Iris woke up the next day, she smelled something different but cannot tell what. Last rest was nice enough that she can sit and ask for food. Thought she couldn't eat so much, but she regained some strength. She was told, soon the Empress will visit her hearing her recover. She wanted to talk about Iris and Iowyrthe engagement.
The Empress came right after her warm bath. Iris felt refreshed and half of her cannot wait to hear the real decision.
"Greeting to the moon of the Empire."
"No need for formal conversation, dear Princess. I see you are getting better."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, I was better in your care."
"It is solely Iowyrthe, Princess. I just lend him a palace. So, about the engagement…"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I would like to hear your thoughts."
"I decided for you to continue. I apologize I didn't consult you."
"Why?" Iris was in disbelief, she clearly stated she didn't want to continue and ask only for a small land in the Lleuelyn Empire, "I thought you understand me. I… I only ask for a small land. I don't need anything else. If you cannot just give me permission to stay here. I… I…" Her tears started to fall down.
"I just don't want to harm you. You are free to stay. But, your condition. I don't want you to live here on your own. I trusted you to him."
"Why? He clearly doesn't want me, Your Majesty." She sobbed. Her chest felt heavy.
"He actually begged me to give him more chance."
Iris head started spinning. She heard ringing noise. She didn't believe her. She was afraid it was just his reason to toyed with her. In the sudden moment, she felt fear all over her body. Like she will have to endure more confinement like when she was in Vanra.
Seeing Iris was in cold sweat and pale. The Empress hugged her and said, "Trust him. He won't harm you. I promise you, Princess. I really promise you. If you are still not uncomfortable to live with him after the next phase of engagement, you can stay here. I will take you back here to Aurinko. I will make you live here. I will take care of you. Just give him a chance."
"But he doesn't want me, he will abandon me, he doesn't love me." Iris cried a lot in the arm of the Empress.
"Just one more chance, one more, Princess. Please, I beg you."
She didn't have a strength to fight anymore. She rose from the Empress hug and saw her in the eye. She felt disappointed. The Empress read it from her expression, but didn't change her decision.
"I have instructed him to take you to get Amandine Flower. Please just until then."
Iris didn't reply. She was already indifferent.
"Princess, please." Iris looked away.
Her Majesty knew she was already upset and decided to give her space. The Empress walk outside and meet Iowyrthe just in front of the chamber's door.
"Follow me, Io."
Before the Empress left the eastern palace, she said, "If you failed her this time, I will definitely take her away from you. No more chances. Just so you know, son, this time karma will visit you. This time she won't be easy to deal with. You will have to taste your own medicine."
Iowyrthe took a very deep breath. He knew it already. This time he is the one that has to reach her. This time he was the one that have to survive.