This couldn't possibly be happening to her and her family. There was no way Junifer would be taken away from them. What kind of criteria did the royal court use to choose the sacrificed maidens anyway?
As her eyes took in the physical appearances of the maidens, Iris then thought that it was one of the factors. The young maidens were as pure as a flower that was about to bloom. Each had some physical features that made them stand out from the rest.
If what the elders and peddlers said were true about Asnar and the darklings, there's no way her younger sister would be able to survive in such a dangerous place. She should have allowed Junifer to elope with Luca when they had a chance.
She would rectify her mistake and save her sister, no matter what it cost her.
Now that she knew that Junifer was one of the chosen maidens, Iris pushed through the crowd with a strength she didn't know she possessed. Her mind kept telling her to find her younger sister, save her from this horrible situation.
She could hear Ren following after her in a hurry, pleading for her to stop and wait for him. And then Iris saw Junifer. Her face was blanched, the color on her lips gone as their mother and Luca tried to keep her in a vice grip, refusing to hand Junifer over.
"Jun! Wait! Don't take her! Don't take her!" Iris cried over and over again, until her voice turned hoarse as she pushed her way through the crowd to reach her mother and Junifer. But the royal guards had already taken Junifer and forced her to make her way up stage to accept the royal court's decree.
Junifer dragged herself with teary eyes, walking as if she had just been sentenced to death. Just as she was about to take the steps up the stage, a hand grasped her wrist and pulled her backwards.
"Iris?" She stared at her sister with widened eyes. If she hadn't been chosen today, she would have thrown her arms around Iris, thanking the heavens for allowing Iris to return to her.
However, Iris ignored her words and pushed her behind her, as if protecting her from the royal guards and the crown prince, who was looking at them with displeasure.
Iris fell on one knee and lowered her head, surprising everyone.
"What the hell are you doing?" The old chancellor sneered at her, gesturing for the guards to take Iris away.
"Your Highness, please hear this one's humble request. Please allow me to replace my sister as part of the tribute." Iris announced, aware that Junifer was now crying hysterically behind her, begging her to stop.
"No, Iris. You can't do this. You can't go!" Junifer had never begged anyone throughout her life, but she was aware of the reason her elder sister was doing this.
"Oh?" Prince Rupert stood up from his seat and walked until he was hovering a couple of feet away from Iris. He gave her a good look, taking in her appearance.
"You're a woman?"As if seeing her wearing a dress didn't proved that she was one.
Iris didn't take it as an offense. She had already gotten used to being mistaken for a young man due to her short hair and lean body. She didn't have the soft feminine curves other maidens her age had.
"Yes, Your Highness." She affirmed. Iris refused to shed any tears or show any weakness at this point. If she was going to die, then she wouldn't go down without a fight.
"Lift your head and let me see your face." The crown prince demanded. He lifted a hand to the chancellor, who was trying to convince him not to meddle with the royal courts' decision.
Iris did as she was told and showed her face. The prince regarded her for a moment, then scoffed.
"Your name?"
She swallowed hard and steeled herself.
"Iris Scarborough, Your Highness."
"And why do you want to replace your sister? Don't you know that being a tribute is the highest honor one could give to our kingdom?" Prince Rupert continued to probe.
Iris kept her face blank and met his gaze, hoping that he would agree.
"My sister is about to wed my friend this coming autumn. I do not wish for the lovers to be separated like this."
"Sire, you can't let this happen. The royal court would surely question you and criticize you if you agreed with her request." The chancellor reminded Prince Rupert. It wasn't a secret that the crown prince didn't get along with the royal court and would always find a way to annoy them.
"Didn't you say that my popularity among our citizens is quite low?" Prince Rupert hissed at him, his blonde hair glimmering slightly under the sun. "Shouldn't we take advantage of this situation?" He added in a low voice before turning his attention back to Iris, who was waiting for his decision.
"Up you go, Miss Scarborough. Let me make this clear. Know that this will be one time and there's no way I will rescind my decision. Be thankful that your sister is spared this time." Prince Rupert said with a vicious laugh, not waiting for the old chancellor's response.
Iris steeled herself and ignored Junifer's pleading. Once she climbed up the stage, she found Luca and her mother, trying to pacify her sister's tears. She tried not to let her tears flow and to maintain her composure.
Maybe this was for the better. With her magic resurfacing, Iris wasn't certain if she was still able to contain it. She might be able to avoid the death trap waiting for her if she stayed a little longer here in Dravial, but this also meant she needed to leave her family behind.
'I'm sorry, Father. I wouldn't be able to protect Mother and my siblings after this.' She thought as Amelia and Chrysanthe drew her to their side and encased her into a tight hug.