I saw Harriet. Thanks for making my sister look so pretty.

Rishe narrowed her eyes at him, and Raul smiled with satisfaction.

Beautiful eyes. Theyre just the way I like it.

He finally released the hand that had been covering Rishes mouth, and she regained her speech.

How could you behave like this in the person of His Highness Curtis?

I like your voice, too. I wish you would scold me more.

Were getting nowhere.

Rishe deeply sighed at Rauls attitude, joking to no end.

In her hunter life, he had been a very dependable companion in times of need. And yet, she was astonished at how difficult it was to handle him when he was not standing on her side.

Hey, buddy.

With Rishe pressed against the wall, Raul peered into her face.

Dont show Harriet a new world.

I beg your pardon?

Rishe retorted to the unpleasant words straight back.

But Raul continued in a lighter tone.

Im asking you not to be cruel. The reason shes the way she is is a strategy to survive, you know? Pretend that its all her fault and shut out the outside world. As long as she does that well, like her mother taught her, she wont even realize how terrible the environment shes in.

Once she tastes the happiness of looking forwardShell find it excruciatingly hard to go back to her fianc and go back to her life at his beck and call, dont you think?

Raul smiled as he spun in a bright tone.

Or is that your plan?

Plan?

Of course, to break Harriets heart.

Rishes eyes widened at the unexpected accusation.

You have really nice eyes, as I said earlier. You know what shes proud of, what shes ashamed of, what she uses as a last resort Youre trying to figure those things out and get into her mind, arent you?

Rauls face, which had been so close, drew closer to Rishe.

For something important, for pride, for a bright future. It seems that people who have been discovered by you are tempted to hope.

Rishe frowned and pushed at the mans shoulders, but the mans body refused to budge.

He snorted as if to ridicule her resistance and stared at her in a good mood.

Thats really goodYou know what?

His red eyes shot through Rishe, tinged with a dark streak.

It would be so easy to break someones heart, wouldnt it?

It was the sound of the hunter himself, aiming for his prey.

You know what, Raul?

With the mental state as in her hunter life, Rishe chided her former chief.

I think its best to stop doing that.

Whats that?

Lying to yourself even in places unrelated to work.

Rauls breath hitched in response.

What

Its not a perfect lie, but that doesnt mean its not genuinely true either. You keep mixing truth with lies and falsehood with real feelings, so sometimes you dont even understand yourself anymore, do you?

She told him the same words in her hunter life.

Raul was aloof to the world and seemingly had no core. His friends laughed at his frivolity, which was typical of him, but to Rishe, he sometimes looked different.

There were times when he put on an indifferent face and laughed, even though he was really in pain.

Rishe also perceived that he was pretending to be calm when all he really wanted was to blow up.

No doubt about it. He will fool me like he did before and say that he never does that

Rishe felt tangled at the thought of Raul like that.

But the reaction she got this time was different from what he did in her fifth life.

True feelings.

Rauls eyes narrowed, and he muttered quietly.

Dont you think it would be the end of the world if you saw through me?

!

Rishe blinked.

She expected that she wouldnt get through Raul with such an exchange. But he sounded unexpectedly sincere, and he spoke very close to Rishe.

Id be much more afraid of other people knowing everything about meFor example, those who mess my true feelings up.

!

Was Rauls response like this because Rishe was now a stranger to him in this life?

Dont you think so, too?

Rishe reacted to the empty sounding question and replied, No.

Arnolds profile on the beach that day popped up in her mind.

I wish I could tell everythingThere are some people whom you just want to let in on your secrets.

But you cant tell them either.

Rishe was rendered speechless at his retort.

Thats the point. You understand that telling the truth can be detrimental, dont you? And yet, youre only scolding me. Isnt that terrible?

Raul

Rauls red eyes peered into Rishe, as if searching for something.

What does marriage to the Crown Prince of Garkhain mean to you?

Rishe blinked.