“By the way, how long do you intend to keep holding my hand?”
Startled by Rezeda’s displeased voice, Iris let go of his hand. The bell jingled, and she instinctively grabbed it to silence the sound.
“It seems you’ve been concerned about the bell, is something the matter?”
Under his suspiciously perfect smile, Iris finally managed to respond while feeling pressured.
“I’m sorry. It’s a habit from the Magic Palace. The sound… it’s irritating to your ears, isn’t it?”
“Is that so? I find the sound very pleasant—it’s nice knowing you’re around.”
Unlike the conversation that hadn’t progressed last time, Rezeda was closing the distance aggressively. It was slightly frightening. Iris hastily averted her eyes.
“Is that so? I don’t really like it.”
“I thought you wore it because you liked it.”
“It’s only because my father wishes me to wear it.”
Hearing Iris’s response, Rezeda quietly chuckled, his eyes twinkling.
“Well then,”
Startled by Rezeda’s arm suddenly reaching towards her neck, Iris reflexively brushed off his hand, grabbed it, and twisted. It was a complete reflex; she didn’t have time to think.
“Ah! Iris… Miss? Could you let go of my hand?”
Twisting the prince’s arm had been a spinal reflex for Iris. She hastily released his hand and bowed deeply.
Why would you suddenly reach for a vital spot! It’s definitely His Highness’s fault, right?
However, he was not someone she could complain to. She had no choice but to resent the Chevalier family’s upbringing.
“I’m so sorry!”
“No, I also apologize for being sudden. It’s true to the Chevalier family name. Not only the son but also the daughter has been taught self-defense.”
Rezeda sighed, looking somewhat pitiful.
He must have realized at that moment that Iris was stronger than him, which must have wounded the pride of a prince, or rather, a boy his age.
“Please forgive me.”
Iris couldn’t even raise her head.
“It’s okay. But let me explain? If you dislike that bell, I thought I’d take it off for you.”
“You would do that, Your Highness?”
“Yeah. If I say it bothers me, the Marquis of Chevalier wouldn’t insist on you wearing it, right?”
Rezeda smiled mischievously, a smile not forced but appropriate for his age.
“That might be true, but…”
“Right? So, let me keep it. I’ll take it off for you. Is that okay?”
“That’s troubling you unnecessarily.”
“I want to do it. It’s more effective if I say I took it off myself, right?”
It was a smile befitting a king, leaving no room for argument.
Well, yes, that’s true…
Iris nodded without a word. Rezeda moved behind her. The fairy nestled in her vertical rolls looked displeased at the prince.
Rezeda parted Iris’s green hair. A black velvet ribbon on her white neck stood out strikingly.
His breath caught at her beauty, and he took a deep breath, pushed by feelings he had never experienced before, then held his breath as if embarrassed by his own actions.
He gently touched the knot of the ribbon. When he pinched the end of the ribbon, his fingertips briefly touched Iris’s neck, making her flinch slightly, a sensation he strangely found satisfying. The tight knot seemed to bind Iris as if it were her father, the Marquis of Chevalier himself, evoking both discomfort and envy.
With a quick pull, the choker came off with a sound.
“Thank you. I feel freed.”
Iris’s thanks satisfied Rezeda. He had freed his captive princess, a small sense of accomplishment.
Rezeda kept the choker in his hand and asked from behind Iris, thinking he still couldn’t ask her directly.
“May I call you Iris?”
Iris was shocked by Rezeda’s sudden question. In the game, Rezeda had never called Iris by her name without honorifics, nor had he ever done so with any young lady other than Camille.
What kind of development is this? Why would His Highness call me by name without honorifics?
Unable to refuse and unable to hide her confusion, she quietly nodded.
“Just call me Rezeda.”
“That would be too presumptuous.”
“Rezeda.”
Iris felt pressured by Rezeda’s presence behind her.
Is this some kind of trap? If I carelessly call him by name without honorifics, won’t I be accused of disrespect? I’d be accused, right?
“…Lord Rezeda?”
“Just Rezeda.”
Iris looked desperately at Citis for help.
“Your Highness, such a sudden change to informality might be too much. Miss Iris is a lady of noble descent. It’s natural for her to feel this is disrespectful. There’s no need to rush.”
With a smile, Citis gently advised, and Rezeda reluctantly nodded.
“Then, I hope you’ll call me by name eventually, Iris.”
Iris was confused.
What’s happening? This change is scary. Too scary.
She turned around to check on Rezeda.
But that was a mistake.
Ah! His handsome face was too close!
Iris quickly turned back and bowed her head, her neck flushing red.
“Uh, Prince Rezeda?”
“Prince?”
“…Does Lord Rezeda have a twin?”
“I think just you and your brother are enough as twins.”
Rezeda laughed, his lively laughter adding to Iris’s confusion.
“Thinking I’m a different person from last time? That was just a facade. No point using that with someone who can twist my arm.”
He’s holding a grudge, isn’t he? He’s teasing me with this!
Iris bowed her head even deeper, but her neck felt unbelievably light.
When Iris returned home, of course, she was scolded for losing her choker. However, as soon as she mentioned that Rezeda had it, her parents flipped their attitudes and celebrated.
“I knew Iris could do it!”
“Let’s celebrate!”
Her parents were too elated to hold a sensible conversation.
Such a swift reversal… Is it a hero’s bloodline that makes it so clean?
Iris was fed up. Nigel looked pained as he observed Iris’s condition.
“Are you okay with that, Iris? Having your choker taken by Prince Rezeda?”
It seemed Nigel misunderstood that Rezeda had forcefully taken the choker.
Iris replied in a small voice.
“Don’t tell father, but I hated that choker. I was glad His Highness took it.”
“Really?”
Nigel’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.
“Yes. It felt like a collar, a proof that I belonged to father. But now, I’m free.”
Seeing Iris’s relieved smile, Nigel looked like he might cry.
“What’s wrong, Nigel?”
“Sorry. I didn’t know you felt that way… I was a bit envious that father gave you such a special mark.”
Now it was Iris’s turn to be surprised.
Typical “Love’s Chain” Nigel… Already harboring a desire to be bound… No, that line sounded more like he wanted to be the one bound. Did he want the choker? In the game, he even put a chain on himself.
“Um… Nigel… If you wanted it, should I ask His Highness to return it and then give it to you?”
“That’s not what I meant. So, did His Highness give you another choker in exchange?”
“Of course not! I just got free, no joke!”
Denying vehemently, Nigel gave a wry smile.
“So you prefer to be free.”
“Of course. And Nigel, don’t tie down anyone you like either.”
This is a good chance to give some advice.
“But mother is happy about it.”
“Well, there are people like that, but if hearts are connected, you don’t need such things.”
“Really?”
“Yes! And it looks unconfident to show it off like that. It’s old-fashioned.”
“I guess. Maybe it’s old-fashioned.”
Nigel seemed convinced.
Iris felt a little relieved.
Tattoos or conspicuous chains are honestly scary. I hope Nigel experiences a normal romance!
Iris resolved to continue imparting a conventional view of love to Nigel.
“But I also wanted to go to the Magic Palace.”
“Well, it might be difficult for you, Nigel. They say it repels knights.”
“But you’re fine even though you’re not a knight?”
“I’m a lady, remember?”
Nigel laughed, remembering.
