Chapter 22: Rejection
RESEDA looked at Iris’s bowed head and let out a heavy sigh. “So, according to you, it’s for my own good?”
“No, it’s for my own good. I’m afraid I simply don’t have the emotional fortitude required to be with you.”
“You think I’ll hurt you?”
“No, I refer to the vicious insults that will surely be hurled my way.” Iris stared down at her lap.
“Iris, you’ve been nominated as a Holy Maiden candidate.”
“A position for which I am unworthy.”
“But if you become the Holy Maiden, then no one would dare complain! It would prove God chose you!”
“He won’t choose me.”
Both God and Reseda would ultimately choose Camille. Iris knew this for a fact. After all, she was the villainess.
“You’re far too modest.”
“I speak only the truth.”
Realizing his attempts were futile, Reseda sighed. “Look at me, Iris. I have heard your opinion as the eldest daughter of the Marquis—but now, I ask to hear your personal feelings as my friend.”
Timidly, Iris looked up at him.
“How do you feel about me?” he asked.
His pink eyes sparkled as he fixed her with a puppy-dog look. Coming from a handsome prince, the move was super effective, and Iris reeled. She was already a huge fan of HanaKoro’s character designs. Even when he was acting like a yandere, he was still charming—so one could imagine how much power a younger, non-yandere version would have over her! It just wasn’t fair!
“W-Well, I…I don’t especially dislike you…”
“So you like me, then?”
“Nngh…well…if it’s between those two options, then…yes…”
Reseda grinned. “Okay then, what’s the problem?”
“I can’t! No, no, no, no, noooo way!”
As the blood drained from her face, Iris thrust out both hands and waved them dismissively, proper manners be damned.
Reseda shrugged his shoulders. As a prince, he could always use his royal authority to make it happen against her will, but he didn’t want that. He didn’t just want Iris—he wanted her love and attention. And if he had to force her to be around him, then there was no point.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled. His only option was to give up…for now.
“Very well, Iris. I’ll retract my request.”
“Thank you so much!” Iris shouted, nearly jumping out of her seat with joy. He grimaced.
“However,” he continued sharply, freezing her in place, “the moment you are crowned the Holy Maiden, I will formally ask for your hand in marriage. That’s final.”
He had concluded that he would simply have to make her fall for him within that timeframe. As for Iris, she was overjoyed. Sure, a formal marriage proposal from a member of the royal family was nigh-inescapable—but she would never be crowned the Holy Maiden. Once Camille was given the title, he would probably propose to her instead.
“It won’t happen. Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I must be going.” Beaming, Iris rose to her feet.
He glared at her sulkily. “That reminds me, I forgot to mention something.”
Blinking, Iris looked at him. He offered his hand to escort her; without thinking, she took it and started walking. As they left the gazebo, he looked at her with his peach-colored eyes, his lashes sparkling in the morning sun. Reflexively, Iris let out a sigh. He was truly beautiful.
Their eyes suddenly met. Startled, Iris tried to pull away—a little too hard. When she lost her balance, he caught her by the arm, brought it to his lips, and planted a kiss on her scars. The ugliest, most grisly part, too.
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“I’m in love with you, Iris, even if you’re not in love with me.”
Frightened, Iris shoved him as hard as she could. Knocked off-balance, they both fell to the ground. They looked at each other, their faces beet-red.
“I…I…”
Iris tried to explain herself but couldn’t find the words. She knew she had committed a grave transgression, but it was kind of his fault for making a move on her, so really, it was just self-defense!
Then he started snickering. “I’m not offended, you know. We’re friends, after all.”
“Friends…?”
He smirked. “For now, at least.”
Iris quickly rose to her feet, said her goodbyes, and dashed away from the gazebo. Her face was on fire. What just happened back there?!
“I’m in love with you, even if you’re not in love with me.”
That was another line ripped from HanaKoro—specifically, from the scene where Reseda confessed his love for Camille despite having a fiancée. That was the response he gave when she rebuked him as unfaithful. The words had a devastating effect on her because she was in love with him, too, even though she knew it could never be.
So why would Reseda say it to me? As far as Iris knew, the game hadn’t even started yet. A line like that would work on just about anyone, protagonist or not! But while part of Iris was frustrated with him for toying with her, another part of her was pleased… If I’m not interested in him, then why in the world did it make me so happy?
It was just a line from a script; the game was simply forcing him to say it. Looking at it that way made it a little easier to swallow. But even then, Iris wanted to believe that he sincerely didn’t think of her as tarnished.
Iris ran and ran, willing her brain to stop thinking. Behind her, Reseda watched her go with a soft sigh.
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IN the end, Reseda backed off and told Lord Chevalier that his original proposal was a bit premature. Instead, the two decided to team up to ensure there would be no obstacles to the engagement in the future. As Nigel watched this exchange, he did feel sorry for Iris, but he thought it best not to inform her. He didn’t know how she had managed to repel the Prince, and until he could figure it out, he was terrified of letting her run loose.
I’ll be the one to protect her, he quietly vowed.