I Will Break Off the Engagement Because I'm Jealous - The Untalented Villainess Who Rejected the Prince Searches for a Safe Haven with the Cheat Heroine - Chapter 6.10

On a small hill where the imperial city walls could be seen in the distance, the light of a campfire illuminated several horses tied to trees. Around the fire sat a circle of travelers in journey attire.

And then.

“Sorry I’m late— Sis, what are you doing?”

“Shh! Levai, don’t come closer. Get over here.”

“But that’s…”

“Just get over here, don’t approach! You’ll get forced into sparring practice! If you value your life, stay away!”

“O-okay…”

The voices of the two identical-looking boys faded into the distance. In the darkness of night, the faint chirping of insects. The distant sound of wind. The crackling flames, and the hushed murmurs of the adventurers.

“Huff, huff, huff…!”

——Her own ragged breaths echoed loudly.

Iris continued her rapid knee bends. Sweat dripped incessantly, her clothes clung heavily to her body, soaked and never drying. But her body wouldn’t stop. No, if she stopped… she felt she might go mad.

“I have to vent. Vent, vent…!”

Perhaps her concentration had been broken by her younger brother’s voice earlier, but that scene flashed through her mind again.

Emilia, caught by the First Prince, being pressed upon. Her flushed face was charming, bewitching.

Emilia, embraced by the Emperor, eventually starting to sleep beside him—the sight of her sleeping peacefully next to a beast was immoral.

Emilia, pinned down by her, trembling, closing her eyes, lifting her chin—she was the most beautiful in the world. Iris wanted to ruin her completely, unbearably so.

“Lady Emilia… Lady Emilia…”

She muttered as if delirious. Not just sweat, but tears and drool fell as she moved her body relentlessly… yet the “restlessness” still overflowed from the depths of her chest. It raced through her entire body. Dominating every drop of blood, boiling it. If she didn’t quickly squeeze it out as sweat, she would turn back right now.

And push her down again.

“Huff………… huff…………!”

She deepened her breaths, made them rougher, sped up her knee bends even more. She placed load on her legs, focused on the muscles being moved. Otherwise, Iris’s “restlessness” would run wild immediately. She was already frustrated from not being able to see Emilia much, simmering with pent-up energy.

And then she was shown those things in rapid succession.

What rose within her wasn’t jealousy. There wasn’t a shred of envy or resentment. The prince and emperor weren’t even in her eyes; Iris had only been looking at Emilia the entire time. When she met her, her words were cold not because she regretted their brief parting, nor because she was angry. It was because if she didn’t taunt, blame, spit rejection, and make herself somewhat disliked enough to stay conscious of it… this “restlessness” wouldn’t subside. Towards that Emilia, who entrusted her with complete trust and affection, affirmed her with her entire soul, with that soul, with that way of life conveying her feelings.

“LadyEmiliaLadyEmiliaLadyEmiliaLadyEmiliaLadyEmiliaLadyEmilia…………”

All of this “desire.”

She felt like she might hurl it all at her.

“I can’t do it I can’t do it I can’t do that I’ll be hated I’ll be loved absolutely impossible impossible impossible…”

Iris muttered deliriously, continuing to move her body. Trying desperately to divert her thoughts from Emilia, only to fail and think of her again.

She must be hated.

She must be loved.

Those two convictions.

Kept burning in her mind, refusing to fade.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Unable to bear it, Iris struck the ground with both fists. A loud thud echoed, the earth shook. Dust rose, and the ground was dented from the impact.

“Haa… haa… haa…”

Her ragged breaths gradually subsided. The strength that hadn’t left her despite all that movement, the “restlessness”… had lightened, just a little.

“Sis…””Iris-chan…””Iris…”

The voices of the triplets, sounding worried, reached her. Iris took a deep breath and stood up.

“Everyone’s gathered. Let’s go.”

Her clothes, soaked with dust and copious sweat, clung stickily to her skin. The lukewarm night breeze felt like it seeped in, somewhat pleasant.

“For Lady Emilia — to dedicate everything to her.”

Her brothers, the adventurers, nodded with a hint of trepidation. Iris watched them.

With brilliantly shining blue eyes.

★　★　★

Together with the knights and soldiers, the maidens passed through the main gate and returned to the castle. They had just completed their city patrol duty safely. The men, whose armor and weapons were still clean, saw them off fearfully. The maidens, covered in mud and splattered blood, proceeded deeper into the castle.

(The monsters still appear but the people welcomed us, and they didn’t seem desperate. Even though it’s under lockdown, I hear they’re bringing in food and such… so aside from the monsters appearing, the impact might be minimal?)

Among the maidens—the “Skill Garden”—was Emilia. The day after Iris left. Today was her first official duty since being formally hired.

“Was it okay? Emilia?”

One of the squad members spoke to her casually. In the current imperial capital, treatment would normally be divided by skill rank. Soldiers and knights would, of course, show the utmost respect to the maidens, and especially to Emilia, who shared the same rank as the Emperor. However, emphasizing coordination among squad members, equality was the principle within the Garden.

Amidst this, Emilia was neither resented nor envied by her Garden comrades… for some reason, she was surprisingly cared for. For Emilia, who had infiltrated with a fake skill certificate, the guilt of deception grew stronger, yet it made things easier.

“It’s fine. She seems busy with her adventurer group work.”

Emilia answered, shaking her head. The topic brought up was, of course, Iris. They had planned to invite her to the castle, but she had left the imperial capital. Emilia had told her comrades, “She’s in the city, but she declined, saying she’s busy with adventurer work.”

“But for a ‘No-Skill’ child to refuse an owner’s invitation? Does that happen?”

“Emilia’s relationship isn’t master-servant; it’s a deeper bond.”

“Ooh. An extraordinary relationship…? A man?”

“It’s a girl. Right, Emilia?”

“Ooh, a forbidden relationship…”

(Saying whatever they want… It’s not like that)

Stimulated by her noisy comrades’ remarks, a memory surfaced. Iris, who had pinned Emilia down, and in the end, only shed tears before leaving… Her demeanor had seemed almost jealous.

(She was beautiful, though. But it’s not that)

Emilia secretly blushed. In that final moment of parting, she had seen Iris, illuminated by the sunset, her face twisted in anguish. For some reason, she had looked incredibly beautiful.

(…That must be the impulse brought by the skill—the ‘quirk,’ right? I thought Iris didn’t have it. But perhaps she had been suppressing it all along? That seems stronger the higher the rank and with Iris’s Diamond Rank skill, maybe…)

A sharp pain pierced her chest, and “restlessness” welled up. Emilia gently clutched the brooch at her chest. The embedded “Dragonbird’s Tear” was still chillingly cold today.

(She’s been suffering all this time——)

That coldness seemed to travel through her hand, stealing her body’s warmth. Emilia felt a strong fear. Far from helping Iris, what if she had been making her endure, causing her pain?

What if she would be hated?

“More importantly, let’s clean up quickly and head to the party. Garret, you’re done for today, right?”

“It’s an important party, so this is part of our duties too.”

“Party?”

Hearing an unfamiliar word, Emilia inadvertently looked up and blurted out. Nearby, Garret turned her green eyes toward her.

“Yes. It’s your welcome party, Emilia.”

Emilia’s cheek twitched. She had slain quite a few monsters, and honestly, her stomach was queasy and she felt sick. She couldn’t possibly eat or drink. Moreover, she still hadn’t sorted out her feelings about Iris. And if they said it was part of their duties, there was a chance Dian might come too… All these thoughts swirled round and round in Emilia’s head.

“I’m feeling a bit——”

“It’s a duty. Don’t refuse.”

Garret smiled sweetly. For some reason, it was a blade-like smile, devoid of gentleness or mercy.

“…Yes.”

Emilia. Had yielded to the pressure of that smile.