18 - Iris

The banquet had ended successfully. She was able to talk to many of the Ladies and received invitations to come over. As the last Lady left, Anemone was given the rest of the day to herself. She decided to take a stroll towards the anemone field. Interacting with so many and using her lessons properly made her head ache.

As she rounded past the hedge, her gaze was drawn to the gazebo. There was still a lady staying. She frowned as she had never seen this one before. The lady wore a bright blue dress with her back towards her. She had short ink black hair that reached to her shoulders.

When Anemone reached the gazebo, the lady turned to face her with a smile. Shocked, Anemone stared with a start. The lady's eyes were blue like her fairy's. Her gaze went back to the hair and she thought it couldn't be the fairy as the fairy had blonde hair.

"Good afternoon, Lady...?"

The lady kept smiling at her for a minute before speaking. "I'm Lady Iris. You may call me Iris."

"Iris... You may call me Anemone then."

"Anemone?" The girl's pink lips curled into a frown. "Your name is really long. Let me call you Ane instead."

"Alright. I..." Anemone hesitated. "I didn't see you earlier with the other ladies?"

Iris brushed the left side of her bangs behind her hair, looking away. "I don't get along with the others. I've also been very ill," Iris coughed softly in her handkerchief. "I sat here instead. Ane, I hope you don't mind how weak I am."

Anemone smiled, reassuringly. "Not at all."

Iris took Ane's hands and pulled Ane to sit next to her. "Your hair is amazing. I love the color."

Anemone awkwardly touched her hair. "Um... this is my natural hair color..."

Iris's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh I'm sorry.. I've just never seen such a vivid color before."

Anemone nodded as she showed a strained smile. She felt it was weird that Iris's hands seemed like they were massaging hers. Iris then moved her hand to touch Ane's hair, only to lower down her bare neck. "I have my mother's hair..."

"Mmm?" Iris smiled as she leaned closer to her. Anemone thought she was too close as she could see the long black lashes of her eyes. Iris's bangs cover her left eye but at this distance, she could see both properly. Summery blue eyes that seemed to glow with an eerie light. Anemone felt Iris's hand slide down to her necklace, pulling it out.

"What a pretty gem this is. Where did you buy this?"

Anemone tried not to lean away. Iris's warm breath touched her cheek. "I got this from a friend. Why are you so close?" she asked.

"Oh? Ladies don't talk this close to each other?"

"No..." Iris moved away, combing her right bangs back behind her ear. A pink tinge colored her pale cheeks. Anemone adjusted her necklace and looked at her curiously. "Are you often sick? You don't talk to many of the ladies?"

"No, I don't talk to many... I rarely leave my house. My mother made me come here. You have a lovely garden." Iris smiled brightly at her. "Will you let me come often?"