Archive of Our Own

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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Chapter Text

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Arnold
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The arrival of his father sent Arnold’s mind into the same cold, tactical state that overcame him whenever he was battle focused. The Emperor of Galkhein was the most detached, ruthless person that existed on the continent. While it wasn’t unexpected that he would attend the ceremonies and celebration for the Crown Prince of Galkhein’s wedding, Arnold hoped the emperor wouldn’t attend.

To his left, Rishe inhaled sharply, but otherwise appeared unaffected by the arrival. Everyone else, there was a palpable sense of fear that permeated the atmosphere, even his brother Theodore knew to fear the emperor.

In spite of the shock, everyone recovered quickly and quickly stood at the emperor’s arrival, bowing deeply as was expected of his subjects. The servants that should have announced the emperor’s arrival, were seen cowering behind him, prostate on the floor with the emperor’s guards flanking him. Two entered the room behind him and held the doors open.

The Emperor of Galkhein surveyed the room silently with his cold, arctic gaze. While Arnold also dipped his head in respect, he met his father’s eyes and noticed the moment the emperor locked his attention onto Rishe.

“Everyone out,” the emperor thundered. “Except the crown prince and his fiancée.”

Theodore and Oliver both stiffened, only relaxing when Arnold slightly nodded his head. Rishe’s parents, the prince and his new betrothed were the first to scamper out, doing their best to keep a wide berth from the emperor while exiting the main doors of the dining hall. Diedrich was stopped when he made to move past the emperor’s guards when one snatched the young man by his throat and held him up, feet dangling from the ground.

The emperor walked the few paces towards where the prince of Hermity struggled in vain.

King Kyle, Professor Michel, the priestess and her father were slower to vacate and seemed to look towards Rishe rather than Arnold for guidance.

Rishe offered them one of her disarming smiles. “The kitchens have an excellent table large enough for you all. I’d hate for you to miss your dinner.” Of course, she was familiar with the large table where the kitchen staff ate their meals. Arnold knew she took her own meals with them whenever he couldn’t join her.

Part of the time, his curious fiancée helped prepare the meals.

“That’s a good idea,” Arnold added.

“Come along,” Theodore encouraged their friends. He bowed once more towards their father. “Enjoy your meal, my esteemed emperor.”

A wolfish smile flitted across the emperor’s lips as he focused his attention on the younger prince. “I will, son.”

Arnold formed a few hand signals for both Oliver and Raul, dismissing his own guards, but asking them to not venture too far away. They left alongside Theodore into the kitchens.

The emperor turned his attention upon the red-faced Diedrich. The only guest left in attendance. He cocked his head to the side and glared down at the struggling prince. He didn’t speak until the doors were closed, leaving only Arnold, Rishe, the emperor and his two guards in the dining room. “Tell me whom exactly told you to break off your engagement to Rishe Irmgard Weitzner.”

Diedrich clawed at his throat. Arnold debated on whether or not to point out the younger man couldn’t speak until his throat was released. Honestly, he didn’t like the spoiled brat and felt his lip twitching in amusement at his obvious suffering. For all the pain this selfish prince caused Rishe, Arnold felt no need to help him. Though, he could feel Rishe struggling to keep her own composure. For some reason, she seemed to still care about her former betrothed even though his slander of her should have been equivalent to a death sentence.

He didn’t know all the details, but he knew the type of her parents and they’d have disowned her if they’d had the chance. A young lady that ran afoul of her kingdom’s prince would have been ostracized. It angered him so much knowing all the dangers she’d have faced. How many times did she suffer because of that boy?

It was only when Rishe opened her mouth to speak out for the boy that Arnold broke his own silence, wanting to keep her from angering the emperor.

“Father, the boy can hardly answer you when his throat is being squeezed by your guard,” Arnold pointed out.

“Very well.” The emperor jerked his chin upwards in command and the guard released his grip on the prince, causing Diedrich to fall to the floor.

Diedrich gasped and rubbed at this throat. The pale green of his eyes were barely visible given how large his pupils had dilated in terror. “Your Highness, mighty Emperor of Galkhein. It’s complicated.” He shifted his gaze towards Rishe briefly, a flash of regret on his pretty face.

It made Arnold want to ram his knee into the younger man’s face and make his nose bloody.

“You admit it was lies,” the emperor demanded. “My son’s fiancée was never unfaithful then?”

“Well, no,” Diedrich answered, taking a deep breath and sitting with his legs tucked under his body to look up at the emperor, hands braced upon his knees. “But the person that wrote me, that suggested I break off the engagement in front of the whole kingdom was right! She’d have been a terrible queen for me and would have made me look incompetent. Rishe is a know-it-all! Always had the answers at school and constantly demeaned me by making me look bad with academics and swords. And she made Marie feel inferior!”

The emperor stared down at the blond prince in silence for the longest time. No one said a word. Arnold felt the back of Rishe’s hands against his as she moved to stand closer at his side while they waited for the emperor to finish his conversation.

“I assume that little mouse that scampered out of here is this Marie person,” the emperor mused, and for a moment his tone was as playful as Theodore’s. He laughed, a deep rumble in his chest.  "You are right in one regard.  Lady Rishe would make a terrible queen.  She's meant to be an empress!"  He gestured for his guards. “Toss him in a cell. Have Balder interrogate him.”

The two guards left as well, Diedrich in tow and the emperor sat at the head of the table and gestured for Arnold and Rishe to sit. He met Arnold’s gaze first and then focused on Rishe, studying her.

Arnold’s hand itched to take his sword and run it through his father if he so much as laid a hand upon one hair on Rishe’s head.

As the silence stretched on, Rishe was the first to break it. “We are honored to have you join us in celebration of the upcoming ceremony, Your Highness.” She smiled faintly at the terrifying man at the opposite end of the table.

The emperor leaned back in his chair, folded his massive arms over his broad chest and stared back at her. “You know you’re marrying my number one assassin. Ripped babies from their mother’s arms, killed them.”

Arnold ground his molars together at the declaration. It’s not that it wasn’t true. He’d done that exact heinous act a half dozen times between the ages of nine and twelve. It was under his father’s orders, with his father in the very nurseries in question.  Arnold had been the dagger that killed his younger brothers and sisters that failed to inherit his father’s preferred traits. He’d had no pleasure in it, but it had hardened his heart. And since his mother's death, he'd not been forced to kill anyone outside of battle.  It’s why he’d vowed he wouldn’t marry himself, but that promise to himself shattered the moment he watched Rishe launch herself off that balcony in the Hermity palace.

“I am aware His Highness Arnold has faithfully obeyed your orders, Your Highness,” Rishe countered with the sweetest, most saccharine smile. Arnold felt the knot in his gut loosen ever so slightly at how calm she seemed. He knew from her posture that she recognized the danger they were in with the emperor’s attention focused upon them. He’d seen Rishe plenty times now in the training yard with her blade and even more recently sharing a horse with him with her bow taking down their enemies.

“And should I order him to slay you, my dear? What do you think?” The emperor’s lip curled up cruelly.

Rishe merely smiled. “Why would you contradict yourself, Your Highness? I am merely a hostage bride for Crown Prince Arnold. Though, my respect for him is great. I am merely a resource. It seems wasteful to kill me.”

“You’re right of course, he should at least wait until after you’ve produced an acceptable heir.” The emperor’s smile vanished and he shifted his hard glare at Arnold. “It’s risky for you choosing someone with such unusual features, son.”

When Arnold and Rishe had a child, he would not allow his father to harm the child no matter what they looked like. There was a strong possibility they would have a daughter that would favor Rishe’s beautiful features and would one day become the High Priestess. Based on some of the prophesies Arnold read in his mother’s journals, he suspected that was a strong possibility. Why else had his father demanded a priestess for a wife? Arnold had no sense of devotion for the church, but Rishe had helped him not to feel antagonistic towards it either. If his theoretical daughter wanted to be a High Priestess, he would support such a decision, but he wouldn’t force any child of his into something they didn’t want.

“When we have a daughter, she will likely become the High Priestess of the Church of the goddess,” Arnold answered. There was no point in being coy with his father. Besides, it was usually within a year of this time that his father would die by Arnold’s own hand. He’d done so before and he’d do it again. Would it be a threat against Rishe that would force Arnold’s hand? Would their future child be in danger? Usually, it was in retaliation to his father murdering Theodore. Teddy would live this time.

“Oh?” The emperor narrowed his eyes. “And who was the young girl at tonight’s dinner? Is she not affiliated with the church?”

“Someone Rishe met while we visited the church to complete the annulment from her previous engagement,” Arnold answered smoothly. He’d made strong allies over the past half-year and wouldn’t lose them to his father’s paranoia. “She grew fond of her and I enjoy indulging my wife.”

“She’s not your wife yet,” the emperor pointed out. This time his focus on Rishe was heated. “Perhaps I should take another wife. Your step-mother’s health is poor of late. If Lady Rishe’s goal is to be empress, why marry a crown prince when she can marry the emperor?” He licked his lips in a way that made Arnold’s jaw tense in pure hatred. “I’ve not seen hair as unusual and otherworldly as hers since your mother’s hair.” His eyes shifted back to Arnold’s. “Of course, Lady Rishe is aware that you killed your mother.”

“She knows,” Arnold answered, his voice flat. “I am not a nice person, Father. You made sure of that.”

The emperor stood, shoving his chair back in the process and took long-legged strides towards Rishe and Arnold. He twisted a strand of Rishe’s long, coral-colored hair around his finger and then raised the locks to his nose and sniffed. “Would you like to be empress, Lady Rishe?”

“Being empress holds little appeal,” Rishe answered.

“I see. So you’re devoted to my son.” The emperor tugged painfully on her hair, a grimace forming around Rishe’s mouth from the pain. “While it would be fun to see that confidence fade from your eyes as I claimed you for my own, it’s a game I’ve played countless times.” He sighed. “So boring.”

Arnold stood, hand tense on the hilt of his blade. His father was touching Rishe! She remained absolutely still, not in fear, but in a quiet show of bravery.

“I did order my son to marry a noble lady from one of our conquered kingdoms and you meet the requirements,” the emperor continued. His eyes met Arnold’s over Rishe’s head— the cold, cruel gaze the exact same shade Arnold had seen in the mirror countless times. “I believe I would find it more interesting to see this obvious affection you hold for him wither and turn into hatred.”

“Affection? Your Highness, you are simply witnessing an union born of mutual agreement,” Rishe explained. She directed a sweet smile onto the emperor in spite of her obvious pain. “I have asked His Highness for a quiet life where I might pursue my many interests. In exchange, I will perform whatever wifely duties he might require. My interest is not in being empress, but in supporting His Highness as his non-troublesome hostage wife.”

The emperor snorted in disgust and released her hair. “Such a naive child.” He sauntered back to his chair at the head of the table. He clapped his hands twice loudly and the doors to the kitchen and outer lobby both burst open. His guards returned to stand around the room and both Oliver and Raul entered the room again, stationed near Arnold and Rishe defensively.

“Let us resume the meal,” Arnold ordered quietly when the head server returned, his face pale and a nervous sweat upon his brow.

“Understood, Your Highness,” the server murmured with a bow, before returning to the kitchens to bring their dinner.

“So, Daughter,” the emperor stated, drawing Rishe’s attention while her spoon was halfway to her mouth. She set the spoon back into her bowl and folded her hands demurely over her lap and faced Arnold’s father on the other end of the table. “Tell me of these interests of yours. What was an alchemist doing seated at your side? What of the garden? And there seems to be some nail polish business booming in the more impoverished sectors of the city.”

“Your Highness, I enjoy science — chemistry and herbology,” Rishe answered. “The crown prince has been kind enough to indulge my interests.”

“And the archery from horseback?” The emperor pressed.

Rishe’s smile was disarming. “As Prince Arnold will be my husband, he has my absolute loyalty. I will allow no harm to fall upon him that I can prevent. I know what it is like to be tossed aside on the whim of a foolish prince. I’m afraid that even after your man interrogates Prince Diedrich, you'll find him nothing more than a simpleton.  Prince Arnold has a brilliant mind. I prefer to support him than stand against him.”

Arnold found himself staring at Rishe during her declaration to his father — the most ruthless man alive. He knew that he’d fallen in love with her, had been obsessed with her over the decades he’d been stuck in this looping cycle. With her loyalty, he could achieve anything. And, yet, his dreams of conquering and war felt pale in comparison to the idea of sharing a daughter with her that might one day become the High Priestess or a son whom might one day be an Emperor without blood staining his hands, — was now his most precious dream that had started to grow in his heart as a tiny ember.

“I am curious about a Duke’s Daughter knowing more than embroidery or piano,” the emperor continued. His dinner and wine remained untouched.

The smile on Rishe’s lips was genuine. “I have no talent for the piano I’m afraid. I’m not much of a dancer either.”

"Hm. That’s not how I heard it from my noble lords,” the emperor murmured. “They say the two of you were quite the impressive couple at the ball a few months back. Many were quite distraught that their daughters were so easily dismissed by the crown prince.”

“Marrying the daughter of a sycophant hardly serves a greater purpose,” Arnold argued. It wasn’t that those young women weren’t pretty enough, but they had no depth. Rishe was countless mysterious layers he was eager to explore. He had no interest in marrying, unless it was to Rishe — whom his soul was bound. He’d lived a half-dozen lives without her in his life and he would spiral into cruelty and madness without her, he had no doubt.

“It would have made my meetings with those disgruntled fathers less annoying,” the emperor grouched, finally picking up the glass of wine and draining it down.
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Rishe
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It was difficult to remember why she’d asked Arnold to meet with his father before their wedding. He’d warned her it wasn’t a good idea, but he’d sent the invitation regardless. It was expected considering their upcoming nuptials.

However, when the emperor appeared at the wedding eve dinner and promptly terrified all the guests, Rishe regretted meeting him immediately. The dark, menacing aura about the emperor reminded her of the menacing presence Arnold possessed in her last life when they faced off on the battlefield.

She worried for Diedrich in whatever dungeon he was locked up in. There was no reason to interrogate him because whomever had convinced him to severe his engagement to Rishe, she didn’t care. She was grateful. She would never have been happy as his wife. He resented her talents too much and that was before she’d gained thirty-years of knowledge in various fields. He was a foolish person, but he wasn’t evil.

Arnold on the other hand, had the most brilliant mind she’d ever encountered. He was the worse enemy she ever faced, but he was also the greatest ally. Standing at his side offered her the best chance at a carefree life this time around. He had a good heart and was capable of great deeds both good and evil — she’d witnessed both.

When the emperor spoke of her future children with Arnold, she felt a deep sense of longing coupled with fear.  The emperor threatened the lives of her prospective children. She’d been foolish to not truly acknowledge the fact that Arnold’s father was the one responsible for turning him into a killer. When the emperor grabbed her hair, it took all her will-power to not snap his wrist. When he spoke of taking her for his own wife, she wanted to throw up.

She’d once considered Arnold Hein her worst enemy. Though, in this life, he was the one person she wanted to save the most— not just from death, but from becoming a tyrant.

“So, I wasn’t aware you couldn’t play the piano,” Arnold teased, a spark of humor in his eyes.

Rishe loved Arnold’s blue eyes. He may have inherited the color and shape from his father, but that didn’t make him like his father. She would make it her mission in life that he never turned into his father. (Only having one wife was a demand she would insist upon.)

“I also don’t care for singing,” Rishe admitted. It wasn’t that she couldn’t sing, but other than some basic lullabies she learned when she’d been a nurse maid for the young priestess in a past life, she didn’t enjoy it.

“I’m sure your voice will sing under the right circumstances,” the emperor stated, with a feral look in his eyes. “There are some kingdoms where the king takes the virginity of maidens entering the royal household.”

Rishe felt the blood drain from her face. She’d kill the emperor herself if he tried.

“Not our empire,” Arnold warned.

The emperor smiled wanly. He stood from the table abruptly. “I will see you at the ceremony in the morning.” Arnold and Rishe stood quickly as was proper when dealing with the emperor. The emperor gestured for his guards and left the room without another word.

“You’re staying with me tonight,” Arnold said quietly.

Rishe forced her eyes away from the door that swung shut with the emperor’s departure. “But, we’re not married yet,” she whispered, feeling her cheeks burn. She may be living her seventh life, but she’d never married in any of her lives. She and Diedrich had never even kissed. Her only romantic experiences were with Arnold himself— holding each other, kisses.

“Fine.” Arnold turned towards Oliver. “Bring the priest. Bring back the dinner guests in the kitchen. They will be witnesses.” He laid his palm over Rishe’s cheek, his thumb caressing her lower lip. “We marry now. As the crown princess and my wife, any harm against you becomes harm against the presumptive heir. An offense where I am justified in using deadly force — no matter against whom.”

All Rishe could do was nod.

Arnold leaned near her ear, his lips tickled against her flesh. “And your voice is that of a siren. It can lure men to their doom. I would gladly drown in your arms, wife."
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Chapter Text

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Rishe
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It shouldn’t surprise her anymore, just how fast Arnold’s mind worked. He sees a problem and he creates a solution almost instantaneously. Rishe had wanted to understand just what sort of man the Emperor was and now she understood. He’d just threatened to steal her away from Arnold and treat her like one of his disposable hostage wives.

Technically, that’s what she was to Arnold and yet she knew their connection was real. They’d become friends and allies over these last few months. For six lifetimes, she’d considered Arnold her greatest enemy. This time, she knew he was her greatest partner. Various friends and allies from her other loops had all converged into this timeline. Yet, their friendships paled in comparison to the connection she felt with Arnold. Was he her soulmate and only this time they’d gotten things right?

This was the life she was meant to live, — at Arnold’s side and keeping him from becoming the blood thirsty emperor that caused the ruination of so many lives.

“You know, the groom isn’t supposed to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony,” Rishe pointed out. She really should have had one of her maids help her dress. Though, Rishe was capable, having been a maid servant herself when she’d tended Milia in her fourth life. At the young priestess’ wedding, Rishe had helped her dress and kept the love-sick groom from spying on his wife-to-be.

“I am not letting you out of my sight until after we’ve consummated our marriage.” Arnold brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing her neck and pressing a soft kiss on her tender flesh before he finished zipping up the back of her gown. “Even after, that is debatable. I like knowing where you are.” He gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Maybe I should keep you with me all the time. You always find trouble, but if I’m with you, we can navigate a route out of it together.”

Rishe’s heart clenched at the intensity of Arnold’s glacial gaze. It reminded her of the hyper focus she’d seen in his eyes when he was engaged in battle. She remembered that cold, determination and how it softened into something she couldn’t identify in her last loop as she died in his arms. “There’s no one I’d rather face trouble with than you, Prince Arnold,” she murmured.

An arrogant smirk lifted the side of Arnold’s lips. “Consider that our marriage vows.” He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. “You’re going to have to learn to drop the title when we’re alone. I expect my wife to call me by my first name.”

There was a rap of knuckles on the door to their suite, knocking in a peculiar pattern.

“Enter,” Arnold called out.

A moment later, Oliver entered and then secured the door behind him, impeccably dressed as usual in his uniform. However, his pale blond hair was in slight disarray, as if nervous fingers had run through it a few times. “Prince Arnold, Lady Rishe,” Oliver greeted, his tone carefully neutral. “Raul has found the priest. Prince Theodore has gathered the witnesses in the chapel.” He gestured towards the balcony. “I suggest we take an alternative route. Emperor Answald is on his way.”

“Bastard,” Arnold growled. He looked down at Rishe. “Our first encounter involved a balcony escape, it’s only fitting that we leap off another to start our life together as husband and wife.”

Rishe stared at the balcony. “It’s a lot further down than the castle in Hermity.”

“We won’t jump, we’ll repel. I have rope in my closet,” Arnold explained, rushing over towards it. “Rishe strap on your daggers. The ones I gave you last week.”

Oliver stood with his back braced against the door for a moment longer and then hurried to help Arnold. He pulled out a second rope and together they secured them to the balcony. Meanwhile, Rishe strapped on knives to her thighs. Arnold and Oliver were already armed, those two never strayed far from their weapons. She would have liked to have her quiver and bow, but they were in weapons’ storage on the far end of the hall. She’d been working on replacing her arrows and feathers had been gathered, but the work was incomplete. An arrow without feathers was useless.

Then Arnold crouched in front of Rishe. “Get on my back and hold on tight, Rishe.”

“I can climb,” Rishe hesitated. Arnold glared at her over his shoulder and she quickly climbed on this back without further protest. “But you’re right, it would be difficult in this dress and with these shoes.”

Then the three of them descended down the side of their manor house. If they’d chosen rooms at the castle, it would have been impossible to escape the emperor when he was in residence. However, their separate house not only afforded them obstacles for the emperor to circumvent, but loyal servants that could delay his guard.

Rishe clung to Arnold’s back like a spider monkey, her eyes squeezed tight. She spent so much of her past lives fearing Arnold, but was realizing that compared to his father, he’d always been far more noble. He’d been a conqueror, but he’d not quite been a monster. She still didn’t understand why he’d gone to war.

Once they were on the ground, Rishe stood on the ground, clutching Arnold’s shoulder while she started to remove her shoes to run. Before she could undo a single strap, Arnold scooped her into his arms. “It’s faster this way. You cannot run these grounds without shoes.” Rishe wound her arms around his neck and let him carry her, Oliver at their side as they silently navigated the woods.

She could see the light from her bedroom darken with shadows and then the same for Arnold’s and shouting in the distance as their party vanished in the woods.
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OoO

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Arnold
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This was an all time low for his father. Arnold always knew that one day he’d have to kill the emperor, but he thought he still had time. Saving the church of the goddess, allying with King Kyle and the Alchemist, his ties with the Aria Trading Company, his alliance with his younger brother, — these were all connections that threatened Emperor Answald’s control. His father had done his best to harden Arnold’s heart and break his spirit.

Frankly, he’d succeeded. Though, once Arnold’s path crossed with Rishe’s, a more hopeful future was laid out before him. Maybe, this time, the goddess brought them together to find a better way. Galkhein would grow in influence, but perhaps through peace rather than terror. It would certainly cut back on the rampant famine, pandemics, bloodshed and poverty that had plagued Arnold’s last six lives.

They stood in the chapel of the church where Theodore had flung himself off the roof. It had only been his memory of his younger brother doing the same in a past loop that had allowed Arnold the instinct to catch him. The chapel was in a state of disrepair, as most of the church was as well. It was the less obvious location for a rushed wedding. He could hear the sound of his father’s troops not far away at the main church in the town.

Rishe stood at his side, hugging onto his arm, her soft breasts pressed firm against him.

He glared down at the priest, who was sweating profusely and trembled in fear as he recited the dialogue for weddings recognized under the authority of the church. “The abbreviated version, priest,” Arnold hissed.

Theodore snickered in the background, a moment of levity in spite of the tension. Oliver elbowed him hard in the gut.

“Yes, of course, Your Highness.” The priest tugged on his collar. “Arnold Hein, Crown Prince of Galkhein, do you take Rishe Irmgard Weitzner, Duchess of Hermity as your lawful wife?”

“Yes, I do,” Arnold vowed, laying his hand over Rishe’s on his arm. He smiled faintly as she looked up at him with nothing but adoration in those sea-glass green eyes of hers. Not for the first time, he felt bewitched by Rishe as if she were a siren and he was but a sailor caught in her nets.

The priest directed his attention toward Rishe, his jowls quivered nervously. “Lady Rishe Irmgard Weitzner, do you take Crown Prince Arnold Hein to be your lawful wedded husband?”

“Yes,” Rishe breathed, never taking her eyes from Arnold. “I do.”

“Very well, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest proclaimed. “You may kiss the bride our crown princess, Prince Arnold.”

“I may indeed,” Arnold murmured, pulling Rishe against him, one arm banded around her waist and his other cradled the back of her head, fingers threaded through her long hair as he leaned into her, crushing his lips against hers. “There’s a room in the back we’ll use,” he murmured against her mouth. He scooped her into his arms and ran towards the secret tunnels that led to the underground. Oliver gripped the door with a white knuckled grip, his eyes darting nervously behind them towards the chapel doors.

“What?” Rishe asked, just as the doors to the chapel flew open.

Arnold didn’t waste a moment, but ran inside the tunnel as Oliver closed the doors behind them. His aid gestured for him to hurry towards the western tunnel and Arnold made haste, even as his ears prickled at the sound of his father and his guards raiding the chapel.

“I don’t understand,” Rishe whispered, clinging to Arnold as he ran as fast as his long legs would carry them.

“The marriage isn’t complete until we consummate it,” Arnold explained.

“Consummate?” Rishe’s arms tightened around his neck. “Here? In these old slave tunnels?”

How she knew these were old slave tunnels, Arnold didn’t know. He’d find out later. He nodded. “I had hoped our first time would have a bit more finesse.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise I’ll make it up to you, my Love.”

In some of his previous loops, Arnold had sought escape with female companionship. It had felt hollow without any emotional attachment. So it had now been decades since he’d last had a partner. But he still remembered what to do and hoped he could do right by this precious treasure of a woman. He hugged his wife close, fiercely determined to protect her.
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OoO

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Rishe
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She hardly knew the emperor and yet she hated him. Rishe had lived and died six lifetimes without ever having wedded and now she was about to lose her virginity deep underground, hiding away from a sociopath.

Arnold brought her into a surprisingly clean room with several lit candles flickering and illuminating the quarters. He set her gently on her feet and Rishe brushed her hands over the skirt of her dress, trying to catch her breath.

Arnold secured the thick, wooden door with an iron bar that stretched across the width of it and several bolts. He looked back at her, running his fingers through his bangs, slicking back his dark hair and showing his forehead in a way that brought more attention to his beautiful blue eyes. He smiled faintly. “I have dreamed about this night,” he confessed. “It was supposed to be different. I wanted to take my time, worship you like you deserve to be worshiped.”

“Same,” Rishe answered, brushing a strand of her long hair behind her ear. She took a deep breath and then started to unfasten the buttons of Arnold’s uniform top. He shrugged his shoulders, sliding the jacket off and draping it over the back of the single chair in the room. He twirled his finger for Rishe to turn around and she did, holding her hand over her heaving bosom as she felt his deft fingers unlacing her dress, his lips marking a trail behind her ear, down her throat, her shoulder.

Rishe stepped out of the dress and Arnold laid it on top of his uniform jacket. Then he started working on his pants and Rishe removed her undergarments, neither taking their eyes off the other as they quickly stripped.

Then they stood before each other, completely bare simply drinking in each other’s appearance. Arnold moved first, extending his hand towards her in invitation, but Rishe jumped on him, catching him off guard, wrapping her legs around his hips.

Arnold chuckled, his hands firm over her buttocks as he stepped back to balance at the unexpected weight of his wife. Rishe pressed herself against him, her hands upon his shoulders and her lips latched onto his as he walked them towards the bed. He laid her on her back and hovered above her, pupils blown wide. “Beautiful.” He kissed her chin and then her collarbone and then the peak of her breast. “Mine.” He continued his trail down, until his head was cushioned between her legs, his breath warm at her apex. Then his eyes meeting hers, he ran a finger along her seam.

They could hear voices distant down the hall.

Arnold pressed a kiss to her mound. “I’m sorry, my Love. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” He pushed off the bed and grabbed his sword and one of her daggers. He propped the sword next to the bed and she tucked the dagger under the pillow. “We don’t have much time.”

“It’s okay,” Rishe offered him a quick smile. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt too bad. She’d ridden on horseback a few times and she’d been active with her swordsmanship since this loop started. Arnold’s lithe form settled back on top of her and she felt one of his long, thick fingers enter her core, moving steadily in and out. Then there were two fingers exploring her depths, curling into her.

“Relax, Rishe.” Arnold kissed her again, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth, distracting her as a third finger entered her, scissoring and stretching her in preparation. Arnold leaned back, his fingers glistened with her slick and he stroked himself a few times. “Go ahead, you can touch me.”

Rishe propped herself up on her elbows and stared down at his cock and then wrapped her hand around the base, enjoying the warm velvet sensation. Her heart was pounding, but she felt bold regardless. Arnold smiled down at her as he stroked himself, growing larger and harder before her eyes. And then together, they directed his tip towards her entrance. Rishe bit her bottom lip, just as a pounding began on their door. Tears streaking down her eyes, she nodded. “Do it.”

Arnold grimaced as he slowly began to ease into her, they focused on each other, ignoring the beating fists on the door. “Focus on me, Rishe,” Arnold hissed as he slid completely inside her, sheathed all the way and she felt so very full. She nodded and offered a trembling smile, but couldn’t help the whimper that escaped. Arnold leaned down and pressed his lips against hers again, his thumb began to rub circles on the pearl above where their bodies joined. “Look at us, Wife.”

Rishe looked down to see where his dark raven and her coral pink curls merged. Then watched mesmerized as Arnold moved in and out, the pain began to ease into something else. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening or figure out if things were painful or pleasurable, she could feel the warmth of Arnold’s release shooting inside her and she could feel her own walls quaking around him, milking him further.

“I love you, Rishe,” Arnold murmured, kissing her softly on the lips before he began to pull out.

The door to their wedding bedroom burst open. The emperor stood there, eyes blazing with fury with his guards flanking either side. “Give me the girl, Arnold,” the emperor demanded.

“No. She’s my wife,” Arnold stated. Standing buck-naked, Arnold snatched his sword from beside the bed.

“I see,” Emperor Answald snarled. “Your word against mine that the marriage was consummated.”

“Your Highness,” one of his guards murmured, his expression grim. “You cannot attack the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. It is treason against the Galkhein throne.”

Rishe felt for the dagger she’d tucked under her pillow.

“I’ll take what is mine!” Emperor Answald roared. “I’m the emperor!”

Arnold caught his father’s sword attack with his own parry, and while Answald snarled at Arnold, Rishe grabbed the dagger and threw it with all her might right into the emperor’s left eye.

Emperor Answald staggered back and swung his blade wildly, howling in pain. Arnold pierced his sword straight through his father’s heart. “It didn’t have to be this way,” he growled. The emperor’s sword clattered to the ground and Arnold eased his dying father to the stone floor of the chamber.

The emperor coughed, blood oozing from his mouth, his ruined eye and the hole in his chest. “And now, you are ready to rule, my son.” His rattling cough shook his chest. “The Dragon Emperor.”

The emperor’s guards fell to their knees, heads bowed in obedience, as if they hadn’t just broken down the door to Arnold and Rishe’s temporary quarters. “The Emperor is dead. Long live Emperor Arnold.”

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Chapter Text

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Rishe
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Why had she insisted upon meeting Emperor Answald? She knew that he’d ordered Arnold as a child to kill his half-siblings that the emperor found aesthetically displeasing. The emperor had killed his own hostage wives time and time again.

And now, because she’d insisted, her husband now had his hands stained with the blood of both his parents. The son of a priestess and an emperor had committed parricide — the death of both his mother and father. Neither murder was done out of malicious spirit, but out of self-defense.

She wanted to comfort him. She knew Arnold had a kind heart and yet he was being forced to perform the acts of a monster. But he was not a monster. He was smart, rational, and pragmatic. He also doted on her and in just the half year they’d been acquainted in this loop he’d employed countless social programs. His citizens loved him. The Church loved him. His soldiers loved him. And other kingdoms were eager for alliances — like King Kyle had been.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat on the bed, wrapped up in the sheets, rocking back and forth and stared at the blood stain on the stone floor where Emperor Answald spilled his life out. The guards had taken his body away some time ago.

Arnold’s familiar weight settled next to her on the bed, wearing only his silken boxers. Her undergarments hadn’t survived the consummation of their marriage just an hour earlier.

One of his guards had given him a water basin and cloth and he’d washed off the blood from his body. He wrapped his cloak around her and gestured towards the closed closet door where their wedding garments still hung on hangers, thankfully spared damage from the blood bath. They’d need to wear them again for the public ceremony the next day.

“Oliver will be back momentarily,” Arnold explained. “He’s bringing a change of clothing for us to return to our suite. Your maid servant Elsie will take care of your gown for tomorrow.”

She was impressed he knew the name of her favorite maid, but not surprised. Arnold paid attention to details and especially to people. It made him a terrifying strategist and a great leader.

“I’m going to clean you up properly in our bath and then we’re going to take our time and I’m going to make slow, sweet love to my wife,” Arnold promised. His warm hand ran up and down her back soothingly and he leaned close to bury his face in her long, thick coral hair.

Rishe turned into him, hands splayed over his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. She pressed a soft kiss to the side of his neck, over the scars from his mother’s attack when he’d been just a boy. “I’m all for getting properly clean, Husband, but I’ll settle for having you in my arms for the night. We have plenty of time to do things right.” Though, if they were to return to their rooms soon, she could take a few herbs she’d prepared earlier in the week. It would help her recovery.

Arnold growled and shifted to cradle the back of Rishe’s head, fingers threaded within her silken hair. He kissed her forehead first, then the bridge of her nose, both cheeks, then brushed his lips across hers softly and then more incessantly. “No nightmares, Rishe. We will bury this memory under layers of affection and passion.”

Rishe relaxed against him, feeling safe in the embrace of the man that ended her sixth life. She cradled either side of his head, her fingers slipped through his raven hair as she met his beautiful ocean-blue gaze. “I’m grateful that you protected me, Emperor Arnold.”

He smiled faintly. “Guess you were right all along.” He hugged her tight, his chin on top of her head as he tucked her smaller frame against him.

“About what?” Rishe’s words were muffled from where her face was pressed right against his throat, lips against his thick scar tissue.

“When we first met and you called me Emperor,” Arnold mused. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit longer before you’ll be allowed to laze around. I have no intention of taking any additional consorts and you’re stuck as my empress now.”

Being empress wasn’t on her list of life goals, but the idea of Arnold having other wives? She couldn’t even bear the thought. Though, he’d also been staunchly against having a wife originally. He’d changed his mind on that and proposed at their first meeting moments after her Diedrich had tried to shame her publicly, — she’d left mid-tirade foiling his immature spite. “That’s fine, Arnold. I’d rather be at your side than leave you alone to the wolves.”

Arnold chuckled darkly. His father’s full name was Answald Wulf Hein. His loyal retainers were known as the wolves. “I like how you’re calling me Arnold now. It’s so much better than Highness.” He sighed. “Much of the nobility were loyal to my father. Their daughters spiced your wine with that wretched hot pepper, yet I’m afraid that will seem mild compared to the future assassination attempts we’ll be facing.”

Rishe wasn’t too worried about that. Arnold’s private military troops were the most skilled on the continent and the allies he’d acquired in the last few months were the people Rishe had relied on in her past lives. She’d fought side-by-side a number of times with Arnold, employing skills she’d honed during her six previous lifestyles coupled with personal training by her husband himself. “And you have me, Theodore, Oliver, King Kyle, Raul, Joel, Priestess Milia, and Professor Michel.”

“All of whom I rely on,” Arnold agreed. The knock on the door announced Oliver’s return. After dressing in more appropriate attire, they were escorted back to their manor. The cool night air doing very little to calm either of them. The moon hadn’t even reached its zenith.

So much had happened and yet the night was young.
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OoO

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Arnold
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Killing the emperor had been an inevitability, but Arnold would have preferred a timetable of at least two years from now. His plans to expand the port had barely begun. He still had much to learn about the empire and the best means to travel between the regions. Though, the amount of allies he’d made in the last few months with Rishe’s influence had been an unexpected boon. He knew she’d be useful, but he hadn’t realized she’d be critical to his success as a leader. He just knew she was one person the goddess had intended for him that could keep him from spiraling into madness.

When his father had threatened to touch her, he’d felt nothing short of rage. He hated his father the Emperor Answald — the man made Arnold into the monster he was today — forcing him to murder before he’d lost his first milk tooth. Answald had poisoned Arnold’s own mother against him. He should have been trained in the Crusade literature by his priestess mother. Instead she’d cursed him and tried to kill him.

She thought he was a monster because of the tasks his father forced him to perform.

Arnold knew he’d never take a hostage wife like his father had done countless times. Though, the majority of his father’s hostage wives were dead now. His father had made a lot of enemies and Arnold inherited a lot of them.

Arnold had plenty enemies of his own though. He had several half-sisters married off to lords in various parts of the empire. They all knew he was their father’s butcher when he’d been younger. It wasn’t until Arnold was thirteen that he learned to tell his father no. At first, he’d worried the task of butcher would fall to Theodore, but his father simply used his soldiers for the gruesome task.

Considering Arnold wouldn’t yet be twenty until the end of December, it wasn’t enough years for hatred to fade. Though, did hatred ever really fade? Was it better to be feared than loved? His father certainly thought so. Rishe on the other hand would definitely encourage him to be loved by his people. She foolishly thought he was a benevolent ruler. Considering her upbringing — it was surprising.

Her parents would have disowned her for the annulment with the minor prince had Arnold not claimed her then and there. The foolish boy who’d cast her aside — she still defended him.

What would Arnold had done if he’d has someone like Rishe when he’d been younger? At the tender age of fourteen, Arnold joined the military and was an officer of great renown. He’d fought in the last war and been heroic on the field of battle. His reputation had grown such that his younger brother had been terrified of him.

These days, if Arnold killed someone it was someone he wanted to kill, not someone he was ordered to kill. And as the Emperor now, the fates of countless souls now rested within his hands.

And Rishe, his lovely sweet wife, still thought he was a good man.

He didn’t feel an ounce of regret about slaying his father.

He only would have preferred the timing to be different. This cast a dark shadow over his nuptials with Rishe. He’d wanted to grant her time to settle into her role as princess. He’d wanted to enjoy fireflies with her from the balcony, take her on hunting expeditions with him in the forests, voyage over the seas exploring and getting to know one another ever better than they had in the last few months.

They’d already shared so many adventures, but he found himself greedy for more.

His father’s premature death changed his timetable. Now his wife was going to have to wear the crown of Empress. Though, since they were now married and Rishe was exceedingly loyal by nature, he knew she’d learn to excel in the role.

She was born to conquer the world with him!

Now, he had to decide if he could tell her the truth about his loops. She knew of his goddess blood and his enhanced healing ability.

They were sharing a bath in the large tub in his bathroom — their bathroom. His hands were massaging shampoo into Rishe’s scalp and down her long hair. He gripped her slender shoulders. “Duck under,” he ordered.

Rishe took a deep breath and then sunk beneath the bath’s surface and Arnold rinsed the suds out of her hair. She emerged, pink hair dark against her body. Then she gathered it up, wrung out the excess, and looped the hair into a knot on top of her head. Then she leaned back against his chest, head against his shoulder.

They’d taken their time in the bath. He’d enjoyed scrubbing every inch of her and had let her take her time exploring him in kind. Though her attention tended to focus on his scars — the one on his neck and the newer one on his abdomen from when he’d taken a blade to protect her on a burning ship. It had settled his nerves having her pretty emerald eyes focused on him.

“You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can laze about,” Arnold murmured, his voice a mixture of sympathy and amusement.

“How can you tease at a time like this?” Rishe whispered, her arms settled over his and she dug her fingers into his flesh. She angled her head so that she could peer up at him.

A deep chuckle rattled Arnold’s chest. “Compared to when I defended myself against my mother, killing my father when he threatened you, — there was no need to hesitate.” He gently pried her hands off his arms and pushed her back far enough so that his ocean-blue eyes gazed down into her pale green eyes. “I may be a monster, I’ve never pretended to be otherwise. You are the jewel of the empire, Rishe. My most precious treasure.”

“I’m no treasure,” Rishe protested, frowning. A shiver ran down her spine and Arnold pulled her close once more and pulled the plug. He held her as the water swirled down the drain.

He merely hummed in response. Rishe was his greatest treasure, but he didn’t have the energy to argue with her ridiculous self-depreciation. He’d make sure she understood it well enough before long. At least she could no longer offer herself as bait like she’d done in the human trafficking scheme a few weeks back.

He grabbed the towel on the nearby bench and stood, arm around Rishe’s waist and pulling her up with him. He bundled her within the oversized towel before he secured a second one around his waist. “We have a few hours yet before we need to prepare for the ceremony— coronation as emperor and empress as well as the public wedding.”

“And a state funeral?” Rishe pressed.

Arnold snorted. “I’ll be sure to utilize a priest from the Grand Basilica to say rites over his body. It will piss him off considering how he oppressed the church.” With all these ceremonies, it would show a strong allegiance to the church, something he didn’t care about too much before Rishe made such a stink about having her original engagement properly terminated. And she’d seemed absolutely fascinated by his mother and he found himself even excited about the possibility that their future daughter might one day become the high priestess. Maybe all those hours of his life he spent pouring over the Crusade texts wouldn’t be wasted after all.

He grabbed a smaller towel and ran it over her hair, before handing it to her and grabbing another to do the same for his dark locks. “Tomorrow night, we’ll have the wedding night we deserve.” He scooped Rishe into his arms, her hair towel falling to the floor and her arms wound around his neck.

He carried her towards his large bed. “From now on, we’ll sleep together in the same bed.” He set her on the mattress. Two satin robes were laid out over the comforter — a large one in black and a smaller one in white.

He dropped his towel, standing unabashedly in the nude. Rishe looked away immediately, her cheeks burning.
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OoO

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Rishe
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She knew she shouldn’t be embarrassed. Arnold was her husband and they’d already had sex, though it was rushed and wasn’t amazing. Though, it had still been pretty good. Arnold was so handsome and she’d liked the way their bodies fit together.

She was still sore, but she’d taken some herbal muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory blends once they returned to their suite. She wanted to try again but also wanted to take her time and explore each other. She groped blindingly and snatched the smaller robe and slipped it on. After securing the belt at her waist, she finally looked back at Arnold. He was watching her with a softness in his eyes.

Then without another word, he walked around the bed and settled under the covers. Rishe kept her back to him as she used the large brush on the nightstand and then deftly began to braid her hair in a thick plait over her shoulder.

“I’m getting lonely over here,” Arnold teased.

Rishe huffed, but couldn’t quite stop her smile. She finished braiding her hair and tied off the end with the ribbon waiting next to the brush. Her maid servant Elsie must have made sure she had all her comforts.

“Wouldn’t want you to be lonely,” Rishe chirped, belatedly. Then she slipped under the sheets and curled onto her side still facing away from him, too embarrassed to look directly at him.

“Good night, Rishe Hein,” Arnold murmured, his arms banding around her lithe form and pulling her back flush against his hard chest.

“Maybe I should sleep in my old bed,” Rishe suggested, stiff against his warm body.

Arnold’s arms flexed around her. “No. I’m tired of you doing things that endanger yourself needlessly. My father was hardly my only enemy. He had many supporters. Most would prefer Theodore on the throne, as they mistakenly believe him to be more pliable to their wishes and since there’s a chance he might marry some nobleman’s daughter.”

“Oh,” Rishe sighed. She couldn’t imagine Theodore being anyone’s puppet emperor, but not too many knew the young prince that well. “Your father had many wives.”

“He did.” Arnold pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder where her robe gaped open. “The nobility and his council will expect me to take multiple wives including any of my father’s widows.”

A flash of jealousy struck Rishe’s heart at the idea. She didn’t understand Arnold still, but she did know that her feelings for him weren’t to be ignored. She loved him, more intensely and powerfully than she’d ever loved anyone in any of her lives.

Arnold chuckled, the vibrations shaking them both as he sensed her irritation. “You don’t want to share me?” His tone was teasing, but the hand splayed over her belly was possessive. Long, calloused fingers slipped inside the robe, warm over her flesh. Rishe arched against him, moaning helplessly as he dipped his hand lower over her mound. The tip of his middle finger circled her pearl. “You’re the only one for me, Rishe. I could live a hundred lifetimes and only you will ever be the wife I want.” She could feel his hardness growing as it settled against her thigh.

Rishe grasped Arnold’s wrist and drew his hand away from her and then flipped to her other side to face him, his cock now nestled against the juncture between her legs. His pupils were blown as he met her gaze.

“I want to be your one and only,” Rishe declared. She still gripped his hand and placed it over her breast, palm firmly cupping her. She smiled at him, charming and determined at once. Maybe it was the fact that she’d lived the same five years over and over for the last three decades and never felt remotely like she did with Arnold.

She’d never been in love with anyone before him. She wanted to nurture the goodness in his heart that she knew was there. What better way than to show her devotion? She understood what it was like to have parents that didn’t love you, treated you as an instrument to achieve more power and glory. She was determined to show her husband pure love. Perhaps it would be his salvation?

She still had a mission. Rishe needed to keep Arnold from declaring war and destroying the world in the process, crushing all his opposition. Could love be the way for all their salvation?

“Is this a request from my wife, the empress?” Arnold asked. He ran the pad of his thumb over her hardened nipple. “Empress Rishe Hein of Galkhein makes a command and I find myself obeying.”

Rishe tried to answer, but all that came out of her lips was a moan.

Arnold smirked at her. “I need you tell me that you want me, Rishe. I can wait. You’re worth the wait, my wife.”

Life was short. All her previous lives had ended shortly after her twentieth birthday. There was no guarantee that she’d be given even that long in this loop. “I took some herbs. I’m fine. I want to share something beautiful with you tonight, not something hurried and violent.”

Arnold’s hand on her hip tightened. “I can go slow,” he promised, a mischievous light in his eyes.
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Chapter Text

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Arnold
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In general the feeling of happiness was a foreign emotion for Arnold. He felt pretty neutral about most things. He didn’t hate much aside from his father. Though he didn’t really love anything except for Rishe. He was fond of his brother Theodore, his best friend Oliver, and his Royal Guard. Otherwise, he simply viewed the world dispassionately and logically. Though, in the months since Rishe entered his life, Arnold had felt lighter in heart.

This morning, as the light of dawn started to illuminate his bedroom in a soft, warm glow he hugged Rishe close against him. This wasn’t the first time they’d shared a bed and he was quite satisfied that it would now be the rule rather than the exception. A lifetime of solitude with only his retainer Oliver as someone to confide was no longer his reality. With Rishe, he had friends. And these friends respected him, but didn’t fear him. It was nice.

Arnold thought about Rishe’s unexpected request a few weeks back. ‘In my future lives, I want to be your wife too.’ It could have been construed as a simple, romantic comment, but he knew better. She’d been looping as well and so she had to remember that he’d been the one to end her life in the previous loop.

Six months had passed since Arnold in the last loop had conquered the continent and the Islands of Siarga. It was still clear in his mind, the moment Rishe had cut his cheek and that brief jolt of pain had shocked him. The crimson-haired knight Joel died moments before the petite opponent in a vain attempt to save them, using himself as a protective shield. It wasn’t until Arnold’s blood-soaked blade pierced Rishe’s heart that he saw through her disguise. It was not a young boy-knight he’d dealt a death-blow. Arnold had just murdered his fated love and another man had died in a vain attempt to save her.

As her lifeblood poured out and her heart stilled, Arnold swore to Rishe as she was dying to find her in this life.

He had waited a few days before he prayed to the goddess to re-set it all once more. He’d conquered the island nation, but the successful campaign felt hollow. Feeling even more despair settle into his heart, Arnold was careful when he prayed. Only a faint glimmer of hope remained as he was consumed by frustration, hoping only one more loop would be necessary. Seven was a powerful number — the Crusade texts it represents completion and perfection.

So, he’d not promised Rishe she would be his wife in the next life, because he hoped this would be the final loop. So far, things had progressed in such a smooth manner — except the mess with his father. All the connections he’d made for the Galkhein empire through Rishe in a few short months surpassed the gains he’d made through war previously.

He’d been able to play the hero instead of the villain. It was so strange!

Though whenever Rishe wore that Lucius disguise of hers, it was a painful stab in the heart for him. His desire to protect her grew stronger — even if he felt he himself was the greatest threat to her well-being. Arnold was too greedy to allow even the possibility that Rishe would leave him. She already was his hostage wife, didn’t she realize it? He wasn’t going to let death take her this time, so there wouldn’t be a next life to worry about, so he wouldn’t promise such a ridiculous request. He wouldn’t fail her in this life.

“Arnold?” Rishe murmured sleepily.

Arnold pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder, where her robe had slipped down. “Good morning, Rishe. I’ll have breakfast delivered and your maid servant and Priestess Milia will join you in your room to prepare you for the ceremony.”

He needed to speak with King Kyle. He’d had a special crown commissioned for both himself and Rishe. He hadn’t thought to need it for a while, but the king had informed him that it had been completed much earlier than anticipation. Once his artisans realized who it was for, they’d eagerly devoted themselves to crafting the pieces. Since the wedding was also going to be a coronation, he wanted the crowns ready.

There was also a conversation he needed to have with the mercenary Raul. Someone worthy needed to walk Rishe down the aisle and he didn’t feel the alchemist was right. Her father the duke certainly didn’t deserve the honor. Apparently, both Rishe’s parents knew of the broken engagement with the Hermity prince and kept that knowledge from Rishe, allowing her to face character assassination publicly without any support. Arnold seethed with anger just thinking about his wife being abandoned by her family, — an all too familiar feeling for himself. King Kyle and Prince Theodore were both respectable options for the honor, but Arnold had come to realize something as he observed his new spy master.

Raul had been the leader of the mercenary troupe Rishe had been a part of two loops ago in the Kingdom of Siguel. Arnold could remember the look of devastation on Raul’s normally impassive red eyes as he spied Rishe’s corpse and how the man had simply laid down to die. Arnold also appreciated the dedication Raul had shown in serving both Arnold and Rishe in this life. Arnold didn’t think it was out of devotion to himself, but had come to realize that Raul was in love with his wife.

Arnold knew this. Raul knew this. Raul knew Arnold knew this and Arnold knew that Raul knew he knew this. Rishe was clueless of course.

Rishe turned into Arnold and gently cradled his face, running her thumb over the sharp angles of his cheekbones. She smiled shyly and then pressed her lips to his. She drew back just enough to meet his gaze. “Will I see you before the ceremony?”

He pulled the ribbon from her hair, combed his fingers through her soft coral locks to free it from the braid. “No. You’re to stay in our rooms to get ready. Raul will escort you to the Schiengiesse Church right after the bell tower marks the twelfth hour. We’ll have the public wedding ceremony first and then the coronation. I want the witnesses to see Arnold and Rishe marrying one another and then see us become Emperor and Empress.”

“And the funeral?” Rishe asked quietly.

“In a week. A wedding such as ours deserves seven days of celebrations,” Arnold stated. “It’s a holy number in the religion of the goddess. I’d like for us to visit the Grand Basilica as well in Domana as Emperor and Empress signifying the reconciliation between the Crown and the Church.”

Rishe huffed in surprise. “You’re suddenly religious.”

Arnold smirked. “Well, you gave me such a nice religious experience last night,” he teased. Their first time together had been thoroughly buried under several slower paced love sessions as well as another round a couple of hours ago. He had never felt so deliciously sated before. “I plan to worship your body every chance we have.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that, Husband,” Rishe warned. “It’s disrespectful to the goddess.”

Arnold splayed his hand across Rishe’s belly. “Is it? Because I’m pretty sure we created her next priestess last night, Wife.” He didn’t really know if they’d conceived, but he knew there was a chance. He was a man of great observation skills and he’d had Rishe’s maids keep track of her time of the month. So, it was possible.

“I’ll send up your escort for the ceremony in a few hours. Try to enjoy these last quiet moments, Rishe.” Arnold pressed another kiss to her temple. “Make sure to eat enough for breakfast. We won’t have another meal until after the ceremonies this evening.” He needed to meet with King Kyle about the coronation crowns to see if they’d perchance be ready.

When Oliver spoke with the King of Coyolles, he’d been optimistic he’d have both crowns completed. He had many volunteers to work on the crowns for Prince Arnold and Princess Rishe— though Kyle was aware of their new status as Emperor and Empress apparent. That wouldn’t be revealed to the public until after the wedding ceremony since the coronation would happen immediately afterwards.

Arnold also had to speak with the man he intended to escort his wife.

“I’ll be sure to eat enough,” Rishe promised. “I’ll be wearing my whole wedding gown this time and it’s heavy.”

He smiled thinking about her dress. He’d seen the gown in its complete state back at the port-town only a couple of weeks before. He was eager to see his wife wearing it along with the jewelry he’d had commissioned from the artisans of Coyolles. He’d always hated his blue eyes because of their connection with his father, but Rishe adored Arnold’s ocean-blue eyes. He had to admit she looked good wearing blue as a sign of her devotion. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fourth finger, just above the ring he gave her.
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OoO

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Rishe
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As she brushed her hands down the length of her white, lacy gown — you’d never know it was in the same room as the slain former emperor only hours before. They’d yet to attach the train — it was incredibly long and she didn’t want to accidentally trip on it. She was agile, but it would still prove to be a challenge. Thankfully, it could be removed and re-attached, so she’d take it off during the carriage ride and after the ceremony whenever she and Arnold were meant to mingle with their guests.

Rishe, Elsie, and Milia worked together prepare Rishe for the wedding. Her long, coral hair was curled and smelled of the same jasmine oil she’d used for Milia’s lavender tresses. She remembered fondly preparing Milia for her wedding three lifetimes ago.

The wedding gown had bare shoulders and the silver and gold embroidery thread depicted a lovely pattern of butterflies and flowers embedded with sapphire and diamond gemstones. She’d worn the simplified gown the night before, this time the different layers were applied. It was quite heavy! Her armor as a knight in her previous life hadn’t been nearly this heavy.

Staring into the mirror on her vanity, Rishe secured her silver and pearl teardrop earrings. She would be presented with her official crown for the coronation ceremony after the wedding. She looked at the pearl tiara that Elsie held before her on a silk pillow.

“I don’t know. Maybe a flower crown would be more appropriate?” Rishe mused.

Milia shook her head. “You have your bouquet. Though a few flowers weaved into your hair is a good idea. I brought some blue hyacinths that are close in color to Prince Arnold’s eyes.”

Rishe smiled, thinking it would be beautiful having blossoms the color of Arnold’s eyes in her hair. It would go well with all the sapphire gemstones on her dress. She gripped the skirt of her gown and did a little twirl. “It’s going to be difficult to dance in this even without the train.”

“No one is expecting anything more than a slow dance,” Elsie assured her. She squealed. “You look like a fairy queen, Lady Rishe!”

“I’m so honored to stand at your side in support as your bridesmaid,” Milia sighed. Her own dress was a lovely dark pink and her jewelry had emerald accents that matched the color of Rishe’s eyes.

“We’re about to be family,” Rishe pointed out.

Milia smiled tentatively. “That’s so strange! The goddess really works in mysterious ways. To think that Prince Arnold’s mother and my mother were sisters.” She began to pluck the blue flowers she’d prepared and started to weave them into Rishe’s hair. “I hope that one day my wedding will be special.”

Rishe thought back to Milia’s wedding that she’d have in about four years time if she was fated to fall for the same groom. The same wedding that had ended in flames where Rishe had burned to death. She held her fist over her sternum, having difficulty breathing for just a moment as she flashed-back to the memory of suffocating to death on the smoke and the searing heat.

“Lady Rishe? Are you okay?” Elsie’s voice sounded so far away.

Then there was a sharp knock on the bedroom door. Elsie went to answer it and the familiar presence of Raul stood in the doorway. He whistled upon spying Rishe and smiled at her — devilishly handsome in the official ceremonial military uniform of Arnold’s elite guard with his orange hair style neatly and his crimson eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Raul?” Rishe stared at him in astonishment. She tried to think back if she’d ever seen him so dressed up. Maybe when he was pretending to be Prince Curtis when they’d been reunited a few months back. She returned his smile and she noticed his gaze softened. She was grateful her old Chief seemed fond of her in this life as well. He’d been such an important person in her fifth loop when she lived in the Kingdom of Siguel. Archery was her passion and he’d been the one to teach her the skill. “Come in.”

“You’re a beautiful bride, Rishe. I knew you would be. Prince Arnold is a blessed man,” Raul murmured. He stepped inside the room and placed a package wrapped in silver paper on her vanity. “My gift for the future empress.”

When Rishe had imagined just who would walk her down the aisle, she assumed it would probably be her father, though she’d not been eager to give the duke such a spotlight. Prince Deidrich had foolishly asked for the honor and Rishe thought Arnold was going to run him through with a sword right then and there.

Rishe had suggested Professor Michel. She respected her old mentor and he understood decorum with his familiarity with the court at Coyolles. Arnold had been against it citing the gunpowder incident that Rishe had turned it into a magnificent display of fireworks. The alchemist had instead prepared a fireworks display outside in the Galkhein capital city to celebrate that evening. She’d also thought Prince Theodore or King Kyle would be good options as escorts. However, Theodore would be standing with him at the front of the church. He wouldn’t really give a good reason why King Kyle wasn’t a good option.

Though, having Raul be the one to escort her made Rishe very happy.

During her fifth life, she’d hero-worshiped the talented Raul. He taught her so many valuable skills and she’d saved his life using her apothecary knowledge in their first meeting. He would tease her so often, sometimes joking that he fell in love with her at first sight.

Though, right now with the way his crimson eyes were watching her softly, Rishe wondered if he hadn’t been teasing her in that former life? It didn’t matter now, but it was something she’d never considered. In this life, the former mercenary leader had chosen to work with Arnold as a spy and a sort of bodyguard for Rishe.

“I’m done,” Milia announced, stepping back and gesturing towards the vanity’s mirror.

Rishe turned her back on Raul to look at her reflection and gasped. The flowers in her hair were a nice touch and she really did look like some sort of fairy queen. “I love it.”

“Come on Princess, I’m eager to see what you think about my gift,” Raul said, gesturing towards the package. She could see him standing just behind her in the mirror. Was he always so tall?

“Oh!” Rishe picked up the present and started to unwrap it carefully, preserving the paper as best she could. It really was quite lovely. Inside was a gemstone encrusted sheathed dagger. She pulled out the blade and marveled at the quality.

Raul held out a strap that would secure the blade to her thigh. “You can wear it under your dress. Princess—er, I mean Empress.” Raul grinned sheepishly. “I’ll have to wrap my mind around calling you Empress.” He set the strap onto the vanity. “Emperor Arnold approved the commission. It was forged by the same blacksmith that made his sword.”

Rishe held the sheathed dagger to her bosom. This was a gift from not only Raul, but her husband too. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Raul smirked and then he sighed, glancing around the room. He gestured back towards the door. “I’ll wait in the hall.”

Half an hour later, Rishe was ready.  Her train was stored in a garment bag to re-attach once they reached the church and the new dagger was strapped to her thigh under her gown.  She didn’t have any issues with mobility with the blade secured on her leg.  The jewels adorning the scabbard would make it a prime target for a thief.  Though, considering just who her husband was, she doubted anyone would dare.  

“Let me give you a hand,” Raul offered, extending his hand.  Rishe nodded and he helped her climb up into the carriage.  Priestess Milia was already sitting on the forward facing bench seat, so Rishe moved to sit next to her.  Her garment bag sat on the seat across from them and Raul hauled himself inside to sit next to it.

Rishe drew back the curtains just a tiny bit to have a peak at the streets. Citizens were lined up as if to watch a parade, but it was just Lady Rishe— Crown Prince Arnold’s intended so far as they knew.  It was surreal.  She wanted to wave at them from the window, but Raul wouldn’t let her.  Instead, she and Milia held each other’s hands during the slow ride.    

“The people of Schiengisse have come out in droves to witness yours and Emperor Arnold’s marriage,” Raul observed, glancing past the curtains to the streets outside of the carriage.  “I wonder what they’ll think when they realize its not only a wedding, but a coronation?”

Rishe didn’t know, but she hoped the people of Galkhein would be happy.

“Do you think you’ll be staying in Galkhein, Raul?” Rishe asked, when their carriage slowed to navigate carefully through the throngs of people trying to catch a glimpse of the wedding guests.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Raul asked.  He released the curtain and turned curious crimson eyes onto her.  He smirked.  “Trying to get rid of me?”

She laughed.  He really did seem much less stressed in this role than he’d been back as the hunter troupe leader.  Of course, when she met him, he’d been dying of a poison in that fifth loop.  “It’s just, I thought Siguel was your home.”

Raul shrugged.  “I don’t really have a home.  With the paper currency manufacturing deal with Galkhein, Prince Curtis doesn’t really need me when he’s under the protection of your husband.  And you saw to it that Princess Harriet is safe.”  He shifted his weight and stretched his neck to either side, easing the tension from his muscles.  “I’d say my priority is making sure Crown Prince Arnold stays in power and that his treasured wife, whom keeps him from going on murderous rampages, is healthy and whole.”  He braced his elbows on his knees and leaned forward towards Rishe.  “The way I see it, the only way to avoid world war is making sure that you are alive and well so that you can temper the most fearsome man in the world.”

Rishe scoffed.  “You talk about him as if he were a terrifying dragon.”

Milia squeezed Rishe’s hand and then released her grip.  “He is a bit scary, Lady Rishe.  You don’t see it, because he treats you with a sort of gentle fondness.”

Oh, Rishe knew Arnold Hein was terrifying.  

He’d been the one responsible for her death in all six of her previous lives.  Though, in this life, fighting with him at her side, she’d never felt more safe, nor stronger.
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Chapter Text

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Arnold
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He stood at the front of the Schiengiesse Church’s sanctuary, his younger brother Theodore beside him. The priest from the night before was recovering at the clinic. He’d been attacked by the former emperor’s guards in a fit of rage. That priest would recover, an apothecary by the name of Hakurei had shown up, wanting to be in the city for the upcoming events. Apparently, his wife had sent an invitation to the healer. That invitation was voucher enough for the woman’s skill. Though, that hardly mattered because the High Priest of the Grand Basilica would perform the ceremony.

The bell tower within the church would begin to chime within the minute. The Priestess Mllia, — his cousin— and her father Duke Jonal began to walk down the aisle. She would stand at Rishe’s side during the ceremony, just as Theodore stood beside him.

Arnold hardly paid Milia and her entrance any mind, his attention focused intensely on the doors at the front of the church. Musicians continued to play in the background, the sounds of their stringed instruments doing little to drown out the curious murmur within the congregation. The allies he and Rishe forged during the past half-year, her terrible parents, her annoying ex-fiancé, Answald’s wolves, and Arnold’s most trusted soldiers, — the Imperial Knights filled the church.

Then, as the bell began to toll the noon hour, Rishe as elegant as the goddess incarnate — entered the sanctuary on Raul’s arm. The musicians waited for the bell to finish marking the hour. During those twenty-four seconds, Rishe stood radiantly with everyone’s attention centered upon her. It was the sort of presence a beloved empress should possess.

The murmurs amongst the guests stopped and the bell was the only sound, aside from the hammering of Arnold’s heart. It was happening, — he was the emperor and Rishe was soon to be his empress. His father and his reign of terror were over. This time, the path to sovereignty didn’t have to be littered with bodies, but forged through diplomacy and trade. (Aside from destroying whomever was behind the whispers that influenced that insipid prince from Hermity and caused his beloved Rishe’s initial suffering).

This loop would put everything to rights. Arnold felt it in the depth of his bones and in the fire of the blood he inherited from the goddess.

As the bell’s final ring faded, the musicians began the procession music.

Raul wore the military uniform of Arnold’s elite forces. There was pride on the trickster’s face as the ginger escorted the woman he loved into Arnold’s eager embrace.

Rishe’s coral hair was decorated with flowers the same color as the sapphire jewels on her dress — all the same shade as his arctic ocean eyes. Arnold felt his intuition tingling as if an attack were to come his way on the battlefield, except this time, he saw his rival King Zahad from the desert kingdom of Halil Rasha stare at Rishe as if he was seeing a ghost. Fascinating. What had been their connection in the past? He recalled King Zahad was a major benefactor with the Aria Trading company when these loops first began. Zahad also had a large harem full of exotic women.

Were the connections forged between souls in these different loops still present, drawing people together in this life? Arnold would ponder the possibilities later, for now, he centered his attention on his wife, — a warrior in mind, spirit and body.

Rishe smiled up at him, her teeth a dazzling white and her emerald eyes sparkled with both nervous energy and unabashed adoration of him.

Arnold offered his hand and Rishe slipped hers into his grasp. Naturally, she still wore the ring he’d had crafted for her, the gemstone the exact same shade of his own eyes which he used to hate. Rishe had helped Arnold to learn to love himself. They turned as one to face the priest as the musicians finished their final chord.

“Citizens of Galkhein and honored guests,” the priest began. “We gather today in the grace of the goddess to celebrate the marriage of Emperor Arnold Hein and Empress Rishe Hein. They were married last night in a private ceremony, but stand before you this day in public proclamation of not only their marriage, but as the rulers of this land.”

The silence amongst the congregation was deafening as the audience processed the news.

They had a new emperor and empress and they were not here for the wedding of a prince and his princess, but for the coronation of the new rulers of the continent!

Next to him, Prince Theodore reached into the inner lining of his royal cloak to reveal the newly finished crowns King Kyle had given to Arnold earlier that morning.

“Last night, our father, the late Emperor Answald passed from this world into the next,” Theodore proclaimed, clutching the two crowns. “Father’s funeral will be held in seven days as his body and spirit receive the necessary rites from The Church. For now, we shall celebrate my esteemed elder brother and his wife as the emperor and empress of this land.” Then ignoring the ripple of discord amongst the congregation, Theodore placed the crown upon Arnold’s head.

A moment later, Arnold placed the smaller crown upon Rishe’s head. They stood facing each other, countless witnesses to this moment, and as Arnold’s fingers lingered against the silky texture of Rishe’s pastel tresses, he felt a deep sense of right in the universe. He’d deal with the inquests into his father’s death, but seeing as the imperial guard was present during the fight, he didn’t anticipate too much flak about his ascension into power.

The wolves would assume that Arnold would be easier to manipulate than Answald due to his youth. Little did they know, he actually had lived a half-century at this point due to his loops. He already anticipated the nobles insistence that he take multiple wives. That wasn’t going to happen, nor could anyone make him do anything. In his previous lives, the nobles had tried and when they became too persistent, he simply ordered their executions. He suspected Rishe would prefer a less bloody solution, considering how she used her impeccable archery skills for non-fatal injuries every time.

Together, Arnold and Rishe would rule Galkhein and their future son would become the next emperor and their daughter would be the next priestess. And if Arnold’s hands were ever stained with blood again, — it would be his choice. He would protect his family and his empire with extreme prejudice against any threat.
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Rishe
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In her first life, she’d been raised like a proper Duke’s daughter with the intention of becoming Queen of the small kingdom of Hermity. She had always considered herself a scholar and enjoyed martial arts. In her first life, that had earned her the ire of her betrothed. Now, in her seventh life, it had earned her the devotion of the most brilliant and powerful man in the empire.

She never would have imagined all her experiences in the last thirty years would culminate in a marriage to her worst enemy — the man responsible for all her deaths. Six months ago, she’d died in his arms, his blade pierced straight into her heart. Now, they wore the crowns of Galkhein and her fourth finger sparkled with a sapphire almost as beautiful as her husband’s glacial eyes. There was no one in the world that Rishe respected more than this man whom was now her husband. That made her even more determined to prevent him from waging war across the continent. The people had barely recovered from the last war.

Rishe clutched onto Arnold’s sleeve. He wore his usual navy and gold uniform, but it seemed more impressive today than usual, — his shoulders broader, his hips narrow, his thighs thick. Perhaps it was the additional of a royal cape more elegant than usual cascading down his back, not quite as long as the train to her wedding dress. He caught her hand, holding it with his own, —ironically the same hand that had killed her in her last life.

The Schiengiesse Church was full of all the people that had played important roles in all her lives. She could feel the support of her friends through the decades, but also there was an ominous presence as well.

As the rulers of a great empire, she and Arnold wouldn’t be walking arm and arm down the aisle amongst the witnesses. Poor Oliver would have a heart attack managing the security logistics. She wouldn’t be dressing up like a soldier and investigating on her own anymore.

She had to consider her own life as important. It felt like the way things were coming to a head, that this was the final loop. There would be no re-dos. So who had attacked them at the port? Who had influenced Deidrich? Why was King Zahad looking at her that way? They’d been friends in her first and second lives, but she’d not seen him in twenty years. She remembered he’d tease about keeping her for his harem. She might have appreciated his witty banter, but a large part of her had been disgusted with his treatment of women.

Rishe would not be okay sharing Arnold with anyone else.

Hopefully, Zahad didn’t make any such inappropriate comments today. She’d hate to upset Arnold. What if that triggered an international incident? The later emperor was already dead, — she had no doubt that her attack had been fatal, but Arnold’s blade finished the job, so the death wouldn’t be on her conscience.

Her husband was so very kind and considerate.

“What are you thinking?” Arnold whispered, dipping his head close, his lips brushing against her ear. His fingers tangled with hers and he squeezed her hand, the pad of his calloused thumb running idle circles.

Rishe’s lips curled into a soft smile. “That you will be a kind and benevolent emperor,” she whispered back.

Arnold chuckled, the sound a deep rumbling. “Only to you, my dear Empress Rishe.” He cradled her cheek and claimed her lips in a kiss so deep she forgot how to breath. He pulled back from her enough to speak, his lips still brushing hers in their proximity, his other hand squeezed hers once more. “To everyone else, I will be terror personified.”

That sounded ominous. Her mouth felt dry, but she wasn’t sure if that was from concern or excitement. Arnold Hein was a terrifying enemy with a carefully cultivated reputation of notoriety to match, but a most reliable and fair leader to his citizens.
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OoO

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Arnold
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It was tradition for the bride to dance with her father and some other esteemed guests, however Arnold didn’t trust others to lay their hands on his wife. As the Empress, it was now a matter of security and completely unrelated to any hoarding tendencies he might possess towards the treasure that was Rishe. And especially, if there was even the slightest chance that they’d conceived their first child last night, he was even more fiercely protective.

The incident with his father had been more than a little unsettling. He’d never been forced to kill Answald this early in any of the previous time loops.

Arnold was a patient man, but he had his limits. Thankfully, her father didn’t ask for a dance, aware he’d be embarrassed for being presumptuous when the Empress of Galkhein would have denied the request. Arnold magnanimously allowed his brother Theodore, his new spymaster Raul, King Kyle, Kaine Tully, and Professor Michel to dance with his wife.

Deidrich thankfully didn’t try either. He was busy cowering behind his fiancée, Marie. Arnold had been a little slow to have the younger man released from prison. Frankly, some time to reflect on his actions would be good for the brat.

After Arnold and Rishe finished the final spin on another dance, King Zahad approached. Thus far, Arnold managed to avoid his father’s wolves for the most part. King Zahad, on the other hand, was someone he’d butted heads with in almost every life.

“Congratulations on your marriage and your ascension,” King Zahad greeted with a flourishing sweep of his hands and an elaborate bow. “I have come to give my respects, Emperor Arnold Hein.” His dark eyes glittered as he shifted his gaze from Arnold to Rishe briefly. “Empress Rishe. I shall lament that fates didn’t have you cross my path first. The rumor is the two of you were engaged the moment you met.”

He felt Rishe’s grip on his arm tighten as she smiled awkwardly at the foreign king. If he didn’t know better, it reminded him of the way a woman smiles at an ex-lover.

“More or less,” Arnold answered, not granting Rishe the opportunity to defend her spineless childhood sweetheart and also not liking the hint of a connection between Zahad and Rishe, though it would have been impossible for them to have met in this life.

“I’m terribly sorry to interrupt.” Lord Weilman, the jeweler’s son Arnold hired for Rishe’s ring alongside Lady Harriet of Siguel approached, — a childhood friend of Raul’s that Arnold and Rishe had helped not too long ago— approached. “I just had to examine the craftsmanship of your new crowns,” Weilman explained.

“They are quite exquisite,” Rishe agreed. She raised a hand to gently trace her fingers over the golden crown encrusted with sapphires.

Arnold had toyed with the idea of emeralds instead of blue sapphires, but he’d been outvoted. Rishe preferred sapphires and wouldn’t he prefer the only emeralds be those of his lovely wife’s eyes? Maybe he was becoming a sap, but he’d agreed and his wife was happy and his awful father was dead.

Life was good.

“The latest stock of paper supplies from Siguel were of excellent quality,” Arnold added, enjoying the raised eyebrows of the Halil Rasha king. Zahad wasn’t used to being ignored.

“Paper?” Zahad asked. “The Aria Trading Company had brought a few samples of books from your kingdom on their last visit. It was fine quality.”

“Do you enjoy reading, King Zahad?” Rishe asked, a polite smile on her lips. She tucked herself against Arnold’s side and he happily accommodated her with a firm grip of her waist, his fingers splayed over her hip, softened with layers of lacy material.

“The butterflies embroidered onto your gown is absolutely stunning,” Harriet gushed, clasping her hands over her chest.

“Part of me wanted fireflies, but I loved being able to use this shade of blue,” Rishe explained. “It’s my favorite color in all the world.”

Lord Weilman chuckled softly. “My mother told me of your excitement upon finding a stone in this color.” He nodded to indicate both their crowns. “It’s flattering for you both.”

Next Lord Lawvine approached, alongside Oliver and Theodore. “Not appropriate for the field,” Lawvine mused. “Though, with your skill in combat, it would hardly matter.”

“It would attract a skilled archer,” Rishe countered, suddenly looking up at Arnold in worrying her bottom lip.

“Ah, well, it is good that I don’t intend to invade anywhere just yet,” Arnold assured her. He had a separate diadem he used for when he wagged war. In battle, your men were fortified in their confidence when they were actually led by their general, even more so by their emperor. Even if he didn’t purposely go out and seek war this loop, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t be prepared for it. Every time he killed his father, he had to deal with the fall out and convince the vultures (wolves) that Galkhein was strong under his leadership.

“Your Highnesses,” Oliver interrupted. “The fireworks will be starting soon. Then your carriage will be ready for your travel.”

“Oh? Where will you be going?” Zahad asked.

Arnold held Rishe close to his side. “We’ll be going somewhere private to work on creating the next generation.” He loved the way his bride’s cheeks heated. He might have felt a little bad about embarrassing him, but when Rishe tilted her head to look at him, all he saw was unabashed love and desire in her emerald eyes.

The dragon within Arnold wanted to run off with his treasured wife and hide her away from the world for his own selfish enjoyment. Given all the people she’d brought into their lives, he knew that wasn’t possible. He’d settled for three days.

“Let us see how they compare to the fireworks you set off a few months ago,” Arnold teased.
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OoO

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Rishe
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The day had gone surprisingly well considering the terror of the night before. Because the previous emperor had just died, some of the original wedding festivities would be delayed until after the state funeral in a week. She and Arnold would have three days before they visited the Grand Basilica in Domana. However, the capital city would enjoy a week of celebrations and mourning combined.

Oliver had arranged for the two of them, as well as a few trusted knights to spend the next few days at a remote beach house. Arnold would continue to lead the empire even on his honey moon. And she would have the chance to laze about, as she once demanded upon agreeing to their engagement.

This was Rishe’s second time to visit the ocean. The first time they’d been here, Arnold had worked to establish the ports. This time, Rishe would make certain that they focused on each other. Now that she was the Empress of Galkheim, she had to focus on keeping her husband, the Emperor from waging a bloody war.

Rishe sat on the bed, angled towards the window with the view of the ocean outside. A gentle, salty breeze blew the gauzy white curtains, — it was like being waved at by friendly ghosts. Rishe smiled in spite of her nerves. She wore a dark green silk robe cinched around her waist with a tie and nothing else. She busied her hands pulling out the pins that had secured her hair.

The door to the attached bathroom opened and Arnold stood in the threshold with the soft yellow light streaming behind him. Rishe turned towards him and fumbled a bobby pin at seeing her husband standing there without a stitch of clothing and an intensity in his eyes that made her shiver in anticipation.

“I’m going to worship every inch of you,” Arnold vowed as he strode towards the bed. He caught Rishe in his arms and they fell to the mattress in a tangle of arms and legs and kisses. Her robe soon joined the bobby pins on the floor.
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The early morning dawn’s light bathed the newly weds in pinks and golds. Rishe snuggled into Arnold’s embrace and pressed a gentle kiss to the scars on his neck.

“Most nights, I dream of dying,” Rishe whispered. He stiffened at her words. “I wonder if these last few months are real or if I’m still dreaming.”

“It’s very real, Rishe,” Arnold murmured. “When you saw me that night in Hermity? You knew me, didn’t you?”

Rishe scoffed. “I’d literally just been killed by you moments before I looped to that scene. There are times, I still feel the weight of your sword slicing under my ribs and piercing my heart.”

Arnold shifted until his arms were braced on either side of her head and he hovered above. He leaned down slowly to kiss the swell of her left breast. “You scratched my cheek with your blade. I didn’t realize it was you, until it was too late,” he confessed. “I vowed to find you.”

“There were other times,” Rishe continued, eyes watering. “I remember the feel of the church walls crumbling around me and the flames suffocating me, or the arrow that struck me in the forest, or the bomb’s shock waves that concussed me and never waking up, or the feeling of drowning in my own lungs from the epidemic.”

“It was the routes with the Aria Trading Company you forged that allowed me to conquer so easily,” Arnold whispered. He kissed apologetic kisses over her breasts and between them. “Oliver and I found your body in the rubble at Zahad’s palace. You protected a young child in your last moments.”

“But you didn’t know me,” Rishe protested, cradling his face, pulling him away from her chest.

“I was looking for the cartographer,” Arnold explained. “I became obsessed with the idea. Then when I found you, held your body, I knew I was supposed to find you. I prayed to the goddess.”

“My next life, I trained with an apothecary and died tending to the sick victims of war. Then I studied alchemy and died in Coyolles from the black powder. Next I worked as a maid for Priestess Millia and died in that church you burned down after her wedding. Then I saved Raul’s life and he took me into his mercenary band in Siguel, I saw you through my spyglass, had an arrow notched, but couldn’t shoot you, even when you looked directly at me and patted your hand over your heart. One of your men took me out. Then I was the knight for Sharga. You were beautiful in those terrible moments. You held me as my life faded. It was the most peaceful of all my deaths, being in your arms.”

Arnold laid flat on his back and pulled Rishe on top of him, covering them both with the comforter. “I was the warrior you were thinking about when we were training,” Arnold realized, stroking his hand down the column of her spine.

“I’ve been denied the sweet release of death, the tranquilly of peace,” Rishe whispered. "Within moments of these deaths I would snap to, suddenly standing amongst a glittering crowd as Prince Deidrich character assassinated me before the people of my childhood time and time again.

“You died because of my war,” Arnold murmured, his voice cracked with emotion.
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OoO

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Arnold
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He killed her. Every time, he was the one responsible for Rishe’s death! She suffered the pain of dying and he’d simply gone to bed one night and woken up five years in the past.

Arnold felt his chest constrict. This explained so much of the haunted look in Rishe’s eyes when they danced and when they sparred. He wanted to hold her close against him, never let her go, never risk losing her again.

“If your face is the last thing I see in this life, I would be content in death, I think,” Rishe confessed, running her thumb over his sharp jawline. “I needed you to know. If I’m doomed to start over again, I cannot imagine living a more perfect life than the one I share with you now. I need you to know that, Arnold.”

She said his name.

“Rishe, it was the twenty-five years ago, in the rubble of a desert castle that I fell to my knees and prayed to the goddess of my ancestors for the first time in my life,” Arnold confessed. “I had tracked down the cartographer with the Aria Trading Company. You had parted ways from Kaine Tully by that time, ran your own lucrative business. And you died saving a child from falling debris.”

“We didn’t even know each other, why would you have been looking for me?” Rishe asked, bracing her palms over his chest and lifting herself up high enough to look him in the eyes, study his face.

He could see her clever mind working. “I didn’t realize it was you,” Arnold admitted. “It made sense though. I found a prophesy in Mother’s books. You were my destiny.” He slid his hand up, caressing her flesh until he cradled the back of her head, fingers tangled in her long tresses. “No more loops. We finally found each other. You must help me.”

“No more war, my love,” Rishe whispered.

“I won’t start a war, my wife,” Arnold vowed. “Though, someone attacked you first. Why? Why would they go through the trouble?” He pulled her down towards him, tucking her head under his chin. Her soft cheek pressed against his chest.

“Very well, then I will be the villainess in this saga,” Rishe murmured. “I will stand at your side and keep you from growing cold and terrifying, like you were that stormy night when you killed me in our last life.”

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Epilogue:

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As Empress Rishe lay in the arms of her husband, belly swollen with their third child, she worried if this would be her final day. Emperor Arnold Hein of Galkhein sensed her distress, he was always so attuned to those around him — it made him a fearsome warrior and a doting father.

Arnold tucked a lock of her coral hair behind her ear and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. He wound his arms around her back, hugging her close against him. “Why do you have that furrow in your brow, wife?”

“Today is my twentieth birthday,” Rishe answered.

A faint smile spread across his lips. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“I may die today,” Rishe continued.

Arnold’s body tensed. “Explain.”

She shivered, she’d been anxiously counting down to her birthday. In her previous six lives, it had marked her death day as well. “When you met me, outside the castle when Deidrich annulled our engagement, that was the seventh time for me to experience that moment.”

He was silent for a several heartbeats. “We spoke of this before, after our wedding.”

“Four years have passed since then,” Rishe said quietly. “I do not understand the magic behind this, but I am content with this life in a way I never dared to dream.”

“You will not be dying today,” Arnold vowed. He shifted his gaze from her sad smile down to the swell of her belly. He laid his palm over their baby and felt its strong kick. “I will not lose either one of you, my beloved. Our other children will not lose you today.”

“I don’t know if we have a choice,” Rishe whispered, tears falling.

“You are my empress, my wife, the mother of my children,” Arnold murmured hoarsely. “I cannot imagine the hardships you endured.” He could feel the emotions he kept checked threatening to spill over. “Our children will know love,” he vowed. As it has been Rishe to introduce him to the concept of love.  He'd never experienced it before she came into his life.  “Because of you. We have forged alliances, protected the common folk and our friends, tempered my reputation in battle with good will towards our subjects. All because you showed me the possibility.”
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Arnold and Rishe’s seventh loop was their last. They became legends for their golden rule over the Empire of Galkhein and the strong alliances they forged with neighboring kingdoms, the technological advancements and the positive relationship between the church and state.

It is said that when Empress Rishe died, many decades and several grandchildren later, Emperor Arnold died shortly after, their souls departing from their mortal coils together. And in the sky, amongst the glittering stars, a new constellation appeared — of a dragon and his siren.