Though monotonous, her dreamless sleep allowed her to gather her thoughts and weld them into a translucent structure of solutions. From the sand of knowledge and minerals of experience, a majestic city arose, yet it couldn’t stand the mighty test, for a wind of change blew and reduced it to rubbles.

Despite the improbable odds, Iris repeatedly built her palace of causes and effects atop the plateau of imagination. She fortified her world with towering walls of logic, roofs of evidence, and foundations of hypothesis.

The almighty hand descended, and once more, only dust remained.

Preparation could only help her so far; without strength, there existed a gap she could not bridge, a height she could not reach.

She had to become stronger. She must become stronger.

Iris opened her eyes. She stayed in the same position as when she went to sleep, her hands on her abdomen, her head on her pillow, looking straight at the ceiling. Like a saintly beauty, she lay on her mattress. The fluffy whiteness resembling white lilies scattered around the lovely, lonely maiden.

The sun had barely risen, its warm orange rays struggling to penetrate the thin curtains. Nevertheless, Iris felt refreshed. Her eyes glimmered with life, with resolution. It was a gruelling path ahead of her, but it was still a path. No longer was she uncertain. No longer was she lost.

“My schedule for today is quite sparse, fortunately,” Iris said and got up from her bed. “Visiting Prime Archive . . . Jania, I won’t let you get away this time.”

Instead of using magic, Iris cleaned the room by hand, immersing in the mundane matter. Her mind gradually took in the dull sensation, which she counteracted by recalling what she felt when connected with the marks of the transcendent.

To combine the mundane and the mystic, I might really be insane. Iris chuckled. But without a bit of insanity, how can I accomplish the impossible? If it takes craziness to survive, I’ll become the maddest.

So long as Lenmia find my madness charming, I don’t mind.

Iris parted the curtain and stood there, showering beneath the soft sunlight. Her fair skin glowed, but there lacked a certain aftertaste, one which only Ludmint’s touch could leave behind.

In the bathroom, we became one, but my innate talent did not progress. Do I need to seek out the others? But . . . is there no more reason to give in to Ludmint?

Iris exhaled her scary thoughts. She looked in the mirror, adjusted her pyjamas, and groomed her hair. Once she appeared presentable, she opened the door and left the room.

Her feet deliberately pressed as softly as possible on the wooden floor. A noticeable creak startled her, but she shielded her resolve and walked on. When she reached the second floor, she peeked at the first floor.

Ludmint was already up and walking around the dining room, carrying something. Iris couldn’t see it from her angle, and she dared not use magic to spy on Ludmint, who would realise it at once, or she might have already known but pretended not to.

Before meeting with Ludmint, Iris headed toward the bathroom. She grabbed her towel, took off her clothes, and entered the bath. This time, she locked the door and pulled the shower curtain, concealing her naked body from the walls.

The cold shower dispelled her anxiety. She carefully washed her mind off the tainted thoughts, her body the lingering dust. Everything about her was now clean, a new slate, a new day, a new plan.

While she delicately wiped herself, her eyes occasionally moved to the locked door, expecting, yearning, for the handle to move and the ghostly lady to appear. Maybe she was watching between the gaps of the walls, inside the fabric of her towel, observing, savouring how pitiful Iris looked.

Nothing happened.

Ludmint should have come to greet her, to tease her, but today, her unrequited desires went unsatiated.

Unwilling to give up, Iris came down to the first floor, moving gently, radiating elegance and innocence worthy of defiling. Though parts of her resisted her urge, her determination pushed aside her shame.

She stepped into the dining room. In front of her, multiple plates of colourful, fragrant food lay bare, generating flavourful wisps. In the kitchen, Ludmint, with only an apron strapped to her body, turned to Iris, smiling.

“A night without me, lonely, is it not?” Ludmint said. “On the bright side, you get up early, filled with vitality. Was it too intense?”

Holding her breath, Iris walked up to Ludmint. She lifted her head, her eyes scanning Ludmint’s smile. It was not a teasing nor an ambiguous one. It was one filled with concern, with care. Just its slight curve had already told Iris everything.

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“I’m sorry,” Iris said. “I shouldn’t have blamed you. My emotions overwhelmed me, and I selfishly pinned you as the source of my distress.”

“That’s right. Your words hurt my feeling tremendously.” Ludmint adjusted her apron, pulling it away from her body, revealing the curve of her chest. “My heart needs encouragement. My mind needs love. My body needs you.”

“I’m starting to hate myself for feeling bad.” Iris sighed and went to the table. “Come quickly, Ludmint. I’m hungry.”

“You can eat—”

“I’m not eating you.” Iris picked up the spoon and began eating. The aroma was addictive, the taste delectable. “I didn’t know you’re a skilful chef.”

“I picked up a few hobbies during my voyage.” Ludmint also ate her food, exaggerating her expression of pride and joy as she did so. Her smile was so wide it appeared like a wicked smirk. She really had no shame.

Iris held in her giggle. “If I’d known this, I would’ve returned home early every day.”

“If you wish, I shall make our dinner from now on.” Ludmint nodded at her own suggestion. “It is an honour to taste my delicacy.”

“And I shall contribute some recipes.”

“Recipes of the Central Continent?”

Something better. “Indeed.”

Ludmint repeatedly blinked as a grin formed on her face. She carefreely sliced the juicy meat and gifted them to Iris. “This is why I fell for you. No one has ever satisfied my desires so wholly.”

“It is compensation. Nothing more.” Iris narrowed her eyes. “You’ve provided much for me; it would be impertinent if I didn’t compensate you.”

“There is no need to mask your thoughts. I know what you long for, and I simply provided them. If you wish to compensate me, accept my feeling. Please?”

Frozen in place, Iris clenched the knife in her hand. She didn’t expect such a brazen confession, but she could not deny it. Her guilt and shame enveloped her heart, clouded her mind, and directed her thoughts. She had to crater to Ludmint, whom she had hurt.

A little compensation . . . would not hurt, right? I’m just atoning for my mistakes.

“I shall allow you tonight—”

“I don’t want it.” Ludmint got up, vanished, and appeared beside Iris. “I don’t want your guilt. I want your heart. Like that day, I want you to choose me because you yearn for me, not because you pity me.”

Iris held her breath, but a whiff of Ludmint’s scent still seeped inside her body. Like an ethereal dream, everything began to sway. Iris began to sway. Before the heat in her chest intensified, she regulated her Corruption Power and suppressed her disgraceful thoughts.

“What, then, must I do?”

“Accept this, and carry it with you.” Ludmint reached inside her body, which shimmered and turned translucent. Her hand took out a small box.

Before Iris could say anything, Ludmint came down to her knees, presented the tiny chest with both her hands, and looked up at the panicking Iris. Her delicate fingers flicked the chest open, revealing a shiny diamond ring.

“It’s time we take our relationship up a step.” Ludmint beamed. “Though small, it packs densely with my love and care. Iris, will you accept our connection permanent?”

A light gasp escaped Iris. She covered her mouth, not from embarrassment but joy. She couldn’t let Ludmint see her smile, or it would all be over. Her façade struggled to maintain its illusion.

Had Ludmint already noticed it?

“That’s . . . a bold move. Do you not fear my rejection?” Despite her best effort, Iris’s voice trembled.

“Compared to regret, I’m willing to accept your rejection with grace.” Ludmint seized Iris’s hands. “Your answer?”

Iris instinctively pulled back, though she stopped herself. She couldn’t reject the proposal with all her heart. Parts of her wanted to cling onto it, to sit still and allow the ring to rest gently on her ring finger. “The purpose of our relationship doesn’t require the elevation of our status. I have no reason to accept your proposal.”

“It’s been like that at first, but our purpose grows, fosters new ideas, and morphs into something unpredictable.”

“You’re mixing personal with professional. Our engagement will bring upon more attention than necessary.”

“We don’t need to publicise it. What others think matters not. Only our thoughts, our affection, is of importance.”

“But . . . I’m . . . not . . .” Iris’s voice faltered. Her meek demeanour returned, engulfing her reddened eyes. “How could you do this to me?”

“Because I’m selfish. If I don’t get the answer, you’re not going anywhere!”

“Of course, I accept!” Iris shouted then pursed her lips. “Now do it. Seal my fate, bind me to you, and take responsibility!”

With no hesitation, Ludmint steadily gifted Iris the engagement ring and kissed the back of her hand before pulling away. She bowed at Iris, turned around, and sauntered into the kitchen, hiding her expression.

“Ludmint, where are you going?” Iris got up. Her face, too, was radiating pinkness. “Turn around and look at your fiancée.”

Ludmint paused her footsteps, but she refused to turn around.

Seeing this, Iris grinned.

“Dear Ludmint, will you not talk with your poor fiancée?” Iris’s pitiful voice lashed onto Ludmint’s chest. “I want to hug you, to reward you with my warmth. Do you not want me anymore?”

“Iris, I shall now tell you the functionality of our engagement ring.” Ludmint rigidly turned to Iris, her countenance burning red. “Its name is Memory Forever Cherished. Within it are three spells of mine, one for offence, one defence, and the last movement. It can cast one spell before requiring a day to recharge its energy. Please use it carefully.”

Frowning, Iris examined her engagement. Once inspected closely, its ordinary appearance betrayed hidden gleams which reflected countless precious memories she and Ludmint spent together.

“To unleash your power, the artefact must be approaching the legendary artefact in value.” Iris shook her head. “I can’t accept it.”

“I can’t accept your rejection either. Not after you’ve already accepted my feeling.” Ludmint licked her lips. “I did pull some strings to get the ring, for our prospering love, for us.”

“It’s too valuable. I’m not planning to sell my body to you just yet.”

“We are together. My possessions are yours, yours mine.” Ludmint stopped Iris from returning the ring. “I gave you the ring, so you’ll have something to protect yourself. Keep it if you don’t want to make me worried.”

Iris hesitated for a moment, but her logic, mixed with her desires, overcame her resistance. She lovingly caressed the ring while a warmth coursed through her body.

“Thank you.”

Oh, Ludmint, you keep piling your help on top of me. When will I repay all your favours?

“Can we . . . have a little fun this morning?” Ludmint lowered her head. “Last night, you left me alone. That loneliness still hasn’t left.”

“You evil. How can I refuse? Not after you gifted me your heart.” For a moment, Iris threw back her restrain.

The schedule can wait.