Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 8: THE COLOR OF THE SEA BEYOND THE HORIZON

Rishe is going to knight training disguised as a man named Lucius. In a flashback, Rishe is asking Theodore for his help. At first, Theodore is against it, but when he thinks of the entertainment value, quickly changes his tune.

When training for the day is over, Lucius is visibly tired. A comrade by the name of Fritz joins Lucius on the steps and tells Lucius a bit about his background. He admits that he admires Prince Arnold. As they are chatting, someone comes up and admonishes them for speaking about the Prince so casually.

The man correcting the two youths is none other than the guardian of the North, and most trusted retainer, Count Lawvine. Rishe begins to recall that Prince Arnold has him slaughtered in her previous life. For a moment, she things Count Lawvine noticed she was a woman. Instead, he asks Lucius if he likes chicken. When Lucius replies yes, Lawvine tells him to eat a lot of it because his muscle mass isn’t enough.

Rishe is going down the stairs and runs into Prince Arnold. He whispers into her ear to meet him at a specific time and place. She asks if she should dye her hair and he replies that isn’t necessary. Instead, she offers to dress as one would in town.

At tea, her maid Elsie asks the nature of her secrets with the Prince. Rishe admits that they’re going into town. As she plans to wear a plain brown dress, Elsie gets excited and tells Rishe to leave everything up to her. She will make Rishe lovelier than anyone he’s ever seen.

In town, the Prince tells Rishe they’re far enough and she can lower her hood. When she lowers her hood, Rishe is far from plain.

Embarrassed, she tries to tell Arnold that it was all her maid’s doing. Prince Arnold smoothly tells Rishe he should thank her maid. They make their way to the marketplace. Rishe is visibly excited looking at the goods. He allows her to look around. However, he keeps looking at a pocket watch which causes the gears in Rishe’s mind to start grinding. Prince Arnold then takes her to a remote location of a jeweler.

The jeweler presents Rishe with a test. She presents three jewels and asks her if she can determine which is an imitation. At first, Rishe tells the proprietress that she doesn’t know, but then immediately asks for appraisal tools. Rishe determines that all three are imitations. Rishe manages to win the proprietress over and is allowed to look at her real wares. Prince Arnold tells the proprietress that she is to give Rishe whatever she wants. Rishe is confused and asks the Prince what is going on. He then tells he wants to give her a ring for their wedding. She tries to protest, but Prince Arnold tells her that his spending will help the economy. She agrees to the ring.

When it appears Rishe can’t make a decision, the proprietress makes a suggestion. She reminds Rishe that a favorite piece of jewelry brings pride and confidence. She asks Rishe what her favorite color is. She immediately turns her gaze to Prince Arnold and stares at his blue eyes.

Then, without thinking, Rishe asks if she has a stone the color of Prince Arnold’s eyes. When she suddenly realizes what she said, he tries to back track with the proprietress immediately blushing. As the proprietress leaves, Rishe covers her face and begs Prince Arnold to forget what just happened.

As they look at the sunset, Rishe deduces that they’re waiting for someone. Prince Arnold agrees and tells Rishe that someone sent a letter that they would not be able to attend the wedding but would arrive in advance. Prince Arnold deduced that they would arrive at that moment. As predicted, Prince Kyle from Coyolles arrived.

When Prince Kyle meets Rishe, he goes overboard with the praises of her beauty and, from this look, Prince Arnold was not a fan.

While having tea, Prince Arnold and Rishe discuss Prince Kyle. Prince Arnold is unsure about Prince Kyle’s intentions. Rishe makes a comment that she has heard Prince Kyle is weak from sickness and that she may have a medicine to help. Then, Prince Arnold mentions that there is a welcome banquet scheduled for the next day where he hopes to have Lawvine and Kyle meet. It dawns on Rishe that her secret as Lucius might be found out by Lawvine!

THOUGHTS:

I love that the love story between Rishe and Prince Arnold isn’t rushed. We already know that their marriage has it political purpose. However, we also see a romantic relationship blooming. It caught me by surprise when Rishe wanted a stone the color of his eyes. It was even better when she tried to back track. The proprietress knew what was up! It also makes me laugh that his eyes that shoot daggers are usually his protective nature over her, but she is still oblivious to his growing feelings. Not to say he is all that easy to read!

PREVIOUS EPISODES:

Episode 1: The Fiancée That Killed Me
Episode 2: The Golden Imperial Capital
Episode 3: A Thinly Veiled Sword Dance (Rondo)
Episode 4: Turning a Knave Into a Secret Spice
Episode 5: Another Kind of Trade
Episode 6: The Only One in the World
Episode 7: A Lullaby Like the Beat of a Heart