Chapter 94: Prince Arnold, I think you'll want this

Rishe was very familiar with the individual who had invented the pocket watch, and that individual had commissioned the fine components for the watch from an artisan from Coyolles. They'd picked Coyolles precisely because of their jewelry-making techniques. This meant the craftsman who'd come to Galkhein already had molds to craft watch parts. It was always smart to bring successful samples of your work when you intended to market yourself overseas.

If I had the parts, I could assemble a pocket watch easily. After all, Michel taught me so carefully in my past life.

Rishe turned to Arnold, feeling a little dejected. "The pocket watch you treasured during the war was made with the intricate art of metalworking, putting together springs and wheels. Soon, many other products will be fashioned in the same way."

Rishe was sure of that. These metal processing techniques opened so many avenues. It sounded fantastical now, but countless scholars all over the world were conducting research on this very subject. Rishe had seen plenty of their studies in her life as an alchemist.

"Prince Arnold, I think you'll want this." He understood the value of this invention; he'd used it in his own machinations. "You can bring this technology to Galkhein!"

Arnold stared at Rishe. She held his gaze, not letting him go as she went full steam ahead.

"You're well aware of the wonders of the pocket watch. But what if that incredibly rare technology could be widely and cheaply available to the masses? Imagine the other applications such technology could produce!"

The pocket watch they were showing him only took a few days to make. Rishe didn't need to emphasize the short production time; Arnold would find that obvious.

"Scholars all over the world are looking into applications for springs and gears in modern technology. If they combine their knowledge, they could create all kinds of things! Carriages that move without horses! Ships that sail without wind! These dreams will soon become reality." Rishe beamed, overflowing with confidence.

"But when it comes to the actual production of such technology, you can look all over the world and you'll only find one place capable of it: Coyolles!"

"Hah!"

Arnold put his chin in his hand again, smirking. "You speak like you've seen the future yourself."

He sounded like he'd figured it all out. Arnold couldn't possibly know her secret—how was he that sharp? The future Rishe spoke of was only something she'd imagined. In her previous lives, Coyolles was destroyed, their already meager national power eroded until Galkhein invaded. She needed to make sure that outcome changed—in any way she could.

I need to convince him right here and now.

Rishe clenched her fists.

The smile was gone from Arnold's face. "So?" His voice chilled the room, and then he turned to the person who'd hardly piqued his interest thus far.

"Kyle Morgan Cleverly. What exactly are you after?"

Rishe stiffened at the crown prince's icy tone. Dark light bloomed in Arnold's eyes as he looked at Kyle. He was expressionless and his voice was level, but the intensity he exuded made Rishe's skin tingle. She wasn't even the one he was looking at, but she couldn't help her nerves.

Arnold continued cruelly, "I will admit that you possess impressive technology. Something that my country lacks." His shapely fingers slammed down on the armrest of his chair.

The sound echoed throughout the room, screwing the tension tighter. Rishe was sure he knew exactly what he was doing. "Your naiveté disgusts me."

Rishe gulped. If his anger affected her this severely, she could hardly imagine the pressure Kyle felt.

Indifferent to their reactions, Arnold went on, "You do understand that knowledge, technology, and people can all be brought to other countries? I don't even need to lure your country's artisans to Galkhein with money; I can just threaten you. My military means you'll give me anything I want. Then—when my country has perfected your techniques—I'll simply kill all survivors of Coyolles. It's as simple as that." He spoke of it as though it were nothing.

"Did you stop to think for yourself for a moment? Or are you just a figurehead prince doing whatever my wife tells you to?"

"Your Highness! Prince Kyle is—"

"I could say the same to you, Rishe." He faced her, and Rishe held her tongue. "Did you not imagine what I might do once I have that technology in my hands?"

She knew exactly what he'd do. Or, well, what the original Arnold would do. But she knew something else now. And that's why…

"Lady Rishe believes in you, Prince Arnold," Kyle piped up. In the incredibly tense room, he sat tall and locked eyes with Arnold. "I was apprehensive when she suggested using Coyolles's metal processing technology as a bargaining chip, but Lady Rishe was insistent in her faith."

Kyle's blue eyes looked like two pools of crystalline water. The light in them was pure and earnest. "She believes in your desire for the power to shape the future into something better."

It was just as Kyle said. Even if Emperor Arnold Hein would wage war in several years' time, even if Prince Arnold evoked fear for his wartime cruelty several years ago, Rishe knew exactly what sort of person the Arnold right in front of her was.

"I came to this country because I believed in you too," Kyle went on. "From your policy records, it was clear to me that you were an excellent ruler who paid respect even to the soldiers of his enemies. Even now, you agree to meet with me."

"It's just…faith? You believe I won't simply invade Coyolles and steal its technology?"

"Precisely."

"What a fool you are. I see now why you thought you could rely on me."

"Yes, I was a fool to seek out your protection—but I don't believe my desire to seek an alliance was misguided." Kyle said, his voice strong and clear.

"I came to Galkhein because of my deep admiration for you as a ruler." He put a hand to his heart. "When Coyolles loses its gems, it will still retain the knowledge of its scholars and its metalworking techniques. If Galkhein were to lend us its political power, we could work together. I believe we could achieve the future Lady Rishe spoke of."

"…"

"I will spare no effort to earn your trust. If you would just give me a chance—"

"Pardon me."

Someone entered the room, cutting Kyle off.

Rishe looked to the door, and her eyes widened.

Prince Theodore?!

"Good day, Prince Kyle. Terribly sorry for interrupting, Brother. Let me apologize for my rudeness, barging in on your meeting like this." Theodore bowed his head, rattling off pleasantries he normally would have skipped. He then glanced at Rishe and gave her a signal by blinking a set number of times: Emergency!

Springing to her feet, Rishe addressed Arnold and Kyle. "I'm so sorry. I must take my leave for the time being."

"L-Lady Rishe, where are you—"

"Please let me know your conclusion once you've reached it. I really do apologize, but goodbye for now!" Rishe squeezed out the words and fled the room with Theodore, her two guards scrambling after her.

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"They sure left in a hurry." Arnold muttered. Chin still resting in his hand, he coolly added, "Let me apologize as well. That was awfully rude of my wife and brother."

"It surprised me, to be sure, but it's no problem at all. Back to what I was saying before—"

"Oliver. Come in."

At his order, Arnold's silver-haired attendant slipped into the room. Kyle's eyes went round—the man had not come alone.

"Prince Arnold…"

Roughly a dozen knights had entered with him. They walked silently into the room and lined up behind Arnold, standing at attention.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Flanked by his knights, Arnold wordlessly stared Kyle down.