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

“It was on my way.”

“So when you said go home, you mean…”

“I think they’re done moving my stuff from my private quarters to the royal villa.”

“Oh!”

In other words, the move from the main castle where Arnold had been living until now to the royal villa was complete.

While Arnold was working in his office in the main castle, the royal villa was being prepared. In short, it must mean that Arnold stopped by the reception room while he was moving.

“Does that mean that Your Highness and I are going to be neighbors from now on?”

“That’s what it comes down to.”

Thank goodness…

This would put some physical distance between Arnold and his father for now.

She didn’t know what would lead to his father’s murder, but until she got to the cause of it, she hoped they would avoid getting involved in any way possible.

Arnold curiously glanced sideways at Rishe beside him.

“What’s with that relief on your face?”

“Because it’s a major undertaking since I arrived in Garkhain, you know? I had to clean out the palace and conduct study sessions with all the maidservants. I’m deeply moved when I think that Your Highness is finally able to move in.”

“…”

She gave an explanation that was off the mark, but sounded genuine. She must thank the maid servants who worked so hard to get here again tomorrow.

Arnold burst into laughter while she was lost in thought.

“It does sound fun to live in a deserted castle and watch you plan this and that from the sidelines.”

With all the pride of a former maidservant, you’re absolutely not allowed to do that!

She couldn’t say it out loud, and could only secretly argue deep inside. Since Arnold would be the master of the royal villa, she would like to see such a partner do a perfect job.

“Ah, right Your Highness, I will be sleeping until noon for a while and won’t be getting up early. If you don’t see me in the palace, don’t worry about me. I’m just sleeping soundly.”

She told Arnold the same excuse she gave the knights and maidservants. In fact, she would be training as a knight cadet all morning.

Arnold replied with a slightly dumbfounded look on his face.

“Even if you sleep until noon, it won’t do you any good in terms of regaining your strength if you’re always late getting to bed.”

“Err… I’ve been making an effort to get to bed early.”

“At least, that isn’t true for someone who’s been concocting medicine until this hour.”

Arnold said and put his hand in his coat pocket. After a moment’s thought, he tossed something in front of Rishe.

“Take it.”

“!”

Riche reflexively reached out and trapped what was thrown in both hands.

When she opened her hands, she found a golden pocket watch. It was the one that Arnold had used when they sneaked away from the castle yesterday.

“Your Highness? Such an expensive item shouldn’t be treated carelessly …”

“I’m not taking it lightly. — You can keep it for a while.”

Rishe’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.

“You don’t mean to tell me you’re going to lend me your watch, right?!”

This pocket watch was designed about four years ago.

Before then, the only clocks in the world were big wall clocks, a sundial that could be used only on sunny days and a water clock that froze on cold days.

Of course, you couldn’t take it with you, and your chances of checking the time were limited.

Then this pocket watch came along.

There weren’t that many in circulation and each one was very expensive.

Only a few royalty and aristocrats owned them. It was also unlikely that many ordinary people had ever seen one, let alone heard of it.

“It’s very precious, and I can’t borrow it lightly.”

“What? You’re not going to use it?”

“U-Uhm …”

Honestly, it would be very convenient to have it on hand.

“Many doubt its authenticity simply because of its short history, but I’ve confirmed that it’s accurate as long as you don’t make any adjustments. It’s much more useful than a sundial.”

Yes, I know that very well…

Rishe’s mind was filled with the smile of the man who invented this pocket watch.

“It’s especially useful on the battlefield because it’s so easy to carry around. I had to verify its credibility many times before it was put to practical use.”

“On the battlefield…”