The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country
chapter-ex1-2

Rishe could never explain to Arnold why she was arguing insistently.

I didn’t believe in ghosts in my first life either. But-but, I mean!!!

Rishe’s own existence, dying once and living a life on the loop, suggested the possibility that “there might even be ghosts”.

That was naturally petrifying.

Weapons were useless against ghosts, and there was no way Rishe could confront them with the skill she possessed.

“Rishe.”

“Hiyaaa!”

“…”

Her reply turned inside out.

Arnold held his forehead, let out a huff, and then said, “I’m not going to be able to do anything about it.

“!!”

“Isn’t this path scary? Then if we don’t go through here, it will be solved. Isn’t that right?”

“N-N-No…”

She couldn’t help but cling to Arnold’s proposal.

But Rishe couldn’t just nod here.

“It’s okay. Let’s just go home this way…”

“… Isn’t this South Corridor a problem?”

“That’s true. If we take another route from here, we’ll have to go back to the front of the hall where the party was held, won’t we?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“The guests have left, and I’m sure the servants are busy cleaning up by now. If Your Royal Highness were to return in the midst of that mess, the hall would be in turmoil…”

When the royal family was present, the lower level servants weren’t allowed to look up, much less show themselves.

Even Rishe had to dismiss all maidservants except those serving maids when Arnold was present.

Cleaning up after a night party was a lot of work and the servants tend to sleep very late.

As a former maidservant, she couldn’t put such a burden on the people who were cleaning the halls.

“So, I’ll do my best…I’ll do my best and get back to my room by myself from here. I’ll be fine ……!”

“…W-wait, what do you mean by yourself?”

“I don’t think I have the courage to do it right away, so I thought it would take a little more time… So don’t mind me Your Highness. Please go back to your room first.”

“…………”

Arnold looked down at Rishe and spoke, “How would you muster the courage to do it?”

“Uhm…”

“I’ll accompany you until you can move, so tell me what to do.”

“But I can’t trouble you that much-”

Arnold raised his index finger in front of Rishe’s lips.

“Your voice is trembling.”

“!”

Sealing her whistle in the dark, Rishe obediently shut up.

“I’m sorry for acting like I’m making light of your fears.”

“Your Highness…”

“Since I took you out for the evening party as my fiancée, it’s my duty to get you back safely to the detached palace.”

“No, not at all! Speaking of which, I had it coming when I poked my nose into those rumors…”

“If you’re like this even with me here, I don’t think you can cope with being stranded here alone.”

“Uh…”

Honestly, he nailed it on the head.

When she lifted her gaze fearfully, it seemed that Arnold was really going to help Rishe.

Although he didn’t believe in ghosts, he wouldn’t shun Rishe for fearing them.

“…Sleeves.”

Rishe squeezed out the word.

“Can I walk around with a hold of Your Highness’ sleeve or just the edge of the hem of your coat?”

“…I don’t mind, if it does any good.”

“As far as I know, Your Highness is the strongest person in the world.”

She almost mumbled, but at least she wanted to answer honestly.

She wove what she had in mind to Arnold in front of her.

“As long as I think that the invincible Arnold, the Crown Prince, was within reach…it has an amazing effect. It gives me a little bit of relief and courage…”

“―― ……”

Arnold raised an eyebrow when she reached that far.

And after a moment’s thought, he sighed deeply again.

Although I thought it would be a nuisance if we were to hold hands. So, I decided to clutch his sleeves. Either way, it’s still a nuisance…

She was sure he was seriously taken aback. But after a while, Arnold looked up and extended his right hand towards Rishe.

And then he took Rishe’s hand.

“Ah, Your Highness Arnold?”