Chat-Error/slightly-more-clean-ln · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Arnold looked away with indifference. Rishe, lets go.
Wait, Your Highness. I think you should speak with your brother a bit longer.
Theres no point.
But
She still didnt know Theodores endgame. What had been the point of this? Arnolds scolding had turned him into a trembling little boy. Prince Theodore was trying to make me afraid of his brother. But why?
Rishe.
Coming. Clearly Arnold had no desire to remain, and Rishe turned to follow him, resigned to her ignorance.
Then she heard Theodore whisper, Its just as I predicted, Sister.
A chill ran down her spine. She looked back over her shoulder. Theodore wasnt trembling.
Hes laughing?
The giggles racked his body as he fought to hold them back, face lit with a bewitching darkness. His beauty made Rishes breath catch even as Theodore said in a meek voice, Im so sorry, Brother. When Arnold looked back, Theodores expression had returned to one of contrition. I will go, though I doubt you will forgive me. And, SisterIm sorry for frightening you. I promise in the future I will treat you with all the proper respect due to my brothers wife.
Theodore bowed deeply to Rishe and smiled at his brother. Good night, Brother. Im so glad to speak to you after such a long time.
Theodore brushed by Arnold on his way out the door, leaving them with nothing but the trembling echoes of that unsettling smile.
The two were alone in the chapel now. Arnold broke the silence first. I believe I told you the same thing, Rishe.
Thats right, I wasnt supposed to talk to Theodore either.
He used your name to summon meI couldnt just ignore it. And I expected that youd find time in your busy schedule to accompany me.
As if I would ignore the reply to a letter I never even sent.
It made sense. After receiving Theodores forged letter, Rishe had summoned Elsie and written a reply. Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. I shall conduct myself to the chapel at 9:30 tonight, as you have specified.
Shed given herself a half hour alone with Theodore, but Arnold had arrived fifteen minutes early.
Im thankful he did. I just wish he hadnt had to hear his brother slander him.
Something wrong?
Rishe began to shake her head but stopped. Maybe she could just ask. Why did he say those things about you? That youre ruthless.
Arnold glanced away briefly. Probably because its true. Ive killed countless people on the battlefield. I am notdelicate in my manner. My brutality is known far and wide.
I know that. Thats not what I meant. I could learn that anywhere, she said.
Then what is it you want to know?
She wasnt sure how to word this. Your heart. This was something only Arnold could tell her.
Myheart?
I have heard of your many great feats during the previous war. And Ive seen what you were like in battle when those bandits attacked our carriage. But you didnt kill them.
Rishes theory at the time had been that it was because theyd been attacked by foreign countrymen. But she doubted that the diabolical Emperor Arnold Hein of her memory would care about that. But after weeks of observation, she wasnt sure of anything anymore.
I was wondering what you were talking about. A shadow fell over his blue eyes. It appears Ive gone too easy on you.
He reached toward her, and his black-gloved hand slowly wrapped around her neck. If you want to survive in this palace, youll disabuse yourself of this naivete. His fingers dug into her throat. It was only a threat of pressure, but it would take only a bit more to strangle her.
And yet, Rishe was unafraid. I believe in my own observations and conclusions.
What are you saying? Youve never seen me on the battlefield.
Be that as it may, Rishe said, I believe that the person who cares about my desires is the real you.
What a foolish thing to say, he said in a low, husky voice. I brought you here to use you.
All the more so, then, if thats the case. Rishe gently placed her hand on top of his. She didnt try to pull it awayinstead she pressed down, exerting pressure on her own throat. You arent ruthless at all, husband.
Arnold grimaced, breathing out a huff of annoyance. She expected him to push her away, but they just stood there, eyes locked. The moment stretched on, neither of them moving.
It was Arnold who broke the silence. Where does this confidence come from? This determination?
Rishe frowned, puzzled. What do you mean?
Sometimes you get this look in your eye. Like youre meeting me in the field.
It was as if he were looking through her to the past. Rishe could say nothing.
Arnold took his hand from her neck, cupping her cheek instead. The moonlight shone through the stained-glass window, casting the shadow of his lashes over his face. He brushed his thumb against the corner of her eye.
You have the gaze of someone ready to die for what she believes in, who will fight for it with every last breath. You look likesomeone who still believes life is worth living.
Rishe found herself unable to move. All she could do was look up at Arnold.
In her eyes, Arnold seemed to be gazing past her, to wars fought long ago, far away. Perhaps he was seeing the faces of the people he had killed.
Having to end the life of someone like that, he said, is what I fear most in the world.
Rishe didnt say a word. So, he was afraid. Sometimes. She knew it. Shed known it all along. No matter what the past contained, or the future held, the man who stood before her was not a merciless killer.
I Rishe swallowed, finding her voice again. Sometimes, I feel like I dont belong in this world anymore.
It was an incoherent confession, but she said it anyway. She didnt know how else to answer his question.
He waited for her to continue. Rishe pushed herself on, adding lies to the truth she couldnt offer him. Ive had dreams ofwatching myself die. But Im not dreaming now. Im here, breathing and alive. But despite knowing Im awake, I am still very afraid sometimes.
What are you afraid of?
Rishe breathed out. Thatthat Im already dead. That my life ended in that instant and this world is nothing but an endless dream.
As soon as she spoke, Rishe felt a hard pressure on her chest. Whats this Im feeling?
Instantly, it clicked: She wasnt lying. Deep down, there was a part of her that believed this. She didnt want this life to end in death. Her seventh life would be the one she survived. She wanted to do her best to keep on living.
But shed thought that in her past lives as well. Shed lived through the second and third, the fourth, the fifth and sixth lifealways with that truth lurking in the innermost depths of her heart. No matter what she did, in five years, it would all be over. Perhaps this world wasnt even real. And once her thoughts drifted in that direction, all she felt was paralyzing fear.
Stop it. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut. The fear means nothing. Ill turn it into strength. It doesnt matter.
Fear crept up on you faster the longer you stood still, so she looked up at Arnold again.
Ive made up my mind, she told Arnold. I dont care if this life is a dream or if Im destined for some awful endI wont run away.
Rishe
Im not what you think, she said. Im not a warrior. But I am resolute in my determination to be your wife.
Destiny would likely never lead her down this path again. After living her life over and over again, shed experienced firsthand how difficult it was to force events to play out identically. She had to do her utmost now. To stop the war, to save herself.
And to save Arnold, who might not desire a future soaked in blood after all.
Thats why I want to understand your heart, she added.
He let out a short scornful laugh, almost inhuman. His hand slid from her cheek down to her chin. With his other arm, he drew her close by her waist.
Then a pair of soft lips met hers.
Rishe gasped into his kiss, mind struggling to keep up. An eternity seemed to pass before he drew away. He whispered, Youre a fool.
But his voice was gentle, full of sympathy, as if he were trying to persuade a child. And it was with a distinct note of loneliness that he said, You dont need to be resolute to become my wife.
(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0
Chapter: 9
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
***
THE EVENING AFTER the incident at the chapel, Rishe was hurrying about the small kitchen of the detached palace. However, she wasnt preparing food. A sweet, floral smell attracted the attention of a nearby maid, who sneaked up to peek.
My lady?! What in the world
Piles and piles of flowers covered the table. Rishe gave them a little awkward chuckle as she plucked the petals off wilting roses. She had asked Elsie and the other maids to buy up as many unsold bouquets as they could from florists across the city.
Sorry for the mess. Ill be sure to clean them up, dont worry.
Erm, sure, but thats not why Im surprised!
Rishe hadnt stopped with roses. There were orange gerberas and purple gentians. A mass of pink petals was already simmering on the stove.
Oh! Are you going to dye something? the maid asked, her face lighting up.
Rishe smiled at her. I cant tell you yet. But as soon as Im finished, all of you will be the first to try it. Of course, I wont force you if you dont want to.
Id love to help! the astute maid answered. Im not sure with what yet, but Ill be happy to.
Thanks.
The maid returned to work, surely wondering what Rishe could possibly be brewing in the pot.
The girl seemed confident, but Rishe doubted shed ever guess what the bottle sitting on the corner of the table contained. She began to clear up the leaves and stems. Maybe I should let this simmer a bit longer. Im all done with the petals now.
Rishe sat down, rechecking a piece of paper containing all the information she had copied from various documents during a morning spent cooped up in the library. The population distribution for the imperial capital of Galkhein. The shifts in economic conditions. The state of affairs in surrounding areas and information detailing merchants and tourists. She sank into thought.
Based on this, Ive come up with a deal to offer Mr. Tully. But Im not completely happy with it.
She still had five days to go. Her samples should be finished by then, and the information shed gathered should be enough to assure him of a potential profit, and to come up with a way for calculating interest rates and other such things. Although she was sure of her victory, she wasnt satisfied.
All of this is publicly available information. She looked again at her writing. The fiance of the crown prince should know so much more.
Rishe felt that keenly while reading the documents. She knew that Arnold had amassed political power as a result of his various feats during the war three years prior. The first thing hed done was allocate reparations from other countries to purchase products from rural areas for a huge lump sum.
Although Galkhein had won the war, the victory was only felt by an elite few. The soldiers who fought, the blacksmiths who forged their swords, and the apothecaries who had made medicines for the front lines had all lost their jobs. Many of them sought work in the cityand when there was none to be found, they lived in the slums.
Meanwhile, the countryside had suffered from a labor shortage even during the war. There was no money to pay the wages of the men returning from battle, and the population continued to decline. Productivity in farming and fishing villages went down, heralding a huge spike in food prices nationwide.
Arnold had been taking measures to prevent that.
He used reparation funds to buy up crops and seafood. Once those industries were flush with cash, the jobless workers would begin to return to the countryside. According to the recent travel permit records Rishe had pored over, the strategy seemed to be workingthe majority of permits had been granted to those traveling to the countryside to farm and for other similar reasons. People were returning home to find jobs. The supplies Arnold had bought up were offered to the destitute at subsidized prices, filling their bellies.
Hed invested a huge chunk of his own wealth in his scheme, and to show for it he had Galkheins increased productivity and rising birth rate. That meant an increase in tax yields and morale.
Rishe had learned all this solely from the documentation. This is the sort of thing youd never learn from living outside of Galkhein.
The scene from the previous evening continued to play back in her mind. How Arnold had said, You dont need to be resolute in becoming my wife.
What did that even mean? She couldnt bring herself to ask him. The look on his face was too desolate, and too familiar.
That was exactly how he looked when he killed me.
There were so many things she wanted to know, but shed held her tongue as he walked away. All she could do was replay the night over and over, remembering how he had kissed her. Rishe flinched at the memory, pressing her forehead to the table.
There wasnt any deep meaning in that. How could there be? She had to stop thinking about this; she had far more pressing matters to attend to. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut and stood up, giving her cheeks a light pat and shifting her focus back to what was important.

Arnold looked away with indifference. Rishe, lets go.

Wait, Your Highness. I think you should speak with your brother a bit longer.

Theres no point.

But

She still didnt know Theodores endgame. What had been the point of this? Arnolds scolding had turned him into a trembling little boy. Prince Theodore was trying to make me afraid of his brother. But why?

Rishe.

Coming. Clearly Arnold had no desire to remain, and Rishe turned to follow him, resigned to her ignorance.

Then she heard Theodore whisper, Its just as I predicted, Sister.

A chill ran down her spine. She looked back over her shoulder. Theodore wasnt trembling.

Hes laughing?

The giggles racked his body as he fought to hold them back, face lit with a bewitching darkness. His beauty made Rishes breath catch even as Theodore said in a meek voice, Im so sorry, Brother. When Arnold looked back, Theodores expression had returned to one of contrition. I will go, though I doubt you will forgive me. And, SisterIm sorry for frightening you. I promise in the future I will treat you with all the proper respect due to my brothers wife.

Theodore bowed deeply to Rishe and smiled at his brother. Good night, Brother. Im so glad to speak to you after such a long time.

Theodore brushed by Arnold on his way out the door, leaving them with nothing but the trembling echoes of that unsettling smile.

The two were alone in the chapel now. Arnold broke the silence first. I believe I told you the same thing, Rishe.

Thats right, I wasnt supposed to talk to Theodore either.

He used your name to summon meI couldnt just ignore it. And I expected that youd find time in your busy schedule to accompany me.

As if I would ignore the reply to a letter I never even sent.

It made sense. After receiving Theodores forged letter, Rishe had summoned Elsie and written a reply. Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. I shall conduct myself to the chapel at 9:30 tonight, as you have specified.

Shed given herself a half hour alone with Theodore, but Arnold had arrived fifteen minutes early.

Im thankful he did. I just wish he hadnt had to hear his brother slander him.

Something wrong?

Rishe began to shake her head but stopped. Maybe she could just ask. Why did he say those things about you? That youre ruthless.

Arnold glanced away briefly. Probably because its true. Ive killed countless people on the battlefield. I am notdelicate in my manner. My brutality is known far and wide.

I know that. Thats not what I meant. I could learn that anywhere, she said.

Then what is it you want to know?

She wasnt sure how to word this. Your heart. This was something only Arnold could tell her.

Myheart?

I have heard of your many great feats during the previous war. And Ive seen what you were like in battle when those bandits attacked our carriage. But you didnt kill them.

Rishes theory at the time had been that it was because theyd been attacked by foreign countrymen. But she doubted that the diabolical Emperor Arnold Hein of her memory would care about that. But after weeks of observation, she wasnt sure of anything anymore.

I was wondering what you were talking about. A shadow fell over his blue eyes. It appears Ive gone too easy on you.

He reached toward her, and his black-gloved hand slowly wrapped around her neck. If you want to survive in this palace, youll disabuse yourself of this naivete. His fingers dug into her throat. It was only a threat of pressure, but it would take only a bit more to strangle her.

And yet, Rishe was unafraid. I believe in my own observations and conclusions.

What are you saying? Youve never seen me on the battlefield.

Be that as it may, Rishe said, I believe that the person who cares about my desires is the real you.

What a foolish thing to say, he said in a low, husky voice. I brought you here to use you.

All the more so, then, if thats the case. Rishe gently placed her hand on top of his. She didnt try to pull it awayinstead she pressed down, exerting pressure on her own throat. You arent ruthless at all, husband.

Arnold grimaced, breathing out a huff of annoyance. She expected him to push her away, but they just stood there, eyes locked. The moment stretched on, neither of them moving.

It was Arnold who broke the silence. Where does this confidence come from? This determination?

Rishe frowned, puzzled. What do you mean?

Sometimes you get this look in your eye. Like youre meeting me in the field.

It was as if he were looking through her to the past. Rishe could say nothing.

Arnold took his hand from her neck, cupping her cheek instead. The moonlight shone through the stained-glass window, casting the shadow of his lashes over his face. He brushed his thumb against the corner of her eye.

You have the gaze of someone ready to die for what she believes in, who will fight for it with every last breath. You look likesomeone who still believes life is worth living.

Rishe found herself unable to move. All she could do was look up at Arnold.

In her eyes, Arnold seemed to be gazing past her, to wars fought long ago, far away. Perhaps he was seeing the faces of the people he had killed.

Having to end the life of someone like that, he said, is what I fear most in the world.

Rishe didnt say a word. So, he was afraid. Sometimes. She knew it. Shed known it all along. No matter what the past contained, or the future held, the man who stood before her was not a merciless killer.

I Rishe swallowed, finding her voice again. Sometimes, I feel like I dont belong in this world anymore.

It was an incoherent confession, but she said it anyway. She didnt know how else to answer his question.

He waited for her to continue. Rishe pushed herself on, adding lies to the truth she couldnt offer him. Ive had dreams ofwatching myself die. But Im not dreaming now. Im here, breathing and alive. But despite knowing Im awake, I am still very afraid sometimes.

What are you afraid of?

Rishe breathed out. Thatthat Im already dead. That my life ended in that instant and this world is nothing but an endless dream.

As soon as she spoke, Rishe felt a hard pressure on her chest. Whats this Im feeling?

Instantly, it clicked: She wasnt lying. Deep down, there was a part of her that believed this. She didnt want this life to end in death. Her seventh life would be the one she survived. She wanted to do her best to keep on living.

But shed thought that in her past lives as well. Shed lived through the second and third, the fourth, the fifth and sixth lifealways with that truth lurking in the innermost depths of her heart. No matter what she did, in five years, it would all be over. Perhaps this world wasnt even real. And once her thoughts drifted in that direction, all she felt was paralyzing fear.

Stop it. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut. The fear means nothing. Ill turn it into strength. It doesnt matter.

Fear crept up on you faster the longer you stood still, so she looked up at Arnold again.

Ive made up my mind, she told Arnold. I dont care if this life is a dream or if Im destined for some awful endI wont run away.

Rishe

Im not what you think, she said. Im not a warrior. But I am resolute in my determination to be your wife.

Destiny would likely never lead her down this path again. After living her life over and over again, shed experienced firsthand how difficult it was to force events to play out identically. She had to do her utmost now. To stop the war, to save herself.

And to save Arnold, who might not desire a future soaked in blood after all.

Thats why I want to understand your heart, she added.

He let out a short scornful laugh, almost inhuman. His hand slid from her cheek down to her chin. With his other arm, he drew her close by her waist.

Then a pair of soft lips met hers.

Rishe gasped into his kiss, mind struggling to keep up. An eternity seemed to pass before he drew away. He whispered, Youre a fool.

But his voice was gentle, full of sympathy, as if he were trying to persuade a child. And it was with a distinct note of loneliness that he said, You dont need to be resolute to become my wife.

(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0

Chapter: 9

Chapter 4

***

THE EVENING AFTER the incident at the chapel, Rishe was hurrying about the small kitchen of the detached palace. However, she wasnt preparing food. A sweet, floral smell attracted the attention of a nearby maid, who sneaked up to peek.

My lady?! What in the world

Piles and piles of flowers covered the table. Rishe gave them a little awkward chuckle as she plucked the petals off wilting roses. She had asked Elsie and the other maids to buy up as many unsold bouquets as they could from florists across the city.

Sorry for the mess. Ill be sure to clean them up, dont worry.

Erm, sure, but thats not why Im surprised!

Rishe hadnt stopped with roses. There were orange gerberas and purple gentians. A mass of pink petals was already simmering on the stove.

Oh! Are you going to dye something? the maid asked, her face lighting up.

Rishe smiled at her. I cant tell you yet. But as soon as Im finished, all of you will be the first to try it. Of course, I wont force you if you dont want to.

Id love to help! the astute maid answered. Im not sure with what yet, but Ill be happy to.

Thanks.

The maid returned to work, surely wondering what Rishe could possibly be brewing in the pot.

The girl seemed confident, but Rishe doubted shed ever guess what the bottle sitting on the corner of the table contained. She began to clear up the leaves and stems. Maybe I should let this simmer a bit longer. Im all done with the petals now.

Rishe sat down, rechecking a piece of paper containing all the information she had copied from various documents during a morning spent cooped up in the library. The population distribution for the imperial capital of Galkhein. The shifts in economic conditions. The state of affairs in surrounding areas and information detailing merchants and tourists. She sank into thought.

Based on this, Ive come up with a deal to offer Mr. Tully. But Im not completely happy with it.

She still had five days to go. Her samples should be finished by then, and the information shed gathered should be enough to assure him of a potential profit, and to come up with a way for calculating interest rates and other such things. Although she was sure of her victory, she wasnt satisfied.

All of this is publicly available information. She looked again at her writing. The fiance of the crown prince should know so much more.

Rishe felt that keenly while reading the documents. She knew that Arnold had amassed political power as a result of his various feats during the war three years prior. The first thing hed done was allocate reparations from other countries to purchase products from rural areas for a huge lump sum.

Although Galkhein had won the war, the victory was only felt by an elite few. The soldiers who fought, the blacksmiths who forged their swords, and the apothecaries who had made medicines for the front lines had all lost their jobs. Many of them sought work in the cityand when there was none to be found, they lived in the slums.

Meanwhile, the countryside had suffered from a labor shortage even during the war. There was no money to pay the wages of the men returning from battle, and the population continued to decline. Productivity in farming and fishing villages went down, heralding a huge spike in food prices nationwide.

Arnold had been taking measures to prevent that.

He used reparation funds to buy up crops and seafood. Once those industries were flush with cash, the jobless workers would begin to return to the countryside. According to the recent travel permit records Rishe had pored over, the strategy seemed to be workingthe majority of permits had been granted to those traveling to the countryside to farm and for other similar reasons. People were returning home to find jobs. The supplies Arnold had bought up were offered to the destitute at subsidized prices, filling their bellies.

Hed invested a huge chunk of his own wealth in his scheme, and to show for it he had Galkheins increased productivity and rising birth rate. That meant an increase in tax yields and morale.

Rishe had learned all this solely from the documentation. This is the sort of thing youd never learn from living outside of Galkhein.

The scene from the previous evening continued to play back in her mind. How Arnold had said, You dont need to be resolute in becoming my wife.

What did that even mean? She couldnt bring herself to ask him. The look on his face was too desolate, and too familiar.

That was exactly how he looked when he killed me.

There were so many things she wanted to know, but shed held her tongue as he walked away. All she could do was replay the night over and over, remembering how he had kissed her. Rishe flinched at the memory, pressing her forehead to the table.

There wasnt any deep meaning in that. How could there be? She had to stop thinking about this; she had far more pressing matters to attend to. Rishe squeezed her eyes shut and stood up, giving her cheeks a light pat and shifting her focus back to what was important.