Chapter 7

I am currently experimenting with changing the title.

After a journey of about three weeks, the group finally arrived at the royal castle of the kingdom of Lemuria.

"Iris, as I mentioned before, your true identity must remain a secret for now."

"I understand."

Iris nodded firmly at Prince Alvin's reminder. The mere fact that the wise princess of the kingdom of Rizer was crossing into Lemuria could cause a commotion. Therefore, it was agreed that only a select few, including the king and those who already knew Iris's true identity, would be informed.

"Since we're at it, why don't I just say I'm a simple village girl?"

"Like there's a village girl like you."

"That's disappointing."

(What a chance to move around freely without any reservations.)

She seriously considered it. Prince Alvin, who had come to understand Iris's true nature during the journey, seemed to hear her inner thoughts. He rubbed his temples.

"You are of noble birth, but due to certain circumstances, you cannot reveal your family name. We agreed on this setting, didn't we?"

"Well, it's better not to lie."

This meant that as a wise princess who had her engagement broken, she could not reveal her identity. However, if people misunderstood her as an illegitimate child of an unrecognized noble, that was their prerogative.

"First, wash off the dirt from your journey. Then, you'll be assigned a personal maid."

"A personal maid, you say?"

"It's necessary for various reasons."

Not only in terms of status, but also because she needed to be monitored. The fact that he didn't hide this suggested that he trusted her to some extent. There was no reason to refuse—so Iris turned her gaze to Clarissa.

"Today, I'll leave it to her, who knows the situation, but she can't be permanently assigned as your personal maid. I'd be in trouble without her."

"Understood."

For a moment, Iris thought that if Prince Alvin would be troubled, she should insist, but she backed down, knowing it was impractical. Thus, Iris entered the castle and was led to the bath by Clarissa.

Afterward, Iris, who had been polished from head to toe by Clarissa and the other maids, was drying her platinum blonde hair, which had no split ends. The maids, led by Clarissa, were drying Iris's hair with towels. For a duchess's daughter, this was a daily routine, but it was a lost luxury since she left home. She was clearly being treated better than just a colleague.

"I'm sorry to make you do such things, even though I'm supposed to be your colleague."

"It's no trouble. This is our duty."

"Thank you, Clarissa. And thank you all. I'm in your care for now, but from now on, we are colleagues. Please be friendly and don't keep your distance."

Iris greeted them calmly while observing their reactions through the mirror. She had been introduced as a noble's daughter who could not reveal her family name. She was observing how they would treat her, given her humble attitude.

The young maid, probably of noble descent, showed a slightly relaxed attitude in front of the humble Iris, which was a fail. However, the maid in her mid-thirties responded with a smile and carefully dried her hair.

(Passed... Wait, isn't she...?)

The maid was familiar. She was Rebecca, whom Iris had encountered in her previous life. Recalling the bitter memories associated with her, Iris narrowed her eyes slightly. Rebecca noticed her gaze and stopped.

"Is something wrong, Lady Iris?"

"No, nothing is wrong."

(Maybe I should choose her as my personal maid.)

The one-sided promise from her previous life. While Iris had no obligation to fulfill it, she felt a sense of duty. She was considering having a conversation with her when the corridor suddenly became noisy.

"What's going on?"

"It seems Lady Fiona has arrived. Please go to her immediately."

Iris, tilting her head, replied to the maid.

"Wh-what? I'll go check!"

One of the maids hurried out of the room to check. Soon, she reported back, "Lady Fiona is really here," in a surprised voice. Clarissa's eyes widened.

"Surprised? How did you know, Iris?"

"The presence of a sword maiden is unique."

She could sense the blessing of a spirit from a sword maiden. However, Iris only became able to detect this presence after being exiled from the castle. Fiona's arrival at this place was not due to tracking the presence of the wise princess.

"Please stop drying my hair here. I have a magician's outfit in my luggage, so please bring it to me."

"Magician's outfit? Understood."

Though they seemed to wonder why she needed a magician's outfit, the maids immediately took action. Despite some differences in quality, they were, after all, maids of the royal castle.

Thus, Iris changed into a magician's outfit. A sleeveless jacket, a thin blouse with embroidery, and a long skirt that flared out, cinched at the waist like a corset. Iris chose this outfit to prove she was a magician. She thought it would be better to show Fiona, who valued strength, that she was a magician.

"Pleased to meet you, Lady Fiona—"

Iris, about to introduce herself, gasped. In front of her stood Fiona Lemuria. To Iris, she was the granddaughter of the current king of Lemuria, and her own self from her previous life. Fiona's silky pink-gold hair and amethyst eyes, the same as Iris's, were mesmerizing. Most of all, Fiona, who was five years younger and currently thirteen, was incredibly adorable. All thoughts about her previous life vanished.

(...So, so cute. My previous self is so cute.)

Iris, who was often called the "unsmiling wise princess," had been a girl with a beautiful smile in her previous life. Seeing her objectively, Iris was captivated. She was drawn to Fiona.

"My name is Iris. I am here as your tutor. Please, let's be good friends."

Her words were elegant, and she seemed to be about to make a curtsy, but her face was melting, and her hand was gently stroking Fiona's head. The hand was slapped away.

"I've heard from Alvin-nii. But I'm not just looking for a tutor; I'm looking for a tutor who is stronger than me. Can you satisfy me?"

She spoke arrogantly with her adorable face. However, there was a reason for this, and Iris knew it better than anyone.

Fiona's mother was also a sword maiden. She received the blessing of a sword spirit and the title of sword maiden, and married the son of King Granis. It was a political marriage, but in Fiona's memories, they were a loving couple. Fiona loved her kind parents deeply.

However, they were killed by a monster attack while traveling by carriage. The guards and Fiona's mother, Rosetta, fought but could not prevent the attack, and they died together.

Therefore, Fiona does not open her heart to weak people. She is afraid they might disappear from her life, just like her parents.

Knowing this, Iris—

"Please, test me as much as you like. I am ready to fight."

She made an elegant curtsy and then showed a confident smile, indicating that she would not leave Fiona's side.

"Hmm... You'll fight me?"

"Whether it's swordsmanship, magic, or hand-to-hand combat, I will accept any challenge you wish."

"Then, swordsmanship!"

Fiona said this innocently. It was an action to seek someone who would not leave her. Understanding this, Iris smiled, finding Fiona fragile and adorable. She accepted the swordsmanship challenge to gain Fiona's recognition.

The maids, including Clarissa, who did not understand the situation, panicked and tried to stop Fiona.

"What's the commotion about?"

Prince Alvin, hearing the commotion, appeared.

"Alvin-nii, you're back!"

Fiona ran to Prince Alvin with a very happy face. Seeing this, Iris's eyes widened in surprise, and her face turned red.

(Wait, what? What is this? Fiona looks like a maiden in love with her brother.)

In Iris's memory, Fiona did indeed admire her cousin. However, after being betrayed, those feelings had disappeared, and at most, it was admiration. Yet, from an objective standpoint, Iris saw Fiona as being in love with Prince Alvin. No, it could only be seen that way.

(Could it be that my previous self... No, she's just excited to see her brother after a long time. If not, she's just excited about the combat training. If not... Yes, this world's Fiona and my previous self are similar but different.)

She maintained her composure by denying the connection between the scene before her and her previous life. However, Fiona's admiration for Prince Alvin was more intense than she had thought. Given this level of admiration, it would be futile for Iris to accuse him of betrayal. Instead, there was a high possibility that Iris would be avoided by Fiona.

If she could fight, she could gain some trust—so Iris decided to maintain a calm demeanor and observe the situation.

"So, what's the commotion about?"

"Actually—"

Clarissa, seizing the opportunity, explained to him that the two were about to fight and asked him to stop them. However—

"It's fine, isn't it?"

With the prince's word, Iris and Fiona's combat training was decided.