Chapter 35: Reunion and Accusations

As Iris approached the source of the light.

She began to see structures that seemed out of place in the forest.

Almost certain that Evrys was the source of the light.

Iris scanned her surroundings.

She spotted the weathered remains of what appeared to be a temple.

She had no idea what deity it might have been dedicated to.

But she dismissed it as unimportant.

Her gaze moved beyond the ruins.

She saw Amelia.

Staring up at the sky, blinking.

The princess’s face paled.

She scrambled to her feet.

Iris followed Amelia’s gaze upwards.

Something silver was falling from the sky.

There was no time to think.

Iris immediately urged her horse towards the falling object.

She knew, without a doubt, that it was Evrys.

She didn’t know why Evrys was falling.

But Iris’s mind was consumed with the single thought of catching her.

Debris blocked her horse’s path.

Without hesitation, Iris used the horse as a springboard.

Leaping over the ruins.

Ignoring the scrapes on her skin from the jagged stones.

She ran desperately.

‘Even Evrys…’

‘A fall from this height could be fatal.’

‘Will I make it in time?’

‘No, I have to.’

As if responding to her fervent wish.

A faint light emanated from Iris’s chest.

The light shot towards Evrys.

And as it touched her.

Evrys’s uncontrolled descent slowed dramatically.

Like a puppet with its strings cut.

By the time Evrys fell within Iris’s reach.

The light vanished with a soft chime.

Ready and waiting.

Iris caught Evrys in her arms.

She let out a sigh of relief.

‘A moment later…’

Iris shook her head, dispelling the gruesome thought.

She looked down at Evrys.

Her eyes were closed.

Exhaustion etched on her face.

In her small hand, she clutched the remains of a sword hilt.

The red jewel embedded in the pommel confirmed it was the sword Iris had given her.

‘What happened?’

Pushing down her curiosity.

Iris adjusted her hold on Evrys, cradling her carefully.

‘We need to get back.’

As Iris turned to leave.

She was interrupted.

“Lady Winterhoff.”

“…Your Highness.”

‘Oh, right.’

Iris had completely forgotten about Amelia.

It made sense that Amelia was here.

After all, they had disappeared together.

If Evrys had returned alone.

Iris would have been subjected to intense questioning.

Remembering that Evrys and Amelia had left together.

Iris felt a strange pang of discomfort.

It wasn’t as intense as the oppressive feeling she had experienced when they first left.

But something felt wrong.

Amelia hurried over and stood before Iris.

She didn’t look to be in good shape either.

Her complexion was healthy enough, suggesting she hadn’t been starving.

But her clothes were torn.

And leaves clung to her hair.

Neither of them seemed to care about their appearance.

“Lady Winterhoff.”

Amelia’s golden eyes fixed on Evrys.

Who was cradled in Iris’s arms.

“Who is she?”

There was no accusation in her voice.

Only curiosity and a hint of something that sounded like… joy.

Iris didn’t like the sound of it.

“I don’t know.”

Their eyes met.

Iris stared into Amelia’s golden eyes.

Then spoke softly.

“You should be more concerned with proving your innocence in this matter.”

Amelia had experienced countless situations in her many lives.

But Iris’s words struck her as… novel.

Especially coming from someone who had always been so aloof.

‘Even the Ice Princess is changing…’

‘This confirms my suspicions.’

Amelia’s lips twitched upwards.

But she forced herself to maintain a neutral expression.

It would be strange to smile after hearing such an accusation.

“…Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“Evrys would never do such a thing.”

‘…She’s changed more than I thought.’

Amelia was slightly taken aback.

She hadn’t expected such fierce loyalty.

‘Perhaps I should push a little further.’

“I wonder if others would agree. A mysterious noblewoman of unknown origin and the princess of the empire… whose word would—”

“I don’t care what others think.”

Iris cut Amelia off with a firm voice.

As if her words were unworthy of consideration.

“Anyone who dares to spout nonsense will have to face the North.”

‘That’s enough provocation.’

Amelia couldn’t be sure of the exact nature of Iris’s feelings for Evrys.

But it was clearly something precious.

Iris was showing a vulnerability.

‘…She’s someone worth protecting.’

Amelia knew this wouldn’t be easy.

But she had to do it.

She had to end this cycle of rebirth and save the world.

Amelia gave a small smile.

“I have no intention of doing that.”

“Good.”

With that, Iris turned and walked towards her horse.

Amelia followed.

As they reached the horse.

A question popped into Amelia’s mind.

“Did you come alone?”

“There were… complications.”

Amelia thought she understood.

It likely had something to do with the light she had seen emanating from Iris.

‘There’s much to investigate when I return to the palace.’

Iris had many questions for Amelia.

But she decided to wait.

Getting out of the forest was their priority.

Especially for Evrys.

A soft murmur came from Evrys, who was still nestled in Iris’s arms.

Her golden eyes fluttered open, looking around blearily.

“Mmm…”

“Evrys…!”

“Evrys!”

Both women exclaimed simultaneously.

Hearing their voices, Evrys lifted her head.

Her eyes widened as she saw Iris’s face.

Then she whispered in disbelief.

“Iris?”

“Yes.” Iris quickly replied to Evrys’s questioning tone.

Tears welled up in Evrys’s eyes as she sat up and threw her arms around Iris’s neck.

Iris, who remained unshaken even when surrounded by hundreds of monsters, felt her composure waver.

“Is it really… really you?”

“Y-yes.”

Iris’s stammering response betrayed her flustered state.

Evrys began to cry, tears streaming down her face.

“I… I missed you so much… I’m sorry…”

Iris understood.

‘This is another memory she’ll forget.’

But she replied sincerely.

Even if it would be forgotten.

She knew she would regret it if she didn’t speak her mind now.

“…I missed you too.”

Evrys smiled brightly through her tears.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Amelia watched the scene unfold, utterly bewildered.

She suspected Evrys wasn’t in her right mind.

But this sudden change was disconcerting.

“Um… I’m glad you two had a touching reunion, but—”

Amelia tried to get an explanation.

But Evrys cut her off.

“Iris, I don’t like her.”

Evrys pointed at Amelia, her voice sharp.

“…”

“Go away.”

Amelia stared at Evrys, stunned.

‘…Did I do something wrong?’

‘Was it washing her? Was that such a terrible offense?’

“Um… why are you acting like this?”

“I don’t know why, but I know how to fix it.”

“…Hmm.”

Iris stroked Evrys’s back as she snuggled closer.

Then glared at Amelia.

“It seems you’ve done something to Evrys.”

“…There must be some misunderstanding. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

The tense atmosphere was broken by Evrys’s soft whine.

“Iris… I’m hungry.”

Iris stopped glaring at Amelia.

“I brought some food, but it won’t be enough. We should get back.”

“Will you… come with me, too?”

“…Of course.”

“Yay!”

Satisfied with Iris’s answer.

Evrys gave her a beaming smile before drifting back to sleep.

Back at the horse, Iris glared at Amelia silently.

Amelia had a feeling this was going to be troublesome.

But she was too exhausted after days of sleeping rough in the forest to deal with it now.

She’d leave it for her future self.

“…Let’s go back and talk later.”

“Agreed.”

And so, the case of the missing princess came to a close.