102 Chapter 101

[Third Person's PoV]

Cid strolled towards the VIP booth for the tournament, holding the ticket Claire had given him before her disappearance.

As he observed the opulence, he thought, 'It's truly luxurious,' While looking at the red theater seats against the gleaming gold walls that offered a perfect view of the arena.

Taking his seat, Cid turned and, as anticipated, found Iris sitting beside him.

"Ah, you're Cid Kaguno, just the person I was looking for," Iris said, pleased.

Cid raised a brow. "You were looking for me?"

"Since I heard from Claire that she gave her ticket to you, I decided to arrive here earlier than scheduled and wait. I didn't expect you to arrive so early as well," Iris explained.

In the private booth, with only the two of them, Iris initiated a casual conversation before delving into planned topics.

Curious, she inquired, "Why are you here so early?"

Cid, wearing a fake smile, lied, "Well, my sister is participating in the tournament. I arrived early to show her my support."

Understandingly, Iris nodded, "I can relate to wanting to support siblings."

While listening, Cid thought, 'I was bored and just decided to wait it out here until they call for my name.'

"Anyways, I shouldn't delay this any further," Iris said, bowing her head toward Cid, who raised a brow at her action.

"What are you doing?" Cid asked.

"First off, I apologize for the way my subordinates have treated you in the past and for thinking you were responsible for the kidnapping of my little sister.

What you experienced shouldn't have happened; it was a result of my negligence, and for that, I apologize. If you want any form of compensation, please let me know, and I will see what I can do."

Hearing genuine regret in her tone, Cid inwardly groaned, but outwardly sighed, "Please stop bowing your head. You're a princess; it would be weird if people came in and saw you like that. As for compensation, just forget about it. I really have no need for any of that."

"Does that mean you accept my apology?" she asked with a hopeful expression.

Inwardly groaning again at her expression, Cid replied, "Yeah, I do. Just forget about it, and let's move on."

Iris sighed in relief before her expression turned serious, "So when are you going to marry my sister?"

Cid was caught off guard and looked at Iris in surprise, "What?"

Gritting her teeth in anger, Iris exclaimed, "I know you have been intimately involved with my sister."

""This is a serious matter that involves the reputation of the Royal Family. It's one thing to go out with someone and spend time together, and it's another to have s-s-s… to do the deed," Iris stuttered, unable to say the word "sex" without turning into a blushing mess due to its vulgarity.

Cid hid a smirk, looking at her with an amused expression before facepalming. "I'm sorry for being blunt and for how rude I'm going to sound, but that isn't any of your concern, Princess. The topic of marriage should be something that is discussed between Alexia and me.

"We have only recently started going out. We will talk about the topic of marriage when we reach that point. So please drop it," Cid stated firmly.

Iris looked annoyed before biting her lip in a pondering manner. She then looked directly into Cid's eyes and asked seriously, "Just answer me honestly, do you have plans to marry her in the foreseeable future?"

Detecting worry within her gaze, Cid answered honestly, "Yes."

Iris studied him closely, noting his eyes, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice. She concluded, 'He's not lying,' before nodding her head.

"Very well, I'll drop this topic for the time being. But be warned, should you end up hurting her in any possible way, I will dedicate my entire life towards making you pay. I don't care what price I would have to pay to do it, but I won't forgive you if anything happens to her because of you," Iris warned sternly.

Cid rolled his eyes at her before leaning back in his seat, getting comfortable.

Seeing his reaction, a tick mark appeared on Iris's head. "I'm serious, you know!"

"I know, that's why I rolled my eyes. There was no need to make threats like that," Cid retorted.

Iris scoffed, crossing her arms with an angered expression. "Of course there was a need. You're going to be my brother-in-law. I at least had to warn you in case you had plans of hurting Alexia. After all, she's still learning and is a naive girl who still needs her big sister's protection."

Cid looked at Iris with a weird expression. "No, she doesn't– Wait a minute, I see what's going on here," he said, his tone teasing towards the end.

"What?" she asked, arms still crossed, as she noticed Cid's teasing smirk.

"You're a sis-con, and you're worried I'm going to take Alexia away from you," Cid teased.

Iris grew red in the face, pointing at him with a shaky finger. "N-N-No, I'm not! If anyone's a sis-con, it's you! I mean, you came super early when there's barely anyone around just to come and support your sister and watch her!"

Cid scoffed. "You're goddamn right I am."

"Wha–" Iris looked at Cid in shock, not expecting him to admit it; at most, she expected him to completely deny it.

Cid then looked at her with a teasing smirk once again as he shrugged his shoulders. "I never said being a sis-con was a bad thing. You were just the one that assumed it was. Although I really didn't need it, my sister has tried to look out for me her entire life, even if most of the time it was me looking after her.

Even if I didn't need it, it's the thought that counts, which is why since she has asked me to come and support her, I would gladly do it," Cid explained.

A look of understanding overcame Iris as she gazed at Cid with a bit more admiration.

Cid smirked, noticing she wasn't aware more people were entering the booth.

"I think I get it," Iris said, still nodding with her eyes closed. "You're right, I am a sis-con!" she proudly declared, unaware of the audience around her.

Snickering erupted, and Iris opened her eyes to see Cid covering his mouth, trying desperately not to laugh. Confused, she looked around and realized everyone had heard what she said, causing her face to turn red in shame.

"You set me up!" she whispered in a shouting tone, sinking in her seat to avoid being looked at.

Cid simply leaned back, put his arm on the armrest, and laid his hand underneath his chin as he looked at her with a smirk.

He leaned over and whispered, "Then next time, don't threaten me. I don't deal with threats very well," before reclining back in his seat and focusing ahead towards the arena as more people started entering.