EIYTMA Chapter 17

Querluxia’s domain was a place where nothing much could be done.  

 

Even the knights who had been staying there for days were starting to get bored. With nothing better to do, they wandered the nearby forests in the drizzling rain and came back with a massive beehive.  

 

As a result, several knights ended up with swollen faces from bee stings. But at least everyone got to enjoy something sweet for the first time in a while.  

 

The beehive was so large that even after distributing a honey-dripping piece to everyone, a whole slab remained.  

 

“We can make mead with this!”  

 

Iris smiled as she placed the beehive into a mead jar. The mention of alcohol immediately piqued Étienne’s interest.  

 

“Mead? Doesn’t it take a long time to brew alcohol?”  

 

“No, mead is actually quite simple to make.”  

 

As Iris said, brewing mead wasn’t particularly difficult. The only real incident was when Henri, who had been enjoying the honey, tripped while carrying a bucket of collected rainwater, causing a minor commotion.  

 

After thoroughly cleaning a jar, they added the honey and poured in warm rainwater. Usually, they would use river water, but due to the rain, the river had turned muddy and was unsuitable.  

 

Iris asked Ezekiel to put his hands into the honey jar and crush the honeycomb into the water to dissolve it.  

 

“Did you know? The taste of mead changes depending on who brews it.”  

 

“Hah, isn’t that obvious? The ratio of ingredients and skill would be different!”  

 

Felicia remarked bluntly, and Iris chuckled.  

 

“That’s true, but we also say it depends on the ‘touch’ of the brewer. The way a person kneads the honey influences the flavor.”  

 

“Then this will have the prince’s taste!”  

 

Henri chimed in. Ezekiel glanced down at his own hands, feeling slightly awkward, and the others couldn’t hold back their laughter.  

 

The sensation of kneading the honeycomb in the water was strangely odd. As he crushed it, a thick, sticky sweetness spread over his fingers.  

 

As he carefully dissolved the honey into the water, Iris suddenly said, “Oh, like this!” and grabbed Ezekiel’s hands, squeezing them tightly before letting go.  

 

“You can just squeeze it like this.”  

 

Her warm hands enveloped his for just a moment before she withdrew them, washing her hands in the water.  

 

“I’ll chop some herbs to add, so finish breaking it all down by then!”  

 

The redness creeping up Ezekiel’s ears went unnoticed by anyone except Étienne.  

 

It didn’t take long to chop the herbs and mix them in. Iris smiled brightly as she sealed the jar.  

 

“Mead ferments really quickly, so you’ll be able to drink it in four days!”  

 

“Hey, shouldn’t we be hoping to leave this place in four days?”  

 

Felicia retorted sharply. But when Étienne asked, “Aren’t you curious about how the prince’s mead will taste?” she quickly changed her stance, “Would you like to try brewing some too, Prince Étienne?”  

 

Iris, slightly flustered, exchanged glances with Ezekiel. Without knowing who started it, both of them chuckled softly.  

 

***

 

“Isn’t She Adorable?”  

 

As they walked down the corridor, Étienne casually threw out a remark. Ezekiel could guess who he meant, but he feigned ignorance.  

 

“Are you referring to Lady Felicia?”  

 

“Ez, are you serious? I meant Lady Iris.”  

 

“Ah…”  

 

Ezekiel trailed off. Étienne shrugged and looked out the window.  

 

In the rainy courtyard, Iris was playing with Henri, splashing water at each other. A pregnant dog sluggishly dragged itself along before barking at them. Étienne watched with a contented smile.  

 

“The way she flits around from place to place is just so charming.”  

 

Ezekiel had never been one to agree with such statements, so he remained silent.  

 

“Whoever marries her will be lucky. They’ll never have a dull moment.”  

 

That remark was crossing the line. Ezekiel’s expression hardened.  

 

“Brother, people might misunderstand if they hear you.”  

 

Finally, Étienne turned to Ezekiel and laughed.  

 

“I was just imagining.”  

 

“…”  

 

Ezekiel didn’t back down and continued to stare at him. Eventually, Étienne sighed and shook his head.  

 

“I know Felicia is the only one for me. Don’t get the wrong idea.”  

 

“Then that’s a relief.”  

 

But Étienne’s mischief wasn’t over yet. He suddenly asked,  

 

“What about you? Don’t you think Lady Iris is cute?”  

 

Ezekiel flinched slightly.  

 

“…It would be improper to make such judgments about a lady…”  

 

“Oh, come on! That’s not what I meant!”  

 

Étienne burst out laughing.  

 

“I was just asking if you find her likable as a person. Why are you so sensitive about it?”  

 

“I am bound to a life of religious service.”  

 

Realizing he might have overreacted, Ezekiel’s face turned red as he answered. Étienne chuckled.  

 

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”  

 

“Lord Henri! You’re too frail to be playing in the rain like that! Both of you, come inside immediately!”  

 

Madame Babin’s scolding voice echoed through the hall. The two grumbled as they made their way back inside.  

 

Thanks to her, Étienne could no longer watch Iris and her brother from above. Ezekiel was unexpectedly pleased by this.  

 

One thing was certain—Étienne’s lingering gaze on her was unsettling.  

 

…What was this feeling?  

 

– “I Was Just Imagining.”  

 

Étienne’s words kept echoing in his mind.  

 

***

 

Ezekiel Entered Felicia’s Room at Étienne’s Summons After Dinner.

 

He had assumed that Étienne, not wanting to spend time with Felicia, had forcibly dragged him along. However, what greeted him inside the room was completely unexpected.  

 

“Oh my! His Highness is here! Look at this. Isn’t our lady just beautiful?”  

 

Ezekiel hesitated as he stepped into the room. Inside, Felicia, her maids, Étienne, Iris, and even Madame Babin were all gathered together.  

 

And at the center of it all was Iris, standing awkwardly in a deep blue dress. At first glance, she looked as if she were about to attend a party. Ezekiel stammered as he asked,  

 

“What….”  

 

Madame Babin clapped her hands together in delight.  

 

“The young lady Arbois gifted it to her!”  

 

“Well, it’s not like I particularly liked this dress anyway. I never wear it.”  

 

Felicia said with an air of indifference. Apparently, she had given Iris a few of her dresses.  

 

“I gave Miss Querluxia a few dresses as an apology.”  

 

Iris, who had been examining the dress she was wearing, looked troubled but still responded to Felicia’s words.  

 

“But the young lady of Arbois wouldn’t have bothered bringing dresses she never wears on a journey with His Highness… You really didn’t have to… This is too much. It looks like an incredibly expensive dress…”  

 

“Oh, listen to you stating the obvious.”  

 

Felicia scoffed.  

 

“I am Duke  Arbois’ daughter. Do you think I would wear cheap dresses?”  

 

Despite her words, Felicia seemed to be taking a liking to Iris.  

 

There are those who simply appreciate receiving a gift, and there are those who also consider the thought behind it.  

 

Iris had already realized that the dresses Felicia had given her were ones she cherished enough to bring along on a journey with her beloved prince.  

 

And Felicia, pleased with Iris’ thoughtful words, seemed to be pressing even more gifts onto her as a result.  

 

When one thought about it, Felicia had been raised with great privilege, and though she often seemed willful and self-centered, she was also quite sensitive to the goodwill of others.  

 

At first, it was likely because she was conscious of how Étienne would perceive her. After all, Étienne had taken a liking to Iris, and he had scolded Felicia for treating her like a mere servant upon first meeting.  

 

But now, watching Felicia sincerely care for Iris and offer her the dresses she treasured, it seemed that, whatever the initial reason, her goodwill had become genuine.  

 

“I truly appreciate your kindness, Lady Arbois.”  

 

“Oh my! Our lady, have you ever worn such fine clothing before? You look absolutely stunning!”  

 

Iris, still overwhelmed, continued to voice her reluctance, but she had an unexpected opponent—Madame Babin. Concerned that Iris might reject this rare act of goodwill, she only praised her louder while pulling the laces on Iris’ dress even tighter.  

 

“Hngh—!”  

 

Iris let out a choked sound, bending at the waist. But Madame Babin paid no mind and even turned to Ezekiel for confirmation.  

 

“Your Highness, what do you think? Doesn’t our lady look beautiful?”  

 

Ezekiel unconsciously pressed his lips together.  

 

Iris, dressed up so differently from usual… was truly beautiful.  

 

She was fifteen. Her face still held traces of youth, but it was clear that with just a little time, she would grow into someone capable of capturing the hearts of many young men.  

 

Her silver hair, always tied up, had been softly brushed down, cascading in gentle waves. The deep blue dress, slightly exposing her shoulders, accentuated her slender figure gracefully.  

 

At the same time, it matched perfectly with the deep blue of her eyes.  

 

Ezekiel barely managed to stammer out a response.