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CHAPTER 10
As dawn broke, Floriska Manor became busy.
Preparations for the dragon investigation were in full swing, and the sound of servants moving luggage echoed through the garden.
I stood in front of the mirror wearing a light green travel outfit that looked like fresh sprouts. Rina was carefully braiding my hair, her face full of worry.
“Miss, won’t this be dangerous? A dragon….”
“It’ll be fine, Rina. The greatest swordsman on the continent is coming with us.”
I smiled to reassure her, but in truth my mind was still complicated. The story had been deviating too much from the original, and I kept recalling last night—how my face had turned red thinking about Iris.
In the garden, my older brother was waiting. But he was also fully dressed for travel, with a sword at his waist.
“Brother?”
“I’m coming too.”
Kael’s voice was firm.
“I can’t just sit at home while my sister goes off to investigate a dragon. I’d go crazy worrying.”
I understood him. But I also felt guilty.
“Brother… I’m sorry. I was being stubborn.”
“It’s fine. Floriska is an influential house anyway. It might be good for me to check things myself.”
He smiled and patted my head.
Just then, the sound of horses’ hooves approached. Iris had arrived with the knights.
Armored knights dismounted with disciplined movements, and among them Leon stood out, leading the others as expected of the knight captain.
And at the center was Iris.
When his eyes found mine, I felt my face heat up again, remembering last night.
“Lily, are you ready?”
His gentle voice reached me. I nodded awkwardly.
A luxurious carriage was prepared—my personal one—while the others would travel on horseback. I boarded the carriage and looked out at my brother, who was still watching me with worry.
“Be careful, Lily.”
“You too, brother.”
Just as the carriage was about to depart, a cautious voice came.
“Excuse me. May I join?”
It was Iris.
Standing politely at the carriage door, he asked for permission.
“Ah… yes, of course.”
I answered awkwardly. Once he boarded, the space suddenly felt smaller.
As the carriage began moving, Iris handed me a small object—a beautiful necklace with a gem embedded in it.
“This was entrusted to me by someone.”
It was a protective charm engraved with a defensive magic circle. I didn’t even need to guess who it was from.
Someone who knew Iris and knew I could use magic. Only one person fit that description.
Iris smiled faintly.
“You can still use magic like before, correct?”
“Yes… Your Grace.”
I answered flustered, but what mattered more was the fact that I was sitting alone with Iris in a carriage.
Last night’s memories kept resurfacing, making my face burn. I turned toward the window to avoid his gaze.
After watching me quietly, Iris spoke.
“…How long do you intend to keep calling me ‘Your Grace’?”
I looked at him in surprise.
“Pardon?”
He smiled softly—something playful hidden beneath it.
“Please call me ‘Iris.’ Aren’t we engaged?”
He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between us. My heart started beating faster.
I quickly turned my face back toward the window, feeling my ears burn.
After a long ride, we arrived near the reported dragon sighting area. Investigation teams were already waiting.
As I got out of the carriage and looked around, I spotted a familiar figure.
Why is he here too…?
I sighed.
The Crown Prince, Idin Escaril, stood there in shining golden armor, looking as arrogant as ever. The moment he saw me, he rushed over.
“Lilian! Why are you in such a dangerous place? You must evacuate immediately!”
To anyone else, it might have sounded like genuine concern. But to me, it felt like obsession.
“I will prepare a safe carriage to the palace. The investigation is something we will handle!”
To the palace? Not Floriska? Honestly… how foolish.
Then Leon stepped forward.
“Your Highness, I will protect Lady Lillian, so there is no need for concern.”
“A mere knight—”
The Crown Prince and Leon began arguing.
Seriously, this is exhausting.
Both of them talk about love, but none of them listen to what I actually want. Idin tries to confine me under the name of protection, and Leon disguises obsession as duty.
What I want doesn’t matter to them. I am just something to be protected.
“I will take care of my own safety.”
The moment I said it, the air turned cold.
Both of them froze.
Then—
Clack.
Heavy footsteps cut through the space. The air itself shifted.
“I’ll have to add to that statement.”
A familiar presence emerged through the light.
Iris.
Idin stiffened instantly. Not like someone meeting a rival—but like someone seeing an unexpected threat.
Iris slowly shifted his gaze from me to Idin.
“Lily is my fiancée.”
His voice was quiet, but it shook everything.
“So it is obvious who will protect her.”
A heavy pressure spread through the area. Even Idin’s shoulders stiffened.
“The Grand Duke of the North…?”
Idin muttered.
“This is the first time seeing you in person. The Empire rarely sees you in public.”
Confusion, caution, and realization mixed in his voice.
Iris stood there calmly, as if declaring ownership—not dominance.
After a tense silence, Idin returned to his subordinates, visibly shaken. Leon also stepped back awkwardly.
The investigation began.
But after searching thoroughly, there was nothing.
No dragon traces. No anomalies.
“Strange… we were sure it was here.”
“Shouldn’t there be footprints or something?”
“Was the information wrong?”
Confusion spread among the team.
And I grew more uneasy.
Nothing? There’s really nothing?
Then what was all this about?
As the sun set and the investigation ended with no results, a sudden scream echoed from the forest.
KIIEEEAAK!
A massive black-furred creature burst out from the trees and charged at me.
I was too distracted thinking to react.
Its claws struck me, and I fell to the ground.
Fortunately, the defensive magic prevented serious injury.
“Lily!”
“Miss!”
Idin and Leon rushed toward me.
I wanted to scream—don’t come.
“Get to the carriage quickly!”
Idin shouted.
“You should return to the palace!”
Leon countered.
Neither of them looked at the monster. Only at me.
“I can handle it myself.”
I stood up.
“No!”
“You cannot!”
They both objected.
Are they seriously more worried about where I go than the monster right in front of us?
I was furious.
Then—
Shing.
A flash like a white blizzard swept past.
No—it wasn’t snow.
A silver blade gleamed under the moonlight, cutting through the monster in a single motion.
It fell in two pieces.
No blood scattered. Perfect execution.
“Are you alright, Lily?”
Iris sheathed his sword and walked toward me.
Unlike the others, his eyes held genuine concern.
“Since Lily is my fiancée, it is my duty to escort her.”
He held out his hand.
I took it and stood up.
“Let’s go, Lily.”
Idin and Leon said nothing.
The difference in power made any argument meaningless.
We boarded the carriage back home.
Inside, silence filled the space.
I tried to organize my thoughts, but I kept replaying Iris’s sword cutting through the monster.
His eyes… his voice…
“…I should just say thank you.”
“Thank you for protecting me, Your Grace.”
He smiled softly.
“Not ‘Your Grace.’ It’s ‘Iris,’ Lily.”
My face grew hot again.
“Ri—Iris…”
My heart raced as I said his name.
Be careful… don’t fall too deeply.
But part of me didn’t want this feeling to stop.
At Floriska, Iris helped me down from the carriage.
“Rest well today. It was a long day.”
“You too… Iris. Please return safely.”
“I will leave only after confirming you are safely inside.”
My chest warmed.
I entered the mansion quickly. Before closing the door, I looked back.
He was still standing there, watching me.
Our eyes met. He gave a small wave.
I hurried inside.
Once in my room, I collapsed onto the bed.
“Stop thinking!”
But I couldn’t.
His voice. His eyes. His words.
I opened the window. Cold night air cooled my burning face.
Moonlight poured into the room like silver water.
I stared at the full moon.
What am I supposed to do now?
A feeling that shouldn’t exist was growing inside me.
I didn’t know if it was real… or just an illusion caused by this new world.
But one thing was certain.
I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
The moon quietly shone, as if whispering an answer.
But I still didn’t know what that answer was.
And for now…
I just wanted to stay in this sweet trembling feeling a little longer.
