"Father—if you're there, say something." My voice rose, caught between command and fear. "Anything."
And then—
"Happy fifteenth birthday, Iris." his voice came across, soft—too casual for my current heart rate.
I let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a growl. "You—!"
A quiet laugh. Warm. Whole. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd actually fall for it."
"Don't make a joke like that!. Ever!" My tone stern.
"Fine fine, you really didn't like it."
I exhaled. "No."
"You worry too easily."
"Just like my mother, and I now know why"
He went silent for a second "Sorry I can't be there with you."
"It's not your fault, life happened"
He chuckled again, soft and low. "You're still far too mature for your age."
I ignored him " How are you though, everything alright?."
"The front's stable. Routine patrols, small pushes. Nothing alarming." He said it too easily. He always did, but the steadiness in his tone—that was real. Enough to keep my mind from running.
"How are the others?" he asked. "The twins, Theo—Is Rosie still being hard on you?"
"She's not," I said, then after a pause, "justtttt a bit."
"oh. You two getting alo—"
I didn't even let him finish "Absolutely not!, she's the worst"
We talked a little longer. Small things. Comfortable ones. And as usual, it almost felt like he wasn't a world away.
When the glow began to fade, I caught my reflection again—the pink still faint, but softening, dimming.
By the time the sun went down—and the gem's began to glow, my eyes were their usual calm green again.
The love in them, was already gone. But I still smiled.
.><><><.
I had just closed my eyes. Literally just fourteen minutes.
One minute I was scribbling down numbers and half-remembered scenes from Poison Love, the next minute I called it a night. Probably a few hours over mid-night.
Naturally, that's when the universe decided to bother me.
My bedroom door opened.
My door. So late.
It couldn't have been Theo, he's too tired from his actives. The Twins have it worse. And Lauren's never in here unless I asked.
And everyone else never dared.
I sat up like a startled cat. And there she was—Rosie—waltzing in, fully decked and proper before dawn like it was normal behavior.
I stared at her. My eyelids dropped in annoyance, and disappointment.
She smiled, the polite murderous one just for me. "Good morning."
"It's not yet morning." I said flatly, falling back into bed.
" The timepiece says otherwise"
"Ugh."Immediate answer. " Who is it?" I groaned
"Someone potentially important."
" So you're not going to tell me."
{It's probably Raymond, I haven't replied his last three letters }
I dragged a hand over my face. {How petty can Royal's get! }
Lauren poked her head in behind Rosie. Poor thing was still in her nightclothes, gripping a brush.
"Get up, there's much to prepare, we can't keep him waiting too long."
{Don't I ever get to be fashionably late?. Hold up—}
"Who's we?"
Rosie ignored my very reasonable question and moved further into my room—my sanctuary, my no-Rosie zone.
"You need to prepare," she said.
"They should be grateful they're being received at all"
But she kept going, the way only Rosie could—calm, persistent.
In the end, I let Lauren wash my face and brush my hair. That was all.
No dress. No corset. And I didn't stick around for pre-etiquette lessons, I wasn't giving Rosie the satisfaction.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Yeah. I looked awful. Pale, sleep-deprived, hair a little wild.
This wouldn't be his first unannounced visit, he should be use to some of my weirdness by now.
.><><><.
It was still dark outside. No sunrise. Not even dawn.
Nope. Actual night.
I yawned. Half-asleep, wrapped in my robe, not even bothering to cover my mouth. Rosie opened the door leading to the receiving hall, and there her was. Not Raymond—too tall, but dark hair,
{It's too early for this.}
"Ahem." I couldn't think of anything else,
He turned, looking… polished. Neat book-hair, crisp uniform, shine boots, a straight expression.
Disgusting.
Before Rosie could begin introductions, he turned to me and said,
"I'd like to speak with Lady Iris, in private."
I arched a brow. " Excuse you?"
" Just to talk, so there won't be—" he started.
"Sorry, to cut off, not actually. Em...who are you?, why are you here?,...." I said, " at this time of the night."
His demour expression didn't even flinch a little, " it is well over mid-night, my lady "
" And that makes it better?" I turned to Rosie. "He's the guest of importance?"
"He is Cael Verellin, the second son of Marquess Verellin" her tone and impressed expression said it all. «You insolent imbecile!, dear heavens, I hope she knows the House»
I blinked. "Never heard of it"
She chuckled—undemure. "Their family runs tea plantations, all over Oayai...and even have business beyond our ridges"
I turned to the boy—er... young man. "Cael, what do you want from us?"
"Don't be rude—" Rosie tried to say more.
" Leave us, I'd like to speak with Mister Varellin alone as well."
I expected her to protest. But she stepped aside. Reluctantly.
Then—he knelt. One knee. Head bowed. As if he was getting knighted.
I just stared at him. Not moved in the slightest. I didn't have the energy for this.
I tried brushing against the surface of his thoughts out of habit… and hit a wall.
A very sturdy, well-built mental wall.
Not great. Smart ones are always trouble.
He said something. A question, I think. I ignored it. Mostly because I was distracted wondering what kind of truma could've caused such mental defense.
"My lady?" he prompted.
I kept staring at the same spot on his forehead. If he squirmed, that'd be the only entertainment I'd get tonight—or morning—whatever.
Finally,
"…Are you quite comfortable down there?" I sighed
"Pardon?" Clearly not the question he rehearsed for.
"The floor," I clarified. "You've been kneeling forever. Is it comfortable for you?"
He froze. Obviously he wasn't expecting that.
" I'm .. quiet alright, My lady. "
"Get up."
He obeyed, "I understand that visit wasn't... ideal,"
{Doyou? }
" And I'm greatful you'd see me at all. So, I'll get to the point. Seeing as you didn't hear me the first time"
Something about the last sentence felt... somewhat insulting.
" I want to my loyalty," He continued "to you."
I stared at him—a little amused for a split second, then "Pfft.." I didn't even want to think about the nonsense he spewed. "My apologies..."
"That's alright." He didn't seem surprised or embarrassed—like he'd expected my response. This kid was dangerous.
"Why?," honestly there could be a buttload of reasons, he's an ambitious second son made the most sense. But with his scholar demeanor...I couldn't tell, I wanted to hear it from the horse himself.
"Why...?" He questioned back.
"Why?" I finally asked. "Ambitious second son? Family pushing you out? Or are you just hungry for ranks " I strolled to the couch, and slumped into it too casually.
" You seem to misunderstand." He said. " I want to swear loyalty to you. Not your house, nor your Father. But you, Lady Iris."
{So I wasn't being delusional... he actually meant me }
I smirked, intrigued. "Ohh?, same question then, why me?, especially since personally I have nothing to offer you."
"I've never being so interested in anything, and I'd like to see it through. To whatever ends."
"So you're smithed by me?, " I tilted my head—crossing one leg over the other, "is that it?"
He paused, actually thinking for a change. I wondered if he'd finally make sense too. I yawned into my hand. "Hurry up, Rosie can only hold out so long."
" I have a limited set of feelings, easy to understand. But then... I heard of you, a rumor, as good as a whisper. It stirred something, I'd never been more curious in my life. "
I didn't know where this was leading, but he had a nice voice...{ifI close my eyes, I'd be asleep in seconds } I yawned again.
"Mr, Vermin,"
" Verellin." He corrected—politely.
" Right," I said fully sinking into the couch. " In truth, I don't know what drove me to come out here, and I have given you time" now counting my fingers. " and patience, both of which...." yawns again " I am currently out off, I'm now running on literal brain cells."
" Should I return at another time?" He interrupted—politely, yet again.
I paused. Was he insane?
So he knew that was an option but still came in the middle of the night?!
" If you don't cut to the chase, I will walk you out, and deny you entrance. Forever." My stare dead-pan.
In my head, I either looked very intimidating...or sleep deprived.
But then—
His eyes lit.
And he laughed. Out loud. Full-bodied and a little off putting, He douge a hand into his hair, slicking it back. It was... attractive, though I'd never admit that.
I remained calm, but confused still "what's so funny?"
"I was sure before," he said between laughs "but I'm even more certain now." Suddenly he dropped to his knees. Again.
{He loves it down there, doesn't he?}
This time on both legs. On the floor. Dramatic much?.
"I'm desperate," he spoke again.
"Please get up, you're making this worse." I insisted, irritated.
"Then accept my oath."
"Get up."
He shoke his head, "No."
"Are you a child?, get up this instant!"
"Say that you accept me as your devoted servant. Should I beg?"
"What?!" I frowned, alarmed. "No!, just get up. Aren't you embarrassed?"
" If I had shame I wouldn't be here at such an hour."
{Fair point...}
" Okay, but why do you want to be my servant?"
" I'm fascinated by you, it's something that's never happened to me before, and I plan to see it through till the end. One way or another "
{Was that a threat?.}
" So?" He asked quietly. " what will it be?"
i couldn't even... think. "You're not leaving till I say yes, are you?"
"If you're too tired, I can return in the morning. But yes, I don't intend to be denied."
"Ugh!" I dragged a hand over my face. "Why did I get up for this!."
"Your house vessels have being gathering behind your back."
He says it calmly. Like he's delivering a fact, like I was supposed to understand what he meant by it.
I stare.
I did get it, but fourteen years old Noble girls aren't usually supposed to.
{Next you'll tell me the sky is blue}
I open my mouth—ready to speak my mind—but he cuts in smoothly.
"You already knew," he says, not even questioning it. "I thought so."
I hated the satisfaction in his tone.
Too pleased with himself.
I fold my arms. "And if I did?"
"You do," he says, stepping closer, "and it means you're not pretending to be oblivious like everyone thinks you are. Which makes you… interesting."
"Fascinating," I echo flatly. "now interesting. Anything else? Maybe critique my posture?"
He replies immediately. "Your posture is fine."
I blink.
Because what?
"And," he continues, eyes locked on mine, "I'd like to help you."
"With what, exactly?" I ask, giving him a choose your words carefully look.
"Whatever's coming," he replies. "You're preparing for something, maybe not. But I'd like to be part...of your everything."
{Say what now?}
" To prove I'm genuinely ...drawn to you." he's tone even. Eerily ernest
"…Drawn?"
The word squeaks out before I could strangle it.
"Yes."
Said like he's confirming a business deal.
I throw my hands up. "Do you even hear how you sound right now?!"
He actually pauses. Thinks.
"Honest?.
I groan. Loudly. Tapping my foot."Men."
He just watches me—calm, steady, maddeningly confident.
"Fine!" I snap. "Just—sit down. No more mellow dramatic nonsense."
He sits.
In that moment, with him watching me like he already knows the ending to my life's story…
…something cold and heavy drops into the pit of my stomach.
{My life's about to take a drastic U-turn, isn't it?}