Iris's face squeezed with a little twitch. She she had a lot to say to Ferdinand, but for the fear of being hit again by him she remained silent.
Ferdinand just scoffed, he knew that yet again he had successfully put Iris under his control.
" What you're going to do first of all, is that you are going to clean up that! ( he said pointing at the blood stain on Iris's lips ) you don't wanna keep your self looking all suspicious. " He said as a scornful smile appeared weirdly on his lips, with his eyes deemed. He stood to his feet, turned his back at Iris and was silent. This silence meant that Iris was not expected to think about obeying or not. She was obligated to obey Ferdinand's rules, whether she liked it or not. She cleaned her lips reluctantly, still standing at the same spot.
Ferdinand turned again to look, Iris had cleaned up her lips. He smiled crookedly. " Now that's how to be a nice girl ( he teased her annoyingly. Iris didn't say a thing. ) Now you'd return to the palace quietly like the quiet maid you have always been. You're to act like you never saw anything. Infact! Let's just assume you never knew that girl, ( he instructed pointing at Emmaline ). You must not fidget if you're interrogated at all. If you mess this up, I won't be nice. "
Iris muttered inaudibly " I thought you were going to say something more mean ! "
" You where saying something? ( Ferdinand asked Iris sarcastically. Iris gave no reply. ) Good ! " He said smiling at her again.
" Now you must quickly run along silly ! And don't you joke with me, I might kill you next time, ( he said running his hands around Iris's breast area. Iris resisted his touch by dragging his hands away ) Oh you don't miss me ? ( Iris gave no reply again ) okay I miss you too. " He said drawing back a bit.
" I'd be back in three days, make sure you have updates for me about the new bride and the prince who has turned into a lover boy ( he said letting out a scornful laughter ) I want to know how best the new couples are faring, perhaps I could be kind enough to send in my gifts! " He said once again.
Iris gave no reply yet again. However she began to walk away, as she had taken enough of Ferdinand's excesses. She had moved quite a distance from Ferdinand. He called her suddenly, she stopped but did not turn to look. " A friendly reminder that you are not permitted to mess with me ! "
Iris shrugged and moved on...
Iris sneaked into the palace through the kitchen door. She walked briskly to her room. She was sure no one saw her. As she was about walking through the corridor that led to her room, she heard a voice call out to her, " you girl ! " Iris turned looking tensed. It was aunt Rose.
Aunt rose drew closer. Iris's heart beat increased even if she didn't know why aunt Rose called her.
" There are a lot of used dishess in there in the kitchen, I don't know why it hasn't even been taken care of, could you kindly do the dishes ? " Aunt Rose asked politely.
Iris was still shaking so much, to even talk. Aunt Rose drew even closer, " oh poor child ! Look how pale you are. You've got a cold ? You don't look well at all. " Aunt Rose asked looking into iris's eyes. Iris couldn't look at aunt Rose. She felt guilt was written boldly in her eyes, that through her eyes, anyone could read how guilty she was. She was dieing slowly of guilt. She just wanted to be alone.
" Go on child, you must rest now, you do not look fine at all. I shall bring you herbs and spices that will make you feel better later. " Aunt Rose gestured to Iris.
Iris walked away into her room. As soon as she got into the room, Iris walked into the bathroom and opened the tap, then she sat on the toilet sit and began shrieking her pain and agony. She cried till she didn't find anymore tears. Guilt was eating up her soul. The whole room smelt of Emmaline. She could literally see Emmaline in her head. She flashed back to Emmaline laying in her own pool of blood, goosebumps where all over her skin.
She had just one last chance of correcting her wrongs, yet in a bid to do so, she ended up creating more problems. She wondered how she was going to sleep with her eyes closed. She thought of killing herself as well, but remembered that Ferdinand would come for her little brother. She didn't want anybody dear to her, to ever meet Ferdinand. He was the most manipulative being, earth had ever preserved. The fact that she was helpless gave more room for more tears.
A bigger problem was what she was going to say to princess Arainna, if she finally asked after Emmaline...
Iris after a long cry, managed to walk out of the bathroom, and layed hopelessly on her bed. She kept staring at Emmaline's bed, knowing that Emmaline was never coming back.
There was a knock on the door. Iris sluggish stood up to answer the door. As she opened the door, it was princess Arianna at the door.