7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation

241

Arnold tightened his embrace around Rishe.

Seated sideways on his lap, they faced each other. With the thought of the wound still fresh in her mind, Rishe hastily attempted to pull away.

"N-No, Your Highness! It might worsen your injury...!"

"If you really think so, then stop moving so much."

"Ugh..." With that said, there was no way Rishe could move from there.

At least, while ensuring no strain on the wound, Rishe relaxed her grip slightly. In response, Arnold gently tapped her back with his large hands, as if to comfort her.

(This touch...)

She recalled the time about a month ago when she first shared a bed with Arnold, the day after she was kidnapped by Theodore.

Back then, Rishe had been by his side to help him sleep. She had told him that touching him in rhythm with his heartbeat, stroking gently, was a soothing way to calm the mind.

Now, Arnold was offering her the same comforting touch. Despite the danger he had faced and the lingering pain, he prioritized Rishe above all else. That fact was now crystal clear, enough to make her want to cry.

"I never intended to make you so worried." he said

In the midst of the raging fire on board, Rishe must have shown her fear to Arnold. Though she wanted to say something, it felt like she would burst into tears if she tried. Sensing her struggle, Arnold gently asked in a soothing voice, "...Do you want to scold me?"

As Rishe frantically shook her head, Arnold let out a small chuckle with just a sigh. His breath touched Rishe's ear, causing a slight tickling sensation.

"There's no need for you to apologize for the fact that your life was saved."

Those words nearly brought tears to Rishe's eyes.

"...The fact that you, Your Highness Arnold, were injured... that's a significant detail that's missing..." she cried.

Despite desperately trying to convey that, she struggled to contain her jumbled emotions. Unable to hold back any longer, she wrapped her arms around Arnold's exposed upper body. His skin, smooth and warm, indicated the presence of flowing blood.

"...I..." Pressing her forehead against the left side of Arnold's neck, she made sure her face couldn't be seen. "As long as you're by my side, Prince Arnold, I feel like I can do anything."

"..."

Rishe nuzzled against the place where Arnold's old scars remained. Despite her attempt to act spoiled, her trembling voice betrayed her vulnerability.

"I used to believe that people exerted their strongest power when they joined hands with someone... But Yoel told me, 'Arnold is stronger fighting alone than with anyone else.'"

She vividly remembered those words Yoel had spoken to her. 'In reality, you don't really need him. He's stronger than I am. Yet, he still cooperates with your strategic games, protects you, and goes out of his way for you.'

Rishe knew firsthand the strength of someone who fought alone.

Yoel, the genius swordsman, had died protecting Rishe.

(I know better than anyone how strong Yoel was...)

In that battlefield, Arnold had indeed been superior. But if Arnold hadn't needed to protect her, if Yoel had fought alone until the princes escaped, he might have survived.

In that case, there would have been no reason for Yoel to remain at the castle, and perhaps he could have avoided being killed.

"...Your Highness Arnold."

While still being embraced on Arnold's knee, Rishe suppressed her urge to ask.

(In each of those futures after I'm gone... What kind of life have you lived?)

All Rishe knew was what would happen until she died.

(What you fought for so fiercely, dear Arnold... Did you achieve it?)

Emperor Arnold Hein had started wars and invaded various countries. Whether he had accomplished his goals or if his atrocities had been halted halfway, Rishe didn't know. Despite repeating her life so many times, she didn't know anything.

(You...)

Rishe reached out with trembling fingers and gently touched the warm skin beside Arnold's wound.

(...Did you manage to survive, to stay alive...)

"..."

Rishe had never imagined Arnold dying.

She had believed, in a sense, in the overwhelming power of Emperor Arnold Hein, that no one could defeat him. But now, within Rishe, that fear was deeply etched.

"Your strength, Your Highness Arnold, seems to wane when I'm by your side."

Rishe wrapped her arms around Arnold's back again and clung tightly.

"...Rishe." he said softly.

It felt unfair to beg with such a nearly tearful voice. In front of this gentle fiancé, Rishe spun such a selfish request. She was aware that it was akin to the whining of a spoiled child, yet she persisted in her stubbornness.

"Please... I beg you. Please, never get hurt again..."