Voyage Of The Villainess

Iris glanced up to the blue skies. Compared to the thick clouds that were looming before, the sky had finally cleared up. There were also some birds flying freely. 

"Lady Iris." 

Iris turned around to see Dorris walking towards her.  One could see the swelling of her eyes due to crying overnight.

It had been three days since their fight with Oliver and his force. They were now recuperating in the city of Heloz. Particularly in a really luxurious house.

"Dorris.." Iris sighed wearily. "How many times do I need to tell you not to cry anymore? If she's here, she will not be happy seeing you like that. I know it was not easy for you but it's already happened don't let the past get into the present moment by remembering those painful scenarios. Today is a new opportunity to move forward."

When Malaya was engulfed by that ravaging fire in front of them, Iris did everything to get her out of there. But before Iris could reach Malaya, she disappeared along with the fire and at the same time, Oliver disappeared as well.

"By the way how's Rein?" Iris asked.

"He is doing better now unlike yesterday." 

At the same time, while they were fighting, Iris didn't expect that the Maru they had on the ship was a fake one, set by Oliver to trap them. But before it could do any harm to Rein and Dorris, the fake Maru disintegrated. Oliver must have planned all of that to sabotage them but his plan was overrun by Malaya. 

'Just how deep did she see this through.' Iris sighed. 'For now, we didn't know either where to find Rhyme, Maru, and also Malaya...'

Iris clenched her fist together and continued to look at the sky. 

Dorris also looked very disheartened. "About Lady Malaya, do you think she is still alive right?"

"Tss what kind of stupid question is that? Of course, she is. She told us after all that she doesn't make plans that will kill her, right? Let's believe in her words and wait for her. We know her, when she makes a statement she will do it." Although Iris said that with a cheerful tone but since her back was facing Dorris, Dorris failed to see the conflicted expression she was making.

'Right, we will wait for you.' Iris said, though there was this annoying heavy feeling inside her. 'We haven't even started our journey yet, you idiot. So please come back no matter what.'

"Iris, Dorris." They both turned to see Elred walking towards them. "I have good news to you, the Saintess has woken up," he reported.

"They woke up." Iris started to walk inside the house they were staying in. "I'll go check and see them."

"What do you mean by saying 'see them'?" Elred inquired which made Iris stop on her tracks. "They are not even familiar with you. What are you going to do?" 

"I'll just tell them the possible things that can happen to them from now on," Iris said as she continued to head inside the house.

---⚓⚓⚓---

The rustling of winds. The sounds that came from the rustling of the rivers. And the smell of bloom from the fallen petals of the cherry blossoms. Hyun Jae's eyes widened in surprise. A surge of nostalgia and at the same time feeling of emptiness filled inside her. 'This place?! Am I back on Earth?'

"I see, so this is your home. We don't have cherry blossoms in our country so this sight is truly mesmerizing." 

Hyun Jae was surprised to hear that very familiar voice. She turned around.

"But why do your eyes look hurt despite being at your home? Or perhaps, you already found a much better place that you can call "home"?"

"Malaya?" Hyun Jae tried to open her mouth but no words or any sounds came out. The person in front of her... She knew it was Malaya but there was something different about her. Everything was different to her, her clothes, hair, and eyes. 

"This is the first time you've seen me, isn't it? I'm Carolle. I'm here to tell you that you don't need to kill him. The person you considered already as one of your dear friends, he will be fine now. You've done well on your part. Thank you, Hyun Jae."

['She's a freak!'

'Why are you talking to her? Just leave her alone.'

'You already lost your parents, do you think there is still someone you can rely on in this world. You are now alone, Hyun Jae. No one likes to be friends with an orphan like you.

'She's completely useless.']

Hyun Jae felt something wet on her cheeks. As she touched it, 'Eh, why am I crying?'

The woman in front of her smiled. The smile she knew very well from the first time they met. 

["You don't have to feel bad for me."]

When Hyun Jae first met Malaya, that was the first thing Malaya spoke to her. Instead of being angry, she received the same gentle smile the woman had now. A smile that was saying 'everything will be alright.' But right now, she was confused about the person who was in front of her. The person in front of her was Malaya but at the same time, she doesn't look like Malaya. She called herself by a different name "Carolle". 

Hyun Jae wanted to speak up but her body didn't allow her to do such a thing.

Hyun Jae tried to move but there was some force she couldn't explain, that was stopping her from doing so. And at the same time, no voice was coming out of her mouth.

Hyun Jae even felt more afraid when the strange Malaya in front of her stood up. 

"Hyun Jae, you don't need to worry about anything anymore. This time, I know and you know that you already found the place that you belong to."

Carolle started to turn her back. Hyun Jae felt that if she walked away from her, there is a possibility that she would not be able to see her again. She screamed and screamed again and again inside her head seeing her departing back.

'I need to speak!'

'I need to call her!'

'If I didn't, I think I will never be able to see her again.'

'Malaya!'

'Malaya!'

'Please, don't leave me alone here. I need to talk to you. Tell me what's happening!'

Hyun Jae took a deep breath with tears streaming down her eyes. "Carolle!"

Carolle stopped in her footsteps. "Please tell them, Hyun Jae. I will come back." She was near yet her voice was distant. "Tell them to wait for me."

A strong gust of wind blew making the petals of the cherry blossom rain down to both of them. Then the petals started to swirl around them, devouring each of them.

---⚓⚓⚓---

Hyun Jae slowly opened her eyes and once again she could feel that her cheeks were wet. She blinked more until her vision became clear. The first thing she saw was the white ceiling above her. She just stared at the ceiling for a moment. 'Am I still dreaming?'

*Thud!* She turned her head to the left side when she heard a noise. 

"La-lady Iris?" Her voice came out weak and dry.

Iris strode towards her. "Hyun Jae, I'm glad that you're awake! But we need to leave right away now. We must leave this place as soon as possible." Her voice laced urgency.

"Wait, why?" Hyun Jae asked, confused.

"Stop talking, you are simply wasting your energy. I will explain it to you later however at this moment you and the crown prince should follow my request." Iris said, gazing straight into her eyes. "Do you trust me?" At this time Iris' voice was serious. Hyun Jae just moved her head for the appropriate response.

Iris was followed by Elred and Dorris behind her. "Alright Thank you for trusting me. We need you and the crown prince to escape this place while they are still not here."

"Dorris, please set up a magic circle to the ship now!"

"Elred carry the prince over here."

Both Dorris and Elred looked at Iris confused. "Dummies, do you forget about the contract Malaya did. That after all those black knights help us, they will get these two kids."

"That contract, if we don't fulfill it, Lady Malaya will be in danger."

They could already hear a lot of footsteps outside the house.

"Everyone." Iris grinned. "Do you think Malaya will really give these two brats knowing they will be in danger? I don't know where Malaya is? But I got the feeling this is the thing we need to do."

"But..." Dorris hesitated.

"Don't worry, she will not be affected by the contract."

"How can you be sure of that?" Dorris inquired with a troubled expression.

"You have been with her for more than four years, you should already know how sly that woman can be." 

Dorris clutched both her hands together and breathed in deeply. She then started chanting and a magic circle started to form beneath them.

The door opened wide revealing Lanzelot with a sword in his hand. "What's the meaning of this?!"

Iris grinned in front of him. "I apologized but I will be taking back these kids with me." 

"Do you think I will let you leave?!" Lanzelot raised his sword and dived towards them. Iris blocked him with her spear.

"Don't worry, after these kids get back, you will receive news about the freedom of your people from the empire." Iris looked at him with a serious gaze.

"What!" 

Iris used his distraction to kick his abdomen. He was caught off guard and staggered away from the magic circle.. But before he could get back to them they vanished completely. 

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