Iris gripped her handkerchief and wiped the phantom sweats on her cheeks. She stared at Tundra, who, unlike her previous modest self, had transformed into a determined and hardworking learner. Her talent surpassed Iris’s imagination; she easily circulated her Pure Power and cast the spells she learned from Royal Magic Academy without any incantation or calculation.

Each time she did so, she would look at Iris, her sparkling eyes blinking. Though she uttered nothing, she wouldn’t do anything until Iris amply rewarded her.

At first, Iris happily held her hands and praised her. And then Tundra turned brave and took the initiative. Her instinct stimulated her mind, muddling her rationale. The drunkenness would fade after she mastered her fine control, but she hadn’t, and thus it suppressed her shame.

She lightly bit Iris’s neck, leaving behind a red mark, a mark of possession. Iris didn’t dare to erase it. It was a reward, a promise, and it gave her pleasure mixed with guilt. For a cute, drunk lady to long for her, she couldn’t ask more.

“What is the most important point to keep in mind when sensing the flow of natural magic?” Iris closed the book and leaned back.

“To let go of all restrictions, to think your body not as a vessel but as an island floating in the ocean.” Tundra lowered her head. “Lady Iris, can I call you Teacher?”

“You want to redefine our relationship?”

“You’ve opened a new path for me, a path that brings me much joy and satisfaction.” Tundra took a deep breath. “If not for you, I . . . wouldn’t have known I had this talent. You discovered me. You gave me hope.”

“No one expects your progress, Tundra. I . . . merely took advantage of your curiosity and naivety.”

Tundra smiled. “Am I your first?”

Her head lowered, Iris faintly blushed. “You . . . are my first, and you might be my last.”

“Please take care of this naïve me.”

“Your ambiguous wording scares me, Tundra.”

Tundra giggled. Iris’s method wasn’t ordinary; no ordinary method would arouse her so much she risked losing her mind, but she trusted her Iris. Whatever she underwent, her Iris must have undergone it too.

She wanted to be closer to her Iris.

“There is now one more secret between us,” Tundra said. “Please visit more frequently.”

Iris shook her head. “Today, I came here to teach you and brought you good news and bad news.”

“Please tell me the good news first.”

“I’ve already marked the date for our private session.” Iris handed Tundra a letter. “Inside it are a business card, the date, and the location.”

“Can we meet outside the laboratory?”

“That’ll be your reward.”

Tundra narrowed her eyes. “What about the bad news?”

“I’m going away for some time. I don’t know when I’ll return.”

Tundra opened her mouth, but no words came out. Though she wanted to plead to go with Iris, she lacked the money and time. The Royal Magic Academy had the end-term exam, and after that, she would have to return home or work. Her financial situation couldn’t afford her burning money like Iris.

“Could you comfort me?” Tundra coyly tilted her head. “I promise to finish all the books before the deadline.”

“If you want a reward, exceed my expectation. I’ll be waiting.”

After a little more summary of the lesson, Iris pushed all the textbooks she prepared to Tundra, who excitedly gathered them in her arms, eager to read through them as fast as possible.

While Tundra closed the library, Iris slipped away. Her journey back home was smooth, without any insidious beings or pretty ladies stalking her.

Arriving at her well-lit home, Iris twisted the door handle and opened it. Various aromas welcomed her, enveloping her fatigued mind. Ludmint had been cooking at home a lot these days.

An apron covering her casual wear, Ludmint hummed a delightful tune as she prepared dinner. Her body swayed with the rhythm of her heart, though she still broke off from her trance to peek at Iris.

“You returned early,” Ludmint said while chopping the vegetable.

“If your dearest were cooking dinner for you, you’d also return home early.”

“Don’t stroke my ego, Iris, or I might have to reward you handsomely.”

Iris blushed. Her sensitive body, owning to Tundra’s aggressive display of love, shivered under the steamy expectation. She held her breath and shook her head, getting rid of any impure thoughts. Her guilt for not telling Ludmint about her date with Parmin and her flirts with Tundra made her fuzzy. She was too scared to admit it.

Ludmint said it was fine, so it should be fine, right?

“Did The Court send anything?” Iris said.

“So that’s why you return home early today.” Ludmint pouted. “The package’s in the living room.”

“Did you see . . . anything strange?” Iris regretted asking that. Now she looked suspicious!

Ludmint stopped her hands. “Should I be seeing something strange?”

“Parmin and Morbi might send something naughty.” Iris faintly blushed. The moment her words left her mouth, her imagination ran wild. Why was her mind so creative?

“Your voice, are you hiding something?”

“Can I hide something from you?”

“It’ll come out sooner or later. You won’t betray your beloved, right?” Ludmint’s crystalised voice stabbed Iris.

After rigidly denying the accusation, Iris went into the living room. She walked to the low table between the sofa and the fireplace. Besides a letter of congratulations, there were a glimmering crystal and a delicate doll.

The Memory Crystal was Morbi’s reward. She too wished to go on a date with Iris, but her busy schedule disallowed her. She could only gift Iris something else before promising she would get to know Iris intimately later.

The doll, whose appearance resembled Iris, was Parmin’s additional reward. Stuck on its adorable head was a note written and signed by Parmin.

“Guardian Doll, an automaton puppet. Its fuel is your Corruption Power. Its power can rival a powerful Transformation Phase Monster Girl, though it can’t quite reach your exotic height, both in beauty and power.”

As she toyed with the doll, her eyes narrowed. Its mirroring appearance gave her a peculiar feeling. It reminded her of the other Irises. Unfortunately, this doll wasn’t her but merely an imitation. It couldn’t carry her promises and identity.

“Parmin’s extravagant present surprises me,” Ludmint said. “Her reward is disproportional to what Morbi gave you, too good, as if she were pampering her darling.”

Iris stiffened. “Memory Forever Cherished will always be my first engagement ring.”

“Will there be a second, a third, and so on?”

Iris dryly coughed. She placed down the Guardian Doll and returned to the dining room. Ludmint, with a serving spoon, gracefully swirled the curry, mixing the spices and meats. She placed a basket of bread beside Iris’s seat, her eyes watching Iris, waiting.

Smiling, Iris skipped to the seat opposite Ludmint and sat down.

“I’m getting fatter just by looking,” she said.

“I can help you burn your excess energy. Our nightly exercise will make you even more beautiful than before.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I need to rest.” Iris picked up the bread with her right hand, broke a small piece, and nibbled on it. “You . . . didn’t add anything suspicious into the food, did you?”

“Is the taste unsatisfactory?”

Iris shook her head. “My paranoia’s acting up.”

“What if I’ve been mixing love potions into your food since long ago?”

“It’d explain my feeling for you.” Iris lowered her head. Her ears reddened, but she didn’t cover them. “What’d you do if my love for you is fake?”

“My heart would bleed out, my body wither.” Ludmint sighed. “You’re too devilish, Iris. Must you hurt your wife?”

“You’re my fiancée, Ludmint.” Iris drank the spicy soup while munching on a piece of roasted meat. “If you never drugged me with love potions, my words shouldn’t have affected you.”

“But you might have drunk the love potions yourself.” Ludmint sighed. “Iris, you’re the type to make the sacrifice.”

Iris briefly stopped moving before resuming her feast. Ludmint too ate her fill, emptying her plate gradually, elegantly. The two silently observed, imitated, and pleased each other through their gazes.

Despite the lack of a third person, the couple maintained their harmony, revealing not a hint of dirty thoughts. Like a dance, their hands noiselessly shifted from one plate to another, from one bowl to the next. Though their lips didn’t touch, their pleasure surpassed such physical amusement.

Satiated, Ludmint placed down her fork. “I wish to take you on a date tomorrow.”

Iris, drinking, almost choked on the fruity juice. “Tomorrow?”

“I want to comfort you. You’ve been through too much. A vacation is due.”

“Can we . . . change the schedule?”

“Is there something more important than a date with your fiancée?”

“I genuinely want to go on a date with you, but I can’t reschedule this event.” Iris clenched her fists. How could she tell Ludmint that she had a date with Parmin tomorrow? Ludmint would stomp The Court and challenge Parmin to a duel.

Ludmint furrowed her brows, her eyes dimming. “I spent this afternoon looking through the restaurants, the bars, and the theatres just so that you won’t feel bored tomorrow.”

“If I’d known it, I wouldn’t have made this appointment.” Iris stood up, her eyes melting. “Can I compensate you with my body? I’ll . . . make you doubly happy.”

Ludmint suppressed her grin and pouted. “You must obey me tonight.”

“So long as you’re reasonable.”

“Call me Wife.”

Iris stared at Ludmint, who met her gaze with unwavering determination. Their eyes battled until Iris averted hers, defeated by her guilt and Ludmint’s playful stubbornness. Iris was in the wrong, after all.

Their relationship would have progressed beyond their engagement eventually. A little practice . . . wouldn’t hurt.

“W—Wifey, could you wash the dishes for me?” Iris turned red. Her human appearance boiled, showing signs of dissolving.

“No, Darling.” Ludmint beamed. “We shall do it together, and then bath together, and finally sleep together.”

Iris meekly nodded. Her reluctant heart couldn’t help but run wild. Her breathing grew intense and warm. Something changed, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. Another promise rooted in Iris’s soul, turning into a marriage vow she would never forget.

After preparing her body, Iris rose from her seat, her shaky hands too excited to stay put. She walked to Ludmint, grasped her hands, and nuzzled her. Ludmint’s confused yet thrilled face gave her a chuckle.

As the two helped each other clean the dining room, they flirted with their gestures and teased with their touches. Their light clothes unhurriedly came undone, and their skins stuck to one another, grazing, rubbing. Their sweet nectars exchanged, their heads spinning.

For one night, they became each other’s wives.