After making sure no one was chasing them, Joshua slowed his horse.
"Looks like we're safe. We need to find a place to rest."
"Wait a minute. Give me your hand."
Iris, who had realized that Joshua's hand was injured, looked at him worriedly.
"Oh this. It doesn't matter. The wound is no longer painful. This wound will eventually close itself."
Iris ignored Joshua's words. She holds Joshua's injured hand. A greenish light slowly came out from her hand towards Joshua's injured hand.
When the radiance disappeared, the wound on Joshua's hand had healed.
"This is the least I can do for you. It's a good thing your wound isn't that bad so I can heal it."
"That's enough for me, Iris. Remember my wound can close on its own."
Joshua smiled gently.
Iris looked up with a worried face.
"But that doesn't mean you don't feel pain, right? It would still be better if you weren't injured."
Joshua gently patted Iris on the head.
"We're going to Danton. It shouldn't be far. There we can rest while thinking about our next move."
After walking for not long, they arrived at the Merchant Town of Danton.
A small town filled with merchants and buyers. A place where hunters sell their catch and farmers sell their crops.
Seasonal peddlers who use small boats are also there to sell. Some local residents who live there seem to see them when walking in.
Iris whispered to Joshua, "Why are they looking at us, Joshua?"
"Don't mind them, Iris. Your presence is too conspicuous for them. Because the nobles are usually almost never here."
Joshua took them to a modest inn.
"We came to rent a room overnight."
"Okay. One room fits two people for 30 Gallets. Advance payment. The room is at the back."
Joshua looked at Iris who looked down in embarrassment.
"We'd like to rent two rooms actually."
"Oh, pardon my mistake. Then the total is 40 Gallets. The room is upstairs then."
Joshua took another glance at Iris. Iris looked restless as she looked around her.
"Sorry. I'm changing my mind. I'll take the room downstairs."
After paying, the receptionist gave the room key.
The room they stayed in was just a simple room with a fairly large bed for the two of them. Also, the bathroom inside is just a makeshift bathroom.
Joshua immediately took off his coat and lay himself on the bed. His body felt sore.
Iris sat on the edge of the bed.
"So, what are we going to do now, Iris? Have you found the answer in the book?"
Iris fiddled with her fingers on the bed restlessly.
"I've finished reading it, Joshua. I only know that there really is an incatation to move Seraphine Aile and St. Varos managed to pull it off. But that incatation isn't in this book and after all…."
Iris fell silent and just stared at Joshua.
Joshua held Iris' fingers on the bed.
"Tell me. Whatever you know."
Iris bit her lower lip in a low voice as she replied, "It seems too dangerous... Because what I read could lead to death for the person Seraphine Aile took from them. But I don't know... how true the information is…. Because the person who is taken is already weak and sickly. While the other one is dying..."
Joshua, who was lying down, pinched Iris's cheek gently.
"Then don't worry about it. My body is well and not dying. Now we just have to think about who might know the incatation now."
"About that… I thought of someone who might be able to help us. But… it might be hard to meet him."
"Who?"
"Archpriest Jerome…."
Joshua woke up from his sleep and sat on the bed.
"Archpriests, huh? Based on experience, we do not have a good relationship with the church. Would someone as important as him come to meet us?"
Iris looked at the St. Varos who was at the table.
"Yes. But he's the only one I think knows the most about the history of St. Varos. After all, the secret of St. Varos is in our hands. He has no reason to refuse to meet us."
"The secret of St. Varos?"
"Yes… St. Varos… he once killed a child to get Seraphine Aile."
Joshua seemed to be in serious thought after hearing Iris' words.
"Where are we going to meet him?"
"The Abminster Monastery which is in Temisgar Hills."
"Temisgar Hills, huh. That means we're going north. It will be a long journey. We need to prepare supplies before going to meet His Holiness."
Joshua took his coat and opened the door. Iris got up to follow him. But suddenly Joshua turned around.
"Oh yes. You stay here, Iris. Don't go outside. With your clothes you will attract a lot of people."
Before Iris could answer, Joshua had already stepped out and closed the door.
Iris stared at her dress in confusion.
"Is there something wrong with my dress?"
=====
JEGREK!
JEGREK!
There was a sound of the prison cell door being closed by the guard. Then the guard left Isabel and Malcolm who were in adjoining prison cells.
Isabel stared resentfully at Malcolm who was beside her. Because of losing Iris, Leon puts Isabel and Malcolm in prison.
Isabel took a breath then shouted at Malcolm, "WHAT THE HELL is going on in your head, Malcolm?! Why did you let Joshua take Iris away?!"
Malcolm answered resignedly, "You said yourself I should listen to Lady Elizabeth. She forbade me to attack Joshua. After all she doesn't look kidnapped to me. Lady Elizabeth left of her own free will to come with Joshua. There's no coercion."
Isabel held her dizzy head, "Argh. Gone are the warm bathtubs and soft beds."
Isabel sat down in annoyance on the cold stone bed.
"Why don't we just run away from here, Isabel? We'll go find Lady Elizabeth ourselves.", Malcolm whistled as he turned the prison lock he stole before the guards left.
"No. We don't know where they went either. Tracking them while avoiding the pursuit of bounty hunters and knights was troublesome after all. Duke Greyson must have put up a big reward when we escaped."
Isabel paused for a moment and pondered.
"Besides, I'm sure HE will take good care of her."
"At least you didn't lose everything. There's still me."
Malcolm smiled from behind his cell.
Isabel paused, glancing at Malcolm.
"Hmmm. That is true. You still have the key, right?"
"Of course. You're going to make me work hard again, aren't you?", Malcolm answered while open the cell locks.
"Get out from here Malcolm. I want you to dig up informatin for me."
======
Leon loosened his shirt collar. After failing to bring Iris home now he was resting at the Lindheim Inn. Leon poured vodka into his glass and took a small sip. His face looked tired and disheveled.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in! The door is unlocked!" Leon shouted.
A man who looked neat and wearing a suit entered. The same man who met Isabel at the inn in Lindheim.
"Good day, Duke Greyson. Duke Albert has received news that you have failed to locate his niece. And you also lost St. Varos book. He's questioning your seriousness."
Leon held his head as he let out a sigh.
"There were unexpected obstacles that were not anticipated. Tell him that I'll try to find a way to find Lady Elizabeth and…. the book too. Also…. convey that he need not question my commitment."
"Fine, My Lord I will convey. I also bring you the news that Duke Albert has received orders from Archduke Rondo that all the evidence gathered enough. In the next few days will be carried out according to the discussed plan."
Leon seemed surprised to hear that but he tried to stay calm.
"I see. Thank you for the information and convey my regards to Duke Albert."
The man in the suit nodded and was about to leave when he stopped in front of the door.
"Oh yes. One more thing. Duke Albert was also curious. Are you in love with Lady Elizabeth?"
Leon just stared at the man in the suit without giving any answer.
"Oh, I see. I'll excuse you. Once again, good day to you, Duke Greyson."
The man then left the room.
Leon held his forehead.
"He must have known by now that I failed because…. My feelings are getting in the way of my performance."
Leon walked over and opened a desk drawer. Inside is a small painting of Iris's face.
"Iris…. Have I no more chances?"
=====
Iris rolled over on her bed. She had taken a shower and was waiting for Joshua to come home. But Joshua has not returned since earlier. Dusk has come.
"Why is Joshua taking so long?"
Kriuk…
"My stomach is also getting hungry. Luckily it rang when Joshua wasn't here."
Iris was embarrassed herself.
The sound of the door being opened. Joshua came to the room with a lot of stuff.
"I've been waiting for you ever since. Is there any problem?"
Joshua shook his head. His body looks sweaty.
"No. There's just a lot of business I have to do first."
Joshua sniffed his own body that looked sweaty.
"I'm going to take a shower first. After that, we went to eat at a restaurant on the basement floor."
Iris nodded. While waiting for Joshua to take a shower, she checked what items Joshua bought.
Her eyes stopped when she saw a white fluffy coat complete with a hood and gloves.
Iris smiled at it.
"This must be for me…. Why does she always know to make my heart feel happy. Sigh…. Even though he only thinks of me as family. Am I greedy for more than this?", Iris muttered to herself.
The sound of the bathroom door being opened was heard. Joshua had finished showering.
"Come on let's go eat."
They both went down to the basement floor. Which is a place to eat at the inn which also has a bar. Like this afternoon. Several people looked at them as they sat down. Even though Joshua deliberately chose a place in a corner to avoid crowds.
"Why do people in this city keep looking at us?", whispered Iris feeling uncomfortable.
"Don't worry about it. They are like that. Like I said before.", Joshua answered with an indifferent face.
Joshua took a glance at Iris.
"She really doesn't know that she stands out too much to be in this place. Her noble aura as well as her beauty definitely made people look up to her. Even though she wasn't wearing an expensive dress." Joshua muttered to himself.
Joshua could see several young men looking at Iris. Joshua immediately gave a scary look to everyone who was about to approach Iris.
Some of them were also talking about Iris. Because of Seraphine Aile, Joshua could hear well even if they were quite far away and spoke in a low voice.
"Look at that beautiful lady. Her skin is white and flawless. She must be noble."
"I want to approach her. But the man beside him was scary. Either family or bodyguard. He's too old for a couple to elope, isn't he?"
"I want to make love to her. I can imagine her smooth body when she's naked and squeezing her breasts."
Duk!
Joshua put his glass down hard by accident.
"Joshua, is something wrong?"
Iris who was eating looked at him in confusion.
"It is okay. We better eat quickly and get out of here.", Joshua replied while continuing to eat.
Joshua tried to control his emotions. Iris who noticed Joshua's tense face hurriedly finished her food as well.
After finishing eating, they immediately returned to the room.
Iris sat at the open window looking outside. The town of Danton is still bustling. Iris can see the lights from the stands that are selling are on.
While Joshua lay on the bed reading St. Varos book. Iris' body scent that only he could smell, wafted towards Joshua due to the wind coming from the window. Made Joshua remember the talk the young men had when they were eating earlier.
Joshua secretly glanced and watched Iris. He could understand what those young men were imagining. Iris's face and body are indeed attractive and…. Joshua had known that for a long time.
Joshua closed the book that he was reading
"Sigh. There's no point in me reading if I'm not focused." Joshua muttered to himself. He decided to go to sleep instead.
"Are you going to sleep?"
"Yes. I want an early sleep. Tomorrow, we leave for the Abminster Monastery. We have a long way to go. You better not sleep too late either."
Iris closed the bedroom window and extinguished the candle.
"Okay. Me too."
Then Iris lay on the bed with her back facing Joshua.
Suddenly there was a noise above them. Like the sound of the floor creaking. It gets louder and louder then stops. But after a while the sound was heard again.
Stopped and then noisy again. Happens over and over again. It seems to be coming from the room upstairs.
Iris looked up at the ceiling in confusion but she decides to ignored it and try to sleep.
"Damn. Why do I have to hear something like this again with Iris beside me.", Joshua muttered to himself. Because of Seraphine Aile, he could clearly hear what was happening above.
Joshua glanced at Iris who remained silent. It seemed Iris didn't have any bad thoughts about the noise above.
That night, Joshua could not sleep.
The next morning when Joshua woke up his face still looked sleepy.
"You couldn't sleep last night, Joshua?"
Josh just nodded.
"It's okay, Iris. Let's get going."
Joshua sat Iris on the horse then he caught up with her. They finally left Danton as well to head to the Abminster Monastery. Where Archpriest Jerome is.
Iris saw Joshua sigh in relief as they left Danton town.