She lectured herself, but shortly after

!

Arnold touched Rishes hand effortlessly.

He intertwined their fingers under the table and hooked them playfully.

She looked at Arnold in surprise, but he looked completely unconcerned. While holding Rishe, he continued to talk to the knight about work.

Their joint hands were still hidden under the table.

But someones right there!!

The thought of it no longer made her afraid.

This kind of secret was too bad for her heart. She tried to pull her hand away, but Arnold kept squeezing it tighter.

And yet, his tone remained indifferent.

They held hands covertly, and when she listened to Arnolds voice, she felt her ears burning and getting hotter.

Rearrange tomorrows schedule the way I just told you. Tell the others to do the same.

Leave it to me. Well then, Your Highness, Rishe-sama, if youll excuse me.

O-Okay!

The knight bowed and left the room, and the door to the dining room closed.

Rishe wondered if the knight thought it strange that Arnold and her chairs were so close together even when the food hadnt been served yet. She couldnt stop thinking about it, but the problem was still her left hand.

Ah, Your Highness

Hmm?

With a rather softer reply, he traced Rishes ring finger with his.

Thank you for holding my hand. Um, but

He rested his cheek on the opposite armrest, his eyes fixed on the ring on her ring finger.

It was the ring he gave her.

Youve been wearing this ring a lot lately.

Its very important.

That was a fact, but it was strangely embarrassing when he pointed it out.

I thought His Highness was not interested in what I wear, but

She wondered if he even noticed how she looked through the sapphire at every turn, gazing at the surface of the stone at length.

The thought made her even more embarrassed and upset.

Is goldsmithing a Koyor craftsmanship? Despite such fine workmanship, it is well cared for.

So, Your Highness

What?

Arnold looked down and traced a smooth line over the ring.

Rishe mused what he would think of her scarlet face.

She was curious, but there was no way she could ask him directly. Gathering up her courage, Rishe said something completely out of topic.

Well, its time for dinner! I heard that His Highness Prince Curtis has dined onboard the ship, so Your Highness should be finished by the time they arrive!!

Arnold chuckled and gently removed his hand from Rishe.

It cant be helped. It looks like youve stopped trembling.

What do you mean by cant be helped?!

But first, she had to calm her beating heart.

Rishe took a deep breath and rang the bell for the servers.