Chapter 8

"Iris! I've missed you so much."

Edgar, who had intended to welcome Iris grandly, stopped in his tracks when he saw Mephisto escorting her by the hand.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness. I have come as summoned."

Iris bowed her head, and the emperor cast a suspicious glance at her.

"There was something I wanted to discuss with you... but who is this person?"

"Oh, this is His Highness, the Crown Prince of Satanford."

At Iris's casual and outrageous statement, both the emperor and Edgar were speechless. Unfazed by their reactions, Mephisto performed a bow with such grace that it left them in awe.

"It is my first pleasure to meet you. I am Mephisto Satanford, Crown Prince of Satanford. Please remember me."

The naturalness of his greeting left the emperor speechless, and he hurriedly opened his mouth.

"W-Why is the Crown Prince of Satanford here!?"

"Oh, Your Majesty didn't know? In fact, His Highness Mephisto was imprisoned in the underground dungeon. Just like me, he was unjustly imprisoned due to the schemes of the wicked Mina. Your Majesty, this is a scandal that could escalate into a diplomatic issue. Guided by the divine, I immediately went to the underground and brought the Crown Prince here."

Given that Iris was the Holy Maiden, the emperor could not refute her words.

"T-This is very regrettable. What a terrible situation. Mina's crimes are unfathomable. Ah, Your Highness, Crown Prince. I would like to handle this matter diplomatically and amicably... if you could consider it as the actions of a false Holy Maiden..."

The emperor, who was flustered by the mention of a diplomatic issue and scandal, tried to maintain his composure and desperately thought of a way to resolve the situation. It was Mephisto himself who offered a solution.

"I understand. I have been informed of the situation by Iris. I do not intend to cause any trouble. However, since I have not been in contact with the Grand Duchy for some time, I need a plausible reason. I believe we need to have a thorough discussion about this, Your Majesty. What do you think?"

Mephisto's flawless smile made the emperor break out in a cold sweat internally. He realized that Mephisto was a formidable opponent, even as a man entrusted with the imperial throne.

"...Mephisto, let's set a proper time to discuss this. I will prepare a guest room, so please wait outside for now. My son, the Crown Prince, has something to discuss with the Holy Maiden."

The emperor, who had not forgotten the purpose of summoning Iris, patted Edgar's shoulder. However, Edgar was still in shock and looked back and forth between the emperor and Mephisto, saying, "Huh? Huh?"

"Your Majesty, I am the one who rescued Mephisto. I will take full responsibility and escort him to his room."

"What are you saying, Iris? As the Holy Maiden, you don't need to do such trivial tasks."

"Oh, is escorting the Crown Prince of a country considered a trivial task?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"I don't mind. If it's not a problem, I will wait until the Holy Maiden finishes her conversation."

"Well, Mephisto, it would be too much to ask you to wait after being imprisoned. Crown Prince, if you have something to discuss, please do so quickly."

Pressed by Iris, Edgar, who was at a loss, thought it would be better to leave and took the emperor's signal to start the conversation.

"Um, Iris. Actually, there's something I want to tell you."

Standing in front of Iris, Edgar glanced at Mephisto, who was standing next to her, and spoke hesitantly. The emperor, standing beside him, was holding his head in his hands.

"Yes, what is it?"

When asked again by Iris, Edgar finally met her eyes. Seeing her ruby eyes, the symbol of the Holy Maiden, he realized once again that she was indeed the Holy Maiden and fell silent, reflecting on the past.

"Your Highness?"

"Ahem. Well, thinking about it, you have always been very devoted to me."

"......Yes."

Iris's cheek twitched.

"I didn't realize it before, but I think I should repay your devotion."

"......And?"

"I want to formally welcome you as my wife. Would you be happy about that?"

Iris's smile as the Holy Maiden was reaching its limit.

What is this man saying now?

How could any woman be happy to become the wife of a man who is incompetent, indecisive, cowardly, and cheats on her? And to be told to be happy about being made a wife rather than being asked to become one?

With so much to say, Iris tried to hold back her emotions and took a deep breath.

"......Your Highness, you are still married to Mina, right?"

"That's not a problem. We can make one of them a concubine."

At this, even Iris lost her smile. Edgar, who was treating her with utter contempt, was completely unaware of his own blunder.

What was the point of dedicating her youth to such a man? She didn't want to cry for such a man, but tears welled up in her eyes from anger and regret.

Just then, a warm black-gloved hand was extended to her.

"That would be a problem, Crown Prince Edgar."

Mephisto, who was supporting Iris, who was about to give up, faced Edgar directly.

"What? Why would it be a problem for you?"

Edgar glared at Mephisto with displeasure, to which Mephisto responded with a beautiful smile that could captivate anyone, regardless of age or gender.

"Because Iris and I are in love."

"Wh-What!?"

"!?"

"How can you, a Crown Prince, tear apart the relationship between the Holy Maiden Iris and me, the Crown Prince of a neighboring country?"

Iris was surprised but trusted Mephisto, who was supporting her, and remained silent.

"What do you mean by that?"

Perhaps unable to bear the sight of the Crown Prince, who was frozen in shock, the emperor, who had been silent until then, turned his sharp gaze to Mephisto.

"What do you mean? I mean exactly what I said."

"You just met! How can you be in love?"

Without flinching at the emperor's reasonable objection, Mephisto pulled Iris closer.

"Sometimes, people fall in love at first sight. That's what happened to us. We liked each other at first sight, and it only took a moment to develop mutual affection. Besides, we met by divine guidance. Isn't that very romantic?"

Mephisto's bold words made the emperor flinch slightly. However, the emperor, who still wanted Iris by his side, was not about to give up easily.

"Iris, is what this man says true? Surely, he hasn't been disrespectful to you, the Holy Maiden?"

Asked by the emperor with a sharp gaze, Iris raised her ruby eyes confidently. There were no tears or shadows in her eyes.

"It's true."

She placed her hand on top of Mephisto's hand, which was on her shoulder.

"I have never felt such affection for any man before. But when I saw Mephisto, it felt like... I had found something that had been missing for a long time. It felt right. This is the person I was meant to meet."

When Iris looked at Mephisto with her ruby eyes, he returned her gaze with his emerald eyes, a sweet exchange of looks like true lovers.

"Only now, after falling in love, do I understand why Your Highness cheated on me with Mina while we were engaged. Love is something that can't be controlled, isn't it?"

"......!"

Edgar flinched at Iris's words.

"That's why I decline Your Highness's offer. Besides, I would have refused even if there was no Mephisto. I don't want to be a homewrecker."

"Iris! Please reconsider. You have always..."

Completely defeated, Edgar was left in a daze. The emperor, who had stepped forward, received a smile from Iris.

"Your Majesty, please, let's end this conversation. I was unilaterally broken off my engagement by the royal family. I have many thoughts about the Crown Prince's actions at the time, but I have no intention of bringing them up now. If you truly care about the wounds I suffered, please do not interfere in this matter again."

The emperor, faced with Iris's impenetrable smile, could only remain silent.

"Shall we go, Mephisto?"

"Yes. Iris, take my hand."

"Yes."

Iris placed her hand on Mephisto's extended hand and, as she had been escorted in, prepared to leave. However, she stopped when she caught sight of a familiar figure at the edge of her vision.

"Oh, Chief Butler. It's been a while."

The Chief Butler, who had stiffened at Iris's words, broke out in a sweat on his bald forehead.

"I, Iris! Please forgive my rudeness at the time!"

The Chief Butler prostrated himself on the spot. Looking down at him, Iris spoke calmly.

"Even though it wasn't a formal trial, your false testimony must have cost you the trust of those around you. I have nothing more to say to you. I believe the emperor will make a fair judgment."

When she looked at the emperor, he cleared his throat.

"Of course, the Chief Butler, who falsely testified against the Holy Maiden, will be punished. However, the current palace has lost the queen and the prime minister is absent. Without a leader, the palace would fall into chaos if the Chief Butler were to leave. Therefore, I have given him a temporary reprieve until the palace stabilizes."

"......I see. You are truly a wise ruler, Your Majesty."

The emperor, who received Iris's soft smile, awkwardly averted his eyes. Having made his point, Iris had no more business here. As she walked away with Mephisto, a desperate voice called out from behind.

"Iris!"

It was Edgar, who had finally called out to Iris.

"I, Iris, I was wrong. Please don't go!"

Iris stopped and looked at Edgar. She saw the face of her former fiancé, who looked pitifully pathetic.

"Crown Prince, may I ask one last thing?"

Holding Mephisto's hand, Iris walked a few steps closer to Edgar and, when she was in front of him, erased the smile she had been wearing.

Before Edgar could open his mouth in surprise, a dry sound echoed, and his vision swayed.

It was the second slap of the day for Edgar, following the one from his father.

"Never call my name again. It's unpleasant."

Edgar, who had fallen to the floor, heard the cold voice of his former fiancée and realized for the first time that her heart was not with him at all.

No one would reprimand the Holy Maiden for slapping the Crown Prince. The Holy Maiden of this country held such a high position and power.

"Then, everyone, have a good day."

Holding onto Mephisto's arm, Iris left the Crown Prince's room as if nothing had happened.

After Iris left, the emperor, trembling with anger, lunged at Edgar.

"Can't you even win over a single woman!? To let the Holy Maiden go to the son of Satanford! What are you going to do!? Are you trying to destroy this country? Have some shame!"

Edgar was more shocked by Iris leaving him than by the emperor's scolding. His cheek hurt, but his heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Even when he learned that Mina had killed his mother, he hadn't felt this way.

The image of Iris, who he had always thought was his, taking the hand of another man and looking at him lovingly, wouldn't leave his mind. And that man was so beautiful, so dignified, and so graceful, which made Edgar feel even more miserable.

What had he done wrong, and where had he gone wrong? Regret washed over him, and his vision blurred.

"Whatever it takes, win back Iris's heart! If you can't, take her by force! Do you hear me, Edgar!!"

While being grabbed by the collar by his father, Edgar started to cry, his nose running.