"So Duke Zepher has gone to the brothel to capture the Madam?" Iris asked as she walked beside Marceline.
"Yes," Marceline replied. "He'll be apprehending the other authoritative figures as well, along with Rosetta."
Iris nodded, though something about hearing the Madam referred to by her name felt… strange.
"Not everyone there was bad," she said after a moment, glancing at Marceline.
Marceline raised a brow, intrigued.
"I assume you're referring to the one who helped with your escape?"
Iris froze.
"How did you know someone helped us?" she asked, startled.
Zarah hadn't mentioned Halley. They had promised never to reveal her name.
"It's simple deduction," Marceline said with a small smile.
"As capable as you were at twelve, you were still children. An escape of that scale would have required help from someone within the system."
Iris exhaled softly.
"…I see."
"Honestly, you're the first one to figure that out," she admitted. "No one in the brothel ever did."
Marceline let out a light laugh.
"Oh, it wasn't me," she said. "It was my cousin's conclusion."
"Her Majesty?" Iris asked, a smile forming.
"She really is incredible… and so intelligent."
For a moment, Iris wished she could be more like Ines.
"You are remarkable in your own right, Lady Iris," Marceline said gently.
Iris blinked, caught off guard.
"You really think so?"
"I know so," Marceline replied.
"If I had been locked in a dark room for weeks with little food, I doubt I would have survived… and even if I had, I'm not sure I would have had the strength to stand beside someone whose plan led me there."
Iris's hands trembled slightly at the memory.
Darkness. Hunger. Silence.
Her fingers curled into her palms.
She took a slow breath, steadying herself.
"I could never stop talking to Zarah," she said, a small but firm smile forming. "She's my sister. We may not share blood… but we've shed the same blood."
Her gaze softened.
"I would do anything she asks of me."
Marceline's eyes widened slightly.
She had been right to compare them.
Just as she would give her life for Ines…
Iris would do the same for Zarah.
"Lady Iris…" Marceline reached out and took her hand.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"You are truly admirable."
"Lady Peirce is more admirable," Iris said.
"This is not a competition," Marceline frowned. "If you reply like that again… I will presume you do not consider me a friend."
Iris waved her hands quickly in apology.
"Lady Peirce, it is nothing of the sort. I do consider you my friend."
Marceline huffed, feigning offense.
"I can only believe that if Lady Iris helps me with something," she said.
Iris raised a brow, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What do you need help with, Lady Peirce?"
"I will tell you," Marceline replied, placing a finger against her lips. "Let Lady Zarah return, then I shall need help from you both."
Iris's curiosity deepened.
What could Marceline need that she was being so vague about?
As they walked, they made their way toward the front gardens of the Imperial Palace.
"The palace truly is enormous," Iris remarked, gazing ahead.
"It has been over two weeks since I arrived, and Zarah and I stroll through the gardens most days," she continued. "Yet we have never managed to see it all."
Marceline chuckled softly.
"Is that so?" she said, amused. "I have been coming here since childhood, and even I cannot finish walking the gardens in a single day."
"Then I suppose the imperial gardens are simply too vast," Iris replied with a small sigh.
"I suppose so as well," Marceline agreed.
Iris looked ahead and noticed a grand carriage approaching, golden wheels gleaming beneath a silver body, followed by several smaller white carriages.
"Woah…" she murmured.
Though smaller than the palace carriages, the silver one was still strikingly beautiful.
"That is Duke Sterling's carriage," Marceline said, following Iris's gaze.
"He and Lady Sterling have arrived for the Imperial Ball, which will be held in a few days, for the late Emperor's twelfth death anniversary."
Iris nodded, her eyes lingering on the carriage.
Sterling…
Isn't that—
Her breath caught, and her gaze snapped toward Marceline.
"Jia? I mean—Lady Jia Sterling… is this—"
Before she could finish, Marceline answered with a small smile.
"Yes, it is Lady Sterling's carriage. I heard you were friends at the brothel, would you like to greet her?"
Iris's eyes widened.
She had never expected to see Jia again. And now that the moment had come, she could hardly contain her joy at the thought of meeting her old friend.
She only wished the Empress had not summoned Zarah so early, then the two of them could have gone together.
She nodded eagerly.
Marceline chuckled and stepped ahead.
"Come, then," she said, tilting her head slightly as they made their way toward the front of the Imperial Palace.
The carriage rolled to a slow stop before the palace.
The door opened, and a footman stepped forward, helping Duke Sterling and Jia alight one after the other.
Jacob adjusted his suit, his gaze falling upon Marceline.
"Ah, Lady Peirce," he greeted with a polite nod. "How have you been?"
Jia lowered into a graceful curtsy. "It has been a while, Lady Peirce."
Marceline returned the gesture.
"Greetings, Duke Sterling, Lady Sterling. I have been well, how are you both faring?"
Before either could respond, Iris stepped forward and offered a respectful bow.
"Greetings, Duke Sterling. Lady Sterling."
Jia's eyes widened.
Iris.
It had been years, yet those blue eyes, so hauntingly familiar to Ines's, were unmistakable.
"Iris!"
She rushed forward, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Oh, by Aelthrya, it's really you!" Jia laughed, holding her close.
Jacob watched the exchange with mild amusement before turning to Marceline, the two slipping into conversation about state affairs.
Iris laughed, returning the hug. "Well, would you look at that? Someone's grown affectionate."
"Oh, stop," Jia said, smiling brightly. "I'm so glad to see you again. It's been far too long."
"I know," Iris breathed. "I never thought I would see you again."
Jia pulled back slightly, making a face. "I always knew I would, once you came to the palace. I just didn't expect six years to feel like sixty."
Her gaze drifted past Iris, as though searching for someone.
"Where's Zarah?" she asked.
Iris smirked slightly. "Oh, Zarah is with Her Majesty."
Jia's eyes widened. "Her Majesty?"
Her voice faltered.
The Empress never summoned a Flower Maiden during the day. In truth, she scarcely summoned one at all, except on the night of the ritual.
"Why?" Jia managed.
"Her Majesty always—" Iris began, but Marceline stepped forward, cutting her off.
"Are you questioning my cousin's intentions, Lady Sterling?" Marceline asked, her gaze sharpening.
"My cousin may summon her Flower Maiden whenever she pleases. Why must it be explained?"
Iris glanced at Marceline, startled by the sudden shift in her tone, but said nothing.
She knew Marceline was not wrong.
Speaking of the Empress's intentions, if they were even known, was not something to be done lightly.
Jia's hands clenched at her sides, her knuckles paling.
Why?
Because she was in love with Zarah.
She had been for six years.
Since the day Zarah had fed her chocolate while she lay in the brothel's infirmary, bruised, broken, and barely holding on after being beaten by the Madam.
Zarah had been the first light she had known in that darkness.
So why should she not have the right to ask where she was?
Before Jia could speak, her father stepped forward, gripping her arm firmly.
"So…" Jacob said, his tone measured, "may we greet Her Majesty, now that we have arrived?"
Marceline let out a soft sigh before nodding. "Yes, you may. Come along."
She turned to Iris with a small smile. "I shall see you later, Lady Iris."
"See you later, Lady Peirce," Iris replied, giving a light wave.
Jia remained stiff, her muscles tense, but she managed a curt nod. "We will speak after greeting Her Majesty."
"Yes, see you later, Jia," Iris said, smiling as she waved.
The three nobles moved ahead, making their way toward the Imperial study.
Jia's heart thudded loudly in her chest.
Why…
Why had the Empress summoned Zarah?
-:AUTHOR'S NOTE:-
Hey guys, I have posted Zarah and Ines's first night on Patreon👀, check it out if you want.
The link to my Patreon page is in my bio.
Also what do you think? Is Ines going to like Jia's interruption?
Thank you for reading💜
With love,
Sarice<333