Since my last meeting with Orifiel, I've been trying to find time to visit him again. Even though being the Archmage of the kingdom keeps me busy taking care of endless war and political affairs.
But I want to meet him more than anything in order to achieve my plan. I started visiting him regularly.
I don't know since when visiting Orifiel has become a necessity for me. The sense of peace and serenity that he exudes from his demeanor, makes my mind and heart relax.
We talked about many things and exchanged ideas. His daughter, Cassiel would occasionally approach us curiously.
One day Orifiel sat her daughter in her lap and kissed her forehead and said, "Cassiel, remember her. He was Sir Varos, the famous archmage of the kingdom. One day he will be the one who will help me to pass on my sacred duty to you."
Cassiel then looked at me with an innocent gaze and smiled. It was obvious she didn't understand what Orifiel was saying but she kept smiling because of her affection for her father.
After that, Cassiel returned to playing with the nun who accompanied her. Orifiel then looks at me with a worried look.
"Promise me, my friend. That if one day…. When the time comes for me to leave... Make the transfer as comfortable as possible for Cassiel. Cassiel…. she has a weak body I don't want her to be in pain when she has to go through it."
I could only nod. As the Archmage of the kingdom only I am allowed to do so. Incantation for the transfer of Seraphine Aile. A secret spell that only Archmages like myself know about and will give to me when the time comes.
Iris rubbed her eyes. Her eyes feel heavy. When she heard Joshua's story, she was determined to find a way to get Seraphine Aile out of Joshua's body. Therefore, then she continued to read the book of St. Varos.
"Iris, you don't have to finish reading that in one night for my sake."
"But I want to quickly find a way to help you…"
"Don't force yourself. Take it easy."
Joshua reached out his hand to help Iris up.
"Okay…"
When Iris opened the curtains of her room, she noticed that the curtains were double layered. While Joshua's room has no curtains.
"Joshua, why did you move your room curtain to me?"
"Oh, that. Usually at night the air is cold. I'm worried you are cold. I'm used to the cold night air here."
Joshua replied casually while heading to his room.
Iris entered her room and put down the book of St. Varos at the table. When she was about to lay down.
Suddenly there was a sound….
Krrraaakk….
DUM!
The sound came from Joshua's room. Iris rushed to take a look.
Joshua was seen sitting while groaning in pain on his bed….
Joshua's bed seemed to be split in half. The thin mattress seemed torn and scattered its contents.
"Are you okay?"
"I am fine. Why is my bed broken, huh? I know it's old and ramshackle. But I didn't expect it to break right away when I threw myself on it."
"Oh. I know why…. When yesterday you were unconscious. You hit everything around you including your bed…"
"Oh... I see…. Sigh… I'll have to sleep on the floor with the remains of the mattress then."
Joshua then felt the stone floor of his house trying to find a comfort side that he could sleep on.
"O-Or you can sleep with me…. The bed in your mother and sister's room is indeed bigger. So fit for two of us. If you don't mind…"
Joshua immediately turned around and looked at Iris in surprise. He didn't expect Iris to suggest something like that.
Iris tried to cover up her nervousness.
"I-I'm sorry. If you don't want to, that's fine too."
Iris was about to turn towards her room when she heard Joshua answer, "Okay. I'm going to clean up my messy room first."
Iris nodded then continued walking towards the room and lay down on the far side. She pulled the blankets over her and lay out on the side of her bed. Iris could hear the sound of Joshua tidying up his room.
For a few moments it was quiet. There was the sound of footsteps and the bedroom curtains being opened.
Even though Iris didn't seem to move, she wasn't actually sleeping. Her heart was pounding and for some reason… her drowsiness seemed to disappear. Iris could feel Joshua starting to sit up then lay down beside her.
After some time passed, Iris slowly turned her body around.
Joshua seems to be laying on his side with his back to Iris.
With that close distance, Iris could see his broad back. She also saw many scars on Joshua's body. Seraphine Aile, who was black in color, was partially visible from underneath his clothes.
"Joshua, are you asleep?"
Iris whispered to him.
But Joshua didn't budge. It seems he is asleep.
Iris turned her sleeping position to its original position. And trying to sleep.
Unbeknownst to Iris, Joshua was actually not sleeping either. But Joshua decided not to answer Iris' call earlier.
======
Isabel was stunned in disbelief. The room she was staying in was large and filled with expensive furnishings.
"You don't have to waste your money on me, My Lord."
Leon just smiled hearing Isabel's curt tone.
"If you need me, I'll be in the next room. Look. Even our rooms are connected."
Leon opened the door that connected the two of their rooms.
"Have a good rest, Isabel."
With a smug smile, Leon closed the door.
Isabel scratched her head resentfully.
"Duke Greyson really wanted to keep an eye on me and forced me to find Iris quickly."
Isabel walked towards her bathroom.
"Hmm… but never mind. It's not bad to get privilege like this."
Isabel took off her clothes and naked. She walked towards the bathtub filled with warm water.
"Ah…. this is the most pleasant state of affairs."
Isabel enjoyed her soak while closing her eyes.
There was the sound of a window being opened, but very quietly.
"Malcolm, I know you're there."
Malcolm emerged from behind the bathroom door.
"It's so nice to have a room like this. Meanwhile I'm downstairs with the male servants."
"Hey don't peek at me, okay?"
Malcolm sighed.
"We've slept together and you still forbid me to see you bathe?!"
Isabel threw the towel that was by the bathtub at Malcolm.
Malcolm caught the towel that was thrown at him.
"Hey, I won't be peeking but just let me near you."
Malcolm then sat by the bathtub with his back to Isabel who was right behind him.
"Hey Isabel, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Why do you work so hard for Lady Elizabeth?"
"So what?"
"Yeah, I think you really care about her. Even such a dear. Even though she is not a family and nobility anyway. Her life is so different from ours. I can not see…. In the future…. we will continue to be with her."
Isabel then bent her legs while looking up at the ceiling of the room.
"I know, Malcolm…."
"Then why are you still with her? Don't you want to have a life of your own? Living free from duties assigned by others?"
Isabel sighed.
"You said the same thing as Roselle…."
Malcolm looked up at the ceiling and sighed too.
"I see…"
Both of them were silent and deep in their own thoughts….