Today, Iris had ventured into Citis’s office at the Magic Palace. Citis was a court magician, one of the select few given the title due to their exceptional skills in handling various magical duties directly within the court. As such, he had his own office and a personal door within the palace, painted blue.
Iris had a burning question for Citis.
Prince Brule had agreed to receive the vaccine. Now, Iris was concerned about Citis’s lover also getting vaccinated.
In the game, both Brule and Citis’s lovers had died before the story began, and this trauma was a deep emotional scar for them. In the game, the heroine would heal these wounds, initiating romance. But if there were no scars, perhaps romance wouldn’t blossom at all. As the designated villainess, Iris was supposed to hinder the heroine’s path to love.
While it wasn’t certain that they would die from pox, if there was a chance to prevent Meriba sprouts—a potential cause of their demise—she wanted to crush it. That left Citis’s lover. The problem was that Iris didn’t know who Citis’s lover was.
Determined, Iris had come to verify who Citis’s lover was.
Seated demurely in the office’s reception area, Iris was soon attended by several fairies who brought a tea set brimming with tea.
After thanking the fairies, who tugged playfully on her hair before flitting away joyfully, Iris couldn’t help but feel endeared.
“So, what brings you here?” Citis asked, curious about her sudden visit.
Iris composed herself, adopting a serious demeanor. “I have a question for you, Lord Citis, something I couldn’t ask in front of others, hence my visit.”
“Please, ask away,” Citis responded with a smile, expecting another intriguing topic from the inventive young lady. But he was not prepared for what came next.
“Lord Citis, you have a lover, don’t you?”
Choked by the direct question, Citis coughed awkwardly. “That is—”
“You don’t?” Iris pressed.
“No, that’s not what I mean,” Citis hesitated, never having publicly acknowledged having a lover. They never appeared together socially either. Yet, how did this girl come to probe so persistently?
Seeing Citis falter, Iris looked at him intently, desperate for answers.
Could Citis’s lover be someone he cannot openly claim? Maybe a forbidden love? His previous girlfriend could have been possible… Citis had no siblings, and his mother had passed away—could it be his father? No, his father was alive after the game’s timeline. Could it be a predilection for younger girls? That would align with his interest in Camille, who was ten years younger. If his previous girlfriend was also a decade younger, that would be criminal… unless, in a game, it’s considered safe? Still, a crime.
“Lord Citis, do you prefer younger women?”
“I don’t particularly dislike them, but—”
Standing abruptly, Iris leaned forward intensely.
“How young is acceptable for you? Two years younger? Five? Ten?”
“Miss Iris, what are you suggesting?”
“I’m fine with keeping secrets! Even if you prefer girls ten years younger, which might be criminal, I won’t tell anyone as long as you wait until they’re of age!”
“What are you talking about?”
Iris’s interrogation from across the table left Citis rattled.
Could Iris be harboring feelings for him? While he was flattered, it was also troubling. He had a lover, and Iris was still a child—and moreover, she was the object of the second prince’s affection.
“Lord Citis, please tell me the truth!”
Driven by desperation, Citis responded reflexively.
“I do have a lover! However, she dislikes social settings, so I haven’t made it public.”
Silenced by Citis’s admission, Iris sank back into the sofa.
Would she cry? Could he have let her down more gently? Citis felt awkward watching her.
Iris clenched her fists.
“I did it…”
She muttered softly, a victory under her breath that Citis couldn’t understand.
“Lord Citis, I have a request. Please ask your lover to receive the vaccine.”
Iris bowed deeply.
“With the recent events, I believe the inhalation of this vaccine, though still regarded as folk medicine, will be accepted among the nobility. However, I suspect many noblewomen might fear it. I came to ask if you could persuade her.”
Citis wondered why Iris would care so much about someone else’s lover.
“Why would you go to such lengths, Miss Iris?”
“I don’t want to see you saddened,” Iris said, looking him squarely in the eye.
Citis, perplexed, furrowed his brows.
“You really are incomparable, Miss Iris…”
He laughed weakly, slightly embarrassed by his earlier misunderstanding.
“There’s no need to worry about that. She has already been vaccinated.”
Relieved, Iris’s face brightened, her green curls bouncing as she looked up.
“Really? Thank you!”
As Citis watched her joy, he couldn’t help but admire her genuine kindness.
“Miss Iris, you are truly as virtuous as a Holy Maiden.”
“Please, don’t ever say such things, even in jest, Lord Citis!”
Iris implored earnestly, flustered by his words.
