Rishe wanted to hear the truth of what Oliver said, but right now, her priority was chasing after Raul. She was certain that Harriet would be where he was headed.

“Oliver-sama, can you please keep this secret from His Highness Arnold?”

As Arnold’s squire, Oliver was puzzled by Rishe’s request.

“Normally, I would have to report this to My Lord without delay…”

“I know. However, it would be easier to dismiss Fabrania’s unreasonable demands if we claim that His Highness had no knowledge of Harriet-sama’s kidnapping.”

Of course, even if Fabrania demanded compensation for Harriet’s kidnapping, Garkhain would never give in to it.

However, the more reassurances they had, the better.

In Fabrania’s attempt to channel the counterfeit money to Garkhain, and in their purpose to kill Harriet, she could see their intention to attack Garkhain.

“I was the only one who knew about this, and I did not tell His Highness anything about it. ―― That being the case, you can simply cut me off alone if the situation turns out to be inconvenient for Garkhain.”

“Rishe-sama…”

Rishe was sure that Oliver would understand.

With that belief, she looked straight at Oliver, and he bowed with downcast eyes.

“I will make arrangements for your transportation before the knights find him.”

“Thank you!”

Oliver, who had left the room, would surely move quickly.

Rishe felt grateful and apologized inwardly to Arnold.I’m sorry for my willful behavior and for borrowing your squire…

Rishe exhaled and scanned the room.

This was the room Raul used, and she was well aware of his nature. Rishe spotted the fireplace, which was not in use in the summer, and looked up the chimney from below.

I knew it.

Sure enough, there was a bow hidden in there with the string removed.

Quickly wiping off some of the soot, Rishe bent the bow and strung it. The quiver was hidden as well, and it was full of arrows.

After securing the bow and arrows, Rishe returned to her room on the fourth floor and opened the trunk she had left there.

She pulled out a cape and threw it over her dress. After that, she picked up the black sword that was hanging on the wall.

It was the sword she borrowed from Arnold some time ago.

Arnold had used it a few years ago, and she heard that it had been left behind as a spare after he replaced it with his current sword.

It was forged to fit a man’s height and arm strength, so it was still too heavy for Rishe to handle.

Even so, she put on the belt she had used the day before yesterday, and fastened the sword and arrows on it.

Only the bow could not be hidden in her cape, so she held it in her left hand and headed downstairs.

Just then, Oliver must have finished his preparations because she heard his voice from downstairs.“The discovery signal smoke has risen. The horses are ready. Please come this way.”

“Roger that, Oliver-sama!”

The knight guards stationed in the castle looked at Rishe, holding a bow, and their eyes rounded.

Rishe joined Oliver, unfazed, and headed for the back door instead of the entrance.

“Look at the sky to the east. It’s a blue smoke signal, rising from a plot on the outskirts of the city.”

“Thank you very much. I never thought they’d find him so quickly.”

While running towards the stables, Rishe looked up at the bright blue sky.

The find was probably due to Oliver’s precise instructions and the knights who set up the siege.

I know what Raul is after…

When Rishe tried to run straight, she heard Oliver’s voice behind her.

“Rishe-sama, the horses prepared are in the stables on your right!”

“Huh? But I’m pretty sure that’s for the royal family――”

Since Oliver said to her right, Rishe stopped in her tracks.

There she saw a beautiful pale golden horse and a man pulling its reins.

“H-Your Highness Arnold!”

“…………!”

Arnold looked at Rishe and raised an eyebrow in dismay.

“What in the world are you doing…?”

“What brings you here, Your Highness?”