Knight, Come to My Room!

"By the way, Iver."

Suddenly, Isabel remembered something, stood up from the piano, and walked to the desk in the bedroom.

It was originally Isabel's second dressing table for storing jewelry, but she has now converted it into a small desk. It can be used to read before bed each day—while she always needs to be dressed up when studying and handling state affairs in the study, she can wear a nightgown in the bedroom.

She pulled out a document from inside and handed it to Iver was sprawled on the sofa. "You forgot to give this to you when you came yesterday... This is what you asked Hermes to look up."

"My sister... Freya Molly Moriarty?"

Iver murmured, straightening up slightly to take the letter.

This "older sister" is 31 years old this year, younger than Edward, but older than Iver and Yulia.

—A "sister" whom neither he, Edward, nor Yulia had any recollection of. Even Lily and the other servants in the house didn't remember her at all.

But when Iver asked Ligeia and the Grand Guardian, he found that they both remembered Freya's existence.

When Iver thought this was a special case of the Fifth Level, he went to ask his history tutor, Professor Bard, and Mycroft, and found that they also knew about Freya.

Then Iver finally realized that something was wrong—only the Moriarty Family had forgotten Freya's existence.

Or perhaps, the people living at the Moriarty Manor forgot about her.

This looks like a conspiracy... but thankfully Freya isn't dead. She's just studying in the Theocracy, Iver will be able to see her soon.

But Iver still asked Mycroft to look into the matter for him when he had time.

This document is the result of an investigation conducted by someone Sherlock considers "smarter than him."

However, Iver did not open the letter directly in Isabel's bedroom, but instead put it in his arms first.

"Are you free for a date today, Lu Lu?"

Iver casually invited, "Shall we go out and play with Sherlock?"

Isabel simply chuckled and said, "Can't we do it here? I can play the piano and sing for you. Or I can paint a picture for you?"

He did have thoughts of going on a date with Isabel.

He was tense for a while at the beginning of the war. But after observing the situation for a while and gradually finding that things were becoming clearer, he relaxed.

Since then, even Edward and Yulia have urged him several times.

Yulia's advice was relatively tactful, while Edward's criticism was rather sharp.

"Do you want a pure and innocent girl to take the initiative to ask you out on a date? Or do you want Her Majesty the Her Majesty the Queen invite you out in public?"

Iver had initially wanted to stick to his guns, but after thinking about it, he realized his brother was right.

Although the two have already kissed and even had their families celebrate the Lunar New Year together... they haven't officially confessed their feelings, nor have they engaged in any more intimate behavior. They're simply maintaining this increasingly close but unspoken relationship with a strange tacit understanding.

Before heading to the Theocracy for further studies, Iver took Isabel around Glass Island to explore and create some memories.

Leaving Glass Island might be a bit risky, since even if Minister Hermes can handle most of the official business, Avalon cannot truly operate as an offline monarchy... The Queen will still have to stay on Glass Island no matter what.

The reason why Iver wanted to date Isabel was quite simple.

Because he was somewhat worried—once he went to the Theocracy, wouldn't that be considered a long-distance relationship?

He will have to remain in the territory of the Theocracy until the war ends. After the Fallen Angel descend and tear apart the Star Antimony Royal Family, he will probably be able to return to Avalon to discuss countermeasures and appease the Queen and the people.

In other words, he cannot leave unless the Fallen Angel come.

Iver wasn't worried that Isabel would fall for someone else. But Iver was concerned that if they were apart for too long, their slowly growing feelings would cool down and fade.

While separation may intensify longing, it may also lead to adapting to life without the other person by your side.

Both of them are making rapid progress. So, when they meet again, will they feel like strangers to each other?

This was the first time in his two lifetimes that Iver had felt this kind of worry.

It wasn't a concern for Isabel's safety or whether she could take care of herself.

Instead, he was worried about whether the image of himself in her eyes and heart had faded.

Even rationally speaking, Iver knew that this worry was completely pointless, even childish and ridiculous... but that faint anxiety could never be completely soothed in his heart.

But that feeling is like constantly wanting to check if the doors are closed properly or if the gas valve is turned off. Even if you know in your heart that everything is fine, this doubt will still linger in your mind and you can't really ignore it.

So Iver realized—

Although he himself didn't realize exactly when it started... he might have really fallen for her.

But whenever Iver finally made time to tidy up and go visit Isabel, she would always pull Isabel aside to talk about things they hadn't discussed before, asking Iver to offer his opinions. Then, naturally, it would turn into a lecture...

Iver hadn't even realized before that he was such a know-it-all!

By the time our chats ended, it was already quite late. So there was simply no time to go out on dates or have fun.

The latest time was last night.

Isabel pulled Iver aside to discuss the political parties and democracy of the Iris People —she had seriously considered whether to implement a constitutional monarchy in Avalon. They talked until 11 p. m. that night, even running to the study to look through diplomatic correspondence and various intelligence documents while they were talking.

If this were just casual conversation, the topic would be far too formal and serious; but if it were work, they ultimately achieved nothing meaningful—because at some point, the conversation veered towards the Iris nobility, then towards the great Iris artists, and finally towards the operas of the Iris People.

Isabel even made a resolution last night that she would go to the Iris to hear "the best opera in the world" someday... and if given the chance, she would also like to perform or sing a piece on stage herself.

She wanted Iver to sit in the audience, and in the front row no less—because the audience in the front row could go up and present flowers during intermission and at the end.

The two of them just chatted aimlessly, and time passed by.

After Iver returned to his room, took a shower, and took his medicine, it was already late at night.

... Before I knew it, another day had passed! Fortunately, Isabel did improve from each conversation, so it wasn't a complete waste.

She was intelligent, had a strong learning ability, and didn't easily forget what she learned. In particular, she was a "All-rounder," which further enhanced her learning ability. This made Iver very gratified—after all, teaching a smart student is a completely different experience from teaching a slow learner.

The former is relaxing and enjoyable, while the latter can treat low blood pressure.

But today, Iver finally couldn't help but ask the question, "By the way, Lu Lu, why don't you want to go out and play?"

Why would I want to go out?

Isabel countered with a question.

"... Could it be that you're the type who likes to stay in your room?"

Iver stroked his chin and asked with some curiosity.

But he always felt that Isabel wasn't the type to be a homebody— Isabel had previously stayed in the Silver and Tin Palace because she had become withdrawn due to fear and pressure. Now, Isabel had become cheerful and confident... Iver wanted to take Isabel to visit places she hadn't had the chance to go before, or places she was too afraid to go alone.

"That's not it..."

Isabel stretched by the window, squinting in the sunlight, and casually replied, "If that's the case, I definitely wouldn't want to go to the Iris area to watch the play. Besides, we went out during the New Year, didn't we?"

"Then why is that?"

It was unusual for Iver to be so insistent on getting to the bottom of things. "Is it because of the succubus incident that you have psychological trauma?"

Upon hearing this, Isabel suddenly realized that Iver was serious, and turned around to look at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

She looked at Iver with her eyes sparkling, as bright as emeralds in the sunlight.

For the first time, Iver felt that Isabel had seen right through him—

Prior to this, he had always been the one to see through Isabel's thoughts.

She hopped over, approaching Iver, looking nothing like Queen, even younger than when she was Princess.

Like a gentleman inviting a lady to dance, Isabel gracefully bowed and offered her right hand to Iver.

Iver reached out and took her hand—but Isabel used a little force, and instead of pulling Iver up from the sofa, Iver pulled her directly into his arms.

She playfully grabbed Iver's collar and lightly punched his shoulder twice. Then she sat sideways on Iver's lap, rhythmically pinching Iver left earlobe with her right hand, as if playing a lighthearted tune.

"If dating is about cultivating feelings and getting to know each other better... then we're dating every day."

As Isabel spoke, she glanced at the two Queen Guard who remained silent throughout the room.

She leaned close to Iver's ear and whispered in a voice loud enough for most of them to hear, "I'd rather leave Mr. Fox's scent at home than go outside..."

Iver felt a tickle in his ear and gasped.

He suddenly realized that, in a sense, Isabel's thoughts were the same as his!

Rather than going out to play and create new memories, she would rather replace her somewhat gloomy childhood memories with Iver's memories...

Seeing that Iver's face was a little red, Isabel lay down on top of Iver and pressed him completely onto the sofa.

"When are you leaving?" she asked softly.

"... Number sixteen?"

Iver tentatively asked, "At least until this round of Promotion Ritual is over. Of course, it can be changed... I haven't set a time yet."

"The 17th," Isabel readily changed the date for Iver, "I'll book your itinerary."

She leaned closer, looked into Iver's eyes, and said, word by word, "And also, the night before you left... the 16th... come to my room."

"... You said that?"

Iver raised an eyebrow and asked in return.

Contrary to Isabel's expectations, he was not shy at all; on the contrary, he became quite energetic.

"—I said it!"

Isabel's face flushed slightly, but she still said firmly, "I command you in the name of the Queen, Moriarty, Knight! Come to my room on the night of the sixteenth...!"

She didn't manage to say the remaining words before her face turned red all the way down to her neck.

Iver's lips curled up slightly.

He hugged Isabel tightly, feeling a faint sense of security.

"As you wish, my esteemed Queen."

He responded in Isabel's ear.

The two embraced quietly, like cats curled up on the sofa, as if waiting for the spring sunshine to gradually climb onto the sofa and blanket them like light snow.

—It really doesn't seem necessary to go and play with Sherlock, Iver thought.

Update complete! I'll write a bit more for this transitional chapter, meow. It's an 8,000-word update, so I won't split it into an extra chapter~ Thanks to Gatejager for the generous donation, meow~