Joshua opened his eyes slowly. There was the sound of birds chirping from outside and the window blinds being blown by a gentle breeze. He woke up from his sleep and was shocked to see Iris sleeping on the floor beside the bed.
Half of her body leaned on the bed while holding one of Joshua's hands.
"I remember I felt pain… then everything went dark...did she take care of me while I was unconscious?"
Joshua looked gently at Iris. Then he slowly picked up Iris and carried her to her bedroom.
Joshua carefully put the blanket over Iris not to wake up.
Joshua closed the curtains in Iris's room and walked out of the house. He stretched his body. His body feels different…. feels light and…. fresh.
"I'd better prepare some food for both of us."
Then Joshua walked into the lake to catch fish. After catching enough fish, he took them and was about to grill them.
When he was preparing to grill it, Joshua saw Iris standing in front of the house door. Looks like she just woke up.
"Hey, you're awake. I'm grilling fish. You want?"
Iris seemed to smile with relief when she found out that Joshua looked fine.
"I want to clean myself up first. Can I wear the clothes in the wardrobe?"
"Just wear it. It just so happened that the weather was sunny so the lake water wasn't too cold."
Iris just remembered that not everyone in the common people had a bathroom.
"Relax. There is no one here but us."
It was the first time for Iris to bathe in the open. For a moment she hesitated, but the clear blue water of the lake seemed to reflect beautifully. Made her decide to try it.
After taking the towel from the wardrobe, she went to the lake through the back door.
Iris dipped her feet. After making sure the water was warm, she started to enter the lake until her whole body was wet including her face and hair. In the water, Iris started to take off her clothes one by one and put them on the side.
After soaking in it was enough, Iris got up and hurriedly put on her clothes while wiping her body and hair with a towel. She walked towards her room and opened the wardrobe to choose a change of clothes to wear.
Meanwhile Joshua had finished grilling the fish he caught and headed back home. When he arrived in front of Iris's room, Joshua accidentally saw the siluet of Iris who was changing her clothes from behind the curtain. He could vaguely see Iris' petite slender body and glimpse of her smooth white breasts. Iris' white hair was loose in a wet state.
Iris didn't notice that Joshua was watching her from behind the curtain.
Joshua was silent for a moment with what he saw. But he immediately headed to the kitchen and was busy taking out dishes while boiling water. When the water was boiling, Joshua put in the Bivalvia mussels he had caught too. Joshua also makes a decoction of the Chamomile that he picks around the house.
Joshua glanced at the curtains in Iris's room which were still closed. It seems Iris is still not done yet. Joshua looked at the mussels he was cooking that seemed to be cooked. After setting the food that he cooked on the dining table, Iris came out of her room.
Joshua could see that the clothes Iris was wearing looked too big.
"Joshua, where can I hang out my wet clothes?"
"Beside the house there is a rope."
Joshua sat down waiting for Iris to come back. From behind the window, Joshua could see Iris was having a hard time. Maybe because the clothes she was wearing were too big so she had difficulty moving. The rope that is used to hang clothes is also quite high.
"Here, let me help you."
Joshua decides to help Iris.
"Ah, thank you."
The two of them finally sat down at the dining table.
When Iris saw Joshua's cooking, she fell silent. It looks unattractive even though it smells good. On the other hand, Joshua was busy eating his fish with gusto.
"You're not hungry?" Joshua glanced at her.
"Mmm I'm not that hu-"
Kriukk…
Iris had not finished talking, when her stomach suddenly growled. Her face was turning red.
But Joshua just kept quiet and continued eating as if he didn't hear Iris' stomach sounds.
Iris glanced at him and caught a glimpse of Joshua's small smile that he was trying to hide.
"Ah, of course he heard. You are really embarrassing, Iris.", Iris muttered to herself. She felt so ashamed.
With her face downcast, Iris finally reached for the grilled fish that was on the table.
"Ah, hot."
Iris let go of the fish she was holding.
"Grab both ends of the stick with both hands. Bite a little at a time while you blow so it doesn't get too hot. Like this, Iris"
Joshua then exemplified it to Iris. Iris follows Joshua's instructions.
With hesitation Iris took a bite. The hot air immediately billowed out but the taste of the fish was delicious too.
Joshua also taught Iris how to open mussles herself. Iris seemed to be enjoying the food at the dining table and Joshua looked satisfied to see her.
"Iris, may I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you rush to ask me to take you out back then? Shouldn't it be better if Isabel comes along? She's used to taking care of you."
Iris was silent for a moment. Iris remembered Isabel's words that forbade her to have anything to do with Joshua. She was at a loss as to how to explain to Joshua without hurting his feelings.
"Mmm… I don't want to put her in danger with the things I want to do."
"But Isabel can take care of herself well."
Iris seemed to think back.
"Let's just say I don't want to trouble Isabel and I..... want to be able to finish everything without her help."
Joshua looked at her doubtfully but he didn't say anything.
Iris felt nervous and tried to change the subject.
"That's how it is, Joshua... Then it's my turn to ask. Why did you agree to accept my request last night? Even though at first you flatly refused."
Joshua held his chin and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Well, you're right I don't agree even to this point. But last night when I saw you the state you were in. I feel like you're begging…. for me to take you away from that place… more precisely from where you are now. Did something happen to you?"
Iris put down the fish she was holding. The face looks gloomy. Joshua's words were not wrong. She remembered what had happened with Leon and it made her want to run away from her life, which suddenly felt tiring.
"If you don't want to talk about it. It's fine."
Joshua patted Iris' head gently.
"No… it's not that… I want to tell you but I'm also confused about how to start. I feel like a stupid girl when I think about it."
"So just say what's on your mind."
Iris sighed as she leaned back on the chair she was sitting on.
"I was introduced to a man by my uncle. A young man…. He is handsome. Captivating. He knows how to make me happy. He also never forced me to do something I didn't like. I thought…I fell in love with him and he also fell in love with me. But it seems only partly true…. I'm the only one in love I think."
"How come?"
Joshua listened patiently.
"That night I just found out that he approached me on my uncle's orders. So, all the acts he did was solely because he got instructions from my uncle. That's why he knows how to please me. I guess I broke my heart when I found out…. I felt lied to from the start."
Iris looked like she was holding back tears as she told the story.
"Well, my pathetic story. I'm a stupid girl."
Iris took another bite of the fish. Joshua watched Iris carefully.
"Hey, Iris. Forget about that guy."
"Ha?"
While drinking the Chamomile he made, Joshua answered calmly.
"If the guy lies to you doesn't mean it makes you a stupid girl. That man is simply unworthy of you."
Iris was surprised to hear that.
"I didn't expect you to say something like that, Joshua."
"Yes, that's my opinion as a man too. After all you are like a sister to me. So, I don't want you to fall in love with the wrong guy.
"Oh…. I see…. Thanks for the advice. I will try to do it."
When hearing Joshua's answer, somehow Iris felt a strange feeling inside her.
Iris looked at Joshua. But Joshua said nothing more and cleared the dining table.
=====
Isabel had finished taking a shower and looked neat in her uniform. She was enjoying the lunch that Malcolm brought. The door opened and Malcolm entered.
"Isabel, someone is looking for you. He's waiting for you outside."
Isabel quickly wiped her mouth and followed Malcolm out. In front of the inn, a man dressed neatly and wearing a suit was waiting for her.
"Good afternoon, Isabel. I am Duke Albert's butler. He wants you to receive this letter."
The Butler held out a wax-sealed letter with a falcon on it.
"How did Duke Albert find me here?"
"Our Lord has sharp and many eyes Isabel… like a falcon."
The butler answered calmly with a smile.
Isabel received the letter and immediately opened it.
Dear Isabel,
I have received news of the abduction of my niece, Lady Elizabeth, from Duke Greyson. I have requested that the Vanguard in Lindheim become aware of this information and cooperate in finding Lady Elizabeth's kidnapper.
My worry is that the kidnapper will hurt Lady Elizabeth so I hope she can be found soon. The sooner the better. To avoid untrue gossip about her too.
I have appointed Duke Greyson as my representative in search of Lady Elizabeth and I hope that you will assist him in finding his fiancée. He himself has guaranteed that this incident was not your fault. In fact, Duke Greyson specifically asks you to help him find my niece.
Let's just say your cooperation is also to make up for this tragedy that occurred. Hope I hear good news from both of you soon.
Best regards,
Albert Barrington
Isabel folded the letter she received and then smiled.
"Thank you for delivering this letter. Please tell Duke Albert that I will do as he asks."
The butler nodded and left.
Just then the carriage carrying the butler disappeared from view. Isabel's face turned sour immediately.
"Fiancé? Since when did Iris accept his proposal? Last I knew she was still considering it. Damn…. And now I must cooperate with him at the request of Duke Albert."
Malcolm watched Isabel while scratching his head. Isabel's mood had always been bad but it had gotten worse since losing Iris.
"Isabel, there is information I got. However… maybe it's better if we talk inside."
Inside their room of the inn, Isabel sat while crossing her arms. While Malcolm sat across from her with a serious face.
"This is about the incident at the opera house. Even though the palace said there were no casualties but actually…. someone died."
"What? How can the palace shut down news like that? Don't their families have any suspicions?"
"Because the one who died wasn't an Edetish noble. Rather… nobles from Sisilyra."
Isabel seemed to think seriously.
"So that's what the thugs who caught me meant."
"Thugs who caught you?"
"When I searched for you. I pretended to be caught by the thugs and they bluffed that their attack was backed up by the nobles to chase away the intruders. I just found out the intruders they mean are the people from Sisilyra."
"And the noble who was killed was no ordinary noble. According to information, he is the delegate appointed by King Sisilyra in the diplomatic relations between Sisilyra and Edetish."
"Diplomatic relations? I never heard of any delegates coming."
"Correct. The kingdoms of Sisilyra and Edetish have long been cold wars and have closed their borders. However, there are rumors that the two countries will make peace. Because of that they sent representatives to each other to take care of it."
"Yes. I heard those rumors before. But then they all disappeared over time."
"Because everything is still in its early stages and kept secret from the public so as not to cause chaos for parties who disagree.
The delegation is tasked with ensuring and convincing their respective kings that the countries they visit intend to make peace, not because of other or hidden intentions."
"That's why our King ordered to close the obituaries about them. Because it could trigger a war with Sisilyra kingdom."
"That's right. They want to cover it up. At least until they catch the real mastermind. Because all of the Free Insurgents who were arrested yesterday, confessed that they were only hired people."
"But wouldn't the Sisilyra kingdom be suspicious if they didn't receive news from their delegation?"
"Sisilyra kingdom sent two people as representatives. However, only one person died. Our kingdom managed to convince the surviving delegation that the Edetish kingdom can find the killer and prove that the murder was not ordered by our king."
"I see. So now the palace is busy dealing with it. Maybe that's why Duke Albert appointed Duke Greyson to take care of the Iris matter."
"Correct. Currently the palace is in hectic situation. Because the delegation gave two weeks to finish. Through that, the delegation will reveal everything to their King."
Isabel paused while propping her chin after listening to Malcolm's explanation.
"That witch woman…. How could she be involved in royal affairs like this? What does she want to achieve with The Free Insurgents?" Isabel muttered to herself.
Isabel glanced at Malcolm
"How did you get your hands on this sensitive information, Malcolm? Can our sources be trusted?"
"Are you curious, Isabel? I'll tell you briefly how I got it."
Malcolm grinned.
"You know nobles like to be dissatisfied with their spouses. And usually…. they like to find a place to satisfy their odd hobby. Usually that place is a place where all gossip and information that is…. taboos abound."
Isabel gave Malcolm a sharp look. She has known Malcolm for a long time.
It came as no surprise to her that Malcolm was involved in many unexpected things. He is skilled at getting close to his targets and manipulating them physically and mentally to extract information.
"Anything else you want to know, Isabel? I'll be happy to explain."
"No. That is enough. Today we will check the possibility of where Iris is. And also find out if anyone has seen it."
Isabel stood up and prepared to leave.
"Didn't Duke Albert ask you to meet Duke Greyson?"
"Sigh…I'll just go see him tomorrow. Today we are checking inns and possible hiding places."
Malcolm just raised his hand and followed Isabel.