79 – Climbing-14
I envy you.
Without even realizing what words were coming out of her own mouth, feelings of envy and jealousy overtook Iris.
This is an ordinary conversation.
A natural and normal conversation between a man who likes to fight and a woman who likes to fight.
It was a bit ridiculous to say that they were in love with each other and that they were running out of honey.
Oksana was young, and that seemed no different even by Evan’s standards.
Although she was barely an adult, her small stature and youthful appearance stimulated her protective instinct rather than the confidence that a woman should have.
However, the two of them were having a very comfortable conversation.
Evan looked a little embarrassed, but she didn’t try to hit her.
She only sent her eyes embarrassed by her excessive attention, because she was covering her casually.
When Oksana asks her questions, she answers them, and she never hurts each other or puts anyone down.
Maybe this is a normal conversation.
I didn’t even understand why she was envious of this. No, she didn’t want to understand.
Crown Princess, it was something Iris had never done before.
“If it’s a sea route… It must be a big celebration. Isn’t that the northern kingdom’s wish?”
“hahahaha…”
“If there was such a celebration, we would of course have to send an envoy and hold a festival…”
Launching a ship in the north and reaching other territories other than the empire was a longing that many people tried and most did not succeed.
If that was really successful, you shouldn’t make a fuss like this. It’s a matter that the Empire should know about, of course.
Even in her unconscious mind, Iris was finding words to attack Alexandra.
“Recently, the number of talented sailors has increased. The sailors of the Froststorm Fleet also returned without problems… And the East or the Empire hired decent captains.”
“Aha.”
“It might be a little difficult to launch a huge ship, but it’s not impossible to put several properly sized ships on the sea road.”
Alexandra carefully wiped the sweat from her eyes, waiting for her opponent’s reaction.
Even with Iris, who put her mind elsewhere, it was not an easy opponent for her. Different political capacities.
However, even under that situation, Iris was constantly suffering from distracting thoughts.
Logan’s age was not small. He relieved her anxiety about him by restraining Iris.
There were quite a few moments when the princess couldn’t participate because of his obsession with events that the princess should have attended.
If aristocratic blood flows in Evan’s lineage at all, he would have already made it clear that he could not doubt Evan’s relationship with her.
However, he did not pay attention to Iris.
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Her care, love, and care for her individual. Iris did not remember receiving any of them.
As if, the attention and gold she would receive from her when she became the emperor’s man was more important than her love and concern for her personal.
‘What am I… What am I?’
After marrying the good man she risked her life to get, no, she hasn’t yet, a happy life living with mutual respect.
Those two weren’t lovers, nor had their relationship progressed that far, but she already had what she wanted.
How many times do I have to feel these feelings for him?
Rather, the conversation with the gladiator was bearable. At least he must have been a partner who spent a lot of time with him.
However, if I could have a friendly conversation like this with a woman I’ve never seen before. If only I could have such a sweet conversation with someone who hadn’t done anything for him.
“However, it is northern wolf fur. The reason we were able to sell it at such a high price was thanks to the Empire brand and quality assurance.”
“Though things are the same.”
“However, if it is an item that comes by sea instead of land, isn’t there a small chance that the item will be the same? It won’t be easy to manage…”
“Of course, we are prepared for that. Mariners have developed new technologies.”
It wasn’t a lie. The fact that the technology for transporting high-quality fur was developed, and that fur could be transported by floating multiple ships.
However, it has not changed that it is much more difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming than transporting furs through the empire.
The northern kingdom could not find a trade route that could replace the empire. In any case, it was just a policy to gain an upper hand in negotiations.
“However, it is true that the Empire cannot receive the full amount.”
“Then… Why don’t you lower the price a bit, but leave a little margin on the quality?”
“You mean quality?”
“Fur stretched out by animal frenzy. Shooting a bow to hunt and killing hordes of beasts with spears, knives, and traps. The quality of fur cannot be the same.”
“Hmm…”
It was a pity, but Alexandra couldn’t stand Iris’ situation.
After all, she was a royal family in the north, and she couldn’t help thinking about the national interest.
“You do that.”
Alexandra could not hide her uneasiness even as she let out a pleasant cheer in her heart.
“I’m glad you understand the situation.”
The iris was shaking. To the extent that Alexandra could notice, ghastly and brutally.
‘For what purpose…’
The urge to change her relationship with Logan flooded her mind. However, there was no way.
Her sense of crisis that she couldn’t do it this way, her sense of despair that she had no countermeasures or alternatives dominated her.
I couldn’t even hear what the two were talking about. Just by enduring that sweet atmosphere, her spirit was at its limit.
Laughter, smile, bright voice, warm consideration.
Just being aware of the fact that a man and a woman were having such a conversation right in front of her eyes was so painful that she couldn’t bear it.
Having finished her words, Alexandra continued her meal, but she could not concentrate on cooking in front of Iris, who was exuding her melancholy without a change in expression.
What broke the awkward atmosphere was Oksana’s bright voice.
“You know, princess?”
“Tell me, Ms. Oksana.”
Although she was clearly exuding an aura of jealousy just a moment ago, Oksana’s eyes met Iris’s, and she smiled flawlessly and brightly.
“Is it okay if I try a sword fight with Evan?”
“Yes?”
As for her next words, even she couldn’t help but lose her composure.
/////
“Let me ask you a question. Please wait…”
“Um, princess? No matter how much you think about it…”
Oksana’s suggestion was simple. It was a simple question, asking if she would be able to fight with her once again, since it was regrettable for her once.
“Are you… Having a hard time? Are you having a hard time?”
“Really, I’m fine, but I don’t think it’s just us saying it’s okay…”
No matter how much I was, I didn’t have the confidence to fight against people with hand-to-hand combat.
If I swung my sword against a foreign princess and then an accident or someone died, no matter how much I was a man, there was no way I could survive.
Then, in the end, a safety agent is needed.
She has to bring back the wizards who must have left work by now to cast her spell, and prepare a blunt sword she can use.
Besides, it was questionable whether Iris or Alexandra would allow it. There will be official events and other schedules.
“You know, princess?”
“Tell me, Ms. Oksana.”
Despite my worries, Oksana called the princess with her bright smile.
“Is it okay if I have a sword fight with Evan?”
There was silence for a while. It was such an event.
Iris froze without changing her expression, then tilted her head and thought.
It was Alexandra who reacted more intensely.
“Oksana. What do you mean by that? No matter how well Evan treats you, you can’t commit such rudeness…”
“Evan said it was okay!”
“No matter how much it is…”
Iris pondered for a moment, then she smiled and nodded her head.
“There’s nothing that can’t be done. Will Evan be okay?”
“That’s me… It’s always fine.”
“It wouldn’t have been easy to play two games in a row in one day… Thank you for your dedication.”
“Then…”
“It’s a place to deepen friendship with the northern kingdom, so you can’t help but allow it. When should we start?”
She bowed her head and responded in the affirmative to Oksana’s slightly forced proposal.
“…Um?”
Abnormal. Her eyes, expression, voice and attitude. None of them were in danger.
It seemed like he was desperately holding back something. She didn’t have any good feelings for her, but still, her Iris’ face looked so pathetic now.
There was no way to understand why he was making that face.
Objectively, it was most likely my mistake.
It’s just a sword fight. There was no reason for her to be sad.
However, her atmosphere overwhelms me.
Like a kitten shivering in the cold under the cold rain, it was spewing misfortune everywhere.
“Please…”
My lips are shaking. She lost her composure to the point where it was difficult to ask if she was okay.
“I hope you have a happy time.”
Nevertheless, Iris was smiling.