Chapter 16

At 10.00 AM in the morning Judah went to the study. There were already Iowyrthe and Sir Thomas.

"Jude, I want to consult."

"Waaaw, Sir Thomas what you serve him? All of a sudden wanted to consult me? Ckckck…" Judah commented cynically.

"Jude, please."

"Alright, what is it?"

"How to get rid of her? How to make her run from here?" Sir Thomas and Marquis Judah took a deep breath. Iowyrthe continued, "Why is she so happy here? Why the children love her more than me? I am the who feed them!"

"Sir Thomas," Judah acted sad, "I am so sad. I am as his friend, I can't… I can't tell him to act humble. I am just an incapable Marquis who can tamed his own friend." Judah sobbed mocking Iowyrthe.

"Pardon me, Marquis Judah Kvasir. I was wrong, I raised him wrongly. As the butler, I was… This is… This is my fault." Sir Thomas bowed throwing an ultimate kill to the Duke.

"Isssh…"

"Isssh? You said isshh? You know, hearing your sentence about making a kind-hearted Princess suffer is disgusting. You know what? Other men will chase after her. She will get many suitors."

"You know I don't care."

"You thought about Eugenie? Now, I know that you are maybe fated with her. Same bully."

"I only want to meet Iris the Healer. Not Eugenie. She's cruel."

"Like you. If weren't for the Empress, I will snatch her from you."

"Take her. I don't mind"

"I will take her to the lake, having tea, give her flower…"

"Lake… Lake! Nice idea, Jude!"

"Wha… what?"

"Invite her to having tea in the lake pier with me for today's mandatory meeting. This will make her back up for sure."

Marquis Judah and Sir Thomas knew something will be off but for now they can only stay still. They just have to be super careful. Suspicious aroused from Iowyrthe's gaze.

Marquis Judah then conveyed the invitation to Princess Iris. He then whispered, "Princess, please be careful. We like you; we like you a lot so we want you to be safe. In the lake please be careful of everything. Even though, he is nice and wise in general, however, today, he really wants you to give up. I think he will do something in the lake."

"I understand. I don't mind giving up, but I cannot give up now. I must clear the 13 days courtship to get what I want."

"That's the spirit. Hmm, but what is it you want Princess?"

"You will know later, Marquis."

"Alright. See you later, Princess."

After Marquis left, she became very anxious. She thought of many possibilities.

"In this super cold day in the lake, is he wanted to drown me? Ah I cannot swim. But if there's Marquis Judah, I should be saved right. I mean he wouldn't want to mess with the Empress, so he will not aim for my dead. He just wants me to end this soon. Alright, as long as I still alive. I can stand few more days, to cancel the engagement and ask for a small land as a consolation," She felt anxious but also confident, "Ah I should take my cape from the boutique so if it really happened, I wouldn't be too cold."

She prepared the thickest dress she had. She will ask them to stop by the boutique before going to the lake. Later, Sir Thomas then came to escort her to the carriage.

"Princess, is your arm still hurt?" As she wearing short sleeves, Sir Thomas noticed the blue and black bruise from protecting the children at the orphanage a few days ago.

"No, not too much. I know, my bruise and wound healed later than ordinary person. But it will heal completely with no scar. Please don't worry me too much. Anyway, can we stop by the boutique? There's something I want to get."

"Is Judah telling her something? Will she run from the boutique? I won't give her a chance. Her short sleeves dress was perfect for now." Iowyrthe thoughts were running wild.

"New dress won't impress me, Princess. I will show you something. So, it is better to go straight before it all end."

"Oh, shit." Iris cursed silently. "Actually, I bought new dress and cape because it is cold here. I am not buying it to impress you, Your Highness." Iris turned her eyes away. Iowyrthe was taken aback hearing those remarks, but he didn't reply. He kept it calm because of his plan.

The lake is very beautiful. The water is still and it has the clearest blue. Some of the servants and maids has prepared a small picnic for them to enjoy. The lake was surrounded by beautiful hills. That was on Sir Thomas account. He has made sure all the food will not be tricked by Iowyrthe, so at least the Princess can enjoy. Both Sir Thomas and Marquis Judah were still guessing what Iowyrthe planned.

The night before, Sir Thomas, Marquis Judah, Lady Leia, the three maids, Grizsha, and the two appointed knights, discussed secretly about the possibilities of what will Duke Iowyrthe do to the Princess. They listed some possible hazard and how to help the Princess. Grizsha will ensure the food and tea were not tampered. The knights will try to protect her. The worst is that he will drown the Princess. If that is happening, they are ready to run and help Her Highness.

"Aren't you have something to ask to me yesterday, Your Grace?"

"Well, I believe in Vanra you learn some law too. I saw flaw in our system of taxes. We don't have fixed taxes. I believe that will be convenient for the people in Callavan. Since not all can afford to pay. I don't write it, since I thought it is unnecessary. But apparently though everyone knows, it has a gap where some criminal like the thugs you meet can use it as an opportunity. What do you think?" He was very serious on this. In term of prioritizing his citizen, he can let aside his personal affair. He knew a new thought and point of view has great potential to find better solution.

"Hmm, well for me, it is better to write down regulation, so that everyone has same reference. However, maybe you can ask your citizen thought on this too. I mean it related to them, so they will be the one who know better. Involving them will grow their trust too." Iris said and sipped her tea afterward.

Everyone seemed amaze to hear the answer. In their imagination, it was like above her black opal hair, there's a signage "Best Future Duchess".

Iowyrthe got deep in his thought, then he said, "Jude, tomorrow let's do some visit to the city and we can gather people to hear their thoughts. We have to check what the current issue we had in Callavan. If its work you can do it in Troika too."

"Sure, how about the Princess join us too? I can write it down as 1-hour mandatory."

"Well I don't mind." Iowyrthe seemed a little more open.

"How about you, Princess?"

"Sure, why not. I love the market, and I can take my cape and dress from the boutique, too." She seemed excited. Her happiness showed through her sparkling black opal eyes.

"Oh, you bought that?" Princess nodded at Marquis's question.

"Hmmmm, spoiled. You should think more of your spending." All who hear sighed, just a moment ago he seemed wise and charismatic. Now back to arrogant snobby Duke.

"Well, winter is about to come, so I believe I should prepare."

"True, Princess. The winter will start soon. So chilly today too. Sometimes we got freezing rain too. Anyway, we should go to the market tomorrow early. Before noon, many people come to the market."

"Noted."

"Princess, let's go I want to show you something at the pier. But they cannot come. They will ruin it."

"This is it." Princess Iris, Marquis Judah, and Sir Thomas thought silently.