Screams echoed from Tyllo’s tent. After hearing the whole story–how Odilon had conspired with Chase to release the silver wolf–Tyllo mercilessly struck Odilon’s cheek with his hand.
The renowned warrior Tyllo’s blow crumpled Odilon like paper, sending him flying into the corner.
“Keep this matter quiet.”
“Your Majesty, this is an incident where the Bedrokkan prince tried to harm a Tetrisian. We must take firm action.”
Tyllo wiped Odilon’s blood off his palm.
“Which is why we must keep it even more quiet.”
It was a matter that could potentially lead to war with Bedrokka.
“How shall we deal with Duke Odilon?”
Twain asked, gauging Tyllo’s mood.
He seemed deeply regretful over the current situation, but inwardly he was whistling.
Odilon would surely lose his ducal title. His duchy would become vacant.
Perhaps he could even receive that vacant duchy himself.
Thus, Twain decided to be like the tongue in Tyllo’s mouth.
“If Your Majesty commands, I will investigate the truth of this matter and mete out punishment, according to your wishes.”
Tyllo sighed. He had no idea how to handle this enormous incident.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty.”
Elise then stepped forward.
“Will you leave it to me? I am the greatest victim in this case.”
Determination entered Tyllo’s eyes.
****
Iris was in a great mood. Smiling at the pile of wild boar carcasses outside Chase’s tent, she thought:
‘So much for being warriors.’
The hunting contest had been a breeze. Without even using half her strength, Iris was poised for victory.
What did she mean by half? She hadn’t even deployed proper magic.
‘I should have spectacularly burned one beast.’
How shocked people would be to see a fireball raining from the sky. And how they would come to revere her.
Iris giggled just imagining it. But her pleasant fantasy didn’t last long.
Seeing Chase approach with a grave expression, Iris sighed.
Chase had lost to Karan.
‘Pathetic.’
His lack of ability combined with excessive greed was becoming unbearable. And the stronger that feeling grew, the more vividly David came to mind.
“You were here. It would be best to prepare to depart immediately.”
Though Chase spoke calmly, he seemed like someone being chased.
“But the award ceremony is still remaining.”
Chase stopped himself from calling his aide.
“Award ceremony?”
“Yes. Since I’m the winner. I did well, didn’t I? I gave my all for you and Bedrokka.”
Iris smiled brightly, as if demanding praise. Of course, words of praise should have followed. But unexpected words came from Chase’s mouth instead.
“What’s so great about winning some little hunting contest like this?”
Chase scoffed.
“Iris, Tetris is a land of barbarians. You shouldn’t feel proud about being the winner at one of their events.”
Iris’ smile slowly faded.
“Is that really what you think?”
“Why? Did you think I had some other thought? There’s no reason for that.”
“I suppose there isn’t.”
Iris snorted. For a moment, the snub stung Chase and his brow twitched.
“It’s because His Highness couldn’t win. You’re belittling it because you couldn’t obtain it yourself, not the other way around?”
Iris struck at Chase’s sore spot. But he didn’t admit it. Nor did he want to converse with her further.
“Think what you want. But neither you nor I will attend the award ceremony.”
“Your Highness!”
Iris had looked forward to dismissing Elise. She had planned to receive the award, then firmly remind Elise of her place on the way down.
‘No matter how hard you try, you can’t even reach my feet!’ She’d meant to make that clear.
But Chase interfered.
Ignoring Iris’ protests, Chase called for his aide.
“Hurry and pack up. We’ll be returning to Bedrokka right away.”
Though puzzled by the sudden order, the aide didn’t ask and relayed Chase’s command to the others.
Soon, only Chase and Iris remained in the tent.
“Why the sudden change?”
“There’s no reason to stay in Tetris any longer.”
Iris calmly observed the hurriedly moving Chase. Watching calmly, she noticed things she had missed in her anger over the rushed departure.
Like how Chase occasionally bit his lip.
“Did something happen?”
Iris grabbed Chase’s arm to turn him around. Annoyed, he faced her.
“Nothing happened.”
“Be honest. Could it be…”
Iris studied Chase intently, her piercing gaze determined to reveal the truth. Chase furrowed his brow in irritation at her persistence.
“It’s a prince’s command. Pack up, Iris.”
“You did something to Elise. But it didn’t go as planned, did it?”
“Iris!”
Chase barked, but Iris didn’t even blink despite the larger man’s yelling.
“I’m right, aren’t I? What did you do, Your Highness? Tell me.”
Iris tilted her head up at Chase’s jaw. A hint of disdain lingered in her eyes.
“What did you do, Your Highness? You have to say so we can deal with it.”
Haah, Iris let out a sigh at the end. She acted like a mother who had found out her child caused trouble outside.
Chase’s pride was hurt. He wanted to reprimand Iris for her brazen attitude of looking down on him, but the timing was not good.
He had pressured Duke Odilon through threats, but couldn’t trust him, so he needed to leave quickly.
“It’s nothing. Even if something did happen, it won’t be a problem, so just pack up.”
Chase clenched his fist tightly, barely containing his anger. He shoved Iris’ hand away and pushed her shoulder.
“Ah!”
As she staggered, trying not to fall, she grabbed firmly onto a chair.
“Running away?”
Just as the commotion outside caught their attention, Karan entered the tent. Seeing the object in Chase’s hand, he let out a derisive laugh.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. An urgent message simply came from Bedrokka, so I’m packing.”
Though he guessed Karan’s reason for coming, Chase feigned ignorance.
Then Iris stepped forward.
“How rude, Your Highness. In Tetris, can a foreign prince just barge into another’s tent? Such behavior may be a Tetrisian cultural norm, but it does not align with human propriety.”
Karan scoffed. From the moment he entered, Iris disliked his expression.
“Human propriety? Thank you for those good words, Lady Iris. I should have spoken first, my mistake. I’ll only say this once, so listen carefully.”
Karan took another step into the tent.
“From now on, Chase Royal Bedrokka is not human. We do not call criminals ‘human’ here.”
“Isn’t that going too far with your words?”
Iris flared up. Regardless of her waning favorable view of Chase, he was still her fiancé and the Bedrokkan prince–someone the Tetrisian prince should not insult freely.
But a criminal? Not human?
“There are charges, evidence, and witnesses. Please step aside.”
Karan wanted to shove Iris out of his way. But remembering the crowd outside the tent, he restrained himself.
“Your Highness Chase, say something. Rebuke this rude man and drive him out.”
Iris turned to Chase. He was expressionless, his thoughts unreadable.
“I cannot wait long. If you have no intention to leave, I will have you dragged out, be forewarned.”
As Karan was about to call the warriors,
“Let’s go.”
Chase placed the object in his hand onto the table.
“Your Highness? What is this…You cannot go. They must have some wicked scheme planned. If you go, you absolutely cannot…”
Chase patted the back of Iris’ hand clinging to his arm.
“But as you can see, my fiancée is quite startled by this. If you could give us a moment.”
“To try and run away?”
“Are not Tetris’ prided warriors right outside? Even if we tried to flee, you could catch us immediately, could you not? Surely we are not so inept that even you two could not best us? If so, I am disappointed.”
Karan let out a laugh. Though Chase maintained an air of innocence, Karan could sense it.
Chase was trembling.
“Lady Iris. Do you know what they say?”
Suddenly, Karan addressed Iris. She whipped her head around.
“The smaller the dog, the more fiercely it barks. My ears are ringing from the sound of dogs barking today.”
“Hey now, Your Highness Karan!”
Iris yelled at Karan loud enough for her veins to bulge from her neck as he mocked Chase.
But her threats did not provoke any reaction from Karan.
“I cannot afford you much more time. Tetris treats criminals poorly. Know that this is the maximum courtesy we can extend.”
Having said that, Karan left the tent. However, he did not go far. His commands to the warriors outside could be clearly heard.
The moment Chase exited the tent, no longer a prince, Karan boldly stated that if he resisted, he would be subjected to Tetrisian law–not even lowering his voice so Chase and Iris could hear.
It was undoubtedly meant for Chase and Iris to hear.
Chase let out sigh after sigh.
It seemed Duke Odilon had betrayed him in the end.
“Your Highness, you need to explain.”
“It appears they are trying to pin something on me.”
“What?”
“Something I did not commit. Whatever you hear, it’s all a misunderstanding. I am not guilty.”
“It’s because of Elise, isn’t it? What did you do to Elise?”
“Iris.”
“Be honest. Only then can I help you, Your Highness.”
Chase hesitated. Iris had told him to just take Elise if he wanted her.
But was she sincere?
If she found out what he had actually done with Elise, whom she disliked?
‘What could this little thing possibly do?’
Realizing he feared Iris, Chase felt ridiculous.
They were already engaged. They had spent nights together. Iris could not leave his side.
“You’re right. I did intend to ruin Elise. You even told me to do so, didn’t you?”
Iris nodded.
“I failed, and I was betrayed.”
“By who? The one who helped you? Tell me in detail.”
Suddenly, Iris had become calmly rational, setting aside her previous excitement.
“Why? What would change by me telling you?”
“It would change things. We cannot undo what has already happened, but we can clear the charges.”
Chase cocked his head in puzzlement.
“He said there were witnesses and evidence. The witnesses and evidence…don’t we just need to eliminate them?”
Iris smiled. The bright smile incongruous with their situation sent chills down Chase’s spine.
