“Iris, let’s visit Prince Rezeda shortly after this,” Citis proposed, to which Iris inadvertently frowned.
“Why…?”
“Why, you ask? This was originally a request from His Highness, so we have a standing agreement to report to him occasionally.”
“That’s unexpected…”
Iris murmured without thinking.
“Unexpected?” Citis inquired, prompting Iris to hurriedly cover up.
“No, well, I thought it would be shameful to trouble His Highness with such requests. And, well, there’s also the matter of my attire.”
“I think His Highness would be pleased though?”
Citis smiled brightly, causing Iris’s face to contort.
“Is that so?”
“Besides, we need to discuss the blessing.”
Persuaded by Citis, Iris reluctantly agreed to go to Rezeda.
Leaving the Magic Palace was simple. The large white door led outside.
Upon exiting the Magic Palace, they headed to the greenhouse where they had previously held a tea party. Inside, the maid had already prepared the table, and Rezeda seemed to be inspecting the flowers.
Through the glass of the greenhouse, the light shone on the flowers, making Rezeda appear even more radiant. Her pale pink hair shimmered like dewy flower petals, framing her porcelain-smooth cheeks. Iris felt intimidated by her terrifying beauty, as if the true artistry of nature was being flaunted before her.
Upon recognizing Iris, Rezeda smiled like a blooming flower, her beauty reminiscent of the Spirit of the Rose. Frankly, she was too beautiful, perhaps even the king of flowers couldn’t stand beside her.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Miss Iris.”
Overwhelmed by his too-handsome appearance, Iris almost stumbled. The bell around her neck jingled, and she instinctively gripped it.
“Thank you very much for your considerate arrangements.”
Iris expressed her sincere gratitude. She had enjoyed her time at the Magic Palace.
“I’m glad you’re pleased. Please, this way.”
Rezeda personally escorted her. Despite her confusion, Iris took a seat on a white chair in the greenhouse. The maid brewed some fragrant tea.
Perhaps because Citis was there, or because they had common topics, the conversation flowed more smoothly than last time. Iris reported that she had received a Fairy’s blessing.
Rezeda’s eyes widened.
“Miss Iris received a blessing…?”
Citis quietly nodded.
“Can you see Fairies, Miss Iris?”
“Yes.”
“I still can’t see them.”
Rezeda looked frustrated.
“Is that even possible?”
“It’s very rare… perhaps only a Holy Maiden could.”
Both looked at Iris. The maid also looked at her. Iris shivered and leaned back in her chair.
No way!
“There’s a chance Iris could become a Holy Maiden?”
Rezeda sounded perplexed.
“No! That’s not possible! There’s not a trace of magical power in my family!”
Iris firmly denied it. She shook her head vigorously, and her chestnut rolls swayed from side to side. A small voice said she felt dizzy, but Iris didn’t notice.
“Currently, I don’t sense any magical power in Miss Iris. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We can’t be sure until the assessment at sixteen…”
As Citis finished speaking, one of Iris’s green chestnut rolls moved slightly. When Iris looked surprised, a Fairy that had snuck into her chestnut roll smiled at her.
(Iris has no magic, right? But, there’s a scent… a holy scent.)
“A holy scent?”
Upon hearing the Fairy’s whisper, Iris asked again, prompting Rezeda and Citis to look at her curiously.
Iris became flustered.
“What do you mean by a ‘holy scent’?”
Citis’s glasses glinted.
“Ah, a Fairy has followed me…”
She nervously lifted one of her chestnut rolls to show Citis. Citis leaned in close to look at Iris’s hair. Rezeda frowned unhappily, as he still couldn’t see the Fairy.
Recognizing the Fairy, Citis sighed in exasperation.
The Fairy jumped out of the green hair and lightly touched Iris’s left hand. Her blouse sleeve fluttered.
(It smells from here, like the presence of a Holy Maiden.)
“Miss Iris, may I look at your left arm?”
“Of course, you may.”
Citis took her left hand, rolled up the sleeve of her blouse, and then, curiously, put his nose close to smell her skin.
“What!?”
Iris was shaken by his rude behavior. She didn’t want to be scrutinized or smelled like that. She was seen as a child, which was probably why he felt he could do it, but it was embarrassing for her.
“Citis, that’s too much,” Rezeda said sternly.
Citis came to his senses.
“My apologies, Miss Iris. But all I can smell is a nice fragrance.”
Iris’s face turned as red as a boiled octopus. To have her body odor sniffed and then casually commented on was just too much.
Delicacy! Do your job! I understand that we’re far apart in age, but I am a teenage maiden, after all!
Citis looked curiously at the Fairy. The Fairy pouted unhappily.
(Because, it’s true! I’m not lying!)
Iris, after a moment of thought, spoke up.
“I’m using a somewhat unusual oil. That might be why.”
The oil was Camellia Oil, crafted by the heroine, the Holy Maiden Camille. In the game, it was said to be imbued with holy power.
“Oil?”
“Yes. It’s rumored to help with scars, and I’m using Camellia Oil on mine. Maybe the person who makes it has some kind of power?”
Iris saw this as a perfect opportunity to inform them about Camille.
If she hinted that Camille might be Citis’s sister, he would likely investigate further and would not fall in love with her.
If Rezeda had met Camille before engaging with Iris, perhaps the engagement would never have happened. Then, they could marry properly, and Iris wouldn’t have to suffer.
Please, let this work!
“Could you tell me more?”
Citis’s glasses sparkled.
“There’s Camellia Oil in town that’s becoming famous for reducing scars, and I use it too. A girl my age there helps refine it. Strangely, that oil alone is highly effective.”
“However… she’s a commoner. It’s hard to believe she’s a Holy Maiden.”
Citis pondered, placing his hand on his chin. All previous Holy Maidens had noble blood. Holy Maidens are usually selected from among several candidates by the age of fifteen and summoned to a school for evaluation.
Indeed, Camille also had Citis’s father’s blood and likely possessed magical power, which was why she would come to the school as a candidate.
This is a crucial moment, a life-or-death decision!
“I saw her once, a beautiful girl with blue hair… somewhat resembling a magician, sir. Do you know of any distant relatives? Her father’s background is unknown.”
Iris braced herself for Citis’s disapproval, knowing she had taken a bold step.
I’m prepared to be scolded! I must prevent the capital from burning!
Citis frowned.
“Could you tell me the shop? I’d like to visit.”
“Yes!”
Yes! He believes me!
Iris felt relieved.
