Chapter 04 — The Iris by my Side

​Zak scanned the edge of the glittering ballroom, his eyes searching through the sea of silks and jewels. Then, he saw her.

​The young woman stood by a side table, seemingly aloof from the grandeur, dressed simply but radiating a quiet grace.

​【No way... It can't be...】

​Zak moved with swift purpose, cutting a path directly toward her.

​Ms. Cories, Kniya's mother, nervously tugged on her shawl.

​「Um... Kniya, why is the Prince walking in our direction?」

​「You're just imagining things, Mother.」 Kniya muttered, refusing to look.

​Zak stopped directly in front of them, his presence commanding silence.

​「Um... May I ask what your name might be?」

​【Huh.】 Kniya was startled but managed to keep her voice steady.

​「Oh, it’s Kniya Cories.」

​「Okay, then, Lady Kniya, may I have this dance with you?」

​「I'm no—」 Kniya began, but a sharp, intense glare from her mother cut her off. Kniya sighed, annoyance flickering in her eyes. 「Sorry, Your Highness, but I'm not interested.」

​Zak's eyes sparkled with amusement.

​「...Chuckles... Oh, okay then. Can I ask you one last question?」

​「Yes, ask away, Your Highness.」

​Zak leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, quoting a memory only they shared.

​「Could you finish this sentence for me: I’d never buy roses when...」

​Kniya’s composure utterly shattered. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and her eyes widened with disbelief.

​「...When I have an Iris by my side... No way! Zak!」

​Tears immediately welled up and began to roll down her cheeks.

​Zak closed the distance between them and pulled her into a tight embrace.

​「Sorry for leaving you alone for so long.」

​「Yah, I'm sorry too... for leaving you alone.」 she choked out, holding him just as tightly.

​Ms. Cories gaped, completely bewildered by the sudden, emotional scene.

​「Err... Is there something I'm missing here, you two?」

​Zak gently released Kniya, turning to face her mother.

​「Well, me and your daughter, Kniya, met once before. And that experience was life-changing for me, Mrs. Cories.」

​Ms. Cories burst into laughter, the sound loud and genuine.

​「My apologies! It’s just I can’t see her changing anybody's life, and it's Ms. Cories!」

​「Pardon my mistake, Ms. Cories.」

​「Don't worry, it's okay, Your Highness.」

​Just then, King Alberto approached the group.

​「Err... King Alberto.」 Ms. Cories curtsied low.

​「Oh, so what’s this about, Zackry?」

​「Oh, I just found my wife-to-be, Father. That's all.」

​Alberto smiled, gesturing to the crowd.

​「Oh, is that so? Then could you tell the people about this development?」

​Zak sighed dramatically.

​「Fine...」

​He led Kniya to a central, elevated spot.

​Zak raised his hands, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowded hall.

​「Excuse me, everyone here! Can I get your attention!」

​The chattering ceased. Every eye in the room, from the lowest commoner to the highest noble, fixed on Zak and Kniya.

​「You may tell your daughters to stop advancing on me, for I have already found a wife-to-be!」

​A wave of applause erupted from most of the guests, quickly followed by whispers of outrage from the noble families.

​A portly nobleman stepped forward, his expression severe.

​「If I may ask, Prince Zackry, why a common girl? Isn't she, you know... below your status?」

​Zak sighed, his patience thinning.

​「Oh, wow. You're trying to belittle her, but all I wanted was a—」

​Kniya, standing beside him, completed the sentence without hesitation.

​「—woman with good looks who cooks and cleans.」

​Zak threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming through the hall.

​「Yes, that!」

​A wave of shock rippled through the noble guests.

​「And as you all saw, she completed my sentence before I said it. So what I actually want is a wife I can build a life with, not a woman who was built for my liking.」