The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country
chapter-43-1

“… Are you really serious about this?”

“Yes, of course.”

When Arnold asked, Rishe smiled and nodded.

They were standing in a small training ground in the corner of the Royal Palace. The knights guarding Rishe were worriedly looking at them.

[“Would you please practice swords play with me, Your Highness?”]

After Rishe finished showing Arnold around his room, he did so.

It had happened about three weeks ago and she thought he might have forgotten about it, but apparently he remembered.

[“Oh, by the way, we talked about this at an earlier soiree.”]

[“I’m glad you remember. I’ve learned a lot from this incident. This body lacks strength and needs to be trained as soon as possible.”]

The marriage ceremony was only about two and a half months away, and there was a lot of work to be done in that time.

Her physical strength, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory function were a far cry from her life as a knight.

It wasn’t something that could be acquired immediately from scratch, but thinking about the future, she wanted to start training as soon as possible.

[“I know Your Highness is very busy, and I don’t intend to ask you to train with me all the time. However, I would like you to teach me just once.”]

Rishe looked into Arnold’s eyes.

[“Can you teach me the ‘special training techniques’ that Your Highness and the members of the knight guards are using?”]

[“Heh~”]

The corner of Arnold’s lips curled in amusement.

[“How did you know?”]

[“My field is located near the Knights Training Field. I’ve seen each squadron training on several occasions, but only Your Highness’ knight guards were clearly different in their movement proficiency.”]

It wasn’t just during training.

When they were guarding Rishe, they had no room for a single, momentary, body lapse.

Not all the knights of Garkhain were like them.

Only Arnold’s knight guards have that outstanding skill. If so, it was obvious who was behind such an operation.

After all, someone far more seamless than those knight guards was their lord.

[“If you have an established training regimen, I’d love to know about it.”]

[“…”]

However, it wasn’t just because she wanted to acquire the skill.

Rishe recalled a scene she witnessed in her previous life.

When the Garkhain Army was the enemy, His Highness Arnold was the most threatening… But the other knights were just as troublesome enough to deal with.

They were terribly powerful.

Not only the generals of each battalion, but even the lower knights on the front lines, each and every one of them were formidable in the battlefield.

Even now, His Highness Arnold’s knight guards are prominently strong. But all the Garkhain knights didn’t seem to have that kind of strength.

In other words, she thought.

His Highness Arnold will build up that mighty Order in just five years or so from now.

It was truly terrifying.

It was unlikely that they only gathered people with knightly talent. Given the scale of their numbers, such a thing was impossible.

They must have some kind of specific training regimen. If so, then I should learn…

[“…”]

Arnold fell silent for a moment while Rishe stared at him.

Perhaps he was about to decline.

However, he eventually sighed as Rishe stared firmly into his eyes, unwilling to give up.

[“…Okay.”]

[“What?!”]

Not expecting an easy nod, Rishe blinked.

What Arnold had agreed to before was supposed to be a normal practice.

[“Are you sure? I asked for it, but I think it’s a military secret…”]

[“There’s no harm in the Crown Prince’s wife knowing. — Besides, I’ve promised to fulfill whatever you wanted.”]

[“!”]

His voice as he said this seemed a little softer than usual.

The strange feeling of comfort it brought, made Rishe a bit flustered.

[“Uh, thank you. I’m glad, very happy.”]

[“Happy? Why?”]

[“Because…”]

With a look of utter incomprehension, Rishe replied.

[“Because as far as I know, your swordsmanship is unparalleled and the most beautiful around the world.”]

[“―――― ……”]

Since she could be taught by such an opponent, it was impossible not to feel joyful as a former knight.

Arnold glanced at her for a moment and then huffed.

[“Around the word?”]

[“…But of course, in a metaphorical sense!　It’s just a metaphor, okay?!”]

She hastened to add, not wanting him to be suspicious.

Then Arnold said in a self-mocking voice.

[“There’s nothing beautiful about a skill that only kills humans, is there?”]

[“… Your Highness.”]

[“I’m heading to the training area. Go get dressed for action.”]