Princess Li Jia (2)

Iris was stunned, turning back to stare at Azura with wide eyes.

What did he think he was doing?!

Why did he suddenly grab her hand?

Were the grievances brought by her that deep to him?

The girl before him was stunned with his sudden movement as well, as her startled gaze drifted to the cloaked Iris.

In front of the two stunned people, Azura nonchalantly loosened his grip on her arm, still not letting go. He spoke indifferently, "Did I allow you to leave?"

".." Who did he think he was, for her to ask him permission to leave?

"You..."

"Who are you?"

Both the girls spoke at the same time. Iris turned to look at the girl in front of her, who was curiously and innocently looking at Iris.

The girl realized her mistake, and flusteredly rushed to correct herself.

"Oh, uh, I should introduce myself first. I'm Li Jia, the Princess of Milidonia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She even smiled at Iris, pretending to not notice the contact between her and Azura.

Princess of the the country West to Wistel, Milidonia.

Iris faintly remembered her. She just heard her name back when she was a princess once. She was known as a devastating beauty, truely it was correct.

But why was she here? Did she come here in her past life too?

Seeing that her reply was awaited, Iris pulled her hand harder, releasing herself from Azura's grip.

"Uh, Greetings to Princess. I am Iris Silcia, Prime Minister Silcia's...daughter."

"Oh, so you are Miss Iris, the one form the hunting competition? I've always wanted to meet you!" Li Jia cheerfully grabbed onto her cloak and beamed at her.

'Uh..."

Iris couldn't say anything anymore. What should she do now?

Behind the two girls, Azura who was ignored, squinted his eyes a little. His eyes submerged deeper, and on his usual cold face, appeared a faint trace of thoughtfulness.

Iris, who was being stared at by the innocent girl, immediately remembered her purpose for coming here.

Her mother!

"Princess, forgive this humble one, but this humble one has to leave, now!" Not allowing anytime for anything to happen, she hurriedly moved out the door, sending a piercingly cold glare at Azura before she left.

It was all because of him, this scumbag, that she couldn't get the medicine!

She was even belated!

And God knows where that useless shopkeeper went. Was he looking for a common fever herb, or was he out to sail across the seven seas, wanting to collect treasures?!

Damn!

And without a second to waste, Iris went back to the mansion.

She completely did not take into account the fact that Azura let her go so easily, despite the fact that he didn't allow her to leave before.

In the shop, only the two people were left with Iris's sudden leave.

The shadow guard beside Azura looked puzzled at his Master's weird way of thinking.

First he ordered him to do all that stuff, just for this coincidental meeting.

Then, he just talked to her a little, before easily letting her go?

In the end, what was his purpose for all of this?

Furthermore, he noticed that at one point, his Master suddenly turned somewhat dazed???

What was he planning?

Then, he remembered the Princess before him.

His Master always treated her with some favor, he even thought that his Master could only accept this princess into his mansion.

Yet suddenly, His Master recently developed an interest in this Young Lady.

So, his Master was two-timing?!

While the guard's thoughts ran wild, Azura elegantly started to walk out of the Shanglin Hall. His face had already regained his usual ice-cold self-disciplined disposition. He indifferently brushed the non existent dust on his clothes off, and walked out of the herb store, ignoring the little princess he was known to 'favor'.

"Your Highness!" Li Jia chased after the cold and detached man, her eyes sparkling brightly. Just before she started following him out, her eyes flashed with a crazed infatuation, which she quickly covered with an innocent and cheerful look.

The two royalties left the herb hall.

...

Iris arrived back at her mother's courtyard. She rushed inside, only to find her mother sitting on her bed eating her food, healthy as always.

Iris was surprised at the quick recovery.

She questioned her mother's only maid Avera, who answered that they had found some common fever herb and she had used it to make medicinal tea for Riya.

Iris didn't doubt her, and came back to sit with her mother. She started to nag at her for not maintaining her health. The mother and daughter chatted warmly a bit, before Riya fell asleep. She had yet to recover completely, after all.

Looking at her sleeping mother, Iris heaved a sigh of relief. Her mind drifted to the encounter with the two royals back at the Shanglin Hall. Her mood immediately became worse.

Standing behind Iris was Avera, who quickly noticed the change in her moods.

She wondered if it was something related to her Master.

That's right, Avera was a new maid assigned to Riya by The Matriarch. When in fact, she came to the mansion on Azura's orders, to act as his spy.

She was the one who gave Riya the medicine while Iris was away.

She silently sighed to herself.

Her Master, ah! He really is somebody normal people couldn't comprehend.

What was the point of all this drama?