Chapter 111.1: Complicated when left behind

A gentle stone staircase seemed to lead down to the ocean.

The July sunlight was transparent, yet it was full of life, making the seaside town sparkle.

The walls of the buildings in the city were painted pure white. A soft sea breeze blew through the almost azure blue sky, in contrast.

“Wow!”

Rishe’s eyes lit up at the sight of the harbor.

The flag of a certain country was fluttering on an anchored sailing ship.

The pale mint green dress that Rishe was wearing was also fluttering in the wind.

The wind from another country always made Rishe feel excited. She looked out to sea, holding her hat with one hand to keep it from being blown away.

Then Arnold, who was walking ahead of her, turned around and extended his hand to her so naturally.

“Rishe.”

“!”

Apparently, the pavement of the stone stairs a few steps ahead of them was getting worse.

Rishe was wearing high heeled shoes, so he must have thought that her footing was in jeopardy. Rishe hesitated a little, but took Arnold’s hand.

“Thank you…”

“There’s no need to hurry. Hold my hands if you want to enjoy the scenery while walking.”

Err…

That rendered her flustered.

She’s been feeling a little strange lately. Whenever Arnold directed his concern at her, she felt fidgety and restless deep down.

But as normally as possible, she turned her attention to the ships in the harbor.

“They’ve already disembarked, haven’t they? I’m looking forward to talking to them.”

“Are you sure you didn’t want to wait for them at the Imperial City? Even if we don’t meet now, we’ll greet each other at the wedding ceremony next month.”

“But they arrived a month early. Then I’d really like to meet them and get to know them better.”

Rishe glanced back while speaking.

When her eyes met those of Arnold’s knight guards, she showed no sign of alarm and gave them a pleasant smile.

Only Rishe knew what kind of reputation the person they were about to meet would have in the future.

They eventually arrived at the port, and Oliver and a few knights who were ahead of them led Rishe and Arnold.

“Thank you for your hard work. I would like to quickly greet our guests.”

“Yeah.”

Oliver’s gaze turned to a corner of the port.

There was a white lace parasol set up there.

A woman was standing under its shade. She was still quite a distance from them for Rishe to get a good look at her expression, but the woman was covering her mouth with her open fan.

That’s the one who got executed in the future, the famed “villainess.”

Rishe slowly let go of Arnold’s hand, which had been escorting her.

Then she looked straight at the woman.

Four years from now, she will be condemned by her husband, the King, as the queen who wiped out the national treasury by indulging in luxury in the country where she was married.

“…”

Her gesture of closing the fan was breathtakingly beautiful.

As the woman walked towards them, her golden hair whipped in the breeze.

Her dark green dress that fluttered in the breeze looked heavy for early summer, but she handled her feet lightly without feeling it.

It’s as if she’s walking on clouds…rather than walking.

Rishe blinked as she observed the woman.

That aside. She looks like she’s sprinting toward us with all speed…?

“Uh!! Mo-mo-mo…”

Mo?… She means, ah!!

By the time she realized she was in danger, it was too late.

With a loud crunch, the woman fell down in a heap. Rishe threw away the slightest bit of caution and rushed to the woman’s side.

“Are you okay?”

“Mmm. My apologies…”

The woman who seemed on the verge of tears looked up at Rishe.

The woman’s bangs, however, were so long that they obscured her eyes, making it impossible for them to make eye contact.

“I’m truly sorry that my mere existence has caused you trouble!! This is an expression of gratitude that has been handed down from generation to generation in the eastern country, and means ‘please bow your head at any time.’”

“Um! Please look up, there’s no need for that!”

Rishe did her best to deter the woman who was trying to stick her forehead on the ground.

Arnold, who stood in a distant place, gave her a look that said, “I don’t mind it,” but that was probably not going to work.

But! It’s hard to believe, but there’s no doubt that this is the person under the circumstances is…

Rishe then gazed at the trembling woman in her arms.