"So you wish me to bring you to the Withered?"

Her brother looked at her with great surprise at her sudden request. She had caught him in an intimate state, while eating, to be exact. He hadn't even finished the food he had in his mouth. It wasn't something honorable for a prince of his caliber, but this was a very serious request.

Iris smiled, amused by her brother's face, and the food stuck on the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, that's right!"

Keres squinted his eyes at her sister, examining her expression, seeing the flaws in her confidence. She was nervous; her smile didn't shine like usual. It made him laugh, and because he had food in his mouth, he choked.

"Iris, that old man is annoying, but he knows his stuff. But it isn't your fault, Father has tried to keep you as pure as he could, so he didn't tell you the truth about the Withered. That place isn't how it is depicted in this place. I've been there many times, as you know... if you can't defend yourself, you won't be able to survive."

Her smile dropped as she frowned. Her teacher had also declined, seeing the same thing. Was the Withered this dangerous? But one of her friends at the academy has been there, and she told her it was wonderful. She wouldn't like to hear.

She put her hand over her heart.

"But that's why I'm coming with you, not going alone. You know my abilities; I can help you."

Keres sighed, putting his fork on the table, and using his handkerchief to clean himself.

"A no is a no, Iris. Until you get your father's approval, you won't be coming with me, at least not this time."

She clenched her fist, frustrated. She had wanted to see what was beyond the wall for years now. She had waited patiently, getting stronger, honing her skills, and learning disciplinarily. She was experienced.

"Why not now? Is it because of that so-called Abyss? What even is it, and why am I hearing about it just now?"

Keres' eyes widened, surprise to see his sister ever muttering that word. From whom had she learn it... Well, that was a dumb question, of course, her teacher had told her.

'That mad old man curropting my baby sister.'

He got up from his seat, looking down at his sister.

"Iris, it may not seem like it to you, but you coming with me is dangerous while there's a chance that he's somewhere around that place. It doesn't matter if I'm a harbinger; the fact is that if he is alive, then he has been undercovered for who knows how long. I don't want to risk anything."

She had wanted to object, but her brother had already left.

Gritting her teeth, she also left revolted.

...

...

Walking around the school's corridors, many stole glances at her. She was the princess after all. The academy was home to the children of the Celestials, the Royal family, and some other high noble families. Some got here to become knight, or who already are, and are here to hone their skills.

Orion, her childhood friend and her personal knight, was one of them. But he was also here to protect her, of course. Even if there was little chance of something happening to her inside the academy, where the top professors in all the kingdom were, her father wished not to take any chances. She usually met up with him between breaks, and this was one of those times.

Sitting together, they rested on a bench near the academy, looking at the leaves of the trees bloom, after all, spring was coming after a long winter.

She looked over at Orion, who was elegantly eating his food. He had to get his protein for the day; if he didn't, he wouldn't survive the intense training.

His onyx eyes were fixated on his food, not even noticing her staring at him; it was almost as if he was lost. His obsidian hair was long, covering his forehead and even getting in the way of his eyes, which, in her opinion, was weird for a knight.

...

"Hey Orion, if I wanted to sneak into some place, would you help me?"

The knight suddenly choked, looking at Iris bewildered, but he quickly regained himself, reminded by his role.

"Well, I am supposed to be your protector, but also to serve your every command, so if you just requested, I would have to help you."

Iris nodded, pleased by his response; at least someone in this family was on her side.

"Very well, then be prepared for a weird request soon."

...

...

The day of her teacher's departure soon came, and the king had also sent her brother to protect him just in case. He didn't doubt that he was very much capable of doing so, since he had lived there for a while, and was also a Bearer, but he still insisted on his coming.

Maybe because her brother also specialized in the past of this so-called God, or just because he wanted her teacher to have more protection. Who knew? What mattered was that it was time to put her plan into place.

They were going to travel by a carriage, so she had asked Orion to ask his brother to take him with them, to learn from him, and to see how he held up in the conditions of the Withered, and for some reason, her brother accepted, and if he had rejected her request.

Well, Orion and Keres had a great relationship, since her brother had even given him many lessons when he needed, but to think that her own brother would betray her like this...

After hearing this news, she ordered Orion that on the day of their departure, to distract them so she could sneak in the back of the carriage, and after a close call where her teacher almost saw her, she had successfully gotten in.

...

...

The road was long and very bumpy; she had to cover her mouth sometimes so she didn't vomit. That was how bad it was. It was also very hot; she envied Orion, who was sitting next to her brother and teacher.

Either way, she had done it. But what now? Well, her plan was simple. After they reached the Withered, Orion was going to go with them, but after they were far away, he was going to leave and come to her and get her out.

After that... she didn't know, probably check the marketplace out. After all, she couldn't go where her brother and teacher were, or else she was going to be sent back. She also had to get there alone, since if she took Orion with her, they were going to get suspicious. They had promised to meet at the marketplace, just in case.

But now, she just had to wait.

...

...

And she waited, for what felt like an eternity, but by her luck, it had somehow gotten quite cold, even if before she was sweating bullets; was it that the climate was this different between the two districts? Either way, Orion finally came, letting her out.

...

But while she expected to see the beautiful scenery, she had almost imagined looking at the wall, and that she was told of. Instead, she saw a slumb. The floor was covered in water, and it was slowly raining; it was hardly noticeable, but it was still raining. The black clouds in the sky were also covering everything, and the place was covered in mist.

The houses looked worn down, hardly even sitting stably, if you can even call them homes.

It was in no way what she expected... but maybe the marketplace was different. Maybe this was just a poor part of the Withered.

She had gotten slightly nervous.

Saying goodbye to Orion, she went on her way... but while she had expected to see signs pointing to where the marketplace was, there were none. There was also no one on the street to ask for directions, and when there was, they seemed very shady, staring at her with big eyes.

She did stare out nonetheless, with her expensive dress and jewelry... she regretted not picking some cheaper clothes.

There were these weird symbols and stuff on the walls, but she didn't understand what they meant.

But she had also walked too far to go back... but she also didn't know where to go next.

...

She had gotten lost.

"Maybe this was a bad idea."

She froze, frightened at every sound she heard, but considering that staying in one place won't get her anywhere, she decided to move forward.

...

But as she was wandering around aimlessly, someone passed by her, catching her attention.

She stopped, looking back at him, the boy also doing the same.

...She felt as if she recognized him from somewhere, but couldn't find out from where.

'That golden hair and blue, starry eyes, have I seen them somewhere?"

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