Chapter 17

Both of them went to the pier. It is not that far from the picnic spot, but they have to go down from the hill. The road was not paved it was rather hard for her to walk down in some kind of women shoes. It chaffed her feet, but she kept going.

Sir Thomas, the two knights, and Marquis Judah was on standby anxiously. They can see them from the hill. However, they won't move to avoid Iowyrthe doing something worse than he planned to. They will run as fast as they can to save her from drowning in case of the cruel Duke push her. They will deal with the Duke afterwards.

When they have walked a little further, the Duke said, "By the end of the pier, you can see a beautiful sunset. However, that will be best to also bring this flower." He picked a flower from the side of the lake, "The scent will make it more memorable."

"Hmmm won't you come with me?"

"No, I will let you enjoy it alone." He smirked.

Iris got a little confused as well as the other who watched them. She walked step by step to the end of pier. When she arrived at the place, she smelled the flower. It has sweet scent. She then saw to west and watch the sunset. It was one of the beautiful sunsets she saw.

At the same time, Chan, one of the knights shouted, "It is the mosquitoes. The flower he gave will attract them." They started running towards the pier.

The sky started to darken. Then, buzzing sound echoed in her ears. In a split second she was bitten here and there. The short sleeve dress was made her as an easy target. She tried to brush it off but it was too many.

Duke Iowyrthe laughed. When the men about to arrive to the lakeside, there a big splash sound they heard.

"Kyaaa…" Iris screamed. Iris slipped as she lost her balance and fell to the water. Sir Thomas was about to scream, when he saw Iowyrthe run fast and jump to the water. The flower floated but Iowyrthe cannot see her. It's getting darker and darker. It's been a minute and finally she found her rather deep. Iowyrthe saw that she tried to swim but she can't. After few strokes, he almost reached her. That's when she started to lose consciousness. His heart sank as he watched her drown further, he pushed himself hard and finally get her. He took her to the lake side.

Marquis, and Sir Thomas were standing there. They helped him to get her in the side. The knights were trying to get help from the maid. Bringing her blanket to dry her. Sir Thomas checked her consciousness, breath, and pulse. She was unresponsive and stopped breathing, so he started doing compression. She threw some water out and start coughing uncontrollably. After catching her breath, she started to shiver and Judah helped her sat up. Iowyrthe sat down next to her.

"Is this funny to you?" Princess shouted. Everyone around was taken aback

"I didn't mean to."

"Ha…" She was obviously angry.

"Are you okay?" He asked but a slapped landed in his face.

It is not hurt at all, no strength with the small hands and she was obviously weak too, but he got furious, "I didn't know you will slip and drown. Then I also saved you." He stood up and walked away. The maids passed by him and felt the anger. He asked where's the horse. The knight showed him. He then left with the horse.

The maids came to cover her. They then helped her walk to the carriage. She walked without shoes as it was fallen when she was rescued. In the journey back to the estate all was silent. They only hear the horses' steps and her teeth rattled. Her body shivered violently even with the blanket covered her. They cannot take off her wet clothes. Rosetta and Agnes do their best to warm her up.

They take her to the room and help her change into her night gown. Her hair was dried up. Grizsha also made her soup to warm her body. Her shiver stopped as she began to warmed up. Agnes then realized that only two small logs of wood left for the fireplace. She got out to bring some. Rosetta went to get some extra blanket for her. Selma stayed to prepare her dress for tomorrow citizen gathering.

When Agnes and Rosetta were about to go in and Selma going out to bring more soup, the Duke called them.

"What is that?"

"This is for Her Highness."

"No, you're not going to bring her that."

"But she…"

"You want to lose your life? She is not a duchess. You are not her personal maid. I never assign anyone to do that. Go."

The three of them run. Even though, he usually wasn't thinking about their different status and he was rarely angry and punish the staff that's loyal to him, this cold-blooded version of Iowyrthe scared them. Judah and Sir Thomas can only saw it too from afar. If they poked his pride too much, the Princess will be the one who is in great danger. Iowyrthe have made her as a target to vent up. Currently, watching her silently was the best option that they can do. Iowyrthe also made the two knights guard the door. No one can go nearby.

She can hear it all from inside. She cried in silent. At the same time, it was rained outside and she felt the weather getting colder. She decided to just sleep in front of the fireplace with the soon dying fire. All the woods were used. Somehow her shivers resided. She felt so drowsy and have no strength. She closed her eyes.