On the night of the Selection Day, some families would celebrate having their daughters spared from being selected as tribute, while others would close their doors, using the remaining time to bid goodbye to their loved ones. None of the families would bother each other, and this had become a tradition carried on for hundreds of years in Calaren town. The emissaries of the Court of Shadows were expected to arrive the very next day to collect the chosen maidens, so there wasn't enough time for the tributes to prepare for their departure.
Iris came home with the rest of her family in silence. However, the minute their mother closed the front door, Junifer threw her arms around Iris and broke down in tears. She kept muttering her apology in between her sobs, telling Iris that it was her fault.
"You can't go, Iris. You can't." Junifer clung to her in despair.
Iris let out a weak smile and peeled her sister's hands off her. No one can deny accepting a royal decree, and since Prince Rupert had given her a go-signal. There was no way she would be able to escape it.
"You heard what the Crown Prince said, Junifer. He won't rescind his decision, as do I. I chose this on my own volition and I'm not planning to break my word for the second time."
Volunteering to become a tribute instead of her sister also meant that she wouldn't be able to uphold the promise she made to their father.
"But…" Junifer looked at her with teary eyes. She knew very well why Iris had sacrificed herself for her sake and she would never forgive herself for this.
"I won't ask you for anything, Jun." Iris cupped her sister's face, trying not to break down in tears. "I wouldn't be able to return this time, so as the second child of our family, you need to step up and take care of Mother and Ren."
Junifer couldn't stop her tears this time, but she nodded nevertheless. It was nothing compared to what Iris had done so far for their family.
Iris then continued, telling them all the things they would need to remember once she was gone. At times like this, she wished she could use her magic to put them under an illusion. It would have been better if they believed that she left Calaren town to travel, that she would be back before they knew it, but it's impossible.
Junifer was never to step into the woods. Iris forbade her from joining Luca and his other friends on their hunting trips. There was no telling what kind of darklings they may encounter and Iris would rather have Junifer focus on the things she liked most, like knitting, embroidering and making dresses that she sells at the town square. She was good at that anyway and her creations were sought upon by the young ladies in their town, no matter how hard it was to procure it.
Luca would continue collecting the herbs her mother couldn't grow in their backyard. Iris was thankful that Luca had been with her during the days she collected herbs for her mother, so he would be able to find them at their usual spots.
"Ren, in a few more years, you'll become a man. I wish you to grow up as a good man that Father and I want you to be. Work hard to reach your dreams, no matter how hard it is. You are the one who's born with a good head over his shoulders amongst the three of us. We can't let that go to waste." She smiled at him.
Ren tried to keep his tears at bay, but once he heard Iris's words, his tears broke like a dam and it streamed down his face. He clenched his fists hard on his sides and nodded. He hoped that someday, no other family would experience having to say goodbye to their loved ones because of one stupid treaty.
His mind couldn't comprehend why they must give up one of their own to honor the treaty and why their family needed to take the burden for humanity's sake. There must be a loophole somewhere or an alternative to keep the peace between the two parties.
"Mother." Iris regarded their mother. She didn't need to ask to know that this would be harder for their mother to take. Years ago, she lost her husband to death, and tomorrow, she will be losing her eldest child, who was also the pillar of their family.
She rushed into her mother's waiting arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Iris, Iris." Her mother wept, as if her name was the only thing she could say. "I'm so sorry, little peanut."
"There's no need to apologize, Mother. You did nothing wrong." Iris replied with teary eyes. "Junifer is in a terrible spot and I cannot, would not allow anyone take her away."
"But not at your own expense, dear." Her mother squeezed her tighter. Iris thought that she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears any longer if her mother kept holding her like this.
"I know, but I have no regrets, Mother." In a low voice, she whispered. "My magic is unstable and I can't control it anymore. Perhaps someone out there would be able to help me."
She then pulled away and wiped the tears from her mother's cheeks.
"Don't cry, Mother. It's all right." She tried to sooth her mother, though her voice was cracking from the sight of their tears. She swallowed hard, trying to drown her emotions.
"Maybe someday there would be no need to do any selection, and no maidens need to sacrifice or be taken away from their families anymore." Iris gave her mother's hand a squeeze and drew quivering breaths as the three of them continued to weep.
"I'll find a way to return, Mother. No matter how hard or how long it would take, I will surely return to you." She promised, her eyes then shifted from her mother to her siblings. "Until then, please take care of yourselves."