Chapter 75: Ch 74: Taking matters in my own hand
Kael went back home as soon as he was done with the meeting. However, there was one question he had to consider now—should he tell Iris what happened or let her remain blissfully unaware?
He had initially wanted to let her remain ignorant, but Sir Ridley’s words had touched a nerve when he commented that Kael had no right to interfere in Iris’s affairs.
And he was right. Kael had no right to judge things for Iris.
So he was going to tell Iris everything.
...
"So, you are saying that I got a marriage proposal from a noble, but you rejected it for me?"
Iris asked, and Kael did his best not to squirm in his seat.
Kael felt nervous, but he knew that he needed to face Iris properly. She deserved at least this much sincerity from him.
"That’s right. I rejected that proposal, and I also met Sir Ridley in your stead. I can safely conclude that he is not a good match. I have a feeling the council is using him to pressure you."
He explained to Iris, and her expression became sharper.
Kael waited for Iris to make a choice. He was going to accept whatever she chose to do from here on.
"Since you met that man and already concluded that he’s not the right person for me, I will follow your lead and reject him as well."
Iris decided she was going to leave this up to Kael.
He felt relieved but sorry at the same time. Mainly because it felt like Iris was making this decision because of him.
"I am relieved to see that you feel the same way, but you don’t have to reject someone because I told you to. You can make your own choices. If you one day bring a boy...or a girl home, I won’t object to your choice."
Kael assured Iris, only for her to have a sullen look on her face.
"Is something bothering you?"
He asked Iris, only for her to remain silent. It was a clear indication that she did not want to talk about this issue anymore.
Kael allowed her to have her time, and Iris finally decided to speak up after a few more minutes of deliberation.
"This...Sir Ridley...can you allow me to take care of him? I know my request is arrogant, but I want to tell him myself that I don’t want to marry him."
It was a request Kael had not expected Iris to make while remaining rational.
With her hot temper but meek nature, he had either expected her to leave everything related to this situation to him or go out and destroy Sir Ridley.
’The current Iris seems like she can handle this herself. Maybe I should give her a chance.’
Kael sighed before he placed his hand on Iris’s shoulder.
"I understand. I will leave this matter in your hands. But make sure you keep your safety locket on you at all times. I know you are capable, but just in case..."
Iris nodded, and her hand went to clutch her necklace. She looked determined to take this matter into her own hands.
And maybe that was what she needed as well to regain some authority in her life.
__________
"Excuse me, but do you want to earn a lot of money? All you have to do is use your body for a bit."
Sir Ridley’s butler had been scouting the streets for hours when he finally found someone suitable.
The girl he had found was a little older than twenty-three, but her physique was just enough to make her pass as the bulky Sword Master.
Iris Nightbane was referred to as a tall woman who looked intimidating but had a gentle face. But no matter how much the reports described her as such, she was a woman in the end. Just how intimidating could she be?
Not that he could present a hot-headed, intimidating woman to his master without consequences.
His master was overestimating his own ability. He would not be able to handle an actual dominant woman without doing something drastic.
So he chose a woman that fit his ’image’ of Iris and decided to persuade her. If worse came to worst, then he would just use a spell on her.
"Let me go. I don’t want to earn money."
The woman refused and tried to run away. But he caught her arm and stopped her.
"Hey, my master is Sir Ridley. You know, that rich noble. He can give you as much as you demand-"
Someone yanked his hand away from that startled woman, and he was about to rage at the person when he stopped.
The woman who had stopped him was much taller than him. She stood nearly seven feet tall with a well-built body but a gentle face.
"Did you say you know Sir Ridley? I have some business with him. Do you mind taking me to him? My name is Iris Nightbane."
The butler almost pissed himself as he dangled from Iris’s grip. Never in his life had he seen a more intimidating woman before, and he could only think of one thing.
’There is no way my master would be able to handle her. Should I deny her request...?’
"If you don’t want to show me the way, that’s fine as well. I will just pay the information guild to tell me."
Her words made the butler panic.
If he refused to bring Iris to his master and his master were to find out, then he would die.
’Under such circumstances, it will be better to take her with me. But before that, I need to make sure she won’t hurt Sir Ridley.’
The butler was panicking on the inside, but he kept a pleasant smile on his face on the outside.
"Ah, Miss Iris? What an honor to finally meet you. I am sure my master would say the same. But before we head there, can you wear this ring? It will allow you entry to our mansion and is for security purposes."
The butler gave her an ability-sealing ring. Once Iris had it on, she would not be able to use her mana.
Iris did as she was told without any questions, and the butler noticed how easily she followed instructions.
’Maybe she won’t be a problem for my master after all. She looks rather tame. But still, let’s keep an eye on the situation.’
With that decided, the pair left for Sir Ridley’s mansion.
But little did the butler know that the second Iris’s abilities were cut off, a message had been sent to Kael. And Kael decided to give Iris a few more hours before he needed to go and get her.
