The door opens.
Leon seemed to stand before Iris.
"Le-Leon…?"
Iris was surprised. She didn't expect Leon to enter.
"Immediately inspect this house! Who knows the kidnapper is still there!"
Leon immediately gave orders to the Knights of Lindheim.
"YES, MY LORD!"
They immediately went inside and ransacked Joshua's house.
"S-stop! You don't have to. No one kidnapped me."
Iris stood up trying to stop them. But Leon stopped her
"Thank goodness you're safe, Iris. You're okay, aren't you?"
"Leon told them to stop doing it. I'm here and unharmed. You don't need to search this place and make a mess of it."
"We didn't find any kidnappers or anyone inside, My Lord."
One of the knights reported.
Leon sighed then looked at Iris.
"Good. We're leaving this place. We have succeeded in saving Lady Elizabeth."
Leon picked up the St Varos book that was on the table and reached out his hand to Iris.
"Let's go home, Iris."
Iris looked around the house with sad look before heading out. Joshua's house looks messy because of what happened earlier. Leon guided Iris out of the house.
Outside Isabel and Malcolm waited for Iris.
Isabel immediately greeted her.
"My Lady, I am very pleased to see you again."
"Isabel, sorry to make you worry all this time."
They hugged long enough.
"It's alright, My Lady. I'm sorry I couldn't come in to pick you up earlier. Because Duke Greyson insisted on ordering the two of us to wait outside.", Isabel replied while glaring at Leon.
Leon replied calmly.
"For the safety of both of them as well and the smooth process of arrest. So, I asked the two of them to wait outside."
"What safety, Duke Greyson? As I said before that we have come to pick up My Lady not to catch criminals. This kind of commotion shouldn't be-"
"Isabel we'll talk about this later. We'd better take Iris home first. She must be exhausted after a few days of being kidnapped."
Leon interrupted Isabel then opened the carriage door to let Iris enter.
Iris just sighed seeing the tension between Leon and Isabel.
"Isabel, I would like to request some special time alone with Duke Greyson during the return journey. Is it okay?"
"If that is My Lady's wish…. I have no objection. I'll ride the horse myself."
Isabel answered while giving Leon a resentful look.
Iris entered the carriage with Leon.
Isabel whispered to Malcolm
"There's something I have to do. You go ahead with Lady Elizabeth and look after her. Whatever Lady Elizabeth asks is what you have to listen to."
Malcolm nodded without saying anything. He sat next to the coachman as usual.
The carriage walked back to the Grassland where Iris' house was with several knights from Lindheim escorting it.
Leon watched Iris who sat across from him. Iris seemed quieter than usual and seemed disinterested.
It seemed that something was bothering her mind.
"Are you okay while living in that house?"
Leon tried to start a conversation. He still remembered how Iris was disappointed in him.
"I'm fine in that house."
"Hey, cheer up, you'll be home soon. You can rest on a soft bed and take a warm bath to unwind.", Leon answered while holding Iris' hand.
Iris was silent for a moment. Then she looked at Leon with a serious look while holding back Leon's hand.
"Leon, there is something I want to talk to you about. About us…..."
Iris took a long breath before continuing.
"I… I rejected your proposal. I don't want us to get engaged or married. At least for now…. I'm not interested in that yet…."
Leon stared in surprise with a sigh.
"May I know the reason? Is it because of what happened before?"
Iris nodded slowly.
"But Iris, I do love you. Although…. our start was wrong. Indeed, I approached you because of your uncle's order. Still, I… I am truly in love with you. Can't we just make a fresh start?"
"Leon…"
"Please accept it. I really love you. During your disappearance, I was thinking how I can make up for my mistakes. Please Iris… give me a chance…"
"Leon, that's not the only problem…. I once liked you, Leon and it's true. But…. after so many things happened…. I started to doubt my feelings…. My feelings have changed, Leon. Forgive me…."
"Changed? You mean you like someone else?"
Iris nodded slowly.
"So that's why you don't want me to tear apart the house? Are you planning to run away and live together with him?"
Leon asked with an emotional tone.
"No! Not like that! This is only one-sided love. He never knew that I liked him…. He only thinks I'm just his little sister…."
Iris forced herself to smile while wiping away the tears that were starting to fall.
"Then just forget about him, Iris. He doesn't deserve your love. I'm here and I love you…."
Leon moved to Iris' side while holding her cheeks.
Iris lowered her head and shook her head slowly.
"I'm not ready for this, Leon…. Forgive me."
Leon hugged Iris.
"Forget about him, Iris. I'll wait for you until you're ready, Iris. Forever."
But Iris just kept quiet without saying anything and didn't return Leon's hug. Her mind felt blank. Her vision blurred as tears started to fill her eyes.
=====
After observing from afar, the carriage left while carrying Iris. Joshua went back to his house. His house looks messy.
With a sigh, Joshua attempted to tidy up his house. Joshua looked at his house felt lonely and empty. It felt like something had been snatched from him. Something feels missing.
"Hi, Joshua."
Someone greeted Joshua from behind the wall.
"Isabel, what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you. You're lucky you weren't there when we arrived. Iris' future fiancé intends to arrest you on kidnapping charges. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen to me. I'm sorry."
"...Iris asked me not to send her off yesterday."
"A wise decision."
"...."
"Here. I was just doing a special task Iris asked me to do."
Isabel gave an envelope to Joshua.
"A letter from Iris?"
Isabel nodded. Apparently when Iris and Isabel hugged earlier. Iris silently asked Isabel to give the letter to Joshua.
Joshua immediately opened it.
Dear Joshua
You may be surprised to receive this letter But I don't know what to do anymore.... I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye in front of you. So, I decided to just write a letter.
First of all, I want to thank you for our togetherness. I will never forget this memory. I am grateful for the life you gave me so that I can breathe to this day.
I know you gave everything willingly and expected nothing in return. But actually, I want to be able to repay everything you do. That's why I was so happy when I met you again at the opera house.
I feel like destiny and opportunity for me to do something for you.
Even though you try to do everything yourself, I know you have deep wounds and sadness. I realize, I may not have the ability to help you and erase all your sorrows. But I still hope you can be happy. That's why I want to give you hope even if it's only small that one day you will be released from Serapine Aile.
I also want to be able to fulfill your wish to be able to spend your days with beautiful memories, not with the fear and anxiety that often shows on your face.
However…. Sometimes I feel like you don't need me. And that makes me sad.
Weird, isn't it?
Even though you're the one I always bother with. Why should I feel sad. You should be the one angry because I burdened you.
Hopefully this parting does not make us break up the relationship. Although I myself do not know if I can still meet you like this again and enjoy your cooking.
You know what my favorite memory is being in your house?
The time when you were busy in the kitchen with your cooking and I was waiting at the dining table while reading.
I truly appreciate that moment. I will always keep it in my heart.
Best regards,
Iris
Joshua looked downcast after reading Iris' letter.
"How was her face when she left, Isabel?"
"..."
"Tell me, Isabel."
Isabel sighed.
"Sigh. She was trying hard not to cry and forced herself to smile."
"Where's she going?"
Isabel gave Joshua a sharp look.
"Joshua, I'm warning you. Don't try to catch up with her."
"It doesn't matter if you don't want to tell me. I can find it out myself."
Suddenly Joshua moved towards Isabel. Isabel automatically grabbed her rapier to protect against Joshua's attacks.
But Joshua from the start had no intention of attacking Isabel but rather bypassing her. Quickly he got on his horse.
"Damn it!"
Isabel immediately ran to her horse and spurred it.
"Joshua, stop!"
But Joshua glanced at Isabel with a sinister look at Isabel's horse.
"W-What is this?!"
Isabel was surprised because suddenly her horse stopped and wouldn't walk. She tried to spur it but her horse seemed still and shaking with fear.
"JOSHUA!"
Isabel screamed as hard as she could calling Joshua. But Joshua had already disappeared from her sight.
====
"Thanks for comforting me, Leon."
Iris slowly released Leon's hug from her.
"I'm sorry because I cried your clothes got wet..."
Iris wiped away her tears.
"Wear this."
Leon held out his handkerchief.
Iris nodded. Iris let out a long sigh as she looked out the carriage window. Trying to control her feelings.
"Can I hold your hand? Only as a friend who wants to cheer up. If you're feeling uncomfortable. No need to force it."
Leon stared with a sad look.
Iris seemed to hesitate but then she nodded.
The two held hands but looked in different directions. It was quiet inside the carriage. Both of them were silent and busy with their own thoughts.
There was the sound of galloping horses approaching the carriage.
A Lindheim knight approached the window Leon's side was on.
"My Lord, it seems that something unknown is heading here with great speed. Maybe the Free Insurgents are after us. You'd better go ahead while we try to block them."
Leon immediately became alert.
"Okay. You're blocking them. Tell the coachman to move faster."
"Coachman, order from Duke Greyson. Speed up this carriage as much as possible. We are being chased.", the knight Lindheim shouted to the coachman.
The coachman immediately spurred his horse even harder to run faster.
"What happened Leon?"
"It's possible that The Free Insurgents is after us."
Iris looked pale. Leon held both of Iris' hands trying to calm her down.
"Relax. The knights will deal with it. Don't worry."
Iris just stared back at Leon with a worried look without saying anything.
======
Joshua spurred his horse as fast as he could. He started to see the cavalcade of knights guarding the carriage. It seems they noticed his presence and ordered the carriage to run quickly.
Meanwhile some of the knights started to slow down their horses. Get ready to confront him.
Joshua took his chances. When he got closer to one of the knights he quickly jumped on the knight and made him a foothold. The knight fell from his horse.
Joshua's leap did not end there. He leaped over three more knights like before until they all fell from their horses.
Joshua mounted the last horse of the knight he knocked down. There are only two lefts in front of him. They immediately surrounded Joshua on either side with the intention of attacking Joshua. One of the Lindheim knights started swinging his sword.
Joshua dodged the attack. The other Knight Lindheim didn't waste any chance to attack him. This time Joshua caught the sword that was swung at him with his bare hands.
"Ugh…"
Blood dripped from Joshua's palm. The Lindheim Knight was shocked. Didn't expect Joshua to catch his attack straight away with his bare hands.
Joshua pushed the blade towards the knight with all his might and it hit him in the chest causing him to fall from his horse. Joshua threw away the sword in his hand.
"Only one left." Joshua muttered to himself.
For a moment they duel each other on the horse. Attacking and avoiding each other. Until on one occasion, Joshua managed to block his sword attack with his hands and twisted his sword until it fell. Then punched the Lindheim knight hard in the face several times until he finally fell.
Joshua looked at the carriage that was way ahead. Joshua spurred the horse he was riding fast. He catches up but is not close enough to reach it.
"My horse will get tired at this rate. I have no choice…. Hope this doesn't freak her out."
Joshua tried to get as close to the carriage as possible and jumped on it. He could hear the sound of shocked people inside.
As soon as he saw Joshua on the carriage, Malcolm immediately attacked with his katar. Joshua managed to dodge his attack at the last second.
They stared at each other intently. It was obvious they would fight.
Malcolm stood up from his seat and prepared to attack but Joshua ran and leapt forward instead. Where the horses are. Joshua continued to run and jump from the horse forward a good distance.
Joshua stared from afar at the carriage that was headed towards him. More precisely Joshua was staring at the horses pulling the carriages with a terrifying look.
The horses realized that there was something sinister in front of them. They suddenly stop.
The coachman whipped his whip to get them going but neither of the horses moved.
"They were all trembling with fear…. what's going on?", the coachman said in a confused tone.
Malcolm got off the carriage.
"You…. dead man. Looks like I'll have to deal with you some more."
Malcolm took out his two katars which were hidden from under his clothes.
Joshua just kept quiet and didn't answer. He braced himself with his two hands.
Suddenly the carriage door opens.
Leon comes. It didn't take long for Iris to come down.
From a distance, Joshua watched Leon's hand join with Iris's.
"Is that the person she likes? Have they made up?", Joshua muttered to himself.
Somehow suddenly Joshua felt lost his spirit.
"Jo-Joshua what are you doing here?" Iris covered her mouth in disbelief.
Iris slowly walked.
Leon tried to prevent her.
"Iris, this may be too dangerous."
But Iris paid no heed to Leon and walked towards Joshua.
"I-Iris…. I changed my mind... I think I need that book."
"Oh."
Iris immediately returned to the carriage and picked it up. And rushed over to Joshua.
"T-This…."
Then she handed the book to Joshua. Joshua takes it however….
"Joshua?"
Iris looked confused because Joshua was holding back the book she was about to give.
"I need you too, Iris. Finding a way to get out of this. Will… will you go with me?"
Joshua looked at Iris with a sad smile.
For a moment Iris did not believe what she was hearing. Her eyes looked glassy. Her face was smiling happily.
"O-of course I want to…"
Leon who was watching everything from afar clenched his fists. Jealousy filled his heart.
"Malcolm kill him!"
Iris quickly turned around to protect Joshua.
"No. He's not guilty of anything. Malcolm, you don't have to attack him."
Joshua cut the horse ropes on the carriage and picked one up. Preparing to run away with Iris.
"Malcolm why are you doing! STOP HIM!"
Malcolm sighed and scratched his head.
""I'm sorry, Duke Greyson. But Lady Elizabeth asked me not to do anything."
An emotional Leon drew his sword ready to attack Joshua.
But Joshua immediately spurred the horse he had ridden while grabbing Iris. They soon left that place.