"...."

" You know... if you start to say something that I hate like this every time I talk to you after the meeting- I will ban us to talk after meeting from now." He said with a grumpy expression that Irisha finds cute.

Yet, she hides it pretty well behind her calming expression.[ ... I have already lived here for quite a long time.]

" Just live here forever then."

and Irisha just smile to somehow hide her feeling toward the heavy thing that this man in front of her just said. [ I need to come back to my house, eventually.] and just before the crown prince says anything, she said. [ I will come just like usual, do the daily therapy with you, come to palace as it is now my workplace but... I can not just stay in the palace.]

then, he looks at her with his engaging eyes. " ... Is there something you uncomfortable with?"

she shakes her head, [ It is just something I need to do.] and she smiles brightly, [ What's the matter anyway? We just live in different houses. We can still meet each other, hang out together, you can come to my house too if you want it.]

Yet, somehow he seems does not fond of her idea because it is shown by his expression right now. But, Irisha is also aware that she could not stay like this forever. Their relationship right now already feels so complicated after she thinks about it. Her situation itself, in the process to recover from the pain she struggled with. She has so many things in her mind right now and she does not feel like she could handle anything in one go. Especially, when she now truly realizes how big the gap is between him and her.

It is terrifying to think that far.

Even she found her mouth frozen as if her body already know that it is something heavy.

' because ... even though I already realize my feeling, it does not mean that is the ending right?'

and every time Irisha tries to think further, her heart feels so stuffy and she hard to breathe.

[... Let's come back to your office. We need to discuss some matters.] she then said.

" ... you are changing the topic," he said, yet just sighed and looks at her. " Let's talk about it in my office. You still not yet have lunch right? what do you want to eat?" and casually somehow holds her hand and goes without ever realizing that her heart stops whenever he does that. Yet, Irisha manages to act normal and feels silly at the same time.

' I already could tell anything to him freely about many matters, yet, just about this feeling...'

it's hard.

***

" I think that is the last hamper to be washed," said Tara while putting down a big hamper that filled with clothes outside Irisha's home.

and Irisha pokes her to make sure, she looks at her. [ Thank you for helping me out, even though this is your day off...]

" Ah, please don't mind Ms.Irisha. I am really happy to help you," she said. " After all, it will be hard for you to take care of these piles of clothes alone, right?" said before then looking at the clothesline that is hung with many clothes. Those are being blown by the wind that is now quite wild as the suns rise perfectly on this day.

and Irisha smiles awkwardly, [ I left them for quite a long time of sudden. Even the refrigerator is a nightmare.] and she looks at Tara again, [ Let's go inside. I will prepare some food. Ivy will come soon too, so-]

" The princess?!"

and she nods, [ Ah, I didn't tell you, is not it? Actually... Lady Cordelia will come to visit me as well.]

" AM I ALRIGHT TO MEET THEM WITH THIS CLOTHES?!" she asked frantically while showing her casual clothes that is no problem, but, yes, it is quite far from Imperial Ethic's clothes rule.

[... It's okay. Don't worry too much.]

Well, even she said so, in the end, The first princess and Lady Cordelia's aura quite contradict the whole atmosphere in this area that Irisha and Tara could easily feel. Even though they seem trying to put on many humble clothes and rode a humble carriage- they still do not match with the decoration inside Irisha's house. Just like now, when they sit on her humble sofa with their elegant posture of noble ladies.

[ ... Please forgive me,] And it makes her feel so bad in a very strange way.

and both of them look at her who just put the whole tea set in the middle of her coffee table confusedly. " What do you mean, sister?" asked the first princess.

[... Well, I just think that this place is out of place for someone like you guys.]

" Ah, please don't mind it Ms. Irisha!" Lady Cordelia said while brightly giving her a box to her. " Here, I bring you something to eat. The bakery we once visited, comes out with new cake!"

[ Then, I will prepare it first.]

" Let me do that!" said Tara frantically, as she still not yet feels calm after Irisha told her that the princess and the lady of Farguso will come. Even though meeting them is not her first time yet, talking to them casually like this is not something that Tara could easily get used to. So, Irisha lets her take care of the cake as she thinks it will be a great chance for Tara to calm down.

So then she just sits down before she looks at the princess who seems to wait for her. She still seems upset about what happened as Irisha was told her just this morning about her moving out from the palace. Yet, because she was having a class that she had to attend- which is something that Irisha is always strict toward- the princess then grumpily said she will come to her house after she finish her "... I still not get it why you decided to go back home."

and she sighs while smiling gently, [ It is more stranger for me to stay...] she said.

Then the princess frowned, " Is brother not saying anything?"

and she looks at the princess for a while and Lady Cordelia who seems interested but, fortunately, Tara just comes with sliced cakes. [ Thank you.] while she then helps Tara to distribute the cakes to everyone and looks at the cake that's so beautiful. [ As usual this bakery, its creation always not disappointing.]

" Yes! I hope we have a chance to go visit again together," said Lady Cordelia.

" Ehem... sister, I would like to come too if you tend to visit, but, please answer my question."

and she smiles confusedly, [ ... even though it is, His Grace can not do anything right?]

" But-"

[ There will be a time for me to go back too. It is not appropriate for me to stay.] she said. [ I am more confused if you ask me a question that has a clear answer.]

" What do you mean by that, of course, you can-"

[ No. I am not. I am no one to stay in the palace like that. So, please understand that.] she said.

and the mad princess who always does things selfishly could not say anything in front of Irisha and it is something that makes Lady Cordelia and Tara who never approach this phenomenon often close their mouth while somehow stunned. "... It will not be as fun as before..." the princess said while showing her upset expression. Yet, other than wickedly doing things just like she likes, she just curled up on the sofa. "... I always excited every day knowing you are there..."

and Irisha could not do anything but smile, [ ... there are the crown prince and the second prince, there are also your parents... spend your time with them.]

then the princess looks at her for a while and smile silly, "... sister, my parents don't like me. They will not spend their free time with their children." and even she brings that topic casually like it is not something important for her, it easily makes the atmosphere around it changed and, after spent quite a long time in the palace she found what the princess just said has a deeper meaning than that, because, even the Imperial Palace is known as a place where the Imperial family lives- most of each imperial members has their palace. Then, while Irisha was living there, there was not a single chance she met the Emperor and the Empress because she usually hung out in the first prince's palace. She sometimes met the Emperor in the imperial meeting but, she never met the Empress even though she hung out with the imperial children most of the time. She was not thinking much about it at that time as she knew that Jahar's matter was still being a major problem and thought that maybe they were just busy, but- to then knowing about something like that from the children itself... something was not right, is not it?

After what happened to her in her past life, she is not that naive to think that all families should be perfect no matter what.

Yet, to know that someone she is fond of has a similar experience with her- it is not something that she could happily accept as it is nothing.

It is not her matter, yes. Yet, It is somehow, makes her more afraid of what will happen in the future between her and the crown prince. As she could not avoid thinking that, there should be a final decision to pass the next phase. So, if they have the same feeling for each other. Then, further than that will be a serious matter...

is she capable to make things right?

" I- I participate in knight championship this month," said Lady Cordelia who realized the change of Irisha's expression.

Irisha who realized that she is lost in her thought tries to smile. [ Excuse me, what is it?] and somehow confused with herself as she thought she decided not to think about this matter for a while.

Then Lady Cordelia smiles gently, " I participate in Knight championship this month, but, only for the beginner though." she said. " If you have time, I hope you can come to see me."

" Oh! that's great Lady Cordelia! I thought that only knight men who can participate." said Tara.

and she nods shyly. " Well, of course, it is. I am actually embarrassed because the reason I am allowed to participate is also because of my father and my husband. If they are not helping me, I might as well not participate."

[... If I am allowed to say- women in this society have no power over men. So, I think you should not embarrassed about it because, if someone like you never starts to change a thing- we will just run in the same cycle.]

and Lady Cordelia nods, "... It is terrifying but, I always inspired by you Ms.Irisha. So, if you could do it too, I thought I could do the same." she said. " It might be true that my family help me in this matter, but, I will make sure to prove my worth in that battle."

" Wow! I will support you Lady Cordelia!" said Tara excitingly. " I also do think that this society is sometimes too wicked for us, women. To then find some women do greatly and stand equally between men... I feel ecstatic!"

and the princess who leans down while looking at them puts her face in her hand. Then lost in her thought for a while before she looks at Irisha and Lady Cordelia. "... That's true," she muttered.

" What is it, Your Grace?" asked Lady Cordelia.

and the princess looks at her for a while before then saying something while signing. " ... I just realized that there are no women knights."

then she smiles faintly, " Unfortunately, yes. Even though there is, it will be for special cases. This empire still not yet support women to contribute in such matter."

[... well even for something unrelated for physical things, like my field. I found it hard to be in this position right now.]

and the princess looks at both of them as if she just found something she never thinks about. " ... when is the championship?" asked her.

" Pardon?... Hemm, I guess. It is around the last week of this month."

and the princess smiles. " I will participate with you."

" Eh?"

" We will be two women participants."

" Ah... is it okay?" asked Lady Cordelia confused and shocked.

and the princess tilts her head. " ... Why not?" and somehow her aura and charisma, just slapped them from their shock to realize that she is a princess of the great tyrant Empire. So, they easily accepted her statement without trying to debate that matter.

***

" I AM HOMEEEE!!" said Arisha excitingly while being held by Ash who also looks so exciting.

" I AM HOME, IRISHAA!!" he said in sync with Arisha.

and the crown prince hit his head while standing behind him who walks away to the front door. " Why are you here?" asked him with his frowned brows.

and he glared at him. " Why you are here too though, I am not in the mood to go to the front line to be your substitute," he said.

and the crown prince just ignores him casually before looking at the first commander of the Holy Knight who also standing behind him. He frowned without saying anything.

"... Greeting to the dragon's blessing, the crown prince and the second prince..." he said awkwardly yet there is only silence between them so he said again, " I am here to pick up my wife." even though the crown prince never asked anything. Yet, Luke feels that he had to say something at that time.

and just when Arisha reaches the knob to open the door- Lady Cordelia already opened it for them.

" Ah, greeting to the dragon's blessing the crown prince and the second prince." said the Lady Cordelia quite surprised, yet somehow it is not that surprising after she takes a bit to think. " ... and welcome back Arisha." then she smiles brightly at Arisha.

" Lady Cordeliaa!" she said happily who then hug her immediately.

" Wow, you are so excited. How is the school?"

" I have so much fun! We do this and that with the teachers," she said.

"... That's great! Are you hungry? we cook you something. I will prepare it for you." she said.

" Where is Irisha?" asked the crown prince suddenly.

and Lady Cordelia looks at him surprised by his sudden question, " She is sleeping." she said.

" My sister sleeping?" asked Arisha.

" Yes. Ms.Tara said that she did so much work this morning so maybe she was tired and fell asleep while we were talking," she said.

" Then where is my sister?" asked Ash suddenly.

" Ah, yee?! She wants to go to the nearest bakery with Ms.Tara because we accidentally ate the cakes and forget to separate some for Arisha," she said while looking at Arisha guilty. " I am sorry, later I will bring another for you, okay?"

and Arisha nodded. " It is okay!" and smile brightly. Who then the crown prince just go inside to come closer to Irisha who sleep on the sofa. She is covered by a blanket while sleeping soundly.

" A-ah! We try to pick her up and put her on her bed but, a single touch wakes her up- Ah." and just stands still after the crown prince brushed Irisha's hair and looked at her gently for a while before then easily picks Irisha up without Irisha even waking up. Not like before when Lady Cordelia puts a blanket on her.

" Where is her room?" asked him.

and Lady Cordelia who is stunned for a while then gives Arisha frantically to her husband unconsciously and runs toward Irisha's bedroom. " Here, Your Grace." and the crown prince just picks her up inside without problem as Lady Cordelia spots how comfortable Irisha is on his arm. She immediately looked at her husband with reddish cheeks and scream with her expression,

' They are so cute!!!' that immediately being understood by her husband who recently found a new side of his wife.

" They always like that." the second prince said beside Sir Luke.

" Ah... they are a lovely couple."

and he smiles, " Irisha is cute right?" and somehow surprised Sir Luke who knows them as someone who will not show their true feeling to everyone easily like this. Even Lady Cordelia who also heard him surprised. She was as surprised as how the first princess easily told her story to her and Tara. There is no threat, no agonizing aura, no unreachable distance but comfort between human and human.

... they are changing and Lady Cordelia knows that it is because of Ms.Irisha.

then she stands quietly while immersing in her thought,

" Well, It just happened. At first, our marriage was like a usual marriage between noble. There was not any love involved, but, my husband- he was treating me kindly so... somehow I fall in love deeper." she said shyly, while the conversation somehow led into a marriage matter.

" It may be offensive but, Lady Cordelia- both of you and Sir Luke is one of the perfect couples I adore!" Tara said.

" One of?" asked the princess.

and Tara smiles awkwardly, " .... yes because there is also a couple I adore too!" she said while taking a glimpse at Irisha who was not aware.

" Ah.... sure, they are lovey-dovey." said the princess.

and Irisha rose her brows confused while looking at Lady Cordelia with a strange smile, [... Is it not hard?]

" Pardon?"

[ do not it ....frightening?] and eventually that smile of her, made Lady Cordelia take a while to think because Irisha's eyes seem different even with her gentle smile- something off, and Lady Cordelia could feel that instantly. Yet, Irisha then smiled wider. { No, I misspeak.] and changed the topic quite smoothly... but, Lady Cordelia somehow understand the thing that was unclear for everyone else because, she was once felt about that thing too.

Even though like that- to hear from Tara that Ms.Irisha once told her about her relationship with The crown prince- she becomes confused.

' You look perfect to each other.'

' The crown prince loves you dearly, and you do.'

Then why?

But then, again... Lady Cordelia finds the answer almost immediately and thought, how cruel the world we live in is.

***