Chapter 39

That morning felt new for Iris. She woke up to an indescribable feeling. Her heart felt empty. She felt lost.

"Is it another new day that I have to survive? How could I?" She knew she won't die of a heartbreak, but the experiences were still the same. Although she forgot all the stories before, the feeling of the heartbreak was so familiar. The memory erased. The scars healed. Except, the scars in her heart. It remains.

Doctor June came that morning to bring her the blood enhancer and the Euntaras essence. She waited in the chamber to check on her after the decision procession. Chan and Taek opened the chamber door for her. She wore a broken white dress with a soft pink flower ornament. Her hair was ponytailed with flower accessories that match the dress. Her steps were soft almost like she's flying rather than walking. She looked nervous when she entered the room. That day seems particularly gloomy for her. She didn't have any hope that day.

They did the procession in the Emperor Study. It was smaller than the hall, so easy to manage. It was near Iris chamber. The Emperor and the Empress sitting in the front, facing the entrance door. Some officials were on the left as the witness. The Crown Prince was standing on the right side, along with Marquis Kvasir and Sir Thomas. Nicholos, Chan, and Taek was guarding the door with some of the Royal Knights. They really made the meeting private.

Iowyrthe standing in front of the Emperor and Empress with his honey gold hair sparkled when the light touch. That was the first thing that Iris noticed in the whole room. He stood tall with his black formal attire and cape. His back was sturdy. Iris thought how that back was the one protected her most of the time here in Lleuelyn. This will be the last time she sees it. She closed her eyes to preserve that image in her memory.

First, they must listen to the report that Marquis wrote. Judah read it cheerfully and made the room brighten. Iris smiled hearing all those memories. It was bittersweet. All other was act like hearing a cute love story. Included the Emperor and Empress.

Then, the Emperor said, "Well, I actually didn't hope to hear such a change in my nephew. At first, I only hope that he will consider this to strengthen the relationship between the two country. We have arranged numerous engagements for him, but none like this. I feel like, we finally arrange something not only for duty but for their own happiness. She is the one who stay until the very last day of 13th day of engagement. Before, no one. No one. Now, my hope was growing. Let's hear what are they going to say. Iowyrthe maybe you go first."

Iowyrthe wasn't prepared to hear that people actually see him different. Well, maybe he felt different, he thought, but he confused at the moment. He just realized that she is the one that ever stay until this decision day. She wasn't weak. She is strong. At that particular moment, when he saw her black opal hair and eyes, the time stopped. Not because he does his time freeze skill, but something, something very different than just skill.

"I… I…" Iowyrthe stuttered.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. May I go first?"

"Oh sure."

Iris took a deep breath, and said, "I… I decided not to go with this relationship, Your Majesty." Everybody else started murmuring. Empress was gasping. Their faces were asking why.

"Let me explain. I know that the Duke didn't love me. It will cause harm for me and the Duke. However, I know also that this will cause damaged for the country relationship. Therefore, I propose the pact to continue. Just think of me as one of Musou Ambassador. I only ask for one thing, let me stay here. I didn't need much place. Just a small land enough. That's my opinion and proposal, Your Majesty."

Iowyrthe heart shattered. He pulled Iris shoulder made her faced him. "Why?"

A black shadow moved in a flash. A dagger was about to stab. Iris pushed Iowyrthe with all her might, but it's too late for her to avoid the attack. Her hands tried to stop the gushing blood but only to prevail. She was still conscious but her body staggered and collapsed to the floor. Iowyrthe stopped the time. This time with all his might. He embraced Iris in her arms. Other were freeze, only two of them can move. The blood gushed even more.

"What are you doing? Why you did this?" His voice broken. His chest was heavy. He felt his heart shattered even more.

Iris smiled faintly, "Your Highness once ask, what can I do for you, this is one thing that I can do."

Iowyrthe carried her. She began to lose consciousness, as he started walking with her head leaning on his chest. Her dress was tainted red. Iowyrthe panicked. All other were still freeze. He took her to the chamber passing through people standing. He didn't even know he can expand his skill this strong.

Moment by moment passed, Iris saw Iowyrthe eyes and hair with her blurry sight. She wanted to savour it to every last bit of memory. There was an old song in real world which said, "To die by your side, Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine." She couldn't achieve her goal to survive in a spur of moment. Let alone she knows the purpose of this story. But that's alright she thought, it was a rare chance to die in the arm she loved the most in the story.

When he reached the chamber, Iris already completely unconscious due the blood loss. Doctor June was luckily still in the chamber. He touched June to rid the time freeze effect after Iris was laid in her bed. June was in shock seeing Iris in blood loss. She quickly did aggressive life-saving treatment. She poured out the Euntaras essence in her wound. Iowyrthe called Metuselah and Metuselah teleported right away.

Iowyrthe stroked Iris pale face softly. He then quickly went back to the Emperor Study room. He unsheathed his sword and dropped his time freeze.

That's when the chaos started.