"Oh Iris, you shouldn't have," Gia chirped, her voice pitched sweet and careful. "They're beautiful…"
"Of course they are," Mia said, stepping forward with her whole chest, radiating pride. "Just like you. I want you to always think of me whenever you wear them. And… um... er.. be safe?" Mia whinced at the last words.
Gia's brows flattened. Her eyelids lowered halfway.
"And remember to keep yourself safe," she snapped in a soft, sharp whisper. "And it's I know they are, just like you. Stop forgetting the lines!."
"Don't shout at me," Mia hissed back. "I told you I didn't want to do this."
{What the fuck is this?}
Those two basically dragged me out here to watch them perform a send-off play.
But it was starting to look less like a farewell and more like an ambush.
Apparently I was the only one who hadn't given them a parting gift, and I'm guessing this was how they'd decided to remind me.
The evening dew grass was cool beneath me, daring my skirts. The sun was already mellowing out—spreading gold through the leaves, softening everything.
Especially this scene.
Theo sat beside me, knees drawn up, chin resting on his arms like this was in any way actually entertaining.
Cael stood just behind and to my right, close enough that I could feel his presence without turning my head—an immovable, polite shadow.
Ahead of us, Mia and Gia resumed.
"Ahem!" Gia cleared her throat, then clasped two tiny rocks to her chest again, eyes shining with practiced intensity.
"Oh Iris, you shouldn't have," she chirped again. "They're so beautiful…"
"I know they are," Mia said, her expression was stiff. "Just like you. I want you to always think of me whenever you wear them—and to always stay safe. I won't be there to look out for you anymore."
I shifted slightly on the grass, resisting the urge to slap my forehead.
{I'd never say something like that.}
Theo leaned closer and murmured, smiling enthusiastically, "They practiced all afternoon."
"Obviously," I whispered back.
Behind me, Cael made a sound—barely audible, but suspiciously close to a suppressed laugh.
The garden behind the main house had been transformed for the evening. Lanterns hung from low branches, casting warm halos across the yard. A table sat off to the side, laid with a few covered dishes, and far too many utensils.
Then the seating, I counted at least eight.
Even if this was Gia and Mia's last night home, Rosie wouldn't actually invite the Raymond… right?
This was supposed to be a family-only evening.
"Iris! Did you see?" Gia exclaimed mid-bow.
I nodded. "Yes—yeah, so…" I stood, dusting off my skirt out of habit. "What do you—"
"Lady Iris."
Raymond's voice slid smoothly in from my left.
"You look… much better."
I glanced back, catching Cael mid-bow to Raymond.
He and Ryder had joined us at some point—Raymond composed, hands folded behind his back.
Ryder was grinning. "Good evening, my lady," he greeted.
"Evening, Your Highness. Sir Belmont." I replied. "Whatever brings you out so late?"
Raymond smiled, clearly pleased. "Madam Rosie suggested an evening stroll in the backyard, and it's…" His eyes swept over the scene briefly, then settled on me. "Quite beautiful."
"Yes. It is," I said, gaze drifting.
Ryder snorted. Not even trying to hide it.
"Good evening, Your Highness!" Theo announced brightly.
Gia chimed in at once. "Alright, alright! Now that everyone's here, we should start."
{Everyone? We?}
Her eyes flicked pointedly between me and Raymond. "Dinner should be enjoyed together, don't you think?" She smiled.
Theo beamed. "Yes! Your Highness, would you join us? Gia and Mia are leaving for LCI in the morning."
{Theo. You innocent idiot.} I pressed my eyes close in dismay.
Raymond tilted his head slightly toward Gia. "Oh, a valedictory gathering? I'd be honored, if you'd have me."
"You're welcome!" Theo and Gia chorused.
I shot a warning glare at Mia. She just shrugged.
«Why is she looking at me?»
"I'm actually not hungry, so—" I said immediately.
"What?" Gia snapped, arching a brow at me.
"I mean—I'll leave early," I added with a small chuckle. "That's all."
They finished exchanging greetings—most of it led by Gia, who seemed impossibly excited.
The kid had orchestrated everything, she invited Raymond. And I was playing victim or target.
«I'm having dinner with everyone I love. It'd be much more perfect if Father was here too.»
But nothing in her thoughts suggested a setup.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling.
As we settled in our seats, I found myself seated exactly where I'd expected—and exactly where I didn't want to be.
Across from Raymond.
And he was staring. Just staring.
I focused hard on the food. So hard that the idea of eating didn't cross my mind. I doubted I could digest anything tonight.
{God, I need some coffee.}
I sighed and accidentally lifted my gaze. He caught it—my eyes.
"Why aren't you eating?" he asked gently. "We wouldn't want a repeat of this afternoon."
Theo, Mia, and Gia paused in perfect sync.
"This afternoon?" Mia repeated.
"Onita?" Theo leaned in, worried.
"Your Highness, did something happen to Iris?" Gia asked.
Raymond blinked, then looked at me.
"No." I mouthed, shaking my head.
"No?" Raymond repeated, still watching me.
Mia caught his eyes. "Something did happen. Don't even try to deny it."
The table went silent. Lantern light flickered. And the crickets started up somewhere in the hedges.
Theo clasped my hand beneath the table.
Cael and Ryder ignored the tension entirely and continued eating.
{How do I always get cornered into situations like this?}
"Well?" Gia prompted. "Someone say something."
My expression stayed carefully neutral.
"Please calm down," I said, taking a sip. "I'm alive, aren't I?"
"Didn't look like that to me," Ryder said casually, swallowing.
Then he paused.
His eyes sharpened as he locked onto Cael.
They held the look for a moment.
"What?" I asked, for reasons I couldn't explain.
Raymond also froze mid-motion, like he'd just realized he was about to be caught.
Ryder laughed lightly. "That's what Madam Rosie said. They even called for a physician. So I assumed…" He trailed off.
{Another terrible liar.}
"A physician?" Mia snapped. Turning to me.
"Yes, Mia. A physician," I said calmly. "I passed out a little from dizziness this morning, that's all. Now would you calm down."
Mia and Gia reluctantly obeyed, their thoughts murmuring loudly in their minds.
But I couldn't bother with them. Raymond and his guard are hiding something and as much as I really didn't want to care, it could be connected to me.
{Not being able to read the minds of blockheads actually sucks now.}
Inside the manor, unseen, Rosie smiled at the children through a window.
.><><><.
Later into the night, I excused myself politely from the table. Theo didn't nag about wanting to follow me—I was thankful for that.
The corridor was quiet during these hours. Not ghost silent—just people being more careful not to make too much noise.
Cael walked behind me, the way he always did—one and a half steps behind. And I still pretended not to notice. The soft light of the sconces along the walls stretched along the corridor.
I was heading for my study. My bedroom still had holes in the walls.
Cael cleared his throat.
"I'm not entirely certain what I'd be meant to say," he began, tone measured, "when His Highness eventually asks why I'm always at your side."
I slowed just enough to glance back. "Hm?"
He tilted his head, the faintest crease forming between his brows.
"I assumed," he said carefully, "that you'd be aware."
"Aware of what?"
"Of His Highness's feelings for you."
I stopped.
Cael stopped with me, posture polite and still composed. The look he gave me hovered somewhere between disbelief and a little bit of judgment. Like I'd missed something obvious and he wasn't sure whether to correct me or be disappointed.
I sighed. Long. And Tired.
"I wouldn't say it like that," I said. "He doesn't know many genuinely honest people. He's just confused. He thinks he feels something, but it's a childish phase. It'll pass."
Cael blinked once.
Before he could respond, a voice cut cleanly through the corridor.
"I always knew you were arrogant and stubborn," it said sharply, "but I never once thought you were actually an idiot."
We both turned.
Rosie stepped forward into the lamplight, hands holding up her hefty gown, eyes stern with irritation.
{Rosie? Where did she come from?}
"So," she continued, scanning me up and down as she marched towards me, "How long have you known His Highness is interested in you?" she pressed. "And how dare you call it a childish passing phase?!"
She scoffed.
"Do you understand the opportunities you're trying to dismiss?"
I found it quite impressive how both her mouth and mind were moving at different speeds. Her thoughts were sprinting ahead—ceremonies, alliances, dresses, security.
Wedding bells were ringing somewhere in her head.
{Ahh geez.}
"I'll answer you," I said calmly.
She leaned in.
"But I have some questions for you as well."
Her smile faltered.
My expression settled into something still and cold.
"Why did you release Wick from his duties?"
She blinked. «What?» flashed across her mind, everything else paused.
"He was making a great deal of noise," Rosie said after a beat. "And I'm certain your project could wait. We're currently hosting—"
"Without informing me?" I cut in. "I hired him, not you. I was paying his wages, you had no right."
Silence stretched between us.
Rosie opened her mouth. Closed it. Tried again "I was simply...." —still failed.
"As for how I feel, I have no intention of marrying," I added, already stepping aside, "and certainly not into His Highness."
I resumed walking.
Cael inclined his head politely toward Rosie. "Good evening." Then he followed.
After a couple steps, I turned to Cael.
"Cael."
His footsteps stopped.
"Yes, my lady," he said.
"If His Highness ever does approach you, tell him the truth,we have nothing to hide." I said.
"Now you may retire to your room. I'll be sleeping in my study."
I concluded, then turned and continued on my way without even waiting for his reply.
I had a lot to do.
.><><><.
I reached my study not long after. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the latch clicked shut behind me.
Silence settled immediately—thick, unnatural. Not even crickets or weird night noises. Just open windows and flowing curtains.
One candle still burned. Its flame flickered weakly, melted down to a stub, close to dying but stubbornly alive.
Lauren lay on the floor beside it.
Curled in on herself. Hair fallen across her face. Her breathing came in shallow, uneven pulls. Cold, judging by the way her hands were tucked into each other.
A neat stack of files sat placed carefully in front of her.
She'd been running these errands every month. She was never this late.
"I wonder what happened," I murmured, crouching beside her.
I considered what would be the most efficient way to wake her—preferably one that would only need to be attempted once.
"Hm…"
She smiled faintly in her sleep. "Me too… Sir Eric."
{Eric? Who's that?}
She shifted, hugging her knees closer to her chest, mumbling something unintelligible.
"Maybe I should let her sleep," I decided.
I started to rise, then paused. The candle was barely holding on. Turning it off would probably help her rest.
I leaned in and blew it out.
Lauren's eyes flew open.
She suddenly surged upright and collided headfirst into me.
White flashed behind my eyes as I stumbled backward and hit the floor.
"My lady!" she cried, panic snapping her fully awake.
"You have a remarkably solid head," I muttered, rubbing my forehead.
"Oh—oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" She scrambled toward me, frantic. "I've been afraid of the dark for a long time."
She grabbed my arm to help me up. Her hands were still cold.
"What are you, a child?" I said dryly as I stood. "Even Theo isn't scared of the dark."
She laughed awkwardly. "I try not to be. It just… gets the better of me sometimes."
"Okay. I don't actually care," I said, exhaling. "Why did you take so long?"
"Oh—right!" She bent down, scooping up the files. "I had to buy actual stationery as an excuse. The guards at the gate were questioning everyone"
"Haven't there always been guards at the gate?"
"Yes, but they never questioned me before. Mister Carl increased security yesterday."
"I see."
Silence stretched.
"The transaction logs?" I asked.
"Yes, of course," she said—then hesitated. "But… how will you review them, my lady?"
Before I could answer, a soft red glow pulsed from my desk. Inside a closed box.
The brooch.
Why was he calling so early?
"That's the Duke calling," Lauren said quietly.
"I can see that," I replied. "Leave the files on the table. We can discuss commissions in the morning."
She set them down carefully. "There's additional information from Madame Calire as well—the feedback from the last three months."
"I'll review it later."
She nodded and hurried for the door.
Once she was gone, I exhaled and let the weight of the day slide off my shoulders. I crossed to the desk, opened the box, and lifted the brooch, brushing my thumb across its surface.
"Hello, Father."
"Enia's graces, Iris—what happened to you?" His voice rushed through at once. "I've been calling since yesterday!"
"My mistake. I wasn't near the brooch," I said, scratching absently at my neck.
"I keep telling you to carry it with you," he sighed.
"Anyway—how is the Prince's stay?"
I opened my mouth, ready to complain.
Then paused.
"Nothing eventful has happened," I said at last. "Sir Carl and Madam Rosie are handling their responsibilities very efficiently. Excessive maybe."
"And you?" he asked, amusement threading his voice.
"Me?. I've dined with him twice. I'll likely have breakfast with him tomorrow. What else is expected of me?" I said dryly
"You play a vital role in making him feel more welcome, you know."
"Protecting him in our current situation should be enough," I replied. "Let us change the subject please."
He laughed softly. "Alright."
I sank into my chair. "Your children miss you. Gia especially. You know they're both leaving for LCI tomorrow morning."
"I know. I've been counting the days," he said gently. "And I miss you all too—even if you'll never admit it."
"You're wrong."
{I just won't admit it.}
"No, I'm not. I'll be back with you before you know it." His voice stayed steady. But softening.
"I know." I said.
{You've been saying for years now.}