“Yes. Yes, my lord knight.”
“Would you be willing to help me lay them to rest?”
“Of course.”
Theodore nodded solemnly and rose from his seat.
At that moment, the Sacred Sword trembled.
Iris looked toward the blade as a gentle golden light poured forth from it.
The radiance spread rapidly, enveloping the bodies of the fallen.
Like a divine healing, the cruel scars and wounds were covered, restoring the flesh where possible.
But,
since death had already claimed them, even the Sacred Sword’s power could not revive the lost souls.
Instead, as if to bless the departed, clusters of white blossoms began to bloom around them.
The golden light seemed to tend to the pitiable lives sacrificed here.
Surrounded by the white flowers, the corpses were bathed in the golden glow and slowly faded away.
“May you find true happiness in your next life.”
Iris prayed quietly as she watched the shimmering light dissipate.
“I hope you never endure such pain again.”
Theodore bowed his head beside her, joining in the prayer.
“May you all find peace in a place free from suffering.”
They shared a moment of solemn silence.
Outside, the sun was fading into a deep indigo sky.
It’s time to return.
More time had passed than expected. Cedric might be worried.
Iris turned her gaze and caught Theodore’s eyes lingering on the Sacred Sword.
Suspicious, no doubt.
He likely understood by now that this was no ordinary blade.
How do I explain this?
But Iris had few answers herself.
“Prince Theodore, this is… well—”
“Lady Knight, it’s alright.”
His clear green eyes softened as he looked at her.
“You needn’t trouble yourself with explanations.”
“Still…”
Iris hesitated briefly, but Theodore gently shook his head.
“I already sensed you carry a great secret you wish to keep hidden.”
“Then, then!”
The parrot perched on Theodore’s shoulder nodded approvingly.
With a happy smile, Theodore gently tapped the bird’s head and turned back to Iris.
“Saving Angmu has been a great blessing to me. How could I possibly burden you further after such a debt?”
“Prince Theodore…”
Iris quietly spoke his name, and he bowed his head in earnest response.
“And for your sake, I vow to keep all that transpired today a secret.”
His green eyes briefly glanced at the departed.
Perhaps, if Iris had not saved me…
I might have been one of them.
“To be honest, I am furious about what I endured today. I swear I will find the culprit—the one who nearly killed Angmu—and make them pay.”
Theodore wiped away the tears staining his face with resolute determination.
“But I also know there is nothing I can do right now. Like before, I am powerless.”
“That’s not true.”
“Thank you for the comfort, but I believe it is the truth.”
Watching Iris’s worried gaze, Theodore fell into thought.
If one were to mold the chivalric duty of protecting the weak from fairy tales into human form, would they look like her?
Perhaps the first saint who drew the sword for the gods would have looked just like Iris.
‘I want to repay this debt no matter what…’
But Iris sensed that he likely wouldn’t want to receive any favors.
Then what is it that the knight truly desires?
Theodore looked at the silver-haired parrot energetically nibbling its feathers and spoke.
“I want to become someone who protects others. To cultivate my strength further and be someone who can offer real help.”
With a composed expression, he smiled clearly.
“Someone like you, my lady knight.”
Seeing his pure and handsome face warmed her heart amid the chaos.
“I trust you.”
Iris smiled, meeting Theodore’s clear green eyes.
“I believe it’s entirely possible. You have a warm heart.”
At that moment, the original timeline in Iris’s mind shifted rapidly.
Golden energies flowed as old memories faded, replaced by a new episode.
[“The new Duke Hill is rather reckless.”
It was clear this referred to Theodore Hill, the heir to the original Duke.
Perhaps youth blinded him to the emperor’s fear.
“To dare oppose me…”
Emperor Ludwig smirked, thinking of the young duke.
“Send a letter to the new Duke Hill. We must seize the salt mines from him.”]
This episode showed Theodore as the new Duke Hill standing against the emperor, defending the eastern lands.
Because of this, the emperor’s plan to hold the north hostage with essential supplies was thwarted.
[“His Majesty wishes for this. Do you think my father would agree to this?”
“My father believes in me.”
The young Duke Theodore spoke firmly.
“Therefore, I refuse to be dragged into His Majesty’s schemes.”]
Iris alternated between recalling the original story and observing Theodore’s resolute gaze.
I changed the future.
The emperor’s faction was greatly diminished, and his plans twisted.
Many conspiracies involving the east were erased.
Cedric will have a much easier path now.
The golden energy continued unfolding the pages ahead.
It revealed Cedric’s marriage scene.
[It was an arranged marriage decreed by the emperor. Cedric was forced to take a bride from the Valentine clan.]
That had been the original plot.
[It was an arranged marriage decreed by the emperor. Cedric had to marry the bride from the Valentine clan, Iris Valentine—Cedric’s bride.]
A new name appeared above the scene.
My name… is now part of the original story.
Iris looked at her name and tears fell as if she was breaking down.
“Lady Knight, are you alright?”
Theodore, fidgeting like a nervous dog, asked anxiously.
“Is something troubling you?”
The parrot, sensing Theodore’s emotions, also nervously spoke to Iris.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry—”
“I’m fine. This isn’t…”
Iris wiped her tears and answered.
“I’m not crying out of sorrow.”
Even as she cried, she smiled.
“I’m just happy.”
Though Cedric’s ending still didn’t include her, only the marriage scene had her name added.
I’m so glad I realized I can change things.
But that was enough.
“That’s why I’m crying.”
Just having her name newly written in the story was enough—
It felt like her lonely battle had finally been recognized.
At the same time, in the secret chamber of the imperial palace—
Crack—
A thin crack appeared on a long mirror.
“An intruder?”
The silver-haired woman gazed at the mirror, deliberately tracing the crack with her finger.
Blood oozed from the scratch, pooling within the fissure. The blood slowly began to restore the mirror. But today, it was different.
Crack, snap—
Instead of healing, a horizontal crack spread across the mirror.
Blood poured from the mirror, ruining its surface.
The woman wiped vigorously with her sleeve, but the flowing blood wouldn’t fade.
How hard I’ve worked for this…
Watching the damage, the woman gritted her teeth deeply.
“They say a true saint has appeared…?”
On the way back to camp, Iris tried once more to glean clues from Theodore.
“Was there nothing else?”
Theodore, with his tail between his legs like a dejected puppy, muttered sadly.
“No, I’m sorry.”
The parrot perched on Theodore’s shoulder, clearly fixated on his silver hair, suddenly opened its beak.
“Such foolishness!”
“…Parrot, that’s really harsh.”
“Thank you. Parrot likes you too.”
Theodore gave an awkward smile, explaining, “That’s just the parrot’s usual phrase.”
“No, you devil!”
The parrot snapped back irritably from the side.
“Theo, you don’t know how to respect your elders.”
“…That’s also the parrot’s habit. My maternal grandmother used to call me a little devil sometimes.”
“I don’t mind.”
Iris smiled gently and nodded toward the awkward Theodore.
“So don’t worry too much.”
“Our parrot usually says even cuter things, but today it’s just in a bad mood, you see?”
“Ah! I’ll stop talking now!”
When Theodore pointed a finger, the parrot provocatively pecked at it and said,
“What could you and I possibly say to each other!”
“Ahh!”
Despite the lovely sky-blue feathers, the parrot displayed quite a feisty temperament.
Iris watched Theodore with pity as he busied himself caring for the parrot.
“…I don’t know much else, but I see how much you’ve been through.”
To raise it like this continuously… Theodore seemed quite accustomed to the parrot’s intense affection.
“…Ah! The voice I heard—it didn’t sound human.”
Theodore answered uncertainly.
The enemy likely moved in some unknowable way, much like the curse itself.
Considering that, it wasn’t strange Theodore couldn’t identify the voice’s nature.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“If I recall anything else strange or suspicious, I’ll be sure to report it to help.”
“Thank you, Gongja Theodore.”
Iris nodded gracefully with a soft smile.
The curse, the black script—
‘I wish we could find proof connecting this to Emperor Ludwig.’
But no evidence had surfaced yet.
Before long, the two arrived near the barracks.
“…Once we part ways, I probably won’t see you again.”
Theodore, who had been walking briskly, slowed his steps with a voice full of regret.
“Can I manage well without you, Knight?”
“You will.”
Iris nodded with certainty.
“Gongja Theodore, trust yourself more.”
“Yes. I’ll do my best.”
Theodore met Iris’s gaze and nodded.
Iris suddenly realized just how much taller he had grown.
‘The difference in height between Cedric and him was even greater than this.’
The soft evening light settled on Theodore’s silver hair.
He waved as if to say goodbye, then stopped.
“Knight.”
His emerald eyes fixed on Iris with resolve, his lips more tense than before.
“I will never forget what you’ve done for me today.”
Looking around nervously, Theodore knelt on one knee before Iris.
“The grace you’ve bestowed, I swear in the name of Theodore Hill to repay someday.”
It was formal etiquette befitting a noblewoman.
Seeing a side of Theodore different from the golden retriever-like demeanor was striking.
His verdant eyes softened like the greenery in spring.
“May I one day keep this vow to you?”
“You need not.”
Iris smiled gently at Theodore.
‘Honestly, it’s all thanks to Cedric.’
What would Cedric have done in his place?
Lost in thought, Iris carefully extended one hand to Theodore, following proper etiquette.
“But if that is your wish.”
“Thank you, Lady.”
Theodore gazed at Iris’s white hand for a moment, then brushed his lips lightly without fully touching it.
“Thank you for granting me the honor of your remembrance.”
— Chapter 8: The Lady of Violet Castle —
Theodore returned to the eastern barracks. The parrot fluttered around, chirping “Farewell!” before flying off.
Iris headed toward Leontheim’s barracks. Her steps, light at first, gradually quickened.
‘I miss Cedric.’
She couldn’t hide the happiness swelling inside her.
She was no longer a mere extra, forgotten and unnamed.
‘My name appeared.’
Though her role and fate remained unknown, it was still something.
“Cedric!”
She called out his name awkwardly as she entered the barracks—only to find he wasn’t there.
Had he not arrived yet?
She had seen others come in, though.
Turning to search for Cedric, someone suddenly wrapped Iris in a tight embrace.
“Where have you been!”
Chapter 75