Decision to leave

Iris became severely ill after that incident.

Her temperature rose to an unprecedented level, as if her body was burning, as though fire was flowing through her veins.

Even when she reached adulthood and experienced her first menstrual cycle, she had never suffered from such a violent fever.

The last thing she remembered about her mother was being told that reaching adulthood would bring some pain and fever due to their lineage.

And she had indeed gone through it, to the point that she remained bedridden for an entire day and night.

But this fever… was different.

Stronger, longer, as if it was slowly draining her.

So she concluded that the cause was the psychological stress from the kidnapping incident.

That is what Iris thought when she regained consciousness after a fever that lasted three days.

Her body was weak… weaker than anything she had ever known.

She was now in the simple village hospital.

And the same girl was sitting beside her.

As soon as the little one saw that she had awakened, she rushed to her crying.

Iris gently patted her back and asked in a hoarse voice: “What happened? And who brought us here?”

The girl raised her head, eyes full of tears and nose red. She looked like a small beautiful doll.

Iris almost pinched her swollen cheeks, but restrained herself.

The girl took a breath, then began to explain what happened.

She told her that other men had intervened in time and saved everyone who was with them… without exception.

They even returned those who had been forcibly sold to noble houses and brought them back to their homes.

And those who had no home… were given a place to stay.

She also said that the man had carried Iris himself and rushed her to the hospital.

Not only that, he paid for a nurse from the capital and provided medicine and food for everyone who needed it.

The little girl spoke excitedly about his heroism.

Iris felt warmth spread through her chest.

She remembered… before she lost consciousness, she had asked him to save the child.

And he had done it.

More than that.

It warmed her heart, leaving a heavy debt within her.

She wanted to thank him… to tell him how much what he did meant to her.

But unfortunately… he had already left.

She did not even know his name or his appearance.

“Miss?”

The little girl tilted her head, watching her distraction.

Iris jolted slightly and asked: “Did he say anything else?”

She did not expect anything important…

But she was shocked when the girl answered:

“Yes… he said that the two of us must leave to another kingdom. This kingdom is no longer safe… and it is about to enter a war.”

Iris’s heart pounded violently.

War…?

This kingdom… was the last thing connecting her to her parents’ memories.

Leaving it was not easy.

The journey would be exhausting and costly… and there was no guarantee of finding work.

The little girl noticed her silence, stepped forward, and said hesitantly: “I am Lety… what is your name?”

Iris almost hit her forehead.

She had forgotten to ask her name.

How careless…

She smiled shyly and said: “My name is Iris, nice to meet you.”

Lety’s eyes sparkled: “Miss, you look young… I don’t think calling you ‘aunt’ suits you. Can I call you big sister? If you don’t mind…”

She fidgeted nervously.

She looked very cute.

Iris laughed softly and said: “I would be happy with that.”

Lety’s face lit up immediately: “Okay… big sister!”

Iris smiled, then asked gently: “Where are you from, Lety? And where are your parents?”

Her features were slightly different, which made Iris think she was not from this kingdom.

Lety lowered her head and said sadly: “I am from the Empire of Kalsir… my mother was taken as a slave to a distant kingdom… and I know nothing about my father.”

Iris paused for a moment.

Empire of Kalsir…

The largest empire in the world, ruled by an emperor with an iron grip.

But what weighed most on her heart… was this child’s situation.

She gently pulled her into an embrace and said: “It’s okay… from now on, I will be with you.”

She felt a strange sense of connection between them.

Perhaps… because they shared the same feeling.

Loneliness.

…

Another day passed, and it was time for Iris to leave the hospital.

The village was far, so she stayed in a nearby inn.

As for money… that man had left it.

His kindness still surprised her.

Because of her unfamiliarity with the place, she wore a hooded cloak to hide her features.

At night, she talked with Lety for a long time…

Until sleep overtook her.

After the little girl fell asleep, Iris remained awake.

Thinking.

About war… about the past… and about the road ahead.

After a long and exhausting reflection…

She made her decision.

She would leave.

Her and Lety.

To… the Empire of Kalsir.