The entourage decided to go back to Callavan soon, to start preparing for the Amandine Flower quest. Iris was very quiet started from yesterday after she met the Empress. Everyone knew her health wasn't getting better either after that. Iowyrthe witnessing that her last night sleep was disturbed. They decided to go right away because of that. Her declining health was very imminent.
Iris tried hard to stay polite to the royal family and the palace staff. But it was apparent, that her behaviour was not as warm as before. It happened to the duchy staff as well. She was rarely speaking. She also couldn't finish her meal well and it weakened her more.
They stopped by Euntaras. Everything was better in Euntaras. They trained some knight to guard the town. The Emperor really gave Iowyrthe full management in the Emperor name. Supply of Euntaras leaves for the Duchy and Royal was managed more systemically without exploiting the tree. Even they planned to supply Troika as well. Doctor June and Hoppi stayed there to build research station for the tree and other possible medicinal plant. The townspeople were clearly in a better condition.
"We will give you the best room, Princess, so you can rest better here." Said the innkeeper when they arrived.
Iris smiled faintly. She didn't feel well from the start of the journey, even though the carriage was made more comfortable for her. Metuselah gave her a warmer magic stone for her cape, but none of the efforts seems to work for her condition.
In the fifth step on the stairs to her room, she collapsed. Chan who escorted her caught her on time and took her to the room. Upon hearing the incident, Iowyrthe came running to her room.
"She must be exhausted. Let her rest. Give her food when she wakes up. I will be back tonight. You can rest after too, Rosetta. I will discuss with the elder first."
After few hours of sleep, Iris woke up sometime around midnight. She felt week but really tired laying down. She decided to go out. She took out her cape and walked towards the door.
"Where will you go?" Iowyrthe was standing in front of her door.
"I just bored. I will be back after few minutes' walk." She walked past him.
"Don't. Let me go with you." She ignored it and kept walking.
Iowyrthe didn't dare to walk beside her. He kept following her until she stopped in front of the Euntaras tree. She leaned herself to the tree and then sit down in its root.
"May I?" Iowyrthe asked for sitting beside her. She didn't reply.
"I know you're angry. I just want to repay what you did to me."
"I know."
"So, please let me."
"I just don't understand. Why do you insist to continue? A permission to stay here freely in Lleuelyn was enough."
"But your health was declining."
"That's none of your business."
"It is, you are in this condition because you saved me."
"My pleasure."
"Princess, please…"
"If you really want to repay, let me go. I don't want to be your burden. I don't want to be in your care if only for payback and guilt. It is pathetic."
Iowyrthe could only reply, "I want to protect you."
"No need, Your Highness. Save that energy for the one you'll love."
That night was particularly cold for Iowyrthe. He started contemplating his choice again that night. Few days ago, he begged the Emperor and the Empress to let him continue their engagement. The royal couple insisted that it violated the right of the Princess as she already chose not to continue the engagement. He told them about the almost forgotten prophecy. The King of Devil was after her. Iowyrthe, Metuselah, Judah, and the knights came to conclusion that Iowyrthe was targeted to weaken the protection of the Princess. Next, it will surely be Iris. If they targeted her first, Iowyrthe will protect her and their move will be harder. He promised to protect her, to forget all his aim to searched for Iris the Healer and instead focusing to protect her. He also ensured them that he will get the Amandine flower for her to strengthen her health.
The Emperor and the Empress couldn't refuse that genuine wish. They saw that their nephew was finally changed. He grew into a character that they knew was buried deep when he lost his parents and forced to be strong to lead the duchy. His affectionate and caring side was brought out simply by interacting with the Princess.
Deeper into the night, deeper the thought that he has. The Princess of Musou who currently asleep leaning to his shoulder was able to make him throw away his personal goal and make him struggling hard to protect her. When they arrived later in Callavan, it will be the busiest. The journey will certainly not easy. Calpara in the normal winter was already famous for claiming life of the hiker. This harshest winter was already deadly for normal person, imagine it for the Princess with her current condition. With the Amandine flower in bloom and possible threat from the Devil King side, new risks were added.
Nicholas, Nicholos, Felix, and Judah was already in Callavan for the knight's preparation. Metuselah has decided to follow them on the journey to Calpara. He offered protection from magic side. He prepared protection bubble in Callavan, in Euntaras, and in the palace. He also put some protection spell on the whole entourage as caution.
They had done so much for the Princess, but she wishes to just live freely without him. It was a simple wish, but he cannot fulfil it. At least not now, he said to himself.
He kissed her hand, "If you're not happy to be with me, I understand. It is my fault to begin with. Let me just this one time, one time to make you feel better. I will let you go when you are healthy and shining again, My Princess." He whispered. He kissed her forehead and carried her back to the inn to avoid the cold of night caught her.