" Your Grace!" Ray said in surprise while running toward a charismatic man who just come inside the Royal Palace where most Imperial members live. " Y-you are back!" sure, it always tense himself up whenever he has to speak with one of the most important people in the empire. He feels even more thrilling because not long ago this man did some madness to his own room and injured several people before he left the palace. A very good reason why his heart thumping like crazy right now.

"... prepare a bath for me," he said calmly.

and it makes Ray frown in confusion. "... Yes, Your Grace." while observing and questioning why is his body wet. "... Then, I will also prepare for your blood transfusion, Your Grace," he said while inside of his heart he is terrified to suggest something he knows will displease him, and he already prepared to be screamed at.

But,

the crown prince with all his attractiveness sighs out loud and brushes his semi-wet hair to the back. " Ya, ya. I don't even care anymore," he said while walking with Ray's following him.

"... There is also something that I should tell you, Your Grace," he said, trying to gamble a little with this kind of new situation.

" What?"

and he is shocked. " Eh?!"

" I said, what?!" and the crown prince looked at him pissed off.

" Ah! the International Minister asked me to schedule a meeting for you due to the Empress's request," he said in hurry. Seemed the strange situation does not really change that dramatically.

and the crown prince takes a minute to think. "... the meeting does not work out, huh?" he guessed it right. Well, it is not something that is new when he is absent and the other imperial children join the imperial meetings. " ... then schedule it."

" Y-yes! Yes!" he said while staring confusingly toward the man that should not be acted like this! Seriously, Ray does not even joke, after many years serving the Imperial Members. He knows a pattern of the one with the dragon's blood. The outrage, the madness, the terror that could happen because of that blood. It will not simply end just in several hours like this.

"... well he did take the other transfusion though." so maybe, that is the reason.

On the other hand, the man itself is now leaning in the very big bath hot water pool with the most expensive and dragon statues alongside it. The decoration is so extravagant and thick with a black and silver accent. Above him, a glass roof shows beautiful night scenery.

splash. the sound of water is always calming. That is always the reason why he comes to that lake to compose himself with this power that is sometimes uncontrollable. Yet, the other sensation instead of the water is still vivid in his memory.

While brushing his wet hair with his hand- he is calming himself down with the water that wets his sturdy body and perfect muscles that a man could ever have.

She is so tiny. Smaller than him. Her hand was so skinny, it could break if he add a little bit more power than he was. Moreover that, she is deaf and muted. A useless person that should not dare to interfere with someone like him, to begin with. Yet, he could not kill her. He was not feeling a little bit murderous when he looked at her.

It was because of her expression. That seemed so hopeless when she saw his blood. She was paled, trembled, could not even understand the situation she was in, and just somehow tried so hard to stop his bleeding.

"... What a stupid woman," he said while leaning to the edge of this humongous hot water and while closing his eyes.

Yet, the sensation is still vivid.

It vividly stays in his memory. When that skinny hands touched him trembling, while his hand touched her cheeks, while their eyes met.

It is still vividly here. he said while then drowned him in this comforting bathwater.

***

.

.

.

It was a long-time dream that once she had forgotten.

It was a very disturbing moment.

The vain smile on that woman's face, the exasperating noises, and the horrifying moments were depicted so clearly in her mind.

" I BEGGED YOU! I BEGGED YOU! I BEGGED YOU SO MUCH!" and the dreadful screaming that always haunted her. The mixed expressions pierced her heart to the point it hurt to breathe.

The misery, the disappointment, the enrage, and the loss of living in that woman's expression were so agonizing.

"... It's all because of you."

" All of it is because of you."

and that woman cried, painfully with the disturbing words that she said repeatedly. Holding her chest as she wanted the pain to go so badly. Yet, she could not. Then, with her miserable eyes, that was hiding an ounce of agony, she looked at her. After that very second while muttered the same word, A loud sound was heard and that woman's blood splattering and scattering all over her body. Gave a very strong disturbing blood scent and it was so disgusting. The shattered flesh was felt vividly in her skin and sudden nausea attack her in a second to her throat. She then threw up.

"... Ngh." she gasped, can not breathe, and it is so painful to breathe. Even though she holds herself so tight, curled herself on her bed, scratches her skin with her nails- she could not stop the regretful feeling of her sin. She is trembling after waking up from the long-forgotten nightmare.

I am sorry.

While screaming from inside of her heart for the sin that she could not fix. For the sin, she could not face...

It's so painful.

She wants to cry. But, she could not. She wants to scream it out, but no words will come out.

Please help me.

but, who could? as it is a sin that she obviously realize, that it is something she has to carry until the death of her life. Being hidden within herself, while no one knows- and no one should know about her past.

.

.

.

" Sister!" and as usual, Arisha greets her with her big and charming smile. While running to her from her seat while having breakfast with Rosan. " How is your feeling, is your fever still high?" asked her while tiptoeing to touch her forehead.

She smiles widely while petting Arisha's hair. [ I am okay. I am really fine right now.]

" You were unconscious, and your fever was so high. Please don't do that..." she said in worry.

" To be specific, please don't jump to the lake," Rosan added. Who comes to approach her and also examine her forehead, and with her fierce face, she said. " You are banned to come to the lake alone from today."

and she just smile resignedly, while being forced to have breakfast with them. Well, in the end, she could not say the truth to them about what was happening in the lake. What could she say, though? That she was going to save someone for doing suicide? Even though, now she could not think that the man who jumped from that high hill was actually doing suicide because how he was so fine back then and it seemed this world has so many, people that are strong enough to be okay after jumping to that high hill.

At that time, she also is not in the right mind to realize what was happening. Her mind was focused on the man's injured more than she could even imagine. She could not control herself and lost her thoughts. Yet, his hand that slowly touched her was vivid and his bright golden eyes were like sucking her into him. Just like being hypnotized at the same time.

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It was truly dangerous, was not it?

and of course, because of that, she will not say anything more about that incident and just said that she was slipped to the lake while she was exploring it. Moreover, the man left an ounce of threat that she should not try to dig more - is what... her right mind now thinks about.

Then after that, because of her high fever, she was forced to take sick leaves by Rosan for several days. She literally used more days off than she should be and was back to work with piles of work to do. She was really busy at that time and she just suddenly forget about what happened.

But, that man's eyes are surely are traced in her brain. As she could easily be reminded by him while looking at the document about some gold mines. [... seems there are people with such eccentric and rare eyes color in this world.] she said. Where Haya and Rosan who is in her office in reflex see her who do some sign language. Where she looks at them, she explained more. [ Blue, green, red, and golden... seem they are many people with these particular eccentric and rare colors.]

" I think they are not that eccentric and rare," said Haya. " We could easily find them is not it?"

" Most of the people in this Althera, sure have brighter colors."

and she frowned, [ Really, but yo-] and she stopped while looking at them who she realizes has a bright brown color. [ Ah...okay-]

" Well, if we are talking about rare eyes color. Your eyes color kinda rare is not it?" asked Haya.

[ Me?] while awkwardly being looked at by Haya.

and Rosan comes to her while looking at her straightly, " Ya, ya. Your eyes surely more black than brown, huh?" she said. " Black sure is rare."

[ Why?] asked her. While quite surprised, because she was born with black eyes and in her previous world, black eyes were common.

" There are not many people with such color, and if they do, they will hide because most people think that black is cursed," said Rosan. " If you go further to the north pass the Solisa Empire, you will find people avoiding other people with black attributes," she said. " It is to the point that they are discriminate them and against their existence."

Looking at Irisha's expression, Haya said," You don't have to worry, here, there are several people who believe it but not to the point of the discrimination. We are already being reminded what terror is every day, so don't worry."

and Rosan nodded while giving her a silver envelope with Imperial sealed. "... well talking about terror, it is reminded me about this," she said. " I got Imperial Invitation, and I think you should read that."

and Haya frown while looking at Rosan, "How could you casually relate my word with Imperial Members?"

" Am I wrong, though? They are all terror," she said casually and Haya decided, to shut up for his safety.

[ ... what is it about?] asked her.

and Rosan looked at her and sighed. "... Well to put it simply, our country seems to be going to war with Jahar Empire who is ruling the eastern border. They blocked and cut off our trading routes and all of the companies that do business in northern areas, being asked- no, FORCE to help them."

and Irisha nodded understood. [ Ah, so... it is quite troublesome.]

" Right? that is why I want you to accompany me."

and Irisha looks at her, with a frowned face. [... me?]

" Yes. I know you are the one who will understand the situation better than me," she said. while also understanding Irisha's expression now or understanding that she is now pressuring her too. "... I will be there for you, also will be protecting you. SO you don't have to worry."

Irisha could see that Rosan's trust and confidence are so real that are somehow reassuring but at the same time pressured her in some way. She could not deny that it is so heavy for her to carry on, but, [.. If you okay with me. I will go. But, I will have to study the problem first.] there is nothing she could do instead of just move forward, right?

and Rosan smiled, " Yes. I will give the entire detail later." she said. While knowing that Irisha will accept her request about this. That she will just move forward like she always did. It is not arrogance nor ambition... after knowing her for quite a while, Rosan knows that Irisha understands so much about her disability. She understands that there are several disadvantages to her, and understands that there are several things that could not be changed. Then, Irisha will just find another solution. Overcome something with another and not only focus on one thing and perspective. Just like in this company when she was first coming.

Knowing that Irisha's position is the second-highest position, many people were pissed off by her. They avoided her, rejected her, against her so much- without knowing that all of this system in this company was formed by Irisha's idea, they discriminated against her and somehow physically mocked her. She was not given a chance in her first impression. All of the things she was faced will be twice or thrice or even multiple hardest than normal humans usually had.

Rosan was once thought to interfere but, Irisha stopped her. [ If you do that, the more they hate me. The more the situation worsen.] she said calmly as she was okay with this attitude or expected it from the very start. It was made Rosan sad but, she then smiles cunningly. [ I will handle that, you will see that at the right time they will need me. But, I will abuse your power a little bit.] she said confidently, and her expression make her surprised and replaced her angry with laughter. A big one that she put her heart into.

Then, what Irisha said came true. She was not seeing it by herself but, there was a time that she was gone for a month because of business matters. Then, of course, Irisha who was her assistant became her replacement for a while. Haya said to her about this interesting moment where Irisha hired a mercenary to guard her and mad people lined up in front of her office to meet her. It was because they need her to sign in order to proceed with all projects they in charged with, but just like they did to Irisha, Irisha also did avoid them. So they began to curse her even more, frustrated, angry to the point that it became so chaotic. Many physical attacked came to her, yet she was not shaken at all.

" What did you two talk about?" asked them to a man who just came out from her office, because Irisha actually did accept some people to talk with her, creating confusion on their heads for what requirement that they need to be able to get into her.

The man who just got out of her office was kinda lost in his thought. "... Wh-what?" he was once thought that, in this kind of situation with that kind of boss, he should be manipulative and cunning as hard as possible. he thought that Irisha will be easily fooled as he thought she was a selfish and stupid young woman. But, their conversation ... was so much for him to handle.

" Ms. Irisha said that she will approve the proposal if you can show her the land's legalized certificate." Haya interpreted. " .... In one day, you can proceed it,"

and he winked his eyes surprised. This woman actually understands my matter?! " O-okay..." and make him so dumbfounded so much. So, when he came out and people surrounded him, she could say no more and just went to finish his job. Yet, the person he had the project with could not show the certificate at all, and whenever he pressured him, the only thing he got was the fake one. He was so close to a freud project and made himself onto trouble.

He was so embarrassed, and could not talk so much in front of her especially after he talked high about this project. Yet, instead of scolding him or mocking him, she tried to find the solution with him. Without insulting his effort and just helped him to go thorugh this problem.

" Ms.Irisha said that you have to meet this man at noon in his office." Haya said.

and he kinda confused with the contact person that was being given to him. he looked at Irisha who looked at Haya and made him waiting patiencely for Haya to interpreting it. "... Ah yes, so this is a contact of an owner of a land." he said. " Ms. Irisha already talked with him too, so you can do the rest. The land is much smaller than before but, Ms.Irisha thinks you can solve the matters." he said.

and he shocked, somehow confused while looking at the one that he once underestimated but respected and appreciated him much more than he expected. " I-I WILL!" and he excitedly answered and came all the way to the place that woman asked. There was a spark of motivation to fulfill this woman's expectation. Then, the man he talked with was the best candidate to be partner with instead the previous one. After that, his project could easily run without the problem at all.

"Ms. Irishaaaa!" and he could not hold his excitement to tell her what he had done. " The project is done! We just need to wait and the profit will come to us!" said him just after he found her entered the company.

" Hey, speak a little slower. I am confused to interpret it!" Haya said.

and he nodded excitedly while giving her a document report. He wait for her to read it and when she looked at him with a bright smile, he was so proud with himself. " We did it, Ms.Irisha."

" You are doing a good job, but, you should inspect them once a week. Then, give the reports to her." Haya said. " Mr.Norman is a capable bussiness man, so she hopes, you create a good relationship with him."

and he nodded excitedly. " I will! There are also something that I want to discuss with you, is it alright?"

then she smiles while write down in her note. [ Just come, if I am free, I will gladly have a discussion with you.]

" Also, Ms.Irisha asked you to fix several thing in your other proposal. Can you do it? She thinks that it is a good proposal but, need a little bit revision."

" I WILL!" he said excitedly again. While making Irisha's laughing quite much. It was a day where everyone then, started to think differently. Other thought that they were the one who were wronged her and reflected themselves, other thought they should be manipulative to her just like this man previously acted, some other still sticked to their principle about her. Yet, all of them ended up seen her worth by her own skill. Irisha showed them her capability and her extraordinary ideas. When Rosan came back, she was amazed so much and laughed a big laughter as this little woman surprised her again and again.

Knock, knock

"... Is Ms.Irisha available?" asked a man and woman after Haya opened the door and Rosan who was talking with her, poked Irisha and make her turns her way to those employees.

" Ah, are you avilable Ms.Irisha?" asked that woman with sign language with a very polite smile. " We want to consult about some matters."

"... She is busy you know, my assistant." said Rosan with her fierce face.

and Irisha waves her hands while laughing by Rosan's words. [ Come, come. I have sometime.] she said.

and they both smiled widely. " ...thank you Ms.Irisha."

" Here are pastries we bought for you," said the man.

[ Oh, thank you. Let's eat together then. Wait a minute, I will-]

" Let me do that." said Haya while stopping her. Then he smiles, " I literally already become your assistant so, please sit comfortably." he said. While picking up the box the man gives to him.

Then, she tidies up her things in her table and looks at them. She smiles very gently, and says.[ So, how can I help you?]

***