short swords, one in each hand, and smiled. “Don’t fight me one-on-one. Both of you come at me together.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz and Sven exchanged a look."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lu. You want to go two against one?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. Will you indulge me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz agreed right away. “You said there’s something new you want to try, right? Okay, I’m in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“D-don’t just agree without me, Fritz!” Sven protested. “We can’t fight Lucius at the same time! That’s not fair!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sven, we won’t be able to beat Lucius just by ganging up on him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sven hesitated, but with the other boy already on board, he eventually held up his weapon too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pointed one of her blades at Sven. “I’m ready when you are.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s go!” Sven charged forward first with a wide, strong swing. He slashed out with all his might."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t rely on brute strength.” Rishe took one step back and dodged the blow. Sven immediately swung again, aiming for her shoulder. She swatted his sword away, and just that was enough to knock him off balance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh…” Sven adjusted his grip. He was being hasty, but it was impressive that he hadn’t dropped his weapon in the scuffle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t want to put all your weight into the strike. If you hit, it’ll be hard to maintain your position. If you miss, it’ll be even worse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Every time you attack, always be thinking ahead to your next move.” As Rishe explained, she blocked Sven’s blow with the sword in her left hand. Amid the loud clash of blades, she felt another one flying toward her. Rishe raised her right sword and blocked the attack from above."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa, you’re awesome, Lu!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Grinning at Fritz’s enthusiasm, Rishe pushed the two of them back. She flipped her swords around and got in close to Sven. When she moved to jam a hilt into his gut, Sven blocked her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nice moves! So close!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spun around, swinging at Fritz this time. Fritz managed to block, but her attacks continued. If she couldn’t get a hit in on him, she switched to the other sword. Pushing Fritz back with her left, she swung at Sven with her right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sven! Don’t block it, dodge it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just like that! Sven, watch how Fritz moves—and Fritz, match your breathing to Sven’s!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two of them briefly looked at each other, then attacked Rishe as one. It still wasn’t enough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Almost there. If you were in the other person’s position, where would you aim for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven shouted first. “Right, I get it! Fritz, get down!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At those words, Fritz dropped his hips without a moment’s delay. He went down so low that he almost scraped the ground as he tried to sweep Rishe’s legs from under her. The moment she jumped to dodge, Sven lunged. She brought up both hands, blocking his attack with her blades, twisting her upper body as soon as she landed. Caught up in her motion, Sven fell in front of Fritz. Fritz reached out to protect him, grabbing his arm and yanking him upright again, and the two of them immediately launched into another attack. Rishe blocked them with both swords."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Feeling the impact of the blows, Rishe couldn’t suppress her excitement. Amazing! They’re already way better!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’d been attacking separately before, but the moment they focused on working together, their movements completely transformed. She had to wonder if they realized it. Even as she caught their swords, their eyes were still full of life. They were having the time of their lives, and it was clear as day on their faces."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fritz, we’ll push through on our next attack!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, let’s do it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good choice. But too bad!” Rishe took a short breath and then swiftly drew back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without Rishe’s swords to push against, the boys lost their balance. She took advantage of the moment to strike at Fritz’s sword, spinning the tip of her blade. Unable to withstand the coiling motion, Fritz let go of his weapon, which went flying into the distance. Rishe moved into Sven’s range next."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She brought her left blade down, and Sven blocked her with a horizontal guard. With his sword tensed for an impact from above, it was weak to a strike from below. Rishe batted her right sword upward, loosening Sven’s grip as well. His weapon spun in the air and hit the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Haah, haah, hah…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their match at an end, the two boys were in a daze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe whipped her swords through the air and beamed at them. “It’s just like I figured during our matches yesterday. You two have good combat compatibility.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-me and Fritz…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. I wanted to see how you’d work together. I’m glad I got an opportunity so soon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Both of them had talent, and it seemed they had a similar approach to swordsmanship. Otherwise, they wouldn’t work so well together with just a few words of advice. If they both became knights, she was sure they’d progress incredibly quickly. Rishe grinned, imagining that future for them—but Fritz and Sven were still slack-jawed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So the thing you wanted to try wasn’t a skill or a strategy…but us?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. It was really fun too. I’d love to do it again tomorrow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven’s expression hardened. “I can’t believe you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aha ha ha!” As for Fritz, he seemed to find the whole thing hilarious. “We’ll have to meet up for morning practice again tomorrow, Sven! Let’s have a strategy meeting so we can beat Lu!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fine! I’ll be here, dammit! In fact, I’ll get here before you do, Lucius. I dunno when you come and start stretching, but you won’t beat me next time!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I actually clean before I stretch, but that’s just a personal habit. I won’t mention it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Sven squeezed out, “Sorry. For everything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you it didn’t bother me, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that, Sven looked to be on the verge of tears. “…I’ll beat you one of these days.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I don’t plan on going easy on you, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled, then felt eyes on her. When she turned, she found Fritz staring at her hard. “What’s up, Fritz?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?! Oh, no, it’s nothing! I guess I was just thinking you smile a lot, Lu!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You think so? Thanks. But to me, you’re the one who always seems so cheerful, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Deep down, she wished she could smile more, but when she let her mind wander, it tended to latch on to her worries. She fought to keep them off her face as she focused on the entrance to the training grounds. There was no one else around yet, but it was still early."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lord Lawvine will be here soon… I have to gather as much information as I can during today’s training. I need to be prepared for tonight!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus, Rishe covertly hyped herself up for the coming party."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe chose a deep blue dress to wear that evening. Her maid Elsie did her hair, braiding it together in the back and curling the loose bits around her face. The result was festive yet elegant and composed. Whenever Rishe moved, her pearl earrings swayed to and fro. Dressed up in the “understated but not conservative” look she’d requested of her maids, Rishe went over her strategy until a knock came at the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, I’ve brought you some mail.” The maid handed her two letters."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One was from a girl named Mary. She was the fiancée of Prince Dietrich, the man to whom Rishe had once been engaged. Mary and Rishe had been corresponding ever since she’d come to Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lady Mary… I see you’re still working hard for Prince Dietrich at the palace."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mary—who had “stolen” Rishe’s fiancé from her—was still engaged to the prince, but now it had far less to do with marrying a rich man for her family’s sake. Apparently, Dietrich had been on the verge of being disowned by his father the king, and Mary was putting in a great deal of effort to his reform to prevent it. From the letter, Rishe gleaned that people did not always treat her well, but Mary was still doing her best to be both kind and strict with her fiancé nonetheless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll have to write a reply as soon as the party is over. Now for the other letter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She turned over the second envelope to find “Crystal Light Jewelers” written in one corner—the jewelry store she had visited with Arnold. One of the items enclosed was the design for her ring. Rishe almost gasped in awe when she saw it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s beautiful…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So beautiful, in fact, that she wanted to forget everything and stare at it forever. Yet she resisted the urge and forced her eyes to the letter, which contained a list of notes the proprietress had on her grandson’s design."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In addition, it read: “I mentioned the ring would take a month to make, but it seems some craftsmen from Coyolles have arrived in the capital. If I commission them, the ring will be completed much sooner, so you have that to look forward to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked her wide eyes, surprised. Simply assigning different craftsmen to work on the ring means it could be finished that much sooner? That’s great news, though. If the ring is ready fast, I can have my dress made to match. Mr. Tully did say I should choose the fabric sooner rather than later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She glanced back at the design. Normally, the dress would come first, I suppose. But I find myself wanting to prioritize the ring…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe. It’s time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you’re right. I apologize.” Rishe took a deep breath, put her letters away, and headed to the party."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The gala was held in the largest hall of the imperial palace. Once again, Rishe entered with Arnold. The sparkling chandeliers and the extravagant costumes of the attendees made for a spectacular sight. Arnold—who didn’t like parties—already wore a dour look."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, your thoughts are written all over your face.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s fine. I’m putting them there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their short exchange was interrupted by Kyle, the guest of honor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, thank you so much for holding such a grand event for me.” Kyle bowed, turning to Rishe. “Lady Rishe, you were beautiful earlier today, but in a situation like this, your beauty surpasses words. You look akin to a mythical flower that only blooms under moonlight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness. I hope you have a wonderful time tonight.” Rishe smiled politely, ignoring his social pleasantries."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve greeted Prince Kyle. There’s my minimum duties fulfilled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked up at Arnold. “Your Highness, I think I’ll go chat with the ladies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was Arnold’s duty to introduce Kyle to the nobility in attendance. Conversations between a crown prince, a foreign prince, and several high-ranking nobles were no place for Rishe—who was merely a royal’s fiancée. This came as some relief; since they hadn’t yet married, she didn’t have to participate in the meeting between Kyle and Lawvine. But avoiding the count completely during her time in the hall would be no easy feat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll see you later, Prince Arnold. Prince Kyle, please enjoy yourself.” With the most elegant curtsy, Rishe casually detached from the group. She wished she could take some countermeasures, but if she did anything strange next to Prince Arnold, people would notice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should be fine from this distance. Now, I need to concentrate…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Having escaped to one of the walls, Rishe took a deep breath. She strained her ears as she watched the party swirl around her. Conversations mixed with the clatter of shoes on the floor. She did her best to separate individual sounds from the morass. And not just sounds. All around her were brilliant dresses and capes, countless men and women on all sides. The more she concentrated, the wider her field of vision grew and the farther she could see."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There he is. Rishe’s honed senses drew her focus to one spot. He was so far away that she could hardly make out his face, but she’d found Lawvine. Given that she’d spent the last few days training under him, she was absolutely certain. She’d paid especially careful attention this morning, memorizing the feel of his presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sucked in another breath, closing her eyes. Now that she’d located him, she didn’t need her vision to tell he was moving. Opening her eyes to confirm, Rishe entered the next stage of her plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good evening, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Barthel. Thank you so much for telling me about that wonderful brand of tea the other day.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Rishe! That’s an amazing dress. May I ask which merchant supplied it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m honored you think so. I got it from the Aria Trading Company.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe slipped through the venue, trading greetings with various women, taking care to not disturb the atmosphere or be rude. All the while, she made sure no one realized she was avoiding Lawvine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s headed for the center of the hall. Prince Arnold and Prince Kyle are on the western side. From what I know of Lord Lawvine’s personality, he’ll move toward the prince as soon as he spots him…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Keeping a close eye on her mark, Rishe walked about the hall as naturally as she could, predicting his movements."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, he stopped. He must be talking to someone. I’ve got time to strike up a chat, then, she decided, initiating a conversation with someone she’d met at a previous party."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Lawvine’s presence set off again, Rishe swiftly ended her chitchat as well. This method took up a lot of concentration, but Rishe had no choice while the evening dragged on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In my fifth life, I could have tracked someone like this for half a day at least… Come to think of it, concentration is also tied to stamina, isn’t it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once more, Rishe found herself wishing for a hardier body. While bemoaning her poor physical condition, she spotted Arnold and Kyle a distance away. They were close enough to see clearly but too far to overhear. Even while introducing Kyle to some noble or another, Arnold wore a listless look, like he was in a bad mood. Kyle, on the other hand, interacted with each of the Galkhein nobles in earnest. The group appeared to be swapping opinions on something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’re so picturesque…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raven-haired Arnold and Prince Kyle with his silvery locks were cut from very different cloth, but both were incredibly attractive. All the nearby women’s eyes were glued to them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A portrait of those two would make a killing. And if the image ever disseminated into the lower classes, that one painting could create enormous profit…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, Lady Rishe, what are you thinking about with such a solemn look on your face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good evening. I’m just negotiating how I can take in everything I’m learning this evening and transform it into economic stimulation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How wonderful!” The marchioness speaking with her grinned. “I have just the person to introduce to you, Lady Rishe. Right here, Baron Weilman.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The honor is mine, Lord Weilman. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to make your acquaintance today.” Rishe curtsied, searching her memories. She’d reviewed information on all the Galkhein nobility."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Baron Weilman. Last generation’s head of the family was a merchant who bought himself a title through his success."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The baron smiled gently. It was a pleasant expression, and the man himself was well mannered. “Normally, someone like myself would never dare speak to the future crown princess, but I heard about you from my mother, you see. I simply had to meet you, so I asked the marchioness to introduce me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your mother, you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. You recently visited her store, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A stir went through the crowd."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe did business with that moody old crone?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not even the previous empress could shop at that store, and she…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Listening to gossip around her, Rishe hit upon the woman’s identity. “Your mother, would she happen to be…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Thank you very much for purchasing that gem,” the baron said. “My mother was over the moon about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you hear that?! Lady Rishe really did buy a gem from that store!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the commotion grew louder, Rishe became flustered. While she had heard that store chose its customers carefully, she didn’t think it would lead to such an uproar. She hastened to correct the baron. “I merely chose the gem. I didn’t buy it from your mother—Prince Arnold did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold bought a woman a gem?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yeah, it surprised me too. Rishe decided not to say anything else. The baron smiled wider, effortlessly guiding the conversation in another direction."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My son went home that day and immersed himself in the design. Feel free to let me know if there’s anything about it that doesn’t suit your fancy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I couldn’t possibly! It’s such a beautiful, detailed design. I’m greatly looking forward to the finished product.” Curious, Rishe asked, “Come to think of it, I heard that there were some craftsmen from Coyolles willing to complete the ring in much less time. Does a different set of hands really make such a difference?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe… The truth is, there are no skilled craftsmen in Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was flabbergasted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anything designed above a certain level of detail requires supremely skilled hands, and the closest place to find any is across the sea, in Coyolles. That means most of our production period is spent on transport, but since the craftsmen are here in town now, that period was expedited. I believe that is what my mother meant.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Listening in, the marchioness remarked, “I did think it was inconvenient that jewelry takes so long to complete. But why does Galkhein have no craftsmen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because of the war, madam.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see…” The lady’s eyes went wide with the revelation, though Rishe had been expecting it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Military prowess is valued in Galkhein, isn’t it? Many young people train in swordplay and martial arts. Craftsmen were already rare before the war, but there are even fewer now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had seen the same thing in her life as a merchant. Fewer people were buying jewelry, so the craftsmen lost their jobs and became soldiers instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What I saw in the future war was just a repeat of the past war. Most of the countries skilled in handling precious metals weren’t active in the conflict. Coyolles—with their skilled artisans—mostly just supported their allied nations."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Coyolles, people couldn’t even leave their houses in the winter. Their forced yearly quarantine, along with their ample supply of gemstones, made it the perfect place for such craftsmen to hone their skills."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are plenty of blacksmiths here, but iron-processing techniques for weaponry are completely different from ornamental metals… Oh, but this is hardly an appropriate topic of conversation for ladies like yourselves.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The marchioness hurriedly agreed with the baron. “That’s right, Lord Weilman. You do just love to go on about the war, don’t you? Such talk is poison for ladies like us. I apologize for bringing up such a ghastly topic, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not at all. It was very informative.” Rishe bowed her head politely and returned to her thoughts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I always figured Galkhein obtained a great deal from winning the war, but even an undefeated nation sustains losses, I suppose."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to hear more, but there was no time for that. She feigned additional conversation and searched for her target. Lord Lawvine’s stuck in a discussion on the other side of the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In confirming that, Rishe realized something else. Prince Arnold and Prince Kyle are going out to the balcony…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she searched out their presences, she found Kyle leading Arnold out and away from prying eyes. Rishe said her polite goodbyes and quietly followed. Once she was close enough, she could tell that it was indeed only the princes out there on the balcony together. Arnold would likely notice any approach, so Rishe suppressed her presence as much as she possibly could. She could walk without making a sound, even in high heels. She hid behind a pillar and strained her ears, splitting her attention between the balcony and Lawvine across the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Galkhein is truly a wonderful country. Its prosperity is a credit to you, Your Highness, and His Majesty as well.” Kyle’s voice was hard. He was attempting to start the conversation from a casual place and failing. His nervous determination was seeping into his words; there was no way Arnold wouldn’t see through him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need for prevarication or transparent compliments.” Just as she thought he would, Arnold cut through Kyle’s facade. “Get to the point. I want to know why you pushed yourself to make the journey all the way here despite your frail health.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a deep breath, Kyle said, “I truly respect all that you’ve achieved as crown prince, with every inch of myself. Your policies always have your citizens’ best interests at heart. I’ve come to you instead of your father because I thought you might understand my feelings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I come seeking Galkhein’s help for Coyolles. And I don’t mean monetary or medical contributions.” Kyle paused and looked at Arnold. “I am requesting military aid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped. Coyolles was not a warmongering country. They were severely lacking in military might, after all. In an extremely cold region, surrounded by far more powerful nations, Coyolles maintained relations with its neighbors with savvy diplomacy and the wealth its resources afforded them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As you know, Coyolles’s military is almost nonexistent—but that’s not by choice. Our neighbors have long put pressure on us to keep our standing army small. We are suffered only as we continue to provide precious gems to nearby countries and by never building up any sort of strength to resist them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In another life, Rishe had heard Kyle say these words with the same bitter frustration. Which one had it been?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The fate of our country is in the hands of other nations. The royal family is constantly threatened with destruction at our neighbors’ whims. I wish to escape those circumstances and do everything I can to protect my people. We must become masters of our own fate, and I beg your assistance in achieving this goal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s response was more of a growl than usual. “In other words, Coyolles wishes to abandon its relationships with its neighbors and ally with Galkhein instead?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, it’s exactly as you say.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Silence descended on the balcony for some time, amplified by the din of the party just beyond it. Kyle’s anxiety seemed to fill the space to the brim."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a while, Arnold’s cold voice broke the silence. “I’d been wondering what you wanted. Tell me, what is the point of royalty if they have gone senile with peace?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The air on the balcony grew even more tense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Asking for military assistance from a country separated by the sea to wage war against your neighboring nations is foolish. And what could Coyolles even offer us in exchange for our assistance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We would immediately move all exports of gems and precious metals from other countries to Galkhein. We will completely forgo profit and sell them more cheaply than the material you can mine within your own borders.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At last, Rishe understood what Kyle was getting at. On the surface, he appeared to be prioritizing national defense at the expense of everything else. But it was clear to her that wasn’t what he intended at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can’t do this, Prince Kyle. Rishe hung her head and imagined how she’d speak to him. You’re too honest. You’re not used to lying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t make me laugh.” As expected, Arnold easily picked up on the hidden message behind Kyle’s words. “In your place, I would never make such a proposal to another country, and if I did, I would certainly put a time limit on it. Exporting gems—your country’s greatest resource—with no regard for profit is slow suicide.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There must be a reason you felt no compulsion to limit the deal. Maybe one you aren’t even conscious of.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was right. Rishe knew enough to back up his conjecture—that is, the shape Coyolles’s export industry would take in a few short years."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Coyolles is running out of gems to mine, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle went quiet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I see…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had interacted with Kyle in several of her lives, and she felt the two of them were pretty close in each, but she was only ever a lone merchant or apothecary. Naturally, he’d kept such weighty problems a secret from her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course. He could only reveal something like this to the people most central to Coyolles’s government."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Coyolles had, in the past, protected itself with little more than political marriages and wealth. Without that wealth, its national identity would disappear. Once it had nothing left to offer its neighboring countries, it would only be a matter of time before they clashed—with the victor inevitably adding Coyolles’s territory to its own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something like that happened in the future…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Arnold became emperor and declared war on the world, a country with no military might like Coyolles was forced to surrender before the fighting even started, doing its best to minimize the damage. But the countries surrounding Coyolles didn’t allow that. Ships from Galkhein had to enter the continent through Coyolles’s ports—enemy seizure of which would have been an unprecedented blow to the other northern countries. So Coyolles’s allied nations forced it to fight, threatening to invade Coyolles themselves if it refused. Having no choice, they entered the war. They mustered what few knights they had and lost almost all of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe still remembered that from her life as an apothecary."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Weitzner. I want to protect this country.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It had happened when there were almost no knights left in Coyolles. Kyle had taken up a sword himself, not listening when Rishe tried to stop him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll do anything it takes. Fortune has allowed me to live this long, and therefore I must shoulder this great task.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe didn’t know what became of Kyle after that—she’d lost her own life on a battlefield while providing medical aid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s a part of this I don’t understand.” Arnold’s tone proved he had no interest whatsoever in what he was asking. “Your actions are nothing but folly. Why would you come all the way here with no plan?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle answered quickly, “I won’t live much longer.” He slowed down, speaking with a sort of tragic determination. “New life will soon be born into our royal family. I need to use the rest of my time to preserve the future for that child, along with the citizens of my country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” It was obvious that none of this mattered to Arnold. The words that came out of his mouth next were unexpected: “Want to know my secret to winning wars?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hidden Rishe was just as surprised as Kyle. Arnold didn’t let Kyle’s reaction stop him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As a king, win the hearts of your people with your policies. As a military commander, choose resourceful generals who excel at leadership.” His footsteps echoed loudly. “Select skilled soldiers who will follow commands and maintain order without fail. Rewards and punishments for soldiers must be fair and they must be strict. Keep a firm grasp on the terrain of a battle and fight in favorable weather conditions whenever you can. There’s more, but that covers the basics.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold went on, “Even if you follow every bit of my advice, Coyolles still won’t win a war—you don’t have the power to apply it. Can your people stop chopping firewood for winter to undergo military training instead? Do you have time to quarrel with other countries instead of growing food?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Past royals likely decided to try diplomacy for just this reason.” Arnold turned to Kyle and said mercilessly, “True talent consists of putting existing knowledge into practice. And I have no interest in those without talent… Not even a prince from another nation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please wait, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. You seem to be laboring under a misapprehension, so let me speak plainly: In regards to this matter, the emperor and I are of the same mind.” The atmosphere went frigid. “I’d much rather conquer a country than ally with one.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s footsteps came closer, so Rishe hurried to leave before he noticed her. She ditched the hall, paying close attention to Lawvine’s presence all the while. Escaping the party’s chattering, she hid in a palace corridor. Hunching in the corner, she allowed her thoughts to take over. Her mind was roiling with the conversation she’d just overheard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is a turning point. Rishe took a shallow breath. Prince Kyle proposed an alliance with Prince Arnold. It might be a trivial incident in Galkhein’s history, but for Coyolles, this is a crucial moment that leads to the tragedy five years from now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Coyolles only had two choices: face destruction at the hands of Galkhein or face destruction at the hands of its neighbors. If it were to ally with Galkhein here, and that alliance granted it the power to fend off neighboring countries, Coyolles need not meet the same fate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t mess up now. Rishe’s lips pressed into a tight line as she racked her brains. Kyle is willing to do whatever it takes to form an alliance with Galkhein. But that doesn’t matter. If Coyolles is bargaining from a subordinate position, they’ll just be swapping one master for another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was only one good solution. Coyolles, which doesn’t have much power, must form an equal relationship with the extremely formidable Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt like collapsing where she stood. Was such a thing even possible? She had no way to meet with the emperor of Galkhein—all she could do was focus on changing Arnold’s mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d much rather conquer a country than ally with one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d sounded like he meant it. Rishe clenched her fists, despairing at the enormousness of the task set before her."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ALL RIGHT! What about this, Lucius?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something sliced through the air in concert with Sven’s shout. Dressed as a boy, Rishe clapped, her eyes sparkling. Sven’s sword drew beautiful lines in the air."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s amazing, Sven! Your form was perfect just now!” Rishe was always excited to watch people improve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven’s face lit up at her praise before he schooled his expression and straightened up. “It’s only natural for me, really… Heh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He swung again and again, tracing the same lines he’d drawn before. Repetition was one of the best ways to learn—she was happy to see him being so proactive about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe put her own wooden sword down, gauging the hour from the position of the sun. “It’s about that time—let’s take a break and then clean the training grounds.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmph, I won’t let you clean better than me either. I’m gonna go drink some water first.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe watched Sven head toward the well. She spun around. “Hey, Fritz. In that sparring match, you—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wagh!” Fritz, who was doing practice swings behind her, dropped his sword."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry! You were concentrating, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, n-no, not really! Er, I mean, yeah! I was!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz reached for his sword, fingers brushing against Rishe’s as they went for it at the same time. They only touched for a split second, but Fritz yelped and leaped back like he’d been electrocuted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh, did I shock you? That’s strange… It shouldn’t be dry enough in this season for static electricity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, Lu! Why are your fingers so slender and dainty?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-my fingers?!” Rishe jumped, remembering a time in her knightly life when someone had found out she was a woman from her build. She smiled to cover up her reaction as best as she could. “Mine are normal, don’t you think? You two train a lot, so yours are probably sturdier than most people’s.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“R-right… Yours are normal… They’re normal…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She found herself worrying about Fritz again as he muttered to himself. He’d said he hadn’t slept well the day before; maybe he really was feeling under the weather."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“D-don’t worry about me. What about you, Lu? Are you okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? I’m fine. My muscles are a lot less sore than before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s good—though you do seem kind of down. Normally, you never let training get to you, no matter how tough it is, but you were hanging your head and sighing earlier. I was just a little concerned.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was surprised that Fritz had been paying so much attention to her. He really does have the makings of a knight. He keeps a watchful eye on everything around him, and he looks out for others even during his own training. That’s not easy. Knights like this tended to be suited to leadership positions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Basking in her renewed appreciation for Fritz, she apologized for worrying him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I get it. I won’t ask you what it is you’re worried about, but let me know if there’s anything I can do. Sometimes just talking about something can help.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t mention it. You should sit and rest for a bit longer. Want me to get you some water?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I’m fine,” Rishe said. “Watch your own hydration levels, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I know. I’ll be right back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe waved to Fritz as he headed to the well, then slowly sank onto the bench. There’s no way I can tell him my worries."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t say she needed to change the future and prevent a war from breaking out several years from now, nor could she explain her current task of improving Galkhein’s relations with Coyolles. How would Fritz react to, “Hey, how would you put two countries on an equal bargaining footing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Moreover, Rishe hadn’t spoken to Arnold since she’d overheard his conversation on the balcony last night. Well, they’d talked, but not about anything significant. Under scrutiny of the party guests and their own guards, she couldn’t mention important matters. Even if they had been alone together, she would’ve been at a loss over how to bring up his discussion with Kyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if last night’s events happened in my other lives too. She could barely sleep after witnessing it. Rishe hugged her knees, resting her forehead on top of them, and thought. Prince Kyle’s pretext for coming to this country was to celebrate my engagement to Prince Arnold. That makes me think this might be the first time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And even if the princes’ conversation had occurred in her past lives, Galkhein and Coyolles had never been allies. In other words, the talks never went well. She really couldn’t let this opportunity pass by."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As her thoughts went in circles, she was approached by a presence she recognized."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Alcott. You’re early.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lord Lawvine!” Rishe’s guard went up at the sight of him; he shot her an odd look as he entered the training grounds. She didn’t think she’d been that obvious, so he really was observant. She couldn’t very well say, “I spent all last night fleeing from your presence—this was just reflex!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard Fritz Knowland yelling, so I came to see if there was trouble. Are you not feeling well?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was just resting!” Rishe hurriedly brushed the dust from her clothes. “I was brooding over something pretty pathetic, and the guilt really got to me. I couldn’t help my knee-jerk reaction when I saw you.” She was trying to play off her suspicious behavior, though it wasn’t even a lie."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Something pathetic, you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hesitated for a moment, then said, “When we cadets become knights, and we end up going to war, then…they’d all have to fight in that war, wouldn’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose they would.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was thinking how everyone here might have a dangerous future in store for them…and that kind of scared me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In truth, she’d been thinking that for some time now. In her life as a knight, Galkhein was the enemy. Their knights were truly powerful and a terrible threat on the battlefield, but it wasn’t as if none of them ever died. Looking at Fritz and the other cadets, she wanted them to achieve their dreams. But at the rate things were going, those dreams would lead them to war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My son lost his life in the last war,” Lawvine said with a soft smile. “As much as I would like to praise him for fighting with pride and meeting an honorable end, I deeply wish he were still alive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Lord Lawvine…” Rishe could say nothing more, so Lawvine continued."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want the young people of today to grow up strong. I want their futures to be full of hope. I long for it, having lost my own son.” His voice was kind but forlorn. Rishe realized for the first time why he watched over the trainees with such sympathy in his eyes. “War steals people’s futures. To conquer that fear, you have to stand against it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stand against it how?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must not deny your hopes or your emotions. Rather, let them be the fuel that drives you forward. Find your mission and complete it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe considered his words. My hopes…and my mission."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had been a knight herself once. She had a lord she respected, and she’d sworn to protect him and his family. Even now, she didn’t regret giving up her life for them. At the same time, she balked at the thought of those she treasured being in danger. She didn’t want to watch her comrades lose their lives the way she had."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it appears there’s nothing to worry about here, so I’ll be on my way. See you later.” With that, Lawvine dipped his head politely and left the training grounds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Watching him go, she thought, I want to be free. I don’t want to die. For this, I need to stop the war. And I don’t want Coyolles to be destroyed either. But that’s not all…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She squatted down again and squeezed her eyes shut, digging deep. Right now, Galkhein’s military might is feared the world over. Because of its overwhelming power, it has no favorable equal relationships with other countries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before, Rishe assumed it was Arnold’s father—the emperor—who ruled with such warlike ferocity, but last night Arnold had said he and the emperor were of the same mind. Rishe recalled Arnold’s words and self-deprecating tone. He said, “I’d rather conquer a country than ally myself with one.” Does he really believe that? It had been a month and a half since she’d come to Galkhein. Having observed Arnold from up close, she just couldn’t see it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Prince Arnold thinks of himself that way… She slowly opened her eyes. I need to tell him it’s not true. He might not even realize. And she couldn’t just say it—she needed to make him see it for himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There must be countries that Galkhein didn’t annex, that they don’t yet have hostile relationships with. If it wasn’t just Coyolles, but many others—maybe Prince Arnold’s future actions would change as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe slowly stood up. She took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks, then looked ahead. I have to think hard and charge forward to bring my hopes to fruition! Time’s going to keep moving. Nothing will change if I don’t act!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she gave herself a pep talk, Sven and Fritz returned from their water break."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry that took so long, Lu. Huh? You look like you’re doing better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. I realized I just needed to think, and there’s no point in worrying.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When training was over, she would plan her next moves. As Fritz had said, her head was clearer, and she felt much better."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Observing your training today is the very lord you will serve with your lives: the crown prince of this nation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After training began, the sight of the man before them sent a great stir through the knight cadets. They all knew they shouldn’t get too excited, but they couldn’t help themselves. Fritz, who was standing next to Rishe, was so surprised by the guest appearance that he almost toppled over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe alone was trying desperately to keep the grimace off her face. She yearned to clutch her head in her hands. Lawvine went on with his introduction, oblivious to her plight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“His Highness, Arnold Hein!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right in front of Rishe, the man with the most beautiful eyes in the world glowered down at her."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "WH-WHAT is he doing here?! Why would the crown prince show up at knight cadet training?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was positive Theodore had said there was no chance of this happening, but she could never mistake the handsome figure standing before her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at her in silence. Cold sweat dripped down her neck. They probably only held each other’s gaze for a second—the span of a blink—but to Rishe it felt like forever. In her life as a knight, there were moments of tension in battle when everything around her seemed to slow down, but she wasn’t even holding a sword right now. Why was she so nervous?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe was doing her best to keep her cool, Arnold looked away and turned to command the vassal standing at his side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lawvine. Hurry and get started.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Huh?! Talk about anticlimactic…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold continued dispassionately, “I want to see how they move. What’s the schedule for today?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir. They’ve already done some sparring. They’ll stretch and run, spar again, then do some physical conditioning. Is that acceptable?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Move the sparring directly after stretching. I want to see what they can do after limbering up but before expending too much stamina.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The trainees all stood up straighter while Arnold spoke. He hadn’t looked back at Rishe a second time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "M-maybe he hasn’t noticed…? Surely that was impossible; she squashed her own wishful thinking. She may have been wearing a short-haired wig, but she’d only disguised her face with a little makeup. Anyone who knew Rishe would recognize her at little more than a glance. Even if she had changed everything, this was Arnold. She was sure he’d see through her just from how she stood, the way she walked, and her unique gestures."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I only had to get away with this for ten days too! Why am I running into him here when he’s so busy with his work?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After receiving Arnold’s command, Lawvine gave directions to the trainees. “Start with your usual stretching. Don’t let His Highness’s presence distract you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir!” the trainees answered as one, scattering to their usual places. Rishe fled to the far end of the training grounds, paying attention to Arnold’s gaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you believe it, Lu?! His Highness is really here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yeah. It’s great, isn’t it?” Rishe said with a strained smile, indulging in another bit of wishful thinking. Maybe he’ll just overlook this. He might pretend he hadn’t seen her and keep his silence. Then Rishe would be able to keep up her training. With that faint hope in her heart, Rishe did her usual conditioning and sparring."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After training was over, Rishe was called out behind the practice grounds, where she found herself—despairingly—between a wall and Arnold. He hadn’t paid Rishe any mind as he analyzed the cadets’ abilities. She’d prayed it would end without further conflict, but this dashed the last of her hopes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What exactly do you think you’re doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With him staring down at her from so close, Rishe couldn’t look Arnold in the eye. Feeling the wall against her back, she was forced to awkwardly look away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…I hope you’re doing well today, Your Highness. I’m honored that you would speak personally to a mere trainee such as myself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even though she knew he’d seen through her completely, she tried a last-ditch effort. They were alone here, but she still didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.” Arnold slowly reached out. He’d been wearing black gloves a lot lately, but right now his hands were bare. Rishe was trying to figure out what he intended to do…when he put both palms on her face and squished her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re not who I think you are, then you won’t mind me touching you skin-to-skin, will you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s only response was to jump."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want to break faith with my fiancée, you see. But if you’re just a simple trainee, then I don’t have to worry about any of those agreements.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "H-his face is so close! He tipped her chin upward with his hands as he drew nearer. No matter how many times she saw it, his countenance looked like a work of art, and being so close felt like it did more harm than good. Plus, it feels like this happened once before…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As soon as she thought that, she remembered: Arnold had taken her face into his hands, tilted it upward, and brought his lips to hers. The breathless sensation she’d felt then was vividly revived, her cheeks burning in an instant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hands were cool against her heated skin. She wondered if he knew what she was remembering. That thought made it even harder to look him in the eyes, but Arnold showed her no mercy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well? No arguments?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness! I thought you were angry at first, but you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would I enjoy doing this to a mere trainee?” Arnold asked, squeezing Rishe’s cheeks again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With the way he was holding her, she was barely able to speak. “Prince Arnold, please back off for a second!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think I will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But what if someone—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She heard footsteps. Arnold must have heard them too, but he didn’t let go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Lu? Lucius, where are y—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just the person she’d expected stepped around to the back of the training grounds. Their eyes met awkwardly, and Rishe gulped. It was Fritz."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was witnessing precisely what Rishe didn’t want anyone to see. Arnold had her up against a wall, holding her face with both hands, staring intently at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-Prince Arnold?!” Fritz yelped without thinking, then hurried to correct himself. “I-I mean, Your Highness! Huh? Wait, Lu?! Why?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fritz! It’s not what you think!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was just toying with her as a joke. Rishe needed to explain Arnold’s behavior before it was misunderstood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before she could, Fritz yelled, his voice cracking, “S-so sorry for interrupting!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Interrupting what?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And just like that, he was off and running."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey! Fritz, wait!” she called after him, but he made a beeline for…anywhere but here. “Somebody saw us just now, Your Highness! In fact, he got a good look! I mean, it was Fritz, so I’m sure it’ll be fine, but who knows what kind of rumors someone else might spread!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what will happen if someone spreads rumors? Would that be a problem?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’d be a big problem!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? How so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mortified, Rishe said meekly, “Well, don’t you have a fiancée…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold froze, and a strange silence followed. Rishe wasn’t sure what to make of it. Eventually, he said, “I suppose I do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“R-right! You shouldn’t be seen in such a place with a mere trainee.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That being said…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He pinched her cheeks again, and she let out a strange yelp. “Mrph!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This ‘mere trainee’ is speaking to me in an awfully relaxed manner.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh…” Rishe made up her mind. She felt bad for Theodore, who’d helped her, but this was as far as she could go. “I apologize…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you apologizing for, hmm?” Arnold said. “Can you explain to me what it is you’ve done?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I dressed up like a man and snuck into the knight cadet training in secret! I apologize sincerely!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good girl.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold released her, and Rishe collapsed to the ground, finally freed. “Haah…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her cheeks felt strange and still hot, but the imprint of Arnold’s cold fingers lingered on them. She laid her own hands over top and breathed in deeply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe Arnold really was enjoying this. He looked down at Rishe—who was more exhausted from this than from her training—and asked, “So? What are you scheming this time?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just wanted to get in better shape.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean it!” His suspicion vexed her, but she had deceived him. She couldn’t lay blame. “Why did you even come to oversee the training in the first place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold paused, then answered with a face devoid of expression. “I heard one of the knight cadets had been referred by Theodore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That would be Rishe. It surprised her that Arnold cared whom his brother referred, though. Prince Theodore said Arnold wouldn’t come to the training, but he did! That made Rishe happy, and she couldn’t wait to tell Theodore about it. I wonder how he’ll react."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, back to my question.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll ask again. Why are you doing this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As I said, to get in better shape…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That can’t be your only reason. There are plenty of other ways to hone your body. You could take on a personal instructor, for instance.” Arnold glared down at Rishe where she crouched on the ground. “Let’s see… You didn’t want anyone pulled from their duties just for your sake. You wanted to see the techniques used in our official training. And you didn’t want anyone discriminating based on your gender or social status, so you disguised yourself as a man. From what I know of your thought patterns, that’s my best guess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s seen right through me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I still don’t understand, though. Obviously, the training routines are put together based on a man’s stamina and strength. You should have known that you’d barely be able to keep up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d even pointed out Rishe’s precise initial worry, making it even harder for her to explain herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…figured this training would be worth it because I’m so lacking in stamina and strength.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your swordplay revolves around agility and the precision of your strikes. Additional stamina might help you, but you needn’t focus on strength training.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe guessed that Arnold wanted to tell her to stop participating in the cadets’ training. Although he isn’t demanding it outright."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Earlier, he’d said he was trying not to break any of his promises to Rishe. That obviously referred to the agreement they’d struck when he proposed to her. Arnold had vowed to grant any of Rishe’s wishes if they were in his power."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why he’s asking me to explain myself. If I can convince him, I’ll be allowed to stay until it’s over. The only thing Arnold hadn’t guessed was Rishe’s final reason, which she hadn’t even told Theodore, her coconspirator. She had to come clean."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I understand what you’re saying, Your Highness, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Knowing she was being selfish, Rishe hunched over, furrowing her brow as she murmured, “I wanted to try your training regimen…” The words came out sounding sulky, with a note of childishness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned, but since that one brief duel they’d fought the other day, she felt she knew him much better. In her life as a knight, Rishe had lost to Arnold—an undeniable, absolute defeat. And if someone like that had a plan for new recruits, then she wanted to experience that plan herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wait, that doesn’t actually explain anything!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he studied her in silence, Rishe sprang to her feet. “I-It’s true that this training might not be a good match, considering my physique, but Count Lawvine knows just what to assign us so we don’t overwork ourselves. The trainees can spar and point out each other’s flaws! I’ve definitely improved over the last few days!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The training I know is just pushing yourself until your body breaks, but this week, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be that way. If I could only stay for the rest of the sessions, I won’t require a personal instructor—I can just do it on my own!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And that means I won’t ever have to monopolize an instructor for myself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even as she was saying it, it sounded like a weak excuse. Arnold put a hand to his forehead, heaving a sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forget it. I imagine you have no issues with a regimen that should be too harsh for you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course not! It’s fun, and I’m learning a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at Rishe, his expression dour as always. After another sigh, he asked, “You haven’t gotten hurt or overly exhausted, have you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, thanks to Lord Lawvine’s excellent instruction.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard you sneak out of your room at five in the morning. What time did you go to bed last night?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… I try to get in bed by eleven…” She’d tried to be careful this morning, but it seemed he’d noticed her anyway. Maybe he just let her go because he thought she was tending her field or something. And she had been in bed by eleven, but then she’d spent some time memorizing the geography of Galkhein and poring over diplomatic records. She kept that fact to herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold thought for a moment, then said slowly, “I have some conditions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes went wide. She wasn’t expecting this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go to bed one hour earlier. And most importantly, don’t let anyone find out you’re a woman. Got it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hadn’t foreseen him giving in. “You don’t mind if I continue?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold just looked at her and pressed the point, as if he was speaking to a child. “Can you do that for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! Thank you so much, Prince Arnold!” Suddenly, everything around her seemed brighter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed for the umpteenth time and asked the overjoyed Rishe, “What do you think of the knights, from the perspective of a cadet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re wonderful. All the cadets are more than qualified, and Lord Lawvine knows just how to instruct them. He pays careful attention to each and every trainee.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really value your knights, don’t you?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s neutral expression was difficult to read. “People are a country’s assets. There’s no harm in treating them with respect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But in a few years, you’ll execute Lord Lawvine and send many of those knights out into a war of conquest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taking a deep breath, Rishe broached the subject that had been on her mind since the party. “I heard why Prince Kyle is here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold smiled, looking amused. “So, you were listening last night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You knew? I was careful to erase all signs of my presence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Partway through. There aren’t many people who can escape my notice for so long.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be more careful next time, Rishe chided herself. “How much time does Coyolles have?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We didn’t discuss the specifics of their gem mining operation. You must have heard that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. What I want to know is your father’s—His Majesty the Emperor of Galkhein’s—plans.” Her eyes rose to meet his. “You and I were both cautious of Prince Kyle’s reason for visiting, why he’s really here. I’m sure that your father was much the same.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew hardly anything about the emperor, but last night, Arnold had described him as someone who’d prefer conquering another country to allying with one. And even if that weren’t true, she knew very well that he’d wanted his son to marry a foreigner out of desire for a political hostage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unfortunately, I have no idea how much my father knows. But whenever he finds out, I have no doubt he’ll make a move before Coyolles is claimed by another nation. The country has no value, but we need the sea routes to the north.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she suspected, the situation was bad. Whatever moves she made to improve relations between Coyolles and Galkhein would have to escape the emperor’s notice. In that case, her timeline was compressed—she didn’t have years to plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know what you’re thinking…” Arnold took a step toward Rishe with a beautiful, somber smile on his face. “But if the alternative is that man invading them, I think it’d be better if I did it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped, goose bumps forming on her back. “What are you saying…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You want to persuade me to make peace with Coyolles, but they’re worthless to us. Even if you do manage to stop me, what if my father finds out about their predicament? That would be worse than if I’d made the first move.” Arnold watched Rishe, seemingly amused by her reactions. “Coyolles is doomed—now we’re just squabbling over who finishes them off. If Kyle had stayed put, he could have bought his country another couple of years. Yet he came seeking aid like a fool… Anyone would take advantage of that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’ll be too late once my father finds out. If you have compassion for the people of Coyolles, then you should help me invade them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His tone was jovial, but Rishe didn’t doubt that he was serious. If she’d just met him, Rishe would have been terrified—but now she knew better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re a real liar sometimes, Your Highness,” she said sadly. “If you really preferred conquest to diplomacy, you wouldn’t have bothered swearing troublesome oaths to me. You would have just made me your wife by force.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold scowled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know why you wanted to marry me, but I’m just some duke’s daughter from a politically weak country. You could have just taken me, but you didn’t. Even after I came here, you continued to treat me with respect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was doing the same thing now. His “conditions” for Rishe’s training were only out of concern for her. Why would a man like that choose this future? Rishe peered into his eyes, but they held no answers. His vast, oceanic irises glowed with a dusky light that gradually faded away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re free to think whatever you want about me,” Arnold said as he slowly backed away from her. “But remember this: In my country, war is not some terrible last resort. It’s just politics.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe first visited Coyolles in her first life as a merchant. Even Coyolles had a summer, however short, and it was in that season that she arrived. On the night of a terrible thunderstorm, she and Tully reached the lakeside town of Coyolles Castle, almost getting stranded on the way. Their overcoats were practically useless in the downpour. Only after being guided to a back door and handed some towels by a maid were they finally able to relax."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha ha! People warned me about the rain, but I never expected it to be that bad!” Tully burst into laughter, slicking back his drenched hair. “This is why I said you didn’t have to come with me, Rishe. I was the one who decided to push forward with our business to avoid delay. You should’ve just stayed at the inn with the others.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are more important things to think about, Mr. Tully! If it rains so much in the summer, don’t you think we could sell raincoats? They’d be thinner and lighter than winter coats, and the designs could be brighter and cooler too!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a great suggestion, but do you even care what you look like right now? You did your hair up all nice, but you were so preoccupied with protecting the merchandise that your hairdo and your dress got demolished.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, drying off a person is easy—one just needs a towel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha!” Tully laughed, his eyes fixed on Rishe. “I’m impressed you kept up with me, newbie. My regular customer here will really appreciate your determination.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your regular customer? Ugh, I really can’t be in the castle looking like this, can I? We made the delivery on time, so I’ll just go…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Rishe could finish, Tully smirked and sketched a bow. “It’s been too long, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Following his lead, Rishe quickly dipped into a deep curtsy. Your Highness? Does he mean…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Footsteps approached, halting just before reaching them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Long time no see, Tully. Sorry to rush you here in this weather.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to see you. That said, I hope you’ll pardon our unseemly appearances.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was my father the king who requested delivery as quickly as possible. I’ll have a change of clothes and some hot water ready for you right away. And who is this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She works for me,” Tully said. “Her name is Weitzner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll have to offer my respects.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Had a member of the royal family really come all the way here—to the back entrance—just to meet a simple merchant?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m honored to make your acquaintance. My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.” Rishe introduced herself, her head still bowed. Drops of water fell from her hair, wetting the floor. The next thing she knew, the prince knelt on that wet floor without a moment’s hesitation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am Kyle Morgan Cleverly. I wish to extend my most heartfelt welcome.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-pardon me, Your Highness?!” Rishe almost screamed. Was this Coyolles’s culture of men showing intense respect to women? That was Rishe’s first thought, but she quickly learned the truth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Coming here in the rain while protecting your horses and carriage must have been difficult. Not to mention the perilous sea journey before that. This country has few valuable resources; only with the support of merchants like you are our citizens allowed to live such blessed lives.” The prince, with eyes like water, stared right at Rishe. “I extend to you my utmost respect and gratitude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was their first meeting. Kyle was royalty, but he had a great deal of respect for people from all walks of life—his servants, the knights who protected him, the citizens of his country, old people, and even children far younger than him. Rishe hadn’t just witnessed this in her life as a merchant either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe was an apothecary, he’d dragged his sickly body to the port to meet her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, you’re Hakurei’s student. Her letters told me you have a promising career ahead of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her life as an alchemist, he hadn’t dismissed their practice as suspicious like the rest of the world. Instead, he earnestly listened as Rishe and Michel had told him their ambitions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never imagined Michel would take on a student,” he’d said then. “I know the sort of mischief he gets up to. Still, I’m overjoyed to have such talented alchemists in my humble country. I beseech you, please share your wisdom with us.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He always sat down and conversed with people at eye level, doing his best to understand their positions. Kyle was never arrogant, fulfilling his duties as a ruler to the best of his abilities."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d probably spent the most time with him in her life as an alchemist. After Rishe met Michel and became his student, the two of them sailed to Coyolles. There, they’d studied a variety of subjects under Kyle’s tutelage—the prince was, incidentally, in charge of his nation’s academic policies. Even his scolding was fond; he spoke to them like a guardian would."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Michel, don’t you remember what I just told you the other day? Yet you still haven’t cleaned this room?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One day, Kyle sat Michel down on the couch, standing in front of him with his arms crossed as if Michel wasn’t his elder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The other scholars are complaining about you. One of them said you came in covered in blood and then shut yourself in your room. He was terrified. What in the world were you studying this time? You completely sullied the carpet!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel frowned and turned to Rishe, who was sitting next to him. “What did I do, Rishe? I don’t remember. Did that really happen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t remember, Professor? You said you helped with the birth of a calf and got a research specimen in exchange.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel’s face lit up. “Ahh, that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle stared Michel down, a complicated look on his face. “That’s not all. You spend days in your lab and don’t return to your quarters. You left uneaten food out, and now the place smells like rotten eggs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah ha ha. The weather’s been so good lately.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While Michel experienced the consequences of his actions, his student bowed her head in his place. “I’m sorry, Prince Kyle. We’ll be more careful in the future. We’ll make sure not to do research in soiled clothes, and we’ll eat all the food we’re served! I swear, never again will he eat the flowers in the garden because getting food is too much trouble for him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, I haven’t heard that one! Besides, Michel’s not the only one I’m getting complaints about.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blurted out. She looked up to see Kyle glaring at her this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s you too, Weitzner. You’re hoarding so many books, one scholar is worried the stone floor will give out. Could you consider moving them out when you’ve finished reading them?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! Um, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe we’ve already spoken about you stacking books taller than your own height. That’s dangerous! What if they collapsed in an earthquake or something?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have no excuse…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Despite this, every book in her room was valuable, and she wasn’t done learning from them. She’d read some of them so many times that she could recite their contents from memory. Depending on when she picked them up, however, she could make new breakthroughs on her rereads."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m just freeloading here. I can’t cause trouble for the castle. But I don’t know how to prioritize which books to keep and which to get rid of! I’ll have to spend at least another two weeks—no, three weeks—reading them all from cover to cover one last time…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And that’s why I’ll be opening up one of my rooms for you two to use as an archive.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Prince Kyle, give me just one month to consider—wait, what?!” Rishe was baffled. “Are you sure? All the books in my room pertain to alchemy, so I’m the only one who’d use them. I wouldn’t want to take up a whole room…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "People tended to view alchemists as crackpots who sucked up time and funds without producing results. Michel had been invited to Coyolles not for his alchemy knowledge but for his expertise on other subjects, like medicine. Kyle had no reason to respect Michel and Rishe as alchemists."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet he met their eyes with an unwavering will and said without hesitation, “It’s my duty to support you, and I intend to do so without compromise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Kyle…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t the end of it either—Kyle helped Rishe and Michel countless times after that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You two were so focused on your research that you forgot to eat again, didn’t you?! Wait, it’s fine, you don’t need to get up. Keep watching your flasks; just eat this bread for now. But drink water first!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you need research funds, I can negotiate with my father. I know you two will produce results. I’ll convince him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It went well? I see. Congratulations. Above all, I’m glad to see your hard work rewarded.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Immersed deep in her memories as she sat in a room in Galkhein’s palace, Rishe thought, Prince Kyle always treated me kindly in every life, so I have to—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel called her name, and she looked up. After Arnold gave her permission to continue her training, Rishe had spent her afternoon visiting the tower quarters of the scholars from Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I looked over it. The focus is very interesting; I’m curious to see the results.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Professor Michel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the table between them sat a research paper Rishe had written in the few days since she’d reunited with Michel. It was an idea she’d only half completed in her life as an alchemist. She thought it might be useful for her war avoidance plan and wanted to hear Michel’s opinion on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all verified up to a certain point,” he told her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I dabbled back home, but I had to stop when I came to this country to get married.” Rishe mixed some lies with the truth. In reality, she’d died in the middle of her research. As her knight guards watched over them, Rishe asked him several questions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel the scholar is one of Coyolles’s greatest weapons right now, but he’s not enough. If Galkhein wanted him, they’d just pluck him from Kyle instead of forming an alliance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was another reason she didn’t want Michel and Arnold meeting again. Remembering her parting with Michel, she clenched her hands into fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, Rishe.” Michel put the paper down and smiled softly. “Do you like learning?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, I love it! I get excited learning anything new, whatever it is. It feels like my world expands, and everything I’ve seen up to that point suddenly looks different.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh heh, I know what you mean. Learning is fun—especially when you can apply what you’ve learned. I’m sure about this now…” Michel put his chin in his hand, grin widening. “You’re not suited to being an empress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of her knight guards opened his mouth to protest, but Rishe silenced him with a glance. Michel didn’t mean anything by it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He continued sunnily, “Well, it’s true, isn’t it? You’re better suited to the freedom to go wherever you want and try whatever you want. I think you should be living that kind of life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should just come with me.” He cocked his head, blond hair spilling over his shoulder. “Then you could learn a bunch of new stuff. I’ll teach you anything you want to know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I appreciate the invitation.” Rishe looked out the window. Far in the distance, she saw the detached wing where she and Arnold lived. Arnold would be there now, having returned to his work. “However, I’m working to understand one particular subject at present.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Arnold Hein, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She flinched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel cast his eyes down, the shadows of his long lashes falling on his cheeks. “I’m interested in him too. He rejected Kyle’s request, but the way he did it piqued my curiosity. I’d love to give him a certain compound and see what happens…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-oh.” Rishe felt clammy sweat breaking out on her skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I call it gunpowder.” There was a darkness in Michel’s eyes as he looked at Rishe. “Heh heh… I’m sure your husband would make great use of it.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0008.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE ONLY LET HER UNEASE show on her face for a split second. She quickly erased it with a smile. “I’d be very interested in an experiment involving Prince Arnold.” She feigned genuine zeal, hoping Michel couldn’t tell how fast her heart was beating."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The “gunpowder” Michel had invented had the power to destroy anything and everything. The first time she’d witnessed its might, she’d barely believed her eyes. His experiment burst apart a small room from the inside, its stone walls crumbling in an instant. Ever since then, Michel had been searching for someone willing to use his gunpowder, and his student Rishe had hoped with all her being that no one would ever take him up on it. But he’d finally found someone—the worst candidate Rishe could imagine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I never expected to find such an incredible possibility here.” Michel’s voice dropped to a gentle whisper. He knew exactly how sound traveled at this volume, so Rishe was sure her knights would barely hear anything. “My gunpowder must go to someone with real power to use it in war. I’ve been investigating policies of many different nations’ leaders, but Galkhein’s emperor always seemed too emotional in the records—annoying, even. I never thought his son, the crown prince, would be suited to my experiments either. After all, his policies are those of a ‘good ruler.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He smiled softly and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. Careful not to show her agitation, Rishe asked casually, “What sort of person were you looking for, Professor?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this life, maybe Michel would tell her. She looked at him, willing him to answer. His smile grew."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Neither tyrannical kings nor virtuous ones suit my experiment. I prematurely judged Galkhein’s emperor and crown prince as the same. How rash of me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why Michel never had any contact with Prince Arnold in any of my previous lives. As emperor, Arnold Hein never used Michel’s gunpowder in his war. If he’d known of its existence, Rishe was sure he would’ve used it to maximize his efficiency, just like he’d used the pocket watch he’d lent her to carry out his strategies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel has no interest in rumors. He trusted the results of Arnold’s political policies over the gossip around his cruelty. And once Arnold became emperor, he ruled him out for the same reason as the current emperor—Arnold’s father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But now, Michel had met the real Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold is a very virtuous ruler!” Rishe said, forcing a smile. “I know how he seems, but he’s a kind person. He ensured his people didn’t become impoverished because of the war, and he’s even come up with his own training methods to prevent his knights from sustaining injuries.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe kept up her feigned cheer as she chose her words carefully. “He puts up with my selfishness too. Just the other day, I lost a bet and had to do whatever he asked me. Instead of giving me orders, he just bought me a ring! Ha ha, isn’t that wonderful?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She tried to pass it off as a woman boasting about her fiancé—and not like she was trying to convince Michel of anything. “If he said something to Prince Kyle, I doubt he meant it. I don’t think he’s the one you’re looking for.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Rishe.” Michel smiled bewitchingly at her. “Can you formally introduce me to your husband?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a beat of hesitation, Rishe nodded, her smile still neutral. “Of course. I’ll see if he can make the time soon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s just go see him now. If he’s as nice as you say he is, I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor Michel, I’m not sure that—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ahh, I know. You don’t want me to meet him, do you?” Michel chuckled at Rishe, who’d jolted at his words. “You’ll do then, Rishe. I’m just about as interested in you as I am in Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You must be joking. There’s no reason for you to be interested in me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true. I mean…” He fixed her with a stare. “You’ve never once asked me what gunpowder is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At once, she realized her blunder. Her efforts to not come off as overly surprised had backfired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d like to study you. If you agree, I could see myself being satisfied enough to not bother with Arnold Hein… Oh, I’m sorry for being so cruel. But this is my duty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your duty?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Something poisonous is only valuable when it kills someone, thereby fulfilling its duty. My value is much the same.” Michel’s smile never faltered. “Someone who was brought into this world to make a mess of it must do as his duty commands. I was granted my alchemical abilities for that very reason.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A sweet, floral scent hung in the air: the smell of Michel’s herbal cigarettes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve been looking for something like that—something to flip the world on its head and shake everything loose. I’ve been searching for that capacity in a ruler for such a long time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe strode through the halls of the palace with her guards. Her “lesson” with Michel had been cut short when Kyle sent for him. Michel had just grinned and said, “See you tomorrow, Rishe,” leaving the room like nothing had happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She felt the urge to sigh as she made her way down the hall. I’m sure Michel will do whatever he can to meet with Prince Arnold now. And Prince Arnold will surely listen to what he has to say. I’ve spent enough time with him to know he’s very open to new technologies and ideas."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Arnold found out about gunpowder, and she couldn’t prevent the outbreak of war, she knew exactly what would happen. I can’t let Prince Arnold get his hands on it. I’ve also got to improve our relations with Coyolles as soon as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lost in thought, Rishe hardly paid attention to her surroundings. As a result, she failed to notice the hand reaching out from a nearby hallway and yanking her around."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack! Prince Theodore!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have been on his way back from some official business. He was wearing a cloak for going out in, frowning at Rishe. Without him even saying anything, Rishe knew the source of this perturbed expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He found out about your cross-dressing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m so sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore let Rishe go and folded his arms, looking down at her. Thankfully, he was speaking quietly enough that Rishe’s guards couldn’t overhear. All she could do was apologize earnestly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really, I’m sorry. And you helped me out too…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, if he found out, there’s nothing you can really do about it. Besides, my brother’s difficult whether he is or isn’t fooled. It’s fine. More importantly, how did he react? You have to at least tell me that! And why was he at the training anyway?! He’s never done that before! I was out in the slums on business when I heard. I was on pins and needles all the way back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, about that…” Rishe told Theodore that Arnold had come to the training to see the candidate his brother had recommended. Afterward, Theodore was silent for a good several seconds. He then covered his face and hung his head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it, Prince Theodore?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, no, I can’t really digest that information right now, so I’m not going to think about it. You’ll have to tell me about it again some other time…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Er, he seems overwhelmed. So much had passed between them over the years that he was having trouble processing this. Theodore was practically hunched over on the ground now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking to change the subject, Rishe asked, “You were all the way out in the slums, yet you heard right away that Prince Arnold was observing the training?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My retainers are good at their jobs. I have a perfect information network set up—even if I’m out in town, I get news of my brother right away,” Theodore said, deadly serious. All the power of a prince, and he’d finely honed it to be his brother’s keeper."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The “retainers” he mentioned were likely not palace guards. He was probably referring to people from the slums who were in his debt and other such ruffians."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And it’s not just my brother. I’ve looked into all the trainees. I’m watching them to see how they spend their time in town, making sure none of them pick up any odd habits to amuse themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. So the prince is watching over the baby knights from the shadows.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, there’s that too.” When Rishe tilted her head, Theodore reluctantly admitted, “I’m sending my sister-in-law into their midst. If anyone strange was among them, and something happened to her, what could I say to my brother?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was surprised to hear he was doing all this for her. “Thank you for your concern. I’m sorry for worrying you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not really worried about you. Everything I do, I do for my brother, obviously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh. I know. Well then, Prince Theodore…” Rishe found herself smiling, but she schooled her expression and looked up. “I don’t suppose I could borrow these skilled retainers of yours for a time, could I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore’s eyes widened. “For something that will help my brother?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. In fact, this would be more like betraying him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore’s lips instantly curled into an impish smile. “Interesting… Sure, I’m in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We have a deal, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With that, the sister- and brother-in-law quietly came to an agreement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After parting with Theodore, Rishe penned several quick letters and handed them off to a servant. She had dinner by herself, tended her field, and checked on her maids. Then she took a bath and returned to her room. When her hair was dry, she dismissed her attendant, leaving herself alone. Sitting in the one chair in her room, she took a moment to catch her breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, Michel was the first thing that came to mind. In her life as an alchemist, he had taken her all the way to the far north of Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you so much, Professor! I never thought I’d see an aurora like that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It began with a single insignificant comment. Auroras were visible in Coyolles, but Rishe had never seen one before in either of her previous lives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it was the perfect opportunity. It’s easiest to see them when the nighttime temperature rapidly drops after a few warm days. We should hurry—it’s probably going to rain in a few hours.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Walking across a snowy field, Michel took out a corked glass bottle containing a special mixture he’d made himself. Normally, the liquid was clear, but it crystallized into something like snow when the weather worsened. The device wasn’t precise enough to present to the royal family, but it came in handy in Michel and Rishe’s daily life. She was of the same mind; they needed to make their way home soon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, did you get any ideas for the project you were stuck on?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I did!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel smiled, a lantern swaying in his hand. “Good.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was wearing a fur coat, but Michel—sensitive to the cold—was bundled up far more than she was. He was in so many layers, it looked hard to move."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Professor. You had to come all this way for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why are you apologizing? You’re my student, aren’t you?” Michel cocked his head, his breath coming out white. “I’ll show you whatever you want to see. If there’s something you don’t know, I’ll do my utmost to teach you. Although if you want to figure it out for yourself, I won’t get in your way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whenever other people witnessed this, they always reacted with shock. “Michel Hévin doesn’t think about anything but his research. He doesn’t care about other people at all.” That was the popular public consensus, but the reality was different."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you take such good care of me, Professor? If you didn’t have a student, you could focus more on your own research.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Walking down the snow-cleared path, Michel stroked his chin. “Perhaps…because it’s the only ‘good’ thing I’ll ever do in my life.” His quiet words were sucked away into the snowy landscape. “But you don’t need to worry about that. Just learn a lot, absorb a lot, and grow big and tall!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Professor, I’m not going to grow any taller than this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Are you already at that age? Nothing to be done about that, I suppose.” He turned back to Rishe and gave her a truly kind smile. “I’m looking forward to witnessing the scholar you become.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Those words were probably heartfelt on Michel’s part. He cared for Kyle and many of the people of Coyolles as well. He wasn’t hostile, and his desire to experiment with his gunpowder wasn’t out of any sort of ill will or cruelty. That was why it was so difficult to do anything about him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s such a waste to watch them by myself, but the maids are bathing right now. My only other option would be…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“G-good evening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are these?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re fireflies.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fireflies.” Arnold tested the—perhaps unfamiliar—word. He thought for a moment and then said, “I can order them exterminated, if you’d like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! Why?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Flies are insects, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“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.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Besides, it may be selfish human sentiment, but…please, take a look.” She pointed at the fireflies drawing trails of light in the air, smiling at Arnold. “See? Aren’t they beautiful?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was silent for a moment, just looking at Rishe, before he let out a small breath. “I guess you’re right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They seem to like you, don’t they?” She was a little jealous."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled teasingly. “Why don’t you just come to my room, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, that makes sense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose I shall. It’s only about a half-meter jump.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before Arnold could question her, Rishe lifted her skirt, grabbed the railing, and climbed up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, you’re not really going to—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“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…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For some reason, he wasn’t letting her go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Flustered, she 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.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I guess you’re right. I have seen you jump from a balcony to the ground before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then why did you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was silent for a time. Then, sounding embarrassed, he said, “My body acted on its own. I couldn’t help it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“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, no?” He seemed to be trying to deflect attention from his discomfort."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. “Through the door?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Through the door.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Instead of jumping from the balcony?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She considered the logic of his words and came to one conclusion: “You’re right!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have no idea what you mean!” She did, of course, but she played dumb all the same."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before, I always figured he was just messing with me for his own entertainment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What a strange person he was. She didn’t say it aloud—he wouldn’t want to hear that from her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By the way, why did you have your sword out, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He looked up at the glowing insects around them. “The lights looked like torches to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "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."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“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.” She looked up at the man who had once been her enemy and challenged him with a smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s surprise lasted only for a moment before he grinned and shot back, “The sound would be a deterrent, but archers aren’t much of a threat. Every single one of them are obsessed with knightly virtues. They’re only good for support. They’re not well trained, and there’s a limit to how accurately they can shoot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… I guess you’re right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I investigate my targets beforehand, but I’ve never pulled my troops back from mere archers.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As far as Rishe knew, only the eastern continent valued archers’ skills. Without at least a foundational level of respect, few if any would master the art in Galkhein. In her life as a knight, Arnold hadn’t been intimidated in the least by their archers. As the side being invaded, she wished he’d learned to practice caution."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If your palace is a battlefield, then you’re on the defensive,” Arnold said. “An inferior position. How would you handle that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, if you were the enemy general, I’d purposely create a break in our defensive line, drawing you in.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? You’d invite the enemy inside?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you’d be too cautious,” Rishe went on. “You wouldn’t charge straight in, would you? I could win if I could maintain my resistance of the siege; my main directive would be to never give the enemy the impression that my position is inferior. I’d make you think I was lying in wait instead of fleeing; I would show myself to you openly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Interesting.” In the dancing lights of the fireflies, Arnold put his elbow on the balcony railing. “Your most crucial detail would be the number of troops. The south side of the palace is the least defensible. What would you do there?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d be forced to utilize the environment. Set traps, for instance…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had no end of battle tactics with which to oppose her. Rishe thought and made suggestions, and Arnold quickly tore through them. Watching the beautiful lights, Rishe felt her frustration building."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is there some endless spring of battle tactics inside of you, Prince Arnold?” she asked him at last."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wish. Tactics naturally sprout from people’s weaknesses.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even when attacking a fortress—a campaign that can lead to massive casualties—you can easily exploit an enemy’s weakness. Capture the country’s women and children and slaughter them in front of the castle walls, for instance, and the enemy soldiers will run out on their own to save them. Ideas like that aren’t hard to conjure up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wide-eyed, Rishe blinked. She couldn’t read any emotion from the prince’s profile as he gazed at the fireflies. “You hate war, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold furrowed his brow and looked down at her. “A normal person would have the opposite impression, I believe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? I don’t think someone who likes war would look the way you do now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She smiled at him, and his frown deepened. Rishe’s eyes trailed after a firefly as it drifted closer. The bead of light blinked, faintly illuminating Arnold’s hair and features. Rishe could almost see stardust in the prince’s blue eyes. His azure irises, so like the sea, fixed her in place and stole her heart even more than the wondrous glint of the fireflies. She found herself muttering, “You really do have beautiful eyes…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d said it without thinking, but it seemed to annoy him. Arnold’s gaze fell, calling attention to his long lashes. “These eyes match my father’s,” he said, voice unsteady. “They’re proof that I am the emperor’s son. When I was a child, there were times when I wanted to gouge them out of my skull.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked at Rishe and spoke to her quietly, sincerely, as if these were simple facts. “They aren’t ‘beautiful.’ Don’t look at them like they hold any value.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His words lanced Rishe’s heart. Arnold looked away from her, gazing out into the firefly-lit darkness toward the capital city. In the daytime, they could see the city streets from their balconies, but now all was silent and dark."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“On the day you arrived, you told me you’d always wanted to come to this country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. And when I went down to the town, I realized what an amazing place it was.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t value the same things you do. I see the lights of insects as the fires of war, and the town you fondly gaze down upon sometimes disgusts me.” Arnold sucked in a breath. “Maybe it’s because I have my father’s eyes. Or maybe he and I are one in the same at our cores. Either way, it’s unsightly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold wore nearly the same neutral expression he always did, but Rishe could sense the emotions simmering beneath his words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you remember when I treated the knights with an antidote on our journey here?” she asked him, and Arnold looked back at her. “You extolled their virtues then, Your Highness. And you only knew those virtues because you observed them up close, right? Everything else you see is the same way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Slowly, she went on, “Are the lights you see in the distance the fires of war, or are they the beautiful glimmer of fireflies? Your perspective isn’t an immutable thing passed down to you from your parents but something you build up by experience. All you need to do is learn. You have plenty of time to see the beauty of this country, to learn about wonderful creatures like fireflies.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe held Arnold’s blue-eyed gaze as she spoke, hiding the pain in her heart with a bright smile. She fervently held back from patting his head like he was a child. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of beauty and things you value in the future.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah.” With a self-deprecating laugh, Arnold retorted, “I don’t need anything like that. All I need is what is necessary to achieve my goals. Everything else can be eliminated, tossed aside on my way up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, Your High—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I killed someone important to me with my own hands. If you get in my way, I’ll toss you aside as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore had told her that Arnold killed his own mother. Maybe that was what he was referring to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know what you’re planning with this Coyolles business, but…” Arnold laced his tone with cruelty. “Don’t make me get rid of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pressed her lips together, but not because she was afraid. It’s like he’s pleading with me. Why? If he truly only desired that which allowed him to reach his goals, why would he sound so plaintive?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, she made up her mind. “I can’t promise you that. Even if I become your wife, I’ll still act for myself—for my own goals. I won’t give that up even if it means you getting rid of me. However…” Rishe thrust her chest out and declared, “Toss me aside all you want. I’ll just come back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you drive me out and break our engagement, I’ll just apply as a maid and come right back to this palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes went wide. Rishe smiled, feeling like she’d pulled off a successful prank. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll cross-dress and join the knights. If that doesn’t work, I’ll come here as an apothecary. I’ll acquire any and all skills to allow me access and grant me the power to see you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she’d first come to this country, it was with the knowledge that she might one day be divorced and driven out. She had several strategies planned out to still have a life afterward. But right now, what Rishe wanted more than anything was to remain at Arnold’s side here in the palace."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So please don’t worry. I won’t let you get rid of me so easily.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she made her declaration, Rishe came to a decision. I know what I need to do for Prince Arnold. She had to change his perspective, make him see new sides of the world. In order to do that, there were things she needed to show him. And maybe not just Arnold…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Rishe reached out to him, took his face in her hands, and peered deeply into his eyes. She knew it was rude to touch him like this, but she couldn’t stop herself. “I don’t know the emperor. To me, these are not your father’s eyes; they’re your eyes. They may be hateful to you, but I’ll say it as many times as I must.” She looked into that frozen sea and smiled. “I think you have the most beautiful eyes in the world.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold scowled. She didn’t want to force her own perspective onto him; if he truly despised his eyes, she wouldn’t invalidate those feelings. But she wanted him to understand how she felt too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince hung his head, putting his hands over Rishe’s, wearing his usual inscrutable expression. It soon melted into something much kinder, and he said, “It’s late. You should get to bed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He gently removed Rishe’s hands from his face. Rishe let go, although she didn’t want to. She disguised her feelings by quietly telling him, “Good night, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that she realized she couldn’t see the fireflies any longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe went back to her own balcony and turned around, but Arnold had already gone inside his room. Her nightdress fluttered in the evening air. The night view seemed lonelier when she was gazing out at it without him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wanted to gouge his eyes out. Arnold’s words were replete with his animosity and disgust for his father. But simple discord between father and son couldn’t explain the depths of Arnold’s hatred for the color of his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back in her room, Rishe went to her bed and took out the paper she’d hidden under her pillow. On it was the design of the ring Arnold planned to purchase for her. Rishe had spent several nights looking at it before she went to sleep. Eventually, she tucked the paper away again and moved to her desk. Checking the pocket watch she’d borrowed from Arnold, she picked up a quill."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, my lord.” Arnold’s attendant Oliver bowed to his prince in his office. In his hands, Arnold held the document Oliver had just given him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine. I was just about to call you to discuss this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver’s brows scrunched; he hadn’t expected that. “Are you planning to act? I’m aware of what needs to be done, but it’s a bit premature, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s exactly why we do it now. He thinks the same way,” Arnold said, his eyes cold. “I’ve factored in the potential losses to my plan.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0009.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“YOU GOT a minute, Lu?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At early training that day, Fritz timidly called out to Rishe. She felt her smile freeze on her face. Sven, who was training with them, was off drawing water from the well. None of the other cadets had arrived yet, so it was just Fritz and the cross-dressing Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz had been acting strange all morning. His sword swings lacked strength, and he seemed out of it, like he was lost in thought. And Rishe had an idea why."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, about yesterday’s training…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew it. He’s been stressing about it this whole time. Fritz had witnessed her talking to Arnold, whom he idolized, the day before. Plus, he saw the prince holding me against the wall and pinching my cheeks…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes glazed over as Fritz shot her an awkward look. He earnestly searched for the words to say, haltingly telling her, “If this is an insensitive question, go ahead and just punch me. Yesterday, you and Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, yes. I had something stuck in my eye, and Prince Arnold got it out for me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Fritz gaped, Rishe smoothly explained, “It was windy yesterday, right? Something got in my eye, and I yelled about it. Prince Arnold came to see what was wrong. You could have talked to him while he was there, but you ran off so fast!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-your eye? You got something in your eye?” Fritz went quiet, and Rishe tried to not let her nervousness show. Would he buy it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She gulped at the same time Fritz opened his mouth again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow, Lu! I can’t believe you got Prince Arnold to help you like that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Th-thank goodness! Rishe’s knees almost gave out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz looked significantly more cheerful, not to mention relieved. “I see, so you had something in your eye. That’s all it was, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, he does look up to Prince Arnold. I’m sure he didn’t want to see his hero holding a random cadet up against the wall like that. When she thought about how Fritz must’ve spent the whole night worrying, she felt truly sorry for her part in his inner turmoil."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ahh, I never thought that would be the reason! I’m such an idiot for jumping to conclusions…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz was beating himself up, so Rishe tried to encourage him. “You’ll have plenty of chances to impress Prince Arnold once you become a real knight. You’ll be fine, Fritz… Whoa, what’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz had sunk down in front of Rishe, hanging his head. “I was going around in circles last night. I’m completely wiped out.” Was there another reason for Fritz’s strange mood? Rishe cocked her head as he quietly told her, “The whole reason I wanted to become a knight was because of Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I remember. Your town was attacked in the war and Prince Arnold saved you, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz nodded, looking glum. “I talked like it was all good memories, right? Well, it wasn’t. I wasn’t being honest. Other things happened back then too…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought that might be the case. Fritz said he’d seen Arnold’s sword, but as an evacuated child, he should have had no opportunity for that. Prince Arnold is always at the front. If Fritz saw that sword, he’d been left behind in the most dangerous part of Ceutena during the battle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When Prince Arnold saved me… Everything that happened that day feels unreal, like it was all a dream. But it wasn’t.” As Rishe watched Fritz, he hung his head and continued, “It’s pathetic, isn’t it? With the man I admired right in front of me, I remembered how scared I was then. Last night, I dreamt about that battle. That hasn’t happened in such a long time. I was a knight, and I was in Ceutena. But I wasn’t like Prince Arnold at all. I was so scared; I couldn’t move. You were there too, Lu…and I couldn’t save you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe slowly knelt until they were on the same level. “It’s okay to be scared, Fritz.” She rested her elbow on her knee and put her chin in her hand, smiling softly. “War should be scary. It’s only natural to fear violence.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I signed up to be a knight. A knight is worthless if he’s too scared to fight. No matter how much sword training I do, I’ll be nothing but a nuisance on the battlefield.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She shook her head. “You’re not weak, Fritz. You’re a victim of the battle in Ceutena, and you went through horrible trauma. Yet you held that admiration in your heart and turned it into hope for the future, and you’re working hard to make your dreams come true.” She caught and held Fritz’s eyes—he looked genuinely astonished. “I think experiencing the terror of the battlefield will only make you a better knight, not worse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After all, Rishe hadn’t been scared. When the day came to protect her lords, she was prepared to go to her death. She’d risked her life on the battlefield, thinking that was what a knight should aspire to. And that was why she’d died. She didn’t regret her choice. But there was one thing she could say with certainty: “You’ll be strong because you know what it is you should be afraid of.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz’s almond-shaped eyes opened wide with surprise. He considered Rishe’s words and then laughed. “I feel a lot better now. I’m sorry, Lu.” He still sounded apologetic but less weary. Fritz gave Rishe an impish smile. “If you think I’m strong enough, I don’t have anything to be afraid of.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe laughed and stood up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz followed, looking refreshed. “Let’s become knights together, Lu.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe just smiled. “Looks like Sven’s back. We should go clean up, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? S-sure…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe schooled her expression as they walked back together. I’m sorry for lying to you. She had no right to agree with him. In this life, Rishe wasn’t a knight who would fight on the front lines but one of the people who would be sending them off to war. But that’s exactly why I’m going to do everything in my power to prevent it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finished with the day’s training, Rishe once again hurried back to the detached wing, bathed, and got ready for the rest of the day. When she was prepared, she and her two guard escorts headed for a VIP room in the main palace. She knocked on the door, promptly receiving a reply from within. She thanked Kamil, one of the knights, as he opened the door, then turned to the other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, can you stand guard in the hall, Volker? Kamil will accompany me inside. Walking in with too many guards when I’m meeting with a guest might be rude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Understood, Lady Rishe.” Her knight bowed and took up position in the hallway beside the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gave Kamil an appreciative smile, and the two of them entered together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle stood, bowing to Rishe at a perfect angle, the little gesture exemplifying his diligent nature. Yesterday, Kyle had spent all day debating capital scholars, and he’d dined with them as well. Rishe hadn’t had a chance to see him since the party. She’d been worried about his condition, but as soon as she saw him, her fretting eased."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The medicine I gave you appears to be working. I’m relieved.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you really tell how I’m feeling with a single glance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d need to examine you for a more accurate prognosis, but I can tell when there’s been an obvious change in your condition. I’m guessing you’re coughing less in the morning and at night, and you’re able to sleep better because of it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You truly have a divine eye, my lady.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wasn’t sure how to feel about his reverent thanks. It was strange to hear from someone who used to scold her with “Clean up the books in your room!” and “You should go to bed earlier no matter how busy you are with your research.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She smiled to cover up her feelings and sat down on the couch. Kyle sat down as well. Rishe placed the small bottle she’d brought with her on the table between them. “I would ask you to start taking these pills too. Starting today, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. Are these different than the liquid medicine you gave me before?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Liquid medicine is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream and takes less time to work, but the effect isn’t as potent and doesn’t last as long. I needed to make sure you’d regained your strength with a good night’s sleep before administering these pills.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her master had taught her that strong medicine was poison to a weak body. And though Kyle’s illness was characterized by respiratory symptoms, the state of his stomach greatly affected his condition. More restful sleep meant an improved appetite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“These pills are made from several crushed medicinal herbs and hardened with honey.” The small bottle was filled with tablets the color of sugared milk tea. “Your breathing is sometimes shallow, right? I believe it’s due to your lungs’ exhaustion and your heart palpitations. You also have a habit of closing your lips tightly, lightening their color. I’d say this is because you grind your teeth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…was not aware. Are you sure?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Normally, your top and bottom teeth are not supposed to touch; the top should sit a few millimeters above the bottom. When you relax your jaw, are your top and bottom teeth touching?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle’s eyes opened wide at her question."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I saw you touching your forehead several times during the party the other night. You have headaches, don’t you? Those are caused by a body under stress, which is why headache medicine does little to help.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You seem to be aware of my every move.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My master from Renhua would be able to read even more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“An apothecary named Hakurei who once examined me had similarly extraordinary eyes. I’ve heard people call her the most skilled apothecary in the world. To think there would be another person so knowledgeable…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, they’re one and the same, actually, Rishe thought to herself, nudging the bottle of pills toward Kyle. “Please take one thirty minutes before your meals. They’ll take effect slowly and last a long time, relieving your symptoms throughout the day. However, the taste is just as bad as the liquid medicine…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It really was disgusting. The awful taste of the medicinal herbs was only exacerbated by the discordant sweetness of the honey used as a binding agent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, Kyle nodded solemnly. “If it will help me function even the slightest bit better, it’s worth it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness.” Today was the day. Rishe put her hands in her lap and began quietly, “I happened to overhear you and Prince Arnold at the party the other day.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle’s eyes went wide before slowly settling back to normal. “You witnessed something awfully embarrassing, then. I know that the courteous thing to do would be to pack up and leave now that Prince Arnold has denied my request, but I just cannot bring myself to give up yet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Were you not aware of the danger? We might not be at war right now, but as the victors of a recent conflict, Galkhein could change that at a moment’s notice. You must know the story of the battle where Prince Arnold beheaded the entire royal family of an enemy nation, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle shot a glance at Kamil, who stood at a slight remove. Rishe knew what he was worried about. “Don’t worry. Nothing we say here will make it back to Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s guards were all Arnold’s personal knights, and one of their duties was indeed reporting her movements, but Kamil was the exception. Kamil was originally from the slums. Rishe had put forward a policy for the sake of his neighbors, receiving Kamil’s full endorsement. When Theodore kidnapped her, Kamil had helped her enact her plan. Rishe had thus asked him to stay quiet about her secret talks with Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe cast him a glance, and Kamil bowed before turning away from them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve seen the policies Prince Arnold has enacted on paper. From what I read, it was clear to me that his policies always put his people first, and I never doubted once that he was a wise ruler… I wonder if his compassion could extend to enemy nations in wartime.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle had noticed, just as Rishe suspected he might. She was sure of it, but she didn’t interrupt, waiting for him to continue."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“While I am a royal who should be protecting his people, I know nothing of the battlefield. This is all supposition on my part, but I assume movement across the field is more difficult with wounded soldiers than dead ones.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was exactly as Kyle said. If your comrades died, all you could do was leave their bodies behind and march on. It was tragic, and it would shred your heart, but it didn’t tank your productivity. With injuries, however, it was a different story. A knight would fight to protect an injured comrade. That meant less strength devoted to winning the battle, leading to the destruction of entire squads."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold likely massacred his enemies on the battlefield as a matter of strategy. If the enemy soldiers saw their fellows lying dead, they wouldn’t be standing against him to protect their comrades, sapping their will to fight. He doesn’t capture enemy royals; he kills them. This could also be viewed as decisive way to end a conflict, reducing casualties on each side.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle had no experience with war, but Rishe agreed with his theories. Prince Kyle really is amazing. His close relationships with merchants and scholars are one thing, but to have a good head for strategy too… He has ample ability to analyze and imagine things he has no personal experience with. If he weren’t so feeble and times weren’t so bad, she was sure he’d be known as a wise ruler."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I feel the same way you do, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold must have slaughtered his enemies so ruthlessly in the war for a reason. In this way, he could sacrifice the few to save the many."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s why Prince Arnold legitimately believes that an invasion he leads will be better for Coyolles than one by his father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was kind, and that kindness allowed him to make the merciless choices of war and murder without hesitation. That was why Rishe knew she needed to stop him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle bowed to Rishe once more. “I apologize for discussing such unpleasant topics with a lady like yourself. Even if Prince Arnold truly is a tyrant, it doesn’t change what I must do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I bet you intend to say, ‘I’ll protect Coyolles even if it costs me my life.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle looked at her in surprise. Rishe’s smile was sad."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I once believed I needed to risk my life out of a desire to protect something too—but I don’t think that’s right anymore. After all, the life you save keeps going long after yours ends.” She could sense Kyle’s breath catching. “People aren’t in peril just once in their lives. After you overcome the initial distress, happiness and danger await you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe spoke, she remembered the royals she’d served as a knight. She had risked her life to protect her prince and his family. Unafraid to die, she stood on the battlefield, wielding her sword with that feeling swelling in her heart. Now Rishe knew how foolish she’d been. Emperor Arnold could have caught up to their fleeing carriage. They may have reached their allied nation only to be betrayed there instead, killed all the same. And if one of their knights had survived, they might have been able to protect them from such dangers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Since coming here, I’ve learned that Galkhein’s knights are strong not because they die nobly to protect their charge but because they protect their charge by staying alive no matter what happens. They’re taught to fight and live on even if they lose their limbs or can no longer hold a sword.” And the one who’d instilled those lessons in them was none other than the crown prince."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please, Prince Kyle…” Rishe looked Kyle in the eye and addressed him by name, as she had so many times in her past. The people of Coyolles always used this direct address rather than the more formal “Your Highness.” It was an expression of their affection for him. In this life, it might be rude for Rishe to do the same, but she did it anyway. “For the time being, I implore you—form a small alliance with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“An alliance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In order to persuade Prince Arnold. You are a necessary factor in the alliance between Coyolles and Galkhein.” Rishe spread out the papers she’d snuck in with her on the table, having hastily written them up the night before after parting with Arnold on his balcony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Running his eyes over her plan, Kyle swallowed hard. “Lady Rishe, who exactly are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t tell you that, unfortunately, but I’m confident that you can pull this plan off.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Will this really persuade Prince Arnold? I’m not sure he’ll even bother to listen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He will,” Rishe said matter-of-factly. “I don’t know if Prince Arnold will agree, but I know that if you follow this plan, he’ll at least hear you out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How can you be so sure?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, naturally…” Rishe said, puffing out her chest with a grin, “because I’m Prince Arnold’s future wife.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle immediately set about following Rishe’s plan that afternoon. To prevent Arnold from growing suspicious, he went along with the tours Galkhein had prepared for his visit, carrying out his part in the operation as smoothly as he could. Rishe only met with him once a day when she provided him with the new medicine she had made. On a night several days after, they began to enact their plan…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please check these for me, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped when she saw what he had put on the table between them. “I’m shocked. Frankly, I wasn’t sure we would get it together in time even with you helping me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle nodded sincerely. “There was a familiar face on the ship to Galkhein. I managed everything else on your list as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you very much. The company I use has trouble procuring these sorts of things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s current strategy required several individuals and items—the latter being outside the Aria Trading Company’s wheelhouse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank goodness Prince Kyle was here. Any other country, and it would’ve been a breeze for me to find the right people myself. This was the one place Rishe hadn’t visited in her past lives. She had at least a passable understanding of the trade situations in other countries, but she was tragically unfamiliar with Galkhein’s market. Luckily, Kyle’s connections extended all the way here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since he’s met so many merchants face-to-face for honest dealings, he has connections with Galkhein merchants too. They must consider Prince Kyle an important customer, since they were willing to procure rush orders for him. Merchants valued personal connections highly, and someone like Kyle was an incredible score."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They told me they had no way to verify the authenticity of this powder, though. Michel might have been able to tell, but…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not a problem, Prince Kyle; I can verify its components. And I already told you I’d like to keep this plan a secret from Michel. Is the professor in town again today?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Whenever he’s not experimenting, he likes to immerse himself in books.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle was assuming that Michel was visiting the library in town, but Rishe was more familiar with his patterns of behavior. If Michel was down in the town, she had a good idea of what he was up to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I managed to get Prince Arnold to agree to meet with you one more time. Two days from now, in the evening.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Our party plans to return to Coyolles in four days.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kyle’s visit was ostensibly to celebrate Arnold and Rishe’s wedding. His other pretexts were an exchange of information between their respective scholars and some observational tours of the country; the formation of an alliance was not on the books for either prince. If he extended his stay for no reason, Arnold’s father—the emperor—would grow suspicious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If they find out what we’re doing, one of two things will happen: The emperor will invade Coyolles, or, to prevent that, Prince Arnold will invade Coyolles. Either way, Prince Kyle will be in danger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Concealing her worries, Rishe spoke up, her voice bright. “It will be fine, Prince Kyle. I was expecting your meeting with Prince Arnold would be tomorrow—now I have another day to prepare.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How fortunate. Please tell me if there is anything I can do to help.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve done more than enough. Given that I’m marrying into this country, I’ll be very pleased to have you as an ally,” Rishe said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kyle’s eyes widened, and he bowed deeply to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe returned to her room and dismissed her servants in order to “sleep”—or rather, to quickly prepare the next phase of her plan. After a bit of work, she listened carefully to the adjacent room. Arnold didn’t seem to be there; he must have still been handling his duties. Once she was certain, she went onto her balcony with a rope. Rishe descended from her fourth-floor room to the garden, heading for her field. She approached as silently as she could, catching the expected scent of flowers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello, Professor.” Just as she thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she addressed him, the blond man looked up from where he stood beside the field, an herbal cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Michel tucked his hair behind his ear and smiled, plucking the cigarette from between his lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe. Good evening. You ready to take a journey with me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. “I believe I told you I wouldn’t be taking you up on that offer. I’m only here to speak with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right. Let’s talk.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Facing Michel, Rishe couldn’t help but recall that day in her life as an alchemist where their paths had diverged. A little nervous, she asked, “Professor, do you really intend to give Prince Arnold your gunpowder?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think I will. After all, I expect he’ll make effective, decisive use of it. He’ll change the world.” Michel took a drag on his cigarette, blowing out smoke before going on. “Poison is brought into this world to do harm. If you don’t use that poison to kill, it has no reason to exist, does it?” She’d heard those words in her previous life too. “Gunpowder is the same. It exists to change the world, therefore it must be used to tip order on its head.” Michel was still smiling, the light in his eyes turning them to ice. “All things must fulfill their purpose. I am no exception.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew why he was being so obstinate. “Someone who was born to turn the world upside down must act in accordance with their mission, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. You know exactly what I’m trying to say, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course she knew; he’d told her before. He had even said it with the same unyielding expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I cannot achieve this, there is no meaning in my existence. And if gunpowder does not find someone to make use of it, it will suffer the same fate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It must be used even if it will lead to many deaths?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh heh heh, what a dilemma. I’m sorry, Rishe. I truly don’t mean to upset you.” Michel’s smile faltered, growing lonely. “That much, at least, is true.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe clenched her fists. “You were always like this, Professor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You behave more carelessly than anyone I know, but you deprive yourself of true freedom. There are things you want and things you don’t want, but you’re a captive to this ‘role’ you think you must play. You pour your alchemical talent into your experiments, striving to shoulder some burden you’ve arbitrarily decided belongs to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are certainly things in this world that only you can accomplish. But achieving incredible feats is not your purpose.” Rishe stopped to take a breath, staring him down. “People don’t need a purpose to exist in this world.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel’s eyes widened just a little, so quickly and slightly it was hardly an expression. But for just a fraction of a second, he looked surprised. In all the years she’d spent with him, Rishe had never seen that look on his face before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You say such strange things.” The surprise was gone, replaced by his usual soft smile. “Nothing comes into this world without meaning. Once it exists, it must strive to fulfill that meaning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Professor, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel turned away, but he looked back just once to tell her, “Good night, Rishe. See you tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was a little relieved that his goodbye hinted at the future. In her third life, they’d parted with the devastating words, “Farewell, my student.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shutting her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Exhaled. Then her eyes flew open. I have to hurry…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She only had one day left."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their appointment with Arnold took place in a palace meeting room. As one of many chambers used by the royal family, its furnishings were first class. The round table in the center of the room would never be found in guest quarters."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, there was a knock. Oliver, Arnold’s attendant, opened the door and waved the prince in. Kyle, who was already seated, stood and bowed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold. I appreciate you taking the time to see me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let me just say this first.” Arnold glared at Kyle from across the table. “I don’t intend to have a repeat of our conversation from the other night. I still see no value in an alliance with Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am aware.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However…” His eyes flicked to the corner of the room. “This’ll be worth my while, right, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, Prince Arnold.” Standing away from the table like a simple maid, Rishe returned Arnold’s gaze with a smile. Don’t be intimidated. This is a business negotiation. A fight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s stare was aggressive, and his belligerence raised the tension in the room. Kyle must have felt it too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Smirking, Arnold took a seat. “Go on, sit,” he told Kyle. “Let’s get started already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“First things first, Prince Arnold.” Rishe went over to the table, standing between Kyle and Arnold. She faced the crown prince and spread her arms wide, smiling at him. “Can you tell what’s different about me today?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned at the question. He put his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand. “Your necklace, bracelets, and earrings. I don’t recognize any of them. You haven’t worn them in front of me before, have you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d expected his scowl but not his guess. He’s got sharp eyes. His mind is quick too. It feels like he sees right through me sometimes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded and sat down. “It’s just as you say. I purchased these from the Aria Trading Company yesterday. All these pieces were crafted in Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Allow me to explain Coyolles’s industry,” Kyle cut in. “We mine jewels, but we are also trapped inside for over half the year. These conditions have produced extremely talented artisans.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "People from Coyolles had many strategies for dealing with the long winters. Their custom of men singing women’s praises had developed to maintain harmony within the household while families were stuck inside together. They’d honed their craft to pass the time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In Coyolles, artisans can complete their work far faster—and with more precision—than elsewhere. This is one of the treasures we can boast of above the rest of the world.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everything Kyle said was true. The ring Arnold had purchased for Rishe in town would have normally taken a month to complete, but the letter from the old woman told Rishe the crafting time would only be a week. That was thanks to the artisans from Coyolles who’d been on the ship with Kyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Craftsmen from Coyolles are the best in the world. Living as a merchant taught me that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Galkhein was Coyolles’s polar opposite. Due to the war, Galkhein’s skilled artisans—jewelers included—were practically nonexistent. Crafting weapons out of metal took a different set of skills than making fine, delicate pieces, and people from Galkhein could pretty much only do the former. None of their artisans could do detailed metalwork."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, Arnold’s gaze was cold. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shuddered, but she maintained her soft smile. This will work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew Arnold wasn’t interested in jewelers, but this was the nature of business. If presented with one product, a customer had two choices: buy or don’t buy. Choosing the latter could result in a lost business opportunity. However, presenting multiple products changed the customer’s frame of mind. Instead of to buy or not to buy, they asked, “Buy which?” and “Which of these is most valuable?” A sale was easier with an array of choices, rather than just one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t expect cheap tactics like that to work on Prince Arnold, though. Rishe glanced at Kyle, and her former client quietly nodded. He reached into his jacket pocket, drew something out, and placed it on the table. Arnold’s expression didn’t change."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This product is familiar to you, isn’t it, Prince Arnold?” Kyle asked, although he already knew the answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s mine, so yeah. What about it?” Arnold’s response was indifferent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe jumped in to explain. “This is—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait.” Arnold stopped her, glowering. His earlier disinterest looked genuine, but now that was changing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sensing why, Rishe was surprised. “I didn’t think you’d even notice this.” Rishe still had her business smile on, but inside she was reeling. Arnold hadn’t said anything, but he’d likely seen through her ploy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The watch on the table is not, in fact, yours. This is an exact imitation of the watch you treasured during the war, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe plucked something from a bag at her side. Just like Kyle had, she placed it on the table before her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have your watch right here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Two pocket watches sat on the table. They were identical, save for a slightly different metallic sheen. This small difference had tipped Arnold off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Kyle’s watch is a replica of the one I borrowed from you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked quietly at Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This was created by an artisan who arrived in Galkhein on the same ship as Prince Kyle. I consulted one of the jewelry sellers on what we needed and borrowed the equipment. Apparently, wheels and springs and such are cast in the same exact way they cast metal for jewelry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Artisans made a model of wax, created a mold, and then poured the metal into that mold. The model was the most time-consuming step, but once they had the mold, it could be used again and again in a short amount of time. That was the benefit of casting. Skilled craftsmen could cast items with minute, finicky details. Still, getting it finished in time had been a gamble."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A “skilled artisan from Coyolles” and someone who arrived with Prince Kyle on a royal ship. I thought I knew who it would be, and I’m glad I was right."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was very familiar with the individual who had invented the pocket watch, and that individual had commissioned the fine components for the watch from an artisan from Coyolles. They’d picked Coyolles precisely because of their jewelry-making techniques. This meant the craftsman who’d come to Galkhein already had molds to craft watch parts. It was always smart to bring successful samples of your work when you intended to market yourself overseas."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I had the parts, I could assemble a pocket watch easily. After all, Michel taught me so carefully in my past life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned to Arnold, feeling a little dejected. “The pocket watch you treasured during the war was made with the intricate art of metalworking, putting together springs and wheels. Soon, many other products will be fashioned in the same way.” Rishe was sure of that. These metal processing techniques opened so many avenues. It sounded fantastical now, but countless scholars all over the world were conducting research on this very subject. Rishe had seen plenty of their studies in her life as an alchemist."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, I think you’ll want this.” He understood the value of this invention; he’d used it in his own machinations. “You can bring this technology to Galkhein!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at Rishe. She held his gaze, not letting him go as she went full steam ahead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re well aware of the wonders of the pocket watch. But what if that incredibly rare technology could be widely and cheaply available to the masses? Imagine the other applications such technology could produce!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pocket watch they were showing him only took a few days to make. Rishe didn’t need to emphasize the short production time; Arnold would find that obvious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Scholars all over the world are looking into applications for springs and gears in modern technology. If they combine their knowledge, they could create all kinds of things! Carriages that move without horses! Ships that sail without wind! These dreams will soon become reality.” Rishe beamed, overflowing with confidence. “But when it comes to the actual production of such technology, you can look all over the world and you’ll only find one place capable of it: Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” Arnold put his chin in his hand again, smirking. “You speak like you’ve seen the future yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He sounded like he’d figured it all out. Arnold couldn’t possibly know her secret—how was he that sharp? The future she spoke of was only something she’d imagined. In her previous lives, Coyolles was destroyed, their already meager national power eroded until Galkhein invaded. She needed to make sure that outcome changed—in any way she could."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I need to convince him right here and now. Rishe clenched her fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The smile was gone from Arnold’s face. “So?” His voice chilled the room, and then he turned to the person who’d hardly piqued his interest thus far. “Kyle Morgan Cleverly. What exactly are you after?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stiffened at the crown prince’s icy tone. Dark light bloomed in Arnold’s eyes as he looked at Kyle. He was expressionless and his voice was level, but the intensity he exuded made Rishe’s skin tingle. She wasn’t even the one he was looking at, but she couldn’t help her nerves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold continued cruelly, “I will admit that you possess impressive technology. Something that my country lacks.” His shapely fingers slammed down on the armrest of his chair. The sound echoed throughout the room, screwing the tension tighter. Rishe was sure he knew exactly what he was doing. “Your naiveté disgusts me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. If his anger affected her this severely, she could hardly imagine the pressure Kyle felt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indifferent to their reactions, Arnold went on, “You do understand that knowledge, technology, and people can all be brought to other countries? I don’t even need to lure your country’s artisans to Galkhein with money; I can just threaten you. My military means you’ll give me anything I want. Then—when my country has perfected your techniques—I’ll simply kill all survivors of Coyolles. It’s as simple as that.” He spoke of it as though it were nothing. “Did you stop to think for yourself for a moment? Or are you just a figurehead prince doing whatever my wife tells you to?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness! Prince Kyle is—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I could say the same to you, Rishe.” He faced her, and Rishe held her tongue. “Did you not imagine what I might do once I have that technology in my hands?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew exactly what he’d do. Or, well, what the original Arnold would do. But she knew something else now. And that’s why…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe believes in you, Prince Arnold,” Kyle piped up. In the incredibly tense room, he sat tall and locked eyes with Arnold. “I was apprehensive when she suggested using Coyolles’s metal processing technology as a bargaining chip, but Lady Rishe was insistent in her faith.” Kyle’s blue eyes looked like two pools of crystalline water. The light in them was pure and earnest. “She believes in your desire for the power to shape the future into something better.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just as Kyle said. Even if Emperor Arnold Hein would wage war in several years’ time, even if Prince Arnold evoked fear for his wartime cruelty several years ago, Rishe knew exactly what sort of person the Arnold right in front of her was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I came to this country because I believed in you too,” Kyle went on. “From your policy records, it was clear to me that you were an excellent ruler who paid respect even to the soldiers of his enemies. Even now, you agree to meet with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just…faith? You believe I won’t simply invade Coyolles and steal its technology?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a fool you are. I see now why you thought you could rely on me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, I was a fool to seek out your protection—but I don’t believe my desire to seek an alliance was misguided,” Kyle said, his voice strong and clear. “I came to Galkhein because of my deep admiration for you as a ruler.” He put a hand to his heart. “When Coyolles loses its gems, it will still retain the knowledge of its scholars and its metalworking techniques. If Galkhein were to lend us its political power, we could work together. I believe we could achieve the future Lady Rishe spoke of.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will spare no effort to earn your trust. If you would just give me a chance—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon me.” Someone entered the room, cutting Kyle off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked to the door, and her eyes widened. Prince Theodore?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good day, Prince Kyle. Terribly sorry for interrupting, Brother. Let me apologize for my rudeness, barging in on your meeting like this.” Theodore bowed his head, rattling off pleasantries he normally would have skipped. He then glanced at Rishe and gave her a signal by blinking a set number of times: Emergency!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Springing to her feet, Rishe addressed Arnold and Kyle. “I’m so sorry. I must take my leave for the time being.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe, where are you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please let me know your conclusion once you’ve reached it. I really do apologize, but goodbye for now!” Rishe squeezed out the words and fled the room with Theodore, her two guards scrambling after her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They sure left in a hurry,” Arnold muttered. Chin still resting in his hand, he coolly added, “Let me apologize as well. That was awfully rude of my wife and brother.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It surprised me, to be sure, but it’s no problem at all. Back to what I was saying before—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oliver. Come in.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At his order, Arnold’s silver-haired attendant slipped into the room. Kyle’s eyes went round—the man had not come alone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Roughly a dozen knights had entered with him. They walked silently into the room and lined up behind Arnold, standing at attention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is the meaning of this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Flanked by his knights, Arnold wordlessly stared Kyle down."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0010.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AFTER LEAVING the meeting room, Rishe hurried down the hall. Really, she wanted to sprint, but she couldn’t exactly do that in the imperial palace. Trying to stuff down her panic, she listened to Theodore’s rundown of the situation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He threw off all of his tails,” Theodore murmured as he walked beside her. “He was last seen in a seventeenth-district alley in the southern part of the capital. That was three hours ago. We’re searching the area now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Under what circumstances did they lose him? Even if he noticed the tail, for him to escape people from the slums is just…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Apparently, they smelled something sweet right beforehand.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore explained the effects, and Rishe recognized the “scent” as an anesthetic derived from a type of mushroom."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They entered the alley, and that’s the last thing they remember. When they woke up, two hours had passed and their target was missing. In other words…” Theodore lowered his voice even more. “We no longer have eyes on Michel Hévin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s lips closed in a thin line."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several days ago, she’d asked Theodore for a favor. “I want you to watch Professor Michel and tell me what he does. If he tries to get near Prince Arnold, stop him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore’s people from the slums knew everything there was to know about the capital, boasting an impressive information network and methods for reaching any corner of the city. Additionally, Theodore’s surveillance network within the palace kept tabs on Arnold’s activities. Michel had evaded all of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just in case, please have the affected people drink plenty of water. If there’s anything else you can tell me—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They reported that he was carrying a different bag than usual. A sturdy-looking metal case. He handled it very delicately.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My operatives report whenever targets make a change to their usual routine.” Theodore smirked. At times like this, he really resembled Arnold. “As soon as I received word, I mobilized all my contacts in the slums. I have scores of people searching outward from the seventeenth district right now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow, Prince Theodore…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The report on losing Michel Hévin didn’t get to me for about two and a half hours. Once they find their target, they’ll do exactly what you told them to do. They’re sending me regular updates.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be that on top of things. She hadn’t told Theodore about the gunpowder, and she was hiding Michel’s desire to give it to Arnold. True, she’d given him steps to take when engaging the “target,” but Theodore didn’t know any details. She had simply said, “Keep an eye on this foreign man, do this if he acts in a certain way, and report back to me.” She hadn’t expected him to be so good at improvising."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you look so surprised? Did you think Arnold’s little brother could only mindlessly follow orders?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-of course not! I’m just shocked you trust me. I haven’t even told you why I want you to follow him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Running next to her, Theodore gave her an exasperated look. “Someone innocent wouldn’t attack the people tailing them. They’d just try to lose them or seek help from the proper authorities. A man who knocks out his pursuers with some weird drug is obviously planning to do something crazy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t respond. Her gaze dropped as she sped through the halls. Theodore had all sorts of ruffians from the slums—practically criminals—under his command. His words rang true."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore glanced back at the knights following them and lowered his voice. “I made the call to pull you out of a meeting with my brother because I judged the situation an emergency. I’ve tipped our hand to him, so he’ll certainly probe into this; I apologize for that in advance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all right. Thank you, Prince Theodore. Let me just confirm: Have Michel and Prince Arnold had any contact?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think it’s safe to say they haven’t. I don’t think he’s approached Oliver either. One thing does bother me, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You mean how you gained entry to the meeting room?” Rishe also found it strange."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He nodded. “Even if I am the younger prince, they wouldn’t let me barge in on a conversation between my brother and Prince Kyle. Yet Oliver didn’t even try to stop me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And Prince Arnold barely reacted. He wasn’t surprised.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe his surprise simply hadn’t shown on his face. Or perhaps he’d seen through it all and had been expecting something like this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Or maybe it was more convenient for Prince Arnold for me to leave…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could be overthinking, but if Rishe didn’t interrogate every idea that came to her, she’d never figure out Arnold’s behavior. In any case, she had ample reason to be wary. “Tell me, what’s the state of the search—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me, Prince Theodore.” A knight appeared from down the hall and whispered something to Theodore in a practiced manner. The large man was one of Theodore’s imperial knights, as Rishe recalled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it. Come on, Sister. This way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve already found him?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whose brother do you think I am? Besides, he returned to a place where it’s easy to get eyes on him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore left the palace with Rishe chasing after him, running out into the courtyard with her skirt hitched up. It was easy enough to guess what he meant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh…” She was out of breath, having run for so long. When she finally arrived at their destination, shoulders heaving, the man they sought was there looking utterly relaxed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe.” Michel wore a composed smile, standing in the flower-filled garden. Four knights loomed behind him, their uniforms bearing a slightly different design than that of Arnold’s imperial knights. Surrounded, Michel sat down on a white bench in the garden, smoke from his herbal cigarette rising from his lips."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re a brilliant student, but you need some lessons on how to treat your lab rats. Cornered animals can be unpredictable, you know? If a cat has no tree to climb, it’ll attack the dog chasing it. Rowr!” Michel swiped his right hand like a cat’s paw. “Not that I need to alter my behavior much, even if I’m being surveilled.” He tilted his head to the side, shoulder-length hair swaying with the movement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore was just as out of breath as Rishe, but he casually stepped in front of her as if to protect her. “What’s this guy’s problem? Aren’t you acting a little too familiar with my brother’s fiancée?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By this point, Rishe’s knights had caught up as well; Rishe sent them a look telling them to hold. After that, she studied the knights surrounding Michel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Theodore. The knights behind the professor…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know. You all can leave.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A knight bowed awkwardly. “I apologize, Your Highness. We are not able to follow that order.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” Theodore frowned his displeasure. The knights flinched but seemed to have no intention of leaving."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Watching this exchange, Michel blinked slowly. “Hey, Rishe, why do you want to get rid of the knights? I don’t suppose it’s out of consideration for me, is it? That’s very kind. Thank you.” With an impish smile, he added, “But there’s no need for that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This presence… Rishe whirled around at the sound of boots on grass. She didn’t need to see him to know who was coming; she had memorized his tells just the other day to avoid running into him. It’s Count Lawvine!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lucius Alcott…” The tall military man stood before Rishe, eyes wide with shock. He quickly schooled his expression, bowing first to Theodore. “Your Highness Prince Theodore. Have my knights offended you somehow?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I told them to leave, but they wouldn’t listen. Would you mind explaining that, Lawvine?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please forgive them. Their loyalty does not permit them to follow your orders, even if you are a prince.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I’d like to know why that is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine had the air of a man on a battlefield. Gone was the caring instructor Rishe had known these last few days. “We serve His Majesty, not you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore looked almost frightened at the mention of his father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Michel Hévin has announced a significant incident fifteen minutes from now. Of his own creation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Professor Michel, you didn’t…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just as he says. I mentioned it to a random knight I found in the palace. That a crime would occur at the eighteenth hour and it would be my doing. Arrest me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What was Michel saying? Rishe was confused for a moment before she remembered his goal. “And by this strategy Prince Arnold will hear of your gunpowder?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I’ll have to confess everything in the investigation afterward. I imagine either the crown prince or the emperor will be very interested in what I have to say.” Michel smiled softly, innocently. “Considering the scale of what’s about to happen, it would be impossible for the royal family to ignore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel really was planning on using his gunpowder for some plot. Rishe had seen this coming. In fact, she’d resigned herself to it and factored it into her plans. But her heart still sank to discover she was right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore clicked his tongue. “This isn’t good.” He turned around to Rishe and whispered, “Lawvine isn’t a knight. He can do this because he rules over Galkhein’s northernmost territory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean he’s judged Michel, a guest from Coyolles, to be an enemy of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. If my father’s already heard about this, my brother may know as well. Father might have ordered him to do something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe clenched her fists. Michel had implied an attack on Galkhein, and Lawvine was monitoring him. If the emperor had gotten word of that and told Arnold…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Kyle!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doing her best to stay calm, Rishe met Michel’s eyes. “Professor. Your actions have pulled in unrelated people.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. I know that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Professor!” Rishe couldn’t help raising her voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel returned her gaze and plucked the cigarette from his lips. “Well, this unveiling deserves a show, don’t you think? That way, people will understand gunpowder’s might and just how much unhappiness it can cause.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Indeed. That’s why gunpowder exists. I have to help it fulfill its purpose.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel had repeated these words so often in Rishe’s third life. He believed all things were created for a reason, a role they were meant to fulfill. Fulfilling that role was the only way to give their life meaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why the professor and I parted. Rishe was never able to accept Michel’s way of thinking. She’d wanted to stop him from using his gunpowder, had pleaded with him not to. In the end, she could never get him to listen. They’d gone on to live separate lives, never again crossing paths."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I brought it into this world—I am responsible for its existence. Even if it ends up making people unhappy, it must fulfill its purpose.” He wore the same smile on his face now that he had that moonlit night. Rishe remembered the last time they’d exchanged words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, a knight flew to Theodore’s side and whispered in his ear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sister!” Theodore shouted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe listened to his report and let out a tiny sigh of relief. We made it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel Hévin was feeling rather strange, standing in Galkhein’s imperial palace’s garden. The girl in front of him was to blame. He just couldn’t understand the strong, earnest way she was looking at him, the person he’d only begun calling his student on a whim when he arrived here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s odd. Michel tilted his head, savoring the sweet taste of his cigarette. She looks angry, but that’s not all. Although, who am I to guess at what’s in someone’s heart?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vague memories of a distant day came to mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My wife is dead because of you.” His father had said those words countless times."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their mansion had been dim and full of books. His father was thin, like he was slowly eroding. Eventually, their servants all disappeared, and Michel was stranded with his father’s words day after day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must repay me. You were born to make us miserable. You’re a reaper.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His father was a brilliant scholar once, or so Michel had heard. But he changed when his wife died. And he’d kept the cause of her death—Michel’s birth—beside him despite his deep hatred."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry for being born, Father.” He apologized to his father, clutching his robe around himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even when he was hungry or lonely, he never asked his father for anything. Instead, he read through the books in the mansion to distract himself from his empty stomach. When he was studying, sometimes his father’s eyes would soften."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fortunately, studying suited him well. He was quick to absorb information and a natural at putting it into practice. The things he learned from books came to him as easily as breathing or drinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks to all his studying, his father eventually brought him into the outside world. Michel was swiftly surrounded by adults. A bit removed from the cluster, his father said, “This child has inherited my abilities. Make use of him in my stead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A commotion went through the adults, but Michel was ecstatic. For the first time in his life, he was something other than the child who killed his mother and ruined his father’s happiness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Father, will doing this help you?” he asked, desperate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His father threw him a hateful look. “Of course.” Michel remembered shuddering at how cold the words felt. “It’s the least you can do to repay me for raising a reaper like you. This is the only thing you’re good for.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d forgotten long ago how his father’s words had made him feel. Maybe he’d found it hard to stand, or his heart throbbed painfully in his chest. Maybe he couldn’t breathe, the world spinning as he knelt and murmured “I’m sorry” under his breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But the more his father pushed him away, the more Michel immersed himself in his studies. The world had opened up to him as soon as he entered a laboratory. Anything he wanted to know, he could find out with experimentation and research. Alchemy was so much more clear-cut to him than his father’s heart, easier than gauging the man’s mood on a given day. Plus, the adults in the laboratory were nicer to him than his father was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Michel’s pretty amazing. Guess he really is that guy’s son.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Secretly thinking of them as older brothers—or maybe even as fathers—Michel learned as much as he could about alchemy under their tutelage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When the change happened, it was such a small thing. Michel was reading over a paper the adults had written, adding his own insights. What was lacking in the written plan instantly became apparent to him, as well as what was overabundant and what was uncertain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If they do it this way, it will work better.” He was giddy as his pen raced across the paper. The adults were attempting to create a chemical with a specific desired effect, pooling their knowledge to solve the problem."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then you just mix these two chemicals together. We won’t know for sure until we experiment, but what do you think?” Michel had asked them, looking up hopefully. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was of value to someone. This was the only proper way to make use of Michel, who had been born to make his parents miserable. At least, that was the foolish dream he’d had."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Michel,” one of them said, voice ice-cold. “You really are a little reaper, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their eyes pierced him. Michel couldn’t move. The adults looked down at him and whispered to one another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s going on? How is he so good at making chemicals to kill people?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, no one’s taught him. It must be innate talent, just as his father said.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we mass-produce these chemicals, our country can win the war with barely a life lost. But is making use of a demonic invention like this ethical?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His father had been right. Michel really was brought into the world to make people unhappy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the end, that chemical was never used. The royal palace where the research took place was raided, and everything was burned, the records of their experiments turned to ash. His father and the other alchemists lost their lives. Michel alone escaped the fires of war, traveling on his own after that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks to his father’s name, Michel received a warm enough reception in any country that valued scholarly pursuits. His father’s published research was full of things Michel himself had come up with in that dark mansion, but he didn’t care about that. His studies were all he had, and once he came to grips with that, he found alchemy surprisingly enjoyable. Research done to satisfy his own curiosity and not for someone else’s sake left him feeling peaceful and placid. He wondered if this was what it was like to spend time with friends or family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Therefore, when he finally invented gunpowder, Michel was satisfied. He’d created it because he was good at bringing misfortune. Just like Michel himself, his gunpowder had the power to bring about despair. And anything brought into this world had to fulfill its purpose."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Something poisonous is only valuable when it kills someone, thereby fulfilling its duty.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, the other day, Rishe had said, “People don’t need a purpose to exist in this world.” But that wasn’t true. Everything needed a meaning to live. Otherwise, it would be weeded out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A little ways away from him, Rishe began speaking, looking straight at Michel. “When I heard those words from someone in the past, I simply asked him, ‘Can a poison really never better someone’s life?’ That was a mistake. I should have come right out and told him.” His momentary student completely denied Michel’s way of thinking. “Even poison can better someone’s life.” She really was a strange girl."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You shouldn’t take the words of people like me so seriously.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose that’s true. You can’t mindlessly accept everything a professor teaches you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel listened to Rishe with a smile on his face. It was almost the eighteenth hour. There was room for a slight margin of error, but at roughly that time, the three gunpowder barrels he’d set in Galkhein’s capital city would explode."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With its mild climate, a spring day in Galkhein was the perfect condition for his creation to function. He’d done tests in deserted spaces outdoors, but this was his first experiment in an urban center. Michel had been planning a remote experiment like this for some time now. The climate, the level of humidity, the weather, the density of the buildings—he’d strolled around Galkhein’s capital city, finding places that fit his specifications. And on a supremely dry day, after a string of clear skies, he’d shaken his tails and set up all three locations for his experiment. He used clock parts to rig a timer for the explosives. He expected the damage to be extensive; there would likely be some casualties. If the effects were anything like he was hoping, Galkhein’s warmongering royal family would surely take notice of his invention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The time was rapidly approaching."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Rishe, but that’s just how it has to be. I made you my student to play at being human, but I’ve always been a monster.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No one can decide a person’s worth. Not you or anyone else! To you, I might just be your student in passing, but I want to play a different role!” After that, Michel thought he heard her whisper, “This time will be different.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She turned to the tall, gray-haired man behind her. “Lord Lawvine, please forgive me for lying about my identity. But first, I would like to clarify something about this situation. Michel Hévin has not yet stated what he plans to do. Am I correct?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is as you say, my lady.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "True enough, Michel had yet to explain what gunpowder was or the nature of the attack he had planned. Experiments could go wrong without a steady handle on unpredictable variables, and remote experiments always had unpredictable variables. The detonation of the hidden gunpowder could fail. Because of that, he hadn’t shown his hand. Had Rishe picked up on his plan? If she had, she was predicting him easily, as if she’d been his student for years. It struck him as awfully strange."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s no way I’d ever keep someone beside me for long. Kyle’s face floated to mind, but he waved it away. In any case, it was nearly time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Michel Hévin appears to be laboring under a misunderstanding, so I’d like to go ahead and correct it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s unexpected words made Michel’s eyes go wide once more. Ah, I see. Even if Rishe somehow knows what gunpowder is, she doesn’t know that I can detonate it with a timed device."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wasn’t even completely sure she knew that much. She probably figured that if they just arrested Michel now, they could forestall the tragedy at the eighteenth hour. While Michel was thinking such thoughts, Rishe turned to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My alchemy teacher once told me that experiments always have unpredictable variables, and if you don’t have a handle on those unpredictable variables, it’s easy to mess them up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel gasped. That was exactly what he’d been thinking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s clear green eyes never wavered. “You may be a genius alchemist, but as long as you’re missing information on the pawns in your experiments, you’ll never get the results you want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, she held a golden pocket watch in her right hand. “Your experiment has failed,” she announced. “There was no way for you to account for the unpredictable variable: me. Thankfully, everyone involved finished their work very quickly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you saying?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A bell rang in the distance, functioning as both an announcement from the church and the clang of the would-be clock tower. It was now the eighteenth hour. The sun was setting over the capital city, dyeing the sky a deep blue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel looked westward at the view of the city visible from the garden. He located what he thought was one of the districts with his barrels. Just then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a streak of vertical light. It couldn’t have been lightning; the skies were clear. This light, however, rose from the ground up and raced into the sky."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… That’s—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your creations are not just poisons. You can only imagine them bringing people harm, but if you change the way you use them, they are worth so much more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the next instant, beads of light burst into the skies above the capital with a great boom! It was his gunpowder. Michel knew that from a glance, but this was not what he had been expecting. In fact, he never could have predicted what he was seeing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The light looked like an enormous flower."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The chemical he’d created—the one meant to blow human bodies to bits—had made a flower bloom in the night sky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s one up safely. Rishe let out a relieved breath as she looked out at the city from the palace garden. Apart from one of Rishe’s guards, who’d run off somewhere, everyone was gazing skyward. Even Theodore, her accomplice, was looking up with round eyes—the eyes that resembled his brother’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After losing track of Michel, Theodore’s network had searched all through the capital. As it turned out, they were searching for the gunpowder, not Michel himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The main target of this reconnaissance is not Michel,” she’d explained when she asked Theodore for help. She’d relayed things to him a few days ago, laying out several pieces of paper across a table in a meeting room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Michel probably intends to place items in three specific areas across the city. I want your people to evacuate everyone in the surrounding district if they find something with this specific shape. Do you have anyone skilled at disarming traps?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. Half the people who work for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have those people follow what I’ve outlined here.” She handed Theodore a diagram of the device she thought Michel would be using. “Just like traps, these devices are dangerous if you don’t follow these exact steps. But unlike traps, they’re not made to be difficult to disarm—just do everything as I’ve written and the degree of danger involved will plummet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“These diagrams will make this much simpler than what those guys are used to. I’ll tell them to be extremely cautious just in case.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you. Next, I have a list of candidate sites where you’ll likely find your targets. Even if you lose Michel, this list will narrow your search considerably.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s explanation to Theodore had gone on for some time. If they tailed Michel every day, they’d get a sense of the locations he was scoping out. Thanks to their information network, they even had a picture of where he’d been going before they began tailing him. Michel tended to stand out—he was androgynous and beautiful, and he wasn’t the type to resort to a disguise. Additionally, Rishe had the advantage of knowing Michel’s plans for his experiments from her life as an alchemist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In his plan to test the chemical in an urban area, he prepared three devices. He wanted to use districts with small buildings and a lot of air flow. People from the slums, who traveled all across the city to earn money, would be familiar with places like that. Limiting the candidates to places on Michel’s daily routes made it easier to find what they were looking for. Michel would make sure his chosen locations were optimized for eliminating as many unpredictable variables as possible for his remote experimentation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The perfect climate, humidity, weather, and location. He even told me he’d set the three devices over a kilometer apart from each other to account for different wind conditions. I keep going over it again and again, and I remember it all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He would set the explosions for just before sunset, when there would be enough light to observe the results but fewer people out on the streets. In Galkhein this time of year, that would be the eighteenth hour in the evening. Just after she’d finished her earlier conversation with Michel, Theodore received word they’d made it in time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe closed the pocket watch in her hand and heaved a little sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel stood and took a shaky step forward. “What was that…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights pointed their swords at him, then lowered them just as quickly. The event he’d described, at the time he’d described it, only left them confused."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lawvine just looked down at Michel without a word, his face unreadable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Colored flames. The smell of gunpowder. You detonated them in the sky? What did you add to…?” Michel trailed off, racking his brains."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The devices Michel made were very precise and easy to understand, just as I thought they would be. Rishe’s time concern had been over the right moment to fire the bundles of gunpowder—her fireworks—up into the sky. Once they found the devices, we were kind of gambling on whether Theodore’s agents could rewire them. It’s a testament to their design that people who had never seen them before could use them with just a brief set of instructions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing extraneous existed on the devices; you could tell a lot just by looking at them. They were simplified—made convenient for anyone who wanted to use them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe called the beautiful flames shooting into the sky “fireworks.” Their splendor seemed to have been burned vividly into Michel’s eyes. He was looking up like a boy marveling at the stars, in awe of the unknown."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The second round of fireworks soared upward. While Michel was distracted, Rishe told him, “My teacher once showed me an aurora.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel slowly turned toward her, his face wiped of all expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At the time, I was trying to solve a problem. I wanted to know if it was possible to detect harmful substances in a lump of metals. When my teacher showed me those lights, they reminded me of something: the reaction that occurs when you throw certain substances into a fire.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. When you burn metal, the color of the flame changes based on the type. Blue and green flames do resemble an aurora…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded at Michel’s somewhat dazed words. For her fireworks, she’d used metal shavings a craftsman from Coyolles had given her. The dust was just a byproduct, so Kyle had sourced it easily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seeing the aurora taught me how to tell different metals apart. And that’s not all.” She drew in a short breath. “It changed the way I looked at things, and it gave me a way to change the color of flames.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel’s eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are the small lights you see in the darkness wartime torches, or are they fireflies? By changing your perspective, a phenomenon takes on new meaning.” Rishe had realized that the night she’d talked with Arnold on his balcony. What should she do to stop Michel? How could she get Arnold to accept Coyolles? Her answer was to show them the view from different angles—show them the value of the things they considered worthless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A single phenomenon can be interpreted in many different ways.” She had finally reached a conclusion she was satisfied with. “Don’t you think people and inventions are the same?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All along, Michel believed his purpose in life was to bring misery to others. He’d denied Rishe’s assertion that he could exist without a goal, but that was only natural. He’s an alchemist, after all. Without proof, words were just predictions. A genius scientist like Michel would never believe someone else’s hypothesis without anything to support it. If I don’t prove it to him with quantifiable evidence, nothing I say will get through to him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So, she offered her proof. “People and inventions do not produce one single effect. Something that exists only to bring unhappiness is an impossibility.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You put all this together just to prove a point? Why would you go so far?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The answer to his question was obvious: “Because I’m your student.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel couldn’t know what Rishe really meant when she said that. Still, her words were like a prayer. In a past life, Michel had spared no effort to teach Rishe everything she could possibly want to know."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even if he doesn’t know that…even if the world gets reset…that won’t go away. As long as Rishe still remembered it, the truth existed within her, nestled deep in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You insist your existence and the things you create can only cause despair…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A third flash of flame burned in a distant corner of the capital. Even Michel couldn’t rig the devices to go off all at once. The third shot went off late, sailing into the sky with a tail of light behind it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So I’ll do everything I can to prove you’re wrong!” For a split second, before the fireworks were set to explode, their lights winked out. “See it with your own eyes. Watch as something that you brought into this world holds a value you never dreamed it could!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a heavy boom, and a huge flower bloomed in the night sky, its petals falling like shooting stars. Lights glittering blue and green spilled forth, mimicking a night sky. They dyed one section of the sky in colors as brilliant as the aurora, crackling as they floated down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel looked up at the lights, squinting against the glare. “I didn’t know…” he said softly. “I knew about flame tests and how gunpowder functioned, but this never occurred to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure there are plenty of other applications. If you just change your perspective, every poisonous thing you’ve invented could be put to other uses.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh. You might be right.” Michel’s smile was forlorn. “You’re amazing, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, Professor.” She shook her head. “You’re amazing. You’re an unparalleled genius, an alchemist who will go on to gift wonders to the world.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really say the strangest things,” Michel said, shaking his head. He looked up at the sky again. “I see… I can hardly believe it.” His expression was fragile, like he might start to cry at any moment. “To think I created the base for something so beautiful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She took a step toward him. “Professor, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s going on here, Lawvine?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe spun around. The air crackled with tension, the knights all taking a knee at once. At the entrance to the garden was someone she wasn’t expecting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A dozen imperial knights flanked him. Among them was Rishe’s guard, the one who had run off after the first fireworks went off. He must have been reporting to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Michel!” Kyle ran over. He had been escorted here with the rest of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold didn’t spare Rishe a glance, his cold gaze focusing on his vassal. “I believe I asked what’s going on here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize, Your Highness.” Lawvine dipped his head even lower at the weight in Arnold’s voice. “This man made a threat, so we were keeping him under surveillance. I apologize for the delayed report.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s blue eyes slowly settled on Michel. Rishe stiffened. The expression on his face made it clear he understood the broad strokes, if not the fine details."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do we do, Sister?” Theodore whispered. “Did the imperial knights escort Kyle here? Do you think Brother captured him, since he’s Michel Hévin’s superior?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Lawvine’s report to Arnold continued. “Michel Hévin announced his intention to cause a violent incident at the eighteenth hour in town. As the capital city is land under the emperor’s protection, I kept watch over him as His Majesty’s faithful servant.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. I understand your perspective.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe steeled herself. It’s okay. I was prepared to negotiate with Prince Arnold. I still have space to argue for the alliance with Coyolles, and now Michel is dealt with! She opened her mouth to speak to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However…” For the first time since he’d arrived, Arnold looked at Rishe. “My fiancée announced she planned on correcting Michel Hévin’s misunderstanding, did she not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened as everyone focused on her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just as she said. Those phenomena were just a display of Coyolles’s engineering prowess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What’s going on?! I mean, maybe the guard told him what I said, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t believe her ears. Arnold was going along with her plan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine’s brow furrowed. “What exactly are you trying to say, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To insult our guests from Coyolles would be grave indeed. Pull back your knights while Prince Kyle is present.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Can I ask one question, Your Highness? Why is a scholar from Coyolles displaying his engineering prowess in our country?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold lowered his eyes at Lawvine’s question. Rishe’s heart pounded. Is he really going to say it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Arnold spoke the very words Rishe was hoping for, clear but indifferent: “Our country is forming a technological partnership with Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Surprise and joy welled up within Rishe until she thought she would burst. She looked at Kyle, who returned her gaze with a triumphant nod. They’d come to an agreement while she was gone, then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He understood. Her heart throbbed in her chest. He gets that military might isn’t everything. That the techniques Coyolles possesses are incredible. That they might lead to truly amazing inventions one day. And more than anything else, that Galkhein can foster relationships with other countries rather than invading them!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was only the first step, but Rishe was still ecstatic as she turned to Arnold. The prince narrowed his blue eyes very slightly in acknowledgment before staring at Lawvine where he knelt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In exchange for military support, Coyolles will share its academic know-how with us. To start with, I will send the imperial knights here with me now to Coyolles. The fireworks that graced our skies are proof of the heretofore unknown engineering techniques Coyolles possesses.” Arnold’s voice was level, but the threat in it was plain. “Do you understand? We are forming a new relationship. You cannot interfere by disrespecting our allies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Your Highness—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have nothing more to say. Withdraw immediately.” Arnold cut him off, his eyes narrowing. “If this escalates, I can’t promise my father won’t hear of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That shocked Rishe, but she didn’t let it show on her face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine remained silent for a moment. Then he turned to Kyle and bowed deeply, still kneeling. “Your Highness Prince Kyle, I apologize for my rudeness. I acted imprudently and take full responsibility for my lapse in judgment. If it will persuade you to forgive me, I offer you my head in apology.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your words are more than enough, sir. Please rise. I also owe you an apology. Your reaction is understandable in light of Michel’s behavior.” Kyle spoke from the heart. He likely hadn’t heard the same report that Arnold had; he just thought Michel was doing experiments where he shouldn’t, being a nuisance like always."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We will take our leave before we disgrace ourselves any further. Your Highnesses, I once again apologize for my men’s behavior, and for mine.” After bowing once more, Lawvine quietly stood and glanced at Rishe. He gave her a polite bow as well, which Rishe returned with a curtsy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore slid up to her. “Looks like things have calmed down. I’m going to go take a look around town.” He left the garden before Rishe could even thank him. As if she ever could thank him enough for his help. She’d have to think of a way to repay him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The imperial knights swarming the area also took their leave, dismissed by Arnold. That left Rishe, Arnold, Michel, and Kyle together in the garden."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, Michel.” Kyle cleared his throat, scolding Michel like he was a child. “What do you think you’re doing?! Those fire flowers blooming in the sky! I was shocked. Was that some new invention of yours?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nostalgia washed over Rishe. The only unusual aspect was Michel’s brows, which were furrowed in a repentant frown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad you wanted to help the alliance, but you need to tell me before you do these kinds of things. We could have taught Galkhein about this with less public upset, couldn’t we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve got it all wrong, Kyle. I should be repenting for this with my life—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Professor Michel.” Rishe called his name, and Michel gave her a troubled look. It wouldn’t do for him to confess everything to Kyle right now. If Kyle learned the truth, as prince of Coyolles, he would feel obligated to take responsibility for the incident. “Just let Prince Kyle scold you for now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she smiled at him, Michel’s eyebrows drooped further. He looked lost at sea. At last, he murmured, “I’m sorry, Kyle. Sorry, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t do it again. I realize now that the premise of my theory was flawed.” Michel squeezed the hem of his lab coat in his hands. “I promise…I won’t do it again.” His words were pure and sincere, like those of a child making a solemn oath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His attitude stunned Kyle, but Rishe was relieved. She looked up at Arnold again, and their eyes met."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want it clear that I’m not doing this out of the kindness of my heart,” Arnold said coldly. “If what that knight reported to me is true, it’s obvious he was planning something rotten. But if I publicly treat him like a criminal, my father will hear about it. I avoided this by using the scheme you are no doubt behind.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it. Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had even realized that Rishe was behind the fireworks. She doubted the knight had given him a very detailed report, but the excuse Arnold gave Lawvine—that Coyolles was displaying its advanced technology—was the exact story Rishe had been ready to feed Arnold herself. If they could get everything settled, she planned to come clean to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll explain Michel’s original plan later, Your Highness.” It was just an attempted crime, but if he had succeeded, the results would have been grave. They were concealing the truth, but they couldn’t act like he was innocent. “Then you can decide what to do with him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah. That’s generous of you.” Arnold laughed impishly. “And you were trying so hard to keep him away from me. You even got Theodore involved.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He noticed! But of course. Michel’s tails were Theodore’s subordinates stationed around the palace, posing as servants and gardeners. Theodore had originally used them to gather information on Arnold himself, so it was only natural he’d be sensitive to their presence. I suppose that means Arnold always knew his brother was gathering information on him. He let him do it this whole time… He really is rather soft on him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She decided to tell Theodore about this as well. He’d helped her out a lot lately. She’d thank him in any way she could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly, I’m as guilty as Michel is. Instead of stopping his plan, I took it over to teach him a lesson…and you too. I wanted you to see those fireworks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d known the timing for each device would be slightly off, and that when Arnold heard the first detonation, he would look up at the sky. That aspect of her plot had gone swimmingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fireworks contain dangerous substances, but as you saw, they can create scenery unlike anything you’ve ever seen. I hoped that once you witnessed it, you might use that knowledge in exciting new ways.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wasn’t limiting gunpowder to one peaceful use either. There were so many possibilities for Coyolles’s manufacturing techniques—particularly in Arnold’s future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You believe you only possess abilities specialized for war, but…” She wasn’t concealing gunpowder from him—she was choosing to trust him with the knowledge instead. That was Rishe’s decision. “I know that someday, I’ll prove to you that isn’t true,” she declared, confident."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned. After a brief silence, he said, “You may regret that, you know. I can do whatever I want with Michel Hévin as long as I’m not public with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pursed her lips at Arnold’s characteristic antagonism."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All I’m saying is, don’t get angry with me if I kill and dispose of him in secret. Is that still fine with you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.” She tugged on his sleeve, and Arnold bent down obligingly. They had about twenty centimeters’ difference in their heights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stretched up as tall as she could and whispered into his ear, “Believe it or not, the man standing right in front of you is the inventor of the pocket watch.” She couldn’t see Arnold’s face, but she knew he’d be frowning. “He created it to keep track of time during his experiments, or so I hear.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He doesn’t like attention, so it isn’t public knowledge, but there’s plenty of proof that he created it in Coyolles. For instance, craftsmen from Coyolles have molds for the device’s components.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe Michel’s knowledge will be indispensable when it comes to joint research between Galkhein and Coyolles.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let her heels settle back on the ground, then tilted her head. “What do you say to that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…I can’t believe you.” Brow scrunched, Arnold heaved a little sigh. “From the very beginning, you always planned on talking me into this, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course not! I just knew you would be interested in Michel if I told you who he was.” That was the truth. She would never be so bold as to think she could manipulate Arnold. Judging by the awkward scowl on his face, though, her plan had paid off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was a real gamble. There’s no way he planned to send his imperial knights to Coyolles before our meeting this evening. If they were mustered beforehand, I don’t think it was for our alliance. He probably meant to wage war. That sent a shiver down her spine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m curious, though. Earlier, Lawvine had claimed he couldn’t obey Theodore’s orders because of the emperor. He disobeyed the prince by citing his allegiance to Theodore’s more powerful father. Yet Prince Arnold merely threatened to tell his father about this incident. No one’s actually reported it to him yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If she recalled correctly, Lawvine only stated his allegiance, not that he was under orders at present. Strange. You’d think if a guest of the royal family caused so much trouble, the emperor would hear about it. Especially since Lord Lawvine is so famed for his loyalty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt deeply unsettled. She knew the future, after all. The count will attempt to counsel Prince Arnold, and he’ll be executed for treason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She looked up at Arnold. It was impossible to read any emotions on his countenance. His face was beautiful, but in the way that a sculpture was beautiful."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She gave a slow shake of her head. “Nothing. I’m sure the people in town saw those fireworks too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glancing at Michel, she saw that Kyle was still scolding him. He got scary when he was angry, Rishe knew, but she left Michel to deal with it on his own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When people learn that it was Coyolles’s technology that made that display possible, I believe there will be public support for the alliance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one knew what gunpowder was, and it was unlikely they would glean its purpose and power from seeing the fireworks. She hoped the display would remain in people’s memories only as a beautiful work of art—a stepping stone to an equal relationship between the powerful nation of Galkhein and the small country of Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re…probably right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh!” She was pleased that Arnold agreed with her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was still ignorant of many things, but she now knew exactly what she had to do. With a deep breath, she renewed her determination, moving forward toward the future."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“THE CAPITAL really is amazing! Did you see that stuff up in the sky?!” Sven’s voice resounded through the training grounds early that morning. “I could see them pretty clearly from my inn. I bet you wish you’d seen ’em too, Lucius.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I wish I had. I was just so busy, I didn’t really have time to look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh. You really missed out. And you should thank me, Fritz! You only got to enjoy the view ’cause I invited you over to study!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe, in her cadet disguise, listened to Sven’s excited rambling with a big smile on her face. Today was the last day of the knight cadets’ special training. As such, this was also the last day of their early morning sessions, and they took extra care with their cleaning. The skies were clear with the promise of a hot day. A wonderful morning all around, yet once again Fritz was looking down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fritz thought they were shooting stars at first. He started making wishes on ’em. Isn’t that right, Fritz?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm… Huh?! Oh, yeah!” Fritz looked up, flustered. He really was out of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sven seemed to sense something off and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Lucius, Fritz—gimme your swords. I’ll put ’em away for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? You don’t have to do that, Sven. We’ll do it together.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s fine! But you owe me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fritz stared at Sven, eyes wide, before bowing his head and thanking him quietly. Sven left Rishe alone with Fritz in the early morning training grounds. She watched him go and then turned to Fritz. “He sure sounded excited.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah…yeah, I guess so.” Fritz was still hanging his head. He seemed nervous. “Lu, Count Lawvine summoned us yesterday.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could easily imagine what that meant. “You’re going to be knights, then?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep. We’ll head back to our hometowns first to prepare before we’re due back in the capital. After that, we’ll be official knights-in-training of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Congratulations, Fritz!” Rishe was as delighted to hear it as if it were her own good news. The cadets all showed promise, but Fritz and Sven were particularly talented. “I knew for sure you’d be chosen, but I’m happy to hear it all the same. Have you written to your family yet? Of course, it’d be great to tell them in person too! Really, congra—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I ran into Lord Lawvine on my way here today.” Rishe blinked in surprise. Fritz’s words came out compressed, like squeezing them out was painful. “He told me, ‘Lucius Alcott won’t be joining the knights.’ It was your own decision, he said.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lawvine hadn’t revealed Rishe’s secret. After the incident with Michel the night before, Rishe wrote him a message. She apologized for lying about her identity and disturbing his vital training sessions. No doubt he was incredibly busy, but she received a response immediately. She would see him tonight at a party to see off the guests from Coyolles. His message had also said this: “If your time allows it, please continue to attend training as a candidate until the final day.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m not sure how much I can trust Lord Lawvine after the incident last night, but…he’s trying to protect “Lucius Alcott’s” life as a knight candidate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe apologized to her dear friend. “I’m sorry, Fritz.” She looked him square in the eye. “The truth is that I’ve been telling a really big lie this whole time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A lie…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That lie permitted me to come here and train with you all, but it was still a lie. I can’t become a knight right now.” Her sixth life—when she’d chosen that path—and this one, her seventh, were worlds apart. “I was even lying to you… I really am sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz’s eyes swam. “I’m sorry too, Lu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why? What do you have to be sorry for, Fritz?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fritz hesitated, but eventually he made up his mind and, still looking down, shouted, “I think I’ve known for a while now what you were lying about!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe’s eyes opened wide."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I always thought it was strange! I mean, you’re so small, and you seem really delicate, and your voice is high! So, um…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No way! He realized I’m a girl?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe started to panic, Fritz voiced his conclusion, his face grave. “You’re really, like, fourteen, aren’t you?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe froze. “What?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, you can only attend this training if you’re fifteen or older. But I’m guessing you came here for your family, lying about your real age, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, well. Actually, you see—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, it’s fine! If it gets out that you were lying, I know you’ll be disqualified for the test next year! And you don’t need to tell me if I’m right!” Fritz babbled. Apparently, he hadn’t caught on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right. Even in my life as a knight, only the captain realized I was a woman! Rishe felt a complicated blend of relief and guilt at knowing she was still undiscovered. To be fair, last night, Arnold had said, “There’s nothing you can do about Lawvine finding out, but make sure none of the other knight cadets realize you’re a girl.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Fritz. I promise I’ll tell you the truth one day…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to! Don’t worry about it!” When Rishe looked up, Fritz had a sunny smile on his face. “You said ‘one day,’ though. That means you’re planning on seeing me again after training ends today, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that, Rishe suddenly realized the reason for Fritz’s bad mood these last couple of days: He was dreading their parting. They had only been together for ten short days, and Rishe hadn’t even been telling him the truth, but Fritz had put everything he had into their friendship. Rishe was so happy that she couldn’t stop herself from beaming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. Things might be a little different between us, but I definitely will!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be stronger then, I promise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe squeezed Fritz’s proffered hand. “Then let’s both try as hard as we can, Fritz.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For a split second, Fritz looked like he might cry, but Rishe thought she’d imagined it. An instant later, he was back to that same radiant smile as always."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "May you boys never end up on a tragic battlefield."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sensed someone’s presence and glanced at the entrance of the training grounds. Lawvine, count of Galkhein’s northern border, strolled inside. He looked at Rishe, dipping his head in a bow only she would notice. Rishe returned the gesture, and then they were once again instructor and trainee. No matter the circumstances between them, they still had to finish this last day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At three in the afternoon, after finishing various errands, Rishe walked down the hall in the detached palace. Running into Oliver on the way, she asked where she could find Arnold. Learning he was in his office, she bid goodbye to Oliver, who was headed for the palace proper."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe made her way to the office and knocked on the door. She waited for permission and entered the room to find Arnold surveying her with surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was fast.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was more than enough time. Thank you, truly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With his eyes, Arnold directed her to sit. Rishe slid into a chair on the right side of the office. Arnold watched her, then looked down at his hands again. He picked up his pen and asked, “Are you satisfied?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. I made things very clear with the professor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After her morning training, Rishe had visited Michel. Everyone from Coyolles would be leaving first thing in the morning. This was their last full day in Galkhein, and Kyle was busy saying his goodbyes. For the mess he’d made, Michel had been confined to his quarters, but Arnold had a word with Kyle and Rishe had been admitted entry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If only you could take my head off and scoop out my knowledge.” The first thing out of Michel’s mouth had been that frankly terrifying comment. Even Rishe, who was used to his antics, was taken aback."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe added honey to his tea, admonishing, “There’s no way to do that, and there wouldn’t be any point. ‘Epiphanies come not from existing knowledge but from new experiences,’ right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really know what you’re talking about. I think you’re a little too open-minded, though.” Taking the too-sweet tea, Michel looked at the floor. “I could make a bunch of chemicals for war, but I just don’t think taking charge of Coyolles and Galkhein’s joint research to make positive impact in the world is the right fit for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The night before, with Michel’s permission, Rishe had told Arnold the truth about everything—about gunpowder and how Michel had wanted to use it, and that Michel likely felt he needed to repent for what he’d done. But Arnold had just said, “Michel Hévin’s role will remain the same,” with the usual uninterested expression on his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Michel, the one who had caused the commotion in the first place, didn’t seem to agree. Rishe understood his feelings and tried to persuade him. “You might not be satisfied, but any normal person would find this a particularly grueling task. I mean, there’s royalty from two countries involved, and you’ll need to constantly produce viable results. In your position, a normal person would crumble under the pressure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm, you may be right. In that case, I suppose I do need to do what I can.” His wording had been somewhat vapid but remarkable nonetheless. In all her time as an alchemist, Rishe had never seen Michel pledge himself to something. “I’m not used to this, but I’ll do my best. I’ve never done research with the goal of improving the world.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m really looking forward to seeing what your new state of mind allows you to come up with,” Rishe said, dead serious, and Michel giggled in amusement. But he looked happy too. It was Rishe’s first time seeing him laugh that way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Michel tucked his hair behind his ear and cast his eyes down again, muttering, “I wanted to apologize for what I said to you the other day. When I said you weren’t suited to being an empress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had forgotten about that completely. “I don’t think you were wrong.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I think you really are suited for it. But I still think it’s too bad.” His violet eyes softened. “You don’t regret spending your life as Arnold Hein’s bride?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t, Professor,” Rishe said plainly. Come to think of it, she hadn’t been able to finish what she wanted to say to him the other day. She smiled and told him, “Right now, what I want to study most is the man who will be my husband.” More than any scientific research or theory, she felt this from the bottom of her heart. “That is why I’ll remain here. Even if he breaks off our engagement and chases me away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have no right to stop you, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glad that he understood, Rishe stood and bowed to him. “I’m sorry for taking so much of your time. I know you have to prepare for your return home.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I was happy to talk to you. I suppose we won’t see each other for a while.” Michel stood and, with that same gentle smile, said, “See you later, my student.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His goodbye reminded her of the final words they’d exchanged in her life as an alchemist, but unlike those said that moonless night, these promised another meeting."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all thanks to you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t do anything significant,” Arnold said at his work desk, visibly disinterested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you did. You made a very generous decision.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just more productive to put him to use rather than bluster on about what wasn’t anything more than an attempt. Oh, and I received a report on the man’s behavior. Michel Hévin may be a capable scholar, but I don’t want anything to do with him personally. I’ll leave our joint research with Coyolles in his hands. I’ll take the benefits, but I’m not managing him myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I still think it’s generous of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t care. Plus, you’ll be looking in on him from time to time to make sure he’s not working on anything nefarious, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gave him a firm nod. “Right. I’ll take care of it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the first time Arnold had ever entrusted her with something, and she found the idea exciting. “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see what the joint powers of Prince Arnold, Prince Kyle, and Professor Michel can invent.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And then we’ll see how long it’ll take to create those carriages that move without horses you talked about.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back in the garden, he barely seemed to be paying attention, but this showed he had been thinking about it. That made Rishe strangely happy. Constantly agonizing over the future was tiring her out, but if she had Arnold and other people working alongside her, the possibilities seemed endless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Working toward a better future sounds preferable to trying to avoid the worst ones! I still don’t know what Arnold’s plans are, but I feel like I’m making progress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All she could do was keep changing things one by one until a new future was born. Her days training as a knight candidate had ended safely. Her next plan: start her final preparations for their marriage ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Next up is the church, so I should—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she was making plans in her head, Arnold put his pen down and studied her. “I see you’ve got your scheming face on again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heavens, no! Perish the thought!” Rishe donned a smile and veered the conversation off-topic. “Oh, I have one more thing to report about Coyolles’s technology, Prince Arnold!” Giddy, she pulled a small velvet box out of her bag."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold could guess what was inside. “It’s finished, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Inside the box was the ring Arnold had bought for her. A craftsman from Coyolles had presented it to Rishe this very afternoon. Rishe hadn’t seen it yet either—it was still inside the box. She figured if she was opening a present, she should do it in front of the one who gave it to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promised to show it to you as soon as it was complete, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold didn’t respond."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I peeked at the design a little while ago, and it was gorgeous. I’m sure the finished product is—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before she could excitedly open the box, Arnold called her name as if to stop her. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She looked up and found him staring straight at her. With the same blank look he’d worn earlier, he quietly said, “You don’t need to put it on and show me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart thrummed in her chest. She suddenly found she couldn’t look Arnold in the face. She hung her head, trying to hide the no-doubt pathetic look she was wearing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is this feeling? She found herself squeezing the ring box on her lap, confused by the welling emotions. Why was she suddenly overcome with sorrow and loneliness?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By that, you mean…?” was all she managed to say, trying to mask the hoarseness in her voice. Why did she feel so miserable? Normally, she was perfectly happy to appreciate the things she liked on her own without letting anyone else’s opinion bother her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I believe I told you the only thing I wanted to do was buy you the ring.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even after that, she still couldn’t muster the courage to look at him. Her heart hurt so much she feared she might never be able to look at him again. And a crown princess who couldn’t even stand the sight of her husband had more to worry about than whether she was suited for the position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do I do?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While her thoughts spiraled, Arnold spoke up again. “I have no right to ask for anything more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe’s head snapped up. Well, there was that worry gone. She was looking at him fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When their eyes met, Arnold abandoned his pen and leaned back in his chair. “You should wear what you like. I’m not going to force you to wear anything just because I gave it to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That goes for the wedding as well. Wear whatever you want without worrying what anyone else will think.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she heard that, she finally understood what Arnold was trying to do: respect her wishes. Normally, a crown princess wouldn’t be given anywhere near this level of freedom. She was only a duke’s daughter, but Rishe had been taught from a young age that some things had to be prioritized over her own desires. Even now, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking that way sometimes. It had happened back in the jewelry store, when she’d considered their wedding and her position as the crown princess over her own preferences."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Prince Arnold is saying that he respects my wishes. That I need not force myself to wear this ring, even if he bought it for me. Arnold was always like this. Whether it was dressing like a man or studying alchemy, he allowed her to do as she liked. He’s not just indifferent or thoughtless. He’s actively supporting my desire for freedom."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The thought should have made her happy. I should be glad. I know it’s asking too much to want more, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe found herself muttering sulkily, “No…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even she thought she sounded immature. Arnold was surprised—he hadn’t expected her to react like that. Shocking him was rare, so she revealed the truth, despite her desire to keep it a secret. “Do you remember how I chose the ring finger on my left hand when they measured me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. I asked you why, but you didn’t tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In my country, when a couple is married, the husband presents the wife with a ring. It’s a tradition that began with the first king and queen. The ring is always worn on the left ring finger.” That was why Rishe had chosen that finger. When she told him, Arnold frowned for some reason. “Even someone like me respects that tradition.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d probably just said something she shouldn’t have, but she couldn’t stop herself all the same. Driven by some obstinate feeling, Rishe stood, holding the ring box. “I want to wear this ring for the ceremony, and I’ll choose a dress that matches it! You say I don’t need to, but I plan to wear it all the time!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, calm down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-In fact, I wanted to put it on right away, but I held myself back and came here first!” She stomped over until she was right in front of Arnold’s desk. He swallowed nervously. “So…please put it on my finger right now, Prince Arnold.” She set the box down in front of him and thrust out her left hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold knit his brows and said, “I’m not wearing gloves right now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” When she’d first met him in this life, she’d made Arnold swear not to lay a finger on her, and he’d been diligently upholding that promise, wearing gloves to parties and other such places. Right now, however, his hands were bare. She could see the flex of tendons under his skin that gloves would normally hide."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need them.” Telling him that was embarrassing, but it was easier than saying, Go ahead and touch me skin to skin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold desired very little from Rishe. After all, they’d had a contest where she’d promised to do anything he wanted if he won. He had won, and all he wanted was to buy her a ring. Rishe wanted to wear that ring. And she wanted Arnold to see her wearing it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want to put it on right now.” Arnold was way too good at making Rishe act selfishly. She took a deep breath, building courage. “Please, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed and looked down. He picked up the box and stood, walking around the desk. But when he reached Rishe, he took her wrist and led her over to the couch, directing her to sit. Rishe sat and blinked up at him, lashes fluttering. Arnold knelt before her, taking her left hand into his large one. Just that contact made her cheeks flare with heat. And to make matters worse, Arnold brought her hand up to his lips, his eyes cast down, and kissed the base of her ring finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” He called her name with his lips still touching her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmh…” Rishe’s free hand flew up to cover her mouth. Arnold raised his head, but then he intertwined his fingers with hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-what is this?! Her head spun. She was realizing for the first time now that she didn’t just like Arnold’s eye color. She was also very fond of the shape of his hands and fingers. But this was no time for such thoughts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was absolutely toying with her, but the look on his face was as cool as ever. He managed to seem sincere as he asked, voice slightly husky, “Is it all right if I touch you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s a little late, isn’t it?! It was like he was only asking to hear her answer. “Y-yes…” She nodded as best as she could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction. He opened the ring box with one hand, keeping his other hand on Rishe’s. His big hands were dexterous, and he was easily able to get the ring out one-handed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Rishe was reaching her limit. What was that kiss?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had heard that kneeling and kissing the back of a woman’s hand was the marriage proposal custom among the nobility in Galkhein, but when Arnold had proposed to her, he’d only knelt and taken her hand. Maybe this was a do-over of that night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is it because I told him I respected marriage traditions? If that was the case, then his earlier question essentially amounted to a second proposal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ack, why is my face so hot?! Rishe knew she was overthinking this, but she squeezed her eyes shut nonetheless. Arnold’s fingers were on her wrist now, perhaps to make it easier for him to put the ring on her. The moment they touched her, Rishe’s heart pounded even harder, obliterating her composure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Our hands are just touching! This was nothing more intimate than a simple handshake, yet the contact almost made Rishe panic. I shouldn’t have told him not to lay a finger on me when all this started. She regretted it so much it made her want to cry. She had never imagined simply taking back that request would be so mortifying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she was trembling, her lips pressed shut, Arnold gave her an exasperated look and said, “Hey, don’t hold your breath.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m not.” That was a lie, she was holding her breath. She didn’t like keeping things from him, but the truth was too painful. “It’s just that I can’t really remember how breathing works…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He laughed! How dare he, after making her so flustered. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, but she didn’t have the energy to complain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flinched as the cold ring touched her finger, contrasting with the heat of her body, embarrassing her further. She wondered if Arnold remembered the temperature her hand normally was. Please don’t notice that it’s hotter than usual!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold slid the ring on, his touch almost reverent. It felt like it took forever, maybe because Rishe had her eyes closed, but eventually the ring settled right in the spot where Arnold had kissed her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pwah…” Rishe exhaled the breath she’d been holding, her eyes still closed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you remember how to breathe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seems you’ve forgotten how to open your eyes now,” he said, amused."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That made opening her eyes even harder. Her heart rang like an alarm bell in her chest, and she had no idea what to do with her face. She hung her head to hide it instead and felt Arnold’s hands reaching out to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmh…” Rishe’s shoulders flinched when he touched her closed eyelid. His thumb brushed against her lashes, tracing the line they drew, like he was wiping away tears. Or maybe waking a small child who was deeply asleep. His finger touched her delicately, making its way to the corner of her eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even his voice was soft and soothing, and Rishe was finally able—albeit timidly—to open her eyes. When she did, she saw Arnold looking at her bright-red face like it was something precious, his eyes narrowed in fondness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m done.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His hands slowly withdrew, and for some reason Rishe was sad to let them go. He gestured for her to look down and she did, blurting out, “Wow…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shining on her finger was a ring set with a blue sapphire. The band shone brilliantly, like it was spun out of golden thread, with two strands curving together like waves. It was a showy piece, but it had a refined beauty. To think of the sheer delicacy needed to craft such a design. The center stone was inlaid with small, starlike diamonds. They twinkled like protective lights, shining heroically and adorably."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s beautiful and…kind of cute? Most of all… Set in the center was a brilliant, eye-catching sapphire—a deep, endless blue, like a frozen lake in a cold northern country. Holding her hand up, Rishe let the sunlight glance off it, murmuring, “It really is the same color as your eyes, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A peculiar joy blossomed inside her. The old woman who ran the store had smiled and told her that jewelry was like a good luck charm. Rishe savored her happiness, finally understanding what she meant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I feel like I can do anything wearing this ring.” A moment later, she gasped. Arnold himself hated the color of his eyes. What would he think when he saw a ring she’d chosen to match them?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think, Your Highness?” Rishe furrowed her brows, timidly laying her hands on her lap. If she raised them now, Arnold would be able to see the ring on it up close. She did so, and his eyes fell upon it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…” His voice was stripped of defenses. He took Rishe’s hand again, entwining their fingers once more and brushing his thumb over the shape of the ring, as if to see how it felt. It tickled, sending a strange tingling through Rishe. She hunched her shoulders, but she didn’t pull her hand away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked down and smiled. “It feels better than I thought it would.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught. I also… Rishe shut her lips tight to keep the surfacing thought from escaping her mouth. I also feel happy for some reason when I see you smiling like that… She also felt a little like crying, she realized belatedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She couldn’t bring herself to say exactly what she was feeling. She shook her head softly and, somewhat at a loss, said, “I find myself wanting to pester you for something else, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me.” His tone seemed to imply that anything she desired she would have, and Rishe found her heart throbbing again. “Right now, I’ll listen. Whatever it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hearing his whisper with his eyes on her made her earlier agitation flare up. Arnold usually did anything she asked of him, so long as it wasn’t related to national politics. All in all, she was frightfully spoiled, but that ship had sailed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spoke her wish, forcing the tremble out of her voice. “I’d like to go on a journey with you, Your Highness. I’d be a great tour guide, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A journey?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. A journey to see all the beautiful things in the world.” It didn’t have to be right now, but Rishe wanted a promise for the future. “Not just fireflies and fireworks… I want to show you all kinds of things worth seeing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes narrowed, like he was squinting against the light. The color was even clearer in the sunlight pouring in through the office’s windows. For the thousandth time, Rishe was captivated by those eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…There’s one more of those now because of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe wasn’t expecting that. She blinked in surprise. “What’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who knows. If you can’t figure it out yourself, I’m not going to explain it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-that’s not fair!” She wanted to demand an answer, but Arnold just pulled his fingers away and stood up. Rishe pouted in protest. “Do you think normal people can solve your riddles?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, normal people don’t blow up strange chemicals in the skies above their in-laws’ house.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” That was hardly relevant, but she still didn’t want to hear it. Reluctantly, she relented, and Arnold placed his hand on her head with a bemused smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think it’s that difficult a puzzle.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He kept petting her, rendering Rishe speechless. Even when he was just touching her in jest, it was hard to keep her composure. She wished he would stop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hung her head, wondering why she was getting so flustered. Her hands were in her lap, the ring on her finger shining like the ocean."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope one day he’ll be able to understand just how beautiful I find this color."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the time being, she’d wear the ring to the party tonight. It would shine radiantly as she saw off Kyle and Michel, lighting the flame for a wonderful future between their two countries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To be continued…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0012.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: Fake Dating for Fleeting Amusement"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:Fake Dating for Fleeting Amusement"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "IN THE MIDDLE of the capital city market was a cake shop with a sterling reputation. Business was booming, but to enter the place, guests had to meet certain conditions. Apparently, the store only accepted business from couples. Rishe had discovered it on her second clandestine outing with Arnold, on their way back from thanking the owner of the jewelry store for her ring."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what I heard, at least. While we’re waiting in this line, please pretend we’re a couple!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Beside her, Arnold pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. “I can’t believe you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The line outside the shop was long. This was likely unfamiliar territory for Arnold, but the reason for his sullen look seemed to be because Rishe had proposed pretending to be a couple."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t see why we have to pretend. We’re engaged. Isn’t that good enough?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, apparently, they don’t just let you in because you’re married. Their selling point is the couples-only atmosphere. If they relaxed the restrictions, their reputation would suffer. I think they’d turn us down if we were just formally engaged.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In Rishe’s mind, being “a couple” and being “engaged” were two clearly separate things. Arnold seemed to understand and relented at last. Rishe found herself waiting in line prepared to play the role of Arnold’s girlfriend, and just as she expected, she found it difficult to relax."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I feel like the employee who’s watching the line is giving us the stink eye.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unconcerned, Arnold said, “He’s just a regular citizen. You’re paranoid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t underestimate the observational skills of a merchant. They practice every day to spot counterfeit currency and people who will leave while failing to pay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Those seem like pretty specific offenses, but…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took in her surroundings with grave caution. We must be thorough with our act. Maybe imitate what other people are doing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Making full use of the senses she’d honed in her life as a knight, Rishe noticed something. After getting over the shock of it, she glanced at Arnold. Steeling her will, she sidled up to him, only for him to look down at her with a grimace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look at the people around us.” Rishe pulled Arnold down by the sleeve and whispered to him, “The real couples are standing right next to each other. But we had enough space for a person in between us, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve still got the habit from my previous life to maintain the space to draw my sword. And I’m guessing Prince Arnold is the same."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She mimicked the other couples and inched closer, her shoulder nearly brushing Arnold’s arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come to think of it, one does look intimate with a gentleman if one snuggles up to him a bit. I learned that a long time ago—that is, during crown princess lessons back in my home country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh?” Arnold’s voice was lower than usual. Rishe looked up at him, wondering why. Green eyes met his blue. Their glow was slightly darker than usual too. “These would be lessons you took to be some other man’s queen?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Before Rishe could react to the unexpected question, Arnold wrapped his arm around her waist with a huff."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine. If you’re so insistent, I’ll play along and pretend.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what? Wait, Prince—eep!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold tugged her closer, and Rishe’s breath caught at the sensation of being pressed up against him. He wasn’t manhandling her—this was the normal distance for, say, dancing—but it was so unexpected that Rishe was having trouble processing it. And then he whispered in her ear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re so stiff, that employee with the ‘incredible powers of observation’ will catch on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. He was right—this was ideal, actually. Since Arnold was on board now, they could be more thorough in their act. She squeezed her eyes shut, nodding a few times to disguise how red her face felt. Now that she’d gotten this far, she had no idea what to do. All the information she’d gathered observing the other couples went straight out of her head when Arnold wrapped his arm around her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sh-should I do something too?” She looked up desperately at Arnold for some hint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The way he was smiling was rather ill intentioned. “Well, what did you learn in your little etiquette class, hmm?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I forgot! Whatever I learned, I can’t put it into practice! My head’s completely blank right now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pfft.” Arnold snickered. Apparently, Rishe’s protests were amusing. With a self-satisfied look, he reached out with the arm that wasn’t around Rishe’s waist and took her left hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, does it seem a little noisy around us?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just your imagination,” Arnold said nonchalantly, but people were definitely watching them. It was no wonder, really. If a man with such a beautiful face began acting like this in public, he was bound to attract the attention of any nearby ladies. Yet he continued to speak, his tone perfectly sincere. “Your feet don’t hurt from walking around town, do they? I don’t mind carrying you while we’re waiting in line.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I, um…! I-I-I’m fine! I have plenty of energy left!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was taking the role so seriously, it was like he was actually trying to seduce her. Her head was swimming. And then Arnold murmured in her ear again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At a time like this, it’s better to just let me take care of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Really?! That was shocking, but she’d only been answering honestly. Maybe it was the wrong thing to say, since they were supposed to be a couple."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Confused, Rishe whispered back to him, “Th-that’s too much, though! Carrying me is too much!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you want to do, then? I’ll go along with whatever you decide.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Way to put me on the spot!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Using the couples around them for reference was no longer going to work, since everyone in line now had their eyes glued to Rishe and Arnold. Oh no, are we standing out because we’re not couple-y enough?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She couldn’t let Arnold do all the work. Rishe mustered up the courage and squeezed Arnold’s hand back. Well, how’s that?! She looked up at him, feeling accomplished, and found his eyes slightly wide. Managing to surprise him delighted her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she was staring up proudly, Arnold chuckled ever so faintly. Wow… The expression on his face was so soft, Rishe felt her heart skip."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was surprised at how small your ring felt when I held it the other day, but I suppose it’s only natural…” Arnold linked his fingers with hers. A sweet tingling sensation went through Rishe at the skin-to-skin contact. “Your fingers are so delicate. I feel like I’ll injure them if I’m not careful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s only response was spluttering until Arnold abruptly let go of her hand. “That should about do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The employee went back inside. That should be enough pretending, right?” Arnold’s face was completely blank as he removed his hand from her waist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally freed from his arms, Rishe scrambled to correct her posture before her weak knees could send her sinking to the ground. A-am I just too self-conscious?! Maybe I am… I mean, Prince Arnold was just cooperating with me out of the kindness of his heart, right? But then her eyes met Arnold’s, and he smirked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong? You look flustered.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out a cross between a groan and a scream. He was teasing her. She wanted to protest, but he was helping her. She swallowed her complaints and simply thanked him instead. For some reason, that brought another chuckle out of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Coming out of the experience slightly worse for wear, Rishe nevertheless obtained some worthwhile information inside the shop. And so, she was satisfied."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "TOUKO AMEKAWA HERE. Thank you so much for picking up 7th Time Loop Volume 2! In this volume, our heroine Rishe plays a bit of offense and defense between some people from her third life and her fiancé Arnold in this life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you so much for drawing the illustrations once more, Wan☆Hachipisu! I’m crazy about all of it, from the lively world depicted in the cover image to the characters’ expressions, faces, and designs. The illustrations are so beautiful and so cute!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank you as well to my editor, as always. It’s very reassuring to hear “we’ll figure something out” in response to my mistakes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally, to those readers who stuck around after the first volume, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the end of this volume, the hero, Arnold, finally arrived at about a 3 out of 10 on the “expressing emotions” scale to Rishe. Thankfully, we’ll be able to continue the story in Volume 3, so I’d love it if you could watch over him and his changes still to come in this and the fantastic manga version by Hinoki Kino-sensei!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope to see you in the next volume."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-02-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0014.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "WHILE RISHE WALKED with Arnold to the party hall on the night he gave her the ring, a question rose in her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why did you propose to me when you did, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a question she’d asked him several times since they first met. He always dodged it, but she figured it was about time for the truth. She peered up at him expectantly but found that he was giving her a rather stern look in return."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ever composed, he replied, “I believe I told you before. It was because I fell for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come on, we both know that’s a lie!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how many times she reexamined their first meeting, she couldn’t pinpoint what she’d done to endear her to Arnold. She certainly couldn’t imagine Arnold Hein of all people proposing to a stranger on a mere whim."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Somewhat sulkily, Rishe mentioned the evidence she’d been holding on to for this conversation. “You also said you brought me here to use me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, the reason doesn’t really matter, does it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe not to you!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was a big turning point in Rishe’s life. She didn’t need to know everything, but having a little more information would definitely help."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She made her dissatisfaction plain on her face, and Arnold laughed, evidently finding it amusing. At this rate, he’d never tell her the reason he proposed no matter what she did. Staring down at the band on her ring finger, Rishe made up her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I think it’s time to move on to the next stage in my plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, Prince Theodore, I’d really appreciate it if you could tell me about Prince Arnold’s relationship with your father.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really cut to the chase sometimes, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore shot Rishe an exasperated look from where he was reclining on the grass. The sunlight must have been too bright for him because he rubbed his eyes after glancing up at her. He didn’t seem very enthusiastic about answering her question, but still, he sat up and engaged with her. This made him just as kind as his brother in Rishe’s book."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As his fiancée, I should learn about him and his father.” Rishe laid her handkerchief flat next to Theodore and sat on it, legs pressed together. “You know more about Prince Arnold than anyone else, which is why I’ve come to you in my time of need.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee. Well, you’re right about that. I’m the world’s best resource for information on him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe applauded Theodore, who puffed up with pride. He put his elbow on his knee and rested his chin in his hand before continuing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry to get your hopes up, but I don’t think I can answer that question. Even if it’s you who’s asking, and even if you give me a new scoop on Arnold in return!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve never talked with my father. I’ve looked into what I could regarding him and my brother, but they don’t speak in public, you see.” Theodore plucked strands of grass as he spoke. “Even when our father has orders for him, Arnold is called to the audience chamber alone. Not even Oliver or our father’s attendants are allowed at their meetings.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They only ever meet alone?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know a little about his mother, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe snapped her head up at those unexpected words. “If I recall correctly, you and Prince Arnold have different mothers. Is that right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not that uncommon, really.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d also heard that Theodore’s mother had already passed. Galkhein’s current empress was not a blood relation to either brother."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Remember when I said Arnold killed his mother?” Theodore asked, face softening a little with sadness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded and asked what she hadn’t then: “What happened?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Arnold’s mother always hated him. She kept him as far away from her as possible. Whenever she saw him, she’d shower abuse on him. It went on like that for years until he finally stabbed her with a sword.” Quietly, Theodore added, “Right through the heart.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That instant, Rishe remembered dying by Arnold’s sword in her sixth life. Back then, he’d thrust his blade straight into her heart. “Do you know for sure that’s what happened?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was kept hidden from the public, but everybody who’s anybody in this country knows about it.” Theodore grimaced like he’d tasted something bitter. “His mother was royalty—and a hostage. Our father commanded her to marry him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I once heard from Prince Arnold that his father ordered him to marry someone with royal blood from another country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe herself had blood ties to her country’s royal family. Distant ties, but they were enough for Arnold’s father to approve of their union. If I learn about his mother, maybe I’ll understand a little more about why Prince Arnold proposed to me. Or perhaps she was being naive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have no idea if figuring that out will lead to avoiding the war in the next few years. I still feel like it’s more important to investigate the coup d’état that starts the war—Prince Arnold’s murder of his father, the current emperor. There’s one other thing…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While Rishe was deliberating, Theodore stretched and stood up with a yawn. “Guess I should head back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry for interrupting your rest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d better be! I wouldn’t trade an opportunity to talk about my brother for anything else, though, so it’s fine. Ah, what time is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From the position of the sun, I’d say three hours past noon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore was taken aback by Rishe’s swift answer. “I’d prefer if you announced the time after hearing a church bell or looking at a clock, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just a guess, so it’s not as accurate as a clock. Come to think of it, Prince Theodore…” She wanted to ask her future brother-in-law something she’d been wondering for a long time now, something she’d asked Arnold too. “Down there, in the town, there’s a beautiful spire. What is that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore glanced at the tower and replied, “It’s a church. The second biggest and most impressive on the continent, apparently, so even foreigners travel to worship there. They pray together once a month and sing together once a year. It’s a pretty important building, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see…” It seemed there really was something that needed her confirmation. Rishe’s gaze dropped as she formulated a plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thanked Theodore, parted with him, and met up with her waiting guards nearby. Then she headed back to the detached palace, whereupon she visited Arnold’s office and asked to speak to him alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Taking her place on the couch opposite him, she put one hand on top of the other on her lap. “Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes? What’s with the solemn look?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I’m here with a rather selfish request.” Arnold urged her to continue with his eyes, so Rishe said flatly, “I’d like to officially annul my engagement.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said nothing, watching her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, of course I mean my—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stood before Rishe could finish and sat down beside her, eyes fixed on her all the while. Rishe gulped as he said, “If that is your wish…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” She hadn’t finished explaining, but Arnold hadn’t asked her to. It’s Prince Arnold we’re talking about. I’m sure he’s already predicted my thoughts and knows exactly what I want to say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s shapely hands reached out and combed through her coral-colored hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ever since Rishe told Arnold he could touch her directly a few days ago, he’d developed a habit of stroking her hair. He tended to touch her just next to her ear, which tickled and made her feel anxious in a strange way. Arnold probably felt like he was petting an animal, but Rishe was always caught unawares by his touch. The surprise was bad for her heart. And to make it all worse, his face was so close to hers; she felt cornered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The most beautiful man in the world (as far as Rishe was aware) whispered to her in a low voice, “I’ll have to interfere with whatever method I can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe was speechless for a moment. She wondered why he would say something like that and then realized there had been a misunderstanding. “W-wait a second! I wasn’t clear enough. Let me finish what I was saying! Please back up a bit!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. You just said you wanted to annul your engagement, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I did, but I didn’t! I have no intention of fleeing from whatever your scheme is! The engagement I want to officially annul is…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My previous engagement with Dietrich."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she explained herself, Arnold furrowed his brow deeply and heaved a sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The crown prince of Galkhein’s personal carriage headed south down the highway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It feels like we came this far in the blink of an eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Another half a day of travel and their destination would come into view. Rishe had donned a cool dress the color of new leaves to match the coming summer season. She glanced across the carriage at Arnold, who was reading some documents."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m really surprised. I didn’t think Prince Arnold would accompany me all this way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe recalled the conversation she’d had with Arnold a week ago."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What I mean to say is, my childhood engagement with Prince Dietrich hasn’t been officially annulled yet,” Rishe told Arnold in his office."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At last, Arnold understood her meaning. “You performed an engagement ceremony with the crown prince of Hermity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, exactly. Though it’s a very old ceremony, so no royal families still hold them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An engagement ceremony was different from a marriage ceremony. Most of them were political affairs held while the betrothed were children. Since these contracts were often established years before the actual wedding, the engagement ceremony served to make the engagements harder to break. It hadn’t stopped Dietrich, however."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was something my parents requested of the Hermity royal family.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had only the faintest memory of the event. All she remembered was getting roused from her sleep early and dressed, the exhaustion hanging over her the whole time, and Dietrich being wound up because of the atypical situation they were in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, your engagement with that man is still registered with the Church.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was a shock to me too. The engagement ceremony is rare as it is, and there aren’t many instances of annulling them in the past.” Rishe closed her eyes and nodded gravely. “I completely forgot that I can’t marry another man without going to the Grand Basilica to officially annul my previous engagement!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, this was a complete lie. Rishe was well aware that she had to file an annulment of her engagement with Dietrich at the Grand Basilica if she wanted to marry another man. She’d had an occasion to visit the Grand Basilica in her fourth life, and a bishop there had told her just that. She’d hastily filed for the annulment right then and there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew I would have to in this life too, but I came to Galkhein without doing it on purpose… I wanted to give myself an opportunity to escape through my engagement to Prince Dietrich if I decided I didn’t want to marry Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ceremony wasn’t performed in most countries, so she figured Arnold wouldn’t be aware of this. Rishe regarded Arnold through her downcast eyelashes. I think I’m okay at this point, though. I don’t see myself itching to get out of marrying Prince Arnold. After all, he’s kind, and nice, and considerate…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! Nothing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since she had the convenient engagement, she figured it would be a waste to annul it without using this opportunity to further her goals—so she took it upon herself to do a little investigating."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve always been curious about Prince Arnold’s relationship with the Crusade."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was said that this world once had a goddess. A religion called the Crusade revered this goddess and created the calendar, along with various religious teachings. These teachings were spread and believed worldwide. Rishe’s homeland and Galkhein were no exception. There were differing levels of faith among the people, but the teachings influenced almost everyone to some extent. Spouses vowed their love to the goddess at weddings, and families celebrated the goddess’s birthday together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Most nobles had, in addition to their first and last names, a baptismal name they’d received from the Church—so ubiquitous was the Crusade and the goddess’s teaching that this practice was common everywhere. Rishe’s own middle name, Irmgard, was her baptismal name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Galkhein is one of the most powerful countries in the world. But as powerful as Galkhein is, the Crusade is about as powerful, and it’s been around for a lot longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "However, one man’s hand would turn that major religion to ash."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Five years from now, Prince Arnold—by then, Emperor Arnold—will burn the Church to the ground. He set fire to every church he could find, dragged their bishops before their adherents, and killed them. He torched every bible and faith symbol he could find too, until not a single trace remained. I saw it once with my own eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before this life, she’d thought Arnold’s motivation was just the destruction of a large, powerful organization. But something had been bothering her for a while now since she’d gotten to know him in this life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can see down into Galkhein’s castle town from the detached palace. The first day I came to the palace, I asked Prince Arnold what the large spire in the east of the town was, and…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had said, “The church and clock tower. The bells ring out the hour.” From what Theodore told her, however, she knew something about Arnold’s answer was off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold hardly mentioned the church. He was only concerned about the tower’s function as a clock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That stuck in her mind, given that she was aware of Arnold’s future actions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s weird for him to mention only that when speaking of a church. You’d think he would mention the church’s authority or political value, like his brother did. He must’ve deliberately avoided talking about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe Arnold harbored hidden feelings toward the Crusade. If those feelings were connected to the violence he’d perpetrate in five years, then Rishe had ample reason to find out and prevent it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Plus, this is my only opportunity to meet you-know-who in this life… That said, I’ll have to come up with a natural-sounding excuse if I want to get close to the Grand Basilica for my investigation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Annulling her engagement with Dietrich was the perfect chance. She’d come up with this idea just the other day after receiving a letter. Rishe took the letter out and showed it to Arnold. “Lady Mary, Prince Dietrich’s current partner, worked hard to get him to annul the engagement on his end. It’s very difficult to do so, but Lady Mary came forward as Prince Dietrich’s partner in infidelity, which made the process much easier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold languidly regarded the letter in Rishe’s hands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It says the process is complete on Prince Dietrich’s side of things, so all I need to do is finalize it at the Grand Basilica. I won’t have to see him as part of the process, so I think I’ll get it done quickly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I apologize for the abruptness of the matter, but would it be all right if I headed to the Grand Basilica in the Holy Kingdom of Domana sometime in the next few days? If I hurry, I can probably make it back in about a week.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she framed it as a question, Arnold had no choice but to let her go. After all, if Rishe didn’t go to the Grand Basilica, she wouldn’t be able to marry someone aside from Dietrich. She didn’t know what Arnold’s grand plan was, but as long as it involved their marriage, she was confident he would permit her to go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d really like Prince Arnold to come along too, honestly, Rishe thought, watching Arnold frown. After all, the whole point of this voyage was to probe into Arnold’s feelings toward the Church. If the man himself accompanied her, it would undoubtedly be easier to find that out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He has his hands full, though. I’m sure it won’t work out. I had to rush through my preparations for the marriage ceremony just to give myself enough time to leave."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But as she was telling herself that it wouldn’t work out…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll accompany you, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?!” she exclaimed, not expecting to hear that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was still sitting next to her. Calm as still water, he asked, “What? Is that inconvenient for you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Exactly the opposite, in fact! Things were too convenient, hence her shock."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she was trying to puzzle out his motives, Arnold put his arm up on the back of the couch and explained, “I have several duties related to the Church that I’ve neglected. I put them off because I didn’t want to bother, but if I can go in person and get them all taken care of at once, then this is a perfect opportunity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s probably a lie…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Plus…” Arnold paused, and Rishe cocked her head, waiting for him to continue. Eventually, he just said, “No. It’s nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was rare. She could hardly remember another instance of Arnold taking back his words. He really did act odd over matters pertaining to the Church."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then again, I could just be imagining it. I wonder what’s going on here?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She stared hard at him, but it wasn’t like that allowed her to read his thoughts. If she wanted to get a sense of what he was thinking, the best thing would be for him to accompany her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A few days later, their carriage departed for the Holy Kingdom of Domana. Several days after that, they made it to their current location."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t really expect him to come with me, Rishe thought as their carriage headed for the Grand Basilica."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sat across from her, sorting through paperwork in silence. She was worried about him feeling sick, but he wore the same cool expression for the whole ride. The stack of documents at his side had been handed to him by his attendant, Oliver, who looked like he was on death’s door. There was a second stack just like it in another carriage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe apologized to Oliver in her mind as she organized the medicinal herbs she’d been able to find on the road. Well, it is pretty reckless for the crown prince to leave the country for a week with no warning! I’m sorry, Oliver, but because Prince Arnold is with us, we can change horses at regular intervals. We’re making great time on our way to the Grand Basilica!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Galkhein always impresses me,” Rishe said as she separated the sepals from a flower that could be used to create an antidote. “The road all the way to the Grand Basilica has been maintained very well. If it weren’t, I don’t think this trip would have been this smooth even though Domana neighbors Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The jostling vibrations of a carriage made long rides exhausting. Paved roads significantly eased the burden of travel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold turned a page in his documents with an indifferent expression and said, “A hefty budget goes to maintaining this road. We get good tax yields from the towns along the highway, since so many people go to the Grand Basilica to worship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Long-distance travel moves a lot of money. Though, if there’s so much traffic, that must mean there are a lot of devout believers in Galkhein, huh? The Church allows only the highway from Galkhein to come near the Grand Basilica too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was another thing Rishe was curious about. The power dynamic between Galkhein and the Church was something no two other powers in the world shared. The Church had power surpassing that of a nation. As such, they had no reason to give favorable treatment to any powerful domains or their royal families. What set the Church apart was their own royal line, which was said to have inherited the blood of the goddess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Church’s relationship with Galkhein stood out from the rest; Galkhein having the second-biggest church in the world was evidence of that. They were the same size everywhere else so as not to suggest any disparity between countries’ ties to the Church."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s not just that the Church treats Galkhein differently. Galkhein hasn’t invaded the Holy Kingdom either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The reason Domana neighbored Galkhein was that Galkhein had absorbed all the other countries between them in the last war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even though the Holy Kingdom doesn’t have a strong military, Galkhein still allows it to exist to their south without threat of invasion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s father had been very aggressive about starting wars. Arnold painted him as a belligerent man too. So why had he left a country alone that was politically important but militarily weak?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In my merchant loop, the rumor I heard all around the world was that Galkhein’s emperor was very devout. If that’s the case, did Prince Arnold burn churches to antagonize his father?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Opposite her, Arnold lifted his gaze from a page to peer at her. “More importantly, was it really all right not to bring any of your maids with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Only a select few can enter the Grand Basilica at the moment. If they had to wait in a nearby town for the duration of our visit, it makes more sense for them to remain in the detached palace instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All thanks to that festival. This trip is occurring at quite an inconvenient time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Actually, we’re here now precisely because they’re preparing for the festival, but I can’t tell him that!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The carriage gradually slowed. Rishe looked out the window, but they were passing through a forest on the highway. They were neither at their destination nor at a rest stop, yet the vehicle came to a halt. Rishe sensed Arnold starting to rise and grabbed his sleeve."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He frowned at her. “Something’s not right. Stay in the carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not letting you leave me in here a second time. Also, you should be well aware that locking the door is pointless, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was the second time she’d gotten into an unusual situation on a carriage trip with Arnold. Last time, Arnold had gotten the better of her—but not this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed and got out first, then held out his hand to Rishe. She smiled, took his hand, and stepped down from the carriage. Their guards’ carriage up ahead had stopped. The knights who had disembarked were standing around looking perplexed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What happened?” Arnold asked them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness! Well, a carriage from another country is blocking the road.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had a hunch when she heard that report. It couldn’t be… A certain someone came to mind—and at almost the exact same moment, Rishe heard her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want it! I hate it, I hate it, I don’t want it!” A young girl’s clear, animated voice echoed through the nearby trees."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold glanced in the direction of the sound. The door to a pure-white carriage opened, and a girl who looked about ten years old flew out of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Will you be reasonable?! What do you hate about it?! You specifically said you wanted a white carriage, and you were perfectly happy riding in it a moment ago!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I changed my mind! Now I want a black carriage! I want it! And if I can’t have it—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was then that the girl locked eyes with Rishe’s party. She was pretty in a doll-like way, with big, bright eyes. Her long violet hair fell in gentle waves down her back. Her frilly, lemon-colored dress made her look a little immature for her age but suited her adorable appearance quite well. A polished pair of shoes topped it all off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When the girl noticed that Rishe and Arnold’s carriage was black, she screwed up her face with resolute courage and shouted, “I’ve decided! If you won’t listen to me, Papa, then…” She sprinted over to them and grabbed Rishe’s skirt. “I’ll ride in these people’s carriage!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Millia! Don’t cause trouble to strangers!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, yes… Rishe regarded the girl and suppressed a sigh. I see you haven’t changed, Mistress Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This girl was the noble lady Rishe had served in her fourth loop—and the whole reason Rishe had set off on this trip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her fourth life, a year and a half from the present, Rishe became Lady Millia Clarissa Jonal’s maid. She had been working for a marquess in Domana, getting along well with the young, rowdy sons of the family, and had received a request to do the same sort of work for the Jonal family. She’d headed to the family home, where she’d met the eleven-year-old Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia was a very moody child. The other maids kept their distance from her as a result. An old illness had left her father—the duke—partially paralyzed, and he was prone to bouts of ill health. Since he couldn’t be with his daughter as much as he wanted, he tended to spoil her to keep her happy. As a result, she’d developed a selfish streak that he could no longer control."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe arrived at their house, the first thing the head maid told her was “You watch out for Mistress Millia too. She’s very difficult to handle, a real problem child.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meeting Millia for the first time again in her seventh life, Rishe looked down at the crown of the girl’s head as she clung to her waist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A man in his forties who looked to be at the end of his rope climbed down from Millia’s carriage. “Millia, you’re bothering them!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Duke Jonal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The noble hurried over. He had combed-back blond hair and a tidy mustache. He was Rishe’s former master, though he didn’t have the walking cane Rishe remembered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I heard that Duke Jonal was paralyzed by an illness he’d suffered a long time ago, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apparently, the condition hadn’t taken him just yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He walked up to Rishe and offered her a polite bow. “I’m terribly sorry for my daughter’s behavior, Miss. Let go of her, Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No! Nooo!” Millia screamed with all her might and tightened her grip. She buried her face in Rishe’s skirts, though Rishe was a complete stranger to her now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I hate you, Papa! You won’t do what I ask, and you scold me about it too! I’m only bothering these people because you’re being mean to me!” Millia shouted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold scowled. Rishe noticed him about to move and signaled him not to with her eyes. She looked down at Millia again and said to her, “Young lady—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t talk to me! You’re just going to take Papa’s side, aren’t you?! Even though we just met and you don’t know what’s going on and you haven’t heard my side of it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you think you could look up at me, young lady?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-why? What do you want?!” Millia’s head angrily shot up…and she gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spread out a white lace handkerchief. Millia watched her, puzzled. Taking advantage of that second of confusion, Rishe balled up the handkerchief in her right hand. She put that fist on top of her left hand, tapped it, and then opened both hands after a beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The handkerchief had disappeared without a trace. Instead, it had been replaced by a small stuffed bear. A buzz went through the watching servants and knights, but Millia, who had been watching up close, was the most surprised of all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-m-magic?!” Millia’s cheeks flushed red, and her eyes sparkled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe beamed at her. “No, young lady. A magic trick. Here, to commemorate our meeting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can have it?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe offered her the stuffed bear, and the girl’s clenched hands began to relax. Crouching down to Millia’s level, Rishe introduced herself. “My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner. What’s your name, young lady?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m Millia Clarissa Jonal. I’m Papa’s daughter, and I’m almost ten.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Millia, then.” She couldn’t exactly call her “Mistress” in this life. Feeling a bit sad about that, Rishe handed Millia the stuffed animal she’d prepared for their meeting. “I hope you like it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shrinking in on herself with a little grunt, Millia shyly wrapped her hands around the bear and looked away from Rishe. “Um, thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jonal looked on in disbelief. “My word… I never expected Millia to act so meek.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You see, Your Grace, Mistress Millia is actually a good girl with a pure heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After meeting the eleven-year-old Millia and being charged with her care, Rishe had learned the young girl was more childlike than her age would suggest. They had cultivated flowers together, gone on walks in the forest, and slept in the same bed on stormy nights. Since Millia didn’t like studying, Rishe spent many hours reading the textbooks with her. And when Millia turned fifteen—the age Rishe was now—she became a happy bride."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that day… Rishe stood and closed her eyes. Right after Mistress Millia’s wedding ceremony, Galkhein’s military stormed the church."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And Rishe had been killed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although she had been a maid, Rishe was like an older sister to Millia and had thus been allowed to attend the ceremony. She was in the church when Galkhein’s soldiers invaded. She had lived just long enough to see Millia and her family evacuated from the burning building."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if Prince Arnold was there in that church where I died. Curious, Rishe snuck a peek at Arnold. He seemed to have been watching her exchange with Millia dispassionately, but his gaze met Rishe’s. I’m sure he was. Arnold had given the order as well. It was by his will that that beautiful church was burned down, killing the people inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe lowered her gaze and took a deep, furtive breath. Then she raised her head and called her fiancé’s name. “Prince Arnold.” She walked over to him and protested in a low voice, “You were staring right at me when I did that magic trick!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold averted his gaze and replied, “What was I supposed to do? You were leading everyone to pay attention to your right hand, but your left hand was making clearly unnatural movements.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Most people focus on the right hand like they’re supposed to! Even if you noticed it, you should go along with the act!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That trick requires you to hide something in your dress sleeve. You’re awfully well prepared, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was tempted to look away, but she didn’t want him suspecting her, so she mustered her boldness and faced him instead. “Actually, I was planning on showing it to you once we had a rest on our journey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? You’re really telling me you were going to pull a stuffed bear out for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It’s so fluffy, I thought it would relax you, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” Arnold barked out a laugh. Rishe’s eyes nearly popped out at the surprisingly open gesture. “Well, so be it. We can go with that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh! The truth is that I was practicing in case there were small children at the Basilica!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. That’s too bad.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t know what was “too bad,” but she decided to drop it. If she didn’t, Arnold would grow even more suspicious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a way for me to interact with Mistress Millia if we encountered her at the Grand Basilica or on the road. I doubt Prince Arnold thinks I intended to run into Mistress Millia from the beginning… The problem is what she and her father believe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe turned around and observed the father and daughter, who were much calmer than they had been earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please be good, Millia. It’s only a little bit farther to the Grand Basilica. You can ride in a white carriage, can’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, now that I look at it, white is childish, isn’t it?! I was chosen to stand in for the royal priestess in the festival, so I need to ride in a carriage that suits my role!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The servants and maids of the Jonal family watched the exchange with anxious expressions. Rishe didn’t recognize a face among them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is all too strange."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something about the situation bothered her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mistress Millia was never this spoiled. Sure, she complained about studying and whined about wanting sweets, but she was never so unreasonable about concrete things like the color of her carriage. I suppose it’s possible she was this way before I met her at eleven, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She side-eyed Duke Jonal as well. She’d always heard that he had been unwell for a long time, but the man before her now was the very picture of health. Maybe he looked a little tired, but that made sense for someone dealing with a difficult daughter’s temper tantrums in close quarters."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The duke sighed deeply and turned back to Rishe and Arnold with a bow. “I apologize for the late introduction. I am Josef Ehrenfried Jonal. I have the honor of serving as a duke in the Holy Kingdom of Domana. I apologize for my daughter’s behavior.” His eyes flicked to the crest of Galkhein on Arnold’s carriage. “I don’t suppose you two belong to the royal family of Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a short breath and introduced himself as the crown prince. “I’m Arnold Hein. I’m sure you’re familiar with my father, the emperor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jonal gasped softly. He hid his agitation well, but Rishe—and likely Arnold—had picked up on it right away. Covering it up with a smile, he said, “So, I have the honor of speaking to His Highness the crown prince. This young lady must be your new fiancée. Once again, I am so very sorry for my daughter’s rudeness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, if it hasn’t bothered my wife…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course not. I appreciate the opportunity to meet such an adorable young lady,” Rishe said. While Arnold and Duke Jonal were exchanging pleasantries, Rishe knelt and approached Millia with a gentle smile. “Lady Millia, why do you fight with your father?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m the stand-in for the late royal priestess, but my papa doesn’t understand that. The festival is almost here, so I must play my part perfectly or I’ll embarrass the goddess and the real royal priestess!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My! So, you’ll be serving as the royal priestess in the next festival, Lady Millia?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew all this, but she acted like she was hearing it for the first time. The Crusade held a festival to celebrate the goddess, the central figure of their faith. Normally, a priestess said to have the blood of the goddess appeared at the festival as her proxy and offered up a prayer. The Church had protected these women for generations—until the last royal priestess died in an accident twenty-two years ago. Men carried on the bloodline, but only a woman could perform the role of the royal priestess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s why the Church hasn’t held the festival for two decades. But after all the complaints from the faithful, they’re going to start doing festivals with a stand-in royal priestess this year."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought back on the explanation she’d heard in her fourth loop. “If I recall correctly, only a noble lady from a house in the Holy Kingdom of Domana can serve as the royal priestess’s stand-in. You were chosen for that position, Lady Millia?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right! It’s a great honor, you know. But Papa…” Millia pressed her lips in a tight line, then muttered, “Papa’s stupid. Making me mad…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. She had never heard Millia speak so quietly before. Up until just a moment ago, Millia had been throwing a temper tantrum as if she were a much younger child. Now she looked to be beyond her years as she watched her father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even though I could curse him, he still doesn’t believe that everyone I curse dies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A chill crept up Rishe’s spine, and she shuddered. “Lady Millia, what are you…?” She trailed off, unable to muster more. An expression she’d never seen before had etched itself on the face of her once-mistress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she thought about it, she did recall a conversation they’d had one night when they were sleeping in the same bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, Rishe, I once had a power I had to keep secret. I can’t use it anymore, and I promised Papa I’d never tell anyone what kind of power it was…but it’s true.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia was a simple and headstrong girl, but during that conversation, her face had clouded—very unusual. Thinking about it now, Rishe imagined that the uneasy expression she’d worn then might have something to do with this “curse” she’d mentioned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s no such thing as magic or curses…is what someone normal would probably be thinking right about now. Rishe, however, couldn’t dismiss the possibility, as she herself was reliving her life due to some mysterious power."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she contemplated what to say to Millia, she felt a prick on the back of her neck. It was just for a second, and it was likely no one else had noticed it, but she knew what it was as she turned around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold seemed to have finished exchanging pleasantries with the duke and was staring her way. More precisely, he was scrutinizing Millia with an awfully cold look in his eyes. It was not the sort of look one gave a young girl upon meeting her for the first time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those icy eyes reminded Rishe of someone. That’s the same look in the emperor Arnold Hein’s eyes five years from now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold, who would burn churches to the ground in the future, approached the stand-in royal priestess. Rishe reflexively turned to Millia, but the girl didn’t seem to even notice Arnold looking at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll go back to my carriage now. Th-thank you for the stuffed animal!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Millia…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl skittered off and disappeared into her carriage. Her father gave a deep bow of his head to Rishe, who curtsied in response and then sucked in a breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe, we’re leaving. Come here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had returned to his usual expressionless state. At his call, Rishe followed him to the carriage and returned to her seat. She looked out the window and found the duke and his entourage waiting on either side of the road. They may have had the royal priestess’s stand-in on board, but they still represented a duke. They likely intended to wait a while before departing so as not to crowd the carriages of another country’s royals."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I guess we’ll be arriving at the Grand Basilica first, then. Rishe glanced at Arnold. That look he gave her… Prince Arnold hasn’t noticed you-know-what, has he? She frowned, recalling something about Duke Jonal’s family. It couldn’t be… No, I should ask about it. I can be direct here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe studied Arnold the whole time she was thinking. When the carriage began moving again and Arnold picked up his paperwork, he asked, “What?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were giving Lady Millia an awfully frightening glare earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked up at her from his papers; he must not have expected her to be so forthright. “I didn’t think I was looking at her any differently than I normally would.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you were. You usually have a gentler look on your face, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was taken aback when Arnold scowled then—she hadn’t expected a frown until later in the conversation. “Huh? Is something wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re just about the only person who’d say something like that about me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t think that’s true.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head, and Arnold set his documents down next to him. He propped his elbow on the window frame and put his chin in his hand while lowering his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There was no particular reason for it. I just don’t like children.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I see. So that’s what he’s going with. Rishe decided to push a little harder. “Still, Lady Millia’s already almost ten. Isn’t your third sister about that age, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t care and I don’t remember.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if he means that, Rishe thought, unconvinced. She couldn’t exactly take him at his word considering the difference in how he felt versus how he acted toward Theodore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her skepticism was plain on her face, so Arnold sighed and, still expressionless, told her, “I don’t believe in unconditional love between family members. Blood ties have nothing to do with how well two people get along.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose you have a point.” Rishe didn’t have a great relationship with her parents either. If Arnold considered his family to be more like strangers, then she didn’t really have an argument against him. Why do I feel like he was referring to his father more so than his sister, though?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s gaze was fixed on something in the distance. Rishe followed his line of sight and spotted a resplendent stone building: the Grand Basilica. This same building would’ve probably been nothing but ashes after Rishe’s death."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We’ll only be able to stay there for a few days. I have to finish my investigation before the annulment’s finalized."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "About an hour later, their carriage arrived at the Grand Basilica. Arnold took Rishe’s hand once more, and they stepped out of the carriage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was when it happened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop! Hey, what are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They heard a knight shouting behind them and the neighing of a horse. Rishe whirled around just in time to see a boy of about ten years toppling off a horse to the ground. The boy’s shoulders heaved with each breath he took; he must have been exhausted. Arnold’s imperial guards surrounded the boy out of both caution and concern. Rishe wanted to rush over as well, but Arnold had her wrist tight in his grip."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could tell at a glance that this was an unusual situation. The crest on the horse’s saddle is that of Duke Jonal’s family. What’s going on here?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe got a glimpse of the boy and gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know him!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her sixth loop, there was a boy Rishe had always looked out for. He was four years younger than her, so he would be eleven now. He had glossy brown hair and a cherubic face, but he also had a habit of giving adults dirty looks. The black eyepatch covering one of his eyes didn’t exactly soften his impression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The boy who’d fallen off the horse looked just like him. There was always a possibility that she was wrong, but the resemblance was uncanny. He looked shorter than she remembered him, but since she was meeting him six months earlier than she had the first time, that made sense. I never heard anything about this, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He looked up at the knights and, through ragged breaths, barely managed to squeeze out the words, “Please…help…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Take it easy. Can you speak? Go slow if you need to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just breathe. Somebody, bring some water!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, please let me go!” Rishe said, and Arnold released his grip on her. But before she could make her way to the knights, he stepped in front of her and knelt before the boy himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights tried to stop him. “Your Highness! Please step back. He may be a child, but you could still be in danger…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you can’t speak, nod or shake your head. Did something happen to Lord Jonal?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy nodded, and Rishe felt her heart throb with anxiety."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is the duke already dead?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy shook his head furiously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then, is his life still in danger now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy shook his head again. Rishe relaxed for a second before going pale at Arnold’s next question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Does the same go for his daughter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy nodded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, thank goodness…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes and stood back up. They had at least determined that the situation wasn’t so dire. One of the knights brought the boy a cup of water and supported his back as he drank from it. He took a shaky breath after downing the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you can speak now, explain the situation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-their carriage…” When he finally managed to speak, Rishe heard just the voice she’d been expecting to hear. He really was Leo, the boy she’d known. Looking like he was about to cry, Leo added, “It suddenly lost a wheel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lord Jonal jumped out of the carriage with Lady Millia in his arms. But the carriage and horses fell into a valley, and Master hurt his arm.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s voice replayed in Rishe’s mind: “We’re going to the Grand Basilica, but I don’t want to ride in this childish carriage. But Papa doesn’t understand…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even though I could curse him, he still doesn’t believe that everyone I curse dies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After Millia had thrown her fit, the carriage she complained about had fallen into a pit—and the duke, who’d scolded her, had gotten injured. It was like the “curse” Millia spoke of had become real."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe found herself gripping her dress. What is going on?"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0005.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "WHEN RISHE JOINED the order of knights in her sixth life, Leo had been assigned to do chores there while wounds all over his body were healing. Leo was the prickly sort, but he mostly kept to himself and did good work. He was always hanging his head, displaying his long and unkempt hair. Rishe had known him for years but had never really gotten him to open up to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just once, she saw what was under his eyepatch. His eye was sealed fully shut by a painful-looking scar. It was obvious at a glance that the injury had been a serious one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One day, Rishe asked a senior knight she bunked with, “Joel, do you know how Leo joined the knights?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm?” Encamped in the upper bunk of their bed, her senior spent his free time sleeping. Today was a rare day when he was actually awake. He lazily raised his head and peered at Rishe, who was sitting in a chair against the wall. Then he called her by the nickname of Lucius, Rishe’s male knight persona. “Lu, are you trying to stick your nose into other people’s business again?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-no, it’s just…today, after finishing his duties, he sat all alone in a corner of the training grounds and watched everyone else practice again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel narrowed his already sleepy eyes. “Hmm? So, you could afford to be distracted when you can’t even beat me, huh? How cheeky.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How could I when you were napping on a bench?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her senior just yawned, unconcerned, and then turned over. Still, he didn’t completely abandon the conversation. “They found him in a ship’s hold. Our lord, who happened to be there, took him in. The little guy told his story while he was feverish from festering wounds. Something about how he screwed up big time at his last job. He was beaten for it so bad, he thought he was gonna die. So he fled.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“An eleven-year-old child was severely punished just for making a mistake at his job?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rich people who treat their employees inhumanely aren’t that rare. Look, I only told you ’cause I know you’re not gonna blab about it, all right? Don’t try to dig any deeper,” Joel said, covering himself with his blanket again. “Leo’s stuck with those nasty wounds of his unless you find some way to turn back time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a soft knock on the door to the anteroom in the Grand Basilica."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me, Your Highness, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver, Arnold’s attendant, entered the room. He approached the couch where Arnold sat, swiftly bowed, and reported, “His Grace Jonal and his daughter have retired to their room. He expressed his desire to formally thank you for allowing them to borrow your carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tell him there’s no need. Any change in the duke’s or his daughter’s condition?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The lady was only crying from the shock of the carriage’s fall. She finally calmed down just a minute ago.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold turned to Rishe, who sat beside him. “So he says.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d inquired about their conditions not out of personal concern but for Rishe’s sake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you…” Rishe sighed and relaxed her muscles. I’m glad to hear it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold and Rishe had sprung into action after hearing about the accident. With Leo’s guidance, they’d headed to the site of the accident and helped the duke and Millia, who were trembling by the roadside, into their own carriage. Rishe had also quickly examined them to check for injuries. Afterward, their knights went to retrieve the fallen carriage. Thankfully, the horses hadn’t been fatally injured, but the carriage had crashed into a tree on the way down and taken serious damage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia had bawled and clung to Rishe the whole way back. A chagrined Duke Jonal—who’d bruised an arm—tried to soothe his daughter and thanked Rishe and Arnold again and again. When he saw the boy sitting stiff in the carriage, he also said, “Thank you for going and getting help, Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After all that, Rishe and Arnold had made their way back to the Grand Basilica."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do hope Mistress Millia is getting some rest in her room. I’ve got more important things to consider, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had a new concern. Lord Jonal called that boy “Leo.” He must be the Leo I know. But he’s not wearing an eyepatch, and his left eye is perfectly fine. Hmm…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently, whatever events led to the boy losing an eye had yet to occur."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel told me Leo was battered by his previous employer. Leo ends up with the knights three months from now. Considering the timing, that would mean his “previous employer” is Duke Jonal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At this, she dropped her gaze to the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never heard anything about His Grace beating his servants. He was always the sort of person who forgave new workers’ mistakes with a warm smile. It’s hard to imagine him giving such a terrible beating to an eleven-year-old child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "However, since there are no servants here, I assume there will be a big change in his staff soon—and there must be a reason for it. Then there’s this “curse” Mistress Millia mentioned…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Each new thought that occurred to her was worse than the last."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe the curse really does exist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She lowered her head discreetly so as not to catch Arnold’s eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What if Leo’s injuries weren’t caused by Duke Jonal but by someone else he was trying to cover for? And to hide what happened, maybe he dismissed all the servants who knew about it. The only one Lord Jonal would go so far to protect is…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe looked up at Arnold. “It’s true we don’t need their thanks, but I would at least like to see them once they recover.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m worried about that boy who came to get us too. He must have pushed himself hard to get to us as quickly as he did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince stared back at Rishe with open displeasure. Eventually, though, he sighed and said, “Oliver, schedule something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. Thank you for persuading His Highness, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just my own personal motives here, unfortunately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before long, there was another knock at the door. This time, it was a young priest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, the archbishop will see you now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold said nothing in response, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s scowling so blatantly!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He and Rishe had different appointments for the simple reason that they had different errands. Arnold was here on official political business with the Church, and Rishe was just trying to annul her engagement with Prince Dietrich. Arnold would be speaking to the archbishop, one of the leaders of the Church. Rishe, on the other hand, could meet with any bishop with a certain level of authority. As such, the two of them would be parting ways for a time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, Prince Arnold, the priest is waiting for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold clicked his tongue in frustration and flicked his eyes up to Oliver, who stood at his side. “Oliver, I want you to stay with Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver put a hand to his heart and bowed. “As you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At last, Arnold stood and left the room with the priest. The door closed, and Rishe was left alone with Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, this really helps!” Oliver said with a smile, looking refreshed. “When you’re around, my lord becomes so much more reasonable. I wish he were always like this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Reasonable,” Oliver? Really?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver spoke about Arnold as if he were a child, but he’d been serving the man for ten years. That meant he’d become Arnold’s attendant when Arnold was nine. If he had been serving at Arnold’s side for that long, maybe speaking about his lord in that manner was only natural."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, really, I know that I need to be able to persuade him without you, Lady Rishe. I’m honestly embarrassed by my incompetence.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not incompetent, Oliver. Besides, I’m sure His Highness only acts so spoiled with you because it’s you he’s dealing with. It’s proof that he trusts you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If they were so close, Rishe hoped Arnold had told him the reason he’d proposed to her—although even if he had, there was no guarantee that Oliver would tell her. As she thought this, Oliver’s smile turned warm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really do keep a close eye on my lord, don’t you, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh… Rishe had known people who smiled like that in the past. It was the same smile Rishe’s fellow knights had worn when they spoke of the king they served: loyal, proud, respectful, and affectionate all at once. They have a very solid relationship. I hope I can ask Oliver about Prince Arnold one day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she wasn’t smart about how she asked, however, she could envision the question making its way back to Arnold. Rishe decided to start with a roundabout, indirect line of questioning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you always been so close with Prince Arnold, Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha, of course not.” Oliver laughed, amused, still wearing that refreshing smile. “We first met just after my lord killed all of his servants at the age of nine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t believe her ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver ignored her shocked silence and continued nonchalantly, “I wasn’t exactly the most devoted attendant back then, either, having just been injured and forced to abandon my life as a knight. I was disowned by my family, so I was more or less looking for a place to die when I began serving my lord.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh. Have you not heard of the incident?” he asked, and Rishe shook her head vigorously. Oliver gave a thoughtful hum. “There must be far fewer rumors going around the palace now, then. I’ll have to put a couple more into circulation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe stood there, stock-still, the third knock of the day occurred."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That must be your escort, Lady Rishe. Let’s go. I cannot accompany you into the chapel, but I will walk you there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stood from her chair, weary. “Thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I mean, I knew he killed his mother before killing the emperor, so I thought I was past reeling at new rumors. Apparently not!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver was coolly conversing with the priest at the door. Rishe sighed, quietly, so that he wouldn’t notice. I’m curious about Leo and Mistress Millia, but the biggest mysteries concern Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Holding back all the things she yearned to say, Rishe approached when Oliver waved her over. She followed the priest to the chapel on the eastern side of the Grand Basilica. Its thick door struck her as vaguely familiar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver stopped by the door, smiling. “This is as far as I can go. I’ll see you later, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Oliver. Goodbye for now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe now had to enter the chapel and declare her engagement’s annulment before the goddess’s holy statue. Then the bishops would read some psalms, and the impurity of Rishe’s annulled engagement would be cleansed from her body and soul once she fully absorbed the holy words. The process would take the rest of the day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other priests whispered about her as she passed by."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Poor girl. She must listen to psalms for hours to annul an engagement ceremony, right? That is hard even for a devout believer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’ll be lucky if she’s even allowed one break…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although Rishe could barely hear what they were saying, she had a pretty good idea from the movements of their lips. She gulped and steeled herself as she entered the chapel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A few hours later…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Th-this is fun!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the space totally reserved for her ceremony, Rishe trembled with excitement. The voices of the bishops echoed throughout the beautiful chapel. The psalms they read were translated from the original holy book. In her early days as a young noble lady, she’d heard these psalms countless times. Now, however, they had taken on new meaning for Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe the twelfth psalm is connected to the Qualuk Archipelago! She was on the edge of her seat listening to the bishops’ voices. I always thought the psalms were just artistic pieces crafted from pretty words, but that’s not true at all. These are a grand tale of adventure starring the gods!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She realized this soon after the first psalm began. Although she wouldn’t have gleaned it from her noble education, her worldwide travels in other lives provided context for the psalms’ imagery and more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The “Breath of Frost” that the bishop just read must refer to the coasts of Qualuk in the winter. That means the Great Tides from the ninth psalm—meaning the ocean—should be showing up again soon, right? Yes, I knew it! The part where “even the flowers freeze” refers to how the ocean’s surface resembles a field of white flowers when it ices over. It’s so beautiful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her third life, she had investigated the phenomenon with Michel. Rishe’s eyes sparkled with nostalgia as she remembered the sight of the frozen sea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And a great clap of thunder rang out, whereupon the lightning pierced the foaming earth, bringing a new dawn…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wonder if this will lead into a story about King Solnero. Princess Eusoness showed up earlier, so I assume he’ll be next. I can’t wait!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bishop reading from the holy book glanced up at Rishe, wearing a look of consternation. After reading the twelfth psalm, he abruptly asked, “Why don’t we take a break here? We’ve been going for quite a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, has it been that long already?” She ached to hear more, but it would have to wait. As much as I wish he would go on, I’m sure the bishop is tired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was honestly disappointed, and it showed plain on her face. Unsettled by this, the bishop hastened out of the chapel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe observed the light pouring into the room through the stained glass. From the position of the sun, I’d say about three hours have passed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She stood, thinking back on her childhood memories. Out on the balcony, there was a mural with some psalms on it in their original language. She opened the balcony door and let the cool breeze caress her cheek. The balcony wall was bathed in the golden light of early evening. Rishe studied it, her eyes following the lines of carved text."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is it—the goddess and the psalms. I haven’t seen Crusade writing in a long time. Let’s see, this line is…“The goddess gave unto the people her protection.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were only excerpts from the psalms on the mural. Rishe relied heavily on her memories as she read through them. “The royal priestess spread the goddess’s unseen, unheard protection through the world. Guiding with love…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe went back and forth reading them until she felt someone approaching. She glanced up in time to see a man step onto the balcony. He wore a bishop’s robes embroidered with gold thread. Apparently, he was of a different rank than the bishops who read her the psalms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must be Lady Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.” The clergyman, who looked to be in his mid-thirties, gave her a friendly smile. He was tall and slim, and something about him seemed almost manufactured. “I am Kristoff Justus Traugott Schneider. I serve as the archbishop’s aide.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bishop Schneider, I apologize for requesting this ceremony so suddenly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No need to apologize. It’s lamentable that you could not wed the one you performed the engagement ceremony with, but that, too, is the goddess’s will.” Schneider scrutinized the mural Rishe had been reading from. “Written on this mural are portions of psalms concerning the goddess and the royal priestess. Isn’t the writing strange? It’s the Crusade language. The script and language are extremely difficult to learn, so there are only a handful of people who can read it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Crusade was the language the goddess spoke, wasn’t it? That’s why it’s so different from our own language.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, so you’re somewhat versed in the subject. It’s exactly as you say. I’m embarrassed to say it took me a decade of studying to master it.” He narrowed his eyes as if peering into the past. “The late royal priestess was highly proficient. I doubt we’ll ever see someone of her fluency again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you say ‘late,’ you mean…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, the royal priestess who died in an accident twenty-two years ago.” Schneider’s smile grew sad. “Did you know that the royal priestess is said to descend from the goddess? That’s why only a woman born to the priestess’s bloodline can be chosen for the position. Our previous priestess had a sister, but she was too frail for the role and passed away ten years ago.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are a few men in the family, so the goddess’s precious bloodline has not died out completely. Still, the fact remains that only a woman may play the role of the royal priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she listened, Rishe thought, It’s a very interesting topic, but why in the world is he telling me this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize. I intended to start with small talk, but I ended up rambling.” Schneider surveyed the mural, his smile wry, before turning back to Rishe. He looked her gravely in the eye and said, “You must not marry Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught at the unexpected words. “Now why—” she began, but she held her tongue when she noticed another man stepping out on the balcony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold leveled a glare at Schneider as cold as ice. The air crackled with tension, and the temperature seemed to drop by several degrees. “I believe I made myself clear when I said no one from the Church was to get anywhere near my wife outside of the ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider hesitated but cleared his throat and managed, “I…I have to say I’m not impressed, Prince Arnold.” He feigned composure, but it was clear that he was terrified of Arnold. Regardless, Schneider seemed intent on giving him his opinion. “Lady Rishe is not your wife but your fiancée. The goddess would not approve of you calling a woman you have not yet exchanged vows as your wife.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your point being?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was the sharp sound of a footstep. Schneider flinched. Arnold loped forward, pinning Schneider in place with his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Erm, i-in the first place, the annulment rite is not yet finished.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, in the eyes of the goddess, you are not even Lady Rishe’s fiancé. At this moment, she is still engaged to the crown prince of Hermity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know if you can wrap your mind around the concept of differing values, but I will never get on my knees and beg forgiveness from the goddess.” Arnold took Rishe’s hand and pulled her toward him—or perhaps away from Schneider. He then turned his dark gaze on the bishop. “Not even if I committed the grievous sin of killing you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider paled and clenched his teeth. He left the balcony as if shot from it, totally unable to conjure a retort. As he hurried away, Rishe frowned, feeling awkward. Um."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She studied Arnold, who was still holding her hand. He glared at the door Schneider had disappeared into with the eyes of a territorial carnivore. Someone’s in a bad mood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Apparently, Arnold had warned the clergy not to approach Rishe. It was the first she heard of this, and she doubted he’d tell her the reason if asked. Instead, she broached another subject."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t you think it’s better not to call me your wife when we’re only engaged?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew full well this wasn’t the first time he’d done it. Arnold sometimes referred to Rishe as his wife to third parties, despite her being his fiancée."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure there’s a reason he does it. “Wife” was shorter than “fiancée,” for instance. But they weren’t married yet, and referring to her as such invited misunderstanding."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold didn’t seem the least bit remorseful. “It’s a done deal, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You becoming my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said it so matter-of-factly, Rishe felt her heart jump into her throat. She was worried she would yelp or do something just as embarrassing, so she covered her mouth with the hand Arnold hadn’t grabbed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince gave her a quizzical look. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-nothing…” Rishe mumbled, and Arnold looked even more dubious. Rishe removed her hand from her mouth and said quietly, “I don’t think anything in life is a ‘done deal,’ Your Highness. You never know what will happen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We may be engaged, but no one can predict the future, can they?” Dietrich was a perfect example. She’d performed the engagement ceremony with him, and Arnold knew how that had turned out. “And I don’t just mean our engagement might not work out. For example…I could die before our wedding ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold didn’t respond."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t tell Prince Arnold I’ve died several times before, so it has to come off as hypothetical."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was about to cock her head and say, “Right?” but before she could, Arnold’s free hand cupped her jaw."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He gently but firmly turned her face up to his. With the light of the sunset behind him, Arnold studied her with narrowed eyes. “I won’t allow that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. They were close enough to kiss, and it was rare for Arnold to be so commanding with her. That’s not very convincing, considering you’re the reason for all my deaths so far, Your Highness!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She couldn’t voice the objection aloud. No point in saying it to the current Prince Arnold, anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having no possible way of knowing her thoughts, Arnold’s face inched even closer to hers, eyes never leaving her face. “What’s your answer?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His voice was husky and just a little sweet. Rishe felt like she was being scolded and comforted at the same time. She was speechless as she peered into Arnold’s crystalline blue eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me you understand, or I’ll make you understand like I did before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold ran his thumb across the corner of her lips. He didn’t quite touch them, but it was a clear warning. She squeaked, her back tickled by the shiver running down her spine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When he said “before,” he meant the time when he’d suddenly kissed her. His hands were gentle, but there was a hardness to his gaze. Rishe managed to squeeze out a response. “You’re teasing me again…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His last kiss had been rather forceful. She didn’t know his motives, but she knew that Arnold tended to act like a villain when he wanted to hide something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I can tell that much. You’re not the type to be cruel for no reason, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wonder about that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” The moment Rishe’s eyes went wide, Arnold drew her closer. He looked down at Rishe with his intense eyes. Because he was still holding her chin, she couldn’t look away from him. He bent over her right then and there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Remembering their last kiss, Rishe squeezed her eyes shut. At the same time, she could feel his lips stop just before her own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their lips were so close, but they weren’t touching. Rishe could feel his body heat through the air between them. If either Rishe or Arnold made the slightest move, they would be having their second kiss."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nnngh…” Rishe’s eyes were shut so tight, her eyelashes quivered. She sensed Arnold blink, so she knew his eyes weren’t closed. She was sure he was watching her until he slowly pulled away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Phew!” Rishe let out the breath she was holding. She didn’t even know when she’d stopped breathing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I-I really thought he was going to kiss me…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He surely wouldn’t have, but it was bad for her heart all the same. Rishe held her burning cheeks with both hands, taking deep breaths to calm down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold just sighed and frowned. “Anyway, I’m not going to follow orders from the Church. I have no reason to listen to them. Just remember that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A-all right…” she said, a hand over her chest where her heart was still thrumming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Heaving another sigh, Arnold asked, “What did that bishop want with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He warned me not to marry you. Rishe kept quiet about that and glanced at the mural. “I was reading the psalms here, and he came out to explain them to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t tell him the full truth, but she also didn’t lie."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked at her curiously. “You can read this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I studied the language for a time, but I had to stop. There are a lot of parts I’m unsure about.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like what?” Arnold asked, and Rishe blinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He waited for her answer, so she pointed out an area of the mural. “That section there. Normally, you’d read the second word as ‘spring,’ but I feel like there are other readings as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked up at the mural and said offhandedly, “You read it as ‘flower.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gaped at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold observed the mural with disinterest and, as if reading their own language, gave a smooth explanation, “That word is most often interpreted as ‘open.’ Next is the ‘spring’ meaning you mentioned. There’s a less popular third meaning, which is ‘flower,’ something that opens in spring.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-then, if it’s referring to a flower instead of spring, does that change the way you read the words before and after it too?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It does. That whole line would be read as ‘the girl with hair the color of flowers.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow…” It was just as Arnold said. His interpretation of the line matched the rest of the text. She was impressed by his abilities, but she could also hardly believe what she was hearing. “Your Highness, can you read Crusade?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s written here, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you—these are original psalms! Their interpretation is so difficult that there is a whole field of study devoted to it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was a language the archbishop’s aide had spent an entire decade learning. Rishe could only read a little of it because she’d had an opportunity to study the language once upon a time. She hadn’t even come close to mastering it, so how had Arnold picked up as much as he had?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what about that phrase there? If you translate it directly, it comes out to ‘the seasons pass with the girl’s guidance,’ but that just doesn’t feel right to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s closer to ‘the seasons repeat with the girl’s guidance.’ It likely refers to the festival at which the royal priestess performs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How can you tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It says she ‘sings’ here,” he said simply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was flabbergasted. He’s beautiful and excellent with a sword, gifted at both politics and strategy, and he’s classically educated? Isn’t this guy a little too perfect?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Crusade language was specialist knowledge; it certainly wasn’t something everyone learned. Even Church bishops normally used sacred texts translated into their mother tongues."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it, there was that rumor that the current emperor of Galkhein is a devout believer, and that’s the reason he didn’t invade Domana, home of the Grand Basilica. If that rumor is true, and he gave Prince Arnold a special education for that reason…maybe that’s why His Highness hates the Crusade so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe puzzled this, a cold wind blew past them. The gust lifted Rishe’s hair, and she reflexively held it down with one hand. When she realized what she was doing, she peered at her own hair and gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not part of the royal priestess’s bloodline.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That line you told me earlier, about the girl with hair the color of flowers. It goes on to say that the girl with hair the color of flowers was descended from the goddess and led the people as the royal priestess, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It does.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That would mean women who are qualified to be the royal priestess have hair the color of flowers, but…” Rishe looked down at her wavy hair. It was a yellow-tinged pink. Coral would be the closest comparison, but she could see it being compared to a flower as well. “I get my hair color from my redheaded mother and blond father. It’s a rare color, but there’s no particular meaning to it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The most significant aspect of my lineage is my father descending from the royal family of Hermity. I don’t believe I have any blood from the goddess.” Rishe pouted, somehow feeling sorrier the longer she went on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you talking about?” Arnold asked with a scowl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I was wondering if you proposed to me because you thought I was the last remaining candidate to become the royal priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bishop Schneider had just told her that all the women qualified to become the royal priestess had passed away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If there were still a woman with the royal priestess’s blood hidden somewhere, marrying her would provide Galkhein with significant power, wouldn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I have nothing to do with the royal priestess. If I gave you the wrong impression and you proposed to me for that reason, then I’m sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what are you making that face for?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded Rishe like he was exasperated from the bottom of his heart. While Rishe contemplated how to reply, unsure as to what had brought this reaction on, he sighed for the umpteenth time that day and said, “Do you remember how Kyle compared you to the goddess the other day?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe remembered the conversation. In this life, the first time she met Kyle, he’d told her, “Your beauty is like that of a goddess.” He was just performing the peculiar social niceties of Coyolles, so Rishe hadn’t really been listening. But now that she thought about it, perhaps it explained why Arnold had been so annoyed back then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! I wonder if the reason Prince Arnold made such a scary face was because the word “goddess” came up? She’d always wondered why he’d glared so hard at Kyle, but it finally started to make sense. She was beginning to see exactly how much he hated the Church too. Rishe nodded to herself, having come to her own conclusions, and Arnold looked at her in silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if the goddess herself manifested before me, I’d have no interest in her, let alone her bloodline.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. With that serious look in his eyes, Arnold looked even more handsome than usual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His gaze still firmly fixed on her, he said, “There’s only one person I’ll ever kneel to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In Galkhein, men kneeled and kissed the back of a woman’s hand to propose. Remembering the occasion, Rishe felt her cheeks flush. Arnold smirked when he saw how flustered she’d become. He reached out with one of his big hands and ruffled her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m in a much better mood now. I’ll go get back to work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "H-he’s just teasing me! She wanted to protest, but she was struggling to form words. All she was able to squeak out was a weak “See you later.” It was mortifying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After watching Arnold leave, Rishe sighed. She took several steadying breaths, waiting for her cheeks to cool."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, a monk stepped onto the balcony. “I’m terribly sorry, Lady Rishe. The ceremony was paused for a routine break, but it seems it will take a little longer for it to resume,” the monk said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cocked her head. “That’s fine. Did something happen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well…” The monk frowned, as if deeply perplexed, and said, “It seems our stand-in royal priestess has confined herself to her room.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once Rishe left the chapel, she strolled the courtyard alone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems Lady Millia disliked the festival costume we prepared for her,” the monk had said, his shoulders slumped. “The duke and all the bishops acquainted with Lady Millia are stationed by her door, trying to persuade her. Any final adjustments to the costume need to be made by tomorrow morning or we won’t make it in time for the festival.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It seemed there was now quite a commotion outside her room. The bishop performing Rishe’s ceremony must’ve scurried off to aid the persuasion effort."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In response to the news, Rishe had suggested delaying her ceremony and asked for the location of Millia’s room. Rather than head to the hall where the duke and bishops were gathered, however, she’d made for the courtyard behind the building with the guest rooms. She came with a certain purpose in mind but discovered something unexpected along the way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s just one little footprint here. The footprint was oriented toward the forest surrounding the Grand Basilica. Whoever left it had headed there. When we arrived, we were told that the forest was sacred ground and therefore not to be disturbed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Examining the footprint, she determined that it belonged to a boy’s shoe. Leaving it aside for now, she gazed up at the guest rooms. At that exact moment, she heard a familiar shrill voice coming from the easternmost window on the third floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am only wearing a pink dress to the festival!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A flock of birds resting in the courtyard trees were spooked into flight. Next, Rishe heard the duke’s voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Millia! How many times do I have to tell you to be reasonable?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, the two of them seem to be in good health, at least. I’m glad. Rishe was relieved to hear their voices, even if they were quarreling. Although they may not have been badly hurt, a carriage crash was a terrifying experience. She’d been concerned about their mental and emotional state, but the vigor in their shouts assuaged her worries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The window and curtains of the room had been left open. From where Rishe was standing, she could see Millia’s back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It does sound like there are a few people on the other side of the door as well. That’s only going to make Mistress Millia dig her heels in!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe scanned her surroundings to make sure she was alone, then peered up at a tree adjacent to Millia’s room. She hiked up her skirts, revealing a dagger strapped to her thigh. She left the dagger and removed the belt holding it in place. A makeshift grappling hook was tied to it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia’s voice was still coming from the window above her. “Why won’t you understand?! It was my strange power that did that to the carriage!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be silly. That was an accident! The carriage’s wheel broke down!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! It’s because of my power! If you don’t listen to me, something bad’s going to happen again!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, come now, Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everyone get away from the door! If you don’t, it’ll—” Millia’s voice broke off. She swiveled toward the window and froze. “Huh? Whaaat?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hopping down from the window into the room, Rishe smiled at the duke’s daughter. “Hello, Lady Millia.” She patted her skirts down and wound up the grappling hook. When she combed her fingers through her tresses, she smoothly picked off a leaf."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Millia? Millia, what’s wrong?” the duke called out from the other side of the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-nothing!” Millia chirped. She whirled on Rishe and asked, in hushed alarm, “H-how did you get in here? This is the third floor, and you came in through the window!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe brought a finger to her lips and grinned mischievously. “It’s a secret. You’ll keep it a secret from everyone else that I was here too, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s eyes widened, then her expression turned solemn. “You have a strange power just like I do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not really, but I wouldn’t want Mistress Millia to imitate me. Rishe kept that thought to herself and knelt in front of Millia. “Lady Millia, what exactly do you dislike about your festival dress? It’s that white one over there, isn’t it? It’s so cute!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl looked down at the floor and murmured, “My mama is dead.” Millia’s tiny fingers fiddled with her soft violet locks. “She always said I was her little princess, so pink princess dresses looked good on me. If I’m going to be the royal priestess’s stand-in, I want to wear a pink dress like Mama said I should.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe likewise lowered her eyes. Mistress Millia is lying. Millia had a habit of playing with her hair when she fibbed. That said, it was true that Millia’s mother had often dressed her in pink. I do think she wants to wear pink, but she’s lying about the reason. Why lie about that, though?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, Lady Millia, would you like me to turn this dress pink for you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” Millia’s honey-colored eyes bulged at the unexpected suggestion. “W-with magic? With magic, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not magic. I can use dyes to make it whatever color you want, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dyes, you say…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It looks to be fabric that won’t shrink if it gets wet. Once the final adjustments are completed, you can make any additional embellishments yourself, yes? Turning a white dress pink, for instance, and maybe adding some flower ornaments to it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The way Millia’s eyes sparkled at the idea was just too cute."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled warmly, explaining, “They’re very fun to make, but they take time. I don’t think we’ll be able to get them done in time for the festival if they don’t finish the adjustments today.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’ll do it right now!” Millia slapped a hand over her mouth after she realized what she’d blurted out. “Oops…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a chuckle, Rishe stood up. “Please open the door for your father, then…but first, could you close your eyes for a minute?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She waited for Millia to obey before going to the window for her descent. It was much easier and faster to get down than it was to climb up. Once her feet touched the earth, she called, “You can open your eyes now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia gaped at her from the window. “N-no way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe put a finger to her lips once more and, after watching her former mistress nod in response, bowed politely and returned the way she’d come."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll need to investigate Mistress Millia and Prince Arnold, but there’s one other person I should look into in this life. Rishe checked for any passersby and headed toward the forest. The forest was said to be sacred ground when I came here in my last life, but I don’t remember it being off-limits."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The faint footprint she’d seen earlier had been left by a child. The markings appeared to be from a masculine shoe, so it wasn’t Millia’s. It also looked like it had been left in the last few hours or so."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe one footprint is nothing to worry over, but if a person of interest is going into a forbidden forest, then I can’t just leave it be, can I?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe ventured through the woodland outskirts, erasing her own footprints before she got too close. She made her way inside, silent and stealthy. Soon enough, she heard quiet footsteps approaching."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hello, Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack!” Leo yelped when she addressed him, his innocent eyes bugging out at her. “You were with the crown prince of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s the second time today someone was surprised by my calling out to them, Rishe thought as she smiled at Leo."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo was giving her a cautious look. “The forest is off-limits past here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know. And I know you’ve been in there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re mistaken. I was just looking for some flowers I could use to decorate my master’s room. I was going to turn back after coming this far.” Leo was unusually blunt for his age, but he seemed softer than he’d been compared to the scarred version of him in her life as a knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe surveyed him. “See how there’s a piece of zaott moss sticking to your pants?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That moss only grows where there isn’t much sunlight. In a dense forest, for instance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The boy scowled and looked away. “Are you gonna lecture me? Or are you gonna hand me over to the Church?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t do either, but I do want you to take me somewhere.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, naturally…” Rishe grinned and pointed behind him. “Into the forbidden forest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha…?” Leo retreated a step, thoroughly appalled. “Aren’t you supposed to be an adult? What’re you up to?” He was like a feral cat unused to humans, fit to start hissing at any moment. “Can Galkhein’s crown princess break the Church’s taboos?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, the only person who will know I’ve been out here is the one who was out here with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m a bad lady, so if someone points out that I’ve got moss on me, I’ll just play dumb,” she said, smiling wider."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo clicked his tongue in frustration. “If I take you, will you stay quiet about me being here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll stay quiet even if you don’t, so no need to worry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that, the boy blinked his wide eyes in bewilderment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d be happy if you did take me, though,” Rishe added. “The sun is about to set, so I must return soon or my betrothed will be angry with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo frowned, turned around, and walked off into the forest. Rishe thanked him and followed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If this were the Leo from my life as a knight, he wouldn’t have taken me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In all likelihood, he wouldn’t have spoken to her either. He would have just ignored her, and it would have ended right there. Even after he’d started talking to her a little bit, he probably would have just said, “Why should I have to do that? Go away,” or “Don’t involve me in the first platoon’s antics.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s been a long time since I was last in a forest. I’ll have to make sure I’m taking regularly spaced steps and counting them. By doing that, she could get a vague idea of the distance she’d traveled. It was important to have a sense of where you were when traveling through a place with scant visual landmarks, like a forest or a mountain."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo and Rishe walked at about the same pace. Counting her paces on her hands, Rishe spoke to him from behind. “I heard your name from Duke Jonal earlier. I’m Rishe. It’s nice to meet you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wound up with some free time, so I wanted to explore the area around the Grand Basilica. Lucky that you passed by when you did!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What were you doing out here in the first place?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard Mistress Millia was throwing a fit,” Leo said at length. “I was slacking off someplace where no one would look for me. I didn’t want to get dragged into something annoying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Leo in my sixth loop said the same thing all the time. Deep down, he really was the same Leo she knew."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Smiling to herself, Rishe brought up something else that piqued her curiosity. “I’m surprised you got permission to enter the Grand Basilica, Leo. They’re barely letting anyone in because it’s almost time for the festival, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just Master looking out for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean by that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I grew up in an orphanage near here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was news to her. Duke Jonal took Leo along so he could come visit his childhood home?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d heard that it was quite an involved process to bring a servant into the Grand Basilica around this time. Normally, the royal priestess would be staying there, and they’d have to vet each visiting person extensively. That was why Rishe had left her maids behind in Galkhein and Arnold had only brought along Oliver. As for the knights who had accompanied them on their journey here, they were staying in a nearby town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m curious about a few things, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced around the area. The red-tinged dusk was shining into the forest. All the brush and shrubbery made it easy for her to pick out animal trails. A tree a short distance away bore some sort of marking. She peered at the signs of disturbed grass and fur clinging to the trees and pondered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“From here on, please step exactly where I’m stepping,” Leo told her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? Why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There could be venomous snakes in the grass. If you get bitten by a snake, it’ll be a big to-do and they’ll find out I was here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Appreciated, but it’s all right.” Rishe stopped and smiled. “I’ll be fine on my own now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” Leo spun around, eyes round, like he was staring at some unknown creature."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for taking me this far, but I can handle it from here. You should head back to the Basilica,” Rishe said, tucking her hair behind her ear. She could sense Leo’s wariness mounting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seriously, what are you thinking?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing you need to be so concerned about. I just don’t want to trouble you any more than I already have.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m staying too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She blinked, surprised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The sun will fully set soon, and it’s dangerous to be in the forest all by yourself. If something happened to you, they’d suspect me and I’d be punished.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe found herself remembering the Leo with the eyepatch. “Your master doesn’t seem like the type of person who’d let that happen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatever. I said I’m staying. If there’s something you want to do in this forest, hurry up and do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you sure? I’ll take you up on your offer, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah!” Leo cried out when Rishe took a step forward. He was shocked because Rishe had slipped out of the path of his footsteps and ventured deeper into the forest on her own. “Wait! I told you if you don’t watch where you’re going, you might get bitten by a venomous snake!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The snakes that live on this continent may be venomous, but they’re also cowardly. They’ll flee if they see a human, and they won’t emerge from their dens if they hear people talking in the first place.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even if that’s true, it could still happen!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Actually, there’s something far more dangerous out here than snakes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stopped in front of a thick tree with a mark on its trunk. Leo gave chase and stopped right behind her. She picked up a fallen branch and dug through the grass around the marked tree. Eventually, she found exactly what she expected."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I knew it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hidden under the fallen leaves and weeds was a bear trap—two semicircular jaws with sharp serrated edges. It was designed to snap shut on the leg of whatever unsuspecting creature was unfortunate enough to trigger it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How did you know there was a trap there?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because of the mark on the tree. You put a mark only a human would recognize on the tree so that you don’t lose track of your trap.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Crouching down, Rishe inspected the device. The trap’s vicious metal teeth shone with iridescent light. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the surface of the trap, careful not to trigger it. Then she brought the handkerchief to her nose."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wet…and smells metallic."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stood and approached another tree, broken branch in hand. She didn’t need to investigate to know what sort of trap was laid here. She reached out as far as she could and pressed the branch to the ground. There was a whump, and the ground vanished."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A pit trap?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is dangerous, so stay back, Leo,” Rishe said, getting out her grappling hook. She threw one end of the rope straight up, catching the hook on a tree branch. She tugged hard on it to make sure it was secure, then peered into the pit while holding on to the rope."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s about a meter across…and a meter deep, looks like. Spikes set at the bottom. The metal stakes were poking out between the fallen leaves in the pit. Gripping the rope for support, Rishe reached down into the pit and wiped one of the stakes with her handkerchief. This trap is the same. The metallic smell is strong, but this chemical smells just as much. I’ve had a few run-ins with this scent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She voiced her conviction aloud: “They’re coated in poison.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo grimaced. “To finish off their prey? But this is a forbidden forest, so why are there hunter’s traps here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Someone is using the fact that the forest is off-limits to their advantage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, why are you wiping all those spikes with your handkerchief?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want to find out what poison the hunters around here use. I need to take samples when I can or it’ll be a real pain trying to get one later.” He frowned even harder, so she tilted her head in puzzlement. “What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His reply emerged slow and deliberate. “I’ve heard some nobles and royals employ lookalikes to keep them safe from assassins.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not very well known, but yes, some countries do that. Why do you mention it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not a good body double.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo studied Rishe and declared, “You should find another job. You act way too weird. No one would believe you’re the crown princess!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She spent several moments racking her brain for a response to Leo’s genuine concern, but in the end, she had nothing to give."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had no choice but to let Leo think she was the crown princess’s body double. His eyes had been so full of confidence, she’d been absolutely sure she could never convince him otherwise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After returning to the Basilica, Rishe found herself alone in the dining hall. She sighed, thinking back to the exchange she’d had with Leo."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er…I’m not a body double.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In contrast to Rishe’s hesitancy, Leo was firm and earnest. “All body doubles say that. At least, I’m guessing they do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure they do! Anyway, I could see the need for a body double for the crown prince, but why his fiancée or wife?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, it’s okay. You said you wouldn’t tell anyone that I went into the forest, right?” Leo looked her right in the eye. “I promise you the same thing: I won’t tell anyone you’re a fake.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once again, Rishe had been stunned into silence. All she could do in response to his strange, trustworthy promise was thank him vaguely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, I suppose there’s no real reason I need to correct him…but Leo is oddly caring despite how blunt he is, Rishe thought as she moved her knife and fork."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The dining hall was far too big for her to use all by herself, but there was still no sign of Arnold. His business must have been delayed by the commotion Millia caused before sundown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After Rishe finished her meal and capped it off with tea, Oliver arrived. “I’m sorry my lord couldn’t join you for dinner,” he said. “Lady Rishe, His Grace and the Church have a request of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Regarding Lady Millia, I presume?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. It seems like you have some idea already, but they would like your assistance in preparing for the festival.” Still standing in the entryway, Oliver put a hand to his heart and said, “Lady Millia herself is quite insistent upon your presence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "M-my darling Mistress! Rishe felt a twinge in her heart. She wanted to accept right away, but she knew she wasn’t in a position to make the decision on her own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does Prince Arnold know about this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I thought I should ascertain your feelings on the matter first.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because you need to find a way to ask him without ruining his mood first?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha.” A bright smile appeared on Oliver’s face, but he didn’t endeavor to hide the truth in the slightest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pressed a hand to her forehead and set the teacup back on its saucer. I don’t know why, but Prince Arnold didn’t want the Church interacting with me. I have no idea how he’d react to their asking me to help prepare for the festival. At the very least, she couldn’t imagine the conversation being very amicable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought for some time, then said, “Oliver, I’d like to tell His Highness about this myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I cannot let you trouble yourself, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will accept my lord’s wrath. If anything, I’d appreciate your help with the recovery afterward, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The recovery, Oliver?” With such frightening repercussions, surely it made more sense for her to negotiate with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I can spend some more time with Mistress Millia, that’d be incredibly convenient. Further contact will enable me to look deeper into the mistress’s “curse,” Duke Jonal’s change of heart, and Leo’s injuries. Plus, helping out with the festival might give me more of a glimpse into why Arnold detests the Church so much. Still, Oliver shouldn’t have to get in trouble because I’m doing whatever I want."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver smiled wryly while she was lost in thought. “You’re too kind, Lady Rishe. I’m sure that’s why Lady Millia trusts you so much. If she’d clung to my lord instead of you on first meeting, the situation would have doubtless taken a turn for the worse.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s nothing special about me, but I certainly can’t imagine how the two of them might interact. Besides, His Highness told me he doesn’t like children.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The attendant looked astounded. “He should never have said such a thing to his future wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe’s eyes widened in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver bowed his head solemnly. “I sincerely apologize, Lady Rishe. I will be sure to have some strict words with my lord later on. I can’t believe him! It’s like he doesn’t even understand that one day he’ll have to raise an heir.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, no, it’s totally fine! Please don’t worry about it! I just, erm…” Rishe hurriedly changed the subject. “Children? Right, childhood! What was Prince Arnold like as a child?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My lord?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! I would love to hear about it!” It was a spur-of-the-moment question, but she was interested."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although Oliver was a little taken aback, he obliged. “He was an incredibly brilliant crown prince. I first met him ten years ago, but I’d heard of his reputation before then. Rumors of his genius were not confined to Galkhein alone. For instance, when the previous ruler of Halil Rasha—the desert country—came to visit, he would always bring his son and have the boys exchange ideas and spar together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“His son” must be King Zahad. Now that she thought about it, King Zahad seemed to have met Arnold several times in the past. In Rishe’s first loop, it was Zahad who had informed her that Arnold started the war. She found herself remembering Zahad’s aggressive expression at the time. Prince Arnold and King Zahad may be alike in age, but they’re both royals of countries with a similar level of power. Moreover, the way they think is completely different. I seriously doubt they’d get along."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The desert country of Halil Rasha was one of the few nations that could put up a fight against Galkhein when Arnold went to war in the future. Rishe began to feel faint, imagining the sparks that would fly when Arnold and Zahad met at their wedding. She shook off the feeling, however, since there was no point stressing about that now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you met the nine-year-old Prince Arnold, was he exactly like the rumors said, Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I was summoned to the imperial palace and I knelt in an audience room, waiting for him to appear. When my lord sat in the seat before me and I was given permission to raise my head, I was shocked,” Oliver said with a somewhat strained smile. “The first time I saw my lord, he was covered in wounds from head to toe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There was a big piece of gauze on his tiny cheek, bandages wrapped around his head, and a bunch of little wounds on his arms and fingers. Bright-red blood was seeping through the bandages around his neck, like the wound there just wouldn’t close. It looked like the sort of laceration that would make an adult moan in anguish from the pain and heat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was an old scar on Arnold’s neck. It was a large, deep wound—like he had been stabbed multiple times with a knife."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But my young lord was just sitting in the chair, completely composed. His face betrayed not an ounce of anguish. In fact, he had his chin in his hand, and his eyes were like ice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She hadn’t been there to witness it, but Rishe could picture it vividly in her mind’s eye. Nine was younger than the current Leo and Millia. Yet at that age, Arnold had already been wearing his trademark deadpan expression, even with a terrible injury. Rishe could imagine the peculiar sight perfectly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He was already quite handsome back then, which only contributed to his intimidating presence. My lord wielded an incredible sense of gravity for a child of his age. All the servants nearby were trembling in awe of him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Earlier today, you told me he killed all of his servants.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, and that’s why he still has so few.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe held her tongue after Oliver’s nonchalant statement. She understood that he said the words lightly because he didn’t intend to elaborate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A lot of things happened back then, and I chose to serve my lord. After he recovered from his injuries, he began to display even more of his talents, you see… However, regardless of his growth as a crown prince, he remained a somewhat twisted human being.” Oliver regarded Rishe like an older brother talking about his younger sibling. “That’s why I’m so relieved that he chose someone like you to be his wife, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked, not expecting the turn in conversation. “I haven’t done anything to help His Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That isn’t true. And my lord truly seems to enjoy himself when he’s with you. I’ve never heard him call someone else’s name so gently before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” Now she was going to feel embarrassed whenever Arnold so much as said her name. Rishe hung her head, and Oliver blinked with the same surprise she’d just shown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lately, you seem to have changed yourself, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you first arrived in Galkhein, I told you I had never seen my lord so happy before, but you didn’t seem as pleased to hear it back then. I’m delighted to see that the two of you are cozying up.” He chuckled good-naturedly at that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-no! I didn’t mean anything by it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What had she meant, then? I am happy when His Highness smiles now. That was true, and there was nothing she could do about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe leapt to her feet and curtsied to Oliver. “I’m going to call for Prince Arnold. He may still have work to do, but he needs to eat!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A splendid idea. I think if you say something to him, my lord will hurry to finish his work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-pardon me, then!” She straightened up and rushed out of the dining hall, heading east of the Basilica without so much as a backward glance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My lord is so cruel to his future wife,” Oliver muttered after she left."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Augh, my cheeks are burning now because of all those strange thoughts!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe approached the building Arnold was in, the night air cooled her face and brought her back to earth. She let her intuition guide her, entering a hall and searching for the room where Arnold would be meeting with the bishops."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That instant, she heard a voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It seems like Lady Rishe will make a wonderful empress for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was Bishop Schneider, the archbishop’s aide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not another weird conversation! Oh, I sense Prince Arnold too. Rishe screeched to a halt just in time to hear Arnold’s voice coming from around a bend ahead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t believe the Church has any business evaluating my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It seemed like it was just Arnold and Schneider. Rishe minimized her presence and heard Schneider speak candidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, all marriages are united with the blessing of the goddess and the Church. We are involved in your marriage whether you like it or not.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Drop it. Besides, the question of what sort of empress she’ll be is meaningless.” Arnold’s voice was even colder and more brusque than usual. “She’s just a trophy wife.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped, hidden around the corner from the conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what are you saying? You looked like a loving couple earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She’ll be a convenient tool for me. I’m just treating her as decently as I need to before we tie the knot. Once we’re officially wed, I will have nothing to do with her anymore. I’ll lock her up in the detached palace and let her rot.” His tone was one of annoyance, but his words carried real weight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider sounded unsettled. “‘Rot away’…?! Treating your wife in such a way goes against the goddess’s will!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t give a damn.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pondered for a moment, then retreated without making a sound. She counted ten long seconds and rounded the corner, announcing her presence with her footsteps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bishop Schneider glanced at her nervously. “My, if it isn’t Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She smiled at him and said, “Good evening.” Then she looked up at Arnold and beamed, wrapping herself around his arm. “I missed you, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He flinched beneath her embrace, but he didn’t let his surprise show on his face. As he regarded her with his usual stoic expression, she pouted like a child. “Is this where you’ve been? You were so late coming back that I had to have dinner alone, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wish you went to see me after finishing your work, like you always do. I hope you haven’t forgotten that I want to be with you as much as possible.” Still clinging to Arnold’s arm, Rishe rested her head against it. She pretended to be angry, looking up at him covetously…as if she hadn’t heard a bit of their conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, how will His Highness respond? They were in front of the bishop, but Rishe tightened her grip on the prince. Arnold furrowed his brow, but it was only for a second. As long as my little act hasn’t gone overboard, we should be good."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry,” Arnold said at length. It was just as she suspected. Arnold’s eyes were downcast as he gave her a mollifying pat on the head. “I finally finished my work just now. I was trying to hurry, but it seems I made you lonely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The most beautiful fingers in the world combed through her coral-colored hair. He gently tucked a lock behind her ear. Then he looked right into her eyes and said, “I was on my way to dinner. Will you join me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course, Prince Arnold. If you don’t mind, would you tell me about your day while you eat?” Rishe smiled as if this were a regular exchange between them. To the bishop, she said, “Please forgive my selfishness, Bishop, but may I have His Highness for the rest of the night?” She rubbed her cheek against Arnold’s arm to make a show of her claim."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider, who was speechless at this exchange, cleared his throat and nodded. “Of course. The goddess values labor, but not at the cost of one’s health. If you’ll excuse me, I must be going as well.” With that, Schneider scuttled off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she watched him go, Rishe thought about their earlier exchange. “You must not marry Arnold Hein.” So the bishop had warned her. She had to find out why soon. That was another reason to help with Millia’s participation in the festival. As she mulled it over, Arnold spoke a single word."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His voice was coming from awfully close."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment Rishe realized why, her face went pale. She was still clinging to Arnold’s arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a yelp, she detached herself. She raised both hands and apologized, doing her best to assert her lack of ill will. “I-I’m sorry! I was thinking, and I forgot I was still holding your arm! Also, I’m sorry for clinging to you without asking!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why are you apologizing?” Arnold scrunched his brow and gave her a meaningful look. “You were listening, right? When I called you a trophy wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, of course I was.” Rishe cocked her head and looked back at him. “You didn’t expect me to take you at your word, did you?” Her question was sincere, but Arnold seemed surprised. “I thought maybe you were saying it to support my plan to live a lazy life as crown princess, but…there’s no reason for you to tell the Church about that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, I just decided to go along with what you were saying. I don’t know your true intentions, but you wanted to convince the bishop, right? I thought I’d play the part of a bad wife who doesn’t doubt your love for her one bit,” she explained, and the crease in his brow deepened more and more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t know why he looked so displeased, but there was one thing she did know. Prince Arnold must have noticed me standing there. Even though she was out of his line of sight around the corner, she was sure he had sensed her loitering there and heard her footsteps. He only said what he’d said because he had a reason to. That was why she’d turned back and announced her presence so blatantly, playing the ignorant fiancée."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grimaced for a while before finally saying, “I don’t think you were exactly acting like a ‘bad wife’ back there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Did I mess up?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not what I meant.” He looked down and sighed. “I was prepared for you to slap me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe hadn’t expected to hear that. Does he feel guilty about what he said? If Rishe had just walked out in the middle of their conversation, then there wouldn’t have been any point in lying to Schneider. “It would be more satisfying for me to know your motives than to slap you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn’t respond."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to tell me. Anyway, let’s get you some dinner.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The monks were preparing their meals for the duration of their stay at the Grand Basilica. Since Rishe had been drinking tea just a minute ago, their cooking fires were likely still lit. Should I have Oliver send for dinner?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold derailed her train of thought. “You shouldn’t trust people who don’t tell you anything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe whirled around and blinked at him, lashes fluttering. There was a dark light in Arnold’s sea-colored eyes. It must have been the lighting in the hallway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you do, you’ll end up being a convenient tool for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness.” Rishe held his gaze, not letting go. “Trusting people is about more than just words.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe Arnold hadn’t realized that his behavior thus far had been more than worthy of her trust."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you on the balcony earlier, didn’t I? That you’re not the type to be cruel for no reason.” Rishe paused to smile at him before continuing, “I won’t tell you to trust me too, but you should understand that I’m not one to be discouraged by someone keeping me at a distance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes wavered. He sighed and then dropped his gaze. “I’m beginning to catch on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If that was true, Rishe was glad for it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He raised his head and told her, “Let me apologize for what I said. What would you like me to do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to apologize. I don’t intend to merely be a convenient fiancée for you, so don’t worry about that!” She grinned at him, and Arnold went wary."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Heh heh heh, looks like he’s a little nervous. I fully plan on taking advantage of his guilt!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Negotiations were most advantageous when the other party was feeling remorseful. This lesson from Rishe’s life as a merchant was still proving useful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“First of all, I would like to help Lady Millia with her preparations for the festival, so please permit me to do so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Preparations for the festival?” Arnold asked sourly. “The Church asked you to do that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do the details matter? If you’ll permit me to ask for one more thing…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“On second thought, let me add two things. And if I think of anything else, we can add them to the negotiating table!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the end, Rishe got Arnold to agree to every one of her requests."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ON THEIR SECOND DAY at the Grand Basilica, Rishe and Arnold had breakfast in the dining hall, after which she saw him off to his duties and returned to her room. She took out a leather trunk filled with small bottles from under her bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After some contemplation on the contents, she retrieved three of the bottles. The uneven dents in the sparkling glass gave them a flowerlike shape. She stuffed the bottles in a small bag and headed for the floor Millia’s room was on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Duke Jonal stood in front of the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning, Your Grace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it isn’t Lady Rishe.” The duke turned to Rishe and put a hand to his chest, bowing politely. “I’m sorry. My daughter is still getting ready. I’m very grateful for your help with her festival preparations, especially considering you’re in the middle of your own ceremony as well. I fear that needing outside assistance means I am lacking as a father.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t let it bother you. I made a rather eccentric request myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her “request” was one of the things she’d gotten Arnold to agree to the night before. Realizing what she meant, the duke smiled and said, “Ah, yes. It wasn’t eccentric. I was very glad you asked.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I appreciate you agreeing so readily. She might be surprised when she finds out, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A sulky voice rose from behind the door. “Papa, Lady Rishe, what are you two talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing, dear. Why don’t you come out already? You’re making Lady Rishe wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia didn’t respond."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The duke sighed. “Are you listening, Millia? This is why I said we should have a maid come with us. It takes too long for you to get ready by yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can put a dress on by myself! I put it on just fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then come out already. It’s almost time for rehearsal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please wait a moment, Your Grace. Could you stand down the hall for a short while?” Rishe had the duke move away from the door and then called through it, “Lady Millia, are you perhaps tending to your hair?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She heard Millia gasp from behind the door and was confident that she’d guessed correctly. Reason number thirteen Mistress Millia won’t get out of her room in the morning: “Know that on humid days, my fluffy hair gets even fluffier!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe schooled her expression and whispered through the door, “If that’s the case, please allow me to assist you. Would it be all right if only I entered the room?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a pause as Millia deliberated, and then the door opened just a crack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing that, the duke’s face lit up. “Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t come in, Papa! Only Lady Rishe can!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize, Your Grace. Out of respect for a lady’s dignity, please wait a few minutes more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh…” The duke was momentarily stunned by the rejection. Rishe left him in the hall and entered Millia’s room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was met with the sight of a half-crying Millia, her pale violet hair a poofy mess around her head. “L-Lady Rishe, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl must have been struggling with it for some time. Gnarled violet strands wove through the brush in her small hand. No doubt she’d tried to muscle through and endured much pain as a result."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do I do? At this rate, we’ll be late to the rehearsal. But I can’t show myself to Papa and the archbishop like this!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I can fix this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I woke up early and I’ve been trying this whole time! We’re not going to make it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a tray on her end table with what had been her breakfast. Her soup bowl was empty, but more than half of her bread was still there. She’d likely been struggling so hard, she hadn’t finished breakfast. We’ll have to fix this quickly so she can finish eating."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe opened her bag and took the three bottles out. “Lady Millia, please open these bottles and smell them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do they smell like flowers?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. This has the scent of a lily, this blue one has the scent of an orchid, and this clear one is lilac.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia sniffed the bottles. “These smell good. What are they?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re oils for hair care. If we use these, we’ll be able to tame that frizz of yours.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oil?! Doesn’t hair oil smell weirder, though? The ones I’ve seen have been kind of white too, but these are see-through.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“These are made from the oils of plants, not from animal fat. They don’t smell bad when used in long hair, and they don’t solidify either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Most of Rishe’s preparations before leaving Galkhein had been for meeting Millia here. She’d not only prepared the stuffed bear she used in her magic trick but also several items Millia had liked in Rishe’s life as her maid, like homemade hair oils and hand creams. The three hair oils she’d taken out of her trunk were ones Millia had most often used in her other life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Which of these three do you like the most?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How do I pick?! I like all of them, but maybe I’m in the mood for lilac right now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. Then let’s go with the lilac today. Have a seat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had Millia sit in front of her vanity and dumped some of the oil onto her hand. The sweet but mild scent of flowers wafted through the room. She rubbed the oil on her other hand and started working it into Millia’s hair from the inside out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve never seen hair oil like this before. Is it popular in Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s most often used on the eastern continent. It’s hard to get a hold of on this one, so I made it myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You made this, Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. It’s easy to do if you can find the ingredients, so I can teach you how to make it later.” Rishe finished applying the oil and took the brush from Millia. She combed through Millia’s tangles, and the unruly locks gradually settled down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia watched the process with sparkling eyes. “Wow! It was so frizzy before!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We have a little extra time, so let me put some braids in it. Is that all right with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Absolutely!” In the mirror, Millia’s cheeks flushed. “It feels like back when Mama would do this for me,” she added quietly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She probably hadn’t intended to be heard, so Rishe smiled and changed the subject as she braided Millia’s beautiful hair. “And how was your dress yesterday?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I gave it back to them without putting it on! The measurements were right, and I didn’t want to waste time changing into it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My. Isn’t it better to see it on you so you can adjust the hem and sleeves?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But we’re dyeing it, aren’t we? Even if I think a white dress should be a certain length, that’ll surely change if it’s pink instead! In that case, it’s better if it’s finished faster. If we dye it and I don’t think it looks right afterward, we can adjust it then!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee, I suppose you’re right, Lady Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia then faced the window while they were talking. Rishe followed her gaze and found Leo walking through the courtyard. He wasn’t headed for the forest, so he must have been doing some chores."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you ever talk to Leo, Lady Millia?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want to talk to him. I mean, he treats me like a child.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you’re a year younger than him, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? It’s not the years you’ve lived that determine your maturity, it’s your experiences!” Though she was saying things that sounded wise beyond her years, Millia was swinging her legs in her chair in a rather childlike manner. She then hung her head, looking gloomy. “Papa didn’t hesitate at all to take him out of the orphanage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head, sensing sorrow and loneliness in Millia’s words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Papa suddenly brought Leo home one day as a servant. Schneider asked him to ’cause he was in an orphanage run by the Church and he was starting fights every day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that what happened?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Papa brought this kid home with him without even asking me, and you know what he said? He said, ‘Leo will play with you. And I want you to learn that there are children with all sorts of circumstances in the world.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought she could see where Millia’s irritation was coming from."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When I told my maids about this, they said, ‘How mean of the master. He should have at least brought a girl to be your friend!’ and ‘He should have thought of your feelings more, Mistress Millia,’ and ‘Why didn’t he just get a puppy?’ But that’s not what I’m mad about. What upsets me is—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That what Leo wanted wasn’t considered at all?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s eyes went wide as saucers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No matter the circumstances of his birth, he should live his own life. He shouldn’t have been made your friend or a lesson about the world for you. But you were all anyone was concerned about, and you didn’t like that, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, yeah.” Millia blinked. “That’s right.” She considered her words for a moment before continuing, “I hated that. Why did Papa take him just because he was in an orphanage? Maybe he had his own reasons for starting all those fights too. But since Papa didn’t say anything to me before taking him in, I couldn’t imagine he’d asked Leo what he wanted either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I would like to agree with you, Lady Millia, but you know that you weren’t completely in the right, don’t you?” Rishe asked, and Millia winced."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean getting mad at Papa all the time without explaining my feelings to him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. You didn’t explain your feelings to your father yesterday or today, did you, Lady Millia? Why didn’t you tell him there was something that made you angry and you weren’t just throwing a tantrum?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were so honest with me. Is there a reason you can’t be that honest with your father?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia’s expression clouded even more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This won’t do. She’s not going to tell me. Rishe sensed Millia wasn’t going to confide in her yet, so she gave up on that line of questioning and picked up a lemon-colored ribbon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How does this look, Lady Millia?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow! It’s wonderful!” Millia sounded thrilled when she saw herself in the mirror. Rishe had bound the hair on the side of her head in two high, small loops resembling the ears of a bear cub. Under those, she braided the rest of her hair around the back of her head, where she’d tied a ribbon. It was a simple but cute style that suited Millia very well. “What is this? It’s so cute!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know you liked your hair like this when you were younger, Mistress. Remembering days from her fourth life brought a smile to Rishe’s face. As Millia grew older, she stopped fussing for her hair to be done this way, but at ten, she was thrilled about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Lady Rishe! Now I know the rehearsal will go great!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tee hee, we should get going, then. Your father’s still waiting in the hall. Can you give him a big smile when you go greet him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why, I can’t do that! I must greet him elegantly, like a lady, to match my hairstyle!” Millia pumped herself up and scurried to the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe followed her, thinking about what she’d have to do next. There’s still plenty for me to do, though I can’t let this opportunity pass me by."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The rehearsal began shortly afterward, and it went smoother than anyone thought it would. Millia followed all the archbishop’s instructions and played the part of the royal priestess with solemnity and grace. She completed her walk through the cathedral’s nave to the altar with perfect etiquette, thus showing her pious respect for the goddess. When she recited the lengthy psalms with no problems, the bishops were all stunned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat in the back and observed the rehearsal with a smile. Mistress Millia is a hard worker. I’m sure when she was chosen to stand in for the royal priestess, she started practicing in secret."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although Millia wasn’t Rishe’s mistress in this life, Rishe cheered her on all the same. She felt proud of the girl’s accomplishments."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Someone sidled up next to Rishe—it was Schneider. “This is fantastic. The rehearsal is going so well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Greetings, Your Excellency.” Rishe acknowledged him with a smile. “I apologize for my behavior last night. Prince Arnold was taking so long to return that I just missed him to bits.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, um, that’s quite all right.” Schneider grew sheepish, remembering the affair. He cleared his throat and turned back to Millia, who was before the altar. “I apologize for getting you wrapped up in the festival when you’re only here for your own ceremony, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please, think nothing of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We truly appreciate it, really. To be frank, we probably should have chosen someone of a more mature age to serve as royal priestess, but…the priestess’s lineage has a certain hair color, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe recalled the mural on the balcony she’d seen the day before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We chose Lady Millia to fulfill that aspect of the priestess’s appearance, even if she is only performing as a stand-in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re referring to the line in the psalm about a girl with hair the color of flowers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m surprised to hear you say that. Most common translations of that psalm call her a girl the color of spring.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Someone told me how that psalm is meant to be read, you see.” She kept Arnold’s name a secret just in case. That made her curious about something else, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wonder what Prince Arnold thought of that. What are the chances he noticed that when he read the psalms? Since it’s Prince Arnold, there’s a chance he realized everything from the get-go. If that’s the case, then his expression back then makes a lot more sense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she was deep in thought, Schneider studied her. His eyes were calm, almost lifeless. When Rishe’s eyes met his, he smiled and said, “You yourself have a lovely hair color.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe started. Schneider didn’t notice, but she was sure that Arnold would have."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Someone with hair of your shade would have been picked immediately to stand in for the royal priestess. It’s a shame you weren’t born in the Holy Kingdom of Domana.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In a ceremony devoted to the goddess, faith and passion are of paramount importance,” Rishe replied with a smile, and Schneider’s eyes nearly popped out. “Wouldn’t you say, Your Excellency?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re…absolutely right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Millia is taking her duty very seriously. If I can help her complete her task in any way, I consider that a great honor.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Schneider had gone quiet, so now it was Rishe’s turn to question him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’ll allow me to change the subject, you said something rather strange yesterday, Your Excellency. Why did you tell me not to marry Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, perhaps we could discuss that at a later time, somewhere more—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe!” Millia trotted down the cathedral’s nave."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Schneider’s face slackened in surprise before he bowed his head and excused himself. As he left, Rishe watched him carefully. She caught Millia when she leaped into her arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Guess what, Lady Rishe? I didn’t make a single mistake in my rehearsal!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You didn’t? That’s impressive, Lady Millia!” Rishe embraced her, and the girl’s cheeks reddened as she giggled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have to keep practicing, though!” Millia said enthusiastically. “I mean, this dress isn’t the one I’ll be wearing for the ceremony, and we didn’t use any of the sacred tools! Since the real thing will be a little different, I’ll work hard so I can do it perfectly! I must be careful with the sacred tools, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, yes, the bow and arrows the royal priestess wields. On behalf of the goddess, she must shoot arrows with the power of each season in order for the cycle to continue. Isn’t that right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yep. Although during the festival, she only mimes shooting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bow may have been a ritual tool, but it was still a weapon. Millia seemed a tad nervous about the prospect of handling it. Rishe squeezed her small hands, wishing to comfort her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shall we dine together, Lady Millia? I arranged for us to have a special lunch in the courtyard.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean a picnic?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. The weather is nice, so I’m sure it’ll be fun. The sun might be a bit bright, though, so you should wear a hat.” Having been the girl’s maid in another life, Rishe couldn’t help saying such things. She worried it might come off as strange, but Millia appeared unbothered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve never eaten outside before!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe beamed at Millia’s innocent excitement, but the girl’s expression crumpled once Rishe brought her to the site of their midday meal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they arrived in the courtyard and Millia saw the blanket laid out on the grass, she stopped in her tracks and began to tremble."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had been expecting this reaction, so she paid it no mind and began preparing their picnic. Then she invited Millia to join her on the blanket. “Come, Lady Millia. Please sit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, Lady Rishe! Tell me why he—” She jabbed her finger at the other person on the blanket. “Tell me why Leo’s here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not here because I want to be, Mistress Millia,” Leo grumbled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s rude to point, Lady Millia,” Rishe gently chided her, setting plates upon the blanket. “Can’t we enjoy our nice lunch in peace?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I didn’t know Leo was going to be here! Why is he eating with us?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were concerned for him just this morning, were you not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But…but this is so sudden! I’m not ready! And Leo, you never eat with us no matter how many times Papa invites you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sulking, Leo replied, “Again, I didn’t want to come. I’m just here because I heard I’d get to eat tasty meat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia was shocked. “Y-you’re here for meat?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was all part of Rishe’s plan. In her life as a knight, Leo was always aloof, but he warmed up a bit whenever they had barbecues in the courtyard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please sit, Lady Millia. If you don’t eat quickly, you won’t make it in time for your afternoon practice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh…” Millia plopped down on the blanket with reluctance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe opened the basket and brought out the lunch the monks had prepared for them. There were big round buns split in half and stuffed with a meat patty and some vegetables, then covered in a tangy sauce. Very few dishes or utensils were required, making these the perfect picnic food. They would’ve been familiar to commoners, but Millia had never seen them before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Meat and vegetables in such a large piece of bread… H-how does one eat something like this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You hold the bottom half with the wrapping paper and bite off the top. Be careful not to spill the sauce.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You eat it just like this?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, and Millia timidly opened her mouth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo piped up, “If you keep trying to be proper, you’ll just end up nibbling the bread.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmph! It’s my first time seeing such food!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmph.” Leo said nothing more. Instead, he opened his mouth wide—making sure Millia could see him—and took a bite of his food."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia watched him, stunned. “Your mouth is so big!” Eventually, she eyed the food in her hands and, steeling herself, opened her mouth. Then she took a big bite. At first, she was timid, only chewing a little bit, but after a few seconds, her eyes lit up. “Mmm!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Evidently, she liked it. Rishe chuckled to see such a transparent reaction. Leo must have been amused too because he covered his mouth as if to hold in a laugh. “I’m glad you like it. Are you enjoying it too, Leo?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good!” Rishe sighed with relief and began to eat. She’d been worried about throwing Millia and Leo together, but they slowly warmed up to one another."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what’s that sauce you put on your meat, Leo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I dunno. I wanted to try it ’cause it looked spicy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? How could it taste good if it’s spicy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think a child could understand, so you probably shouldn’t try.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m only a year younger than you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They would probably object if Rishe said as much, but the children were having a decently cordial conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I still can’t tell how Leo might end up with his injuries. I’m curious about Mistress Millia’s “curse” too, but if it’s what I’m imagining, then it can’t hurt to improve their relationship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yesterday, Millia revealed she had the power to curse people. Those she rejected had been endangered. Rishe had to determine why Millia would think she could curse people before dismissing the idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia interrupted Rishe’s thoughts by asking, “Um, er, are you having any problems living with us, Leo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really. Other than my employer’s daughter throwing crazy tantrums.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why, you…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be mean, Leo,” Rishe said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo tossed the last of his bread and meat into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “I have my own room, and when I’m done with work, I can do whatever I want. In that sense, it’s better than when I was at the orphanage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia sagged in relief. With more than half of her lunch still in her hands, she then asked, “What was your orphanage like?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you asking just ’cause you’re curious?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-no! I just want to know.” Millia hung her head, and Leo looked a little guilty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He averted his gaze. “I’d say it was different for everybody there. For anyone who was good at being there, it was probably pretty comfortable.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And you weren’t good at it, so you were chased out and came to live with us instead?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo harrumphed, then added something in such a quiet whisper that Rishe had to read the movement of his lips to know his words: “I had to leave because I was good at it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What could he mean? Rishe was curious, but she didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. She ate her lunch in silence as she listened to Leo and Millia talk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bishop Schneider ran the orphanage, right? So is he like a father to you, Leo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course he isn’t.” Leo’s curt reply startled the girl. “I owe him. He taught me how to live, but that’s all. I don’t have any parents.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry for saying something so strange. You’re not blood-related, so I shouldn’t have compared him to a father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. I’m done with my lunch. Can I go?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Leo! Wait, wait!” Rishe spoke up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo made a weird face, half standing from the blanket. “What? I need to clean up before I start my afternoon work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your work this afternoon will be different. I asked His Grace if I could borrow you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe beamed as Leo grimaced at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The early afternoon found Rishe in the courtyard on the edge of the Grand Basilica with Leo and Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is Duke Jonal’s servant, Leo, whom I told you about last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Arnold fixed his eyes on Leo, the boy blanched. Rishe felt a little bad for him, but he would have to get used to it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And Leo, let me reintroduce you. This is…” Rishe peeked at Arnold, who appeared extremely reluctant. She tried not to let it bother her and turned back to Leo again. “This is His Highness Prince Arnold, crown prince of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s knees gave out, and he muttered, “Why is this happening?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Leo.” The boy raised his head and met Rishe’s eyes warily. The one-eyed future version of him had also glared at adults like this. She smiled at the memory and asked, “How would you like to learn martial arts from Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?!” Leo’s voice was equal parts surprised and frightened. He gaped at Arnold, blinking at the prince like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. When he saw that Arnold wasn’t correcting Rishe (though he did look displeased), he paled again. “Martial arts? Me?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s really strong, you know. In the last war, he took out a whole company of knights all by himself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know tha—oops!” Leo’s hand shot to his mouth, worried that his outburst had been rude. Arnold didn’t seem to care, but Leo still felt like he was in trouble."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m so glad Prince Arnold agreed to this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had proposed the idea the night before. Arnold had wanted to apologize to her, so she had gotten him to agree to three favors. The first had been allowing her to assist with the festival preparations, and this had been the second. Duke Jonal readily agreed as well. The rest is up to Leo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She shot a glance at Arnold, and he seemed to pick up on her intentions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stand,” he coldly instructed Leo. Arnold’s voice was dispassionate but carried well. He knew how to use it to great efficiency. Whenever he gave an order, it spurred the listener to perk up and carry out his instructions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo was still visibly bewildered, but he pushed himself up. He straightened his spine and met Arnold’s gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmph.” Arnold narrowed his eyes slightly. “Walk a few steps in any direction.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes, sir.” Leo trooped a few slow steps around the courtyard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He came to a quick halt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold furrowed his brow and turned his head. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, did you notice as well, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head, and Arnold didn’t even try to hide his annoyance as he said, “What did you go and pick this whelp up for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I didn’t think I could do anything about it, but I was sure you would be able to, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were, were you?” Arnold scowled and closed his eyes, sighing softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo was openly suspicious, but he still voiced his doubts clearly. “Can someone please explain what’s going on?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Leo. Maybe my concern is unwanted, but I just couldn’t help worrying about you.” Rishe chose her words carefully and asked him, “You’re undergoing some kind of training, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Wha—how did you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re being pretty reckless about it too. Am I right in saying that you’ve injured yourself, but rather than allowing it to heal, you’re pushing yourself to keep training?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why would you think that?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your body’s movements tell me so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The boy’s strawberry-colored eyes swam with uncertainty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems like there’s no pain anymore, but your right ankle has become weaker. You have a very particular way of walking because you’re unconsciously compensating for it. I’m guessing it’s easy for you to twist that ankle, but it doesn’t hurt much when it happens, yes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo winced. Though Arnold was silent, he seemed to be of the same opinion. Rishe had walked through the forest with Leo before she noticed, but all Arnold had to do was watch him take a few steps. He must have had formidable powers of observation to have picked up on it so quickly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then there’s your arms. Your shoulders, more precisely. You’re overusing your right shoulder, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It will affect your growth if things continue this way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo’s situation in the future when Rishe had known him was slightly different. His body had been battered in several places, and he’d lost his eye due to a harsh beating that his “previous employer” had given him. His limbs had been injured as well, and he’d had some difficulty moving them at times."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not too late now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was remembering her sixth loop. When she and the other knights trained in the courtyard together, Leo would often watch them even though he took every other opportunity he could to avoid people. Leo wasn’t watching us back then; he was just watching people practice their swordplay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had clearly yearned to participate. His gaze had been that of someone watching a dream they could never achieve, something he was no longer capable of doing. Rishe wanted to make it so that he never had to look at something that way again in this life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t know what causes Leo to lose an eye after this. Changing his environment is the best way to avoid that, but there’s no point in an alternative route that he himself doesn’t want to follow. The path one chooses to walk in life should always be a hopeful one, and it should be based on one’s own will."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So Rishe thought as she looked up at Arnold. “Well, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver had also injured himself by training too hard. At Arnold’s behest, changes were implemented in the knight cadets’ training to lessen the strain on their bodies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I won’t go against what you’ve asked of me. What matters most right now is what he chooses.” Arnold stared Leo down. “If you have the resolve, I’ll give you a foothold toward the strength you seek. But I have no intention of lending my aid to someone who lacks that resolve.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, um…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your employer has permitted whatever you choose. This is your decision to make.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo hesitated, still a bit frightened. “If I learn from you, I have to go to Galkhein, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. It’s up to you how much time you want to devote to this, but you’ll have to leave Duke Jonal’s house at least for a little while.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy’s head drooped. “I can’t go, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked unimpressed by his response. “Leo, are you sure you don’t have any regrets about this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course I do.” At some point, the fear had disappeared from Leo’s expression. Instead, it was replaced by frustration. Leo looked up at Arnold, that frustration burning in his eyes. “So could you please train me at least for the duration of your stay here?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll use what you teach me to make sure I never push myself with my training again. Please!” he said, bowing deeply. His small shoulders quivered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s face was impassive as he said, “I’ll take some time starting this evening, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s head whipped up, wide-eyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I assume that’s fine with you, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes, of course, Your Highness. While we’re staying here, you’ll be busy with your duties, though, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Church has already requested we extend our stay a few days. Apparently, if they’re forced to accompany me at the rate that I wish to proceed, they’re the ones who won’t last.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, he really doesn’t take breaks when he works, huh?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The presence of a Church representative was required for any work Arnold had to take care of at the Grand Basilica. It seemed that the pace he’d set was clearly too harsh for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe turned her attention to Leo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you,” Leo said with another sweeping bow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As relieved as Rishe was, she thought to herself, He didn’t say he didn’t want to go to Galkhein—he said he couldn’t go. A strange response in his position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hadn’t told him this, but there was something else she’d noticed. There was a good chance Arnold had as well. Now didn’t seem like the right time to bring it up, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry for springing this on you, Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo shot her a sulky look. “You should be. Don’t you think you should have explained this to me before bringing me here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought you’d run away if I did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Any commoner would run if you told them they were going to meet royalty from another country!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold regarded Rishe as the two of them spoke. “Do you know this kid from somewhere?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seriously, you’re too perceptive! Rishe shook her head, careful to conceal her internal panic. “No. What gave you that impression?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s awfully casual with you for some servant child.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tiptoeing around it, she whispered, “That’s because he thinks I’m a body double and not really me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold whirled away from her at once. He seemed as stoic as always, but he had one large hand clapped over his mouth and his shoulders shook."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! Your Highness, are you trying not to laugh right now?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re lying! Hey, look at me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe circled Arnold, Leo reached out to her, flustered. His face was etched with concern, as if she might face consequences as a “body double” for being so frank with the crown prince. It was kind of him to worry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If everything’s settled, I should be getting back to work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold totally ignored me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Rishe had her own work to do. She’d spent her morning helping Millia, so she should use her afternoon for the rest of the suspended ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This thing with Leo bothers me too. Even if he’s going to be under Prince Arnold’s tutelage, I can’t imagine that will change his future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, someone approached them in the courtyard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver bowed and glanced at Leo. He hesitated for a moment, then stood beside Arnold and told him, “I have something to report to the both of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What, me too?” Rishe had a bad feeling about that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned. “Give us the short version.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. The festival may be delayed.” Oliver sighed. “The seamstresses finishing Lady Millia’s dress appear to have fallen ill.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. “What?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It seemed ill fortune beset whatever Millia rejected: first the carriage, and now the white dress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apparently, the seamstresses have all come down with colds,” Duke Jonal said with a strained smile. He was sitting in the room they were using for their festival preparations."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat across from him, having rushed there as soon as she heard the news. She took steady, controlled breaths through her nose to conceal her windedness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The duke shrugged. “They were probably just working too hard with the festival fast approaching. The stress got to them, and they all collapsed at once.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s terrible. Can I ask what their symptoms are?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“From what I hear, they have high fevers and are complaining of fatigue.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned. That’s not good. She glanced sideways at Leo, who stood in a corner of the room as Duke Jonal’s servant. He looked displeased, but it probably had nothing to do with the postponement of his training with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Turning to the duke, Rishe asked, “Lady Millia must be upset that her dress won’t be finished on time. I’d like to comfort her. May I ask where she is?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-well…” the duke began, hesitant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m fine, Lady Rishe,” came a cute voice from behind him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Millia?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia appeared, the very picture of composure. There was a mature calm in her eyes. She was like a different person from the little girl who had been on the verge of tears this morning because her hair was uncooperative."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Two men stood behind her. One was Bishop Schneider, and the other was an old man who wore a symbol on his chest that indicated a higher rank."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stood and bowed, thinking, This must be the current archbishop. The archbishop Rishe knew from her other life was the next one. I’m not familiar with the archbishop or Bishop Schneider. That would mean the two of them leave the Grand Basilica sometime in the next few years."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe.” Rishe looked up and Millia was standing before her with a gentle smile on her face. “I’ve reflected on my actions. It was my selfishness that made the seamstresses overwork themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Millia, you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve sworn to the goddess that I’ll be a good girl until the festival. I won’t need your assistance anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next to Millia, the archbishop smiled warmly and said, “Lady Rishe, I apologize as well on behalf of the Church. Given that you are the future empress of Galkhein, we cannot possibly take up any more of your precious time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be silly. I enjoyed helping Lady Millia, and I was actually hoping to provide more assistance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, but don’t worry about me.” Millia’s smile was innocent, but it drew a line between them. “I don’t need a pink dress. Any dress that can be prepared for me quickly is fine. It’s most important that the festival not be delayed! Isn’t that right, Bishop Schneider?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Lady Millia. It’s exactly as you say.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knelt to Millia’s eye level and said, “Very well, Lady Millia. I won’t help with the festival anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl looked relieved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just want you to know one thing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe remembered the past life they shared together and beamed at her. “I think you’re adorable when you’re full of energy, and I love you when you’re being selfish too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s honey-colored eyes swam for a moment. Maybe it was just Rishe’s imagination, but it looked like she was about to cry. Instead, however, she turned her back on Rishe and looked up at the archbishop. “Your Excellency, Bishop Schneider, we should hurry to evening prayer. It would be rude to the goddess if we were late.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Let us go, My Lord Duke.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As they left, Bishop Schneider called out to the boy still waiting in the corner. “What are you doing, Leo? You must attend as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know.” Leo was watching how the scene played out before he sulkily answered the bishop. He stole a glance at Rishe as he passed, but the moment their eyes met, he looked away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was alone, but not for long. Oliver soon joined her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, my lord will be coming soon. Would you mind waiting here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He will?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After they heard about the seamstresses, Rishe and Leo had made way for the basilica. Arnold, meanwhile, received another report from Oliver. Had he already taken care of whatever that had been about?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, heralded by the thud of his hard boots on the floor, Arnold entered the room. He looked at Rishe, frowning. “Oliver, leave us. Continue with what we discussed earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. Pardon me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Oliver left the room, Arnold sat across from Rishe with a scroll in his hand. Still frowning, he asked, “Why the long face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was trying not to show it.” Rishe wore her sadness plain and pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I don’t think Lady Millia’s doing well. She tried to hide it, but she looked like she was about to cry. She only makes that face when she’s pretending to be okay. I’m worried.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed and thrust the scroll toward her. “Open it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Curious, Rishe undid the binding cord. Once it unfurled, revealing its contents, Rishe gasped. “This is…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The first words she saw were “Investigation Report.” There was an illustration of a familiar-looking carriage and its various individual parts. The contents confirmed something Rishe already suspected."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted to sneak out of the Basilica and investigate this myself!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the middle of the page was a drawing bigger than the rest. It was the front wheel of a carriage and the axle connecting it to the vehicle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The front wheel of Duke Jonal’s crashed carriage was tampered with.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart rate sped up, but it wasn’t because of the tampering of the carriage. It was because Arnold had investigated the accident."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The carriage didn’t belong to the Jonal family. They were using it because the day before they departed, that child threw a tantrum about wanting to ride in a white carriage. The duke granted the girl’s demand and sent out for a white carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You suspected it was an accident someone set up and not a curse.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had asked it as though he already knew the answer, but Rishe couldn’t respond right away. After all, her personal experience proved that a strange, inexplicable power indeed existed in this world. Something surpassing human understanding happening to someone else didn’t seem peculiar to her, since she had redone her own life several times now. Therefore, Rishe couldn’t discard the possibility that Millia was experiencing was something similar. At the same time, she understood the chances were low. And now Arnold was showing her evidence of what she already suspected herself: The accident had been caused by human hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I already thought it was odd.” Arnold languidly rested his chin in his hand. “Twenty-two years ago, the previous priestess died, and then her younger sister died ten years ago. Because of that, there was no longer anyone who could play the role of the priestess at the festival, so it hasn’t been held for the last twenty-two years.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. The younger sister was of ill health, so she was in no position to take over the role.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That girl had been the last female member of the priestess’s bloodline. The only remaining heirs were said to be a handful of men. The festival had been suspended while the Church waited for a girl to be born to the bloodline."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no reason to start using a stand-in now,” Arnold stated with certainty. “Holding the festival in name only to appease their followers is nothing more than an excuse. After all, if they truly believe in the existence of the goddess, then a festival with a stand-in is meaningless.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He all but confirmed Rishe’s suspicions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold thought so from the very beginning. Probably from when he first laid eyes on Millia. I didn’t think he would find out so soon even if he is the Prince Arnold…but now that I think about it, he can read the psalms too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she factored in his linguistic knowledge, it didn’t surprise her that he also knew the qualifications for the royal priestess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if to prove that point, Arnold looked Rishe squarely in the eyes and said, “It’s said that the priestess who inherits the goddess’s blood has hair the color of flowers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia’s hair was a pale violet color. The beautiful color of a flower that bloomed in spring."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Common knowledge of the psalms doesn’t touch on this characteristic of the priestess. They likely translated the text in such a way to make it easier to hide the priestess when they needed to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like they’re doing now, you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you did notice,” he said with some amusement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t immediately agree. It wasn’t that she had noticed—she’d already known for a long time. The memory she found herself recalling now was a confession she’d heard in her fourth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Millia is not my daughter. She was entrusted to me by someone for a very important purpose.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The previous royal priestess left behind a sickly, much younger sister. The woman was not able to succeed her sister’s duties and spent most of her life sequestered in a church. She finally gave up that life to give birth to a daughter. Her daughter had been raised in secret, and Rishe herself had lovingly watched over her as she grew up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, who knew nothing about that, said matter-of-factly, “That child has the qualifications to be the true priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And that must be the reason…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince regarded her like he could see through everything, and Rishe stared right back at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "…why you tried to kill her in the future."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I DON’T WANT TO STUDY! I want to eat sweets today, not study!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Rishe’s life as a maid, sometimes Millia would shout and lock herself up in her room. This was when Rishe grew skilled at lockpicking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could tell by the sound of her voice when Millia really wanted to be alone and when she was just craving attention. On this day, it was the latter, so Rishe unlocked the door without hesitation and entered her room. She looked down at the round lump of blankets on the bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You were working so hard up until yesterday, Mistress,” Rishe coaxed. She was dressed in a maid uniform with her hair in a ponytail. “You’re writing a letter to the archbishop in the Crusade language for the festival next month, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t want to anymore when I woke up this morning! Boys don’t have to learn Crusade, and I can do my job as the royal priestess’s stand-in without being able to read the psalms! I’m sick of being the only one who has to study so hard!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought, I hear it takes adults a long time to learn Crusade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl had been twelve then, and she hadn’t yet been told who she really was. Rishe found out first because the duke had opened up to her about it. A year into working there, he had come to her and told her, “I want one person I can trust at Millia’s side who knows her secret.” Since Millia was the real priestess, she would need to know the Crusade language. But since she was being made to learn it without yet knowing her origins, she was having a hard time of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mistress Millia,” Rishe said, leaning over the bed. “The more knowledge you gain, the more weapons you’ll have at your disposal. Or maybe it would be better to say that knowledge will expand your world.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia remained curled up, but she was quiet. Contemplative, perhaps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you learn a language most people know nothing about, then you’ll get a glimpse into a world they know nothing about. Aren’t you curious about how the people in myths lived, what sort of dreams they had, and what they found beautiful? There might even be wonderful love poems written by the goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lump twitched at that. Millia happened to be experiencing a bout of puppy love."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In fact, I wish I could participate in your lessons on Crusade as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! Why, I would be ecstatic if you would be my teacher, Mistress Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia sprang up, her covers piling in front of her with a soft whump. She regarded Rishe with sparkling eyes. “You’ll come and study with me, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. You’ll have to learn a lot by yourself first, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll do it! It sounds fun, me teaching you!” Millia’s mood had completely recovered. She jumped out of bed and gave Rishe an enthusiastic hug."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I look forward to learning from you. Let’s get you ready to go to your lessons, Mistress Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes! I might see Lord Bernhard, so make sure I’m extra cute today, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. As you say, Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After this exchange, Millia engaged with her studies diligently and began to teach Rishe what she’d learned later that day. That was why Rishe was able to read Crusade. She’d even traveled with Millia to the Grand Basilica and exchanged words with the archbishop at the time. But all of that had occurred in a different lifetime."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I never found out the reason why Mistress Millia’s identity as the true royal priestess was kept hidden from the world, but I feel like I might have an idea now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That evening, Rishe found herself staring down at a pot in the kitchen in a distant corner of the Grand Basilica. She was alone with Arnold, boiling a concoction of medicinal herbs. She’d begged him to convince the Church that they be allowed to use the kitchen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Slowly stirring the pot, she tilted her head back and asked Arnold, who was behind her, “Do you believe in curses, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she had to guess, he didn’t. In fact, she figured even asking the question was a waste of time, but his answer surprised her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are times when it’s convenient to say I do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spun on her heel. Arnold was seated at a table, chin in hand and watching Rishe work dispassionately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“By which you mean…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When it comes to manipulating public opinion, the concept of power surpassing human understanding is useful. It’s especially striking on the battlefield; such things can significantly influence soldiers’ morale.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.” She’d been caught off guard at first, but his explanation was just what she’d expect of him. It was less about what he himself believed and more about applications in tactics and politics."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The duke likely believes in this ‘curse’ his daughter possesses. Since the girl is the real priestess, he must think it only natural that she could possess such a power.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re probably right. His denial of the curse’s existence seemed more for my benefit than anything else.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Duke Jonal must’ve been trying to prevent her from guessing at Millia’s identity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If it were just the carriage accident, that would be one thing, but with this seamstress incident as well, he wanted to keep you away before you caught on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is that the only reason he didn’t want me helping with the festival? Rishe stepped back from the pot, took out some small bottles from her bag, and set them on the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are these?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Poisons I collected yesterday,” Rishe answered matter-of-factly, and Arnold barked a laugh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, this is a lot more interesting than a stuffed bear.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I found several traps set up in the forest around the Grand Basilica. I wiped them with my handkerchief, soaked it in water, and isolated the poison through precipitation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the bottle on the right, the poison had sunk to the bottom. In the left, it floated near the top."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The bottle on the left contains a sleeping drug that takes effect immediately. This amount could put a grown man to sleep in a few minutes. Hunters normally use it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold thought back to a past incident. “You said something similar when bandits attacked us on our way back to Galkhein from your homeland. Back then, it was a drug that caused paralysis, but you said it was used in a similar way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. It’s all because meat quality suffers if prey is too active before its death. Though if the poison is so concentrated that it kills its prey instantly, the meat will suffer for another reason—the failure to drain the animal’s blood promptly after death. Hence, these drugs are used to keep animals alive and relaxed in their traps until the hunter can come collect them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She picked up the bottle and shook it. “Both that paralysis drug and this sleeping drug lose their toxicity if exposed to heat. However, this drug has another special property.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe set that bottle down and flicked her eyes to the other. “The poison in the bottle on the right seems to be lethal.” It contained a transparent poison with a slight tinge of red. “If a lethal dose is ingested, it’s a matter of minutes till death. If you ingest less than that, you’ll immediately experience high fever and lethargy, and you will be incapacitated for around a week.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This poison has an interesting interaction with the sleeping drug here. The two counteract each other.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned. “They counteract?” he asked, and she nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The sleeping drug neutralizes the poison. Likewise, the poison prevents the sleeping drug from taking effect.” She pressed the two bottles on the table together with a clink. “If you ingest these two drugs at the same time, you will neither fall asleep nor die.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ll just go on like nothing happened?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. But your body will fully absorb the sleeping drug in a matter of hours, neutralizing its effect. At that time, only the poison will remain in your system.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you can die hours after ingesting the poison for seemingly no reason,” Arnold noted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The only reasons you’d use poison when hunting are if you were trying to catch a particularly ferocious beast or if you only had access to less potent weapons. I didn’t see any signs of dangerous creatures in the forest, so I can’t think of a reason for coating those traps with these poisons.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But hunters would only use bows, right? Things like bows and throwing knives aren’t very powerful. If it’s difficult to kill animals with those weapons alone, doesn’t it stand to reason that they’d also use poisons?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The thing is, this poison isn’t neutralized by heat like the other one. The only thing it has going for it is that it wouldn’t make the animal suffer needlessly, thus keeping the pelt undamaged. But the sleeping drug should be no different on that front.” There was another doubt Rishe harbored. “Both poisoned traps smelled like metal as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d noticed when she was sniffing the poisons coated on the traps the day before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Animals have a strong sense of smell. Normally, hunters will bury new traps in the soil for months or submerge them in river water to eliminate their scent so that animals won’t notice them. There’s no way someone would set up a trap that I could smell on my handkerchief and expect to catch anything with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Their aim is clear, then.” Arnold leaned back in his chair and said calmly, “The trap was set not for an animal but for a human.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe said nothing in response. In truth, she’d been hoping for him to pronounce her idea as ludicrous. If Arnold agreed with her, however, then she had to be firm in her conviction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bluntly put, it’s an assassination tool. If someone went into the forest and triggered the trap, they would think it was a simple injury.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes,” she said. “They would return to the Basilica and, by the time their wounds had been treated, they would simply die a painless death.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If it were a fast-acting poison, they would suffer the effects as soon as they were injured. They’d notice the poison immediately, and someone else would probably be able to suck it out of the wound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, though I can’t recommend trying to suck out a poison this deadly. Even if you spit it out immediately, it would still be putting poison in your mouth. I wouldn’t be surprised if it killed the person attempting to treat the poison as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Such methods should only be taken for paralyzing or sleeping drugs. Rishe’s master in her life as an apothecary had said so, and Rishe firmly believed the same thing herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I take it you’re whipping up an antidote in that pot?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. I was able to find the herbs that make up the base for the sleeping drug in the forest nearby. It’s not the best time of year for them, so I was only able to make enough for five people.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sensing Rishe’s intentions, Arnold let out a sigh. “Oliver can deliver it to the four seamstresses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness!” Rishe was relieved to hear it, but she couldn’t be entirely optimistic yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold seemed to share the sentiment. “You said fatigue and fever would only occur when given a nonlethal dosage of the poison. It sounds like that’s what happened to the seamstresses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe they absorbed it through their skin instead of ingesting it or receiving it through a wound.” And there was only one thing the four seamstresses were guaranteed to have touched. “I believe Lady Millia’s dress was coated in the same compound of poisons.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This morning, Millia had told her she was so looking forward to dyeing the dress that she’d sent for it to be adjusted without trying it on to get it back faster."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A fatal dose for a young child would be smaller than one for a grown woman. If Lady Millia had tried on the dress yesterday, she would have been poisoned and could have died.” The image of Millia dead pushed aside the memory of her letting Rishe brush her hair and being delighted by the ribbon. A chill scuttled down Rishe’s spine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All because I convinced her to try on the dress,” Rishe said quietly, willing her voice to keep steady. One false step and the worst could have happened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she was consumed by the thought, Arnold said, “Don’t be scared of a future you’ve only imagined.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s shoulders jumped. “Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He still sounded disinterested, but his words were firm. Arnold looked Rishe right in the eye and continued, “Don’t get them confused. What you’ve imagined is only a possibility; it’s not the reality.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What you fear has not actually occurred.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was right; the worst-case scenario had already been avoided. Rishe took a deep breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The same goes for the seamstresses. Regardless of your actions, they would have begun work on their final adjustments.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She nodded at his urging. “I understand. I’d like to deliver the antidote to the seamstresses as quickly as possible.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good,” Arnold said, appraising."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she felt her brows droop, this was no time to feel down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are Prince Arnold’s plans for Mistress Millia?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe truly felt that the Arnold sitting in front of her now was a kind person. But the plan he harbored in his heart was so important to him that carrying it out would crush that kindness into dust."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was why, five years from now, Arnold mobilized the military to kill Millia. Since someone was clearly after Millia’s life now and Rishe was trying to protect her, she had no idea what sort of actions Arnold would take in response. It was more than possible that he would oppose her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mustering up her courage, Rishe said, “I’d like to tell Duke Jonal that someone is trying to assassinate Lady Millia. If we’re going to protect her, we’ll need the approval of her legal guardian.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lowered his gaze thoughtfully. “You’re right. That’ll probably be more effective than telling him to worry about a curse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Relieved, Rishe stood from her chair. “I’ll have the antidote finished by the time they’re done with their prayers. If you wouldn’t mind, please arrange for it to be administered.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I got it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe rolled up her sleeves and returned to the pot, which had just finished boiling. She confirmed the state of the antidote and transferred it into five small bottles. She wanted to cool it under some running water first, but she needed to get it to the seamstresses as soon as possible. She entrusted the bottles to Arnold and hoped the brew would cool enough during transport."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, I’ll head to the building with the guest lodgings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. I’ll order Oliver to deliver this as fast as he can.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness.” With a deep parting curtsy to Arnold, Rishe strode in the opposite direction. When she arrived at the other building, she went up to the floor that housed the duke and his daughter’s rooms and waited for them there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe I should have headed for the cathedral where they’re praying, but I need to be cautious. She’d come here instead because she couldn’t trust Schneider and the other bishops. For now, I should only tell Duke Jonal about my suspicions. If he would allow it, I’d like to protect Mistress Millia at all times."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Easier said than done, considering the clergymen had indirectly asked Rishe keep her distance. She wouldn’t be able to stay with Millia without drawing the Church’s attention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe I should fake an assassination attempt on myself as well and just get them to increase all-around security in the Basilica? No, they’ll just tell me to return to Galkhein where I’ll be safe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Time ticked by while Rishe considered her options. They’re a little late getting back, aren’t they?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right then, she heard small footsteps coming her way. She thought it was Millia, but she quickly amended herself. Those are Leo’s footsteps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as she suspected, it was Leo. He scrambled up the stairs toward her, out of breath and flustered. “Did Mistress Millia come here?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Surprised, Rishe shook her head. “No, she’s not back yet. Is she missing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s face fell. “After prayer, the adults had something to talk about back in the cathedral, so I was told to escort her to her room. On our way, the wind snatched her ribbon. She looked like she was gonna cry, so I went after it by myself, and while I was gone, well…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No…” Rishe felt that chill creep up her spine once more. She didn’t want to scare Leo, but she couldn’t help panicking as she asked, “Was anyone approaching just before you left her?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no one. I’m sure there was no one nearby, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“While we were walking, she asked me where the orphanage I grew up in was. I told her it was just past the woods to the east.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everything clicked for Rishe in that moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was hoping she went back to her room without me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia hadn’t just gone back to her room like she was supposed to, Rishe was sure of that. “Please, Leo. Can you run back to the cathedral and tell people you trust about this? If possible, I’d like it if you could tell Prince Arnold too. He should be somewhere near the administration building.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I have to go search for her in the fores—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll go to the forest!” It would be safer for Rishe to search for Millia, on account of the traps. She had to find her before anything happened to her. “Please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe ran off without waiting for Leo to answer her. As the setting sun dyed the Grand Basilica crimson, she dashed through the eastern halls. She reached the forest before the area fell into complete darkness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A child’s footprints—and they’re not Leo’s. These are girls’ shoes! Rishe grimaced, her breathing shallow. I knew it. Mistress Millia went into the forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She itched to surge forward, let her panic lead the way, but she’d miss vital clues if she did that. As she caught her breath, she scanned the forest. There wasn’t a lot of exposed dirt, and much of the ground was covered in fallen leaves. Only a few footprints dotted the area, but Rishe walked straight in without hesitation. The footprints were oriented east; she was confident Millia had gone in that direction. She paid attention to whatever small traces she might find, be it new tracks in the soil, oddly parted grass, spiderwebs torn a certain way, branches broken by a shoe or a hoof or fall, or whatever else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Humans were awfully large compared to most animals, a fact Rishe tended to forget. Even a child such as Millia was larger and heavier than the vast majority of woodland animals. That was why she had ample clues to follow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Calm down, stay cool, and don’t make a mistake. Leave traces for whoever Prince Arnold sends after us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She pressed forward, noticing the difference between marks left by a large animal and ones left by a human child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I make a mistake, I could be too late!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A terrible premonition welled up in her, but she quashed it with a deep breath. Eventually, she came upon some violet hair caught on tree bark. Relieved as she was to be heading in the right direction, a new anxiety arose in her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I only came this far with Leo. I don’t know what sort of traps may lay ahead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that moment, she sensed a presence that didn’t belong to an animal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I found her!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe spotted a small girl some distance away. Without a doubt, it was Millia. She was seated against the base of a tree, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands over and over again. Rishe’s heart wrenched at the sight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia flinched, then turned toward her. She must have been crying all by herself in this dark forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe rushed to her. “Are you hurt?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Rishe!” Millia reached out and clung to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does anything hurt? Did you twist your ankle or injure yourself?” Millia shook her head. Rishe stroked her hair, relieved to hear it. “Thank goodness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl swallowed her sobs and mustered a shaky question: “Why are you so nice to me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have a bad power! It’ll put you in danger too, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked and studied her. She really did look to be on the verge of tears. “I was under the impression that you liked me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-of course I do! I really like you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee, I’m happy to hear it. Doesn’t that mean I’ll be safe even if you can curse people?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia hung her head, tiny shoulders trembling. “But Mama died back then!” Big droplets spilled from her honey-colored eyes. “One day, I got in a lot of trouble, and I yelled, ‘I hate you, Mama!’ That night, Mama collapsed, and she never came back after that.” Millia’s face twisted in agony. “I have such a bad power. I went and said that, even though I really love her! It’s all my fault she died!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In Rishe’s life as a maid, Millia had never said much about her mother’s death. She’d always looked like she didn’t want to talk about it, so Rishe made a point not to bring it up. This was Rishe’s first time seeing how deeply the tragedy wounded her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you know, Rishe…” The words poured out of Millia in concert with her tears. Once she started to speak, it was like the dam holding back her feelings had broken. “I was trying to get Papa to hate me. If I could leave Papa, then what happened to Mama wouldn’t happen to him, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I decided to be selfish—to be a bad girl. If Papa started hating me, he’d send me back to the orphanage!” Millia sniffled, rubbing her eyes again and again. Her voice trembled after rejecting her father so many times. “I love Papa, but if he’ll die because of me, then it’d be better if he hated me and got rid of me. I don’t care if I can’t be with him anymore, I just want him to be okay.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Goodness, Lady Millia…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Up until now, it’s been okay. When I wasn’t actually mad, I could say I hated something, and the curse wouldn’t happen. But the carriage yesterday and the dress today…all of it was my fault.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gently took Millia’s hand before she could rub her eyes again. “That’s why you said you’d stop being selfish earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia gave a little nod."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Church didn’t have anything to do with that, then. It was a decision Millia came to after doing her best to come up with a way no one else would get hurt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My real Mama and Papa probably threw me away because they didn’t want a cursed child. Bishop Schneider must have asked Papa to take me in like he did with Leo, and that’s when I started living with him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, Rishe understood why Millia had told Leo “You’re not blood-related, so I shouldn’t have compared him to your father” at lunch earlier that day. Her tone was uncharacteristically cold even though she was supposedly speaking of Leo and Schneider. But she hadn’t meant them. She had been reflecting on herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She already knew she wasn’t her father’s daughter. Evidently, the girl was trying to tell herself that there should be more distance between her and the duke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Papa is so kind. He raised me even though I’m not really his child, and if I really want to give all my love back to him, then I can’t just wait for him to get rid of me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you asked Leo where the orphanage was and decided to leave on your own?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” Millia looked up at Rishe and wailed, “I’m sorry for throwing away the ribbon you tied for me, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe just wrapped her arms around Millia and hugged her tight. “I should be the one apologizing, Lady Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl hiccupped and wailed, her little body racked with sobs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You looked so sad sometimes, but I couldn’t even reach out and comfort you to the very end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She should never have left Millia alone with her sadness. When she pouted and said that she wanted to be left alone, Rishe should have embraced her and asked what was troubling her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve been fighting all this time to protect your father.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Another loud wail tore free from the girl’s lips."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re a wonderful girl, Lady Millia. If you leave your father, he will be so sad that he’ll cry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“H-he will?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia sounded like she couldn’t even imagine it, so Rishe smiled and nodded. She’d seen it herself on the night before Millia’s wedding. Duke Jonal had been a sobbing mess. Whether they were blood relations meant nothing to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s go back to your father, Lady Milla.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Millia still shook her head. “No, I can’t go back!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, come now…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want to be near anyone I love! It shouldn’t have to be Papa or Mama. I should die before anyone else!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia shoved Rishe with all her might, and Rishe heard something click. It was a hard sound, like something striking metal. Rishe’s eyes reflexively darted to Millia’s feet. That’s when she noticed the thin string hooked around the heel of one of Millia’s shoes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe only had a split second to think."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason Millia was crying here, the metallic sound from up high… If Millia tripped on something, what traps might use a string? Wasn’t there a trap I saw in her past life that used a tripwire to determine its target’s location? Ah! A poison arrow trap!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” Rishe’s hand shot out. She grabbed Millia by the shoulder and threw herself on top of the girl."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next instant, pain seared through her neck. It burned like fire, but she knew the sensation of heat was just an illusion. Her vision distorted, and she dug her nails in the dirt. She hadn’t been able to completely avoid it, and red blood dripped from the scratch."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The arrow that had grazed Rishe was sticking out of the ground. Rishe recognized the color of the drug coating its arrowhead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s the same mixed poison that was on the other traps! Rishe grit her teeth and cupped her neck. Her fingers slipped on the blood. I was grazed, that’s all. If I’m only bleeding this much from a neck wound, the actual cut isn’t anything to worry about. The problem is…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The poison compound that had entered her bloodstream."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe grunted as her thoughts warped. She felt faint. It was a slight relief, however, that she recognized what she was feeling as a powerful drowsiness. The nectar poison hasn’t taken effect yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a fast-acting sleeping drug mixed into this poison that counteracted its effects. Until her body completely absorbed the sleeping drug, it would stave off the effects of the poison. At present, the only symptom Rishe felt was drowsiness, not nausea or pain."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’re not negating one another…the sleeping drug is overpowering the poison. This compound must contain more of the…first one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She needed to think of a way out of this situation, but her thoughts were fragmented. She crouched on the ground, desperately trying to string them together. Drops of blood fell to the soil."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia quaked with fear, but she managed to stand and yelled, “J-just wait, Lady Rishe! I’ll go get someone!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No…you mustn’t…go out on your own!” Rishe could hardly breathe, and she couldn’t raise her voice enough to be heard. As she listened to Millia’s footsteps fade into the distance, she cursed her own failure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How could you make a mistake like this? Showing Mistress Millia your blood and making her worry so?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t let herself become another reason for Millia’s anguish. The girl was so young. Rishe should have been looking out for more than just her physical safety—she should’ve protected Millia’s heart as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can’t sleep. Stay conscious, do something, buy yourself time! Struggle!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, she had no herbs for an antidote, and the ones she had created would be on a carriage right about now. All five went to the seamstresses so there would be a spare if anything happened to one of them. It was Rishe’s policy to make extras in case of damage or loss during transport. She was sure that he had made the arrangements to transport them properly—but, wait, who was that? No, worrying about that could come later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, the wound… I must at least remove whatever poison is still in my skin around the wound!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The burning, friction-like pain was caused by the poison. After making contact with the skin, the nectar poison would enter the bloodstream in thirty minutes. The more poison that seeped into her body, the more chances she would suffer lasting effects even if she drank an antidote."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t have any water, and I can’t constrict it or suck it. I’ve only got one other option!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was doubled over on the ground now, her forehead pressed to the earth. She reached down to her leg, fingers quivering, and somehow managed to remove the dagger strapped to her thigh. Using both her hands didn’t seem feasible at present, so she held the sheath in her mouth to remove the blade."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have to wash it with new blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the only method available to her. She carefully attempted to cut her skin, but her fading consciousness was making it hard to aim away from any major arteries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her hand suddenly relaxed, and the dagger slipped from her grip. “Ack!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pull yourself together! There’s no other way to fix this. I can’t let my lady’s heart be scarred any more than it already has—no, I’m not her maid right now! I must wake Master Hakurei… Wait, was this my third loop?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her thoughts spun and got muddled in the mess. She exhaled deeply, grasping for the dagger next to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if Mistress Millia went for help, the people of the Church won’t enter the forbidden forest. I must handle this myself! No one will come into the forest if it means getting on the Church’s bad side…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something nagged at her. Rishe sat hunched over on the ground and furrowed her brow. Why am I thinking of Arnold Hein right now?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That emperor had declared war on the country that Rishe had served as a knight. She tried to convince herself of this, but the strange feeling in her mind only grew. She had to hurry, but the whole world spun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Emperor Arnold Hein is King Zahad’s enemy… He destroyed Coyolles and executed the royal families of so many nations. That tyrant tried to kill Mistress Millia and His Highness the prince, and he killed my captain and Joel… That cruel man started a world war and let countless people die… He has a real mean streak…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As her wound throbbed, Rishe grew more and more feverish. She planted both hands on the ground and tried to raise her upper body as she continued painting a mental picture of Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His sword form is beautiful. His posture is always good, and he works efficiently. He faces people sincerely. He’s thoughtful and also bold, but sometimes he seems almost cowardly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She heard a leaf crunch underfoot but found it too difficult to discern more than that. A deep fog shrouded her thoughts, and few things were still clear to her. She could only focus on his black hair and his azure eyes, the color of the sea. His soft voice when he called her name, the feeling of his fingers in her hair. The exasperation plain on his face when he looked her way, and the ever-so-rare smile he showed her and only her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He always looks straight at me. He’s a liar, but he doesn’t want to be. He’s actually very kind. He’s the man I’m going to marry, my…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe raised her head to stare at the person before her. For some reason, she was on the verge of tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My husband…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was out of breath. She had never seen him like that before. Scowling, he scanned her and clicked his tongue before grabbing her shoulder roughly. She gasped as he pulled her up and pressed her back to the tree behind her. Gripping her shoulder, Arnold sank his teeth into her bleeding neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he sucked, loud and hard. She flinched at the strange sensation and paled a second later. Arnold had his lips on her wound and was draining the poison from it. She stiffened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, w-wait!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold spat out the blood and drew in a short breath. He brought his lips in close again, and Rishe mustered what strength she could to resist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, y-you mustn’t! If you do that, you’ll—!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold ignored her desperate pleas and sucked again. His fingers dug into her wrist and pinned her to the tree."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, please let me go! It’s poison! Don’t put it in your mouth, or else—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shut up,” he said, voice low. There was a dangerous glint as he glowered at her for the first time in his life. “This is one time I refuse to grant your request.” His shapely lips were red with her blood. He dragged the back of his hand over his mouth and murmured in a husky voice, “I thought I told you I won’t allow you to die.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He bit and sucked, bit and sucked. Numbness overtook her as the poison faded from her skin, accompanied by a strange sensation somewhere between heat and pain. But the feeling gave her no relief, for her heart was in chaos."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why? I don’t want you to do something so dangerous! Oh, this is just like…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wanted to cry but felt hopelessly dizzy. She was weakening, losing her grip."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, it really is…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She slowly shut her eyes as the world swayed around her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s like when I die."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That familiar feeling stole away her consciousness, and she sank into a warm sea."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0008.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "WHEN RISHE SLEPT, she dreamed of her past lives. This time, she relived memories of her sixth loop. Painful memories of her blood spilling and arms trembling. Of her heart hammering against her chest while tried to protect her charges. Of the last day of her life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Evacuate His Highness and his family, quickly!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Our light, our lord! Protect him with your life! Get them out or die trying!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Clashing swords and battle cries rang out all around her. The fight was so fierce that sparks flew. Her comrades died one after another. And the one responsible for this desperate situation was the enemy commander."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold Hein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glared at the man and gripped her bloodstained sword. His dark, muddy blue gaze swung in her direction. Her instincts screamed at her to run. The blood of Rishe’s nearest and dearest slickened his frighteningly handsome face. His expression did not change in the slightest, but his eyes emitted an emotionless bloodlust that pierced her. Even in this oppressive atmosphere, practically paralyzed and breathless with tension, Rishe couldn’t expose her back to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That man killed His Majesty, the commander, and the captain. Even Joel died protecting me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sucked in a breath and tightened her sword grip. She didn’t care if she was killed pathetically. Her only wish was for the prince and his family to escape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In an attempt to delay him, Rishe slashed desperately. Her fellow knights attacked him in turn, but he mowed them down, their bodies piling up around him. Eventually, no one else was left alive, and Arnold Hein’s blade pierced Rishe’s heart too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe dreamed of that one moment at the end of her life. But as her consciousness faded at the very end, Arnold Hein whispered in her ear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh… Her memories of the end were vague, but that one moment replayed vividly. I remember what he said to me back then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the dream faded around her, and she forgot everything she saw in it. Someone stroked her cheek. The sensation traded places with her memory, pulling her up out of the dark."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A gentle hand stroked her cheek, rousing Rishe from her sleep. The caress was careful, as if checking for a fever. She didn’t know whose hand it was, but the way it touched her was so comforting. As it pulled away, her eyes opened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe groggily peered up at Arnold in a dark room filled with the quiet of night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sat beside her bed. She’d called his name, but he didn’t respond. His knitted brows did not diminish the handsomeness of his face. His hand had definitely stirred her. But if this was her room in the Grand Basilica, what was Arnold doing there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that she finally recalled what had happened to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, how are you feeling?” she rasped, and the crease in Arnold’s brow deepened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The first thing you do after waking up is worry about me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I…” She tried to explain herself, but she was feverish and lethargic. Her body felt like it was burning up, hot and heavy everywhere. Arnold sighed and slid his arm under Rishe’s back. “Ugh…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she tried to rise with his assistance, she could barely move on her own. He ended up doing most of the work getting her to sit up. With one arm still behind her, his free hand reached toward her bedside table. Rishe recognized the small open bottle sitting there. Arnold picked up the bottle and pressed its rim to her lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We just got this back. Drink it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squeezed her lips shut and covered her mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s frown evolved into a scowl. “I told you to drink it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t. Please drink it yourself, Your Highness.” She looked up into his blue eyes and pleaded with him fervently. “Your health is more important than mine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes took on a chilly hue. Arnold brought the bottle to his own lips and silently downed it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed with honest relief. Good. If he drinks that, he’ll be all right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold must have had one of the five antidotes sent back to them. Were the seamstresses all right, assuming they’d taken the other four? From what Rishe knew of their symptoms, they had been suffering from high fevers. She hoped they wouldn’t have to endure any lasting effects."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still groggy, she noticed that Arnold’s throat hadn’t moved at all. As her sluggish mind worked to comprehend why, Arnold grasped her jaw and turned her face toward him. Then his lips came down on hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmgh?!” Rishe’s lips were pried open and a sickly-sweet fluid poured into her mouth. Once she realized what he was doing, she tried to resist, but her arms were like lead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No! Prince Arnold must take this antidote!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Arnold wouldn’t let her go. He pulled her close and tilted her head back to make her swallow. At that point, her reflexes joined the fight against her will. Rishe swallowed, feeling pitiful for even attempting to resist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold only let her go after he ascertained that she’d swallowed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bewildered, Rishe gawked at him. “Why?” she croaked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then swept his thumb across Rishe’s lips. His touch was gentle, but his eyes smoldered with irritation. “In case you can’t tell, I’m rather angry at the moment.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe winced."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince pressed his forehead against Rishe’s and glared at her from up close. “I’m not going to apologize for being a little rough with you. This time, I don’t mind if you slap me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She kept her mouth shut and reached a hand out to Arnold, but it wasn’t to hit him. Suppressing the urge to cry, she touched his lips. As she traced them, Arnold’s anger gave way to dubiousness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about your antidote, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even though she was genuinely distressed, Arnold looked taken aback. His surprise melted into a frown, and he told her, “I spat your blood out right away, and I haven’t experienced any adverse effects. I don’t need one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a deadly poison! You might be safe while the sleeping drug is taking effect, but once your body absorbs it, there’s a chance you’ll die!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The fact that you unmistakably received a dose of the poison is more important to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers touched Rishe’s bandaged neck. The wound was hardly more than a scrape, but her neatly tied bandages were almost needlessly thorough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I believe I told you not to do anything dangerous.” His voice was quiet but full of emotion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry.” Rishe’s actions had even endangered Arnold. A royal—not to mention the very heir to the throne—ingesting poison was a serious incident, one that could’ve affected the fate of an entire nation had the worst happened. Just the thought of something happening to Arnold made her want to shrink with fear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After giving her a meaningful look, Arnold laid Rishe back down. “Are you in pain?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No.” She still felt heavy and feverish, but she could move all her extremities, albeit poorly. And since she’d been forced to take the antidote, her suffering would not be prolonged."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flexed her left hand, and Arnold placed his over top of it. Her elevated temperature made his feel cooler than usual. His blue eyes reflected the glow from the bedside lamp. It reminded her of something she’d seen in one of her lives: fires above the water used to lure fish at night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re alive.” Arnold stated the obvious, but his voice was seeking confirmation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It felt like he wouldn’t believe her if she simply said it, so Rishe grasped his hand as she told him, “Yes.” Arnold sighed. Prompted by the look on his face, Rishe asked without thinking, “Have you watched someone you love die before?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He broke eye contact and Rishe knew she’d asked a foolish question. The man had experienced war. He’d been directly involved in death countless times. His reply, however, caught her off guard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The first time was when my father murdered my sister.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t process Arnold’s quiet words. She understood them logically, but she couldn’t wrap her head around the meaning. His father murdered his sister?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold studied the speechless Rishe and explained, “A girl born to one of the emperor’s wives. Mere days after the child came into the world, her mother did what she could to protect her, but he snatched her out of his wife’s arms and ran his sword through her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” She refused to let her mind form the image."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whenever the emperor emerged victorious over another nation, the conquered royal family would present him with a bride."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cursed her trembling voice as she asked, “Why would he do that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That man only allowed children who clearly inherited his blood to live. He killed them in front of his wives to punish them for birthing ones who didn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Killing infants was bad enough, but this only confused Rishe further. How in the world did the emperor judge the worthiness of a days-old baby?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold guessed what she was thinking. “My father only wanted children who had his black hair and blue eyes.” He gazed down at Rishe with the very blue eyes he’d described. “He let only those children survive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe grimaced, overwhelmed. It wasn’t just Arnold—Theodore, who had a different mother, also had black hair and blue eyes. His four younger sisters must’ve looked the same, but she’d had no idea of the reason."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why His Highness hates his eye color? She couldn’t help remembering the conversation they’d had on his balcony in the detached palace. When she said his eyes were beautiful, he told her they were the same color as his father’s eyes and that he hated them so much, he’d considered gouging them out more than once. She’d chalked it up to his hatred for his father, but apparently that wasn’t all there was to it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Blue eyes are harder for children to inherit,” she recalled. Add the condition of black hair and there would be very few children who fit his requirements indeed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then, the children your father didn’t accept?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He killed them without exception before their mothers’ eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was stunned. How could he do something so abhorrent?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her life as an apothecary, she had helped deliver several babies. It was not a sure thing by any means for mother and child to make it through the process in good health. Pregnancy was a harrowing nine-month experience. Mothers bore pain and anxiety and risked their lives to birth children. And just like that, their father had snuffed out those young lives?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He made you watch when you were still young?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His silent affirmation made her chest tighten even more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Was anyone there for you? The emperor’s wives, they…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They resented me for surviving and had nothing but hatred in their hearts for me.” His next words were so quiet, it was as if he was only talking to himself. “My own mother hated me the most.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A strangled sound escaped her throat, and Arnold linked his fingers with hers. His voice was calm and composed as he continued, “When he killed them, he would say to me, ‘The blood that flows through your veins is superior to everyone else’s.’” His slender fingers traced the ring Rishe wore. “But that’s not true. What value could there possibly be in that man’s bloodline?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want you to understand this too. Even if I’m royalty, no matter whose blood I inherit, that doesn’t make me any more important than anyone else,” Arnold said sincerely. “Never say that my life is more important than yours again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart thumped hard. “I…” She wanted to say, I can’t do that, but the words wouldn’t come. She met his eyes and slowly, carefully blinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next moment, the tears she’d been holding back spilled forth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey,” Arnold said, alarmed, pulling his hand out of hers. He touched her bandages and scanned her in dismay. It was rare to see such consternation on his face. “I knew it. You are in pain.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I’m not!” She tried to deny it, but her voice shook treacherously. She pressed her hands to her eyelids, but the tears kept falling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she wept uncontrollably, Arnold asked, perplexed, “Why are you crying?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry!” Rishe had her own complaints about Arnold’s circumstances, but her attempts to hide her distress weren’t working. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d cried in front of someone. “You’re just so kind.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That only compounded his bewilderment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had noticed that some knights who returned from dangerous battlefields fought with no regard for their lives. When asked why they did so, they replied that it was their punishment for surviving. They felt guilty that their comrades died but they survived, so in repentance, they went out to more battlefields. But surviving wasn’t a sin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You didn’t do anything wrong when you were a child, and yet…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was acting like he had. During the bandit attack, when he dismissed his knights to fight them off with his own sword. The battle in Ceutena that Fritz had described. Even when Rishe herself faced him in her sixth life. In all those cases, he stood on the front lines of battle himself to atone for the sins he felt he’d committed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure he’s been doing this since he was very young."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The thought squeezed heat and fresh tears from Rishe’s eyes. Her heart ached. Arnold finally seemed to understand that she wasn’t crying from physical pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t rub your eyes so much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He grabbed her arms. Her vision unobscured, she saw his blurry features. Each time she blinked, the world focused a little more but quickly blurred again. She could just barely make out the stumped look on Arnold’s face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come now.” One of his hands wiped away her tears. Still frowning, he asked, “What’ll it take for you to stop crying?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even more tears rolled down her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well…” Rishe began. He was only concerned for her and thought nothing of his own suffering. Her powerlessness was only exacerbated by her paralyzing fever. All that compounded into a wish even she didn’t understand as it issued from her mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-your hair…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My head?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want to…stroke your hair, Prince Arnold,” she told him. The furrow in Arnold’s brow deepened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Listen to yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was aware it was an absurd thing to ask of a nineteen-year-old man. Nevertheless, she wanted to stroke his hair—to comfort him—more than anything. She knew she couldn’t reach the child Arnold, so she wanted to do it for the Arnold of the present. With an imploring gaze, she pressed, “Please, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed deeply and climbed into the bed. The springs creaked and the sheets rustled. He cupped Rishe’s face and leaned over her; this way, he was close enough to touch. In a throaty voice, he acquiesced to her request. “Do what you want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-thank you.” Still weeping, Rishe reached up and caressed Arnold’s head. It was a peculiar sensation. Arnold wasn’t used to this, and Rishe wasn’t doing a good job. Still, she gently and rhythmically stroked his black hair. Arnold’s hair, which ended in slight curls, was softer to the touch than she expected. Even this overwhelmed Rishe, eliciting more sobs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey.” Arnold made a face like she’d pulled a fast one on him. She knew she was causing him further consternation, but she couldn’t help herself. “Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m…I’m so sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold touched his forehead to hers. There was a rustling sound as his hair brushed against hers. He closed his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please, don’t cry anymore,” he begged her, voice laced with pain. “I can’t handle seeing you cry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was beside himself because she wouldn’t stop crying, but she couldn’t keep from bawling like a child. It was hard for her to see him suffering too. Rishe had been forbidden to cry in front of her parents, so this was a new experience."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was completely at a loss the whole time, but he continued wiping away Rishe’s tears until she cried herself to sleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe awoke feeling light and warm. She felt like she’d dreamed of her time in Galkhein while she slept—of her conversation with Arnold on his balcony at the detached palace, of a party they’d attended, dreams of things that had occurred mere days ago. It was the first time in a long while that Rishe dreamed of something other than her past lives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She yearned to stay in bed and nestled up to whatever lay next to her. Although she didn’t know what it was, she felt she fit in it perfectly, warmly wrapped around her as it was. It emitted a comforting sound similar to a heartbeat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyelids were heavy and so was the rest of her body, but the sluggishness from the night before was gone. It seemed she would suffer no lasting effects from the poison. So why the odd feeling of extra weight? She squirmed and slowly opened her eyes—and finally understood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was asleep in her bed, his arms wrapped around her. Rishe felt a screech coming on, but she managed to stifle it somehow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They had apparently fallen asleep facing each other, curled up under the same bedspread. Arnold snored softly as he held Rishe’s head to his chest. His lips were buried in her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-why am I in the same bed as His Highness?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She realized with some panic that Arnold was the only one using the pillow; she had co-opted his arm. Yet she was entirely too frazzled to do anything about it. Then she remembered how all of this transpired in the first place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is because of the tantrum I threw!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s face drained of all color as she remembered the night before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I asked him to return to his room to get some sleep, but he said, “I can’t just leave you alone. I’ll stay with you through the night.” And then I went and said, “If you insist on staying in this room, then don’t stay up all night. At least sleep here…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She fried her brain crying her eyes out, so she’d said something completely outrageous. Arnold had shot her a look of utter shock, but since she almost started crying again, he’d ended up reluctantly agreeing to stay the night. She couldn’t believe what she’d done. She felt miserable for making Arnold stay with her the whole time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How could a proud apothecary do such a thing?! I should have made him go back to his room and rest properly by himself!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gently pulled away from Arnold and regarded him with worry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hope he didn’t sleep poorly with me in his arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though she was sure that Arnold would have awoken as soon as Rishe stirred, he still slept. She didn’t know if he was tired from looking after her or if he really was affected by the poison, but she hoped he was recovering. So she prayed as she watched him sleep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He looks younger when he sleeps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The top two buttons of Arnold’s white shirt were undone. In this relaxed state of dress, his collarbones and Adam’s apple, usually hidden, were visible. Rishe’s eyes were drawn to the countless scars at the base of his neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold said his mother hated him the most. Did she give him these scars?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Much as she wanted to touch them, it would have been rude to do so without his permission, so she just stared at them in a daze. Arnold’s hand began to twitch as if in search of something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His eyelids fluttered open, revealing half-awake blue eyes lit by the morning sunlight streaming through the window. Normally, Rishe would be captivated by them, but there was no time for that at the moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Erm, good morning,” she said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold blinked sluggishly and brushed Rishe’s coral hair from her eyes. He put his hand on her cheek and closed his eyes while touching his forehead to hers. He must have been checking for a fever. Rishe knew that, but she couldn’t help her nervousness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How are you feeling?” he asked, voice thick with sleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With their foreheads still touching, their eyelashes nearly brushed against each other. “I-I’m fine,” Rishe stammered. “Thanks to you, Your Highness, I’m c-completely recovered!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, eyes fully open now. Well, “completely” was probably a stretch, Rishe reflected. Feeling awkward, she tried to sit up, but Arnold grabbed her arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just keep resting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sank down into the sea of the bed, drawn back into Arnold’s arms. She felt she couldn’t stay there, but she didn’t think she was in a position to argue. Having no other choice, Rishe relaxed and asked, “How are you feeling, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fine,” Arnold said, touching Rishe’s neck. He was undoing her bandages."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe lay still and let him work. “Thank you for everything you did yesterday. Um, is Lady Millia all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I had Oliver tell the duke that someone was targeting her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Relief washed over her. She knew Arnold wouldn’t let her down, but it was still good to hear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told the girl to stay by her father’s side too. Oliver reported to me in the middle of the night that she was behaving herself and staying with the duke.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did Lady Millia tell you where I was?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. Leo told me what happened, and I ran into her on my way to the forest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was the quiet rustle of cloth as Arnold unwrapped her bandages. He explained everything she’d been wanting to ask him, but she wished they weren’t facing each other in bed while he did it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told Leo and the girl to keep quiet about being in the forest. It’ll just cause needless commotion if the Church finds out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really thought of everything. Truly, thank y—ah!” Rishe flinched when Arnold’s fingers touched her skin directly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stay still.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But that tickles! Hee hee hee! Wait!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you to stay still,” Arnold chided her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She did her best to endure the discomfort until she was finally freed from her wrappings. Then it occurred to her that she could have just taken them off herself. However, Arnold was now examining her wound with thoroughness, so she couldn’t bring herself to point that out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Looks like your wound is healing. Doesn’t look like it’ll leave a scar.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That didn’t matter to Rishe. In her sixth loop, she was covered in scars. She said nothing as she reached up to feel the spot for herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stared into her eyes next. “Looks like your eyes aren’t swollen, either.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you wiped my tears away so carefully, Prince Arnold,” Rishe said with some embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At last, he seemed satisfied. “Let me wrap it back up. I’ll get some fresh bandages.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, it’s fine.” Arnold sat up, so Rishe sat up with him. “The bleeding’s stopped, so it’ll be fine to just leave it like this. It wasn’t a bad cut, so I think it’s a bit silly to bandage it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think you should bandage it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s red. It’s probably best to hide it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head to one side, puzzled. “I didn’t think this poison caused inflammation at the site of the wound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn’t answer her. This poison was chosen for assassinations precisely because it left no identifiable traces. Or was there something Rishe hadn’t anticipated mixed in with the poison? If she was wrong about the poison, though, the antidote shouldn’t have worked as well as it did. Thanks to the antidote her master had taught her to make, and Arnold forcing her to take it, Rishe was nearly fully recovered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold pulled her from her musings. “I’m not talking about the wound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His fingers traced her skin, and Rishe hunched her shoulders at the ticklish sensation. It wasn’t the wound Arnold had touched but the skin around it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He explained nonchalantly, “It turned red where I sucked on it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s mouth fell open. Had he just said something completely outrageous? He must have been talking about when he sucked the poison, but her mind flitted to the things Arnold did to her the night before all over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It stands out all the more because your skin is so pale.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep?!” A belated heat rose to her cheeks. She snatched the covers up to hide what she could only assume was her bright-red face. She didn’t even want to see Arnold’s expression right now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait, when he gave me the antidote yesterday, didn’t he also do it mouth-to-mouth?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her body felt hotter now than when she had a fever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As her head spun, Rishe managed to squeak out, “There’s, um, something I’ve been wondering about you, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait, I can’t ask him why he acts so familiar with women!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or was this normal? She wanted to ask, but she was too afraid and didn’t know where that feeling was coming from."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe,” Arnold said while her emotions spiraled. “Why did you entrust Leo with your message for me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That stopped Rishe’s emotional whirlwind in its tracks. Slowly, she peeked over the top of the blankets. “I thought I had to find Lady Millia as soon as possible because I feared the worst.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not what I meant.” When their eyes met, Arnold was expressionless—but he wasn’t going to let Rishe get out of this one, it seemed. He’d gotten plenty mad at her last night and wasn’t showing her any mercy. “You can’t tell me you really think he’s trustworthy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His cold gaze pierced Rishe, as if the mood between them up until now had been an illusion. She took a breath. It was true; she couldn’t attribute her suspicions about the way Leo moved to just over-training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not surprised Prince Arnold noticed too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The day before yesterday, in the forest, Rishe had walked with a fixed stride. Doing that had allowed her to create a mental map of the path she’d taken. This was useful in unfamiliar places, and that information had helped her find Millia the next day. What was unnatural was how Leo had acted while Rishe was measuring her steps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back then, Leo matched my pace perfectly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had walked neither faster nor slower. His pace had been in sync with hers in the forest in spite of the unstable footing. That meant that Leo was either measuring his steps as well or he was purposely matching her pace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Odd of him to know about body doubles for royalty as well,” Arnold said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt the same way. It might have made sense if Leo had been more involved with royals or nobles, but if the practice was known among the common people, it wouldn’t have any meaning. His imagination running wild would be one thing, but Leo had specifically said he’d heard it before. There were just too many peculiarities about him to convincingly call him a “normal kid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You had your doubts about him too. That’s why you didn’t mention the antidote when you sent him to me with a message.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was pressed for time, mostly. I believed you’d know exactly what I wanted you to do, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t imagine you went out of your way to gamble in a situation like that. It wasn’t just your own safety on the line but that of the priestess girl too.” Arnold sat on the edge of the bed. “I had Oliver investigate the carriage’s broken axle some more. They hired several drivers to throw off the scent, but it was the Church who originally prepared the carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squeezed the sheets in her hands. “Then…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The ones who are trying to kill the new priestess are from the very Church tasked with protecting her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She already knew, but hearing the words still produced a sick ache in her chest. A forbidden forest without even a lookout, their policy of letting in as few servants and guards as possible… Since it was the Church’s scheme, the goddess’s teachings and the festival were just excuses."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Church that’s supposed to protect her is trying to kill Mistress Millia, the genuine royal priestess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe lapsed into silence, Arnold said, “Leo was walking to make noise on purpose.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyes widened; she hadn’t expected that. “Do you mean to say that Leo would make no sound at all if he walked normally?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. But that would make him stand out, so he goes out of his way to do so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is rather easy to pick out Leo’s footsteps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They naturally sounded different than those of adults, but there was also a clear difference between his and Millia’s footsteps despite their similar weights. Rishe had just assumed that she could tell them apart because she knew them from her previous lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold picked up on that just from watching Leo walk?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His observations had surpassed Rishe’s in a matter of minutes. She was surprised yesterday, but she was utterly shocked today."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t need to tell you why someone would teach a child a skill like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I almost wish you did.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, regardless of your wishes, when you put the facts together, everything becomes clear.” Arnold paused, then stated the brutal truth: “Leo has been trained as an assassin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, eyes downcast. The reason for the peculiar way he moved and the excessive training he’d gone through at his age was because he’d grown up in a very particular environment. She and Arnold agreed on this point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you knew that, why’d you send him with the message?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you agreed to teach him despite your suspicions, Your Highness. Isn’t that because you hadn’t yet determined where his allegiances lie?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s brow scrunched ever so slightly. “It was nothing so dramatic. I just thought if I brought him back and gave him to Theodore, my brother would find some way to make use of him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was a lie. Arnold had agreed to teach Leo even after he said he wouldn’t go back to Galkhein with them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In all likelihood, Leo was trained to be an assassin at Bishop Schneider’s orphanage. He would only have left the orphanage if there was no reason to keep him anymore. Either he was acknowledged as an assassin and sent to work, or he was deemed a failure and released.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What, you think Leo’s already washed his hands off the assassination business?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, Prince Arnold.” Rishe met Arnold’s eyes. “I believe that Leo is an assassin.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a quiet breath. “Then why send him to me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I judged that he wasn’t a threat even if he is an assassin. I believe he’s too kind to make a career out of killing people.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the day they arrived at the Grand Basilica, Leo had ridden his horse as fast as he could to inform them that the duke’s carriage had crashed. When Millia went missing, Leo explained the situation to Rishe with a genuinely pale face. If he were trying to kill Millia, all he had to do was keep quiet and then tell a convincing lie later. Yet he’d gone so far as to seek Arnold for his help."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I took advantage of that fact. I judged that, no matter Leo’s skills, he was too kind to take a person’s life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was why she’d forced Leo and Millia to interact with each other even though she knew it was cruel. After all, Rishe knew his future. Leo was destined to screw up at his job and lose his eye to a beating from his employer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His injuries were so bad that if he hadn’t escaped, I’m sure he would have been killed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That “employer” wasn’t Millia’s father, the duke. It was the person he worked for as an assassin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His “mistake” might have been made during his attempt to assassinate Mistress Millia. Perhaps Duke Jonal’s paralysis by way of illness was a lie, and it was actually inflicted by a poisoning he received in Mistress Millia’s place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though Rishe and the seamstresses had survived their poisoning, if their treatment had come too late, they could have been paralyzed in much the same way. Now that she thought back on it, Duke Jonal’s symptoms could absolutely have been caused by this poison compound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His Grace probably lied about it in my fourth loop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Duke Jonal hadn’t wanted to tell the truth of his condition for Millia’s sake. He might have changed out all his servants for fear of one of them telling her the truth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The duke’s paralysis and Leo’s terrible injuries must both come back to the events here at the Grand Basilica."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All the chaos had probably been the cause of the clergymen’s dismissals. Millia blamed herself for the misfortunes and brought that wound with her all the way to adulthood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need to make sure that Leo never carries out the assassination, and that the duke and Mistress Millia go home safely. But if the enemy targeting Mistress Millia is the most powerful Church in the world, what can I do?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It became too much for her to bear, and she murmured, “Why would the Church want to kill the royal priestess?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gave a small snort. Her head shot up in surprise. “Do you really believe the Church wants to protect the royal priestess?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is he saying? She couldn’t ask him because she’d caught on to the same thing. “You’re referring to the death of the previous royal priestess twenty-two years ago.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh. What do you think?” He chuckled as if he found it funny, but there was a darkness in his smile. Rishe had seen that smile somewhere before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The previous priestess would have died a few years before Prince Arnold was born."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He couldn’t have been personally familiar with the accident, but something about this just didn’t sit right with Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve been wondering about this since my fourth loop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If they really wanted to protect Millia, why not announce her status officially and protect her with the full force of their organization? The royal priestess was the reincarnation of the goddess, an object of worship for the faithful worldwide. If her existence was publicized, surely it would be easier to guarantee her safety. So why had they hidden her existence and had a duke adopt her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold smiled and met her gaze. “Do you want to save that priestess girl?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded firmly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s large hand stroked her cheek and tilted her head up. “The festival will proceed today as scheduled,” he said softly. “They rushed the preparations so that everything could go as planned.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The archbishop, the other bishops, and royal priestess Millia were the festival’s central figures. She would be alone with the very group of people trying to kill her. Whatever happened there, no one would protect her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why would they agree to that after you warned them about the assassination? The duke couldn’t possibly have ruled out the Church as suspect.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a strange thing to say.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gave Arnold a confused look."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Duke Jonal is a devout believer. He’s raising the priestess precisely because the Church ordered him to, is he not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now the Church wishes for her death. In this situation, what reason would the duke have to protect a child he didn’t father?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold honestly believed his words. Rishe hurried to refute him. “That’s not true! Lady Millia is Duke Jonal’s precious daughter. He would never expose her to danger no matter what the Church wishes, regardless of any blood ties.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew full well how the duke cherished Millia and how much care he took in raising her. His love for her was real; it surpassed any blood ties or orders from the Church."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want to save them. Lady Millia and Leo and Duke Jonal—all of them!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s gaze dropped. “Then don’t worry.” His next words to her were gentle. “If that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you sure, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stood from the bed and picked up his jacket from a nearby chair, then shrugged it on. “You keep resting for a little longer,” he told her, leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have Prince Arnold on my side. Nothing should be more reassuring, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Worry still lapped at her heart like waves. Rishe stood, her mouth taut in a hard line, and began to get ready."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0009.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "MUCH OF THE GRAND BASILICA was deserted. Rishe’s footsteps reverberated off the silent halls. Now dressed, Rishe peeked into the cathedral hall nearest the guest building and found it just as empty. Up until yesterday, the place had been packed with bishops offering prayers to the goddess and monks busy with festival preparations."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s no one here. It’s not just Mistress Millia and Duke Jonal…I don’t see Prince Arnold or Oliver anywhere either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Had they all headed for the cathedral? Regular worshippers were forbidden from attending the festival rite. Not even Arnold was permitted inside the cathedral right now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why am I so uneasy? Rishe’s mouth was a tight frown as she ran toward the cathedral. In the future, Emperor Arnold Hein burns churches and priests. Right now, Prince Arnold shouldn’t take such drastic actions…but why did he order the Church personnel to stay away from me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There had to be a reason for his future enmity. In her past lives, Rishe assumed he’d gone after the Church simply because it was a nuisance. People all over the world relied on the Church’s authority. It was nothing but an eyesore for someone who wished to rule over those people, and he had no reason to permit its existence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, I’m sure that’s only one of his reasons."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the distance, a bell rang, signifying the beginning of the festival. Rishe lifted her skirt to dash faster, but a moment later…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah! Leo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A boy jumped out in front of her and Rishe skidded to a stop. Leo stood and looked her in the eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She gulped. I really didn’t hear a thing. I didn’t sense him coming at all!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Observing her, Leo cautiously asked, “You’re going to the cathedral?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. The festival’s about to start, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo scowled. “If not for the urgent meeting Arnold Hein just called with the archbishop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold? I can’t imagine the archbishop agreeing to such a thing right before the festival.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure he used their treaty. I hear the Church can’t refuse when Galkhein requests a meeting with them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened. I didn’t know Galkhein and the Church had a treaty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The boy snorted when he saw her reaction. “You had no idea.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even if they do have a treaty like that, there’s no way they’d prioritize it over the festival. The meeting isn’t Prince Arnold’s motive, then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe grimaced."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s making the Church break their treaty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was certain of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t know the consequences for breaking the treaty, but it’s possible that Prince Arnold will use that as an excuse to intrude upon the festival."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A chill crept down Rishe’s back. Even if she couldn’t trust in Emperor Arnold Hein, she’d assumed the nineteen-year-old Arnold she knew wouldn’t needlessly antagonize the Church. Maybe that assumption was wrong. Galkhein and the Church had some sort of agreement. If the Church broke their end of the agreement, it would be easy for Arnold to act against them. He must’ve asked for a meeting he didn’t even want because he was looking to position himself at the ready."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold has the perfect justification for his actions as long as he’s saving Mistress Millia."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold would actually gain the support of believers worldwide if his mission was to protect the royal priestess from the Church."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s such a kind man. That’s why he’s able to go to extreme lengths to protect someone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was certain he would try to rescue Millia to fulfill her wish…by any means necessary."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have to go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had to save Millia, but she also had to prevent Arnold from doing anything too drastic. Much as she didn’t want to believe she’d been mistaken to ask for his help, she also found herself cursing her hastiness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tried to hasten on, but Leo’s small body blocked her path. “I can’t let you get any closer to the cathedral.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t take my eyes off you for a second, so I have no choice but to give you a warning. If you’re allied with Arnold Hein, then I can’t let you go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Overcome with sadness, Rishe clenched her fists. “I can’t be Prince Arnold’s ally.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo blinked, wide-eyed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for worrying about me, Leo…but I’m sorry.” Rishe looked right at him and told him, “There are things that I have to do at his side even if it means becoming his enemy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I warned you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe made to run, so Leo leaped in her way to cut her off. He tried to grab her wrist, so she swiftly dodged. She stepped back, putting distance between herself and Leo, and tried to steady her breathing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo immediately closed the gap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s fast!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t even have the time to let her surprise show. Leo’s hand shot toward her collar. The moment he touched her dress, she whirled out of his reach. He reached for her again, so she lightly struck his wrist."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hand knocked away, Leo sprang back. “You really are a lousy body double. The way you move, it’s completely obvious you’re not the real princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I suppose you don’t need to play the part of the normal boy anymore, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s no point with you two. Not with you watching my every move and pointing out everything I’m trying to hide!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He charged her, but Rishe dodged at the last second. Leo kept up his attack, going for Rishe’s wrist, then trying to sweep her legs when she avoided him. Rishe was playing keep-away, but every time she dodged, he got right back up next to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh! I don’t even have time to breathe!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that she thought about it, she’d always been up against bigger opponents. She barely had any experience fighting someone smaller, like Leo. It was throwing her off and putting her at a distinct disadvantage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s so quick! If I let my attention waver for a moment, he’ll get me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo reached for her again. She avoided him, struck at him, tried to pull away. The moment she considered running past him, he closed in on her once more. Leo’s arms, slender and flexible, sped to capture her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not used to fighting like this, so…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a breath and then reached out to Leo herself. She gripped his wrist and tugged it backward. When he lost his balance, she swooped in behind him, grabbed his clothes, and pulled him toward her. Leo clicked his tongue and tried to get low to the ground, but Rishe was anticipating it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is my only way out!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe used Leo’s movement to pull him to the ground herself. He tried to regain his balance, but Rishe swept his legs out from under him and threw him down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he has one, he’ll use a weapon here!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While on his back, Leo threw something he had hidden in his sleeve at Rishe. She dodged it on reflex and realized it was a small stone. Rishe flipped Leo over and reached for her skirt’s hem. She bound his hands behind him with the rope she kept fixed to her thigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let me go!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ignoring his cries, she looped the rope around his wrists and tied it with a difficult knot. She didn’t plan on keeping him tied up for too long, so she didn’t need to break his bones."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t believe this! You know all my moves?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I do. I’m well versed in how to fight with a small build.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo’s technique was top-class, but that made him easy to read. He wasted no movements and aimed with complete precision, so Rishe could anticipate his moves exactly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Long-range weapons lack stopping power: stones, throwing knives, and even arrows.” Rishe stood and dusted her dress. “They’re challenging to use, and they’re not very lethal. It’s so hard to kill with them, in fact, that you must coat them in poison to be sure you take your target out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have the poison on you, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo’s strawberry-red eyes glared up at Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’d used it just now, you might have been able to stop me. So why didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very funny coming from someone who didn’t give me a single chance to hit her,” Leo said bitterly, but he was lying. After all, Rishe was rapidly losing stamina. Although she feigned composure, her bandages were soaked with sweat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m so exhausted. I feel faint and dizzy, like I’m anemic… Our skirmish was awful on my body. My stamina’s so drained from the poison."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wanted to head for the cathedral as soon as possible, but she couldn’t run until she caught her breath. She trained every morning but found it difficult to build stamina. Concealing her belabored breathing, she looked down at Leo."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t use a poisoned weapon because you were worried about me, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no, I think I’m right. You’re a sweet kid; you’re not suited to killing people.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop it! Stop talking like my family or sister or something when you’ve only known me for a few days!” From the ground, Leo glared at Rishe. “I needed to stop you. Even if I died here or had to kill you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Leo…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why?!” Leo’s small shoulders shook, causing her to gasp."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It couldn’t be!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kneeling before him, she sat him up and looked into his eyes. “Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said nothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who is your enemy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All this time, she’d been wrong. What she asked him now, she asked to determine if her hunch was correct."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo seemed to be enduring something for a moment, and then he drooped, resigned, and sighed as if he were much older. “My enemy is Galkhein.” Leo looked up into Rishe’s eyes. “And the bishops of the Crusade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d been wrong about Leo—wrong about why he’d learned to fight, why he’d been hastily taken under the duke’s employ, and why he’d accompanied them to the festival as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s not here to kill Mistress Millia. He’s here to protect her!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her sixth loop, Leo had made a mistake at his former job. Rishe had assumed that mistake was failing an assassination, but if Leo was a guard and not an assassin, then his mistake would have been failing to protect Millia and her father. That was why Leo had always seemed angry about something in that life. What if he had been angry at himself for failing in his mission and letting the duke get hurt?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s why he wanted Prince Arnold to train him so he could become stronger. It wasn’t so that he could kill better, but so he could protect someone better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s fists tightened as she masked her alarm. “Are you Lady Millia’s guard?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not after how badly I screwed up. I took my eyes off her, put her in danger, and on top of that, you were the one who saved her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You said the bishops of the Crusade were your enemies. Does that mean it’s the archbishop and Bishop Schneider who are after Lady Millia’s life?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo didn’t answer, averting his eyes. But there was something else he’d said that she couldn’t ignore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you say Galkhein’s your enemy?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because the Church…” Leo took a short breath. “At this rate, Galkhein will wipe us out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught. He spoke as if he knew the future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Does that mean the Church already knows why Prince Arnold will attack them?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That cleared up one of her remaining questions. Arnold had warned the duke that Millia was being targeted, yet the duke had handed her over to the Church for the festival without suspicion. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Arnold’s warning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the opposite. He perceived it as a threat!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If the very person who had a reason to kill his beloved daughter told him that she was in danger, the father would be on his guard and rush to finish their business as soon as possible so that they could leave."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Prince Arnold had predicted even that last night, then he was speeding the festival along so that he could pick a fight with the Church as soon as possible!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But what reason did Arnold have to go to such lengths? The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. What was most important now was that she had to hurry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you sure you just wanna leave me here tied up? It’ll take a while, but I can get out of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s fine. I’m not your enemy.” She was breathing a lot easier now. With just a bit more time, she would be able to move again no matter how incomplete her recovery had been. “I want to protect Lady Millia. And I want to prevent Prince Arnold from clashing with the Church too. As such, our interests align.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo frowned and muttered, “Are you serious? Are you really Galkhein’s crown princess?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not until I can annul my engagement ceremony properly. I can’t do that if we start a fight with the Church.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know, Leo.” Rishe smiled, remembering her sixth loop. In that life, Leo had always looked angry. He never interacted with people as he watched their training from afar, and Rishe hadn’t been able to leave him alone. She’d taken every opportunity to talk to him, even though he drove her away as if she annoyed him each time. She did that for almost five years, so she couldn’t help acting like a concerned sister, just as he’d said. “There was a boy a lot like you whom I always thought of as a little brother. So when you told me not to talk like your sister earlier, it made me a little happy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If we can, I’d like to talk to you some more later,” Rishe told him before she left."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Goddess Tower!” Leo called out to her as she walked away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wheeled around in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leo lowered his head and told her, “The archbishop and Millia aren’t in the cathedral.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The cathedral is for large events with big crowds, but real holy ceremonies take place at the Goddess Tower in the innermost part of the Grand Basilica.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe recalled the mental map of the Grand Basilica from her fourth loop. In the future she knew, there was no such place as the “Goddess Tower,” but there was a tower deep in the Grand Basilica that was off-limits."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Leo.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You believe me? What if I’m lying?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all right.” Rishe grinned. Rather than the ladylike smile of a noblewoman, it was the boyish smirk she would’ve worn in her life as a knight. “If you truly lied to me, I bet you’ll shout ‘Wait, I lied!’ before I’m out of earshot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, shut up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe apologized, somewhat flustered by his outburst, and took off for the Goddess Tower."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What a strange lady,” Leo muttered to himself, left alone in the hall. The knot around his wrists was awfully complex. He didn’t think it’d be completely impossible to get out of, but it would take considerable effort. “Damn it! If she’s really not in the same business, then what is she?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After clicking his tongue, Leo looked off in the direction that Rishe had gone. “The future empress of Galkhein, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe ran to the innermost area of the Grand Basilica, taking care not to get dizzy. Leo’s revelation was whirling in her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo said Galkhein was one of his enemies. He didn’t mention Prince Arnold but named the country itself. Why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The full picture was getting clearer, but some core pieces of the puzzle were still missing. It was causing her no small amount of anxiety."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m guessing the duke pulled me away from Mistress Millia because he didn’t want me realizing she was the royal priestess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, it felt a little unnatural."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s like he specifically didn’t want me to find out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The events of the day before yesterday came to mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I first met Mistress Millia in this life, Prince Arnold gave her the coldest glare. The duke also grew nervous the moment Prince Arnold named himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was there anything else that had struck her as strange?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something I heard here at the Grand Basilica… Something about Prince Arnold, about his childhood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One possibility emerged in Rishe’s mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No way!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could hardly believe what she was thinking as she finally arrived at the tower and barged through the doors. The chamber inside was the size of a chapel. There was an entrance hall just inside the doors with twin staircases to the left and right. Rishe ascended one of them and spotted someone else when she got to the third floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Rishe.” Oliver turned around casually, but Schneider was lying at his feet. The bishop appeared to be unconscious, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Rishe was startled, but he didn’t seem seriously injured. It looked like he’d just been taken out with a single well-placed hit. “Well, this isn’t good. I could have sworn I sent a monk with a message telling you to rest in your room, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was this Prince Arnold’s doing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. My lord is a few floors higher, pursuing the archbishop.” Oliver pointed upward with a smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She swallowed hard. Oliver never batted an eyelash at anything Arnold did, but seeing him like this admittedly scared her a bit. “I’m going after him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wouldn’t if I were you. My lord is in a rather foul mood. You were injured, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, surprised. She got the feeling that Oliver had donned a liar’s smile, however. “Thank you for the warning! But if Prince Arnold isn’t thinking clearly, then that’s all the more reason someone has to stop him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She headed upstairs, shoulders heaving, out of breath again even though she’d just rested. When she had nearly reached the sixth floor, she finally noticed something out of place: an arrow lying on one of the steps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is one of the sacred tools used in the festival!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Plucking it from the step, she looked up and saw several more arrows scattered on the stairs. She bit her lip when she saw the accompanying bow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mistress Millia reveres the goddess. She would never leave the sacred tools on the ground if she dropped them. Either she wasn’t in a situation where she could pick them up, or she wasn’t in any condition to—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Scooping up the bow and arrows, Rishe ran until she reached the seventh floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold slowly turned to face her, his sword drawn. Instinctively, Rishe shuddered in fear. The man in front of her was the very picture of the emperor who had slain her in her sixth loop. Unlike then, the monks lying around were still breathing, and the look in Arnold’s eyes as he stared at her lacked that too-familiar icy bloodlust."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Rishe?” Arnold reached out to her, gaze strangely gentle. “You’re out of breath—and so pale.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure you pushed yourself to get here, didn’t you?” He stroked her cheek, his hand reeking of blood. “I’ll save the priestess girl. You don’t need to worry about anything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just be good and wait.” He spoke coaxingly, but his tone brooked no argument. “You can do that, can’t you?” Arnold fixed his sea-colored eyes on Rishe. The light in them was dark and sharp like a blade."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s something I’d like to ask you first.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why had Arnold wanted the people of the Church to stay away from Rishe? She remembered the day they arrived at the Grand Basilica. Rishe and Arnold had talked on the balcony, but before that, Rishe had spoken to Bishop Schneider."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s why only a woman born to the priestess’s bloodline can be chosen for the position.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are a few men in the family, so the goddess’s precious bloodline has not died out completely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The late royal priestess was highly proficient. I doubt we’ll ever see someone of her fluency again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe inhaled deeply. Millia was her mother’s only child. After her mother died, Millia became the only female descendant of the royal priestess. That was why she was raised in secret."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But what if there was another woman whose existence was hidden?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like the Church concealed Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If someone who was supposed to be dead was really alive…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s language lesson played back in her mind. “That whole line would be read as ‘the girl with hair the color of flowers.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She stared at him. As he stood there before her with a heavy sword in hand, looking down at her, he was so beautiful it was like he’d stepped out of a painting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What color was your mother’s hair?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several seconds passed before a serene smile appeared on Arnold’s face. His eyes were still dark—a fathomless color, like the sea at night. Quietly, Arnold answered, “Faint purple, like violet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. The previous royal priestess hadn’t died. She had likely been offered up as a hostage. The Holy Kingdom of Domana had given her to Galkhein, to Arnold’s father, to prevent him from invading them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your mother was the royal priestess who was supposed to have died…” In other words, Arnold himself inherited the blood of the priestess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bishop Schneider’s words came back to her then: “You must not marry Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If the Church wanted to kill Millia because she’d inherited the priestess’s blood, then it would make sense that they’d also want to prevent any new children in the bloodline."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why Prince Arnold told the bishop I was nothing but a trophy wife!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was saying that he had no intention of having a child with Rishe who could qualify as a priestess. His words were intended to prevent the Church from doing any harm to his future wife."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was all to protect me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In fact, the whole reason Arnold accompanied her to the Grand Basilica might have been to give the Church a warning. Yet Arnold had never spoken a word of that to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My father is likely behind the assassination attempts on the priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once again, Rishe gasped as Arnold spoke indifferently about Millia, his cousin. He then turned around and headed up the stairs. Rishe didn’t sense Millia or the archbishop on this floor, and Arnold had likely noticed the same thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You believe your father is involved in the assassination?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not directly, but he’s the cause of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe followed Arnold, heading upstairs with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without turning back to her, Arnold continued, “In exchange for not invading them, Galkhein formed a treaty with the Holy Kingdom of Domana twenty-two years ago.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A treaty…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The emperor of Galkhein hadn’t spared the Holy Kingdom of Domana from invasion because he was a devout believer in the Church. He just used his military power to force them into a secret agreement. The Holy Kingdom itself became the emperor’s hostage, along with the royal priestess who married him and Arnold, who’d inherited her precious blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Part of the treaty was that any person qualified to become the priestess in the next twenty years be handed over to Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then the reason Millia’s been kept hidden is…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not to protect her from the world at large but from my home country.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They passed by the entrance to the eighth floor and continued up the stairs toward the ninth. Rishe was almost winded, but she tried to keep Arnold from noticing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My father has made it clear he will destroy the Church if they break the treaty. The existence of the priestess goes against their agreement.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s why Leo said Galkhein would wipe out the Church!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold whirled around when he heard that. “So Leo was the priestess’s protector, not her assassin?” There was no emotion in his voice. He spun forward again and muttered, “The Church isn’t a monolith. Guess there’s one faction trying to keep the royal priestess alive and another trying to kill her before Galkhein finds out about her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is the archbishop trying to kill Lady Millia so that Galkhein has no reason to invade?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s rather shortsighted of him to think they can murder her beneath our notice.” His tone deliberate, Arnold went on, “They’re holding the festival so he could call the priestess here and get her away from her guards.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart throbbed. She felt sick and dizzy, her anemic state worsening. Part of it was because of all the moving around, but there was another obvious cause right in front of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So much bloodlust!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The bloodthirstiness radiating from Arnold triggered an instinctive fear in Rishe. Her body was telling her that he was dangerous—that she had to get away from him as soon as possible. An unpleasant sweat welled up on her skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The traps in the forest were made to look like some nearby hunters had put them there, but they were also attempts on her life. After all, the young priestess was likely the only person who would enter the forbidden forest.” Arnold stopped in front of the door to the ninth floor. “But those traps almost cost you your life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She shuddered at Arnold’s low voice. “Your Highness! Please calm yourself! You’re liable to create unnecessary victims at this rate.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unnecessary? Why?” Arnold headed for the door, saying, “The Church broke the treaty and openly displayed their will to resist. If they’re going to come after our lives, I don’t see how they could complain if we do the same.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You just said yourself that they’re not a monolith! They may all belong to the Church, but they don’t all think the same way!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s only response was to raise his leg and kick the heavy door open."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instantly, arrows fell upon them like rain. Before Rishe could even put her guard up, Arnold stepped forward. He repelled all arrows with a single sweep of his sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He blocked them all in one swing!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were a dozen or so bow-wielding monks in the large hall, guarding the altar behind them. They were completely panicked, but Arnold’s eyes weren’t even focused on them. He was looking only at the archbishop, who was dragging an unconscious Millia to the altar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There he is.” Arnold’s eyes were like a carnivorous beast’s. “He’s not going to kill the priestess on the altar, is he? That’s almost funny.” Arnold laughed, sounding truly amused. “Does the old man truly think that’ll justify his actions? Ridiculous.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You stay here,” he ordered. “Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe started; Oliver had crept up behind her at some point during their conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t even notice. Is my condition so bad that my senses have dulled this much?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She squeezed her fists. Before she could even call out to Arnold, he rushed into the room. Though she wanted to follow, Oliver’s hand was clamped firmly on her shoulder. She faced him but had no energy to shake him off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver! His Highness is going to kill the archbishop!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure he will. I wouldn’t worry about it, though.” Oliver smiled, the picture-perfect attendant. “The Church elders will doubtless excommunicate the archbishop if he does.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The existence of the royal priestess, their hiding her, the assassination attempts… I imagine they’ll foist it all upon the archbishop and offer him up to the emperor to atone. Then they’ll hand Lady Millia over to Galkhein and say, ‘It’s a little late, but our treaty still stands,’ and that’ll be that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s head pounded. Bile rose in her throat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure this would have happened sooner or later. The emperor’s interest was piqued when they announced they would resume the festival, you see. I think this will be a much more peaceful way to end things than the emperor going to war with the Church over Lady Millia’s existence.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However…” Oliver’s perfect smile faded from his face, replaced by one that seemed forlorn. “If my lord kills several people in order to save his cousin, Lady Millia, I’m sure he’ll only end up carrying more burdens.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver, you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d quite like for you to help him if possible. Presumptuous of me to say so, I know, considering my lord doesn’t wish for the same thing.” With that, Oliver’s hand left Rishe’s shoulder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold charged toward the altar, avoiding and deflecting the monks’ arrows. The closer he got, the more accurate their shots were, but that didn’t slow him down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’ll be there soon, but I’ve got other fish to fry!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The archbishop hoisted Millia up onto the altar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have to save Mistress Millia!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was fast, but he wouldn’t make it in time. Rishe tightened her grip on the sacred tools in her hands: the royal priestess’s bow, the holy artifact that should have been used in the festival rite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sorry, Mistress. Rishe took a deep breath. Please let me borrow your sacred tools."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing?!” Oliver’s eyes nearly popped out as Rishe nocked an arrow. “You’re being reckless! The altar is too far; even a trained archer would have trouble making that shot!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is all I’ve got.” She stood with her feet shoulder-width apart and lined up her shot, aiming for the archbishop’s legs. An arrow in the leg wouldn’t kill him, but it would pin him in place and cause a lot of pain. If her arrow met its mark, he wouldn’t be able to harm Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We’re indoors, and there’s no wind. No trees or brush in the way, and my target won’t scurry like a wild animal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took several deep breaths, honing her concentration to a fine point. She shut out all the sounds and voices around her, pulling the bowstring taut. Her hand hovered by her ear. She steadied it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’ll be an easier target than the game in my fifth loop—my life as a hunter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t need to watch butterflies or birds to read the coming weather, climb trees to hide, conceal her presence, or track prey through mountains. At the end of her arrowhead, the archbishop was reaching for Millia."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At just the right moment, she let the arrow fly. It sped past Arnold, who whipped his head back at her for a second, then faced forward immediately after. A second later…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aaaahh!” The archbishop tumbled down from the altar, clutching his thigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind Rishe, Oliver gasped. “He was over a hundred meters away, but that shot was so accurate!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Take care of this!” Rishe thrust the sacred bow at Oliver and sprinted for the altar herself. For now, she had to pretend she wasn’t sluggish and sick."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve stopped the archbishop. Just one more thing left to do!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sauntered toward the archbishop, sword in hand. His sharp, clacking footsteps were amplified by the chamber’s strained air. The bow-wielding monks scattered in all directions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” Rishe called, but he ignored her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Doubled over on the steps leading to the altar, the archbishop cowered before Arnold, holding his injured leg. “Stay back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Silence,” Arnold snapped, his voice ice-cold. Rishe couldn’t see his face, but she could see the archbishop’s expression as he attempted to crawl away from Arnold. “I haven’t permitted you to speak.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The archbishop wheezed in terror. Just what was he was seeing? His face was tense, pale, and twitching."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a single glance at Millia atop the altar and said with disinterest, “The previous priestess’s sister was supposed to be of poor health, wasn’t she? It was deemed difficult for her to bear a child, so she wasn’t subject to the treaty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you to stay away!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So then…” Arnold took his final step forward. He regarded the archbishop and quietly asked, “What is her daughter doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Deathly pale, the archbishop tried desperately to explain himself with wild gesticulations. “I was always against it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s utter folly to defy Galkhein! Twenty-two years ago, I offered our precious royal priestess to your country to express my loyalty!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s lips thinned into a line as she darted toward the altar. The archbishop continued to babble, ignoring Arnold’s steely silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I couldn’t just go against the cardinals. I only pretended to agree, and I waited ten years for this opportunity! If we let Millia live, we won’t be able to avoid conflict with Galkhein. That will lead to another war—the violent disruption of peace all around the world!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I may have gone against the cardinals, but I never intended to betray Galkhein! My decision to get rid of her was out of loyalty to you and your father, Your Highness!” The archbishop clasped his hands in front of his chest. “It was all for the sake of global peace!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The archbishop prayed not to the goddess but to Arnold, voice quivering. “I beg you, please understand!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of the most prominent religious figures in the world was pleading with Arnold. His response was curt. “And why should I have to listen to your insipid prayers?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The archbishop gaped at Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have no interest in any world of your creation. Unlike my father, I’m perfectly content to end you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is extremely convenient.” Arnold must have been smiling; Rishe knew it from the look on the archbishop’s face. “The treaty gives me a legitimate excuse to get rid of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At last, she reached them. “Your Highness!” Rishe grabbed Arnold’s sleeve and called out to him, out of breath. But Arnold didn’t answer; he didn’t even look her way. She said his name once again, as if in prayer. “Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After several painful seconds, Arnold turned around, scowling. “Rishe. Don’t tell me you’re about to beg for his life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I beseech you, please put your sword away!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sneered at her. “You’re just saying that because you were the only one who nearly died from all this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re too indifferent to your own safety. You act as if you’ve forgotten your own mortality.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the inside, Rishe was sweating, but she made sure not to show it on her face. She looked Arnold in the eye and pleaded with him. “You cannot kill this man. Even if you save Lady Millia, killing the archbishop of the Crusade will inevitably spark strife with the Church!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why should I care?” Arnold growled, shaking off her hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to use her whole body to stop him, but any force she could muster probably wouldn’t even slow him down. If she leaped in front of the archbishop, all Arnold had to do was push her aside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He can’t kill him. I don’t want Prince Arnold to think that he can only use the same methods as his father to accomplish things."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she let him kill the archbishop here, it would all be over. Rishe knew the future, after all. Arnold wasn’t the sort of person who believed murder was the best way to solve a problem, yet he still moved toward the archbishop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll have to distract him! I need to get him to stop thinking about how much he wants to kill the archbishop! How can I pull his attention away from his anger, even for a second?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold adjusted his grip on his sword to get it into position. The archbishop was completely petrified with fear. Rishe rifled through her thoughts for a solution."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What can I do? Think! What shocked me the most recently?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What had completely distracted her from everything she’d been thinking and feeling previously? The moment she asked herself that question, a vivid memory replayed in her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes! That’s it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that she had a plan of action, there was no time to waste. She ran up to Arnold and reached for him. “Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe threw her arms around his neck and used her weight to pull him closer, her eyes locked on to the exposed nape above his high collar. Then she brought her lips down on it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you—?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She opened her mouth wide and bit down hard on Arnold’s neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?!” Arnold’s dumbfounded voice was right in her ear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The large room went completely quiet. Arnold’s bloodlust wavered. At the same moment, his hand went to her hip, and Rishe released Arnold’s neck with a gasp. Arnold’s blue eyes considered Rishe from up close."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you doing?” he asked with a glare. Although he didn’t seem nearly as murderous, his face was somehow more frightening."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver and the archbishop watched, mouths agape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With Arnold’s hand around her waist, Rishe blinked. “What am I doing?” A beat. “Oh no, did it hurt?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t say anything about that!” Arnold raised his voice uncharacteristically, and Rishe flinched in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As long as it didn’t hurt him, then it’s fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a sigh of relief, she reached up to touch Arnold’s cheek. She peered up at him in earnest and said, “I was just trying to make you look at me.” Holding his face in her hands, she looked deep into his blue eyes. They were so close she could see herself in them. “The archbishop’s plan ended in failure.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As long as you’re here, his fear will immobilize him. There’s nothing he can do anymore.” Rishe side-eyed the archbishop, who flinched in terror. He was completely frozen and probably wouldn’t even be able to stand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Arnold narrowed his eyes. “There is no justice in anything this man said.” His voice was even lower than usual. “I already know he’s distantly related to the priestess. Killing her direct descendant would benefit him. Do you think a saint who kills a child for his own selfish reasons deserves to live?” He gently placed his hand over Rishe’s. “If we tell the cardinals of the Church about this, they’ll happily offer him up to us. Even if some of the cardinals were involved in the assassination, they’ll cut him off and feign ignorance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gently interlaced their fingers in hers and drew her hand away from his face, but Rishe didn’t break eye contact. Feeling a little despondent, she said, “Even if that’s true, then it’s all the more reason not to. You shouldn’t have to kill anyone if it’s not what you want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince’s brow lifted in surprise. “I do want to kill this man.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, you don’t,” Rishe asserted. “You aren’t even angry for your own sake. It’s for me and Lady Millia, I’m sure of it.” And perhaps his mother too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew the Arnold in front of her well. He was both the brutal crown prince who was feared on battlefields in the past and the cold-blooded tyrant who was dreaded in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You said that I was too indifferent to my own safety. Well, to me, it seems as though you’re too indifferent to your own emotions, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please,” she said gently, stopping him. This time, she didn’t touch his cheek. She looked down, reached out to the hand grasping his sword, and gripped his sleeve. “I don’t want a kind person like you to keep acting as if killing people doesn’t affect you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she could no longer see Arnold’s expression, she knew that if she raised her head now, her voice would start to shake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t. She was making a one-sided demand of Arnold, but she couldn’t let herself act so pathetic before him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a shallow breath to calm her wavering heart, then met Arnold’s eyes. “If you kill him, it will all be over here. It will be much more difficult to ascertain the full extent of his plans and everyone who was involved in them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But since we have him right where we want him, it’s more like you to make effective use of everything you have at your disposal. Isn’t that right, Prince Arnold Hein?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold held her gaze and asked, “Do you really think he’ll confess to all of his schemes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, I believe he will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just what about him is so trustworthy to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not him I trust, but you, Prince Arnold,” Rishe said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s brow furrowed ever so slightly before he heaved a deep sigh. He turned back to the archbishop, transferred his sword from his right hand to his left, and swung it down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sound of crumbling marble filled the room. Arnold had embedded his sword into the floor next to the archbishop. Rishe knew he no longer intended to kill the man, but even she shuddered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold studied the archbishop, who was quaking and unable to speak. “In deference to my wife, I’ll spare your life. Never forget what you owe to her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…I-I under—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I hope you’re not under some foolish misconception that you’ve been completely spared, though. I’m going to squeeze every single piece of information out of you no matter what it takes.” Arnold went down on one knee and loomed over the archbishop. “I’m going to make sure you wish you’d died today.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Beside him, goosebumps erupted across Rishe’s skin. Arnold exuded more bloodlust than when he was holding his sword. She found herself rooted to the spot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stood, wrenched his sword from the cracked floor, and sheathed it. At that moment, a dozen or so people stormed up to the entrance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "More Church soldiers?! Rishe wheeled around right as the big doors swung open. Standing at the front of the pack was Bishop Schneider, who should have been unconscious on a lower floor. What is he doing here? No, there’s no time for that. We must deal with this before Mistress Millia wakes up!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe tensed, Arnold held a hand up. “Prince Arnold?” she asked, confused."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ever composed, he replied, “He’s not working with the archbishop. I suspect they’ve been enemies for quite some time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Erm… Enemies, you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Schneider looked around the room and called out to the monks behind him. “Look! His Highness Prince Arnold of our allied nation of Galkhein has saved the royal priestess!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The monks raised a cheer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh.” Rishe couldn’t help but gape. Frankly, she’d been beside herself with worry. After all, Millia was unconscious, the archbishop was in a terrorized stupor, and Arnold had wielded his sword left and right, knocking out all the attacking monks on his way here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was afraid they wouldn’t believe that we’re trying to save Mistress Millia and we’d make an enemy of the Church. I suppose I have Bishop Schneider to thank?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The monks ran over and tied up the archbishop. One after the other, they expressed their gratitude to Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness! We were only able to save Lady Millia thanks to you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know how we could possibly repay you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After frowning in deep discomfort, Arnold wordlessly glanced at Schneider. Beside him stood Leo, who must have freed himself from Rishe’s binds. He met her eyes, sheepish."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed with relief. Bishop Schneider must have assigned Leo to protect Mistress Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Another man scrambled into the room, white as a sheet. “Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please wait, Your Grace.” Schneider grabbed the duke by his arm. “The archbishop may still have some minions lurking about. You should stay—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry, but please let me go!” The duke jerked out of Schneider’s grip and took off. He didn’t even notice Arnold or Rishe. He dashed straight to the monks who had lifted Millia and scooped her up in his arms. “Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia slowly opened her eyes and blinked up at him. “Papa…?” After a few seconds, her eyes finally focused, and she threw her arms around the duke’s neck. “Papa!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, you poor thing! That must have been terrifying! Are you hurt, my darling?!” Holding Millia close, the distraught duke apologized over and over. “I’m such an idiot! I didn’t even know who to trust! I believed the archbishop and handed you over! You’re more important to me than my own life, and I couldn’t protect you! I’m sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia sobbed into her father’s chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m a failure of a father. There’s no way you can stay with—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No! No, no!” Millia shook her head. The duke looked down at her, confused. “I had a dream after the archbishop gave me that medicine. I dreamed I was here at the Grand Basilica and a bunch of dangerous things fell on me and you saved me, Papa.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I did?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got hurt because of it, but then you lied about it forever after, saying it was ’cause of an old illness you had. See? You protected me, even in my dream!” Millia clung to the duke, sobbing uncontrollably. “I knew I would be safe ’cause I was dreaming of you, Papa. So…so…please don’t cry!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Millia!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry for worrying you, Papa. But…” Millia’s voice was ever so quiet and forlorn. “I promise I’ll be a good girl, so please keep being my papa.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I will!” the duke shouted to assuage his daughter’s fears. “I never want you to forget, no matter how naughty you are, that I’ll always love you and be on your side!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s sobs echoed through the room. In Rishe’s fourth loop, she worked hard to keep Millia from crying, but now she felt only relief upon seeing the tears on the young girl’s face. She glanced at Arnold. “That’s an awfully complicated face you’re making.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The duke and the priestess aren’t even blood relations, are they?” Arnold, who was Millia’s blood relative, frowned as he watched them. “Why is he so concerned with the priestess’s well-being? I don’t understand it at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Didn’t you say on our way to the Grand Basilica that ‘blood ties have nothing to do with how well two people get along’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold challenged her with his eyes. At the time, Arnold meant that blood relations didn’t mean two people would bond, but Rishe had flipped his words to mean the opposite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were exactly right. Blood ties have nothing to do with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They may not be blood-related, but those two are, without a doubt, father and daughter.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked dissatisfied for a few seconds, then exhaled. “Whatever. Oliver!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, my lord. I’m prepared to receive my punishment.” The silver-haired attendant slipped over with a sunny smile. Usually, Oliver only referred to Arnold as his lord when there was no one to overhear him. “I was ordered to hold Lady Rishe back, but I let her go. I apologize. With all due respect, however, I believe my decision was the right one.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I could never have imagined the way Lady Rishe would stop you. Hee hee hee hee…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I only regret that I couldn’t see your face when it happened. Such a pit—oww!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He kicked him! Rishe went wide-eyed as Oliver hunched over his shin. Arnold had wordlessly given him a vicious kick. She was reminded that Arnold only seemed to act like a young man of nineteen around Oliver."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you all right, Oliver?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s go, Rishe. You need to rest immediately. I don’t care about anything else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? But, um, Oliver looks like he’s in a lot of pain.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Leave him be. If you won’t come with me, then I’ll carry you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eep!” Rishe gave Oliver a silent apology and followed Arnold. Then her legs gave out from under her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing Rishe collapse, Arnold immediately bent down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack!” This situation was a familiar one to Rishe, so she yelped, “N-not the princess carry, please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thrust her hands out at Arnold in protest. “I can walk by myself; I’m fine! If I just rest for a minute, I—eek!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blanched as she was lifted into the air. Your Highness, noooo!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You just don’t want to be carried sideways, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought she deserved an award for not screaming. Arnold carried her upright, unlike the last time. He had his left arm under her butt while his right arm supported her back. Rishe was forced to clutch his shoulders to steady herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His Highness is slim, so why does he have so much arm strength?! And is it just me or are there more parts of us touching this way? It’s actually even more embarrassing than being carried like a princess!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since he was lifting her up so high, she naturally had to look down on Arnold—which should have been a nice change, but she was too flustered to enjoy the moment. The monks too were downright flabbergasted—their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Rishe’s cheeks burned from the attention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” she pleaded. “I’m really fine, so could you just…please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not putting you down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was helpless; she knew Arnold would not be dissuaded. Her head was on a swivel in search of someone who could save her, but Oliver, the only one likely to even comment on the situation, was still doubled over on the floor. If she’d known this would happen, she wouldn’t have abandoned him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe stewed in her regret, Arnold walked off, indifferent to her discomfort. Plus, he was irritated. “You ran around without waiting for your stamina to recover. You’re always pushing yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wh-whose fault is that this time?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold huffed and muttered with self-derision, “Mine.” At that, Rishe felt a twinge in her chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bishop Schneider cut off their path. “Prince Arnold, do you have a moment?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As you can see, my wife is in rather poor health. Anything you wish to say to me can wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean, “As you can see”?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince headed straight for the stairs. He made it clear that he didn’t intend to stop, so Schneider didn’t follow him. Instead, he gave Rishe a serene look. His warning came to mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must not marry Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe clung to Arnold and set her jaw, making her resolution clear. The bishop’s eyes widened in astonishment, and he bowed deeply to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?” Arnold asked. Rishe couldn’t see his face anymore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You might lose your balance on the stairs if I don’t hold tight, and that would be dangerous.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” Had he seen through her lie? Oddly, Arnold sounded amused. He patted her lightly on the back as if soothing a child. “I won’t let you get hurt no matter what happens, so don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“H-how about you worry about your own safety!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want to hear that from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The exchange rubbed her the wrong way, but she couldn’t argue in this position. She was too distracted by the thrumming of her heart and the burning in her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stroked the mark she’d left on Arnold’s neck, attempting to be casual about it. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and prayed all the way down the stairs for Arnold to put her down soon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold carried Rishe all the way to her room and heaved her into bed. Normally, he was very good about granting Rishe’s requests, but this time he ignored each and every one of them, be it “I’d like to help clean up a bit” or “Could I see how Lady Millia is doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having no other choice, Rishe behaved herself and rested. Her stamina had recovered by the next morning, whereupon she accompanied Arnold to see Bishop Schneider."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The Church cardinals have always been divided into different factions.” Schneider’s gray hair was combed back neatly, but he also had heavy bags under his eyes. It was clear that he’d been hard at work since yesterday."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“One faction raised Lady Millia in secret, trying to keep her from Galkhein. The other feared Galkhein and tried to erase Lady Millia, like the archbishop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned at this distressing news. “So there were several people who sought to harm Lady Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. They were by far the minority, however. The royal priestess is the heir to the goddess’s bloodline and the object of our faith.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was a relief, but she still couldn’t completely trust Schneider. Arnold seemed to feel the same way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure seems like you allowed the object of your faith to act as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seated beside Rishe on the couch, Arnold was resting his chin in hand on the armrest. His sword was nearby, propped up against the other side of the armrest, when it should have been left outside the room with Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you really wanted to protect the priestess, you shouldn’t have summoned her to a place within the archbishop’s reach. If the majority truly wished to raise her in secret, then it should have been easy to keep her out of the public eye.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was exactly as Arnold said. As the archbishop’s aide, if Schneider had caught wind of his plans, then he never should have let any of this happen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“One faction wanted to raise the priestess in secret and another wanted to eliminate her. I’m still not clear on which you belong to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Actually, I don’t belong to either.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh?” Arnold said, though his face bore not a lick of interest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider clasped his hands over his knees and leaned forward. “I know that my plan put Lady Millia in danger, but I needed to swiftly remove the archbishop from the picture. To that end, I had to prove that he was actively planning on eliminating Lady Millia. I needed decisive proof.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And that’s why you let the archbishop attack Lady Millia in front of all those monks?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider hung his head. “Frankly, I didn’t account for the possibility of the crown prince of Galkhein visiting during this period.” He seemed genuinely dejected. “I considered the archbishop our enemy, but I thought you were our enemies too. Even if I could uncover the archbishop’s plot, everything would still be over if Galkhein’s crown prince found out about the royal priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that why you sent Leo to stop me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He reported to me that you likely had some sort of martial training, Lady Rishe. I didn’t think you’d defeat the most talented child from my ‘orphanage’ quite so handily, though.” Schneider’s smile was rueful as he said, “He still has a long way to go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the way he spoke, it seemed Leo had been telling the truth when he’d said the bishop wasn’t like a father to him. Schneider was more like a teacher watching over his student. The archbishop must not have known about the orphanage’s true purpose."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why was Leo in the forest near the traps?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To inform me where the archbishop had set them. I couldn’t easily enter the forest myself since the archbishop had declared it off-limits.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s actions could be written off as simple, innocent mischief. Everything Schneider said seemed reasonable, but Rishe couldn’t bring herself to accept the man’s words wholeheartedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The archbishop thought Lady Millia might enter the forest, being a bit of a troublemaker, and left the traps there to make her death look like an accident,” Rishe mused. “Lady Millia did end up in danger in the forest. Knowing it could happen, why did you leave the traps there?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Leo should have protected her before she was in any danger. He took his eyes off her, so Lady Millia entered the forest and put herself in danger.” Schneider gazed at Rishe for a moment before continuing, “If the worst had happened, I would have punished Leo myself and offered up my own life to the goddess in apology.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s face tightened. In the future, when Leo had been beaten so badly that he’d lost an eye, there was no one named Schneider among the leadership of the Church and someone else had been archbishop. That must have been the aftermath of the worst-case scenario."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Save your excuses,” Arnold told Schneider, voice low. “What you need to explain is why you set up this whole situation, including your plans for the priestess and your stance on my father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You would hear what I have to say?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Drop the humble act. You’re going to be the next archbishop, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That depends entirely on you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold knit his brows."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As I said before, there are several factions in the Church. One wanted to keep the priestess alive and hidden from Galkhein; the other wanted to kill her before Galkhein discovered her identity. Originally, I was in the first camp, but that’s no longer the case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What exactly is it that you want, Bishop Schneider?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would like for us to form an alliance.” Schneider chuckled at Rishe’s look of surprise. “Not with Galkhein and His Majesty the Emperor, but with you two—Prince Arnold Hein and soon-to-be Princess Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d very much like for Lady Millia’s existence to remain hidden from His Majesty. I would also like to repay you in whatever way I can if I become the next archbishop.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found all this quite unexpected. The only reason she’d visited the Grand Basilica when she had was to meet Millia. She thought she could avoid the future war if she formed a relationship with the Crusade Church, which had influence all around the world, or Millia, who would be its royal priestess. She just wanted to avoid the future where Arnold burned down churches and tried to kill Millia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In all the lives I’ve lived up until now, Prince Arnold has been against the Church. If we can really forge an alliance with them now, it’s sure to change the future. But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her gaze flicked to Arnold, who was regarding Schneider with a look of absolute disgust."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“An alliance? You don’t know your place, Schneider. No matter what you people wish for, I already know about the priestess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s exactly as you say.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The Church’s power means nothing to me. Meanwhile, this is a matter of life and death to you. If you really have the time to make such laughable propositions, then you should be spending it groveling a little more sincerely, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold,” Rishe said, but Arnold didn’t spare her a glance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The bishop’s face paled. “As I said, my fate depends on you, Your Highness.” He bowed his head as if offering his neck. “If lowering my head will convince you, then I don’t mind if it separates from my body and falls to the ground. I leave the decision to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It would be a good show of bravado if you weren’t trembling. That goddess of yours isn’t going to save you, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I exercise my faith not to receive salvation from the goddess but to serve Her. If I can save the goddess’s child with my life, then it has served its purpose.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold prepared to retort just as the door flew open."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An adorable girl poked her head in. “Lady Rishe!” Millia burst into the room, a white flower crown atop her head and her eyes positively sparkling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold glared at Oliver, but the attendant just bowed and stepped back outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Millia! The festival is about to start! Are you all ready?” Rishe asked, embracing her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia’s smile resembled a flower in full bloom. “Yes, everything’s perfect!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even after her harrowing experience, Millia had asked Schneider and her father if the festival could continue. The duke initially refused, but Millia dug her heels in. Apparently, when her father explained her heritage, this exchange had followed:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m the real royal priestess, right? Then I need to perform my duty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want everyone to see that I can do it—that includes Mama and you too, Papa, since you’ve protected me all this time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The duke had broken down after that, and the festival was scheduled to resume shortly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Millia now donned the royal priestess’s white dress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How are you feeling?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was really sleepy yesterday, but now I’m fine! I heard that as soon as the festival ends, you’ll be having the annulment ceremony for your previous engagement, and then you’ll be returning to Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded with a sad smile. “Yes, we’re ready to head back as soon as I’m finished.” Her trip to the Grand Basilica had been quite unreasonable in the first place. They still had a lot of wedding preparations to attend to, and she couldn’t keep eating up so much of Arnold’s time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll miss you, Lady Rishe!” Millia hung her head tearfully, and Rishe felt a twinge in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I you, Lady Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I always knew I wouldn’t be able to spend this life at Mistress Millia’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her heart, Millia would always be Rishe’s little mistress, whom she loved and respected deeply. Although she could be a stubborn little troublemaker, the girl was adorable and incredibly kind. Rishe had watched over Millia from age eleven until she was married at fifteen. All the while, she had loved the girl like a sister. But I can’t go back to that life, no matter how much I may miss her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, Lady Rishe?” Milla squeezed Rishe’s hand with her tiny fingers. “Even if we can’t see each other much after this, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can I think of you like a big sister?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, Rishe was worried Millia noticed her astonishment. She bent down to hide a joy so big, she was teary-eyed. Then she stroked Millia’s cheek, red with embarrassment, and beamed brightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d be delighted to have a sister like you, Lady Millia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh!” Millia exclaimed as Rishe wrapped her up in a hug. When she pulled back again, they mirrored each other’s happy grins."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Millia then turned to Arnold. “Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold just stared at her, but Millia didn’t flinch. She pinched her dress’s hem and curtsied before telling him, “Papa—I mean, my father—told me that you saved me, Your Highness. Thank you so much.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s gaze slid to Arnold, and she felt herself sweat. Millia was Arnold’s cousin. She didn’t know that, but Arnold was bound to feel something about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do think he was concerned for Mistress Millia in his own way, but he most likely has no intent to reveal that they’re family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eyes still frosty, Arnold told Millia, “I was merely granting my wife’s wish. Nothing more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.” Millia’s shoulders slumped, but she quickly brightened at a sudden realization. “You’re going to marry Lady Rishe, though, aren’t you?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What about it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then you’ll be my big brother!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s face morphed into a full-on scowl. Rishe burst out laughing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s so funny?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nothing, I just think Lady Millia’s exactly right! After all, you’re going to become my husband, aren’t you, Your Highness?” Rishe stroked Millia’s hair and gazed into her honey-colored eyes. “Please think of us as family. Me and Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yay! I’m gonna do my very best during the festival rite!” Millia hopped in place, giddy, and smiled at Arnold. “Please come and watch too, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anyway, sorry for interrupting!” Millia chirped before she scurried out of the room. Leo could be heard scolding her beyond the door, but his voice gradually faded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Being born as the priestess could only be a burden for her, and yet…” Arnold muttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps in response, Schneider told Arnold, “I must confess, I told Lady Rishe the other day that she shouldn’t marry you. I didn’t think she knew the truth of your parentage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t exactly hear about it; I pretty much figured it out myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be honest, she hadn’t the faintest idea at the time, so Schneider’s assumption was correct. She didn’t need to amend that point, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should not bring children with the goddess’s blood into this world without knowing. It will one day lead to great upheaval. If you happen to have a girl, the Church will be prepared to go to war to get their hands on that child.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It would be cruel to be the mother of such a child without knowing the truth. But the future crown princess of Galkhein is made of much stronger stuff than I was expecting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was unsure how to take the compliment. “I’m afraid you give me too much credit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If possible, I would like to forge a new relationship between Galkhein and the Church with the two of you. That way, children of the priestess’s bloodline do not have to shoulder such a burden—not just Lady Millia, but any future children as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that so?” Rishe murmured. She studied Arnold again, but there was no change in his expression."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold will set the Church aflame in the future. But how does he feel about it right now?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was it hatred of the Church that drove his actions? Rishe couldn’t answer just by puzzling it out. She still knew nothing of what happened between Arnold and his mother."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A knock on the door interrupted her musings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bishop Schneider, I apologize for the interruption, but it’s almost time for the festival.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait! Your Highness, please.” This was Schneider’s last stand. If he let Arnold return to Galkhein, there would be no further chance for negotiation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold clicked his tongue and stared down at Schneider. “What do you want? If you’re needed elsewhere, hurry up and go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Your Highness, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll keep the priestess a secret from my father,” he said, and Schneider gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was equally stunned. “Really?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was always my intention. I don’t want him making a mess over her existence.” Irritated, Arnold added, “It’ll be easier to prevent that if I cooperate with the Church leadership.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Schneider opened his mouth, but whatever he intended to say must’ve gotten stuck in his throat. Some color was finally returning to his face; Rishe found herself sighing with relief as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that all right? As you said earlier, you don’t stand to benefit much from the agreement.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll benefit. I don’t need the power of the Church, but if I have it, I’ll find ways to use it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We don’t need to go into details here.” Still scowling, Arnold repeated his earlier words. “Did you not hear me? Hurry up and go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A monk’s voice came from outside. “We really should start preparing, Bishop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider stood and bowed once more to Arnold. “I will not forget the kindness you have shown me. May the goddess bless the both of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Keep your blessings. I don’t want anything to do with them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Schneider’s wry smile returned, and he addressed Rishe. “Then may you have His Highness’s blessings as well, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Smiling back, Rishe accepted. “Thank you, Bishop Schneider.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Schneider left the room, Rishe and Arnold were alone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adjusting her position on the couch, Rishe asked, “You’re not pushing yourself, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold scrunched his face, puzzled. “I’m not.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, good.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why would you ask that? You’d prefer to have a relationship with the Church too if it means a relationship with the priestess, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, of course, but…” Rishe pursed her lips. “I don’t want you to do anything against your will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold huffed and leaned on the backrest. “I’m not totally against it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said the same thing to the bishop, didn’t I? Being in the Church’s good graces means nothing to me, but I’m content to make use of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I just hope you won’t make use of it for war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she wasn’t entirely happy about Arnold’s decision, Rishe considered it a small victory. Arnold wasn’t the only one who would use whatever was at his disposal to his advantage. Rishe now had a connection to the Church as well, and she intended to make good use of it to avoid the war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good. I think Lady Millia will be happy about this too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s mouth bent in a frown. “I don’t like children.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, Oliver will be upset if he hears you say that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He seems to think you shouldn’t say such things to your future wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hah!” Arnold laughed goadingly. He tilted Rishe’s head in his direction. “I didn’t think you had the resolve for that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hnnh?!” Rishe hadn’t expected this turn of conversation and made a strange noise in her consternation. “Wh-what do you mean, ‘resolve’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re talking about an heir, aren’t you? Schneider was just talking about our future children as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squeaked, and her mind went blank at the sudden change in the room’s atmosphere."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled. “You really didn’t get it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I-I did! I mean it, really!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had known the bishop was referring to their children; she just hadn’t been considering it in such practical terms. It was a mere hypothetical in her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince smiled at her, drinking in her fluster. “You knew, yet you set up different rooms for us in the detached palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s where I went wrong?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had just pointed out a rather distressing truth, but she couldn’t let him know the extent of her panic. Sight spinning, she desperately fished for rebuttals."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s because you promised at first not to lay a finger on me, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you annulled that agreement several days ago, so I am no longer under such an obligation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s finger traced the band around her left ring finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wh-wh-what do I do?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m teasing you too much.” Arnold snickered, seeing how beside herself Rishe was. “Don’t worry.” He mussed her hair a little and said, “Even after we’re married, I won’t take advantage of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blinked, scrutinizing Arnold’s sea-colored eyes. “You won’t?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he stated his intentions so plainly, she realized, That’s right. Prince Arnold proposed to me with some sort of ulterior motive in mind. She took a deep breath when she remembered that. He’s not looking for me to play the role of a real wife."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oddly enough, the thought both relieved and gnawed at her. Rishe tilted her head in confusion as a dull ache settled in her chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oblivious to Rishe’s consternation, Arnold leaned back once more and loosed a yawn."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing him act so defenseless, Rishe decided to put her own emotions aside for the moment. “Are you tired?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah.” His tone was gentler than usual."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He made sure that I got enough rest, but Prince Arnold has been rather busy, hasn’t he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The night before last, she’d made him sleep in the same bed as her too. Arnold was very sensitive to other people’s presence, so he likely hadn’t gotten a proper night’s rest then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Would you like to nap until the festival starts?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked at her for a time. “I suppose so.” He then stretched out on the couch, laying his head on Rishe’s lap."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lend me your lap. I’ll take a nap here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. She didn’t mind, per se. They were just a bit close, and Arnold’s head was resting on her thighs, which felt strange—but what was even stranger was that she wasn’t bothered by it at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you don’t want me to, I can move.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s not that, I just…have to tell Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Leave him posted in the hall outside.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just leave him there?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s been disobeying my orders too much lately.” So he said, but Rishe was fairly certain that everything Oliver did, he did for his lord. “Is that your only issue?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-there’s one more. Won’t I make an uncomfortable pillow?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you think that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just do.” She couldn’t say more than that. Thinking of yesterday morning embarrassed her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold must have remembered the same thing. He looked up at Rishe and said, “I slept well the night before last.” Then he blinked more languidly than usual. “I didn’t have any strange dreams. That’s rare.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Goodness…” She couldn’t argue with that. Really, he should get to sleep in a real bed, no matter how brief, instead of napping here. By himself! However, Rishe was unable to muster up even these reasonable suggestions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince gazed at her as she made an awkward face. “What were you dreaming about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Late at night, I was checking your condition, and…you rubbed your cheek against my hand and smiled.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe knew exactly what she’d been dreaming about. Even though she always dreamed of her past lives, that had been the first time since her loops began that she had a different sort of dream. She’d dreamed of this life, her life after meeting him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out a tiny squeal in response, screwing up her face. She couldn’t possibly tell him the truth. “I-It’s a secret.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A secret, eh? I’m jealous.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t lie.” She sulked, covering Arnold’s eyes. Since his eyelashes were long, they tickled against her palm. “Please rest already.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only five minutes or so later, Arnold’s breathing slowed. After ensuring he was truly asleep, Rishe removed her hand. Then she brushed her fingers against Arnold’s lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was that ache in her chest again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The festival rite was executed with dignified grandeur. A beautifully dressed Millia stood before the altar, where Schneider served in the archbishop’s place. Millia offered the sacred bow and arrow to the goddess and sang a beautiful song of dedication. She looked at once adorable and impressive, and she performed even more wonderfully than she had in her rehearsal. Rishe was fervently applauding the girl in her mind. Arnold, who watched from beside her, neither praised the affair nor made pithy gripes. For that, Rishe had to smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After the festival ended, Rishe continued where she’d had to leave off in her engagement annulment ceremony. She started before noon, and around two in the afternoon, her engagement with Dietrich was officially annulled. She had a light meal afterward, rushed to get ready for the ride home, and set out for the carriage. Arnold stood waiting by the carriage door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for waiting, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to hurry so much,” Arnold said, but the inn where they would spend the night was two hours away. If they didn’t leave soon, they would still be in the thick of the woods at sunset."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All their Imperial Guards were present as well. They’d been staying in a nearby village for the last four days, since they couldn’t enter the Grand Basilica. While Rishe greeted them, she noticed a red-haired boy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Leeeo!” she said in a singsong voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s up? Did you decide to come with us to Galkhein after all?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo grimaced. “No. I just wanted to learn about Galkhein’s fighting style up until the last possible minute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It seemed Leo had been asking Arnold’s Imperial Guards for advice. There was a small piece of gauze pasted to his face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How was Prince Arnold’s training?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was amazing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe performed the engagement annulment ceremony, Arnold summoned Leo and gave him the promised sword lesson. The prince was plenty busy himself, but he’d still found time to teach. Leo had gotten a full lesson, but he didn’t seem worn out at all; in fact, he seemed more energetic than Rishe had ever seen him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll absorb everything he taught me. Even after you guys leave, I’ll get Schneider to give me more training.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. Motivation suits you.” All the anxiety Rishe felt toward Leo evaporated. It helped that the reason he wanted to be strong wasn’t to kill but to protect. She knew it wasn’t her place to worry about him, but she was glad to have her fears dispelled anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take care of yourself, Leo.” Rishe knelt and met his stare, sincere in her wish. “Don’t get hurt. Learn a lot, meet a lot of people, and expand your horizons.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Rishe’s head, she saw the Leo from her sixth loop. That Leo had escaped from Schneider and fled to another country, always seeming so angry at himself. The eyes with which he watched Rishe and the other knights train were those of someone whose goals were out of reach."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be thrilled if you keep on smiling even after you grow up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leo’s brow bunched in confusion. “I don’t really understand the things you say,” he said, eyes downcast. “But practicing with Prince Arnold made me happy, and so did walking in the forest with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Leo…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not that much in the forest, though.” He averted his eyes, and Rishe laughed. She was glad to hear that he wasn’t suffering in his training to be a strong bodyguard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I must go. Just ask Prince Arnold if you ever decide you want to be a knight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way. I want to be freer than a knight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Freer?” He must’ve been referring to a knight’s social status. True, it’s probably a lot easier to get around as someone’s bodyguard rather than a knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a huff, the boy declared, “I’m gonna be someone who travels freely through thick forests with a rope and fights with throwing knives and bows and arrows!” He stuck his tongue out at Rishe, face tomato-red, then bowed to Arnold and ran off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And he’s gone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! Yes!” She stood when Arnold called her and stepped up to the carriage. Arnold took her hand and led her inside, then boarded and sat across from her. After that, the carriage began to move."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I take it there were no issues during your ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Sorry it took so long, but it’s finally done with.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” Arnold set his chin in his hand and casually watched the Grand Basilica through the window."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked not at the scenery outside but at Arnold. How did he feel, looking at that place that had so much to do with his late mother?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if I dredged up some unpleasant feelings by bringing him here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Knowing what she did now, she fully believed Arnold had come to protect her. He was worried that the Church would do something to his fiancée, so he’d gone so far as to order them to keep their distance outside of her ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even though I’m trying to get in the way of his plans."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a way, she was working against him to try to prevent the war. If Arnold knew, how would he feel?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since she was staring at him so openly, Arnold returned her gaze. His slender fingers reached out to her as well. He brushed her bangs away and touched her forehead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My fever’s gone,” Rishe said tentatively."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nonchalant, he replied, “I’ve decided not to believe your evaluations of your own health.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk!” That wounded her. It wasn’t like Rishe was trying to lie. She frowned and hung her head, studying Arnold through her eyelashes. “What is your evaluation then, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You seem fine. Your complexion has improved.” Arnold withdrew his hand and looked out the window once more. His expressionless face was even more unreadable than usual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wanting to make her thoughts a reality, Rishe asked, “Do you mind if we sit next to each other, rather than across?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was taken aback."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s chest throbbed with pain, and she blurted, “N-never mind, across is fine! Right, I’m sure you have paperwork to do again, like on our way here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No.” Arnold let his gaze drop and patted the seat next to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that, Rishe’s eyes lit up. She stood carefully and Arnold held out a helping hand. With his assistance, she spun around and plopped down next to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you scheming this time?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you see…” She tucked Arnold’s hair behind his ear. The moment Arnold’s attention was focused on her left hand, she performed a trick with her right. “Ta-da!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A pink flower crown appeared right before Arnold’s eyes. Judging by his expression, she had succeeded in stunning him. With a satisfied smile, Rishe adorned his head with the flowers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did that surprise you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good! I was so frustrated that you saw through my trick on the way here, I practiced at the Grand Basilica.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The flower crown suited Arnold’s beautiful features well—though she was sure he’d scowl if she told him that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The flower crowns they hand out during the festival are supposed to be blessings from the goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, come on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure you’d be quick to spurn the goddess’s blessing, right, Your Highness? That’s why I made this one myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe didn’t think this would serve as an apology for dragging him out here, but she wanted to be of help to him in any way she could. She hoped the beauty and sweet aroma of the flowers might comfort him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is your blessing, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… I’m not sure that you could call it anything that overblown.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold huffed a laugh. Seeing him smile up close caused a sharp throb in her chest. But before she could reflect on that, Arnold said, “I just can’t beat you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked. She didn’t understand. “I don’t think I’ve ever won against you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true. You just don’t know it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” She was even more confused now, yet Arnold smirked beside her. He removed the crown and put it on Rishe’s head instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It looks better on you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll take the blessing, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At least it wasn’t a complete bother to him. Rishe smiled, relieved. “It looked quite lovely on you as well, Your Highness. You look so cute with flowers in your hair.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Spare me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oho, there’s a face I don’t see too often. I mean it! You were cute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He snorted. “You are a fearless one, aren’t you? I suppose you couldn’t have bitten my neck if you weren’t.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Argh, you’re bringing that up now?!” It was already becoming an embarrassing memory for Rishe. She hurriedly made excuses for herself. “You did it to me first!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was saving your life. You had plenty of other options available to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh!” was the best retort she could muster. Arnold laughed again, amused. “You’re proving my point about my string of losses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, you’re wrong about that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold ruffled Rishe’s hair, apparently not intending to elaborate any more than that. She wanted to press the point, but she was far too distracted by the up-close view of his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I feel strange…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pain in her chest was only getting worse. She couldn’t help remembering their kiss in the chapel, and what Arnold had said to her then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to be resolute to become my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe clutched at her skirt and exhaled. There was a dull ache in her chest every time Arnold touched her. Why was that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He once ran through this heart, and now it hurts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It might even hurt more now than when he’d stabbed her. Arnold had whispered something to her in the last moments of her life as a knight. The memory was shrouded in dense fog, and she desperately wished to recall exactly what he’d said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against Arnold’s arm. She didn’t want him to see her face, but she had to be natural about hiding it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just let me do this for a bit,” she pleaded, almost a prayer. “I’m sleepy, so please lend me your shoulder, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Had Arnold realized she was lying? Even if he had, he said, “All right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sighed, leaning against him. He ran his fingers through her hair as if comforting a child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold really is kind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "However, it didn’t serve to alleviate her pain. It would have been nice if she’d actually gotten some sleep, but it wasn’t to be. In the end, all Rishe could do was let the faintly sweet ache in her chest continue to torment her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be continued…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0010.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: Without the Need for a Lullaby"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:Without the Need for a Lullaby"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE NIGHT AFTER her encounter with the poisoned arrow in the forest, Rishe learned about Arnold’s past and wept. Although she tried to keep the tears inside, they fell from her eyes anyway, unable to be contained. She burdened Arnold with her emotions and he wiped her eyes again and again, and after they’d done this for some time…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you calmed down?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes.” She nodded, sniffling, as Arnold stroked her hair. As she lay in bed, she gazed at the man beside her. Her head felt fuzzy, perhaps because of all the crying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is there anything you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pondered the question. She wasn’t hungry. Her throat wasn’t dry after drinking the antidote either. She knew the medicine was more effective the less fluids she had in her system, so she’d decided not to drink anything else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she thought about it, Arnold’s fingers brushed against her neck. Well, more like the base of her skull, given that everything below was covered in bandages."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned. “Does it hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe slowly shook her head and laid a hand on top of his, pressing his fingers to her neck. “Your hand is cold. It feels nice…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His frown deepened. The fever ensured his cold skin really did feel good against hers. His big hand cupped her cheek; she felt like it stole away the fever’s heat. Wanting more relief, she pressed into his hand. Arnold had a complicated look on his face, but he still let her do as she pleased. She couldn’t keep him there forever, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Prince Arnold.” Rishe nuzzled her cheek against his hand one last time, indulging in the comfortable coolness of his skin, then sighed. No matter how much she wished he would stay, she had to endure. She looked up at Arnold, eyelashes wet, and said, “I’m all right now. Please go back to your own room and get some rest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Midnight was almost upon them, judging by the position of the moon in the sky. But Arnold’s response was firm. “I can’t just leave you alone.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He moved his hand down to hers on the bed and entwined their fingers. “I’ll stay with you through the night,” he said, voice heartbreakingly gentle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh…” She knew it, she was making him worry. She couldn’t let Arnold stay by her side; she worried over any lingering effects on him after he sucked the poison out, and she knew he was busy with work all of yesterday. If Arnold watched over Rishe, he would be the one falling ill next."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She attempted to sit up. “Y-you can’t…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You need to rest too, Prince Arnold. I can’t burden you any more than I already have.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not leaving. Go to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep!” A gentle push against her shoulder was all it took to make her sink back into the bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eloquent face said, You don’t even have the energy to sit up. What do you think you’re doing?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this rate, he really will stay up all night. A creeping pain tightened around Rishe’s heart at the thought. No supplement restored the body as well as sleep did. Staying up all night was damaging to the human constitution."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t be granting any requests that will have a negative effect on your health.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” Her vision blurred again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold immediately grimaced. “I’m not budging on this even if it makes you cry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-then…” Rishe reached out and grasped Arnold’s sleeve. “You get in bed too, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you insist on staying in this room…” Her brain sluggish from all her crying, she desperately made her case to Arnold. “Then don’t stay up all night. At least sleep here…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince was momentarily speechless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold eventually relented to Rishe’s half-crying tantrum. While his back was turned, Rishe slowly undressed, wiped her body down, and changed into a thin nightgown. Arnold wiped himself down as well, unbuttoning his shirt some, and then he was ready for bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lying on the wall side of the bed, Rishe peered groggily at Arnold’s back as he sat on the bed’s edge. Even when he was just in his shirt, his back was so broad. His jacket made him look slender, but when he took it off, it was clear that he possessed a masculine build."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Won’t it be difficult to sleep if you don’t return to your room and change into your bedclothes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unbuttoning a cuff with one hand, he said, “I get the feeling you wouldn’t let me back in if I left the room.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll sleep like this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He peeled back the bedspread. The springs creaked as the mattress sank beneath his weight. Rishe scooted closer to the wall, but Arnold said, “You don’t need to move so far away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe, who lay on her side, examined Arnold’s face after he rested his head on the pillow. It felt strange, sleeping in the same bed as someone else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My head feels all fuzzy…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bed was large; she would have to stretch her arm all the way out to reach him. Still worried, she asked, “It’s not too cramped, is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really?” She pinched one of Arnold’s sleeves and tugged it toward her, asking, “You’re not pushing yourself because of my selfishness, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not, so don’t cry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her thoughts were still in disarray, her mental state still fragile. Every little thing threatened to make her cry. She was sure she was being a terrible bother to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was lying on his back, but he turned to face her instead, bringing them closer. He ran his fingers through Rishe’s hair as if to comfort her. Even with her blurry vision, she could make out his troubled expression. His brow was the tiniest bit furrowed, but Rishe felt so bad, she blubbered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it’s like you have to care for a small child.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It certainly wasn’t a task befitting a nation’s crown prince, yet Arnold wasn’t even angry with her about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think of you as a child.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What did he think of her as, then? She strained her exhausted mind and, regarding the hand in her hair, asked, “A pet, maybe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where did that come from?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because, um…” She blinked slowly as she tried to vocalize her thoughts. “You’re stroking my hair like you’re petting me. It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy…” Rishe rubbed at her eye absentmindedly. Her thoughts were turning to mush."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must really be exhausted,” Arnold said with some exasperation as he watched her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sleepy at all…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. Just close your eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook her head no. She was a little afraid to fall asleep. Arnold’s hand pulled away as he sighed. Just as Rishe mourned the loss of his touch, he began to pat her lower back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness?” she blurted, blinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Children fall asleep if you do this, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. Arnold had learned that from her. She slept in the same bed as Arnold, just like this, the day after Theodore caused the kidnapping fiasco. Back then, their positions had been reversed: Rishe had been the one lulling Arnold to sleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you just said I wasn’t a child…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She tried to talk back to him, but the steady rhythm of his hand had clouded her thoughts even more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m not tired…” If she fell asleep now, she was worried Arnold would just get up again and watch over her. But she wouldn’t mind if he fell asleep first, so she focused on him. “If I pat you, will you go to sleep first?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why are you trying to make it a competition?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was amazing. Her wavering emotions gradually steadied into a sleepy calm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t fall asleep…not when I don’t know if Prince Arnold will be able to get any rest…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She clutched Arnold’s shirt so that he wouldn’t be able to get out of the bed. Arnold frowned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that a habit of yours?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You always try to pull whoever’s next to you closer when you sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In all honesty, she had no idea how to answer. This was her first time hearing it, and she hadn’t a clue how such a habit had manifested when she’d never even slept with her own parents before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Last time, when I woke up, you were sleeping with your arms around my head.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked slowly. By “last time,” he must have meant the other day when she’d soothed him to sleep. She remembered accidentally nodding off herself after Arnold had fallen asleep, but by the time she awoke, he’d already gotten out of bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t remember that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t think you would.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At any other time, she probably would have been shocked speechless—but her mind was still dull. She searched her vague memories and concluded she really didn’t know what he was talking about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think…” She tightened her grip on Arnold’s shirt. “I probably wanted to protect you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s hand stilled. He regarded Rishe like she was truly incomprehensible to him. “You don’t need to protect me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But everyone’s defenseless when they’re sleeping.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When people slept, they were vulnerable. That was why Rishe couldn’t sleep next to anyone. Fretting about something made it that much harder to doze off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe I thought I could protect you if I was hugging you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold continued to stare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she nodded off, Rishe said, “If I can do it again today, maybe I’ll fall asleep right away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll fall asleep in a minute no matter what I do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt frustrated, but sleep was winning out. She was still feverish, and she couldn’t fight the lethargy much longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then…” Rishe let go of Arnold’s shirt and pleaded in a quiet voice, “Can we hold hands instead?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d never guessed how comforting it was to feel the warmth of another nearby. Though she didn’t know if it was the exhaustion from so much crying or a spirit weakened by almost dying, she didn’t feel like she could suppress her selfish desires at all. She craved his warmth and wanted him to stay, even if it was just until she fell asleep. That wish lingered in her heart as she gazed at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At last, Arnold wordlessly lowered his gaze and linked his fingers through hers. The way he held her hand was so tender and strong all at once. Rishe softly squeezed it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Resigned and gentle, Arnold asked her, “Are you satisfied?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee…” Rishe beamed, delighted by the sense of security provided by their interlaced fingers. Before she could thank him, she ended up voicing her joy instead. “I’m very happy… I love it when you do this, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hand was cold, but it quickly warmed in Rishe’s. Enjoying the sensation, Rishe finally grew so tired, she couldn’t stand it. Still, there was one thing she had to say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Promise me…you won’t stay awake…after I fall asleep…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed again. He shifted and brought his lips up to Rishe’s ear, promising, “I’ll sleep too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right away?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. So don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She stopped resisting sleep then. Arnold wouldn’t break a promise to Rishe. His actions had proven that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good…” Her face relaxed into a dopey smile. She wanted to tell him “good night,” but a powerful sleepiness stole away her consciousness. She let it go without a fight and fell dead asleep, still holding Arnold’s hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold heaved his biggest sigh of the day then, but of course Rishe didn’t notice. She proceeded to enjoy pleasant dreams until the morning."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0012.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "TOUKO AMEKAWA here. Thank you so much for reading 7th Time Loop, Volume 3!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This volume mostly centers around Rishe and the people she knew in her fourth life. I think Arnold and Rishe got a lot closer this time too. Arnold’s open affection for Rishe is at about a four out of ten in this volume, so there’s still plenty of room for him to grow! He’s still got a lot of secrets, but I’ll be happy if you’ll continue to watch over him after this as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank you so much for the beautiful illustrations once again, Wan☆Hachipisu-sensei! I look at them over and over again every day. I’m obsessed. My eyes are in total bliss! To my proofreader, thank you for cleaning up all my various messes, and to my editor, thank you for putting up with all my unreasonable asks. I do feel remorse. I promise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And most of all, I must thank my readers. Thank you for reading!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The manga version by Hinoki Kino-sensei is finally out now too. I’d love it if you checked out the lively adventures of Rishe and friends in the manga version! As for the novels, it seems I’ll be able to get a fourth volume published. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to continue this relationship we have. I’ll be praying we meet again in the next volume! Thank you once more."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-03-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE DESCENDED the gently sloping stone steps before the vast ocean. The seventh-month sun shone clear and vibrant, bathing the seaside town in glittering light. Its rays seemed to reflect off buildings painted pure white, contrasting with the azure sky. A soft sea breeze blew through the streets, fluttering the light mint-green dress Rishe wore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh!” Rishe’s eyes brightened with excitement when she caught sight of the harbor. Winds from foreign lands always got her excited."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She gazed at the sea, holding her hat down against the wind. At the same time, Arnold, who was walking ahead, turned back and held out his hand to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe,” he said simply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She guessed that the next few steps were treacherous. Arnold must have been worried she would trip in her high-heeled shoes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With some hesitance, she took Arnold’s hand. “Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re in no rush. If you want to sightsee as you walk, just hold my hand, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was a little flustered. Her feelings were so strange of late. Restlessness and nervousness had her in their grips whenever Arnold showed concern for her. She tried to act as natural as possible, surveying the ships in the harbor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I believe our visitor has already disembarked. I’m looking forward to speaking with her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sure you didn’t want to wait back at the palace? You don’t need to meet with her now. She’ll be at the ceremony next month.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She arrived a whole month early, though! It’s a great opportunity to meet and befriend her, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced over her shoulder. Arnold’s Imperial Guards followed them with easy smiles, not the least bit wary. After all, Rishe was the only one who knew what kind of reputation would precede their visitor in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Upon arriving at the harbor, they rendezvoused with Oliver and a few knights who had gone ahead of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’s right over here. Let me take you to her.” Oliver’s gaze directed them to a spot where a large white umbrella was set up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A woman stood beneath the umbrella. She was too far away for them to see her expression—furthermore, she hid her mouth with a folding fan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s the “heinous criminal” who’s executed in the future. Rishe slowly pulled her hand free of Arnold’s. Four years from now, her lavish lifestyle empties the treasury of the country she marries into, and her husband the king beheads her for it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman snapped the fan shut in a gesture of breathtaking elegance. As she approached them, her vibrant gold hair streamed behind her. Her deep-green dress was heavy for summer, but her steps were as light as if it didn’t weigh a thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s like she’s walking on clouds. No, not walking… Rishe blinked as she observed the woman. It’s like she’s sprinting toward us!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As soon as the thought entered Rishe’s head, the woman opened her mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Umm, I-I-I…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Er, what? Ack, wait! Oh no!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was already too late. The woman tripped and fell on her face with a loud splat. Rishe tossed all apprehension aside and dashed over to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you all right?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I-I…I’m so sorryyyyy!” the woman wailed. She seemed as if she could burst into tears at any moment. Her long bangs covered her eyes, however, so Rishe couldn’t be sure. “I offer my sincerest apologies for causing you so much trouble with my existence! Th-this is a gesture in an eastern country that means, ‘You may behead me at any time if you wish’!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, please raise your head! There’s no need to do that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While the woman attempted to kiss the cobblestone with her forehead, Rishe yanked her upright. Arnold watched from a slight distance with a look that said, You don’t need to bother with that. Still, Rishe couldn’t help herself as she regarded the trembling woman in her arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goodness! It’s unbelievable, but I’m certain this woman is…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their visit to the seaside Galkhein town had been decided a few days earlier, about a week after they’d returned from the Grand Basilica in the Holy Kingdom of Domana. Rishe had resumed her routine at the detached palace. She got up early to train and build stamina, tended to her field, and supervised her maids’ work. At the same time, she had other duties to attend to: her ongoing negotiations with the Aria Trading Company, letters from Michel that needed replies, and preparation for her and Arnold’s wedding. Despite all this hustle and bustle, an inexplicable cloud had settled over Rishe’s heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps it was only natural for her brother-in-law, Theodore, to pick up on what was bothering her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Sisteeer,” he said in singsong while he and Rishe walked through the halls of the palace. Theodore’s eyes narrowed in mirth as he peered into her face. “Are you listening to me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hrk! O-of course I am. I’m relieved to hear that you and Mr. Tully are working together so well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had struck a deal with the Aria Trading Company, which she had been very involved with in her first life. She had taught Tully how to make her nail polish and given the Aria Trading Company the exclusive rights to sell it. In exchange, they were to hire workers from the slums to manufacture the product."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, it was Theodore’s project—he knew more about the situation in the slums than anyone else. He also knew more than Rishe when it came to goods circulation in Galkhein and how to procure the necessary materials. At first, Theodore hesitated over accepting the position because he didn’t want to steal Rishe’s glory, but when Rishe insisted—“My goal right now is not to do business but to live a life of absolute indolence!”—he gave in with exasperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Rishe was currently taking up Theodore’s interest whether she liked it or not. “My brother told me to support you, so of course I’m doing everything in my power there. That’s not important right now, though. What’s bothering you, Sister?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe lowered her gaze at Theodore’s direct question. “It’s not so much that something’s bothering me…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lately, Rishe’s chest ached whenever she was around Arnold. She wasn’t completely worry-free when they were apart either. When he wasn’t at her side, her loneliness constricted her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m worried about Prince Arnold,” Rishe muttered. When Theodore frowned, she felt flustered and hurried to explain. “I-It’s not that he’s acting strange or anything! He’s just…so busy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, that. Yeah, I get it.” Theodore nodded in understanding, so Rishe asked him an additional question."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your brother handles a vast number of duties all by himself, does he not? Even if you have been helping him more as of late.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. I hear my brother handles about the same number of duties as my father now… But my father has a lot of loyal retainers, you know.” Theodore paused for a breath as he walked down the hallway. “In contrast, my brother has a lot of enemies in the palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s because his ways are starkly different from our father’s. Some people no longer benefit from the way my brother does things or have lost their positions because of him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that Rishe thought about it, she recalled running into Prince Arnold once during his confrontation with Galkhein’s earl marshal. The earl marshal had seemed confident at the time; Rishe now realized that he must have been acting on the emperor’s authority."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All the important people in Galkhein are the emperor’s retainers. At this stage, Arnold Hein doesn’t yet have the retainers he will in the future. Following that train of thought, Rishe recalled the names of Arnold’s future military leaders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was one other thing Rishe was itching to ask—something that had occurred to her during her time with Arnold at the Grand Basilica."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Speaking of His Majesty, where do your father’s wives reside?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not the empress, but his other wives?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Do they live in detached palaces like mine?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, there were quite a few of them, but aside from Her Majesty, they’re all dead now,” Theodore said breezily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe froze, gaping at the prince."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore came to a stop several steps ahead of her and wheeled around, a beautiful smile on his face. “Didn’t I tell you? You won’t find happiness marrying into our family.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe swallowed hard, while Theodore continued to look as smooth as new cream."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, that’s right!” he said. “A message from Tully: ‘I’ll have that information you requested in a few days.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Also, if you’re worried about my brother, then you should stop being so reckless. I mean, taking a poison arrow in the neck while protecting someone?! You’re unbelievable!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could say nothing in response, but she wondered where he got his information. She was once again impressed by his intelligence network."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a “Well, see you!” and a smile, Theodore departed. Rishe took a deep breath. Her guards were still walking a little ways away to give them some privacy. Returning to the detached palace with them in tow, Rishe just happened to bump into Arnold in the entrance hall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her shoulders almost shot to her ears when he called her name, but she refused to display such a response. She forced a smile and looked up at Arnold. “Good day, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She felt herself sweating internally as he turned his blue eyes on her. She was attempting to interact with him as she always did, but had she messed up somehow?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she had, Arnold made no mention of it. Instead, he said, “This is good timing. I was just about to have someone get you.” His voice neutral, he added, “I’ll be leaving the palace for a short time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blinked rapidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll be on your own, but don’t worry—I’ll leave plenty of guards with you. Make use of them however you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You need to leave for official business?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I must go meet some foreign guests. They’ll be coming for our wedding and staying in Vinrhys until then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their wedding was about a month away. It wasn’t all that unusual that guests from far and wide had already begun to arrive, considering possible delays on the road. On the hosts’ side, it was customary to put these guests up comfortably in a castle. Arnold was probably planning on going by himself because this was but a preliminary greeting ahead of the event."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is Vinrhys far away?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s on the western coast. Probably four days by carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Won’t it be inconvenient to go so far when you’re so busy?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I experimented with keeping in touch with Theodore on our trip to Domana, and it went well. If I employ the same methods and work on the road, it shouldn’t present any problems.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, that was good news, yet Rishe still wasn’t satisfied. Prince Arnold won’t be around for a while…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without meaning to, she frowned. Also without meaning to, she grabbed Arnold’s sleeve."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s wrong?” Arnold asked gently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh—” It confused her to hear him being so tender, but that wasn’t why the question got stuck in her throat. “What…is this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one was more surprised than Rishe by her own actions. Arnold would be gone—and the effect that news had on her emotions was incomprehensible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it… She cast her gaze to the floor. Is it that I…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you want to come with?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe lifted her head with a start. She felt like Arnold had read her mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To the ocean,” Arnold clarified, face unreadable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded several times. “Y-yes! I want to go to the ocean!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold peered at her, deep in thought. “You must prepare for the wedding, though. If you come with me, won’t you be pushing yourself too hard again?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My share of the work is easy enough to do there.” It was not Rishe who was most busy now but rather the diplomats and laborers putting the wedding together. There was less and less for Rishe herself to tackle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded Rishe’s hand on his sleeve with a dispassionate glance. After a beat, he said, just as softly as before, “I’ll take you with me, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was so happy, it felt like flowers were blooming in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Galkhein ocean!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d agreed without thinking, but it was true that she wanted to visit the ocean. A port town that saw the comings and goings of so many foreign vessels would have no shortage of spectacles. Her eyes sparkled as she imagined it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oliver, make the arrangements.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As you say.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Oliver! Incidentally, who is it we’re greeting?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If they were going to the western coast, their visitors would either be from the western or the southern continent. Rishe was going over her mental list of the invitees when Arnold answered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Siguel royals. Prince Curtis and his sister, Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Siguel was a country Rishe was very familiar with. I never met Princess Harriet, but I know all about His Highness Prince Curtis."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a short breath as the man appeared in her mind’s eye. After all, I served his family in my life as a hunter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Located on the western continent, Siguel was called the country of writing due to its plethora of books. The royal family possessed a printing press, and the people were not in want of reading material. More than anything else, though, the ruling family simply loved books."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Four years after Rishe had begun serving Siguel in her fifth life, the royal family heard the terrible news."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Curtis hasn’t left his bed in days,” one of Rishe’s hunting troop members said sorrowfully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t blame him. I mean, his sister was executed. She must have changed after marriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just can’t believe it. Princess Harriet emptied the national treasury and drove her people into poverty with lavish spending?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their voices were hushed inside the room they’d been given. Curious, Rishe turned to one of her fellow hunters. “Princess Harriet was executed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, that’s right. You didn’t come to this country until after Princess Harriet moved in with her fiancé’s family.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, and one of the hunters filled in the details for her. “Princess Harriet left for a political marriage. It was necessary for Siguel to maintain their relationship with an allied nation. But she was executed as a heinous criminal by the family she married into.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, and now Siguel has to pay reparations for Princess Harriet’s crimes. It’s being struck from the alliance as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was ill news indeed. While Rishe contemplated this, a hand plopped down on the hood covering her head. “Eep!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe. Fellas. I’m back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A stir went through the room at the return of the man they’d all been waiting for."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Chief! How’d your recon of the hunting ground go?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I’m tired. I can tell you that much. Fabrannia’s in a real sorry state. The rural areas are starving, and all the wealth’s concentrated in the capital. Even there, you can see a huge gap between the rich and the poor!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hunters’ faces all fell at the man’s overly cheery report."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard all about it from the merchants. They confirmed that Harriet spent money like it grew on trees—buying up jewels and dresses from overseas. What a headache, ha ha.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wanted to get a good look at the man too, but his hand on her head was preventing it. She fidgeted, somehow squirming out of his grasp, and turned to face him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, Ra—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Siguel’s going to war with Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hunters gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Chief, is that true? Before, His Majesty said he didn’t intend to get involved.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was presented as an alternative method of reconciliation with Fabrannia. If Siguel supports Fabrannia in their war efforts, they don’t have to pay reparations and they can stay as allies.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All joviality had seeped out of the man’s voice, and a sneer had ousted the breezy smile from his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Queen Harriet was a heinous criminal. Fabrannia wants Siguel to take responsibility for her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once married into Fabrannia’s royal family, Queen Harriet leeched off the country’s coffers while her husband struggled with illness. The people starved, counterfeit money circulated, and the queen paid no mind to her nation’s ruin. Eventually, the king recovered with the help of a certain apothecary, and when he learned of his wife’s misdeeds, he despaired and sent her to the axe. That was the Queen Harriet story Rishe heard, anyhow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m having some doubts, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a room in a small castle on top of a tall cliff, Rishe looked down at a young woman sitting in a chair and blubbering through her tears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh… Hic!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the future Queen Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She doesn’t look like an evil queen who lives lavishly while her people starve, Rishe thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While one couldn’t always judge a book by its cover, people’s values and morals were typically evident from their behavior."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet had blonde hair that went down to her waist. Although clearly well cared for, it was in total disarray. It seemed to Rishe that she’d given up on it, letting it grow on its own. Her bangs were long enough to cover her eyes, like a shield that protected her from the prying gazes of others."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat opposite her and said, “Please calm down, Princess Harriet.” She attempted to organize the information the crying princess had given her. “Let me make sure I understand your situation. You’re visiting Galkhein from Fabrannia, where you’re residing until your marriage. Your brother, Prince Curtis, is coming on another ship from Siguel. Am I right so far?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it. So on your ship, you had a guard detail of a few lady knights, but they all came down with food poisoning.” Rishe grimaced, feeling sorry for the poor knights from the bottom of her heart. They had to have been in rough shape after enduring nothing but nausea aboard the rocking ship. Being royalty, Harriet must have escaped the same fate because she was the only one eating other food."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-there should be another group of lady knights from my country on my brother’s ship too, for situations like this, but…b-but…” Harriet sniffled hard, unable to continue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Since your brother took a different route, his ship is still on its way, so you’ve arrived in Galkhein by yourself first.” As she spoke, Rishe glanced at Arnold. He stood silently behind her, exuding an aura that was one hundred percent uninterested and loath to get involved. Nevertheless, she asked, “Prince Arnold, might we use some of your Imperial Guards to escort Princess Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what we must do,” he replied. “Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. I’ll make the arrangements.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, I…” Harriet’s voice, thick with tears, came in halting syllables. “I’m sorry… I appreciate your consideration…b-but I cannot accept your kindness! I-I’m under strict instructions from my fiancé, you see…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The fiancé in question being the king of Fabrannia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m not allowed to be near any men who aren’t my husband!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t such a strange stipulation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your generosity is w-wasted on me, I’m afraid… I-I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” She apologized profusely between hitching sobs, her voice tiny. All but folding in on herself, Harriet whispered, surely intending for no one to hear, “I just want to crawl into a hole…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet was at the end of her rope."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, this won’t do. I didn’t expect her to prostrate herself before us on our first meeting. She’s worried about troubling Galkhein because she doesn’t have her own guards with her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And lo, her worries had become a reality. Perplexed, Oliver whispered to Arnold, “What shall we do, my lord?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We can’t just have a foreign guest staying here with no guards. There’s nothing else we can do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Arnold spoke with his attendant, Rishe sidled up behind him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Galkhein doesn’t have any female knights,” Oliver pointed out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are hardly any countries that do. Even on the western continent. And—” Arnold paused, glancing back at Rishe as she stood there waiting for him to address her. “Supposing we somehow manage to find a skilled female mercenary, that’s not the sort of person we can trust to guard foreign royalty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no way we can find someone on such short notice who’s skilled enough to serve as her guard, whose background we can verify, and who knows the proper etiquette for—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tugged Arnold’s sleeve. “Psst. Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After several seconds, Arnold sighed and regarded Rishe with resignation. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s not like Arnold to ask a question he already knows the answer to, Rishe thought as she raised her hand. “I can serve as Princess Harriet’s guard!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you saying, Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In contrast to Oliver’s shock, Arnold clutched his forehead, head bowed. The air about him said plainly, I was afraid this would happen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you believe my command of etiquette is lacking, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you ever suspected my background to be less than legitimate?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course not.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe smiled at the sour face Arnold was making. “Well, what about my sword skills, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no one more qualified than Rishe. While she might have been betrothed to the crown prince, she herself was little more than a duke’s daughter from a small country. Young women of her status often served as princesses’ maids. In Rishe’s mind, appointing herself as a guard for a short time wasn’t an unreasonable idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You just want to do it for fun.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And you’re plotting something again, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, do you have any arguments against it, Your Highness? If something happens to Princess Harriet while she’s without an escort, it will be Galkhein’s responsibility, will it not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold surely wished to prevent such a complication."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s true that my skill pales in comparison to yours and that of your Imperial Guards, but I believe I could prove quite handy as an escort.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not my issue with this.” Arnold gazed at Rishe in earnest and then lowered his lips to her ear. “I’m most concerned about your safety.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe started, his rumbling voice tickling her eardrum. I’m sure those words have ulterior reasons behind them, but still!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She stepped back, flustered, resisting the urge to snap back at him. “Rather than considering me someone who must be protected, I would prefer it if you assumed me capable of fending off most enemies!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never said I didn’t trust you. I believe in your courage and your sword skills,” Arnold said with some reluctance before sighing again. “I would like to know what you’re scheming, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s my little secret.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Isn’t it always?” He thought a moment. “Can I ask you to do this for a little while?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled with relief. “Yes! Leave it to me, Your Highness!” She was turning toward Harriet when Arnold grabbed her arm. “Ah!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t forget, though.” Arnold’s voice was quiet, as if he were carefully etching the words into her memory. “You may be able to ‘fend off most enemies,’ but you’re still under my protection.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yep! Got it!” Rishe’s heart thrummed, fit to burst. She wished he’d go a little easier on her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Willing her cheeks not to redden, Rishe headed for Harriet. The foreign princess was folded over on her chair, overwhelmed to the point of tears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apologies for the wait, Princess Harriet.” Rishe knelt before her. Wow, this reminds me of my life as a knight!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With grace and poise, Rishe took Harriet’s dainty hand. She didn’t give it a gentle squeeze, as she might have when dressed as a boy. Still, she smiled, wishing to comfort the princess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t cry. I will protect you from any misfortune that may befall you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Following all the rules of chivalry that had been beaten into her, Rishe made a vow to the lady before her. “I swear I will defend you…so please be at ease, won’t you, my lady?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a squeak, the face hidden behind Harriet’s bangs instantly flushed red."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The small castle designated for Harriet’s stay was on the outskirts of Vinrhys. It stood atop a small hill overlooking the seaside town. It only took some fifteen to twenty minutes to return to the town from there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sauntered through the lively town with Harriet in tow. Her guards trailed behind. A few of Harriet’s attendants also accompanied them, rounding off the large procession and making it obvious that someone important was in town. Rishe had tried to explain that they would stand out like this, but Harriet’s head maid had been quite insistent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That will not do,” she’d said. “No matter the situation, if Galkhein’s crown princess is serving as Princess Harriet’s escort, then the least her maids can do is stay by Her Highness’s side to lessen your load as much as we can, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid seemed similar in age to Rishe’s mother. She spoke so matter-of-factly that Rishe found herself unable to argue. Thus, their outing had ended up with a party of ten."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope the princess can at least enjoy our stroll."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned to Harriet and smiled. “You’re not tired, are you, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what?! Er, I…” Harriet hung her head, clearly distressed. She shot a look at her maids before continuing. “I-I’m fine. Please don’t concern yourself with me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t do that. You said you wanted to see one of Galkhein’s towns since you came all this way.” Rishe put a hand over her heart in a most knightly gesture and added, “I’d at least like you to enjoy the experience.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A sword hung at her waist, its black scabbard adorned with gold ornamentation. It was Arnold’s spare sword. The weapon was a bit big for Rishe, but he had lent it to her with the words, “It’s better than nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d given her his sword belt as well, but it was too large for her even on its tightest notch, so she’d poked a new hole in it. Arnold looked slender, but he was solidly built compared to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All this reminds me of my knight’s training."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fastening the belt around her dress and hanging Arnold’s sword from it, Rishe started to feel more like she was back in her sixth loop. She’d been instructed by her king—a devoted husband—that all knights must show the utmost respect to women. Though she merely dressed like a man in that loop, Rishe had exercised chivalry whenever possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The sea breeze isn’t too cold, is it? If it’s too bright out, I can fetch you a parasol. We’ll walk at your pace, so feel free to direct me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…I-I-I couldn’t possibly!” Harriet spluttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I beg of you, do not show any restraint with me, my lady.” Rishe took Harriet’s small, pale hand and beamed at her once again. “All I wish is for you to enjoy our day together. I vow to do everything in my power to make that happen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“S-so dazzling…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you like a parasol after all?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet covered her eyes and shook her head. She cast her gaze to the ground in embarrassment, her long bangs concealing her face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Watching from several meters behind, the head maid coolly remarked, “Your Highness, if you dig your heels in any deeper, it will be rude to Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s small frame jolted, and she seemed to shrink in on herself even more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The head maid sighed—from the bottom of her soul, it seemed. “His Majesty was kind enough to suggest you enjoy some shopping in Galkhein. Why not visit some jewelers to contribute to Galkhein’s economy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hrk…” Harriet’s face was hidden, but her anguish was discernible enough. “But, um, the money…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about the money? His Majesty entrusted you with plenty of Galkhein currency, did he not?” the head maid curtly pointed out. “In the first place, even if you did not have such funds, it is a lady’s duty to act as the embodiment of elegance at times like these. The opinion that others have of you reflects on His Majesty as well. I try and try, and your behavior never changes! Lady Rishe, please allow me to apologize on behalf of my mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked and turned her smile on the head maid. “No, Miss Head Maid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She stepped forward and took the maid’s hand, as she had with Harriet. The maid’s eyes bugged out of their sockets, but Rishe paid it no mind. “While a lady’s behavior certainly reflects upon her husband as well, I beseech you not to worry about such things in front of me, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wh-what do you mean by that? And why are you holding my hand, Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe that the measure of His Majesty the King of Fabrannia should be taken from his own behavior. My impression of him won’t change because of Princess Harriet’s actions.” Rishe noted the maid’s crinkled eyes blinking back at her in astonishment. “Besides, I think it’s sweet that Princess Harriet doesn’t want to trouble me.” Rishe turned to Harriet, making the princess flinch. “I want you to know that it’s no imposition. Nothing would make me happier as your escort than for you to be at ease and smile.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’d like to go shopping, we could go tomorrow. I’ll have the Aria Trading Company, whom I trust a great deal, bring a variety of goods for us to peruse.” She peered at Harriet’s eyes, hidden behind her bangs. “Perhaps there’s something you could do for your maids, Princess Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Harriet’s voice trembled with uncertainty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re hesitant to voice your own desires, maybe there’s something you could do for your maids instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you saying, Lady Rishe?!” the head maid exclaimed, shaking her head. “There’s no need to pay us any mind. And Princess Harriet—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um…” Harriet opened her mouth at last, gathering her feeble courage. “C-could we go somewhere cool, then?! Somewhere the maids can all sit and rest? I’m sure the voyage was much harder on them than it was on me in my first-class cabin…” Harriet’s voice faded more and more as she shrank in on herself. “I-I’m sorry. I’ve been too forward. I’m sorryyy…” Her words faded into a tiny squeak at the end."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced at the head maid, whose jaw had fallen open, before smiling. While they walked, Harriet had been surveying her maids over and over again. Rishe had wondered if she was just concerned about their eyes on her, but she’d also thought that perhaps Harriet was worried about them. The latter suspicion had proven true."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very well. I will take us to a place with terrace seating, then.” Rishe had just arrived in this town herself, but she remembered the map Arnold had shown her. There were several places that overlooked the sea where they could rest in a cool, shaded area at this time of day. “I see you’re able to muster your courage when it’s for other people, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet balked. It obviously took her an immense amount of resolve to make requests, but for her fatigued maids, she was able to say what she needed to say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet, you truly are a kind soul, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no, I, um…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was reaching for Harriet but stopped midway. She wheeled on a white building to one side behind her, searching. Near the roof, flying seabirds squawked at one another. Against the blue sky, a cumulonimbus cloud shone radiant in the sunlight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is something the matter, Lady Rishe?” one of the Imperial Guards asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard a child crying or something similar,” she told him. “I thought I might go see what it was about.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A child’s voice? Let us go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d like you knights to watch Lady Harriet for a moment. With her maids around, I’m sure it’s fine if some men guard her for just a minute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe slipped into an alley before her guards could stop her. She walked silently, masking her presence as much as possible. She turned two corners and headed deeper into the white alleyway. There wasn’t a single person there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s not quite true, though. She inhaled and lowered her hand to the hilt of Arnold’s sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From above, someone fell on her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a flash, she drew the sword and blocked the blow pressing down on her. The movement was less premeditated and more pure swordsman’s instinct. There was a clang as metal clashed with metal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The figure drew back and laughed as if he were having great fun. It was a tall man clad in a gray cloak, hood low over his face. Only his mouth could be seen, curved in an amused grin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello there, adorable little lady. That was a fantastic greeting just now. I suppose you couldn’t just stay put with me watching you like that, could you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stared straight at the figure, sword at the ready."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve never seen this person, nor do I recognize his voice. But his movements… Hmm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, how’d you notice me?” At first, his words emerged in the unfamiliar rasps of an elderly man, but when he spoke next, he sounded younger and stronger. “I’ve been watching you from the rooftops all this time, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe narrowed her eyes at the interloper’s playful tone. “Nothing special about what I did. I just took a stroll in places I thought would be easily observable.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She shifted her stance and swept her sword to the side. She’d put on a little muscle since her last attempt, so she had less trouble wielding a heavier sword."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a habit of mine when I want to confirm an area’s safety.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! A habit, she says! Fending off an attack from your blind spot is just a habit, huh? You’re a rare one, aren’t you?” The hooded man deliberated for a moment. “Even when I’m chatting with you, you leave no openings. I came down because I was interested, but that was a mistake, wasn’t it?” He stared pointedly at Rishe’s face. “Well, it’s been a pleasure, Miss, but I think I’ll have you take a little nap—whoa!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s sword grazed the man’s hood. He dodged, but no matter; she would attack again. Undaunted, she stepped forward and flipped her sword with another swing. Again and again, she whipped the sword around, but each time, her whole torso swung with it. She had to be careful, but she didn’t let up on pushing the man in the cloak back with each attack. The next instant, a knife sailed toward her eyes, and she twisted to avoid it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, you dodged that, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was going to stab me in the eye…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She leaped into close range with the man and slashed at him. He dodged her attacks quick as a cat, but his movements were easy to follow as well. She slashed sideways at him, and the man grinned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So fast!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a high-pitched clang as the man’s knife blocked her attack."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thing is, I don’t have a lot of time to play anymore.” His tongue flicked at his lips. “My coral-haired lady, your beauty is truly a rare wonder in all the world. I don’t suppose we could have a more meaningful dialogue than trying to kill each other?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m working, unfortunately. And I wasn’t under the impression that we were trying to kill each other.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, right! You’ve been aiming at my face!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I’ve already accomplished my goal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From where she was now, she could see his eyes underneath the hood. Knew it. I don’t recognize this face…but I don’t need to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man had red eyes; that told her more than anything else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe leaped back, sword and all, and the man smirked and cocked his head. “True, I don’t sense real bloodlust from you. I see, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that moment, one of Arnold’s Imperial Guards shouted Rishe’s name from the street. “Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man’s cloak whipped around as he sprinted down the alley and out of sight. Rishe slowly sheathed her sword and watched him go. They were some distance from the main street, but they’d been loud enough for the knights to hear, apparently. Two had come running."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, what happened?! I thought I heard swords clashing…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gave an apologetic dip of her head. “I’m sorry. It was just a cat and a crow fighting, not a child crying.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A cat and a crow, my lady?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I drew my sword to intervene, but it was so heavy, I dropped it… That’s all that happened, really.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights sighed in relief. “As long as you’re all right, Lady Rishe. Please leave such things to us in the future, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, you two.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe walked back toward the main road, shooting a glance over her shoulder as she went. There was no trace of anyone in the alleyway. She returned to Harriet’s side with the knights and said nothing of the incident."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A real guard would report what just happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought back to an earlier exchange with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Can you entertain the princess?” Arnold had asked her as he prepared to go out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. Where are you going, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have a few things to take care of here in town. I’ll be back by nightfall.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver had been just as busy issuing orders to the knights. That confirmed one of Rishe’s suspicions: Arnold wasn’t interested in engaging with Harriet in the name of diplomacy at all. He must’ve had a different goal here than merely entertaining a foreign visitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had thought it strange that Arnold himself would come all this way just to greet some visitors. From experience, she knew Arnold only acted when he had multiple reasons to do so. Previously, when he’d gone into town with Rishe to buy her a ring, he was also there to observe Kyle’s entrance into the country. When he’d accompanied Rishe to the Grand Basilica, it wasn’t just to take care of accumulating work related to the Crusade Church but to intimidate them as well. This time was no different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe watched, Arnold shrugged his jacket on and said, “It’s nothing of concern, just something I want to check on. More importantly, this sword isn’t right for your build. I know you’ll be surrounded by guards, but don’t push yourself.” He picked up the sword leaning against his chair and held it out to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for lending it to me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gazed at her pensively. “I thought…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She cocked her head and waited for him to continue. Arnold sighed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought your mood might improve if you saw the ocean.” Rishe blinked and Arnold looked at her skeptically, as if there was something she hadn’t caught on to. “You seem dejected lately.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart thumped against her rib cage. He was worried about me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Guilt arose in her at the same time. Lately, whenever she thought about Arnold, a strange and lonely ache settled in the left side of her chest. Arnold must have noticed the change."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no! Nothing troubles me that you must worry over, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t know about that. You have no regard for yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her own criminal record rendered her unable to respond, but Arnold was one to talk. Before she could formulate a rebuttal, a big hand landed on her head and stroked her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for making you work out here. I’ll make it up to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s ears burned at the remembrance of his indulgent tone. She wanted to curl up into a ball just thinking about it. I was the one who asked to be Lady Harriet’s guard!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is something the matter, Lady Rishe?” a knight asked her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no, it’s nothing! Let’s hurry and get back to Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back on the main road, she could see Harriet speaking with the head maid. Her Highness Princess Harriet, sister to Prince Curtis. I never did meet him in my life as a hunter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her habit of hiding her face in her outgrown hair. Her oppressive-looking dress, fabric too thick and color too dark for the hot summer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She doesn’t strike me as the type to thoughtlessly spend a nation into bankruptcy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had to be careful if she wanted to figure this out. It would be foolish to believe rumors without confirming the facts for herself. At the same time, she couldn’t be fooled into discarding all her current information by the behavior of the person before her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s Lady Harriet’s execution that leads to Siguel’s involvement in the war with Galkhein. I’d like to turn them away from that fated path."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could at last hear the head maid’s voice. “Listen to me, Your Highness. You must not presume upon Lady Rishe’s consideration.” Her words rang clear and harsh. That, combined with her age, brought Rishe’s mother to mind. “You must make a positive impression and foster good relations between Fabrannia and Galkhein. It is His Majesty’s fervent desire that our two countries have a favorable relationship.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I know… I’m sorry for my behavior.” Harriet hung her head low, words trickling out one after another. “I-I’m a princess. I have no worth if I’m not benefiting my father, my brother, and my husband in some way. I need to try harder… I need to try harder…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Harriet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flashed the floundering Harriet a friendly smile. “I’m so sorry for the wait. It turned out to be nothing of import, so let’s head to that shop! There are so many wonderful stores on the way. All sorts of things pass through this town for trade, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She chatted away as she walked, and Harriet listened, head bowed. Rishe watched her, keeping an eye on their surroundings for anything suspicious. Soon, evening fell like a curtain over the town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, please get some rest in your room until dinner, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Erm, yes, thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They said their goodbyes at Harriet’s door and parted ways. Now that Rishe was done with her task of chaperoning the princess, she breathed a sigh of relief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m off guard duty until we leave tomorrow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Galkhein’s knights would secure the castle, and the guests didn’t need any extra protection. If they made such a request, it would be the same as saying, “I don’t trust your security.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe found herself thinking of the hooded man from earlier. Now I just need to decide whether I should report him to Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What had Arnold come to this town to do? Her course of action would depend on that, but she had no clues as to his motives. She headed for her maids’ room as she pondered the matter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m here, everyone. Is Elsie around? There’s something I’d like to—what’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her dozen maids stood close together, frozen in place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie stepped forward, pale and trembling. “W-well, Lady Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe heard what the girl had to say, her breath caught in her throat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several hours later, Rishe’s head shot up when she heard the footsteps of the one she’d been waiting for in the dining hall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shoved off from her chair and scampered over to Arnold. His brows knitted; he’d no doubt caught on to the abnormality of the situation from the pallor of her face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did something happen while you were guarding the princess?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, no.” Rishe shook her head. She clung to Arnold’s jacket, eyes darting around the room. “It’s just, there’s something I’d like to ask of you, Your Highness—though I know it’s incredibly rude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go ahead. Don’t be afraid. I’ll listen, whatever it is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even with Arnold’s reassuring words, the despondence lingered on Rishe’s face. She was pressed up against Arnold, working up the nerve to speak. “I’d like to sleep in the same room as you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, that wasn’t the whole story. Knowing she had to explain herself, Rishe looked around again, making sure there was no one nearby but the two of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you see…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d practically forgotten about almost getting her eye gouged in an alleyway a few hours earlier. A much greater terror had gripped her heart, and she struggled to open up about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My maids said they saw a ghost!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The dining hall was still deserted. Arnold hadn’t called any kitchen staff, doing his best to calm Rishe down alone. He sat her in a chair, took a seat next to her, and gently stroked her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere, so just calm down and explain the situation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right. Well, um, my maids were cleaning all the rooms…” Rishe did her best to recount the story they relayed to her. “While they were in one room, they heard a window opening in the next room over, which no one was supposed to be in. It was a strange, shrill creak.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, this is a castle by the sea. The hinges are probably rusted.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A maid went to check on the window, but it was closed. She thought it was just her imagination, so she went out into the hall to change out the water in her bucket when she saw a humanoid figure in the distance!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shuddered and curled in on herself, remembering the fear that had gripped her when she heard the story."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If a normal person were there, then you’d hear footsteps, right? But the figure just slid away without a sound…” She imagined the scene vividly, though she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes. “And the next thing they knew, it just vanished.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded the shivering Rishe in silence. She was terrified of ghosts. As she had died several times and continued to linger in this life due to her strange fate, she couldn’t rule out the existence of specters and the like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So you’re afraid of this…disappearing person?” he asked at last."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not scared, Your Highness?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if ghosts did exist, what could something with no physical form do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-that logic only comes from people who aren’t afraid of ghosts!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Arnold’s words were comforting. “This sort of thing is scarier the more frightened the people around you are, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hung her head as Arnold stroked her hair. “My maids were spooked out of their minds, so I pretended I was unfazed. I told them there was no such thing as ghosts, which helped my maids calm down, but then I couldn’t tell them, ‘Actually, I’m scared too’…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then you shut yourself away in the dining hall and waited for me to show up?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She nodded, not unlike a wooden puppet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about all these candlesticks on the table?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I wanted it to be as bright as possible…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d thought about staying with the maids as well, but she didn’t think she could save face for long. Instead, she sat here and waited for Arnold’s return, calling his name over and over again in her mind. Naturally, she kept that last bit to herself, gazing up at him now that he was physically beside her. Arnold had the grace not to laugh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By the way, Your Highness, did you want to eat?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m busy consoling you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said it like it was a task of the highest priority. She knew she couldn’t keep indulging herself, but she felt more secure than she ever had in any of her lives, sitting there with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I really like the ocean.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought you would.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But if I think a ghost could appear in my room, the crash of the waves might scare me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think it will be difficult to stay in my room by myself.” She clutched her dress with her right hand and Arnold’s jacket with her left. “Prince Arnold, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was complicated, throwing Rishe into a fluster."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I knew it! I’m being a bother to you, aren’t I?! A grown woman like me asking to sleep in the same room!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not it.” Arnold shut his eyes and sighed as if he were truly at his wits’ end. “That’s not it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said it twice! Why?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still frowning, Arnold went on, “I think there’s a double on the fourth floor, on the south side. Is that room usable?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes! I had my maids clean the entire castle, so it should be spotless.” Rishe’s lashes fluttered as she blinked in surprise. “You’ll really sleep in the same room as me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You think I can just peel you off of me and toss you back in your own room?” He must have meant her grip on his jacket. It embarrassed her to cling to him so, but she wanted to stay that way a little longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unfortunately, a knock on the dining hall door prompted her to release him. One of Arnold’s Imperial Guards intruded upon their alone time. “Pardon me, Your Highness. A messenger just arrived.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I-I’m glad I pulled away! Rishe folded her hands atop her knees, relieved that she hadn’t been caught acting so pathetically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The messenger first arrived on a small boat. He said Prince Curtis’s ship will reach the harbor in about an hour.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was relieved to hear it. She was sure Harriet would be glad as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold responded with his signature impassivity. “Summon Oliver immediately, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness. Also, it seems Prince Curtis dined on the ship tonight, so he won’t require a meal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How’s security at the docks?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As for that, well…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, there was a rumor about a ghost ship off the coast of Siguel, wasn’t there? Wait, why am I remembering that now?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook the thought from her mind, willing it to fade as she stared at the floor in silence. She found herself forlorn again now that she’d pulled away from Arnold, but she had to exercise restraint in front of the knight. At least, that was what she told herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right then, Arnold’s hand brushed against hers. Before she knew it, their fingers had intertwined beneath the table. Her head shot up in surprise, but Arnold feigned ignorance as he carried on his impersonal exchange with the knight. Their linked fingers were like a secret, out of sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But there’s someone else right there!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hyper-focused on their hands, she forgot her fear. A covert touch like this was bad for her heart. She tried to slip out of his grasp, but Arnold squeezed her fingers tighter. His voice, meanwhile, betrayed nothing. Rishe’s ears grew hot as she listened to him, enduring their clandestine hand-holding."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s our new schedule for tomorrow. Make sure everyone hears.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. Excuse me, Your Highness.” The knight bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Had the knight thought it strange that Rishe’s and Arnold’s chairs were so close and that dinner hadn’t been served? Rishe had all sorts of new worries now—especially the state of her hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm?” came Arnold’s soft response as he thumbed Rishe’s ring finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for holding my hand. But, um, erm…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s other hand propped up his chin as he looked down at the ring he’d given her. “You’re always wearing this nowadays.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, it’s important to me!” Rishe stammered. It was the truth, but it felt awkward to have it pointed out to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought Prince Arnold had no interest in what I wear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Had he also noticed her ogling the gem’s surface, admiring the sapphire every time light passed through it? The thought made her want to bury herself in the castle’s foundations."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So the metalwork was wrought by an artisan from Coyolles, eh? You take care of it well for how detailed the craftsmanship is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” Arnold looked down, running his finger over the ring. What did he think about her bright-red face? She wanted to know, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe marshaled her courage and changed tack. “We should hurry and eat! Since Prince Curtis has already eaten, you must hurry and have dinner before meeting him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled and gently removed his hand from Rishe’s. “I guess we should. You’ve stopped trembling, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You guess?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Much as she wanted to berate him, calming her pounding heart took priority. She drew in a breath, seeking strength, and rang the bell to summon the kitchen staff."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stayed by Arnold’s side all through their meal, then did some more work after dinner. She accompanied him to his office and, while Arnold handled some paperwork, sat beside him and continued her wedding preparations. Her task for the day was confirming the final list of invitees."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One letter from Rishe’s homeland bore a name she’d rather not have seen, and her face soured. At the very least, she was happy to read many of the other RSVPs. She’d gotten a letter from Zahad, whom she would be meeting for the first time in this life but whom she had been very close to in another one. There was a response from the king of the country Rishe had served in her life as a knight too. She might be able to see some of her fellow knights if they attended."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, on the other hand, only looked annoyed at the list of guests."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finishing her work with a strained smile, Rishe set off for the most difficult task of the day. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go take a bath!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a beat, Arnold nodded, wearing just the sort of frown she expected. “Right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, please come get me later. I’m going to pretend to sleep in my bedroom to fool the maids!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be there no matter what happens, so don’t worry. Are you going to be okay in the bath, though?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Normally I go in by myself, but I’ll say I’m tired from my escorting duties and have my maids help me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s expression turned awkward. “I see,” he said simply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It pained her to lie to her maids, but she couldn’t let word get out that she was sleeping with the prince—then everyone would find out she was afraid of ghosts! For Arnold’s part, he’d only explained things to Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon us, Lady Rishe. We’re here to escort you to the bath.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I’m coming!” Rishe pumped herself up and left the office after giving Arnold a parting look. Then she headed with her maids to one of several bathrooms in the castle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you so much for what you did before, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everyone’s calmed down since you told us there’s no such thing as ghosts!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, um, splendid! You should all go to bed nice and early tonight, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe walked down the halls, conversing with her maids. Along the way, she spotted a large group of people."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s Lady Harriet!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The third floor was connected to the building where the guest rooms were located. Right where the hall joined the two buildings together, Harriet stared out a window, her maids standing behind her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glided over to her side and peered out the window, where the docks glowed in the light of the moon. “Good evening. It’s a beautiful moonlit night, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet nearly jumped out of her skin. “Ack!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That small vessel belongs to Siguel, doesn’t it? Oh! That carriage cresting the hill there must be carrying your brother! I’m so glad he arrived safely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urgh… Yes, thank you.” Harriet hung her head and peeked at Rishe through her hair. The long curtain of her bangs still hid her eyes, so it was hard for Rishe to read her expressions, but she didn’t seem displeased by Rishe’s presence. Harriet looked back out the window and murmured, “Troette’s moonlit hill…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words rang familiar enough."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Aha! Considering where she’s originally from, I can see why she’d make the reference. Rishe smiled wryly, feeling complicated. I didn’t want to use this strategy, but it’s a sure shortcut to bonding with Lady Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, the final scene in the Claudiette Saga,” she said, and Harriet’s head whipped up. “You were referring to the scene where the princess’s carriage traverses the moonlit hill, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you’ve read it?! It was just published last month on the western continent, though!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. I sent for a copy after hearing of its popularity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was a bald-faced lie. She’d read the book in Siguel—just one book among the countless in the country of writing—in her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a wonderful story, isn’t it? I could perfectly picture the scene where the hero, Gene, makes his triumphant return.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Precisely! I know just what you mean. Each scene was so rich with detail, and the story had such exciting twists and turns! Um, if it wouldn’t be an imposition, could I ask which character you liked best, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a difficult question. I did love Gene, but I suppose I was most interested in his mentor…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“General Craig!” Rishe and Harriet said at the same time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From a slight distance, the maids gaped at them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s cheeks flushed as she professed, “I-I love him too! A master of the blade who seems cold but gives the hero the exact advice he needs and watches over him from afar!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You felt secure every time he appeared in a scene. I loved reading his conversations with Gene.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! And, um, I’m sure the sequel will go into the general’s past! I-I’m looking forward to it so much, knowing he’ll be in it again!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe chose her words carefully, a pleasant smile plastered on her face. Mm-hmm, I was just as naive as you once. Who could’ve imagined the general would die protecting the main character in the next volume?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks to her loops, Rishe knew the future. That meant she also knew spoilers for works of fiction that hadn’t yet been written in this life. She had to be careful not to let those slip into her conversation with Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once you know what happens down the line, you can never return to blissful ignorance! Ugh, I wanted to avoid talking about a work that’s still in progress with someone who loves reading so much…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet this seemed like the only topic that could put Harriet at ease. Just as Rishe suspected, Harriet was now much more relaxed than before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a tiny voice, the princess said, “I-I’m so happy. In Fabrannia, I’m told only to read practical texts, not fiction…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How long have you been staying in Fabrannia ahead of your marriage, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A year and a half.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, that long? Has it been a year and a half since you saw your brother, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes! I’m sure my brother has read the Claudiette Saga as well, so I was looking forward to discussing it with him.” Harriet took a deep breath to steel herself. “Um, Lady Rishe…thank you so much for letting me see my family.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s voice was no louder than a squeak. Her maids, still at a distance, hadn’t even heard it. The princess had probably intended that as she continued, “I-I don’t mean anything strange by that! But, if not for your wedding, Lady Rishe, I don’t think I’d be able to see my brother until my own wedding. It’s not until next year, which seems so far away…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You never went home once during your stay in Fabrannia, Lady Harriet? Fabrannia and Siguel aren’t that far away, are they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I may only be engaged now, but it’s Fabrannia’s royal family I’m marrying into. It would be shameful to return home for anything but a wedding or a funeral.” Rishe blinked in surprise, so Harriet hurried to add, “Er, I just don’t want to be a burden! I’ve already been learning for a year and a half and I’m still useless.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it is! And a political marriage is the only thing left for a useless princess!” Harriet clapped her dainty hands over her bangs. “I was born and nursed on the tax money of my people. If I’m not of some use to my country, there’s no reason for me to be alive, let alone having ever been born!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking closer, Rishe realized that Harriet was trembling. “Lady Harriet, you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I need to be better… I need to be better!” Those words were so quiet, she must’ve meant them for only herself to hear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thinks she can only fulfill her duty by being a pawn in a political marriage. The idea struck a chord with Rishe. I used to feel the same way about myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If that was the case, then there was nothing Rishe could say to counter it. If one didn’t find their own possibilities within themselves, their aspirations would be forever out of reach. Right now, any other options were unrealistic for Harriet, like stories written by someone else. Rishe offered consoling words instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The carriage has passed the castle gates, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wordlessly, Harriet looked out the window. The carriage came to a halt, and a man stepped out. His golden hair was a match for Harriet’s, but cut short, and he was tall and slender. His clothes were simple yet high-quality—a formal outfit completed with a cape. The man looked up and smiled in relief when he spotted Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Curtis,” Harriet breathed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes locked on those of the man beside the carriage. She could see his face quite clearly, even in the distance, thanks to the bright light of the moon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ahh. I see what’s going on here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes were ruby red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s not Prince Curtis."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE LEADER OF RISHE’S HUNTING TROOP in her fifth life always had an ambiguous smile on his face. At around twenty years old—though no one knew if that was his real age—he was good-looking and tall, yet not tall enough to stand out. His choppy hair was a common chestnut brown, made so by a specially concocted dye that damaged his true orange-blond hair (although he passed it off as “natural frizz”). He often stared at people with his almond-shaped eyes, yet he knew just when to break it, ever skirting the line between friendly and overfamiliar. All these traits made him popular with women, but he had too many secrets and there was no sincerity in any of his relationships."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Me? Oh, I don’t love any of them. You’re cute as always, though, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He often made flippant comments like that with a completely insincere smile. But the flippancy wasn’t just reserved for hitting on Rishe; he issued ridiculous orders to his men with the same tone—the same unknowable, casual cheer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The prey has noticed we’re circling it? Well, no matter. It’s an easy hunt at this point. Just finish it off before it escapes, and we win.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In contrast to his frivolous attitude, he was unbelievably passionate about his work. He used many names, never his real one. Among Rishe and his troop, he called himself “Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon returning to their small hut and spotting Raul sitting up in bed, Rishe cried, “Raul! You’re not planning on hunting in that state, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her companions were all at a loss."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul shrugged, his tone put-upon. “What was that, Rishe? We’re practically family, so I expect you to say ‘I’m home!’ when you come in, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t change the subject! You have a cracked rib! You’re in no condition to move!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine, it’s fine. That painkiller you gave me is working. I feel like I can do anything right now.” Raul smiled, shrugging on his usual hunting jacket. “That’s our goddess of luck! Always getting better with a bow, at home in the woods like you were born here, and you can make medicine too! Picking you up five years ago was the correct decision.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul. Painkillers are for getting restful sleep, not for pushing yourself when you shouldn’t be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll get better if you give me a little pep talk.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll get a little back talk instead if you don’t get in that bed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For some reason, it tickled Raul to have Rishe glaring at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Listen here, Raul—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But it’s such good game! I can’t just wait here when prey like that is easy pickings.” His smile was as flippant as ever, but his eyes held sincerity for once. “I know I don’t look it, but I’m very loyal to the Siguel royal family.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those eyes of his burned bright red."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe ran a loving hand down the spines of a book stack and exclaimed, “I didn’t think Prince Curtis would bring so many books!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She and Arnold were seated on a couch in the newly prepared southern room on the fourth floor. They had both already bathed and donned their bedclothes. Even Arnold, who went around with his neck covered most of the time, sported a light, buttonless shirt that exposed his collarbones. They were having a cup of bedtime tea and inspecting the gifts Curtis had presented them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look, Your Highness! Even the small details on the cover are so neatly printed!” Rishe gushed, smiling brightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah.” Arnold’s reply was indifferent. At a glance, he seemed uninterested in the gifts, but he had a book in hand as well. If he truly had no interest in them, he wouldn’t have picked one up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m figuring him out little by little, Rishe thought confidently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Flipping the pages of the book in his hands, Arnold said, “They’re in pristine condition despite being transported by ship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The paper is specially made for easy storage. It’s so intriguing—you can tell how advanced Siguel’s bookmaking technology is just by holding one!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s focus left the volumes, drifting to the young man they’d met earlier. The Prince Curtis visiting us is a fake, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought back to the quick meeting they’d held in a reception room about an hour earlier. Since he’d arrived late at night, they’d kept it to a simple greeting and presentation of gifts. But no matter how short their interaction was, it was plenty of time to confirm Rishe’s suspicions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am Siguel’s eldest prince, Curtis Samuel O’Fallon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d been a little meek, but the man’s greeting was without error, and his reserved smile was spot-on. Even the prince’s smallest gestures had been recreated to resemble the Curtis Rishe knew, down to the shortest eyelash."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He looks just like Prince Curtis, and his voice is a perfect match too. This is Prince Arnold’s first time meeting him, so there’s no way for Galkhein to catch on to the deception…at least, there shouldn’t be."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could tell, however. It wasn’t in his portrait, but the real Curtis’s eyes were a light olive green."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That man is Raul. I’m sure of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he saw Rishe in the reception room, Raul made no show of recognizing her. Even so, she was certain he’d made the connection between Arnold’s fiancée and Harriet’s “guard,” whom he’d exchanged blows with in that alley."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why is Raul pretending to be Prince Curtis? Does Lady Harriet know about this? Did something happen to the real prince?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, where in town did you go today?” she asked Arnold. One of the things she was still trying to figure out was Arnold’s motive for coming here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Turning a page, Arnold responded, “I visited a few currency exchanges.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Coastal countries often had currency exchanges in the port towns. There, travelers and merchants could trade money from their homeland for the local currency."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Most trading vessels from the western continent exchange currency in this town. If you ask around at the exchanges, you can find out which western countries are trading the most money.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And thus, which countries to pursue diplomatic relations with,” Rishe noted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fabrannia’s still winning over Siguel at this point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although Arnold was being a little mean-spirited about it, Rishe was interested in what he had to say. Evidently, there wasn’t much difference between the mind of a merchant and that of a politician."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Reports of this nature are easy to falsify. It’s worth going in person to get direct reports every so often.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was obvious enough to Rishe, so she fell into thought for a moment. There’s no way that’s the only reason he’s here. Until I know the full extent of Prince Arnold’s aims, I can’t share anything about Siguel so freely. I’m sure Raul’s not out to harm Galkhein, but still."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was the perfect opportunity for Siguel to get on friendly terms with the powerful Galkhein. It was hard to imagine that Raul would hinder such relations from forming, since he was loyal to Siguel’s royal family."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If that’s the case, then does it have something to do with Lady Harriet? Or perhaps something really did happen to Prince Curtis?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As her mind spun, Arnold raised his head from his book and stared at her. Rishe’s thoughts ground to a halt when she noticed his gaze. His blue eyes seemed to read her very soul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-Is something the matter, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince lifted his hand from the page and stroked Rishe’s hair. “You’ve got your hair tied even though you’re about to go to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed, Rishe had bound her coral hair in a loose braid. It went over her shoulder rather than down her back. Rishe had often braided her hair in her fifth loop. When wielding a bow and donning a hood on a hunting trip, she found this to be the most convenient hairstyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was just thinking about the past.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh?” He ran his hand down her braid like he was playing with a cat’s tail. When his fingers reached the chiffon ribbon at the end, he gave it a gentle tug."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey!” Rishe fumbled to keep the braid from coming undone, but Arnold grabbed her hand first and her hair unfurled in waves. It was fine, since she was just going to bed, but it still felt awkward for Arnold to play with her hair so shamelessly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pouted at him. “You’re like a little boy playing a prank.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled back down at her. “You might be right,” he said with a chuckle. Then his fingers began to comb her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She found herself genuinely floored by his tenderness. The more his fingers brushed her hair, the more flustered she grew. “Um, Your Highness, I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m going to bed!” Rishe sprang to her feet and gripped Arnold’s hand. “Y-you should get to bed too, Your Highness! We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow, and you must be tired from traveling here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought Arnold would have a response ready, but he just shut his book and stood from the couch. Rishe made for her bed, relieved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The two beds were about fifty centimeters apart, with a side table wedged in between. Arnold had naturally gravitated to the bed by the window because Rishe said the crashing of the waves would scare her at night. She appreciated his consideration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m putting out the lamp,” he told her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right. Good night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold paused, as if unaccustomed to the phrase. A moment later, he returned her words in a soft voice. “Good night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moon was very bright that night. Even after the lamp went out and the curtains were closed, Rishe could still see Arnold’s faint outline in the darkness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wearing a little frown, she turned onto her side and murmured, “I apologize for making you join me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold faced her. “It’s fine. Better than forcing you to sleep by yourself when you’re so afraid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart did a little somersault in her chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Should I send more maids your way?” he asked, and the question caught her off guard. She blinked in Arnold’s direction as he continued, “Oliver offered me some advice when I was picking your potential maids. He said it would be better for you if I hired older women from noble houses rather than young commoners.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was Rishe who had decided to hire Elsie and her other maids, but Arnold was the one who had created the original list of candidates."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why did you put together the list you did, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince turned back to the ceiling and closed his eyes—perhaps in deliberation. “I didn’t want you to be alone in that palace.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s lashes fluttered as she blinked again, and he went on, “Normally, the crown princess should have maids of a fitting status. But if I chose the wrong noble ladies, I thought they might be condescending to you because of the size of your country.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Compared to Galkhein, Rishe’s home country was minuscule. Moreover, she had come to Galkhein as a hostage. At that first party she attended, there were quite a few noble ladies who had been condescending to her indeed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought it would be safer to employ commoners with no social status. Thankfully, we already had some daughters of fallen nobility in our employ. It wasn’t hard to hire commoners who have a reputation for diligence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He must be talking about Diana. It was her hard work that allowed Arnold to hire Elsie and the rest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I also didn’t think you were the type to care about the status of those around you. So I thought I’d surround you with inexperienced girls about your age, ladies you wouldn’t feel reserved around.” Arnold’s eyes opened, and he looked at Rishe again. “Apparently, you feel the need to protect girls like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk!” He was no doubt referring to her brave facade against ghosts for her maids. “So you thought you should hire more maids for me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. I should have given you at least a few older servants.” He sounded almost apologetic."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wrapping her arms around the second pillow on her bed, Rishe told him, “I think you still would have ended up sleeping in this room even if I had some older maids, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pressed her mouth into the pillow in her arms and mumbled, “Because I can’t seem to show this side of myself to anyone but you lately, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even in the dark, Arnold looked surprised. Rishe sat bolt upright in bed when she realized what she’d said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! Uh, I’m not saying I can’t trust anyone other than you! I find all my maids and the knights and Oliver very encouraging! And Prince Theodore helps me out all the time too! It’s just that…” As she spoke, she sank back down onto the bed. “For some reason, you’re the only one I want to ask for these sorts of favors.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Try as she might, Rishe couldn’t explain it. Surely all those other people would help her if she asked, but most mysteriously, she couldn’t bring herself to confide in them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think… I think it’s because you’re better with a sword than anyone else in the world.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold loosed an amused laugh. “I guess I should give your knights more training before I hire additional maids, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-well, now that you say that, I can’t say that has anything to do with it either, so—” Rishe stopped short, gasping. “Wait, did you really order your knights to guard me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were always two guards with Rishe out of a six-person rotation. They had once belonged to Arnold’s Imperial Guards, so they must have had different duties before Rishe arrived. Arnold had also recently sent some of his knights to Coyolles. He was supposed to have some fifty Imperial Guards, a rather small number for the crown prince of such a large nation. Rishe found it strange that so many of them were assigned to her when there were fewer and fewer of them available lately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was merry. “What, you think they’re there to keep an eye on you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I escape their sight far too often for that to be the case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Normally, it wouldn’t have made sense to assign exclusive guards to someone who stayed inside the palace all day, so Rishe always thought that her “guards” were really there to report her movements to Arnold. Only now did she realize that wasn’t the case. Arnold had told her that he didn’t want her to be alone in the palace, where Theodore said his brother had enemies aplenty…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, you don’t need to go so far for my sake.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know that you can protect yourself,” Arnold said. “They’re there to show anyone who sees you that I’m protecting you with my own Imperial Guards.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was quiet but clear. What he left unsaid was that he considered the palace to be enemy territory."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come to think of it, you ordered the knights to step up security, didn’t you?” Arnold changed the subject and Rishe gulped. “What was it? ‘Put strings with bells up in the hallways’? If there are any intruders, they’ll trip on the strings and ring the bells. Despite how scared you were, you’re still taking rational action, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just as Arnold said. Rishe wasn’t enduring her fear in silence—she was enduring her fear while asking the knights for assistance. If she thought rationally about the ghost situation, the maids had most likely seen a living person."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look, just…don’t tell me what comes of them!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t want to know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, if we set traps and the bells don’t ring, then that means there’s a good chance it’s a ghost after all, right?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes. “I’d think you’d want to know if we caught someone with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In that case, until I receive such a report, I’ll be worrying that it really was a ghost.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She preferred to know that, no matter what happened, she wouldn’t be notified of the results."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Besides, if what they saw wasn’t a ghost or a normal person, the bells aren’t going to ring anyway!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince looked skeptical, but at length he sighed and said, “Well, so be it. In the event of an emergency, I will respond to it myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold doesn’t even believe in ghosts, but he doesn’t dismiss my fear… He still takes me seriously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That reassured Rishe more than anything else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness. I only hope I’m able to be of use myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that Harriet’s words echoed in her mind: “If I’m not of some use to my country, there’s no reason for me to be alive, let alone having ever been born!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s response was soft and sweet. “There’s no need for that. Hurry and sleep before the clouds hide the moon and it gets even darker.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is the crashing of the waves scary?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A gentle drowsiness came over her as she answered, “Not with you here…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Prince Arnold with me right now is nothing like the Emperor Arnold Hein of the future… The Princess Harriet of this loop is the same…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s thoughts quieted as she fell asleep at last."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next day, Rishe and Arnold got ready and went to meet with “Curtis” once more. After breakfast, Arnold escorted Rishe to the guest lounge, where she came face-to-face with him again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for your warm greeting last night despite the late hour of my arrival.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re just glad you made it here safe and sound. It’s a small castle, but we’ll do everything we can to ensure your stay is comfortable.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I appreciate your consideration. From the bottom of my heart, truly—thank you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Curtis made a perfect show of conversing with Arnold. His short blond hair was smoothed down with minimal product, and he conducted himself with decorum and geniality. Even his smile had the troubled edge of the real Prince Curtis. Yet he couldn’t disguise the color of his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lady Harriet must have noticed as well. Rishe glanced at the other woman, but she was hanging her head just as deeply as always."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By the way, I happened to hear that we’ve burdened Her Future Highness quite terribly.” Raul-disguised-as-Curtis regarded Rishe with a wry smile. “I brought female knights over from Siguel, so you needn’t serve as my sister’s guard any longer. Thank you so much for protecting my sister yesterday, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Think nothing of it. I very much appreciated the opportunity to spend time with Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, it must be said that we put you in a dangerous position. I do hope you weren’t in any danger yourself yesterday.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As a matter of fact, she had been in danger. And the one who had put her in that danger was Raul, who sat before her right now. Rishe put on her brightest smile and told him, “There was no danger whatsoever, Prince Curtis.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He responded with a look of piqued interest. He still wore the same gentle smile, but Rishe could sense the curiosity in his gaze. Even that look made him resemble the real Curtis so much, it awed Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was surprised to hear a duke’s daughter like yourself has some sword training.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I’m just a novice, really. I have plenty more training ahead of me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure you’re just being humble. Would you permit me to kneel before you and give you a proper display of my gratitude?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe guessed Raul’s aim. The “display” he meant was to kiss the back of Rishe’s hand. Kyle had done the same to her when they’d met in this life, as was custom in Coyolles, but there was no such custom in Siguel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wants to touch my hand to determine my proficiency with a sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps he suspected her of being a body double for the crown princess as well. She didn’t want to reveal too much to Raul, but she couldn’t turn down such a gesture from a “prince.” Having no other choice, Rishe began to nod, when…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A hand snaked around her waist, and Rishe almost squeaked aloud. She clapped a hand over her mouth and looked up to see Arnold standing next to her. “Goodness, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes were cold as ice as he pulled Rishe toward him. He stared Raul down frigidly and said, “You’re an honored guest. It may just be a formal greeting, but there’s no need for you to kneel.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, my.” Raul narrowed his eyes, smile widening. “I see you’re quite the devoted husband, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Where in the world did that come from?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The comment had to be sarcastic, but Arnold did not flinch. He just gazed at Raul, his actions unprovoked but clearly deliberate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s only natural for a husband to mind his wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d heard it was a political union, but I see you care a great deal for your fiancée. That’s wonderful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, excuse me?” Rishe’s head swung between the two of them, trying to parse their conversation. Then Arnold broke eye contact as if he’d lost interest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure you’re tired from the long journey, Prince Curtis. I plan to guide you around town tomorrow, so please retire for today.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hmm, looks like Prince Arnold and Raul will be parting ways for now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She still had no idea as to either of their motives, but Rishe was on Galkhein’s side at the moment. Even if she wasn’t going to tell Arnold that Curtis was a fake, she still planned on being cautious around him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she looked up, she was met with Arnold’s blue eyes. Her breath caught a little at the proximity of his handsome face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold bent down, face neutral, and whispered, “Sorry, but please entertain the princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His husky voice and breath tickled her ear, making her jump. Rishe nodded, trying to hide her jitters."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Since Prince Curtis is staying behind, I’ll tighten security inside the castle. I want you to let me know if there are any problems.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was likely his way of telling her that he would be watching Raul too. He had caught on to what she wanted to tell him without her having to voice it. Rishe decided to focus on the mission she’d been given in the meantime."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Harriet.” She smiled as she addressed the woman hiding behind Raul. “It seems I won’t be your escort any longer, but I was still hoping we could talk today. Do you mind if I join you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! B-but—” Harriet scuttled backward, her voice cracking. “I-I couldn’t possibly, I mean, you couldn’t possibly, with someone like me! I’ll just sit still someplace where I won’t get in anyone’s way, so, um, please don’t feel the need to take pity on me! I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was hoping we could talk about books, Lady Harriet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“R-really?!” Harriet’s head whipped up, then drooped just as quickly. “I-If it wouldn’t be a bother, then, um, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wonderful! If you don’t mind, then allow me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe moved things along, Harriet seemed to shrink ever deeper into herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Harriet. I am Kaine Tully, head of the Aria Trading Company.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, right…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tully introduced himself with a brilliant smile in the reception room. He liked to grow out his facial hair, but he was clean-shaven today. He’d also garbed himself in black robes that complemented his dark skin and matched his image as a first-rate merchant. Rishe was surprised by the sight of her former employer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a rich spread of first-class goods in the room, but they weren’t all luxury products. Among them were mature pieces of jewelry and cute lace accessories, alluring semi-transparent shawls, and brightly colored shoes that boosted one’s spirits."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Such variety was impressive. Rishe had requested Tully’s presence on short notice, soon after it was decided she would accompany Arnold on this trip. Tully would’ve had only a small window of time to prepare and transport goods befitting the occasion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, please feel free to browse our wares! Let us introduce what we have in store today.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of the company salesmen gave Harriet a rundown of the products on display while paying no heed to her shriek. Harriet’s head maid nodded approvingly from behind her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Watching them out of the corner of his eye, Tully made a great show of bowing to Rishe. “Now then, Lady Rishe. Let us commence with our usual business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mr. Tully, why do I always find myself asking you to be less formal with me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tully laughed good-naturedly and took out several documents. “Bah, don’t be that way. I’m in grand spirits as of late. I have interesting business deals, and my sister’s health is much better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m happy to hear it. Aria’s doing well, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep, and it’s all thanks to you. So, my lady, it hardly suffices to show my appreciation, but please accept the information you requested of me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He handed over the documents with a theatrical reverence, and Rishe smirked as she accepted them. When she saw the contents, her hand flew to her mouth in surprise. “Wow. I can’t believe you obtained all this so precisely!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does it please you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This column on the right is how recently these were all acquired, yes? The oldest is from half a year ago, and the most recent is from last month?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. You can see the differences in the numbers. Do you see how intel from the west comes in slower?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Does this third sheet contain your information sources?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For the official data, yes. There is also some unofficial data I could share with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The conversation flowed without the real need for details. Once Rishe had finished checking over the third sheet, Tully chuckled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Mr. Tully?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing, just…you catch on quick. It feels like I’m talking to somebody who works for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s because I used to do just that!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s quick analytical eye had been honed by Tully himself in her first life. The information Tully put together was always partially coded to help prevent leaks, but it was easy to parse if one knew the code."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This information will be very useful indeed. I swear I won’t misuse it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See that you don’t. I trust you, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, and Tully grinned at her in satisfaction. Then he glanced at the other side of the room. “I suppose we should do something about that now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tully gestured with his chin at Harriet, who was busy fretting over the goods, and the head maid fiendishly watching over her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This simply won’t do, Your Highness! Need I remind you that His Majesty bade you spend your money as you pleased in Galkhein? Being frugal will only embarrass him! You were given Galkhein currency, so you must spend it while you are here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry!” Harriet minimized herself as she bore the head maid’s furious tirade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Man, what a waste,” Tully grumbled. “That maid would be the picture of dignity if she just kept her mouth shut.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Watch it, Mr. Tully.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, don’t give me that look! That princess is covering her face with her hair too. Her dress might be good quality, but it’s also old and out of season.” Tully narrowed his eyes, stroking his smooth chin. “Hey, isn’t that fabric no longer exported from the country that produces it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You noticed it too, did you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re keen yourself. Old things aren’t necessarily bad, but…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe eyed Harriet. “Do you suppose she hides her face to protect herself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tully cracked his neck. “Looks more like a cage to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So it’s meant to trap her from within rather than shield her from without?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apologies, Mr. Tully, but could you handle the head maid?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well! My lady, could I interest you in any of these items?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! Oh, no, not me.” The head maid soundly rejected Tully, but he was unperturbed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It seems the items I brought with me today weren’t to Her Highness’s liking. I’ll be back tomorrow, so I thought maybe you could give me an idea of what she’d prefer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, erm, I suppose I could…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tully shot a knowing glance at Rishe, and she silently offered her thanks. Then she approached Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was there nothing that caught your eye, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet hesitated a moment before her head shot up. “N-no! It’s not that I didn’t like everything, it’s just…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened when she heard the quiver in Harriet’s voice. What’s she so afraid of? The princess was only being scolded by the head maid, so maybe that was why, but that didn’t seem right to Rishe. Is she afraid of spending money? No, that can’t be it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure the dresses and jewelry would think they could do better than me.” Harriet’s head sank lower and lower as Rishe racked her brain for an explanation. “I may be human, but I’m absolutely not in a position to choose dresses myself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you saying, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t choose the dresses, they choose me… I may have been born human, but I’m in no position to turn something down. I-I’m so sorry…” She curled in on herself as much as possible before murmuring, “I wish I could just be a real doll…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A doll, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet flinched. She must have said the words without intending for Rishe to hear. “My mother told me…as a princess, my job is to enter into a political marriage and give my husband an heir…and to do that, I must become an adorable girl just like a doll that my husband will love…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe frowned at those words, a memory picking at her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“B-but as you can see, I’m human. I can’t do anything right, and people get annoyed just looking at me. Even my face makes people hate me because of the way my eyes look.” Harriet bowed her head, her face in her hands. “I do everything wrong! The best I can do is just stay out of people’s way…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t make people uncomfortable with my face. I can’t show it. I can’t speak,” she said as if in chant, a melancholy mantra meant only for herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Watching her, Rishe gently asked, “Is that why you hide your face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah! If I show him my face, His Majesty might break off our engagement. That’s the one thing I must avoid. This political marriage is the whole reason I was born.” Harriet sounded like she was about to cry, but she still managed to speak coherently. “I must fulfill my role as a doll in this marriage…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It seemed those words were all she had to cling to. And something about them was familiar to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I must finish this all before tomorrow…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe was young, her “education” was everything. Her parents had been strict, ensuring she knew that there was no way out of her lessons. All sorts of tutors visited her home and taught her from morning to night, and when she was alone, she had additional work to complete. Since every day of her life was like that, she couldn’t recall spending a single evening with her parents. She spent time alone in her room, slept alone in her bed, and when she woke up, a full day of education for a future queen began."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was an ever-growing mountain of things to learn, and Rishe was always desperately telling herself, “I need to be able to do this… I need to study properly!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was no different on her sixth birthday, the thirtieth day of the seventh month. The lights in the main house were out. Everyone was already sleeping, and Rishe was alone—again. It was nearly midnight, and no one had celebrated her birthday with her, but that was only natural because she was behind in her studies. She wanted to cry when she thought about it, but she also felt that crying was shameful, so instead, she chanted to herself again and again:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I couldn’t be born a boy…so I at least must become the queen. If I don’t, there was no…” She remembered her pen stilling as she rubbed at her eyes. “There was no point in me being born…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back in the present, Rishe closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and then slapped her hands together with a loud crack!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Lady Harriet.” Ignoring Harriet’s yelp, she smiled and asked, “Would you mind accompanying me for a little while?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Things moved at a frantic pace after that. Rishe asked Elsie to take care of things, requested Tully to visit again tomorrow, changed her dress, and headed outside. Dodging the head maid and her suggestions, Rishe took Harriet’s hand with a big smile on her face, then brought her to just the place she’d planned on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The back of a horse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seated behind Harriet in the saddle, Rishe held the reins with her arms around the princess and took the horse over a grassy hill."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Siting sidesaddle, Harriet gripped the pommel. Her body shook as she spluttered, “I-I’m riding on…a horse!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Women don’t ride horses on the western continent, do they?” Rishe asked sunnily as the horse plodded along. “I wanted to take you to the cape, but it rained this morning, you see. A carriage would get its wheels stuck in the muck, and it’s too high up, so I thought we’d take a horse.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-women ride horses together on this continent?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, no! Even here, women don’t usually hold the reins. You’d normally ride with a man in a similar fashion as you are now, Lady Harriet. It’s hard to ride in a dress, after all,” Rishe said with a bright smile on her face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s mouth flapped open and closed like a fish, her ears flushed scarlet. The princess kept her grip on the saddle, but strangely, she also ceased to tremble. She sat tall in front of Rishe, her eyes darting around at the scenery."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is Lady Harriet enjoying this too?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe continued her explanation with a confident grin. She took one hand from the reins and lifted her skirt to show Harriet. “The dress I’m wearing right now has a slit in it, so I can straddle a horse. I have enough on underneath it that I don’t need to worry about it flipping open.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe, Princess Harriet!” The head maid was trailing behind them on foot. She clapped a hand to her forehead and exclaimed, “I thought perhaps I should let it go as a matter of diplomacy, but I’ve decided I must speak up! It’s not too late! This is far too unladylike, you two! We can ready a carriage for you, so get down from that horse immediately!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet flinched, and Rishe turned around. The rest of Harriet’s maids seemed to be of the same opinion. Even the lady knights from Siguel were eyeing Rishe warily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The way Harriet hung her head seemed regretful to Rishe. She bent over and put one of her hands on Harriet’s where it held the saddle. “Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wrapped Harriet’s arm around her waist and whispered into her bright-red ear, “I’m going to shake them off… Hold tight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She grasped the reins once more and, in time with the chestnut horse’s breathing, urged the steed onward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Scream though Harriet did, the dutiful horse made sure she was holding on before racing up the hill before them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize, Miss Head Maid!” Rishe called back. “I’ll take your scolding later—me and only me, if you would!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The head maid shouted something in response, but her words were stolen by the breeze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet remained hunched at the start, but she gradually lifted her head. “W-wow! We’re already all the way up here…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The cape that had been far in the distance just a moment ago was already right before their eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There was a horseback-riding scene in the Claudiette Saga as well, wasn’t there? It had the most wonderful illustration. The moment I turned the page, I was transfixed. It’s Siguel’s special bookmaking technology that allows the printing of such fine lines, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hearing praise of her homeland made Harriet bashful. Timidity in every move, she ventured a peek behind them. “Everyone’s so far away…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A grove of trees up on the cape cast a pleasant, dappled shade. Rishe brought the horse into the trees before dismounting and offering her hand to Harriet. After helping the princess down, she patted the horse’s neck and tied its reins to a tree to let it rest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The sea breeze is so nice and cool, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet nodded, letting out a captivated sigh as she gazed at the scenery. From the cape, the seaside town looked vibrant, bathed in sunlight. The deep blue sea spread out before them. Above, white sea birds flew about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can go anywhere you want, can’t you, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe watched Harriet, holding down her hair as it fluttered in the wind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How I wish I could be like you…” Harriet trailed off, then gasped and shook her head violently. “I-I-I’m sorry! I, er, shouldn’t presume! How disrespectful of me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can’t become me, Lady Harriet,” Rishe said with a bittersweet smile. “I’m sure the places I go aren’t the places you want to go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where is it that you want to go, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet sucked in a breath like she’d never heard those words before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gazing down at the ocean, Rishe continued, “For instance, I want to go to places with beautiful things. A field full of sunflowers, or a forest with a carpet of autumn leaves. A beach where shards of ice wash up on the shore and sparkle in the morning sun like gemstones.” Rishe’s eyes crinkled as she remembered things she’d seen in her travels. “There’s a certain someone I want to show those things to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How would Arnold react to sights like that? Would he take interest in them, or would he feel nothing at all? Once she found that out, she’d set out on another journey to see something beautiful with him. She hoped to be able to take a trip like that one day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think you and I wish for different things, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I… I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d love it if you told me. Not about being someone else but about what you’d like to be. About your dreams.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet murmured dreamily, “What I’d like to be…” After that, she pressed her lips into a hard line. She looked down and fidgeted with her hands before gathering all her courage to shout, “I-I…! This, um, I… I’m going back to my maids!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She ran off, and Rishe didn’t follow her. The lady knights were halfway up the cape. Aside from one particular individual, there was no one suspicious around them, so the princess shouldn’t be in any danger. Rishe watched her go, worried that she’d trip."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then a voice sounded from up a nearby tree."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your face gets prettier and prettier the more I look at it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sighed, and an amused laugh spilled from the branches."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That fluffy coral-pink hair and your big emerald eyes… You’re just adorable. No wonder your fiancé was so insistent that I keep my hands off you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It makes me uncomfortable when you compliment me insincerely, so please stop.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her past life, Raul had been a friend—and somewhat of a bad influence. Even though he didn’t know that, this flirtation really rubbed her the wrong way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought you’d show yourself somewhere with fewer people,” Rishe said, looking directly up into the tree."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man there was not dressed as Prince Curtis. He wore a black cloak and crouched atop a branch, chin in his hands. His hair was a burnt brown, but it must have been some time since he dyed it; his natural orange color peeked from the roots. Narrowing his red, almond-shaped eyes, he appraised Rishe. He was, without a doubt, the hunter Raul whom Rishe knew."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yet you’re not surprised at all. Pity, I was looking forward to hearing you scream.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How barbaric,” Rishe said with disgust."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul’s grin was a happy one. “You were the one who set up that noisy little trap in the castle, right?” he asked, tilting his head like a curious cat. “I thought you might be someone in my business, just dressed as a noble lady, but it doesn’t seem that way. The prince cautioned me a little too genuinely for you to be a fake… That’s my least favorite kind of trap, you know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Erasing one’s presence was the most important task for a hunter on the prowl. Naturally, they had to avoid making any loud noises. Raul was on the mark when he pegged her as someone in the same business as him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was one of your men sneaking into the castle yesterday, wasn’t it?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged. “No idea. Somebody snuck in?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My maids witnessed a suspicious figure. He came in through the window and didn’t make a sound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then maybe it was us, and maybe it has nothing to do with us. I wonder which it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe scowled at his teasing response, and Raul laughed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re so cute!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He slid from the branch and landed close to Rishe without so much as a sound. Harriet and her maids, who were descending the cape, wouldn’t be able to see him from their position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul studied Rishe with his ruby-red eyes. “In fact, I want to make you my wife instead of the crown prince’s.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Enough joking around. Get to the point of this little ‘visit’ already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no point. I just wanted to see you.” The man spat out a blatantly ingenuine pickup line. “My name is Raul. In my country’s mother tongue, it means ‘the wolf who shows you the way.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know you’re lying about that name and the country you’re from, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nevertheless, it was a nostalgic introduction, and she found herself remembering the first time she’d heard it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe met the group who called themselves hunters in a forest in Siguel in her fifth life. She’d run across a wounded Raul and used her apothecary skills to treat his injuries."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You saved my life. If you’ve got nowhere to go, please spend some time here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Some dozen hunters lived together in that hut, and they were all pleasant folk. In their company, Rishe learned how to use a bow while she treated Raul. Once she learned enough, Raul took her into the forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm. You’ve got the knack for this. I can teach you how to hunt if you want to try your hand at it for a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was how Rishe’s fifth loop began. It was fun living in the forest, and she liked learning about the animals they shared it with. She learned to predict the weather from the way bugs and birds flew, how to anticipate a prey’s next moves from their tracks, and how to catch them with traps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sometimes, she’d aim her bow at her prey and wait in the forest for hours without budging. Other times, she’d hunker down in the cold snow of winter until she couldn’t feel her fingers anymore. In those cases, she had to grit her teeth to keep them from chattering because then her prey would perceive her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she polished her skills as an archer and made her living, she realized that Raul and his men were no ordinary hunters. They told her the truth when they went to one particular location on orders from the Siguel royal family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So basically, we’re intelligence operatives disguised as hunters,” Raul told her from his perch on a tree branch. “It’s the perfect cover for our activities. While we ‘scout out our hunting grounds,’ we can travel all over the country and investigate nobles’ territories, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had put that all together on her own. “You can probe incidents of misgovernment and find evidence of tax fraud without worrying about people catching on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. And every so often, we can ‘accidentally’ enter other countries when we get lost in the forest.” He looked down at their hunting grounds as he spoke. “My old man, the previous chief, said that in his country in the east, people like us were called falconers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wonder if that’s different from ‘ninjas.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re similar. Ninjas are usually disguised as farmers or merchants. We usually act like real hunters and live in peace in the forest, as you know.” Raul rattled off the facts like a song."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe turned to face him. Their chosen perches were narrow branches, yet she navigated them with ease thanks to Raul’s training. She would never lose her balance in such a precarious place. “But when you’re needed, you go on missions like this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it is still technically hunting prey.” Raul smiled, narrowing his red eyes as he looked down at a man below them. “Wait just a second, Rishe. I was told not to kill this one, so we’ll track him carefully.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was no anxiety in his skill. Raul was able to nock an arrow and aim at his target without so much as shifting the branch he was crouched on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I learned how to hide myself and observe other people from Raul. I’m a capable hunter because of that life, but Raul is something else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought about “Curtis” from this morning as she stared at Raul in front of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was the only one who could disguise himself as someone else down to his voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How did Raul interpret her gaze?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why are you disguising yourself as Prince Curtis?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm…” Raul peered at Rishe’s face, feigning contemplation. He acted friendly with people, but the truth was that no one interested him. Rishe was astounded by the way he scrutinized her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was almost like everyone’s big brother among the hunters. I can’t believe he’s this frivolous with a complete stranger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was why he made so many women cry. Raul had a pretty face, and he acted kind and friendly on the surface, which only made things worse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your expression doesn’t change at all, not even when I get this close. Yet you turned red in a flash when the crown prince touched you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ahem! Well, I understand that you have no intent to answer my questions, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I answer them, do I get something in return?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nope. You don’t,” Rishe answered, feeling like she was in her fifth loop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul chuckled. “Maybe I creep you out, but hey—you didn’t say anything when you realized Prince Curtis was actually me. Forgive my saying so, but you creep me out just as much! No need to worry, though. I’ll behave this afternoon. Seems like it’s going to rain, anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He looked down at Harriet, encircled by her maids at the bottom of the hill. “Can I ask you to make friends with Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe peeled her eyes away from the princess to look back at Raul, but he was already gone, leaving behind nothing but the swaying trees at the top of the cape. Under the strong light of the summer sun, cicadas buzzed all around her, yet she didn’t sense any animal presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It does look like it’ll rain. I should tell the maids to bring the laundry inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a sigh, she untied the reins from the branch and brought her horse back to the castle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rain came down about an hour later. It looked to be a passing shower, and it would be over quickly if they just waited a bit. Still, the downpour was heavy, kicking up a white mist as it splashed on the ground. While it fell, the maids had to bustle through their many tasks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Summer showers had a harsh vitality to them. As Rishe listened to the pleasant plink of droplets hitting the windows, she received word that Arnold had returned from the town."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Welcome ba—oh!” Her eyes flew wide when she met Arnold in the entry hall. He stood there sulky and soaking wet. “Are you okay?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sprinted toward Arnold, hastily instructing a maid to bring some towels as she passed. Liquid beads dripped from his black hair, evincing the force of the rain."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver appeared behind him, equally drenched and clearly exasperated at his lord. “Goodness, there was no need to rush, was there? I suggested we wait out the rain, but you just had to insist on soldiering through it, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold your tongue! You didn’t need to come with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, but I did! Of course, I understand your desire to return to the castle so quickly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you to shut up!” Arnold growled, running a hand through his sopping bangs. The casual movement exposed his typically hidden forehead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught as she gazed at Arnold. He was a portrait of contrasts: matured by the slicked-back bangs but almost fragile due to dripping everywhere. She had no idea how to look at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was puzzled over Rishe’s scrutiny. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She felt compelled to respond. “It’s just…even your forehead is as beautiful as a work of art, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, look, the towels are here!” Rishe thanked the arriving maids and picked up one of the towels. After spreading it out, she stood on her tiptoes and draped it over his head, commencing with drying his hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everyone present—Oliver included—watched her with mouths agape. Even the guards, who’d been reaching for towels of their own, were frozen in shock. Rishe wondered what everyone was gaping at as she dried Arnold’s hair with vigor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, Arnold’s flat, muffled voice came from beneath the towel. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can dry myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked once, then twice, and then understood at last."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gah!” She dropped the towel like a hot potato, her arms shooting into the air like white flags. With her arms raised in total surrender, she took two shaky steps back. Although the guards and maids didn’t dare move a muscle, Oliver alone appeared to be holding back laughter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m so sorry! That was completely out of line!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver swooped in just then. “Hee hee hee, thank you, Lady Rishe. I apologize for the imposition, but could you take care of His Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold glared at Oliver, but the latter remained unperturbed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m just as soaked, as you can see. Do you think you could take care of him for me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, y-yes! Certainly! Prince Arnold, please come this way!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, Rishe just wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Propelled by that feeling, she grabbed Arnold’s arm and led him upstairs. After stuffing him into a fourth-floor room, she wiped the puddles the prince had left in the hallway in a frenzy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just be normal, Rishe! For goodness’ sake!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To regain some semblance of dignity, she checked on the bell traps. When she judged herself to be sufficiently calm, her maid handed her the tea she’d asked for and she knocked on the door of the room she’d all but tossed Arnold in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Your Highness? Have you finished changing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Opening the door frazzled her nerves once again. When she did, she found Arnold sitting on the couch, having changed out of his wet clothes into a white shirt. His hair was still wet, but it wasn’t dripping anymore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“H-here, have some tea. You should get something warm into you since you’re probably cold from being outside.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm,” Arnold grunted as he read over a document. He patted the space next to him with one hand, signaling for her to sit. The gesture mirrored his summons the night before. She hadn’t thought anything of it then, but now she wondered if they should have sat across from each another. Still, she didn’t have to go out of her way to refuse his offer and sit on another couch."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe meekly took her place beside Arnold and looked up at him. “Are you done with your inspection of the currency exchanges?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For today, at least. I’ll check a few more places tomorrow and that’ll be all of them. Any issues on your end?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s something eating at Lady Harriet that worries me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold didn’t care a whit about that, though. He could at least feign interest, she thought, but he showed no indication of doing so. Prince Arnold didn’t even move when Lady Harriet fell flat on her face yesterday."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He didn’t care about her at all, even when he saw her crying. Rishe thought about it as she watched Arnold flip through his document."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does your scar hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold glanced at Rishe in surprise for a moment but turned away again with a huff. “Sometimes,” he said after a pause. “When it rains.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe frowned. He conducted himself the same as ever, but on a closer inspection, she could tell that Arnold was favoring his left side. She didn’t think she would be able to tell if she didn’t know about the scar on his neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How could you tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can sort of sense whenever you’re in pain now, even if it’s only a little bit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t as if Rishe was monitoring Arnold’s health every second or anything, but she had heard from patients in her life as an apothecary about old wounds aching when it rained. A definitive treatment for such symptoms didn’t exist, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shall I prepare some hot water? If you warm the area up with a towel, it might alleviate the pain somewhat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to worry about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a little better now,” Arnold said softly. “So I don’t need anything else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She hadn’t done anything, so she didn’t know what he meant by “anything else.” But if she made too big a deal of it, the fact of the scar might become known to his enemies. The old wound was the only weak point in Arnold’s godlike swordsmanship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to think of it, Raul noticed it in my life as a hunter, didn’t he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Five years from now, Siguel entered the war against Galkhein. After Harriet emptied Fabrannia’s coffers and was executed, Siguel had to fight as part of their reparations to Fabrannia. Rishe’s hunting troop was sent to battle as part of the royal family’s forces. The hunters weren’t on the front lines; their duty was to hide out in the forest ahead of the main force, gather intelligence, and diminish the enemy’s forces as much as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On one such mission, Raul whispered to her while peering from behind a rock with a monocular, “Arnold Hein may be injured.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hunters, Rishe included, were surprised—they had only come upon the man recently, with no chances to observe him before then. They were also very cautious about the positioning of the sun for fear that Arnold would notice the light reflected off of the monocular."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Injured, Raul? Really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. On his left side, I think. Upper body? There’s a chance someone landed a hit on him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that she thought back on that moment, the wound Raul had sensed must have been the scar on Arnold’s neck. Rishe hadn’t known about it at the time, and she hadn’t figured it out in her life as a knight either. She only understood her two life experiences in this one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had been sure of himself at the time, though. “If we aim for his left side, we might be able to take down the Arnold Hein. I want everyone to nock a poison arrow. He deflected all our shots in battle, but I’m sure even he has his guard down right now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All of Rishe’s companions aimed their bows on Raul’s command. They’d shot poison arrows at Arnold Hein several days ago as well, but his sword had knocked every attack aside. Raul issued the order to try again now to take advantage of Arnold’s injury."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We’re downwind. There’s no way Arnold Hein can hear our voices right now…so why do I have such a bad feeling about this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt a premonition stirring in her heart and looked through the monocular once more. Then she gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold Hein’s blue eyes were staring right at her. She shuddered, immediately realizing that she wasn’t just imagining it. Arnold Hein had been looking at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everyone, stop! Arnold Hein’s noticed us! We won’t hit him if we shoot!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A buzz went through the group at Rishe’s words. Depending on what Arnold Hein did, they could soon be surrounded by enemy knights. Rishe held her breath and looked through the lens at the man. He smiled, the expression not reaching his dark eyes, and pressed his thumb to the left of his chest as if to say, “My heart is right here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was goading Rishe into attacking him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because Arnold Hein hadn’t pursued them aggressively for whatever reason, they survived that day. As she sat beside Arnold now, Rishe studied him, wondering, If I had shot him in the heart back then, I wonder where I would be now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe might not have died in her fifth life. She could be celebrating her twenty-first birthday instead. She couldn’t imagine it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s no point in thinking about futures that never came. I should be investigating whether the figure Elsie and the other maids saw yesterday was one of the hunters instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her face taut and grim, Rishe organized what she knew of the incident."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They came in through the window, made no sound, and left without a trace. It’s not something a “normal person” could do, but they’re not what you’d call normal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Considering her interactions with Raul in the alleyway yesterday and upon the cape just a few hours ago, it seemed most likely that the infiltrators were his hunters."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But if it’s the hunters sneaking in, my traps are meaningless. They would be able to notice them like Raul did."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe still couldn’t dismiss the possibility it was a ghost, however, because the maids had seen it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Those hunters wouldn’t let someone hear a rusty, creaking hinge. Hmm…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more she thought about it—which she couldn’t stop doing—the more she gave weight to the possibility of a ghost."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold touched her hand then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince didn’t say anything. He simply traced the edge of her sapphire ring."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He touched my ring like this yesterday too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t think he was doing it to make her feel awkward, but she couldn’t think of a reason for this intimate interaction. While she didn’t hate it or anything, it fired up her nerves all over again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Restless, Rishe remembered what Arnold had said to her the day before: “So the metalwork was wrought by an artisan from Coyolles, eh? You take care of it well for how detailed the craftsmanship is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By any chance, is Prince Arnold—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, the rain’s stopped.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! You’re right!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sky through the window was a clear, cloudless blue, as though the downpour from mere minutes ago had been an illusion. The air was clearer than it had been that morning, and the white sunlight was incredibly bright."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Will you do some work this afternoon? Or spend some time with Prince Curtis and Princess Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. If I can, I’d like to take you somewhere.” Arnold stood and extended a hand to Rishe. “Do you have the time?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was surprised by the proposal, but Rishe nodded and took Arnold’s hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow!” Rishe cried. She wore a light summer dress with a hat to shade her from the sun, and she had a basket of drinks in one hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, don’t run in the sand. You’ll fall.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, but…” Rishe couldn’t quell her excitement despite Arnold’s warning. “It’s the beach!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyes positively sparkled at the great expanse of water before them. She marveled at the white sand, completely free of footprints, and the water that shifted from light blue in the shallows to pale emerald and then deep azure. This small inlet was only accessible through the castle; no one but the imperial family and their guests could visit it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After running out onto the sand, Rishe swiveled to face Arnold. He wasn’t wearing his jacket, clad instead in a white shirt and black slacks. Rishe wondered if he was hot in his outfit, but he seemed unaffected, being used to such attire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold! Forgive my immodesty, but do you mind if I remove my shoes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do what you want. Just don’t hurt yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe set her basket down next to a rock and laid her hat over top. Then she kicked off her shoes and felt the silky sand beneath her feet. She wore sunblock she’d made herself, so she wasn’t too worried about getting burned. Thanks to the earlier rain, the sand was pleasantly warm rather than scalding in the sunlight. The sea breeze wasn’t humid in the least, instead carrying a note of brine on its cool, refreshing gusts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The wind is a bit chilly, so it’s both hot and cool out here! What a strange feeling!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s calf-length dress was made up of layers of chiffon. Its soft skirt danced in the wind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Summer’s in full swing now, huh?” Rishe had come to Galkhein in spring, in the middle of the fifth month. Enjoying the lush season around her as Arnold approached, she said, “If I’d known the water would be this clean, I would have brought my bathing suit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have a cute one! It’s a two-piece. The top is a pretty blue while the bottom is like a frilly white skirt.” As she cursed her poor choices, Arnold frowned. “What’s the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a long pause, Arnold said, “It’s still a little early for swimming, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose so. There are a lot of rip currents around here in this season too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She ambled toward the shore, where the gentle waves lapped at her toes. The water rose around her ankles, then immediately pulled back, the sand tickling the bottom of her feet as it shifted under her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe held up the edges of her dress and waded in a little deeper. “Hee hee, the water’s surface is so bright!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still standing on the beach, Arnold asked, “Is it that much fun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course it is!” In response to Arnold’s bewilderment, Rishe pointed to the sea and told him, “Look over there. See how the surrounding water is calm, but there are whitecaps in just that one spot? That means there’s something large and heavy below the water. And you can tell how large it is from the size of the waves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A sailor had taught her that when she was traveling in her life as a merchant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The seafloor might just be raised up in that spot, or something big could have sunk there. Isn’t it fun just imagining what might be at the bottom of the deep sea?” Rishe whirled toward Arnold, splashing at the surface of the water. “Maybe there’s sunken treasure there that some pirates dropped!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That would be a pain in the neck. We’d have to figure out who the treasure belongs to and gather up all the potential claimants.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh, you and your realism!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even so, Arnold went along with Rishe’s odd little fantasy. That made her happy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When I was a girl studying in my room, I desperately ate up any fragment of knowledge about the rest of the world from my textbooks.” Rishe’s eyes were hooded as she recalled the memories. “I would read the word ‘ocean’ and wonder what it was like. When I had to embroider flowers, I wondered what the real ones smelled like. Imagining those things kept me going. That’s why I was so happy every time I finally experienced something I previously could only imagine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had been to the ocean many times in all of her previous lives, but the sight of it was still fresh. She’d always found it beautiful, so much more stunning than what she’d envisioned while stuck in her room all by herself. Really, she couldn’t get enough of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you bring me to the beach because I said I wanted to go to the ocean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s part of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe surmised that there was another reason, but Arnold didn’t seem forthcoming at the moment, so she didn’t bother with further questions. She was just happy that he’d remembered what she’d said before they departed the castle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Prince Arnold is only watching. How does the ocean look in his eyes?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold wore his usual neutral expression; he didn’t seem moved by the gorgeous scenery in any way. Did the sight of the ocean inspire no emotion in him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s not all…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The way Arnold watched Rishe as she stood in the sea, it was as if she had nothing to do with him. Like he had drawn a line between them, or he had decided that there was nothing between them at all. That made Rishe feel like she had come to the seaside all by herself. She wanted to ask him about this—and if he really didn’t care, she could drop it—but he looked like he was keeping his distance even from such a question."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” she shouted, reaching out to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold grimaced, dubious. “What’s with the hand?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come here, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His frown deepened, but Rishe guessed it wasn’t because the invitation displeased him. If anything, the source of the displeasure came from the invitation being so unexpected. Making up her mind, Rishe declared, “I’m making a request, so you must listen to it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they got engaged, Arnold had said that he would grant any of her requests. Knowing she was referencing this, Arnold sighed. “All right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Giving in, he bent over to remove his shoes. He neatly rolled up his pant legs and, still scowling, entered the sea. He sloshed through the water to get to Rishe, all the while looking down at his feet with a complicated expression on his face—as if walking directly on sand felt strange to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No comment.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well then, Your Highness…” Standing next to Arnold, Rishe dropped the edges of her skirt. She decided not to worry about it getting wet. Instead, she grasped Arnold by each wrist. “You can scold me all you want later, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, wait, you’re not going to—” The question he shot in her direction melted into realization."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmph!” Rishe hurled them both backward into the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Argh! Damn you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Surely Arnold would have been able to maintain his balance had he just been concerned for himself. Yet he tried to support Rishe as well, so they both ended up tumbling into the ocean."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a great spray of water. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath as she endured the impact before Arnold pulled her back up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sat in the ocean, which reached up to her navel in this shallow area. Her dress floated all around her as though she were a jellyfish. Arnold was drenched for the second time that day. There’d been no point in him drying his hair and changing clothes after getting caught out in the rain earlier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If it’s still too early to swim, why not amuse ourselves this way?” She grinned at the novelty of trapping Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With his arms ringed around Rishe’s waist, Arnold squinted at her. “You look awfully pleased with yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am. I’m quite satisfied at having pranked you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see.” Arnold sighed and reached for Rishe’s cheek. “Very well… I’ll take you up on the offer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t believe her ears. “Huh?!” Yes, she’d started this little prank war, but she didn’t think he’d take it seriously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ignoring Rishe’s flustered reaction, Arnold went in for the kill."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, hey, Your Highness! Wait a second, that’s not fair… Eeeep!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The splash marked the beginning of a fierce melee. Arnold was merciless. Rishe did her best to fight back, but he was unbeatable. She was certain that if anyone else saw this scene, they would be rendered speechless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a steady exchange of attacks and counterattacks in the shallows, they realized much time had passed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whew! We really went all out messing around, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose we did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The two of them sat on the beach for a breather, clothes drenched. Rishe’s stamina was completely expended, but Arnold appeared ready for a few more rounds. There was a different sort of fatigue in his features, though—perhaps from doing something new."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe reached for the basket she’d left beside a rock and took out one of the bottles. “Have some tea, Your Highness. It’s gotten pretty warm, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bottle had been chilled in the castle’s ice house, but it was close to room temperature now. Nevertheless, Arnold drank."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have your feelings on the ocean changed at all?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…I don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She laughed, and his head swiveled in her direction. “It’s just, you really thought about it, didn’t you? I mean, you didn’t say no, just that you don’t know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s gaze softened. He tucked Rishe’s hair behind her ear, plucked Rishe’s hat from its spot beside the basket, and covered her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since he was still being gentle with her, Rishe said, “I will accept your scolding now, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she was prepared to be chastised for tripping her fiancé into the ocean, Arnold said, “I won’t punish you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I retaliated plenty. We’re even.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, stumped. “You go too easy on me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Get used to it.” He made something not at all natural seem natural, but Rishe wasn’t having it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You need to scold me or I’ll just get worse. If you’re too nice to me, well…” She frowned and covered her mouth, murmuring, “I’ll get greedy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled. The soft expression he wore made him look his age for once. Gazing at Rishe, he said, “I’d like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sounded so gentle when he said it that Rishe’s ears felt inexplicably hot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everything that you do is so strange, I can never predict what’s coming next.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Augh! You’re teasing me again!” Rishe wrinkled her nose in frustration, and Arnold lowered his gaze to the sand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Besides, there isn’t all that much I can do for you. It should be fine to spoil you a little.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head to the side. “Hm? You’ve already granted so many of my requests.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s because the things you ask for are so trivial.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She found that strange. I feel like I’ve been making some extreme requests by my standards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had readied a whole detached palace for his “hostage” fiancée and even allowed her to use a corner of the garden as a field. Rishe had hired all her own maids, and she was allowed to freely trade with merchants. All of this was selfish enough, was it not?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The question must have been written on her face. Arnold said, “There’s something I must prioritize above all else.” He looked out at the ocean. “If your requests go against that, then I can’t grant them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had only accepted Arnold’s proposal after asking if he would grant her anything she desired. At the time, Arnold had agreed to it so long as it was within his power. In other words, he had implied from the beginning that there were some requests he could not grant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Due to my position, there will probably be times when my duty to work and country interferes as well…but that’s not all.” Arnold fixed his blue eyes on Rishe. “Even if you tire of this engagement, I won’t let you leave my side.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A dull pain wreathed her heart. “Because of the reason you proposed to me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He studied her. “That’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s hand crept to her chest, just over her heart. She hoped he wouldn’t notice. It was wrong of her to feel despondent about this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s not like I’ve told him my top priority either. Rishe looked down, grateful for the cover her hat afforded her face. She clung to it, tracing lines in the soft sand with her finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I haven’t told him “I don’t want you to kill your father” or “I don’t want you to start that war.” I’m hiding my greatest desires from him, so I can’t fault him for hiding things from me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t just come out and tell him those things, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t say it. I mean, the only reason Prince Arnold is allowing me such freedom is because he doesn’t know that my objective is to stop the war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everything Rishe did in this life, she did to interfere with Arnold’s plans. Her motivation for every move was to avoid the war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sure that Prince Arnold’s strong will is the catalyst for the conflict. If he didn’t feel so strongly about it, there’s no way such a kind person would start such a bloody war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The “something” Arnold had to prioritize was the war in the future. And if he found out about Rishe’s interference, she would become his enemy in this life too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It won’t be easy thwarting Prince Arnold’s plans. If I have one advantage over him, it’s that I know the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To hold that advantage, she had to keep her loop-given foresight to herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I have secrets too. I have no right to know what Prince Arnold might be hiding from me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet, her heart ached. Rishe had asked Arnold about the reason he chose her as his fiancée several times now, but she could no longer voice the question. Instead, she regarded Arnold from under her hat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want me to do once I’m your wife, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The question startled him. He smiled at Rishe like he found her the most captivating thing in all the world. “You’ve changed the question, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know you won’t answer the normal one.” It was the truth, but it felt like a lie."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s answer came easily. “What I want you to do? That’s simple. It’s ‘idle around the castle’ and ‘be utterly useless,’ isn’t it?” He was referring to what Rishe said after he proposed to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-that’s not what you want, it’s what I want!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, it hardly seems possible for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? What do you mean it’s not possible?! I absolutely plan to win my life of indolence after this, you hear me?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why must you win it? You’re not suited to indolence anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What does he mean by that? Rishe thought, indignant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then Arnold added, “Why do you ask in the first place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Harriet appears to be pushing herself too hard to prepare for her own marriage. I was curious what a man might be thinking at a time like this.” This wasn’t a lie, per se. She seized upon the opportunity to ask Arnold about this as well. “What sort of country does Fabrannia seem like to you, Your Highness?” She asked the question as if she hadn’t been there herself in a past life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In my view, it’s the country on the western continent that’s most proactive in its diplomatic relations with Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That displeases you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There aren’t many advantages for us right now. They might be advantageous allies in the future, but we have many other things to prioritize right now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So they’re annoying.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe recalled Harriet’s head maid saying that the Fabrannian king wished that this visit would foster good relations between their countries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The western continent is full of small countries, though. If Galkhein must get along with just one of them, Fabrannia is the most likely, as it leads the alliance in that region.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To Arnold, other western countries like Siguel were worth less than Fabrannia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Though small, Galkhein can’t ignore Fabrannia due to its position in the west.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More or less.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was one thing Rishe still didn’t understand. I don’t know why Prince Arnold proposed to me when I’m just a duke’s daughter from a minor country. In the same way…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She remembered the future in her fifth loop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t see how Fabrannia benefits in a political marriage with Siguel. It’s only natural for Lady Harriet to accept her obligation in a political marriage. I thought I had to serve the same purpose until Prince Dietrich broke off our engagement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It didn’t sit right with her. She frowned. Only when she’d chosen to live her life as a merchant did she start to enjoy her own life and experiences. That was why she hadn’t even wanted to think about marrying anyone in all her lives up until now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But it’s different in this life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe looked up, and her eyes met Arnold’s as he gazed down at her. This man was going to be her husband. The moment she thought that, his words played back in her head: “You don’t need to be resolute to become my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sighed, willing it to conceal her heartache."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“May I make another request so soon after the last?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go ahead. What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s a record I’d like to check with the currency exchanges.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold shot an odd look her way, so Rishe pulled the basket over and took out the document tube inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not quite a trade, but I also have a report for you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince squinted at it from beside her. “Market prices for gold and silver in various countries?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She nodded. “I asked Mr. Tully of the Aria Trading Company to investigate this out of personal interest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had received the report from Tully that morning. She’d given it a thorough read-through, mentally stowing away the information she needed. Now she handed the document to Arnold. “They’re all from different points in time, but the oldest one is from six months ago. Will this help your plan at all, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” Arnold flashed a bemused smile. “How did you know I was considering reminting our currency?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew he’d figure out my intentions, but after a single glance at the list?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Surprised, Rishe answered, “I felt like you weren’t visiting this town merely to inspect the currency exchanges. I also noticed you touching my hand and running your fingers over my ring a few times.” She caressed the ring herself, feeling a little bashful. “You mentioned Coyolles when you touched it yesterday, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You worked out my plans just from that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it did take a bit of time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and Arnold were both aware of the problems besieging Coyolles. It lacked military strength, leading its neighboring countries to throw their weight around. This problem was sure to worsen as the yield of gems and precious metals from its mines decreased. However, its prospects were somewhat brighter now that Arnold and Kyle had entered their agreement. Their remaining problem was that the fundamental reason for Coyolles’s less than advantageous position hadn’t been solved. In other words, no matter what happened, Coyolles’s production of gems and precious metals would trickle to nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Obviously, the gold and silver coins used in various countries are made with real gold and silver,” Rishe said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The value of these coins was determined by the amount of precious metals within. Much of the gold and silver in the world had come from Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At this rate, there will be less and less gold and silver circulating in other countries, won’t there?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. That means there will be a shortage of the metals necessary to create gold and silver coins.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What would happen then? Rishe had witnessed that very thing in the future herself. That was why she’d asked Tully to gather this information, so that she could do something about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Currency must be minted periodically in order to keep the economy running,” Arnold said. “If a country can’t get the material to mint that currency, their economy collapses.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As far as I’m aware, Galkhein has gold and silver mines of its own, does it not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since coming to this country, Rishe had been looking into Galkhein’s internal affairs with whatever free time she could spare. According to what she’d found, many of the nation’s mines were in countries that had been conquered by Galkhein during the emperor’s war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Galkhein should have ample resources of gold and silver in store, correct?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Indeed. We won’t suffer many ill effects from Coyolles’s reduction in exports.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then may I ask why you’re so concerned about the coming shortage of gold and silver, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I find your question peculiar. I thought you were aware of my reasons, which is precisely why you came up with the idea of reminting and handed me this information.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled teasingly; he’d hit the nail on the head. Rishe had her theories, but she needed a little more information to confirm them. Since he bade her to talk, she did."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if exports from Coyolles stop, Galkhein has its own plentiful sources of gold and silver. However, demand is up in other countries, and prices are rising.” Scarcity led to higher prices, while abundance led to lower ones. That was a fundamental principle of trade. “If the same amount of gold could create fifty thousand coins in Galkhein and one hundred thousand coins in other countries, then people will want Galkhein coins. Not as foreign currency but for the precious metal contained within.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. Unlike other exports, it’s hard for a country to regulate foreign currency. After all, it’s a normal thing to carry even between countries.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were sure to be people who would bring Galkhein currency to other countries and sell it simply as gold. Those people would obtain foreign currency, then bring it to a currency exchange in Galkhein. Their foreign currency would then be converted into Galkhein coins, and they would end up with more money than they left the country with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If their currency is constantly being exported to other countries, even Galkhein will soon end up with a gold and silver shortage of their own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Precisely because Galkhein’s gold and silver output was stable, it was impossible to avoid a difference in their value between countries—though it was difficult to affect the value of gold and silver coins."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s very dangerous for a country to have stable production of gold and silver without prices spiking through the roof."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had seen a country with gold mines wind up in that situation in a past life. At the time, Coyolles had closed their mines with the excuse that they’d had to send all their men off to war with Galkhein. The reality was that their mines had dried up. In a case like this, even if they could avoid war with other countries, the price of gold would still spike in those places."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even Galkhein remints their currency every once in a while, does it not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a necessary preventive measure against counterfeiting. And with the information we have about Coyolles now, this is probably a good time to do it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you plan to reduce the gold and silver content in Galkhein currency?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold returned his gaze to the sea. After a pause, he said, “I suppose so.” It was an uncharacteristically vague response. “If we do, we can manufacture coins without using as many resources as we used to. If we export the excess material to other countries, we can avoid drastic jumps in prices.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So aiding other countries is necessary to Galkhein, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, in order for this country to thrive, so too must its trading partners.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s politics really did resemble the commerce theories that Rishe subscribed to. Merchants also knew it was foolish to hoard wealth all to yourself. There was no point in having resources if no one else had them, since that meant there was no way for you to gain anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Were you inspecting the currency exchanges in this town to investigate the prices of gold and silver in other countries, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I said I was?” Arnold smiled and flicked the back of the papers Rishe had handed him. “I’m impressed that you knew just the information I wanted. I didn’t even give you any hints that I know of.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, I do know the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if she had to hide the real reason from him, they were both aware of the state of Coyolles’s exports and what effect it would have on other countries’ economies. The conclusion was easy enough to draw when she put together Arnold’s movements in this town with what she knew of the future. In fact, it was surprising that Arnold could move with such certainty with what little information he had."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No. There’s a future Prince Arnold knows about as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The economic chaos a few years down the line had one other, more significant cause, and that was Arnold’s war. The worldwide fighting exhausted smaller countries and caused larger ones to invest heavily in war funds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold might base all his actions on the war he himself will start in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe looked down. She’d taken all sorts of actions at this point, but she was starting to feel like she’d changed nothing thus far."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did he really come to this town just to see about reminting currency?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A sense of urgency smoldered inside her, and when she took a deep breath to steady herself…the sea breeze snatched her hat away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe leaped up after it. At that same moment, someone happened to be coming down the castle stairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey. The rain’s let up, hasn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…Prince Curtis.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul smiled, his red eyes crinkling at the corners. He picked up Rishe’s hat and approached her. “I expressed my desire to take a seaside stroll and was directed to this beach. I didn’t know the two of you were here. I apologize for intruding.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You liar!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no way Raul hadn’t known Rishe and Arnold were at the beach."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He chuckled, taking note of how wet her dress and hair were, and held out her hat. Even the laugh sounded just like the real Curtis’s. “Here you are.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you,” she said, though she hesitated to take the hat. She recognized Raul’s scrutinizing look. Although she’d trusted Raul in her fifth loop, she didn’t know his goal this time around. She had to be careful under his watchful eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While all this went through her head, a hand shot out from her side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack! Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stood next to her and took the hat instead. “Let me express my thanks to you on my wife’s part. Here, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hat landed on her head, and Rishe tugged it down so that it would stay on. She looked between Arnold and Raul. “Thank you both.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Neither man was looking at Rishe, however."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul-pretending-to-be-Curtis kept his smile painted on, staring at Arnold. “Thank you for calling a merchant to entertain Harriet this morning. It seems she was very interested in all the products they had on offer from Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was as expressionless as ever. “I’m happy to hear it. If you have any other requests, make them without restraint.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well then, if I may be so bold, I would relish the chance to speak with Lady Rishe.” Raul grinned at Rishe and added, “I heard from my sister that you’re an avid reader. Perhaps we could chat, say, after dinner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s definitely got something else up his sleeve!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s gaze fell on Arnold once more. She realized with a start that he was observing Arnold carefully. His words from her fifth loop came back to her: “Arnold Hein may be injured.” The prince was dressed lighter than usual, with just his usual shirt between the two of them. It would be much easier for Raul to study the way he moved in this sort of garb."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Raul notices Prince Arnold’s scar…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was sure Arnold didn’t want anyone to find out about his one weakness. She made up her mind to distract Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, Prince Curtis!” she said brightly, stepping forward with a big smile on her face. If she could hide the prince behind her, she would, but there was no way to conceal the much taller Arnold. She wanted to protect him as much as she could, anyway. “May I ask what sort of books you read?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it can be called a book, I’ll read it no matter the subject. I enjoy reading anything written.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded with faux delight, thinking that was just the sort of thing Curtis would say. “I understand just what you mean!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m thrilled to hear you feel the same, Lady Rishe. On summer days like this, I love to lie in the shade of a tree and read. With some sweets at my side, there’d be nothing better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul actually hated sweets, but since Curtis had a sweet tooth, he was playing the part. Rishe knew what Raul was really like, so the conversation rang that much hollower."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if it’s just a superficial exchange, I must keep his attention off Prince Arnold!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Rishe’s efforts were in vain as Raul once again smiled at Arnold. “You have a truly wonderful fiancée. I envy you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How did that conversation lead to you provoking Prince Arnold?! Rishe protested internally, the smile still pasted on her face. She had no idea how Arnold was reacting to that statement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before she could turn around to check, Raul continued, “I was quite surprised when I heard the news. Not only had the crown prince of Galkhein announced his engagement to a foreign lady, but their wedding ceremony would be in a mere three months.” His red eyes slid up to Arnold behind her. “It’s very sudden, don’t you think? Is that just how smitten you are with the lady?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt like the air around her had frozen solid. Arnold was no doubt subjecting Raul to a markedly neutral stare. She couldn’t bear to listen any longer, so she tried to change the subject. “Um, Prince Curtis? I apologize for the abrupt shift in the conversation, but might Lady Harriet—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, that’s right.” The interruption came not from Raul but from Arnold behind her. He pulled Rishe toward him, removed her hat, and brought his lips right to Rishe’s ear. Still looking at Raul, he said, “I’ve been hopelessly in love with Rishe since I first laid eyes on her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that, Rishe’s heart throbbed painfully. Arnold must have noticed that she’d gone rigid in his grasp, but he paid no mind, continuing in a low growl that etched itself into Rishe’s eardrum. “I desired from the bottom of my heart to have her as my own, proposed to her with whatever I could offer in exchange, and obtained her hand. The reason our marriage is so rushed is because I want to make her my wife as soon as possible.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness, please!” Rishe tried to slip out of his hand, but he held her with the other instead. His fingers snaked down and wrapped around hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m concerned she’ll be snatched up like the wind by another man if I don’t do this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A third party might’ve mistaken his overprotective lines for impassioned whispers, but Rishe knew them to be lies. Of course, it wasn’t that Arnold couldn’t hide his emotions; he was going out of his way not to hide them. She knew his words were intended for the man in front of them and no one else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s all right. Rishe swallowed hard. I know what your intentions are, Your Highness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe herself had been curious about the shortness of their engagement. He’d proposed to her in the fifth month, and their ceremony was set for the middle of the eighth month. Rishe’s wedding to her original fiancé, Dietrich, was supposed to be in the ninth month of the same year. As it stood, there was already some progress on her wedding dress, but she doubted the same was true for anything on the Galkhein side of things."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wedding preparations were one thing, but the invitations to foreign guests had been even bolder. Since Galkhein was such a powerful country, foreign royalty and nobility were under pressure to attend the ceremony. The practical Arnold would never do something like this for no reason—and especially not for love. Rishe understood that well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure you’ll be a very happy bride, Lady Rishe,” Raul said with a smile only Rishe could tell was strained. It was the first crack she’d ever seen in his veneer, including her life as a hunter. Arnold must have given him quite the glare."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul quickly recovered, however, and his expression softened. “Harriet has been set to marry into Fabrannia’s royal family since she was young. I worry about her, though it’s selfish of me to do so when I’m the one forcing her into the position.” He shrugged. “Few political marriages work out to be happy ones.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re right about that.” There was a small but unmistakable sneer in Arnold’s voice. “Pressuring a weaker country into a political marriage is nothing less than detestable.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Rishe could wheel to face Arnold, he plopped the hat back on her head. “Would you like to talk to Prince Curtis about books, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes,” she said with a nod. A lie, but she wanted to keep Raul’s attention off of him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His gaze was tender. “Then go right ahead.” No matter how gently he spoke to her or looked upon her, he’d once again drawn a line between them. “I’m going to get back to work. If you need anything, I’ll be in my office.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait!” Rishe reached out and grabbed Arnold’s hand before he could walk away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold turned around, eyes wide. Rishe clutched his hand, courageously lacing their fingers together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It doesn’t matter what Prince Arnold meant by what he said. For now, she just had do what she must. And she would reach for what she wanted to do too—taking Arnold’s hand now being one of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’d like for you to join us,” she declared."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s brow furrowed. Her free hand joined the other, thus holding his hand between hers in protest of his reaction. Yet Arnold said nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She worried he was going to turn her down like it was the obvious thing to do, but Arnold sighed at last and said, “If I can find the time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Relieved and overjoyed, Rishe beamed at Arnold. “For the time being, shall we head back inside and change? We’re sopping wet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned back to Raul with a grin, still holding hands with Arnold. “Well then, Prince Curtis. We’ll excuse ourselves, if you don’t mind.” Then she wiped the smile from her face and shot him a cautioning look. “Good day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, Lady Rishe.” The corners of Raul’s eyes crinkled again. It was a look only Rishe knew contained hidden meaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she still wasn’t sure what his aim was, she opted to walk away with Arnold for now. Naturally, she never heard what he muttered to himself once he was left alone on the beach."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a handsome couple. Anyone would think that the two of them are made for each other.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The smile on Raul’s face was the same one usually reserved for prey."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So why do they seem so fragile?”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ONCE BACK AT THE CASTLE and alone in her own room, Rishe decided to take a bath. She washed off the seawater and sunblock, cleaning herself with a soap that was yet another of her own concoctions. Since it was still bright out, she didn’t fear bathing by herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After she finished and her hair was dry, there was a knock on the door of the room serving as her study."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Elsie entered and dipped into a curtsy. “Lady Rishe, the items you requested from Mr. Tully have arrived.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you. How do they look?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maid’s head snapped up, and her eyes betrayed an excited glimmer. “Mr. Tully is amazing! They’re just as I expected. It’s impressive enough that he could deliver them by evening when you requested them just this morning, but they’re also exactly what you specified.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie’s reaction brought a smile to Rishe’s face. She stood and set off for Harriet’s room. The princess should have been expecting her, but when Rishe arrived at her door, she was downright flabbergasted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-L-L-L-Lady Rishe!” Harriet attempted to leap to her feet but slammed her knees into the coffee table before her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe dashed over to her. “Are you all right?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wh-why… What are you doing in my room, Lady Rishe?” Harriet asked, close to tears. “There was no need to trouble yourself by coming here! I’m very sorry! I apologize for even being alive!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Erm, please calm yourself, Lady Harriet. Were you not told of the reason for my visit?” She glanced up at the head maid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With her hair tied neatly up, the older woman said, “I worried that if I told her you were coming, she would fall ill from nerves while she waited.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It certainly wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. Rishe’s smile was wry. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to talk to you, Lady Harriet…and I had something I wanted to ask your head maid for as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh. I-I heard about that. You wanted her to teach your maids.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The head maid nodded. “Very well. I have much more experience than your young maids. There’s still plenty for me to learn, but I will teach them all whatever I can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you so much! My maids are all thrilled to learn from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s maids were still getting used to their work. Slowly but surely, they were getting the hang of reading and writing too. Learning had become fun for them. When Rishe had asked them if they wanted to learn from the head maid, they were enthusiastic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be on my way, then.” The head maid looked at Elsie, who stood by the door. “I leave this to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie gave a solemn nod. With the head maid gone, it was just the three of them in Harriet’s guest room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet, is there anything you desire right now?” Rishe asked, sitting on the couch. Her presence only seemed to make Harriet more nervous. But Rishe’s patience was rewarded, as Harriet at length opened her mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no, not really. Galkhein is…a wonderful place, and my room is very comfortable. I-I’m sorry I don’t have anything to say in situations like these…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to make conversation, I just want to know. If you could have your wish, if you could have anything you desired, what would you want, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Books. A lot of books.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s frank answer surprised Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want so many books that I can read and read and never run out…b-but if I had that many books, I could never read them all—I couldn’t just keep them to myself. I don’t just want to monopolize books, I want to share them with all of the people who love them.” Harriet’s head was bowed low, but this time, it was due to indulgence in her happy fantasy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am less and less convinced that this same Lady Harriet bankrupted her country by splurging on dresses and gems from foreign countries…regardless of what the future holds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was one more thing Rishe wanted to confirm, so she said, “You mentioned something about your own appearance earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With the Aria Trading Company’s products in front of her, Harriet had said, “If I show him my face, His Majesty might break off our engagement.” She must have grown her bangs out to hide it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did the king of Fabrannia say something terrible to you, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It wasn’t terrible, no! He just spoke the truth.” Harriet pasted a fake, awkward smile on her face and said, “My engagement to King Walter was decided when I was young. I went to meet him once with my mother, who was still alive at the time. I was so excited, and I dressed up more than I should have… Um, it’s really so embarrassing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned, listening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Every time I remember it, I wish I had known my place then. I was just so stupid… There was no way someone like me could dress up like a beautiful doll. My eyes cause people great distress, so I can’t even figure out why I thought I could show them to King Walter.” She laughed dryly, a hollow cover for the pain in her heart. “‘It’s not the ones who are hurt that should be ashamed but the person who hurt them.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s shoulders trembled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lady Harriet’s words must be those of the king of Fabrannia. Rishe kept the thought to herself and asked instead, “You mentioned a few times that your eyes cause people distress, Lady Harriet. Why is that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“B-before I realize it, I scowl and glare at everyone around me… I don’t mean to do it, but it happens without thinking, and I make a scary face like I’m mad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt the vague suspicions she harbored would prove correct. “Thank you for telling me. My next question is directed toward the younger Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, yes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Think back to when you were a girl, when you dressed up to meet His Majesty. Were you happy as a child?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s breath caught. “I-I… No… When I remember it, I just get so ashamed…” She hung her head, and Rishe gently took Harriet’s hand in hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you feel the same way as a child?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s small lips pressed into a tight line. She bowed her head timidly, squeezing out a tiny voice that shook with unshed tears. “I was embarrassed…but I wasn’t ashamed. My heart was pounding, and I wanted…I wanted him to look forward to the wedding at least a little bit instead of dreading it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Harriet…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I heard King Walter wanted to marry one of Galkhein’s princesses instead! But it didn’t work out…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was surprised to hear that, but Harriet’s problems came first. “So it isn’t as though you always hated dressing up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The princess’s hand quavered in Rishe’s. “I…I do think it’s indecent…for me to hide my face with my hair… As indecent as my actual face…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet slowly, ever so slowly, made her feelings known."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yet it’s equally indecent…for someone like me to think I could dress in the latest fashions and change myself… It’s impudent and shameful!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let go of Harriet’s hand and stroked her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what’s this, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry for making you discuss something so painful.” She thought she glimpsed Harriet blinking from beneath her long bangs. “Once, when I was trembling with fright, someone stroked my hair and soothed my spirit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had done just that the day before, when she first revealed her fear of ghosts. Harriet’s blonde hair was well cared for. It felt like silk under Rishe’s hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet was stunned, her next words absentminded. “H-how strange… I really do feel comforted.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe smiled, relieved. “I’m glad to hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lowering her gaze, Harriet asked, “Um, why would you do this for me, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry. I just can’t leave you alone.” Rishe stroked Harriet’s golden hair. “If you’ll pardon me for saying so, Lady Harriet…” Staring straight at her, Rishe said plainly, “You have dry eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Harriet seemed to think she misheard Rishe, but there was no way to misinterpret her words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m almost certain your eyes are dry,” Rishe went on. “You spend every free moment reading—often late into the night by lamplight, right? Perhaps even by moonlight if you don’t want your strict head maid to know that you’re still awake reading unrelated books when you should be studying for your upcoming position as queen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep! How did you know?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When people concentrate on the task before them, they blink less, and their eyes dry out faster. Add to that your long bangs. Not only do they make you strain your eyes, but your hair could be causing little bits of damage to them as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s grave reasoning sapped the color from Harriet’s face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As a test, do you think you could open your eyes for ten seconds without blinking, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I can’t! In fact, I can’t even imagine it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ordinarily, people can do that without a problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This floored the princess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If your eyes are dried out and damaged over a long period of time, they’ll become more sensitive to brightness,” Rishe said. “It’ll be harder to open them since they’ll want to avoid getting drier. That will put strain on your brow, causing you to frown unconsciously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet had been looking down the whole time they’d been in town. Rishe had wondered if that was due to her personality or if there was more at play. Since the white buildings of Vinrhys reflected the summer sun, they were much too bright for her eyes. Rishe figured Harriet kept her eyes trained to her feet as she walked because the ground reflected less light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I happen to have some apothecary knowledge. I’m just hoping I can help improve your health in any way, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, erm…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you want to be fashionable, but you feel ashamed to even think that way, then do you think you could muster your courage if it’s to improve your health?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Elsie?” Rishe called, and the maid waiting by the door stepped forward. In the boxes beside her were several dresses she had ordered from the Aria Trading Company."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Immediately afterward, Harriet’s reedy scream echoed from the guest room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh, that girl…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t scold Lady Harriet, Miss Head Maid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe walked through the castle halls, a smile playing on her lips. Harriet’s head maid followed a few steps behind her, hair in a tight bun and back straight as a pole."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I asked Lady Harriet if I could go get you myself,” Rishe told her. “I wanted to sneak a peek at my maids and see how they were doing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-my, is that so? I must say, Lady Rishe, though your maids are still inexperienced, they are all quite eager to learn. It’s wonderful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I agree! I’m quite proud of my maids. Thank you very much for instructing them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid suddenly went meek. “It’s the least I can do after you acted as Her Highness’s escort, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had volunteered for the task, but the head maid must have felt responsible for what had happened in some way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Siguel’s lady knights are here now, and the Fabrannian knights are starting to recover. While we won’t have a full detail, a few of them will be able to resume their guard duties tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Much as Rishe wanted to recommend that they rest and recover their stamina, she couldn’t comment on another country’s security, so she held her tongue. She reluctantly switched to small talk instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re from Siguel, right?” Rishe wanted to find out more about Siguel for her conversations with Harriet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The maid stared at Rishe, surprised. “How did you know?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you not want people to know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s not that. Most people assume I’m from Fabrannia if I don’t say otherwise,” the head maid said, her eyes cold and downcast. “I imagine they base it on how I interact with Her Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, listening intently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I served the household of Her Majesty, the late queen…Princess Harriet’s mother,” the head maid explained. “I took care of Her Majesty until she married into the royal family, then continued serving her original ducal household.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I may, how did you come to meet Lady Harriet and Prince Curtis?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was selected to accompany the princess to Fabrannia when it was decided that she would marry His Majesty. This is the first time I’ve seen His Highness in person.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then the head maid likely didn’t know that this Curtis was a fake. If Rishe hadn’t been repeating her lives, Harriet was the only one who would know about Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The first time I met Her Highness, I was truly depressed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those were extreme words to direct toward one’s mistress. Rishe said nothing and continued to observe the head maid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Siguel is not a powerful country. Books are plentiful, but they have assets they can leverage in negotiations with other countries.” The maid scowled. “Our relationship with Fabrannia is very important to Siguel, but with how unreliable the linchpin of that relationship is—that would be Her Highness—it will be impossible to build a strong bond.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet said she wanted to change, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She did…? It would be difficult, I imagine. She’s far too faint of heart.” The maid’s quiet words had all the power of a shout in the middle of the deserted hallway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At this rate, Siguel will just shame itself before Fabrannia. All of the other maids are in the employ of Fabrannia’s royal family. None of us have managed to build a relationship of trust with Her Highness. We can only interact with her in an impersonal manner. It’s only natural—I can’t imagine the other maids wanting to serve Her Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right then, Rishe stopped in her tracks. They’d just so happened to arrive in front of Harriet’s room. Before the door, Rishe turned back to the head maid, smiled, and said, “Miss Head Maid, thinking that she wants to change is already proof that the change is underway.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe turned back to the door and knocked. There was no response from inside. Instead, they could hear several people talking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid noticed that as well, glaring at the door. “What could that be? There’s quite a racket in there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. We’re coming in, Lady Harriet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment Rishe pushed the door open, a chorus of cheerful voices spilled forth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you look so beautiful!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid’s eyebrows shot up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your skin is so clear and pretty. It’s not damaged from makeup at all…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The dress looks wonderful as well. So summery and refreshing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The voices belonged to Harriet’s maids. After a few moments of silence, the head maid burst into the room. Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she beheld the woman by the window. “I-Is that you, Your Highness?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet looked like a whole new woman. For starters, her long bangs were braided to the side. This huge improvement bared her forehead and her olive-green eyes, which were downcast in embarrassment. A light chartreuse dress showed off her slender, elegant figure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, this is, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Harriet blinked restlessly, the head maid gaped at her in astonishment. The princess wore her hair half up; the rest of her voluminous blonde hair had been ironed into gentle curls, giving it a light, fluffy appearance. When Harriet hung her head, her swaying locks sent a faint perfume wafting through the air. Her maids surrounded her, grinning as they gushed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This dress has been in style as of late. It leaves a very proper impression, so it’s perfect for the gentle Princess Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hrk! Th-thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even as she fidgeted, Harriet bowed her head to her maids, the picture of politeness. Then she looked up at Rishe, relieved. Rishe had been the one to apply the makeup, which enhanced her soft features. She’d applied some powder, tidied up the princess’s brows, and painted her lips rose red. In addition to those simple touches, she applied certain techniques to Harriet’s eyelids to make the sharp-looking eyes that had long tormented her seem softer, painting shadows in some spots while directing light to others. During her work, Harriet’s expression had become brighter and brighter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Another benefit of makeup is that you can hide or downplay the parts of your face you don’t like,” Rishe had explained to Harriet as she stared, entranced by her own face. There were other things she wanted Harriet to learn about makeup, but to lull her into acceptance, she focused on the “hiding” aspect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The head maid regarded Harriet with sternness. “Your Highness, you look…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I-I-I-I’m sorry! Um, er, it’s strange, isn’t it?!” Harriet cried, and the maid’s eyes flew wider still."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could see why the woman was so surprised. Harriet had undoubtedly disparaged herself with the same words in the past, but right now, she was completely and utterly different. And the head maid, who was closer to her than anyone else, saw it clear as day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s face was still turned toward the floor and her shoulders shook, yet she made eye contact with the head maid. Her olive-colored eyes were no longer hidden behind her thick bangs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Appraising her, the head maid said, “You look beautiful, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s face scrunched up, teary. She looked like she wanted to dive under her bedcovers and hide, but more than that, there was a great relief in her expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For Rishe’s part, she was over the moon about Harriet’s transformation. “It’s just like I said, isn’t it, Lady Harriet? I knew Miss Head Maid would praise y—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However!” A scolding voice rang out, causing Harriet to flinch. “What is the meaning of that posture, Your Highness?! Have I not told you time and time again not to hunch your back?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes, ma’am!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Back straight, chest out! Otherwise, the whole ensemble is ruined!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet frantically attempted to straighten her back. Rishe giggled, finding the exchange heartwarming."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had no idea Harriet’s bashful expression would cloud over in just one hour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m very sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet bowed her head, on the verge of tears in a corner of Vinrhys. The soft sunlight of late afternoon lent her hair a golden glow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook her head, smiling at Harriet’s tiny apology. “It’s quite all right. Don’t worry about it, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No! Your Highness, you must take this opportunity to reflect on your actions. It’s because you said you wished to shop in town until dinner that Lady Rishe accompanied you, is it not? You said you would get your things together on your own, so I was touched and allowed you to do so—and now look what’s happened!” The head maid sighed, a deep crease in her brow. “To think you’d hand your maid the bag with your Fabrannian currency and not the currency of Galkhein…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s head was so low, it was as if a heavy stone were pressed atop it. The head maid ranted on, piling on even more weight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can’t buy anything in a Galkhein store with Fabrannian currency! Thankfully, this town has currency exchanges, but still!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right! There are currency exchanges in this town, so there’s no problem at all!” Rishe cut in and smiled at Harriet. “Your maid is having the money exchanged right now, so once that’s done, we can shop until dinnertime!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh… Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We greatly appreciate your magnanimity, Lady Rishe. Be sure not to take advantage of her kindness, Princess Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned away from the tongue-lashing, smiling awkwardly. They were waiting next door to the currency exchange for another maid. Though they tried to keep out of the way, they were still attracting attention as a group of over ten people out on the street."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Five of the recovered Fabrannian knights had chosen to accompany them on their shopping trip, and they were also joined by the Siguelian knights Raul had brought with him. Wanting to avoid drawing even more attention, Rishe had left her usual knight detail at the castle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "None of the Fabrannian knights are making eye contact or communicating with the Siguelian knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Evidently, they were going about their missions separately with no intent to collaborate to protect Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Fabrannian knights seem more skilled than those from Siguel… So His Majesty at least made sure his fiancée was protected on her journey."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe entertained that train of thought for a moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The king of Fabrannia gave Lady Harriet plenty of spending money and told her to shop as much as she wished in Galkhein, didn’t he? Also, they can’t have many lady knights, but he specifically sent skilled ones along with her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the king of Fabrannia who had hurt Harriet when she was young, but his actions indicated he was taking good care of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she mulled it over, Rishe sensed a pair of eyes on her. She spotted Oliver standing in front of a different currency exchange some distance away. They could see each other’s faces but were too far away to talk. Oliver smiled and bowed at her, so Rishe curtsied in return."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wonder if Oliver’s out here on an errand for Prince Arnold?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As expected, Oliver entered the currency exchange. From what she’d gathered, Arnold only had a few places left to investigate, though he would have more work now that Rishe had launched her own probe. That left Oliver with more work to do too, and the guilt pricked at her a little."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She recalled the conversation she’d had with Arnold on the beach."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you plan to reduce the gold and silver content in Galkhein currency?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the time, she’d found that answer unusually ambiguous. Why? Was there still secret knowledge Arnold was keeping close to the vest?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A voice interrupted her reverie. “Focus, Your Highness! You’re slouching again!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes!” Harriet squeaked, straightening up. Rishe knew she wasn’t slouching on purpose, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why is your posture so poor? I am always telling you to stand proud!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Miss Head Maid,” Rishe piped up on behalf of the dejected princess. “Lady Harriet’s slouching is not a matter of attitude.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it a matter of, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a matter of muscle!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was dead serious, so she wasn’t quite sure why Harriet and the head maid gawked at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Muscle, you say…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What it takes to stand tall is muscle! The strength to support one’s body. It’s not spirit that Lady Harriet lacks but strength!” Rishe placed a hand on her own stomach. “First, there’s your abdominal muscles, then there’s your back. From what I’ve seen of your posture, I don’t think your spine is bent yet, but it will get worse in your twenties.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Erm, how bad will it be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If your muscles can’t support your body, your back and neck will start to curve. That puts a real strain on you, so if it goes on too long, it’ll lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If the symptoms progressed to that point, it would affect Harriet’s everyday life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If even sitting becomes painful, it will be harder to read as well, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eek! Wh-what must I do to prevent that?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, a bare minimum of exercise would help, but good posture is a part of that. Perhaps try thinking of it not as etiquette but as something you practice a little bit each day for your health.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pointed at the large window in the currency exchange building’s white wall. “Lady Harriet, can you see yourself in the glass here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet’s eyes swam with hesitation as she peered into the glass—as if she wasn’t used to seeing herself in the mirror. She really did look beautiful, but there was a slight stoop to her back that must have bothered the head maid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please straighten your back and stick out your chest. Yes, just like that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-this is hard…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Only when you first start. And hey, look in the window one more time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet did as Rishe asked, and her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, Harriet’s hairstyle and dress were no different than they had been a moment ago, but there was a clear change in her appearance. The dress looked superb and better accentuated her figure, for starters. With her chest thrust out and her head lifted, her face looked brighter, the makeup around her eyes shining in the light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you think the impression you give off has changed completely just with better posture?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s true, it has…” Harriet blinked again and again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maintaining perfect posture when you’re not used to it is challenging,” Rishe told her, smiling. “But if you think about how it improves the dress you’re wearing, it’s a little easier to make an effort, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet appeared to consider Rishe’s words as she watched herself in the glass. Then she looked down at her dress and smiled shyly. “Yes…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oho!” When Rishe saw that smile, she hurried to whisper in the head maid’s ear, “Miss Head Maid, did you see that just now?! Lady Harriet’s bashful smile was so wonderfully cute!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sh-she still has a long way to go! It’s natural for her to smile sweetly in another country on a diplomatic visit!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was wonderful, though, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, that is true enough, I suppose!” the head maid huffed, then clapped a hand over her mouth as if Rishe had teased the words out. Still, she didn’t intend to take the statement back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s own smile grew wider at this development."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m glad Lady Harriet is enjoying herself even a tiny bit more. We must return to the castle for dinner, so we can’t stay out for long, but…I’d like to go to all sorts of stores she’d be interested in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What sort of store would Harriet like? Rishe had fun imagining the possibilities."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In addition to her new dress, Princess Harriet also carried a small purse. She had prepared it herself before their shopping trip. While Rishe and the head maid spoke, she turned her back to them and opened the purse, peering into it so that no one else could see inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her purse was filled with coins. Each coin bore a simplified eagle design—Galkhein’s national symbol. Harriet ran her finger over the eagle’s wings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Galkhein’s money… Money, money, money…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She shut the purse, her voice more hushed than a breath. She muttered to herself, the sea breeze and waves drowning out her next words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“With this money, I can obtain what I’ve always wanted…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They visited a few stores, and when evening came, Rishe and Harriet returned to the castle by carriage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A maid welcomed them in the entrance hall and quietly relayed a message. “Welcome back, Lady Rishe. I know it’s sudden, but I have a message for you from Sir Oliver. His Highness Prince Arnold requests your presence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you. I’ll go right to his office. Lady Harriet, I’ll see you shortly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes! Thank you so much!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet bobbed her head over and over again as Rishe left for Arnold’s office. She knocked on the door upon her arrival, and Oliver let her inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon me, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey.” Arnold was without his jacket, sitting in just a shirt as his pen glided across a piece of paper. The buttons at his collar were undone, exposing his hidden scar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver spoke up, exasperated. “Would you listen to this, Lady Rishe? I can’t believe my lord! The moment I take my eyes off him, he jumps into the sea with his clothes on…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe flinched, then stiffly turned toward Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Try as I might to pry the reason out of him, he won’t say! I’m always telling him to take breaks, but I never expected such mischievous behavior…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, Oliver, His Highness wasn’t to blame for that. It was—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” When Oliver wasn’t looking at him, Arnold pressed his pointer finger to his lips. She took it to mean it was their little secret."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though expressionless, he had the look of a child who had just pulled a prank. If Oliver was scolding Arnold, then Rishe had to explain things—but she couldn’t force the matter if Arnold was telling her not to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t know why he wants to keep it a secret, but I must tell Oliver the truth when Prince Arnold isn’t around and apologize to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver interrupted Rishe’s musings. “Lady Rishe, please sit here. You too, my lord.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All three took their places on the couches sandwiching the low table. Arnold first and Rishe next to him, then Oliver on the opposite side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My lord and I have something we’d like to request of you, Lady Rishe. Could you contact Mr. Tully of the Aria Trading Company for us?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mr. Tully?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The attendant nodded and laid a piece of paper on the table. It was the chart of gold and silver prices Rishe had given Arnold earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ve investigated this data, and we believe that it takes into account all manner of world events.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m impressed. These two aren’t merchants, but they know how much work goes into compiling this sort of data."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver regarded Rishe with his gentle purple eyes and smiled. “You’re already aware of the currency reminting. My lord?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When prompted, Arnold gestured for him to continue. Oliver picked up a scroll on the table and spread it out before Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped at the beautifully intricate illustration. It was an eagle with wings spread wide, and even the feathers were strikingly detailed. Above the eagle, several flower petals fell from two crossed swords."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s stunning. Grand and dignified, but elaborate…” She was entranced by the image for a moment before she tilted her head to the side. “Do you mean to mint the new currency with this new, complex design?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Correct,” Oliver said with a breezy smile, but this was an incredible idea. “You never fail to surprise me, Lady Rishe. After all, currency has to be mass-produced, and each individual coin must be free of even the slightest imperfection.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly. You’d have to make a prototype and a mold, but would such a complex design even transfer perfectly? Your minting process must be very refined.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It clicked for her then. Rishe looked up at Arnold, and their eyes met—he’d been watching her from the start."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is why Prince Arnold brought up Coyolles when he touched my ring yesterday!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hadn’t been wrong about him considering Coyolles’s depleting silver and gold veins, but there was another thing Arnold had been thinking about at the time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re going to use our alliance with Coyolles for the reminting?!” she asked, and the prince regarded her fondly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s the very expression I thought you’d make.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s hands flew to her cheeks. What kind of face am I making?! Her happiness must have been plain for all to see. It embarrassed her, but there was nothing she could do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe Prince Arnold is relying on Coyolles…on Prince Kyle!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she looked at Oliver, he nodded. He must have known why Rishe was so happy. “Just so you’re aware, it was my lord who brought up Coyolles’s name, not me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I use what means are available to me. That’s all there is to it,” Arnold said bluntly, but Rishe was jubilant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s something strange about this, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver went on, unaware of Rishe’s prickling doubt. “The purpose of periodic reminting is to make counterfeiting more difficult. Since we’re going to remint, we might as well take the opportunity to make counterfeiting even harder. If we utilize Coyolles’s ability to create elaborate metalwork, then counterfeiters will have their work cut out for them. We’d like to confer with the Aria Trading Company about how to distribute our gold and silver to other countries once we’ve finished the reminting process, and about procuring the necessary materials.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If there’s something I can help with, I’ll spare no effort! I can reach out to Mr. Tully right away, if you’d like.” Rishe met Arnold’s eyes again and voiced her earlier concern: “You two aren’t sure about this, though, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grimaced, and Oliver’s eyes nearly popped out. Judging by their reactions, Rishe had guessed right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What gave you that idea, Lady Rishe?” Oliver asked, flustered. Arnold scrutinized her in silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Under their gazes, Rishe said, “With technology from Coyolles, it will be possible to craft coins with this detailed design. Even so, it’ll be a costly endeavor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The expense to create something wasn’t just made up of the cost of its materials. There was much more to budget for: materials acquisition, facilities, labor, transportation, and distribution. Gold and silver coins were no exception. If minting a coin cost more than the coin itself, then the country would literally lose more money than they made."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d also like to discuss how to mitigate those costs with Mr. Tully, right? Depending on the Aria Trading Company’s analysis of the costs, it’s possible the whole reminting plan could be dropped.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Also… Prince Arnold.” Rishe and Arnold locked gazes for the third time. “When I spoke to you about the reminting, and I asked if you planned to reduce the gold and silver content in Galkhein currency, your response seemed uncertain.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed, it had been an uncharacteristically vague “I suppose so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At the time, I wondered if you were just hiding something from me—but if that were the case, I’m sure you would have hidden it better. Or you might’ve said something obviously facetious in response.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I felt that, rather than something you were hiding, there was something you were worried about.” Maybe that was the reason for his uncharacteristic answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Smiling softly, Oliver looked at Arnold. “Goodness, my lord. Your fiancée seems to have seen right through you. Why don’t you reveal what you’re thinking? Maybe I can help you as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe didn’t expect to hear that. “You don’t know what he’s thinking either?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, normally I would discuss things a little more with him, but my lord seems to have another idea this time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold, a bored expression on his face and his chin in his hand, just said, “It’s a completely unrealistic plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This too was unlike him. Arnold was always realistic. Even his saying “a completely unrealistic plan” was strange."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s stupid. Practically fantasy. My ‘other idea’ is something I’ve already tossed out without consideration.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, if you’re that insistent, my lord…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold on, Your Highness!” Rishe said, drawing his attention. “If you put your mind to it, don’t you think you could achieve it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince gaped at her. “What?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe believed in him, so she continued her explanation with unwavering seriousness. “Do you not believe that you have the power to make fantasy into reality, Your Highness? Especially now, when you’re willing to work together with others like Coyolles and the Aria Trading Company?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unbelievable.” Arnold frowned. “You trust me that much?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. After all, you’ve proven yourself to me since we first met two months ago.” Rishe believed in Arnold’s power not because she knew the future but because she’d seen what he could do firsthand. “You don’t believe in your own power, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s frown remained."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe what you consider fantasy isn’t to someone else. It could be possible with the technique and knowledge someone else possesses. It could become more and more real the more people believe in it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are no such people.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. I mean…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold tilted Rishe’s jaw to face him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What’s he doing this for? I’m not going anywhere."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a deeper voice than usual, he asked her, “Who’s going to believe in something that’s intangible?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why do his eyes look so forlorn? Rishe tried to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth. She felt as if Arnold’s gaze pinned her in place, keeping her silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My lord.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched at Oliver’s voice. With a click of his tongue, Arnold withdrew his hand from Rishe’s jaw."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, there was a knock at the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, Sir Oliver, if I could have a moment to discuss tomorrow’s security.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Upon hearing a knight on the other side, Rishe stood. “I’ll be going, then. I shall speak with the Aria Trading Company for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I apologize, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do. Your Highness, I’ll see you at dinner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold twined his fingers around Rishe’s hand, telling her, “Later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The dense air from earlier was gone now. He didn’t look so forlorn, and he wasn’t trying to prevent Rishe from speaking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes,” Rishe said quietly, confused by his change in demeanor. She greeted the knights at the door and left the room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thought I might’ve upset him, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Is there another issue I’m not aware of? Hmm. What could it be?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she thought, her head became full of Arnold. She wanted to know as much as she could about his thoughts and troubles. Because she was so preoccupied, she missed the stealthy presence beside her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked in surprise as she was yanked behind a pillar. Raul pressed her back to the wall and covered her mouth with a large hand, smiling in his Curtis guise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just the two of us now, little lady.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmph.” Unable to protest, Rishe glared at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw Harriet. Thanks for taking such good care of my ‘little sister.’” In contrast to Rishe’s fearsome scowl, Raul smiled with satisfaction. “Those eyes are great. Just my type.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He released her mouth at last, and Rishe regained the ability to speak. “Is it wise to act like this while you’re dressed as Prince Curtis?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That voice is great too. Scold me more, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re incorrigible, you know that?” Rishe sighed, truly exasperated at Raul’s constant mischief. In her life as a hunter, he’d been a very dependable ally when she needed one. Now, she was baffled by how difficult he was to handle when he wasn’t on her side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul stared into her eyes, still holding her against the wall. “I do wish you wouldn’t try to show Harriet a new world, however.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” Rishe blurted, lured by the cryptic line."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m telling you not to be so cruel,” he replied, as frustratingly frivolous as ever. “That personality of hers is something she developed for her survival, you know? By taking all the blame, she shuts herself off from the rest of the world. If she can abide by her mother’s teachings, then she won’t realize what a piss-poor situation she’s in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If she learns the happiness of standing tall and facing forward, then returns to her fiancé for a life of obedience, don’t you think that’ll be unbearably hard for her?” Raul smirked, his voice airy. “Or is that your plan?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me? What plan?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, to break Harriet’s spirit, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes went round."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You have such good eyes. You see everything a person takes pride in. What they’re ashamed of. What they cling to. That’s how you worm your way right into their heart, isn’t it?” Raul’s face was already close to hers, but he pressed even closer now. “People you see through with those eyes become hopeful—for what’s important to them, for their pride, for a bright future…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe grimaced and shoved Raul’s shoulder, but the man didn’t budge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His throat bobbed in a chuckle at her resistance. “It’s good. It’s very good. Especially since…” His red eyes saw straight through her. “You could break someone’s spirit so easily, couldn’t you?” He sounded just like a hunter with his prey in sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she replied, Rishe spoke to the man as she did her chief in her fifth loop. “Look, Raul. You should stop doing that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop doing what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lying to yourself about things outside of work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s breath caught for a moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re not real lies, but they’re not your real feelings either. You mix truth into lies and lies into feelings so much that you’re not even sure how you feel yourself. Isn’t that right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Indeed, she’d said the same thing in her fifth loop. Raul was always detached from the world around him, so much so that there was no substance to his soul. Their companions laughed it off as Raul just being himself, but that wasn’t how it looked to Rishe. He appeared to be suffering, but he hid it all behind a smile and a lie. At times, his calm seemed to be a tight-fitting lid on deep, explosive rage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sure he’d deny it like he did back then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was prepared to be brushed off, but Raul’s answer was different from the one he’d given her in her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He narrowed his eyes and murmured, “Don’t you think that it’s all over as soon as someone sees through you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s lashes fluttered as she absorbed the statement. She’d come to expect his levity, but Raul was dead serious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m terrified of someone knowing everything there is to know about me…even more than not knowing myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Does he feel comfortable baring his soul to me because I’m a stranger to him in this life?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you feel the same way?” he asked, though it sounded hollow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I don’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her mind, she saw Arnold’s profile on the beach earlier that day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s someone to whom I wish I could confide all my secrets.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you haven’t—which means you understand that telling the truth puts you at a disadvantage. So you’re in no position to criticize me, are you?” Raul’s red eyes pierced her to the core. “What does your marriage with Galkhein’s crown prince mean to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, Rishe blinked in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How does the woman in a political marriage feel? Do you fantasize about an old flame stealing you away during the ceremony?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you ask?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re so dense.” A smile crept onto Raul’s handsome face as he continued, his voice husky, “I’ll say it plain. I’m thinking about snatching you up if you don’t want to marry the crown prince.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was so astounded by his brazen proposal that she could only sigh. If anyone else heard this, it would escalate into an international incident. She continued pushing Raul’s shoulder with all her strength. Her arm was starting to tremble and numb, but she pretended otherwise as she met his gaze squarely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, you shouldn’t put on acts like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m worried about you. No wife will be happy in a political marriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve never once wanted him to make me happy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A twisted smile appeared on Raul’s face. “Oh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going to make a wonderful life for myself. No matter what disasters may befall me from marrying him, I’m not going to let it make me unhappy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if she was dragged into a huge war. Even if she died because of that war. She would never lament choosing her path—this time, to being crown princess—like she had in all her other lives. As long as she met her end without regrets, she was certain she would live a life of joy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I still don’t know what this marriage will mean for me, but I’m going to stay by his side even if he breaks it off.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one could take her away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going to be his bride. I’ve already chosen how I’m going to live this life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She glared at Raul to emphasize her intent, and he smiled. But it wasn’t the way he’d been smiling at her up until now as Raul. This was his smile as “Curtis.” In that moment, Rishe noticed another person approaching. She hadn’t picked up on it before because Raul had cleverly hoarded her attention."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.” Rishe frowned. Raul still had her pinned to the wall, a hand tight on her shoulder…and his face was far too close to hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Blue eyes stared daggers at Raul. Rishe shuddered at the tense air that had settled around them. There was no hint of strong emotion on Arnold’s face. His frigid gaze was merely leveled at Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let go of her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a short phrase, but it rumbled in her eardrums. The words were directed at Raul, but even Rishe’s breath hitched. Raul must have felt even more pressure as the actual target."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m terribly sorry, Prince Arnold.” Raul’s mouth twitched for just a second, but he shifted the movement into a gentle smile. “I have no excuse for my behavior.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Curtis!” Rishe grimaced, worrying that Raul was just inviting further misunderstandings with his choice of words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I apologize, really. It’s just that your fiancée’s beauty is so dazzling.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seriously, what are you thinking?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wasn’t he supposed to be the eldest prince of Siguel right now? Raul’s disguises were perfect, but he’d ditched his caution to say and do things Curtis never would. Confused, Rishe put even more strength into her arm as she pushed against Raul."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you not hear me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s slow footsteps echoed down the hall. He loped forward, showing no indication that he was rising to Raul’s provocation. At a glance, his behavior was no different from the everyday, but the chill in his eyes and the rigid bloodlust in his voice overpowered Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you to let go of my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is he going to kill Raul? Rishe thought, panic rising."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged, then released Rishe. Arnold grabbed her as soon as she was free and pulled her to him. He was very gentle, but his strength also brooked no argument from her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince peered down at her face, wrapped a gentle hand around the shoulder Raul had been gripping. “Did he hurt you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Erm, no.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did he touch you anywhere else?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just my shoulder. Nothing else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s shapely eyebrows bent. He seemed to be enduring something. “Did he make you uncomfortable in any other way?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head, and Arnold’s gaze slid away. It was the slightest gesture, yet the tension of the moment was unbearable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He didn’t even spare Raul a glance. “I’ll take you to your room. Come on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he took her hand, Rishe heard a quiet voice from behind her. “Your fiancée is precious to you, isn’t she?” Raul appeared to be riling Arnold up on purpose. “If I were in your place…I’m sure I would kiss Lady Rishe to stake my claim on her in front of a would-be rival.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Curtis, that’s enough joking aroun—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Or maybe I would’ve cut the man down right here. It seems all the rumors about the cruel Crown Prince Arnold are unfounded.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul’s needling was shameless at this point. Rishe was beside herself, unable to comprehend his actions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Arnold was calm. In fact, he regarded Raul with a smile of utter composure as he said, “I see. You must be here against your master’s wishes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that, it was Rishe who gaped in surprise rather than Raul. The man himself was merely confused. She couldn’t read his mind or anything, but he had to have considered this a possibility."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“May I ask what that means?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not Curtis Samuel O’Fallon. You’re just an impostor pretending to be him. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s disguise had been seen through at last. It was Rishe’s first time witnessing such a thing, including the whole span of her fifth loop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perplexed, Raul said, “Prince Arnold, I assure you, I have no idea what you’re—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All it takes is a little observation to tell when someone’s impersonating someone else. There’s a big difference between natural mannerisms and deliberate ones.” Arnold uttered these words as if they were as normal as a change in weather. “The same goes for your voice. When you change the way you use your vocal chords, it creates a minute distortion in the sound. It’s incredibly irritating to listen to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh… Ha ha ha!” Raul laughed in his real voice, but the sound was a little dry. “You’re a monster.” Clearly awed, he shrugged and said blithely, “Why’d you leave me alone when you knew…? Ahh, of course. To find out Siguel’s true intentions.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t need to explain myself to you. Let’s go, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say. If she’s truly important to you, don’t you think you should let her go instead of forcing her into a political marriage? I think she’d be more thankful to you that way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice prodded Rishe from behind. Rishe hated Raul’s presumption that he knew what she wanted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Raul! I—” Rishe pivoted to protest, but Arnold beat her to it. He turned just his head to shoot a glare at Raul while still clutching Rishe’s wrist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No matter how much she hates me because of this marriage, I don’t intend to let her go. She will be my wife.” His eyes were sharp now, much fiercer than they had been before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A deep sadness wrung Rishe’s heart. Why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s smile grew even more warped as he taunted Arnold. “How awful. You know you’ll make her unhappy, but you’ll force her to be your wife anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. Let’s go, Rishe.” Arnold began to walk, pulling her along."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to say something to him, but she couldn’t dredge up a single word. Hanging her head, Rishe simply followed behind him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s that pain in my chest again. The throbbing ache made it hard for her to breathe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold kept his silence. He didn’t turn around until they’d reached the door to their room on the fourth floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry.” He released her wrist, only to take her hand in the same manner as when he’d put on her ring. “I shouldn’t have been so rough.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe said nothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did I hurt you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She shook her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold apologized, but he hadn’t been rough with her. It was true that he’d been rather forceful, but his grip hadn’t hurt or left any sort of mark on her skin. It wasn’t Rishe’s wrist that was in pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you say things like that?” She heard the sadness leaking into her voice, but she couldn’t put a lid on her feelings anymore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry,” Arnold said gently, reaching out to stroke Rishe’s cheek. “Just because I’m not letting you go doesn’t mean I plan to restrict you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s head drooped so low, her hair fell around her face. Arnold brushed it aside, his touch feather-light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want you to keep telling me all your wishes. I swear to grant you anything in my power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t what she meant. “You said I was going to hate you because of this marriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I did,” Arnold affirmed even as he tucked Rishe’s coral hair behind one ear. “You weren’t afraid to marry me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was as if he were comforting a child. The way he looked at her, spoke to her, and touched her, all felt like he was consoling her. And that just made Rishe feel like a spoiled girl who’d thrown a tantrum. She placed her own hand over Arnold’s. She couldn’t bring herself to face him directly, so she just looked up at him through her lashes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness…you’re a fool.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes flew wide in shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You absolute fool… I can’t believe you,” Rishe said, although her complaints came weakly. “I can’t stand it when you’re so nice to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sometimes, the prince was cruel. Distancing himself through his speech helped him conceal his true emotions. Yet, right now, he was being considerate of Rishe’s feelings. He genuinely believed Rishe feared her marriage to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How could I be afraid to be your bride?” Rishe glared at him. Although she didn’t want to, she knew she’d make an even more pathetic face if she didn’t. She tightened her grip on his hand, practically pressing it to her cheek. “I accepted your proposal, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wished she could cover his hand completely, but it was too large, too masculine, so the best she could do was lay her fingers between his from over top. “Whatever happens, I will never hate you. There’s no need for you to speak as if I will!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he called her name, the throbbing pain in her chest intensified. She reflexively pushed his rugged hand closer to her cheek. While she didn’t want him to see her face, she also didn’t want to let go. She had no idea where to begin processing the heady mix of emotions whirling inside her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you feel…” Rishe was afraid to ask the question, but she didn’t know why. She pushed the fear down and slowly met his gaze. “Do you feel an obligation to me because of this marriage?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This time, Arnold broke eye contact. His long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. There was always a sharp light in his eyes, but now they seemed fathomless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Back then, I would have done anything to make you my wife.” He must have been talking about when he proposed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Only two months have passed since then, but it feels like it happened a lifetime ago."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe Arnold felt the same way. His voice was gentler than usual. “I was the one begging you, and you were the one making the decision.” Arnold traced Rishe’s cheek with his thumb. “Our positions were never equal. Do you understand?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. She didn’t. He treated her like a child who didn’t know anything, and she couldn’t help but play the role."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” Rishe began, her voice dangerously close to leaking all her pain. “For every selfish request I make, I want to grant your desires too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wanted to give back as much as she took."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In a marriage that’s a contract between two countries, we should each stand to gain something. Yet I’ve done nothing but take from you this whole time. If this is supposed to be a political marriage, it’s far too tilted in my favor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe removed his hand from her cheek and wrapped their fingers together. “If there are things you want of me,” she said, struggling to endure her pain, “then I want to give them to you just as you’ve given to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to cry but felt so far from tears. There was a cloying sadness in her heart, of losing the place where she belonged. The feeling intensified with each heartbeat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…please.” Rishe looked into his blue eyes, willing him to hear her earnest plea. For some reason, she felt disconsolate saying his name. She’d never felt this way in any of her previous lives. It felt like praying as she took a weak breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold didn’t avert his gaze, and his voice was still gentle. “I’m not marrying you for political reasons.” He bent down and brought his lips to her ear, close enough to kiss it. She gasped, his husky voice tickling her eardrum as his breath tickled her skin. “I don’t want anything from you. You couldn’t make me name something if you begged me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That lanced her heart right through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold pulled away with a smile, gaze firmly locked on hers. There was a dark light in his eyes, almost self-deprecating. He turned Rishe’s own words right back at her. “Do you hate me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He gently ran his thumb over Rishe’s lips, as if he wished to pry the words out. Of course, she hated being told he didn’t want anything from her, so she itched to say yes out of spite—but she couldn’t. She was lost, with no past knowledge to rely on in this moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s so cruel of him to hide what he’s really thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe already knew that, so she’d always believed in the sincerity of his actions over the false malice of his words. However, she’d sensed absolute sincerity in what he just said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know that his not wanting anything from me comes from a place of kindness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was why it hurt a lot more than his usual callousness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No matter how much she hates me because of this marriage…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was truly prepared for Rishe to hate him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He told me I didn’t need to be resolute to become his wife!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she recalled what else he’d said in the past, her vision wavered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t want him to witness her being any more pathetic, but she didn’t want to just walk away from the conversation either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s thoughts spun. Contemplating her next action, she slowly moved her hand up next to her head, palm facing Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s that mean?” he asked dubiously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What she was about to do was terrible, but if she just walked away, they would continue talking in circles. At the same time, she didn’t want to run off without another word. She had no idea if she’d be able to do this right, but Rishe decided to initiate it anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking straight at Arnold, she declared, “As of this moment…we’re having our first fight!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several seconds passed, and then Arnold stared at her as though she were a complete stranger. “What did you just say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said, we’re having our first fight!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sadness clawed at Rishe, but she squared her shoulders and made her intent clear to her fiancé."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0008.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THAT NIGHT, Rishe knocked on the door to Arnold’s office and thrust out a basket at Oliver when he opened it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver, please give this to Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, Lady Rishe…what might this be?” Oliver smiled, but he was clearly hesitant to accept the basket. He must have heard something about the situation from Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I made sandwiches as a late-night snack for His Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A late-night snack, you say…” Still wearing a confused smile, Oliver tilted his head. “Perhaps this is too forward of me, but aren’t the two of you fighting?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, it’s as you say.” Rishe nodded sharply for dramatic effect, thinking about the events of the last few hours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After initiating her fight with Arnold, Rishe found herself at a complete loss. She had no idea how to execute a fight among lovers. She’d shut herself up in her room and sifted through her memories, but found nothing that served as a good example."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My knight captain was kicked out of his house, but I don’t want to do that to Prince Arnold. Also, my home is too far away to say I’m going back. I saw someone turn all her husband’s shirts inside out once, but I don’t want to interfere with his getting ready in the morning. That would only create more trouble for Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her thoughts had gone around and around for some time. With the available options still on her mind, she’d joined her maids for dinner. They’d been surprised to see her, but when she explained that she was fighting with Arnold, they understood immediately. Eventually, the strategy Rishe decided upon was this:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“On the bread of the sandwiches, I’ve written a disparaging comment with sauce.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A disparaging comment. On the bread. With sauce.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. It says, ‘Your Highness, you idiot!’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now she could hold her head high and say she was truly fighting with Arnold. There were plenty of other things she wanted to say to him, of course, but they were far too difficult to write with sauce. She’d decided to get her point across with something simple."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er…” Oliver made a strange face, then cleared his throat—and the air with it. He reformed his awkward smile and asked, “Lady Rishe, you went out of your way to cook just so you could fight with my lord?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pursed her lips, letting her head droop. “If it’s just putting things between bread, I should be able to prepare a late-night snack without anything catastrophic happening…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pfft!” Oliver clapped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking. “Ahem! My apologies. Anyway, my lord said he would be working late tonight, so I’m sure he would appreciate a snack.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What?! But I wrote something mean with the sauce! Rishe pouted, her conscience wounded. She wanted Arnold to enjoy something better than her terrible cooking, but they were fighting. Yes, that’s right—we’re fighting!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Incidentally, did my lord have anything to say in regard to this fight?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just ‘very well.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once she made her declaration, the prince had gazed at her tenderly, stroking her hair. Then he’d spun right around and headed to his office. Rishe chose not to mention the hair-petting bit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver tapped his chin. “I see, I see… Oh, don’t mind me. Just considering everything that must get done before I can retire for the night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An attendant’s work was never done, and Rishe’s fight with Arnold was sure to affect Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for my selfishness to cause problems for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Think nothing of it. You have something you mean to get across with this fight, right? Then there’s no problem, really.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe didn’t know why, but Oliver truly seemed to believe that. Relief washed over her, and she snuck a glance at the closed door behind him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you curious about how my lord is doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then I suppose I am duty-bound to keep it a secret.” Oliver’s response surprised her, but his smile turned sweet. “Don’t worry. To keep things fair, I won’t say anything to him about you either. Ah, it seems your escorts have arrived.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He gestured down the hall, where Rishe’s maids stood. They were carrying something Rishe had given them, patiently waiting for Rishe’s conversation to end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… Then I’ll excuse myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. Thank you for the delivery.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver bowed, and Rishe strode over to her maids. Watching from a distance, she could see how worried they looked. She apologized, then led them to Harriet’s room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When they reached the door, Rishe thanked them, took what they’d brought, and sent them on their way. Left by herself in the hallway, she forgot her fight with Arnold for the time being and knocked on the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It opened, and Elsie’s face appeared. “We’ve been waiting for you, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie had come to Harriet’s room precisely one hour earlier. Rishe wanted to ask how it had gone, but she realized that Elsie was already giving her the answer. Her face was glowing with anticipation. Rishe didn’t let her wait any longer and looked past her, into the room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Standing there in a cute, mint-colored nightdress was Harriet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-thank you for coming, Lady Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet was in front of a couch, her back ramrod straight as she fidgeted with her sleeves. The nightdress reached down to her calves, and its fabric billowed below her bust to flatter her waistline. It also complemented her green eyes and blonde hair. Her golden bangs were bound in a loose braid to finish off the look."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her face was visible, in other words. Rishe was delighted to see the same green eyes as the ones belonging to the real Prince Curtis."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet, you look amazing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk! Th-that’s not… I mean, um…” Harriet covered her eyes out of habit, but she quickly—if jerkily—forced her hands to her sides and bowed to Rishe. “Thank you. Er, I’m sorry for borrowing Elsie from you. And, um, all the other things you’ve lent me, like the dresses and the purses…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t let it bother you. It’ll be more fun if we have some direction for our shopping trips starting tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a pile of dresses on one of the couches in the VIP room. Rishe had brought them with her on this trip, but she didn’t plan to wear them all. If she was just going to bring them home without even putting them on, then she figured she might as well let Harriet try them on instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anyway, Lady Harriet, let’s cut to the chase.” Rishe glanced at the thing she’d given Elsie to hold—it was a large pot. With a grin, Rishe set it down on a table. Then she plucked a steaming-hot towel from inside. She’d heated it up in the kitchen while she made the sandwiches, and it was just about ready now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please lie down on the couch, Lady Harriet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! B-but, er, I couldn’t possibly do that in front of you, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just sit here if you would. Now lie down, faceup, and put your hands on your stomach.” Rishe knew just how to lay a patient down from her time as an apothecary. She had Elsie wait out in the hallway and, once she had Harriet where she wanted her, placed the hot towel on her closed eyelids."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet didn’t know what to make of the sensation. “Wagh! Wh-what is that? It smells kind of nice…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a steamed towel with medicinal herbs inside it. The herbs help with muscle strain, and they’re more effective when you heat them up like this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Muscles, you say… So, the muscles around my eyes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a thin towel, so the herbs would seep through it and into the skin below. The warmth of the towel would soothe the muscles as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just relaxing the tense muscles around your eyes should bring you considerable relief.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was confident that she could alleviate some of the factors contributing to the “scowl” that bothered Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah…” Harriet sighed contentedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Chuckling to herself, Rishe began preparing the other medicine she’d brought. “Are you feeling relaxed?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It feels very nice…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s good. I’ll write down the herbs and what to mix them with for you.” The medicine clinked in a bottle as Rishe mixed it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet was silent for a short time before she said, “Um, Lady Rishe, i-is it all right if I ask you a question?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course! Ask away. I can tell you anything from how to grow herbs to how to heat up a towel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did something happen between you and your fiancé?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A heavy silence settled on the VIP room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a beat, Harriet exclaimed, “I-I-I-I-I-I’m so sorry! That was so utterly rude of me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine, it’s fine! I’m sorry to make such a fuss that a guest noticed it!” Rishe rushed to reassure Harriet before she could jump up, laying the princess back down on the couch. She hung her head, her voice coming out in a soft trickle. “We’re having a fight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A fight…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m angry with him, so I threw a bit of a fit,” Rishe muttered, stirring the medicine with a glass stick. “It’s not even really a fight.” Her voice sounded even more dejected than she thought it would. “I told him I wanted to fight, and he just accepted it like he does any request of mine. I’m sure he doesn’t even intend to fight with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After her little monologue, she realized with a start that telling Harriet all this would just confuse her. Before she could change the subject, Harriet spoke up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Could it be that you’re feeling lonely, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A familiar pain flared in the left of her chest. “No, I…” She realized that she couldn’t deny it when she tried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet removed the towel from her eyes and sat up facing Rishe. “You’re angry with your fiancé?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe examined her feelings and shook her head. The feeling swirling inside her wasn’t anger—it was a more childish emotion. She was also aware that she was taking advantage of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure I’m just sulking,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “Maybe I am lonely, just as you said. There’s nothing I can do for him, so I feel helpless and pathetic. There’s an ache in my chest so powerful, it’s almost suffocating…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She placed a hand over her heart and scrunched her brows."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d like to do anything I can for him, but…” Her feelings didn’t reach him. Arnold himself had rejected them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe…p-please forgive me if this is too forward…and I might be saying something that’s totally off the mark, but, um…” Earnest olive eyes stared at Rishe with a strength she’d never seen before. “Perhaps he feels like he’s already received many things just hearing you say that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe boggled at Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess’s anxious gaze dropped to her feet, but then she shook her head and lifted her gaze. “If someone who was close to me told me that…if I knew I had even one ally in this world who would say something like that to me, I…!” Harriet folded her hands on her chest, one on top of the other. “I think that would make me more than happy!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At Harriet’s words, Rishe came to an unexpected realization: Even if I can’t do anything, just telling him that I want to is enough?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She blinked ever so slowly as it dawned on her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Could my words really help Prince Arnold all on their own?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though she wasn’t confident about the idea, she did recall something else: the promise Arnold had made after proposing to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So long as it is within my power, anything you want will be yours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Lady Harriet.” Rishe smiled at the trembling princess. “I’ve realized that I do want to have a proper conversation with him after what you said. I really appreciate your consideration.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you’re too kind!” Harriet shook her head frantically, then took a deep breath to calm herself. “I-I’ve never thought that I wanted to fight with His Majesty…my fiancé.” Harriet’s eyes swam as she picked her words. “I would never be allowed to do such a thing in the first place! All I can do is obey without complaint, like a doll…like a trophy queen…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet, you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought I could never change what I was born with…that I was born a princess, that I was useless, that I had a face my fiancé would hate… I-I thought I had to apologize because it was all my fault… I always felt sorry for being born, but…but I realized something!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a small light in Harriet’s eyes as she stared at Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From someone else’s point of view, maybe it’s just a small thing. Th-they might say I just dabbed on makeup, put on a nice dress, and braided my bangs, but…that’s not how I see it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That radiant light, normally hidden behind her bangs, glimmered with tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can look in the mirror now. I was so excited, I couldn’t believe it when I got changed after my bath. My maids always kept their distance from me, but we talked so much today. It feels like everything’s different after just a few small tweaks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet sounded like she was about to cry, but she held eye contact with Rishe and expressed her feelings in earnest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought that the things I was born with couldn’t be changed…but maybe they can be, at least a little. That’s a huge improvement, and it’s something you did for me, Lady Rishe… It’s like a dream to me that I can even think this way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Quietly, oh so quietly, she continued, “So…I think your words will reach him. I’m sure they will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped, and Harriet’s hands flew to her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I-I-I’m sorry, I said far too much! I’m so embarrassed! I just know I’m going to be thinking about this in bed all night!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Harriet! P-please calm down! It’s all right, really!” Rishe had to console Harriet after she sank into the couch. It must have taken a great deal of courage for Harriet to say what she had, but she’d made sure to get the words out for Rishe’s sake. That made Rishe smile. “Lady Harriet…I’m so glad we’re friends.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Friends?!” Harriet was dumbstruck, her olive eyes teary."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lady Harriet is trying to change. The future that awaited her swept through Rishe’s mind. Problem is, I have no idea what leads to her execution. I can’t figure out Raul’s actions either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon me, Lady Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Elsie!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe and Harriet startled at the knock on the door. When it opened, Elsie entered, shooting a nervous glance behind her. There was a group of women in white military uniforms there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Those are Fabrannia’s knights, not Siguel’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ladies!” Harriet squeaked. “This is, er…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This won’t do, Your Highness. His Majesty wished for you to have your guards at your side when you’re with someone other than your brother or your maids.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Three of the knights stepped into the room. They weren’t openly hostile to Rishe, but there was an imposing air about them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet shook her head, flustered. “B-but it’s only Lady Rishe, so—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It matters not whom you are with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all right, Lady Harriet.” Rishe smiled and put a lid on the mixed medicine. “I should be taking my leave anyway. Please put some of this medicine on your eyelids before you sleep tonight. I don’t want these dresses and purses to be in your way, so I’ll take them with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah! At least let me help!” Harriet stood and began to gather up the dresses and purses strewn throughout the room. Rishe accepted the offer, and she and Elsie took the garments and bags when they were done."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good night, Lady Harriet.” Rishe then addressed the guards. “I’m sorry for the trouble so late at night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe! Um…really, thank you so much!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I should be the one thanking you, Lady Harriet.” She thought her fight would be able to make some progress after receiving Harriet’s words of encouragement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess hung her head, embarrassed, then lowered into a curtsy. “Good night, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Same to you. See you tomorrow.” Rishe wanted to wave to Harriet, but her hands were full. They left the room and stepped into the hall, with Harriet seeing them off. “Those aren’t too heavy, are they, Elsie?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I’m fine! What about you, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m all right. It’s late, so let’s just drop these off and worry about organizing them tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As they walked down the hallway side by side, Rishe didn’t notice the way Harriet watched them go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once they’d dropped everything off in her dressing room, Rishe parted with Elsie and returned to her bedroom, sighing to herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I suppose Prince Arnold must still be working."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Alone in their double room, she found the silence deafening, which just made her remember something else. Something she would rather not think about."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ghost!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a flurry, she lit all the lamps in the room and fled under the covers. She stuck her head under the blanket, trying to escape from the crash of the waves, but her solitude still weighed heavily on her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe got up and out of bed, wearing the covers around her like a shawl. She went over to the window—or rather, to the bed that Arnold had slept in last night. Rishe herself had changed out the covers, the sheets, and the pillow for fresh ones this morning, so nothing Arnold slept on remained. Nevertheless, she felt surrounded by his presence as she settled into his bed, letting out a relieved sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I doubt His Highness will come back here, she thought, burying her face in the pillow. I wrote something mean on his bread, and wanting him to sleep near me is just selfish."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sighed again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s not pushing himself, is he?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wished she’d at least asked Oliver whether Arnold was physically well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He got wet in the rain today, and then he went in the ocean right after. Even for someone as fit as him, pulling so many late nights for work will only drain his stamina."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Worried as she was, she soon found it harder and harder to string her thoughts together. She was just as exhausted as he would be, after all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew there was no way Arnold was coming back, but she couldn’t help waiting for him. Rishe slowly closed her eyes and tried to fool the part of her heart that was ready and willing to wait."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A few hours must have passed by the time Rishe next opened her eyes. Oh, I fell asleep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the middle of the night. She blinked a few times, and right when she was about to doze back off, she felt someone’s presence at her side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was sleeping right next to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-why?! What is Prince Arnold doing here?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sprang up, fully jolted out of her stupor, and scrutinized Arnold where he lay on his back with his eyes closed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And he’s sleeping in the same bed as me?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was that because Rishe was using his bed? He must have returned after finishing his work and didn’t know what to do when he saw Rishe asleep. She didn’t know why he hadn’t simply picked the other bed in the room, but regardless of the reason, Arnold was sleeping beside her. She was in a complete fluster now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyway, I must make sure I don’t wake him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since Rishe was camped out in the middle of the bed, Arnold slept on the edge. She worried he didn’t have enough room, so she tried to scoot over to the other side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t think he would come back here today."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moonlight pouring into the room from the windows went straight through the thin summer curtains. It bathed the bedroom in a dim light, casting shadows on Arnold’s pale cheeks from his long lashes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did he do it because he knows I’m afraid of ghosts?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was almost sure of it. He had kept his promise that he would sleep with Rishe. The thought squeezed her heart in a vise as she clutched the covers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must go back to my own bed. I must!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew that, yet she had a hard time making even the smallest move. Leaving would only make her lonely; perhaps she longed to keep watching his face as he slept."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, Arnold’s shapely brows furrowed just the slightest bit. Had he woken up? Rishe froze, but he did not stir. His forehead shone with sweat. She found it strange at first, then realized it was only natural. He may have looked like a sculpted god, but Arnold was as human as she was. The beads of sweat made that more obvious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is stuffy in here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She glanced at the window. It was shut because she’d been afraid to open it when she was alone. Arnold might have left it closed out of consideration for her. Though it was night, it was still the seventh month, and it would be difficult to sleep in a room with the window closed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should make sure his sleep is at least restful."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To do that, she had to make the room a little more comfortable. Rishe made up her mind to get out of the bed. She feared approaching the window but feared opening the curtain even more. She had a feeling that, if she opened it even the slightest bit, she would lock eyes with something beyond. Unluckily, it was at just that moment that a shadow passed beyond the curtains."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart almost stopped. She clutched at the black sword she’d grabbed and kept careful watch over the window."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s fine. The only thing that moves that way is a bat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That certainly matched the knowledge she’d picked up in her fifth loop, but she was still scared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s not a ghost! It’s not a ghost! Rishe told herself. She held her breath and stood up, her whole body tense as she reached between the curtains. She groped around for the lock, unlatched it, and opened the window."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Slowly, quietly, so that he doesn’t wake up…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ocean breeze swept in, rustling the curtains. Rishe exhaled at last and backed away from the window. She slipped back to the bed, let go of the sword, and settled back in next to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There! I opened the window and there’s nothing outside. Problem solved!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tried to convince herself of that as she sat up in bed. She peered down at Arnold’s face, careful not to disturb his sleep. Sweat had plastered his bangs to his forehead. She wanted to brush them aside, but her hand stopped halfway toward him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A pained gasp escaped Arnold’s lips. The sea breeze brushed against his sweaty skin, but his frown deepened. Maybe the sweat on his forehead wasn’t from the summer heat after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is he dreaming?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Again, she reached out to Arnold. If it was a bad dream, she wanted to shake him awake. But if it wasn’t, then she wanted him to get as much sleep as possible. Trapped between those feelings, she hesitated to do either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, her world flipped upside down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something grabbed her wrist and pressed down on her shoulder. She sank back onto the bed, unable to lift a finger to resist as a weight settled on top of her. Both her arms were pinned on either side of her head, and she stared up into the sharp eyes of a carnivore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those icy eyes peered down at Rishe, widening only a split second later. As if speaking to himself, Arnold murmured, “Rishe…” He sounded like he was making sure of something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe kept her gaze on him, unresisting as he held her there. She let out her pent-up breath, went limp against the bed, and responded, “Yes, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, lowering himself over Rishe and collapsing on top of her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His throaty voice whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She flinched and squirmed at the ticklish sensation, but she couldn’t move with Arnold on top of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your hands…” Her eyes flicked to a pinned wrist. She could hardly even beg with him pressed so close against her. “Let go of me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a pause after her request."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right.” Arnold spoke slowly, enunciating each word. “I know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even on top of her, Arnold wasn’t heavy; he must have been taking care not to crush her. He stayed there as he released her wrists. His fingers came away so slowly, it seemed as though he didn’t want to let her go. She felt like he’d been holding her tightly, but there wasn’t even a mark when he pulled his hands away. Rishe studied her unblemished wrist with unfocused eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, Arnold sat up, freeing her. Rishe waited a moment before she sat up as well. She knelt in front of him and, with her newly freed hands, pulled Arnold into an embrace. Arnold gasped just beside her ear. She was only able to hold him like this because he’d let her go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looped one arm around Arnold’s back and tenderly stroked his black hair with the other. “Did you have a bad dream?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a question one asked of a child, but Rishe felt it necessary. Even if it was rude and required some courage, she couldn’t help wanting to embrace Arnold. He would deny it. She was ready for that, ready to be pushed away—but Arnold continued to let her hold him and lowered his gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was dreaming about the past.” His hands slid around her back. “It all went away thanks to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t embracing her; in fact, he was barely touching her. But it seemed like permission to Rishe, so she held on to him tighter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” She continued holding him and petting his hair. “It’s because I made it hard for you to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold huffed a short sigh and said, “This isn’t out of the ordinary.” Gentler, he added, “It’s not your fault.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She remembered something he’d told her once. During their visit to the Grand Basilica, when Rishe had injured herself and they’d slept in the same bed together, he said he didn’t have any strange dreams afterward."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The dreams Prince Arnold fears are dreams of the past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart throbbed when she thought about what Arnold had told her of his younger years."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Does he dream about all the siblings murdered before his eyes?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had seen with his own eyes an event too terrible for Rishe to imagine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or does he dream about his mother, who hated him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince had gotten the scar on his neck when he was young. There were many other things in Arnold’s past that Rishe didn’t know about."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t ask about them, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The peaceful roar of the waves filled the room. The room quieted, feeling somehow more hushed than silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shifted back and studied Arnold. His face, devoid of expression, stared back at her—at once empty of emotion and thick with it. His blue irises seemed more boundless than usual. In the moonlight from the window, those bottomless pools appeared faint and transparent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The ocean…” She stroked Arnold’s hair again. “It was fun playing in it, wasn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe he found it baffling that she would bring something like that up for no apparent reason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There isn’t much I can do right now, is there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had no right to know what Arnold had been dreaming about, no right to talk about it with him. Thus, she at least wanted to take his hand and lead him somewhere far away from that dream."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Prince Arnold’s terrible memories won’t go away, then… Rishe wanted to overwrite them with emotions furthest away from the ones bound to the memories. She hoped that she could transform even just one of his dreams into something else. It was with this prayer in her heart that she recalled their time on the beach earlier that day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s expression didn’t change, but at length, he said, “When I remembered that beach was out there…” Rishe tilted her head, and, still expressionless, Arnold continued, “It occurred to me that you might like it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surprised, she blinked her wide eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just scenery to me, but…I thought you would find it beautiful.” Arnold’s tone was indifferent. He spoke as if nothing he said mattered, but he still made his feelings known. “Even if I didn’t understand.” He caressed her cheek. “But when I think about what might make you happy, I feel like I can understand a little.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked again, not quite believing what was happening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not just because you said you wanted to come here.” At last, he was answering the question she posed to him earlier. “I brought you to that beach because I wanted to show it to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had once told her that he couldn’t feel the same way about the things she valued. To him, fireflies resembled the fires of war, and the sight of the capital was detestable. Yet he’d wanted to show Rishe the ocean because he thought she’d like it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m happy that you brought me there.” Rishe spoke slowly, pushing against the threat of her voice trembling. “I really am. So very happy.” She searched long and hard for the words she wanted to say to him, but in the end, she was only able to repeat clumsy sentiments. “I’m still happy…so happy I could cry…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wanted to put her arms around him again so badly, but before she could, Arnold pulled her into his instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Arnold…” Rishe was surprised, but she didn’t attempt to push him away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold tightened his grip on her and bent down, whispering in her ear, “You should resist more when someone shoves you down or wraps their arms around you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stubbornly embraced Arnold herself. “I trust you not to mistreat me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His lips curled into a self-effacing smile. “You believe in me that much, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course I do. You know, you asked me who’d believe in something intangible.” Rishe disagreed with him there. “I’m afraid of ghosts. They may be intangible, but I believe they exist, and I’m frightened of them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She put into words the embarrassing truth that she would bare to him and him alone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And what about the faith people have in the Crusade Church? You saw it for yourself in the Holy Kingdom of Domana. That’s real, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold, who was said to have inherited the blood of the goddess himself, lapsed into thoughtful silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your desire to show me the ocean was also intangible yet real.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She spoke softly, running her hand through his hair to comfort him. “I believe in those feelings of yours. I’ll tell you as many times as I must! I want to grant your desires too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe mere words would support him. Thinking about what Harriet told her, Rishe looked Arnold square in the eye and asked, “If I do that, will you believe at some point?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No.” She didn’t mind if he didn’t believe in her. There was something else she wanted Arnold to understand. “That it’s okay for you to want things as well, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sucked in a breath and held Rishe closer to him. “I’ve never desired anything from another person before.” His voice was husky as it rumbled in her ear. “You’re the only thing I’ve tried to bring to my side, though I know I have no way to keep you there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, please…” That familiar ache in her chest, up and to the left, stabbed at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oblivious to Rishe’s feelings, Arnold whispered, “Be my wife.” His words were as soft as a kiss. “I don’t want anything more than that right now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh…” The pain was so bad, Rishe dammed her tears in desperation. She clung to Arnold’s back and somehow managed to say, “You’re not selfish enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled, that same self-deprecating smile on his face. “You can’t say that when I’ve forced you to marry me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He really did think of their marriage in those terms. It irked Rishe, and she pouted. “I had the last say about accepting your proposal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Regardless of what she said, it didn’t resonate with him. He laid a hand on her head as if to say she was wrong. “If you didn’t agree to it, I still would have taken you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Stuck between his arms, Rishe could only listen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No matter what I had to do…no matter how much you protested.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe frowned and squirmed in his arms, trying to back away from him, but Arnold wouldn’t let her. Still holding her, he lay down on his side in the bed. His arms loosened a little as Rishe settled in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe studied his face. “We’re still fighting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because you refuse to see things my way.” Rishe put all her dissatisfaction into the phrase."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled. “Very well.” He tucked Rishe’s hair behind her ear. When she flinched from the contact, he said soothingly, “I’ll play along as long as you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t even treating it like a real fight. That frustrated her to no end, but she couldn’t protest because he was regarding her so tenderly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just close your eyes for now.” He put his arm around her again and patted her back. “We can continue our fight tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t think that was how fights were supposed to work, but she swallowed her argument and clung tight to him, closing her eyes. Fighting was hard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe fell back asleep thinking about what she could do to get Arnold to understand how she felt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next morning, when Rishe opened her eyes, Arnold was no longer in the room. She sat up in bed, blinking lazily as she absorbed his absence. Due to her sluggishness, she took about twice as long as usual to get ready."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once dressed, she looked at the bedside table and found several documents sitting there. They were the currency exchange records that Rishe had asked Arnold to get her. Rishe picked them up, rifled through them, and exhaled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve got to thank him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a knock on the door. Only one other person knew Rishe and Arnold were sleeping here, so when she opened the door, she wasn’t surprised to see Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, Lady Rishe. I’m here because my lord kicked me out of his office.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cocked her head, curious. The attendant flashed his refreshing smile with a hint of wryness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It happens often when he wishes to concentrate on his work. Sometimes, the mere presence of another person distracts him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Since I’ve got some spare time, I wondered if there was anything I can do for you, Lady Rishe. Is there anything you require assistance with here, where you cannot call your maids?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The reason Rishe slept in the same room as Arnold was because she feared ghosts. Her current sleeping quarters were kept secret even from the maids. Oliver knew this, so he was being considerate of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe prepared to refuse him but reconsidered. “Well, Oliver, I don’t suppose I could ask you to help me with some physical labor?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The dresses and purses she’d lent Harriet yesterday had been left in a haphazard pile in Rishe’s dressing room. They weighed a decent amount, so it would be of much help to have a man assisting her with the cleanup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would be happy to. I have breakfast ready for you as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you. Let’s get going, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She and Oliver made for the dressing room on the first floor. On their way, they heard the pitter-patter of light footsteps approaching them. Elsie rushed up from downstairs, nearly bursting into tears when she spotted Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the matter, Elsie?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry to bother you with this so early in the morning, but…Lady Rishe, there’s something I…I…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe ran to meet Elsie where she panted on the steps. “You’re so pale! It’s all right, Elsie, take your time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shoulders heaving, the maid thrust out a burlap sack to Rishe. “I was sorting through the purses from yesterday in the dressing room wh-when I found this…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sack had a cord around it, but Rishe could see through the loosened opening. Her eyes bugged out at the glittering sight. “Galkhein gold coins?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed, the burlap sack was filled with gold coins that bore an eagle design. Moreover, Fabrannia’s national emblem was embroidered on the sack. It was obvious at a glance that this was not one of Rishe’s belongings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was among my purses because…!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe understood the situation in an instant. This bag belonged to Harriet. The contents were the Galkhein currency the king of Fabrannia had entrusted to her. It had ended up in one of Rishe’s purses yesterday, in Harriet’s room. The question was why it had ended up there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did it just get mixed up with them when we were leaving the room because we were in a hurry? No, that’s not possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The purses had all been left on a couch in the room. It was hard to imagine Harriet just leaving this sack of money lying around like that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Elsie, do you remember which purse this was in?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. It was the red one with the thin chain for a handle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe summoned her memories of the night before and drew a mental picture of Harriet’s room. The red purse was on the center of the couch, surrounded by all the other purses."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Fabrannian knights had shown up, and Rishe had vacated the room. It wasn’t Rishe or Elsie who had gathered up the purses on the couch but Harriet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lady Harriet put this gold into my purse!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe regretted her own inadequacy from the bottom of her heart. She’d been too preoccupied with the knights to pay attention to Harriet’s actions. Though she knew the princess had done it, she still didn’t know why."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do we do, Lady Rishe?” Pale-faced, Elsie voiced her worry. “People will think you stole this money from Lady Harriet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That would undoubtedly lead to a serious international incident."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Listening to all this, Oliver turned to Rishe, his characteristic smile gone from his face. “Could I trouble you for the details on this matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver was usually composed at all times, but there was tension in him now. Rishe had heard that he’d been on the path to becoming a knight before an injury cut that path off for him ten years ago, but he must have had great skill. Still, whatever Oliver heard would end up getting back to Arnold, so Rishe had to be careful with her words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before answering, she studied the sack in her hands and gasped. It can’t be!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She opened the sack and plucked out one of the coins. The surface, carved with the emblem of Galkhein, shone mirror-like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The reason Lady Harriet would do something that might implicate me or Elsie…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her own eyes stared back from her reflection in the coin. At that moment, the information she’d asked Arnold to collect flashed through her mind. She put it together with what she knew from her previous lives and came to one conclusion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So that’s why you’re executed in the future, Lady Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe steadied herself with a breath, then looked up at Oliver. “I’ll explain everything at some point, but could I ask you for a favor first?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She took a moment to calm the panicking Elsie and then sent Oliver to take action. Though she couldn’t keep what she was about to do from Arnold, she didn’t want to interrupt him when he was concentrating on his work. If he found out about the matter on his own, it would just cause him a different sort of trouble."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver agreed to put off his report to Arnold while Rishe made several preparations. And after breakfast, Rishe visited not Harriet but someone else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, hey. I’m thrilled you’d go out of your way to come see little old me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sat across the table from Raul in his Curtis disguise. Oliver stood behind her. She’d set up this meeting with Raul beforehand, so he had no guard detail."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul prepared some tea for her. “It’s an unusual color, isn’t it? I used to drink it in my homeland.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The jade-green tea had a distinctive aroma. Raul had enjoyed this tea in Rishe’s fifth loop as well and had often shared it with their troop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How about you, Mr. Silver-haired Attendant? Would you like a cup?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, thank you.” Oliver declined, the picture of politeness, but there was an edge to his tone. Arnold must have told him that this “Curtis” was a fake. He probably also knew that Rishe had noticed but hadn’t informed Arnold about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s cut to the chase, then,” Raul said after sipping his tea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a sip as well, enjoying the bitter flavor she hadn’t tasted in quite some time. She replaced the cup on the saucer and met Raul’s eyes. “Thank you for stationing Siguelian knights around Lady Harriet’s room.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, first you tell me, ‘I want to talk, so make some time,’ and then you say, ‘Shut Harriet in her room and increase her guard.’ It’s easy enough to convince the girl herself to stay in, but it took some work to get that head maid of hers and the Fabrannian knights to agree.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe appreciated that for a moment before she said, “I’d like to cooperate with you on what you came here to do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What I came here to do, you say?” Raul smirked and leaned back in his chair. “As you can see, I came here in Curtis’s place. He’s not well at this moment, but our crown prince can’t very well sit out the wedding of Galkhein’s crown prince, can he?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a lie. I seriously doubt you’re here on orders from Siguel’s royal family.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe it was just that he hadn’t been granted permission, but Rishe knew Raul’s thought process. If he knew he wouldn’t obtain permission from the royal family, then he wouldn’t even ask. He would just sneak out of the country and make a move on his own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you were here impersonating Prince Curtis for the royal family, then you would have committed to the disguise. You wouldn’t have shown yourself to me without the disguise or given me your real name, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You seem to have a high opinion of me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course I do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her time beside him as a hunter had taught her just how brilliant Raul was at disguising himself. If he was serious about impersonating Curtis, then he wouldn’t do anything the real Curtis wouldn’t do, even by mistake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What could I do, though? The moment I stood in front of you as Curtis, I knew you’d seen right through me. There was no hiding it then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s a lie as well. I gave no indication that I knew you were a fake, but you didn’t make use of my silence. Instead, you came to see me of your own volition, which just doesn’t make sense to me.” Rishe had been wondering about his motivation all this time, and she’d finally figured it out. “If you were acting on orders from the royal family, then you wouldn’t do anything that could offend Prince Arnold. From what I hear of Prince Curtis from Lady Harriet, I can’t imagine him being the type to do so. So I wondered why you kept approaching me as if you were trying to make advances on me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He chuckled. “That’s ’cause you’re so cute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Another lie.” Rishe returned Raul’s amused look with a weary one. “You’re here to save Lady Harriet from Fabrannia, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul gave her some slow blinks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Harriet’s contact with men is strictly limited. They aren’t even allowed to act as her guards. Even if you disguised yourself as a woman, you still wouldn’t be able to get past her Fabrannian knights.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had proved that herself yesterday. She’d gotten in trouble for meeting with Harriet when her guards weren’t present, and they’d all been irked with her when she left."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you wanted the chance to be alone with Lady Harriet, it makes the most sense to disguise yourself as Prince Curtis, a close family member.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. So that’s what you’re thinking. You figure I didn’t put in the effort to perfect my disguise for you and Arnold Hein because it was Fabrannia that I was trying to deceive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. If we didn’t realize you were a fake, you would have revealed your deception yourself when everything was over, right?” she asked, and Raul looked surprised. “What you’re doing is too dangerous. If Prince Curtis helped Lady Harriet escape, it would be taken as a betrayal of Fabrannia on Siguel’s part. If you were doing this for the royal family, you would have to guarantee that someone would reveal you weren’t the true Prince Curtis.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hadn’t exposed himself to Rishe on a whim or to make advances on her. It was so that she would be able to provide evidence that he wasn’t the real Curtis. The reason he didn’t cover his eyes with his bangs like Harriet did was because the difference in color was evidence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul grinned, nonchalant as always. “Why would I save Harriet in the first place? Because the king of Fabrannia ignores her and she’s not treated well? Such things are commonplace. No bride is going to be happy in a political marriage, and Harriet knows that too.” He narrowed his eyes and said cynically, “There’s no need to save her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it were just that things aren’t going well between her and her fiancé, that might be true,” came Rishe’s deliberate reply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Last night, I lent Lady Harriet one of my purses, and when it was returned to me, this was inside it.” Rishe loosened the strings of the burlap sack so that Raul could see the contents and placed it on the table. “I determined that Lady Harriet is the only one who could have put it there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul studied it without a change in expression. “I see. Harriet’s trying to paint you as a thief, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course not. These are nowhere near valuable enough for that accusation to stick.” Rishe reached out and retrieved a coin from the bag. The coin shined like a mirror, not a single mark or scrape from actual circulation anywhere on it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard from Lady Harriet’s head maid that His Majesty the king gave her plenty of Galkhein currency and told her to spend to her heart’s content in Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On that fact alone, the king wanted his fiancée to spend as lavishly as her heart desired, but that wasn’t quite accurate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“These coins would have been circulating in Fabrannia instead of Galkhein then, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing strange about that. There are currency exchange shops in this town that deal in foreign coins, right? If people from Galkhein travel and trade in Fabrannia, then they’ll use Galkhein currency over—” Raul stopped short, and Rishe nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve noticed? If they were collected in Fabrannia after circulating there, I would have no suspicions…but these coins are very clean. Freshly minted currency is rare even in its country of origin. And these look brand new.” She held out the coin to Raul. “Why do you suppose coins from Fabrannia all look pristine, without any signs of changing hands?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s a mean-spirited question to ask,” Raul said, taking the coin and holding it up to his eye. “You realized ages ago that it’s counterfeit money produced in Fabrannia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she’d expected, Raul had picked up on it as well. The coins being too new wasn’t proof that they were fake, but their existence was suspicious when Rishe considered the data she’d had Arnold gather from the currency exchanges. She had requested the information wondering if she could track Galkhein’s business dealings with foreign countries through data on currency exchanges. There were no records over the last few years of Galkhein gold coins being exchanged for the more valuable Fabrannian gold coins in the data."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was strange for someone from a country without a significant trade agreement with Galkhein to have a burlap sack filled with Galkhein gold coins when there were no records of exchanges occurring in the closest port town. If there were any doubts as to the coins’ authenticity, it would be simple to have them appraised to determine if they were genuine or not. Rishe had done several such appraisals herself in her first loop, and she was certain that these coins were cheap fakes that did not contain the legal gold content that would mark them as genuine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure Fabrannia’s government is involved in the production of these coins. I can’t imagine that Lady Harriet had them produced herself.” Harriet wasn’t even allowed to read books at her leisure. Someone who was denied even a simple freedom like that would never be able to arrange for the creation of counterfeit money on her own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul crossed his legs and cupped his chin. “How mysterious. What reason could Fabrannia have to create Galkhein currency?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Counterfeit money is always created with material that doesn’t add up to the value of the currency itself. In other words, it allows you to use cheap material to obtain expensive goods.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh-huh, uh-huh. So Fabrannia wants to strike it rich in Galkhein, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are a few different reasons why a country might create counterfeit versions of another country’s currency.” Rishe grimaced as she recalled what she knew of the future. “The circulation of counterfeit money harms that country’s economy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Counterfeit money always caused economic disruption. She’d witnessed it herself in the future. Fake money was discovered in several countries, which led to decreased trust in those currencies and the need to authenticate money for even the smallest transactions. That slowed the economies of the affected countries immediately. Fabrannia was one of the countries rife with counterfeiting, she recalled. But in all her previous lives, it was always attributed to Queen Harriet and her other alleged crimes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s possible Lady Harriet really did buy up jewelry from other countries. Rishe clenched the skirt of her dress in her fists. I wonder if that was because the king ordered her to do so. She wasn’t living lavishly, but obtaining valuable goods from foreign countries using counterfeit currency."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At this very moment, she had been instructed by the king of Fabrannia to spend the counterfeit currency he’d given her while she was away in Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everything I heard about Lady Harriet in my past lives was about how she bought foreign goods, not domestic ones. If she just wanted jewelry and dresses, it would be easy enough to obtain them from inside Fabrannia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But she hadn’t because she was spending counterfeit money to obtain foreign treasure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All that counterfeit money was produced by the Fabrannian royal family to enrich Fabrannia… It’s all so shortsighted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To protect Galkhein’s economy, Arnold was working on a way to prevent foreign countries from suffering from a shortage of gold and silver. He knew that if his own country was to prosper, their partner trading countries had to prosper as well. Fabrannia’s scheme, meanwhile, would inevitably lead to their own ruin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fabrannia’s economy will be in total collapse in four years. I’ve seen it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The nation blamed it all on Queen Harriet, making her a scapegoat for their citizens’ ire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I bet they executed Lady Harriet in part to silence her. As the “heinous criminal” that she was, any testimony she could give about the counterfeit money would be dismissed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart ached for the Harriet in all her previous lives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While their people starved, the Fabrannian royal family hoarded wealth. That’s how they were able to manipulate Siguel into fighting against Galkhein for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was all too clear to Rishe that the Fabrannian royal family was more interested in winning the war against Galkhein than feeding their starving people."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even when merchants were summoned here to the castle, Lady Harriet was terrified of interacting with them. But I don’t think she feared being scolded by her head maid or purchasing expensive goods—I’m guessing she was afraid of using the counterfeit money her fiancé had ordered her to spend.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that Rishe thought about it this way, the little “mistake” Harriet had made yesterday started to make sense. “When we went out into town to shop, Lady Harriet said she’d forgotten her Galkhein currency in her room. It would have taken too much time to go back and get it, so she ended up exchanging the Fabrannian currency she had on hand for Galkhein coins.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would posit that she didn’t forget the money. She made a decision, a spontaneous one, not to use the counterfeit currency even though she would have been reprimanded for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet had volunteered to get herself ready before their shopping trip instead of relying on her maids to prepare her things. Her head maid had been exasperated over her forgetting the coins, but it seemed to Rishe that she’d done so deliberately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think Lady Harriet was trying to implicate me in a crime.” She looked into Raul’s eyes and said, “Instead, I believe that she’s trying to confess. To what Fabrannia—and she herself—is attempting to do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She must have decided to come clean last night, but the Fabrannian knights had intruded on their conversation, therefore impeding her confession to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Fabrannian knights told Lady Harriet that she was to have her guards at her side when she was with someone other than her brother or her maids. That’s why Lady Harriet must have thought this was her last opportunity to tell me and hid the sack in my purse.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The reason Fabrannia wanted to keep other people away from Harriet as much as possible was because they feared her confessing their secrets."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oliver. The king of Fabrannia pursued a marriage to one of Prince Arnold’s sisters, but it didn’t work out. Do I have that right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. They’ve pursued friendly relations with Galkhein several times since, but His Majesty doesn’t seem interested.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the future, Fabrannia used Harriet’s “crimes” as a pretext to cow Siguel into fighting for them in their war with Galkhein. It seemed that their own profit wasn’t their only motive for their actions; they held a grudge against Galkhein too. Perhaps the king resented Galkhein for refusing his marriage to one of their princesses."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The relationship between Galkhein and Fabrannia wasn’t very friendly in all my past lives either. There was very little trade between them, so there wouldn’t have been much circulation of Fabrannia’s counterfeit currency in Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time around, Harriet was visiting Galkhein as Siguel’s princess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you say that Galkhein’s being the closest powerful country to Fabrannia factors into the latter’s desire for a close relationship?” she asked Oliver, who nodded in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If the matter of the counterfeit money is true, then their aim is to obtain wealth from Galkhein and weaken our economy at the same time. If they were able to trade with us, they would stand to profit even more from their counterfeiting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The design of Galkhein’s current coinage didn’t require too much skill to imitate. There had been several incidents of counterfeiting already. But this was a crime on an international level, committed by a foreign power."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You noticed the counterfeit money, didn’t you, Raul?” Rishe locked on to his red eyes. “If Lady Harriet was implicated in the crimes of her fiancé’s family, she wouldn’t be the only one who’d suffer. Eventually, Siguel would get caught up in it as well, leading to a disaster for the whole nation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet again, this was something Rishe had seen for herself in each of her past lives. After Harriet’s execution, Fabrannia used twisted logic to demand reparations from Siguel. Having no noteworthy assets other than their books, and having always relied on their allies for protection, Siguel had no choice but to give in to their demands. Since they had no wealth with which to pay monetary reparations, they were instead forced to participate in a reckless war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Many people died in that war. Raul himself likely hadn’t escaped unscathed. Rishe didn’t know what became of Siguel in the end, since she herself had been a casualty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Isn’t that why you made up your mind to save Lady Harriet? With or without orders from the royal family?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ever since Harriet left for Fabrannia to prepare for her wedding, she hadn’t been allowed to return home once. The only reason she was in this country was to celebrate Rishe and Arnold’s wedding. If not for this chance, Harriet would have no opportunities to see her brother or Raul, so it had been impossible to save her in every one of Rishe’s previous lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fabrannia merely permitted Lady Harriet to leave because she had to attend my wedding. And since she was here, they seized the opportunity to have her circulate some counterfeit currency.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s presence here was a unique opportunity for Fabrannia. The same went for Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without this wedding…if Prince Arnold and I weren’t getting married, Raul wouldn’t have been able to get close to Lady Harriet. Out of all my lives, the seventh is the first one where there’s a chance to save her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she thought about it, it made sense that Raul would go so far as to disguise himself as Curtis to not waste this opportunity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good grief.” Raul uncrossed his legs and tilted forward, hiding his face. “I can’t believe this. To think Harriet of all people would reveal the counterfeit currency to you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, Raul. It might still be difficult to get Prince Arnold’s help at this point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew that Arnold was kind, but he was also incredibly pragmatic and always cautious of his father. As with Coyolles, he wouldn’t give his assistance to another country without gaining something in return."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But if there’s anything that I can help with, I’d like to do so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul took a deep breath. Then his shoulders began to tremble. Before Rishe could determine what that meant, he threw back his head and burst out laughing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After his amused outburst, he looked at Rishe and smiled. “Just kidding!” He stuck his tongue out, and his smile turned to a smirk. “Oh man, you had me sweating! I mean, you were being so sweet to that silly little princess. I was worried she might get attached to you and spill the whole thing.” Raul propped his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand, examining Rishe. “Like you said, I knew about the counterfeit money. Not only that, but I knew what King Walter ordered Harriet’s knights to do too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Siguel ordered the hunters to investigate Fabrannia, then. I thought they might have."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t hear anything about the counterfeit money in her fifth life, though. Now she wondered if Raul had even reported what he’d learned to Siguel’s royal family."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Obviously, those knights were ordered to keep anyone from getting too close to Harriet. Her brother, Curtis, was only allowed to be around her because there was nothing he could do even if he found out about the counterfeit money. With Fabrannia holding their princess hostage, Siguel would be forced to keep quiet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you didn’t report the counterfeit money to them because you knew there was nothing they could do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe…but they’ve got some other funny little orders too.” Raul held up two fingers next to his face. “First, they must watch Harriet to make sure she spends the counterfeit money like she’s supposed to. Even if she pretended to forget it in her room, I doubt they would have let that happen again. Then there’s one more thing…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a sharp glint in his red eyes. “If anyone finds out about the money…then they’re supposed to kill Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and Oliver gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would they kill Lady Harriet?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, there’s the obvious reason of keeping her quiet. I’m sure you can guess the other reason, seeing as how you stepped up to protect her yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Frowning, Rishe voiced her theory: “If Lady Harriet is killed in Galkhein, Galkhein must bear some responsibility.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly! Poor King Walter would definitely blame Galkhein in his grief over losing his beloved fiancée. He could demand a vast sum of money as compensation, or perhaps a replacement bride.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What shallow plotting,” Oliver muttered beside Rishe. His voice was as gentle as ever, yet it contained a chill."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul laughed heartily. “No matter what I say, it’s all just the prattle of a Curtis impostor. No one would believe the Fabrannian royal family was trying to execute such a ludicrous plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul, you’re—” Rishe stopped short and immediately put a hand to her mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe? What’s the matter?” Oliver asked anxiously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe didn’t respond, instead squeezing her eyes shut and keeping her hand pressed to her lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? Is the drug starting to take effect?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You bastard…what did you do to Lady Rishe?” The hostility radiating from Oliver was so intense, it could’ve seared Rishe’s cheek."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver!” Rishe reached out and gripped Oliver’s jacket. She felt him start at her touch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ll lose consciousness soon,” Raul said. “Right around now, I bet your limbs are going numb and it’s getting harder for you to speak.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At this time, I’d say the Fabrannian knights and Siguelian knights…my subordinates, in other words…are taking Harriet outside the castle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shot Raul an icy glare, and he shrugged."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You thought I was trying to save Harriet? You think too much of me. My actual plan was to give Harriet’s head to Fabrannia as a little present and then switch sides.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wanted Siguel’s knights to protect Harriet from Fabrannia’s while we were chatting, right? Well, sorry to say I’ve already betrayed Siguel. I’m actually in cahoots with Fabrannia.” Raul stood and stretched."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unable to get up, Rishe chased after him with her words. Through shallow breaths, she said, “I knew it… The ‘ghost’ my maids saw was…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“One of my men, yes. If a suspicious person was spotted inside the castle, security would be redirected here, right? Thanks to that, Vinrhys is empty of Galkhein knights.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe doubled over, and Raul heaved a sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really don’t look good. Well, this should keep Arnold Hein busy for now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold it. Do you really think I’ll just let you leave?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Try and stop me, then!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver was blocking the door, but that wasn’t where Raul was headed. He went straight for the window, opened it, and put a foot up on the sill."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was fun, Miss. If we ever end up meeting again, I hope you’ll show me that cute smile of yours.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See you. Bye-bye!” With that, Raul jumped down from the third-story window."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it!” Oliver clicked his tongue in frustration and knelt beside Rishe. “Lady Rishe! Lady Rishe, are you all right?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I’m fine!” Rishe chirped, straightening up in an instant. “Thank you for playing along with my little performance. As we discussed beforehand, we’ll let him escape for now and follow him later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Lady Rishe…” Oliver was dismayed, staring at Rishe in disbelief. “Are you sure you’re all right? It sounded like he dosed you with something.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. I anticipated that, so I took an antidote beforehand.” Rishe beamed and stood, performing a curtsy with a flourish of her skirt. She hoped the gesture proved that she was perfectly fine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know the very tactics Raul likes to use in these situations."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t just his methods—she knew the exact drug and dosage he would use as well. That was why she was able to predict the precise trap he’d lay for her and how she knew when to act like the drug was taking effect to make it believable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I learned better than anyone else how Raul “hunts” during the five years I spent with him in my fifth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe told the dumbfounded Oliver, “Since I managed to fool him, Raul thinks he’s immobilized me for the time being…and he seems to think the same of Prince Arnold.” She’d drunk the spiked tea on purpose to take advantage of Raul’s resulting confidence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taking out a map of Vinrhys from a small purse, Rishe studied the layout of the port city. “I left the placement of the knights to you. Do you mind telling me where you stationed them?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, of course… I’ve spread out the forces concentrated inside the castle for the last few days. If they see anything suspicious, they should raise smoke signals to let us know. I’ll mark their locations.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Impressive. With so many in these spots, we should have the whole town covered.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their forces weren’t as concentrated inside the castle as Raul expected. This was all thanks to Oliver mobilizing the knights in Arnold’s place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for trusting me, Oliver.” Rishe inclined her head deeply, surprising the attendant all over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You confirmed that Lady Harriet was already missing before speaking to this ‘Raul’ fellow, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just as Oliver said. The truth was that Rishe had gone to investigate Harriet’s room as soon as she found out about the counterfeit money. She knew someone would spot her coming from the hallway, so she’d descended the outer wall of the castle from the fourth floor with a rope and made sure that Harriet wasn’t in her third-floor room. Then her goal changed from protecting Harriet to rescuing her—but to find out where she was, she had to let Raul escape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver, who had assisted her with all this, asked her, “Did you ask him to increase her guard detail to make him think you hadn’t caught on to her abduction yet? To lull him into a false sense of security?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was just to make things a little easier. It’s more convenient for us if his men are guarding an empty room rather than following us,” Rishe said with a grin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You truly are…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes? I’m what?” Rishe blinked, waiting, and Oliver smiled softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing. I’m just looking forward to your marriage to my lord more and more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe had no idea how that thought connected to anything they’d said up until this point. The comment flustered her, but she quickly feigned composure. Much as she wanted to ask Oliver what he meant, following Raul was her first priority. She knew he was headed for wherever Harriet was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t suppose you could keep this from Prince Arnold for a while longer?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver hesitated. “I really should report this to him right away…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know, but it will be easier to rebuff any unreasonable demands from Fabrannia if Prince Arnold had no idea of Lady Harriet’s abduction at the time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if Fabrannia did demand some sort of recompense for Harriet’s abduction, Galkhein probably wouldn’t provide it. Nevertheless, Rishe figured it was best to stack the deck in their favor. Fabrannia’s plan to circulate counterfeit money and their motivation for killing Harriet were clear indications of hostility toward Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I don’t tell His Highness anything, then Galkhein can simply cut ties with me if they’re put in a disadvantageous position, thereby absolving themselves of any responsibility in the matter,” she told Oliver, knowing he would understand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He held her gaze for a moment, then bowed. “Let me summon some transportation before the knights determine his location.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And with that, Oliver left the room. He would execute her plan swiftly. Feeling grateful, Rishe also apologized to Arnold in her heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sorry for doing all this without telling you, and for borrowing your precious attendant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed and surveyed the room. Raul had been staying here, and she knew how his mind worked. Her eyes landed on the fireplace, which wouldn’t have been in use in the summertime, and she peered up into the chimney from below."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Aha! I knew it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Unsurprisingly, she found a hidden bow with its string removed. She wiped off the dusting of soot, bent the bow, and restrung it. There was a full quiver hidden in the same place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Having obtained a weapon, Rishe returned to her fourth-floor room and opened the trunk. She pulled out a cloak and tugged it over her dress. Then she picked up the black sword leaning against her bed—the same one she’d borrowed from Arnold two days before. He’d used it up until a few years ago and kept it on hand as a spare after switching to his current sword, she’d heard. Since it was made to be wielded by someone with a man’s build, it was heavy for Rishe. Regardless, she equipped the belt she’d also worn two days ago and affixed both the sword and quiver to it. The bow was the only thing she couldn’t hide under her cloak, so she carried it in her hand as she headed out into the hallway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver finished his preparations at the exact same time. She heard his voice from down the hall. “We have smoke signals. I readied a fast horse for you, so please come this way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All the knights on security duty at the castle gawked at Rishe as she passed with the bow in hand. Unbothered by their stares, she joined Oliver, and the two of them headed for a back entrance rather than the front."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look to the eastern sky. There’s blue smoke rising from a district on the outskirts of the town.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you. I didn’t think we’d find them so quickly.” Rishe glanced up at the blue sky as she ran for the stables. Oliver’s instructions had been precise, and the knights must have done well covering ground in the city to find their target in such a short time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, apprehension pricked at Rishe like needles. This is too easy. Raul’s true objective must be—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, you’ll find your horse in the rightmost stable!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! But isn’t that where the royal—” Rishe looked to the rightmost stable and froze. Standing there were a dazzling palomino horse and a man holding its reins."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sheer exasperation crossed Arnold’s beautiful face. After a pause, he asked, “What in the world are you doing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing here, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d asked Oliver to keep quiet about this. She whirled in his direction, but the silver-haired attendant just smiled at her. Rishe understood everything then. Oliver had never actually replied in the affirmative after she’d asked him to refrain from telling Arnold. Oliver hadn’t been doing what she asked at all. He’d been following his lord’s orders from the beginning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was foolish of me to apologize for borrowing his attendant!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The lecture can wait. Get on. We’re following him, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I accept your help, this will become an international incident.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How am I to turn a blind eye to this now that my wife’s involved?” Arnold retorted, as if it were the natural outcome."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince knew just what was going on, so there was no point in wasting time arguing. Rishe gave up and used a step stool to boost herself onto the horse’s ornate saddle. Arnold took his place behind her and grasped the reins. Rishe ended up quite close to him, practically locked in his embrace. She tried not to think about that as she gripped the saddle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tightening his hold on the reins, Arnold shot a look at his attendant. “Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Be careful… You too, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe turned to thank Oliver, but before she could speak, Arnold spurred the horse onward. From the interaction, it was clear to Rishe that the horse was clever and well trained. It changed gait smoothly, careful not to burden its riders with its movements."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As they sped away from the castle, descending a green hill toward the town, Rishe muttered, “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect Lady Harriet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If only Rishe had realized the burden Harriet was carrying the night before. They could have avoided the danger she was in now, as well as the possibility of Galkhein being held accountable for her fate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sure Lady Harriet is terrified."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if they managed to rescue her before she was harmed at all, Rishe had failed as soon as she was abducted in the first place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe hung her head, Arnold spoke up. “You’re not a Siguelian knight tasked with protecting the princess.” The words sounded cold, but she knew he didn’t mean them that way. Arnold’s tone was admonishing as he asked her, “What’s your position in this country?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fiancée of the prince of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. And in about a month, it’ll be ‘the crown princess of Galkhein.’” His large hands held the reins in such a way so as not to bother the horse. “Is taking up a sword and protecting the princess from danger all you can do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was stunned. If she were Harriet’s knight, then protecting her would be all she could do. But she wasn’t. Just like Arnold said, she could be of help to Harriet with resources other than a sword. When she realized what he was trying to say, she twisted around to meet Arnold’s blue eyes. “No…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As long as you understand that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a nod, Rishe pulled her hood over her head. They had to pass through the busy port town before reaching the location of the smoke signals. Her coral hair would stand out there, so she kept it hidden under her cloak and tied a ribbon under her chin to keep the wind from blowing it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had other concerns over their journey as well. “Prince Arnold, there’s a chance they’ve set traps along the way to prevent us from following them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll avoid the shortest route, then. Do you know what weapons they’ll be wielding?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’ll be archers, I imagine. And they may have paralyzing poisons on their arrows,” Rishe said, adding that she’d found a bow and arrows in Raul’s room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Curtis’s impostor gifted me several pieces of information. There’s his alias of Raul, for one, plus the fact that he has several subordinates here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was very little Rishe had learned from Raul in this life, but she figured if she told Arnold this, he’d be less suspicious about how she knew what she did. That was why she’d said Raul’s name in front of him the day before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard you sent the knights out into the town without their jackets on. Was that so that archers wouldn’t target them?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. I’m sure they’ve been watching us since we left the castle, however.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was sure that Raul had his hunters watching them through monoculars. As soon as they entered the hunters’ range, arrows would start flying at them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold wasn’t worried, though. “If they shoot at us, I can just cut the arrows down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He speaks about such an incredible feat like it’s nothing!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was intimately familiar with this skill of Arnold’s, though. In the war in the future and in the incident at the Grand Basilica, Arnold had struck down every arrow that had flown at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Soon enough, the port town of Vinrhys was right before their eyes. The moment Arnold slowed the horse to duck into an alleyway, he and Rishe reacted simultaneously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold transferred the reins to one hand and drew his sword with the other. With a dry snap, an arrow split in two in midair. A moment later, another flew at them, and Arnold smacked it away. His sword swished exactly where it needed to without a single wasted motion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe noticed something else in those few seconds. Arnold was swinging his sword to protect her. Not just from the arrows but in a way that would prevent her from falling off the horse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s defense is perfect, but the hunters are no slouches themselves. At this rate, they’ll get the both of us while I’m weighing him down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She steadied her nerves with a breath and spoke to Arnold over her shoulder as she retrieved her bow. “Your Highness, could you hold me close with your rein arm?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, but ignoring his confusion, Rishe bent down and whispered into the ear of the beautiful palomino horse, “I’m sorry. I’m going to be riding you a little strangely, but I’ll try not to get in your way. So just be a little patient, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe, what are you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe put one hand on the saddle and then lifted a knee up onto it. This was an unnatural position, of course, so she started leaning to one side immediately. Arnold wrapped an arm around her and pulled Rishe close to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Closer, Your Highness.” Rishe got up on her knees on the saddle, turned to face Arnold, and nocked an arrow to her bow. “Hold me tight. Press my body to yours.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed deeply when he caught on to what Rishe was trying to do and clutched her body against his. Pressed up snug against Arnold, Rishe’s torso was stabilized atop the horse. Rishe took aim at the rooftop that the arrows had come from."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please maintain a steady pace for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As long as she knew which way the arrows were coming from, it was easy enough to tell where a hunter was hidden. She sensed their enmity rising as she closed one eye, held her breath, and pulled the bowstring taut. A moment later, Rishe aimed for the rooftop and let her arrow fly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gah!” There was a short scream, and then all was silent. Arnold must have noticed the hunter’s bloodlust disappearing as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You hit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Arrows aren’t that lethal, so I doubt they’re dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hunters all wore armor over their vital points, and these arrowheads weren’t large enough to pierce leather. Her target must have gone quiet due to the paralyzing agent on the arrowhead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll take care of the archers. Your Highness, you—” She cut herself off, sensing a distant hostile presence over her shoulder. Arnold swung his sword at the same moment. The blade flashed before Rishe’s eyes, batting away an arrow whizzing toward them. The arrow, presumably aimed at Rishe, clattered to the cobblestones."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to worry about the arrows. Concentrate on your task.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even on horseback, with one arm holding Rishe to him, there were no flaws in Arnold’s swordsmanship. He must have had plenty of experience with mounted combat. Not only was his handling of the reins expert, but his horse also seemed to understand his every need. Rishe nocked another arrow, entrusting herself to the stability of Arnold’s arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They charged through the port town of Vinrhys, Arnold with his sword in hand and Rishe with her bow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Another archer down on the west side. Next, I’ll take out the two to the east!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it. We’ll be entering an alleyway in another three minutes and ten seconds. I’ll lower our speed two minutes from now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Be careful of the sea after exiting the alley. They’ll surely attack when the water’s reflection is sure to blind!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Throwing reports and instructions to one another, they each focused on their individual tasks. Arnold knocked away arrows, and Rishe shot down enemies as they approached the smoke signals."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, can you get around to the right of that building?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not a problem,” he replied. “Above.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Leave it to me. Try to maintain this speed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold did as Rishe asked just as she wielded her bow as Arnold expected."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is amazing! It’s like we can read each other’s minds! Rishe thought as she regarded him during a lull in the fighting. Arnold felt her gaze and met it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arm still circling her torso, he grinned roguishly at her and asked in a challenging tone, “What do you want to do next?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squeaked as a rush raced up her spine. She felt like she could do anything if Arnold fought at her side. Shaking off the sensation—which was dangerous to have on the battlefield—Rishe moderated her tone and told him, “We’re almost to the church. The signals came from there. However, the shortest route is still dangerous. If you could find a route with good visibility, even if it’s a bit of a detour, that would be ideal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it. I’m sure they’re guarding the door either way, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had to agree there. It would take too long to breach the church from the front. “That’s why I plan to take a different route inside once we’ve arrived.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A different route?” Arnold repeated doubtfully, but Rishe just concentrated on her archery."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We must save Lady Harriet. And if I’m right about what Raul’s planning…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0009.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE SMALL, ABANDONED CHURCH had all but vanished from people’s memories as soon as a larger one was built in the center of town. Its goddess statue had been removed, and there was a thin layer of dust over the pews in the empty hall."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul perched on the back of one pew, his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand. Fabrannia’s lady knights did their work on their own, their backs to him. Raul watched them, ridiculing them languidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Took you long enough to get together, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights glared at him just like he expected. “Be quiet. Unlike you, we must follow His Majesty’s orders.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So tense! Guess that’s no surprise, though.” Raul smiled and peeked behind him. “You must do a good job killing Harriet or you won’t be able to pin the crime on Galkhein, will you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet sat on the platform where the lectern was, her hands bound behind her back and her head hanging powerlessly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How insolent. Don’t forget that we only included you in our plans because you bowed your head to us and begged.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh yeah? You didn’t even realize I was a fake. It’s a good thing I’m on Fabrannia’s side, ’cause if I were here to save Harriet, yeesh…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I believe I told you to be quiet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Apparently, they were painfully aware that they’d failed to recognize Raul’s Curtis for a fake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul laughed and looked around the abandoned church. “Well, whatever. Hurry up and get the rest of your knights down here.” There were just twenty of the Fabrannian knights present in the church. There should have been about ten still on their way. Raul cracked his neck and said jokingly, “I picked a little fight with the crown prince of Galkhein, after all. I’ll need the group of you to protect me until I can make my escape to Fabrannia!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmph. Just like a hunter to be a damn coward.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a little out of line, don’t you think? Was I not integral to your abduction scheme?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He knew not to take his harassment too far. Under their hateful gazes, Raul got down from the pew and ambled over to Harriet. He knelt in front of her. “Harriet. Are you crying?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul…why are you doing this?” Harriet looked up at him, trembling, and Raul was surprised to see that, while she was scared, she wasn’t crying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, I’ll be. I thought for sure she’d be white as a sheet and bawling her eyes out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He made sure his expression was cold and didn’t betray his surprise. “That’s my line. Why did you betray Fabrannia? Giving the coins King Walter entrusted you with to that girl… You thought she’d see just what they were and help you?” Even Raul had been surprised by that move. “What a bad girl you are. And you’re supposed to be a princess! You knew that if you did that, Fabrannia wouldn’t protect Siguel any longer and the whole country would be in danger, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean, all Siguel has going for it is its bookmaking. It needs help from its allies, which are headed by Fabrannia. So if Fabrannia turns on it, it’ll be all over for poor Siguel…and we ‘hunters’ are just a mercenary band. We’re not knights who’ve sworn fealty to you or anything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fabrannia’s lady knights shot Harriet scornful looks. They were mere knights, yet they had not a shred of respect for Harriet, who was royalty. Fabrannia’s low opinion of Siguel was obvious with a single glance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet had lost weight since the last time Raul had seen her—when she departed for Fabrannia for her engagement—and she’d likely received all manner of ill treatment there. As he looked at her pale face, he said flatly, “I know you’re fainthearted, but it would’ve been easy to fool Galkhein. You should have just endured your guilt and done some shopping. That’s all it would have taken for you to become Fabrannia’s next queen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess held her breath, shaking her head left and right. “I…I won’t…” She spoke slowly, tripping over her words, and it sounded like she’d resigned herself to her fate. “I knew if I used the fake coins, I would get what I wanted… His Majesty would praise me, think I was worth making use of… But that’s not right.” Her voice quivered with fear, but she pressed on. “It’s all over as soon as one fake coin enters the marketplace. When that happens, every coin in circulation in that country can no longer be trusted. And when their money can’t be trusted, their economy collapses…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul studied the top of Harriet’s head in silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…I didn’t give the coins to Lady Rishe for her to help me. I’m not worthy of her help!” Determined yet clumsy, Harriet stammered, “Y-yet Lady Rishe said she considered me a friend!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul could certainly imagine the girl saying that. She had the contradictory traits of being a good judge of character and not knowing how to doubt people. He’d just met Rishe a few days ago, yet he was sure that he’d come to that same conclusion after a longer period of observation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Galkhein needs to know about Fabrannia… It’s not just Galkhein’s currency that Fabrannia is trying to make. There are many others too…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know. Raul was more or less aware of Fabrannia’s plot."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’d just done what you were told, Fabrannia would’ve profited off of the counterfeit money, and Siguel would’ve benefited.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Any wealth obtained through another country’s suffering won’t last long! I’ve read so in plenty of books. It’s the people who shoulder that burden… So, to prevent Galkhein from suffering…to protect its innocent people…I can’t obey Fabrannia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Fabrannian knights glared even harder at Harriet. She flinched, but she kept staring straight up at Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know I can’t live the way I wish because I was born a princess.” Harriet summoned all her bravery to say, “But I will never do anything to make innocent citizens suffer, even under threat of death!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul had expected Harriet to cower in fear. When had she become so determined? As soon as he thought the question, he could clearly picture in his mind the very person who had given Harriet confidence, allowed her to take back her pride, and set her facing forward rather than down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You stupid, senseless little princess.” Raul sighed from the bottom of his heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Trapped here, Harriet had no idea what had happened in the castle up on the hill. She didn’t know that that girl named Rishe had seen through the counterfeiting scheme or that she wanted to save Harriet. And she didn’t know that Raul had immobilized that girl with a drug."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Self-derision bubbling inside him, Raul sneered. “And look where that’s gotten you. Fabrannia’s knights found out about your treachery, and now they must kill you. Once they do, Fabrannia and the whole international community will blame Galkhein for your death.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were bound to be countries who saw the plot for what it was, but the incident was sure to disgrace Galkhein regardless. They certainly wouldn’t be able to hold a leisurely wedding after foreign royalty was killed on their soil. The crown prince’s wedding would be postponed, and rumors would fly that Galkhein couldn’t keep their foreign guests safe. As he pictured that future, Raul hazily remembered a scene from his past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You must learn to lie as naturally as you breathe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul had heard this often when he was young."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“While you can, you must throw away your own hopes and wants. Do you understand me, Raul?” The white-haired old man speaking to him was the previous head of his hunting troop. “Your own heart will only get in your way. True sentiment will slow your feet. Perfect shadows bend lies to their will.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. I got it, Gramps.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had nodded, dutiful, because he did understand. After all, he’d lived on his own before the old man had taken him in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s earliest memory was staring at the dirty fingertips of his mother’s corpse the night she’d died in an alley. To survive, he’d observed adults like his life depended on it. After all, there was no point in begging for food or money from those who wouldn’t give it to him. So Raul stayed still and watched all the people as they passed him by, like a hawk. Did they have anything to spare? What would garner their sympathy? How should he act to gain their help? He studied every day, learning through trial and error, and learned a lot: what different people wanted and desired, what sort of cajolery they would succumb to, and what they wouldn’t be able to refuse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Smile even if you’re not happy. Break down crying even if you’re not sad."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young Raul had told himself those things time and time again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you keep lying, you’ll at least have something to eat tomorrow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That sort of lifestyle must have suited him. When he met the former chief one day, the man saw through his lies and even took him in, saying he’d raise Raul himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you. I’m glad you took a liking to me. I’ll do my best to repay you,” he’d said with a smile. In truth, he wasn’t happy in the least."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I keep lying and smiling, I’ll be able to eat every day from now on, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul still remembered the relief he’d felt that day. If he deceived people and made them like him, he wouldn’t starve. That was the important thing, so even after the previous chief took Raul in against his will, he trained under the man. When he was praised, he acted pleased, and when he was scolded, he acted remorseful. And since he’d spent so much time and effort observing adults, he got better and better at serving as a body double for those he was assigned to protect."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he grew taller, he sometimes had doubts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But…what was it that made me happy again?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Around the time Raul became unable to answer that question, he was assigned to guard a princess. It was for a short time, just a year or so. Raul was eleven then, and he recalled that the princess had just turned sixteen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Raul, what makes you happy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He found the princess’s guileless smile bothersome."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A shadow doesn’t need happiness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Also, what sort of things do you like? I’ll have the chefs prepare anything you want to eat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t need to like things either. If I figured out what I like, I’d figure out what I don’t like too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I must go to another country soon for a political marriage. My time here feels so short.” Sorrow played on her still-curved lips as she tucked her flowing blonde hair behind her ear. “I hope I get to see a real smile from you before then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a sweet princess you are. Why would you want that from someone like me?” he asked with a smirk."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She ruffled Raul’s hair. “Because I’d like to have at least a little happiness where I’m going to be living from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want to believe that my marriage will allow kids like you to be happy in this country.” There was a slight shadow in her smile. “If I believe that, I’m sure I’ll be at least a little bit happier over there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back then, Raul had had no idea why the princess would say something like that. It irked him to no end because that princess was the first person he couldn’t understand even after all the time he spent observing her. That was also the reason he started to feel like he wanted to understand her. That desire was the first emotion he’d identified as his own in a long time. It felt true to him, unlike when he wanted to understand people to get them on his side or when he had to pretend to be someone else. It was for that reason that he so desperately observed the princess, all the while putting more and more effort into his training so that he wasn’t removed from the position of her guard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What does whether I smile or not have to do with her happiness? At the same time, he knew that he was in no position to even wish for her joy. Her future husband’s the one who’s going to make her happy. All I can do is protect her with my life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, she went off to be married. The country she left for was a large one, and it was that country’s emperor who had decided on marrying her. If she was to be wed to someone who desired her, then she was sure to be happy. Even if it was a political marriage, Raul believed that he’d be able to smile for her just like she wished. But he would soon learn that that belief was a naive one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It seems she took her own life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "News of her death came from the chief just a year later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I asked one of the hunters to investigate it. The country reported it as a death from illness, but that’s a lie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hunters whispered among one another."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is it because of her stillborn child?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She was wasting away even before the birth. The lady must have been suffering for one reason or another…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The only reason this country wasn’t invaded was because she accepted that marriage and bore all the suffering herself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apparently, the princess had been married as a hostage. It was nothing so fortunate as a marriage born out of desire. That was why she’d had such meager hopes, why she felt the need to feign courage in that foreign land."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The poor thing… It must have been worse than death for her there in Galkhein,” the chief said, letting it slip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul learned something right then and there: princesses who were pawns in political marriages would never be happy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That princess’s family never even protested the fate that befell her. They said things like, “The emperor of Galkhein overlooked our country because we offered her up to him… We’re proud of her sacrifice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apparently, royals lived for their country and at times had to die for them. To fulfill those duties, they smiled and accepted marriages they didn’t desire, and they weren’t allowed to weep over their misfortune."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Huh. They’re the same as us, then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had wished for him to show her a genuine smile, but all Raul ended up with was a new sense of determination. You shouldn’t have any emotions for yourself. It’s much easier to smile and cry when the situation requires it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, Raul traveled to all sorts of countries with his foster family, the hunters. They were mercenaries for hire. They would go anywhere for money, serving whoever was currently paying them. It didn’t have to be a well-paying country because they could use the information they gained in smaller countries when larger countries hired them. In fact, the chief went after jobs in smaller countries for the benefit of Raul—his successor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of those countries was Siguel. There, Raul met Prince Curtis, who was fifteen—Raul’s age—and the ten-year-old Harriet. A mature smile on his face, Curtis had reached out immediately for a handshake upon meeting Raul, who was nothing more than a disposable guard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s nice to meet you, Raul. This is my sister, Harriet. She’s rather timid, I’m afraid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl staring up at Raul from behind her brother seemed anything but timid. She had quite a ferocious glare, but Raul, who was used to observing people, could tell that it was fear and bashfulness behind her gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So Raul smiled, putting on a bright, gentle expression that wouldn’t scare the fainthearted girl. “Hello. It’s a pleasure to be working for you, Prince Curtis, Princess Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thanks to that first impression, Harriet gradually came to trust Raul more and more. And as he smiled in front of the siblings, Raul thought to himself, I’m sure this princess is going to have to endure a miserable political marriage one day too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the siblings’ part, however, they tried to get closer to him without any ulterior motives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re amazing, Raul! You can walk without making any sound, and you’re a crack shot with a bow. Sometimes my parents can’t even tell when you’re disguised as me! Isn’t that right, Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah!” Harriet nodded at Curtis’s words, her cheeks flushed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "These were all just skills he’d learned to stay alive, but Raul pretended he was happy to hear it. “I am honored you think so, Your Highnesses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, didn’t I say you don’t need to be so polite with us? We’re almost the same age, so I wish you’d treat us like we’re your friends.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Friends?” At times like these, Raul worried he might be making a strange face, but Curtis and Harriet just smiled, not commenting on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. We’re friends, Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah! We love you, Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul was astounded by the two of them. There was no way royalty could be friends with someone who was whisked off the street and into a mercenary band. Still, what was required of him in the moment was to behave like a friend."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks. I’m happy you feel that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had only intended to lie like he always did, but for some reason, he felt something warm swelling in his chest when he said those words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is this? It made him restless and uncomfortable, but the sensation was familiar to him too. Am I…happy?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He couldn’t have that. He didn’t need it to survive. It would hinder his work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Away with that. What would I do if I failed to protect these two because of how I’m feeling?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had to do a better job protecting them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But just as he resolved himself, Siguel began educating Harriet in earnest about the duties of a future queen, and she retreated into herself more and more. Concerned by Walter of Fabrannia’s words, she grew out her hair to hide her face and stopped looking people in the eye when she talked to them. She was a timid person from the start, so when her mother’s education turned harsh, she lost her sunny smile. Only when she read or talked about books did her face light up with joy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several years went by. Raul’s adoptive father died, making him the new chief of the hunters. It was right around then that Fabrannia requested that Harriet move there, to spend the remaining time up until her marriage in their country. The invitation was ostensibly so she could learn the ways of Fabrannia, but it didn’t sit right with Raul. He implored Curtis to allow him to accompany Harriet to Fabrannia as her guard. If it would cause problems for a man to guard her, he need only disguise himself as a woman. Yet Fabrannia allowed Harriet but a single maid to accompany her and denied her any guards to take with her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul, could you just make one trip there to see how Harriet’s doing?” Curtis asked him some time after Harriet left. “Something’s not right. It’s been six months, and she hasn’t so much as replied to one of my letters…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you stupid? What are you even gonna do when you find out what’s happening there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was nothing Curtis could do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Siguel has no resources to compete against another country. If they don’t rely on their allies, headed by Fabrannia, they have no way to protect themselves from larger countries. And if they go against Fabrannia, this country’s doomed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, Raul patted Curtis on the shoulder to reassure him and smiled. “Leave it to me, Curtis. I’ll go see what’s up and help Harriet if she needs it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks, Raul!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, Raul went to Fabrannia and learned of Harriet’s fate—of the scorn, abuse, and ridicule she endured, and of the counterfeit money scheme she’d been swept up in. Her head maid seemed to be doing her best to protect the princess. By proactively scolding her for her faults, she created an atmosphere that made it difficult for other people to comment on them. But such petty tactics would amount to nothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Raul! You’re back! How was Harriet?” a haggard Curtis asked him upon his return to Siguel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He smiled at Curtis. “She’s busy, but she seemed happy. You really worry too much about your sister, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul thought that this was the most perfect smile he’d ever put on as he added, “Harriet will be happy. I’m sure of it. So don’t blame yourself for sacrificing her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From then on, Raul put everything he had into his preparations. He gathered intelligence, found evidence of the counterfeiting, and trained his subordinates. He advised Curtis to form a platoon of lady knights and get them ready to be dispatched as soon as an opportunity presented itself. The problem was, that opportunity never came."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They could infiltrate Fabrannia, but they couldn’t get anywhere near Harriet. Because of the counterfeiting, not only was security in the castle ramped up, but the king was always hovering around Harriet as well. If she used the counterfeit money even once, it would all be over. And right when Raul was starting to panic, something unexpected occurred."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Galkhein’s crown prince got engaged and sent invitations out to every other country."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he expected, Fabrannia latched on to this opportunity. They permitted Harriet to leave the country, something they had never done before, and ordered her to use the counterfeit money. At that exact moment, Curtis happened to be feeling unwell. Raul volunteered to go as his body double, but he headed to Fabrannia instead of Galkhein without telling Siguel’s royal family. He snuck onto Fabrannia’s ship and poisoned the drinks of the Fabrannian knights, intending to complete his mission after they arrived in Galkhein once Harriet was without her guards."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His plan’s first complication occurred when that beautiful girl Rishe appeared. The coral-haired lady stood at Harriet’s side with the imperiousness of a knight, even though the timid princess was supposed to be without any guards. Galkhein shouldn’t have had any female knights, so Raul thought her to be some hastily prepared stand-in, but her technique left nothing to be desired. She conducted herself like nothing less than a first-rate knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had leapt from roof to roof, watching them from places he was sure no one could spot him—yet the girl had looked straight up at him. She had soft, pink lips and a nose with an elegant bridge. He could tell even looking through his monocular how long her eyelashes were and how big and round her eyes were. And those strong-willed emerald eyes stared right back at Raul. His breath almost caught at their beauty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment she entered the alley, he understood that she was inviting him down. But even though he knew, he found himself following her on reflex. Her swordsmanship was delicate and graceful. The next time he saw her, she introduced herself as the fiancée of Galkhein’s crown prince."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back in the present, Raul huffed a small sigh. I can’t believe she was the real thing, and she actually changed Harriet. How can she afford to care about other people when she’s a hostage in a political marriage with Galkhein? I’ve never seen someone more doomed to despair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul had told her, “I’m thinking about snatching you up if you don’t want to marry the crown prince.” He’d said it like a joke, but he meant every word. No bride was ever happy in a political marriage. Harriet and the late princess he hadn’t been able to protect had both been miserable. The family this Rishe girl was marrying into was the same one that princess had gone to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet, Rishe had told him plainly, “No matter what disasters may befall me from marrying him, I’m not going to let it make me unhappy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There had been no doubt in her words at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going to be his bride. I’ve already chosen how I’m going to live this life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hearing that, Raul had known in his bones that the girl was dangerous. He almost thought that she’d seen through what he really feared and hoped for at that moment. It had been only a few days since they’d met, but she had acted like she’d been at his side for years. If Raul was forced to realize that his performative emotions were fake, and he came to know what was really in his heart, he wouldn’t be able to go on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s too late now. Fear is just another thing I don’t need. Isn’t that right?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul slowly opened his eyes. The door to the church opened, and several more Fabrannian knights entered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s a few outside now too. I’d say fourteen. Fifteen inside… All twenty-nine are here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lady knights all glanced at him appraisingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They suck at this. You’re not hiding your aggression at all!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, maybe they never intended to hide it in the first place. Raul cracked his neck and looked down at Harriet bound before him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks, Harriet,” he said quietly, and she flinched. “You were always trying so hard to read the people around you, which made you so timid… You realized what I was trying to do and played along, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“R-Raul, you really—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul turned his back to her. “Kinda hurts my pride as a hunter, though. Can’t believe you and that Rishe girl saw through me so easily.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you two whispering about?” one of the female knights asked, stepping toward Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing. Just exchanging a final farewell, that’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul! Y-you can’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose there’s no harm in that. After all, you’re both going to die here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged, appalled by the knight’s clichéd threat. “How terrible. Here I was all excited at the prospect of being hired by Fabrannia, only to find out that I was deceived! And now I’m going to be killed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t be serious. You came here from the start to rescue Harriet, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And what about you? You planned to kill the both of us from the start too.” It was a ridiculous farce. Raul stretched, tired of keeping up the act."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Awfully confident, aren’t you? You think you can protect her and defeat almost thirty trained knights all by yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not obsessed with ‘battle’ like you lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights exchanged confused glances, but he paid it no mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I’m not concerned with both of us surviving either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see. So you’ll leave her behind and get away on your own.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, and there’s one more thing.” Raul smiled and pointed straight up. “I’m not actually alone.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right then, the knights went on full alert—but it was too late. In the time it took them to blink, five of Raul’s men had descended from the ceiling to stand around him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Impossible! When could they have…?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They were here from the start. Too bad you didn’t even notice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Chief! We have Her Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul didn’t turn around, but he could sense Harriet being picked up behind him. She must have been still tied and struggling; her voice was pained as she called out, “Wait! L-Let me go! Raul’s going to…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right. Get going, guys. Follow the plan.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Chief, are you really gonna—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I said go.” He shooed them away, and they didn’t protest again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of them must have covered Harriet’s mouth, because her shouting was muffled. His men climbed back up the ropes they’d come down on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No point putting up a fight. All we wanted was to get Harriet out of here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul licked his lips, cocking his head and smiling blithely. The knights must not have liked that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re going up! Don’t let them! Grab the ropes and pull them—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah-ah-ah.” He threw a knife at one of the knights when she went for a rope. The moment she faltered, he leaped forward, closing the gap between them. He plunged his knee into her gut and used the momentum to spin and smack his heel into another one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You bastard!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul stared straight at the knight, his eyes cold. “Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does your arrogance never end?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm… Must you be so hackneyed?” He wasn’t really trying to insult them. Knocking them out instead of killing them would wear down their morale more. Plus, there was no meaning in being victorious over them here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmph!” Harriet called for him even with her mouth covered. Raul’s men were on the roof of the church, pulling her up by rope. So as long as she made it to the top, she’d be safe. From the sound of her voice, he figured it should only be a few more meters now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’d be even simpler if all I had to do was let her get away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had plenty of chances to do so. In Fabrannia, on the way over, and in the last few days here in Galkhein too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But there’s no meaning in that either. If Harriet disappears here, Fabrannia will just accuse her of some crime and hunt her down to keep her quiet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If that happened, she would have no way out. Siguel would just end up paying for the crimes she’d allegedly committed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Chief! We’re at the upper window. We can get out from here!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Got it. Counting on you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t let Harriet get awa—gah!” The knight lost consciousness when a thrown knife stabbed her leg. Each knife had been coated with an undiluted paralysis drug."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul got up on the pews and used their backs as stepping stones, leaping from one to another. He jumped into the center aisle and turned his back to the door, blocking the knights’ path."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Twelve more?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Augh! Kill him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights lunged at him as one. Raul dodged with the nimbleness of a cat and tossed five thin knives out in an arc around him. His aim was true; all five knights crumpled to the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then he knelt and put a hand on the floor. He swept the legs out from under the remaining knights charging at him, and they all toppled to the ground almost comically. No matter how dirty the methods of the Fabrannian knights, when it came to their swordplay, they were straightforward to a fault. Raul, on the other hand, found fighting fair and square boring."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Results are all that matters. No matter how you do it, if you fulfill your objective, you win."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He cut down their numbers in no time, until only three knights remained. Raul smiled and loosed a breath. “You know, I found a real detailed plan about the counterfeiting when I snuck into your country.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was written in King Walter’s own hand, and it even had his signature! I’d expect nothing less of His Majesty! He must have been so proud of his plan that he wanted to make sure everyone knew it was his idea!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-there’s no way you have something like that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knight was right, of course. No matter how stupid the king was, he wouldn’t leave behind such hard evidence. But it didn’t matter that this document didn’t exist; Raul could simply fabricate it into being. He had learned King Walter’s handwriting during his reconnaissance on Fabrannia. In fact, he’d already crafted such a document before he enacted his plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The thing about people is that they much prefer an interesting lie to the boring truth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You bastard!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know all about that, since lying is my job and whatnot. If I spin a fascinating tale and add some shocking evidence to back it up, plenty of people will gobble it up as the truth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was sure Fabrannia understood. They were using the same psychology in their attempts to pin crimes on Harriet and sully Galkhein’s reputation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“People will treat even baseless rumors as the truth if they really want to, so…” Raul grinned and unsheathed another knife. “Let me give you the corpse of someone who opposed Fabrannia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” The knights all went pale with disbelief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To be precise, the body of a Siguelian mercenary carrying a stolen document bearing Walter’s signature. What do you think will happen if such a corpse is discovered in Galkhein, where Fabrannia has no influence?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you can’t be serious…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, but I am! Rumors will spread, eventually reaching official channels! Once the international community begins to suspect Fabrannia, they’ll have no way out, will they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights recoiled from Raul. “Are you insane?! All for that, you would—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Die? Yes, I would. It’s the fastest way to get what I want, with the fewest casualties.” Raul held up the knife and waved it back and forth. “There’s poison on this blade. A deadly poison that will cause me to go out suffering. If I’m found dead, by this poison, it’ll just add momentum to the rumors.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Try it. If you kill yourself, all we must do is dispose of your corpse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unfortunately, some of my subordinates are still here watching. As soon as I die, they’ll cause a commotion that will draw civilians to the scene.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once that happened, not only would they be unable to hide his corpse, but they would also be spotted by a great number of witnesses."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, this is about all I can do, I suppose. Raul smiled wanly, watching the knights. I made sure to paralyze that Rishe girl… Now Galkhein will be able to prove that they were just a victim caught up in all this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He almost felt bad for the trouble he was causing them. His smile twisted with the irony. If anything, he should have had a grudge against this country. I told my men to slow down Galkhein’s crown prince without killing him if he came after me too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he knocked out all the knights, then it wouldn’t make sense that they’d killed him. Even if the three knights still standing went after Harriet, he knew his subordinates would be able to fight them off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks for playing along, girls. Guess it’s time to finish this.” Raul spun the knife around and pointed the blade at himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait! Don’t make another move!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t think so. I’m gonna have to ask you to stay put.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now he could at least protect Harriet. It had been a long time since he was able to smile with such genuine happiness. Light shone through a stained-glass window like the clouds had parted. But right as he held the blade to his throat under that light’s blessing, he sensed something strange."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Raul’s head shot up. He saw a painting of the goddess that spanned the whole ceiling—but there was no time to admire it, as the stained glass in one of the church’s upper windows shattered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The stained glass twinkled in the air as it fell, its kaleidoscopic fragments glittering in the sunlight. A figure followed their trajectory, shielding herself from the hail of glass. To Raul’s shock, her coral hair fluttered in the wind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A girl in a brown cloak fell toward him, her skirt billowing around her. No, she was so graceful, it was less like she was falling and more like she was descending from on high. The black sword in her hand didn’t match her slight build."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In midair, she yanked her hood down on her head, curled up, and rolled upon impact with the floor. The cloak she wore was made of the same fabric the hunters donned when they went into the forest. Protected from the glass shards by the sturdy fabric, she shot to her feet and drew her sword. Then she struck the knife from Raul’s hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surprise had slackened his grip, so his knife went clattering halfway across the church floor. The girl spun around, whipped her sword as if dancing, and charged at the Fabrannian knights. With all-too-abrupt cries, the remaining three knights fell to the floor. Raul watched all this happen, dumbfounded to the core."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He snapped out of it when Rishe called his name. But this wasn’t possible. She couldn’t be here. He’d seen her drink the laced tea himself just a short while ago. And he didn’t understand why she hadn’t come charging through the door but crashing through the window instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Didn’t I tell you that if you were going to save Lady Harriet, I wanted to help you? I can’t let you sacrifice yourself just because you want to rescue her!” As though it were the most natural thing in the world, she said, “That’s why I’m here to save you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words rendered him dizzy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you all right? You haven’t gotten hurt or taken poison too hastily, have you? Just get away from here for now, and we can talk about this later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait a second… This is no time to be worrying about me. That’s not all the Fabrannian knights.” He was sure his subordinates wouldn’t screw up and get caught, which meant that the remaining dozen or so knights were still watching outside the church. “The church is surrounded. If you don’t get out of here, you won’t be safe eith—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, the church doors swung open, silencing Raul. He drew a knife and ran in front of Rishe, but the interloper was no Fabrannian enemy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’ve gotta be kidding me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” Rishe cried. A broad and dazzling smile bloomed on her face, her emerald, gemlike eyes sparkling as if she were looking at precious treasure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The target of her tender gaze was a stoic lady-killer wearing an almost bored expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing here?” Raul asked. “And what about the knights?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Already taken care of.” Arnold Hein strolled toward him. Beyond the open doors was exactly the implied spectacle: All of Fabrannia’s remaining knights were sprawled out on the ground, unconscious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This can’t be happening. I told my men in town to stop Arnold Hein if they saw him!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Raul. I borrowed your bow and arrows and knocked out the rest of your men.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bwuh?” Raul was speechless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold Hein walked past him and pulled back the girl’s hood. “Are you hurt, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nope. As you can see, there’s not a scratch on me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You took a powerful drug, made special by an expert hunter…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Rishe was telling the truth, she had breezed through a town with expert archers stationed throughout, crashed through a stained-glass window, rolled when she hit the ground, and fought off several knights. Yet there really wasn’t a mark on her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As for Arnold Hein, he’d fought over ten knights without even making a sound detectable to Raul’s ears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold on a second… Seriously, give me a break!” Raul clutched his forehead. If Rishe had at least entered through the door normally, he wouldn’t have been so stunned that he botched his suicide. But he hadn’t expected her to drop in from above. As a result, he had completely lost the will to carry out his plan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You two are monsters, husband and wife both…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s cheeks flared. “W-we’re not married yet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul was utterly baffled that that was what offended her. After all that, you’re blushing like a shy little maiden!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe fixed him with a petulant glare. Raul had no idea what to make of her, truly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dammit. She’s adorable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, that was the only poisoned knife he had. He felt as if his own immaturity had been thrown back in his face. His pride for thinking there was not a chance he could fail was shaken."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It didn’t even matter how well I lied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m so glad I made it in time!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed as she sheathed the black sword. The blade she’d knocked from Raul’s hands had been coated with poison. She could just imagine the sort of terrible plan he’d been trying to enact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That bad feeling I had was spot-on. If Raul was really trying to get away, even Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guards wouldn’t have been able to find him so easily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul had been too unguarded throughout this whole incident. Rishe knew there was no way he’d tell her his whole plot even if she’d uncovered part of it. And if he wanted to drug someone, he’d find a way to drug everyone even if they turned down the drink he offered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If he just wanted to abduct and kill Lady Harriet, he wouldn’t have done it in a conspicuous place like an abandoned church. The reason he picked it was to make use of the high ceilings… He chose a battlefield that would be advantageous to his hunters."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she’d arrived with Arnold, the Fabrannian knights had been guarding the church entrances. Rishe had predicted that, so she’d asked Arnold to handle them and climbed up to the roof to enter from there. She had thought it was the best option, but for some reason, Arnold was standing in front of her now looking dour."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you really have to break the stained glass?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought it would draw everyone’s attention if I made a racket.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were normal windows too, which the hunters had no doubt used to extricate Harriet, but she didn’t think she could have stopped Raul if she’d used one of them. However, it did pain her to have broken the stained glass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry about the damage. I must write a letter to Bishop Schneider and apologize.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The church was going to be demolished anyway. As long as you’re not hurt, you can ignore the rest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That won’t do. What if there’s a problem during the demolition now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was hardly the most important matter at hand, of course. Perched up on the back of one of the pews, with a hand cradling his forehead, Raul gave off an aura that Rishe had never once seen around him in her fifth loop. Just when she was about to call out to him, there was a pained shout from the direction of the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Harriet?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet burst into the church, breath shallow. She must have run straight here without resting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you’re alive!” Her voice was faint, verging on sobs, but Harriet didn’t collapse. She pressed her lips into a thin line and shifted her eyes from Raul to Rishe. She then plummeted to her knees and bowed so low, she was practically pressing her forehead into the floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness Prince Arnold, Lady Rishe! I’m…terribly sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack! Lady Harriet! Please raise your head! It’s all right…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were ugly welts on Harriet’s pale wrists. She must have tried desperately to escape her bonds. The blood oozing from the wounds made it clear just how much she’d struggled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her head still bowed, Harriet pleaded through ragged pants. “I know I caused a great deal of trouble to Galkhein… I take full responsibility for all of Raul’s actions!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop, Harriet.” Raul suddenly stood and dropped on one knee next to her. “You weren’t involved in any of this. You know it doesn’t mean anything if you apologize.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No! How could I be uninvolved when you did all this to save me? I—ghk!” Harriet started coughing uncontrollably. She must have really been having trouble breathing. Rishe couldn’t bear to watch and tried to run to her, but Arnold caught her by the arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, she…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, Arnold stepped forward. Harriet winced at the sound of his footsteps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul frowned, then looked up at Arnold and offered him a flippant smile. “Your Highness, I assure you Harriet had nothing to do with my plans.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince said nothing. He just stared at Raul. Rishe couldn’t see his expression, but it was probably his familiar cold look."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll tell you everything I had planned, all right? I don’t care what you do with me after that. You can chop my head off or use me as a punching bag or whatever else you’d prefer to do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul! St-stop…please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before Harriet could say anything more, Arnold asked Raul, “What do you plan to do after that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What a cruel question.” Raul winced and put on a grim, self-deprecating smile. “I denigrated the great country of Galkhein. The only way I can atone is with my life, right?” He still spoke with nonchalance, as if his apology couldn’t possibly be genuine, but Rishe knew that he did everything for a reason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul’s being insolent on purpose. He wants Prince Arnold’s anger to fall on him instead of Lady Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Taking responsibility only means something if someone capable says it,” Arnold said, indifferent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet shrank in on herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The same goes for inane offers to give up one’s life,” he continued. “Your life is worthless to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul smiled and cocked his head. “I wish you would have let me die like I intended, then. My whole plan was ruined thanks to your unexpected intrusion.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul, you really were planning on dying to save Lady Harriet from Fabrannia, weren’t you?” Rishe put the pieces together on Raul’s plan. She knew what his true feelings were. He’d told her in her fifth loop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know I don’t look it, but I’m very loyal to the Siguel royal family.” He’d said that in a future where he hadn’t been able to save Harriet. As his former companion, Rishe could tell when he was passing his true feelings off as a joke."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lips still quirked upward, Raul said, “Well, what else was I supposed to do? If I accused Fabrannia of counterfeiting openly, they’d just make Harriet their scapegoat. I had to scheme if I wanted to protect both Siguel and Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was right about that. Even if the accusation came from Galkhein, Fabrannia would refuse to be held accountable for their crimes. They would fight the accusation, and there were sure to be countries who allied themselves with Fabrannia. There might even be countries who declared war in the resulting confusion. It wouldn’t be strange if the accusation caused a whole new war apart from the one Arnold himself would start. And no one could say how Galkhein’s current emperor would react to all this. Arnold knew that better than anyone else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why Raul almost poisoned himself. With Raul’s death, Siguel would have more credibility and Fabrannia would be at a disadvantage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe he had even forged some evidence that would accelerate the process. Rishe could imagine just the sort of plot Raul had cooked up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Naturally, I have no intention of letting Fabrannia’s counterfeiting attempts stand,” Arnold said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” Rishe looked up at him from his side. “I beg of you, give me some time! Just like with Coyolles, I’ll think of a way for Galkhein to form an alliance with Siguel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before, Arnold said that there was a way for Rishe to save Harriet as the crown princess rather than a knight. If she could think of a reason for Galkhein to ally with Siguel that wouldn’t provoke the current emperor’s suspicions, then their relationship with Siguel would aid them immensely in a conflict with Fabrannia. Even if Fabrannia tried to pin the counterfeiting on Siguel, with Galkhein as their allies, they would be safe from any military action from Fabrannia. Rishe vowed to find a path to that future. But Arnold wasn’t even looking at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen to me, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need for that.” His words were cold, and Rishe’s breath hitched when she heard them. But Arnold was quick to add, “Our country is planning to overhaul the currency soon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked, not expecting him to bring that up now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve thought for some time now that our current system of currency is naturally limited. Gold and silver are finite resources—we’ll run out of them one day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Both Raul and Harriet struggled to grasp what Arnold was getting at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you make your currency more complex to prevent counterfeiting, it becomes more expensive to produce. More advanced technology is required to mint it, and mass production becomes very difficult. To solve this problem, we must come at it from a new direction.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean by that?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean money that’s cheaper to produce than gold and silver coins, using resources we mustn’t worry will run out. The new currency must be possible to mass-produce while being difficult to counterfeit.” Arnold regarded Harriet and Raul and told them plainly, “Our best possible option right now is paper currency.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet gaped at Arnold. Even Raul was incredulous. The cogs of Rishe’s mind, however, were already turning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is this what Prince Arnold meant by what he said yesterday?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold evidently had a different idea when the topic of reminting came up. Yet when Rishe and Oliver had asked him about it, he had rejected it himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a completely unrealistic plan.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s stupid. Practically fantasy. My ‘other idea’ is something I’ve already tossed out without consideration.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And in response, Rishe had asked him, “If you put your mind to it, don’t you think you could really achieve it?” and Arnold had rejected that as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who’s going to believe in something that’s intangible?” he’d admonished, but he wasn’t talking to Rishe. He was saying it to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something had changed Arnold’s mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Paper money…” Rishe murmured, and Arnold answered her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course, paper has no inherent value. These sheets of paper—these notes—would be worth an amount of gold or silver written on them that they could be exchanged for.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe understood Arnold’s vision at last. “So you would use that paper in place of coins for transactions? And when you need actual gold and silver, you could exchange it at a currency exchange just like now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. It wouldn’t be as difficult to carry an equivalent amount of money because paper is so much more portable. And even if a country’s supply of gold and silver ran out, as long as they could reliably issue currency, there would be no damage to their economy as a result.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The value of gold coins was guaranteed by the actual gold content in the coins. Arnold’s plan removed that notion entirely. Day-to-day transactions would take place not with currency that was worth its inherent value but with notes that could be exchanged for that amount."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s not a single country in the world doing things that way. Rishe’s heart hammered at the possibilities. Prince Arnold is creating a new system here and now! He’s doing something no one’s ever tried before!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Coyolles’s artisans will create the metal sheets used to print the notes.” Arnold’s words intensified the sparkle in Rishe’s eyes. “One of Michel Hévin’s inventions included a paper and ink that were highly resistant to water—isn’t that right, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, yes. Not just water—it was resistant to friction as well, if I recall correctly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A new invention by an alchemist should be difficult for seedier types to get their hands on and forge, which means it will fulfill our original objective of preventing counterfeiting as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s head bobbed in excitement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll need to utilize the Aria Trading Company’s connections to facilitate the circulation of the notes. I’m sure they’re capable of that, given their data-gathering skills. That being said…” Arnold lowered his gaze. “Even if we have the ink and paper and craft a detailed metal sheet, we won’t be able to realize this plan without the ability to mass-produce printed material.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, the last piece of the puzzle slid into place. Rishe and Arnold had read books they’d received from Siguel the night Harriet and Raul arrived. Books with intricate cover designs and finely printed details."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Siguel has advanced printing technology, does it not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh!” Harriet exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Galkhein finds itself in a position to ask for Siguel’s assistance. Siguel’s printing technology will be indispensable for my country’s future currency minting enterprises. For that reason, I’d like to propose an alliance with Siguel,” Arnold finished."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To think Arnold had requested an alliance with another country himself! Rishe had never imagined such a thing. When Coyolles had proposed an alliance, Arnold had answered by saying, “I’d much rather conquer a country than ally with one,” but things were different this time. Rishe’s heart thumped with exhilaration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his confusion. “Wait a second. This is a fantasy. Paper money? You really think your country’s economy will run on that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince’s gaze turned on him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Standing at Harriet’s side, Raul said, “For this ridiculous notion to come from Galkhein’s crown prince of all people… Who’s going to believe in something so far-fetched?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold knew precisely what Raul meant. In fact, he’d once felt the same way. He had dismissed his own idea before, not even letting Oliver hear of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re right,” Arnold said simply. “Who’s going to believe in something intangible?” He looked at Rishe by his side. “I thought that way at first as well.” After meeting her eyes, Arnold smirked a little and continued in a softer voice, “But there are people in this world who fear ghosts.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flushed, not expecting Arnold to shine a light on her anxieties. She knew he wasn’t teasing her, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Those affiliated with the Church believe in the existence of the goddess, but whether She’s real or not isn’t what’s important to them. It’s simply a matter of faith.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew what Arnold was trying to say. It was the same thing they’d spoken about in bed the previous night. Rishe’s belief in ghosts and the Church’s faith in the goddess were unshakable convictions. Some things existed whether they had a tangible form or not. Like Arnold’s desire to show Rishe the ocean, which he’d only just revealed to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Currency is issued by the nation. It can be guaranteed not by the value inherent in the physical coins but by the faith people have in the country that issues it. That faith is the same whether the money is coins or notes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s just as His Highness says. After all, foreign money may have the same gold in it, but you don’t use it every day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe understood that wasn’t the same thing as Arnold’s paper money plan, but she believed it was the same idea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Incremental adjustments will be made to build trust in this new money. I believe that it is our actions as a nation that will determine whether we earn that trust.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Didn’t expect that coming from you. So the lofty royal will just tell all the people below him to believe in him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Faith in the political system is not gained with words. It’s a matter of whether my actions have answered the needs of the people up to this point and whether I’ll be able to create a system that they think merits their trust.” Arnold regarded Rishe again. “And if faith in the nation isn’t yet strong enough, I need simply borrow the name of something people do believe in. Even if that something is the goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…are you saying you’ll request assistance from the Crusade?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was yet another suggestion Rishe could never have envisioned the Arnold of even a few days ago making. Arnold despised the Church. She had never even considered that he might try to borrow their good name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if we use new materials, there are bound to be counterfeiting attempts. To thwart those, I intend to have Theodore use his network to keep an eye on the underworld.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, Prince Arnold!” Rishe was ecstatic from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to help! Prince Theodore, the Aria Trading Company, Coyolles…Professor Michel and the Crusade too!” She grabbed Arnold’s sleeve, trying to convey her happiness in that small action. “With your political skills and Siguel’s printing technology, this plan is by no means a fantasy! It’s very much realistic!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression softened ever so slightly as he gazed at Rishe. “It’s because you’re here that this fantasy is becoming a reality. These connections are only possible because of your coming to Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head to the side and corrected Arnold. “That’s not true, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was you who allowed me to trade freely with the Aria Trading Company after coming to this country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally, a hostage like Rishe would never be allowed such a freedom. Arnold’s generosity allowed her to engage in not just shopping but also real business dealings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The same goes for you reconciling with your brother and pardoning Professor Michel for setting off fireworks in the middle of town. Forming a technological alliance with Coyolles because of their metalworking capabilities and a partnership with the Crusade Church were both things that you did as well, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "These were not connections that Rishe made. They were decisions made by Arnold himself, bonds formed due to his interactions with people."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You once said that you preferred conquering other countries to allying yourself with them.” She knew that wasn’t true. “Our connections to other countries are all things you forged through your choices, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold widened his eyes in surprise, and then they crinkled as he smiled. “No…these are without a doubt your doing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That didn’t quite sit right with Rishe, but Arnold seemed happy about it, so she didn’t argue. Raul and Harriet, meanwhile, gawked at Rishe and Arnold as they complimented each other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who are you two, really? The Crusade’s going to help Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh, I-I can’t quite keep up with all of this… Now, Raul!” Harriet took a shaky breath, then steeled herself. “F-Father and my brother might be surprised, but I want to try to convince them. Siguel’s been at the mercy of Fabrannia all this time, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we’re going to have a relationship with a country other than Fabrannia, then we can’t just let them protect us for nothing in return anymore. We must move forward using the technology we’ve cultivated.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet knew what she was proposing was no easy task. Sure enough, her voice quivered—but the fear had vanished from her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’ve always been proud of the beautiful books Siguel produces. It’s something we do all on our own, without support from anyone else. So if we’re going to have a reciprocal relationship with another country, then…” She clenched her small hands into fists. “No matter how weak and small we are…I want us to change, so that we can be proud of what we’ve done all by ourselves.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul frowned, a truly rare expression for him. “That’s big talk, Harriet. It’s not so easy to change the way a whole country works.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“B-but, if you don’t resolve yourself to change, then nothing ever will!” Despite her shaking, there was strength behind her words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His frown slid into a grimace. “I can’t believe you…” He put a hand to his forehead and sighed a long, long sigh. “I’m a complete failure as a hunter. The princess looks at me like this, and I can’t even bring myself to abscond with her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was pleased to hear it. I never saw Raul that exasperated in my entire fifth loop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The whole time she had been with him, he had worn false smiles, hidden his true feelings, and lied as easily as he breathed. I feel like he’ll be all right now, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet, whom he wasn’t able to save in that life, was right here. She would never dirty her hands with crimes she didn’t wish to commit. And Raul, determined to protect her with his life, didn’t need to die. Furthermore, true emotion shone naked on his face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sighed in relief and looked up at Arnold. Prince Arnold really is amazing, she thought with a smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold studied her with wide eyes. Then he frowned and asked, “Why do you look so happy just seeing my face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” Rishe yelped, covering her cheeks with her hands. “Did I look happy just now?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You looked the same way when I entered the church earlier too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t recall the face she’d made when she saw him. It must have been an unconscious reaction."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, he took control of the church so quickly! Any swordsman would be impressed even if they didn’t see it for themselves…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Also, are you satisfied with that fight we were supposed to be having?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s right! We’re supposed to be in the middle of a very important fight! Rishe recalled with a start."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold taunted her with his smile. “Hmm?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-not yet!” Rishe stammered. “There’s plenty more that I must say on that subject!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see. Well, I’ll reserve my comments on you saying I could ‘simply cut ties with you’ to save myself outside my earshot for later, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver had reported the whole thing to Arnold, just as Rishe expected he might. Rishe was ready to tear her hair out as Arnold grinned at her combatively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’d better brace yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmph! Same to you, Your Highness!” Rishe leveled a glare at him, her declaration of war. Then she ran to Harriet and embraced her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally, she looked to Raul, who had taken a roundabout way to get what he wanted. The man had a self-conscious look on his face. That, too, was likely true emotion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found that so funny…and a little nostalgic to boot."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0010.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE RAYS OF THE SUMMER sun poured in through the window while a sea breeze rustled the curtains. Harriet was seated in front of a mirror, with Rishe standing behind her. Finished at last, Rishe put the scissors down and removed the cape over Harriet’s shoulders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you think, Lady Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet’s golden hair slid off the cape. Looking in the mirror, she noted that her locks were now up to her shoulders and her bangs were freshly trimmed. “Thank you, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It suits you spectacularly,” Rishe gushed as she put her scissors away. “And if it’s only shoulder length, it will dry much quicker, which leaves you more time for reading after a bath! The new makeup looks fantastic as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess had on different makeup than what she’d tried the other day. This makeup emphasized the sharp-looking, almond-shaped eyes that had bothered her so much, granting her a dignified appearance. The makeup she’d tried before had softened her appearance; this time, Rishe had utilized the opposite approach."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It’s strange… It brings out the harshness of my eyes, but I don’t hate it…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is yet another function of makeup. You mustn’t always hide the parts of your face that you don’t like. You can bring out the best of them as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bring out the best of them…” Harriet considered Rishe’s words. “Right, I see what you mean. I can’t just keep disliking parts of myself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harriet studied herself in the mirror as if hardening her resolve. “Lady Rishe, I…I want to try! I always hated my personality, but I might be able to do something for my country. I’m a coward, but maybe I can bring out the best of myself and engage in careful politics!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Lady Harriet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It had been two days since Harriet’s abduction. The Fabrannian knights had been arrested and were currently being interrogated by Arnold’s Imperial Guards. Arnold was sure to work with Siguel on the accusations of counterfeiting and on Siguel’s future. He’d already sent a missive to Siguel. Harriet included her own letter, so this time, the real Curtis would come to negotiate with them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t think Lady Harriet is a coward…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It took a considerable amount of courage to stand before Arnold and claim all responsibility for the incident. Harriet had plenty of possibilities in her own future that she hadn’t yet realized."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe…I’m going to break off my engagement to King Walter. This will impact Siguel’s place on our own continent.” Harriet looked at Rishe with fierce determination in her eyes. “But that’s why I’m going to try! Not as a doll of a princess but as a real person who thinks for herself! It…it might not be possible for someone like me, but…I don’t want to use that as a reason not to try!” Having said her piece, Harriet covered her face in embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled. “I’ll do whatever I can to help. That includes looking after your health, Lady Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harriet lifted her head and picked up a small bottle on top of the dresser. “I’m still putting the medicine on my eyelids! I feel like the brightness isn’t bothering me as much anymore…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s good. You aren’t furrowing your brow as much as before either, are you? And I can tell that you’re making an effort to blink regularly, so I think you’ll recover quickly!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, there was a knock at the door—it was the head maid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, Prince Curtis is calling for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Miss Head Maid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid’s eyebrows lifted ever so slightly when she caught sight of Harriet. Harriet flinched at first but soon straightened her back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing that, the head maid murmured, “You look beautiful, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, please come with me. I will walk you there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded and shot a look at Harriet that promised they’d see each other after. Smiling and waving back to her, Harriet genuinely glowed. Her summery dress and medium-length blonde hair suited her perfectly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m so glad! I’m sure Miss Head Maid and Lady Harriet will be able to get along a lot better now too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still grinning, she went out into the hallway and made her way toward Raul with the head maid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head maid was silent for a time before turning to Rishe and telling her, “I may resign as Her Highness’s maid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wheeled on her, surprised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Stoic as ever, the head maid continued, “I was of no help to her when Fabrannia abducted her. I’m so harsh to her every day, but I had no idea about the counterfeiting. When she needed me most, I couldn’t protect her…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait a second, Miss Head Maid! The way I heard it, you tried to protect Lady Harriet with your life, and she was very grateful to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The results are what really matter.” Evidently, she wasn’t strict just with Harriet but with herself as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned and tried to convey a portion of her thoughts. “I think going forward, Lady Harriet will find it very reassuring to have someone at her side who will be her ally no matter what happens.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The reason I thought you were from Siguel and not Fabrannia was that it seemed to me like you scolded Lady Harriet as if you were her mother.” At that, the head maid’s eyes went round. Rishe smiled and added, “Of course, I do hope that you could scold her a little more gently in the future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if I do continue to serve her, I’m not sure there’s anything I can scold her for anymore,” the head maid murmured, turning back in the direction of Harriet’s room. “She’s stopped slouching all on her own, hasn’t she?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she faced Rishe once more, the head maid wore a smile that was refreshed and just a little lonely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe returned her smile, nodded, and continued on her way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she arrived at Raul’s room, Rishe wasn’t quite sure what to make of the sight before her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I caused you all a lot of trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could have rubbed her eyes in disbelief. The chief, who had all the flippancy of a jester and only apologized once in a blue moon, was bowing in deep deference to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve never seen Raul so repentant!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found herself looking around for a clue as to how to proceed. But she’d parted with the head maid in the hallway, so she and Raul were alone in the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul wasn’t dressed as Curtis at the moment. He was supposed to continue acting as the prince’s stand-in until the real one arrived, but Curtis had a habit of shutting himself in his room sometimes, so Raul was using that as an excuse to shed the disguise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t apologize, Raul. You haven’t done anything to harm me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve done you no harm? Are you serious?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course I’m serious. It’s the truth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was utterly taken aback. Narrowing his eyes, he said, “If that’s what you think after a man drugged you, I’m really starting to sympathize with the crown prince…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Huh?! Where does Prince Arnold factor into this?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t understand, but she also felt like she couldn’t ask about it. All she could do was squeeze her mouth shut."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged and added, “Still, I can’t be contented with that. I plan to pay you back for all the trouble I’ve caused.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That line was familiar to Rishe. At the beginning of her fifth life, Rishe saved a man who was alone in a forest. Using her knowledge as an apothecary, she treated his injury and carried him back to the hut he was using as his lair. That injured man had been Raul. Now that she thought back on it, it was rare for him to sport such severe injuries. Maybe he was panicking at the time because he didn’t have a way to save Harriet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After he recovered, Raul told Rishe, “I plan to pay you back for all the trouble I’ve caused you.” At the time, she still hadn’t decided what sort of life she planned to live yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had answered, “Will you teach me how to use a bow, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A bow? What’s a fancy lady like yourself going to do with such a skill?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t have any particular plans. I just like learning new things.” She remembered meeting Raul’s gaze head-on, excited about what sort of new knowledge and skills she could gain, and him smiling in amusement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, what will you ask of me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked right into Raul’s red eyes and told him, “If you’ll do what I ask, then I’d like you to rely on your companions more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul gaped at her. “What?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The person who taught me how to use a bow a long time ago was just like you. He took everything on himself and was always smiling and lying. He was physically beside me, but it was as if he was a formless ghost.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In her fifth life, Raul had smiled and said, “That’s not true,” but she thought her words might reach him now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want you to take everything on yourself like you did this time. I want you to show everyone around you what your face looks like when you’re happy and when you’re sad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. I could never get my teacher to understand that, all the way until the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was sure that Raul had also died in the forest where her life ended. Galkhein invaded and razed it to the ground so that there were no trees left where a hunter could hide. Raul had protected his troop and fought to defend Siguel’s knights, and Rishe was sure that his injuries had been more extensive than hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’ll do as I ask, I want you to live the rest of your life that way. I want to see your real smile, when you really feel happy or contented.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul appeared to be gazing into the far distance even though he was facing Rishe. “You’re so cute.” Then he said the exact same thing he’d said to Rishe a few days ago. “In fact, I want you to be my wife instead of the crown prince’s.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Honestly… I’m telling you, you don’t need to joke like that anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes, that’s right. You’re going to be Arnold Hein’s wife, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hrk!” It was the truth, but it felt strangely embarrassing to hear him say it. Rishe screwed her face up into a grimace, and Raul took a slow breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if you’re in a political marriage…and you’re marrying royalty of Galkhein…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a soft smile on Raul’s face as he gazed at Rishe. “I pray that you find happiness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Of course I will!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With that, Rishe took her leave."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Time passed in an astonishingly quick manner as Rishe tried to summon all sorts of resolve. The soft sound of the waves echoed on the beach at dusk. Rishe looked down at her pocket watch and took a deep breath, thinking to herself, Just ten minutes now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She entertained the thought that she might be able to gain some semblance of calm in the next ten minutes, but that idea was shattered when the person she was waiting for called out to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instantly, Rishe shot up and spun in the direction of the castle. “Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold walked down the sunset-stained beach, eyes squinting in the bright light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver told me you requested my presence. Did something happen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just wanted to talk to you, Your Highness.” Rishe ran to the prince and steadied her breathing before looking up at him. “I wanted to…make up, after our fight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking by myself while you’ve been busy, Your Highness.” Rishe clutched her dress. “I’ve come to realize that I’ve been selfish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked at these unexpected words from Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t say enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The methods I’ve taken with you are indefensible.” Arnold reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Rishe’s ear. He spoke slowly and deliberately. “Abducting a bride from a foreign country as a hostage… It’s the method my father has always employed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had told her once before that his father kept other countries under his control by demanding female hostages and marrying them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve always hated how he does things, yet I ended up employing the same methods to make you my wife.” There was no distinct emotion on Arnold’s face save for his eyes, where a whole storm of emotions was flashing past. “I forced you to give me your hand and stole your future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s nothing more I can ask of you. I don’t have the right.” Arnold scowled. It seemed like he was in pain but was trying to ignore it. “I don’t need anything more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something in Rishe’s chest seemed to grind against itself. She was sure that Arnold had never allowed himself to want anything before. He had lived without desires and without those desires being fulfilled his whole life—up until now. He may have been the crown prince of a great nation, but he could probably count on one hand the number of things he’d obtained for himself in his life thus far. Rishe could tell as much even without him saying so directly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The point I have reflected on most is just that, Your Highness,” she interjected, earning a dubious frown from him. “I realized that your not wanting anything of me, the reason you think that way—it ultimately stems from me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought back to the moment that you proposed to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, Arnold had knelt before Rishe. “I’m apologizing for my baseless impertinence. Also, I’m asking you…” He had taken Rishe’s hand, looked into her eyes and finished, “…to become my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I replied, ‘I reject your proposal,’ didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe cast her gaze to the sand, took a deep breath, and then met Arnold’s eyes once more. “I’d like to redo that proposal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before he could respond, Rishe reached for Arnold’s left hand. It was a large, beautiful hand. Not just because of the shape of his nails and the tendons underneath his skin; even the rough swordsman’s calluses were beautiful to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe entwined her fingers with Arnold’s, desperately trying to convey her feelings to him. “I apologize for my impertinence back then. Also, I’m asking you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mimicking Arnold’s actions from the night of his proposal, she pulled his left hand up to her mouth. Rishe steeled her nerves and kissed the base of Arnold’s ring finger. There was a light smack as her lips came away. She could’ve squirmed in embarrassment, what with the intimacy of the soft noise as her lips came away and the feeling that her heart was going to burst. She could feel her cheeks burning, so she hid her face in Arnold’s hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she felt calmer, she locked eyes with him again and finished, “…to become my husband.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even her choice of words was an echo of Arnold’s. Had he noticed?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, Arnold had witnessed her proposal with wide eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There!” Rishe squeaked, her face bright red and her voice quavering despite her best efforts. “Now both of us wish for this engagement. So that means you didn’t whisk me to Galkhein against my will!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was what Rishe had meant when she spoke of her selfishness. She’d been turning it over and over in her mind in the last couple of days when it finally hit her: Her initial rejection of Arnold’s proposal was the source of his guilt. Her counterproposal should have undone it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Arnold gazed at her in silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did…did that not work?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want to do everything in my power to grant any desires you might have of me. There are far fewer things I can do compared to you in your position, but…” Rishe scowled. “I want to spoil you in the same way you spoil me, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Rishe were to take a realistic view of matters, things probably wouldn’t change between them. Arnold’s heart remained unknowable to Rishe until she found a way in. And she still didn’t know the real reason he’d proposed to her or the true goal of the war he would ignite in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But as Rishe began to formulate the wish in her heart, Arnold pulled their entwined hands toward him—a movement that was gentle but assertive. And as Rishe collided with his chest, he threw his other arm over her back. He enveloped her as if he would never let her go and whispered into her ear, “I accept your proposal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His voice was low and husky, but she could hear every word clearly. “Will you stand by my side as my wife?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh!” Rishe flinched at the ticklish sensation of his gentle voice in her ear. She agonized for a moment over where to put her hand before clutching the shirt fabric by his waist. “I’m already here, aren’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not yet. We’re not officially married yet.” His voice was matter-of-fact—but there was a note of petulance as well, and Rishe wasn’t sure what to do with that. In all practicality, there was nothing she could do about it. In both Rishe’s homeland and this one, women couldn’t marry until they were sixteen. Rishe’s sixteenth birthday wasn’t for another three weeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since she couldn’t grant his wish immediately, Rishe settled on a promise. “I will become your wife, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His embrace tightened, but it wasn’t painful. In fact, it felt like he was holding back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say it one more time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It occurred to Rishe then that this was Arnold’s way of making his desires known to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe,” he repeated with a note of plaintiveness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh…just one more time?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you don’t mind, I’ll repeat it as often as you like, Prince Arnold.” If this was his first request of her, she would grant it wholeheartedly. Then she went over what she said and realized it made no sense. It was irrational to respond to a marriage proposal again and again. “I-I’m sorry… That’s strange, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No.” Arnold smiled faintly. “I want to hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out a half squeal as her cheeks flushed deep scarlet. She pressed her forehead against Arnold to hide them, but she also didn’t want to bother him by clinging in such a way. “I-I’m sorry…please let me stay like this for just a bit longer…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t mind.” Arnold gave her a comforting pat on the back before saying, “I think you should put a little more meat on your bones, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe flinched. Her head almost shot up, but Arnold had her in such a firm hold that she couldn’t move. “Are you saying I’m scrawny?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it’s just…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She worried he meant her appearance was unbefitting of the crown princess, but as that didn’t seem to be the case, relief flooded her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold rested his head on Rishe’s shoulder and murmured, “It feels like if I’m too rough with you, I’ll break you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shock and then amusement whipped through Rishe. “I won’t break. It’s okay.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Arnold didn’t respond, Rishe realized he was unconvinced. She squeezed Arnold with the same grip he had around her. “See?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold patted her back in understanding and slowly pulled away from her. “I’ll be careful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right.” Apparently, her attempt to convince him of her hardiness had been unsuccessful. His words caused a twinge in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anyhow, I don’t think our fight was all that successful. Oh well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was satisfied with their reconciliation, at least. The thought made her smile as she gazed up at Arnold. Even on a sparkling beach bathed in the colors of sunset, Arnold’s blue eyes far outclassed everything in their beauty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s getting windy. Should we go back?” Arnold asked, holding out his hand to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His offer to escort her was completely natural, which flustered her. She gingerly took his hand, trying not to let him see her nerves. And so the two of them walked off together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure I can’t begin to comprehend everything that’s weighing on him. No matter how much I wish to change him, I know it won’t be easy. Still, I hope that one day, Prince Arnold can at last express a desire for his own happiness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She understood that, but she couldn’t help wishing anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter what ulterior motives were behind this proposal. Even if it’s not with me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe would stop Arnold’s war no matter what, regardless of whether that made her his enemy. She knew it was a betrayal to stay by his side while concealing her own ulterior motives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know all that, but…I want to make him happy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not through war—specifically Arnold’s war, which caused so much suffering to so many people, him included. She wanted to show him a world where he could desire something and then obtain it without bloodshed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, what’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She flashed Arnold a strained smile when he noticed her slowed pace. “It’s nothing. Let’s go back and eat! Of course, I can’t put so much meat on my bones that I can’t fit into my wedding dress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. If it comes to it, I’ll call as many tailors as needed from all over the country until the dress fits you perfectly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you say that with such a straight face, it doesn’t sound like a joke, Prince Arnold. It’s kind of scary…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their light banter warmed her heart. She glanced back at the ocean every so often as they walked along the sunset beach. The light sparkled off the surface of the water, and Rishe squinted at it, Arnold’s hand firmly in hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The lapping of the waves echoed around the seaside castle after night fell. Raul silently opened a door and surveyed an empty reception room. Without permission from anyone, he plopped down on one of the couches. Only a few minutes later, hard footsteps echoed from the hall outside, and the door opened again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul’s lips curled in a smile as he spoke with purposeful levity. “I snuck in here for your sake, but you have no intention of hiding at all, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He twisted around and put an elbow on the back of the couch as the other man gazed on in cold silence. Eventually, he went and sat on Raul’s other side, his elbow on the armrest and his chin in hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Making note of his actions, Raul prodded him once more. “So cold. We’re going to be working together, so you could stand to be friendlier, don’t you think?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not here to banter with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, fine. I owe you, so I’ll do whatever you ask, even if it’s something so nefarious that you can’t tell your beloved wife about it,” he said. “So let’s have that little secret chat you requested…Prince Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His face as cold as it was beautiful, Arnold regarded Raul with ice in his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be continued…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: A Punishment Must Inspire Fear"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:A Punishment Must Inspire Fear"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“SO, WHAT DO YOU have to say for yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I make no excuses for myself, Prince Arnold,” Rishe mumbled, hanging her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was seated on the couch across from her, his elbow on the armrest and his legs crossed. Rishe had her fists clenched atop her lap. They found themselves in this situation because of a secret that Raul-disguised-as-Curtis had disclosed after dinner earlier that day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, I fought your wife in an alley while she was guarding Harriet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack! Wait, Raul…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her protest hadn’t come fast enough. Raul had smirked and then followed Harriet out of the dining room. Left to clean up the mess, Rishe had turned around with much trepidation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Standing from his seat with a coldness emanating from his face, Arnold had said, “How about you give me the details in our room? Right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, Rishe found herself face-to-face with Arnold in their shared room. They’d made up after their fight just this evening, but right now, Arnold looked harsher than he had at any point in their fight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I’m glad you understand that you’ve done something wrong, but I think this situation calls for a more severe response. I know that a simple reprimand is unlikely to be effective.” Arnold’s stern expression softened as he cupped his chin and asked, “So, how would you like to be punished?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blinked, thinking she’d misheard. “I-I’m picking?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. I want you to tell me what punishment I can serve that would affect you the most.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, Rishe understood that Arnold wanted her to decide her own fate. She had some doubts about this method, but since he’d asked her, she felt she should consider the question carefully and give him a genuine answer. Rishe gave it some thought, then voiced the thing that made her suffer most of all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When I…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hung her head but peered hesitantly through her lashes at Arnold. “When you come close to me and touch me, I get so embarrassed, I feel like I’m going to die…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her heart had been acting up for some time now. If Arnold was near her for too long, she felt agonized, like she was going to cry. As soon as she said the words, Rishe wished she could take them back—but yet again, it was too late."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned and sighed, then stood from the couch. When he sat back down, it was on the other couch, next to Rishe. He peered at her with a somewhat sullen look in his eyes. That look was all it took for Rishe’s cheeks to burn up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Erm, I’m sorry! Forget that! I’ll think of something else! I’ll come up with something else, okay?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t think so. You’re proving right now that this method will be very effective.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She tried to pull back, but Arnold wouldn’t let her. In fact, he took her chin and made her face him, gentle but assertive. His cold expression made his face look like it belonged on a statue, unreal in its beauty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How did you draw him out?” he asked. So, he’d guessed that Rishe had lured Raul out in the open rather than Raul initiating the conflict."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I sensed his presence, so…” Knowing she wouldn’t be able to hide what had happened, Rishe came clean. “I observed all the places an archer was likely to hide, then I went into an alley by myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart drummed even harder at the sound of his low, rumbling voice. She tried to avert her gaze, but he had her head fixed in place. Rishe’s eyes met Arnold’s blue ones, and she became hopelessly flustered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-your anger is justified, Your Highness! An attack during my guarding duties has a direct relation to the safety of our international guests. It was something that could have escalated into an international incident—yet I decided not to report it to you, for which I apolo—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She flinched when Arnold gently thumbed her lips, parting them somewhat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Panic rose in her as she remembered the night their lips had sought each other. He won’t kiss me again. I know he won’t, but still!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His dry finger traced her lips. “This is embarrassing for you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded hastily, which provoked a satisfied smile from Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then the punishment is working.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you’re so mean!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was already holding on by a thread when Arnold took her hand and laced their fingers together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You brought this on yourself. I believe I told you that you’re under my protection.” His touch was tender and oddly ticklish, but even that must have been calculated. “So why are you going out of your way to start fights with professional mercenaries?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe’s eyes all but bugged out. Was I wrong about why he’s mad…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have guessed what she was thinking. “I knew it,” Arnold muttered with a sigh. “You seem determined to abandon any thought of your own safety.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, I knew it was Raul! she thought, but she couldn’t say that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t listen when I tell you not to do dangerous things. On top of that, you tried to conclude international matters without consulting me, and you suggested I cut ties with you as a potential solution if your actions incurred any consequences for us.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it, Arnold had said he would comment on that later. This must have just been the warm-up. Rishe was certain Arnold was about to give her a dressing-down like she was a fresh recruit. She had heard from his Imperial Guards how frightening Arnold’s reprimands could be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I brought this on myself, though. I must endure an equivalent scolding for all the trouble I’ve caused him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe steeled herself, but the next words out of Arnold’s mouth weren’t the ones she’d been expecting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If orders and lectures are meaningless to you, then I suppose I must take a different approach, mustn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his blue eyes and, with a goading grin, whispered, “You said you’d grant me anything I desired, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was like the floor had given out from under her. Arnold kept his firm but gentle hold on her chin. Given their closeness, Rishe was getting worried once again that he was going to kiss her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s simple, then. I won’t order you to stay safe—I’ll beg you to, for my sake.” Arnold gazed at her, eyes half-lidded. “You’ll grant me all my desires, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shuddered at the odd sensuality of his words. “That’s not fair!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s very, very fair.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To her, it was the definition of unfair. The way he spoke so seductively and then came back with that petulant response left Rishe at a loss for how to respond."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If my heart pounds any harder, His Highness is going to hear it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that would be more embarrassment than she could stand. Practically beside herself at this point, Rishe tried to shove Arnold’s shoulder away, but that just made him cling tighter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness! Normally you don’t beg for things as punishment!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…I’ll take that into consideration.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wish you’d do more than that! She was too flustered to verbalize her protest as Arnold started stroking the ring on her finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh!” The sensation of his finger brushing against the skin near the ring was so ticklish, she could cry. “Stop… Wait, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. Sit still for a minute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll sit still! I will! Please, have mercy… Ah!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She did her best to retreat, but she lost her balance and almost fell. But something more terrible than falling and hitting the floor happened instead. In catching her, Arnold’s body loomed over hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was like a throaty purr. “You don’t listen, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ngh!” Rishe clung to Arnold, his low voice reverberating against her eardrum. It was a reflexive reaction on her part, but Arnold took advantage of it to pull her closer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m never going to choose to cut ties with you.” His lips were almost close enough to kiss Rishe’s ear. Did Arnold even know how bad this was for her heart? Laying Rishe down on the couch, he intoned huskily, “I believe I told you I wouldn’t let you go no matter how much you might hate me for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something bent and turned dizzily in the back of her head. “Hrk…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe covered her mouth so that she couldn’t say anything she shouldn’t."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Will you grant me my desire?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This really was unfair. Rishe had her own objectives. She had to stop Arnold’s war no matter how much danger it might put her in, even if Arnold pushed her away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I promised I would become his wife…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were some promises she couldn’t make precisely because she wanted Arnold to be happy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perhaps having grown impatient due to Rishe’s stubbornness, Arnold pulled away from her and grabbed her wrists. He tugged her hands away from her mouth, pinned them beside her head, and immobilized her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s chest ached, and she felt she’d cry at any moment. Surely she was suffering from a lack of oxygen. Her eyes, when they met Arnold’s, were wet with tears. He frowned before lowering his lips to hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He really was just moments away from kissing her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe almost squeezed her eyes shut, but she endured the impulse at the last moment. Instead, she locked gazes with Arnold’s blue eyes. He was surprised—though there was no telling if it was because Rishe’s eyes held a strong will or because he’d noticed her tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their foreheads collided with a clunk. Rishe blinked rapidly, and her eyelashes brushed against Arnold’s. His eyes were closed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head to the side. “Your Highness…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll let you off the hook with that for now.” Arnold sounded fatigued, though Rishe wasn’t sure why. He added, “I can’t have my wife dying of embarrassment, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart rate had slowed, but that final line made it spike once again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh! That was close!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was close, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold released her wrists and reluctantly sat up, and thus Rishe was free. She didn’t think the thundering of her heart would slow anytime soon, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You really are the most dangerous thing to me, Your Highness!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold didn’t know that, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe managed to pull herself upright and looked up at the prince. Even if I do dangerous things, I’ll do my best not to die. Not this time. Arnold would never know about that vow, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She hardened her resolve, but when her eyes met Arnold’s a moment later, her chest went right back to aching."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0012.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: In Which Raul Asks Rishe If She Likes Arnold’s Face"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:In Which Raul Asks Rishe If She Likes Arnold’s Face"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AFTER THE HUBBUB in Vinrhys settled down, all Arnold and Rishe had left to do was prepare to return to the capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Having found an opportunity to speak with Rishe without any prying eyes, Raul-dressed-as-Curtis asked her, “Hey, what do you think of your Prince Arnold’s face?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is this hunter asking me out of the blue? Rishe eyed him with suspicion, but he returned her gaze with complete sincerity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold and Prince Curtis were supposed to have a meeting this afternoon. Of course, Curtis was a fake and the meeting was just for show, but Rishe planned to attend as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she arrived at the meeting room and ran into Raul, he propped his elbow on the desk before him and rested his chin in his hand. “His Highness does have an attractive face, doesn’t he? To another man like me, it’s no less impressive than a work of art.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think his beauty is obvious to anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the prettiest face Rishe had seen in all her seven lives. Arnold’s visage was, just as Raul had said, a work of art."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why do you ask?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because your eyes wander toward him a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked in alarm. “I-I don’t intend to!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You also make interesting expressions only when he’s nearby.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” Rishe’s cheeks were aflame with embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See how red you are? No matter how close to you I get, even if I push you up against a wall, the look on your face never changes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, I got used to Raul being all up in my face from my fifth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back then, Raul was always resting his arms on Rishe’s head or mussing up her hair. He would come back in high spirits and hug her, and he spun her around at times too. Though now that she thought back to the beginning of her fifth loop, she didn’t recall being particularly bothered by his proximity before getting used to it either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not bad looking myself, am I? But you don’t react at all to me, so I thought maybe Arnold Hein is just special to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And the conclusion you reached is that I must prefer His Highness’s face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm-hmm.” Raul nodded, still looking sincere."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason Prince Arnold is special to me…?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knitted her brow as she considered this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s true that I get excessively embarrassed whenever Prince Arnold’s face is too close to mine. I also feel different when he touches my hand or cheek, or when he trains those blue eyes on me, than when anyone else does those things…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While lost in thought, she heard someone approach the room. The footsteps were familiar to Rishe; they came at a regular interval without deviation. But while she was distracted, Raul smirked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on, tell me why I can hit on you and you’re unfazed, but that guy says your name and you don’t know what to do with yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s because…” Rishe frowned again. Then she decided that she would never be able to get away from this hunter, so she marched to the door and pulled it open to reveal a surprised Arnold standing there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without saying anything to Arnold, she grabbed his hand and declared to Raul, “I like his face and his voice and the color of his eyes and the shape of his hands and everything else!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A weighty silence descended on the room after Rishe’s impassioned speech. She didn’t let that deter her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pulling Arnold’s hand behind her, Rishe continued pleading her case to Raul. “Prince Arnold’s face is the handsomest in the world, of course, but it’s not just his face! If he looked at you with those eyes and called your name with his voice, then anyone would—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She looked up at Arnold and jumped. What she’d just described was really happening. Her gaze fell on her hand, where she was still gripping Arnold’s wrist. Timidly raising her gaze, she found that the most beautiful face in all her seven lives was giving her a stern glare."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was like all her blood had rushed to her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What in the world am I saying right in front of him?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe dropped Arnold’s hand like it was on fire and dipped low into a clumsy curtsy. “I-I’m sorry, Prince Arnold! Please pay no mind to what I just said! Forget it immediately!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Arrrgh!” Rishe’s head spun. She lifted her head in Arnold’s direction and blurted, “I’m…I’m going to go request some tea for our meeting!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Arnold could reply, Rishe fled the room and raced down the hall."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s just like Raul said!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Failure wasn’t embarrassing to Rishe. She didn’t like causing trouble for people, but she considered making mistakes to be a source of inspiration. So why did her face get so hot whenever she made a mistake in front of the prince?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must go outside to cool down!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her hands pressed to her cheeks, Rishe scampered toward the courtyard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Left behind in the room, Raul now found himself the target of Arnold’s chilly, quiet gaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…What did you say to her?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eep! You’re so scary, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to worry. I can’t win against your wife, so you can lower your guard some.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul kept his tone light, but Arnold’s expression didn’t soften."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, it’d be easy enough to explain… Raul shrugged. But hey, that’s not very fun! I think I’ll keep quiet. Those two have a solid enough relationship that they can take this much teasing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unrelenting, he flashed the prince a gleeful grin."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "TOUKO AMEKAWA HERE. Thank you so much for picking up 7th Time Loop Volume 4!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This volume centers around people Rishe interacted with in her fifth life. In this installment, Arnold’s open affection for Rishe reaches a five out of ten! This meter doesn’t refer to Arnold’s feelings for Rishe but rather the expression of those feelings, and it rises when Rishe succeeds at cultivating some emotional intelligence in Arnold. I’m sure we’ll find out what level his actual feelings are at one of these days…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wan☆Hachipisu-sensei drew amazing illustrations once again! There were a lot of character designs this time around. And they’re all so cute! Thank you so much, really. I look at them every day with a big grin on my face. They grant me vital sustenance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you as well to my editor! I’m very appreciative of all our back-and-forth email duels. It’s fun to lose. I can’t win against the vast difference in our knowledge…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Volume 2 of the manga adaptation by Hinoki Kino-sensei is out now, and that scene is finally in manga form! When I saw the manuscript, it blew me away. I didn’t know what to do with myself! Please check it out!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thanks to all your kind support, Volume 5 of the novel is on its way. I appreciate it so much! I’ll continue to temper my skills and endeavor to create a story my readers can enjoy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t say it enough: Thank you!"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-04-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0014.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A GREAT CROWD WAS GATHERED in the imperial capital’s finest theater, hearts swelling with anticipation for tonight’s performance. In a lobby past the VIP entrance, nobles mingled in fine dress, exchanging social pleasantries before the show. The atmosphere in the lobby was relaxed, but there was a faint ripple of excitement in the air—until all eyes turned to the newest arrivals."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe, your hand.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took Arnold’s hand at his urging. When she did, she sensed the amicable chatter of the lobby shift. Her ears picked up all sorts of gasps and murmurs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, yes, I suppose they would be surprised…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The nobles scrutinized Rishe, all dressed up for the theater, and then Arnold beside her. Wearing formal attire with black gloves and a red cloak, Arnold appeared as if he’d rather be anywhere but here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the royalty and nobility, the theater was a social venue. But from what Rishe heard, Arnold had never so much as shown his face at a party before Rishe’s arrival—including events at the imperial palace. The nobles must’ve been quite shocked to see the antisocial prince escorting a lady to the theater."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I only just mentioned the theater, and he was able to get seats in a matter of days?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she walked across the red carpet, Rishe thought back to a few days before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was less than a month until their wedding now, and the preparations were picking up fast. Having borrowed Arnold’s office to go over some things with Oliver, Rishe had spontaneously let slip a wish: “They’re showing an opera in the imperial capital’s theater? Oh, I’d love to go…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hadn’t even intended to be heard, but Arnold lifted his head from the documents at his desk as the words left her lips. She’d looked up from her own work in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He said, “Very well. Give me some time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. As you wish, my lord.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had merely blinked, thinking, Surely not. Yet just a few days later, they had secured seats for the opera."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I understand how His Highness works so quickly now… Once he makes a decision, he acts on it without a moment’s delay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One peek at Arnold’s profile revealed his immense displeasure. He must have found all the attention irritating. When he noticed Rishe’s gaze, however, his severe expression suddenly softened. He remained silent and stoic, but there was a look of tranquility in his eyes. Arnold reached out with his free hand and touched Rishe’s earring."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your hair’s getting caught in this thin chain,” he said, gently running a finger over the earring chain before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. The sensation tickled her even though it was dulled by his gloves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The surrounding nobles reacted as if they’d witnessed something they shouldn’t have, and the buzz in the lobby grew louder. It all felt oddly embarrassing to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s cheeks were flushed, but Arnold was as unflappable as ever. The two of them climbed a staircase to the upper level, hand in hand, when someone called out to them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold! Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They turned in unison to face a tall man with cropped brown hair and a stick-straight posture. He was clad in the uniform of Galkhein’s knights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rudolf Gert Gutheil, at your service.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stiffened at the name. She could only hope that Arnold hadn’t noticed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I appreciate you appointing me for your security for today. I will work with your Imperial Guard to ensure the safety of this floor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve reserved the entire top level, so you’re not to allow a single person entry. No exceptions will be made, noble or otherwise.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness. As you command.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their exchange finished, Rishe curtsied to the man who’d introduced himself as Gutheil. “Thank you, Sir Gutheil.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will put my very life on the line so you may enjoy tonight’s performance with no interruptions.” Gutheil delivered the somewhat overblown line without a hint of insincerity. There was a firm will in his almond-shaped eyes, and Rishe knew he was both a skilled swordsman and a talented commander on the battlefield."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This man will be Prince Arnold’s direct subordinate in the future, a key figure in his world conquest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe didn’t allow her misgivings to show on her face, of course. She let Arnold escort her to the top floor. It was unlikely that anyone noticed Rishe’s wariness of their appointed guard tonight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Emperor Arnold Hein had five retainers who answered directly to him on the battlefield. Whenever Arnold wasn’t there, they carried out his orders and delivered him whatever victories he requested in the war. It was thanks to the support of these five knights that Arnold was able to conquer the world in such a short time. One of them was Rudolf Gert Gutheil, who had introduced himself to Rishe and Arnold as their guard for the evening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never imagined I’d meet him here…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat in the royal box seat on the fourth floor of the theater and cast her gaze down. The red velour seating was fluffy, with cushions here and there throughout the box. It was couch seating, not individual seats, so she sat beside Arnold. There was plenty of room in the box, but she found herself easing into a spot where she would be shoulder to shoulder with him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She flipped through the program, pretending to read it. None of Prince Arnold’s future retainers currently serve him. I thought I still had time before I needed to keep an eye on them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe lowered the program and said, “May I ask how Sir Gutheil came to be our security for this evening, Prince Arnold? I noticed there were many who are not of your Imperial Guard among the forces stationed in the hall.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at her in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are some fifty knights in my Imperial Guard. There must be ones you haven’t spoken to yet. You don’t mean to say you’ve memorized all their faces, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm? Of course I did. The Imperial Guard are the retainers you’ve personally acknowledged, are they not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Imperial Guard were knights Arnold had chosen to report to him. Rishe knew that, despite appearances, Arnold cared a great deal for his subordinates. As his future empress, she would never forget their names or faces, even if she’d only met them once before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His expression tender, Arnold replied, “My Imperial Guard are somewhat short-staffed now that I’ve sent a number of them to Coyolles. As such, I decided it was time to expand their scale.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re choosing new Imperial Guards, then…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was getting a bad feeling about this. Arnold’s Imperial Guard currently numbered fifty, but even in a small nation like Hermity, it was normal for a force of a hundred or more to protect the crown prince."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fifty Imperial Guards are simply too few for a huge country like Galkhein, much less one with such a military focus. I understand that, but I have no way of knowing whether that’s the only reason behind this. In all my past lives, Prince Arnold killed his own father two years from now and became the emperor… I’m sure the forces he used to achieve it were his Imperial Guards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ergo, Arnold’s “expanding the scale” of his Imperial Guards might have been a necessary step toward his future war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll have to gather more information while preparing for the wedding."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now was not the time to be thinking about this, however. Arnold was sure to be suspicious if she appeared too fixated on the matter, so she schooled her expression and traced over the names on the program."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t know Sylvia was the star of tonight’s show. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her sing! I’m really looking forward to this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve seen the leading lady perform before?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. It was, um…” She paused for a moment to make sure she wasn’t getting any of her past-life memories confused. “…with my previous fiancé, Prince Dietrich!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold fell silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It should be a different show tonight, but she was the prima donna in that production as well. Her voice was so clear and powerful, it really moved me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still the prince said nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even Prince Dietrich enjoyed it. He would always get bored in the middle of any other shows.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once she finished speaking, Arnold’s gaze dropped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will he enjoy the opera? Rishe wondered as she flipped back to the previous page in the program. He doesn’t seem very interested, but he said this was his first time attending an opera. I think he should at least experience it before he makes a decision, rather than writing it off without trying it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something occurred to Rishe then. “Do you have any questions about opera, Your Highness? If I’m able to answer, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A heavy weight settled on her, and she gasped. Huh?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she blinked in surprise, Arnold laid his head on her shoulder. He had reclined against the backrest and was looking down at his own program languidly, snuggled against Rishe. His elbow rested on a cushion between them, and he had put most of his weight on it, so he wasn’t terribly heavy. But she could definitely feel a weight—his weight—on her shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Heat suffused Rishe’s cheeks. Somehow, it wasn’t just their bodies that were close but their hearts as well. “Um, Your Highness…?” she whispered. They were in the theater, after all. They couldn’t make too much noise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?” Arnold’s tone was the same as ever. He spoke as if he’d always sat this way, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Yet there was also a certain listlessness to his voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her heart pounding, Rishe gazed down at Arnold and asked him, “Are…are you sleepy?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes flicked toward her. Rishe normally had to crane her neck to look at him; it was her first time seeing him from this angle. Her heart throbbed as she stared down into his beautiful, sea-blue eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then what is it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Paying no mind to Rishe’s bewilderment, Arnold said to her, “You’ll answer my questions, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course, but why in this position?! she thought, but she didn’t have the courage to ask out loud. She was certain that Arnold had noticed both her surprise and her flushed cheeks. In fact, he looked like the cat that got the cream as he observed her from his current position. Still, he made no move except to study his program again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is an opera, anyway?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s breath tickled her ear. Did his voice sound deeper than usual because of the theater’s acoustics? Her pulse quickened at the sound. As she’d been asked a question, however, she intended to answer it in good faith."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In theater, the story is only told through acting. In opera, the performers also sing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh,” Arnold grunted. He shifted, and Rishe heard the rustling of his hair. She could feel his body heat on her shoulder, which just reminded her of their closeness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold peeled off one of his black gloves. The movement was slow and somehow picturesque. Rishe gulped, watching him. His large, bare hand slunk to Rishe’s lap and flipped the pages of the program resting there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you like this particular show?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well…this troupe doesn’t publicize the contents of the show beforehand. Not knowing the story until it begins is part of the appeal.” Rishe remembered Dietrich complaining about that. The memory rose to mind at the exact same time Arnold’s eyes slid toward hers again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What kind of stories have you seen before?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have wanted to guess tonight’s show. Rishe met his gaze and took a deep breath to calm herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“One was about a wedding in a world with magic. A princess had a political marriage, and the story told of a vow they would share in the form of a kiss…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She trailed off, staring into Arnold’s blue eyes. The candlelight from their box seat danced on his long lashes, casting shadows over his pale cheeks. Even in the dim lighting, his eyes called to mind gemstones."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unable to tear her gaze away from his, Rishe thought, Wait. Marriage rites?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In less than a month, Rishe would be married to Arnold. She knew that, of course, and she was busy getting ready for the event each day. The details of the ceremony were quite similar to those in Rishe’s homeland. Thus, she’d only briefly scanned the itinerary and instead prioritized preventing Arnold’s war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that moment, however, Rishe became newly aware of one fact."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Exchanging a kiss in a wedding ceremony… Won’t we be doing that as well?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…Rishe?” She had frozen in place, and Arnold’s gaze turned dubious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In Galkhein’s wedding ceremony, the bride and groom say their vows in front of the goddess and become husband and wife… In the palace chapel, they exchange vows, and then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They kissed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, registering the fact anew. A vow in the form of a kiss? Between Prince Arnold and me? In front of all the guests attending our wedding?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey. What’s wrong?” Arnold sat up and studied her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d been freed from the weight on her shoulder, but they were still close. And because their faces were but a hair’s breadth apart, she was vividly reminded of an incident two months ago: Theodore had called Rishe to the chapel, and she and Arnold had spoken there. After that, he had taken her chin in his hand and kissed her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her already hot face burned even hotter. Rishe shoved the moment to the back of her mind. She knew there must have been some reason Arnold did it. But puzzling it out overwhelmed her, so she’d avoided it altogether."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Don’t tell me you have a fever.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness, I…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold reached out to touch her forehead. Rishe grabbed his hand and brought it down to her lap. She squeezed it between her own hands. It didn’t change the fact that they were touching now, but initiating it herself was much better for her heart than letting Arnold touch her at will."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m fine… Nothing’s wrong…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was frowning, a complex expression on his face. He was a swordsman, so he probably hated having his hands bound. Rishe was sorry to make him uncomfortable, but she really didn’t want him to touch her any further. She was sure she would cry if she thought about that kiss again when they were this close."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A bell rang, signaling the start of the performance. Rishe did her best to act like nothing happened and put on a brave face. “I-It’s starting!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The theater staff extinguished the lamps here and there among the seats. As the venue dimmed, the buzz of the crowd rose in anticipation. A moment later, silence fell as if on cue. But while this silence normally excited Rishe, right now it was just another inconvenience."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold will be able to hear my heart pounding!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although the opera was about to begin, she couldn’t even concentrate on the stage. She wanted to see Arnold’s expression, but she didn’t have the courage to meet his gaze. As her thoughts spun, the thick red curtain went up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A lone woman stood on the stage, illuminated by a chandelier. Rishe and Arnold were up on the fourth floor, so they couldn’t see her face without opera glasses. Still, the woman resembled a blooming flower. Her bewitching beauty was obvious even at this distance. Her long, glossy hair was almost crimson, her dress a vibrant red. She sauntered forward, slowly extending an arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that moment, Rishe noticed something strange. Arnold seemed to have sensed the same thing. Rishe shook off her confusion and focused on the diva."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something’s wrong…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just when Rishe picked up some opera glasses to get a closer look…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia collapsed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe leapt to her feet and spun around. Arnold seemed to know exactly what she wished to ask without her saying anything. “You’re free to act as you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness!” Grateful to Arnold from the bottom of her heart, Rishe rushed out of the royal box. She pushed through the first of the double doors, then the second, emerging in the hall. An unfamiliar knight guarding the room let out a cry of surprise. Apologizing to him, Rishe looked down the hall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I only sense knights on this floor and the lower one… There’s no time to run down the stairs!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Heading for the spiral staircase, she kicked off her shoes and jumped up onto the handrail, her dress fluttering behind her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?! Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She ignored the knight’s voice as she sailed down the railing. In less than a minute, she arrived on the first floor, where her usual guards were stationed. Though they were surprised to see her, they were also accustomed to her behavior. They quickly got over their shock. “An emergency, Lady Rishe?! I will take your shoes. This way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Kamil! You as well, Dennis!” She pressed her shoes into the guard’s waiting hands and ran off, calling to them as she passed, “Please summon a doctor! Contact the theater staff and the opera troupe! Prince Arnold will have his own instructions, so someone please join him on the fourth floor!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, ma’am!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s Imperial Guards acted immediately. Parting with them, Rishe headed straight for the greenroom. Due to her habit of confirming the emergency exits in every new place, she’d already studied the theater’s floor plan from a map posted on one of the walls. Arnold had the same habit; their security detail had been startled when they both met in front of the stairs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She arrived at the greenroom door, finding it deserted where she expected to see theater security posted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sylvia! Sylvia, pull yourself together!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon me!” Rishe said, and the pale faces of the opera troupe all turned to her. “I have some training as an apothecary. Please allow me to perform first aid until a doctor arrives!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh… Yes, please!” A panicked man quickly moved aside for Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia lay on the greenroom floor, her face white as a sheet even under the vibrant theatrical makeup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Miss Sylvia, please respond in some way if you can hear my voice.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s face was creased with pain, but she managed a small nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s conscious and not bleeding, but her pulse is rapid. More than anything, her breathing was shallow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As gently as she could so as not to distress the songstress further, Rishe asked, “Does your head hurt, Miss Sylvia? I’m going to touch your shoulders. Did you feel that on both sides?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes…I just…can’t breathe…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it. One moment.” Rishe grabbed a nearby shawl—supposedly a prop—and draped it over Sylvia. She reached behind Sylvia’s dress and loosened her corset, lifting her into a sitting position with the shawl covering her for modesty."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A member of the opera troupe stammered, “Sh-shouldn’t she lie down?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s easier to breathe in a sitting position than lying down. Well, depending on external wounds, of course. Does Miss Sylvia have any chronic conditions?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think so, but she hadn’t seemed well these last few days…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia was breathing easier with Rishe supporting her upright."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re all right. You’ll be all right. Breathe slowly, and just focus on staying comfortable as much as you can.” Rishe rubbed Sylvia’s shoulders. She seemed to have brought the songstress some relief; her quick, shallow breaths were gradually slowing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her life doesn’t seem to be in danger, and whatever this is, I don’t think it will cause lasting harm… That said, she’ll need to be treated someplace she can relax."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They weren’t far from the audience seats, so the murmuring of the crowd drifted into the room. Rishe couldn’t pick out individual voices, but surprise, confusion, and discontent were apparent at the curtain’s abrupt lowering. Those voices would only serve to worsen Sylvia’s condition."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would take too long to bring her somewhere she can rest while we wait for the doctor to arrive, but I have no medicine or tools here to treat her with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The door to the greenroom opened, and Rishe raised her head. “Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-the prince?!” A commotion rose up around them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes swept over the greenroom before settling on Rishe. “Entrust the patient to the knights. They’ll carry her to our carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But what about the doctor?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve examined her, haven’t you? If you’ve taken care of her preliminary treatment, it’ll be faster to bring her to a doctor than wait for one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, sensing the trust in his voice. “We’ll have to ask the audience to remain in their seats. If even a tenth of them leave, we won’t be able to transport Miss Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve already asked my knights to instruct the audience to remain seated. They’ve also been ordered to restrict traffic on the street from here to the clinic.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was just like Arnold to make such quick judgments and act on them just as fast. He’d handled everything Rishe herself hadn’t had time to get to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do we need to construct something to get her to the carriage?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, that would take too long. It would be better to have someone carry her instead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Understood.” Arnold turned to the hallway and ordered one of the knights there, “Move the patient to the carriage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe balked at the knight who’d responded: It was Gutheil, Arnold’s future retainer, who strode into the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He shouldn’t have even been one of Arnold’s Imperial Guards at the moment. Who exactly was responsible for getting him so close to Arnold so quickly, and why?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was it Prince Arnold who brought Sir Gutheil here? Does he already plan to make Sir Gutheil one of his Imperial Guard?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That meant Arnold was one step closer to killing his father and starting the war that would ravage the world."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe silently regarded the man, Gutheil crouched before Sylvia. “Pardon me, my lady… I hope you’ll forgive a boorish man like myself laying his hands on you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With that preface, Gutheil cradled Sylvia in his arms like she might break with the slightest jolt. He had her in a very stable hold that didn’t cause any undue suffering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For now, Rishe left her to him and stood. “Take her to the carriage. My knights know where we’re going.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Understood. I’ll head there now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe caught her breath and watched Gutheil leave. Part of her wanted to board the carriage as well, but she knew more people riding in it would only slow it down. Sylvia’s condition didn’t seem to require constant attention, and Rishe was sure that any doctor Arnold had arranged for would have reliable skills."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should leave the rest to the knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Left behind in the room, Rishe felt the eyes of everyone present shifting to her and Arnold. A well-dressed, middle-aged man stepped up to Arnold and bowed to him, his expression stiff."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness…thank you so much for visiting our theater today. As the director of the venue, I must express my sincerest appreciation and apologies. I planned to visit you after the show, but for something like this to happen when you were here personally, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, please pardon the impertinent question, but this lovely maiden who was so kind as to attend to Sylvia? Might she be…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Grimacing, Arnold responded, “My wife,” without sparing so much as a glance at Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not your wife yet! Rishe spluttered internally while the color drained from the director’s face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-p-please forgive my rudeness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everyone in the room hung their heads so fast, Rishe almost felt a gust of wind. She rushed to assuage their worries. “Please, think nothing of it! In fact, I appreciate you allowing me to perform first aid after bursting into the room completely unannounced.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a crisis involving a popular diva, and a complete stranger barged onto the scene. It wouldn’t have been odd if they’d found her suspicious and thrown her out instead of letting her do first aid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This exchange was of no interest to Arnold, who told the director, “Henceforth, you should have staff in place should anyone in the theater suddenly fall ill. Let’s go, Rishe. I can’t imagine they’ll put on the show without their star.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe acquiesced, though she couldn’t get Gutheil out of her mind. It would be unnatural for me to ask after him for no particular reason. She padded to Arnold’s side before remembering that she wasn’t wearing any shoes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold noticed at the same moment. “Kamil.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir. Lady Rishe, I have your footwear here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry about that. Thank you, Kami—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe reached out for the shoes, but Arnold snatched them first. In one fluid motion, he sat Rishe down in a nearby chair and knelt in front of her before she could even recover from her surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness, please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No sooner than she yelped had Arnold slipped the first shoe onto her foot. He’d done it like it was completely natural, but this was an absurd turn of events. Arnold was kneeling on the floor, helping a woman into her shoes!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, you don’t need to do that! I-I can put them on myself!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine. Stay still.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The director, the performers, and all the knights in the hallway gaped at Arnold, but the crown prince paid them no mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There,” he said when he was finished, standing and holding his hand out to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you…” Rishe was dizzy with embarrassment and awkwardness, but she took his hand to stand, grateful all the same."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s always been rather lenient with me, but he seems almost sweet lately…or maybe coddling’s the word?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She curtsied to the opera troupe, who scrambled to return the gesture instead of just gawking at her. They headed into the hallway followed by four Imperial Guards. As Arnold escorted her, Rishe looked up at his profile. Why was Arnold so kind to her?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, Your Highness—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But before she could ask him, a disgruntled shout cut through the hallway: “Argh! I’m telling you to let me through!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Down the hall, someone was arguing with Arnold’s knights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Again, there’s been an emergency! If you would please just understand—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It is precisely because it is an emergency that I must act! How could you not understand that?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is someone from the audience trying to get outside? Their voice, though… Rishe felt a strange sensation coming over her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nothing, I just…feel like that voice sounds very familiar…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe peered down the hall, and Arnold followed her gaze. The hallway curved to match the round shape of the stage, so they couldn’t see all the way to its end. But as they drew closer to the source of the voice, Rishe heard it loud and clear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The color drained from her face. “It couldn’t be…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold eyed her with curiosity as she stopped in her tracks. She needed time to process this information. Time that she didn’t have, as a familiar head of lustrous blond hair was already coming into view."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Damn it, how dare you stand in my way?! I didn’t want to resort to this, but if you would obstruct justice itself, then I must put my illustrious skill with a sword to—hmm?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Aaaaah, our eyes met!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nearly jolted the moment those emerald eyes ensnared her. Simultaneously, the temperature around Arnold dropped several degrees. The Imperial Guards went rigid with fright, but the one arguing with them didn’t even seem to notice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s no mistaking it. Even if I wish there were!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! What are you doing here?! Aha, I know! The very goddess herself has proven to be my ally, hasn’t she?! Would you let me go, you blasted knights?! Who the hell do you think I am?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I see he still has plenty of unearned confidence…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe! Don’t just stand there! Do something about these men! Don’t you hear me?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m the one who wants to know what you’re doing here.” Rishe sighed, holding her forehead. “Prince Dietrich…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hah!” The man puffing his chest out, even as the knights around him pushed him back, was Rishe’s former fiancé. “Why, because it’s me, of course!”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0006.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE HEARD THAT the matter of her engagement had been decided about a month after her birth—that is, immediately following the birth of Hermity’s Prince Dietrich. Rishe had lived her entire life as the sole daughter of a duke and as a future crown princess. As for Dietrich, the crown prince, he had always been her fiancé as well as a childhood friend of sorts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe! I heard you did better than me on that test! You got a perfect score!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they were young, Dietrich often flew into a rage whenever he saw Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, we received a very clear textbook in preparation for the exam, Your Highness. Our tutor even offered to explain anything we didn’t understand.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We have another test tomorrow with the same questions on it, don’t we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s education as the future crown princess included things like supporting and encouraging her husband. But even without those lessons, she would surely have told Dietrich the same thing, as she believed it from the bottom of her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure that if you read the textbook carefully, you’ll be able to get a perfect score as well, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So why don’t we study together today, Prince Dietrich?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Argh! Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Dietrich smacked Rishe’s proffered hand aside and glowered at her. He was bright red up to his ears, brow scrunched up in frustration. “I’m a genius, you know! I got thirty-five whole points without studying one bit! That’s why I’m way more impressive than you! You only got a hundred points after studying really hard! Th-that’s right…have confidence, Dietrich!” After muttering that last bit to himself, Dietrich jabbed a finger at Rishe. “Don’t take me lightly, Rishe! One of these days! You’re gonna bow before my true greatness! You hear me?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh… There he goes…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could still remember the sight of Dietrich running off down the palace halls. Of course, a knight had spotted him almost immediately and brought him right back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "These exchanges weren’t limited to matters of studying, however. As the two of them grew, Dietrich laid a constant stream of complaints at Rishe’s feet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This won’t do! It won’t do at all! A woman riding a horse herself?! People will think it’s because I’m a lousy rider!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You want to sneak into the city? Imagine what would happen if you were caught! People would doubt my own dignity as your fiancé!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Instead of poking your nose into many different fields, don’t you think it would be best to focus on your duties as crown princess? If you keep this up, you’ll just end up with half-baked knowledge in a handful of fields!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The one thing Dietrich and her parents hadn’t objected to was her learning swordplay for self-defense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You want to learn how to wield a sword? Come to think of it, there is precedent for a queen saving her king from an assassination using her own self-defense skills, isn’t there? Very well. I think I’ll join you! It’s fun to swing a sword around!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It lasted for only a moment. When they had their first bout a year or so later, Rishe was far and away the victor. Infuriated, he forbade her from studying swordplay any further."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s as I thought! A sword-wielding queen is outrageous! Such a violent woman is not fit to be queen of this country!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And upon arriving home, Rishe found that all of her practice equipment had been disposed of."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If His Highness doesn’t like it, then of course you have no right to continue.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“M-Mother, please…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know your father and I commanded you to be excellent, but that was only so that you may become the perfect queen. If your skills only displease His Highness…” Rishe’s mother had been stern and cold, as if Rishe were nothing more than a disobedient child. “Then there is no worth in those skills.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was thirteen back then. At the time, she’d been convinced that her only value was as the future crown princess, so she swallowed her objections and did her very best to support Dietrich. She had helped him study and took on the role of correcting his bad behavior. It was her fate to be his queen, so all of this was only natural."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She graduated from the royal academy, and when she was poised to begin her real training as the future queen, at a ball on the first day of the fifth month that year…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe Irmgard Weitzner! You are a vile woman! A truly malicious creature unworthy of the crown prince!” Dietrich thrust his finger at her and shouted as he’d always done throughout their childhood. “As of this instant, our engagement is off!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In that moment, Rishe was finally free."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In my first life, I was so confused during that moment that I couldn’t exactly think of myself as being free."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Surfacing from her reverie, Rishe sighed. She had moved to a room loaned to them by the theater staff. It was one of several rooms where the royalty and nobility could meet and chat before or after a performance. There was no table, just several chairs facing one another. Rishe sat on a couch, across from Dietrich, and stared at him glumly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heh. I haven’t seen your face in a few months, but you seem to be doing a lot better than I expected! You must be thrilled at our reunion!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In all my lives, I’ve never once seen Prince Dietrich after we broke off our engagement—not until now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you hear me, Rishe? Are you listening? Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There are all sorts of things I’d like to work out at the moment, but first things first…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe let go of her forehead and peeked over at Arnold. He was seated next to her on the couch, his brow slightly furrowed. That much was fine. What concerned Rishe was the placement of his right hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why is Prince Arnold’s hand around my waist?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And he was holding her snugly against him as well. Meanwhile, his other elbow lay on the armrest, his hand pillowed his cheek, and his legs were crossed as he looked idly at Dietrich."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We had no choice but to borrow a room since we can’t exactly ignore him, but still."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe recalled the fit Dietrich had thrown a few minutes earlier. Upon recognizing Dietrich, Arnold acted first—he’d grasped Rishe’s hand and immediately tried to exit the theater. But Dietrich, like an insistent toddler, had demanded that they acknowledge his presence; thus, Rishe relented and kept Arnold from leaving. They borrowed the room because it would have imposed on everyone else if they continued quarreling in the hallway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Prince Arnold is not fond of people like Prince Dietrich."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From Rishe’s observations at balls and other social gatherings, Arnold’s patience for loud people was as thin as fraying thread."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But that doesn’t explain why he’s holding me so close!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were even closer than they’d been in the royal box. It wasn’t like they were dancing or anything. Being joined at the hip with Arnold in front of others made Rishe restless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-Prince Arnold, I can ask what Prince Dietrich’s business here is on my own.” Rishe watched him, uncomfortable to her core, and murmured, “If you would rather not be present for this, you could wait in another room…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe! You’re talking about me, aren’t you? I can tell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold ignored Dietrich, eyes falling on Rishe. “I’m not leaving.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m staying here with you,” he said firmly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Agh! Those almost sounded like the words of a faithful lover. Rishe’s heart banged against her rib cage. She lowered her gaze, deeply embarrassed. That was when Dietrich finally noticed how they were positioned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s with the way you’re sitting?! You’re not even married yet, and you’re holding her waist?!” Dietrich turned a brilliant shade of scarlet as he gaped at Arnold. “It’s…it’s obscene!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The force of Arnold’s short response catapulted Dietrich off his chair. There was an ice-cold bloodlust in Arnold’s voice that chilled even Rishe’s spine. And even after shutting Dietrich up, the malice did not recede from his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, I feel like I have to apologize for this,” Rishe said to Arnold, nothing short of mesmerized as Dietrich shrank beneath his heavy stare."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why should you have to apologize?” The only thing soft and sweet about Arnold in that moment were the words he uttered to Rishe. Giving Dietrich another icy glare, Arnold unhurriedly opened his mouth and said, “So?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” Dietrich recoiled from the short question. “I-I’m talking to Rishe right now, not you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve only allowed you to be here because Rishe desires to speak with you. Don’t forget that you’re not in a position to casually meet with the crown princess of this country.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe isn’t your princess yet! It’s too early to treat her like she belongs to you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold looked down at Dietrich with open scorn. “It seems you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a husband.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe will be my wife, but she will not be my property. The only person whom she belongs to is herself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I do not intend to restrict Rishe’s actions in any way so long as they do not endanger her. The person I am not allowing to act freely here is you. Do you understand that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He really has always supported whatever I wanted to do. That’s the only reason we’re here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a voice so low it was like fog curling against the ground, Arnold said, “You will answer Rishe’s first question. What do you think you’re doing in this country?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s really angry now…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He may have been crown prince of one of the most powerful countries in the world, but even Arnold usually spoke with more tact. At the very least, he wouldn’t have bossed royalty of another country around. Speaking with Dietrich really must have put a strain on his mental health."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe got to the point to move things along. “I’ve actually been exchanging letters with Lady Mary, Prince Dietrich.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? You have?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She informed me that she has been devoting herself to your education since my departure from Hermity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich flinched in alarm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Almost immediately after Rishe’s arrival in Galkhein, she had received a thorough apology from Mary in the mail. It contained pages and pages of regrets for the way she’d treated Rishe and the things she planned to do to make up for her transgressions. Chief among these was the matter of Dietrich’s future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Mary told me that she would stay at your side and make sure you became a respectable person even if she did not become the crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A strangled groan escaped Dietrich’s throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I always had my doubts. I couldn’t imagine you’d withstand such an education even if it was coming from your beloved Lady Mary.” Rishe pinned Dietrich with her narrowed eyes. “Tell me, Prince Dietrich. You fled from Hermity, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-o-of course not!” he spluttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Keep your distance. Sit down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich had sprung up with the force of his shout, but Arnold’s cold intimidation forced him back down to his seat. At the same time, Arnold pulled Rishe even closer—and Rishe’s heart almost leapt out of her chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To even suggest that I would flee! Why, it’s outrageous!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Forget that. Why does it feel like Prince Arnold is trying to protect me?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back on the couch, Dietrich frantically searched for the right words. “Mary is a very delicate girl! The way I broke off my engagement with you weighed too heavily on her! Suddenly, she started saying things like, ‘What we did to Lady Rishe was absolutely unconscionable! We must change to honor her magnanimous spirit!’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Despite the distracting pounding of her heart due to her closeness to Arnold, Rishe said calmly, “Erm, please do not trouble yourself on my account. I do appreciate Lady Mary’s feelings, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t know what she’s like now! Ever since then, Mary’s always got a textbook in her right hand and a thick cane in her left! And she smiles and says, ‘Let’s study hard again today, Prince Dietrich,’ while bending the cane!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I kind of want to see that, to be honest…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In any case, it sounded like Rishe was right. “His Majesty the King and everyone else are giving Lady Mary their full support, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose you couldn’t handle the schooling, etiquette lessons, repeated attempts to teach you how to rule… Feeling as if there was nowhere else to go in Hermity, you came to Galkhein. Am I correct?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The room fell silent. Arnold said nothing, but at this point he was eyeing Dietrich as though the man were trash lying by the roadside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sighed. “Prince Dietrich. Neither Lady Mary nor His Majesty do the things they do out of cruelty. That was never my intention either. Any counsel I gave you was out of nothing more than a desire to support you. And you’ve—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wh-who do you think I am?!” Dietrich shouted, interrupting her. “I’m not so far gone that I need people ganging up to teach me! I’ve always been told that I was very gifted! That I could do it if I tried!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you never once did try, did you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ghk!” Dietrich clutched at his chest like something had struck him in the heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“‘You can do it if you try,’ is just another way of saying, ‘You can’t do it because you’re not trying.’ Tools that you never take out of storage may as well not exist.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Being in a situation where you’re able to try whenever you wish is a privilege.” She was more diplomatic when they were engaged, but right now, Rishe wanted to get this over with for the sake of Arnold’s mental health. “No matter how much they may have wished to learn, all the maids who work for me had to spend their youths caring for younger siblings. Have you ever imagined being in a situation where you were not even afforded the luxury to make an effort to learn something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Mary was the same, was she not? She sought a marriage with an affluent partner for the sake of her family and thus made every effort to obtain acceptance into the academy. After all she has accomplished, have you even given any thought to how she devotes herself to you so completely ‘even if she does not become the crown princess’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I—” Dietrich’s expression changed when Rishe brought Mary into the conversation. Nevertheless, he clenched his fists and squeezed out the words, “Wh-what do you know?! Even I tried for a few days after I was born!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Infants are not capable of that level of resolve.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the point! You’d never understand how I feel!” Dietrich shouted, red-faced. “Being born as the crown prince when I didn’t want to be, and always having you around!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked at the unexpected revelation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You always, always stood in my way, Rishe! You scored better on tests, learned faster, and always had the adults’ attention!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They were my tutors, but you were the one who spoke with them like you were equals! When I brought you to the riding grounds, you won the horses over before I did! You could always run faster than me, and you destroyed me when we had sword matches!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No matter how I tried, there was no way I could ever compare to you! Even I have things that I excel at. If only I hadn’t been born the crown prince, I would have been lauded for my abilities, I just know it… But since I was born the crown prince, why couldn’t I possess the skills you do?! Those feelings have always plagued me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich hung his head once more before the shell-shocked Rishe. She was further surprised when he began sniffling. She floundered, thoroughly uncertain of what to say to him, until Dietrich spoke again with a shaky voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The truth is…I always wanted to be like you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "H-he’s crying! Rishe was speechless. They’d grown up together for almost fifteen years, but she’d never once seen Dietrich cry. Maybe I went too far…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Panicked, she glanced over at Arnold. Of late, she’d been relying on him whenever she wasn’t sure what to do. She regretted this behavior, all too aware that she was taking advantage of his kindness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure he’s just as thrown by this situation as I am. Rishe chastised herself for seeking his help, but he simply regarded her with a look that said he had no choice but to act."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well. Leave this to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apparently, he’d picked up on just how stumped Rishe was. Is Prince Arnold really going to comfort Prince Dietrich? I suppose it’s possible he’s really a very kind person at heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold turned to Dietrich and began, “No matter your reasons or circumstances…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hmm? That didn’t sound like the start of a comforting sentence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…it does not excuse annulling your engagement with Rishe and trying to banish her from her homeland when she was at no fault whatsoever,” he finished."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "P-Prince Arnooold!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich crumpled into a sobbing mess. “Gah! I…I…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Arnold struck mercilessly, peering down his nose at the crying Dietrich. “Do you even understand that stripping a noblewoman of her support system and banishing her to a place where she has no connections may as well be a death sentence?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A death sentence?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To claim that you intended otherwise goes beyond mere foolishness. Moreover, to feign blindness to your own incompetence and heap the blame on Rishe’s shoulders is complete nonsense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack! P-Prince Arnold!” Rishe stopped him, whispering into his ear, “Wh-why are you rubbing salt in his wounds?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? You mean you weren’t implying you didn’t mind if I struck the final blow?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I wasn’t! You knew exactly what I was trying to say, didn’t you, Your Highness?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold matched her volume, whispering back to her, “I have no reason to show this man sympathy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s exactly as you say! Rishe’s hand once again found her forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In fact, you’re far too lenient with him. This is the man who broke off his engagement to you, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, my engagement to Prince Dietrich held no value to me. Why would I be upset about someone divesting me of something I didn’t want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…Are you sure you’re not twisting the knife more than I am?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and Arnold continued their whispered conversation, completely ignoring Dietrich at this point. Eventually, he started muttering to himself as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-If only I were born in a different situation, I would have been able to shine my brightest, I know it. I wasn’t born the crown prince because I wanted to be…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold rounded on him. “And do you think Rishe was practically born your fiancée because she wanted to be?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold recrossed his legs, observing Dietrich with pure disgust. “I have no choice but to ask—do you think the woman you envy so much has expended no effort in her life up until now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich averted his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Resting his chin in his hand, Arnold told him, “It’s been a mere two months since Rishe came to Galkhein. Yet if I bring her to a party, she knows the faces of every person in attendance and can even remember their preferred conversation topics.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes widened in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, of course. Rishe has always had a good memory.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is not a matter of simply having a good memory. No matter how insipid the conversation is, Rishe listens with complete sincerity. Moreover, she does her own research into the subject before the next time she converses with that person, even though this does not benefit her in any way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A rotten noble once asked her a question about an obscure piece of Galkhein history. She was only able to give him a well-thought-out answer because she sacrifices sleep to study this country despite the fact that no one expects her to.” Arnold’s blue-eyed gaze fell on Rishe. “She regularly supplies the barracks with fortifying food and drink. Even if it does not benefit her, if it will benefit me, she watches out for my Imperial Guards—many of whom she only has a passing familiarity with.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t know he was watching me so closely… Rishe felt her cheeks heating up from the warmth of Arnold’s gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can give countless examples of such behavior. I’m sure there are infinitely more that take place outside of my notice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you give me far too much credit, Your Highness. I’ve done nothing deserving of such high praise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You should take more pride in the things you’ve built for yourself.” Arnold’s large hand cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. “Make him understand all the effort you’ve put in to serve as crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was true. Arnold’s examples were things Rishe did not do merely as part of her plan to avoid the war. Since she was appearing at parties as Arnold’s fiancée, she avoided any behavior that would sully his reputation. She’d learned about Arnold’s Imperial Guards because she wanted to know what sort of vassals he chose and how he treated them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m doing these things simply because I want to, so it should feel strange for him to praise me for it, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Warmth blossomed in her chest all the same."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hand slowly drew away from her cheek. Rishe covered her face, hiding the flush spreading across it. She considered Arnold’s words even as her embarrassment tormented her. Dietrich’s reaction, meanwhile, was to double over and start groaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh! That’s right! Prince Dietrich! This was no time to be going all weak in the knees. Rishe needed to get Arnold away from Dietrich immediately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Was I wrong…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She pulled herself together, considering her options. If things go the same way as in all my previous lives, then not even a year from now, Prince Dietrich will attempt a coup against his father and fail."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she’d heard the rumors in her past lives, her chief response had been exasperation. It was far too pathetic an attempt to even be called a coup d’état. Dietrich had let his vassals incite him to action, but his traitorous plot against his father was discovered almost immediately. He had had no time to gather weaponry or leak state secrets. His coup ended without him striking a single blow against his father and without the king’s knights even getting involved. The way Rishe heard it, his treachery had been discovered so early, Dietrich had no time to even execute the plan—early enough that his only crime was plotting insurrection against the king."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, even scheming such a thing was a serious crime. Dietrich had been stripped of his authority as crown prince and placed under house arrest. The mantle of crown prince of Hermity had passed to Dietrich’s much younger brother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s the exact opposite of Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, who had seized the throne from his father in every one of Rishe’s past lives, met her eyes with curiosity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the fifteen years I was Dietrich’s fiancée, it was ingrained in me not to interfere with him. Even if I don’t stop him, the only thing he stands to lose in his coup is his status as crown prince."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe groaned, deep in thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Today, Prince Dietrich is taking to heart remonstrations that would normally go in one ear and out the other… Is it due to Lady Mary’s efforts? Or Prince Arnold’s intensity? The way things are going, I might be able to help him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was when Dietrich’s head whipped up. “No—I’m…I’m not wrong! Hold your head up high, Dietrich!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now is the time to tell you the true reason I came to Galkhein before your sixteenth birthday!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stared at him in a daze. He was being nonsensical, to say nothing of the fact that he sounded like he was crying. “My birthday?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was indeed going to turn sixteen nine days from today, on the thirtieth day of the seventh month. But what did that have to do with anything?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Like Hermity, Galkhein forbids anyone under sixteen to marry. While you remain fifteen, you cannot officially be considered Galkhein’s crown princess-to-be!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich’s passionate declaration only further confused Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What, you don’t understand? I’m telling you I’m here to save you before you can be legally wed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Save me? From what, exactly?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why,” he cried, pointing dramatically at her, “from the engagement that you obviously do not desire!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was struck speechless yet again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really, I can’t believe my father! Offering up my precious childhood friend to a man known for his cruelty and brutality… It’s just too awful!” Though he was still sniffling, Dietrich seemed to have regained his confidence. “But I will not yield, not even before a nation as great as Galkhein! I’m here to save you while there’s still time!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No sooner than I arrived in the capital did I see Sylvia’s name, leading me to stop by the theater on a whim! And look at that—we ran into each other shortly after! Hmm, the more I think about it, the more I’m sure the goddess is on my side!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rejoice, Rishe! We’ll celebrate your birthday back in Hermity!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich then turned a teary glare on Arnold. “Prince Arnold Hein! I do not fear you! Well, in truth, I fear you a little, or a little more than a little… But this, too, is a trial I must overcome! For I am the future king, and I am full of kingly qualities!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was being awfully rude to Arnold, but the man in question seemed as if he could not care less. In his mind, Dietrich was probably not even worth humoring with a response. Without a reaction to Dietrich’s declaration, Arnold turned instead to Rishe. “You must be satisfied by now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re leaving. Knights, hand him over to whoever’s responsible for him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?! Y-you’re throwing me out?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a deep breath, lowered her head, and slowly began, “Prince Dietrich…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich perked up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have nothing to say to you in regard to our engagement or my banishment. However…” Rishe looked Dietrich squarely in the eye. “I cannot overlook your speaking ill of Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although she had scolded Dietrich countless times over the last fifteen years, her tone had never been as harsh as it was now. Dietrich was frozen in surprise before her, unable to form a coherent reply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold is the kindest anyone’s ever been to me. He permits me to go out into town, provides horses for me to ride, and even trains me in swordsmanship from time to time. All things I was not allowed to do when I was your fiancée.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had never been angry with Rishe for sneaking into town. He’d allowed her to fix up the detached palace for her own purposes, grow medicinal herbs in her garden, and select and educate her own maids. If Rishe asked him for a bout, he would make time in his busy schedule to spar with her. He always respected her choices. To a noblewoman—to Rishe—nothing could be more important."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He is always concerned for me and my health and makes sure I can live freely. Prince Arnold only scolds me when I do something dangerous. Yet you spout this nonsense about ‘saving me’…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A moment later, Rishe felt herself clinging to Arnold out of sheer momentum. The two men both turned wide eyes on her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold appeared thin for a swordsman, yet when she wrapped her arms around him, she was acutely aware of his robust physique and firm muscles. Shoving that thought to the back of her mind, Rishe glared sharply at Dietrich."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll prove just how wonderful a husband Prince Arnold can be!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“H-h-h-h-h-have it your way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course, she could only maintain the position for a few seconds. Rishe would end up apologizing to Arnold in the carriage ride home later, her face bright red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please accept my most sincere apologies, really…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the carriage ride back to the palace, Rishe hung her head low. She couldn’t even meet Arnold’s eyes across from her. All she could do was tremble and apologize fervently again and again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I-I think my face is on fire!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An awkward atmosphere had been permeating the carriage for some time now, and every time Rishe gave it thought, all the more did she wish for the floor to swallow her whole. Not only were her cheeks red; the heat reached all the way up to her ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was all because of what Rishe did in the theater. She had told Dietrich that she would prove how kind Arnold was. As a result, Dietrich ended up staying in Galkhein for several more days. Last but not least was the way Rishe had touched Arnold. Put all that together and you got a suffocatingly uncomfortable carriage ride."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ugh, what have I done?! Not only did I argue with Dietrich and declare the strangest war in the world against him, but I even clung to Prince Arnold…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d gone further than merely putting one’s hand on another’s waist in public. Remembering how surprised Arnold had been when she’d pressed herself against him, Rishe wanted to bury her face in her hands. Worse yet, Arnold was quieter than usual, and the silence was torturing her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I already made you go out of your way to provide a place for Prince Dietrich and me to speak, and then on top of that…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed as Rishe continued to apologize. “I have no intention of limiting your activities in any way. You are free to meet with whomever you wish to meet with and speak with whomever you wish to speak with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally, Rishe would not be granted such freedom. Dietrich’s conduct was normal; her mother’s actions were correct. It was Arnold’s behavior that was strange. This was not the typical way noble ladies or royal wives were treated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I really do want Prince Dietrich to understand just how kind you are,” she said, peeved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gave her a wry smile. “The man spoke nothing but truth. You’re the one being naive.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not true.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More importantly, if he’s going to be staying in the capital, then you should make him atone for the absurd crime he pinned on you,” Arnold said—but Dietrich’s breaking off their engagement was something Rishe was thankful for."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m much more upset about him speaking ill of you than anything he’s done to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nothing a person like him says could ever mean anything to me. He can fuss all he likes, but…” Arnold lowered his voice. “I won’t allow him to belittle you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart somersaulted again. He’s so considerate of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just what about him was cruel or brutal? If she said that to Dietrich, he would scrounge up some excuse. To prove it to him, she would have to use something other than words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was surprised by what you said, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe startled when Arnold brought them back on topic."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s rare for you to act that way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry for grabbing you, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not what I meant,” he said, frowning for some reason. He tilted his head to the side. “You seem franker with him than you are with other people.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh…” Rishe was aware of her tendency to get carried away when talking to Dietrich. “I’m used to scolding Prince Dietrich because I was his minder for so long. I realize I can be quite harsh with him sometimes. We’re childhood friends as well, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stared at her with his elbow on the window frame. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He patted the seat next to him. Rishe wasn’t sure why he wanted her to sit beside him, but she got up and plopped down next to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She raised her head, and he returned her gaze, asking her, “You won’t scold me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe stared back at him in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Does he mean in relation to his duties?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold watched her with a face devoid of expression, awaiting her reply. Confused, Rishe nevertheless answered his question honestly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I would never scold you, Prince Arnold. With Dietrich, I tend to worry that I’m the only one encouraging him to change his behavior.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold reached out while she spoke and tucked her hair behind her ear. His fingers brushed her earrings like they had earlier in the theater."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But you’d be fine without me, Prince Arnold… Ngh…” Rishe hunched her shoulders from the ticklish sensation, then peeked timidly at Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He lowered his blue eyes before saying, “I’m not so sure about that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wasn’t certain how to respond. After a moment, she posited, “Do you want someone to scold you sometimes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It appeared as if Arnold didn’t know how to answer. He hadn’t affirmed her guess, but he hadn’t argued, so she tried to think of something to scold him for."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Like, ‘You mustn’t work so late into the night every night’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I could say the same to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Or ‘Please take more time to rest and relax’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Again, same to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm. Maybe ‘You should allocate more of your own work to others’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mixing in a bit of humor with her genuine beliefs, Rishe said next, “Then what about ‘If you’re suspicious of someone, please inform me’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes darkened, narrowing with mirth. “You’re going to have to do better than that with your leading questions,” he said, voice slightly husky. He’d seen through her immediately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was just a gut feeling. I have no evidence to support it yet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that ‘gut feeling’ why you were so on edge around Gutheil?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here I thought I was discreet about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold noticed even the most trivial things about Rishe. But the reason Rishe was suspicious of Gutheil was that she knew the future, and she couldn’t very well tell him that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It wasn’t anything about Sir Gutheil specifically,” Rishe fibbed. “I just thought the security situation today wasn’t very like you, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if they are shorthanded now, your Imperial Guards have always been an elite few. A night at the theater just didn’t seem like something that necessitated their cooperation with another force.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t like they were visiting a different country. Their plans today should have involved a completely uneventful trip to the theater and nothing more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re increasing their numbers now, does that mean you’re concerned about the current military force at your disposal?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stared at Arnold intently. I’m worried about whether or not he’s preparing for the war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His blue eyes were like the ocean. She felt like she would never reach their true depths no matter how long she stared into them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s not the only reason, though. If he has a concern, I want to assuage his fears as much as I can."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was well aware of how difficult that would be. Upon arriving in Galkhein, she’d asked Arnold to confide in her as much as he was comfortable. It was after Theodore had abducted her, or thereabouts. At the time, her words hadn’t gotten through to Arnold at all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking on my part."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as the thought crossed her mind, Arnold looked down and said, “Fabrannia is a foolish country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe started. It was the country that Princess Harriet—whom they’d just met—had almost married into. Fabrannia had been manufacturing counterfeit coins in other countries’ currencies. They had ordered Harriet to circulate the counterfeit coins in Galkhein, but when their plot was discovered, Harriet decided to dissolve her engagement. Her homeland—Siguel—was preparing to press charges against Fabrannia. Even so, Rishe hadn’t expected to hear Arnold bring Fabrannia up here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With his usual dispassionate air, Arnold went on, “Fabrannia does not do significant trade with Galkhein. Though they manufactured large quantities of counterfeit currency, they have few opportunities to make use of it. Why do you suppose they did it, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Fabrannian king one-sidedly harbored hatred for Galkhein, didn’t he? He was denied a marriage with one of your sisters. Though his actions were illogical, was his misplaced ire not the reason he chose Galkhein currency specifically?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe internally brushed off her comment even as she uttered it. It’s not Fabrannia’s actions that Prince Arnold is questioning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He seemed to realize she’d come to that conclusion as well. “It’s clear that Fabrannia wished to take some sort of aggressive action against Galkhein, even if it meant doing something foolish. The problem lies in someone spurring them in that direction.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You believe someone instigated the Fabrannian royal family to create counterfeit currency…to attack Galkhein in some way?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It didn’t strike her as outlandish. A world war had just ended two years ago, and the world’s major powers were all making various moves even during peacetime—boosting national defense, for example. And doing that might involve sapping power from potential enemies in case of future conflict."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There are only three other countries powerful enough to compete with Galkhein in the war in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. “If you make any obvious moves to improve the strength of your military, intelligence agents lurking in your country will leak that information.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe agreed. In her fifth life, she’d belonged to a group of intelligence operatives who did that exact kind of work. Her “hunters” had never been ordered to infiltrate Galkhein, but that was because Siguel had been focused on other targets."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Other countries are cause enough for worry, but my father is an even bigger concern. I have no idea how he’ll react to Fabrannia’s actions upon learning of them. So if I want to amass military strength, I must do it in a way that avoids my father’s eyes as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that the only reason he avoids his father so completely?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rumors of the current emperor’s aggressive personality had reached her ears. It was her understanding that if he learned of any suspicious actions taken by other countries, he might very well respond with an invasion. There was another possible reason for Arnold’s secrecy, however: He may have been plotting to murder his father and subsequently begin a revolution."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I really want to look into Sir Gutheil because he’s connected to Prince Arnold in the future…but it would be too suspicious for me to start prying out of the blue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe needed a reason to approach him. She was also concerned about Sylvia’s well-being, since he’d carried her away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then there’s dealing with Prince Dietrich…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sensed Arnold’s gaze on her and lifted her head. Her heart throbbed when she locked eyes with him from up close. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That man mentioned a birthday celebration.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, lashes fluttering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are birthdays…normally celebrated?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His question caused her some confusion, but then Rishe realized that Arnold was unfamiliar with the custom. “Do you not celebrate your birthday, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s a party every year, but I’ve never attended.” It was like the idea of doing so had never even occurred to him. She noted that his face was beautiful even with an expression of utter indifference."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I do recall hearing that none of Galkhein’s royal family—save the emperor—ever appear in public. The emperor was probably the only one who ever celebrated, then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Does Oliver do anything for it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you bring him up? I’ve ordered him to not act differently with me no matter the occasion.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what Rishe had heard, Arnold wasn’t close to anyone in his family. His relationship with his father was hostile, and his birth mother had despised him. His sisters lived separately from him, and he’d only reconciled with Theodore recently. If he’d ordered even Oliver to not do anything for him, then in all likelihood, he was completely unfamiliar with birthday celebrations."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose I wouldn’t say they’re always celebrated without fail, but…at the very least, I’d like to celebrate the birthdays of the people I’m close to.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Would you permit us to celebrate your next birthday? It’s the twenty-eighth of the twelfth month, right?” Rishe looked up at Arnold and smiled. “We’ll be married by then. We don’t have to have a party. We can just celebrate with a few close friends! We’ll invite Oliver and Prince Theodore and eat a bunch of tasty food!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was getting excited imagining it. If she had the chance, she wanted to do something Arnold would enjoy. Of course, that sentiment wasn’t limited to his birthday alone, but it was a good opportunity for a celebration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can do as you like.” Arnold sighed. “But your birthday is coming up first.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh. That’s right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though his tone was somewhat exasperated, Arnold gently asked, “If we’re supposed to celebrate, then we’ll celebrate however much you want. What do you wish to do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe went still for just a moment, but not because she couldn’t think of what she wanted. Arnold must have noticed as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The thing is, while I love celebrating other people’s birthdays, I don’t particularly like to think about mine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold donned a puzzled look of his own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In part, it’s because death could come for me at any moment once I turn twenty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe always died sometime after turning twenty and returned to her fifteenth year, to the moment Dietrich broke off their engagement. The day she died varied depending on the life she lived, but it was always at age twenty. Every time her birthday came around, she couldn’t help thinking of the sand in the hourglass. But that wasn’t the only reason she wasn’t fond of her own birthday."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You see, I’ve also never had my family celebrate my birthday before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The truth was, she was in no position to teach Arnold about the subject."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When I was young, I was just so busy studying. My schedule was far too packed to make time for celebrating… Oh! I had formal parties a few times, though!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was dizzyingly busy during those parties as well. She’d had to go about greeting various people, with no time to eat or even drink anything."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No matter how brilliant you are, it’s all meaningless since you were born a girl. Your only purpose in life is to support the crown prince.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You will marry someone influential in society. A woman’s true happiness is to wed a powerful man and have a child with him, and nothing more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Today is your birthday? I know that. I’m your mother, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could still recall her parents’ exact words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More importantly, have you made progress in your studies today?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Massaging her cheeks so she wouldn’t make any faces, Rishe continued, “Anyway, I’m not really sure what to do when it comes to my own birthday.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even after leaving her homeland and interacting with all sorts of people in her previous lives, she hadn’t told many of them her birthday. Instead, she’d thrown lavish celebrations for other people’s birthdays to share in their joy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wonder what Prince Arnold thinks of this? Rishe glanced up at him, still pressing down on her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Should we not do anything, then?” he asked, waiting for her answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe trained her gaze to her shoes and contemplated the matter. Once again, Arnold was endeavoring to respect her wishes. She only spent a few seconds thinking before slowly shaking her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want to celebrate…with you, Prince Arnold.” It embarrassed her to say so, and she felt like a child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold just said “Understood” like this was any other conversation and then lightly caressed her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed with relief. “This all, um, feels a bit strange. I’ve never really told anyone about it before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, you don’t really talk about your own feelings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do I not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that he mentioned it, maybe he was right. It was all because Rishe’s looping gave her too many secrets, but she hadn’t even realized that she never voiced her feelings until Arnold had pointed it out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s so funny?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just thought you might know me better than I know myself.” The thought tickled her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead of responding, Arnold stroked her hair again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold really is every bit the wonderful husband I told Prince Dietrich he was…but I must do my part as well. After all, I proposed to him on the beach in Vinrhys."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She reaffirmed her determination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must become the best future wife I can be! For now, I’ll prove to Prince Dietrich how kind Prince Arnold is and investigate Sir Gutheil… Though I’m worried about how Miss Sylvia is doing, so I’ll inquire after her health tomorrow… Oh, but my biggest job is preparing for the wedding…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that moment, she recalled the plot of the opera she’d been recounting earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The wedding."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Rishe stared up at Arnold next to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the wedding… Her gaze lingered on Arnold’s lips, and she gulped. I’ll have to…kiss him again…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe whipped her head toward the window before her face turned red again. Arnold appeared not to notice, but this might have been an emergency. After all, Rishe had no idea how she was going to prepare herself for the event."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-what do I do?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Completely thrown, Rishe spent the rest of the carriage ride back to the palace considering the greatest challenge she’d faced in any of her lives up to now."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0007.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“AND THAT CONCLUDES my report on last night’s affair. I can’t believe I declared to my former fiancé that I would prove how wonderful a husband Prince Arnold is…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe finished her report to Theodore in the middle of her herb garden. She placed the herbs she’d gathered in her basket and stood, holding down her straw hat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A little ways away, under the shade of a tree, Theodore pressed his fingers to his temples. “What am I to do about this? I can’t tell anymore whether you’re asking for advice or just bragging about your relationship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon, Prince Theodore? I’m sorry, the cicadas are so loud, I couldn’t hear that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nah, it was nothing,” Theodore replied with a glowing smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe picked up her basket and trotted over to the shade where Theodore sat, her lemon-colored dress billowing in the breeze. “I can list any number of Prince Arnold’s wonderful qualities, but I want a way to get Prince Dietrich to really understand instead of just telling him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you came to me for help?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore respected his brother, Arnold, dearly. He knew Arnold’s good qualities well, yet he didn’t seem sympathetic to Rishe’s plight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand what you’re here for, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?! Even though this is an opportunity for you to thoroughly discuss each and every good quality of your older brother’s?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you’re not talking about his qualities as a man or as a brother but as a husband, aren’t you? You’re the only person in the world who can claim to have any expertise on the subject, my dear sister.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore closed his eyes solemnly and placed a hand over his heart like a pious believer, though there was a streak of mirth in his voice. “It’s too bad, but I’ll have to limit myself to merely watching over you as your younger brother. Though please do engrave each and every one of my brother’s reactions into your memory. And give that reprobate Dietrich a good pummeling for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“J-just because you have a cute face doesn’t mean you can say things like that!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In any case, you just have to show the guy the loving relationship between you two, don’t you? Just act even closer than you normally do while you’re in front of him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore made it sound like the simplest thing in the world, but for Rishe, it was anything but. She also wanted to avoid bothering Arnold as much as she could since it was her slip of the tongue that had caused all this ruckus in the first place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m worried I’ll do something strange if I spend too much time at Prince Arnold’s side anyway…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once again, Rishe was considering her latest problem: the realization that she would have to kiss Arnold at their wedding. Theodore regarded her with open curiosity now that her expression had suddenly changed, but there was no way she could tell him the reason behind it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t ask Prince Theodore about the kiss. I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about that sort of thing in regard to his brother. Rishe had no siblings of her own, but she did have a cousin who was going to succeed the Weitzner name after her marriage, so she could understand Theodore’s position somewhat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d like to ask Prince Theodore about Sir Gutheil as well, but I have no good pretext for it. I can’t make any hasty moves, lest I come off as suspicious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her musings were interrupted by Elsie’s arrival. “Good day, Lady Rishe. Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, Elsie. You’re really working hard lately, aren’t you? My dear sister and Kamil are always praising your efforts.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, th-thank you, Your Highness…but I still have a long way to go!” Elsie shook her head, embarrassed, before looking up at Rishe. “Lady Rishe, we’ve received word that a visitor without an appointment is at the palace gates asking for you. Another maid is taking word to Sir Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don’t tell me Prince Dietrich is storming the castle! Rishe’s face paled at her first guess, but the name Elsie gave her was one she wasn’t expecting to hear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, word was it was a woman. S-Syl…” Elsie carefully read the name off a note pulled from her pocket. “Sylvia Hollingworth.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked, wide-eyed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Word of Rishe’s visitor traveled from the maids to Oliver to Arnold, and she was permitted to enter the palace and taken to a reception room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe parted with Theodore, hurriedly changed into a dress more appropriate for receiving guests, and headed for the reception room with two of her guards. She opened the door to find a red-haired woman resembling a flower in full bloom."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I apologize for keeping you. I am Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please, no apologies necessary! I’m honored to make your acquaintance.” The woman stood and curtsied gracefully. “My name is Sylvia Hollingworth. Thank you so much for your help last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please rise, Miss Sylvia. How are you feeling? You didn’t aggravate your condition coming all the way here, did you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her complexion did seem to be better, but such an effect could be achieved with makeup, so Rishe wasn’t comfortable going off of that detail alone. Despite her worry for the songstress, Sylvia shook her head elegantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I received some medicine from the doctor you sent me and rested well last night. I was already feeling better by the time I went to bed, and by morning, I was completely recovered.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad to hear it,” Rishe said, though she was still worried Sylvia was secretly pushing herself. Last night, it seemed like Sylvia had fainted and then regained only partial consciousness. If she had suffered an attack from an illness of some sort, it was very rare to recover completely a day after such severe symptoms. Still, she did appear healthy to Rishe’s careful eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s all thanks to you, Lady Rishe. I wish I could treat you to the performance you were supposed to see last night right away, but the show has been postponed a whole week…” Sylvia wilted, truly disappointed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled. “I’d also love to see you perform as soon as possible, but I must insist that you take the time to recover.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just…you never know which day might be your last, you know?” Sylvia said with a smile of her own. Rishe started, and Sylvia looked her in the eye as she added, “The performer or the audience. No one knows when they will take their last breath.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She pressed a graceful hand to her chest in a refined, captivating gesture. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were powerfully magnetic. “I was born to sing, you see. That’s why I itch to stand on the stage as many times as I possibly can.” She laughed bashfully. “Or so I’d like to say, but I can hardly claim such a thing after canceling a performance due to poor health.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe chuckled. “I’ll admit, I do want to hear you sing, but I also wish you wouldn’t push yourself, Miss Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia’s shy smile returned. “Lady Rishe, please just call me Sylvia. There’s no need for you to treat me with such formality.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Only if you do the same for me. Please, call me Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I couldn’t! I would normally never even be able to meet with the future crown princess!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? In that sense, am I not just a fan of the opera who would normally never be able to meet the diva herself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After all, the audience was not typically afforded the opportunity to speak with the performers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia wore naked surprise on her face before bursting into laughter. “Ah ha ha! Very well. Rishe, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a pleasure, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s guards watched over the exchange with sunny smiles. Rishe shook Sylvia’s hand and recalled what she could about the songstress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia Hollingworth belonged to a traveling opera troupe and had made a name for herself in many different countries. Her singing voice and beauty were obvious draws, but she also had a talent for acting that enchanted the audience, captivating all those who watched her perform. She was active in the future as well, her songs giving courage to many people in the tough times after the war began."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I saw you perform a year ago in my homeland of Hermity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really? I’m thrilled to hear it! A year ago in Hermity… Was it ‘The Fairy’s Wedding,’ then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was so wonderful! Especially at the end, when the princess exchanged her vows with a kiss—” Rishe gasped, cutting herself off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Sylvia. This is a bit of a strange question to ask when we’ve only just become friends, but…” Rishe squeezed Sylvia’s gloved hands and said with complete sincerity, “I’d like to know more about that kiss.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They moved to one of the visitors’ gardens, where Rishe gave Sylvia a quick once-over. Then Rishe called for her maids and had a tea set prepared at a light-blue table. Along with their tea came a variety of small cakes of every color."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gold fork in hand, Sylvia asked Rishe what she had meant earlier. “Is your wedding kiss troubling you, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mrgh… I wouldn’t say it’s troubling me. I’m just…embarrassed.” Simply putting it into words left Rishe feeling rather besieged. She’d dismissed the thought of asking Theodore about this, but even having the conversation with another woman made her nervous. “You have to kiss in your shows sometimes, right, Sylvia? Is there anything you do to prepare yourself, or to put the thought of who might be watching out of your mind?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be much help to you,” Sylvia said simply. “When I sing, I become the character I’m playing. I just feel that it’s only natural to kiss the person I love in that moment, so the thought doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The person you love…in that role?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. During a performance, I truly love the person playing my partner. Just on the stage, of course.” Sylvia put her elbows on the table and set her chin atop her laced fingers, grinning at Rishe. “After a truly incredible performance, however, the feeling can linger after the curtain falls, and we end up staying together even after the show is over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow…” Rishe breathed a sigh of awe. This was a world completely unknown to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia giggled. Cutting up a raspberry mousse cake, she said, “I’ve loved enough to fill an ocean.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then, the rumors about your love life…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you’ve heard them? Yes, they were all fantastic.” The diva spoke so lightly, she might as well have been singing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia had a reputation as a prodigy of the theater, but there was one more thing she was known for—and that was having many lovers. Rishe had never paid that rumor much attention, but now she was hearing from the woman herself that it was all true."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I feel that my singing becomes richer each time I experience love,” Sylvia told Rishe, her chest puffing up with pride. “My heart pounds and aches, nourishing my voice! That’s why I love love. And when my voice gets all the nourishment it needs, we can both part with a smile.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nourishment for your voice, you say…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. You receive something different from each person you love, after all.” She glanced down. “Just kidding. I’m sure people just see me as a fickle woman.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I think you’re amazing, Sylvia!” Rishe exclaimed, prompting Sylvia to look taken aback. “I feel like I understand a part of what makes your singing so incredible now. You pour everything you’ve experienced in your life into your singing, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s lips parted in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s amazing that you can use your experiences to sustain you like that. That’s exactly how I want to live too!” Rishe told her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia blinked several times before beaming like a flower unfurling its petals. “Hee hee! Oh, Rishe! It’s the first time in my life anyone’s understood what I meant when I talk about love!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The lady had a maturity to her, but she was absolutely adorable when she smiled. Her happiness was infectious, and Rishe found her own smile mirroring Sylvia’s. Yet the songstress’s next words cracked her calm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you not in love, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?!” Rishe almost dropped her teacup in surprise. “Wh-what? Why?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, if you’re worrying about the kiss at your wedding…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When did I say anything about love?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm.” Sylvia leaned in till the tip of her nose was mere inches from Rishe’s. Rishe got a whiff of a high-quality, sweet-scented perfume. Sylvia stared at Rishe with alluring eyes framed by those doll-like lashes. “If you just close your eyes, won’t it be over before you know it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! Is that how it works?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For you to be placing such importance on it…I was thinking maybe you entered into a political marriage but then wound up falling in love despite yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt like her heart was going to leap right out of her chest. “I-I am still yet a humble disciple. N-nothing of the sort has occurred!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A disciple of what?! Let me ask then, Rishe.” Sylvia’s painted lips curled up in a smile once more. “Does every little thing your husband-to-be does interest you? Do you wish you knew what goes on in his head?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, of course. Rishe’s thoughts naturally turned to Arnold. I wish I knew when he plans to initiate his revolution against his father, and why he proposed to me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you wonder who he’s with when he’s not with you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He might be with Sir Gutheil right now! What if he’s not merely expanding his Imperial Guard but actively planning future invasions?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you find yourself thinking about your future with him before you can help it?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I only hope to avoid the war and live in peace!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If so, then it’s love.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe whipped her head back and forth in denial. “No! I really think it’s something different!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you sure? Doesn’t your heart get all fluttery when you think about him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s certainly harrowing to consider what might happen if I can’t stop him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a sip of her tea to disguise the anxiety she was feeling. Sylvia, on the other hand, was visibly disappointed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, that’s too bad. I wanted to talk about love with a girlfriend over tea… But if you’re so upset by the thought of kissing him when you’re not in love, is the crown prince so loathsome to you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not at all! Prince Arnold is wasted on someone like me!” Arnold was not at fault in the least. The problem in this situation lay entirely with Rishe. Her cake sat forgotten as Rishe fervently defended her fiancé. “He’s kind, deeply knowledgeable, strong, and incredibly skilled in matters of politics! He’s always considerate of me and of his retainers as well. I honestly can’t even find the words to describe how much I respect him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For some reason, Rishe couldn’t stop trying to convince people of how wonderful Arnold was. Sylvia listened patiently before taking Rishe’s hand and giving her a smile that belonged on the face of the goddess herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have my support, even if your feelings are one-sided.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gah! That’s not… That’s not what I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia giggled and smiled fondly. “How wonderful… I’d like to fall in love again soon too…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You would ‘too’…? Are you not in love with anyone right now?” Rishe asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In my dreams, perhaps.” When Rishe tilted her head curiously, Sylvia shrugged. “I remember you helping me when I collapsed last night, but then it gets hazy again… I feel like I can remember a man holding me, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe blurted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know you were the one watching over me and that I was a bit out of it,” Sylvia said hastily. “But the man I dreamed about was such a gentleman, even though the way he spoke was a little rough… My first thought on waking was how I wished I’d be able to see him again.” She laughed. “How silly of me, wanting to meet a man I dreamed up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. “Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Today was a good day anyway, though. After all, I met you, and you’re so wonderful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A knight carried you to the carriage from the greenroom last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d knelt down next to Sylvia and picked her up almost reverently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“His name is Sir Gutheil. A tall gentleman…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s eyes opened wide. “Wh-why, Rishe!” She grabbed Rishe’s hands once more, and Rishe gave her a firm nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, Rishe obtained just the pretext she needed to meet Gutheil the knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "During the war in the future, Rudolf Gert Gutheil served as Arnold’s aide in his invasion of the western continent. Rishe heard that he earned this lofty position not just for his competence as a commander but also for his astute use of intelligence. Of course, she had heard this during the war, and it wasn’t as if she could simply believe whatever she heard about Galkhein at the time. It was perfectly possible that the information itself was intentionally leaked in the service of some strategy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold manipulates his own reputation, after all. Despite his brilliant political moves, he never publicizes his own involvement and instead maintains his “cruel and brutal prince” image."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe learned from Arnold and Harriet not to believe every rumor she heard. That made it even more vital that she get the measure of Gutheil herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm. So the songstress Sylvia is interested in our knight Gutheil, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore had just arrived in the garden and was propping up his chin with one hand. His eyes rested on a man and woman walking through the riot of flowers. Poking at a cake that Rishe had set in front of him, he said, “Well, Gutheil’s a pretty attractive man. Not as much as my brother, of course, but he’s got manly features and sharp brows. He’s tall and well built too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sylvia didn’t seem to remember his appearance all that well. She just said she felt very safe in his arms.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You were moved to help the lovestruck songstress out, were you, Sister?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced at the pair on the other side of the garden. “It’s a good thing you just happened to be passing by, Prince Theodore!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm. I was quite worried about what I might be getting roped into when you suddenly asked me if I knew him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the other side of the garden, Sylvia was smiling at a nervous Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry. Sylvia wanted to thank him, and I wouldn’t have been able to arrange for their meeting myself.” Rishe had no power to ask anything of Arnold’s knights, as she was just his fiancée at this point. She would have had to go through Arnold, but she’d heard that he would be busy with work in his office all morning. “I’m glad Sir Gutheil was kind enough to agree to meet with her as well…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. The way I see it, he doesn’t look completely uninterested.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can tell?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From where Rishe and Theodore were sitting, they couldn’t hear the pair’s conversation. But the soft smile on Sylvia’s face was plain for anyone to see. To Rishe, Gutheil was simply nervous the whole time, so she wondered how Theodore could tell whether he was interested. She cocked her head to one side, and Theodore grinned sunnily at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really are naive in the ways of love, sister dearest! Apart from Elsie, you’re probably the only one who hasn’t noticed the huge crush Kamil has on her!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kamil was one of Rishe’s guards. Both he and Elsie originally hailed from the slums, and they had known each other since they were small. Rishe was completely unaware of the “huge crush” Kamil had on his childhood friend."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve not yet studied the ways of love…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Studied?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe lowered her head. Besides, I hardly have time for that now. I can’t even consider it until I’ve fulfilled my vow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The thought was almost unconscious, and it was gone from her mind by the time she raised her head once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What sort of man would you say Sir Gutheil is, Prince Theodore?” Rishe steered the conversation back on topic by asking what she really wanted to know. Part of it was simple information-gathering, but she also wanted to know as much as she could get away with knowing for the sake of her new friend, Sylvia."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s the serious type, I think. The man’s twenty-three and tall, even among the knights. He’s got skills with a sword and took his studies seriously too. Seems like he’s a little high-strung, like he’s the sort of guy to get hung up on stuff, but you could just say that means he’s diligent. Just…” Chin still in his hand, Theodore gave Rishe a pointed look. “Listen. If you asked me about Gutheil, it means you know why I know him, right? That means you’ve heard he may become one of my brother’s Imperial Guards.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…I haven’t heard anything about Sir Gutheil specifically, but Prince Arnold did tell me he was thinking about expanding his Imperial Guard, yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A question for you, then. What do the retainers my brother chooses all have in common?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Other than the fact that they’re all highly skilled, you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Theodore had issued her a challenge, but Rishe raised the white flag right away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I could never hope to compare to you when it comes to knowledge of your beloved brother, Prince Theodore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh heh. Well, I’ll just have to tell you, then.” Theodore’s eyes, a slightly deeper blue than Arnold’s, narrowed with pride. The next moment, however, the expression had been wiped from his face as he murmured, “They’re all talented but oppressed in some way—so that talent has never been acknowledged, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe realized he was spot-on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take Oliver, for example. He was a knight with a bright future. The firstborn son of a marquess appointed by the emperor himself, with impressive swordsmanship and a talent for command as well. Not that I want to admit it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard he injured himself training when he was young and was never able to pursue knighthood again after that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly. His father, Lord Friedheim, instructed him with a rigor that bordered on violence. As a result, he ended up unable to even grip a sword. The marquess deemed him worthless, and my brother made him his attendant after he was disowned by his family.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a much more tragic tale than the version Rishe had heard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kamil is the same, as a talented man from the slums who was never given a fair chance. Galkhein’s claim as a meritocracy gives people all the more reason to compete fiercely with one another. The people who work most closely for my brother were all denied opportunities due to their origins or whatever else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what Prince Arnold—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s very thorough about it too. Even his warhorse, Hildebrand, is a good horse, but one treated terribly by his previous owner. He was on the verge of death when my brother took him in.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had ridden that very horse just a few days ago. He was a fantastic mount who responded perfectly to every one of Arnold’s instructions. Horses were clever animals and very sensitive to a person’s feelings. He likely understood that Arnold had saved his life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That being the case, he still only takes on people with exceptional abilities. If they’re not talented, then he won’t so much as bat an eye no matter how wretched their environment may be.” Theodore turned his pretty eyes on Rishe. “Do you understand what I’m getting at, my dear sister?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You mean to say there’s a reason Sir Gutheil is even a candidate for Imperial Guard of the crown prince?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Correct. Gutheil, you see…” Theodore lowered his voice and whispered the rest to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…Is that true?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who can say? That’s all I’ve managed to dig up on him, anyway.” Theodore cocked his head while Rishe mentally organized the information he’d given her. “Will any of that help you support your friend in her romance, though?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I believe it will,” Rishe said with a smile. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. “I must express my admiration for your information network once more, Prince Theodore. I would expect nothing less from Prince Arnold’s brother himself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh heh. Go ahead, compliment my connection to my brother even more. I’m competing with Oliver right now, you know. He thinks he knows my brother better than me. That’s the whole reason I investigated the candidates for his Imperial Guard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t imagine Oliver expressing interest in such a contest. Rishe kept that thought to herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that Sylvia and Gutheil completed their circuit of the garden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Might you meet with me again sometime, Sir Gutheil?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure, erm…if you wouldn’t mind…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’ve even made plans for another date! Things were moving much faster than Rishe expected."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Rishe gawked at them, Gutheil hesitantly began, “But, Lady Sylvia…are you truly well? You were so light when I held you yesterday. That was worrying enough on its own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia beamed at him. Even Rishe found the expression positively angelic. “Just hearing of your concern for me is a delight. I assure you, I feel fine now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re sure you’re not pushing yourself? I only just realized I should’ve had you refrain from walking around the garden. Please forgive my utter lack of consideration.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nonsense. I could tell you were walking slowly for my sake.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, if the fresh air was good for you, then I’m happy to have helped.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could sense just how concerned Gutheil was for Sylvia by the way he sighed when he heard she was okay. Sylvia gave her a little wave and mouthed “thank you,” and Rishe returned the smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If only they could spend a little more time together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Theodore piped up, “The songstress is heading home, then? But just imagine the rumors that would spread about the palace’s lack of manners if we let such a famous performer return all on her own.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, Prince Theodore…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gutheil, I command you to see the lady home safely.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though Gutheil was caught off guard, he quickly met Sylvia’s eyes and bowed his head deeply. “Understood, Your Highness. I will protect her with my very life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could not help feeling touched by Theodore’s consideration when she saw how Sylvia’s eyes sparkled. She bid the diva goodbye, promising to speak with her again in the near future, before seeing her off. As Sylvia left with Gutheil, her blossoming smile returned to her lips."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Cleverly done, Prince Theodore. There won’t be any problems with Sir Gutheil’s schedule?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll give the knights some excuse. He doesn’t have any duties that can’t be delegated anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Despite his outstanding capabilities, you mean?” Maybe it had something to do with the secret Theodore had shared with her. “Now that we’ve come this far, I have another small favor I’d like to ask of you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I just knew you were going to get me wrapped up in something weird!” Theodore protested. Yet not only did he hear Rishe out, but he even said in response, “Well, that’s not any different from what I’ve done before. It’s a bit frightening how accustomed I’m growing to this, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ultimately, he readily agreed to her request."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That afternoon, something else occurred that was of particular interest to Rishe. It did not directly involve her, however—it involved her current fiancé, Arnold, and her former fiancé, Dietrich."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you so much for today, Prince Arnold.” Dressed for a soirée, Rishe thanked Arnold on their way to the party hall. “I never thought you would allow Prince Dietrich to accompany you on your afternoon duties…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold replied with nothing but silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver had reported the occurrence to her after she’d parted with Sylvia and Gutheil, while she was in a meeting about the wedding. She’d been sincerely surprised to hear it, but the idea had apparently been Oliver’s to begin with. He’d suggested that Arnold stop by to pick up Dietrich during his business in the capital and show the foreign prince how he worked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Won’t he be in Prince Arnold’s way, though?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I’m sure he will. I’ve heard all the rumors about Prince Dietrich, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I doubt it will be a problem. A slight disturbance will not have much effect on my lord’s activities. And I’m sure it will be worthwhile for Prince Dietrich to see another royal around his age at work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe realized something when she saw the bright smile on his face. “Oliver, are you…having a bit of fun?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha, why, perish the thought! I’m sure it will be just as valuable an experience for my lord to interact with someone his age who is of a similar standing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Would it be a good experience, though? Rishe had been concerned, but when she learned that Arnold had agreed, she figured she would just leave things to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-was everything okay? Prince Dietrich didn’t cause you any headaches?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not really. No matter who accompanies me on my business, it doesn’t change the work involved.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before Rishe could protest, there was a rustling from the shrubbery on the side of the path. Rishe was surprised, but not by the noise. It was because in the split second they heard the noise, Arnold stepped protectively in front of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…” Rishe peeked out from behind Arnold’s large frame. They both turned to scan the shrubbery. “It’s…a cat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So it seems.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the shadows emerged a black cat still small enough to be called a kitten. Rishe stepped out from behind Arnold and knelt, holding her hand out toward it. Judging by how it didn’t crouch down low, it seemed to be accustomed to people."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mere, kitty…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aww, it ran away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The cat must have had plans after this, just as they did. Rishe stood, slightly disappointed, and took Arnold’s arm once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for protecting me…but you could tell it was only an animal as well, couldn’t you, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That doesn’t guarantee your safety. If a beast was able to infiltrate the palace in the first place, that just means we need to improve on our current security.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re calling that kitten a beast?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was right, of course. The fact that there was a route the kitten could use to get into the palace was a problem. If someone brought the animal in, then there was an issue with the checking of the guests’ belongings. And if it had gotten in on its own, that was evidence that, for instance, the ramparts could be breached by way of a tree."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold makes use of even the most trivial bits of information when he makes decisions. There was plenty to learn from how Arnold saw the world. As Rishe considered this, she thought, He must know what Prince Theodore told me about Sir Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They arrived at the party hall after exchanging only trifling small talk. The moment the doors to the hall opened, a soft cheer blew through the room. The hall was filled with significant figures, all holding glasses of wine. As Rishe bathed in their scrutiny, she casually confirmed the identities of each individual she walked by."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There are a few people here I’m not acquainted with yet. Is that Lady Diekmeier in the dress that’s modeled after a rose? The woman Lord Hannawald is escorting must be his wife. He mentioned her to me before. The current emperor is supposed to be the host of this party, but he’s absent as always. Prince Arnold is attending in his place…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She got that far before she raised her head, having sensed an intense stare. She met Arnold’s eyes immediately, and his expression softened as he studied her. Rishe’s heart skipped a beat, and a buzz swept through the crowd at the same time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“H-hey, have you ever seen such a tender look on Prince Arnold’s face before?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was Prince Arnold always watching me as I attended parties like this in the past? Rishe wondered, remembering what he’d said to Dietrich the day before. Although the thought flustered her, it also made her happy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A man she’d never met before approached them. “I…I’m pleased to see you enjoying yourself tonight, Prince Arnold. It’s been some time since we last met, but I’m glad you’re doing well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lord Egel,” Arnold said icily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lord Egel. Prince Theodore told me that the current emperor values this marquess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe wanted to greet the man as well, she couldn’t say anything until Arnold introduced her. Until then, she bowed her head politely and listened to their conversation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“First, please allow me to congratulate you on your engagement. A real wonder, that. As far as I’m aware, you’ve never spared so much as a glance at a member of the fairer sex, and now you’ve finally chosen a bride…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I may be biased, but I believe my own daughter is rather pretty. It’s terribly disappointing that she never caught your eye. That brings me to a rather surprising rumor I heard—is it true, Your Highness, that you’re absolutely infatuated with your fiancée?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s shoulders twitched, her head still bowed. Lord Egel governs a region in the west, doesn’t he? How the heck did he hear a rumor like that?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surely this was the time to make her introductions, but Rishe felt so awkward that she could no longer raise her head. A moment later, however, Arnold cupped her chin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What an interesting rumor.” He gave a gentle tug, and she had no choice but to meet his eyes. His hand still on her face, he gazed down at her with a soft smile that turned daring as he pulled Rishe closer by the waist. “Is there some problem if it’s true?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wasn’t sure what to make of his provocative smile. The marquess was equally speechless, prompting Arnold to snort and take Rishe by the hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s go, Rishe. You can make your introductions later.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“R-right. Excuse us!” Rishe felt bad for the informal manner of their parting, but the marquess was equally flustered as he left. Heart hammering in her chest, Rishe gazed up at Arnold. “Was…was that all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Was what all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you serious?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could think of any number of issues with that exchange, but apparently none of it bothered Arnold. She didn’t have the courage to go into specifics, so all she could do was fall silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t need to introduce yourself to him right now. More importantly…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe followed Arnold’s gaze and realized what he was getting at. “Right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a corner of the venue, Dietrich—who should have spent the whole afternoon with Arnold—was peeking out from behind a pillar, trembling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-why is Prince Dietrich cowering like that with tears in his eyes, like a little puppy? The weepy way he quivered made him look just like his father, the king of Hermity. Oh, Prince Dietrich, you have to be more confident at soirées! And it’s not good manners to be by yourself so early in the evening…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stared at her wordlessly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe returned his gaze, arm linked with his, and realized, Wait! It’s not my responsibility to be counseling Prince Dietrich anymore! At last comprehending the reason for Arnold’s expression, Rishe nodded at him. I understand. Leave this to me, Prince Arnold!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold seemed as if he wanted to say something to her, but he ultimately stayed quiet. Rishe collected herself and called out to the pillar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good evening, Prince Dietrich. I hear you accompanied Prince Arnold today during his work. What did you think of what you saw?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-wh-what did I think of it?!” Dietrich leapt out from behind the pillar and advanced on Rishe, tears still in his eyes. “I-I-I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please calm yourself, Your Highness! Let’s take this out to the balcony, shall we?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other partygoers were trading hushed whispers, surprised by Dietrich’s behavior. Rishe hurriedly led him and Arnold out onto a balcony, where they could speak freely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-Lord Arnold! Do you always cram so much work into your schedule?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That can’t be! There’s no way! You must have packed so much into your schedule today just to scare me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked at Arnold once more in surprise. “Did you really have that much work to do today, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No? I had less to do than usual. Oliver went and changed my schedule on me.” Arnold wore the same inscrutable expression he always did. He was completely unperturbed, whereas Dietrich was clutching at his head and squirming. “I even took a break because I couldn’t bear this one’s constant pestering.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what’s so strange about it!” Dietrich countered. “You worked all the way until evening with only one break?! It was just work, travel, work, travel, work, work, work! And you were doing paperwork inside the carriage while we traveled! Have you never even heard of coach-sickness before?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really, Prince Arnold…” Rishe sighed. “You must take more frequent breaks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I could say the exact same to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why are you two acting as if this is just a typical day for you?!” Dietrich panted like he was exhausted. Thankfully, the energy it was taking him just to breathe meant he wasn’t actually producing much volume when he yelled. “Are you human?! Is that stamina of yours human?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s workload seems excessive, even to me. No wonder it scared Prince Dietrich… The other prince must have been shocked to see how Arnold worked up close. Rishe couldn’t even imagine the two of them sharing a carriage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shoulders heaving, Dietrich took a deep breath before asking Arnold, “Have you ever even questioned it before?” His expression hardened, his tone becoming more serious. “Royalty must spend morning to night thinking of their subjects and sacrificing their time for the sake of their country. No matter how hard they may work, no one will praise them for it. Self-sacrifice is only natural, absolute devotion is a given, and if you can’t achieve that, you’ll be cast aside as unnecessary.” Dietrich scowled. “You can’t choose how you want to live. Your subjects may think you live affluently, but the truth is, there’s nothing free about your life! You’re bound by custom, captive to the way others see you, and at the end of it all…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What of it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich froze at Arnold’s matter-of-fact tone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course royalty has no right to a human life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’re you…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you not understand? The life of a king or an emperor is weightier than the lives of millions of his subjects.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If a small country is invaded by a larger one, it can send out thousands of soldiers and it won’t make a difference. But if the king of that country offers his own life, the war is over.” Arnold tapped his throat with his middle finger. “The king has a duty to each and every one of his subjects. Whether you understand that or not, a royal is nothing more than a pawn in a much larger game.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A pawn?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Neither you nor I have the right to live life as human beings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A chill ran down Rishe’s spine at Arnold’s plain assertion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you talk as if you think we all have to be ready to give our lives for our countries someday! Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled scornfully, a dark light in his blue eyes. “That was your obligation the moment you were born as crown prince.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich gritted his teeth and turned his back on them, fleeing back into the party. Rishe followed a few steps after him, then stopped. It was now just her and Arnold out on the balcony together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The summer breeze blew through the silence stretching between them. Rishe raised her head timidly when Arnold called her name. Her eyes met Arnold’s from a few meters away. She could find no words to say, and Arnold sighed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was it you said to that cat earlier?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His pensive gaze landed on his shoes. “Right. I remember.” Arnold turned to her again and extended his hand, his voice just as soft as the expression on his face. “C’mere, you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe’s cheeks flushed. The line was completely unexpected coming from Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did Prince Arnold just call me like a cat?! It just wasn’t fair—though if someone asked her exactly what wasn’t fair, she didn’t think she’d be able to answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she groped for a reply, Arnold tilted his head and smirked. “Hmm?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe finally gave in, taking a step toward him. She took his proffered hand and let him pull her the rest of the way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need to ask."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She studied Arnold in earnest, their fingers still entwined. “If war breaks out again in the future…” It took considerable courage for Rishe to bring up this hypothetical with Arnold, but she didn’t tear her gaze from his blue eyes. Quietly, so that no one else would hear, she asked him, “To what end would you offer up your own life?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold smiled. “I’m not interested in hypotheticals.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you’re prepared to make use of it, are you not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kings and emperors bear the full responsibility for their countries,” he stated as if they were discussing the weather. “A crown prince is only born to take on that burden. You could say that’s doubly true for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flinched. Arnold’s father had not accepted any of the children born to him without a specific hair and eye color. Arnold was likely not his true firstborn son. He was only the crown prince because his father had killed any brothers who came before him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold bears no responsibility for that. She squeezed his fingers. Yet he feels his very existence is a sin…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A devastating sadness weighed on Rishe’s heart. Only a moment ago, Arnold had said that royalty had no right to a human life. He didn’t seem to want that for his brother Theodore or his sisters, though. Nor for his empress-to-be."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The only people he feels don’t deserve to be human are his father and himself. Does he realize that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He touched Rishe’s cheek. “You’re pouting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since he’d already seen through her attempt to hide it, she let the expression show fully on her face. “I am, because I’m angry…but I’m angry at myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatever for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just feel so useless.” Rishe hung her head, pursing her lips. “I want you to be happy, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded Rishe with astonishment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wish your future could be nothing but happiness…even if you don’t think you deserve it.” No, just wishing wasn’t enough. “I’ll try to be more creative.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll eat the most delicious food in the world, sleep on beds so fluffy you’ll want to just melt into them, and see sights so beautiful it makes you dizzy…” She listed everything she could think of, carefully scrutinizing each suggestion. “I’ll give you experiences like that to show you the appeal of being happy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was absolutely serious, but Arnold just stared at her in bewilderment before chuckling quietly. “Heh.” It was a rare sort of smile for Arnold, like he couldn’t contain his emotions. “I see the appeal plenty already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He set his hand atop Rishe’s head, and she tilted it to the side in confusion. Then Arnold donned the teasing smile she was more accustomed to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what about you? Have you decided how you want to celebrate your birthday yet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flinched, not expecting him to turn the tables on her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is there anything you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… Can I say I want what you want, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t think so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s birthday was eight days away. She knew if she didn’t make up her mind soon, there wouldn’t be any time to prepare for it—but she just couldn’t think of anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s like you have no desires.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re the last person I want to hear that from, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart thudded against her rib cage when that teasing smile appeared. She was sure Arnold didn’t mean anything by it, but she couldn’t help thinking of what she knew was coming."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I haven’t solved the issue of the kiss at our wedding either! And I don’t have many days left to figure that out! And…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced back toward the party hall, where Arnold’s knights were providing security. She had to do more digging on Gutheil as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I need to figure all this out, one after another. First, I’ll investigate tomorrow using the method I asked of Prince Theodore."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0008.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE NEXT DAY, new knights scrambled around the training grounds, picking up after a lesson."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sven, can you hand me that cloth?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. That wooden sword might be splintering, so be careful with it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks! I’ll sand it down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Accustomed to the work after many long days of training, the two knights performed some maintenance on the weapons before putting them away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of them, a recent recruit named Sven, sighed while rolling his eyes at the other. “Sheesh. I didn’t think you’d be the one helping out since we’re shorthanded with Fritz gone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me?” Rishe looked up from her work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Haven’t seen you since our special training, but you’re just as handy as ever, Lucius.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh heh.” Rishe, in her male guise as “Lucius,” smiled at Sven. The two had become fast friends during their morning practice sessions together. “I’m glad to see you seem to be doing well too, Sven. Did you bulk up a bit since the last time I saw you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course I did. I’ve kept up morning training sessions even without you and Fritz around,” he muttered. For all his grumbling, it was clear that he was truly putting in the effort. “I really wanted to see Fritz too…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thinking of the friend she hadn’t seen once since that special training, Rishe smiled sadly. She’d snuck into the cadet training, but she hadn’t been able to keep up with it at all due to her lack of stamina—but Fritz had always been a source of encouragement to her. They’d gotten close while Rishe had been disguised as a boy, and they’d parted without him learning the truth about her. She felt guilty for lying to him all that time, but she still wished she could see his smiling face again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He accompanied Lord Lawvine back to Ceutena, didn’t he?” she asked Sven."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s his hometown, so…Lord Lawvine said he’d be able to hold his head up high if he went back with the area’s regent to let everyone know he’d made it as a knight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just like I thought, Lord Lawvine’s passionate when it comes to nurturing young talent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lawvine was a count who governed the northern region of Galkhein. He’d served as the knight cadets’ instructor during their special training. Rishe heard that the man had lost his child in the war. That may have been one reason he approached their training with such kind consideration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lord Lawvine tries to stop Prince Arnold’s war in the future, and he’s executed for it. I still don’t know the reason for that tragedy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to meet with Lawvine again as well. He would visit the capital for her wedding, though. For now, she had to focus on what was right in front of her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she continued to clean up the training grounds, she snuck a glance at another area. Many knights gathered in the training grounds each morning. They were divided into units and followed the orders of their unit commanders, so while they were working, they didn’t often interact with members of other units. The few chances they got were when they were in the barracks and when they were doing morning training. Arnold and his Imperial Guard were a separate entity, so they seldom showed their faces here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had her eye on one knight among them who had just finished training: Gutheil. The man wiped away his sweat and turned toward a wooden sword lying on the ground. He picked it up without hesitation and patted the dirt from it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Cleaning up the training grounds is a job for the new recruits. Yet Sir Gutheil is helping as if it’s completely natural for him to do. There were plenty of knights who never spared the training grounds so much as a glance after they were finished with their workout, so Gutheil’s behavior was rather unusual. He really is the diligent type. He was taking his training seriously too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was one other thing she was curious about as well. “Hey, Sven…that big guy with the brown hair who’s helping out with the cleaning…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He seems really nice, so why does it look like people are giving him the cold shoulder?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sven made a sour face in response. “You can’t really blame them. It’s probably awkward for them too. You might not know this, but…” He glanced around, making sure no one was listening to them before whispering to Rishe, “His father betrayed Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the same thing Theodore revealed in the garden the day before. Still, Rishe pretended as if she were hearing it for the first time and asked, “Betrayed Galkhein? What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The previous head of the family, Sir Gutheil’s father, was a noble and a knight of Galkhein too. He was important enough to lead his own unit, but he took the information his position gave him access to and leaked it to an enemy nation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, it lined up with Theodore’s intel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So he was a spy for another country?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I dunno what kinda damage the leak actually did. I think it was like ten years ago? Back when we were kids, there was this big thing about Sir Gutheil the knight captain being a turncoat. Maybe you were too little to remember.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She smiled like he’d hit upon the answer—but in reality, she didn’t know because she wasn’t from Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sven didn’t suspect a thing. “Leaking intelligence is a capital crime. Sir Gutheil’s father was executed and stripped of his peerage. It’s been however many years now and his son’s still getting the cold shoulder.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everything so far matched up with what she’d heard from Theodore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil’s super strong, isn’t he? He beat everyone he was up against in his matches.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lord Lawvine praised his skill too. He trained Sir Gutheil when he was a rookie.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And everyone still treats him coldly?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From what I can tell, all the work he gets is patrolling in town. And not in the slums, or anywhere else there’s likely to be trouble, but in residential areas where half the time the work is just giving someone directions.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Which meant Gutheil fit the bill for one of Arnold’s retainers: He was a talented individual who wasn’t given a fair shake due to circumstances beyond his control."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, espionage is a serious crime, but that was his father. Sir Gutheil hasn’t committed any crimes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And he hasn’t been executed. He wasn’t punished at all aside from losing his home and peerage. But there’s nothing you can do about the way people look at you when your family member’s a traitor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe it was only natural for the people close to an accused spy to suffer a loss of trust as well, but it just didn’t sit right with Rishe. “It’s not like crime is contagious. They might be family, but they’re different people…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found herself picturing Arnold. Prince Arnold is the same. He feels he bears responsibility for the sins his father committed… That’s why he feigns similarity to his father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She took a short breath. If she wanted to learn more about Gutheil himself, she’d have to investigate further. She picked up the wooden swords nearby and told Sven, “I don’t think we have any more time for maintenance today. I’ll put away all the ones that need sanding yet. Is there anything you want me to grab from storage?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Get me a broom, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure thing!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe snuck another glance at Gutheil as she headed to the back of the training grounds. The knights kept their distance from him, and he worked in silence as he picked up after them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What should I do? Sir Gutheil knows the face of Prince Arnold’s fiancée. I may be dressed as a boy, but I can’t get too close to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though she’d gotten information from Theodore and gossip from Sven, rumors were just that—rumors. She’d need another perspective if she wanted to know the truth about him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arriving at the storage shed, she put away the swords that couldn’t be used again without some maintenance. I could come up with a different disguise…but I’m not confident about disguising my face. He’s probably the only person who could—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatcha doin’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe jumped. The voice had come from right next to her ear. She hadn’t sensed anyone nearby, but someone had managed to get just behind her. Almost close enough to touch her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The person behind Rishe trapped her in place by lodging their hand against the wall next to her, whispering, “And what’s with the outfit? Though it looks pretty good on you, ‘Lucius.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe closed her eyes and sighed without turning around. “I’m a little flattered to hear you compliment my disguise…Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a snicker behind her. Rishe put away the rest of the swords, asking, “What are you doing here? Don’t you need to be guarding Princess Harriet?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, the real Curtis should be arriving in Vinrhys soon. I left my men to guard her, so I’m doing some sightseeing in the capital.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s certainly plenty to see in the palace.” Rishe finished her work and turned around at last. She was startled to see Raul standing there without a disguise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see. You’ve used makeup to give yourself a more masculine look.” Raul put a hand to his chin as he looked Rishe up and down. “You’re too delicate to pass yourself off as a man, though. You’ve bound your chest, sure, but that training uniform looks like it’s wearing you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… I can’t fill it out with anything if I’m going to be moving around in it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eh, the way you carry yourself isn’t bad. And I see you’ve tucked that long hair of yours under a short wig. If I didn’t know your real identity, I really would think you were just a delicate boy with a feminine face.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really? Thank you!” She couldn’t help thanking him sincerely for the compliment, but she hadn’t forgotten her original question. “…So?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha, you don’t have to glare at me like that! I’m just doing some reconnaissance! And don’t worry, I have permission from your husband. I told him I wanted to see how Galkhein trains its knights so we could better protect our printing technologies, and he told me, ‘Do what you want.’ Apparently, he couldn’t possibly care less!” Raul made peace signs with both hands, but Rishe found this a bit suspicious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold really gave you permission to observe the knights?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, not his knights.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I guess that’s a little more reasonable?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The future army of knights under Arnold’s command was said to be the best in the world, largely due to Arnold’s training methods. Currently, only his Imperial Guard were receiving his special method of instruction. Maybe Arnold didn’t care what other countries learned as long as it had nothing to do with his training plans."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, Rishe narrowed her eyes and said, “Unfortunately, I’m not confident in my ability to see through your lies or Prince Arnold’s.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That said, I have the utmost faith in you. Neither you nor His Highness would do anything dangerous if you didn’t stand to gain anything from it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The suspicious smile on Raul’s face faltered, replaced with a different sort of grin. “I’ll never be able to compete with you, will I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I get it already. Can you promise me one thing, though? Keep what I’m about to tell you a secret from your Prince Arnold, will you?” Raul put a finger to his lips, a touch more serious than usual."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I promise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good girl.” He paused. “What your prince is worried about is foreign spies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes nearly popped out. “He suspects the palace has been breached by intelligence operatives?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I’m not sure. But that’s part of what I’m investigating here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Under Prince Arnold’s orders.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a favor. I owe quite a lot to you and your lovely husband, you know?” His tone was as flippant as ever, but Raul was likely being genuine. And if Arnold was really worried about spies, there was no one better to investigate than Raul, who was a talented spy himself. “Besides, if there really was someone who proposed the counterfeiting scheme to Fabrannia and put Harriet through all that, then I have plenty of reason to investigate myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So their interests aligned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It made sense to Rishe. At the same time, she recalled what had happened the night before. This must be why Prince Arnold was so cautious of the kitten we saw on the way to the party… He had to have known it was only an animal in the bushes as soon as he sensed it, yet Arnold had still hid Rishe behind him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If a beast was able to infiltrate the palace in the first place, that just means we need to improve on our current security.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That wasn’t just a hypothetical. Arnold had his guard up because he already suspected flaws in the palace’s security."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn’t react to that tiny noise out of pure reflex. It was because he thinks there may be spies in the palace. Rishe grimaced, disappointed in herself for not picking up on Arnold’s suspicion. Not only had she failed to pick up on his misgivings and thus failed to help him, but she’d also thoughtlessly allowed him to protect her. She would never stop Arnold’s war if she carried on like this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Prince Arnold suspects spies in the palace, there’s something else I have to consider."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What crossed her mind now was Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sir Gutheil’s father was executed for espionage. Is it just a coincidence that Prince Arnold is considering expanding his Imperial Guard, with Sir Gutheil as a candidate, while this spy business is underway?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could come up with as many theories as she wanted, but they would remain just that: theories."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You seem to be giving this a lot of thought, Lucius.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul…” Rishe scrutinized him from a mere hair’s breadth away. “Could you give me an entirely different face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Why? Your face is so cute! I don’t want to change it,” Raul said with a hollow smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t really believe that, and it’s written all over your face,” Rishe told him. The women Raul courted all fit a single type: mature, with enchanting features. The type Rishe was not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha, only joking. Honestly, I need certain tools to change someone’s face. They must be made with the structure of the wearer’s face in mind, so I can’t make any for you right away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doesn’t seem like he’ll do it for me. He never taught this to us in my fifth life…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He probably couldn’t teach it to anyone else. Raul was the leader of his hunters, and there were plenty of things the previous leader had taught only him. It stood to reason that he’d keep some teachings secret from the rest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then if you find any evidence of spying, may I ask you to report your results to me as well?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’ll keep it a secret from your prince.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. I’d also prefer if Prince Arnold didn’t find out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul gave her his usual light smile, holding out his pinky. “It’s a promise, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A custom from the eastern country, eh? Indeed it is.” Rishe tapped her own pinky finger to Raul’s."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul sucked in a breath, then stepped back. “Oh yes, do be careful. I’m making my report to your prince right here in the training grounds, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! You mean Prince Arnold is coming here?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha! If you want to get away, you’d better run!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s face went pale. She’d gone to Theodore for help in sneaking into today’s knight training, but it was a secret from Arnold. “I-I have to go! I’m sorry, Raul! Let’s talk later!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure, sure. See you then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She parted with the carefree, waving Raul and burst out of the storage shed. While she hadn’t managed to get close to Gutheil, she’d obtained useful enough information."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need to get to my next appointment!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, that should do it. Raul stretched as he watched Rishe make her escape from the training grounds. The trick to lying is to mix in some truth…and to stack two lies, one on top of the other. If someone with good instincts sees through you, you can say you’ll tell them the truth and only reveal the first lie."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was just like wearing a second disguise underneath your first. When your cover was blown, you merely showed them your second disguise. Of course, there weren’t many people Raul had to use this double lie technique on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, I can’t believe I was instructed to give her a double lie under the assumption that she’d see through the first. Brimming with mirth but not letting it show, Raul closed his eyes. It’s not like I really lied to her, I just didn’t tell her the whole truth. What a cruel husband you are, Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had no choice but to obey his commands. He felt no guilt over lying to Rishe. Living this way was his role as the head of his band of hunters. It is true that I want to help, though, Princess Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not that she was officially crown princess yet. Raul stretched again, then headed off to make his report."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That night, Rishe let out a quiet cry in the kitchen of the detached palace, attempting a particular endeavor on her own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This kitchen was mostly used for boiling water or reheating food, so it was typically deserted. Late at night, there were no maids present, so there should have been no one to discover her doings. Yet only a few moments later, Rishe heard footsteps, and her panic spiked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Arnold!” Rishe whirled around to find a rare sight: Arnold staring wide-eyed at the mess she’d made of the kitchen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something white and fluffy had spilled from a large pot, blanketing the floor all around Rishe. And it wasn’t just the floor—the table the pot sat on, the chair next to that table, and even Rishe’s dress and hair were covered in the stuff."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold pinched a bit of the substance floating in the air between his fingers and squinted at it. “White petals… No, snow?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, I made it hoping it might look like both, really.” She tried to cover the top of the pot with her arms, but it was futile; the substance continued to leak through the gaps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at Rishe—who was now covered in the fluffy substance—before saying, “If it’s edible, I’ll do what I can to help.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No! Th-this wasn’t me messing up at cooking!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flushed red at Arnold’s staid suggestion. Cooking was not among her many skills, and Arnold was the only person who ever finished any meals she made, so she leapt to defend herself. Or maybe Arnold was only saying that because he knew she didn’t like to waste even pepper-spiked wine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not food. It’s a theater prop I was thinking I might be able to create with alchemy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A prop?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Slightly embarrassed, Rishe nodded and explained herself to Arnold. She’d discussed all sorts of things with Sylvia when the songstress visited the palace the day before. It had taken Rishe some time to bring up the matter of the kiss after they’d moved to the gardens. One topic Sylvia had raised was this:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The opera you saw had a scene where there was a shower of petals at the end, right? Yes, the confetti! It’s a beautiful sight, but the effect takes a lot of work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It does seem like an incredible amount of labor to make all that scrap paper. How do you do it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. Simple elbow grease, that’s all! One time, they even had us performers hold scissors and cut them up while we practiced our lines. It’s a lot of work to clean up too. It’s not like they melt over time. Sometimes they’ll get stuck on the ceiling and fall down at the worst moment during a performance the next day!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon hearing that, Rishe told Sylvia, “I could make something like that, I think. Something that’s pretty, that you can make a lot of at once, and that will vanish over time like snow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You could?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had everything she needed in stock already, in fact. She’d ordered it from the Aria Trading Company for something else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, you see, if you mix elements extracted from several medicinal plants, you can dry the mixture into a powder that expands into this snow-like substance when you add water to it.” From across the table, Rishe showed Arnold a small dish with a semi-translucent powder in it. Arnold studied the mixture carefully."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then if you take this snow-like substance and put pressure on it…” Rishe scooped up some of the fluff and balled it up like she was making a snowball. When she opened her hands, she was holding something resembling a handful of confetti. “It breaks up into scraps like this. See? They’re like petals.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see.” Arnold pinched the “petal” Rishe held out to him. He held it up to a wall-mounted lamp and let the light shine through it. “This is another application of alchemy, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! Mysterious, isn’t it? Just by mixing elements found in the natural world, you can create something brand-new.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And this is the result of trying to mass-produce the substance in this kitchen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look, I’m really sorry about that…” She hadn’t thought she’d produce so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t expect this result! I did this experiment in the castle in Coyolles in a past life using the same quantities of plant matter and water, so why did it expand so much? The amount of water? The composition of the water? The temperature, the humidity…? Ugh, there are too many possible factors!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her third life, she’d studied frantically under the genius Michel Hévin, forgoing sleep to experiment on the forefront of alchemical research. She felt all too keenly now that even that hadn’t been enough to sate her thirst for knowledge—but while it was frustrating, it was also exciting to still have so much to learn."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll have to write another letter to Professor Michel. Oh, I know! I’ll enclose a sample…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sensing Arnold’s gaze, Rishe snapped out of her thoughts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t worry. All this fluff will melt in time!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll melt? So it’ll leave behind water?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. But there’s really only a small amount of water in it, so the rest will evaporate. The components that make it up are transparent and nontoxic, so there’s very little work needed to clean it up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All they really had to worry about was making sure they brushed the substance off any expensive costumes. Sylvia’s troupe should have no trouble adopting and adapting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The original plan was to develop something with water in it that could be buried in desert regions to help plants grow. This prototype was eventually discarded, since it melts over time…but if it can be used for something like this, then maybe all that experimentation wasn’t a complete waste."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She smiled, fondly remembering those days. Arnold reached over and touched her coral-colored hair. Rishe jumped, but he was merely plucking a flake of artificial snow from her locks. She did her best to stay still so he could remove it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were already growing the plants used in this substance?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She jumped again at the question. “Er…there was just something I wanted to try for my own curiosity…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he pulled his fingers away from Rishe’s hair, Arnold gazed kindly at her. Rishe interpreted it to mean she would have to elaborate. She knew she had a lot of secrets, so she wanted to be upfront about the things she didn’t have to hide. If only she didn’t have to feel so embarrassed about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are flowers all over Galkhein’s capital, aren’t there? The day I arrived here, petals were falling from windowsills on every house, and it was so beautiful…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, I was talking with a few people, like Oliver, about how it would be wonderful if we could have petals fluttering in the air…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fluttering where?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hrk!” Feeling her cheeks heat up, Rishe blurted, “At our wedding!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold inhaled, surprised, and then simply said, “Oh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah…” Rishe clutched at her dress. The kitchen was silent, and the foam swayed around them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is he going to call me frivolous? After all, to Arnold, this was nothing more than a marriage of convenience. He might have incredibly serious reasons for it that Rishe couldn’t even begin to imagine. She’d also heard that she was little more than a hostage for Galkhein’s political leadership."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t bear not knowing what he thought anymore and peeked up at him, her head still lowered. Arnold met her eye, his face expressionless as always but somehow soft as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you not dread the wedding?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was shocked by the question. “Why do you say that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a stifling event that you have to spend many long hours preparing for. Not only are there countless arrangements to be made, but you must also entertain each and every one of the guests. It’s a great burden for you, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, yes, there’s a lot to prepare, but…” Those preparations were convenient for Rishe’s purposes. The guests she had to entertain were important figures who would have a significant effect on the future—like King Zahad, who would oppose Arnold’s war. It behooved her to be ready to meet with them for more than just the wedding ceremony."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But even without all that… With full confidence, she told Arnold, “I’m eagerly looking forward to the wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! After all, I’ve never experienced my own wedding before.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold quietly returned her gaze. The “in any of my six past lives” was implied, but the prince could only assume she meant in the fifteen years since she’d been born."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Doing anything for the first time is exciting, and I can’t wait to wear my wedding dress. It must feel different to experience a wedding as a bride than just as a guest too!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m so looking forward to your outfit as well, Prince Arnold! And your jewelry and hairstyle… Oh, and the Crusade psalms that will be read during the ceremony!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just enumerating the things she anticipated got her heart racing. She held up a finger with each one and ran out almost immediately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My artificial snow and flower petal experiment went well. I didn’t plan to fill up the kitchen, but that just means I can make more than I expected with a small amount of materials—which is even better!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe rambled on with sparkles in her eyes, Arnold propped his elbows on the table and watched her with deep affection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! And then there’s—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ack! The kiss!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes. “What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no! Nothing!” Rishe clapped her hands over her mouth, suddenly feeling very awkward. Arnold must have found it strange that her face was reddening. She glanced at him and found him chuckling to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, if you have enough to look forward to that it lessens the dread somewhat, that’s good.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm…” Rishe pursed her lips. “It doesn’t lessen anything, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It doesn’t?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why would it? There’s nothing I dread about the ceremony.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, and Rishe cocked her head. Before she could probe further, however, he changed the subject."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, just don’t push yourself. You act like it’s easy, but there’s a lot to do. You might think it’s not that much work because you’ve been training to be a crown princess from a young age.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-maybe so…” Rishe hedged. Her hesitance was due to knowing there was something to what Arnold was saying. “But aren’t you the one pushing yourself when you’re already busy, Prince Arnold? Oliver tells me that even when you finish your work early, you simply fill the time you’ve gained with other work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He really runs his mouth…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re even babysitting Prince Dietrich.” She felt particularly bad about that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, there’s no reason for you to feel responsible for him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I know that! I know that, but…” Rishe hung her head and muttered, “Just as you and Prince Dietrich were raised to be crown prince, I was raised to become crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hm. I figured.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was freed from that burden when Prince Dietrich broke off our engagement. I live a carefree life as your fiancée now, Prince Arnold. Or at least, that’s my intent. That’s why, when I see Prince Dietrich, I feel like I need to do something about him, I guess.” The emotions inside her were beginning to take shape. “Maybe it’s guilt… As if I’ve abandoned my homeland.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That feeling wasn’t limited to this life either. In her past lives, Rishe had never once returned to her homeland. Not even after Dietrich’s failed coup and the rescinding of her exile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe I was avoiding it unconsciously, but this is my own problem. Her emotions stemmed from the feeling that she’d abandoned her duty. Or maybe it was the same reason she didn’t like thinking about her own birthday: her memories of childhood, when she’d wanted to cry each and every day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she considered this, Arnold told her, “You haven’t abandoned anything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His tone was matter-of-fact but firm. “From the day you were born to the day you left your country, you made every effort you possibly could, right? That much is obvious just from watching you now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In the end, Hermity even exiled you—and you still care for it. Whatever your feelings for it may be, the one thing you can’t say is that you abandoned it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s words enveloped her in a comforting warmth. He spoke as bluntly as always, but that almost made what he was saying feel even warmer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Glowering, he continued, “And even if you had abandoned that country, I personally wouldn’t fault you for it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a second, Rishe laughed. His expression was just so sour, she couldn’t help herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even if you never return there again, simply leaving your country is in no way abandoning it. As long as you’re not selling your nation’s secrets, I don’t think you have anything to feel guilty for.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…Right. Thank you.” Rishe appreciated his consideration. Belatedly, she realized something else. “Prince Arnold, it’s not necessarily to show my gratitude, but I think there’s something I may be able to help you with. Let me clean up here for just a moment. Do you have a little more time after that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure. Are we going somewhere?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having recovered some of her energy thanks to Arnold, Rishe gave him an impish smile. “I thought you might like to play a little game with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A game?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes.” Rishe put a finger to her lips, still wearing her devilish grin. “A spy game.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After cleaning up the kitchen, Rishe left the detached palace with Arnold, and they walked alongside the palace ramparts. They had since strayed from the paths and were strolling through the trees, the grass rustling at their feet. It was a half-moon that night, its light not quite reliable enough for their purposes, so Rishe and Arnold each held up a lantern."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Someone once told me that if you want to make sure your defenses are secure, you have to take on the perspective of an intruder.” That someone had been Raul, her troop leader in her fifth life. “The palace is constructed to hold back an invading army, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. Palaces are also fortresses, after all.” Arnold was holding his lantern not to illuminate his own footing but Rishe’s. His casual, gentlemanly behavior had once again flustered her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s also walking at a much slower pace than usual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe did her best to remain unruffled under all his consideration. “Ahem… On the one hand, the palace’s construction obviously prioritizes keeping out more heavily armed enemy combatants. Intelligence operatives, on the other hand, will be lightly equipped for infiltrating whatever gaps they can find. I noticed you were concerned about the route that kitten used to sneak into the palace yesterday.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Leaving Arnold to illuminate her path, Rishe held her own lantern up. To their left were the palace’s sturdy walls. When she shifted her lantern, the shadows of the trees around them stretched with the movement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought we could go around the walls with an eye for what a spy might look for. I went around earlier in the day myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You did?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I read a guide to castle fortification once, you see,” Rishe lied with a smile. She’d gained that knowledge as a hunter, but Arnold didn’t press her for details."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, he gave her an amused smile and told her, “You’re always so full of trivia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s finally getting used to me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or maybe he was just leaving her alone to see what she would do. Either way, he was probably aware by now that Rishe wouldn’t divulge the source of her information."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure my surface-level knowledge doesn’t mean much, so I would advise confirming anything we notice with Raul later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right. You ran into him, I take it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pursed her lips. “Yes. He snuck up behind me and gave me quite a fright.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gazed down at her, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “If he can sneak up on even you, then I guess the guy’s pretty good.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you have an awfully inflated opinion of me, Your Highness…” It was Raul who’d taught her how to sense presences and hide her own in the first place. Rishe kept that to herself, telling Arnold, “From what I’ve seen, the imperial palace seems well protected against incursions from spies. When I snuck out into town, I used a part of the wall that lay lower than everywhere else. But that was only because I was sneaking out from inside and was able to leave a route for myself to get back in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the time, Rishe had left a rope tied to a branch close to the ramparts. She’d then used the same rope to get back inside. Even with the skills from her fifth life, it would have been difficult to sneak in from outside otherwise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Castle walls are made from earth and stone. The more solid the walls are, the easier it is to climb them with the help of metal tools. These walls have rat guards on the outside, however.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. The walls should have a double structure also. Thick stone to guard against strong blows and then covered in brittle clay.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm-hmm. It’s the worst kind of construction for a spy…” Rishe’s expression had hardened at some point as she seriously considered how to break into this palace. In her fifth life, Raul had chosen not to even attempt it himself. “But if you pull your attention away from the walls, the palace has more weak points than you might expect.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled mischievously, and Arnold agreed with her. “You would know, with how you dart around all over the place day after day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrk! Y-you’re absolutely right. Take the barracks, for instance. You can shimmy up the drainpipe all the way to the top floor of the palace there.” Rishe illuminated the building to their right as they walked. “Look at that, Your Highness. If you climb to the top of the storage shed in the third training ground, you can lower yourself onto the walls around the grounds. If you walk along those walls…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. You could make it to the commander’s office on the second floor of the barracks with a little effort.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Exactly right! I knew you’d notice that!” Rishe looked at Arnold, her eyes sparkling with admiration. He’d likely never thought of things the way a thief would in his entire life, but he caught on after only a small suggestion from Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The palace grounds are always very clean, but the fallen leaves could be doing more work for you. Their crunching is a natural alarm, so just allowing more of them to remain on the ground is a good way to catch intruders.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From an intruder’s perspective, then, what would you do if there were leaves on the ground?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d pick a day when the leaves were wet from recent rain or use the rainfall itself to mask your noise. Morning dew will achieve the same effect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe walked next to Arnold as they talked. It was a peaceful night, with insects chirping and a pleasant breeze. The cool air was much more comfortable than the earlier oppressive heat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As for the supposedly sturdy palace walls…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold scowled at the area they’d finally arrived at. “This is…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The trees seem to receive a little less care here compared to everywhere else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was the northernmost point of the palace. From the imperial residence in the northwest area, there were walkways on the highest level of the building, stretching out in all four cardinal directions. One of them led to this northern tower."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pointed to a tree behind it. “The branches of that tree are fairly long, aren’t they? The trees outside of the palace are the same way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So they are.” Arnold sighed when he saw what she was pointing out. “They’re too thin for a human to use, but a cat could easily leap between them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. I imagine the kitten we saw yesterday got in this way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging from the type of tree, branches of that size might support less than a single kilogram of weight. Even a human child would be too heavy, but the kitten was light enough to traverse them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This was the only intrusion point I came up with. But there are spots on the walls around here where the clay is starting to come off—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold cut her off, grimacing. “We shouldn’t be here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She blinked, wide-eyed. Arnold didn’t usually say things like that. It was a warning, but an atypically vague one for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s odd. The peculiarity of it only convinced Rishe faster. “Very well. We should take our leave quickly, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, we’ll leave slowly, naturally. We don’t want to seem suspicious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Suspicious? Suspicious to…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold hesitated, then eventually opened his mouth to name someone. At that very moment, a dreadful chill shot down Rishe’s spine. It was a horribly contradictory feeling, like she was frozen solid but wanted to escape as quickly as she could at the same time. Her fingertips were like ice, but all the blood in her body felt like it was boiling. The presence she sensed was on the walkway between the imperial residence and the tower."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is someone there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold clicked his tongue. “Damn it… Of all places, why here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No! The feeling overwhelming Rishe was a very specific fear. Prince Arnold’s going to be killed! She reflexively reached out toward him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d been reaching for his sword, but Arnold took her hand in his and pressed it to the tree behind her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped, sensing Arnold’s anxiety as he pinned her wrist to the tree. Oh no! I never should have done that! It was pure reflex, but I tried to draw a sword against him…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She pressed her lips into a thin line. Her conditioning from her lives as a hunter and a knight had backfired. Much as she wanted to apologize to Arnold, she couldn’t make any moves without his lead right now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What incredible malice… He’s just watching us from somewhere far away, yet his intensity is palpable…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The half-moon was just behind the figure where he stood on the walkway, but Rishe’s instincts were screaming at her not to look up at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s him… That’s Prince Arnold’s father!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Indeed, it was Galkhein’s current emperor, the man Arnold hated more than anyone in the world. His distinct presence was familiar to Rishe. It was exactly what she’d felt in her life as a knight when she’d faced off against the future Emperor Arnold Hein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Breathe, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s words made Rishe realize she’d been holding her breath. Still pushing Rishe up against the tree, Arnold whispered to her, his back to his father. The flames from the lanterns they’d both dropped swayed around their feet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry for putting you in this position, but I don’t want him suspecting anything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is all because I tried to draw Prince Arnold’s sword…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If she’d actually done it, it could very well have been taken as a hostile action against the emperor. More than enough reason to have her executed, crown princess or not—especially now, while her position was merely that of a fiancée. Arnold was protecting her from that possibility."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m going to act like we’re only here because we wanted to avoid prying eyes. Is that all right with you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes…” Rishe’s voice trembled, which brought a pained look to Arnold’s face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Forgive me… I’m going to touch you in a way you won’t want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He released Rishe’s wrist and entwined his fingers in hers, cradling her hand like it was the most precious thing in the world. His other hand stroked Rishe’s hair. Then he bent and kissed her forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out a strange yelp. It originated from her nerves and the ticklish sensation of his lips against her bangs. Arnold stroked her hair soothingly, kissing her forehead again and again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, I-I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His lips smacked gently against her hair. Arnold’s touch was soft, indulgent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was overheating. She knew that this was not the time, but her embarrassment was starting to win over her fear. She returned Arnold’s grip on her hand as if clinging to a lifeline. With her other hand, she clutched Arnold’s lapel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold pulled her head against him like he was trying to calm a fearful child. He kissed the top of her head this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you afraid?” he asked softly, arms around her. “Don’t be. It’s all right,” he murmured into her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s shielding me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was wrapped protectively around Rishe, but she couldn’t just let him baby her. No matter how frightened she was, no matter how much the pressure of that man’s gaze knocked the wind out of her, Rishe wanted to do something for Arnold even now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So, she reached for him, arms circling the back he’d turned at his father. Then she squeezed, looking every bit the lady hankering for affection from her dear sweetheart. She felt Arnold’s surprise as she buried her face in his chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Uuugh… Rishe’s heart threatened to leap out of her chest. Her face went red up to her ears. She wasn’t getting in his way hugging him like this, was she? Even if she was, she had to admit it felt reassuring to cling to his frame, which she always had to remind herself was larger than it appeared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold brought his lips to her ear. He didn’t actually touch it, but his presence there still made her jump. He embraced her once more and, shockingly, turned to face his father. Rishe couldn’t see, but she imagined Arnold was examining him in silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She tensed, holding her breath again as the air prickled around her. She pressed her lips together as cold sweat dripped down her nape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The look lasted less than a second, but it felt like an eternity. The pounding of her own heart was unbearably loud to her. Somehow, the first one to drop his malice was Arnold’s father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s gone…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The curtain fell on their little act all too abruptly. The intense pressure from Arnold’s father vanished, as though he’d had enough entertainment for one night. Rishe sensed that the emperor had left the walkway, yet she found herself unable to move."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe, are you all right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sucked in a breath when Arnold called her name. Her forehead still pressed to his chest, Rishe slowly told him, “I’m…so sorry, Prince Arnold…” Her voice was terribly hoarse. “I reached for your sword on reflex…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If she hadn’t done that, then Arnold wouldn’t have had to take those unwanted measures. Rishe’s heart was pounding loudly even now; it was ridiculous. She inhaled deeply, then apologized once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I caused you trouble with my thoughtlessness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve caused me no trouble. It was just a matter of poor timing. I should apologize for not explaining things earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head, still quivering as she held tight to Arnold. When he stroked her hair to soothe her, she really did feel like a child in his arms. She was gradually regaining control of her frozen limbs, though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked down at her and asked, “What were you going to do after drawing my sword?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She met his eyes, confused by the question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You weren’t moving like you were just going to hold it up. That’s why I was a moment late stopping you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment late, he says… From where I’m standing, he not only stopped me in a split second, but he prevented me from touching the sword at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s fingers combed through Rishe’s bangs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm.” Arnold prompted her to continue. His voice was gentler than usual—to calm her down, she was sure. And it worked. His caressing her hair and speaking to her so tenderly allowed Rishe to breathe properly again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He asked what I was going to do when I reached for his sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time, she felt a different kind of anxiety growing in her. Frowning, Rishe forced the words out from her place in Arnold’s arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wanted to…protect you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know, the disrespect to even think I could… Especially not when you’re so much stronger than me, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I should know that, I just…lost control, I suppose.” Rishe pressed her forehead to Arnold’s chest again. She tightened her grip on him and murmured, “Thank goodness nothing happened to you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All the strength left her. She was about to fall to the ground, but Arnold held her up, his arms tighter around her than before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry. My actions only caused you trouble instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I said it doesn’t matter.” Bent down, Arnold spoke directly into Rishe’s ear. “I could search the whole world and not find anyone other than you who would try to protect me from him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But.” Arnold’s voice was hardly more than a breath. “I’m begging you. Please don’t put yourself in danger for my sake ever again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was unheard of for Arnold to plead with anyone. If she could, Rishe wanted to grant his wishes, but this was one promise she didn’t think she could keep. She pressed her lips together, sure he had noticed that she wasn’t agreeing. As proof, he sighed heavily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a pause, he said, “You can’t walk, can you? I’ll carry you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Whoa!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold picked Rishe up, so casually that it proved he was growing used to having to do this every now and then. Rishe frantically clung to him as her body left the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "H-he’s carrying me like a bride again!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was embarrassing for her to be held this way—especially since it involved a lot of contact between them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe peered up at Arnold’s beautiful face, so close to her own. “Prince Arnold, please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll put you down right away, so just bear with it. There’s a small gazebo this way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They cut around the tower to a garden behind it. Rishe was surprised by their sojourn here, and by the aforementioned gazebo. In the center was a finely crafted table and some chairs. Arnold strolled toward them and set Rishe down on a bench."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll kill some time here for now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-okay… You don’t think we should leave right away?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It would be better to stay since he saw us.” Arnold observed Rishe with his piercing blue eyes. “After all, we’re supposed to be out here on a tryst.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everything that had just happened came crashing back into Rishe’s mind. She recalled all the times Arnold kissed her hair, and the sound it made, and she reddened like a tomato."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "St-stop it, Rishe! Prince Arnold only kissed your hair to protect you! He had no ulterior motives, so you mustn’t dwell on it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um…Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sat down beside her without a word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a deep breath and asked, “This tower… Does it have something to do with Her Majesty?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes in response—an alternative to a nod. “His legal wife and all his concubines used to live in this tower.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The way he said it implied that this was no longer the case. Galkhein’s current emperor had demanded brides from various countries to use as hostages, but according to Theodore, every single one of those numerous women were dead now—with the exception of the current empress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold leaned back against the bench and folded his arms, muttering, “I didn’t think he still visited this tower.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He probably hadn’t even intended to say the words aloud. This was as rare as it was for him to plead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where does the current empress reside?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In the imperial residence. No one lives in this tower right now. It’s been practically forgotten.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So that’s why the trees aren’t as well tended in this area…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The emperor should have had no reason to visit a deserted tower, so what was he doing up on that walkway? Rishe nearly locked up again at the recollection of his fearsome presence, but she had to stay strong."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t have time to fear the emperor. Prince Arnold doesn’t let the man’s malice keep him from functioning normally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was silent now, lost in thought with his eyes downcast. Rishe had recently noticed that he got like this whenever he was thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even at a time like this, Prince Arnold is thinking… I must endeavor to do the same. If I don’t, I’ll never be able to face the emperor or stop Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She steadied her breath and gripped Arnold’s sleeve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice is always so soft when he speaks to me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was certain there was a plot to kill his father lurking somewhere in Arnold’s heart. She had to hide the fact that she knew the future and Arnold’s goals. While doing so, she also had to figure out exactly what Arnold was thinking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure you have to be up early tomorrow. I’m sorry for keeping you here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“None of this is your fault, so just smile like you always do, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words lanced Rishe’s heart. Arnold really was kind, just like she thought. He should have been capable of finding paths to his goals that didn’t involve killing people."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ll be bringing Prince Dietrich along for your work tomorrow, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need for you to feel responsible for him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know. I just can’t help worrying.” Rishe chose her next words carefully. “I sensed something strange right before I left Hermity—before Prince Dietrich broke off his engagement with me. Maybe that’s why I still worry about him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d never intended to reveal this to Arnold. But I need to do this. And if she was going to do it, she had to make full use of her knowledge of the future. How will Prince Arnold react? she thought as she steeled herself to speak."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Dietrich may be plotting a rebellion against his father.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich’s coup took place much later in the future. There was no way Rishe could have known about it at this point. But there had been signs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Knowing Arnold had the same goal, Rishe looked straight into his blue eyes and continued, “That party was strange even before he broke off his engagement with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought back to the first day of the fifth month, just over two months ago. Rishe had turned that night over and over again in her mind, finding it strange even in her first life, when she’d heard about Dietrich’s coup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That party should have been a typical event for mingling between nobles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and Dietrich had graduated from the academy at the end of the third month. Afterward, Rishe had begun training more seriously for her role as crown princess, and she hadn’t so much as seen Dietrich until the night of that party."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich had come to her out of nowhere and told her he was throwing a party, so she’d had to prepare for it rather hastily. She was used to attending events without his escort, but due to the last-minute nature of the party, she hadn’t realized that she’d never been informed when she usually always was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was never told who would be attending the event.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t that just because that man planned to break things off with you there? As much as it disgusts me to even discuss it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s still strange. The king of Hermity was always kind to me. No matter Prince Dietrich’s intentions, if His Majesty was sponsoring the event, then it makes no sense for me to be left in the dark.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That vague unease had only made sense to Rishe when she heard about Dietrich’s coup in her first life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe Prince Dietrich held that party on his own, without informing His Majesty. And maybe it was so he could break off his engagement with me, but…” Something didn’t add up. “It would have been unusual for him to denounce me for my supposed crimes without his father present.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The whole basis for Dietrich’s annulment of their engagement lay in Rishe’s supposed villainy. He could condemn her for her “crimes” all he wanted, but it was his father who had the actual power to judge her for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s brow was still furrowed in displeasure. “But they were all false accusations, right? The idiot’s plan was to denounce you in a public place before his father could pursue any sort of investigation of your crimes and hope momentum would finish things for him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It wasn’t just His Majesty, though. My parents weren’t in attendance that night either. That’s why I thought it was nothing more than a gathering of the sons and daughters of the nobility. Yet several key vassals and retainers to the throne were present.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My parents should also have attended if he was planning to break things off with me officially. Yet His and Her Majesty, as well as my own parents, weren’t there while every other influential figure in the country was.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she spoke, the misgivings she’d had in her first life began to waver. I must allude to Prince Dietrich’s coup to suss out Prince Arnold’s intentions. But the more she thought back to the event, the more wrong it all seemed. It’s natural to find it odd, isn’t it? After all, Prince Dietrich’s coup fails. Obviously, his preparation for the event should be full of holes as well, so…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So why did none of it sit right with her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What if Prince Dietrich’s true aim was to gather the country’s most influential nobles, excluding our fathers?” Up to here, these were things she’d puzzled out in her first life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t imagine the man’s that cunning, personally.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“D-diplomatically speaking! Prince Dietrich certainly isn’t one to scheme and plot… If he was planning something nefarious, I can only imagine those around him put him up to it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In truth, it had been a few of Dietrich’s vassals who had instigated the coup."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s all still so odd, though… Rishe’s misgivings were only becoming more pronounced. Arnold smiled as if seeing right through her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is there any reason for someone to risk so much for your homeland’s throne?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s exactly as Prince Arnold says… Hermity had mostly escaped great conflicts in the past. Even in the war a few years ago, they had emerged unscathed simply by virtue of being a minor power not worth invading. What reason could there be to usurp the throne in a peaceful, postwar era? Not only that, but to head the plan with someone as unsuited to it as Prince Dietrich, and then for the whole plan to fail…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned at herself for never digging deeper into things than this solely because she knew the plan would fail in the future. In reality, there was an attempted coup. Just as Arnold said, Dietrich made a hasty play for the throne for reasons that were completely unknown to her. Yet he had made the attempt. If Rishe thought of things from that angle, where did her thoughts lead her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The one who incited Prince Dietrich to action…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally, she arrived at a conclusion that had nothing to do with the future she knew of."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…wasn’t someone who wanted to obtain something or improve Hermity. It was an outside party who wanted to throw Hermity into chaos…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The first thing that came to mind was Fabrannia and their counterfeiting scheme. They had counterfeited Galkhein’s currency and tried to make use of Siguel’s Princess Harriet to distribute the false currency in Galkhein. But Arnold and Rishe had theorized that it was an outsider’s plot to weaken Galkhein rather than a ploy originating in Fabrannia."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why did I never see it before? Rishe gulped. The strangest person in attendance at that party… She felt her whole body tensing again. The most important individual there, whose presence I hadn’t been informed of…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She turned toward him. “Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The crown prince of the major power Galkhein, who had no reason to appear at a party hosted by a minor nation, laughed darkly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Were you only there in the first place to investigate that matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “Who knows?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come now, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s true that I let myself be provoked. An invitation to a random party from a country we don’t even have a diplomatic relationship with is practically a threat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why had Rishe never found it strange before? There was no way Arnold would ever attend such a minor event. And even if he deigned to, Rishe had observed her fiancé enough to see a pattern in his actions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we went to buy my ring, it was to get eyes on Prince Kyle. He accompanied me to the church for work and to give them a warning. Our little trip to Vinrhys wasn’t to greet Prince Curtis and Princess Harriet; it was to investigate Galkhein’s currency minting…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s actions always had multiple purposes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t at that party simply for diplomatic relations. Ever since, he’s been on the trail of foreign entities looking to influence Galkhein…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whatever was behind Dietrich’s planned revolution linked up here with something unexpected."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whoever is behind his actions in Hermity is almost certainly connected to the entity scheming against Galkhein. And Prince Arnold has known that since before he met me, when he received the invitation to that party…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was the only foreign entity attending the party. Needless to say, they’d never even sent an invitation to Galkhein before that. Arnold had been invited to an event Dietrich held without asking his father, with every other key figure in the nation also in attendance. Rishe was becoming convinced that whoever was planning the future coup had to have been involved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe narrowed her eyes and blew out a breath. “I feel like I’ll never catch up to you, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?” Arnold reached out and caressed Rishe’s hair. “No one else is able to figure out what I’m thinking like you are, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was as expressionless as ever, but his eyes were somehow soft. His hands were equally gentle as he combed through her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sulked a bit as she asked, “You’re coddling me, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He chuckled. “See? You figured it out right away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Honestly…” Rishe protested, though there was a part of her that felt a thrill over the exchange. After all, when they’d run into the emperor, and now as well, Arnold showed her great care. Still, she couldn’t bask in his affections forever."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe locked gazes with Arnold as he once again brushed his fingers through her coral-colored locks. “Supposing the individual manipulating Fabrannia also made contact with my homeland of Hermity…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hermity was a small country. One also had to pass through undeveloped forest and mountains to get there from Galkhein, so there wasn’t much travel between the two nations. The roads were narrow and unsuited to marching armies, which was one of the reasons Galkhein hadn’t bothered to invade Hermity in the war. But the two nations weren’t separated by much physical distance. As long as you ignored the fact that moving a sizable army between them was difficult, Hermity was very much a sitting duck if Galkhein ever instigated conflict."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Would that person have encouraged Prince Dietrich to break off his engagement with me to better manipulate him without His Majesty noticing? That would be a reason for Prince Dietrich to keep it a secret from his father, because if His Majesty was aware of what he planned to do, he would certainly reprimand His Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The whole thing was strange from the start.” Arnold’s brow creased, the way it always did when Dietrich came up in conversation. “A one-sided dissolution of an engagement in a public venue isn’t something that should happen in the first place.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure everyone present accepted it, if only because it seemed like something Prince Dietrich was liable to do…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe had been surprised by the dissolution of their engagement, she hadn’t found it strange in the least that Dietrich would choose to declare such a thing in the middle of a soirée. That was another reason she’d simply dismissed the strangeness of the occurrence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe a foreign visitor like Prince Arnold was the only person who noticed how strange Prince Dietrich’s behavior was… Rishe thought with some chagrin. If the “mastermind” was behind that party, then they’re also behind the coup d’état that occurs a year later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sighed. “Were you not in the party hall that night because you were hunting for the mastermind, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If they were trying to start something with me, I figured I’d be able to smoke them out better if I was alone.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s once again putting himself on the front line like it’s nothing!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally, one who was threatened wasn’t supposed to go after the culprit themselves in these situations. Arnold was stronger than anyone else, but Rishe still worried about him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you achieve anything that night?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His eyes went wide. Rishe was curious about what had surprised him, but his expression softened and he quirked his lips in a smirk. “Yeah. I found something very valuable.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You did?! What was it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe looked up at him, full of expectation, and Arnold returned her gaze, his blue eyes uncharacteristically warm. “I found you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now Rishe’s eyes were bulging. “Ack! Er, that’s not what I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Only a few moments later, though, you jumped out a window and fled from me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you please forget about that already?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had assumed she’d never see Arnold again, so she’d hardly been concerned about appearances. She could never have guessed that he would propose to her soon after and that she’d be by his side ever since."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled. He must have found the sight of Rishe’s face flushing red amusing. Scowling, Rishe focused on her musings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve already experienced so many things in this life. I’ve discovered the truth about incidents I only heard rumors about in previous lives…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold wasn’t the cruel man everyone made him out to be, and she’d never known about Coyolles’s mines drying up either. The previous royal priestess hadn’t passed away when it was publicly announced that she had, and there was a mastermind behind the execution of the supposed villain Harriet. As with all those events, there might be some truth Rishe was unaware of lurking behind Dietrich’s coup attempt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Could it be that the reason you’re taking Prince Dietrich along on your work is to investigate the mastermind, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold flat-out scowled. “Obviously. Do you think I would ever associate with that man without a political reason to do so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you’re kind, Prince Arnold, and you’re surprisingly nurturing, so…” Rishe was being completely genuine, yet Arnold’s scowl only deepened. The two princes must have been thoroughly incompatible if Arnold disliked Dietrich that much."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In any case, you don’t need to worry about any coups that man is plotting. No matter what sort of mastermind may be behind him, he won’t succeed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes. It’s exactly as you predict, Prince Arnold… It would end in such a spectacular failure that even Arnold, who didn’t know the future like Rishe did, could predict it. As such, a successful coup was likely not the mastermind’s actual goal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Still, I don’t want Hermity suffering any confusion due to a failed revolt. Even if Prince Dietrich disagrees with how his father does things, a coup d’état shouldn’t have been his first plan. I’d like to think even Prince Dietrich would have considered other solutions first…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” She raised her head when Arnold called her name. “You’re looking at it all wrong.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped. Arnold’s tone had been absolutely frigid. There was an eerie glow to his blue eyes, like the moon reflected on the surface of a midwinter sea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The king is the ultimate authority in a nation.” His eyes contained none of the gentle warmth they’d shown her earlier. “His citizens may scream so loud their throats split, and his vassals may give up their lives to give him counsel, but the king can make decisions without taking any of it into account.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he said that, there was one person who came to mind. It wasn’t the emperor standing above them in the light of the half-moon. Her thoughts automatically went to Emperor Arnold Hein, whom she’d faced off against in the future she knew."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If the king stands in your way, you have no recourse other than killing him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A shiver went down Rishe’s spine. “Prince Arnold…” Rishe spoke carefully to keep her voice from trembling. “You mustn’t say such things inside palace grounds.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not? We’re discussing the crown prince of Hermity right now. Of course, I suppose some people would chide me for such irreverence.” Arnold narrowed his eyes, smiling darkly. “After all, regicide is the gravest sin there is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His self-deriding smile was enchanting—hauntingly beautiful, yet so fragile she found it hard to look at. At the same time, it had an irresistible quality that could draw anyone in. That same magnetism was present in every facet of Arnold’s unfathomable nature. If Rishe hadn’t been so tense, she might have been bewitched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold cast his gaze to the floor, doubtless unaware of his effect on Rishe. “I’ll keep my eye on your former fiancé for a little longer. But you don’t need to concern yourself with the trifling matter of his activities.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t simply ignore this.” Rishe took a breath and said, “May I accompany you on your next outing for work as well? I’ll be sure not to cause you any trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold furrowed his brow for the umpteenth time that evening and said, “Fine. I did promise to grant as many of your requests as I could.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gave him a brilliant smile, and Arnold sighed. He broke eye contact when rain began beating down on the roof of the gazebo."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just a passing shower,” Rishe said. “I believe it will end quickly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It probably will if you say so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do you need to get back? We’ll have to stay here for a little longer…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe studied the ceiling. That was when she noticed the four pillars holding up the roof. They were decorated with images of a girl announcing each season. It was a familiar motif to most of the people living in this world."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There are Crusade decorations on the pillars and handrails of this gazebo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Most countries in the world followed the faith of the Crusade religion. Many royals and nobles were especially devout. But for there to be a resting place with Crusade decorations in this palace must have a particular significance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Could this have been…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold must have noticed Rishe’s musings. He surveyed the same pillars and said with disinterest, “I thought structures fell apart right away when there weren’t any people looking after them anymore.” His voice was flat. “They do surprisingly well without anyone maintaining them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Though I don’t believe this gazebo was ever used even once.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had surely been inside the tower when he was young. He must have known about this gazebo too. Rishe’s heart ached at the thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Crusade text on these pillars celebrates the birth of a beloved child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The gazebo had most likely been built for Arnold and his mother, the royal priestess of the Crusade faith. Yet Arnold said it had never been used. Maybe that meant it was a traditional construction that had nothing to do with his mother’s feelings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold didn’t even know that birthdays are supposed to be celebrated with the people you love. When she thought about the young Arnold, Rishe was overcome with the urge to cry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Prince Arnold stared up at his father earlier, he was suppressing a desire to kill him. The emperor had been far enough away that he must not have sensed it, but it had come across to Rishe loud and clear. That wasn’t the issue, however. The emperor wasn’t even trying to hide his own malice. Part of it was flippant, like he was just trying to provoke Prince Arnold and wasn’t serious, but… Rishe wrapped her arms around herself as she thought back to that moment. It was directed not at me but at Prince Arnold—his own son."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s father regarded him with murderous eyes, and Arnold was perfectly aware. Despite that, he’d focused only on protecting Rishe and not himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I hope the twelfth month comes soon,” Rishe murmured, resisting the sob that threatened to escape. Doubt crossed Arnold’s face. “I’ll make sure your birthday celebration is a grand event. You’ll be turning twenty, so we’ll have to throw a big enough party to make up for two decades of missed celebrations!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold thought for a moment before saying, “The wedding will be before that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-of course we’ll have the wedding first!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As long as you haven’t forgotten.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She couldn’t possibly forget. Arnold only said so because he had no idea she’d been constantly tormenting herself about the inevitable wedding kiss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And your birthday is before that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We can worry about that later.” For now, she wanted to consider Arnold’s birthday. She clutched at his sleeve and made her fervent appeal: “It’s a celebration of your birth, Prince Arnold. I hope you’re ready!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes went half-lidded, and he murmured, “Is there really a need to celebrate the birth of a person who only lives because of the sacrifice of countless others?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rain nearly drowned out those words, but Rishe was sure they were genuine. Seldom did Arnold’s voice ring so empty. Even when he spoke softly, Rishe could usually hear every word he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” She reached out for him, taking his face in her hands and turning him toward her—close enough to kiss him. “I am glad I met you. Even if some sort of fate causes you to kill me.” Arnold swallowed hard. His blue eyes wavered as she told him, “I want to give thanks for your birth into this world and celebrate it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold slowly lowered his gaze. He brought his own hands up to cover Rishe’s, removing her right hand from his face. He nuzzled his cheek against her left hand indulgently. The innocent gesture made Rishe’s heart pound in her chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even if it’s just a hypothetical, don’t ever say that I’d kill you.” His tone was almost petulant, and her heart squeezed. She had to acknowledge that it was an awful thing to say. Just as he’d pointed out to her in the past, Rishe might have treated her own life a bit too lightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s all right. I understand what you were trying to tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He likely only meant the words she’d said, however. Rishe couldn’t imagine she’d actually changed his mind about himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold touched her even more delicately than before, his fingers sliding through her bangs. “I did something terrible to you earlier, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did you?” She couldn’t imagine what he meant, prompting him to give her an exasperated look."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It may have only been your hair, but you detested being kissed, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bwagh?!” Rishe’s spine went stick-straight at the memory. It was true that she’d thought her heart might stop for various reasons during his kisses. After all, he’d pulled her close, stroked her hair, and kissed her over and over again. She found the smacking of his lips cute, but it made her so mortified she feared she might die. Arnold had even showered her with soothing gestures and soft touches. Just recalling it made her face so hot, she was worried it would burn."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But still, I…! She felt like she had to tell him this, so even as she covered her mouth with both hands, she mumbled the words, “I didn’t…detest it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold froze, his eyes widening for a second."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, I know you only did it to protect me!” Rishe hung her head and hastily added, “And you were so gentle too. It was embarrassing, and it tickled, but I wasn’t scared! So no, I didn’t detest it at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a short silence, Arnold said, somewhat awkwardly, “I see…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you don’t believe me, do you?! I really didn’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not that I don’t believe you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then why was he sighing?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, you can read Crusade as if you were born to be a priestess, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Urgh… He’s changing the subject! She stared fiercely at him, but she was never going to win against Arnold. She had no choice but to answer his question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I only studied it a tiny bit, so I’m not very confident in it. I’m sure I’m nowhere near your level, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Could she ask him about his past? From his reactions to her thus far, she was hesitant, but he seemed to be confiding in her more lately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who did you learn from, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold watched the rain dripping from the gazebo roof for a moment before responding. “No one. I just studied it from books I found lying around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You taught yourself such a complex language?!” Rishe’s eyes went wide. Even bishops of the Church had to learn Crusade from expert linguists, and it was a painful process."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Learning wasn’t exactly an unusual thing for me from a young age.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This goes beyond that, though!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since his mother was the royal priestess, Arnold was of the goddess’s bloodline. Even if that information was top secret, there were probably countless Crusade holy texts around him and his mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s surprising. I didn’t think you’d be interested in learning that sort of thing, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even if there’s knowledge you may never use, there’s no knowledge you’re better off not knowing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. I couldn’t have said it better myself!” Rishe grinned, happy they shared an opinion for once. Even so, it was almost unbelievable that Arnold had taught himself the language as a child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe young Prince Arnold had some sort of ambition? A whole language wasn’t something you learned under the assumption that you would never use it. With Arnold’s brains, he might not have struggled as much with it as the average person, but Rishe still thought it was unusual for him to have spent the time on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come to think of it…” Arnold said, having recalled something. Rishe’s head tilted to the side. “Just once, my mother annotated something I’d written in Crusade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tensed, a little nervous. Until now, she would have never expected him to bring up his mother of his own volition."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What did she write?” Rishe asked him timidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a half smile, Arnold said, “Who knows.” Sounding truly indifferent, he added, “It was so long ago, I don’t remember.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt like her heart was being wrung out; it must have shown on her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled down at her. “Why the long face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, because you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It doesn’t matter. Besides, I’ve remembered a lot while examining the things you’ve been trying to show me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The things I’ve been trying to show him…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wanted to show Arnold the world’s beauty, its delights, its wonders… It was her own wish to do so, not something Arnold desired of her. She almost felt like she’d been forcing it on him, but for him to say something so sweet made her want to continue taking advantage of his kindness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was starting to turn his eyes toward beautiful things now, little by little."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Arnold pressed a finger to Rishe’s lips. His signal to be quiet came at the same moment Rishe sensed someone approaching the gazebo."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She tensed up a little, recalling the sight of the emperor earlier that night, but the figure who approached them like a traveler seeking shelter was wearing a knight’s uniform."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe called his name, Gutheil noticed her with surprise before snapping into a bow, even as the rain pelted him. He bowed smartly, the movements as graceful as an actor’s."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I sincerely apologize for interrupting you both.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I-Interrupting?! Rishe realized that they were sitting awfully close together on this bench. She flushed with embarrassment again, but there was no point in pulling apart from each other now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please forgive my rudeness. I shall take my leave.” Lantern in hand, Gutheil made to head back into the rain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, wait!” Rishe leaped to her feet and called out to stop him. “Please, won’t you take shelter here? It will stop quickly, I assure you. It’s all right with you, isn’t it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It will stop quickly, you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I forgot! That’s the normal response!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was much more unusual for someone to take Rishe at her word, as Arnold did. Rishe turned back to the prince. Though he was wearing an annoyed expression, he languidly raised a hand to grant Gutheil his permission. “Stay. Were you patrolling?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, sir. While I was out, I spotted the flames from two lanterns burning near the tower, so I thought I should investigate.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He means our lanterns…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pair had carried them to the tower, but when Arnold had abruptly protected her from the emperor’s gaze, they’d both dropped the lanterns and left them there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil pressed his large frame to one side of the gazebo, awkwardly brushing back his wet bangs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe. Come here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was still standing, so Arnold called her back to the seat next to him. An awkward silence stretched between them, the falling rain the only sound. Arnold alone was unbothered by it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one normally comes near this tower, right? That’s why the wall is in disrepair and the trees aren’t trimmed. Even though they’d dropped their lanterns, the light shouldn’t have reached very far. That would mean Gutheil was already close enough to the tower to notice the lanterns’ tiny flames."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold is worried there’s an intelligence operative inside the palace, isn’t he? Sir Gutheil’s behavior at a time like this is just too suspicious…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no way Arnold hadn’t arrived at the same conclusions as Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Visibly uncomfortable, Gutheil faced Arnold and said, “Your Highness, I realize it’s rude of me to bring this up now, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What’s this about?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you given any thought to my petition for—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s frown deepened into a glare. “Is this really the time?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He knew what Gutheil wanted to bring up, then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knight spun toward Rishe and dipped his head. “Please forgive my unseemly behavior, Lady Rishe. I cannot apologize enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, don’t mind me. I can leave if—eep!” Rishe jumped when Arnold wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to trouble yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He’s the one who brought it up, knowing you were here. So?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil knelt at Arnold’s feet with no hesitation. “My resolve has only strengthened since the last time I made this request.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is he about to…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was clear even with his head lowered. “If you would name me one of your Imperial Guard, I would give my life for this country and serve you until death.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned. I knew it. Just like in my previous lives, Sir Gutheil will become one of Prince Arnold’s direct retainers and support him in the war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s next words, however, took her completely aback: “You must be joking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Huh?! Rishe’s head shot up in disbelief as Arnold rested his elbow on the back of the bench."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve told you once already that I don’t intend to make you one of my Imperial Guard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No way…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil didn’t budge. He likely expected Arnold’s answer and dared to ask anyway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold doesn’t intend to make Sir Gutheil his retainer? That didn’t match the future Rishe knew. Is the future already changing?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was desperately trying to avoid the war in the future. Little by little, she’d noticed her actions having an effect on things, but could that really extend to this?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, I don’t know! There’s a possibility they had this exact same exchange in all six of my other lives as well! Rishe had no way of knowing the truth. She almost gripped her dress, but she stopped herself before Arnold noticed. I don’t know if this is a change or a repetition. Or if it is a change, whether it’s a good or bad one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without raising his head, Gutheil said, “May I ask why?” His voice was trembling. “Is it my father? My father, who betrayed this country and the royal family?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights are a bed of thorns for Sir Gutheil right now. No matter how diligently he works, people are still mistrustful of him. And it’s because of something his father did, not his own sin. Rishe had seen it for herself when she’d been among the knights in her disguise. Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard would be the only place where his abilities were evaluated without prejudice, the only place where he could really belong. But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes were coldly rejecting. “The problem is more fundamental than that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“More fundamental, sir…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s shoulders twitched at the tension in the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Give your life for this country? I don’t need anyone who sees such a thing as a virtue.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No matter how skilled they may be, do you really think I can trust men who go into battle under the assumption that they’ll die with my strategies? Men like you, who expect death before the fight even begins, and not because they’ve determined it to be the best strategy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The philosophy behind Arnold’s Imperial Guard was that they fought to survive no matter what it took."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a grunt, Gutheil clenched his fists and raised his head to gaze at Rishe and Arnold once more. “I apologize for behaving so wretchedly. Please excuse me.” With one last bow, he disappeared into the rain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil, wait!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe would have stood, but Arnold held her back. “You don’t need to go after him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I…” She faltered, knowing full well that Arnold wouldn’t change his mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If your arm is torn off, keep swinging your sword. If your leg is smashed, keep moving forward. If you lose both eyes, find a way to cut into your enemy for as long as you have left. That’s what all this is for,” Arnold had said to her once when they’d sparred. “Training in these circumstances helps us stay alive out there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold doesn’t want soldiers who will sacrifice themselves for their country."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, something nagged at Rishe. Her thoughts turned first to something that had happened in her fifth life. Rishe—a hunter then—had been scrutinizing Arnold through a monocular. He’d spotted her and indicated his heart with his thumb, as if to say, Aim here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And what about the Arnold she’d exchanged blows with in the final moments of her sixth life? His Highness was all alone in that castle the whole time. He had powerful knights serving him, yet he was there cutting through the front lines all on his own, not coordinating with his allies one bit. Sure, Arnold was strong enough not to need help from his other knights, but that wasn’t the reason he acted the way he did."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Prince Arnold in the future… Rishe peered up at him through her bangs, almost wanting to cry. He displays none of that will to stay alive himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The thought horrified Rishe. She felt herself reaching out and tugging Arnold’s sleeve. “You are so…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe he could sense the pain in her chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?” He knit his brows and anxiously touched her cheek. He likely had no idea that Rishe’s heart was bursting with concern for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t put it into words. Still clutching Arnold’s sleeve, Rishe shook her head. She dropped her gaze and said, “Prince Arnold, I beg you to reconsider Sir Gutheil’s words. Do you not believe it to be a loss for this country for a knight with such abilities and sincerity to be treated coldly by his fellows for a sin that is not his own?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a quiet breath and said soothingly, “I want to fix the fundamental problem. Even if I extricated Gutheil from his circumstances, it would not prevent others from going through the same thing he has.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?!” Rishe’s head snapped up. She was not expecting to hear that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will prioritize creating an environment where people are evaluated fairly based on their efforts. And not just in my Imperial Guard—the knight order as a whole should change to reflect this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart warmed at the thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold smiled down at her wryly. “It’s the sort of thing you would come up with, usually.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-that’s not—I mean, yes, I agree that the whole evaluation system should be restructured, but still!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had indeed been thinking the same thing, but she’d assumed it would be something she’d have to convince Arnold of, like she had in the past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Does that mean the things I’ve said to him are slowly starting to change the way he thinks? Is Sir Gutheil being refused a place in Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard really a change from my past lives? Rishe felt equal parts happiness and apprehension at the thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Next to her, Arnold muttered in irritation, “That said, the knight order is under the emperor’s dominion. The only unit I can directly affect is my Imperial Guard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It won’t happen right away, but just wait.” Arnold studied Rishe with a smile. The expression was dark, enchanting, and terrifying. “I’ll make it happen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His bloodlust sent a chill crawling up Rishe’s spine. It was almost the same as the indescribable terror she’d felt when his father had spotted them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The rain’s stopped just as you said it would.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s get back. If we’re out too late, you won’t get any sleep, will you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stood and offered his hand to Rishe. She hesitated for a second before taking it, hoping he hadn’t noticed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The fundamental course of events hasn’t changed. Prince Arnold still plans to go through with it. Rishe drew this devastating conclusion, careful not to show her emotions on her face. He plans to kill his father and usurp the throne."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just after sunset that day, a young man walked through Galkhein’s capital. He wore a robe with a low hood that covered his face, yet he couldn’t help the way his eyes darted about, wary of anyone who might recognize him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe I’m being forced to sneak around like this, the young man thought, descending a staircase into an underground bar. What else can I do, though? I can’t have my plans found out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His footsteps reverberated against the stone. Arriving at a door, he pulled the hood even lower to hide any trace of his blond hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young man, Dietrich, slowly pushed the door open."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0009.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“THANK YOU, RISHE! If we use this, it will take so much less time to clean up after a show! Preparing will be a lot easier too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s eyes shimmered as she stood on the theater stage. With no audience, her voice boomed through the big, empty space. Meanwhile, her troupe was hard at work preparing for the performances that had been delayed by her sudden illness. The entire group was present as they rehearsed and considered how they could improve the delayed show even more. Rishe, who had been invited to the theater, stood atop the stage—where the troupe was having their strategy meeting—and unveiled her concoction to everyone there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The diva scooped up the alchemically created petals in both hands. When Rishe had explained that they could also be used to represent snow and that the substance would disappear naturally over time, the opera troupe had been thrilled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe, um, may I ask a question?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go right ahead!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-thank you. Then, uh, is it possible to color these petals?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes! The colorant will change the chemical makeup of the substance, however, so you’d need to experiment to get the quantities right. The more pressing issue is that the colorant won’t evaporate with the rest of the substance, so—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, how would you make a lot of this at once?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It becomes heavy when you’re mixing it, so you’d want to make sure it isn’t uneven in places. It requires more strength than you’d think!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everyone had questions and suggestions, and Rishe answered each one. It was an enjoyable, stimulating conversation for Rishe; the troupe brought up a number of things that she wouldn’t have considered from her perspective as an alchemist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The members of the troupe, however, were having a difficult time interacting with her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“L-Lady Rishe. Er, may I ask another question?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though they were interested in the artificial petals, they were having a hard time asking their questions. But it wasn’t due to Rishe…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is a bit hard to ignore, isn’t it? Rishe scanned the front-row seats, eyes lingering on the man in the middle. He sat there in a relaxed pose, chin resting in his hand. Even just glancing down at him from the stage, Rishe found him breathtakingly beautiful. So much so that just about anyone would believe that he was one of the theater’s star actors."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, he wasn’t an actor. Why is the crown prince sitting in on a production meeting for an opera, anyway?! Arnold was watching Rishe’s discussion with the opera troupe without the slightest bit of interest in it. I didn’t think he’d really come with me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’d discussed this arrangement after leaving the gazebo the day before, on their way back to the detached palace after retrieving their fallen lanterns."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, I’d like to present Sylvia and her opera troupe with those artificial petals I was developing earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’ll be restarting their performances soon, and it would be difficult to summon Sylvia alone to the castle and have her pass along all the information herself. But we can’t very well invite the whole troupe here, what with—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What Rishe hesitated to say was related to Arnold’s father. Since they’d just run into him, it was possible that he was paying close attention to them now. And if Arnold was concerned about a spy infiltrating the palace, his father surely suspected the same thing. It wouldn’t surprise her if they both drew the same conclusions from the information available to them. As such, Rishe felt it was better for her not to invite too many people to the palace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold picked up on what she left unsaid right away. “You want to go to the theater yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you wouldn’t mind, Your Highness. I’d like to visit in an unofficial capacity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you I would grant as many of your requests as I’m able.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had smiled warmly and thanked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sooner would be better than later, right? I’ll set it up for tomorrow morning. Be ready.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What does he mean by “set it up”? she’d wondered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, I’ll be fine. I’ll just slip out and come back right away, so there’s no need to arrange for any sort of guard…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t be sending guards with you. You’d stand out with a group of people.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“R-right. Then when you say ‘set it up’…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean I’ll be accompanying you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had balked in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We can just take your former fiancé out with us on my afternoon work. Your business won’t take longer than one day, right? It’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-wait a second! I can’t allow you to accompany me when you’re so incredibly busy, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you talking about?” Arnold had held both of their extinguished lanterns in one hand and extended the other to escort Rishe. Without looking at her, he’d said, “I told you I’d come with you whenever you went into town, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You certainly did, but still!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d never thought Arnold would go so far as to rearrange his work schedule just to accompany her on some business that he had no interest in whatsoever. Yet Arnold had donned his incognito garments and accompanied Rishe, who was similarly disguised, to the theater the next day. To the opera troupe’s utter shock, of course."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s only natural they’d be nervous. Rishe snuck a glance at the troupe. There was actually one more reason she wanted to come to this theater aside from the petal concoction. Even so, she wasn’t sure she would be able to investigate that matter anymore at this point. Rishe sighed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold.” Having finished her explanation of her alchemical creation for the time being, Rishe hopped down from the stage. At this height, she could land soundlessly, but ordinary noblewomen didn’t have that skill, so she made sure there was a noise upon impact. “I apologize for taking up your time. I’d like to give them a practical demonstration, so if you could wait just a bit longer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine. You don’t need to hurry, so just do whatever will satisfy you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right then, Oliver arrived. He’d come along so that Arnold could transition immediately to his afternoon work once they left the theater. “I’ve finished adjusting your schedule, Your Highness. We can rendezvous here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rendezvous? Does he mean with Prince Dietrich?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have one other matter to discuss with you, if you don’t mind. Could we move somewhere more private for a moment?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold stood, very obviously annoyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“See you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe waved at him, Arnold stared at her for a few seconds before wrapping an arm around her back for some reason. He brought his lips up to her ear like he was about to kiss it and whispered, “Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Bwagh!” Rishe made a strange noise at the ticklish sensation, prompting a low chuckle from Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words he whispered into her ear were yet another shock: “I’m summoning Gutheil. He’ll be accompanying us in the afternoon, just so you’re aware.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Had Arnold not rejected Gutheil? Rishe gulped as Arnold pulled away, smiling fondly at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll be right back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes… See you…” Rishe watched Arnold leave the audience seating, feeling discombobulated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why? Does Prince Arnold intend to make Sir Gutheil his retainer like in all my past lives? She had no idea why he would have such a sudden change of heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "An impact to her back interrupted her musings. “I can’t believe you, Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack! Th-that scared me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia had completely taken Rishe by surprise with a hug from behind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh my gosh, what was that?! Did the crown prince just kiss your ear?! Do you two kiss to say goodbye to each other?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?! O-of course not! That is not what he was doing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, Rishe became very aware of the fact that not just Oliver and Sylvia but the entire troupe onstage may well have seen the exchange with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, it was because we’re in public that he played it off like it was a lovers’ exchange, since he didn’t want anyone else to hear, right?! Th-that’s it, I’m sure of it!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. You are adorable, you know that? Your face is red as a beet! I can’t believe you were so nervous about the kiss at your wedding when you’re smooching His Highness like that every day!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I am not! Really, I’m…!” Rishe tried to protest as Sylvia poked her bright-red cheeks. The embarrassment was becoming so intense, she was afraid her jellied legs would fail her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rest of the opera troupe watched with amusement as Sylvia toyed with Rishe. Sylvia kept her voice quiet so they wouldn’t hear as she studied Rishe with her bewitching purple eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not kissing him? Really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m not…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You haven’t kissed once?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe started, the scene in the chapel flashing through her mind, and Sylvia’s sharp eyes didn’t miss her agitation. Rishe hung her head as the diva poked her cheeks once more. “J-just once…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I knew it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia embraced her jubilantly, and Rishe covered her face with her hands, completely overwhelmed. Her thoughts were spinning as she hid her reddening cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I-It was just once, right?! Prince Arnold gave me an antidote mouth-to-mouth once, so that’s two… No, it’s not! That was saving my life! The more she thought, the more possibilities ran through her mind. When he gave me the ring, he kissed the back of my hand. Does that count? I’ve kissed the back of his hand too… And last night, he kissed my hair and ear so many times!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oho?” Sylvia grinned as Rishe’s face heated up even more. She raised her hand high in the air. “Chief! Mind if I take a break? Seems like Rishe needs one too!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course! I apologize for being so inconsiderate, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t be silly!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe and Sylvia sat in the last row of the audience, far from the stage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah ha ha! Sorry, sorry! You were so cute. I teased you too much, didn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-Let’s not talk about me!” Though she was eager to change the subject, she was also genuinely curious, so she said, “I want to hear about you, Sylvia. Like with Sir Gutheil.” Rishe recalled the conversation she’d been privy to the night before. “Have you made any progress since we last spoke?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee, me? I sure have, thanks to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You have?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It had only been a few days since then, so what sort of progress was she making?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia put her arms on the seat in front of her and rested her head there. She peered at Rishe from beneath her lashes. “Not in that way… Oh, but I should report on that as well, shouldn’t I? On our date the day before yesterday, I tried to kiss him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On their first date?! The day before yesterday would have been the day Sylvia visited the palace. In other words, the day Sylvia reunited with Gutheil and the knight escorted her home thanks to Theodore’s meddling. Sylvia didn’t appear to deem this real progress, but it was miles away from what Rishe considered typical."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The diva laughed softly as Rishe gawked at her. “He really is the sincere type. He told me we couldn’t yet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Then…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee. The progress is on my singing. After all, that’s what love is for—for me, anyway.” Sylvia closed her eyes. “I was born to sing. If the goddess hadn’t given me my singing voice, I don’t think I would have survived this long… The reason I love so much is to put it all into my singing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your love for Sir Gutheil is for your singing too?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yup! That’s why it’s going well. Sir Gutheil’s sincerity is new to me. I think this love will nourish my singing more than any love I’ve experienced before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe noticed something then. It sounds like she’s trying to convince herself of that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia’s singing voice was beautiful. It was soft, but clear and powerful. No matter where you sat in the audience, you could make out the lyrics clearly. But she didn’t speak like that now. Her voice was delicate, ephemeral, like the artificial snow that would melt away. Rishe felt she would miss what Sylvia said if she didn’t listen closely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sylvia.” Rishe leaned forward to rest on the seat before her, just as Sylvia had. She lay her head down and faced the diva, who blinked her wide, purple eyes in surprise. “What kind of love nourishes your singing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me? I want to know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia hesitated for a moment, then began, “It’s not just about your heart pounding and feeling happy. It’s the kind of love where, when you think of the person, your chest aches and you want to cry…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled and nodded, urging her to continue."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t want the conversation to end, so you start saying all sorts of stupid stuff just to keep it going. It makes you happy just to be able to talk to them, but it’s also scary. Weird, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. “It’s not weird at all, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks.” Sylvia smiled, the expression both relieved and pained. “I was surprised when he stopped me from kissing him since that’s never happened before. I mean, even if he didn’t want to go out with me, what’s the harm in a little kiss?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm… I think that sort of thing varies from person to person…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Discovering things like that is another reason why love’s so fun. You experience so many firsts.” The soft smile faded from Sylvia’s face. “Have you ever had someone pick you up and tell you you’ll be okay when you were feeling low?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked at the question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve been alone for as long as I can remember, singing like my life depended on it for various opera troupes. Every time I was too sick or hurt to get back up as a kid, I would pray, ‘Please don’t leave me behind here.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Sylvia…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil picked me up and carried me the other day, right? That marked a real first for me.” Sylvia closed her eyes once more, like she was savoring a precious memory. “Sir Gutheil spoke to me the whole time until we arrived at the doctor. He encouraged me, telling me I’d be fine, that he was there with me…” She pressed her forehead to her arms. “It was the first time in my life I ever truly felt like I wasn’t alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The songstress hid her face, and Rishe slowly sat up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m a performer, and I’m famous for having countless lovers, right? People assume I’d be with anyone, so they’re quick to whisper words of love to me. And I’ve always been fine with that. But Sir Gutheil… When you arranged for the two of us to reunite, the very first thing he did was inquire about my health.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That really made you happy, didn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia thought for a moment before nodding. “It did.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her voice shook as she buried her face against the chair in front of her. “He held his hand out in concern for my condition, not in an eagerness to touch me, and it was so warm… I laughed and told him I was used to being out alone at night, but he wouldn’t budge on taking me all the way to my door.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She spoke reverently, like each and every memory was a precious treasure she was storing safely in a box."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do I do, Rishe?” When she raised her head, tears like gemstones spilled from her eyes. “It hurts so much, but the feeling is so important. I’ve never felt a love like this before…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sylvia, you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. That’s not it at all.” As though she was only talking to herself, she muttered, “This is the first time I’ve ever loved someone in my life…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After she said that, her face crumpled under the weight of her emotions. Rishe wrapped her arms around the songstress as she broke down crying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“H-he said we couldn’t be together! It’s not that he doesn’t like me, but we can’t…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could say nothing in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand that better than anyone. I’m not the sort of person who could be with a knight, so it’s only natural that we can’t be together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not true and you know it.” Rishe spoke soothingly to her, stroking her back. “Sir Gutheil isn’t the sort of person who would reject someone for a reason like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course he isn’t. I’m the one who can’t accept being at his side! I was born to sing. All this time I thought I only lived for that, but my heart hurts so much now that I don’t even know if I can do it anymore!” Sylvia trembled like a small child. “Is being in love supposed to be this painful?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pressed her lips into a thin line. Why…?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She almost felt like she could understand the pain that Sylvia described. It came with the pounding of her heart and a sadness that nearly brought her to tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s no way… There’s just no way!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spun around at the groaning of her ex-fiancé that afternoon as they accompanied Arnold during his work. They were visiting a guardroom built into the city wall."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Paging through a document, Rishe called out to the man grumbling in the corner of the room. “Is something the matter, Prince Dietrich?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everything’s the matter!” Dietrich shouted, pointing at Rishe with one hand and mussing up his hair with the other. “Lord Arnold is strange, of course, but you’re just as strange yourself, Rishe! Ever since meeting up with me first thing in the afternoon, it’s been nothing but work, work, and more work! I was hoping he would take more breaks today since you were accompanying us!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t look at me like you have no idea what I’m talking about! Do you two ever rest?! Or will you keel over if you aren’t working around the clock?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-no!” Rishe blurted awkwardly as Dietrich panted, shoulders heaving."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At the sewage plant and the Merchants’ Guild and now this guard station too! Not only do you constantly make suggestions, but Lord Arnold carries them out immediately as well! It almost feels as though he’s doing more work today with you here than he did yesterday!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have nothing to say in my defense…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced at Arnold, who was discussing something with the officer in charge of the station a short distance away. They were considering the document organization method Rishe had suggested for the station a moment ago. It was a lengthy process finding records of those who had passed through the station when entering or exiting the capital, so Rishe had suggested a method she’d learned about in a large library she’d visited in one of her past lives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It has been five hours since we started working this afternoon. Prince Dietrich has reached his limit, I’m sure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After leaving the theater, Arnold and Rishe had enjoyed lunch in town before meeting up with Gutheil and a haggard-looking Dietrich. Rishe had intended to casually observe Arnold’s work as she analyzed Gutheil’s behavior. But as she’d observed, she’d inadvertently gotten caught up in the work herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry… It’s just that every time I ask a question or make a suggestion, Prince Arnold improves on it and implements practical solutions on the spot. It’s so much fun!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can tell you’re having fun by watching you! That’s what’s scary!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha. Prince Arnold and Lady Rishe are of a similar mind when it comes to work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Oliver!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver passed by the corner of the office where Rishe and Dietrich were talking. He was smiling, but his cheeks appeared slightly sunken."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Oliver. Without thinking, I made an impertinent suggestion and overcomplicated matters.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, if anything, I’m grateful. The lengthy document retrieval process was a problem we were planning to solve at some point, so the sooner we’re able to test out this new method, the sooner we’ll see results. Prince Arnold dislikes taking work home with him, so we always take care of whatever needs doing on-site, as we are now. I’m used to it, so it’s no problem at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I can’t believe this… He dislikes taking work home with him? What better time is there than later to do work that doesn’t need to be done today?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Dietrich trembled, Oliver smiled wryly and told him, “The most efficient way of doing something differs from person to person. If you’re able to learn something from seeing the way my lord does things, Prince Dietrich, I couldn’t ask for more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold glanced at them and called for his attendant. “Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be right there. Please excuse me.” Oliver selected a few documents from the desk and went to Arnold’s side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich watched him go, sighing. “The master’s ridiculous, but the servant’s just as abnormal…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Dietrich, please refrain from such remarks,” Rishe chided her former fiancé, turning her attention to the individual standing by the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as Prince Arnold said, Sir Gutheil is accompanying us today for some reason."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The tall knight stood on guard by the door, though he did appear a little uncomfortable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sir Gutheil told Sylvia that he liked her, right? She thought back to how Sylvia had cried over her love for Gutheil. The knight had told her that they couldn’t be together. Did he say that because of his father’s crime? Or because his own future is closed off for that reason?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t help being curious about the night before. There must have been a reason for his “patrol” to take him to an area no one ever visited. Something about it rubs me the wrong way. Prince Arnold is worried about someone scheming against Galkhein and any spies that may be in their employ. Is Sir Gutheil involved?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right then, Rishe arrived at a conclusion. Could it be…? She didn’t want to let her thoughts show on her face, so she pretended to go over the documents in her hands. As she did, she caught sight of Dietrich, who was sitting in front of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Prince Dietrich?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich’s deep-emerald eyes, framed by gold lashes, were fixed firmly on Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lord Arnold is effectively faultless as a crown prince. He shows no indication of his own wants and needs, he slaves away unemotionally at his work, and he’s brilliant too. He’s an accomplished swordsman as well, is he not? I hear he inspires incredible morale in his knights, almost like a god of war.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe Prince Dietrich is complimenting someone!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was floored. She’d never heard him deliver such genuine praise for someone other than his beloved Mary in her life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But he’s too perfect.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve always thought that the things I do don’t even scratch the surface of my potential. And why shouldn’t I? Everything I accomplish is magnificent, as surely anyone can see! But even geniuses have their off days. It was painful and hard whenever things didn’t go my way…” Dietrich’s tone was as genuine as it could possibly get. “But I suppose it’s a different sort of suffering to be born entirely too perfect a person, as Lord Arnold was.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe started. She never expected him to say something like that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Though I’m sure my suffering is worse! I, however, am a true future king. Only by experiencing trials and tribulations will I become a king worthy of—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“May I ask what it is about Prince Arnold that gave you the impression that he’s suffering?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let me finish, would you?! Well, in short…” Dietrich cleared his throat, nervous to have Rishe’s attention on him. “We were not born royalty because we wanted to be.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich had cried about how he hadn’t been born crown prince because he wanted to be a few days earlier, but there seemed to be a different intent behind the words now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Selfless devotion is expected of royalty, and crown princes in particular. True, those in our position will never suffer any sort of financial discomfort, but in exchange, if we do not give everything we have to our nations, we are not so much as allowed to exist.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had no right to say anything in response. She might have lived her life until the age of fifteen for the sake of nothing but becoming crown princess, but her position could never be compared to true royalty. She could only imagine how it must feel to inherit an entire country you would have to one day rule over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Still, each of us tries to find some small happiness as an individual, like Mary is for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe thought of all the royals she had met in the past. She’d known rulers who enjoyed collecting precious gems and royals who had fun drinking and making merry with their subjects. She knew a prince who delighted in seeing his country develop, a princess who loved to read, and a prince who adored his little sister."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, hmm… How to say this? I can’t see any of that sort of humanity in Lord Arnold. No, there is some amount, but…it’s strange, isn’t it? He can’t even be bothered to eat when he’s working, and he makes no time to enjoy the scenery when he’s in town. It’s like he has no interest in anything other than performing the duty laid before him. It was terribly frightening seeing it up close.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why, Prince Dietrich…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What he said next sounded more like his own idle musings than a statement meant for Rishe. “Arnold Hein lives his life without a single thought spared for any sort of human happiness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart stopped for a moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what it looks like to me, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To Dietrich, it was likely no more than pure curiosity. After all, they were both crown princes. His position afforded him a unique perspective on Arnold’s unemotional nature. But to Rishe, Dietrich’s candid musings seemed an unexpectedly straightforward explanation of Arnold’s villainous pretenses."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You really tend to get to the heart of things without meaning to sometimes, Prince Dietrich. Come to think of it, you once—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right! Let’s ask him directly, shall we? If his way of life is as miserable as it appears, that is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe was speechless as Dietrich righted his posture and puffed out his chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, I think I will! I must reach out even to those who are said to be cold and heartless. That overwhelming sense of righteousness only befits the future ruler of Hermity, after all!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack! Um, wait, Prince Dietrich!” Rishe grabbed Dietrich’s arm to stop him. Arnold shot them a dubious look from the other side of the room, so Rishe mouthed an apology at him. He was working right now, so they couldn’t bother him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! Why did you stop me, Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold regarded them with a slight frown, but he swiftly resumed giving directions to Oliver. As she thought, they’d distracted him—which Rishe felt guilty about."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can speak with him later. This really isn’t the place to get into it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm. Well, I see your point.” Dietrich agreed with her—quicker than was normal for him—and turned his attention back to Arnold. “The similarities really are astounding.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you don’t mean between you and Prince Arnold, do you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean between him and you, Rishe! You’ve lived for nothing other than becoming crown princess since you were little, haven’t you? Always had this look on your face like that was the whole reason you were alive.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was taken aback by his observations yet again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You discarded any joy of your own and strove to be the perfect public figure. You never played or demanded sweets as a reward for studying or held so much as a birthday party! I could never understand it! Isn’t it normal to want to play instead of study?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You never made a peep about any of that! It scared me! If you had to hold yourself back so much, and all that awaited you at the end of it was becoming crown princess, I thought…you’d be happier being something else.” There was an uncharacteristic furrow to his brow. “Do you think you can be happy as Arnold Hein’s empress?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“About that…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich was Rishe’s former fiancé and someone she could still call a childhood friend. Ever since they were little, Rishe had always been worried about Dietrich, so this was the first time he’d ever regarded her with such worry. The thought tickled Rishe, and she smiled wryly at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve had several people worry about whether I’ll be happy in this marriage, but happiness isn’t something that’s given to you—it’s something you achieve yourself.” She turned to look at the knights standing on either side of the door. “No matter what fate may befall me due to becoming Prince Arnold’s wife, I’m confident that when I’m on my deathbed, I’ll be able to say I lived a happy life.” She turned back to Dietrich and smiled. “Didn’t I tell you I’d prove to you how wonderful Prince Arnold is as a husband?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You certainly did.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Beaming, Rishe told Dietrich, “I can’t imagine a bride who expects she’ll be unhappy would say something like that, now would she?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh.” Dietrich lapsed into thought for a while until he finally spoke up again. “Hmm? No, wait a moment, Rishe! It’s true that over the last few days I’ve come to understand well just how exceptional Lord Arnold is as a crown prince! But I haven’t seen a shred of evidence that he is, as you claim him to be, a wonderful husband!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wha…? W-wait…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha ha ha ha! What an oversight, Rishe! You know what this means, don’t you? You haven’t yet proven a thing to me! These last few days, all I’ve done is watch him work without rest and quiver in fear of his glowering at a party!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously, what did you even come to this country for?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich cleared his throat officiously. “That said, he did find the time to bring his fiancée to the opera amid that hellish workload of his. That’s shocking enough, I suppose… When you’ve done all this work in a day, you just want to go home and do nothing afterward, right? Where did he even find the time with how much work he has to do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that she thought about it, they had run into Dietrich at the opera house back when Sylvia had collapsed. Had Oliver told him what they were doing there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hmm? Something occurred to Rishe then. Come to think of it, what was His Highness doing there?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, uh, Rishe.” Dietrich hung his head, hemming and hawing. “I came to this country…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, it’s nothing! Say, do you think I should go help, as a fellow crown prince? I bet I could shock Lord Arnold with my illustrious Hermity education!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“D-don’t shock him too much!” Rishe was a bit worried about the princes, but she decided to hang back. She gave Arnold a little wave and a signal with her eyes. When he noticed Dietrich striding toward him, he grimaced."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sorry, Prince Arnold. Please handle him for me, would you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After apologizing to Arnold in her heart, Rishe turned to the door the two knights were guarding. She scrutinized the towering Gutheil and softly called, “Sir Gutheil?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe…I sincerely apologize for last night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please, think nothing of it. I should apologize myself for interrupting a discussion about your work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they’d rendezvoused with Gutheil and the other knight that afternoon, Arnold had this to say:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My Imperial Guard are spread thin currently, what with my suspicions about intelligence operatives. I’m only making use of Gutheil temporarily when I’m out working in town since I don’t otherwise have the personnel to spare.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, these words were only a pretense, and Arnold must have been aware that Rishe had realized that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did Prince Arnold figure I’d want to speak with Sir Gutheil about Sylvia’s broken heart? No, that couldn’t possibly be…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was kind, but he didn’t mix public and private matters. He wasn’t just indulging Rishe; there was some other reason for the way he was making use of his personnel. Rishe wasn’t the type to pester Gutheil about his personal affairs when he was on the clock anyway, no matter how much she wanted to for Sylvia’s sake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t imagine Sir Gutheil would open up about it in a place like this. And it’s not as if it’s only the two of us present, she thought, eyeing the other knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ironically, Gutheil himself was the one to interrupt her musings. “If I may…how is Lady Sylvia doing?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stared at him in surprise for a moment before considering her response. “She was…acting well enough.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil knit his brows, picking up on the obvious implication of Rishe’s words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before she could stop herself, Rishe continued, “Sir Gutheil, is there anything I could do to help? As long as it’s not too presumptuous to ask, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I appreciate the offer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Up to this point, it wouldn’t have been obvious to anyone listening in that they were talking about romance, but Gutheil made that clear with his next words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I love Lady Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was shocked that such words left his mouth with no hesitation. The knight on the other side of the door turned toward Gutheil as well, his scarlet eyes seeming to question if he’d really heard what he thought he’d heard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil went right on, “I find her so lovely and sweet. I could never allow anyone to darken her smile, myself included.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Sir Gutheil…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told Lady Sylvia about my father’s crime immediately. His espionage was a betrayal of Galkhein, and it could have led to the deaths of so many in the war. His sin was so great that not only must I bear that weight as his son, but whomever I might marry and even our children would bear it as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil smiled sadly. He suffered more than anyone for his father’s crimes. He knew the pain he’d be inflicting on his chosen partner, the cold treatment they would receive. It gave his words a heavy weight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The pain on Lady Sylvia’s face when I told her that… I suspect she might be a war orphan herself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know Lady Sylvia is not the type to reject me for such a reason. But having me by her side may open the wounds in her heart. I may cause her even more suffering in the future. I simply cannot allow myself to cause her any pain.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s mouth tightened. She didn’t know what to say in a situation like this, and she was aware that she would be overstepping, whatever she did say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, she told Gutheil, “Sylvia told me ‘You never know which day might be your last.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That alone caused Gutheil to grimace. Each tiny change in his expression showed just how much he truly cared for Sylvia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So Rishe continued, “I think she’s exactly right. One’s future happiness is important, surely, but…” She recalled the way Sylvia had trembled as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “Is happiness you can grant at this very moment not just as important?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” Gutheil started before falling silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry. I know this is just as hard for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not at all…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Any further meddling would just cause trouble. When someone made a decision about their own life, it was hardly an outsider’s place to interfere. Hence, Rishe moved on to her next objective."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think I’ll go get some fresh air atop the wall. Could I ask you to accompany me, Sir Knight?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Certainly, my lady.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil hung his head, deep in consideration. Rishe said nothing more to him, leaving the room with the other knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The guard station was on the inside of the wall. A staircase led up to the top of the ramparts surrounding the city."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed, enjoying the warm summer breeze as the sun set in the distance. From where she stood, she could relish the view over the streets of Galkhein’s capital. She’d come here once with Arnold, but the location was off-limits to the normal citizenry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have a question,” she said to the knight accompanying her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stood at attention. “Anything for you, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re alone up here, so you can drop the knight act,” she told the red-eyed knight, with more than a little exasperation. “I know it’s you, Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha!” Raul laughed, his voice snapping back into its normal register. “You’re really something! I completely changed my face today and acted like a totally different person, and you could still tell?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You were too calm around Prince Arnold for a knight filling a temporary position. You should have acted more afraid of him. Put that together with those red eyes of yours and, well…it was easy enough.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see, I see. Both good points. I’ll remember that next time!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why was he so happy about his disguise being seen through? Slightly fed up with the man, Rishe asked him, “Hypothetically speaking, if you were an enemy of Galkhein and you needed to investigate it for some reason, how would you sneak in?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Trade secrets, my dear…is what I would like to say, but I suppose I can’t keep my savior in the dark, now can I? At the very least, I can tell you that I wouldn’t do what I’m doing now and pretend I was one of Galkhein’s knights all along.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what Rishe knew, Raul was here disguising himself as a knight simply because his interests aligned with Arnold’s. The prince wanted him to investigate whether an intelligence operative had infiltrated Galkhein’s palace. Raul was likely mingling with the knights with Arnold’s permission. The walls of the palace were sturdy and should have prevented the intrusion of anything heavier than a kitten."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The realistic plan would be to devote several years to actually joining the knight corps.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not to pretend to be a knight but to enter as one officially?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Indeed. After all, Galkhein’s policy is that anyone with some amount of skill can become a knight, regardless of background. This is one of Galkhein’s few vulnerabilities as an otherwise nigh-invincible major power.” Raul stuck his index finger in the air, waving it about playfully as he continued. “Though I’m sure His Majesty is well aware of that little flaw in their defenses. For all Galkhein claims to value skill above all else, the upper echelons of the knight corps are all still nobles, who have a very low chance of being spies from other countries.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sir Gutheil’s father broke that rule. That’s why he was punished so harshly—to set an example."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s why infiltrating as a knight isn’t really worth it. The only exception would be joining your Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard, since even a commoner can do that. So if I were a spy attempting to pose as a knight, I would do whatever I could to become one of your dear husband’s Imperial Guards.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Still, you’d need to know a fair amount about His Highness to use the fact that he’ll let those of any background serve in his Guard. As such, me being a foreign spy intent on infiltrating Galkhein in this scenario, I would not choose this method. There are other ways to obtain information from high-ranking officials and knights.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Up to this point, Raul’s thinking matched Rishe’s knowledge of him from her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what other methods are those?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? Well…” Raul had been rather forthcoming until now, but he grimaced at this question. “I shudder at the thought of your husband’s quiet fury were I to discuss such a thing with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cocked her head. “Has Prince Arnold forbidden you to speak on the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, no. It’s nothing like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe just tilted her head further. She did have a vague idea of what he might mean by “other ways.” In her fifth life, there were secrets Raul never spoke of with her. Given how he was acting now, she concluded he was likely alluding to the same methods he’d kept from her in her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In that case…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a breath and asked him something else she’d been wondering about. “Say, Raul, are there any situations in which you don’t notice a passerby approaching?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm. Maybe when there’s a lovely lady nearby I’d really like to get close to? You, for instance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha, only kidding! It’s not just ladies. If there are a lot of individuals I’m not particularly interested in around me, I might be late in noticing if one of them approaches. I wouldn’t fail to notice completely, though, so maybe that doesn’t answer your question.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I figured he might say something like that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought back to when Kyle and Michel had been visiting Galkhein. Rishe had gotten help from Theodore in infiltrating the knight cadets’ training disguised as a man. She’d kept it a secret from Arnold, but he’d discovered her immediately anyway. After that, Theodore had snuck up on her in one of the castle hallways. She’d been thinking about something at the time, and people were always passing through the halls, so she hadn’t had her guard up at all. But it wasn’t as if she’d overlooked Theodore’s presence entirely. It was the fact that he’d grabbed her arm that caught her by surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul taught me how to sense other people’s presences and conceal my own. I learned enough that I was able to put the knowledge to good use in my sixth life; I should be able to pick up on anyone without that kind of training if they’re nearby."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that meant it was possible to surprise her if someone did have that kind of training. Particularly when she had her guard down. On her first night in Galkhein, it had taken her a moment to notice Arnold standing behind her when she was enjoying the view from her balcony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I only noticed him then because he was giving off a threatening air to see if I’d sense him or not. If he’d kept his presence concealed, he might have been able to get close enough to touch me without my sensing him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her two questions for Raul only solidified the theory forming in her mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more I consider the matter, the more evidence I find to back up my hunch. The strange feeling she’d gotten speaking to Dietrich earlier was the clincher."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoops, your guardian is here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe started when she heard a door open. An individual appeared on the twilit rampart. Rishe turned to face him and called his name. “Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His jacket flapped in the breeze. Rishe’s coral-colored hair danced in the wind as well. She paid it no mind as she asked him, “You had your suspicions about who the spy might be from the very beginning, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No… Rather, it was only because of your suspicions that we interacted with the individual as much as we did.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold squinted into the receding daylight. “You don’t need to know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart ached at the distance those words put between them. Not because of rejection but because Arnold had only said them out of consideration for her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However.” Arnold lowered his gaze and took a short breath. “I won’t stop you from taking action or making a request that’s in my power to grant.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joy and relief bloomed in Rishe’s heart. Arnold had told her there were things she didn’t need to know in the past as well, but this situation was clearly different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe made her heartfelt plea: “Please allow me to help you, Prince Arnold. There are things I would like to do to bring this incident to a close.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you talking about?” Arnold sighed in exasperation. “It will be me helping you do whatever it is you want to do, won’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul laughed as Rishe jumped in surprise. “Ha ha! Incredible! To have Crown Prince Arnold Hein of all people wrapped around your little finger!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… I apologize for my selfishness. Really, I do!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged under Arnold’s quiet glare as Rishe apologized sincerely. When she was finished, she told Raul and Arnold everything she wanted to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That night, an individual was summoned to a room in the detached palace. In the room, five chairs were placed in a circle. At the head of the arrangement sat Arnold, with Rishe beside him. They glanced at the individual seated in front of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m aware how disrespectful it may seem to question royalty, but I simply must ask…” Their guest appeared extremely uncomfortable as he asked them, “Why exactly have you invited someone like me to your detached palace, Your Highnesses?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sat, chin in hand, ignoring the knight’s question. Instead, he signaled Rishe with his sidelong glance. She nodded and spoke in his place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for the abrupt invitation, Sir Gutheil. We have something very important to discuss with you, so we thought we’d do it here due to the late hour.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I understand you wish to avoid prying eyes. But is there truly some way I can be of assistance to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have been confused, but his chivalrous spirit still amply infused his words. Rishe went on, appreciative of Gutheil’s consideration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What I’m about to tell you may cause you pain, Sir Gutheil.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it? No, no matter what it may be, I wish only to serve you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe held Gutheil’s gaze and told him, “There’s a possibility a spy has infiltrated Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil gasped and clenched his fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold realized this sooner than anyone else, so he’s been gathering information for some time now. His conclusion is—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you suspect me of being a spy, Your Highness?” Gutheil’s voice was steady, but his face had gone deathly pale. Confusion, panic, and resignation were all plain on his face. “I am aware that I have done nothing to earn your trust, but I swear it on my pride… Even if no one believes it to be so, I have not betrayed my country!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold knows you’re innocent,” Rishe told him after a pause. What she could not say, however, was for him to be at ease. “The person we suspect is—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A knock came at the door. Raul, who was disguised as the knight standing guard outside, had been informed that there was no need to wait for a response. He opened the door, and their other guest stepped inside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil gasped when he saw who it was. She met his gaze and smiled somewhat sadly. Then she met Arnold and Rishe’s gazes with clear eyes and named herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sylvia Hollingworth. I’m delighted that you invited me here tonight.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0010.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "GUTHEIL SHOT TO HIS FEET like he was spring-loaded. All eyes—which had a moment ago been on Sylvia—swiveled to him instead. Gutheil stared at the diva, opened his mouth to say something, and then shook his head in great irritation and rounded on Rishe and Arnold instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, Lady Rishe—is it at all possible that I might be excused?” Gutheil’s tone was filled with obvious concern for Sylvia. “Anything that you may ask of me, I swear to answer truthfully. But I beg of you, for Lady Sylvia’s sake, please…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil,” Sylvia said clearly. “I requested your presence myself when I was summoned.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Sylvia…” Gutheil clenched his fists once more and slowly sat back down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul directed Sylvia to the chair closest to the door, next to Gutheil. Rishe waited for her to sit before turning to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go ahead and say whatever it is you want to say for now,” Arnold told her. “I’m sure we have plenty of time until he arrives.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right.” She nodded, though it took some courage for her to begin. Yet she knew Sylvia was prepared for what she had to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The songstress turned her alluring purple eyes on Rishe, her determination clear. “Please begin, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her heart stung from Sylvia’s courteous tone, but she had to say her piece. Rishe, at least, spoke as she always had with Sylvia. “I first had my suspicions when you visited the palace, Sylvia.” Her words emerged slowly and deliberately as she thought back to the day. “The night before, you were ill enough to collapse on stage, yet you’d recovered completely by morning.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks to your first aid and Sir Gutheil taking me to the doctor. I felt much better after a good night’s sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t think much of it then, since I’m aware that such things can indeed happen… But illness is not often the cause of such a fainting spell. At least not one that it’s possible to recover from so quickly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil was watching Sylvia with concern through this entire exchange. Sylvia, on the other hand, had not looked his way once since addressing him earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Such things are usually caused not by an illness originating within the body but by something external entering it. A poison or sleeping drug, for instance. Once the substance has been purged by the body, recovery comes fairly quickly. I can attest to that myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyebrows scrunched together. Rishe had been referencing her poisoning in the Holy Kingdom of Domana. Perhaps the same incident had crossed his mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At that point, I tucked the possibility that you had been drugged in the corner of my mind.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A reasonable enough conclusion. I’ve almost been drugged by overly passionate fans or rival performers on occasion.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A fan would likely avoid the sort of timing that would lead to the show getting canceled. And a rival would know that if the prima donna collapsed just before or during the show, it would only be called off for the night.” Someone aiming for her role would have enacted their scheme earlier. “And, though I don’t wish to even consider such a thing…they would likely choose a poison with a longer recovery time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In truth, the opera planned to resume after only a few days off, with Sylvia still playing the lead. If the culprit was after her role, they had achieved nothing from their crime."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was still suspicious, so I observed the members of your troupe when I went to the theater to tell you about my artificial petals. I couldn’t determine at the time whether anyone there had drugged you, but…I learned something else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stared Sylvia in the eye and said, “You can conceal your presence, can’t you, Sylvia?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia lowered her head, saying nothing in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead, Gutheil spoke up. “I apologize for interrupting, but what do you mean by that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You yourself noticed Rishe’s capabilities, did you not?” Arnold said to the knight. “When you approached the gazebo last night, I wasn’t the only one to sense your presence. Rishe did as well, even though we couldn’t possibly have heard your footsteps amid the rainfall.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil swallowed, then murmured, “It wasn’t just my imagination, then. I did feel two pairs of eyes on me in the darkness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s quite skilled as well. It’s hard to pick up on things like that when it’s raining."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold leaned back in his chair, continuing unhurriedly in Rishe’s place, “Even dozing in a carriage, she’ll wake up if I so much as reach for her. So long as you’re not trying to hide from Rishe, she will most likely notice you. Hence her suspicion.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had told Arnold everything beforehand. She nodded and explained to Gutheil, “There was a moment at the theater today when I was unaware of Sylvia’s presence. I couldn’t sense her until she embraced me from behind.” Because Sylvia was hiding her presence, Rishe could only assume."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The diva probably hadn’t meant anything by it. She may have even done it unconsciously, out of a simple desire to surprise Rishe. But when combined with the other things Rishe was already considering, even Sylvia’s harmless prank became unavoidably suspicious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her head still bowed, Sylvia said, “It’s exactly as you say, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil spoke up to defend her. “B-but…surely that’s not enough to suspect Lady Sylvia!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil, it’s…” Rishe hesitated to continue in front of the knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing right through her hesitation, Sylvia smiled sadly. “Please continue, Lady Rishe…or would you prefer if I said the rest?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s all right, Sylvia.” Rishe wanted to avoid making the songstress say it herself above all else, so she pressed on. “There are several different ways to obtain intelligence. For instance, infiltrating the target location and obtaining it yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul’s disguises were a great example. In Galkhein, however, only members of the nobility could become high-ranking government officials and knights. Just as Raul had explained up on the town ramparts, it would be difficult to make use of this method in Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s also the option of obtaining the intelligence from someone who already has it. Even if you can’t become a noble of Galkhein, you can befriend one. This method—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Often employs female operatives,” Arnold finished for her. He was probably being considerate in his roundabout way, not wanting Rishe to have to utter it herself. Raul had avoided discussing the same thing up on the town walls. She recalled the matter being kept from her in her fifth life as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil furrowed his brow and closed his mouth, considering this. Sylvia’s head was bowed, her expression unreadable. But Rishe knew that she’d wanted Gutheil to be here for this part of the conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Plenty of people have heard the rumors of the songstress Sylvia and her many lovers.” She had laughed those rumors off, saying it was all for the sake of her singing, but what if there was another reason? For instance, what if she used her reputation as a free-spirited beauty to get close to important figures in various countries to obtain intelligence? “You suspected her from the start, right, Prince Arnold? That’s why you made time in your busy schedule to take me to the opera that night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As always, the motivations behind Arnold’s actions were surprisingly complex. The day Rishe and Arnold met, he had been present in Hermity not for simple diplomatic relations but because he was investigating the possibility of a malicious entity targeting Galkhein. Since he had long suspected espionage, he was naturally wary of the opera troupe coming to Galkhein. He likely had his eye on Sylvia herself at that point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought back to the discussion they’d had immediately after taking their seats at the theater."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t know Sylvia was the star of tonight’s show. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her sing! I’m really looking forward to this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve seen the leading lady perform before?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had paused thoughtfully after Rishe mentioned Sylvia’s name. Perhaps he was reacting to Rishe’s ignorant praise of the very individual he suspected of espionage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I heard what happened the next day from Oliver, who was informed by Theodore.” Arnold was talking about the day Sylvia had come to thank Rishe. “There aren’t many people who would visit a foreign country’s palace without even making an appointment. It’s particularly strange for a member of a renowned opera troupe to be unaware of such etiquette. It’s hard to imagine she had any motivation other than using the pretext of her rescue to get close to an important individual in this country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil pressed a hand to his forehead and took a deep breath. “There was something I found strange when I was escorting Lady Sylvia home under Prince Theodore’s orders. I could sense someone observing her from afar.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Sylvia raised her head and peeked up at Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their eyes finally having met, Gutheil said apologetically, “It wasn’t an unknown entity but a Galkhein knight watching you. I couldn’t decide whether to tell you or not, since I didn’t want to scare you, so I merely protected you without speaking up. I still feel terrible about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s why you took me all the way back to my room?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course,” Gutheil said firmly. “At the time, it was my duty to see you home safely without causing you any undue stress.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tears welled up in Sylvia’s eyes. She hurriedly hung her head to hide them. “It…it surprised me to hear you say something like that…but I’m sorry.” Sylvia was trying to smile, but it was obvious to anyone that her voice was trembling. “You understand now, don’t you? I’m a spy who was ordered to infiltrate Galkhein! That’s the only reason I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sylvia.” Rishe called her name to prevent her from saying something she didn’t mean. “I’m sure Sir Gutheil understands that that’s not the reason you got close to him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced at Gutheil, who nodded, a serious expression on his face. “It’s just as she says, Lady Sylvia. I confided in you about my father on the second day we were able to meet. Do you remember?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I haven’t forgotten. Not a single thing about that day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It should have been amply clear to you, then, that the people of this country do not trust me. That I possess no intelligence worth stealing. And still, you had eyes only for me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia quivered, her expression like that of a lost child. Even Rishe, who was “naive in the ways of love” according to Theodore, could easily tell that Sylvia’s feelings were real. It was Sylvia herself who had requested Gutheil be present at this gathering, even though she knew her crimes were likely to come to light. Moreover, that was why Gutheil had asked that he be allowed to leave."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please tell us, Sylvia,” Rishe said softly. “You might have been a spy, yes, but that’s not the full story anymore, is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I beg your pardon…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not working for the entity ordering you to gather intelligence anymore. You’re trying to quit being a spy and run away, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Otherwise, I can’t understand the reason you collapsed on stage. Although that’s with the assumption that your illness was caused by a drug or poison.” As long as that assumption was correct, it paved the way for several other conclusions. “It’s very dangerous for a spy to try to leave their organization, is it not? I’ve heard the organization is basically forced to kill them to prevent any of their secrets from getting out. My guess is that you showed some indication of wanting to leave the business, and you were drugged as a warning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I…!” Sylvia was starting to panic. It was such a stark difference from her stage persona that the sight was almost painful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was also convenient for your organization that you collapsed there. The knights performing security were bound to come to your aid. And they knew that if they scared you, you might change your mind and pursue a relationship with the knight who helped you, which would benefit them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even better, the knights providing security that day were not just any ordinary knights—they were Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard, there to escort the two of us for our visit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their visit to the theater hadn’t been concealed at all. The people Sylvia worked for would have been able to find out that they were in attendance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she was drugged that day, and the show was canceled, Sylvia would have realized that was a warning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s Imperial Guard would have come to her aid. If Rishe hadn’t involved herself and given instruction to those on the scene, one of the Imperial Guards would have attended to Sylvia, providing her with a connection to that individual. It was a great opportunity for her employers to obtain information on the crown prince and Galkhein’s knight corps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold anticipated even that. The situation that day had in fact been slightly unusual. It wasn’t just Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard providing security at the theater. There were knights from other units there too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had treated it as an initial step toward expanding his Imperial Guard. Rishe had taken that to mean that he wanted more fighting power to go up against a powerful foe in the future, but that wasn’t the only reason for the extensive forces present at the theater that night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold predicted that if he made a show of attending the theater, the spy would try to contact him or one of his Imperial Guards. That’s why he had additional knights on security. And all of them fit his criteria of “skilled individuals who, for whatever reason, were not given an equal chance”—that is, people who had no significant intelligence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One of those individuals was none other than Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I finished with my first aid, Prince Arnold arrived with Sir Gutheil—not one of his Imperial Guards. I was shocked that he had his future retainer with him. Now she could understand Arnold’s reasoning. He had to make sure whoever escorted Sylvia and became her “savior” was not one of his Imperial Guard. That’s why he brought Sir Gutheil, someone who was never given any important work to do as a knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All this happened because the theater and the troupe were informed that Rishe and Arnold would be in attendance. Prince Arnold has never liked bringing attention to himself in public venues. I should have questioned why we didn’t attend the show incognito that night. Not only did we attract the attention of every noble in attendance, but he also had to mobilize his Imperial Guard to provide security. It would have been more like him to attend in secret."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced over at Arnold, only now considering all these things. He seemed as uninterested in these proceedings as always, and just as beautiful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I still don’t understand him nearly well enough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the first place, Rishe’s hushed admission that she wanted to go to the opera had been in response to Oliver bringing the subject up in small talk. It was possible he’d let it slip inadvertently since he was investigating the opera troupe with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lamenting her inability to pick up on any of this sooner, Rishe continued, “As Sir Gutheil said, Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard were watching you, Sylvia. They were also protecting you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They were?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From what I’ve heard, you were approached by people who intended you harm four times over these last few days. In the second incident—yesterday—the knights even engaged the individuals in question.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia went pale when she heard that, and Gutheil scowled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This afternoon, when Rishe and Dietrich had accompanied Arnold on his work, the knights escorting them had been Gutheil and Raul in disguise. Rishe had been told that Arnold didn’t have enough personnel due to his espionage investigation, but it wasn’t because he had his men spread thin searching a wide area. Arnold and Oliver had already narrowed their suspects down to Sylvia alone, so Arnold’s knights were busy observing and guarding her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was surprised that he wanted to accompany me to the theater today, but it was because he was worried about dangerous individuals and maybe another spy in Sylvia’s troupe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tell me, Sylvia,” Rishe said softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The diva only trembled in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you didn’t seek out Galkhein’s secrets, you’d be killed. But you were resisting those orders even before you met me and Sir Gutheil, weren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hence Sylvia’s poisoning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No!” Sylvia frantically forced the words out. “I have no such conviction! That should be obvious from how I shamelessly visited the palace the very next day and attempted to get close to you, the future crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d just been through something frightening and had your performances canceled. You must have been terrified. It doesn’t surprise me that you gave up on escaping and went along with your orders instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I even lied about falling in love with Sir Gutheil, a knight…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was immediately obvious to you that Sir Gutheil had no strategic purpose you could make use of, wasn’t it? You had no reason to lie about such a thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t Gutheil whom Sylvia had opened up to about her feelings. She’d told Rishe about them. If she were lying for her mission, she could have told Rishe she was searching for a new love and asked to be introduced to a different knight. There was no need for her to cry and cling to Rishe about some false love she felt for Gutheil."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold spoke up then. “Rishe. That’s enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia and Gutheil tensed at the crown prince’s harsh tone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Any more is just a waste of time. Your concern won’t change the facts.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a breath and said to Sylvia and Gutheil, “Prince Arnold made a promise to me. You haven’t actually engaged in any espionage in Galkhein or stolen any intelligence. As far as Galkhein is concerned, you’ve committed no crime.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s eyes were wide with disbelief. Rishe had posed this request to Arnold, and though Arnold had been somewhat disgusted by Rishe’s naivete, ultimately, he’d relented."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Sylvia,” Rishe said, prompting a flinch from the songstress, “this isn’t the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sensing the ominous air in the room, Gutheil spoke up on Sylvia’s behalf. “If I may ask, Lady Rishe, what do you mean by that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By attempting to leave her organization, Sylvia has betrayed their trust. I believe it’s likely they’ve made their final decision about her. Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold dispassionately explained to Gutheil, “My Imperial Guard reported two skirmishes to me. The individuals in question did not seem to be there to issue a warning or abduct the target—but to kill her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I had no idea…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was as cold as ever. “She’s lost the trust of her organization. Even if she returns with valuable intelligence from this country, they’ll simply take the information and dispose of her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You could put it a little more delicately!” Rishe spluttered. She knew Arnold was kind at heart, but that kindness extended only to a few individuals."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard are the very reason Sylvia has been able to stay safe these last few days. But from now on…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment Rishe opened her mouth, someone else spoke up instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will protect Lady Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil!” Sylvia likely hadn’t meant to call Gutheil’s name. Her hand flew to her mouth, like she couldn’t believe what she’d just said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From the other side of the table, Arnold scoffed. “You’ll protect her?” His blue eyes narrowed as he challenged the man’s foolhardiness. “You alone?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s voice seemed to chill the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t act like feelings and ideals will win the day. No matter how skilled you may be, do you really think you can protect her from an organization that could strike at any time?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems as though your desire to die a meaningless death hasn’t waned in the slightest. You’ll just get yourself and your charge killed immediately.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The air in the room grew so thick with tension that even Rishe found herself going rigid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Gutheil, who was bearing the brunt of Arnold’s scorn, said calmly, “I finally understand what you were trying to tell me last night, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned ever so slightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As you say, there is a part of me that wishes to protect Lady Sylvia even at the cost of my own life. However, if I lose my life, I will no longer be able to protect her.” Gutheil turned eyes blazing with sincerity on Sylvia. “I want to protect you through anything and everything. I want you to be happy, Lady Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That is why I promise not to throw my life away protecting you. I know you’re kind enough to grieve even for the death of a selfish man like me.” Gutheil made his pledge to Sylvia reverently, like he was swearing a knight’s oath. “I know I’ve hurt you, but could you find it in your heart to permit me to protect you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh! Sir Gutheil, I-I…” Sylvia spoke his name, tears in her voice. But then she shook her head, quashing her desires. “No…no, I won’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her words were intended to reject him, but there were countless emotions swirling in her voice, threatening to spill out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What would I do if something happened to you?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Sylvia, please…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll never be able to get away.” Her shoulders shook, but she managed to speak without breaking down in tears. “I was always getting in trouble for not doing a good enough job ever since I was little… Each time I failed at something, I thought they would get rid of me for good…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe remembered what the songstress had confessed to her about being scared that she would be abandoned every time she was ill or hurt as a child. She was probably talking about the spy organization and not the opera troupe. “How awful…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I couldn’t possibly be with you!” Sylvia sobbed, head still bowed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe recalled the words she’d said through her tears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand that better than anyone. I’m not the sort of person who could be with a knight, so it’s only natural that we can’t be together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m the one who can’t accept being at his side!!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart ached for Sylvia until the voice of one who’d been silent this whole time cut through the tension-choked air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There is no need to despair, Lady Songstress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul, disguised as a knight, had spoken up with a smile. Sylvia gaped at him as he stood by the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“After all, the people who do the legwork for an organization like this are valuable assets. No matter how skilled an operative may be, their public face—their identity—cannot be so easily revealed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul told Sylvia the same thing he’d told Rishe and Arnold up on the ramparts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Only a few key figures of your organization should know your identity, Lady Sylvia. It’s a necessary precaution to preserve your value as an asset. If it got out that the famous diva was a spy obtaining intelligence from key figures all over the world, they would never be able to make use of your talents again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That may be true, but…who are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul smiled in lieu of an answer. He then turned to Arnold and said, “Well, Your Highness. If you would allow me to make my report, the organization using Lady Sylvia’s talents is of a mercenary nature.” With that devilish curl to his lips, Raul reported this as if it were new information. “They serve no one master, instead lending their abilities to whoever makes the highest offer in their travels. Such organizations are relatively small in number and keep their operatives’ identities particularly concealed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean to say that no matter how well known the public face of the operative is, their private identity as a spy is known only to a very small number, correct, Sir Knight?” Rishe asked to hammer the point home, and Raul nodded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold spoke up disinterestedly, making no attempt to engage with Raul. “When disposing of a low-ranking operative, they’ll likely throw every available pawn they have at the problem. If those pawns are all dealt with, there will be no one left who knows the operative’s public face.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In short, Sylvia.” Rishe summed up what Raul and Arnold were trying to say: “We believe that if we catch all the people who are after your life, you’ll no longer be in any danger. You’ll be able to live freely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia gaped at Rishe. “What do you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just as the knight said, the spies’ public identities are a valuable secret. Only the organization employing you should know that the diva Sylvia is a spy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul was very knowledgeable about organizations like these. Rishe felt confident trusting any conclusion he’d drawn about them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“According to our investigation, the organization employing you is like a band of mercenaries. They don’t answer to anyone outside the group, and they would be very careful not to let any information about their members leave the group’s bounds. You should know at least a little about that yourself. Isn’t that right, Sylvia?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I suppose…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We believe they’ll put everything they have on the line to silence you. Every single member of the organization will try to kill you—even if it’s the last thing they do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe and the rest had done a little scheming of their own to make that outcome even likelier. After all, though this situation was terrifying, it could be an opportunity for Sylvia as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As such, Sir Gutheil, there’s no need for you to protect Sylvia all by yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Pardon, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold has given me his word that he’ll help too.” Rishe sat up straight and said plainly, “We will now carry out our plan to protect Sylvia so that she may live a happy life in the future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe rose from her chair, took out a piece of paper she’d secretly prepared beforehand, and spread it over the large table between them all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The plan is rather simple, really.” The paper listed the general outline of the scheme she’d concocted when speaking to Arnold and Raul that evening. “You won’t be able to protect Sylvia or run from the organization forever, so the best thing to do is to round them all up at once and eliminate the danger in one fell swoop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, Lady Rishe, it can’t be that simple…!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This plan will only work with your cooperation, Sylvia. And the help of your opera troupe as well,” Rishe said, pointing to a word in the middle of the piece of paper. “You’ll be the bait in this operation.” She looked Sylvia in the eye and said, “The songstress on the stage and the armed operatives hunting her… This plan only works if we can paint that picture.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia gulped, but her expression relayed that she finally found a speck of light in the darkness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think? Will you help us out?” Rishe went around to Sylvia’s side of the table, smiling at her. “It’ll take a lot of courage, but it won’t work without you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of…of course!” Sylvia stood and wrapped her arms around Rishe. “I’ll do anything I can! I’ll be the bait or whatever else you ask of me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you. I know this will work with you helping us, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry…” Sylvia’s voice was trembling. “I’m so sorry, Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should be the one apologizing, Sylvia, Rishe thought, returning Sylvia’s hug. You always blamed yourself, didn’t you? For spying and for keeping it a secret from me and Sir Gutheil. Telling you I want to save you would’ve made you feel too guilty to agree. That’s why I told you you’ll be the bait in our plan. Rishe patted Sylvia’s back like she was comforting a small child. I’m sorry… Please let me get away with lying in order to save you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She glanced at Arnold, who leveled a brooding gaze at her with his chin in his hand. This time, he would be her accomplice. Truly relieved that he was a logical person, she turned to Gutheil next."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil, this plan will be dangerous for Sylvia. I would like for you to protect her more than anyone else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I would ask the same. I swear I will protect you, Lady Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, Sir Gutheil…” After calling her beloved’s name, Sylvia clung tightly to Rishe once more. It almost seemed as if she was rejecting him, but Rishe could tell that she was only hiding how bashful she felt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She chuckled, her heart warmed by the sight. “You’re so cute, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh, Rishe!” Sylvia sulked, the polite tone she’d been using earlier now gone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was happy she was treating her as a friend today, and so she squeezed the songstress, who protested, “That tickles!” with a laugh. She was relieved Sylvia had gotten back a bit of her pep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Listen, Sylvia. We’ll have to ask the opera troupe for their cooperation as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They don’t know anything about my secret…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I thought that might be the case.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had had her eye on the members of Sylvia’s troupe when she visited the theater, and Arnold had been observing them as well. Rishe had been surprised when Arnold said he’d accompany her to the theater, but he had already known that Sylvia was the spy at that point. He’d wanted to see with his own eyes if Sylvia made a move or if anyone in her troupe appeared to be involved as well. Rishe hadn’t found anything suspicious about the rest of the troupe, and she’d been relieved to find that Arnold had felt the same way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need to tell them anything. It’s just that the plan I’m about to share with you will involve them too.” Rishe pulled away from Sylvia, who regarded her curiously, and told her, “As the knight over there said, if we can catch all the people who know your identity, you’ll be able to live a safe life from now on. We’ll have to do a little work to make that happen, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though hesitant, Sylvia nodded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll keep the Imperial Guard on you for a bit longer. But if the situation goes on too long, it’ll become a battle of attrition, which isn’t a good situation to be in.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t keep relying on you all like this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry! The plan is simple, and we’ll be drawing the enemies to us.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You mean to give the enemy the perfect opportunity to attack,” Gutheil surmised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly. We must prevent them from realizing that we’re luring them to us and give them a perfect moment to attack—at which point, we’ll round them all up at once.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wouldn’t be as simple as Rishe made it sound, of course. The enemy would no doubt be on guard for this type of trap. Gutheil seemed worried about that very thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It will have to be quite the plan to actually lure them out, won’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. That’s why we need the help of the troupe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia and Gutheil gave her identical dubious stares."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Isn’t that right, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the other side of the table, Arnold sighed in response to Rishe’s smile. “We’ll tighten our security until we must strip it away at the right moment. If they have no other chance to strike, they’ll be sure to act then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“B-but, Your Highness, won’t the enemy be wary of the knights’ sudden absence? If they didn’t have some reason they couldn’t remain near her…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia and Gutheil came to the realization together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. The one moment the diva’s tight security must wane. The only time the knights would not be able to be at her side.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean…during a performance?” Sylvia murmured."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe beamed. “I do indeed. What’s more, everything around her will be dark, the only light on the performer onstage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you can’t bring weapons into the theater…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll be more convincing if there’s a simple inspection at the door instead of forgoing one altogether. We’ll want to give the impression that it’s done on paper but is really just a formality in practice. Either way, spies will have the skill to sneak their weapons inside.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had Sylvia sit back down before she returned to her own chair. Next to her, Arnold was scowling as usual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The small team of Prince Arnold, Sir Gutheil, and myself will protect Sylvia and apprehend the intelligence agents. Once again, thank you for agreeing to my plan, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed and eyed Rishe indifferently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m so glad His Highness went along with my selfishness…but it should benefit his investigation to apprehend all the spies as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What Arnold was ultimately after was the entity trying to do harm to Galkhein. He was of the belief that this entity was involved in both his invitation to the party where Dietrich broke off his engagement with Rishe and Fabrannia’s counterfeiting scheme. Sylvia’s organization was likely involved with this entity as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe met his gaze, and he offered a disgruntled reply. “Do as you like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a bit strange to think that he trusted her so much, but it made Rishe happy nonetheless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She faced the table once more and told everyone assembled, “The performance will be five days from today, on the twenty-ninth of the seventh month at seven in the evening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil and Sylvia watched her nervously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, let’s commence preparations for the operation!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After their strategy meeting, Gutheil escorted Sylvia back to her lodgings. Arnold’s Imperial Guard continued to covertly watch over her as well. Even Raul’s hunters were on the job, so her defenses were impeccable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Feeling relieved, Rishe walked through the halls of the palace with Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know…” As the summer insects chirped around them and Rishe’s dress flapped in the breeze, she said, “Sir Gutheil’s mindset has really changed a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“His current mindset is only obvious. I would never trust a knight with lofty ideals and no desires,” Arnold said flatly. “People with strong desires are the most likely to survive in battle and thus make the best soldiers.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If strong fighters have strong desires, then… Rishe studied him and wondered, Where are yours, since you say you don’t desire anything?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She kept the question to herself, however."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, right. Allow me to thank you again, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For believing that Sylvia wanted to quit her spying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was as cold as ever. “I believe nothing. I just put together the information available and determined it was a likely possibility.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All the same.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Sylvia had been an enemy of Galkhein, Arnold would’ve had to eliminate her, yet he was going along with Rishe’s selfish desire to save her instead. Rishe’s plan wasn’t without its dangers, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was only able to create such a plan because of your help, Prince Arnold. I plan to fight as well, but I know that you’ll never lose to anyone with your skills,” she said, her eyes positively sparkling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold loosed a quiet breath. “Are you sure you don’t put too much trust in me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? What reason would I possibly have to doubt your skill?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince only frowned in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you have faith in me as well, don’t you, Your Highness?” The thought brought a grin to Rishe’s face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold likely hadn’t anticipated Rishe and Sylvia growing close. In the two months or so that Rishe had been in Galkhein, she’d come to know many of the country’s secrets—even a few that would spell the end of Galkhein if leaked to another country. Regardless, when Sylvia collapsed at the theater, Arnold had allowed Rishe to go to her aid immediately. He’d also said nothing to her about her striking up a friendship with the songstress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He may have even kept his suspicions about Sylvia from Rishe to avoid hurting her. In addition to considering her feelings, he’d trusted her not to reveal any national secrets to Sylvia. Arnold had merely watched over the two of them without interfering. The thought warmed Rishe’s heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, but…” Rishe stopped, remembering something. “I’m sorry, Prince Arnold. I did open up about one secret to Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You did?” Arnold stopped as well, turning back to cast a disbelieving glance at Rishe. “What did you tell her?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… Well, er…” A lamp affixed to a pillar in the hall illuminated Rishe’s hot cheeks. “I told her that you and I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but she had to apologize for betraying his confidence. Even as the shame overwhelmed her, Rishe confessed her crime. “That we kissed…just once…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could only assume that Arnold was staring at her in exasperation. She didn’t know for sure because her eyes were squeezed shut, not brave enough to meet his gaze. After several seconds of silence, when her shame became nearly unbearable, Arnold finally spoke up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” However, as soon as he started, he immediately fell silent. He didn’t seem to be angry. Was the awkward air between them just in Rishe’s imagination?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Does he feel bad about it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe raised her head and blinked. Their kiss in the chapel had taken her completely by surprise. She’d been shocked and confused, having no idea why Arnold would do such a thing. She had also felt that he seemed oddly practiced at the act, which had weighed on her mind afterward as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Had there been some deeper meaning behind even that event?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee hee.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s so funny?” Arnold asked awkwardly when Rishe covered her mouth to stifle the giggle. It was rare for him to be bothered by something like this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just found your expression kind of cute, Prince Arnold,” Rishe said with a grin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold simply scowled, as though she were utterly incomprehensible. It probably bothered him, but Rishe smiled all the same."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…Come on. Let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah! Wait, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold strode off, and Rishe hurried to return to her place at his side. They were headed from the detached palace to a room in the main palace that was reserved for important guests."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Was it all right to leave this to Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is the sort of thing he’s good at. And the time it’s taking is expected.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There had been five chairs in the room they’d used for their strategy meeting. The people present were Arnold, Rishe, Gutheil, Sylvia, and Raul. But the final chair hadn’t been for the disguised Raul to use."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel bad for requesting this when Prince Arnold is already so exhausted, Rishe thought as they arrived at the main palace. Some Imperial Guards stood by the door to the room they’d be entering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Greetings, Your Highness. Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s the situation inside?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No one has left. I imagine they’re still talking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince huffed in annoyance. Rishe smiled wryly, tugging on Arnold’s sleeve. “Shall we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gave a nod to one of the knights, who opened the door. At which point…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That is precisely why! If now is not the time for justice’s loyal servant—Hermity’s crown prince—to act, then when is?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An overenthusiastic voice boomed into the hallway. On the receiving end was Arnold’s attendant, Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha. You have just as much energy as always even at this late hour, Prince Dietrich.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe narrowed her eyes at her childhood friend and former fiancé. “Please do not tell me you’re causing trouble for Oliver, Prince Dietrich.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe?! What are you doing here?! Lord Arnold as well…” Dietrich stood from his plush chair. His hand shot to his forehead, and he shook his head in exasperation. “I see. You wish to borrow my strength as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oliver, we can get the story from you. Get rid of this man already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, wait, wait! You can’t just do this without me!” Dietrich frantically appealed to Arnold, who did not spare him so much as a glance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead, he asked his attendant, “So?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, my lord.” Oliver gathered up several documents and tapped their edges on the table with a smile. “As you suspected, Prince Dietrich is also here regarding the espionage organization.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh!” Dietrich covered his face with his hands, sobbing dramatically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found the sight downright bizarre. She gently asked Dietrich, “What happened with Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing happened! This man simply started paying me compliments with a bright smile on his face, and I thought, ‘Why, he certainly has just the discerning eye I would expect from the attendant of Galkhein’s crown prince!’—and then all of a sudden I was confessing everything! Just what exactly happened?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Dietrich sobbed and wailed, Arnold peered down his nose at the man like he truly couldn’t care less."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urgh, this wasn’t supposed to happen! I was planning to reveal the weighty secret in a cooler way…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, that’s quite unnecessary. Please don’t worry about such a thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I had my suspicions from the start. Pompous act or no, we were obviously going to question you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich deflated, sniffling, after Rishe and Arnold’s one-two punch. With a sardonic grin, Oliver comforted the foreign prince."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now, now, you two. We just had a very fruitful conversation. After all, the prince’s actual circumstances did differ a bit from our external suppositions.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-Oliver! You really are a good guy!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey. Keep your hands off my attendant,” Arnold barked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed as she watched Dietrich cling to Oliver."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the guard station today, Dietrich had been about to reveal something to Rishe. He had likely wanted to discuss this but had rethought the moment to get the “cooler reveal” he desired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold always suspected he might be involved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t just the party where Dietrich had called off his and Rishe’s engagement. Before summoning Sylvia to the detached palace, Rishe and Arnold had had a conversation about Dietrich as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The spy organization is obviously involved in your ex-fiancé’s trip here as well,” Arnold had said up on the ramparts that evening. “He made it seem like he was here out of concern for your engagement to me, but it’s no coincidence that he was at the theater that night.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It does seem likely, doesn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich’s illogical actions were an everyday occurrence for Rishe, who had witnessed a whole childhood’s worth of them. To Arnold, however, his presence at the theater was just the cherry on top of the suspicions he already held since the party in Hermity—which meant Dietrich was another matter requiring investigation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was impossible for Arnold to think Dietrich might only be there to see the opera."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that exchange, they’d opted to leave Dietrich’s interrogation to Oliver. After all, just as Arnold said, it was something he excelled at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why the delay in schedule, Oliver?” Rishe asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah. Well, you see, it was the intelligence organization I wished to ask about, but I thought I might get the prince to confide in me with a bit of reminiscing on the past first. He had much more to say than I expected.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Goodness… You certainly went above and beyond, then…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This, too, Arnold had anticipated. It was possible that he’d had Oliver engage in such interrogations in the past as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In listening to his reminiscences, however, I got a good idea of the prince’s thought processes. Also, I must say, I imagine Prince Dietrich’s coup will fail.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah! Hold on a second, Oliver! I told you that was a secret, didn’t I?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Dietrich, we’re all aware of your planned coup, so could you hush for a moment?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich was shocked by Rishe’s words, but she didn’t feel like going into the details for him. And Arnold was focused entirely on his conversation with Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t care about the details. You got what we need from him, yes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“An operative from the organization contacted Prince Dietrich a little over a year ago, in the third month last year. Does that ring any bells, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A month later, Lady Mary entered the academy as a scholarship student.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That would be Prince Dietrich’s current fiancée.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich’s face went white at the mention of Mary’s name. “Wait! Mary has nothing to do with those villains!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re aware of that. Lady Mary was likely only used for this one incident. Considering her family’s financial troubles, it’s hard to imagine she’s been employed as a spy for a long time. If she were a member of the organization, she would be adequately compensated for her work, at the very least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe highly doubted she was after information from Dietrich. It was obvious even to foreign powers that Dietrich was not heavily involved in his country’s political affairs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver nodded. “I agree with Lady Rishe’s assessment. It’s likely that the organization was after Prince Arnold from the start, not any intelligence from Prince Dietrich.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s possible they facilitated Lady Mary’s enrollment into the academy and encouraged her to seek a marriage with a royal or noble she would meet there. Of course, all the sons of prominent families would already have been engaged. The organization didn’t have to specify an individual—and there was only one option likely to act so boldly as to break an engagement.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All eyes in the room landed on Dietrich, who was pleased as punch by the attention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I assume Lady Mary approached Prince Dietrich and then used the methods suggested by the organization to falsify my ‘crimes’ against her,” Rishe said. “Prince Dietrich fell for it and resolved himself to condemn me. He is a rather straightforward thinker, so it’s likely the organization would have foreseen all of this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t make such a face, Prince Arnold! Despite it all, he really is a very upright person. His one-track mind and tendency to get the wrong idea about things are flaws, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, Dietrich appeared rather pleased with himself. Arnold clicked his tongue, deciding to simply allow the conversation to progress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Assuming the organization’s goal was not intelligence from Prince Dietrich, or his breaking off our engagement, but Prince Arnold’s traveling to Hermity…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a rather roundabout plan. Still, with organizations like this, plans that took several years to come to fruition were a regular occurrence. Since this one only took a little over a year, it could even be said to be a faster-moving plot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Augh… Damn that organization! Making use of me is bad enough, but Lady Mary too?! She has an even purer heart than I! But we will not give in to their machinations! Yes, at first, Mary may have had such an objective. But the love we foster between us now is true—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A suspicious entity attended a party in the third month last year calling himself an official from Halil Rasha.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Oliver! Weren’t you going to listen to what I had to say?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Dietrich seems oddly attached to Oliver…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe saw why Arnold had been so confident in his attendant’s abilities."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver briskly continued, “The individual approached Prince Dietrich and suggested holding a coup d’état sometime in the near future to him. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich nodded reluctantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The desert nation of Halil Rasha… King Zahad’s country. If the spy named himself an official of Halil Rasha, however, the country is likely uninvolved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No self-respecting schemer would reveal their true allegiance so readily. Halil Rasha was a great nation. It was currently friendly with Galkhein, but in the future, it would become one of the few countries able to fight back in Arnold’s war. If the organization’s goal was to weaken Galkhein, they may have told this lie to cause the relationship between Galkhein and Halil Rasha to deteriorate, should their plot come to light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For them to go so far to bring Prince Arnold to Hermity…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe recalled the bandit attack on their way back to Galkhein. Their carriage had been attacked and Arnold’s knights wounded, the attackers’ weapons coated in a numbing poison. At the time, Rishe had concocted an antidote to the drug."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason he had his knights withdraw and fought with the assailants himself was because he already suspected something more behind that attack."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had a tendency toward self-sacrifice. That bad habit was probably the main reason why he had fought the attackers off himself. But he was likely also concerned that the bandits were really intelligence operatives who had undergone special training. Even that bandit attack was a possibility Arnold had already foreseen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To move between Hermity and Galkhein, you have to travel down a small, rarely used road. As a result, you’re forced to travel with a small party, and His Highness’s Imperial Guard is already a limited force within Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That small road was one of the reasons Hermity hadn’t been invaded by Galkhein in the war, since it made moving an army difficult. Despite being Galkhein’s neighbor, Hermity had been able to escape invasion for that reason—that and the fact that Galkhein stood to gain little from conquering the small nation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps that was why the mastermind had called Arnold to Hermity. They wanted to use the favorable circumstances that forest road afforded them to attack Arnold and harm him and Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Those bandits had a paralysis agent coated on their weapons. No matter how strong Prince Arnold may be, against poisons and drugs…” Rishe shuddered at the idea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, however, didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned. “It makes no difference. What is poison going to do on a weapon that can’t even graze me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m aware that a mere bandit could never get the better of you, Your Highness, but even so…!” Rishe still wished he would rely on those around him more. The anxiety she felt seemed like a contradiction, since she did have faith in Arnold’s skills."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver then asked, “It was also this so-called Halil Rasha official who advised you to break off your engagement with Lady Rishe, was it not, Prince Dietrich?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um… N-no, I wasn’t compelled to the decision! I did what I did out of a sense of justice and for the sake of my beloved Mary!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut up. Stop talking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold spat the words out before accepting a document from Oliver and skimming its contents. Rishe tiptoed to try to see it as well and, noticing this, Arnold lowered his hand. She thanked him, and they read through the document together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich started pacing around them restlessly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, Lord Arnold—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shut up. Don’t talk to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrk! R-Rishe, then!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Dietrich went to Rishe for help, Arnold looked at him like there was nothing that could possibly annoy him more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you’re going to bother Rishe instead, then I’ll listen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! You will?!” Dietrich’s face lit up, after which he hung his head before saying hesitantly, “I-I heard from Oliver, you see. You’re planning to use the songstress Sylvia as bait to capture the evil organization that bamboozled me, are you not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They had agreed beforehand not to tell Dietrich of Sylvia’s involvement with the spy organization. What Oliver had told him was likely along the lines of “Sylvia is a willing collaborator in our plan to apprehend the spies.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s just, you know… A crown prince must be daring and cool, right?! He must stand in the spotlight and shine more than a normal civilian! He’s a crown prince, after all!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you trying to say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In other words, um…” After a great show of hesitation, Dietrich finally said, “Rather than a frail songstress, it should be a mighty figure such as myself who fills the dangerous role of the bait in your plan!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver gaped at Dietrich. Arnold eyed him, expressionless as ever."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Regret flashed across Dietrich’s face, but he continued, “It’s a frightening task to be the bait, is it not? It’s cruel to ask such a thing of a mere songstress. Me, on the other hand—well, I’m always steeled for such a thing! I am a proud crown prince!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, I did think it was a bit strange! I was supposed to meet with someone yesterday, but they never arrived at the rendezvous spot. I was even waiting with a cloak on, looking rather cool and mysterious if I may say so myself! Ever since, I’ve gotten the faint sense that maybe I was being deceived… N-no, I mean, I foresaw all this from the very beginning! Yes, I always suspected a mysterious entity might have their sights set on Galkhein, which is why I came all the way here to warn you! A-all this to say…if you have need of me, I would gladly take on the role of the bait myself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich was very obviously trembling with fear, yet he made this declaration all the same."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow, Prince Dietrich,” Rishe said, shocked by his courage. “Unfortunately, you have no value as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His legs almost gave out from under him at Rishe’s unflinching assessment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was likely no more than a grunt of the organization who contacted you, Your Highness. You have no information the organization would kill you to protect.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s all my life is worth?!” Dietrich seemed to be taking it rather poorly, but if anything, this was good news for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The same can’t be said for Sylvia, though. As someone who’s worked for the organization since childhood, even if she’s a low-ranking member, she simply knows too much…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was why they were after her life. And as her friend, Rishe wanted to protect her no matter what."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not to worry,” Oliver interjected. “As a matter of fact, your life is absolutely in danger as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right. The organization’s instructions for Prince Dietrich went something like this: ‘The evil empire of Galkhein must be stopped as soon as possible. As the prince of the crown princess’s homeland, we would like you to contact Galkhein’s royal family.’ The meeting place on the prince’s first day in the country was specified as the theater.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you’ve got it all wrong! I doubted their words, of course I did! I thought, ‘Is Galkhein truly as bad as they say?’ Thus I, the crown prince, came all the way here to see it for myself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Dietrich flailed, Rishe shot him a glare full of reproach. She hadn’t forgotten the disparaging words Dietrich had flung at Arnold that night. Dietrich only flailed harder under her piercing glare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Regardless of what your true intentions may have been, just as the organization planned, you not only met with us but also accompanied Prince Arnold on his work for several days afterward.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh…? Wait, wait? Do you mean to say you didn’t allow me to come observe your work out of the kindness of your heart?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In the organization’s eyes, it may have seemed like you were making good progress communicating with Prince Arnold. However, just a short time ago, a carriage of Prince Arnold’s Imperial Guard headed for the hotel where you were staying. Isn’t that right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In other words, I imagine the organization concluded you attempted to do some spying on Prince Arnold and failed magnificently, only for the Imperial Guard to cart you off for your apparent crimes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Will you be quiet? Quit making so much noise,” Arnold snapped. No matter how much Dietrich despaired, the situation was unlikely to change at this point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The organization will assume you’ve confessed everything, Prince Dietrich. They must operate as though their existence is known to Galkhein.” While Rishe hadn’t given the shocked Dietrich the full story, his situation should have been clear enough to him by now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia’s spied on important figures all around the world, but Prince Dietrich and Lady Mary were only involved in the organization’s schemes against Galkhein and Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even if Sylvia were captured by Galkhein, she would only confess to the same sort of spying she’d done on other nations. The information Dietrich had was different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Dietrich’s confession might lead to the discovery of the mastermind behind the organization… Of course, Prince Arnold already suspected such a mastermind quite some time ago."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was always a step ahead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that Prince Dietrich has been “apprehended,” they’ll want to avoid Galkhein questioning Sylvia at all costs. If they don’t silence her, they’ll lose the trust they’ve earned with the mastermind, and their own lives will be in danger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The organization no longer had any choice but to silence Sylvia."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure they’ll use every pawn available to them to try to kill Sylvia…with the one chance they’ll get when she’s performing on stage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It really was a plan that would put her in considerable danger. Hence Rishe’s other little scheme."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’ve probably realized that Sylvia has said something to Galkhein at this point, but they should still feel like they have to kill her as soon as they possibly can. After all, it’s the only sure way to prevent her from saying more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe fell into thought, Dietrich went on babbling. “B-but if the organization considers me a traitor, then that’s all the more reason why I should serve as the bait in your trap, isn’t it?! S-s-s-s-so! So you should… That is to say…” Dietrich was quavering, clearly trying to scrounge up all of his courage. That was obvious enough to Rishe, who giggled and tugged on Arnold’s sleeve."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Despite how he seems, Prince Dietrich really does care about doing the right thing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Despite what?! Talk like that and I’ll take it back! I’m good at finding reasons not to do things, you know!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled awkwardly at Dietrich’s bold assertion. “So you say, but I get the feeling that you weren’t lying when you said part of the reason you were here was because you were worried about me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He hadn’t come just because someone had compelled him to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What does that matter?” Arnold asked, giving Dietrich his signature disinterested gaze. “No matter his intentions, it doesn’t change the fact that this man is the fool who exiled you from your own country without a single thought to the consequences. He can say nothing to defend himself, nor will he be given the opportunity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Additionally, his will has no bearing on what he does here. Since he’s come to this country and shown his face before us, it’s our right to make use of him to whatever extent we wish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-make use of me?” Dietrich blinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You will play a part in our plan,” Arnold told him. “You’ll be the pretext for my Imperial Guard being present at the theater.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich gawked at Rishe in confusion. In response, she smiled cheerily at him."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "EVENTUALLY, the twenty-ninth day of the seventh month arrived. It was the day of the operation they would carry out with the help of Sylvia’s troupe, and the theater was full of knights on security detail. It was also the day the postponed show would resume, and the audience was packed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia sat in a dressing room behind the stage, radiating nerves."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was right there beside her, holding her hand to give her courage. “You don’t need to worry, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thanks, Rishe… How many years has it been since I was nervous about just standing on stage? Hee hee hee. Times like these, you have to get into costume right away!” Though Sylvia’s tone was light, her face was pale."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s acting calm, but I’m sure she’s terrified."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To bolster their plan, Rishe took advantage of the fact that the troupe didn’t publicize the contents of each show. Once the curtains rose on today’s show, a great number of performers would dance around Sylvia to obscure her from view. In the dim light of the theater, the music would stop, and the dancers would leave. Then a light would shine on the songstress, now alone onstage. After that, she would perform a solo until the end of the show. It was a short program, but they wouldn’t have to wait long to act."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The assailants would strike the moment the initial performers left the stage and the light illuminated the lone songstress. After all, the intelligence agents were just like the audience: They didn’t know the contents of the show either. Since they would have no idea when they’d get another chance, they’d make their move as soon as Sylvia was alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the bait, Sylvia was understandably nervous."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry, Sylvia. Sir Gutheil will be there to protect you,” Rishe reassured her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sylvia’s smile was tinged with sorrow. “Thank you, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If this plan goes well and I’m really able to live freely after this, I’m going to leave Sir Gutheil.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. “But why? Sir Gutheil said he would protect you with full knowledge of your background, didn’t he?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All the more reason why.” Sylvia smiled wanly and squeezed Rishe’s hand. Her fingers were ice-cold. “I was terrified when I heard his father was executed for espionage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil had said the same thing. He thought she’d looked pained when he told her about his father. Since he hadn’t yet known her circumstances, he’d assumed it was because she was a war orphan, but there was a different reason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil has suffered all this time because of his father’s crimes… Having a woman like me by his side will only give him deeper scars.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanted Sir Gutheil to come that night precisely because I suspected my crimes would come to light…because I didn’t have the courage to tell him myself.” Sylvia let go of Rishe’s hand and gave her a hug instead. “Thank you for revealing my secret when I couldn’t myself, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Sylvia…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll say goodbye to him after today.” Melancholy plain on her face, Sylvia shook her head. “I caused you and Sir Gutheil endless trouble, but…just watch. I’ll do my best to be useful for something by the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had no reply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, I’ve got to get changed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Sylvia put on a cheerful mask again, Rishe grabbed Sylvia’s hand. “I’m afraid that won’t do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She stared straight into Sylvia’s eyes and told her, “After all, you’re…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That night at seven, Galkhein’s premier theater had a full house. A rumor had spread through the audience that security was tighter than usual because Hermity’s crown prince was attending the show as part of a diplomatic visit. Still, everyone was relieved they’d been able to get in without a significant delay since the inspection at the door was cursory."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wonder what the show will be like tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t wait to hear Sylvia sing! I was surprised when she collapsed the other day. I’m so glad she’s feeling better now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s the bell for the start of the show! The curtain’s rising…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The lights in the theater dimmed, and the audience chatter faded with them. In the silence, the deep-red curtains slowly lifted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the stage stood a great number of female performers wearing pink dresses. Their outlines were faint in the low light. When the musicians began to play, the women all started dancing at once. Their many-layered chiffon dresses fluttered about as they moved. The audience was captivated by the otherworldly music and the way the dancers glided weightlessly around the stage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The beauty of the dance was further enhanced by a rain of petals that fell from above. The white petals resembled snow as well. Under the faint lighting, they almost seemed to glow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When the petals fell to the stage, the dancing women kicked them back into the air, and they swirled around as yet another part of the dance. The audience watched the mesmerizing performance with bated breath, entranced by the delicate beauty brought out by the petals."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eventually, the music faded and the dancers slowed to a stop. They exited the stage, the petals drifting upward one last time with their departure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only figure on the stage now was the songstress, who had been hidden among the dancers. She knelt in the center of the stage, a transparent veil covering her head. She wore a crimson dress and black gloves, her hands clasped as if in prayer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The audience gulped, waiting to hear the beautiful song that was sure to start any moment now. A large flame was ignited in the device lighting the stage. And the moment the light hit the songstress, she reached for the sword at her hip. The crowd’s eyes went wide at the unexpected combination of an opera singer and a sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next moment, there was a great whoosh from one corner of the audience. An arrow flew toward the stage. The audience didn’t even have time to register that someone had shot at her. The songstress swiftly drew her sword and sliced it diagonally downward in one fluid movement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a short clang. The songstress lowered her head calmly after batting the arrow out of the air. Her slash had caused the flower petals to dance up into the air once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What…was that?!” a member of the audience cried, unable to contain his confusion. The other spectators nearby glared at him, and he hastily shut his mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the countless petals continued to rain around her, the diva gave a rapid swing of her sword. At that moment, the veil covering her head flew up, and those in the front row caught a glimpse of what was beneath it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Coral hair?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was not Sylvia on the stage, but none of the audience members realized that. They merely gaped as the “songstress” swatted her veil aside with one hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl hiding her coral-colored hair pointed her sword straight at the crowd. Her movements were graceful yet bold, and another audience member murmured, “That’s no songstress… That’s a goddess of war!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, the “songstress” had no idea what the audience member had said. The coral-haired girl in her place—Rishe—was focused intently on her declaration of war to the enemy and nothing else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I won’t let Sylvia get hurt. Playing her part as the fake songstress, Rishe honed her focus to a sharp point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everything’s gone according to plan so far. The moment the enemy thought Sylvia was alone onstage, they aimed straight for me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her costume was heavy, but some of the design features made it easier to move in. The frilly skirt had several slits in it so that it didn’t catch on her legs. Her face was covered by the veil, but it didn’t hinder her vision at all. But it was just as difficult as she thought it would be to scan the dark audience from the bright stage. Instead, she focused her hearing and concentrated on the bloodlust of her attackers. Even with the packed audience, she picked up on the distinct fwish of an arrow cutting through the air and someone’s intent to kill."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To the right!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe swung her sword as she made the judgment. She missed the arrowhead but struck the shaft. The arrow slid across the stage, scattering artificial petals as it went."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s just like Prince Arnold taught me. “Use the whole blade as a surface to hit the shaft, knocking the arrow out of the air.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was reaping the fruits of the special training Arnold had been giving her over the last several days. She took a deep breath and kept her entire body taut, ready to move at any moment. If she let her guard down for even a second, a spy’s arrow was sure to find her heart. Rishe, who had been a spy herself—though she’d merely called herself a hunter at the time—could tell exactly how skilled her adversaries were."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m glad I was able to switch with Sylvia. If I’d really let her be the bait, she would definitely have been hurt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how tight their security was, it would be difficult to protect her completely. Rishe was acutely aware of that fact, which was why she’d made her proposal to Arnold and Raul."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will play the part of the bait, not Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she informed them thus in a room in the detached palace, Arnold scowled ferociously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I intend to inform Sylvia that she will play the part herself. If I don’t, I doubt she’ll cooperate with us. We need help from her and the rest of the troupe for our plan to succeed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold had a look on his face that could sour fresh milk. After staring at her for a few moments, however, he sighed and said, “Understood. Do as you like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, wait, wait! Hold on a second, you two!” blurted Raul, no longer in his disguise. “Why are you talking as if what you’re saying makes perfect sense? Why would you take Sylvia’s place? There’s no need for you to put yourself in that kind of danger!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why? Well, because there’s no better way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t gimme that!” Raul’s shoulders slumped in resignation. He then whirled on Arnold. “And you, Your Highness! Are you just going to let her walk all over you? What would you do if something happened to your darling little wife while doing something so dangerous?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I keep telling you, I’m not Prince Arnold’s wife yet!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul shot her a look that told her she’d missed the point. It was rare for him to display his emotions so plainly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, lowering his blue eyes. “I’m aware that it’s dangerous.” His voice was heavy with exasperation. “I’m also aware that she will not budge on this matter. When she decides to protect someone, she’ll see it through no matter what.” The prince fixed his gaze on Rishe and let his face go slack. “I’ve figured that out at this point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart throbbed over the trust he had in her. Just as Raul said, he was letting her get away with whatever she wanted. Arnold would never have accepted this plan if anyone else had suggested it. Rishe was so happy to have understood that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, Rishe stood on the stage as the songstress, swinging her sword with precision."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I swear I’ll protect her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She smacked aside another arrow, and the audience’s muttering grew louder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What kind of show is this?! Arrows are flying at Sylvia, and she’s defending herself with a sword! Then the petals whirl up…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, it’s beautiful!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The audience exchanged hushed impressions of the show, their voices barely audible over the orchestral accompaniment. Rishe didn’t hear them, hyperfocused on where the next attack would come from."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every arrow flying at me allows the Imperial Guard to find one of the archers. I must get them to shoot as many arrows as I can!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Working off her lessons from Arnold, Rishe smacked down the arrows flying at her with audible swings of her blade. With each strike, there was a cheer from the audience. She grasped her dress and swung it about, whipping up flower petals around her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They would have known there would be an inspection at the door, so their weaponry must be extremely limited. Spies like this most often use long-range weapons. That means they’ll keep shooting at me until they run out of arrows!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s primary role was to smoke out the archers hiding in the audience. She would draw the arrows to her as Sylvia’s stand-in and strike them all down. An archer’s greatest weakness was that they were limited in the number of times they could attack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And when they run out of arrows, the next thing they’ll do is…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as expected, an assailant climbed up onto the stage. The man, clad in a black cloak, drew a dagger he’d been concealing. The audience gasped in shock and delight, thinking it all a part of the performance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man aimed a slash at Rishe, which she dropped low to dodge. At that moment, when she was most vulnerable, an arrow whizzed toward her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The arrow had been aimed at her thigh, but she spun her blade to deflect the arrowhead. She held her breath for a moment but fought the instinct—she couldn’t afford interruptions to the rhythm of her breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, that momentary lapse was the opportunity the assailant atop the stage needed. He emerged, dagger out, while Rishe was busy knocking away the arrow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That instant, a figure leaped in between Rishe and her attacker from the wing of the stage. His leg swung in a roundhouse kick to the side of the assailant’s head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gah!” With a short scream, the attacker flew straight off the stage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A black cloak flashed before Rishe’s eyes. The man wearing it looked disgusted, as if it repulsed him to have touched the enemy even with the heel of his shoe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” Rishe called his name in surprise, as his interference was a divergence from their plan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold spun to Rishe and took a short breath before asking her, “Are you hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, but…weren’t you supposed to join me a bit later?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s feat had been so impressive that the audience cheered and applauded. But his eyes, blue as the sea, spared them not a single glance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’ve done enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe realized the whoosh of the arrows had stopped. She spotted the Imperial Guard apprehending several audience members. But the malice here and there in the theater hadn’t disappeared completely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’re coming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that they were out of arrows, the attackers were headed for the stage. Rishe gripped her sword, her guard up. Arnold, meanwhile, kept his eyes downcast. He reached for the sword at his waist and gripped its hilt. Slowly, he slid the blade out from the sheath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped at the beauty of the motion. His posture was perfect, his center of gravity immutable. He would be able to block an attack from any position without the slightest difficulty. At the same time, he wasn’t expending any excess energy. If anything, he seemed at ease, his intense calm almost seductive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The black sword gleamed as it glided from its sheath, the movement smooth and clean. Light danced on Arnold’s lashes and cast long shadows on his cheeks. This simple act of drawing a sword had the audience captivated. Those who believed that this was yet another part of the show were enthralled into silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the sword came free, it sang a high and clear note like a bell. Arnold blinked slowly as the petals at his feet shot into the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s beautiful…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though Rishe was captivated by the sight as well, it didn’t hold her attention for long. After all, Rishe had to concentrate on the ten cloaked figures who had just stormed the stage. She raised her sword, focusing on the enemies’ movements."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Someone’s leading them! They’re not letting their guard down. They’re well aware of Prince Arnold’s strength!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The fact that they understood Arnold’s strength was an indication of their own abilities."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold took a step forward. All Rishe could see now was his back. When the cloaked men climbed up onto the stage, Rishe made to stand beside Arnold. At that exact moment, Arnold drew a straight line in the air with one sweeping motion of his sword hand. The first five assailants crumpled to the floor in an instant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t just the audience members who struggled to discern what had just happened. Rishe had been watching from his side, but the speed had been too much to register. The action had practically been soundless. The tornado of petals on the stage was the only evidence that Arnold had swung his sword."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe his technique!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was speechless watching him. Now that she thought about it, this was her first time as Arnold’s ally seeing him cross blades with an enemy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The remaining attackers changed their formation when they saw how easily their cohorts were defeated. Arnold didn’t raise an eyebrow at the swiftness of their tactical change. He repelled the enemies’ first hit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their movements were different from the first group. Their strategy was for one to attack and another to hit him somewhere else while he was focused on the first strike. Meaningless, of course. Arnold managed to protect Rishe, who stood behind his back, fending off each and every blow without issue. He parried a strike with one hand, sending the enemy flying behind him. A moment later, a large attacker rushed at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unconcerned, Arnold took the blow, his center of gravity lowered. There was a dull clang as the enemy’s blade struck his—but just when Rishe thought he’d parried the strike, Arnold stepped forward into the enemy’s flank. He twisted his shoulder and then kicked the attacker in the gut."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Guh!” With a grunt, the enemy sank to the stage almost anticlimactically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In just a few seconds, all ten adversaries had hit the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He took out ten men in the blink of an eye!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a mere handful of moves, Arnold had disrupted their entire strategy. He’d dealt with every single adversary and had hardly budged from his starting position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the…?! What did that performer just do?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shh! The show’s not over yet! Be quiet and watch!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The audience was thrilled. They had no idea they were watching a real battle. This was not the last of their enemies, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "New adversaries sprang up from everywhere in the audience and rushed the stage. Arnold’s men hadn’t restricted entrance to the theater at all in a ploy to smoke out each and every operative. There were likely still plenty of enemies in attendance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Foes attacked from both sides, but Arnold only responded to the one on the right. He hadn’t ignored the enemy on the left because he was incapable of guarding against both—he had done it because Rishe’s sword was already flashing out to parry the enemy’s blow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don’t take it head-on, just…!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She used the angle of the blade to deflect the enemy’s blow. She couldn’t beat a man in a contest of strength, so she’d trained long and hard in a previous life to use her enemy’s power against him. Rishe whirled like she was dancing, putting spin on the enemy’s sword. Due to the structure of the human hand, her enemy could no longer grip his sword properly, so it was flung far from his grasp."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he balked, Rishe struck a shallow blow to her opponent’s abdomen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Both Rishe’s and Arnold’s swords were coated in a drug Rishe had mixed up herself. It was the same paralyzing agent that had been on the blades of the bandits who attacked them on their way back from Hermity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sucked in a breath after confirming that the man was down. At the same time, Arnold shot her a glance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s skilled enough not to require my aid. I’m sure he wishes to tell me to fall back. But I…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wanted to fight at Arnold’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold called her name as if he could sense her thoughts, quietly enough that only she could hear him. Still facing their enemies, he told her, “You’re free to do as you please.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped, and it took a moment to register. “Yes!” she cried, tightening her grip on her sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was on Arnold’s left. She hadn’t chosen the spot without thinking; this was the side where Arnold had the scar on his neck, his one and only weakness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold must have guessed why Rishe did what she did. Surprise registered on his face before he granted her a small smile. She took it to mean he entrusted that side to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold isn’t just indulging me and trying to protect me. Strength filled Rishe at the idea that she could stand at his side. He believes in me when he needs to and entrusts his weak side to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She savored the idea, shivering with delight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although the Imperial Guard were apprehending the archers in the audience, the majority of the assailants were still rushing the stage to silence “Sylvia.” Rishe stepped forward boldly, drawing them to her. She had to convince the enemy this was their only chance to take her down. If even one person who knew of Sylvia’s work as a spy managed to get away from this theater, Sylvia would never know peace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sir Gutheil should be keeping the real Sylvia safe. And there are enough Imperial Guard in the theater due to Prince Dietrich’s supposed attendance that it’s possible a single enemy won’t escape…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had personally trained each and every one of his Imperial Guards. They were normally a kind and quiet bunch, but they became different people in battle. Even more reassuring to Rishe was having Arnold himself at her side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She evaded her enemies’ blades, her dress swirling around her. She ducked low, her veil flapping up, and Arnold’s sword swung over her head. The struck foe fell, and Arnold pulled his sword back once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Low to the ground now, Rishe spun to sweep the legs out from under an assailant trying to take Arnold’s flank. All she had to do was nick her adversaries with her blade and the poison would take effect. Swiftly completing the series of movements, Rishe was about to stand when Arnold reached out to her, pulling her to her feet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sprang up, adjusting her dress, and they let go of each other’s hands. Enemies came at them from both sides, and they each cut one down. Rishe switched positions with Arnold before their adversaries even had time to scream. They whirled around, back-to-back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s like I’m dancing with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The orchestra was still playing. Rishe thought back to the night she’d first danced with Arnold. Their backs had pressed up against one another then as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Entrusting her back to him, Rishe murmured, “There are enemies remaining in the seats. Two of them. Likely archers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re aiming for us. Use the men onstage as a shield.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They matched each other’s timing, cutting down the next attack in tandem. As Rishe stepped forward, dress swishing, she held her sword up high."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold isn’t just perfect as a swordsman. He helped her do whatever she wanted as if it took no effort. Rishe was able to fight freely because he cut down every adversary who might block her line of sight. He’s the type of commander who raises the morale of his soldiers and draws out their full potential. How reassuring must it have been for the knights fighting alongside Prince Arnold on the battlefield?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt that power herself right now. Arnold had overwhelming strength, but he always respected her as well. He could sense what she planned to do and worked to facilitate it. It made her feel like she could do anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A girl learning swordplay is one thing.” Her mother’s words from when she was a child ran through her mind. “But for you to be stronger than His Highness the prince is nothing but a disgrace. You will cease these amusements and focus only on your studies from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With those words, Rishe’s mother had forced her to quit her sword practice, which she enjoyed more than anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You will be the crown princess, so you must support your husband at all times. You will stand behind him and never before him, and come to his aid whenever he wishes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead of doing what she wished, Rishe lived to become the crown princess of Hermity one day. That was the only option she was given. She spent her birthdays all alone, working only for the sake of being a good crown princess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Arnold, who wished to have her as his empress, promised her another way to live."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t stop you from taking action or making a request that’s in my power to grant.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe studied the side of his face as they slashed their swords simultaneously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we’re supposed to celebrate, then we’ll celebrate however much you want. What do you wish to do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He asked me so tenderly what I wanted for my birthday."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were tons of things Arnold had given her even without the excuse of her birthday. Her use of the detached palace, her herb garden, the maids she’d wanted to hire. She treasured the ring he’d given her and kept it at her side every possible moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d thought there was nothing else she could want. But while she hadn’t been able to think of anything up until now, a small request was budding inside her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I can truly receive yet another thing from Prince Arnold, then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Petals danced atop the stage as swords clashed. A fallen enemy trembled at her feet as the bloodlust in the theater finally receded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can think about that later. There are only a few enemies left. Those archers in the audience are making me nervous."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe swept her gaze across the crowd, someone abruptly stood in the royal box seats."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Dietrich?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich’s only role was to serve as a reasonable explanation for the large number of Imperial Guards on-site. Arnold hadn’t given him any other instructions; all he needed to do was sit there. Yet Rishe’s childhood friend was shouting to them now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look out! The audience! There’s two archers left!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No! If he brings attention to them like that, they’ll attack him instead!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as she feared, something glinted in the audience. It was the archers turning to the side, their bows catching the light. They aimed squarely for Dietrich in the royal box. The prince was frightened; he must have noticed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why?! Prince Dietrich, you need to hide or you’ll be in danger!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is he doing?” Arnold muttered, annoyed. But even while the Imperial Guard tried to pin him down, Dietrich was twisting and shouting at them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“One of the archers has two arrows!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right then, an arrow zoomed through the air. Having heard Dietrich, both Rishe and Arnold stepped forward at the exact same moment. The two arrows shot from the same bow flew in an irregular pattern. In the middle of their arc, they cleanly split, one each going for Arnold and Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If we know two are coming from the start, we can handle it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pair struck down the arrows without hesitating. Rishe glanced back up, but the archers had disappeared. She quickly found them in the corners of the audience, knocked out. One arrow was jabbed into the railing of the royal box. Arrows also stuck out of the archer’s shoulder and leg. Rishe spotted a figure wielding a bow on the fourth level of the seats and breathed out a sigh of relief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you, Prince Dietrich. And you too, Raul."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This took care of all the bloodlust Rishe sensed in the audience. She did, however, hear Dietrich protesting after the Imperial Guard tackled him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Three more adversaries clambered up to the stage, and it wasn’t just Rishe and Arnold who knew they were the last. They faced Rishe and Arnold with clear resolve, looking ready to die if it meant fulfilling their duty. Rishe’s hair stood on end at the desperation in their eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "These three will try to kill us no matter what it takes. They have firmer wills than anyone else we’ve faced here so far. But…!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe tightened her grip on her sword and searched for openings in their stances. She understood what Arnold had been talking about all too easily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can tell right away that they’ll be easier to take down than anyone else we’ve fought today."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their foes weren’t considering their own survival at all. Rishe was shocked to see how much their attacks changed when they put their lives on the line. They had momentum but no care in any of their movements. Even as they exchanged fearsome blows, her adversary was simply too open."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stepped forward and nicked one with a tiny cut to the cheek. That was enough. She darted backward, avoiding the enemy’s counterattack. Another enemy Arnold had hit in the same way collapsed on top of that one. Their remaining foe charged forward, aiming at their target, the “songstress.” Arnold’s sword flashed out to meet him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their enemies collapsed without so much as a scream. The music crescendoed, and the audience held their breath. Arnold inhaled sharply and shook the few drops of red from his sword. He then sheathed it at his hip once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "White petals drifted softly around them like snow. And after a brief silence…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was amazing!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every member of the audience rose to their feet, applauding in a standing ovation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a unique show! There was no dialogue or singing…I can’t believe swordsmanship alone was so incredible to watch!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t even want to blink! The time just flew by!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who was that actor? I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful man!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold knit his brows in deep annoyance. Rishe sheathed her sword as well and tugged at Arnold’s sleeve from beside him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seems like the audience thought it was all part of the show, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“After all that? You’ve got to be kidding me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you go into something thinking you’re about to see a show, everything looks like a performance. I thought the audience would be alarmed, so I planned to explain things when it was all over, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not a single audience member seemed frightened by what had just transpired. They stood tall, clapping enthusiastically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It seems we’ll be able to get through this if we just pretend it was a show. So let’s perform until the end, shall we?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes. If we perform something that signifies the end of the show, we’ll be able to leave the stage without attracting suspicion.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once the lights went out again, the knights would collect all the collapsed enemy combatants. After all, it was normal in a play for the “downed combatants” to disappear into the wings of the stage when the lights were dimmed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As for the climax of a play…the hero and heroine exchanging an embrace and vowing eternal love to one another…isn’t really an option.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their surest bet was likely holding hands and giving the audience a bow, but before Rishe could make the suggestion, Arnold sighed. “Very well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grabbed Rishe’s hips with both hands. The next thing she knew, she was in the air. Realizing Arnold had lifted her up, Rishe flushed pink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-Your Highness!” she squeaked, but if she moved too much, it would upset their balance. Her hands reached out on reflex, and the only place to put them was around Arnold’s shoulders."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The crowd applauded fiercely at the sight. Rishe was glad that they could play the whole thing off as a performance, but this situation was entirely too embarrassing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gazed up at her and smiled, evidently enjoying her panic. “I can hardly believe you’re the same person who was calmly taking down foes just a second ago.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh!” Rishe was truly glad she had the veil to cover her bright-red face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lowered Rishe back down onto the stage and kissed the back of her hand. Another buzz went through the crowd, but Arnold never changed his expression, simply holding out his hand to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s go. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urgh…!” She was frustrated, but she couldn’t bring herself to argue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took Arnold’s hand to escort her off the stage at last, and the applause welled up again. The white petals on the stage floor were in a frenzy, like a storm of flowers. Even after the lights fell, the applause didn’t die down for some time, which made Rishe feel rather awkward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m glad it all worked out, though. And it’s all thanks to Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So she thought as she descended the stairs in the dark theater wing. As she went, she watched Arnold, who was guiding her so that she didn’t trip. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she heard a voice she wasn’t expecting call her name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sylvia?! What are you doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "According to their plan, she wasn’t supposed to be in the theater. Right before Sylvia had changed into her costume, Rishe had informed her of a fake change to their plans."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll do my best to be useful for something by the end. Now, I’ve got to get changed!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m afraid that won’t do, Sylvia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“After all, you’re going to flee the theater with Sir Gutheil right now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had explained the fake plan to the surprised Sylvia."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It wouldn’t do for an enemy spy to be among the knights, would it? So instead of the grand plan we’ve involved all the knights in, you’re going to run far away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But then…who will be the bait?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There won’t be anyone standing on the stage. After all, we could only have a woman who’s fought in battle before serve as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia hadn’t appeared convinced, but she’d eventually agreed. Rishe hadn’t told her she’d be the bait because she knew it would make Sylvia object to the plan. And unless they made the spies believe that Sylvia was here in the theater, their trap wouldn’t work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d gone so far as to lie, so it made no sense that Sylvia was here now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil, what about our plan to transport Sylvia to the palace in secret?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I apologize, Lady Rishe. I…” As Gutheil faltered, Arnold spoke up from behind Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I ordered them to stay.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You did?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold explained indifferently, “It was safer for them to remain here instead of leaving the theater on their own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-that’s true, but still!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even disguised, it would have been strange for anyone to leave the theater before the show even started. Arnold must have taken that into consideration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I understand that, but…well, you could have at least told me, couldn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d just be worried about her if you knew the target was still in the theater.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was absolutely right, so Rishe couldn’t even argue anymore. Besides, this was her first time knocking arrows out of the air. It was possible that things wouldn’t have gone so well if her concentration had been even a bit lacking. Arnold had kept his own secret from Rishe right up until the last minute to keep her safe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve still got a lot to learn. I have to get stronger if I’m going to be worthy of your trust, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That has nothing to do with it.” Arnold sighed and lifted the veil covering Rishe’s face, locking eyes with her. “I was worried about you. That’s all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt her cheeks heating up again, so she shook her head, covering her face once more with the veil."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Rishe wasn’t the only one upset that she’d been deceived."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m furious, Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Sylvia…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia sounded like she’d been crying until just a moment ago. Her beautiful lashes were wet with tears, her eyes red and puffy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All of a sudden, the plan changes last minute, and you and Sir Gutheil have different plans! We hid underneath the theater, but something seemed strange, and Sir Gutheil wouldn’t let me out to see what it was!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry, Sylvia… That must have been a real fright.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The scariest moment was when I realized you might be serving as the bait yourself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apparently, Gutheil hadn’t told her; Sylvia had just drawn that conclusion herself. Gutheil had no idea what to do, but he was clearly worried about Sylvia, who was clinging to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m so sorry, Lady Sylvia, Lady Rishe. If only I’d concealed the truth more convincingly or explained the situation in a way that granted Lady Sylvia more peace of mind…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Gutheil was kind enough to comfort me the whole time I was crying, and saying I wanted to go where Rishe was, and beating my fists against his chest, just so you know!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I assure you it didn’t hurt at all, so it was no trouble, really!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold broke off from the group and started giving directions to Oliver. At the same time, his knights were bringing in more and more of the enemy combatants. There were a lot of them, but they had all been paralyzed, so the knights were in no rush to bind them more thoroughly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m really sorry I lied to you, Sylvia. I didn’t want you to be in any danger.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, how do you think I felt?! I didn’t want you to be in danger either, Rishe!” Sylvia clung tightly to Rishe, sobbing. “I’m sorry… You went through all this for me. I really am sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shook her head, returning Sylvia’s hug. “If I was able to help out a friend, that’s more than enough for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia’s breath caught. When she was able to speak again, she said, “Thank goodness you’re safe, Rishe.” She loosened her grip and added, “I’m sorry for getting angry with you too, Sir Gutheil. I know you did everything just to protect me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The sound judgment was Prince Arnold’s, not mine. Besides, your safety is also all I could ask for.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil smiled, and Sylvia flushed so hard that her face turned as red as her hair. When he saw that, he regarded her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Then he strode straight up to the prince."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold broke off from his conversation with Oliver. He signaled his attendant, and Oliver bowed in acknowledgment, leaving the backstage area. Then he loosed a sigh, clearly dreading what was coming."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gutheil told him, “I will not forget the instruction you gave me during this incident for the rest of my life. You must not give your life to protect something but fight to survive until the end for the sake of the one you’re protecting. As soon as I realized how important that is, I felt keenly how difficult it is as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He knelt in front of Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am aware that I have much yet to learn and that it will take me a long time to truly become worthy. In addition, I feel it is my duty to become a knight only to protect the person I care for most instead of a grand thing like the entire nation.” After bowing his head deeply, he looked up at Arnold. “In order to do that, would it be possible for you to make me your retainer?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. In the future she knew, Gutheil was a loyal retainer of Arnold’s. He commanded armies in multiple locations, contributing greatly to Arnold’s invasion of the world. Gutheil’s command had caused multiple nations to fall."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Sir Gutheil becomes Prince Arnold’s knight, it’ll be one step closer to the future I know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just a few days ago, the idea had terrified her. Now, however, she was waiting with bated breath, praying that Arnold would say yes. She desperately wished that Gutheil’s dream would come true and he would be recognized for his talents as one of Arnold’s knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned and eyed Gutheil with aggravation. “Stand.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil made no show of moving even at Arnold’s cold, cruel tone. “I will bow my head to you as many times as it takes. Until you acknowledge me, I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just stand up.” Arnold sighed again, a sour expression on his face. “That bow is a sign that you’re offering your neck to the one you’re swearing loyalty to. It’s full of openings, and you won’t be able to recover from it if surprised.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that so…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you heard me, then cut it out. I tell all my Imperial Guards the same thing.” Arnold’s clear blue eyes bore into Gutheil. “If you’re going to call yourself my knight, then you won’t be taking that pose anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knight leaped to his feet and bowed deeply in front of Arnold. “Thank you! Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How wonderful, Sir Gutheil!” Sylvia exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil flinched but still caught her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The diva was elated by the good news, crying for a different reason now. “Congratulations! This is the first step to fulfilling your dream, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Sylvia, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From now on, people will know you for your own fantastic deeds, not your father’s crimes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gutheil’s eyes went wide, as though the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “I’m…thrilled to even imagine it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He smiled awkwardly, and Sylvia embraced him once more. “It makes me happier to just think about how happy it makes you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I’m so glad… Rishe let go of the breath she’d been holding. She didn’t think Sylvia would talk about leaving Gutheil anymore. She wasn’t sure, but the way Sylvia was clinging to Gutheil, she found it all too easy to picture them together in the future. It’s all because Sir Gutheil changed and Prince Arnold recognized that change."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was so delighted, she went over to Arnold and pinched his sleeve."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She giggled, unable to keep it in, and Arnold cocked a brow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like in the future I know, Sir Gutheil was able to become one of Prince Arnold’s knights. But I’m sure that things are changing little by little, and we’ll be able to avoid that future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe believed that from the bottom of her heart. She wasn’t telling Arnold, however, which just caused him to sigh in resignation for the umpteenth time. He softly grabbed the hand tugging at his sleeve like he was comforting a fussy child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he entwined her fingers with his own, her heart throbbed at the sickly-sweet gesture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I need to oversee the cleanup. Go get changed and wait for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Part of me does want to tell him what I want right away now that I’ve thought of something, but not now. She’d have to tell him later. Just as Arnold had said, their plan wasn’t over yet. There were a lot more spies lying around backstage now, and the theater was still noisy. Oliver had left earlier, and he probably needed assistance with something as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll give you a hand, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled and removed the veil from her head before setting about helping Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That stupid superhuman couple, honestly…” Raul muttered to himself from a corner of the bustling theater. “What a ridiculous plan. I mean, do a crown prince and a future crown princess usually get involved to save one lousy spy trying to weasel out of her organization?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He discreetly put away his bow, pulled down the hood of his cloak, and rested his elbow on the fourth-floor railing, his chin in his hand. One of his men stationed outside of the theater had reported that no operatives had fled the building, but he figured they’d need to keep an eye on things for a little longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Welp, it’ll be easier to gather the information Prince Arnold wants now. Just how much of this has he figured out, pretending to go along with his wife’s selfishness all the while?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul surveyed the now-empty stage. “Eh, I guess he wouldn’t have given me the orders he did if he weren’t capable of that much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Patting himself on the back for a job well done, Raul yawned and slipped out of the theater unnoticed."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0012.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "ON THE ROOF of the royal theater was a small garden. The secret spot wasn’t visible from the ground, and only the royalty and the nobility could make use of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Under the light of the moon, which would be full tomorrow night, it was more than bright enough without any lamps. Rishe rested alone in the garden on a wooden bench, the summer breeze ruffling her coral hair. It was nice and comfortable, considering the strenuous exercise she’d just undergone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She only escaped dozing off because someone else had just arrived in the garden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s done.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold walked toward her from the door to the roof. He caressed Rishe’s cheek, seeing how sleepy she looked. “You’re really not hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really, Your Highness…” Rishe said with a bit of a pout. “You asked me every time you ran into me during the cleanup, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d touched her cheeks, inspected her hands, and checked her for injuries already."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a quiet breath. “Want to rest here some more?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The cleanup had been just as hard as they’d figured it would be. It had taken time to get the audience to leave, round up all the intelligence agents, and arrange for their transport. Rishe had been helping out as well, so she hadn’t been able to sit down for a breather. She had eventually run out of things to do and was tasked only with waiting for Arnold to finish, but she didn’t even have a place to change out of the dress she’d borrowed. As a result, she was still wearing the costume as she gazed up at the stars."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Won’t you sit too?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking like he had no choice but to comply, Arnold sat down beside her. She beamed cheerfully at him, and he sighed. “I heard that man made quite a fuss at you over something or another.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You mean Prince Dietrich?” Rishe cocked her head and thought back to the exchange from earlier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "During the cleanup, Rishe headed for the royal box and thanked Dietrich for assisting with their plan and for warning them about the dual arrows."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re darn right! Why, my heroism is worth a commendation at least, I would think! You two would have been in great peril were it not for my swift and noble action! I put my very life on the line to save you! That’s me, the courageous crown prince! Ha ha ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first he was his typical self, but eventually Dietrich cleared his throat and adopted a more serious tone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As for proving Lord Arnold’s superiority as a husband, well…I have come to realize that the man seems to respect and value you. More or less.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why, Prince Dietrich…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“However! If he really valued you, then he wouldn’t put you in so much danger! Isn’t that a more normal way to see things?! You really should rethink this marriage, Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No,” Rishe said with a smile. “I’m very happy that Prince Arnold respects my wishes. I can always feel him protecting me from danger. It makes me feel like I need to get stronger in return.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich seemed to chew on his words for a moment. “Very well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It seems to me as though Lord Arnold Hein has abandoned the very idea of human happiness, but he at least has the guts to try to make you happy! Rejoice, Rishe, for that is the judgment I have rendered unto him myself!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe Prince Dietrich is taking back something he said before and acknowledging another person…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe would never have been able to imagine something like that before he broke off their engagement. Had coming to Galkhein and seeing another man in a position like his changed his attitude? Or maybe this was the result of Mary’s hard work?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this rate, maybe he won’t even attempt his coup in this life, she thought with a chuckle. Either way, the individual who had instigated the coup had come to light now. The entity who had set his sights on Galkhein and Arnold wasn’t likely to make use of Hermity anymore. This would be Rishe’s first life where Dietrich didn’t try to start a revolution. In the past, Rishe had always felt some guilt for abandoning her homeland, but that weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dietrich had no way of knowing what Rishe was thanking him for, but that was fine with her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course, there’s absolutely no need for me to have permission from a complete stranger like you to marry whom I wish to marry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh! That tongue of yours really has gotten sharper lately, hasn’t it?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe giggled, and Dietrich made a complicated expression."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The day I broke off our engagement, you told me I was an unnecessary element in your life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had said that, but Rishe thought she would take this opportunity to revise that statement. “Don’t worry, I’m just as unnecessary to your life, Prince Dietrich.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you remember what adults were always saying to us when we were young? That I had to be responsible so I could support you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dietrich lowered his head. Evidently, the phrase was familiar."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true, is it? After all, you really can do it if you try, Prince Dietrich… You’ll be perfectly fine without me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes bugged out at that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was finally starting to feel like she’d put her last six lives behind her and could be free from them now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not just my life as a merchant, or an apothecary, an alchemist, a maid, a hunter, or a knight… The life I lived as a duke’s daughter in my homeland is just as irreplaceable to me as all the other lives I’ve lived."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was at last starting to feel like she’d let go of some of the regrets she’d been hanging on to ever since that original life as a duke’s daughter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And while Rishe was feeling perfectly refreshed, Dietrich’s face crumpled, and he sobbed, “Th-that’s not what I wanted to hear!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, are you crying?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m the crown prince, you know! Someone so important would never cry before others! Anyway…” He sniffled hard, then pointed at Rishe and demanded, “Is Lord Arnold Hein a necessary element in your life?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe blinked. “Prince Dietrich. It’s rude to point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gaaah! That’s not important right now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe laughed at the recollection, and Arnold regarded her dubiously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s nothing. Prince Dietrich and I just gave each other a little encouragement for our respective lives from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled and looked up at Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the distance, the church bell rang out just once. That church also functioned as a clock tower, so the bell rang at set intervals to announce the time. And the hour it had just rung out was twelve o’clock—midnight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s your birthday,” Arnold said, and Rishe nodded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The date had changed. Today, the thirtieth day of the seventh month, was the day Rishe had been born. It was her sixteenth birthday. Rishe had experienced this occasion seven times now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, who couldn’t possibly know that, said, “I’ve never celebrated someone’s birthday before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tell me what you want of me.” Arnold’s fingers playfully traced the earring Rishe wore. “Did you decide what you wish to do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded once more. Arnold’s curiosity was piqued."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I…” Rishe gazed into Arnold’s brilliant blue eyes and said, “There’s something I’ve always wanted, ever since I was small.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe spoke slower than usual, and Arnold waited for her to finish. Appreciative of his patience, she took her time voicing the feelings in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve always wanted to live a free life. Not as a duke’s daughter or a crown princess, but just as a human being, valuing myself rather than what’s expected of me…and you respect that desire of mine above all else, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt that way from the bottom of her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not trying to control me or lock me away. You’ve worried about me and shown concern so many times, but you always trust me in the end. You allow me to be free to pursue my own desires, and you lend a hand when I’m not able to do everything I want by myself…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had promised to grant her any request that he could, but it wasn’t out of a simple desire to be sincere to the oath he’d sworn when he’d proposed to her. Moreover, he didn’t just give superficially to Rishe. He considered her feelings and always thought of how best to grant her requests."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m very happy right now that I can be your bride.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As your bride, I want our wedding to be perfect. I don’t want to shame you, and I want to hold my head up high as the crown princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No matter what anyone says, you’re my bride. There’s no changing that fact.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, I want it to be perfect.” Rishe needed courage to finish telling Arnold what it was she wanted. “So, Prince Arnold…” She grasped the hand fiddling with her earring and squeezed it. “Can we please practice the kiss we’ll exchange at the ceremony?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought her voice might tremble from nervousness. “As your birthday gift to me…” Her embarrassment blended with genuine desire. Rishe gazed up at Arnold and pleaded, “Would you kiss me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought this might have been the first time she’d ever seen Arnold so genuinely surprised."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before he could say more, she frantically blurted, “I know, it’s a terribly improper request, I’m so sorry!” She grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and squeezed it tight. “I’m just not confident at all that I’ll be able to do it well. I realize it’s an imposition, but…please.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not…what I…” Arnold’s frown deepened as he choked out the words. He touched Rishe’s shoulders with a pitying look and said, “What are you asking for? You’re trembling so much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was hyperaware that her body had frozen due to a bad case of nerves, but that was no reason for Arnold to feel so concerned. “This isn’t because I’m dreading or afraid of the idea,” she told him, thinking it a bit strange herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When their engagement was fresh, she’d made him swear not to lay even a finger on her since she was so nervous about him. Eventually, she started letting him touch her through gloves. At some point, she’d almost forgotten the promise altogether."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of course, having Arnold touch her so intimately made her nerves go from bad to worse. Her face was burning—but she’d never hated that feeling. She hadn’t felt any disgust or fear during their first kiss in the chapel either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All she experienced was a pesky ache in the center of her chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry!” Rishe hung her head, reflecting on her actions. “I should have known you wouldn’t want to do that. I-I’m always so selfish!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold must have had some reason for what he’d done that day. Still, she couldn’t just ask him for a kiss. Rishe shot up from the bench, coming back to her senses—and Arnold grabbed her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a heavy sigh, he said, “I said it wasn’t a bother.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe raised her head and found Arnold standing in front of her with his eyes closed in irritation. He opened them and then brushed Rishe’s hair, his fingers tucking a lock behind her ear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh my… Rishe was suddenly nervous, knowing what was about to come next. She didn’t want Arnold seeing her face so red, but she had no choice when he lifted her chin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His face is like the most beautiful piece of art in the world."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince’s blue eyes and long lashes captivated anyone who saw them. They had such dangerous power, yet he always looked straight at Rishe. She didn’t know what to do about it. To make matters worse, his thumb was tracing her lip now, as though measuring precisely where his lips would go."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let a little puff of air out, tickled by his touch."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Close your eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“B-but…” Her heart threatened to somersault out of her chest every time she so much as opened her mouth. “I can’t look?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes shone in the light of the nearly full moon. Rishe could see herself in their azure, oceanic depths. He half closed them and coaxed her, “You want to practice for the wedding, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He spoke like he was trying to coax a stubborn child. It was true that they would close their eyes for the ceremony. Even these small aspects of the kiss had a tradition to be followed. But since they had the opportunity to practice, she kind of wanted to know everything she could. Arnold must have guessed what she was thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come on. Close them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He pressed little kisses against Rishe’s eyelids, which snapped closed when his lips brushed against her lashes. She let out a cute grunt in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold really did spoil Rishe more than anyone in the world, praising her just for closing her eyes. Regardless, she wasn’t sure if he really would go along with all her selfish requests."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What’ll I do if he says the kiss on the eyelids is it? she thought, timidly opening her eyes again. She was met with a devastatingly earnest gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold really will grant my request… He will!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now certain of it, Rishe began to feel lightheaded. She grasped at Arnold’s shirt, close to the collar. She had requested this, yet she was already almost down for the count."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t have to force yourself,” he told her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her eyelids flew wide, and she shook her head. “Don’t stop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wanted Arnold to kiss her no matter what. Peering at him through her lashes, she begged, “Please, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold tilted her neck back a bit more. This time, her eyelids fell closed on their own. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, and his face neared hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their lips met."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His touch was tender and, as always, full of concern for her. The moment she registered it, there was that familiar pang in her chest again. Not only that, but her pulse quickened as a fierce warmth spread through her, threatening to bring her to tears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The kiss lasted only a few seconds. When they pulled away, their eyes locked. Arnold looked to be in pain somehow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you satisfied?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not yet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s head was a little fuzzy, and she felt a bit weak in the knees. Even the feeling from when their lips met felt like it might fade away if she didn’t hang on to it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I couldn’t remember it all after just one kiss.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t want to forget it. If this was her only opportunity to learn, then she wanted to know more. She tugged gently on Arnold’s shirt, and his brow furrowed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If it’s not too much to ask, could we—mgh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time, the kiss was a little more forceful, almost a bite—which felt familiar. It took her by surprise; Rishe thought she was probably remembering the poison wound she’d received on her neck. Arnold had sucked on it to remove the toxin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A kiss was a meeting of the lips and nothing more. Yet the arm around her waist flexed, pulling her closer. Her heart beat faster and louder, making even more of a racket than when she’d fought onstage. She squirmed, flustered by the idea of Arnold hearing it—but Arnold kept her firmly in place as they kissed, with no intention of setting her free."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just their lips meeting, but Rishe had somehow lost the ability to breathe. She scrunched her face up, and Arnold finally pulled away from her. Then he pressed his forehead to hers and said, his voice husky, “Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Somehow managing to breathe again, Rishe shook her head. Their bangs tangled together as she gripped Arnold’s shirt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More,” she begged, and Arnold huffed in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their next kiss was soft, as if in apology for the previous one’s hastiness. This one was modest, little more than a peck. Their lips separated with a tiny smack. The sound was adorable on its own, but it contributed to Rishe’s embarrassment and restlessness. She wanted to learn more, but it had ended so fast that her lips tingled at the loss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Were there really this many ways to kiss? They were all so different, she didn’t feel like she was getting good practice in at all. Only vague feelings compelling her now, she implored him once more, tears in her eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“One more time…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s brows came together and he tugged Rishe even closer to him, until she was snug in his arms. He patted her on the back soothingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll kiss you as many times as you like later, so just breathe for now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe buried her face in Arnold’s chest, hiding her scarlet cheeks and focusing on breathing. She took shallow breaths, one after the other, but she didn’t feel herself growing calmer at all. If she sat down right now, she worried she’d never be able to stand again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She realized it had been a good idea to practice. If she acted like this at the wedding, she’d disgrace herself as crown princess. Even as Rishe thought this, Arnold held her with great care. He kissed her forehead through her bangs. Rishe’s heart thrummed, and she felt tears welling in her eyes again. At the same time, the gentle touch gave her a strange sense of calm at last."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel like my brain is melting…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was starting to feel like she wanted Arnold to hold her forever. But if they did that, she wouldn’t be able to get more practice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Suddenly, she remembered the words Dietrich had said to her earlier that day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is Lord Arnold Hein a necessary element in your life?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had scolded Dietrich for his bad manners, then smiled and replied, “Yes, he is.” She then told the shocked prince the full truth: “After all, I wish to spend the rest of my life at his side.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had become aware of that feeling for the first time, and it was only growing stronger the more time she spent in his arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold’s voice was soft but hoarse as well. Rishe’s shoulders twitched, so he asked her worriedly, “Are you afraid?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the same thing he’d asked her when she’d run into his father the other day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. “Your voice…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My voice?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I really…like it.” She had fistfuls of Arnold’s shirt in her hands as she pressed her forehead to him. With her face hidden, she confessed, “It feels almost painful when you say my name, so it’s a bit of a problem…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe meant it. Yet Arnold brushed the hair away from her ear and pressed his lips to it, murmuring breathily, “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now this was just mean. Evidence of his guilt escaped from his nose in a small puff of air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He laughed!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could tell he was only mildly teasing her, but she still wanted to protest. The next time he called her name, it was with reverence, like she was the most precious thing in the world to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tears threatened to spill from Rishe’s eyes at the sound."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her eyelids flew wide open as his lips brushed her ear again. He’d just told her to breathe, so what was he doing raining kisses down on her? Arnold kissed her bangs, then captured her left hand. He’d probably picked up on the way she was clinging a little too tightly to his shirt. He wove his fingers through hers as if to scold her for it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he kissed the base of her ring finger, just below the ring he’d gifted her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s kissing me all over the place… I feel like I’ve become some sort of confectionery…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe he was trying to calm her down, but she couldn’t possibly catch her breath with all this happening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He tilted her head back again, and Rishe hastened to wipe her wet eyelashes. “I-I’m sorry. I can’t believe I’m doing this when I was the one who asked…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold took hold of her hand before she could rub her eyes. With both her hands seized firmly in his, he looked her in the eye and whispered, “It’s cute. You don’t need to hide it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was astonished. The unexpected words made her ears burn—but Arnold was, of course, unflappable as ever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then again…” His eyes and voice, however, were kinder than usual. “I can’t think of a single time you ever weren’t cute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had no idea how to respond. She really wanted to hide her face now, but with neither hand free, all she could do was bury her face in Arnold’s neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold let go of Rishe’s right hand and stroked her hair instead. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh! Stop teasing me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t blame me, can you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had just told him it was a problem for her when he called her name, yet he showed absolutely no remorse for his behavior. If anything, he was just rubbing salt in her wounds, saying things like, “I want to see your face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had to give up when he said that right in her ear. If he was making a request of her, she had to fulfill it. She relaxed and pulled away from Arnold, who tilted her head back up at him. Concerned fingers brushed her flaming cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is this painful?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s painful, but not because of the kissing, she wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t, instead letting out only a breath. Why does it make me want to cry when he says my name? Heat pricked the corners of her eyes. I want him to say it even more…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had heard about wavering feelings like this from Sylvia. When the diva met Gutheil, she’d felt a slew of contradictory emotions. It was the first time she’d ever felt like that in her life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe inhaled a shaky breath. Arnold rubbed her back, regarding her with soft eyes. Rishe’s lashes were still wet, so he gently wiped her tears away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All I do is make you cry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her heart ached at the words. She could only think of one such instance herself, however."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not crying right now,” she said petulantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Exasperation crossed Arnold’s face. “Liar.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s thumb brushed Rishe’s lips as if to chide her for trying to put up a brave front. He pressed down right in the middle. He was teasing her again!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At his featherlight touch, pain sprouted in her heart once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it frightens you, we don’t have to kiss at the wedding. I’ll change whatever part of the ceremony needs changing, no matter who objects.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She really did feel like a frightened little kid the way he was talking about her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want any part of my vows as your wife missing.” She beseeched him once more, “Please kiss me…my husband…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned and cupped Rishe’s cheek. With the other hand, he entwined their fingers. “Okay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her chest still hurt, but she also felt an urge to get even closer to him welling up inside her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I feel like I’m going to cry when he says my name, but I want him to say it more. It’s painful being with him, but I don’t want to leave."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Celebrating a birthday meant celebrating the fact that you’d been born. Rishe had died again and again, her life scattering in the wind, but she felt like a new beat was pulsing in her heart now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Putting a name to the sensation she was feeling for the first time in her life, Rishe closed her wet eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m in love with Prince Arnold…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that instant, they shared another soft kiss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To be continued…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: A Hands-on Examination Is the Only Way"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:A Hands-on Examination Is the Only Way"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "SHORTLY AFTER THE performance-fight at the theater, Rishe assisted with the aftermath, still in her songstress costume. Every time her mind wandered, she found herself thinking about the gift she planned to ask Arnold for. But if she kept thinking about it, she would be unable to focus on anything else, so she tried to stay busy helping out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe mainly found herself performing first aid on the spies and preparing them for transport, but she did occasionally bump into Arnold as he bustled about with his own tasks. Each time she did, he would stop her and ask her about her condition."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was another moment that they ran into one another in a deserted hallway behind the stage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe jumped when Arnold grabbed her wrist. She’d tried to simply give him a nod and slip past him. He must have found her awkwardness suspicious, so he curled his fingers around hers, preventing her from making an escape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not pushing yourself, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His touch was so gentle. Rishe found herself strangely preoccupied by it. She gulped. His hold on her was loose, but she didn’t think she’d be able to escape his grasp nonetheless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To make matters worse, he pushed her against the wall, pinning her there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-of course I’m not! I’m full of energy! You can see that, can’t you?!” Rishe managed, but Arnold didn’t seem to agree."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He pressed the back of her hand to the wall, not letting her run away this time. With his other hand, he took hold of her chin and asked in a low voice, “Then why are you so nervous every time you run into me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-that’s just—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced up at Arnold on impulse and regretted it immediately. Even in this dimly lit hallway, Arnold’s countenance was dazzling. Normally, this was where Rishe would find herself getting lost in the sea of his eyes, but today she found herself staring at his lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What I’m about to ask him is…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment her thoughts turned to kisses again, her cheeks flushed and tears sprang to her eyes. She was reminded just how insane the thing she planned to ask him was. She’d planned to concentrate on the cleanup work, building up her courage—but each time she ran into Arnold, her emotions were thrown into disarray."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I-I can’t say it! At the very least, I’m not going to be able to say it now!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wormed her way out of Arnold’s grip and averted her eyes. Arnold lowered his voice even more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not hurt, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You seem to have changed gloves at some point.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was because her hands were the most likely part of her to get dirty during their work, so she’d switched out the gloves she was borrowing for her own pair. There was no deeper reason. She tried to explain that, but it sounded like a poor excuse even to her ears. Her past recklessness was impeding her credibility here. Arnold did trust her, but when it came to matters of her own health, he was particularly strict."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you insist…” She did feel bad for causing him worry. Rishe closed her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable embarrassment. “Feel free…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Feel free to what?” Arnold asked with a frown."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I figured this would be the only way to get you to believe me if my words couldn’t convince you,” Rishe explained. She leaned back against the wall and peeked at Arnold. “Please inspect my body in whichever way will satisfy you, until you’re convinced…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His hold on her tightened. Her fingers twitched, and he quickly let his grip go slack."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You are just…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold started to say something but then stopped, resting his forehead on Rishe’s shoulder and sighing instead. He seemed awfully tired."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that she thought about it, Arnold was more or less serving as the supreme commander of this operation, so he would obviously be more worn out than anyone else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-would you rather not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just so you know, you can’t take these gloves off without undoing these ribbons here…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They were long gloves, so the ribbons keeping them on were tied at her upper arms. Still looking sullen, Arnold reached out for the spot Rishe had specified. His fingers brushed the ribbon and untied it in one fluid motion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He hooked his fingers into the end of the glove and slowly slid it down Rishe’s arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wh-what is this?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe felt restless as the cloth glided down her skin. They were just gloves, but Rishe shuddered at the sensation of someone else removing a piece of her clothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey. Don’t run away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, it tickles!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wanted to beg him not to be so gentle with her, but he didn’t hear her silent plea. The scowling Arnold peeled off Rishe’s glove and inspected her bare arm. Her shoulder, her squishy upper arm, the soft skin on the inside of her elbow. Her forearm, wrist, palm, and fingertips. He observed each area carefully to make sure she wasn’t wounded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She regretted the suggestion she’d made at last. Is it just me or is this situation really embarrassing?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His complete silence flustered her all the more. He’d removed her second glove now and was checking her other arm. He turned her around and checked the backs of her arms too. Eventually, he spun her to face him again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that enough?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No.” Arnold narrowed his eyes. “I can inspect you in whichever way will satisfy me until I’m convinced, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold grabbed one of her wrists and pinned her to the wall again. Even if one of her arms was free, Rishe couldn’t exactly put up a fight against him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stroked her cheek. Her shoulders lurched from the chill of his fingertips. Arnold had definitely noticed how hot she was. His fingers traced her flushed cheeks as if to illustrate that fact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m not hurt there,” she asserted, hunching over to escape his ticklish touch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Arnold just said, “I know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then why hasn’t he stopped yet?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Next, he touched her ear, which tickled even more. Arnold ran his fingers across her skin, slowly confirming she was free of injuries. Then his rough fingers reached somewhere Rishe hadn’t been expecting."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers brushed the left side of her neck. It was where she’d been hit by a poison arrow in the past, and where Arnold had kissed. There shouldn’t have even been a scar anymore, yet Arnold seemed to know exactly where the injury had been."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh, stop it, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe almost wanted to cry from the sensation of his rough fingers brushing against her skin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry for worrying you! I promise I’ll tell you what it is I’m hiding later, so please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I really can’t take any more tickling right now!” Rishe protested, half crying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold whispered, “You really haven’t pushed yourself at all?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All Rishe could do was frantically shake her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed and finally released her hand. Then he brought his lips up to her ear again and whispered, “I think we’ll make these regular inspections. You shouldn’t have told me I could do whatever I wanted.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as she suspected, she’d said something she shouldn’t have. This was another one of his “punishments.” But what sort of face would he make when he found out she planned to ask him for an even more inappropriate gift after this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Can I really ask him to practice kissing me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had no idea. She almost decided not to, but quickly banished the thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have to. After all, it’s…what I want."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold looked down at her inquiringly, so she told him she’d explain later. Then, when she informed him that she could not tie the ribbons of her gloves herself, he sighed and helped her put them back on."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0014.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "TOUKO AMEKAWA HERE. It was a long wait, but I’m so happy I could finally bring you 7th Time Loop Volume 5!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This time, it’s a story about people from another one of Rishe’s important lives: her life as a duke’s daughter. And Rishe finally has a big moment of growth this time too!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold, meanwhile, reaches a five out of ten on his “open affection for Rishe” scale in the epilogue of this volume. He’s in the last stretch of the first lap, but I believe he’ll keep gaining. I hope you’ll watch over him as he continues the race!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you so much for the illustrations, Wan☆Hachipisu-sensei. The color and monochromatic images are both gorgeous, and the last illustration in particular shot me right through the heart. I still haven’t recovered. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To my editor, thank you for taking me by the reins. You’ve brought out the best in my work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And everyone who read this volume! Thanks to your support, this series is becoming an anime! Can you believe it?! I’m so happy, and it still doesn’t feel real at all, but it’s thanks to all of you! I really can’t thank you enough! Rishe and friends will move freely on-screen and talk! It’s an incredibly wonderful anime, so I can’t wait until you’re all able to see it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Please wait for the next piece of good news!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope we’ll be able to meet again in Volume 6 of 7th Time Loop! Thank you so much."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-05-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0015.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE KISS RISHE SHARED with Arnold on the roof of the opera house lasted several seconds, but felt like it was over in an instant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s lips slowly pulled away from hers. Rishe let out a heated sigh, already missing his touch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness…” she murmured."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead of answering her with words, Arnold entwined their fingers once more. The gesture seemed to say, I’m here. I won’t let you go. Rishe nearly burst into tears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I love him. I love Prince Arnold. Rishe confirmed the feelings she’d only just become aware of. I think I fell in love with him a long time ago, but it happened so naturally that I didn’t even notice it…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She gasped. Arnold tilted her chin and kissed her again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He pulled back just as quickly, their lips parting with a soft smack. But then he kissed her again, just another quick peck. He kissed her again and again, and Rishe’s eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was about to yelp, so he sealed her lips—but only for a moment. He loomed over her, lips crashing onto hers over and over again from every angle imaginable, eliciting a cute little sound from Rishe each time they separated."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had kissed her senseless. Rishe had no idea what was going on anymore—he’d planted so many of them on her mouth. She wanted to push him away, afraid he could hear the thundering of her heart—but Arnold wouldn’t let her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had to know how flustered she was, yet he showed no signs of stopping. She’d been short of breath for some time now, and she got the feeling her poor lungs were at their limit. It didn’t help that her neck had been craned back this whole time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm, mmph…!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though she slapped at Arnold’s chest, he didn’t budge. He just kept on brushing his lips against hers. She’d only just realized how she felt about him, so how could he torture her like this?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart’s going to explode!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gripped Arnold’s shirt and somehow managed to look up at him in the split second their lips were apart. She quickly regretted it. When their eyes locked, a sharp glint set his blue irises alight. The sight was so beautiful that tears welled in her eyes once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, her wordless plea seemed to have had an effect. Arnold finally loosened his grip on Rishe. As he let her go, he dropped one last kiss on her forehead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…” Rishe whined, wondering just why he had kissed her so many times. She gulped when he fixed her with a gentle, protective gaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you memorized it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold pressed his thumb to Rishe’s lips. “I promised I would kiss you as many times as you wished.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe finally remembered. She’d asked him to kiss her so that she could learn how to do it for their wedding, and that was what he’d said in response. The torrent of kisses just now had been him granting her request."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She squealed at the outrageousness of what she’d asked for, her cheeks reddening more every second. “I-I-I have!” she replied, bobbing her head emphatically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold chuckled, then reached out to stroke her hair. “Good, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How could a voice this soft pluck her heartstrings like a harp?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He cupped her cheek and murmured, “It doesn’t matter whether it’s your birthday. I want to do everything in my power to grant your wishes. Don’t ever forget that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His words were unmistakably ones of celebration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve always hated my own birthday, but… She couldn’t believe how happy she was right now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm-hmm.” He pulled his hand away and guided her back to the bench on the roof. “I’ll get our carriage ready. Wait here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, and Arnold headed downstairs. When she couldn’t see him any longer, Rishe sank onto the bench, exhausted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t believe he kissed me so many times…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everywhere he’d touched her was feverishly hot. She wanted to cherish the memory of her name on his lips and those lips kissing hers, but her heart twinged each time she thought back to it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What am I going to do?” She held her scarlet cheeks, completely at a loss. “I didn’t figure out how to kiss him at all…”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0010.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE’S SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY came and went—for the seventh time, by her count. The next day, she sat on a couch in her room, staring languidly out the window. She had a schedule of ships docking and departing port in her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her wedding was rapidly approaching, and she had yet another heap of work to do. Unfortunately, she couldn’t focus one bit; her mind was occupied completely by the dawning of her feelings for Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m in love with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Each time the thought crossed her mind, self-consciousness and restless fluster had her in their grips. Her maids were so worried that they’d come to check in on her multiple times since morning, but she could only give them vague reassurances—which devolved into misery for causing them dismay."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wasn’t imagining the pain in my chest that accompanied my thoughts of him…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could recall several instances when the feeling had plagued her, though she hadn’t ever seen it for what it was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The other day, when Prince Arnold kissed my hair after the emperor saw us…the reason I was so comforted even though my heart was pounding out of control was because of my feelings for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her face felt so hot at the memory, she feared it might catch fire. Rishe smooshed her palms into her cheeks, lapsing further into thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was I despondent during our fight in Vinrhys because I was already in love with him then? The whole reason she’d fought with him in the first place was because what he’d said had bothered her so much. Was that because she was in love with him too?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then what about when my chest hurt in the Grand Basilica, when he used my lap as a pillow? And when I was sad because he told me I didn’t need to wear the ring he so graciously gifted me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, that wasn’t all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The very first time he kissed me, in the chapel…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d been surprised but not upset. She had felt no disgust; she’d just wanted to know why he’d done it. But that had happened a mere three weeks after their first meeting in this life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought back to the rain of kisses on her birthday."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how far I think back, I can’t remember a moment when I didn’t love Prince Arnold. Rishe had no idea when she’d fallen for him. Wait, was I the one who fell in love with him at first sight? But that can’t be…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Much as she wanted to find a hole to hide in, she couldn’t stop the warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, pull yourself together, Rishe! You got so flustered, you could hardly talk to Prince Arnold yesterday and this morning! But we need to keep preparing for the wedding, and…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hung her head, Arnold’s words from back then flashing through her mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to be resolute to become my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words lanced her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I need to stop Prince Arnold’s war. She was more determined than ever to do so. But I can’t just stop it. I need to find out what the Emperor Arnold Hein of the future is trying to achieve and face whatever that is…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Arnold whom Rishe was in love with and the Arnold who ruled through brutality were contiguous people. No matter how different they seemed, the cold, cruel emperor who conquered the world had all the same qualities that the current Arnold had."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The way he thinks, his practicality, and the kindness he so clearly displays…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe slowly closed her eyes and squeezed the schedule in her hands. It’s because I care so deeply for him that I must avoid that future, she swore before opening her eyes once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sure that Prince Arnold’s father holds the key to all this. Though it’s not as if I can approach him carelessly, and I dread the mere thought after what happened the other day…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A knock came at the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon me, Lady Rishe!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Elsie. Come in.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When her maid entered the room, Rishe said, “I’m sorry about earlier. I was so out of it, I didn’t even realize you were trying to get my attention.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t mention it. Are you feeling better now? If so, I’m glad. I was worried.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Elsie’s relief just pricked at Rishe’s guilt all the more. She wasn’t physically unwell at all, but she didn’t have the courage to open up to the girl about her feelings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I really am sorry. Please allow me to keep this a secret from you for just a little while longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Elsie handed Rishe an envelope. “A letter for you, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She opened it up and confirmed its contents. Rishe had been waiting for the letter—which began with an apology—for some time now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it, Lady Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe stood and said, “Elsie, can you pack me a bag? I think I’ll be gone for another few days again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“V-very well. But your wedding is in two weeks, Lady Rishe! Aren’t you a bit busy at the moment?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am. But I need to go on this outing before the wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elsie cocked her head to one side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s no problem, Rishe thought to herself. In fact, I planned for this little delay to occur. But for my plan to proceed, I’ll need to speak with him…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe steeled herself. Her next move? Going to see the man she’d just realized she was in love with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…Your wedding dress?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes, Your Highness.” Rishe stood across from Arnold at his work desk, her skirt bunched up in her fingers. “The dress was sewn a year ago, when I came of age in my homeland. But since I’m going to be married here, I sent it for embroidering in a style native to Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The dress that was wide open in the back?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I just showed him the design once, but he even remembers the details… The thought gave her a ticklish feeling. When she locked eyes with Arnold, she hurriedly averted her gaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rattled, she went on, “Um… A dressmaker was supposed to come to the capital for a last fitting and final alterations.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Oliver organized documents behind Arnold, he smiled warmly at her. “I hear wedding dresses are quite sentimental for women. You must be greatly anticipating wearing yours, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, the dressmaker hasn’t been able to acquire the thread I requested, so there’s been a delay. Considering the time for travel and alterations, I think it would make more sense for me to go to him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This delay was hardly surprising. In fact, Rishe knew exactly when the thread she’d requested would be difficult to acquire, thanks to her life as a merchant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My wedding dress being delayed gives me the perfect excuse to travel there right about now. I’m so glad things worked out the way I expected when I sent it for embroidering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Masking her relief, Rishe broached the topic she wished to discuss. “To that end, I was hoping to stay there for a few days to procure my wedding dress.” She summoned her courage, faced Arnold, and told him, “In Bezzetoria…Galkhein’s primary port.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s expression didn’t change, but Rishe could predict his next words. Setting his chin in his hand, he made his declaration like it was the most obvious thing in the world: “I’ll accompany you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew it! Arnold also had a reason to visit Bezzetoria. There are always several different reasons why Prince Arnold does what he does. Once again, he’s not just indulging my whims."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Rishe couldn’t let on that she knew that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In any case, she realized she was asking something unreasonable of him. “Prince Arnold,” she said sincerely, “I know I’m always making these requests, but aren’t you awfully busy with your official duties?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course, my lord. I’ll make the adjustments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not you too, Oliver!” Rishe cried, flustered. The attendant had responded as though he knew exactly what Arnold wished, though the latter never issued a command. Even if she’d been expecting this, she still felt guilty. Yet Arnold just ran his pen over his documents, cool as a cucumber."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We can take a ship part of the way to Bezzetoria. It should only take two days or so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How about this, then?” Taking a document from Arnold, Oliver flashed a dazzling smile. “We could call this a pre-wedding getaway for you two.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep!” Rishe’s shoulders jolted at the suggestion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Considering your circumstances, it seems prudent. A trip by the crown prince and his future wife will help stimulate the economy in Bezzetoria as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-perhaps you’re right, but still!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver spoke of it matter-of-factly, yet the words resounded in Rishe’s head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A “pre-wedding getaway”?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she floundered internally, she asked Arnold, “Wh-what do you think, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t particularly care what we call it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t think you would!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s gaze softened as it landed on Rishe, even though he remained expressionless. “I notice you’re not protesting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t hesitate to let me know if you’re unhappy with something,” he said softly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She hung her head and shook it. “I’m not…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her tizzy over the words “pre-wedding getaway” was in no way because the idea displeased her. Embarrassing as the phrase was, she was happy about it. She mustered her courage to express as much to Arnold so that he knew."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want to have a pre-wedding getaway with you, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver beamed and all but chirped, “Not to worry, Lady Rishe! It’s beneficial to promote how you and my lord have a close relationship.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is it? I know marrying solidifies His Highness’s position somewhat, but…” That depended on whom he wed. “I’m nothing more than a duke’s daughter from a small nation. I can’t imagine my status benefits Prince Arnold in any way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You misunderstand. The benefit is entirely due to you as an individual, Lady Rishe,” Oliver said with that dazzling smile of his."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?!” Rishe glanced over at Arnold, who agreed with Oliver."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“True enough.” He seemed slightly amused as he went on, “This country is already seeing the benefits of our technological exchange with Coyolles. Our new currency minting is proceeding without issue thanks to Siguel’s cooperation as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your wedding is receiving international attention too. After all, the next archbishop of the global Crusade faith will be in attendance. This is practically unprecedented.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You two can’t be serious!” The conversation was taking a wild turn, so Rishe hurried to stop them. “You give me far too much credit. It was Prince Arnold’s decisions that led to every one of those outcomes!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The citizenry are impressed by your invention of nail polish and the relief the Aria Trading Company has brought to the slums.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even people without much interest in politics are looking forward to the ceremony. We have a special congratulatory performance by the famous songstress Sylvia lined up for it now, by the way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sylvia herself had requested to perform. She’d visited just the day before and made it known to Rishe she wanted to do something to repay her and Arnold—and a performance by a world-famous diva wasn’t something one heard every day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My lord’s relationship with Prince Theodore also improved since your arrival, Lady Rishe. Several members of the nobility have already taken note of your prowess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you overestimate me entirely!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was shocked. She had no idea she’d attracted so much attention. She looked to Arnold for help and found him smiling in satisfaction."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let them look. A little attention won’t hurt.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t dwell on this, however. For now, she had to concentrate on stopping the war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s all for Prince Arnold’s future. I’ll use the wedding dress as an excuse to take care of another matter…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if Rishe knew the broad strokes of Arnold’s future war, it was still difficult for her to predict anything about it. There were a few reasons for that. The first was that Rishe didn’t know the Arnold of her past lives; she didn’t know what had happened to him in the time leading up to the war. The second was that Galkhein’s military had behaved differently in each of Rishe’s previous lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A third possible reason is…me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed. At present, she was on the deck of a ship navigating a canal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In my first life, I became a merchant and did business with Mr. Tully. The land and sea routes we pioneered came to be used for worldwide travel…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Merchants lived and died by their trade routes. Rishe and the Aria Trading Company had worked with experts to develop new ones in her first life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Armies use those same routes to travel. Emperor Arnold Hein used the routes we paved to conduct his invasion. Rishe reflected on her past lives, gazing down at the river below. I paved routes like that in my lives as an apothecary and as an alchemist as well. I needed different things in each life, so the routes were slightly different. And every time, Galkhein’s army used those routes in the most efficient way possible to invade its neighbors."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "During her life as a maid, she’d taken Millia along optimal routes to visit churches in every country. In trying to find the best routes for gathering intel in her life as a hunter, she’d learned new ones from her leader, Raul."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her sixth life, she’d been nothing more than a simple knight, but she’d gone to the commander of the knight order—and through him, to the king—to bring attention to the movements of Galkhein’s army. As a result, she’d even influenced travel routes somewhat in her sixth life as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Travel routes throughout the world have changed in each and every one of my past lives. Because of that, Prince Arnold’s invasion route and the order in which he attacks other countries has changed each time too. Unbeknownst to her, Rishe had affected Arnold’s actions before even meeting the man in her past lives. The thought left her feeling conflicted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the future, Prince Arnold will carry out his war in the most efficient way possible. It’s easy to imagine him killing his father to usurp the throne simply because of the animosity between them, but…the rational Prince Arnold wouldn’t start a world war for no reason at all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed again, holding the railing that ringed the deck. There’s a reason not only for his murdering his father but for the war afterward as well. It’s just as likely that he’ll only take his father’s life to gain the power to start the war in the first place…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa!” Rishe jumped when a voice called out to her from behind. She spun around to find Arnold out on the deck. “O-oh, it’s you, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just a moment ago, he’d been in a cabin belowdecks, discussing work with Oliver. Rishe had left to get some fresh air since she’d been uncomfortable sitting so close to Arnold in the cramped room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You forgot your hat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Agh, thank you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold plopped a hat adorned with ribbons and flowers onto Rishe’s head, then looked out at the scenery with disinterest. “You were really caught up in the view.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I actually wasn’t seeing it at all."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe adjusted the hat and looked up at Arnold. “It’s a very large canal. So this is Galkhein’s main port city…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Countless ships of all sizes sailed to and fro over the glittering water. Rishe and Arnold’s ship was a two-level vessel that transported passengers rather than goods. Brick buildings faced them from either side. The canal-side view of the town was beautiful, and a cool breeze blew over the water."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can feel the energy. It’s like this place has its own heart, and it’s expressing its excitement with everything it has. I can’t wait to disembark and walk around town!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re almost to the harbor. I’ve arranged for a carriage, but I don’t mind if you want to walk to the hotel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh!” In that case, she wanted to take the scenic route. That way, they could stop by as many places as possible. Rishe’s eyes sparkled at the thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold watched her for a few moments, full of tenderness. “So you weren’t feeling unwell,” he remarked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unwell? No, I’m bursting with energy!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe cocked her head, and Arnold ran his fingers through her windswept hair. “You’ve been somewhat on edge since I fulfilled that request of yours on your birthday.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urk!” Rishe could tell she was going red up to her ears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s because of all the kisses we shared that day, and because I realized my feelings for you…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Rishe was even the least bit out of sorts, Arnold would know. She didn’t have the courage to explain the reason for her behavior, though. I can’t believe I’ve been acting so weird that he thought I was sick! I can’t worry him when he’s already so busy…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After puzzling over the matter for some time, Rishe reached for Arnold’s sleeve and grasped it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Rishe?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He would probably think her strange for this too, but Rishe steeled her resolve to plead with him for the sake of their future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can we stay like this for a little longer?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned, hesitating. “Why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, um… I have some…secret training I’d like to do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Training, you say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe lowered her face to hide her blossoming blush. Ugh, I need to get used to being next to the man I love!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As long as she got more practice in, she was sure she’d be able to interact with him like normal again…eventually. So she mused as she timidly peeked up at Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold just gave her his usual sour look before sighing and saying, “Do as you like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you!” Rishe tightened her grip on Arnold’s sleeve, relieved. She wasn’t ready to hold hands with him yet, but if she maintained this distance for a while, surely she’d get used to his presence at some point. At least enough that she wouldn’t worry him anymore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m so glad he’s kind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still frowning, Arnold glanced at a ship passing by. It appeared to be a two-level vessel like their own, though it was a size smaller. The sailors were cleverly using the ship’s sails to maneuver upstream."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm?” Rishe sensed the same thing Arnold had. They were both scrutinizing a piece of cargo left on the deck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What an unusual shape. It was a large burlap sack, but the peculiar, almost cylindrical form within had to be something other than a box or a liquid container. It can’t be…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment Rishe formed the suspicion, the bag wriggled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew it! It’s a person!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As soon as the bag moved, Arnold said, “Stay here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His sleeve left Rishe’s grip, and he climbed the railing before leaping onto the other ship without a moment’s hesitation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold landed, and one of the sailors on the deck yelled, “Ack! Wh-what are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop the ship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wha—eek!” The sailor shrieked when Arnold pointed his sword at him. “Damn it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sailor turned on his heel and ran down the stairs to the lower deck. Arnold clicked his tongue and turned back to the “cargo.” He’d doubtless chosen to remain instead of pursuing the sailor because Rishe had already followed him onto the ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you all right?! Just hang in there! We’re here to help!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed as he watched Rishe frantically untie the cord keeping the bag closed. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Leave this to me, Prince Arnold. Please, do whatever you wish to do!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t jump onto a ship with thieves on it like it’s completely normal, with only a dagger for self-defense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold removed the scabbard at his waist and tossed it to Rishe, who caught it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Won’t you be in trouble if I borrow this sword, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll procure one below.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well…be careful!” She was worried about him, but she decided to trust him as he headed belowdecks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For now, this is more important!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe drew Arnold’s sword and cut the bag’s cord with its black blade. She hurried to open the bag, and a woman emerged from inside. Her face was wet with tears, her arms and legs were bound, and she had a gag in her mouth. When she saw Rishe, her face crumpled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry, you’re safe now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After cutting the woman’s bindings, Rishe removed the gag. Relief washed over the woman’s face—and then she passed out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’s not dehydrated. She doesn’t appear gravely injured, but the way she lost consciousness… Has she been given some sort of sleeping drug?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were several other sacks on deck. Rishe hastily cut the cords tying them all shut and found an unconscious woman inside each one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can only assume there are more in the hold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe made sure all the women were resting in a way that wouldn’t obstruct their breathing, grabbed Arnold’s sword, and dashed into the lower decks of the ship. She arrived in the ship’s hold at the precise moment Arnold’s kick to the gut sent a sailor flying into a stack of barrels."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The barrels tumbled loudly to the floor. Panicked, the remaining sailors charged at Arnold. They wielded cutlasses—short, curved blades that could be used in confined spaces like these lower decks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without batting an eye, Arnold grabbed one of the men by his collar and jammed a knee into the man’s gut. The sailor groaned. Arnold snatched the cutlass from him and flipped it into a more comfortable grip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You think you can take us on?!” one of the sailors shouted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They rushed at Arnold once more, but he stopped every single one of them with a single swing of the cutlass. He raised his leg at the surprised men and landed a heavy kick on one of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s incredible! Rishe thought, amazed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince combined his martial arts and swordsmanship skills to handle the men with ease. She wanted to give him back his sword, but she would only get in his way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just then, Arnold called, “Rishe! In the back!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right!” Rishe was thrilled that he trusted her to handle the other room. She raced past Arnold and the gaggle of sailors to the back of the chamber."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she opened the door to a cabin, she found five women held captive inside. They shrank back with a frightened cry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry. I’m here to help. You’ll be okay!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their eyes flooded with tears at the sight of another woman. Having put them at ease at least a little bit, Rishe quickly confirmed the situation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "These women are conscious, unlike those on the deck of the ship. Either they haven’t been drugged yet, they’ve only just been drugged, or it’s already worn off. Whatever the case, that’s why they’ve been confined down here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Four of the five seemed to be fine, but the red-haired woman closest to her was curled up on the floor, hands tied behind her back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me, but how long has this woman been in this condition?!” she asked, but the women were in no state of mind to answer her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“P-please, let us out of here!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’ll catch us again if we don’t get away!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’re panicking. Understandable, but it’s only going to be more dangerous if they go running off on their own through the ship. I shouldn’t untie them yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She hated to leave them bound, but she moved to help the one collapsed on the floor first."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pardon me. Please respond if you can hear my voice!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m going to roll you onto your back, okay? Are you having any trouble breathing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman was tall and wore a red dress. Rishe cut her bonds, then rolled her onto her back so she could treat her. The woman’s long hair fanned out around her like flames."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hmm? Her breathing is steady and she seems healthy. Rishe blinked a few times, then focused on the woman’s face to judge her complexion. Upon doing so, however, she froze. Huh?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Closer inspection of the woman’s familiar face brought one of Rishe’s past lives crashing down around her. Hey, I know her! She had enjoyed an incredibly close relationship with this woman in a past life. What are you doing here?! No, I’m not surprised you’re in town. In fact, one of the reasons I came was to meet you. But how did this happen?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She could figure it out later. Rishe slapped the woman’s cheek, remembering how she would’ve spoken to her in that bygone life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s time to get up! Wake up, it’s morning!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Morning…?” came the woman’s sleepy voice. Her brown eyes peered blearily at Rishe as she rose with a yawn. “Are we in Galkhein already?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We are not! I would love to hear more regarding whatever that’s about, but first, I need to know how you’re feeling! Are you hurt? Do you feel nauseated? Does anything else feel off?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm… No. I was just so bored while captured that I got sleepy…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I-I see you’re the same as always!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, they heard the pounding of rapid footsteps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That black-haired guy is a monster!” hollered one of the sailors. “Stay away from him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Abandon ship!” shouted another. “Everybody scatter and run! Leave the cargo! The other ship’s getting the extra merchandise ready!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe grimaced. Even Prince Arnold can’t take on several enemies running in different directions. Of course, neither could Rishe. This was the sort of situation that required strength in numbers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She reached under her dress and drew the dagger affixed to her thigh. Then she asked the sleepy woman, “You’re not hurt—you were just sleeping because you were tired, correct? Here, then! Take this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman balked when Rishe handed her the dagger. “Hey, wait a second. You—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sprang to her feet. “I’m going to go help the man outside!” she said, then ran out of the cabin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were two staircases leading from the hold to the deck of the ship. There were also several windows from which the sailors could jump into the canal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There are only this many of them left, though?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the footsteps, she estimated that only ten crewmen remained. From the size of the ship, there should have been thirty to forty of them in total."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Move, girl!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the men swung his cutlass to get rid of Rishe. She deflected the attack with the still-sheathed sword in her hand. She grabbed the sailor’s wrist, twisting it behind him and throwing him to the floor before striking him on the nape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How many of them are left? We must make sure they don’t get off the ship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the time it took her to defeat two men, she could sense Arnold handling most of the rest of them. Just then, however…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing?! Leave the cargo and get out of here!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whatever, we can get away with one of ’em! I don’t care which one it is, we’ll drag her out if we have to!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Two more men entered the cabin between Arnold and Rishe, where the women were being held. Arnold knocked out the last man near him and whirled toward the cabin, clicking his tongue, but Rishe knew things would be fine even if he couldn’t arrive at the cabin in time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s okay, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes questioningly as a woman screamed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Immediately after, something collapsed inside the cabin. Arnold and Rishe reached the door at the same time and peered inside. Standing there was the redhead in the red dress to whom Rishe had given the dagger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sheesh, what a pain…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The two burly sailors had collapsed on the floor. The redhead grasped the hem of her dress, then grabbed her long hair just as roughly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This dress is in the way. So’s this hair. Haah… I beat up the damn pirates already, so there’s no need to keep up with this, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep. It’s as you suspect, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The long-haired wig slid to the ground, revealing short, curly hair in the same red hue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This woman snuck in among the others…but she appears to be a man.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man glowered at the dress he wore and artlessly pulled it off to reveal the thin shirt and pants underneath. In this light, his figure, which had seemed large for a woman, looked rather slender for a man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The listless man yawned. “I’m sleepy…” He rubbed his half-closed, deep-set eyes framed by long eyelashes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s the same as always, though I’m not sure if that’s a good thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, he would be seventeen years old—Rishe’s senior by a year. He was old enough to be called a young man, but his slender build earned him the moniker of “pretty boy” among women. At a glance, his eyes appeared brown, but this was because they were always half-lidded against the light. Rishe knew all too well that, in bright sunlight, those eyes blazed a brilliant gold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I roomed with him all through my life as a knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sailors had been knocked out by the dagger he held in his hand. Arnold observed the man quietly, having deduced as much himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s the genius swordsman of the island nation of Siarga… In my sixth life, he died protecting me from Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man’s golden-brown eyes slid over to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s really you, Joel!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still holding the dagger, Joel stepped toward Arnold, who stood between him and Rishe. Rishe flinched, remembering Joel’s usual attitude."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no! If he’s the same old Joel I know, he’s definitely going to provoke Prince Arnold!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You, with the black hair.” Contrary to Rishe’s unease, however, Joel simply asked him in a sleep-laced voice, “What’s your relationship with that girl with the fluffy pink hair behind you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Huh? Me? It was only then that Rishe realized Arnold had stepped in front of her, likely to protect her from Joel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince said nothing to either of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I don’t really care right now. I’m just…so sleepy…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, Joel crumpled to the floor. Rishe lurched forward, worried that he was hurt, but he soon started snoring."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold observed him with a sullen gaze before muttering, “What’s wrong with him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“H-he might have been drugged! Let’s drop anchor. We need to stop the ship and make sure everyone’s okay!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was busy for a while after that, with no time at all to dwell on the unusual way she’d come across the very man she’d been planning to meet."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0015.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE BECAME A KNIGHT several months into her sixth loop. At the time, she had trouble narrowing down her career path; she had an endless list of things she wanted to do and be. While she was deliberating, her ship was attacked on her way to an island nation, and she handled the situation with two men who also happened to be on board."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Throughout her lives, Rishe often disguised herself as a man for safety. On top of that, she had the sword skills she’d acquired in her noble life (and which she’d secretly continued practicing), plus several combat skills she’d honed in her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t so surprising when, after the skirmish, one of the men invited her to join his country’s knights. As it happened, he was the king of Siarga, the very country Rishe had been aimlessly traveling to. After they landed, the other man—who turned out to be the king’s companion—ended up doing all sorts of things to help Rishe out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your room will be down this hall.” He was the knight commander, and he’d been on the ship to guard the king, who—like Rishe—often traveled in disguise. “I didn’t think His Majesty would offer a fellow passenger a knighthood, or that said passenger would go, ‘I’d love to!’ with stars in his eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry about it. It’s my policy to make whatever ridiculous ideas my king has a reality. Knights are normally two to a room, so I’ve assigned you to bunk with Joel. He doesn’t tend to show much interest in other people, so I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As it turned out, the knight commander had been quick to realize that Rishe was a woman—and he’d been the only one. He chose Joel as her roommate because she wouldn’t have to worry about him finding out her secret."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware that her secret was out. As she walked down the hall, she asked the commander, “Has Joel always had his own room?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. He’s been out of the country, and he only just returned recently. The room assignments shifted while he was in Galkhein for a few months on a mission.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Galkhein…” Rishe muttered, and the commander flashed her a good-natured smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If nothing else, Joel’s sword skills are the real deal. He’s always been the youngest one here, so as his first junior knight, I hope you can learn some things from him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir! I’m looking forward to…” Rishe answered enthusiastically at first, but her head whipped toward the commander when she finally parsed his words. “Um, sir, what do you mean by ‘if nothing else’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. He really doesn’t let much bother him. You seem like you’ve got a lot going on, so he’ll be the perfect roommate for you. Isn’t that great?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, this is you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment the door opened, Rishe’s eyes flew just as wide. The person inside, not quite a boy but not yet a man, lay on the stone floor with his eyes closed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe dashed over to him right away. “Excuse me! Are you all right?!” The frail-looking fellow with curly red hair was completely limp. “Please respond if you can hear my voice! Are you hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mmn…” He opened his eyes just a tad, patting the floor and grumbling, “Ngh… This bed is so hard…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lucius.” After addressing Rishe by her pseudonym, the commander said apologetically, “I apologize for the fright, but he’s only sleeping. Get used to this. I’m sure you’ll be seeing it every day from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll really help having you here. I hope you’ll take good care of Joel for us!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason Rishe hadn’t been too surprised the first time she’d caught Theodore napping in her field was because of the “training” she’d received in her sixth life from Joel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her roommate was infamous as someone who could do nothing but wield a sword—or rather, who chose to do nothing but wield a sword. That much was clear from the very beginning. Everything about Rishe, especially the way she’d joined the knights, was abnormal—yet when Joel finally woke up and the two got to talking, their exchange went as follows:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s nice to meet you, Joel. You might think it strange that I joined the knights so suddenly and that I’m rooming with you, but I promise you I’m no one suspicious. My name is Lucius Alcott.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whatever. That’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Showing no interest in her whatsoever, Joel yawned and said, “You don’t have to introduce yourself to me. It’s not like I’m gonna remember your name. Any time I’d spend with you, I’d rather spend sleeping or playing with a sword.” His deep-set eyes drooped with drowsiness, long lashes casting shadows from above. “You can do whatever you want. Just don’t get in the way of my sleep, yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Joel, I think it’s time for dinner soon!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t need it. In fact, you don’t even need to talk to me. Let’s have nothing to do with one another, shall we?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But we’re sure to fight together on the same battlefields from now on…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel glanced at Rishe before telling her, “Nah, I’ll never fight ‘together’ with anyone.” He was as sleepy as always, but for just a second, there was a sharp glint in his eyes. “I’ll only get weaker if I do something like that. You should be alone when you fight. If you spend too much time worrying about other people, you’ll die too easily when you’re finally in a real battle.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked in surprise, but the light in Joel’s eyes vanished just as quickly as it had appeared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If the commander’s finally back, I should go get him to spar with me, though.” With another yawn, he left the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that Rishe was alone, she thought, Does he really do nothing other than sleep and practice the sword? She picked up Joel’s blanket, patted the dust off, and folded it neatly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The commander said he wasn’t on night watch or anything yesterday. If his sleep is irregular and he’s not eating meals either, then maybe… Rishe wasn’t comfortable leaving such a person alone since she’d once been an apothecary. He doesn’t want anything to do with me, but the commander asked me to look after him. I suppose I don’t even need to think about whose request I should honor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus began Rishe’s struggle as Joel’s roommate and the only knight younger than him. Her first task was to wake him up at the same time every day so that he was able to get up in the morning without issue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, Joel!” She climbed the ladder next to the bed and shook Joel’s shoulder up on the top bunk. “We’ve got training again this morning. The commander said attendance is mandatory!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nope. Not getting up. Don’t need training…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh well. Then I’ll just have to make sure you get some sunlight for thirty minutes every morning. Okay, I’m opening the curtains!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh… So bright!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After repeating this several times, she was finally able to have something like a real conversation with him instead of the sleep-talking he’d been doing up until then. At that point, Rishe could move to the next stage of her plan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning, Joel! I don’t suppose I could interest you in a sparring match this morning, could I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wanna spar…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you’re awake! That’s a new record! All right, I’ll go with this strategy from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y’know, you fight more like a mercenary than a knight. Or maybe an archer. It’s no fun to spar against people who rely on stuff other than swordplay. I’m going back to sleep…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Aah! Oh, think of it as an investment for the future, then! I promise I’ll improve with a sword, so please give me some lessons so I can get better!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By appealing to Joel’s love of swordplay, Rishe was able to get him out of bed one out of every four times. Moreover, by training with the “genius swordsman” Joel, Rishe’s skills improved by the day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Listen to this, Joel! Thanks to your advice, I was able to beat ten people in training today!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh yeah?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sitting with Rishe at a table in the mess hall, Joel broke the meat in his stew into smaller pieces with his spoon. He was spending more time awake lately, and when Rishe dragged him there with both hands, he would obediently follow her to the mess hall for mealtimes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t really care who you win or lose to, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk! I-I suppose you wouldn’t…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, I guess…” He peered at her with his brown eyes. “Uh, Lushe? Ricius? Uh, what was it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you actually trying to remember my name?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they first met, he had told her not to bother introducing herself because he didn’t intend to remember it. Now, he thought about it for a moment and said, “You’ve gotten decently strong lately, haven’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could only gasp in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After that, she spent more and more time with Joel, but his love of sleep was just as deep-rooted as his love of swordsmanship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning, Joel! You’ve been able to get up in the morning a lot lately. It’s great progress! I think it’s time to join in on the training!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t need it. Not going. You can go by yourself, Lucas.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you’re so close!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Most of her mornings ended up like this. After a year of living together, however, Joel started acting more and more like a mentor to her. In fact, he seemed to have really taken a liking to the word."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m your mentor, so I’ll teach you something nobody else will. You know, since I’m your mentor.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, this also led to a lot of the older knights teasing Joel for finally acknowledging that there was a new recruit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“When you want to skip one of the commander’s lectures, there are two ways to sneak out: one is through these hedges and the other is through the aqueduct out back. I should really keep this a secret from everyone, but since I’m your mentor and all…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-thank you, Joel. I don’t imagine I’ll ever have a reason to use them, but I’m grateful.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In exchange, you can wake me up when I pass out during lessons.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course! That’s my job as your junior!” Rishe said sincerely, standing up straight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel grinned and chuckled in response. “Hee hee. You’re a pretty cute one too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m not really sure why, but Joel’s in a great mood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Slowly but surely, Joel took his role as Rishe’s mentor more seriously. He was the youngest son of a noble house, and since joining the knights, he’d been their youngest member—that is, up until Rishe came along. At some point, he started calling her “Lu” for the simple reason that saying Lucius every time was a pain. Yet along with the nickname, he started looking out for Rishe more now that he could take on some responsibility for the first time in his life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why the long face? Stick your nose into something annoying again? Ugh, what a pain… But I don’t want you missing out on morning training, so I’ll help you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On another occasion, she told him she’d been invited to a party with another squad, so she was going to stay the night in a different room—and for some reason, he was awfully worried about her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. No matter how late your return, you must sleep here. It’s too dangerous to stay somewhere else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dangerous? Aren’t you worried I’ll disturb your sleep when I arrive in the middle of the night?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Either way, you have to come back. If you don’t…there won’t be anyone to wake me up in the morning.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe he’s more worried about me than his sleep!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was concerned at the time that he may have found out somehow that she was a woman. Wouldn’t he treat me at least a little differently if that were the case, though?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s your answer, Lu?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-oh, yes! I hear you loud and clear!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their first year together passed in this way, with Rishe stressing out that she’d been discovered every once in a while but convincing herself otherwise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you eating, Lu? You got so wrapped up in training that the mess hall closed? Hold on, that’s still no reason to eat nothing but a boiled potato with some salt. Haah… Oh well, I’ll just make you something. Come here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sometimes he’d beckon her over like so and cook her a meal from scratch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They chose you for the next expedition? Maybe I’ll go too. I mean, if you’re not here, I won’t be able to get out of bed in the morning.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other times, he showed great appreciation for her as a morning wake-up device."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even if the room assignments change, you’ve always gotta bunk with me, Lu. I get someone to wake me up so I’m not late for training, and you get sword lessons from me every so often. It’s not a bad trade-off, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right! If possible, I’d love for you to teach me every day instead of just every so often, though!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? No. That’s too much work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come on, Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, Rishe reached the second year of her sixth loop, and one day, Joel sleepily said to her, “You know how you mentioned Galkhein’s movements seemed suspicious lately, Lu? It turns out you were right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His expression seemed slightly more melancholic than usual."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Galkhein’s crown prince has killed his father and usurped the throne.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back then, all Rishe could think was, So this life won’t be any different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m back, Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe arrived at the royal villa, she skipped unpacking and headed straight for Arnold’s office to give him an update."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I finished treating the women who were being held captive on the ship. I left them in the care of a local doctor. I believe we’ll be able to question them tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Got it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver chimed in, “I’m so sorry you have to accompany my lord into such danger. I’m always telling him to stop leaving his guards behind and taking matters into his own hands…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-perish the thought, Oliver…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold was paying his attendant no heed, but the man was making Rishe’s ears burn."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for seeing to the women’s first aid as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course! I’m glad that the herbs I just happened to have on hand were effective in treating their conditions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was nothing coincidental about the medicines she’d brought with her, but she kept that to herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She quickly wiped the smile from her face and told Arnold, “I was only able to hear bits and pieces from them, but the situation seems clear enough. I think it’s safe to say we encountered pirates engaging in human trafficking.” Staring straight into Arnold’s blue eyes, Rishe added, “But you knew from the start that such incidents were occurring in this area, didn’t you, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold didn’t respond. Rishe hoped that her act—that is, that she’d only just noticed it now—was convincing. She’d previously deceived all sorts of people as part of her business dealings when she was a merchant, but Arnold was the only one she had no confidence in lying to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew his business here from the beginning, Rishe thought as she stared into his eyes. After all, I was going to investigate the slave trade too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was why she’d chosen an artisan from Bezzetoria to finish her wedding dress and why she’d chosen a certain thread for the embroidery despite knowing it would be hard to procure. It was all to arrange a visit to Bezzetoria at this time without arousing Arnold’s suspicions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had a crucial objective she had to fulfill. I need to stop the slave trade before the weapon falls into Prince Arnold’s hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed, his chin propped up in his hand. “I received a response to our wedding invitation from Siarga a few days ago—along with a note about their ships being attacked in our waters and their citizens being abducted.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was exactly as she’d heard in her sixth life. Right around this time, the pirates were giving Siarga serious trouble."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“According to their own investigation, they thought it highly likely that their stolen goods were being sold in Galkhein. Rather than recovering the goods and money, however, their primary request was aid in rescuing their abducted citizens.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And you determined the pirates were using Bezzetoria as their place of business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It is easier to trace stolen goods if they’re sold in smaller markets. Bezzetoria seemed the likeliest place to unload goods straight from their ships.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew it was happening in Bezzetoria because she’d heard about it from Joel in her sixth life. Yet Arnold had used nothing more than his own judgment to accurately predict where he’d find the offending pirates."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t care what sort of criminal activity goes on in Siarga, but pirates are a different matter. They’re not bound by the sea to one country alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“True, you have no idea when the pirates menacing Siarga’s seas may strike here as well. It appears they’re already using Galkhein to sell their pilfered merchandise and kidnapped victims.” Rishe hung her head and clutched at her dress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s how the weapon from Siarga makes its way to Galkhein. Prince Arnold only uses it in his war in the future because the pirates sold it here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was one more thing Rishe wanted to ascertain, so she asked, “Are you keeping this a secret from your father as well?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll just become a bigger problem if he hears about it. I can guess how that man will react to most things.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s why a “pre-wedding getaway” with me was the perfect excuse for Prince Arnold to visit Bezzetoria."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wanted to prevent Arnold’s war, but her desire to stop the pirates and their human trafficking was just as strong. She also knew a lot about Joel from her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please allow me to assist you, Your Highness.” Her determination renewed, she begged to help him out once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed. “Come now, Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry. I know it’s sly of me to ask when you can’t dismiss my requests outright.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver glanced at Arnold, who cast his eyes down. At length, the prince said, “Very well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! Thank you, Your Highness!” Rishe’s face lit up, though she apologized to Arnold once more in her heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My goal is to prevent you from achieving yours… The war, that is."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was essentially working against him. She endeavored to make things harder for him, all while keeping her cards close to her chest. If he knew the truth, he would never allow her to have her way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a sense, this is a betrayal. I have to at least do what I can to help him as much as possible in other matters, she thought as Oliver made his way to Arnold’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If that is the case, my lord, what do you wish to do with the Imperial Guards looking after the women?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are likely more victims to locate. I’ll reconsider the guards’ assignments.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Arnold fully returned to work, Rishe raised her hand to get his attention. “Do you mind if I give that, um…fluffy-haired, sleepy-looking fellow a little examination, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The women on the ship had been entrusted to several local doctors. Joel alone had been brought to this villa, since Arnold determined he would have to question him separately. Though meeting Joel was a reunion for Rishe, in this life, she wasn’t supposed to know his name yet. Unsure of what to call him for now, she’d settled on the characteristics that came to mind—but her request had Arnold scowling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wish to examine him?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. He should be waking up soon. Won’t it help your investigation if you hear what he has to say sooner than later?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold silently stood and approached Rishe, who was tilting her head quizzically. “Fine. But…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold brushed Rishe’s coral-colored hair. “I want you to be careful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Eep!” Rishe yelped at the intimate gesture, then slapped her hands over her mouth. She met Arnold’s gaze, her face aflame."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll head there after I finish assigning the guards to their new posts.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-you don’t need to! I know you’re busy, Your Highness! That man is… Well, he didn’t seem to be a bad person! Yes, um, he seemed kind! And gentle!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I suppose Joel must have seemed awfully suspicious to Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m coming too,” Arnold reiterated, making sure Rishe understood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was worried about her—and it made her happy, which confounded her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Very well! I’ll…I’ll meet you there, then!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver smiled warmly at her. “Please do be careful, Lady Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I appreciate your concern, Oliver!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With that, Rishe hurried out of the third-story room and descended all the way to the first floor. Keep your cool, Rishe! Seriously, why does Prince Arnold touch my hair so much?! Ugh… I know he has no ulterior motive, but c’mon! She shook her head as she trotted down the stairs. Pull yourself together! You need to focus on Joel right now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe arrived in front of the guest room and called out, “Pardon me! Are you awake?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then she knocked, but there was no response. She gently pushed the door open, slipped inside without closing it, and approached the bed. The tools she’d used to treat Joel were still laid out on the bedside table."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel was sound asleep. She studied him, thinking, What an awfully familiar sleeping face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fluffy red hair and pale skin. The long eyelashes women envied. His delicate facial features. Observing him as he slept, Rishe felt like she was seeing a friend after just a few months apart and reuniting with one from ages past at the same time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel like my sixth life was just a short time ago, but there’s also a stark divide between it and my current life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could remember her past lives with perfect clarity, but they existed outside a sort of see-through barrier from her present life. It was like reflecting on a dream she’d just been having after waking up in bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A string of memories from her sixth life rose to the surface of her mind. The events had occurred shortly after Arnold declared war on several countries."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s been only two years since Arnold Hein slew his father and usurped the throne. I can’t believe he’s already restructured enough to declare war on other countries,” the king said to his knights, his tense expression lacking its usual cheer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The commander at his side looked just as dour. “We’ve been busy with our own preparations for these last two years. And I imagine we still have some more time before Galkhein invades us.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a sigh, the king replied, “Don’t worry. Siarga is an island nation. Galkhein will have to solve their troops’ supply problem before they come to conquer. Up until now, they’ve only waged war on their own continent, so they should be unseasoned at naval warfare.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Your Majesty…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prepare our forces. We will ally with Halil Rasha to take Galkhein down. If we come at them from the land and sea, we’ll have a solid chance at victory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His line of thought would prove to be naive, however. Siarga formed its alliance and set sail for war with Galkhein, fully prepared—but it would soon taste defeat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urgent report, Your Majesty!” a messenger shouted, face pale. “Enemy ships spotted at sea! Judging from their eagle flag, they appear to be Galkhein’s!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That can’t be!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No one could believe the sight greeting them from the shore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is Galkhein doing with those warships?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold Hein’s war of conquest adapted to the state of the world in each of Rishe’s lives. Not even Rishe, who had memories of his past invasions, could predict the speed with which he’d crossed the sea in her sixth loop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hazily thought back to the final day of her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Evacuate His Highness and his family, quickly!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Our light, our lord! Protect him with your life! Get them out or die trying!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The bodies of her fallen comrades littered the ground around her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’re all dead…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The good-natured king who’d invited Rishe to join his knights had died before her eyes while protecting his children. As the young royals cried over the loss of their mother and father, the knight commander who’d spent countless hours training Rishe and the other knights died protecting them as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As an island nation that had long competed with other countries over resources, Siarga was considered relatively powerful as a fighting force. Yet even they hadn’t been able to put up a fight against Arnold Hein’s army."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe fought desperately to keep the children safe. They had fled through one of the “shortcuts” Joel once showed her, and which she now stood in front of."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t mind dying here. What happens to us doesn’t matter. We just need to buy more time for the children to escape, whether it’s a minute or a single second!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel had been the only one able to put up a fight against Arnold Hein and his forces. Yet Emperor Arnold Hein killed him while he was protecting me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had witnessed Arnold’s sword rip Joel from gut to gullet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel smiled so kindly when he saw I was safe…even though I was killed too just a moment later, when Prince Arnold’s sword pierced my chest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, in her seventh life, Rishe was Arnold’s fiancée. She could hardly describe how it felt to gaze upon the sleeping Joel, just as she had so many times before in these new circumstances."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm…” Joel stirred and slowly opened his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe straightened up and greeted him very differently than she would have in her previous life. “Good morning, Sir Swordsman.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a few sleepy blinks, those golden eyes—brown at first glance—settled on Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanted to thank you for what you did on the ship. They drugged you, yet you fought to protect the women there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel rose and rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the back of his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for forcing you to take up arms in that situation, but I assumed you had some skill with a blade due to the calluses on your hands.” Rishe curtsied. “My name is Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Joel stared wordlessly at her, she thought, I’m keen to introduce myself, but I doubt Joel has any interest in me. He didn’t care one whit when we first met in my sixth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His next words shocked her, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“One more time?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel took Rishe by the wrist. Blinking in surprise, she assessed his features. His pale arms were slender, but his bone structure and hard muscles were plenty masculine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your name. Tell me one more time?” His sleepy voice sounded almost needling. Rishe had heard him use this tone plenty of times in her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taken aback, she stammered, “I-It’s Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe…Rishe, Rishe…” Still holding her wrist, Joel repeated her name to commit it to memory."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d used a fake name in her sixth life, so Joel had never called her Rishe before. Even more puzzling was how it had taken so much effort to get him to remember her name in her last life, yet he spoke it so easily now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Rishe…want to play with me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! Um…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even after you left the cabin, I could hear how you fought just by listening to your footsteps. Those light, girlish steps were yours, weren’t they?” Curious, Joel looked her over. “It’s strange, but…it sounded like you fight the way I do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He could tell that just from my footsteps, without even seeing me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her sixth life, Rishe had further refined the swordsmanship she’d learned in her time as a noble lady. Joel’s technique, which focused not on strength but on agility and flexibility, had influenced her style considerably. And it seemed Joel had noticed from merely listening to her footwork through a door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So…” His tone was pleading and predatory all at once. “Let’s play around and find out who could kill whom.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched, alarmed by Joel’s lower-than-normal voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel had zero interest in me when we first met in my sixth life. Rishe gulped. This life is different. I’ve piqued the interest of a man whose only concerns are sleeping and swordfighting…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a way, this was a mistake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tried to retract her wrist. “Um, Sir Swordsman…before we go any further, would you tell me your name and position?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do we need my details in order to fight?” Joel frowned sleepily. “Joel Milca Roivas. I’m a knight of Siarga.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, then.” She could finally call him by name. Careful not to address him too casually, she went on, “I apologize, but I cannot accept your invitation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Peevishness crept into his gaze. “Why not? I told you my name.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, because…” Rishe shook off Joel’s grip using one of her self-defense techniques. She peeled his fingers away with her free hand, twisted her wrist to escape, and gave him a light tap on the shoulder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa…” That simple tap sent Joel sinking onto the bed, pressing a hand to his eyes with a groan. “Sp-spinning… Everything’s spinning…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Those pirates drugged you, did they not? I implore you to rest. The drug is still in your system.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe watched him for a moment. From what I heard in my sixth life, Joel went undercover in Galkhein and met Prince Arnold after rescuing the abducted women."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had begged him to talk about it before bed on numerous occasions because she wanted to know more about Galkhein. She recalled her many nights spent imagining Galkhein as she listened to Joel from the bunk under his."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m shocked you actually managed to stop yourself from attacking Arnold Hein, Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really think I’d be able to do that? Of course I attacked him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You did?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh heh…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh, that’s not something to be proud of, Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In response, Joel had whispered, “But…he didn’t even draw his sword.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With that exchange in mind, Rishe fixed Joel with a somber look and sighed. “There’s something I should tell you, Sir Joel. That gentleman with the black hair back on the ship was Galkhein’s crown prince, His Highness Arnold Hein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He was?” Just as she suspected, this piqued Joel’s interest. His gold eyes narrowed; perhaps he was trying to picture Arnold. “No wonder I found him so formidable just from hearing his footsteps. That’s the man who won so many battles all on his own…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel.” Just as she had in her sixth life, Rishe told Joel, “You absolutely must not draw your sword on Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Attacking him is out of the question as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How many reasons would you like me to list?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel pursed his lips, unwilling to accept her words. “It’s not like I need your permission,” he grumbled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If we were meeting for the first time in my sixth life right now, I would probably be lost. Thankfully, I think I know how to deal with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ultimately, the knight commander had conceded that Lucius was the only one who could bring Joel under any sort of control. Rishe knew exactly what to say to pique Joel’s interest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine. If you won’t play with me, then I’ll go find Prince Arnold.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, Sir Joel?” Rishe smiled as Joel attempted to sit up in bed again. “Would you like me to help you negotiate a bout with Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She could practically see Joel’s ears perk up like a dog’s. “Negotiate a bout?” he repeated, sleepy eyes shimmering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I imagine a fair fight would be more fun for you than taking him by surprise, would it not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A fair fight…” Joel sat up slowly, eyeing Rishe from the edge of the bed. “I wanna do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee. I had a feeling you’d say that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now Joel was much more receptive to what Rishe had to say. She apologized to him in her heart. I’m sorry, Joel. All I promised was that I would help you negotiate with him. I didn’t promise you a bout. It’s the standard tactic of a slimy merchant, but this is all for your sake!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It hurt her to manipulate him, but she couldn’t very well have him leap headfirst into a diplomatic incident with Arnold. Everything seemed to work out fine in her sixth life, but it wouldn’t necessarily be the same this time around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In exchange for my negotiating with Prince Arnold, would you care to help us out a little as well?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems Prince Arnold actually received a letter from the king of Siarga. I’m guessing you’re here from Siarga to investigate the pirates’ human trafficking operation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Come to think of it…what are you, anyway?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean by that, exactly?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, you’re all…fluffy, like pink candy, but you jumped onto the ship and then fought the pirates with those spindly arms of yours.” Joel stood and padded toward Rishe on bare feet. “You’re a girl, but you’re a knight of Galkhein? And you can negotiate with Prince Arnold directly? That’s so weird.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, you’ll get dizzy again if you move like that…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“On the ship, Prince Arnold stood in front of you, like he was trying to protect you from me.” Joel leaned in close and peered into Rishe’s face as if attempting to see through to her soul. “What are you to him?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had caught a second set of footsteps approaching her from behind, but she could never have predicted the emergency situation that unfurled a moment later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man standing behind her—Arnold—had lifted her into the air. She grabbed onto his shoulder for support but immediately regretted touching him. The more their bodies pressed together, the harder her heart pounded. She caught Arnold shooting a glare of intense displeasure Joel’s way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She’s my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A-as yet, we are engaged and nothing more!” Rishe squeaked out as her face flushed crimson."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel frowned suspiciously before pointing at Rishe. “So I should call you…Her Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I said we’re only engaged!” Rishe tried to explain even as her insides buzzed with panic. After all, she was right next to the man she now knew she loved—and he was carrying her like she weighed nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t breathe when I’m this close to him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she could still speak, she pleaded quietly, “Y-Your Highness, please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said nothing in response, but her plea must have gotten through to him. Arnold knelt, one hand on Rishe’s back. He could have just let go of her, but of course he had to let her down gently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not hurt?” Arnold asked, concerned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have seen Joel closing in on me and whisked me away as fast as he could. That’s why he picked me up…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Scooping her up like that had been bad for her heart, but he’d done it with her safety in mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded. “I-I’m fine!” she assured him. “He may not look it, but he’s quite the gentleman, I promise! I was in no danger! None at all! He was very kind, and I was very safe, so I’m all right!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes, a long silence passing between them. Buckling under the pressure of those ocean-blue eyes, Rishe averted hers and stammered, “His…his name is Sir Joel, and he’s a knight of Siarga, just as we expected.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The prince remained silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He couldn’t care less…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Joel observed Arnold, boldly staring straight at him. Then his gaze suddenly flicked to her. “Hey…so, about that negotiation?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Negotiation?” Arnold said, glaring harder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe frantically waved it off. “W-we can discuss that another time!” If she asked now and he said no, it would be difficult to get Joel to help them again. “More importantly, Sir Joel, your complexion is awful!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel had always been pale, but he was practically blue right now. He put a hand to his forehead, as if hearing it from Rishe had reminded him of his current condition. “If I relax for a second, everything spins… I feel sick…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you all right?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Joel crumpled to the floor, Arnold didn’t so much as spare him a glance. “Seems like he won’t be much use right now even if he’s awake. Rishe, I’m heading back upstairs.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-one moment. I’ll get Sir Joel off the floor and back into bed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed and held up a hand to stop her. He grabbed Joel’s arm in her stead. “Stand up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold is helping someone? Rishe was shocked. Though he was a kind person at heart, he tended to play the part of a villain; any acts of altruism were rare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel groaned, lifting his head to stare up at Arnold. For a second, his golden eyes seemed to have slit pupils like a cat’s. “I can tell you don’t waste movement even when you’re just taking a step forward.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was equally impressive that Joel could sense Arnold’s caliber as a fighter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you invaded our country, I bet you could slaughter every single one of us, me included.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold showed no interest in the matter. He removed his hand from Joel’s arm and gave him a light shove toward the bed. Joel stumbled backward and sat down, then took a deep breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come on, Joel… An amused grin played on his lips. In my sixth life, Joel looked out for me as a mentor. But we can’t have that sort of relationship in this life. Seeing him through the eyes of Prince Arnold’s fiancée, I didn’t think he would appear so fragile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One’s relationships changed depending on their position. This fact surprised her in all her loops, especially when she reunited with a familiar face from a previous loop. The Joel in front of her now was the mentor she knew well; at the same time, he was a foreign knight she was newly acquainted with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You promise about the negotiation, right? You promise…” Joel fell back onto the bed. He was snoring softly in no time at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was sharp enough to notice Rishe’s nerves. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She sighed and met his gaze. “We’ll discuss the matter of the negotiation later. Shall we return upstairs for now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince paused a moment. “Sure.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank goodness… She was relieved that he had agreed to put a pin in the discussion for now. Still, she couldn’t relax completely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need to focus. My goal in coming here is to solve the abductions using Joel’s information. Considering Prince Arnold’s skills, I’m sure we’ll be able to resolve everything easily enough, but…I can’t simply rely on him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Watching Arnold’s broad back as he planted one foot in front of the other, Rishe reminded herself, This incident is what causes Siarga’s information leak. And when Prince Arnold gets his hands on the intel, it becomes a powerful weapon in his future invasion…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could never forget what she’d seen in her sixth life: the countless ships appearing from beyond the horizon on a jet-black sea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is Galkhein doing with those warships?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were one of the powerful tools Arnold’s army wielded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those ships were a state secret of Siarga. Ships that excelled at both naval warfare and long-distance travel. Rishe found herself gripping her dress in tight fists. Siargan engineers abducted by the pirates brought their techniques to Galkhein. As a result, Galkhein gained the ability to invade countries across the sea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must prevent Prince Arnold from obtaining ships he could use to wage his war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was Rishe’s goal in coming to this town."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The waterways flowing through Bezzetoria were the same blue as the sea. Clad in a light dress for an outing, Rishe viewed the clear water below the bridge she stood on, her eyes twinkling and her heart swelling at the faint scent of the sea breeze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, Prince Arnold! Fish!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So there are.” Walking beside her, Arnold dispassionately affirmed her sighting. When Rishe leaned over the handrail for a better vantage point, however, he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t lean out so far.” When Rishe met his eyes—thereby realizing that their faces were entirely too close for comfort—he went on, again without a trace of feeling, “It’s windy. You’re so light, I can just picture a gust of wind knocking you clear off the bridge.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?! I can assure you that would not happen!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh.” Arnold squinted with mirth at her hasty assurance. The slight smile on his face just caused her heart to hammer even harder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced around awkwardly. “Will this serve to show the citizens how close we are, as Oliver suggested?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold scanned the area as well, though he seemed more annoyed than anxious. In addition to Rishe and Arnold, a group of Imperial Guards stood atop the bridge, shadowing them from a slight distance. Curious townspeople who had heard rumors of their presence peeked from behind them. With the knights keeping the citizens at bay, Rishe could just barely make out their expressions, but they smiled as they watched over the royal couple."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Earlier, when Rishe and Arnold had returned from Joel’s guest room, Oliver had said to them, “You want to continue your strategy meeting? Ha ha ha. What are you saying?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They did not immediately dignify his comment with a response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re here on a pre-wedding getaway, or had you forgotten? You should be spending time out on the town and showing the citizens your close-knit bond!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I beg your pardon, Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Otherwise, it would be unnatural for you to be away from the imperial capital so soon before the ceremony. If you wish to discuss strategy, why not do so on the way to the dressmaker’s?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But we plan to go tomorrow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then I suppose you’ll just have to take a stroll along the waterways. I implore you to show the good citizens how harmonious the future emperor and empress’s relationship is. Well, you’d best be off now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus, they’d been summarily forced out on the town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, perhaps remembering the same exchange. “Just ignore Oliver. He’d find a way to spin whatever story he wanted even if we never set foot outside.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He doesn’t make a point of it, but he really does trust Oliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She peeked over at the onlookers again, who were still watching them with warm smiles. It made her feel unbearably awkward, so she looked out at the canal instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know it’s my job as his fiancée to have a good relationship with His Highness. I know that, but… She couldn’t help worrying. Isn’t this technically an abuse of my position?! After all, she’d only been chosen as his fiancée because of Arnold’s mysterious ulterior motive. I even made him kiss me for my birthday using the wedding as an excuse. I can’t help feeling guilty over this closeness now that I know I’m in love with him…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gave her a quizzical look while she stewed in her discomfort, then appeared to realize something. “Oh, right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His large hand gently wrapped around hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Chatter rippled through the faraway onlookers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold guided Rishe’s hand to his sleeve, allowing her to grip it. Rishe stared up at him in surprise, and he turned his soft gaze on her. “Will this suffice for your ‘training’?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe flinched at his gentle tone. He’d taken her hand after letting it go when the fight broke out on the ship as well. It didn’t mean anything to Arnold, yet he was fulfilling her request once again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Your Highness.” Rishe squeezed his sleeve tight, hanging her head. And I’m really sorry…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, she didn’t think she’d be able to let go of him on her own. For the first time, she was realizing how troublesome love truly was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded Rishe’s fingers on his sleeve before turning to the canal. “The sale of human beings is forbidden in many countries.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe finally raised her head at these words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That goes for this country too, of course—but as we have evidence of abducted women being brought into Galkhein, it’s safe to say there is in fact human trafficking occurring within our borders.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now this is something I can talk about with some semblance of calm, Rishe thought with relief. “The women were drugged, but other than that, they weren’t wounded and there was no evidence that they’d been physically abused. For the pirates to be so careful with them… Well, I don’t really like putting it this way, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They weren’t to be sold as cheap slaves but as ‘high-quality products,’” Arnold finished for her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, though it pained her to think of putting prices on human beings. “That would limit the pirates’ potential clientele, wouldn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s the assumption I’m working with. We’re investigating potential locations and dates for the transaction, plus the people and merchants who may be involved.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So that’s why he brought him along with us as one of the Imperial Guards, Rishe thought, thinking of one very familiar man with red eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s one more thing, Your Highness. From what I was able to hear while I treated them, all the abducted women were from high-ranking families. I would guess that Siarga noticed and that was how they got Sir Joel captured as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Joel wasn’t a woman, he was the second son of a noble house. He could have used his family name to go undercover. Rishe had never heard the details in her sixth life, but she guessed this was how it had happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mr. Tully once told me that the key to doing business was moving in such a way as to create profit and avoid loss. When you go somewhere to sell something, instead of bringing back just your profits, you should bring back something else to sell.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, what if the pirates were not just selling in Galkhein?” Rishe gazed up at him. “It would be a perfect place to replenish their ‘stock’—a hunting ground for women of high birth.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold did not reply. She was sure he’d already thought of that. Just as they abducted women in Siarga and sold them in Galkhein, the pirates were also likely abducting people in Galkhein to be sold elsewhere."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A knight approached them. “Your Highness, Lady Rishe, I have a report.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The grinning knight had only recently joined Arnold’s Imperial Guard. Well, that was the official version of events, at least. According to the individual himself, he was “providing his services to Arnold in exchange for observing Galkhein’s national defense strategy for reference.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul the hunter—the leader of an intelligence organization—gave an exaggeratedly reverent bow, his red eyes narrowed with mirth. “I do apologize for interrupting the lovely couple when you’re clearly enjoying one another’s company. It pains me to be so boorish as to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Spare us the preamble. Just make your report.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, don’t rush me, Your Highness. Not when I’ve brought you precisely the information you requested.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The other knights were still at a distance, ensuring none of the citizenry got too close. It was unlikely that anyone could hear their conversation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At a glance, there are many firms that deal with nobles and wealthy commoners. But when you consider the particulars, one trading method stands out the most to me. It involves a party on a large passenger ship, where many wealthy patrons are invited to browse the goods and negotiate their purchase.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A party on a passenger ship…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At a set time, the ship leaves port and anchors itself somewhere offshore, where the guests eat and drink. On the surface, it’s nothing more than a lively banquet, but when the guest list is so strictly managed, it sure seems like a good place for secretive dealings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had a good idea of how it all worked. “That’s where they choose them. Either their clients for their secret dealings…or the people they’ll abduct to become their new merchandise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She looked up at Arnold, and he sighed. I’m sure Prince Arnold already knows exactly what I’m about to say…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First, however, he told Raul, “Confirm your findings with the victims. Even if they’re not fully recovered, they should be able to answer a few questions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes. I won’t even complain about how hard you’re working me. I’ll ask them if they’ve ever been invited to a trading party on a ship and where they were abducted. We can’t exactly take our time here, however.” Raul’s gaze swept over the sea on the other side of the canal. “From what I was able to find out, the next banquet will be tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have the guest list right here. It seems many of the passengers will be visiting foreign nobles, not citizens of Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul really is amazing. I can’t believe he was able to find so much so quickly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe peeked over Arnold’s arm at the guest list, marveling at Raul’s skills. “It’s true. I don’t see any nobles from Galkhein on the list.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The local nobles would all know we’re here visiting at the moment. They would have canceled any plans of this nature and would be sending endless invitations to us to curry our favor.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now that you mention it, I have gotten a few invitations to tea with various noble ladies…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, Your Highness? What do you think?” Raul asked Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold laid out the facts in a neutral tone. “If they’re choosing their customers at the banquet, then the central figures of the human trafficking operation will also be in attendance. Surrounding the ship and raiding it before it sets sail should settle matters…” He gave Rishe a sidelong glance as he trailed off, no doubt anticipating her objection."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold, the pirates we apprehended spoke as if they had other abductees.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure they do. I can’t imagine those women were all of their ‘merchandise.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If the rest of the victims are being held somewhere other than this ship, and we capture the human traffickers before identifying the location of the remaining women, we may never find them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no guarantee they would get any information out of the apprehended criminals. From the state of the rescued women, it was safe to say they were cared for by their captors to a degree. If the organization fell before they were rescued, it was possible they would remain in captivity with no one caring for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We need to figure out where the women are being kept and guarantee their safety before going after the ones in charge.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So you say, future crown princess.” Raul shrugged, his tone light. “But we don’t know when the next soirée will be. There will only be more victims if we don’t crush them as soon as possible, will there not? What do you plan to do, exactly?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well…” Rishe glanced at Arnold, who furrowed his brow. “Prince Arnold, I have something I’d like to ask you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have an idea what you intend to propose,” he said after a beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought so. He does know me well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His shapely brows furrowed deeper."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Theodore told me about the identity you had him forge the other day, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver was the one to pass on the request, but Rishe had been touched to hear that Arnold had asked such a thing of his brother. It would have been unthinkable only a few months earlier. She met Arnold’s eyes, recalling the warm feeling that blossomed in her chest over the gesture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He did it so you could legally pretend you’re a Galkhein noble who possesses no imperial blood, yes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh, Your Highness? Your wife’s shooting you such covetous eyes over a ‘forged noble identity.’” Raul was starting to catch on as well. “Miss, please don’t tell me…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe ignored him and pressed on with her plea. “If we want to find out as much as we can about the slave trade, there are two ways to go about it. One is to become a customer of theirs, but it takes time for a merchant to build trust with a potential customer. If we show up at tonight’s party out of nowhere and ask them to sell us a slave, it’s far more likely that they’ll eliminate us out of suspicion rather than give us the information we’re after.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That strategy was out of the question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s only one other option. And with it, we’re far more likely to have another encounter with them after our initial contact. If it goes well, we’ll find out the women’s location too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fortunately, there won’t be other Galkhein nobles in attendance.” Rishe smiled as she spelled it out for Arnold, even though he’d clearly already caught on. “I’ll become potential merchandise for them. I just need to make myself an inviting target, and then once they’ve abducted me, they’ll show me right to where the other victims are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold closed his eyes in resignation. Raul grimaced, saying, “Come now, you can’t be serious. Isn’t the more obvious choice to have His Highness or me don the disguise of a lady instead?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should understand better than most that it’s difficult to make even a slim gentleman like Sir Joel look like a convincing woman. You and Prince Arnold are both tall, and with Prince Arnold’s build, it would be quite the task to disguise either of you as women.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even a master of disguise like Raul didn’t try to pass himself off as a woman or a child. One’s height and build were fundamentally unalterable, after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“While we could entrust the task to Sir Joel, it’s impossible for us to know how he’ll conduct himself on the ship. I believe I make the only logical bait.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s response was completely unexpected. “I have one condition.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had not yet realized that Arnold was growing used to her outlandish schemes. Or that he’d figured out a way to get back at her for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me, Your Highness?! Y-you must be joking!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, Rishe’s own proposed strategy ended up taking a very different course."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That night, gorgeously dressed men and women boarded the large passenger ship moored in the harbor. A man in a vest was handling the boarding procedures. When he noticed Rishe, he smiled and approached her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m so glad you could make it. You must be the young lady Duke Toona referred to us…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe wore a deep-blue dress, one that exposed a bit more skin than her usual wardrobe. Her hair was in an elegant updo, and large earrings dangled from her ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She curtsied to the man in the vest. “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance. I am Rize, sister to Lord Bernstein.” Dressed in her soirée finery with a folding fan in hand, Rishe smiled brightly. The fake name tumbled from her lips as though she’d been saying it all her life. “I do so apologize for intruding on you at the last minute, but I just couldn’t resist after hearing about the event from my good friend Lady Cornelia.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, no apologies necessary. If anything, our firm should apologize for not introducing ourselves to your family sooner. I understand your brother just recently received a peerage in Galkhein? The president of our firm is just dying to meet you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It had been quite the race to arrange everything for sneaking into the party on short notice. Rishe tried to conceal her nerves, feeling apologetic toward the people whose names they were throwing around to get on board."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "H-how am I doing? Am I pulling off “new nobility here to shop”?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was no stranger to occasional amateur acting. Her anxiety primarily stemmed from her current companion. Things are a little different this time. After all, tonight I’m accompanied by…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My mistress, the good Lady Rize, is attending by herself tonight. His Lordship is not with her,” said the man standing one step behind her. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, it’s just me here tonight. But, um…” Rishe glanced back at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold returned her gaze in silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Normally, at an event like this, it was her future husband, the crown prince, who would be addressed first. That wasn’t the case today, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With his hair slicked back and his normally hidden forehead exposed, Arnold appeared even more mature than he usually did. He stepped forward and took Rishe’s hand, using a much more polite manner of speaking than she was used to. “Your garments will grow damp the longer you stand there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please come this way, where the waves will not reach you…Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It felt ludicrous to hear him say that while dressed as her attendant. Rishe’s cheeks burned with embarrassment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The merchant smiled in understanding. “Ah, you have a guard accompanying you? Please note that we forbid weapons aboard the ship.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0016.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes, of course!” Rishe hastened to say, hoping her panic wasn’t too noticeable. She didn’t miss the amused smirk that flashed across Arnold’s face as he watched her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think this goes without saying, but I’ll be accompanying you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was the “condition” Arnold had imposed in response to Rishe’s plan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, Your Highness…even if they take the bait and go after me, I doubt they’ll do it tonight. I imagine they’d make a plan and carry out the abduction later, so I should be safe at the party.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not the issue. It’s stranger for a young noblewoman to be out by herself, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had a point. It made things a bit more complicated, but they continued their planning session under the assumption that Arnold would be tagging along."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we’re to use the forged family name Prince Theodore provided us, then we’ll have to be from the same household. Shall we play husband and wife, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t know about that…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm?” Rishe cocked her head, and Raul sighed in exasperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll refrain from poking too many holes in whatever nonsense you two get up to, but I agree with His Highness. Husband and wife won’t work. It could ruin the whole plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why is that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because you must fit the criteria they want if you’re aiming to be kidnapped as a potential slave. Given that the rescued women suffered no violence, it’s safe to say they’re only after ‘pure maidens.’ Thus, a married woman won’t do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I see…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That just made things even more complicated."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What should we do, then? If we say we’re engaged, we’ll need another fictional family name, which we can’t exactly produce on short notice…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The forged identity from Theodore was not just a random name. Records of the family’s achievements and current address were part of the package."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shall we be brother and sister, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s just as unnatural for a brother and sister to travel so far for a shopping trip, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-Is it?” Rishe didn’t think that was true, but as an only child, she wasn’t too confident in her opinion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The bait is the only one who needs to be of noble birth. I simply need to play the part of someone whose presence at your side would not be unnatural.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? You mean…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold smiled almost imperceptibly. “This is my condition for allowing you to act as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was the impish—almost vengeful—smile on Arnold’s face just Rishe’s imagination?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Regardless, the next thing he said was this: “I’ll be accompanying you as your guard and attendant.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe said, and then a few moments later, “Whaaaaat?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I never imagined something like this would happen…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was Rishe’s thought as she hung her head while climbing aboard the gangway. They had just completed the boarding procedure. She looked up at her escort—but instead of lending her his arm, Arnold held only her hand, guiding her as a personal attendant would."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please watch your footing on deck.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With his swept-back hair, exposed forehead, black gloves, and almost distantly polite tone, he seemed like a complete stranger. The shock of it all meant Rishe gave him a dazed look whenever her guard was down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you all right, Mistress?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oops! P-please forgive me…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes at Rishe’s blurted apology. “Your necklace needs to be adjusted, if I may.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold pulled Rishe close and whispered into her ear, “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No lady speaks that way to her servant,” he chastised her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She strained her ears to hear Arnold’s hushed words over the thrumming of her heart. “I-I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Voice husky, he pressed, “You can do this, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh…” Rishe squeezed her eyes shut, nodding. “Y-yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey. What did I say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack!” She was desperate now. “I-I understand, okay?! I can do it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A small rumble came from Arnold’s throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He laughed!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold pulled away from Rishe, unruffled as ever. “Your hand, my lady?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right, thanks…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that awkward exchange, Rishe took Arnold’s hand once again, her nerves not at all diminished due to her feelings for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The ship is about to depart. It shouldn’t rock much at this size, but do be careful,” one of the merchants told her as they descended to a lower deck. The hall they emerged in was already bustling with partygoers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A lush, deep-blue carpet cushioned their feet. Countless glowing lamps adorned the walls and ceiling. Well-dressed men and women chatted and browsed the goods with drinks in hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gems, accessories, and other rare items were displayed on velvet-lined counters. Merchants wore shrewd smiles as they discussed the wares with guests."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Admittedly, Rishe had been very intrigued by the idea of doing business like this, so she didn’t have to put on an act to enjoy the sights. She turned to Arnold. “Do you see that, Your—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She cleared her throat when he shot her a cautioning glance and started over like a noble lady casually chatting with her attendant. “L-Look over there! All the things they have here are so amazing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I cannot guess at the value of these items, but if you’re enjoying yourself, Mistress, that’s all I could ask for.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cool as ever…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unlike Rishe, he wasn’t the least bit uneasy about their circumstances. She was anything but calm about Arnold walking behind her instead of at her side as he had at every other social event."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Walk next to me,” she ordered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned, betraying a hint of agitation. “Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m all alone at night in a place I’ve never been. I’ll feel more at ease with you by my side, shopping with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t have to escort me. I just want you…next to me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed and stepped forward, at level with Rishe’s side. “Will this suffice?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, relieved, but she still wasn’t used to their new “relationship.” She restlessly averted her eyes and noticed that many of the female partygoers were shooting ardent gazes Arnold’s way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even the looks he’s getting are different from how they’d be at a party in the palace…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was the crown prince and he had a fiancée, plus he intentionally spread rumors about his coldheartedness. In this setting, people didn’t have those preconceptions about the servant at her side, so women openly and passionately appraised him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For his part, Arnold showed no indication that he noticed all the eyes on him. He merely said to Rishe, “Let us go, my lady.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right…” Still nervous from his gentle tone, Rishe told herself, It’s okay. I can do this. I’ll be of use to Prince Arnold, and then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She suddenly recalled a conversation she’d had with the knight commander in her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Historically, Galkhein only has experience fighting other countries on its own continent. The wars they’ve waged have been in service of expanding their own territory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe listened from her seat beside Joel in a bar in the capital. As usual, she was disguised as a male knight. “I have a question, Commander!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes? What is it, Lucius?” The commander answered her enthusiasm in kind. His cheeks were red, perhaps because of the alcohol he’d already consumed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe ordered another beer, then asked, “Do you mean to say that Galkhein is not equipped to wage war with a country across the sea?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Indeed I do. They have no ships with which to wage nautical warfare. They have neither the knowledge nor the technique for shipbuilding, and it’s unlikely that they even have any sailors capable of captaining a warship.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But aren’t their vessels for trade and travel superior to almost every other nation’s?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They have fast, lightweight ships for trade, yes—but those are nothing like the sturdy ships needed to wage war. Right, Joel?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel was busy nibbling on some cheese. When the conversation abruptly pivoted to him, he said sleepily, “Huh? Why are you asking me? You started this stupid conversation, you drunkard. You finish it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Some mentor you are. You can’t even answer your junior’s question?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mentor…” Joel murmured, turning to face Rishe. “Lu, in a naval battle, you board an enemy’s ship and fight with swords…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” she prompted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But first, you ram the prow of your ship into their side. That’s how the ships fight before the knights do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So ships meant for war need to be capable of doing damage and taking hits…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe figured the impacts must have been tremendous, considering they were meant to open up holes in the other ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But if you make a ship with both offensive and defensive capabilities, doesn’t the hull become very heavy? Just getting anywhere with a slow ship would take so much time that you could run out of war funds or lose your whole army in an accident.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I guess so. That’s why it’s so impressive that our ships are strong, tough, and fast. At least, that’s what I remember His Majesty saying once when he was drunk…am I right, Commander?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Correct. Siarga would be done for if we didn’t have a means to defend ourselves from threats across the sea.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe absorbed the commander’s words as she drank her new beer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our country excels at shipbuilding because we had no choice but to build warships to defend ourselves. In fact, our techniques are state secrets, and those with knowledge of them never leave the country.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“State secrets!” Rishe repeated, awed. It made sense that they would go to extraordinary lengths to keep such knowledge within Siarga."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s like that conversation happened only yesterday. I never thought I’d be remembering it as Prince Arnold’s fiancée, though, Rishe mused as she browsed the ship’s wares. Naval battles and nautical invasions are more dangerous than fighting on land. I’m sure that’s why Galkhein avoids maritime warfare as much as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Take Coyolles across the sea, for instance. Its ample gold deposits made it valuable territory, yet Arnold’s father had never attacked it head-on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lord Lawvine and Fritz discussed enemy ships attacking Ceutena in the north. Arnold had met the enemy, but not on the water. He’d lured them onto land before wiping out the whole force. At least up until two years ago, Galkhein avoided fighting on water."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus far, Galkhein had lacked the shipbuilding techniques and seafaring capabilities to expand their invasions any farther than their own continent. And Prince Arnold is the one who changes that. He obtains the power to cross the sea and conquer even faraway countries…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked up at him, and he returned her gaze right away. Those eyes were her favorite color in the whole world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Siarga’s shipbuilding techniques are a state secret, and its craftsmen can’t even leave. I must assume that in my past lives, one of those craftsmen was abducted by these pirates and encountered Prince Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To prevent that from happening, Rishe had arranged to visit Bezzetoria around the time Joel would be there, even if it meant her wedding dress wouldn’t be ready on time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From what she knew, it took three or four years for a single ship to be crafted in Siarga. In Galkhein, where they wouldn’t have the necessary facilities ready, it would take more than four years. For Arnold to make use of his warships in his conflict five years in the future, he would need to obtain the shipbuilding technology around now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since he had those ships when the war started, he’ll have to start building them soon. Still, our biggest priority must be rescuing the abducted women as soon as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Examining an array of brooches displayed in the hall, Rishe said, “They’re all wonderful pieces, but it’s too bad…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She spoke to Arnold, but she made sure a nearby merchant could hear her. The man was listening in on their conversation; perhaps he was keeping an eye on her because she was a new face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have the fitting for my wedding dress tomorrow, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wish I could’ve come here after the fitting and picked out an accessory to match the dress,” Rishe said with feigned disappointment. “What poor timing that the party wound up being tonight!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold nonchalantly replied, “I’m sure any accessory would look stunning on you, Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrk!” She knew they were acting, but this was bad for her heart. Rishe couldn’t help getting flustered when Arnold of all people uttered such a line—especially now that she was aware of her feelings for him. Even if they were just doing this to deceive their enemies, she had to hang her head, her cheeks blushing. “D-don’t be ridiculous… That being said, I’m not very good at judging these things. Do you think you could pick something out for me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So far, things were going according to plan. Arnold examined the items to his right and named one of them. “What about that tiara?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe admired the beautiful craftsmanship of the piece, but she grimaced and met Arnold’s gaze. “My brother has told me to choose something that won’t bring shame to our family now that we’re part of the nobility. That tiara is very pretty, but I think it should be something with more gems on it.” She made a show of contemplating her fictional brother’s words. “Do you see anything else?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What about that necklace, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I like the design, but the gems are a little small, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How about the piece near the wall?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have something similar already. This is for my wedding! It must be completely unique.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see some rings over there, then?” Arnold was doubtless just naming any and every item that caught his eye. They’d discussed how he would give suggestions and Rishe would find reasons to refuse each one—but she countered this suggestion with a serious answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No rings,” she said, covering the sapphire ring adorning her left ring finger. “I already have one I treasure…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned. The ring she wore was, of course, the one he had given her. She’d requested embroidery for her dress that matched its design."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh! She finally realized what she’d just said and hurried to explain herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A-after all, my future husband gave me this ring! The stone is my favorite color in the whole world, and I’m very fond of it! I love this ring more than anything else I own!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that so?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let her gaze drop to her high-heeled shoes, unable to meet Arnold’s eyes. “When my husband-to-be put this ring on my finger, I was so very happy…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thinking back on that day, Rishe realized once more, I must have already been in love with Prince Arnold then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t believe it had taken her this long to catch on. All too aware of her ears turning red, Rishe did her best to play the part of the engaged noble lady without it seeming unnatural. “I’m definitely wearing this ring for the wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was no need to pretend. She just had to make sure no one inferred that the man acting as her guard was the person she would be marrying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would wear it everywhere if I weren’t worried about losing or damaging it. So I don’t need any more rings other than this one for the rest of my life!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She may have just blurted out something incredibly embarrassing. Arnold studied her like he had something to say—but she still couldn’t meet his eyes, so she pretended not to notice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I just had a good idea. Why don’t I pick something out that goes with my ring?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I believe that would be for the best.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm, but it’s too bad… My brother said he would buy me an accessory to celebrate my marriage, but…” She turned her head this way and that, looking utterly disappointed. “I don’t see anything that fits what I want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment those words left her lips, it happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for the delayed greeting, Lady Rize.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon hearing the fake name she’d given earlier, Rishe turned to find a man approaching her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am the organizer of this little soirée,” he said. “We’re ever so grateful you could attend tonight’s party.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Here he is. Rishe smiled, keeping her thoughts divorced from her expression. “Good evening. I am Rize Andrea Bernstein. I apologize for barging in on you so suddenly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nonsense. We had some last-minute cancellations, so we couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to show our prized goods to an esteemed lady such as yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe observed the organizer as he spoke. If he’s responsible for this event, he must be connected to the pirates. I should make sure to set the bait out for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Beaming, Rishe said, “I’m going to be married soon, you see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, that’s fantastic news! Congratulations!” The organizer had the bearing of a first-rate merchant. His demeanor suggested respect for his client, and he seemed both sincere and warm as he interacted with Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But… Having been the same sort of merchant herself once, the man’s intent was perfectly clear to her. He’s also appraising me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her first life, her boss, Tully, had told her, “The very best merchants choose their own customers.” The organizer was sizing her up, deciding whether to choose her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pretending not to notice, Rishe played the part of the blushing bride-to-be. “Thank you. My brother said he would listen to anything I asked of him as a wedding present.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that right? Then may I say what an honor it is for you to choose our firm to provide an item for your wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee. It’s rather silly if you ask me.” Rishe turned to Arnold and giggled. “After all, he only just recently gifted me so many dresses and gems that they hardly fit in my room. Right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Acting as her attendant, Arnold responded coolly, “His Lordship values you more than anything else in the world, Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it is just the two of us now that Mother and Father are gone. But it’s a little embarrassing, really. Both my brother and my future husband spoil me as if I’m a child…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The organizer watched over the conversation between the two of them with a warm smile on his face. Rishe knew he was hanging on her every word. On the inside, he was trying to evaluate what sort of customer she would be and what kind of profit she could bring him. Even the most trivial conversations could provide hints to such questions. Rishe understood this well, which was why she threaded lies into what she said here and there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sometimes I wonder if it’s a competition between them, giving me gifts.” She leaned into her facade of a young lady with abundant wealth. One who didn’t know much about how the world worked and did her shopping with nary a care, and who never questioned the fact that she always got everything she wanted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And for good measure… Rishe thought under the organizer’s watchful eye."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why not choose the item your fiancé wished to buy you as well, Mistress? I was under the impression that you changed your accessories with each place you visit to announce your wedding.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But he just gave me more gifts than I know what to do with for my birthday! I won’t seem selfish asking for something else, will I? I wouldn’t want my betrothed to hate me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s smooth response was, “It is a husband’s duty to grant anything his wife desires.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her heart throbbed, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Discreetly taking a deep breath, she continued as if nothing had happened. “Well, we’ll have to visit some jewelry shops then, won’t we? Of course, it would be best if we could just find everything here on this ship, but…” Rishe’s eyes slid to the organizer, who grinned back at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We would love to provide everything you might be searching for, Lady Rize,” he said, his tone a bit firmer than before. It was a purposeful change, as far as she could tell. He wanted to appear confident and trustworthy to his new client. “Those cancellations I mentioned earlier? The truth is that we decided not to display all our wares at tonight’s party to save on transportation expenses somewhat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, really?” Rishe covered her mouth with her fan, feigning surprise. “May I take that to mean that you have even lovelier pieces elsewhere?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Absolutely! I can guarantee we have something that would satisfy both your brother and your fiancé. What do you say?” he asked her with a polite smile. “Perhaps we could arrange a meeting at a later date with the viscount or your betrothed accompanying you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s smile dropped for the briefest of moments. The organizer was probing her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She topped up her cheer and told him, “They’re both just so busy, unfortunately.” She cocked her head at Arnold. “Isn’t that right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Indeed, Mistress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that so?” The organizer nodded sympathetically and fixed his eyes on Rishe. “In that case, please allow us to provide you with an opportunity to do your shopping on your own, my lady.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe faked starry-eyed excitement. “Would you really? Oh, I can’t wait!” She spun back to Arnold, wearing a big smile. “Now I’ll be able to choose the perfect accessory after my dress fitting tomorrow. I’m ever so grateful!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It will be our pleasure. Please enjoy the items we do have on display tonight, and have some refreshments. There will also be a performance shortly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe enjoyed the rest of the night, giddily cooing over the wares and listening to the small orchestra’s performance. A little over an hour later, she and Arnold disembarked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whew!” Rishe exclaimed in relief after they boarded a carriage together. She felt like she’d been holding her breath the whole time she’d been acting as “Rize.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She turned to Arnold as the carriage slowly began to move. “Thank you for playing along, Your Highness. I think I was able to perform well, thanks to you.” Rishe smiled, thinking back on the party. “As a noble lady with a loving brother, that is. Being the lonely only child I am, I didn’t have much to draw on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold regarded her and said, “It was exactly as you suspected. That man was without a doubt appraising you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s amazing that he can tell without any experience as a merchant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, trying not to show her surprise. “Yes, as a product and not a customer. That wasn’t the look of someone sizing up a potential client… He was judging whether I would be a good target to kidnap and sell.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold scowled, and Rishe hastily added, “B-but everything went exactly as planned!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A wealthy young woman with a loving family and fiancé would be searched for quite stringently if she went missing. The best possible target for them is a girl from an affluent family whose skin and hair is well cared for and who’s nothing but a burden on her family.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was why Rishe had played the part of such a girl."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A brother who really obsessed over his sister would never allow her to venture out alone to a nighttime shopping venue where alcohol is served. And even if he had no choice but to send her with protection, he wouldn’t be satisfied with only one man guarding her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From the organizer’s perspective, Rishe had to be lying about her situation, since she only had one guard with her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He saw the ring I was wearing, so I’m sure he doesn’t doubt that my family is wealthy. He should only believe that I’m lying about being so loved by my brother and fiancé.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right. Thus his promise to give you a place to shop on your own.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the end of their conversation, the organizer had tested the waters by asking if she would be able to bring her brother or fiancé along on another day. Rishe had purposely acted uncomfortable with the question, and when she’d told him they wouldn’t be able to attend, he’d suggested readying an opportunity for her to shop on her own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can’t believe he would actually propose such a thing. Rishe had a hard time accepting the man’s behavior, having been a merchant herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I imagine that’s where ‘Lady Rize’ will be abducted,” she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed and closed his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She grabbed his sleeve, recalling that there was something she needed to comment on at her first opportunity. “To change the subject, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She peered up into his blue eyes and furrowed her brow in frustration. “How in the world are you so good at playing an attendant?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince cocked a brow, then changed the subject himself. “Let me ask you something.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He squished Rishe’s cheeks with his big hands. “What did you think you were doing, trying to drink that wine? Don’t just blithely drink things at a shady place like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrmgh… Buh if you don’ drink a lihhle ah a pwace lihe that, it’s suspishous.” Rishe did her best to protest despite Arnold’s hold on her cheeks. “An’ you were the one who…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought back to the party. The moment Rishe had picked up a glass of wine provided on the ship, Arnold had snatched it out of her hand, still playing her “attendant.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, is this wine imported from Siarga? How wonderful. I must have some… Oh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would suggest holding off for tonight, my lady. You know you don’t hold your alcohol well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d taken the drink from her so casually and fluidly. They’d had opportunities to drink together several times now, so he should have been aware that she was a decently good drinker—yet he’d lied about it with such a convincing expression."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I houbt hey would hab poishoned somefin’ there. Wouldn’t it be more suspishous to be caushious?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even so, I can’t believe you’d go out of your way to drink something prepared by your potential abductors.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed. It was a perfectly sound argument, she had to admit. She also had to acknowledge that she was having a hard time keeping her cool with Arnold’s face so close to hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Does Prince Arnold think squishing my cheeks like this is a punishment? If that was his aim, then he was succeeding. Rishe was unbearably embarrassed, her cheeks heating up by the second."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Evidently, her distress was plain on her face. Arnold huffed a sigh and said, “I understand that it’s part of your plan…but don’t be too defenseless in front of them.” He removed his hands, giving her a quiet but piercing stare. “Don’t forget they intend to do you harm.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s clear, blue eyes were breathtakingly cold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know you don’t even need to go along with my plan. You could use Galkhein’s overwhelming military might to destroy the slave trade in an instant if you wanted to. He was only holding off on doing so to humor Rishe’s desire to save the rest of the captive women. And I know you’re really a kind person. That’s why you always consider the fastest way to resolve a situation, even if it leads to sacrifice. And that’s why I…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe straightened up and told Arnold, “By playing the part of defenseless prey, I’ve invited the enemy to let down their guard. It will make their movements much more predictable.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. We’ll use anything we need to rescue those women.” Her determination renewed, Rishe frowned and muttered, “It’s frustrating that we can’t do anything but wait for their invitation now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The women who’d been abducted likely hadn’t suspected a thing about that organizer, and why should they? It would have been unthinkable for a merchant to harm them. After all, the relationship between a merchant and their client was built on trust and predicated on the assumption that both parties would benefit from their trade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wonder if my acting tonight was enough. I feel like I could have gotten things moving a little faster if I’d tried…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She started when Arnold laid a hand on hers. He interlaced their fingers, which made her realize she’d been clutching her dress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe let out the breath she hadn’t known she was holding as Arnold said softly, “You have your wedding dress fitting tomorrow, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-yes. In the evening…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What they’d discussed on the ship hadn’t all been lies for the slave traders to latch on to. Rishe’s ostensible reason for coming to this town was to put the finishing touches on her wedding dress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll serve as your guard when you go. Do you mind waiting for me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?! You’ll come with me, Your Highness?” Rishe asked, eyes wide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We discussed doing so in front of the slave traders, didn’t we?” he replied, unconcerned. “As there’s a possibility they’ll spot us in town, we should make sure to keep up the act.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So the farce had to continue. That made sense to Rishe, but it worried her a little as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, Your Highness…we’ll most likely be discussing the dress’s embroidery and ornamentation tomorrow. Won’t you be bored waiting for us to finish?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would I be bored?” Arnold looked tenderly upon her. “If you’re going to be wearing your wedding dress, I want to see it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped, heat flooding her chest. She was using the wedding dress as part of her strategy to avoid the war, but she’d also secretly been looking forward to trying it on. Arnold’s words brought all her excitement rushing to the surface."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have noticed that her heart was full to bursting. “If you need jewelry to go with the dress, then pick out as many pieces as you like. If the goods on that ship weren’t stolen, I would have bought every one of them for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-now that would be suspicious!” Rishe spluttered, but she couldn’t help smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s trying to spoil me… The thought truly delighted her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say, Prince Arnold?” A wheedling plea filled Rishe’s eyes as she turned them on Arnold. “There’s something I’d like to ask of you tomorrow…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe told him what she wanted, Arnold scowled in response."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0018.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AFTER DEPARTING from the port where the slave traders’ ship was docked, Rishe and Arnold’s carriage entered a small alley in the seaside city of Bezzetoria. Though they’d made sure they weren’t being followed, they wound through the alleyways and changed carriages a few times just to be safe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold left all this to Rishe. When he was being tailed, he usually handled things in a more…direct manner, so he watched Rishe give instructions to the coachman with great amusement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once they finally arrived at the royal villa, Rishe turned to Arnold and asked, “Are you really going to grant my request, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold shot her a sour look as he shook off his jacket and handed it to Oliver. “I will. However…” He bent down to whisper in her ear, and she squeaked. “You will keep you-know-what a secret, as you promised. Can you do that for me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squirmed at the ticklish sensation of his voice in her ear. She covered her mouth, nodding frantically. She was aware of her face turning crimson, but there was nothing she could do about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold withdrew from Rishe, silent, though it seemed like he still had something to say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After watching the exchange, Oliver said, “You really shouldn’t tease your poor fiancée, my lord.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not teasing her. If I don’t make my expectations absolutely clear, she’ll put herself in danger like it’s the rational thing to do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ugh! He knows exactly what he’s doing!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver was right on the money. Arnold was well aware of his effect on Rishe; he liked to tease her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m taking a bath! Good night to both of you!” Rishe yelled, scurrying up the stairs. Meanwhile, Arnold would likely tell Oliver what she’d asked of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Anyway, I have preparations tomorrow morning before the dress fitting. I can’t wait to meet the specialist Oliver arranged for… Oh!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On her way to third-floor bathroom, she sensed someone approaching her. When she reached the landing of the staircase, she found the two people she’d been expecting waiting for her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hello, Raul. Sir Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Standing behind Joel, Raul flashed her a roguish smile. “Hey, Princess. You’re back late.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel was as sleepy as ever, barely keeping his eyes open."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How are you feeling, Sir Joel? The drug should be almost out of your system at this point, but please don’t push yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The swordsman just awoke, Your Highness. As we discussed, I explained the undercover operation to him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You did? Thank you, Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was the least I could do. I heard the two of you arriving just now, so I was on my way to meet you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel watched blankly as Raul dipped into a sweeping bow. Raul was accompanying the Siargan knight on Arnold’s orders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That swordsman has information from Siarga and has likely seen some of the faces of the men running the slave trade. There’s no need to work separately if it’s more efficient to make use of him.” Nevertheless, the prince had instructed Raul to stay at Joel’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold can’t judge Joel’s trustworthiness right now. Raul is the perfect person to keep an eye on him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the leader of an organization of “hunters,” Raul specialized in tracking and locating people. Rishe had learned everything she knew about intelligence gathering from him in her fifth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, she was somewhat suspicious of this situation despite everything. Prince Arnold makes use of Raul like he’s a convenient tool. It’s hard for me to believe how easily he trusts him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul obeyed Arnold because the prince had extended a helping hand to his homeland of Siguel. His service was out of appreciation for Galkhein and Siguel’s joint venture into minting paper currency."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know Prince Arnold is the type to make use of anything he finds convenient without hesitating…and maybe he’s just applying the most fitting tool for the job, but still…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He used Raul a little too readily, didn’t he?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t think about this in front of Raul. He’ll catch on right away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe interacted with the two men as she always did. If Raul did notice, he didn’t show it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You never cease to amaze me. To make the crown prince play servant and to offer yourself up despite being crown princess…” Raul teased her with mock exasperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I keep telling you, we’re not married yet!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was when Joel, who’d been drowsily observing them, stepped toward Rishe. “Hey.” He peered into her face from just a little too close."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um… Yes, Sir Joel?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It just doesn’t make sense. Prince Arnold is definitely stronger if he fights on his own.” Joel’s eyes, which seemed to hold limitless light within, honed in on Rishe. “What does he need you for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blinked rapidly, unable to process what he’d just said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel studied Rishe and muttered, “If he really needed you for something, I guess it would make sense, but I just don’t see what use you could possibly be to him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come now, Sir Joel…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, aren’t I right? He’s stronger than me, I can tell that much. Yet he’s playing along with your silly little strategy, protecting you. It’s strange that he’s taking such a roundabout way to handle things. It only makes sense if he’s just doing this to humor the whims of his wife…” Joel cocked his head, sincere confusion in his eyes. “Why does your husband humor you so?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was thrown by the question. I can’t believe Joel’s actually taking an interest! The Joel she knew from her sixth life only focused on others’ bladework, yet here and now, he seemed genuinely interested in Arnold as a person. She had an inkling as to where this curiosity stemmed from, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you feel a certain kinship with Prince Arnold, Sir Joel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel’s eyes went wide in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A genius with the sword. Someone overwhelmingly stronger than anyone else around him… Prince Arnold must be the first person Joel’s ever met who seems so similar to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How can you tell?” Joel asked, a little annoyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just got that sense from seeing your face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her sixth life, she’d been completely lost trying to figure out how to interact with him when they first met. But Joel is a really straightforward person."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she paid close enough attention, she could see the emotions behind his expressionless visage. She’d grown to know him well enough to tell when he was excited by a strong swordsman or when he was unbearably hungry. She could tell the difference between when he truly was tired and when he merely slept because there was nothing better to do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She also knew that when he went with her somewhere “as her mentor,” it was because he was worried about her. She’d also noticed him smiling more the stronger she grew, and the pride with which he gazed at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing her peculiar smile, Joel muttered, “You’re strange too, you know that? Really strange… Maybe you’re stronger than average, but you’re obviously not as strong as me. I just don’t see what Prince Arnold sees in you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? Who’s to say I won’t grow stronger with time?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sure, I guess, but you’re weak now.” One of Joel’s pale, bony hands reached for Rishe. “I mean, you’re so small and dainty and soft… You’re just a girl.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had been observing them without a word, but his hand snapped out and grabbed Joel’s wrist."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh,” Joel said in dull surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Raul…?” Startled, Rishe peered into Raul’s narrowed red eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a brief silence, Raul released Joel’s arm. “Whoops! That was close. His Highness never ordered me to protect his wife. I almost did work I’m not being paid for!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe groaned. Still, she gave him a wry smile. He was cracking jokes about it, but it was obvious that he’d stepped in because he was worried about her. “Thank you, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, you’re welcome,” he said with a shrug, his gaze landing on Joel. “Anyway, Sir Swordsman, I would suggest not touching the princess so carelessly if you don’t want His Dreadful Highness murdering you. I can personally vouch for the danger.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm. I can tell from how Prince Arnold protected Rishe. Maybe if I can’t get him to have a match with me, I’ll just pick Rishe up in front of him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul burst out laughing. “I really wouldn’t, if I were you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Listening to them, Rishe suddenly remembered something Joel had told her when they’d first met in her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll only get weaker if I do something like that. You should be alone when you fight. If you spend too much time worrying about other people, you’ll die too easily when you’re finally in a real battle.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0019.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the time, Rishe hadn’t accepted those words. But it was just as he said. In return for looking out for me on the battlefield, he…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What had been on Joel’s mind in his final moments protecting Rishe from being cut down by Arnold? Rishe had died herself a moment later, so she’d never had a chance to think about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Masters of the sword like him are stronger when they fight alone. And that goes not just for Joel but for Prince Arnold too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Worry prickled deep in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next day, Rishe was holed up in the bathroom after breakfast."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A sweet, comforting scent wafted from the bathwater as it lapped against her. The water was slightly cool, but hot water was added frequently to prevent her from getting too cold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s so warm… It feels nice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe soaked in the milky bath, eyes half-lidded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How is the water, Madam Bride?” a woman behind her asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s so relaxing!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m glad to hear it. Just let us know if anything’s uncomfortable, all right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman was washing her hair. And it wasn’t just her; there was another woman washing her skin, and one massaging her shoulders as well. There was even one moisturizing her face and another tending to her fingertips and nails. All Rishe had to do was lie back and let them work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the women smiled and said, “We have to get you all dolled up before your wedding, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This treat Oliver arranged for me. Could it be…? Under the women’s careful treatment to make her look her best in her wedding dress tonight, Rishe wondered, Is this the first step toward the life of utter sloth I’ve dreamt of?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For some reason, Arnold sometimes asked her, “You still haven’t given up on that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The question made no sense to her. In her mind, every one of her actions was leading up to that carefree life she so craved."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The women tended to Rishe in the bath, giving her every beauty treatment she could ever conceive of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have such nice, smooth hair. I’ve finished applying the treatment, so I’ll work it in with a warm towel now, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s give you a scalp and facial massage too. You do a lot of reading, don’t you? Let’s get those muscles nice and relaxed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The water has warmed you up as well, so your circulation should be better.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wow… Rishe let her eyes shut in bliss at the gentle but thorough services the women provided. Now this is the work of professionals!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The water wasn’t even that warm, yet her whole body felt perfectly toasty. She’d had plenty of cream rubbed into her skin, and when it was wiped away with a special, finely woven cloth, her complexion became so clear, it was almost translucent. In fact, the sunlight shining into the bathroom made her skin appear almost luminescent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve only ever done my own beauty treatments in all my lives thus far. Being able to leave everything to other people is so new to me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "These maids worked primarily on cleaning, laundry, and academic pursuits to prepare them for any employer they might have. Rishe usually bathed alone, so she’d never experienced anything like this before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s even a cool, delicious drink nearby. I don’t have to lift a finger, and I’m getting all dolled up for my wedding… This is the life! A life of total relaxation!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sighed dreamily as another beauty cream was applied to her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Feel free to have a little nap if you’d like.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s a very appealing suggestion, but first…” Rishe opened her eyes and asked the woman applying the cream, “Judging by the scent, does this cream use peach nectar petals?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, you could tell?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes! They’re so valuable! I can’t believe you can use so many of them like this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman blinked in surprise, and Rishe piled on her questions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The buds must’ve been plucked an hour before the petals opened as well! Am I right?! They’re so rare, and it’s incredibly difficult to ascertain the right season to pick them, so they hardly ever show up on the market, right?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s exactly as you say. How did you know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The cream has a faint citrus aroma. It’s a particular scent peach nectar buds only give off when they’re plucked just before blooming, and the petals have amazing restorative powers at this stage…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had done plenty of research using these flowers in her lives as an apothecary and an alchemist. She was never able to get very far because they were so difficult to obtain, but she remembered their distinctive smell well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s also honeyberry orange in the cream as well, yes? Plus honey and…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yogurt. There’s also mashed cielito fruit and shoots of olhuveli grass…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Olhuveli grass! I use it in a sunscreen I make. It’s very moisturizing, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A sunscreen you make, Madam Bride?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The women’s eyes sparkled, and they leaned toward Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I did think you had wonderful skin well defended against the sun. Could you share your regimen with us later?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course! I’d love to hear more about your own techniques as well. Each one is so amazing—I can just see these treatments gaining in popularity!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Plans started to form in Rishe’s mind, her heart leaping with the possibilities."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In this life, I use the knowledge I gathered in my lives as an apothecary and an alchemist to craft my own makeup and lotions. I never had the confidence to put them on the market, since you need to follow certain usage rules—but if I joined hands with skilled specialists in the field, I could solve the problem! First, I would market it to nobles. Once women with the ability to hire specialists saw the benefits of their use, then I could… Oh!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She finally came back to her senses when she realized what she was using all this brain power on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Madam Bride?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-It’s nothing! Please continue!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d sat up without thinking, but she sank back into the water. This won’t do. I need to relax and not think about work! Even medicine works better when your mind and body are at ease. Come to think of it, there’s a region in the east where they use hot springs to treat wounds, isn’t there? What if you could use lotions in a bath in a similar manner for skincare? Cost-effectiveness is what first comes to mind, but in this case—wait, no!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe desperately shook off the thoughts. “Thank you all, really. I’m so excited to wear my wedding dress after all of your careful treatments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Madam Bride? It’s not just about the wedding dress, though, is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm?” Rishe tilted her head, and the woman grinned at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We need to make your skin nice and smooth to catch your husband’s eye!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aah! Madam Bride?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe slipped against the bath and her head plunged into the water. She shot back up with a cough, but her heart was pounding."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My husband?! His eye?! Huh?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, isn’t that only natural? As the crown princess, you’ll have certain…bridal duties.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A strangled sound escaped her throat as Rishe’s face burned. C-calm down! It’s fine! That’s not going to happen! I mean… She took a deep breath, sucking in the sweet-smelling air in the bathroom. Prince Arnold has already declared this a mariage blanc…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When they’d visited the Grand Basilica, Arnold had mussed her hair and told her, “Even after we’re married, I won’t take advantage of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words served as an echo of another promise he’d made her: “You don’t need to be resolute to become my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hung her head, chest aching something fierce. The reason those words had stung so much must have been because she was already in love with him then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His Highness even said he hated his father’s methods but that he’d used those same methods to wed me. From another angle, that meant he had some reason to marry her that would drive him to such lengths. But how can I blame him for hiding things when I’m doing the same to him? I have so many secrets and have told so many lies to stop his war. I must finish things if I’m ever to tell him how I feel…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she got that far, she realized something strange about her thoughts. “Hmm?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is something the matter, Madam Bride?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s head snapped up. “I-I’m sorry. It’s nothing,” she said, making a vow in her heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if I don’t know what Prince Arnold is thinking…if it’s not the role of a wife or an empress that he desires of me, I can still stay by his side as myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And if that was the case, there was only one thing she could do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe lapsed into thought, the women murmured among themselves and exchanged glances."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There are all sorts of things to worry about before a wedding, so it can be easy to fall into a low mood. But please cheer up, Madam Bride!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes! You have your dress fitting tonight, don’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The women spoke kindly to Rishe, attempting to lift her spirits."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Once we’re finished here, how about taking it easy till evening? You have something fun to look forward to, so I’m sure your mood will improve in no time!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Th-thank you, ladies…” Rishe accepted their feelings with gratitude, stuffing down her shame."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m thankful, but it hurts at the same time. I am going to my dress fitting tonight, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once Rishe was all prettied up and ready, she left the villa. Those women could never have guessed where she was headed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please inspect the state of our security to your heart’s content, Your Highness,” Bezzetoria’s guard captain told Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Standing behind the prince, Rishe observed the captain. She had a good idea of the state of things from his pallor when Arnold appeared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This captain must be in some sort of opposition to Prince Arnold. Either this inspection is simply inconvenient for him or he’s taking orders from His Highness’s father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "According to Arnold’s brother, Theodore, the crown prince had a lot of enemies."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe renewed her focus and asked Arnold, “Where shall we start, Your Highness? I know you said you wished to see as much of the port town as you could since this inspection provided the opportunity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He merely looked at her, too full of possible responses to choose just one."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fully aware of his gaze, Rishe nevertheless puffed out her chest. “Your humble Imperial Guard trainee Lucius Alcott will accompany you wherever you wish, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold could only sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "An Imperial Guard uniform worn over her freshly polished skin, Rishe grinned up at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s something I’d like to ask of you,” Rishe had begun in the carriage the night before. “I’d like to confirm the state of security in town before my dress fitting tomorrow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even though she knew no one else was listening, she put her hand to Arnold’s ear and whispered, “Do you suppose I could accompany you as a trainee knight?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold pulled back and cocked his head, frowning. “Why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“One factor that the traffickers are using to their benefit is insufficient inspection of ship cargo. At least one of the officials in charge of the area must be in on the operation. You suspect the same thing, I’m sure.” She assumed he’d already asked Oliver to investigate it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our presence here must have put those officials on edge, don’t you think? It’s possible their caution will throw a wrench into our plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Criminals tend to be most brazen when suspicion is rising and they’re afraid they’re about to be caught.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Conversely, they’re most at ease when they think, ‘I’ve gotten away with it. I’m smarter than my enemies.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If the royal couple lulled them into a false sense of security, they wouldn’t feel threatened. Still, that same sour expression lingered on Arnold’s face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not what I was asking. Why do you have to play the part of a knight?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, because your Imperial Guard’s entirely too competent, Prince Arnold. It would be unnatural for one of them to miss something that was obviously suspicious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Conversely, it was almost a given that a “trainee” would fail to pick up on some shady activity. Rishe and Joel had used their less-than-imposing appearances to keep a low profile in her sixth life. She’d gained plenty of experience investigating and apprehending criminals this way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I brought a short wig and shoes with me just in case I needed to go into town in disguise. As for the size, I can just take in someone’s uniform temporarily to fit me… I suppose it would be a bother to the actual knights, so I’ll borrow Raul’s!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Let’s say I’m a talentless son of an influential noble, so you had no choice but to take me into your Imperial Guard. How do you like that backstory?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes, closing in on Rishe. “Is this revenge for my performance as your attendant?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah ha ha, of course not! I’m certainly not thinking that you seemed to be greatly amused by the part you were playing or that you were maybe a little mean!” Rishe said with a brilliant smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed deeply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The very fact that he’d assumed she wanted “revenge” meant that he was aware of how he’d made her feel by having his fun."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, I’m finished going over the port entrance records!” Rishe reported crisply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her disguise consisted of a brown wig and makeup to make her appear more masculine, and she’d adjusted her bearing to be more like that of a boy’s. She also wore a leather vest under her shirt and thick-soled boots to change her height and build. No one really knew Rishe in this town, and the merchants she’d met on the ship last night were unlikely to recognize her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While Arnold himself may have stood out, few people could interact closely with the crown prince. As a result, no one looked too hard at Rishe’s disguise, so she was able to walk around the docks’ brick warehouses without suspicion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Captain, sir, may I see the items you’ve seized too?” Rishe asked with stars in her eyes. She was playing the part of the overexcited young knight on his first mission very well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knight captain who oversaw security in Bezzetoria nodded in return, smiling warmly at Rishe. “Yes, of course. Whatever you need.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, sir! Please leave it to me, Your Highness!” Rishe chirped, then carefully surveyed the area."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I were a hunter who had to lie low and hide my prey… She spotted several different places in the beautiful warehouse district that would serve such a purpose. It was human nature to seek safety in hiding places, but the average person might be surprised at how few and far between those places were."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And if I were a knight who had to expose such criminal activity… Rishe swept her eyes around the building and settled on a wooden crate. There."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She trotted over to a pile of them carelessly stacked outside the warehouse. Arnold kept an eye on her and observed the knight captain at the same time. Feeling his gaze, she paid attention to the presences around her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The captain just sighed—out of relief, if I had to guess. That proved there was nothing suspect in the crate she’d approached. His reaction would signify failure if they were really trying to find something here today, but it was acceptable for their current objective."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What I’m really looking for is the trap you’ve set for us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The captain had no way of knowing that everything was going just as Rishe and Arnold planned. He’d never hide something he wouldn’t want found. Still, it’s not too obvious, so it’s the perfect place for the rookie knight to latch on to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She rifled through the crate with gloved hands, careful not to let her thoughts show."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Watching her, the knight captain grinned wryly. “Quite a naive young lad, isn’t he? A son who won’t be inheriting his house foisted upon you by an influential noble, I hear. You do have a lot to deal with, don’t you, Your Highness?” he said in a conspiratorial manner, not intending for Rishe to hear him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had no reaction whatsoever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His Highness is the same as always. Efficiency above all else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe chuckled to herself as she examined the contents of the crate. The dusty assortment of items within didn’t seem terribly worth taking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A shell lamp Halil Rasha forbids exporting…or at least, a fake made to seem like one. The surface is supposed to shine in rainbow colors when it’s lit, but the border between yellow and orange here is too sloppy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She held the item up and closed one eye, carefully appraising the seam. She knew exactly how to spot a counterfeit, as she’d handled these items in her first life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now why would they create fake contraband for their stores?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She lifted her head above the crate and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Turning around, she held up the lamp to show it to the captain. “Captain, sir! This is a lamp from Halil Rasha, if I’m not mistaken!” she said, pretending to believe it was genuine. “I don’t think many people know about this, but export of these shells is actually prohibited! Was this cargo from a ship that docked here?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, good catch, Sir Lucius.” The captain nodded, holding up his hands in appeasement. “You’re absolutely right. The distribution of these lamps could become a diplomatic issue between our country and Halil Rasha. I discovered the item personally on an inspection, and the rest of the items aboard the ship are under thorough investigation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thought so. It’s a prop to make it seem like the captain and his men are doing their jobs. That said, it was a very well-made fake. It would be difficult to identify as fake without summoning a merchant to appraise it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There weren’t too many people familiar with goods from Halil Rasha in Galkhein. I just happen to have experience as such a merchant due to my loops, Rishe thought as she set the lamp back inside the crate and faced the captain once again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He appears a lot more relaxed than he was earlier. He’s still blinking quite a bit and staring at Prince Arnold too much, but otherwise, he seems to be returning to normal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was sure Arnold had picked up on the same things she had. Their eyes met, so she told him, “I’d like to check that warehouse next, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is the door unlocked?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll call someone to unlock it immediately, if you would just give me a moment.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold turned to the knight captain. “You mean to tell me that the captain doesn’t know where his own keys are kept?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The captain snapped to attention before Arnold could press the issue. “O-of course not, Your Highness! I will go and get them myself at once! One moment, please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sped off, only a tad bit hesitant, leaving Rishe and Arnold alone in the brick alleyway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Judging by how flustered he was, I’d say it will be some time before he arrives with the key,” Rishe said, jogging over to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sighed, reaching for her face. “Your cheek is dirty.” With his gloved thumb, he gingerly wiped her face. “I can’t believe you’re out here doing actual dirty work of your own volition just before your wedding dress fitting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’ll take another bath before the fitting. It’s fine!” Rishe let him wipe her cheek, flashing back to another time he’d done this. Compared to then, she was far more flustered by it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she squeezed her eyes shut, Arnold seemed to notice something. He bent down and brought his nose closer to Rishe’s neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-what is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They might have been alone, but this was an inappropriate closeness for a knight and his lord. Arnold’s breath tickled Rishe’s skin as he murmured, “I smell something sweet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His voice was as flat as ever, but for some reason, that only made Rishe more embarrassed. He must have smelled the various lotions that had been scrubbed into her skin during her beauty treatments earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hastily backed up, covering her mouth with heated hands. “I-I didn’t think it would hamper my disguise!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I imagine it won’t. You’d have to be pretty close to notice it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She whimpered at the thought that Arnold had been that close to her. She needed to stop dwelling on it, so she straightened up and donned her knight’s demeanor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-In any case, what matters most is rescuing the abducted women and preventing further victims!” Rishe strode forward, keeping up her investigative pretense as she and Arnold entered a narrow alleyway. “I think it’s safe to say we’re putting the captain at ease with our little sham. I know we already rescued some of the women on the day we arrived, but hopefully this will make the slave traders lower their guard…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We don’t want them escaping. We have no way to catch them with our own vessels.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I thought, he’s aware of Galkhein’s inferiority when it comes to naval warfare."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A ship with large sails glided by the alleyway. Rishe’s eyes darted toward it, and she noticed the script on the crates aboard the vessel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! Look, Your Highness—that ship is from Ceutena!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ceutena was a port town in northern Galkhein. Rishe thought of her friend as her eyes glimmered at the sight of the familiar location. I wonder how Fritz is doing? Last I heard, he’d gone back to Ceutena with Lord Lawvine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had disguised herself as a boy and participated in Lawvine’s knight candidate training with Fritz about a month and a half ago. The dizzying number of happenings between then and now made it feel like she’d done it in a different lifetime."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s hard for me to visit him since I was disguising myself when we first met, she lamented as she turned back to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wonder how Lord Lawvine is doing. He must be busy keeping things running in Ceutena.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who knows.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My, you sound so disinterested. And yet you value him so highly when it comes to training your knights!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I admit he’s a skilled instructor.” Arnold’s tone had grown colder than it was a moment ago. “But I’ve never once considered him my vassal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words were all too convincing coming from the man who would ruthlessly slaughter him in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe clutched at the sleeve of her uniform, which was still a little big on her despite her quick needlework. “Is that…because he serves your father?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s that supposed to mean?” Arnold smirked, challenging her. “You realized that long ago, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could only pray Arnold didn’t notice the way her chest pounded in response to his question. Calm down… It’s not like he’s saying he knows I know the future, she told herself, taking a quiet breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She let her head droop, then strolled forward. The air of an excited trainee knight on his first mission returned. “It has been bothering me for some time. Lord Lawvine was the one who was trying to apprehend Professor Michel in the gunpowder incident, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe recalled the incident Michel had attempted to instigate while she was participating in the knight candidate training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lord Lawvine behaved as if he was acting under the emperor’s orders, but didn’t it seem like he was trying to hide Professor Michel’s existence from His Majesty?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes in place of a nod of confirmation. She wasn’t sure why she had thought so, but she clearly remembered the warning he’d given Lawvine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have nothing more to say. Withdraw immediately. If this escalates, I can’t promise my father won’t hear of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The rumors Rishe had heard of Lawvine in her previous lives painted him as a loyal retainer to the imperial family, and her impression of him after meeting him in this life aligned with that. Still, there were some things about the way he acted that bothered her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Lord Lawvine spoke out about the future Emperor Arnold Hein’s misdeeds and was heinously murdered for it. But that just doesn’t line up with what I know about Prince Arnold now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s lips thinned at the theory that brought to mind. Maybe what Prince Arnold really eliminated in the future was—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A loud bell rang just as she turned a corner in the warehouse district. She flinched, turning her attention to a church on the water’s edge. A golden bell swayed from the steeple towering in the blue sky, and at the very top was a beautiful marble statue of the goddess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Crusade goddess statue… Rishe blinked slowly, staring up at the goddess. The goddess Prince Arnold despises. The goddess whose blood his royal priestess mother inherited."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped. Arnold had reached out from behind her and covered her eyes, pulling her toward him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His voice was at her ear, the world dark around her. “It’s something I have no need for.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t respond. Was he talking about the goddess? She only realized he wasn’t when he continued."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thus, I have no reason to keep Lawvine by my side in the future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stood still in Arnold’s hold. She gulped, unable to understand his actions. Did he do that to stop me from looking up at the goddess statue?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a way, stealing her vision like this was stealing her freedom, yet Arnold had never forced anything on her outside of matters relating to her safety up until now. He’d never even forbidden her from anything aside from putting herself in danger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hand slipped away from her face as he took a step back. Rishe turned around, hearing footsteps coming from where they’d just been. These were the footsteps of someone who normally walked silently announcing their presence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Hiiighness. Oh, and Lucius the newbie knight is there too, isn’t he?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s Raul."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dressed in a knight’s uniform, Raul approached them, toying with a key in his hand. Rishe ran over to him, playing her part."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good work, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is good, isn’t it? And how’s your investigation with His Highness going?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re just waiting for the captain to return with a key so we can check the next warehouse, sir!” She shared their status, treating him like he was a knight of a higher ranking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul smirked and tossed the key in his hand to Rishe. “I’d guess His Highness is going to be firing that captain before he returns. Losing a key like this is a rather serious mishap, wouldn’t you say?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wouldn’t do something so tiresome. I have more than enough evidence of wrongdoing to fire him already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe held the key up to eye level as they spoke. The knight captain frantically searching for this key right now probably had yet to realize his fate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have two messages for you as well. The first is from the artisan in charge of Lady Rishe’s wedding dress. He would like to postpone the fitting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe almost cried out in surprise, but “Lucius” managed to hold his tongue. Though there was still no sign of anyone else around them, she wanted to be careful just in case."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And why is that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems he happened to see Your Highness and Lady Rishe on your stroll through town yesterday and realized the dress’s current embroidery did not nearly serve to complement the lady’s beauty enough. He wishes to improve on the design.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The poor dressmaker is just making more work for himself! He must have decided the dress he envisioned didn’t suit its wearer after seeing her in person. Rishe appreciated his enthusiasm, but she felt bad for making him feel he had to go to extra effort."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“D-do you suppose the dressmaker will have time to finish?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, he did request the postponement himself. It all depends on whether Lady Rishe approves of the delay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why, of course—is what I’m sure she’d say…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Naturally, Rishe wanted her dress to be as beautiful as it could be, and since she’d requested the embroidery specifically to complement the ring Arnold had given her, she was very much anticipating trying on the two items together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I suppose it’s a little disappointing that I won’t be able to wear it today…but that just means I’ll be able to savor my excitement for that much longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As for the other message, Prince Arnold, Mr. Oliver wishes for you to return. So if you would be so kind as to wrap up your part in this investigation…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was sure that Raul’s playful tone was one hundred percent calculated. Aside from that, though, he behaved far too perfectly as Arnold’s loyal servant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Little Lucius, Sir Joel, and I will finish up here,” he added."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without changing his expression, Arnold told Raul, “Don’t let up on your observation of him, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, yes. I’ll go and fetch him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s mind reeled as she watched Raul retreat back the way he’d come."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is Raul someone you wish to keep at your side, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not particularly. I just use what I find to be useful. There’s nothing more to it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He says that, but there’s a clear difference in the way he thinks about Raul versus Lord Lawvine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was he really just being pragmatic, or was there some other reason for his dislike of the northern lord?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe faced Arnold directly and asked another question. “Am I proving useful to you, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d asked him over and over again why he’d proposed to her, but she didn’t think she’d be able to ask again. She was too afraid of the answer now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There have been…” Arnold began, dropping his gaze to the ground, “…several things I could not have achieved without your presence.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped at the unexpected revelation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes were bluer and more beautiful than the sea. The sunlight filtering through his long lashes had shadows dancing atop the ocean of his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I’m sure there will be many more in the future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I guarantee it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold disliked uncertainties, so his assurance was a surprise, to say the least. Rishe was overwhelmed by the manner of his response. She couldn’t say anything, lest her voice quiver with emotion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No… She hurriedly looked down at the ground as well, unable to meet his gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose I’ll have to make it up to you,” he murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You said you were fine with it, but you were also disappointed, weren’t you? I’ll just have to show you something else I think you’ll like tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s head snapped up. He ran a thumb under her eye, though there were no tears. “In exchange for the fitting being postponed…will that do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe didn’t know how to express the emotions welling up within her. “Thank you,” was all she managed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d learned something new today: When you got too full of happiness, you didn’t know what to do with your face. Even so, she wanted to express what she was feeling somehow, so she squeaked out, “That makes me happy…really, very happy…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good,” Arnold said after a pause. Rishe didn’t feel like she’d gotten her feelings across at all, but he must have picked up on something. Unfortunately, the soft tone with which he’d replied only made her feel more embarrassed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, you’ll be returning to Mr. Oliver then, Your Highness?! If you’ll excuse me, I shall go and assist Sir Raul!” She ran off to help Raul, who was no doubt struggling to wrangle Joel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Naturally, there was no way for her to see the gaze Arnold fixed her with as she left."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe jogged through the narrow alleyways of the warehouse district, calling out to Raul when she caught up with him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ra—I mean, Sir Raul!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul spun around, grinning as Rishe stopped to catch her breath. “Ha ha. I do love you saying my name with such respect.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I am just a trainee.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Rishe was still putting on the act, Raul was behaving as he normally would. This was a sign that there was no need to put on a performance for anyone. Raul was a flippant man at first glance, but he was the head of an intelligence organization. He was able to switch modes in an instant, so he didn’t feel the need to keep the ruse up indefinitely like Rishe did."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced around, her eyes landing on an alleyway ahead of them. “Sir Joel is over there, is he? I can sense him slumped against the wall, sleeping…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As always, those senses of yours are on par with someone in my line of work or a real knight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah ha ha, I’m flattered you think so, sir! Still just a rookie knight here, though. That being said…” Rishe met Raul’s eyes, smiling with a finger held over her lips. “I don’t suppose I can ask a favor of you as well, Sir Raul?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? And a mere rookie’s in a position to ask me a favor?” Raul asked with an exasperated scowl. He must’ve seen something like this coming."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I won’t force you, of course. If you don’t think you can do it, I’ll just have to do it myself, and I know I wouldn’t be able to do it as well as you…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh, I get it already! I can never pay you two back for what you’ve done for me, so just tell me what you want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s face lit up, and she listed her requests for Raul. On the inside, however, she was observing him carefully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’ll do what I ask of him too. It could be that he follows Prince Arnold’s orders simply out of the sense of obligation he feels—and maybe there’s nothing more to it, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what Rishe knew of Raul in her fifth life, he was a deeply loyal person when he felt he owed it to someone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Raul is working with Prince Arnold for a reason other than obligation or loyalty, it would be because their interests align in some way. There’s no way for me to know right now, though. Besides, Raul would notice immediately if she studied him too much."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll leave it to you then, Sir Raul! Just one left…” Rishe jogged over to the alleyway, peering around the corner. “Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seated on the ground was Joel, dressed in the same knight’s uniform as Rishe. He was dozing, his slighter-than-average frame curled in on itself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul caught up with her and shrugged. “His Highness told me to stick close and keep an eye on him, but what am I supposed to do when he just plops down and goes to sleep? He’s like this ’cause he was drugged, right? I thought I should just get you to examine him, so that’s why I left him here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, if I may…” Rishe took hold of his wrist and checked his pulse, but every simple examination she performed led to the same result."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s just his usual sleepiness!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sighed and backed up a few steps."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you want to do? The captain might suspect that he’s not a real knight when he gets back. Ha ha, wanna just leave him here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“His Highness wouldn’t like that, now would he?” Rishe said, then eyed one of Raul’s belongings. “I don’t suppose I could borrow that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul blinked in surprise before sighing pointedly. “I think His Highness would be more upset about that, personally.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s fine! His Highness is never angry with me unless I do something dangerous.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I get the feeling you have a slightly different definition of the word ‘dangerous’ than most…but here!” Raul unclasped the object and tossed it to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She caught it in one hand, then tossed it to Joel. Watching it spin through the air, Rishe reached for her own hip and shouted, “Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She called the genius swordsman’s name the same way she once would have, drawing the thin blade she kept at her waist as part of her knight’s disguise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is the only way to wake him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What she’d thrown was Raul’s sword. The moment the sword entered Joel’s reach, Rishe held her own blade up and called, “May I request a match?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel’s eyes opened, light gleaming in his brownish irises. He blinked once, revealing their true golden color, and an instant later…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ngh!” Rishe grunted as Joel’s sword struck hers from above. Its blade reflected the sun’s light, the tip trailing through the air like a shooting star. Rishe leapt backward to dodge, then charged forward, swinging her own sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a high-pitched clang as their swords met."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning…Joel…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You fight like a swordsman, a mercenary, and a bowman all at once. The way you move, it seems like you’re relying on things other than your sword, but your technique is like mine too…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With his face a hair’s breadth from hers and only their swords between them, she could see the fierce light blazing in his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You are weaker than me, and Prince Arnold’s who I’d be most excited to fight—but it’s fun fighting you too. Dunno why, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their swords pushed against one another, Rishe’s arms trembling with the exertion of matching Joel’s strength."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel licked his lips and grinned in amusement. “Yeah, I like you too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh!” Rishe leapt back reflexively as Joel’s eyes brimmed with bloodlust. She kept a careful distance from him as he switched his grip, calculating the best way to approach her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like in my last life, he’s like a cat playfully extending his claws to toy with a mouse every time we have a match…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a clear difference between the way he’d acted then and how he acted now, though. In this life, he displayed none of the consideration he’d had for Rishe as the younger knight he mentored. It had taken her ages to coax out his caring side, but now it was nowhere to be seen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on. Hurry up, Rishe.” He had the demeanor of an enemy who was thinking only of how to fight the person in front of him—where to cut to take her down. “If you’re not gonna come to me, I’ll come to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He rushed into her range, slashing at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh no! This was not the speed one used in a friendly match. Joel’s sword whooshed toward her, and if she didn’t do anything, she would take a clean hit. Instinctively, she realized, I can’t block it with my sword!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, will you settle down already?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She spotted Raul drawing a throwing knife out of the corner of her eye. But she had an idea, so she left her sword in place to shield her and lifted her leg without hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I can’t beat him with swordplay, I’ll have to resort to other methods!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel’s eyes opened wide. There was a loud whunk as the sword left his grip. “Wha…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had aimed a kick at Joel’s sword grip, impacting his knuckles and sending the sword upward. The blade flew from his grip and embedded itself into the pavement a short distance away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel was speechless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you for the match, Sir Joel.” Rishe sighed in relief, then bowed. She was out of breath, perhaps because of how quickly and intensely she’d needed to focus."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul gaped at them in shock. Joel stood before Rishe, looking like he’d made a major miscalculation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The girl who’s gonna marry the crown prince kicked me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s a bit strange hearing Joel call me a girl. Especially considering she was dressed as a boy right now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still somewhat out of breath, Rishe apologized to Joel. “I’m sorry for not sticking to swordplay, but there’s someone who worries terribly when I’m hurt, so I was forced to defend myself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hadn’t been expecting Joel to be so aggressive in a simple match. He must have only gone easy on her in her last life because he was her mentor then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel glanced over at the sword sticking out of the ground, his expression complicated. “Not even experienced knights mix martial arts with swordplay all that often. Especially not so seamlessly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s just as he says. Most knights value chivalry too much to dirty their sword technique."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Rishe had learned a different sort of swordplay in Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You should fight for your own survival without worrying about how you look. The one who worries for me believes that’s the strongest way to fight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul said nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe thought back to the first match she’d had with Arnold, and how she’d snuck into the knights’ training dressed as a boy some two months ago. Ever since, Rishe had practiced the training methods she’d learned whenever she had free time. Arnold instructed her himself every so often, even sparring with her when he felt he could teach her something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re more suited to leading an opponent on than a more orthodox approach,” Arnold had told her once as he carried her back from their match. As always, she was so worn out afterward that she couldn’t stand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Leading them on? Really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re swift, with a strong core that allows for quick reactions. Not only do you know each of the weak points of the human body, but you can use a bow and a sword at the same level… Plus there’s your penchant for ‘creativity.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is it just me or were you implying something with that last one?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From then on, Rishe had trained using the knowledge she’d gained since coming to Galkhein, without getting too caught up in form or chivalry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m thrilled to know that some of the things Prince Arnold taught me are starting to stick. She felt herself smiling as she studied her hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel just watched her and muttered, “Prince Arnold Hein, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is something the matter?” Rishe moved to peer into his face, but Raul grabbed her collar from behind and yanked her toward him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, okay. Lucius, Joel, wrap it up. We’re done slacking!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Ra—Sir Raul…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you go any further, I’ll get chewed out by the prince. You’ve done what you came here for, right? Let’s go finish fooling the captain and move on already.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded. She couldn’t argue with that. Since she had free time now that her dress fitting had been postponed, she wanted to use it on something productive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It doesn’t seem like Joel wants to kill me quite as much anymore, at least."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel leaned against one of the brick warehouses, still dazed with sleep. “Move on where? You know I’m no good at anything except fighting, right? Do I still have to go with you two?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“At least pretend you can do other things!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just call me when we need to fight someone. An enemy base where we can cut down everyone inside would be great…” He punctuated this with a huge yawn."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Smiling at Joel’s usual antics, Rishe focused on the task at hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Elsewhere, a tall man reclined on a couch. Beside him was a hearth, burning bright despite the summer season. The man directed a bored gaze at a bundle of documents he was leafing through. With each page he turned, he tossed what he’d already read into the fireplace. His hand stretched out languidly, casting the pages into the fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eventually, he muttered, “Arnold Hein…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lights danced on the water outside the man’s window like shining stars. Without sparing a glance outside, the man let go of the last sheet of paper."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose it’s time to request an audience with that foul-blooded crown prince.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe reflected on her sixth life, most of her memories were of Joel. After all, he’d been her bunkmate, her mentor, and the genius who taught her swordsmanship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lucius… Hey, Lu, over here. C’mere.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, as they’d gotten closer, Joel began to call Rishe by a nickname and baby her like a little brother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Joel! I know your bedhead is a regular occurrence, but you can’t possibly appear in front of His Majesty like that! More importantly, the commander will chew you out!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it bothers you, then you do something about it. I’m gonna sleep until we have to leave… Haahm…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh, Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel’s catlike behavior had always thrown Rishe for a loop. Comb in hand, she’d tried utilizing the skills she’d honed in her fourth life, only for Joel to smile in satisfaction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A junior should listen to his senior. Yup.” Having been the youngest until Rishe’s arrival, he’d said to his first junior, “In exchange, your senior will protect you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She only ever heard the same things about Joel. He was always sleepy and slacking off. He never tried to fit in and didn’t care one bit about chivalry. Yet he was such a genius swordsman that it made up for his many flaws. He never worked with anyone else and always fought on his own, but he was able to exhibit his full potential regardless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Joel never teams up with anyone. There’s no one who can match his swordplay, after all,” their commander had glumly told her once. “You’re probably the only person in the world he would ever help out on the battlefield, Lucius.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure enough, Joel had helped Rishe. In the end, he’d protected her and lost his life to the sword of Emperor Arnold Hein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe thought about all that as Arnold guided her through the port town in this, her seventh life. Joel died that day because he was fighting alongside me. If that’s true, then will the same thing happen to Prince Arnold?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Holding a lantern out in town at night, Rishe watched Arnold as he walked in front of her. She pictured what she feared most, listening to the flow of the waterways under the starry sky. I could put him in danger fighting by his side…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe,” came Arnold’s voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She lifted her head to see that Arnold had turned around. Her heart leapt into her throat. The timing made it seem as if he’d read her mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gazed at her with his blue eyes. “Lost in thought?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, no! I’m sorry, I was going slow, wasn’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He could see right through her. She knew in her gut she’d never be a match for him. Still, she shook off her thoughts as she hurried to catch up to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t need to hurry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“B-but I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The promenade on the water’s edge was paved with reddish-brown stone. Arnold must have been worried about her running in high heels."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“C’mere,” he said, offering her his large hand. She took it timidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d started calling out to her like this a week or two ago, imitating the way Rishe had beckoned a cat. He never spoke this way to anyone else, let alone so softly. It always flustered Rishe to hear such gentleness in the voice usually devoid of emotion. Just the tender way he held her hand made her fingers twitch with unease."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“N-nothing! I’m just a little nervous about you escorting me, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s that supposed to mean?” He gave her a suspicious scowl, but it wasn’t as if she could admit it was because of her feelings for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe scanned the surroundings, hoping he would take her nerves as simply a product of playing the parts of “lady and attendant” the night before and “crown prince and rookie knight” this afternoon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It really is beautiful, isn’t it?” Rishe said, gazing out at the waterway beside them. The dancing waves reflected the lights of the town like an aquatic meteor shower. Rishe smiled, deeply appreciative of his feelings. “I’m touched that you wished to show this to me, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes softened for a moment. “What I really want to show you is up ahead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?” It was already so beautiful. Was there really something better? Rishe’s eyes shimmered with excitement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you make it a bit farther?” Arnold asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course!” she answered, hardly able to hold her enthusiasm back. Arnold laughed, and when they resumed walking, she hastily asked, “I-I’m like an excited little child, aren’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A pause. “No?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can’t fool me! I know what that smile means!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pursed her lips, scanning her surroundings once more. I don’t sense anyone nearby. The knights must be keeping watch so no one interrupts our little stroll."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trying not to focus too much on Arnold’s hand in hers, Rishe told him, “I have a report on our progress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nodded, pride in her heart for her second and sixth lives. “After removing my disguise, I examined the abducted women one more time. I believe the drugs administered by the pirates have fully left their systems.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard the same in a report. Looks like your medicine did the trick.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yep, I’m no longer worried about their conditions. What’s more, since we’ve proven that an antidote is effective…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sighed, guessing at what she wished to say. “You know you can nullify the pirates’ sleeping drug.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Precisely. I’m even more confident we’ll be able to pull off our plan if I act as bait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The most important part of their plan was having the pirates abduct “Lady Rize.” This step was essential to determine the location of the remaining abductees—but it would be meaningless if Rishe were powerless to act after being kidnapped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For whatever reason, Arnold seemed confounded by Rishe’s remark."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but you need to prioritize your own safety over the success of the plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe admonished herself for worrying Arnold, seeing him with his brow furrowed. Still, this was a human trafficking operation spanning multiple nations. If Rishe didn’t pull everything off satisfactorily, they wouldn’t be able to keep the damage to a minimum."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s the same as his war. Even chided by the person she cared most for, Rishe couldn’t let her determination falter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll make sure we’re fully prepared when we carry out the plan. Fortunately, the Aria Trading Company just opened a branch in Bezzetoria, so I imagine we’ll be able to obtain anything we might need easily enough.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you have enough hands to make your medicine? It’s not just a matter of having enough ingredients, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There shouldn’t be any problems in theory, but if it appears I won’t have enough, I’ll let you know right away. I learned my lesson at the Grand Basilica, don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Several months ago, Rishe’s neck had been grazed by a poisoned arrow just after she’d sent all of her antidotes away, including one spare dose. She had intended to be prepared for any trouble plaguing the delivery, but as a result, it had taken time to procure her own antidote."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The truth is that I came with a large amount of antidote at the ready. But I mustn’t let His Highness find out, or he’ll discover that I knew what would happen before coming here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe collected herself, then informed Arnold of something troubling her. “The women seem to have regained their composure. It’s almost impressive that they even have the wherewithal to appreciate our assistance. They weren’t harmed excessively, but their ordeal must have been terrifying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Each one of them had thanked Rishe with grace during her examination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you so much for saving us, Lady Rishe. To think the crown prince’s fiancée herself would personally lend us a helping hand… I can’t thank you enough.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t let it trouble you. All I ask in return is that you relax and focus on your own recovery.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As someone who had served as a Siargan knight in her sixth life, Rishe felt Siargans were her charges to protect. She’d often guarded noblewomen just like them, and being near them brought back memories of her working to the bone to safeguard their smiles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If there’s anything else I can do, please do let me know. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring you peace of mind.” Rishe took the hand of a woman sitting in her bed and told her firmly, “I would give anything for your smile to return.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My word…” The woman gaped at her, wide-eyed. “You sound almost like a real knight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! I-I’m sorry about that.” Chivalric devotion to the fairer sex had been drilled into her in her sixth life. She searched for more appropriate words of comfort, embarrassed that her old habit had reared its head. “You may be uneasy in this foreign land, but we’ve already sent word to Siarga. You should be able to go home soon, so please rest until we can see you returned safely.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman had a faraway look in her eyes as she murmured, “I suppose I’ll really have to get married, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm?” Rishe blinked, and the woman offered her a sad smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a match my parents arranged for me. The man I’m to wed is said to be strict on himself and others, so…I find myself a bit afraid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, I suppose he’s not nearly as frightening as pirates.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though strained, the woman’s smile brightened, so all Rishe could do was awkwardly return it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The abducted women…” Rishe began, her head drooping as she walked beside Arnold. “Well, they seem to be dealing with some profound loneliness, even though they were all brides-to-be approaching their wedding day.” Asking any more would have been an intrusion Rishe wasn’t comfortable making."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I imagine the pirates fell for our ploy because there was similar precedent in place. The ladies all seemed to come from similar backgrounds to the unloved Lady Rize.” Rishe’s heart ached when she thought of their circumstances."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Arnold picked up on her low spirits. He had already slowed his pace to match hers, and now he eased up even more. “Falling victim to a malignant marriage of convenience isn’t so different from becoming a slave.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s heart throbbed, but not just because their own marriage was also one of convenience. Prince Arnold’s mother was victim to just such a marriage…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s mother, the royal priestess with the goddess’s blood running through her veins, had been offered up to Arnold’s father by the Church in a bid to prevent an invasion from Galkhein. His mother was dead now—killed by Arnold’s own hands, if the stories were to be believed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold glanced down at Rishe and huffed a sigh. “Close your eyes,” he said. Rishe tilted her head, and Arnold stopped. “We’re almost to our destination. I’ll carry you the rest of the way, so don’t open your eyes until I say so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Carry me?! Wh-why?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m picking you up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He scooped her up, snuffing out her chances to protest, and Rishe reflexively clasped his neck. She squeezed her eyes shut on impulse and did her best to keep them closed as Arnold cradled her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold! Wh-what do you think you’re—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t bring you here to put that expression on your face. If you’re going to look so sad, you might as well just keep your eyes closed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you’re carrying me because you don’t trust me to walk with my eyes closed?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was aware that she abused his good nature on a regular basis, but it still flustered her to no end when he was the one imposing his will."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry for bringing the mood down when you brought me here to cheer me up! I can walk by myself, so put me—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I imagine you’re holding yourself back from getting too involved with those girls, and you think it isn’t your place to interfere. But I think you should follow through on your convictions like you always do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gawped at him, and Arnold continued, “Don’t forget that your husband will fulfill any wish you have so long as it’s in his power to do so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His gentle sincerity made her chest tighten."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll say it one more time. Close your eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! Right!” Rishe squeezed her eyelids shut once more. She thought she heard Arnold chuckle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Give me your best, just as you always have. It’s what you’re best at, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would hardly say that! And how long are we supposed to keep this up for, anyway?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We just arrived,” Arnold said, setting her down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her feet landed on the same stone pavement, so they must have still been at the water’s edge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can open your eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay…” She was strangely nervous as she took a peek, her heart thrumming away. When she saw the view spread out before her, her breath caught in her throat. “Wow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Countless paper lanterns floated on the waterway. Candles burned within, their light dancing beautifully atop the water’s surface. The sight was magical. They resembled stars twinkling overhead. From above, the sight was something out of a dream."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s like we’re standing on a river made of a starry sky…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had spun around to watch her. This vibrant scenery was what he had wanted to show her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Just what are those lanterns?” Rishe couldn’t contain her curiosity at the breathtaking scene before her. She wandered closer to the water, and Arnold took her hand attentively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s my understanding that they’re a sort of prayer offering.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“An offering…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold cast his gaze to the ground, careful of Rishe’s footing as he told her, “Sailors set them out before long voyages to pray for safe travels.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh!” Rishe stepped forward, relying on Arnold’s guidance. Her eyes shone brightly enough to rival the lantern lights. “There’s Crusade scripture about star fragments on the water guiding ships to calm seas, isn’t there? I think I’ve heard about this! The lanterns are made to imitate the stars!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure it’s more for them to follow the flow of the tides at night than that sort of superstition, though.” Arnold’s gaze was pointed toward the sea. They couldn’t see it from where they were, but they could smell the faint scent of salt on the breeze. “They have to seek permission before performing this rite, as the canal has to be closed for public transit to carry it out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. So that’s how you knew it would happen tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was hard for her to imagine that Arnold normally paid much attention to applications for religious rites, but she could believe that it had stuck in the corner of his mind somewhere if he was aware of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The woman who taught me medicine told me about this. It was so long ago now…” Rishe looked out over the glittering waterway, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “She said that in another land, people prayed by sending lanterns out on the canal and that their light filling the waterway was such a fantastical sight. She said she couldn’t remember the exact name of the place, which disappointed me to no end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That happened in her second life. The woman in question had been Hakurei, her apothecary master. Rishe had searched for the match to her description on her travels throughout all her lives afterward. It was no wonder she was never able to find it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She was talking about Galkhein…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The floating lanterns were in a country Rishe had never visited in all her previous lives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh! Look there, Your Highness!” Rishe squeezed Arnold’s hand without meaning to and pointed out at the waterway. “That lantern! It’s almost the same blue as your eyes!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That blue is the prettiest color there is…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The light was weak, however, because the blue paper was close to black. She figured these lanterns were dyed, but a deep blue like that wouldn’t let much light through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Maybe experimenting with dyes would make a good alchemy project. There’s a country on another continent where blue dye is priced higher than gold, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“True. Demand for it might just go up in this country too. The whole country will likely be after this town’s needlework techniques because of the embroidery you requested on your wedding dress.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha! Thinking of a nation’s economic ripple effects from a grand imperial wedding is fun, isn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was even more she wanted to do now after seeing this beautiful view. But as excited as she was, Rishe found herself worrying yet again that she was coming off as a giddy little girl."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even so, Arnold seemed to have eyes only for her. Rishe cocked her head, finding it strange. “What is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You were happy just seeing the town’s streets on the first day you arrived in Galkhein. Back then, I couldn’t understand what you saw in such scenery, but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have meant the conversation they’d had on the detached palace’s balcony, back when Rishe had just started cleaning it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eager to hear his opinion, Rishe asked, “Are you any closer to understanding it now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No.” After this simple denial, Arnold’s tone softened. “But I understand that you cherish it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s breath hitched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But this rite comes directly from Crusade scripture… Arnold couldn’t have had any fond feelings for it, since he loathed the Church. And he still brought me to see it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as the flickering flames of mock starlight guided the departing ships, they lit a warm fire inside Rishe’s heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Prince Arnold.” Rishe smiled, and Arnold squinted back at her like she was too bright to look at directly. “It’s so, so beautiful…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince must have realized that she was on the verge of tears. He brought his free hand up to her cheek and brushed the corner of her eye, sweeping away the teardrops that had yet to fall. There was no emotion in his eyes as he lowered them, but his voice was gentle as he said, “I know nothing as beautiful as you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught once more. She could see the lantern lights reflected in his sea-blue eyes. His gaze and the brushing of his finger against her eyelashes comforted her deeply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I… Well…” Rishe hung her head, at a loss for words. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and her cheeks felt like they were on fire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But he’s more beautiful than anything else…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Arnold had finally found something he considered beautiful, and he’d even shared it with her. She wanted to celebrate, but the feeling was wrapped up in embarrassment that threatened to overwhelm her—because what he considered beautiful was her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold seemed to think it strange that Rishe could no longer raise her head. He likely hadn’t intended to make her feel so flustered. She covered one ear with her free hand, desperate to hide how they were burning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My face is red, so you can’t look at it…” she managed to say at length, determined to impress upon him that her current state was his fault. Yet there was no sign of Arnold taking his eyes off her. Of all the things he could’ve done, he pressed a finger to her cheek."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She balked. “Eep!” If she didn’t want him seeing her reddened face, then he should have realized that temperature checking her cheek was also off-limits. “Ugh, Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe looked up to protest but found herself staring wide-eyed at him instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After checking the heat of Rishe’s cheek, Arnold laughed with genuine amusement. The grin that lit up his face made him look years younger. Then, his voice slightly teasing, he touched Rishe’s cheek again. “It is red.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe let out a strangled yelp as a vise clamped down around her heart. She hardly ever saw Arnold smile this way, and this time, she really couldn’t meet his eyes. Speech failed her as her heart pounded against her rib cage. Her thoughts were turning to mush. She couldn’t breathe with Arnold touching her, yet she didn’t want his hand to leave hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She almost turned her back on him, but she couldn’t flee with his fingers entwined with hers, and she certainly couldn’t shake off his grip."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How does anyone deal with being in love?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe squeezed her eyes shut, lost for what to do. Arnold patted her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless, a sobering thought had been made all too clear to her. I need to stifle this feeling for now, she told herself, taking a shaky breath. If I want to stop him…and if I want to fulfill my vow…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She placed a hand on her chest. The heart Arnold had once run through with his sword yearned for him now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The world is changing, little by little. And the changes in Prince Arnold will surely lead to a different future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She slowly opened her eyes and tightened her grip on Arnold’s hand. “Can we do things like this every so often?” Her face burned, but she mustered her courage and peered up at him. “Can you keep showing me things you want me to see?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gazed at her with the most beautiful blue eyes in the world. “Yes,” he promised."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had no words to express her happiness. She kept quiet, knowing that if she said anything, her voice would tremble. She smiled while doing her best not to cry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A distinct hope bloomed in her heart. Maybe now Prince Arnold will choose a path other than war."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she’d first become engaged to him, her task had seemed almost ludicrously daunting—but so much had changed since then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter what his goal is, I’m certain he’ll come to understand that he doesn’t have to kill his father and start a war to change the world!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe admired the lanterns anew, Arnold’s hand secure in hers. “I hope these beautiful prayers float on forever,” she murmured in a prayer of her own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A strange sensation came over her, and she caught a glimpse of Arnold’s profile. His gaze was trained somewhere over the water. “I see,” he muttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart froze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes are…so cold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wanted to believe there was nothing to read into his reply. He was merely acknowledging Rishe’s wish; on the surface, that was it. But he had chosen not to agree with her—and that, combined with the bloodlust in his eyes, led Rishe to a realization."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In all my past lives, Arnold restructured Galkhein’s largest canal to launch his invasion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Having once been the knight of an enemy nation, Rishe knew exactly what Arnold had done to start his war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just before killing his father, he made sure he’d have a port from which he could invade any country he desired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold’s will… A conviction strong enough to squash her hopes took root in Rishe’s heart. It hasn’t changed. He’s still just as determined to kill his father and wage war on the world."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t want to regret holding his hand, but she knew how sharp he was. Can he tell how scared I am from holding my hand?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe studied her shoes, unable to look his way. She had heard the same thing over and over again in her sixth life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He shut down the country’s borders immediately after usurping the throne, and he allowed no leaks of his canal restructuring plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was news that had come too late from another country while Rishe and the other Siargan knights desperately fought back against the onslaught of Galkhein’s warships."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He killed as many people as needed to make sure no information got out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had just wished for an alternative future. She’d wished for the beautiful prayers of the departing sailors to remain unchanged. Was Arnold’s faithfulness the only reason he didn’t promise her that would be the case?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve seen all the documents regarding recent public works projects. There are no publicly available records of plans to restructure Bezzetoria’s canal. If I never see the floating lights on the water again, it’s because Prince Arnold is secretly enacting his plans."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her heart pounded for an entirely different reason."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His words might not have meant anything at all. They only bothered me because I know his future actions. She wished she could laugh it off as her being too sensitive."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Could he be keeping Raul around for his coup d’état?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment she hit on an explanation for what had been bothering her, Arnold quietly asked, “What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once more, his voice was soft and tender, so much so that Rishe felt new tears pricking at her eyes. But that just made her more certain that the reason he went down the bloody path in the future was because of some unshakable conviction in his heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Deeply aware of her own selfishness, Rishe squeezed Arnold’s hand tighter. Prince Arnold will kill his father. And he’ll invade the rest of the world. He’s still preparing to do so even after I came to Galkhein!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had to stop him from committing violence. She admired his beautiful visage; his eyes stared straight back at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prince Arnold… My dear husband. He was the only person Rishe had ever yearned for in this way. No matter what I do, I will always be his enemy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And just after she’d realized…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah!” She caught sight of something upstream, and her eyes focused on a large sailing vessel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That ship…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was slowly headed toward the sea. Perhaps it was about to depart on a voyage?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold spotted it at the same time, pulling his hand away from Rishe’s. The light of a lantern swayed atop the ship, held in a woman’s hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t impossible for a woman to be aboard a vessel departing so late at night, but Rishe recognized her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s one of the women we saved from the pirates!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, Arnold yanked Rishe close. At the same time, an arrow zipped past them from the shore. From Arnold’s protective embrace, Rishe immediately identified the arrow’s trajectory. Like a white bird cutting across the night sky, the arrow was flying straight toward the woman."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah!” Rishe cried as the arrow struck the woman’s glass lamp. It shattered, and the woman screamed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The deck was immediately engulfed in flames."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe whirled around, but she couldn’t see the archer who loosed the arrow. Apprehending the culprit could come later; the safety of the passengers on the ship had to come first."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Military boots stomped across the pavement as several Imperial Guards rushed over. The talented men had been on watch, so they must’ve sensed something was afoot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness! What’s going on?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can leave putting out the fire and contacting the relevant authorities to Prince Arnold. What’s left is…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A rope ending in a sharp hook caught her eye—the kind sailors used to pull small ships toward shore by tossing them at a dock. She grabbed the rope and sprinted off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you doing, Lady Rishe?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she ran, she ignored the knights’ surprised cries ringing in the air."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold frowned, but he didn’t stop her. “A large-scale fire could break out. Everyone form squads—one to put the fire out, one to evacuate the citizenry, and one to aid the sailors. Someone contact Oliver immediately and summon more guards.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Round up some sailors who can help from the nearby residences. I’ll take command.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sorry! And thank you for letting me do as I please, Prince Arnold!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was sure he was worried about her. She apologized to him in her heart as she ran alongside the ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even with the oil from the lamp, that fire is spreading far too quickly!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sailors were racing up the deck and turning back upon seeing the speed at which the flames were spreading, likely headed belowdecks to retrieve barrels of water on board."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That woman… She was just standing there absentmindedly, staring into the flames. It was the woman Rishe had spoken to earlier."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose I’ll really have to get married, then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s a match my parents arranged for me. The man I’m to wed is said to be strict on himself and others, so…I find myself a bit afraid.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hadn’t pried into the woman’s circumstances, but that had been a mistake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t know what she’s doing aboard that ship, but for now, I just have to make sure she’s safe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found a bucket lying nearby, scooped water from the canal, and splashed it over her head. Then she jammed her heels into the pavement cracks and snapped them off. Using the dagger she kept strapped to her thigh, she cut a slit in her dress. When she had wrapped cloth around both of her hands, she took the grappling hook she’d found and whirled it around to generate momentum."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d learned this trick in her fifth life. It was a technique she’d used many times to catch prey and to scale walls. She hooked a nearby roof and clambered up. By the time she’d reached the roof, the burning ship was right in front of her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One more time!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She unhooked the rope, spun it again, and tossed it at the ship’s mast. Once she made sure it was adequately attached, she gripped the rope with her wrapped hands and swung over to the boat like a pendulum."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The watching Imperial Guards cried her name as she shimmied onto the boat. Her underdeveloped muscles were already quivering, but she knew she would make it using the protrusions on the ship’s side for footholds and handholds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was once a knight of Siarga, you know. Naval battles, shipboard skirmishes, and protecting civilians were all drilled into me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She scrambled onto the deck and got a sense of the sailors’ movements."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hurry and put out the fire!” crew members were shouting, carrying water barrels onto the deck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In turn, Rishe told them, “Give up on putting it out!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were shocked by her sudden appearance. Regardless of their efforts, the fire on the ship’s deck was only spreading."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The deck’s been soaked with an accelerant! Water won’t put it out! Use the water to protect yourselves instead!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who are you?! And what do you mean ‘an accelerant’?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lower your anchor and bring the ship closer to land! Prince Arnold Hein is already taking command of relief efforts on the shore!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the sound of Arnold’s name, the sailors were shocked. They agreed with her quickly enough when they saw what she meant about the fire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The girl’s right! Get closer to land and we can use a ladder to get ashore! We can put out the fire then!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Evacuating’s the first priority! Look, the wind’s already blowing toward the shore! Somebody unfurl the sails, and then we can drop anchor!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ship hadn’t made it out to sea yet, so its sails were still furled shut. Rishe was already climbing the mast by the time the sailor got the order out. She got to the lowermost mast easily enough using the rope she’d thrown over. Having no time to carefully untie the ropes holding them shut, Rishe’s dagger slashed through them instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Augh!” She slid down the rope so that the sail didn’t knock her in the head as it burst open. She felt the heat of the friction through the tattered dress scraps around her hands, but she didn’t burn herself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nice going, girlie! We should make it to shore before the sail burns up with this wind!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everybody up from belowdecks?! Nobody jump into the water—not from this height!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe scanned the deck quickly as the sailors ran about, but she didn’t spot her target. “Did you see a woman?! She was standing on deck before the fire started!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A woman?! This is a trading ship, we ain’t got no passengers aboard!” a sailor shouted and then headed toward the flames. Before she helped them deal with the fire, she had to make sure that woman was safe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t jump into the water, did she? From this height, it was very difficult to land safely in the water if you weren’t used to doing so. Rishe paled before she spotted a fluttering skirt on the other side of the flames."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, thank goodness! She breathed a sigh of relief. There was no time to figure out what she was doing on this ship right now, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There you are! Please wait, I’ll be right along to help you—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stay away!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped at the rejection. The woman stood there on high alert, almost frightened of Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Lady Rishe…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please calm down… I just want to bring you somewhere safe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The flames spewed dark smoke, the sails and rigging beginning to burn. Still, she could tell that the ship was steadily approaching the shore, where sailors and knights waited with ladders and water to put out the fire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please step away from the flames. I beg of you, come this way.” Rishe held out her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman shook her head, tears spilling from her eyes. “No… I can no longer return…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true. Everything will be fine. I promise you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet the woman hugged herself tight and shouted, “I was the one who arranged for everyone to be abducted by the slave traders!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s eyes went wide at the unexpected confession."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought that by doing so, I could be free!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You did it…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve been nothing more than a tool for my family since I was born, with no worth but as a pawn to be married off. My only path in life was to submit to whichever man my parents decided on, just because I was born a noble!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman’s shoulders shook as she grappled with the terrible weight of her burden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told myself so many times that I was fortunate just to be able to live without worrying about my next meal. I was determined to endure it. I worked so hard!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her words stung."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The sea breeze stoked the flames. They leaped even higher between Rishe and the woman, like a fiery wall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can’t simply pull her to safety. It’s too dangerous to knock her out and carry her through these flames too! Not to mention, there was nothing but the edge of the ship behind her, and it would be just as bad if she jumped off. To make matters worse, her all-too-familiar words cut deep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know…I know it’s just an excuse, that I brought this all on myself! But they wanted to run too! We all got together, girls in the same circumstances, intending to flee as a group. I didn’t know it was a slave trader’s ship… I didn’t know all this would happen…” She backed up slowly, tears staining her cheeks, and said hollowly, “He just told us that he would take us away on his ship…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They just wanted to be free. Rishe understood so much, it hurt. They thought they were choosing freedom, seduced by the sweet promises of someone taking advantage of their desperation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Those men didn’t just kidnap innocent noblewomen they were supposed to do business with. They lured them into slavery with promises of freedom. It was a horrible betrayal of their trust."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew well the pain of living as a tool and the joy of finding a future beyond it. It was easy to imagine the woman’s despair after having it all ripped out from under her, not to mention the guilt over getting the other women wrapped up in it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s why I tried to run. It’s only natural that he wouldn’t meet me here…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Someone told her to flee on this ship! Rishe needed more information, but now wasn’t the best time to coax it from her. First, she had to calm her down and get her off this burning ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Lady Rishe. I can’t leave… I cannot leave this ship!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s full of guilt, terror, and panic over having done something she can’t take back! And the fire isn’t helping!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s nowhere for me to go now anyway. I should just—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Willing her words to reach the woman’s ears, Rishe said firmly, “Then let’s think of a way to die here, together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman’s eyes went wide, but Rishe didn’t mean a real death."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I want you to imagine it. What if you died here and went back to the worst moment in your life thus far?” Rishe spoke loudly enough that the woman could hear her over the roaring flames. “Would you make the same choices? Live your life the same way you did the first time?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman blinked again and again. She shook her head—first hesitantly, then firmly. “N-no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sparks flew, and the ship listed as if tugged. It must have finally been moored on the bank."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t want to…do it all over again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her voice was quiet. She hugged herself, digging her nails into her shoulders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I could go back, I would do it differently…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe smiled, pleased by the firm will in the woman’s voice. “Then you should pivot here instead of the past. There are things you can do differently, starting right here and now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t possibly—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you know you were making a choice you would regret in the past? It’s only recalling it now that you realize you made the wrong one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The woman’s face crumpled, tears still gushing from her eyes. She was caught between a desire to cling to Rishe’s words and the inability to permit herself to do so."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It might be difficult to do on your own, but I’ll help you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t make up for what I’ve done… My mistakes can’t be forgiven!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, you must try! You must find the path you truly wish to take forward!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew other people couldn’t do the things she’d done, but that was all the more reason she felt like she had to convince them to try."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You still have the freedom to choose what to do differently.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please, don’t just let the flames take you… Don’t let someone promise you they’ll take you away!” Rishe prayed, believing in the woman’s inner courage. “Choose the path that you want to take deep in your heart.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman took one shaky step toward Rishe. There were still flames between them, but if she came closer, Rishe could take her hand and pull her to safety. They were so close."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Boy, you two can talk.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe spun around at the unnaturally jovial voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Who is that?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A tall man stood there clad in a black cloak with a hood pulled low over his face. Rishe could tell in an instant that the cloak was made of fireproof material."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I knew you’d talk too much if I let you live.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah…” The woman’s voice shook as the man grinned and rushed toward her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He has a blade!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was obvious what the man intended, and from where she stood, Rishe had no way to stop him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She surged forward, protecting the woman’s body with her own. Her mind wrenched back to the day she’d protected the lady she used to serve, when she’d been hit by that poisoned arrow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t want him to look at me like that again. She knew there was someone who cared about her well-being from the bottom of his heart, so she abandoned any idea of counterattacking and focused solely on preventing herself from taking a fatal wound. But just then, she felt someone grab her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped and lifted her head, realizing someone had protected her. When she saw him there, she called his name in a daze. “Prince Arnold…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was unfazed, but he was bleeding from his side. He’d protected her. Rishe’s blood went cold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His Highness is bleeding…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Memories of her sixth life scrambled for purchase in her mind. The knight Rishe had been had taken up her sword and pointed her blade at Arnold Hein. She’d fought with all she had and was finally able to land a single, grazing blow to his cheek. His blood had dripped from the wound then too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Compared to back then, Rishe was filled with a terror far greater now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, Arnold chopped the man’s wrist with his hand, not in the least bit shaken by the blood trickling from his side."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0021.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The cloaked interloper dropped his blade with a hiss. The force of Arnold’s blow reverberated through the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once the red-slicked blade fell to the deck with a clang, the woman screamed and the man leapt backward. The commotion broke Rishe out of her trance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What I need to do right now is…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold tossed his sword to her. Protect yourself with this, was how Rishe interpreted the gesture. But as soon as she caught the sword, she drew away from the woman behind her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man was trying to recover for another attack when Arnold grabbed him by the collar. He drew his leg back and rammed his knee into the man’s gut."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe heard bone cracking, but it wasn’t a rib. The man had swiftly defended himself with his arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eyes still covered by the hood low over his face, the man smiled with amusement. “Arnold Hein…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He must have had a sword underneath his cloak. He drew a second blade—but before he could charge at the crown prince, another sharp clang rang out, the blade flying from his grasp. Rishe had unexpectedly appeared from his blind spot. Arnold’s cold yet powerful bloodlust and the flames had hidden her from his view."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold swung his leg again, and the man dodged by a hair. His foot grazed the man’s hood, but all that was revealed beneath it was a mask."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whoops!” After he dodged Arnold’s kick, Rishe brought the sword’s sheath down on him. Every bit of her strength was behind the blow, yet the man caught the sheath easily in one hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He reached for her with his free hand. Arnold sent another heavy kick his way, knocking him away from her. Still, they hadn’t done him any serious harm. The man laughed, regaining his balance atop the burning ship. He wasn’t giving them an opportunity to close the distance and deal him a decisive blow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s strong!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression was still cool as ever, but the sweat on his brow and the blood spattering the deck proved that he wasn’t in top form."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I must stop him!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe made to charge again when the man produced yet another blade, but this one he threw toward the woman still trembling on the other side of the flames."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold caught it, his voice clearly carrying over the din. “Rishe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With the woman still near, they couldn’t give all they had. Arnold knew that and so he’d called Rishe’s name, forcing her to fall back and protect the woman instead of going after the man. He always knew how to get her to do what he wanted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knocked away another blade with Arnold’s sword, then threw it back to him as he traded places with her. She stepped toward the woman and Arnold toward the man, their backs to one another."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She grabbed the woman’s hand and tugged before the inferno of burning sails above them came crashing down. “This way!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time Rishe turned back to Arnold, he was swinging his sword. He’d driven the man to the edge of the deck, where his black blade unmistakably pierced the man’s stomach. Rishe watched his display of swordsmanship wide-eyed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His bladework is amazing even in this situation!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man took a hacking breath. Then his hand closed around Arnold’s, which gripped the hilt of his sword. As blood dribbled from the man’s mouth, he smiled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can’t…fight your blood…can you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s brow furrowed. Rishe stared at him as she held the woman close to shield her from the flames."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Someone who knows Prince Arnold’s father?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was surprising enough, but she never expected the man’s next words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That striking visage of yours is just like your mother’s.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ship lurched, and the woman screamed in Rishe’s arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe did her best to comfort her. “It’s all right! It’s going to be fine!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man grinned again and took a big step back. The sword slid out of his gut, and blood gushed out in torrents. Just before Arnold could grab him by his collar again, he toppled backward into the canal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold calmly flicked the blood from his sword, stopping her when she tried to stand. “You don’t need to go after him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She pursed her lips, unable to go against his soft voice. She heard the loud splash as their foe hit the water. Knights darted toward them from the other side of the blaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, Lady Rishe! The fire can no longer be stopped! Hurry and escape!” one called, unaware of Arnold’s wound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Set up a perimeter around the canal. If you find a man with a wounded stomach and arm, apprehend him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?! Yes, sir! Understood!” The knight nodded. Arnold had behaved so in character that the knight couldn’t have noticed the blood pouring from his side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s hiding his injury. I can’t make a scene about it if he doesn’t want anyone to know…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ship would collapse soon. The knights were busy procuring an escape route for Arnold and Rishe using the water barrels."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, please leave this woman to us. We’ll make sure she’s safe!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you,” Rishe managed, gripping Arnold’s sleeve. She’d seen countless injuries as an apothecary, as a hunter, as a knight—yet her fingers couldn’t stop trembling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold glanced down and placed his hand over hers, stroking it. All that was left for them to do was escape the floating fireball the ship had become."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0023.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A FEW HOURS EARLIER, Raul heard that the ship had gone up in flames at the canal—and something about it struck him as odd."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A ship fire? And right when those two are on a canal-side stroll?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Galkhein’s crown prince and his future wife had gone out together after their evening meal. They’d brought several guards with them for security, but Raul had stayed behind at the villa to keep an eye on Joel as ordered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From the frenzied exchanges between the Imperial Guards and Arnold’s attendant Oliver, it seemed the fire had broken out just as the ship passed by Arnold Hein and his fiancée."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is this what His Highness warned me might happen? Resting his chin in his hand and his elbow on the banister, Raul denied his own idea. No…there’d be much more panic if it were."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging by the orders Oliver was giving at the front entrance, there was only one ship ablaze. What’s more, Arnold Hein and that girl were present at the site of the fire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This isn’t what I should be prioritizing right now. With that monster couple taking charge of the scene, it’d be strange if things weren’t under control out there, Raul told himself to quell the bad feeling that had settled in his heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was forced to admit he was wrong when he saw Rishe’s face as she climbed the stairs well past midnight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d supposedly just gotten out of the bath, but her cheeks were as ashen as if she’d taken a dip in a frozen lake. Raul had been waiting on the stairs so he could “coincidentally” run into her. He immediately noticed that she was out of sorts on her way up to her bedroom, somehow restless and listless at the same time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’s trying real hard to act like she always does so nobody finds out something’s wrong."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her still-wet coral hair was proof enough that she wasn’t even in a state to bathe properly at the moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul had noticed Arnold heading to bed a few moments earlier as well. Should I have gone out there even if it meant disobeying His Highness’s orders? Regretting it now won’t change anything, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Suppressing the urge to curse at himself, he told Rishe, “I’ll tell the servants and knights that no one’s to come up to this floor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘The crown princess isn’t feeling well, so she’d prefer not to be disturbed.’ I’ll have Oliver back me up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In truth, Oliver hadn’t been inside the villa for some time now. There might have been rumors that Rishe herself was trying to keep people away, but if one of her “knights” spread the word that she wanted some privacy, people should at least not catch on that she had something she desperately wanted to hide."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Raul.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just get some rest. Sweet dreams.” Raul casually waved her off, but he was secretly beside himself with worry that she’d miss a step as she raced up the rest of the stairs. That was just how out of sorts the normally stouthearted Rishe had seemed to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now… There were some things he had to take care of before the sleeping Joel woke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without a sound, Raul slinked back down the stairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had been suppressing her panic up until now. She’d been working separately from Arnold, treating and calming down the woman they’d rescued and assisting with the evacuation efforts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But even after finally returning to the royal villa, she shoved down her impatience and bathed to avoid attracting suspicion—lest she race upstairs still covered in soot. She’d abandoned the idea of fooling Raul from the start, but she was fairly certain no one else had caught on that something was amiss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she finally burst into his bedroom, Arnold was just sitting on his bed looking no different than usual. He was even holding some paperwork. Rishe’s eyes filled with tears as she grappled with relief that he was alive and frustration that he wasn’t resting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You must lie down and rest, Your Highness!” She scampered to his side and seated herself on the floor next to his bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Observing the way she sat there, utterly exhausted, Arnold placed his hand on her cheek. His thumb traced soothing circles on her skin. “There’s no need to panic.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But you’re injured!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ve already stopped the bleeding. It wasn’t a very deep wound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head, thinking of the wound’s location and the amount of blood on the deck. “Please allow me to examine it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not saying that I don’t trust you to treat your own wounds, Your Highness. Just…please.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold likely didn’t want anyone seeing his wounds, since it was a display of weakness. Still, Rishe pleaded with him, clutching at his bedsheets. “Please, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he saw that she was on the verge of tears, Arnold set his paperwork aside. He crossed his arms, grasped the hem of his shirt, and pulled it over his head. His toned, sculpted torso was bared before Rishe. When his head emerged from his shirt collar, he shook it in irritation, his disheveled hair falling back into place. He always seemed slender when clothed, but when his muscular frame was exposed, his diligence in training became blatantly clear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If nothing was wrong, Rishe would probably be beside herself with embarrassment at the sight of his statuesque physique. Right now, all she felt was worry and agitation."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0024.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There were two severe wounds on his body. One was the old scar on his neck. The other was covered in fresh white bandages."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Here.” Arnold laid Rishe’s hand atop his bandages. “Do as you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With his permission, Rishe slowly unwrapped them, noticing the unique way they were tied at the end. It must have been the way Arnold had learned to wrap his own injuries as he fought on the battlefield. From her seat on the floor, Rishe took her time undoing the knot. Arnold began loosening the bandages himself, unable to watch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bandages fell away with a rustle, exposing his solid abdomen. Rishe’s eyes were glued to the wound at his side; she whimpered at the sight of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then she picked up the disinfectant on Arnold’s bedside table. She had asked Oliver to deliver it to him from her belongings. Once she’d disinfected her hands with it, she said, “Please close your eyes for a moment, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold obeyed in silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gingerly touched the area around his wound, careful not to hurt him. She traced a line down his skin and asked, “Can you tell what I just did?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…You moved your finger down my skin.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was relieved to learn that he had feeling in the area. His skin was hot near the wound, but it didn’t look too discolored from bleeding. Rishe took Arnold’s wrist with her other hand and measured his pulse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s a little fast…but still pretty relaxed for someone who’s just been stabbed. If he were in terrible pain or distress, his heart rate would have been higher. She peered into his eyes, but he was merely watching her, his face neutral as always."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The wound had indeed stopped bleeding, and judging from its angle, it was shallow. Rishe pictured the dagger that had fallen on deck and estimated how deeply it had scored him, based on how much blood was on the blade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m going to gently press and move my hand. Is this where the pain stops?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If he was stabbed at this angle and it truly only hurts up to this point, then it really isn’t a serious wound, just as he said. But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The bleeding had stopped far too quickly. It was possible she just wasn’t able to pick up on the pain he was feeling. If that was the case, then she had to be more careful with her examination. Just as she came to that conclusion…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s the goddess’s blood.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe jumped at Arnold’s unexpected words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It makes my wounds heal faster.” Arnold, a descendant of the goddess, gave her a self-deprecating smile. “If I told you that, would you believe me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She considered it. As far as she was aware, Arnold was a realist. He wasn’t the sort of person who would joke about something like this, let alone say as much to another person. But several things were now becoming clear to Rishe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would explain the wound on his neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The gruesome wound had clearly been the product of many repeated stabbings. Considering the location, it was a miracle that he’d survived such a thing. Not to mention that the wound hardly limited his mobility in any way after healing. Yet Arnold was able to keep the scar a secret from almost everyone around him. He was even unparalleled on the battlefield, his sword skills peerless, injury or not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sure Prince Arnold trained himself with incredible rigor since childhood, but what if he also possessed an exceptional ability to recover?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She thought back to her fourth life, when she’d served Millia. The girl was related to Arnold as well, and possessed the same divine blood as his mother. Mistress Millia was such an active child. She was always running around here and there, but she hardly ever got scrapes or bruises."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gulped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If the goddess’s blood has some natural healing ability, then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold let out a breath, smiling softly. “I didn’t think you’d take it so seriously.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, I can’t think of any other reason for the bleeding to have stopped so quickly! I mean, the wound is so shallow, I can hardly believe you were stabbed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So whatever the reason is, you’re satisfied that the wound is shallow?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had confirmed as much with her own eyes and hands. If this were a normal examination, it would be the part where Rishe smiled to comfort the patient and told him not to worry. But her heart was still hammering painfully."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know the wound’s not deep, but I’m so scared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While she examined him, she’d been able to concentrate enough that her fingers had remained steady, but now that she was feeling even a shred of relief, the terror had returned full force."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry, Prince Arnold.” She leaned her cheek against his knee. “This is all because you protected me…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She heard a sigh from above her. Then Arnold bent over and picked her up. He put her on his lap and held her close."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe went wide-eyed. “P-Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold just held her tight. Seated as she was on his lap, their faces were right next to each other. Yet Rishe couldn’t forget about his wound, so she tried to escape his grasp."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Y-you mustn’t, Your Highness! It’s bad for your injury!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you’re concerned for me, then stop struggling.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ugh…” There was no way she could put up a fight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe at least tried to relax so that there would be less of a strain on Arnold’s wound. When she did, Arnold began patting her back soothingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s touching me like… Rishe remembered the first time she’d slept in the same bed as him, the day after Theodore had kidnapped her. It had happened about a month after they’d met. She had lain beside him and patted his chest to simulate a heartbeat, telling him it would relax him. Arnold was doing the same for her now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His life had just been in danger, and he must have been in pain, but here he was putting Rishe above all else. She understood that so well that she wanted to cry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never intended to frighten you so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flinched. She’d shown him her naked terror when he was injured aboard the burning ship. Though she ached to say something, she feared it might come out as a sob instead. She stifled the urge to cry as best as she could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Will you scold me?” Arnold asked her gently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hastily shook her head, and he let out a puff of laughter that tickled her ear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t have to apologize for me protecting you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That only made Rishe want to cry even more. “You’re forgetting something important. You were injured doing so…” she managed, barely able to prevent herself from breaking down in tears. She was having trouble holding on, so she clung to Arnold’s back. His skin was smooth and warm, and touching it directly made it very clear to her that his blood was still pumping underneath it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I…” She pressed her forehead to his neck, staunchly refusing to look him in the eye. “With you by my side, Prince Arnold, I feel like I can do anything.” She rubbed her face against his old wound, down to her lips. Though she was acting affectionate, she knew he could tell her voice was twined with small tremors. “I always believed that people could do more by joining hands with one another…but Sir Joel says you’re stronger when you fight alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His exact words tolled in her head like a bell."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just don’t see what use you could possibly be to him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, aren’t I right? He’s stronger than me, I can tell that much. Yet he’s playing along with your silly little strategy, protecting you. It’s strange that he’s taking such a roundabout way to handle things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And Rishe did know someone who was stronger when he fought alone. Joel…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The genius swordsman had died protecting Rishe. I know Joel’s strength better than anyone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "True, Arnold would likely still have beaten him, but if Joel had fought on his own, he may have survived long enough to make sure the royal family could get to safety. Then there would have been no reason for him to remain in the palace, and maybe he could have even gotten away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold…” Rishe let the question die in her throat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What sort of life did you have in all those futures after I died? Rishe could only know what had happened up until her own death. Did you obtain the goal you wanted so badly that it drove a kind and gentle person like you to start a war?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Emperor Arnold Hein waged war on the world, invading any country that stood in his way. Did he carry his conquest out to the end, or was his violence eventually stopped? Rishe had no way of knowing. She knew nothing of the world beyond the next five years despite living her life over and over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe reached out with trembling fingers and touched the hot skin near Arnold’s wounded side. I don’t even know if you lived or died…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had never even thought about Arnold dying until now. In a way, she’d believed Arnold Hein the emperor to be almighty, a force no one could possibly stop. Right now, however, the thought of his death brought her endless terror."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your strength wanes with me at your side, Prince Arnold.” She wrapped her arms around Arnold and buried her face in his neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe, that—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you would tell me that it isn’t true…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew it was unfair of her to tearfully plead with him, but she pleaded nonetheless. She whined like a child to her kind fiancé."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then please, please,” she begged, bringing her lips to the scar on his neck, “never get hurt again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold gently stroked her hair. “Never again, eh?” He held her close, burying his lips in her hair with a wry chuckle. “I’m sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though he allowed her selfish outburst and apologized for worrying her, he made no promises."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The future that he sees… Rishe knew better than anyone that he was not the type to make promises he could not keep. No matter what he hid from her, he had never broken a promise, after all. It was his sincerity that devastated her so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What he wishes for lies somewhere far in the future, after his war. Rishe slowly closed her eyes, trying to keep her tears at bay. She rubbed her cheek against him, desperately holding back her emotions. I’ll never reach it with how I am now. I’m still so far away, even after seven lives…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, there was one thing she was certain of. I will use everything I’ve cultivated for Prince Arnold’s future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold couldn’t possibly know what Rishe was resolving herself to do, yet he didn’t begrudge her clinging and stroked her hair over and over."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold began wrapping new bandages around his side. As she assisted him, Rishe pressed her forehead into his neck once more and pleaded, “May I stay with you for just a bit longer, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He probably didn’t want anyone near him while he was injured. That was why he’d tended to his own wounds while Rishe had treated the woman they’d rescued. But Arnold relented, entwining his fingers with hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was relieved. This only made her want to ask for more, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Can I stay forever?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t mind.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She finally felt herself relax, just a little. Rishe nuzzled against Arnold like a child might. She couldn’t see his expression, but his fingers brushed affectionately against hers. Surely he was smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Overwhelmed with emotion, Rishe tried to keep the tears out of her voice as she mumbled, “You seem warmer than usual when I hug you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do I?” Arnold asked after a beat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d touched him enough to know that his body temperature was usually lower than hers. The heat of his skin must have been related to his injury."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You might have a fever…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold fell back onto the bed, arms still wrapped around her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He lay down with a soft whump, Rishe falling on top of him. She scrambled to get off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no! Your wound will open again!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, it stopped bleeding.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nevertheless shot up and peered down at Arnold’s side. She couldn’t see the wound, newly wrapped as it was, but there was no red stain on the bandages."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it really the goddess’s blood at work?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold put his hand on the back of Rishe’s head and forced her to avert her eyes from the wound. She let him pull her to his chest once more, lying atop him as he stroked her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she thought calmly about how she was lying on top of a half-naked Arnold, embarrassment threatened to devour her. Even so, she felt his warmth and the comfort that it brought all the more keenly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can hear his heartbeat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She slowly lowered her eyelids and spoke her relief aloud. “The blood you inherited protects you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold flinched at that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can never predict what you’re thinking.” Arnold traced a finger over Rishe’s ring. “Any effects the goddess’s blood might produce are fact mixed with fiction at this point. I’ve pored over holy scriptures in the ancient Crusade language, but I was never able to come to a concrete conclusion.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had told her before that he’d learned Crusade, the goddess’s language, as a child. It was an incredibly difficult language, but it was one with close ties to his mother. He must have been all alone as a child, reading books that an adult might toss aside in frustration."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That man…” Arnold murmured, and Rishe thought of the hooded individual they’d faced aboard the ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That man knew Prince Arnold’s mother."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sat up slightly and reached for Arnold’s neck. She touched the scar she’d secretly kissed a moment ago and rasped, “This wound… Did your mother do this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d asked him how he’d gotten the scar that first night she saw it at the party right after they’d met, but Arnold hadn’t told her anything then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now he answered her, his voice so soft that it brought fresh tears to her eyes. “Yes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was devastated to hear her suspicions confirmed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was still so young… Oliver had regaled her with the tale of when he’d first met Arnold, a boy of nine with bloody bandages wrapped around his neck. And she stabbed him enough times to leave all these marks…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tears swam in Rishe’s eyes. What she knew of Arnold’s mother from his own mouth made her feel anxious, but she also wanted to know why things had gotten so bad between them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, the first words from her lips were, “It must have hurt terribly…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest when he’d been stabbed protecting her—but there was no way he didn’t feel pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe traced the lines of his scar with her fingers, pursing her lips into a tight line. For his own mother to do this to him…I can’t even imagine how he might have felt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sighed and stroked Rishe’s hair. “I don’t really remember the pain.” She murmured his name, and he appeared to pick up on the question she couldn’t ask. “What stands out more in my mind is the memory of killing her afterward.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s breath caught in her throat as Arnold continued caressing her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What was your mother like?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a gazebo set aside in a corner of the imperial palace for her. A brand-new structure that showed no signs of use."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have no way of knowing.” Arnold’s blue eyes glazed over; perhaps he was recalling some faraway scenery he’d laid eyes on long ago. “The mother I knew was always like a soulless doll.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was rare for him to speak in metaphor like this. Rishe locked eyes with him as his shapely fingers combed through her locks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’d break down when she saw me, so I never had a proper conversation with her until just before she died. I can hardly ever remember hearing her voice, and I can count on one hand the number of times our eyes met.” Arnold spoke emotionlessly, filling in the information Rishe wanted to know as if he were mindlessly following a routine. “I ran into her that day and triggered one of her fits. I was covered in blood, which is probably why she snapped.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Blood? Why?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was on my way back to the tower after killing my newborn sister.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped. He’d told her about his father’s horrific deeds once before. Arnold’s father took brides from other countries as hostages, but he only allowed children who strongly inherited his own blood to live. The rest would die as infants. As his heir, Arnold had been forced to take part in the slaughter at a young age."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She walked over to me calmly, as if nothing was wrong. The only clue was the single glance she’d given the sword at my hip.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe could picture it. Arnold’s mother, the royal priestess, would have had violet hair just like Millia’s. If Arnold resembled her, then she must have been stunningly beautiful. She was normally like a “soulless doll,” but she’d walked toward the bloody Arnold of her own free will. What expression could have possibly been on the young Arnold’s face then?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I misjudged the situation.” Arnold cast his eyes down softly. “My mother smiled at me, cursed my birth, and drove the blade into me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He cupped her cheek when he saw her eyes grow misty. “There’s no need for you to look at me like that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you I don’t remember the pain. It’s true.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe bit her lip and shook her head. Voice barely a whisper, Arnold said, “The last thing she pierced was her own throat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes were calm, like the sea on a day without a breeze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think she cursed me once more as her blood coated me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She didn’t die quickly. She suffered. The wound she’d given herself was fatal, but if the goddess’s blood really helps a person heal, all it served to do for her was prolong her pain.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe understood immediately the course of action the young Arnold had taken. “You freed your mother from her suffering.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So that was why it was said that he’d killed his mother. Rishe also realized why he had to kill his brothers and sisters. Arnold hadn’t blindly obeyed his father’s orders; she was sure the choice had been forced upon him. Just like with his mother, the children had been put in situations where death was the only way to save them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s why he thinks marrying me is such a terrible thing. That he’s forced me into it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hung her head and wrapped her arms around Arnold. She pulled him to her and buried her face in his neck again, and he gently returned her embrace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please don’t cry,” he whispered. It was rare for Arnold to beg, but Rishe couldn’t help digging her heels in like a spoiled child. Arnold called her name to soothe her. He kissed her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Being forced to kill his mother and his newborn brothers and sisters… He endures it all as if it’s his sin to bear. It was kindness through and through, as far as Rishe was concerned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Those bloody days of your childhood…” she said slowly, willing her voice not to tremble. Her tears still hadn’t fallen. Arnold waited patiently as she mustered the words she wanted to say. “That’s what marriage means to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His father had waged war on the world, and the countries he’d conquered had offered him brides as hostages in exchange for these fleeting days of peace. Arnold had seen it all through his ocean-blue eyes. By contrast, as almost all his siblings were killed, the emperor’s wives viewed Arnold with nothing but bitter resentment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s why you respect me as an individual and not as a consort, and why you give me so much freedom…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not true.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His fingers ventured down from her hair, brushing against her ear and cheek. Rishe peeked up from the comforting crook of his neck, and their eyes met. He’d never taken those calm blue eyes off her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just enjoy it.” Arnold put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her close to him again. “Your freedom.” His husky voice in her ear was like the shell-bound roar of the sea. “Your strength. The way you pull anything and everything along with you as you fight for what will make everyone happiest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was always like this. He affirmed the way she wanted to live like it was only natural. He’d probably never been able to live as he wished, yet he permitted Rishe to choose what was most important to her even after she’d already lived her life over and over again—not that he knew it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He lets me have my way even if it would pit us against each other. When he’d refused the alliance with Coyolles or when he’d tried to take the archbishop’s life, he’d never refused Rishe the option to fight him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s so strong and so kind. He must have been thinking that he’d gotten Rishe wrapped up in his plans after bringing her back to Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What if I told him I was in love with him? Rishe shot down the thought immediately. No, I can’t. That wouldn’t change Arnold’s mind. She could become a heavy shackle binding him, but he would continue to move forward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s something I’d like to ask you, Your Highness.” While she wouldn’t demand an answer, this was something she needed to say to him. “If, say…by the time I turn twenty, I lose my life—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t want to hear it,” he said flatly. Another rare display of selfishness in which he rejected her whims. But Rishe couldn’t listen to him this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sorry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had asked her not to, yet she continued. Rishe knew painfully well how fragile her own life was. This man had been the reason for her death in every single life thus far. Remembering the pain she’d felt when he’d personally ended her life in her sixth loop, she said, “If I die…I want to be your bride in my next life too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hand froze atop her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If my wish to live a long life doesn’t come true this time… Rishe took Arnold’s hand with her left hand, the one bearing the ring, and entwined their fingers tight. If it doesn’t end there, and it repeats again…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Up until now, every time she’d died and returned to that day, her heart had danced at the new possibilities before her. Even if she lost things she’d built up to that point, the view before her had seemed full of opportunity."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But now, in her seventh life, Rishe couldn’t stop wishing for one thing and one thing only: In my eighth life, and in my ninth life, and my tenth… She could never choose anything else, and it didn’t even feel like a restraint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want to be by your side, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter what life she lived from now on, she wanted Arnold to be there with her. Yearning to hold hands with him in all her futures henceforth, she prayed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had told him once in a chapel that she was resolved to be his wife. Arnold had kissed her then and told her she didn’t need to be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If it’s not a resolution but a wish,” she said, keenly aware of how feeble her grip on him was, “would you allow that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold gave Rishe’s hand a light squeeze, and she timidly raised her head from his neck. He was staring down at her with his ocean-blue eyes. They looked the same as they had when he kissed her in the chapel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wish he would just nod and say, “Fine,” in that gentle voice of his."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s not what he did, however. He simply closed his eyes and pulled her hand to him, reaffirming his grip on it. Then he placed a soft kiss on the ring on her finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The gesture signified a proposal to both of them. There was no tradition that dictated it so, but when he had given her this ring and Rishe had asked him once again to be her husband, he’d kissed her ring just like this that evening on the shore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no way Arnold had forgotten. Rishe’s eyes swam once more, precisely because the kiss wasn’t a rejection of her wish."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He won’t give me a promise in words…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In an instant, Rishe was pressed against his chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There almost seemed to be a wish of his own in the strength of his hold on her. But Arnold would never vocalize that wish."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All she could hear was his heartbeat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He loathes his father’s way of doing things. Yet he still proposed to me and keeps me at his side, accepting me. Arnold thought of even that as a sin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He really is kind. More tears welled up in her eyes at that, and she could no longer hold herself back. Arnold’s kindness devastated her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t want Prince Arnold to feel any more pain! She didn’t want him getting hurt for her sake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared down at her, tracing her wet lashes with his thumb."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he gently called her name, she shook her head. And for a time after that, Rishe fell to pieces in front of him just as she had once before. No matter how many times he stroked her hair or murmured her name, her tears never seemed to end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She burdened the kind Arnold for some time after that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you calmed down?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe sniffled, burying her face in her pillow. She’d put away the first aid kit and changed into a nightgown that didn’t expose much of her skin. Arnold had put a nightshirt on and was resting his head on a pillow beside Rishe’s."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The light summer blanket was almost too hot with both of them under it, but Rishe found Arnold’s body heat too comfortable to leave his bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really don’t mind if I sleep with you?” she asked shyly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d prefer it if you went back to your own room and got some proper rest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But if you plan to stay by my side all night, then I at least want you to sleep instead of staying up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the exact opposite situation from the night Rishe had been struck by that poisoned arrow. Back then, it was Arnold who wanted to watch over Rishe all night, so she had thrown a fit to get him to rest. They’d ended up sharing the same bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never expected His Highness to do as I did."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Burrowed into the covers up to her nose, Rishe snuck a glance at Arnold. She was both embarrassed by her own childish antics and plagued by the same sorrow as before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve always known that I have to prove myself with actions and not convince him with words. I can’t just cry and tell him not to get hurt. I must make sure of it, she told herself, clutching the blanket. If what he wants is beyond his war—the one he’ll wage even at risk to his own health—then I have to stop it from happening and offer him an alternative means to his goal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Renewing her determination, Rishe thought, When we return to the capital, I really should try to see him before the wedding…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She rolled over to face Arnold. “Say, Your Highness…” Arnold returned her gaze, lying on his back. “Is your wound really all better?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her anxiety must have been plain on her face. Arnold responded, “I’m fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not just saying that so I won’t worry?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You rebandaged it yourself and examined the wound thoroughly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But what about the fever you seemed to have earlier?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold patted her cheek with one hand. “See for yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart throbbed. She tried not to show it, reaching out slowly over the sheets. The moment she touched Arnold’s hand, he grasped hers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His eyes closed, Arnold pressed Rishe’s hand to his own cheek and nuzzled up against it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was hard to say who was indulging whom now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold slowly opened his eyes, the shadow of his lashes falling across the most beautiful blue in the world. “You’re warmer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, I-I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s body temperature was usually lower than Rishe’s, but she felt like there might be some other factors contributing to the difference in their relative heat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was fine just a moment ago! Rishe protested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just a short while ago, she’d seen plenty of Arnold’s bare chest, sat on his lap, lain atop his half-naked body, and pestered him for affection. The facts of the situation made her face burn hotter and hotter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is it just me or have I been behaving most immodestly?!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold chuckled at the way Rishe chewed her lip. He was clearly amused, but he wouldn’t remove his hand. The kind—and sometimes teasing—Arnold stroked Rishe’s ring finger, bared now for sleep. “Your expressions sure do change quite a bit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mmgh…” Rishe was both frustrated that she had no retort and relieved that things were once again status quo between them. Arnold’s wound really didn’t seem to be bad."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weakly squeezing his hand in return, Rishe prayed, May your pain ease soon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The woman from the ship is resting in a room under the Imperial Guard’s watch,” she told him. “As you requested, I left things to Oliver after finishing with her treatment.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before dealing with his wound, Arnold had issued a number of commands to his vassals. Rishe had gone with the woman, treating her scrapes and calming her down, steeling herself to ignore Arnold’s injury so no one would find out about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In reality, she’d been in no state to calm someone else down. If she let her concentration slip for a moment, her hands would start trembling, so she’d done all she could to keep her composure in front of the Imperial Guards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She recalled the way Oliver had comforted her upon visiting the villa where they were keeping the women they’d taken in. He’d just been caught up to speed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Lady Rishe, please allow me to take over. I’ve heard the details from my lord, so I’ll see if I can get any more information about what happened before the ship was set ablaze.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Oliver.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t mention it. In exchange, I only ask that you stop my lord if he insists on working in his bedroom!” The joking way he’d spoken was surely meant to reassure her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had turned to Arnold’s trusted retainer and said, “Oliver, I’ll tell you what I’ve already heard from her…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She told Arnold now what she’d told Oliver then. “The man in the cloak was the very same one who enticed the women to join him on his ship in Siarga.” The woman had been sure of it when she saw him. “She didn’t see his face either, of course, but she was certain he was the same man from his voice and build.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold said nothing in response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When they met, he had blond hair and deep-blue eyes. I’ve given his description to the knights, but he could have disguised himself. They’re focusing their search on individuals with injuries matching his.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had stabbed the man in the stomach and broken his arm. Wounds like that would be much more difficult to hide than one’s hair or eye color. Still, they couldn’t be optimistic about their chances."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sure he’ll get away,” Arnold muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were in agreement on this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s Imperial Guards were excellent. Having faced off against him directly, however, Rishe could tell that the man’s abilities were far superior to theirs. That was clear enough from how much trouble Arnold had with him, though he was injured and protecting Rishe as they fought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then there was the way he unhesitatingly jumped into the canal from that height. If Raul had been there, he may have been able to track him, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was a man with the strength of a knight and the mobility of a hunter. Even if the Imperial Guards did everything in their power to find him, he had no doubt taken measures to avoid capture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The name he gave her was Thaddeus, but I’m sure it’s fake.” A bigger hint to his identity was what he’d said to Arnold in the end. “Is it true that you resemble your mother, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe was hesitant to ask him things of this nature. The last time he’d seen his mother, she would’ve been a ghastly sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It must have shown on Rishe’s face that she felt terrible making him remember such a thing, as Arnold rolled over to face her. Their pillows were right next to each other, and their fingers were still entwined. In this position, they gazed into one another’s eyes with hardly any distance between them. She was worried about the wound on his side, but with that side raised, the burden on his wound should have lessened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Objectively speaking, I suppose so.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold squeezed her hand again. His hands were rough from wielding a sword on an almost daily basis—but the distinct shape of his bones and joints made them beautiful as well, like works of art. Rishe’s eyelids lowered as she took comfort in the strength of his grip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then did that man know your mother was the royal priestess?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He could also have met her after she married my father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wouldn’t be strange if portraits of the former royal priestess existed somewhere, but there should have been very few people who knew her to be Arnold’s mother. Even if the man had only known her as Arnold’s birth mother, that should have narrowed down his possible identity by a fair margin as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The tower where the emperor’s wives resided could only be reached through my father’s living quarters.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe thought of when she’d seen Arnold’s father, lit by the moon high in the sky behind him. She hadn’t been anywhere near him, yet his dreadful bloodlust had been plenty palpable. The very air around her had dropped a few degrees, to the point that she’d found it difficult to breathe in his presence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The only people allowed to enter were the servants who cared for his wives, but they’re all dead now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Grimacing at the unjustness of it all, Rishe asked, “Then would he only have had the opportunity to know your mother as the royal priestess before she came to Galkhein?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If he did, he would have ties to only a few individuals high up in the Church.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped. “Someone with ties to the Church, with a ship that can take him across the sea, who does business with nobility as a merchant…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had a strange sense of déjà vu."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If you factor in his knight-like combat abilities and his hunter-esque moves, he’s…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe frowned, puzzled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s…like me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She gripped Arnold’s hand tighter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What’s wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s nothing.” She was worried those blue eyes would see right through her, sharp as they were. “It’s clear that this man who calls himself Thaddeus is no mere slave trader.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe pretended that was her true concern."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This international human trafficking incident is shaping up to be much more complicated than I expected.” Thinking back to several things that had occurred recently, she added, “What worries me most is the possibility that this man intends harm to Galkhein somehow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold lowered his gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Fabrannian royal family manufactured counterfeit currency to weaken Galkhein. But it wasn’t King Walter’s own idea; someone led him to it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t the only incident of clandestine maneuvering to date."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whoever was behind that incident also attempted to rope my former fiancé, Prince Dietrich, into his schemes as well. And this was likely another trap designed to do harm to Prince Arnold and Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Galkhein was a major world power with significant military might. It had influenced the history of nearly every other nation in this world at some point and would continue to do so, given what Rishe knew of the future. Countless people were wary of Galkhein, wanted to make use of it for themselves, or desired to see the whole nation destroyed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That man must be…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold narrowed his eyes and shifted. “In any case…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gasped when Arnold tapped his forehead against hers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Granting your wish comes first.” He relaxed his hand, pulling back his fingers and enclosing his hand around hers instead. “You want to rescue the human trafficking victims, don’t you? It will be more efficient to concentrate our efforts there for now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“True enough, I suppose.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He traced the edge of her nails with his thumb, the touch ticklish. The gesture was almost playful. She never imagined Arnold might touch someone like this in any of her past lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You pushed yourself too hard today,” he told her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… Speak for yourself,” she said, confident that she had the upper hand this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She pouted and he let go of her hand, instead reaching out to touch her cheek."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ngh…” Rishe hunched her shoulders as his fingers brushed her near her ear. Arnold had surely noticed that she didn’t resist, though. Hardly able to bear the embarrassment she felt, Rishe timidly began, “Hey, Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re a bit needy today, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold merely blinked at her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I mean, you keep touching me and all. His touch was obviously intended to calm her down, but he also ventured into teasing territory."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you sure your injury isn’t bothering you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is it uncomfortable being in that position? If it hurts to lie on your back and on your side, it would be best to lessen the burden on your wound as much as possible.” If they had a thicker winter blanket, it might be able to provide some support; the thin summer pillows weren’t likely to help him much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe thought for a moment, then snuggled closer to Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, a body pillow may alleviate your pain somewhat.” She steeled herself and locked gazes with him. The best item to serve as this “body pillow” was Rishe herself. “I-I implore you to embrace me however you like, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold peered at her, eyes still devoid of emotion. His hand, however, stopped his gentle stroking of her cheek and instead roughly tousled her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe remembered how, as a child, she used to pet a stuffed toy she’d loved to bits. The way he touched her now was less needy or soothing and more scolding, if she had to guess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ack! Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t believe you.” He finally released her, breathing a short breath whose huffiness seemed laden with meaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry.” It was just a ridiculous suggestion. There was no way he’d be more comfortable with Rishe in his arms. In fact, he’d likely only exacerbate his wounds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just wish there were some way I could help you get more restful sleep somehow. I feel like there’s nothing more I can do for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was painfully aware of how little she could offer, even with all her medical knowledge and maid training. When a person was badly wounded, there wasn’t much anyone other than the goddess could do for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I understand,” Arnold said after a lengthy pause. There was a shine to his blue eyes. This time, he gently combed Rishe’s tousled hair back into place and said, “Let me borrow you, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The next moment, he wrapped her up in a hug. Rishe squeaked as he pulled her waist to him with one arm and slung the other around her back. She buried her face in his chest, temporarily unable to breathe due to their closeness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can feel His Highness’s warmth…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe felt herself going red up to her ears. Her heart did somersaults as he rested some of his weight on her, practically clinging to her. With each beat of her heart, Rishe was reminded of her feelings for Arnold. Her chest tightened as she clutched at Arnold’s shirt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose I am being a bit needy with you,” Arnold whispered, pressing a kiss to Rishe’s forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn’t continue, but Rishe sensed what he might be thinking. He told me once that making me his wife, keeping me by his side, was just one aspect of his goal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold would never forgive himself for what he perceived to be his sins. Even if Rishe herself wished to marry him, he despised the things he and his father did. He probably conceived of Rishe marrying him as sacrificing herself. Even though I stand to interfere with your plans more than anyone else could. She was a terrible wife who was determined to stop his war and lead him into a kinder future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wrapped her arms around Arnold’s back and held on to him as well. Arnold seemed a bit surprised by the gesture, but he stroked her hair gently nonetheless."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“May you have good dreams, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold had told her that his bad dreams went away when he slept next to her. Rishe hoped they would stay away again tonight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“May a day one day come when you are able to desire even such a small blessing for yourself…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Listening to Arnold’s heartbeat, Rishe closed her eyes as he caressed her hair with his large hand. She’d wanted to stay awake until he fell asleep himself, but she was already sinking into a warm sea of slumber. Nuzzling her cheek against the beloved warmth before her, Rishe settled into sleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold pulled back slightly from Rishe, entwining his fingers with hers once more. “I won’t desire such a blessing,” he said, though his words never reached her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He cast his gaze down, kissed Rishe’s ring finger, and told her, “But I do hope you’ll make my wish come true one day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For this last utterance, his voice was cold and foreboding."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0026.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AS THE CHEFS put the finishing touches on breakfast the next morning, Rishe stood in the corner of the kitchen, making medicine in a boiling pot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "First, it needs to offset the effects of the sleeping drug."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had finished preparing the xeris leaves and crolaine grass the day before. She kept these plants on her in their dried form, then soaked them in water yesterday to make sure they’d fully reabsorbed their moisture. She sprinkled them into a large mortar and ground them into a paste. That done, she split a dried red nevila fruit and extracted its seeds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The seeds warm the body, so I’ll keep those for something else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She added the meat of the nevila to the mortar and crushed it into the paste, then checked the pot where the firinz nectar was boiling. Steam burst forth when she lifted the lid, filling the kitchen with a distinct, sweet smell. Stirring the pot with a large wooden spoon, she added the paste from the mortar to it, mixing carefully to minimize how much air entered the concoction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What a beautiful green! You’d never be able to guess at this stage that it ends up amber-colored when it’s finished. I have to say, though…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced behind her as she stirred the pot. “Um…” She called out to the young man looking around curiously, watching her as she worked. “Sir Joel, what exactly are you doing here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her former mentor peered down at the pot and slowly blinked, sleepy as always. As Rishe moved between the table and the pot while she worked, Joel followed behind her like a duckling. Furthermore, since Raul’s duty was watching Joel, the hunter sat in a chair behind them to observe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, what are you doing? That’s not breakfast.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The chefs prepared a delicious breakfast that’s out in the guest dining hall right now. I’m making medicine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes!” Rishe nodded and held her head high with pride. “It’s an antidote so that when I act as bait for the slavers, I won’t be affected by their drugs!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The crown prince’s bride is making medicine so that she can be used as bait and captured?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe blinked a few times. Joel was giving her a highly dubious scowl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her gaze slid to Raul, who seemed to agree with the foreign knight. “My dear princess, that husband of yours accepted your proposal like it was completely natural, but that is the normal reaction to such an idea,” he said, gesturing to Joel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I’m not the princess yet, and he’s not my husband!” she protested, though she knew that wasn’t the point. But if she took this medicine beforehand, she shouldn’t be affected by the drug the pirates had used on Joel and the kidnapped women."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ideally, I’d like to test it with a dose of the drug first, but… She’d given up on that idea since she doubted she could get her hands on any amount. Michel would have chided her for rushing into things without proper experimentation, but Hakurei would’ve told her, “Take pride in your experience and intuition.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only thing I have to worry about is how much we need, but I brought some with me from the palace and have made more since."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe glanced at another pot boiling nearby. This one did not contain the antidote for the sleeping drug but a salve for wounds with a pain-killing effect. She’d prepared this in advance as well, but the salve was most potent in the first twenty-four hours after the final step in its preparation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Rishe had awoken, Arnold was still asleep. She’d carefully extracted herself from his arms, and he’d shown no signs of waking. Her heart twinged at the memory of his defenseless sleeping face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope he got some good rest…though there’s a possibility he was simply exhausted because of his injury."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She couldn’t express how worried she was for him here, however. The crown prince being stabbed was a serious matter for a country, to say the least. Particularly when that crown prince’s formidability in battle served as a check on any foreign powers with designs on Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was probably why Arnold hadn’t wanted anyone to know he was injured. Thus, Rishe forced herself to behave as she always did."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel, who had no way of knowing of Rishe’s internal torment, yawned. “I got up early today,” he said, peering into her pot with utter disinterest. “’Cause we’re supposed to have a strategy meeting, right? I might get to fight soon, so I woke up kind of excited…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, you did tend to wake up earlier when we had meetings to plan our expeditions, didn’t you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe had done her best to wake him on those days, but he might have gotten up in time even without her help if she’d decided not to bother. Or so she thought, but she still couldn’t picture him showing up to those meetings any other way than with bedhead and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Even now, Joel’s red hair was fluffier than usual."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He just seems so vulnerable when he’s not holding a sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe found her thoughts wandering to a period in her sixth life before Arnold killed his father and started his war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If we can lure them into a naval battle, it’ll be our victory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their training that day had taken place on the open sea, aboard several vessels sailing in parallel. It was a joint training operation with the desert nation of Halil Rasha, one of Siarga’s allies. Halil Rasha’s ruler, King Zahad, was on the biggest ship of the group. While peering up at him nostalgically every so often, Rishe had listened to Joel’s lecture with great interest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our ships won’t lose to anyone else. And the knights aboard those ships are more proficient at fighting on the water than any other country’s.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their ships were in a formation like a bird with its wings spread. The vessel Rishe and Joel rode on served as the bird’s beak. There was a tailwind, but the tide was flowing in the opposite direction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The tide’s flowing against us, but we’re in the best possible formation for this fight.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment the drill began, their ship would be engaging the enemy first. They would charge into the enemy’s formation, and the fighting would start."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s nothing like a fight on land There’s a great risk of being thrown from a swaying ship… You’ve practiced falling tons of times, haven’t you, Lu?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yep! I landed on my stomach and got knocked out a few times, but I’m confident now!” she responded brightly, eliciting grins from the nearby knights listening in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There aren’t too many newbies who dive straight into the water on their first falling drill like Lucius. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else do that other than Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, he is Joel’s very first junior. Do you get it from your mentor, Lucius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, you guys are making fun of me, aren’t you?” Joel pouted before turning back to Rishe. “Anyway, this is as far as I can go with you today, Lu.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The flag signaling the beginning of the exercise rose on the ship bearing the two kings. They wouldn’t be participating in the battle directly, but they’d watch over their soldiers’ fighting and take command in an emergency."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll be leaving you behind once it starts.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! But the commander told us to act in pairs!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whether it’s practice or a real fight, you’ll only be weaker fighting together with somebody.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sails of every ship unfurled all at once. With a whap, they caught the wind and shot forward on the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If you don’t want to die, fight alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gasped at the speed of the heavy ships. Ugh! These ships really are fast! The waters were also choppy that day, with the waves only promising to get rougher. Their ship rocked and swayed with great force."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Here they come.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their practice partner was already here. Rishe crouched low, grabbing hold of a rope affixed to the deck and bracing for impact as she’d been trained."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next instant, a crash shook the ship. The tremors were so severe, it was like a natural disaster—as if they’d been struck by lightning or gotten caught in an earthquake. Barrels and other objects that should have been tightly secured went flying, falling into the sea."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I feel like the rope’s going to rip off my arms, but…! Rishe swiftly righted herself and kicked off the deck. She’d learned that she could move faster than anyone else with her light, tiny frame. That instant, someone passed her by, and she glimpsed the back of a man who seemed so very free."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d already drawn his sword, his knight’s cape fluttering in the wind behind him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Watch that mentor of yours well, Lucius.” One of her other senior knights grinned like he was boasting about his little brother. “That kid’s the spearhead of our forces.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The drops of sea spray glittered like stars, reflecting the light of the sun. Rishe felt her heart leap as Joel raced ahead of them, carving them a path forward."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When he jumped fearlessly onto the enemy ship, she followed him without hesitation—and though Siarga was at a disadvantage in the training that day, they’d been the ones to ultimately claim victory in the exercise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this, her seventh life, Rishe couldn’t help Joel as his junior, and Joel wouldn’t teach her or train her as her mentor. Knowing that all too well, Rishe set her spoon down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have something I’d like to ask of you. Something only you can do,” she told him, and Joel gave her the exact response she’d been expecting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t wanna.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee.” Feeling nostalgic, Rishe went on, “Oh, please don’t be like that. If you do what I ask, it will mean fighting in a unique circumstance!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That piqued his interest. “Sword fighting?” he asked after a beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know you appreciate pure swordplay, Sir Joel, but I imagine you also enjoy fighting with restrictions for a little added challenge?” Rishe smiled and put a finger to her lips. “I don’t think I’ll be able to arrange that match with Prince Arnold for a while yet, but I can make things fun in the meantime.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe knew all about what Joel would find fun. She also knew that the aloof hunter leader had an unexpectedly caring side to him as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’d be relieved if you would help me as well, Raul…since it’s something I’m sure you’re the only one in the world who can do, at least as far as I know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come now, dear princess…” Raul said, a weary smile on his face. “If you don’t stop leading us on, your husband’s going to get rather scary, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean?” she asked, but Raul wouldn’t explain himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the time her medicine was complete, everyone had finished breakfast and their morning preparations and gathered in the lounge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Having helped Arnold with his morning prep, Rishe was relieved to learn his wound had healed well since last night. They headed to the lounge together and sat side by side on one of the room’s many comfortable couches."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel looks sleepy, to be sure. Their Siargan guest was seated opposite them. But this is him motivated—excited, in fact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The redhead was rather unsuited to things like strategy meetings. But considering that Siarga had sent them an official request for aid, his presence was necessary if they were to discuss the human trafficking operation plaguing both their nations."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Standing beside Arnold, Oliver started things off. “Let me begin with a review of the information we obtained yesterday.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold sat with his chin resting in his hand, neutral as ever. He’d already healed quite a bit and had Rishe’s painkiller to help as well, but his fortitude was also simply impressive."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, I’m sure Raul’s noticed his injury. She glanced over at Raul, who stood by the door, and he made a little fox with his hand, moving his fingers to imitate its mouth opening and closing. Even when he was joking around, his powers of observation were impressive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The man who calls himself ‘Thaddeus’ introduced himself as a trader in Siarga.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As expected, they hadn’t located the hooded man. They were still searching for traces of him even now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Flipping through some papers he’d undoubtedly put together himself, Oliver went on, “He has blond hair, blue eyes, and reportedly striking features. It seems he got involved with the women when he appeared at a party where many of them were in attendance… But he wasn’t there on a noble’s invitation. Rather, another merchant had introduced him to the host.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have you found the referring firm, Oliver?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was the ‘Culetta Trading Company,’ but there are no records of this company ever doing business in Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just like Oliver to already have the information Rishe considered valuable. Keenly aware of why Arnold kept him by his side, she told him, “Let’s ask Mr. Tully of the Aria Trading Company to find out more about them using their business connections, then. Even if this ‘Thaddeus’ isn’t really a merchant, it will be beneficial to identify anyone who might have had dealings with him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am once again impressed by the breadth of the connections you’ve forged for us, Lady Rishe,” Oliver said thoughtfully, then nodded. “If I may trouble you to write a letter to the Aria Trading Company, I will see that it is delivered.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course. I believe the chief is in the capital, so I’ll get it done right away.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver smiled and thanked her, then continued his report. “Thaddeus was a skilled negotiator, and he won the hearts of several of the noble ladies at this party. He was careful to stay in control of these relationships, behaving with the abducted women as if he were opening up to them alone in a bid to forge closer bonds.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ugh… That’s the oldest trick in the book,” Raul muttered, and all eyes in the room focused on him. He shrugged and spoke from the perspective of a hunter who might kill or abduct anyone his lord wished. “It’s the most effective way to kidnap someone. You gain the target’s trust, and they practically kidnap themselves. It’s despicable.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s as Raul says,” Oliver agreed. “As a result, the women locked up on that slave ship had trouble suspecting ‘Thaddeus’ even after they’d been brought all the way to Galkhein.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes narrowed. “You’re sure no one’s gotten inside the inn where we put up the women?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure. The woman who snuck out did so to go to a prearranged meeting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prearranged?” Rishe echoed. That was unexpected."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. She was instructed to sneak out and find the biggest ship in the harbor if they were discovered and ‘rescued’ by a third party before reaching their destination.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He was that careful?” Rishe frowned and met Arnold’s gaze. “Your Highness, this operation really is…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was thinking the same thing Rishe was. “Yeah. Their goal is not to make money off the slave trade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? It’s not?” Joel cocked his head drowsily. “But they were gonna sell the girls, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was one of their goals. But they’ve made too many moves that would be unthinkable for actual merchants.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was reluctant to call people who kidnapped and sold human beings “merchants.” Yet regardless of Rishe’s personal feelings, there was “trade” involved in the slave trade, and the people behind this incident didn’t act in ways that made sense."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is no way to do business.” Rishe frowned, telling Joel what she found so strange about all this. “First of all, Galkhein is simply too far from Siarga. The longer a trip on the water, the more danger and expense such a trip incurs.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When the war started in her sixth life, Siargans had judged that they had some time to prepare for hostilities with Galkhein. They’d miscalculated, of course, but their assumptions hadn’t been baseless. If Emperor Arnold Hein hadn’t obtained Siargan warship technology, his invasion would have taken much longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The profit they’d make selling the slaves just isn’t worth it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel cocked his head again. “But slaves are expensive, aren’t they? Heard it from our king once. He said rich commoners buy them as well, not just royals and nobles, so demand is high. He also said they captured a suspicious ship in nearby waters once, and the hold was bursting with people who’d been abducted.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s an example of the regular slave trade, certainly,” Arnold said. “This incident is different. They weren’t merely rounding up as many people as they could to sell off.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They only abducted unwed noblewomen, right?” Rishe chimed in. Hence her volunteering to be bait."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel blinked. “Aren’t they just selling to people who want that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t say for sure that there aren’t people who look to purchase slaves with such preferences…” Some customers made exacting demands, after all. “The question there is how many merchants would realistically deal with such customers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So even if there are people who offer a lot for them, there aren’t necessarily people willing to sell them for the amount of expense and risk involved?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly, Sir Joel.” All aspects of trade had to lead to profit in some way. “Even if I were the sort of merchant who dirtied my hands with the slave trade, I certainly wouldn’t put so much time and energy into dealings like this… Not unless there was something else in it for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Abducting people in Siarga and selling them in Galkhein is simply inefficient from a trader’s standpoint. Abducting more people in Galkhein to sell elsewhere would be the least they’d have to do to optimize their business.” The merchants were planning that, which showed some measure of foresight on their part. “But even that would incur costs and take a lot of personnel. It’s not worth it, particularly if they’re transporting their ‘merchandise’ by way of dangerous sea travel.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gotcha,” Joel said, sounding a little more awake than he had earlier. He mussed up his hair in frustration. “So there really is something else in it for them. Or selling the girls is just one part of a bigger plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Most likely.” Rishe glanced sideways at Arnold. “Prince Arnold, Siarga requested assistance from Galkhein on this matter through official channels, correct?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s right. A Siargan marquess served as messenger, bringing with him a letter signed by the king.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then may I ask if it was you who received that letter?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold had to know what Rishe was really asking. His blue eyes glinted as he smirked and told her what she expected to hear. “It was my father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew it. Rishe gulped. An official letter from the king should have gone to the emperor. Yet it’s Prince Arnold who’s actually handling things here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’d had this exchange regarding Arnold’s investigation of the slave trade on their first day:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you keeping this a secret from your father as well?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll just become a bigger problem if he hears about it. I can guess how that man will react to most things.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hadn’t meant that his father was unaware of the incident. His Majesty simply ignored Siarga’s request for assistance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She kept quiet about this since Joel and Raul were present, but Arnold had likely caught on to what Rishe had noticed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There are any number of reasons he might have ignored the request, but from what Prince Arnold has told me, one of His Majesty’s motivations might be…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe paused for a moment and rephrased her thoughts thusly: “This ‘Thaddeus’ is a slave trader, but I don’t think human trafficking is his main aim here. I believe what he’s after is a concrete deterioration in relations between Siarga and Galkhein.” She gripped her dress and hung her head, muttering, “He intends to instigate a war…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This incident was connected to Arnold’s war in the future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leaning against the wall, Raul murmured, “A warmonger… A merchant of death, eh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe wished she hadn’t heard him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold lowered his gaze and said, “The man I fought on that ship had blades of exquisite make. Even with Galkhein’s many skilled blacksmiths, those who can produce such blades are few and far between.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hadn’t been able to observe the blades closely, but from the way they shone, it had been clear to her as well that they were of high quality."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s one of the reasons Prince Arnold’s injury is healing so well. Blades that don’t make clean cuts produce worse wounds. The quality of his enemy’s weapon had been just as beneficial to Arnold’s healing as his divine blood. Rishe wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but it was hardly pertinent to the topic at hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That man probably trades in weapons too,” she said. “And not just any weapons.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He fans the flames of conflict between nations and profits from the resulting wars. That’s the sort of merchant he is,” Arnold said dispassionately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe reached an unsettling conclusion. He may not actually be Prince Arnold’s “enemy”…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Last night on the ship, Rishe had been led to believe that the hooded man intended Arnold harm, but she was now forced to admit that that might have been a mistake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She swallowed hard. What if the future Prince Arnold, Emperor Arnold Hein, enlisted that man into his service?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was possible that that was how future Arnold obtained Siarga’s ship technology."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe it’s not that Siargan shipbuilders were coincidentally abducted and brought to Galkhein. It’s much more likely that someone abducted them intentionally and presented them to Prince Arnold to aid his war efforts…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The same way that Michel had chosen Arnold as the recipient of his gunpowder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold would entice a war merchant. He’s one of very few people who could wage war against the entire world and greatly change history!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe could only hope no one had caught on to the reason she had frozen in her seat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know Prince Arnold is a kind person now. But I also know that he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a short breath, willing the fear that gripped her heart not to play on her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, I’m changing things this time. Making that silent vow, she observed Arnold beside her. My seventh life is clearly different than those that have come before it. Being at his side and forcing him to protect me from that man’s blade means the future has already changed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the very least, they were currently enemies. Rishe didn’t want to feel relief over Arnold gaining enemies, as she was working so hard to gain him allies instead—but she needed to play with whatever was at her disposal if she was going to win against him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We can’t afford to be picky about how we do things, no matter what happens.” With several layers of meaning in her words, she told her beloved, “Now that I think about it, the entity targeting Galkhein has involved a different country in each of their schemes as well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If these incidents aren’t meant to weaken Galkhein but to provoke international conflict, they’re probably plotting all sorts of things to spark war.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold sucked in a breath and narrowed his eyes at Rishe. “Which is why you need to be bait to rescue the rest of the victims?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing the look on his face, Rishe realized he was being sardonic. But that wasn’t how he truly felt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you feel that you’re using me to solve one of Galkhein’s problems?” Rishe was amused by the ensuing scowl. “Heh. If so, you’re mistaken.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was rare for Arnold to be wrong. She met his blue eyes and smiled. “I have responsibilities, and I take pride in those responsibilities.” Her smile grew wider. “I am the bride of Galkhein’s crown prince, am I not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold said nothing. Even if he wouldn’t allow her resolution or her wish, the fact of their engagement didn’t change. Rishe held her head up high and raised both fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Besides, there’s no need to worry! I confirmed the way the women were bound on the ship. If I’m bound in the same way, I’m confident I’ll be able to escape!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“…That’s not what we’re talking about.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oliver laughed, watching their exchange. “Even you’re no match for Lady Rishe, Your Highness.” Arnold shot him a glare, and Oliver apologized, though he was still smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe puffed her chest out and proudly proclaimed as his bride-to-be, “I will carry out my mission. Not just for the sake of the victims but for the sake of relations between Siarga and Galkhein as well!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold slowly turned his gaze back to her. “I’m working with the Imperial Guards to determine our best course of action after you’re taken, but we can’t account for everything.” He scanned the waterway through the window. “They’ll try to flee, I’m sure. The final battle will likely take place on a ship.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oliver agreed. “Fighting them at sea will be difficult. There are all sorts of things you must consider that differ from fighting on land, and our ships aren’t necessarily going to be able to combat theirs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“On that note…” Rishe’s eyes landed on each of them in turn, and she beamed. “We happen to have the most powerful ally we could ask for right here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She turned to Joel, who was staring straight at her. Rishe knew exactly what sort of person he was and how he fought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This man here is a knight of the country most renowned for its command of naval warfare. And he’s already promised to help.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My, Lady Rishe…” Surprise crept into Oliver’s face, while Arnold frowned in displeasure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus, she had convinced them of her plan to act as bait."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That afternoon, Rishe was hard at work in Bezzetoria’s harbor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Has anyone still not had enough to drink?!” she shouted, and several hands shot up among the rowdy crowd she was serving. The tanned, burly arms belonged to those who made their living doing hard labor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, Lady Rishe! May I have one more before I return?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, of course! Thank you so much for helping with the fire last night!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She took out a bottle from a crate and handed it to an Imperial Guard assisting her. They were handing out drinks to sailors who worked in this port. These men had helped with the fire late the previous night, then summarily went to fish at dawn. Only now were they getting the chance to relax and unwind. After their morning strategy meeting, Rishe had gone out to buy a ton of drinks and headed to the harbor with them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not much in the way of thanks, but have as much as you’d like. If there’s anyone who doesn’t drink, there’s plenty of fruit as well!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ooh! Is this stuff from the southern continent?” A sailor’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the bottle Rishe handed him. “Great choice! You really know your drinks, ma’am!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee. I’d love to hear what sort of drinks you enjoy in Galkhein as well. I’m particularly after household brews that aren’t too pricey.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wanna get a taste of what the common folk drink? Huh, wouldn’t have expected that from the future empress! Well, this here’s your guy if you want to know about booze. Right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just leave it to me! I don’t know if they’d suit your palate, but the popular drinks around here are…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe conversed with the sailors for a time, always relaying her gratitude for their help with the fire. She felt bad making the Imperial Guards assist her, but they were happy to when they heard Arnold had requested it as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A full-on party broke out, and though Rishe didn’t participate herself, she had fun watching from the sidelines. She applauded their singing, dancing, and other antics, until she’d given out all the drinks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really are good at wrapping people around your little finger, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe spun around. “Raul!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hunter was sitting on a wooden crate, but her eye was drawn to Joel, whom Raul had dragged along. The knight was snoring quietly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see Sir Joel ran out of energy…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, he’s pretty much like this all the time,” Raul replied. Joel had actually worked quite hard during the strategy meeting—that is to say, he’d woken up early. At least by his standards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, the sailors seem happy enough, though I’m not sure what you and His Highness are thinking. The crown princess’s popularity is sure to shoot up yet again, but we’ve got this mysterious enemy to worry about right now, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I almost wish he’d come at me here. Besides, I have the Imperial Guards with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The aforementioned guards were cleaning up the crates. Rishe had offered to help, but they’d insisted rather firmly that she rest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It doesn’t seem like anything was strange about the canal or the sea this morning.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You were gathering information as well? I’m in awe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul shrugged. Rishe lowered her voice to ask, “Have Prince Arnold and Oliver asked you about Thaddeus, Raul?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm… I told them all the possible avenues he might use to escape, but His Highness didn’t seem to expect that we’d nab him. He’s focused on finding evidence or witnesses instead.” Raul seemed to agree with the prince on that. “When chasing prey that’s escaped through water, it’s standard to follow the liquid trail they leave behind—but the white stone streets in this town make it difficult. It’s hard enough to tell when they’re wet in the daytime, and he fled in the dark of night.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not to mention it’s summertime. The sea breeze would help dry him as well. Even if someone passed him while he was still sopping wet, it would have been tough to tell in the dark.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, he might’ve just died in the water too. It’d be pretty impressive if he was able to swim away in his heavy clothing, with a broken arm, and after jumping into the sea from that height.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe lay in wait for prey once in a shallow river in her fifth life. The cold was the most taxing part of the experience, but the heavy cloak she wore seemed to steal more heat from her than the flow of the stream. Whenever that thick cloak got wet, it weighed a ton more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I won’t let him get away again,” Rishe muttered, and Raul sighed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You two are really alike. You both assume you’ll be fighting on the front lines.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Raul leaned in close to her face, wearing an openly exasperated expression—more than usual, anyway. “Shouldn’t you be focused on a way to return safely after you’re abducted, ‘Lady Rize’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right.” Rishe nodded, touching the ring on her left hand. “I know how much I worry him now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very good.” Raul shrugged, and Joel stirred on the pavement. “Oh, is Sleeping Beauty awake? Hello?” He knelt and flicked Joel’s cheek. The redhead scowled and slowly sat up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good morning, Sir Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel blinked and rubbed his eyes, sniffing the air. “I knew it… It’s the same smell.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe tilted her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without missing a beat, he scrutinized her and said, “Did you sleep with Prince Arnold last night?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Raul coughed as Rishe froze, her mind short-circuiting. “Huh?! H-h-h-h-how did you—?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She thought they’d hidden how she’d slept in his room well enough. She didn’t want to cause trouble for Arnold since such things were frowned upon before marriage—and more importantly, the idea of anyone knowing about it mortified her. She whirled on Raul, wondering if he’d caught on as well, and he in turn whipped his head to avoid her gaze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel looked up at her, not grasping what she was so flustered about. “You smell like flowers. Prince Arnold smelled the same way in the meeting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My soap!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Interacting with a wounded person when one was dirty could introduce complications in the healing process, so Rishe had used some of the peach nectar soap for her wedding when she bathed last night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, I-I…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’d spent the night with him out of concern for his injury, but she couldn’t explain that to Joel. The only excuse she could think of was that they’d just happened to sleep together that night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While she was losing her head, Raul gave her some encouragement. “Well, you are husband and wife. It’s no big deal, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I keep telling you, w-we’re not husband and wife yet!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Husband and wife…” Joel said thoughtfully before his tone turned sulky. “Well, whatever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Sir Joel?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, all right,” Raul interjected. “Let’s start getting ready, yeah? If you’ve finished thanking the sailors and gathering information, then you don’t need to be here anymore, do you? I’ve got stuff I need to collect still if I’m gonna fulfill your little request.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I suppose you’re right. I should really help everyone clean up first, though…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Rishe got down from the crate she was sitting on, the sailors waved cheerfully at her. They were on their way home for the night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, Lady Rishe! Thanks for the drinks! We’ll all be at the parade to celebrate you guys getting hitched, okay?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Idiot! This is the crown prince we’re talking about! Call it a ‘wedding ceremony’! Really, congratulations, though. Cheers to the future princess!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sailors all gestured like they were toasting her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe smiled, happy to receive their well-wishes. “Thank you, everyone!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Watching them go, she stood a bit taller. I’ll do my part as Prince Arnold’s bride—as the future crown princess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In no time at all, the day of her kidnapping arrived."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A young noblewoman named Rize appeared in a small manor on the edge of Bezzetoria for a business meeting. As it was the middle of the day, she showed up for the meeting with but a single maid. During the talks, she was led to a small room to try on a dress, where she suddenly disappeared."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the disappearance of this young noblewoman made no stir in Bezzetoria, and the afternoon went on as normal in the busy port town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After the slave traders left, Rishe opened her eyes and sat up in a dim cell. Her wrists had been bound behind her back, and her ankles were tied. A cloth gag in her mouth, Rishe assessed her situation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s gone as expected so far…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Playing the part of Lady Rize, Rishe had discussed business with a merchant over tea and gone into a fitting room after finishing her drink. There, she’d pretended to lose consciousness, and they’d brought her right to this cell."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was prepared for them to handle me a little roughly, but they didn’t give me so much as a single bruise. Why would they be committing crimes like this when they adhere so strictly to their rules about handling merchandise with care?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They hadn’t even touched her clothing, perhaps because their “goods” were supposed to be pure maidens only."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe drew in a breath and frowned. They didn’t even search me for weapons… They’re far too lenient for slavers. It was utterly strange to her, yet she couldn’t deny that it worked in her favor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only light source was a lamp beyond the iron bars. Rishe scooted over to the corner of the cell and nudged her maid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "C’mon, Joel…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm…” Dressed in a maid’s uniform, Joel stirred drowsily. His sleeves were puffy, and his apron was covered in frills to downplay his physique. He may have been small and delicate for a man, but Raul had helped devise an outfit that would hide dead giveaways."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was what Rishe had asked Joel and Raul to help with. Joel had an androgynous face, so when he dressed in women’s clothes and Raul put some makeup on him, he was able to pass for a woman with little issue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She gave up on trying to wake him up and reached toward his ear instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Got it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She gently removed his metal earring. She’d attached a small blade and pin to it; these would cut the rope binds and pick the cell lock. They were tools she’d “just so happened” to bring with her that could be combined with a pair of earrings she owned—and it seemed they would be coming in very handy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was worth manipulating the positions of my wrists when they bound me. With this range of movement, cutting the rope should be simple enough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She pinched the earring blade between her fingers and carefully sawed through the rope. Once she’d cut into it enough, she snapped the rope with a flex of her wrists. Her hands freed, she removed the gag and cut her legs free as well. Then she removed Joel’s gag and shook him a little harder than before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel… Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel slowly opened his eyes. He was sleepy as always, but it wasn’t the sort of drowsiness induced by the drugs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank goodness. I see the antidote is working on you as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Can you tense your arms so that the rope is taut? It’s easier to cut through that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He sat up and did as she asked. She cut his wrists free, then his legs. All the while, Joel gaped at her like she was the strangest thing he’d ever seen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who are you, really? Those guys offered me tea too, so I drank it, but I didn’t get tired at all… And it’s not easy to use a little blade like that with your hands tied behind your back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fortunate that they bound us with ropes. If they’d used shackles, it would have taken me time to escape even with a pin to pick the lock.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, they are awfully lax when it comes to taking prisoners. I mean, when you take a prisoner of war, the least you should do is—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe’s voice overlapped with Joel’s. “‘Keep a close eye on them, search them thoroughly, strip them, bind their arms and legs, tie them to a pillar, and break all their limbs.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel went wide-eyed when they said the exact same thing. Then he gave her an even stranger look."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seriously, who are you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hee hee!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The day their commander drilled this into them, Joel had appeared to be sleeping as always off in a corner of the training grounds—but he must have been listening. Finding that out after all this time made her happy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, as long as I can fight, I guess I don’t care. I can take these frilly clothes off now, right?” Joel shucked the maid uniform, revealing the thin shirt and pants underneath. He almost seemed disappointed that they both still had the knives strapped to their legs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I’d known they were gonna be this sloppy in searching us, I bet I could’ve brought in a longer blade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, it would have been bad if they’d found it, so I think this is fine… But they sure are careless with their captives, aren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat next to the bars of the cell and poked her hands through, searching for the lock on the other side. She stuck two pins in the lock and pressed her ear to it, listening carefully as she continued her conversation with Joel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Raul was watching our kidnapping site. If he was able to follow them, then there should be no chance of him losing us.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whaaat? Then is help gonna come before I get to fight?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Unfortunately, I imagine that will be difficult.” When she carefully observed her surroundings under the light of the single lamp, she realized they weren’t in a jail cell. “After all, we’re on a ship.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were in a cage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I imagine we’ve already left port and reached the sea.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel had to be aware that they were on a ship too. A dozen or so other cages surrounded them, occupied with unconscious women."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The redhead grunted and pressed his forehead to the bars. “Is it really that hard to fight on the ocean or on ships?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It takes a certain level of maneuverability, so I’m excited to see you in action.” Rishe felt metal shifting under the pins in the lock. She opened the door to the cage and glanced around once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did they keep the women asleep so they don’t make a racket in their cages? There was no worry of them expending too much energy while they were kept asleep, but Rishe had other concerns about their health, both physical and mental."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That being said, we need to save these women first.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, could I ask you to help me ensure the women’s safety before you fight?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew he wasn’t likely to say yes even if she asked. He had no reason to help her now that he wasn’t her mentor; he’d probably just burst out of the hold and draw his sword. Joel’s eyes only sparkled with life when he was wielding a blade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will he tell me he’s leaving me behind? Like he did in my sixth life…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Joel just blinked at her. “Okay,” he said after a beat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe went wide-eyed as Joel picked up the lamp hanging from a beam and knelt in front of a cage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“First time I’ve ever met someone who asked me to do something that’s not fighting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe that’s true…but I know of a time when you taught someone a shortcut and made them snacks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even if they hadn’t worked together on the battlefield often, Joel had helped her in countless other ways. They were precious memories to Rishe, and the reason she idolized him so much as her mentor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is he happy to have someone relying on him for help? she wondered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Would he help illuminate her work with the lamp while she unlocked the cages?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel stared at her and cocked his head. “I know ‘stay.’ Am I a good boy?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, you are.” Rishe smiled, knelt by Joel’s side, and stuck her pins into the well-lit keyhole. “Thank you, Sir Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel was born to a noble family and had much older siblings. She hadn’t met him as his junior in this life, but maybe he was just happy to be able to act like an older sibling to someone younger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, there were plenty of times he acted younger than me even when I was his junior."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe opened the cage, thinking fondly of her sixth life. She checked the condition of the woman inside, cut the rope around her ankles, then tied her wrists to the cage bars in a position that wouldn’t put strain on her body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, why are you tying them to the cages instead of taking the ropes off completely?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To prevent the slavers from trying to escape with them or throwing them into the sea when the fighting starts.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her first encounter with the slavers, they’d tried to take some of the women and flee when they realized they were no match for Arnold."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re sleeping so deeply, I doubt the slavers could rouse them and get them to run. I’ll open the rest of the cages, so can you handle the ropes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With Joel’s help, she was able to examine all the women quickly. No one seemed in need of urgent treatment, but from the state of their hair and nails, she was worried many of them were anemic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now, then. Thanks for your patience, Sir Joel.” Rishe stood and drew the dagger hidden under her dress. “Let’s head upstairs. We’ll take control of the ship and keep it in place until Galkhein’s ships are able to catch up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait.” Joel stopped Rishe, his voice sharp. “I’ll be going on alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He strode ahead, whisking the lamp away from her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re weaker than me, but I won’t protect you while I fight. So…” His hand on the door, he glanced back at her one last time. “Why don’t you stay here and protect the women?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know. You think we should help each other and fight together, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel had probably heard those words countless times before. A certain amount of cooperation and dedication to a plan was necessary to win on the battlefield. Rishe had tried to convince Joel of this in her sixth life. Yet he’d always left her behind when the fighting started, and the one time she thought they’d finally be able to fight together, he’d died for her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But I’ll be weaker if we do that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s why I have to fight on my own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe locked eyes with Joel and told him head-on, “My role here is to protect your freedom.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Feel free to go down your own path alone if you like, but I will be there to clear it for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry about keeping an eye on me. I’ll take care of whatever you don’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe knew exactly how Joel liked to fight. He raced across the battlefield, eyes shining brighter than anyone else’s. That was the sort of swordsman Rishe’s mentor Joel was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need for you to protect me or fight with me. I’ll just be there to help you fight on your own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re not mad at me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course not.” Rishe smiled, thinking of Arnold. “I know how heartening it is to be told, ‘Do as you like. I’ll back you up.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t think this would atone for letting him die, but she wanted to pay him back in some small way for all that he’d done for her. Even if she could never really reach the man who’d been her mentor in her last life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come, Sir Joel.” She opened the door for him. “This is your battlefield.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After giving Rishe a meaningful look, Joel tousled her hair. She flinched; the gesture reminded her of her sixth life, and she stared back at him in wide-eyed awe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then Joel leaped out of the dim hold like a bird taking flight from an open window."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were two presences directly outside the door. Some of the sailors were probably just about to check on their prisoners. Sailors on this type of illegal operation tended to be pirates well accustomed to fighting. Unlike typical sailors, they wore cutlasses on their waists."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When they saw Joel, they balked in confusion. Joel had moved so fast that they hadn’t been able to process what they’d seen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel’s dagger glinted in their lamplight. The redhead zipped close in an instant, driving his pommel into one pirate’s gut. He got low and twisted as he lunged forward. He was good at making use of his weight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who the hell—?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the first sailor collapsed to the deck, the second drew his cutlass. But by then, he too was collapsing with an anticlimactic yelp."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm…” Joel licked his lips, eyes shining as though he were a little boy about to devour his favorite treat. “They weren’t very strong, but…I haven’t gotten to fight in a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s like a bolt of lightning as always."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe gulped, holding her lamp high for him. She felt like she’d just seen lightning arc from the sky and take out their enemies in a split second. His swordplay was nothing like Arnold’s, whose each and every blow felt incredibly heavy—but he was unmistakably a genius with a sword too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She couldn’t just watch, though."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, take this cutlass!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe procured the curved blades from the two fallen sailors, tossing one to Joel and keeping one for herself. In her sixth life, she trained with these blades, which were longer than daggers but more suited to shipboard fighting than straight swords. Rishe gripped the hilt of her sword and blocked the blow from a third sailor, who’d just appeared behind Joel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The impact barreling down her arm was nothing like when she’d blocked Arnold’s sword. Rishe twisted her blade, flicking away her adversary’s weapon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wha—?!” The third sailor’s eyes opened wide. When he lost his balance, Rishe crouched low."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t even have to signal to him. He had already launched himself forward, smacking his still-sheathed blade into the man’s forehead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gah!” The sailor crumpled right as Joel landed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe stood, exhaling in amazement at the close-up display of Joel’s swordsmanship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Such smooth moves! That’s my mentor, all right. There’s plenty to learn just from watching him up close. Even if she knew it was a technique he could only pull off with his agility and dense muscle, she still admired it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel just gave her a dubious look. “You’re so strange.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve never once thought it was easier to fight with someone else, but…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe couldn’t help delighting in those words as his former junior, but now was not the time to reminisce."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s go. I don’t sense anyone nearby, so the deck should still be several levels above… Ack! Wait up, Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Joel raced up the stairs, Rishe hurried after him while doing her best to support him. He climbed the stairs with a lamp in one hand and a cutlass in the other, knocking out anyone they encountered. The pair did their best to keep the sailors from alerting their companions, but the bigger the commotion they made, the more sailors gathered to them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Joel’s eyes only shone brighter the more enemies they faced. Each time a strong-looking foe popped up, he ran right up to them while Rishe took care of the ones who didn’t catch his eye. Joel’s steps were a dance of their own, and Rishe understood the rhythm perfectly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll draw those enemies out! Keep doing as you like, Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When faced with a more experienced adversary, Joel gave his unique appraisal of the enemy’s skill. “You’re the cherry on top, I see… You look tastier than the rest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Smiling wryly, Rishe opened the door to a cabin, drawing the attention of the enemies within."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You wench!” they roared, but she had the advantage in such a cramped space."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Plonking her lamp on a table, she held a cutlass in each hand instead. Even fighting with two swords, she was careful not to make too much of a mess inside the cabin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe took a short breath after the last man fell with a yelp."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, what’s with this map?” This must have been the cabin where the navigator kept his records. Rishe frowned up at the sea chart on the wall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That marker, it’s… She walked up to it and pinned the area with her finger. It was a northern seaport of Galkhein’s, the closest location to Coyolles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why Ceutena?” It was the city ruled by Lord Lawvine, the loyal vassal Arnold would execute in the future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey. Come on, let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, right!” Rishe pushed thoughts of Ceutena aside and hurried after Joel. She was surprised he’d bothered to call out to her at all before moving on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They fought their way to the deck, where they could take control of the ship. Climbing up an unstable rope ladder, Rishe realized that the new floor had portholes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We’re almost to the deck! But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sky through the round windows was white. Rishe grimaced when they finally reached the uppermost deck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Look at this fog!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel stood with his back to her, glancing around. They could see to the other end of the deck, so the fog wasn’t absurdly thick, but they had no idea what was out at sea around them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In this fog, our reinforcements may not be able to find us. Resolving herself for that possibility, Rishe tightened her grip on her cutlass. The rest of the crew, who’d by now caught on to the chaos belowdecks, stood before Joel and Rishe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was worried about pursuers,” said one. “Didn’t think you’d sneak aboard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I figured they’d be ready."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, don’t worry about me!” Rishe called out to his back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He spared her a sidelong glance. “I know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel sprang forth, and the enemies launched themselves at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, there are so many!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe switched to her sheathed dagger and threw it at the jaw of one of the sailors targeting Joel. She struck a weak point with a heavy blow, and the man crumpled to the deck—but she’d only eliminated one threat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m itching for a bow. Though I’d need this swaying to stop if I wanted to actually shoot it!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The ship had been rocking violently for a little while now. Rishe glimpsed the stern, where the helmsman was spinning the wheel to make it lurch on purpose."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve got to head to the help, so—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A chill ran down Rishe’s spine as she calculated the best route forward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d spotted a shadow on the sea, like a small island in the fog. It was another ship. As it slowly came into focus through the fog, she saw its shredded sails. The goddess figurehead on the bow was cracked and rotting, smiling with one eye gouged out. Rishe shuddered when she saw it. She felt like she’d caught the eye of the figurehead somehow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s like a ghost ship!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew it wasn’t, however, judging by the figures moving on deck. They’d covered new sails and wood with old ones to give anyone who spotted them the impression that they were harmless. This old, abandoned-looking vessel was without a doubt a pirate ship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe grimaced and shouted, “Enemy reinforcements!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The other ship launched weighted ropes at them, which caught on the deck’s rail. The ship was pulled toward theirs and rocked once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Where Joel had planted his foot, there was a collapsed sailor lying on the deck. Joel lost his balance just as an enemy blade swung down at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe flashed back to Arnold protecting her, and to her sixth life. Joel had become her shield. He’d smiled at her when he saw she was safe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She jumped in front of him, slicing into the sailor’s arm with her cutlass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gah!” The sailor backed up, clutching his bleeding arm. But Rishe knew better than anyone that it wasn’t enough."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You friggin’ harpy! How dare you!” Another man tried to grab her hair. Rishe braced for the pain when a blade swung a hair’s breadth from her face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He pushed Rishe aside and cut down the sailor. The man cried out as he fell to the deck. But Joel hadn’t fully recovered from losing his balance a moment ago. The ship swayed again, and Joel smacked against the deck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Agh! Ow!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That shudder had been from the impact of the pirates boarding this ship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is bad! They were separated, and Joel was surrounded first because he’d injured himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, are you hurt?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His only response was a hiss of pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hit his head! Even if he caught himself when he fell, he won’t recover right away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe lifted her cutlass above her head and avoided the swing of her sword. She swept the man’s legs out from under him and, using the swaying of the ship to her advantage, struck the man’s nape with her sheath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I need to break through them and get to Joel first!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel couldn’t get back on his feet, but he was still putting up a fight with his cutlass. He used his reflexes to roll around on the deck, avoiding multiple enemies as he tried to right himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe broke through the foes before her and used her two blades to knock out the three who were closest. Timing her moves to the irksome rolling of the ship, she knocked the heads of the next two men together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How are these landlubbers moving so well on this rocking ship?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel, give me your hand!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m fine… Just get out of here…” Joel was panting hard as he writhed on the deck. He was too preoccupied fighting his dizziness to take Rishe’s hand. “I won’t help you anymore… I can’t help you, so…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t care! Please, just this once, don’t try to fight alone!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t need you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the men tried to plunge his sword into Joel, but he knocked the blade away without even looking at it. He rolled across the deck to avoid the next attack, but there was no way he could keep that up for long."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come on already!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Go…” Joel pointed his unfocused eyes at the sea and narrowed them. “If you don’t, more enemies will come…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Another ship had appeared in the fog."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll fight. On my own.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I don’t, I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe scanned the new ship. The sailors followed suit, bewildered by its arrival. The ship was a size larger than this one, and it wasn’t the rotten flag of a ghost ship atop its mast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the eagle of the national flag of Galkhein."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moment Rishe spotted it, someone jumped aboard the ship. Landing gracefully in front of her, he cut down nearby sailors in an instant, gazing at her with his blue eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even in this dim fog, his eyes were the brilliant blue of the sea. In that dear voice of his, he asked her as he always did, “Are you hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Prince Arnold!” Her voice trembled, and not just out of relief from seeing his face. She knew he’d come to save her. Still, she couldn’t stop worrying about the wound from a few days ago, so she couldn’t help voicing her selfish complaint. “I asked you not to come, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And I told you I wouldn’t agree to that,” Arnold said, tugging her toward him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A moment later, the ship rocked again. Rishe braced herself, trying not to put any strain on Arnold. She regained her balance quickly, and Arnold shoved a bundle into her arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a bow, a quiver, and two swords—one of them likely for Joel. Now that they were out in the open, it would be more advantageous to fight with longer blades."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold always knew just what she wanted. “Thank you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sailors glared at Arnold and rushed him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn it! Who the hell are—?!” The man’s voice cut out when he fell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold studied his enemies coldly and then focused on Joel. The redhead had finally gotten to his feet. Though his breathing was shallow, his center of gravity was low and he had a firm grip on his sword. The enemy slashed at him, but he swiftly evaded their attacks and cut them down instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How is he fighting even faster now?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold only squinted upon seeing Joel’s swordplay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel, here!” Rishe threw him a sword, and Joel caught it overhead with a stagger. She doubted she was imagining the hazy state he was in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness! Sir Joel helped me, but he’s hurt. I don’t think he can fight for much longer.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The knights can join us when the ship stops swaying.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe nodded, drawing her bow. She couldn’t hit the helmsman from here, blocked as she was by the sails, but she could assist Joel and Arnold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re taking the helm.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll back you up. Please don’t push yourself, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe nocked an arrow as Arnold headed for the enemy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel was brimming with feelings he couldn’t understand as he watched Arnold and Rishe. His head throbbed, he was nauseated, and his vision was blurry. In his state, the juddering of the ship just made him more miserable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Joel’s limbs reacted to the bloodlust he sensed around him, and his body moved naturally to combat it without thought. But he found his attention drawn less to the people trying to kill him and more to the couple fighting together on the other side of the ship."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Prince Arnold is protecting her…even though that should make him weaker…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel was well aware of that fact."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You really are a genius with a sword, Joel. There’s no other way to put it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A knight instructor had told him that while he was taking sword lessons with other young nobles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The first person who’d taught him how to use a sword was his eldest brother. It was the first thing Joel had ever found fun. He’d spent most of his time sleeping out of a lack of desire to do anything else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whenever he was awake, he was thinking about the sword. When his brother was home, Joel would hang around him, pestering him for training. His brother had been patient with him, but when his studies as the next head of the family began to consume his free time, he asked Joel, “Do you want to take the same sword lessons I did? Everyone else will be older than you, but I’m sure you can keep up, Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His sister brought Joel to the lessons, and he learned with dozens of other students who were five or six years his senior. But by the third day of lessons, Joel had beaten every single one of them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Joel! You’re really amazing!” all the senior knights said, patting his head. He had really been a child then, and he felt happy to receive their praise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I hope you’ll join the knights as our junior, Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s reassuring that we might be fighting alongside you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah…I’ll fight with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel was looking forward to it so much that he put even more effort into his training. He swung his wooden sword even when his seniors were resting. He drank milk even though he didn’t like it because he heard it would make him taller, and he ran around trying to build muscle—living a life he could never imagine living now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wanna join me?” he asked his seniors once, and they shook their heads, bitter smiles on their faces."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re the only one who can train like that, Joel.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. We gotta do things our own way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He believed that they trained hard in their own way, but they never got any harder to fight against. If anything, Joel felt like the stronger he got, the weaker everyone else became. And it wasn’t just because the gap between their abilities was so great. They actually were getting weaker."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel finally understood when he was nine. They were out on the ocean, training to fight on ships—a necessity for future knights of Siarga."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’d gone out to the open sea and run into pirates. Maybe they didn’t have any real battle experience yet, but they were all noble boys who had been training for years. But the scene before Joel was nothing like what he’d pictured, and all he could do was stand there, blankly watching."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Joel, hurry!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The older kids cried and called for his help."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey! What’s wrong, Joel?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The retired knight serving as their instructor had been stabbed first and had lost consciousness. Yet the older kids had done nothing to help him, instead thrusting a sword at Joel—the youngest among them—and pushing him toward the pirates."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re a genius, aren’t you?! You can beat all the pirates yourself, right?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They’d laughed and said it would be reassuring to fight alongside him, hadn’t they? But now they were pushing Joel at the enemy by himself and yelling at him. There was even anger in their voices."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hurry up and save us!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh. It wasn’t that he was sad over being forced to fight alone. They got weak because of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was what he’d learned that day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When strong people protect weak people, they get weaker. Both the one being protected and the one doing the protecting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joel beat all the pirates himself and treated the instructor’s wounds as well. When they got back on land, everyone heaped praise on him and thanked him for fighting for their sake, but he couldn’t accept their affection anymore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I made them weak."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he hadn’t been with them, they would surely have died. That was when Joel made his decision."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must fight on my own. Anyone blindly relying on someone else will just die a pathetic death the moment they step onto a real battlefield."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he ever fought alongside someone, it had to be someone stronger than him. Otherwise, they’d rely on him and die."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t need anyone to praise my swordsmanship anymore. And I won’t train anymore either… I can’t leave my life in these people’s hands. It’s easier to just not trust them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After deciding never to fight alongside anyone again, Joel’s swordsmanship only improved. Perhaps he was simply never suited to acting in concert with other people."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The strong become weaker because weak people hinder them. Weak people get weaker because they depend on the strong."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’d been sure of that, but the way Arnold Hein and Rishe fought atop the ship contradicted his belief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How is Prince Arnold so strong while fighting to protect her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Swaying under this unbelievable reality, Joel cut down the enemies before him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t just Arnold; Rishe herself was taking down pirates with her arrows, much steadier than she’d been before."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Same goes for her. Her steps are so much better than they were when she was fighting alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Stuffing down the nausea he felt from his head injury, Joel squinted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s…fighting better than she did with me too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When she fought with Arnold, Rishe displayed a dignified strength that was clear even to Joel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shot an enemy closing in on Joel in the leg to pin him in place, then hurried after Arnold. The prince’s footing was so stable on the ship, it was hard to believe he had so little experience fighting on the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s not just his swordplay that’s incredible, it’s his command over his body as well!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She fully understood why Arnold had boarded the ship on his own, leaving his Imperial Guards behind. Even as more sailors appeared, boarding from the other ship, Arnold’s expression didn’t change one bit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were crates and barrels lying around on the deck, and each time the ship lurched, the pair drew closer, using the moving obstacles as cover."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know what I need to do!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe shouldered her bow and grabbed hold of a rope ladder hanging from the mast. She climbed up to a decent height and hooked an arm around the ladder so that she wouldn’t fall. Nocking another arrow from there, she shot an enemy in front of Arnold and shouted, “Two meters ahead at eleven o’clock, behind the crate!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold immediately kicked the crate and rushed forward. As soon as the two enemies hiding behind it were knocked out, Rishe leapt down onto the crate and shot a man hiding behind a barrel, whom she could now see from her new vantage point."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The helm was thirty meters away, but enemies were still crawling out of the woodwork. With one eye on Joel, Rishe said to her allies, “They’re turning the ship starboard! It’ll sway to the left next!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold cut down several enemies, opening up space at his side. “Rishe. Here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, Prince Arnold!” Rishe leapt into the spot he’d made for her, and the ship swayed. Arnold put his arm around her waist. The crate she’d just been standing on crashed into a pillar and shattered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They parted swiftly, raised their swords, and cut down the enemies who were off-balance from the last shift. At Arnold’s side, Rishe switched from her sword to her bow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wasted some arrows. Even with this fog and the way the ship’s swaying, Raul wouldn’t have missed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rishe.” Arnold raised his sword at the enemy, protecting her behind his back. “I’ll stop the pirates. Can you get that man off the helm?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I only have one arrow left… The helmsman was obscured by the fog, yet Rishe held her head high and, entrusting her back to Arnold, replied, “Just leave it to me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will.” Rishe was sure that his gentle response wasn’t her imagination."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe it does weaken him to protect me. Rishe was keenly aware of that fact after the injury Arnold had suffered. Prince Arnold is practical, and he only keeps those he needs by his side. He chose Oliver and Raul…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She took a deep breath and nocked her last arrow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s the same reason he forged a technological alliance with Coyolles, formed a joint venture manufacturing paper currency with Siguel, and pardoned Professor Michel… There would be nothing strange about him allying himself with this merchant of death either."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if Rishe had prevented it from happening here and now, Arnold would most likely obtain Siarga’s shipbuilding technology at some point. This wasn’t like gunpowder. It was technology another country possessed that Galkhein didn’t, and Arnold would never allow his nation to remain inferior to another."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that’s why I need to make something clear!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe slowly narrowed her eyes and aimed. She made sure to keep her core steady, finding whatever balance she could on the swaying deck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, you’re not seriously planning to shoot him from here, are you, girlie?! Ha ha, you’ll never hit—argh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She believed that Arnold was protecting both her and Joel. Even if she was worried about his injury, she’d decided to trust him completely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need anyone who sees me from now on to know one thing. Rishe held her breath, concentrating every nerve in her body. His Highness Arnold Hein, the crown prince, is stronger with his bride by his side!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She locked on to her enemy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I make that happen, then even Prince Arnold will have to think the same… I’ll make myself the logical choice over an arms dealer who will destroy the world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If she couldn’t become a bride worthy of that, then she wouldn’t be able to change the future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I won’t let you walk that bloody path all alone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Silently conveying her resolve to the man at her side, Rishe let her arrow fly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll make you choose a future with me!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The arrow whizzed straight into the fog, aimed to the side of the helmsman. It would never hit him at this angle. But just then, the ship began to tilt back to the right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The arrow struck the man’s arm and he cried out, releasing the helm. The ceaselessly spinning helm finally released, and the ship shook one final time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your Highness, I got him!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All hands on deck,” Arnold commanded immediately. His voice was indifferent, but it carried well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With the deck finally a decent battleground, the Imperial Guards descended on the ship at once."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Almost there!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With this many knights on their side, the injured Arnold and Joel wouldn’t have to fight anymore, but Rishe couldn’t let her guard down yet. Joel was still surrounded, his opponents lifting their swords to strike."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sir Joel!” Rishe began to rush toward him, but Arnold stopped her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was right. Joel’s sword flashed in a circle, the finale to his magnificent dance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With the fog clearing, his blade reflected a faint ray of sunshine. His enemies fell, and a path was opened before him. When he saw her, he smiled almost like he was relieved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank goodness! Rishe let out a sigh of relief as well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the Imperial Guards hurried over and reported, “Your Highness, Lady Rishe! We’ve located eleven women confined within the ship! We’ll rescue them immediately!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All the enemies on deck were unconscious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sheathing his sword, Arnold told Rishe, “This eleven makes up the rest of the women reported missing in Siarga. We’ll seize this ship and the other one as evidence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, Your Highness, didn’t you mobilize the ship you arrived in on short notice? With just one crew, how will you get them all back to port?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold glanced up at the Galkhein flag flying from his ship. Now that the fog had dissipated a bit, Rishe could see people waving on the deck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyes went wide in surprise. “It’s the sailors who helped us put out the fire!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The same ones whom Rishe had treated to drinks the next day as thanks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The hunter proposed we hire them temporarily. Oliver made the arrangements. Apparently, every single one of them volunteered for the job without regard for their actual work when they heard it was for you.” Arnold gazed at Rishe with affection. “That’s your power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s heart swelled to hear it, even if it wasn’t true. In reality, this had come about thanks to Raul’s suggestion and Oliver’s maneuvering. This whole plan would never have worked without Joel and Arnold either. The day when Rishe would change Arnold’s strength was still far in the future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even so…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She reached out and hung on to Arnold. Within his arms, she asked him casually, “Has your wound stopped hurting?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew the only way for them to talk without anyone hearing was for her to cling to him in this fashion—though that might just have been an excuse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah,” Arnold said after a pause, stroking Rishe’s hair. He whispered into her ear, “It’s gone completely, thanks to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If she said something back to him right away, she felt like her voice would quaver. Rishe buried her face in Arnold’s chest, clutching at his clothing. She was finally able to let go of him when lighter footsteps than the knights’ approached them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sir Joel…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joel frowned when he saw Rishe in Arnold’s arms. “Thanks. For saving me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s no need for that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe was the one who’d been saved by him countless times in the past. She couldn’t tell him as much, but she was sincerely grateful to him nonetheless. He’d done so much for her that she could never possibly pay him back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re way stronger when you’re with Prince Arnold,” Joel said, his voice gentle despite the lack of expression on his face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Could it be…? Rishe got the feeling she might understand a bit of what Joel had been feeling. Does Joel only fight alone so his allies have a better chance of survival? If she asked him directly, he would likely deny it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe glanced up at Arnold again, and he slowly released her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know that strong people who carry burdens on their own and fight by themselves just don’t want to hurt others,” she told Joel. Praying that no one would notice how much she missed Arnold’s heat as he withdrew from her, she continued, “But that’s why I want to become stronger…so that person never has to get hurt again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold’s eyes crinkled in understanding. “I see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Putting his sword through his belt, Joel gave Arnold a rare smile and said, “Yeah… That wasn’t bad.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He opened his sword hand, studied it, and closed it. After the testing gesture, he left his hand on his sword hilt and said with satisfaction, “I remember now that I always wanted to fight with other people.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why, Sir Joel!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had only ever fought alongside Joel once in her sixth life, just before she died. Had he remembered the same thing then, when he died for her?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wouldn’t remember that, she acknowledged, then swore a vow in her heart. I will stop Prince Arnold. I will avoid His Highness’s bloody future and Joel’s death. To do that, I…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She gripped Arnold’s sleeve, and the prince caressed her hair. Rishe smiled, resisting the urge to cling to him once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right then, Joel murmured, “I’m sleepy,” and collapsed to the deck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Things on the ship were bustling for some time after that."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0028.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AFTER TREATING JOEL and the abductees, Rishe returned to the villa where she holed herself up with Arnold in his room. She needed to check the progress of his healing and reapply his salve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The prince was seated on the bed, his torso bare. Rishe sat in a chair before him, meeting his gaze once she’d finished her examination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It seems the healing effect of the goddess’s blood is most potent at an injury’s critical phase,” was her determination."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She opened the bottle containing the salve and dabbed it with a brush she only used for this purpose. Arnold didn’t seem particularly interested in what she had to say, but he was still listening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You stopped bleeding quickly on the night you were injured, but it’s healed at a normal rate since then. There’s no indication that the wound will heal completely anytime soon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I really have to imagine it hurts when you move…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was just too good at hiding it. The old scar on his neck should have caused some differences in how he moved his right and left sides, but he hardly let anyone figure it out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re really not pushing yourself?” Rishe studied him intently, but Arnold’s expression never changed. Instead, he cupped her face, squishing her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-oh, would you stop teasing me?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was only enjoying her protests for some reason. Rishe puffed up her cheeks in irritation as she reapplied her salve."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You aren’t hurt or ill at all?” he asked her this time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I assure you I am unscathed in mind and body. I wasn’t expecting them to be so gentle with me, honestly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold frowned, but this was important."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It bothers me how odd their treatment of us was. They were clearly careful with us as pieces of merchandise, but they didn’t even bother searching us for hidden weapons… I can’t imagine the slave trade is their main business.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sure it isn’t.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then there’s the map I mentioned to you earlier, Your Highness.” She’d told him back on the deck. “That ship intended to stop in Ceutena.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He didn’t respond, but Rishe hadn’t expected him to. She had noticed that they’d left Raul behind on the ship when they departed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ceutena is a port in the north, on the way to Coyolles. It’s not an unusual destination for a ship leaving this city, she thought as she wrapped gauze around Arnold’s wound. But Ceutena is Lord Lawvine’s domain. I can’t forget the coldness His Highness displayed toward Lord Lawvine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a man who called himself Thaddeus behind the slave trade. He was likely an arms dealer, and the next most profitable thing for a man like him after war was rebellion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is only just a hypothesis, but…Lord Lawvine wasn’t there the first day I participated in the ten-day knight cadet training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d begun instructing them on the second day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Youths like you should always aim to improve yourselves. I’ll be assisting with your instruction starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing how you perform.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I was detained later than I meant to be, so I couldn’t attend today’s practice. What are your thoughts?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was what Lawvine had said then, but given how much care and effort he took in their training, just what could have caused him to miss their first day? Kyle, another conscientious person, had arrived the next day, at the exact time Arnold had expected of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Lord Lawvine was only there to keep Prince Kyle in check, then it makes no sense for him to arrive after Prince Kyle. If I consider the worst possible reason Lord Lawvine’s plans might have been delayed…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s hands slowed as she prepared Arnold’s bandages."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Could Lord Lawvine have stopped by Bezzetoria?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She recalled seeing goods from Ceutena on a ship in town a few days ago. It wouldn’t have been strange for Lawvine to visit Bezzetoria if he did business with some of the ships here. If he hardly ever left his region, it wouldn’t be odd for him to stop by as part of his trip to Galkhein’s capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Prince Arnold kills Lord Lawvine in the future…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What if it hadn’t been because he’d spoken out against Emperor Arnold Hein’s atrocities but because he’d been scheming some other serious crime?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s hand settled on hers, still holding the bandages."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll do it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He must have guessed what she was thinking. Rishe felt guilty and wanted to help in his treatment somehow, so she ended up proposing something willful."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ll do it together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was aware of the strangeness of her suggestion, so she mumbled hesitantly as she reached for him. It was easier to wrap bandages around your own abdomen than have someone else do it. Rishe knew that, so she constrained herself to helping."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, she put a prayer into her help as well. “May your wound heal quickly…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Rishe continued to pray, Arnold regarded her with his indifferent yet somehow gentle gaze. As soon as he was finished wrapping the bandages, he laid a hand on Rishe’s head. Rishe blinked slowly, comforted by the sensation of his fingers combing through her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is it, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re sleepy, aren’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t true at all. She shook her head, but he just continued to caress her locks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m not sleepy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wonder.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not! Wait, huh?” She did her best to deny it, but her eyelids were getting heavy all of a sudden."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I know you haven’t really slept since the night of the fire.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe hung her head, unable to defend herself. She felt like she was about to start melting where Arnold’s warm hand was touching her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you give in?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then sleep until evening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew why he’d specified evening, of course."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe blinked, looked down, and slowly took Arnold’s hand, pleading like a young child, “Can I…sleep here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold took a quiet breath and then stroked her hair once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe smiled without meaning to, so pleased was she to hear that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And when she woke up just before evening, she completed all her various preparations and headed with Arnold to their meeting place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe sat by a window, deeply nervous, as the golden light of evening began to stream into the room. The women who had helped her change had left the room after finishing their final checks. She inspected herself in the mirror once more, checking her back as well, before a voice came from the other side of the door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She gasped when Arnold called her name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-one moment, please!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With one last look in the mirror, she fidgeted with her bangs. Her hair was down, but she was beginning to think maybe she should have done something with it today instead of leaving it be for the ceremony."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But she couldn’t put this off forever."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I need to think of Prince Arnold! He’s injured, so he can’t wait out in the hallway for long!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe took a deep breath, steeled herself, and called out, “C-come in!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was the door opening slowly because Rishe’s heart was beating so fast?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold entered the fitting room and stared straight at her. Rishe felt her cheeks burning as the object of her one-sided love gazed intently at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sight of Rishe in her wedding dress was reflected in Arnold’s blue eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The pure-white dress seemed to glow as it hugged Rishe’s frame, giving her a slender silhouette. The dress bared her shoulders and collarbones but used plenty of lace as well, so it struck a good balance between what skin it hid and exposed. Even Rishe’s nectar-polished skin appeared to shine in the evening light thanks to the dress. The long train pooled on the floor like a puddle of milk. So much cloth had gone into the dress, yet it was as light as air. Each time Rishe moved, it flowed around her elegantly like ocean waves. The open back made for a nice contrast with the long train."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The embroidery and embedded gemstones were the product of the craftsmen of this city. They’d used ample gold and silver thread to create embroidery with both detail and dimension. It depicted not only beautiful flowers and fluttering butterflies but also stardust in the form of tiny diamonds and sapphires."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“These sapphires…” Rishe lowered her head in embarrassment, telling Arnold what the seamstresses had just told her. “The craftsmen were very particular with them. Since they found out that I treasured a ring with a blue sapphire in it…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, um…” Rishe was getting nervous because Arnold wasn’t saying anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is there something strange about it?!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The thought crossed her mind and Rishe hastily said, “Listen, Prince Ar—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold suddenly embraced her. His voice was lower than usual as he whispered into her ear, “Must I really let other people see this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The fiery passion in his voice caused Rishe’s face to burn hotter. His touch was so earnest, she felt trapped in his arms. She knew he was complimenting her, but she still hesitantly asked, “D-does it look…bad?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course not.” Stroking Rishe’s hair, Arnold said, voice husky, “I told you, didn’t I?” His voice sweetened like honey as he delivered his message to Rishe. “You’re the only beautiful thing I know.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe’s body temperature surged at Arnold’s direct words. Her back was exposed almost down to her waist, and she felt extra conscious of Arnold’s hand on her bare skin. She buried her face in Arnold’s chest to try to mask the heat coursing through her veins."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And you won’t even let me wish to be your wife in all my future lives… She pouted until Arnold softly called her name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He kissed the top of her head. She looked up in surprise, but he was just staring down at her as if nothing had happened. She yearned to tell him what a vise grip his teasing had on her heart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see,” Arnold said. “So I haven’t said enough yet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe shook her head. That wasn’t true, but she’d already begged him for one selfish gift on her birthday: the practice kiss for their wedding. It would be greedy for her to take even more joy in the man she loved complimenting how she looked in her dress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trembling, Rishe said, “It would be an abuse of authority…”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0029.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold couldn’t possibly know why she’d said that, but he lowered his gaze and took Rishe’s left hand, kissing her ring finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ngh!” Her bare shoulders jumped. Rishe grasped Arnold’s sleeve without thinking and found herself begging, “One more time…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was unfair of her to beg like this. She knew that, yet she couldn’t stop herself. Even so, Arnold didn’t scold her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead of kissing her finger again, Arnold cupped her chin. Rishe’s eyes went wide when their lips met. Then she let her lids droop. She felt a twinge in her chest at the heady blend of emotions as she entwined her fingers with Arnold’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have thought I wanted to practice kissing again. Because I’m in my dress now, so it will be different…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew that, but her heart still ached at his soft kiss. Their lips parted, then met again, and Rishe closed her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They kissed again and again, but Rishe never felt like she got any better at it. After one of them, Rishe let out a hot sigh and pressed her face against Arnold’s chest to hide it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re terrible…” She stuffed down everything else she wanted to say and left it at that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As though he could read her mind, Arnold stroked Rishe’s hair and murmured, “I know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was kind and terrible all at once. He allowed her to kiss him so much to practice. He toyed with her the whole time, since she wasn’t getting any better at it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’ll never promise me a happy future with him, the one I want more than anything else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was why Rishe had to win it for herself, no matter what it took."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s something I want to ask you, Prince Arnold…in order for me to marry you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She tightened her grip around Arnold and said, “Please let me meet with your father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, a line of carriages arrived in Galkhein’s capital city of Schiengisse. The carriages were finely decorated down to the minute details. Even their horses wore gaudy-looking tack."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Inside one of the carriages, a man sat atop brightly colored cushions, his chin resting in his hand as he cheerfully downed a drink."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s been a long time since I last visited Schiengisse, hasn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’d purchased the drinks he was enjoying in each of the countries he’d passed through on the way to Galkhein—cheap liquor that the common folk enjoyed. He took great pleasure in tasting the drinks that had taken root in the local culture and contemplating how their lives informed the flavors."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t believe little Arnold’s taken a wife, though.” He set the gold cup down beside him and grinned gleefully. “I have to wonder what sort of woman could change his mind when he looked at me with such contempt over my harem.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "King Zahad of the desert country Halil Rasha chuckled deep in his throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m looking forward to meeting her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To be continued…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0031.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: Sweet Practice, Oft Repeated"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:Sweet Practice, Oft Repeated"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "RISHE KNEW WELL the importance of repeated practice. Even if she struggled with something at first, she understood that if she put in the effort to practice, she might see improvement one day. To that end, Rishe stared down at Arnold’s hand as they rode in the carriage on their way back to the capital, her cheeks flushed with heat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold was seated next to her, asleep, with his head on her shoulder. Half an hour ago, he had been doing paperwork as usual. Rishe had been processing some medicinal flowers she’d recently obtained, her handkerchief open on her lap, when she’d felt a weight settle on her shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Prince Arnold?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d noticed that he was blinking slower, but she had never expected him to fall asleep on her. She was flustered at first, eventually calming as she listened to his quiet breaths."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now she reached for his hand, then gasped and withdrew."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She eyed her hand, lifted it, and kissed her ring finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ngh… Nope, no success."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe pulled her lips away and cocked her head before changing the angle slightly and kissing her own hand once more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That wasn’t it either. She blinked as she observed her hand and then glanced at Arnold again, her eyes landing on his own hand resting defenselessly on his lap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I need more practice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as she was about to kiss her own hand again…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold grabbed her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-I’m sorry! Did I wake you?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold could have worked the nap into his schedule, for all she knew. But he continued leaning on her, interlacing their fingers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe.” His voice was low and husky from sleep. He’d occasionally touched her this way ever since he was injured in the ship fire. This made it hard to tell who was indulging whom."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The way he said her name made it clear that he wanted an answer to his earlier question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe gave in and confessed, “I was just thinking, you were really good at it…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good at what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hrk! Um, well…” She squeezed his hand nervously. “Kissing…the back of my hand…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She felt like she’d just revealed exactly how much she’d been thinking about that kiss, which mortified her. He sat up, pulling away to observe her. Rishe, meanwhile, couldn’t meet his eyes at all. She was staunchly avoiding letting him see her undoubtedly crimson face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I don’t think that’s something you can be good at.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-well, I do! It’s totally different when I do it,” she said vaguely, unable to describe what she meant. She didn’t even have the presence of mind to realize their fingers were still entwined."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe had kissed the back of Arnold’s hand on the beach in Vinrhys, but the kiss she’d given him with her vow was much clumsier than Arnold’s had been."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So I was…practicing with my own hand…” He must have heard her despite how her voice faded to practically nothing by the time she reached the end of her sentence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He must be completely astounded that I was practicing something so nonsensical, she thought, her nerves frayed to high heaven."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arnold stared at her for a few moments before lifting their clasped hands and bringing them up to Rishe’s lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe looked up and met Arnold’s tranquil gaze. “Y-you don’t mind?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do what you want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was giving her permission to practice on him. For whatever reason, it seemed he’d decided to play along with Rishe’s strange idea. Embarrassment with a slight edge of guilt jostled inside her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s unfair of me to touch him like this when I’m hiding my love for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, Rishe took him up on his offer and pulled his hand closer. As her heart thrummed and her ears turned scarlet, Rishe kissed the base of Arnold’s ring finger. Her lips pulled away with a light smack. She peered up at Arnold; she really didn’t feel like she’d done it well. Arnold was just giving her that same disinterested look as always, so she took that as permission to continue and kissed his hand again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wasn’t satisfied with the second kiss either and scrunched her face up in confusion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She changed the way their fingers were entwined and kissed him a third time, then changed her angle and kissed him a fourth time, but she still couldn’t do it like Arnold. As a test, she nibbled on the finger with her lips, but she was quite sure this was not the answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, how she wished he would tell her the trick to it! She called his name in capitulation, and he sighed and let go of her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s right. I tried it so many times. That’s enough practice for now…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As soon as disappointment pricked her, Arnold’s hand engulfed hers, and her eyes went wide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold kissed the back of her hand. He pressed his lips to the same finger she had, his touch gentle and sweet, almost like she might melt under it. It was nothing like Rishe’s kiss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet Arnold brushed his lips against her skin, held her gaze, and declared, “I don’t think we’re doing anything different.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It’s completely different!” Rishe choked out, even as she felt like she would have a heart attack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She decided to get some more practice in before the carriage reached its next rest stop, but each time she tried, her mind just filled with his own kisses to her hand. She was confident she wasn’t going to improve anytime soon."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0032.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bonus Story: In Which Sweetness Succeeds Sleep"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Story:In Which Sweetness Succeeds Sleep"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE DAY AFTER THE SHIP FIRE, it was time to retire for the night. Once Rishe had a bath, she helped Arnold disinfect his wound in his bedroom. She intended to sleep there once more. Arnold had just given her his usual expressionless but somehow poignant stare. Ultimately, he’d allowed her to do as she wanted. Thus, Rishe was preparing to serve as his body pillow yet again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seated in the middle of the bed, Rishe frowned with concern. Arnold, also seated on the bed, inquired about the source of her discomfort."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rishe studied him. He’d just bathed, like she had. Normally, he kept his collar buttoned tight so no one could see his scar, but he was dressed for sleep now in light clothes he could relax in. She could see all the way down to his collarbones."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hugged one of the many pillows on the bed and tugged on Arnold’s sleeve, asking, “You use a soap with a subtle fragrance, right, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’d be distracting otherwise.” He answered just as she expected. Arnold must not have liked strong smells."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She brought the back of her hand up to her nose and breathed in. “Mmm…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rishe.” He called her name again instead of repeating his question."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe hesitantly told him, “You see, um…this morning, Sir Joel, well, made a comment…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What sort of comment?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Overcome with embarrassment, she hung her head before continuing, “He noticed that the same smell was coming from both of us…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold must have seen how red her face was by now, which only made her more anxious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe clutched at her own nightclothes and hastily explained, “So I tried putting less lotion on after my bath today, but I think I’ll still smell stronger than you, Your Highness…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll just go wipe myself down once more before bedtime. I’ll get as much of the smell off as I can before getting into bed with you, so you should go ahead and—eep!” Rishe yelped when Arnold reached for her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His large hand sidled around her back and pulled her close. Then he brought his nose down to Rishe’s neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s black hair tickled where it brushed her skin. “Ngh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His face still right up against her skin, he muttered, “It smells sweet.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I-It does, doesn’t it? I’m sorry, I’ll go remove—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But,” he said, pulling away with utter nonchalance, “I think that’s just you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” Rishe’s eyes widened before she could digest his meaning."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not unpleasant. You don’t need to go get rid of it, so hurry up and go to sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Come on. I’m snuffing the lamp.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At his insistence, Rishe scurried under the covers. He really seemed not to mind, and he didn’t say anything when she snuggled up to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What he said just now… No, I’m sure there wasn’t any deep meaning to it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She felt hot, and not because she’d just taken a bath. She turned her back to Arnold, hoping he wouldn’t notice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If my body heat rises, it will only strengthen the smell!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rishe did, of course, intend to serve as Arnold’s body pillow, but she needed to cool her head a bit first. She asked Arnold to put off snuffing the lamp and he obliged, giving her some time to compose herself."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0033.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "HELLO, TOUKO AMEKAWA HERE. Thank you so much for picking up 7th Time Loop Volume 6!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This volume revolves around the people Rishe knew in her sixth life, and a new character is introduced as well!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like Raul, Joel was in love with Rishe in her past life. While it’s not mentioned in the main story, since it’s from Rishe’s perspective, it would make me happy if you kept that in mind while reading about their relationship in this life!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arnold’s affection meter (not his feelings but the expression of them) has reached a seven out of ten on the scale by the epilogue of Volume 6. He shows a new side of himself to Rishe this time, but I’d appreciate it if you kept watching over them warmly as they grow even closer in the future!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank you so much as always to my editor; the illustrator, Wan☆Hachipisu-sensei; the artist of the manga adaptation, Hinoki Kino-sensei; and the manga’s editor as well! The story grows by the day thanks to all your great work!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally, 7th Time Loop’s anime began airing on January 7th, 2024! I’ve informed the staff of the secrets behind the story and how it ends, and they’ve worked details about those things into the adaptation. They’ve been creating it with so much love! I really am thrilled for all of you to see it. Meanwhile, I’ll keep putting my all into the novels. I look forward to your continued support!"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_7th Time Loop_7th-Time-Loop-Volume-06-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0034.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 1"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Allow me to introduce myself—my name is SkyFarm. Thank you so much for reading my work. This story was originally serialized on the web and was later collected into light novel format. The idea arose from thinking about how cool it would be to level up with maximum efficiency using a huge stockpile of XP."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Most of my work centers around protagonists who are tamers, and this one is no exception. But in this story, the familiars can also assume human form and participate as real party members. As of the end of volume one, Remille has already tamed a variety of strange beings. Where will he go from here? I’m curious to find out myself! I very much hope you will come along for the ride."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On another subject, I think a lot about how crucial it is for any creator to follow popular fads. Especially in entertainment, it’s so important to have a sense of what the audience will enjoy. With that in mind, I hope you will all continue to follow me even when it’s hard to tell if my Twitter belongs to an author, or to some kind of animal trainer or hunter (lol). But jokes aside, games these days are truly incredible, aren’t they? I really enjoy them. I often wish I could actually live inside such a world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I come to the end of this note, I want to express my gratitude to teffish for the gorgeous illustrations! Every time I received a new illustration, it gave me a burst of motivation and excitement about the project."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There were so many other people without whom this book would not have been possible, from the managing editor Yamaguchi all the way down. Thank you all so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the biggest thank you of all goes to the readers who gave this story a chance. I am so grateful to you. I hope to see you again in volume two!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "SkyFarm, May 2021"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-01-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | afterword.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 1"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bonus Short Stories"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Catra’s Grand Adventure"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is...an egg? Purrhaps?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d gotten used to doing stuff on my own away from Master. I wanted to stay by his side, of course, but as I watched him I realized that there are things I had to do myself. Master will definitely come up against foes that are too much for me to take down. So I must get stronger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And to do that, I had to be away from him sometimes. Otherwise, Master..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Meep, how strange... It’s like memories that never happened are flooding my mind...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Somehow, I knew that if I didn’t get stronger, Master would die. So I’d been doing everything I could to get stronger and to gather a lot of minions. Master will be pleased with meow!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But anyway...“Mm, definitely...an egg.” It was too big for me to hold in my human hands. No parent seemed to be protecting it. And more importantly, this egg... “I can’t just leave it here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What sort of egg could it be? I wondered. I had no idea how long it needed to incubate before hatching. “Hmph, I want to return to Master as soon as possible, so you’d better hatch quickly...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I snuggled up against the egg to keep it warm and fell asleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Meep?! What the...?” The egg had broken. Or, no, it had hatched—into the being that now sat right next to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What...are you?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kwah! Kwee! Kookyoo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no mistaking it: this was a baby dragon. And just as obviously, it was a dragon of overwhelming power."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kyoo! Kookyoo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was trying, however inarticulately, to communicate with me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you saying you’re... a kukulkan?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A kukulkan was powerful even among the ranks of dragons—around the same level as a behemoth. Wait, the same as... “Hey, you’re not a girl, are you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t take it if Master liked this dragon better than me! But as long as it was male it should be okay. I think. Probably. Plus, I was the only one who could actually take human form."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The kukulkan’s response was noncommittal, but for now I decided to believe it would be fine. “Right now I’m working on becoming stronger so I can help my master,” I said. “Do you want to come with meow?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Kwee!” came the immediate reply. I wasn’t sure it had really understood the question, but as I brought the dragon chick under my command I felt power flow into me. “Incredible...” If I was feeling this swell of strength, surely it would flow to Master as well. This was too much power to be able to conceal. But I was hoping to wait until I could transform perfectly before he found out..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You stay here and focus on getting stronger! Come to meow when I call you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At that chipper reply, I left the baby kukulkan there, abandoning human form and running at full speed. “Master is calling meeep!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He must have been worried about me since I’d been out all night. It made me happy to feel him looking for me, and I ran with renewed vigor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I really can’t keep hiding it for much longer, can I...?” I was glad that my power was increasing, but I really didn’t want to show Master an imperfect transformation. But... “Eh, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it!” For right now, all I wanted was to hurry back to Master’s side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel’s Boredom"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You may enter.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Some cabinet minister of something-or-other—I had already forgotten of what, but he was probably pretty important—ushered a never-ending stream of people into the palace chamber where I sat. Seated on my ceremonial throne, I would use my Eye to Appraise each person in turn and convey the result to them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, so this is the famous ‘uncut gem’... I am honored,” murmured the man who now bowed before me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was so bored. With this room. With this man. With everything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My father claimed that this was vital to ensure the future of our kingdom, but if you asked me, they’d be bringing in younger people if that were the case. Appraisal was a skill that could read future potential. If we made appointments for promising young talents, then it could end up increasing the kingdom’s power. But the people who were brought here were not young. No, they were all well-dressed, well-to-do people who had led lives of luxury and paid for the privilege of coming here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And anyone who would pay to come here, without exception, was in for a rude surprise. After Appraising so many of these hopeless people, I could read them perfectly well without even needing my Eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The whole thing was really just a way to bring in money for the royal treasury."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I let out a long sigh. How many more of these meaningless morons must I spend my days gazing upon...?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Phew, it’s finally over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excellent work, Your Highness. Where are you headed now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, y’know...out. You won’t try to stop me, will you, Crow?” As I stood up to stretch after the long day of official business, my attendant Crow had approached me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think, Your Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think you’re Crow, so you won’t.” Having Crow assigned as my personal attendant had earned me brief moments of freedom."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Donning an outfit that would let me blend in, I prepared to head out into the royal capital city. My father and the other palace officials might not understand the true purpose of the Eye of Appraisal, but that just meant I would have to do it myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will find us a true hero.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take care, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bidding farewell to Crow, I left the castle and made my way toward the city."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This time, surely, I would find a hidden treasure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh...?” I had been wandering around the capital city for a while when I spotted him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If somehow I could team up with a princess or something, that would definitely show them, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was dressed in sparkling new armor—probably fresh out of one of those training schools for adventurers. And yet, somehow, this boy possessed an astounding quantity of experience points."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn’t look like a hardened veteran of the battlefield. And yet, there was no denying it. And what’s more... “H-How is this possible...?” The potential skill paths that branched out from him were more varied and extensive than I’d thought possible for any human."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unable to contain my curiosity, I called out to him. “Sounds good to me. Let’s do it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” The boy looked up toward me in confusion, and I decided to introduce myself. This guy could be the hero I’ve been looking for... No, he could be even greater. I will make him even greater. “I’m Ciel,” I said. “Or I guess I should say, the third princess of the Elton royal line.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The boy stared at me. His dazed expression didn’t exactly inspire confidence. But those experience points... There was some mystery here. It intrigued me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something told me my days of boredom had come to an end."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Training The Big Four"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Truly,” Ciel agreed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arrayed before us were all of the Big Four, under Catra’s command, each with some number of their own underlings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "First, the tribes of the fae, led by their youthful and elegant king Oberon, aka Tron. They stood with perfect decorum, adorned in the uniforms of court officials. At a glance, you really can’t even tell they’re goblins, I thought. Other than Tron, the rest of the fae had not taken human form; they remained goblins or orcs or whatever. The clothes alone could not give them such an air of refinement. This must be the result of Crow’s strict training."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next came the slimes, who were also dressed in the clothes of palace employees—specifically, maids’ uniforms. Emmy, the emperor slime, was the only one who had fully taken human shape, down to the skin color. The rest of the slimes standing behind her were easily identifiable as slimes from their pale blue skin. But much like the fae tribes, they no longer carried themselves like typical monsters."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The magical beasts, led by the lycanthrope Ly, looked like a chivalric order in the armor they had donned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In terms of numbers, this force is a match for any noble—no, for the royal palace itself,” said Ciel. “And as for their overall combat potential...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Seeing them lined up like this, Tron and Emmy’s forces seem like they’ll be plenty powerful when it comes down to it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t forget meeep!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course not.” Catra and Kuku, as always, remained at my side. Being literal divine beasts, the two of them were by far our most powerful weapons."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The kukulkan nuzzled up against me, and I patted its head reassuringly. “So,” I said to Ciel, “now that we’ve got them gathered here, what’s the plan?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I told you already. Training.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, yeah, I know that much. But I meant like, more specifically, what are we going to do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am going to observe.” Ciel’s Eye flashed emerald green as she activated her skill."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tron,” she continued, “you will practice with the spear, three hundred strokes. Emmy, you will learn more impersonations. Ly, you should be able to gain skills that will increase our forces.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’s got this all planned out, huh?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Ciel looked on with her magic Eye, the monsters all moved to follow her orders. She moved between the fae, slime, and beast forces, giving instructions and correcting their form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just like that first day, when she made me take practice swings in the alley... Good times."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, you don’t get to slack off! Do a mock battle with Kuku! And don’t pull any punches.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kuku chirped excitedly and clung to me. But...battling against an actual divine beast?! Even one so young..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Catra learned the Heal skill,” Ciel said. “She absorbed it with Skill Eater at some point. So you can go all out and it’ll be fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?! You’re putting meeep in charge of Master’s care?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, at least Kuku was into it. Neither Catra nor I could hide our misgivings, but we had no choice. Ciel had demanded it. And whatever she demanded, the results were sure to be worth it in the end."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, let’s go, Kuku.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I raised my weapon and faced the dragon chick."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Kuku let out a piercing roar and rushed toward me, breathing torrents of flame."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nice work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh... Sure...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel held out a drink to me as I lay motionless on my back on the ground. In the mock battles with Kuku, I had managed a record of three wins and seven losses. The power of a divine beast was no joke, even one this young. It was pretty terrifying to imagine how powerful it would get. I’m really glad Kuku’s on our side..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Catra had healed my injuries, but I had hit the limit of my endurance, and now I couldn’t even stand up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still...” I said, “I did pretty well, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course. That’s the result of everyone being gathered here and working all day.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It seemed the training with Tron and the others had gone well. Throughout my mock battles, I had felt the power flowing into me. It was that strength that had helped me win a few battles in the second half of the session."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Catra’s Heal skill had already upgraded to Ultra Heal, and reached a high enough level that the ability could continue to grow. And..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Kuku got bigger, huh...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The increase was subtle, but unmistakable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s just like I said. A monster’s growth is based on its power. In Kuku’s case, the improvement of the rest of the force had some effect, but the biggest factor was beating you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why is that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re everything to that chick—its parent, its master, and its most important partner. From Kuku’s point of view, winning against you is the most meaningful victory possible.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That makes sense...I guess.” After all, it’s not like I can’t relate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I got strong too!” said Catra."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That you did.” And through me, that power was shared to the entire force. That’s the true power of being a tamer. Or at least, it sure seemed to be working well for us so far."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okey doke, if you’re still planning to tame a god, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels just yet,” Ciel said with a grin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With more days like today, I honestly felt that I might actually be able to do just that."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-01-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | bonus.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 1"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Eighth Loop Begins"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We will cast aside our selfishness! We will fight together, become top-ranking adventurers, and with our noble deeds we shall rise above even the houses of our birth!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m with you...yeah! We can do it! We will rise above, no matter what! We’ll show them all!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I will make them see...by my own deeds I will make them acknowledge my power!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Remille, aren’tcha gonna say anything?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, yeah, sorry,” I muttered. “I just, uh...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess I’m back here again. Back to just after graduation from Adventurer Preparatory School, to the day we formed our party."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the first loop I was a swordsman, but I failed to keep up with my friends’ progression and ended up sacrificing my life for them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the second loop, I was determined to draw on my experience from the last time and give it my all, but nevertheless when I was eighteen I died protecting my friends just the same."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the third loop, I gave up on fighting in the vanguard. I tried my hand at magic rather than swordsmanship, but it made no difference and I died anyway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the fourth loop, I switched the focus of my magic to be entirely on support spells. And I died."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the fifth loop, really more for my own sake than for my friends, I buffed my defensive abilities, aiming to become a mounted knight like Aman...and I died."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the sixth loop I completely avoided the front lines. The best way I could think of to keep myself out of battle was to learn alchemy and beast taming, but still...I died."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And the seventh loop, well... That was my greatest hits compilation. I armed myself with my alchemical skills, used my beast taming magic to bolster our ranks, and fought with both magic and the sword. I contributed more to the party than I ever had."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And that led to...well, you saw how that went."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I just, um, can’t really hope to keep up with you all. But I’ll try my best, I guess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you talking about? If anything happens, we’ve got your back,” Margus assured me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s right!” Rui broke in. “I can use my magic just fine with or without you. Ah, I mean, that’s not to say we don’t need you or anything, just...um... Anyway, I’ll protect you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Defense is my domain,” Aman added. “You just stick to your own skills and do what you can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks.” Could these three really end up so awful? How could that be...?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Out of habit I formed the question, then jolted with sudden realization. Oh. Right. I don’t have a companion yet in this loop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I broke away from the others and slipped into a quiet side alley. Finally alone, I thought through it all again—every one of my previous lives, and where to go from here. The conclusion was inescapable. “I’ve gotta split up from them as soon as I can.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sure, I wouldn’t have thought there was any ill will lurking under the surface just from talking to them today. But I knew how this would play out. And let’s be real—I had spent seven entire lives with those three without seeing through their facade. I didn’t exactly have a lot of confidence in my own judgment. Even now, I couldn’t quite bring myself to believe they truly felt that way about me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm, I guess I’ll go for being a master tamer...” Skills from the life immediately previous were always sharpest. My body retained some memory of skills I’d learned over my lifetimes, so by now I was starting out with at least some knowledge of swordsmanship, magic, taming, and alchemy. Technically speaking, I was exploiting the fact that I already knew the techniques, but the way I saw it I had worked hard to make that much progress in three years. This time around should be no different."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So assuming I’m right, even on my own I should be able to get at least C rank. Maybe. I hope.” I had never actually tried this before, so I couldn’t be sure, but it should work. If I was really lucky, I might even make B rank. With all the experience I had under my belt, I should be able to land on my feet quickly enough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When it comes down to it, the only reason I’ve stuck with them through seven whole loops was that I trusted them...” But every time, no matter what, I died at eighteen years old. That was the end I was signing up for each time I teamed up with them. The only reason that I kept trying and trying to find a way to make it work was that I liked them. As hard as it was to accept at the moment, if I continued to cling to that feeling, I was dooming myself to repeat the exact same death. And who knew how many loops I’d be able to go through? I had to do whatever I could to survive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But the party’s already been formed. That’s where the loop begins. I couldn’t avoid it.” If I couldn’t find a way out by that fateful day, I would definitely die. “So the first thing I have to do is break off from the party, and then I’ll...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And then... Then what? My thoughts turned to the future. “Uh...hmm.” And then what would I do? I’d never actually had to consider my own desired path. Now that I thought about it, I’d spent seven whole loops giving my life to them. Literally sacrificing my own life..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll show them...somehow.” At the end of my last life, they had mocked me for coming from a family of knights. They must have been harboring that prejudice the whole time. “I mean, it’s true that my family are lower nobility, outside the line of succession...” But that shouldn’t have made any difference. None of us were in line to inherit a title."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I would show them. But how? Performing deeds glorious enough to earn myself my own noble title, maybe? Could I make myself known to someone of higher societal standing than they’d ever imagine? “If somehow I could team up with a princess or something, that would definitely show them, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I absentmindedly grumbled my thoughts up to the sky, I locked eyes with a girl who was staring down at me. Her robe wrapped her whole body and hid most of her face, but she spoke in a clear voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds good to me. Let’s do it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” I was certain I’d checked to make sure no one else was around when I entered this alley. I thought I had been on the alert for approaching enemies or breaches of my perimeter. And yet I hadn’t noticed her at all until she was close enough to talk to me..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m Ciel,” she told me. “Or I guess I should say, the third princess of the Elton royal line.” As she spoke, she lowered her hood. Her eyes sparkled with determination. Her long golden hair was pinned up, framing a pale face that still retained the smooth curves of girlhood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Between her appearance and her introduction, there was really no denying it. With that combo of youth, beauty, and tomboyish guise, she could be none other than the lovely girl known throughout the kingdom, for multiple reasons, as the “uncut gem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you really...?” I wondered aloud."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who else would I be? Sheesh... Oh, maybe this will convince you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are—?” Before I could get the words out, her right eye turned from gold to a gleaming aquamarine, shining like a gem. “Oh...!” Suddenly I knew. This was the other reason for her “uncut gem” nickname. Or really, I guess it was the main reason: the power to detect hidden veins of ore and gemstone deposits—the greatest treasure of our kingdom, the Eye of Appraisal. Using that ability would cause your eye to gleam like a gem."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oooh,” she breathed as she looked at me. “I knew it. You, dear sir, are quite fascinating.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What...what did you see?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You have an absolutely unreal amount of XP. And even stranger, your skills are so all over the place, I could see tons of different paths before you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Paths...?” I repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This power lets me glimpse the general direction of the path someone is best suited for. But in your case, there are so many diverging branches I can’t get a clear picture.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Branches, huh? It made sense, with all the different things I’d tried over seven loops. With that thought, the reality of my present situation finally came crashing back into my mind. It’s all well and good to mutter to myself about princesses, but this was beyond reckless. Even if this girl really was the princess—no, especially if she really was—I wanted nothing more to do with her. Making contact with someone so far above my station could only make things worse for me. I had enough on my plate trying to figure out how to change my fate of dying in three years’ time. I did not need any more trouble."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s what I told myself, anyway, until her next words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So tell me, you’ve been through several loops by now, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh—?” I stammered in shock. “How did you know?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Aha! So it is true. That’s incredible!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn it...” It was too late to take back my admission. Well, the Eye of Appraisal was said to be able to discern the truth. No doubt remained in my mind about the identity of the girl who stood before me. There was no getting out of this now..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, so,” she continued, “what are we gonna do? Go adventuring? Enroll in some academy of higher learning?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For real? I mean... Do you speak in earnest? Your...Highness?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, cut that out. You and I are beyond such formalities.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We...we are?” This was bad. My brain couldn’t keep up with my mouth. It’s funny; in the whole seven loops I’d been through, I’d never once actually met a princess. I had assumed that whatever choices I made, the basic outline of events would be the same. But already it seemed I had deviated from that cycle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All because I decided I wanted to split from the party...?” I muttered under my breath."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm? I don’t quite know what you mean...form a party?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shush, I’m thinking, could you be quiet for a sec?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oi! What a way to talk to a princess! Well, so be it. I am magnanimous enough to let it slide. Take your time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the alley fell silent I gathered my thoughts. Think back. After this, the next step would be to go complete the party formation application together. Typically newbies would start from F rank, but since we’d completed Adventurer Prep School, we’d be allowed to start from E rank. Before we even finished celebrating, we’d suddenly be challenged to a battle quest. Full of overeager confidence, we would head deep into the forest, only to be absolutely trounced by a demon that could take on D rankers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And I remembered, too, our breathless laughter as we fled from our defeat, lost in pure elation...that’s how this should have gone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What next? Ah, yeah, Rui the sorceress would faint in the middle of a swarm of bug demons ten days later. Rui being Rui, she did her best to put it behind her, but for the next two years she couldn’t stand bugs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that...in the first year alone, we must have gotten into at least ten different scrapes. Like when Aman stepped on a phase trap and fell to the lowest floor of the dungeon. Or when Margus pissed off a top-rank adventurer and was almost roped into dueling him. Man, it really was quite an adventurous life I got to lead, that first time through, I reflected."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Helloooooo! Stop ignoring me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What the—?” The princess’s words finally broke through my thoughts. “What? What are you crying for?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How dare you abandon me like that. Rude!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Abandon...? That was like, a few seconds.” Well, she was quite the emotional roller coaster. “Okay then, what did you want to say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Umm, so...can I be your party?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s wrong?” she demanded. “I don’t meet your standards?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, no, it’s just I, um, already have a party.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?! What do you mean? You don’t exactly strike me as the friend type, over here all by yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now who’s being rude?!” I snapped. What’s “friend type” supposed to mean anyway? If anyone was giving off an aura of loneliness right now, I’d say it was the princess."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You jerk! You led me on!” she yelled, tears overflowing down her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shh, someone could overhear you!” How can I get out of this? If I tried to escape now, I could be signing my own warrant for execution. The man who deceived the third-born princess... And now that I thought about it, I’d spoken pretty rudely to her right from the start. Coming from the rural nobility like I did, speaking to royalty seemed as alien as speaking to a heavenly being. My brain couldn’t really process it. I mean, she herself had said I shouldn’t be so formal, so I guess it was okay? But...no, it still felt wrong. Maybe? At the same time, though, if I suddenly started talking in a manner more appropriate to the social distance between us, there was no doubt it would just make her cry more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So be it. “Actually,” I began, “I was planning to split from those guys anyway, so sure, why not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! Why didn’t you say so?” She glared at me as she scrubbed the tears from her eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right. Uh...how should I address you?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ciel is fine. And, um...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, Remille, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, pleasure.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-01-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter1.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hey there, it’s SkyFarm. How’d you like volume 2? Every time I get illustrations from teffish, I get so hyped!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With the conclusion of the story between Remille and his party members, this volume’s jam-packed with plenty of key points, such as the revelation of the truth behind his loops and the mastermind causing them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For the record, when I started this series, I hadn’t considered the entire background behind the loops at all. When a friend of mine showed me the first volume, they asked if the 8 was supposed to be read like an infinity symbol. After hearing that, I came up with the idea. Thanks so much, Friend N! (LOL)"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Remille learned to tame a bunch of different monsters during the series, starting with a behemoth, but there are a bunch of pets in my household too. I guess I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’ve “tamed” them, though. Among them, I have about thirty ball pythons. But recently their eggs hatched and now I have six small, healthy baby snakes too. Babies are always so cute, aren’t they?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve also seen some other animals give birth who weren’t my pets. There’s a tortoise I’ve let live out in the yard, but when I went to check on it, I found a bird’s nest in a tree! I looked it up, and apparently they’re brown-eared bulbuls. I look forward to when the eggs hatch and they’re able to safely leave the nest!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’re really cute, and apparently a sign of good luck. From what I read, after they make a nest, they spend a few days laying eggs—one a day. After they’re all laid, they warm them all up at once. The birds out there are right in the middle of warming the eggs up! It’ll take about two weeks for them to leave the nest after hatching, but honestly that time will go by in a flash, so I’m going to try and watch their growth as carefully as I can."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The tamed monsters in the story kept growing, but maybe it’d be more fun to discuss little ones instead, or talk more about reproduction? These thoughts were inspired by the birds. (LOL)"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well then, we’re nearing the end, so let me thank everyone. First, thank you teffish for all the wonderful art! You gave me exactly the kinds of pictures I wanted, and they always really hyped me up. Also, a big thank you to my editor, Yamaguchi! You’ve helped me so much, especially with your precise feedback. Thank you!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A big thank you to all the bookstores that stock this series. Thank you!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to all the readers! You have my deepest gratitude! By the way, this series is being simultaneously released as a manga. I’d be so happy if you checked that out too!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "SkyFarm, Oct 2021"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Kobo]_.ipynb_checkpoints | afterword-checkpoint.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the Territory’s Lord"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well then, let’s get down to deciding how to proceed,” Ciel said, as we entered what used to be the Argus mansion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can’t get used to being here...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d better get used to it. This mansion is your spoils of war.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t fight the war to get this, though...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Most of the Argus fortune had been left in the mansion after their territory had been seized. Of course, the country was going to seize his assets and then distribute them to Lord Gitelle to make up for his losses in the war, but until they finished doing that, I was allowed to use anything here so long as it wasn’t consumable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The mansion was filled with furniture, tableware, and extravagant decor—everything screamed expensive. I’d never seen anything so lavish. It all made me feel really out of place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More importantly,” Ciel started with a sigh, “knowing father, he’s probably planning on giving you everything here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ciel casually tapped her hand on a desk that looked incredibly expensive. I could’ve added up everything I’d ever earned in all my loops and still been nowhere close to affording it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Taking into account your current strength, this is a cheap price for the royal family to pay.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You need to be more self-aware. Hypothetically, if you left and went to a different country, we’d have to always be ready to deal with your huge army of ten thousand monsters. Moreover, if you decided to keep moving from place to place, we’d have to keep moving our defensive forces to match you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh... That’s a good point. There’s nothing more annoying than having a hostile army of ten thousand monsters freely roaming around."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Anyway, I know you’re not interested in harming us, so that’s why I’m here by your side and trying to make you stronger. But...father likes to take the approach of using money to rein people in. Honestly, though, considering how you’ve freely taken arms from our treasure house, this mansion has essentially no value in comparison.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, I see. I finally understood the position I was in. Or at least I felt like I did, but it still didn’t feel real to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing me all pensive like this, Ciel switched topics. “Anyway, what did you do after this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“After ‘this’... Oh, you’re talking about the past loops. Hm...” What did I do? I began dredging up memories."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the seventh loop, I was still a member of their party at this point. We’d fought together in the civil war on the Earl of Gitelle’s side, and after our accomplishments, we went on to get even stronger in a year’s time and became an S rank party. But would she believe me if I told her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, we became an S rank party in a year...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Taking into account how easily I’d defeated my former party in the colosseum, I didn’t get the feeling that Ciel would accept that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, yeah. That makes sense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You could tell, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You do remember who I am, don’t you? There’s no way that someone like me would overlook something so obvious. I am touted as the jewel of our kingdom, after all.” Ciel’s left eye sparkled a dazzling aquamarine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s true, but still...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Being evaluated as S rank meant being just as valuable as her eye. If she knew that we would’ve become an S rank party, that’d mean that she’d knowingly broken our party apart."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ciel noticed the look I was giving her and exhaled in exasperation. “Listen, I’ve said that my eye can see people’s true nature, haven’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, you have.” That was the reason that Margus and the others hadn’t been chosen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Say you found some violent dragon in the mountains and it was really strong. You still wouldn’t just treat it like some valiant warrior and invite it to your party, would you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? A dragon?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If that image isn’t clicking for you, imagine a goblin, a goblin king, or even a ghoul instead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not sure I follow.” But as soon as I’d said that, I caught on. “Oh...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You get what I’m saying now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like with monsters, there was no point in having people around that couldn’t be kept under control. Okay, well, she has a point. But also..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So Margus and the others are monsters in your eyes?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re not too dissimilar. Just like with monsters, we got their territory after we beat them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She really wasn’t mincing her words, but I couldn’t really fault her for that. After all, House Argus had done some fairly horrible things this time around. But, ultimately, the fact that they’d picked a fight with even the Minister of the Judiciary—which led to the worst possible outcome of them losing their territory—clearly showed how thoughtless the previous Earl of Argus had been when he’d put his plan in motion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One might’ve been able to make the argument that Margus had been simply swept along by all this, but thinking about the time when he’d challenged me at the colosseum made it feel like he’d gotten his just deserts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Forget about that guy,” Ciel said. “He’s done for. Let’s talk about the future instead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wryly smiled at her directness, but I couldn’t exactly “forget about that guy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I kinda can’t avoid talking about Margus, since he’s been a part of every future I’ve gone through.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fine. I guess there’s no helping that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He played a huge part in the war when he fought for Lord Gitelle in the past loops. The royal family took over the Argus territory when it was over, but in reality, they decided that Margus would succeed it as its lord.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hm. What an interesting future.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After the war ended, our party, led by Margus, got a boost in popularity and was requested for a good number of pretty great jobs across the land. As a result, we shot up to S rank in an unprecedented amount of time. After a year, their strength caught up to the title of S rank too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Aman became so powerful that she was known as the strongest female knight in the country. Rui made a name for herself as a great sorceress, known to all as a sage. Margus was also universally known as a hero around that time. Before I was killed, all I did was nonchalantly watch over their feats."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Essentially, you’re saying that you’re of no help in regards to the future.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel really doesn’t mince her words. I had nothing to say in response because she wasn’t wrong. She was smiling too, so I tried not to let it bother me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The war changed the future way too much. The only thing that probably hasn’t changed is the fact that a monster will show up two and a half years from now,” I said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is this monster stronger than the goddess we met?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I tried thinking back to the pressure exerted by the little girl who’d called herself a goddess. In my head, I felt as if both the monster and the mysterious individual who’d appeared at the end of the civil war had exerted a much stronger aura than the goddess, but..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, she’s stronger than the monster by a lot.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not surprising.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although the monster might’ve been too much for me to handle, it would’ve been child’s play for a goddess to deal with it. It still wasn’t clear whether the goddess we’d met was an ally or an enemy, but it was definitely clear that the mysterious person who’d showed up at the tail end of the war was a foe. But maybe “definitely” is a little too strong, considering they didn’t kill us. We can’t really say for sure. Either way, comparing the monster to those two made it seem insignificant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Our goal for now is the goddess that appeared in the church. I think we can ignore the monster for now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We can?” I was confused, because I’d been under the impression that I needed to defeat it in order to break free from these loops."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In the first place, that monster looks different every time you fight it, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah.” It had pretty obviously been a dragon or something the first time, but the last time it had been a total mishmash of different creatures—a chimera."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think it’s natural to think that a goddess has her hand in that, since she’s so closely involved with your loops.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If that’s the case, then that monster’s gonna be even stronger this time. With that in mind, I think this is a good opportunity. You should take the next half a year or so and try being this territory’s lord.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” You lost me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re really not the brightest... If you can change the appearances of your familiars and give them proper clothes, then they should be able to interact with the people here without any issues, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, I guess...” But I still don’t get what you’re getting at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your monsters aren’t used to living with humans. The more unfamiliar things they do, the more experience points they can get. It’s a great opportunity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s the same as how you get a lot of experience points from dying.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh, how exactly?” But that being said... “Oh, are you saying that by giving them work to do, I’ll get stronger with Ability Absorption?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Exactly.” She grinned and stood up. “I’ve almost entirely figured out our enemy’s plans. Both Crow and the royal family are investigating Marquess Keyes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That much has happened already?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though it’d just been a glance, I couldn’t help but remember the man during the war in my seventh loop who’d made that chimera monster. I knew that the ones behind that had been funded by House Keyes, but..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Marquess Keyes of the west has the strongest military force in the kingdom. They’re surrounded by a forest that’s home to many powerful monsters. It’s easy to train skilled soldiers there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The strongest in the kingdom?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The problem is that group of white coats—that research facility they’ve got.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what I’d heard, that group wasn’t directly managed by House Keyes, but they were, for all intents and purposes, their research facility. The group’s strength had apparently grown dramatically over the past year, and they’d become a big and indispensable organization."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So...” After thinking about it a little bit, I got a bad feeling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. That research facility was most likely created by...our very same goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had no idea why she’d want to make that facility, but it was possible that the monster that killed me in all the past loops had been created there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In short, what you need to prepare for isn’t slaying monsters, but slaying gods.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You make it sound so easy...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, of course it’s not, but compared to that, being a lord is a cakewalk!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“When you put it that way...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Besides, you said it yourself.” Ciel turned back toward me and smiled. “You’re going to tame a goddess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I clutched my head. I couldn’t believe I’d said that, but I couldn’t deny the truth. I’d honestly felt like taming her would have solved everything at the time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But...I guess I feel like being the lord here might not be such a big deal anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d been talked into this, but I felt as if I understood what Ciel was trying to tell me. If this is a way to make me stronger, then I can’t pass up the opportunity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even though you’ll be acting as a lord, all you’ll really be doing is deciding big picture things. You’ll have your familiars learn jobs, and you can just sit back and decide what needs to be done to develop the territory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You make it sound so easy...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It certainly didn’t seem easy. I hadn’t thought about territory development even once in my past seven loops."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is.” Ciel smiled. “The state of the territory is as such: it’s a very bountiful land, but the people have been starved of wealth at the hand of the idiot former earl. Obviously, as a result of the civil war, rumors about his wrongdoings have spread.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, right. I heard that they used their mineral resources for bribes.” The evil deeds of Margus’s father had reached even my ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you were a citizen of this territory, what would you think? What would you do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hm, if I were in their shoes...” Regular citizens are different from merchants and adventurers who travel a lot. In general, they don’t even take a step out of their respective towns. Anything outside of their towns might as well be a completely different world. But if they’d heard these rumors, then... “They might think that it’s better to live in the Earl of Gitelle’s territory.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Precisely. What happens to a territory when it doesn’t have any citizens?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’ll...eventually fall to ruin.” I think I’m starting to see what needs to be done. “Would lowering taxes help keep them here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Not a bad idea. The revenue gained from the mineral deposits is enough to live very comfortably, so lowering taxes shouldn’t affect you at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Maybe it’d also be good to focus our attention more on the merchants and adventurers who travel from place to place than the citizens who usually stay put.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Good.” Ciel smiled, as if she’d been testing me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Adventurers went wherever there were good jobs to be had. The only people who could work in the mineral industry were those whom the former Earl of Argus had approved of. But that system had been dismantled when he lost his rank."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Maybe we should put mineral-related job postings in the adventurer’s guild.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good idea.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If we did that, the merchants would stick around for all the people who flocked over for the jobs. If we could use that in the beginning to revitalize the territory a bit, then..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We can temporarily lift tariffs off of the merchants too, maybe. It’d be nice if we could restrict their merchandise also.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? That’s a bold move, but I like it. How will you accomplish that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Selling items that would be useful to adventurers who came for mining-related jobs would be advantageous for the merchants. So, if we removed the taxes from those items, then..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Maybe we can lift the taxes only on tools related to farming, daily necessities, and specialties from other regions.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see.” Judging by her expression, I’d gotten close to the right answer. “Not bad. Let’s get things started, then. Crow!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“At your service.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wasn’t sure when he’d popped up, but her butler had appeared as soon as she called for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Also, it’s work time, Catra. Get up,” she said, calling out to Catra, who’d been relaxing in my lap this entire time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She reluctantly got off my lap and turned into her human form. “What?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Isn’t it your job to call the familiars? We’re going to find the right familiars for the jobs we have.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though the Big Four were under my command, it was impossible for me to manage all of them and their subordinates, so I left all that to Catra. The only exception was the dragon whelp, Kuku, who was currently happily flying around the room. Though he was one of the Big Four, he was honestly pretty much my pet. But even as a baby, he’s strong enough to take out an average party of adventurers on his own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think Emmy and the others should be maids!” Catra suggested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I guess the mansion does need some repairs, so it’d be a big help if they were around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though they would be working as servants, I needed them to help with administrative work too, but... I guess they could do that while being maids."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Crow interjected. “It may be forward of me, however, would I be correct in my understanding that there are a large number of goblins under your command?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Goblins are actually quite gifted at learning. If you could leave them to me, I’m confident I can raise them to be commanders or even proxy lords.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, wow...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s amazing. I’d had no clue that goblins were capable of that. This really showed how impressive Crow was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s best if we leave the army building to Ly and the others,” Ciel said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see... Well, either way, Catra, call everyone to gather.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You got it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Emmy, Tron, Ly, and all my other familiars were going to gather in one place. I was aware that there were even more of them now, but I was excited to see what they looked like all together."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Kobo]_.ipynb_checkpoints | chapter1-checkpoint.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Reunion with the Goddess"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The war ended rather anticlimactically. As soon as we’d reached Keyes, he’d raised the white flag and had even prepared rope with which to tie himself up. With that, everything was over. I met up with Ciel and called an official from the royal capital to take care of the postwar problems."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’d been a one-sided attack and a one-sided slaughter of citizens. The latter was a serious crime to the royal family, so they decided to keep Keyes imprisoned in the royal capital while they decided his punishment. He showed no signs of resistance at all. More curious was the fact that the goddess had not shown her face whatsoever. But on another note, it seemed that due to Ciel and Crow’s hard work, the monsters in my territory were now actually considered citizens."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, it’s finally time, huh?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ciel and I were currently in Keyes’s territory. The reason we were here despite him not being around was, of course..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is this research facility...bigger than his own mansion?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure is. Hmm, I expected as much, but it looks like it’s been abandoned.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There wasn’t anyone inside, but since they’d had to leave in a hurry, they’d left some things behind. I was pretty confident that among those would be that berserk drug. It would probably affect Keyes’s punishment. Ciel and I may have come here before the royal capital’s investigators could, but we were going to leave the actual analyzing to them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are there even any traces of the goddess here?” I muttered. In the next moment, though, I heard a voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you need something from me?” Ciel and I gasped as said goddess appeared out of thin air. “No need to put your guards up. You two win this round. By the way, it seems that my name in this realm is Melphes. Please feel free to call me as such.” She sat down elegantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As if we could not be on guard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the midst of my confusion, Ciel began asking questions. “Why didn’t you save Keyes?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm... I suppose he doesn’t have any value left that warrants me rescuing him,” she said simply. It really reaffirmed that she had a different sense of ethics than us. “At any rate, it appears you’ve been looking for me—however, I have business with you two as well. Do you mind if we address that first?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before we even had the chance to refuse, Melphes stood up and slowly walked toward us. “Explain something to me, princess. Despite being entrusted with the pawn that I so carefully raised, you’re taking your dear sweet time with his growth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is that supposed to mean...?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You might not know what I mean, but I’m sure the princess has an idea,” she giggled, glancing at Ciel—who, for her part, looked clearly guilty about something. “You should be more generous about how you utilize all that stored XP,” Melphes continued. “You’re only using up about a fifth of it. Even from my most conservative estimates, you should be able to make him five times stronger than he currently is. That would further enhance his monsters and grant him even more powerful blessings.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I understood that we’d only used about a fifth of the XP I’d stored up, but I was sure that Ciel had her reasons. Even so, Melphes didn’t stop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I need Remille to become even stronger,” Melphes said, putting her hand on my shoulder. Catra hissed menacingly in her cat form from my feet, but couldn’t do anything further than that. This was a rare opportunity, so I decided to ask Melphes some questions I had too, directly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your plan’s been to make me go through these loops to make me stronger? Why?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This is a good opportunity to discuss my objective. I can tell that you’re very wary of me, but I’m sure that our goals are not too different.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As soon as Melphes said that, a circular table appeared out of nowhere, and she invited us to sit down. There were even snacks and tea on it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we’re going to chat, we might as well do it sitting down. Go ahead. Oh, don’t worry, I haven’t done anything to the food—though perhaps I don’t have to go out of my way to say that with you here, princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ciel’s Eye of Appraisal was already scanning the food. “True. You can eat if you feel like it,” she said in her usual tone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel was a little stiff, probably because of what Melphes had said, but sat down anyway. I followed her lead and sat down as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now... Where to begin?” Melphes rested her chin on her hand. “Oh, I know. Let’s begin with having you see what lies in store.” Images began flashing through my head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The world was on fire. That might’ve sounded like an exaggeration, but all I could see was a deserted landscape. The flames danced in the air. There was nobody around. No, there were a few left—some survivors were charging straight into the fire. Past that were countless powerful monsters, who had made the world fall to ruin. The only option left to the humans was to kill the demon lord who’d been behind it all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Despite not having any weapons or armor left, the humans boldly charged and were torn to shreds by the powerful ogres and werewolves. And then there was only one left. He worked up the courage and began his charge, but..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That last brave soul looked just like me. And then I watched as this look-alike was cut down and reduced to nothing but a pile of flesh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you think?” Melphes asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do I think about seeing myself die on some hellish landscape?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shot Ciel a confused expression, but it seemed as if she’d been shown the same vision."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then Melphes said something that none of us had expected. “Precisely. What I showed you was memories from your first loop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way...!” Ciel shot to her feet, seemingly realizing something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. There are certain memories that Remille is unable to recollect,” Melphes said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More accurately, the thought of having him keep his memories didn’t even come to my mind at first. I believed that by having the final survivor try this over and over again, the future I desired would eventually come to fruition, which is why I had him go through the loops. Alas, I saw no improvement at all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d said those words so casually, but it felt like I’d been hit over the head. The reality of my countless loops was finally starting to sink in, probably thanks to that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The last seven loops went spectacularly! You accumulated plenty of XP, and I was trying to think of how to make the best use of it in this eighth loop, but...” Melphes’s gaze fell onto Ciel. “I’m not sure exactly why, but it seems that the princess over there has not been willing to remove your limiter, so I’ve come to do it in her stead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Indeed. Oh, don’t worry, I won’t have you dying to the horror like before. That level of beast is no longer a match for you anyway. However, we need to pick up the pace. Regardless of the world line, the demon king is always born in less than a decade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The demon king... Ciel’s called me that as a joke, but seeing that image of the real deal, I can tell he’s on a different level entirely. He stood above all other monsters. If he’s seeking the destruction of humanity, then..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ciel...” I said hesitantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had a feeling I knew why Ciel hadn’t removed my limiter. There were certain adjustments that were necessary if we were thinking of outmaneuvering the goddess in front of us. But after seeing the image of what was to come, I wanted to get strong as quickly as possible. I shot a look at Ciel with these feelings welling up inside me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fine...” she sighed. “I’ll do it.” Ciel stood up and walked behind me. “Really focus, okay? Keep thinking about what you need to do. You might have XP, but it’s all essentially borrowed—I’m not sure how it’ll affect your stats.” She put her hands on my shoulders. “First, relax... All you have to do is imagine yourself getting stronger. Then it’ll all be over.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s...it? Just imagine it?” Though it didn’t seem like a lot, it was harder than I’d thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ciel smiled, seeing me thinking about how I could possibly get stronger than I was right now. “Having problems? Don’t you remember how you were just so kindly shown a supremely powerful being?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Do you mean—?” Suddenly, I remembered the demon king, and I groaned as I felt something begin raging inside me. I desperately fought back to restrain it, stopping it from bursting out. Th-This is..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?! This can’t be...” Melphes gasped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Remille! Watch out!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All I’d done was imagine the demon king, yet the situation spiraled out of control faster than I could blink. First, it seemed like I’d gotten stronger. My skills had gotten so strong that it was as if everything around me was moving in slow motion. In the next moment, Melphes ran over in a panic and reached her hand out to me. I sensed that she wanted to kill me, so I jumped away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s not possible... Remille... You’re the demon king?” Melphes whispered, blankly staring at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was only then that I finally realized what’d happened. I’d used the image of the demon king to spend my XP. But it wasn’t that I’d gained a power equal to the demon king’s. As Melphes said...I had been the demon king to begin with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It looks like the truth got warped after all the loops.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After being shown what should have been the memories of my first loop, I realized that in a sense, the “me” I’d seen back then had been an imposter. The real me had deceived Melphes and continued fighting through who knew how many loops. It seemed that each time she’d made me go through a loop and sent me off somewhere, I’d destroyed the world and tried to pursue her. This had all been so I could break free of the loops—it would only end when I could defeat her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh! I should be able to handle a mere newborn demon king!” Melphes proceeded to put her hands together, and our surroundings were suddenly rocked by incredible waves of mana."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Prior to the last few minutes, I would’ve been completely immobilized by this attack—that’s how powerful it was. But with how I was now, I could easily deal with it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Beast King’s Roar.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The breath burst out of my hand and stopped Melphes’s magic cold. Even I was surprised by how strong it was, but I decided to save my impressions for later. Since I was the demon king, Melphes was my enemy. In order to break free of these loops, I only had two options: destroy the world, or defeat her. If she escaped, then I’d be left to destroy the world again. That’s why..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m gonna stop you here!” I yelled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s my line!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We both focused our mana into our arms, compressing it, and then..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Beast King’s Roar!” Our magic should’ve clashed against one another, but... “She disappeared?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She ran away,” Ciel corrected."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“From what I could see, you clearly had more mana.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah...that sounds about right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m the demon king. Thinking about it, it felt right to me. What I’d thought had been my eighth loop had turned out to be just one of many. “I let her get away...” It always ended like this. She’d slip through my fingers and send me off on the next loop."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I...” I looked at Ciel and knew that if I wanted to accomplish my goal of destroying the world, I’d have to kill her along with everyone else. But..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’s not out of reach just yet,” Ciel said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who do you think I am?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing her aquamarine eye calmed me down. If she’s not too far away, then—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait. There’s no need for you to rush off already.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s okay. I know what you’re freaking out about. You don’t have to worry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Though she calls herself a goddess, she used to just be human.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh...?” That didn’t make sense. How could a human gain all that power?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How do you think a normal human feels about you?” she asked, seemingly reading my mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Melphes’s power is Light Magic, but hers is on a different level entirely. She used to be a saint, but that was a very...very long time ago. It was back in the age of myth,” Ciel explained."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If I remember right, saints are basically mythical themselves. Hero, blade master, saint, and sage—all of these titles had been given to legendary heroes. So in other words, Melphes was..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’s the first saint?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Doesn’t that mean that there are others like her?” There might be a blade master, hero, or sage around too..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No clue. I don’t know that much. But at the very least, she’s not a goddess—she’s just a regular person. But we also have a lot of mythical presences on our side,” Ciel said. Seeing her smile made my heart feel a little lighter. “Now, onto the main topic... This Light Magic that the saint is using is magic of a different dimension that can even alter time itself. That’s how she’s been making you go through countless loops.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But, of course, the most powerful spells have pretty major limitations. Most likely there’s a condition on the spell that not only requires you to die, but also to do so within a specific time limit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And that’s why I’m always killed after three years?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I’m able to appraise her like this because you weakened her so much.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I did?” I had no recollection of fighting her too hard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But as I was thinking this, Ciel answered me as if she’d been reading my thoughts. “The loops.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What...? Oh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even if she was a saint, her mana wasn’t infinite. If she’d kept using it on all these loops, then..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry. She won’t have the power to make you go through another loop or to run away to a different world for a while.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, you’re free,” Ciel said with a smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It might’ve been short-lived, but for the first time, I’d broken free of the loops and could finally walk toward the future."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now that I think about it, though, what were you even doing before these past seven loops?” Ciel asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh... My memory’s hazy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I had no recollection of continuing to live in a human form three years past this point. By the time I was trying to catch that saint, I’d usually already discarded my human self most of the time. I’d essentially become more of an evil god than a demon king. But I could tell there was no need to do that this time around. With Ciel here, I knew that there’d always be a way to get stronger without having to destroy the world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Either way, this’ll be the first time you’re breaking free of the loops,” Ciel said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Breaking free...” It wasn’t as if my objective had completely disappeared, but it looked like I’d achieved something I’d been chasing all this time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In other words, you’re useless again since you don’t know the future.” Ciel laughed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t help but laugh too. “Isn’t it more fun that way?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, it really is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Our laughter echoed through the empty research facility for quite a long while."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Kobo]_.ipynb_checkpoints | chapter19-checkpoint.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Epilogue 2: The Events Afterward"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh...why?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what I want to know...” Rui muttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s no way to speak to your master,” said Crow. “Do you remember nothing I taught you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eek! I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After returning to the mansion, I was—for some reason—greeted by Rui in a maid outfit. Crow had trained her as a servant after the battle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This is a better punishment than some of the other options, isn’t it?” I said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Urgh...” Rui’s face twisted in frustration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For the record, Aman was here too, but it was as if her mind wasn’t. She couldn’t even make a sound."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Kobo]_.ipynb_checkpoints | epilogue2-checkpoint.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "8th Loop for the Win! With Seven Lives’ Worth of XP and the Third Princess’s Appraisal Skill, My Behemoth and I Are Unstoppable! Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess for people who lost in a magnificent fashion to the guy they were planning to keep around for odd jobs, then lost to him in a magnificent fashion in a civil war, ending up as his maids in the end is probably the ultimate humiliation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Crow’s a given, but you should make sure to be nice to your senior servants too,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?! You don’t have to tell me that, you—” An intense glare from Crow cut Rui off. “Ahem. Thank you for the warning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had no doubt that these kinds of exchanges wouldn’t end anytime soon. Later, they’d find themselves in an even more surprising situation, since the senior servants I’d referred to were actually goblins. They obviously hadn’t even dreamed of that being a possibility, but that was where they would live their hectic lives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As for Keyes, his land’s been taken away, and apparently he’ll be working at the royal palace,” Ciel explained to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After coming face-to-face with him, I could tell he wasn’t a bad person. Most likely he’d been used by Melphes and led around by his son, Dalton. All of that had created this incident. Also, apparently, the decision to kill my goblins hadn’t come from him. Allegedly, the vanguard had decided to do it on their own. Anyway, Ly, Tron, and Emmy had already taken care of all that, so there was no point bringing it up again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not sure if I agree with Dalton’s punishment, though,” I said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I know what you mean, but...with how Keyes was dealt with, it’s pretty much just ceremonial that he alone receives a heavy punishment. But either way, Dalton’s not going anywhere anytime soon, since he’s still recovering from his stab wound.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though the wound that Rui had inflicted on him hadn’t been fatal, he’d still been stabbed. It was probably a big deal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, in any case, small fry like that won’t be able to get near your territory at all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel was right. At this point, the western area of the country—an extremely large part of it—had essentially become my territory. This included the previous territories of Argus, Keyes, and though it was small, my hometown of Wildt too. I’d also gained parts of Rui and Aman’s lands, which had been taken away due to the war."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For what it’s worth, I was essentially going to govern these territories just like I’d done with Wildt. Most likely, I’d been given all this land—at least in part—because Ciel was with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel had the most special power in the entire kingdom, and she was paired up with the guy that no one in the land could even hold a candle to anymore. By giving me a huge area of land, they were most likely keeping my hands tied with its management."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If that’d been the goal, then they were right. I was very busy with managing everything. First on the docket was making a central location for both Ciel and me to live in this vast amount of land. Apparently, we were going to build a castle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As for the previous mansions of Argus and Keyes, we had Ly, Tron, and Emmy rotate as executives. We also had talented followers filling various government positions. Since we didn’t limit those positions to just monsters, we had Ciel use her Appraisal to see if they would be a good fit for the job or not. That’s how we staffed the various territorial management offices."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But the biggest problem we need to deal with is...” I trailed off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Figuring out what to do about these ruffians, right?” Ciel finished my sentence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking down from Kuku’s back as we flew in the sky, I saw both Keyes’s former mansion and the bloodthirsty group of adventurers that had gathered there. They’d been called the strongest warriors in the country, and had grown pretty proud of that fact after a while. They were no doubt here showing that they had no intention of following the orders of some new territory lord."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This’ll be a good workout for you. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t make it sound so easy...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ciel smiled as she looked down at the fierce mob, which even had some A rank adventurers among its number. But I guess I don’t really have a choice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ultimately, having the territory’s adventurers and strong individuals recognize me by accepting their harsh welcome was my next job."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Being free means being busy,” Ciel said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah...it sure does.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wasn’t in the clear yet. There was still danger lurking out there. But even so, I wanted to enjoy this freedom with my friends."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Master! I wanna spar with you too!” Catra said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You too, Kuku?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I started dreading the future, now that even my followers were trying to get at me. When was the last time I started thinking about five...no, ten years into the future? I get the feeling things are gonna keep being busy for a while, but I can tell...it’s gonna be fun!"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_8th Loop for the Win!_8th-Loop-for-the-Win!-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Kobo]_.ipynb_checkpoints | epilogue2_1-checkpoint.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hello, this is Kuji Furumiya. Thank you for purchasing A Pale Moon Reverie Volume 2, the second installation of a tale of marriage between two worlds, set in a fictional universe that blends both Japanese and Western fantasy!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this volume, Xixu manages to make it to a year since he was first suddenly appointed to his post in Irede. Though one would imagine that to be enough time to grow used to the character of the town, he’s the only one who thinks he actually has—he still stands out quite conspicuously. On the other hand, Sari has grown older by a year and become an adult, and their relationship—which had been rather lacking in progress—is beginning to develop accordingly, little by little. Also, the external pressure on them is pretty intense. Physically, that is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since all the characters are the type to stick heavily to their own ways, the direction of the story differed greatly from the end of Volume 1. Still, that was simply the result of the characters and their respective decisions, with the exception of our two protagonists."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This story was originally one “tale” per volume, with five tales marking the end. The DRE Novels publication includes two tales per volume, so that works out to three volumes in total. That means, so to speak, that this volume is the middle of a traditional “beginning-middle-climax” structure, as well as a deeper dive into the town of myth. I would be delighted if you enjoyed it as much as the previous volume."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, my thanks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My sincerest gratitude to my editor, who received my manuscript packed to the brim with lines and words without complaint. I’m sorry for nonchalantly pretending that “Yes, this is totally normal.” I’m sorry for asking if it was possible to add on a bonus story that was fifty thousand characters long. In the next life, I’ll do my best to live more compactly. Thank you for your continued support."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As with the previous volume, thank you to Teruko Arai-sensei for depicting the setting so gorgeously! The cover has a different vibe to the first in an absolutely wonderful way! Thanks to you, this ethereal story was given depth to ground it. I am truly filled with gratitude."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, thank you, the reader, for always supporting me! I’ve only come this far because of your support! Thank you for helping A Pale Moon Reverie win the Light Novel News Online monthly award, for all the word-of-mouth online reviews, and everything else! I’ll do my best to take this all the way to the end!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is a story of the current generation of a god and her sacred offering, woven in a town created for her, akin to her jewelry box. I would be overjoyed if you would stay with it until the end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Until we meet again, in some other time, in some other place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you very much!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Kuji Furumiya"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | afterword.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "1. Catch"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Long ago, in the realm of an ancient nation, a titanic blue snake awoke from its slumber beneath the earth. Such was the length of its body that it could have coiled around the land itself, and when it slithered aboveground, it sought to devour the very sun blazing brightly in the heavens."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The people were dismayed. Though they attempted to stop the snake, they were not its match. So, at last, the ancient nation’s king beseeched the gods for their aid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It is said that the sole god who answered the plea demanded fair compensation for cutting the snake to pieces. The god’s desires were three: fine drink, to delight her tongue; music, to excite her heart; and human touch, to warm her being. Thus, the king had a town built and devoted to her, and soon, the realm of man knew peace once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So was born Irede, the pleasure town of myth, and so has it flourished for these past thousand years. Even now, this town dedicated to a god stands unchanged, its fine drink, masterful performing arts, and holy courtesans as famed as they were the day of its founding."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet, among the people of this illustrious town is secreted yet another marvel. From the age of myth hence, a god has resided there, her being kept incarnate along a bloodline of beautiful women. In accordance with the old contract, each of these manifestations one day welcome a guest into their beds, and give birth to a child who will become the god’s next successor. This line of succession between mother and daughter does not dilute the god’s presence, for she is the god of the moon, herself one of the constants of creation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Such is the path these women have chosen throughout the ages, and so have they lived their lives beside humanity."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What this line of unbroken choices may one day invite is, as of yet, still unknown. Today, as the girl who is a god once again awaits the guest whom she will choose, she once again dozes in a reverie."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On the night of the new moon, the air that drifted out of the opened storehouse seemed to be as thick and musty as time itself, the endless passage of months and years condensed together. The interior, lit only by a fitted skylight, was dark enough that even eyes which had grown accustomed to the night could not readily make out what lay within."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Holding a small paper lantern, a girl—the owner of the storehouse—peered inside, scrutinizing the interior. Her silver hair, reminiscent of moonlight, was hidden underneath a black veil, which also concealed her blue eyes and clean, elegant features. She was the head of the estate upon whose land the storehouse rested, and she had hidden her face because of the dual identities she possessed: the proprietress of a courtesan house passed down along a mythic bloodline, and the head of a noble family in the royal capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In her role as the maiden, the girl was known as Saridi—Sari, to those close to her—and she had recently returned to the Werrilocia estate, her family home, to be present for the traditional yearly storehouse reopening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In all the years previous, she had simply watched on as the contents of the storehouse were reorganized, but this time, Sari was looking for something. As the opened door was secured in place, she crossed the threshold and stepped into the interior."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wicker storage baskets were piled high to her left and right, filled with a variety of objects that she had already half forgotten from the year before. The Werrilocia family, inheritors of the blood of an ancient king and the most historied family on the continent, similarly possessed a great many miscellaneous curiosities. A catalog existed, in a fashion, but the storehouse contained many items that were not listed on it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What Sari was looking for was one such unlisted article. She surveyed the storehouse interior, head turning to and fro—and then a hand was placed on her shoulder from behind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re in the way,” a young man with ashen hair said flatly. “Please step back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“‘In the way’...?” Sari pouted slightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How cold. I am head of the family, if only in name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then again, if anyone had the right to speak to her like that, it would be him and his sister alone. After all, it was her two cousins who actually managed the Werrilocia household."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas, her male cousin, had attractive, androgynous features, but his expression always radiated a frigid chill. Sari shuffled to the side, as he’d so firmly requested, and watched as Vas immediately began issuing directions to a number of servants."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just like that, the yearly cleaning of the storehouse had begun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari, along with her female cousin, Fyra, watched over the proceedings as wicker baskets were carried out into the garden one by one. Before long, Sari caught sight of a familiar wooden box being brought outside too. She perked up and hurried over, then glanced up at her cousin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“May I open this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Do whatever you wish,” Fyra said matter-of-factly. “Everything here is yours, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Werrilocia family had possession of the storehouse and its contents for the sake of convenience, but in truth, they belonged to none other than the maiden who was the head of the family."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari nodded, opened the wooden box, and retrieved several aged notebooks from within. They were untitled, but each and every volume contained the handwritten accounts of previous generations of maidens. Sari flipped through them briefly, then bundled them under her arm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fyra watched her inquisitively. “What are you looking for?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari shrugged. “Just something about how to use my power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was self-aware enough to realize that, as of late, her power had been straying from the domain of what the maiden’s powers should be. The divide between her two consciousnesses had been becoming less clear, flickering betwixt and between."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari, a god in entirety who had been born and raised amid people, had two aspects: her human face, which she had cultivated her whole life, and her true nature—her divinity. She was, so to speak, a god who was living her life pretending to be human. By all rights, her divinity should have manifested for the first time when she welcomed her one and only guest, and through the act of union with her partner, integrated with her human aspect."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "However, Sari’s divinity had awakened during a certain prior incident, and she had not received her sacred offering of warmth. In other words, she currently possessed far too much unstable power."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Reasons aside,” Sari said, “since I have power, I need to be able to use it properly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fyra’s eyebrow rose. “It’s nice that you’re motivated, but are you not going to direct some of that drive toward choosing your guest?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ngh... Just...give me a little more time, please...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari could only choose one guest in her entire lifetime, so she wanted to make a choice she could be confident in, but she was already sixteen. Seventeen was an age where it was entirely natural for any ordinary courtesan to receive guests, and at which even daughters of nobility would be entering political marriages. So it was perhaps unavoidable that she was being prodded with candid advice by her relative."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then again, only a select few people of Irede knew of Sari’s true nature as a god. Not even her cousins Fyra and Vas were aware of the full truth—that the guest Sari would receive would, ultimately, be the half of her body that tied her to the world of man. Through an old contract—the most significant one of all—god and human would be tied, and Sari would bear a daughter who would be the next embodiment of the god. It was not something to be taken lightly. Indeed, it was a matter of utmost secrecy—and a matter of Irede."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps because of that, Fyra readily backed down from the issue. “Well, if nobody has proved themselves worthy of your attention, then it can’t be helped. Though, should you find yourself at your wit’s end unable to find somebody, I could choose for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, thank you...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari had a feeling that would only result in a man who was her cousin’s puppet coming along, and that was something she wanted no part of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If I were to choose, I would want someone more...” Sari muttered, but trailed off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knew what came next, vaguely, but could not manage to put it into words. It wouldn’t take form. It was too complicated, in several different ways. One issue, for example, was that it had been foreseen that the person she was currently the most interested in would die in the future protecting a woman."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari looked up at Fyra beside her. “Am I... Do I drag those around me into danger a lot?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A smirk danced around the older woman’s lips. “So what if you do? Danger should be a cheap price to pay, if the reward is being by your side.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s...not what I was asking...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What Sari truly wanted to know was if she would be the one who exposed the man in her thoughts to danger. She wanted to know if keeping him by her side would lead to what the king’s maiden had foreseen. However, that was a matter that even that maiden, the possessor of unerring foresight, had not been able to affirm. And if that was so...surely nobody would know, until the time came."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The future Sari was desperate to know was unclear. Yet, more unclear were her own emotions. To make matters worse, she wasn’t even sure how he felt about her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari exhaled softly and lifted her gaze to the night sky. Above her lay the same darkness that had shrouded the world every night before, but tonight, she felt as if it masked something she vitally needed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the northern tip of Irede, the town of myth, was a single manor that served as a courtesan house. Of the three sacred offerings, the warmth of human touch was the purview of this establishment, which traced its origins along a mythic bloodline. Here, the women chose their guests."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This courtesan house, oft spoken of for its holy courtesans, was the home of the town’s singular maiden, her true nature that of a god."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Long ago, a daughter had been born from the body of the god of the moon, sired by a king who had offered himself to her as warmth. Their daughter had also been the god, her blood unweakened, and in time she had received her own guest, and had given birth to the next god in turn. Thus, through the means of blood, and from behind the closed doors of this courtesan house, have the women descended from the god’s line maintained the peace in Irede for a thousand years."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Saridi, the current maiden, was sixteen. Ever since her grandmother’s passing, she had managed the courtesan house Pale Moon as its young proprietress. It was the duty of Xixu—who had been sent from the royal capital to assume the post of shadeslayer—to be of assistance to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young man had dark hair and dark eyes along with a set of handsome features and a tempered physique. He was still clad in his militia uniform and wearing his military sword when he stopped by Pale Moon in the evening, just as the sun was about to set. As he stepped up to the old wooden gate, he caught sight of a friend there, and his brow scrunched together in slight dismay."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man, who just so happened to be Sari’s brother, soon noticed Xixu and turned around."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh?” he said, a cheeky smile drifting to his lips. “Come to see Sari? I wasn’t sure you had it in you. Bravo, bravo!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu sighed. “I just came to bring her the militia reports...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rightfully, the only times Xixu, a shadeslayer, should be calling upon Sari were when he was requesting her assistance to hunt down a shade. Yet, somewhere along the way and without knowing why, he had found that he’d become the militia’s primary point of contact to her. When he’d asked Sari about it, she’d said: “It’s probably because you show up at the militia stations at fixed times. That’s actually quite rare in Irede.” So, in the end, he’d reasoned that it was fine, since he was being useful to the town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Given that, Xixu most certainly hadn’t come to Pale Moon to obstruct Sari’s work. Her doting brother, Thoma, however, evidently did not share the same opinion. The next head of House Radi—the sacred house that still served as purveyors of fine drink for the god of Irede—laughed and slapped Xixu on the back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You came at just the right time,” he said. “Let’s ask them to set dinner out for us. I just stocked Pale Moon up with some excellent rice wine; you should give it a taste.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know I don’t drink that much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine. I’ll handle that part. Besides, Sari will be happy to see you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just on cue, Xixu heard a girl’s voice excitedly call his name. When he glanced over at the entryway, there she stood—the young proprietress of Pale Moon. With her silver hair glowing in the moonlight and her usual white kimono arranged primly about her form, she was the image of both elegance and innocence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s features, their youthful loveliness reminiscent of a flower bud swaddled in a blanket of large petals, bloomed into a wide smile at the sight of Xixu."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She dashed straight over and jumped at him. “Welcome!”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter1.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "4. Confrontation"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu remembered the sound of Mifileu Dié’s crying well; their last parting in the capital had been punctuated by her sobs, as had a number of other occasions. Despite that, however, he had almost never seen her tear-stained cheeks, for she had always hidden her face in her hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Xixu stared at the well-polished low table before him in the dim light of one of Pale Moon’s guest rooms, these memories occupied his thoughts. For a long, long time, he remained silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, in a quavering voice, Mifileu asked, “Why are you here?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the second time she had asked Xixu that question since they had been reunited, and yet he still did not have a clear answer to give her. Sitting cross-legged on the tatami floor, he pressed his fingers to his brow, which was threatening to sink toward the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A number of possible responses came to Xixu’s mind, but in the end he chose the one he thought to be the safest: “You aren’t suited to being a courtesan. You should turn back from this path while you still can.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since their last meeting, Xixu had requested an acquaintance of his in the capital look into Mifileu’s family’s troubles. As such, he had a rough grasp of the amount of debt they were in. It was well beyond what an ordinary shadeslayer could immediately shoulder, but fortunately, Xixu had been granted a manor of his own along with his royal status. Although his liege would likely pull a face at the idea, selling the property would provide him with enough wealth to assist Mifileu’s family and still have some money left to spare."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That had been Xixu’s plan, at least, but he’d yet to receive any response from Mifileu other than quiet sobbing, and his own inability to determine what was wrong had left him mute."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am not worth such consideration,” Mifileu murmured at last, the words so soft they could have fooled one into thinking they’d never been said at all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a moment of silence, Xixu replied, “It isn’t a matter of worth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I betrayed you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t see it that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu’s thoughts shifted, going back to the time when their paths had diverged from each other’s. In his mind, the reason was simple—they’d merely been unable to mesh their lives together due to their respective circumstances."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had first met Mifileu while he had still been a commoner attending the military academy. At the time, she had been popular among the cadets for her prettiness, which had also attracted customers to her family’s shop. Her reputation had had no bearing on Xixu’s first visit to the business, however; he had simply stopped by to make a purchase."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Reflecting on it now, their past relationship had been singularly unremarkable. It had begun with a basic introduction, then expanded into idle conversation over time. Eventually, they had opened up enough to talk of each other’s interests and hobbies. They’d discovered that the both of them liked tea, and had an identical obsession with paying attention to detail, and before long, Xixu had found being in her company pleasant. The emotion he had experienced, nurtured slowly over time they had spent together, was akin to the reassurance one felt when with their family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, Xixu had realized that he and Mifileu had come to a place where they were roughly able to understand one another’s intentions without words. From that realization had flowed an additional layer of knowledge—at some point along the way, he had subconsciously come to expect a future in which he asked for her hand in marriage. Not long after that, however, talks of Mifileu being married to another had surfaced."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The day that she had come to him in tears and informed him that she had to marry someone else had already become a distant memory in Xixu’s mind. Her would-be partner had been the son of one of the most prominent businessmen around, with a big name even within the capital; he was a suitor incomparable to a commoner who had only just graduated from the military academy. For Mifileu to reject the man and choose Xixu instead would have been the same as abandoning her ties to her family entirely. Knowing that, Xixu had simply acquiesced to her family’s wishes and stopped seeing her, convinced that it was the best choice for her happiness. He had never imagined a future in which she would become a courtesan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Reflecting back to a time where he’d been even more inexperienced than he was now, Xixu pondered over the footprints he’d left upon the path he had walked. “Did you...not marry?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mifileu shook her head. “I declined his proposal. And I am sure that, given the state of my family now, he is glad he did not marry me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had never before heard such self-deprecation in her voice. He held his silence, feeling as though any words he could say would prove nothing more than superficial comfort in the face of her hardships."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Glancing at the clock adorning the wall, Xixu noted that over an hour had already passed since he had come to Pale Moon. It would be best for him to return to his patrolling, even if the moon had already waxed past half."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu rose, picking up his military sword. He hesitated over what to say in parting, then chose to opt in the favor of simplicity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll come again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Several heartbeats passed before Mifileu asked, “Why?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet again, Xixu could not find an answer. Instead, he repeated the words he had heard from the maiden. “You’ll be able to earn your companionship fee from me if I visit regularly,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mifileu’s delicate shoulders stiffened, though she did not lift her gaze. “I can’t accept that from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing her stubbornness, Xixu wanted to sigh. “Please do not refuse. That would cause trouble for Saridi. This is Irede.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Try as they might to live their lives here, at the end of the day, both he and Mifileu remained people of the capital. Xixu himself knew this better than anyone else. No matter how much effort he expended to learn and understand Irede’s ways, he could never claim them as his own. Thus, as a perennial outsider, it was his duty to respect the spirit of Irede instead. Even now, his mood was gloomy at the thought that he had allowed a personal complication of his to hurt Sari."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mifileu lowered the hands covering her face for the first time since she’d begun to cry. She looked up at Xixu, her expression warped by tears. Then, from her pretty lips, there came a hoarse, vehement accusation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t understand anything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ten fingernails gouged into the tatami floor. Eyes brimming with tears pierced Xixu straight through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young man looked back at his once sweetheart in mute astonishment. It was the first he’d ever seen her make an expression of such profound grief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu tried not to let the gloom hanging over his mood follow him outside of the guest room, but he knew he wasn’t one to look friendly even in the best of times. The thought brought to mind how Sari had joked that it would feel unnatural for him to be jovial and bright. He loosed a delicate sigh at the memory."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu walked down Pale Moon’s hallway, descended the stairs, and then returned the wooden room tag he was holding to the maidservant at the entryway. As he settled his bill, he asked, “Where’s Saridi?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She hasn’t yet returned.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It seemed a long time for her to be gone just to take a walk. This time, when the urge to frown surfaced, Xixu didn’t hold the expression back. Wondering what had happened, he looked beyond Pale Moon’s open entryway to outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, the maidservant in a white apron bowed. “I believe she’ll be back shortly,” the woman said. “Would you like to wait in the flower room?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I... No.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu knew that would only burden Pale Moon’s young proprietress further, and he figured he had already caused her trouble enough, given the complications with Mifileu. It was just that he simply wished to see her, if only briefly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Realizing what he was thinking, Xixu grimaced sourly. He wasn’t sure whether the lingering regret he was feeling was the fault of his mood or not, but he began putting his shoes on in an attempt to shake it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tell Saridi I’d like to apologize,” he said. “And that I’ll come by again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Anything further, Xixu could only tell her in person. Resolving to return to Pale Moon as soon as he was next able, he made his departure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moon that night was terribly bright."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that night, Xixu had visited Pale Moon several times, but only met the young maiden once. Even then, their encounter had been brief, a mere crossing of paths as Sari headed out to someplace else. She had only stopped long enough to stare at his face for a short while and tell him, “Be careful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu hadn’t been sure what he needed to be careful of, but the young maiden hadn’t given him the chance to inquire further, and when he’d asked a maidservant, the girl had merely told him that Sari had gone out on business, without specifying the kind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I hope she isn’t doing anything dangerous,” Xixu murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had thought that perhaps he could find out where Sari had been going from the other courtesans, but each time he visited Pale Moon, a maidservant was always quick to call for Mifileu. Thus, his visits had always resulted in him passing the time with Pale Moon’s newest courtesan in oppressive silence, unable to even enter the flower room. Such treatment was his own fault, Xixu knew, but he nevertheless found it unpleasant and somewhat suffocating."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus did time pass, until a particular day arrived. Xixu’s mood had been heavy all afternoon, and had accompanied him throughout his patrol. Now, he stared up at the pale moon where it hung in the evening sky, counting days."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In Irede, once the moon had waxed beyond half, shadeslayers would no longer be able to call upon the maiden for her aid. As far as most people knew, this was because her power—which corresponded to the waxing and waning of the moon—ebbed during this particular time of the month. Xixu, however, knew differently—in truth, her powers increased to a degree that made them difficult for her to control."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This meant that, as the only one of Irede’s four current shadeslayers who knew the true identity of Irede’s maiden, Xixu often found himself called to accompany Sari during this period in order to help her experiment with new techniques."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This month, however, shades had stopped manifesting considerably earlier than was usual. Xixu harbored mild doubts that the matter was merely a coincidence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the midst of walking down a narrow, dimly lit back alley, Xixu sank into thought. “It couldn’t be...” he murmured, attempting to dismiss the possibility that had occurred to him. It was not one he wished to accept."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Stepping forward, Xixu emerged from the alley onto a lane running parallel to a canal, then stared at the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface. His mind flickered back, dwelling on a certain threat he had once confronted. Then, suddenly, he felt something akin to foreboding."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the corner of Xixu’s vision, he glimpsed the slightest of shifts in a stretch of tall, dense grass. He took one step back, half out of instinct, and then his thoughts caught up to reality."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A naked blade had just passed before his eyes, swung at a speed no human was capable of. It was a miracle that he had dodged it. Stunned, Xixu studied his assailant, who had stepped out of the grass. They wore black, and their face was hidden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The stranger readjusted their balance upon the flat path and faced Xixu, adopting a stance with their blade—a katana with a straight hamon, or edge pattern. Moonlight bounced erratically off of the stone paving, causing the ground underfoot to glimmer as though it were ice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu cast off his surprise and placed a hand on his military sword, which was still in its scabbard. He realized the air around the black-clothed assassin had gone tight and close; the intensity of it had subconsciously caused him to tense up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who are you?” Xixu asked forcefully. “Why are you doing this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No response came. In its stead, a golden light flashed along the length of the assassin’s blade, a vivid color that seemed to hold within itself the light of the sun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu felt a familiar presence in the still night air and shuddered, realizing who it was that had returned. The words of caution spoken to him by Irede’s maiden now made sense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had expected this day to come. What he had not expected was to be attacked so suddenly without warning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No...” Xixu muttered. “I suppose I did have warning.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The realization made him want to kick a nearby gatepost. He had just been considering this possibility, wondering whether, just like last time, the lack of shades was due to the power of a newly arrived god suppressing them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But although the idea had occurred to him, he had been too slow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Keeping his inhuman opponent at the center of his focus, Xixu adopted an stance, leaving his blade in its scabbard as he prepared to draw. He knew he had no chance of victory in a prolonged struggle; he needed to end this while it was still a pure contest of swordsmanship."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eyes fixed on his opponent’s feet and shoulders, the young man awaited his chance. He noted that, although the entire face and physique of his assailant was hidden within their black attire, they clearly did not appear to be a woman or child. Xixu then gauged the distance between himself and his opponent, bearing in mind that the god’s last puppet, Nerei, had been a shadeslayer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you come back for Saridi again?” he asked, attempting to unbalance the black-clothed man. “Haven’t you learned your lesson already? You’re destined to fail.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu was not going to allow matters to proceed as they had last time. If he had his way, Sari would not cry again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Silence stretched, and Xixu realized no response would be forthcoming. He focused intently on his opponent, tuning everything else out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As though to match Xixu, the assassin adjusted his grip on his blade."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu stilled his breath. He could hear the murmuring of the canal’s waters. Time seemed to come to a stop—and then, a splash, as though a fish had leaped from the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu’s blade slid from its scabbard. A flash of moonlight illuminated two crossed blades."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no sunlight. No sound of exhaled breath. Only after Xixu glanced down at the blood splashed across his body did he feel the pain."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His opponent’s blade had pierced into the base of his right shoulder. It was a fatal blow for Xixu’s ability to wield his sword, but only a single thought ran through his mind. Now he can’t get away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Forcefully clearing his mind of the ache of his wound, Xixu took in the damage his own sword strike had caused. He appeared to have landed a clean, upward cut across his opponent, but the black-clothed man showed no sign of serious injury, and the blow had felt so insubstantial to Xixu that he might as well have been cutting through a bundle of cloth. Even still, Xixu doubted that his blade was entirely ineffective."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pressing forward half a step, Xixu switched his military sword to his left hand and made a close-quarters slash at his faceless assailant. He was rewarded with the dull sensation of his blade sinking into flesh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Immediately afterward, Xixu found himself—weapon and all—being blown back toward the canal. His hand scrabbled for purchase as he tumbled across the ground, narrowly preventing himself from falling into the water. The movement caused an intense pain to blare to life in his right shoulder, where his opponent’s blade had just been yanked free."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn!” Xixu cursed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He began pushing himself up, fearing a follow-up attack, only to see his opponent adroitly turn on his heels and break into a run. He melted into the darkness mere moments later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Staggering to his feet, Xixu stared in the direction his opponent had gone. “He’s...headed for Pale Moon...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maiden—the girl he had to protect, and his opponent’s target—was currently at Pale Moon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before Xixu’s thoughts had the time to catch up, he was already running. His black-clothed, inhuman assailant might have already vanished from sight, but Xixu knew he knew the paths toward Pale Moon better than anybody else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not even taking the time to staunch the bleeding from his wound, the young man sprinted through the pleasure town under the light of early sunset. He chose narrow, unpopulated alleyways as his path—they were the shortest route to the courtesan house in the north."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before long, Xixu had reached his destination; he slipped past the unlit hanging lantern and shoved aside the sliding entryway door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A maidservant who had been sweeping in the entryway flinched and stared at Xixu, clearly startled by his appearance. “What? Um—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where’s Saridi?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Th-The proprietress is still in the secondary build—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu did not wait for the rest, stepping up onto the wooden floor of the manor with his shoes still on. He ignored the maidservant’s slight shriek of protest and ran deeper into the manor, taking a route that guests normally did not traverse as he headed for the detached building where Sari lived. A voice far behind him was still crying for him to stop, but he stormed up to the second floor and forced open the door to the proprietress’s personal room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari was alone in her room. She must have bathed recently, because her long silver hair was down, and droplets of water still clung to it as she turned around. Her smooth limbs were slick with moisture, and since her silken underrobe was wet, the pale skin beneath was almost entirely visible, making the garment so see-through it was nearly as if she was wearing nothing at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu stared at her blankly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Xixu? What’s wrong? Did you make some kind of groundbreaking discovery?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu couldn’t see any sign of outside influence in Sari’s blue eyes. What he could see, though, was that this was an awfully compromising situation. Coming to his senses, he tore his gaze away from the bewitching sight of her and turned to the right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s pale hand reached out to grab him. “You’re hurt,” she noted. “What happened?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nothing,” Xixu said. “Sorry for coming in with my shoes on.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not really worried about that part. You’re bleeding onto the floor.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The implication being, of course, that the same amount of effort went into cleaning both up anyway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari turned Xixu back around, and he immediately averted his gaze toward the ceiling. She paid him no regard and inspected the wound in his right shoulder. “This is a stab wound,” she said. “Who did this to you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll tell you later,” Xixu said in a clipped tone. “I really will, so please put some clothes on.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Later? But that must really hurt. Hold still for a moment; I’ll fix it up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu was capable of stopping his own bleeding, so he wished she would just let go of him. As he opened his mouth to say as much, however, the words died in his throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sensation he felt invoked a rousing feeling of vertigo in him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari, standing on tiptoe, had brought her face to his shoulder. With a faint, wet sound, she ran her tongue along the bleeding wound there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A violent shudder ran down the back of Xixu’s neck as he felt her breath against his sweat-drenched skin. He went utterly still, disoriented by the absurdity of what she had just done. As she leaned against him, he did not even possess the wherewithal to recognize how cold her body was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several long moments passed before Xixu said, “Saridi...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold still.” The brief command brooked no dissent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s slender fingers seized hold of Xixu’s clothes. Her eyes were closed. Xixu watched as more and more of his blood trickled down her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari continued to carefully lick the blood from Xixu’s wound, seemingly uncaring that her beautiful features and underrobe were being stained. The sounds she made could have passed as those of a spoiled kitten, lapping away at a treat. They resounded unpleasantly through the twilit room, agitating Xixu’s base instincts. He felt his consciousness fading as an uncontrollable fever welled forth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If, in this moment, his heart was prepared for pain, then perhaps..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without realizing, Xixu shifted forward, on the verge of embracing the body leaning against his. But instead of taking that next step, he suddenly looked up, freezing when his eyes met Sari’s. She wiped the blood from her lips and tilted her head to the side."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How do you feel?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? I...” Xixu trailed off, feeling as though, if he was not deliberately careful with his words, he would end up saying something unthinkable. But when the young shadeslayer realized that he was trembling, he calmed down slightly and examined his right shoulder. “The wound’s...closed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What about the inside? Does it still hurt? Can you move it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I...think so. It seems fine. Did you use a maiden technique?” Xixu was surprised; Sari hadn’t been capable of such feats before."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari gave him a small smile. “As I am now, there’s power in my bodily fluids. My blood would be too potent, but I thought my saliva would be just right. And it’s you, Xixu; you’re used to it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To my power, yes.” Sari snapped her slender fingers, then left him as she moved over to the dresser and began wiping the blood from her hands with a cloth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu’s eyes followed her as she went, but he quickly jerked them away when he saw that the lithe curve of her back was visible through her underrobe. He headed for the door, intent on quietly taking his leave, but the room’s owner called out to him as she studied his reflection in the mirror."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, hold on. Who injured you? You haven’t told me yet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a moment, Xixu replied, “It was Nerei’s replacement. I ran into him earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu was torn; as much as he dearly wanted to leave this discussion for later, it was best that he told Sari that it had returned as soon as possible. Half out of that judgment and half out of resignation, he kept his gaze fixed on the hallway outside as he recounted what had happened. When he finished, Sari groaned softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s back already?” she grumbled. “And while I’ve been investigating over there too... Which one is the real source...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Over there?” Xixu repeated. “Real source?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari groaned again. “With things like this, it feels like you’ll die the moment I take my eyes off you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu wanted to refute the foreboding claim, but Sari appeared to be genuinely concerned. In any case, he needed to bring them back to the topic at hand, as well as apologize. Still facing the hallway, he said, “I don’t have any intention of dying, but I am sorry about rushing in here. It was rude of me. I didn’t finish him off, so I thought he would come for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine,” Sari said. “I’d be honestly surprised if he’d been that easy to kill. Don’t worry, it’s not as if this is one of the guest rooms. I’m just glad you’re safe.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s detached tone of voice was a marked difference from when he’d first met her. There was a lack of warmth in it that made Xixu skeptical of it being simply a matter of her having matured."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young shadeslayer began to hear rustling sounds; he supposed Sari was perhaps putting on clothes. He quietly made to leave, but she once again called out, stopping him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait. This is a real problem... The biggest one currently on my hands, in fact. I don’t know where it would be safe to leave you, Xixu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not something you need to be worried about. You should be more concerned about yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll be fine. You know I’m not human.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words lacked the tinge of loneliness he’d once heard in them, yet Xixu frowned to hear them nonetheless. His refutation came reflexively. “It has nothing to do with whether you’re human or not. You’re you. I won’t let anybody hurt you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For that was what Xixu’s liege had ordered, and what he himself had decided. He would protect Sari from all that would seek to harm her. His sword was for the purpose of that one duty above all else, and he would not fail to keep the promise he’d made her. That she was not human had no bearing on the matter. He had long since accepted who she was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu realized that his military sword was still hanging naked from his hip, and checked its blade. It seemed as though he hadn’t hallucinated the feel of cutting his opponent; there was a faint smear of blood remaining on the steel."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he carefully returned his sword to its scabbard, Xixu heard the sound of somebody hurrying up the stairs. The maidservant he’d encountered at the entryway soon appeared, the color draining from her face when she caught sight of Xixu. Behind her was Mifileu, who screamed when she saw that he was covered in blood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“K-Kilis! You’re hurt!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m fine. It only looks that way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fi.” The voice, devoid of any warmth, came from within the room. The words of the proprietress, mistress of the courtesan house of the rightful bloodline, struck the other woman as though they were tangible. “I don’t recall granting you permission to enter this building. Don’t step outside your bounds again.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-Miss Proprietress?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Return to the manor. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The order was gentle, but given with cold dignity, and left no room for argument. Mifileu, seemingly at a loss, looked at Xixu timidly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m fine,” he repeated, nodding."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman still seemed hesitant to leave. Xixu was about to show her the closed wound as further proof, but then Sari reached out from behind him and pulled him back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, I’ve decided,” she said. “I’ll be too worried about you if I leave you in Irede, Xixu, so I’ll take you along too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take me along?” he asked. “Where?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine, just follow behind me.” Sari forcefully tugged Xixu back into the room, then poked her head out of the doorway to look at the flustered pair of women outside. “We’ll be going ou— I mean, we have some business to take care of. It’ll be over in two hours, so don’t enter this building in the meantime. Please take care of the lantern lighting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-Of course, Miss Proprietress.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then I’ll see you later.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari shut the door with a clack, then turned back to Xixu. He looked at her in surprise; until that moment, he had not noticed that she was bereft of her usual white kimono, and was instead dressed as an ordinary city girl from the capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why are you dressed like that?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A kimono would stand out too much,” Sari replied. “You shouldn’t stay in those clothes either. Oh, and it’s best if you hide your face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Why? What are we doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’d prefer not to cross-dress, right? Although, I guess my clothes wouldn’t fit you anyway...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did you even need to ask? Xixu thought, feeling his weariness compound. He almost sighed, but his eyes widened when he noticed the glass box atop the dresser. Within it, sitting atop a stretch of red velvet cloth, were two large pearls—the gifts he had given Sari for her birthday."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he searched for something to say, she casually took his hand. “Let’s stop by your room first then,” she said. “You can change clothes and find something to hide your face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Again, where are we—?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Xixu could finish, Sari tapped her toes against the floor. His field of vision warped violently, and when it settled, what he saw shocked him. They were in the doorway of his room, in the dormitory he resided in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How did we get here...?” he mumbled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari looked up at him and smiled. “We’re going to where Tesed Zaras is, Xixu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu knew who that was, of course. What he didn’t know was why Sari was bringing up the name of an old man who, to the best of his knowledge, was currently in a neighboring country. As he stared at her in amazement, Sari smiled mysteriously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Xixu?” she prompted. “If you can’t change alone, I’m happy to help you out of your clothes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, wait—I get it, I’ll change.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He couldn’t go anywhere as he currently was, really. Xixu stepped into his room and headed for his chest of drawers to retrieve a change of clothes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From behind him, Sari, now crouching in the doorway, added, “Not your militia uniform. Pick something that will hide your identity. And make sure it covers your face.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu hadn’t been sure why she had requested that he hide his face at first, but the answer was relatively easy to discern, if one thought about it. Tesed Zaras knew who he was. If they were going to see the man, a disguise would be imperative."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu changed into a set of plain clothes, stifled a sigh as he did so. “All else aside,” he said, “I know you’ve appeared in my room before, but I wasn’t aware you could travel so freely.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm-hmm. Back then, it wasn’t something I could do whenever I wanted, but now I can pretty much do it at will.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold on. So we’re really going to the neighboring country?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t worry, it isn’t my first time making the trip. I’ve been there several times to look into things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu dropped his jacket in surprise. He turned to look at her as he picked it up, but she kept her gaze on his door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“More importantly, Xixu,” Sari said, “you should wipe the blood off before you put your jacket on. It’ll stain your clean clothes.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah... Right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The blood was already beginning to congeal, but it hadn’t progressed so far that it wasn’t simple to clean off. Xixu dampened a handkerchief and scrubbed away at the area around his wound. Though it had been quite deep, there was no longer any trace of it ever having existed. He stared at his right shoulder in awe, and then the memory of how it had been healed caused him to almost drop his handkerchief. He felt his face reddening."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What am I thinking...?” he muttered to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari didn’t appear bothered by what had happened at all, no doubt because healing him had been the foremost concern in her mind. Yet here he was, allowing his imagination to get the better of him. He felt like kicking himself. Instead, he directed a number of curses his own way, gripped his handkerchief tightly, and began kicking a nearby wall post."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hurry up, Xixu,” came an exasperated voice. “I said we’d be back in two hours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah. Sorry.” Xixu paused. “Wait, you were serious about going to the neighboring country?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. Now if you don’t hurry up and change, I’m coming over there to help you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, sorry, sorry. Wait, please.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu may have wanted to scold Sari for her recklessness, but he didn’t want her to touch him any more than she already had. He finished changing with deft movements, then wound a length of cloth around his nose and mouth. He had once encountered a tribe of people in the east who had kept their faces concealed in a similar manner as part of their daily attire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Upon turning around, he found that Sari was watching him, looking as though she was enjoying herself. She offered him a pale hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All done? Let’s go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her hand was beautiful. As Sari smiled happily, Xixu felt the strangest sense that something was out of place. When he touched her fingers and found that they were as cold as ice, that sense became something that bordered on certainty—and then an instant later, he was standing upon a path in the middle of an unfamiliar forest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trees extended to his left and right as far as he could see, making the forest appear dense and endless. The only vestige of human influence was the tidy gravel path that he and Sari stood upon, formed from white stones and lacking even a single weed. There was more moisture in the air than in Irede, and through the breaks in the trees, Xixu could see the night sky."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where is this?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re near the field,” Sari replied. “I was thinking of cleaning it up first before moving on.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu went to ask what kind of field she meant, then hummed in understanding, the answer coming to him after a moment’s thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A short time ago, Tesed Zaras had sparked turmoil in the royal capital by introducing a strange white flower. It seemed safe to assume that the flower in question was the crop growing on this nearby field of Sari’s. That would also give credence to the information he’d heard from his liege, about how the countries surrounding Torlonia had begun to deviate from their usual behavior."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari began walking ahead, alone, the gravel path under her feet striking under the moon’s light. Mere steps ahead, the little makeshift road forked into two branches, one of which was made of dirt, and lacked gravel or stones. This was the one Sari chose, and Xixu followed after her, watching her shining silver hair. There was something almost ethereal about the silky strands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When a clearing came into view, Xixu walked up to Sari’s side. “We might run into somebody,” he said. “You should stay behind me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, no!” Sari protested. “Just stay quiet and watch, Xixu. I only brought you because it was too dangerous to leave you alone in Irede.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You keep saying that, but...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Certainly, he had been seriously wounded earlier, but Xixu did not even want to entertain the notion of his being weak enough to warrant the concern of a girl five years his junior. Sari seemed to be treating him akin to a child who she was hiding behind her back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Despite Xixu’s misgivings, Sari said not a word more and broke into a run, not sparing him a glance as she went. He was on the verge of calling out for her to stop before he stopped himself; it was impossible to know who else might hear. Ultimately, he set off too, one beat after her. Her long silver hair served as a shining guide upon the dark path."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t long before Sari broke from the trees and plunged into a field of flowers that stretched beyond the forest. Xixu, who had followed after her small figure, found himself at loss for words, overcome by the scenery before him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a sea of white. The flower field, ringed by the forest, was vast enough that it could have ensconced a small village. Under the pale light of the moon, the large-petaled flowers in full bloom possessed such magnificence that one could have mistaken them for jewels, unless one was aware of their special trait. But perhaps, to those who did know, they were jewels in a different sense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu looked out over the field of white flowers mutely. To him, the sight seemed in equal parts beautiful and sinister. His reverie soon broke, however, and he made to follow after the girl who was pushing her way through the flowers. Sari took notice and turned to look at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stay there,” she said. “And be careful of their scent. We can’t have you ending up like last time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu didn’t want to remember that particular event from the past. Though, being strictly precise, he quite literally couldn’t. Regardless, he pressed a hand over his cloth-covered nose and mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While the flower had no effect on Sari, likely due to her inhuman nature, its efficacy had been demonstrably proven on Xixu. To make matters worse, if he fell under its influence now, of all times, he had a vague inkling of what he might end up doing—as much as he didn’t want to imagine it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Xixu, doing as he was told, stopped at the periphery of the flower field, Sari smiled and proceeded farther inward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not a single other person was in sight. Sari raised her pale right hand toward the moon, seemingly drawing the moonlight into her palm. Glancing down at the gilded forelimb, clad in luminescence, Sari swept it in a wide, horizontal sweep. Gleaming droplets splashed out into the night, raining down upon white petals."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, the change began."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The petals that had been touched by the spray began to freeze. Clear frost crept down from stalk, to leaf, to root, icing over even the ground as its grasp reached out for yet other flowers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With Sari at the center, the rapidly spreading chain of droplets soaked into the blooming flowers, and spread. The sound of shattering petals in every direction gave Xixu the vivid delusion that he was listening to the ringing of countless tiny bells. Watching this scene, which felt pulled straight out of a fantasy, play out before him, the young man came to a realization—the light that clung to Sari was not moonlight after all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s...cold air...” he muttered to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Sari’s divine power intensified, her body temperature dropped to extreme limits. It seemed well within possibility that she could manipulate that to kill the flowers. She had frozen the very earth, meaning not even their roots would be left. In doing so, she intended to dispose of every flower in this field."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The moon was bright that night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Adorned in pale light, the girl danced among the flowers. But though she almost appeared to be a performer on a stage, when one looked upon her, the sight seemed imbued with a sense of eternal isolation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Xixu watched the flowers before him crumble, his handsome features twisted into a grim frown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari returned a dozen or so minutes later, once the vast field of flowers was entirely frozen over. Despite such a significant exertion of her power, she looked unruffled as she patted Xixu on the arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, let’s go,” she said. “Tesed Zaras is in an estate nearby.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wait, Saridi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu took Sari’s hand before she could walk off, and she turned as he held her delicate fingers in his. He couldn’t detect even a hint of heat from the digits in his grasp; he felt only a chill far beyond the bounds of a simple lack of warmth. Sari was not merely cold; the young shadeslayer felt as though he were holding ice. But now, he was certain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari looked up at Xixu curiously. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Did you come up with an idea?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No,” he replied. “We should return for today. This is bad for your health.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While the girl who was a god possessed immense power, Xixu knew said power came with aftereffects. If Sari overused it, her body would chill through, and the backlash would cause her to be bedridden for a time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari herself had once said she disliked the times when her body temperature lowered thus, as it made her feel lonely. Perhaps she’d had no choice but to use her power to dispose of the flowers just now, but there was no need to force anything more. And, where Tesed Zaras was concerned, Xixu knew it was possible that they could request the king’s aid."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu touched Sari’s cheek. It was as cold as her fingers. “It might be rough on you, but can you travel one more time?” he asked. “Let’s return to Pale Moon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” Sari blinked. “No, we’re not going back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But, Saridi—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’re not. I’m fine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu studied Sari as she watched him. She looked puzzled and slightly irked, but she didn’t seem to be putting on a brave face. Once again, he felt as if something was out of place, but he wasn’t about to let her talk him around. He held his palm against her forehead, as though to check her temperature."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Haven’t you noticed? You’re practically frozen. You shouldn’t push yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not. And of course my body’s cold. I’m not human, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something was wrong. Xixu could sense it, rubbing against his deepest thoughts like sandpaper. He lapsed into silence, mulling over the sense of nagging discomfort that had risen in him, which bore such a close resemblance to impatience."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari smiled faintly at Xixu, looking slightly awkward. “I’m fine, really,” she insisted. “Come on, let’s hurry. I shouldn’t leave Irede without me for too long.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, wait,” he insisted. “You’re more important. Did something happen?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu took both of Sari’s hands. Her slender wrists still seemed as though they would break in his grip—that, at least, had not changed. It was the skin which lay over those wrists that bore a difference; they conveyed to him a frigid coldness that felt almost akin to rejection."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young shadeslayer found himself wondering how Sari had become able to achieve feats such as those he’d recently experienced, which she had not previously been capable of. He knew that her divine nature was increasingly manifesting itself, but this seemed to him like something different. Was it related to the return of her brother god?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari gave him a smile, the meaning of which he could not fathom. Her touchingly innocent lips spun the gentle words, “Nothing happened,” into his ears. “Don’t worry, I’m fine,” she continued. “Once this is over, I won’t ever cause trouble for you again, Xixu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once again, the maiden girl smiled happily. Beautiful in every way, the expression was a mask oft worn by the women of Irede. A face that was distant, loving, and that permitted no approach; one learned by girls who had become adults."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, Xixu felt a rush of impatience at the back of his throat. He was about to call Sari’s name again when another voice spoke from behind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, you do not need him? I see. Then I shall accept this offering in your stead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh...?” Sari’s blue eyes widened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu turned; the voice sounded familiar. His right hand curled around the hilt of his sword, but before he unsheathed it, transparent fingers touched his chin. A silver-haired girl floated in the air, laughing happily with pure, bright eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As promised, my sacred offering, I have come for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, wait!” Sari lifted her right hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Intending to cover her, Xixu drew his military sword—but his arm was bound by some unseen power, and he was unable to swing. The transparent girl reached both her arms out and pulled Xixu into a gentle embrace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ve made me wait quite a while. But...I shall forgive you, as long as you give me this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The tone of her voice was more childish than Sari’s, more distorted. Xixu recognized her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The name had been told to him not long before by the king’s maiden, who had said that he may have need of it. And indeed, Xixu had said the name when he had faced the golden wolf, and the transparent girl who resembled Sari had appeared and saved his life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Back then, she had said that she would come back for him, but Xixu hadn’t considered that to be a serious possibility. He had brought her name up to Sari and Thoma, but the former had simply looked confused, while the latter’s expression had been an emotionless mask. It had been Thoma’s reaction in particular that had made Xixu hesitant to pursue the topic any further, so in the end, he had dropped the matter, and Distira’s existence had faded from his mind, becoming more of a vague apparition with each passing day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Currently, however, the girl had him trapped in her arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira’s body was as cold as water. Xixu stared, overcome by the inhumanness of it, but then something pulled hard on his clothes from behind, causing his upper body to jerk back. He heard Sari’s voice from right next to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stay awake! She’ll take you away!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Take me away...?” Xixu repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t obstruct me, little girl.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "White sparks scattered before Xixu’s eyes—the result of two powers clashing, no doubt. They arced through the air and rained down toward his body, but he immediately flicked them away with his sword. The movement had the secondary effect of grazing Distira’s arm, and the transparent girl clicked her tongue and released her hold on Xixu. Sari stepped into the gap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Xixu, get back!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s small head hovered right below the young shadeslayer’s eyes. Her silver hair, which so often seemed lustrous in the light of the moon, now was itself faintly luminescent. A finger clad in pure cold pointed at Distira, who remained afloat upon the air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ghost of the past,” Sari intoned. “It seems you have escaped your seal through the act of another calling your name.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Me, a ghost? What a strange thing to say. As long as my existence persists, I am a god. Just like you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira’s cheerful laugh rang out once again, and the falling moonlight illuminated her outline, making her slender body seem to glow. As much as she proclaimed not to be a ghost, it was difficult to see her as anything otherwise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu studied Distira from over Sari’s shoulder. “Saridi,” he said. “Is she...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Be careful,” Sari replied. “She’s my equal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This confirmed Xixu’s expectations; Distira was not an opponent who could be overcome by the strength of a mere human. He felt a tension grow in him that he could not find the will to suppress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira looked down at him, smiled sweetly as her eyes softened. “There is no need for you to be in such awe of me,” she said. “You are a man who will become a sacred offering, are you not? You have been marked by that little girl’s power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I...” Xixu fell silent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nerei had said the same thing to him, once. He supposed that was just how gods saw him, due to his frequent presence by Sari’s side as they chased after shades."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still, that was no reason for him to be abducted to become another god’s sacred offering. The young man adjusted his hold on his sword’s hilt, gripping it tightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari held Xixu back with her left hand. “And why do you need a sacred offering?” she demanded of the apparition before them. “Why must mankind provide one to an echo with no duty to fulfill?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If I am able to receive an offering, then I shall fulfill my duty,” Distira replied. “That has always been my intent. ’Twas mankind who refused me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A bare hint of pain flickered in Distira’s eyes. Sari must have noticed it too; her delicate shoulders trembled slightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The two gods, alike only in appearance, faced one another. The floating girl sank lower in the air, then smiled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My offering refused me,” Distira said. “But you... You refused yours. Surely it is evident which of us deserves one, then? Why do you care if another acquires what you have thrown away? You have no right to interfere.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The challenge in Distira’s gaze was piercing. In response, Xixu thought he caught the sound of Sari grinding her teeth, but since she stood in front of him, he could not see her expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Saridi...” he said slowly, reflecting upon Distira’s words. “Did you really ‘throw me away’?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, be quiet, Xixu! Things will only get more complicated if we get into that now!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several long moments passed before Xixu replied, “All right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He did want to know more, but this was clearly not the place nor time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s feet scuffed against the gravel underfoot as she glared up at the floating girl. Then, she raised her right hand, shining with pale light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even from behind her, the condensed cold air sapped the warmth from Xixu’s body. Leaving him—the human—where he was, Sari took a step forward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Xixu is a guest of Pale Moon,” she said. “I can’t hand him over to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then shall I change places with you?” Distira asked, her voice full of pure, innocent confidence. “I will become the caretaker of Irede, Pale Moon, and the snake. All of it. For I am also the mistress of that town.” She beckoned to Xixu with a finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari stood frozen, her body encased in clear, bright moonlight. “Don’t be unfair, Mother,” she murmured, her voice so low it only just reached Xixu’s ears."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before Xixu could say anything more, Sari had already leaped off the gravel and into the air. Distira laughed as a violent spray of sparks burst from between her and Sari, illuminating the nighttime forest with white light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The clash between gods was more striking than a full moon. As Xixu stared up at it, he ruminated upon the words he had just heard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She’s...Saridi’s mother?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That would make her Thoma’s mother too, as well as the wife of the head of House Radi in the royal capital. By no means could that woman be a transparent girl in a place such as this. And yet... A vague recollection nagged at Xixu."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, wait...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu reeled in a thread of memory, recalling something Thoma had once told him. The heir to House Radi had spoken of his father, and how the man had once rejected the divine side of Thoma and Sari’s mother. This had caused her to cut that part of her loose and seal it away. If that was true, then Distira was—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A violent explosion resounded throughout the forest, shaking the trees."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu, who had been preoccupied with his own thoughts, came to his senses and looked up at the night sky. Against the backdrop of the moon, he saw the silhouette of a girl falling, as though she had been blown back. Recognizing who it was, he ran for her, then caught her in his arms the moment before she slammed into the gravel path."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Still staggering from the impact he had not been able to completely mitigate, Xixu lowered Sari onto the ground. As he rose, he slashed at nothing with his blade, the keen cut passing swiftly through empty air."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira let out a choked cry, then fell silent. Sari, sitting upon the gravel, looked up at Xixu with wide eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What did you do?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I just had the feeling she was there, so I swung,” Xixu replied. He hadn’t intended to do anything extraordinary."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young shadeslayer glanced at his military sword, his eyes widening when he abruptly realized that a streak of blood still remained on its blade. It must have been from earlier, when he’d cut that black-clothed man in Irede. He’d forgotten to wipe his weapon clean."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that why...?” Xixu wondered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps it had been a lucky break then, that he’d gotten injured; it was only in taking that blow that Xixu had managed to land his own. Not that current circumstances lent themselves toward any kind of celebration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu looked at the blood coating his arms, then down at the girl at his feet. “Saridi, you’re hurt...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not fair, not having an actual body,” Sari grumbled irritatedly. “It means I’m the only one who ended up like this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A large gash ran from Sari’s right shoulder to her stomach. The wound seemed quite deep; blood was pooling steadily across the gravel. Xixu fell to his knees and took Sari into his arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re leaving,” he said. “Can you manage the trip back to Pale Moon?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then hurry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu removed the cloth he’d wound around his face and used it to put pressure on Sari’s shoulder. As he did, their surroundings changed, and then they were back in her room at Pale Moon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Sari and Xixu had departed on their journey, it had been the latter who was drenched in blood. Now, upon their return, Xixu found that his companion had swapped places with him. He wasn’t unable to see the hint of irony in their situation, even despite the confusing circumstances, but at the moment such things didn’t matter. Sari’s wound took precedence—it looked serious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu carried Sari’s cold body over to her bed, then laid her down. “I’ll call for a doctor,” he said. “Just wait.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, don’t,” she protested. “I’m fine.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s voice was hoarse, but the clear determination in it stopped Xixu from leaving the room. He turned around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t look fine,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will be—I can close the wound myself. It’ll be worse if someone examines me.” Sari paused. “More importantly, can you help me stop the bleeding? I might run out of blood before I can close it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lying upon the bed, which was growing increasingly stained with blood, Sari pressed her hand against her shoulder, white droplets welling from her fingers. It was possible she was attempting to alleviate her pain by chilling the wound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu returned to Sari’s side, then picked up a length of bleached cloth that had been left nearby. In more normal circumstances, the fabric would have been used as an undergarment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll make the bindings tight,” Xixu said as he checked over Sari. He noted she was breathing roughly. “Is it okay if I undress you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mm-hmm... Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s cotton clothing was already heavy with the blood it had absorbed. Xixu gripped the portion of the garment that had been cut open, then tore it wider. As he began to bind her wound, he noticed the stomach end of it had become shallower; no doubt that was because of Sari’s attempts to close it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu frowned as he worked; Sari’s body was still as cold as ice. When he finished, Sari exhaled lightly—perhaps she felt a little better."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you...” she said. “I’m going to sleep for a little while. Try not to touch me—I’ll drain your vitality if you do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But stay close, okay? It’s...dangerous...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s eyes drifted shut. When Xixu saw that her breathing had immediately lapsed into the faint, steady rhythm of sleep, he sat down on the floor beside her bed. Gently, he extended a finger toward her pale face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If somebody had asked Xixu what had changed, he wouldn’t be able to say. Too much was happening that was beyond human understanding, and he couldn’t keep up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet, even still..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Saridi,” Xixu murmured, holding her cold hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Sari slept, she looked a little uneasy, a little lonely—just as she had the last time. Xixu’s hand drew closer, his fingers brushing the blood from her cheeks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was that slight tremble in her shoulders because she was cold, or because she had lost so much blood? It could have been both."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu frowned, pondering for a moment, then stood up, careful not to wake her. He lay down close by her side and brought her slender frame into his arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m probably going to catch a cold...” he muttered to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In addition to embracing a girl who might as well have been a block of ice, she was also, in her own words, draining his vitality. It seemed inevitable that he would come down with a cold later, at the very least. But if sacrificing his own health was enough to help her recover, then he didn’t regret the cost at all. Xixu pulled Sari’s head toward his chest and closed his eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’ll be okay,” he murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He would not leave her to be alone. He would not run away. If the burden a god bore was a promise, then what a human gave them in return was their sincerity. Xixu hugged Sari closer, taking care not to harm her delicate frame."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Darkness took his consciousness, but soon it began to waver, drifting in lazy circles. Before Xixu knew it, he found himself alone on the path to a cold stone chamber."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter10.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "5. Transience"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a fresh puddle of blood on the white gravel path."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tesed Zaras, who had left his estate to investigate the flash that had lit the sky shortly before, along with the explosion that had accompanied it, looked around at his subordinates. He had thought perhaps that one of them might have suffered an injury during their patrol. This was disproved, however, when all of them shook their heads."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The conclusion to be drawn was that somebody had intruded into this place—and therefore, onto his private land."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tesed leaned down over the gravel path, considering the possibility that the puddle of blood before him was an animal’s. He touched it; it had not yet congealed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He flinched."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The crimson liquid rippled invitingly. It appeared to be nothing but mere blood, but to Tesed, it was something more—a vestige of the unknown. For when he’d touched it, he’d found it cold as ice, and its frigidity had numbed the tip of his finger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You see, Xixu... To me, you were just like that blue glass bird.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The female voice reached Xixu’s ears, the words it spoke echoing directly inside his head. Despite this, he did not think the voice had been addressing him—its words had sounded like a soliloquy, meant for the speaker alone. Still, the steeped-in plaintiveness that exuded from it tore at Xixu’s heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was beautiful,” the voice continued, “and so I yearned for it. But it was beyond my grasp—our natures were too different.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Each word trickled forth slowly, bearing as much emotion as they could hold. Even so, the voice was calm; the kind of calm that came from revealing words one had kept suppressed deep inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was how she had always lived: resolute and self-restrained, the latter a quality she herself had never consciously recognized. She had always strove to fulfill her duty to perfection."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thoma gave me the bird,” she said, a hint of emotion entering her tone. Almost...self-deprecation. “But you’re more than just an ornament, Xixu. So...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was a brief pause. Then, like the final droplet being wrung from a cloth, a murmur spilled forth as though it were a tear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So...I’m fine now. I’ll give up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She let out a long sigh. Upon hearing it, Xixu’s body was abruptly freed from its restraints, and he at last found himself able to breathe again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was standing, but he couldn’t tell where, and his vision had gone hazy. Still, Xixu found himself thinking he could possibly be in a stone chamber. Perhaps."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking around the indefinite, flickering world about him, Xixu saw the gleam of a remarkably bright light, glowing from some distance away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Saridi,” he murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The name came to his lips without prompting as he reached his hand out toward the light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He could not see her. He did not know whether his voice would reach her. And yet, step by step, Xixu approached the gentle glow. He felt no fear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu stepped into the light, his body dissolving into it. And as he did, he called the girl’s name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Saridi, are you there?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Again, he reached his hand out. He took another step closer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then, with no warning at all, he was jerked back, far, far away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the hell are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu was dragged back to reality by an angry shout that threatened to tear his eardrums. His thoughts lagged behind as he gazed down at his body—only belatedly did he realize that he’d been hurled onto the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young shadeslayer looked up at his friend, who was gripping him by the back of his collar. His thoughts were still jumbled, perhaps because of the rough awakening, but when he turned his gaze back to the bed where Sari lay sleeping, half naked and stained with blood, his mind finally grasped the meaning of the words that had just been shouted at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wait, no—this isn’t what it looks like.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma doted on his little sister. Xixu would not have found it surprising if he cut him down first and asked questions later after walking in on a situation such as this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu’s hazy mind scrambled for an explanation. “I swear I didn’t do anything,” he proclaimed hurriedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If pressed on whether he’d done anything he should feel guilty about, Xixu doubted he’d be able to declare his conscience to be completely clean, but at the very least, he had not crossed any problematic lines. Whether that would hold up as a defense was a different question, however."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before he could explain himself further, he was again rebuked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m not talking about that! Are you suicidal, you idiot?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If she’d taken any more vitality from you, you’d have fallen into a coma! Look, just go rest and warm yourself up! I’ll take over!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A woman’s hand touched Xixu’s shoulder, and when he looked backward, he saw Isha kneeling down behind him. Her touch felt like boiling water, and it was only then Xixu realized how abnormally cold he was. He looked back at Sari’s sleeping form; her complexion seemed healthier now, but she showed no sign of waking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma climbed onto the bed, sat down, and lifted his sister into his lap, embracing her. He wrapped her slender frame in the blanket and closed his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll get the story from you later,” he said. “There’s something I want to talk to you about too. For now, go sleep in the proprietress’s room. Get Isha to brew you something medicinal.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I... Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari herself had told Xixu not to touch her because it was dangerous, yet he had voluntarily chosen to share his vitality with her anyway. If he’d fallen into a coma because of that choice, he didn’t know how he’d have managed to ever look her in the eyes again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu accepted Isha’s help and stood up, pressing a hand to his brow as vertigo hit him. A small blue bird hanging from the windowsill entered his unsteady field of vision."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That bird...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu recalled the words he’d heard spoken in his dream, which had told the tale of the gift Thoma had once given his sister. He wanted to take a closer look, but was reluctant to disturb the siblings any further—Sari was asleep, and Thoma’s eyes were closed. And so, at Isha’s encouragement, Xixu left the detached building. For the first time in a long while, he made his way to the proprietress’s room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Isha pointed to the sliding screen door at the back as she prepared a medicinal infusion in a small iron teapot. “The bedroom is ready for you,” she said. “I prepared a change of clothes, so please make use of them. As for the militia, we’ve already contacted them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right... Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu pressed his hands to his skull, both of his elbows resting upon the low table. His head felt unbearably light, as though if he stopped making a conscious effort to stay focused for even a moment, he’d be out like a light."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Isha smiled faintly and offered him a teacup of hot medicinal brew. “I know how you feel,” she said. “She took a lot out of you, didn’t she?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words jogged Xixu’s memory, and he recalled that Isha usually volunteered to sleep with Sari when she was unwell. He looked at the slight woman with admiration."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was rough,” he agreed. “Though I’m glad that it seemed to have helped her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was likely more severe than usual because of how deep her wounds were. Thank you for protecting her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Isha’s bearing as she bowed her head was gentle, as usual, but her gratitude only served to make Xixu feel uncomfortable in a way he couldn’t put into words. He felt that, if anything, he should be apologizing for exposing Sari to danger—after all, although she had only gone to the neighboring country in the first place because of the unrest in the capital, the fault for her subsequent conflict with Distira lay at the feet of Xixu himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu downed the bitter medicinal infusion Isha had given him, and the courtesan stood up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I should return to the flower room,” she said. “I’m sorry that I can’t stay longer, but...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, it’s fine. Sorry for the trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The other courtesans had to be at a loss without Sari or Isha around. Although, perhaps they were making the most of their freedom, but that seemed troubling in its own way—for the guests."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Isha stopped before the sliding screen door and bowed politely, both hands together. When the daughter of noble blood raised her head and looked at Xixu, there was much contained within her gaze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thoma may have a lot to say to you later,” she said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a pause, Xixu replied, “I know. I’m prepared to hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Before that, however, I also have a matter I’d like to discuss with you.” Isha considered her next words for a moment. “Why do you think Thoma has not yet bought out my contract?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thoma...?” Xixu wondered what this had to do with anything, but Isha was not the kind of person to indulge in meaningless tricks. After some thought, he gave what he thought was the answer. “Pardon me for saying so, but is it because his family opposes it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "House Radi was a notable family even in the royal capital. It seemed possible that they would object to their future head taking a courtesan as a wife, even if Pale Moon was the legitimate heart of Irede. Upon hearing Xixu’s answer, however, Isha smiled ruefully and shook her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“House Radi is one of the three sacred houses. They have no objection toward a courtesan of Pale Moon. The reason is simply that once a guest has bought out the contract of a courtesan from this place, he cannot be allowed into a guest room ever again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He can’t use a guest room ever again?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had not heard of this before. Now that he had, however, it made sense why Thoma had not yet taken Isha away—it would make it rather inconvenient for him to visit his little sister. Not only that, but it would also deprive Sari of her surrogate older sister, something that would cause Thoma to worry even more about her well-being."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re facing the same problem right now, aren’t you?” Isha added."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had no memory of being involved in any issues related to buying out a courtesan’s contract. Or did this have something to do with being a sacred offering? His expression grew pensive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Isha gave him a beautiful smile. It was the perfectly arranged smile of a courtesan, and yet the emotion lurking within was also a courtesan’s, profound in its own way. The sorrow in her was plain to see, reflected in the downward cast of her long eyelashes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, you,” she replied. “So please, be careful. Those of Irede, we... Our desires are intense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that a burden Sari carries too? Xixu wondered after Isha had gone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He went into the bedroom and collapsed, giving in to his exhaustion. The dream he sank into contained no stone chamber, something he thought was somewhat of a shame."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he drifted deeper into sleep, Xixu recalled a memory of a girl’s face, seen from the side. She had been crying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu wasn’t sure how long he slept for. It was already bright outside when he awoke and dragged his sluggish body into the room’s bath. Once he’d finished washing, he cleaned the room, then changed into the kimono that Isha had left for him. Thoma arrived only seconds later, as though he had been waiting for that exact moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man looked weary, likely because he had surrendered some of his vitality to his sister. He sat across from Xixu on the other side of the low table, poured two cups of strong tea, and carelessly shoved one over. “First things first,” he said, “Sari already told me what happened.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She’s awake?!” Xixu exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She was, but she’s gone back to sleep now. I scolded her ear off. Sorry you got dragged into the mess that surrounds our mother.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I...” That confirmed it then; Distira was their mother. Xixu wasn’t sure what to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma paid him no mind and continued. “We’ll handle it, one way or another. It should be our parents’ problem, but they’re useless, so it’s up to me and Sari. Either way, we won’t trouble you with it anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t particularly mind...” Xixu trailed off. “More importantly, I’m troubling her with the matter involving Tesed Zaras.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We’ll wash our hands of that. Sorry, but we’ll hand over all the information we’ve gathered, so take it to the capital and sort it out there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Understood,” Xixu agreed readily. He hadn’t ever intended on involving Irede’s maiden in that particular problem in the first place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll put everything down on paper later,” Thoma concluded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Relieved by the progress their conversation was making, Xixu sipped at the poorly brewed tea. He was slightly annoyed; the leaves themselves were lovely, but Thoma had handled them crudely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How can you be so oblivious to the taste of tea as a brewer’s son...?” Xixu grumbled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My taste is just fine, it’s the brewing methods I’m clueless about. If you’ve got a problem, drink some wine instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Alcohol makes me tired.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like you drew the short straw when it comes to your constitution then. Not to mention all your other disadvantages.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Leave it. I don’t consider my constitution to be a disadvantage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In fact, if Xixu was being honest, he had a feeling his usual exhaustion would be slightly alleviated if only Thoma and Sari would practice more restraint where he was concerned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "However, the man in question just calmly drained his own tea and, as though he were only continuing their idle chatter, said, “So, Xixu.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Now what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“About that woman—buy out her contract and return to the capital. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you up until now.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma placed his empty teacup back onto the table with a clack. Xixu watched the action, uncomprehending. He wondered who “that woman” was, and why Thoma was bringing up the topic of buying out a contract. But—perhaps because this was all so sudden—his thoughts seemed stuck in rut, and all he could recall were Isha’s words, of how the people of Irede had intense desires."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The confusion must have shown on his face, because Thoma looked at him incredulously. “I’m talking about that old acquaintance of yours,” he said. “You’ve been purchasing her company recently, haven’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a long pause, Xixu finally responded. “I...forgot about that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You can really be the lowest of the low from time to time, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how harsh Thoma’s accusations were, the simple truth was that Xixu had forgotten Mifileu entirely. So much had happened since the previous evening that he’d been unable to spare any thought for her at all. Still, as Xixu held his head in his hand, he thought he should at least attempt to explain himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wasn’t purchasing her company.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I heard, but you still chose her and entered a guest room together. It’s the same thing, in the end.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I...guess it is.” Until now, he’d essentially been presuming upon Sari’s kindness to meet with Mifileu, but it was obvious how his actions would appear to an onlooker. Xixu hung his head, crestfallen. This new perspective had brought with it a string of other revelations. “But if I purchase her contract, I won’t be able to enter Pale Moon anymore, correct?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-You knew about that?! Seriously?! Who are you, and what have you done with Xixu?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is it really that surprising...? Isha told me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, she did? If she was going to tell you now, I’d rather she had just stopped you earlier.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma ruffled his own hair absentmindedly, seemingly irritated by how events had played out without him. That was when Xixu finally recognized the man’s earlier words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you just tell me to return to the capital?” Xixu knew that Thoma did not mean making one of his usual temporary trips back to his home. He was asking him to cut his ties with Pale Moon and Irede completely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma gave him a pained smile. “I’m not saying it out of any kind of malice. It’s that woman’s fault, and yours too, for being so oblivious. But Sari isn’t without her share of the blame—it was her choice to remain silent. Instead of telling you about Pale Moon’s ways, she just handed you a room tag without a word.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pale Moon’s ways?” Xixu frowned, worried. Had he caused some manner of problem without knowing, just like he had been ignorant of what it meant to buy a courtesan out of Pale Moon’s contract?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma tapped his finger on the low table. “Yeah. At Pale Moon, guests can’t change the women they see. Regulars have two choices. They either frequent the reception room without ever entering a guest room, or continue to purchase the same woman’s company.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, that would mean...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu could see two facets to the problem. The first was that he was now being treated as Mifileu’s guest, and the second was that the maiden received her guest as a courtesan. He now finally understood the position he’d maneuvered himself into in his ignorance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma looked at him with a mixture of exasperation and pity. “Well, the long and short of it is that you’re no longer qualified to be a sacred offering. You haven’t been let into the proprietress’s room recently, right? I guess one never really knows what life will have in store.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu had no response to give."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So, it’s Sari’s fault, really. After going on about how harsh it was to not tell newcomers about Irede’s unwritten rules, she did the exact same thing when one stepped into her domain. She chose to be pointlessly stubborn, and it came back to bite her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No... This is my fault.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had thought that Sari was acting strangely. It had begun ever since Mifileu had come to Pale Moon, or perhaps even earlier. But in the end, he hadn’t pressed her about it. Unlike her brother, who fussed over her to the point that it was exhausting sometimes, or her childhood friend, who had tried to rush her into adulthood, Xixu had wanted to provide her with the space to make her own choices. Yet, as a result, his lack of action may as well have been born from indifference."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu knew Mifileu’s character well, so his intent had been to resolve matters with her in a way that wouldn’t trouble Sari. Yet in his attempt to do so, he had achieved the exact opposite."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now that he had an objective view of the entire mess, Xixu felt like slamming his head into the table. “I’m sorry...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re overreacting,” Thoma replied. “There’s no need to be so down. I’m telling you, it’s Sari’s fault.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu didn’t reply; there was nothing he could say. Perhaps his careless actions had arisen from the private sense of ease he’d developed as of late, thinking that he was growing accustomed to Irede. Regardless, he settled his resolve on apologizing to Sari, for the time being."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not finished,” Thoma said, and Xixu looked up. Thoma was studying him with a rare look of seriousness. “Listen,” the other man said. “Yes, you’re oblivious—we’ve established that. But the problem here is Sari.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everybody’s prone to bouts of stubbornness,” Xixu said. “To say nothing of how Saridi’s the proprietress of this house.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop being so quick to jump to her defense.” Thoma snapped, then sighed. “No, that’s beside the point. Look, what I’m saying is, she’s not herself anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma’s handsome features twisted into a bitter expression. He looked hesitant to say anything further, and regretful that any of this had happened. As the tension began to seep into Xixu, the man sighed heavily, and his next words were ones Xixu had never expected to hear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sari’s... Her thoughts are becoming completely inhuman. She’s no longer the Sari you knew.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu’s first reaction was confusion. He had already known that she was not human. But as he began to say as much, he was stopped by the recollection of how abnormally cold she had been, as well as how off she had seemed when he had asked her about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the face of Xixu’s reflexive silence, Thoma stood up and began brewing another serving of tea. “You know what I’m talking about, right?” he asked. “There’s no way you wouldn’t, I guess, after sleeping with her in your arms.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I... Wasn’t that because she had used too much of her power?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, far from it. That’s just her normal temperature now. Or lack of temperature, I should say. It might have been a factor of why she was so strangely stubborn. Her attachment to people is becoming abnormally diluted.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What did it mean, for Sari’s thoughts to become completely inhuman?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu watched vacantly as Thoma drowned the tea leaves in now cold water. “Distira didn’t seem that way,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, hey! Don’t say her name, idiot. And anyway, that’s because she’s the divinity that my mother cast off before her union with my father. She’s immature. Basically the opposite of Sari.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If my read on it is right, Sari forced herself to unite with her divinity alone, without coupling with an intimate partner. I didn’t think that would result in this, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu hummed in understanding. “That makes sense. Her divinity has been manifesting strongly recently, even while she’s closer to acting like her usual self.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You noticed?! Then why didn’t you stop her?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you mean ‘why’? Wouldn’t it be wrong of me to stop her? That side of her is Saridi too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I mean, yes, but... You...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma hung his head, clearly dejected. The sight made Xixu feel slightly guilty, but it didn’t change his opinion—intervening in Sari’s integration with her divinity would be wrong. Even if her true nature was manifesting more strongly, that did not change the fact that Sari was still herself. It wasn’t something to be viewed as a problem."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s the ideal mindset for a sacred offering, you know,” Thoma said. “The problem is that you’re not one. Why couldn’t you have been one...?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Despite the man’s complaints, Xixu thought that it would have been much more problematic if he had arbitrarily stepped into the role of Sari’s offering when she hadn’t even chosen him. Yet, saying as much seemed too akin to placing the blame on her for Xixu’s comfort, so all he said was “Sorry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma scratched his head. “No, I’m sorry for taking my anger out on you,” he replied. “At the end of the day, this is Sari’s personal problem. It seems like she was too hasty to give control over to her divine self because of the matter with her brother god. She was putting a lot of practice into her techniques and on expanding her power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The more Sari’s power expanded, the more it must have influenced her consciousness. Gradually, the divine influence must have altered it and diluted her attachment to humanity, as well as her childlike straightforwardness. And so, ever so slowly, Sari had become accustomed to the solitude that came with being other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So,” Thoma continued, “now that she has accepted that solitude as natural, she’s grown even more distant from people. It’s a vicious cycle. She probably tried to keep you at a distance at first out of some strange sense of stubbornness, and since you played along, that feeling of isolation drove her even further away from others. She’s always had times where she would refuse to give in, but who could’ve known how far she’d take it this time? It would’ve been better if she’d just thrown a run-of-the-mill tantrum.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma clicked his tongue and poured the tea he’d been brewing into Xixu’s teacup. The water had gone lukewarm, so the flavor of the leaves had hardly steeped, but Xixu didn’t comment on it. He simply drank his tea-flavored water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You say she’s changed,” he said. “Does that really make matters so different now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It does,” Thoma replied. “In crude terms, she’s a bundle of apathy now—emotionless and cold. I know how much I’ve poked and prodded at you regarding her up until now, but I can’t go so far as to make you take care of that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She didn’t seem that bad yesterday.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Her head still works just fine; she can act the part of her usual self without a problem. The issue is that she doesn’t have any of the emotion to back it up. I consider myself your friend, you know. I can’t push a doll made of ice on you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A doll made of ice...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The harshness of the phrase struck Xixu almost physically. He doubted that Thoma liked saying it any better. It simply went to demonstrate how distant Sari had become from humanity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu stared at the water before him, which held a flavor only barely reminiscent of tea. “Is that why you’re telling me to return to the capital?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is. There’s no hope of her returning to her usual self. The first god, summoned by the king of an ancient nation, gained warmth through consorting with humanity. In other words, she met humanity halfway. But what Sari did was the opposite—if we don’t step carefully in how we deal with her, the entire country could suffer for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Silence fell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the light of the midday sun, the proprietress’s room looked diminished compared to Xixu’s memories of it, as though he were viewing it from a distance. He turned to the ornamental alcove, always kept clean and free of any dust. The ceramic flower vase on display within was empty, giving the room a sense of disuse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu, recalling the words he’d heard in his dream, drained his teacup of water, then raised his head and fixed his gaze on the man sitting opposite him. “I’d like to talk to Saridi,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t,” Thoma warned. “Or, in more plain terms: leave her be. She’s Irede’s problem now, and we’ve already got the added trouble of other gods loitering about despite our lack of desire for their presence. Regardless of her current state, Sari’s decision-making so far has been beyond reproach.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You saw how badly injured she was after she faced one of those gods one-on-one,” Xixu reminded the other man. “We can’t make her handle everything alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Doing so would still be better than adding more enemies to the pile,” Thoma refuted. “Better the capital deals with its own problems, and Irede deals with Irede’s.” The heir to House Radi refilled Xixu’s empty teacup with water directly from the pitcher, then continued, “Look, just go back. The sacred houses will write a letter explaining the circumstances for the king. He’ll give in once he understands that you can’t become a sacred offering, whether you stay here or not.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And ultimately, that was what it came down to, Xixu knew. Even if he remained in Irede, he could not become anybody of import—in fact, if he did not leave, he would actually worsen the town’s circumstances by dragging the capital’s matters here with him. Just like how he had brought his friction with Mifileu to Pale Moon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma stood up, not waiting for Xixu’s answer. “In any case, just wait here,” he said. “I’ll go have a maidservant count up the cost of purchasing that woman’s contract. It shouldn’t be that high, since she’s a newcomer, and I’ll contribute half for all of the trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold on,” Xixu interjected. He hurried after Thoma, who had ignored him and already left the room. “Don’t just settle everything without me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The hallway outside Xixu’s room was deathly silent, save for the sound of his and Thoma’s brisk footsteps as they headed for the entryway. The sun was still high, so likely the lack of noise was due to the fact that the courtesans of Pale Moon were still asleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu reached out and grabbed Thoma, who responded by lightly shaking him right back off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You can say that all you like,” the man responded, “but I knew if I left things to you two, you’d never get anywhere. You’d only make things more complicated.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’ll talk to her. Without making matters more complicated.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m telling you to give it up. Sari will just tell you the same thing I told you—as far as she’s concerned, you’re already another woman’s guest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Does the difference stem from whether I entered the guest room or not?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s more about whether you paid or not. You’ve been in the proprietress’s room plenty of times before, haven’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The proprietress’s room...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the first time since Sari had offered him her assistance when he had come to Irede, she had allowed him the use of her own guest room—a gesture of hospitality for the sake of a young man who was unfamiliar with courtesans. She had invited him in each time as though it were a matter of course, serving him tea and meals, and though Xixu had offered to pay for the cost of said meals many times over, she had always firmly refused. Because she, as the proprietress, had known the true meaning behind the act of paying back the value of what one was given."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But if that was the case, then..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu stared after his friend as he descended the staircase. The maidservant at the entryway was visibly surprised to see Thoma stop by so abruptly, but he paid that no mind as he beckoned her over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry,” he apologized, “but could I ask you to tally up an account? I have the proprietress’s permission.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, um, of course. What manner of account would that be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The total of how much I owe,” Xixu interrupted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma whirled around, surprise clear on his face, but Xixu deliberately ignored him. From his position above the staircase, he looked down toward Pale Moon’s entryway. “There should be a record of the times Saridi let me into the proprietress’s room.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If the proprietress was also a courtesan, then she, too, had to abide by the ways of Pale Moon. So Xixu continued, as though it were a matter of course, binding the almost-cut thread back together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Add up what I owe for the price of the proprietress’s company. Though I’m late, I’ll pay it all.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter11.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "6. Sentimentality"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Someone was calling for her. Someone close, yet far away. But who was it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari slowly lifted her head up from her cold bed. She had discarded her bloodstained sheets when she had last awoken, and her fresh ones were white and clean. Clad in only a yukata, she looked down at her body. There was not a single wound upon it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She looked around, but there was nobody else in her room. Sari propped herself up, chin in her hands, and remained that way for a while. Eventually, she breathed a sigh and stood up to get changed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mifileu was a newcomer to Pale Moon, yet the price of her company had been a considerable sum. Sari’s price was even higher—in fact, it was entirely possible that the sum for dallying with her would be enough to purchase an entire house. Even so, not paying it was not a choice Xixu could make. If he wished to remain in Irede, he would first need to conduct himself according to the town’s ways, else any negotiation could never even begin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was why he had made his request, but Thoma was so shocked his words quickly took on the form of a rebuke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Idiot! Do you really think that’ll hold water?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I do,” Xixu replied. “The fact that I’ve made use of the proprietress’s guest room is simple truth. What’s the difference between that and my visits to Mifileu Dié?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t use a courtesan’s real na— No, that’s beside the point. Even if you forced this through, you’d still be banned from entering Pale Moon for breaking the unwritten rule of changing courtesans.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was likely no precedent at Pale Moon for a guest purchasing the company of two of its courtesans. That was obvious enough from the dumbfounded expression of the maidservant who happened to be present."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet Xixu, even knowing how unreasonable he was being, hadn’t the slightest intention of backing down. “The proprietress gave her permission in both regards,” he said decisively. “If one is valid, then the other must be too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It had been Sari herself who had allowed Xixu into the proprietress’s room, and it had also been her who had given him Mifileu’s room tag, all the while knowing the unwritten rules of her own courtesan house. If what he had done was so forbidden that it would have barred him from Pale Moon, then it stood to reason that she ought to have stopped him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the basis of Xixu’s argument, but as he descended the staircase, Thoma’s face twitched—a rare occurrence for him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You know that was because she didn’t take your money,” he said. “Don’t play with semantics.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have no intention of doing that,” Xixu replied. “I’ve received more than enough hospitality in the proprietress’s room to warrant payment. It’s a simple matter of equivalent exchange.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She said you didn’t need to pay. It was a special case, okay? An exception.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If Saridi is an exception, then there’s no need to treat her the same as the other courtesans. Indeed, it would be strange for the maiden to be bound by the same limitations as they are. On the other hand, if she isn’t an exception, then it is only natural to pay for the price of her company. Am I wrong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma scowled, clearly wanting to curse Xixu’s wordplay, but said nothing more. Although, perhaps it was more accurate to say he was unable to say anything more. When all was said and done, Thoma was not a person of Pale Moon, no matter the fact that he was Sari’s older brother. He did not have the authority to determine the right and wrong of a tangled mess such as this—not without his sister there alongside him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And that was exactly Xixu’s aim."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A tense silence spread over Pale Moon’s entryway. The maidservant looked between the two men, clearly flustered and at a loss for what to do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma sighed heavily. “Ugh, to hell with it. Add it up for him. But don’t let him do anything else. And work out the sum of the newcomer’s contract while you’re at it. I doubt it’s more than a fraction of the price of Sari’s company, though.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-Of course!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perhaps Thoma’s offhand instructions could have been perceived as him giving in to Xixu’s wishes, but it quickly became clear that his words had merely been spoken in order to send the maidservant away. Once he and Xixu were alone, Thoma turned back to the young shadeslayer. His usual facade was completely absent, leaving behind cold, quiet eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look... I know you have a soft spot for Sari, but it’s about time you shored it up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words, neither teasing nor jestful, resonated within the walls of the house of old, carrying a certain weight with them. The two men stood upon the polished wood of the hallway, casting wholly different shadows. The man who had been raised as the heir to a sacred house, through whom the blood of a god ran, faced Xixu with bare austerity."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sari is the proprietress of Pale Moon. Don’t turn her into the shameful kind of woman who expects all of her desires to come to her at the hands of others without saying a word of her own. Both I and our grandmother were strict with her because we wanted to raise her to be better than that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a brief moment, Xixu replied, “You made her put up with so much more than a regular girl, yet you won’t allow those around her to reward her for it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If she wants something, she should say so. If you spoil her by giving her what she wants without her being able to do that, that’ll make her no different from any other little brat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The declaration was spoken without a hint of disdain. This was the line Thoma Radi had chosen to draw in the sand: the proprietress of Pale Moon should carry herself proudly, with her chest thrown out. She should be a beautiful, proud governor, unashamed in the face of others, no matter who they may be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet, Xixu found himself thinking, that was the opinion of a person of Irede. How shameful was it that a little girl could not even be honest enough with herself to say she wanted a glass bird?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before Xixu could refute his friend’s words, he sensed the presence of another person. He turned around and saw a woman in the hallway leading to the flower room, standing in the dark shadow of a pillar. When their eyes met, she cast her gaze down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma followed Xixu inside Pale Moon, turning toward the hallway. “Ah,” he said. “So you’re the rumored courtesan. Perfect timing. Go pack your luggage. Your contract’s being bought out.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh...? Um...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From Mifileu’s stiff, pale expression, perhaps she had been listening in; her white coverall apron suggested that she had been cleaning. Her gaze wavered at her feet before turning back to Xixu, as though she were seeking his aid. The sight made Xixu recall the events of several years past."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back then, he truly hadn’t understood what she had sought. He hadn’t even had her gaze to deduce an answer from. At the most critical times, she had always covered her face and cried. And so, even when she had informed him that she no longer needed to get married, Xixu still hadn’t known what she truly wanted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thus, their story had come to an end. The cover had closed on their tale—and so it would remain, becoming nothing more, and nothing less."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu cast aside the sentimentality that had come over him, returning the warmth of his shared past with Mifileu to her as advice. “You aren’t suited to be a courtesan,” he said. “It hasn’t been long since I’ve come to Irede, but even I know you don’t match this town. The courtesans here take pride in their stations, and in their existence as offerings of gratitude to the god.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, perhaps that was not true of every courtesan in Irede. Though they all wore the same face, their contents were as diverse as any group of human beings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, it was an immutable fact that the foundation of this town was that it was an offering of gratitude to its god. It was for that reason Irede’s residents chose to stay. Sometimes, it was even necessary for women to sacrifice their children to protect that ideal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Knowing that, it was clear that this town—as well as Pale Moon, the ancient house of myth—was no place for Mifileu."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mifileu Dié,” Xixu continued, “what your eyes see is not the god, nor your guests, but your own misfortune. As long as that is true, you cannot be a courtesan of Irede. You will remain a person of the capital.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Such an existence was neither right, nor wrong—it was simply different from those of this place. Sari had seen that, and Xixu understood this himself. As for Mifileu... She had likely realized it too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu looked at the woman before him with eyes devoid of any sentimentality. She was pale and unsteady."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If you wish to return to the capital, I’ll help you,” he said. “But I will not purchase your contract. Neither will I return myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am not a person of Irede, but I am here of my own will. Still, I will go so far as to bend to help you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he was asked why, Xixu would answer: for Saridi’s sake. Just as Irede’s people lived for the town’s god, he was here for her. He would not leave her alone to cry, overcome by loneliness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu did not know what this emotion of his was; only that it was there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mifileu had frozen. Thoma glanced at her, his expression bitter, before folding his arms and glaring at Xixu. “You should’ve said that at the start,” he said. “Instead you got her hopes up and made a mess of everything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought I did, indirectly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Indirectly for you is either plain wrong or so far off the mark it’s unrecognizable. You never even stood a chance at getting it across.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After poking Xixu lightly in the head, Thoma abruptly looked up, as though he’d noticed something. After a brief moment, Xixu followed his gaze. A woman with a maidservant in tow had stepped out of the passageway leading to the detached building, and was walking toward the entryway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Clad in a disheveled white yukata tied in place only by a sash, Sari observed the odd atmosphere lingering over the three by the entryway and cocked her head. “What’s going on here? Is everyone joining in on the morning cleaning?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No,” Thoma said. “Sari, were you told about the accounts we’re settling?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was. I didn’t really understand though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The blue eyes that stared at Xixu were like transparent, glass marbles. There was nothing within them—nothing to see through to. Inwardly, he felt tense; though her features were unchanged, her expression had become that of a doll’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I tried to make this guy buy out the newcomer’s contract,” Thoma answered, trying to address her confusion, “but he wouldn’t have any of it. For some reason, he’s saying he wants to pay the price for your companionship instead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? That would certainly be a big windfall for Pale Moon, but wouldn’t that bankrupt you, Xixu?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a moment’s hesitation, Xixu replied, “It isn’t as if I was going to use the money for anything else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It wasn’t that he was unaffected by the casual statement that he would be paying a vast sum; it was just that mild foreboding and unused assets paled in importance to his desire to keep his ties to Sari intact."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The woman who was not human shifted her gaze to Mifileu, whose complexion had become pallid. “Even still, you’re her guest, Xixu. If I take your payment for my companionship, it’ll mean that you’ve doubled up.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You didn’t explain to me that that was forbidden at Pale Moon.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re correct; I didn’t. I’m sorry about that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“In the capital, an improperly explained contract is no contract at all. Will you concede that to me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s emotionless blue eyes remained on Xixu as she tilted her head to the side. It was impossible to tell from her expression what she was thinking, as though behind her visage was a void that led to infinity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a moment’s thought, Pale Moon’s proprietress looked at Xixu, Thoma, and Mifileu in turn. “If I do concede, what will that change?” she asked. “If you ask me, you should buy out her contract.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s high, resonant voice was so devoid of any superfluous emotion that it was practically a marvel of its own. She was like a doll of ice, who bore attachment to nothing—the moment those words occurred to Xixu, he wanted to rebuke himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari looked at Mifileu, who’d begun shivering. “You’d prefer to go back to the capital, wouldn’t you, Fi? It seems that Irede isn’t what you thought it would be, after all. Or is it that you would rather taste a little more misfortune?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“M-Miss Proprietress...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine if you do. Those who come here from elsewhere are always like that, at the beginning. The town leaves its mark on them though, after enough time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The words, cast out as though they were speaking of nothing of consequence, caused Mifileu to shudder and stiffen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari casually brushed back her untied silver hair. Not a single scratch was visible from the pale nape of her neck to the skin of her chest, visible between the loose front of her yukata. Upon realizing this, Xixu was both relieved and slightly unsettled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari waved a hand at the trio and turned around. “Whatever you choose is fine,” she said. “Tell me once you’ve decided. I’ll accommodate you, to a reasonable extent.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then may I make a suggestion?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a new voice, coming from the open door of Pale Moon’s entryway. Xixu turned, recognizing its owner. Beside him, Thoma’s expression drew into a deep grimace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari stopped and looked at the unusual visitor in surprise. “A suggestion? What is it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Transfer the rights of Mifileu Dié’s company from that tactless shadeslayer to me. Then, I shall purchase her contract and escort her home to the capital.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The speaker looked over all those present. He wore a suit that complimented his slender frame and a thorny, cynical expression. Then, abruptly, the young noble of the capital, otherwise known as Vas, frowned at the group of them, his left eye narrowed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only individuals present unfamiliar with the young man, who had intruded upon Pale Moon outside of its business hours, were Mifileu and the maidservant. In the wake of Vas’s strange proposal, the remaining three looked at him with varied expressions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari, almost lacking an expression entirely, turned to him. “That would be a clear violation of our rules.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It should be possible, if everybody involved gives their consent,” Vas replied. “Pale Moon has a long history. That no records exist of its unwritten rules being broken is a matter I believe can be explained quite simply—the records must have been glossed over. Surely, such a unique courtesan house must have experienced its share of problems in its time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose that’s true.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s quick acceptance surprised Xixu. Being an overserious person by nature, he had thought of Pale Moon’s unwritten rules as more unyielding than that. Then again, all it took was a sidelong glance at Thoma to reveal the man’s angry face. He was glaring at Vas, and his expression could not have been more stony. It felt quite possible that, had no onlookers been around, that the three utterly different blood relatives might have clashed in a more obvious fashion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari looked back at Xixu, a trace of drowsiness still remaining in her eyes. “What do you think, Xixu?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a moment’s consideration, he replied, “If such a thing is a possibility, then I would like it to be done, please. As long as the person in question agrees to it, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mifileu’s voice was barely audible as she called his name, stifled as it was. Xixu had thought himself used to it by now, but her usage of his real name left him with a sense of discomfort—it sounded right, but rang hollow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps he had become too familiar with being called by the name he used only in this town, though he could not pinpoint when the change had occurred. Still, the sentiment flickered inside him, a lingering emotion pulled from the vague past. He found it was as equally unclear to him as the reason why he had met with Mifileu at Pale Moon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then what about you, Fi?” Sari asked Mifileu. “This gentleman is a noble from the capital, so I’m sure he’ll treat you properly. Have you heard of the Werrilocias?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-Of course I have! But, I...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though Mifileu was nodding, her distress was apparent. Though it seemed that she was aware of how beneficial Vas’s proposal would be for her, it also appeared as if her thoughts had not progressed beyond that, and that she was unable to keep up with the situation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pale Moon’s proprietress took a breath, then said, “Fi. I should say that I do not believe that you are unfit to be a courtesan. Every woman who first enters a courtesan house finds themselves in unfamiliar territory at the beginning. For a courtesan to become a courtesan, she must learn how to smile, but that is not a feat achieved in the span of a single day. It is only natural that at first, you find yourself only capable of watching your own footing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Blue eyes glanced at the maidservant, who was waiting half a step behind the courtesan house’s owner. The girl appeared timid, yet the bow she performed was precise and courteous. Sari, whose air had changed from a woman still half lingering in sleep to a stern proprietress, showed her approval with only her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“In the capital, it seems that the world courtesans live in is referred to as one of suffering,” she continued. “But in Irede, matters are different. It is not enough to simply accept one’s circumstances and endure. The holy courtesans of this town exist to provide warmth, as well as the comfort and joy that accompanies it. If the flowers suffer and wilt, will that not dampen the gaiety of the guests?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So smile, she seemed to say. For to smile and bloom is a courtesan’s part in life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fi. If you wish to become a person of Irede, you cannot use being a courtesan as a tool to drive yourself into a corner. Become able to smile in the proper way, in the way of this town. Take as long as you’d like; I don’t mind. But if you think you cannot, that is fine too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari turned to Vas, and he nodded. Mifileu did not see the exchange; she was gazing at the toes of her feet as though she had only just discovered the position in which she stood. She stared at the floor of the hallway, which had been walked upon by thousands of women over the centuries."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Decide for yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The decree echoed like the ringing of a bell. The god, expressionless all this time, smiled—a gentle, fleeting thing. In it, one could almost see her affection for the lives of humanity. Yet it expressed that affection from a distance, separated. To Xixu, it was beautiful, so much so that it felt like a blow to his chest. At the sight of her, he was struck by the keen realization that she truly was different from how she used to be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I would recommend not pondering the matter overly much,” Vas said dryly, seeing fit to toss the frozen Mifileu a lifeline. “The way the people of this town think is difficult to comprehend for those such as us. There is no need to force yourself to join their strange ranks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Vas, that’s awful.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Miss, we are hardly acquainted. Please refrain from being so informal with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young man brushed off the head of his family’s grievance with ease. Evidently, he was feigning a lack of relation to Sari."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“While I must apologize for being presumptive, I took the liberty of speaking to your great aunt,” he continued, speaking directly to Mifileu. “While you are nominally here in Irede to repay your family’s debt, it would be more accurate to say that she sent you here in order for you to escape the recent unrest. She believed that even if the country were to fall to ruin, this town would continue to remain unchanged.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wh-What...? B-But, I...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were unaware, of course. But your great aunt instructed me to pass on a message. ‘In order for you to live in Irede, I searched for a contact from the house which could provide you with the best working conditions. But if you find it difficult, you do not have to continue.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon hearing this, the two siblings exchanged looks. The brother, cocking his head, was the first to speak. “I guess Pale Moon does have the ‘best conditions,’ in a sense.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To the people of the capital, we must seem like the headquarters of this town of oddities.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s rich, coming from you,” Thoma teased."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari shrugged. It appeared that her former languidness had already returned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ignoring the siblings, who both could be described as pure-blooded people of Irede, Vas inclined his head toward Mifileu. “If you wish to remain here a little longer,” he said, “I can arrange to find you a teahouse where you can reside and work. If you wish to return to the capital, I can provide you with my backing and support. The choice is yours.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The brisk pace at which the young man sought to settle the matter portrayed him as more of a talented clerk than an aristocrat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mifileu stared at him for a moment, then muttered in a dazed voice, “Why would you go so far for me...? Or is it that I have truly caused everybody that much trouble...?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, nothing of the sort. The problem does not lie with you.” The young Werrilocia caught the gaze of the girl standing in the entryway with only his left eye. “I was simply pestered into cleaning up somebody else’s mess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For one single, short moment, Sari’s eyes flew wide open."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the end, Mifileu had returned to her room, stating that she could not come to a decision so soon. Vas and Thoma had each had their respective business to see to, and so had departed from Pale Moon shortly after, leaving Xixu with exasperated looks and a handful of stern words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As for Sari, while she had appeared to be sleepy, she had readily agreed to Xixu’s request to talk. Currently, the two sat at a table in the deserted flower room, facing one another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari, who was far and away superior to her brother in terms of tea-brewing ability, placed a white cup before Xixu without making a sound. The aroma of the tea he had often used to drink during his time at the military academy caught the young man by surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t know Pale Moon stocked this tea.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We do. I thought it would be nostalgic for a person from the capital.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It is. It’s just...” For some reason, Xixu felt uncomfortable. Given all that had happened, he wanted to avoid saying or doing anything in front of her that would tie into the past, so he casually changed the subject. “Have your wounds healed?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Mm-hmm. I heard you slept with me, Xixu. Thank you. I almost killed you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It had always been the case that his conversations with Sari could be unpredictable from time to time, but now that her emotions had faded, Xixu found himself unable to foresee how she would respond at all. His eyes alighted upon her hands, and he noticed that, in what was an atypical choice for her, she was wearing white gloves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari noticed his gaze and showed him both of her hands. “Without these, the tea will get cold when I brew it,” she explained. “And it would be troublesome if anyone touched me and found me out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl smiled, her lips the same flower-petal red they’d always been before. She had not lost any of her color, nor did it look as if she was cold. Yet Xixu knew that she would be cooler than water to the touch."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He stared at the surface of his tea. Steam was rising from it. “Thoma told me that you were no longer human,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was never human from the beginning. Think of it as my disguise being cast off.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari spoke frankly; there was no self-derision or remorse apparent in her words. She seemed to have accepted her change as the natural way of things—a realization that only compounded Xixu’s unease. Involuntarily, he began to recall memories of the events that had led up to this point."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you going to stay like this?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who can say? I myself don’t know how I could return to how I was in the past, nor do I wish to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You aren’t lonely?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not now.” Sari closed her eyes and smiled beautifully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She proclaimed that she was not lonely, and yet it appeared she had been, before she had become as she was now. When had she begun to feel so? Whenever it had been, she had endured it without letting it show."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unable to find a precise answer to his questions within his memories, Xixu grew irritated with himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari’s smiling expression abruptly vanished, and then she turned her gaze outward, running it over the spacious flower room. “When I awoke next to Thoma, I told him about a prophecy,” she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A prophecy? You’re capable of foresight now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No. It wasn’t something I saw.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A brief lull fell over their conversation, and during the short silence, Xixu realized who Sari had been talking about. It could have been none other than the king’s maiden, who possessed preeminent foresight. She must have imparted something of what she saw to Sari."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl held her cup by the handle, careful not to make contact with the rest of it. “I wanted to avoid that prophecy, you see,” she said. “I did a lot to try and make that happen. But when I told Thoma, he asked me if the reason I hadn’t told anybody about it was because I assumed it wouldn’t truly come to pass.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean by that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I mean that I was making light of it, and that was why I didn’t ask others for help. I didn’t think I was doing so, but maybe I was wrong. I mean, I almost killed you just by sleeping next to you, Xixu. It made me wonder if I was the cause after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That was my fault, and I’m sorry. But what does that have to do with the prophecy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What indeed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari sipped her tea. The interest had already faded entirely from her eyes. She released a breath that had never been warm into the air, a fleeting weariness in the gesture that Xixu did not miss. It was as though she were tired of it all—tired of even existing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The two of them faced each other, and yet if you drew straight lines projecting outward from their bodies, they would never intersect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What did you want to talk about, Xixu?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanted to talk about you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wanted to speak of her and learn more about her. To know what choices would be best, and what he would have to come to terms with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl who was a god gave him a smile devoid of emotion. “Then, would you be the father of my child, Xixu?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If that is what you wish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had asked him the same question some time ago. If only he had been where he was now back then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari laughed pleasantly. “Then...I won’t wish it. So live, and be happy, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A glove-covered hand was held atop Xixu’s own for the barest of moments. It was the final gesture Sari made before pushing her chair away and leaving the flower room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t look back."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter12.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "7. Fair Skies"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "House Radi’s brewery in Irede was large, and occupied the southwest corner of Irede. In a room within the adjoining estate, Xixu faced Thoma, their positions mirroring the ones they’d taken several hours earlier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The teacups upon the low table between them were, as expected, filled with a perfunctory attempt at tea, yet Xixu left his untouched. Sitting upon the tatami mat, he cradled his head in his hands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma picked up a slice of grilled fried tofu with his chopsticks. “I told you not to, didn’t I?” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu remained silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, you don’t have to feel so sorry for yourself over it. It sounded to me like Sari had already decided to cut ties with you a while ago. That woman and your actions have nothing to do with it. Don’t let it get to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a pause, Xixu said, “She asked me the same question, once before.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He hadn’t replied, thinking that it was one of her usual jokes. But had the change in her already begun, back then? As Xixu stewed in his remorse, Thoma held out a drinking cup with a moderate amount of rice wine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you not to let it get to you. You know, it was that part of you that Sari was charmed by.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What, that I reap what I sow?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No.” Thoma threw a piece of konpeito at Xixu. “Don’t accuse my little sister of having strange tastes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young shadeslayer found himself relieved that the man across from him still referred to Sari as his sister. Even though she was distancing herself from humanity, he could tell that their connection would not be broken. That was what it meant to be blood relatives."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu accepted a drinking cup from Thoma, feeling envious of the siblings’ relationship. The wide, flat cup he received was white, with a depiction of a blue cat in the center."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sari liked your decency,” Thoma explained. “You’re an inflexible stick in the mud, but when it matters, you check what others want and respect that, even if you’re tactless about it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tactless... But isn’t doing that only natural?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The fact that you say it’s natural is what sets you apart.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu remained silent and brought the drinking cup to his mouth, even though he found Thoma’s phrasing irritating. The liquid within held a taste reminiscent of sharp, clear water; it spread throughout his body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma hurled another piece of konpeito at him. “Your nature is the complete inverse of Irede’s. That was what drew Sari to you. As for reaping what you sow, that’s true of her as well. If you force yourself to change, she’ll regret it more than you do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was beautiful. So I yearned for it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If the soliloquy he had heard in his dream was the truth, then Xixu’s answer to her question would remain eternally the same. If Sari herself chose him as her sacred offering, if she had truly become an adult, then he would acquiesce. He was willing to do so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he had spent time with Sari, Xixu had started wanting to become a source of support for her—her as an individual. Even if that meant entering a marriage with a god."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu picked up the konpeito that had bounced off of his forehead and placed it back on the table. The blue piece of candy caught the light, but in a way that was duller than glass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma poured more rice wine into his own drinking cup. “Say, for example, that you really wanted a small clay doll,” he began."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why would I want a clay doll?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shut up and listen, blockhead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu brought his drinking cup to his mouth, and Thoma pushed over the plate of grilled fried tofu."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, the clay doll,” House Radi’s heir continued. “If you touch it, it’ll fall apart. But you want it. What do you do?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If those are the conditions, I’d have to cover it with a glass container. Then I could slip paper underneath it and carry it somewhere safe.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a long, drawn out silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taking in Thoma’s face, Xixu demanded, “What?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing,” the other man said, sighing. “It’s just that talking to you sometimes makes me want to throw my hands into the air and give up on it all. I’m impressed that Sari actually enjoyed this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Get to the point.” Xixu felt as though their conversation was digressing further and further."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma looked at him pityingly, then continued, “The point is, there are two types of people: those who are willing to destroy something to obtain it, and those who’ll choose to never touch it at all. I don’t know which one you are, but Sari’s the latter. She doesn’t want to kill you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The god’s power was vast. Vast enough to rob a person of their life simply from the act of sleeping within her embrace. Such were the consequences of divinity, whether one wanted them or not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So that was why Sari had let go, Xixu suddenly understood. She wished to avoid unintentionally breaking the fragile body of a human."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A girl looked up at a blue bird, but never reached her hand out toward it. Instead, all she did was lovingly follow it with her eyes as it took flight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s choice had not sprung entirely from what had happened when Xixu had slept beside her gravely wounded self, he knew. While he had been by her side, he had been targeted by both her brother god and Distira. If she chose to be with him, human as he was, more such adversity would surely follow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu placed his empty cup back onto the table. “I never imagined that I’d be treated the same as a glass bird...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You bought it for her when she was a child, didn’t you? The blue one hanging in her roo—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without any warning, the sliding screen door was pulled open, and a young man in a suit entered. Vas, for some reason holding a bottle of rice wine in one hand, placed his cargo in the center of the table."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A craftsman asked me to bring it up as I was passing through downstairs,” he explained, situating himself between Xixu and Thoma."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, thanks,” Thoma said. “While you’re here, have a drink.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After opening the bottle—which was apparently one of the brewery’s private samples—Thoma poured the contents into three drinking cups."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas accepted his and looked at his cousin coldly. “You’re being rather carefree, considering. Would you care to explain what’s happening?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why?” Thoma asked. “You’ve already looked into it, right? You know how it is.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not in the slightest. I only know that Everie was acting strangely.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She succeeded in unifying with her divinity under her own power. Her brother god finally came back, you see, and there’s another problem loitering around too, so her transformation came at just the right time. That’s my little sister for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma’s followed up his blandly delivered words with a sip of water, no doubt to clear his palate in order to taste the rice wine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas appeared astounded by the man’s sheer shamelessness. He placed his drinking cup back down before it could meet his lips. “I’m not even sure where I should even begin to air my grievances with what you just said.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Must you air them at all? In a situation like this, it’s a lack of power that would be a problem, not the opposite.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Evidently deciding that sending further inquiries to Thoma was a futile endeavor, Vas turned to Xixu instead. “How did this come to be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young shadeslayer, holding his second cup of wine, hung his head. “It’s my fault...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t ask him!” Thoma cut in. “I don’t want to deal with him getting all pointlessly depressed!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What...?” Vas studied Xixu. “Are you drunk?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu did not want to consider the idea that he was drunk after only one cup, and regardless his head hurt enough as it was anyway. Perhaps unable to bear seeing him mope, Thoma reiterated his explanation with visible reluctance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Once he was finished, Vas glared at his cousin. “And you mean to tell me you did not stop her?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t notice,” Thoma replied. “She put up an act. It sounds like Xixu did notice, but he’s soft on Sari. He’d let her do anything.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The man’s expression was no different from his usual one as he tasted his new rice wine—his true intentions seemed hidden behind a mask. Perhaps the two siblings of Irede were quite alike in that regard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the other hand, Vas, their blood relative but a person of the capital, was looking at Xixu in amazement. “After everything I told you, you simply let Everie be? Do you think her an old wife you’ve long since grown tired of?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No...” Xixu replied slowly. “I value her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That is a good attitude to have,” Vas said simply. He shifted his gaze back to his cousin. “While it may be true that he is soft on Everie, you are too harsh on her about the strangest matters. If you can see that she’s just being obstinate, why not just yield to her?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’ll end up rotten if she’s spoiled like that. Not to mention that’s rich, coming from you. You placed her under house arrest when all she did was come over for the storehouse reopening.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was only for a handful of days, and it was in order to prevent any issues from arising. It was entirely reasonable. This issue spans her entire lifetime.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Stop blowing it out of proportion. This guy’ll get depressed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And? Let the drunk wallow in his own misery.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu sighed heavily. Despite the fact that he’d remained quiet, his friends were showing no mercy in what they were saying about him. His thoughts and body felt heavier than he could handle—perhaps because it had been a while since he’d last consumed alcohol. Even so, he knew what he had to do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas pushed a teacup of water at the silent shadeslayer. “So, will you be returning to the capital?” he asked. “If you are, I have an assortment of information that may prove useful to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari had wanted him to return. To leave Irede and find happiness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But that was not the path Xixu would choose."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No matter how cold her hand upon his had been, it had still been her hand. And the truth was, Sari was at peace with who she’d become."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If Saridi says she’s fine this way, then it’s fine,” Xixu said. “I have no intention of forcing my opinion on her. Her personal freedom matters more.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His words did not stem from stubbornness; they were his true thoughts. If Sari was not unhappy, then things were fine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Xixu picked up his drinking cup, Thoma and Vas exchanged looks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“See?” the former asked. “He’s weird, right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The strangest thing is that he appears entirely serious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m just stating the obvious,” Xixu muttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He felt as though the last portion of the conversation had been nothing but Thoma and Vas incessantly treating him like an oddity. Suspecting that nothing more that he said would be treated seriously, he decided to shut up and drink his rice wine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The young Werrilocia stared at the sullen prince. “I wonder... What was the relationship between them?” he asked Thoma."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Things turned out this way because there wasn’t a clear answer to that question. If it had been an ordinary love affair, they would have strutted about more and cared what others thought of them less.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That would have been easier to understand. I wish matters had resolved themselves before something like this happened.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If nothing had gone wrong, they would have made for a fine husband and wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The blithe exchange between cousins showed no sign of concluding anytime soon. Xixu, who had only bothered to listen to half of it, looked up when there was a lull in the conversation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For the time being, we can’t let the number of her enemies keep increasing,” he said. “We’ll need to take care of them one at a time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Easier said than done,” Thoma replied. “Tesed Zaras aside, the other two are gods. One wrong step, and you’re dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“There’s a way. We just have to find it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu reached for his military sword, which he had left upon the tatami. He always maintained the blade with thorough care, but given the circumstances, it was currently in the same state as it had been the previous night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sitting cross-legged with his sword in his arms, the young man spoke aloud, but to neither of his companions in particular. “First, her mother...” He paused. “Ah, will it be a problem if I kill her?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No,” Thoma said. “Leaving her loitering around is a problem for House Radi too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Likewise for the Werrilocias,” Vas added. “I have somewhat of a lead in that regard, so I’ll lend you my assistance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu nodded, having gained the acknowledgment of Sari’s blood relatives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Frowning at his own choice to willingly take on the role of a god slayer, the young man rose to his feet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari felt detached, as though she were seeing everything from a distance. The townscape before her eyes resembled a precisely crafted child’s toy. She alone had become lost in a tiny artificial world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari shook her head lightly, casting off the irregular feeling. In her vision, Irede swayed under the bright sunshine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s not as if it’s really changed size,” Sari murmured. “I wonder why I feel like this...?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was it because the new state of her consciousness had made her sensitive to even the most subtle of changes? Or was it that she had become weaker to the sunlight?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari pondered the issue as she walked down a main street amid other pedestrians, the breath spilling from her lips as frosty as ever. She had come out to make a shopping trip, thinking that it was for the best that she make occasional ventures outside, but perhaps it would have been better to leave it to a maidservant after all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari turned her unsteady gaze toward the lively hustle and bustle—and then a shadow was cast on her from above."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She began to look up, but was quickly forced to raise her arms to cover her head as a large silhouette streaked by it. The sound of beating wings was accompanied by the scent of blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari crouched and examined her right arm. There were deep lacerations in it—talon marks. Her hair had been forcibly disheveled too, and she clutched it to suppress the throbbing pain. She looked up at the silhouette circling in the sky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? A hawk?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was some manner of large bird, that was for certain, but the glaring sun behind it made its species difficult to discern. As the surrounding passersby buzzed with noise, the bird once again dived for Sari."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She considered raising her finger to knock the bird down, but the eyes of those around her caused her to freeze. Then, as she hesitated, her vision was obstructed by a man’s back. He wore his kimono in a casual, slovenly manner, and kept his eyes on the oncoming bird as he drew his sword."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was as much as Sari took in before she turned around, facing a second person who was standing behind her. The man—a certain shadeslayer with a large build—studied her injuries grimly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’d best wash those gashes, Maiden,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry for the trouble,” Sari apologized. “You too, Tagi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What did you do to even get the birds hating you, Young Miss?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man before her shifted in her direction, his sword still drawn. The bird must have fled; it was nowhere in sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari combed her disarrayed hair into order, then bowed to Ironblade and Tagi. “I didn’t do anything,” she said. “And thank you. Are you two on patrol?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I just received some information that I wanted to pass on to you,” Ironblade said. “Can you spare some time?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, it’s no problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It wasn’t as if she could continue her shopping with these wounds anyway. Sari pressed down on the gashes over her sleeve and gracefully turned back the way she had come."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon returning to Pale Moon, Sari had the pair of shadeslayers await her in the flower room. In the meantime, she cleaned the blood from herself and wrapped bandages around her now unwounded arm. After changing and returning to the flower room, she saw that Ironblade and Tagi were amusing themselves with a game of go."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I apologize for the wait.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s no issue,” Ironblade said. “We can’t have you being scarred permanently.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You suffered a scratch on your face a while back too, didn’t you, Young Miss?” Tagi asked. “Maybe it’s best if you stay inside Pale Moon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can hardly do that,” Sari said, pulling out a chair to sit in. “So, you wished to talk to me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ironblade nodded firmly. “Yes. Maiden, it appears that war has begun outside.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari paused before saying, “I see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Irede had gone through this exact situation countless times before. Countries warred, rose, and fell. The “outside” did not refer to the nations beyond Torlonia, but to Torlonia itself, outside of Irede. Sari smiled—Irede’s position, from where it gazed upon the shifting waves of the world from afar, resembled her current self. Nevertheless, that did not mean that they could simply remain bystanders."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ironblade placed a go stone down with a thick finger. “As you are aware, there is the possibility that spies and assassins will come to Irede, similar to the one we discovered some time ago,” he said. “While we will not be taking the initiative and purposefully rooting them out, the circumstances warrant caution for the time being. I realize that maintaining an appropriately measured hand will be difficult, but I must ask all the same.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand,” Sari replied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Irede saw visitors from other countries too. If a war had begun outside, then they would bring with them friction and discord. However, even if the winds of conflict were to blow across the entire continent, Irede was the town that never changed its face. It could not allow its guests to feel unease or discomfort."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Despite this, it would also not do for Irede to become known as a haven from conflict. It was nothing more than a place where one could be granted a temporary rest. Nobody but the town’s residents could stay for any longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari listened as Ironblade went through the warnings to be distributed to all the major establishments of Irede, then settled a number of advance arrangements with the pair of shadeslayers to do with her role as the maiden."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When everything was finished, Ironblade observed the young proprietress closely. “Maiden,” he said. “It appears as though you haven’t spent much time with the new recruit as of late.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not sure you can call him a ‘new recruit’ after a year has passed,” Sari replied. “But yes, I haven’t.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had not seen Xixu since they had spoken in the flower room a week ago. They were in the period where her power suppressed the manifestation of shades, so naturally, there was no cause for any shadeslayers to come to her for aid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yet, that was not the only reason. Another part of the truth was that, between her and him, there no longer existed a tie like the one they’d once had."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she sat there, entirely composed, Tagi smiled at her cynically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the same time, Ironblade said, in a worried tone, “You are both still young, so there will come times when you have your differences. But he is your lifelong partner. It would be best if you talked it over as much as you need to.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari did not reply. For some inexplicable reason, she felt as though it would actually be worse to correct Ironblade’s misunderstanding at this point. As she searched for some manner of explanation, Tagi snorted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This after you were practically hanging off him all the time too. Was the reason you got rid of him so suddenly because his old flame got on your nerves?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, that wasn’t how it was.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, with how lacking in tact he was, I can understand why you wanted to sever ties with him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That wasn’t how it was either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Still, Young Miss, I have to ask. Is it fun for you right now? Being in Irede?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tagi’s question, dripping with cynicism, felt to Sari like a thrust at her blind spot. Yet, it also felt like something she had already seen coming. The maiden looked at the man, her blue eyes open wide. Tagi spread his arms open as well, as if to ask what she was so surprised about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s with that look?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you weren’t aware of it yourself after walking around town with those cold eyes of yours. You looked disinterested in anything and everything. I’m not all-knowing, but I can say that those weren’t a courtesan’s eyes, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had been thinking that everything looked distant. As though it were artificial."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari had more than once looked at the people of the capital and thought them different from those of Irede, but in truth, perhaps she had changed so much that she herself had been out of place. She placed a gloved hand to her own cheek."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t realize,” she said. “I apologize. And thank you for telling me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s no need to apologize to me,” Tagi replied. “If it’s not what you want, just leave. You’re bringing the mood down.” The carefree shadeslayer pushed his chair out with a clatter and departed from the flower room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ironblade sighed. “Sorry about his rudeness. When you make him actually do work every once in a while, it only gives rise to twice the trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s just like him,” Sari replied. “Besides, he’s never wrong in what he says.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And he always poked at where it hurt the most too. Then again, as Sari was now, she did not even think of it as painful."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She watched as Ironblade began stacking go stones with delicate care. The act of piling them up, one by one, reminded Sari of the fruits borne from the lives of humanity, and she kept her gaze fixed on the man’s hands. Ironblade was more dexterous than his appearance would suggest, and the small stone tower gradually rose."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come to think of it, Maiden, I heard that the new courtesan transferred to a teahouse.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, I dropped by the other day to wish her well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mifileu had agreed to Vas’s proposed idea and had transferred to a teahouse on a main street several days prior. Sari, as the proprietress, had gone to present her with a gift, which had included money and a set of everyday necessities. From what she had been able to see, Mifileu, the daughter of a merchant family, had taken to the bustling activity of the crowded teahouse with the ease and comfort of familiarity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The teahouse itself, being a daytime establishment, was different in atmosphere to a courtesan house, and it had seemed that Mifileu would continue her live-in work there for the foreseeable future. Sari thought it was the first time she had ever seen a lack of sorrow in the woman’s smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As far as the records showed, Mifileu had retired from Pale Moon as an apprentice who had not taken any guests. The sums that Xixu had paid for her companionship had all been passed onto Mifileu to facilitate her transfer. Sari had thoroughly explained that, of course, and the woman had simply bowed her head and accepted it with gratitude. That she hadn’t attempted to refuse it like she had in the past was perhaps a sign that she, too, had undergone some kind of change."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still, there had been the chance that she would have become a fine courtesan, given enough time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari loosed a cold, quiet breath. “I’m still inexperienced, aren’t I?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everybody is, right up until death comes for them,” Ironblade said. “You’re no exception, Maiden.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If the proprietress is inexperienced, the women suffer for it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And the shadeslayers will too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari smiled and closed her eyes. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember what expression her past self would have made at a time like this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Upon opening the letter, Xixu saw that the contents were simple—all that was written was an explanation of Mifileu’s new circumstances and some words of gratitude. He read the letter twice over, then returned it to its envelope."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What does it say?” Thoma asked without looking in his direction. The man had just finished checking his horse’s saddle. “Venting her grudge, maybe? ‘You didn’t understand anything,’ or something along those lines?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing like that,” Xixu replied. “It was just an ordinary description of how she’s faring.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nevertheless, it was true that he had received similar criticisms. Xixu found his friend’s perceptiveness baffling—it was almost as though he’d witnessed it firsthand—but didn’t comment on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tucking the letter into his breast pocket, Xixu joined Thoma by the horses. House Radi’s stables were located on the outskirts of Irede, and due to it being noon, there was nobody else around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu examined his bridle, touching the bit to ascertain that everything was in order. “I’ve...thought about it, a lot,” he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“About what?” Thoma asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why I visited her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had been unable to explain what had driven him before. He had wanted to help Mifileu, but then she had refused his aid, and he had continued to visit her regardless, unsure of the emotion behind why he was doing so."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet now, Xixu could put it into words. They were the same words that had been written at the end of her letter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think...I wanted her to be happy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if their paths diverged, he had wanted the one she walked to be peaceful. For her to be able to live the way she wanted to. That was the wish that had driven him to continue visiting her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu wondered if Sari was thinking the same thing about him right now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the young shadeslayer took hold of his reins, Thoma smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I can see that,” he said. “That’s just who you are, isn’t it? Even if you’re terrible when it comes to the method.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Saridi...said the same thing to me,” Xixu said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So in short, she rejected you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu did not reply. He felt as though saying anything more could only worsen his position. Thoma took note of his mood and matched it, and the pair finished their preparations in silence before mounting their horses."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once the two of them were outside of the town proper, they turned their mounts south."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right, let’s go,” Thoma said. “It’s almost time.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu hummed his agreement—the arrangements would be in order soon, and it was best that they move before anybody had the chance to notice them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As they cantered down the highway, Xixu turned back to look at Irede in the distance. God’s town, illuminated by the light of the sun, was as tranquil as always."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In order to preserve that tranquility, Xixu and Thoma were off to kill the very god to whom the town belonged. The thought invoked guilt in Xixu—an emotion he’d found he could not help but feel, no matter how he dressed their actions up. He swallowed down a sigh that was on the verge of spilling forth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The pair’s destination was an open grassy field away from the highway, located a short distance south of Irede. Vas, who was already there waiting, waved a hand in their direction when he saw them approaching."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma and Xixu tied their horses to a nearby tree, then walked over to the center of the field to join Vas. The young man, who was dressed lightly for combat and had a blade on each side of his hip, looked up at the pale blue sky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I had hoped to wait for the new moon before we attempted this...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That would have brought with it the danger of shades manifesting,” Thoma said. “It’s enough that we’re doing this during the daytime—Nerei’s replacement could be loitering around Irede as we speak. It’s best we get this over with quickly and head back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If we are even able to get it over with quickly,” Vas said ominously. His eyes alighted on the military sword at Xixu’s hip. “Isn’t that your usual sword? Are you sure it will suffice?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s fine,” Xixu said. “It was able to cut once before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Cut what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Dis—” Xixu narrowly managed to stop himself from saying the god’s name aloud. “Her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma and Vas looked at him incredulously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?” the former said. “You said she didn’t have a physical body, didn’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She doesn’t,” Xixu confirmed, “but this sword should still be able to cut her. Even if it can’t, I have a backup plan.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The blood of a god had stained his blade. That fact meant it would likely be able to kill Distira, even if she lacked a physical form. Of course, the sword would be damaged if he left it like that indefinitely, so once this was over, he would have to send it to be resharpened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas looked dubious, but lightly shook his head, as though he thought it would be tiresome to press the issue any further. “Very well,” he said. “Though I had sent for specialized weapons, thinking that you could use one.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Specialized weapons?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re here already—look.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas pointed at the entrance to the field behind him. Upon seeing who was there, Xixu’s eyes widened, and Thoma grimaced. From his expression, it was easy to see that the man on horseback found the situation equally disagreeable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eid ignored Xixu and Thoma as he dismounted and approached Vas, presenting him with a long, black cloth bundle. “Here, what you asked for.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas took the bundle and unwrapped the cloth, revealing a pair of swords—both katana. Their scabbards were lacquered black and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, giving them the appearance of ceremonial blades, at first glance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, what?” Thoma said, sounding surprised as he examined the mother-of-pearl crests. “Both of them have the crests of the Werrilocia family and Pale Moon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They’re from the estate’s storehouse,” Vas explained. “Family treasures that were never meant to be taken outside. It would be a significant issue if anybody even caught sight of so much as their scabbards.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Publicly, Pale Moon—Irede’s original courtesan house of old—and the Werrilocia family—who had inherited the blood of an ancient royal family—were unrelated. The very existence of swords such as these would spark trouble if outsiders were to discover them. But although that demanded the utmost of care in how they were handled, Vas merely gave them a perfunctory check before holding one out to Thoma and the other to Eid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Very well,” he said. “Please use these, you two. They were made long ago, when the head of the Werrilocias gave birth to twin girls.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Twins?” Thoma asked, accepting his. “I haven’t heard that story before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hold it,” Eid interrupted, sounding irritated. He made no move to take his blade. “Why are you asking me to use one? I only came to deliver them.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas, caught between their strong personalities, showed no sign of being perturbed. “From what I know of the tale, a pair of blades was given to each of the twins, and it was the victor of their bout who would be the next head of the family,” he explained. “They are, so to speak, god-slaying blades.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“As for your question,” he said, turning to Eid, “you were the one who spurred me into coming to Irede, so consider this you working off that debt.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu looked at the one-eyed man, surprised. “That was you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eid averted his gaze, as good as confirming that he was the one who had sent Vas to Pale Moon the other day. Who had done so had been a question that Xixu hadn’t particularly been bothered by, but now that he knew the truth, it invoked a chain of other, smaller questions within him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maiden’s brother looked at his old acquaintance with utter exasperation. “You truly don’t listen to the warnings of others, do you?” he said. “You really will die one day. That might even be today, actually, so you’d better make sure you don’t.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I told you, I only came to deliver the swords!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, you might as well put some work in, since you’re here. The more of us there are, the less likely that some of us will come out of this dead. I can even use this opportunity to off you in secret. It’ll be perfect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I said I want no part in this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The pair of nobles ignored Eid’s protests entirely as they briskly started on their preparations. Xixu found himself feeling sympathy for the man, despite the fact that he himself had been the one to cut the ex-shadeslayer’s right eye out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If he voiced such an emotion, however, it was entirely possible that the situation would devolve into bloodshed before their fight with Distira even began. This thought drove Xixu to begin his own preparations; he pressed a hand over his chest, checking that what he had secreted into his breast pocket was still there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eid, evidently having given up on resisting, muttered token complaints as he accepted his blade. Thoma looked over everybody present, all of the humor gone from his sharp, handsome features."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right,” he began. “To confirm it once again, our opponent is a god with no physical body. She’s the result of the woman who should have been Pale Moon’s maiden severing her divinity and sealing it away thirty years ago. Given the circumstances, I went to the trouble of asking how she was sealed—evidently, she was locked away in a pond in the royal capital, with her name as the maiden used as the spell. The woman in question retired to the capital before she ever became the maiden, so only a select few individuals ever knew the name. Once they eventually passed away, the seal would have functioned for eternity, but—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I called her,” Xixu said, bracing himself for the cold looks he would receive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas looked at him, half exasperated and half incredulous, while Eid simply looked astounded. Their surprise was perhaps natural, since even Xixu himself found their current situation difficult to comprehend."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Still, I wonder how that maiden’s foresight works?” Thoma added, sounding as though he didn’t care at all about what Xixu had said. “She told you the name because she saw you saying it in the future, right? Which would imply that you knew the name already, but...I wonder which came first? It’s like the problem with the chicken and the egg.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not certain,” Xixu said. “In her own words, ‘the flow of a person’s history already includes the use of my foresight within it.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma cocked his head to the side. “I can kind of understand that, if not fully. I suppose it serves as a testament that even she is just a human, at the end of the day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas turned his gaze upward toward the chilly air. “It isn’t a matter one wishes to contemplate too deeply, is it? If everything is already determined, down to the decisions of whether the king’s maiden looks into the future or not and whether she chooses to inform others or not, then that would mean the result of our upcoming conflict is already set in stone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“From what she has told me, not everything is so fixed,” Xixu said. “Though there is a large, flowing course of events, the fine details are fluid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Even a single thrown pebble can change the flow,” Thoma agreed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Furthermore, events involving gods were particularly opaque. Such beings often could not be contained within the framework of human history. Perhaps that was the very reason Irede did not involve itself within the rise and fall of the country it belonged to."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu turned toward the direction of the pleasure town that had remained unchanged since the bygone age of myth. It was like a stone that had settled amid a flowing stream; it would maintain its calm existence long after Torlonia fell to ruin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If that was true, then that was all the more reason for him not to trouble Sari more than he already had."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma drew his god-slaying sword from its black-lacquered scabbard. The blade was flawless, a bright silver reminiscent of the moon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man who had inherited the blood of a god laughed without fear. “By the way,” he said, “as far as I’m concerned, I think we’d still be better off just leaving this to Sari. But this guy...” He jerked his chin in Xixu’s direction. “He says he’ll do it himself if he has to, so if you’re going to blame anybody, blame him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu turned to Vas and Eid, the second of whom was looking particularly unwilling. “I would be grateful for your assistance,” he said, “but I cannot guarantee your survival. If you believe this to be beyond you, please withdraw.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu had many opinions regarding the man who had been exiled from Irede, but he did not wish death upon him in the slightest. No matter what Thoma and Vas said, Eid’s choice to fight was dependent on himself alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The one-eyed man stared at Xixu as though he found him impossible to decipher, then abruptly shifted his gaze to irritatedly glare at the scabbard in his hand. “This is the last time I do anything like this,” he said. “I’m leaving the capital afterward.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, that’s good news for the both of us, then,” Thoma teased."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, the two men—one brimming with displeasure and the other purposefully incendiary—stared at each other in contempt. Then, just as quickly, they turned and moved away from each other, creating some distance between them on the grassy field."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas shrugged so that only Xixu could see. “Shall we begin, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I suppose so.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With only the four of them here, the longer they had to deal with each other, the more likely it would be for matters to break into unnecessary conflict. Xixu drew his sword and looked around at the other three, checking if they seemed ready. When he saw nothing that he could call a problem, he looked up at the sky, where the moon wasn’t visible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, he called a god’s name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Distira,” he said plainly. “As a sacred offering, I call you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was halfway toward a gamble whether she would take notice of his words. Xixu, however, had thought that the chance that she would come was quite high. Cut loose and rejected by man—how could she not hate her own loneliness?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even Sari instinctively disliked solitude, and she lived a life surrounded by people. For Distira, the feeling would be yet more severe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wide expanses of green grass swayed in the wind. From afar, the calls of birds could be heard from among the trees. The silence that had hung in the air before Xixu spoke had only just settled back over the minds of the four present, when a transparent girl appeared before them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl, her silver hair melting into the air, looked down upon Xixu from a height barely out of the reach of his sword. She seemed to be trying to glare at him—but perhaps unable to endure it, her mouth soon relaxed into a smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes?” she said. “Do you wish to apologize for what happened the other day?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The childishness of her friendly, delighted smile bore a close resemblance to how Sari’s had looked, not too long ago. Guilt ate at Xixu even as he shook his head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will apologize if you comply with my wish,” he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hmm? Well, what is it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I want you to return to your seal.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His words were clear—a declaration of refusal. Upon hearing them, Distira’s mouth popped open vacantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu adjusted his grip on his sword; he had expected the possibility that this would devolve into a fight the moment he spoke his piece. Through the translucent girl’s body, he could see Thoma opposite him, grimacing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why?” Distira asked, voice trembling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have no reason.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Xixu explained himself, he would be forced to mention Sari’s name. They could not risk the small chance that Distira would fly into a rage and immediately make for Pale Moon. Thoma had been against requesting her to return to her seal to begin with; he had suggested a surprise attack as soon as she appeared. Xixu, however, had insisted upon it. Even if she had been cut entirely loose, Distira was still Thoma and Sari’s mother. It would be best if they resolved this without having to kill her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless, Xixu also knew how naive he was being."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira bit down on her delicate lip. “You would refuse me too?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I cannot become your sacred offering.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why do you refuse? Is it not mankind that needed my existence? To refuse me now...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The voice calling his name belonged to Thoma. Sword in hand, the man took a step toward the god who had strayed from the flow. His gaze, devoid of compassion, pierced through the woman who could have been his mother. “Negotiations have broken down. We’re doing this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No paths were visible in the wide, grassy field."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead of voicing his agreement, Xixu looked up at the girl above him and silently adopted a stance with his sword."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter13.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Pale Moon Reverie: Volume 2"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "8. Envy"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even after seeing him point his blade at her, Distira did not move; she merely stared at Xixu with hurt eyes. The time he spent looking up into them seemed long—far too long."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He saw Thoma step across the grass and swing his slender sword. Xixu’s body stepped back on instinct, so as to not be in its path. The silver blade cleaved through Distira’s torso—and then the two men were blown away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Xixu came to, he sat up and exhaled a wordless grunt. Vas was standing beside him, peering down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh?” the young man said, rapier in hand. “You were alive?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu, relieved to see that he was still clutching his military sword, began rising to his feet. “Was I knocked out?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not enough time has passed to be able to call it that,” Vas replied. “It has only been a handful of seconds, see?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking where Vas was indicating, Xixu saw Thoma, who had been blown back in the other direction, picking himself up off the grass. A short distance away, Eid was looking up, wearing a fed up expression. That was when Xixu finally noticed that Distira was floating in the air in the center of the four, too high for them to reach."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The transparent girl’s torso was without a scratch, and neither were there any tears in the sheer silver cloth wound around her body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wasn’t that supposed to be a god-slaying blade?” Xixu grumbled to the young man beside him as he stood."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It did work,” Vas replied. “She’s slightly more faded than before, if my eyes don’t deceive me. Though it appears that the lack of a physical body means that she cannot suffer ordinary wounds. We’ll have to gradually shave away at her existence. Also, it appears that we made several miscalculations.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Miscalculations?” Xixu repeated, keeping his gaze fixed on Distira. He almost didn’t want to know."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas nodded, also keeping his eyes on her. “The first is that once she ascends to where we cannot reach, we are left without any options—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, we already knew that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And the second is that while we considered our methods of attack, we did not pay any thought toward how we would defend ourselves from her power.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t think we could have come up with anything even if we had.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perhaps Distira would have been angered by their unproductive conversation, if she had been listening, but her attention seemed to be focused solely on Thoma. As the man rose to his feet, she glared at him as though her gaze alone might kill."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You...” she said. “You’re that man’s son. You resemble him well.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good eye,” Thoma said. “Though I should say that I’m aggrieved at my father’s choice to run too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Then simply cut him down. I know not from which woman’s belly you were born, but I shall let you go, if you flee now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thoma’s expression did not change in the slightest—it remained his usual faint, confident smile. It was Xixu whose chest the girl’s words pierced."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira, who had been cut loose from her flesh before her marriage, did not know that her original self had given birth to two children. They were parent and child, and yet, they were not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If Sari discarded her own divinity, would her separated half remain similarly alone, detached from the flow of time? The thought of her standing under the moonlight in an empty world invoked a small, quiet anger in Xixu, as well as an unbearable restlessness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can’t understand...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Understand what?” Vas asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu blinked, surprised. Evidently, the words that had welled up in his heart had spilled forth. He shook his head. “I can’t understand Saridi’s father,” he said. “How he could deny half of his own wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Xixu had learned that Pale Moon’s maiden was not human, he had been surprised, yes. It had been difficult for him to come to terms with the aspect of her that was so different to her usual self. Now, however, Xixu understood beyond a doubt that she, too, was Sari. He would not want her to cut away and discard part of what made her who she was. He was unable to even imagine how her and Thoma’s father could possibly have forced the woman he had chosen himself to experience such a lengthy solitude."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Watching as anger seeped into Xixu’s grim expression, Vas sighed. “That part of you will prove fatal, one day,” he said. “Though I suppose it’s of no concern to me. More importantly, we need to do something about the floating lady over there, or Thoma is going to die.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Abruptly, the earth shook beneath their feet. Whatever had happened, they had been unable to see. All they could discern was that Distira was pointing a shapely finger at Thoma."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The sight of you displeases me,” she said, her clear voice resonating through the field. “Be consumed by the earth.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The deep proclamation itself carried power. Under the grass, a vast area of ground began to fissure, spreading like the strands of a spider’s web. Thoma leaped aside, running through the grass to make distance as the earth swallowed itself up, roots and all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eid, who had been in the range of the fissures, ran to escape the area. “Don’t get me mixed up in your problems too!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Shut up!” Thoma shouted back. “Stay still and let yourself be swallowed!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A white light pursued the two men as they began to run in two separate directions. Eid turned mid run and swatted it away with his borrowed sword, causing it to break into small droplets that scattered across the grass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was, however, only a temporary reprieve. Xixu had seen Sari annihilate a countless number of black snakes before by manipulating scores of streaks of light at once. What Distira had attempted with Thoma was far from what a god could truly do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If we don’t settle this soon, she’ll stop holding back,” Xixu said. “The moment that happens, we’ll be dead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I won’t say that’s an impossibility, but the risk of that happening is lower than you might expect,” Vas corrected calmly. He lightly swept the tip of his rapier through the grass at his feet. “She and the other manifestations of her are equal in that they took root in this land after being summoned by mankind. They cannot wield much power against humans—though it is a different matter against the inhuman, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come to think of it, I remember Saridi saying something along those lines...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The existence of the maidens of Irede, born through the medium of human flesh and blood, was proof of their harmony with mankind. Because of that old contract, they could not wield an excessive amount of their power against people. For them, to break that interdiction was to turn their back entirely on humanity."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu’s frown eased to hear that they had a small cause for hope."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Beside him, Vas added indifferently, “Still, even if she is restricted in the use of her power, she is a god. The difference in our capabilities is evident. And physically speaking, we cannot reach her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I have a countermeasure for that,” Xixu said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He returned his military sword to its scabbard and retrieved a black bundle from his breast pocket. Stored within were a single leather glove for his left hand and five daggers the length of his palm. At the end of their hilts was a ring to which long lengths of steel wire were attached, connecting them at the other end to metal stakes whose purpose was being embedded into the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Vas studied the unfamiliar tools dubiously. “What are those?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I knew she could take flight, so I asked the castle to prepare these.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A white light flashed as it descended from the sky in a crashing wave. Thoma and Eid leaped out of the way as it fell, leaving white smoke rising from the grass in its wake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu couldn’t tell if it truly resembled Sari’s power or not, but it seemed clear that even receiving one such blow from Distira would result in grievous injury. He couldn’t continue to stand by and watch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Deftly, Xixu pulled on the glove and broke into a run, holding one of the daggers in his hand. A spell had been engraved into its blade to the extent of what it could bear. He took aim at Distira, and threw."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The dagger flew through the air and hit its target exactly where he’d intended."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah?!” The brief, quiet exclamation of pain that Distira loosed resembled one from another time. The girl whose attention had been focused on Thoma grimaced when she noticed the dagger piercing her left calf. Though even a god-slaying sword had passed through her body, the dagger remained stuck, glowing with a faint white light. “What is this...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was no time for Xixu to answer her question. He stabbed the stake into the ground, pressed down on it with his foot, and began pulling the steel wire with his left hand. Distira’s small frame jerked and lowered toward the ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She turned, and her blue eyes caught Xixu. “How dare you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "White light formed in her right hand—a mass of cold air, judging from appearances."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu sprang to the left, still pulling on the steel wire. As Distira was dragged down, almost colliding with the ground, Thoma, who had reversed direction and come running, swiped his blade at her. However, before it touched her body, the wire that Xixu had been pulling on suddenly went slack."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Watch out!” he shouted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The steel wire had been cut, but by the time Xixu realized and shouted his warning, Distira had already turned and thrown herself at Thoma. From up close, she struck him with an intense blast of air cold enough to reap a life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Given the distance between them, it was obvious that the man would not have been able to avoid the god’s blow. The light, which had been aimed at his head, seared the vision of all those present."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu, keeping his left eye closed to protect his sight, grabbed his second dagger. He had been expecting the worst outcome, but when the light cleared, Thoma was still standing atop the grass. It appeared as though he had raised his blade to meet the attack, but though he had escaped alive, his right shoulder was coated in white frost, below which blood bubbled forth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The wound was unmistakably severe, but Thoma appeared unperturbed as he cut at Distira with his sword using his left hand. The silver blade passed through her slim neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl’s expression twisted into one of displeasure for a moment, but she soon returned to her original appearance, wavering like the reflection of the moon on the water’s surface. A cruel smile appeared on the transparent beauty of her features."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that all?” Distira asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She raised a slender hand toward Thoma’s shoulder, which looked as though it would split apart at a touch. Xixu held his breath and threw his dagger at her back—but it would not reach in time to stop her. Yet, just as he was certain that he was too late, another blade fell upon Distira’s arm from her flank."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The second of the god-slaying swords severed the god’s left arm. As it fell, it faded from existence like a shimmering heat haze."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man who had accomplished the feat kicked Thoma aside, his gaze still focused on Distira. “You’re in the way,” he said. “I want to get this over and done with already so I can leave.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bastard...” Thoma grumbled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The one-eyed shadeslayer took another step forward, swinging his blade. Distira’s head, however, did not turn—her gaze remained fixed on her own back as she studied the dagger embedded there. Her lost left arm returned, forming from white mist, and she used it to grasp the blade of Eid’s sword as it came down at her head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The god, who no longer even screamed, looked around at the four men with eyes of ice that brimmed with quiet fury."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Interesting,” she said. Her blue eyes shone with more luminescence than moonlight. “Come, then. All at once. I shall be your opponent.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The words she spoke were the verdict of a god. Unleashed alongside them was the overwhelming pressure of her being—the dignity of her existence. Though Xixu had felt a similar pressure when he had stood before the golden wolf, he still found it agonizing to remain standing, and felt deeply nauseous."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet, he could not allow himself to cower and shrink away. To do so would be to submit to her from his very soul. He would, as a human, forever lose the ability to stand before a god."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thus, Xixu drew upon all of his will to take a single step forward. With his left hand, he pulled upon the steel wire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Time, which had frozen still, once more began to move."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With an exhaled breath, Xixu drew his military sword again with his right hand. As he pulled Distira toward him, he could see that she was watching him with a degree of amazement. She released the god-slaying sword in her transparent left hand and brought it behind her back, grabbing the dagger embedded in it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The steel wire snapped off at her touch, and she pulled the dagger out and threw it at Eid, who had closed in on her. Unable to evade it at so close a distance, it sank deep into his flesh below his collarbone, causing him to grunt in pain and fold over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu used the time to run farther forward, aiming his sword at the forgotten god."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira smiled beautifully. “Why are you not afraid?” she asked him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perhaps, though, it was only in Xixu’s imagination that he heard the question. What he saw the very next moment was a god’s hand, reaching out to pluck his head from his shoulders."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There was no mercy in her. She and the other manifestations of herself were inhuman to the end. In that fraction of an instant, Xixu understood death. And no thoughts crossed his mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira’s lovely countenance drew nearer. Her hand that resembled water itself brushed the hair over his forehead back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Be afraid,” she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Blue eyes peered at him from a distance close enough that he and she could touch. Then, with casual ease, her gaze cast his spirit into a bottomless abyss of fear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stood amid darkness. He could see nothing—nothing apart from a headless infant, standing some distance away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The child wore red finery, and her back was turned to Xixu. She appeared to be a little girl, and she stood out in such sharp relief from the darkness that it was uncanny. Slowly, she swung her arms back and forth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The air was uncomfortably tepid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From somewhere far away, Xixu could hear a nursery song, sung in a poorly articulated voice. He looked around, searching for the source of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What is this place...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was nothing around him but darkness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Xixu shifted his gaze back, he almost cried out in shock. The child in red finery was now standing before him, the stump of her neck squirming and glistening with light, as though it were a living creature of its own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Xixu stood there, frozen and aghast, the child’s pallid right hand reached for him. The distorted voice of an adult man laughed from right behind his ear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s play.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The sinister whisper sent a shudder down Xixu’s back. For some reason, he could not turn. His body refused to move. Yet, he felt without a doubt that he was being watched from behind. Somebody’s breath trickled down the nape of his neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The discordant nursery song had, at some point, begun to grow louder. As a dull ringing began building in his head, Xixu found himself able to press a hand to his temple in an attempt to suppress it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He could hear spasming laughter from behind him. The child in front of him had no head, yet he knew that she was smiling. Everything—everyone—was smiling and laughing. Only he was afraid. Xixu swallowed down a soundless breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, his feet lost purchase on the earth underneath him, as though he were sinking into the ground. When he looked down, he saw that the ground around him had become a vast expanse of entrails. Long processions of black insects crawled between the gaps of dark crimson viscera, stretching to the distant horizon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though Xixu wasn’t sure when it began, the darkness had started to disappear, and he became able to see far into the distance. Dazed, he stared at the view of this other world’s landscape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What...is this place?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was no sky. The entrails, spread as far as his eyes could see, gradually rose like walls in the distance and folded back, encasing the world, all of it undulating leisurely. Everywhere in sight, insects formed neat processions. Laughter made the folds of flesh above quiver and ooze blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s play...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Rough, anticipatory breaths fell upon Xixu’s shoulder from behind. The headless child pulled the sleeve of her finery up and grabbed the hem of his clothing with a swollen, pallid hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A vivid crimson filled his vision. Insects crawled from the decapitated wound of the dead child’s neck, using her arm as a bridge to begin ascending Xixu’s body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He could hear a nursery song."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu closed his eyes. Slowly, he began to sink into the viscera. One by one, the bugs creeped up his neck and entered his ears. He could feel the delicate thrumming of their wings within his ear canals. Flabby, stiff fingers took his hand and entwined with his own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu couldn’t think."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He couldn’t breathe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His own weight dragged him down toward the inhuman abyss."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The name Sari had suddenly murmured was not of her own volition; it was as though the word had slipped out on its own. Sari inclined her head to the side, confused. She looked around the entryway, where she had just stepped down onto the hard-packed clay, and her eyes met those of a maidservant sweeping outside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Miss Proprietress? Is something the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a pause, Sari murmured, “I’m not sure...”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, it had felt as though something was off. She had thought she had heard the humming of nonexistent insect wings by her ear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari put a hand to her right ear and shook her head, as though trying to shake loose something that had entered it. However, the gesture brought her no certainty. Her gaze stopped on a decorative arrangement of flowers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is Xixu nearby?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll go look,” the maidservant said. She walked over to the gate, bamboo broom in hand, and poked her head out, turning it left and right to examine the path outside. “I don’t see him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that so? I suppose it’s fine, then.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once again shaking her dazed head, Sari returned to the entryway. There was a visitor scheduled to arrive today before the lighting of the lantern. She couldn’t concern herself with hazy daydreams forever."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After another shake of her head, she examined the surrounding scenery, occupied only by herself and the maidservant. Her gaze alighted on the front gate, which had been rebuilt a short while ago."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari felt as though she had forgotten something important."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She didn’t know what it was. But although she had changed, that did not mean she had lost her memories."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was simply that she had the feeling that she had lost something. It resembled homesickness, and while she thought perhaps it was simply her imagination, an abrupt turn of her head gave her the impression that a hole had been left open beside her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari exhaled an icy breath. “Come to think of it...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is something the matter, Miss Proprietress?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No. It just occurred to me that I still have to bear a child.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although she no longer needed a sacred offering to complete her unification, she still needed a maiden to succeed her. For that sake, she needed to take a guest. It was something she had completely forgotten, perhaps because the lives and dealings of humanity felt so far from her now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari cocked her head and examined her inhumanly cold fingers. “I wonder what I should do...” she murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She would give the man who was to be her guest quite the fright, with her body as it was now. Since she could only choose one, it would be troublesome if that one decided to run off. It would be a repeat of her mother’s situation all over again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari’s grandmother had not told her much of her mother, who had borne the maiden name of Distira. It had been Xixu’s mouth from which she had first heard the name, and it had been Thoma who had later related to her the story of her mother casting away her divinity. Sari hadn’t even been aware that such a feat was possible. It was an attestation to how much her mother had loved her father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though Sari genuinely admired the depth of her mother’s love, she also found it difficult to understand. She felt that it was an ironic twist of fate that she, who had been born from such a woman, had rejected humanity and unified on her own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It made Sari wonder what the fate that awaited her would be like."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maidservant, clutching the bamboo broom to herself, blushed faintly, her cheeks coloring a slight red. “I think you’d be able to select anybody you wanted, Miss Proprietress,” she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The problem is that I think all of them would run away...” Sari replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What about Master Xixu?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The instant speed of the maidservant’s reply was no doubt due to what had occurred the other day. She had been present for the young man’s impassioned tirade, and evidently she had been greatly taken by his simple honesty. Though he was known as tactless throughout Irede, sometimes that sincerity of his pierced all the way through to capture a woman’s heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari, who had had the same thing happen to her, smiled wryly. “No,” she said. “It can’t be Xixu.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She knew that since he had said that he was willing to become her sacred offering, he would also accept her current body and be willing to embrace it. But that could not be allowed to happen. She did not want to cause his death. She had never wanted to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet, in the end, it may have been her who had been driving him toward death, all this while."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the maidservant looked at her curiously, Sari casually waved her hand at her. “Well,” she said, “I’ll figure something out.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If push came to shove, she could simply ask Vas, her blood relative. He would most definitely hate the idea, but with how critical he had been of her mother for abandoning the Werrilocia family, Sari expected that he would yield for the sake of duty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As for other matters, she would need to deal with Distira—who was lurking around Xixu—before too long."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari did not understand how one could be so attached to humanity after being so thoroughly severed from it, but she could not let a being whose essence was so close to her own remain free without ties to anything else. She had to settle the issue so that Distira’s existence did not overlap with her own. And while killing the girl who lacked a physical body would likely not have any effect on her mother, Sari intended to kill her regardless of any obstacles that appeared."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sari was tempted to sigh—it seemed unlikely that problems lying before her would have straightforward solutions. “Honestly...” she muttered. “Why are there so many inhuman beings loitering around? They should all just go home.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The god who had once been summoned to solve a problem was now herself the cause of many problems. It was entirely contradictory to the original intent of her deal with the town. What an awful inconvenience it had to be for the current world of man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Grumbling to herself, Sari removed her thonged sandals as she made to return inside Pale Moon, but then abruptly changed her mind and opened the cabinet to the side of the entrance. She retrieved a sheet of colorful decorative paper and began to fold it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When she finished the small sky-blue crane, Sari brought it to her face and gently blew on it. As soon as she did so, the crane began glowing a faint blue."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Go,” Sari murmured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The crane, bestowed with a breath of ice and given life, flapped its paper wings and flew beyond the doorway and out of sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The technique was only a simple one, and the only thing the crane could do was deliver itself to its target. Still, it could at least serve as a substitute for an ice bag, perhaps, if said target had a fever."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sari turned back inside. The emotion she felt was chilled to its core and unwavering, no more realized than the illusion of a misheard whisper."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But the crane, and the crane alone, flew through the sky above Irede, headed south."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The small pond in which Xixu’s feet were immersed reflected a red moon. Its shape, as close to a perfect circle as was possible, did not change form upon the still surface of the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu stood still in the pond, surrounded by night. He stared at the moon’s reflection before him with lightless eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And then, from out of nowhere, he heard a girl’s voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The other humans have already fallen. The cost of attempting to slay a god was great.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu understood the meaning of the words that were being said to him, but for some reason, they refused to register in his head. He looked down; he had already become submerged to his knees."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The water didn’t feel cold. Rather, it was lukewarm—reminiscent of the bodily fluid of a person. The temperature invited sleep, and his consciousness continued to drift, on the verge of dissolving into nothingness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira’s shadow surfaced from the moon on the water’s surface, rising until the upper half of her body was visible. She rested her chin in her hands, elbows settling atop the red moon, and looked up at Xixu, who remained hollow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“How do you feel?” she asked. “Though I suppose you can’t ‘feel’ anything.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl’s voice merely slid across the top of Xixu’s consciousness. The question invoked nothing from within him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although, that was not entirely true. The sound of her clear voice brought with it the slightest sense of discomfort, and he felt a thirst that threatened to burst from his lips in the form of a cry, as though he were craving a very similar, yet different voice that he had once known well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The young man stared at Distira, unmoving. Within the world of her own making, the god breathed a faint sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“People are weak.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The red moon rippled lightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“They are foolish and capricious. Earnest, yet despite that, cowardly. But they are warm. And it was that warmth I sought after.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl closed her eyes. Xixu watched her, unable to form a single thought. He was but a ghost, standing vacantly in the waters of a pond—as Distira had been, until he had called her name and released her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl cast her gaze out over the oval-shaped pond, and murmured, “Without any ties, I feel as though I will melt away and vanish. I feel as though I will become something I am not, like a kite cut from its string. For I have neither the seat of Irede nor its sacred offerings to anchor me. I am always alone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The soft words shook Xixu’s spirit, ever so slightly. They resembled a conversation he’d had once before, with someone else. Back then, he had thought: I do not want her to experience loneliness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a soft, hoarse voice, Xixu rasped, “You aren’t...alone...”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She would never be alone, if that was not what she wished. As long as she reached out her hand, he would always take it. Though Xixu’s consciousness was dim and hazy, that was the one thread he could not let go. And so, he had voiced it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira’s eyes widened greatly in surprise, and she peered at his face. “You are still able to speak?” she asked. “Is it because you have become accustomed to our power?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu did not understand the meaning behind her question. His gaze remained cast downward as Distira reached a hand out toward him, her graceful body manifesting from the reflection of the moon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A transparent palm touched Xixu’s cheek. The girl met his unfocused gaze with her own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Rather than breaking...” Distira murmured, “you should have responded to me from the beginning. You would have obtained the power of a god, then. You could have fought as much as you wished against the nature of man, and the covetousness that state of being hordes—so vast in its hunger that even calling upon the gods does not seem beyond humanity’s reach.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl’s lonely, smiling visage seemed nostalgic to Xixu, for some reason. There was something he had lost, yet it was not something he should ever be able to forget. There was a name he wanted to call."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira’s fingers gently touched Xixu’s eyelids. His field of vision began to shrink, although he still saw her nod slightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sleep now,” she said. “Say nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Despite her words, and the fact that she was lulling his exhausted spirit to sleep, Distira looked as though she was waiting for him to say something. Even as she smiled, a tear spilled from the corner of her eye."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu felt another ripple of unrest in his heart as he watched it fall. He had to tell “her.” That nagging feeling alone was what he relied on in order to raise his hand. The barest movement of his fingers caused an unendurable fatigue to assault him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With his hand, he grasped the girl’s arm."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s okay.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if in the future, their paths diverged..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I understand. I won’t ever deny you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He would affirm her way of being. He would not run away simply because she was different. He wanted her earnest efforts to move forward to be rewarded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu exhaled an exhausted sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that moment, a blue crane flew in from nowhere and alighted on his shoulder, gently nestling against him. The breeze stirred up by the beating of the crane’s wings seemed cold enough to cut through his body. The unbearable chill forced Xixu’s consciousness back across the bridge to sanity. His once-hollow eyes widened in surprise, then took in Distira’s face. In that instant, he comprehended the situation he was in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gathering strength into the hand which held the girl’s arm, Xixu forcibly dragged her lower body out of the moon’s reflection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In this world under Distira’s control, he did not have his military sword. Yet, in exchange, he was able to touch the girl who had no physical form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu grasped the girl’s slender neck with his left hand. If he put strength into his grip, he would likely be able to snap it, yet he did not do so. As Distira stared at him in blank amazement, he said, his voice sharp, “There’s no point in going any further.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you...?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I will not submit. And neither should you continue to hurt yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Though Distira had overpowered her human opponents, she had shown not a single sign of satisfaction in doing so. She had only suffered from her loneliness. Where was the meaning in continuing with such a fruitless act?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Perhaps having returned to herself, the girl freed herself from her speechlessness and glared at Xixu. “What a funny thing to say,” she said, smiling bitterly. “Are you perhaps begging for your life? To begin with, it is your fault that matters have developed as they have. What reason would a human offered to a god have to refuse?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It was not becoming a sacred offering that I refused.” Xixu looked sidelong at the crane perched on his shoulder. He did not know why such a thing had come here, but he did know who had sent it. Thinking of another moon, bright and cold, he continued, “Distira, are people no different from wine to you? An unchanging tool to be used for comfort, no matter who it may be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a pause, Distira replied, “And what of it? What is it that you wish to say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If that is what you think, then you wouldn’t be able to understand. The courtesans of Pale Moon do not change their guests. As such, the guests must respond in kind. Even if one of them is a sacred offering.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just because she was a god did not mean that anybody would suffice. Akin to how she only received a single guest as her sacred offering in her lifetime, she, too, should be singular for him. Otherwise, he would not be able to present her with a heart worthy of a god’s loneliness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu was keenly aware of the blue crane that reminded him of a certain girl’s eyes. Even if she had no intention of choosing him, he would wait, at the very least until she had chosen another companion. He would wait for as long as it was necessary for a child who had turned her back on something fragile to make the attempt to pick it up again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frowning, Xixu studied Distira. Depending on her answer, he was prepared to immediately snap her neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Distira’s expression, however, seemed relaxed as she asked, “Is that for her sake?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xixu did not answer, yet his determined silence was the strongest affirmation of all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The girl’s lips trembled slightly. “How can you sacrifice yourself for her after she discarded you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Because I must. If a person is to face a god eye to eye, they must do so in complete sincerity.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Even if they are betrayed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes. At the very least, until they themselves can be satisfied.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If Saridi had been an ordinary person, and they had been no more than a shadeslayer and a maiden, then perhaps Xixu would have arrived at his answer much sooner. He would simply have fallen for her and made the natural choice to spend their lives together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "However, with all of the duties she bore, if he was to face her, then he himself needed to sincerely establish an appropriate degree of resolve. That was why he could not take Distira’s hand, even if that resulted in his defeat and death."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For that was what it meant to touch a god."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira looked at Xixu with eyes that wavered like those of a child left behind. In all likelihood, they reflected not Xixu, but another individual from the past."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The god who had been betrayed and discarded, who had all this time been asleep, dropped her gaze to the red moon to which she was tied. A forlorn whisper escaped her delicate lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl hung her head. Droplets fell upon the surface of the water. The faint ripples were all that were left—the shadows and broken remnants of a bond that should have lasted an eternity. As she watched them, Distira smiled feebly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I...envy you and her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The god’s body melted into the small pond, leaving only those words behind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Xixu returned to the world, the very first thing he saw was the vast blue sky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next, he smelled the cloying reek of blood, which made him worry whether his body was still capable of moving. He began to shift himself around to check, starting from his fingers, but then a sharp pain ran along his right arm, making him grunt in pain. As for his left arm, it thankfully seemed unharmed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu sat up, then ascertained the state of himself—his right arm was twisted unnaturally from the elbow down. His back was drenched in cold sweat, but he suspected that his sense of pain was at least half numb. Regardless, he still felt capable of moving."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gritting his teeth, Xixu stood up. Not a single one of their number who had stood upon the grassy field had been left uninjured."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thoma’s bloody form was strewn over the grass—it was impossible to discern whether he was alive or dead. Beside him, Eid knelt on his knees, dagger still embedded below his collarbone. His hollow eyes focused on nothing in particular."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas, who was standing with his back to Xixu, still held his rapier in his right hand. However, everything below his left shoulder was stained in blood, trickles of crimson dripping onto the grass at his feet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you conscious?” Xixu asked reflexively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas turned to look over his shoulder. Upon seeing the dark shadow in his eyes, Xixu was struck by the keen realization of how bad their situation truly was. But then, the young Werrilocia replied to his question as if nothing were the matter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am fine, if you’ll accept a relative interpretation of the word. Thanks to the three of you keeping her busy over there, I was able to manage my part, somehow or other.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas gestured toward Distira with his rapier. The god’s eyes were shut tight, and she no longer looked the part of a girl in her teenage years. Instead, she floated above the grass in the form of a child younger than ten."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“This much shaving away at her should suffice,” Vas said, showing Xixu the object in his right hand. “Though for a time back there, I was rather leery of our chances.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is that...Sari’s bracelet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Everie’s mother’s, to be precise. I made a perfunctory excuse and borrowed it from her.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The object that the young man was holding along with his rapier was a silver bracelet that Sari always wore upon her person, meant for the purpose of limiting the maiden’s power. It must have been the countermeasure he had prepared for himself for the fight against Distira."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu inhaled a short breath, then went to pick up his military sword that had fallen some distance away. All the while, Distira showed no sign of moving."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vas sighed and began walking toward her. “At any rate, it’s time we end this and collect the other two,” he said. “Though I imagine they might already be dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Xixu hesitated over whether to object to the ill-omened remark, justified as it was, but decided this was no time to do so. He gripped the hilt of the sword he had retrieved and drove his pain from his thoughts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Suddenly, Distira’s blue eyes flickered open, focusing upon Vas, who was standing before her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Please don’t make this any more difficult,” Vas said, his tone devoid of warmth. “Remaining here isn’t good for you either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Distira stared at him, a mixture of anger and fear in her wavering gaze. Then, after glancing at Xixu, she raised her small right hand. Within it—though when it had gotten there was unclear—was a blue folded paper crane."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not a moment later, the crane began glowing with light. Vas clicked his tongue and shot forward. He threw the bracelet he was holding and knocked the crane from the girl’s hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But he had been a moment too slow. Light extended forth like a ripple on water, engulfing everyone present, grass field and all."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Pale Moon Reverie_A-Pale-Moon-Reverie-Volume-02-[J-Novel-Club][Premium] | chapter14.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - My Cousin Serafina"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusMy Cousin Serafina"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THEY SAY YOUR LIFE flashes before your eyes when you die. But…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha! Seems more like a hallucination than a flash. I feel like I’ve been dreaming this whole time, watching a story play out. Serafina’s six? Yeah, this can’t be real…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how many times I blinked, the sight before me never changed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why? How? At that moment, I was seeing something I’d long dreamed of—no, it far surpassed my wildest imagination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights were on the verge of death, their bodies riddled with wounds. Yet in an instant, they were restored to full health, and with boosted attack power and speed. Right before my eyes, Serafina created gods of battle out of ordinary men."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the power of a saint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She did not cower behind the knights and hide away in the back lines. No, she stood right alongside them, holding her head high…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never imagined she could be such a powerhouse. Is she seriously a saint?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The diminutive girl was shooting off spells I’d never seen before. I couldn’t tell if it was saint magic or not. The power she casually flaunted was unheard of. The sight was so patently absurd that, even in the thick of battle, I couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha! Isn’t this crazy? Somebody sure stacked the deck in her favor!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t see us losing anytime soon—the tiny saint was systematically obliterating all the monsters surrounding us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With another laugh, I readied my sword and headed into battle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It all started one fateful day. I was in King Procyon’s private chamber, sitting across the table from him, when the monarch uttered an unfamiliar name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina?” I repeated, trying to conjure up any memories of the girl. In the recesses of my mind, a vague recollection began to form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I, Sirius Ulysses, was the only son of Achernar, younger brother of the king of Náv. I was blessed with gray hair and silver eyes—a rare sight in the kingdom—as well as a naturally tall and lean frame. Upon my father’s passing, I inherited the title of duke at the tender age of nineteen and also became the vice-commander of the Náv Horned Beast Knights. Because of those respective titles (or perhaps because I was the king’s nephew), I was often called to the king’s private chamber, a far more exclusive setting than even the throne room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That day, I went to the chamber thinking it would be business as usual, but the visit soon took an unexpected turn when the king ordered everyone else—including the servants—to leave the room. As I watched, perplexed, the king picked up a bottle of fine wine, poured two glasses, and handed one to me. I sank into the sofa and eyed the king as I carefully sipped from my glass. Just a quick glance at his profile told me that he was on edge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is no ordinary matter, I realized and steeled myself for the unknown. Meanwhile, the king gave a painfully feigned smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for taking the time to come out here today. Oh, and I know it’s been a while since we last saw each other, but I must say you’re as good-looking as ever. I can see why you were voted ‘Most Handsome Member of the Horned Beast Knights’ for three years straight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I did not humor this comment with a response. The king only praised my looks when he was trying to push a job no one else could handle onto me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a nervous expression, the king wiped his sweaty palms against his chest. Falteringly, he said, “Have you heard of Serafina?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The name did not immediately bring anyone to mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My reaction prompted the king to hang his head in dejection. “I see,” he said quietly. “You know every key figure in the kingdom, yet hearing the name Serafina yields no immediate reaction. That is quite shocking for me, I must say. Serafina is my youngest child, the second-born princess of Náv. She will be six this year.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The vague pull on my memories finally took on a concrete form."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, yes. I did know her. Almost six years ago, there was a ceremony to celebrate the birth of a new member of the royal family. The queen had held a tiny infant in a white lace dress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What happened to the princess after that? I spotted the three princes and the eldest princess every so often, but I couldn’t recall seeing Princess Serafina after that unveiling ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Figuring that she was probably being raised in some sequestered part of the castle, I took another sip of wine. But suddenly, the king let out a deep sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it makes all the sense in the world that you wouldn’t know about Serafina. She doesn’t reside in the castle, so your paths wouldn’t have crossed. She lives in the Forest of Lent.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Forest of Lent?” It was a deep, dark forest at the far east edge of the kingdom. A frontier land, one could call it. “Why is Serafina living there?” I asked, puzzled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The king checked if the door was shut soundly before he responded. “This matter is only privy to a select few,” he said, as if he was having difficulty forming the words. “Serafina was born blind due to an unknown eye disease. Many doctors and saints attended to her after her birth, but not a single one found a cure.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes widened; this was all news to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On reflection, though, there was no way I would have known. The king must have been desperate to keep this information secret, seeing as how not a word of this had spread outside his inner circle. It showed just how deeply he cared for the princess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "More often than not, a physical disability was considered a major deficiency among royalty. As her father, the king must have been trying to shield the young princess from the world’s judgment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I chewed on that thought, King Procyon lowered his gaze to his arms that were folded in front of his chest. “I suspect that Serafina’s eyesight will never improve,” he continued with a strained tone. “The girl will have to live her entire life in darkness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This would be extremely harsh on the young princess, most would agree. But if even the most privileged man in the kingdom couldn’t restore her vision, then it was the reality she would have to accept. With a small, sorrowful sigh, I drained the rest of my glass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The king continued: “As you know, the castle is a den of wolves where even a slight mistake could cost you a limb. A blind girl like Serafina would be a walking target. So I sent her away to a different environment, hoping to call her back to the castle once her eyes had healed…but despite trying everything, to this very day her vision has shown no improvement.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The king paused there, clenching his hands into fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And so…since she is not getting any better, I have decided to bring her back to the castle immediately.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand how you feel as a king,” I replied out of lack of anything more insightful to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina must live as royalty,” he went on with a taut expression. “I must hurry and get her accustomed to the castle so that she can establish her place here. Her road will be difficult, but she must learn to stand on her own two feet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, the king lifted his head and sprang from his seat. He grabbed my arms and gazed at me imploringly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius, you must help me! Listen to a father’s request for his daughter! As my nephew, duke of this kingdom’s highest house and vice-commander of the Horned Beast Knights, I ask you to bring Serafina to me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a father worried for his daughter, his plea made sense. The question of whom to entrust to retrieve the princess was not one to take lightly. After all, not just anyone could be trusted with a member of the royal family. The king couldn’t go himself, so he would have to send someone in his place—and when one considered logically who the best someone would be, there was no better candidate than me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was one of the most important figures in the Náv Kingdom, next to the king, and because I was a shoo-in for the knight brigade’s future commander, I was well-liked among the general populace as well. As a knight, I was known for ensuring their safety by slaying monsters day after day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I doubt that anyone will bat an eye if I were to retrieve Serafina, given that she is my cousin. Very well, I accept your request,” I answered without hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The monarch’s eyes lit up. “My thanks, Sirius!” he declared in a way that could only be described as a holler. “And while you’re at it, be sure to sing her praises throughout the land!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She has red hair, so I expect she has it in her to become a talented saint. However, she is not yet of age, so she cannot form pacts with spirits, nor can she wield much strength of her own. I would very much appreciate it if you were to put in a good word for her on the road. Just yell something like, ‘Wow! Serafina is so amazing!’ at the top of your lungs and make up some saintly-sounding deeds. I’m sure the ladies will be keen to listen to what a handsome young man such as yourself has to say. And since you’re the strongest knight, you’re quite popular with the men too. Everyone in the kingdom will believe what you say—no reason not to exploit it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah yes, I thought in the ensuing silence. Our monarch is the type who doesn’t know when to shut his mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I felt a throbbing headache coming on, I figured that this was a good time to ask to take my leave. The king was grinning from ear to ear as he rambled off some incomprehensible nonsense about “being Serafina’s cheerleader.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After I emerged into the hallway, I let out a deep sigh. I couldn’t help but mull over my physically distant cousin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The royal family owned a villa in the Forest of Lent. Serafina was supposedly living there, though I recalled that it was a very old structure. Add in the remote location on top of that, it was unlikely she received many visitors."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess had her whole life ahead of her. Yet from the moment she was born, she was hidden away with only a scarce few attendants and knights for company—and she was unable to see a single thing. It seemed like a terribly lonely existence to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In retrospect, I probably pitied her for it. I thought that perhaps her life would be full of struggle. I wanted to at least support the blind young girl and ensure that she would have a bright future. And so, even knowing that the days to come would be utterly hectic, I began to plan my visit to a land far to the capital’s east."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My later interactions with the princess thoroughly dispelled all notion of pity from my mind, although there was no way I could have foreseen that at the time. To my dismay, I must confess that I held the notion of protecting my young charge."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Interlude: The Náv Kingdom and the Saints"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Interlude:The Náv Kingdom and the Saints"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE NÁV KINGDOM was a mid-sized country at the western reach of the continent. The Arteaga Empire, which held a lock in the northeast, was the biggest superpower. There were about ten small- or medium-sized countries (Náv included) dispersed across the rest of the land."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oral legend had it that Náv was founded by the Spirit Lord. He fell in love with a human girl, who then bore the child that started the dynastic line. For this reason, Náv was loved by the spirits, many of whom chose to reside within the kingdom’s borders."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The forests and seas, meanwhile, were home to many monsters. Battles against either those monsters or an enemy nation were often decided by whether one had access to healing magic or not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Generally, knights had to rely on healing potions, but it took quite a while for them to mend a serious wound. The injured had no choice but to remove themselves from the battle entirely. This was all very self-obvious logic, but the saints—wielders of healing magic—made this unnecessary, for they could patch up injuries at a blisteringly fast speed compared to the potions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The downside was that healing magic required an incredible amount of magical energy. The spells required a different form of casting than attack magic, which meant that a single use would deplete the average caster’s reserves entirely. In order to make up for this, every saint formed a pact with the spirits. This would allow them to convert the mana in the air into energy, giving them roughly ten times more capacity for healing spells."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The spirits only ever responded to women, but they were guaranteed to form a pact if asked. Every saint with a pact had a sigil on the back of their hand to show for it. Because the spirits never conversed, mutual understanding was impossible on a finer level, leaving a great deal of mystique to the process."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But some things were for certain: Every spirit took on an adult human form, and they exclusively formed pacts with grown women. The spirits themselves also varied greatly in terms of strength, with the most capable ones favoring red-haired saints."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By loving, respecting, and treasuring the spirits, the saints were allowed to call upon their power. And by doing so, they could heal wounds, cure illnesses, create healing potions for minor injuries, and even raise the dead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only the saints were capable of wielding this miraculous magic."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0012.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Holy Princess in the Forest of Spirits"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Holy Princess in the Forest of Spirits"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’M SO SLEEPY,” I mumbled. “It’s morning, but…I’m way too comfy here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was in my bed all wrapped up in a blanket when my friend came to wake me. My body reacted on instinct, burrowing even further into my happy place. Seeing this, my cheeky friend reached out to peel the blanket away from me, but I was having none of it. I burrowed down and clenched the blanket tightly around myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then my friend—the spirit boy—let out an exasperated cry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t be so lazy, Fi! If you’re this sleepy in the morning, stop training your magic at night. Do it during the day instead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have to admit that he had a point. I gave up struggling, poked my head out from under the blanket, and turned it in the spirit’s direction. Then, with as bright a smile as I could muster, I said the perfect morning greeting—exactly what my friend would want to hear."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0013.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Holy Princess in the Forest of Spirits"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Good morning! What a beautiful start to the day! Everything is sparkling!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fi, you can’t see a thing. How can you even tell if it’s sparkling?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Phooey. Nothing gets past you, Seven.” I clamped my mouth shut awkwardly, not knowing what to say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because my cute spirit friend was exactly right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My name is Serafina Náv, and I was born as the Náv Kingdom’s second princess. I’m turning six this year."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My ladies-in-waiting tell me I have red hair, which is a good color because it means I’m loved by the spirits. My hair goes about halfway down my back—although, sadly, I have never seen for myself what I look like. This is because I was born without eyesight, and I can’t even open my eyelids."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since my eyes can only sense a bit of light, I couldn’t even tell whether it was sunny or cloudy that morning—just like the spirit said. This was the reason why my parents sent me to their villa in the Forest of Lent right after I was born—they were worried about my well-being, and they thought a life surrounded by beautiful nature would be good for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I bet my parents were secretly hoping that the forest springs, which apparently improved your health, would cure my eyesight, but despite almost six years of drinking from them, nothing changed. Doctors and saints also came by from time to time to attend to my eyes, but none of them were able to help me either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since my eyes weren’t improving, everyone thought it was pointless for me to be at the villa and that I ought to return to the castle. But as for me, I was just really glad to live where I was—because I made a lot of friends that only I could see."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For a while after I was brought to the villa, people wouldn’t take me outside because they thought my blindness would be a hindrance. But when I turned three, they let me step into the forest as long as I had my ladies-in-waiting and knights to escort me. There were no monsters in the Forest of Lent, and I had no trouble walking, so they figured it was fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The day I first went out into the forest, there was a restlessness in my chest. I just knew that something special was going to happen, and it filled me with anxiety all morning. I had this weird feeling that the forest was calling for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I tried to steady my beating heart, I stepped into the woods, but my eyes only showed me the same darkness they always did. Nothing special happened at all. It made me kind of sad, because I thought it meant my intuition was off. But after a short while, these tiny, flickering white orbs appeared in my vision. It was my first time seeing anything other than darkness, and I had no idea what to make of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At first, I stood frozen in shock, but then I quickly became fascinated by the white light. Slowly, I walked toward it and held out my hand. I waited super, super patiently, and then the light made its way into my palm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sat in the shade of a big tree, and the white light sat in my palm the whole day. It felt so nice! The wind blew gently, as if it were trying to tell me something. Unfortunately, my ears couldn’t figure out the meaning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "None of my ladies-in-waiting or knights were able to see the white light I was sensing. To them, it looked like I was smiling at my empty palms. But still, none of them dismissed me when I said, “There’s a shiny white thing on my hand.” Instead, they treated it as a fact. “You can see what we cannot, Princess Serafina,” they said. “Perhaps something good came of us protecting you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It turned out that the white light belonged to young spirits. Through spending time with them every day, I gradually learned to discern their shape and understand their language. Weirdly enough, though, nobody else ever saw them or heard them speak."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I guess that’s why everyone else called the spirits the “invisible blessings.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The “invisible-blessing”-slash-adorable spirit came into my room that morning to wake me up like usual. The one who looked out for me the most was a boy about the same age as me named Seven."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although the spirit children couldn’t be seen, I did get a sense of how they would look as I got older. I could clearly see Seven’s pure-white form, right down to his facial features."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the moment, his eyes were wide as he tugged on my sleeve. “Fi, stop mumbling in bed and get up already,” he said impatiently. “You’ve got special visitors from the capital today. You have to get ready to see them.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? From the capital?” I instantly sat up and faced Seven in shock. “But it’s not my birthday yet. They wouldn’t have presents from Father and the others, would they? Why else would anyone come see me?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights gave me seasonal gifts, but this never involved a formal messenger. The spirit’s choice of words made it sound like a birthday celebration, but I couldn’t be sure. One thing I did know was that the spirits were never wrong about anything, so there definitely were visitors heading our way…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh well, they’ll tell me why they’re here. I should just get changed now, yup. Hmm, since they’re from the capital, I guess I should wear a super nice dress?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I paced around the room in my pajamas, Seven sighed in exasperation. “Your ‘super nice dress’ is all covered in mud after you tripped and fell in the forest while trying to show it off to us. Your ladies-in-waiting were so mad about it. How have you already forgotten?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh-oh, you’re right. Then I guess I’ll wear a normal dress without the mud.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if on cue, a lady-in-waiting swooped into the room right then. After she helped me get dressed, she let me know my breakfast was ready."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned to Seven, and he muttered, “One man…and ten others far behind.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I told the lady-in-waiting, “I have a feeling visitors will come today. It’ll be just one at first, but after a while, there’ll be ten more. He’ll be here real soon, so I’ll have breakfast with him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, really?” The lady-in-waiting sounded flustered. “Your intuition is always right, Princess Serafina, so I’m not doubting you for a moment. But, oh, how could there be a visitor so early in the morning?! What a peculiar individual he must be! And eleven people! I shall request extra food from the kitchen at once.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hurried out of the bedroom, and I headed out into the foyer after her. I was part of the family that owned the villa, after all—I felt like I ought to welcome the visitor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a short wait outside the foyer, I heard the sound of a galloping horse. I could tell that there was only a single rider and that the horse was going very fast. It made me think that the visitor was a knight, not a nobleman."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When the visitor reached the entrance, he stopped his horse smoothly and dismounted. He approached me next to the pillar I was standing at and stopped when he was a few paces away from me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You must be Serafina. It’s a pleasure. I am your cousin, Sirius Ulysses.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ohhh! You’re the national hero!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even a sheltered girl like me had heard his name before. I covered my mouth in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I quickly remembered that I was supposed to be polite, so I lifted the sides of my dress and did a curtsy. “It is nice to meet you. I am Serafina Náv. Thank you for traveling so far to see me. Please make yourself at home.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Judging by your choice of words, it sounds like you know we’ve never spoken before.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I was at your birth ceremony nearly six years ago now. You were just a baby back then and I figured you wouldn’t remember, so I didn’t put much effort into saying hello. Looks like I’m paying the price for my rudeness now, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gazed mutely up at Sirius, surprised at the sudden familiarity in his tone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh, sorry.” His awkward voice fell on me from above. “It’s my first time talking to a little kid, so I tried to lighten the mood. Did I make you uncomfortable? I’ve always talked a little roughly, so I’m sorry if I upset you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“N-no! Not at all! I should have said a proper hello six years ago… My ‘waaah’ meant ‘nice to meet you.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius laughed cheerfully at my answer. “Ha ha ha! Is that right? Looks like I was the poor listener. The thing is, when I approached you six years ago, you took one look at me and started bawling your eyes out for some reason. I didn’t want to upset you any more than I already had, so I panicked and ran out. To think that that was just your way of saying hello.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he crouched down and offered his large hand to me. There was an earnest air about him, different from before. I could sense that he was smiling."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let’s try this once more. ‘Hey, Serafina, we meet again. It’s me, your cousin Sirius.’”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh? Uh…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, you’re supposed to say, ‘It’s been ages, Sirius.’ We’re old pals catching up again after six years. No need to act all stuffy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? Well, um…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stood there, lost for words, Sirius took my hand and led me into my house. He took short and deliberate steps, conscious of how I couldn’t see. He was a nice person, I thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The thing is, I could actually make out Sirius’s shape, thanks to the spirits. Lately, they’d caught on to how I could see a dim outline of the things they were close to. Whenever a new person came by, the spirits scrambled around the person’s face and body. Today, those kind spirits stuck fast to Sirius’s hands and legs. They moved when he moved, so I was able to sense his rhythm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But for some reason…there was only a single spirit hanging around Sirius’s mouth, not the usual crowd. This was my only guide to his mouth movements, which made his expression hard to make out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as I was puzzling over why this was, Seven whispered into my ear. “The spirits were taking pity on him, you see. Sirius was suuuper clumsy when he was talking to you. This is their way of being kind.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He went on to say that it would be unfair to me if I couldn’t see the person’s expression at all, hence why there was one spirit around the mouth. This was all very surprising to me. Those cheeky spirits were being very considerate in their own way, but as I walked, I couldn’t help but wish I’d seen Sirius’s face. If he was a nice person, I wouldn’t have been bothered by any awkward faces."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From my mental map of the villa, I was pretty sure that Sirius was headed to the reception room, but then the steward guided him to the breakfast room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You haven’t had breakfast yet, Serafina?” Sirius said. “I might’ve shown up too early.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Have you already eaten, Mr. Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Try that again,” he insisted. “Remember, we’re friendly cousins meeting again after six years.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um…have you…eaten, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I fixed my phrasing, he patted me on the head fondly. “Nah, but missing a meal isn’t a big deal. I can go without food for days as long as I have water.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, wow.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just as we were entering the breakfast room, Sirius stopped in confusion. He was probably wondering why there was breakfast for two on the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I didn’t know you were okay without breakfast,” I said timidly, “so I asked the cooks to make something for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did you know I was coming?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His tone was sharp, which made me feel like he was angry at me. “Oh, no, I didn’t know,” I answered, flustered. I only knew there would be a guest, not that it was Sirius. I hung my head down in shame, feeling like I’d screwed up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius patted my head again. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to scold you. My tone was too harsh for a child. I’ll try not to do that again. What I wanted to say was…thanks, I was just getting hungry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, yay!” I lit up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius put a hand on my back, led me to the highest chair, and sat across from me. He signaled to a lady-in-waiting, and we began our breakfast."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have to say, it was super fun eating a meal with Sirius. Although he wasn’t the talkative type, he paid close attention to me and made his words count. Plus, he had nice things to say about all the dishes. Maybe it was because he knew I was the one who asked for his breakfast. Living in the capital, I would’ve bet that Sirius had been eating way better meals every day, so his kindness made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After we were done, I was sipping on some milk when the sound of multiple clattering feet rang out from the entrance hallway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sounds like they’re here,” Sirius muttered as ten knights cascaded into the dining hall."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ve finally caught up to you, Vice-Commander! We’re begging you, please stop going ahead by yourself! Our job is to protect you, so what are we supposed to do if you go off alone?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m not injured.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Glad to hear it, but that’s beside the point!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I sat there, overwhelmed by the sudden commotion in the hall, the ladies-in-waiting appeared out of nowhere and started setting down cutlery."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t have to worry yourselves over these knights.” Sirius swiftly attempted to stop the women, only for the head lady-in-waiting to take a step forward and bow her head to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am sorry to refuse your request, Your Excellency,” she said, “but their meals have already been prepared. I hope they can partake while it is still fresh.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Sirius gazed suspiciously at the head lady-in-waiting, the knights behind him cheered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Woo-hoo! It was worth dragging ourselves through the cold for this!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What an honor for Her Highness to invite us to breakfast! It would be rude to refuse!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then one of the knights turned to look at Sirius. “Don’t be so on edge, Vice-Commander Sirius. Anyone would have guessed that we’d be trailing you! Nobody in your position would move alone, you know? Yes, anyone could predict that the expendables would struggle to keep up… Oh man, saying it out loud is making me tear up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After that, the knights turned back to me and bowed politely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, we thank you for your generous breakfast invitation! We truly didn’t expect such good fortune.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We got going as soon as the sun rose this morning, so we are positively starving! Thank you so much for your kindness and consideration, Princess Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights sat where they pleased and eagerly dug in. They talked a lot and ate just as much. I’m pretty sure each one of them scarfed down about ten times more than what I could. The chefs prepared a feast, thinking that the knights wouldn’t be able to eat all of it, but by the end, they cleared their plates and then some."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Later on, I heard that the chefs moaned at the empty plates: “Ugh, we lost! But it’s nice that they ate it all up!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After breakfast, Sirius took me to the reception room. We sat facing each other on opposite sofas, a table in the middle of us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In the silence, I felt Sirius’s gaze on me. Just like before, the spirits never rose above his mouth, which made his expression hard to make out, but I could sense his eyes focused on me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I fiddled with my dress sleeve in discomfort, Sirius began to speak. “There’s no way to sugarcoat what I’m about to say, so I’ll just give it to you straight. Your father, King Procyon, asked me to come here. He is concerned for you, not as a king but as a father. He sent you to this forest hoping that your eyes would heal, but he misses your presence and cannot stand the loneliness any longer. That’s why he has asked me to bring you back to the castle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I rubbed my hands together in hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You see, when I first came to this villa, my entire world was in darkness. The knights and ladies-in-waiting wanted to shut me inside because they wanted to keep me safe. But when the forest beckoned for me when I was three, I witnessed something other than darkness for the first time: the white light of the spirits. To me they were a light of joy in my dark world. I lived with the spirits that day forth, grateful that they showed and taught me so much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But they only lived in this forest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I went to the capital, I would have to part ways with them and be all alone. But if I rejected my father’s wish to see me, I would be a terrible daughter. I stayed silent, unable to respond to Sirius."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Eventually, I sensed him standing up from the sofa. He walked around the table and sat down next to me before he lifted me lightly from my seat and placed me on his lap. My head fit snugly against his chest, and he wrapped one of his arms around my back. My jaw dropped in surprise, but he didn’t stop what he was doing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I’d always lived away from my family, I couldn’t remember ever being held like this by a relative before. And because I was a princess, my knights and ladies-in-waiting only touched me when it was absolutely necessary, like when they were guarding me or changing my clothes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was the first time, for as long as I could remember, that someone had ever touched and held me outside the line of duty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was so shocked by the touch that my entire body stiffened, but Sirius didn’t seem to notice. “The king doesn’t know that you are happy here,” he went on quietly. “He called you back because he imagined that you were lonely living so far away from the capital by yourself… He had your best interests in mind. If you’re happy staying here, then I can tell His Majesty your wish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! R-really?” I asked, surprised."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius must have noticed from my hesitation that I wanted to stay, but my father was the king. I didn’t think that Sirius could go against his orders."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius smiled reassuringly. “Of course. We’ve been friends for a long time. A knight must use their full authority for a friend.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow!” That was a surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry, I was just making a bad joke,” Sirius said apologetically. “The king wants you to be happy, so I just plan to tell him that you’re happy here. That said…we didn’t know what a fulfilling place this was for you, and you don’t know what the castle is like either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah.” Sirius was right; I didn’t know any different."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So how about you visit the castle once and see for yourself what life is like there? Who knows, you might like it more. But if you do find yourself preferring life here, then I’ll deal with your father, mother, and siblings, and I’ll bring you back.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s proposal was brilliant. He made sense, and he was so kind and considerate too. At first, he told me that the king was lonely, but as soon as he found out that I wanted to stay here, he completely stopped talking about Father’s feelings. He didn’t want me to blame myself for wanting to stay, even if it meant not being with Father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius was such a kind person, thinking so far ahead in just a short amount of time. A warm, fuzzy feeling grew in my chest, but I still wasn’t able to give him an answer straight away. He put a hand on my head in reassurance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I would like to accompany you back home, but I don’t think you should rush such an important decision. I’ll stay here for a while, and you can tell me what you want to do when it’s time for me to leave.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t fully grasp it then, but Sirius was from the kingdom’s most important noble family, and he was very busy as a knight brigade vice-commander. His time had to be extremely valuable. Even just making the trip between here and the distant capital was a big strain on him, but he decided to extend his stay because he didn’t want me to make a quick decision that I could regret later."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t know any of that, though. I was just happy to have him around for a while longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sorry, Serafina.” His lips twisted in self-deprecation. “I didn’t know you were happy here until I actually saw you. I want to see for myself how fulfilling this place is for you and make sure the king gets an accurate picture. Even if you do decide to live in the capital, I’ll tell the people there how much this place means to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was so shocked that I couldn’t think of what else to say. He was still finding new ways to surprise me with his kindness. He was telling me that, no matter what choice I made, he would make sure the happiness I felt right now would be understood by my family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yeah, anyone would look up to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was incredible how he was so kind to a little girl he had just met. After just a few hours with him, Sirius was already my hero."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From that day forth, Sirius and the ten knights lived at the villa. Fortunately, the rustic villa had plenty of rooms, so there was no problem finding space for everyone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights insisted that they provided ingredients for their meals, so they went into the forest every day to hunt. They always came back with so much meat that the chefs had to work hard to cook it all. “You’ll never be able to finish all this!” the chefs would say smugly as they put the dishes on the table, only to keel over in shock when the knights packed it all away. This was a common sight over the next few days."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius never went hunting with the others, though—he spent most of his time with me. To be specific, he went into the woods and watched from afar as I played with the spirits—although like the others, he couldn’t see them. I have no idea how I looked, muttering and murmuring to what must have seemed like my imaginary friends."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He also told me all kinds of stories about the capital. “I have my own room in the castle. If you come to the capital, we can still chat like we do now,” he said, which gave me an image of what life was like over there. Sirius was giving me all the information I needed to make my decision, it seemed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One bright and sunny day, I was sitting under a big tree in the forest with Sirius, enjoying the light breeze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your intuition is very sharp, Serafina,” he muttered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I heard that on the day we arrived, you told a lady-in-waiting to prepare breakfast for eleven people. That sounds like more than just a good intuition, but I have no other way to describe it. And from what I’ve seen, you haven’t taken a single tumble. It’s strange—even though you’re blind, you have no problem avoiding obstacles in your path.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted to explain that the spirits were helping me, but I hated the thought of him brushing it off as a kid’s imagination, so I kept my mouth shut."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Over the past few days, Sirius had told me a lot of things I’d never heard before. He said it was common knowledge that spirits always took on an adult form and anyone could see them. Also, it seemed no one could understand the spirit language."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When he told me that, I finally understood why my knights and ladies-in-waiting called the spirits around me “unseen blessings,” no matter how many times I explained that I was being helped by a bunch of spirit children. The beings I spoke of sounded completely different from the spirits everyone else saw and knew. They all thought that I couldn’t possibly be seeing spirits."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I told Sirius what he already knew. “I’m being helped by unseen blessings.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius knew that I’d been insisting that the blessings were actually spirits, but he didn’t bring that up at all. “I see. You’re loved by the land.” He smiled gently. “I’m impressed at how something in this land can know and trust you so well. I’d say it’s proof that you’re a lovable person.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He looked around the forest. “I’ve never seen such a mysterious forest—it’s huge, yet there isn’t a single monster. I’ve been strolling around day and night trying to find a reason for this, but it looks no different from other forests.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I wonder if it’s because…the spirits have been protecting the forest?” I voiced my theory timidly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "According to Sirius, every spirit who had a pact with a saint had an adult form. But spirits had childhoods too, and they needed a place where they could grow. This forest was probably that place. It would explain why nobody else was able to see the spirit children—they were keeping themselves hidden so that they could survive into adulthood. Maybe I would never have been able to sense them if I had proper eyesight. And maybe the reason why there were no monsters was because the adult spirits were protecting the children from danger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“An interesting theory. I’m sure you already know this, but they say the royal family’s great ancestor is the Spirit Lord. The villa was built all the way back in those days. The Spirit Lord chose this forest, vowing that it would never be overrun… I wouldn’t be surprised if the spirits were protecting this place.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, wow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d never heard this story before, but it did explain why the spirit children would be here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius went on. “That might be why the forest has taken a liking to you. You may not be able to see it for yourself, but you have beautiful red hair, the likes of which is rarely seen. The spirits are fond of red hair, so I think that seeing you made them want to protect you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Not every saint fights on the battlefield. There are many who heal the wounded or specialize in making healing potions. Those are some possibilities for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My chest tightened in pain at Sirius’s gentle words. He was telling me that I could be a talented saint out of pure kindness and consideration. But if a saint was what they called a woman who could heal the sick and injured—or one who formed a pact with a spirit—then I already was a saint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I remembered what Sirius said before, about his work as a knight. “You said that, because you’re the vice-commander, you fight for everyone. If there are saints who fight in battle, does that mean you fight with them?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. Usually, I escort them to the field. The basic unit has five knights and one saint. People tell me that I’m not good at dealing with saints, though, so they don’t want to team up with me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, really?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius was so, so nice. I couldn’t imagine why the saints wouldn’t want to fight alongside him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My confusion must have shown on my face, because Sirius smiled awkwardly. “I’m told I ask for the impossible,” he answered. “My top priority as a knight is defeating the enemy quickly and making sure as many people survive as possible. I tend to tell the saints what they could do better, and they typically don’t agree.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They don’t like your advice?” I asked, thinking that his priorities were pretty reasonable."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius shook his head. “No, we’re all on the same page. It’s just that my expectations are unrealistic, they say. I’m a knight, not a saint. I don’t understand what they have to go through, but here I am telling them how to do their job. That’s why they’re mad, they tell me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I cocked my head, not really understanding what Sirius was getting at."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“For example,” he explained, “I’d say something like, ‘Why don’t you take two more steps forward so you can use your magic on all the knights?’ and they’d reply, ‘We don’t need to cast magic on all the knights.’ They have their own way of doing things that’s tried and true. They learn all the tricks of their trade in a unit called the Fourth Saint Knight Brigade… My suggestions would go against what they learned there, apparently.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging by what Sirius said, I still thought he was right, but I guess the saints had their own way of going about things too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I fell quiet, Sirius took my hand. Maybe he thought my silence meant I was feeling down. “Serafina, I’m sure you’ll find a role that suits you perfectly,” he insisted. “Your blindness might limit your options, but there are still many things you can do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I realized that he was comforting me, I turned my head in his direction. “Sirius,” I said, my voice firm and clear. “I’m not upset about not being able to see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think my blindness is a blessing. Blocking my eyes is what makes me able to see the important things.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was certain that I was able to sense the young spirits because of my blindness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh. You’re a wise one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was all Sirius said as he stroked my head with his large hand. It felt nice, so I stayed quiet and let him keep doing it to me. Sirius stopped speaking too, and for a while we listened to the sounds of the gentle breeze. It reminded me of how we were silent like this on the day we met as well. Back then, I thought the silence was uncomfortable, but it felt completely different now. Now I knew that doing anything with Sirius was fun."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We enjoyed the comfortable silence for a while after that, taking in the sounds of the wind…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Princess Serafina, we found some rare fruit in the forest! This is called the ‘Sweet Red Fruit.’ Usually it’s bitter, but sometimes it can be unbelievably sweet,” said a knight as he placed five pieces of fruit into my palm."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, quit it! You’ll traumatize Princess Serafina if you give her a bad one.” Another knight snatched away all the fruit I’d been given."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, then how about this scone? They’re going to be today’s snacks, but I was able to pinch one from the food tasters.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold up! That was meant to be tested for poison! Why are you serving it to the princess?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ack! You’re right!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights kept handing me food and taking it away, squabbling all the while. I could feel my cheeks about to burst from grinning. The knights were always cheerful and trying to make things fun for me—it made me really happy. Some of the ladies-in-waiting disapproved and thought they were being too casual with me, but I was just a kid, so of course people wouldn’t be overly formal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After chatting happily for a while about food, the knights started talking about Sirius."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Vice-Commander Sirius is vital to the knight brigade. Without him, the knights would just be a disorderly rabble since we’re all prone to doing our own thing. We need a person with a strong presence to keep us in line and tell us what to do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But his standards are way too high for the rest of us. He makes the right calls, but nobody can live up to his demands.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If nobody can meet his standards then his idealism is merely wishful thinking. Oh, I’m just talking about the knights and the saints here. Although it might also apply to his love life, given his looks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This reminded me of how the spirits only lit up Sirius’ mouth. But his looks didn’t matter to me at all because he was so kind and well respected by the other knights."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I think Sirius is wonderful. I’d love to be able to fight with him,” I muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The other day, when Sirius encouraged me to become a saint, he mentioned that saints and knights fought together on the battlefield. If I ever became able to see and trained to become a good saint, then I might be able to fight alongside him one day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe I was attached to that possibility because I was looking for ways to keep Sirius in my life in the future since he was going back to the capital soon. He never directly mentioned it, but I sensed that we would soon be saying goodbye. He was an important person who juggled so many different jobs, but he’d been staying with me for nearly ten days now. Any longer and he would be letting down all the people who relied on him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, I really am blessed to have met Sirius, I thought as I walked through the forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven and a bunch of other spirits joined me, and I chatted with them as we took a nice walk to the lake. Whenever I spoke with them, the others thought that the “blessings” were communicating with me, so they gave me some space."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My guards for today were a couple of knights who came with Sirius from the capital. They made sure to keep their distance as they watched over me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sat by the edge of the lake in the Forest of Lent and scooped the water into my hands. The water here was said to improve your health, and even though it never had any effect on my eyes, I still drank it out of habit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Later, I was sitting in the shade under a tree, thinking that today was awfully hot, when a cold chill suddenly ran up my spine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? Wh-what is this feeling?!” I let out a frightened yelp. I’d never experienced anything like this before, so I had no idea what was happening."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven instantly jumped out in front of me. “Fi! Are you okay?!” He looked around to see if everyone around me was fine and then said frantically, “You have to hurry back to the villa! Monsters have gotten into the forest!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whaaat?!” I cried in shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d never seen a single monster in all my years of being here. In fact, I’d never seen a monster in my entire life. I knew that something major had happened, and my heart began to race."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I began pacing around in a panic, which caused my guards to sharply question me. “Princess Serafina, is something the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Monsters! They might be in the forest!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I let them know what Seven told me, the knights gasped in surprise. One of them crouched in front of me and spoke. “Princess Serafina, this is an emergency. May I have your permission to carry you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From his voice, I knew that it was Xeno, one of the knights who came with Sirius."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Xeno lifted me up, one of the other knights blew a horn to signal an emergency. The shrill noise rang out while Xeno clutched me and began running for the villa."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The monsters are plant-types,” a floating Seven explained to me as he kept pace with Xeno. “I’m guessing that birds dropped a bunch of monster seeds in here. They’re not considered threats when they’re just seeds, so that’s what got them through the spirits’ barrier and into the forest. And thanks to the heat today, they all sprouted at once.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, no!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You sense it too, right? The monsters are getting stronger. They’re the type to grow superfast.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I blinked, startled. It was just as Seven said—the bad energy in the forest was growing stronger. A wave of sickness unlike anything I had ever felt before washed over me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just then, Xeno came to a halt. I heard the other knights’ footsteps stop as well. I looked up warily and could sense some kind of creature was moving in front of us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was bad, no doubt about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seven?” I called out hesitantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yup,” he said tersely before launching into an explanation on what I couldn’t see. “There are monsters in front of us. They look like carnivorous plants with long vines, and they’re twice as big as the knights. There are five, six, seven of them—and five more behind us. We’re surrounded.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But they’re plants…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s just their type. They’re monsters, so they can move around. Worse, this species is really fast.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "While Seven was explaining this to me, I heard the sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths at multiple points around me. There was a loud crrrrk, as if the swords were striking the plants, followed by a harsh metallic noise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I held my breath at the sudden start of battle. I heard a whoosh, as if something had just gotten slashed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Soon after, the knights started crying out in pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“S-Seven?” I asked, my voice trembling."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a short silence, Seven responded in a strained tone. “The knights are in a bad position. The monsters are strong, and there are a lot of them. They’re steadily closing in on us too. I dunno how we can get out of this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that moment, I felt a rush of wind near my face, accompanied by a sharp whipping noise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Some kind of liquid splattered on my face, and the knight carrying me groaned in pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Xe…Xeno?” I shakily called out the knight’s name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Xeno replied with ragged breath. “My shoulder took a wee bit of damage. We’re in a bit of a pickle—I can’t find an escape route.” He paused. “You’ll have to wait until help arrives from the villa.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That won’t be easy,” was my immediate thought. The lake was located deep in the forest, much too far from the villa for anyone to come help us right away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What was I to do? I was sure that pretty much every knight here was injured, and none of them could use healing magic—only me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Let me down, Xeno.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Knowing this, I had to help the knights. It was a saint’s role to save people."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Xeno, please! You can’t dodge the monsters while you’re carrying me. You have to hold your sword to protect me.” When I changed my wording to sound more reasonable, Xeno finally lowered me to the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But…I couldn’t see. When I decided to help the knights, I didn’t know where they were, or where the enemy was. I strained my ears, trying to work out where everyone was standing, but all I could hear was a stream of painful cries. My stomach twisted in panic and confusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Sirius!” I muttered the name pleadingly, without even thinking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina! Are you okay?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unbelievably, Sirius’s voice came ringing back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? S-Sirius?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My voice came out sounding hoarse, but luckily Sirius seemed to notice me. “Serafina, it’s going to be okay!” he said reassuringly. “Leave it to me. I’ll be there with you in a bit!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oddly enough, just hearing that put me at ease."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even though the villa was so far away, Sirius realized the danger and arrived faster than anyone could have imagined. He did the impossible, and now that he was here, I knew I would be just fine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But of course, things weren’t so simple. At some point, more monsters had joined the first twelve. As if to affirm my fears, I heard the sounds of bodies being pierced from all directions, plus the knights crying out in pain. This was followed by Sirius’s unending assurances of “You’ll be okay” and “This will be over soon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I clenched my hands together, breathing in and out slowly, and went back to focusing on my surroundings. Although Sirius’s appearance had changed the situation for the better, I could sense that the knights were still getting hurt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to help them, even if it was only a tiny bit. I was a saint, after all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As soon as that thought ran through my head, everything around me fell into a hush. I tried to figure out what was going on, but since there was no sound, I couldn’t tell what had happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Later on, I heard that the monsters surrounding the knights stopped in unison at that moment. The knights had readied themselves in preparation for some kind of attack—and that was when the monsters all began spewing pollen at the same time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even without my eyes, I could tell that a strong magic spell had just activated—a status affliction."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Every knight in the area got paralyzed. The tiny pollen-like magic invaded their bodies and froze them in place instantly. The seriousness of the affliction depended on how tough the person was and how much pollen fell on them, but over half the knights were unable to move at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk…!” “Argh!” They groaned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hold your breath!” Sirius’s voice rang out. “Don’t inhale the pollen!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, good,” I thought. The sound of his strong voice relieved me. It meant that he hadn’t taken too much damage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But the situation was definitely getting worse by the second."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, hold your breath as much as you can!” Sirius called out to me as he struck a monster."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was worried that I might take a lot of damage because I was so tiny…but since I was a saint, my body automatically cured any paralysis I received. I could defend myself against the affliction before it even affected me. This meant that I was as healthy as ever. I concentrated hard on my surroundings—my head was shouting that I had to do something for the knights who were protecting me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But there was a part of me that wanted to start crying."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because, just like before, I couldn’t tell who was injured, who was in danger, or even where the knights and enemies were. A blind girl like me couldn’t save her knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For the very first time, I cursed my inability to see."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since I’d been blind from birth, I’d always thought of it as normal. My condition made it possible for me to sense the spirits, which made it easier to accept. Only now did it occur to me that my abilities weren’t enough. It wouldn’t have mattered if all I wanted to do was just survive, but I wanted to be a saint. I needed my eyes to see the battlefield if I was going to save those knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was no wavering in my mind at that moment. The answer came to me right away…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll be a saint and save those knights."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That feeling was stronger than anything in the world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I reached my hands out to the sky and spoke in the spirit language."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O Spirit Lord, I thank you for all the blessings you have given me. You have been so gracious with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the sky swallowed my voice, multiple peals of light began glimmering around me. They belonged to Seven and all the other spirits."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina understands us, Your Majesty.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina can speak with us, Your Majesty. That voice you hear is hers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please show Serafina this beautiful world, Your Majesty.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Somewhere far, far above me, all the way beyond the sky, I felt someone break out into a smile. And then something bright and glittering came falling from the heavens. The moment the light touched my eyelids, the weight over my eyes disappeared, and the block in my vision vanished in an instant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For the first time in my life, I opened my eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although I didn’t mention it when I was talking with Sirius, I vaguely suspected that the root cause of my blindness was a “blessing”—specifically, a blessing from the Spirit Lord. I thought this because the spirits had been teaching me how to control and use my power, and I was secretly casting heals on my knights and ladies-in-waiting. I knew exactly how to cure my eyes, but the spell never worked on them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In other words, a force way stronger than my magic was sealing my eyes shut. Since I was a member of the Náv royal family, I had the Spirit Lord’s blood in me. There was no way he would curse his own descendants, which meant that my blindness only seemed unfortunate at first glance. It was actually a blessing from the Spirit Lord himself in disguise. I learned to sense the young spirits because of my blindness, and thanks to that, I also learned to speak their language."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once, when I told a physician about my “unseen blessings,” he said, “Any part of you will wither if you have no use for it. Your ears are the same. For example, the Arteagian language has many sounds that don’t exist in our language, so an adult who hears their language for the first time won’t be able to pick up on those unique sounds very well. That is because our language has no need for them, and so over a long period of time, they become impossible to hear. I suspect that you are able to hear these ‘unseen blessings’ because you are young, Princess Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Spirit Lord had connected my world to that of the spirits. As the warmth of gratitude gushed through my heart, I opened my eyes for the first time and took in the world…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina?!” Sirius cried out in surprise when he saw me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His reaction made sense since large tears from my newly opened eyes were streaming down my face…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, the world is so pretty…” After everything that had happened, that was all I could say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The only world I had known was one of darkness and occasional spots of white light. But the world was actually full of light, with blue skies and lush green trees. And the people were all unique, from their body types to their sparkling different hair colors. I’d never known that the world could be so beautiful, so diverse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I… I want to protect this beautiful world. Oh, now that I know how beautiful it is, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I snapped my eyes wide open so that they could take in all the sights around me. I stood here as a saint, sworn to protect this beautiful world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I gazed at Sirius with sorrow. My vision showed me all the knights who were injured because I acted too late."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius, I am a saint.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, you are.” Sirius agreed without hesitation. He couldn’t understand me when I spoke in the spirit language, so he must have thought that I cured my eyes by myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please let me help, Sirius,” I begged him. “I know I’m in the way because I’ve never fought before, but I want to protect the knights.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius’s eyes widened at my dead serious expression before nodding firmly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay. Thank you, Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was probably able to say this because of his great strength. He could defeat every monster here by himself—just at the cost of many injured allies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wanting to repay his kindness, I opened my eyes even further and carefully looked around the scene. It felt strange taking in a bunch of information just by opening my eyes—like how many opponents were present, how many people were on my side, and how strong they all were. I understood it all instinctively."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I scrambled to sort all of this information in my mind, I looked at Sirius. Even suffering with a paralysis affliction, the brave knight was incredibly strong. He could cut down every foe who came his way. Because he was strong enough to protect me—all of us, rather—he took on more of the burden, more of the wounds. In his kindness, he even prioritized my wish."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius knew the battlefield far, far better than I did. A saint at her first battle was practically a useless baby. And yet he let me do as I wanted without even a frown—because he respected my desire to move forward."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, my knight. My kind and thoughtful knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I so desperately wanted to protect him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stood behind all the knights so that I wouldn’t drag them down. Since I’d never fought with them before, I didn’t know how they did things. I wouldn’t want to get in their way, but I didn’t want to get separated from them either, so I made sure not to stand too far back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius sighed in relief when he saw where I had positioned myself. He wanted a first-timer like me to be in a secure place where he could protect me. That only made sense, of course. He didn’t know that I had a pact with a spirit, so he had no way of figuring out how strong I was as a saint. He was treating me the same way he would any saint on her first mission."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ll help you out, Fi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven’s voice rang out as he appeared in front of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Seven.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was my first time actually seeing my contracted spirit. He was a boy with mottled green hair who looked about the same age as me. He gave me a cute smile and waved both his hands casually, likely knowing that this was the first time I had laid eyes on him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Looking at him took me back to the days we spent together in training. Day after day he was at my side, teaching me what it meant to be a saint. Healing the wounded. Reviving the fallen. Curing the sick. Making potions for light injuries. I thought that this was everything a saint did, but Seven and the other spirits taught me otherwise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A saint…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Could remove status ailments like paralysis and charm. Cast buffs to increase speed and attack power. Wield defensive spells to ward against physical or magical attacks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was the true might of a saint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could use those spells because the spirits had taught them to me over the years. By drawing upon Seven’s strength for them, my powers could reach every corner of the battlefield."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hi there, Seven!” I called out to him in the spirit language."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This made Seven grin in delight. As he twirled high in the sky, I channeled his power into my spell. As if in response, the pact sigil on the back of my hands lit up—it was bright red, the same color as my hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I was sure that the spirit’s power had been completely absorbed into my spell, I pointed a hand straight up at the air and unleashed the magic at every knight I could see."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I uttered a single word—but it said everything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As my voice cried out, a sparkling red light burst out from my hand and fell over the knights. Every wound closed up and completely disappeared before they could even blink."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights’ eyes widened in shock, which was a natural reaction to what just happened. Their wounds had been no laughing matter; some had broken arms or legs, while others lost chunks of their bodies or had holes in their stomachs. Each and every one of them was well past the point where a simple healing spell would work. At least, it was way beyond what they thought I could achieve without a spirit pact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned to the dumbfounded knights and chanted another spell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Shatter the chains that bind and ensnare the knights’ bodies—Paralysis Cure!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At my words, an explosion of sound rang out across the scene, and the chains around the knights’ bodies fell away. With that, it dawned on the knights that their status affliction was cured, and they blinked in confusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha… Whaaaat?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights looked like they didn’t have the foggiest idea what had just happened. They patted themselves all over, swung their arms around, and stared in puzzlement at their healed bodies. Slowly but surely, they turned to me with questioning eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I didn’t have the time to answer them—I still hadn’t finished casting all the spells they needed. I held my hands over the knights to give them protection."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Bequeath impenetrable armor upon these knights’ bodies—Paralysis Defense: +30%!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights gazed at their bodies in shocked silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And finally, just to top things off, I chanted one more spell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Invigorate! Attack ×2; Speed ×2!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every knight’s jaw dropped, including Sirius’s, and they stared at me in utter confusion. Since they were all reacting in the same way, I was worried that I might have done something wrong. I had no experience fighting as a saint, so I must have made a rookie mistake if I was surprising all those veteran knights. Clenching my dress, I furrowed my brow and gloomily gazed back at them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius was the first to return to his senses. “Serafina, what did you do?!” he demanded sharply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, um, I used a saint’s supporting magic!” I insisted. I wanted them to know that, even if the outcome wasn’t what they expected, I had tried to do what I could in my role."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For some reason, everyone frowned very deeply. A profound silence filled the battlefield."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the knights around Sirius started scratching their heads in disbelief. “No, Serafina, you’re mistaken!” they roared. “This isn’t saint magic!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Paralysis Cure?! Paralysis Defense?! Invigorate?! None of those are saint spells! Those spells have never existed before! Nobody’s ever heard of them!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Princess Serafina, have you gotten saints mixed up with almighty goddesses?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At that last knight’s words, the commotion ground to a halt. “Oh, right! This is all a misunderstanding!” they agreed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then one of the knights bowed his head very low and shouted, “Princess Serafina, we are ever so grateful for your miraculous defense! I still don’t understand what’s happening, but I do know that I’m a new man! My body is patched up, and I feel so strong I can hardly recognize myself! We are definitely going to win now! O Mighty Saint of Crimson Hair, I vow to bring you victory!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The other knights spoke similarly. “We shall bring victory to the Crimson Saint!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a bold declaration so loud the leaves trembled, the knights threw themselves onto the monsters with surprising vigor. Yes, I knew I had cast a buff on them, but the difference was so big it was like they were a completely new team. After a series of slashes and stabs, the monsters fell one after another. It was all so one-sided—not a single one of the knights even suffered a scratch."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“W-wow! You’re so strong! No wonder you’re knights of the kingdom!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights cleaned up all the enemies as I watched on in wide-eyed wonder. Within practically seconds, the knights and I were the only ones left standing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thanks to the efforts of our kingdom’s brave knights, the monsters were gone in a flash. I gazed at the knights in wonderment as they approached me wordlessly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Everyone was super strong!” I said excitedly to Sirius, who was closest to me. “And they’re so nice for looking out for me since I don’t know much about being a saint! I can’t imagine how hard everyone must have worked to make sure I didn’t have to do too much. I mean, nobody got hurt at all after I joined in!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Sirius frowned. “What are you saying, Serafina?!” he shouted incredulously. “The reason everyone fought like demons is because of your spells! I’ve never heard of them before—what in blazes were they? Who in blazes are you?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius spoke much more roughly to me than he did before. I’d noticed he’d been blunt throughout the battle, but I thought that he would go back to his usual fatherly tone once things were over. The fact that he was still talking roughly made me feel like he’d accepted me as one of his team. What a nice thought!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t help but smile and giggle, which only made Sirius’s frown deepen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Behind him, the knights pressed their hands to their mouths. “Oh my goodness! Is that the fabled smile of a goddess?!” they exclaimed hoarsely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-Princess Serafina, are you more than you appear? You look like an adorable little princess, but maybe you’re actually a goddess? Who else could turn us into super soldiers?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You have my worship and adoration! I’m certain I’ll never see magic as mighty as yours again!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the knights clapped their hands together and bowed their heads before me, I looked at them and thought, Oh, I suppose this is what they do after they win a battle. I glanced around hesitantly, not sure if I was supposed to copy them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes met with Sirius’s, and I grinned at him instinctively. He bit his lip and knelt in front of me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, um…?” I squeaked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Sirius came down to my eye level, he spoke in a lower voice than usual. “Serafina, your magic is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s truly amazing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?!” I jumped, startled. I really didn’t expect Sirius to praise me out of the blue."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Being a gentleman, Sirius did not draw any attention to my awkward jump. He smoothly took my hand and said, “It must have taken an indescribable amount of effort for you to master such powerful magic while blind, and I was ignorant to all of it. Anything I say would only sound frivolous, but I want you to hear me out anyway.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, um, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius used a lot of big words that I didn’t fully understand, but I nodded anyway. If he wanted something from me, I would do it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Sirius said something I never expected. “I want you to lend me your strength. Serafina, come with me to the Royal Capital.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius said he respected my wishes when it came to where I wanted to live, so his forceful request took me by surprise. But as his words sunk in, I could feel my cheeks flush with happiness. This was Sirius’s desire. He knew fighting better than anyone, and he chose to invite me—I guess this meant that he valued my ability as a saint. That made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Being blind, everyone had always looked after me, but for the first time ever, I was being seen as a comrade."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hand squirmed in his as I tried to figure out how to respond. I had a lot of fun spending time with Sirius and the knights, but they lived in the capital, and I always knew that they would all have to leave one day. I’d been thinking of taking a visit to the castle, like Sirius suggested, but I figured that I would eventually return to the forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d already accepted that we would part ways, and yet… All of a sudden, it felt so hard to bear. Knowing that now was the time for me to make a decision, my breath was unsteady."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah…this was going to be the most important choice in my whole life. But I had to pick: Leave the spirits or say goodbye to Sirius and his knights. Which one?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The spirits had been by my side for as long as I could remember, and they taught me so many things. The thought of leaving this place had never once crossed my mind. The land had been so good to me; it had everything I wanted. If I chose to stay and live with the spirits, I’m sure I would be as happy as I’d always been."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But on the other hand…Sirius was so brave and righteous that I was sure he would find himself suffering in more battles, and would come to face greater danger than what he dealt with today. I wanted nothing more than to be at his side and heal him when the time came. We’d only been together for ten days, but I already felt so strongly about him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Caught in indecision, I gazed up at Sirius. His eyes peered straight back at me, not wavering for even a second. Then, as he clenched my hand, he slowly and deliberately spoke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, let’s go back to the capital together. I know that you’re happy here. I swear that I’ll make you just as happy as this place makes you. So…come with me.” He’d said the same thing on that first day of his visit. Oh, he was always as straight and true as an arrow. And his kindness toward me never changed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As my heart welled with emotion, he continued, “Your eyes have been healed, and you demonstrated a rare power when they did. No matter where you choose to live, people will come for you because they’re interested in that power. You used your magic to heal us today, but I’m sure some would try to take advantage of your compassion. I can’t bear the thought of you being in danger somewhere I can’t reach you, so let me protect you.” He paused and then added, “I’ll take you to the capital even if it means kidnapping you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh?” My eyes widened in surprise at that last bit. K-kidnapping is a crime, Sirius!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But he went on speaking without a hint of shame. “Please, Serafina. Whether you make the decision yourself or I make it for you, you’re going to end up in the same place… If you can’t choose, then give up and let me abduct you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Um, hmm… “Let me abduct you?” I understood what he was getting at, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I blinked in confusion, the knights behind me started cheering in excitement. “Oh gosh, is this what I think it is?! My eyes are not deceiving me?! Proposing to royalty in public… Ooh la la, I had no idea our vice-commander was so bold!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m just blown away! I always thought the vice-commander was scary, but he can be suave when he wants to! I mean, he was always good-looking, but who knew he was such a sweet talker? Gee, I can’t imagine how Her Highness can resist his swagger when he gets up close and personal!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve never seen the vice-commander ask for anything with such intensity! Princess Serafina might be tiny, but is she a secret seductress?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then every one of them lowered their heads at the same time. “Your Highness, we make the same request! Please come to the capital with us! We’ll do anything for you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t understand half of what they were saying because there was some slang (I think?) from the capital mixed in, but the knights looked so cheerful and enthusiastic that I couldn’t help but giggle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius looked at my face and immediately scooped me off my feet for some reason. “Ohhh?” I squealed as he stood up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since he was so tall, my feet were completely swept off the ground when he carried me. I loved it so much that I let out another giggle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius gazed back at me with a bright smile. “Then it’s settled, Serafina! Your place is with me. I’ll be sure to make you happy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I blinked, completely stunned—who knew the vice-commander of the knight brigade could be so forceful!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your eyes are finally open,” he went on, unbothered by my surprise. “I’m sure you’ll be taking in a lot of new sights. Serafina, I vow to show you what’s beautiful about the world. It’s what your eyes deserve to see, nothing less.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wow, Sirius was more overprotective than I thought. Glancing at the knights behind us, they all looked astonished. I guess this meant that the serious Sirius usually didn’t show this side of himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I faced the doting vice-commander…and gave him a firm no. “Sirius, I don’t want to just look at pretty things. I want to see the same things you do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s eyes widened in surprise. “You saw that battle. I’m sure you’re well aware what kind of life I lead. You say that’s what you want?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes!” I answered emphatically."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius pressed his head against my shoulder as he carried me. “You’re full of surprises. Something tells me you’ll come to my aid one day…or maybe you already did that when we met. Serafina, are you fine with me taking you to the capital? And never coming back to the forest?” Even though he made a big show of abducting me, Sirius still asked for my opinion in the end."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I nodded firmly. “Yes, Sirius. Let’s go to the capital!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so I chose Sirius, even if it meant leaving the spirits behind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I muttered a farewell in my heart, I felt something like a gentle breeze rustling inside me. How soothing—I knew I’d made the right choice. Something told me that the time had come to “graduate” from this forest. This place was for children; the reason only young spirits lived here was because they all left when they grew up. In the three years I’d gotten to know them, many had already left the forest behind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And now, it was my turn…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tears pricked my eyes—it hit me that I was going to have to say goodbye to Seven."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But at that exact moment, Seven appeared out of nowhere in front of me. He floated up to my eye level and grinned when he saw how high I was above the ground. “Congrats again, Fi! I’m glad your vision was restored! Oh, and if you’re going to the capital, then you can bet on me coming with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, wow! R-really?!” I shouted in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven nodded as if it was totally obvious. “I’m your contracted spirit, Fi. Of course I’m going with you. Besides, if I let you go off by yourself, everyone in the forest would worry themselves sick over you. I’m doing this so our friends can sleep easy too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My face broke out into a smile. Although I was still sad, some of these new tears came out of joy. “Yay! Thank you, Seven!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re welcome!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Seven and I grinned at each other, Sirius spoke up. “Serafina, is that child your spirit?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, you can see Seven?” I asked back, startled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He nodded firmly. “I can. I’ve never seen a spirit child before, but… I see… So he must be an ‘unseen blessing.’ They were spirits all this time, weren’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m guessing that your spirit used a strong force to conceal himself. He must have purposefully lifted the veil, which is why I’m able to see him now too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is that what you did, Seven?” I asked, wondering if he was capable of something so fancy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My spirit shrugged. The fact that he didn’t deny it meant that Sirius was probably right."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s generally accepted that spirits don’t speak… Serafina, can you hear your spirit’s voice?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hm? Um, yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see,” Sirius said thoughtfully. “You’re an odd case in more ways than one. I wonder if I’ll be able to protect someone as out of the ordinary as you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Anyone could tell from Sirius’s tone that he was joking, but Seven didn’t seem to like the punch line. He let Sirius know his feelings by giving him a big kick to the shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“S-Seven!” I chided him, shocked. But Seven merely turned away, not looking the least bit sorry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius tried to smooth things over. “Serafina, don’t be too harsh on your spirit. I’m in the wrong for making a joke in bad taste. He was willing to leave his birthplace to be with you, so of course he would be mad at me for making light of your safety.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I eyed Sirius, I got to thinking… I still didn’t know him very well, but I wondered if he was testing Seven in some way. Maybe he said something to make him mad on purpose so that he could see just how much my friend cared about me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I squinted at Sirius, trying to work out what he was really thinking, but he just smiled cheerfully, pretending not to notice. “All right, let’s all get ready for the return trip! I suppose everyone, including the knights, ladies-in-waiting, chefs, stable hands, and tutors in the villa will come along. There’s no use in them being here without the princess around, after all. Oh, and we’ll take anything they want to bring along. Doesn’t matter if it’s furniture or trees from the garden, it’s in for the ride!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“By ‘furniture,’ you’re not talking about beds, are you?!” one knight cried in dismay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Trees?! Please say you’re joking!” moaned another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They knew they would get stuck with carrying everything anyone requested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It truly was an eventful day. When we made it back to the villa, everyone cried tears of joy at how my eyes could now see. And at the end of it all, we started packing our bags for the capital."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0015.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Family Introductions"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Family Introductions"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“DON’T BE NERVOUS, Serafina. You’re meeting up with your parents, it’s just been a while since they last saw you. Besides, I’ll be with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gave a timid little nod and gripped Sirius’s hand tightly as we walked along. The hallway to my royal bedroom stretched on forever, and the walls were lined with knights who towered over me. Sparkly, oddly shaped stones lined my path; my shoes made a loud thumping sound against them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squeezed Sirius’s hand harder. This place was completely different from the villa. Only now did I start to regret coming here. Jeez, what was I getting into?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right up until I went into the castle, I had enjoyed taking in all the new sights without a care in the world."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, wow! Is that the castle?!” I squealed as I gazed up in wonderment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Right you are, Serafina.” Sirius smiled at me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everything looked so unusual to my country bumpkin eyes, but Sirius never got annoyed with me. He explained everything, like how the stalls sold everyday necessities, or how the guard tower in the castle was the tallest building in the capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Would you like to go there together sometime?” he would say at the end of each explanation, giving me something to look forward to in the future. The unfamiliar didn’t seem scary at all when I knew he would be there with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was all smiles as I gawked at my surroundings—until I went inside the castle, where everything was completely different."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was such a grand and splendid place, filled with nobles in equally splendid outfits. I don’t know whether there was some kind of unspoken rule inside of the castle, but everyone had blank expressions, and nobody said a word when they walked past each other. People glanced at me out of curiosity, but they always looked away without a single word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just the tall ceilings and endless space would have been enough to intimidate me, but all of the gorgeous sights made me feel incredibly out of place. As I shuffled along nervously, my feet got caught on something and I tripped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank goodness Sirius was holding my hand. He kept me steady, so I didn’t end up falling over and making a huge scene. But before I could completely regain my balance, Sirius’s other hand went around my waist. In the blink of an eye, he was practically hugging me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh?” As I squeaked in surprise, he lifted me up and carried me down the hallway. “S-Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The blank-faced knights standing in the hallway widened their eyes in surprise when Sirius picked me up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“L-let me down, you hear!” I pleaded with him, not wanting to cause a fuss. “A fine knight like you isn’t meant to carry a little kid like me!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He responded by bringing his mouth to my ear. “Serafina, this is just between us, but I like carrying small children,” he whispered, as if he was sharing a big secret. “But I can’t exactly say that without risking my position, so I’ve never once picked up a child. Let me have this, just for today.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When he put it like that, I couldn’t turn him down. I ended up being carried most of the way down the hallway like a little doll. It was such a strange experience that my fear of the castle disappeared."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tee hee, you’re such a great bodyguard, Sirius!” I giggled, clinging to his neck. Maybe the nervousness was making me act all funny."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius smiled. “I appreciate the compliment, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He took me to my royal bedroom, where the king and queen were waiting. When Sirius walked in with me in his arms, the two of them stood up, blinking in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t know my parents because I’d been separated from them since birth, but they clearly knew me. They ran up to me, their faces pale."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“S-Serafina! Are you hurt?!” said King Procyon, a kind-looking man with blond hair and blue eyes who looked about forty years old."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My goodness, do you need Sir Sirius to carry you?! I hope you are not terribly unwell!” Queen Spica seemed tense. She had auburn hair, green eyes, and also looked around forty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My parents stopped in front of Sirius and peered at my face. Their eyes widened in amazement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“S-Serafina, your eyes…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“My word, they’re wide open! Are you perhaps…able to…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The royal couple trailed off into silence, apparently lost for words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius spoke up. “Serafina is as healthy as can be and not injured in the slightest. And yes, she can see.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina!” The king and queen shouted my name, overcome with emotion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When they plucked me from Sirius’s arms, I felt wet tears plop on my face. I didn’t know who they belonged to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Father…? Mother…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I called out to my parents, they lifted their tear-stricken faces."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Serafina! I’m your father! I’m amazed you know who I am when we haven’t met since you were born. You must be a genius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, my dear, adorable Serafina. You’ve gotten so big in just six years.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart gushed with warmth at their abundant love. It made me so happy to know that Mother and Father really cared about me. I smiled at them, and they sat me down on the sofa. Well, I was on their laps, not the sofa; they each used one knee to prop me up."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0016.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Family Introductions"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I was in my new, comfy seat, Mother and Father smiled and stroked my head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Jeez, if you were this sweet on her, you should have called her back to the castle sooner,” Sirius muttered exasperatedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The king looked up. “Yes, yes, but Serafina was blind this whole time!” he retorted. “I never thought a blind girl would be able to put up with life in the castle—you know what it’s like! Anyway, when did she learn how to see?! I never heard a word about this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The king stared at Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ah, but of course! Only a prince’s kiss could lift the curse on a fair and beautiful princess! S-S-Sirius! I know that Serafina is simply adorable, but how could you make a move on such a young girl?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whatever the king was imagining, it was making his face turn bright red. Sirius threw him a look of deep annoyance and then said something that only added fuel to the fire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know me better than anyone, Your Majesty. If you say I have a fondness for little girls like Serafina, even if I never knew it till now, then it must be true. I’ll take responsibility, so please give her to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A-absolutely not…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the king shook his head frantically, the queen pulled on his sleeve. “Darling, Serafina’s eyes are golden.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s beside the point, dea…wait, really?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two of them then squinted at my eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They are golden… ’Tis the Spirit Lord’s blessing!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I cocked my head, not really getting why the king and queen were so amazed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, the Spirit Lord is the royal family’s ancestor, and he had golden eyes,” Sirius explained. “Though every single descendant receives the special divine protection thanks to the Spirit Lord’s blessing, very few of them have the same eyes as him.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Sirius,” the king said timidly, his face apologetic. Though he was still hugging me, his attitude had completely shifted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius cast him a sharp glance. “What is it? I thought you had no business with a man of my proclivities.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, um, sorry about that. I completely forgot that you dislike all women, which includes little girls.” The king probably meant that as an apology, though it was probably not a smart thing to say, seeing how Sirius silently glared at him. The king didn’t seem to notice the hostility."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The truth is there in Serafina’s golden eyes,” he said sheepishly. “No wonder she didn’t open her eyes before. The Spirit Lord must have sealed them while she was young so that she would not see too much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was basically saying, “Sorry for jumping to conclusions.” Instead of answering, however, Sirius picked me up from my parents’ knees and put me on his own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?” I gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius?!” the king exclaimed at the same time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius wrapped his arm around my stomach, ignoring us both. “So apparently, despite never knowing it myself, I dislike young girls and grown women. Oh, but for some reason, Serafina’s the sole exception.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Only when Sirius said this did the king seem to notice that he was mad. “Oh, Sirius, I was just talking hypothetically! Not being a womanizer is a good thing—means you’re a man’s man. Why, if I had your face, I’d be playing around with the ladies every day, but you’re married to your sword. Now that’s what I call impressive, even if it does mean your life is a sausage fest. Ha ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was the point where I realized something: Oh, my father is the type who puts his foot in his mouth whenever he talks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Who knew that just talking would stir up so much trouble? As soon as Father mentioned “playing around with the ladies,” Mother’s face turned scary—and Father didn’t seem to notice a thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "P-please don’t die, I mentally prayed for Father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius sighed, “You can stop there. I understand what you mean.” After many years of knowing him, he seemed to have resigned himself to the king’s personality. “Anyway, I agree with you that the Spirit Lord’s blessing was likely responsible for keeping Serafina’s eyes shut. She opened her eyes to save me when I was in danger.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She saved you?” The king cocked his head in sheer bafflement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius nodded. “When we encountered monsters in the Forest of Lent, Serafina saved me and the other knights. She is a fine saint.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Say what?!” The royal couple gaped at the young princess on Sirius’s lap."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I thought there weren’t any monsters because of the forest’s protection!” the king shouted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re telling me our little Serafina got mixed up in a battle?!” The queen paled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius explained what he saw at the villa to the panicking couple. It was nice how he made it sound like I did a better job than I actually did, but…his voice was like a lullaby to me. Before long, I was fast asleep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, I ate with my entire family, including Sirius. He stayed with me the whole time I slept and woke me up when it was time for dinner. He took one look at me and said, “You’re good to go,” before taking me to the dining hall…but I was gobsmacked when I saw myself in the mirror there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My dress was all wrinkly and my hair was a total mess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Noooo!” I shouted in dismay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Three boys who looked like they could be my brothers were already seated at the table. “Ha ha, you look like a wreck!” one of them called out to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, I haven’t seen such a bad case of bedhead in ages!” said another."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m guessing this is what’s hip and happening out in the countryside. You’re bound to be behind the times when you live outside the capital for so long.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius must have noticed how the teasing was making me glum because he shot a glare at the owners of the voices. “You seem to have more than enough energy if you’re running your mouths so much. Care to work it off? I expect the three of you at the training grounds tomorrow at 5 a.m. sharp!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As my brothers groaned, Mother and Father walked into the dining hall. Now that everyone was here, I stopped messing with my hair and stood in the middle of the room. Then I lifted the sides of my skirt and bowed at the gathering."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Pleased to meet you all. I’m Serafina, and I’m six years old.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a brief moment of silence, Father applauded. “Serafina is such an incredible girl!” he shouted excitedly, a big smile on his face. “Only six, and she can already do a proper curtsy! And her hair is so curly now—she looks like an angel! It was worth having five kids!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re right, Serafina is already quite the lady,” said Mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My parents were soft on my manners because they knew I was blind until very recently, but it still made me happy to hear them praise me. “Tee hee hee.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I sat down in my seat, my brothers introduced themselves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m Vega. First prince. Nineteen years old.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Capella. Second prince. Seventeen.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Rigel. Third prince. Sixteen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Their introductions were very simple, which made me breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness it wasn’t too much to remember. Vega was blond, Capella had brown hair, and Rigel was a redhead—got it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My big sister spoke up next. “I’m Shaula, the first princess, and I’m twelve years old. Your face is ever so adorable, Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Really?!” I gasped, not expecting to hear that at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shaula tilted her head slightly in confusion. “Oh, was that so surprising?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I-I mean…I’m not very cute.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way!” Shaula exclaimed. As I lifted the corners of my eyes, she spoke in a scary voice, “Serafina, what makes you think that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, um, well…” I glanced up at Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Father spoke in an even scarier voice. “Did you say something, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Realizing that Father thought that Sirius had been mean to me, I waved my hands frantically. “N-no, he didn’t do anything wrong!” But I soon realized I couldn’t say more, because if I said what I really thought it would sound like I was insulting Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I sat there listlessly, Sirius peered at my face from where he was sitting next to me. “Serafina, you should speak honestly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But if I do…it’ll make you sad, Sirius.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then just say something nice afterward to make up for it. I’m sadder that you’re keeping secrets,” he declared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I steeled myself and said, “I-I mean…you’re ugly, Sirius! And if I compare myself to you, then I’m super ugly!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, nobody even reacted to what I said. Then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone’s jaws fell to the floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re saying…I’m ugly.” Sirius covered half his face with a hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing him look so shaken, I felt really bad. I should have kept my mouth shut."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before I could take back what I said, Father came to his wits first and burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha! So you’re ugly, Sirius! Oh, my sides! I have to say, I’ve always been jealous of how good you have it! I told myself it was petty to feel that way about my own nephew, but now look! Ha ha ha, glad to get that out of my system!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mother whipped her head up and glared at Father. “You’re past forty, and you’re acting like this? If Sirius is ugly, what does that make you, darling?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Everyone was reacting as if they didn’t agree with what I said at all, which really confused me. When I glanced timidly at Sirius, he looked back at me with a straight face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, be honest,” he said. “Do you dislike my face?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? No, I love it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if his features weren’t the best from what I’d heard, he was still the coolest to me. He had beautiful gray hair and silver eyes—what wasn’t there to love?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And yet you think I am ugly?” Sirius pressed me, his expression dead serious."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shook my head quickly. “Oh, no…I’ve got different standards from other people, so I think you look cool. But Seven said…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven had said that Sirius was “suuuuuper ugly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was about to say as much aloud, but then I realized I would be tattling on my friend, so I quickly shut my mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I gazed up at Sirius, biting my lip in worry, he nodded in understanding. “Oh…now I get it. Your little punk spi—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But before Sirius could finish, Father’s voice boomed: “Serafina, I can’t judge a fellow man’s attractiveness, but there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the cutest in the world!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really?!” I exclaimed in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mother concurred. “Your father is right. Serafina, my dear, you are the cutest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Really? Really? Really?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Um, were they saying that just to be nice? That would make sense, right?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As my eyes were glazing over, Mother went on to share something even more shocking. “Besides, you should know that half the women in this country think that Sirius’s looks are second to none. He didn’t get voted ‘Most Handsome Member of the Horned Beast Knights’ for three years straight for nothing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh gosh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait, really? But didn’t Seven say…? Ah!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now it all made sense. That cheeky little—! I should have known he’d tell me the exact opposite of the truth!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, um, Sirius is good-looking?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I blinked up a storm in confusion, Father reacted with a lightning-fast objection. “Serafina, your mother is exaggerating. Only around two percent of ladies think Sirius is handsome. The knights aren’t known for their good looks, you know. The bards are bound to inflate the reputation of anyone who happens to be the best of a bad crop.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a petty man you can be!” Mother fumed. “Our girl has only recently been able to see. Don’t you dare feed misinformation to a child who’s still learning about what’s considered good-looking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Father looked bummed out at what Mother said. He sat in thought for a short while, before finally he reluctantly spoke up, “Okay, Serafina, I’ll tell you the truth. The handsomest man in the kingdom is your Father, and Sirius is second. And since you’re the spitting image of your good-looking papa, you’re the cutest in the world.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t tell what was true anymore. “Is he right, Sirius?” I asked, looking up at him uncertainly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius patted my head with his big hand. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I can’t say for certain. But based on my personal standards, you’re the cutest person I’ve ever met.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wha—? Whaaaa—?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn’t know how to react to being told straight to my face that I was the cutest. I looked away because my face felt hot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, everyone else looked stunned. “Did Sir Sirius just tell someone they’re cute?” Mother’s eyes were wide as dinner plates."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a matter of fact, so were my big sister’s. “Holy cow, Serafina! I can’t believe you managed to win over the impregnable Master Sirius in just a matter of days.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Father hurriedly changed the subject. “Okay, let’s not wait for the food to get cold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so, the dinner finally started."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sort of."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I looked at the cutlery on the table, tears welled in my eyes. There were so many knives, forks, and spoons placed to the left, right, and on top of the plates. What was I meant to do about all of this? Was I supposed to hold two pieces of cutlery in my right hand and three in my left?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because of my former blindness, I was used to having all my food prepared in bite-sized chunks, and so I only ever needed to use one fork or spoon. And the meals I ate on the journey to the castle were also simple, so I’d never seen so much cutlery before. I had no clue about the correct table manners here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I racked my brains as hard as I could but only drew a complete blank. As I sat there, defeated, with my hands on my knees, my neighbor reached an arm out to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then, before I could even blink, I was sitting on Sirius’s lap."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, what are you doing?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Father instantly shouted in protest, but when Sirius gave him some kind of signal, his expression softened. “Oh! I-I see,” he frowned sheepishly. “Um, Serafina, since you’re still so little and all, could you let Sirius help you eat?” Father had probably realized that I didn’t know my table manners, so he wanted Sirius to help me out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius promptly picked out a single knife and fork from the pile of cutlery. He cut the appetizer up into bite-sized pieces and then tried to put one in my mouth… Unfortunately, he didn’t take the fact that I was a small girl into account, so I was only able to chomp on half of it even when I opened my mouth wide. Still, I did my best to manage. I closed my mouth and started chewing as best I could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sorry, Serafina.” An apologetic voice fell on my ears. “I didn’t think you’d have such a tiny mouth.” Then Sirius glared sharply at all my family members, who were gazing at us in fascination. “Hey, this isn’t a show! Focus on your own food.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My family hurriedly looked away, only for them to resume glancing at Sirius soon after. I’m guessing this was what they called “morbid curiosity.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I found myself wondering if I’d failed at the dinner party by not being able to eat by myself. It was a depressing thought, but I still tried to shove down all the food slipping out of my mouth, even if it meant using my hands. I chewed through it as quickly as I could, but just when I thought I’d cleared my mouth, Sirius brought another mouthful to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I finished swallowing and then glared huffily up at Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s the matter, Serafina?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My jaw’s gonna hurt if you make me rush. And you haven’t had anything yet. Feed yourself something, okay, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Uh, right…” he responded, sounding confused. The next time he put a fork to my mouth, the portion was just the right size for me. After just a few mouthfuls of this, he tilted his head as if he was completely mystified. “These tiny portions hurt your jaw? You’re as dainty as a spirit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, Sirius, it’s because Serafina is a child,” Father argued immediately. “And besides, even if she weren’t a child, you shouldn’t compare others to yourself. Everyone looks dainty as a spirit next to you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After the awkward start, the family dinner got more relaxed as time went on. My family went from observing me and Sirius silently to peppering the dinner with some talk."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From what people were saying, I worked out that, as my three brothers were considered full-grown adults, they belonged to the knight brigades, and they all helped out with government stuff. This was what members of the royal family were expected to do, apparently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Shaula had a beautiful mane of crimson hair, which made her a good fit as a saint. She was training hard for that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I wanna be a strong saint just like you, Shaula!” I mustered my courage to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius wrapped his hand around my tummy. “Serafina, you don’t need to ask your sister’s permission. If you want to be a saint, I can arrange for you to undergo training.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shaula’s eyes widened in total shock. “Who are you and what have you done with Master Sirius? You’ve never shown interest in anyone outside the knights. Why are you so devoted to Serafina?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I can be nice to kids too,” Sirius mumbled in reply, only for my entire family to shake their heads wordlessly at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Remember when I was born?” Shaula said exasperatedly. “You barely noticed me as a kid.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’s right,” Father agreed. “You’ve only ever paid attention to the knights. What happened to you, Sirius? Did all that overtime mess up your ability to tell knights apart from other people?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius raised an eyebrow as if to say that comment was uncalled for. “I’m always in my right mind. And anyway, weren’t you the one who said I should go around singing Serafina’s praises?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?! That was supposed to be until you got to the castle. And I’ve given you many, many requests before, and you’ve never taken any of them so seriously. What gives?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve always taken things seriously. You know I would never abandon any of my duties.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As Sirius stubbornly insisted that he was merely carrying out the king’s orders, Father turned to Mother, looking very disgruntled. “Would you look at this? He’s twisting my words so that he has an excuse to look after Serafina! What a sly man.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Mother just beamed at him. “Isn’t this a good thing? I don’t know anyone more upright than Sirius. I expect that Serafina will grow up into a proper lady under his care.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, my queen! You’re not seeing the issue! If Serafina spends all her time with Sirius, she’ll have unrealistic standards for men! Why, I suppose she’ll even snub her nose at me one of these days!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mother said nothing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oof! Don’t give me the silent treatment! Tell me it won’t happen, even if it’s a lie!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I giggled at the lively dinner table conversation. Who knew that eating with your family could be so fun? I never had a clue about any of this when I was living at the villa."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the sound of my laughter, Mother and Father stopped their arguing. “Are you having fun, Serafina?” they asked me expectantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I looked up at my parents with a smile. “Yup! I’m so happy I got to eat a meal with my family!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, my parents looked as if they couldn’t muster any words. Then their faces erupted in smiles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re so happy too!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, let’s make family dinners a priority from now on!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As my parents nodded smilingly, Sirius’s voice rang out above my head. “Good. You’re finally back in the right place. Welcome home, Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I looked directly upward and was greeted with the sight of Sirius’s smiling face. It blew away any worries I might have had about not being able to live in the castle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Sirius!” My heart bubbled with nothing but excitement. “Let’s be together forever!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I said that without thinking too deeply about it, but it made Sirius’s eyes widen for a moment. And then…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. Together forever,” he replied in a deep voice that tickled my chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mother, Father, and Shaula started yelling about something after that."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0018.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The “Ugly” Discussion Between Serafina (the Airhead) and Seven (the Schemer)"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The “Ugly” Discussion Between Serafina (the Airhead) and Seven (the Schemer)"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT took place before Serafina became aware that Sirius was not, in fact, ugly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That day, Seven and I were taking a break on the road to the capital. We passed the time sitting on a large tree branch chatting away, taking turns swinging our legs while the knights rested their horses nearby."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It actually took us days to get to the capital because it was so far from the villa, but we didn’t have any trouble finding places to stay overnight. This was because there were a whole bunch of nobles along the way who were happy to let us sleep in their mansions. Sirius normally used local inns or camped in the wild like he did on his way to the villa. He only took up the offers to stay with the nobles on the return trip so that I could be comfy. Wasn’t Sirius so incredibly thoughtful?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Seven was just as good to me as Sirius was, so I didn’t want to hurt his feelings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, Seven,” I said casually, as we were sitting on the big tree branch. “You know, I don’t care about people’s looks.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I mentioned this as an aside in the middle of other topics, but Seven didn’t read between the lines. “Uh, what are you trying to say?” he asked bluntly. “It’s so rare for you to be indirect. Can you just spell it out for me, please?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Darn it, and I spent so long thinking about a good way to put it…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, I know you’re not…good-looking…by people’s standards. But I—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh, hold on a sec!” Seven interrupted me, blinking in surprise. “Why do you say that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You know, um, well…” I stammered. “Didn’t you say that Sirius was super ugly?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven paused. “Oh, yeah.” It sounded like he was talking to himself. “I did say that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You and Sirius have kinda similar faces in my opinion. If Sirius is ugly, then I guess you would be too?” I said nervously, not wanting to hurt Seven’s feelings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He seemed to understand what I was getting at, because he said, “Ah, okay.” Then he muttered something else that I couldn’t quite hear. Something about “that backfired” and “digging myself into a hole.” He seemed oddly restless, which made me feel guilty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t worry, Seven!” I shouted hurriedly. “Looks don’t matter for spirits!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, they do!” he retorted instantly. “We’re the same as demons! Our faces are as perfect and symmetrical as the top rung of humans. You can tell how strong we are from our beauty.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh my…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had no idea. How was I supposed to cheer up Seven now? What a depressing thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I was racking my brains, Seven muttered something else under his breath. “Crud! She thinks I’m ugly and weak!” He spoke so fast that I didn’t quite catch it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I looked up, he was smiling in a way that was very obviously forced. “Of course, the general idea is that an adult spirit is stronger than a child one. But I’ve got enough talent to stand toe to toe with the adults. You can count on my strength for sure, yup!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Anyone could see that Seven was powerful. “It’s okay, Seven,” I said soothingly. “I’m a kid too. We’ve both got a lot of growing to do.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven stood up on the branch, looking awfully flustered. “That’s not what I’m talking about! You’re just feeling sorry for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, no, don’t worry about it, Seven. You can vent your heart out. I’m all ears,” I said, trying to show I cared, but this only made Seven ruffle his hair wildly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, fine! I’ll tell you the truth! Sirius isn’t ugly, he’s actually a handsome stud!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, Seven, you’re so kind and considerate!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When Seven first met Sirius, he glossed over the fact that the man had a hideous face because that was “what spirits did to be nice.” And now he was covering for Sirius by claiming that he was a “handsome stud.” A spirit’s kindness knew no bounds!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m so proud to have a pact with such a compassionate spirit.” I was so happy, a smile broke out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven did a nimble somersault on the branch. “Argh, it’s hard to get you on the right track once you’ve gotten the wrong idea in your head! Now you think I’m praising Sirius just to be nice… All right, fine! Have it your way! Sirius and I are just as ugly as each other!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He spoke with a sort of wild desperation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You sure are. But I don’t mind one bit, nuh-uh,” I answered gently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed. After Seven validated Serafina’s assumption, they were back at square one. Serafina came to the logical conclusion that Seven was both ugly and weak. When Seven realized that, he frantically tried to correct her…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Fi, I take back what I said! I’m really strong and cute, I swear!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Of course you are, Seven. I accept everything about you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Serafina’s response made it all too clear that she didn’t believe a word out of Seven’s mouth…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The rest, as they say, is history."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In a showdown between an airhead (Serafina) and a schemer (Seven), the airhead emerged the victor."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0019.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Developing the Garden"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Developing the Garden"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I WOKE UP ONE DAY bubbling with excitement. From my bed, I could see the beautiful morning rays peeking in through the window. I just knew that today was going to be a great day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee, a perfect day for gardening!” I said to myself as I sprang out of bed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My personal chambers in the Royal Castle took up three rooms. One of the rooms even had a garden attached—what a lucky girl I was!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I decided to arrange the garden to make it a comfy place for Seven. The flowerbed already had some pretty seasonal flowers, but they weren’t quite his style, so I moved all the flowers to a different garden and started planting a bunch of trees instead. Seven had abandoned the forest he’d always known just to stick with me, so I was determined to give him a garden that reminded him of home."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Today was the day to put my plan into action. I eagerly put on some outdoorsy clothes and boots before heading to my personal garden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The gardeners were already there, starting their work, even though it was so early in the morning. I hurried over to them and apologized for my lateness. Their job was to help fix up the garden, but they looked confused at how I’d pulled up all the cute flowers a little girl would like in favor of average-looking three-meter-tall trees, all neatly packaged and arranged. When they found out that the trees were taken from the Forest of Lent, though, they helped with the planting, even if they did look uncertain about the whole thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I tried planting some smaller saplings, the gardeners stopped me. “Your Highness, do you really want to have more trees?” they asked worriedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The trees you’ve already planted block most of the sunlight from getting into your room. If you plant saplings here, they will spring up very quickly and make your room dark even in the daytime.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’re no expert in these things, but with the trees covering so much of the princess’s room, it’s hard to see it from the outside. Wouldn’t there be the risk of a thief sneaking in? They could hide out pretty easily.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hmm, maybe.” The amount of sunlight in my room only affected me, so that wasn’t a big concern. As for the security problems… Well, better to ask for forgiveness than permission! “I’ve got it! I’ll plant them before anyone can stop me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? But that’s…that’s just asking for trouble, isn’t it?!” the gardeners wailed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After I got them to calm down, we planted as many saplings as we could. I patted the dirt around them, praying they would grow up nice and strong."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I was done, I stood up, looked around at my surroundings, and scraped the dirt off my hands, satisfied with my handiwork. My face, hands, feet, and clothes were all dirty, but it felt really nice knowing that I’d done a good day’s work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hee hee hee,” a giggle slipped out of me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A moment later, Seven’s annoyed voice fell on my ears. “Fi, care to explain what happened to your garden? I take my eyes off of you for just a few hours, and now all the flowers are gone! Why? They were in bloom, weren’t they? This place is practically a gloomy forest now!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My cheeky spirit friend was finally back after spending the morning goofing around somewhere."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh heh heh, you’ve got a good eye! Yup, it’s a gloomy forest—a perfect double of the Forest of Lent!” I answered proudly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven’s eyes widened. “What? You were trying to make the Forest of Lent?! Er, uh, yeah, I kinda see it now that you mention it. The trees are the same ones from the forest.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I also heard Seven mutter something about how “I can’t blame Fi for this when she was blind this whole time,” but I didn’t pay too much attention to that. I spread my arms and peered at him expectantly. “Yes they are! Aaaall the trees are from the forest—from the ones even bigger than Sirius to the saplings that are tinier than me. See the biggest tree over there? You were always napping under that one.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven gazed around the garden in wonderment, but when he turned to me, he looked confused. “Fi, you had such a pretty garden. Why’d you turn it into the Forest of Lent?” he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I grinned back at him. “So that you could settle in easier, of course! You left the forest for my sake, so I wanted to give it back to you in some way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven looked like he was about to cry, which was rare for him, so I gave him a big hug. “I loooove you, Seven! I was super happy when you came with me. So I wanted to make you happy too.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven sniffled and wiped his eyes. When he spoke, his voice sounded more cheerful than normal. “If you want to make me happy, you gotta spoil me eeeeven more! It’s nice knowing that you care.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what you’re saying is that you love me, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So what? You love me too, Fi,” Seven half mumbled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You bet I do! You’re my bestest friend,” I said, letting go of Seven’s body so that I could peer at his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His eyes and nose were red. “I got something in my eyes and rubbed my nose too much, that’s all,” he muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I pretended not to notice, as a proper lady should, and smiled at him. “The other spirits brought a bunch of your favorite trees. Let’s take a look around to see how they’re growing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I took Seven’s hand and turned my eyes to the garden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was only then that I noticed that the gardeners were staring at me. “What’s the matter?” I asked, tilting my head slightly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who were you, um, speaking to just now, Your Highness?” they asked back, looking awfully nervous. “We didn’t see anyone with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Surprised at the gardeners’ words, I turned to Seven. He was back to sporting his usual cheeky grin. “You know how no saint ever has formed a pact with a spirit child? And how saints only meet their spirits for the first time after they summon them? I’m basically the only spirit child with a pact, not to mention that we’ve been together since forever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You might draw the wrong kind of attention if people knew about me, which is why I cast a veil so that only you can see me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? You can do that?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Course I can. Remember how the adult spirits can put a veil over everyone in the entire forest? But yeah, it’s a tricky spell to pull off by yourself, and it eats up a lot of magic. I reckon I’m the only spirit outside the forest who can do it. Besides, spirits aren’t usually joined at their pact owner’s hip, so they don’t really need a veil to begin with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven went on to explain that most spirits found it boring to stick with humans since none of them other than me could understand the spirit language."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, so that’s the reason why the spirits only appear when the saints call for them?” My eyes widened in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven twirled in the sky. “That’s reason enough, wouldn’t you say? Spirits can’t stand boredom.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Speak for yourself, I thought. But anyway…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned back to the confused-looking gardeners and pasted a smile on my face. Apparently, it was a bad thing for people to know about Seven, so I had to think of a way to talk myself out of this."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, um…sorry for startling you. You see, uh…I’m always talking to the, um, toys in my room. I have this habit of talking to them even when they’re not around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A look of understanding came over the gardeners’ faces."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, right. Your Highness is only six.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha, that’s so adorable!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, phew. They swallowed that one."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the tension drained out of me, I looked at Seven. He seemed satisfied, like a cat who had just gotten his fill of milk. “Fi, are you trying to say I’m as adorable as a soft plushie? You bet I am! I’m cute and strong enough to veil myself.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My spirit was a bit full of himself…but that was what I liked about him. “Yup! You’re the cutest and strongest spirit in the world!” Giggling, I hugged him again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Later, after the gardeners left, Seven and I took a slow stroll around the garden. He seemed to like it, saying it was “fun-looking.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Feeling satisfied, I sat under a tree and began to nod off…only for someone who looked like the head gardener to come by and start yelling something. “I-I-I can’t believe it! How could this venerable castle garden have such plain, ordinary trees?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, he was wrong. Sure, this species of tree was very common, but these were special. They were grown in the Forest of Lent, where they were protected by the spirits."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew I had to explain this, but the drowsiness put a clamp on my mouth. Without understanding my feelings, the head gardener, pattered away into the distance in a panic."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before long he was back, this time with Sirius in tow. My ears picked up the sound of Sirius’s amused voice. “Oh, I get what she did with that tree. Ha ha ha! And she even planted saplings. So she’s planning to turn this entire strip into a replica forest?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“S-Sir Sirius! This is no time for merriment. How can you stand by and let her turn this elegant garden into a forest?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This garden is Serafina’s,” Sirius said crisply. “It’s for her to live comfortably, not for demonstrating elegance. But the poor visibility does create a security threat. I’ll reassign the knights’ positions and take care of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The head gardener seemed to have nothing to say to that. “Very well, Sir Sirius,” he said as his footsteps faded off into the background."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius didn’t seem to notice me dozing under the tree, so he was surprised when he found me as he was surveying my forest. “Serafina, why are you sleeping here all covered in dirt?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His tense voice snapped me awake briefly, but my drowsiness soon took hold again. “Well, you know…I get sleepy around trees.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius couldn’t possibly have understood my half-asleep mumbling…which was why he interpreted my words literally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, a meter-tall potted plant was delivered to my bedroom along with a card that said: “Hope this helps you sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The sender was Sirius…of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stared at the gift, dazed and lost for words, Seven hopped around me. I guess it doesn’t need to be said that he was clutching his sides in laughter."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0020.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My Personal Knight"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My Personal Knight"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "AFTER A MONTH of living in the royal castle, I settled into a daily routine: Wake up early—technically, Seven would wake me up to practice healing magic with him—followed by breakfast and lessons with my tutors; a nap after lunch, followed by more healing practice with Seven; then dinner, where I would chat with Sirius; and finally going to sleep while reading a book about magic. That was basically how my days went."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The big changes in my life after coming to the castle were my tutors, being able to talk with Sirius, and the fact that I could read books now. Sometimes, Mother, Father, Shaula, and Sirius took me outside of the castle, but I felt overwhelmed by the complicated things they would explain to me, so we never did anything big."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One day, while we were at breakfast, Father called out my name excitedly. “Serafina, today’s the day you pick your personal knight! Look forward to it—Father’s prepared a special list of candidates just for you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mother and Shaula immediately shot him a glare. “Master Sirius was the one who picked out the elites,” said Shaula."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s pathetic of you to take credit for what your nephew did,” said Mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Father stood his ground. “What are you talking about? I gave the final approval on Sirius’s list, which makes it my decision, doesn’t it? And besides, by sheer, pure coincidence, his top one hundred picks were exactly the same as mine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, really now?” The other two didn’t look convinced in the slightest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Father pouted at their reaction, but he soon turned his attention back to me. “Serafina, you’re free to pick whichever one’s your favorite.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay,” I chirped happily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mother and Shaula looked like they had a bone to pick with Father, but they quietened down after my response. “Well, I’m sure if Sirius vouched for all of them, then she’s fine to have her pick,” they muttered under their breaths. “I suppose any one of them is capable.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Members of the royalty had their own personal knight protector, and I was no exception. I would be picking my bodyguard off of a short list of one hundred candidates."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Sirius took my hand and led me to my personal chambers, I looked up at him excitedly. “I’m getting a personal knight, Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That you are. They’ll be there to serve you for life. You should make your choice carefully and pick the best person for you. No matter who you decide on, I’ll make sure to assemble the finest royal guard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s a royal guard?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s a group of knights specifically sworn to protect you. Most of the members have been chosen already, but I’ll make the final call after I’ve seen your personal knight. I might have to adjust the team depending on who you choose, since they all need to work well together.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s explanation was too complicated for me to understand, so I just giggled. Next thing I knew, he reached out to me and lifted me up. Surprised at how I was suddenly off the ground, I looked at him blankly. “Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Didn’t the king and queen tell you to watch out for kidnappers because you’re too cute?” He grinned mischievously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now that was funny. “Tee hee. I’ll be fine with you around, Sirius,” I said, clinging to his neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I see.” He sighed deeply. “You want me to take on some of your personal knight’s work. Kidnappers would surely be no threat to you then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He chuckled as he walked down the corridor, which earned him some bewildered stares from the knights standing on guard duty. Their reaction worried me. “That’s not the first time people have stared like that. Maybe a fine knight like Sirius isn’t supposed to spend time with a little kid like me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I bit my lip, which prompted Sirius to say, “Are you nervous? Don’t worry. I’m right here.” That made me feel better, at least."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I entered the hall where I would be making my selection, there was an impressive crowd of knights standing up straight and tall, each body spaced the same distance apart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whoa, they’re so cool, was my first thought. Meanwhile, Sirius brought me to a platform, where I could stand and look over the room as a whole. A few high officials were waiting for me there. “Princess Serafina, please state the name of your personal knight,” they told me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was easier said than done. Since I wasn’t able to see the knights up close, it was hard to tell who fit best. So I hopped off the pedestal and made my way over to them. The officials let out a cry of surprise behind me, and I could also hear Sirius chuckling. But the main thought in my mind was that I simply had to say a proper hello to the knights. I grabbed the sides of my dress and did a curtsy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It is nice to meet you all. I am Serafina, the second princess. Today, I shall choose one of you to be my personal knight.” I was just so happy that a giggle naturally came flowing out of me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My plan was to take my time walking around and looking at all the knights, but my feet came to a sudden halt before I was even halfway done."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was shocked, you see, because of this one tall and very brawny man with dark-brown skin and navy-blue hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You’re strong… What’s your name?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Canopus Blazej, Your Highness,” he replied, sounding very stoic and serious."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I grinned, pleased with his answer. “Canopus, will you be my personal knight?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone else in the room stiffened in shock, and then the high-ranking officials came hurrying over. “Y-Your Highness, please—this isn’t your personal knight. You have a name already, remember? Go on! Say it, won’t you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh right, the officials did give me a sheet with a name on it. But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Father said I can choose who I want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“P-p-perhaps, yes. The name we’ve given you is of course a mere suggestion,” said one official, “but every member of royalty before you has heeded our wisdom in this matter. I implore you to do so as well.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Y-yes! And behold the hair, the skin—this man is one of those islanders, is he not?” appealed another. “He lacks the appropriate background to be your knight, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The officials were very eager to dissuade me, but their words only brought a grin to my face. By “islander,” they were talking about a minority group from the south who had webbed hands that I bet made them really good at swimming. Canopus was sounding more wonderful by the second."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for the advice, but I choose Canopus. What say you, Canopus? Will you be my personal knight?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus glanced at the officials, but he quickly lowered his eyes and got on one knee in front of me—a knight’s salute."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I, Canopus Blazej, pledge to serve Your Highness Second Princess Serafina Náv with all my being. Glory and blessings be to Your Highness,” he said, his gaze never leaving the floor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then he pressed his lips against the sleeve of my dress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I looked back over my shoulder at Sirius, filled with glee. He took that as his cue to unsheathe his sword with an elegant sweep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To guard the royal family, you must be willing to give up your life at any moment,” he intoned as he drew near. “I do hope you won’t place your life before that of Her Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then he handed his sword to Canopus."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Receive this blade and be officially dubbed the personal knight of Her Highness, the Second Princess Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that was how I chose a super awesome person as my personal knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus started guarding me the very next day. I already knew he was a great knight from how he swore to be by my side forever, but I was still amazed at how seriously he took his job."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was so knightly, in fact, that when I tripped in the hallway, he looked so apologetic about it, as if he personally stuck his leg out in front of me. All that had happened though was that I had tripped over my own two feet since I was just sleepy and focused on getting my breakfast. He didn’t listen to me when I told him that it wasn’t his fault that I stayed up too late and couldn’t walk straight—to him, anything bad that happened to me was his responsibility."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This all came to a head one day when three other knights ganged up on Canopus. He was a tall man, but the other knights were just as big. They were in the rear of the castle, in a spot where people rarely ever went."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My first thought was that they were about to have a private chat about something, so I tried to get out of the way quickly. It was no good sticking your nose into other people’s business, after all. But when the voices got louder as if they were having an argument, my feet stopped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Damn islander! Who do you think you are?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Why don’t you hurry up and quit already? You know that’s what’s best for Her Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knights were speaking aggressively, yet Canopus wasn’t saying a word in response. I didn’t think twice about stepping in. “Um…did Canopus do something wrong?” I asked, worried."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The three scowling knights swung around, but they hurriedly dropped to their knees when they saw me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Apologies for the unseemly sight!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The three men shuffled away from Canopus, who’d been pinned against the wall. Canopus straightened himself up and adjusted his disheveled uniform."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was curious to know what they were fighting about, but nobody said anything—not Canopus, the three kneeling knights, nor the two guards at my side. A part of me wondered if I had better not say anything either, but I pushed through anyway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Did Canopus do something?” I asked hesitantly. “He’s a fine knight, so…I bet it’s my fault if there’s some kind of problem.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said that based on past experience, but the three knights wouldn’t stand for it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a ridiculous notion, Your Highness!” they insisted. “The fault surely lies with Canopus! He is an islander, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your personal knight was supposed to be Sargas of the Aldridge marquisate! And yet this commoner swooped in uninvited!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was surprised at how seething they were. “But Canopus has webbed hands. Isn’t that amazing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The three knights only scowled at my compliment. “Canopus might have sworn his fealty to you, but a personal knight is not a mere bodyguard, Your Highness!” they retorted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He lacks the qualifications to be a personal knight!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I am sure he disappoints you in matters beyond security!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Really?” I asked in return, because I was so taken aback at how sure of themselves they sounded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was always the one causing a fuss, so the idea that Canopus was the disappointment was completely new to me. I examined Canopus from head to foot, wondering what on earth he was doing that was so bad. Maybe he was actually a total pig who emptied out the castle larders? Or maybe he could only sleep in some special way?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh!” I gasped, figuring out what the three men were getting at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus bit his lip and looked at me expectantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Canopus, don’t tell me,” I said nervously, “can you not sleep unless you’re in water? Oh no, that puts us in a pinch! Umm, I could lend you my bathtub, but I bet it’s too small for you. I think you’ll manage if you use the knight brigade’s big bathhouse.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus frowned down at me. “Apologies, but may I interject? I can sleep anywhere, indoors or outdoors. Although I believe I could sleep on water, doing it while submerged would prove rather difficult.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh. Then have you, um, been eating everything in the castle larders?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, I eat average portions. I am incapable of eating so much as to cause stock issues, and I can rein in my hunger if need be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Then how are you a disappointment?” I gazed up at him in confusion, unable to think of anything else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus grimaced. “The personal knights of the princes and the first princess are individuals of high noble standing. I, however, am an islander. My ancestry could very well besmirch your honor, Your Highness.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned back to the three knights, who were all nodding fervently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We mainlanders are a different sort from the islanders!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Their race has dark skin and webbed hands. Disgusting is what it is!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“One of those people serving as your personal knight would affect your good name, Your Highness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gazed at Canopus and the three knights in turn. “Don’t tell anyone about this, but,” I said, putting my pointer finger to my lips, “I was born blind and lived in a separate house.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, Canopus included."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“A lot of people said they felt sorry for me, but it never bothered me one bit. You see, I have a pact with a spirit child. And I was only able to do that because I was blind. So what everyone else called a misfortune was, to me, actually pretty lucky.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone listened to me in stunned silence, as if I’d hit them with a bolt from the blue."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So who’s to say what’s ‘good’ and what’s ‘bad’?” I asked, looking at them all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned to Canopus next. “Canopus, you seem proud of being an islander.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The issue lies in how others see me, not in how I see myself,” he mustered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I started walking toward him, causing the three knights kneeling in front of me to hurriedly clear the way. I thanked them quietly, then took Canopus’s hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He blinked back at me in shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think your webbed hands are wonderful. Is that wrong of me?” Looking at his hand, I giggled in wonderment. I had to marvel at their shape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This caused Canopus to frown as if he was very troubled. He got on one knee and peered straight into my eyes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Princess Serafina, you are my liege,” he said after a pause. “I value your words above anyone else’s. They speak to my heart…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He trailed off into silence, as if he was carefully choosing his next words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am truly sorry,” he said finally. “Even though I believe that the discrimination against islanders is baseless and I should be proud of my background, I have experienced so much bigotry that it became my habit to hang my head in silence. I apologize that you had to reveal such a thing for my sake…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus’s face twisted in anguish. “I am a fool. I only wish I could rend myself asunder…but I know that would make you unhappy. My foolishness is not so grave that I would disregard your feelings after you confided a national secret to me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus’s words were too big for me to understand, so I put on a thoughtful frown so that I would at least look like I was following along."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, he bowed his head to me deeply. “Thank you so very much. Because of your kind and considerate words, I am sure that I can carry myself with pride, no matter what anyone says about my homeland.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus lifted his head once more, but now his expression was totally different. He looked so at ease with himself, as if all his previous worries had been blown away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. “That’s good to hear! Don’t you quit on me, Canopus.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I certainly won’t. I pledge my eternal service to you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now wasn’t that a nice thing to hear?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Next, Canopus stood up and faced the three knights, who were still kneeling. “You heard her, yes?” he said. “You’re the ones who made it necessary for Princess Serafina to bare her secret—you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I, for one, will bear my shame for the rest of my life.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The three men nodded wordlessly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have resolved to feel no abashment over my background,” Canopus continued. “I owe at least that much to our revered princess. Should you speak to me again the way you did earlier, I will not hesitate to voice my disagreement.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The three knights stood up and each offered a hand to Canopus."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We won’t pick a fight with you again. Her Highness made me see the light. I respect that you are the one she chose. Sorry for projecting my jealousy onto you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“To my utmost regret, my immature conduct caused our liege to share what should have been a closely kept secret. I vow not to repeat the same mistake again.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Canopus, I know it may be difficult, but could you let this matter go? From now on, we’ll help you out in whatever way we can.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tee hee hee, aren’t knights so grand? I thought as I watched the three knights exchange handshakes with Canopus. The three of them turned back to me and bowed their heads deeply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Your Highness, we apologize profusely for our undignified conduct!” they shouted in unison. “We will inform the vice-commander of our actions and await his punishment.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What, you’re telling Sirius?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t know it at the time, but it seemed everyone thought that Sirius was my guardian. Who knew when that happened? That’s why the knights were trying to get Sirius involved, but…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, Sirius is very busy. I don’t think he’d want some problem involving me taking up his time. So please don’t tell him, okay? For my sake. In return…let’s see…I’d prefer you not tell anyone the secret I just told you. Only Father, Mother, and Sirius know about it,” I said, trying to smooth things over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I got the feeling that Sirius was a little overprotective; something told me that he would probably show no mercy to the three men if they admitted that I told them my secret. I felt sorry for them, you know?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was really all I was thinking, but for some reason the three knights all looked deeply moved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“T-to think you shared such a deep secret and that you would shield us from the vice-commander’s wrath! I cannot thank you enough.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I vow not to breathe a word of your secret to others!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I swear it upon my life!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Canopus grimaced in apparent regret. “Princess Serafina…as much as I appreciate the extent to which you will go to aid your personal knight, this was a most terribly unfortunate situation. I swear, I will put my very life on the line to serve you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The four of them were too much, but hey, whatever worked. I would do what I could to stop people from fighting with Canopus for becoming my personal knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, that’s what I told myself, but…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For some reason, Canopus crossed swords with Knight Commander Wezen the very next day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How…could this be?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I watched the two of them gravely square off against each other, I had to remind myself why this had even begun in the first place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I was pretty sure that it all started when I bumped into Sirius in the hallway…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just a few minutes ago, I was walking down the hallway when I saw Sirius coming from the opposite direction. Naturally, I said a cheerful hello to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius came over and gently picked me up. “Whoa?!” I squeaked, eyes widening in surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“There’s someone I want you to meet,” was all he said before turning on his heels and walking straight back down the hallway in massive, confident strides."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All I could do was blink repeatedly in confusion as he carried me along in his arms. I mean, all I did was call out to him, right? I was pretty sure that was it. Sirius was always busy, so he didn’t have time to look out for me constantly. And it’s not like my schedule was empty either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, where are we going, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You were off to the library to borrow a book, weren’t you? I’ll let the librarian know you’ll be visiting later,” Sirius said crisply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He cast a single glance at one of the knights at his flank, which was all it took to get a “Yes, understood!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wow, that took care of that, I thought as I watched the knight trot off to the library. “Hey, Sirius, how did you know I was going to the library? Oh, wait, do you know my whole schedule? Wow, you’re a genius!” I gasped in wonderment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s lip curled up in amusement. “No one’s called me a genius since I came of age. Nice to have some reassurance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was only because everyone was too intimidated to say so to his face, but I didn’t really get that at the time. “Tee hee hee!” I laughed, feeling amused. “Look at me, I figured out something you didn’t! Yup, you’re a genius, Sirius.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m honored by your praise, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We had a nice little laugh together, which did not prepare me for where we ended up: a serious-looking place crammed with armor and swords. It was probably the knights’ training grounds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius lowered me to the floor, and I held his hand as I gazed around the scene nervously. My eyes met with a beefy guy standing with his arms folded in the middle of the area. As soon as he saw me, a fearless grin appeared on his face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Wezen Wald, commander of the Náv Horned Beast Knights.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Commander Wezen was smiling, but his ferocious energy stood out like a sore thumb in this calm and quiet space. My hand instinctively squeezed Sirius’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Nice to meet you. I’m Serafina Náv,” I introduced myself timidly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Commander Wezen watched me tremble with a single eyebrow raised. I would guess he looked a bit puzzled? Then he looked at Sirius, who had picked me up again out of worry. His eyebrows creased into a frown, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, are you seeing yourself right now?! I thought you only had knight vision. Turns out you can see Princess Serafina just fine. I heard that you’re always carrying her too! I thought you’d finally put her down when you came in, but all I do is say hello and she’s back in your arms. Wait, don’t tell me she has trouble walking?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina is perfectly healthy,” said Sirius. “But she does have a young girl’s physique, so I thought it would be quicker to carry her. Besides, she is a princess, and her needs come above all else.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Commander Wezen smirked wryly. “Ha, quit the jokes! You’d make anyone walk if you needed them to—doesn’t matter if they’re a prince or a princess. How many times have I seen you run those princes ragged? And you treat Princess Shaula the exact same way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius gazed back, silent and expressionless. There was enough pressure in his stare to make anyone shiver, but the commander looked completely unbothered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“And look at yourselves!” he went on. “You’re not going anywhere! Why does she need to be held if you’re not even moving? Care to explain why you won’t let the princess down?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“These are the training grounds. You never know what danger could come Princess Serafina’s way. I’ve taken the appropriate measures to protect her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you being serious right now? What happened to you? You’ve never had the personality or time to play nanny!” Commander Wezen blanched. “Hey, stop glaring at me! You made your point. I get it, the training grounds are full of danger. Enough that the brigade’s strongest swordsman has to carry the princess at all times!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The commander’s tone was dripping with sarcasm in that second part. He swung his head toward Canopus, who was standing behind us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, aren’t you meant to be Princess Serafina’s personal knight? Draw your sword. Let’s have a go at it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then, without even waiting for Canopus’s reply, the commander pulled out the sword at his hip. Canopus drew his sword too, while Sirius carried me off to a safe distance away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Are they about to have a serious fight? Isn’t that dangerous?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It is, but you’ll never be able to gauge someone’s true strength otherwise,” Sirius declared flatly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It finally hit me. Oh, so this is what it means to be a knight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But still, they could get injured if they were having a full-on battle. The thought made me sick with worry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It could be tough on you to watch the knights fight each other,” Sirius said as he noticed my clenched fists. “You can bury your head in my shoulder if you don’t want to see it. I should add that Commander Wezen is a first-rate swordsman. He knows how to pull his punches, so I doubt that your personal knight will come to harm.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although I was grateful to Sirius for his concern, Canopus was my personal knight. I felt like I shouldn’t look away from his fight. I steadied my gaze on the two knights, and then Sirius gave the signal for the fight to begin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus instantly thrust his sword directly at Commander Wezen. A harsh clang rang out as their swords clashed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As their swords met—twice, thrice—the commander’s expression turned serious. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sirius giving an impressed nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t expect this,” he muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Commander Wezen’s voice rang out at the same time. “Ha ha! Nice swordplay!” He sounded like he was having a blast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus was the only one attacking. Commander Wezen was just blocking, but their swords screeched against each other so many times that I found myself clinging to Sirius’s neck. Silently, I prayed that neither of them would get hurt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After blocking about ten more times, Commander Wezen finally swung his sword down for the first time. A high-pitched noise rang out as Canopus’s sword flew from his hands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus gazed at the commander’s sword, which was pressed against his throat. “You win,” he said calmly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The commander sheathed his sword in a flash and then bumped his massive fist against Canopus’s shoulder. “Canopus is your name, right? You’ve got some skills! I reckon they’ll come in handy for protecting the princess,” he said as he stepped back and studied Canopus’s body. “Who knew there was a knight of your caliber in the brigade? Ha ha, you oughta drop by the training grounds every once in a while instead of just showing up for meetings.”"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0021.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My Personal Knight"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The commander turned his back to Canopus and strode toward me next."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m very sorry about beating up your knight, Princess Serafina,” he said without a hint of remorse on his face. If anything, he looked proud of himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh wow, Commander Wezen. You’re twice as old as Sirius, but you’re just as much of a child as he is,” I blurted out, wide-eyed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius frowned, not appreciating my comment. “I’ve been an adult for a long time, Serafina! Nobody has ever called me a child.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Commander Wezen cracked up at Sirius’s sour face. “Ha ha ha! Never thought I’d see someone treat Sirius like a youngster! And from such a tiny little princess, no less! Sirius, looks like you’ve finally met your match!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Commander Wezen was grinning broadly as if to say “Congratulations,” but Sirius did not look happy. “Serafina is a gifted individual, yes, but it’s not like I’m a total brute to everyone else.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, really?” Commander Wezen smiled in amusement. “When putting you on a monster-culling mission means we have to deploy less than half the regular squad numbers, I’d say that’s proof of your brute strength right there. And I, for one, definitely welcome it with open arms.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He then turned to look straight at me, snuggled in Sirius’s arms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As soon as he noticed the color of my eyes, he was shocked. “Would you look at that? Golden eyes! Now, I’m something of a good-natured old man, if I do say so myself. Kids tend to like me, but you…you’re afraid of me. You see past the surface, and it frightens you. Those are some good eyes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sighed in relief at the commander’s good-natured words. Thank goodness. He didn’t seem to mind that I was intimidated by him earlier."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you! I’ve been told that golden eyes are blessings from the Spirit Lord,” I answered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But the commander shook his head in disagreement. “I reckon that any asset goes to waste if you don’t use it well. You might have been blessed with golden eyes, but it’s your strength that makes you capable of using them, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have to hand it to you, Commander Wezen,” Sirius said. “Not everything that comes out of your mouth is rubbish.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His enthusiasm sounded forced, which made the commander grin. “Whaddaya mean? I’m always right on the money! And hey, you’ve got some good eyes yourself. You noticed Canopus’s talent way before I did. I showed off my whole rear end by overlooking him.” His smile widened. “So, Princess, I owe you an apology! I made some shallow assumptions about Canopus because of his pretty face. I worried you might’ve picked him based on looks, like he’d be an ornament instead of a knight. That’s why I got it into my head to train him up—but what do you know? He was way more skilled than I imagined.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh my.” I giggled, pleased to hear such nice things about Canopus."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I smiled, Commander Wezen blinked frantically and turned to Sirius. “Hey, Sirius! What kind of bullcrap is this? She’s got blessed golden eyes and the smile of an angel! She’s way out of your league.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius nodded and added, “I should also mention that Serafina is the most talented saint I’ve ever seen.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re kidding me! The best you’ve seen? As far as saints go, only the cream of the crop can team up with you. No one else could hack it against high-ranking monsters. And you’re saying the princess is better than all of them, without a shadow of doubt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I am.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Commander Wezen gulped at Sirius’s words. “Come to think of it, she does have shockingly red hair… If she’s this young and already the best of the kingdom, wouldn’t that make her even more brutal than you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s what I’ve been saying. From her perspective, I’m just a regular old knight, not a brute monster.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve always thought the day you call yourself a regular knight is the day hell freezes over,” the commander said gravely as he put a hand to his forehead. “You’ve never exaggerated about anything ever. And if that’s the case here, then you’re the only match for the princess. I see why you’ve changed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The commander then staggered to the doorway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my. Looks like I got the chills, Sirius. Definitely the sign of a bad illness, so I’ll be off to my home to rest for the day. You take the reins!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For all his tottering, Commander Wezen suddenly switched into an energetic sprint before he was even finished talking. When I blinked, he was gone, leaving only me, Sirius, and Canopus in the massive training grounds."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wha—?” My eyelids fluttered in surprise. “Um, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Commander Wezen is a capable knight…but he has the occasional habit of running off, sad as it is to say. He usually doesn’t lift a finger to do the paperwork and pushes it all on me instead. When I was off at the villa, I’m told he finally sucked it up and did the work himself. Maybe the stress of it got to him.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh…okay.” I stared at the door, unable to think of anything else to say. I was indirectly the reason why Commander Wezen had to do paperwork. I hoped he got a nice good rest, at least for today."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I was praying, Sirius approached Canopus and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re a fine swordsman, Canopus. Be a good shield for Serafina.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Clear, unmistakable words of praise—Canopus’s eyes lit up with delight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every knight looked up to Sirius. It was easy to imagine how proud they would feel after hearing positive feedback from him of all people."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing Canopus beaming made me happy too. “Wow! Sirius respects you!” I squealed. “But I’m not surprised, tee hee. Of course my knight is the best! Canopus, you’ve got to guard me forever and ever.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus nodded fervently at my smiling face. “I will put my very life on the line to serve you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the exact same thing he swore to me yesterday. Wow, I didn’t expect to hear such a heavy vow twice. It made me realize what a wonderful, devoted knight I had. Who wouldn’t be thrilled about that?"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0023.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - The Tragic Tale of the Nutshells"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusThe Tragic Tale of the Nutshells"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "WHEN YOU’RE THE VICE-COMMANDER of the knight brigade, you get your share of paperwork duties. And since Commander Wezen never did his part, it resulted in twice the workload on an already stacked plate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To make matters worse, my daytimes were hectic, leaving me no time for sifting through documents. This meant that it was now my habit to take the paperwork home with me in the evenings."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, and speaking of habits, I munched on nuts from a crystal container on my table during those nightly workouts. They were covered in stiff, hard shells, but they were easy enough to split open when they ripened—you just had to dig into the little slits. So I developed a routine: read a document, crack open a nut, and put it in my mouth as I signed off on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That night, I was going through the motions when a visitor came knocking on my door. Given the late hour, there was only one person who would casually show up to my room. As soon as I heard the knock, I stood up and opened the door myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There stood Serafina, dragging Canopus behind her, just as I expected. “Listen to this, Sirius!” She gazed up at me with sparkling eyes. “I might be a genius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina genuinely was a genius, but she only called herself one in situations where she was anything but. Just the other day, she put the finishing touches on a magic formula that no one else could conceive, and it never even crossed her mind that this was an incredible feat. Meanwhile, the word “genius” flew off her tongue whenever she did something pretty much anyone could do, like telling the difference between an embroidered rose and a real one, or skipping on her tiptoes. I put this down to her long years of living in a forest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Okay, what’s she calling herself a “genius” over this time? I wondered as I gave her a curious expression."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina thrust a plate at me, a proud grin on her face. “I wrote with sauce, Sirius! See?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wordlessly, I looked down at her hands. The plate was stacked with vegetables with melted cheese and sauce on top—a simple but readily digestible meal. Upon further examination, there was indeed something resembling writing on the plate. The words were almost impossible to decipher, but if you squinted and relied heavily on guesswork, then it came out looking something like…“You do great work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Warmth pricked my chest. “You came all this way at night just to show me this?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although we both lived in the castle, our rooms were on different floors. The distance to my room would have felt like a marathon to her little legs. And besides, I never had any problems doing paperwork at night—I had the ability and stamina to do the job well. Nobody would have thought to fuss over me like this…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I don’t think Serafina quite understood what I was asking. “Yup!” she responded with a sunny smile. “You stay up every night working, so I got you a snack.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So this is for me to eat?” I appreciated the thought. With a smile, I took the plate from her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Being a duke, the king’s nephew, and the vice-commander of the knight brigade, I received my fair share of gifts. But Serafina’s presents made me feel the happiest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Although it was late, I felt bad about sending her straight back to her room after all that, so I invited her inside. She plopped down on the sofa and peered at the nut container with great curiosity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Those are my late-night snacks,” I explained. “They’re good to chew on while I’m working.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina turned her sparkling eyes my way. “Can I have one, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Okay, but only one because it’s late. There’s a shell on the outside, so you split it open with your hands and just eat what’s inside.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina did not need telling twice. She grabbed a nut and eagerly tried to split open the shell—but unfortunately, she couldn’t quite manage it. Maybe she wasn’t strong enough for the task."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I watched her wobbling hands and frowning face, I decided: Yeah, this isn’t going to work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Give it to me, Serafina. I’ll do it for y—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I never finished that sentence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because Serafina put the nut—shell and all—into her mouth and bit down on it forcefully. The crunching noise that rang out was deeply unnatural."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thrust a flustered hand in front of Serafina. “Serafina, spit out everything in your mouth!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was worried that there might have been a rock inside the nut. This had never happened before, but that noise didn’t sound like anything that would come from a nutshell, hence my fears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One thing led to another, and I looked down at what she spat into my palm…only to gape in abject horror."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For the first time in my adult life, my hand trembled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, hell! Did I accidentally hurt Serafina? I shouldn’t have let her eat that nut!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because, you see, Serafina’s tiny teeth—two of them, in fact—adorned my hand. I suspect that her delicate teeth were unable to withstand the slightest bit of stiffness."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Call a saint! And a doctor! Shake them out of bed if need be!” I yelled at Canopus as I flew off the sofa."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus’s eyes boggled at this impossible order. But I meant everything I said; I felt ill enough to hurl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius?” Serafina smiled in an attempt to reassure me, revealing a wide-open gap in the place of her missing front teeth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes were drawn to the blood oozing out from where her teeth should have been."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How could this be? What travesty was this? Could a saint even restore missing teeth?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I picked up Serafina and patted her on the back to reassure her, causing her usual energetic giggle to spill out of her tiny body. Oh, what a wretch I was for harming such an adorable being! I vowed to restore Serafina’s teeth, even if it meant squandering my entire fortune."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just as I was set in my resolve, I realized that Canopus was standing by the doorway, even after I’d told him to fetch a saint and doctor. “Canopus, why are you standing there?! We’re in a race against time!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Undaunted by my shouting, Canopus approached me with a very measured expression. “Vice-Commander Sirius, may I ask Princess Serafina a question first?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before I could tell him “No, just get on with it,” Serafina spoke up. “What is it, Canopus?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Were those two missing teeth feeling wobbly before?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yup!” Serafina said promptly. “They’ve been like that for days. It hurt to eat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus seemed to take this as some kind of confirmation. “Makes sense,” was all he said, before looking at me as if he expected me to have some kind of epiphany—but nothing came to mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Get to the point, Canopus!” I told him irritably."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Canopus was quiet for a moment before responding. “I believe Princess Serafina is growing a new set of teeth. At her age, baby teeth start to get replaced by adult teeth. If you look closely at where her teeth fell out, you can see her adult teeth are sprouting.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I turned to Serafina in surprise, the clever little princess opened her mouth wide."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah!” I exclaimed. “You’re right! I can see some tiny teeth growing there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the space left behind by her missing teeth, the tiny tips of new teeth were peeking through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We all look after the children together in Sutherland,” Canopus continued. “There was always some child kicking up a fuss about losing teeth. That was how I realized that Princess Serafina was also going through that phase.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Having never cared for children before, it failed to cross my mind that they grew new teeth. Canopus, it seemed, was trying to make me feel better about my ignorance. As far as I was concerned, however, the key takeaway was that Serafina’s teeth weren’t broken. I couldn’t care less about the details."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s good news, Serafina!” I said to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She smiled. “Yup! Now I can eat more solid stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This gave me a mental image of her crushing her teeth against other hard foods. Needless to say, I wasn’t smiling back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From then on, it became a habit of mine to step in whenever Serafina was about to put something hard into her mouth. Nutshells were a given, of course, but I broke up every portion of solid food for her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whenever I did this, everyone looked at me as if I’d grown another head. “Aren’t you being a little overprotective?” they would say, but I ignored them all. I told myself bitterly that they were only able to say that so easily because they’d never witnessed the terror of Serafina’s teeth loss for themselves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And so I resigned myself to the snide comments, for there was no greater fear in my mind than that which I had seen."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0024.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Saint Knight Brigade"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The Saint Knight Brigade"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I FELT KIND OF RESTLESS—two months after coming to the royal castle, I still hadn’t met a fellow saint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d always dreamed of becoming a saint since I was little. At first, I thought of it as a way to help people while being blind, but even after I became able to see, I still really wanted to be a saint. Sirius acknowledged me as one, and I came straight to the capital when he said he wanted my strength. I thought I would be working with the other healers over here…but the chance never arose."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My tutor had told me about the standard training course for saints. Much like how knight brigade candidates went to “knight school,” a bunch of different places had a “saint school” for aspiring saints."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Half the women in this country had a spirit pact and could use healing magic, which qualified them as saints. But Seven told me: “It’s only because of their pacts. Most of them are weak and can only use a bit of healing magic.” Basically, they stuck to minor spells that helped around the house. But there were more powerful saints too, like the ones who tried to cure my eyes. They could heal serious illnesses and make really effective potions. Almost everyone who worked for the good of the people studied at a saint school."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And then there was me. I was a saint, but I had no idea how good I was at it. I had no one to compare myself to since I learned everything I knew about healing magic from the spirits and trained by myself. What if I picked up bad habits or learned things the wrong way? I wanted to do it the proper way, but I gave up on that after I found out that saint school would take three years."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why? Because Sirius was already fighting monsters as a knight. While I was taking my sweet time at school, Sirius could wind up badly hurt. So although I was still worried about my abilities, I got the idea of tagging along with the Fourth Saint Knight Brigade, which was where most of the saint school graduates went."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No harm giving it a try, right? I could always go to school if it turned out I really needed to. And if I was only a little behind, then I could just put in a bit of extra study at home every day. It was the perfect idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, but…what if I’m not good enough? Or maybe there’s some other reason why I can’t go to battle. Maybe that’s why Sirius isn’t so sure about letting me meet with the saints,” I muttered to myself on my sofa."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right then, there was a knock on the door, and you know who walked in? Sirius himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was always visiting my chambers after dinner and chatting with me about all kinds of stuff. Today, he was carrying a few picture books, which made me wonder if he was going to read me a story. When he saw the confused look on my face, he put the books on the table."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Is there a problem, Serafina?” he asked. “You don’t seem to be in the mood for reading. Is something bothering you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I decided to tell him what I wanted. “Sirius, I…I want to join the Saint Knight Brigade and learn how to be a saint!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This made him stiffen in shock for a moment. Then, without saying a word, he walked over and sat down next to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, that felt crummy. Did I upset him? He had this uneasy look on his face and remained silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, if I’m causing trouble for you, just say so,” I said, tugging on his sleeve. “I don’t wanna do anything that upsets you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius shook his head slightly, still grimacing. “You’ve done no such thing. I’m not upset, just thinking about what to do.” He put a hand against his lips, as if he was pondering something. “Right…I can’t just put it off forever. I do think it’s about time we have a talk about this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He took my hand and gripped it lightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, I’ve been worried about your future ever since I brought you to the castle.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was surprising—he’d never shown any hint of that. “Oh? Really?” I asked back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s lips twisted into another grimace. “Yeah,” he said, nodding. “Your saint abilities are so extraordinary that they stand out.” He gazed out the window thoughtfully. “Can I tell you something about myself?” Without waiting for my answer, he said, “I am a knight, one many regard as the strongest in the brigade. So whenever a strong monster shows up, I’m always ordered to slay it. But…people never wonder if I can beat it—they assume that if I can’t, then no one can. That’s the burden I carry with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no, really?!” I gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That sounded crazy—people would rely on Sirius if there was a strong monster around, without wondering whether he could even win or not? But what would happen if he was up against a really strong monster—one he couldn’t beat?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The question probably showed on my face, because Sirius smiled wryly. “As you might have imagined, I’ve fought many battles where my odds of winning were slim. But I have to do it, so long as there are people who see me as their only hope. Helping those people is what keeps me going…but I have to admit that it’s not an easy life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius let go of my hand, took hold of my shoulders, and looked me straight in the eye."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, when people discover what a powerful saint you are, they’ll start demanding things of you. You’ll never not be a saint again. Everyone alive has to face things they don’t like, things they fear—but you’ll never have the luxury of running away. Take the stage just once, and the people will pin all their hopes and expectations on you. You will struggle to make your own choices and step off the pedestal. I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s hard.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t understand half of what Sirius was trying to tell me. He fought on the battlefield all the time, and I’d never fought once—we were worlds apart. No way could I grasp the weight of his words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Was Sirius right? My heart didn’t agree with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But still…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You might…have a point.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I gave the answer he wanted to hear, his face cleared with relief. He reached out and ruffled my hair. “Serafina, when I brought you back to the capital, I asked you to lend me your strength. I still want that just as much as I did back then. But it doesn’t have to be immediate—I know it’ll happen one day. And besides, that’s only what I want. If you grow up and decide that you don’t want to be a saint who participates in battle, or even a saint at all, I’ll respect that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His expression was much calmer now compared to when he plucked me from the Forest of Lent. This was surely the conclusion he came to after a lot of thinking and worrying. I knew I should probably let it be."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Looking back on that day in the forest, I asked for your help without giving you time to think about it. I’m sure you felt obligated to live up to what I said. But I…completely forgot that you are only six.” Sirius looked regretful as he shook his head. “That’s too soon for a person to decide what to do with their life, not to mention much too young to have such immense pressure weighing on you. Now’s the time for you to experience things you find ‘beautiful,’ ‘fun,’ and ‘happy.’ Those feelings will guide you to what you want in your future.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said nothing. It was getting harder to simply nod along. Sirius was only thinking about me. After spending so much time with me these past two months, he’d realized that I was a kid who acted her age. He decided to treat me not as a saint but as a child like anyone else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He thought only of me, not about himself at all. My heart hurt at his kindness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius held my hand. I think he saw my crumpled expression and was trying to cheer me up. “Serafina, you don’t need to hurry. I brought you to the castle on impulse after the talent you showed in the forest that day, but…you’re at an age where you should be playing and spending time with your parents.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But what if Sirius got hurt in battle while I was playing? I bit my lip and stayed quiet, unable to bring myself to answer him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius spoke up again in a light tone, attempting to change the mood. “Besides, you have your lessons as a royal. The king and queen both hope you become a fine princess who shines for the people…enough to make up for the time you were away. They want you to make the most of your education.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mhmm…” I could only nod when he brought up my parents. I knew that Father and Mother thought dearly of me, and I wanted to be a good daughter for them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Since coming to the royal capital, you’ve reunited with your family and met many new faces. I’m sure your world is going to get even bigger. I believe I was right in bringing you here—you should be living with people, not spirits. Even so, your spirit came with you to the capital,” Sirius said as he picked me up and put me on his knees."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He peered at my face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I swore to you as a knight that I would make you just as happy as the Forest of Lent did—and that I would show you what’s beautiful about the world. Let me live up to that vow before you think of doing anything for me. To be perfectly honest, I never really spent my childhood years living like a kid. Going through it with you has been a brand-new experience for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius spoke with such joy about the future, but…I couldn’t get what he said earlier out of my mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That he had to fight monsters he couldn’t beat."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a horrible way to live. And yet despite that, he wanted me to put off making my official battlefield debut until some vague, distant future. Was that really the right thing to do?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart throbbed with pain. I clenched my hand over my chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The reason I came to the royal capital was because I wanted to protect Sirius—because I knew that a brave and righteous man like him would surely come to harm one day. When it happened, I wanted to be there as a saint. I would rush to the field straight away if it helped him…but I just couldn’t say with confidence that I was capable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d never seen a saint on the battlefield, so I didn’t know how I measured up. Things went okay in the Forest of Lent, but that was because of all the strong knights at the scene, Sirius first and foremost among them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was I strong enough to make a real contribution? Sirius acknowledged my abilities, but that didn’t necessarily mean they’d hold up in an actual fight. There was a big chance I would be deadweight instead. If there was one thing I definitely didn’t want to do, it was exposing Sirius to danger because of my rookie mistakes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was why I wanted to do what I could to become a better saint. And if learning from the saints in the knight brigade was the quickest way to do that, then so be it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I looked up at Sirius, my hand gripping his sleeve. “Thank you, Sirius. You have my best interests in mind.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius’s eyes lit up at this unexpected compliment, but I didn’t stop to react to it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You don’t have to worry about me,” I went on. “I love doing fun things every day. Even funny things! Lots of funny things happen when Seven’s with me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Right…” Sirius groaned. Maybe he was thinking about all those pranks Seven got up to after he came to the capital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But I also wanna be a strong saint. So yeah, I still wanna join the Saint Knight Brigade and learn stuff.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was firm in my thinking: I wanted to become the kind of saint who could help Sirius, and I was happy with taking it one step at a time. As I waited for Sirius’s reply, his mouth curled upward suddenly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, you won’t be swayed no matter what I say. I’m betting that passion is the source of your brilliance. I admire it.” He squinted in thought. “Still, you haven’t seen other saints in battle. But in any case, the fact that you pulled off what you did in the Forest of Lent means you have a gift… Someone with your talent wouldn’t need to hang around the knight brigade, but I’m sure there’d be a lot for you to take in regardless. You have a way of making the best out of any situation.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I gazed at him, eyes wide in anticipation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius gave me a defeated little smile. “All right, fine. Let’s pay a visit to the Saint Knight Brigade.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Whoopee! A grin spread across my face. I had permission now!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Sirius!” I said with a smile and hugged him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Being “competent” means being good at everything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I realized this the very next day, when Sirius showed up at breakfast and declared that I would be visiting the Saint Knight Brigade in the afternoon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Today?!” I asked, stunned. “But I just asked you last night!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Only the two of us were in the dining room, making me the sole witness to his very matter-of-fact expression. “Yup, it was yesterday.” He nodded. “And a whole day has passed since then. Plenty of time to get things done.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah, but we talked at night…and it’s only morning now…” I mumbled, although it occurred to me that Sirius experienced time differently from the rest of us. This kind of lightning pace was probably an everyday thing for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius calmly turned the subject away from the timing of the visit. “Serafina, there is one problem with visiting the knight brigade: Only adults can join the brigade, so you’re not qualified.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no!” I had no idea."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In the Náv Kingdom, people normally had a coming-of-age ceremony when they were around fifteen or so. As a six-year-old, I still had a long wait ahead of me. The idea that a child couldn’t join the knight brigade was…well, a surprise, but kind of obvious when I thought about it. I mean, a saint wouldn’t have enough magic to use healing spells unless they had a spirit pact, and only adults could form pacts. It was similar to how people’s bodies weren’t fully grown until adulthood, so it made sense that the knight brigade would restrict itself to adult saints. Of course the knights in general would draw a line in the sand, right?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I spiraled into gloom, a kind voice fell on my ears. “Every rule has its exceptions, Serafina. If you really want to join, I’ll make it happen for you. Don’t worry.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You will?!” I lifted my head in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He nodded at me, his serious expression never wavering. “I’m the vice-commander. And you know what else? I get to make the final decisions because our commander doesn’t do a shred of paperwork. If you want me to, I can make a special exception for you. I could even change the rules entirely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-oh dear! You mustn’t do that!” I shook my head frantically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Uh-oh. It wouldn’t be right if someone in charge did whatever they wanted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius furrowed his brow at my response, but he shrugged and continued, “Just go there today for a taste, Serafina. Try it for half a day and see how it goes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay! I’ll try!” I nodded obediently. I got the impression that nobody questioned Sirius as an authority figure—or, to put it less nicely, he used his position to force his way through."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius held a finger in front of my face. “All right, I want you to promise me two things. The first is that you hide your identity. You’re royalty. If we were following the formal procedure, you’d need to apply two weeks beforehand just to observe the knight brigade, and there’d be a lot of rules for you to follow. So today, you’ll be going as a different person.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Who am I going to be? Your daughter?” I asked, tilting my head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius scowled. “I’m nineteen, not old enough to be your father.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How about my brother?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Forget about my family. You’ll be…let’s see…a cute little flower spirit I found in a field. How about that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That sounded a bit too far from reality. I wasn’t even human anymore."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I threw an annoyed look at Sirius, causing him to make an awkward cough. “Sorry. You know I make bad jokes. But, you know, a flower spirit isn’t that far-fetched… All right, fine, I’ll stop. Don’t look at me like that.” He sighed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay, let’s go with something generic. You’ll be a young lady from a branch line of my…the Ulysses family. Nobody will buy that, but I doubt anyone would challenge me to my face.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I clapped my hands together at Sirius’s suggestion. “What a great idea! I always lived at the villa, so I’m still learning how to be a lady. Make sure you tell everyone I’m from the countryside, okay?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“For a princess of the nation, you really put yourself down,” Sirius muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I definitely was a country bumpkin, still stuck on the basics of etiquette. Only Sirius and Father treated me like a proper princess. The problem was that they didn’t realize they were going easy on me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius changed the subject. “Anyway, the second thing you need to promise me is that you’ll keep your full saint powers hidden. You don’t want to cause an incident.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What?” I raised my head slightly. Since I was going there to learn, wasn’t I supposed to show what I could do?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The saints will be shocked to the core if you were to say, ‘These are my saint skills,’ and then brandish spells no one’s ever seen before,” Sirius explained. “I can easily imagine pandemonium breaking loose.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Brandish. Pandemonium. What big words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh dear. Sirius always used big words whenever he got carried away about something. It was really hard for me to understand him when he got like that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seemingly unaware of my thoughts, Sirius went on talking with even more complicated words. “The knight brigade is a tight-knit order. Even if you were to reveal the extent of your talents, I could enforce a gag order. This is a way for you to experience what it’s like to be a saint before you make your official debut. Like I said before, just give it a shot, and if active battles don’t suit you, you can become some other kind of saint.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“But that’s a discussion for later. Today, you’ll be watching the saints at work. Stay put and don’t draw attention to yourself, otherwise everyone will want to know about your spells and it will defeat the entire point of the trip.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Phew. I think I got my head around that last bit. He was basically telling me to watch the saints and don’t make a scene."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I gave a big nod to show that I understood, Sirius patted me on the head with his large hand. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be there for you no matter what happens.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That afternoon, Sirius took me to the Fourth Saint Knight Brigade, just like he promised. He should have been way too busy to hang around with me for half a day, but apparently that was the plan. Maybe he was worried about me because Canopus stayed behind—if he tagged along, everyone would know I was royalty. That was when it finally hit me that Sirius was being literal when he said, “I’ll be there for you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When he left his office, there were a bunch of knights in tears. This made me worry that he might have ditched some kind of important job, but he bluntly said, “I’ve done everything I need to do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He and the knights were definitely not on the same page. I bet they wanted him to do more work, but they gave up on it because they knew that he wouldn’t budge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven wasn’t with us either; he said he didn’t wanna see the adult spirits. He probably didn’t like the idea of them treating him like a child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I’m only here to watch, I’m probably fine without him, I thought as I entered the Saint Knight Brigade’s training grounds…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only for all twenty of the saints to turn at the same time and look at me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, that was a shock. My body instantly tensed up, and before I knew it, I was clinging tightly to Sirius’s sleeve."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After my initial surprise faded, I took another look at the saints and realized that almost all of them had red streaks in their hair. They definitely had the skills, and they all looked really cool in their white-and-red uniforms. Their faces remained very alert as they studied us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa, they’re so awesome!” I blurted out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius silently put a hand to my back and walked in step with me to the middle of the training grounds. He must have told the saints beforehand that we were coming, because they all seemed to know about him and greeted him with smiles on their faces. It was such a huge difference from the previous tense greeting that I found myself entranced."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were adorable!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ahhh, I want to be just like them,” I mumbled vacantly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius looked down at me quizzically, clearly not understanding what was going through my head. Meanwhile, the captain and vice-captain of the Saint Knight Brigade hurried over to us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Vice-Commander Sirius, it’s a pleasure to have you!” Both the captain and vice-captain had gentle smiles on their faces."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius definitely had the wrong idea when he said that the knight brigade saints disliked him. If anything, they were clearly fond of him, while he showed no interest back. That was the impression I got from him when he handed his documents over to them and talked about work-related stuff. He wasn’t mean or anything, just…indifferent. It was hard to imagine that this was the same person who always had a smile for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While I stood there in surprise, he looked up from what he was doing. When his eyes fell on my face, I took that as my cue to step up next to him and curtsy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“This girl will be joining the Saint Knight Brigade for today,” he said. “Let me introduce her. Her name is Sera…Seraphi.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Since we hadn’t decided on a name beforehand, Sirius came up with something on the spot. It sounded awfully close to my real name, though, I had to say. All he did was take off the “na.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The captain was a handsome woman with short red hair by the name of Adara. The vice-captain was named Mirfak, and she had shoulder-length purplish-red hair. They looked like kind and helpful people."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Captain Adara faced Sirius with a confident, masculine smile. “Since you’ll be with us for today, Vice-Commander Sirius, we’re planning to take on some monsters in Starfall Forest. I think the best way for the young lady here to learn what we saints do is to watch us in action.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s brow knitted into a frown at hearing me called “young lady,” but he didn’t seem to want to pick a fight in front of me. Lowering his eyes, he swallowed his words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, I was captivated by how cool and suave Captain Adara was—she had such slender limbs and a smooth, symmetrical face. I knew she was a woman, but…no, maybe her womanliness was what made her so handsome."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius blankly looked at me as I mentally gushed over Captain Adara. “Very well. Our escorting knights will join the battle as well.” Since Sirius was such an important person, he had three knights tagging along to protect him. I recognized them all from their visit to the Forest of Lent. When I gave them a little wave, they waved right back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Starfall Forest was an hour-long horse ride away from the royal castle. Captain Adara and Vice-Captain Mirfak rode their mounts without any fuss, which told me that proper saints could manage a horse by themselves. I added this to my list of things to study."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I was the only one who couldn’t ride, I went on Sirius’s horse. I sat in front of him and giggled whenever the horse’s trotting got me wobbling. But since we weren’t making any progress that way, Sirius used one arm to hold me steady."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I looked up at him, Sirius frowned in worry. “When you ride, you’re meant to rise and fall with the horse so that you don’t bruise your rear. I don’t think you’re big enough to manage it since you can’t even get your legs around its back. I’ll hold on to you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? You will?” Since I didn’t know the first thing about riding a horse, I looked up at Sirius in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He nodded like it was obvious. I wondered if he was planning to hold me for an entire hour—that seemed a bit much."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you worry, Sirius. I have a hard butt, so I can handle a bumpy ride. You’re going to fight monsters—you wouldn’t want your arm to get all tired from holding me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha, you’re joking. You think I can believe you’re all tough and strong when you lost your teeth from eating a nut? Either way, I wouldn’t worry about my arm; you’re as light as a spirit.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Um, I was as big as your average six-year-old. I wasn’t that light. His arm would definitely get numb from the weight over time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or so I thought. Sirius didn’t even bother switching arms—he just held me with his left one the whole time. He even cheerfully pointed out the scenery on the way and never got out of breath once. When we got to the forest and he put me down, I poked his arm a bit because I was scared that he had to be secretly putting up with the pain, but he looked totally fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wow, okay. To a person with a freakishly strong body like him, I probably did seem as frail as a spirit. I finally understood Sirius’s attitude."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone walked into the forest after that. Our group was me, Sirius, Captain Adara, Vice-Captain Mirfak, and the three knights on escorting duty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since I was only familiar with the Forest of Lent, I looked around this new forest with a lot of curiosity. I noticed that Starfall Forest had lots of shorter trees compared to the Forest of Lent. It was just a small detail, but it made a strong impression on me. “It’s weird how this forest doesn’t have many big trees, Sirius!” I called out to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Captain Adara heard my voice and looked back over her shoulder at me. “Wow, you speak to the vice-commander without his title?” she said, sounding mildly incredulous. “I know you’re young, but some would call that rude!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Er, um, Mr. Sirius?” I said, flustered by the sharp comment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Stop that!” Sirius snapped. “Serafina-na-names aren’t an issue for me…Seraphi.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s tone started off so sharp, but he got shaky in the middle there. It sounded like he accidentally said my real name and then tried to cover it up by turning it into a whole sentence… It was hard to say whether that fooled anyone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um, okay,” I said simply, since I didn’t want to put my foot any further in anyone’s mouths. I always thought that Sirius was a grand mastermind type, but the fact that he slipped up on my fake name made it seem that he was no good at being sneaky."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Seraphi is a relative of mine,” Sirius explained. “We don’t need formalities.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It’s not about your relationship, it’s about respecting the position.” Captain Adara smiled in a way that half-looked like a grimace. “As far as I know, even the princes and princesses refer to you as Vice-Commander.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then she glanced at me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Anyway, this young lady is, what, five? A girl this young isn’t going to take in what she sees. Vice-Commander, you know as well as I do that showing her my magic is pointless, so I can’t help but wonder why you were so insistent on bringing her along. We’re busy people too—if the request hadn’t come from you, I would’ve turned it down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Vice-Captain Mirfak, who was walking next to her, nodded eagerly in agreement. “Captain Adara has a point. You and I are wasting half a day on this excursion, and young Seraphi is only going to remember it as a picnic.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius glowered back at them. “If Seraphi only remembers this as a picnic, then it will mean that my knights and your magic failed to impress! If that ends up being the case, then I would feel ashamed of my skills!” Anyone could tell by his tone that he was angry. Captain Adara and Vice-Captain Mirfak both stiffened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frankly, it came as a surprise to me as well. Sirius always struck me as the type to shrug off light insults, but here he was standing his ground."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once the two saints recovered from their shock, they gazed at Sirius in wonderment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whoa, is this really the vice-commander?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I didn’t think he’d react so strongly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The three knights on escorting duty, who were following the saints from behind, shook their heads with a smug, knowing attitude."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re behind the times!” they said teasingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, the vice-commander is scarily devoted. It’s common knowledge in the knight brigade these days.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Silver Knight has sworn his love to his princess!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s knights hadn’t changed one bit from their time at the Forest of Lent. They always seemed to be having a good time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After an hour of walking about, our group finally ran into some monsters. My heart pounded in excitement at the idea of seeing other saints’ magic for the very first time in my life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At Sirius’s signal, I trotted off somewhere where I wouldn’t get in the way. I’d only noticed this recently, but I had really good eyes. Since I could see what everyone was doing even from far away, I picked a spot that was definitely out of the action. I scrambled over to a distant rock and clenched my hands together."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yippee, I’m finally gonna see some saint magic!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I watched in glee as half a dozen monsters came on the scene. Three of them were wolf-types, and the other three were hog-types."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Suddenly, I got a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. The wolves had these solid-looking manes on their heads. Were they fenrirs? I was pretty sure they looked just like the illustrations in the Monster Encyclopedia. But then I remembered that fenrirs were top-class monsters that only lived deeper in the woods. Besides, the book said that you needed dozens of knights to take down just one fenrir. Sirius strode toward them without a bit of hesitation, so…I guess they weren’t fenrirs?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I watched, not feeling totally sure of what was going on, the three knights steadily followed Sirius’s lead. Meanwhile, Captain Adara and Vice-Captain Mirfak stopped behind them and started calling for their spirits."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O Spirit, I summon thee to lend me thy strength!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O Great Spirit, manifest thy form!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was what you said when you sealed a pact. Although the saints didn’t use the spirit language, the moment they chanted their summons, two spirits appeared in front of them. Both were the size of adult women. They had green hair and floated slightly off the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“W-wow! Adult spirits!” I’d only ever laid eyes on spirit children, so it was thrilling to see a grown-up version. “Oh, yikes, I can’t keep my feet steady!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My heart was pounding so quickly it took my breath away. I squeezed my hands together, trying to calm myself down as I peered straight ahead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A two-meter-tall hog monster was the first to move. It stomped the ground threateningly a few times before charging straight at Sirius."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That’s a violet boar! The ’cyclopedia said that even when you can see it coming in a straight line, its speed can still blow you away.” I clasped my hands together, praying that Sirius would be unhurt."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Sirius didn’t even flinch at the monster’s furious charge. He waited until the very last second to dodge, luring it in. Then, with a single flash of his sword, the monster’s head came flying off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my gosh! I knew Sirius was strong from the battle at Lent, but I didn’t know he was this strong!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back then, I was the only saint at the scene, so the main thing on my mind was doing something to help. Although I got a sense of how strong both sides were in that battle, now I felt more like a captive audience member."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, rats! I was here to observe the saints. “Time to study up!” I told myself as I shifted my gaze to Captain Adara and Vice-Captain Mirfak."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The two saints kept their distance from the knights. Surprisingly, they were further from the action than I was in my own battle in the forest. Was this normal?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh dear! I bet everyone thought I was in the way because I was so close!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m sure the knights were nice enough to look the other way since it was my first battle, but I had to do it properly next time. Okay, I made a memo to myself, I’ll stay faaaar away from the knights next time!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I kept on watching, but the two saints didn’t cast a single strength or defense buff."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, maybe they see how strong the enemy is and decide which spell to cast based on that. Now I feel like a total beginner for casting every spell I could.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I mean, it was my first battle. Of course I acted like a beginner. Now that I could clearly see where I lacked compared to the other saints, I really had to thank Sirius and the knights for praising my skills. They were being much too kind!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, the battle raged on. As I watched, my palms sweaty from anticipation, I felt somebody hit my back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What? Who else was in this forest? I swung around in surprise, only for my feet to miss the ground altogether."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Whaaaa—?” I squeaked at the same time a golden griffon appeared out of nowhere and lifted me by the back of my dress."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Griffons were dangerous monsters with the head of a hawk and the body of a lion. I hadn’t noticed this one get so close because I’d been enraptured by the battle. By the time I realized what was going on, my feet were well off the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Eeeek!” I wailed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius’s head sprang upward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even though he was in the middle of battle, he still reacted to my voice from far away. When he saw that I was in a monster’s clutches—and that I was six or seven meters up in the air—his eyes boggled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He instantly readied his sword as if he was about to throw it, but then his arm stopped mid-motion. It must have occurred to him that I’d fall if he killed the monster."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina!” he shouted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing him get so pale, I couldn’t help but shout back. “I’m so sorry, Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I felt terrible. He was so kind to bring me along to watch the saints, but now here I was, getting swiped up by a monster in the middle of the battle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It hit me that Sirius was so nice and caring that he might just chase after me, but there were still three fenrir-looking monsters remaining—the others were going to have a rotten time if he left."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius! Don’t you worry! I bet it won’t eat meeee!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So go beat the fenrirs first!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s what I was trying to yell at him, but I don’t think Sirius got the message because he had completely taken his eyes off the battle and was just staring directly up at me. Judging by his expression, he definitely thought that I was just saying stuff to get him to stop worrying. But his despair only lasted for a split second. The next moment, Sirius sheathed his sword and sprinted straight for the griffon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There’s no way, I thought. No matter how great Sirius was, not even he could catch a griffon in flight. And just as I thought, the griffon soared higher—far beyond Sirius’s reach."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I waved my hands frantically to show Sirius that I was okay, but his distraught face very quickly disappeared from view."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The griffon took me straight to its nest, just like I thought it would. Griffons generally flocked in groups and built their nests on cliffs overhanging the sea, but sometimes there were ones who stayed on their own. This particular griffon was one of those, and she lived alone in a nest she built for herself in a cave on a steep cliff next to the forest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Griffons only ever brought their prey to their nests, which meant that I was live bait…although I was pretty sure they only needed that for their children. It was meant to teach the young how to hunt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I looked around the nest, and there were no baby griffons to be seen. So what was I here for? Maybe she wanted to finish me off at home?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I turned to the griffon nervously. “Madam Griffon, if you’re thinking of eating me, I… Wait, what? You’re giving me food?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The reason my sentence suddenly turned into a question was because the golden griffon hurled something black at me. Since I’d just been talking about food, my first thought was that she was giving me something to eat, but it looked more like a big black furball than a meal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, wait. The furball had ears, and it was around the same size as me. I realized that it was a shaggy, fluffy black wolf."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No, not a wolf, a monster,” I muttered to myself. “A fenrir? Oh, wow! A real one! Oh, but black monsters are special, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fenrirs were wolf-type monsters with stiff manes on their heads. I hadn’t been sure about the ones from before because I’d been far away, but I could tell for sure that this one was a fenrir—which meant it was pretty high up the monster food chain. It was probably stronger than the griffon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But what was really interesting was…this one was black. Black was a sign that the monster had strong powers. The Two Great Beasts of the continent were both that color, in fact. One was the black dragon, and the other one was…I forgot exactly, but it wasn’t a fenrir. I was pretty sure those were the only two black monsters you could find on the whole continent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So what was this shaggy little thing, then? As I peered at the round furball, it wriggled its arms and legs and stared up at me with red eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had no idea what this pup was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But it was definitely black, which meant it was unbelievably strong…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stared at the black fenrir, trying to get my thoughts in order. Maybe it was because of the Spirit Lord’s blessing, but my eyes were getting better at taking in details by the day. I could tell that the black fenrir was absurdly strong. It was a newborn, though, judging by its size, so maybe it didn’t know how to use the power brimming inside its body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Was that why the griffon brought me here—to feed it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was at that moment when I noticed all the red feathers scattered around my feet. I picked one up and—yes, it belonged to a griffon. And a much tinier one than usual, at that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, is there a red griffon baby here?” I took another look around and noticed the eggshells in the corner of the nest. “Ah! Oh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could piece together what happened based on the clues. I bet the golden griffon gave birth to a red griffon chick. Then maybe the mother caught the black fenrir, hoping to feed it to her child…only for the black fenrir to eat the chick instead."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Being a red griffon, it would have been stronger than other, regular-colored griffons, but the black fenrir was even stronger. In a clash between two babies, black would have beaten red."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my, the monster world is ruthless…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shot a nervous look at the black fenrir, then at the golden griffon beside it. The next thing I knew, the griffon crouched down and used its beak to straighten my hair, which had gotten ruffled from the flight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I saw the monster’s tender gaze, a new thought occurred to me. “Oh! Have you mistaken me for your child?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to think of it, I was wearing a red dress and my hair was red. Maybe the griffon mistook me for her chick because I was red all over. Sirius said I looked like a spirit because my dress sleeves flapped in the wind, but who would have thought I’d be mistaken for a monster!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I get it,” I said, after some thought. “You must have gone looking for your child after it went missing all of a sudden. You brought me to your nest, thinking the search was over, and you gave me the black fenrir to eat.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I wasn’t hungry—and black fenrirs weren’t my thing anyway…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stroked the black fenrir’s tummy, wondering what to do, I noticed something slick sticking to my fingers."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I looked down at my hand in surprise and noticed it was smeared in bright red blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes went back to the black fenrir. On second look, its body was covered in wounds. I hadn’t realized at first because of all the black fur covering it, but it was bleeding all over. It had only one ear poking out from its fluffy fur—the other was gone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh dear!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While I gripped with shock, the black fenrir pulled in its arms and legs, turning back into a black furball. I suppose it smelled danger and brought out its limbs when the griffon threw me to the ground, but then it decided that there was no urgent threat and chose to save its strength instead. Seeing as it was hurt all over, I bet it barely had the energy to stand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did the golden griffon wound it? No, I think it was more likely that the griffon found it when it was already injured; that would explain why a weaker monster was able to catch a black fenrir in the first place."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I approached the black furball nervously. After a bit of hesitation, I called out to it: “Um, Little Black Fenrir… If you, um, swear not to eat me, I’ll heal your wound, I promise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn’t sense any hostility from the black fenrir, maybe because it was weak and exhausted. But from inside the ball of fluff, there was a reaction: Its single ear twitched."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The fur gave way ever so slightly to a pair of red eyes. The black fenrir looked at me carefully, as if taking stock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then…it seemed to nod in agreement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! So that’s a promise, then?” I was just about to remind the black fenrir not to eat me when I remembered that Seven taught me a song and dance that would “definitely stop monsters from eating you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, right! I forgot I was meant to perform this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven told me to put on a show if I ever crossed paths with danger. It totally slipped my mind, but good thing I remembered it just in time!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I scrambled to my feet and curtsied to the black fenrir and golden griffon. Then I did a dance—with a musical number, of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, you guys, my name’s Serafina!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s a bad idea to make me your dinner!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve got red hair, my friend is a spirit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I might look yummy, but I taste like grit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m full of poison, so you better watch out!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One bite of me and you’ll cringe, no doubt!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not all that looks tasty is good for you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So don’t eat me, I’m off the menu!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I put my hands together in the shape of an X for that last bit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Phew, I was pretty sure that was all I had to do. I looked at the two monsters, panting. They looked back at me with wide eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I knew I could count on Seven! Looks like that worked.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven said that if the monsters got entranced by my song and dance, they wouldn’t do anything bad to me. Yup, all it took was a dance to win over monsters and turn them into friends!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I approached the black fenrir, this time with a happy grin on my face. It looked up at me quietly with an expression that I thought looked full of trust."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I stroked its neck, then put both my hands onto its black body. And then I chanted…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the sound of my voice, a sparkling red light sprang from my hands and fell onto the black fenrir. Within the blink of an eye, all the wounds on its body disappeared."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The black beast immediately sprang up in surprise. The movement was so swift and effortless that I got a clear sense of the great power stored in its body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh-oh…” Flustered, I gazed at the black fenrir. Now that its wounds were healed, the monster was terrifyingly strong. “Well, it is a child. The injuries made me think it was weaker than it actually was. Now that it’s healed, you’d think it was another monster entirely.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yikes! I thought. Was it a good idea to heal such a powerful monster? As I gazed fretfully at the black fenrir, it started wagging its tail."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“O-oh, have you realized that I was the one who healed you? Well, you’re a special type of fenrir, so I bet you’re a really good boy! Phew, I’m glad you aren’t turning on me now that you’re all better.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The relief sapped all the energy from my body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The black fenrir nuzzled me as soon as my bum hit the ground. Not to be outdone, the griffon snuggled close to me as well. How nice it was to have two soft and cuddly creatures curl up with me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I smiled…and my eyelids flickered shut."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Before I knew it, I was feeling really sleepy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I usually had a nap after lunch every day, but today I went straight to the Saint Knight Brigade after eating. With a full stomach, a shaggy black fenrir, and a fluffy griffon around, it was only natural that a pleasant drowsiness came over me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We were all about to fall asleep together, but then the two monsters suddenly sprang up, which made my eyes snap open too. I saw the black fenrir at my right, growling at something. To my left, the griffon was beating its wings threateningly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Startled, I looked over where the two monsters were glaring and saw a whole bunch of yellow eyes gleaming at the cave’s entrance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no, a pack of fenrirs?!” I gasped."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The fenrirs had appeared out of nowhere, blocking the entrance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The griffon had built her nest within a steep cliff, but the cliff itself was slanted diagonally, not vertically. Powerful monsters like fenrirs were probably able to run down the cliff, so…"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0025.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Saint Knight Brigade"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Uh-oh. I didn’t have to count them to know that there was a crowd. I couldn’t see how many fenrirs were behind the pack closing off the entrance, but there had to be over fifteen of them for sure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I had to wonder: Why would the fenrirs expose themselves to danger by running down a steep cliff?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before my thoughts could get any further, I heard a low growl to my right."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The black fenrir."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As soon as I remembered its existence, I just knew: Oh, of course that’s what the fenrirs are here for. In fact, the fenrirs were looking only at the black fenrir and nothing else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Actually, I had to wonder if these fenrirs were why the black fenrir got so awfully hurt in the first place. That would explain why they were pursuing him—they wanted to finish him off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It also hit me that Sirius and the others had been fighting a group of monsters with fenrirs in it. I’d been wondering why they showed up when they were supposed to live deeper in the forest. Now I was certain that those monsters had been after the black fenrir too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Gosh, you’re all supposed to be friends…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And yet the pack decided as a group to attack the black fenrir, even though it was just a pup—something the fellow fenrirs should have been protecting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do I do? I dunno how to protect the black fenrir and griffon from so many monsters.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although I knew it wasn’t right to butt into fights between monsters, the black fenrir warmed up to me after I healed it, and the griffon doted on me as its child. I really didn’t want to see them hurt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But although I wanted to protect the black fenrir, it stepped out in front of me. It was a mind-boggling sight. “What?! Y-you’re protecting me from the monsters?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Monsters cared about protecting themselves before anything else—so why did the black fenrir jump in front of me and bare its fangs at the others? It looked like it was raring for a fight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I puzzled over this strange sight, the golden griffon stepped in front of me too, as if she didn’t want to be outdone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Aren’t griffons supposed to be weaker than fenrirs? Why is this one trying to pick a fight?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was unheard of in the natural world. As I gaped at the strange scene unfolding in front of me, one of the fenrirs suddenly lunged forward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ahh!” I shrank back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The black fenrir jumped out to block it, sinking his teeth into the other fenrir’s neck. The beast fell to the ground, writhing furiously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh my!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment the black fenrir landed on the ground, there was an eerie cracking sound, and streams of blood poured out of the other fenrir’s mouth. Shockingly, the tiny pup took down a massive fenrir many times its size."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The black fenrir was swifter and stronger than the others—watching it fight confirmed it for me. Given how it was wounded earlier while the other fenrirs were unharmed, you’d think the black fenrir was much weaker. But right now, the black fenrir was capable of wiping the floor with the rest. It must have gained this strength over a very short period of time. That…was a scary pace."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The other fenrirs must have caught on to this too, because they took a few steps back, bristling with caution. But still…my heart pounded in fear. There were way more of them. As I tried to steady my breathing, I clenched my fists—I had to fight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“O-okay! So it’s come to this! Time to unveil my Serafina Punch!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I raised my fists as the fenrirs came rushing in, one after the other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ahh! Eeeek!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My desperate attempt at throwing a punch went nowhere—my body froze up entirely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before the first fenrir could get to me, the black fenrir jumped out and sent it flying. Then the griffon instantly swooped in for a follow-up attack. (Did they set up a silent communication pipeline at some point?)."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those were some impressive skills for sure, but they were still outnumbered. While one of the fenrirs was down, the others set themselves upon the black fenrir and griffon. The two monsters were covered in cuts and gashes in no time flat, but even then, they refused to move out of the way."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They were protecting me. It was clear as day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh no, what do I…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What do I do?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even if I were to tell them to get out of the way, I couldn’t fight on the front lines like they could. So no, I was in no shape to protect them—but at this rate, they were only going to take even more damage for me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Heal!” I chanted, removing their wounds."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But it only worked for an instant. Before long, they got hit with brand new injuries—and they felt the pain every time. It was an endless cycle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m sorry…” Tears sprouted in my eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was useless. All I could do was stand by and watch as they took the hits that were meant for me. We were close enough to touch, and so whenever they got hurt, I felt their pain as if it were my own."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But that was only my imagination, really. They were the only ones getting injured over and over again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I felt so rotten."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the tears poured down my face, I murmured his name. I wasn’t even hoping for him to come save me—he was just the only thing I could think of."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius was busy fighting the other monsters. He chased after me when the griffon took me, but now I was far out of reach. He didn’t know where the griffon’s nest was either, so I knew there was no hope of him coming for me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I called out for him anyway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The odds of anyone rescuing me at all were almost zero, but if anyone could do it, it was Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s what I thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius! Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then, a split second later, a voice called out back to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My head jolted up, because it was the voice of the very person I had called for."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No way…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Standing at the entrance of the nest with a grim look on his face was Sirius himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I tried calling out his name again…but my voice got stuck in my throat because the moment he saw me, his face took on a look I’d never seen before. It hit me that I must have truly gone overboard this time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius closed his eyes for a brief second as if to pray, before immediately snapping them back open. He drew his sword, his expression a picture of deadly serious intent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next moment…there wasn’t even a sound. All I saw was the flash of a sword. One of the fenrirs let out a high-pitched snarl and attempted to lunge. But before it could, it fell to the ground, split in two."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A wave of relief came over me. Seeing Sirius as cool and strong as always told me that everything was going to be okay. My racing heart finally slowed down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking around the nest with a clear head, I could see what I had to do. I was a saint, after all; there was plenty I could do aside from healing magic. It hadn’t even occurred to me until I saw Sirius and stopped panicking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I whipped my head up. “Hey, Seven?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seven appeared as soon as I called out for him in the spirit language. “Hey, Fi, what’s up?” He was all smiles until he spotted all the fenrirs and the griffon. “Hold up, what’s going on here?! What’s with all the monsters?!” He jolted back in surprise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, um, it’s a long story… I’ll explain later. Could you fight with me right now?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sure thing!” he said crisply, always quick on the uptake. I grinned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He floated all the way up to the ceiling and started channeling his spirit magic to me. I lifted a hand and unleashed a spell aimed at the black fenrir, the griffon, and, of course, Sirius."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With that single word, the two monsters and the sole human were back to perfect health."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was pretty sure that Sirius must have gone through a huge ordeal in order to find me. His uniform was torn up all over, and there was blood dripping from all of his gashes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Invigorate! Attack ×1.5; Speed ×1.5!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hesitated for a moment, but I ended up casting buffs on Sirius. He was the only knight in the area, and there were still ten fenrirs left to beat. Also, I was pretty sure that Sirius would try to take down all the monsters by himself—entirely for my sake."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The strength he showed a moment ago was clearly beyond a normal human’s limits. Most people couldn’t slice a fenrir in two with pure upper body strength alone. If he was going to insist on pushing himself harder than anyone else, then the least I could do as a saint was lend him my fullest power."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finally, I looked at the black fenrir and griffon. Could I buff them too? Probably. But monsters were independent and generally relied purely on their own strength to get by. There was a chance they wouldn’t appreciate the outside help. Besides, I had no idea what they would do with the extra strength. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to use it, or maybe they’d be afraid to even use their normal strength."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After going back and forth about it in my mind, I decided not to cast magic on the two monsters because of all the uncertainty. Besides, now that Sirius was here, we had all the fighting power we needed…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I clasped my hands together tightly and turned my eyes to Sirius once more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As far as I knew, a single knight couldn’t possibly take down a fenrir. Unbelievably, though, Sirius was lopping them down one after the other. Next to him, the black fenrir and griffon helped in the attack. Of course, there were still a lot of fenrirs left, so the three fighters on our side still got plenty hurt after that…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But before long, Sirius skewered the last fenrir. When he pulled out his sword, there was a sort of shfff sound, and the beast crumpled to the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I clenched the front of my dress and cast a nervous look around. The only ones still standing were me, Sirius, the black fenrir, and the griffon. All the fenrirs were collapsed on the ground—I was pretty certain that was all of them, at least."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We were safe now, right? That was what my brain was telling me, but my body stayed frozen. I couldn’t even make a sound."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But when I saw Sirius shake the blood off his sword and return it to its sheath, a bit of the tension left my body. “Sirius,” I was about to call his name, but I only managed to open my mouth before my voice got stuck in my throat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You see, I thought that Sirius was just going to come close to me—I didn’t expect him to march all the way up to me, scoop me up in his arms, and squeeze my body tightly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius was a powerful knight—and he had a strengthening buff on. A proper hug from him was absolutely strangling. The noise that squeaked out of my mouth sounded like a dying frog. I seriously thought I was getting squeezed to death."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius quickly snapped to his senses and relaxed his grip. “Are you all right, Serafina?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Haa…haa… Phew. Wowee, the air tastes nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius gazed down sheepishly at my bright red face. Then his clean-cut features twisted sharply. “Oh, Serafina, I’m so glad you’re safe. If something happened to you…I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nothing would’ve happened! Not with me around!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven sure was being haughty for someone who took longer to get here than Sirius did. But, well, he was napping until I summoned him, and I did indeed feel at ease with him around."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I grinned. “You’re right, Seven. Thank you! We all pulled through today because of you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seven seemed to sense something, because he blinked for a moment and looked off into the distance. “You’re welcome!” he answered, speaking quicker than usual. “Hm, well, I’ll let you off lightly today, Sirius, as thanks for helping Fi. Tootles!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And with that, he disappeared without even waiting for a response."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Where did your cheeky spirit go?” Sirius asked, looking confused. He was probably wondering why Seven ran off without even getting through half his usual rant. My spirit friend always really let Sirius have it whenever he was upset with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I think he went back to the castle garden,” I said. “He doesn’t want to meet the other saints’ spirits, or so he says.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, I see,” Sirius said with a little nod, looking exhausted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was still in his arms. So to thank him, I gave him a big hug this time. “Thanks for coming to save me, Sirius! You were a big help to everyone.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By “everyone,” I was referring to me, the black fenrir, and the griffon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Sirius’s face took on a dark scowl, the complete opposite of my sunny smile. “No, I should’ve rescued you before you got dragged into this nest. It’s my fault you ended up here in the first place.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From his agonized expression, I could tell how deeply he must have been worrying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, don’t say that! It all happened because I wanted to watch the saints from a distance.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I insisted that Sirius had nothing to do with it, but he wasn’t buying it. “No, you shouldn’t have been so far away, and I should’ve put a knight with you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ohh, that’s smart. It’s amazing how you can come up with so many ideas. Just keep it in mind for next time, okay? No use crying over past mistakes.” I clung to Sirius’s neck, thinking about how tough it must be to be a genius with a lot of responsibility. “Hey, Sirius. I was crying until you came for me, but now that you’re here, I’m smiling. Thank you, Sirius! So until you say ‘you’re welcome’ and admit you did good, I won’t stop thanking you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you, Sirius! Thank you, Sirius! Thank you, Sirius! Thank you, Sirius! Thank you—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I get it, Serafina! You’re…welcome.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius didn’t sound like he meant it. He still looked like he thought of himself as a screwup. But I didn’t say it out loud."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, I smiled at him. “Sirius, thanks for coming to my rescue! You’re my knight in shining armor.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius frowned uneasily at what I said. “Me? Today’s the first time I’ve felt like such a pathetic excuse for a knight. I was powerless and couldn’t keep my promise.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Promise?” I tilted my head, confused about what this promise was."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius nodded with a completely straight face. “Yeah. I’m the one who dragged you out of the Forest of Lent. And because of that, I made a vow to you as a knight that I would give you the same happiness you got from there. I told you I’d show you what’s beautiful about the world. But today, I only gave you fear and anxiety.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Sirius!” I looked at him, startled at the extent of his devotion and sense of duty. “Yeah, I was scared when all those fenrirs attacked, but now I’m okay, all because you came. Besides, making me happy or showing me what’s beautiful doesn’t only mean giving me nice things, you know?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What do you mean?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius’s shocked expression was making me feel surprised. “Well, you know, it’s impossible for everything to be completely perfect. Like yesterday’s dinner. There were things I liked and things I didn’t like in it. But it had more of the things I liked, so when I finished, I thought, ‘That was yummy.’ That’s what I’m talking about. Even if some things are a little sad or scary, it’s fine as long as most of it was fun and happy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That was my best attempt at an explanation, but Sirius shook his head to it. “Serafina, I’m not going to settle for second best.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What a stubborn and single-minded knight. I pulled on the collar of his uniform, brought my mouth to his ear, and whispered a secret that was only for him. “Sirius, I want to protect you as a saint. This is a secret, but when you’re happy, I’m happy.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Plus, I made a decision, one which was even more secret."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll train real hard and become an awesome saint who can protect you, no matter how little I am."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina!” Sirius cried out my name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stiffened—he couldn’t have heard my inner voice. I pulled my mouth away from his ear and peered at his face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What I saw made my eyes widen. “Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He reacted by taking one of his hands from my back and covering his face with it. “You…must be some kind of spirit. You’re a handful, is all I can say. I’m the vice-commander of the Horned Beast Knights, and I’m still no match for you. Not much I can do about it when you beat me down by saving me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius?” I tilted my head, not understanding what he was saying, but Sirius kept his hand over his face and didn’t even notice my confusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You save me, you fill my heart,” he went on, still hiding himself from me. “I can’t see anything in it for you. In fact, there’s only a downside since I might get clingy. Ah, maybe I am just a kidnapper.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This reminded me of what Sirius said once back in the castle hallway: “Didn’t the king and queen tell you to watch out for kidnappers because you’re too cute?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was joking, of course, and we laughed about it. But…maybe Sirius thought I was so cute he wanted to kidnap me? Now that was a happy thought—why, it sounded great!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I grinned. “So what you’re saying is that you want to be with me foreeeeever and ever? I like the sound of that!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina…that’s enough temptation,” Sirius groaned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a big shake of his head, he put me to the ground. Then he started repeating words like he was chanting something to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re the vice-commander of the Horned Beast Knights, got it? You’re the vice-commander of the Horned Beast Knights.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The black fenrir and the griffon quickly took the chance to sidle up to me. The black fenrir dove straight into my arms—what joy! I hugged the pup tightly. Meanwhile, the griffon groomed my frizzled hair back into shape with its beak."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius remained close by, peering at the two monsters with deep wariness. Eventually, he seemed to run out of patience, and he said, “Serafina, care to explain those two? I refrained from cutting them down in the battle because I could tell that they were protecting you…but the enemy of my enemy isn’t literally my friend, you know.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So, um, you see…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yup, I’d noticed that he’d noticed. He didn’t lay a hand on the two monsters because he saw they were fighting the fenrirs to protect me. However, the fact that he scooped me up away from the monsters after the battle was a sign that he wasn’t totally relaxed. Even now, he had a hand on his sword, prepared to strike at any moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was obvious that he still didn’t trust the two monsters since he was still on guard against a possible attack. I had to explain that these monsters were my friends so that he could properly understand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I gave a reassuring look at the two monsters by my side before clasping my hands together and turning to Sirius. “This golden griffon sees me as her missing chick. And this black fenrir got attached to me after I healed its wounds. They both protected me from the fenrirs.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see…but…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius looked like he wasn’t about to let the subject go, but then a stream of anxious voices came sounding from outside the nest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you okay, Vice-Commander Sirius?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re in that hole, right? Hold on, we’re coming for you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hang in there, Lady Serafina!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Vice-Commander! Lady Serafina!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Captain Adara, Vice-Captain Mirfak, and the three knights were calling out to us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’re finally here,” Sirius said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He tried to pick me up, so I quickly reached down to the ground and held the black fenrir. Sirius grimaced as if he wanted to make a comment, but he held back and strode briskly to the cave’s entrance. The griffon trotted after him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we came out from the hole, five voices cheered: “Phew! You’re alive!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I felt bad about their over-the-top joy. Oops, I must have worried them sick."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanwhile, Sirius started unbuttoning the jacket of his knight uniform. It looked like his plan was to put me in his jacket and carry me down the cliff."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh no, won’t doing that tire you out?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Heh, so my intentions aren’t ‘dangerous,’ just ‘tiring,’ are they? I take it you’re finally starting to trust me?” Sirius said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I rolled my eyes at him and then turned to the griffon. “Madam Griffon, I know it’s a bit of a strain on you, but could you help take us down the cliff?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The griffon gave a clear nod."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, goodie! I looked up at Sirius. “The griffon’s willing to help us down.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re not serious? Since when have you been able to converse with monsters?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking at Sirius’s incredulous face, I realized that he’d gotten the wrong idea. He seemed to think that since I could talk with Seven, who was a spirit, I could talk to monsters as well. We obviously couldn’t understand each other—we basically communicated through vibes…but something told me that Sirius wouldn’t go along with something based on “vibes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Tee hee hee, the weather’s so nice today, I bet it gave me all kinds of powers.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So I avoided Sirius’s eyes and gave a sort of nonsense answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But maybe he was used to me saying nonsense on the regular, because he just said, “All right,” and accepted my theory."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After that, I clutched the black fenrir, while Sirius held me with one hand and the griffon’s leg with the other."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As the griffon took flight, shouts of disbelief rang out at the bottom of the cliff. From everyone else’s perspective, the griffon was the bad guy who snatched me away. No wonder they couldn’t wrap their heads around what was going on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The griffon didn’t seem to mind, though. She traced an elegant circle in the air before making a slow landing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When we were a few meters off the ground, Sirius let go of the griffon. He clutched me with both arms and fell safely on the grass. The other humans came running to us, shouting excitedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The black fenrir seemed surprised by the commotion. As soon as Sirius let me down, the pup jumped out my arms and scampered a short distance away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m so glad you’re unharmed, Vice-Commander! Princess Serafina!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ohhhh, thank goodness!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights and saints cheered with visible relief. It made me realize all over again how much I must have worried them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My face fell, and I said, “I’m soooo sorry for all the fuss! I’ll make sure to finish everything on my plate from now on so I’ll be too heavy for a griffon to pick me up!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Captain Adara put a stop to my earnest suggestion. “You’ll make yourself sick well before you get that heavy, so please refrain from doing that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then she and Vice-Captain Mirfak bowed their heads at the same time. “Your Highness Princess Serafina, we deeply apologize for our disrespectful conduct.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I blinked, startled at the “Your Highness.” Wasn’t that supposed to be under wraps? “Umm, I’m not Princess Serafina. I’m Seraphi, a distant relative of Sirius,” I said hurriedly, remembering how I’d promised Sirius to keep my identity hidden."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the mention of Sirius’s name, Captain Adara spoke up: “Vice-Commander Sirius kept referring to you as ‘Serafina’ when you disappeared.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina is, um, a nickname for Seraphi,” I insisted (although I wasn’t quite sure if nicknames were allowed to be longer than the full name)."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But then Captain Adara continued with a completely stone-cold expression: “The vice-commander has very few relatives. The only ‘extended family’ he has within our kingdom are members of royalty. To be perfectly frank, we did not think you were royalty at first, so when the vice-commander introduced you as ‘family,’ neither of us believed him. We assumed he was lying—hence our disgraceful conduct. We cannot apologize enough for the distress we put you through.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Um, so basically, they were suspicious of my background from the start? And there was no point trying to hide it anymore?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“…I am Serafina. Second princess of the royal family.” Now that I knew that hiding it was no use, I easily admitted defeat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I bowed my head, Captain Adara, Vice-Captain Mirfak, and even the three knights did the same thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the two saints came up to us, peered at Sirius’s body at close range, and sighed. “Your uniform is torn up all over, but you don’t have a scratch on you. Your Highness, you must have healed him, I take it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, um, yes.” I nodded. Sirius told me earlier to stay quiet about my abilities, but I figured that there was no harm in admitting to this one since every saint could use healing magic."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Their eyes widened in disbelief. “What remarkable power. Vice-Commander Sirius didn’t stop to get healed after he fended off the monsters chasing us. His wounds were terribly deep when he came rushing to you, and yet you managed to heal them all without even calling a spirit. And at such a young age too!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Er, um, uh…I suppose.” I was going to deny it at first, but then I stopped myself. I actually did call for Seven, but then again, I healed the black fenrir and the griffon without his help, so the saints technically weren’t wrong."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Captain Adara brought a hand to her chest and peered straight at me. “I apologize once again for my incivility, Your Highness. For a self-taught saint to unleash such powerful healing magic is a sign of extraordinary talent. Regardless, I am deeply honored that you came for my instruction. I would be more than happy for you to observe our magic again when your schedule permits.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my! Thank you so much! I’ll come visit you again for sure!” I walked over to Captain Adara and squeezed her hand on impulse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The captain reacted with a breathtaking smile—and as if on cue, Sirius picked me up. “I’m glad we’re all on the same page now. Sorry for hiding Serafina’s identity, but you should have had a bit more forethought about the possibilities. Your conduct was unsuitable for royalty,” he said coldly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Captain Adara and Vice-Captain Mirfak bowed wordlessly in response."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And you, Serafina, acted superbly. You abided carefully to my instructions and did your best to keep your secret. You get full marks.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Huh? S-Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I mean, sure, I was just a kid, but wasn’t Sirius showing too much favoritism? But before I could say as much, though, I noticed one of the knights was carrying what looked like a red bundle of feathers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No way…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There was a red griffon chick in his arms."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“How did you find that little one?” I asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, it was stuck in a crack in the ground not far from here. I think it fell from its nest and couldn’t find its way back.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knight went on to say that the mother probably went out to search for the chick after it fell. Maybe so, but I couldn’t help but wonder: What if the baby griffon knew it would get eaten by the black fenrir when it came running down the cliff? Perhaps the chick slipped out when the black fenrir was about to attack. That would mean this little one was a clever bird indeed, running when it sensed danger to its life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We suspect this chick belongs to the griffon that abducted you, so we were planning to use it as leverage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What? Oh no, you mustn’t!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I jumped out of Sirius’s arms, sprinted to the knight, and yanked the baby griffon from him. I then quickly ran over to the mother, who was standing some distance away, and presented the chick to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The griffon gave a startled jump and looked at me and the chick in turn. I placed the chick at the griffon’s feet to reassure her…and at that moment, the little one scampered to its mother and started making high-pitched squawks. The feathers on its head were completely ruffled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The griffon gazed softly at her chick’s unruly head before gently pecking it back into shape. Awww, how wholesome."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What a relief.” I sighed. “I’m so glad the baby bird is okay!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Okay, what next?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes turned to the black fenrir standing a short way off. I walked over and patted it on the head. “Thank you too, black fenrir. We’re all going back home now—I hope you grow up nice and strong.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina.” At this point, Sirius, who had made sure to stick close behind me, spoke up. “I understand that these monsters helped you out. As much as I’d like to let them go, monsters hurt people at the end of the day—it’s in their nature. The griffon is one thing, but black monsters are considered calamities. They’re not creatures you can just let off the hook.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He seemed firm about that. “But, Sirius, they saved me,” I pleaded. “So can’t you look the other way, just this once?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina. You saw for yourself how the fenrirs left their ravine—their safe zone—to chase after the black fenrir. I’m sure they saw this pup as a future threat to the pack.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah…” I nodded in agreement; I’d been thinking the same thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Fenrirs normally raise their young as a pack,” Sirius went on—I could tell he was trying to persuade me. “But this black fenrir’s birth gave them so much fear that they broke their custom. It’s why they tried to kill it…and yet, even as a newborn, it still managed to make it this far.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I understood what Sirius was trying to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If the black fenrir could fight toe to toe with the adult fenrirs as just a little pup, then how terrifying would it be as an adult? His concern totally made sense. But…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, this pup is a smart cookie! He understands what I say. I’ll tell him to never attack people ever. So please!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m a saint! I cast my magic to save them…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius reacted to my desperate plea with expressionless silence. When I refused to look away, he let out a weary sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a very long pause, he said…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re a true saint, aren’t you? You try to save every creature.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Just this once.” Sirius pulled his hand away from his sword. “Next time I cross paths with it, I’ll slay it,” he said, sounding defeated."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I jumped up and gave him a hug. “Thank you, Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Monsters hurt people—and it was Sirius’s duty as a knight to protect people from the monsters. It only made sense that he would try to slay any monster he saw."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But…the black fenrir and griffon weren’t hostile—they saved me. So I wanted to return the favor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Besides, the fenrirs and griffons normally lived deeper in the forests and mountains. They rarely came down to human settlements, and they didn’t typically attack people. What’s more, I got the vague feeling that they understood me somehow. I was pretty sure that they would take what I said to heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I looked at the black fenrir and slowly crouched down in front of it. It came toward me, nuzzling my neck affectionately, and I stroked its neck gently."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you so much for saving me. I’m happy we became friends. And…I’m sorry. You have to live on your own from now on.” I took a deep breath. “Hey, Little Black Fenrir, promise me one thing—never ever attack people. Then we can be friends forever.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Arf!” the black fenrir barked back without a lick of hesitation. Its red eyes peered straight into mine, giving me the feeling that it understood and agreed to what I was saying."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you.” I stroked its firm mane. “Live strong…Little Black Fenrir.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The black fenrir must have understood that this was goodbye, because it gazed up at the sky and let out a howl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It then ran deep into the forest without looking back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In nature, only the strong survived. There was no guarantee that a pup—even a black fenrir—would live to see another day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But still, I prayed from the bottom of my heart that this one would pull through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After that, I made a similar request to the griffon and her child and then said goodbye. The two of them also nodded as if they understood what I said, then returned to their nest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A strained silence fell over the scene as soon as the monsters were gone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The first to break the silence was—as you’d expect—one of the good-natured knights. “Well, today was…well, how do I say it? Everything was so surreal, I can’t make heads or tails of it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He said that, but his eyes were sparkling as if he’d just had the time of his life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One of the other knights gave a big nod in agreement, looking just as entertained. “Yeah, when Princess Serafina got swiped, Vice-Commander Sirius cut through those beastly fenrirs like they were chumps! And to top it off, we picked up a mutant griffon, saw a black monster, and let it run off… Chaos, to put it simply!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then the third knight spoke up. “Nah, the biggest surprise was when Serafina yelled ‘Don’t you worry! I bet it won’t eat meeee!’ while the monster was carrying her off. I’d have been bawling in fright if I were her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, Sirius’s cheek twitched. “Exactly. Just where did Serafina get the confidence to say that? It was on my mind the whole time I was running through the forest.” Then he turned and stared at me. “Serafina, I expect a full explanation from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I clammed up, sensing that it might not be a good idea to show him the dance Seven told me about."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But then Sirius’s mouth curled in amusement. “You don’t need to tell me today. You’re safe—that’s all that matters. Now then, shall we head back?” he suggested."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, sir!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Everyone was in sound agreement about that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately, it took quite a bit of time to get back to the entrance of the forest, since the griffon’s nest had been very deep in the woods. Sirius offered to carry me because he was worried about me getting tired, but I waved both my arms to tell him no."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius, you’ve done a lot of fighting already. I’ll walk by myself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“But it’s a long way to the entrance—too far for you to walk.” He looked at me worriedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“It sure is! Oh, but it’s fun walking home together!” I said cheerfully. “It’s like we’re coming back from a picnic!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But for some reason, everyone recoiled as if I’d declared a death sentence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“A picnic!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yeah, Vice-Captain Mirfak did say something along the lines of “Young Seraphi is only going to remember this day as a picnic.” And then Sirius told her in no uncertain terms…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“If Seraphi only remembers this as a picnic, then it will mean that my knights and your magic failed to impress! If that ends up being the case, then I would feel ashamed of my skills!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Recalling that conversation, Sirius threw his head up in total defeat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Okay. Point taken.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Two weeks later, I spotted a hole in my personal garden. It was juuuust big enough for me to crawl inside. My curiosity won out, and I got on all fours…only to find the black fenrir waiting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Whaaaaat?!” I was flabbergasted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, the black fenrir wagged its tail in delight and jumped at me. The next moment, it was on top of me, licking my face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Uh-oh, now what? I thought, but gosh darn it! The black fenrir was soooo cute, with the way it was wagging its whole tail. I couldn’t help but cling to its soft and fluffy neck. Yeah, I knew it was a monster, but this one wouldn’t do anything bad to me, right?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And hey, I didn’t have a reputation for being the smartest. Of course I wouldn’t notice a lone wolf pup in this massive garden. Right?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From that day forth, I pretended not to notice the black fenrir, not even telling Sirius."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0027.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina’s Decision and Sirius’s Vow"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina’s Decision and Sirius’s Vow"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE DAY AFTER the Saint Knight Brigade visit, I was a nervous wreck. I’d gone into that visit all fired up, thinking, “I’m gonna learn from the saints!” but then a monster plucked me away, and in the end, I didn’t even get to watch a full battle. I was sure that Sirius would tell me off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But surprisingly, he didn’t scold me at all. In fact, in the three times I’d met him since, he didn’t mention the incident once."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Weeeell, Sirius can be bighearted like that, I thought, so I bet he’s letting me off the hook. So that night, I pranced over to Sirius’s room, where I munched on some snacks and read a book."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then Sirius said, “Ah,” as if he had just thought of something. “By the way, Serafina, for my future reference: Why did you say ‘Don’t you worry! I bet it won’t eat meeee!’ when the griffon took you yesterday?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was then that I remembered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius said: “Just where did Serafina get the confidence to say that? It was on my mind the whole time I was running through the forest. Serafina, I expect a full explanation from you.” Basically, he was waiting for the right time to grill me all about it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius squinted suspiciously at my startled face. “Asdfghj? Is that some kind of chant? I’m not versed in healing magic, so I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Explain it to me simply.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What a funny coincidence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had no idea what the “Asdfghj” meant, and I didn’t have the foggiest clue what Sirius meant by “versed” either. Also, I had the feeling that my answer to his question would be very humiliating…but it wasn’t like I could avoid answering him either."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seeing his stubbornly expectant face, I gave up and said, “Okay, you see, Seven taught me a song and dance that would definitely stop monsters from eating me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius stared skeptically. “A song and dance? You thought that would do something against a monster? And it was your prankster spirit that gave you the idea?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh dear, Sirius didn’t seem to like my answer. But hey, it worked in the end, right?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I stood up from the sofa and moved over to Sirius. “Do you want me to show it to you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Huh? Uh, sure.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look at me and pretend you’re a monster.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius folded his arms and watched as I spread my arms for the first dance move. And then I began to sing:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Hey, you guys, my name’s Serafina!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s a bad idea to make me your dinner!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve got red hair, my friend is a spirit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I might look yummy, but I taste like grit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m full of poison, so you better watch out!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One bite of me and you’ll cringe, no doubt!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not all that looks tasty is good for you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So don’t eat me, I’m off the menu!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I finished off by putting my arms together in a big X shape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wowee, I sure nailed that one! Panting, I looked at Sirius. He stared back at me, not even blinking. Heh, so I was that good—I grinned."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What do you think, Sirius—no, Monster Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m a monster now?!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh-huh, I told you to pretend. The dance only works on monsters, not humans,” I explained, exactly as Seven told it to me. “It won’t have any effect if you see yourself as human!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius frowned and fell silent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sirius?” I nudged him, confused."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All of a sudden, he shoved a hand into his hair and started ruffling it furiously. “True, there are poisons that work selectively on certain targets, like weed and bug killers. But…I have to question whether that applies to your dance. Just because it does nothing on me, a human, doesn’t mean it’ll work against a monster. Or would it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seeing Sirius clutch his head in confusion made me worry that the dance might have worked a little too well against him. “S-Sirius, are you okay? Did you get too into being a monster and now you’re all hurt?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, I… Sorry, but I was never going to be a monster.” Sirius sounded like he was trying to say something, but his words got all muffled halfway through."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I said, “Anyway, the griffon and black fenrir didn’t attack me when I did the dance.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, really?” Sirius lowered his hands from his head and gave me a look of deep skepticism."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To which I replied cheerfully: “Yup!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, he was silent. Then finally, he said, “Okay. So you believe that the monsters didn’t eat you because of the dance your spirit taught you. Do I have that about right? It all sounds fishy to me, though, I have to say.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, Sirius, you never believe anything! Actually, I also came up with my own idea for not getting eaten, but I went with the performance because Seven said that would work for sure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius straightened up. “What was your idea?” he asked cautiously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I told him the theory I came up with a while back. “So you know how because I’m a saint, I can dispel any poison I take? I figured I could do the opposite and fill my body with poison if a monster tried to attack.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Judging by his shock, my idea must not have occurred to Sirius. “What?!” he yelled, more loudly than usual."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wow, my idea had to be great if it could take Sirius by surprise. Nice going, me! “I’ve never tried it out, so I don’t know if it would actually work. I bet it would hurt loads so I couldn’t do it for long, but it would probably be a strong warning to the monsters, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius said nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“They’d take one bite of me and run away in pain! Then I’d dispel the poison and heal the bit they chewed off me! Easy-peasy! Oh, but when I told Seven my idea he got really flustered and said, ‘No, no, anything but that! I know a dance that works way better!’” That reminded me of an important detail. “Oh yeah, he also said I should call for him before I ever do it. I forgot about that part!” I said, clapping my hands together in apology."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I looked up at Sirius, his face was deathly pale. “Oh…now I get it. The point of that weird dance was to be a diversion while calling for your spirit. Well, that makes sense, at least.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhh, Sirius?” I pouted—I couldn’t believe he called my dance “weird.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But he seemed too preoccupied to care about what I was doing. “I’d suggest the same thing in your spirit’s shoes,” he went on, still looking awfully pale. “Because your idea is the worst I’ve ever heard! No sane person would sacrifice their body like that! I can understand why your spirit would try to stop you from trying that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius covered his face with both hands and sank into the sofa in exhaustion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“All right, Serafina, I get the picture, so let’s not dwell on the reasoning any further.” He sighed. “I suppose your spirit incorporated his disgruntlement in the song—hence the heavy allusion to poison in the lyrics. Either way, this means you need to be kept under guard. In any case, what book were you reading?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a fed-up look, Sirius turned the conversation away from the dance in favor of the book I was reading—so I showed him the cover."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, I see, the Herb Almanac. This is for advanced students, isn’t it? You’re an eager learner, Serafina.” His expression eased into a smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sounded impressed, but I couldn’t help but think of what my three big brothers said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, you’re a real dummy, you know that?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You’re six, and you can’t even write? You’re not living up to your royal name, that’s for sure!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And what’re with those weird dances you do for no reason? You don’t have a lick of common sense!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was logical for them to say that. I didn’t know much about the world, and plus I was behind on my studies. Of course I failed as royalty."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hung my head and said gloomily, “It’s nice of you to praise me, Sirius, but I’m only good at learning saint stuff. I can’t write, and I’m always dancing without thinking. I’m no good as a princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t say that, Serafina! You were blind for so many years! Of course it’s going to take you time to pick up those things. As for your impulsive dances…well, that’s just your personality. You don’t need to change that about yourself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Aww, he earnestly tried to cheer me up. I was so happy that I gave him a big hug. “Thank you, Sirius! But it’s my fault for not trying when I already know where I’m not good enough. I put all my effort into being a good saint instead of a good princess ’cause I’d rather heal people than go to parties.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina…” Sirius blinked, looking conflicted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I decided to tell him something that had been weighing down on me since the other day, when I nodded along to what he said even though my heart wasn’t in it. “You told me before that I made the choice to become a saint too quick. But I know what I want to be. Even when I’m ten or fifteen, I’ll still make the same choice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius frowned and blinked in silence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To me, he looked uneasy. I bet he was surprised by what I said and couldn’t figure out how to react."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was now or never. So I pleaded: “I’ll tell Father! If he lets me become a saint, I’ll work really, really hard! And then…could I fight with you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius’s voice sounded shaky. I knew that now was the time to strike. With my arms still around him, I lifted my head and smiled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I told him a secret."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, Sirius. The reason I decided to go to the royal capital is because I wanted to protect you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The moment he heard my words, Sirius moaned my name and buried his forehead against my shoulder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, I told you to put off going to battle until you were grown up… It’s not a decision I made lightly. Don’t think you can change my mind just like that.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m sorry.” My words sounded insincere even to my own ears."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sirius lifted his head and peered at me, biting his lip. We were so close, I felt sucked into his eyes. “What am I supposed to do about such an adorable, one-of-a-kind saint?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh my, what a stupid question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d been repeating the same thing for ages, so of course I was going to say it again now. “Take me with you, Sirius! I wanna be a saint who can protect you,” I declared with my biggest smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius closed his eyes and sighed very deeply. “You know how to get me.” He picked me up, strode to the window, and said, in a very tired voice, “Serafina, just a simple sentence from you can throw me straight off track. You’ve slayed the part of me that listens to reason. All that’s left is my selfish, egomaniacal soul…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He paused and then said…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve always dearly wanted you to be a saint. I’m not going to stop you anymore.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius!” I wrapped my arms around his neck in glee."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stroked my head gently. “Serafina, the night is dark, but when the sun rises, it’ll be a new day for the kingdom… Let’s go and see the king then. I’ll ask if you can take your first step to becoming a saint.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Thank you so much, Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I let go of his neck and smiled at him, he gazed back at me seriously. “I’m the one who should be thanking you,” he said in a voice choked with emotion. “Thank you, Serafina. I don’t know how deep your resolve goes, but I know you are sincere. I will never forget your decision today. Here and now, I swear to you as a knight that I will protect you for my entire life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Wow! Oh, gosh. Um?” My eyes widened—that was a really, really heavy vow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sirius chuckled in amusement. “Ha ha ha, this isn’t the right place for that. I’ll make a proper vow befitting of you some other time. But just for this moment, let me swear to be your eternal knight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Gosh, Sirius…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I looked at him worriedly, but his expression was totally sunny. There was no point in trying to stop him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tee hee hee!” I couldn’t help but giggle. “Okay, then I’ll be your saint!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well, now… How could I refuse such a gracious offer?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At his words, he and I locked eyes and declared our vows, smiling all the while."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That night, the kingdom’s strongest knight and saint found each other."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0028.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - The Tragic Tale of the Poetry Recital"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusThe Tragic Tale of the Poetry Recital"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“SHE’S FLUNKING POETRY?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t say I was happy when I saw Serafina’s academic report."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina’s education was entirely within my jurisdiction. I kept track of her studies and built a month-to-month curriculum that took into account the overall balance of her workload. So how could the report from her poetry tutor say that she was doing so poorly?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“‘Her poems are unique and eccentric. By most sensibilities, they would be considered bottom-tier.’ This can’t be!” As I read through the report, I shot a look at the attendant by my side. “Poetry is all about saying things like how the stars glimmer at night or how love brings you pain—things like that. Everyone’s got a different sense for these things. The tutor must not have a good grasp on Serafina’s personality if they are rating her skills so poorly.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In spite of what the report said, it was wrong to expect a six-year-old to have an expressive grasp on language to begin with. Wasn’t it better to validate the emotions she was describing?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I was scowling at the report, the attendant said meekly, “A poet has to be a master at their craft to teach a princess. Sir Sirius, you’re always saying it’s best to get both sides of a story, so why don’t you ask Princess Serafina for her opinion?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That makes sense.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I nodded and headed for Serafina’s chambers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fortunately, Serafina was in her room reading a book. I took a seat next to her and asked her casually about her poetry lessons."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her eyes immediately lit up, and she forgot all about the book on her lap. “I love my poetry lessons! I’m allowed to say whatever I’m feeling!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But then her face clouded over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh, but when I say exactly what I’m thinking, they tell me I’m being ‘too liberal.’ I thought I was doing good, so what have I got wrong?” she muttered, before looking at my face. “Sirius, would you like to listen to my poetry? Tell me where I screwed up.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“All right,” I answered hesitantly, for I was certainly no master poet myself. Far be it for me to tell her what was good or bad about her work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To hell with it, I thought. I decided to praise her no matter what she recited. I straightened up in my seat, ready to hear her out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She promptly stood up and began to speak in a very…individualistic way. At some point, she even got carried away and started moving her arms and legs to an original choreography."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Hey, hey! Squids are ink-redible!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They’ve got ten-tickles, you hear? An octopus only has eight!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Boy, oh boy, they kraken me up!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hey, hey! Octopus has puss in its name!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With so many cats around, where are all the furballs?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was speechless."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My entire being screeched to a halt. My mind went totally blank. What the hell was that? Nothing about that performance made sense. Was that really a poem? No, it couldn’t be. Impossible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The clock ticked, and still my lips couldn’t form any words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Confounded, I couldn’t tell whether it was good or bad—it was that inscrutable. Also, I only noticed when she started dancing that her legs were awfully short. Er, well, not that this was relevant in the slightest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A myriad of thoughts flashed through my head, none of them useful. As I continued to sit there, unable to utter a single thing, Serafina gazed up at me with sparkling, expectant eyes. Past experience told me exactly what she was thinking:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wants praise…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For no reason that I could discern, she was brimming with confidence. In fact, she took it for granted that I would praise her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Um…let’s see…er…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, no. I couldn’t bring myself to say that her poem was “great.” And I couldn’t follow up with any sort of compliment—my mind had drawn a complete blank."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Canopus, uh… Oh, right! Canopus can tell you what’s good about your poem! Serafina, you did a wonderful job!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I outsourced all the detailed praising to Serafina’s personal knight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uhh?” The normally unflappable Canopus let out a strange noise the likes of which I’d never heard before. He looked at me, eyes wide in disbelief, but I dropped my gaze and refused to make eye contact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Canopus, this is your watershed moment as a knight! What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He gazed at me for a little while longer, but when he saw that I wasn’t going to help him, he turned back to Serafina. Then, with an audible swallow, he began to speak nervously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It was, um…a splendid poem. It was very on-theme. I was especially impressed when you repeated ‘meow’ seven times in a row.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, Canopus has it right! The seven ‘meows’ were the best part!” I chimed in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Honestly, I thought the “meows” were less on-theme so much as plain old repetition, but I made the rational decision not to quibble when Serafina was beaming."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you, Canopus! Sirius! The teacher made a frowny face, but I really liked it! I knew you two would get it! Tee hee hee, I made a ‘Squid and Jellyfish’ poem too. Wanna hear it?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Urk… I’ve, uh, got a meeting with the knight brigade…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said the first excuse that came to mind, but it only made Serafina clap her hands together happily. “Isn’t the meeting room super far away from here? Can I walk with you? I can show you my poem on the way!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was planning on showing off more of that? In front of however many people were in the hallway?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“No! I’ve got time! All right, Serafina, show me more.” I sank back down on my seat and steeled myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My (well, our, since Canopus was here too) trial went on for a while yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Several days after that ordeal, I got a message from the poetry tutor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In it, the teacher remarked that Serafina was elated by my praise and had now taken to making poems that just repeated the same word over and over. Attached to the message was her latest creation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“My New Poem, by Serafina"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Snake, snake, snake, snake, snake… (×30), lizard!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not a single word passed through my lips."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a long moment of staring silently down at the message in my hands, I called on my attendant to deliver a special bottle of wine from the storehouse to the poetry tutor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From that day forth, I resolved never to question the teachers’ judgment again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As a side note, Serafina handwrote the “Snake and Lizard Poem,” so I had it framed in my room. Since she was the only person allowed in my private quarters, I never had to fear that others would lay eyes on it."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0029.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - The Tragic Tale of the Hair-Washing"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusThe Tragic Tale of the Hair-Washing"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“PHEW, THAT WAS a nice bath.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When Serafina came back to her chambers with unwashed hair, declaring that she was done with the facilities in a highly affected tone, my eyebrows silently knitted into a frown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was just a short while ago when her lady-in-waiting confided in me. Apparently, Serafina wanted to wash her hair by herself once every two days."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was a princess. It was standard protocol for ladies-in-waiting to attend to her when dressing or bathing. When she insisted on washing her hair alone, her attendant reluctantly left the room, but…she was clearly not actually washing her hair in there. Yet whenever her ladies-in-waiting tried to point that out, she would declare, “I did wash it.” Unable to get to the bottom of the matter, the attendant came to me for help."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so I waited in her room to see what was going on, but when she came back from the bath…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She’d only wet her bangs, leaving the rest of her hair dry. So the lady-in-waiting was right—Serafina wasn’t washing her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, I know you’ve been having fun washing your hair by yourself, but won’t you have an easier time of it if you let your lady-in-waiting help?” I tried to broach the question indirectly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She blinked and said, “Does a lady-in-waiting help you, Sirius?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m an adult. I do it myself, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I immediately regretted my honesty as soon as the answer left my mouth. Darn it! I should have lied and said I got help."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can do it too,” Serafina said, averting her eyes. “Washing my hair and stuff. I don’t need anyone.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I walked over to Serafina and patted her on the head. “Your hair seems dry to me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What?! No, it isn’t! S-see! Touch this bit.” Flustered, she placed my hand on her bangs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This told me that she deliberately wet her bangs just to make it look like she washed her hair. She could have at least dunked her whole head under water if she wanted to sell the deception…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yes, your bangs are wet,” I said, thinking that Serafina had made an awfully weak argument. I grabbed her hand and placed it on the top of her head. “But the top is dry, see? I wouldn’t call this washed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She groaned. “I-I did wash it! It just didn’t turn out right.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was completely avoiding my eyes now. What else was this but the look of a liar?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Silently, I picked Serafina up and sat us down on an armchair. “Just tell me, Serafina. I won’t get mad. Why aren’t you washing your hair?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It didn’t make sense to me. She probably thought it was a hassle to wash, but then she could have just let her lady-in-waiting handle it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a moment, Serafina didn’t respond. She merely hung her head in shame. “I heard lots of great saints have bright red hair. I don’t wanna lose mine.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What are you talking about?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was evidently trying to explain herself to me, but it didn’t make the foggiest sense."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I squinted at her, trying to work out what she was thinking. She looked back at me, dejected. “Rigel said that if I wash my hair every day, the color will go away. He said that’s what happened to him because he washed his hair too much.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Okay, I figured out what was going on here. “That punk,” I muttered under my breath, as Serafina hung her head in sadness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rigel, the third prince, had red hair. It wasn’t as bright as Serafina’s, though. It was a paler shade—and it had been that way since birth. Despite that, he fed his sister a blatant lie about losing his color from washing it. And Serafina, the honest and trusting girl she was, believed what Rigel said without question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um, Sirius, is something wrong?” Serafina asked hurriedly. She hadn’t heard my muttering. Seeing her earnest expression made me extra livid at Rigel and his pathetic lie."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, Rigel was joking with you. His hair has always been a fainter shade, and it hasn’t changed since he was born.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Besides, when people say that red-haired saints are talented, what they mean is that high-level spirits are fond of red hair, so it’s easier for people with that hair color to form strong pacts. You already have a pact, so losing your hair color won’t affect you. I doubt that your abilities would suffer.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Um…r-right!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was telling the truth, of course, but seeing her guileless expression made me understand why she fell so easily for Rigel’s nonsense. All the more reason to resent him for being such a brat…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina abruptly lifted her head, interrupting my bitter train of thought. “Thanks for telling me, Sirius!” She hugged me tightly around the stomach. “I actually wanted to wash my hair today ’cause I did a somersault in the garden!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking closely, I could see bits of dried grass sticking out of her hair. “Yes, that would warrant a washing,” I answered as I picked out a blade of grass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yup! I’ll go wash it right now! Be right back!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She disappeared back into the bathroom, a bright grin on her face. I smiled as I watched her go…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But when she came back, the smile dropped from my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius, it feels soooo nice to wash your hair! The shampoo smells nice.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Well…yes,” I answered noncommittally as I peered at her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To be precise, I looked at the blob of shampoo still left on her head. It wasn’t that there were traces left behind after rinsing—she’d never washed it off to begin with. I was certain of this, since the foam was still there."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Uh, Serafina, have you ever washed your hair by yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Never! But I got the job done.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Quite, I was about to finish, but I couldn’t muster the word."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina looked so proud of herself, and her expression was unbearably adorable. So instead, I handed her a glass bottle. I’d prepared it in case she insisted on not washing her hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, this is Rainbow Hair Conditioner. It’s the biggest thing in the capital right now. It involved two hours of standing in line to get some,” I said, not mentioning that I made my subordinate do it. “Your hair should shine if you use this after shampooing.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina clasped the bottle with both hands and peered into it with sparkling eyes. Personally, I thought it was a load of bull, but it did have a rainbow liquid in it, and it seemed like the kind of thing kids would enjoy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "While Serafina was engrossed with the Rainbow Hair Conditioner, I stood up and swiftly called for the lady-in-waiting. “Serafina is going to try using the conditioner. Give her a hand.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina heard me, because she lifted her head as if to say, “I can do it myself,” but I continued before she could butt in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“That conditioner is special. It’s hard to use it by yourself. Why don’t you learn the right way to use it and make your hair shine?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina trusted my words, nodded happily, and said, “Okay!” She then disappeared into the bathroom with the lady-in-waiting, who was still looking down at her foamy head in disbelief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Needless to say, I made sure to praise Serafina plenty when she reemerged—without the bubbles this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It also went without saying that Third Prince Rigel got served an intense training course the day after, enough to leave him reeling for days."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0030.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - My Little Saint"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusMy Little Saint"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“WHO AM I? Where did I come from?” Everyone has wondered this at some point. It’s part of growing up. Anyone who hasn’t thought once about their family background has probably taken it for granted."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Who’s my father? Who’s my mother? Who am I?” Those people never had a shred of doubt about any of these questions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I finally have an answer to a question from my childhood,” I muttered to myself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In a dark room, lit only by a single candle, I swished a glass and downed its contents. It was well past midnight, and I was alone in my room in the castle. Nobody would walk in on me here. This was my haven—I could drink myself silly and not have to worry about a thing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was hard to say whether I could actually do it, however, given my body’s stubborn resistance to alcohol. But as I gazed at the numerous empty bottles on the floor, I thought: “Please, I want to get drunk, at least for today.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I then reached for a new bottle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ever since I was young, I’ve always questioned my appearance. Where did my gray hair and silver eyes come from? My father was blond, and my mother’s hair was bright vermilion. My father’s eyes were blue, while my mother’s were green."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "None of the members of Náv’s royal family had gray hair or silver eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So where did I get it from? I’ve always wondered about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I got my answer from the high-ranking noblewomen. When I turned six, they told me something I wasn’t meant to know. “It’s for your sake,” they said. “It’s best if you know the truth.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "According to them, the continent’s biggest superpower—the Arteaga Empire—arranged my parents’ marriage. My father was the king of Náv’s younger brother, while my mother was the daughter of an Arteagian duke, and their wedding took place the day my mother arrived in the Náv Kingdom. Although they were prominent members of the nobility in their respective countries, forgoing an engagement period notably went against tradition."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was born seven months later, the ladies told me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“As you know, Master Sirius, a baby grows inside its mother’s stomach for ten months before it is born.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“If a baby is born at seven months, it would be tiny enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. Yet despite your premature birth, you were a larger babe than average.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That was how I learned about me and my parents. They said it as if anyone could see it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was terribly unfair. Because I came from my mother’s stomach, I was unquestionably her child. But even though my mother was married to my father, there was no guarantee that I was his child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What those ladies told me was gossip, not fact, but even if the truth was unclear, I still loved my father. He was a sickly man but possessed a strong will and fine character, and he loved and cared for me as his son from the start. I wrote off the story about my parents as rumor and always treated Father as my kin. But…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“To think the truth would come to light after nineteen years,” I muttered as I gulped down another glass."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not long ago, at the eastern edge of the kingdom’s borders, I met my very young cousin—and I saw her converse with a spirit child."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Spirit children never appear in front of humans."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Such was the conventional wisdom about spirits… But after seeing Serafina at work, it hit me that Náv’s royal family was the exception to the rule. The Spirit Lord was their ancestor, which made them exceptionally receptive to the spirits."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina’s talent as a saint stood out so much that I assumed that she must possess a unique sensitivity to spirits, but then I remembered something King Procyon had told me once before: “The Forest of Lent at the eastern edge of the kingdom is also known as the Forest of Beginnings. The Spirit Lord passed that land down to the royal family so that our future could thrive. Unfortunately, I am not able to see the forest’s dwellers myself, but I can always sense a warm presence there.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The king often visited the forest before Serafina was born. I suspect that he made it a point to present his children to the forest that protected the royal family since he wanted them to meet the forest dwellers and their children. The three princes and the first princess had said the same thing the king did when they returned from the forest: “I felt a warm presence.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Looking back, the “warm presence” had to be the spirit children. The king’s vague story finally made sense to me when I saw them for myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The forest was probably why half the women in this kingdom carried sainthood potential. From what I’d heard, hardly any spirits lived in other countries, which explained the scarcity of saints abroad. Only the Náv Kingdom had plenty of both to spare, and that was because the spirits were born in that forest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The royal family saw it as their duty to cherish and protect the forest across the generations. And because the Spirit Lord’s blood ran in their veins, they could sense the spirit children and perceive the land’s value. It made them care for the forest all the more."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see. So that’s why the king never invited me to that forest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My father’s frail constitution made excursions a rare occurrence for him, and so the king often treated me as his representative. He invited me on many of his trips outside the castle, family outings included."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But he never once took me on his near-annual trips to the Forest of Lent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He was being considerate. What if I didn’t sense anything in that forest?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If any member of the royal family—the king, the princes, the first princess—could sense the “warm presence,” then I would surely have questioned it if I was the sole exception: “I’m part of the family, so why don’t I have this blood-inherited trait?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And indeed, I couldn’t sense a thing when I went to the Forest of Lent for Serafina. I only saw a spirit when they removed her blindness spell. Until then, nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That right there was the answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I’m not a descendant of the Náv royal line…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My voice resounded quietly in the room."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Saying the truth aloud, it suddenly occurred to me that my late father might have known all along. An ironic smile formed on my lips."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He was a sharp man. He had to have known…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When I recalled my father’s perceptive nature, it hit me that I was the only one living in blissful ignorance. What a fool I was. There were so many clues, so why did I never doubt that he was my biological parent?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I knew, of course. I always wanted him to be my father."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Knowing the truth must have been so painful for him. He must have been conflicted. The sight of me, who didn’t take after him in the slightest, was harsh proof of my mother’s betrayal. I’d always believed that he loved and cared for me, but learning that I was an illegitimate child changed everything."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "To the royals, passing on their bloodline was everything, and my father should never have loved a boy who tainted that. And yet he was so, so kind to me—enough that I felt needed. Loved."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“He was a greater man than I deserved…and I took it for granted…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Putting it in words made me feel worse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I downed bottle after bottle after that, but the drunken stupor I was pining for never came."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My mother never bore any children other than me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Given that I was an illegitimate child, this meant that my father—Duke Ulysses, the king’s younger brother—never passed on his blood. At this point, what could I do for this man who had been saddled with a false son?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The answer came to me immediately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I never inherited his blood, then I should at least carry on his will."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Long before I discovered the truth about my heritage, this was something I had gravitated toward. For all his desire to do something for the country, my father’s physical frailness confined him to bed. If not for that, his standing would have ensured him a position as commander of the knight brigade."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I swore anew that I would become the commander in his place. Even if everyone else had their vague suspicions, nobody would say to my face that I was not my father’s son. Through my upright conduct, I would pass on his good name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was the least I could do for the man who gave me everything, save for his blood…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Dry your hair, Serafina! You’ll catch a cold!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In reality, I was living my life far from my lofty ideals and was entirely wrapped around my young cousin’s little finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although the king had asked me to look after Serafina, that wasn’t the reason why I did it. I simply enjoyed her company. She was only six, but she was already a fine saint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her life thus far had certainly not been easy. She was blind for many years, for one thing, and her movements in the villa had been restricted. At her tender age, she must have expended a great deal of effort to wield magic that no one else could."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In spite of all that, she never showed a hint of worry or misery. Her eyes were always sparkling, and she smiled without a care in the world… I frequently found myself marveled by Serafina’s zest for life. As I sat on the sofa and dried her hair, she peered up at my face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Are you okay, Sirius? You seem out of it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Don’t you worry. You’re the only one I’d let my guard down for,” I answered as I finished wiping down her hair and threw the towel into a basket."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She shuffled up to me, a cheerful smile on her face. “Sirius, you brought the griffon book?” she asked, pointing at the cover of the book on the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah, you said you were interested in monster facts, so I got you something from the library.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yay! Thank you! I was wanting to learn about griffons after that golden griffon helped me!” said Serafina as she took the book and started flipping through it. “She mistook me for her child, you know. I was wearing a red dress that day, so I think I looked like her chick.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I see. So the parent-child bond was what made it go out of its way to protect you. Blood is thicker than water, as they say.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We were talking about a monster, but my thoughts drifted toward myself. If blood was thicker than water, then…my father must have been an exceptional man for loving me…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "These were strictly my inner thoughts. I didn’t speak a word of it, nor did I let it show on my face… But for some reason, Serafina was staring right at me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Your daddy passed away, right, Sirius? Are you sad?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My heart jolted. She was one clever child—nothing about my words and actions were out of the ordinary, and yet she worked out that I was thinking about my father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But still, my thoughts were honestly far different from what she verbalized. A self-effacing smile came over my lips. “Ah, that’s not what I was thinking. I would never be so audacious.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ordasheeus?” She tilted her head up at me in confusion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For some reason, I got the sudden urge to tell her the truth. Maybe I wanted to confess my sins to a girl who was purer and fairer than anyone else. Even as I knew that this was not for a six-year-old’s ears, the words came spilling from my mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina, I tricked my father. Even though I don’t carry one drop of his blood, I pretended to be his son for a long time. I stole so much love and time from him—and I didn’t deserve any of it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Strangely, Serafina seemed dejected by my story. “Does that…mean you don’t want to be with me anymore?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What would make you think that?!” I shot back, unable to wrap my head around this out-of-the-blue statement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You think that people who aren’t blood-related shouldn’t share love, right?” she said glumly. “So if you know that we’re not related, doesn’t that mean you don’t wanna look after me anymore?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It never even occurred to me that we had no blood ties until she pointed it out—but that was a different matter entirely from love."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Don’t be silly!” I barked. “I’m not with you because of blood! I just like looking after you!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina’s eyes widened at my reply. “Then…wouldn’t the same be true of your daddy?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was no dullard by any means, but Serafina’s comment was so disconnected from what we were talking about that I struggled to grasp her intent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina grinned at my question. “I bet your daddy loved and cared for you, because who wouldn’t? You’re Sirius!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You…think that’s what my father was thinking?” I asked, not realizing how plaintive I sounded until after the fact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina nodded forcefully. “For sure! Your daddy would be my uncle, right? That makes us really close relatives! I bet he thinks just like me! Take it from me—if I were him, I’d be super proud of you and give you loooots of love!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her face turned bright red from her excitement. Watching her gush, I could not see a single trace of my father’s calm and collected demeanor. I suspected it was rare to find close kin with such a poor resemblance to each other. Her words should not have been persuasive in the slightest…but for some reason, the weight in my heart was gone now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In its place, a warm glow began to trickle through me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see,” I muttered, chewing on my words. “You are closely related to my father. If you say that’s what he’d do, then you must be right.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yeah!” she agreed eagerly. “I’m definitely right!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then she jumped up and flung her arms around my neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I love you, Sirius! If I love you thiiiiis much, then your daddy must’ve super loved you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sight of Serafina giggling in delight was the most adorable thing in the world. If my father felt even half the affection flowing through me right now, then he must have enjoyed the time he spent with me. The love and care I sensed from him had been true."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was only able to realize this because I met Serafina—because I doted on her, the way I had once been doted upon. For the first time, I recognized how it felt to simply enjoy someone else’s company and to want to do anything for them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’m always learning new things from you.” I buried my head in Serafina’s neck. She smelled like the sun and wind. “You’re a true saint, Serafina. You’re always saving me. I’m forever second best to you, my little saint.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My strangled whisper caused Serafina to flit her head away, before hesitantly peering back at me. “When you put it that way, you’re the winner, Sirius. My tutor said ‘losing is winning.’”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was always saying such kind and considerate words. I couldn’t help but bite my lip. “You’re right. When you’re in my arms, I have everything I want, that’s for sure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius?” It was adorable how Serafina tilted her head when she didn’t understand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What I’m saying is that when you’re with me, I’m not going to worry about minor losses. I promised to show you what’s beautiful about the world, but in the end, you’re the one showing beautiful things to me. At this point, let’s just forget the metaphor. Take a break from your studies—I’m going to show you some beautiful scenery. Your spirit can come too, of course.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As the loser, I decided to embrace an unconditional defeat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could admit it: Being with Serafina was my idea of fun. So here I was, getting my fill of her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Oh! Really?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah. The trip’s just as much for me as it is for you. I have fun when you’re around.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I smiled and gave Serafina the kindest expression I could. She returned it with an even brighter smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "See what I mean? I was always losing to her. Despite that, my heart felt light and buoyant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From then on, I would think of my father the same way I did before I learned of my birth. He was the man who loved me, nothing less."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that was how the three of us—me, Serafina, and her spirit—decided to go on a trip together."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In reality, it wasn’t just us three. Two dozen knights came along for the ride as well… Also, the king just happened to bump into us at our destination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But that was a story for another day."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0031.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - The Happiness of Serafina and Sirius"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusThe Happiness of Serafina and Sirius"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THIS STORY HAPPENED when I was waiting for Serafina to fall asleep in her bedroom."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was sitting on the sofa reading a book with the aid of a single candlestick when I sensed movement in Serafina’s bed. I looked up and saw Serafina licking the palm of her hand. Her eyes were scrunched shut, already well on the road to slumber."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina, why are you licking your hand?” I asked, puzzled by her behavior."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Is yummy,” she mumbled, not opening her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yummy?” I parroted, taken aback by the unexpected description."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But Serafina was already in dreamland. Her hand fell on the bedding, and she started snoring softly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And so, still in the dark about what she was saying, I stood up from my seat and walked over to the bed. As I was tucking her hand under the sheets so that she wouldn’t catch a cold, I noticed the sugary scent wafting from her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Now I get it…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A very short while ago, Serafina had been shoveling sweet-looking cookies in her mouth with both hands. “Don’t eat right before bed,” I told her. Looking forlorn, she went off to brush her teeth…but she apparently hadn’t washed her hands. The scent remained on her palms, and she must have licked them as one last little pleasure before bed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What a funny little girl,” I said with genuine admiration. “She never fails to surprise me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wet a towel and wiped Serafina’s hands."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I generally had a good read on most things. Although I was taken by surprise every so often, it was very seldom. Serafina, though, always came up with something out of the box."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“So she licked her hand before she slept to enjoy the taste,” I muttered to myself. “I came up with all sorts of theories before she could answer, but none of them were even close. Seems my imagination is still lacking.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I gazed down at the smile on Serafina’s slumbering face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“She looks happy,” I found myself murmuring. “Amazing. She’s always coming up with ideas to make her day more exciting—right up until the moment she falls asleep. I’ve been so caught up in work and duties that I lost the ability to enjoy life… No, that’s not quite right. I never had the ability to imagine how to enjoy myself to begin with.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Before I knew it, I was leaning over Serafina, stroking her head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Enjoying life… You’re so young, and yet I never stop learning from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina was snoring pleasantly, but then all of a sudden her foot snapped up and kicked the sheets. “Got it,” she mumbled. “Butter pancakes for breakfast tomorrow…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As soon as I heard those words, a smile sprouted on my face. “Heh, never mind what you do before bed—you’re always hungry for ways to enjoy yourself even while you’re asleep. And it’s all food-related too. Not that I would expect anything different from you.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I adjusted her blanket and quietly snuck out of her bedroom."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I headed for the kitchen—so that I could tell the chefs to make the most buttery pancakes tomorrow morning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next day, Serafina’s eyes widened at her breakfast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Something the matter, Serafina?” I asked, feigning ignorance."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina took a bite of her pancakes, and her expression melted. “Sirius, my breakfast is soooo yummy! I had a dream last night that I was eating nice pancakes, but these are even better than in the dream! The dream ones had only butter, but the real ones have honey on them too!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh? Glad to hear it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a good thing I dragged those three knights to Starfall Forest after I was done giving instructions to the kitchen. The honey from the berserk bees was famous for its exceptional sweetness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights were reluctant…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Vice-Commander, I’ve got night blindness! Don’t count on me to be useful when I can’t see a thing!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Grrr, you lout, why’d you mention that berserk bee nest in front of the vice-commander?! Now I’m mixed up in this too!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Please think this through, Vice-Commander! Do you really need that honey right this minute?! Surely you don’t!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, they certainly had a lot to say on the matter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nevertheless, they were good at the job. Guided by the moonlight, we found the berserk bee nest and dispatched the monsters in short measure…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Have a taste, Sirius! It’s super yummy!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serafina’s voice brought me back to reality. Urged on by her wide, sparkling eyes, I swallowed a mouthful of pancake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Strangely enough, it tasted better to me than any pancake I’d ever eaten—even though the castle chefs never changed their style and I was no stranger to the taste of berserk bee honey."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If there was anything different about this time, it was…Serafina peering at me in delight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I see, having you around changes the taste.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Mweh?” Serafina looked at me inquisitively, her cheeks stuffed with pancakes. She looked so much like a squirrel that I couldn’t help but laugh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ha ha ha, the world’s brighter when you’re around!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The sight of Serafina trying to speak with her mouth full brought another smile to my face"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0032.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - The Happiness of Serafina and Sirius"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? Can’t say my name?” I chuckled and then said, “Serafina, I’m really glad that I didn’t turn down the king when he asked me to come find you. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because of you. And I’m sure it’ll stay that way, as long as you’re around.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Those were my heartfelt feelings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ten years later, I truly understood the significance of my words—my happiness came from Serafina."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wasn’t wrong about that."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0034.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius Bonus Story: The Serafina Quiz, Hard Mode Challenge!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius Bonus StoryThe Serafina Quiz, Hard Mode Challenge!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I WAS IN MY OFFICE burying myself in paperwork when I heard a knock on the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s funny, I thought. Nobody should have been able to reach my door without getting through the knights guarding the corridor outside. It’s not like I had any appointments at this hour either…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then I saw that my subordinate was standing stiff as a pole as he opened the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What’s the matter?” I asked him, only for him to point wordlessly at the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mystified, I stood up from my chair and looked where he was pointing—and saw a red lump wriggling about on the floor. No, that was no lump, it was…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The tiny thing crawling on the floor with swaying red hair was, without a doubt, Serafina."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I rushed over to her, worried that something was amiss, she said in a muffled voice, “I’m not Serafina! Whoooo’s that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Excuse me?!” I looked down at her, frowning at her incomprehensible words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She was lying with her face flat on the floor, her arms flailing around her. Then she started scooting her way forward with a most undignified-looking crawl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This went on for a while before I asked, “What on earth are you doing?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As I stood there, utterly baffled by this inexplicable behavior, my subordinate closed the door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Um,” he said hesitantly. “I have a five-year-old daughter who likes pretending she’s an animal. She quizzes me on which animal she’s imitating…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh! So Serafina is pretending to be something?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The hint was what finally made me realize what game Serafina was playing. Carefully, I scrutinized her movements. Judging by that inelegant crawl…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve got it! She’s pretending to be a knight who failed the admission exam!” I declared confidently—nothing else came to mind."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But before Serafina could even respond, my subordinate contradicted me. “That can’t be it, Vice-Commander. It’s got to be an animal or something! For the purposes of this quiz, Her Highness is no longer human.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What a challenging rule. What did Serafina look like, if not a human?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I puzzled over this quandary, Serafina stopped moving forward and lay on her side instead. She started doing a strange sort of wriggle, drew her hands to her back—and then sprang up, flapping her arms up and down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, you’re a dream bird! Nice job, Serafina!” I answered, convinced I had it this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But my subordinate shook his head at me again. “Vice-Commander, a six-year-old girl is going to imitate something she likes! It couldn’t be a monster!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, really?” Sadly, nothing else came to mind, so I raised my hands. “Serafina, I admit defeat. Tell me what you are.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "With a big, bright smile on her face, Serafina started crawling on the floor again. “Wriggle, wriggle!” she chirped and did her ungainly squirm again. “I’m a caterpillar.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then she went on:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The wings come out my back and whoosh! I’m a butterfly now!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Incredible. Even with her explanation, her choreography made no sense at all. She didn’t move like a caterpillar in the slightest, nor did she look remotely as if she were shedding skin or gaining butterfly wings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But she was looking at me with sparkling, expectant eyes, so I felt the need to say something, even if it was the opposite of what I was thinking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Wow. Just like a real butterfly.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Tee hee hee!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t have sounded less natural, but Serafina giggled with such genuine delight. I felt bad—next time, I would have to put a bit more emotion into my acting."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meanwhile, Serafina pulled out a small wrapped item from her dress pocket. “Nice effort, Sirius! Here’s a candy for you!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thanks…” I didn’t exactly have a sweet tooth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I made it myself,” she went on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh, really?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Which meant that there was a slight possibility that she might have mixed up salt with sugar, resulting in a not-so-sweet snack."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Bracing myself, I opened the wrapper—and found five cookie-like objects. It was hard to tell what exactly they were, owing to their inscrutable shape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“So what are these, exactly?” I mustered the question finally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“You don’t know?!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, that was a surprise. Was this another quiz question? I looked up at my subordinate, but he shook his head silently, all but telling me to give up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d never spent time with little girls before. How was I supposed to solve this conundrum?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Calm down, I told myself. Going by the previous quiz, it was safe to assume that this was something a child liked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With fresh resolve, I pinched a cookie between my fingers. It looked somewhat like a thick pole. Before, this shape would have baffled me, but my quiz experience served me the answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I have it!” My face split into a grin. “This is a caterpillar! Ha ha, not bad, huh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my subordinate frowning in exasperation. Quietly, he told me, “The answer to the previous quiz was a butterfly, not a caterpillar! Caterpillars and pupae are the middle stages, not the actual answer! The cookie can’t be a caterpillar either.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I frowned, not fully understanding what he was getting at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serafina rapped my hand playfully. “Noooope! This is Sirius’s sword!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What? This is my favorite sword? But Serafina, the handle has distinctive features…” I drew my sword from its scabbard in an attempt to explain…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only for Serafina to shove the thick pole-like cookie into my mouth. “How’s it taste?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Reflexively, I bit down on the cookie. It made a loud crunching sound in my mouth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After a long pause, I said…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“It’s sweet. Looks like you used sugar instead of salt. And I can see its use in training one’s jaw. Now I know why these cookies remained intact even after you rolled on the floor.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I chewed on the cookie, producing a series of bone-crunching noises."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Seemingly oblivious to my predicament, Serafina smiled with gusto. “Tee hee hee. There’re four more cookies, Sirius.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I said nothing—my trial was far from over."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The next day, I added an insect encyclopedia to my light reading list. I would have to be well-informed on these topics if I was ever going to keep up with Serafina."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0035.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THANK YOU SO MUCH for picking up this book! This is a spin-off of the A Tale of the Secret Saint series."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The main series focuses on Fia, Serafina’s reincarnation, but as the story goes on, the past resurfaces more and more. I wanted to delve a little further into it, but I ended up writing so much that it threatened to ruin the pacing of the main series—hence why I decided to make a spin-off instead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "chibi has reprised their role as illustrator from the main series. I requested this so that the world remained consistent for readers of both series. The illustrations are as wonderful as ever! The main characters look great. Seven’s outfit has such an intricate design, and the backgrounds have a lot of detail—perfect marks yet again! chibi, thank you so much for the incredible art."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bringing the topic back to the main series, I’m excited to say that it has a million copies in circulation! Every single copy counts, and now we’re at a million. I’m so incredibly grateful to each and every one of my readers. I’m just stoked that so many of you would even read my story at all! Thank you so, so much!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I plan to keep on writing, so I would very much appreciate your continued support."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is a bit off-topic, but you know how there’s a scene in this novel where Sirius and Serafina ride a horse? It was only for a short while, but I’ve actually ridden horses myself. I learned from a vegetarian girl in England."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I love horses. They’re my friends, so I would never eat meat,” she told me with a smile. I didn’t have the heart to mention that I’d eaten basashi, which is basically horse meat sashimi, so I remember answering, “I’m a veggie fan too.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The girl spent most of her time with horses. She took very good care of them, so you can imagine that she was very skilled at handling them. She showed me the ropes, and we ended up riding in a forest. It was absolutely exhilarating to feel the wind as our horses trotted along the serene landscape. I got so caught up looking at the scenery that I screwed up my posture and got caught in the tree branches, but that was fun in its own way. I took genuine joy from the experience."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One day, I’d love to visit that forest again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally, I’d like to wrap up by thanking you all for reading this far. Thanks to all of you, this novel was able to take shape. It was a lot of hard work since it’s a new spin-off series and all, but I enjoy the process of putting out a book."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hope you can enjoy this new tale about the Great Saint!"
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO | A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo]/section-0036.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Point of View: Sirius - My Cousin Serafina"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Point of View: SiriusMy Cousin Serafina"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THEY SAY YOUR LIFE flashes before your eyes when you die. But…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha! Seems more like a hallucination than a flash. I feel like I’ve been dreaming this whole time, watching a story play out. Serafina’s six? Yeah, this can’t be real…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No matter how many times I blinked, the sight before me never changed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why? How? At that moment, I was seeing something I’d long dreamed of—no, it far surpassed my wildest imagination."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The knights were on the verge of death, their bodies riddled with wounds. Yet in an instant, they were restored to full health, and with boosted attack power and speed. Right before my eyes, Serafina created gods of battle out of ordinary men."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was the power of a saint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She did not cower behind the knights and hide away in the back lines. No, she stood right alongside them, holding her head high…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I never imagined she could be such a powerhouse. Is she seriously a saint?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The diminutive girl was shooting off spells I’d never seen before. I couldn’t tell if it was saint magic or not. The power she casually flaunted was unheard of. The sight was so patently absurd that, even in the thick of battle, I couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha! Isn’t this crazy? Somebody sure stacked the deck in her favor!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn’t see us losing anytime soon—the tiny saint was systematically obliterating all the monsters surrounding us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Ha ha ha!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With another laugh, I readied my sword and headed into battle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It all started one fateful day. I was in King Procyon’s private chamber, sitting across the table from him, when the monarch uttered an unfamiliar name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Serafina?” I repeated, trying to conjure up any memories of the girl. In the recesses of my mind, a vague recollection began to form."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I, Sirius Ulysses, was the only son of Achernar, younger brother of the king of Náv. I was blessed with gray hair and silver eyes—a rare sight in the kingdom—as well as a naturally tall and lean frame. Upon my father’s passing, I inherited the title of duke at the tender age of nineteen and also became the vice-commander of the Náv Horned Beast Knights. Because of those respective titles (or perhaps because I was the king’s nephew), I was often called to the king’s private chamber, a far more exclusive setting than even the throne room."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That day, I went to the chamber thinking it would be business as usual, but the visit soon took an unexpected turn when the king ordered everyone else—including the servants—to leave the room. As I watched, perplexed, the king picked up a bottle of fine wine, poured two glasses, and handed one to me. I sank into the sofa and eyed the king as I carefully sipped from my glass. Just a quick glance at his profile told me that he was on edge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is no ordinary matter, I realized and steeled myself for the unknown. Meanwhile, the king gave a painfully feigned smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Thank you for taking the time to come out here today. Oh, and I know it’s been a while since we last saw each other, but I must say you’re as good-looking as ever. I can see why you were voted ‘Most Handsome Member of the Horned Beast Knights’ for three years straight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I did not humor this comment with a response. The king only praised my looks when he was trying to push a job no one else could handle onto me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With a nervous expression, the king wiped his sweaty palms against his chest. Falteringly, he said, “Have you heard of Serafina?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The name did not immediately bring anyone to mind."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My reaction prompted the king to hang his head in dejection. “I see,” he said quietly. “You know every key figure in the kingdom, yet hearing the name Serafina yields no immediate reaction. That is quite shocking for me, I must say. Serafina is my youngest child, the second-born princess of Náv. She will be six this year.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The vague pull on my memories finally took on a concrete form."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, yes. I did know her. Almost six years ago, there was a ceremony to celebrate the birth of a new member of the royal family. The queen had held a tiny infant in a white lace dress."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What happened to the princess after that? I spotted the three princes and the eldest princess every so often, but I couldn’t recall seeing Princess Serafina after that unveiling ceremony."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Figuring that she was probably being raised in some sequestered part of the castle, I took another sip of wine. But suddenly, the king let out a deep sigh."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“No, it makes all the sense in the world that you wouldn’t know about Serafina. She doesn’t reside in the castle, so your paths wouldn’t have crossed. She lives in the Forest of Lent.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“The Forest of Lent?” It was a deep, dark forest at the far east edge of the kingdom. A frontier land, one could call it. “Why is Serafina living there?” I asked, puzzled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The king checked if the door was shut soundly before he responded. “This matter is only privy to a select few,” he said, as if he was having difficulty forming the words. “Serafina was born blind due to an unknown eye disease. Many doctors and saints attended to her after her birth, but not a single one found a cure.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My eyes widened; this was all news to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "On reflection, though, there was no way I would have known. The king must have been desperate to keep this information secret, seeing as how not a word of this had spread outside his inner circle. It showed just how deeply he cared for the princess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "More often than not, a physical disability was considered a major deficiency among royalty. As her father, the king must have been trying to shield the young princess from the world’s judgment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I chewed on that thought, King Procyon lowered his gaze to his arms that were folded in front of his chest. “I suspect that Serafina’s eyesight will never improve,” he continued with a strained tone. “The girl will have to live her entire life in darkness.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This would be extremely harsh on the young princess, most would agree. But if even the most privileged man in the kingdom couldn’t restore her vision, then it was the reality she would have to accept. With a small, sorrowful sigh, I drained the rest of my glass."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The king continued: “As you know, the castle is a den of wolves where even a slight mistake could cost you a limb. A blind girl like Serafina would be a walking target. So I sent her away to a different environment, hoping to call her back to the castle once her eyes had healed…but despite trying everything, to this very day her vision has shown no improvement.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The king paused there, clenching his hands into fists."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“And so…since she is not getting any better, I have decided to bring her back to the castle immediately.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I understand how you feel as a king,” I replied out of lack of anything more insightful to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Serafina must live as royalty,” he went on with a taut expression. “I must hurry and get her accustomed to the castle so that she can establish her place here. Her road will be difficult, but she must learn to stand on her own two feet…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At this point, the king lifted his head and sprang from his seat. He grabbed my arms and gazed at me imploringly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Sirius, you must help me! Listen to a father’s request for his daughter! As my nephew, duke of this kingdom’s highest house and vice-commander of the Horned Beast Knights, I ask you to bring Serafina to me!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a father worried for his daughter, his plea made sense. The question of whom to entrust to retrieve the princess was not one to take lightly. After all, not just anyone could be trusted with a member of the royal family. The king couldn’t go himself, so he would have to send someone in his place—and when one considered logically who the best someone would be, there was no better candidate than me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was one of the most important figures in the Náv Kingdom, next to the king, and because I was a shoo-in for the knight brigade’s future commander, I was well-liked among the general populace as well. As a knight, I was known for ensuring their safety by slaying monsters day after day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I doubt that anyone will bat an eye if I were to retrieve Serafina, given that she is my cousin. Very well, I accept your request,” I answered without hesitation."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The monarch’s eyes lit up. “My thanks, Sirius!” he declared in a way that could only be described as a holler. “And while you’re at it, be sure to sing her praises throughout the land!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Excuse me?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She has red hair, so I expect she has it in her to become a talented saint. However, she is not yet of age, so she cannot form pacts with spirits, nor can she wield much strength of her own. I would very much appreciate it if you were to put in a good word for her on the road. Just yell something like, ‘Wow! Serafina is so amazing!’ at the top of your lungs and make up some saintly-sounding deeds. I’m sure the ladies will be keen to listen to what a handsome young man such as yourself has to say. And since you’re the strongest knight, you’re quite popular with the men too. Everyone in the kingdom will believe what you say—no reason not to exploit it!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah yes, I thought in the ensuing silence. Our monarch is the type who doesn’t know when to shut his mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As I felt a throbbing headache coming on, I figured that this was a good time to ask to take my leave. The king was grinning from ear to ear as he rambled off some incomprehensible nonsense about “being Serafina’s cheerleader.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "After I emerged into the hallway, I let out a deep sigh. I couldn’t help but mull over my physically distant cousin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The royal family owned a villa in the Forest of Lent. Serafina was supposedly living there, though I recalled that it was a very old structure. Add in the remote location on top of that, it was unlikely she received many visitors."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The princess had her whole life ahead of her. Yet from the moment she was born, she was hidden away with only a scarce few attendants and knights for company—and she was unable to see a single thing. It seemed like a terribly lonely existence to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In retrospect, I probably pitied her for it. I thought that perhaps her life would be full of struggle. I wanted to at least support the blind young girl and ensure that she would have a bright future. And so, even knowing that the days to come would be utterly hectic, I began to plan my visit to a land far to the capital’s east."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My later interactions with the princess thoroughly dispelled all notion of pity from my mind, although there was no way I could have foreseen that at the time. To my dismay, I must confess that I held the notion of protecting my young charge."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO_A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0011.txt |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Interlude: The Náv Kingdom and the Saints"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Interlude:The Náv Kingdom and the Saints"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "THE NÁV KINGDOM was a mid-sized country at the western reach of the continent. The Arteaga Empire, which held a lock in the northeast, was the biggest superpower. There were about ten small- or medium-sized countries (Náv included) dispersed across the rest of the land."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oral legend had it that Náv was founded by the Spirit Lord. He fell in love with a human girl, who then bore the child that started the dynastic line. For this reason, Náv was loved by the spirits, many of whom chose to reside within the kingdom’s borders."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The forests and seas, meanwhile, were home to many monsters. Battles against either those monsters or an enemy nation were often decided by whether one had access to healing magic or not."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Generally, knights had to rely on healing potions, but it took quite a while for them to mend a serious wound. The injured had no choice but to remove themselves from the battle entirely. This was all very self-obvious logic, but the saints—wielders of healing magic—made this unnecessary, for they could patch up injuries at a blisteringly fast speed compared to the potions."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The downside was that healing magic required an incredible amount of magical energy. The spells required a different form of casting than attack magic, which meant that a single use would deplete the average caster’s reserves entirely. In order to make up for this, every saint formed a pact with the spirits. This would allow them to convert the mana in the air into energy, giving them roughly ten times more capacity for healing spells."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The spirits only ever responded to women, but they were guaranteed to form a pact if asked. Every saint with a pact had a sigil on the back of their hand to show for it. Because the spirits never conversed, mutual understanding was impossible on a finer level, leaving a great deal of mystique to the process."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But some things were for certain: Every spirit took on an adult human form, and they exclusively formed pacts with grown women. The spirits themselves also varied greatly in terms of strength, with the most capable ones favoring red-haired saints."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By loving, respecting, and treasuring the spirits, the saints were allowed to call upon their power. And by doing so, they could heal wounds, cure illnesses, create healing potions for minor injuries, and even raise the dead."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only the saints were capable of wielding this miraculous magic."
}
]
| Officially Translated Light Novels_A Tale of the Secret Saint ZERO_A-Tale-of-the-Secret-Saint-ZERO-Volume-01-[Seven-Seas][Kobo] | section-0012.txt |
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