Chapter 53: The Final Test, Part 2
WHAT looked like a golden cage was, in fact, the Cage of Light at the top of the Tower of Prayer. Once Camille became the Holy Maiden, its design would change to reflect camellias, her signature flower. However, if Iris killed her, it would become a prison cell where she would atone, and the design would then reflect irises. The gold color scheme was a representation of Lyrial, the current Holy Maiden.
Iris couldn’t move a muscle—her body was trembling in terror.
In the center floated a translucent pearl; the light gathered from the top of the tower mixed with the Holy Maiden’s mana, then shone down across the kingdom. And the instant she realized it was the same magic artifact game-Iris was trapped inside in HanaKoro, she was paralyzed with fear. Her breathing grew heavy, and she felt ill.
I’m so scared… I’m gonna puke… Help me!
“Now then, we’ll start with Miss Camille.”
Lyrial handed Camille a sky-blue scroll containing all of her achievements—her hard work on the knowledge test, her quick thinking and creative use of mana during the monster dispatch mission, and her popularity and public speaking skills during the popularity contest. All of it would be conveyed to God.
Camille offered it up to the floating pearl, where it was quickly absorbed inside. As it melted, an iridescent white light began to shine like a supernova. She shrieked in surprise; Bleuet and Reseda stared in disbelief. Meanwhile, Lyrial and Pavot exchanged a nod, as did the king and queen.
“Next, Miss Iris.”
Lyrial handed her a mint-green scroll, and Iris froze. She was too terrified to move a single step. What do I do? I have to offer it to the pearl! But…what if it absorbs ME along with it?!
Iris recalled the bad endings. Trapped inside the cage, Iris was kept on life support, fated to exist there in solitude, staring slack-jawed into space, until at last, she was finally drained dry. The look of despair in her empty eyes was truly something beautiful.
But now I’ll have to relive it myself? A chill ran down her spine as the subconscious fear of death kicked in. Why is this happening? I thought I avoided the bad endings… Am I just doomed no matter what?!
Iris fell to her knees as her consciousness dimmed.
“IRIS!”
Reseda dashed up in front of her, blocking her view of the gilded cage. As he held her limp, lethargic body, she leaned against his chest and took deep breaths. She didn’t remember him being so…big and strong.
“Are you okay?”
His voice was so sweet, it made Iris want to cry. Truth be told, she wanted nothing more than to claw her way out of there and leave it all behind…but would he be angry with her? She didn’t want him to think she was doing it because she hated him… That’s why she worked so hard, right to the very end…
“…Yes, I’m fine… I just…need a little time…”
“Sorry, let me rephrase my question. Can you do this?”
His flamingo-pink eyes gazed at her lovingly, and Iris felt her tear ducts burn. “I…I have to finish the evaluation. I can’t back down.”
“You can if you want to, Iris. We can run away together.”
As he spoke, he cast a magic circle over the golden field, engulfing them both.
“Reseda, no!” Iris shouted.
Then he grinned…and the next instant, they fell from the grassy plain to the cold, dark stone tower.
✦ ✦ ✦
❀❀❀
AFTER they landed, they held each other for a long moment.
Whenever Iris was in trouble, whenever she needed help, Reseda was always there. He was always the one who helped her, even if it meant he would get in trouble later. And now here he was again… She clung to him tightly.
“Prince Reseda…”
“Mmm?”
“I’m so sorry… You’re probably going to get in so much trouble because of me…”
He had absconded with a Holy Maiden candidate before the final interview could be completed. Surely he wouldn’t get off with merely a slap on the wrist... Crying, Iris buried her face into his chest.
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s not your fault, Iris,” he told her, stroking her cheek. “I just didn’t want you to have to suffer anymore.”
At long last, Reseda had realized that Iris couldn’t become the Holy Maiden without any mana. The only reason she was still there was to make sure Camille would win—to make the narrow-minded elites accept her victory. Is it arrogant to think this might be my fault? he wondered. After he declared he would propose to Iris if she became the Holy Maiden, she gave it her very best shot…in order to convince him that no amount of hard work would be enough.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, he thought. He never meant to put her through all this. It was simply a promise he made to himself to get her to fall for him by the age of sixteen. “I’m sorry for being so self-centered, Iris.”
Iris nuzzled her forehead against his chest. “You did nothing wrong, Prince Reseda. You always help me, yet I can’t protect you from the repercussions… I’m sorry I dragged you into this…”
But they were on two different wavelengths.
“Nah. We’re partners in crime, remember?” he told her as he stroked her hair.
A gold magic circle suddenly appeared, and Lyrial and the others returned from the Cage of Light.
“Miss Camille has been crowned the next Holy Maiden,” Pavot declared solemnly.
“Miss Iris did not offer up her accomplishments, and therefore, she lacks the power of a Holy Maiden,” Lyrial explained. And with that, she headed off down the spiral stairs.
As Pavot passed Iris, she leaned in and whispered: “Nice job!” Then she walked off, wearing a perfect poker face.
“Lady Iris! Are you all right?!” Camille asked, dashing over to her.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just feeling a little sick,” Iris replied with a smile.
Prince Bleuet fixed the couple with a sympathetic look as he set a hand on Reseda’s head. “Sorry to ask this of you when you’re not feeling well, but…we’ll need you to be present for just a little longer.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Iris rose to her feet, dusted herself off, and headed down the stairs. Reseda offered her his hand, but she shook her head.
She wanted to be there for the moment Camille was officially given the title. Because Iris knew what was going to happen next…and it was a doozy.