Escort

-----Kaede's POV

Iris: "So. You're the one that came from the same world as my daughter?"

Kaede: "Yes."

With Yui and her mother now calmed down, the conversation inevitably turned to me. I didn't expect Yui to talk about our past, but if it's come to this, then I have no reason to hold anything back.

Iris: "And that's why she followed you out here to Azalea? Because of your connection in a past life?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Iris: "You must've been close. A simple friend wouldn't jump into danger like that."

Kaede: "Yes. We're partners."

Iris: "Partners?"

Yui: "Wait! Let me explain."

Fair enough. She is Yui's mother. It'd be better to hear this from her own daughter.

Yui: "Kaede and I... Were lovers in our past life."

Iris: "What?"

This scene reminds me of when Yui first brought me over to her house back in the old world. Her parents back then had the same reaction that Iris has right now. I can't help but smile as I witness this yet again.

Yui: "It's exactly as it sounds."

Iris: "Lovers... So you're saying you still harbor those same feelings, even now?"

Yui: "Yes."

Iris: "This, might complicate things..."

I had a feeling this would turn out differently than in our past life. Yui isn't part of just a normal family, but a high ranking family, second only to the royal family. Yui's practically a princess and now she's trying to claim someone like me, someone of the same sex even, as her partner. Of course it'd complicate things.

Yui: "Why is that? Are you saying I can't be with Kaede?"

Iris: "If I didn't hear your story before, I would scold you for saying something like this. But I see now. It's why it's complicated."

Judging from her demeanor, Yui's mother seems to be racking her head over something. But after some time, she opens her mouth.

Iris: "Can I be certain that everything I say from here onwards remains in this room. And everything I say will be kept secret?"

Her expression was serious as her eyes were staring directly into my soul.

Kaede: "Yes."

Iris: "Alice. Could you stand by the door and make sure no one overhears?"

Alice: "Certainly."

She moves over to the door, placing herself against it as she listens.

Alice: "All clear."

Iris: "Alright... Ellen."

She directs her attention to Yui who's still sitting next to her on the bed.

Iris: "Our family's relationship with this kingdom's royal family, the Ardford's, has become quite volatile. The king plans for his son, Leon to marry you in order to gain control over our family. Your father and I have been working around the king to make sure this doesn't happen, but we'll run out of time by the end of the year with prince Leon's crowning ceremony."

What the hell? I knew something big was going to be brought up, but not something like this! To hell with that! Like I'm just going to let Yui marry someone else. Sure Leon is respectable and I'm sure he probably has no idea about this, but this still pisses me off.

Yui: "But I-"

Iris: "I know. We don't plan on letting that happen. It's why I've been working behind the scenes, garnering as much support as I can so that we can leave this place before things take a turn for the worst."

Yui: "What do you mean?"

Iris: "I've been in contact with the Queen of Yarene-"

What! That's the place that we were planning to go. Talk about coincidence.

Yui: "Yarene?!"

Iris: "Yes. I've become a valuable asset to her because of my support. She's agreed to take us in before the crowning ceremony, along with all of our people. Of course, this will be a huge loss to Inasdale, so a war might become a big possibility. As such, she's agreed to grant me the title of Duchess of Yarene as long as we continue to support her if that war does in fact happen."

This is all too much, right? I can only imagine what's going through Yui's head right now. Being told that she'll be forced to marry, but by running off to Yarene, will inevitably spark a war between the two kingdoms.

Yui: "I-"

Iris: "I know. It's a lot to take in. I've been planning this for years now, but I couldn't tell you until the last possible moment. I'm sorry about hiding this, but please understand."

Yui: "I was actually thinking of going to Yarene anyways!"

Iris: "Eh?"

Yui: "Yes. Kaede has a family member heading there as we speak. And we were thinking of going there at some point."

Kaede: "It's true."

Iris: "So you two had your sights on Yarene too? Hehe~ Must run in the family."

Yui: "Mhmm!"

Iris: "Now you might be thinking what the Queen of Yarene is like. She doesn't have a son at the moment, only 2 daughters. So you won't have to worry about the chance of a political marriage. If that does end up happening, Fabian would have to step up."

Yui: "What if Fabian doesn't want to?"

Iris: "I'm sure the Queen will find someone else suitable. She's not a tyrant like King Ardford."

Hearing Iris calling the king a "tyrant" only makes me trust her even more. I definitely didn't like him the moment I laid eyes on him.

Yui: "Th-then... When do we leave?"

Iris: "Hehe. I'm glad to see that you're eager. But I still have some business to do before then. I'd like to take as much as I can from under the king's nose."

Now she's looking like some kind of demon, wanting to take everything she can. I have no problem with that, and in fact-

Kaede: "I'd like to help."

Iris: "Hmm?"

For the first time coming into this world, I bend a knee to Yui's mother, bowing my head.

Kaede: "I ask to be of assistance to you. Whether it be a bodyguard, or a maid, or whatever. I'd like to pledge my loyalty to you."

Alice: "Kaede?"

I have no idea what I'm saying is right or not. I'm just saying something straight out of one of those fantasy drama shows I watched back in my past life.

Iris: "I'm thankful. But you don't need to take a knee. You're my daughter's partner, right? As long as you protect her, that's all I can ask of you."

Kaede: "Yes! I'll do my best."

Iris: "But if you want to be of use, then I'll happily take you under as a bodyguard. You're the champion of the tournament after all. Having someone like you protecting our family, I couldn't ask for anything more of you."

Kaede: "Yes! I'll be honored."

Yui: "What?!"

Don't worry Yui, everything will turn out okay. With this, I can remain close to you without worries. She even acknowledged me as your partner. I'm over the moon right now.

Kaede: "Wait!"

Iris: "What is it?"

Kaede: "What about the other's here. Fleur and Faye. Could I talk about this with them?"

Iris: "Ah~ I know them. They're the ones that have helped smuggle supplies out of the Inasdale kingdom to Yarene. They'll also be relocating to Yarene with us."

What? So then why didn't they- Oh right. They probably were keeping it a secret just like what Iris is telling us to do. It makes sense now that they already knew of Yarene's existence when Lilith brought it up.

Iris: "We still have time, but if you want anyone else to join us, let me know."

Yui: "Then what about Luna and her family?"

Iris: "Already on it. Of course they don't know the details. But they've agreed to take our side when the time comes. Luna's a dear friend of yours, so I wouldn't want to separate you two forever and potentially fight in the oncoming war."

Kaede: "May I ask something?"

Iris: "Sure."

Kaede: "How is Yarene going to fit everyone?"

I'm just imaging an extreme amount of people suddenly coming into Yarene. Surely it would get cramped.

Iris: "The Queen has already established our own piece of land just outside the main city. It'll be larger than the territory we have currently here in Inasdale, so there shouldn't be a problem."

If this has been planned for years, then it'd make sense why, considering how much Yarene has to build in order to take Iris in. This just goes to show how much the Queen of Yarene values Iris... It's quite astonishing now that I think about it. Yui, you have quite an awesome mother in this life as well. I'm jealous.

Alice: "Footsteps."

Iris: "Alright. That'll be it for now. Please keep everything I said here a secret please."

With that, the meeting finished. Despite the emotional visit when Iris first arrived, everyone was now tense at all the news that had just been dropped. In hindsight, it would've been safer if Iris had just sent me outside for that talk. It makes me happy to see her place her trust me me like that. I'll make sure to not break it. But then again, if I were to be sent out, then Yui would've for sure lose herself.

We head back downstairs as everyone stiffened up at Iris' presence once more.

Iris: "I won't force you to, considering you'll be returning tomorrow, but would you like to come back now with us?"

Yui now looks at me for a moment, smiling before she faces her mother once more

Yui: "Mmm. I'll stay here for a bit longer."

Iris: "I see. If it's because of Kaede, she can also come with us."

Mell: "No!"

Suddenly, Mell tackles into me as she wraps her arms around my waist.

Iris: "Oh? And who's this little one."

Mell: "M-Mell..."

Iris: "Hehe, don't worry. I won't take her away from you."

I thought Yui wanted to stay because of her unusually link to me, but maybe she just wanted me to spend some more time with Mell, Sicily and Lillian.

Iris: "Ellen. Be sure to come home when you return."

Yui: "Mm! I promise, mom."

Iris: "Good. Then we'll be off now."

Alice: "And you'll be in for a hell of a punishment when you return, haha."

Yui: "Mm! Looking forward to it."

Alice: "Fufu~ I'll see you soon then."

The moment both Iris and Alice left, the room became normal again as people began to chatter once more. After hearing about what's happening between Iris and the king, it makes sense now that people all the way out here in Azalea treat her like she's royalty. I wonder what it'll be like...