Zarah and Iris walked along the garden path as the wind swept through, tugging lightly at their hair.
"It's rather windy today," Zarah remarked, glancing up at the sky.
"Your neck must appreciate the cool air," Iris teased, her gaze flicking toward the marks she had noticed earlier that morning.
"Wouldn't it have been better if you hadn't covered them?"
Zarah rolled her eyes.
"You've been going on about that since morning," she muttered. "She bit me. It's not a big deal, she always does."
"Mm, no," Iris said, wagging a finger as she stepped in front of her.
"Her Majesty marked you."
"Oh, hush! It's nothing like that," Zarah said, her cheeks warming as she looked away.
"Of course it isn't," Iris replied with a knowing smile.
She began walking backwards, hands clasped behind her as she tilted her face toward the sky.
"Still… at least Her Majesty saw the scars," she added more softly. "She'll do something now, I suppose."
Before Zarah could respond, a familiar voice cut in,
"My cousin already has."
Marceline approached them with a small smile, stepping onto the path.
Zarah turned toward Marceline, her eyes widening.
"What did Her Majesty do?" she asked.
She had known Ines was angry the night before, but she hadn't expected her to act this quickly.
Iris tilted her head, curiosity lighting her expression.
Marceline smiled.
"She's shutting down the brothel."
She gestured lightly for them to keep walking.
"She is?" Iris said, eyes bright as she continued walking backwards, her attention fixed on them.
"She is," Marceline confirmed, her smile unwavering.
Zarah fell into step beside her, her thoughts racing.
That quickly…?
The Empress would face backlash for this. The nobles would not stay silent.
A flicker of guilt stirred in her chest.
Was it because of her?
And… did Ines even have enough proof?
"Won't the nobles object?" Zarah asked at last, her voice quieter now.
As she spoke, she motioned subtly for Iris to shift to the side so she wouldn't walk into anything.
Marceline's smile only deepened.
"You don't need to worry about that," she said lightly. "I've just come from my dear cousin, and I'll be hosting a tea party soon after His Majesty's death anniversary ball."
Zarah nodded slowly.
Of course.
Marceline excelled in society, gossip, influence, noble circles.
She was Ines's right hand for a reason.
The death anniversary ball…
It was only two days away.
And Zarah still had no idea how she was going to stop Marceline from being poisoned.
"That reminds me," Marceline said, turning to Zarah. "My cousin is calling for you."
Iris smirked.
"Ooo… summoned again?"
Zarah shot her a quick glare before looking back at Marceline.
"I see. Thank you for letting me know."
She had grown used to Ines calling for her whenever she wished, so it didn't surprise her much anymore.
Zarah stepped forward and pulled Iris into a quick hug.
"It's nothing," Marceline said lightly. "Now go on, before she gets impatient and comes to fetch you herself again."
Zarah's cheeks flushed instantly.
She pulled away from Iris at lightning speed, mumbled a hurried goodbye, and rushed off toward the Imperial study.
Marceline watched her go, a knowing smile on her lips.
"Ah… young love."
"I thought you were younger than Her Majesty," Iris commented.
"I am," Marceline replied with a sigh. "But I'm still older than you, and Lady Zarah."
"Well, you don't look it," Iris said casually.
Over the past few days, the two had grown comfortable enough to tease each other like this.
Marceline huffed softly, then her gaze shifted past Iris.
A familiar figure stood a short distance away, dark hair catching the light as she examined a yellow rose.
"Lady Iris," Marceline said smoothly, "wouldn't you prefer to walk while looking ahead?"
Iris raised a brow.
"Why? Does it bother you, Lady Peirce?"
"No," Marceline said with a small smile. "But you're about to meet someone."
Iris frowned slightly, curiosity piqued.
"Who?"
Marceline's smile sharpened.
"In… one… two—"
Iris turned—
—and collided straight into Celine.
Celine stumbled back, nearly losing her balance, but Iris caught her just in time.
For a fleeting second,
their lips brushed.
Iris froze.
A sudden jolt shot through her, her eyes widening in shock.
"…three," Marceline finished, her smirk deepening.
Celine's face flushed red as she quickly steadied herself and pushed Iris away.
"What is wrong with you?" she snapped, irritation clear in her voice.
Iris stepped forward, hands raised slightly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Then why did you?" Celine cut in, her eyes narrowing.
"It was an accident!" Iris said, waving her hands in frustration.
She was still shaken herself, she hadn't meant for that to happen.
Though… she was relieved to finally see Celine out of her chamber after nearly eleven days.
Celine pointed an accusing finger at her.
"You're lying. You did that on purpose just to embarrass me."
"There's no one here," Iris shot back, trying to reason with her.
"I am," Marceline chimed in lightly. "Am I no one to you, Lady Iris?"
"You're not helping, Lady Peirce," Iris muttered under her breath.
Celine looked like she was about to snap again,
but then she stopped.
Her expression shifted.
She closed her eyes and took a slow breath.
Then another.
Iris and Marceline exchanged a glance.
"Lady Celine…?" Marceline asked carefully. "Are you alright?"
Celine opened her eyes and looked at her.
"Yes," she said, her tone steadier now. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking."
Iris hesitated before speaking.
"Are you… sure?"
Celine glanced at her, her expression tightening for a moment before she forced a small smile.
"Yes. I'm sure."
Then, after a brief pause,
"How are you?"
Iris blinked.
"…What?"
She stared at Celine, completely thrown off.
"Stop looking at me like that," Celine muttered, clearly annoyed. "I'm trying to work on myself."
Iris's expression softened slightly,
but before she could respond, Celine huffed, turned on her heel, and walked away.
Iris watched her go, only then realizing the breath she'd been holding.
"What was that…" she muttered, her fingers drifting to her lips, right where Celine's had brushed moments ago.
She frowned slightly.
That had felt…
nice.
Too nice.
A thought slipped in before she could stop it...
'What will a real kiss feel like?'
Iris froze.
Then promptly slapped herself across the cheek.
Marceline raised a brow, watching the entire thing unfold.
"…Should I arrange an appointment with the High Priest?" she asked dryly.
"You seem rather possessed after your kiss with Lady Celine."
"We did not kiss!" Iris shot back immediately.
"Of course," Marceline replied. "My eyes must be failing me."
Iris huffed, turning her head away.
Marceline chuckled softly but didn't push further.
Instead, the two continued walking, their conversation drifting to lighter topics as they moved along the garden path.