Iris's Awkward Gratitude and the Golden Empress's Gaze

"Why? Don't you know how?"

The grand lady had awakened. At the news, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"The lady's awake, thank goodness...."

"I was so worried something might've happened."

She must've been really loved around here—every soldier cheered at the news.

She'd lived hard, that's for sure. Even I could see Iris was impressive.

And apparently, the healing had taken perfectly—no aftereffects or complications.

Even.

She didn't even question her survival. A wound that should've killed her outright had healed just like that.

Is this the miracle Aeria was talking about?

Probably. That's what it looked like to me.

Of course, it wasn't a full recovery. She still couldn't move properly for at least two months—no intense activity.

Yeah, if it hurts, she should rest properly.

Anyway, Iris not dying was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a relief. I don't like watching someone die right in front of me.

No matter how much they hate me, it'd stick in my mind.

So yeah, I felt some relief that she'd pulled through.

But.

What the hell is this?

Something felt off lately.

I turned my head back slowly.

Whoosh—!

Something rippled on the wall.

"..."

Nothing there when I looked.

I turned forward again.

Whoosh—!

Snapped back around fast.

"Gah!"

There—a white-haired woman who'd been peeking at me from the wall jerked back in surprise as our eyes met.

"...What the fuck."

What the hell was that?

Iris. She'd been doing this for days now. Ever since she woke up, she'd been acting weird.

I'd heard she'd been injured in the abdomen.

But now it looked like maybe her head had taken a hit.

If you've got business with me, just say it.

Why sneak around peeking?

I thought with a shrug.

Was she gonna clobber me from behind or something?

I knew she hated me, so it made me a bit nervous.

Still, teach me to read already.

My reading teacher had keeled over, so I'd been self-studying for days.

Surprisingly, it was working.

Think I've got the basics down.

Not perfect, but I could make out words.

This brain of mine was top-tier. Parents might've been a shitty gacha pull, but the body was a winner.

"What're you doing, mage?"

"Ah, nothing. Let's go."

"Why's the lady acting like that?"

"...No idea."

Even the soldiers had noticed her stealth skills. Totally pointless.

Was she Chopper or something?

It was so sloppy I felt bad calling her out.

Best to ignore it.

I headed out into the blizzard with the soldiers. Another subjugation mission today.

Kyaaaaaaaah—!!!

"Block them!"

"Protect the mage!"

Monsters swarming in chaotically. Soldiers raised shields to hold the line.

A lot of them. And Ice Trolls in the back—three, maybe? Not insignificant.

The soldiers gritted their teeth at the sight.

But no fear or panic.

"Mage!"

"Yeah, yeah, coming."

I gestured at the trolls.

Shiiiieek—!!!

Slash—!!!

Black blade-swords lined up in the air cleaved through the trolls' torsos and heads.

The trolls dropped dead in an instant, and I took out the wolf-like beasts following too.

Vrrrrmmm....

The circle slowed like an engine shutting down.

I checked my empty mana tank and reached out.

Shaaaaaa—!!!

Mana gushed from the trolls into me.

Felt it filling up bit by bit as I caught my breath.

How many days of this now?

Since Iris woke up, we'd been out subjugating again for days.

The count was scouting riskier fronts.

I stuck to relatively safer spots.

The excuse was still searching for the saintess.

But it didn't feel like searching—same as regular subjugation.

Whatever, killing monsters works for me.

Wolves gave nothing, but trolls yielded mana.

Once I realized that, I tagged along on subjugations often.

As the family's only mage, I got dragged into every one.

Not a single time off.

Fuck, this was human rights abuse levels.

Where was my break?

"Great work, mage!"

"...Yeah. Really tough out there."

Yeah, I was the one suffering.

A soldier handed me soup as he spoke. Middle-aged guy with a red nose, beaming—Covent, I think.

"Thanks to you, mage, every day's safe."

"Nah, whatever."

Huge change from before. Used to look at me like unreliable trash.

Cast a few spells, and suddenly VIP treatment.

Magic's the best, huh?

I paused mid-sip, flinching.

"You okay?"

"...Nah... not okay...."

"Wh-what's wrong?"

He asked worriedly.

The reason? Simple.

"Uh... muscle soreness."

"Pardon?"

"...You guys train too hard...."

"Ahhh...!"

Covent nodded in understanding.

"Exactly! Why're you joining training, mage...!"

"...Ow...."

How many days now?

Once I realized this body was falling apart, I joined the soldiers' morning drills.

"Never heard of a mage doing physical training."

"...A healthy body houses healthy vigor. You know?"

"...Vigor?"

A teen like me talking vigor? Covent gave me a baffled look.

What could I do?

Vigor's a joke.

This body was just pathetically weak.

Mana sickness maybe? Either way, it was frail as hell.

Move a bit, and I'm gasping, on the verge of collapse—not once or twice.

This is dark fantasy.

Romance-fantasy name, but monsters and soldiers dying left and right.

Survive as a frail mage here? No fucking way.

I've gotta live.

I'm gonna survive.

Forcing magic despite mana sickness.

But beyond that, I'll live.

Too good to die young.

I'd grind my teeth and make it.

Training was for that.

"...You're one weird mage."

"Hear that a lot. 'Cause I'm not a sociopath?"

"Sociopath?"

"Yeah. They say all mages in this world are sociopaths. Cold, no empathy."

"Ooh, sociopath. Good word. Yeah, you're not one!"

"...Thanks."

August started it, but now "mages are sociopaths" might catch on in the household. Scary.

But they are.

Whatever.

"By the way, mage. Heading to the empire tomorrow, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Tomorrow already."

That soon?

I chugged the soup, face heating up.

Tomorrow. Day I head to the capital.

"...Things'll get dangerous again. No lady, no mage."

Covent said worriedly.

I chuckled dryly.

"Nah, you got by fine without me before. What's changing?"

"Huge difference! You've got status now!"

"Status my ass."

Just a 2-circle mage, 20 days out of the orphanage.

Covent reacted strongly.

"No way! Best mage I've seen!"

"You seen others?"

"Nope."

"..."

"..."

What? Teasing me?

"Ah, no, but I heard. A 4-circle came north once. Took over 5 minutes for two Ice Trolls."

"5 minutes?"

Shwick slash whoosh, dead. Why 5 minutes? Napping?

Didn't compute.

"Said chanting took 5 minutes."

"Aha."

Chanting issue!

But 5 minutes?

What the hell takes that long?

Never chanted, so no clue.

Try it later? Might be efficient.

Worth studying.

"Plus, filthy—wouldn't eat with soldiers, talk to 'em. Made maids fetch food, laundry.... You don't."

"...Yeah."

That sounds insane.

Haven't met others, so whatever.

Our maids don't do food or laundry much.

Well, they suck at it.

I glanced at the former-saintess-type scooping soup beside me.

"Eek...!"

Aeria flinched at my gaze, clutching her chest.

Ridiculous.

What, am I a pervert?

What's with the reaction? Anyone'd think I groped her.

Well, I did once by accident.

But not since. Even got permission and still didn't.

Why? Simple.

Stuff you can touch anytime loses meaning.

Can't touch? Tempting. Can? Meh.

Like a fish on a string.

That vibe.

"Don't freak, more soup."

"Y-yes... yes...!"

Aeria handed it over.

One more bowl. Gotta grow fast.

Stuffing more food in—

"Uh, mage."

"Hm?"

A few soldiers approached. The uncles I'd been hanging with lately.

Awkward faces as they spoke.

"Sorry, but.... um.... if it's okay...."

Why so hesitant?

I tilted my head.

"Sure."

"Can we call you Ruin?"

"...?"

"If it bothers you, really sorry...!"

"Go ahead. Fine by me."

"Oh...!"

Uncles lit up at my okay.

"See? Just ask."

"Yeah, he's different."

What's with the joy?

I chuckled dryly.

"Singel, Covent, Doo-il."

"...!"

Calling names, they flinched. Didn't expect me to know.

"So, friends now?"

"Fr-friends? How could we... with a noble mage—."

"You ignored me like a dog before."

"Urk...."

Past sins silenced them.

Joke hit too hard.

"Whatever. That's how I'll see it."

I smiled.

Felt a bit lighter inside.

Then.

"..."

Aeria stared blankly, surprised expression.

Back at the manor, headed to the training grounds. Routine now.

After washing up, no one inside. Sensed faint presence, figured it out.

"At it again?"

"Oh, mage!"

The crown prince. Guy never rests.

"Back from subjugation?"

"Yeah. But you too today?"

"Body's sore."

Lehart Banheil. Platinum hair, golden eyes, 17. Crazy guy who came with Colton—better than expected.

Passed out twice to a kid mage's spells.

Stuck in this barren land training days on end, no complaints.

Even.

"Soldiers keep rejecting my food. Shame."

"...That's torture, Your Highness."

"Why? Prince eating with 'em should be great! Train together? But no passion. Tsk."

Not passion issue.

Swallowed a sigh.

Doesn't care eating with low-ranks or whatever. Banheil was casual, bold.

Just a bit nuts.

"Round two today?"

"What round? You just block till you flop."

"Today'll be different!"

Since waking, Banheil demanded magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠daily. Just block it.

Defensive "fight" only.

Never succeeded once.

But daily? Funny.

"Imperial order. Cast."

"...Not emperor yet."

Imperial order my ass.

"Psh. Dad dies, I ascend. Whatever."

"Sorry, you are nuts?"

"What? Hahaha!!"

Why crack up? Serious here.

"Hey, mage."

"Yes."

"World sees you call crown prince nuts—you're weirder."

"You're weird too, sparing me for insulting royalty."

"True. So, death for treason—or cast first."

"Smooth escape block."

No out. Smart when cornered.

Prepping spell—

"But hey."

Banheil thumbs back.

"Why's the grand lady doing that?"

"...Don't ask, I dunno."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Iris. Peeking again.

No choice.

"One sec."

"Hm?"

I moved.

Approached Iris—she flinched, hid again.

Not letting go.

"Gasp!"

Short cry. Headed that way.

Iris frozen. Blade-sword blocked her path.

"What're you doing?"

"...!"

Iris stared stiffly.

Dismissed blade.

"Spit it out. Why tail me days?"

"Th-that's...."

Eyes shaking wildly. Earthquake?

Why so freaked?

Stared blankly. Say it.

Minutes passed.

"...Th-thank... thanks."

Faint, dying voice.

What?

"Huh?"

"Thanks for saving me."

Iris said, trembling.

Eyes widened.

No way.

"You stalked me days for that?"

"St-stalk...? Y-you noticed?"

"...Thought you were stealthy?"

Clueless?

Actual Chopper.

"Ha."

Ridiculous, laughed.

More fun than expected. Thought just pretty face.

"Then teach reading properly. Days without lessons."

"S-sorry. From now, I'll—."

"No need. Already got it."

Brain too good.

No teacher needed.

"...Sorry."

Iris, crestfallen.

"No need to apologize. Whatever. And."

Smiled at her.

"You're alive. That's enough."

"..."

"Do your thing. Stop tailing. Can't even piss without worrying."

Real talk. Annoying mid-shit.

"Done here?"

"...Ah! Wait."

Iris grabbed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me.

More?

"Why?"

"S-sor... sorry."

"...Apologize again? I'm fine."

"Not that...."

Iris looked truly troubled.

"I... can't return your feelings. N-not that I hate you...! But I must protect this house, the north...! R-really sorry...!"

"Pardon?"

"Gotta go!"

"Wait! What!? Hey?"

Iris bolted after dumping that.

Left stunned alone.

"...What? What the fuck? What's happening?"

"Got dumped."

"...Huh?"

Banheil appeared, arm on shoulder.

"Dumped hard. Happens. World's not short on girls."

"...Dumped? Who got dumped?"

No confession even.

"Could happen. Don't rage. Objectively, grand lady's face and yours... not great match."

"No! I wasn't dumped!? And why faces? I'm cute!"

"Subjugation conscience check? Nonsense."

Protested injustice, he just patted my shoulder.

Fuck?

No confession, straight dumped.

Confirmed.

She hates me for real.

Else why fuck me over? After I saved her?

Grinding teeth.

Watch me.

Fuming—

Bzzzzt!

My vibrator buzzed at waist. Like consoling.

...

This fucker too.

Romance world shitty as ever.

No peace.

But worse won't happen.

Hope capital's quiet.

Wished desperately.

Knew it wouldn't.

Silent golden clearing. Amid faint floral scent, woman in greenhouse raises hand.

Red tea in cup steady. Sipping gracefully, nobility incarnate.

Platinum hair, golden eyes. Century's genius. All seven towers acknowledge continent's top talent.

Emperor's forbidden fruit reads letter while sipping.

"...Hm."

Eye-smile. Alluring.

Nearby knights flinched.

Anyone would fall, but knowers'd shiver.

Her smile hid venomous thorns.

This one did.

"...The north."

Idiot. Dumb, dull brother went north with Duke Colton.

Wondered why.

"Iris. To see that girl?"

North's genius. Flower in barren land.

Sixteen. Aura-bloomer young.

Peer to brother, sword genius.

Hailron Iris.

Colton probably for her. Engagement likely.

Greedy dad wants talented grandkids.

"Whatever.... don't care."

Brother does what he wants, dull anyway.

But.

"What's this?"

Letter's end. Info-report soured her brow.

"Elise's successor?"

Elise Sethris. Woman's sole obsession.

Her heir in north. Adopted son even.

"No-chant?"

Mage without chanting. Letter said so.

"...What nonsense?"

Believe this bullshit how far?

Normally shred, punish sender.

Elise-sama.

That name soothed rage.

"Successor.... dare...?"

Position she lacked, taken by nameless north thing.

-Just that.

Her talent insufficient, kicked by that one—now takes disciple?

"Guess I'll see."

What kind?

Ambition lit her eyes.

Hopes exceptional.

Else.

"Might get mad."

Who knows her reaction.

The woman. Lehart Delvin smiled coldly, terrifyingly.