“…What?”
For a moment, Iris doubted what disorder might have affected her hearing. Naturally, her body, having reached the level of a master and far surpassing an ordinary human, was unlikely to have any abnormalities.
Yet, the words that had just emerged from Kyrie el Denaris’ mouth held a destructive power far beyond Iris’ understanding.
‘Loan?’
The moment she heard that word, a disbelieving laugh escaped Iris’ lips.
Setting aside the appropriateness of using the term “loan” when referring to people rather than objects, she couldn’t help but question the sanity of this woman who so casually suggested lending her one and only companion to another.
‘Didn’t Kyrie also hold Cain in her heart?’
Iris knew.
Over the past year, while part of the expedition, she’d spent considerable time with him and had come to understand certain things.
Even the ageless Kyrie el Denaris harbored affection for Cain von Estel.
‘It was inevitable…’ she thought with a bitter smile.
If Kyrie el Denaris had any discernment, she couldn’t ignore Cain’s true worth.
Even Iris, who had worshiped martial arts all her life and considered the sword her only companion, had found herself drawn to this man who shone as brilliantly as the stars, ultimately falling for him.
Because of this, Iris had assumed Kyrie would assist her in locating the missing Cain.
From what she understood, elves were known to be romantic, seeking only one partner throughout their long lives and remaining with that person for eternity.
Of course, seeking another woman’s help to find the man she loved grated on Iris’ pride. However, under the urgent circumstances and without knowing what Cain might face at the hands of Bianca del Castana, Iris couldn’t afford to reject any potential means.
She had set her pride aside and asked Kyrie for help, only to hear the absurd word “loan” from her.
‘…Is she out of her mind?’
Indeed, Iris thought Kyrie el Denaris must have lived for too long, possibly muddling her thoughts. If not that, perhaps the woman was simply senile.
Even as Iris regarded Kyrie with a stunned expression, Kyrie returned her gaze with a look of utter indifference, as if contemplating that such a concept might be beyond the comprehension of a mere human girl who had lived only three decades.
“…Kyrie. Cain is not a thing, nor does he belong to you. Yet you treat him as if he were something you could keep in your pocket. Should I take your words as a declaration of war?”
As Iris, unable to suppress her anger, reached for the sword at her waist, Kyrie posed a calm question, her face still unreadable.
“Iris el Devhart. How many years have you spent with him?”
“…What?”
“If I remember correctly, it was two or three years. You were quite greedy back then, weren’t you? I never imagined you’d be so bold as to monopolize his affection. You gave me quite a challenge.”
Iris frowned at Kyrie, who wore a faint smile as she continued, “I didn’t expect you to just claim him and disappear.”
What Kyrie implied now was unmistakable…
“Well, I understood up to that point. Even Ariel Thiers, the woman called the goddess’ agent, was rather… relentless. No, perhaps she was the most insistent among us, abandoning all duties and responsibilities to stay by his side like a loyal pup. Compared to her, you were considerably restrained. Almost like a whale.”
“…..”
Gradually, Iris found it difficult to grasp what Kyrie was saying. No, in truth, she couldn’t understand it at all.
Taken at face value, Kyrie’s words implied…
“By the way, there was one miserable soul who never even touched him while you all took turns monopolizing his attention. Can you guess who that might be, Iris?”
Kyrie chuckled, asking the question without any real expectation of a response. For this tale touched on matters unknown to Iris el Devhart.
“The answer is Bianca del Castana, a woman who, for the past twenty years, loved Cain and devoted herself to him but never received a single moment of reciprocation.”
“Ah, the sadness of it all…”
Iris felt a chill as she observed Kyrie, who spoke with an unsettling theatrical flair.
“Of course, part of it was her own doing. As you know, Cain doesn’t think highly of himself, does he? Perhaps things would have been different had she openly confessed, as you and Ariel did.”
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