Chapter Text
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Rishe
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It was the evening before the wedding and several of her dearest friends from her past lives were gathered around for an elaborate dinner. By noon the next day she would become the Crown Princess of Galkhein, wife of future Emperor Arnold Hein. Yet, she’d still not met her soon-to-be father-in-law, the current Emperor.
She’d asked as one of her many requests of her fiancé to meet his father before the wedding, but every time, Arnold had declined. He said this was not a meeting he had the power to arrange. The only power he had, was in preventing the meeting.
Rishe had argued, become even petulant, but Arnold had held firm. He’d reminded her of the killing intent his father had directed towards them both when they’d been on the grounds near where the emperor’s former wives and concubines had all been tucked away. The inner castle walls were painted with the blood of slain children sometimes killed at Arnold’s own hand.
Arnold pointed out that he never took pleasure in the death of anyone. At least against foes, there was a certain measure of respect. However, in the deaths of his half-siblings, with his father looming over him, blade at the ready to slay Arnold himself if he faltered, the wails of the mothers, and the innocent, trusting look in the eyes of his brothers and sisters — Arnold thought his heart had been forever hardened.
If he didn’t accept the heinous acts, the duty would fall upon his precious, younger brother Theodore. Who would be able to purge the empire of their father if not Arnold?
So, no, Arnold would not willingly introduce Rishe to his father. She’d pointed out time and again, she was only the daughter of a Duke in a small kingdom. If the emperor chose to slay her on a whim, Arnold would be forced to kill the emperor himself and he didn’t want to be put in that position. There was no doubt, that he would snuff out the life of their emperor for a woman he’d known for less than half-a-year.
However, once Rishe was the Crown Princess, she would be protected from the second greatest monster in the kingdom.
“Second greatest monster?” Rishe had asked, as she finished braiding her long, coral-colored hair into a thick plait over her shoulder. She and Arnold had been in their residence, he at his home office desk and she on the couch not far away, their cooling cups of tea untouched on the coffee table in front of her.
Arnold finished his final document with a flourish in his signature before he looked up, met her eyes with his turbulent, arctic ocean gaze. It was a beautiful, yet terrifying gaze that he’d inherited from his father and that inheritance had spared his life.
“I am the greatest monster this empire will ever know,” Arnold’s deep baritone rumbled with conviction. “The dragon that reigns terror to those opposed and hoards and guards his precious treasure.” His gaze intensified. “You, Rishe. You are my treasure and I will kill anyone that threatens your safety.”
Considering, not a month ago, the two of them had ridden on horseback together facing enemies, she didn’t really need protection. Arnold had used his blade on the forces in front of them while Rishe had used her arrows against those threatening them from behind. They’d been an impenetrable defense. The couple could have been a deadly force, but they’d both chosen to disable their opponents instead. It was a testament to the difference in this Arnold whom still was capable of mercy and the Arnold whom pierced her knight’s armor in her sixth loop and stopped her heart. Though, even back then as she died, there had been a moment of some glimmering emotion in that cold arctic gaze of his.
And now, in the great dining hall of the palace with the various friends and comrades she made over her various lives and reconnected in this life within less than half a year, Rishe hoped that this would finally be the last loop. And if Arnold was the hand behind her death again, she hoped it would be the final sleep. She wouldn’t be able to dance this dance another time. She felt all her forty-six years within her sixteen year old body. Though, in all her lives, she’d never experienced love before — not the romantic kind anyway.
If she had to start over, without Arnold’s love, she wasn’t sure she’d be capable. She’d had many allies over her loops, but none were quite as impactful as her relationship with the crown prince.
“Where has your mind gone?” The Alchemy Professor Michel Hevan was seated at her left, with the King of Coyolles Kyle Crevary next to him. He’d noticed her distraction and drummed his fingers right next to her plate to gain her attention. It made sense that he’d notice her distraction, he’d always been keenly observant.
Arnold was at the head of the table, on her right, his presence was like the sun and she was drawn to him by gravity. She curled the fingers of her left hand into her palm and ran her thumb over the engagement ring on her fourth finger. The cold gemstone mirrored his blue eyes when she shifted her gaze towards him, to find Arnold was looking right back at her, studying her in that intense way he had— as if she were the only person worth looking at.
Prince Theodore was seated on Arnold’s right. Priestess Millia and her father Duke Josef Jonal were next to Theodore. Oliver stood behind Arnold, even though Rishe thought he should be seated at the table. Kaine Tully and his crew were also on the palace grounds, but Oliver had patiently explained that with the dinner being a formal event, there were certain protocols that had to be respected. The reception after the wedding the next day would be a more open affair. She was eager to see the royal family of Sharga and Joel — the Captain of the Royal Knights. In her sixth loop, the two of them were slain by Arnold’s sword, but had hopefully succeeded in buying the royal family time to escape the conquering warlord.
The opposite head of the table was left empty for the Emperor and Empress, whom were officially invited, but Arnold had expressed his hope that they would not show. Her parents, whom she truly hadn’t seen much of in the last thirty years (six different time loops), were on the far end of the table, seated across from Prince Diedrich and his current betrothed Maria, along with the King of Hermity and his queen. Arnold hadn’t wanted to invite them, but Rishe had insisted. The royal couple of Hermity had been extremely apologetic for Diedrich’s public annulment. This version of her parents hadn’t disowned her, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t aware of how they’d done so in every other timeline.
However, Rishe had been grateful. She would have been miserable trapped in a marriage with her childhood friend Diedrich and his simple-mindedness. Though, since their adventure with the theater trope, their former friendship had been restored. Arnold couldn’t stand the younger prince, but Rishe couldn’t help but try to be supportive of her oldest friend —even if he was still a spoiled brat.
Raul was hidden behind one of his many masks, protecting Rishe from the shadows under Arnold’s orders. Unlike in their previous life together, he seemed to still have an ember of hope in his heart. She hoped to keep nurturing that into a flame. Of all her past acquaintances, she suspected he above the others suspected an unnatural connection between them. Though, if Joel were to see her fight with his same style of swordsmanship, no doubt he too would be suspicious.
Under the table, Rishe felt Arnold’s warm hand upon her knee, squeezing softly.
“I’m just a bit in awe to see so many friends in one place,” Rishe admitted, feeling her heart flutter, finally answering the alchemist’s question. It seemed like the accumulation of relationships she’d garnered over the years had finally all come together in this one loop. Had all her pain and suffering been to create this very scenario? There were a few others that had become precious to her through her various lives. No doubt she’d see them after the ceremony in the morning, after she married her worse enemy. Though she really didn’t think of him that way anymore. Arnold Hein had become her very heart.
“Ah, well, it’s still beyond this scientist brain of mine to how quickly you have engrained yourselves into the lives of so many, myself included,” Michel murmured. His golden eyebrows drew together in consternation, indicating like Raul, he was also suspicious of their strong connection and shared knowledge. “You seem to intuitively understand those around you, as if you’d known so many of us for years. Our deepest desires and fears all realized within only a few days of acquaintance.” His pale silver eyes shifted from her towards Prince Arnold. “How many lives have you saved with your innate understanding, my apprentice?” He was referencing the time she turned the would-be murderous demonstration of his gunpowder into fireworks. The time he’d taken her to see the enchanting lights of the aura borealis four loops prior having given her the idea. It had been his path towards using science for war that had led to their break in that past life. It had been one of his weapons that had ended her life.
“My fiancée is a better judge of character than anyone,” Arnold declared. His thumb drew idle circles on her thigh. “Except, she keeps mistakenly believing I am kind.”
The tight smile that crossed King Kyle’s lips at the declaration seemed to be echoed in everyone, except Rishe and Theodore. The two whom believed whole-heartedly in Arnold’s innate goodness.
It was strange to Rishe, that the man whom had terrorized her lives so many times, was now the person she loved most in all her many loops. Arnold’s arctic gaze that once struck terror as she bled out in his arms, was now associated with butterflies in her belly and a warmth in her bosom.
Arnold squeezed her knee once more, the tense knots in her shoulders loosened under his attention. Then he raised that hand to lift the goblet of red wine, the guests around the table mimicked his action. Rishe did the same, looking forward to the rich wine that wouldn’t be laced with peppers this time by jealous ladies.
“I am pleased by your attendance,” Arnold announced, addressing the guests gathered at the table. “I had once thought I would never marry, but then I met Lady Rishe.” He smiled faintly. “It was unusual circumstances, as if our paths were destined to cross. The day when she agreed to be my wife was one of the few that I’ve ever known the sensation of joy.”
Rishe stared at him, moved by his words. Arnold was not one to give speeches aside from encouraging his troops before battle. Where she saw dazzling fireflies dancing under the moonlight, he saw a gathering army with torches come to exact revenge. Arnold guarded his heart and here he was making proclamations amongst a dozen guests!
“Prince Arnold,” Rishe whispered, her eyes dampening with emotion. How she hoped this was her final loop! Knowing the love and devotion of this man, if she were to lose it, she would simply wish to cease to exist. She’d first agreed to marry him with hopes of stopping his war. Now, she simply wanted to save him from a dark path knowing in her heart that the world would be a better place under his wise leadership, if he could rule through diplomacy rather than the terror of his powerful sword.
Arnold’s expression softened at her words as he smiled faintly at her, tapping his goblet of wine against hers. The table chorused their salutes and everyone drank from the ruby red concoction the Aria Trading Company had procured for them from the Kingdom of Sharga.
Then the doors to the great dining hall burst open and the Emperor entered. His hair was the save raven as Arnold’s, his eyes the same arctic blue, his body tall and his shoulders broad, just like Arnold. The crown on his head was a bright gold with terrifying twisting of thorns encrusted with rubies. A long, dark blue cape billowed behind him and the guards flanking either side of him had faces hidden behind dark masks. Though, the emperor’s sword on his hip was more deadly than the blades of his knights.
Everyone scrambled to their feet, dipping their heads in respect.
Arnold rose to a standing position slowly. “Father,” he growled, his own hand clenched around the hilt of his own sword.
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Arnold
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He’d been nine years old when he realized he was cursed. His mother had always looked at him with a certain amount of loathing. Perhaps, she’d had another child that didn’t meet the emperor’s standard. Maybe she had a vision early on? Because when she tried to kill Arnold, he’d still been innocent. His father hadn’t turned him into an executioner yet, that would only happen after he’d become a murderer.
Arnold’s first kill had been in self-defense to the one person who was supposed to love him unconditionally. It was only after his mother’s death that he realized she’d been a priestess. He’d devoured her books, hoping to understand her even though she was dead. Learning her religion made Arnold feel less alone.
It was only after his father turned him into an executioner, he avoided his precious little brother. He would not taint Theodore with his darkness.
It was in one of his mother’s journals that he first read the prophesy in the almost indecipherable language of Crusade. The siren with the coral hair and emerald eyes was the only one that could tame the blood-thirsty dragon.
The first time Arnold killed his father, it had been after the Emperor had tortured Theodore. Arnold had enough of the tyrant. It had been easy to conquer the world afterwards and the only way to keep his own empire from crumbling into chaos. One foe after another fell under Arnold’s mighty army. The trade routes on land and sea established by the Aria Trading Company had cleared the path for him.
It was during that time, that he learned of the mapmaker within the Aria Trading Company. She’d been the one to inadvertently clear his path of destruction. Oliver had been the one to find her corpse. They’d been picking their way through the fallen kingdom of Coyolles. Amongst the debris, a halo of coral hair was the one splash of color. She’d died, her body protecting a child beneath her. It was the cries of the child that had drawn Oliver’s attention.
Arnold had crouched beside Rishe’s fallen body for the first time, brushed her hair aside, stared into clouded emerald eyes and knew.
This was his soulmate and he’d killed her before they’d even met. She’d been the one to clear the path for his armies. She was the reason for his success.
And for the first time since he was a child, Arnold had prayed to the gods of his mother. He prayed for the siren who laid cold in his arms as he gathered her against him.
The next thing he knew, he’d been sent back five years into the past. He’d ordered Oliver to research everything he could about the pink-haired woman. He discovered her name — Rishe Irmgard Weitzner. The fool of a prince in Hermity had ended an engagement with her. She was not part of the Aria Trading Company this time. He’d been unable to find her, until he learned she’d died from an epidemic, after having personally healed the King of Coyolles.
Then it started again. This time, he traced her to Coyolles and found the Alchemist she trained under, but they’d parted ways. Arnold used the gunpowder and learned later that Rishe had died again in his war— from an explosion created by the gunpowder.
The next loop, he’d destroyed his mother’s church, cursing it for dooming him to repeat these lives, always finding Rishe too late. Later, he learned she’d been inside the church he had ordered to burn to the ground. He’d once again killed his soulmate. The fifth loop, he’d gone to Hermity as soon as possible, only to discover once again she’d eluded him, this time to a remote kingdom — Siguel.
It wasn’t until he’d invaded the island nation, the light of a telescope bringing his attention to a woman with a long, coral braid over her shoulder and an arrow trained at his heart. He tapped over his heart. Maybe she was meant to slay him? He welcomed the possibility. But no. He found her killed by one of his men as he held her cooling corpse once more. He’d been so close!
The last time loop, he’d been the one to kill her himself. She’d been disguised as a boy knight or else he would have surely recognized Rishe. Her hair had been covered in blood, no longer coral, but crimson. Her skill with the blade as she countered his attacks, scratched his cheek, right before he plunged his blade into her heart.
It was in that moment, as her eyes stared up at him, the life fading that he realized it was her.
As she died in his arms, he swore to her that the next time, he would find her. It would be different. He would protect her!
Not long after her death, Arnold woke up once more in his nineteen year old body. He’d made haste for Hermity and ran into Rishe in her hurry to escape the public shaming Prince Diedrich meant to bestow upon her. She’d called him Emperor.
He didn’t understand it, but he knew, she would not slip away from him in this life.
As his fiancée, Rishe managed to reconcile him with his brother, his mother’s church, the Kingdom of Coyolles. She brought the Aria Trading Company to Galkhein and the Alchemist that invented the black powder that could rain bloody death or colorful beauty. Even the great spy Raul from the Kingdom of Siguel had allied himself with Arnold because of Rishe.
With her wealth of knowledge, no sixteen year old could possibly possess, Arnold realized that Rishe like him was looping and retaining the knowledge she gained from each life.
Arnold was destined to slay his father. He was destined to conquer the world. With Rishe at his side, perhaps it could be done through diplomacy and friendship rather than bloodshed.
Though, none of that would matter if his father took her from him. Rishe had asked to meet with the emperor prior to their wedding, but Arnold feared his father’s murderous tendencies. He wasn’t ready to kill the emperor yet and claim the throne, but he would do whatever was necessary to ensure Rishe lived a long, carefree life as his empress.
Then his father showed up for the dinner.
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