Iris once again returned to Rising Mirth Park. The quiet trail, ascending to the first stop of the journey, remained unchanged. The only difference, aside from the change in her companion, was the absence of the festive atmosphere of the now-gone open-air marketplace.

The evening light curtained the sky, which concealed the dim stars above layers of feathering clouds. The few remaining visitors trod past her, their wandering minds reaching her figure before instinctively retreating. They quickened their paces to swiftly return home.

Antina followed her mistress like a shadow, though her eyes intensely glared at whoever attempted to approach her mistress. She otherwise kept her head lowered and stuck intimately close to Iris.

“There’s no need to be so jealous,” Iris said. “No one will steal me away.”

“I dare not monopolise your heart, Mistress. What I fear is another—”

Iris raised her hand to stop her maid. “Is this not a date?”

“I’ve dampened your mood. Please forgive me.”

“You mustn’t ask for my forgiveness throughout our date. We’re here to be carefree, aren’t we? There’s no place for sadness.”

Antina nodded. She walked up to her mistress’s side and took her hand, interlocking them as if bound by a red string.

Iris smiled and tightened her grasp around her maid’s palm. The warmth illuminated her countenance, which revealed its delight only to her current partner.

Along the quiet path, Iris led her maid through a scenic view of colourful flowers and arching trees. She let her date enjoy this moment and her company until she reached a large wooden house, a checkpoint before entering the deeper part of the park.

Hanging lanterns illuminated in yellow shades the front yards, casting outwards shadows of the supporting beams. A few people walked past the open windows, their silhouettes flowing like dancers on the banquet stages. They chatted in soft tones while tending to the last remaining visitors, who ordered food and drinks and relaxed in this liveliness.

Iris’s entrance drew all eyes upon her dignified appearance. The customers and the waiters only regained their composure when they realised their inappropriate stares.

A waitress came to Iris, who stopped her maid from doing everything for her.

“I’d like a lovely guide to admire nature with me,” Iris said. “The agency has yet to close, hasn’t it?”

The short-haired, soft-spoken waitress greeted her customer. “The service is still open, but it’s already gotten dark. Although the park is usually safe . . .”

“There is no place safer than my side.” Iris gave a faint smile that blossomed in the waitress’s jittery heart.

The waitress shifted away her eyes. “I’m merely a waitress. There might not be any guide willing to accept a request at this hour.”

“Iris is her name. Tell her that I’ve come to visit the waterfall.”

There was no waterfall attraction on the hiking track, but the waitress kept her confusion to herself. She slipped away after accepting a generous tip.

Antina had already chosen a table and a set of light desserts for her mistress. The two sat under a chandelier of candles. The circular glares surrounded their figures, separating them from the mundane and the unknowing.

The world paid great attention to their demeanours, yet nothing could move them. They rested as if in a luxurious palace instead of a humble inn. Their steady, elegant movement painted them into the memories of the onlookers, though all failed to capture their distinct features.

Everything blended under a muddy film of concealment, a magical power influencing all observations.

The short-haired waitress returned with another lady, who had just donned her guide uniform and redone her hair. A subtle hint of freshly applied perfume emanated from her neatly attired body, though she tried not to bring attention to it.

Despite her preparation, she remained entranced by her client’s appearance. The familiar look assumed so different an aura that she could hardly believe their resemblance.

If she were to adorn herself with lovely dresses, would she too gain the air of unmatched grace?

“Is my appearance too unexpected?” The noble Iris said. “We’ve made promises.”

“I would never forget, my Lady. It’s just that . . . you’re too stunning.”

“Praising your own appearance; how shameless.”

“I . . . can never be like you, my Lady. Our appearance differs in essence, our manner in totality.”

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“If you come with me, you will get to adorn these attires. You might not recognise yourself, but you will remain yourself, alike in mind, alike in countenance.”

“I’ll have to disappoint you. This place has helped me much; I cannot bear to leave everything behind.”

“Mistress’s world is a liberation,” Antina said. “We value relationships above all else, especially those blossoming from purity.”

“As if I am a leader of a cult.” Iris chuckled.

The guide refrained from commenting. Her client’s unearthly aura had a mystical touch to it. Coupled with her identity as a powerful mage, it wasn’t impossible that her identity would be sensitive, too sensitive for someone insignificant like her.

“No one worthy of my attention is insignificant,” Iris said. “It’s time to fulfil that promise.”

“Do you . . . really need my service?” The guide held her breath while playing with her hair. “What I could offer can never match yours. Even the waterfall . . . is out of my reach.”

“Without you, this little outing would be meaningless.”

The guide meekly nodded. She could never change her client’s mind, not when she had given that promise, not when she secretly looked forward to this reunion. She sat opposite her client, who urged her to have some of the desserts and drinks. Their delectable taste relaxed her excited mind, but one glimpse at her client’s bright blue eyes undid that effect.

Though the sun had yet to disappear, its position gave off only the faintest radiance that the forest and the mountain became a sea of dark purple hues, blanketed by mists heralding the coming of the darkness. Only a few visitors remained, all hurrying to the brighter city below.

Holding a lantern, the guide led the way. Her unfaltering pace parted the shadow of the forest and the encroaching hands of the bushes and flowers on the roadsides. She rarely ventured into the dark like this, but she bore no fear.

The thought of having her clients beside her gave her too much courage. If anything happened, she could always jump back and hide behind her Lady, hug her tightly, and let her ward away all harm.

The guide shook away her unbecoming thoughts. She turned around to see her clients following her while admiring the twilight scenery.

“The part ahead is dark and untrod during this time,” the guide said. “I would never doubt your ability, but I must ask for your opinion nonetheless.”

“Call me Alice,” the client Iris said. “Does it not feel strange when we must call each other by our shared name?”

“Not at all, my Lady. The name Iris suits you more.”

“Call me Alice. The name Iris doesn’t belong to me.”

The guide Iris caught herself blushing. Why would saying a mere substitute name make her feel nervous?

“Then, Alice, should we proceed?”

“Lead the way, my Iris.”

Never had her name rang so sweetly. She perked up, her bright eyes gleaming like a pair of radiant gemstones. She couldn’t explain what she was feeling, but she nonetheless let the sensation course through her while leading the way, guiding her Alice to a world where only they existed.

Overgrown bushes and handing vines obscured the once-tracked path. Still it appeared so vividly clear in her mind. She nimbly cut the distracting branches and twisting vines, opening a convenient path for her clients, whose appearance the forest should never taint.

Thoughts swirled in her chest, yet she couldn’t find the perfect moment to let them out. This calm silence was enough; she planned to enjoy it until forever passed.

“Be careful, dear Iris” Alice said. “The ground is uneven. You might trip if you rush the moment.”

“Shouldn’t my concern be about the Wild Beasts?”

“The safest place you can be is by our side.” Alice looked at her maid, who confidently nodded. “Of course, we too will catch your fall. Would you like to test it?”

“Of course not—”

An inconspicuous root raised the ground in front of Iris. Her right foot slipped off the slope, and she lost her footing. Her body plunged forward while her heart twisted into a knot. Everything went blank, even her instincts and reflexes.

As she braced for the fall, a pair of wings enveloped her body. Soft feathers stroked her arms and legs, tickling her until a surprised moan leaked out. She shuddered but refused to open her eyes.

The wings pulled her up, lifted her above the ground, and floated her through a sea of clouds. She could feel the fluff passing by her, tracing her sensitive figure as if feeling her entirety.

When she could no longer endure her itching curiosity, she opened her eyes and found herself held by an angel, an angel whose features resembled her yet differed in her divine essence. She blushed while balancing herself on her feet.

Alice let go of her flustered guide and chuckled. Her eyes tailed her maid’s figure, glancing at a faint magic circle hidden within her right palm.

“Are you still scared?” Alice said.

“I’m ashamed. This is unfair.”

“Will it be fair if I allow you to hug me?”

“Please stop teasing me, Alice.” Iris looked away, suppressing her urge. “We’ve spent too much time idling. I must take you to the waterfall as soon as possible.”

Alice didn’t object. She followed her guide like a guardian angel. The glowing mushrooms and shimmering moss illuminated the dense forest with soft multi-coloured sparks. Swaying flowers dispensed fruity scents for the neon butterflies and rainbow-striped bees, who flew around luminous bushes like fireflies.

As Alice deliberately slowed her pace, her guide could take this time to carefully admire these rare species of plants and insects. She never had a chance to come to this place after she parted with Alice; this secret spot was too deep for ordinary hikers . . . too precious for someone other than Alice.

Iris reached for a thick layer of vines and parted them to the side. The faint sound of splashing water entered her ears. Glimmering fireflies and flowers and trees sang their natural melodies along with the hymns of the waterfall, whose milky bubbles created an artificial sky for this dark forest.

Iris and her clients descended the hill. Now surrounded by a field of light, she placed her dim lantern on a boulder before placing a thin but wide fabric on the wet ground. She stared at her clients with an expectant gaze, a gaze Alice couldn’t resist.

“Did you bring a change of clothes?” Alice said. “Or do you prefer to use mine?”

“That time was an emergency!” Iris took out her bag of clothing. “I’ve prepared mine. Please don’t worry about me.”

Alice went to sit beside her guide. “Now we’re in a world of our own. What you whisper . . . will only linger in our ears.”

Iris looked at Antina, who was dripping her feet into the pond and contemplating washing herself in this magical spring. No one would interrupt, eavesdrop, or judge her request.

She could do anything, reveal anything, and confess anything. The suppressed words began to tremble.

Her Alice carefully waited for her feeling, smiling, anticipating, encouraging.

The two ladies interlocked their fingers. Their gazes were in sync, connecting the windows between their souls. They could feel the unsteady heartbeat and fluctuating warmth coursing within each other.

The curtain of the night gradually fell, hiding every secret act from all but the most intimate pair.