“Well, it’s a hundred times better than having your face turn ugly after only a few decades? Oh, come to think of it, since you’ve awakened your aura, you should last longer than a normal human woman. At the very least, you will be able to out last women who are younger and more beautiful than you. Take, for example, Ariel Thiers, who is a year younger than you.”
At Kyrie’s taunting smile, the tension rose within Iris. After all, there was no woman who didn’t care about the inevitable decline in beauty with age.
“…Really, I don’t like you. Back then and even now, it’s clear that you and I are truly incompatible.”
“Heh, Iris. I can relate to that. I also dislike the other human women who joined the expedition. Especially someone like you, who arrogantly relies on her bloodline.”
As Iris and Kyrie exchanged scathing words, seemingly reveling in their mutual irritation, Aria, visibly frustrated, stepped forward. She couldn’t guess what past grudges lay between them, but an ominous feeling told her they wouldn’t get to the point that night.
“…Princess, forgive the interruption, but can we get to the matter at hand?” Aria whispered lowly to Iris, her tone laced with impatience.
This caught Kyrie’s attention, who finally acknowledged Aria’s presence with a curious gleam in her eye.
“…Iris. Could you introduce your companion?”
Looking at Aria, Kyrie’s gaze sharpened, and Iris couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. The elf, usually fearless, now betrayed a hint of unease.
“Her name is Aria. She’s one of Young Lord Cain’s vassals and a companion of mine as well.”
“…Aria.”
Upon hearing the name, Kyrie’s lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile.
“It’s uncanny. It feels almost as if this is no mere coincidence… or perhaps it’s fate.”
“What?” Iris blinked, startled by Kyrie’s cryptic words. But before she could probe further, Kyrie turned away as if she’d rather not dwell on the topic.
“…It’s nothing. I just thought I was mistaken for a moment. In any case, let’s get to the main point. Why have you come all this way into the heart of the Great Forest to find me?”
Though Iris narrowed her eyes at Kyrie’s evasion, she decided to set it aside. Right now, more pressing matters awaited her.
“…Very well, then. I’ll get to the point, as you wish. I came here to find you because of Bianca del Castana. I recently confirmed that she passed through this area, so I’ll ask directly: has Bianca del Castana been here, and did you meet her?”
To Iris’s surprise, Kyrie nodded calmly.
“Yes, she came to the Great Forest, and it’s true—I met her face-to-face.”
Iris’s eyes widened, unable to hide her surprise. After Bianca had disappeared from the Duchy of Estel, her trail had gone cold. Now, at last, she had a lead!
“What did Bianca del Castana come here for?” Iris asked urgently.
But Kyrie only shook her head and replied, “It’s a secret.”
“Then, what did she do here?”
“That’s also a secret.”
“…Is there any question you can answer without claiming it’s a secret?”
“That, too, is a secret. I’m sorry.”
A vein pulsed visibly on Iris’s temple.
“…Kyrie el Denaris. Are you playing games with me?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m quite serious. Bianca and I made an ‘Oath of Mana’ upon the World Tree. I’d rather not have my heart explode right now, so I am bound to keep it a secret.”
Iris frowned at Kyrie’s response. If what she said was true, then Kyrie’s hands were tied by the oath. Yet even so, Iris couldn’t afford to walk away empty-handed. This was the closest lead she’d had on Bianca—and Cain—in so long. Without any clues from here, they might never uncover where Bianca and Cain had gone.
“…Bianca del Castana. Even though she may have kidnapped Cain?” Iris pressed.
Kyrie tilted her head slightly. “Kidnapped? Bianca del Castana, kidnapped Cain?”
“Yes,” Iris confirmed.
Kyrie’s confusion only deepened. “But why should that matter? The Bianca del Castana I know harbored feelings for Cain. Isn’t it safe to assume she wouldn’t harm him, even if she did take him?”
Iris felt a surge of frustration at Kyrie’s naive response. Despite living many lifetimes longer than any human, the elf seemed shockingly unaware. Was she truly imagining that nothing would happen between a man and a woman of their age, forced together in close quarters?
“…Do I really need to spell this out? Who knows what that crazy, conniving woman might do while she has Cain all to herself…”
“Ah, so that’s it.”
Kyrie raised a hand, finally understanding Iris’s concerns.
“Iris, this is what’s troubling you, isn’t it? You’re worried that Bianca del Castana might take some… inappropriate liberties with Cain while they’re together.”
“Exactly. I’m glad you understand now. So, help me find her as soon as possible…”
“No. I don’t understand at all.”
Kyrie’s interruption caught Iris off guard.
“Why should I bother looking for them?” Kyrie continued, her expression unfathomable. “In fact, if you ask me, I’d say we could stand to ‘loan’ Cain to that poor woman for a while.”
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