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

It was too complicated to let go, but for now, everything was good.

Arnold wasn’t the only one who exercised the “exploit if you can” principle. Even Rishe, if she could establish an alliance with the Order, would pull out all stops to avert war.

“That’s great…I think Myria-sama will be very pleased.”

At her words, Arnold bent his lips in a huff.

“I’m not a fan of children.”

Oh. If Oliver-sama hears you say that, he’s going to get angry.”

“Why?”

“He said it’s not a good idea to utter such comments in front of your future wife…”

Arnold laughed provocatively.

“Ha.”

He grabbed Rishe’s chin and tilted it up, making her look up.

“I don’t think you’re ready for that.”

“Hmm …!?”

The conversation spiraled to an unexpected turn, and she was so flustered she blurted curiously.

“What do you mean, ‘ready’?”

“The point is, you’re talking about the heir, right? Schneider was addressing the children you and I are going to have.”

“H-Eh…?”

The atmosphere of the place suddenly changed, and Rishe’s mind went blank from the information.

Arnold laughed in amusement at Rishe’s reaction.

“You still don’t get it, do you?”

“No, what-, I knew that! Really, all of it perfectly!”

“Heh?”

She understood it. She just didn’t register much of it as reality.

Arnold’s eyes narrowed as he realized how upset Rishe was.

“For all I knew, I’d have a separate room for the detached palace.”

Is that what I overlooked?!

She was stupefied by the hard truth, but couldn’t let it show on her face. As her vision spun in circles, Rishe desperately tried to argue.

“But that’s because, first of all, Your Highness promised me that you wouldn’t lay a finger on me…!”

“I recently withdrew that. You’re aware of that.”

“Ugh…”

Arnold’s finger slowly traced the ring on her left ring finger.

W-W-What am I to do…!

“I’ve gone too far with my teasing.”

Arnold chuckled in front of the flustered Rishe.

“Don’t worry about it.”

　He stroked his head, ruffling Rishe’s hair.

Then Arnold said, “Even if we get married, I would never lay a hand on you.”

“……Eh?”

His unexpected declaration stunned her.

She blinked repeatedly and looked up into Arnold’s sea-blue eyes.

“Is that so?”

“”Yes.”

It was a clear affirmation, and Rishe knew it.

Right. His Highness Arnold proposed to me for some reason.

Reminded of this once again, she exhaled slowly.

I am not supposed to play the role of a real wife.

She was relieved.

But at the same time, she felt some kind of strange ripple.

“…?”

Rishee couldn’t help but bow as she felt a throbbing pain in her left chest. Arnold probably didn’t notice this and leaned back against the couch, letting out a small yawn.

Seeing how somewhat defenseless he looked, she decided to dismiss her own feelings for once.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Yeah.”

His reply was a little gentler than usual.

I was allowed to rest, but His Highness must have been busy.

Even the night before last, Rishe let him sleep in the same bed as her. Arnold was very sensitive to people’s presence, so he probably didn’t sleep well.

“Why don’t you get some rest until the festivities begin?”

“…”

Arnold glanced at Rishe beside him.

“That’s right.”

“!”

Then he lay down on the couch and put his head in Rishe’s lap.

“Er, Your Highness…”

“Lend me your lap for a moment… I’m going to take a nap here.”

She choked up in surprise.

That really wasn’t the issue. He was just too close, and Arnold’s head on her thighs felt strange, but that in itself was strangely fine.

“If you don’t like it, feel free to leave.”

“No, that’s not what I meant, but I must inform Oliver-sama.”

“No need. Have him stay in the hallway.”

“Stand by…”

“He’s been defying my orders too much lately.”

That being said, he must have been thinking about Arnold.

“Is that all you care about?”

“And one more thing. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable as a pillow.”

“Why?”

“Somehow…”

Remembering yesterday morning, she felt embarrassed and clammed up.

Arnold remembered the same thing, and looked up at Rishe.

He said, “I slept well the other night.”

“…!”

Then he gently blinked at her.

“I didn’t have any strange dreams…It’s quite unusual.”

“… Your Highness …”

Now that he said it like that, she couldn’t find a good argument.

If that were true, he should not take a nap here, but sleep in her bed for a short while. Of course, sleeping alone was best, but she couldn’t bring myself to advise him.

Arnold asked again, looking up at the troubled Rishe.

What have you been dreaming about?

“Huh?”

“Late at night, when I was checking on you, you rubbed your cheek against my hand and smiled.”

“U-U-Huh?!”

Now that he asked, she immediately remembered her dream at that time.

Rishe always dreamed of the days she spent in her past lives. When she slept on the same bed with Arnold the other night, her dream was the first dream that wasn’t since her life started on the loop.

It was a dream from this life, from when she met Arnold.

“Hmm?”

“~~~~”

There was no way she could be honest, so Rishe squeezed her lips in silence.

“Oh, it’s a secret.”

“I see. I’m jealous.”

She placed her palm over Arnold’s eyelids, sulking. Thanks to Arnold’s long eyelashes, their tips tickled her hand.

“You should get some sleep now.”

“All right.”

It took about five minutes for her to hear Arnold’s smooth breathing.

When she was sure that he was asleep, she slowly pulled her hand away.

She then gently touched Arnold’s sleeping lips with her fingers.

“…………”

Her left chest still hurt with a tingling sensation.