Chapter 15

At the fifth morning, she woke up thinking, "How could he be there and come right on time? Is it that wrong to go out?"

A knock on the door snatched her back to reality. The reality which she became a house arrest.

A servant came in with a bowl of chicken porridge. She glistened. Grizsha note for the breakfast was: I know you probably miss Vanra culinary. I hope this will give you joy. I used the Degea salt too. She giggled. She felt not too bad with the whole house arrest.

Meanwhile, Iowyrthe was discussing the new criminals yesterday. Callavan was not a big city, people know people around. However, yesterday was proof that they need some extra protection. Apparently, the criminals yesterday came from Zangren sea, they were pirates. They went ashore in Troika and climb up to Callavan. They faked their identity to get some money, not knowing that Callavan was knowing their Duke well. Not every area has a just and kind ruler who care about their citizen.

Callavan had no fix taxes. No written rules about it too. They pay as according to their capacity. Some not paying in form of money, some just pay in food source or any other good that deemed worthy. The money gathered usually use for the citizen and not for paying knights or for the Duke. Iowyrthe paid the knights from his mining business and sometimes their expedition also gave them fortune. Iowyrthe also have won few battles and rewarded handsomely.

However, apparently it has made an opportunity for a crime like yesterday. The pirates remark on taxes by the Duke became make sense when there's no actual rule for that. He was currently thinking about that. Thanks to the "culprits" who sneaked out yesterday.

Actually yesterday, by the time the Princess and the boys walked past the training barracks, Iowyrthe was currently training with his swords. Then he heard them giggling and talking about the market and he decided to follow them out of curiosity. But when he found out that they doing so much fun with him, he was angry. Apparently after all the bullying, she looked like she was just happy. Iowyrthe afraid that she will get too comfortable in Callavan, therefore he decided to arrest her during her days off and expect that she will get mad.

Back to Iris in her room, she started to get bored with only some books and sleep. But a lunch come with another note with sloppy writings. "Princess Iris, please look at the window."

When she looked out from the window, all the orphans were there and gave her a wave. They looked so happy. Apparently, Miss Paulette allow them to play with kite while they learn about the wind. She saw that the boys okay as if nothing happened yesterday. She also saw Rhea using the scrunchy they bought from the market.

"Are you guys okay?" She shouted. She didn't have time to take care their wound from the fight with the tugs if there's any. Nicholos, Judah, and Iowyrthe was there the whole time.

"We are strong Princess Iris, don't need to worry." Elijah shouted back.

"Princess Iris, thank you for the scrunchy." Rhea shouted.

When she was about to shout back, a loud voice from the study, "Why is it so loud here!?" Apparently Iowyrthe was there in the study beside Princess's room and annoyed by that. Most part was because he kept thinking why this Princess was looking so comfortable and happy even in the house arrest.

"Children let's head back. We don't want to annoyed the Duke." Miss Paulette gathered them and lead them back to the orphanage. The children went with sad face. Some of them murmured about how the Duke was so cruel with them and the Princess. They knew from the other day, that the Duke won't even come inside and have a roasted chicken lunch with them and the Princess.

Iris was sad all of the sudden. She knew he was a bully. But a bully should have a limit of being annoying.

In the next morning, she was hoping that Miss Paulette will take the children outside again. It was one source of her happiness. Interacting with children was surely special. But no, since it was colder outside. It was started of winter. Callavan with its cold climate and winter can be pretty brutal. To think of that, Iris also needed to survive that harsh cold weather.

When Selma were about to deliver the food to Iris's room, her step was stopped by Iowyrthe.

"What is that?"

"The food for Princess Iris, Your Highness."

"No, that." He pointed to some paper on the tray.

"Ah, it is notes and drawing from the children for her, Your Grace."

He took and read one of that. It said for her to came to the orphanage to play after she is free and drawing about the monster Duke. He wanted to take it all, but it will danger his reputation in front of the maid and if the children know, it would be embarrassing. Although, he wanted her to suffer, he didn't want to hurt his pride as well.

Hearing the dialogue outside, Judah came out and suddenly said, "Ah, what about asking the Princess. Maybe she has some idea."

"Hey wait, what…" But Judah already knocking with Selma.

"Good morning, Your Grace. Please enjoy your food." Selma greeted her.

"Thank you."

"Princess, The Duke want to ask you something."

"Wh…" his word cut by the Princess.

"Pardon me, Marquis Kvasir. Isn't this day my day off to talk with him or meet him. Please respect your promise." The door was closed.

All three of them at the door was gasped. The two knights were also surprised.

Iowyrthe? Well, he clenched his fist and went off to his room.