Chapter Text
*****
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the elegant Dark red dress that framed Rishe.
"You look stunning today, my wife," Arnold whispered behind her, lips close enough to kiss her ear, his voice low and husky. “Of course, you are always beautiful. I've said it before, nothing is as beautiful as you."
“You flatter me too much.” Rishe turned to face him, grinning. “You’re the one who is devastatingly handsome.” She reached out and leaned closer, her fingertips tracing the delicate shell of his ear, and gently tucked a stray strand of black hair behind it. “You are a pleasure to look at.”
Arnold’s eyes widened slightly, as if she caught him off guard by complimenting him.
“Is that so? " he asked teasingly, a hint of a smirk on his lips.
“Mmhm. You know I am not lying, my dear Husband.”
Of course, she isn't lying. His eyes, the color of a cold, frozen ocean, are the color she cherishes most. She loves his soft black hair and the shape of his hands—everything. He is more beautiful than anything she has seen in all her lives. He is a piece of art. It's unfair that someone can be this perfect. Being too beautiful is a crime.
“Then you should pay more attention to me. You always seem to be thinking about someone else.”
“Huh. Well…”
He is not wrong, but not right either. She does always think of someone else intently, and that person is none other than his future self, Emperor Arnold Hein.
Rishe huffed. “Prince Arnold, you are forgetting something. It's your birthday! So, what do you wish for?!” she asked, eyes sparkling to know what her husband wants from her.
Arnold closed his eyes for a moment, realising she won’t answer this question.
Blue eyes met green."I have one wish," He replied, taking her hand and tracing her nails with his thumb. His touch was slow and tender. Such playful touch made Rishe flustered.
"But I think you won't grant it." His blue eyes suddenly darkened, and his jaw tightened.
The question made Rishe narrow her eyes slightly. He thinks she won’t grant his wish. That’s not true. She will grant him anything. Everything. Maybe he underestimates her.
“if you desire anything, I promise to fulfill what you want. I want to spoil you just like you spoil me. But of course, there is little I can do for you...” Rishe lowered her head, averting his gaze. Her voice was low like a whisper. As someone from a small nation, there is not much Rishe can do to help Arnold politically. But Arnold shook his head.
“That’s not true.” Rishe looked up to meet his ocean eyes.
“Well, that is the truth. I feel useless.” He practically doesn’t gain anything from this so-called political marriage. That’s also one of the reasons Rishe tried her best to figure out his intentions of asking her hand in marriage,
“Rishe.” Rishe didn’t let Arnold continue.
“So, tell me what you want.” Rishe looked eagerly at Arnold. She only needs to hear what he wants and she will do anything to fulfil his wish.
“...”
Arnold hesitated before answering."There's...something I want." He paused, his hand tightening around her, the one he was holding.
“Yes?” Rishe waited for him to continue.
"Will you truly... grant my wish?" His face was neutral, but his eyes seemed to be stormy. It felt as if he was enduring something.
“Tell me, what is it that you want?” her voice steady as she urged him to continue. Rishe wondered what is it that he wants but hesitating.
“Will you stay by my side?”Arnold asked her after a bit, as if pleading. Rishe was surprised by the question. However, she quickly answered.
“Of course I will-” Arnold cut her off before she could finish.
“Even if I conquer the world?”
“...huh?” Her eyes widened. She stared into his eyes while her mind was struggling to process his words.
“ Will you stay by my side even if I start a war against the world?”
Conquer the world. Starting a bloody war against the world. Rishe was too familiar with those words. Rishe clenched her fist.
She wondered why Arnold suddenly started speaking of conquering and starting war against the world all of a sudden. Something has happened then. Something she doesn’t know. There is no way he will start a war for fun. also… Doesn’t that mean she failed to make him understand that there are other paths?
"Do you mean you will start a war?"
"... Yes." Arnold tensed as he confirmed her fear. He avoided eye contact with her for a moment.
Horrific memories flashed through her mind. The screams of the dying. The heat of the flames on her skin. Burning cities, clashing swords, the smell of blood in the air. Countless people’s lifeless bodies. Deaths.
Stop.
Rishe took a deep breath, trying to calm her fast-beating heart. She now understood that no one could stop him. She is smart enough to understand that Arnold is already preparing for war. And if that’s the truth, then he will start his brutal war no matter what. No one can stop him. The least she can do is to stay by his side and not let him go alone in that bloody path. Rishe clenched her fist harder enough to hurt. There is nothing she can do to stop him. She is rather thankful that Arnold informed her about his war.
She should stand by his side and watch the world burn? She asked herself. Though she knows very well she can't do anything but to watch him burn the world. But the question is ‘why’? Why did he start this war in the past? why he always starts his war?
Suddenly, something clicked in her mind.
A new plan.
Another path.
Another door.
And, another way Rishe can learn what Arnold Hein truly desires at the end of his war. This is the war that always ended her each life. His war.
An evil smile, a sharp and dangerous smirk crept across her lips instead of her radiant smile.
“Well, if that’s your wish, then I shall grant it,” she told him gently." I will help you in your war." The words echoed in her ears. She was surprised how her voice was oddly calm, as if she did not know she was talking about the destruction of the world, the beautiful world she loves to admire.
"You truly mean that, my wife?" Arnold raised an eyebrow, asking her if he had heard her right.
"I told you before, didn't I?” She told him. her voice low and seductive. "I will always stand by your side. Always.”
She knows that even without her, Arnold is capable of destroying everything on his own. Just like her other lives. But this time, she will help him destroy this world. The world she loves and cherishes. She will make this sacrifice only for him. Maybe in her next life, she can save the world. Maybe.
She smiled at him, not letting him read her thoughts.
" Even if it means tearing the world apart.” Even if it meant tearing everything she loves. for one person. For her beloved husband. She meant every word she uttered.
“...”
The only thing she can do now is to help him achieve whatever goal he has in mind. He wants war, and she will be his weapon. She will be his ally in this life, the most reliable and powerful ally. She won’t be his enemy in this life .
Though no one knows if she will be his ally or the biggest enemy in their next life.
Rishe smiled at Arnold, who was stunned.
"You will?" He looked at her as if it was his first time seeing her. With a dark gleam in his eyes, Arnold gave her a charming smile."You will stand by my side as my wife? Will you ruin the world?"
“I will. I will stand by your side as your wife, ruin this world if you wish. For you, I will do anything, my dear husband.”
She will. This man, her husband, is the person she loves. She will not let him suffer alone. Rishe silently made a vow in her heart that she will help him achieve whatever he desires at the distant end of the war. In this 7th life, she won’t die because of him, and this is her resolve
"..." Arnold just stared at her without blinking.
"What? Do you think I am not capable of doing such things? Don't underestimate me."
"I am not." Arnold seemed Amused.
They held each other's gaze, knowing what they were going to attempt. a silent moment passing between them. A dangerous, very dangerous promise.
The two smiled at each other, well, ‘smirked’ is the best word to describe it.
Now, the world will come to an end.
They will burn it together to achieve Arnold's hidden desires.
"But first.” In an instant, the darkness was gone from her emerald eyes. Her eyes lit up again.“Shall we celebrate your birthday party?" She clapped her hands together in excitement, her smile radiant. Arnold’s birthday is the most important matter to her right now.
"Of course,” Arnold replied, his fingers gently tracing her soft coral hair near her ear. "Our plans can wait.”
*****